The Theatre and Media Performance Department at Stevenson University captivated audiences this past weekend with a bold and emotionally charged production of The House of Bernarda Alba, Federico Garcia Lorca’s haunting exploration of repression, grief and female identity in early 20th-century Spain.
Directed by Ryan Clark, the production ran for four days at the Inscape Theatre on Greenspring Campus, drawing in students, faculty and members of the wider community. The minimalist set design and emotionally intense performance brought Lorca’s final play to life with a modern interpretation of the classic text.
“I have been inspired by the work of Federico Garcia Lorca for many years,” said Ryan Clark, program coordinator for the Theatre and Media Performance department. “His work is very poetical which makes it theatrical in a unique way.”
Set in a small village in southern Spain, The House of Bernarda Alba tells the story of a domineering matriarch who imposes an eight-year mourning period on her five daughters after the death of her second husband. The play, entirely devoid of male characters on stage, examines the psychological toll of isolation, the consequences of authoritarian control and the quiet rebellion simmering beneath the surface of a strictly traditional household.
The role of Bernarda was played with steely precision by Kyla Johnson, whose performance of the iron-willed matriarch was both chilling and deeply compelling. The daughters – Angustias, Magdelena, Amelia, Martirio and Adela – were portrayed by a talented ensemble cast, each bringing distinct emotional layers to their roles.
“I just liked how complex she is,” Johnson said of Bernarda Alba. “I wanted to challenge myself to see what was going on in her head.”
Particularly moving was Renee Young’s portrayal of Adela, the youngest daughter, whose yearning for love and independence culminates in the play’s tragic climax. The production’s pacing and stark lighting design added to the claustrophobic atmosphere, enhancing the tension that builds steadily throughout the production.
“[Adela’s] search for freedom, passion for life and being confined in the walls of Bernarda’s house is really what drew me to her,” Young said. “She was willing to do whatever it took to get her freedom.
The audience at Stevenson University’s production of The House of Bernarda Alba responded enthusiastically, praising the powerful performances and the emotionally charged atmosphere. Clare Oshman, third-year reporter on The Villager, shared her reaction to the tragedy in an opinion piece published this week.
The performance is part of the department’s ongoing effort to showcase powerful works from global theatre traditions and to offer students challenging roles that push their creative boundaries.
“I am very proud of the work this cast has put into the production,” Clark said. “Seeing the growth of the actors in these roles has been wonderful to witness.”
