ACT 1
Someone’s Daughter
by Rhys Shaw (aka Ruby Sketchley)
read by Katherine Stroller
“Mjorgonlar, Class of '88”
by Nick Hugues (aka Brian Winters)
read by Stuart EW Smith
Raffle
* Intermission *
ACT 2
“It Starts With One”
by Kathy Lynne Marshall
read by Joella Aragón
“her deep, brown eyes”
by ayreÁnna Ross
read by Jennifer Smith
"Inside the Writers Studio"
20 Questions with the authors and Artistic Director p joshua laskey
Someone’s Daughter
by Rhys Shaw (aka Ruby Sketchley)
read by Katherine Stroller
“Mjorgonlar, Class of '88”
by Nick Hugues (aka Brian Winters)
read by Stuart EW Smith
Raffle
* Intermission *
ACT 2
“It Starts With One”
by Kathy Lynne Marshall
read by Joella Aragón
“her deep, brown eyes”
by ayreÁnna Ross
read by Jennifer Smith
"Inside the Writers Studio"
20 Questions with the authors and Artistic Director p joshua laskey
Kathy Lynne Marshall is a Black Ancestor Biographer who works as a Diversity and Inclusion specialist on behalf of our ancestors. She’s written eight books that enhance the American historical record with well-researched, factual accounts of the lives of women, enslaved African Americans, and other groups. As an instructor, she leads workshops to guide others in writing the untold stories of historically excluded individuals. Her successful genealogy research and self-publishing strategies can help anyone realize their inner author.
Kathy has been featured in Sacramento Magazine, The Sacramento Bee, The Sacramento Observer, Sacramento News & Review, and Elk Grove Citizen. She has been interviewed on CBS-TV and Fox40-TV, American Spark-TV and the Research from the National Archives and Beyond and other genealogy podcasts. She has delighted audiences at local and national genealogy and writing conferences. She has also served as a consultant to West Virginia’s Beverly Heritage Center. Kathy has won multiple book awards from the Northern California Publishers and Authors, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, and Sons and Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage.
As the exhibiting artist known as Kanika, her welded steel and ceramic sculptures have been shown and sold at the Crocker Art Museum, the California State Capitol, the California State Fair Fine Arts Show, her garden studio, and in the Maya Angelou Annual Fiber Arts Exhibit in North Charleston, South Carolina. For more information: KathyLynneMarshall.com, Kanika Marshall Art on Facebook, @KanikaMarshallArtBooks on Instagram, and Kathy Lynne Marshall on LinkedIn.
ayreÁnna Ross is a poet, writer, singer/songwriter, griefwalker, mother, partner and grandmother living in the Sierra foothills. she offers her words, music and voice to honor the wonder, grief, joy and magic of Life in these Uncertain Times. she loves reading paper books (especially on rainy days), cups of hot tea (pretty much any time) and deep conversations.
Rhys Shaw has always been interested in history, dilapidated ruins, stories of deceit and survival. Her belief that women are overlooked in history or blamed for mankind’s unsavory decisions is the reigning theme behind her gritty realistic historical fiction books. In The Welexia Series, Rhys draws upon her love of story to bring the pages alive with the personal struggles and pain of strong female characters, taking us on their journey to overcome and thrive. The series may be set in the 14th century, but there are many parallels to the world today.
Some of you will recognize Rhys Shaw and think she looks an awful lot like Ruby Sketchley. As an actor, Ruby has appeared on stage in Sacramento and at SOSS and SOSD. How did Ruby become Rhys? Growing up with a librarian as a mother, reading was encouraged, and she always wrote short stories. Setting out to write a book (only for herself) has turned into a four-book series. More books are on the way. Still historical fiction, but not so far in the past. It is with immense gratitude that SOSS is bringing an excerpt from Someone’s Daughter to Sacramento and both Rhys and Ruby are thrilled.
Brian Winters generally writes about the restless or the unshaven. His first book, Kangaroo (written under Nick Hugues), was published in 2022 and his work has also appeared in Manzano Mountain Review, Popshot Quarterly (UK), and Door = Jar. Having lived in Kansas, Idaho and Kentucky, he currently divides his time between Sonora, CA, and the internet.
Kathy has been featured in Sacramento Magazine, The Sacramento Bee, The Sacramento Observer, Sacramento News & Review, and Elk Grove Citizen. She has been interviewed on CBS-TV and Fox40-TV, American Spark-TV and the Research from the National Archives and Beyond and other genealogy podcasts. She has delighted audiences at local and national genealogy and writing conferences. She has also served as a consultant to West Virginia’s Beverly Heritage Center. Kathy has won multiple book awards from the Northern California Publishers and Authors, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, and Sons and Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage.
As the exhibiting artist known as Kanika, her welded steel and ceramic sculptures have been shown and sold at the Crocker Art Museum, the California State Capitol, the California State Fair Fine Arts Show, her garden studio, and in the Maya Angelou Annual Fiber Arts Exhibit in North Charleston, South Carolina. For more information: KathyLynneMarshall.com, Kanika Marshall Art on Facebook, @KanikaMarshallArtBooks on Instagram, and Kathy Lynne Marshall on LinkedIn.
ayreÁnna Ross is a poet, writer, singer/songwriter, griefwalker, mother, partner and grandmother living in the Sierra foothills. she offers her words, music and voice to honor the wonder, grief, joy and magic of Life in these Uncertain Times. she loves reading paper books (especially on rainy days), cups of hot tea (pretty much any time) and deep conversations.
Rhys Shaw has always been interested in history, dilapidated ruins, stories of deceit and survival. Her belief that women are overlooked in history or blamed for mankind’s unsavory decisions is the reigning theme behind her gritty realistic historical fiction books. In The Welexia Series, Rhys draws upon her love of story to bring the pages alive with the personal struggles and pain of strong female characters, taking us on their journey to overcome and thrive. The series may be set in the 14th century, but there are many parallels to the world today.
Some of you will recognize Rhys Shaw and think she looks an awful lot like Ruby Sketchley. As an actor, Ruby has appeared on stage in Sacramento and at SOSS and SOSD. How did Ruby become Rhys? Growing up with a librarian as a mother, reading was encouraged, and she always wrote short stories. Setting out to write a book (only for herself) has turned into a four-book series. More books are on the way. Still historical fiction, but not so far in the past. It is with immense gratitude that SOSS is bringing an excerpt from Someone’s Daughter to Sacramento and both Rhys and Ruby are thrilled.
Brian Winters generally writes about the restless or the unshaven. His first book, Kangaroo (written under Nick Hugues), was published in 2022 and his work has also appeared in Manzano Mountain Review, Popshot Quarterly (UK), and Door = Jar. Having lived in Kansas, Idaho and Kentucky, he currently divides his time between Sonora, CA, and the internet.
Joella Aragón is a retired elementary school teacher and a retired labor union representative for the California Teachers Association. She spent much of her childhood living in different countries around the world, including Belize, with her father, mother, brothers, sister, and her Mamacita Ella.
She spends much of her retirement life writing about growing up with a blind, mentally ill mother, her immigrant father from Belize, and her Mamacita Ella, also from Belize. As a child, Joella often felt deep shame about her family circumstances, but no longer. Her unique childhood is inspiration for almost every story she writes. It’s the lessons she learned while watching her family maneuver difficult times that inspires her writing today.
Jennifer J.K. Smith is thrilled to be performing for Stories on Stage Sacramento. Jennifer has spent most of her professional artistic life charming audiences across Northern California, both on and off the stage. A veteran teacher of 18 years, she has a long history of captivating students and young performers alike — a skill that translates into her storytelling. Jennifer thrives as the director of the performing arts programs for Ackerman Charter School District, including a robust musical theatre program, multiple choirs, and a large general music education system that she has designed and implemented. Jennifer is also a certified Kodaly Music Instructor, which allows her to use her singing voice to teach musical literacy while continuing our cultural musical heritage for future generations. Jennifer has received the “Teachers Who Make a Difference” award for her dedication to arts education in our region. A world traveler, wife, mother, and chocolate devotee, Jennifer's vibrant life experiences infuse her storytelling with a unique depth and captivating presence.
Stuart E.W. Smith, MFA, works as a teacher and theatre artist in Northern California. His original work includes many plays and writings, as well as his improvisational system, the Quiet Way. He currently works with the University of Birmingham, (UK) as he completes his Ph.D. in Quaker Studies.
Katherine Stroller is thrilled to be making her debut reading at Stories on Stage Sacramento. She is a local actor and character movement coach, having received her B.A. in Dramatic Art from UC Davis and is a graduate of Foothill Theatre Conservatory. As a writer, she’s excited to share a fellow author’s work and the love of storytelling. Most of her spare time consists of crocheting, predominantly stuffed animals, because, honestly, you can never have too many. Learn more at katherinestroller.com.
She spends much of her retirement life writing about growing up with a blind, mentally ill mother, her immigrant father from Belize, and her Mamacita Ella, also from Belize. As a child, Joella often felt deep shame about her family circumstances, but no longer. Her unique childhood is inspiration for almost every story she writes. It’s the lessons she learned while watching her family maneuver difficult times that inspires her writing today.
Jennifer J.K. Smith is thrilled to be performing for Stories on Stage Sacramento. Jennifer has spent most of her professional artistic life charming audiences across Northern California, both on and off the stage. A veteran teacher of 18 years, she has a long history of captivating students and young performers alike — a skill that translates into her storytelling. Jennifer thrives as the director of the performing arts programs for Ackerman Charter School District, including a robust musical theatre program, multiple choirs, and a large general music education system that she has designed and implemented. Jennifer is also a certified Kodaly Music Instructor, which allows her to use her singing voice to teach musical literacy while continuing our cultural musical heritage for future generations. Jennifer has received the “Teachers Who Make a Difference” award for her dedication to arts education in our region. A world traveler, wife, mother, and chocolate devotee, Jennifer's vibrant life experiences infuse her storytelling with a unique depth and captivating presence.
Stuart E.W. Smith, MFA, works as a teacher and theatre artist in Northern California. His original work includes many plays and writings, as well as his improvisational system, the Quiet Way. He currently works with the University of Birmingham, (UK) as he completes his Ph.D. in Quaker Studies.
Katherine Stroller is thrilled to be making her debut reading at Stories on Stage Sacramento. She is a local actor and character movement coach, having received her B.A. in Dramatic Art from UC Davis and is a graduate of Foothill Theatre Conservatory. As a writer, she’s excited to share a fellow author’s work and the love of storytelling. Most of her spare time consists of crocheting, predominantly stuffed animals, because, honestly, you can never have too many. Learn more at katherinestroller.com.
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Stories on Stage Sacramento Steering Committee
Jessica Laskey, Executive Director
p joshua laskey, Artistic Director
Sue Staats, Former Director
Kellie Raines, Writer, Performer, Videographer
Thank you to our intrepid SOSS volunteers!
Joella Aragon
Ana Cotham
Mike Kelly-DeWitt
Stories on Stage Sacramento Steering Committee
Jessica Laskey, Executive Director
p joshua laskey, Artistic Director
Sue Staats, Former Director
Kellie Raines, Writer, Performer, Videographer
Thank you to our intrepid SOSS volunteers!
Joella Aragon
Ana Cotham
Mike Kelly-DeWitt