The Future is Female Festival
An evening of readings of new ten-minute plays
When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7pm
Where: Spring Park Coffee, 328 Ferris Street, Green Cove Springs, FL
Admission: FREE
The Future Is Female Festival is a cross-country event throughout March of short plays by women of all backgrounds about what “the future is female” looks like and/or means to them. This Clamour Theatre event is one of 27 outposts in 18 cities from coast-to-coast and Canada, jointly amplifying the voices of about 140 women to reach over 2,000 audience members. Instead of spending the month celebrating women’s history, we celebrate women’s futures.
THE PLAYWRIGHTS
LARKIN BREITNER
Larkin Breitner (License to Kill) is a world-renowned Alaskan dog-sledder and dog. She enjoys walking in the park, getting her tummy rubbed, and playing fetch with her owner. She recently starred in a musical version of Weekend at Bernie’s, in which she played all three parts, which was especially difficult because she had to be up on her hind legs for a really long time! In her free time, she likes to cuddle up by the fire, chew on a bone, or play the ocarina.
OLIVIA GOWAN
Olivia Gowan (The Proverbs of Cats) graduated from Valdosta State University with a theatre degree, where her studies had an emphasis in playwriting. This is where she produced her first full length production of Dream Jar. When living in Los Angeles, she was able to mount multiple full lengths and one acts, Roots in the Wind, The Donut Hole, A Christmas in the South, Cotton Alley, and another production of Dream Jar. In January 2016, Players by the Sea in Jacksonville Beach produced Cotton Alley on their studio stage. She also encourages other writers with a group called The Groundling Scribes that meets regularly to read and discuss material that will, hopefully, launch new plays in the local area. She is excited to be a part of this festival which empowers the female playwright.
KELBY SIDDONS
Kelby Siddons (Precedent) is a Jacksonville-based actor, director, playwright, and educator. Onstage credits include: The Savannah Disputation (ABET), Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (PBTS), A Streetcar Named Desire (ABET), Angels in America (PBTS), The Merchant of Venice (PBTS), Amadeus (PBTS & JSO) and Next Fall (The 5 & Dime). She has directed The Comparables for the 5 & Dime, Three Days of Rain for Players by the Sea, Freud’s Last Session for the 5 & Dime, Macbeth for Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater, and two of her own original plays for the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, War Paint and From Father to Son: An Odyssey, adapted from Homer’s classic. Kelby wrote the world premiere of To the Sea for Players by the Sea & the Cummer Museum. Other original plays of Kelby’s have been seen in New York (Manhattan Theatre Club), Milwaukee (the Rep), Chicago (Northwestern University), Houston (Express Children’s Theater), and Jacksonville (Theatre Jacksonville). Kelby is a proud founding member of the Groundling Scribes, a network of writers and supporters of new work in the North Florida region, as well as a regular Swamp Radio contributor. Her stage adaptation of Wondrous Beauty by Carol Berkin about the life of Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, an 18th century self-made woman, can be seen at Players by the Sea starting May 26, 2017.
ELAINE SMITH
Elaine Smith ((miss) Mary Edwards) is a playwright, actor, director whose plays include Angels and Ministers of Grace (New Jersey Rep, “Best Drama” and “Best New Work” – 2015 Broadway World Awards – NJ), The Looking Glass–adapted from Edith Wharton’s short story (The Wharton Salon), and short plays Liars’ Poker (Finalist–2010 Heideman Award), Picture Perfect, She Hung Up and Ten Minute Life (The ArtsCenter). Works-in-progress include Three Mile Limit, PowerPlay, another Wharton adaptation, After Holbein, and short pieces Strange Flowers of Reason, Handiwork, Darkness, Agit-Prop 8, Walls, Fishing, and Quis Custodiet. She recently returned from the 2017 National Winter Playwrights’ Retreat in Creede, CO where she spent a week happily writing (and freezing!) 9,000 ft up in the Colorado mountains. Elaine is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and the Dramatists Guild.
DANIELLE WIRSANSKY
Danielle Wirsansky (Law Makers) is currently pursuing graduate studies in the History Department at Florida State University (FSU). Her major is Modern European History (emphasis on WWII/the Holocaust) with a minor in Public History. She now serves as the President of White Mouse Productions, a theatre company for social change, and as Communications Officer for the History Graduate Student Association. She graduated with a BA in Theatre and a BA in English (Emphasis on Creative Writing) with a minor in History from FSU in the spring of 2016.
THE ACTORS
DELANEY BROWN
Delaney Brown (Elizabeth, Sybil, Joan–Precedent) is a Clay County native, and proud to be a part of Clamour Theatre’s first “production.” She was most recently seen portraying Mallory/Avril in Players by the Sea’s production of City of Angels, and numerous roles in Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre’s production of Macbeth. Her love for the arts flourished at Middleburg High School, where she spent all four years assisting and finally leading the theatre club. She is currently finishing her AA degree at St. John’s River State College. Some other previous roles include: Viola/Sebastian (Twelfth Night), Natalia Stepanovna (A Marriage Proposal) Kate/Rose/Sharon (Working: The Musical), and Valet (No Exit). She hopes to continue performing and learning until her last breath.
JAN PETER BUKSAR
Jan Peter Buksar (Hal–(miss) Mary Edwards) is a born and bred NY’er, who moved to Florida in 2013. He earned his BFA in Acting at NYU, with his primary training at the Stella Adler Conservatory. He was last seen on stage at the Limelight in Hedda Gabler. Previous local credits are Clybourne Park, The Boys Next Door, No Sex Please We’re British, Motherhood Out Loud and The Rainmaker (Limelight), Into the Woods, Mothers and Sons, and Quills (Players By The Sea) and Bay at the Moon (ABET).
KIMBERLY G. CADLEY-MACH
| Kimberly G. Cadley-Mach (Kerry–License to Kill) teaches drama and dance and is the Technical Director of the Performing Arts Center at St. Johns Country Day School. She is a member of The Florida Association of Theatre Education and the National Dance Education Organization. Kimberly was a founding performing member, choreographer, and Ballet Mistress for Ashland Regional Ballet in Ohio for a span of 18 years before moving to Florida. Her dancing and teaching covers the disciplines of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and modern. She has been chosen by such choreographers as Cecil Slaughter (Dayton Contemporary Dance Co.), Joseph Glowick (Cleveland Ballet), Darwin Prioleau (Kent State Univ.), Richard Dickinson (Ohio Ballet), Robert Wesner (Ballet Arizona), and world renowned teacher and coach Laura Alonzo to dance in their ballets. Her performing in theatre includes the role of Opal in the North American Premier of The Road Where It Curves Away, Natasha in Rough Crossing, and Ziegfield’s Favorite in Will Roger’s Follies, and more. She has choreographed many musical productions as well. Kimberly holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in vocal education. She taught at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, in the Education and Theatre Department as well as developed and implemented the Middle and Upper School dance curriculum for St. Johns Country Day School. Kimberly resides in Middleburg with her husband Michael and her four children, Aleksandra, Michela, Jillian and Jonathon. |
RHODIE JACKSON
Rhodie Jackson (Rachel–The Proverbs of Cats) is a local actress and director in Jacksonville. She is currently the director for Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre’s fifth production, 4000 Miles. Rhodie has been seen on stage at The 5&Dime, a Theatre Company in their productions of Clybourne Park and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens. She has appeared on Players By the Sea’s stage in All the Way and last year portrayed Zora Neale Hurston in A Tea with Zora and Marjorie in St. Augustine with A Classic Theatre. Her other roles include Cookbook in Saint George and the Dragon and a tribe member in HAIR–The American Tribal Rock Love Musical. Rhodie is excited to read Rachel in Olivia Gowan’s ten-minute piece.
CAROLINE LEE
Caroline Lee (Emmeline–Law Makers) is thrilled to be part of this exciting and innovative project.The arts on the First Coast are thriving thanks to an abundance of creativity and tireless risk takers. Caroline holds a passion for language and literature, theater and the arts. During the day she is an English Language Arts teacher at Darnell Cookman magnet school where she spreads the joy and injects enthusiasm for learning. She hales from London, England and hopes not to botch Ms. Pankhurst’s accent in Danielle Wirsansky’s Law Makers. Past acting credits include A Shayna Maidel (Theatre Jax/ Actress of the year), Lettice and Lovage (T.J/ Best supporting actress), Talking Heads Parts 1&2 (PBTS Nominee Best Actress), Triangle Fire Factory Project (T.J), Angels in America (PBTS/Nominee Best supporting actress), 33 Variations (5 & Dime), and various characters and readings for MOSH, MOMA and Jacksonville Zoo. Thanks to her loving husband Dr. Ed and her four delicious children for being the light of her life.
PATTI MENEFEE
Patti Menefee (Sam–The Proverbs of Cats) is delighted to be presenting this character in The Proverbs of Cats for this wonderful event. She has been seen around Jacksonville in wildly fun and fantastic women characters such as the W.I.T.C.H in Jason Woods original St. George and the Dragon when it first debuted at Christ Episcopal in Ponte Vedra as well as it’s reprisal at WJCT. Patti also enjoyed bringing the fierce character of Muriel from Fox on the Fairway, the delusional and vulnerable Harper from Angels in America and the bawdy Frau Blucher from Young Frankenstein characters to life on Players By the Sea’s stage. Another noteworthy female role she had the great joy to embody was the mutual love interest, Linda to the tragic Blood Brothers at Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre. When not on stage she enjoys performing the healing arts at her practice Blue Lotus Acupuncture and spending time with her daughters, Savannah and Dalaina.
SINDA NICHOLS
| Sinda Nichols (Millicent–Law Makers) Most recently, Sinda Nichols was seen on stage at Players By The Sea as Emily Dickinson in the one woman play, The Belle of Amherst, which she has been touring since 2010, both regionally and throughout the United States and in Ireland. Additionally, she has performed the role of Ann Landers in the one woman show The Lady With All The Answers, both regionally and throughout the U.S. Favorite roles in the First Coast region include Mary in On The Verge (Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre), Emma in Stupid F^*king Bird (5 & Dime Theatre), Barbara in August: Osage County (Players By The Sea), and Dr. Catherine Brandt in 33 Variations (5 & Dime Theatre). In NYC, Ms. Nichols has performed the stage role of Donna Steelmint in What Happened to the Dollar (Abstract Sentiment Theatre, NYC), and recently played the role of Mrs. Hamilton in the NYC based webseries No Reason. Additional film credits include include 59 Days in New York, Brutally Honest Thanksgiving, JDoe, and Sleeping With The Bear. As a voice actor, Sinda can be heard in several Japanese animated video series, including “ Crash. In addition to acting, Sinda has recently founded Live Ink Theatre, dedicated to lively staged readings of thought provoking plays, where she has directed, Good People, The Clean House, Uncommon Women and Others, loveisloveislove and By The Water. Sinda teaches a wide variety of acting classes for actors of all levels and provides coaching and workshops for business communication skills. She began her training at Michigan State University and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in theatre, and explored further training in the Penn State MFA program, Atlantic Theatre (NYC) and Stella Adler (NYC). www.sindanichols.com & liveinktheatre.com |
JOSEPH STEARMAN
Joseph Stearman (William, Colonel, Inquisitor–Precedent) Joseph Stearman is honored and humbled to be part of the Future is Female Festival benefiting the newly formed Clamour Theatre Company. You can look for him next month in Amelia Community Theatre’s production of Rabbit Hole. Joseph was last seen on stage in Jacksonville at Players by the Sea in their musical City of Angels. Previous credits include: The Triangle Fire Factory Project, Tea and Sympathy, Bad Seed, Glengarry Glen Ross, In White America, The Boys Next Door, A Lesson Before Dying, August:Osage County, St. George and the Dragon, Grapes of Wrath, various works with Live Ink Theater Ensemble, All the Way, Memphis the Musical, Never the Sinner and Eurydice. Bitten by the acting bug a few short years ago, Joseph remains an active runner, technology gadget geek, movie and music trivia guru and cookie baking fanatic. He would like to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Elaine Smith, artistic director of the Clamour Theatre Company, and Kelby Siddons, the author of this touching work, for the opportunity to be involved in such an important event. A special thank you to his family and friends for their love, patience and support while he chases his acting dreams. JMAC
ERIC YARHAM
Eric Yarham (Adam–(miss) Mary Edwards) is excited to be a part of this festival! Eric has been seen recently in City of Angels (Jimmy), Memphis (Mr. Dryer), Peter Pan (Mr. Darling), St. George… (Father), Aida (Ensemble), and Stupid…Bird (Stage Manager). Be sure to catch him in A New Brain at the 5 & Dime in April! Thanks to Elaine for this opportunity, and thanks to his friends and family for their support!