Writ in the Margins

In this episode, hosts Morgan Ford and Ronan Melomo dig into the contextual underpinnings of The Antipodes through their analysis of the ways in which Brome's play dramatizes a role for the early modern stage director and also responds to the closure of the theatres in response to plague in the early modern era. How might a contemporary audience respond to this play in the wake of COVID-19? Can a...

In this episode, hosts Eli Cronin and Katie Graham explore intersections of ecocriticism, queer theory, and feminist theory in their analysis of Richard Brome's topsy-turvy play, The Antipodes . They use close readings from the play to analyze the play's shifting power dynamics through the lens of both queer theory and ecofeminism, especially in thinking through how the play activates space throug...

In this episode, hosts Jacob Laitinen and Petra Shearer investigate the figure of the gracioso, the comic sidekick in Spanish Golden Age drama. Their episode hones in on Papagayo and his antics within the play by first thinking about the roots and continental influences that shaped the gracioso figure and then sharpening their focus to analyze Papagayo's place within the world of Presumed Dead . T...

In this episode, hosts Devlin Ford and Shawn Passero consider the impact of genre on the ways in which an audience receives a play like de Azevedo's Presumed Dead . They take a deep dive into the world of murder mystery, analyzing both the roots of the genre and its contemporary popularity. They close read some of the play's whodunnit tropes in conversation with blockbusters like Knives Out. This...

In this episode, hosts Hailey Pearce and Pete Sheldon focus on the concept of honor in Presumed Dead , especially through the lens of gender. They take a close look at chivalry, dueling, and chastity throughout de Azevedo's play by offering historical context on the Spanish Golden Age, delving into close readings, and performing excerpts from de Azevedo's thrilling play. This episode also features...

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 t...

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 a...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

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 disable...

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...

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...

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'...

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....

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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 translat...

In this episode, hosts Kailey Potter and Kelsey Harrison dive into the historical context of the Spanish Golden Age before turning to Lope de Vega's masterwork, FuenteOvejuna . They explore the legacy of the historical Order of Calatrava in connection to de Vega's dramatic creation across production history. Finally, they interview actor Sara Renee Topham about her experience playing Laurencia in...