THEATRE GHOSTS reading @ Santa Paula Theater Center

SANTA PAULA THEATER CENTER presents a staged reading of THEATRE GHOSTS

2 plays — intended for ‘After-Hours’ Theatre — by Michael Perlmutter 

January 14, 2023 @ 7pm  ~  January 15, 2023 @ 2:30pm

. HAUNTING RIGHTS

DEREK MITCHELL ~ a ghost  /  died recently (this year) …. David Newcomer

JOHN “Johnny” KENNEDY (no, not that John Kennedy) ~ a ghost  /  died 1948 …. David Hatfield

MARY ~ a ghost  /  died 1971 …. Julie Fergus

FRAN  ~ a ghost  /  died 1971 …. Erin Hollander

. OFF BOOK

SUSAN WOLINSKI ~ a Real Estate agent …. Kathleen Bosworth

WALLIS PIERS ~ a prospective buyer’s representative …. Julie Fergus

DOBORAH “DOBIE” AMES ~ an Artistic Director …. Erin Hollander

. COLLABORATING ARTISTS

PRODUCED by Cathy Metelak

TECH by Wendy Odom

VARIOUS what-have-you (and written by) Michael Perlmutter

Thank yous: 

Detroit Street Films, Station House Workshop, Vs. Theatre Co., Santa Paula Theater Center

LINKS: DETROIT STREET FILMS  *  SANTA PAULA THEATER CENTER

What’s next up @ Santa Paula Theatre Center.

THE CHILDREN  –  by Lucy Kirkwood…

“Two retired nuclear scientists reside in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles. Together they are going to live forever on yogurt and yoga, until an old friend arrives with a frightening request”––

directed by Jessi May Stevenson  –  featuring Leslie Upson, John Webber, Tracy Hudak

Feb 3 – March 12, 2023

THEATRE GHOSTS is a collection of ‘After-Hours’ theatre plays.

With so much theatre being created for 90 minutes or less presentations, theatre houses often close their doors by ten at night; leaving venues dark, yet presumably available to create additional revenue and/or bring in a new audience; one that doesn’t even consider night life starting till after 9:00 pm.

Made up of one act plays roughly forty-five to seventy-five minutes in length these plays are intended to be performed on a stage already in place for another production, regardless whether that production be Noises off, Music Man, As You Like It or Raisin in the Sun. The Theatre Ghosts plays utilize each venue as a theatre space—generally the same theatre space itself that the audience is attending…any dialogue pertaining to location or venue may and should be adjusted to match the venue.

At this time there are six plays

CALIFORNIA BOUND

OFF BOOK

BLOODSUCKERS a survival guide

HAUNTING RIGHTS

SHOOTER

TABLE READ

With more to follow. Check out our website (still under construction but launching soon) for information on each play, upcoming productions, and script availability, at http://www.theatreghosts.org.

Who’s who

ON THE STAGE

David  Newcomer  –  Derek (Haunting Rights)

David has been gracing Ventura County audiences for more years than he wants to admit to. His most recent forays being 1776, Harvey, Of Mice and Men, and Proof. Santa Paula audiences will remember him well as the devil in The Seafarer.

David Hatfield  –  Johnny (Haunting Rights)

David is an actor, director, writer, and set designer. Past credits include Gaston in Beauty and the Beast at HSAC, Tony in Billy Elliot at Simi ARTS, and Ralph in Reefer Madness at CPT. David is currently in rehearsals for Newsies at HSAC.

Julie Fergus  –  Mary (Haunting Rights) / Wallis (Off Book)

Julie is the living definition of a bicoastal artist. Her recent SPTC shows include Things I Know To Be True, Complications From A Fall, and Kimberly Akimbo. While back East she trod the boards with In the Next Room, MacBeth, and Indecent, and has recently been cast as the Angel in an upcoming New York production of Angels in America. Julie is also a screenwriter and filmmaker whose film Ostinato has won awards at film festivals across the country. She enjoys singing with several bands in L.A., and most of all hanging out with her hubby, 3 kids, and puppy.

Erin Hollander  –  Fran (Haunting Rights) / Doborah (Off Book)

Erin was most recently on the SPTC mainstage last season in Uncle Vanya (Sonya), Things I Know to Be True (Rosie) and Rapture, Blister, Burn (Avery). Previous credits include Proof (Catherine), Cabaret (Fraulein Kost), Leading Ladies (Audrey), and Death and Other Girly Things (Martha). Thank you to Michael for inviting me to inhabit his delightfully haunted world.

Kathleen Bosworth  –  Susan (Off Book)

Kathleen is a graduate of U.C.L.A., The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory. Her stage credits include, The Roommate, The Pillowman, Good People, God of Carnage,  Educating Rita, and Lost in Yonkers. Kathleen’s next project will directing be The Moors by Jen Silverman.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Michael Perlmutter  –  Playwright

Michael is an award-winning local playwright, who’s most recent work Severance Play received rave reviews coming out of the pandemic. SPTC works include Directing Hamlet, The Fall of Lady M, The Seagull (by Anton Chekhov) and Random Lives.
Michael thanks all of these amazing artists both on the stage, behind the scenes and in the seats for their time, talent and collaboration.

Cathy Metelak  –  Producer

Cathy has been indispensable at Santa Paula Theater Center. She has often graced the beginning of so many productions, welcoming patrons to the magic that happens after the curtains rise. This is the third project she has helmed with Michael Perlmutter (The Fall of Lady M [2019)] and Polite Conversations and Wine [previously scheduled in this time slot and hoping to arise again at a later date]). She is one of the backbones of SPTC.

Wendy Odom  –  Technical prowess

Winnie has been supporting the arts, and her family of artists, longer than she can remember. She last trod the boards in Chicago back in the year (I-don’t-want-to-admit-to-that) and before that as Huck Finn, and (going way back) in a backyard rendition of Pinocchio. Wendy made the grave error of not submitting a bio. So, her brother (the playwright) chose to whip one up for her. She’s great to lend her help to all who ask. Just get in the back of the line.

Jessi May Stevenson –  Artistic Director

Leslie Nichols –  Executive Producer

David Ralphe – Artistic Director Emeritus

YOUR FEEDBACK…

Thank you for being part of this process. The fact remains though theatre is nothing without the audience. Your responses are vital to future of these works.

If you would be so kind as to share your thoughts with me, I would be honored to read them. Feel free to be as brief or as expansive as befits your style.

THE QUESTIONS:

What moments or characters resonated/stood out for you?

What moments didn’t make sense?

Would you recommend either play to someone else to see?

How would you describe either play to a friend?

What moments didn’t work for you?

Which character(s) did you find yourself identifying most with?

If only 1 of these plays were to be given a production, which would you suggest?

<> HAUNTING RIGHTS   <> OFF BOOK  <> Sorry, but neither.

Do you know of people whose nightlife might benefit an After-Hours concept?

What else would you want to share with me (other than Am-Way, Herb-A-Life, or extending my car’s warranty)?