Spring Mainstage: Poor Clare

Content Advisory: This production is loosely rated PG-13 for interest and adult language. Rife with philosophical and ethical arguments, Poor Clare depicts Clare and Francis as contemporary young adults. They speak like contemporary young adults, even in rebellion and anger.

GC students/employees may attend this show free of charge.

All who attend are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate!

The March 28 show will feature sign language interpretation.

The Goshen College theater department will present Poor Clare by Chaira Atik as its spring mainstage production.

“Poor Clare challenges all of us, including myself, to examine how our daily choices impact others,” said Amy Budd, associate professor of theater and the show’s director. “What does it mean to share responsibility and work for justice? Is it possible to live ethically under a system that rewards the wealthy and grinds down the poor? GC Theater always strives to embody the college’s values in productions. This play reflects the way our students confront such questions with exceptional directness.”

Poor Clare is set in Assisi, Italy, in the year 1211. Beautiful, wealthy Clare’s rich fiancé showers her with expensive gifts. So why is she so drawn to this guy Francis? He gave up all his possessions because poor people are suffering. Everyone in town says he’s crazy. And yet, Clare starts to see her life differently. This hilarious, anachronistic telling of the real story of St. Clare considers the cost of doing good — and how little has changed for the haves and the have-nots in nearly a millennium.

There will be five showings of Poor Clare:

• Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 22, 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 29, 2:30 p.m.

The show has a runtime of just under two hours. Tickets are available now.

Cast

• Clare – Mairin Mendoza
• Peppa – Maille Goodwill
• Alma – Ella Trudel
• Beatrice – Mireya Aleman
• Beggar – John Eash-Scott
• Francis – Teo Kingsley
• Ortolana – Urusha Pandey
• The Poor – Adam Sherrill
• Servant Woman 1 – Selah Potsander
• Servant Woman 2 – Korbin Hershberger
• Servant Woman 3 – Adam Sherrill

Artistic Team

• Director and Producer – Associate Professor Amy Budd
• Scenic Designer and Technical Director – Brenton Abram-Copenhaver
• Stage Manager – Elly Wahl
• Assistant Stage Managers – Tana Mann and Dinis Dias
• Costume Designer – Maille Goodwill
• Hair and Makeup Supervisor – Leah Hostetler
• Costume Assistant – Selah Potsander
• Properties Supervisor – Eddie Baldwin
• Lighting Designers – Kate Roth and Natalie Neufeld
• Assistant Lighting Designer – Kristal Fererras and Abigale Donoval
• Sound Designer – Don Hunter
• Student Administrators – Urusha Pandey and Mairin Mendoza