Fordham Medieval Dramatists to Perform at the Cloisters

Early spring in New York City – the Cherry Blossoms are flirting with us, people are getting off the subway a stop or two early, and the parks are full of new life. This Saturday, if you’re in the City, Fordham English has a recommendation for an outdoors activity: make your way to the Cloisters lawn and see a performance of The Creation of the Cosmos and Adam and Eve (selections from the York Corpus Christi Plays) by the Fordham Medieval Dramatists.

Founded in 2015, Fordham Medieval Dramatists is a self-directed collective of students dedicated to dramatic experimentation and lively performance with the plays of premodern England. Guided by Dr. Andrew Albin, students study plays written between 1350-1530 in their original language and learn about medieval performance practices before the invention of the theater. Building creatively from this historical foundation, FMD collaborates with community partners to offer free public performances of medieval dramatic works—not as dusty antiquarian curiosities, but as vibrant street theater with immense potential to move, delight, and transform.

In the coming year, English News will highlight some of the behind-the-scenes work of the FMD as they prepare for a festival at the University of Toronto in summer 2025. This rare event will bring together groups from across North America to perform the entire York cycle (starting at dawn and likely lasting through midnight).

This Saturday’s performance is not-to-be-missed! We can’t wait to see you there.