By Terry Boudreaux, Hot Springs Village Players Publicity Coordinator
January 24, 2022
The Hot Springs Village Players report that rehearsals for “WORDS,” an original play written by actor/director/producer, Glenn Calloway, are progressing splendidly, and all actors are excited to be developing their characters. The “WORDS” cast includes HSVP favorites Missy Masterson Hale, Kat Clayton, Kerry Blevins, Donna Hinton, Larry Venable, and David Brown.
“WORDS” is a two-act play, narrated by the “writer” of the play, who interacts with the audience as they participate in the creative process together. Act 1 explores the relationship of a married couple; Katherine Clayton plays the part of the wife, Sally. Clayton remarks: “I welcomed the opportunity to audition for the role, as Sally and Jake go through difficulties in their marriage, a sadness I can relate to as a divorcee.” Clayton joined the HSV players in 2016.
Clayton’s actual husband, Kerry Blevins, plays Sally’s husband, Jake. Though a native to Hot Springs, Blevins is new to HSV and to the Players. After a hiatus from the performing arts since his teens, thirty-year-old Blevins will return to the stage in “WORDS.” He is happy to participate and reports that “The guidance from director and playwright, Glenn Calloway, is helping me grow as an actor.”
Act 2 is a tale of overblown actors’ egos as two divas square off. Past President of the Players, Larry Venable is Jonathan, an aging actor who continually fears the critics. This is Venable’s 10th play as an actor, and he has produced three including “Oklahoma!”. Venable has also served on the Players’ board for several years.
As Jonathan’s foil, Beatrice, Donna Hinton comments, “It is a privilege to portray a character with a fun personality!” Hinton moved to Hot Springs Village in 2016 with a theatrical bug and joined the HSV Players for roles in “25 Words or Death,” “Play On,” “Mom’s Gift,” and “Damn Yankees.” Hinton has served on the HSVP’s board and has also been active behind the stage.
David Brown plays the role of writer/director, Dominic. He moved to HSV in 2021 from California. “A dream of mine was to concentrate on acting and music which were secondary to my business,” says Brown. His past roles include Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple” and Lenny Ganz in Neil Simons’ play, “Rumors.” Brown states: “I wanted to audition for “WORDS” because it is original and gives me a blank canvas as far as developing my character.”
As the writer, the glue that gives cohesion to the two-act play, Missy describes her character as frustrated, “because she’s had ‘writer’s block’ for the last three years. As a writer myself, I know how she feels, which is why I hope to do justice to the role.” A resident of HSV for 24 years, she has participated in community theatre since her 20s and joined the Players soon after retirement, serving as the Board Secretary and Constant Contact specialist. Missy has acted in HSVP’s “Old Time Radio Theatre” and “War of the Worlds.”
Performances will be on February 17, 18, and 19 at The Coronado Center. Mark your calendars and come PLAY with us!
Audience members who live outside HSV are welcome to attend the productions. Just show the gate attendant your theatre tickets.
For more information, go to the website hsvplayers.com.
Click here to purchase tickets.
✺ ✺ ✺ ✺ ✺
Thank you for reading. If you like, please comment below; we love to hear your opinion. Thank you for keeping the comments polite and on topic. Please use your real name. If you are an HSV Property Owner, please join us in our private Facebook Group. Click here to join the group. If you would like to submit an article for publication, please contact us through this website. Be sure to bookmark this website.
