Will: A Coverup
Will: A Coverup
By Kelly Fleming
Directed by Becky Wright
Recorded audio with accompanying visuals
Now streaming!
Content disclosure:
Adult language
Death
Substance abuse/Drug use
Disassociation/
CAST
Emma Price - Will/James
Sarah Golczewski - Harry
Evesha Harry - Winnie
Chester Pollard - Richy
Hallie Malina - Sam
PRODUCTION
Kelly Fleming - Playwright
Benny Rothschild - Composer
Rebecca Wright - Director
Brennah Leone - Assistant Director
Sophie Smyczek - Stage Manager
M. Rayne Smith - Assistant Stage Manager
Amir Gad - Dramaturg
Julia Frey - Video Designer
Kay Currier-Graves - Audio Designer
CREW
Lina Batista
Roberto Delgado
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
Kym Moore, Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Justin Lujan, Program Director, Acting
Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting, and Production
Katie Donovan, Program Director, Musical Theater
Natalie Robin, Program Director, Theater Design and Technology
Nick Embree, Set Practicum Instructor
LeVonne Lindsay, Costume Practicum Instructor
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer
David Yager, President and CEO
WRITER’S NOTE
This play, theatrical experiment, and passion project has been brewing for most of my life and I am so excited and honored to be able to share it in a time where theater is struggling for life and so much seems uncertain.
My journey with this story began in the passenger seat of my father’s 1992 Toyota 4Runner on the way to theater camp in the 4th grade. On an old cassette tape, a college aged version of my dad recorded a radio special on the “Paul is Dead” conspiracy theory. As a Beatles fan from the womb, I was enraptured with this story. How could something so crazy and convoluted surround the biggest band in history? There’s no way it's true, but what if it was? And that’s where this play began to unravel.
In addition to this piece paying homage to one of the most influential artists in my life, this piece is the first exploration into my ongoing theory of Psychedelic Theater. Psychedelia’s art style, political and spiritual influences, and overall experience is something that hasn’t really been touched by theater and has so much potential in this medium. So, I want to see what it is! I want to see what it can be. In order to explore it in this piece in the form of the musical underscoring, visual aide, and some other story elements. I would like to thank the entire team and cast for indulging me in this investigation and experiment and can’t wait to see where this process takes me and Psychedelic Theater next.
While my senior year and this production did not go as originally planned, I am so grateful for my collaborators who joined me in adapting my original intentions into something possible. At its core, this is a story about collaboration and friendship, two things that I have fully dove into. From working with a best friend since middle school to professors and new collaborators, this piece has brought together so many people and I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish.
Thank you for watching and supporting young artists!
BIOS
Kay Currier-Graves (she/her) - Sound Designer - Kay is a theatre artist who focuses in Lighting and Sound design. @Kaiitloaf on Insta
Kelly Fleming (she/they) - Playwright - Kelly Fleming is a senior DPP with a focus in directing, playwriting, and stage management. This is Kelly's senior thesis and final show at UArts. They are so thankful for all the opportunities UArts has provided and can't wait to see what is next! For more information visit their website, www.kelfleming.com.
Julia Frey (she/her) - Video Designer - Julia Frey is a performer, deviser, projection designer, and video programmer working in New York and Philadelphia. Recent video credits include Black Feminist Video Game (The Civilians - streaming April-May 2021), Medea (BAM - 2020 Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Projection Design), A People’s History of Silicon Valley (ANT Fest at Ars Nova), Starlight Express (Marymount Manhattan), The Jungle (St Ann's Warehouse, associate designer), Containertopia (Jalopy Theatre, Brooklyn and Philly Fringe), as well as projects at the Public Theater and MassMoCA, and the online play-reading series Play PerView. She co-founded the new media theater duo Casual FreyDay with Sam Day Harmet and is a company member of New Paradise Laboratories and Quintessence Theatre Group. MFA: Performance and Interactive Media Arts (PIMA) at Brooklyn College. BA: Bard College. juliafrey.net
Amir Gad (he/they) - Dramaturg - Amir is a New Jersey collagist, dramaturg and playwright. Their previous works include Dramaturgy on In The Red and Brown Water, and The Myths and Hymns Companion piece, both at UArts. He is so grateful to have worked with such an excellent team for this show. When not involved with theater, Amir enjoys urban exploration and researching cryptids. You can follow him at @pluton14n on Instagram.
Sarah Golczewski (she/they) - Harry - Sarah Golczewski is a sophomore film major at the University of the Arts. This is her first production within the Brind School. She has also acted in and done tech crew in shows such as Bye Bye Birdie, Something's Afoot, Annie, and Happy Days. She would like to thank everyone who has supported her efforts to branch out.
Evesha Harry (she/her) - Winnie - "This is Evesha's first show ever at Uarts. She is currently a Sophomore Acting major and continues to study and learn there. In her free time, Evesha does work on self created work in hopes to inspire and bring awareness to ourself and our truths. Social Media: Instagram @eveshaa"
Brennah Leone (she/her) - Assistant Director - Brennah Leone is a junior DPP and is so amazed by everyone’s work on this production. It was an honor to witness such talent, kindness, and thought provoking conversations in this process. Much love to you all! -Bren
Hallie Malina (she/her) - Sam - Hallie is a junior DPP and is so for you to see Will! Selected UArts credits include Myths and Hymns and Red and Black (Polyphone). Thanks to the cast and crew for this amazing experience and to my family and friends for their endless support. Enjoy the show!
M. Rayne Smith (she/her) - Assistant Stage Manager - Rayne is a freshman DPP major. She was thrilled to embark on this psychedelic adventure with her peers and can't wait for everyone to see the finished project. This project and this semester has been a great learning opportunity for all that online theatre can bring and she hopes that you learn something from this as well!
Sophie Smyczek (she/her) - Stage Manager - "Sophie Smyczek is a junior Design-Tech Major and is so excited for you to experience Will: A Coverup! Despite the challenge of being completely virtual, she has found a lot of joy in collaborating with the production team and cast on this show. To see more of Sophie's work, please visit sophiesmyczek.com. Insta: @sophie_smyczek"
Chester Pollard (he/him) - Richy - Chester Pollard is an artist with many interests. He has a desire for writing, directing, and acting in comedic films, while also playing guitar and writing songs for a future band. "I hope to entertain audiences and encourage them to live life at its fullest. There's a chance I might enlighten you, but a good chance I might confuse you. I just hope it makes you think. Follow me on Instagram @thechesterjonespollard and subscribe to my self-titled YouTube channel."
Emma Price (she/her) - Will/James - Emma is thrilled to be making her acting debut at UArts in Will: A Coverup. She is a first-year B.F.A. student in Musical Theater. She has also worked on the story team for Overgrown, lead by Jaedto Israel. Other favorite past roles include Sob Sister (Radium Girls), Mrs. Meers (Thoroughly Modern Millie), and Jack Kelly (Newsies). Thank you to the cast, crew and creative team of Will: A Coverup for making this an amazing experience!
Rebecca Wright (she/her) - Director - Rebecca Wright is a director-creator, and a company member of Applied Mechanics, with whom she has created twelve original immersive plays. Recent credits include Indecent and An Iliad at the Arden, Perfect Day at Headlong, This Is On Record with Applied Mechanics, and The Wild Duck at Quintessence Theater Group. She has made work with students at Arcadia University, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan, among others. Other favorite projects include At Home With the Humorless Bastard with Annie Wilson, Peaceable Kingdom with Orbiter 3, and Articles of Faith with Cynthia Hopkins.