Taking Stock

taking stock

Taking Stock, a drama by local playwrights Paul Logsdon and Milan Smith, opens October 15th at Pensacola Little Theatre as part of our Studio 400 season. The play follows the O' Gara siblings Gwen, Michael, Kat, and Bobby as they meet the day after their mother's funeral to discuss what to do with the family home. As they sift through boxes filled with childhood memories, they unearth more than they bargained for. Can they resolve their issues and come out of this as a family?

THIS SHOW CONTAINS LANGUAGE AND THEMES WHICH ARE INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.

SETTING

The O’Gara sibling’s childhood home the day after their mother’s funeral.

Crew

Director - Renee Jordan
Assistant Director - Wayne Peacock
Stage Manager - Katelyn Geri
Stage Design - Renee Jordan
Lighting Design - Kayla Stephenson
Sound Design - Nathan Simmons
Costume Designer -Laura Lane
Set Construction - Carol Mankins and Choh Man Teng
PLT Artistic Director - Kathy Holsworth
PLT Technical Director - Kayla Stephenson

Cast

Eleanore Armani As Gwen O’Gara

Eleanore has had a love of theatre for 25 years and is excited for her 2nd performance at Pensacola Little Theatre. She was last seen in this Spring’s Short Attention Span Theatre and often performs with Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre. Eleanore is a mother, wife, and veterinarian who enjoys cooking and entertaining when not on stage.

Anthony Mowad as Michael O’Gara

Anthony is thrilled to be making his debut at Pensacola Little Theatre. He recently moved to the Pensacola area, but has been active as an actor, director and playwright in several places throughout Florida. His most recent roles include Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler at Melbourne Civic Theatre, Christopher Belling in Curtains, and Reverend Parris in The Crucible at Surfside Playhouse.

ashley mcglothren as kat O’Gara

Ashley has been active as an actor, director, playwright, and producer in Pensacola since 2017. Most recently she directed Pensacola Little Theatre’s 2020 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and currently serves as the theatre’s Marketing Director. Ashley’s favorite roles include Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Blanche in Night Watch. In 2017 Ashley co-founded the non-profit theatre company, Arrant Knavery Inc., which specializes in classical and underproduced works.

Nathan Simmons as Bobby O’Gara

Nathan is very excited to be in his first show at Pensacola Little Theatre. Performing since high school, Nathan received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from the University of West Florida in 2011. His most recent roles include Garcin in Arrant Knavery’s production of No Exit and Jesus in End Days at Kaleidoscope Theatre.

from The Director

To me, there is nothing that can be more raw, more complicated, or a more powerful example of the human condition than family. As adults, life can help childhood scars heal over time but sights, smells, sounds, or undealt with memories of the past can open them up just as fresh as the day they first appeared. This story was originally conceived from an exercise during a SPOLIN Improv Technique workshop taught by master instructor Jeanmarie Collins. Milan and Paul, with some assistance from their exercise scene partners, Nicole Dickson and Pam Nelson, continued to use those improv techniques to work through the story.

With continued help and support from Jamie Jones, Jonathan McIntosh, Jim Poule, and Shannon Williams, the O’Gara family story unfolded, and a play was born. It has captivated me from the first reading, and we hope you won’t be able to stop talking about it either. Please enjoy the show and always be kind to one another, you never know what tomorrow could bring.

About The Director

Renee Jordan has enjoyed many roles while playing at Pensacola Little Theatre both on and off stage. She was most recently seen in A Sleeping Country, Venus in Fur, and Rumors. She runs our 24 Hour Theatre event and can also be seen stage managing when the mood strikes.