Sanctuary

Institute History

  • 1998 Theatre Lab

Description

Paul Monette’s story of Renarda the Fox and Lapine the Rabbit, two females of different species who fall in love, takes place in a fictional forest, the last possibly, where any “differentness” is declared a danger to the moral fiber of the community, and purportedly threatens to undermine the safety of the entire ecosystem. In adapting SANCTURARY, I am thrilled to have a chance to challenge and change the way young audiences perceive our own civilized, non-fictional world. The magic at the core of this fable is one that changes minds. I hope there’s enough of that magic in my play.

JoAnne Akalitis told me that Buchner’s WOYZECK invited her to tell her own story, and I think that is true of all the best art. And it is true of SANCTUARY. The story is rich and resonant for me. I grew up in South Africa, a child of the Apartheid regime, was raised Mormon and turned out queer, so I know a little bit about this play already. I haven’t had to think too hard as I’ve written the Owl’s cautionary national address on “differentness,” several voices from my past still sounding clear and loud in my head.

I come to the workshop with a shell of a script. The project feels cinematic and episodic in scope. It will eventually be a musical. I look forward to exploring the play with actors, to fleshing out the characters, finding new ones, and making concrete the theatrical visions that are unfolding in my mind.
—Roger Benington

Credits

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