004 The Revolutionists program

Creator

Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Preview

Identifier

TheRevolutionistsProgram_Page_04

Creation Date

4-12-2024

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Theatre and Performance Studies

Description

FROM THE DIRECTOR - DayDay Robinson

I first encountered The Revolutionists in 2020. Looking back, it is fitting that I read this play, which focuses on empowered women during the same year as the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement. While reading the play, I was enamored by the unapologetic sisterhood, feminism, and activism displayed between these four characters. I love that the play gives us a glimpse into the Haitian Revolution through the fictional character of Marianna Angelle. At the same time, I was also embarrassed by the gaps in my education. Here, we have a play with three historical women, and I only knew information about Marie Antoinette; even that knowledge was diluted and told from the perspective of men. As a theatremaker and a self-identified playwright, I should have known about playwright Olympe de Gouges. The lack of familiarity with these women’s history and the current politics surrounding women’s rights make this play prevalent.

The purpose of the play is not to rewrite these women’s history. Instead, it highlights the different facets of their history. Although this play is seemingly geared toward women, I think it is universal. We can all relate to the desire to leave our marks on the world. Ultimately, The Revolutionists, through joy, sorrow, and laughter, questions who gets to tell our story when we are gone.

I hope that by seeing this production, these characters remind you to continue being multidimensional and writing your own story.

Publisher

Arkansas State University

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.