Charlie

Meet Alma, portrayed by Debbie Chazen (Doctor Who, Little Wars, Holby City), a loving mother who has traveled a distance to visit her son. While the monologues here are free to listen to, we do ask for donations to help us continue to create more. The donations are split between playwright and performer. During this difficult time for the arts industry, donations go a long way and are greatly appreciated. To donate: https://ko-fi.com/stevencarlmccasland

Catherine Russell (Little Wars, Holby City) returns to the podcast as Alice, a housewife grieving a terrible event in her family. As always, streaming is free, but donations help us continue to bring you new monologues. Donations are split between the playwright and performer, and can be made safely at: https://ko-fi.com/scmandcr.Trigger warning: guns and gun violence.

Thom Sesma (Broadway: Miss Saigon, The Times They Are A-Changin', Off Broadway: Sweeney Todd, Unknown Soldier - and many more) makes his A MOMENT WITH... debut as Charlie, a grieving widower keeping a promise. If you enjoy the monologue, please consider a donation so that I can continue to produce these works on a free streaming platform. Donations can be made at: http://ko-fi.com/stevencarlmccasland

NYC-based actress Kristen Gehling (original cast of LITTLE WARS) makes her A MOMENT WITH.... debut as Tracy, a new mother, struggling with the toll it has taken on her life.Please note, this piece is inspired by several famous murder cases, and may be triggering for victims of domestic abuse. Please listen with caution.As always, if you enjoy the work, please consider a donation to the artists. Donations may be made via: https://ko-fi.com/stevencarlmccasland

American actress NANCY MARVY makes her A MOMENT WITH... debut as BEA, a comedienne who once shattered glass ceilings. But as Bette Davis once said: "Old age is not for sissies". And Bea knows all about it. This confessional mixed with stand-up will tug at heartstrings. As always, donations for the artists are greatly appreciated at https://ko-fi.com/stevencarlmccasland.

Logan Rollins (host of The Story Told Podcast) makes his A MOMENT WITH... debut as Ruth's Young Man. Dedicated to Ruth Coker Burks, this piece features an anonymous young who passed during the AIDS crisis. At the height of the epidemic, Ruth served as an AIDS nurse. When young men were refused burial, or simply not acknowledged by their families, Ruth Coker Burks stepped in to bury those young men on her own property. This piece honors her, her legacy and her sacrifices to help others. As always, donations for listening are greatly appreciated and help the artists continue to work. They can be made via: https://ko-fi.com/stevencarlmccasland

UK-based actress Meryl Griffiths (EastEnders, Rare Beasts, Unforgotten) makes her A MOMENT WITH... debut as Mary Dunbar, a grieving mother with a story to share.

New York-based actor Paul Thomas Ryan (Inside Private Lives, What Was Lost) makes his A MOMENT WITH... debut in a monologue inspired by the tragic moment captured on September 11th, 2001 when a man leapt from a window in the Twin Towers. Warning: this monologue may be triggering for those who were close to Ground Zero, or have experienced similar trauma.

New York City-based actress Kristen Gehling (Little Wars, neat & tidy, 28 Marchant Avenue) makes her A MOMENT WITH... debut as the famed suffragette Alice Paul. Paul was one of the main leaders and strategists of the campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Paul often suffered police brutality and other physical abuse for her activism, always responding with non-violence and courage. She was jailed under terrible conditions in 1917 for her participation in a Silent Sentinels protest in front of the White House.A tactic used in prison to protest was hunger striking. The first WSPU related hunger strike was conducted by sculptor Marion Wallace Dunlop in June 1909. By that fall it was being widely used by WSPU members because of its effectiveness in publicizing their mistreatment and gaining quick release from prison wardens. Refusing food worked in securing an early release for Paul during her first two arrests. However, during her third prison stint, the warden ordered twice daily force-feeding to keep Paul strong enough to finish out her month-long sentence. Though the prisons staunchly maintained that the force-feeding of prisoners was for their own benefit, Paul and other women described the process as torturous. Alice Paul was a true heroine, and a woman to be remembered.

New York City-based actress and singer Francesca MacAaron makes her A MOMENT WITH.... debut as June, a mother struggling, but working hard to understand her growing and changing child. Trigger Warning: This monologue deals with issues surrounding transgendered children and their parents.