BWW Stage Mag Bite Sized Theatre - Montevallo Presbyterian Church Stage Mag

Bitesized Theatre

 
A 10-Minute Theatre Festival presented by Threshold  
at Montevallo Presbyterian Church
 
Directed by Lena Rios  
Co-directed by Bailey Rios  
with Audio and Livestreaming by Casey Pilgrim  
 
Shows  
 

Ant and Grasshopper

Book & Lyrics by
A. J. Freeman
Music by Dimitri Landrain

Heard Mentality

An original play by Allison Fradkin

Cooking for Two

Book and Lyrics
by Charlie O'Leary
Music by Karl Hinze

Franklin Pierce Dragon Slayer

Book & lyrics by
Preston Max Allen
Music by Will Buck

 
 
 
   
   
Starring
 
 
Alex Pepke   
Justin Lewis
Maria Serrano
Bailey Rios
       
       
   
   
   

Cast

Alex Pepke
ANT, JENNY, JENNIFER
Justin Lewis
GRASSHOPPER, RIGHT E, BRETT, FRANKLIN PIERCE
Maria Serrano
ADA
Bailey Rios
LEFT E, NAMELESS PA, Co-Director

Creative Team

Casey Pilgrim

Audio and Livestream Specialist

Lena Rios

Director

Bailey Rios

Co-Director

Meet the Company

Alex Pepke

ANT, JENNY, JENNIFER
Alex Pepke - ANT, JENNY, JENNIFER As a freshman at Montevallo majoring in Theatre and Business, Alex (he/him) is exceedingly grateful for this opportunity to work off campus with Lena and the lovely people of Montevello’s Presbyterian community. So much thanks to Lena for her constant kindness and flexibility!

Justin Lewis

GRASSHOPPER, RIGHT E, BRETT, FRANKLIN PIERCE
Justin Lewis - GRASSHOPPER, RIGHT E, BRETT, FRANKLIN PIERCE Justin Lewis is excited to be a part of this show in the roles of Grasshopper, Brett, Right E, and 14th President of the United States Franklin Pierce! They needed a guy and a guy he probably is. Justin is a senior at the University of Montevallo, but doesn’t do many musicals, so give him some slack.

Maria Serrano

ADA
Maria Serrano - ADA Maria Serrano is a lifelong resident of Montevallo, where she lives with her spouse and 3 children. She is a graduate of the University of Montevallo and currently teaches middle school for Shelby County schools. She serves as an elder for Montevallo Presbyterian Church, where she also serves as the Earth Care coordinator. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching K-dramas, and walking outdoors.

Bailey Rios

LEFT E, NAMELESS PA, Co-Director
Bailey Rios - LEFT E, NAMELESS PA, Co-Director Bailey Rios is a third grade teacher at Calera Intermediate School, but is very excited to step onstage as an actor! She typically is behind the scenes with lights, sounds, or children for children’s productions. Most recently she was the stage manager for the Shelby County Arts Council’s production of School House Rock Live Jr., but hopes to be more involved in local theatre in the future!

Casey Pilgrim

Audio and Livestream Specialist

Lena Rios

Director

Bailey Rios

Co-Director

The Shows

 

 

Ant and Grasshopper: 

Book & Lyrics by
A. J. Freeman
Music by Dimitri Landrain

Ant and Grasshopper is based on the classic tale by Aesop. Hardworking, miserable Ant meets fun-loving, irresponsible Grasshopper. Together they learn that everyone needs both discipline and creativity, and that life is better shared with a friend! 

Heard Mentality

(featuring special words from the playwright Allison Fradkin) 

"Heard Mentality" is an own-voices story that aims to turn hearing impairment on its ear. I wrote this play to dramatize and criticize my personal insecurities about having a hearing impairment and to champion the versatility of disability in an audacious and authentic way. About me: Scriptly speaking, I create satirically scintillating stories that (sur)pass the Bechdel Test and enlist their characters in a caricature of the idiocies and intricacies of insidious isms, including ableism. My work validates and celebrates underrepresented voices, because when it comes to seeing people with disabilities onstage, respectful, realistic representation is not only viable; it's vital.

 

Cooking for Two


Book and Lyrics
by Charlie O'Leary
Music by Karl Hinze

It's the first season finale of Food Network's latest, Tasty Time with Jenny and Brett - but as the cameras roll, the eponymous couple's cheery facade starts to crack. When Jenny tries to end the show in a desperate bid to save their marriage, Brett must confront a terrifying choice: relationship or career?

Franklin Pierce Dragon Slayer


Book & lyrics by
Preston Max Allen
Music by Will Buck

When eighth-grader Jennifer is assigned Franklin Pierce for her class's President's Day project, she's bummed to have gotten one of the history's most forgettable presidents. However, late that night Franklin himself visits Jennifer to tell her the real truth behind his presidency.

 

Special Thanks

 

Special thanks to the Threshold series at Montevallo Presbyterian Church for allowing a platform for free theatre. Cast and crew give a special thanks to Jennifer Doherty, Rebecca Beaty, and Pastor Sam Hamilton-Poore for providing support through the gift of food! 

Lena would like to thank the cast, crew, and MPC for for allowing her to do what she loves best: theatre. Special thanks to the cast for doing such a wonderful job in such a short time. Another special thanks to Casey Pilgrim for being at advertising, setting up audio and livestream, and just overall being a wonderful person to work with. 

 

Threshold: At Montevallo Presbyterian Church

This program was brought to you by Threshold at Montevallo Presbyterian Church

The Threshold Community Arts Center offers a vibrant array of events throughout the year where people can gather to experience the work of local and regional artists, including painters, sculptors, poets, and musicians. Housed and hosted by Montevallo Presbyterian Church, The Threshold is more than just a venue; it’s a sanctuary for creativity, where art and faith intersect to inspire and uplift the community.


We believe that art has the power to bring people together, transcend boundaries, and foster meaningful connections. Through our events and collaborations, The Threshold seeks to provide a space where individuals from all walks of life can come together to share in the beauty and diversity of creative expression.

In keeping with the church’s mission of service and outreach, The Threshold also supports emerging artists by offering opportunities for showcasing their work and engaging with the community. Whether you’re attending a gallery opening, participating in a workshop, or enjoying a musical performance, you’ll find that The Threshold is a place where creativity flourishes and relationships are nurtured.

Join us at The Threshold, where art, fellowship, and collaboration are celebrated, and where every event is an invitation to explore the richness of our shared human experience.

https://www.montevallopcusa.org/the-threshold-community-arts-center

 

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