Exploration and Discovery

Jim Loutzenhiser and Sarah Newhouse

One of the things I love about working with new material is the possibility of being part of the creation. Having been working on existing material for quite some time, it's been a breath of fresh air to revisit the unique process of putting a new play on its feet. My early career was filled with new work; it seems like it was all I did for a while, as a young professional in NYC. Playwrights Horizons, Ensemble Studio Theatre, my own production company: my experiences were full of exploration & discovery. And some of those early writers I got to work alongside have been successful beyond what we imagined at the time.

But back to the here & now. It has been quite something to see the elements of this show come together. From my very first read of it, I knew the play was rich in atmosphere & loaded with feeling. It is about sin, 

religion, race and redemption. It has a specificity that cannot be ignored, yet it is about all of us. And it is a ghost story. Perfect for this season. I hope you enjoy watching it as much a I have enjoyed being part of the amazing team of artists that is bringing The River Was Whiskey to theatrical life!

- Sarah Newhouse