Ellen Hargrove - 2015 Audience

November, 2015

I attended the gala performance of Weaving Our Sisters’ Voices on Thursday, October 8. I had been told it was a play about women in the Bible and expected it might be a series of static monologues or vignettes each telling the story of a particular woman in the Bible. Instead, I was delighted to watch as a lead player told her character’s story and was joined by the other players who also portrayed the same woman and added details to her story. Thus there were many voices telling each woman’s story.

And the presentation was definitely not static. The sloping stage depicting sand and rocks set the scene. The rhythmic dances and movements and the accompanying music emphasized the weaving of the women’s stories.

The beige fabric pieces that became scarves, head coverings, mats, baby wrappings, and covers, gave visual meaning to what was happening in the stories.

The large circular object at center stage that was taken apart and reassembled by the players was a mosaic of how all the women’s trials and hardships, courage and faith formed an interwoven pattern. The story of the Levite’s concubine and the dismantling of the object was a stunning introduction to the presentation.

The ASL motions during the play not only helped involve those in the audience who may have hearing challenges, but also emphasizes how another type of ‘voice’ can tell the stories too.

This was a very creative, informative, and entertaining presentation. I was familiar with many of the women portrayed, but not all. This play did an excellent job of telling their stories. Their voices were heard. Thank you for all your hard work.