Tag Archives: Village Players

THESE SHINING LIVES Runs April 25-May 3

THESE SHINING LIVES
Village Players
April 25-May 3
[Fort Thomas]

Directed by Becky Collins

THESE SHINING LIVES chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, its true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them. Content Disclosures: Mild language, sexual innuendo, discussion of death and terminal disease. 

  • Fri-Sat, April 25-26 at 8pm
  • Sun, April 27 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, May 1-3 at 8pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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TRUE WEST Runs Feb. 21-March 1

TRUE WEST
Village Players
Feb. 21-March 1
[Fort Thomas]

Directed by Jerry Wiesenhahn

Cast: Justin Smith as Austin, Keith Cassidy as Lee, Jay Dallas Benson as Saul & Judy Sceifres as Mom

This American classic explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale.​ Content Note: Strong language, violence, and alcohol use.

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 21-22 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 23 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Feb. 28-March 1 at 8pm

Official page |

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Cast Announced for THESE SHINING LIVES at Village Players

VP_new logoVillage Players of Fort Thomas is proud to announce the cast for THESE SHINING LIVES, directed by Becky Collins:

  • Sydney Vollmer – Catherine Donahue
  • Tamara Sanow – Charlotte Purcell
  • Madelynn Meredith – Frances O’Connell, also plays Reporter
  • Claudia Covarrubias – Pearl Payne, also plays Reporter and Daughter
  • Evan Beckmeyer – Tom Donahue
  • Travis Ryan – Mr. Reed
  • Bex Langendorfer – Dr. Dalitsch, also plays Dr. Rowntree & Judge
  • Nathan Turner – Leonard Grossman, also plays Company Doctor, Radio Announcer and Son

THESE SHINING LIVES by Melanie Marnich runs April 25 – May 3, courtesy of Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Tickets are on sale now at www.villageplayers.org/these-shining-lives

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2025-2026 Season Announced by Village Players

Village Players of Fort Thomas is excited to announce our 2025-2026 season! Anchored by four fantastic local directors, this season features a diverse selection of plays, all brought to life by our dedicated Village Players. Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and join us for an incredible theatrical journey!

Abigail/1702
A drama by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Directed by Rose Vanden Eynden
September 26 – October 4, 2025

Set ten years after the Salem witch trials, Abigail 1702 follows Abigail Williams, the former accuser who sent twenty people to their deaths, as she lives under an assumed name near Boston, seeking redemption. When a handsome stranger arrives, passion reawakens within her, but their brief happiness is shattered when the Devil comes to claim Abigail’s soul. To escape her past, she must first make peace with the woman she wronged most.

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas
A comedy by Jones Hope Wooten
Directed by Mark Culp
December 5 – 14, 2025

Spend the holidays in Doublewide, and let this hilarious Jones Hope Wooten Comedy get you in the spirit for the season. In this outrageously funny comedy, it’s Christmas-time in the newest—and tiniest—town in Texas. And it’s beginning to look a lot like trouble in Doublewide.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore
A comedy/drama by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman
Directed by Drue Harris
February 20 – 28

This touching and humorous collection of stories explores the connection between clothes, memories, and the moments that define us. A beautifully crafted show that will make you reflect on the most important aspects of life.

Over the River and Through the Woods
A comedy by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Jerry Wiesenhahn
April 24 – May 2
A heartwarming and hilarious story about family, love, and the pull between staying close and moving forward. Join us for this delightful comedy that reminds us all of the importance of cherishing time with the ones we love.

We can’t wait to see you in the audience for an unforgettable season of laughter, drama, and emotion! All performances are courtesy of Dramatists Play Service Inc. Stay tuned for more details on ticket sales and how you can get involved!

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Auditions Announced for THESE SHINING LIVES at Village Players

The Village Players of Fort Thomas is pleased to announce auditions for THESE SHINING LIVES the evenings of Sunday, January 12th (6:00pm-9:00pm) and Wednesday, January 15th (7:00pm-9:30pm). Directed by Becky Collins and produced by Nate Huitger.

Location: Village Players of Fort Thomas at 8 North Center for the Arts (in the street-level Judith M. Sarakatsannis Gallery), 8 North Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY, 41075.

Synopsis: THESE SHINING LIVES chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, its true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them. Please note there are themes of death and terminal disease.

Please sign up for a time slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4BACA82DA3F49-53858188-these

Audition Requirements: Please bring a headshot and resume. Please bring your scheduled conflicts, please note one or more holidays fall in the rehearsal period; it is helpful to know travel plans early. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. You may be requested to stay past your audition time to read with other auditionees.

Callbacks: More information will be forthcoming following auditions if there’s a need for callbacks; none are planned at this time. If you are not called back it does not mean you are not cast. Each auditionee will be individually contacted by the producer before a cast list is posted.

Rehearsal times: Rehearsals will begin on Monday, March 3 from 7-10pm; Our plan is to rehearse 4 nights a week on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (conflicts dependent) and Thursday until tech week. Due to Easter, technical rehearsals will be split into the weeks of April 13th & April 20th. Please bring your conflicts to audition. Cast members will be asked to assist with build/paint days and post-show clean-up (strike).

Production Dates: Fri, April 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Sat, April 26, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Sun, April 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm, Thu, May 1, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Fri, May 2, 2025 at 8:00 pm, and Sat, May 3, 2025 at 8:00 pm.

Character Breakdown: listed ages are stage ages

  • Catherine Donahue*: (Woman; 20s-30s) The main character, a young, vibrant, and competitive woman who works at the Radium Dial Company. She’s a fighter who develops as the story progresses.
  • Charlotte Purcell: (Woman; 20s-30s) The leader of the Radium Dial group, she’s outspoken, tough, and determined.
  • Frances O’Connell, also plays Reporter: (Woman; 20s-40s) The moral backbone of the group, she’s kind, level-headed, and has a keen eye for scandal.
  • Pearl Payne, also plays Reporter and Daughter: (Woman; 20s-30s) The jokester of the group, she’s easy-going, chatty, and sweet. She’s also a shameless gossip who notices every symptom of sickness or scandal.
  • Tom Donahue*: (Man; 20s-30s) Catherine’s husband, a steel worker who’s very much in love with his wife but conflicted about her work.
  • Mr. Reed: (Man; 20s-50s) The foreman at the Radium Dial Company who has information about the effects of radium poisoning but doesn’t tell his workers.
  • Dr. Dalitsch also plays Dr. Rowntree & Judge: (Man, flexible age- 20+) ; A doctor in Chicago who diagnoses radium poisoning; Rowntree promotes the perceived value of radium
  • Leonard Grossman also plays Company Doctor, Radio Announcer and Son (Man, flexible age- 20+): The attorney who agrees to take the case to court.

*Please note Catherine and Tom will share staged kisses during several scenes.

Please contact info@villageplayers.org with any questions or accommodations.

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