top of page

Inheritors

About the Show
About

Inheritors is a 1921 play by Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Susan Glaspell. The story focuses on Madeline Morton and her experiences at the college founded by her grandfather, Silas. While at Morton College Madeline must decide whether she will face prison under the Espionage Act by defending immigrant students' criticisms of America, or if she will follow the expectations of society and protect her family's name.

​

I discovered Inheritors in the summer of 2016, when discussions about immigration, free speech, and nationalism were at the forefront of public discourse, thanks to the ongoing presidential campaign. I chose to direct this play because I hoped that it could help to spark discussion of these issues in the Midwestern community in which it was produced, one not all that different from the unnamed town in which the play is set. While directing this show, I read biographies of Susan Glaspell, primary sources from her contemporaries, and academic analysis of her work. A decision was made in this production to cast a woman in the role of Professor Holden. This decision created an interesting opportunity for further research into women's historical roles in higher education and exploration into how change in a character's gender can affect the overall meaning of a script. 

​

A talk back with members of the Susan Glaspell Society was held on September 24 after a matinee performance. Dr. Cheryl Black and Dr. Milbre Burch joined the cast and director for a discussion with members of the audience about the themes of the play and Glaspell's work.

Program
Program
Photos
Photos

by Debbie Beall

Inheritors 1

Inheritors 1

Act I: Smith and Grandmother

Inheritors 2

Inheritors 2

Act I: Grandmother

Inheritors 3

Inheritors 3

Act I: Silas & Fejevary, Jr.

Inheritors 4

Inheritors 4

Act I: Silas

Inheritors 5

Inheritors 5

Act I: Fejevary, Sr.

Inheritors 6

Inheritors 6

Act I: Silas and Grandmother

Inheritors 7

Inheritors 7

Act I: Fejevary, Jr., Silas, Grandmother, & Fejevary, Sr.

Inheritors 8

Inheritors 8

Act II: Fejevary, Jr., Senator, & Horace

Inheritors 9

Inheritors 9

Act II: Madeline & Horace

Inheritors 10

Inheritors 10

Act II: Doris & Fussie

Inheritors 11

Inheritors 11

Act II: Fejevary, Jr. & Senator

Inheritors 12

Inheritors 12

Act II: Horace, Fejevary, Jr., Aunt Isabel, & Senator

Inheritors 13

Inheritors 13

Act II: Holden

Inheritors 14

Inheritors 14

Act II: Holden and Fejevary, Jr.

Inheritors 15

Inheritors 15

Act II: Holden

Inheritors 16

Inheritors 16

Act II: Madeline

Inheritors 17

Inheritors 17

Act II: Madeline

Inheritors 18

Inheritors 18

Act III: Ira

Inheritors 19

Inheritors 19

Act III: Madeline

Inheritors 20

Inheritors 20

Act III: Madeline & Holden

Inheritors 21

Inheritors 21

Act III: Ira & Madeline

Inheritors 22

Inheritors 22

Act III: Madeline & Aunt Isabel

Inheritors 23

Inheritors 23

Act III: Aunt Isabel

Inheritors 24

Inheritors 24

Act III: Emil & Ira

Inheritors 25

Inheritors 25

Act III: Madeline & Emil

Press
Press
Marketing
Marketing
Inheritors Poster

Inheritors Poster

Made by Rebecca Vernon

Inheritors FB Promo

Inheritors FB Promo

Photo by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall

Inheritors FB Cover

Inheritors FB Cover

Photo by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall

Inheritors Quote

Inheritors Quote

Inheritors Promo Photo

Inheritors Promo Photo

Photo by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall

Inheritors FB Event Cover

Inheritors FB Event Cover

Inheritors Quote Card

Inheritors Quote Card

Photo by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall

Opening Night

Opening Night

Photo by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall

"Well, you can’t put out a light
just because
it may light the wrong person."
bottom of page