Paul Adams, Artistic Director and Derek Jamison, Associate Artistic Director, present Emerging Artists Theatre's workshop production of MEMORY RIVER by Vanda at TADA Theatre, beginning February 25. The production is directed by EAT member TRoy Miller.
MEMORY RIVER is based on the amazing true story of "HM," a man who, treated for epilepsy in mid-20th century America when he was 16, suffered permanent loss of the ability to form new memories. In the decades that followed, his case provided crucial data in the scientific quest to understand how memory works. In this play inspired by Patient HM, a fictional neuroscientist is haunted by her memories as she treats a man who hasn't had a new memory in 55 years. MEMORY RIVER is part of Emerging Artist's Spring 2009 EATFest.
Says Vanda, "I'm a licensed psychologist and I had been teaching Introduction to Psychology for quite a few years before I began writing this play. Part of the Intro course involves a unit on memory. In every memory chapter of every Introduction to Psychology textbook there is a mention of Patient HM. Usually, it says something like 'his doctors tried to cure his intractable epilepsy by removing his hippocampus and parts of his amygdala.' Then, the book goes on to tell the student that the operation worked! His epileptic seizures did come under control. However, he could never again form a new memory. One day after delivering this clinically dry information for yet another class I asked myself, 'Who is this guy?' That question led me to another: 'What does it mean to have a memory, or what does it mean to not have a memory?' These questions led me to write the play."
"Mr. HM died this year (Dec 2, 2008) at the age of 82. I had been working on this play for more than two years so learning of his death was like losing a dear friend, though I never met him. Dear friend, I dedicate my play, MEMORY RIVER, to you."
MEMORY RIVER's cast features Gary Cowling, Michele Fulves, Matt Hussong, Lian Marie Holmes, Janelle Mims and Diane Tyler. Full cast to be announced soon. The design team is Tim McMath (sets), Jenny Granrud (lighting), Meredith Neal (costumes) and Kristyn Smith (sound).
VANDA, an Edward Albee Fellow, was profiled in The Dramatists' cover story "50 To Watch." Her play VILE AFFECTIONS was recently published by Original Works. Another play, STILL PHOTOS, won Celebration Theater's New Play Contest and the Ashland New Plays series; it was also a finalist in the Reva Shriner, the Panowski, Play Labs, the O'Neill Conference and the Cherry Lane Alternative Mentor Program. Vanda is a member of EAT, The Writers' Forum, TOSOS II, TRU and the Dramatists' Guild. She is an Associate Professor at Metropolitan College of New York.
TRoy Miller holds a Master's of Fine Arts in Directing from Trinity Rep in Providence, Rhode Island and is a proud associate member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and Emerging Artists Theater. Mr. Miller has focused his work on the development of new plays with playwrights; working on such plays as BATHROOM HUMOR (Craig Lucas), STRANGER (Craig Lucas), HORATIO (Isabelle Assante), POSTCARDS FROM A DEAD DOG (FJ Hartland) and RUBY'S STORY (Ron Osborne). Mr. Miller got his theatrical start as an actor/dancer and pursued that ambition until a chance opportunity to direct his first play in 1995.
EMERGING ARTISTS THEATRE'S mission is to provide a dynamic home for emerging writers and artists, providing the unique opportunity for playwrights to collaborate with directors, actors, and designers throughout the development process--from idea through fully realized production. EAT's supportive environment continues to nurture a close-knit group of artists working toward the common goal of creating dynamic theatre, and its commitment to the development of new works is integral to the cultural enrichment of New York City. The 2006-2007 season garnered EAT their first Drama Desk Awards nomination for Capathia Jenkins in (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story. In EAT's last season, the company produced more than 20 premiere works, three Off-Broadway shows, and worked with more than 400 emerging NYC-based theatre artists.
