D I R E C T I N G P H O T O S & R E V I E W S
On the Brink Reading Series: HIR by Taylor Mac
Spring 2021 ON THE BRINK Reading Series
Curated by Professor Saffron Henke What have we learned from 2020? How do we as theatre artists respond to this moment? These are multifaceted times we are facing, not just in terms of the political, social and cultural upheavals that 2020 brought upon us, but also the challenges the pandemic has brought to live performance as well. In response, this Spring, the Colorado State University Theatre Department will begin a series of readings of new works addressing the hot topic themes of our times – issues that have pushed our culture to the brink…and that reveal whole new worlds of possibilities. A collaboration of professional theatre artists, faculty members, current students and CSU alumni, On the Brink will explore works representing a variety of underrepresented voices and perspectives. For more information, click here. |
Concord Floral, Colorado State University, 2020
Concord Floral is a one-million-square-foot abandoned greenhouse and a refuge for neighborhood kids; a place all to themselves in which to dream, dare, and come of age. But hidden there is a secret no one wants to confront, and when two friends stumble upon it they set off an unstoppable chain of events, from shadows in parking lots to phone calls from the grave. It's time for the teens of Concord Floral to start talking. For streaming information, visit CSUArtsTickets.com
“I don’t think I was fully prepared to be as moved. I’ve seen too much zoom theatre and too much online theatre, I’ve satisfied that itch for the rest of my life. So, to be quite honest, to come to your show and watch another one, was not on the top of my list of things to do at the end of the semester… but watching it? This is one of the best translations of a theatre piece in this format that we are living in that retains its theatricality. That’s my big kudos and big applause.” - Mace Archer, KCACTF Response Concord Floral received several nominations for The Young-Howze Theatre Journal Awards, including: -Director of the Year -School Theatre Program of the Year -"You Oughta Be In Pictures" Film of the Year For more information, click here |
|
Deadline 2037, Hollins University Theatre & Mill Mountain Theatre 2020 Playwrights Festival
In America, poverty has been nearly eliminated, carbon emissions are reduced by 80% over 2018 levels, all are covered by comprehensive health insurance, and every high school graduate is eligible for free tuition at the nation’s colleges and universities. All due, the government trumpets, to the federal funds freed up for social investment by the Quality of Life Act, which mandates death at age 75. When a tiny group of elderly βighters in small town Illinois take on the law, the government reacts with fury. Who prevails may
depend on the tactics each are willing to use. |
FEAST, Riverside Theatre, 2019
Written and Performed by Megan Gogerty
Directed by Saffron Henke Production Design by Chris Rich Performance Dates: October 25-November 10 When an ancient magical creature disguised as a middle-aged lady invites us to her dinner party, she attempts to form a truth and reconciliation committee to address the wrongs committed by our forefathers, only to discover in her grief that she may have accidentally helped to create the patriarchy. An immersive and visceral theatrical experience where mythology crashes into pop culture, FEAST. reimagines an ancient myth as a cautionary tale against the rising forces of authoritarianism. Watch the promo video HERE : https://vimeo.com/368076177 For more information on Feast, click here Reviews: The Gazette Review by Diana Nollen: Rob Cline review: Daily Iowan Story: Press citizen review by Isaac Hamlet: Gazette Promo story: Talk of Iowa/IPR/NPR: Promotional Interview |
|
The Love Code, Hollins Theatre Institute & Mill Mountain Theatre, 2019
By Kate Leslie
Directed by Saffron Henke. Searching for human connection in a digital age. Dylan Rossport has created a dating app, but not just any dating app. This one actually works. When a high powered CEO takes an interest in Dylan’s company, the results may not be what Dylan had hoped. His advanced technology could bring him money and power, but at what price? Featuring: Simon Atkins, Taylor Cobb, Anna Holland, Janemarie Laucella, Ally Thomas. Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage at 20 Church Ave SE www.hollins.edu/theatre Performance dates: January 18 & 25 at 7:30pm January 20 & 27 at 2pm PRODUCED BY HOLLINS THEATRE INSTITUTE AND MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE AS PART OF THE 2019 WINTER FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS |
Echoes of Miami: Processional Performances from Past to Future
Miami University, 2018
Conceived by Saffron Henke, and written by Olivia Gorom, Meryl Juergens, Tanner McCormick, Katelyn Nevin, Melissa Rowan, and Anthony Thompson
October 18-21, 7:30 p.m. Various locations around the Center for Performing Arts Directed by Caroline Avolio, Nate Bissinger, Olivia Gorom, Christiana Molldrem Harkulich, Saffron Henke, Raechel Lombardo, and Tanner McCormick. Designed by Ben Cobb (costumes), Gion DeFrancesco (scenery), Melanie Mortimore (costumes), Josh Romero (scenery), Shelby Scaffidi (lighting), Abby Thompson (scenery), Holly West (lighting), and students in THE 453 (costumes). The myths, legends, and history of Miami itself echo through time in this collection of ten-minute plays written entirely by Miami University students and alumni. Miami's most mischievous specter, Helen Peabody, will lead audiences to multiple locations to witness performances that will transcend genre and time periods, highlighting the musicality, comedy, poetry, horror, and memories that have been woven into Miami's own rich story. Check out this article from Cincinnati.com For more on Echoes of Miami, click here |
|
A Winter's Tale, Richmond Shakespeare Festival, 2018
Directed by Saffron Henke
Produced by Richmond Shakespeare Festival in 2018 Jealous King Leontes orders his Queen Hermione imprisoned and, (fearing she is not of his issue), his infant daughter to be abandoned in the wilderness. The Princess, Perdita is raised as a foundling by a kindly Shepherd. Sixteen years pass. Perdita meets kindly neighboring Prince Florizel, and they fall in love. Will they find happiness? Will the King have a change of heart? Will we ever see Queen Hermione again? Only the Bard will tell! "Saffron did a great job navigating through some of the trickier plot points with very clear anchoring with props and actors. She also led her entire cast to deliver some great performances. - Brian Isaac Phillips, Artistic Director, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company" |
|
The Flick, Miami University, 2018
Written by Annie Baker
Directed by Saffron Henke Meet the staff at The Flick, a run-down movie theatre in New England. Sam has a thing for Rose, but she’s not much interested. Rose is drawn to newcomer Avery, who finds the movies a perfect escape from life. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, this Pulitzer prize-winning play explores the boundaries of class and race as the characters search for connection in the face of change. Miami University, Studio 88 September 27-30th, 7:30 pm October 1, 2:00 pm Reviews: The League of Cincinnati Theatres |
|
Stupid Fucking Bird, Miami University, 2017
Love, death, beauty, despair and one unfortunate seagull collide in this unabashedly provocative riff on Chekhov’s classic. Con is a burgeoning playwright in love with his ingénue; his mother, an aging actress, is involved with a famous novelist; the novelist, in turn, is increasingly enchanted with Con’s girlfriend; and everyone else suffers on the sidelines. Chekhov’s characters still ruminate on love, revolution and the pursuit of happiness, but this time convention is severly compromised.
Miami University Stupid F**king Bird >> REVIEWS: |
|
Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan; 2017
Directed by Saffron Henke
In collaboration with Megan Gogerty *WINNER, CINCINNATI FRINGE FESTIVAL, AUDIENCE PICK BEST OF FRINGE* *FULL RUN, EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL* LADY MACBETH AND HER PAL, MEGAN uses Shakespeare’s tragedy to examine one woman’s fraught relationship with standup comedy. Part personal narrative and part textual analysis, comedian and monologist Megan Gogerty (HOUSEBROKEN, HILLARY CLINTON GOT ME PREGNANT) asks the question: What if, instead of being just a corn-fed, Midwestern standup comic with a penchant for Star Trek, Megan was actually Lady Macbeth? Hasn’t every woman, at one point or another, wanted to commit regicide? Funny, subversive and engaging with cultures both pop and high, LADY MACBETH AND HER PAL, MEGAN parses the difference between empowerment fantasies and actual empowerment. "Director Saffron Henke made a lot of smart choices about where Gogerty moves on stage. One of the dangers of a one woman show is allowing it to become too static or, taking it to the other extreme, allowing the actor to move without purpose just to create movement because you’re afraid it’s too static. That doesn’t happen here. The moves are clearly defined. Stage left is used when depicting Lady Macbeth (along with a disturbing red light for emphasis). Whenever Gogerty is remembering a time that she was on stage as a stand up comedian, she steps on top the acting cube. These are smart moves that help the audience to follow the action." - Iowa Theatre Blog Reviews here: https://iowatheatre.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/a-review-of-lady-macbeth-and-her-pal-megan/ http://littlevillagemag.com/megan-gogerty-breaks-type-to-become-more-herself/ |
|
This Is Our Youth, The Brink Theatre Co. 2016
The BRINK is dedicated to reimagining plays of the recent past and new works by contemporary playwrights using environmental and creative staging. This is Our Youth chronicles 48 hours inside the lives of rich Jewish teens on the Upper Westside of New York City. “Funny, painful, and compassionate, the play is a living snapshot of the moment between adolescence and adulthood when many young people first go out into the world on their own, armed only with the ideas and techniques they developed as teenagers.” Brink Theatre Co. |
|
Avenue Q, Miami University, 2015
Music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Book by Jeff Whitty Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Orchestrations and Arrangements by Stephen Oremus Directed by Saffron Henke Music Direction by Stephen Lytle April 16–18; April 23–25, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. April 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Gates-Abegglen Theatre |
|
The Bock-Eye, Augustana College, 2013
Photos by Adam Parboosingh
"The Bock-Eye is a bold and bawdy postmodern adaptation inspired by Euripides' Greek tragedy The Bacchae. Written by acclaimed American playwright Tommy Smith, The Bock-Eye is an interesting blend of old and new-a retelling of an ancient story, but with a strong contemporary attitude." Augustana College Press Release » Interview with Guest Director Saffron Henke » REVIEWS: |
|
Bookwings, The University of Iowa, 2012, 2013
"IOWA CITY, IA—MOSCOW, RUSSIA—SHANGHAI, CHINA—March 12th and 14th, 2013, the University of Iowa International Writing Program (IWP), in association with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, links up with the Moscow Art Theatre (established by Stanislavsky, home stage of Chekhov) and with the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre for two separate collaborative theatre performances.
Using the latest videoconferencing technology, theatre arts professionals and new media specialists bring together actors, playwrights, directors, dramaturges, and stages thousands of miles apart to produce two unified performances known as Book Wings China and Book Wings Russia." Read more at theatre.uiowa.edu » International Writing Program about Bookwings » Read the Daily Iowan article » |
|
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, St. Ambrose University, 2012
"This dark comedy highlights the French aristocracy of the Ancien Régime around 1780, shortly before the French revolution. The Vicomte de Valmont and his female counterpart, La Marquise de Merteuil, weave a story of romantic entanglements as full of passion as they are deceit. Ruining the young Cécile de Volanges for marriage and destroying the reputation of La President de Tourvel, no character remains unscathed in this merciless love story." Read more at sau.edu » |
Photos by Dye Photography
|
In the Next Room, Cornell College, 2012
"A 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony nominee for Best Play, Sarah Ruhl’s provocative and sometimes tender comedy is set in the 1880s—a time when doctors believed that “hysterical” women (and men) could be treated with vibrators, and electricity was a brand new technology. The play finds a Victorian-era doctor in New York championing the effects of this new electronic device, while in the adjoining room, the doctor’s wife is yearning for a different kind of intimacy. “In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)” is a sex comedy with a head on its shoulders and a heart on its sleeve." |
|
Metamorphoses, Augustana College, 2011
"A contemporary retelling of Ovid's classic tales written by American playwright Mary Zimmerman. Metamorphoses debuted in Chicago in 1998 with the Lookingglass Theatre Company. Rather than telling one story, the play is divided into short segments, each of which portrays a different classic Greek myth. Because of the segmented structure, the actors play multiple roles throughout the show." Read more at augustanta.edu » REVIEWS: |
Photos by Adam Parboosingh
|
Frauen im Schatten (Women in the Shadow), Coe College, 2010
"A new play, devised by the cast, that explores the lives and stories of women in the time of the Third Reich. Predominantly a movement piece, Women in the Shadow utilizes music, video, poetry, and improvisation based on historical fact to bring to life the personal struggles and public personae of a few of the women intimately connected with men who were key figures in the rise and fall of Nazi Germany." |
Photos by Jonathan Allender-Zivic
|
Bugsy Malone, Englert Theatre, 2010
"Some of the brightest young talent from throughout the area play Prohibition-era mobsters in this tongue-in-cheek tribute to the 1920s gangster tale. Fat Sam, who runs one of the most popular speakeasies in town, is in danger of being closed down by his "business rival" Dandy Dan. Enter baby-faced Bugsy Malone, a killer with the ladies and a definite asset to Fat Sam." |
Photos by Kitty Forsythe
|
The Tale (Greek Myths for Young Theatre), Sacramento Theatre Company, 2005, 2006
|
"An award winning collaboration, The Tale is a new musical based on Greek mythology created with playwright Tommy Smith and composer Michael McQuilken. It was performed over two seasons in Sacramento, first as a full play, then in its final, musical form. It was then invited to perform in several festivals in a tour throughout Greece, including the Miaoulia Festival on the Greek island of Hydra in June 2007." |
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sacramento Theatre Company, 2004
|
In this take on Shakespeare's classic, the cast performed the text with Beatles song and lyrics woven throughout. |