Abby Rockwell Savage In GLASSHEART At Orlando Shakes Playfest

University of Central Florida theatre grad, Abby Rockwell Savage, returns to originate role in Playfest  

Recent University of Central Florida graduate and now New York city based actress, Abby Rockwell Savage, plays Aiofe in Reina Hardy's newest work, Glassheart, at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre's Playfest running April 8-17th. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be back in Orlando for Playfest again," says Savage. I've participated in it for the last three years as either a theatre goer or an actress. To me, it is an amazing example of artists coming together in the spirit of community and collaboration and has become my favorite 'must-see attraction' when I am in the city. I couldn't wait to come back and I jumped at the chance to play this role."

In this modern adaptation of the classic story Beauty and the Beast, Savage plays the "Beauty" character running from a shadowy past she'd rather forget. "Aiofe (pronounced Ee-pha in Gaelic) is a Beauty I can definitely relate to. She's been bumped around by life a bit and she's a little scarred because of it. From her past experiences she's gained an intelligence and wariness that can be sarcastic and jaded, but actually, at her core, she's a truly compassionate being. She wants to experience the world as she imagines it should be instead of how it usually is." The enthusiastic Savage goes on to praise the playwright saying, "Reina's dexterity with words and language delivers characters who are super clever and quick witted and I've always sort of longed to be quick-witted. So this role is really a treat!" 

Glassheart, which explores the themes of escapism, depression and of course, love, was embraced by Playfest audiences last year at its initial reading and returns to heightened anticipation this season. The piece is one of only two plays selected to be work-shopped in the festival. "Usually, one of the workshopped plays moves on to become a fully staged production the following year, so it's very exciting to be in the running for that opportunity", says Savage. 

Glassheart is just one play in a whole string of new works that Savage has helped develop and stage with her talent. After wrapping up a Shakespeare intensive at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art this past summer, she arrived in New York City to participate in the stateside premiere of Nicola Buttegieg and Susan Haughland's new musical, Beethoven in Vienna. The London premiere followed shortly thereafter in Covent Garden at the Drury Lane Theatre and was sponsored by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group Theatre. Savage and Ms. Buttegieg will team up once again this summer to present a cabaret they are currently co-writing. 

Glassheart will run as a part of Orlando Shakespeare Theatre's Playfest April 8-17th

For tickets call: 407-447-1700
or visit: http://www.orlandoshakes.org/plays-events/playfest/  

For more information and a sampling of Savage's current work, go to www.abbysavage.com

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