Meet the V-Day Portsmouth 2015 Cast: Debbie Verdicchio

Photo by Jasmin Hunter Photography

Photo by Jasmin Hunter Photography

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I have been involved in theatre since high school. In the past few years I got involved in theatre around the seacoast.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

Mrs. Greer in Annie at the Prescott Park Arts Festival during the summer of 2013. Various rolls in high school, such as Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and The Pajama Game.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

Yes, this is my third year performing in the Vagina Monologues. V-Day 2013 I was part of the Sextet, last year I performed my first ever monologue and this year part of the sextet again. This year I get to perform in this production with my good friend Lindy Ward, which makes it extra special!

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

It’s an important cause that I feel strongly about! It’s near and dear to my heart and I feel that getting involved in V-Day is a way to help those effected by sexual and domestic violence. Spreading awareness and educating in our community is where we can begin to stop the violence!

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

My sister Mary, who battled breast cancer this year. She battled the disease with courage, grace and strength. With all her treatments and surgeries, she never lost her sense of humor. She’s my hero!

Q – What or who inspires you?

My parents, sisters and brothers! I am the women I am today with their love and support!

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

V-Day Portsmouth 2013 Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

V-Day Portsmouth 2013 Photo by Mat Kingsbury/2046

Meet the Cast: Sarah Duclos

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Sarah Duclos has so many amazing talents, we don’t know where to begin! When she is not making you laugh until your sides hurt in past productions of The Vagina Monologues, or creating magic with our friends at Seven Stages Shakespeare Company she is incredibly busy with her amazing dance company,
Neoteric Dance Collaborative as both a dancer and choreographer, and with whom we are so excited to collaborate with for V-Day this year! In addition to that, you can occasionally hear her belt out a tune or two with several local musicians.

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“I have been dancing since I was three years old and I did my first play at Gonic Elementary School when I was 7. It was a stirring adaptation of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” I caught the bug and never looked back.”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

“My favorite recent production is most definitely Seven Stages Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, which was performed last summer at the Prescott Park Arts Festival. I had the pleasure of both choreographing and performing the show and it is one of the most artistically satisfying things I have ever done. Fabulous people, timeless material.”

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“This will be my third year in V-Day, although my first time with a NEW monologue and DANCERS from Neoteric Dance Collaborative.”

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

“Performing in V-DAY is a tremendously rewarding experience. It is an incredible feeling to be able to pool our collective talents as a cast and make an impact in our community while doing something that we love to do anyways!”

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

“Just one? Not possible. My mother, my sister and some of my long-time dance friends who might as well be my sisters. They each move through the world in their own special way and I learn from them daily.”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“People who have the courage to follow their bliss. That is so difficult to do in the face of bills, a poor economy and “real life.” Recently, after nearly twenty years in the technology field, my sister left her job to pursue her dream of cooking. I love that. It takes serious guts to actually go after a dream and I fiercely admire people that have the tenacity to do it!”

Meet the Cast: Debra Verdicchio

Debra Verdicchio

Debra Verdicchio is a long time activist and advocate for women. Her professional stage debut was as a member of our V-Day Sextet last year, and she is rocking the stage for her first ever monologue this year and we couldn’t be happier to have her with us once again!

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

“I was actively involved in my High School theater program – that was 25 years ago. I’ve been doing theater around the seacoast for a year now.”

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

“There were so many fun roles, but I would have to say my favorite was playing Mrs. Greer in Prescott Park Arts Festivals’ production of ‘Annie’ last summer. It was a thrill for me to be up on stage in front of a live audience!”

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

“I was part of the Sextet for V-Day 2103.”

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

“It was such an empowering experience to be a part V-Day last year that I had to do it again this year! Such an amazing group of talented women and men all coming together to raise awareness about Domestic and Sexual Violence against women and children.”

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

“I have not one, but many women who are influential and that are in my life, that would be my sisters or “my sissies” we call each other. They definitely have had my back and have supported me when I have been at low points in my life!”

Q – What or who inspires you?

“If there is one person who inspires me it’s me, it’s my niece Racheal. She taught me much more about life then I could ever teach her. She was such an influential young women who was a talented artist and childrens illustrator. She had a great sense of humor and wit that I truly admired. My niece lived her entire life in pain due to a rare skin disorder, yet she never complained. She lived her life according to her terms, she was a feisty girl. In November 2011 Racheals pain came to an end and she is now at peace, yet she continues to be an inspiration to everyone she has ever met and whose life she touched, including myself! I do this monologue in honor of you Rach!”

Debra Verdicchio