BRATTLEBORO-Vermont Theatre Company (VTC) presents I, Joan, by playwright and actor Charlie Josephine. It is the imagining of the story of Joan of Arc as a “genderqueer warrior stepping into their power and identity — full of vulnerability, humor, tragedy, dance battles, absurdity, and revolutionary spirit,” wrote organizers in a news release.
The legend portrays Joan of Arc as a teenaged peasant, leader in the French army, a heretic who refused to stop wearing men’s clothing — as a martyr, and later, a saint. Joan’s story has been told many times since the 1400s, written mostly by men, with those men’s understandings of Joan’s actions and identity recorded as history.
Josephine and Director Jess Iris invite audiences to explore the possibility of Joan as Joan might have seen their own identity, community, and spirituality with today’s language and understanding. “Along the way, there will be music, dancing, puppets, drumming, tragedy, righteous anger, love, and joy,” said organizers.
I, Joan premiered at London’s historic Globe Theatre. The VTC production “asks audiences to consider Joan’s experience, regardless of what was written down,” says co-Assistant Director Eli Coughlin-Galbraith. “Every time we retell a story, we bring it into the present. I, Joan takes deliberate care to tell Joan’s story through the lens of our current language and understanding.”
Given the content of the historical events, this show contains themes of state and religious oppression, misogyny, economic oppression, and misgendering. “As a story written and presented with care to center self-identified queer, working-class, trans, femme, and other identities who have experienced marginalization,” says co-Assistant Director Avery Thompson, “I, Joan takes a tragedy and adds a celebration, a revival, a glimmer of hope that, through authenticity and with the power of the people, our history can be in our own hands.”
VTC’s production of I, Joan will engage audiences through multiple genres of artistic expression. Choral numbers are led by Max Bady-Kaye, and pulled from familiar local folk traditions. He has also composed a new melody for song lyrics provided in the script. There will be drumming by Katie Steele woven into the story at pivotal moments.
Dance and movement has been choreographed by Mimi Fang. Tom Burrows serves as the martial arts advisor. The show also features puppets based on early illustrations of the inquisition of Joan of Arc, created by artist Shea Witzberger, and props created by Jesse Tidd.
Dante Heartwood, with assistance from Theo Heartwood, are creating costumes inspired by looks based on what one sees at a contemporary Pride fest or protest or rally, as well as pulling from historical designs. Stage Manager Lucy Webb rounds out the production team to bring the whole vision to life.
“It was really important to me,” says Director Jess Iris, “to bring together a massive crew of folx passionate about sharing a story that centers a queer and trans leading character. Theater is always political. It is often retelling familiar stories for today’s audience, but bringing out themes that are relevant or important right now. We have an incredible team of artists and performers who have worked very hard and poured a lot of love into this version of Joan’s story, because this story means so much to them personally.”
Given the amount of talent and passion of the players who auditioned, Iris says specific key roles were cast with a lead and an understudy.
Performances will be at Epsilon Spires on Main Street Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 29, at 2pm. Note that the March 22 show is a special understudy-led performance.
Tickets are offered on a sliding scale from $10-$30, though no person will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets can be purchased on the Vermont Theatre Company website at vermonttheatrecompany.org/events or at the door the evening of the show.
Epsilon Spires is an accessible venue. The historic cathedral that houses Epsilon Spires has undergone renovations to be wheelchair accessible and ADA-compliant. Accessible parking is available behind the building, the accessible entrance is at the side of the building, and the restrooms are fully accessible and gender-neutral.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.