THE THRUSH & THE WOODPECKER and BLACKBERRY WINTER to Play Actor's Express in Rep This Fall

Actor's Express continues its 2015-2016 season with two world premiere plays, THE THRUSH & THE WOODPECKER and BLACKBERRY WINTER, both by Steve Yockey. The two plays will be performed October 31 - November 22 in rotating repertory.

THE THRUSH & THE WOODPECKER is a suspense thriller offering mystery, power and theatricality. The production is a National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere and will be directed by Melissa Foulger who directed previous Actor's Express productions of Yockey's plays Pluto and Wolves (2013 Suzi Bass Award Winner for Outstanding World Premiere).

BLACKBERRY WINTER, the poignant story of a woman caring for her Alzheimer's diagnosed mother, stars Carolyn Cook and is a Co-Production with Out of Hand Theater whose Co-Artistic Director Ariel Fristoe will direct the production. The play, commissioned and developed by Out of Hand Theater is also National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere and will be produced at seven theaters around the country during the 2015-2016 season. For more information on the development of BLACKBERRY WINTER and Carolyn Cook's personal connection to the story, visit memories.myajc.com.

Playwright Steve Yockey is an Associate Artist at Actor's Express. Including these two new works, Actor's Express has produced five of his plays in the last eight years. Describing Yockey's work, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said everyone should "experience at least one Yockey show in your lifetime."

THE THRUSH & THE WOODPECKER and BLACKBERRY WINTER will be performed in rotating repertory. Performance times are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM. Please visit actors-express.com for specific performance dates and times. Tickets start at $26 and can be purchased online at actors-express.com or by calling 404-607-7469.

ABOUT THE PLAYS:

THE THRUSH & THE WOODPECKER

By Steve Yockey

Directed by Melissa Foulger

October 31 - November 15, 2015

Previews: October 28-30 at 8 PM, $20

Opening Night: October 31 at 8 PM, $40

Regular Performances: November 1-15

Danger and vicious humor collide in this shocking revenge thriller

A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere

Brenda Hendriks tries to repair a fractured relationship with her son Noah, who has hastily returned home from college following an act of vandalism. When a mysterious visitor arrives at their remote Northern California home bearing dangerous secrets from Brenda's past, the three find themselves on a collision course with betrayal and revenge. This white-knuckled thriller promises plot twists, gasps and the gripping theatricality you've come to expect from Steve Yockey.

CAST:

Matthew Busch Noah Hendriks

Stacy Melich Brenda Hendriks

Kathleen Wattis Róisín Danner

Tinizia Bentley Róisín Danner Understudy

Kelly Monahan Brenda Hendriks Understudy

Jeofry Wages Noah Hendriks Understudy

CREATIVE TEAM:

Melissa Foulger Director

Kat Conley Scenic Designer

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay Costume Designers

Ben Tilley Lighting Designer

Haddon Kime Composer and Sound Designer

Marisa Tontaveetong Animation Designer

Shir Wen Sun Animation Background Design

Ashley Love Animation Character Design

Kristen Hennessy Stage Manager

Sheila Oliver Casting Director

Eric Graise Assistant Director

Elena Chapman Assistant Stage Manager

BLACKBERRY WINTER

By Steve Yockey

Directed by Ariel Fristoe

November 6-22, 2015

Previews: November 4-5 at 8 PM, $20

Opening Night: November 6 at 8 PM, $40

Regular Performances: November 8-22 (See website for performance dates and times.)

When memory fades, love endures

A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere and a Co-Production with Out of Hand Theater

Vivienne struggles with caring for her mother, an Alzheimer's patient whose condition is showing signs of deterioration. In some of Yockey's most poignant writing to date, she confesses and confronts the myriad challenges of caring for someone who is vanishing slowly before her very eyes.

CAST:

Carolyn Cook Vivienne Avery

Maia Knispel White Egret

Joe Sykes Gray Mole

CREATIVE TEAM:

Ariel Fristoe Director

Kat Conley Scenic Designer

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay Costume Designers

Ben Tilley Lighting Designer

Haddon Kime Composer and Sound Designer

Marisa Tontaveetong Animation Designer

Shir Wen Sun Animation Background Design

Ashley Love Animation Character Design

Maureen Downs Stage Manager

Caitlin Cain Assistant Stage Manager

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Since its founding in 1988, Actor's Express has sought to nurture the next generation of playwrights through workshops, readings, and full productions of new plays; to develop and nurture Atlanta's artistic community through theatre training; to catalyze the dialogue essential to the vitality of its neighborhood and its city; and to enhance Atlanta's reputation nationally as a thriving center for live performance. Actor's Express is located on the west side of Atlanta in the King Plow Arts Center at 887 W. Marietta Street, Suite J-107, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.

Out of Hand Theater makes shows, games and public art, for venues including parks, homes, businesses and theaters. Through annual free public arts events and original works, we embrace new audiences, celebrate community, and create moments of mass intimacy. We collaborate with scientists, artists, businesses, schools and civic organizations to create events reflecting their work, we train others to unlock their creativity and to innovate, and we bring free public art to thousands of people every year.

Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus.

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