Thank you, Iowa Stage Theatre
"The Inheritance of Women" performed at Scriptease series 4/15/24
Dear Readers:
Why not be fearless and say yes to the unknown?
That is just what I did when I was approached by Iowa Stage Theatre actor and Artistic Producer Davida D. Williams about a possible collaboration. I’m so grateful to IST for performing works from my collection-in-progress, “The Inheritance of Women.” Thank you to so many of you for attending Monday night’s Scriptease reading and thanks to all of you for your support of my poetry.
I was shocked to have a packed house and a deeply engaged audience for the performance. (Of course, many attendees were my friends and many Iowa Writers’ Collaborative colleagues — appreciate you!) “The Inheritance of Women” included poems that touched on deep and difficult subjects, and the Iowa Stage Theatre cast blew me away with their authentic interpretation of my work.
This experience reinforced to me how creativity can be fueled by collaboration and encouragement. Little did I know that when Julie Gammack invited me to join the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative that one poem in particular would spark an invitation to write a piece for a nonprofit fundraiser. Little did I know when Iowa Stage Theatre actor and Artistic Producer Davida D. Williams read the poem aloud at that charitable event that she would be inspired to approach me about working together. Little did I know that when I said “Yes!” to a undefined collaboration that Davida would assemble and direct a group of incredibly talented professional actors from their company to read from my unfinished collection.
Trusting, saying yes, and co-creating can be a force.
Thank you to Davida, Artistic Producer Alex Wendel, Dove Haase, the board, staff and cast who also took a leap of faith to produce a poetry show. Thank you again to my family, friends, Iowa Writers' Collaborative colleagues, and audience members who came on Monday -- and for the great Q&A. I am so grateful for your support in this creative work.
Based on the feedback, I’ll be further developing “The Inheritance of Women” and perhaps dreaming up some additional ways to continue the performance momentum.
Be sure to check out Iowa Stage Theater's offerings at https://www.iowastage.org.
Seriously, let’s see if we can’t use the ‘house concert’ format and have people invite you to their homes for a reading with friends and neighbors?
I'm so happy for you Suzanna! You deserve the accolades.