"This is not an easy show to figure out," said Jeremy Patterson, who will direct a staged reading of "Blackbird" at Susquehanna Stage. "Whatever you come in believing will be challenged."
The staged reading will be presented at the theater, 133 W. Market St., Marietta, on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m.
"This is a modern play written by David Harrower," Patterson stated. "It's about a meeting between a woman in her late 20s and a man in his 50s and a relationship that occurred between them 15 years prior."
This is the first play Patterson has directed, and he said he decided to stretch when he was invited to direct a show by Asher Johnson, a board member who handles marketing for the theater.
"I pitched him the hardest thing I could think of sort of thinking he'd say 'no,' but he didn't," Patterson recalled. "He embraced it."
Patterson chose the show as much for its small cast - it features just two characters - as for its subject matter. "Blackbird" will feature Kevin Ditzler in the role of Ray and Gabrielle Dina in the role of Una.
After the show, representatives from YWCA Lancaster will be on hand for an audience talkback. "This is a show about a young woman who has been abused. It's important to funnel that back into the community, to people who can help the audience explore the piece in a safe setting," Patterson noted. "For me, this exists solely as a work of art, but the responsibility on my end after participating in the art is to put it into the hands of people who are experts in the field."
Patterson said a staged reading gives the actors a different experience than they'd get in a fully formed production. "The big difference is the actors don't have to contend with the off-book deadline," he remarked. "Doing a staged reading requires a different skill set. You have to be able to hold your place and keep the other actor's attention and the audience's attention."
He added that he will dedicate "Blackbird" to his directing mentors, Don A. and Bob C., and that he hopes to direct again soon. "I like the craft of working in the theater," he said, noting that he is usually on stage as an actor. "I'm excited about the idea of being able to expand my skill set."
"Blackbird" has won several awards since it debuted in 2005 and earned multiple Tony nominations as a revival in 2016. A 2016 film titled "Una" was based on the play and received critical praise.
Susquehanna Stage will present "Blackbird" as the last show in its series of staged readings called The Undercurrent. Donations will be accepted for YWCA Lancaster. For more information on the performance, visit http://www.susquehannastage.com.
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