Bloodletting in These Hills is showing here at Parkway Playhouse August 1-10, 2025. We reached out to Elizabeth DeVault, who is directing this show, about her experience working on this production.
What part of this show is your favorite?
One of my favorite aspects of the show is the natural dialogue. That’s a difficult thing to accomplish, and Walter Thinnes does it well, especially for characters rooted in WV. I also greatly enjoy the strength and vulnerability of the women characters.
What about this show do you think will stick with audiences?
The show features thrilling fights and standoffs, as well as tender and meaningful conversations, which will resonate with audiences.
What has the directing process looked like for this show, and is it different in any way because this is an original work?
I frequently frame my shows around a metaphor; due to the subject matter of this show (the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek strikes), I had some trouble finding a good unlike-comparison to use as inspiration. After lots (as in months and months) of thought, I settled on “Bloodletting in These Hills is a Sonata”, comparing the dynamics of the family and the tensions concerning the strikes to the multiple strong melodies and high drama of a Baroque sonata and other similar musical pieces.
It’s been enlightening working on a play that’s never been staged. There’s a certain freedom to interpret design, character, and story without the pressure of precedent– but this can be daunting, too! Walter Thinnes has been incredibly gracious during the process, offering suggestions for some special effects moments while also trusting my and the actors’ visions for the show.
What have you loved about working with Parkway Playhouse so far?
Parkway has been enthusiastic about this show and supportive of its needs during the rehearsal process. It’s a warm, welcoming theatre staff.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?
Though I don’t get to explore much, I appreciate the beautiful scenery every time I travel to Burnsville for rehearsal or a show. The clouds around the mountains after a rainstorm are especially lovely.
How did you get into theatre?
I’ve been acting and singing since I was very young; at 11 years old, I auditioned for and got into my first community theatre play in my hometown (Easley, SC)! I was the “Pink Lady” who blessed the royal child Aurora Rose before she was cursed with a deep sleep in this version of The Sleeping Beauty. I still have flashbacks about that violently-pink gown (and all the glitter). The rest, as they say, is a lot of hard work and training and rejection and joy in the world that is theatre.
Tell us about yourself.
I am an Asheville-based actor, singer, and director who’s been in the area for almost 4 years. I work as an adjunct instructor at AB Tech and also do voiceover on the side. I have an absolutely bonkers black cat, Fearless, and far too many papers, post-its, and scripts stacked on my kitchen table.
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