Martha Tabram ~ Victim of Jack the Ripper Speaks

Virtual Theatre Performance from The Belles of Whitechapel ~ The Victims of Jack the Ripper Speak, written by Wayne Miller / Directed by Nina Soden

Actress Jacinda Rose Swinehart-Johnson

JACINDA ROSE SWINEHART is a professional actress, who has worked all over the country since the year 2000. She owns The Rocket City Sweethearts, Huntsville’s Premiere Vintage Entertainment Trio, singing the hits of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s! JACINDA currently works for Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre and Academy as a Teaching Artist, and as an Actress at The Intuitive Planetarium at The US Space and Rocket Center. 

When asked her thoughts on Martha Tabram’s monologue, Valerie had this to say: Martha is heartbreaking. She is a perfect example of how life can truly get the better of you, and that your demons do not care what you want. If you don’t have control, you will be a victim to your surroundings, regardless of how many people love you. She was a true pleasure to play, down to every absolute wonderful flaw that made her human. Her life, wasn’t wasted. I was honored to tell her story.

When asked about the process of performing virtual theatre, she said: This pandemic, this new world, has had an effect on me, as an actor. I have been so focused on everything else… My family, the world, the virus, death. My ability to focus has been effected. I find that I haven’t been able to memorize as I normally do, which is disturbing. This is a new era. I am trying to settle in the fact that things will be dramatically different while also denying that things will not be different and won’t change. Our whole world, (entertainment, performance), is drastically changing… Without an answer in the immediate future. I am thankful to be able to create in this type of venue… For without it, I am not.


A Note from the Director

As a writer, I can appreciate every word Wayne put into this script. His research and dedication to his writing did these women proud. As an actress, I hope to one day play all the roles so I can truly connect with each of them on an emotional level. As a director, I am both honored and humbled that Wayne would trust me with this production. I have loved working with each of these actresses and believe that in the short time we had together (2 weeks start to finish) each and every one of them have given a beautiful performance. ~ Nina Soden


WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS and is the Grand High Poobah of CHEEZISM, the movement he founded (it isn’t organized enough to be called a religion, besides which it isn’t religious) dedicated to providing audiences with the finest in entertainment options on the page and for the stage. (On the big screen, too, if Spielberg ever returns any of his phone calls.) Wayne has been writing stories literally since before he learned his alphabet—he drew pictures. After languishing in the nether-regions of the publishing industry for years, working as an acquisitions editor for a literary agency, he chose, as an experiment, to combine his passion for writing with his hobby of Theatre, and in the process, by accident and Providence, discovered his life’s purpose: to be a showman.

Describing himself as a cross between Edgar Allan Poe and P.T. Barnum, Miller is a devotee of Ed Wood, the “worst director of all time!” who inspires Wayne due to his unflappable dedication to his muse and unrestrainable creative drive.

When not involved in Cheez business, Wayne Miller is a reporter for the websites werewolves.com, vampires.com, and darkness.com. He has previously written content for zombies.org, topcomics.com, thenerdrecites.com, and Legless Corpse Films.


SPECIAL THANKS:

Wayne Miller and Tanya Miller of Evil Cheez Productions for allowing me the honor of producing and directing this amazing play. Through his script, Wayne has done a wonderful job of bringing these women back to life, even if just for a few minutes, to tell their story. Make sure you check out Evil Cheez online and learn about their upcoming productions.

Theatre Huntsville for letting us use The Studio Theatre space at Lowe Mill and for providing the professional lighting design. You can find them, and their upcoming productions, online by clicking HERE or on Facebook.


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To read the actresses comments about their characters, click on the links below and you’ll be taken to the individual posts!

Annie Millwood
Martha Tabram
Polly Nichols
“Dark Annie” Chapman
Elizabeth “Long Liz” Stride and Kate Eddowes
Sarah Lewis
Mary Jane Kelly