February 13, 2009

Theatre students portray Joseph Smith’s Liberty Jail experience

 

Brigham Young University–Idaho theatre students portray experiences of the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, in the production Burdens of Earth opening this week.   

Burdens of Earth takes place on an evening in March in Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith and four other Church leaders have been awaiting trial for five months. 

According to Roger Merrill, director of the production, the conflict of the production is Joseph Smith “trying to figure out what sin he has committed so he can rectify what has happened.”

“He feels responsibility for the saints and their persecutions, and he feels that the Lord had deserted him,” Merrill said.

“[Joseph Smith] is basically learning why trials happen,” said Carl Day, the actor who plays Joseph Smith. 

Richard Clifford, who is a member of the Department of Theatre and the scenic designer for the production, along with Merrill, visited Liberty Jail in November to document the jail’s features and incorporate them into the play. “We wanted to get a personal feeling for the jail and the events that transpired there,” Merrill said.  

Day said the experience has been both humbling and overwhelming. He prepared himself to play the part by reading Church history and Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, a biography. 

Day explained that his participation in this production has helped him realize that Joseph Smith, though the prophet, was still a human being. “I’m learning what a tender man he really was,” Day said. 

“It’s a great experience to deal with real theatrical exploration with a moment in Church history… It’s not that often you come across a well-written script,” Merrill said. 
Burdens of Earth was written by BYU English professor, Susan Elizabeth Howe, and has been performed at BYU, BYU–Hawaii and Southern Virginia University. This will be the first production of the play at BYU–Idaho. 

The subject matter of Burdens of Earth includes descriptions of mob behavior toward the saints and other elements of persecution that are of a more sensitive nature. “We want people to be aware,” said Merrill, “but it can be a great learning experience for the entire family.” 

After each performance, there will be a question and answer session with the actors. On Feb. 28, playwright Susan Elizabeth Howe will attend the question and answer session.

Burdens of Earth runs from Feb. 18-21 and Feb. 24-28. Tickets are $3 for BYU–Idaho students and $6 for the general public.