Above: Annie Lelio in theatre KAPOW’s MORNING SUN, directed by Leslie Pasternack. Photo: Matthew Lomanno Photography
2026 has been packed with theatre-making, as I have expanded my role as Director of the New Play Lab at The Players Ring, while also directing, teaching, and working with acting and playwriting clients one-on-one.
After closing the lovely ENID’S MILL at the Ring, I had barely a pause before jumping into rehearsals for Simon Stephens’s MORNING SUN, the final show of the season for the phenomenal company theatre KAPOW. Actors Rachel Chapin Longo, Pamela Battin-Sacks and Annie Lelio never left the stage as they told the story of one woman’s life across fifty-plus years in New York City. The whole creative team for this show was stunning, including Matthew Cahoon designing set and lights, Kyrie Ellison on sound, Barbara Holbrook on costumes, and Carey Cahoon Stage Managing the heck out of this tricky piece. We put it up for one weekend at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord, then trucked it to Portsmouth for a terrific run at NH Theatre Project. I was extremely proud–and extremely tired!–when we wrapped this show!
Last week, I held a one-shot acting workshop in the studio I called a “Lemon Jam”–just a chance to do some actor training with my colleagues, while raising a little money to benefit the NH Food Bank. I gave them movement prompts, then we developed and expanded them, and I got to play DJ and lay different tracks over the movement. It was revelatory and refreshing, and I’m so grateful to have this space to share and such wonderful artists to come play in it!
The New Play Lab series is already underway, as I work on revisions with playwrights Joshua Faigen and Christoper Garvin. Zoom feedback sessions with our Ring Readers and staged readings at the Ring are coming in fall in winter. My acting classes at Riverwoods Durham continue, to much laughter and fresh insights every time. And I’m reading many new plays as I scheme and plot new projects for 2027.
Here are some pics from the Lemon Jam to enjoy, featuring Katherine Cusack, Tara Johns, Linette Miles & Catharine Davis.
Happy summer!
