N-Town Trial of Mary and Joseph & Nativity
PRESENTED BY: University of Illinois Program in Medieval Studies, Department of English, and Department of Theatre
DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG: Ann Hubert
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Stephanie Svarz
PRODUCER: Robert W. Barrett, Jr.
SYNOPSIS: The N-Town Plays are a fifteenth-century compilation of forty-two biblical dramas from East Anglia, England. The unique manuscript of N-Town presents these originally independent plays as though they were a complete Creation-to-Doomsday cycle, paying particular attention to the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history. Our production focuses on two of these Marian plays, the “Trial of Mary and Joseph” and the “Nativity.” These two shows dramatize Mary’s dual experiences as human woman and religious icon, emphasizing the joys and the hardships that she faces while serving her Lord.
COMPANY BIOGRAPHY: The Program in Medieval Studies at the University of Illinois has been sponsoring annual performances of medieval drama since 2013. Our productions include 2013’s Mankind, 2014’s Conversion of St. Paul, and 2015’s trio of N-Town Mary plays, “The Trial of Mary and Joseph,” “The Nativity,” and “The Assumption of Mary.” In 2016, the Program will stage the Towneley Second Shepherds’ Play.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Ann Hubert received her PhD in medieval English literature from the University of Illinois in January 2015. She has recently published an article in Early Theatre entitled, “Preaching Rhetorical Invention: Poeta and Paul in the Digby Conversion of St. Paul.” Ann is also involved in play production: she has co-directed Mankind and directed the Digby Conversion of St. Paul as well as the N-Town “Trial of Mary and Joseph,” “Nativity,” and “Assumption of Mary” plays.
Stephanie Svarz is a Senior Dual Degree Candidate at the University of Illinois studying English (American Literature) and Theater (Directing/Educational Outreach). Her past directing projects include The Diary of Anne Frank; Our Town; Almost, Maine; The Last Days of Judas Iscariot; Under Milk Wood; and Avenue Q. She has also had a hand in acting, dramaturgy, lighting, sound & costume design, and playwriting for various theater companies in New York, Chicago, Champaign, and Muncie, IL.
Rob Barrett is Associate Professor of English, Medieval Studies, and Theatre at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His published works include Against All England: Regional Identity and Cheshire Writing, 1195-1656 (University of Notre Dame Press, 2009) and articles on (among other topics) the Chester Shepherds and Pentecost plays. He is currently writing a book examining medieval English drama through the lenses of ecocriticism and critical plant studies.
RUNNING TIME: 45 minutes
VENUE: Alumni Hall
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Saturday June 6th at 2:30pm and Sunday June 7th at 12:15pm
TICKETS: $15 adult / $12.50 student (general admission)
DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG: Ann Hubert
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Stephanie Svarz
PRODUCER: Robert W. Barrett, Jr.
SYNOPSIS: The N-Town Plays are a fifteenth-century compilation of forty-two biblical dramas from East Anglia, England. The unique manuscript of N-Town presents these originally independent plays as though they were a complete Creation-to-Doomsday cycle, paying particular attention to the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history. Our production focuses on two of these Marian plays, the “Trial of Mary and Joseph” and the “Nativity.” These two shows dramatize Mary’s dual experiences as human woman and religious icon, emphasizing the joys and the hardships that she faces while serving her Lord.
COMPANY BIOGRAPHY: The Program in Medieval Studies at the University of Illinois has been sponsoring annual performances of medieval drama since 2013. Our productions include 2013’s Mankind, 2014’s Conversion of St. Paul, and 2015’s trio of N-Town Mary plays, “The Trial of Mary and Joseph,” “The Nativity,” and “The Assumption of Mary.” In 2016, the Program will stage the Towneley Second Shepherds’ Play.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Ann Hubert received her PhD in medieval English literature from the University of Illinois in January 2015. She has recently published an article in Early Theatre entitled, “Preaching Rhetorical Invention: Poeta and Paul in the Digby Conversion of St. Paul.” Ann is also involved in play production: she has co-directed Mankind and directed the Digby Conversion of St. Paul as well as the N-Town “Trial of Mary and Joseph,” “Nativity,” and “Assumption of Mary” plays.
Stephanie Svarz is a Senior Dual Degree Candidate at the University of Illinois studying English (American Literature) and Theater (Directing/Educational Outreach). Her past directing projects include The Diary of Anne Frank; Our Town; Almost, Maine; The Last Days of Judas Iscariot; Under Milk Wood; and Avenue Q. She has also had a hand in acting, dramaturgy, lighting, sound & costume design, and playwriting for various theater companies in New York, Chicago, Champaign, and Muncie, IL.
Rob Barrett is Associate Professor of English, Medieval Studies, and Theatre at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His published works include Against All England: Regional Identity and Cheshire Writing, 1195-1656 (University of Notre Dame Press, 2009) and articles on (among other topics) the Chester Shepherds and Pentecost plays. He is currently writing a book examining medieval English drama through the lenses of ecocriticism and critical plant studies.
RUNNING TIME: 45 minutes
VENUE: Alumni Hall
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Saturday June 6th at 2:30pm and Sunday June 7th at 12:15pm
TICKETS: $15 adult / $12.50 student (general admission)