Program C
September 10-13
Holy Smoke
by Victoria Durham of Silver Spring, MD
Produced by Play on Words Podcast
"Holy Smoke" is a sharp, one-act play that ignites with the unexpected arrival of Maxine, a newly devout and fiercely opinionated mother, into the bohemian world of her daughter Jonquil, who is on the verge of a milestone birthday and a long-awaited vacation. What begins as a simple birthday visit quickly escalates into a battle of beliefs, as Maxine tries to steer Jonquil toward marriage and faith, only to be met with Jonquil’s unapologetic declaration of her asexuality and her refusal to conform to anyone’s expectations. Their verbal sparring is by turns hilarious, raw, and brutally honest, as they challenge each other’s worldviews and push every emotional button. But can their relationship survive these new versions of one another?
Brandy Victoria is a playwright and performance artist whose work has been produced by the Southern Repertory Theatre of Louisiana, Little Theatre of Alexandria, Obsidian Theatre Festival, Fade to Black Reading Series, Barter Theatre and Abingdon Theatre Company. In 2023, Brandy was named a Hurston/Wright Foundation Fellow and was a featured playwright in the literary publication, Obsidian Literature and Arts in the African Diaspora. Brandy was also selected as a featured artist by Torch Literary Arts based in Austin, Texas. She is a graduate of Temple University, earning degrees in Film and Media arts and African-American Studies.
CAST/CREW
Charissa McMahon (Director)
Emma Moore (Stage Mgr)
Eddie Kunz (Producer)
Linda Haston
Montaja Simmons
The Great Anderton Snowfall Debacle of 2025
by Lisa Feriend of Singapore
produced by Prime Stage Theatre
Tiffany and Jessica need to get an autograph and photo of former professional English soccer player, Darren Anderton, in order to save Tiffany’s marriage - but it snowed, and he might be dead?
Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is an award-winning playwright, a member of the Dramatists Guild, and President of the Board of Arts For All, a NYC-based nonprofit bringing accessible artistic opportunities to children who face barriers to exploring the arts. She has a BFA in Film & TV from NYU and two kids who are disappointed that she doesn't write plays about dinosaurs.
CAST/CREW
Scott Calhoun (Director)
Jason Kmetic (Stage Mgr)
Cynthia Dallas (Jessica)
Kristina Malinak (Tiffany)
Bryan Karpinski (Gennero Gattuso)
Waiting to Film Waiting for Godot
by Mathew Green ofChampaign, IL
produced by Stray Cat Theatre
Two veteran actors wait on a set for filming to begin. They are eventually joined by a young woman, also waiting. As they wait, they converse about life, art, and the birds circling overhead.
Mathew Green is a Midwest director, actor, and playwright. His play Quiet Tonight was performed at the 2025 Pittsburgh New Works Fest. He lives in Champaign, Illinois with his stage manager wife and four kids, and he has been creating theatre in Central Illinois (and beyond) for more than 20 years.
CAST/CREW
Barbara Burgess-Lefebvre (Director)
Jack Lefebvre (Producer)
Steven Gallagher – Junius Blanchard
Todd Ballenger – Ronnie Platt
Kiera Vinson-- Les
Lauren Sykes—Ellie Sanger
Frederick Coleman—Quince Morn