The Memories of Ruby Mae
by Olivia Gowan
When: Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2pm
Where: The Stage at NAPA, 1505 Wells Rd, Orange Park, FL
Admission: Free
A developmental reading of a brand-new play!
Hear a great group of actors read Olivia Gowan’s new play, The Memories of Ruby Mae, and join us for an audience feedback session.
THE CREATIVES
OLIVIA GOWAN
playwright
BROOKS ANNE HAYES MEIERDIERKS
actor
Brooks Anne Hayes Meierdierks (Ruby Mae) is honored to be a part of Olivia’s beautiful play, Memories of Ruby Mae. She is also thrilled to be working with Clamour Theatre for the first time. Brooks Anne has performed on many stages in the area and enjoys supporting the arts. Some of her favorite roles were in ‘Night Mother, Dixie Swim Club, The Foreigner, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, and Steele Magnolias. Thank you, Olivia, and Clamour Theatre. Keep supporting the arts!
NOAH BENNETT
actor
Noah Bennett (Ellis, Ryan) is a Jacksonville native who has performed in over twenty shows in the area. Noah is also the author of the published play, The Waiting Room, which has been performed both nationally and internationally. He is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Theatre at The University of Florida.
KAREN GARRETT
actor
Karen Garrett’s (Nancy, Nurse Akers) last stage production was last year where she appeared as Paige Conner in H.I.R. at the 5 and Dime Theater. Favorite stage roles through the years include Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Lennane, Esme in Amy’s View, Lenny in Crimes of the Heart, Serefina della Rose in the Rose Tattoo, Lizzie Bordon in After the Murders, and Maria Callas in Master Class. In addition, to extensive theater credits, Karen has performed in over 350 professional video, film, and voice productions.
HOLLY GUTSHALL
actor
Holly Gutshall (Becky Lynn) recently counted up her credits and nearly keeled over when the number reached 80–a number even more astronomical than her age. She has been honored, over the past couple centuries, with nine Best Actress awards, from Folio Weekly, Theatre Jacksonville and Players by the Sea. Award-winning work includes August, Osage County(Mattie Fay), The Lyons (Rita), The Price (Esther), A Delicate Balance (Agnes), The Sisters Rosensweig (Gorgeous), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Jean), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), A Fair Country (Patrice), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (Cora), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolyn), and Educating Rita (Rita). In recent seasons she has enjoyed performing in Live Ink Theatre staged readings. Most terrifying theatrical experience: performing a one-woman show on birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger at Planned Parenthood fund-raisers around the country. She was a long-serving Board Member at Players by the Sea, where she is fondly remembered for her curtain speeches.
REDGIE GUTSHALL
actor
Redgie Gutshall–USN (Ret.) (Stage Directions) has been acting in community and professional theaters for more than 55 years. His experience spans the United States–from California to Missouri to Florida and South Carolina. He has also acted in such distant locations as Guam and Spain. In addition to performing with most of our area community theatre’s– St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach, Redgie has acted on the stages of The Florida Theatre, The Cummer Museum, The Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville and Jacksonville University. His most recent film adventure was a year run as “Fincannon” on the weekly TV series In the Pits. He notes, “The Theatre has played a huge ‘role’ in my life. I’m so grateful, because I’ve received far more than I’ve given. A humble thank you to a history of exciting productions and very kind audiences.
RHODIE JACKSON
actor
Rhodie Jackson (Miriam, Camille) is excited to be a part of The Memories of Ruby Mae. Rhodie just directed her second production, The Clean House, at ABET. She directed last year’s 4000 Miles there as well. Rhodie is no stranger to the local theatre stage, having just been seen as Katherine in Phase Eight’s production of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost at the WJCT Studios, and as Drea in The Call at The 5&Dime. She has also reprised her role as Zora Neale Huston in A Tea with Zora and Marjorie with A Classic Theatre. Rhodie has been a tribe member in HAIR- The American Tribal Rock Love Musical at Amelia Community Theatre. Rhodie has also been on stage at Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre (ABET), Players by the Sea and has even appeared at The Limelight in St. Augustine. You can see Rhodie in The 5&Dime’s upcoming production of The Laramie Project opening June 15. Rhodie also serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for The 5&Dime! Thank you for coming out to support Local Playwrights and Artist.
KAREN KONZEN
actor
Karen Konzen (Mandy Sue) started acting in elementary school in her hometown of Findlay, Ohio, and continued through college. Her long list of theater credits includes leading roles in A Picasso, The Fox on the Fairway, House of Blue Leaves, Conversations After a Burial and Macbeth. While pursuing her stage career she attended college at BGSU in Ohio followed by graduate school at the University of Mississippi, eventually earning a MS in Biology. She began adding film credits to her resume in 2011 and since then has appeared in numerous films such as Cry for the Badman, Veer!, and the title role in the feature film Thunder.
PATTI MENEFEE
actor
Patti Menefee (Sarah Neil, Mrs. Barnett) is delighted to be presenting these character in The Memories of Ruby Mae 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.
SUSAN ROCHE
actor
Susan Roche (Tracy) is honored to be a part of this staged reading of The Memories of Ruby Mae. You may have seen Susan on various stages in the Jacksonville area; favorite roles thus far are Robert Anne (Nunsense, ABET) and Sue (Ring of Fire, Limelight). When not volunteering at the theatre, you’ll often find her with her dogs, Diva and Dakotah (who is also a stage veteran) or with a camera in her hand. Susan is also a volunteer puppy raiser for K9s For Warriors,playing a vital role in the development of a future service dog for a veteran with PTSD or traumatic brain injury. Susan would again like to thank Olivia for bringing this beautiful story to life and allowing her to be a part of it!
GLORIA WARE
actor
Gloria Ware (Mrs. Smith) is grateful to have another chance to work alongside such great talent in Jacksonville. She most recently completed a run of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at PBTS as Judy. You may recognize her from ABET in The Clean House as Lane; PBTS where she was the recipient of two Pelican awards in 2016 for her roles as Mama in Memphis and Lady Bird in All The Way. She originated the role of Hilda Fluck in the U.S premiere of Hilda’s Yard at Theatre Jacksonville in 2014. She has worked at The 5 and Dime, WJCT reading for the sight impaired and as Marys mother in the radio show of It’s a Wonderful Life. She is currently filming R.E.P.L.I.C.A., a pilot for television, in and around town. Love to my Honey and Harley.
SPONSORS
And thank you to …