THREE DIFFERENT PLAYS
Theme: Entangled Convictions
JUNE 27 - JULY 23, 2023
Three different award-winning and thought-provoking plays, all taking place in the historic Firehouse Arts and Events Center.
3 PLAYS, 6 NIGHTS A WEEK, FOR 4 WEEKS
Bellingham TheatreWorks, in partnership with The Firehouse Arts and Events Center, The Historic Fairhaven Association, presents three plays in repertory.
All three plays are inspired by this year’s theme: illuminating our entangled convictions.
Each of these productions will be performed in the round—audience members will be sitting in close proximity to the actors as they explore untangling the complexities of their lives.
We also invite the audience to stay and participate in the post-show discussions with community organizations that are addressing issues raised by these plays.
FSRT 2023 FEATURED ARTISTS:
Trish Cosgrove, Adam St John, Eryn Elyse McVay, Alex Quiring, Michi Ohata, Rhonda J. Soikowski, Kai Fischer, Sunam Ellis, Avery Horton, Gabi Gilbride, and Jersey Patterson
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Our company works with many students and educators, parents and children, as well as guest artists from far beyond Bellingham Bay, all working together to bring these three plays to life.
1
KEELY AND DU
by Jane Martin
Directed by Kayla Adams
Photo by KPatten.
A volatile drama about abortion, Keely and Du is a mind-probing issue play with a gripping human face.
What is the extent of individual freedom? What are a victim’s rights? Their passionate stories exist on the extreme edge of everyday reality.
“Compelling...bound to stir vigorous discussion.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Pulitzer Prize finalist, 1994
2
GIDION’S KNOT
by Johnna Adams
Directed by Kathryn Van Meter
Photo by KPatten.
Over the course of a parent/teacher conference, a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher have a fraught conversation about the tragic struggles of the mother’s son. Gidion may have been bullied severely—or he may have been an abuser.
“Eloquent study of people caught between the competing demands of reason, morality, and family, harrowing a narrative that is as elegant as it is chilling.”
—WASHINGTON POST
3
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Mark Kuntz
Photo by KPatten.
Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace her profound relationship to the constitution.
“Not just the best play to open on Broadway, but also the most important.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Drama, 2019
Obie Award: Best New American Play, 2019
New York Drama Critics Circle, 2019
Time’s 10 Best Theater Performances of 2019
SHOW GALLERIES
Keely and Du
Photos by KPatten.
Gidion’s Knot
Photos by KPatten.
What the Constitution Means to Me
Photos by KPatten.
IN THE AUDIENCE
“Gidion's Knot is so good!” —A. G. S. J.
“We came to this play tonight and the acting and writing was fabulous! Please support this wonderful theatre.” —L. H.
POST-SHOW COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS
Sunday, July 2: What the Constitution Means to Me
led by representatives from the Bellingham United Debate Club; the League of Women Voters, and attorney Philip Buri
Sunday, July 9: Gidion’s Knot
led by representatives from NAMI Whatcom and M.A.D. H.O.P.E.
Sunday, July 16: Keely and Du
led by representatives from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County; Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center; and Rep. Alicia Rule, LICSW, Rule & Associates