Hannah D. Scott Begins Pre-Production on New Play JOANIE

Three years ago Hannah D. Scott received some notable press when she stepped into the Off-Broadway role of Hana Pravda in the Off Broadway play, THE GOOD AND THE TRUE, having a fleeting two days to learn, rehearse and memorize the entire show in time for the Off-Broadway opening and American premiere of the award-winning Czech stage drama.

These days, the classically-trained actress, writer and stunt-performer is giving new meaning to what the industry might describe as a "triple threat" by beginning pre-production on her new play, "JOANIE."

"It's funny because I think about this kind of thing all the time, how we are put things into categories of you're an A,B or C," says Ms. Scott. "A writer or dancer, a singer or actor...but as artists I think we strive to work in all mediums and that's the dream, in a way. To be versatile and always working in a variety of ways."

For Ms. Scott, versatility, and successfully working outside the boundaries, is business as usual.

"I have a wonderful acting teacher, Alan Langdon, and I remember him always saying things like 'what are you going to do about it? If you're not working, what are you going to do about it?' You can write, direct, read, take classes, dance, whatever it may be. The nature of being an artist is fluid."

Her new play was born when she went on the LAByrinth Ensemble Intensive for a week of workshops, and was inspired by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Ms. Scott says, "He spoke to the class and said 'write about what keeps you up at night', and that's exactly what happened. I felt like I had to tell this story, had to give voice to a marginalized population. I thought I didn't know how to write, but Stephen's words landed deeply with many of us. He's an incredible man."

Ms. Scott asks the audience to consider accepting as humans, some of the most marginalized in society - sex offenders and the elderly. The play presents two points of view that essentially seek better understanding and sympathy for a man who is fighting against "his very being and make up." and also asks us to consider the common reaction to elderly, especially those suffering with Dementia. "It's not uncommon for them to be forgotten, assuming that they no longer function enough to be moved, feel joy or sadness, or unable to express it."

"When we hear the term Sex Offender, it's too often that we jump to conclusions that someone has actually gone out of their way to find someone to 'attack'," she says. "The predator, the seedy, mustache twisting character in The Shadows can be a human struggling to live day to day. Struggling NOT to follow an urge."

In her play, "JOANIE," she brings us the story of "Chris," who is on work placement at a nursing home, having been a young offender on minor charges. He forms a bond with "Joan," an elderly resident at the home. Chris is, ironically, one of the best at his job, even though he is new and struggling to learn the ropes, perhaps being forced to take on duties he is not ready for due to the pressure felt but lack of funding and staff in care facilities. He cares deeply about the individuals. As is sadly and commonly the case, the homes are often overwhelmed, without resources or enough trained staff to carry out duties. The piece questions who is at fault, the system that put him in the home and failed to help a young man cope with his mind, or the system that is disintegrating with abuse or neglect, occurring at epidemic proportions due to lack of resources.

Breaking boundaries, the material, and subject matter, can be very complex, and perhaps controversial. "It is incredibly complex and I worried about the reception I could receive. I have had several readings to peers and public, it's been very encouraging feedback," says Ms. Scott.

"The important thing for me is to tell the truth, not sensationalize anything for the sake of attention. I want the attention to be brought to those who don't have a voice and hope for at least one person to go away wanting to know more, hear another side to a story, and being moved by the plight of another human."

She approaches the material with the same dedication she does her other skills. "There are also complexities in making sure the legal and medical terminology and so on are correct, I want this to be realistic. I want to tell stories I care about, hopefully help people in some way with social awareness in writing."

Adding a new dimension to the concept of the the "triple threat," as a writer, stunt performer, actor, Ms. Scott looks at it this way: "I was an athlete growing up and have always been incredibly physical. Some of the roles on stage have certainly required a great degree of physical work, like 'Butoh Electra', but with stunts, opportunities started to come my way and I became very passionate about being a stunt performer. I began to find a way to pursue it."

Not shy to take on challenges, we asked if she thinks she can take on all three skill sets. "Absolutely, and there are plenty of roles that require stunt actors for TV and film. As for the writing, that is something anyone can try. I'll undoubtedly fund the next workshop of the play from the stunt work and hopefully the play will have a real future."

Ms. Scott is currently moving forward on pre-production for this project, but also staying busy with her other skill sets. She recently stunt doubled on a feature, 'Wildling' and Co-Starred on new Amazon Studios show, 'The Looming Tower'.