mission
Eclipse Theatre Company presents the work of one playwright each season. We offer the audience an opportunity, unique in the midwest, to journey with us through the playwright’s works. Join us in exploring the breadth and depth of a playwright’s artistic worlds.
One playwright, one season, one illuminating journey.
Hi Eclipsarians,
I have a few questions about Pearl Cleage. Do any of her plays take place in the present? Is there anywhere I can read synopsis of her plays? Which of her plays does the playwright consider the most cutting edge? Which of her plays is are most easily staged in terms of simplicity of set design?
Thank You!
Isabella Russell-Ides
Dallas Playwright
Isabella -
There’s a good listing of her plays with some summaries here (it doesn’t include A Song for Coretta, which just debuted at Spelman College in Atlanta).
Most of her plays are connected to historical events or periods, though in the case of Chain and A Song for Coretta they’re current historical periods.
I’m not sure what Pearl would consider the most “cutting edge” play to be - I’d say that would probably be Chain; it’s a one-actor short play focusing on a young woman whose family has chained her to a radiator to help her beat a drug addiction. And that would probably be the simplest to stage as well - it needs a room, a radiator, and a length of chain.
Thanks for the questions - let us know your thoughts as you read more of her works, and best of luck to you in Dallas.
And if you’re in Chicago this summer, we’ll be performing a reading of Chain along with full productions of Hospice and Late Bus to Mecca.