Download the Festival of Emerging Artists Program Here
About the show
A 17-year-old girl has an affair with a 35-year-old married man. Her master. A father. A leader in his community. And she's the villain...?
Set on the brink of the Salem witch trials, Abigail Williams is a powerful one-woman show that asks us to consider that perhaps even the villainous have their reasons.
Director's note:
Searching for Abigail’s story was like a thrilling treasure hunt, digging for little gems smothered by the weight of her reputation. Through research and the use of a period set in the rehearsal room, we explored Abigail’s world and revived her memories before stripping the space back to the liminal to center her story, and her story alone.
Rebecca is a writer/director who can cross genres from drama to comedy whilst continuing to elicit authentic performance and emotionally affecting story. Her work challenges perceptions of women and their roles within societal constructs.
Working across the mediums of stage and screen, she has experience in both Australia and the US. Her award-winning short films have screened in festivals globally including in LA, New York, Toronto and Sydney. She is creator of the dramedy television series Kissing Doorknobs, based on the novel by Terry Spencer Hesser, and is a development writer on the comedy series Winning for Fear of God Films/Neon Jane Productions. She is currently adapting Dymphna Cusack’s classic Australian play Morning Sacrifice for screen.
Rebecca has trained at the iconic comedy theatre, The Second City, in Chicago USA, as well as at Chicago Filmmakers and AFTRS. She is NIDA’s 2023 recipient of the Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Scholarship for MFA (Directing).
Performance Dates
Wednesday 6 December, 9:00pm
Thursday 7 December, 9:00pm
Friday 8 December, 9:00pm
Saturday 9 December, 2:00pm and 9:00pm
Runtime: 40min
Venue: NIDA Theatres, Space, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW
Pricing: NIDA is offering a Pay What You Want option for this event. We are grateful for your support, no matter the amount. Please note that this payment option is non-refundable.
Content Notice: Adult themes, domestic violence and haze effects
NIDA's Festival of Emerging Artists consists of 7 shows performed across 3 of NIDA's venues, the Reg Grundy Studio, the Studio Theatre and The Space. It is possible (and encouraged) for patrons to attend multiple shows consecutively, whether in the same venue or across multiple venues. The shows have been scheduled accordingly to accommodate for multiple viewings, e.g. 7:00pm, 8:00pm and 9:00pm shows in the evening, and 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm shows for matinees. Please ensure you do not book more than one show at the same timeslot.
Cast
Abigail Williams
Ebony Tucker*
Understudy
Este Breytenbach
Creative / Production Team
Director
Rebecca McNamee
Set and Costume Designer
Angelina Daniel
Lighting Designer
Chris Milburn
Sound Designer/Composer
Keelan Ellis
Movement Choreographer
Troy Honeysett*
Intimacy Consultant
Shondelle Pratt*
Effects Consultant
Adam Mada*
Production Stage Manager
Sherydan Simson
Stage Manager
Maddison Craven
Construction Manager
Michael Harding**
Costume Supervisor
Giulia Zanardo
Head Electrician
Yasmin Breeze
Properties Makers
Samantha Lim
Grace McCann
Technical Assistant(s)
Holly Nesbitt
Justin Boerst
Thomas O'Brien
Makeup Artist
Lucinda Beare
Note: *Guest, **Staff