Silent Sky

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Stewart Edmonds (Photo)
Colette Crowder (Margaret Leavitt)
James McKay (Peter)
Louisa Davis (Williamina Fleming)
Mhairi Kerr (Henrietta Leavitt)
Tivona Thomas (Annie Cannon

So very proud of our company of amazing technicians, actors, designers and leaders.

Silent Sky with Mhairi Kerr (Henrietta) and James McKay (Peter)

Photo by Stewart Edmonds
Costumes by Patti Manning and Matthew Torbett.
Lighting by Colin Neel.
Set Design by Shea Glenn.

The Farm Project - We Travel to New York

Megan Pecot, Jan Rosenberg, Brennan Martignoni

The journey for Never Have I Ever from concept to a staged reading in New York has been over a year long. Brennan Martignoni and I have had the pleasure of working on it from the start. In the spring semester of 2017, I joined a group of other BSC students in the library to meet Jan Rosenberg, the playwright, for the first time over FaceTime. She asked questions about our experiences in college in regards to body image, addictions, fears, and eating disorders. We all walked away excited to know what the script would look like in just a few short months. Although I had the intent to be involved, I had no idea how very involved I would be with this show and collaboration with The Farm Theatre. In April, I was approached to be the director of this new play the following Jan Term. This would mean a trip to New York that summer to be a part of the table read of an early draft of the script. Brennan would be joining as lighting designer of our production, as well as Professors Alan Litsey and Matt Mielke. I couldn't believe I would have the chance to direct a new work.

June came around and BSC supported the trip for the four of us to stay in New York. Over 3 days we took part in table reads and discussions of the new play named Never Have I Ever. These meetings were run by the director of the Farm Theatre, Padraic Lillis and included students from West Chester, the other college involved, Jan, and New York actors to read for the characters. We listened and chatted about each scene, analyzing characters and scene structure. By the end of the process, Jan had rewritten dialogue, scenes had been moved around, and a character had been removed. We came home and eagerly anticipated getting the new draft.

In November, the draft of the Never Have I Ever that we would be producing was sent to us and our company was created. January rolled around and over a month we put on the show in our black box theatre. It was an incredible experience. Not often do you get the chance to direct a completely new play in college!

In March of 2018, The Farm Theatre contacted us again, inviting myself and Brennan back up to New York to take part in the staged reading of the final draft of Never Have I Ever. I had known there would be a staged reading, but I was ecstatic to learn I would get to finish out my journey with the show in New York again. I would serve as Assistant Director and Brennan as Design Consultant. Once again, we were grateful for Birmingham-Southern’s support in helping to fund the trip. Without their help, I'm not sure I would have been able to afford the trip. June 2-5th we took part in 2 days of rehearsals and then the final staged reading performance. The rehearsals consisted of a table reading and then work-throughs in the rehearsal space. I was able to give some direction in these rehearsals. It was valuable to see how the staged reading process goes in New York! After the performance, we took part in a talkback with the audience. They asked about the research behind the play, how the colleges handled certain aspects of their productions, and how other audiences had received it. Overall, the audience was very receptive to the material and said they had learned a lot. I know that I have gained very valuable information about eating disorders and addictive behavior over the course of working on this play. I can't wait to see where the script goes because I know it will have a positive impact on whoever experiences it.

Brennan and I are so grateful to The Farm Theatre and Birmingham-Southern for the opportunity to work on a brand new play. We hope the collaboration will continue for future students as it was an invaluable experience that we will be able to use going forward into the world.

- Megan Pecot and Brennan Martignoni

Interview with Megan Pecot, Director of "Never Have I Ever"

Isabella Alday, Abbie Riggs, Jackson Massey, Colton Hinderliter, Stephanie Lee, Charlotte Schorle, Abby Henken

Name: Megan Pecot
Class of: 2018

What is the experience like to direct the first production of a new play?

It is very exciting to be able to work on a new play. This is not only the first production of Never Have I Ever, but my first time directing! I’ve learned so much already. Since this is a new play, we are completely on our own to create the world of the play. The actors are discovering their characters within the new script and it’s been amazing to see them bring the characters to life on stage for the first time. It feels much more personal, since there is no reference to look back to. On top of that, all of the technical designers are having the chance to create the first designs for the play – costumes, set, lights, and sound. I am so grateful I’ve been given the chance to guide and shape this production for the first time.

What is the value of being in contact with the playwright, Jan Rosenberg, during the process?

It’s extremely valuable to be able to talk with Jan Rosenberg. I had the experience of meeting her in NYC to help in the development of the play with The Farm Theater. That gave me a lot of insight into the world of the play. Since then, as we started the process of putting on the show at Birmingham-Southern College, I’ve contacted her with my own questions about characters, as well as questions from the actors. The whole process has been very collaborative and has helped me be more confident in my directing. It’s nice to know she is just an email away. I can’t wait for her to see it – I’m very proud of the work the company has been doing.

What has been useful in the process to connect your ensemble to the theme of the play, the issues addressed, as well as the personality of the play?

I think the most useful thing has been bringing in eating disorder councilors and specialists to talk to the company. It really gives everyone more insight into the issues of addictive behavior, specifically eating disorders. Once the actors have the concrete research, they can integrate that better into the stories of their characters. The cast and I did a lot of discussion early on in our process – I asked them all to bring in “biographies” and we discussed them as a group. This was useful – as it allowed them to flesh out their own relationships with the other characters as well as connect to their own. They also know they have access to councilors on campus. They understand how serious the issues addressed in the play are – but they have become such a strong ensemble and they play off each other for the funny moments as well.

As a director, and as you shape the telling of the story – what is the experience you hope the audience has with the play?

I hope that it really opens the audience members eyes to the scale of the issues addressed. It’s not just Anorexia and Bulimia that are addressed in the play – but many unhealthy addictive behaviors. It’s important to be aware of them. The media is awful in portraying many of these behaviors as “healthy”, when they are not. Additionally, I hope the play expands people’s knowledge of eating disorders and gives way for discussions about them. This is not a dancer’s disease – eating disorders can affect anyone. I think it’s extremely important for the audience to learn that truth – and I hope this show leads them to it. I believe that theatre is one of the best ways to bring up these topics. Jan Rosenberg has created an incredible script and I hope we can expand people’s knowledge on these topics and have honest conversations by sharing this play.

This interview first appeared on The Farm Theater blog: https://thefarmreport.blog/

Props Crew Shenanigans

Yesterday, the props crew took a little excursion out of Birmingham-Southern. Will Vogel is the head of props crew and his team consists of: Rachel McKelvy, Cosette Bolt, Rose Simpson, and Annie Norris. We were on the hunt for two things! Lavender candles and a scale. Lavender candles are much harder to find than one might expect. We looked at the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Walmart and there wasn't a lavender candle in sight. However, we did find the scale. The team broke up. Will, Cosette, and Rachel went looking for the scale, and Rose and Annie were scavenging through lavender candles in hope they might find two. Right across from the candle aisle, there was a shelf of GIANT, life-sized stuffed animals. Naturally, Rose and Annie were drawn to these and began to look through them. Will, Cosette, and Rachel came back with the scale and Rose and Annie informed them there were no lavender candles, so they checked out with the scale and left. 20 minutes later. The gang was just about to turn back into school when Rose exclaimed, "I left my backpack at Walmart!!!" Everyone groaned and asked if she was sure, and Rose was definitely sure. We turned around and everyone ran into Walmart frantically. Low and behold, the backpack was right where Rose had left it. The giant, life-sized stuffed animal shelf. Everyone burst out in laughter, and thankfully, nothing was taken from Rose's backpack. It was definitely an interesting afternoon, but we got what we needed! Everything but the lavender candles.

Never Have I Ever Cast Bonding Experience

Yesterday, the cast and crew of "Never Have I Ever" had the opportunity to sit down with eating disorder and addiction specialist, Leslie Plaia. With all of the hustle and bustle of getting the show ready, it can be easy to forget the powerful content of the play. By meeting with Leslie, the cast was able to find deeper connection with their characters, as well as learn some things about themselves. It was not required for the crew to attend, yet every crew member was there. It was truly something no one wanted to miss out on. As college students, almost everyone could relate to at least one of the topics she was explaining, and it was interesting to see which ones they were. Long story short, meeting with Plaia was something necessary for everyone in the production. It reminded us that we have the ability to put on a powerful, passionate show that displays the issue of eating disorders and shed light on an issue that is generally swept under the rug.

2014-2015 Theatre Season

Dear BSC Theatre Supporters,

Look for photos, updates and more on our blog this season, including fall productions "Carrie the Musical" and "Four by Tenn".

This image is from BSC's spring 2014 production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."