Pretending
Jacob York, Creative Endeavors
In this story where fan-dom and family intersect, we meet Leigh Elder, a female sportswriter for a major metro Atlanta newspaper. She’s a homer: love and loyalty to the Braves, the Hawks, and the Falcons. When a dream job falls into her lap and promises to take her to the big-time of L.A., she is thrilled. The only thing that stands in the way is her biggest fan: her father. Loyalty can be brutal. Can a homer ever really leave home?
Homers was commissioned and originally staged by Georgia Ensemble Theatre Company
and Conservatory (Robert J. Farley, Artistic Director), opening on February 26, 2015. It was directed by Jaclyn Hofmann.
Read Homers on New Play Exchange.
A note about Homers: This is a play very much of a time. Before the Braves won the World Series in 2021. Before
28–3, for that matter. If someone was interested in staging another production, it would require an in-depth rewrite.
Production History:
Professional World Premiere, Georgia Ensemble Theatre - 2015
Development:
Reading, Georgia Ensemble Theatre - 2014
Commission, Georgia Ensemble Theatre - 2014
Honors:
Finalist - Gene Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award, Suzi Bass Awards - 2015
A promotional interview for the World Premiere at Georgia Ensemble. Look at that baby.
Recommendations:
“Yes, it's about sports fanaticism and the love of your team, the moment you became a fan, the amount of hours we spend reading and thinking about sports. But more importantly, it's about family and the awkward moments in our lives when what we want comes into conflict with who we love. Full of heart and passion.”
Brian Gene White - Playwright
“Sports in America have always been more than just people throwing a ball around -- they're part of a place's identity, and a rare instance of American culture encouraging community and communal experience. It's also a damn heartbreaker. York's play captures the heartache of being attached to the home team, no matter how many times it lets you down, because you know you can't easily walk away. A wonderfully human story on ambition and belonging.
Go Cubs. ”
Ryan Stevens - Playwright
“ As a long-suffering Toronto sports fan, this wonderful play hit me right in the YOGO muscle: the sense that You Only Get One team in each sport for your life. Jacob York's love letter to Atlanta sports is wrapped around a witty, heartfelt drama about love, loyalty, and getting what we (think we) want.”
Toby Malone - Playwright
Georgia Ensemble Theatre, World Premiere - Actors featured include Diany Rodriguez, Frank Roberts, Rob Cleveland, Jenny LaMourt and Jeffrey Stephenson.