A conversation with Deborah Ann Percy and Arnold Johnston
Percy earned a master’s degree in creative writing at Western Michigan University and was an administrator in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Johnston co-founded the creative writing program at WMU and founded its playwriting program.
Credit Atmosphere Press
“Since we’ve known each other, we started writing together,” says Percy. “And it’s a gift. Being able to collaborate, it’s not something everyone can do. We recognize that and we value it.”
Johnston says, “It’s very nice to have someone who is able to surprise you in the act of collaboration. When we can surprise each other, we can surprise the reader.”
Listen to the review
Director Tony Humrichouser’s production succeeds on several levels in bringing Shakespeare’s work to online audiences. This hour-long, abridged adaptation of “The Tempest” is a good fit for Zoom. The characters who inhabit or land in this magical island realm, ruled by the sorcerer Prospero, must “melt into thin air” or disappear from the stage, in this case the screen, by his command.
Under his command is Ariel, the mischievous “brave spirit” and servant of Prospero, played by Ishwari Bhatt, who bedevils an assortment of fools and political enemies. Bhatt is fun to watch as she casts spells on the shipwrecked crew and foils plots against Prospero. Intentional audio distortion of Bhatt’s voice adds to the confusion she visits on those she would mislead.
“Steering into the Skid” returns for encore virtual performance
The Jan. 19 event aims to engage family members, caregivers, local businesses and the broader community in a conversation about dementia and share resources and strategies to navigate memory loss.
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Enterprise staff | × Steering the Skid is a virtual, one-act play about memory care. It s the first of a trio of play by The Remember Project. (Submitted photo)
An encore virtual performance and discussion of The Remember Project’s “Steering into the Skid,” a one-act play about memory loss, will occur from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Jan. 19.
The event aims to engage family members, caregivers, local businesses and the broader community in a conversation about dementia and share resources and strategies to navigate memory loss.