When the script readings with fellow actors on Zoom during pandemic the made even more apparent the lack of roles for mature women, longtime friends Doreen Dawson and Shannon Mayhall came to a realization.
“Wow, we’re never going to be doing these readings together if we wait for roles that are in our demographic,” said Dawson, who lives in Geneva.
“What was happening over and over again is Doreen and I were reading roles that we’d never be cast in because there simply weren’t interesting roles for us in any of these plays,” said Mayhall, a resident of Cary.
So they started searching for plays with “two women of a certain age” and Mayhall found Johnna Adams’ “Gidion’s Knot” in an anthology of plays written by women. They did a couple of readings together over Zoom, then made a decision.
“We can’t wait around for somebody else to do this,” Dawson said. “If we really want to do this, we have to do it ourselves.”
The drama, directed by Elgin resident Richard Pahl, will be the first production for iambe theatre ensemble when it runs Oct. 29-31 at Elgin Art Showcase in downtown Elgin. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29-30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Audience members must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test not more than 72 hours old and wear masks.
The play features a cast of just two women.
“They’re few and far between. When Shannon found this, it was like, ‘wow.’ Not only it’s two women, but that it’s really powerful, beautiful play,” Dawson said. “It’s very thought provoking. It was a read godsend to find something that was such a well-written piece on top of being two women.”
Written in 2013, “Gidion’s Knot” brings together a grieving mother and an overwhelmed fifth grade teacher as they discuss the mother’s son, Gidion.
“We like to call it a parent teacher conference gone way wrong,” Mayhall said. “There are a lot of twists and turns. And I think the audience will take the side of one of these women or both of these women in different points in the play.”
While the play is a drama, the name of iambe theatre ensemble was actually born from the laughter Mayhall and Dawson have shared over the years since they met in the theater department at Illinois State University.
“I don’t think there’s anyone I laugh harder with than Doreen,” Mayhall said. “Just out of the blue, I Googled ‘goddess of laughter,’ and this name, Iambe, came up. We checked to make sure it wasn’t being used.”
Spelling it lowercase, iambe theatre ensemble’s plans for future shows are still to be determined.
“We would be looking to represent something to do with more mature women, because I just don’t think we’re represented enough,” Dawson said. “That would be a priority in looking for another play.”
Mayhall said they both get audition notifications for productions in the city and suburbs, but can’t remember the last time she saw one with roles for women beyond their 40s.
“There are definitely a lot more roles out there for older men than older women,” Mayhall said. “The only play I can think of where there are a couple of older women represented is ‘Steel Magnolias.’ And that one is done over and over. I’ve done it twice, playing two of the older women.”
She said she has heard from a few people who are curious about the new ensemble.
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“They’re curious. It’s just something that hasn’t been done. The few people who have said they’re interested in hearing about this are interestingly enough are the same age we are,” she said. “It was needed.”
For now they are focused on “Gidion’s Knot,” which is a bit different from what is typically seen in the suburbs, Dawson said.
“I’m really excited to do this play too, because it’s a little bit edgy for what people might expect to see in the suburbs. I think it’s on par with a lot of what you see in the city,” she said. “Hopefully that will get other people thinking and maybe be interested in taking advantage of what’s out in this area here.”
Dawson and Mayhall said they never anticipated starting their own theater ensemble.
“I never thought I would be in this position right now, but it’s really exciting to be starting this at a whole different stage of our lives. And maybe we’re just looking at things differently and maybe we’re just a little bit more fearless, not as intimidated as we would’ve been in our 20s,” Dawson said. “I’m just really excited for what the future might hold.”
‘Gidion’s Knot’
When: Oct. 29-31
Where: Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin
Tickets: $18
Information: www.eventbrite.com and search for Gidion’s Knot tickets
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.