October 2024
Flipping The Script - Issue 5
HELLO, FRIENDS OF FTSP!
I am excited to share a heartfelt conversation I recently had with James A. Goins, the talented director of our upcoming production Someone Close to You.
I’ve shared before how the brilliant Melissa Borgerding has brought us a story that deeply resonates with me;
After having this touching conversation, I decided I wanted to take my opportunity in this monthly newsletter to tell you some more about James A. Goins. James is a truly versatile director, with over 35 years of experience in theater, musicals, and film. His credits include Of Mice and Men, Jesus Christ Superstar, Raisin in the Sun, Proof, and many more.
James' work has been showcased at respected venues such as the Mark Taper Forum Annex and New Musicals, Inc., where he’s collaborated with some of the best in the business. He brings a unique blend of creativity and sensitivity to his projects - as you’ll see in his delivery of Someone Close to You.
As the Executive Director of the Laity Institute of the Arts, James has devoted himself to teaching the visual and performing arts to both children and adults, making a lasting impact on the arts community. His experience and passion make him the perfect person to direct this show, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him at the helm of this production.
In the discussion below, James explains why he is so passionate about Someone Close to You, and why it is such a moving and universal experience for audiences.
James A. Goins
James A. Goins on Why He Is Deeply Compelled to Direct Someone Close To You
“Melissa Borgerding's Someone Close To You offers a deeply human exploration of love, mortality, and the complex bond between parent and child. At the heart of the story is Helen, a woman defined by her fierce independence, now facing the inevitable end of her life. Her son, Ben, driven by fear and protectiveness, sees her aging as a dangerous decline rather than the final chapter of a life well-lived. The poignancy of their relationship—Helen’s desire to live on her own terms, and Ben’s overwhelming need to shield her from risk—invites us to explore what it means to truly live.
Helen’s story is a testament to the dignity of maintaining agency, even in the face of death, and Ben’s is a reminder that overprotection can blind us to the beauty in life’s impermanence. This emotional core makes Someone Close To You an extraordinary vehicle for actors, who must navigate subtle emotional landscapes with vulnerability and grace, and for the audience, who will undoubtedly find echoes of their own relationships within these characters.”
Melissa also chimed in on her director, who she has come to deeply admire. We both believe that Helen and Ben’s story will be memorable for all who encounter it, and we are touched that James shares this belief.
Melissa’s comments are below…
“James is one of the most talented and accomplished people I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. He’s the definition of a Renaissance man. He’s a director; he’s a composer; he’s a writer; he’s a musician; and he’s a coach who elevates everything and everyone he works with. Watching him direct the very first reading of Someone Close to You in LA, I remember thinking he reminded me of a detective or a surgeon. He has this incredible ability to cut right to the beating heart of the story and draw these extraordinary elements and insights out of the characters that I didn’t know existed. It’s a remarkable and very humbling experience to see him in action.”
I hope you’ll keep Someone Close to You at the top of your mind while we seek opportunities to deliver this show to as many people as possible. Your continued support means the world to all of us.
Stephen Rourke
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
www.flippingthescriptshows.com
CONTACT MR. ROURKE’S PRESS REPRESENTATIVE
Jay Michaels Global Communications, LLC
jay.michaels.theatricals@gmail.com
jaymichaelsarts.com
