Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus: A Radio Play
By Andrew J. Fenady
Based upon the teleplay by Val DeCrow and Andrew J. Fenady
December 17-19 at 8 p.m.
December 20 at 3 p.m.
Performed Live Online
Directed by Trinity Bird
Cast: Tim Ambrose, Andy Anderson, Tyson Duff, Ellie Gray, Jeff Gray, Madyson Howard, Mandee Leigh Howard, Nathan Johnson, Sheila McCrae, Tiffany Thatcher
Inspired by a simple, poignant letter written over 100 years ago by 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun—and by the timeless editorial response printed on the front page of the Sun. Virginia wondered and wrote: "Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in the Sun, it's so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?" Ed Mitchell, the Sun's editor, gives the assignment of answering Virginia's letter to Frank Church who, until his wife and baby died last Christmas Eve, was the Sun's best and most dependable reporter.
This production was sponsored by
The Udder Side.
Sauk Shorts
By Various Playwrights
July 23, 25 at 8 p.m.
July 25, 26 at 3 p.m.
Performances at Slayton Arboretum, Hillsdale, MI
Directed by Trinity Bird, Ron Boyle, Angela Forant, Josh Hall, Tami Hindes, Ann Holt, Sandi Miller and Mari Nunez
Stage Management by Joella Hendrickson
Sound Design by Bruce Crews
Cast: Andy Anderson, Trinity Bird, Isaiah Brown, Meaghan Bryant, Erin Brzozowski, Noah Bryant, Shannon Chen, Allison Cleveland, Savannah Durocher, Noah Honeywell, Summer Housler, Mandee Leigh Howard, John Kasper, Lisa LaFountain, Josh Lightner, Denise McCosh, Stella McCourry, Kaylee McCoy, Sandi Miller, Andrea Ortell, Keegan Oxley, Olivia Pike, Brendan Pratt, Tiffany Thatcher and Trevor Wagler
This production was sponsored by Sandi Miller.
Belles
By Mark Dunn
June 25-27 at 8 p.m.
June 28 at 3 p.m.
Presented Live Online
Directed by Trinity Bird
Stage Management by Mandee Leigh Howard
Properties Design by Cyndi Baldermann
Cast: Meaghan Bryant, Allison Cleveland, Savannah Durocher,
Andrea Ortell, Julie Pratt, Tiffany Thatcher
This production was sponsored by
County National Bank.
Charlotte's Web
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the novel by E.B. White
September 18-20, 24-26 at 7 p.m.
September 20 and 27 at 3 p.m.
Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale, MI
The following performances are sold out: Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
Directed by Trinity Bird
Stage Management by Mandee Leigh Howard
Scenic Design by Trinity Bird
Costume Design by Meaghan Bryant
Lighting Design by Mari Nunez
Sound Design by Bruce Crews
Properties Design by Cyndi Baldermann
Cast: Savannah Durocher, Rickie Freeman, Gianna Green, Noah Honeywell, Josh Lightner and Mike Sutton.
This production is sponsored by The Udder Side.
Love, Loss
and What I Wore
By Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron
Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman
October 15, 16, 18, 22, 23 at 8 p.m.
October 18 and 25 at 3 p.m.
Woman's Congress Building, Hillsdale County Fairgrounds
The Sunday, October 25 performance is SOLD OUT!
Adults - $12, Seniors (55 and up) - $10,
Students - $10, Children (12 and under) - $8
A play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects—mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses and why we only wear black. Based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman. “So funny and so powerful; so dear and sweet; so remindful of our female wiles, our worries, our insecurities, our remembrances of mother, father, sisters, brothers, lovers—I think it can’t miss.” —WowOwow.com.
Directed by Jennifer Wagler.
Cast: Meaghan Bryant, Allison Cleveland, Kaylee McCoy, Mari Nunez,
Tiffany Thatcher
This production is sponsored by Moore Insurance Services.
Sauk Shorts 2020
Available for Streaming
November 5, 6, 7 at 8 p.m.
November 8 at 3 p.m.
Recorded in locations throughout Hillsdale County, the cast and crew of Sauk Shorts 2020 reunited to record the 11 plays and make them available for streaming. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to enjoy these plays from the comfort of your own homes.
Directed by Trinity Bird, Ron Boyle, Angela Forant, Josh Hall, Tami Hindes, Ann Holt, Sandi Miller and Mari Nunez
Cast: Andy Anderson, Trinity Bird, Isaiah Brown, Meaghan Bryant, Erin Brzozowski, Noah Bryant, Shannon Chen, Allison Cleveland, Savannah Durocher, Noah Honeywell, Summer Housler, Mandee Leigh Howard, John Kasper, Lisa LaFountain, Josh Lightner, Denise McCosh, Stella McCourry, Kaylee McCoy, Sandi Miller, Andrea Ortell, Keegan Oxley, Olivia Pike, Brendan Pratt, Tiffany Thatcher and Trevor Wagler
This production is sponsored by The Udder Side.
Plays-in-Development
Gravity: A Union
By Alex Wolfe
May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sebastian Rising
By Edward duBuvitz
May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Clear Blue Sky
By Bruce Karp
May 23 at 7:30 p.m.
The Long Wait
By Sarah Gray
May 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Click the poster on the left to see more and watch this year's readings.
"Plays-in-Development" is sponsored by Gossage Eye Institute and Optical, Playford Real Estate, Country Carpet and Don Toffolo of Edward Jones.
Weekend Comedy
By Sam and Jeanne Bobrick
August 13, 14, 15 at 8 p.m.
August 16 at 3 p.m.
Slayton Arboretum, Barber Drive, Hillsdale, MI
The August 14 performance was cancelled because of the weather.
Directed by Tami Hindes
Scenic Design by Trinity Bird
Costume Design by Shannon Chen
Lighting Design by Angela Forant
Sound Design by Bruce Crews
Properties Design by Cyndi Baldermann
Cast: Meaghan Bryant, Dylan Collier, John Kasper and Olivia Pike.
This production is sponsored by Mark and Susan Pedrick.
Living Room Monologues
By Various Authors
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.
March 27-April 26
Created, Coordinated, Cast and Directed by Trinity Bird
Cast: Emmy Ambrose, Meghan Barnes, James Brandon, Allison Cleveland, Barbara Cliffe-Miller, Erin Couch, Timothy Favreau, Josie Henvey, Summer Housler, Gianna Marchese, Estelle McCourry, Tracy McCullough, Gary Minix, Ray Pratt, Matt Sauer, Simone Séarcy, Tiffany Thatcher, Trevor Wagler and Bud Vear
These monologues were created during the Stay at Home order in March and April 2020. Each week, three playwrights were given an inspiration word on Sunday night. They had until Wednesday at noon to write a new monologue. The monologue was cast as soon as the script was completed and rehearsals begin. Actors then had just a few days to learn and memorize their monologue before performing. Click the poster to the left to see the complete collection of LIVING ROOM MONOLOGUES.
On Pine Knoll Street
By Mark Cornell
February 6-8, 13-15 at 8 p.m.
February 9 and 16 at 3 p.m.
Directed by Trinity Bird
Stage Management by Allison Cleveland
Dramaturgy by Kathy Pingel
Scenic Design by Bruce W. Crews
Costume Design by Roene Trevisan
Lighting Design by Tracy McCullough
Sound Design by Joella Hendrickson
Properties Design by Travis Blatchley
Set Dressing by Cyndi Baldermann
Cast: Trinity Bird, Anne Conners, MJ Dulmage, Andrea Ortell,
Keegan Oxley
The play is the winner of the AACT NewPlayFest 2020 which is sponsored in part by the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation and Dramatic Publishing Company.
This production was sponsored by
Southern Michigan Bank & Trust.