About Us
The Hamilton-Gibson Women's Project began in 2016 as a result of the realization that more women than men audition for HG plays, and that there were often more roles for men than for women. Barbara Biddison, Linda Iseri, and Lilace Guignard volunteered to work together to provide leadership to address this clear need. In 2018 Jessie Thompson joined Barbara and Lilace at the helm, after Linda Iseri left the area. Today, the Women's Project is led by long-time HG members Lilace Guignard, Kacy Hagan and Yolie Canales,
​and Barbara Biddison holds an honored Emeritus position.
HGWP helps women connect in a variety of ways in the context of theatre arts. Since its inception, women have had greater opportunities to act, but also to write, direct, design (sets and lights), run sound and light boards, and produce eclectic entertainment for Northcentral Pennsylvania. Some seasons there are opportunities for men to act, direct, help backstage, and take workshops. We are grateful for several grants over the years from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and for our loyal sponsors.
Whether you like the spotlight or the backstage blue light—and even if you only have a day here and there—you can be part of HGWP!
2016
HER VOICES—April
26 women reading short nonfiction essays by women in readers theatre fashion, with two female musicians during intermission
Producers: Barbara Biddison, Lilace Guignard, and Linda Iseri
WRITING WORKSHOPS—Summer
Memoir-writing workshops preparing for fall performance
Instructors: Pat Davis and Linda Williams
WOMEN’S PROJECT WEEKEND—September 30-October 2
Memoirs—20 women wrote and performed
Short Play Festival—6 women directed short plays, most first-time directors
Workshops—Amy Rene Byrne from Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble held workshops in improvisation and stage combat.
2017
PLAYWRITING WORKSHOPS—February
20 women learned about writing a ten-minute one act
Instructor: Clare Ritter
FEEDBACK READINGS—March & April
4 sessions in which drafts of plays were read aloud and discussed; 25 women attended
Facilitator: Clare Ritter
WHAT SHE WROTE—October 26, 27, 28, & 29
Producer: Clare Ritter; Set Designer: Linda Young
5 original plays by 5 women were accepted and directed by 5 women; casts consisted of men and women
2018
WORKSHOPS ON INTERPRETATION & ADAPTATION—February
Over three workshops, 20 women learned why and how directors are increasing opportunities for women to play nontraditional roles by adapting or genderbending familiar works and discussed the history of women in theatre.
Instructor: Lilace Guignard
READ-AROUNDS—March & April
15 women gathered over 4 sessions to read aloud from a variety of scripts, exploring men’s roles and non-traditional women’s roles, including scripts written or adapted by local women.
Facilitator: Linda Iseri
CHANGE OF SCENERY—October
Producer: Lilace Guignard; Set Designer: Linda Young
5 women wrote and adapted a variety of short plays and monologues exploring gender roles on and off stage, 6 women directed, casts involved 25 men and women, stage design, lights, and sound all designed and run by women
2019
WORKSHOPS
Saturday, May 18
Acting Workshop for ages 12-Infinity
Instructor: Dave Hugo, Long Island University/Post Theatre
Friday, July 26: Intro to Directing
Saturday, July 27: Intermediate Directing
Instructor: Anna Ward, Appalachian State University
LET’S CAST SOME LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT—October 11, 12, and 13
Produced by Barbara Biddison and Colleen Evert; Set Designer: Linda Young
Short pieces with one or two actors; male and female
2020
SHREW (postponed due to pandemic)
Producer: Clare Ritter; Set Designer: Linda Young
WORKSHOP—August 22
Four Keys to Authentic Acting
Instructor: Jessie Thompson
2021
WORKSHOPS
Writing— Spring/Summer
13 women learned to research a local/Pennsylvania woman from any time period and write a monologue in her voice.
Instructor: Lilace Guignard
Directing— June 26
Women learned how to work with an actor to develop a character and run focused rehearsals.
Instructor: Jessie Thompson
WOODPECKER LIPS—October & November
12 women performed original monologues of local/Pennsylvania women, historical and contemporary: Tabitha Ann Wilcox, Mary Cassatt, Edna Goodwin, Marietta Butler Sears, Rachel Carson, Mary Jemison, Joan Jet, Nellie Bly, Cornelia Bryce Pinchot, Alison Bechdel, "Queen Anne" of Slate Run, and Mary Wells Morris. This production was the culmination of a year's time and over thirty women.
Co-Producers: Jessie Thompson and Lilace Guignard
Six performances; the last three were sold out
2022
FOOLISH FISHGIRLS AND THE PEARL
Producer: Kacy Hagen
Director and Set Designer: Linda Young
November 11, 12, and 13
2023
EXPLORING UNCHARTED TERROIR: A WINE TASTING & TALK
​HGWP Fundraiser April 15
THE MOONS OF JUPITER
April 20, 21, 22, and 23
Produced by Linda Kennedy and Directed by Lilace Guignard
A cast of 19, ranging from age 11 to 86. Half the performances were sold out.
