The portrait of Jane Austen at the center of the image above is by artist and Holy Theatre board member Georgie Castilla, whose work you can find here.

The Imaginists

The Imaginists is the educational outreach branch of the Holy Theatre; focusing on bringing Jane Austen in a personal and interactive way to audiences of all ages. Our programs travel to meet you into your classroom, library, museum, or wherever learners are gathered.

Step Back in Time with Jane Austen

Meet the legendary author Jane Austen and experience an interactive story time, lessons in dance and manners of Regency and a tasty tea party with lots to see, touch, taste, and do!

Participants will be able to talk to and interact with Ms. Austen, interpreted by playwright and actor Sarah Rose Kearns, throughout the program. Each program can have multiple modules tailored to your specific needs.

Here are some example modules:

English Country Dancing

There's a reason this form of dancing has been popular for over 200 years; English Country Dancing is fun and accessible. No prior dancing experience is required for you to step back in time and dance with Jane.

Starting with excerpts from Jane's letters about her love of dancing, participants observe and then learn a simple dance.

Time: 15 minutest

Hand Sewing

Sewing was a large part of life in the Regency. Discuss Jane Austen and family sewing shirts for Naval brothers as well as men and boys sewing in the Navy.

Provided Materials: Hand sewing needle, thread, fabric, beeswax, dried lavender flowers

Participants sew a complete fabric sachet stuffed with lavender to take home and enjoy

Time: 15-30 minutes

Tea with Jane

Discuss Jane, liking, preparing, serving, and keeping the key to the tea and sugar.

Explore the role of tea in Regency England and the world.

Provided Materials: Sugar loaf, sugar nippers, tea service, teacups and saucers, wrapped biscuits (cookie), kettle, loose tea, sugar cubes, teaspoons

Participants watch and experience tea preparation, then enjoy a cup of tea

Time: 30 minutes

Lena's Regency Chocolate

This slightly modified period recipe is similar to chocolate enjoyed by Jane Austen at breakfast during the Georgian era in England.

This recipe makes 7 demitasse cups (approximately 3 oz each).

2 cups oat milk (or whole milk)

2 whole star anise

2 cloves

1 stick of cinnamon (optional)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch of red chili flakes

2 strips of orange rind

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (Trader Joe’s The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar, 85% cacao preferred)

INSTRUCTIONS

Pour the oat milk into a saucepan and add the spices, orange peel and salt. Slowly heat the oat milk until it is hot and steaming but not boiling. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes to give the spices time to infuse the oat milk.

Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Add dark chocolate and whisk until melted. Continue whisking, to prevent scorching, for about 8 minutes, to combine flavors. Chocolate should thicken beautifully.

Remove orange peel, cinnamon stick and star anise. Pour chocolate through a sieve. This chocolate is dark, rich and thick. Serve hot in demitasse cups. If serving to young people consider serving with cream and sugar.

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