Fefu and her friends

By María Irene Fornés

Directed by Kate Bredeson

Scenic & Lighting Design: Peter Ksander

Costume Design: Jenny Ampersand 

This work by the late María Irene Fornés is set in New England in 1935, and takes the audience through a day in the life of eight women gathering to rehearse a presentation for their charity, which aims to improve local education. Throughout the day, they share their philosophies on life, society, and their personal struggles.

The first and third act take place in a living room, while the second act occurs in four locations at once (both in real space and in the world of the play), necessitating five discrete sets, lighting systems, and sound systems. The world of the play is largely realist, until an event occurs which challenges the audience’s understanding of that world. This shift will be heard in the above audio clip, which contains found audio, sound effects, and a song which was ultimately sung live by actors onstage.