Sharon Mathis is a playwright, solo performer, and actor in Atlanta. Her latest play, “WEB”, was awarded an Ethel Woolson Development grant, and was chosen for the Unexpected Play Festival at Atlanta's Theatrical Outfit in 2022. She was also commissioned to create a site specific installation for Georgia's Newman Wetlands Center in 2023. “He/She and Me”, her solo play about a transgender marriage, was revived for video by Raleigh's Justice Theatre Project in 2020. It originally premiered at the Academy Theatre in Atlanta, and traveled to fringe festivals, womens' work festivals, and psychology conferences. “Coda”, a dramadey asking whether age is about taking risks or staying safe, was produced by the Academy Theatre in 2020. Her adaptation of a Greek drama in heightened language, “The Liars Child”, also received an Ethel Woolson Award, and was a semifinalist in the international Risk Theatre competition in 2021. Sharon created and directed the Open Invitation Theatre throughout the 90's, presenting collages of work by racially and sexually diverse feminist writers exploring common emotional themes. She writes and performs for festivals, literary events, and Fieldwork artists collective.

Sharon lives in both Atlanta and coastal Alaska. She credits her career as a psychologist for teaching her how to listen beneath the lines.

About Sharon Mathis

Winner of our first Nectar New Works Full-Length Script Competition.

the cast & Production Team

Natalie Newman

NATALIE
Natalie Newman is a real estate agent and entrepreneur, owning Parlor & Co., a salon and tattoo establishment. She serves on the Sylva Board of Commissioners and is active in local organizations, including the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Natalie enjoys exploring western North Carolina's mountains with her family.
Gabrielle Bailey

SUE
Gabrielle Bailey is a WNC-Based Actor, Director and Circus/Fight Performer. Recent roles include Ophelia in Hamlet, White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Murderland with the Montford Park Players, as well as Jo in Boom at Attic Salt. As a member of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she strives to connect her art and her heritage in order to bring awareness to the long term effect of colonialism and the ongoing efforts to preserve our culture. ᏍᎩ
April Dawn Hicks

AMY
April Dawn Hicks, born and raised in Highlands, NC, is delighted to read the role of Amy. Hicks believes in Calliope’s mission to bring new theatre to the Appalachian mountains, and has been involved with Calliope since the inaugural production, Calliope Shorts: Firsts in the fall of 2021.
SARAH ELIZABETH BURKEY

FOREST 1
Sarah Elizabeth Burkey is a recording artist & songwriter whose work has been featured on over 17 albums including Door of the Moon, When the Redbuds Bloom, Don't Die Yet, and Honeysuckle Vine. Sarah has toured 19 countries and earned an international reputation as an authentic voice for Roots Music.
Grace-Ellen Rison

FOREST 2
Grace-Ellen Rison is thrilled to participate in this reading of Sharon Mathis’ masterful play, WEB. Grace-Ellen is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major at Western Carolina University. Some of their favorite credits include: Dorine in Tartuffe, Gertrude in Seussical, and their current role as a Swing in Legally Blonde! They want to thank everyone who has participated in Lit Fest and hopes you enjoy the reading!
Justine Gottschalk

NARRATOR / STAGE DIRECTIONS
Justine Gottschalk is completing her junior year at WCU's School of Stage & Screen, pursuing a BFA in Acting. Justine recently appeared as Lilith in WCU's She Kills Monsters and her work with the Asheville School of Film is set to premiere in the fall. She looks forward to furthering her connection with the blossoming theatrical community here in Sylva.
Gabrielle Miller

STAGE MANAGER
Gabrielle Miller is a graduating senior from the BA in the Stage and Screen program at WCU! Most recently, she served as the Stage Manager for Stage & Screen's production of Tartuffe, the Associate Stage Manager for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and the Assistant Stage Manager for Quilter's the Musical! Gabby is excited to work on this project with Calliope Stage and hear this story come to life.
ASHLEE WASMUND

DIRECTOR
Ashlee is the Founding Artistic Lead of Calliope Stage, working professionally as a director and choreographer around the country. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director and Movement Director for the Off-Broadway premiere of The Greatest Hits Down Route 66 at NYC’s 59e59 Theatre. She has served on the Faculty at WCU’s School of Stage & Screen for the past 8 years.
Maggie Ashley

PRODUCTION MANAGER

About WEB…

In a hidden forest where extraordinary spiders are threatened by logging, a determined ecologist and

a mystical spider keeper clash over how to save them. When a young slam poet hunting for refuge shows up, each decides the newcomer is key to her own plans. The poet evades their webs. But as she becomes absorbed into the spiders' world, using poetry to meet their tests, she discovers she's becoming a spider herself. As she enters the forest's Web of life, she learns that saving it means one woman must die, and she will choose her.