The Taming of the Shrew Digital Program

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Plague Mask Players Presents THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

In Living Black And White TM!

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed & Adapted by Shea McMillan

Produced in collaboration with Pegasus Theatre

CAST

Cody Magouirk....................................................................................................Petruchio

Jaclyn Thomas....................................................................................................Katharina

Erik Campos.........................................................................................................Lucentio

Sarah Perkins..........................................................................................................Bianca

Shana Gregory Williams................................................................................Baptista Minola

Ansley Arthur............................................................................................................Tranio

Salvador Elias.....................................................................................................Hortensio

Jake Lawrence Geary...............................................................................................Gremio

Alida Liberman........................................................................................................Grumia

Samantha Calatozzo Cobb....................................................................................Biondello

Salomona Mendoza.................................................................................................Pedant

Anthony Magee....................................................................................................Vincentio

Isabelle Culpepper...................................................................................Cora/Tailor/Widow

PRODUCTION TEAM

Shea McMillan.......................................................................................................Director

Michael McMillan............................................................................................Asst. Director

Savannah Lloyd....................................................................................................Producer

KJ James.....................................................................................................Stage Manager

Natalia Borja........................................................................................Asst. Stage Manager

Keegan Arnold...................................................................................................Set Design

Mia Lindemann................................................................................................Light Design

Jared Cobb........................................................................Sound Design & Music Composer

Gelacio Gibson...........................................................................................Costume Design

Adryana Medina...............................................................................................Prop Master

Mandy Rausch.............................................................................Intimacy/Fight Coordinator

Pearl Creative Consulting.....................................................................................Marketing

Leslie Patrick.............................................................................................Makeup Director

Jessi Chavez................................................................................................Wig Technician

Joel Baird, Madison Murrah & Michael Speck..............................................Makeup Technician

Courtney Mentzel.......................................................................................Casting Director

Kurt Kleinmann & Barbara Weinberger.......................................Pegasus Theatre -Consultants for “Living Black WhiteTM” effect

KT McGinn............................................................................................Outreach Associate

Ruby Pullum & Darcy Doyle....................................................................................Board Op

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

The Taming of the Shrew has long been one of Shakespeare’s most popular and iconic plays, but more and more it (rightfully) doesn’t sit well with audiences. Despite being a comedic goldmine full of deliciously fun characters, the central “romance” of the show is an abusive relationship. The 1950’s sitcom seemed an especially apt lens through which to view this fraught and antiquated Shakespeare text. Witty banter and hilarious hijinks abound, but underlying misogyny permeates the world of the show. The playful, peppy family programming of the midcentury is genuinely delightful and we hope to pay homage to a wonderful era of television. At the same time, so many of those sitcoms’ plots were driven by conflict between men and women in marriage. Romantic relationships are presented as competitive, with each partner striving to gain the upper hand and win the battle. While that doesn’t sound healthy, it sure does sound like The Taming of the Shrew! Even in the context of “oh, it’s just a comedy,” we mustn’t underestimate the insidious power our entertainment media has to perpetuate harmful ideas. What does it do to us to continually watch the mistreatment of women played for laughs? To see arrogant, unstable, domineering men like Petruchio presented as a heroic leading man of a romcom? There’s an uncomfortable dissonance there that is worth sitting with and examining. I so hope this production makes you laugh! But I also hope it provokes deeper thought and empathy.

- Shea McMillan Director

Ansley Arthur

Erik Campos

Samantha Calatozzo Cobb

Isabelle Culpepper

Salvador Elias

Jake Lawrence Geary

Alida Liberman

Anthony Magee

Cody Magouirk

Salomona Mendoza

Sarah Perkins

Shana Gregory Williams

Jaclyn Thomas

Ansley Arthur (Tranio) is a professional actor newly based in DFW. They have recently worked with The Roxy Regional Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and Austin Peay State University during the five years they lived in Tennessee. They want to thank their amazing parents for always being their biggest cheerleaders. More information can be found about Ansley at ansleyarthur.com

Erik Campos (Lucentio) is thrilled to make his professional debut with Plague Mask Players! As a BFA Performance Alumnus from Baylor University, he has performed in various roles such as Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Ephesus), Amelié (Nino), and Calvin Berger (Calvin). He would like to thank his friends, family, and his girlfriend for their unwavering support.

Samantha Calatozzo Cobb (Biondello) is a professional actor in DFW. She has performed with Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Dallas, Theatre Frisco, The Walt Disney Company, and is the Executive Artistic Director of Plague Mask Players. She would like to thank her husband, Jared for letting her practice accents in the kitchen, and her amazing PMP team for all they do to make the world better.

Isabelle Culpepper (Cora/Tailor/Widow) is overjoyed to make her PMP & Shakespearean debut in this exciting production. She has been working in the DFW theatre whenever she has time for the last 20 years, both on and offstage. Isabelle thanks her family and employers for their continuous support of her theatre habit over the years.

Salvador Elias (Hortensio) is thrilled to be making his debut with Plague Mask Players. This will be the third time he has done a Living Black and White™ show. His previous work includes shows with Pegasus Theatre, Pocket Sandwich Theatre, Upright Theatre, and Theatre Coppell. When not acting, Salvador is pursuing his graduate degree in counseling at The University of North Texas.

Jake Lawrence Geary (Gremio) is honored to be a part of Plague Mask Players’ newest take on one of the Bard’s classics. A Theater BA alum of Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, Jake has played in productions within the New York area, but is new to Dallas. Past works include Romeo and Juliet (Montague), King Lear (Edgar), and Equus (Alan Strang).

Alida Liberman (Grumia) is a Platinum Player with Plague Mask Players, having performed in over 35 virtual readings. She played As You Like It (Duke Frederick), PMP’s first fully staged production, and is delighted to return to the PMP stage. Thanks to Josh, the cast and crew, and you reading this for supporting live theater.

Tony Magee (Vincentio) is pleased to return to the stage with Plague Mask Players for the second time, having been in Romeo and Juliet (Paris) last year. Tony’s other Shake-

spearean credits include The Taming of the Shrew (Baptista) at The Classics Theatre Project, Julius Caesar (Metellus Cimber), Henry VIII (King Henry), and various roles in The Winter’s Tale

Cody Magouirk (Petruchio) is excited to return to the stage with Plague Mask Players. After graduating with his BFA in Drama from the University of North Carolina in Asheville, Cody had the privilege of dividing his time between New York City and Asheville, NC before returning to the stage in Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) with PMP.

Salomona Mendoza (Pedant) is a native of the DFW area and is excited to make her debut with Plague Mask Players. Favorite credits include Redeemer Mine (Gloria), Top Girls (Joyce), and How I Learned to Drive (Female Greek Chorus). She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.

Sarah Perkins (Bianca) makes her debut with Plague Mask Players, and hopes to tame a shrew and her nerves! Sarah earned a theatre degree from Trinity University and has been working as an actor the last 8 years. She also works at Literacy Achieves and encourages YOU to volunteer. Sarah is grateful to her family for their love and support.

Jaclyn Thomas (Katharina) is a recent transplant to Dallas from Orlando, Florida where she was a contracted performer at Universal Orlando for 7 years. Her passion is film, but theatre credits include The Spider Queen at Teatro Latea New York, and Twelfth Night at Orlando Shakespeare Theater, The Last Five Years at ME Performing Arts Center. She has recently debuted as a voice actor with Crunchyroll.

Shana Gregory Williams (Baptista Minola), is excited to make her Plague Mask Players debut. Some of her favorite roles - Gemini (Bunny); Ghostwriter (The Girl) NY Fringe Festival Award winner; The Blank Line (The Useful Wife), American Living Room Festival. TV Film credits include Baskets, Stuck in the Middle, and Amelia’s 25th

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS

Shea McMillan (Director) is a Dallas native with a Musical Theatre degree from The University of Alabama. Recent credits include Director for Xanadu and Chicago at Genesis Children’s Theatre, and AD for Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It at Plague Mask Players. You may have seen her onstage at RTC, ACT, RCT, and Rover Dramawerks. She is the Director of Programming and a founding Board Member for Plague Mask Players

Michael McMillan (Assistant Director) is a graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Theatre Arts and Music. Recent credits include Director for Romeo and Juliet at Plague Mask Players and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Genesis Children’s Theatre. Michael is the Company Manager and a founding Board Member of Plague Mask Players

Courtney Mentzel (Casting Director) is an actor, producer, casting director, and avid collaborator based in NYC. Recent projects include Living with Lily, Jammingers: An Overture of Gold of Silver, and Call Me Grizby. MFA in Acting from Brooklyn College. She is the Casting Director and a Board Member of Plague Mask Players. Have a terrific run, team!

Savannah Lloyd (Producer) is an actor, director, and theatre artist. She earned her B.A. in Theatre with a double concentration in Musical Theatre and Directing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is honored to serve as the Head of Education & Initiatives and a Board Member for Plague Mask Players. For more, visit www.savannahlloyd.com

Jared Cobb (Sound Designer & Music Composer) is a multimedia artist. He has sung with Emerald City Band & Party Machine as a lead vocalist, performed in an original musical with Todrick Hall, and wrote the critically acclaimed scores for both As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet at Plague Mask Players. He would like to thank his wonderful wife, Samantha, for always supporting him.

Mandy Rausch (Intimacy Director) is excited to work on her second Plague Mask Players production since debuting with Romeo and Juliet last year. She loves teaching - and when she isn’t giving intimacy workshops or fight/intimacy directing a show, she teaches British Lit and Theatre at Valley View HS. Endless thanks to Michael, Zach, George, and her whole support system.

KJ James (Stage Manager) is a Theatre Artist, Writer and Educator. She has been seen onstage and behind the scenes of numerous productions for over 30 years. Stage managing credits include Children of the Night with Prost Stage Productions, as well as Twelfth Night and The Importance of Being Earnest with Upright Theatre. She is represented by Broad Talent.

Natalia Borja (Asst. Stage Manager) is an actor/improviser based in DFW and Las Vegas. Past theatres include: Echo Theatre, Rover Dramawerks, Firehouse Theatre, Music Theatre of Denton, Roof Top Productions, Camp Death Productions, Pegasus Theatre, Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre, Dallas Comedy Club, Upstart Productions, and others. Natalia can also be seen on HBO Max’s Love and Death. Represented by the Boysen Agency.

Mia Lindemann (Lighting Designer) is a DFW based creative professional. Recent Lighting Designer credits include The Underpants and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Mainstage Irving, Clue: High School Edition with Carroll Sr. High School, and Santa Claus vs. The Martians with Camp Death Productions. Mia would like to thank her partner, Ashton, for his continued support.

Gelacio Eric Gibson (Costume Designer) is a multidiscinplary theatre artist. He moved to Dallas in 2016 after graduating with a BA from SFASU in 2015. In 2017, Gelacio landed his first professional costume design for the production Really at Undermain Theatre. Since

then, he has designed costumes and served as wardrobe master at many local DFW theatres. Now it’s 2024 and Gelacio is honored to join Plague Mask Players for the first time as costume designer for The Taming of the Shrew in Living Black and WhiteTM!. Enjoy!

Leslie Patrick (Makeup Director) has worked with multiple Dallas theatres on stage and behind the scenes. She has done too many Living Black & White™ productions with Pegasus Theatre to name. Leslie has also worked with Echo Theatre, Circle Theatre, Theatre Three, Audacity Productions, and Uptown Players. Some of her favorite roles include 52 Pick-up, Die, Mommie, Die!, Mauritius, and Boy Gets Girl

KT McGinn (Outreach Associate) holds a Bachelor’s in Theatre Performance from the University of North Texas. Some of her favorite roles include: Dirt (T), The Revolutionists (Charlotte), and Romeo and Juliet (Nurse), as well as working as a stage manager for A Christmas Carol and The Memory Project. She’s excited to be back with Plague Mask Players in a new role! Enjoy the show!

Adryana Medina (Prop Master) is a Fort Worth local, working as an artist and now Prop Master! Medina graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre. There, she directed classics like What the Butler Saw and One Man, Two Guvnors. Since then, she has gained acumen as a musical theatre teacher and private instructor.

Keegan Arnold (Set Design) is the head director and technical director at McKinney North High School. He’s excited to take on the amazing opportunity to work with Plague Mask Players for the first time. Some of his favorite previous set designs include Noises Off, Polaroid Stories, and Equus where he won a Column Award for set design and lighting design.

Kurt Kleinman & Barbara Weinberger - Pegasus Theatre celebrates its 39th season of bringing new and original comedies to DFW! Pegasus is well-known for its trademarked Living Black and White™ effect, conceived by Kurt Kleinmann and perfected over the years by Mr. Kleinmann and a host of talented theatre artists. Southwestern premieres at Pegasus include plays by Charles Ludlum, Charles Busch, Nicky Silver, Cynthia Heimberg, and more.

Ruby Pullum (Board Op) brings a decade of diverse experience to the arts scene of DFW, both behind the scenes & onstage. She’s incredibly blessed to return to Plague Mask Players for such a special project. Past collaborations include; WaterTower Theatre, Echo Theatre, Bishop Arts Theatre, GPAC, Soul Rep Theatre, NTPA Repretory, and Allagray Area Productions. Gracias Paris, mi amor. Connect: Linktr.ee/RpullumTheatrical

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