A private industry presentation of the new play “Casa Cushman” took place on Oct. 18. Written and directed by Leigh Fondakowski, the reading was presented by Tectonic Theater Project, Moisés Kaufman, Matt Joslyn and Jayne Baron Sherman in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Based in part on Lisa Merrill’s 1999 novel “When Romeo was a Woman,” the play follows real-life 19th Century performer Charlotte Cushman and her circle of friends and lovers. Cushman was known in real life for playing roles of all genders on stage.
The company of “Casa Cushman” was led by Jenn Colella, who received a Tony Award nomination for her featured turn in 2017’s “Come From Away, as Cushman. Colella was joined by “Fun Home” Tony nominee Beth Malone, as well as Delia Cunningham, along with Freddie Fulton, Matt McGrath, Hagan Oliveras, Naomi Lorrain, Nemuna Ceesay and Elizabeth Stahlmann. Casting was by Stephanie Yankwitt.
Additional members of the creative team for the reading of “Casa Cushman” included assistant director and sensitivity specialist Caitlin Kane and dramaturg Sarah Lambert. Emma Ramsay-Saxon served as stage manager, while Paul Andrews served as assistant stage manager.
Founded in 1991, Tectonic Theater Project develops new plays using Moment Work, the company’s signature, collaborative theater-making method. The organization received a Best Play Tony nomination in 2009 as the originating producer of “33 Variations.” Tectonic Theater project is led by founder and artistic director Kaufman and executive director Joslyn. Fondakowski is a longtime member of Tectonic, and lead writer of Tectonic’s “The Laramie Project.”
