Photos and Videos by Anna Bedford
 

There are only three chances left to see St. Mary’s College Of Maryland’s production of The Cocoonery, a play about Civil War era St. Mary’s County written by Merideth Taylor, SMC professor and award-winning playwright.

The Cocoonery is a compelling and provocative story of St. Mary’s rich history. Set during and after the Civil War at the County’s poorhouse, the play explores the chaotic social upheaval that follows the “Northern Invasion” as Countians struggle to recover from economic ruin and to redefine their personal, social, and political identities. The place of the Cocoonery, a vividly imaginative and magical scene, becomes a microcosm for the internecine conflict at the national level and reveals an American story not to be ignored, except at the risk of our own peril.

The inspiration for the play originated, Taylor tells St. Mary’s College, several years ago as she was reading Regina Hammett’s book on the history of St. Mary’s County.

“I came across a short bit on the county poorhouse and how there had once been a scheme there to raise silk worms. The project apparently wasn’t much of a success, but because of it, the place came to be known as the ‘cocoonery.’ I was immediately grabbed by the idea of a play set in the poorhouse and “The Cocoonery” as its title.

“I’ve been fascinated by the history of St. Mary’s County for a long time, and particularly the period during and following the Civil War. Maryland, as a ‘middle ground,’ was such an interesting mix of ideologies, social attitudes, and politics, and the county was such a cultural battleground. What’s more, on some levels, the War is still a live issue here – as it is in many parts of the South.”

The play is produced by the Department of Theater, Film, and Media Studies and directed by nationally acclaimed director-performer Thomas W. Jones II from Atlanta, Georgia, the show performs April 28-29 at 8:00 p.m. and April 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Guest director Thomas Jones has directed, written, and performed in more than 150 plays worldwide. In 1978, he founded Jomandi Productions, where, as co-artistic director and later producing director, he helped Jomandi become the third largest African-American theatre company in the United States. His work as writer, director, and actor has been acclaimed nationally and internationally, and has received 39 nominations for a Helen Hayes Award. He has won 12 awards, including Best Director for Home and Bessie’s Blues, which he also wrote. Jones has also received three New York Audelco Award nominations, the Dramalogue Award, the San Diego Critics Award, and the NAACP Phoenix Award, among others. In 2000, he and his co-founders left Jomandi to create VIA International Artists, Inc.

The Cocoonery is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Arts Alliance of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Ticket prices are $4.00 for faculty, students, SMCM staff, senior citizens, and Arts Alliance members; $6.00 general admission.

For reservations contact the Theater Box Office at 240-895-4243 or e-mail boxoffice@smcm.edu.