FORNEY —
In 2012, the Texas Nonprofit Theatres (TNT) organization, a statewide group that oversees and monitors the theatre work of Texas Community Theatres, held a national original play competition to select four winners of new plays that have never been produced. The prize was to select the four winners and produce their plays at four different theatres in Texas. There were 100 applicants who submitted plays and the four winners were announced at TNT’s yearly conference in 2012.
The Henderson County Performing Arts Center has been one of the four producing companies since the inception of the national competition in 2008. Dennis Gilmore, HCPAC’s Executive Director, serves as chairman of the national project. “From the beginnings of the competition in 2008, TNT has developed this program to allow playwrights the opportunity to do the one thing that is very difficult to do; and that is to get their plays produced,” said Gilmore. “The four producing theatres in Texas reap the benefit of producing the World Premiere of the show and that is a great feeling to be with the playwright from the beginning to the end of the process.”
HCPAC selected a show by Marjorie Bicknell entitled The Boys Club to present to the audiences in Athens. Set in a prison cell, the story follows the events leading to the “trial of the century” as the founder of the Clooney Boys Club, Randy Clooney played by J Noswinger, is imprisoned for allegedly killing 14 boys from his Club. The events unwind in Clooney’s cell as he and his attorney, Jill Bennett, played by Cassandra Schwantes, argue and debate over the best defense strategy.
The show opens on Friday, March 1st and Ms. Bicknell will be present for the opening weekend of the show. The theatre will hold a reception for her on Friday night, March 1st after the show. All in attendance are invited to stay for the reception.
Ms. Bicknell is a working playwright, director and actress. She holds a BA in Theatre and English Literature from Mundelein College in Chicago and an MA in Speech with a concentration in Theatre/Oral Interpretation from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Marjorie has studied playwriting at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, and the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, where she was a member of the theatre’s elite Playwrights Circle.
Her first full-length play, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, was produced at Theatre Center Chicago by Pary Production Company. The production was the recipient of three Joseph Jefferson Citations for outstanding performance of live theatre. Frankenstein is published by Heartland Plays. Marjorie is also the author of The Family Room, winner of the 2003 Pennsylvania Playwright Award and The Boys Club, a winner of the 2012 TNT POPS! new play contest. Other full-length plays include: Joint Custody, Queen of New Orleans and The Laws of War..
Marjorie is a member of The Dramatists Guild and a founding member of The Playwrights Alliance of Pennsylvania. When not working in local theatre, Marjorie is a freelance advertising copywriter and creative consultant. She has been privileged to work on advertising and direct marketing campaigns for companies such as Prudential Insurance, Colonial Penn Insurance, MCI Friends and Family, 1-800-COLLECT, Comcast, Verizon (Bell Atlantic) and Jenny Craig. She has won over 35 industry awards for her work. Marjorie lives in Camp Hill, Pa. with her wonderful husband, Ed Shapiro.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
The Boys Club this weekend at HCPAC
- Local News
-
-
Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
-
‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
-
WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
-
Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
-
Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
