Proceeds Benefit the Jenna McKaye Foundation and Women’s Theatre Collective.
When something or someone is put out to pasture, it usually means they have outlived their usefulness like when they are forced to leave a job because of old age. The new play Out to Pasture tackles this issue head on from a woman’s perspective. The play, written by Michelle Carter, is directed by Jenny Connors and stars Alison Gilbreath with Erik Dahl.
Out to Pasture introduces us to Jennifer, a professional, wife, daughter, and mother, as she approaches her 50th birthday. Jennifer is trying to maintain her social-life, love-life and sanity while coming to terms with turning 50. Out to Pasture explores the humorous and raw moments of grappling with physical changes, a changing identity, jobs, kids, aging parents, and society’s stereotypes. At turns thought-provoking and hilarious, Out to Pasture is relatable for all genders and strikes a chord with women of any age.
Out to Pasture started as a monologue written by Michelle Carter for her friend, Alison Gilbreath, a local actress, director, and instructor based at Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom. When Jenny Connors, Founder and President of Women’s Theatre Collective, saw a video of the original Out to Pasture monologue on Facebook, and she reached out to Alison about producing a full-length show. Michelle, Alison, and Jenny collaborated to create an honest, revealing, and entertaining piece. The original monologue as well as the full-length play received overwhelmingly positive responses when it premiered in 2021. The original “Out to Pasture” monologue was a finalist in the Monologues & Poetry International Film Fest.
The play is being presented as a joint fundraiser for the Jenna McKaye Foundation and the Women’s Theatre Collective. Jenna, a Yuba-Sutter resident, is a survivor of human trafficking with an incredible life story she now shares with groups throughout the U.S. She trains hospital staff, law enforcement and other professionals how to identify sex and labor trafficking victims and respond with victim centered care. She started the Jenna McKaye Foundation to engage in a broader advocacy training model.
The Women’s Theatre Collective, Sacramento aims to use their collective voices to reveal the female experience, change the cultural narrative, and create a safe world for every woman and girl. The WTC empowers and celebrates all women by pooling resources and expertise to provide support, educate, create opportunities in theatre, and produce powerful, entertaining theatrical works.
T.J. Fassler, a Sacramento area theater educator said, “the performance by Alison Gilbreath was breathtaking. She was relatable, inviting, and had equal moments of vulnerability and empowerment and never in a false way. Erik Dahl was a fantastic stage partner, never trying to upstage the clear focal point of each scene but being the foil as various characters that helped drive her inner turmoil and thoughts shared with us.
Come see Out to Pasture on March 26 at 7pm or March 27 at 2pm at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts, 754 Plumas Street, Yuba City. Doors open one hour before showtime. Tickets are $20 and are available at yubasutterarts.org. Please review the YSAC COVID policy prior to attending any events. Masks are recommended. Proof of vaccination OR proof of negative PCR test required.
Plenty of free parking is available on Plumas Street and the streets adjacent to the theater.
For more information about this event and other upcoming 2022 programs during our 41st year, contact Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture at 530-742-ARTS or email david@yubasutterarts.org.