Theater 125: (Un)Drinkable
Synopsis:
In 2014, Flint, Michigan changed the source of its water supply. This resulted in the contamination of its drinking and bathing water, causing a dozen fatalities and sickening dozens more. The changes in the water supply were motivated by the greed of a few people in power and by systemic racism: The city was 54% Black.
Writer
Dana Hall
Dana Hall (she/her) is a Chicago-based playwright, actor, and mental health therapist. Her works have been produced for national and international audiences. The Theater Association of NYS (TANYS) awarded her Excellence in Playwriting. She was a finalist for the Morecambe Fringe John Clarke Memorial Prize for scriptwriting. She was the Audience Choice Award winner Eclectic Theatre Patchwork Festival (Chicago) and a finalist Winner in the Hear Me Out Monologue Competition. In 2022, the New York Journal named her one of the 50 under 50 most influential creators. Away from the stage, her best-selling children’s book Beyond Words won the Mother’s Choice Award. Her plays have been published with Next Stage Press, Heuer, Stage Plays, & Smith Scripts. She is currently in residence with the Dramatists Guild Institute's Certificate of Dramatic Writing program and Playground Chicago. She is also a member of the Dramatists Guild, League of Professional Theatre Women, Honor Roll!, and International Centre for Female Playwrights. DanaHallCreates.com Instagram: @DanaHallCreates
Dana Hall
Director
Bernadette Armstrong
Bernadette Armstrong has been writing, directing, and producing successful plays in North Hollywood since 2000. Her most recent success occurred under the direst circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic forced the closure of live theater, including the premier of her play Custody, Bernadette’s disappointment led her to launch a new theater venue, Open-Door Playhouse. Open-Door Playhouse is a Theater Podcast – like the radio dramas of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Playhouse launched on September 15, 2020. At the time Open-Door Playhouse provided Playwrights, Actors and Directors a creative outlet during the shutdown. Since its inception, Open-Door Playhouse has presented Short and 1ACT plays from Playwrights across the country and internationally.
Bernadette Armstrong
Cast
Barika Phillips Bell (Nanette)
Barika Phillips Bell originally hales from Dallas, TX. After graduating Suma Cum Laude from Fisk University in Nashville, TN, she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology & Theater. She is an accomplished actress, singer, director, published poet & spoken word artist, a playwright & producer. She is currently working on a digital series called "The Quarantine Chronicles" airing now on IG TV as well as the new show [Their] Story coming to a streaming network near you.
Barika Phillips Bell
JayCee Porter (Resident 2, Person 2)
JayCee Porter is so glad to be back this year with Open Door Playhouse after having done two of their audio plays last year! JayCee graduated from California State University, Northridge, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre, and currently studies at the Stuart Rogers' Studio in North Hollywood. She earned an acting nomination for her work in Gaslight from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, as well as being an invited performer for their night of highlighted scenes. Recent work includes Rave Reviews directed by Jean Liu, and The Crash directed by Lea Wolke. When she is not acting, she is playing drums, cooking, or singing in her country band around town.
JayCee Porter
Sue Gisser (Person 1, Resident 1)
Sue trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Steppenwolf West, the Groundlings, iOWest, Second City, Antaeus Academy, Theatricum Botanicum, and holds a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. In her professional career, Sue is blessed to seldom work with a director, show, or theatre company only once. She's recurred on "Shameless," "Strangers with Candy," and "Solved;" did multiple spots in campaigns for 'Burlington Coat Factory,' 'Mercury Insurance,' and 'Cedar Fair;' completed 20 tours between the Shoestring Players, Open Window Entertainment, and the George Street Playhouse; her films include "The Activist" and "In the Air"- both by French Director Cyril Morin. This is her first podcast, and she's totally hooked. Playing Char has been an honor. Sue is grateful to Bernadette for opening up this new world to her and for the opportunity to work on this beautiful play, with such strong, talented women!
Sue Gisser
Sound Production:
Oak House Recording Studio in Pasadena, CA with Sound Engineer David Peters.
