Hour Farther, by David Greer

Emerson Theater Collaborative Announces

Hour Farther – a Reading

August 16 - 17, 2013, Mystic CT…Emerson Theatre Collaborative (ETC) announces Hour Farther – a Reading written by David H. Greer and produced by Camilla Ross.   Hour Farther, set outside a rural Kentucky town, is a six-actor, 19-character ensemble play about Victor, an adopted-son waiting to meet his biological father for the first time. As he waits, Victor takes us on an odyssey with individuals who were father-figures to him: his adopted father, mother, and grandfather, as well as his reverend, step-cousin, step-dad, even Superman and Jesus. However, the spirit of Victor's deceased twin brother reveals a dark family tragedy that unleashes a wrath in him that may woefully ruin the meeting with his father. Or is it a truth he already knows? An epic play with cosmic and biblical tones told through rural, gospel, and hip hop rhythms, Hour Farther explores the notion: is blood thicker than water? 

The cast includes: Lesley Billingslea, Shane Burch, Joe Caruso, Quincy Clayton, Yohanna Florentino, Krystal Livingston, Naza Usher, Nichelle Rollins, Christopher Williams, Jamal Williams, and Paul Woodley.

Readings will be performed August 16 & 17 at 7:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Mystic.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

David H. Greer, Playwright – David is a Tony-nominated, Hartford-based Producer, Playwright, Actor, Choreographer, and Dancer. His work has entertained and enlightened audiences in the US and abroad and raised funds for not-for-profits. Originally from rural Kentucky, David has pursued his educational, business, and art interests from Kentucky to Cairo to Connecticut and now Broadway.

 Producer and Writer – David was a member of the producer team for the new Kander & Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) musical, The Scottsboro Boys, which earned 12 Tony-nominations, including “Best Musical” in 2011. He also identified investors for The Mountaintop and The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. In Hartford, David wrote, co-directed, co-produced, and was an actor in Peculiar People in 2009, which dramatized stories of the lesser-known heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. The musical play’s one-night performance sold-out the 500-seat Hartford Stage, raised funds for the Urban League, and was sponsored by Aetna, Otis Elevator, and One World Epic. In advancing his producing skills, David is a Commercial Theater Institute alumnus, where he completed, among several other workshops, the Producers’ Practicum at the O’Neill Playwright Center and the 14-Week Producers’ Program as a Fred Vogel Scholarship recipient. Current works in-development include the play Hour Farther, Walk With Me with original book, lyrics, & music, and a bio-musical about a world famous entertainer, vignettes of which were performed at a free outdoor concert funded by the Preston Foundation/ City of Hartford in 2011. David is also a CT Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCCT) Playwright Grant recipient.

Camilla Ross (Producer and Director) Outside of producing great theater, Ms. Ross is the current president and founder of the Emerson Theater Collaborative, and a graduate of Emerson College in Boston. Ms. Ross has produced Doubt, By John Patrick Shanley, Introducing Mr. Charles Dickens, Harriet2 (Pronounced Harriet Squared), Picasso at The Lapin Agile by Steve Martin, Spinning Into Butter by Rebecca Giiman, Hate Mail By Bill Corbette and Kira Obolensky, Love Letters by A.R. Gurney Chestina Vanessa Poulson By Melanie Greenhouse, Gray Matters, By Jacques Lamarre, Living In the Wind by Michael Bradford, The Big Bank (A musical) by Daniel and Jacob Seligmann. (This musical made its NYC debut at the St. Clements Theater as part of the NY Musical Theater Festival with an amazing NY cast including Carly Rose Sonenclar - Xfactor runner up who played the role of Parsley . The Spitting Image, by Sophie Klein, Court Martial at Fort Devens, by Jeffrey Sweet, and many others for the Emerson Theater Collaborative. She was the theatrical advisor and acting coach for the SPAG Players at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. Camilla is a former board member and acting instructor for the Writer’s Block, Ink of New London, CT. Camilla is currently a part-time business faculty member of the Three Rivers Community College, teaching a variety of business courses. She currently sits on the Emerson Alumni Board, and is the president of the CT Alumni Chapter. Latest directing project was Waiting For Lefty by Clifford Odetts. As an actress, she was seen most recently in Bob Gautreau’s King of Beasts: Aesop’s Fables in the role of the High Priestess.  Some of her favorite acting moments include: Opening as Harriet Tubman, a role she continues to reprise, in Lisa Giordano’s Harriet Tubman’s Dream to a sold out house for The Hateful Things Exhibit at the Mark Twain House, and performing the role of Mabel in Jacob and Daniel Seligmann’s new, original musical The Big Bank.

.   Emerson Theater Collaborative’s (ETC’s) mission is to serve youth, under-represented communities and artists with an emphasis on diversity, by producing innovative and exhilarating theater in Southeastern Connecticut.  ETC explores timely themes and issues through new, original works and modern theatrical classics.  ETC’s goals include reaching inner city youth through educational theatrical programs, and supporting local communities by providing free admission to low-income families, and donating profits to humanitarian causes.  For more information, visit www.EmersonTheaterCollaborative.org. 

Key Dates and Information

What:  Emerson Theater Collaborative’s Hour Farther – a Reading by David H. Greer.

When:  August 16 – 17, 2013

Where:  First United Methodist Church, 23 Willow Street, Mystic, CT 06355

How:  Tickets are $10 at the door.