Author Archives: backalleynh

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Cathy Wolff

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Cathy Wolff

Cathy Wolff

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I made hand puppets and wrote them shows when I was 12, but lost interest when my parents wouldn’t let us charge 5 cents admission. Many years later, I performed a bit with Generic Theater, my favorite role being Jason in the feminist play, Collateral Damage. Now I sometimes tell stories on WSCA 106.1 True Tales Radio.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

I loved Billy Butler’s latest Musical Missing: Wynter and Generic Theater’s Other Desert Cities both at the Players’ Ring this season… Oh yes, and that Moliere play at W.E.S.T., School for Wives

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

No.

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

I wish I could say it was that, at my mature age, I suddenly discovered my vagina. But, actually, I had the time and like monologues.

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

Myself.

Q – What or who inspires you?

The work of 350.org which has an issue-specific (stop the KXL pipeline) approach to the climate crises. And my mother who keeps on keeping on at age 95.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Jacqueline Martell

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Jacqueline Martell

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I have been involved in theatre since primary school. I was very fortunate to continue my stage training and education at The Academy of Art in San Francisco. Looking forward to doing as much of it as possible in 2015!

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

Personally, I was involved in the wonderful Home for the Holidays with Patrick Dorow Productions.
I also love performing with New Hampshire’s finest improv troupe Stranger Than Fiction.
As far as being an audience member, catching Mary Poppins at the Music Hall was an aboslute dream!

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

I did participate in a V-DAY production called Any One of Us: Words From Prison a few years ago – so it was not specifically the Vagina Monologues

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

It is a tremendously good cause! I am and will always be happy to give my time and energy to such a reputable and amazing production.

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

Hands down my mom. She is so genuinely kind, intelligent, and warm. I am so proud to call myself her daughter. Love you Mom!

Q – What or who inspires you?

Life inspires me – the beauty, the fragility. We are on a miraculous ride and I am so grateful every day to be able to pursue my dreams and see what the future holds.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

V-Day Portsmouth 2011 Any One of Us: Words From Prison Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

V-Day Portsmouth 2011 Any One of Us: Words From Prison
Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Jennifer Henry

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jenhen

Jennifer Henry

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I made my stage debut when I was two, singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little STAR” (with that emphasis…I mean, that’s really the focus of the song, right?) in front of my church congregation. My first speaking role was in first grade in the original musical “Oh My Deer”, about a town overrun with an abundant deer population. I was a concerned citizen that was surprised when a deer sat down next to me at a cafe and ordered french fries.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

I have been humbled to be a part of Back Alley’s production of Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, as well as Billy Butler’s new musical Missing: Wynter, both at the Players’ Ring The cast and crew of both were strong, talented, and so full of life and light.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

I last performed in the Vagina Monologues in college in 2003 (I believe). We were kind of shocking for a smaller town in WV, but brought so much awareness to the aid available for domestic abuse. To speak to people after the show about their experiences, and how empowered they felt…that was an amazing experience.

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

The Vagina Monologues and my schedule have been evading each other for YEARS. When I moved to the seacoast a few years ago, I heard nothing but amazing things about Back Alley’s annual production, and the amazing positive impact they were able to endow on local advocacy programs helping those affected by domestic and sexual violence. I wanted in. This year, I made sure my schedule was clear on the chance I could be a part of this wonderful, warm, wicked little show.

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

I have many influential women in my life. The woman I’m thinking about as I type this I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing a very long time. We maybe said hello in passing a few times. But this woman was a powerhouse. A force of frankness and grace and food and lovely that trained many of the fine actors of Memphis, as well as held up a mirror to their soul, their psyche, and their spirit; forcing them to look, accept, change, and ultimately become storytellers that would help them be a communicator, an amplifier to any character they picked up. Josie Helming was a force, and such an inspiration to me just in the resonance of voice within her friends, students, and community. Accepting oneself for who they are, finding their strength through their fragility/vulnerability, and being the most honest person you could be. I hope to have an eenth of the electricity she had in her fingernail clippings. “Get out of your own way”. “You are enough”.

Q – What or who inspires you?

Warm socks inspire me. Dark brown eyes. My goddaughter Leia inspires me. Music and puppies and kittens and Bretton Reis’ light designs inspire me. Strength in humility, courage in adversity. Dancing flames in bonfires stripes on mittens emotion through eyes. Sandalwood myrrh candles and delicious red wine inspire me. You inspire me. Yes, you.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Michael Stailey

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michaelstailey

Michael Stailey

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I caught the acting bug very young, playing Santa Claus in the school Christmas play at age 5. From there I’ve been on and off the boards, taking time away for music, school, and career, but somehow always managing to find my way back when my soul demanded it.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

I had a phenomenal experience doing summer stock for the first time this year up at Hackmatack Playhouse under the guidance of artistic director Sharon Hilton and her amazing crew in their final season. That opportunity gave me the chance to create Dr. Einstein for Arsenic & Old Lace, sing barbershop harmonies in Music Man, and channel the Pythonesque insanity of Patsy in Spamalot. I’ll cherish those memories for a lifetime.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

I was blessed to have performed “True” last season for V-Day Portsmouth at Seacoast Rep, and get an opportunity to
reinterpret that piece for The Music Hall this year.

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

After last year’s empowering transformative experience, it was a no-brainer to make myself available for another go-round.

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

All of the women in my life have been equally influential. From the women in my family to the amazingly talented women I’ve done theatre with over the years, each has given me a unique perspective on the divine feminine spirit and what it means to the world.

Q – What or who inspires you?

I’m continually inspired by creative expression in all its myriad forms. You can find it everywhere you look, from the most mundane daily tasks and what brilliant people make of them, to the ridiculously impressive work of bold artists pushing the boundaries of entertainment and enlightenment. That all stems from people who have embraced living as their true authentic selves – flaws, scars, and all. I aspire to one day attain that same authenticity, so as to unlock and empower my true creative potential.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Dominique Salvacion

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Photo by Matt Lavigne of M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by Matt Lavigne of M. Lavigne Photography

Dominique Salvacion

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

1 year!! That’s it. But it’s been an incredible year. Since November of 2013 I have performed in 2 play readings with Kent Stephens Stage Force, 2 late night shows at the DARWiNS WAiTiNG ROOM which was the season opener for the Players Ring.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

Can I just say all of the above? Each performance was so significant and valuable to me in their own way. But if I must choose, it would be DARWiNS WAiTiNG ROOM. On top of it being an incredibly well written and entertaining show, the cast had a chemistry that was so strong people from the audience commented on it afterwards.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

Nope!

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

Several things. 1. It is a fundraiser for two organizations whose work is tremendously important. And to be involved in an event that supports them and will allow them to continue their mission is truly an honor. 2. I want to perform in this show and with Back Alley Productions!

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

Wow. That’s a hard one quite frankly. Honestly, I can’t name just one. I am surrounded by amazing women, each who teach me something different. I treasure all of them.

Q – What or who inspires you?

A couple years ago my family experienced a difficult life event. And during that time, my community around me rallied together and provided a tremendous amount of support for us. It was so moving that whenever I talk about it I am moved to tears. The kindness shown to me and my family in a time of need inspires me in everything I do.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

Photo by Monica Bushor of Bushor Photography

Photo by Monica Bushor of Bushor Photography