SMWC presents spring play, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Posted on: 01/30
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) will present “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” a comedy-drama about an eccentric teacher who inspires a cult-like following among her “girls” and the administration's desire to force her resignation, Feb. 19-22 in the Cecilian Auditorium of the SMWC Conservatory of Music building.
The stage adaptation of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” was written by Jay-Presson Allen and based on the book by Muriel Sparks. The play centers on an eccentric teacher, Miss Jean Brodie, who has an irrepressible drive to “stimulate, enliven and uplift” her students. She instructs them on the ways of life, and ignoring the more mundane subjects, she teaches them of love, politics and art.
Eventually, Brodie’s affairs with two male teachers become known, and she finds herself fighting to keep her job. She believes that she can always count on the 100% support of her favorite pupils, but one of them does not feel that Miss Jean Brodie is in her “prime” any more. No longer swayed by her teacher's eloquence, she begins to learn about life and love herself.
Originally set in Scotland during World War II, “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” was adapted into a memorable film starring Maggi Smith. SMWC's production will feature professional actress Delia Taylor as Miss Jean Brodie.
Sharon Ammen, theatre director at SMWC and director of this production, said the College received an Arts Illiana Grant to help finance Taylor’s participation in the play.
“Arts Illiana has been a wonderful supporter of the Music and Theatre Department at SMWC, and for the last several years, we’ve received a grant to help us with various projects,” Ammen said. “We’re particularly excited to have Delia Taylor back this year because she’s a consummate professional, she loves SMWC, and the students thoroughly enjoy working with her. The students who are involved with this production will learn so much from her about professional acting.”
Taylor has previously directed two shows at SMWC and also presented numerous workshops. She works as a professional actress, stage manager and director in Washington, D.C., and is currently the producing manager of The Jewish Center Professional Theatre in Washington, D.C.
SMWC will present “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie“ Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., Feb. 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. Discussions with the cast and director will follow the Friday and Sunday performances. There will also be a reception following the Friday performance and discussion. All events will take place in the Cecilian Auditorium of the SMWC Conservatory of Music building.
Tickets for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. All SMWC students, faculty and staff will be admitted for free with an SMWC ID card. Students at Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Ivy Tech Community College will also be admitted for free with a student ID. The production does not include adult language or explicit scenes, but there are adult themes, so it is not recommended for children 12 and under.
For more information about “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” or other programs and events offered through the Music and Theatre Department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, call the SMWC Music and Theatre Information Line at 812-535-6211.
