Re‐visioning the rainmaker

While formulating a production concept for The Rainmaker, director Suzanne Burgoyne and dramaturg Shirley Huston‐Findley uncovered a fairy tale structure embedded in the text; we then investigated feminist analyses of how traditional fairy tale heroines provide negative role models for women. Instead of deconstructing The Rainmaker, however, we re‐visioned the play as a parable about the “miracle” of self‐acceptance which allows for connection with others. Rather than presenting the play as one‐sided empowerment of a Cinderella female (Lizzie) by a Prince Charming male (Starbuck), we used our folkloric lens to identify elements in the text of mutual male/female “disenchantment” and empowerment. In this case study of The Rainmaker, we reflect upon our production choices in light of further research and offer additional suggestions for subversive staging

Aesthetics · Art · Art history · Disenchantment · Empowerment · Folklore · Literature · Miracle · Political science · Sociology · Visual arts · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies · Law · Theatre and Performance Studies

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