I, Joan

Vermont Theatre Company presents “I, Joan,” – the powerful imagining of the story of Joan of Arc as a genderqueer warrior stepping into their power and identity – full of vulnerability, humor, tragedy, dance battles, absurdity, and revolutionary spirit! 

Catch the show at Epsilon Spires in Brattleboro, VT, on Friday March 20th, at 7pm and Sunday March 22nd at 2pm; and the following weekend: Friday at Saturday March 27th-28th at 7pm, and Sunday March 29th at 2pm. Note that Sunday March 22nd is a special understudy led performance.

You may have heard of Joan of Arc as a teenaged peasant, leader in the French army, a heretic who refused to stop wearing men’s clothing. Perhaps you know them as a martyr, and later, a saint. Joan’s story has been told many times since the 1400s, written by mostly men, with those men’s understandings of Joan’s actions and identity recorded as history. Playwright Charlie Josephine and Director Jess Iris invite us to explore the possibility of Joan as Joan might have seen their identity, spirituality and community with today’s language and understanding. 

“I, Joan,” was created by playwright and actor Charlie Josephine, first screened by audiences in London’s historic Globe Theatre.

Given the content of the historical events, this show contains themes of state oppression, misogyny, misgendering, and more. 

As a story written and presented with care to center self-identified queer, working-class, trans, femme, and other identities who have experienced marginalization, “I, Joan” takes a tragedy and adds a celebration, a revival, a glimmer of hope that through authenticity and with the power of the people, history is in our own hands. 

“I, Joan” engages audiences through multiple genres of artistic expression. Musical moments, in the form of hauntingly beautiful choral numbers led by Max Bady-Kaye, and drumming by Katie Steele are interwoven into the story at pivotal moments. Dance and movement, as choreographed by the multi-talented Mimi Fang, will captivate attendees. The show also features puppets created by artist Shea Witzberger, props by Jesse Tidd. Tom Burrows served as our martial arts advisor. Dante Heartwood and their partner Bug are creating costumes that feel both like something you’d see at a protest or rally, as well as something that could have emerged from a medieval closet. Stage Manager Lucy Webb rounds out the production team to bring the whole vision to life.

Given the amount of talent and passion of the players who auditioned, Director Jessica Iris chose to cast this production in a unique way. Specific key roles were cast with a lead and an understudy. You can catch the understudy-led performance on Sunday, March 22nd at 2pm. During that performance, the leads will perform in the ensemble roles. The I, Joan cast includes: Saskia Bailey-de Bruijn (Joan); Fae Roberts (Joan understudy, Dancer ensemble); Ryan Bartlett (Charles); Aaron Buchman (Charles understudy, Cauchon, ), Jesse Farrar (Thomas), Bex Slattery (Thomas understudy), Casey Parles (Dunios), Megan Grove – Marie; Dancer Ensemble; Kaci Viado (Marie understudy, Dancer Ensemble, Touraine); Dyana Lee (Yolande, Dancer Ensemble); Apple Sullivan (Yolande understudy, Dancer Ensemble); Timothy Guarente (Man 1, English Soldier 2); Liz Bergstrom (Man 2); Alex Lacey (Man 3, English Soldier 1); Max Bady-Kaye (Soldier 1); Izzy Snyder (Soldier 2, English Soldier 3, Manchon); Mimi Fang (Soldier 3, Loyseleur); Erica Daniels – Dancer 1); Tracy Berchi (Dancer 2, Courcelles); Eden Gorst (Dancer 3, Delafontaine); Tobi Buchman (Dancer 4, Girl); Nina Bond (Dancer 5, Gris); Nell Mayo (Soldier Ensemble, Bishop, Beaupere); and Olivia McNeely (Clerk).

Tickets are offered on a sliding scale from $30- $10, though no person will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets can be purchased on the Vermont Theatre Company website at vermonttheatrecompany.org/events or at the door the evening of the show.