Grayce Sullivan | staff writer

Laura Engel, an English professor at Duquesne, is making her Red Masquers directorial debut with “The Miniature Picture,” opening this week.

Written in 1781 by Elizabeth Craven, “The Miniature Picture” explores themes of feminism and love through disguises and hijinks.

Many of Craven’s works were originally written for private theatricals at Brandenburgh House, her English country home along the River Thames. She would often direct and act in performances for aristocrats, politicians and royalty.

She challenged societal norms, directly exposing the unfair rules set for women during her time.

Many contemporary readers deem Craven’s work as feminist theater. It reflects Craven’s yearning for independence, specifically in relation to her divorce from William Craven in 1780.

Her defiance and discontent with women’s lack of agency caused her to be ostracized from high society.

The Red Masquers’ production places the story within Craven’s drawing room, immersing the viewer in the time period.

Rather than portraying a heartbroken young woman wronged by a man, the main character, Eliza Camply (Ariana Frankenfield), takes matters into her own hands. She toys with her past lover, Belvil (Julia Kadar), by disguising herself as a man and seeking to take back the miniature picture she gave him when they were together.

As her alter ego, Sir Harry Revel, Eliza interacts with others and proves her worth by successfully deceiving them.

The story plays with societal expectations and the fragility of one’s own reputation. The humor arises when the characters, who are obsessed with image, find themselves in increasingly absurd situations.

Eliza uses her other identity to flip the script and control the narrative in a way women could not during this time period.

“How do you manipulate the people? How do you get power when you’re in a disenfranchised position?” Engel said when asked about Eliza’s plan to take control.

Engel, who’s been with the university for 20 years, loves exploring works written by women and bringing them to life.

“The play is about disguise and adventures and ill-fated love affairs, but it’s also about performance and authenticity, like how people put on performances to not actually be their true selves,” Engel said.

The cast has worked hard over the past few weeks to bring these characters to life on stage.

Dante Martin, a senior theater arts major who plays Eliza’s brother Mr. Camply, reflected on the fast-paced process.

“It was a quick rehearsal process. I learned a lot of my lines over spring break,” Martin said.

The cast has been rehearsing for a little over a month and a half. According to the actors, the 18th-century language made the script particularly challenging to memorize.

Ariana Frankenfield, a sophomore psychology student who plays Eliza Camply, described the plot as an “extravagant scheme.”

Her character is navigating the challenges of being a woman in the 18th century.

“She’s just trying to find her way,” Frankenfield said.

The concept of a miniature picture was a staple of the 18th century, when individuals carried small portraits of loved ones. In this play, however, the miniature picture takes on a deeper meaning.

“The play is talking about women as objects that get passed around between men, women who didn’t really have economic or political agency and always had to negotiate their place in the world,” Engel said.

Despite being rooted in 18th-century society, the themes in “The Miniature Picture” remain relevant and relatable in the modern day.

With its mix of humor, disguise and social commentary, “The Miniature Picture” offers the audience both entertainment and insight into the constraints on women in the 18th century.

Through its distinctive production style, the Red Masquers bring new life to a centuries-old story, reminding the audience that themes of identity, agency, and performance remain relevant today.

“The Miniature Picture” runs April 16-25 at the Genesius Theater at Duquesne University. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $15 for general admission. You can find tickets and information on The Red Masquers website.

Grayce Sullivan can be reached at sullivang@duq.edu