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Cast Is Set for ‘The Book of Will’

December 12, 2022

The Book of Will at Pull-Tight Players

Director Lenny West has announced the cast for Lauren Gunderson’s award-winning drama, The Book of Will. The play, part of Pull-Tight Players’ 54th season, will open February 3.

“The turnout for this audition was so far beyond what I ever hoped for, both in terms of quantity as well as quality,” remarked West. “To say it was a director’s dream is an extreme understatement. My hat is off to every single person who took the time to share their time and immense talent with this production and our theater. The cast we ultimately assembled … I mean, I have no words! This cast is something seriously extraordinary, and I cannot wait to share the journey of this incredible play with them.”

The cast is as follows.

John Heminges — Steve Mook, who most recently appeared in All My Sons.

Henry Condell — Jon Kieffner, who was the titular character in The Real Inspector Hound.

Alice Heminges — Megan Roberts, in her third consecutive show following Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Rebecca Heminges — Jennifer Bennett, a member of our board of directors and one of the Pigeon sisters in The Odd Couple.

Elizabeth Condell — Stephanie Dillard, who played the baker’s wife in Into the Woods.

Ben Jonson/Francisco — Matt Grimes, a past board president who appeared in Death of a Salesman.

Ralph Crane — Donald Seitz, a newcomer to Pull-Tight Players.

William Jaggard — Woody Woodruff, who played a double role in Legally Blonde.

Isaac Jaggard/Barman 2 — Nathan Basner, whose first role at Pull-Tight was this seasons’ All My Sons.

Anne Hathaway Shakespeare — Adele Akin, an ensemble member of Waiting in the Wings.

Richard Burbage/Sir Edward Dering — Roger Csaki, the one and only Ford from Madame Buttermilk.

Emilia Bassano Lanier/Susannah Shakespeare & others — Bridget Dunn, another new face at Pull-Tight.

Boy Hamlet/Marcus/Marcellus & others — Philip Johnson, who went wrong in The Play that Goes Wrong.

Ed Knight/Barman 1/Bernardo & others — Stephan Roselin, rounding out our list of Pull-Tight newcomers.

Barmaid/Compositor/Horatio & others — Autumn Siebold, assistant stage manager for All My Sons.

Tickets for The Book of Will will go on sale January 23.

Filed Under: Blog, Cast & Crew Lists Tagged With: 2022-23 season, cast announcement

Pull-Tight Honors Life of Founder Vance Ormes

December 11, 2022

Pull-Tight Players founder Vance Ormes

Pull-Tight received the sad news this month that the theatre’s founder, Vance Gordon Ormes, passed away at his home in Delray Beach, Florida at the age of 69.

Vance was born in Franklin to the late Agness and Bill Ormes, who were also very involved with Pull-Tight in its early days. He attended Franklin Elementary School and later Battle Ground Academy, where he graduated in 1970 as salutatorian and was a National Merit Scholar finalist. At the age of 15, Vance participated in a play at the Nashville Children’s Theatre, and it ignited the theater bug. The next year, with the help of some of his parents’ friends, he formed the Pull-Tight Players with a production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, performed in the Franklin High School auditorium.

A young Vance Ormes as a Battle Ground Academy student

Vance graduated from the University of Denver, and wore many hats through the years as actor, director, playwright, stage manager, and designer. In 1995, he entered the Royal National Theatre Studio in London, where he took classes in Shakespeare, Greek and Roman Theatre, Mask, Voice & Movement.

After many years of running a professional theatre in Montana, Vance spent some time in Franklin caring for his elderly parents, which allowed current Pull-Tight members to get to know him. He was also able to travel to Franklin to participate in Pull-Tight’s 50th Anniversary celebration, and contributed to our documentary 50 Years a Treasure via Skype from New England.

Heather Bottoms and Ricki Keckley were two members who enjoyed their friendship with Vance at that time. As Heather says, “Vance was funny and smart and always ready to start a new adventure. Pull-Tight thrives today because of the founding principles he helped to instill, and we will be forever grateful for the way he has impacted our community and the theatre we all love. We are so thankful for the legacy he leaves behind.”

Pull-Tight Players volunteer Ricki Keckley with founder Vance Ormes

Ricki honored his passing by saying, “Every good thing in this life has a beginning and an idea. Vance Ormes had an idea and a great support group to help that idea grow into a reality. For over 50 years, Franklin has been the recipient of that idea and has enjoyed the gift of live community theatre through Pull-Tight Players. I am forever grateful that my path crossed with Vance’s during his time in Franklin caring for his parents. His lifelong dedication to theatre brought with it a plethora of advice and helpful information that will forever be treasured and will help Pull-Tight to exist for generations to come. Vance demonstrated once again that one person can make a positive difference in this world.”

Filed Under: Blog

President’s Blog: November 2022

November 14, 2022

Pull-Tight Board of Directors President Lynda Gibbs

I hope you all were able to see Pull-Tight’s last production, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. It was a stunning drama, beautifully created by Daryle Tallent and her incredible cast and crew. It literally left audiences sitting on the edges of their seats as they were completely engaged from one scene to the next. We thank them all for a job well done.

Opening December 2 is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. JT Landry and his very talented cast and crew are hard at work bringing this beloved story to life with our own special holiday touches. Join us as we step into the pages of this classic fairy tale, wicked stepmother and all! Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. November 21.

It was wonderful to see so many of our Artist Members at our Fall meeting in October. Thanks again to Beth and Woody Woodruff for so graciously offering their home for the get-together. Thanks too to Leslie Berra for all the organizing and delicious food!

As we reflect on our many blessings, especially this time of year, the Board of Directors and I want to thank you for your extraordinary support. We wish you all a season filled with the love and warmth of family, friends and community. See you at the theater!

Lynda Gibbs
President, Pull-Tight Board of Directors

Filed Under: President's Blog

Announcing the Cast of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’

October 4, 2022

Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at Pull-Tight Players

Director JT Landry has released the cast list for our December production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, part of our diverse and entertaining 2022-23 season.

“We have assembled a stellar cast for our upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” remarked Landry. “We can’t wait for you to experience the magic December 2 through 17. Midnight is calling.”

The cast, including both veterans and newcomers, is as follows.

Ella – Crystal Kurek, a Pull-Tight newcomer who recently played Cinderella in a production of Into the Woods.

Topher – Ross Canales, another new face who appeared this summer in Little Women: The Musical in Eugene, Or.

Madame – Sarah Kieffner, director of this year’s The Play that Goes Wrong.

Sebastian – Jeremy Hargis, a past season executive producer and cast member of Waiting in the Wings.

Marie – Lisa Graham, a veteran actress with Murfreesboro Center for the Arts.

Gabrielle – Chelsea Craig, who most recently starred as Carly Speranza in Pull-Tight’s production of Madame Buttermilk.

Charlotte – Sydney Hooper, returning to our stage following her appearance in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Jean-Michel – Forrest Hutchinson, adding to our slate of Pull-Tight first-timers.

Lord Pinkelton – Logan Michael, a board member and artistic director at Elite Studio Works in Murfreesboro.

Ensemble – Erin Hailey (Big Fish), Bev Kassis (Waiting in the Wings), Megan Roberts (All My Sons), Rachel Sinclair (The Miracle Worker), and David Weatherbee (lighting and sound technician on Crimes of the Heart).

Tickets for our 12 performances will go on sale Nov. 21.

Filed Under: Blog, Cast & Crew Lists Tagged With: 2022-23 season, cast announcement

President’s Blog: September 2022

September 11, 2022

Lynda Gibbs

Let me just begin by saying, the play that went right! Well, sort of.

What a fabulous way to open our 54th season. Kudos to Sarah Keiffner and her cast and crew for the delightful production of The Play that Goes Wrong. I heard so many comments and raucous laughter all around me as the audience went on this crazy ride with this dedicated cast and crew. It was terrific fun and we thank you.

Next up is the Arthur Miller play, All My Sons. Daryle Talent and her cast and crew are hard at work to bring this incredible, taut drama to the Pull-Tight stage. Tickets go on sale on September 19, and the show opens on September 30. This was Arthur Miller’s first success as a playwright and was written at a particularly tumultuous time in our nation’s history. Daryle and I were both cast in Pull-Tight’s 2001 production. It is very dear to both our hearts.

Speaking of our hearts, the Pull-Tight community was very saddened to hear of the unexpected death of our founder, Vance Ormes. It took a particularly creative, determined young individual to bring us into existence, which was quite a feat for a then 16 year old. The foundation upon which we have since built was largely due to the dedication and commitment he instilled in others. He will be missed.

As fall descends, stay well, and thank you all for your continued support. See you at the theater!

Filed Under: Blog, President's Blog Tagged With: 2022-23 season

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Pull-Tight Players Theatre
PO Box 682609
Franklin TN 37068-2609
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