INDEPENDENT |
||
| JOHN CASSAVETES & THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING | ||
|
|
||
|
|
JOHN D. BABCOCK III |
|
| From The Words of John Cassavetes | ||
|
|
||
| STARRING | ||
|
as John Cassavetes |
|
as Gena Rowlands |
| Stage Manager & Tech | ||
| JOHN CARUCCI | ||
Follow Us:
John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands were actors who met at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in the early 1950s. By the Spring of 1954, they were married and working regularly on stage and screen.
The mid-1950s was the heyday of LIVE television dramas and it seemed there was no shortage of roles available to them. Their son Nick was born in 1959 and the family of 3 relocated to Los Angeles.
John and Gena continued to act in television and films. John also began directing movies. John and Gena were devoted to each other. And their love, support and admiration for each other was undeniable.
This play depicts an actual event which John Cassavetes experienced.
In early 1962, John Cassavetes was a man who achieved his Hollywood dreams. From a career which began as an actor a decade earlier, Cassavetes was now a director making a film on an important subject for the most renowned producer in the industry – Stanley Kramer.
But Cassavetes was forced in a position to choose between compromising his convictions or staying true to his artistic principles. His decision would impact not only his career but his family and his life. And would serve as a catalyst for a generation of filmmakers to come.
INDEPENDENT shows Cassavetes struggling with that decision and the ramifications it will bring. And it all plays out in a restaurant men’s room.
Song List
"Rainy Fields of Frost and Magic" by Bo Harwood
Cast
Meet the Company
Taurean Cavins-Flores
TAUREAN CAVINS-FLORES has been acting on both coasts for 29-years. He has been acting and teaching in Atlanta for the past 6 years and is so excited to share this show of passion with audiences. What started as a dinner at the Marietta Diner with writer, director John Babcock, quickly turned into a journey to what you are witnessing tonight. As Babcock was describing "Independent" and sharing John Cassavetes' story, Taurean immediately thought "we HAVE to do this." Taurean is exhilarated and humbled to share this story with you. Taurean is very fond of the Cassavetes' quote, "No matter how old you get, if you can keep the desire to be creative, you're keeping the man-child alive."
Anna Broadway
ANNA BROADWAY is an Atlanta based actor. Originally from Raleigh, N.C., Anna fell in love with the arts in high school and went on to receive her BFA in Acting in 2020 from Western Carolina University. Additionally, in 2019 she trained at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland.
Credits include #7 in "The Wolves" (Bardo Arts) and Tess in "Shut Up I'm On A Diet" (Women's Theatre Festival).
In her time in Atlanta, she has been working in TV/film, auditioning, writing, and training in scene work & improv. She is so excited to return to the stage in this production beautifully written by John Babcock.
Articles
INDEPENDENT: JOHN CASSAVETES And The Birth Of American Independent Films To Play Windmill Arts
INDEPENDENT: John Cassavetes and the Birth of American Independent Films will be presented at Windmill Arts in East Point, Georgia, with performances scheduled for February 12 through February 15. The play is written and directed by John D. Babcock III and explores the life and career of actor, writer, and director John Cassavetes, widely regarded as a foundational figure in American independent cinema.
Babcock, a former writer for Turner Classic Movies and a producer and co-writer of Vape! The Grease Parody, uses Cassavetes’ own words to trace his journey from New York City to Hollywood and his eventual rejection of the studio system in favor of artistic independence. The production examines Cassavetes’ philosophy on filmmaking and creative freedom, drawing connections between his views and the contemporary arts landscape.
Taurean Cavins-Flores portrays Cassavetes, with Anna Broadway appearing as actor and collaborator Gena Rowlands. Cavins-Flores has previously appeared in Between Riverside and Crazy and How I Learned to Drive, while Broadway’s credits include Bat Boy: The Musical and The Translation of Likes. The play previously received a full run at AuthentiCity Theater in 2025, following earlier stagings with Essential Theatre and at Young Harris College.
Windmill Arts is located at 2823 Church Street in East Point. Tickets are priced at $20 and are available through Windmill Arts, Eventbrite, and at the box office prior to performances.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
INDEPENDENT was first staged in 2017 as part of Essential Theatre’s Festival, followed by a one-night performance for students at Young Harris College in 2018. The play received its first full run at Limelight Theater in April and May 2025, produced by AuthentiCity Theater.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available via Windmill Arts’ website, Eventbrite, and at the box office before performances. Ticket price: $20.
The Production wishes to thank:
Sam Ross, Sarah Hillmer and everyone at Windmill Arts for this opportunity.
Thanks to Sasha & Scott Keefer of AuthentiCity Theater for their continued support.
Joe Funk Photography for the show poster.
Jack and Annette Babcock for the rotary phone.
And, of course, John and Gena.
Taurean would like to thank his loving parents - Patrice Cavins and Xavier Flores - for always standing with him, no questions asked. And also Joe and Emih Funk for their contributions and undying support. To John Carucci for selflessly sharing his talents with us and being a true friend. To Anna Broadway for coming to our rescue and John Babcock himself for allowing me to come on this journey with him. His work moves me and he has been a saving grace in my creative fulfillment.
Anna would like to thank John and Taurean for trusting her to join their project at Gena. As well as their kindness, patience, and sense of humor throughout the rehearsal process. Additionally, tech and stage manager John Carucci for making the show look and sound as great as it does. Lastly, she would like to thank everyone who has come out and supported this show in the audience and from afar. Specifically her family, friends, Liam, coworkers, acting coaches/classmates, and her dog Nemo. Enjoy the show!
John B. would like to thank Sam and Sarah for all the work they put in at Windmill and for making it a great space for creatives. He's also like to thank Taurean and Anna for never complaining about the unconventional way we got this show going. Thanks to John Carucci for his amazing sound and lighting design. And a special thanks to my wife Amy and my daughter June for their love, support and humor.
