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The Emily Dickinson Project

A Solitude of Space -- Emily Dickinson: The Woman, The Poet, produced and written by Patricia Mulholland and directed by James Hoban, is a 90-minute production combining music and spoken word in celebration of National Poetry Month at the Emmanuel Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland. Only 6 performances - last weekend in April and first weekend in May.

PERFORMANCE DATES:
- Friday, April 24 - 7 pm 
- Saturday, April 25 - 2 pm and 7 pm 
- Friday, May 1 - 7 pm 
- Saturday, May 2 - 2 pm and 7 pm

VENUE
 Emmanuel Chapel, The Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland

DESCRIPTION:
The Emily Dickinson Project


The centerpiece of this project is a chamber theater play, A Solitude of Space – Emily Dickinson: The Woman, The Poet, written by local artist Patricia Mulholland.  The play includes a Song Cycle of 12 songs set to poems by Miss Dickinson.  

 
The play renders pivotal moments of the poet's life story while illuminating the delight, loneliness, passion, despair, hope, and humor embedded in her poems and letters.  It tells the story of one woman’s courageous struggle to claim her voice as a woman and a poet.

  
The cast consists of five actors and a pianist and a cellist.  James Hoban will direct the production, which will be performed at Emmanuel Chapel at The Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland, a beautiful space built in 1906, and an ideal venue for this period piece.  Performance dates are April 24 - 26 and May 1 and 2, with four evening and two matinee performances, in celebration of National Poetry Month and the 140th anniversary of the beloved poet’s death.  After each of the matinees, there will an Artist Conversation, where audience members can ask questions about the process of staging a play:  the writing, casting, staging, and performing of it.


A key component of the Emily Dickinson Project is an Enrichment Event, which Patricia will schedule at libraries, schools and bookstores prior to the opening of the play. The intention of such gatherings will be to:

·      Introduce the play and bring awareness to the genius and the mystery of Emily Dickinson

·      Invitee attendees to bring and share a favorite Emily Dickinson poem and another favorite poem by another poet, or an original one

·      Promote the experience of reading and writing poetry.  Attendees will be invited to read aloud the poem they bring in and to share their connection to it.  Discussion will be focused on one’s experience of reading, writing and speaking poetry more than literary analysis.  (Although this may be come up in discussion.)  Emphasis will be on showing how accessible poetry can be. 

·      Consider the question:  How can we describe the poetic impulse?

 
In summary, the Emily Dickinson Project includes: a professional performance of a new play; an educational element in service of honoring Emily Dickinson and promoting poetry as a joyful, albeit sometimes challenging way to engage in literature; and an opportunity to spend time in a stunning, historic architectural space.     


Age - 12 and up





Performing Arts

Emily Dickinson: The Woman the Poet.  Central piece of The Emily Dickinson Project

A Solitude of Space

Cathedral Church of St. Luke

A Solitude of Space

Emily Dickinson: The Woman the Poet. Central piece of The Emily Dickinson Project

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