Leaving the security of the corporate world for a career in the arts may sound wonderful and soul-fulfilling, but when push comes to shove, taking that step is not as easy as it sounds, as clearly shown in John Kearns' comic drama RESIGNATIONS. Directed by Erin Smiley, the show will begin performances at 440 Lafayette Studios on June 11th as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity.
Joy and Grace, two young Chinese-American women, and friends since high school, have dreams of working in the art world together, but currently are holding down "day jobs" in a large, soulless corporation. It's a place where daily routine and workday responsibilities stretch before them endlessly. However as more and more time passes, Grace finds herself rather happy with the prospect of receiving a steady paycheck, having health insurance, being able to pay her bills on time and actually saving money. Joy, on the other hand, is itching to make the break and try her luck in the arts, a dream which requires her to leave the company for good, but it's something she's reluctant to do without Grace's making the break with her.
Yet eventually, it's Joy who finds herself starting to settle into the workday existence, and its aura of comfortability, while Grace seems ready at last to start anew. As the two women discuss their options, and whether it's the right time to leave, the decision may be taken out of their hands when rumors of budget cuts and layoffs enter the picture. But will the company's decision regarding their future, when it is finally handed down, be a blessing or a curse?
RESIGNATIONS is structured like a workweek. Each day of the week corresponds to a different season and an element of Chinese medicine: Monday in the winter (element: water), Tuesday in the spring (element: wood), Wednesday in the summer (element: fire), Thursday in the late summer (element: earth), and Friday in the fall (element: metal). The play presents the same five elements of the women's routine each day: morning coffee, a conference call, lunch, a Starbucks run, and the end of the day.
A Boann Books and Media LLC production benefiting the China Tomorrow Education Foundation, which promotes education in rural China, RESIGNATIONS features Amy Chang, Joy Lanceta and John Skocik. Jason Szalla is the Art Director, responsible for the set design and overall look of the production.
John Kearns full-length plays include Sons of Molly Maguire and In a Bucket of Blood, both at the Midtown International Theater Festival; and Designers with Dirty Faces (Fashion PlayFest). His one-acts include The Importance of Loving Shakespeare, World Piece, I Knew You'd Say That!, which was a Strawberry One-Act Festival wild-card semifinalist (2009), the 8-Minute Madness finalist Hanging Questions (2006), and Copy 8852 (2007), a collaboration for the Ontological Theatre. His short-story collection, Dreams and Dull Realities, was published in 2007 and his novel The World was published in 2003. His novel in progress, Worlds, was a finalist in the 2002 New Century Writers' Awards. John has an MA in English with a Concentration in Irish Literature and lives in Manhattan. Information about Kearns can be found at www.kearnscafe.com.
Erin Smiley most recently directed the New York premiere of Eric Overmyer's Figaro/Figaro for (re:)-Directions Theatre Company. Other directing credits include Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's Celebration, ((re:)-Directions Theatre Company) Training Wisteria (NY International Fringe Festival), Dealing (Manhattan Rep), When Mother Calls (Samuel French Short Play Festival), Love is the Proof (Sargent Theater), Love is Good (Producer's Club), Mothers and Monsters (Beckman Theater), and Mrs. Warren's Profession (ETC Productions). She has assisted on Edward II, As We Speak and Bordertown ((re:)-Directions Theatre Company) as well as for productions at The Flea, New Georges, The Brick, Harbor Opera and Village Light Opera. Erin is the Associate Artistic Director for Directions Theatre Company, a graduate of Vassar College, an Associate Member of SSDC, and a two-time Member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab.
Planet Connections Theatre Festivity is committed to producing high-quality theatre, with non-traditional casting, unique perspectives, political theatre and more! All of the productions are curated and created with the hope of inspiring cultural education and human understanding.
Running through June 25th, RESIGNATIONS will be performed at the Robert Moss Theater, located at 440 Lafayette Street (between Astor Place and East 4th Street), on the third floor, as part of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Show times are Thursday, June 11th at 4pm, Saturday, June 13th at 8:30pm, Monday, June 15th at 4pm, Wednesday, June 17th at 8pm, Sunday, June 21st at 8:30pm, and Thursday, June 25th at 6pm. All tickets are $18. Reservations: 212-353-3101 or www.planetconnectionsfestivity.com.
