Sub-Total
Holy O
By Lauren Hance of Out of Mind Prodcutions
Directed by Amelia Peterson & Cathy Lam-Patrie
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Playing at
Show Description
Vera is contemplating becoming a nun, but can’t let go of her vibrators. Step into the role of “saint,” and help Vera make the biggest decisions of her life, starting with what shirt to wear.
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 18 and up only
Learn How To Fringe
Seat Reservations and Show Tickets
| Add to Schedule | Date | Time | Ticket Options | Quantity | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 08/01 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/02 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/03 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Thu 08/08 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/09 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sat 08/10 | 7:00 PM |
Reviews
Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Lauren Hance
Performer/WriterLauren Hance (she/her/hers) is a playwright, producer, director, and actress. Her most current project is hosting and producing the podcast What the Fringe?!, where Lauren talks all things fringe theatre with the week's guest. Lauren’s plays have been produced across the US, including Chicago, Minnesota, Texas, New York, New Orleans, and California, and in Canada. She has worked as a writer and director at Southern Rep Theatre in New Orleans in the 6x6 and 3x3 Playwriting Program and has been published through Mushroom Cloud Press. As an actress, Lauren has worked with multiple theatres across Texas including, Unity Theatre, The Ensemble Theatre, Abilene Shakespeare Festival, and is a troupe member of CSz Houston- Home of ComedySportz. She has directed and produced over 30 productions including PROOF, LITTLE WOMEN, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and THE WIZARD OF OZ. Lauren is the founder of Out of Mind Productions, a small production company with the mission to present stories that stir the heart, and served two years as the Director of Theatre & Theology at CITA. Lauren holds a BFA in Directing from Abilene Christian University and a MAT in Theology, Arts, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary. She resides in Texas with her husband and two daughters.
Amelia Peterson
Developer/DirectorAmelia Peterson (she/her/hers) is a writer and director based in Knoxville, TN. She is a founding member of River & Rail Theatre Company. Amelia earned her BFA in Theatre Studies from Southern Methodist University. She has spent much of her career working with budding playwrights on new works. Prior to moving home to TN, Amelia lived and worked in New York City where she co-directed the world premier of MORBID POETRY at the Incubator Arts Project and a folktale adaptation series LONG, LONG AGO with Firebone Theatre Company, and THE UNUSUAL TALE OF MARY AND JOSEPH'S BABY at the New York International Fringe Festival. She has also directed new works for the CalArts Arts in the One World conference (Valencia, CA), the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival (Washington, DC), and the Inkwell Theatre’s Showcase Reading Series (Washington, DC). She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband and three children.
Cathy Lam-Patrie
Co-DirectorWinner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award in Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023. Cathy Lam-Patrie (she/her/hers) is a pastor; a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary; the artistic director of Kairos Arts Development Company Limited, Hong Kong Ideation Arts Festival, and Let’s Be Together Arts Festival; and the founder of ThreeWoods Playwright. After she graduated from London School of Economics (MSc) and UC, Irvine (BA Honors), she joined Horizon Theatre Studio and received acting training there. She became the company manager of Theatre Horizon and was appointed as the Executive Manager of Theatre Horizon Company Limited in 2008-2011. She served as performer and producer of numerous Theatre Horizon productions including “Who Beat the Roaches in My House?” (starring), “Mysterious! The Snow White’s Backstage” (starring), “Rose and Rosa” (producer), “Hey God, Did You Drop Something?!” (starring), “Can’t Play Won’t Play” by Dario Fo (translator & starring),“Winds of Change” (chorus leader),“I AM HAPPY” (solo), “The Leftover” (playwright & executive director), “French Kiss” (producer, awarded as one of the most popular productions of the 21st Hong Kong Drama Awards). In 2011, she was awarded the Emerging Artists Project Grant from Hong Kong Arts Development Council and established ThreeWoods Playwright. Then she created and produced numerous critically acclaimed shows including: “Revelation of Love”; “Every Little Thing”; “Bon Voyage”; “Shi Yī”; “The Curious Incident of a Little Girl” (Hong Kong & Guilin Station, in collaboration with Ma Chai Sand Art); “Solitaire” (in collaboration with Two Mouth Rice Dance); “The Immigration Lottery” (premiering at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014, then showing in 2015 Hong Kong Umbrella Festival & 2016 Adelaide Fringe Festival); “All About Ruby”; “Wither on the Vine”; “Light of Antarctica” (commissioned by Worldwide PAY IT FORWARD Campaign, premiering in Shanghai, later touring in Canada and Australia); “Smoking with Grandma” (premiering at Adelaide Fringe 2017 and returning in 2018, also showing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts 2017, and Twin-City International Arts Festival 2017). Her monologue “The Confession” premiered in London in 2015, and the script was selected and published as part of the collection entitled Foreign Goods: A Selection of Writings by British East Asian Artists by Oberon Books in January 2018. And she was invited to contribute articles for the IWF 2018 exhibition hosted by Kings College London. In 2018, she founded Let’s Be Together Festival (Hong Kong)—renamed Hong Kong Ideation Arts Festival in 2023—a platform providing young artists with free venue, technical, marketing, and spiritual support. It has been sending and presenting young artists to international festivals in Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and the UK. In 2023, she started a new project to help young artists develop new work and provide opportunities for them to perform their debut work outside of Hong Kong. And that’s why she and her mentee created “A Funeral for my Friend who is Still Alive”. The show was well received by Edinburgh Festival Fringe, earning them the Fringe First Award. She resides in Los Angeles, California with her family.
Scott Gorman
MN Technical DirectorScott has been working as a professional singer, actor, and voice teacher in the Twin Cities Metro area for over 15 years. He has sung with groups such as the MN Opera, the Dale Warland Singers, the MN Chorale, the MN Bach Society, as well as many other opera ensembles, musical ensembles, and theatre companies in the metro area. He currently works as a worship pastor and voice actor.
More Information
ABOUT
Vera, a vivacious and possibly lost woman, is contemplating becoming a Catholic nun but can’t seem to let go of her vibrators. Her situation is complicated by the onset of rapturous prayers, leading the audience to become advice-giving “saints.” As Vera’s story unfolds, it is intertwined with other women’s experiences, exploring the connection between body, spirit, and sexuality. Along the way, the audience offers their “saintly” advice, helping Vera make some of the biggest decisions of her life, starting with what shirt to wear.
Holy O borders between interactive and immersive theatre. When the audience enters the theatre, they are given 4 gold pipe cleaners and instructions. From their seats, audience members help choose the direction of the show.
Mature themes and language. Partial nudity: all areas traditionally covered by undergarments remain covered. 18+.
Holy O would not have been possible without the women who bravely shared their stories during its creation. Writer Lauren Hance interviewed dozens of women for the show. Their stories have been dramatized, and different stories are told each night based on audience choice.
*Note on LGBTQIA+ content: While Holy O is not specifically an LGBTQIA+ show, the production includes inclusive stories. Not all stories are heard at every performance.
Production History
2024 TOUR
The Blue House, Los Angeles, CA | May
Station Theater, Houston, TX | May
Denver Fringe Festival | June
Minnesota Fringe Festival | August
Rochester Fringe Festival, NY | September
2023: Capital Fringe, Omaha Fringe, Vancouver Fringe, Spring Street Studios in Houston, TX
2022: River & Rail Theatre (Knoxville, TN), Studio A (Houston, TX), SoloFest @ Whitefire Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
WORD ON THE STREET
PRESS
“Holy O is a deeply moving experience without an ounce of pretense. The piece masterfully explores sexuality without shame, taboo, or crudeness, beautifully blending moments of humor and solemnity. It is rare that such a piece makes the audience feel so nurtured; while heavy at times, we’re left basking in the glow of what we’ve experienced, and wishing the run time was longer.”
- Ari Rogers, DC Theater Arts
“A unique and hilarious show” - Chloe Rabinowitz, Broadway World Nebraska
"A deeply thought-out, patiently crafted story" - Emily Lyth, STIR Vancouver
"Gracefully balancing sex, religion, and audience participation" -Washington City Paper
"A highlight of the Denver Fringe Festival" - Westword Denver
AUDIENCE MEMBERS
"Religious, Raunchy and Funny!!" -Scott White, Comedian
"Holy O tackles all the topics we should not avoid with equal parts compassion and humor." -Jill Gracely, Certified Sex Therapist
"I found myself moved at several times to tears as Hance's deep connection with the audience drew me in and held me." -Megan Lopez, Professional Improviser ComedySportz
"We laughed throughout the entire play... and the entire drive home afterward! The Holy O will make you think just as much as it makes you laugh." -Becca Navid, Founder & Fitness Coach at Built with Bec
"The play strikes a balance between deeply moving stories and charming audience interaction" -Steph DeWaegeneer, Ms. Plus America Lifetime VII
"A safe space to explore where religion and sexuality collide" - Candace Ritscher-Wallace, Nurse and LGBTQIA+ Advocate
FEATURES
5 Star Review & Best of the Fringe from DC Theater Arts
Artist Q & A with Loose Lips Magazine
Feature from Colorado Comunity Media
Artist Interview on LIVES Radio Show & Podcast
INDEPENDENT PRODUCER PERKS
While Holy O's number was not drawn in 2023 or 2024, it did not stop us from bringing this show to the people of Minnesota! After getting two festival seasons under our belt with Holy O, we knew independent producing was a great route for us. We teamed up with the incredible folks at Corner Coffee Uptown, and can't wait to see you!
Corner Coffee Uptown is located at:
1414 W 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Which is smack-dab between the Uptown Festival Venue locations!
5-minute walk south from Pheonix Theatre
10-minute walk west from HUGE Theatre
12-minute walk northwest from Bryant Lake Bowl
* House Capacity is 40 each night- so get your tickets early to secure your spot.
FUN FACT: Holy O is the first ever Independently Produced show by a touring artist at the Minnesota Fringe!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @theholyoplay for possible last-minute discounts on tickets ;) (One of those perks of being an Independent Producer)
CONNECT
Visit the show's website to LEARN MORE!
Follow us on Instagram @theholyoplay
CREATIVE TEAM THIS & THAT
Writer & Performer Lauren Hance is the host and producer of What the Fringe?!, a podcast dedicated to all things Fringe Theatre.
Co-Director Cathy Lam- Patrie won the Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival for her show A Funeral for My Friend Who is Still Alive.
Developer & Co-Director Amelia Peterson has presented at the New York Fringe Festival and Kennedy Center Page to Stage Festival.
