Give $10 towards our Annual Fund + share the Azuka experience with a friend! We were so thrilled by your response to last season’s 10 for 10 Challenge that we decided to bring it back! Introducing the Give 10 + 1 Annual Challenge! We’re asking everyone to contribute at least $10 to our Annual Fund. Additionally, we would like each of you to include a friend – invite them to attend an Azuka production or to join you in contributing to our Annual Fund…or both! Things are always better with a + 1, right? So share the Azuka experience and let 1+1=11 seasons of great theater!
3 easy ways to give! * * *
Fill out one of our giving envelopes. You can leave it in our drop-box in the lobby or simply mail it to us later. Visit our website @ www.azukatheatre.org. Join our Give 10 + 1 cause on Facebook and make your donation. While you’re there, become a fan of Azuka Theatre!
Support Azuka's continued effort to employ area artists and bring exciting new theater to Philadelphia!
Kevin Glaccum Producing Artistic Director
AzuKA TheATre presents
by JAcqueline GoldFinGer
KriSTyn chouiniere
Featuring zurA JohnSon AmAndA Schoonover & nAThAn holT
Scenic Design dirK duroSSeTTe Lighting Design JoShuA l. SchulmAn
Costume Design AliSA SicKorA KlecKner Sound Design dAniel PerelSTein
Fight Choreographer BriAn cowden Production Manager Terry SmiTh
Assistant Director TAnyA lePPerT
Production Stage Manager lAuren TrAcy Directed by AlliSon heiShmAn
world Premiere!
march 17 – April 3, 2011 Azuka Theatre is a 501(c)(3) Not for profit orginization
cAST Birdie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zura Johnson Minnie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amanda Schoonover* Gretch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristyn Chouiniere* Deaf Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nathan Holt *Member of Actors’ Equity Association
There will be no intermission. Please turn oFF all electronic devices prior to the performance. Photography or recording of this production, including cellular phones, is strictly prohibited
The noted Actors in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Proud member of Off-Broad Street. Celebrating Philadelphia Independent Theater!
Azuka Theatre is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA).
Azuka Theatre is a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia (TAGP).
Azuka Theatre proudly participates in the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.
A Note From the Director “She would have been a good woman,” The Misfit said, “if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life.“ – Flannery O’Connor, A Good Man Is Hard To Find Tennessee Williams described Southern Gothic as a style that captured “an intuition, of an underlying dreadfulness in modern experience.” It’s a style of writing practiced by many writers of the American South including Williams, O’Connor, William Faulkner and Truman Capote. Their stories are frequently characterized by grotesque, macabre, or fantastic incidents. In the terrible girls we are ushered into the back kitchen of an uninviting diner off the barren I-10 in Northern Florida where we meet our protagonists. How did they end up here? Why do they stay? As their finely crafted network of secrets and lies begins to crumble we discover these women are bound by ties that are thicker than blood. When Jackie first brought me the terrible girls I didn’t imagine it would lead to the full production you’ve come to see. I am so honored to have been a part of this play’s journey, from the one-act play we read as part of our Spotlight Series to this full length version that will soon be published by Playscripts. Azuka Theatre has long nurtured the voices of new and emerging playwrights, particularly those from the Philadelphia region. the terrible girls marks our 9th World Premiere in just 11 Seasons and as Azuka’s Literary Manager it has been an honor to be a part of bringing those new plays to the stage. We will continue to foster new work, including Jackie’s next piece Skin & Bone which we will be reading on April 18th as part of the Spotlight Series. A roomful of women worked on this production (plus Nate, who I’m sure will tell you stories) and it is that unique collaboration that produced what you see before you today. It can be a tough road for women in this business; whether they are directors, playwrights, actresses, stage managers or designers. Having the opportunity to have ALL that creativity in one room was an extraordinary experience. As this is Women’s History Month please take a moment and thank all the wonderful (and terrible) women in your life... because as you’ll soon find out, you don‘t want to see what happens when we get angry. Allison Heishman
who’S who Zura Johnson (Birdie) is delighted to be returning to the stage with Azuka, and the terrible girls! Most recently, Zura has been playing the role of mother-of-two and providing her voice for many local and regional radio and television spots including spots for CHOP, Rita’s Italian Ice and Coppertone. Her most recent stage credits include Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, and Kid Simple. Zura holds an MFA from The Old Globe in San Diego. Thanks to Jackie and Allison! Love to Scott and all the Terrible Girls in my life... you know who you are! Amanda Schoonover (Minnie) is thrilled to return to Azuka for her 7th show! Amanda is a six time Barrymore Award nominee, winning two awards for her work as Dottie in Theatre Exile’s Killer Joe, as well as being a 2010 F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist finalist. She has worked with many theaters in Philadelphia including the Arden, People’s Light, Bristol Riverside, Pig Iron, New City and the Lantern. Favorite roles include Lucy in Mr. Marmalade (Exile), Flora in The Loyalist (Fictitious), Sara in Grace (Luna) and Moll in Kid Simple (Azuka). Look for her in the upcoming production of Saturn Returns with Theatre Exile! Many thanks to the entire Azuka family and especially to Allison for her dedication to this piece and to Jackie for being my friend and biggest fan. Kristyn chouiniere (Gretch) is returning from maternity leave to make her Azuka debut. She last appeared on stage in Boeing-Boeing at Act II Playhouse, and has performed with many Philadelphia companies including Theatre Exile (Mr. Marmalade), Lantern Theatre Company (The Hothouse), Arden Theatre Company (A Prayer For Owen Meany, Arabian Nights) and People’s Light (The Crucible). She holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University and is currently a member of the Freedom Rising cast at the National Constitution Center. For Terry, who makes it all possible; and Violet, who makes it all worthwhile. Nathan holt (Deaf Guy) is terribly excited for his first show with Azuka! Other Philly-area credits include work at Brat Productions, Delaware Theatre Company, Act II Playhouse, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, Flashpoint Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre for Kids, Teatro Delle Due, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Nathan also improvises in Philadelphia’s longest running show, ComedySportz. You may have also seen him the sketch group Bad Hair or the comedic hip-hop duo Rowan & Hastings. Much love to Allison and all the other terrible girls that made this show a pleasure to work on! Jacqueline Goldfinger (Playwright) thanks Azuka for their phenomenal support over the past two years. She’d especially like to thank Larry and Rachel for their patience, and Kevin, Allison, Mandy, Zura, and Kristy for slogging through draft after draft. Jackie is a dramaturg and award-winning playwright from Tallahassee, Florida. She holds a M.F.A. from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. from Agnes Scott College. This spring, she is being given the 2011 Outstanding Young Alumna Award by Agnes Scott. Her new play, Skin & Bone, will have a reading at Azuka in April. Her plays include Slip/Shot (White Pines Productions, Nominee 2010 Weissberger Award, currently a Semi-finalist for the 2011 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), The Oath (Theatre Exile, Off-Off Broadway Maieutic Theatre Works, Penobscot Theatre), and The Burning Season (Winner National Plays for the 21st Century Competition, New Village Arts). Her commissioned adaptations include Little Women (North Coast Repertory Theatre), A Christmas Carol (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and The Ghost’s Bargain (Playscripts). She wrote the script for the 15th Annual Barrymore Awards, and is a member of InterAct Theatre’s Playwrights’ Forum, the Dramatists Guild, PDC, and LMDA. Her works have been published by Playscripts and Smith & Krauss. Visit her online at: www.jacquelinegoldfinger.com
Allison heishman (Director) is making her directing debut with Azuka, where she has worked as Literary Manager since 2005. An actress, director and dramaturg, Allison has worked for a number of companies in Philadelphia including Flashpoint Theatre, Madhouse Theatre, Secret Room Theatre, Philadelphia Dramatists Center, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and the Traverse Arts Project. With Azuka she continues to run the Spotlight Reading Series, where the terrible girls was developed. Up next, Spotlight Series reading of Jacqueline Goldfinger’s new play Skin & Bone in April. Allison also works as the Theatre Programs Manager at the National Constitution Center and holds a B.A. in Drama from Washington College in Chestertown, MD. So grateful for all the terrible girls: Jackie, Mandy, Kristy, Zura, Lauren and Tanya. Love to my family, and my other family Kevin, Mark and Mike. Kevin Glaccum (Producing Artistic Director) he has been a member of Azuka Theatre since he appeared in their first production, La Rue des Faux. For Azuka he has directed productions of Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, Nerve, Whisky Neat, Greek Active, Kid Simple, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Barrymore Nomination; Best Director of a Musical, Philadelphia Weekly), Azuka One-Acts, Four, The Boys and Sincerity Forever. Other credits include Say Goodnight, Gracie (Act II Playhouse), The Rocky Horror Show (Arcadia University), Iron Kisses (Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival) and The Shoes (Philadelphia Fringe Festival). Before turning to directing he appeared in Azuka’s productions of Metamorphosis, Friends and An Artist’s Workshop. Kevin is a member The Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Thanks to HP. Dirk Durossette (Scenic Designer) has been designing scenery and teaching stagecraft, design, and drawing and rendering for the theater for the past 10 years in and around the Philadelphia region. He has designed over 100 plays, operas, and musicals including several Philadelphia and world premieres. He has designed for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theatre, Act II Playhouse (Any Given Monday World Premiere), Enchantment Theater Company (National Tour - Harold and the Purple Crayon), Theater Exile, 1812 Productions (First Day of School - Philadelphia Premiere), Freedom Theater, InterAct Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination - Skylight), Luna Theater, New City Stage Company, Painted Bird Productions (A Few Small Repairs - World Premiere), Theater Horizon, The Wilma Theater (Leaving Associate Designer - American Premiere), Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel University, West Chester University, Villanova University. He teaches design at Temple University, The University of the Arts, and Villanova University. M.F.A Temple University. Alisa Sickora Kleckner (Costume Designer) is a theatre artist who has designed costumes, craftwork, puppets, makeup and masks for productions throughout the Northeast. As adjunct faculty and resident designer at Arcadia University, she teaches a range of courses in addition to running the university’s costume shop. Alisa has worked with 1812, Act II Playhouse, Beserker Residents, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Brat Productions, Historic Philadelphia, People’s Light and Theatre Co. and the Walnut Street Theatre. This is her fourth show with the lovely folks at Azuka. She has also collaborated with Bloomsburg, Bucknell, Lafayette and Muhlenberg. With her husband Chris, she co-founded Little Bunny Voodoo, a puppet company for mature audiences that produces new works yearly. Alisa is an alum of the O’Neill National Puppetry Conference and Puppets in Prague. She has been honored with the KC/ACTF Faculty Design Fellowship and a nomination for the F. Otto Haas Emerging Philadelphia Artist award. Brian cowden (Fight Choreographer) is a local Philadelphia actor, and a University of the Arts Alumni. His past choreography credits include Fat Pig at Theatre Horizon, “The Scottish play” at U Penn, Henry V with Philadelphia Shakespear Theater, and Neighborhood 3 with Azuka Theatre. Special thanks to Allison and Kevin for this opportunity and a talented cast for their diligence. Daniel Perelstein (Sound Designer) is a freelance sound designer, composer, and musical director in Philadelphia. He is grateful to have the opportunity to design Azuka’s 2010-2011 season including Neighborhood 3 and the terrible girls (on a related note: Kevin Glaccum is my homeboy). Additional recent work: Macbeth (The Wilma Theater), Love Jerry and Grace or the Art of Climbing (Nice People Theatre Company), Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theater), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lantern Theater), Nocturne (Flashpoint Theatre), The Early Bird (Inis Nua Theatre), Xmas Carol Holiday Adventure Show (Berserker Residents / Theatre Horizon), Punchkapow (Team Sunshine). Daniel has been fortunate to
Nerve (2010)
Kid Simple (2008)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2008)
The Long Christmas Ride Home (2009)
Four (2005)
2009-10 **Nerve by Adam Szymkowicz **the Long christmas ride home by Paula Vogel
2004-05 **Laura’s Bush by Jane Martin **Four by Christopher Shinn
2008-09 **Kid Simple by Jordan Harrison *Whiskey Neat by Bruce Walsh
2003-04 *An Artist’s Workshop conceived and created by Alden Moore written by Raelle Myrick-Hodges
2007-08 *Sweetie Pie by Madi Distefano hedwig and the Angry inch by John Cameron Mitchell music & lyrics by Stephen Trask
2001-02 **Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman **Friends by Kobo Abe
2006-07 Azuka one-Acts by various ‘twas the Night by Veronica Griego two rooms by Lee Blessing Co-Produced with Blue Ridge Theatre Festival 2005-06 *‘twas the Night by Veronica Griego *the Boys by Kris Elgstrand
2000-01 **Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka 1999-2000 *trouble With Bohemia by Raelle Myrick-Hodges metamorphosis by Franz Kafka adapted by Steven Berkoff 1999 *La rue des Faux by Raelle Myrick-Hodges adapted from James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room
*world Premiere
An Artist’s Workshop (2004)
**Philadelphia Premiere
PASt SeASoNS
who’S who continued from Page 7
work with and learn from other prominent designers and composers including Pavel Fajt, Troy Herion, Chas Marsh, Andrew Nelson, Rob Kaplowitz, Christopher Colucci, and especially Nick Kourtides. He holds a B.S. in Engineering and a B.A. in Music from Swarthmore College. Hear samples of his work at www . danielperelstein . com Joshua L. Schulman (Lighting Designer). 2008 Barrymore Award for lighting design of Art at Delaware Theatre Company. 2009 Barrymore Award nomination for Rock ‘N’ Roll at the Wilma Theater. Designs for Azuka Theatre includes Nerve, Kid Simple, Sweetie Pie, and Four. Work for other companies includes People’s Light and Theatre Company, Flashpoint Theater Company, The Hidden City Festival, Theatre West Virginia, the Rebecca Davis Dance Company, and many more. Other projects that Joshua has worked on include being the programmer for Boathouse Row in Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River and the associate designer/programmer for the Cira Centre next to 30th Street Station. He has his M.F.A. from Boston University. Joshua lives in South Philly with his wife, Karen, and son, Elijah. www.jlsld.com tanya Leppert (Assistant Director) graduated in 2009 from The University of the Arts with a BFA in Theater Arts and a major in Directing. Her past credits include: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Assistant Director) for InterAct Theatre Company, No Exit (Director), The Best Man (Assistant Director), and Orphans (Assistant Director). She is delighted and thankful to work on this show with such a wonderful cast, crew, and director. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and Andrew for always being so supportive. Avista custom theatrical Services, LLc (Properties) was founded in 2007 by Jennifer Burkhart, Amanda Hatch, and Travis Whitaker as a properties design and construction firm. Avista specializes in custom construction, upholstery, and soft goods construction, and also owns a lighting and prop rental house in Norristown. Avista’s work has been seen at Azuka Theatre, Flashpoint Theatre, Theatre Horizon, and CCTC. Avista is in its fourth season as resident prop team at Act II Playhouse and its second season at InterAct Theatre. Lauren tracy (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to Azuka for another show. She stage managed Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom this past fall. Other local credits include stage managing A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theatre), Ben (Historical Theatre Acting Group), and the Fringe Preview Series (Plays & Players). She also works as the Assistant Production Manager for Plays & Players. Later this season she will be at Act II Playhouse to ASM their production of Art and then stage managing for the Delaware Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Winter’s Tale. She is a proud graduate of Syracuse University’s Stage Management program. She would like to thank her parents and her friends for all of their love and support. mike troncone (Technical Director) is very happy to be working with Azuka again. A graduate of DeSales University, he has been working in Philadelphia for the last 3 years. His first position with Azuka was as Technical Director for Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom. He has TD’d for Arcadia University, Team Sunshine Performance Co. and works as a carpenter, electrician and audio engineer for many theaters around the city. Much love to Julia and mom. Shannon Fitzsimons (Assistant Stage Manager) has recently moved to Philadelphia after finishing up two years of touring with The Enchantment Theatre Company’s The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College with BA’s in both Theatre and Music, having also studied physical theater and commedia dell’arte at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. When not on tour, Shannon has most recently been working as a teaching artist, director, and performer in greater New York Area. Shannon is currently finding her feet in the Philadelphia community and is simply thrilled to be joining the Azuka team!
StAFF & creDitS BoArD oF DirectorS 2010-2011 David Fedor - President Heather Evans - Vice-President Andrea Sheaffer - Treasurer Mark Andrews - Secretary Natalie Diener Kevin Glaccum Brian Moore Adam Travia AZUKA theAtre StAFF Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum Director of marketing Mark H. Andrews Literary manager Allison Heishman Artistic Associate Mike Dees Artistic Associate Gary Rantz Production manager Terry Smith ProDUctioN creW technical Director Mike Troncone
Assistant Lighting Designer/ master electrician Robin Stamey Assistant Sound Designer John Greenbaum Assistant Stage manager Shannon Fitzsimons Box office manager Emily Todd creDitS Photo credit Alex Heishman Graphic Design Mark H. Andrews & Derek Carnegie it, Website Design & maintenance Andrew Nelson Printing Quaker Printing UPS Store - Scott Vradelis
SPeciAL thANKS Kate Tejada, Tyler Melchior & everyone at 1812 Productions, Peter DeFeo, Scott Johnson, Annemarie Vaeni, Marc Wade & Arcadia University, Bailey Shaw, Andrew Nelson & Dan Gannon
Azuka Theatre is a proud participant in the Melissa Lynch Theater Memorial Fund for Saint Hubert’s, a Philadelphia Theater Community-wide effort to raise funds for the drama club and theatre at Melissa’s high school alma mater, St. Hubert Catholic High School For Girls. All proceeds directly benefit St. Hubert’s in Mel’s name and honor. If you are interested in making an individual contribution, checks can be made payable to “St. Hubert Catholic High School For Girls”, with “Melissa Lynch Theater Memorial Fund” noted in the memo line, and can be sent to:
St. Hubert Catholic High School For Girls 7320 Torresdale Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19136 Thank you for your consideration of joining the effort to honor such a wonderful actor, person and friend.
SUPPort FoUNDAtioN SUPPort Wyncote Foundation William Penn Foundation Samuel S. Fels Fund CHG Foundation Philadelphia Cultural Fund Charlotte Cushman Foundation
ProDUcerS circLe Honorary Producer ($2500 - $5000) David M. Fedor Kenneth & Anita Goldenberg Anonymous Producer ($1000 - $1499) Louis Bluver Virginia & Harvey Kimmel Elizabeth A. O’Donnell Associate Producer ($500 - $999) Josephine Klein Michael L. Norris Anonymous
iNDiViDUAL SUPPort Dreamer ($1000 - $4999) Peter DeFeo Robert J. Kratz & Co Idealist ($100 - $499) Robert & Mary Anne Andrews Patrick L. Bell Phyllis Cohen Natalie Diener Michael & Jill Feighan Vincent Fumo Deena Gerson Bryan & Kathy Glaccum
Maureen Glaccum & David Speers William & Carolyn Glaccum Jacqueline Pardue Goldfinger Terry Graboyes Stephen & Pamela Heishman Stephen & Jane Heumann Theodore & Betsy Hershberg David & Karen Jones Sondra N. Jones Arden Kass Catherine F. Kerrigan Diane & Larry Loebell Noris W. Malvey Robert Mandell Farah Marasigan & Andrew Nelson Bob & Sue Marburg Michael McKeever William I. Packard Molly Peckman Lee Porter William F. Rahill Fernando van Reigersberg Denise & Samuel Rudderow Noreen & Eric Tarr Ed Tettemer John Tobin Miriam White Oller & Associates Realist (up to $99) Michael Alltop Mark H. Andrews Jack Armstrong & Carmen Khan Wendy M. Bolas Antony X. Braithwaite Christopher & Peggy Cline Marie Conti Liam Daley Barbara Dilley Madi Distefano Jason D. Evans Susan & Anthony Faillace Mary Q. Frantz Donald M. Friedman, M.D.
Narinder & Patricia Garg John Frisbee & Jill Garland Nan Gilbert & Lou Grimaldi Greg Goldman & Elizabeth Hersh Jessica Hogan David M. Ingram & Melanye Finister Joseph Johnston Uranium City Films Joann & Michael Kean Patrice A. Kelly Kevin F. King Jim Kirby Sharon Kling Thomas Korman & Ann Kirschner Stephanie Lauren Jean S. Markovitz Christopher J. McCarrick Paul & Michal Meshejian Susan L Mock Brian Moore Charlene A. Nolten Sara Pilling Katie Ringwood Eddie Ruiz Amrital K. Sidhu Caitlin B. Speers Robin Stamey Richard H. St. Clair Dan Taraborrelli Leah Walton Anthony Zalis Anonymous (5) (List complete as of March 8, 2011)
Azuka theatre thanks all of our donors for their continued support of the work we do. if you have questions about supporting Azuka, please call Kevin Glaccum at 215.733.0255, ext.3.
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
Kevin M. Lyons funeral service, ltd.
202. S. Chester Pike Glenolden, PA 19036 610.583.4400 Kevin M. Lyons Supervisor