There is a moment of theatre that changed the way I look at life. It was in a production of Copenhagen, a show that imagines what might have happened in WWII when Niels Bohr, who was working on atomic power with the Allies, met with his old friend, Werner Heisenberg who was working on atomic power with the Axis Powers. Historically, the two met to talk as friends during their work; the play asks, what would have happened if they had accidentally shared a bit of scientific information. In the scene, one small idea slips out, we see it register on the other scientist’s face… and an atomic bomb goes off in the theatre. The intense light and sound—we are blown back in our seats –and the world is changed forever. 

We are the only creatures who can do this. We can utter one word that can shift what happens in hearts and minds and in the physical world for all time. This is what happens, in a wonderful way, to the people in The Book Club Play. Each one of these people is at a moment where they might stay stuck, but then an idea shakes them loose and they free fall into a new world. It’s the glory of books— authors whisper in our ears and introduce whole new possibilities to us. It’s also the incredible feeling of being around other people who are in the midst of discovery. The Book Club members give each other permission to shake loose because of their own discoveries. 

We are at a moment of enormous change, and it’s tempting to stay right where we are and think as little as possible. But there is real joy to be had in discovery. I hope you read a book you’ve never read, or talk to someone you’ve never talked to, or explore a place you’ve never been—especially if you thought there was nothing to be interested in about that book, that person or that place before. I’m putting my money where my mouth is: because of this play, this life-long literature snob is reading Twilight… and I’m having a blast!

- Katy Brown, Director of The Book Club Play

Ana Smith
Zoë Velling

Lily Jackson/Mrs. Simpson
Madison Norwood

Robert Smith/Sam
Sean Maximo Campos*

Jenn McClintock/Elsa
Ashley Campos*

Will Nothnagel/Frank
Zacchaeus Kimbrell*

Alex/Carl
Tyler Cramer

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.

Director/Sound Designer/Producing Artistic Director
Katy Brown

Scenic Designer
Derek Smith

Costume Designer
Kelly Jenkins

Lighting Designer
Andrew Morehouse

Sound Designer/Audio Visual Supervisor
Madison Ferris

Intimacy Coordinator
Ashley Campos

Dialect Coach
Zacchaeus Kimbrell

Production Stage Manager
Cindi A. Raebel*

*Denotes members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.

Natasha Carpenter - Production Assistant

Harper Fulmer - Gilliam Stage Electrician

Eli Hancock - Stage Carpenter

Emily Murray - Wardrobe Supervisor

Sydney Sutherland - Rehearsal Production Assistant

THE BOOK CLUB PLAY Production Sponsor

Barbara & Jim Street