March 21, 2019
The East Texas Baptist University Theatre Arts Department went oars up and oars out with a performance of Men on Boats, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by ETBU Costume Shop Supervisor Samantha Pettigrew.
“In order to help the audience connect to a distant and unfamiliar past, Men on Boats uses different points of view in an attempt to underscore those stories we might have missed because of the limited scope we have of history,” Pettigrew explained. “These unconventional dramatic choices draw attention to the limiting political structures and outdated ideas of the time while directing our path towards a future that values women as leaders, explorers, inventors, and revolutionaries. Done with a sense of humor, the play ultimately respects and honors the men it seeks to represent, noting that bravery and fear are trademarks of all humanity.”
Based on the journals of John Wesley Powell, Backhaus reimagined the 1869 government-sanctioned exploration of the Green and Colorado rivers. Though the journal entries are only from Powell’s perspective, Backhaus’ retelling includes the viewpoint of all characters, which are meant to be portrayed by racially diverse females.
“It is important to me, as a woman and as a Department Chair at ETBU, that we empower our women as leaders in their respective fields – a mission, I am glad to say, that is supported campus-wide,” ETBU Theatre Arts Department Chair Traci Ledford shared. “Men on Boats succeeds as both a history lesson and a deconstruction of adventurer/pioneer stereotypes when seen through the lens of an all-female cast playing real 19th century soldiers and explorers. We are grateful for this opportunity and to the men working behind-the-scenes to support us.”
While men were not in the cast onstage, many served behind-the-scenes as production staff. From lighting and sound designers to ushers, the men worked alongside the women to represent the message concerning breaking gender stereotypes that the playwright intended.
“The main theme of Men on Boats is how history is perceived with established gender norms in mind. This show challenges the audience's perception of masculinity in an engaging way,” ETBU Technical Director Trace Craver said. “The most rewarding part of being involved in the show was seeing the finished product that the students worked hard for.”
The cast worked together to overcome the challenges of shifting demeanors and mentality, comedic timing, physical demand, finding the humanity of the character, and staying true to the adventurers’ motivations and dreams. In her role as Seneca Howland, ETBU senior Viridiana Jasso De La Garza learned to take on a different accent, mannerisms, and reactions.
“The show is meaningful to me because of the time we put into it, the challenges we had to overcome, and the relationships we built,” De La Garza commented. “Men on Boats, in part, tells the story of a group of men, who embark on a dangerous adventure and, through misfortunes along the way, become like brothers. In the same sense, through all of the hard work we put into this production, the diverse cast and crew has become like family. Equality, diversity, and unity are important because, as Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have the same potential to serve the Lord and honor Him. By acknowledging diversity we recognize that each of us as something different to bring to the table.”