Eastern Student Stephanie Madden of Suffield Stars in "On the Verge"

2014 Oct 29

Eastern Connecticut State University's Performing Arts Department performed the play "On the Verge" in the Harry Hope Theatre from Oct. 7-12. Director of the play, Professor Chase Rozelle, received exciting news from representatives of the Kennedy Center, a nationwide collegiate theatre organization. "They liked the production so much that they would like it to be held for consideration as a play at their regional theatre festival," Rozelle said.

Psychology major Stephanie Madden '16 of Suffield, CT, said, “The greatest reward from the show was not only sharing this wonderful experience with the director, the stage manager, cast and crew, but also learning about the history of this country," Madden said. "I also learned how special and unique a woman traveler was during the 19th century,”

"On the Verge" portrays three Victorian women traveling through what they believe to be Terra Incognita (Lands Unknown). As the play advances, these women begin to realize that they are not on any ordinary journey, but that they are in fact traveling through time. While doing so, they begin to see visions and learn new words from the future.

Each of the explorers is based off real life Victorian women. Mary is the lead lady explorer, drawing upon wisdom from her favorite periodicals. Alexandra, the youngest explorer, is more care-free and has a fascination for learning and defining new words that she learns along the way. Fanny, the most reserved and only married voyager, is more hesitant in the exploration, thinking everything they envision is immoral and inaccurate. Each of the male characters and the creatures the women meet on their journey were played by one actor.