OutCast Productions Presents Staged Reading of This Could Be Paradise

Langley, WA – This Could Be Paradise, a staged reading of an original play by anthropologist and playwright Sara Jo Breslow, will be presented at OutCast Productions at the Black Box Theater in Langley at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

This thought-provoking work explores Washington’s Skagit River Valley, bringing to life the voices of local Native Americans and farmers, old-timers and scientists. The characters and dialogue are derived from real-life interviews conducted between 2001 and 2009 by anthropologists Breslow, Ed Liebow, Dori Bixler, and dramatist Todd Moore.

In an artistic interpretation of anthropological research, Breslow’s play dramatizes an unresolved environmental dispute and seeks to humanize historically divided communities.

“I often wished I could invite farmers to listen to interviews with Native Americans or restoration advocates to listen to interviews with farmers,” Breslow wrote.

“Through theater, I could bring this imagined dialogue to life—a play, unlike a PhD dissertation, requires its audience to come together in the same room, perhaps for the first time, and witness a conversation that until now has only taken place inside my head.”

The reading is a critical juncture for Breslow, offering her a rare chance to see how the script resonates onstage with a live audience. Breslow hopes to gather constructive feedback from attendees, directors and actors to refine the script and move toward a definitive version. Her aspiration extends beyond revision; she seeks to captivate collaborators from both local communities and the theater world who might help transition this work into a full production.

For the audience, Breslow envisions the play as a mirror reflecting the complexity and humanity of environmental issues. Her hope is to inspire curiosity, perhaps even discomfort, prompting attendees to question assumptions and discover new facets about their region and its people.

“In general, my hope is that the play illustrates how our environmental problems are deeply human, and that the humans and human issues involved are complicated and deserving of our attention and compassion. Perhaps understanding this is not only a way through our ecological crises, but could be key to our political ones, too,” Breslow said.

This staged reading of This Could Be Paradise, which feels at times like a poem, promises to be a compelling exploration of environmental justice, community perspectives and entangled histories. A talkback with the playwright, directors and actors will follow the 4 p.m. Sunday, June 29 performance. Everyone is welcome.

Tickets for This Could Be Paradise can be purchased online at www.outcastproductions.net or by emailing ocp@whidbey.com.