Statement for production

The main problems with the production would have to be the audience understanding, the music, and the dancing. In order to fully understand the stand points of each of the characters, the audience would need a certain understand of the Shaker society and the time period. For example, why the elders are so firmly against Fanny seeing the angels because they believe that she is unworthy of the visions because she is not sworn into the Society. For many people, this may be confusing if they are not familiar with the culture. Also a part of Shaker culture is the religious dancing. Shakers are called “shakers” because of they’re twittering and shaking when they feel that the “spirit has overcome them”. Although this sounds simple it really is not. The shakers has distinct rhythms and motions that need to be present in order for the moments are accurate. Also the music that are associated with the play are particular. The text has specific lyrics. Unfortunately, the playwright did not provide a musical composition to accurately intone the meaning. Therefore, finding a specific musical composition of these hymns could become very difficult. Another issue with the finding of the music is that there may be different versions of one song.
SHSU would have a few issues involving this play. One would be the issue of age. The age group is as young as 14 or 15 years old to as old as 50 or 60. Izzy, the youngest, would need to look young in order for the audience to understand why when she ask to “sign the convent” she is denied because of her age. In the other extreme, Sister Hannah is the “eldress” of the family. This implies that she is quite old and should be seen as old. Costuming is also another issue for Sam Houston. Although the Sam Houston costuming is extensive, the time period has not been explored nor has the specific design of the Shaker women. The play is set in 1838 Pleasant Hill Kentucky. 1838 was a time in fashion where elaboration is the norm. Therefore, designing for this production would require extensive research. Space would be the final issue for Sam Houston. The question of whether the production would require the main stage, which has more space for the actors and a larger audience or the showcase that is smaller. With the main stage, set designing would be more elaborate and still have enough space for the actors’ movement. The alternative is the showcase theatre which gives the audience a more intimate feeling with the characters.
Fortunately, few of these problems have easy solutions. With the problem of audience understanding, a simple explanation of the time period in American history and basic facts about the Shaker society such as its origins, culture, and beliefs would give the audience enough understanding of the context for them to reason the character’s reactions and actions. One way to give the explanation would be to give a page of the play bill to the facts. Or, for a lower costing solution could be to present the explanation in the lobby. As the audience waits for the house to open or during intermission, they can glance at the presentation. With the SHSU problem of space, other presentation used a small space and used little set design. Shakers lived by simplicity so it would be understandable to simply have a chair or stool for the actor to move and use. Also, for the dance movements, the set would be cleared which can symbolize the importance of their religion and would also give the actors room to dance. For the problem of the dance sequences, for a primary source, one Shaker village remains in America in Sabbathday Lake, Maine. For a secondary source, there are multiple databases and journals that should give an idea of what the dance would look like.
From what has been research, there seems to not be any professional theatres that have produced this play. For the most part, it has been colleges and university producing it. Also when they do produce it, they present in as a repertory show and not as a main stage production. It is also gathered that not many people are reviewing this production. It was mostly advertized in newspapers and reviewed by the college website but the writers only summarized the production. Therefore, there were not critiquing the show but encouraging the local area to see it. But inferred by the advertisements, the directors conducted in heavy research in order for the production to be a success. Many of the writers commented on what the directors interpreted from the playwright, the culture, and the time period with many facts that could be followed up by individual research.

New Leaf Theatre

Lincoln Park Cultural Center
Chicago, Illinios
March-April 2005

Executive Director: Bill Hyland
Artistic Director: Brandon Ray
Artistic Associate: Morgan Leavitt
Managing Director: Tanya Ray

Univeristy of Illinios

Department of Theatre
Armory Free Theatre
2004-2005

Guest Director: Caroline Kava
Scenic Designer: Corey Shipler
Technical Director: Brian Ludmer

The University of Evansville

Shanklin Theatre
Evansville, IN
Febuary 2009

Director: Diane Brewer
Scenic Designer: Ashlee Springer
Lighting Designer: Jeremy Winchester

On one level, the play uses these revelations to reflect on the combination of earthly and spiritual yearnings that have brought this group of girls and women to the Shakers, a communal society that requires celibacy and makes nearly every act of daily living a test of devotion and faith.
Roger McBain, Evansville Courier Press
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/feb/14/revelations-test-faith-ues-it-heaven/

Huntington Unversity

Studio Theatre of the Merillat Centre for the Arts

Department of Theatre

Huntington, IN

September 2008

Director: Robin Higgenbotham

Lighting designer: Jon Huffman

Costume designer: Rebekah Posegate

UK Theatre

Briggs Theatre
Department of Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky
October 2002

Director: Rhoda-Gale Pollack
Music program director: Donna Phillips

The title of the play relates to the atmosphere the Shakers tried to create that would be suitable to angels should they choose to visit
Ralph Derickson
http://www.uky.edu/PR/News/Archives/2002/Sept2002/asitis.htm

Brooklyn College

Gershwin Theatre

Department of Theatre

Brooklyn, Ny

Director: Meribeth Kisner-Griffin

Similar to Arthur Miller's classic play about the Salem witch trials, The Crucible, Hutton's play is infused with an angelic feel, and punctuated by beautiful Shaker songs and dancing.

http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/spotlite/slpress/111602.htm

Actors Co-Op

The Crossley Theatre
Hollywood, Ph
May 2003

Director:Marianne Savell
Costume designer: Carolyn Lancet
Set design: Tim Farmer

Its themes are not only the rigidity which forms a carapace eventually about all belief systems, the frustrating gap between the eyes of innocence and the power of experience, and the validity of visions.
Laura Hitchcock, The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings
http://www.curtainup.com/asitisinheaven.html

Helmer Marianne Savell's staging mirrors the austerity and self-discipline of the women themselves as the ensemble members seldom leave the stage, moving in and out of each scene swiftly and economically with never a superfluous word or gesture.
Julio Martinez, Variety
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117920172.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State Fullerton

Hallberg Theatre
California State University
Fullerton, California
March 2008

Director: Patrick Pearson
Scenic designer: Cassandra Stone
Costume designer: Kazuyo Sekiguchi
Light Designer: Ernest Brown

Macro

May 26: The Cherokee Indians is forcibly relocated in the Trail of Tears (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1838) To give a bit understanding to the time period

The average duration of the life of a prostitute does not exceed 4 years from the commencement of her career. (Sanger. History of Prostitution. pg 484) This fact is for Fanny's fear of leaving the family.

Destitution is the second reason for prostitution (Sanger. History of Prostitution. pg 488) This fact shows how Fanny got this reasoning.

No other occupation available to unskilled or low skilled women provide an income comparable to that of prostitution. (R. Barri Flower. The Prostitution of Women and Girls. pg 26) Shows how Fanny knows that she would only be a prostitute.

Abolitionist Sarah Moore Grimké issues a pamphlet under the title "Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Woman (http://www.answers.com/topic/1838) To show that history was only beginning to show women suffrage .

Women in Pitcairn are the first in the world to obtain and maintain the right to vote. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1838) Shows that it is only this year that women are beginning to have voting rights.

Queen Victoria is crowned at Westminster June 24. (http://www.answers.com/topic/1838) This begins the start of the Victorian Era.

U.S. abolitionists transport southern slaves to freedom in Canada via an "Underground Railway". (http://www.answers.com/topic/1838) The Shakers may have been passing points for the freed slaves. This gives a basis for any of the Shaker women to be American American.

1837 - Martin Van Buren becomes President (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_history_(1820%E2%80%931859) To show who was president at the time of the play.

1837 - U.S. recognizes the Republic of Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_history_(1820%E2%80%931859) To show Americas expansion

Images

Mother Ann Lee (the founder of the Shaker


















women in pleasant hill































Summer dresses (1840)

Pleasant Hill, Kentucky

Shaker dancing (note the seperation of sexes)

map of kentucky (current but shows the distance between Shaker village and Lexington)

Lexington, Kentucky (1840

American map (1830)

Micro

The community eventually reached a size of 4,500 acres and a population of about 500. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) This gives an idea of the space they live in and somewhat freedom of the girls have.

On January 1, 1805, with eleven Shaker communities already established in New York and New England, three Shaker missionaries set out to find new converts among the pioneers then pouring into the western lands by way of Cumberland Gap and the Ohio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) To show the founding of the town

Once the Civil War began, the Pleasant Hill Shakers ran into controversy. The New England based religious organization had a policy pacifism and was also opposed to slavery. The individuals who made up the Pleasant Hill society mostly came from the region and had a variety of views on the war and slavery, though formally the organizational stances were adhered to. Pleasant Hill was sympathetic to the Union, but being located in the South, Pleasant Hill became the target of some intolerant neighbors and bands of extremists. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) To show their position to the Civil War

In the early 1830s the Shakers of Pleasant Hill constructed a water tower on a high plot of ground. A horse-drawn pump lifted water into the tower, and from there a system of pipes conveyed it to the kitchens, cellars, and wash houses. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) This shows that the Shakers were not like the Amish that they were mistaken for

In the wash houses, washing machines (also powered by horses) were built to reduce the enormous chore of laundering the community's clothes and linens. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Hill,_Kentucky) Also to show they were not like the Amish but to also show more of their technology.

The Shakers were nineteenth-century America's largest and best-known communal society. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/living_history_museum/shaker_history/) It shows that they were a fast growing and developing community.

A quest for simplicity and perfection is reflected in their fine designs and craftsmanship, and today the term Shaker-made is synonymous with excellence around the world. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/living_history_museum/shaker_history/) To reflect their lifestyle and way of life.

Although the population peaked at almost 500 in the 1820s, the community thrived well past the mid-nineteenth century. () This fact shows that during the production, they were not reflecting the height of the Shakers but more of the slow downfall.

The Pleasant Hill Shakers were hardworking farmers, first or second generation descendants of pioneers who settled the early 1800s Kentucky River frontier. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/i/downloads/pleasant_hill_shakers.pdf) This gives everyone an idea of the type of people that lived and worked there.


The brethren made brooms, coopers ware, weaving implements, shoes, tanned skins and raised livestock. The sisters produced woolen goods, pressed cheese, sweetmeats (preserves). Together, they produced medicinal products and packaged seeds. (http://www.shakervillageky.org/i/downloads/pleasant_hill_shakers.pdf) Shows what kind of chores the people were doing.

Statement

Age is very important when it comes to this production. Much of the conflict is against the older generation of the Shakers and the newcomers. It shows the gap in between the generations as well. The young girls are gossiping about the brethren and how they want to dance with them while the older women talk about chores and how they need to take care of different situations in their family. The conflict with the angels shows this gap as well. The eldress Hannah doesn’t believe that Fanny could possibly see angels since she is an uneducated young woman. The younger girls Polly and Izzy believe her since they started having gifts such as the gift of drawing and the gift of laughing. The older Shakers believe that these girls are unfit to see angels they do not believe them at all and accuse them of seeing the brethren which is a high crime.

This production could very well use different races for casting. The Shaker society at the historical time was not about the different races but about simplicity. Therefore, placing a person of race would not be an issue. The two roles that would be considered an issue for placing actors of race would be the roles of Peggy and Polly. Peggy is the role of the cook and would bring out a lot of stereotypes. Also, Polly has the background of “working on her back in a fancy house in Lexington”. Having a actor of race play her would give off a negative opinion towards the race of the actor.

Gender is not the main issue in the production but it gives the conflict an understandable reason. The theme is about the age gap between the two generations. If it was an all male cast, the different personalities would not be believable and the plot would be completely different. The females are able to convey information to the audience with their gossiping. Men would have a different means which may not be the playwright’s intention with the production. Having an all female cast also gives the different personalities more conflict. For instance, Hannah’s personality makes her a concerned woman for her family that has grounded roots. If Hannah was played a man, she would seem tyrannical and would have audiences put off by her. Also, Izzy’s personality is very innocent and naive. If she was played as a boy, she would seem stupid and blind to reason.

Since this Shaker society is a culture of its own, having a person of a distinct culture would make the production a bit unbelievable. One role that could be believable with a person of ethnicity would be Fanny, since she is the newcomer. It would not be recommended to have Hannah a woman of ethnicity because she is to be the ideal Shaker since she is the eldress and the role model for the entire family.

Anyone with a physical disability would have a difficult time with this production. If the director believes that a disable person is the right actor for the part, there is no valid reason not to be a part of the production. However, mobility is important since part of the production since during services. Shakers got the name “Shakers” because during their religious services they would shake and dance. Other than mobility disable, there is not any disability that would disturb the audience. If the actor is able to work with their disability so they are not hindered, then there is no reason not to have the actor in any of the roles.

Fable

Fable

We begin with the women confessing their sins. Each character has distinct sins which in a way show their personalities. For example, Besty, a deaconess, confesses that she “angry at the hens” for nipping Izzy. Later in the lines the youngest Shaker, Izzy, confesses that she provoked the hens which caused them to attack her. Following scenes are of the girls doing their chores and giving small talk. They discuss about various things such as the men they saw (which is looked down upon), the cat that gave birth to kittens. These small talks give the audience peeks into their different background like Jane not getting sleep because she mourns the death of her children or Polly “working on her back in a fancy house at age twelve”.
Seeping through these conversations, different girls say that Fanny told them she sees angels in the meadow. She brings Izzy and Polly to see the angels for themselves. While Izzy proclaims that she sees the angels too, Polly logically explain to the audience what was really being seen.
After seeing the “angels” Izzy believes that Polly has the “gift” to draw. This was discovered when Polly was drawing pictures on jam jars to help the sisters identify each type of jam. Soon Izzy finds that her “gift” is laughter when she couldn’t stop laughing which interfered with her chores.
Hannah confronts Fanny about what she saw, believing that she was seeing men and talking with them. Fanny states to Hannah that she was not seeing the men but angels. Hannah doesn’t believe her. So she, Besty and Phebe confront Fanny, Izzy, and Polly. Polly states that she didn’t see anything while Fanny and Izzy states that they saw angels.
Because of these statement of angels, Izzy was sent to her fathers, although she has only seen him twice in her life. Fanny tells her to just run away while the others are practically pushing her out the door.
Fanny is asked to leave, although she does not want to. In her conversation with Hannah, she states that she simply wanted to understand why the angels were talking to her. Hannah replies that she still thinks that Fanny is lying about the angels. Fanny asks her if Hannah can handle the fact that with Fanny leaving with no money and no home, she would have to sell herself in order to survive. Fanny asks if Hannah would pray for her knowing that she was the cause of Fanny’s future downfall. Hannah tells her that she would pray for her and states to her that she would be able to stay if Fanny stopped talking about the angels. Fanny says she simply wanted to understand the angels. Hannah cruelly replies that she knows Fanny is lying because if angels did come to earth, they would come to the elders, not to “an uneducated who has not even signed the covenant.
The resolution ends with the final scene when Fanny leave the family and goes to a different family who is in need of her talents of gardening.

Plot Summary

As It Is in Heaven takes place at a time when this revolution was in full swing. In 1838 Hannah, the eldress, rules and watches over a group of eight women who represent the female population of one of the families of the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. Fanny, one of the newer younger female members, starts to dance and sing “promiscuously," speak in tongues, and claims to see visions of the angels, Mother Ann, and George Washington! This completely disturbs the daily lives and security of these nine women. The surrounding community is appalled and threatens to eject this religious sect from their community. Hannah must act. Why would Mother Ann and the spirits come to this ignorant child and not the eldress? Hannah's very position is threatened, but by what—a young manipulative girl or the heavens themselves? The controversy threatens the very life of the entire community. The Lord's Prayer asks that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What is God's will? Who gets to decide?
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/spotlite/slpress/111602.htm

Characters

Peggy- The cook. Meek, quiet and trustful, easily hurt. nourishing warmth associated with a cook who loves her work

Hannah- An eldress. Tries to be merciful and kind. She is appalled by the visions of angels proclaimed by the frail youngest newcomer, Fanny.

Phebe- A deaconess. Seeks righteousness. the deaconess who executes her turns with military precision

Besty- A deaconess. The peacemaker, but also a gossip. One of the sect’s senior members, with a winking blend of motherly responsibility, big-sisterly affection and girl-friendly good humor.

Rachel- A long time Shaker. Pure in heart.

Izzy- The youngest. Raised with Shakers. the youngest, most needy Shaker, who is tragically lost to the community because of the unrest caused by Fanny's visions.

Fanny- A newcomer. Independent. Accused falsely. She believes that she sees angels and tells the other girls. Need to stay in the community is fueled by her memories of being sexually abused by her brother and father.

Polly- A newcomer. Poor in spirit, needy, bitter. a former prostitute who constantly rebels against what she considers a tyrannical repression that even frowns on her adding harmony to the unison, plain-song vocalizing of the community.

Jane- Mournful, sad. She is thankful for the refuge from a marriage that saw her lose her children. Her constant sadness, though, keeps her from being a productive worker

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117920172.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
http://www.curtainup.com/asitisinheaven.html
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/feb/14/revelations-test-faith-ues-it-heaven/

Exegesis

"I will wear the easy woke"-The yoke, he says, is an easy one, and the burden light.

http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbv5/r1276b.htm

"She signed the covenant"- those over the year of 18 must sign a probationary covenant upon entering the society. This guarantees the novice all the rights and privileges of Shaker membership, including food, clothing, lodging and health care.

http://books.google.com/books?id=oQhY03JJvTAC&pg=PA160&lpg=PA160&dq=shaker+society+covenant+age&source=bl&ots=KmmZUoPJrD&sig=ibgWHca90GhpJXNdfprPOSm8dNw&hl=en&ei=hbJcSuD8C6KxmAet7YDqDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

"He'll make deacon someday."- Each Shaker society was governed by two elders and two elderesses assisted by deacons, who managed the day-to-day operation of the society, and trustees, who dealt with the outside world and were essentially the financial managers.

http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Shakers.html

"Must be the North Family they're talking about."- The village was divided into groups or "families" that were named for points on the compass rose. Each house was divided so that men and women did everything separately. They used different staircases and doors, and sat on opposite sides of the room.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers#Communal_spiritual_family

"Give the old'ns palpitations."-unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. Some persons with palpitations have no heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms and the reasons for their palpitations are unknown.

http://www.medicinenet.com/palpitations/article.htm

"Comet wouldn't hurt a no-see-um flying into his face"-The scientific name for the no see um is Ceratopogonidae, but it has accumulated many common names. These include the sand flea, sand fly, biting midge and punkie or punky. Common to beaches, wetlands, creek and lakebeds, the no see um purportedly stays within 350 feet (107 meters) of its breeding ground.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-no-see-um.htm


"Mother God, Father God, we thank you for this food."- Shakers believe in One God — not three male beings in one, but Father and Mother.
http://www.bible.ca/cr-shakers.htm

"I'm well aware of Sister Polly's provenances."-a place of origin
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/provenances


"She's saying I'm a winter Shaker."-Many times a family would bring their children to Pleasant Hill when they were unable to care for them. They knew the Shakers would provide a warm bed, a good meal, education and teach a skill to their children. Some would come and be known as Winter Shakers, usually men, with no home or family. They would come and stay through the harsh Kentucky winters, knowing they would be fed, clothed and offered a warm place to stay, then when the spring came, off they went. This was accepted by the Shakers with the thought that one day, these Winter Shakers, might be inclined to stay when spring came.
http://bar-b-k.tripod.com/id16.html


"Mother Ann Lee"-founder of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, or Shakers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Ann_Lee

Basic Facts

As It is in Heaven by Arlene Hutton



Basics

Full length play with two acts and 15 scenes

9 Female characters between ages 14 to 50

Two hours with one 10-minute intermission

http://www.curtainup.com/asitisinheaven.html


Genre

Full length drama with capella music
http://www.newdramatists.org/arlene_hutton.htm


Drama
http://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=3087

Arlene Hutton's Bio

Arlene Hutton (playwriting) is the author of The Nibroc Trilogy which includes Last Train to Nibroc (Drama League nomination for Best Play, 2000), See Rock City (In the Spirit of America MacLean Foundation Award, 2005), and Gulf View Drive (Chattanooga Theatre Centre Festival of New Plays winner, 2006, LA Weekly Theatre Award nomination and Ovation Award nomination, 2007). Her plays have been produced in London, New York, Los Angeles, and across the U.S. and are published by Dramatists Play Service, Samuel French and Playscripts.com. Hutton was named the Tennessee Williams Playwriting Fellow at Sewanee in both 2005/2006 and 2007/2008. A member of the Dramatists Guild and an alumna of New Dramatists,’ she has held residencies at the Australian National Playwrights' Conference, MacDowell Colony, New Harmony Project, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Yaddo and has taught playwriting and improvisational theatre at schools around the country. This summer she will be a featured artist at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska and on the faculty of the Sewanee Writers' Conference.
http://www.sewanee.edu/ywc/SYWCSGuestLincks.htm

Publishing and Licensing

Dramatist's Play Service; March 2003
http://www.shop.com/+-a-as+it+is+in+heaven+publishing-p252317348-g1-k24-st.shtml

Definitions of Dramaturgy

"the art of writing or producing plays". http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dramaturgy

"A production dramaturg is a consultant and an advocate for the playwright's intentions." http://www.geocities.com/amylynnhess76/whatsadramaturg.html

"the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation ." http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dramaturgy