The Way North

I thought, That’s what I want to do: protect, and serve
Until... Well, until it became something else
Until I wasn’t sure who I was protecting
Or who I was serving

Denise Lee, Kenneisha Thompson, Sasha Maya Ada and Donya K. Washington in rehearsal at Amphibian Theater

Denise Lee, Kenneisha Thompson, Sasha Maya Ada and Donya K. Washington in rehearsal at Amphibian Theater

Synopsis

When a lost, cold and very pregnant young woman stumbles on to her rural homestead in the Minnesota wilderness, Freddy Hanson doesn't hesitate to take her in. It's the right thing to do, and as the county's former Sheriff, Freddy has dedicated her life to protecting and serving others. But when her new guest turns out to be a Sudanese refugee making a run for the Canadian border, what it means to protect and serve becomes a more complicated, and far more dangerous, question.

Candy Brown and Mirirai Sithole, reading at Seven Devils Playwrights Conference

Candy Brown and Mirirai Sithole, reading at Seven Devils Playwrights Conference

cast

Freddy Hanson Black woman, mid 50s. Formerly the sheriff in a northern Minnesota county. Now self-employed as an outdoor adventure guide and outfitter.

Agnes Kuur Black woman, mid 20s. Sudanese refugee.

Alex Hanson Black woman (or mixed race), early 30s. Freddy's daughter. Lives in Minneapolis, MN. An accountant.

Dan Williams White man, mid 40s. Sheriff in a northern Minnesota county. Formerly Freddy's subordinate.

Playwright and Aaron Gallighan-Stierle in rehearsal at ANPF

Playwright and Aaron Gallighan-Stierle in rehearsal at ANPF

production history 

August 2020 Gloucester Stage, Never Dark Series, Director: Dawn Simmons
December 2019 Amphibian Stage, Metamorphosis Series, Director: Donya K. Washington
October 2019 Ashland New Plays Festival, Director: Kym Moore
July 2019 The Road Theater, Summer Playwrights Festival, Director: Chuck McCollum
April 2019 The Bridge Initiative, Bechdel Test Festival
April 2019 Pioneer Theater Company, Play-by-Play Reading Series, Director: Christy Montour-Larson
March 2019 Red Mountain Theater Company, Human Rights New Works Festival, Director: Cheryl Hall
January 2019 Phoenix Theater, New Works Festival, Director: Katie McFadzen
June 2018 Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Director: Donya K. Washington
June 2018 Capital Rep NEXT ACT! New Play Summit, Director: Kevin McGuire
(Honorable Mention: 2019 Kilroys List. Finalist: 2019 American Blues Blue Ink Playwriting Award, 2019 Boston Court New Play Reading Festival, 2018 O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, 2018 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2018 Creede Headwaters New Play Festival.)