2021 Winner “Critic’s Choice” in Powerstories VIRTUAL Theatre’s Voices of Truth Theatre Festival
2021 Winner “Broadway World Best Performer and Supporting Performer in a Streaming Play” for participation in Powerstories 2021 Voices of Truth Theatre Festival.
With two short plays written by Peter Nason and Deborah Bostock-Kelley, A Necessary Conversation is a two-part production that takes an unflinching look at mental health, bullying, gun violence and its aftermath. The show features 47 REASONS TO LIVE, a tale of the inner workings of a potential school shooter and 11:11 explores the adult and teen survivors left behind.
The play debuted to rave reviews in January 2018. Recipient of the 2017 Theatre Tampa Bay Jeff Norton Dream Grant, Deborah reached out to the Straz Center with their concept for this show and the venue graciously helped make their vision a reality in the TECO Theatre. Everytown- Moms Demand Action, Tampa Chapter was the community partner and the recipient of ticket sales of the evening show, following an incredible community talk-back.
In January 2018, the show won 2018 Broadway World’s Regional Best Actor and Best Actress for Caleb Brening and Amy C. Ragg. The show was also nominated for Creative Loafing Best of the Bay 2018.
In November 2020, the show was nominated for Broadway’s World’s Regional Best Original Script of the Decade and for actress, Amy C. Ragg, Best Actress of the Decade.
After the Parkland shooting in 2018, Deborah expanded 11:11 to include a teen voice. The new expanded version received its world debut in March 2021 in Powerstories’ virtual Voices of Truth Theatre Festival, followed by a talkback on Zoom with playwrights, cast, crew, and community experts
At the close of the festival, A NECESSARY CONVERSATION won the “Critic’s Choice” award.