Measure for Measure
by William Shakespeare
TheatreWorks Colorado Springs
2019
costumes by Sanja Manakoski
lights by Sean Mallary
sound by Caroline Eng
violence by Alex Wimmerle
photos by Isiah J. Downing 
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
adapted by Polly Teale
Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Northwestern University
2018
set and props by Scott Penner
costumes by Raquel Adorno
lights by Anthony Forchelli
sound by Kevin O'Donnell and Grover Hollway
movement by Stephanie Paul
violence and intimacy by Gaby Labotka
costumes by Raquel Adorno
lights by Anthony Forchelli
sound by Kevin O'Donnell and Grover Hollway
movement by Stephanie Paul
violence and intimacy by Gaby Labotka
photos by Justin Barbin
The Wolves
by Sarah DeLappeFlint Repertory Theatre
2019
set by Gene Oliver
costumes by Kendra Babcock
lights by Jennifer Fok
sound by Scott Griffus
props by Tara Bentley
soccer by Jessyca Matthews
violence by Bill Irwin
Wilde Award Nominee 2019, Best Play
set by Gene Oliver
costumes by Kendra Babcock
lights by Jennifer Fok
sound by Scott Griffus
props by Tara Bentley
soccer by Jessyca Matthews
violence by Bill Irwin
Wilde Award Nominee 2019, Best Play
photos by Mike Naddeo
Directed by Kathryn Walsh, The Wolves, is a fast-moving drama performed by nine highly athletic actors (a tenth performer, the soccer mom, makes a late appearance in the show). These women are in almost constant motion as the play takes place during their warm-ups for indoor winter soccer games. Walsh tightly choreographs every scene with the soccer players as they perform their exercises in unison, triple claps marking the transitions between each one.
The relationships are varied—some have known each other a long time, others are brand new to the group—and Delappe never falls into easy archetypes even as she, Walsh, and the actors create distinct characters with individual needs and motivations.
While they are fierce women, independent and strong, they have a clear need for each other. Yes, they are a team for the purposes of playing soccer, but they are also a pack and together they share, wonder, fight, play and do the work of becoming adults. Yes, they all have parents with varying degrees of involvement—most are highly invested in their children’s success—but none are intimate with their issues and all are on the periphery of their lives, unable to crack through the shell of adolescence. When a parent does show up on the stage, eager to comfort them, to guide them, she is singularly unable to relate to or connect with them. Walsh expertly blocks the scene to underline the gulf between the young women and the soccer mom.
There is no intermission in this 90-minute play and it moves quickly with actors constantly on the run, constantly in motion. Walsh expertly directs this, keeping the energy high and then jolting the audience with sudden moments of silence and stillness. -Bridgette Redman, Encore Michigan
The relationships are varied—some have known each other a long time, others are brand new to the group—and Delappe never falls into easy archetypes even as she, Walsh, and the actors create distinct characters with individual needs and motivations.
While they are fierce women, independent and strong, they have a clear need for each other. Yes, they are a team for the purposes of playing soccer, but they are also a pack and together they share, wonder, fight, play and do the work of becoming adults. Yes, they all have parents with varying degrees of involvement—most are highly invested in their children’s success—but none are intimate with their issues and all are on the periphery of their lives, unable to crack through the shell of adolescence. When a parent does show up on the stage, eager to comfort them, to guide them, she is singularly unable to relate to or connect with them. Walsh expertly blocks the scene to underline the gulf between the young women and the soccer mom.
There is no intermission in this 90-minute play and it moves quickly with actors constantly on the run, constantly in motion. Walsh expertly directs this, keeping the energy high and then jolting the audience with sudden moments of silence and stillness. -Bridgette Redman, Encore Michigan
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
by Paul Zindel
Flint Repertory Theatre
2019
set by Lauren Nigri
costumes by Katherine Nelson
lights by Jen Fok
sound by Matt Tibbs
props by Lisa Bilaski
costumes by Katherine Nelson
lights by Jen Fok
sound by Matt Tibbs
props by Lisa Bilaski
photos by Mike Naddeo
Flint Repertory Theatre has a way of taking classic pieces of American theater and performing them like they’ve never been seen before.
Director Kathryn Walsh, who last year directed Flint Rep’s all-woman show “The Wolves,” again works with an all-woman cast in a performance that plumbs the depths of each family member, putting the spotlight on their complexities and layers.
Walsh knows how to work each moment, drawing upon the strengths of her actors, never being afraid to draw a scene out in this one hour and 40 minute show. She conducts the emotions in such a way that when the madness finally explodes, the audience has been fully drawn in and is as much on edge as the characters themselves.
Flint Rep’s production has an intensity to the realism, from the rabbit droppings scattered on the stage to the actors who always dial seven numbers when making a phone call on the rotary phone. Care is taken of every detail for a fully immersive experience.
Zindel’s show is always thought-provoking with Tillie’s science experiment an all-too-apparent metaphor for the radioactive home environment in which the play takes place. In the hands of Flint Rep, Director Walsh, the creative team, and the five fine actors in the show it transforms into an intense experience that is sure to imprint itself on the hearts and memories of all who see it. -Bridgette Redmond, Encore Michigan
Director Kathryn Walsh, who last year directed Flint Rep’s all-woman show “The Wolves,” again works with an all-woman cast in a performance that plumbs the depths of each family member, putting the spotlight on their complexities and layers.
Walsh knows how to work each moment, drawing upon the strengths of her actors, never being afraid to draw a scene out in this one hour and 40 minute show. She conducts the emotions in such a way that when the madness finally explodes, the audience has been fully drawn in and is as much on edge as the characters themselves.
Flint Rep’s production has an intensity to the realism, from the rabbit droppings scattered on the stage to the actors who always dial seven numbers when making a phone call on the rotary phone. Care is taken of every detail for a fully immersive experience.
Zindel’s show is always thought-provoking with Tillie’s science experiment an all-too-apparent metaphor for the radioactive home environment in which the play takes place. In the hands of Flint Rep, Director Walsh, the creative team, and the five fine actors in the show it transforms into an intense experience that is sure to imprint itself on the hearts and memories of all who see it. -Bridgette Redmond, Encore Michigan
Women Beware Women
by Thomas MiddletonTwo Pence Theatre Company
Chicago
2014
set by Sarah JHP Watkins
costumes by Sully Ratke
lights by Sarah Hughey
sound/music composition by Matt Chapman
violence by R&D Choreography
tango by Victor Bayona
photos by Ben Chandler
“I liked how this was a play about women who do terrible things instead of about women who do amazing things. I also love plays about women who do amazing things, but this was different and I liked it. I thought this was an exciting play, and you should definitely go and see it.
People who would like this show are people who like characters that you hate but also love, evil-ish relationships and suspense. I had a fun but on-the-edge-of-my-seat time at this show. I think that it is great to have this kind of show that hasn't been done in a long time. It was written a long time ago, but it represents some things that are happening in our time. I really loved this show."
- Ada Grey, Ada Grey Reviews for You
People who would like this show are people who like characters that you hate but also love, evil-ish relationships and suspense. I had a fun but on-the-edge-of-my-seat time at this show. I think that it is great to have this kind of show that hasn't been done in a long time. It was written a long time ago, but it represents some things that are happening in our time. I really loved this show."
- Ada Grey, Ada Grey Reviews for You
based in Chicago, working everywhere
kathryn(at)kathrynwalshdirector.com