Viable cast member Kimberly Jackson who plays the role of Young Woman, has a few insights to share about the play.
Q: Kimberly, you’re a stage actress with numerous roles to your credit. What made you interested in Viable?
A: After finishing up Dreamgirls at Centre Stage in Greenville, SC in 2018. I received an email from Centre Stage May 17th, 2019, letting me know about a casting opportunity for a play titled Viable. I went to the website: http://www.viableplay.org to find out more about the play. Before reading anything about the play I was intrigued by the picture which was a close-up of a woman’s eye and a tear drop with a baby inside. That picture spoke a thousand words. I remember thinking if this picture is this captivating, then I can only imagine what the story must be like. The story had pain, forgiveness, healing, and most important of all God’s love. I knew this was a play I wanted to be a part of.
Q: How long have you been on your Viable journey?
A: Since June 2019.
Q: How would you describe your role in Viable?
A: I would describe my role as nurturing, compassionate, yet honest. I compare my role to that of a true friend. A true friend is kind to you, but sometimes they have to be tough on you. At times they are both, and that’s ultimately because they want the very best for you. I feel I am that for Judy.
Q: How is Viable different from your other stage work?
A: I get to talk about a hard topic such as abortion and shine God’s light in it. I don’t know many plays that do both.
Q: What do you like most about Viable?
A: I like that Viable teaches that even though we make mistakes, God still loves us and always will.
Q: What is most challenging about Viable?
A: Getting Viable seen in more places.
Q: What have you heard from audience members that most surprised you?
A: That they wished Judy had given me a name.
Q: What would you say to theatregoers who are seeing Viable for the first time:
A: I would say, come into the play with an open heart and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to explore all the different emotions Viable can bring up.
Q: What kind of feedback do you get from audiences?
A: Viable does a great job of capturing all the different emotions that go along with having an abortion.
Q: Why should people see Viable?
A: Because Viable is a great reminder that no matter the issue, whether it be abortion or something else, if we allow God into our pain then ultimately, He will help us heal.
Viable cast member Scott Braxton believes everybody should see Viable to be reminded that they too have access to God’s forgiveness through Christ.
Q: Scott, you’re a stage actor, educator and so much more—with a wealth of accomplishments under your belt. What made you interested in Viable?
A: What made me interested in Viable is first and foremost, the important message it delivers—a message that strongly resonated with me when I read it. I also admit I was flattered and honored to have been asked by John Hoover to read for the part, and grateful for Gisele Gaithing’s confidence in me to effectively play opposite her powerfully emotional “Judy.” Initially I did not feel confident doing the play, as I had not done any stage acting in over 30 years. But I prayed and asked God to show me His will, and here we are.
Q: How long have you been on the Viable journey?
A: I have been on the Viable journey since August 2019, when I was asked by John to read for the part.
Q: How would you describe your role as George in Viable?
A: I describe George as the long-suffering husband who has made many concessions to stay married to Judy. His capacity to withstand her hostility toward him demonstrates his human weaknesses as well as his deep love for and commitment to Judy.
Q: How would you describe Viable?
A: Viable is an emotional journey that rips off the bandage covering human guilt, and then applies divine medication on the wound.
Q: What do you like most about Viable?
A: In addition to the most important message of God’s love, I like the fact that Viable calls out the man for his role in abortion.
Q: What is most challenging about Viable?
A: Most challenging about Viable is effectively navigating these characters through the difficult emotional roller coasters they must ride in such a short time frame.
Q: What have you heard from audience members that most surprised you?
A: Having spoken to numerous audience members over course of our time doing Viable, I am no longer surprised by the number of women who share their abortion stories with us, and the number of audience members, men as well as women, who break out in tears during and after each performance.
Q: What do men say about Viable?
A: Men don’t usually share their personal stories, but many express how powerful they found the play, so I believe we can read between those lines.
Q: How often do you have family and friends sitting in the audience?
A: My wife has joined us on a couple of Viable performance trips, and my son and daughter each flew out from California for different performances in South Carolina a couple of years ago. I do have family members and friends in Georgia, some of whom can hopefully join a Viable audience at some point soon.
Q: What kind of feedback do you get from audiences?
A: Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and appreciative. And the emotional responses it generates in so many people, speak to the power of the messages in the play in terms of human pain and guilt, as well as the blessing of God’s forgiveness.
Q: Why should people see Viable?
A: Many people should see Viable because their life experiences parallel those of Judy and George in some way. All people should see Viable to be reminded that they too have access to God’s forgiveness through Christ.
About Viable
In 70 minutes, with three actors and two chairs, Viable’s power-packed story is a passionate portrayal of one woman attempting to beat back guilt, grief, shame and sorrow to protect her own emotions amidst post-abortion trauma.
The post-abortive mother has adopted, internalized, and parroted pro-abortion talking points for three decades to justify her choice—until she encounters the redeeming love of Jesus Christ in a most unconventional and unexpected way.
To see Viable, join us on Friday, June 23, 2023, at The Venue at Friendship Springs located at 7340 Friendship Springs Blvd, Flowery Branch, GA. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. followed by a professionally catered dinner and the play. You can learn more about hosting, sponsoring, and purchasing tickets by clicking here.