These Shining Lives, Fall 2017 - Uprising Theatre Company

These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich, directed by Shalee Coleman

These Shining Lives played October 6, 7, 9, 13, and 14, 2017.

These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, it’s true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them. A historical fiction period drama delving into the lives and trial of the 1920’s Radium Girls who painted radium numbers onto clock faces, contracted radium poisoning, and fought for justice despite biting criticism.

The Cast:

Catherine was played by Ashley Hovell. Ashley graduated from UW-La Crosse in 2013 with a BFA in theatre performance. Since moving to the Twin Cities Ashley has worked with Mission Theatre Company, Six Elements Theatre Company, Hero Now Theatre Company and often works with Uprising Theatre Company. She has also been in a number of short films in the area as well as the feature film, No Blood of Mine. Ashley is very excited to get the chance to bring this beautifully heartbreaking story to life.

Charlotte was played by Maggie Mae Sulentic. Maggie Mae Sulentic is an Iowa Native and an alumni of Luther College. A recent transplant to the Twin Cities area, this is Maggie’s premiere performance with Uprising Theatre Performance. Some favorite past credits include Amber Blair/Fight Choreographer on The Surgeon (The World Crime League,) Ariadne in A Thread in the Dark (Luther College,) and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors (St. Croix Festival Theatre.) When not on stage, Maggie works as a Scenic Painter at Evine Live.

Pearl was played by Ashembaga (Ashe) Jaafaru. Ashe studied Theatre Arts and English at Hamline University. She is a former AmeriCorps Promise Fellow and was an acting apprentice for the Great River Shakespeare Festival (Winona, MN) this summer. Her past theatre credits include: various plays at Hamline University, Making Waves: Hamline University Social Justice Theatre Troupe, Penumbra Theatre (Summer Institute), Eugene O’Neill Center (National Theatre Institute), and MN Fringe Festival productions. Ashe is an avid learner and enjoys playwrighting, acting and directing. Some of her favorite methodologies for theatre stem from the techniques/practices of Augusto Boal and Paulo Freire with pedagogy and theatre of the oppressed. She strongly believes in art for social change and the power of what the stage can do for people. Her goals for the future are to continue to cultivate her craft as an actor and pursue grad school, to continue to be involved with youth teaching theatre, and to be an actor for a theatre company.

Francis was played by Lauren Schulke Lauren Schulke is so excited to be making her Uprising Theater debut with the cast and crew of These Shining Lives. Lauren is a graduate of University of Minnesota Duluth but has made the Twin Cities her recent home. Her past productions with UMD have included Spoon River Anthology, Red Light Winter, Legally Blonde: The Musical, and Rinoceros. Lauren wants to thank her parents for their ever constant support, her friends for being true warriors in life, and her dog Max for always welcoming her at the door after late night rehearsals.

Tom was played by Ryan Lee. Ryan Lee is grateful and thrilled to be making his debut with Uprising! Most recently, Ryan has appeared on stage with Theater Latte Da, DalekoArts and Commonweal Theatre. Favorite productions include Woody Guthrie’s American Song, Arsenic & Old Lace, 1940’s Radio Hour, Almost, Maine, The Rink, and A Christmas Carole Petersen. Alongside acting, Ryan Lee has been writing, recording and performing music as an original singer/songwriter for the past 15 years. He performs regularly, has toured nationally and released five albums as an independent artist. Enjoy the show!

Grossman/Reid was played by Brandon Holscher. Brandon started acting five years ago. He has been fortunate to appear in plays and short films in the Twin Cities. Favorite rolls include Brutus Chiappa in Dirty Story, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, and Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest. He is a member of The Actor’s Studio with Lev Mailer.

The Creative Team:

Shalee Coleman: Director. Shalee is an early career director/choreographer in the twin cities who specializes in working with visionary playwrights and performers to assist them in realizing their work. Shalee has previous directed with 20% Theatre Company, Freshwater Theatre Company, Gadfly Theatre Company, Theatre Unbound, her Minnesota Fringe Company: Play-dot, and has assistant directed with Walking Shadow. She is proud to direct her fourth show with Uprising Theatre Company.