Awards
Unproduced feature-length screenplay adaptation of my psychological thriller/murder
mystery, Courting Death, has received the following awards in 2011:
Third Place -- Alaska International Film Awards
Third Runner Up, Feature Screenplay Drama -- Sacramento International Film Festival
Best of Category Official Finalist -- Mountain Film Festival
Official Finalist -- Honolulu Film Awards
Official Selection -- Beverly Hills Film Festival
Official Finalist -- Charleston International Film Festival
Official Finalist -- Amsterdam Film Festival
Unproduced feature-length romantic drama, A Year in the Life, wins a Bronze Screenplay
Remi Award in the Romance category at the 41st annual Worldfest International Film Festival in 2008.
Twin, produced by A Superior Breed of Wannabees, wins a Gold
Remi Award in the category of
Short Film Editing at the 40th annual Worldfest International Film Festival in 2007.
Press
Times Record News reviews Cinderella on Jan 24, 2011:
The Wichita Theatre's production of "Cinderella," which opened its 103rd anniversary season this weekend, is
much more than charming. It's about as sparkling, effervescent and magical as Cinderella's fairy godmother herself.
This grand musical production, with its generously-numbered cast, is one part pomp and circumstance, thanks to an
eye-wowing set by scenic artist Chris Jackson and set changes that were so quick, particularly the first big set change
from the marketplace to Cinderella's home, that the audience gasped a little to see a whole different scene had unfolded
right in front of them. The costumes, of course, are spectacular. The theater excels at take-you-to-another-place costuming,
this time by Lisa Jackson, Sarah Tonemah, Cheryl Jenkins and Alma Kitchens. And it wouldn't quite be a Wichita Theatre show
without the spectacle of it all, so expect spectacle aplenty, like pumpkins that turn into carriages, complete with little white
lights and turning wheels to give the illusion the carriage is moving across the land. Cinderella magically transforms from cinder
girl to beautifully dressed well princess, and little white mice somehow change into four white horses, right there on stage.
But beyond the pomp and circumstance, this production also is blessed with riches in the realm of talent. There isn't one weak
link in this musical fairy tale, based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein television version of "Cinderella." Everyone knows the story
about the kindhearted girl forced to be a servant to her unkind stepmother and stepsisters before her fairy godmother makes her wish
come true: to attend the royal ball and meet the prince. Lead actress Terrace Althouse, a welcome newcomer to the theater's stage,
brings Cinderella's kindheartedness to life, and her sweet voice completes the character, while Wichita Theatre veteran Andrew Duncan
charms as Prince Charming. But this really is an ensemble production with the cast touting unforgettable supporting turns. The four white
mice (Alyssa Minuto, Emma Sawyer, Jacqueline Schaeffer and Emily Spicer), cute as they are, are definite scene-stealers. But perhaps my
favorite at Saturday night's show was the hilarious Allison Fernberg as Cinderella's ridiculous stepsister Joy, with that laugh-snort of
hers, her stares at the audience and her impeccable comedic timing. She obviously had fun with the role, and it showed. The chemistry was
just right between her and Abbie James, who played Cinderella's other stepsister, Grace. They made for the perfect comedic duo. And Kimberly
Gordon also went to ridiculous extremes, and rightly so, to play Cinderella's awful stepmother. Carl Alfert took on the role of Prince
Charming's steward, Lionel. He, too, touts a fine sense of comedic timing.
The cast is rounded out by Joy Schaeffer and James Schaeffer as the king and queen (Joy Schaeffer also is the director),
Heather Silvio as the dove and I'm not sure who played Charles the cat at Saturday night's show, since two cast members are sharing
the role: Dru Sawyer and Jonathan Schaeffer. Musical direction is by Jerri Sparks with choreography by Bethany Talley. Just a note about this
production: Amanda Jackson will play Cinderella for some shows. "Cinderella" is a delightful, magical way to start off the season. It's
definitely charming, so be sure to catch the show, which plays on weekends through Feb. 19.
NY Theatre.com reviews Black Doll on July 23, 2008:
In playwright Scott Tobin's Black Doll, nicely directed by David Wells, Joan and Edward, a black couple, arrive
with a gift for Emily, Rachel and Don's new baby. Joan and Rachel are co-workers. The gift is a black Raggedy Ann
doll, and Emily loves it. The conflict that ensues indicates that this play may not be as much about racism, as
it is about knowledge and where it comes from. Learning from our children starts early. Russell Jordan gives a
particularly nuanced performance as Edward, who balances egregious insult with the tact of a guest who doesn't
know his host. Daniela Libertini does a fine turn as baby Emily. Heather Silvio, Daniel Wolfe, and Kiyoko
Hairston fill out the fine cast as Rachel, Don, and Joan, respectively.
Show Business Weekly names Confessions of a Wonderbabe Best Off-Off-Broadway Comedy of 2002:
Jennifer Ewing Pierce's Confessions of a Wonderbabe must be one of the funniest off-off-Broadway shows to be
performed in quite some time. It follows the trials and tribulations of Wanda Winsome, a forlorn superhero who
struggles with insecurities while also trying to save the world. With Dr. Evil-esque villains, characters suffering
with everything from glandular problems [this is from one of my lines!] to delusions of interspecies morphing,
and dancers introducing each scene in true comic book fashion, Wonderbabe keeps viewers on the edge of their
seats-except, of course, when they're on the floor rolling with laughter.
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