December 2024
Flipping the Script - Issue 7
Hello Friends of FTSP!
This month, we are excited to once again place a spotlight on the incredible writer behind Someone Close To You, Melissa Borgerding.
Melissa’s thoughtful storytelling and ability to craft deeply human characters form the heart of this production. Her insights into the art of theater and her passion for the craft inspire us daily. This December, she shares her dreams for the play, her experience with Flipping the Script Productions, and the distinctive writing style that makes her work so compelling.
Without further ado, we invite you to hear directly from Melissa as she reflects on her journey.
Melissa Borgerding on Her Dreams for Someone Close to You
“My big dream is to see Someone Close To You on a Broadway stage. There’s something so magical and communal about live theater—whether it’s a lavish big-budget musical or a small, intimate family drama like this one. Theater is a shared experience that’s hard to replicate in any other art form.
I’ve always loved theater and Broadway, ever since my parents took me and my sister to see a matinee of The Phantom of the Opera when we were kids. Until then, I didn’t realize theater could be so exciting and cinematic! I remember I screamed when the chandelier started to fall. I was definitely hooked for life.”
On Finding Flipping the Script Productions
“The way I met Stephen [Rourke, FTSP founder] was a complete twist of fate — the type of plot twist that only happens in fiction. A few years ago, I entered an early draft of Someone Close To You into a local playwriting festival, never expecting much to come from it. As it turned out, Stephen was a reader and judge, and he reached out to connect with me. Total kismet!
My play didn’t place in the festival, but I got something much more rewarding: an incredible relationship with Stephen and Flipping the Script. Since then, Stephen has been so much more than a producer; he’s been a true mentor and supporter who’s passionate about lifting new artists and voices. It’s a privilege to work with Stephen and FTSP.”
Melissa’s Unique Writing Style
“I come from a family of fast talkers, so it’s only natural that my writing style and my dialogue reflect that. My characters talk fast. They talk a lot. They speak over each other and around each other and, often, past each other at a dizzying pace, but they rarely say exactly what they mean, and they never tell each other what they want or need.
Instead, most of the emotion and catharsis happens in the silences, the awkward pauses, and the things that aren’t said—at least, not outright. In Someone Close To You, and in most of my writing, the silences do the talking.”
Melissa’s passion for storytelling and her unique voice shine brightly in Someone Close To You. This talent is what immediately drew me to her work and, hopefully, it will do the same for you. She is a testament to the power of theatre and art, and the ways it can illuminate some of life’s most complex emotions.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We can’t wait to share more updates and bring Melissa’s vision to the stage. We can’t wait to see where 2025 brings Flipping The Script Productions and Someone Close to You!
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to share this email with friends, family, and fellow lovers of meaningful stories.
Warm wishes for the holiday season,
Stephen Rourke
Founder, Flipping the Script Productions
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
www.flippingthescriptshows.com
CONTACT MR. ROURKE’S PRESS REPRESENTATIVE
Jay Michaels Global Communications, LLC
jay.michaels.theatricals@gmail.com
jaymichaelsarts.com
