VGCC Drama is excited to present “Appalachian Geisha” December 6–8 on the College’s Main Campus in Henderson. This presentation represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration within the North Carolina Community College System. Three colleges—Vance-Granville, Catawba Valley Community College, and Wake Technical Community College—are joining forces to stage this regional premiere.
The play will be staged five times over three days. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on December 6–7, with matinees at 2 p.m. on December 7–8. There is a special campus matinee on Friday, December 6, at 3 p.m. All performances will be in the Small Auditorium in Campus Building 2.
Opportunity to Collaborate
Betsy Henderson, show director and Chair of Fine Arts & Humanities at VGCC, also serves as vice president on the NCCCS AFA Association Board of Directors with CVCC’s Kim Stinson and WTCC’s Lauren La May. Together, they have worked alongside university partners to draft Comprehensive Articulation Agreements for the AFA Theatre degree for both the UNC System and independent colleges. This working relationship is where an idea to collaborate across colleges was born.
Kim Stinson, Director of AFA Theatre and professor at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, wrote the play. Stinson, a BFA graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts, also holds a MA in Theatre from Miami University and an MFA in Playwriting from Spalding University. She is also a member of the Dramatist Guild and an award-winning, published playwright.
“Geisha” was born out of Stinson’s own personal experiences.
“Many years ago, I worked with a woman who never wanted to leave home. She didn’t enjoy traveling and had absolutely no desire to go anywhere. That way of thinking seemed so strange to me. I wanted to explore the way that someone else’s mind worked. At the same time, my love for other cultures always drew me to Asia and Asian theatre styles.” Stinson added, “’Appalachian Geisha’ started as my creative thesis for my MFA in Playwriting degree and has grown and changed in subsequent versions. It is a work in which I explore combining Western and Eastern cultures, along with writing a main character who is so incredibly different from me, in an attempt to understand my former coworker.”
Lauren La May, a BA graduate in Theatre Design and Production from UNC Asheville, also holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Theatre from the University of Georgia. Currently she is a Theatre Instructor within the Communications and Theatre Department at Wake Tech.
La May began working as a dramaturge while at the University of Georgia. After receiving her doctorate, she gained a position with Virginia Stage Company to create curriculum and study guides for shows. Le May says, “Through Dramaturgy I get to continue in my love of history and research, while working with playwrights, directors, actors, and designers. I love the chance to work with a production team again and am excited for this collaboration with my colleagues from other community colleges.”
Henderson was interested in giving VGCC drama students the opportunity to work so closely with a playwright and dramaturge, and to have these theatre professionals be a part of the rehearsal process. “Not many young actors get to have such an experience,” says Henderson. Both Stinson and La May will also be attending performances of “Geisha,” where they will take part in a talkback discussion enabling audiences to ask questions of the cast, crew, playwright, and dramaturge. Talkback discussions will occur immediately following the Friday and Saturday evening performances, and there is no extra charge to participate.
Production Information
The cast and crew are comprised of both VGCC and Early College students from Vance and Warren counties. Actors include Savannah Morgan, Brian Johnson, Mary Parish, Rose O’Malley, Daniel Thorpe, Kathleen Zoldos, Blake Lee, and Ashley Ayscue. Sibling duo Matthew and Rebekah Varker serve as stage managers. Production crew includes Lane Wade, Josh Nehy, Ronnie Brodie, Tre’quan Johnson, and Amanda Cease.
Admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by purchasing tickets online.
Purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/appalachian-geisha-tickets-80859983387 [Sales ended]
For more information, contact Betsy Henderson at (252) 738-3371 or hendersonb@vgcc.edu.