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Heather Helinsky

Recommended by Heather Helinsky

  • Hedda and George by Sandra A. Daley-Sharif
    21 Feb. 2024
    “ This re-imagining of Hedda set in Maya Angelou's home in Harlem is compelling, with fresh takes and nuanced perspectives on the black experience in America, connected to the traumatic legacy of the destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, 1921. This adaptation illuminates themes of contemporary relevance, and delivers nuanced characters and a tour-de-force for a leading black actress. Producing Daley-Sharif's play HEDDA AND GEORGE would subvert the countless revivals of dead white writers that never say anything new or resonant with issues in contemporary America. You'll be caught up in the suspense of this story as well! ”
  • Chrysalis by Gwyneth Strope
    12 Feb. 2024
    “ After witnessing the Hollins production of CHRYSALIS at KCACTF Region 4 in 2024, I could not recommend this play more highly for future production opportunities. Mirage's journey relates to the experience of many who experience trauma in a relationship which then creates deep fears when one is finally in a positive, loving relationship. The structural twists and turns of a memory play were also well-orchestrated and contributed to the overall powerful emotional impact and ultimate catharsis. This non-linear play is a map of how to move forward and heal the heart. Well done! ”
  • HOWLING: a fairy tale by Jordan Elizabeth Henry
    1 Feb. 2024
    “ I was immediately drawn into the world of the play through the cadence of the characters, which told me everything in the first 10-15 pages about Birdie's heartbreak that would unfold. Highly appreciated the many intentional choices, a primary one being centering Birdie's story on her mental health journey while the play peels away the layers of the emotional abuse in all her familial relationships. This play also provides opportunities for designers to play with lights and shadows of the theatrical woods and theatres to have nuanced conversations with their audiences about neurodiversity. ”
  • The Dybbuk on Orchard by Marilyn Schotland
    9 Jan. 2023
    “ It's always a joy to encounter a play written in a specific genre---in this case 1930s noir---but centering queer characters and history. Playfully flirting with the play-within-a-play form as this Yiddish theatre company produces Twelfth Night, I enjoyed the heartwarming characters as they searched for love and a community space where they could be true to themselves. This is a play where the stakes are high for every character and tension and mischief abound. ”
  • Say Goodbye by A.R. Cohen/Corwin
    3 Jan. 2023
    “ This revenge play imaginatively blends a character from the historical Ravensbruck concentration camp with contemporary #metoo, with biblical allusions. I admire the farcical stylistic choices while asking tough questions about confronting your abuser. This play is a unique take on ethical questions surrounding justice for victims while also remaining playful and hitting horror-genre notes. Will Esthie ever find the right words to say to The Body? This play works through the question of "when do we ourselves become monsters?" in an individual's search of a way to heal from trauma. ”
  • All My Mothers Dream in Spanish: A Play with Drums by AZ Espinoza
    2 Jan. 2023
    “ This was a compelling read about matrilineal ancestral power, seeking wisdom and magic (but not always finding answers). It's full of imagery around birth, revolution, fruit, birds, and homeland. The tough questions asked of the next generation, such as: "what do you want, to heal or seek power?" still sit with me. Told in a stylistically innovative way with highly poetic and rhythmic language, this multilingual play about intergenerational tensions should be read widely and produced. ”
  • When We Were gods by Amara Janae Brady
    19 Apr. 2020
    “ Sable Venus' epic & tragic journey from Mt. Olympus to the West Indies made this a compelling read. There were many contemporary themes, such as how it feels to be the only goddess of color in Zeus' white European Olympus, as well as the classical themes of gods transforming & interfering with human matters. The moment of Titan's betrayal really hit me, as well as the strong community of women Venus finds later in her journey. The love story with Venus & Athena is such a positive, healthy relationship, we need to see more of those stories staged too. ”
  • Stone Pebble Girls by Caitlin Turnage
    26 Mar. 2020
    “ This play grabbed me from the start with its characters that have stuck with me from reading it over a year ago. I really enjoyed the audience's relationship with Aika as she speaks to us of the New Mexico landscape around her and her family traumas. It's lyrical yet also realistic language makes it a really strong piece that I hope gets produced someday soon. ”
  • Predictor by Jennifer Blackmer
    29 Sep. 2019
    “ This is a fascinating historical character, and this play brings her front and center to her contribution to history and women's health. This play helps us see her conflict between being a "good girl" in the world of Mad Men advertising, and the struggle to stand up for herself and take credit for her own ideas. The ensemble playing style not only creates the world of 1967, but keeps Meg Crane at the center, and gives her agency as she tells her story. Would love to see audience engagement events created for a production of this play! ”
  • Queen of the Water Lilies by Kitty Felde
    13 Sep. 2019
    “ I enjoy when a play teaches me about a part of history that I'm not aware of, and Helen is quite a force of nature as she protects her water lily farm and the neighborhood. A moment that really captured me is the complicated scene between Helen and Mariah's Aunt Mae, as both women navigate the swampy waterways of race, class, privilege, and community. ”

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