Director's Note
Mystery and curiosity are markers of one of the most important and compelling aspects of human existence. We seek to understand the impossible, explain the unexplainable, and make sense of the world around us, even if we have to suspend our own disbelief. Human consciousness depends upon our perception, how we interpret what we perceive, and how we react to that. When our perception confuses us or does not make sense in a specific context, we become curious, and, in some cases, fearful of what it might mean.
This play depicts the tumultuous experience of a young American woman hired to tutor two adolescent children at Bly House in Kent, England. Ann Wilson is faced with the daunting task of developing relationships with her pupils, the household helpers, and certain inexplicable presences in the shadows of the house that tend to disappear suddenly. After asking a series of pertinent questions of the head of the household servants, Mrs. Grose, Ann is left with a huge mystery about her predecessor, a mysterious man named Peter Quint, and the strange nature of Miles, one of her students. Determined to discover the truth, Ann perseveres through uncomfortable and downright frightening interactions with those in Bly House, both the living and the supernatural.
The play is set in the early 1990’s, a period in which modern society was embracing the concept of the supernatural with particular interest. Tarot cards and palm readings were increasing in popularity, and American media in particular was fascinated with the paranormal, producing films like: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Stephen King’s It, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. This context provides a new lens to explore Henry James’ work, which was originally set in the Victorian era at a time in which it was a crime for a governess to reveal the concept of the supernatural to her pupils. By presenting the story in a more modern context, the play allows the audience to develop their own ideas about the consequences of pursuing answers to unanswerable questions, themes intentionally left vague by both the author of the original story and the playwright who adapted it.
The cast and crew of this show have been consumed with the questions presented in the text, have spent many hours delving into analyzing the motivation of the characters in the story, and determining the ultimate meaning behind the paranormal elements. These students have an intense passion for developing their own ideas while still providing enough mystery for you as an audience to make up your own mind about the meanings of scenes and motivations of characters. They have been diligent in researching and understanding the concepts presented by the playwright. Our hope is that we not only present a compelling story of a woman with with a unique conflict on her hands, but also to provide our audience members with as much mystery and intrigue as we had when first exploring the play’s concepts. I am honored to be a part of such a compelling piece, and I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in the process of this production, especially the incredible parent support and sincere dedication of the actors and technicians.
Rachel Novi
Theatre Director
