BHCT’s Reading & Discussion Series pairs readings of plays with an open discussion led by a local humanities scholar. The 2021-22 series, Translations & Transformations, features four plays on a variety of topics ranging from grief to parenting to politics. Audiences are invited to stay after each reading to engage in an open discussion with a local humanities scholar, share their experience of the play and explore the ideas raised. Discussions will focus on the fields of theatre history, literature, linguistics, and sociology.

The reading and discussion series is 'pay what you can'

Previous 2021-2022 Season Readings

Or by Liz Duffy Adams
Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:30pm 
Playwright Aphra Behn struggles to complete her first script in one night - despite the distractions of new love actress Nell Gwynne, and former loves King Charles and his spymaster.
Scholar: Merlyn Q. Sell
Director: Alexis Evon

Or Cast
Aphra: Anne Tingley
Man (various characters): Samira Starbuck
Woman (various characters): Amberlyn Johnson
Stage Directions: Amanda Prines and Katelyn Woten

Language of Angels by Naomi Iizuka
​Friday, October 22, 2021 at 7:30pm 
Seven friends reflect on the series of tragedies that occurred after a high school friend’s disappearance in this meditation on guilt and grief wrapped up in a Southern gothic ghost story.
Scholar: Dr. Laura Kremmel 
Director: Daniel Snethen
​Assistant to the Director: Lilly Schuh

Language of Angels Cast
​Seth: T. Streeter Woods
Celie: Pamela Wegner
Kendra: Jackie Waldie
JB: Sgt. Donn Hofmeister
Michael: David Andrews
Allison: Dennyce Korb
Danielle: Crissy Davies
Billy: Louie Night Walker
Ensemble: Scott Buchtel, Vince Vidal, Anne Torgerson

The Internationalist by Anne Washburn
Friday, February 18, 2022 at 7:30pm 
An American finds himself lost in translation while navigating romance and business in a foreign country.
Scholar: Lindsey Clouse
Director: Katelyn Woten

CAST:
​Lowell: Erik Thone
Sara: Samantha Riley
Nicol/Guard: David Andrews 
Irene/Anon Woman: Amanda Prines 
James/Bartender: Vince Vidal
Simon/Paul: Scott Buchtel ​

Birth and After Birth by Tina Howe
Friday, April 22, 2022 at 7:30pm 

Over the course of their son’s birthday, Sandy & Bill Apple compare their doting parenthood against their friends’ career achievements in order to determine who is more fulfilled and who has made the bigger sacrifice.
​Scholar: Dr. Kayla Pritchard
Director: Andrea Surovek

Cast:
Sandy: Anne Tingley
Bill: David Scott
Mia: Laura Savage
Jeffrey: Tom Powers
Nicky: Daniel Snethen
Stage Directions: Larry Harding

The Reading and Discussion Series is sponsored by Todd and Julie Brink and in part by the South Dakota Humanities Council.