The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines by Don Nigro (with additional music and text by the ensemble)
Ruth Barnes, Kelly Hogan
Director's Original Concept:
The Audience has been invited to an other-worldly cabaret where women who have been "minor characters" in plays or in life (a single mom, and non-famous actress) finally get a chance to have their moment in the spotlight. This strange cabaret that lives between the worlds of reality and fantasy (much like the theater itself) is staffed by people who also would be considered minor characters (a waitress, a bartender, etc.) but here in this place they also get to have a moment to take stage. We will use the original text by Don Nigro and then create supplemental pieces inspired by the text that will tell the staff's story. These supplemental original pieces will combine song, dance, poetry, and film.
I submitted this script because I am fascinated by the idea that everyone is the star of their own play. No one THINKS they are a "minor character" and yet audiences are asked to categorize people as such. I wanted to explore the possibility of creating a world where "minor characters" could be stars. I also enjoy the inherent theatricality of the script. I like that the audience is actually a character written into the script and therefore must be acknowledged.
I want to ask the questions “why do we pay attention to some people's stories more than others?“ "why do people still go to the theatre in a world where film & television are more easily accessible?" “can a person be defined by who or what they love?" and through our exploration, letting the audience ask, answer, and discuss these questions for themselves.
Director's Notes:
THE GREATEST ACT OF LOVE IS TO PAY ATTENTION.
-Don Nigro
The Audience has been invited to an other-worldly cabaret where women who have been "minor characters" in plays or in life (a single mom, and non-famous actress) finally get a chance to have their moment in the spotlight. This strange cabaret that lives between the worlds of reality and fantasy (much like the theater itself) is staffed by people who also would be considered minor characters (a waitress, a bartender, etc.) but here in this place they also get to have a moment to take stage. We will use the original text by Don Nigro and then create supplemental pieces inspired by the text that will tell the staff's story. These supplemental original pieces will combine song, dance, poetry, and film.
I submitted this script because I am fascinated by the idea that everyone is the star of their own play. No one THINKS they are a "minor character" and yet audiences are asked to categorize people as such. I wanted to explore the possibility of creating a world where "minor characters" could be stars. I also enjoy the inherent theatricality of the script. I like that the audience is actually a character written into the script and therefore must be acknowledged.
I want to ask the questions “why do we pay attention to some people's stories more than others?“ "why do people still go to the theatre in a world where film & television are more easily accessible?" “can a person be defined by who or what they love?" and through our exploration, letting the audience ask, answer, and discuss these questions for themselves.
Director's Notes:
THE GREATEST ACT OF LOVE IS TO PAY ATTENTION.
-Don Nigro
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Scenic Design By — Renee Simmons
Costume Design By — Joseph Blaha Lighting Design By — Ethan Steimel Marketing Director — Mark Templeton Sound Design By — Matthew Wilson Stage Manager — Andria Mantle Assistant Director — Geovonday Jones Films By- Julie Birnstein Production Photos- MSU Photo Services, Fuentes |
Elizabeth Finder
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CAST
Ophelia – Elizabeth Finder Zoe – Emily Bolt Bonnie – Sabra Sellers Mariana – Kimberly Smalling Miranda – Kelly Hogan Bouncer – Andrew Venneman Lounge Singer – Doran Schmidt Bartender – Kanome Jones Cocktail Waitress – Sayward Ferguson MC – Ruth Barnes |
