Author Archives: Thom Haynes

Tickets for the ArtsCenter shows: CLICK HERE

If you have questions, please contact John Paul Middlesworth at middlesworth@odysseystage.org

THE PLAYS! THE DIRECTORS! THE ACTORS!

(Anti-)Material(ism) by Susan M. Steadman, directed by Sarianna Gregg (OS)

Delia: Xenon Winslow-Trevathan

Tess: Kelly McDaniel

Lynette: Lucia Foster

Josh: Jack Knowles

Bestway Suites by Mike Brannon, directed by John Paul Middlesworth (OS)

Jerry: Dave McEwen

Sophie: Lucia Foster

Kendall: Jack Knowles

Xander: Xenon Winslow-Trevathan

Beatz: Jordan Garrity

Dirty Laundry by Andy Rassler, directed by Nicola Lefler (CPF)

Alex: Tim Coyle

Amber: Michelle Kaiser

Scott: Vishal Barnela

Henry VIII’s Gender Reveal Party by Clinton Festa, directed by Annie Taft (OS)

Henry: Charlie Machalicky

Anne: Xenon Winslow-Trevathan

Margaret: Jenn Bianchi

Tom: Michael Shannon

Mary: Kelly McDaniel

Howard: Ryan McDaniel

Impossible Dream, Cont’d by Eric Weil, directed by Danielle Fenton (OS)

Don Quixote: Kurt Benrud

Sancho Panza: Robby Merritt

Cop: Julya Mirro

Passerby/Humanitarian/Mugger: Elias Torre

La Fortuna del Destino by Mary Turner, directed by Michele Okoh (CPF)

Cowboy: Jeffrey Nugent

Gambler: Rita Hewell

La Fortunata: Michelle Corbitt

Minister: Michelle Kaiser

RTFM by Jack Berry, directed by directed by Kurt Benrud and Sandra Shelton (CPF)

Ground Control: Elias Torre

Major Tom: Robby Merritt

Upright and Blameless by Steffi Rubin, directed by directed by Fred Corlett (CPF)

Job: Michael Shannon

Narrator: Joel McLaughlin

Person 1: Vishal Barnela

Person 2: TBD

Wannabe by Shelley Segal, directed by Ken Walsh (CPF)

Leigh: Joanna Herath

Ray: Kirby Callan

Todd: David Klionsky

The Wish by T. J. Silverio, directed by Ken Wolpert (OS)

Jason: Ryan McDaniel

Genie: Julya Mirro

https://www.facebook.com/events/451589015414356/
https://www.odysseystage.org/
https://artscenterlive.org/performances/category/performances/theatre/

Here’s a review by Alan Hall.

This PG-13 show was one night only, May 4, 2019, 7:30pm at The Cary Theater (122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 – see here for parking info, etc). Here’s the Facebook event. PHOTOS! VIDEO! And, a review.

Questions? Ask the producer Thom Haynes

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Click here!

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Directing Technique: Working with Actors

For both classes:

Register here: https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/programs-classes

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FRED CORLETT’S BIO:

My theatre career began in 1965, as a junior at Broughton High School, where I played Chief Sitting Bull in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.  That began a history of playing non-singing roles in musicals.  While still in high school I became a fixture at the Raleigh Little Theatre where I learned the ancient and hallowed traditions of the theatre.  I learned about tech.  I built sets, hung lights, and pulled curtains (remember them?).  I would eventually act in, or direct, 18 productions (under 8 different directors) over a 50 year period for RLT – the greatest training ground anyone could wish for.

In 1968 I served an Equity Apprenticeship at the State Theatre of N.C. called the Vagabond Playhouse, in Flat Rock.  I built 10 sets that summer, and played Paris in ROMEO AND JULIET, and the Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ.

From 1967 to 1971 I worked in the BFA program in Dramatic Art at UNC – Chapel Hill, specializing in directing.  Haskell Fitzsimmons and I were the first BFA directing majors to graduate from UNC.  I returned to Raleigh for 4 years where I performed at RLT and the new Theatre in the Park.  TIP produced original productions every year, mostly written by the director, David Wood.  I was in 2 original productions there, both directed by the playwright (one of whom was to become Broadway star Terence Mann).  I also directed the first of 2 productions I would direct for RLT.

In 1976 I returned to Chapel Hill and earned an MFA in directing in 1978.  Haskell would get the same degree a year later, and become the  Artistic Director for RLT for 30 years (directing me in 3 productions).  It was while working on my MFA that I directed my first production where the playwright was present for rehearsal.  It was not always amicable.

Immediately after graduation I joined the N.C. Visiting Artist Program, co-sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council and the N.C. Community College System.  I did paid residencies at Anson Community College and Rowan Community College.  I followed this with a residency in the Artist in the Schools Program in Franklin, N.C.  There I directed 20 one-act plays in one semester at the High School in addition to creative drama workshops at the Middle School.

During the 4 summers between those residencies I stage managed the Outdoor Drama UNTO THESE HILLS on the Cherokee Reservation.

From 1983 – 1986 I lived in New York City, where I stage managed 10 shows, acted in 2, and directed one.  Both shows I was in were directed by the playwright.

In 1986 I moved to Concord, N.C. where I designed lights, acted, and taught acting at The Old Courthouse Theatre.  In 1989 I moved to Cleveland, N.C. and acted for the Piedmont Players in Salisbury, and directed for the Statesville Little Theatre.  In 1993 I moved back to Raleigh and continued to act and direct at the 2 excellent community theatres.

In 2008 I would begin working at The Burning Coal Theatre, which is an Equity house, and has become my theatrical home.  Two of the plays I performed in there were original, and the playwrights were able to attend rehearsals.  They were professionally directed by 2 of the best directors I have ever worked for, and the symbiosis was extraordinary.  I have also directed 3 shows there with the playwrights in residence, one of which required several hours of discussion over multiple days to hammer out a common vision.  I continue to be a member of the Artistic Company, and will be acting in the first play of the 2017/2018 season.

At about the time I started working with Burning Coal I directed an independently produced original play at the Common Ground Theatre in Durham in which the playwright attended most rehearsals.  I respected his work,  and he frequently acquiesced to my interpretation.  We remain good friends to this day.

 (that’s Fred on the left!)

In random order, here are the NC writers, play titles (linked to recordings), directors and cast (out of 25 submissions):

• The Black Spectre: A Trail Grown Cold – Roger Alford (director: Michele Okoh), broadcast on March 12 (50:01), featuring music by Kevin MacLeod
  • Vicky Rose – Terri Crymes
  • Brent Gregor (The Black Spectre) – Jay Little
  • Mrs. Keever – Daphne Trevathan
  • Ensemble – Tony Bowman, Michael Bacigalupo

• A Guy Walks Into a Bar – Mike Brannon (director: Jorie Slodki), broadcast on Feb 26 (10:43)
  • Bar Patrons – Drew Gulino
  • Bartender – Joanna La Forgia
  • Bar Patrons – David Klionsky
  • Guy – Will Harris
  • Bar Patrons – Mark Anderson

• The (Dog) Park – Mac McCord (director: Jorie Slodki), broadcast on Feb 26 (9:16)
  • Narrator – Will Harris
  • Man – Drew Gulino
  • Woman – Joanna La Forgia
  • Dog  – David Klionsky

• Rick Danger: The Kase of the Kidnapped Kerbopple – Tony Bowman (director: Christian O’Neal), broadcast on March 19 (47:25), featuring music by Thursday’s Flight
  • Rick Danger – Mark Anderson
  • Anesthesia / Baby – Rhonda Lemon
  • Vinegar / Narrator – Rita Hewell
  • Sheriff Randy and Others – Joel McLaughlin
  • Deputy Arnie and Others – Jason Christ

• The Daughter in the Basement – Debra Kaufman (director: Kenny Hertling), broadcast on Feb 19 (11:47)
  • Cynthia – Stephanie Turner
  • Maggie – Rita Hewell
  • Reverend – Joel McLaughlin