ISIS PRODUCTIONS announces its March Production
‘Night Mother
by Marsha Norman
Cast Biographies
Renee Weisband (Thelma):
Renee Richman-Weisband* (SAG-AFTRA; AEA) is proud to be producing and performing as Thelma (Mama) in “‘NIGHT MOTHER”. This play to me is a beautiful love letter from daughter to mother and I am especially lucky to have Kirsten Quinn as my daughter.
Some of my other credits include Peter Pan at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as well as Winthrop Peru in “The Music Man”. I also performed roles in Neill Simon’s plays; Chapter Two,Jake’s Women, Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Prisoner of Second Avenue, as well as Ariel in the Tempest. My commercials range from a Grip it Wrench to Dodge Trucks and Sesame Place. Performing has been a passion but theatre and its connection to society has been as important. As a certified teacher I know the benefits of improvisation with all kids. I have always tried to pass down my knowledge to the kids and give them a love for the process. I have been a teacher at the Governor School of New Jersey when it was in existence,. I have always wanted to have a black box performance space for a place for my kids and all kids with a talent, whether it be dancing, singing or playing an instrument. I had to settle for a studio in my home where for over 20 years I have been passing on all different parts of the 8 theatre techniques and have been able to give my students a toolbox to use as they see fit.
I have also taken the reigns of a dying theatre company (www.isisperforms.com) and been able to keep it running, using local actors as well as myself. Theatre is a passion and a way of life.
I thank the entire crew of “‘Night Mother”: Neill Hartley who directed and gave us many chances to play with our choices, Damon Gelb for his set design, Shevy Johnson for his lights and sound, Wesley Reid for everything a stage manager does plus more, Bobby Fabulous for costumes and hair to help bring our characters to life and The Neighborhood House for the stage we are on. Thanks to Jaidy Schweers for our graphic deigns and program and Ann Stouffer-Thornton for the website.
I also want to thank my girls, Heather, Avi, Molli and Anni and my husband David for supporting my passion for telling stories as the performer and the producer. I also need to thank my many students (www.renees-studio.com) who help to keep me learning and honing my craft.
Kirsten Quinn (Jessie) is thrilled to be back working with Isis Productions after having appeared in House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body, Accomplice, Collected Stories, Too Much Sun, The Lyons, Frozen and Marvin’s Room. Kirsten holds an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (Acting) and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Community College of Philadelphia. She has also performed in plays at the Wilma, the Lantern, The Irish Heritage Theatre, The IRC, The PAC, Ego Po Classic, Seagull Productions, InterAct, The Eagle Theatre, The Eternal Spiral Project (founder), Center City Theatre Works, Walking Fish, New City Stage, Montgomery Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Luna Theatre, Dan Hodge’s Shakespeare at the Powel, and many others. Kirsten won the Phindie Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Female) for Molly Sweeney (2016-2017 Season). She was nominated along with the rest of the Ensemble for a Barrymore Award for Ego Po’s The Seagull (The show won best overall production of the year). Thank you to Renee, Neill, and this amazing team. Thank you to my students and colleagues from CCP. Love to Mom, T, Lauren, Fran and Rich (Mom and Dad), family and friends and special love to the greatest husband in the world, Ari Ben. Next up….New Electric Ballroom with IRC. Kirsten dedicates her performance to the Survivors of Suicide and to those who have lost their lives to suicide. Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.