blackbird spring 2002 vol.1 no. 1

GALLERY

CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN

Introduction | volume of smoke

The play volume of smoke was written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with sections adapted from John F. Watson's "Calamity at Richmond, Being a Narrative of the Affecting Circumstances Attending the Awful Conflagration of the Theatre in the City of Richmond, on the Night of Thursday, the 26th of December, 1811."

It was first presented in a workshop production by St. Anthony’s Dance and Horse Trade Productions at the Kraine Theater in New York City, New York, in October 2004. It was directed and designed by Isaac Butler, with light design by Sabrina Braswell and original music by Erik Sanko. Amanda Shuker was production stage manager. The ensemble, playing various roles, was as follows:

Hannah Bos
Abe Goldfarb
Daryl Lathon
Kalle Macrides
Emily Mitchell
Orion Taraban
Paul Thureen

The play was subsequently presented in a full revised production at The Firehouse Theater (Carol Piersol, Artistic Director) in Richmond, Virginia, in February and March of 2005. It was directed by Isaac Butler and Clay McLeod Chapman, with sound design by Isaac Butler, light design by Sabrina Braswell and original music by Erik Sanko. Sharon Gregory was production stage manager. The ensemble, playing various roles, was as follows:

Justin Dray
Terry Menefee Gau
Stephenie Kelly
Jennifer Maharg
Stephen W. Ryan
Foster Solomon