By Audrey Miller
It is the year 1922; women have recently earned the right to vote, but the fight for autonomy is far from over. In her play, Chains of Dew, playwright Susan Glaspell criticizes social norms and explores the issues women had to endure, specifically the right to birth control. Now, this sophisticated comedy is premiering at Susquehanna University, staged in the Degenstein Center Theater from October 2 to 5. This production will be open to both students and the public.
Chains of Dew follows Nora Powers, a birth control activist from New York, who travels to a conservative Midwestern town called Bluff City. There, she confronts her lover, Seymour Standish—a poet who lives a conventional life with his wife, Diantha“Dotty” Standish. Nora’s arrival disrupts the quiet town as she boldly challenges the traditional beliefs surrounding reproductive rights. She inspires Dotty and other women to question their role as a woman in society. This play explores themes of feminism, reproductive freedom, and social conformity.
Director Dr. Anna Andes has added a creative twist to the show by integrating characters and moments from the 1960s, the time period when birth control was legalized. Through her creative direction, Andes invites the audience to engage with the play’s central conversation and reflect on its personal significance.
“You may believe this is a show about birth control and that you will get lectured,” says Andes. “But it is not that. It is a story about individuals caught up in the issues, questioning about birth control. This play emphasizes that birth control is more than birth control, it is about women being able to look at themselves differently, their hopes and dreams.”
Although the play is short, Andes is hoping to leave a lasting impact.
“I want the audience to think about how the things we take for granted are newer than we believe,”Andes says. “The more time goes by, the more history there is and it feels impossible to keep track of it. Historic plays are a way to shine the light on something that isn’t talked about in the classroom. ”
Absorbing the material is an easy task as the theater setting is intimate. The theater is studio seating, meaning the audience is close to the performers. Sophomore Hannah Bloom, the actress playing Nora Powers, says, “The intimacy adds value to the show. As the audience, you cannot remove yourself from it. You absorb the content better and catch the jokes you might not hear if you were far away. It is hard to escape and we want people to feel like they are in this story.”
Bloom as well as other actors like Senior Abigail “Gale” Warner, who plays Dotty, are ecstatic to share this production with everyone. While the show is quick and comedic, Warner emphasizes the importance of the show.
“I’ve been billing this show as a quick comedy because it is,” says Warner. “But don’t lose sight of the deeper message. There is some meaty content in this play about the issues of women’s suffrage and human rights. I don’t want the audience to lose sight of the message at hand through the laughter.”
Catch Chains of Dew at Degenstein Center Theater October 2 through 5. Performances on October 2, 3, and 4 will be at 7:30 pm and October 5 will be at 2:30 pm. Tickets are free for all Susquehanna University students, $12 for adults, and $10 for Non-SU students. For more information visit Arts, Lectures & Performances – Susquehanna University .