Why this piece? Why now?

I am launching a project to produce a little show called Oleanna by David Mamet.  You'd think that, considering I am an articulate and intelligent type, I would have a dozen great reasons for the why of this particular play.  The project is going to take a lot of time and resources.  I will be begging favours, I know, for months before this project is done.  I will be drained when I am through. So what are all the reasons to embark on this craziness?

I can tell you it's an excellent piece.  It's written by David Mamet, arguably the best American playwright alive today.  Mamet has changed the way way we understand relationships -- even the way we hear ourselves.  In Oleanna, a student goes to her professor seeking help with course material.  In that first meeting, the student is convinced that the professor attempts to sexually exploit her.  She subsequently accuses him of such and ruins his life.  Their power struggle is riveting.  But that's not really why I am doing the show.


I can tell you that if I don't do this show myself, I will likely not be able to do the show in Community Theatre.  We are living in difficult times and the uncertain economy is having a huge impact on Community Theatres all over Toronto.  These organizations are responding with material that is easily approachable, that is funny or heartwarming.  It can be argued that all stories are worth telling but I think that we are shying away from stories that are challenging because we believe that  no one is interested, that no one will come.  I don't think this is true and I am looking seriously at many challenging titles.  But that's not really why I am doing the show.

I can tell you that this show is in line with many of my sociopolitical interests.  I am an unabashed feminist and interested in power as it impacts human relationships.  This show deals with a lot of these issues and a lot of my friends are into discussions on these topics; so I am sure I have an audience - even if it might be a small one.  But that's not really why I am doing the show.

I can tell you I will do a solid job.  I have just finished two two-handers in a row and had a great time doing them:  Wrong For Each Other for Encore Productions and The Last Five Years for TOKL Productions.  Both directing efforts were well received.  But that's not really why I am doing the show.

Here are all the reasons why I am doing the show: 

1)  Because I want to.

That's it.  That's all of it.  I want to, committed to, ready to work like crazy over the next few months to do this thing.  And despite the fact that folks would assume I am much more complex being, the truth is very simple.

And I hope you come and see it.


Support Raising Oleanna, a fundraiser (similar to Kickstarter) in support of this project.


Jacqui Burke is a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  She is currently directing and producing Oleanna by David Mamet and is looking forward to directing Love Letters for Encore Entertainment, and directing Lend Me A Tenor for Scarborough Theatre Guild.  She is, also, serializing The Pretender, her first novel, online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/.  She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp sessions for 2012.

Want to contact me?

Jacqui Burke
Artistic Director
Jaybird Productions
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skype:   Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
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www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
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http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/

Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo! Premium Summer Camps for Kids.  Two installments in 2012:  The Homeschoolers` Version:  11:00 am – 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $155.  Premium Full Day Summer Camp:  9:00 am – 4:00 pm, July 16-20, 2012 for only $200.  Both prices hold until May 15th, 2012.  Spots are going fast.  Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca

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