What if Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre, Cathy Earnshaw, and Jo March defied space, time, and social conventions and met all together after rejecting the marriage proposals of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Rochester, Heathcliff, and Laurie Laurence? Find out what happens in Jaclyn Backhaus' cheeky "Battle of the Sexes" send-up of four literary classics: Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Little Women!

Director's Notes

When I started grad school a million years ago, one of the first things that happened to me was meeting Adriene, a young woman who would become a good friend as we navigated the three-year MFA program.  In the course of our first conversation, Adriene acknowledged that theatre roles for women were few and far between, compared to what was available for men.  “We’ll be up for the same roles,” she said, “but, hey, let’s not be rivals.  Let’s support each other!”  Her appeal stuck with me; no one had ever said anything like that to me in my life!  As it turned out, she got all the “good” roles, but it was impossible to resent her - she was so positive and generous.  It isn’t always easy (I was born with a jealous little heart), but to this day I do try to encourage and uplift my theatre sisters in any way I can.

What I love most about this show is how the four main women empower each other, without resorting to empty cheerleading.  They are optimistic yet forthright.  They stand together and have each others’ backs.  Would we could all do likewise.

If you enjoy the music in the show, please check out other works by the same artists.  The playlist can be found here: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBnh9fCQELlVuNQTkqfQJYZNh0TCHStdZ&feature=share

Featured Songs:

A Mhuirnin O by Clannad

Bad Romance by Simply Three

Wannabe by Spice Girls

Police State by Pussy Riot

Halo by Ane Brun

Exist for Love by AURORA

Drinking in the Day by Elise LeGrow

Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

Romance by Wild Flag

I hope you enjoy this romp across the moors! - Aasne Daniels 

TheatreWorks is the producing arm of the Illinois College Theatre Program. We produce two faculty-directed shows and several student-directed shows each academic year.

From our mainstage plays, to student-directed work, to an improv troupe, we have plenty of space on stage for all interested Illinois College students.

We have two theatres: Sibert Theatre, a 250-seat modified thrust theatre, and the Illinois College Experimental Blackbox Theatre, a.k.a. the ICEBOX, a 64-seat modular stage space in the Kirby Learning Center used for acting, directing, and design classes. The ICEBOX is also used for the improv troupe, Lincoln's Security Detail, cabarets, and poetry slams.

If you are interested in behind-the-scenes work, TheatreWorks has plenty to offer by way of sound, lighting, scenic, and makeup design; prop, costume, and set construction, including scenic painting; stage, box office, and house management, as well as public relations. Students play a vital role in the operation of TheatreWorks, and paid student positions are available in many of these areas.

Students also receive academic credit for production work. TheatreWorks is fully dedicated to maintaining an “open shop” where everyone is welcome.