Play To Explore Impact Of Environmental Tragedy On Farming Families

TAMPA, FL — LAB Theater Project will present "Drift," a compelling new play by Patrick Gabridge, on three weekends, Sept. 9-24.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m., in LAB’s theater space at 812 E. Henderson Ave., on the western edge of Ybor City.

Inspired by a true story, "Drift" explores how people cope with the changes wreaked on family, neighbors and the community by an environmental crisis.

Award-winning, Boston-based playwright Gabridge has had plays produced across the U.S. and
in 15 foreign countries. He also writes screenplays and novels and is a founding producer at Plays in Place, which creates short, historic plays on-site at museums and heritage sites.

Gigi Jennewein will direct "Drift," featuring local actors Samantha Parisi, Joaquin Bermudez, Miranda Myers and Caroline Jett. Owen Robertson designed the set and lights; Corinne Todd designed the costumes; the sound is by Richard Anthony; and props are by Beth Tepe-Robertson.

“I knew I wanted to direct 'Drift' as soon as I read it,” said Jennewein. “I was drawn to both the play's story and its style of telling it. Many plays address managing grief, but this is the first I've known that sets that journey within the dangers and politics of farming.”

Gabridge sees it the same way.

“So much of modern drama focuses on issues of the city; I hope this play provides a small bit of
counterbalance," he said.

The play focuses on Nora and Molly who have lost their spouses. Nora grieves alone, and Molly and her two children try to move forward knowing the pesticide overspray, or drift, came from their neighbor, Nora’s farm.

Two very different farm families are intertwined after the fatal incident. These two women are
caught between holding on to what was lost and moving forward. The characters confront themes
endemic to tragedy — personal grief, the needs of the family, neighbors and boundary issues, and
community judgment.

According to Gabridge, who himself farmed for several years, chemical drift remains a persistent danger, but the people involved tend to shrug off the risks. A 40-year veteran of organic farming that Jennewein consulted for the play also stressed the play's topic of applying herbicides to control weeds.

“Among all the challenges competing for our daily attention,” Jennewein said, “Patrick
is pressuring us to not take for granted the people or farming practices that put food on our table.”

Taped performances will also be available on demand starting Sept. 21 and running through Oct. 5. Audience members who purchase on-demand tickets will be emailed a link to the video site.

Tickets for "Drift" are $31, and are available through LAB’s website.

LAB Theater Project is a professional, nonprofit 501(c)3 company that exclusively produces new works. It was founded in 2015 and dedicated to a “playwright first” vision. The theater company has produced over 40 new works from local, national and international writers.