This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sackerson is a new Salt Lake City theater company with a mission to produce new works in "unconventional spaces." Which makes it fitting that the production of resident playwright Morag Shepherd's "Burn" is being produced at Avenues Yoga.
"We feel that theater often is a sacred space, and so this yoga studio feels like another spiritual place," says Dave Mortensen, who is directing the play and co-founded the company with Alex Ungerman and Daniel Whiting.
The restored studio features natural light, as well a big wall of windows and a garden-level entrance, Mortensen says, crediting owner-operator Chanda Charlesworth for her willingness to partner with the theater company. "Staging the show in this space takes it to the next level. It's more than a play, it's an experience," Ungerman said in a statement.
"Burn" tells the story of Allison, a woman who has recently left her faith and is contemplating leaving her family. The story includes her husband, sister and two daughters, as well as an ex-boyfriend who won't leave her alone.
Sackerson hosted a reading of the script in Ungerman's living room and worked with Shepherd to develop the play through multiple drafts over 18 months.
In 2015, Sackerson launched itself with another Shepherd play, "Poppy's in the Sand," at the inaugural Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, and then toured the show at this summer's San Diego International Fringe Festival.
Elizabeth Golden plays Allison, her first role since returning to Utah after earning an MFA from Birmingham School of Acting. To audition for the part, Golden submitted scenes her husband taped on an iPhone, and Mortensen says he was surprised by the nuance and connection the actor conveyed via video. "It was hard not to keep hitting 'play,' " he says.
The show pairs Golden with Shawn Saunders, playing an ex-boyfriend, Paul. Saunders has been in previous Sackerson shows, "and I would watch him any day of the week onstage" for the variety of acting choices he makes, Mortensen says.
McKenzie Steele Foster plays Allison's 7-year-old daughter, alongside Merry Magee, who plays 14-year-old Clair. They bring a real sense of play to their roles, the director says.
The company has scheduled an open-ended run, with shows continuing as long as there is audience demand, or if donors volunteer to sponsor additions.
Burn, baby, 'Burn'
Morag Shepherd's "Burn" receives a premiere production by Salt Lake City's Sackerson theater company.
Cast • Elizabeth Golden as Allison, Olivia Custodio as Ana, Aaron Kramer as Clark, Merry Magee as Claire, McKenzie Steele Foster as Riley, Shawn Francis Saunders as Paul. Dave Mortensen directs.
When • Open-ended run begins Sept. 30; plays Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; run continues as long as audiences are interested
Where • Avenues Yoga, 64 E. K St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $20 ($16 for multiples); sackerson.org or at the door; house is limited to some 50 patrons per night
Content • Language, and producers say the "play acknowledges the existence of sex."