"Our greatest glory is not in never failing,
but in rising every time we fall."
Confucius
The
Heritage-O'Neill Theatre Company was formed during the summer of 2003 (as The Heritage Theatre Company)
and is a professional, year 'round theatre company.
After 2 years of presenting only historic productions, we are now returning
to our roots and concentrating our efforts once again, in the masterful works of Eugene O'Neill: heralded by literary
and theatrical scholars as the Father of American Drama.
[NOTE: We will continue to present historic productions
which comemmorate the FINEST representation of our American and cultural heritage under our official name, The Heritage Theatre
Company, and will continue to lead the entire East Coast in this unique specialization, but they will be primarily outdoor
dramas.]
Every season, we will present a minimum of 2 plays by Eugene O'Neill, as well as an American
classic, and one World Premiere / original adaptation of the finest non-fiction books, novels, films, and television
dramas of major importance and relevance.
In late December of 2005, The Heritage Theatre Company had forged a partnership with The Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission in order to produce historic productions at the outdoor amphitheatre (The Amphitheatre
in the Woods) at Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac, Maryland, thereby adding another dimension to the company's repertoire.
In 2007, the company and its Founder was granted permission by the John F. Kennedy Library
Foundation to adapt President Kennedy's 1957 Pulitzer Prize winning book, "PROFILES IN COURAGE"
to the stage as a World Premiere to honor the 50th anniversary of the book having won the Pulitzer Prize.
And this year (2008), we received the honor of adapting to the stage (from
the 1974 Emmy Award-winning teleplay) and presenting the World Premiere adaptation of "THE MISSILES OF OCTOBER"
during the anniversary of The Cuban Missiles Crisis.
We are now returning to Mr. O'Neill's masterful works, and will be opening our Spring 2008 production
with "THE LONG VOYAGE HOME": a unique adaptation of 4 of O'Neill's harsh yet beautifully poetic
sea plays ("Moon of the Caribbees," "Bound East for Cardiff," "In the Zone," and "The Long Voyage Home") in 1 complete full
length production ... under 1 title ... 1 complete epic journey of the British tramp freighter Glencairn and her crew.
MORE announcements will be in store as we forge into our 2009- 2010 season and beyond with
many other voices from our past which need to be heard NOW, and well into our future.
KAREY
FAULKNER. Founder and Producing Artistic Director
Karey Faulkner has produced and directed to critical acclaim and artistic success such superior written works as Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer-winning
drama, "LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT," its companion piece, "A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN" and "HUGHIE"; along with "EQUUS," Pulitzer
Prize winning plays "PROOF" and "TALLEY'S FOLLY," and "new classic", "THAT CERTAIN CERVANTES": a 1-man play she
produced and directed during the greater part of 2005 in honor of the 400th anniversary of the publication of "Don Quixote."
Having just experienced the proudest moment of her theatrical life
by dramatizing, directing and bringing to the stage President Kennedy's "PROFILES IN COURAGE" as a World Premiere commemorating
the 50th anniversary of one of the most important and beloved books of the 20th Century having won the Pulitzer Prize, she
also produced and directed the Washington, D.C. and Maryland premiere of the stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning
book, "THE KILLER ANGELS" (the story of the Battle of Gettysburg), Ossie Davis' "ESCAPE TO FREEDOM" and "THE INDIAN
WANTS THE BRONX;" as well as "SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR" and "DEATHTRAP" (for her other company, Theatre Benefits) at
The Memorial Theatre for the renowned National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
A major highlight of 2005 was the
presentation of "THAT CERTAIN CERVANTES" at The Library of Congress on October 26, 2005. The Heritage Theatre Company
holds the distinction of being the first and only company to have ever performed at their theatre in those hallowed halls.
During December of 2004, Ms. Faulkner was commissioned for a
third time to produce and present a musical-variety benefit concert ("SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS") at The Memorial Theatre
for The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as a private performance for its uniformed services and their
families.
Previous, she has also directed and / or directed and produced more than
85 productions throughout New York City, New York state (up state), New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Washington, D.C. area,
including "THE ABDICATION," "OF MICE AND MEN," "THE CHERRY ORCHARD," "THE SEAGULL," "CALIGULA," "TARTUFFE,"
"THE HOSTAGE," "THE RAINMAKER," "PICNIC," "THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL," "AFTER THE FALL," "AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE"
"FULL CIRCLE," "THE ANDERSONVILLE TRIAL," and "THE TEMPEST" among many others.
A stage producer and director for the past 20 years, Ms. Faulkner is also
a 30 year veteran member of Actors' Equity Association (with more than 60 professional stage productions under her belt as
a former actor; approximately 150 combined career productions), a writer, playwright, lighting designer, music
designer, and composer-lyricist having composed more than 200 musical compositions including "The Bridge" (which served as
the theme for President Clinton's 2nd Inaugural), founded and was Artistic Director of The Pennsylvania Actors' Theatre
located in southcentral Pennsylvania, and locally teaches her own classes in intermediate and advanced stage acting,
audition techniques for the stage, and stage directing.
SEAN COE. Resident Actor / Artistic Consultant
Sean Coe
joined The Heritage Theatre Company after a successful run in 5 historic roles (most notably, 'General George Pickett')
in the company's regional premiere of "THE KILLER ANGELS" (the stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel chronicling
the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg). Having portrayed 'Senator John F. Kennedy' in our World
Premiere production of "PROFILES IN COURAGE" last October, he has also starred as 'President John F. Kennedy' in
our World Premiere production of "THE MISSILES OF OCTOBER," and will be appearing in our upcoming Spring production
of Eugene O'Neill's "THE LONG VOYAGE HOME." Next season (2009 - 2010), Mr. Coe will be leading the cast in the role
of 'Con Melody' in O'Neill's "A TOUCH OF THE POET," and then as the washed-up boxer, 'Mountain McClintock'
in Rod Serling's "REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT." He will complete that season by directing our production of O'Neill's
"ANNA CHRISTIE."
Mr. Coe serves
the company in a variety of artistic capacities as we chart and plan our growth for Season 2009-2010 and beyond.
MICHAEL ROSENBERG. Administrative Assistant
Michael Rosenberg serves part time for THE HERITAGE THEATRE
COMPANY and is a tremendous asset to all.
