From Page to Stage - Inside Ballet RI’s Machinal

This special evening invites community members into the artistic journey from script to stage through a live talkback with members of the creative team, including theater director Rachel Walshe and dancer Yury Yanowsky.

Machinal by Sophie Treadwell tells the story of a woman driven to violence while trapped within the rigid expectations of a patriarchal society, inspired by the real-life case of Ruth Snyder, a woman executed in Sing Sing Pr*son for the 1927 M**der of her husband. Treadwell uses the word Machinal as the title of this play to refer to a woman caught in the mechanics of a woman's expected life path and the disastrous results. This story exposes the enduring impact of societal pressure on women’s autonomy and challenges us to confront how systems can still silence women.

Together, we will explore how written stories are translated into movement, how choreography can deepen emotional storytelling, and how collaboration shapes a new work. This program offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the artists and gain deeper context ahead of Ballet RI’s Providence performances.

Following a conversation with members of the artistic team, participants will be able to engage in a Q+A session and learn more about the upcoming show, which will run May 7-10 at the Ballet RI Black Box Theatre and May 14-17 at the University of Rhode Island J Studio.

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