Drunken Owl Theatre

A message from the director:

This production began as an effort to grant someone’s wish, in this case two incredible actresses who wanted to work with each other. Well, also, my wish to entice them to return to Drunken Owl. As other incredible actresses joined the project, and America prepared to elect an incredible woman as president, I optimistically dubbed the program, “It’s Reigning Women.”

In November, the country screwed things up, and the need grew to center women and give voice to all that they carry. The incredible Kelly Murray signed on as emcee and will take the mic tonight. Ceding the floor isn’t easy for me but demonstrating that there are men in America who can sit down and shut up is important.

Also important is encouraging growth for Drunken Owl Theatre. If 2024 brought physical improvements to our unique endeavor (lights, actors’ boxes), I hope that 2025 will see us extend our boundaries in multiple directions. I’m looking for directors and emcees who can take the lead and let me act more often. I’d like to display visual art during our readings and productions. We hope to take our act on the road, potentially bringing our variety show to other stages. We’re receiving submissions from playwrights across the country. Season ticket sales and a growing pool of generous donors assure us of starting the new year in a good position to keep building community through our variety show.

Thank you being part of this community. If you’d like to participate more, we’re always looking for artists (playwrights, poets, directors, actors, musicians) and volunteers (donors, set hauling, construction). Contact me at ksfinns@comcast.net.

Kevin Finney

Artistic Director

Our production:

Music by The Hot Grapes

“The Visit” by Romney Humphrey

An unexpected visit to the home of a recently deceased man by a high school girlfriend who shared a tragic past profoundly impacts his wife and daughter.

Intermission

Music by The Hot Grapes

“The Hikers” by Robin Ellen Brooks

Andi and Cam meet up for a first hiking date when a pair of unwelcome guests decides to tag along. Can they shake these interlopers and reach the summit to kindle a shared spark, or will the vibe be ruined?

Poetry by Kaitlyn DeMeyere

Music by The Hot Grapes

“Let Go Now” by Pamela Hobart Carter

A mother and daughter argue over getting rid of a box to make space. 

Thanks to Noel Sherrard for the wonderful poster design. Thanks to Conrad Wesselhoeft and Greg Dirks for help in moving scenery.

Meet the Artists:

Alex Anderson (she/her; Sound and Lights)
Alex is a musician, teacher, sound engineer, and PNW lifer. She has been gigging locally for the better part of 15 years, most recently in the bands Floral Tattoo and Look at the Bones.

---

Betsy Boyer (musician) is happiest with a song to play or sing and is so honored to be back on the Drunken Owl stage! A native of East Tennessee, after-college wanderlust drove her to the west coast and a career in the maritime industry, followed by actually using her degree as a video producer. She and husband Andy live in the Methow Valley, but Bets will always travel for music!

Robin Ellen Brooks is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and essayist. She is a frequent contributor to Drunken Owl Theatre, and had three plays read by the company last year, including her play SOLE, which recently won grand prize in the Veterans Repertory Theater Playwriting Competition. Her film Scout Camp was recently nominated for Best Writing in the Seattle 48-Hour Film Project. She’s grateful for the continued collaborations with DOT and hopes you enjoy today’s production!

Located a few blocks north of the Morgan Junction, West Seattle Wine Cellars offers a wide selection of wines—from right here in the Northwest, to wine-producing countries throughout the world—in price ranges to match every budget. We also offer a variety of fun and informative ways to taste, learn, enjoy, and expand your wine horizons. Stop in, explore our wines, and let us help you find something perfect for you!

From our family to yours,

Jessica, Bryce & Asher

Locally, Pamela Hobart Carter‘s plays have been produced and/or read by 14/48, ACT, As If, DOT, Baker Theater Workshop, Infinity Box Theatre Project, LiveGirls! Theatre, Macha Theater Works, Penguin Productions, Reboot Theatre Company, and Seattle Playwrights Salon. She paints flats for DOT and has 4 poetry chapbooks in the world. Here’s one of her poems:

WHEN EVEN THE YOUNGEST GIRLS KNEW

the world belonged to men,
she painted herself with iris! 
Her and iris—secretive, relaxed. 
Lips, parted, about to say 

something. Not about 

her paintings.

She seldom spoke of them. 
How to say paintings? 
She could have named their shapes or hues. 
Announced their historical context. 
But the rest? Canyons gape

between language 
and image. 

In Giverny, that spring, Monet set
his easel near his sunlit floating lilies,
and a bridge.

Paula Modersohn-Becker set her easel

by a mirror, painted another portrait:

pregnant,

nude.

Kaitlyn DeMeyere (De-My-Yer), author of “I Don’t Want to Die Anymore,” is a poet gaining momentum performing around the Puget Sound region. Her newest poetry book “You Will Not Break” and her podcast “Recovery Isn’t Linear” are set to debut in 2025. Kaitlyn credits the start of her poetry career to performing at Drunken Owl in 2023. Here’s one of her poems:

Speak up

Be louder

Use your voice

It’s not that I don’t agree

It’s that if you could only hear

The stretching and aching of my grief

The pain exuding from my soul when I remember

The screams that overtake my breath

Grasping every limb of my body

You would realize I do not wish for silence

While for you, my silence is peaceful

To me, my silence is deafening 

Sam Farqhuarson is a violinist or fiddle player depending on who you ask. Classically trained, she picked up bluegrass 4 years ago when she joined The Shed Boys, a local acoustic outfit. When she’s not on stage, she’s writing and directing commercials, or taking photos of her cat-sized dog, Cal.

Delia Finney is here to perform in tonight’s musical collaboration largely thanks to her impressive ability to ride the coattails of family connections. Forget years of rigorous practice or raw talent; it’s really all about who you know, right? Aptly qualified for a showcase on womanhood empowered, Delia is now thrilled to take a page out of a man’s book and be the “token nepotism hire” for the evening. So, sit back, relax, and let the sparkling wave of privilege and questionable connections wash over you.

As a young man, Kevin Finney (Artistic Director) acted in summer stock on the East Coast. He was John Ritter’s stand-in in the film “Real Men,” and had a song and dance gig in a Japanese amusement park. In the Seattle area, he’s acted at ArtsWest, Burien Actors Theatre, and As If Theatre in Kenmore. Since 2018 most of his creative energy has gone into directing Drunken Owl Theatre.

Brynne Garman is happy to return to Drunken Owl! She was part of the first DOT readings at the Parliament Tavern in 2018. Most recently, she performed as Irene Adler in Second Story Rep’s Holmes and Watson. She invites everyone to come up north to Edmonds in February to watch her perform as Marcela in Phoenix Theatre’s production of Second Samuel.  Thanks for supporting local storytelling!

At Beveridge Place, located in beautiful West Seattle, we strive to offer our guests the best beverage selection possible in a comfortable, lively setting. 
We feature three unique atmospheres for your pleasure: 
The Front Room – vintage décor, couches, and board games
The Game Room – darts, shuffleboard. foosball, and satellite TV
The Beverage Garden – our relaxing outdoor seating area surrounded by greenery!
All areas are 21+ only.

Stacey Hansen (Stage Manager, Sound Design) is super excited to be working For The Fifth Time! with Drunken Owl Theatre. A Seattle native, she has stage managed more shows than she can count on her fingers and toes, and for more years than is polite to ask. Thanks to Kevin for asking me back, and to this fabulous cast for sharing this lovely artistic ride with them.

European and Subaru service in West Seattle. swedishauto.com.

Romney Humphrey is a former media writer/producer and a nationally produced playwright with recent productions in California, Minnesota, Connecticut, Michigan, Washington, and Louisiana. She has accrued national and international recognition for her screenplays and television pilots. Her play “The Bench” is in final production as a short film.

Jane Martin Lynch is back to act in her 2nd “January” production with Drunken Owl. A very special cast not only of very talented women but good friends who rarely get to act together. Jane was busy this past year performing with Drunken Owl, Murder Mystery Theatre, Kenmore Quickies and various voice over projects. Thank you Stacie Hansen and Kevin Finney for this amazing cast and show!

Rooted in the vibrant tapestry of West Seattle, Oli Moseley (they/them; musician) weaves the threads of environmental studies from Western Washington University into their work within the farm-to-table food movement. Passionate about music and skating, they draw inspiration from nature, crafting a life that dances between art, community, and the wild beauty of earth.

Kelly Murray (emcee) spent time on stage in college and since then has used her improv experience to help people brainstorm with the Consortium for Service Innovation. She has been a delighted audience member (and occasional reader) at Drunken Owl since 2022 and is thrilled to play the part of emcee for this production – with thanks to Sarah Finney for the nudge, and to Peter for making all things possible.

Monique Preston is excited to be back acting with some of her favorite people in her fourth full production here at Drunken Owl. A Seattle native, Monique has been performing for over 10 years now in both theatre and film. Much love to all of my family and friends who have supported me over the years! Instagram: @momo_preston  TikTok: @momopreston.

Christina Williams is truly grateful to be a part of this fantastic team of creatives! A Seattle native, she has been acting since 1994 and her favorite roles include Marie Antoinette (The Revolutionists), Trudy (Social Security), and Veronica (God of Carnage).  When she’s not acting, you will find her watching Turner Classic Movies or The Golden Girls.  Much love to her best friend & husband, Drake.  IG: @fiveninegal

By night Carolann Voltarel has been making costumes and doing consume design for plays and film for the past 22 years.  By day she uses her sewing expertise to teach classes at Everett Quality Sewing and Vacuum. 

The Drunken Owl is putting together a chap book anthology of our marvelous Drunken Owl poetry.   If you’ve ever read at the Owl, the anthology team wants your work. A generous anonymous donor is covering  everyone’s $10.00 application fee, so it’s free to apply, knowing all poets will be represented.  

 All poets who have read at Drunken Owl should be on the look-out for an email in January from DOTchapboook@gmail.com with more details. We can’t wait to read your work!