Development History

1988: trunk was purchased by Donna Russell at a garage sale  

2008: trunk was opened and the letters were discovered.

2008-2014: Donna Russell selects letters and conceives of “Dear Rhoda.”

2014: Donna Russell brings the outline of a play to the Island Players reading committee.

2014: Donna Russell and David Ranney, a member of the Island Players Reading Committee, begin a collaboration on the further development of the play.

May, 2015: A staged reading is performed at Washington Island’s Washington Hotel to an audience of 100. After the play there is an extensive discussion.

June, 2015- March 2016: “Dear Rhoda” goes through several revisions based on an additional reading as well as extensive comments from reviewers of the revised scripts. In the process, the play is expanded for a full production.

June 17, 18, 19: “Dear Rhoda” is produced at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center on Washington Island.