Exploration of Queerness & romance takes the digital stage as part of For Your (Re)Consideration

CHICAGO - March 23, 2021 - PRLog -- Ghostlight Ensemble launches its new reading series, For Your (Re)Consideration, which explores the works of historically overlooked female playwrights, with The Convent of Pleasure by Margaret Cavendish at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 4.

Written in 1688, The Convent of Pleasure tells the story of a group of unmarried women, initiated by Lady Happy, who choose to avoid the pains or displeasures that exist in a male-dominated world and instead create their own community, or convent, of pleasure to create their own perfect, self-functioning society. This virtual reading is directed by Seattle-based Storytelling Interdisciplinary Artist Andrew Coopman.

What drew Coopman to the piece is it is one of the earliest examples of not just queer narrative, but non-binary narrative as well.

"The Convent of Pleasure is a story of two women falling in love and fighting against the cultural expectations placed upon them," they explained. "And the REALLY wild part is that one of the two primary characters changes gender with no explanation during that last act, which her husband wrote. What could be overlooked or simply labeled a cross-dressing character is, I believe, something much more complex and beautiful and kick-ass and resilient.

"The Convent of Pleasure is a great example of how history has erased and suppressed LGBTQ+ identity for comfort and ease, making it seem like a revolutionary or rebel idea of the last century or so," Coopman continued. "But this beautiful romantic comedy is also a great example of the Queer community's resilience and determination throughout history. We are Queer, we have been Queer, we have always been here, and it's time to recognize and celebrate our story… and that's why audiences should come watch our play."

The cast of The Convent of Pleasure includes: Ensemble Member Song Marshall with Lotus Lindez, Cynthia Becker, Sagen Berry, Sebastian Summers, Aria Caldwell, Ira McIntosh and KJ Snyder.

The initial broadcast of The Convent of Pleasure takes place over Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 4, and a talkback with the director will take place immediately following. A recording of the performance will be available afterward to stream through the end of April.

Tickets are pay what you will, with a minimum of $5 per reading and the average donation for such virtual offerings at $15. Tickets are available on Ghostlight's website at http://www.ghostlightensemble.com/for-your-reconsideration.