Truth Be Told

Directed by Craig Smith

Kathleen Abedon is the mother of Julian Abedon who, one year earlier, allegedly carried out a mass shooting at a food warehouse before taking his own life. When true-crime writer Jo Hunter comes to town to interview Kathleen for a book on the crime, Kathleen seeks to convince the skeptical journalist that her son was framed for the shooting.

At a time in our history when the truth is under daily attack, Truth Be Told explores the nature of objective truth and the ways in which we manipulate and distort it to serve our own ends.

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Cast

Kathleen – Melissa Ertsgaard
Jo – Leah Racin

About the Playwright

William Cameron is best known as the author of Violet Sharp, winner of the 2007 Julie Harris Playwriting Prize. A drama of the Lindbergh Kidnapping Case, Violet Sharp received its world premiere at Theatre 40 in Los Angeles in 2009 and was published by Samuel French in 2012. More recently, William’s drama Truth Be Told has received national attention. A taut, two-character drama exploring the aftermath of a mass shooting, Truth Be Told won both the 2020 Stanley Drama Award from Wagner College and the W. Keith Hedrick Playwriting Contest from HRC Showcase Theatre. Truth Be Told was also featured in this year’s Ashland New Plays Festival in Ashland, Oregon. William’s plays have been performed around the country, including off-off Broadway at the Harold Clurman Theatre, the Source Theatre in Washington, DC, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, and numerous community and academic theatres. Professor emeritus of Theatre and Communication Arts at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, William has written several plays tailored specifically to his students. These include Intersect, a drama about racial tensions at a small college, and Cease to Exist, a chronicle of the Manson murders. William lives in Washington, Pennsylvania with his wife, artist and actress Susan Martinelli.

Production Staff

Director – Craig Smith
Video Editor – Jason Sheldon, J. Sheldon Photography
Videography – Dawn Roth-Smith and Craig Smith
Technical Advisor – Matt Lackey
Costumes and Properties – Cast

Cast and Director of TRUTH BE TOLD (l to r): Melissa Ertsgaard, Craig Smith (Dir.), Leah Racin.

Cast Bios

Melissa Ertsgaard

It’s always exciting to be a part of FutureFest and the opportunity to stage new works and Melissa is thankful to read Truth Be Told. She has previously performed in Magnificent Hubba Hubba at DP and in The Roommate, Musical Comedy Murders, The Shadow Box, and The Man Who Killed The Cure all at DTG. Melissa loves teaching third grade or being outside playing in nature with her favorite POB.

Leah Racin

Leah is excited to return to the Dayton community theater stage with this moving show. This will be her first performance in nearly 10 years and she would not be able to do anything without the support of her wonderful family and friends. Thank you for this opportunity.

Craig Smith

Directing a FutureFest show and helping bring life to characters and story is always an honor. Having the chance to present the story of Truth Be Told is both a joy and a deep responsibility. Craig is thrilled to have been granted this opportunity and he hopes you will see what he sees. Thanks Dawn!

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