Azuka Theatre continues to foster new works by local Philadelphia playwrights with the world premiere of Ship by Douglas Williams. Following a critically acclaimed and sold out run of Sunset Baby by Dominique Morriseau, Azuka continues their 2019-2020 season with the New Professionals Production of Ship from February 26 to March 15, 2020, presented at The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake (302 Hicks Street, Philadelphia). In Ship, audiences find Nell fresh out of rehab and returning to her hometown of Mystic, CT with two goals: track down her former classmate who tried and failed to grow the longest fingernails in the world, and be promoted to the most high profile job in town: tour guide at the Seaport. With the help and hindrance of her older sister, Nell grabs at her chance for hometown glory – but it’s not as easy as it looks. The production is directed by Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum, and stars Annie Fang (Nell), Alison Ormsby (Caitlin) and Michael A. Stahler (Jeremiah). Ship runs through March 15, 2020, for a total of 18 performances, with opening night on Saturday, February 28, 2020. Azuka continues its pay-what-you-decide model for this show where audiences are invited to experience the art on stage and pay based on the value of their experience after. For reservations, visit azukatheatre.org. Ship runs 90 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for audiences 13+. Azuka thanks season sponsor, Harmelin Media, and Ship’s Honorary Producers David & Linda Glickstein.

"Ship is about a girl in recovery who’s obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records; she finds out the kid from her high school who was attempting to grow the world's longest fingernails just move back to town and she thinks displaying his broken fingernails (he failed) is her ticket to stardom!" said Glaccum. "Ship fits perfectly into our 20th season as it is a classic outcasts and underdogs tale: two outsides in their town looking for their place in the world - and they are wondering how or where they fit in."

For Ship and Glaccum, Azuka partnered again with local playwright, and Azuka's current Playwright-in-Residence, Douglas Williams. Ship marks Azuka's and Williams' third production following Mooncave and Sh*theads. Williams is also part of Azuka's innovative playwriting circle, New Pages. With New Pages, Azuka pledges to produce one new local work from a member playwright at least once per season. Ship is the first New Pages play to be produced since New Pages was formed last season.

"Doug is one of my favorite playwright writing these days. His characters are perfectly in line with the theatre I want to make, and his dialogue is amazing. It is so realistic and true to life," added Glaccum. "Ship is also a World Premier and New Professionals production, so it encompasses the three fold foundation that Azuka rests on, New Audiences (via Pay What You Decide), New Plays (our 24th World Premier) and New Professionals (we’re the only company that dedicates an entire production to highlighting the talents of new artists)."

When asked about working again with Azuka, Williams said, "Working with Azuka on Sh*theads really floored me. It was my third full production and it was really the first time I feel like I saw my vision not only realized, but exceeded in almost every capacity. I think a lot of that had to do with me just being more confident in my writing and knowing how to write a play that’s in production – because that can be really hard! Knowing when to stop writing and let the design team or the actors really take the material to the next level. Where to hand the reins over to Kevin and have him make the play succeed through direction rather than me just trying to rewrite a moment over and over. It’s a tricky balance, especially when you’re starting out. Since then, Kevin and I have continued to develop a really close relationship - and we're always keeping each other updated on what we are working on and thinking about artistically. Ship really grew out of that connection and relationship."

For the idea behind the story, Williams said he had this random idea about writing a play about someone who tries to grow the longest fingernails in the world. "I was riding my bike in the Gayborhood and the idea hit me out of nowhere," he said. "Slowly that idea developed through a workshop I did with Matt Decker and Bristol Riverside Theatre. At that point I had these three characters sketched out and some conflict and the setting – but it was still a pretty early draft. The audience who saw the reading out there was also very offended with how many times Nell swore in the play, so that kind of felt like I was moving in the right direction. Having them feel kind of offended about that character just really felt like Nell was becoming a real person. So I kept pushing in that direction."

He continued, "The play has a lot to do about sibling relationships and includes a lot about my real life relationship with my sister, Katie. She was instrumental in bringing this play to the next level. She and I worked very closely on talking through our experiences growing up, what it was like now to be adults with all this baggage but still have a (sometimes complicated) friendship that’s the core of our relationship. There’s so much of Katie in this play."

Through the process, Ship was selected for the Great Plains Theatre Conference. "I did lots and lots of work in Omaha at the GPTC (so grateful for their resources and help in making this play what it is). Kevin was pretty excited for me too and so when I came back from the conference he asked for a new draft and suggested we do a 'dark night' reading at Azuka just for fun."

Williams added, "After I sent him the draft and showed up for our rehearsal prior to the reading, I sat with him in his office while he printed the pages off. As the pages were printing, and Kevin was reading through his email, he said to me – just kind of casually while still looking at his screen, 'Oh and we’re totally going to produce this play.' Which was a pretty great moment!"

The play then continued to develop through more workshops, readings and meetings - as well as through some retreats with Williams' sister to hone in on moments in the play. He concluded, "I feel like a highly collaborative writer, I conduct interviews with people for basically any new thing I’m working on, and this play is definitely a result of many people’s influence, Kevin and Katie most of all."

For casting, as this show is New Professionals, Glaccum was looking for recent college graduates. Two of the actors, Annie Fang and Michael Stahler, just graduated from college in May (Penn and Temple, respectively). Alison Ormsby was then cast as the older sister. Glaccun said, "We like to have one ‘veteran’ in the cast as a way of mentoring the younger actors(all of the designers are paired with a mentor in their discipline). Alison WAS a New Professional in 2018 when she appeared in Ready Steady Yeti Go, then we cast her again last season in the title role in Boycott Esther. I’m not sure, but this may be the first time an actor has worked with us three seasons in a row. Also, as we were developing this play, Alison read the role of Nell in a couple of readings we did of the play. When it came time to cast, and we knew this was a New Professionals show, I couldn’t really cast her in that role. I called her in to read for the older sister, never expecting to cast her (I had envisioned the character as much older) and she knocked it out of the park! I’m thrilled, since this is the third show she’s done with us, it’s the first time I’m directing and I can’t wait, she’s an amazing talent."

For the set, a good portion of the play takes place on a whaling ship called the Charles W Morgan, which is the last remaining whaling ship in the world. The ship is at a museum in Mystic, CT which is where the play takes place. Glaccum said, "We’re trying to give the audience as much of a feel of being on one of those ships as our budget allows! Additionally, costumes are very character driven, and hopefully will help tell the story of the characters before the actors even speak."

On top of the set, look for unique sound elements to come to life. "Doug has written this moment where the three actors are in their separate worlds and the tasks they’re performing, i.e. typing, hammering and sawing wood, working with paint cans, comes together to form a kind of music. The Sound Designer Tom Carman and I will be working closely with the actors to try and bring this moment to life. Doug frequently has very distinct moments in his plays that are defined by sound, and I always look forward to trying to bring those moments to life," added Glaccum.

For Ship’s production team, Glaccum selected regional familiar names and Azuka alums, as well as new team members, including Kevin M. Hoover (Scenic Design), Qi’er Luo (Lighting Design), Gina Colacci (Costume Design), Tom Carman (Sound Design), Michael Kasper (Projection Design), Cass Meehan (Properties), Leslie Ann Boyden (Stage Manager), Michele Volansky (Dramaturg), Lauren Tracy (Production Manager), Joe Daniels (Technical Director), Flannel & Hammer (Scenic Construction), Rudy Schreiber (Assistant Director), Emmie Parker (Assistant Stage Manager), Macie Poskarbiewiecz (Assistant Dramaturg), Dirk Durossette (Scenic Mentor), Robin Stamey (Lighting Mentor), Damien Figueras (Sound Mentor), Avista Custom Theatrical – Amanda Hatch (Properties Mentor).

Beyond Ship, Glaccum also shared that Azuka and Williams are already working on their next play that he says, "I can absolutely see us producing in 2021-2022. I don’t want to say too much about it at this juncture, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to do it and I am excited."

Williams added, "Azuka is unquestionably my artistic home. This will be my third production there and I’m incredibly grateful to have Azuka, Kevin, Maura and Mark as champions. I think it’s every playwrights dream to have the kind of relationship with a theatre that I have with Azuka. I’m just so so thankful."

Ship, as well as all shows this season, continues Azuka's commitment to the community by extending the innovative pay-what-you-decide box office initiative. No money is exchanged before the show. Audience members reserve tickets in advance, see the production, then decide on a price which they think is suitable based on their experience and pay as they leave the theater. Ticket payment can be made after the performance by cash, check or credit card. All money collected helps to pay Azuka artists and further support future productions.

As part of this production, Azuka will present pre-show happy hours sponsored by Two Roads Brewing Company on Fridays, February 28, March 6 and March 13, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Also, Azuka presents a production team post-show conversation on March 4th following the performance.

For show, special event and reservation information, please visit azukatheatre.org or call (215) 563-1100.

SHOW SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 26 – Friday, February 28, 2020 (Previews)
Saturday & Sunday, February 29 & March 1, 2020 (Opening Weekend)
Wednesday – Sunday, March 4 – 8, 2020
Wednesday – Sunday, March 11 – 15, 2020 (Closing Week)

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Douglas Williams' plays have been produced and developed at PlayPenn, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Great Plains Theatre Conference, Azuka Theatre, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Ampersand, The Foundry, and The Painted Bride, among others.

He was a co-founder of Philadelphia's critically acclaimed producing playwrights collective Orbiter 3—the youngest company ever to win a Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre.

Williams is a Playwright-in-Residence at Azuka and SHIP marks his third production with Azuka (Moon Cave & Sh*theads). He is a graduate of Temple University and is represented by WME. For more information head to http://DouglasWilliamsPlaywright.com.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Kevin Glaccum has been a member of Azuka Theatre since their inaugural production of La Rue des Faux. For Azuka he has directed 21 productions including 11 World Premieres (Mrs. Harrison, Shitheads, Lights Rise on Grace, Moon Cave, Pookie Goes Grenading, Everyone and I, Hope Street and Other Lonely Places, Whisky Neat, Azuka One-Acts, The Boys) and one musical (Hedwig and the Angry Inch—Best Director Barrymore Nomination; Best Director of a Musical, Philadelphia Weekly). Other credits include Say Goodnight, Gracie (Act II Playhouse) Iron Kisses (Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival), The Shoes (Philadelphia Fringe Festival) and The Rocky Horror Show, Club California, Proof, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Speech and Debate and Crimes of the Heart at Arcadia University where he’s also an adjunct professor. Kevin is a recipient of a 2018 Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts. He has attended La MaMa Unbria International Symposium for Directors as well as the International Playwright’s retreat. In addition, he is a member of Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab and a founding member of the Board of Directors of Theatre Philadelphia.

ABOUT THE CAST AND CREW

Annie Fang (Nell)

Annie Fang is thrilled to be making her Azuka Theatre debut! A recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Annie has worked on several local performance projects, including Killjoy’s Kastle (Icebox Project Space), FreeWork (Philly Fringe), and Philly Asian Histories Pt. 1 (Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists). Most recently, she made her InterAct Theatre Company debut in Man of God, as Jen. Annie is so grateful to everyone who has supported her on this journey. Love to her incredible family, and her favorite cashew. Upcoming: Folk (Inis Nua).

Alison Ormsby (Caitlin)

Alison Ormsby is thrilled to be back for her third season at Azuka! Doug Williams' writing has a special place in her heart, and she is honored to help bring his words to life!! She is a recent graduate from the University of the Arts (BFA Acting, 2018) and National Theatre Institute alum (Fall '17). Recent credits: Boycott Esther (Esther, Azuka), The Piper (Playpenn), Now More Than Ever (Fringe), This is On Record (Applied Mechanics), and Ready Steady Yeti Go (Katie, Azuka). Thank you to Azuka, family, roommates, and especially sisters. All love to you gals.

Michael A. Stahler (Jeremiah)

Michael Stahler is absolutely thrilled to make his Azuka debut! A Philadelphia native and recent Temple graduate, he has spent these past 4 years working as an actor, director, playwright, and improviser. Among his favorite acting credits include Romeo and Juliet (Paris) at the PA Renaissance Faire, Spies! (Nova) and Simone R.P.T.8. (Ranto) with the Philadelphia Fringe Fest, as well as film credits such as Kings (Walter) with Jambalaya Pictures and Our Weekly Binge (Andy) with Unchained Media. When not working on a show, he's hiking, podcasting, giving tours, researching history, folklore, paleontology, and ecology. Feel free to ask him for an animal fact!

Kevin M. Hoover (Scenic Designer)

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Kevin Hoover is a Philadelphia-based scenic designer & TD. Kevin is excited to have the opportunity to scenic design for Azuka. He has been involved with Azuka as their Master Electrician since Mrs. Harrison in 2018. His design credits include Lantern Theater, Maples Repertory Theater, Playmakers and Jenkintown High School.

Qi’er Luo (Lighting Designer)

Qi’er Luo is a recent graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with an M.F.A. in lighting design. She’s originally from Zhejiang, China. As a native speaker of mandarin Chinese, she is also fluent in English and Japanese. Before attending IU, she received her BA at Bryn Mawr College and was a Philadelphia-based lighting designer after graduation. She just spent two summers at Williamstown Theatre Festival. At Williamstown, she has designed Late Night Cabaret, 5 by 10, A Night of Short Plays, and served the second assistant lighting designer for the world premiere musical. New York based design credit: Venus. Bloomington based design credit: Heiress, Julius Caesar, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, and Prospect Hill. Philadelphia-based design credit: King Lear, Milky Way, Fear Babies, Alone Suits. Other assistant lighting design credit includes: The Reparations (BHT), Fly More Than You Fall (UVU), Every Brilliant Thing (IRT).

Gina Colacci (Costume Designer)

Gina Colacci is a recent graduate from the University of the Arts and a Philadelphia-based Costume Designer. REGIONAL: The Rose Garden (Fringe Festival 2019), Click (Simpatico), Bob: A life in Five Acts (Azuka Theatre) UARTS: Acedia, Cowboy Bob, American Idiot, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocatello, Red 40: And the Last Groovement, and A Haunted Fringe Wedding.

Tom Carman (Sound Designer)

Tom Carman is and actor, composer and sound designer and is thrilled to be making his sound design debut at Azuka! Sound Design: Broccoli, Roosevelt and Mr. House! (Berserker Residents), Dear Diary LOL! (Antigravity Performance Project), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Boise Contemporary Theatre), Awake and Sing! and Synge Triptych (Quintessence). Composition: Something Past in Front of the Light (feature-length film score, Longacre Lea Productions), SplitScreen (Philly/MN Fringe). Actor: The Wild Duck and Julius Caesar (Quintessence), Fishskin Trousers (Inis Nua), Mother Courage and Her Children (Quintessence). All my love to Ashley, my family and friends for their continued support. http://tomcarman.me.

Michael Kasper (Projection Designer)

Michael Kasper is very excited to be back at Azuka! He is a local film and theatre artist, and a 2019 graduate of UArts with a BFA in Directing Playwriting & Production. Recent Theatre credits include: The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged (Assist. Producer/Intern, Tiny Dynamite), Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Director, UArts), warplay (Assist. Director, Azuka), What Happened Between the Dakotas (Playwright, 2018 Philly Fringe Festival). Congrats to all involved!

Cass Meehan (Properties)

Much thanks to this team! Cass loves projects that span across their skillsets and outside of theater to a lot of prop and costume work in the cosplay world. They are a co-owner of the Sew&Sew costume shop in the Bok Building. University of the Arts DPP Class of 2019. Previous credits include: Man of God (InterAct, Props Master); STEM Femmes: Credit Re-Edited (Applied Mechanics, Costume Designer); Manifest Destiny (Jesus Garcia, Costume Designer); Since They Left (Nicholas Hatcher & Sarah Hough, Costume Designer).

Leslie Ann Boyden (Stage Manager)

Leslie Ann Boyden is excited to be back with Azuka this season. She is a freelance stage manager in the Philadelphia area. In the past she has worked with Simpatico Theatre, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Revolution Shakespeare, Tribe of Fools, Act II Playhouse, Arden Theatre Company, Millbrook Playhouse, and Hedgerow Theatre. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2014 with a B.A. in Theatre and Drama.

Lauren Tracy (Production Manager)

Lauren Tracy is thrilled to be returning to Azuka again. She’s served as their Production Manager and Stage Manager on and off since 2010. She also serves as the Production Manager for Flannel & Hammer, Inis Nua Theatre Company, Revolution Shakespeare and Cheltenham High School. She holds a B.F.A. in Stage Management from Syracuse University. She would like to thank her friends, family and Andrew for all of their love and support.

Michele Volansky (Dramaturg)

Michele Volansky is the Associate Artistic Director for PlayPenn, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University. She has worked on nearly two hundred new and established plays in her professional career and has served on the artistic staffs at Actors Theatre of Louisville (1992-95), Steppenwolf Theatre Company (1995-2000) and Philadelphia Theatre Company (2000-2004). She has served as an artistic consultant, a reader for a host of other conferences/awards/programs and is the 1999 inaugural co-recipient of the Elliot Hayes Award for Dramaturgy. She is a past president of LMDA, the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (2002-2004). Her book on playwriting and collaboration with Bruce Graham entitled The Collaborative Playwright was published in March, 2007 by Heinemann Press. She holds a B.A. in English from Washington College, an M.A. from Villanova University and a PhD from the University of Hull (England); her dissertation explores the politics and advocacy of the critics Kenneth Tynan and Frank Rich.

Rudy Schreiber (Assistant Director)

Rudy Schreiber is a Senior Directing, Playwriting, and Production Major at University of the Arts. UArts credits: Equinox: Cheesy Puffs (Assistant Director), Polyphone: Red 40 (Assistant Stage Manager), These Terrible Things (Actor), Ice Cream (Assistant Stage Manager), Drop A Fly (Stage Manager), It’s a Match (Richard/Ensemble), O(rest)ia (Assitant Director). Regional Credits: 1812 Productions The God Pröject (Production Intern), Simpatico Theatre Company Click (Assistant Director). Rudy last worked with Azuka as The Boy in Boycott Esther. Thanks to Kevin for letting me be a part of this. Love to Mom and Dad.

Emmie Parker (Assistant Stage Manager)

Emmie Parker is working as a Theatre Artist in the Philadelphia area. Previous acting credits include Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler (directed by Maura Krause), Orlando in As You Like It (Mark Wade), and devisor/Ensemble in The Dollhouse Project (Michael Osinski). Recently she performed in Apartment 20’s 24 Hour Devising Festival and in a reading of Dead Meat by Paige Zubel with Playpenn. Emmie also directed and built the ensemble for the devised play, The Human Experiment. Currently she is employed as the season Wardrobe Supervisor at Delaware Theatre Company. Emmie graduated from Arcadia University with a BFA in Acting. http://emmieparker.com.

Macie Poskarbiewicz (Assistant Dramaturg)

Macie Poskarbiewicz is a queer, non-binary theatre artist originally from Cleveland, OH. They recently graduated from Arcadia University with their degree in Theatre Arts with a focus on directing and dramaturgy, and now work at InterAct as a season apprentice. They aspire to create socially conscious theatre that aims to positively affect underserved communities, particularly the queer and trans communities. Macie would like to thank their family and their partner for their never ending support, and Kevin Glaccum for always believing in them.

Flannel & Hammer (Scenic Construction)

Flannel & Hammer Scene Shop is a Philadelphia based business. The company was founded by Lauren Tracy (Flannel) and Joe Daniels (Hammer). With over 10 years’ experience and 100 productions under their (tool) belts they have the knowledge and skills to bring any scenic construction to life. Their work can be seen onstage here along with Simpatico, Theatre Exile, and Inis Nua Theatre Company.

Dirk Durossette (Scenic Mentor)

Dirk Durossette has been designing scenery and teaching design, and drawing and rendering for the theater for the past 15 years in and around the Philadelphia region. Off -Broadway scene designs include: The Outgoing Tide and Any Given Monday at 59E59 Theatre. He has designed for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skin and Bone), Act II Playhouse, Enchantment Theater Company (National Tour-Harold and the Purple Crayon), Theater Exile, 1812 Productions, Delaware Theatre Company, EgoPo, Freedom Theater, Flashpoint Theater, InterAct Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination- Skylight), Luna Theater, Theater Horizon, Rock School of Ballet, Ritz Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, MumPuppetTheatre, Portland Opera (Maine), The Wilma Theater, Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel University, Lawrence University (Wisconsin), Peabody Institute (Baltimore), West Chester University, Villanova University, The University of Memphis.

Robin Stamey (Lighting Mentor)

Robin Stamey is a lighting designer, production manager, and producer based in Philadelphia. Lighting designs include Interact, Theatre Exile, Tribe of Fools, Curio, Philadelphia Artists’ Collective, Pig Iron, Lantern, Hedgerow, Almanac, and the Berserker Residents as well as Bryn Mawr College, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, and UArts. Production management credits include Grounds that Shout, Pig Iron, Lantern, Tiny Dynamite, Nichole Canuso Dance Company, 11th Hour Theatre Company, Almanac, Invisible River, Tribe of Fools, and Berserkers.

Damien Figueras (Sound Mentor)

Damien Figueras is a two-time Barrymore nominated Sound Designer. Recent credits include: Party Face (Off-Broadway, New York City Center), Into the Woods (Resident Theatre Company), The Cake (Lake Dillon Theatre Company), warplay (Azuka Theatre), Three Sisters (Curio Theatre), Meteor Shower (Walnut Street Theatre), Don't Dress for Dinner (Lantern Theatre Company). He is a proud member of the TSDCA. As always, he would like to dedicate his work to the memory of his mother. Dfigueras.com

Avista Custom Theatrical (Properties Mentor)

Owned by Jennifer Burkhart and Amanda Hatch, Avista was founded in 2007 as a properties design and construction firm. Avista specializes in period paper goods and newspapers, custom prop construction, upholstery, soft goods construction, and maintains a 10000 square foot rental warehouse in Norristown. This season Avista’s work will be seen locally at Opera Philadelphia, Azuka Theatre, Inis Nua, Theatre Horizon, Drexel and Temple Universities, and Mauckingbird Theatre

ABOUT AZUKA

Azuka Theatre strengthens the connection and shared humanity among its diverse audiences by giving voice to the people whose stories go unheard. Azuka is committed to producing contemporary plays that reflect and speak to the area’s diverse community. Azuka’s audiences are predominantly under the age of 40, with students and post collegiate professionals making up a large part of Azuka’s audiences; they represent the next generation of theatergoers. These new and younger audiences are reached by telling stories relevant to today’s complex society, selecting stories that revolve around people who feel out of sync with the world around them and are unable or unwilling to find their niche in modern society. By presenting plays that are smart, edgy and exciting, new audiences are drawn to see work that speaks to them in a voice they do not often hear on stage. Azuka is currently at 48 productions, 22 world premieres, 18 Philadelphia premieres. Azuka is a Resident Partner at The Drake and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.