Portraits - Bay City Players

By Jonathan Bell

“A powerful reminder of why theatre matters” – The New Yorker

It was a magnificent morning on September 11, 2001, until Andrew, an artist working in his studio in lower Manhattan, was witness to one of the deadliest attacks on American soil. The artist finds his dreams are haunted by imaginary survivors and he is inspired by Picasso’s masterpiece, “Guernica”, to weave these images into commemorative portraits. Four monologues and one duologue reveal the moving stories underlying each figure.

Mature Teens to Adult – Adult Language and Situations

Tickets- $10 plus fees

Performances:

Saturday, September 11- 7:30 PM

Sunday, September 12- 3:00 PM

Director

Mike Wisniewski

Michael has been involved with Bay City Players for many years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, is a past President, and has volunteered in almost every capacity of the organization. He is the current chair for the Play-Reading Committee and Set Design and Decoration. Michael has performed on stage in dozens of shows, has spent countless hours designing and decorating sets and has directed many shows for Bay City Players including Rent, Company, Les Miserables, The Drowsy Chaperone, Crazy for You, Annie, just to name a few. Michael has also directed Blithe Spirit, and Anything Goes at Pit and Balcony as well as Assassins at Midland’s Center Stage Theatre. He has also been in several productions for Midland’s Music Society and most recently was seen on stage in Midland’s Center Stage Theatre’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Michael is also a current board member for CTAM. Obviously, his hobby is theatre but in his free time he enjoys gardening, trips to Stratford and spending time with his two adorable Boston Terriers.

Assitant Director

Trashan Donald

This will be Trashan’s first time in the seat of Assistant Director, and she thanks Director MJ Wisniewski for the amazing opportunity! Trashan was most recently seen on Pit & Balcony’s stage as Laura in Steven Martin’s Meteor Shower. Prior to that, she made her debut in community theatre as Eileen in P&B’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo. Her theatre experience dates back to 2005, where she was given her first lead role, casted as Oprah Winfrey for her elementary school’s D.A.R.E program promotion play. She went on to exploring her passion in her high school years at Carrollton High, where she is most remembered for her role as Sylvia in Up the Down Staircase and Grace in A Christmas Carol. Outside of the theater scene, Trashan is a credentialed Medical Assistant, mother, and fiancé. She would like to send a huge thank you to Sharrieff Beamon for inspiring her return to the stage; her fiancé, Steven, for his endless support; and Amy Spadafore, for the influence she has had on Trashan’s community theater experience.