Meghan Gosse and Jordan Smith deliver a captivating performance in Legacy of Light (Photo/ Bryan Cardinale-Powell/ Professor of Film)
The Oklahoma City University Theatre Ensemble presented a powerful and thought-provoking production of Legacy of Light, a play by Karen Zacarias. Directed by Amy Ostanski, this production deeply resonated with audiences. It brought to life a compelling story that explores women, science, and the challenges of motherhood without the presence of trauma. Ostanski, who first encountered Legacy of Light in graduate school and has directed it several times since, was thrilled to bring the play to OCU’s stage.
“This is a play by and about women that isn’t about trauma,” Ostanski says. “There are far too few plays like that, and when we were looking for a piece that features strong female voices, Legacy of Light stood out as the perfect fit.”
The play explores the lives of two brilliant women: Alma, a physicist in France, and Olivia, a modern-day scientist who is also grappling with the challenges of balancing her career and motherhood. Despite being separated by centuries, both women face a world that often undervalues them because of their gender. At its heart, Legacy of Light celebrates the intellect and resilience of women, offering a refreshing perspective that focuses not on suffering, but on strength, achievement, and love.
A Vision for a World Made for Women
Ostanski’s direction brought these themes to life profoundly, prompting the question, “What would the world look like if it were designed by and for women?” This question not only shaped the characters’ motivations but also influenced the design choices of the production. “We talked a lot about how the world of the play was female,” Ostanski reflects. “That led to a lot of our design choices, from the set to the costumes. We wanted to create an environment where the women were at the center, without the traditional male gaze.”
The set design, minimalist yet striking, captured the balance between intimacy and the expansive ideas the characters were grappling with. Similarly, the costumes’ design emphasized each character’s individuality and femininity.
A Challenging Scale for a Small Space
One of the production’s biggest challenges was staging a show of such scale in OCU’s smaller theater space. Legacy of Light is a production that requires a variety of movement and intimate scenes, difficult with limited space. However, under Ostanski’s expert direction, the cast and crew pulled it off.
“The biggest challenge was fitting such a large-scale show into a smaller space,” Ostanski admits. “But the cast was absolutely phenomenal. They brought so much energy and commitment to the performance, and it was incredible to watch the whole show come together. The impact of seeing it all in its entirety was huge.”
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the production came during the scene set in the doctor’s office. The challenge of blocking this scene, given the three-sided audience arrangement, required precision and ingenuity. “It was really tricky to block it because of the audience on three sides, but the blocking was so tight, and it worked so well,” Ostanski says. “I was really proud of how that scene turned out.”
A Powerful Ending
The production reached a moment of discovery in its final moments, as the ending was refined during dress rehearsals. “The ending really captured what I wanted audiences to take away from the production,” Ostanski explains. “It was the culmination of everything that had been built up throughout the show. There’s this beautiful, quiet moment that, when it all came together in dress rehearsal, I knew it was going to land just right.”
The cast brought the characters’ complex emotions to life with both grace and intensity. The play’s exploration of motherhood, curiosity, and the sacrifices women make in pursuit of their passions deeply resonated with the audience, leaving them reflecting long after the curtain fell.
A Lasting Impact
In many ways, Legacy of Light was more than just a play, it was a discovery of what it means to be a woman in a world men have often dominated. By telling this story, Ostanski and the OCU Theatre Ensemble have created a piece that not only entertains but also empowers.
“I’ve loved this play ever since I first read it in graduate school,” says Ostanski. “It’s been amazing to bring it to life here at OCU, and I hope the audience leaves feeling as inspired and uplifted as I did the first time I encountered it.”
Legacy of Light may be over, but its impact is sure to linger in the hearts and minds of those who experienced it. As Ostanski reminds us, “It’s a play about legacy, about the light that women bring to the world, both through their work and their love.”
If you missed the performance, the OCU Theatre Ensemble’s upcoming seasons will feature more productions that challenge, inspire, and celebrate.
Leave a Reply