Strong City - A play by Paige MJ Erickson

Title graphic of "Trades"

A film by Paige MJ Erickson

On her 80th birthday, Maribel is invited to the local brewery. She’s welcomed in by a group of tradesmen who teach her about their work, as she teaches them about art and classical music. The film highlights community, curiosity, and human dignity.

About the film maker

Portrait of Paige MJ Erickson

Paige MJ Erickson

Paige Erickson is author of the creative non-fiction book “The Nice Thing About Strangers,” and the play “Strong City.” Paige spent the last decade wandering, getting lost, and learning and forgetting languages in Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and Turkey. This is her first film. 

Contact

cast

Starring
Maureen Roode 
Josh Saxbury
Addyson Smith 
Brianna Bate 
Brandon Bate
Brian Bate 
Rich Efird 
William Palmier 
Producers
Paige Erickson
Paul Davis
Director of Photography
Paul Davis
Sound Engineer
Chris Rae
Production Assistant
Mark Erickson
Marketing Design
Matthias Hilse
Artists
Ballerina
Chloe Freytag
Organist
Serkan Şahin
Painter
David Lovekin
Stage Actors
Amber Wormington
Carly Spotts-Falzone
Miranda Miller-Klugesherz
Zac Ralston
Tim Steffensmeier

reviews

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Oh how wondrous and so needed (for me right now and for the world). This play, and this production, dazzles and shines. There are so many lines I want to write down and memorize.This hits at the heart of the U.S. and our fears of knowing how to simply live in the world, what to do with its joys and heartaches. I haven’t laughed and cried so much from a single performance in years.

-Nathan L
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I was not quite sure what to expect and was definitely wowed! So real. I love that it is so based on the importance of relationships and human connection. I was truly moved to tears.

-Tim K.
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We really did laugh and then cry and laugh again. Wonderful cast of characters who pull you in and are recognizable as people you know.

-Stephanie D.

in the Media

K-State Alumni Association

https://www.k-state.com/news/2022strongcityplay.php


Hastings College Alumni

https://www.hastings.edu/success-stories/alumni-come-together-after-years-apart-to-put-on-play/


Theatre Kansas (interview with the author)

https://tinyurl.com/2vfy9494

God bless tradesmen bumper sticker