Vermont Stage introduces play by Shelburne native, performance stars Shelburne teen Gianna Kiehl

Playwright and Shelburne native Greg Pierce’s “Slowgirl” will be brought to life by the Vermont Stage Company at the FlynnSpace in Burlington on March 11-29. The show will be directed by acclaimed teaching artist Robin Fawcett and stars Lake Champlain Waldorf High School senior Gianna Kiehl of Shelburne and seasoned local actor Paul Schnabel.

“Slowgirl,” which premiered at the legendary Lincoln Center in New York City, is Pierce’s most prominent play to date and Vermont Stage is honored to finally share it with local audiences this season.

A teenager flees to her uncle’s Costa Rican retreat to escape the repercussions of a horrible accident in which she is accused of injuring a disabled student. “Slowgirl” is an intimate and elegant glimpse at two people seeking forgiveness and finding the courage to confront the past.

Pierce grew up in Shelburne and moved to New York shortly after attending Oberlin College. After a decade of hard work, his writing has started to become nationally recognized with plays produced by Steppenwolf in Chicago and The Geffen in Los Angeles as well as multiple collaborations with John Kander (of Kander and Ebb) the celebrated composer of “Cabaret” and “Chicago.”

The performance is directed by Vermont teaching artist Robin Fawcett who has worked as a theatre professional for 28 years in the roles of director, choreographer, educator, and creator of new works. Pierce is a former CVU student of Fawcett’s and this production will be their first professional collaboration.

Kiehl has participated in multiple community and professional theater productions in Vermont. She has made theater an important part of her life since the age of 6, starting with a role as a reindeer in “The Nutcracker” to co-directing and producing a musical at the age of 13. Most recently, she has performed with Shelburne Players, Middlebury Actors Workshop, and Middlebury Youth Company. In addition to her work in theater, Gianna participates in Vermont Youth Orchestra as a violinist and teaches violin and viola to eight students between the ages of five and 14.

Says Producing Artistic Director, Cristina Alicea of Kiehl “I am thrilled for Vermont Stage to support an emerging young artist such as Gianna. I’m certain we’ll all be saying ‘I knew her when,’ someday.”

Schnabel is a Vermont based actor/producer and co-founder and president of Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington’s Old North End.

With this show, Vermont Stage continues an ongoing collaboration with Greg Pierce, following the world-premiere of Pierce’s “The Quarry” last April. Producing Artistic Director Cristina Alicea says “It’s important for Vermont Stage to continue supporting Greg’s advancement as an emerging writer. It is also a special treat to be able to provide a place for Greg and Robin to collaborate together for the first time, helping to bring their relationship as student and teacher full circle.”

“Slowgirl” runs for three weeks at the FlynnSpace from March 11-29. Show times are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, Saturday matinee (first Saturday only) at 2pm, and Sunday matinees at 2pm.

For tickets call (802) 863-5966 or visit www.flynntix.org. For more information about Vermont Stage visit www.vtstage.org or call (802) 862-1497.