How the World Began is a gripping drama that explores the clash between science and faith in a small Kansas town torn apart by a recent tornado.

When Susan, a science teacher from Manhattan, makes a casual remark about the origins of life, she triggers a fierce confrontation with Micah, a bright but troubled student. As tensions rise, Susan finds herself at the heart of a larger cultural battle, threatening not only her safety but the fragile unity of the community. With sharp insights into belief, ideology, and human psychology, How the World Began is a thought-provoking exploration of how a single moment can unravel everything—highlighting the delicate and painful gulf between conflicting points of view and the urgent need for healing and mutual understanding.

Tickets just $30!

How the World Began

Written by Catherine Trieschmann

 Directed by Camden Gonzales

Monday, January 13 at 7pm

Meet the cast

Colin Konstanty

Micah Staab

Colin is delighted to join the Playhouse’s Script in Hand series.  Film: Trevor: The Musical (Disney +), Caravan (dir Jefferson White), The Conversation, Love’s Labors Lost, The Awakening of Edwin Lorde and Murder in Maplewood.  Off-Broadway: Trevor: The Musical (dir. Marc Bruni).  You can hear his new single Favorite Sad Song wherever you stream music. NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Alexandra Kopko

Susan Pierce

Alexandra Kopko is a bicoastal actor, voice over artist, and comic who is thrilled to be making her WCP debut! Recent stage credits include A Sherlock Carol (New World Stages), Peter and the Starcatcher (White Heron Theatre), The Great Gatsby (Bay Street Theater), The Full Monty (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket), The Two Foscari (Evening Crane Theater), and The Bloody Beginning (Speakeasy Dollhouse). She is one half of the chatty comedic podcast The Film Bros, which can be streamed on all major platforms. You can catch her comedy videos on Instagram and TikTok

Bill Phillips

Gene Dinkel

Bill Phillips last appeared at the Playhouse in a reading of They Knew What They Wanted. He most recently performed at Penguin Rep in the comedy, Centennial Casting. He has acted in several productions at Penguin including The Savannah Disputation, directed by Mark Shanahan. His most recent Off-Broadway play was at 59E59 originating the role of Alan in Michael McKeever’s, After. Bill has worked in TV shows including Law & Order: SVU, Shades of Blue, and recurring roles in the Netflix series House of Cards as Reverend Jenkins and Prime’s Z: The Beginning of Everything as HL Mencken. On film he was seen at The Tribeca Film Festival in Little Boxes and at SXSW in the comedy-horror film, Porno.  When not acting Bill enjoys traveling with his wife, beekeeping and corresponding with Tom Hanks over their ridiculous obsessions with old typewriters. www.billphillips.nyc

Faith Sandberg

Stage Directions

FAITH SANDBERG is happy to join WCP for this play reading. A fan of new works, Faith originated roles of Terri in new musical The Good Girl and Sophie in an adaptation of Tom Jones. Stage: Fun Home (Helen, Portland Center Stage), Peter & The Starcatcher (Molly, Arkansas Rep), Mama Mia (Donna, CM Rep). TV: HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, The Big C, The Following (with Kevin Bacon), Blue Bloods, and the reboot of Murphy Brown on CBS.  Thank you, Mark, for inviting me to play again.