Tag Archives: back alley productions

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Jennifer Henry

by

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: Dominique Salvacion

by
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

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Kolby Hume

by
Photo by Matt Lavigne of M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by Matt Lavigne of M. Lavigne Photography

Kolby Hume

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I’ve been acting since I was 8 years old! This winter marks year twenty…

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

Performing as Bianca with Seven Stages Shakespeare Company in their June production of “The Taming of the Shrew” was a blast , and most recently working with Kent Stephens and Stage Force on their Strawbery Banke commission was a great intersection of my two loves: theatre and history. My favorite recent part remains however, playing Beth in “A Lie of the Mind” at the Player’s Ring in the fall of 2013.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

Yes! I performed in two productions of the Vagina Monologues through my student-run theater group in college, but I was able to work with Back Alley in V-DayPortsmouth and Rochester last year for the first time performing “Because he liked to look at it.”

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

After seeing the tremendous amount of positive energy, creativity and fundraising that the 2013 & 2014 production contributed… How could I turn down the chance to return?!

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

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 or who inspires you?

My friends and family: Seeing the amazing things that the people around me accomplish gives me all of the inspiration that I need to tackle anything on my to-do list, including things that I haven’t thought possible yet!

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

Kolby Hume

Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Liz Locke

by
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

Liz Locke

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I have been acting since I could walk, much to the embarrassment of my folks because I used to climb onto the tops of tables and sing “You Light up my Life” by Ann Murray.

Q – What are some of your favorite productions?

No Exit, and any DARWiNS WAiTiNG ROOM show I am in, The Odd Couple, Background Check, Macbeth, Any One of Us: Words from Prison, and Elephant Hunt, all of which were at the Players’ Ring. And I will also be in the following upcoming productions at the Ring: Rush, Death and the Maiden and Hemingway’s Wife.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

Yes, I have.

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

This is the last time Back Alley will be involved, and if Joi and Danica are going out, then I’m going with them. This topic is very near and dear to my heart, and I can not imagine my life without it.

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

Without a doubt, my Mom. She is the strongest, most intelligent, beautiful,independent, strong,and courageous woman I have ever known. And as a survivor herself, she has shown me what it means to not be defined by your experiences, but how to to let them shape you into being an actual strong, smart and independent woman.

Q – What or who inspires you?

My mother inspires me every day. My angel in heaven, aunt Terri. My dad, Lindsey Boyd-Robertson. My best friend, Constance Witman, my other angel in Heaven Tammy Belanger, and Joi Smith and Danica Carlson for letting me be a part of this incredible movement, which allows me to heal. I love these two ladies, and I don’t know what I’ll do now that Back Alley Productions will no longer be producing this show every year. G. Matthew Gaskell also inspires me on a daily basis. And whether he sees this or believes it, my brother, Josh.

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

V-Day Portsmouth 2012 Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

V-Day Portsmouth 2012
Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

10th Anniversary of V-Day Portsmouth!

by
Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Join us for One Night Only of the 10th Anniversary of V-Day Portsmouth at The Music Hall!

We can change the story of women by helping to raise funds and awareness to end violence and be a collective voice as part of One Billion Rising for Revolution!

Back Alley Productions and V-Day Portsmouth 2015 are proud to present their final benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) and A Safe Place. Featuring special guests Neoteric Dance Collaborative and The Afternotes

This Performance will take place on Saturday February 21st at 8 pm and Tickets are On Sale Now!

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, has been hailed by The New York Times as “funny” and “poignant” and by the Daily News as “intelligent” and “courageous”. This groundbreaking show gives voice to a chorus of lusty, outrageous, thoughtful and thoroughly human stories diving into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences.

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. By creating this global community, V-Day strives to empower women to find their collective voices and demand an end to the violence that affects one in three women in the U.S and around the world.

V-Day 2015: The Vagina Monologues is sponsored by Lady Pickwick’s