Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Meghan D. Morash as Alice Hawkins

Q – Before you started working on this production, what was your perspective on the role of women during WWII?

Before working on this production, my perspective of women during WWII was very ‘Rosie the Riveter’ inspired. I pictured women who went to work, filling positions that the men had left open. Then returning home and still being mothers to their children. I pictured nurses and factory workers. I pictured women doing it all – working and raising families and supporting their men overseas.

Q – What kind of job do you think you would have had during WWII?

I think I would have been part of the war effort – to have actually been on a base and fighting alongside the men the best that I could (and however I was allowed to). Maybe as a nurse? Granted I could also see myself taking over the job that was previously held by a man – leading factory workers or building planes and weapons. However, the more involved I get in this production, the more my answer becomes that I would have been a WASP. If I’m ever asked this question in the future, that will be my answer. These women were absolutely incredible, brave, intelligent, and passionate – they were (and are) amazing.

Q – What or who do you draw on for inspiration for your role?

The character description for Alice Hawkins is ‘Late 20s. The cool intellect.’ That’s not a whole lot to work with. However, after the reading the script, I felt connected to her almost immediately. My inspiration for Alice comes from a few different places. From my own life, she’s a little bit my Aunt – part intelligent, put together, working woman and part poker playing bad ass who likes to drink wine and hang out with her girls. That balance is such a fun one to play! Other inspirations for Alice come from me playing with the way she walks and talks and sort of settling into what feels right. I had an acting teacher in NYC who said that picking an animal for your character and seeing how they move can inform some awesome character choices. I’ve been playing with Alice being a cat. She’s logical and every move she makes is well thought out beforehand. But she’s also quick to jump to the rescue when her friends and family need it.

Q – What woman in your life influences you the most and why?

My mother, absolutely. My mom is a fantastic woman, and that is an extreme understatement. She is intelligent, kind, caring, compassionate, beautiful, and talented. She is a fabulous mother and a very successful businesswoman. She taught me to work hard and to be loyal, to be kind but also aware of my surroundings, to place more value on my intelligence than on my looks, to hold the door for the next person, and to buy coffee for soldiers and veterans. She has always supported me in every endeavor – she’s my biggest fan. She taught me that being there for others and supporting people’s hopes and dreams, no matter what they may be, is sometimes the most important thing you can do. My mother and I fought a lot when I was younger, and as I get older I see it is because we are so much alike. When people call me “little Patty” I take it as the highest compliment. She is without a doubt the most influential woman in my life!

Q – What do you hope our audience gains from seeing Decision Height?

I hope the audience gets to see how much these women put into being WASP. They jumped at the chance to be pilots and so many of them never saw recognition for their work. These women were an enormous part of the war effort and partially because of them, we have our freedom today. I hope we can show our audiences not only the work these women put in but also how they were real people. I want our audiences to be able to identify with at least one of us up there on the stage and think, “If I was one of these characters, that’s who I’d be. If I was in this situation, that is how I would have reacted.” I hope they can feel as emotionally connected to these women and their stories as I have become.

Decision Height will be at the Players’ Ring  May 6 – 22, get your tickets now!

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Molly Dowd Sullivan as Edith Harknell

Q – Before you started working on this production, what was your perspective on the role of women during WWII?

I was familiar with their presence in the medical support aspect of the war because of my grandmother.  She was in the Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor.  As far as I understand it, she managed the finances of her doctor’s office, and had a number of men working for her. I had not been aware of female pilots.  It’s enlightening to see how little these women have been included in our education.  I’m excited to share their stories with more people through this play.

Q – What kind of job do you think you would have had during WWII?

In my wildest dreams I would love to be a spy.

Q – What or who do you draw on for inspiration for your role?

In my nerdbrain Eddie is a mix of Han Solo and Dean Winchester.

Q – What woman in your life influences you the most and why?

My mother, for sure.  She’s not only one of the most fiercely intelligent people I’ve ever met, but the most kind, generous, and moral.  Everything good and stable in me comes from her.  She always taught me by example that women can do anything they want to, and witnessing that at a young age has given me unshakable strength and confidence.  She’s a damn cool lady.

Q – What do you hope our audience gains from seeing Decision Height?

As I said, I hope it sheds some light on women who have been grossly underrepresented in history.  I hope we inspire people to do some google searches and learn more.

Decision Height will be at the Players’ Ring  May 6 – 22, get your tickets now!

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Kolby Hume as Norma Jean Harris

Q – Before you started working on this production, what was your perspective on the role of women during WWII?

As a social studies teacher, I get a lot of time to think about how WWII affected both the United States and the world as a whole. It is clear that women took a big step forward during the early 1940’s- they had the opportunity, and the privilege to serve the United States as nurses, laborers and heads of a household. It is so difficult to grasp however, what it must have felt like to “return to normalcy” after all that the war had changed at home and abroad.

Q – What kind of job do you think you would have had during WWII?

I could see myself as a teacher making sure that my students understood what was happening abroad. I would want them to feel like they were a part of what was happening, and that they could find their own ways to contribute. I would want to create platforms for discussion and debate, and encourage them to do their part to support the troops abroad and the war effort as a whole.

Q – What or who do you draw on for inspiration for your role?

I have been thinking a lot about my grandmothers during this show. My maternal grandmother became a single mother at 40, and had to run a farm while working and raising three teenagers all on her own. She still has the kind of no-nonsense mentality that comes from sacrifice and survival that Norma Jean brings to the group in Decision Height. James is also the name of both Norma Jean’s husband and my late grandfather. Norma Jean’s softer, nurturing side reminds me of my father’s mother Norma, who loved her children and grandchildren above all else. She cared so deeply for people she knew directly or even just by association that she would give up anything she could to make sure those she cared about were comfortable and happy. Norma Jean represents a combination of both of these women that I love so much. I’m looking forward to working pieces of them into my performance.

Q – What woman in your life influences you the most and why?

My mother is the most amazing woman I know. She is an incredible example of strength, grace and love. She’s my best friend, my role model, and my favorite shopping buddy.

Q – What do you hope our audience gains from seeing Decision Height?

Historical perspective! Women in the Second World War were more than Rosie the Riveter or stay at home mothers. There were so many women from all walks of life, who sacrificed life and limb to do their part to help the war effort. Most of their efforts were promptly forgotten when the war ended in the summer of 1945, and they were expected to be grateful for the chance to quietly return to their homes. It is important to tell the story of the women of the war, in the hopes that we can share some of the gratitude that these women finally deserve.

Decision Height will be at the Players’ Ring  May 6 – 22, get your tickets now!