Welcome to Herstory Theater!
Focus on the Connecticut Witchcraft Panics
After a wonderfully successful premier of “The Last Night” on January 24, we are proud to now offer two different shows that highlight the Connecticut Witchcraft Panics.
It’s a little known part of Connecticut’s history. Between 1642 and 1693, at least 40 people in the colony of Connecticut were tried as witches; eleven of them were hanged. Most of the victims were women; the last three to be hanged in Connecticut were Rebecca and Nathaniel Greensmith, of Hartford, and Mary Barnes, of Farmington, on January 25, 1663…30 years before the famous Salem Witch Panic took place.
“The Last Night” imagines Mary Barnes and Rebecca Greensmith, jailed together the night before their hanging for witchcraft. Historical accuracy, combined with informed conjecture where there were no historical records to guide us, led to a script that explores not only the facts of the Hartford Witchcraft Panic, but the hearts and souls of two women accused and hanged. It was originally performed it as a commissioned reading at the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington, CT on January 25, 2023 and won an Award of Merit from the CT League of History Organizations.
“Panic in Connecticut; Accused Witches Have Their Say” is a one woman show that brings to life five women accused of witchcraft in 17th century Connecticut, giving a full perspective on the time and experience. Virginia Wolf has been performing this at schools, libraries, historical societies and museums for the past ten years.
Each show runs around 40 minutes; they can be booked separately, or booked together for a full night of Connecticut Witch Panic History! Contact us a herstorytheaterct@gmail for more information.
These two shows join Herstory Theater’s repertoire of shows that can be booked by organizations as entertainment and/or fundraisers. Others are:
“Katy Leary and Mark Twain”, bringing to life the beloved maid to Sam Clemens (Mark Twain), who was employed by the family for 33 years, and is full of stories. 40 minutes, no intermission
“A Howl of a Night”, a full night of four original old time Halloween radio plays, complete with a live Foley Artist doing sound. 2 hours, one intermission
“It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry – the beloved classic come to life as a radio play, again with live sound effects. 90 minutes, no intermission
“The Guys” by Anne Nelson – in honor of the heros of 9/11, a writer helps a NYC fire captain write the eulogies for his men lost on that day; based on the playwrite’s own experience. 90 minutes, no intermission
“Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Deliah Ephron – women reminiscing about the clothing that helped define different times in their lives. Written as a staged reading, 90 minutes, no intermission
We are please to be working with two organizations that will help us take Herstory Theater to the next level (whatever that may be!)
TICKETING
On The Stage is now handling our ticketing and marketing; if you are looking for the same type of help, log on to www.onthestage.com, and tell them Virginia Wolf sent you!
A Little History on Herstory
Herstory Theater was founded in 2011 by actress Virginia Wolf, initially as a production company for one woman shows about little known women in history; “Panic in Connecticut, Accused Witches Have Their Say”, about five accused witches of 17th century Connecticut; and “Katy Leary and Mark Twain”, the story of Katy Leary, beloved housemaid to the Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) family.
As these shows became established and bookings took off, we became something of a home for projects about other lesser known women in history: “Pierce”, by Jacques Lamarre, about Jane Pierce, the tragic First Lady, wife of President Franklin Pierce; “The Waltz” by Carolyn Kirsch, about Camille Claudel, muse to sculptor Rodin; “Inez and Catharine, Dearest of Friends” about Inez Temple and Catharine Seymour Day, two women who were movers and shakers in the city of Hartford in the early 1900s.
Along the way, additional projects came our way; “The Guys” by Anne Nelson, a touching play based on events of 9/11; “It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry, which has become a traditional holiday favorite; “Love Loss and What I Wore” by Delia and Norah Ephron, a tribute to women everywhere; “Drama in Farmington”, a series of theatrical events to benefit the Farmington Historical Society, including a staged reading of a Winchell Smith play, “Thank You”; new for 2018, “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play”also by the talented Joe Landry; “Hitchock and Horror”, an Evening of Chilling Halloween Delight, featuring “The 39 Steps” by Joe Landry and a new play written by company member Bill Arnold, “To The Dogs”. We were also delighted to produce our first musical, “The Resurrectionists”, by Chris Weed and Brian Jennings…a reading, not a full production, but who knows what’s around the corner!
Most of these shows are available, fully produced and cast, to organizations looking for programs, either as entertainment or fundraisers. In addition, we have a playwright on board who can tailor a project, historic or otherwise, to fit your needs.
For inquiries email herstorytheaterct@gmail.com
All along, Founder Virginia Wolf has continued participating in community theater; narrating audio books; hosting a radio show, “SpotLight; Radio Reveling in the Arts and Entertainment”, covering arts and entertainment throughout Connecticut; and popping on film from time to time.