‘Sheepwell’: From Stage to Screen—A Feminist Thriller Finds Its Voice

Sheepwell—the genre-blending, darkly comedic feminist thriller—has officially wrapped production, marking a major milestone for both Pathway Pictures and SheNYC Arts. Adapted from Margaret Rose Caterisano’s award-winning Off-Broadway play, the film stars Lauren Elizabeth Harris (also the film’s producer), Michole Briana White, Alix Lapri, Connor Paolo, and Denise Grayson, under the direction of Kim Caicedo.

The Origin Story: Why Sheepwell?

For Harris, the magic of Sheepwell began on the page. “Sheepwell is a captivating, genre-blending story, and Margaret Rose Caterisano’s play had us hooked from the start. However at its core, it’s a mother-daughter story and explores the complexities of that relationship—the intersection between the two is what convinced us all that it belonged on screen,” Harris shares.

Director Kim Caicedo, whose previous work has earned accolades at the DGA Student Film Awards, was equally captivated: “Upon reading the script for the first time, I was immediately consumed by these women and the eerie, twisted Southern landscape that they’re trying to survive in. This film is more than just a mystery and a thriller. It’s a real-life depiction of what women in our society have to fear and fight for every day.”

Producing and Performing: Wearing Two Hats

Harris’s dual role as producer and star came with its own set of challenges. “It was important to Kim that when I was acting I was solely focused on that, so I worked with my acting coach ahead of filming, the wonderful Tyler Poelle, which more than prepared me to easily step back into that headspace when on set,” she explains. Harris credits her co-producer Aleksandra Mania and SheNYC founder Danielle DeMatteo for “holding the fort down” while she was in front of the camera.

Pathway Pictures & SheNYC: A Mission-Driven Partnership

“Sheepwell was a natural evolution of our work—bringing SheNYC’s ethos from stage to screen with a bold, female-driven narrative,” says Harris, a longtime board member of SheNYC Arts. “Their dedication to promoting gender marginalized works in the theater space has been unflappable for a decade now. It was an easy decision to help them make their transformation onto the screen, by continuing their tradition of telling stories about strong women, by strong women.”

DeMatteo, who also co-wrote the adaptation, adds: “We had the privilege of bringing it to life on an Off-Broadway stage back in 2023, and it’s going to be even more thrilling and shocking on screen.”

From Off-Broadway to On Location

Translating the play’s intimacy to a cinematic scale was no small feat. “The biggest challenge was scale, taking something intimate and contained and expanding it without losing its emotional intensity,” Caicedo notes. Harris echoes this: “The play is largely set in one location, so expanding that cinematically while preserving its intimacy was a challenge. But Kim and our DP, Jessica Azarte, did an incredible job broadening the visual world without losing the story’s emotional core.”

Filming on location in Alabama added a gritty authenticity. “We shot entirely on location in Alabama because we wanted the world to feel captured, not built. We aimed for something rooted and reflective, where the locals could see themselves honestly represented on screen,” Caicedo explains. Harris adds, “Shooting in Alabama gave the film an authentic texture that couldn’t be replicated elsewhere. While it made producing more complex—we brought in crew from across the country—the end result was absolutely worth it.”

Visual Style: Analog Roots, Modern Edge

Known for her work on 16mm and 35mm film, Caicedo brought that analog sensibility to Sheepwell: “I’m drawn to the texture, discipline, and imperfection of celluloid—it teaches you to be intentional. For Sheepwell, we carried that spirit into our choices: long takes, natural light, a restrained color palette, and a camera that observes more than it imposes.”

A Dynamic Cast, A Collaborative Set

Casting was a labor of love. “Casting Sheepwell was about finding actors who could bring vulnerability and strength to complex roles. With Michole, Alix, and Connor Paolo, I was looking for chemistry and depth—people who could hold the film’s emotional core and elevate the dynamic,” says Caicedo. Harris praises casting director China Green: “She really understood the vision from the start and brought people to the table who really brought the film to life. The cast truly exceeded my wildest dreams.”

On-set surprises abounded. “One moment that really stuck with me was when a quiet, seemingly small scene between Alix & Connor took on new weight because of how they layered their performance—adding subtle gestures and pauses that deepened the tension,” Caicedo recalls. Harris points to a scene between Alix and Michole: “The air that Kim allowed that scene to have, in combination with the bond they built, was just so breath-taking. I think it really grounded our story as not just being a thriller—but something that’s really rooted in deep emotion.”

Tone: Where Humor Meets Darkness

Balancing the film’s dark comedic and feminist themes required a deft touch. “It was all about tone and timing. I wanted the humor to emerge naturally from the characters’ reality—not undercut the stakes but deepen the audience’s connection,” says Caicedo. Harris adds, “All the credit goes to Kim—she has a remarkable eye for tone. She found space for humor and stillness even in high-stakes scenes, which helped root the story in something emotionally real.”

SheNYC’s Impact—and Industry Implications

SheNYC’s mission was woven into every frame. “SheNYC made the project all possible. They were part of every step of the process, every call, every decision,” Harris says. “Danielle DeMatteo is a visionary with her work in crafting SheNYC as an organization, and her ability to transfer those skills from theater into the film world was nothing short of amazing.”

For Caicedo, the organization’s support was invaluable: “SheNYC’s dedication to uplifting diverse voices were invaluable in helping us tell Sheepwell with authenticity and care. I’m grateful to Danielle DeMatteo—her support went beyond funding. Collaborating with her was an important part of shaping Sheepwell’s identity.”

Gender Equity—And What’s Next

“SheNYC and Pathway Pictures are committed to practicing what we preach—which is evident as the majority of our department heads were women. I hope the film not only opens doors for others but proves what’s possible when underrepresented creatives are given real resources,” says Harris.

Caicedo stresses representation on both sides of the camera: “For me, it’s important to have that representation both in front of and behind the camera. Sheepwell was made by an almost all-women team with women of color in key roles. I hope the film sparks conversation by showing what happens when diverse voices get to lead the story—and pushes the industry to move past tokenism and actually make space for real inclusion.”

Advice for Adaptors: Take Risks, Build Your Team

Caicedo’s advice for those adapting bold stage works: “My biggest advice is to externalize the internal, find ways to create visual metaphors that express what characters are feeling inside. Bold and unconventional stories often thrive when you show, rather than just tell.”

Harris adds: “Find people who believe in you and your story. Film is deeply collaborative—you can’t do it alone. Don’t shy away from risks, and keep a growth mindset as you shift mediums.”

Looking Ahead

With Sheepwell wrapped, both creators are on to new projects. Caicedo is developing Night at the Oasis (“basically a Finding Nemo set in Florida,” she jokes), while Pathway Pictures has three features in the pipeline, including Pink Moon, On The Hook, and No One Likes A Mad Woman.

Harris sums up her hopes for Sheepwell’s impact: “I hope the film encourages more marginalized artists to tell their stories on their own terms. The industry often has perceived imaginary gates—but creating your own work allows you to control the narrative of your career.”

Learn more about the organizations behind Sheepwell:

SheNYC Arts

Pathway Pictures