Brown Grand Players
Get ready for an evening of laughter, tears, and poignant reflection as the Brown Grand Players proudly present ‘A Bench in Dragonfly Park,’ a captivating play written by the talented brother and sister duo Alice Burke and Scott Mullen. Local playwright Kristina Frost has written two additional scenes for this performance that blend harmoniously with the show’s theme. Directed by Whitney Jones, this moving story is set to take the stage at the Brown Grand Theatre in downtown Concordia on April 24th, 25th, and 26th at 7:00 pm.
‘A Bench in Dragonfly Park’ explores the unexpected connections and life-altering moments that unfold on a simple park bench. Through a series of interwoven scenes, the audience will encounter a diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own joys, sorrows, and the universal search for meaning. From budding romances to quiet contemplations and unexpected encounters, the play beautifully captures the essence of human experience and the power of shared spaces.
“Alice Burke and Scott Mullen have crafted a truly touching story, and we are thrilled to bring it to the community,” said Whitney Jones, director and president of the Brown Grand Players. “One of the writers actually reached out to us when he saw our Facebook post about holding auditions. He said that although individual scenes have been performed by various theatre groups, we would be the first group to perform their play in its entirety. We are honored to be able to bring this show to life, as it so deserves to be, and we truly hope that we are able to make the writers proud.”
The cast of ‘A Bench in Dragonfly Park’ features a talented ensemble of local actors, some with decades of experience and others having never set foot on a stage until now. “We have a long-
time member, who has been an integral part of the Players since its formation,” Jones said. “Memorizing lines has been challenging for her as of late, so Kristina (Frost) wrote an incredibly powerful piece especially for her. This has allowed her to focus on her acting and connection with her scene partner without the added demands of memorizing pages of lines.” Frost’s second scene is based on the author and her daughter’s actual encounter with a man and his dog.
Amanda Morgan, vice president of the Brown Grand Players, shares her thoughts on her experiences so far with this play. “I’ve been so moved by the stories within this play. Each character is so relatable, and I think audiences will truly connect with their journeys.” Morgan is playing two characters as well as lending her talents as the stage manager.
Secretary and treasurer of the Brown Grand Players, Katie Jones, is playing three characters and is tackling some work backstage as the prop manager as well. “This is a beautiful and insightful piece that reminds us of the importance of human connection and finding the beauty, no matter how dirty it may be, in everyday moments,” she said. “As soon as we read the script for the very first time I immediately fell in love with it. There were some twists and turns that we did not expect, and some really deep subject matter that touched all of us. I guarantee that each person who comes to see the show will personally relate to at least one of the characters, if not more.”
Performance Details:
- Title: A Bench in Dragonfly Park
- Writers: Alice Burke and Scott Mullen
- Additional Scenes: Two additional scenes written by Kristina Frost
- Dates: April 24, 25, and 26
- Times: 7:00 pm
- Venue: The Brown Grand Theatre, downtown Concordia
- Ticket Prices: $10 for adult tickets; $5 for college and high school students (not recommended for children under 13)
Note: Parents are strongly cautioned when bringing children, especially under the age of 13, due to mature content, sensitive subject matter, and potentially disturbing themes. Parental discretion is advised.
The Brown Grand Players are committed to bringing quality theatre to the Concordia and surrounding communities, and encourage everyone to come and experience the magic of ‘A Bench in Dragonfly Park.
