ArtTalk – Drama at the Mill

Early records indicate that all the way back in 1921 locals performed Antons Chekhov’s “The Proposal” on the stage at Phillips’ Mill. It’s believed to have been the first play performed at the quaint location in Bucks County, Pa. That was the start of a long tradition of bringing live, community-driven theater to our community. From original musical comedies to cabarets, short plays and impromptu poetry readings, Phillips’ Mill Drama has presented a variety of entertainment while supporting the aspirations of emerging writers, actors, musicians, and other artists.

More than a century later the Drama Committee is still going strong. How exactly has the Drama Committee continued for 100 years? How has it evolved over the years to what it is today and where will it go tomorrow? Valerie Eastburn, Chair of the Mille drama program, and Fran Young, director of the Mill’s EPC readings, will be our guests on the next ArtTalk where we will pull back the curtain and get a peek at what’s next.

Valerie Eastburn

Valerie's first Mill performance was in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” She acted in numerous performances until she “retired” from the stage to fill a new role, motherhood. Once her children were older, she was called back to "service" in the early 1990's. Since then, Valerie has demonstrated her versatility as an actor, director and author of several musical comedy cabarets, including "Shad-en-Freude,” "Down the Rabbit Hole,” and "Wizard of Odds."

Valerie has worked to expand the Drama Committee’s programming with the Emerging Playwright Competition and first Premiere Showcase in 2018. It has continued to evolve with the start of Play With Words, a youth playwriting challenge.

Fran Young

Fran Young has a BS in Theater and English Northwestern University where she appeared in numerous productions. She taught English and Theater Arts at Verona High School in New Jersey for 39 years and was director of the VHS theater program. She retired from teaching in 2016 when she moved to New Hope and has since become active in local theater. She is a member of Playwrights’ Bridge and the Phillips’ Mill Community Association’s drama committee. She has performed in numerous local readings, the Manhattan Repertory Theatre in NYC, New Hope Repertory Company and on the Phillips’ Mill stage in 3 Ring Circus and Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It, which she also directed. Fran performed in the 2019 Emerging Playwright Competition readings and went on to direct and perform in the Mill’s 2020 and 2021 EPC readings. She will be directing the 2022 EPC readings as well. She also performed in Rick Goodwin’s Bleeding in Black and White, this year’s Premiere Showcase production at the Mill.

‍