Theatre for the Earth is a company primarily of women. We are intergenerational, and international, representing a "world woman for the Earth". The Theatre 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. The company has since performed at cathedrals, schools, and universities in Ireland, Wales, the US, including the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. We are in the process of rebuilding our troupe to perform for Conferences, Sacred Gatherings, and Environmental Events. The fairy tale, "She Greened the Land", inspires reverence, and ignites responsibility for the Earth. As a touring company of performers who are closely bonded, our troupe models the strength and gift of the feminine principle to the consciousness of the world.
The Play
Drawn from "L'Elucidations", a Pre-Grail legend (circa 1230), "She 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 is "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 "She 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, New Hampshire, she later attended the all-girl Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, and received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Nursing from Boston University. As a third grade child, on a class visit to the United Nations, she received a vision which urged her to a life of international women's work. 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 directed her life away from becoming an analyst, to the world of theatre.
In 1990, Frederica brought her "Masks of Nature" (see Products) to the United Nations World Summit on Children. 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, and 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. “She Greened the Land”, presented over nine years in venues throughout 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 prepares to tour with Theatre for the Earth.
She offers her work for the women and children of the world.
"Ms. Chapman and her group continue to inspire and revolutionize the way we think about academics, spirituality and life goals. Their professional theatrical performance, "She 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, Toll Free 1-888-828-1288, Local 1-207-828-1200
in UK, 1437-721 543
or by e-mail, info@theatrefortheearth.org