By Caroline Averitt | Life Editor & Elijah Templeton | Opinion Editor

The curtain is closing on the Department of Theatre’s season with “The Revolutionists.” 

DayDay Robinson, assistant professor of theatre, is directing the show. “The Revolutionists” follows four women, three historical figures and one fictional character, caught up in the French Revolution as one woman, a playwright, works to tell their stories and rewrite their history.  

“(The play) talks about the importance of having your story told, about having a space where they can be honest with each other and say things they would not normally say in public, but told with modern language, talking the way we talk now,” Robinson said. 

The show’s one fictional character is Marianne Angelle, played by Kylah Hood, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro. Angelle is a Haitian spy, mother and revolutionary. Hood said Angelle represents the women of Haiti during this time, as they had a similar revolution to the one in France during the Reign of Terror. 

“She is the anchor of the group, the most grounded. She is determined, strong and brave,” Hood said. 

One of the three central historical figures is Marie Antoinette, played by Abby Orr, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro. This is her first straight play and college production, so Orr said she is thankful to the cast and crew for being gracious and showing her the ropes. 

She said she hopes the audience learns no one is a one-dimensional character in life.
“I think so often we see life in black and white because it is easier to understand that way. But this play reminds us to see the humanity in everyone,” Orr said. 

Another central figure of the show is Charlotte Corday, played by Emily Provence, a junior theatre major from Searcy. Provence said her character is the “angel of assassins” and that the show has been challenging since the character is nothing like her in real life. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the process. 

“I would recommend that people come and watch this show so that they can get a new glimpse into the history of the French Revolution while enjoying the beautiful relationships between the women of its time,” Provence said. “I hope the audience takes away the message that we as people need people. Friendship and sisterhood really can overcome anything.” 

Rounding out the trio of historical figures is Olympe De Gouges, a famed playwright, played by Skyla Conger, a senior theatre major from Haskell, Arkansas.

“My favorite part is getting to experience new discoveries every day while acting,” Conger said. “I hope that the audience gets a new insight on just how terrifying it was and is to be a woman.” 

Robinson said the rehearsals in the lead-up to the show have been her favorite part of the production. 

“As I’m watching these women in the story be real and honest with each other and have these difficult conversations that are both funny and heartbreaking, I am seeing our cast do the same thing with each other,” Robinson said. “It’s building that community, that feminine energy, that safe space that we are all able to just be ourselves, which is kind of what the story is all about.” 

Robinson said this show will be entertaining to those who may not think they are fans of theater. 

“It’s hilarious! Yeah, some people are going to die, but it’s a comedy and (the playwright) never wants us to forget that it’s a comedy. Even if  (the audience) can’t relate fully to the stories of feminism and femininity, they can relate to the idea of leaving a legacy. What do you leave when you are gone and who tells your story?” Robinson said. 

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and April 19-20 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and April 21. Arkansas State University students get in for free with their A-State ID. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment