Jean Burgess and John Desmone, NAVIGATING HER NEXT CHAPTER: A RETRO NOVEL

We're celebrating Jean Burgess' latest novel, Navigating Her Next Chapter! Jean's history on stage as an actor, director, and writer shines in this novel, featuring a protagonist caught between a New York career and her home on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The second in Jean Burgess' Retro Novel series, it's a surprising and heartfelt story published by Baltimore-based Apprentice House Press.

We're delighted that fellow director and performer John Desmone will join Jean Burgess in conversation on the Ivy patio. See you there!

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For over 40 years, Jean Burgess told stories on stage as an actor and director in summer stock theatres in New England, dinner theatres in Ohio, and a variety of venues in between, including Theatre on the Hill where she met director John Desmone. In addition, she taught theatre and speech in college and secondary settings for 23 years. It’s not surprising that her written works, both nonfiction and fiction, relate to the performing arts. Jean holds a Masters in Theatre from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University. Jean will be discussing the second book in her Retro series, Navigating Her Next Chapter: A Retro Novel, published by Apprentice House Press.

A respected stage director in the Baltimore region, John Desmone has mounted over 100 full-length productions for area theatres. He has received numerous Outstanding Director recognitions. John is also a recognized stage performer. In real life, John worked for Baltimore County Public Schools for 32 years, including as Principal of Timonium Elementary, and currently works for Towson University as Executive Director of the Bel Air Satellite campus.

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