The Hampton Theatre Company is launching the Celebrating Women in Theatre project. This three-season initiative, made possible by a generous grant from a private charitable foundation, will spotlight plays written and directed by women, addressing the longstanding gender imbalance in American theatre, especially on Long Island stages.
Mary Powers, who will direct Larissa FastHorse’s The Thanksgiving Play, was kind enough to share her thoughts with Hamptons.com. The Hampton Theatre Company will present this biting satire, opening on October 16th at the Quogue Community Hall and running through November 2nd.
How did this initiative come about?
In 2024, HTC applied for a grant to support the idea of Celebrating Women in Theatre, with an eye to addressing gender imbalances in American theatre, especially on Long Island. Winning the generous grant from an anonymous foundation has allowed the company to follow through by committing to opening each of the next three seasons with a play by a woman playwright directed by a woman. The series, now named the Jane Stanton “Celebrating Women in Theatre” project in honor of the company’s first resident director, opens the 2025 – 2026 season with “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse.
As a director, I was drawn to “The Thanksgiving Play” because it’s timely, thought-provoking, and genuinely hilarious. Throughout the rehearsal process, the cast and I have delved into the play’s themes and sharp satire. We’re especially looking forward to the post-show talkbacks, which will offer audiences a chance to share their perspectives and engage in meaningful conversation sparked by the play’s subject matter.
The Hampton Theatre Company board truly deserves a great deal of credit for their visionary leadership. They’ve been instrumental in expanding the company’s artistic direction — not only by creating meaningful opportunities for artists, but also by bringing exciting, high-quality theatre experiences to our audiences.
Can you share some insights into your career and experience working in theatre?
I’ve had the privilege of working in theatre for over 30 years as a director and producer. Most recently, I directed Strictly Murder and Now and Then, and produced Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for Hampton Theatre Company. Locally, I’ve directed at Theatre Three, Patchogue Theatre, and Guild Hall. Working on the East End has offered incredible opportunities — at Bay Street, I was fortunate to collaborate on projects with remarkable talents like Alec Baldwin and Julie Andrews. Now at HTC, I’m especially excited about the Celebrating Women in Theatre project, which is focused on creating more space for female playwrights and directors to grow and share their work.
For more info, hamptontheatre.org
