A non-juried one act festival. Producers submit an application to participate and six producers are drawn by random drawing. One hour slots (10 minute setup, 40 minute performance, 10 minute strike).
This production is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running March 1 – June 30, 2023, presented by the Ten Chimneys Foundation. To learn more visit www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.
The Actor's Nightmare, by Christopher Durang
Performing May 20 @ 6:00, May 26 @ 9:30, May 28 @ 4:00
Directed by Michael Sheeks
Having casually wandered onstage, George is informed that one of the actors, Eddie, has been in an auto accident and he must replace him immediately. Apparently no one is sure of what play is being performed but George (costumed as Hamlet) seems to find himself in the middle of a scene from Private Lives, surrounded by such luminaries as Sarah Siddons, Dame Ellen Terry and Henry Irving. As he fumbles through one missed cue after another the other actors shift to Hamlet, then a play by Samuel Beckett, and then a climactic scene from what might well be A Man for All Seasons—by which time the disconcerted George has lost all sense of contact with his fellow performers. Yet, in the closing moments of the play, he rises to the occasion and finally says the right lines, whereupon make-believe suddenly gives way to reality as the executioner’s axe (meant for Sir Thomas Moore) instead sends poor George to oblivion—denying him a well-earned curtain call.
Producer Bio: Michael enjoyed a coastal childhood in southern New Jersey, adulting and parenting in Minnesota's Twin Cities, and has been in NE Wisconsin for this most recent part of his journey since 2016. He is currently the Artistic Director of The Forst Inn Arts Collective and a lecturer for the UWGB system. Michael holds a BA in English (what are you gonna do with it!?!), an MA in English Education, and an MFA in Directing. Past adventures include COO of Funsteps, Inc, Artistic Director of Eat Street Players, thirteen years in K-12 education, Chapter Director of the MN Thespians, and other random stuff. He misses spending more time with his two adult children, who are living busy lives in Minnesota.
Performing May 20 @ 6:00, May 26 @ 9:30, May 28 @ 4:00
Directed by Michael Sheeks
Having casually wandered onstage, George is informed that one of the actors, Eddie, has been in an auto accident and he must replace him immediately. Apparently no one is sure of what play is being performed but George (costumed as Hamlet) seems to find himself in the middle of a scene from Private Lives, surrounded by such luminaries as Sarah Siddons, Dame Ellen Terry and Henry Irving. As he fumbles through one missed cue after another the other actors shift to Hamlet, then a play by Samuel Beckett, and then a climactic scene from what might well be A Man for All Seasons—by which time the disconcerted George has lost all sense of contact with his fellow performers. Yet, in the closing moments of the play, he rises to the occasion and finally says the right lines, whereupon make-believe suddenly gives way to reality as the executioner’s axe (meant for Sir Thomas Moore) instead sends poor George to oblivion—denying him a well-earned curtain call.
Producer Bio: Michael enjoyed a coastal childhood in southern New Jersey, adulting and parenting in Minnesota's Twin Cities, and has been in NE Wisconsin for this most recent part of his journey since 2016. He is currently the Artistic Director of The Forst Inn Arts Collective and a lecturer for the UWGB system. Michael holds a BA in English (what are you gonna do with it!?!), an MA in English Education, and an MFA in Directing. Past adventures include COO of Funsteps, Inc, Artistic Director of Eat Street Players, thirteen years in K-12 education, Chapter Director of the MN Thespians, and other random stuff. He misses spending more time with his two adult children, who are living busy lives in Minnesota.
Deeper Meaning, by Martin Prevost
Performing May 19 @ 9:30, May 21 @ 2:00, May 27 @ 5:00
World Premiere
A college student goes to see their British Literature professor to discuss a paper they've written on Porphyria's Lover by Robert Browning. What starts out as a simple discussion of the deeper meaning behind the poem turns into discussion of the deeper meaning of life and how sometimes things are not always as they seem. And until you see the deeper meaning behind life you may never truly know what haunts a someone's past.
Performing May 19 @ 9:30, May 21 @ 2:00, May 27 @ 5:00
World Premiere
A college student goes to see their British Literature professor to discuss a paper they've written on Porphyria's Lover by Robert Browning. What starts out as a simple discussion of the deeper meaning behind the poem turns into discussion of the deeper meaning of life and how sometimes things are not always as they seem. And until you see the deeper meaning behind life you may never truly know what haunts a someone's past.
Producer Bio: Martin Prevost is a Graduate from UW Oshkosh’s Theatre Department where he directed two One-Act plays (All in the Timing & Dogs Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead). Martin also won two playwriting awards while attending UWO for The Batcave Files and Deeper Meaning. After graduating Martin moved back to his hometown of Seymour, WI where he founded and ran a small theatre company The Revelator Players from 2010-2014 producing and directing original work culminating with a performance of one of these pieces at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in the Kimberly Clark Theatre. Recently Martin has been focusing on his acting, performing in plays produced by Green Bay Community Theater, Play by Play Theater and Evergreen Theater. Martin is excited to get back into writing and directing working with the Forest Inn for this production.
Photo: Malachia Storm Dabeck Murphy
- Edgar's Ghost, by Jim Liddle
- Performances May 20 @ 4:00, May 26 @ 8:30, May 28 @ 3:00
- An original script by Jim Liddle and directed by Claran LaViolette, this one act play depicts a dying Poe confronting his most famous creations. Starring David Bourgeois as Edgar Allan Poe and Darcy Gravelle as the Ghost.
She is the past president of The Masquers, current president of St. John’s Players, and on the board of directors of the newly formed Royal Entourage Players, all based in Manitowoc.
Author Jim Liddle brought Edgar’s Ghost to Claran’s attention during the pandemic, when Masquers were looking for smaller productions that would be more feasible to stage during that time. Though it was not produced by The Masquers, Claran loved it and brought a small production of it to “The Shrunken Head” in 2021. When the opportunity to resurrect it came to light, director Claran, author Jim, and actors David and Darcy all jumped at the chance.
The production of Edgar’s Ghost you will see during the Forst Inn Fringe Festival is a condensed version of the original script edited to fit into the time parameter of the festival rules.
The production of Edgar’s Ghost you will see during the Forst Inn Fringe Festival is a condensed version of the original script edited to fit into the time parameter of the festival rules.
THE LAST TRIP, A drama in one act by Mike Willis
Performing May 20 @ 5:00, May 26 @ 7:30, May 28 @ 2:00
Produced by Mike Pocaro
An elderly couple face critical decisions for the future.
Performing May 20 @ 5:00, May 26 @ 7:30, May 28 @ 2:00
Produced by Mike Pocaro
An elderly couple face critical decisions for the future.
On Your Shoulder, by Elizabeth Szyman
Performing on May 19 @ 7:30, May 21 @ 2:00, May 26 @ 6:00
Produced by Thomas Moore
World Premiere
Playwright and actress Elizabeth Szyman explores the myriad of emotional turmoil, social expectation, and healing surrounding the concept of grief in the year following the unexpected passing of her mother. Part memoir, part study, part guide, “On Your Shoulder” reveals one individual’s journey surviving universal loss.
Performing on May 19 @ 7:30, May 21 @ 2:00, May 26 @ 6:00
Produced by Thomas Moore
World Premiere
Playwright and actress Elizabeth Szyman explores the myriad of emotional turmoil, social expectation, and healing surrounding the concept of grief in the year following the unexpected passing of her mother. Part memoir, part study, part guide, “On Your Shoulder” reveals one individual’s journey surviving universal loss.
Producer Bio: How often Grief is misunderstood. There seems to be this stigma that once someone were to loose an important person in their life, that they must focus their energy on moving on. That we must learn to let go of this person and move forward in our lives. I am here to say differently. Grief is not linear. It is not a progression. First hand I have had to watch someone I love go through losing the two most important people in her life. I have watched her try and try again to take the weight of loss off of her shoulders to free herself to be the person she once was. The fact is, we always carry the ones we love with us, whether they exist on this earth or the next life, and how we learn to befriend our grief is what defines the next person we shall be as time goes on. Elizabeth and I hope that this show can help others to understand not only how to help those going through the loss of someone, but to hopefully prepare them for what is to come for us all. A big thank you to Carrie for taking this journey with us, Michael Sheeks for creating a space where this was possible and above all Elizabeth. Her strength to be able to share these experiences with others for her own growth and to help others is something I can’t really put into words. She has the purest soul of anyone I know and I’m very fortunate to have her here pushing and supporting me to be the best person I can be.
Trailer Trash, by Laurie Allen
Performing May 19 @ 8:30, May 21 @ 4:00, May 27 @ 4:00
"Trailer Trash" revolves around the complicated relationship between two long term residents of a trailer park, five times divorced Roxanne and prim Doris, who lost everything in a fire the previous year and who has been forced to live in an old school bus because she has nowhere else to go.
When the landlord announces that he is going to evict Doris from her bus, Doris turns to Roxanne for help. This dramatic comedy builds on the evolving relationship between the two women and shows that it is when times get tough that people find out who their real friends are and who to turn to.
Performing May 19 @ 8:30, May 21 @ 4:00, May 27 @ 4:00
"Trailer Trash" revolves around the complicated relationship between two long term residents of a trailer park, five times divorced Roxanne and prim Doris, who lost everything in a fire the previous year and who has been forced to live in an old school bus because she has nowhere else to go.
When the landlord announces that he is going to evict Doris from her bus, Doris turns to Roxanne for help. This dramatic comedy builds on the evolving relationship between the two women and shows that it is when times get tough that people find out who their real friends are and who to turn to.
Producer Bio: Heather Love is excited to be making her directing debut at the Forst Inn. Although she has directed children's camp productions, short skits, and video projects, this will be her first time directing adults in a staged performance. She'd like to thank her cast for going on this new adventure with her!
This project is also special to her because it is an example of just how easy it is for someone's life to take an unexpected turn and cause them to end up in a place where they never thought they'd be. Having someone there to turn to for support when you need it is such a huge thing...yet it's often easy to take for granted. Heather works at St. John's Ministries in Green Bay, which is a homeless shelter of last resort and resource center for those facing housing instability. If you'd like to volunteer, make a donation, or if you have questions - please find Heather after the show. You can also check out stjohnsgreenbay.org.
Thanks for coming!
This project is also special to her because it is an example of just how easy it is for someone's life to take an unexpected turn and cause them to end up in a place where they never thought they'd be. Having someone there to turn to for support when you need it is such a huge thing...yet it's often easy to take for granted. Heather works at St. John's Ministries in Green Bay, which is a homeless shelter of last resort and resource center for those facing housing instability. If you'd like to volunteer, make a donation, or if you have questions - please find Heather after the show. You can also check out stjohnsgreenbay.org.
Thanks for coming!
To order the Unlimited Pass, click this link and page down to find the Tisch Mills Fringe Festival subscription at the bottom of the order page.
Select the date you would like to attend and click on the seats you want (not the table). When you click on the seat you will have the option to select the appropriate ticket type/price. Be careful as the system defaults to the next available date.
If you would like a table that does not require you to manage steps, select seats at a table in the front two rows (tables 10-23).
You will have an opportunity to add food to your order during the check-out process. If you do not order food at this time but wish to add it later, email us to add the items rather than trying to do it online.
Please be advised that in the event of a full house, we reserve the right place you at a similar table or with other guests.
If you would like a table that does not require you to manage steps, select seats at a table in the front two rows (tables 10-23).
You will have an opportunity to add food to your order during the check-out process. If you do not order food at this time but wish to add it later, email us to add the items rather than trying to do it online.
Please be advised that in the event of a full house, we reserve the right place you at a similar table or with other guests.
