Tag Archive for: Joey Parsons

GIDION’S KNOT…hitting all corners of America

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GidionsKnot_webThis past weekend, CATF visited Philadelphia to see a production of Johnna Adams’s GIDION’S KNOT at InterAct Theatre Company, under the direction of artistic director and co-founder Seth Rozin. They did a wonderful job with the play. Terrific performances by Alice M. Gatling as “Corryn” (that’s the role Robin Walsh played here at CATF for the play’s premiere) and Karen Peakes as “Heather” (played here by Joey Parsons). It runs through February 9 and more info about the Philly production, including a video interview with Johnna, can be found by clicking here.

InterAct is a core member theater of the National New Play Network–a collective of theaters across the country committed to the promoting the PRODUCTION of new plays, perhaps most famously through the concept of a “rolling world premiere”.  CATF was invited to join NNPN as a core member last summer. Hopefully, we’ll have an important related-item to report in a few weeks as it pertains to NNPN…

GIDION’S KNOT is not only playing in Philly right now. In fact, it opened this weekend in Austin, Texas at the Capital T Theatre under the direction of Lily Wolff.  Lily was a directing assistant at CATF the year we produced GIDION, which makes this performance all the more special.  Performances through February 8. Learn more here.

Finally–at least for now–is a production currently up at Profiles Theatre in Chicago under the direction of artistic director Joe Jahraus. This Midwest Premiere runs through March 9. Check it out here.

Upcoming life for GIDION’S KNOT is in February/March in Minneapolis at Pillsbury House and Theatre (click here) and more close to home in July at the Forum Theatre (Silver Spring, MD).

In total, there are 12 productions of the play scheduled for the ’13-’14 theater season, making this Shepherdstown-originated play the 11 most-produced in the United States. In addition to being published in American Theatre magazine in the December 2012 issue, it was the citation award-winner of the prestigious ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award.

Here’s a video of Johnna’s acceptance speech for the ATCA/Steinberg during the 2013 Humana Festival in Louisville:

DEAR SARA JANE REHEARSAL JOURNAL

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6PM Tuesday June 2, 2009:

First Rehearsal: We began with a read-thru of the script. Victor Lodato read his play to us in his own voice. It was exciting to hear the playwright read. We learned so much about the play after listening to the writer read his own words. It was very cool to hear the author’s tempo, rhythm and pace… Victor created this story and invented this character…so it was a real treat to just sit back and listen to his voice. I always enjoy listening to a playwright read their play.

After Victor’s read-thru, we discussed the play…asked specific questions RE: his inspiration for the story… the time line of the events etc. Then we did a second Read-Thru with Joey Parsons who is playing the role of Sara Jane. Joey gave a beautiful and heartfelt reading. Then we discussed the play some more…giving the playwright and actor the opportunity to talk and listen to each other.

Wednesday June 3, 2009   Rehearsal #2: Table Work.

We began rehearsal with a four hour Read-thru sitting at the table. We broke the play up into short scenes and I had Joey read each scene…allowing time to stop and ask questions etc. It was a very productive working rehearsal.

After doing table-work we broke for lunch and Victor and I met with Peggy McKowen, the Production Designer for DEAR SARA JANE. Peggy shared her costume sketches and a model of her set design with Victor. Peggy has created an imaginative design that truly supports the “world of the play.” Then we returned to the rehearsal hall for a four hour work session. We staged  the first eight pages.

ABOUT JOEY PARSONS/ Sara Jane: Joey is an actor from New York City with acting credits that include Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theaters, Television and Film. She is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

Ed Herendeen