A Few Thoughts from the Director...
Sometimes in theatre everything just clicks, and Rabbit Hole by David Lindsey-Abaire is one of those times. I freely admit that by the time my last production of the Spring semester at Tech closed I was pretty burned out. It had been a long year with a lot of unusual challenges and unexpected struggles, and I just wanted to take a long nap. But I was committed to directing Rabbit Hole and rehearsals really needed to begin in May as early as possible. I felt confident that I had put together a strong cast and the more times I read the play the more certain I was that this could be a good show. Once I saw James Alder's beautiful set design, I began to imagine the possibilities. Then I heard this wonderful cast read through the show out loud sitting in a circle and we were off. Rehearsals that followed were a delight and watching this cast work together and make smart, clever character choices, and take direction so effectively made the whole process inspiring. Working with my dear friend, Joe Clark always makes for a positive experience. He has an eye for the whole production creation that makes him an excellent director and an amazingly efficient and supportive stage manager. Getting to work in CPAC has been an absolute joy. I feel like a painter who gets to create on a huge canvas. I can't stress enough how lucky we are to have the Cookeville Performing Arts Center in our community. Finally, I want to send a huge thank you to the Storyteller Theatre Company for hiring me to direct their inaugural production. There is absolutely nothing easy about starting a theatre company as it is long hours and hard work and not a lot of gratification. I truly hope that this production of Rabbit Hole is the first of many shows brought to our community by the Storyteller Theatre Company. As a patron and lover of the theatre, you are helping to make that a reality by being here tonight. And if you enjoy the production, please tell your friends, rave about it on social media, and encourage others to come see the play! Cookeville has had a vibrant and active theatre community for many years and that can only continue with the constant love and support of the people of our community. In the words of the great Laurence Olivier, "I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theatre is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture."
Thank you for attending this production and supporting theatre in our community.
Mark
A Note from Our Board
Every now and then you stumble across a work of theater that cuts so deeply and draws you in so completely that when it ends, you’re left reeling and wondering how it could have affected you so entirely. This is the type of play that exists in Rabbit Hole; a poignant and haunting story that explores the pain of loss with grace and humanity, one that isn’t reduced to blubbering or dramatics but instead works through each character in the search for hope and healing. The death of a child isn’t a subject that most turn towards, but Rabbit Hole forces us to take a closer look at the void left by the loss of a beloved family member and the struggles we all face in the journey to move forward in any kind of grief. A topic that could wallow in tragedy and despair is instead presented to the audience in a way that is thoughtful and touching, familiar to us all, inciting reflection of times in our own lives we have faced loss and struggled with how best to grieve.
It has been a tragic time, for our world and our own community, and Storyteller Theatre Company invites you to both embrace the grief we have all experienced and to escape into the life of this powerful story. Thank you for supporting the arts, and thank you for supporting our theatre company.
With gratitude,
Laura Holloway
Storyteller Theatre Company
