Poor Clare at Ramseyer Auditorium, Nov. 12-15

MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University will present Poor Clare, a play by Chiara Atik, Nov. 12-15 in Ramseyer Auditorium, College Hall.

Set in 1211 Assisi, Italy, Poor Clare imagines the introduction of Clare, a young woman from a wealthy family, to Francis of Assisi, whose radical views on wealth and poverty challenge the world around him. The play offers an unconventional take on the early lives of two figures who would become saints, blending historical settings with contemporary dialogue, humor and questions about social responsibility.

“I enjoy plays that touch on a wide range of human emotions, and 'Poor Clare' certainly does that!" said Dr. Melissa Friesen, professor of theatre and communication and Mary Nord and Joseph Ignat Endowed Chair in Theatre. "While you’d expect a ‘before-they-were-saints’ play to touch on religious themes such as the potential costs of discipleship and what might be our responsibility to our neighbors, you might not expect the humor, sisterly banter and contemporary references Atik has written into her script."

Clare’s curiosity about Francis and his criticism of extreme wealth inequality prompts her to reconsider her own place in the world. Although the play is set more than 800 years ago, its contemporary dialogue and references invite audiences to consider how questions of poverty, privilege and social responsibility remain relevant today.

“Clare comes from a wealthy family. When she hears about this weird Francis guy railing against extreme wealth inequality in the marketplace, she’s intrigued. Her curiosity opens her to learning more, and eventually leads her toward radical life changes. While playwright Chiara Atik keeps the setting in 1211 Assisi for this play, her characters speak and act like our contemporaries. There are sometimes surprising references to current events and situations, which encourage the audience to think about how we respond to poverty and privilege here and now,” Friesen said.

The production also features period costumes and hairstyles, along with distinctive staging elements that have presented creative challenges during rehearsals.

“Most theatre students, designers, and several audience members love a good costume drama, and we get to showcase some lovely costumes and hairstyles for this production! We’re currently problem-solving the unique on-stage hairstyling and footwashing scenes in rehearsals, so the audience can come see how well we accomplish those technical challenges,” Friesen said.

The cast is announced here.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12-14 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Ramseyer Auditorium, College Hall.  

All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at www.bluffton.edu/tickets. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, Bluffton University faculty and staff, and non-Bluffton University students. Admission is free for Bluffton University students.