Emerson Theater Collaborative Announces The Protest of Pharaoh's Daughter, 5/3-11

Emerson Theatre Collaborative (ETC) announces the production of The Protest of Pharaoh's Daughter running from May 3 - May 11 at First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow St, Mystic, CT. General Admission: $25, Seniors and Students $20. For more information and to purchase tickets please go to www.emersontheatercollaborative.org, Ticket Leap or call (860) 705-9711.

The Protest of the Pharaoh's Daughter, written by Amy Reifsnyder and directed by Theresa Broach is set in Ancient Egypt, and is a story about the Pharaoh's daughter and her struggle with her relationship with her father, and his treatment of the Jews. They play explores life questions still pertinent today: What happens when a woman risks losing her social status, her faith community, her family, and her life by standing up for what is right? What happens when one strives for social justice at the risk of all she knows and is familiar with? The story is told through the handmaiden of Pharaoh's Daughter portrayed by Actress Claudia N. McCoy. Her understudy is Nicole Fazio.

Amy Lynn Reifsnyder (Playwright), poet, songwriter, essayist, journalist and teacher, has been writing most of her life. Her work has been published in western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and also includes academic curricula, short stories, and literary reviews. She currently teaches Developmental English at Three Rivers Community College, and tutors privately. Much of her inspiration is found in the woods, where she hikes regularly with her two dogs, Duncan Beck and Maeda Jayne, and occasionally with the cats, Lydia, WOL, and Uncle Reily. This is her first collaboration with professional theatre.

Theresa Broach (Director) has produced, directed and/or stage-managed over 30 theatrical productions for children and adult audiences including Camelot, Mame, Can-Can, Come Blow Your Horn, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Oliver, Cavern of the Jewels, Brigadoon, The Errols, Never Too Late, Hello Dolly!, Lend Me A Tenor, Annie, Don't Dress for Dinner, Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Carousel, Skips in the Record, Godspell, Sweet Charity, Marco Polo, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Murder at the Crazy Whores Saloon, Always Patsy Cline, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Road to Home, Finian's Rainbow, and Hocus Pocus. Theresa has served as President and Producer for the Pfizer Players, formerly a company-sponsored musical theatre group that contributed over $250,000 to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. She has been a member of the Boards of Directors for the Connecticut Business Leadership Network, which supports the employment of people with disabilities; and the Spirit of Broadway Theatre, a semi-professional, award-winning, 74-seat theatre. She is also an active member of the North Stonington Congregational Church. Theresa is delighted to work with the Emerson Theatre Collaborative again as its resident director and the talented cast of Amy Reifsnyder's The Protest of Pharaoh's Daughter.

Claudia Nell McCoy (Actress), As someone who thrives on excellence, challenges and professionalism, Claudia McCoy has always set her sights on the world of artistry and entertainment in film, television and the stage. Acting employs her to take on and develop various characters. She attributes her career development to the Theatre Department at the State University of Potsdam. This includes the endless guidance provided by Don Mandigo, Jay Pecora, and Kim Bouchard. Her credits include the Off-Broadway production of "Seusical The Musical", "Funnyhouse of a Negro" and Amiri Baraka's "Slave Ship" performed in Liverpool, England during the InterNational Theatre Festival, just to name a few. She'd like to thank her sister, Sandra McCoy, Nick Pittman and others for their continued support and encouragement to strive for perfection in this challenging, yet wonderful field - encouragement that she hopes to pass on to others. She is excited to be making her debut with the Emerson Theater Collaborative in Mystic CT.

Nicole Fazio (Understudy) is a local actor and student. She has attended and performed at NYU and Salve Regina University. Favorite roles include Lily in "The Giver" with NYU Steinhardt, Goldilocks in "Goldilocks And The Three Bears" with Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre, Connie in "A Chorus Line" with Swingbridge Arts Alliance, and "Sophia" in Keepers at the New York Fringe Festival. She is very thankful to be a part of this production.

Camilla Ross (Producer), Ms. Camilla Ross is the current president and founder of the Emerson Theater Collaborative, and a graduate of Emerson College in Boston. Currently, she sits on the Emerson College Alumni Board, and is the president of the CT Chapter. Ms. Ross is a part-time business faculty member of the Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, and enjoys teaching a variety of business courses there. As a theatrical producer, Ms. Ross has produced all of the productions since the Emerson Theater Collaborative's inception in 2008. Most recent productions include, Bud Not Buddy, by Reginald Andre Jackson, and Court Martial at Fort Devens, by Jeffrey Sweet that made its debut in Mystic, CT in Spring 2012. As a performer, her credits run the gamut from theater to commercials and film. She was seen most recently in the Readings of Zora Neale Hurston's Works along side Zora Neale Hurston's niece, Lucy Ann Hurston in Mystic CT. She played the role of Momma in the summer production of Bud Not Buddy, by Reginald Andre Jackson in Mystic, CT. Camilla held the honor and privilege of performing at the Mark Twain House in Hartford CT, as the opening act for their Hateful Things Exhibit, performing her featured role as Harriet Tubman (to a sold out audience) in Harriet Tubman's Dream, by Lisa Giordano. The Emerson Theater Collaborative recently found a home at the First United Methodist Church in Mystic, and is so grateful for all of the community support they have received. She is married to local Pilot and photographer Jack Ross of OK3 Photography and has five amazing children. Yes, my two pets are included in that number. :-)

Emerson Theater Collaborative's (ETC's) mission is to serve youth, under-represented communities and artists with an emphasis on diversity, by producing innovative and exhilarating theater in Southeastern Connecticut. ETC explores timely themes and issues through new, original works and modern theatrical classics. ETC's goals include reaching inner city youth through educational theatrical programming, to support local communities by providing free admission to low-income families and donating profits to humanitarian causes. For more information go to EmersonTheaterCollaborative.org.

Key Dates and Information

What: Emerson Theater Collaborative Presents: The Protest of Pharaoh's Daughter
When: Friday and Saturday, May 3 - 4, at 7:00 PM and Sunday, May 5 at 4:00 PM
And Thursday - Saturday, May 9 - 11 at 7:00 PM
Where: First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow St., Mystic, CT 06355
How: Ticket prices: $25 general admission, Seniors and Students $20. Tickets are available at the door and online at our website emersontheatercollaborative.org and by calling (860) 705-9711