The Convent of Pleasure
Lady Happy has recently inherited a great wealth from her late father, Lord Futune, and though Madame Mediator encourages her to get married, the Lady has other plans. But while Monsieur Take-Pleasure and his man, Dick, along with the other men of the town make plans to woo her, Lady Happy has already opened her own convent: A Convent of Pleasure that avows marriage and men because they do nothing but bring misery to all womenkind. In this safe haven, women can enjoy the pleasures and joys of the world, not in the name of God or Man, but in the name of Woman. But when a mysterious Princess comes to join the Convent, Lady Happy finds herself falling for her, and their love story begins. Will there be a happy ending for these independent women? Or will men figure out a way to interfere and ruin this Sanctuary? Margaret Cavendish, the Duchess of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne’s closet-play, The Convent of Pleasure is a 17th Century celebration of women, independence and love, and one of the earliest narratives centered in LGBTQ+ inclusive identity.
The Convent of Pleasure was written by Margaret Cavendish and directed by Andrew Coopman.
Tickets are available via the link below.
Biographies
Margaret Cavendish
Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, (Playwright) was one of the most prolific female authors and philosophers of the 17th century, writing at a time of immense political upheaval. She led a remarkable—and controversial—life, writing poetry and prose and philosophizing on the natural world at a time when women were denied any means of a formal education. Unlike most women of her day, who wrote anonymously, Cavendish published her works under her own name. She wrote extensively on such wide-ranging topics as gender, power, manners, the scientific method and animal rationality. Cavendish books include: Poems and Fancies, a collection of poems, epistles and prose pieces which explores her philosophical, scientific and aesthetic ideas; her autobiography A True Relation of my Birth, Breeding, and Life; Sociable Letters, which is a collection of letters on contemporary subjects written in the guise of various characters; and The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World, a woman-centric work of science fiction set in another world that can be reached by way of the North Pole. She also wrote a large number of plays, including The Convent of Pleasure, which were collected in two volumes (1662 and 1668), though never performed during her lifetime. She died on December 15, 1673, at the age of 50.
Andrew coopman
Andrew Coopman [they/he] (Director) is a Seattle-based storytelling interdisciplinary artist who wears many hats, and is proud to be working with Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre on the For Your (Re)Consideration project. They are currently a third year Master of Fine Arts in directing candidate at the University of Washington School of Drama, graduating in spring 2021. They also have a Masters of Arts in educational theater form New York University - Steinhardt. As a director, choreographer, devisor, performer, playwright and teaching artist, they have worked in a variety of theaters around the country including Seattle, New York City, Milwaukee and the Chicagoland area. Highlight directing credits include: Love & Information, Frozen: A Play, Machinal, Body Awareness, 4 Dogs & A Bone (UW), Into The Woods (Studio East), Wilde Tales (Seattle Opera), James & The Giant Peach (Village Theater), Little Women The Musical (Seattle Musical Theatre), Disney’s Beauty & The Beast (Edmond’s Driftwood Player’s Theatre), and the premier of The Sunflower Sisters (Eclectic Theater). Many thanks to Kayla & Holly from Ghostlight for giving them this opportunity, and their husband, Jamey, who continually supports him, even when his schedule is insanely busy. Up next, Andrew is directed RE:SOCIAL/DIVIDE with Cooperative Performance in Milwaukee, which will stream through April 11; I And You with Burien Actor’s Theater, opening April 17; and Henrik Ibsen’s Rosmersholm online as his thesis project, opening May 6. To learn more, please visit AndrewCoopman.com
Cast
Cynthia Becker
Cynthia Becker [she, her] (Madam Mediator) is pleased to be making her debut with the Ghostlight Ensemble in The Convent of Pleasure. In her school years, she has appeared in a variety of productions such as The Rivals, The Haunting of Hill House, Guys and Dolls among others. Since then, by day, she works in technology as program manager: first spending many years in the software industry and most recently in Film Post Production as a Vancouver Film School grad. When not at work, she produces short films, as well as doing corporate and narration voiceovers. Her most favorite role was Cootchie Snorcher in The Vagina Monologues. Many thanks to Andrew, our erstwhile director, for his wonderful guidance in putting on this fun production and to Sarah for her support and love.
Sagen Berry
Sagen Berry [he/him] (Monsieur Take-Pleasure) most recently appeared in University of Washington School of Drama’s Love and Information and California Hollandia’s modeling campaign, and before that was scheduled to perform in the CabLab production Two Heads of a Hydra and the Asbestos Productions Gost Hoonter. Other credits include University of Washington School of Drama’s Three Sisters and Undergraduate Theatre Society’s Much Ado About Nothing. Sagen would like to thank his friends and family for all their love and support.
Aria Caldwell
Aria Caldwell (Monsieur Advisor/Lady Amorous) is super excited to be joining another amazing virtual performance, and is very grateful to get to work again with the dopest director, Andrew! Aria can most currently be seen in RE: Social/Divide with Cooperative Performance which is streaming right now! Shout out to my roommates and cat, Bandit for putting up with my wild character choices so late in the night.
Lotus Lindez
Lotus V. Lindez [they/them] (The Prince/Princess) is a voiceover artist, singer and performer. After growing up and wrestling gators in South Florida, Lotus came ready to rock it in the Chicago theatre scene in 2018. By day they work as a UX designer for medical facilities. By night they are constantly experimenting with all kinds of performance: from voiceover, short films, storytelling and musicals to sketch comedy, improv and traditional plays. Lotus is a member of the Echo Theatre Collective whose mission is to uplift marginalized voices and promote cultural understanding through the performing arts. You may also find them performing regularly as a cast member for the Improvised Jane Austen improv team, and hosting the podcast Conscious Culture.
Song Marshall
Song Marshall [she/her] (Lady Happy) originally from Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor's degree in theatre from Flagler College. Since moving to Chicago in 2009, Song has worked with The Other Theatre Co, Blue Goose Ensemble, Raven Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre and she is a company member of Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre and of Terra Mysterium. Favorite credits include; Emma Goode in A Midwinter Night’s Tale (Terra Mysterium), Lady Basildon, in An Ideal Husband (Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre), Tilly in Operation Marshmallow Fluff for Bechdel Fest 7 (Broken Nose Theatre), Understudy of Ruby Faison in Rabbit Summer (RedTwist Theatre) and Tilly in Season 5 of the radio drama Immunities by Dueling Genre Productions.
Ira McIntosh
Ira McIntosh (Monsieur Facile/Lady Virtue) is a drag queen and costume designer from New York City. Her passion for music and theater was fostered during her bachelors degree at Whitworth University and her masters at University of Montana. Previously she has been Hades in Orpheo, Reverend Salvation in Cradle Will Rock, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Javert in Les Miserables. Ira is so excited and proud to be a part of such an incredible production!
KJ Snyder
KJ Snyder [they/them] (Monsieur Courtly/Lady Meanswell) is a comedic theatermaker based in Chicago. They have been produced shows such as Improvised CatDog and Carrot Bottom, and have been on the cast of Trigger Happy and Improvised Jane Austen. They can be found on Instagram at @carrotbttm
Sebastian Summers
Sebastian Summers [he/him] (Dick, His Man/ Mimick The Fool/ Embassador) is thrilled to be working again with Ghostlight Ensemble! His last collaboration with G.E.T. featured him as Picasso in Steve Martin’s Picasso at The Lapin Agile, and before that as Vicomte de Nanjac in Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband. He has since spent his time performing in musicals such as the Chicago Premiere of Hands on a Hardbody: The Musical (Refuge Theatre Project) and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Drury Lane Theatre). Sebastian is grateful to bring to life the words of Margaret Cavendish and is confident this play’s themes will both entertain and enlighten the audience in the same way they have for him.