James Gardiner Directs Short Film Musical WARNING: TAKE ONLY AS DIRECTED

Writer, director, and actor James Gardiner directs a short film musical WARNING: Take Only as Directed, presented by Adventure Theatre MTC. The film serves to reduce parent and teen prescription drug abuse. In 2010, an estimated 66,517 emergency department (ED) visits involving nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals were made by adolescents aged 12 to 17, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA).

The film honors Trish Glowacki's son, Charlie. Mrs. Glowacki, artist and former Adventure Theatre MTC Board Chair, lost her son in 2011 due to a drug overdose after being introduced to prescription opioids. Originally intended for the stage, Glowacki hopes to reach a broader audience by making her personal story available for download online in a version adapted for the screen.

"I was excited to be a part of such a personal project as my film directorial debut," Gardiner says of the film. "Trish's son obviously meant a lot to her which shows in her writing. As a musical actor, I cannot wait to have this available online for download, not only to promote the dangers of prescription drug abuse, but also as a piece of work that so many talented artists have collaborated on to bring this project to life."

The film's website will provide tools for teachers, parents, and teens as well as a free download. Michael J. Bobbitt of Adventure Theatre MTC says of the project, "It's exciting to be able to promote the talent of Washington, D.C. to the world, and this free short film has allowed us the opportunity to do so. I'm thrilled to be able to present Trish's story as both a friend and a theatre for young audiences."

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR, JAMES GARDINER
James Gardiner, (B.A. University of Maryland - College Park) is a professional actor and playwright. He wrote the book for Glory Days, which premiered at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA and transferred to The Circle in THE SQUARE Theatre on Broadway. At the age of 23, he was one of the youngest librettists to have his work produced on Broadway. Mr. Gardiner's work has been produced commercially in Tokyo, Japan and has appeared regionally throughout the United States and Canada. As an actor, he has appeared at The Williamstown Theatre Festival, John F. Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Ford's Theatre, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, Folger Theatre, and Everyman Theatre. He is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association and The Screen Actors' Guild.

ABOUT THE WRITER, TRISH GLOWACKI
Trish Glowacki is a thespian, writer, and songwriter. Trish has written many short stories and is working on a novel and memoir. Her first musical, WARNING: Take Only As Directed, has been adapted for the screen. As an actor, choreographer and director over the years, Trish honed her skills at Adventure Theatre, a theater for young audiences, in Glen Echo, Maryland. Her most notable acting roles include Little Red Riding Hood and Chicken Little. Trish has served on many different boards in the D.C. area and is involved with several volunteer organizations. Raising awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse is her current major focus.Trish and her husband, Tony, live in Washington, DC. Their children are in various stages of college.

ABOUT ADVENTURE THEATRE MTC

Adventure Theatre (founded in 1951) and Musical Theater Center (founded in 1986) merged into one organization, Adventure Theatre MTC, in 2012. Located in Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD) and Wintergreen Plaza (Rockville, MD), ATMTC cultivates new generations of artists and audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and by providing young people the highest quality musical theater training. ATMTC serves students at all skill levels and families from diverse communities, approximately 75,000 people annually.

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