When star sex blogger and memoirist Ethan, tracks down his idol, the gifted but obscure novelist Olivia, he finds they each crave what the other possesses. As attraction turns to sex, and they inch closer to getting what they want, both must confront the dark side of ambition and the near impossibility of reinventing oneself when the past is only a click away.
Sex With Strangers
Jan 20 - Feb 20, 2016
American Hero is a supersized dark comedy about life, liberty, and the pursuit of sandwiches.
Meet The Cast
Matt Lockwood
Ethan
Matt Lockwood is thrilled to be returning to the stage in his first production with Detroit Public Theatre! His most recent stage work includes playing the roles of Matt in Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead and The Young Soldier in Last of the Boys, both with Magenta Giraffe Theatre Co. in Detroit. During his time away from the theatre, Matt was involved in numerous film/TV projects, most notably starring as the drug addled Bobby in the gritty Detroit drama Misled. He will also be seen playing the role of Shaun in the soon to be released drama Madtown starring Milo Ventimiglia, and as Eddie in the comedy The Pickle Recipe. Matt is a graduate of the acting program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in NYC, and studied extensively at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
Hallie Bee Bard
Olivia
Most recently, Hallie was seen at Detroit Public Theatre in the world premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle. Other recent credits: Gretchen (Boeing Boeing), Hallie Jackson (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) here at Tipping Point Theatre, and Olivia (Sex With Strangers) at Detroit Public. Hallie earned her BA from Alma College, was a Purple Rose Theatre apprentice, and is grateful to be able to quilt together an artistic life in her home state of Michigan. Hallie is a Reiki Master and mama to 3 of the most marvelous firecrackers on the planet.
Meet The Creative Team
Frannie Shepherd-Bates
Director
Frannie Shepherd-Bates is an accomplished prison theatre practitioner, director, educator, designer, choreographer, administrator, and performer.
Frannie is the founder, director, and lead facilitator of Shakespeare in Prison (SIP), Detroit Public Theatre’s signature community program. She began SIP in 2012 (under the auspices of Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company, which she led from 2008-2014) as its sole volunteer facilitator and administrator, personally handling every aspect of the program.
Since those early days, Frannie has worked with the prison ensembles (and alumni!) to develop the structure, objectives, and pedagogy of the program; developing a culture of warmth, openness, professionalism, and dedication. In 2015, the program moved from Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company as it dissolved to Detroit Public Theatre as it was founded.
In addition to her prison work, Frannie has directed plays for many of southeast Michigan’s theatres; including Detroit Public Theatre, Williamston Theatre, Tipping Point Theatre, Shakespeare in Detroit, Planet Ant Theatre, and Water Works Theatre Company. Her work with youth includes programs and productions with Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus, the Roeper School, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and Matrix Theatre Company. She also served as Director of Programs for Detroit Public Theatre, and Director of Education for Water Works Theatre Company for several years.
Frannie has been recognized for her work as an artist and arts advocate by the Wilde Awards (Critics’ Choice 2013; Best of the Bard 2015; Best Play nomination 2016), the Pulsar Awards (Best Play 2017), and CBS Detroit, and she accepted an Arts Achievement Award on behalf of MGT from WSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance. She has spoken about prison theatre at conferences such as Shakespeare in Prisons (2013, 2017), Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (2017), Art X Detroit (2015), and Human Rights Through Education (University of Michigan, 2013). She has been featured numerous times in local, regional, national, and international media for her work in prisons and as an artist.
Frannie graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA in theatre (acting) in 2006.
Sarah Pearline
Scenic & Props Designer
Sarah Pearline has worked as a set and projection designer in New York City and regionally with such companies as Titan Theatre Company, Circus Flora, St. Louis Symphony, Experimental Theatre Wing and Richard Foreman, Prospect Theatre Company, SoHo Think Tank, The NYC Fringe Festival, Nickelodeon Networks, and NY Stage and Film. Sarah is an Assistant Professor in the Theatre and Dance department at Wayne State University and a graduate of the Yale School of Drama. Locally, she has had a wonderful time working with The Purple Rose Theatre, Tipping Point Theatre, Carrie Morris Arts Production and PuppetArt Theatre, Satori Circus and the DIA, and, she is thrilled to be working with the artists of Detroit Public Theatre on this production!
Cecilia Durbin
Lighting Designer
At DPT: Marie and Rosetta, Murder Ballad, Sex with Strangers; Other Designs: Sense & Sensibility, Love Alone (Playmakers Rep); South Pacific (Triad Stage); Disgraced (Portland Stage Co & Hangar Theatre); The Taming of the Shrew (Chautauqua Theatre); Sex & Other Disturbances (Portland Stage Co), The Little Red Fish (NYC Children’s Theatre), All Shook Up, On Golden Pond (New London Barn Playhouse); Hyena (La MaMa, Edinburgh Fringe, United Solo [Best Lighting]); In the Blood (Theatre Horizon [Barrymore nomination]); Martyrs, Don’t Feed the Indians, Amy Surratt’s First & Last (Show) (La Mama); Stranger from Paradise (Opera Omaha); The Life Model (On the Boards); Numb (Goat in the Road Productions, JACK); Lust (HERE Arts Center); Measure for Measure (Epic Theatre Ensemble); We Are Proud to Present a Presentation…(InterAct Theatre), A Soldier’s Tale (The Bushwick Starr/The Puppet Kitchen). MFA from NYU; member USA 829. www.durbinlighting.com
Vince Kelley
Costume Designer
Vince Kelley couldn’t be more excited to play a small part in Detroit Public Theatre’s inaugural season. Having just returned to Detroit after a few years away, it’s such an honor being asked to be involved in something so dedicated to the revival of this great city. Vince’s work can mostly be seen onstage at The Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale, where he specializes in making men look like beautiful ladies.
Julia Garlotte
Sound Designer
This is Julia’s first sound design at DPT. She is a graduate of The University of Michigan’s Residential College and the apprentice program at The Purple Rose Theatre, where she is an associate artist. Julia has also been seen onstage in many southeast Michigan theatres; most recently in The (female) Odd Couple at Tipping Point Theatre, Art of Murder at Williamston Theatre and King Lear with Shakespeare in Detroit (2015 Wilde Award Winner: Best Performance, The Bard).
