Strange Whorl

Eliza Cahill

Eliza Cahill is a promising young writer, director, and
designer. She self-published her first poetry book, Paper
Life Vest, in 2014, followed by its sequel, Words Float,
in 2015. The poems reflect a surreal combination of her

childhood immersion in nature, the underground
hip-hop revolution and an afterglow of the
feminist movement.

Eliza was born abroad in Milan Italy. Shortly after, her
parents moved to a scenic, Sierra-Foothill community

winery, where she experienced a classic European
upbringing and Montessori, art-focused education. She
began taking the poetic arts seriously at age eight, after

one of her poems was selected for publication in a
Children’s Book of Poems.

The following year she was introduced to the
experimental poet Eric Nightingale, who took her on
as an apprentice, helping hone her craft. Later, she was
mentored by the esteemed folk singer/songwriter and
storyteller Utah Phillips, shortly before he passed. Eliza
began performing her poetry at the age of sixteen in
various Santa Cruz and San Francisco venues. She
received multiple local and national awards for her
poetry, most recently in the Big Island National Spoke
Word Competition, where she took home the 2014 title

of “Big Island Slam Champion.”
Recently, Eliza founded MASTERMIND, a
production company focused on enhancing the Big
Island’s community. She creates and curates its projects,
which include: The Guerrilla Art’s Academy, free
public art, for the people, by the people; Frida: A
Cultural Revolution Magazine; and Simple-Market.
com, a virtual community marketplace with a local
alternative currency aptly named “Mangos.” She also
hosts creative writing workshops, co-facilitates the
Waimea Writers Group and serves as a writer/director

in the Waimea Community Theater.

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Strange Whorl

an original play by eliza cahill

December 2016

director producer

Eliza Cahill Dan Bal

assistant director

Hanner Harsh

set design | Destiny Nelson

set construction

Destiny Nelson, Dan Bal, JD Harsh & Justin Henshaw

bridge artwork | Clem Lam
lighting design | Matt Horne
light technician | Serena Henshaw
sound technician | Matt Horne
make up artist | Laura Halbritter

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Congratulations

Waimea Community
Theatre & Chorus

from John Sucke and Greer Woodward

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The Story

An intelligent but disenchanted tween experiences
the journey of her life without even knowing it.
After surviving an unusually tragic childhood,
Jillian Heart, now a young woman, has spiraled
into deep depression and suicidal ideation.

The story begins at her breaking point.

Homeless and alone on Christmas,
Jillian stands on the edge of self-destruction,
ready to take her own life, but fate has other plans.

A mysterious stranger intervenes.
His honesty, tenderness and razor-sharp insights
trigger Jillian’s childhood demons, propelling her
toward a necessary catharsis that leads to healing

and an emotional evolution.
With help, Jillian uncovers secrets of the universe
and her past that reinvigorate and infuse her life with

a long forgotten feeling — hope for the future.

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Act Summaries

ACT 1

Jillian Heart, homeless and alone on Christmas day, stands on
the edge of self-destruction ready to take her own life, but fate

has other plans. A mysterious stranger intervenes...

ACT 2

Magic is in the air —Jillian, and the oddly familiar stranger
experience a time-defying hour of connection through which,

their strangely intertwined fates are revealed.

ACT 3

Everything Jillian thinks she knows changes in an instant, as the
stranger’s identity and destiny are painfully revealed.

ACT 4

A year has passed and it’s Christmas again. Thanks to a time
bending run in with her father Lambert, Jillian has a new lease

on life.

ACT 5

Serendipitous circumstances lead Jillian back to the bridge and
into the arms of her destiny where she finds closer and get’s and

opportunity to say goodbye.

ACT 6

Decades later —Jillian is elderly, with children and grandchildren.
Her and her husband Michael miss the Christmas party, but
take a moment to remiss about their first kiss. Jillian is moved to

tears, reflecting on what a wonderful life she has lived.

Strange

cast and c

Kat Reuss ............................................ Jillian
Rich Givens ........................................ Lamb
Justin Henshaw ........................... Sam Heart
Noa Eads ......................................... Michael
Bailey Givens ................................ Jill & Bert
Melissa Threlfall ................................ Hanna
Quincy Lambert ................................. Robin
Victor Friend ................................ Eric & DJ
Liberty Givens ..................................... Sasha
Melissa Shebeck ........................... Katherine
Noelani Givens ....................................... Jilly
Lucky Friend ..................................... Sammie

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e Whorl

characters

Keanu Givens ................................. Little Bert
Mari-Jo Allen ............................. Jillian Cohan
Marty Allen ............................. Michael Cohan
Daniel Bal ........................................... Doctor
Lorraine Warner ........................ Nurse & Alice
Eliza Cahill ...................................... Therapist
Maren Weick .............................. Sophia Heart
Michelle Boger ................................. Old Lady
Andrew Boger ............................. Athletic Man
Bob Haber ................. Tod Boston & Old Rudy
John Fishback ............ Sleazebag at Party & Bill

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Kat Ruess Rich Givens Justin Henshaw Noa Eads

Bailey Givens Melissa Threlfall Quincy Lambert Victor Friend

Liberty Givens Melissa Shebeck Noelani Givens Mari-Jo Allen

Marty Allen Dan Bal Lorraine Warner Eliza Cahill

Hanner Harsh Michelle Boger Bob Harper John Fishback

Cast Biographys

KAT REUSS Kat Reuss has been a performer since age 8 in her hometown of Louisville, KY. She majored
in theater in high school, and vocal music at Bradley University. She has appeared in several WCT produc-
tions including The Mousetrap, Shrek, and most recently as “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid, as well as the
choreographer for Spamalot. She is a key member of Cirque Ohana, an aerial silks/acrobatics teacher and
performer, a professional fire performer with IgKnight, and a member of “Spiced Cider,” a classically trained
a capella vocal group.
RICH GIVENS Rich has been seen looming around the stage in recent WCT productions, after escaping
from years spent wandering the steamy barefoot jungles of lower Puna. While his love of tropical fruit and
incense remains, he now owns a few pairs of socks, which he dons (albeit reluctantly) on special occasions.
JUSTIN HENSHAW Justin was last seen “lurking” about in Taming of the Shrew as “good olde Gremio”.
He is really excited about this production which is packed with talented crew and actors. Grab your Kleenex,
hug and love your family. And, have a wonderful holiday season from all of us.
BOB HABER Bob has been an actor for over 30 years in Hawaii and Los Angeles. He has been in over 20
productions with Waimea Community Theatre (WCT) and the Aloha Performing Arts Company (APAC).
His last role with WCT was P.G. “Piggy” Banks in the comedy Drop Dead. Bob loves the theatre. “There
is nothing more exciting to me than hearing the words “places” and getting ready to enter the world of the
character on stage. Mahalo’s to Eliza Cahill and all cast and crew. Enjoy!!
DAN BAL Dan Bal has appeared in many of WCT’s productions. Some of his favorites were “You Can’t
Take It With You”, “Music Man”, “Dark of the Moon” and “Drop Dead”. Dan has been the president of
WCT for the past two years.
JOHN FISHBACK John believes in supporting Community Theater as being good for our town. He has
also performed in Community Theater in Saudi Arabia and Thailand. He likes to sing and dance, laugh and
play. Hope you enjoy our productions.
QUINCY LAMBERT Quincy says “Hey!...” then avoids eye contact. He really enjoys making others laugh.
It’s just the best! He tries to make his actions reflect God’s character and love. Col. 3:23-24. He doesn’t totally
enjoy having his picture taken.
VICTOR FRIEND For now, Victor remains tabula rasa, next he will embody Ars Amatoria.
MARTY AND MARI-JO ALLEN Mari-jo and Marty Allen are happily married Waimea residents. She
enjoys substitute teaching and he likes painting landscapes
BAILEY GIVENS Bailey is 14 years old and has spent the last 6 years of her life performing with the circus.
At times it’s on a unicycle, or juggling clubs (sometimes on fire!), or demonstrating a new aerial routine, or
just mc-ing. She teaches circus arts to school-age children and adults. She has been in the WCT’s production
of Shrek the Musical, The Little Mermaid, and she co-produced Drop Dead.

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Building the foundations for a lifetime of learning

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ExEcutivE DirEctor
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tel (808) 885-7683 • fax (808) 885-4633

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Waimea Community Theatre & Chorus
Live on stage for 2017

We are very excited about our great line-up coming
next year! Watch for our emails concerning auditions
and show dates. Check out the “Coming Soon” section
on page 19 for what productions are scheduled in 2017!

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[email protected]

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“Drowsy Chaperone” “ The Joint is Jumpin” “ Pippin” “ Rumors”

Directed by Waimea Community Directed by Directed by
Andy Kunellis Chorus Presents a Abbi Hobbs Felicity Johnson
Coming in March August 11th, 12th & 13th Coming in October
To Parker Theatre Celebration of American at Kahilu Theatre To Parker Theater
& Honoka’a Theatre music of the 1930’s August 4th, 5th & 6th & Honokaa Theatre
Dates and Times at Kahilu Theatre at Honoka’a Theatre Dates and Times
To Be Announced June 3rd at 7:00 pm To Be Announced
June 4th at 3:00 pm

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