A Piece of My Heart Program

Theatre Guild of Rockingham County Production of

Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

Rockingham Community College Wentworth, North Carolina

A Piece of My Heart contains language, topics, and situations that may not be suitable for younger audience members (PG13).

Please understand that sensitive war related subjects that some may find upsetting will be discussed.

“A Piece of My Heart” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

note This is a story that needs to be told!

A Piece of My Heart is a combination of true stories gathered from the book “A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women who Served in Vietnam.” The play explores, through the voices of seven actors, the stories of some of those women.

The play moves in such a way that allows each actor to play multiple characters, sometimes changing a part of their costume, sometimes simply changing the voice, in order to go from scene to scene. It is an ever moving play that explores the themes of survival, readjustment, adaptation, patriotism, and comradeship amongst many other things.

The main theme, to me, is the continuation of life.

It is important to remember that while we are portraying stories of real people in history in a historical event, we are creating an environment which may not be 100% historically accurate. We do what we can with what we have in terms of costumes, props, and set. We want to evoke the spirit and mood of the play.

note The important thing is the stories of these women.

The nurses, Red Cross nurses, and all the women who served. This is their moment to have a story told about them.

There is content that is very sensitive, very emotional, and very real. There are sound cues and situations that could be triggering. But it’s all to tell their story.

So, join us on this emotional journey as we explore the stories of these women who served. Thank you for being here, and if you are any service member in our audience, we thank you immensely for your service to our country, your patriotism, and your love of this country. Thank you!

Theatrically Yours,

Justin M. Bulla

In honor and memorial

H. Hall Adams Doug Duckett Bruce "Papa" Alcorn John Duckett James Bailey Phillip "Pops" Duckett Raymond Barber Cody Ferguson Ken Barrett Carl Fields Mark Beatty Lancil Bud Finlen Kenneth Benson Jeff Finlen Fred Boaz Tommy Folden John Bugher William Allan Garrett John Britton Bugher Jr. David Michael Garrett Stephen Burke Robert Garrison Bunny Bunting Burt Curtis Lee Goins Jr. John Thomas Burt James F. Grill John Lewis Burt Sara J. Grill Michael Reid Carter Patricia Grogan Vincent Chiavarol Tim Ham Freddy Chrisco Colt Hardy Carl Cooper Emmett Hayden Mike Cox Judge Jonathan Hayes Addison Culberson JB Helms Steven Daniel Ronald Lee "Butch" Heuser Jr. Gerald Daniels Johnny Hicks Charles L. Daniels Marshall Hill Fred "Papa" Denny Robert Hyler Jack Dockery Robert "Jack" Hyler Harold Dowdle Dan Jackson Dawn Marie Dowdle-Holm Craig Jessie

In honor and memorial

Armed Jones Harry D. Sharp Paul Brittan Jones David E. Sharp Richard Lee Jones James Marshall Sigmon James Joyce Jr. Phillip Stephens Buck Kelley David Styons James Land David Thompson Dwight Lucas Richard Thompson Brittany Lynn James Adrian Thompson M.J. "Papa Sonny" Marshall Daren Wagoner Homer James Jimmy Martin Kenneth Warren Dallas Miller John Jeffrey White Cyndi Miller Roy "Big Daddy" Wood Richard Miller Mark T. Parker Thank you to the Ron Parrish patrons who Jake Pearman attended this Willard W. Prior production and Gary Purgason shared the names Charles Redden Butch Redden of your loved ones Edward Richardson who served. TGRC Charles J. Roberts Jr. salutes these and Charles J. Roberts Sr. every member of James Rodgers our armed forces James V. Rose who serve in war or Patricia Griffith Rose peace.

Eddie Sergeant

Karamie Walsh as Martha

Katie Tanner as Maryjo

Laci Burt as Sissy

Tara Monday as Whitney

Mariana Rodriguez as Leeann

Tish Barber as Steele

Evan Tanner as The American Men

Bios Tisha O Barber (Steele) is thrilled to be participating in yet another TGRC production. Tish has been a part of TGRC off and on since 1995. Favorite roles include Lexie Richards in The Dixie Swim Club and M’Lynn Eatenton in Steel Magnolias. When not on stage, Tish loves spending time with her 2 new granddaughters and her husband Scott.

Laci Meredith Burt (Sissy) is very excited to be back on the TGRC stage.

She has recently appeared as Laurey in TGRCs Oklahoma! as well as CTGs Into The Woods as Milky White, and The Barn Dinner Theatre’s Sing Hallelujah and Just Desserts. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their love and support. Laci would also like to thank her Papa for serving in Vietnam

Tara Monday (Whitney) is stoked to be in her 7th TGRC production! Her daily roles as wife, dance/ soccer mom & surgical technologist mean the world to her but dancing through life & chasing a spotlight will forever be two favorites. She would like to dedicate this performance to ALL the women & men of the armed forces. “THANK YOU FROM EVERY PIECE OF MY HEART FOR ALL YOUR SACRIFICES!”

Mariana Rodriguez (Leeann) is usually under an OR spotlight as a surgical technologist & leading lady in the lives of her two beautiful children; but she is overjoyed to be back in the spotlight of the theatre.

She wants to inspire other (single) mothers to pursue their passions and find any missing pieces of their hearts.

Evan Tanner (The American Men) and his wife Katie have local small businesses, fur babies, and a human baby. Evan enjoys cooking on his blackstone and visits to the beach.

Katie Tanner (Maryjo) is enjoying portraying such a bubbly, full of life, fun girly. She is an entrepreneur and owns four businesses alongside her husband, Evan. Katie’s pride and joy is her son, Tennessee. She loves dill pickles, the word groovy, and when Evan cooks hibachi on the black stone. Don’t forget you never know someone’s story, make sure to spread the love!

Karamie Walsh (Martha) is so honored to be a part of this show.

When she is not either on or backstage you can find her teaching dance at Melanie Paschal’s Dance Creations and spending time with her family and friends. She thanks you so much for coming and hopes you are inspired as much as she is from this experience.

staff

Director: Justin Bulla Stage Manager: Emily Hodges Costumer: Justin Bulla Light Design: Christopher Wood Props: Laurie Suthard Set Design/Build: TJ Monday Sound Tech: Brandyn Myers Spotlights: Braeden and Colton Seacat Assistant Stage Managers: Bella Bolden and Emily Duckett Producer: Donna Compton Program: Laura Williams

Bios

Emily Duckett (Assistant Stage Manager) by day is a high school ELA teacher, by night, a grad-student and back stage hand! This summer she welcomed her sweet baby boy, Dawson-Rhett, into the world. Without her husband, Doug, none of these endeavors would be possible. She’s happy to back with TGRC, which has always been a special “piece of her heart!”

Emily Hodges (Stage Manager) has done many things for other TGRC productions. She has been involved in theater since her freshman year of high school. She is currently a student at RCC. TJ Monday (Set Design) is not a spotlight kind of guy but enjoys seeing his family under it, especially when he builds the set. When not spending time with his family, he usually can’t be found. Life is short, be a goldfish.

Laurie Suthard (props) has been involved with TGRC for the past 8 years. What started as a supportive parental role turned into finding opportunities to be involved with shows behind the scenes as well as on stage. She embraces that each show brings a new opportunity for involvement.

Christopher Wood (Light Design) is a TGRC staple who works in a variety of capacities. This is his third time doing light design, and he reminds you that without lights, we would all be sitting in the dark.

A Tribute to the Veterans of the Vietnam War with portrayals by Katie Tanner as “Mary Jo” and Evan Tanner as “American Man” Assistant Stage Managed by Emily Duckett As a witness to the aftermath of a family member who went to the DMZ twice during the Vietnam War, this story is so close to my heart. Although I was a child, I remember the sleeplessness, the terror of hearing fireworks, or a car backfiring experienced by my Uncle Johnny once he came home.

Thank you, Katie, for stepping out of your comfort zone to bring you Mary Jo, the USO entertainer who, despite being an entertainer, realizes in a moment how quickly reality shifts.

Thank you to Evan, for stepping up to embrace the many roles of men – from battlefield soldier to state-side civilian to bring this story to life.

Thank you to Emily for lending your talent and dedicating so many nights as assistant stage manager!

Thank you veterans for your service.

We love you, Mom & Dad

thanks

Rockingham Community College Aranda Sinnett Rob Compton Scales Street Music North Star Military Surplus The Suthard Family RCHS Cougar Dramatics

Providing top-quality army surplus items that tell a story of resilience, duty, and courage.

Jan 31 @ RCHS Mar 28-30 @ RCC

36th Season Sponsors Please support those who support the arts!

Producers ($2000+)

Directors ($1000)

5820 N Church St d, Greensboro, NC 27455

Stage Managers ($750) ~ Reidsville Orthodontics ~ ~ Salvation Army ~

Playwrights ($500) ~ B.F. Myers Photography ~ City of Eden ~ ~ Dr Paul R. Barrett DDS, PA ~ Farm Bureau agent Carla Holt ~ ~ Home Trust Bank ~ Replacements ~

Actors ($250) ~ Chez Lindsey ~ Elise Jonell ~ First Piedmont ~ ~ Reidsville Chamber of Commerce / Visitor Center ~ ~ Roger Ward Insurance ~ Woodmont UMC ~

This project received support from the Rockingham County Arts Council, the NC Arts Council an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.