NIU theater to 
present ‘Machinal’

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A woman’s role in the 1920s was mostly limited to wife and mother. The Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance will present the story of one young woman who chose to escape from these limits by instead taking on the role of murderer. The next Studio Series production, “Machinal,” runs today through Sunday in the Stevens Building Corner Theatre in DeKalb.

Based on the true story of a young woman’s attempt to free herself, “Machinal” is Sophie Treadwell’s recreation of the events leading up to the 1927 trial and conviction of Ruth Snyder and her lover for the murder of Ruth’s husband.

“’Machinal’ is about one young woman, Helen, who struggles to fit into society,” said Erin Edwards, a theater student appearing in the production, in a news release. “The pressures of everyday life cause her to become unstable, until she finally breaks and does what she believes will give her the freedom she has always looked for.”

“The action of each episode takes place within a small box taped out on the stage,” Edwards said in the release. “It symbolizes a couple different things: Helen’s lack of freedom and the pressures life is placing on her. Once the box is removed, it is because Helen believes she is finally free.”

Helen is not unique in comparison with other women according to Edwards.

“Helen is every woman,” Edwards said. “She wants freedom, happiness – and a fairytale ending just like everyone else. But she is prevented from experiencing love and happiness because she feels obligated to care for her mother.”

Show times are 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Stevens Building is located on the NIU DeKalb Campus, behind the Pizza Hut and McDonald’s restaurants on West Lincoln Highway.

General admission tickets are $5 and only available at the door on performance nights. For more information, call the SoTD box office at 815-753-1600 or visit www.niu.edu/theatre.

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