Prop Card

Here's the birthday card Britt made for the show. My line indicated I'd purchased a card that showed "a pony with a pipe." Britt added the inside sentiment.

A Very High Compliment

The Review Is In!

Nothing is as it seems in this office

Posted: Friday, May 6, 2016 11:04 pm
By BILL CISSNA Special Correspondent

In the world of Adam Bock’s play “The Receptionist,” everything in the Northeast Office seems normal, business-like, maybe even mundane. Or at least it does for a while.

Spirit Gum Theatre Company opened its production of the play Friday night at The Actor’s Group on Reynolda Road. In the compact space (it seats 30 patrons), a cast of four held the audience spellbound for 80 minutes.

At first, attention is drawn with recognizable characters and humor focused primarily on the receptionist (Cheryl Ann Roberts) and her co-worker Lorraine (Britt Cannino). The later action, which enters into a different universe, more directly involves the office’s boss Mr. Raymond (Gregg Vogelsmeier) and the Central Office’s representative Mr. Dart (Latimer Alexander V).

The hyper-organized Beverly rules over her front desk roost with opinions for the romantically-challenged, narcissist-inflicted Lorraine. Part guidance counselor, part mother, Beverly rolls out advice despite her own marriage and child-raising issues.

Beverly, at the center of this story in more ways than one, is the kind of woman who collects expensive tea cups with her husband, but reacts with “ewww” at the thought of collecting coffee mugs.

Into the midst of the phone ringing and phone call avoidance strolls the initially-pleasant Mr. Dart, who wants to see Mr. Raymond whenever he returns. He plays friendly with Beverly but, when Beverly goes out for a bit, his approach to Lorraine sheds a darker light.

At last, Mr. Raymond does return, and something of the true nature of both the Northeast and the Central offices begins to surface.

We’re given a clue when Beverly talks about her transition two years earlier to her current location. For some unknown reason, she was the only one to be transferred from the office in which she earlier worked.

Spirit Gum is a small company that has gained a well-deserved reputation of doing more with less. In the limited space, the basic set represents a standard type of office that disguises a very special kind of business. First-time director Sarah Jenkin has done a fine job of casting and lent her actor’s knowledge to making the cast’s solo moments and interactions believable even as things change drastically.

Vogelsmeier, Cannino and Alexander all bring strong support, especially as they transition from people with the normal concerns of office workers to fear or ominous threat.

As the heart and soul of the office, however, Cheryl Ann Roberts — a stage veteran of many a show in and around the Triad — presents a very natural, warm, concerned individual who nevertheless has a great “cold eye” to share with Dart. Her transition from relatively innocent front desk person to finding herself in shocking and uncertain circumstances is a joy to behold.

If you decide to catch this shape-shifting play, reservations are recommended. Seating is definitely limited — but the price is right to see a fine cast in an intriguing show.

Rehearsal Notes

To: Britt, Latimer, Cheryl Ann, Greg
Sent: Tue, May 3, 2016 12:41 am
Subject: rehearsal things

Hi guys,

Thank you again for all your hard work on the show. Tonight started out pretty frustrating (what with the malfunctioning Bluetooth, no sound cues and a late start due to same), but I was really happy with how things were going during the second run. The pacing was good, and I got caught up in the story, not in taking notes.

That being said, please please continue to not just study but DRILL your problem scenes. From Tuesday night on, no calling for line. Michael has told me he will be at home and available tomorrow before rehearsal from 6 p.m. on, if anyone wants to meet and run lines. I am happy to be there and do the same. Text and let us know if you're interested. As I mentioned, there was quite a bit of paraphrasing and adding/subtracting from lines, so please review.

I am very proud to be your director and excited about this weekend! See you tomorrow night, and try not to eat any paste in the meantime.

Love,
Sarah

Prop Picture

Here's a prop picture. It's for the bulletin board behind Beverly's desk. 

This is me and "Bob" on one of our teacup hunting vacations.

This picture makes me smile so much!

Journal Preview Article

The Receptionist ranges from humor to provocative questions
Posted: Saturday, April 30, 2016 10:30 pm
By Bill Cissna Special Correspondent

Since its founding in 2013, the tiny Spirit Gum Theatre Company has quickly built a reputation for excellent play selection. Often, the picks haven’t been produced often or they are little-known gems that are hard to find in the Triad.

The company’s latest production, Adam Bock’s “The Receptionist,” is no exception.

Bock’s play, which will be presented at The Actor’s Group in West End, starts with an average morning in a company’s “Northeast Office.”

In that office, Beverly Wilkins (Cheryl Ann Roberts) holds court at the receptionist’s desk. As Spirit Gum’s website says, “She’s the first in, the last out, makes the coffee, manages the office supplies and, of course, answers the phone.”

She also, as on any other day, finds time to gossip with her co-workers — including Lorraine (Britt Cannino) — about their lives and her own.

The routine takes a significant shift when a charming representative appears from the Central Office. Mr. Dart (Latimer Alexander V) has dropped in for a talk with Beverly’s boss, Mr. Raymond (Gregg Vogelsmeier).

Sarah Jenkins, Spirit Gum’s newest company member, is also directing her first full-length play with an adult cast. She studied directing in college, though, and worked with children on two different productions of “The Little Mermaid” last summer.

“I definitely learned a lot about thinking creatively on my feet with 6 to 13-year-olds last July,” she said.

Jenkins said that the show takes a turn partway through the script.

“Without giving too much away, it starts out like the TV show ‘The Office,’ then takes an abrupt turn into ‘1984’ territory. It’s really funny, but with a creepy edge.”

Jenkins was introduced to the script soon after joining Spirit Gum.

“I really love the natural flow of the language and the humor,” she said. “And I find the darker second half of the play to be really, distressingly pertinent, considering some of the current social and political goings-on in the country of late.”

She also decided that the characters were equally interesting. “I found them all to be compelling.”

Roberts, portraying the title character, had read the script, which in turn compelled her to audition. “It’s very much an ensemble piece that challenges the actors,” she said. “It’s not what we say; it’s also what we don’t say that adds a level of intrigue.”

Roberts has acted with a number of the live theater companies around the Triad. Her favorite roles have been Willa Dean in “The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife” at Theatre Alliance, Maureen in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” at Open Space Café Theatre, and originating the role of Ellie in “Conversations in a Café.”

She also sat in the director’s chair for a Greensboro production of “All About Faith.”

“I’m finding that the script made it easy to bring Beverly to life,” she said. “She’s a very open character, in the sense that she’ll tell you what’s going on in her life and provide her opinions and advice about everyone else’s lives, too.”

“Sarah’s an actor’s director,” Roberts said. “She allows that freedom of character discovery in rehearsal, and her notes are spot on.”

Roberts worked with Alexander on “Beauty Queen of Leenane,” and she sees some similarities. “Our scenes for ‘The Receptionist’ have a ‘Beauty Queen’ quality.”

Though it’s her first time acting with Cannino and Vogelsmeier, she thinks the ensemble works well together. “I’m really excited to be working with Britt and Gregg. She cracks me up at every rehearsal, and I’ve seen him on stage several times in the area.”

Jenkins is bringing her extensive experience as an actor to her new role as a director.

“It has been very weird to switch my brain from ‘actor’ to ‘director,’” she said. “I keep trying to remember exactly how I’ve been directed in the past in ways that were helpful to me. I do think that being an actor helps me. I know what little things drive me crazy in rehearsal and try to avoid them.”

Having each ensemble character hold an important position in the story helps, too. “I want to tell the overall story, the big picture, not take on an individual role,” she said.

“The Receptionist” opens on Friday for two weekends. If past Spirit Gum shows are any indication, reservations for the small space are recommended.

Cheryl Ann's Back On Stage

At the start of a typical day in the Northeast Office, Beverly deals effortlessly with ringing phones and her colleague's romantic troubles. But the appearance of a charming rep from the Central Office disrupts the friendly routine. As the true nature of the company's business becomes apparent, 'The Receptionist' raises disquieting, provocative questions about the consequences of complicity with evil.

"A twisted comedy that ripples with creepy currents" - NY Times

 After being away from the stage for almost 2 years, I’m excited to be returning in this show. I’m playing the role of Beverly, the receptionist.

The show opens a week from this Friday and will run 2 weekends. With tickets only $10.00, it’s a very affordable night out with your spouse, significant other, mother, father, sister, brother, non-immediate family members, friends, even a stranger on the street! I don’t judge and everyone could use a good laugh! Plus, it runs less than 90 minutes so there’s plenty of time to grab a(n adult) beverage after the show. (Or even one before the show!)

The venue is small, so if you would like to attend, and I’d love to see you there, please reserve seats viaspiritgumtheatreco@gmail.com. (You still pay at the door.)

There should be a preview article about the show in Sunday’s Journal and you can visit Spirit Gum Theatrefor more information on dates and times.

Preview Article Questions

From: Bill Cissna
To: Cheryl Ann
Sent: Sun, Apr 17, 2016 5:49 pm
Subject: RE: Preview article questions

Cheryl Ann, thank you so much. I believe these answers will work out fine, but if I run short when I get to the final draft, I will let you know!

I especially like, of course, your answer on past performance/directing credits. Those are definitely four of my favorites, too. As you know from seeing lots of shows as we do, some of them are memorable and a number slip into the slippery sands of forgotten memory. “Leenane” and “Trailer Park” are two that have stuck with me since the time they were done, and will continue to until the dementia sets in.

Thanks again, and be well. Looking forward to seeing the show!

Bill

From: Cheryl Ann
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2016 2:31 PM
To: Bill Cissna
Subject: Fwd: Preview article questions

I answered on the questions below. Let me know if you need more or have questions. 

Cheryl Ann

Sent from my iPhone 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Spirit Gum Theatre Co.
Date: April 17, 2016 at 12:48:09 AM EDT
To: Cheryl Ann Roberts
Subject: Fwd: Preview article questions

Hi Cheryl Ann -

Apologies for forgetting to get this to you before.  These are the questions Bill has for the Journal article - if you'd just send him a quick response when you get a minute, that would be great.  Thank you!

Sarah

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bill Cissna
Date: Fri, Apr 8, 2016 at 3:38 PM
Subject: Preview article questions
To: Spirit Gum Theatre Company

Hello! Here are some questions for Cheryl Ann to help with writing a preview article for the Journal. It would be helpful to have answers, via e-mail, in approximately one week (end of day Friday, the 15^th). As usual, anything anyone wants to add to the prepared questions is welcomed.

1). Had you encountered this script before auditioning? What about “The Receptionist” appealed to you?

I read the script and then decided to audition. It's very much an ensemble piece that challenges the actors. It's not what we say, it's also what we don't say that adds a level of intrigue.

2). What’s your character’s name? What work or research or discussions have you had that helped you know her better? 

My character is Beverly Wilkins. The script made it easy to bring Beverly to life. She's a very open character in the sense that she'll tell you what's going on in her life and provide her opinions/advice about everyone else's lives! Sarah and I did discuss a few choices and I still have a couple of decisions to make. It's been great working with Sarah as she allows that freedom of character discovery.

3). Some of your past roles in the Triad have included

Ohmigosh, so many! Favorite roles: Willa Dean in Theatre Alliances The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, Maureen in Open Space's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, originating the role of Ellie in Conversations in a Cafe for Log-Inn Productions (and having that script published!), directing All About Faith for Log-Inn Production (and having that script published!). (I'm really not sucking up! These are my favorite and proudest moments! Lol.)

4). You know most of this stuff better than I do – anything else you’d like to add about the experience, the cast, the script – anything that doesn’t give away the story?

Lattimer and I worked together in Beauty Queen and our scenes for Receptionist have a Beauty Queen quality. I'm really excited to be working with Britt (she cracks me up every rehearsal!) and Gregg (who I've seen on stage several times). Sarah is an actor's director and she's doing an outstanding job for her directorial debut. Her notes are spot on.

Got A Callback!

From: Spirit Gum Theatre Co.
Sent: Tue, Mar 15, 2016 10:22 am
Subject: The Receptionist

Hi folks,

Thank you for coming out to audition, and we'd like to see you at callbacks on Wednesday night! There will be some actors auditioning for the first time that evening, so please come at 7:30 rather than 7.
Thanks again, and see you tomorrow evening!

Sincerely,
Sarah and Spirit Gum Theatre Co.

A Night At The Theatre, "Stop Kiss"

Last night Chad and I went to go see Spirit Gum's production of Stop Kiss.

It's a challenging script in that various scenes are presented out of order, and there are great many scenes in this show.

I thought the guys were terrific. Michael Ackerman brought an honesty to George, the main character's friend with benefits. Ken Ashford was great as Detective Cole. Nick Zayas played the quietly seething, but still in love role of Peter.

Nichelle Wright played dual roles of Mrs. Winsley and a Nurse. Sarah Jenkins played the main character of Callie and Becky Hill McLaughlin played Sara.

I had great expectations for Sarah Jenkins, but unfortunately her performance never acheived the depth necessary for the story. I never quite believed her inner struggle. Becky was very sweet in her protrayal as Sara, which didn't really work. As a matter of fact, I felt the show would have worked best had Becky been cast as Callie and Sarah cast as Sara.

Overall it was a good production and I'm so glad this important piece of theatre was produced locally.

Write Up in the Triad City Beat

Lesbians, quiche and nuclear war figure in play

Posted by Brian Clarey on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 · Leave a Comment  

by Kelly Fahey

How many lesbians does it take to fend off impending nuclear annihilation? What sounds like an offensive joke that could ruin a social outing is actually the main premise behind Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood’s satirical comedy Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, which finished its run with Winston-Salem’s Spirit Gum Theatre Company last weekend at the Community Arts Café.

The performance is set in an anonymous 1956 American town during the annual quiche breakfast held by the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. The group’s central activity is the adoration and devouring of the most sacred of savory pastries: quiche. Their motto is, “No men, no meat, all manners.” That is to say, bringing a quiche that contains meat is highly frowned upon by the Sisters of Gertrude Stein.

Halfway through the quiche breakfast, all hell breaks loose when the greatest fear of the 1950s comes to fruition in the form of an atomic bomb dropped on their unsuspecting city by the relentless Russians. Luckily, Vern, played by Spirit Gum Theatre Company co-founder Caitlin Stafford, has gone to great lengths of preparation by installing a blast door and food rations to last through the nuclear winter.

Rather than lamenting the loss of everyone they’ve ever known or expressing terror over the fact that they are under attack, the sisters pine over the loss of all the wonderful quiches prepared for their annual breakfast.

In a fairly unexpected plot twist, the members of the Susan B. Anthony Society all decide to admit to themselves and their fellow sisters that they are, in fact, lesbians. At that time, they turned to the members of the audience, who were provided with nametags and included as members of the annual quiche breakfast, and encouraged them to announce that they were also lesbians, which they all did.

While this particular play is not very well known, it was a hit for the Spirit Gum Theatre Company. A friend brought them the idea while they were planning their second season.

“We read it and were laughing out [loud],” said Stafford, who is the fourth generation of actors in her family.

The production was small in scale. Only five actors made up the cast, and there were no set or costume changes. This lack of frills allowed the hilarious dialogue and acting to take center stage.

According to Stafford, the theater company had to turn to friends in the community to complete director Michael Ackerman’s vision of the production.

“Since we own very little in the way of set materials,” Stafford said, “we reached out to other local theater groups to borrow bits and pieces to make the whole thing come together.”

The Spirit Gum Theatre Company was founded by Stafford, Ackerman and Rene Shepard, who is taking a short hiatus as her first child is due in a few weeks. They met through performing in plays at Stained Glass Playhouse and Twin City Stage.

“When the three of us hung out as a trio, something clicked. We decided to read some scripts together and Spirit Gum was suddenly born,” Stafford said.

Although Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche was a small production, their modest theater company has grown considerably since being founded in June 2013. Their first show, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, consisted of only the three founders, with Shepard and Stafford acting and Ackerman directing.

“I think we had an unspoken understanding that if our first show was a complete flop, we would have said we had a lot of fun and moved on, but it was a success and it motivated us to keep moving on,” Stafford said.

While Shepard is on hiatus and Ackerman takes time to train his new puppy, Stafford will continue to participate in productions in Winston-Salem including Into the Woods at Twin City Stage and Night of January 16^th at the Stained Glass Playhouse until she directs Spirit Gum’s Next Production.

Spirit Gum Cast Facebook Teaser

(photo by Caitlin Stafford)

Cheryl Ann Roberts simply "kaaaaaant" wait to make her debut with Spirit Gum Theatre, even though she does not have the same ravenous appetite for quiche or "quiche" (Wink, wink.) as her character Ginny does. (Sorry, ladies!) She would like to thank her family and friends for their support.

My Next Theatrical Endeavor

Stay tuned for more details!