LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University’s theater program is presenting several Irish plays in November featuring stories of survival, national identity and human nature.

The shows will be staged in Schwarz Theater in Loso Hall on the EOU campus.

“I have had a long-time love of Ireland. It’s music, dance, culture, film and theatre. I have taught Irish Drama for 18 years, and strongly felt that it was time to actually direct and produce an Irish play,” said Director Mike Heather.

The featured shows are “Belfast Girls,” “The Rising of the Moon,” “Pot of Broth” and “In the Shadow of the Glen.”

“I chose ‘Belfast Girls’ because it had an ensemble of five strong women, with unique stories because of the Irish famine of 1845-50,” Heather said. “To balance roles, I choose three classic Irish Celtic Revival one-acts from the early 1900s that featured men. I want the audience to experience my love for Ireland as well through these four plays. To experience the Irish story through wit, tragedy, and love.”

‘Belfast Girls’ by Jaki McCarrick

Set in 1850 during the Irish famine, “Belfast Girls” tells the story of five young women who flee to Australia for a fresh start. However, their journey becomes a “struggle between the hope for a new life and the haunting memories of their past,” according to a press release.

Audiences can see “Belfast Girls” at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, and 2 p.m. Nov. 17.

Three more

The second schedule of performances will feature three one-act plays: “The Rising of the Moon” by Lady Augusta Gregory, “Pot of Broth” by William Butler Yeats and Lady Gregory, and “In the Shadow of the Glen” by John Millington Synge.

Show dates are 7 p.m. on Nov. 12, Nov. 14 and Nov. 16.

“The Rising of the Moon” follows an Irish sergeant working for the English government who encounters a mysterious stranger. What begins as a search for an escaped political prisoner turns into a conversation that challenges the sergeant’s loyalty to his country.

“Pot of Broth” is a “lighthearted farce that tells the story of a gullible woman tricked into believing a magic stone will create a delicious soup.”

Set in rural Ireland, “In the Shadow of the Glen” explores the isolation and unfulfilled desires of a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage.

These performances offer an exploration of Irish heritage, personal struggles and human resilience, Heather said.

Tickets

Tickets are $15 and available at eou.edu/theatre, or by emailing mheather@eou.edu.

Irish One-Act Plays

All performances will be in Schwarz Theatre inside Eastern Oregon University’s Loso Hall. Tickets are $15 and available at eou.edu/theatre.

”Belfast Girls”

Nov. 13, 7 p.m.

Nov. 15, 7 p.m.

Nov. 17, 2 p.m.

”The Rising of the Moon,” “Pot of Broth” and “In the Shadow of the Glen”

Nov. 12, 7 p.m.

Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

Nov. 16, 7 p.m.