True Life – A Shooter’s Story
Video Introduction May 3, 2024
Many of the stories and plays that I write are initially motivated by a conversation where an interesting circumstance is revealed. This was particularly the case with the writing of “True Life – A Shooter’s Story”.
In a conversation with my friend and colleague, Dr. Orin Bolstad, we were exploring the theological distinctions regarding repentance when harm has been committed. Orin is a forensic psychologist and a sincere Christian. For a few years, I was his colleague at Morrison Center where I was engaged in therapy with adolescent offenders. Most recently, we have been studying theology, philosophy and scripture. As a serious Jew and as a good friend, this conversation has been enriching for me. The discussion of Christian Grace, the forgiveness of sins through confession and absolution stood out to me as significantly distinct from the concept of repentance which is a highlight of Yom Kippur but also has a place in the daily Jewish liturgy.
This Jewish theology is reflected in the Medieval writings of Moses Maimonides who reflected on the process of owning up regarding misdeeds, repentance and apology, and then reshaping ones point of view and behavior so as to avoid a repetition of the wrongdoing when the opportunity occurs.
Orin shared that his work as a psychologist with offenders who are serving True Life sentences, where they are never to be released or paroled, included an intervention where offenders and family members of murder victims met with a therapist to provide an opportunity for confession and repentance. Thus, the play was conceived.
This short play is divided into three acts where we see the progression of both the perpetrator of an atrocity and the efforts of a clinician working with him in the hope of finding a form of atonement. It is a dark and tragic story which attempts to provide some insight both regarding a criminal and a therapist who seeks to open the door for accountability and a small amount of mercy.
The play was recorded as a staged reading on April 18, 2024 at the Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) in Portland, Oregon as part of the Fertile Ground Theatre Festival. I am grateful to ART, the Portland Area Theater Alliance, our Director, Sarah Lucht and her cast, and to our videographers, Rob Hoffman and Dennis Maxwell. Your feedback and comments are welcomed.
Talk Back
Join David Fuks and Dr. Orin Bolstad as they review the reading.
This play is being made available for reader comments and feedback. Thank you!
About the actors
Playing Rachel Silver – Sarah Lucht has worked for The Actors Conservatory (where she also serves as a core faculty member) directing For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (by the late, great Christopher Durang) and The Universal Language. She is a member of Actors Equity and SAG/AFTRA…and appears in this reading courtesy of AEA Members Project. Sarah is a member of the Resident Artist Company at Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) and a founding member of The Portland Shakespeare Project.
Playing Winter Gordon – Corey Silver is very excited to make his Fertile Ground debut in True Life. He has been trained by The Actors Conservatory, and has
most recently been in 1984 and The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart with Artist’s Repertory Theatre
(ART), and Never in My Lifetime with TAC Theatre (Amory). Corey wants to thank his parents and loving wife for their constant support.
Playing Jack Gordon – Tom Walton is excited to be bringing this thoughtful and relevant piece to life with such a talented cast. Tom has been acting professionally in the Portland area for the past 25 years for various theater, film, television and print projects. As always, Tom would like to thank his beautiful wife Rhianna and their charming children Halle and Leda for letting him come out to play.
Playing Officer Hawkins – Will Futterman recently appeared in Lakewood Theatre’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace. He has also appeared in The Oregon One-Act Festival at Portland Center Stage as a student of Actors Conservatory, as well as Experience Theatre Project’s production of Clue, Twilight Theatre’s productions of Equus and No Sex Please, We’re British. Will also was in It’s a Wonderful Life – the Radio Play with New Century Players, a staged reading of Maytag Virgin with Clackamas Rep, and did a brief stint with Eddie May Mysteries. Prior to Portland, Will spent more than 10 years in Bend, Oregon, where he was involved in more than 30productions with The Cascade Theatrical Company.
Playing Terri Malone – Karlyn Love is primarily a director who dabbles in acting occasionally. Her last stage appearance was in Steel Magnolias at Clackamas Repertory Theatre where she played M’Linn. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Lakewood Theatre,
Karlyn played Mrs. Slocum. Karlyn directed A Few Good Men at Lakewood Theatre this year and recently directed Man of La Mancha and Old Ole New Love for Clackamas Repertory Theatre (CRT). She taught theatre for 30 years at Oregon City High School where she directed over 90 shows!
Dr. Orin Bolstad is a Forensic Psychologist who has worked with young men convicted of murder. Earlier in his career he was Executive Director of the Morrison Center – a mental health provider of services for children, youth and families. “True Life – A Shooter’s Story” was inspired by his work.
View the True Life reading program.
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