WMU Theatre students bring medieval-inspired production to Switzerland for international debut

KALAMAZOO, MI - A bold new work by Western Michigan University Theatre will travel to Switzerland this month, marking an extraordinary opportunity for students to perform on the global stage. The Book of Silence, which made its world premiere in May as part of WMU’s renowned International Congress on Medieval Studies, will be featured at the prestigious International Festival of Medieval Theatre (IFTM) in Freiburg, Switzerland, from July 18-22. 

Adapted by WMU Theatre professor Dr. Lofty Durham and emerging medieval scholar Wally M. Cornell, The Book of Silence is an inventive, moving reimagining of the 700-year-old Roman de Silence. The play within a play follows Silas, a trans teen seeking belonging, who is swept into a fantastical medieval world and becomes Silence, a knight with a secret. As Silence navigates shapeshifting sorcerers, allegorical debates, and rigid notions of gender and nature, the story unfolds into a resonant exploration of identity, courage, and finding home in one’s own truth. 

“This project is all about taking an 800-year-old story seriously and figuring out what it means for us today,” says Durham, who also directs the production. “The trip to Switzerland is an extension of that idea, where we’ll share our art and experience with others who are just as passionate about bringing the Middle Ages to life.” 

The International Festival of Medieval Theatre (IFTM), held triennially, gathers scholars and performers from around the world to explore historic and contemporary interpretations of medieval drama. “There are only a handful of places in the world where people regularly perform works from the Middle Ages - Kalamazoo happens to be one of them, and this festival is another,” Durham adds. “It’s an incredible chance for our students to see how their work connects across cultures and centuries.” 

The production features trans and nonbinary performers telling a story that’s deeply personal—and at the same time, centuries old. The entwined quests for identity and agency not only illuminate medieval ideas about humanity but also invite us to reflect on today’s conversations about diversity and belonging. 

While in Switzerland, the cast and crew will also participate in workshops and discussions alongside leading international scholars, further enriching their educational and creative experience. WMU Theatre’s appearance at the IFTM underscores the program’s reputation for fostering innovative work for all audiences, and engaging students in the process of creating new plays.