Post-Brigid's Flame (PBF)
There was a time that talk of anything after January was quickly categorized as “Post-Brigid’s-Flame” (or PBF) and sidelined as “then” vs. “now”. For the last half of the month, the cast and creators were laser-focused on developing the phenomenon of Brigid’s Flame—a unique and hybrid performance of unexpected depth.
The two weeks of rehearsal was an amazing experience of creative flow and coming-together of a community. All four of the creators (idea, story, song and visual) were also cast-members and worked magic to fine-tune the impact in real time during practice…what a privilege to witness!
While I haven’t seen the recording, yet. You just kinda know when a show goes well and, based on audience reception it’s fair to say that we nailed it on both evenings of the performance. The engagement of the crowd and the feedback from so many who attended confirmed that our intentions—prayerfully gathered two weeks prior—were well placed!
The Public Reception
The 400 tickets for both shows were sold out by Wednesday and the consensus is that we can easily book three performances next year. We included a survey in the program and received resoundingly positive feedback. Attendees actually filled it out! Comments ranged from: “true ritual theater, an act of spirit-led creation and ancestral participation” to “the most punk-rock thing Dubuque has seen in a long time!”
The audience participation added a whole new vibrant and fun element to the show that we couldn’t have predicted during rehearsals. Right before the intermission, we led over a hundred hand-holding audience members around the church in a circle dance which terminating at the refreshment bar that offered Brigid’s Flame bock brewed special for the production.
Capturing the Vibe
Excellent lighting, minimal-yet-kick-a** set elements and props, hand-made puppets and simple, authentic costumes made Brigid’s Flame a visual spectacle. Lyric was the creative mastermind whose artistic genius stirred the imagination and gave the story visual depth (you can find her work at Studiolyric.com).
The script, written by Allyson, was rooted in Celtic folklore and touched on profound themes of creation, wholeness, healing and myth.1 (No joke, there were tears in the house!) Key moments in the plot were framed by songs composed and led by the phenomenal Lindsey Scott (find her music on Spotify, online Lyndsey Scott.earth, or @lila.gaia). And then there was the Fog in a Bog Irish Session Band accompanying the dance and audience participation scenes. The whole thing was visually and musically gripping.
Then there the meta-creators, so to speak. Brigid’s Flame was the first sprout of Mary Kay’s brainchild that is blossoming into the Groundswell Joy Collective. Brenna, who supported so much of the back-end logistics for the show also STOLE it as the Cailleach. With minimal prior acting experience, she was channeling some serious divine-hag-crone-goddess-vibes.
Before the final show one of the cast members asked the director, Cindy, if she had ever directed a performance like this. She responded to everyone “No way. Because I’ve never directed a show where all the creators were also in the cast!”2
Now I am officially a thespian, woohoo! Since the show must go on, next year’s production is already in the works. Coming to a church near you (if you’re in Dubuque, IA) the next Feast of St. Brigid!
Except for the humorous tavern scene, which was written by Kyle Klapatauskas. He and his wife (and six children) share their clever skits and comedic antics at Done on this Side. It’s worth checking out.
There was also a cast of gracious and talented volunteers behind the scenes handling the sound, the set changes, the food, the lights, and the childcare.
Congratulations, Q! This sounds absolutely amazing! I know where I’ll be spending St. Brigid’s Day next year—Dubuque! ♥️