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Developing Fresh Voices and PRODUCING THEATRE for the 21st Century
THAT WOMAN - THE MONOLOGUE SHOW 2024 FRINGE TOUR
KC, Minnesota, St. Lou, Rochester, Philadelphia, Elgin & Charm City Fringes
*Scroll down for all cast/playwright bios*
The history you didn’t learn in school. Broken dreams. Deportation. Murder. Courage. Strength. Resilience. That Woman - The Monologue Show is a series of stories imagined from the perspectives of women involved with President John F. Kennedy -- stories that in the past have often have been dismissed or deliberately silenced.
Co-created by Molly Breen & Angela Gimlin. Monologues for this 60-minute festival version written by: Molly Breen, Dianne DeWald, Angela Gimlin, Ang Madaline-Johnson, Mary McCallum, & Elizabeth Turner
Past Productions:
Darkhorse Theater and East Room, Nashville, TN 2022*
Alabama International Fringe Festival 2023*
Minnesota Fringe Festival - August 2024
Philly Fringe Festival - September 2024
Rochester Fringe Festival - September 2024
Elgin Fringe Festival - September 2024
Charm City Fringe - October 2024
Winner - National Artist of the Year - MOLLY BREEN/THAT WOMAN - THE MONOLOGUE SHOW -St. Lou Fringe Festival 2024
Nominated for three Nashville First Night Awards, including OUTSTANDING PLAY, OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL WORK AND OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE*
"In historical justice, unfaithful men receive the lightest sentencing while women receive the harshest narratives. “That Woman” magnificently elevates the unsung voices of strong, resilient, and remarkable women whose stories have been grossly forgotten through honest, conversational, and sincere monologues. This production is not one to be missed and is a model for future historically based performances. Brava. Bravissima." --Ethan Platt, KC Fringe Reviews
"Several of Nashville’s finest creatives conceptualized, wrote, produced, directed, designed, stage managed, crafted and performed pieces that reach beyond decades of headlines, books and broadcast documentaries regarding President Kennedy’s extramarital affairs for the humanity, and individuality, of the women either revealed or alleged to have been involved with him as well as his wife of 10 years." Evans Donnell, Stagecritic.com*
“It's a must-see production for anyone who supports and appreciates original theater, as well as anyone with a genuine interest in some forgotten or unknown events in recent American history. Moreover, That Woman should be required viewing for anyone eager to witness frank and personal interpretations of the women whose lives are connected because of their relationships with the President whose life was ended tragically and abruptly on November 22, 1963.” Jef Ellis, BroadwayWorld Nashville*
From KC Fringe, Minnesota Fringe, Philadelphia Fringe & Elgin Fringe audience member reviews:
This performance is definitely one to put on your “must see” Fringe play list…“That Woman” is raw, gripping, and emotional. ***** Five stars.
This riveting set of six monologues is so fascinating — alternatingly horrifying, amusing, eye-opening and maddening — and so well presented.
Absolutely a MUST SEE performance. Incredibly well-written. Flawlessly performed. Riveting, from start to finish
That Woman is beautifully written and superbly acted. I went for the inside stories of JFK's love life, which I got, but I received so much more: fascinating insights into 6 intriguing women.
Riveting, creative performance with talented actors
A very affecting portrait of women, known and unknown, linked by one extremely famous American. Some lovely and intimate performances.
An intimate look into the lives of several incredible women involved with JFK in various ways. The actors gave so much life to these characters, and treated them with great respect. This show inspired a huge Wikipedia binge when I got home. 10/10
Wow! "That Woman" is touring various Fringe Festivals and using local talent in each stop! I loved seeing the show at the MN Fringe and then seeing it again at the Elgin Fringe a month later. These stories are intriguing and I really appreciated the nuanced flavors that local talent brought to these roles. Definitely put "That "Woman" on your must see list.
Wow! This show was about the perspectives of the women involved with JFK. Beautifully acted and directed. Storytelling at its best. I was really drawn in by how well each actor internalized the impact of their relationship with the President. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was amazing. I could feel the pain through that stoic wall. Superb! Are there awards given at the Elgin Fringe Festival? This cast deserves best ensemble.
Read full reviews HERE
*Full-length production consisting of 10 monologues
BIOS - ALL FRINGE FESTIVALS
Nessa Amherst
Alison Anderson
Alison Anderson
Nessa Amherst (Ellen Rometsch - Charm City Fringe - 10/4 Performance) is thrilled to be a part of That Woman - The Monologue Show! She is especially excited to be telling these stories that are often forgotten in the history books. Some of her favorite credits include The Survival (National Queer Theater & Lincoln Center), Fiveplay (Greenbelt Arts Center), As You Like It (The TheatreLab School of Dramatic Arts), #ENOUGH: Plays to End Gun Violence (1st Stage), Classics 101: A Satyr’s Play (Chelsea Lane Players), and Julia Caesar (Barefoot Shakespeare Company). Nessa is also a member of the Canady Foundation of the Arts Repertory Theatre Company, and a writer. Her original monologue, Define “Black,” published in the anthology, 08:46: Fresh Perspectives, which is now available to order on Amazon. Special thanks to this amazing cast & crew, her friends in the theatre community and in her church community, and her family for supporting her on this crazy adventure called acting! IG: @nessaamherst; website: www.nessaamherst.com
Alison Anderson
Alison Anderson
Alison Anderson
Alison Anderson (Mary Pinchot Meyer - Minnesota Fringe) is delighted to be a part of this compelling production! She has appeared in various shows with local theaters including Theatre in the Round, Guthrie Theater, Cromulent Shakespeare Company, Freshwater Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, Lyric Arts, Theater Terra Firma, Stages Theater, many varied productions in the Fringe Festival over the years, and others. She is a company member of both Fearless Comedy Productions and Smartmouth Comedy Company.
Kisha Banister
Alison Anderson
Kisha Banister
Kisha Banister (Ellen Rometsch - KC Fringe) is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production! The native Kansas Citian is a former news anchor/reporter now living out her childhood dreams as an actor/model. She studies at The Actor Training Studio and is represented by Voices and Models in KC, and West Talent in St. Louis. Her resume includes a host of commercial work, some short films & a feature. She is honored to make her theatre debut in this female-driven production!
Molly Breen
Felicia Brown
Kisha Banister
Molly Breen (Co-Creator/Playwright & Actor for Mimi Alford Monologue/Director 2024 Fringe Festivals) directs Tennessee Playwrights Studio. As an actor, she has worked with Nashville-area theatre companies in over 40 productions, as well as performing in plays in New York, DC, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Los Angeles She loves originating roles in new plays and working on projects that have social impact. She is represented by the McCray Agency for film, tv, and commercial work. As a writer, she has received fellowships to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and the Mary Anderson for the Arts.
Felicia Brown
Felicia Brown
Felicia Brown
Felicia Brown (Ellen Rometsch - Elgin Fringe) is excited to join the cast for ‘That Woman - The Monologue Show’ at Elgin Fringe Festival. Felicia is currently located in Chicago, IL but began acting in Nashville, TN. She has had the opportunity to work with The Destiny Theatre Experience productions of ‘In the Pastor’s Shadow’, ‘Un-Sheltered’, and ‘Moments in Time’ as well as SistaStyle Productions debut of ‘Six Triple Eight’ and ‘For Colored Girls’. Felicia enjoys traveling, shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Joanne Brokaw
Felicia Brown
Felicia Brown
Joanne Brokaw (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Rochester Fringe) is honored to be portraying Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in "The Woman". Joanne has most recently appeared as Dorothy in "Steppin' Out" and Mary in "Placebo" (both with Out of Pocket Productions), and over the last decade has appeared in numerous other theater, Fringe, and improv productions. Offstage, Joanne is a teaching artist and award-winning writer with a contagious passion for creativity and a gift for inspiring people of all ages to discover the joy of self-expression. www.joannebrokaw.com
Emma Bucknam
Sydney Rene Cox
Sydney Rene Cox
Emma Bucknam (Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis - Minnesota Fringe) is a recent graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she attained her BFA in Acting with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Some of her favorite roles while at school included Eurydice (Eurydice), Olivia (Twelfth Night), and Tottie (Bondagers). This summer, she was also excited to be a member of the understudy company at the Great River Shakespeare Festival. She would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing support!
Sydney Rene Cox
Sydney Rene Cox
Sydney Rene Cox
Sydney René Cox (she/her) (Judith Exner - Elgin Fringe) is an actor and intimacy coordinator based in Chicago. She is thrilled to be working on That Woman as Judith Exner. Previous Chicago stage credits include work with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Interrobang Theatre Project, and Chicago Dramatists. Regionally, she has worked with Round Barn Theatre and Heritage Hall. Film credits: Merry Friendsmas, New Normal, The Curious Case of the Davenport Children, Opus Lala, Headliner. Sydney is represented by Actors Talent Group. @sydneyrenecox
Kat Rina Davis
Sydney Rene Cox
Kat Rina Davis
Kat Rina Davis (Ellen Rometsch - Rochester Fringe) is an American actress born and raised in Rochester, NY and is a woman of multiple talents. Wife, mother, playwright, director, CEO of Kat Rina Productions, Kat also advocates for autism awareness and is a published author of the children's book ‘Have You Seen My Birthday?’ The 2010/2019 TANYS Award Recipient for the stage plays The Sunshine Boys/You Shouldn't Have Told, and 2015 Roc Awards Best Actress winner, was first bitten by the acting bug in 2009 and has since performed in a host of stage plays, short films, and web series which includes: The Renaissance of Nia: One Woman’s Quest Toward Emotional Wellness, monologue stage play by Kat Rina Davis (Legacy Drama House), Surely Goodness and Mercy stage play by Chisa Hutchinson (Blackfriars Theatre), Detroit ‘67 stage play by Dominique Morisseau (Blackfriars Theatre), the ripple, the wave that carried me home by Christina Anderson (Director, Blackfriars Theatre Hourglass Play Reading Series), These Streets Don’t Love You Like I Do (feature film) Sunmoonrising Films, In The Light by Nicole Backus (YouTube web series), and various promo videos. Kat is elated to be a part of the fascinating monologue show THAT WOMAN, and would like to take this time to thank the Director, cast, crew, Tennessee Playwrights Studio, and all of you!
Dianne DeWald
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Kat Rina Davis
Dianne DeWald (Playwright of Mary Pinchot Meyer Monologues) Dianne graduated from Austin Peay State University with a BFA in Acting and Directing, cum laude with honors. Some of her favorite credits include: Maidens (Tennessee Playwrights Studio), Spirit (The Bell Witch Fall Festival), Turandot (Nashville Opera), and The Consequences of Madison Mumbry (Roxy Regional Theatre). Dianne sends all of her love to you, the audience. Thank you.
Emma Drennen
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Emma Drennen (Judith Exner - Philadelphia Fringe) is excited to be returning to the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. She recently graduated from Villanova University with her MA in Theatre, where favorite roles include Bel-Imperia in The Spanish Tragedy and Leonor in House of Desires. She earned her BA in Theatre from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where favorite roles include Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and Estelle in No Exit. She has spent many years performing Shakespeare locally in Philadelphia and recently returned from Dublin, Ireland where she worked at The Abbey Theatre. She has also studied at The Lir Academy in Dublin. She is grateful to her acting instructors and colleagues, both locally and abroad. Enjoy the show!
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Makenzie Emmert-Patel
Makenzie Emmert-Patel (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Charm City Fringe) is a Baltimore-based actor, stage manager, and educator. A graduate of Belmont University’s department of Theatre and Dance, Makenzie has performed and stage-managed extensively across Tennessee, Texas, California, Maryland, and Virginia. Notable performance credits include The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Grease (Rizzo), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy), Footloose (Wendy Jo), Godspell, and most recently, Forbidden Broadway (Liza, Eponine...). Makenzie is passionate about amplifying the voices of women who have been let down by societal and systemic failures and is honored to share these powerful narratives with her city. She just concluded her seventh year as a dance educator and lives with her lovely spouse and their three fur pals! Many thanks to Molly, TPS, and Charm City Fringe for this opportunity
Brioni Garvin
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Brioni Garvin
Brioni Garvin (Judith Exner - KC Fringe) is thrilled and honored to be part of “That Woman - The Monologue Show” for the KC Fringe Festival. As a former Theatre Performance and Psychology major at William Jewell College, it's been her goal to participate in the Kansas City theater community as much as possible, and being involved with the Fringe Festival is a dream come true. Brioni is thankful to Molly Breen and the rest of TPS for this opportunity. She'd also like to thank her former professors and mentor, Nathan Wyman, Chris McCoy, and Mikhael Sublett for helping her improve her skills and confidence to pursue her dreams. But most of all, she'd like to thank Brigitte Garvin, her mother, for supporting and believing in her. This is the first time Brioni will be playing a real life person. She hopes to humanize Judith Exner the way she deserves and her story so she can be heard. Enjoy the show!
Angela Gimlin
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Brioni Garvin
Angela Gimlin (Co-Creator/Playwright of Blaze Starr Monologue ) Angela has been active on the Nashville theater scene for close to 20 years. She is best known for being the Founder and COO of the Inebriated Shakespeare Theater Company. She is a huge fan of improv and, obviously, Shakespeare. Some of her favorite past roles include Queen Gertrude in Hamlet and Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest. Obviously, she gravitates and embraces strong female roles. When she isn’t treading the boards, you can find her cheering on her two favorite teams – the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Kesha Sharee Hartzog (Blaze Starr - Rochester Fringe) is a Rochester, NY native and a SOTA graduate (1992). She began her acting career in 2009 with director/playright Grace Flores, and has acted in plays written /produced / directed by Karen Culley, Reuben Tapp, Karen Dieruf, The Sav Sibs, Laura Thomas, and David Shakes. She is the winner of ROC Award for Best Actress 2019 and the winner of a TANYS Award for Best Actress 2023 in ensemble of “The Vagina Monologues “ Kesha is also an audiobook narrator as "KS Hartz" on Amazon audible. Titles she’s contributed to include: "Recipe for Disaster" and "Diluted" by Montoya Epperson and "Nothing Will Come Between Us" by Josiah Jay Starr. Kesha has starred in a webseries called "The Goddess" by author and film producer Sharon Champagne Terry (deceased 11/2023). She has a recurring character role (Sade) in the YouTube webseries "In the Light" by Nikki Simone Backus. "I appreciate the opportunity and thank you Molly Breen for allowing me to play a part in this remarkable production about a courageous group of women."
Allegra Hatem
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Kesha Sharee Hartzog
Allega Hatem (Judith Exner - Charm City Fringe) (she/hers) is a lifelong Washingtonian and semi-recent graduate of the University of Chicago. Recent acting credits include Rorschach Theatre’s ten-minute play festival Klecksography (Winter ‘24), and St. Marks’ Players’ Our Town (Emily, Fall ‘23) and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Nina, Fall ‘22). She can next be seen on stage in Pipeline’s Playwright’s To Be Still opening October 18th at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier. At times she can also be found props designing, ushering, and writing. She gives many thanks to friends and family for their encouragement and support! IG @allegrahatem
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Haley McCormick Jenkins (Blaze Starr - Minnesota Fringe) is excited to be performing in her 3rd Fringe Festival in as many states. Previous festivals include the Philly Fringe and Salt Lake Fringe. She has a BFA in acting from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has been seen on stages through Pennsylvania and Utah. She now lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two badass daughters.
Emma Kessler
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Haley McCormick Jenkins
Emma Kessler (Ellen Rometsch - Minnesota Fringe) is thrilled to make her MN Fringe debut! Emma studied Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 2021. Since then she has worn many hats as an actress, playwright, and director in various productions in and around the Twin Cities. More information on her work can be found at emmakkessler.com. She would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for all their love and support. Also look for Emma in Minnesota Fringe play WE WERE ONLY HENCHMEN.
Anne Knapke
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Anne Knapke (Mary Pinchot Meyer - Charm City Fringe) Anne Knapke is thrilled to be making her return to local theater after stepping off the stage many moons ago and focusing on building a career in food and ag policy in (mostly) Washington, DC. Anne has worn many hats over the years, having worked in the U.S. Senate, at nonprofit advocacy groups and international development organizations, as a social worker, in corporate America, in philanthropy, and most recently, she proudly served the Biden-Harris Administration as Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Anne came to the east coast from the small, rural community of Oxford in southwest Ohio. She lives in Brookland with her partner Mark, their pup Barry, and their constant reminder of all things good in this world, four-year-old son George.
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Ang Madaline-Johnson (Playwright of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Monologue) Ang is delighted and honored to be part of That Woman as both a writer and performer! Previous Nashville credits include Nashville Rep, Nashville Shakespeare Festival , Humanity Theatre Project, Pipeline-Collective, Chaffin’s Barn Theater, Street Theatre Company, & Verge/Woven Theatre Co. Ang was also part of the original casts of Golf-The Musical (Off-Broadway) & Wild Dust-The Musical. She is the Artistic Director of Nolensville Performance Collective’s Stoke, a singer-songwriter, & the proud mother of Murphy & Mack. Infinite thanks to Mike for his steadfast love and endless support of her artistic pursuits.
Nyazia Martin
Ang Madaline-Johnson
Nyazia Martin
Nyazia Martin (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Philadelphia Fringe) is an actress, dancer, and professor. Her most recent professional stage work include: Kentucky Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night Dream as Hermia, Kentucky Shakespeare’s MacBeth as Witch 3, Commonwealth Theatre Center's August: Osage County as Karen Weston, and Matthew McLachlan’s The Murder Play with Jack & Melissa as Melissa at Actors Bridge Ensemble. Nyazia was born in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University (2016), where she received her B.F.A. with an emphasis in Performance. She graduated this past May (2024) summa cum laude from University of Louisville with a M.F.A in theatre and a certificate in African American Theatre.
Alexandra Marusich
Alexandra Marusich
Alexandra Marusich
Alexandra Marusich (Mary Pinchot Meyer - Elgin Fringe) Alexandra (they/them) is thrilled to be a part of That Woman. Previous work includes Knight of the Burning Pestle (Citizen), Imaginary Audiences (Pear), and Dr Voynich and Her Children (Fade). This is their first show post undergrad.
Mary McCallum
Alexandra Marusich
Alexandra Marusich
Mary McCallum (Judith Exner - St. Lou Fringe/Playwright of Ellen Rometsch Monologue) received her B.S. and M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University. She is the founder of SistaStyle Productions. Her theatre acting credits include The Mountaintop, Fly, Girl!, The Face of Emmett Till, Never Been Home, Waitin’ 2 End Hell, A Raisin in the Sun, The Story, Lysistrata, The Desire, Pretty Fire, Long Time Since Yesterday, Louie and Ophelia, Hunger in Paradise and The Dance on Widow’s Row. She has also appeared in several films & T.V. One’s Fatal Attraction. Writing highlights: Her play SingleVille was a winner of the D.C. Black Theatre Festival One Act Battle and was a mainstage selection for the National Black Theatre Festival. Her play Six Triple Eight took top prize at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. The movie version of SingleVille (writer, co-director, actress) won several awards in 2018 including Best Feature at the Twin Cities Black Film festival and the International Black Film Festival. Chasing Jeremy was a screenplay winner at the British Urban Film Festival and a finalist at the Urban World Film Festival. In 2019, she was a winner of the “Women Who Rock Nashville” award for the arts. In 2020, she was selected as librettist for Nashville Opera’s first mainstage commission One Vote Won.
Jenna McLaughlin
Alexandra Marusich
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Jenna McLaughlin (Blaze Starr - Philadelphia Fringe) is a Philadelphia actress with a BA in Performance Theatre from West Chester University. Favorite credits include UNFINISHED WOMEN CRY IN NO MAN’S LAND WHILE A BIRD DIES IN A GILDED CAGE directed by CHYNA MICHELLE, CHILD SUPPORT directed by OZZIE JONES, GATZ directed by HARRISON STENGLE, OBJECTS IN MIRROR with CRAZY 'A' PRODUCTIONS, THE SLUT ALWAYS RIDES SHOTGUN with A NATURNAL PROJECT/MOH PRODUCTIONS, CHANGE OF HEART and CAUGHT IN THE ACT with FILMTECH, and ALL THE BRILLIANT ONES ARE with MOH PRODUCTIONS.
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Brookelyn K. Morehead (she/her/they) (Ellen Rometsch - Philadelphia Fringe) - is so delighted to be making her Philly Fringe Festival debut with Tennessee Playwrights Studio! She is a senior Theatre Arts Major and Dance Minor at Rowan University with concentrations in Musical Theatre & Acting. At Rowan, she’s also completing the 4+1 Masters of Theatre Education Program and president of Campus Players. Most recent credits include: Sam (EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES), Hope U/S (URINETOWN), and Student 3 (SHAKESPEARE'S R&J). She would like to thank her family, friends, and especially her Mother for their constant support and love. Lastly, she would like to thank Molly and the entire cast and crew! She hopes you enjoy the show! Instagram: @brookelynmorehead
Japo Parcero
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Jessie Paxton
Japo Parcero (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Elgin Fringe) Japo Parcero is a creative artist, pilot, and photographer based in Chicago. She worked for television, film, and theater in the Philippines for 7 years before moving to the United States in 2019 where she eventually pursued a career in aviation. Unable to resist keeping the artist in her alive, she went back to acting recently and has just finished the Meisner program at Green Shirt Studio and is currently at the Conservatory Program at Second City. She performs in improv and sketch shows around the city and is represented by SCE Agency for commercial, tv, and film. You can check out her upcoming shows by following her on IG at @japoparcero.
Jessie Paxton
Brookelyn K. Morehead
Jessie Paxton
Jessie Paxton (Blaze Starr KC Fringe/St. Lou Fringe - Judith Exner - St. Lou Fringe) (She/They) is an independent theatre artist with a B.A. in Theatre from Southwest Baptist University, a certification in the Stella Adler technique from The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and is a 2nd year graduate student at the University of Central Missouri. Previous credits include Professor Baxter in Radio Plays for the Holidays, Catherine in Proof, By My Side Soloist in GODSPELL, and Betsy in As It Is In Heaven. (@pbandjess22)
Simone Reno
Maria L. Riillo
Maria L. Riillo
Simone Reno (Judith Exner - Minnesota Fringe) is a trained actor in the Twin Cities who grew up in St. Paul. She is excited to be a part of That Woman - The Monologue Show. Her most recent work was voice acting for a short film. She is fluent in French. When she isn’t performing she likes to read, cook, and bake.
Maria L. Riillo
Maria L. Riillo
Maria L. Riillo
Maria Lourdes Riillo (Mary Pinchot Meyer - Philadelphia Fringe) is excited to join this spectacular cast in this year’s Fringe production of That Woman. She performs regularly in town and was last seen in Germantown Drama Group’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Fever Dream Repertory’s productions of All in the Timing and Book of Will. She was also in Waiting for Ganol, a 2023 FringeArts production and Real Women Have Curves at Allens Lane Art Center. Maria graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where she studied Comparative Literature and where she also performed in various shows, her favorite among them Everyman, Well, Love Song, and Peter and the Starcatcher. She studied classic theater at the BADA Midsummer in Oxford program where she learned the intricacies of Shakespeare and that she also actually does like scones. She dedicates this one to the women in her life. May your voices live on.
Lisa Rosenstock
Maria L. Riillo
Elizabeth Saunders
Lisa Rosenstock (Ellen Rometsch - St. Lou Fringe) is delighted to work with the Tennessee Playwrights Studio and join the vibrant community of the St. Lou Fringe Fest '24. Recent credits are lowercase (Bluff City Theater) and Jerry's Girls (New Jewish Theatre). Some favorite roles include Eliza in My Fair Lady, Peter in Peter Pan, Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, Nellie in South Pacific, Marta in Company, Abigail Adams in 1776, and Donna in Mamma Mia. She has created and performed Cabaret shows, directed children's theater, and served on the board of various arts organizations. Lisa performed at Cedar Point amusement park and graduated from Ball State University. She is a Jazzercise instructor and co-manages the giving circle, 100 Women Who Care STL West. Lisa extends heartfelt gratitude to her husband and three children for their unwavering love and support.
Elizabeth Saunders
Elizabeth Saunders
Elizabeth Saunders
Elizabeth Saunders (Judith Exner - Rochester Fringe) is very grateful to be sharing the stage with an incredibly talented cast in this highly relevant and fascinating production. Other shows you may have seen her in recently include The Christians (Elizabeth) with Out of Pocket, Barbeque (Adlean) at Blackfriars, You Never Can Tell (Mrs. Clandon) with the Rochester Classics Theater of Rochester, and The Thanksgiving Play (Logan) with the Penfield Players. Elizabeth also serves on the board of the Penfield Players. This performance is dedicated with love to her sons and their peers, who face the first presidential election in which they're eligible to vote with frustration and disgust: I have faith in you and your ability to transform our dismal political landscape by demanding accountability and integrity from our elected officials.
Lauren Smith
Elizabeth Saunders
Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith (Mary Pinchot Meyer - KC Fringe) is elated to make her KC Fringe Festival debut with That Woman. Lauren studied Theatre Performance at the University of Kansas and received her degree in 2023. Since then, she has been working in Kansas City on various theatre and film projects as an actor, stage manager, production manager, and everything in between. She would like to thank her parents and wonderful friends for their support. @laurennksmithh
Aparna Sri
Elizabeth Saunders
Lauren Smith
Aparna Sri (Ellen Rometsch - Charm City Fringe) is delighted to make her debut with the fabulous Tennessee Playwrights Studio in "That Woman - The Monologue Show" at the 2024 Charm City Fringe Festival! Since 2023, she was most recently seen in Baltimore's 20th Annual 10-minute Play Festival with Rapid Lemon Productions, as Siobhan in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" with Colonial Players, Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth" with The Rude Mechanicals, Sandra in "The Play That Goes Wrong" with The Laurel Mill Playhouse (LMP), Elizabeth Darcy in "Miss Bennet - Christmas at Pemberley" with The Montgomery Playhouse, Titania in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" adaptation with The Rude Mechanicals, Heather Clark in "Gideon's Knot" with LMP, Mrs. Alfieri in "A View from the Bridge" with Upstage Artists, and Kay Strange in "Towards Zero" with LMP. Upcoming, she's performing in a staged reading of a new playwright's piece with Sisters Freehold, a 9/11 tribute at LMP, a yummy murder mystery thriller at Spotlighters Theatre, and an independent film "No More Men". She draws enormous strength from her incredibly loving husband, who manages the circus of bipeds at home to enable her to share her love for storytelling through performance.
Jodi Stockton
Elizabeth Turner
Montana Takacs
Jodi Stockton (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - St. Lou Fringe) has been performing for over 40 years with Central Indiana and St. Louis area companies including the Indianapolis Opera, Myers Dinner Theatre, R-S Theatrics, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, SATE, St. Louis Shakespeare, West End Players Guild and many community theaters. Favorite roles include Nellie in South Pacific, Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Sister Amnesia in Nunsense, Marian in The Music Man, and Nancy in Oliver! Keep up with her on Facebook or at IMDb.me/Jodi.Stockton.
Montana Takacs
Elizabeth Turner
Montana Takacs
Montana Takacs (Mary Pinchot Meyer - St. Lou Fringe) is thrilled to be making her STL Fringe debut with That Woman. She recently appeared in Prelude to a Kiss as Rita. Montana studied theatre performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she appeared in Life Sucks as Pickles, The Imaginary Invalid as Toinette, and Macduff in Macbeth. When she's not on stage, Montana enjoys working behind the microphone creating audio performances for content creators and devising theatrical pieces with her fellow artists. Follow her on Instagram @Montana0live!
Elizabeth Turner
Elizabeth Turner
Elizabeth Turner
Elizabeth Turner (Playwright of Judith Exner Monologue) has been fortunate to work with multiple Nashville and Middle Tennessee theatre companies over the years. Past roles include Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda: The Musical, Val in A Chorus Line, and Karen in August: Osage County, among others. She was also one-fifth of the professional U.S. touring company of the comedy Old Jews Telling Jokes. (Fun fact: she’s neither old nor Jewish.) But her favorite roles ever are mommy to Eleanor and wife to Toby. Many thanks to Angela and Molly for spearheading this project. Enjoy!
Maggie Wardell
Jessica Whitfield
Elizabeth Turner
Maggie Wardell (Blaze Starr - Charm City Fringe) is a DC based actor thrilled to be joining That Woman at the Charm City Fringe Festival! Maggie is studying Theatre at The George Washington University, and when not on stage, works as the Artistic Director of the Fourteenth Grade Players, in various backstage roles, and as a DMV arts administrator. Recent performance credits include Henrietta Leavitt in Silent Sky, Becca Corbett in Rabbit Hole, Peter Austin in It's Only A Play, Cassie Cooper in Rumors, and Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap. Follow along on instagram @maggie.wardell !
Theresa Weiss
Jessica Whitfield
Jessica Whitfield
Theresa Weiss (Blaze Starr - Elgin Fringe) After taking time off from acting to make money as a public school music teacher (her teacher friends don’t find that funny) Theresa is getting back into performing now that she is a retired music teacher. In addition to teaching, Theresa has written, composed, directed, and produced children’s and educational theatre for a large part of her career. Throughout, she has continued her training and has worked on a number of independent films.
Jessica Whitfield
Jessica Whitfield
Jessica Whitfield
Jessica Whitfield (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - KC Fringe) is a Kansas City actor. She earned her BFA in Theatre from Drake University where she was an Irene Ryan nominee. She has also trained locally with Richard Alan Nichols, Andy Garrison and Heather Laird. She was recently named Best Local Actor by The Pitch. Steve Wilson of Broadway World calls her, "Marvelous," and says, "She has a good sense of comedic timing, utilizing humorous facial expressions, body language, and accent to keep the audience laughing." She has previously been in Gutterthief, Shapes of Love, Striking Beauty and Beginnings from an End with KC Fringe Festival. She has been seen on the KCMPT stage in Barbecue and the Molière adaption Secrets & Lies.
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson (Graphic Designer) is a full-time art director and graphic designer based in Nashville, TN. A native New Yorker, she fell in love with theater and performing at a young age and performed in many New York productions over the years before attending C.W. Post University to study art and design. Lauren moved to Nashville back in 2012 and immediately felt at home in Nashville’s growing theater and art scene. She loves being able to work and collaborate with other Nashville creatives and local organizations, and continues to provide design services and creative direction for theater companies, independent businesses, and artists all over the city. (www.lwilsondesign.com)
Meagan Zdep
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson
Meagan Zdep (Mary Pinchot Meyer - Rochester Fringe) is thrilled to be a part of this production. She has a BFA in Theatre Studies from Niagara University and completed the Meisner training program at the Ward Acting Studio in New York. She was most recently seen as Jenny, the Congregant in Out of Pocket’s production of The Christians. Favorite past roles include Babe in Crimes of the Heart, Chris in Dancing at Lughnasa, Jen in Sunday on the Rocks, and being a part of two Rochester Fringe Festival staples; Dashboard Dramas & The 24 Hours Plays. Thank you to her family and friends for continuing to support her passion for live theatre and to Molly for this opportunity.
Lauren Wilson
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NOTES FROM Co-Creators Angela Gimlin & Molly Breen
Note from Angela Gimlin, Co-Creator
A bout of insomnia had me flipping through the television one evening when I stumbled onto a badly produced documentary about the women romantically linked to President John F. Kennedy. I couldn’t watch for long because it wasn’t about the women as much as it was demonizing them. I started digging deeper on my own and found that the women in his life were, frankly, much more interesting than the man himself. These women were strong, brilliant, courageous and their stories deserved to be told. No, they must be told. What better way to accomplish this than through the eyes and ears of the women of today? When I first went to Molly Breen with the idea for a monologue show, she took my vision and made it more than superb. The result was a show produced, directed, written, acted and completed by women. I hope you will not just see the brave, intelligent and beautiful women in JFK’s life, but the ones on stage in front of you and behind the scenes.
Note from Molly Breen, Co-Creator
American theatre and film are rooted in misogyny and racism. Many of us are so used to people of an extraordinarily high beauty standard portraying ordinary people on our stages and, in particular, on our screens, that we may not even question this blatantly incongruent norm. For women, the default for this so-called “beauty” standard has been young, small and white, which, in turn, has created barriers for many talented women to pursue acting careers, which are historically and primarily cast from these types. Unfortunately, this gate keeping has caused us to miss great talent on our stages and screens. Fortunately, this is changing a bit; but the change is far too late and slow in my opinion. When Angela brought me her idea, I knew it was something special, but we both agreed we did not want to create this show that way. Although some of these historical figures exemplified the current beauty standard of their times, they were also human beings who experienced the same range of emotions that we all navigate in our daily lives. By recruiting writers and casting actors of varying ages, ethnicities, and who experience the world in a range of body types, we hope that the audience can further appreciate the shared humanity of each woman’s story. Only a few of us women will actually serve as a First Lady, or become a film icon, but we all have felt loss, betrayal, joy, and a range of sexual experiences along spectrums of desire and fulfillment to abuse and assault. I believe all women can relate to something in each of these stories.
Prior to this project, I knew next to nothing about the history of women involved with JFK, other than that he cheated on his wife and that there were rumors of an affair with Marilyn Monroe. Through co-creating this show, I have learned much history that, I believe, is not common knowledge and that has been - in many cases - deliberately and systematically kept from the public. I also believe that every interaction we have as human beings changes us, at least in some small way. The President of the United States is not immune to this. The interactions he had with these women helped to form his character, and thus, affected him and his policies as leader of the States (in some cases, quite directly). They are important to history, and I am happy to share some of their stories with you.
Some of these women, such as Mimi Alford, Blaze Starr, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Judith Exner, gave us their thoughts, feelings and experiences in the form of books and interviews, on which our playwrights have based these monologues. For others, such as Priscilla Wear (full-length version) and Ellen Rometsch, very little about their personal feelings about their romantic/sexual relationships with John F. Kennedy, along with other details of their lives, are known. Thus, the feelings expressed in these monologues have been crafted by the playwrights as historical fiction that supposes what the women might have been feeling in light of facts that are public knowledge. Circumstances surrounding Mary Pinchot Meyer remain a mystery, and the playwright has used artistic license to imagine various scenarios and possible feelings for this character. We believe this all adds up to a fascinating night of theatre, and I hope you agree. I hope that the women of history depicted here tonight would be pleased by how their stories have been told in THAT WOMAN - THE MONOLOGUE SHOW
