This weekend, the world lost a wonderful woman, Sharan Cage Allen Mansfield.

We were so fortunate she graced our stage this summer in THE OLD SHIP OF ZION, directed by Peter Hardy:

This past summer Essential Theatre did a new play called THE OLD SHIP OF ZION, and we needed somebody very special to play the role of Mama Gwen, the wise and beloved elder of her church. We were lucky to find Sharan Cage Allen Mansfield, who played the role beautifully and was loved by everyone in the company and (I dare say) our audiences.

Sharan passed away this morning, and I feel like her performance in ZION was a wonderful gift she gave to all of us, nearly at the end of her time with us here. Not to mention the gift of our being able to spend some time with her.
It was an honor to know her and work with her.

-Peter Hardy