Style Weekly
Keri Wormald
Member since Dec 24, 2012
Recent Comments
Re: “Sifting the Embers”
If this debacle has taught us anything it's that we theatre artists need to remain nimble... with the ability to create theatre on a shoestring in alternate spaces when needs be. We're storytellers and we will continue telling stories. Mr. Smith is wrong about one thing--many actually. But it is most certainly NOT business as usual at the Firehouse. "Usual"ly, I'd be excited about going to see a new show opening there. Instead, I'll be in front of the theatre in a silent vigil--mourning the apparent loss of an entire generation's moral compass. (Smith's genuine concern for Carol Piersol and the Firehouse VS his disingenuousness was the topic of much discussion on social media (usually accompanied by this sad little picture of Smith holding a big orange sign reading, "I support Carol"). Anyone doubt Smith's motives now? --Keri Wormald [Ousted director, Time Stands Still. Time actually DOESN'T. Please stay tuned for where this nimble theatre artist might turn up next.]
Re: “Burning Down the House”
I, Keri Wormald, (the director Carol hired to direct Time Stands Still) do resolve to not support the Firehouse Theatre Project in any way until the founding artistic director, Carol Piersol is reinstated as artistic director, pending the resignation of the responsible parties. I will not create work, nor attend a performance, nor donate to or in support of this space until this wrong has been righted. -- If you are an artist (supporter, ticket-buyer, donor, student, technician, et al) please join with us in posting this pledge. --Keri Wormald
Re: “Firehouse Smolders”
Of course, I know that each individual player must do what he/she thinks is the right thing---ethically and morally. I'm very comfortable boycotting the company as an artist, patron, and donor for the foreseeable future. The Firehouse really must sell its wares to the public HONESTLY. They have stated that Time Stands Still will go on as scheduled. Well, it won't be EXACTLY as scheduled as I, and most, if not all, of my cast, have decided not to participate. FTP has not yet removed my name from their website and Gini Mallory's recent email to me stated, "I hope that you will be pleased with the direction that Firehouse takes in the immediate future and will reconsider your involvement with Time Stands Still." She must be referencing the appointment of Jase Smith. Unfortunately, I made it quite clear in my email to her that Carol's reinstatement was the only inducement I needed to honor my verbal agreement (with Carol) to direct Time Stands Still. It is imperative that artists and patrons know what is going on behind the scenes. The board's press releases are not being written in good faith and people should know that.
Re: “No Piersol, No Peace”
This Firehouse situation is serious and it impacts the livelihoods of many people and the future of a really valuable Richmond institution. While I appreciate and engage in satire with relish myself, several of the last comments are just plain hurtful. Please use some common sense before hitting the "post comment" button. If your purpose is to anger or abuse someone, you probably aren't adding anything important to the discussion. ("Disliking" this, by the way, will just prove my point. People have taken to "disliking" the most rational statements on this thread of comments--which I would find funny if it weren't so sad).
Re: “Firehouse Theatre Turns Hose on Itself”
Are those negative posts REALLY bait for local professionals so that we'll respond to THIS idiocy instead of the OTHER idiocy that is the Firehouse controversy? If so, do the posters (Ruth and Debbie) realize that people just "check in" at these sites and don't read everything? Some readers will, therefore, think their posts were on the level, in which case, they'll have libeled a fine actor and revealed themselves to be petty and mean-spirited. Their motives are irrelevant. Joe's professionalism isn't to be debated. His performance in Salesman is not to be debated. God, don't let Adrian Reider (you know, Biff, the hack from Juilliard?) get on here. He'll rip these idiots to shreds. lol We know who we are. We know what we do. Moving on....
Re: “No Piersol, No Peace”
Read the Facebook page of TheatreLAB for a nice, calm holiday message. Artistic director Deejay Gray said the most important thing of all...like our own little Tiny Tim. We all agree that this city needs the Firehouse Theatre Project. Let's start there and let the negotiations begin. Merry Christmas and may God bless us, everyone. http://www.facebook.com/thetheatrelabRVA?f…
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Re: “The Hose Down”
The point about the Firehouse being in a period of particular creative growth and excitement hasn't been made enough in any press or on social media for that matter. It certainly is the job of the artistic director to do that and Carol WAS doing that particularly well in the past 2 or 3 seasons. There are many reasons why I was involved personally in the back and forth on social media, but the least of my reasons was my loyalty to Carol since I really didn't know her very well. (I know her better now actually.) When people framed the discussion as my-friend-Carol VS bad-bad-Carol, they were missing the point, and weakening the "restore Carol" case. This has been an artistic VS business argument from the start. Thanks Dave for the cogent article. The people who have commented w/ pure vulgar vitriol above should just stop reading about this if they're not interested in engaging in any meaningful way.