FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington will present “Good Medicine,” a new play chronicling the experiences of a midwife/healer in the late 1800s.

The play was written and is directed by Jayne Decker, UMF instructor and artistic director for the Sandy River Players.

Trained through oral traditions, Old Jenny provides care to childbearing women and herbal-based medicines to a needy but skeptical community in a small New England town. With the emerging century’s new focus on modern medicine, a doctor comes into the community to challenge the townspeople’s fragile trust in the midwife’s skills and to convince them she is guilty of witchcraft.

 “Good Medicine” features an ensemble cast of UMF students, faculty, alumni and community members — all of whom were welcomed into the creative process, using their experience to perfect characters, dialogue, set and costume design. In addition, according to Decker, two of the songs are original compositions written by local composers Seth Wegner and Hank Washburn.

“Theater is such a community experience. This play provides a bridge for current students, former students, faculty and community members to come together to give voice to what is a historical and, at the same time, contemporary authentic female experience,” Decker said.

An award-winning playwright, Decker has directed numerous shows at UMF Alumni Theatre and has presented workshop productions of her original plays: “Stars Falling,” winner of the 2002 Maine Playwriting Award; “Jelly Moonshine;” and “Songbird,” a touring play about the Iraq War.

“Cracked Shells,” a play about domestic violence, was commissioned by Franklin County Network’s Peace in Our Families and was featured again at the 2009 Maine Women’s Studies Conference.

Decker received a master’s degree from the University of Maine and teaches courses, including writing for the stage and screen, and social and political theater.

“Good Medicine” is suitable for PG-13 audiences. It will be presented at at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10 and 11, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 12 at UMF’s Alumni Theater. Admission is free. Donations for Casa Materna, women’s cooperative in Mulukuku, Nicaragua, will be accepted at the door.

A post-play discussion with the playwright and cast will be held immediately after the Friday, Dec. 10, show.

 Margaux DePue, as Cilla, left, is comforted by Mandi Favreau, playing Liz-Bet, in a scene from “Good Medicine,” an original play by Jayne Decker, to be presented at the University of Maine at Farmington on Dec. 9-12.

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