Meet the Cast: Susan Turner

Susan Turner V-Day 2012Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

Susan Turner is well known for her excellent work with one of the long standing production companies on the Seacoast, Generic Theater. This will be Susan’s third V-Day with us, and we just love working with her! She has such a unique perspective that lends its voice to our collective V-Day cast.

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“I came back to theater in the late 1980’s. I have been working with Generic Theater for 29 of their 32 years along with any other company that would cast me!”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

“’Dix Tableaux’ that Generic Theater did several years ago at the Players’ Ring. It involved 10 separate scenes with 10 different costume changes and at least 5 wigs, but the best part about it was working with Peggi McCarthy. Another favorite was ‘Cemetery Club’ with Garrison Players, directed by Donna Goldfarb, and of course ‘Mornings at 7’ with Generic Theater’s exemplary cast!”

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“Yes, this will be my 3rd year. And a different monologue!”

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

“The Sisterhood of the Cast – all the different personalities and ways of working with each other and the continued need to make ‘words’ important and how they are used.”

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

“Probably my Mother, since I blame so much on her and seem to be following in her footsteps!”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“Justice; striving for balance.”

Susan Turner

Meet the Cast: Michael Lavoie

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Mike Lavoie is in his first year at Manchester Community College with exciting plans for his future! Mike joined us this past September at the Players’ Ring for Margaret McAleese’s original play Black Mayo, and we just adore working with him. This will be his very first V-Day and we can’t wait for you to meet this talented young man!

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“About 7 years.”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent roles/productions?

“My favorite roles have been Edgar/Poe in the ‘Tell-Tale Heart’, Linus Van-Pelt in ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’, Randy in, ‘Day Dream’ (an original play), and most recently, Jimmy Manion in Margaret McAleese’s original play ‘Black Mayo’ at the Players’ Ring this past September.”

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“Nope, this will be my first year, and I’m VERY excited!”

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

“Well acting is my passion and I would like to do it for the rest of my life, but also because I was raised by a single mom and grew up with my little sister, Allyson. It was just me, Ally, and my mom for a very long time. The three of us have been through the woods and back together, so I believe that I have developed a deep respect for women.

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

“My sister Allyson, my mother Christine, my two grandmothers Connie and Denise, and my God Mother Cara.”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“What inspires me is the idea that If I stay true to myself and follow my dreams, I believe that I can achieve all of my goals and possibly more. And if not, then it was meant to be. No regrets.”

Michael Lavoie

Meet the Cast: Constance Witman

Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

V-Day 2011 Any One of us: Words from Prison
Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

Constance Witman has a long standing history as a V-Day actress and activist. V-Day just wouldn’t be the same without her! Constance not only brings her impeccable talent, grace and emotional depth to The Vagina Monologues each year, but she also brings so much of her heart, empathy and passion to help raise awareness and end the violence. We love her activist spirit as well as her amazing performance!

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“Since the age of 5. I played a tree in Sleeping Beauty and I was covered head to toe in green felt.”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

“Blanche in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Vivian in ‘Wit’, Jane in G.Matthew Gaskell’s original play ‘Lawyers, Guns & Money’ and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ all in the last few years at the Players’ Ring.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“This will be my 6th year!”

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

“To continue to make people aware that we are still battling violence and it needs to stop.”

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

“My Mum. She’s an amazing kind-hearted woman. She has taught me so many things.”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“My Daughter [Genevieve Witman]. She is such an amazing free spirit. I Love the way she looks at things and how wonderful and smart she is.”

20140118-095240.jpg Constance Witman as Vivian in Wit
Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046