The past teaches pure perseverance with debut of Spinning Tree Theatre’s The Signer

Photo by Brandon Parigo/Spinning Tree Theatre

The Signer is a new play by Sarah Aptilon about intergenerational connection, brought to life by an intergenerational cast. It opened Friday and runs through April 26.

The story follows Abby, a young, grieving dancer, who travels to her family’s North Carolina coastal home. As she cleans the house with her father, she finds a journal about her Revolutionary War-era ancestor, William Hooper. The play weaves together their parallel stories, leaving Abby at a crossroads.

Photo by Brandon Parigo/Spinning Tree Theatre

The Signer marks the third new play the theatre has commissioned, bringing fresh ideas to the stage. Director Michael Grayman-Parkhurst says this is a unique opportunity for Kansas City.

“Our audiences don’t know what to expect. Our actors don’t have any expectations. They’ve never heard of these characters, seen them, or played them. So it’s really cool,” he explains.

The cast features three seasoned local actors—Matt Rapport, Lynn King, and Doug Weaver—together with emerging young performers, reflecting Spinning Tree’s commitment to nurturing new talent. With a vibrant acting community, the play artfully integrates set design and historical narrative.

“There’s a wall—the original wall of William Hooper’s house, destroyed by British soldiers. You see the rock’s remnants,” explains Grayman-Parkhurst. “Will spent his childhood there, contemplating and writing in his diary. Abby later finds that same place and senses the same magic within it.”

Aptilon is hoping to share a universal story of perseverance in the face of the unknown through this story. The idea came from her own bond with past generations. “My grandmother showed me a pocket watch that belonged to William Hooper. I remember her showing it to me when I was very young.” Combining these details of past connections with her own familial inspiration. “My daughter’s a dancer, and I just wanted to write about someone who had experiences in the world of dance and someone who talks like her.”

Spinning Tree Theatre is also partnering with SevenDays, a nonprofit that promotes kindness through education and dialogue.

“We try to find a new organization to work with every year, whether or not it directly relates to the show,” says Grayman-Parkhurst. This initiative reflects Spinning Tree Theatre’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive space for both artists and the public.

“People will just be swept away in the story. Come take the journey.”

Don’t miss your chance to experience The Signer, running now through April 26 at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park. Get your tickets online now.

Photo by Brandon Parigo/Spinning Tree Theatre