Set amidst a family vacation at an idyllic lake house in upstate New York, A Heroine Free Summer examines what happens when a family becomes divided – the result of two teenage sons confessing to drug use. As the adult sisters struggle to determine where their allegiances lie, one must decide whether to save the clan or let it fracture, a decision with epic consequences in this explosive new drama.
“After hosting a reading of the play’s initial draft in 2015, we embarked on a journey with Dr. Lowery and Chesley to bring the full production to our stage,” said Artistic Director Jennifer Decker. “We’re excited to premiere this powerful work about family, addiction, and healing and so happy to be working with Dr. Lowery, who taught many of our company members – including myself and our board chair – while we attended the University of St. Thomas. It’s like bringing a family back together.”
Chesley Krohn, who has been selected to direct the production, had this to say, “Janet Lowery has written an engaging and thought provoking play about four sisters at their annual lakehouse retreat. We are moved to both laughter and tears as the characters wrestle over sweeping space, spoons (yes, spoons), and who gets to steer. But, as with all families, this one also has its secrets and denials, specifically a history of addiction. Lowery’s characters battle over two teenage nephews, who, like far too many youth, have fallen victim to drug abuse. It is a battle that will require honesty, forgiveness, and compassion from all concerned.”
About the Playwright A faculty member at the University of St. Thomas for more than 20 years, Dr. Lowery’s poetry has been published in numerous anthologies and literary reviews such as Endless Mountains Review, Poetry East, Greensboro Review, Concho River Review, Fideles, Pennsylvania English, 13th Moon, and elsewhere. Her collection of poetry based on women from Greek mythology called Traffic in Women was published in 2008 by Odonata House; the trilogy of plays TRAFFIC IN WOMEN I, II, III—Educating Athena, A Grief Group in the Underworld; and A Retrial of the Danaids, respectively, was produced 2006-2008 on the University of St. Thomas campus. She recently completed a manuscript of translations from the Spanish of Miguel de Unamuno.