Lee Blessing's "Independence"

Become a patron of the arts and help us present: Lee Blessing's 'Independence', a play in two acts at East Point's new Windmill Arts Center!

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ABOUT THE PLAY:

Kess, a literature professor and (much to the dismay of her mother) a proud lesbian, has returned home to the small town of Independence, Iowa at the desperate plea of her sister, Jo. Between Sherry, their nineteen-year-old sister who is still in high school but has the dating record of a much older woman; Evelyn, their mother and a force of nature as mercurial as they come; and an unexpected pregnancy- Jo needs help.

With equal doses of comedy and tragedy, 'Independence' follows these four hurricanes hurtling toward a future some of them want, some of them are afraid of, but all of them know can't be stopped. Along the way, we learn, as they learn, what Independence means to each of them.

Directed by Cathy Reinking.

Starring: Lucia Scarano, Alicia Kelley, Hannah Pniewski, and Kimberly Maxwell.

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FROM THE TEAM:

We are so excited to bring 'Independence' to Atlanta! We would greatly appreciate whatever financial help you could give. We aim to cover the costs of our one-weekend run on September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, which amounts to $3000 dollars. Once we raise $3000 to cover this run of the play, the remaining funds will be used to put this piece on again. We love this show, and we want to revisit these characters again for a multiple-weekend run once we are financially able to do so!

Your funds will go to:

- Renting the performance venue 
- Paying for the rights to the play 
- Marketing for the show
- Props, costumes, and set pieces



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DONOR LEVELS:

CAMEO level - $2500 – Exclusive sponsorship: Special mention at the top of the play, All signage (including logo) on all marketing materials including a full-page ad in the program and in all online marketing, projected image (or commercial) on screen pre and post-performance, Business materials prominently displayed in the lobby. Four Free tickets.

IVORY level - $2000 –Special mention at the top of the play, Ad projected on screen pre and post-performance. Business materials prominently displayed in the lobby. Full page ad in the Program. Four Free tickets.

CORAL level- $1500 – Special mention at the top of the play. Business materials prominently displayed in the Lobby. Full page ad in the program. Four Free tickets.

PLATINUM level - $1000 – Special mention at the top of the play. Business materials prominently displayed in the lobby. Half page ad in the program. Four Free tickets.

GOLD level - $500 – Half page ad in program. Four Free tickets.

SILVER level - $250 – 1/4 page ad in program. Two Free tickets.

BRONZE level - $100 – One Free ticket.

PATRON - $10+ - Your name listed in the program!

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MEET THE CAST:

ALICIA KELLEY // JO


Alicia Kelley is grateful to be a part of the cast of “Independence”. She holds an MFA in Acting and a BA in Theatre Performance and is an actress with Atlanta Models and Talent. She is also an acting teacher and audition coach, focusing mainly on teens and youth. Alicia also enjoys creating and producing content, whether it’s film, web series, sketches, or live theatre, and has loved being a part of Chronicle  Collective’s debut production. She is proud to be a part of the entertainment industry in Atlanta and believes that Atlanta has an INCREDIBLE wealth of talent and is also a strong, supportive community for artists. "Love art in yourself, and not yourself in art" - Konstantinos Stanislavski.



HANNAH PNIEWSKI // Kess


Hannah attended Georgia College & State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts' Classical Acting Program. You can see her in Netflix's new show 'Insatiable', the second season of Netflix's hit show 'Ozark' and next year in Ang Lee's upcoming movie, 'Gemini Man'. She is represented by Atlanta Models and Talent, Inc. 



KIMBERLY MAXWELL // SHERRY


Kimberly began her acting career at the age of five when she appeared as the non-speaking role of Want in A Christmas Carol and has not stopped since. She graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Acting in 2015 and immediately after, thru-hiked all 2189.2 miles of the Appalachian Trail. You may have recently seen her in Shakespeare on Draught's The Tempest or in one of the many commercials she has done this year. BOOMER SOONER! She is represented by Alexander White Agency.



LUCIA SCARANO // EVELYN



Lucia Scarano is new to Atlanta but not new to acting. She has a degree in Theatre and trained in NYC. Having been here only 10 months, she has found the artistic community incredibly supportive and encouraging. She coaches and teaches Method Acting at Atlanta Acting Arts. Lucia is thrilled to be a part of this insightful play and to share the stage with these amazing young ladies under the direction of the intuitive and knowledgeable, Cathy Reinking. She has been fortunate to work with many amazing, talented people in the industry over many years in numerous TV shows and films. You can see her in the new SHAFT film, TV pilot 'Dwight in Shining Armor', The CW's 'Black Lightning', TBS' 'Miracle Workers', and the independent film, 'Sweetie Pie'. Her passion has always been the stage, but her proudest productions are her three children.



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MEET THE DIRECTOR:

CATHY REINKING

As Cathy Reinking sat down to write yet another version of her bio, she thought, "what HAVEN'T I done related to the performing arts?"   She's a many hyphenate -  director-casting director-writer-producer- coach-stage manager-you name it - and listing every theater production, film, TV episode, commercial, web series, showcase, would be very long and very boring.  She graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a Theater Degree, so there is that. And By God, she has managed to actually USE that degree for most of her adult life.  She swept the stage floors at South Coast Rep and she went to every audition, every table read, every rehearsal, every shoot night for the show "Frasier," so her career has definitely been varied.  Here's her IMDB page  if you want to take a look.  What's most important to know is that she loves directing plays because theater is "where it's at" for really examining deeply the human psyche, and this production of "Independence" with this cast is simply heaven and will touch many lives - in a sublime way.  These women deserve all the support that is out there. 

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MEET THE CREW:

LYSSA HOGANSON // STAGE MANAGER

Lyssa Hoganson is a Georgia native and a 2015 graduate of the theatre program at Georgia College. From 2015-2016, she served as the administrative and front-of-house intern at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN. She is delighted to be a part of Independence and this amazing team of creative women. You can currently hear her work as a writer and the voice of Agnes Drew on the podcast Mercury: A Broadcast of Hope, a production of Atlanta Radio Theatre Company.

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If you aren't able to donate monetarily, please share this GOFUNDME link and help spread the word. Or if you would like to volunteer, we would love to have you on the team! This is a Collective, after all! Please email [email redacted] for volunteer information.

We are forever grateful for your continued support.