Sock It To Me: Ashleigh Jackson plays Margery in HAND TO GOD

"I've been so good for so long and it isn't paying off."

Following her husband's death, Margery seeks out emotional sanctuary in the church puppet show she's directing. But when son Jason's puppet persona takes on a devilish life of its own, the two join forces to exorcise it as well as their own destructive inner demons.

The Tony-nominated HAND TO GOD is a searing satire about the fraught ties of religion and community. It plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at Hickory Community Theatre from October 23—October 31.

Making her Hickory Community Theatre debut as Margery—the distraught mom wrestling with the loss of faith and family—is Ashleigh Jackson.

A resident of Lenoir, Jackson is a Research Assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she also earned her Bachelor's Degree. In her free time she enjoys gardening, landscaping, singing, playing clarinet, home design, reading, drawing, hiking, writing, time with her cat, and any chance to appreciate thunderstorms. And however dark the story of HAND TO GOD, Jackson relishes her role as "actor most likely to give everyone hugs and cheer for them."

Though this is Jackson's first HCT show, she has several area acting and tech credits. She appeared in HARVEY and ALL THE KING'S WOMEN for Foothills Performing Arts, was Assistant Stage Manager for CINDERELLA and HEATHERS THE MUSICAL for Just Two Guys Productions, and was part of the stage crew for THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Old Colony Players. She also appeared in the short film A TENSE RUMINATION.

"I thoroughly enjoy the layers embedded in this script," says Jackson of HAND TO GOD. "The unapologetic approach to the difficult, real-life struggles depicted, and the underlying message of self-awareness as a practice, a need, and a tool for life."

"I relate to Margery's struggle and emotional torment even if not her actions for

expression. The limitations placed on her via her religion, her community, and

the power dynamic between prescribed gender roles fascinate and disturb

me. Our own dark thoughts can be our own rulers if not cared for properly, and

she is a clear depiction of that gone awry."

Preach, Ms. Jackson. Preach.

Performances of HAND TO GOD are Fridays and Saturdays, October 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm; Sunday, October 25 at 2:30pm; and Thursday, October 29 at 7:30pm.

This production is recommended for audiences ages 18 and up. It contains VERY adult language and inappropriate situations, and evil puppets doing naughty puppet things. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for youth and students 18 and under. Tickets are available at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828‑328‑2283.

Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 78 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, David and Maria WIlliams, Shurtape Technologies, and Acuña & Acuña Dentistry.