All-Female Theater Production Team Gives The Brontë Sisters A New Stage

Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, evoke deep emotions for those who have read these beloved literary works. And yet, few readers know the history of the creators behind these great novels and the raw life experiences that gave birth to their writings. "The Art of Sisters" reveals the personal lives of the Brontë family through vignettes woven together by their diary entries, letters, poems, as well as excerpts from their novels.

"Having been exposed to the hardships of life from a young age, the Brontë sisters' fertile minds and soulful natures were apt to express their understanding of the human experience- by creating extraordinarily, original stories," says Miriam Canfield, who is Producing, Directing, and playing the role of Emily Brontë.

Alida and Miriam met in the summer of 2016 during the production of "The Fall" at the New York Fringe Festival, which received an extension at The SoHo Playhouse. "We just understood each other immediately. Miriam was so welcoming and immediately put me at ease- she was my first theatrical scene partner," says Alida Rose Delaney, "we always knew that we'd continue to collaborate." Alida will also be Producing under her new company, KALIDASCOPES Media, in addition to playing Charlotte Brontë.

After being generously offered a space by The American Irish Historical Society, the women quickly researched the perfect play to stage at the incredible historic site- whose home is across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Society serves as a focal point of the contemporary transatlantic Irish experience, a place where current public issues are explored, and where the great renaissance in Irish culture is celebrated. "We have this opportunity to reveal how the Brontës perseverance, enthusiasm, and bravery as outliers in society resonates in our culture of today," says Alida "and like AIHS, bring a fresh perspective by sharing how their experience as a close-knit family with pre-feminism views, directly influenced their creative works.

Both huge fans of the Brontës from the get-go, their excitement to dive into these literary characters as performers runs deep. From a Director's perspective, what draws Miriam to Anne is "her strong moral compass and how she was fixated on addressing the corruption of the time. Anne was determined to present the difficult, yet rewarding path found in the virtuous life. Whereas Emily's mindset and purpose was on things beyond this world. Her understanding of the 'eternal' fueled her perseverance throughout life's trials. Emily's passionate longings were present in her thought-provoking writings." Jane Eyre hits close to home for Alida, and is one of her favorite books of all time. "It's amazing how Jane resonates with me now, in comparison to when I first discovered her in 11th grade. Her sheer independent will and resilient nature is outstanding. Jane's need to express everything in her heart, bubbles under the surface. It's both her strength and her weakness."

The World Premiere of "The Art of Sisters: Tales & Letters by the Brontës," will host two performances only: February 21st and 22nd at 7:30 pm at The American Irish Historical Society. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/2rRrpc0