"Eight performers will inhabit a single character in the groundbreaking theatrical production 'Rosetta', set to debut in Seoul"
Rosetta Sherwood Hall, a US doctor and missionary, dedicated her life to advancing modern medicine and education for women in Korea. Her remarkable story is now being brought to life in the play "Rosetta," which recently premiered in Gwangju and will be running at the Myeongdong Theater in Seoul from Aug. 23 to 31[1][2].
The play offers a dramatized account of Rosetta's missionary and medical achievements, set within the context of her time and the impact she made in Korea. It highlights her contributions to healthcare and women's education, including the establishment of the Chosun Women's Medical Training Institute in 1928 and the Pyongyang School for the Deaf and Blind in 1909[3].
"Rosetta" is a co-production between the National Theater Company of Korea, the National Asian Culture Center in Gwangju, and The Living Theater, the oldest experimental drama troupe in the US, along with Korean company Playfactory Mabangzen[4]. The production features eight actors, including Kim Sung-ryung, Brad Burgess, and Emma Sue Harris, who will alternate in playing the lead role of Rosetta[5].
The play uses language to underscore the communication barriers between Rosetta and the Korean people, providing a thought-provoking exploration of cultural differences and the challenges faced by a foreigner in a new land[6]. After its Seoul run, "Rosetta" will be staged at the Busan Cinema Center on Sept. 5-6, followed by performances at the Tottori Prefecture Citizens' Culture Hall in Japan on Sept. 27-28[7].
Yossef K. Junghan, who previously worked with The Living Theatre, wrote and directed "Rosetta," promising an experimental and engaging production[8]. For those interested in history, culture, and the power of human determination, "Rosetta" is a must-see.
[1] https://www.koreaherald.com/art-culture/2023/08/01-korea-premiere-of-play-rosetta-explores-the-life-of-us-doctor-missionary-rosetta-sherwood-hall/ [2] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html [3] https://www.koreaherald.com/art-culture/2023/08/01-korea-premiere-of-play-rosetta-explores-the-life-of-us-doctor-missionary-rosetta-sherwood-hall/ [4] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html [5] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html [6] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html [7] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html [8] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2023/08/421_326715.html
"The play, 'Rosetta', delves into Dr. Rosetta Sherwood Hall's missionary work and medical achievements, focusing on her significant contributions to health-and-wellness, particularly women's health, during her time in Korea."
"Notably, her efforts resulted in the establishment of the Chosun Women's Medical Training Institute in 1928, a pivotal milestone in the advancement of science and education for Korean women."
