Washington, DC—The Welders, a collective of DC-area playwrights presents the second and final production of their 2021 season. After a phenomenal virtual premiere of Jared Shambergers’ documentary theatre piece, “The B Word,” Teshonne Nicole Powell’s “Girls’ Night (with Spirits)” is an audioplay that hopes to capture the hearts of listeners through a quirky ghost story with a twist. “Girls’ Night (with Spirits)” will premiere online and be available to stream on-demand from October 15 to November 5, 2021, and is directed by Ayesis Clay, starring Karen Elle, Alverneq Lindsay, Sophia Early, and Lolita Marie, with sound design by Cresent Haynes. Members of the media are invited to listen to the audioplay with complimentary access. Please contact Teshonne Powell at tpowell@thewelders.org.
In “Girls’ Night (with Spirits),” Rey, a Black millennial woman has a problem: her house has been taken over by a ghost with a strange obsession with her bathroom. Enter paranormal expert, the eccentric Estelle, who comes promising that a little wine, chocolate, and girl talk will help relieve the tension. But Estelle has secrets, the spirit is a mystery, and Rey struggles with a shameful secret as her house and herself begin to fall apart. Through this quirky tale, Teshonne aims to explore themes of sisterhood, mental health, and inner strength.
“For me, this play and the characters are integral to exploring the mental and emotional issues Black women face within themselves,” explained Teshonne. “I want to explore what Black women are truly capable of through elements of magic and the supernatural.”
Teshonne’s creative intentions hold true for the production process as well. The cast and creative team all identify as Black women, and each of them brings their own unique experiences and skills.
“I love that it was a piece written, directed, and managed by African American women,” exclaims cast member and Helen Hayes award winner Lolita Marie. “I enjoyed that it tapped into spirituality, ghost-lore, and ancestry. I appreciate its tender touch that was used to speak to mental health, depression, and suicide. And BRAVA horror!”
Indeed, horror plays a big part in the story, and audiences will be both tickled and spooked with the help of incredible sound design by Cresent Haynes and direction by acclaimed artist Ayesis Clay.
Tickets to purchase access to stream “Girls’ Night (with Spirits)” are currently available for $25. Patrons are advised that the play mentions drug use, suicide, violence, blood, and contains some explicit language. Patrons can buy tickets here.
Learn more about cast and team at thewelders.org. Stay tuned for more announcements about special events for “Girls’ Night (with Spirits).”
About the Welders
The Welders is a DC-based playwrights’ collective that provides an evolving, alternative platform for play development and production. Through our platform, we inspire and encourage each cohort of producing playwrights to:
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Take risks and make bold leaps in exploring the craft of playwriting
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Produce one performance of work created by each member playwright over the course of three years
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Create significant, meaningful, direct engagement between artists and members of the community
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Support future generations of DC-area playwrights, by passing on the organization and its resources to a new cohort of playwrights at the end of their tenure
Founded in 2013, by Bob Bartlett, Renee Calarco, Allyson Currin, Caleen Sinette Jennings, Jojo Ruff, and Gwydion Suilebhan, the 3rd “generation” of Welders playwrights began their tenure in 2020. The Welders are Cat Frost, Farah Lawal Harris, Jared Shamberger, JR Russ, Sisi Reid, and Teshonne Nicole Powell. Learn more about The Welders at thewelders.org.
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