2020-2021 Season

by Charisse Baxter, dramaturg

by Laynie Calderwood and Angela Moser, dramaturgs If you'd like to spend a little more time with the study guide for this production, we're providing a link here. This is the complete study guide, as it is found within the program for our production. MFDC Study Guide Also, below you will find the attributions for the photographs and artwork included in the study guide, and links to other works referenced. Thanks for reading!

by Laynie Calderwood, dramaturg

by Angela Moser, dramaturg

By Laynie Calderwood, dramaturg

Opening night for Illusionary Tales was a great success! Feeling connected to so many other people, watching something theatrical together at the same time, if not in the same space, is something many of us have missed in the recent days of quarantine and pandemic. We hope many more will join us for the final performances! And please take a moment to read through the program and study guide to learn more about this unique production.

By Emily Trejo, dramaturg

by Makenna Johnston, dramaturg

by Cameron Cox, dramaturg In the second of BYU’s Illusionary Tales, Such A Time As This written by James Goldberg, the audience is introduced to Hadassah Loew, a woman born and raised in a community of faith who has since left it. Hadassah’s Hassidic faith community has striking parallels to aspects of our faith community here at Brigham Young University. Hadassah's relationship to her faith community will undoubtedly sound familiar to some in our audience and her journey in Such A Time As This may seem familiar as well. As a Mormon with strong Sikh and Jewish family roots, I feel strongly about the ways the stories we choose to cherish shape our world. I'm particularly aware of the power of religious storytelling. They've fueled movements for a better world.- James Goldberg, Playwright of Such A Time As This

by Emily Trejo, dramaturg In Mexican culture, it is not uncommon to hear of people’s experiences with many of the creatures in their folklore. One may say these stories are made up, used to frighten children. And though I would mostly agree with you, there is one legend I do believe in, La Llorona. I have never personally had an experience with her, but my grandma has. My grandma is not a superstitious woman so I believe every word she says. To listen to her story click on the video below. An English translation has also been provided if you do not understand Spanish. [caption id="attachment_7397" align="alignleft" width="148"]

The Suffrage team has been working hard to bring you a stellar audio-drama performance this week. Below, you can meet our crew! Emily Trejo, Director Emily is a Senior studying Theatre Education with minors in TESOL and Family Life. She has had the opportunity to work on a handful of shows here at BYU that has helped further her interests in Directing and Dramaturgy. Aside from a life in theatre, Emily has also founded a mariachi band, Mariachi Montes Azules, that has also experienced lots of growth in the last few months. She is grateful to her husband, Dravyn, who has helped keep her sane during the semester.Tiffany Gibbons, Sound Designer and Foley Artist Tiffany is a Senior in the Theatre Education program from Cedar Hills, UT. Passionate about music and movement, Tiffany hopes to teach in elementary schools and advocate for the use of the arts in general classrooms. This is such a beautiful and impactful show, and she is so grateful to have had the chance to help tell this story! Sending blessings to artists, teachers, storytellers, and Mothers everywhere during this trying time!Becca Christiansen, Hair and Makeup Designer Becca has always had a love for hair and makeup and has been a cosmetologist for 7 years. She graduates this semester and can't wait to be able to spend more time with her husband and baby once she does. She stays busy with taking care of her family, cutting hair, and running her own boutique. Claire Eyestone, Costume Designer and "Frances" Claire Eyestone is a senior studying theatre education and English teaching. Recent credits include Amy in Charley's Aunt at the HCTO, Adriana in Comedy of Errors, and assistant directing Little Shop of Horrors at BYU. She's loved getting to both design and act in this production.Juniper Taylor, "Ruth"Juniper Taylor is a junior in the BFA Acting program. She has played many roles from Lucifer in Dr. Faustus to Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. She would like to thank Emily and the production team for working so hard on a story she’s grown to love. And she would like to thank Ruth for teaching her that strong, independent women can change the world. Samantha Daynes, Dramaturg Samantha is a senior from Singapore studying theatre education. She is the great-great-great granddaughter of Wilford Woodruff, and has loved the opportunity to understand more about the lives of the early Saints. Acting credits include BYU's Hamlet and Comedy of Errors, and she read stage directions for Suffrage when it premiered at BYU's Contemporary Voices Festival. She has also worked as a set and costume designer, as well as a full-time position on the run crew at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, CA, and hopes to continue her education in many aspects of theatre.Lisa Eardley, Assistant Dramaturg Lisa is a Senior from Elko, NV. She will graduate this semester with her degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on costume design. She has been the costume designer for the Silver Stage Players and the Overland Stage Theatre Company in Elko for several productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, White Christmas, and Cinderella.

Even though this performance will be an audio drama, it was originally conceived as a live, in-person production, including costume design by Claire Eyestone. We hope you enjoy these pictures of Eyestone’s original costume designs, and that they give you perspective as you listen to this performance of Suffrage.