Truth Be Told
Written by
William Cameron
Directed by
Kim T. Sharp
Feb. 19 - Mar. 9
Truth be Told is a gripping psychological drama that unravels the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy through the eyes of two mothers on opposite sides of a devastating event. When true-crime writer Jo Hunter visits Kathleen Abedon—a grieving mother whose teenage son, Julian, carried out a mass shooting that left fourteen dead, including himself—she expects to uncover the cold, hard facts. But Kathleen insists her son was framed, forcing Jo to navigate a minefield of grief, denial, and conflicting narratives. As their tense encounter unfolds, Truth be Told challenges our understanding of justice, media influence, and the elusive nature of truth itself. In a world where facts are constantly questioned and reality is shaped by those who tell the story, how do we decide what to believe?
"Truth Be Told compellingly reminds us that people know others in unique ways, which doesn't excuse the evil(s) of said others but rather adds to the truths about them."
Thinking Theater NYC
Thinking Theater NYC
Cast
FRANCESCA RAVERA (JO)
Francesca Ravera is a New York-based, award-winning actress. She starred in The Hummingbirds by Garret Jon Groenveld at Chain Theatre, a dystopian play that also toured Italy following its successful New York premiere. Her Off-Broadway credits include lead roles in Constellations by Nick Payne at Gene Frankel Theatre, which also toured Italy, Blackbird by David Harrower at the New Ohio Theater, Two Rooms by Lee Blessing at Access Theater, North of Providence by Edward Allan Baker, and The Nina Variations by Steven Dietz at Chain Theatre. She also starred in productions at Urban Stages Theatre, including Espresso by Lucia Frangione and The Way We Get By by Neil LaBute, which toured Europe. Francesca has appeared in the feature film Ulysses: A Dark Odyssey and played the lead in the dramatic short film Claire, earning 'Best Actress' awards from numerous festivals. She has also featured in several short films, including Creature of the Night directed by Kaya Tone, Osiris directed by Tamara Hansen, and Windows to Nowhere, another film by Tamara Hansen. Francesca serves as a jury member for the New York Movie Awards and The Telly Awards.
MICHELLE PARK (KATHLEEN)
Michelle Park started performing on stage at the wee age of 4 as a classical pianist. She graduated from the Juilliard School of Music, Pre-College Division and played concerts at Lincoln Center and concert halls around the world. Michelle went on to get a liberal arts degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, an AAS in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and have careers in finance and fashion before finding her way back to the stage and film via intensive training at HB Studios. She continues to study with their legendary and inspiring instructors. Michelle has appeared in over 15 films, TV and theatre productions in both comedic and dramatic roles. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons and puppy, Story.
Francesca Ravera is a New York-based, award-winning actress. She starred in The Hummingbirds by Garret Jon Groenveld at Chain Theatre, a dystopian play that also toured Italy following its successful New York premiere. Her Off-Broadway credits include lead roles in Constellations by Nick Payne at Gene Frankel Theatre, which also toured Italy, Blackbird by David Harrower at the New Ohio Theater, Two Rooms by Lee Blessing at Access Theater, North of Providence by Edward Allan Baker, and The Nina Variations by Steven Dietz at Chain Theatre. She also starred in productions at Urban Stages Theatre, including Espresso by Lucia Frangione and The Way We Get By by Neil LaBute, which toured Europe. Francesca has appeared in the feature film Ulysses: A Dark Odyssey and played the lead in the dramatic short film Claire, earning 'Best Actress' awards from numerous festivals. She has also featured in several short films, including Creature of the Night directed by Kaya Tone, Osiris directed by Tamara Hansen, and Windows to Nowhere, another film by Tamara Hansen. Francesca serves as a jury member for the New York Movie Awards and The Telly Awards.
MICHELLE PARK (KATHLEEN)
Michelle Park started performing on stage at the wee age of 4 as a classical pianist. She graduated from the Juilliard School of Music, Pre-College Division and played concerts at Lincoln Center and concert halls around the world. Michelle went on to get a liberal arts degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, an AAS in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and have careers in finance and fashion before finding her way back to the stage and film via intensive training at HB Studios. She continues to study with their legendary and inspiring instructors. Michelle has appeared in over 15 films, TV and theatre productions in both comedic and dramatic roles. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons and puppy, Story.
Creative Team
Kim T. Sharp - DIRECTOR
Kim most recently directed Folded by Bara Swain at The Tank. Other directing credits include the New York premiere of The Hummingbirds by Garret Jon Groenveld at The Chain Theatre, which also toured Italy, Espresso by Lucia Frangione and The Way We Get By by Neil LaBute, both at Urban Stages, Constellations by Nick Payne at The Gene Frankel Theatre, and Blackbird by David Harrower at New Ohio Theatre. Also at Urban Stages, the NYC premiere of Will Snider’s Death of a Drive and Ronan Noone’s The Atheist. For Break A Leg Productions, he directed several presentations of Lauren Gunderson’s The Half-Life Marie Curie. He designed projection design for Urban Stages’ productions of People of the Book by Yussef El Guindi and the world premiere of Elenore and Alice by Ellen Abrams. A shout out to Frances Hill, Artistic Director of Urban Stages. Many thanks to Francesca, Michelle and the entire production team for their time, talent and good spirit. Gratitude to William Cameron for writing a play with compassion and anger.
William Cameron - PLAYWRIGHT
William Cameron is a playwright, director, actor, and educator. His plays have been performed around the country, including Theatre 40 in Los Angeles, the Harold Clurman Theatre in NYC, and the Curious Theatre Company in Denver. Bill’s plays include Violet Sharp, a prize-winning drama of the Lindbergh kidnapping (Concord Theatricals); Criminal Mischief Dramatic Publishing), a romantic comedy; and Every Livin’ Soul (Winner, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest 2022), a tale of Depression-era crime and redemption. In his 31-year tenure as a professor of theatre and communication arts at Washington & Jefferson College, William founded the College’s first academic theatre program and directed over 40 student productions.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous films, including Hoffa, Lorenzo’s Oil, and the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. Bill lives in Washington, Pennsylvania with his wife, artist and actress Susan Martinelli.
Elena Vannoni - SCENIC AND COSTUME DESIGN
Zee Hanna - LIGHTING DESING
Jo Calhoun - STAGE MANAGER
Michaela Lind - SOUND DESIGN
Katie Rosin | Kampfire PR - PUBLICIST
Kim most recently directed Folded by Bara Swain at The Tank. Other directing credits include the New York premiere of The Hummingbirds by Garret Jon Groenveld at The Chain Theatre, which also toured Italy, Espresso by Lucia Frangione and The Way We Get By by Neil LaBute, both at Urban Stages, Constellations by Nick Payne at The Gene Frankel Theatre, and Blackbird by David Harrower at New Ohio Theatre. Also at Urban Stages, the NYC premiere of Will Snider’s Death of a Drive and Ronan Noone’s The Atheist. For Break A Leg Productions, he directed several presentations of Lauren Gunderson’s The Half-Life Marie Curie. He designed projection design for Urban Stages’ productions of People of the Book by Yussef El Guindi and the world premiere of Elenore and Alice by Ellen Abrams. A shout out to Frances Hill, Artistic Director of Urban Stages. Many thanks to Francesca, Michelle and the entire production team for their time, talent and good spirit. Gratitude to William Cameron for writing a play with compassion and anger.
William Cameron - PLAYWRIGHT
William Cameron is a playwright, director, actor, and educator. His plays have been performed around the country, including Theatre 40 in Los Angeles, the Harold Clurman Theatre in NYC, and the Curious Theatre Company in Denver. Bill’s plays include Violet Sharp, a prize-winning drama of the Lindbergh kidnapping (Concord Theatricals); Criminal Mischief Dramatic Publishing), a romantic comedy; and Every Livin’ Soul (Winner, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest 2022), a tale of Depression-era crime and redemption. In his 31-year tenure as a professor of theatre and communication arts at Washington & Jefferson College, William founded the College’s first academic theatre program and directed over 40 student productions.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous films, including Hoffa, Lorenzo’s Oil, and the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. Bill lives in Washington, Pennsylvania with his wife, artist and actress Susan Martinelli.
Elena Vannoni - SCENIC AND COSTUME DESIGN
Zee Hanna - LIGHTING DESING
Jo Calhoun - STAGE MANAGER
Michaela Lind - SOUND DESIGN
Katie Rosin | Kampfire PR - PUBLICIST
The Gene Frankel Theatre - PRODUCER
The Gene Frankel Theatre has remained steadfast since Gene Frankel founded the theatre in 1949; finding and cultivating an audience that can share with us the discovery and excitement of theatre. Currently, the Gene Frankel Theatre is operated by Artistic Director Thomas R. Gordon. We are looking to give a home to artists that cultivate a theater that speaks not only of a socio-political change – but a personal change, the only truly manageable change that can lead to a new and better social, political, economic world. The work that has come from this venue for the last seventy-one years has had civil rights and progressive thinking at its core. Today this is more relevant and necessary than ever. We are looking to reach out to our community and invite its people in their whole to celebrate new thinking, new ideas and a deeply emotional positive change.
ARA Theater - PRODUCER
ARA is a multidisciplinary theater and production company with a combined 40+ years of experience working as performers and creators.
ARA is developing a new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Der Bau, and a devised theatrical event based on the text of Russian avant-garde absurdist Daniil Kharms amongst many other projects in both theater and film.
The Gene Frankel Theatre has remained steadfast since Gene Frankel founded the theatre in 1949; finding and cultivating an audience that can share with us the discovery and excitement of theatre. Currently, the Gene Frankel Theatre is operated by Artistic Director Thomas R. Gordon. We are looking to give a home to artists that cultivate a theater that speaks not only of a socio-political change – but a personal change, the only truly manageable change that can lead to a new and better social, political, economic world. The work that has come from this venue for the last seventy-one years has had civil rights and progressive thinking at its core. Today this is more relevant and necessary than ever. We are looking to reach out to our community and invite its people in their whole to celebrate new thinking, new ideas and a deeply emotional positive change.
ARA Theater - PRODUCER
ARA is a multidisciplinary theater and production company with a combined 40+ years of experience working as performers and creators.
ARA is developing a new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Der Bau, and a devised theatrical event based on the text of Russian avant-garde absurdist Daniil Kharms amongst many other projects in both theater and film.