Mindy Anders

A staged reading of Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter, presented by Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF as a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts, will appear April 9, 2018 in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater. This production of Blackberry Winter originally appeared at Orlando Shakes in 2017, after the script was featured as a reading at the Theater's PlayFest 2014. To raise awareness of caregiving in its various forms for Alzheimer's, dementia, and other conditions, the reading will be followed by a post-show talkback with the playwright, caregivers, and performers. Tickets ($20) are available online now at http://arts.cah.ucf.edu/event/blackberry-winter.

My mother is…. For many, these three little words evoke things such as "interesting," "crazy," or even "getting old." But when you hear "My mother is suffering - no not suffering - living with Alzheimer's disease," these three little words take on a whole new meaning. When your own mother starts to forget you, do you even know your mother anymore? Do you even know yourself? These are the questions Vivienne painstakingly tries to answer in Steve Yockey's BLACKBERRY WINTER.

Years of success, meticulous planning, and an eye for detail have in no way prepared Vivienne Avery for her mother's slide into the grip of dementia. Vivienne recounts memories of her aging mother and the difficult decisions regarding her care. Interwoven with these stories is an evolving, wondrous 21st century Alzheimer's creation myth-an origin story about a White Egret who tries to protect forest animals as they lose their memories to a blind, oblivious Mole. Blackberry Winter is a moving, occasionally humorous, and deeply human new work.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter. Yockey's new play tells the story of a daughter doing her best to shepherd her mother in safety and comfort through the memory loss and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Blackberry Winter appears from January 4 - February 5, 2017 in the Goldman Theater. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF invites audiences to take a risk on new plays at PlayFest this week, November 5 - 8, 2015.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF invites audiences to take a risk on new plays at PlayFest from November 5 - 8, 2015.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF begins its 2011-2012 Signature Series with Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, a rousing escapade of romance, mistaken identities and comic twists, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from September 14 - October 9, 2011.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF begins its 2011-2012 Signature Series with Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, a rousing escapade of romance, mistaken identities and comic twists, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from September 14 - October 9, 2011.