The Afterparty
By Reina Hardy
Directed by Liz Fisher
​
Claire Leverrier, a poet haunted by the death of her childhood crush, reveals the secrets of the universe using science, myth, and maybe a little bit of magic. “The Afterparty” is a romance. Or is it a metaphor? Either way, Claire might never recover once a star steps down from the sky and invites her to a party.
​
The first production in this rolling world premiere by Reina Hardy (Stars and Barmen, Changelings, Glassheart) is directed by Liz Fisher (Deus Ex Machina) with dramaturgy by James Fleming and features a stellar cast including Shannon Grounds, Ja'Michael Darnell, Rommel Sulit, Valoneecia Tolbert, and Trey Deason, with set design by Ann Marie Gordon, lighting design by Patrick Anthony, media design by Andrew McIntyre, costume design by Monica Pasut, sound design by Nick Hart, production management by Melinda Parr, stage management by Michael Logue,and assistant stage management and production assistance by Kaycee Swierc.
​
The Afterparty ran from June 15 - 30, 2018 at the VORTEX, Eloise Theatre.
"The transitions are smooth, and The Afterparty crosses the human and astral scales easily with the image-filled dialogues of a superb cast led by Grounds and including Ja’Michael Darnell, Rommel Sulit, Trey Deason, and Valoneecia Tolbert."
- David Glen Robinson - CTXLiveTheatre.com
"The Afterparty” is the kind of play that only the Reina Hardy could create. Bursting with creativity, but wildly intelligent, its filled with magic and the music of the spheres. In the hands of Liz Fisher and the Shrewd Production crew, the experience becomes something otherworldly, a waking dream, a fleeting phantasmagoria that you won’t want to end. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience the like of which you’re not likely to find again, so make sure you grab a seat, before it’s too late."
- Ryan Johnson - Austin Arts Watch
​
"Written by Reina Hardy in its world premiere, THE AFTERPARTY moves through a love story creating a modern day mythological tale of how stargazing can score you a ticket to a party at the end of the universe...Admiring the images created by Fisher, this show is an East Austin cup of tea. Within The Vortex's quirky arena, THE AFTERPARTY presents itself as an imaginative challenge for audiences to piece together and find their interpretation. Weird, beautiful and unforgivingly artistic, THE AFTERPARTY invites Austinites to drink from the astral cup and remember the one that got away."
"“The Afterparty” finds Claire in several moments throughout her life, so it is essential that she is performed by a dynamic actor. Claire is a creature of both youthful exuberance and a poet’s soulfulness, of strong resolve and sudden vulnerability. Shannon Grounds has proven herself to be a top-tier actress in the past, but “The Afterparty” may be her best performance in years, as she shows off impressive range while still maintaining genuineness, serving as an earnest anchor even as insanity swirls around her. Claire is a character forced to choose between the ethereal beauty of the cosmos and her own humanity, and its the grounded realness that Grounds brings to the role that truly makes the character, and the play, sing."
- Ryan E. Johnson, Austin Arts Watch
Cast
Claire - Shannon Grounds
M - JaMichael Darnell
Aristophanes - Rommel Sulit
Henrietta Swan Leavitt - Valoneecia Tolbert
Johannes Kepler - Trey Deason
Video Trailer - Magic Spoon Productions
Publicity Photos - Errich Peterson
Production Photos - Kimberley Mead & Errich Petersoen
Production Crew
Director - Liz Fisher
Producer - Shannon Grounds
Stage Manager - Michael Logue
Production Assistant - Kaycie Swierc
Set Design - Ann Marie Gordon
Costume Designer - Monica Pasut
Lighting Designer - Patrick Anthony
Sound Design - Nick Hart
Media Design - Andrew McIntire