Michele Lowe's radiant play explores the possibilities that open up in the lives of an array of women as they come into contact with a certain strand of pearls. While the pearls are stolen, bought, bestowed, unstrung and nearly lost, 27 characters unfold in this deeply moving drama that is as fresh as it is funny. 
On the eve of her granddaughter Amy's wedding, Beth asks to see the pearls she gave Amy's mother long ago. When Amy cannot produce them, Beth determines to find the pearls. She takes us back to the time when she received them and then gave them to her daughter, who passed them on to her dearest friend Ela who lost them one Sunday morning. Spanning 35 years, the pearls touch the lives of mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, even husbands and wives as they weave a deeply affecting story of love and loss.

IN PERSON TICKETS ONLY FOR THIS PRODUCTION:
https://our.show/stringofpearls2024

CAST:

PATRICIA SCHMELTZ
Beth/Dora/Gloria

Trish is an actor, director, makeup artist, and property mistress. She has been acting since a very early age. She has an AA in Theatre Arts, and a BS in Business with a minor in Religion and Philosophy. She has studied at San Francisco State University, American River College and Sierra College. After an adventure in the business world, Trish has returned to theatre with a passion. She has acted in shows at SFSU, ARC, Sierra College, Free Fall Stage, TAAC, Resurrection Theatre, Theatre One, and Chautauqua Playhouse where she was on the board for seven years. Most recently she did an original show playing various roles at Theatre One - “Green Room Confidential”,  she played Amanda in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” at Chautauqua Playhouse. She has directed several children’s shows including “The Velveteen Rabbit”, “Santa’s Christmas Caper”, and “Secret Garden”. For their main stage she has directed “Sherlock Holmes and the Ladies in Distress”, “The Odd Couple” and “Perfect Murder” and most recently “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” which closed in February 2024. Trish’s passion for the “story” and how we connect to that as humans will always be something she wants to share with others. Trish thanks her husband for always supporting her dream of storytelling.

DANI WALSH
Abby/Hallie/Wanda/French Saleswoman

Dani Walsh is an accomplished local actress, stage manager, and small business owner of Of Land And Sea Co. She has stage managed multiple productions in Sacramento and has acted in several short films in the area including “Becoming Zombie” – premiering this year at A Place Called Sacramento film festival. When she’s not acting or stage managing you can find her at her store in Oak Park. She is excited to be a part of this production of Lungs!
 
Socials:
 @dani_walsh

@of_land_and_sea_co

HEIDI SCHUYLER
Amy/Linda/Victoria/Jitters

Heidi Schuyler is honored to be a part of the Women’s Wit & Wisdom Theatre Festival celebrating Women’s History Month! This will be her 5th time performing on the Ooley Theatre stage with EMH productions in two years. She was last seen at the Ooley, originating the role of Young Doris in Angel County by Shane Robert. She has had a passion for acting starting at the age of 6 and has performed in many stage productions since then. After a 5-year break from acting in 2016-2021, she was grateful to have found a place to get back into performing, fanning the flames of her greatest passion, with EMH Productions and The Artist’s Collective.

BETHANY HIDDEN
Stephanie/Denise/Roberta/Jeweler

Bethany Hidden was last seen at EMH as Ellen in MAPLE & VINE. She was also Evalita in DADDY’S DYIN’ WHO’S GOT THE WILL and more recently as a Space Witch in MACBETH IN SPACE: THE MUSICAL with TFO Productions. Favorites: LIFE SUCKS (Pickles, BroadwayWorld Sacramento Award Nominee - Best Supporting Player) with Big Idea Theatre; THE OUTSIDER (Louise), LEADING LADIES (Meg, Elly Award Nominee - Leading Female in a Comedy), DOUBLEWIDE, TEXAS (Starla), and THE LAST LIFEBOAT (Florence) with Main Street Theatre Works; FUDDY MEERS (Claire) and ACCESSORIES (Teacher/First Lady) with Errant Phoenix Productions: TOYER (Maude) with EMH Productions; SISTER CITIES (Dallas) with Resurrection Theatre; INSTANT ONE-ACT FESTIVAL (Various) and A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania/Hippolyta) with Imprinity Theatre; CARHOPS IN BONDAGE (Wanda) and SORDID LIVES (Bitsy) with The Lambda Players.

STACEY NASON
Ela/Erica/Kyle

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to join us for Women's Wit & Wisdom!! Stacey has been performing  in Sacramento and surrounding areas for several years. She is so pleased to be a part of this inspiring and moving festival that celebrates women; and hopes that you walk away feeling moved and inspired. Please sit back, relax, and make sure you have tissues as you laugh and cry through this exhilarating journey of women’s lives.

DENISE MAYBERRY
Helen/Kyle's Mother/Randy

ERIN DIMOND
Beverly/Josianne/Cheryl/Cindy

Erin is so excited to be returning to the stage and getting to revive an absolute favorite role in Beverly the overly experienced house wife and contribute a few new characters to the string of pearls cast! When not encouraging delightful acts of debauchery Erin can be found teaching yoga and movement classes, seeing clients in her esthetics studio, or off adventuring with her partner and his puppy! Many Thank yous to her family and friends for always encouraging and supporting her and to YOU for seeing the show and sending others!!

CREW:

ELISE HODGE - DIRECTOR

It is such a joy to be involved with this show a third time! And to director such a talented and beautiful cast has been a real joy. I am so very thrilled to be doing a piece I love for this festival. I have been a director and producer for over 15 years now and every time it is something amazing to work on. We hope you enjoy this festival and these stories of such wonderful women.

CANDACE ADAMS -
Assistant Director

Candace Adams has participated as an actor in community theatre productions over the years.
For the last five years she has been in ongoing playwriting groups at Central Works and with playwright Anthony Clarvoe, Berkeley, CA. as well as playwriting classes at the Oregon Contemporary Theatre. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Playwright Center.
Adams’ first full length play in 2012, Healing Grace, received four out of five stars in the
Sacramento News & Review. After reading about a stagecoach driver during the Gold Rush era, Adams wrote Rowin’ Up Salt River, with a staged reading at the Berkeley Rep Summer
Intensive Workshop in 2022. Adams is very excited to have recently joined The Artist’s Collective.

JENNI PARCELL -
Tech/Stage Manager

Jenni has been stage managing productions across the Sacramento area for over eleven years, including the former SARTA Elly Awards, and previously served as the Sacramento Ballet company manager. She also recently stepped into the virtual theatre realm by stage managing a live production within a video game. She is no stranger to performing herself, both as an actor and musician, but prefers the magic behind the scenes. The rest of her time is spent working in technology, enjoying good food and drinks with friends, and loving on her sweet kitties.