Staged Readings at Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs

This Staged Reading will present both a one-hour cutting of Naples playwright Marc Simons full-length play DEPARTURES and a special guest appearance by visiting artist, writer/producer Charles Jackson, Jr., performing a world premiere solo play THE FLOATING BLACK MAN, for Acts I and II of the event. An Audience Talkback will take place following Act II. PRESENTED AS A STAGED READING, selections from:I. Departures by Naples playwright Marc Simon, directed by Frank Blocker assistant director Jennifer Valiente, stage manager Luis PagesWORLD PREMIERE, IN PERFORMANCE II. The Floating Black Man written and performed by Charles Jackson, Jr., Featured Guest Artist THE FLOATING BLACK MAN synopsis:The Floating Black Man tells the story of a young African American man attempting to discover himself while navigating through race relations in an oppressive society. This is a solo play and a world premiere from CFABs guest artist Charles Jackson, Jr., who will also present his Character Analysis Workshop on Thursday, August 7, 6:00-8:30pm at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs campus.DEPARTURES synopsis: Lydia is seeking an end to her life via Departures, an assisted-dying facility. To complete the process, she must face her estranged daughter who works there, and the growing public dissent toward legalized assisted suicide. Cast -LYDIA PERKINS.....................................Kay FrancisBRANDI DANIELS..................................Melissa HennigDR. JOSEPH.........................................Alberto GayosoMARK ELLIOT........................................Sean PritchardKENZIE KERR.......................................Gina PalenciaPAUL BERENSON.................................Will KaiserMICHELLE BERENSON........................Amanda CarrionDEREK...................................................Reed FosterNARRATOR............................................CJ CobblePLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHIES:MARC SIMONMarc Simons short fiction has appeared in several literary magazines, including The Wilderness House Review, Flashquake, Poetica Magazine, The Writing Disorder, Jewish Fiction.net, the SN Review, Slush Pile Magazine, Everyday Fiction, The Adelaide Literary Review, Burningword Literary Magazine and most recently Microfiction Monday Magazine. Four of his one-act plays have been winners in the Sugden Theater (Naples) New Plays Contest. His debut novel, The Leap Year Boy was published in December, 2012. His new novel, Moriah, has been accepted for publication and due out in April, 2020. Marc lives in Naples, Florida.CHARLES JACKSONAn actor, director, playwright and producer residing in Fort Worth, Texas, Charles received two Bachelors of Arts (Theatre and Broadcasting) from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Film-Television Producing at Regent University. Charles has been a part of the performing arts community for more than a decade ranging from playwriting, producing, acting and directing. Charles's one-man show In Due Time, PANTOMIME premiered in Fort Worth, Texas in 2017 and was accepted into the 2018 Fort Wort Fringe Festival. Mr. Jackson is best known for his ability to independently produce socially-conscious plays. The Floating Black Man is Charles second solo play and this performance is a world premiere.