Theater 96: The Substitute

Jul 12

Summary

A recently hired Substitute teacher is surprised to find a loaded handgun in a desk drawer when she reports to school on her first day. Concerned, she makes a hurried call to the office and is informed by the office administrator that after a rash of mass school shootings in local schools the city council has passed a bill that will allow teachers to arm themselves to protect themselves and their students.

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Playwright Hoyt Hilsman

HOYT HILSMAN is an award-winning writer and journalist. He has written screenplays for studios and television networks, including Disney, Sony, New Line, Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS. His stage plays and musicals have been produced in theaters around the country and abroad, and have won numerous awards. He is also a contributor to national media, and has been a regular contributor to HuffPost and a theater critic for Variety.

Director

Bernadette Armstrong has been writing, directing, and producing successful plays in North Hollywood since 2000. Her most recent success occurred under the direst circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic forced the closure of live theater, including the premier of her play Custody, Bernadette’s disappointment led her to launch a new theater venue, Open-Door Playhouse. Open-Door Playhouse is a Theater Podcast – like the radio dramas of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Playhouse launched on September 15, 2020. At the time Open-Door Playhouse provided Playwrights, Actors and Directors a creative outlet during the shutdown. Since its inception, Open-Door Playhouse has presented Short and 1ACT plays from Playwrights across the country and internationally.

Cast

Elaine Mello as Mrs. Holcomb

Elaine Mello is excited to be participating in Open-Door Podcast. Elaine has been working with Bernadette on many projects and continues to do so because of her creative talents and willingness to seek innovative and thought-provoking material. Grateful to be part of such an accepting movement of the arts.