In this episode, hosts Chase Fowler and Beth Somerville think through implications of genre in relation to Sor Juana's play. They ground their investigation in the roots of Spanish "cape and sword" dramas and the influence of Italian commedia dell'arte and then consider how the concept of honor is received by an audience based on the play's genre. Finally, they turn to some contemporary cultural analogues. Hint: Anybody want a peanut? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 25, 2022
26 min
In this episode, hosts Sam Corey and Lis Hayward investigate the intricacies of translating Sor Juana's work for performance. They are joined by two incredible scholars. First, they interview Dr. Catherine Boyle about her translation of House of Desires. They are then joined by Dr. Kathleen Jeffs, who dramaturged the play in production with the RSC in 2004. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 25, 2022
29 min
In this episode, hosts Madison Mattfield-Mayberry and Katelyn Spurgin consider House of Desires through the lens of post-colonialism. They ground their investigation in Sor Juana's own biography, most notably through a close-reading of her relationship with the Viceroy and Vicereine and the occasion of the birth of their son. They use text from the play to draw connections between this event and the play's musical pageantry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 25, 2022
19 min
In this episode, hosts George Durfee, Rachel Louis, and Dylan Mabe process some ways in which disability theory opens up performative potential in The Witch of Edmonton. They consider the ways in which the play "others" its title character, including physical disability, advanced age, and her outcast status within her community. They then bring in guest expert Tim Briggs, a multi-hyphenate disabled theatremaker, to consider opportunities the character of Sawyer offers for representation in performance.Content note: This episode includes discussion of abuse, mental illness, and physical and mental disability. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 18, 2022
21 min
On this episode, hosts Andrew Knight and Cameron Taylor hone in on the character of Tom, the "devil doggo" that haunts The Witch of Edmonton. They first contextualize this character through historical research into witches and familiars and then examine how familiars like Tom have come alive across production history. They also interview guest scholar, dramaturg, and actor Callie Banholzer about her research into canine staging practices in the early modern period to enrich our understanding of characterization of Tom as an early modern good doggo. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 18, 2022
25 min
In this episode, hosts Gil Mitchell and Ariel Tatum unpack the true life events and historical figures that haunt The Witch of Edmonton. They work with Goodcole's Pamphlet that relays the sad (and salacious) story of the real-life Elizabeth Sawyer and immerse listeners in the sordid tale be performing a dramatic staging of excerpts from the pamphlet. Gil and Ariel also interweave details of King James's fascination and fear of witches to demonstrate how The Witch of Edmonton works as a sign of its time. And there are ferrets.Content Note: This episode contains depictions of hanging, as well as descriptions of violence. It also deals with heavy topics including the prosecution of individuals for witchcraft. Listener discretion is suggested. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 18, 2022
23 min
In this episode, hosts Macy Foss, Kelsey Linberg, and Rosemary Richards transform into the Weird Sisters and illuminate the queer potential of Cavendish's narrative structure. They think about the intersections of gender and sexuality at play in Cavendish's Closet and then put their thinking in action through the performance of a scene from the play. Finally, the Weird Sisters highlight Cavendish's strategies for smashing the patriarchy and confronting censorship.... including Cavendish's own husband! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 11, 2022
27 min
In this episode, hosts Kara Hankard and Madison Rudolph take a deep dive into critical theory, thinking through the ways that Cavendish's closet drama can be illuminated through the lens of feminist and queer theory. They begin by unpacking Cavendish's naming conventions in the play before turning to an examination of the play's queer poetics and some spicy details from Cavendish's own biography. They are then joined by actors Sophia Berrata, Katelyn Spurgin, and Johnny Williams III for a performance of a key scene from the play. There's some bonus content in this episode's guide, so check that out on our website. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 11, 2022
23 min
In this episode, Jordan explores the wealth of types of love de Vega stages in FuenteOvejuna. She draws on classical definitions and close-reading in support of her argument and, with the help of some excellent guest actors, shows how these varieties of love intersect in performance. She also plays a wicked banjo! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 2, 2022
18 min
In this episode, hosts Cole Metz and Keith Taylor consider some key features of the terrain of FuenteOvejuna through an examination of the play's literal landscape, including oak trees, acorns, and yes, even pigs. They then pivot to an exploration of why and how this place works so well across a variety of global adaptations. Finally, they consider the implications of transculturation and translation in performance contexts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jul 2, 2022
21 min
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