Our Beginnings:
Theatre for the Earth began its journey with celebrated performances at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, 1992, and the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, 1993. An intergenerational company of performers ages 9-77, Theatre for the Earth has since performed at cathedrals, schools, and universities in Ireland, Wales, the US, including the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Now performing for Conferences, Sacred Gatherings, and Environmental Events, our professional repertoire inspires reverence, and ignites responsibility for oneself and for the Earth. As a touring company of performers who are closely bonded, our troupe models the mutual support that is possible between the generations.
The Play:
Drawn from "L'Elucidations", a Pre-Grail legend (circa 1230), "The Princess Who Greened The Land" is the story of a king who once honored the Earth at an annual ritual, but suddenly ceases doing so, and claims power over the Earth for himself. What ensues if "The Wasteland." When his daughter, the Princess, finds her own garden dying, she follows her dream for greening the land, and challenges her father to once again share the power for the Earth's preservation. Beautifully designed costumes, masks, choreography and musical score make for a timeless tale of enchantment and inspiration for today's world.
The Music:
Colorful sounds, rhythms and chants both ancient and modern, carry the heartbeat and the story of "The Princess Who Greened The Land". Hildegard von Bingen's inspirational chants contribute richly to the musical score. Theatre For The Earth works with local choirs and singers who wish to participate in the production. In preparation for the Theatre company's arrival, our Music Director sends the musical score to a local music director who then rehearses in readiness for the cast's arrival. This collaboration and the workshops we offer in conjunction with the performance aid in building community as we move from place to place!
Our Audiences:
Our audiences are comprised of children, parents, grandparents and teachers who are drawn to enter the magic of a "green" fairy tale, to enjoy the exquisite music and costumes, and who want to experience a story about the generations and life passages. Our reputation calls people back to the production year after year.
Our Director:
While Frederica Chapman has directed the fairy tale over the years and drawn much of her inspiration from mythology and dreams, the company members have collaborated for each of the character's development.
Frederica Chapman M.S., Founder/Director of Theatre For The Earth, is a performer, workshop leader, psychotherapist and author. Born in rural Franconia, she later attended the all-girl Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, and received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Nursing from Boston University. Her interest in spirituality and in Carl Jung's psychoanalytic theory took her to Findhorn, Scotland to live, and to receive Jungian analysis in London. While the Analysis required her close attention to dreams, and to symbols, the consciousness of the Findhorn Community and the local landscape opened her to Nature intelligence. While preparing to enter the CG Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland to become an analyst, Frederica received a dream of a man's face masked in white, a startling image that changed the course of her life. Rather than choosing to become a psychoanalyst, she entered the world of theatre.
In 1992, Frederica was invited to Brazil, to the World Conference on Environment and Development. She performed stories of Nature and the Goddess and launched her career as a champion of Nature, of the feminine principle. In 1993, prompted by another invitation to perform at the Parliament of the World's Religions, in Chicago, Frederica formed “Theatre for the Earth”. She wrote and produced the archetypal story of a girl entering womanhood in the context and embrace of the Natural world. “The Princess Who Greened the Land”, presented over nine years in venues in Ireland, Wales and across the US is now both a play and an enchanting book of the same title (see Products). Her passion for offering mentorship to girls inspired her to write “A Girl’s Gateway to Womanhood: A Rite of Passage Guidebook For Girls, Mothers and Mentors” (see Products). Currently, Frederica lives in Portland, Maine, and tours with Theatre for the Earth.
Sarah Schneider has been singing with Theatre for the Earth since its first production in 1997. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Acadia University, Nova Scotia. Before coming to Portland, Sarah played numerous roles in musicals, at the Deck House Dinner Theatre in Southwest Harbor, and Gilbert and Sullivan operetta at the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth, Maine. Since moving to Portland, Sarah has been a soloist at the First Church of Christ Scientist. She played the role of Tuptim in the Portland Players' The King and I, and was in the chorus of the Portland Opera Repertory Theatre’s Tosca. Recently, Sarah sang the soprano solo in Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, in Blue Hill. For Veronica, Sarah imbues her songs for the princess with pure loveliness and deep expression.
Mary Blum, former performer, now coach studied dance in New York City, and received her degree in Dance Education from N.Y.U. For 20 years, she studied at the Martha Graham Studio working with Graham, Doris Humphrey, Jose Limon, and Lois Silk. She has taught for 40 years in colleges and studios. Currently, she teaches with the People to People Dance Center, and the Bath Dance Works in Maine. Mary created the part of the grandmother. She has been a beloved performer and mentor for Theatre for the Earth for nine years. Now, at age 82, she coaches the company and serves on the Board of Veronica Institute.
Hilary Melcher Chapman, performer, choreographer has studied ballet and modern dance for 11 years in Scotland, England, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine. She attended the Bates College Dance Festival two years, and currently dances and performs with The New Dance Studio, Portland, under the direction of Lisa Hicks. Hilary toured with Veronica to Ireland and Wales. She performed in Shakespeare's Winter's Tale, in Romeo and Juliet with the Maine Summer Dramatic Institute, and in Merry Wives of Windsor with the Portland High School Shakespeare Club. As the princess, Hilary carries the spontaneous resolve of the young feminine with simplicity and grace.
Michael Parent, a native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, Michael has performed as a storyteller and singer, in both English and French, throughout the United States, and beyond, since 1977. He has been featured at many events, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee ('81, '89, '98, '02), the International Storytelling Colloquium in Paris ('89), the Glistening Waters Festival in New Zealand ('98), the Sperrins Autumn Storytelling Festival in Northern Ireland and the Scealta Shamhna Festival in Dublin ('02), as well as the Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival in Eugene, Oregon ('04).
In addition to his performances for a wide range of audiences, including schools, libraries, theaters, and festivals, Michael also leads storytelling, story-writing, and performance workshops.
After living in Virginia for many years, where he was a co-founder of, and frequent performer at Live Arts, a thriving alternative theater in Charlottesville, Michael returned to his home state of Maine in July, 1998, and now lives in Portland. He received the National Storytelling Network's "Circle of Excellence" Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001 National Storytelling Conference in Providence, R.I. He will be a featured keynote speaker at the Sharing the Fire storytelling conference in Cambridge, Mass. in March of 2005. Michael's solo work can be seen at www.michaelparent.com. See Books and Products for Michae's book, Of Kings and Fools.
"Ms. Chapman and her group continue to inspire and revolutionize the way we think about academics, spirituality and life goals. Their professional theatrical performance, "The Princess Who Greened The Land" and Ms. Chapman's energy, clarity and creativity touch all who come, and they are left feeling lighter, happier and empowered to explore new directions, to re-think, reflect and re-work their current paths."
Susan Wehling, Acting Department Head
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia
"I found that the journey of the princess as she followed her dream out from the confines of the palace into the wildness of the forest and gradually growing into full fruitfulness a powerful symbol for the call of the church today. I feel the spirit is calling us to listen and embrace the voice of nature and of vision and creativity so that as male and female we can walk together in harmony."
Father Andy Leahy C.C., Kildare Ireland
"There is perhaps nothing more important in our time than a clearer understanding of nature and destiny of the soul. The hymns of Hildegard von Bingen add a celestial feeling to the entire presentation. Most important, a deeper understanding of the feminine, which the play artfully conveys, is essential in bringing harmony and balance to our world."
Robert Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Maine, and Director Center for the Study of Lives
"What struck me most about the performance was what was happening with me internally. At the beginning I was watching and trying to figure our what was happening with my intellect. It felt like a struggle. Then something changed. My intellect gave way and I began to experience the performance deep within. From then on, it was if I were in the performance and it was speaking to me about my life. I have a hunch that if I were to see this same performance at different times of my life, that it would speak to me as needed at those times"
Susan Mullins
"I have been a member of Theatre for the Earth for ten tears under the direction of Frederica Chapman. Frederica is a calm but determined woman who does not rest until she creates what satisfies her. She willingly involves the opinions of the cast for trying anything that might work for the piece. For that reason we give everything of which we are capable..."
Mary Blum, January 6, 2005
Please contact our office:
in US, 207-828-1200, in UK, 1437-721 543 or by e-mail, info@theatrefortheearth.org