Different Stages Theatre

​

Different Stages 

Presents

Larissa FastHorse’s
The Thanksgiving Play

​

November 19-December 11, 2021

​

The Vortex

2307 Manor Rd.

Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., 

Sunday at 6:00 p.m. 

No performance on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 25th

Added performance on Wednesday December 8th

​

Saturday December 4th's performance will be signed in ASL

$15, $20, $25 Thursday
$20, $25, $30 Friday & Saturday & Sunday 

​

Different Stages returns to live performances with Larissa Fasthorse’s (Sicangu Lakota Nation) The Thanksgiving Play. Ah, Thanksgiving,
that most American of holidays: when families gather to bask in the bounty of the harvest, football, giant balloons — and a legacy of genocide and violent colonial expansion. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this wickedly funny satire as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists trip all over themselves to create a politically correct, yet historically accurate, yet dramatically revolutionary, yet accurately represented and responsibly cast Thanksgiving play for elementary schools.

Directed by Melissa Vogt (Dracula-Different Stages), The Thanksgiving Play features Luke Wallens (They Serve Brisket in Paradise-Frontera Fest), Chiara McCarty (Trade with Klan-Southwest Theatre Productions), Greg Ginther (The Magic Fire-Different Stages) and Cassandra DeFreitas (The Tin Woman-Wimberley Players). Angelina Zulas is our understudy.

​

For the safety of the actors, staff and everyone in the theatre, Different Stages is requiring all Audience members to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 5 days of the performance.  This can be sent via e-mail to the Vortex or presented at the box office.  Additionally, all Audience members must wear masks in the theatre.

​

For tickets go to www.differentstagestheatre.org/tickets

For Information call 512-926-6747

​

​

The Thanksgiving Play” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.  http://www.concordtheatricals.com 

​

See our Reviews:

Broadway World

CTX Live Theatre

​

The Cast

Luke Wallens (Jaxton) is an actor, improviser and writer in Austin and is making his debut with Different Stages and the Vortex.  He has improvised in Hideout Theatre's Austin Secrets and Big Gay Musical, devised and played in various shows in the B. Iden Payne Award winning improv troupe Golden, acted in and written for the sketch comedy troupe, Martini Ranch at Coldtowne Theater and tapped puppet drums for the sad, sad emo puppet band Fragile Rock. He has performed in various plays at Frontera Fest at Hyde Park Theatre including: They Serve Brisket In Paradise by Sandy Maranto and Enlightened by Tristan Mercado (Best of the Fest 2020).

​

Chiara McCarty (Logan) is incredibly excited to be a part of this amazing show! Originally from Italy, Chiara attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood and is a graduate of the Theatre Academy of Los Angeles City College. Some of her most recent roles on the stage include Nora in the world premiere of Trade With Klan (Southwest Theatre Productions), Sister James in Doubt (Hill Country Community Theatre), and various characters in Askew Theatre Company's Out of the Box Play Reading Festival, a virtual production featuring twelve 10-minute plays written by 12 award-winning playwrights from around the U.S. Her most recent film roles include Molly in the indie feature film What About Molly? and Vivían in the indie short film Vivían. You can also catch her on Amazon Prime as Cleo in the filmed stage performance of Kill All Politicians, and as the Schoolteacher in the short independent film Spindletop: The Beginning. 

​

Greg Ginther (Caden) Is excited to be performing again. The Thanksgiving Play is his fourth foray into Austin Theater/Theatre (just wait). The Butcher of Baraboo was his last show but that was right before the global shut down. Other productions include Yankee Tavern and Magic Fire; all three shows received lots of terrific feedback, nominations, and awards.  Greg had taken a fifteen-year break from acting since he left LA and all the glitz and glamor that town has to offer young aspiring actors. While in Los Angeles, Greg produced and starred in Durang Durang, which won awards and enjoyed sold out houses. Other shows included Dracula, The Foreigner, Godspell, Romeo and Juliet and Oliver. The acting bug bit him with his very first play in 6th grade, Gaslight Girl.  Greg’s “claim to fame” came when he sold Dillon heroin in an episode of Beverly Hills 90210. He made an appearance with dialogue as a bartender in Silk Stalkings.

​

Cassandra DeFreitas (Alicia) is brand new to the Austin theatre scene and is honored be working with Different Stages. Her recent work includes Sammy in The Wimberley Players’ production of The Tin Woman. 

​

Photos by Bret Brookshire