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Executive Director
RUFUS DE RHAM Producing Artistic Director SHARON W. HOUK Festival Director CHARLENE A. DONAGHY Videographer/Editing JEFFREY B. SCHLICHTER Production Intern AUDREY TERHUNE Original Music JAMES P. LUURTSEMA Festival Support WOODROW DICK LYNN GELORMINO STEPHEN C. HOUK RANDALE NUNLEY RENEE C. PURDY ISABELLE TERHUNE The Theatre Professionals who read for the festival: SHEILA CURRAN BERNARD ROBIN BUCKALLEW CYNTHIA CHAPMAN LEA DMYTRYCK REED HALVORSON SHARON W. HOUK CHRISTOPHER JONES MJ MONEYMAKER COLLEEN O'DOHERTY DONNA STUCCIO MICHAEL WEEMS DAVID L. WILLIAMS |
This year's Winning Playwrights areFINAL REST by Victoria Z. Daly (CT) Nov. 6 at 7PM through Nov. 19 at 11:59pm DIRECTIONS by Penny Jackson (NY) Nov. 20 at 7PM through Dec. 3 at 11:59pm AN INVITATION TO MY CIRCUS by Charlene Donaghy (CT) ANALOG by George Kelly (NH) Dec. 4 at 7PM through Dec. 17 at 11:59pm PUT ON A GRUMPY FACE by Reed Halvorson (SC) Jan. 1 at 7PM through Jan. 14 at 11:59pm GOOD MORNING by Anne Lucas (MA) Jan. 15 at 7PM through Jan. 28 at 11:59pm PERMANENT INK by Charlene Donaghy (CT) Jan. 29 at 7PM through Feb. 11 at 11:59pm FOLDED by Bara Swain (NY) Feb. 12 at 7PM through Feb. 25 at 11:59pm EXTENDED PLAY by Ben Marshall (NJ) Feb. 26 at 7PM through Mar. 11 at 11:59pm RELATIVITY AND ME by Len Cuthburt (Ontario, Canada) Mar. 12 at 7PM through Mar. 25 at 11:59pm MOTHERHOOD by Lawrence Aronovitch (Ontario, Canada) Mar. 26 at 7PM through Apr. 8 at 11:59pm SAUL by Colleen O'Doherty (NE) Apr. 9 at 7PM through Apr. 22 at 11:59pm |
This production was made possible
with a generous donation from
THE MARINE FAMILY
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
From the PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR |
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Leaning In
We're leaning in.
I was so thankful to sit in the theatre last week during the first filming of our virtual edition of the International Playwrights Festival. The logistics behind this that our team put in place to keep everyone safe were amazing: the casts rehearsing virtually, the playwrights working with us to be able to stream their works, and the lengths Sharon and her team went to keep the actors as physically distanced as possible. It all went to something magical: theatre happening in the Warner again. One-acts are some of my favorite theatrical experiences. They are concentrated theater, and a way for us to explore new, exciting, and challenging topics. I always liked Bernard Grebanier's explanation that the one-act play "is an elaboration of a single, significant incident," and you will see several significant incidents played out here over the next several months. There are many significant incidents to present here: loss, homecoming, and maybe even murder. It may be different, it may not have a live audience (yet), but the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre was alive and there was a crackle of energy at the Warner once again. As Covid continues to trend upward this is our way of saying "We are still here, and theatre arts are important." This coming year we are planning on bringing at least one theatrical experience to our community a month. Be it these virtual one acts, hybrid performances with an audience and streaming (following guidelines of course), outdoor events, or even a full blown indoor performance, we believe that the show must go on. We will do it safely, with the health of our cast, crew and audience as our highest priority, but we will continue to share the magic with you. Look forward to more from us as we continue to fight for the Warner's future. Thank you for joining us on this journey, your support of the theatre means everything! Sincerely, Rufus de Rham he/him/his Executive Director Special Thanks to our Sponsors
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The Ties That Bind
I am so thankful that you are joining us for our 9th Annual International Playwrights Festival! I am even more grateful that we are actually able to produce these wonderful productions this year in-person from the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre to you in your homes.
During this pandemic, streaming productions on-line has become a lifeline for many theater folk - patrons, performers, directors, designers, technicians…the list goes on and on. These on-line presentations have become a thread for us - while we cannot gather together in a public arena - allowing us to “gather” virtually and have a shared experience. It is one of the many “ties that bind.” This year’s festival theme revolves around that - the things that bring us (or bind us) together and things that may drive us apart. One hundred-fifty productions were accepted this year for consideration and narrowed down to a group of 32 semi-finalists. Our final selection committee reviewed each of the semi-finalist productions, taking into account what we would need to do to safely present each piece while maintaining social distancing requirements to keep our performers and production crews safe. The finalists were chosen this year based on many factors but in large part with the ability to cast and perform these selections with being as covid conscious as possible; with the ever-changing state requirements firmly in mind. In some cases, keeping performers distant during the performance was not possible, as it would have done a grave disservice to the playwright and would have greatly effected the production as a whole. In these instances, actors were selected from the same cohort or family unit to help ensure everyones safely through out the process. Over the next several weeks, we will be completing the recordings of this year’s productions and will be releasing a new selection every other Friday (see complete schedule listed above). It has been exhilarating to be back in the theater again - and I look forward to the day when we can all be in the same room sharing in a production together. Sincerely, Sharon W. Houk she/her/hers Producing Artistic Director P.S. Be sure to join us with a special holiday streaming of last year’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL - A SOLO PERFORMANCE Featuring DICK TERHUNE on YouTube and Facebook from Friday, December 18th through Thursday, December 31st. |
DIRECTIONS BY PENNY JACKSON (NJ)
Streaming Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:00pm through Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11:59pm
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TRIGGER WARNING:
This production will discuss a specific person’s experiences with PTSD as a result of sexual assault. This may be triggering to audience members with similar experiences. Strong use of language also appears in this production and may not be suitable for young audiences. |
Marie
PRISCILLA SQUIERS Social KELLY WHITE Directed by SHARON W. HOUK |
PENNY JACKSON is the recipient of many awards for her writing including a MacDowell Colony Fellowship, The Pushcart Prize, and The Gary Garrison prize for best short drama. Her plays have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Dublin and Edinburgh. She is also a screenwriter. Pennybrandtjackson.com
Inspiration: DIRECTIONS was inspired by the Bosnian women refugees who were in my ESL class in New York City. Many shared their stories of war and how several of the military wanted for war crimes were still hiding in plain sight. I was interested in the theme of revenge and can it truly bring redemption? I hoped this play provokes questions. Synopsis: The war is never over. Twenty five years after The Bosnian war, Sofia a Bosnian refugee now living in New York City, recognizes the military general who brutalized her family. She summons, Hana, a young woman from her town to assassinate him. Yet can revenge ever bring redemption? |
Who's Who
PRISCILLA SQUIERS (Marie) is happy to be back on stage at the Warner working with Kelly (her stage daughter in ONCE), Sharon and a wonderful creative team. Recent Warner credits include MAMMA MIA (Donna Sheridan), A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Miss Shingle), ONCE (Baruska), FOLLIES (Solange LaFitte), ASSASSINS (Emma Goldman), RAGTIME (Emma Goldman) and TITANIC (Alice Beane). Among her dramatic credits are SOUVENIR (Florence Foster Jenkins), NOISES OFF (Dotty/Mrs.Clackett), MASTER CLASS (Maria Callas), THE BELLE OF AMHERST (Emily Dickinson), DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Kate), THE ELEPHANT MAN (Mrs. Kendal), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania), AS YOU LIKE IT (Rosalind), THE SEAGULL (Nina) and JEFFREY (The Women). Priscilla sends love to her stalwart husband Kyle Minor and their four children, Kieran, Olivia, Arden and Viola.
KELLY WHITE (Sofia) was last seen as Marianne in the Warner Stage Company’s production of DISASTER! A 70's Disaster Movie...Musical. Her previous WSC appearances include Girl in ONCE, Ilse in SPRING AWAKENING, Katherine in Disney’s NEWSIES, Molly in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, and previous International Playwrights Festivals. Other credits: Missy, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (Little Theatre of Manchester); Alice 2, ALICE IN CONCERT (Desultory Theatre Club); Woman, “Eat Cake” (Desultory Theatre Club); Kelly, THE MEMORY PLAY: An Exercise In Performance (devised by Jeremy Geragotelis).
KELLY WHITE (Sofia) was last seen as Marianne in the Warner Stage Company’s production of DISASTER! A 70's Disaster Movie...Musical. Her previous WSC appearances include Girl in ONCE, Ilse in SPRING AWAKENING, Katherine in Disney’s NEWSIES, Molly in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, and previous International Playwrights Festivals. Other credits: Missy, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (Little Theatre of Manchester); Alice 2, ALICE IN CONCERT (Desultory Theatre Club); Woman, “Eat Cake” (Desultory Theatre Club); Kelly, THE MEMORY PLAY: An Exercise In Performance (devised by Jeremy Geragotelis).
FINAL REST by Victoria Z. Daly (CT)
Streaming Friday, November 6, 2020 at 7:00pm through Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 11:59pm
Chris
EMILY CREIGHTON Beth ISABEL CARRINGTON Directed by SHARON W. HOUK |
VICTORIA Z. DALY: plays developed/presented at the Actors Studio, Last Frontier, ATHE, Supersound Scotland Radio, Edinburgh Festival, etc. Faculty Member, Dramatists Guild Institute. Founder/Director, 9th Floor writers/actors collaborative, New York City. FINAL REST will be included in a collection of Vicki's work, RAW AND OTHER SHORT PLAYS, to be published by Next Stage Press in December. MFA, NYU/Tisch; A.B./M.B.A., Harvard; Certificat d’Etudes, L’Ecole Jacques Lecoq. www.victoriazdaly.com
Inspiration: I often write comedies about both the absurd and serious ways in which humans grieve. For FINAL REST, I thought about how two very different family members, raised in the same house, might grieve separately (and selfishly,) but perhaps in the process also find what connects them. Synopsis: Chris returns to her empty childhood home to help resentful sister Beth sprinkle Mom’s ashes in the backyard garden. Time’s up: the house will be sold tomorrow. But Chris, unprepared to let go, proposes a plan that threatens to ruin everything. |
WHO'S WHO
EMILY CREIGHTON (Chris) is currently a SAG actress in the tri-state area as well as a teacher for the Warner Theatre Center For Arts Education. Emily has terribly missed spending her days at the Warner with her students. Due to the pandemic, this is the longest she’s ever gone without being in or involved in a theater production. Recent credits include Echo in "Eleemosynary" (Warner Theater) and for film, a featured soldier in Hallmark’s "Holiday For Heroes". Emily would like to warmly thank Sharon, Vicky, and Izzy. “I’m so blessed to have gotten to work with three talented, inspiring, and loving ladies. I only wish this piece were longer. It will always have a special place in my heart, as do each of you.”
ISABEL CARRINGTON (Beth) has been an actor, director, and performing arts teacher for over 20 years. As Director of Education for the Warner Theatre, Isabel enjoys sharing her passion for the arts with many members of the northwest CT community and beyond. She has written four full-length stage plays: "You Belong to Me," "The Love We Leave Behind," "The Beautiful Empire of Ordinary Kings," and "Stiff Competition" (co-written with Gwendolyn Mileti). Isabel has also authored a children's book, "Where the Moon Meets the Sky", which will be released this December. "Many, many thanks to Sharon and Vicki for inviting me to delve into this remarkable work with them. And to Emily, with whom I have the privilege of sharing the stage once again. I couldn't imagine sharing it with anyone else."
ISABEL CARRINGTON (Beth) has been an actor, director, and performing arts teacher for over 20 years. As Director of Education for the Warner Theatre, Isabel enjoys sharing her passion for the arts with many members of the northwest CT community and beyond. She has written four full-length stage plays: "You Belong to Me," "The Love We Leave Behind," "The Beautiful Empire of Ordinary Kings," and "Stiff Competition" (co-written with Gwendolyn Mileti). Isabel has also authored a children's book, "Where the Moon Meets the Sky", which will be released this December. "Many, many thanks to Sharon and Vicki for inviting me to delve into this remarkable work with them. And to Emily, with whom I have the privilege of sharing the stage once again. I couldn't imagine sharing it with anyone else."
