Talking Heads and Bodies Dressed to Match

Presby Players have a new performance dimension at their annual monologue night.

Port Jervis. The audience at “Talking Heads: 2023,” the annual night of monologues by the Presby Players’ community theater, will see something extra this year: the actors will be dressed in costume.

“Costumes help in characterization,” said Jeffrey Stocker, artistic director. “Dressing the part can help the actor with intention and meaning behind the spoken word.” Stocker noted that one of the actors will be dressed as a Greek soldier to deliver a monologue from the movie, “The 300,” and another will have a contemporary costume when she performs a monologue from the movie “Barbie.”

Not all monologues will be from movies. DeBorah Green-Mattar will be dressed as a housewife when she appears on stage as Rose from August Wilson’s play, “Fences.”

“I chose this play because it reminds me of a dark period in my life when I was going through a divorce,” she said. “Rose is a housewife, a stay at home mom. She didn’t have a career, but she had dreams.”

The audience will also hear from Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Wendy Gavis-Lainjo chose a Ginsburg speech from the movie, “On the Basis of Sex,” written by Ginsburg’s nephew.

“It’s not a woman asking for equal justice, but a man, ” said Gavis-Lainjo, “I like doing monologues that have meaning for me, and they’re often about social justice issues.”

She said she looked at Felicity Jones’s outfit for the role and will wear a skirt suit.

A dozen actors will each perform at least two monologues. Stocker noted the diversity this year, with monologues about different topics and from various media.

Said Stocker, “The variety is quite interesting.”

“Talking Heads: 2023” will be performed at 7p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 10th and 11th. No reservations are needed and tickets can be purchased at the door. Tickets are $15, $10 for students.