DIRECTOR’S NOTE
“Grand Horizons” by Bess Wohl is a thought-provoking exploration of love, marriage, and family dynamics that invites us to reflect on our own relationships with honesty and hope.
Through the characters of Nancy and Bill, two near-octogenarians stuck in a routine of marital inertia, we witness the unpredictable and enduring nature of love. As Nancy decides to leave, the chaos that
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ensues becomes the catalyst for a journey of self-discovery and potential change for the entire family.
As we delve into the heart of family dysfunction, we discover that communication is key. The play reminds us that the first part of love is truth, and that the ability to communicate openly and honestly with each other is essential for any relationship to thrive.
“Grand Horizons” production meetings were lively and productive, led by the formidable duo of Genevieve Morrow-Ganner and Sarah Robertson, who guided our discussions on set and costume designs. As we delved deeper into the script, we noticed the recurring theme of boxes. From “It’s all contained in a box” to “the box is a house,” the family’s lives are contained in boxes. We wanted our set to reflect this notion, creating a world built of boxes with inevitable endings, a sad interior, a beige kind of life. As Nancy says,
“Marriage is a box you can’t claw your way out of.”
But amidst this world of boxes and inevitable endings, there is also the theme of selfactualization and breaking out of the box. Nancy’s decision to leave her marriage and pursue her own happiness at any cost is a powerful reminder that we are not bound by the boxes we find ourselves in.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with our magnificent, brave, and talented cast, creatives and the PIP Theatre production team. We have had many moments of laughter and tears in the rehearsal room and have engaged in candid and honest discussions about our own lives and relationships. I hope our production of “Grand Horizons” inspires you to reflect on your own journey and the boxes in your life.
With a humorous yet poignant text, “Grand Horizons” is a sophisticated and delightful play that will leave you pondering these questions long after the curtain falls. I am thrilled to present this production to you, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as we have.
-Bronwyn Nayler-
In 2019, Bess Wohl marked her entrance onto Broadway with her play “Grand Horizons,” which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She has also been recognized for her work in other theatrical productions, such as “Small Mouth Sounds” (OCC Award recipient), “Make Believe” (OCC Award recipient), “Continuity,” “American Hero,” “Barcelona,” “Touch(ed),”
“In Cats Talk Back,” and “Pretty Filthy.” Wohl’s plays have been staged in various theaters in New York, across the United States, and internationally. She has been honored with prestigious awards including the Sam Norkin Drama Desk Special Award, the Georgia Engel Comedy Playwriting Prize, a
MacDowell Fellowship, and a spot on Hollywood’s BlackList of Best Screenplays. Wohl serves as an Associate Artist with The Civilans, is an alumna of the Arts Nova Play Group, and has received new play commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club and Williamstown Theatre. Additionally, she has ventured into film and television writing and holds degrees from Harvard and the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.
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Deidre’s recent stage performances include The Boys (PIP Theatre, Summer Rain (Villanova Players 2021), Kitchen Diva (Mates Theatre Genesis 2021), God of Carnage (Ad Astra 2020), Streetcar Named Desire, Ladies in Black, Caucasian Chalk Circle (Brisbane Arts 2019). She has completed four twelve-month acting intern/ apprenticeship programs since 2018 (Qld Shakespeare Ensemble, NIDA Screen Studio, and The Warehouse Studio, Brisbane Arts).
For her role as Marie in Thank you for Being a Friend, an independent LGBTQIA short film produced by Purple Snow Entertainment, Deidre won Best Actress in the 2021 Singapore International Short Film Festival.
Recognising the lack of opportunity for emerging actors to gain professional experience in Brisbane, Deidre, with the help of like-minded investors, founded PIP Theatre. PIP Theatre has proudly partnered with Matilda Award-winning producer Indelability Arts and is commencing plans for an inclusive program in 2023.
Deidre is a proud member of the MEAA.
With over five decades of experience in the acting industry, Steven has established himself as a seasoned professional. Having graduated from NIDA in 1971, he embarked on a fruitful career that has seen him extensively collaborate with renowned theater companies such as Queensland Theatre, La Boite, Melbourne Theatre Company, Nimrod Street, Riverina Theatre Company, New England, Twelfth Night, and JUTE. In addition to captivating general audiences, Steven has toured nationwide, entertaining both primary and secondary school students.
One of his notable accomplishments was his portrayal of Tom Sullivan in the highly acclaimed TV series “The Sullivans,” produced by Crawford. His talent has also graced numerous films and series, earning him substantial recognition. Notably, Steven’s exceptional contributions to the performing arts industry have garnered him five nominations for the esteemed Matilda Awards in Brisbane. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in co-founding the prestigious Green Room Awards in Melbourne. Throughout his extensive career, Steven has consistently demonstrated his immense skill and passion for acting.
Brad, known as one of our most prolific screen actors, is making a comeback to the stage with Grand Horizons. Previously, he was a regular performer at Queensland Theatre, having showcased his talent in productions like Pygmalion and The Crucible.
Although he has made a name for himself in film and TV, starring in popular shows such as Home and Away, Neighbours, Mr Inbetween, as well as blockbuster movies like San Andreas and Godzilla Vs Kong, and even appearing in the international Netflix series Tidelands, this play marks his return to the theatrical realm.
With an impressive repertoire of 80 on-screen credits, Brad’s versatility and skill have been recognized in various roles. However, we warmly welcome him back to the Grand Horizons stage, where audiences can witness his remarkable talent once again.
Neuroqueer actor and writer Cameron Hurry was trained through the University of Southern Queensland.
His theatre credits over the past eighteen years include Adventures of Peter Rabbit, King Lear: Monster Show, The Woman in Black, The Lonesome West, Tashi, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Frankenstein, Delicacy, Strange Attractor, The Bully, Aladdin, Cinderella, Macbeth, Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Angry Young Women, Jane Eyre, The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, Alice and Little Women. Film and television includes Boy Swallows Universe, Young Rock, The Bureau of Magical Things, Dolls, Avulsion, Wanted, and The Alpha. Cameron’s first foray into creating original work was with the clown show Suckers. Followed by the short horror film Night Fill, for which he won Best Actor at the Sanctuary Cove Film Festival. His second script, the comedy Christian In The Closet, took home People’s Choice at the Muskoka Queer Film Festival.
This year he will perform in Unconditional, a play he’s co-written as a part of the Brisbane Festival for Playlab Theatre.
Gabby Carbon is an accomplished artist hailing from Malta and Australia, known for her remarkable versatility. This multi-talented individual has garnered acclaim as an award-winning actress, writer, musician, and makeup artist, displaying an unwavering dedication to interactive and immersive theater.
Gabby’s expertise lies in improvisation, special effects makeup, scare acting, and clown work, allowing her to engage in diverse and captivating projects. Her exceptional talent has received international recognition, with notable performances in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, along with featured appearances in prestigious fine art publications across America, Canada, and Europe.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Drama (with Distinction) from the Queensland University of Technology, and has honed her skills through additional studies with esteemed institutions such as La Boite, NIDA, ImproQueensland, Queensland Theatre, Melbourne Actors LAB, Drama Centre London, and Laugh Masters Academy (Chicago).
Lisa has an extensive background in Theatre within Brisbane, where she has been featured in numerous La Boite productions such as The Enemy Within, The Perfectionist, No Exit, The Threepenny Opera, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, and War Women.
She has also contributed to Toadshow’s Conway Christ and The Hound of Music, Acronym’s King Lear, The Visit, and Teechers, as well as Fractal’s Female Parts, The Yellow Wallpaper, and The Untouchable Julie.
In the mid-90s, Lisa relocated to Melbourne, where she pursued film and television opportunities, including Blue Heelers, Australia’s Most Wanted, Neighbours, Backberner, Stingers, educational and corporate videos, and ABC Radio Drama. Returning to Brisbane, she appeared in productions by That Production Company, including When the Rain Stops Falling, The Curators’ Uncle Vanya, Ghosts, and The Revolutionists.
For the past sixteen years, Reagan has graced the stages and screens of Brisbane, showcasing his talent in more than seventy diverse theatrical productions. Recently, he achieved international recognition through his participation in the first two seasons of NBC’s Young Rock.
With an impressive array of roles, Reagan has portrayed iconic characters such as Mr. George Banks in Mary Poppins, Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, John Proctor in The Crucible, and Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. His exceptional performance as Gomez earned him the esteemed Gold Coast Palmie award for Best Male Actor in a Musical. Additionally, Reagan contributed to the success of Brisbane’s rendition of A Midnight Visit, which stands as the city’s longest-running theatrical production to date.
REAGAN WARNER Tommy
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