Written by Lauren Earline Leonard
Edited by Heather Shayne Blakeslee and Grant Leonard
Band photography by Joanna Nowak Photography
Slide and show graphics by Shahana Jan
Song and lyrics by Martha Stuckey with special thanks to Mariah Del Rio
“Blessing for Balance” was adapted from a Pagan blessing
DIrector’s Note
The show that became DREDx was to premiere in March as the third in a series of female-focused, mother/daughter stories, but something about the script wasn’t right. The stories weren’t reflective of the general sense of anxiety and dread I and so many others are feeling. So, my trusted editor set it on fire (literally), I quit my job and went back to the writing desk.
Since completing the script, many of the far-fetched, apocalyptic ideas presented in DREDx have become reality.
Our president is a racist, “stable genius” who alters the projected path of a devastating hurricanes with Sharpie markers while denying the climate crisis. He keeps kids in cages and deports those awaiting life-saving medical treatment. He flirts with nuclear war and authoritarian dictators. Further abroad, the reality is even worse.
Hurricane Dorian left in its wake what Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis called "generational devastation." The Amazon rainforest continues to burn. In Ad Hol, Syria, children drown in pits of feces and run feral at refugee camps for those formerly associated with ISIS. Reality is dreadful.
And yet, I have hope.
In “The Wilds,” Laurie McIntyire implores us to take a long, hard look at ourselves and to stand firmly on the right side of history. She’s issuing a big challenge that, I think, is best met with small actions. In line with our mission, EBP will take some small actions by donating a portion of DREDx proceeds to organizations who serve, support, and defend our neighbors and our planet.
These donations are made possible only with the support of our audience and sponsors. I thank you for joining us for your support, for giving me hope, and for taking a leap into the future.
Lauren Leonard
Founder, Earlie Bird Productions
DREDx Community Partners:
Amazon Watch protects the rainforest and advances the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin by campaigning for corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon's ecological systems.
BAE’hood (Breastfeeding Awareness & Empowerment), a Philadelphia-based organization that promotes multigenerational cultures of health.
The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians provides a variety of services for immigrants from all over the world who are in the Philadelphia region.
CAST
heather Shayne blakeslee
as Laurie McIntyre
is the owner of Red Pen Arts, a consultancy that specializes in support for social entrepreneurs and the arts and culture community. Clients include the Queen Village Neighbor’s Association, the Governor’s Woods Foundation, Jazz Philadelphia and Mindful. Blakeslee’s folk-noir band Sweetbriar Rose released its sophomore record on March 7 at the Hedgerow Theater in Media, Pa. In May, she launched Root Quarterly, a subscription-only printed journal of art and ideas that celebrates Philadelphia writers and artists. She also volunteers on the board of the Philadelphia Folksong Society and the advisory council for Philadelphia-based literary initiative Blue Stoop.
Bianca Davies
as Kiki Rue
is a Liberian woman who came to Philadelphia by way of DC. A writer, performer, and scientist, Davies holds a B.S. in Biology from Temple University. Through her writing, Davies strives to give voice to those who’ve been silenced and shunned. She can be heard spitting poetry and rapping locally as Bee Dot. @badbees
Kate Heaney
Stage Manger
is thrilled to once again be working with Earlie Bird Productions, having worked as a Stage Manager for the Vagina Monologues in 2017 and V2: Creation Myth in 2018. She has worked behind the scenes with several Philly theater companies, including Liberty City Radio Theatre, 21st Ward Theater Company, and Avenue Theatre Company. She also acts on occasion and is proud to be part of the Liberty City Radio Theatre ensemble.
Kristin Humbert
as Raz Glass
is the best freelance copywriter in the world and you should hire her to write really fun things. (She also writes her own bios…) DREDx marks Humbert’s Philadelphia theatrical debut and she’s grateful to EBP for the opportunity to live in 2050. When living in the present, you can find Humbert tucked into a coffee shop getting shit done, hanging with her dog and her man, taking pictures, and watching either the trashiest or most critically acclaimed TV shows. (She is a believer in balance.)
kris10humbert@gmail.com | @kris10hums
Shahana Jan
as Jo Harper
is a Pakistani actress and director. Her acting credits include theatre, film and television in Pakistan, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, South Africa, Thailand, Kazakhstan and the US. In her native Islamabad, Jan hosted a primetime radio show, managed a community arts space, and directed and produced for film. She studied Film & Television Production in Cape Town, South Africa and trained in Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City. In 2014, Jan directed the music video for Walk The Moon’s “We Are the Kids.” She graced stages with the Philadelphia Young Playwright’s Mouthful Monologue Festival and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 2018. DREDx is her third production with Earlie Bird.
Lauren Earline Leonard
Writer/Director/Producer
founded Earlie Bird Productions (EBP) in 2017. With EBP she co-wrote and directed V2: Creation Myth (February 2018) and wrote and directed the original works Mother/Daughter (September 2018) and DREDx (September 2019). Leonard is Associate Editor and a contributor at Root Quarterly, a subscription-only printed journal of art and ideas that celebrates Philadelphia writers and artists. She holds a B.A. in theatre from Temple University. For her family’s support, she is eternally grateful.
Joanna Nowak
as Paige Nicks
is a digital media junkie. Nowak is a professional photographer who uses her photos and her skills in marketing, public relations, and graphic design to create compelling and beautiful branding stories. Claws deep in everything analog, Nowak supplements her digital portfolio with interests in film photography, printmaking processes, hand-drawn typography and watercolor painting. She believes design should always start with the handmade. Nowak has performed with EBP since 2017.
Jenna Pinchbeck
as Alex Spearman
has so enjoyed working with Lauren and Earlie Bird Productions. Recent favorites include Enid in Legally Blonde (Walnut St. Theatre), Amy in Company (11th Hour Theatre Co.), Saunders in Fallen Angels (Mauckingbird Theatre Co.). Up next: Trina in Falsettos with 11th hour. When not on stage, Jenna helps people find their place in the world with Very Real Estate powered by Compass. Proud member of Actors Equity.
Martha Stuckey
as Ida Douglass of the Double D’s
is a performer that creates pop music with a blend of R&B and soul and a sense of nostalgia. From 2014-16, Stuckey led Red 40 & The Last Groovement in a residency at Fringearts. The band was featured on NPR’s “Sound Opinions” podcast in 2017. In 2018, Stuckey premiered the original work “DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE” at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She has performed her original music at World Cafe Live, FringeArts, and Union Transfer. Her single, “Caught” is available now on Spotify. “Cold Kitchen Counter” will be available soon. Stuckey will perform as part of World Cafe Live’s 15th Anniversary Party on October 2.
Natalie Suresch
as Joan Dworkin of the Double D’s
is a native of Maryland. Having trained in interior design in Philadelphia and abroad, Suresch is the showroom director of Roche Bobois Paris in Old City. Known for her ability to create a warm and inviting spaces, her interiors have been featured in Curbed, Jungalow and Conde Nast. Suresch is a singer, activist, lover of life, and charmer at heart. She has performed with EBP since 2017. DREDx marks her (public) singing debut.
A Special Thank You…
William Leonard
Denise Leonard
Grant Leonard
Blaine Leonard
Colin Leonard
Angie Chilcoat
Bridgebot Chilcoat Leonard
Jax Chilcoat Leonard
Duncan Leonard
Deepa Bhat Balgobin
Heather Shayne Blakeslee
Bianca Davies
Jeanine Follette
Melissa Hagen
Kate Heaney
Kristen Humbert
Shahana Jan
Tre Johnson
Peter Kasper
Jessica Noel
Joanna Nowak
Antonin Roche
Natalie Suresch
Martha Stuckey
Alexandria Yarde
Fireball Printing
Joanna Nowak Photography
Philly PACK
Red Pen Arts
Root Quarterly
The UPS Store
Yards Brewing