Winged Ox Actors Edward Cloverdale and Danica Olson-Walter rehearse for their upcoming performance in Henrik Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House to be presented at the Willow Bay Theatre on October 12 and 13 along with 19 and 20.

JAMESTOWN – The Winged Ox Players will present Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” in a version by Zinnie Harris at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E. Third St, Jamestown, on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct 12 and 13 as well as Oct. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.

• RELATED: WINGED OX PLAYERS DISCUSS ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE’ ON ARTS ON FIRE

A Doll’s House centers around the character of Nora Helmer and her family. Nora appears to be an upper middle-class lady with all comforts of her position, but she gradually realizes she is imprisoned by her role in society and the inequality of her marriage. In order to help her husband, she must illegally borrow money and then keep the repayment of the loan from her husband who would be unable to accept that his wife had helped in such a way. Her struggle gradually leads her to seek her own empowerment and humanity. Nora declares, ‘I am a human being before anything else. I don’t care what other people say. I need to think for myself.’

Directed by Winged Ox Veteran Steven Michael Cobb, the performance will feature several well-known local actors as well as a few new faces.

Cobb notes that he feels that A Doll’s House is the first true modern feminist drama, yet the central dilemma the play presents; how to be true to oneself while being married and being a parent, is not exclusive to women.

“In the central character of Nora, Ibsen epitomized the human struggle against the humiliating constraints of social conformity.” Cobb explains. “Nora’s ultimate rejection of a smothering marriage and life in ‘a doll’s house’ should be a familiar theme to most audiences.”

Before the show’s October 12 performance, the Winged Ox Players will host a Creativity and Connection Reception from 6:30-7:30 p.m. featuring Local Artists and Community Organizations such as the YWCA, AAUW, Zonta, and many more. The public is invited to come and meet women who are changing the local community. Light refreshments will be served.

Admission to all shows is free. All proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army’s ANEW Center.

The Winged Ox Players is a ministry of St. Luke’s that engages the theatrical talents of the greater Jamestown area to present plays that inspire conversations about our community. The non-profit group depends the generosity of friends and sponsors. Contributions received by the group help to offset their costs and enable them to donate back into the community. The group is currently looking for local businesses and individuals to sponsor one of the following expenses for their 2018-2019 season: $10/one script, $25/a can of paint, $50/some props, $100/licensing for one show night, $250/materials for set, $300/theatre rental for one night. All sponsors will be recognized in both the fall and spring playbill and on the Winged Ox Facebook page (Donations received after October 1^st will be listed in the spring playbill only). Sponsors of $300 or more will also have their logo or business name printed on posters and other promotional materials. Potential sponsors are asked to contact Willow Fodor, wfodor@gmail.com.

More than a hundred people were on hand for the “Heroin Epidemic: Women’s Voices, Needs and Impact” that took place at the prendergast Library on Jan. 19, 2017.

JAMESTOWN – It was a packed house at the James Prendergast Library Thursday night as nearly 100 people showed up to attend a panel discussion on the heroin epidemic in our community, and specifically its impact on women.

The forum was entitled “Heroin Epidemic: Women’s Voices, Needs and Impact” and was hosted by the American Association of University Women (AAUW Jamestown) and the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County.

Speakers included several women from the community who’ve dealt with heroin addiction, either on a professional or personal level, and sometimes both.

One of the speakers was Dr. Lillian Ney, who explained how addiction works. Also speaking was area nurse Julie Apperson, who addressed the “stigma of addiction” and shared her personal story as a parent who has a child dealing with drug addiction. Apperson also pointed out the long-term impact addiction has on the criminal justice system in our country.

Dr. Lillian Ney at the “Heroin Epidemic: Women’s Voices, Needs and Impact” on Jan. 19, 2017.

“I’ve come to firmly believe that incarceration is not the answer, especially for our non-violence offender with substance abuse or co-occurring disorders,” Apperson said. “Sixty-eight percent of incarcerated people in jail meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder and the number with co-occurring mental illness is believed to be over 80 percent. There is an astonishing lack of treatment services in correction facilities… recidivism rates are extremely high – an estimated 67 to 76 percent.”

As a result of the high recidivism rates, Apperson said its time communities start offering more clinical support for addicts, rather than taking the “tough love” approach.

Apperson said alternatives to incarceration include better access to treatment, family support, the syringe exchange program, access to narcan, and even providing safe injection facilities – which she said could be used as an access point to provide and offer help and treatment to users who may otherwise not want to seek help.

Also speaking during the forum was social worker Leanna Luka-Conley, area resident and addict-in-recovery Heather Brown, and area resident Lori Keller, who shared her heart-breaking story of losing her daughter to addiction, saying that her daughter passed away one day before she was scheduled for an evaluation.

The panelists for the “Heroin Epidemic: Women’s Voices, Needs and Impact”: (from left to right) Heather Brown, Lori Keller, Leanna Luka-Conley, Julie Apperson, Dr. Lillian Ney, and keynote speaker Kia Briggs.

The keynote speaker for the event was Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County Executive Director Kia Briggs, who shared her personal experience with heroin addiction and recovery.  She said one of the biggest challenges an addict faces is access to treatment.

“I was blessed enough to get into ECMC Detox, which is not an easy process. But I will tell you that I had someone tell me that they literally tell me they thought I would be dead three days later,” Briggs said. “They did not believe I was going to survive. I don’t believe that you should have to wait until you look like you’re on death’s door to get into a detox program.”

Briggs also offered information on how to get support for addiction, including stopping by or calling the mental health association, located in the Gateway Center on Water St. in Jamestown, or by calling 661-9044.  A complete listing of local addiction support services can also be found by calling the New York State HOPE line at 1-877-8-HOPENY.

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  Caladh Nua

  Highlighting the weekend is an appearance by Irish music group, Caladh Nua, who will perform at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts on Sunday at 7 p.m. Coming from southern Ireland, the quintet performs traditional Irish music with a contemporary flair.

• Meanwhile, Jamestown Community College’s production of All My Sons opens Friday night at 8 p.m. in the Scharmann Theatre on JCC’s Jamestown Campus. Performances will also be held March 7, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m.

• The two-man play Mass Appeal, by Bill C. Davis, will be presented by the Winged Ox Players starting Friday Night at 7:30 p.m. and continuing Saturday night and also next weekend at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Jamestown. Directed by Steven Michael Cobb and featuring Daniel Pierce and Lars Benson in the lead roles, the comedy-drama focuses on the conflict between a complacent Roman Catholic pastor and the idealistic young deacon who is assigned to his affluent, suburban parish. The play invites us to question the status quo and addresses issues around women’s rights, homosexuality, and alcoholism.

• The Southern Tier Xpress hockey team will host a playoff hockey game on Saturday. The team clinched a spot in the playoffs after wrapping up their season 26-20-1 in the NA3HL’s East Division. The Southern Tier Xpress is playing the top-seeded Metro Jets in a best two-out-of-three series. Game 1 took place Thursday in Waterford Michigan with the Xpress losing 4 to 3. Game 2 brings the teams to Jamestown and will take place at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on Saturday, Starting at 5 p.m.

For a complete rundown of live entertainment in Jamestown, including the local music scene, check out this week’s WRFA Rock and Roll rundown.