:: JOIN US FOR A STAGED READING OF IFE GAIL YOUNG’S NEW PLAY ::
“ IN THE DANCE OF STARS“

:: Saturday :: January 29th :: @3pm :: Via Zoom Webinar ::

Glynnis, a middle-aged Caucasian woman and Rashard, a 22-yr. old African American young man melt away the walls of their different worlds to form a bond, finding solace in one another as they await updates about their hospitalized loved-ones affected with Covid 19. The two illustrate how magnificently similar lives are in times of fear and desperation, and the tendency to search for hope and healing, even in the bizarre. What is truly valuable to each character is placed under a microscope as their humanness is woven throughout their stories, vulnerabilities, and fears. When Glynnis is convinced that they should lean on the healing power of stars will they find desired reality or life on life’s terms?

As part of Ensemble’s mission, our Stagewrights Unit fosters the development of new works for the stage.
Staged readings offer playwrights the platform to have their work presented to an audience with local artists.
We encourage audiences to participate in survey questions provided by the playwright as well as a post show talkback with them following the reading. Audiences are fundamental to our work!

There will be a post show talkback after the reading!
Please email plays@ensemble-theatre.org if you would like to attend the talkback.

:: Meet the Artists ::

Gail Young, (Ife) - (Playwright) was born, raised, and educated in Cleveland, OH.  She began writing at a very young age, focusing on playwriting after studying drama at Karamu House.  Years later she attended Cleveland State University, where she earned a B.A. in Dramatic Arts.  On the road to receiving her degree, she won two creative writing contests and was presented with an Outstanding Writer’s Award. Ife (Gail) has performed and/or has had her original plays, stories, songs, and poetry presented throughout Greater Cleveland and in various locations throughout the country, including Philadelphia, NYC, North Carolina, and VA.  As a former employee of Cleveland Public Libraries and Cleveland Metropolitan School District, she was able to share her works with the community, helping to promote empowerment and literacy. Ife (Gail) has authored adult’s and children’s books, the latter of which she also illustrates. She presents several original one woman shows, including, ‘This Woman Can,’ an ongoing presentation (with original songs) that depicts the life and times of Maggie Lena Walker, who was an African American pioneer banker.  Ife (Gail) can be contacted at ifethestoryteller@gmail.com.

Molly McFadden (Glynnis Potts) Prior to moving to Cleveland OH with her husband, Brian McFadden, Molly & Brian lived in New York for 25 years pursuing their careers. Molly received her MFA from Florida State University at the Asolo Repertory Theater and from there pursued regional theater before landing in Manhattan. As an actress she worked in theater in NYC and numerous Equity theaters throughout the country, as well as doing commercials and film work before turning to playwriting. Molly now lives in Cleveland with Brian and to date she has performed at numerous venues such at the Ensemble Theatre, Cleveland Public Theater and Karamu House and most recently via zoom with the Playwright's Local. To date her plays, other than THE DOWNSIDE are FISH FEEL PAIN, ZOOM WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO KILL ME, THE BLUE TUMBLER, 86 CHRISTMAS and LIVING ON THE MOON. LIVING ON THE MOON is her show which is about her journey with her Mother through her declining years due to Alzheimer's Disease. It has been performed at the York Theater in New York, the Ensemble Theater, and the Cleveland Public Theater. She continues developing, LIVING ON THE MOON, Theater. She will be taking this production to Florida next year. Molly is also currently working on a musical entitled SCRATCH loosely based on THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER with her husband Brian McFadden who is the author of the and lyrics. Her works possess a quirky, slightly off-center style that include mirth and whimsy.

Kyle Carthens (Reshard Reynolds) is thrilled to partner alongside the Ensemble Theater again for this wonderfully written new play "In The Dance of Stars". Kyle is a Cleveland Native who is a proud graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts. Post graduation, Kyle has performed in over 32 plays, and 37 film & Television productions over the course of 15 years. Some of his favorites roles with the Ensemble Theatrre have been portraying Abe Smith in "The Gospel According to James", Private Anthony Smalls in "A Soldiers Play", Jimmy Lunceford in "Knock Me A Kiss", MacDuff in "Voodoo MacBeth", and Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby". After moving back from Los Angeles, California in 2019, and surviving 2020, Kyle is optimistic about the resurgence of Cleveland Theater and the hope that it can share with the world in such trying times."

Valerie Young (The Nurse) is excited to participate in another Ensemble Theatre endeavor. She has worked with Ensemble over the last 40 seasons in plays from O’Neill to Ionesco. She has worked for theatres all over Northeast Ohio including Convergence Continuum as well as Western Reserve Playhouse. She is excited to work with this lovely cast, playwright, crew, and Celeste on presenting this new script to Cleveland audiences! Enjoy the show.