Michelle introduced our Program Chairman, Jim Smith who first spoke about the wonderful Turkish exchange student he and his family welcomed into their home more than 25 years ago and with whom they keep in close contact to this day.
Jim spoke about our bond with Chautauqua Institution providing our July and August speakers. This tradition was started over 40 years ago by John D. Hamilton. Each year our Club contributes to a music scholarship at the Institution and this year’s recipient, a violinist, will join us for a meeting in a few weeks.
Jim then went on to introduce Jen Davis and Lily Wolff from the Chautauqua Theatre Company. Jennifer is in her third season with the Chautauqua Theatre Company and serves as the Artistic Assistant. She is currently a music teacher and public relations specialist at Chautauqua Lake Central School District for 29 years. Jennifer is actively involved in the theatre community in Chautauqua County, being very active at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown and a recent play performed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Jen is originally from Rochester. Her father is a Rotarian, who has given Paul Harris awards to many in her family, including Jen.
Lily Wolff is the Chautauqua Theatre Company New Works Associate (hired in April). She is a director by trade specializing in new plays by living writers, but also practices creative producing, dramaturgy, and arts administration.
Lily was formerly the Literary Manager of the Alley Theater in Houston, TX where she ran the Alley All New Initiative, the theater’s new play program. She directed the staged new workshop last summer at Chautauqua, FALCON GIRLS, by Hilary Bettis, which was her first time at Chautauqua.
Lily is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.
Jen spoke first and welcomed everyone to stop in and visit and see the progress being made at the new Roe-Green Theatre near the Turner exercise facility. The foundation has been completed, but of course all construction stops until the Chautauqua season is completed.
She is delighted that Lily has been added to the staff.
The Chautauqua Theater Company is committed to new play development with readings of three plays in progress by playwrights who are changing the landscape of the American theater. You are invited to participate in post-show talk backs, theater chats, and other related events with writers, actors and the creative team including set designers and costumers.
On selected Thursdays at 12:15pm, bring your lunch to Smith Wilkes-Hall and join special guests, including actors, designers, playwrights and more for a look at up=coming productions and the craft of theater-making.
And don’t miss a crowd favorite on Friday, August 15, following the Amphitheater performance at Bratton Theater when the theater company’s favorite late-night showcase is back by popular demand! An evening of sketches and songs featuring the extraordinary talents of the conservatory members.You have already missed the play The Real James Bond…was Dominican.
Now looking forward to Execution of Justice with previews on July 12, 13, & 15; opening on July 16 and playing July 17-25. It is set in 1978 – a documentary play examining the trial of Dan White, the disgruntled former San Francisco supervisor whose reduced voluntary manslaughter conviction, rather than murder in the first degree, sparked outrage in introduced the infamous “Twinkie defense.”
On August 7 the world premier of The Witnesses will be performed and then performed in previews on August 9, 10, & 12; opening on Aug 13 and showing August 14-23. It focuses on Millicent and her chosen family of misfits during an apocalyptic plague who unite in their weekly support group to forge a sanctuary of care and companionship. The play challenges us to question not only if we can change but if we have time to do so while the world appears to be ending.
On July 31, there will be an evening of development and design of the play All the Little Boxes. This evening gives the audience the opportunity to witness the play, then hear commentary on how the play is put together besides the written word.
Thoroughly interesting presentation and a vivid reminder of how fortunate we are to have Chautauqua Institution in our backyard.
