Creative Cauldron Presents world premiere DIAGNOSED by Iyona Blake
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Falls Church, VA – The 2022-23 Season continues at Creative Cauldron with Diagnosed, a world premiere play written and directed by Helen Hayes Outstanding Performer Iyona Blake, this work is presented as part of Creative Cauldron’s “Bold New Voices” program which supports the development of theater works written by women, and women-identifying writers and composers. Through vivid personal stories and characters, Diagnosed deals deftly with the stigma and limited access to mental health care that black women experience in our community. The “Bold New Voices” program Principal Sponsor is Jon Wiant. Diener and Associates is the production sponsor and Tori McKinney is the Community Engagement Sponsor. Diagnosed runs from February 9 – March 5, 2023. Press night is Saturday, February 11, 7:30 PM. Post-show discussions will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.
Diagnosed is the story of Lydia is an African American woman who inherits a family-owned boutique. While searching for her own inner peace, she creates a safe space for women to share their stories of hurt, trauma and healing. Guided by the spirit of her ancestors, Lydia and the women are able to come face to face with their childhood and present-day demons. Will they heal?
Iyona Blake (Playwright/Director) is the 2017 Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in Creative Cauldron’s Caroline, or Change. Iyona has recently been seen in Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts) Sound of Music (The Mother Abbess), Spunk (Blues Speak Woman), Ain't Misbehavin' (Armelia McQueen), Scottsboro Boys (The Lady, understudy/performed) and more. Iyona produces and hosts a weekly podcast called “Sister Conversations.” Her play Girls of Madison Street premiered at Creative Cauldron in 2022 to critical acclaim.
The cast includes Kandace Foreman as Lydia, Maria Ria Simpkins as Wanda Brown, Theresa Cunningham as Ida Miller & Nana, Sophia Early as Mia, Corisa Myers as Simone,
Pauline Lamb as Daisy, Andrea Gerald as Penny/Daisy's Aunt and Tracy Francis as Drummer.The creative team includes Laura Connors Hull, Founding Artistic Director and producer; Nicholas Goodman, Stage Manager; Margie Jervis, Set Designer; Cidney Forkpah, Costume Designer; Nina Stephens, Wig Designer; Tiffany Quinn Choreographer; Lynn Joslin, Lighting Designer.
Tickets for the 2022-2023 Season can be purchased online at creativecauldron.org or by calling 703-436-9948.
About Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron is an award-winning non-profit theater and educational arts organization whose innovative programs in the performing and visual arts embody collaboration, experimentation and community engagement. Creative Cauldron was founded by Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull in 2002. In June of 2009, Creative Cauldron acquired a permanent home in ArtSpace Falls Church, a 3,000 square foot flexible arts space that provides a venue for year-round classes, live performances of theater, music and dance and visual art exhibits. Programs are presented in part through grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFairfax, the City of Falls Church, the Little City CATCH Foundation the Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts, the Morgan Fund, and the Robert W and Gladys S Meserve Charitable Trust. Generous corporate and individual sponsors also support creative Cauldron’s programs.
FACT SHEET: Who/What: Diagnosed When: February 9 – March 5, 2023 Where: Creative Cauldron 410 South Maple Avenue Falls Church, VA 22042 Retail 116
Info: Tier One $45, Tier Two $35, Students $20, Groups Rate (10 or more) $5 discount
For more information/tickets:
www.creativecauldron.org
Phone: 703-436-9948
Free parking is available in Pearson Square Retail Parking Garage at 410 South Maple Avenue and at the 400 South Maple Avenue Retail Parking Garage.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Falls Church, VA – The 2022-23 Season continues at Creative Cauldron with Diagnosed, a world premiere play written and directed by Helen Hayes Outstanding Performer Iyona Blake, this work is presented as part of Creative Cauldron’s “Bold New Voices” program which supports the development of theater works written by women, and women-identifying writers and composers. Through vivid personal stories and characters, Diagnosed deals deftly with the stigma and limited access to mental health care that black women experience in our community. The “Bold New Voices” program Principal Sponsor is Jon Wiant. Diener and Associates is the production sponsor and Tori McKinney is the Community Engagement Sponsor. Diagnosed runs from February 9 – March 5, 2023. Press night is Saturday, February 11, 7:30 PM. Post-show discussions will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.
Diagnosed is the story of Lydia is an African American woman who inherits a family-owned boutique. While searching for her own inner peace, she creates a safe space for women to share their stories of hurt, trauma and healing. Guided by the spirit of her ancestors, Lydia and the women are able to come face to face with their childhood and present-day demons. Will they heal?
Iyona Blake (Playwright/Director) is the 2017 Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in Creative Cauldron’s Caroline, or Change. Iyona has recently been seen in Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts) Sound of Music (The Mother Abbess), Spunk (Blues Speak Woman), Ain't Misbehavin' (Armelia McQueen), Scottsboro Boys (The Lady, understudy/performed) and more. Iyona produces and hosts a weekly podcast called “Sister Conversations.” Her play Girls of Madison Street premiered at Creative Cauldron in 2022 to critical acclaim.
The cast includes Kandace Foreman as Lydia, Maria Ria Simpkins as Wanda Brown, Theresa Cunningham as Ida Miller & Nana, Sophia Early as Mia, Corisa Myers as Simone,
Pauline Lamb as Daisy, Andrea Gerald as Penny/Daisy's Aunt and Tracy Francis as Drummer.The creative team includes Laura Connors Hull, Founding Artistic Director and producer; Nicholas Goodman, Stage Manager; Margie Jervis, Set Designer; Cidney Forkpah, Costume Designer; Nina Stephens, Wig Designer; Tiffany Quinn Choreographer; Lynn Joslin, Lighting Designer.
Tickets for the 2022-2023 Season can be purchased online at creativecauldron.org or by calling 703-436-9948.
About Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron is an award-winning non-profit theater and educational arts organization whose innovative programs in the performing and visual arts embody collaboration, experimentation and community engagement. Creative Cauldron was founded by Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull in 2002. In June of 2009, Creative Cauldron acquired a permanent home in ArtSpace Falls Church, a 3,000 square foot flexible arts space that provides a venue for year-round classes, live performances of theater, music and dance and visual art exhibits. Programs are presented in part through grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFairfax, the City of Falls Church, the Little City CATCH Foundation the Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts, the Morgan Fund, and the Robert W and Gladys S Meserve Charitable Trust. Generous corporate and individual sponsors also support creative Cauldron’s programs.
FACT SHEET: Who/What: Diagnosed When: February 9 – March 5, 2023 Where: Creative Cauldron 410 South Maple Avenue Falls Church, VA 22042 Retail 116
Info: Tier One $45, Tier Two $35, Students $20, Groups Rate (10 or more) $5 discount
For more information/tickets:
www.creativecauldron.org
Phone: 703-436-9948
Free parking is available in Pearson Square Retail Parking Garage at 410 South Maple Avenue and at the 400 South Maple Avenue Retail Parking Garage.
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