
Inheritors
About the Show
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.
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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.
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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
Photos
by Debbie Beall
![]() Inheritors 1Act I: Smith and Grandmother | ![]() Inheritors 2Act I: Grandmother | ![]() Inheritors 3Act I: Silas & Fejevary, Jr. |
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![]() Inheritors 4Act I: Silas | ![]() Inheritors 5Act I: Fejevary, Sr. | ![]() Inheritors 6Act I: Silas and Grandmother |
![]() Inheritors 7Act I: Fejevary, Jr., Silas, Grandmother, & Fejevary, Sr. | ![]() Inheritors 8Act II: Fejevary, Jr., Senator, & Horace | ![]() Inheritors 9Act II: Madeline & Horace |
![]() Inheritors 10Act II: Doris & Fussie | ![]() Inheritors 11Act II: Fejevary, Jr. & Senator | ![]() Inheritors 12Act II: Horace, Fejevary, Jr., Aunt Isabel, & Senator |
![]() Inheritors 13Act II: Holden | ![]() Inheritors 14Act II: Holden and Fejevary, Jr. | ![]() Inheritors 15Act II: Holden |
![]() Inheritors 16Act II: Madeline | ![]() Inheritors 17Act II: Madeline | ![]() Inheritors 18Act III: Ira |
![]() Inheritors 19Act III: Madeline | ![]() Inheritors 20Act III: Madeline & Holden | ![]() Inheritors 21Act III: Ira & Madeline |
![]() Inheritors 22Act III: Madeline & Aunt Isabel | ![]() Inheritors 23Act III: Aunt Isabel | ![]() Inheritors 24Act III: Emil & Ira |
![]() Inheritors 25Act III: Madeline & Emil |

Press
Dr. Milbre Birch: "The Relevance of Susan Glaspell’s Inheritors in the 21st Century”
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The Gazette: "'Inheritors' opening Friday at Starlighters: 1920s play parallels today"
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Journal-Eureka: "Inheritors comes to Starlighters"
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Journal-Eureka: "'Inheritors' is period play that speaks to today's issues"
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Marketing
![]() Inheritors PosterMade by Rebecca Vernon | ![]() Inheritors FB PromoPhoto by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall | ![]() Inheritors FB CoverPhoto by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall |
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![]() Inheritors Quote | ![]() Inheritors Promo PhotoPhoto by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall | ![]() Inheritors FB Event Cover |
![]() Inheritors Quote CardPhoto by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall | ![]() Opening NightPhoto by Aimee Jones; Edits by Jennifer Beall |