New Works Playwright Competition Winner Workshop
Adoption of Grief
Written by Jessie Salsbury
Directed by Jo Bledsoe Collins
Dates: July 13 and 14* at 8 pm
*Saturday night audiences will be treated to a post-show talkback with Jessie Salsbury, hosted by Kansas City playwright David Hanson.
Tickets:
REGULAR TICKETS: $10 online and at the door | Buy tickets now!
OCTA SUBSCRIBERS: $5 at the door | Subscribers can contact tickets@olathetheatre.org or 913-782-2990 to reserve these discounted tickets in advance.
Special Concession item: Beat the heat at OCTA’s Adoption of Grief! Playing only this weekend, so come take a seat with an ice cream treat!
SUMMARY
A mother dies, leaving instructions for her daughters to be given to the family that secretly adopted her son years before. The sister of the deceased works to keep her family together, as her nieces, who are Black, will be given to a White family that she doesn’t know. The play addresses the legal, social, and emotional constructs of interracial adoption in these recent times, and what defines family.
Check out the teaser video for the reading of Adoption of Grief that includes cuts from the script read by the cast, and read the PerformInk Kansas City article for some wise words from the 2018 NWPC winning Playwright Jessie Salsbury!
Cast: (Click for company bios and headshots)
Denise Saylor – Amanda
Peter Leondedis – Ronald
Ted Collins – Ward
Yasmeen Wilcox – Desiree
Rochelle Petway – Myreen
Sheridan Mirador – Chad
Jeannie Blau – Stage Reader
ABOUT THE NEW WORKS PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION
Established in 2016, the New Works Playwright Competition is a unique opportunity for local playwrights to get their name out in the community and have a chance to workshop their production on the OCTA stage. OCTA continues to seek ways to provide aspiring artists opportunities to grow. We feel our unique space and collaborative spirit can provide a safe environment for aspiring playwrights to be heard.
TICKETS are available online now.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO OCTA
Tickets may be purchased with credit card, check, or cash. Free parking is available in the OCTA lot and on the street. Concessions are available for cash or credit donation and may be taken into the theater.