Theater 87: The Visit
Summary
In the new short play, The Visit, Susan, a young housewife is just getting back to her normal routine after suffering a miscarriage. While getting back into housekeeping duties she receives a surprise wellness check from a representative from the emergency clinic where she and her husband rush to on the night of her miscarriage.
At first, she is touched by the thoughtfulness of the visit, but as the questions about her condition seem to run a bit off course, her feelings about the visitors inquiries take a more sinister turn.
Written by Hoyt Hilsman and Directed by Rachel Berney Needleman, starring Goreti da Silva as Vicky and Barika Phillips Bell as Susan.
The Visit was recorded at The Oak House Studio in Altadena, CA, Sound Engineer David Peters..
Writer: Hoyt Hilman
HOYT HILSMAN is an award-winning writer and journalist. He has written screenplays for studios and television networks, including Disney, Sony, New Line, Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS. His stage plays and musicals have been produced in theaters around the country and abroad, and have won numerous awards. He is also a contributor to national media, and has been a regular contributor to HuffPost and a theater critic for Variety.
Director: Rachel Berney Needleman
Rachel Berney Needleman is a director and dramaturg for new plays and classical work. As a director: 4 Minutes by DJ Hills (MeetCute LA 2022), Playground-LA (2021-22 Season), Theresa Rebeck’s What We’re Up Against (Pacific Resident Theatre Co-op), Cabaret Noel with Gigi Bermingham (Antaeus Theatre Co. and Skylight Theatre), Five Second Chances by Mattie Brickman (PRT Co-op), Cowgirls by Mildred Lewis (EST-LA), The Space Between (The Braid). Rachel has directed new play readings and workshops at The Blank, EST-LA, Skylight and Theatricum Botanicum. Her dramaturg credits include Antaeus (Diana of Dobson’s, Cloud 9, Henry IV) and Arizona Theatre Company (At Wit’s End). Rachel is also a co-author of the LA Anti-Racist Theatre Standards.
Rachel Berney Needleman
Cast: Barika Philips Bell as Susan
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. "James & Joseph" produced by Barika, was nominated for an NAACP award. Past credits include: "And Then There Was You" with Brian White and Lynn Whitfield, the films "No Sunlight", "Maternal Instincts", and "A Mother's Ordeal" and "The Last Appeal". She recently won Best Support Actress for the film "The Tale of the Corporate Slave" airing now on Amazon and Best Comedy Ensemble for the short "It Happens" at the Austin Film Festival.
Barika Phillips Bell
Goreti da Silva as Vickie
Since moving to Los Angeles from Canada, Goreti da Silva has worked in many films, tv programs, theatre, and improv shows. Most recently, you may have seen her on Big Little Lies, a Toyota commercial, or heard her voice in one of many radio plays on Opendoorplayhouse.org.
Goreti was awarded The Michael Grossman Most Inspirational Award for her body of theatre work in the Desert; and she won the Valley Theatre Award for her work in “Park Plays: Portland”.
When not performing, Goreti fills her "well" by teaching Improv, Theatre Arts, Playwriting, and Acting to underserved youth who write plays in which they later perform. Though Goreti has produced and directed dozens of plays, she continues to be surprised, delighted and inspired by our next generation of leaders.
