Finding Lilith | Looking for Lilith Theatre Company

Who is Lilith?

You may know her as Adam‘s first wife, as the Queen of Demons, as a feminist icon, or you may have never heard of her at all. The namesake of our theatre company has a long and complex history.

From her earliest origin in the Arabic story of Inanna and the Huluppu tree, to her time in the Garden of Eden, to her designation as a demoness, to the glimpses we see of her in strong women today, Lilith is a woman who has been vilified for insisting on her equality and independence. She has been called many things: The Maid of Desolation, Black Moon, Dame Donkey Legs, Enchantress… Continuing to inspire us today, Lilith was and is an original feminist icon consistently derided by the patriarchy as simultaneously too much, and not enough.

Even as we seek her, we know that she is with us: encouraging, protecting and challenging!

What is Finding Lilith?

Created as part of the company's 25th Anniversary Season, FINDING LILITH is a newly devised theatre project inspired by the legendary figure of Lilith and the countless women throughout history whose stories have been ignored, rewritten, or silenced. In this new work, we explore her origins in mythology, and her “reappearances” throughout history, in our company, and in our own lives. Rather than simply retelling an ancient myth, the production uses wit, insight, humor and creativity to explore how women who challenge injustice are often misunderstood, and why their stories continue to matter today. The world premiere of FINDING LILITH debuts October 17th in The MeX Theater at The Kentucky Center, for the first production of the company's 26th season.

Finding Lilith is supported in part by Fund for the Arts, Kentucky Arts Council, and Kentucky Foundation for Women.

"We have been talking about making this play for 25 years! It’s thrilling to take a deep dive into the many facets of our namesake. It’s tempting to try to articulate a clear definition of who she is, but in doing so we would be subjecting her to the same limiting forces that have vilified her throughout history. Her complexity reflects our complexity. The forces that demonize and limit her are the same oppressive systems that try to demonize and limit us. Throughout this process I have been asking, 'What can we learn from her?' as we continue to fight for justice and equality for all."
- Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Co-Artistic Director

Acting Ensemble
Shannon Woolley Allison, Tiera Bowman, Sara G.B. Canary, Trina Fischer, Ebony Jordan, Izzy Keel, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Morgan Younge, Jane Embry Watts, with special guest artists.

Research Team
Caitlin Bias, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Shannon Woolley Allison, assisted by the LFL ensemble.

Devising Team
Shannon Woolley Allison, Ellie Archer, Tiera Bowman, Dawn Campbell, Sara G.B. Canary, Trina Fischer, Clarity Hagan, Ebony Jordan, Izzy Keel, Kelly McNerney, Typh Merwarth, Karole Spangler, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Morgan Younge.