Saturday, April 5 at 2:30PM
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30PM

Staged Reading of Boundless: A New Musical

Written by Mary Fishburne, Boundless is a fictionalized exploration of the West Nickel Mines Amish School tragedy, and how friendship, fearlessness and forgiveness emerge in the most unexpected ways. The story takes place ten years after the tragedy as Willa King, a survivor, is in her Rumspringa. As she ventures into the outside world hoping to find clarity that will inform her baptismal decision, Willa meets Sofia, the killer’s daughter. The bond and common ground that they share builds more than just a friendship. Sofia and Willa inspire a confidence in each other to look within for answers and be brave enough to follow an inner voice, guiding each girl toward the life they’ve always sought.

There will be an artist talk-back following the 2:30PM performance.

This staged reading is presented as part of Shenandoah Conservatory’s New Works Incubator initiative which offers students the opportunity to work with new material, guest artists and/or innovative ideas and techniques that prepare them for today’s rapidly changing industry.

Meet the Director

Colin Hanlon is an actor, writer, director and producer living in New York City. He most recently directed Kowalski by Gregg Ostrin off-Broadway at the Duke on 42nd Street and I Love You Because – A Queer Retelling. He also directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and co-directed It’s Only a Play at George Street Playhouse. He is the co-producer and star of Submissions Only. He is also an adjunct professor at NYU New Studio, LIU, Stella Adler and Cap 21. He teaches auditioning and self-tape technique at his private studio. Hanlon is still a working actor as he has been on Modern Family, Difficult People, The Sinner, The Good Fight and currently Uncoupled on Showtime. Broadway credits include Falsettos, Rent, Wicked (first national tour) and In Transit. Off-Broadway credits include the New York City premiere of Dot by Colman Domingo (Vineyard Theater, directed by Susan Stroman), A.R. Gurney’s last play Final Follies directed by David Saint (Cherry Lane) and I Love You Because (original cast). @ColinHanlon

Meet the Playwright

Mary Fishburne graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance and organizational development and holds a master’s degree from Temple University in musical theatre. Favorite acting credits include Once (Arden), Snow Queen (Arden), Lungs (Village Rep), My Fair Lady (Virginia Stage Co), South Pacific (Dock Street Theatre) and more than forty shows in Charleston, South Carolina, where she enjoyed life as an actor, musical director and choreographer. Other Charleston favorites are Tell Me on a Sunday with Midtown Productions (winner of Theatre Charleston’s Best Actress in a Musical and nominee of Charleston City Paper’s Best Piccolo Show). Fishburne has twenty years of experience in educational theatre, which helped inspire the musical Boundless. Currently, Fishburne resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her family and works as a theatre artist and as a voice consultant for DBG consulting firm. A special thank you to Kevin for his belief in the piece and to Cristina Mandell for being a champion of the show. Follow along at @boundlessthemusical and visit www.maryfishburne.com to learn more.

About the New Works Incubator Initiative

The New Works Incubator initiative offers students the opportunity to work with new material, guest artists and/or innovative ideas and techniques that prepare them for today’s rapidly changing industry.