During a recent visit to the Black Box Theater, the space was adorned with intriguing clues: an ornate chaise lounge, a stack of old-fashioned books on a simple wooden desk, a paint-splattered curtain, an elegant bench, and an easel holding a large canvas. When a group of students emerged from backstage festooned in flowing dresses cinched at their waists, peasant blouses with puffy sleeves, shiny vests, silky overcoats and loose-fitting breeches, a clearer picture of “Judith,” the historic Upper School winter play, began to take shape.
Set in Italy in the 1600s, “Judith” tells the astonishing true story of Artemisia Gentileschi, a celebrated Italian baroque painter, sexual assault survivor, and trailblazing feminist who defied society’s expectations by testifying against her accuser in court. What is also extraordinary about this particular play is the fact that it was written and directed by a current Chapin student, senior Claire Lazar, whose impressive skills as a playwright and a director have set in motion what promises to be a powerful and electrifying production about art, female identity, the meaning of justice and Gentileschi’s lasting legacy. To learn more about Claire and how “Judith” originated, scroll down for an illuminating Q & A interview.
“Judith” opens tonight, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. for Upper School students and the professional community (limited seated), with performances for the full community on Friday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 26 at 3:00 p.m. The show will also be livestreamed. Please note: “Judith” is suitable for ages 14 and up, due to depictions of violence and discussion of sexual assault.
See below for tickets and viewing details.
- To request tickets to watch “Judith” in the Black Box Theater, February 25-26, please click HERE.
- To access the livestream on Thursday, February 24th, please check the most recent Chapin Weekly.
Cast Members:
Manha Awais (Class 10)
Kaitlyn Davis (Class 9)
Lilah Gorfain (Class 11)
Tildy Hirschhorn (Class 10)
Cate Izmirly (Class 9)
Claire Lazar (Class 12)
Summer Love (Class 9)
Whitney Pellegrino (Class 11)
Estella Pettus (Class 12)
Alessandra Poso (Class 8)
Xi Shillingford (Class 8)
Tech Crew:
Lucy Bland (Class 9)
Taylor Dressler (Class 8)
Jayden Hall (Class 9)
Claire Lazar (Class 12), Playwright and Director
Sarah Bellantoni, Faculty Advisor
Esther Krell, Faculty Advisor
Robert M. Thaxton-Stevenson, Technical Director
Livvie Goble, Costume Designer
Cassie Holzum, Costume Assistant
Paige Seber, Technical Supervisor
Best of luck to the entire “Judith” ensemble. We are so proud of you!
A Conversation with Director Claire Lazar ’22
Seated cross-legged in a folding chair in the Black Box Theater, Chapin senior Claire Lazar beamed from behind a mask, their passion for theater and their original play, “Judith,” already on clear display for the Communications Office interviewers.
Q: Tell us about your play. Was this part of an Individual Study? [An opportunity for Chapin seniors to embark on a rigorous, self-directed project in which they work closely with a faculty advisor on a project of personal interest.]
Claire: “It began as an academic Individual Study in Art History in the fall. I worked on a series of essays with the help of Ms. Krell [History teacher Esther Krell] about Artemisia Gentileschi [1593-1654], a painter from the Italian Baroque era. This is now the theatrical element. I’ve always known I wanted to write and direct a play. This is my baby, my magnum opus.”
Claire explained that “Judith” is based on the true story of Artemisia’s life, specifically, the abhorrent time when she was sexually assaulted and her case went to trial, which was unprecedented for a woman in the 1600s. However, Artemisia’s father had to bring the case to court because she was considered his property.
Claire: “I wanted to write about her in an artistic and human sense. My papers were a deep analysis of her art, and this play is more of a recognition of her experiences. She is a mirror that reflects the experience of women – even today.”
Claire noted that Artemisia was the first woman to attend Accademia dell’Arte, an elite academy in Italy that had only admitted men. She became financially independent, and her art was held to the highest of standards.
Q: Where did you come up with the name “Judith”?
Claire: “One of the most exciting things about Artemisia’s life and her art is how they correlate to one another. During her trial in 1612, she painted “Judith Slaying Holofernes.” She painted her own revenge, her retribution on canvas.
We often want to hear about the post-trauma survivor, but there’s something about this woman with such unbound rage that’s not delicate or apologetic – there’s something about this that called to me. It’s not about who she was or became, but rather, who she was in her rawest form – that time in her life. I wanted to name my play after that version of her.”
Q: What was the playwriting process like?
Claire [with a laugh]: “A sleep deprived fever dream! It was fun to write. Like any creative process, it’s so deeply personal. During the winter of my junior year, I told Ms. B. [Sarah Bellantoni, Drama teacher and Head of Lower School Arts and Integration] that I had a crazy idea and just to hear me out. I fully expected a no, but she agreed. She said she knew I had it in my head and I just had to get it down on paper, and here I am.
Ms. B. has been with me the whole time – even before. I’ve watched her direct so many plays, and unknowingly, have soaked up all her director tactics and the way she runs things. She has always been a source of immense support, encouragement and love. She told me ‘You know how to do it. You just don’t know you know.’”
Q: How did you balance your Individual Study with college applications and everything else going on during fall of senior year?
Claire: “When you’re doing something you’re passionate about, it cancels out everything else. If you love it enough, it doesn’t feel like a chore.”
Q: What has it been like to direct?
Claire: “I feel like someone is going to pull back the curtain – like in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ – and say, ‘That’s just a child!’ [laughs] but I’m leaving a little piece of me behind at Chapin which feels nice.”
Q: How was it auditioning your friends/classmates?
Claire: “I was very, very nervous. I thought no one would show up! I didn’t think I’d be able to direct my friends and fellow actors. The worst part was having to cut people – I was dreading that.
Whitney [Pellegrino] ’23, who plays Artemisia, has my whole heart. Letting go and giving up this person you’ve created and developed to someone else is scary, but when Whitney came into the audition room and started talking, I thought, I’m good.
And a special shout out to my older cast members. They have really respected the line between friend and director. I couldn’t do it without them, and they set an example for the younger ones.
To my younger cast members, they are so brave in doing this. It’s a hard story, it’s hard to grapple with the sins of your character. I give them a lot of credit. Everyone shows up, excited and ready to work. They all want to be here.”
Q: What are the costumes like?
Claire: “I love the costumes! Livvie Goble, our costume designer, Facetimed me over Thanksgiving break. I sent her a mess of a Pinterest board and she came back to me with amazing period costumes. She gets my vision.”
Q: So your play is set in the same time period, the early 1600s?
Claire: "Yes. Half of the play takes place in Artemisia’s house and the other half is in the courtroom. I can’t believe I didn’t mention this – the trial was recorded! I have real transcripts. There are real words in my play.”
Q: Wow! How did you access those transcripts?
Claire: “With the help of my dad. Actually, my play is dedicated to my dad. I have to give a huge shout out to him. He studied Art History in college, so he was the first to talk to me about it. He was the inspiration for me and the one who introduced me to my love, Artemisia.”
Q: Is theater something you want to pursue in college?
Claire: “This is what I love doing, so ideally, yes, I’d love to pursue this in college. We’ll see!”
Q: How did it feel to see your work come to life in the Black Box Theater?
Claire: “Gratifying, overwhelming, deeply emotional. It was a dream. Watching people embody the words you’ve written, the characters you’ve created, hearing my voice in theirs. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I poured my heart and soul into this show.
Now 'Judith’ doesn’t just belong to me but to those who have been brave enough to be in it and to come see it. I’m excited that this thing that has been so deeply intimate can now be shared with others.”
