A Little Support is one of our one act plays being produced in our upcoming One Act Play Festival! We reached out to some of the people who made this production possible to find out more about them and this exciting festival!
What about the One Act Festival are you the most excited about?
Sheila Collins (Actor): I'm excited to see the other original works by playwrights who are both local and from other parts of the country. And Asheville is home to lots of talented actors, artistic directors, and crew who bring thought-provoking theatre to our city.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): Giving my homage to “Weekend at Bernie’s”
Why is being a part of this project important to you?
Delina Hensley (Director): Being a part of this project is important for a couple reasons: 1. It helps keep theatre ALIVE. 2. We get to see different playwrights that we may never have been able to. 3. The subject matter of the play I'm directing is IMPORTANT and valid. We have to do BETTER.
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): A playwrights ultimate joy is getting her plays performed!
Kim Richardson (Actor): I like the idea of seeing an entire play in 10 minutes. And seeing several in one night. It's unusual and it's a great theater starter kit for folks who maybe haven't been to live theater in a long time or ever.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): I Love bringing to life new scripts.
Do you feel that producing new work is important? Why?
Hannah Ricke: Yes yes yes. Living people have living stories.
Kim Richardson (Actor): What's new today will be a classic in the future. We are living future history. If we don't make anything new, we have no history.
Sheila Collins (Actor): Yes. It's important to make space for new playwrights.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): It’s so important to bring new fresh voices into theater so, that everyone is represented.
Tell us about the piece(s) you’re working on rehearsing for the One Act Play Festival!
Delina Hensley (Director): This play encompasses the frustrations of many marginalized groups, but the over all idea is about the frustrations of being a woman. Especially those of us fighting, not only for individual rights, but the rights of ALL women. The daily reminders that we are often considered 'less than' for whatever reasons. It is powerful, poignant, touching; but will also make you laugh.
Sheila Collins (Actor): It's a very topical piece concerning women's rights activism.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): I don’t want to give it away but it could be the title could be “3 Feminists and a Bra”.
What's your favorite thing about the piece(s) you're working on?
Delina Hensley (Director): It makes you laugh through your frustrations.
Kim Richardson (Actor): I'm really enjoying the physicality of this piece. Words are fun, but choreography and movement add so much, and that part is really rewarding.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): The challenging monologue.
What made you want to write this piece?
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): Injustice. A woman’s duty to undermine the patriarchal system at every opportunity. And have some fun doing it.
Tell us about your writing process.
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): Oh gosh. My play is both furious and silly, which is essentially ME. I barf up words unedited (I’m not critical of myself at all) and then I return and edit as needed. Sometimes I don’t feel that first vomit needs a lot of editing! I’ve learned to trust myself.
What have you loved so far about working with The Magnetic Theatre?
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): Your communication and your respect of my script’s wishes.
Delina Hensley (Director): The understanding of Katie and Jess when I had questions, concerns, or any help. They've been right there. And the pure excitement you see in both of them to produce shows and keep this theatre alive. They love the Magnetic and what it means...and you can see it in their faces. :)
Sheila Collins (Actor): I love the inclusive, supportive environment The Magnetic Theatre provides.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): The freedom of expression.
How did you get into theatre?
Delina Hensley (Director): I had done little plays at school before, but in high school, there were auditions for A.C.T. (Actors Coming Together). It was county wide and I thought it would be fun. It was the musical "Sweet Charity". Didn't have a CLUE what I was doing. I auditioned with a tape and tape player. The director, who became my mentor and friend even till now, liked what she saw. So, I was cast as the supporting role, Helene. I never looked back and theatre has been in my life ever since.
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): Hahahaha I was in the audience of a new play festival, and, after the show, I thought “I could do that.”
Kim Richardson (Actor): The universe tried to connect me to theater in college but I resisted. Spent 20 years as a singer/songwriter, then stumbled into improv, which lead to theater. The universe always gets her way in the end.
Sheila Collins (Actor): Jumped in with both feet without any prior acting experience and having had no acting classes. Loved it from the first minute.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): My very active childhood imagination and a great community theater program.
What are your top 5 favorite things to do in Asheville?
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): Hike hike hike enjoy a beer thrift hike.
Jennifer Memolo (Actor): Hiking, eating and drinking, gardening, thrift store shopping and people watching.
Do you have any upcoming projects we should check out?
Hannah Ricke (Playwright): @crow.laughter on IG!!!!
Kim Richardson (Actor): Come see the Reasonably Priced Babies (improv show) anytime. We always love new babysitters.
The Magnetic Theatre’s Third Annual One Act Play Festival will be showing November 4-13, 2022! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=magn