Antigone 2024

Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s

Book by Madhuri Shekar

Directed by Deb Sivigny

Assistant Directed by Megan Ayers

March 21, 22* and 23 at 8 p.m.

March 23 and 24** at 2 p.m.

in Harris Theatre

*ASL interpreted and Talkback to follow

** Audio Described

Content Advisory

Language: profanity, blasphemy, innuendos, derogatory name-calling, gaslighting

Mentions of: body-shaming, prejudice, familial neglect and dispel because of sexuality, drugs and alcohol use, grooming

Actions/Sensory: yelling, slamming of doors, tables, and chairs, panic attacks

This production uses haze.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

GRETA: I feel like you see us. Like, you’re the only one here who sees us.

When I was a teenager (go CRHS class of ’95!) I desperately wanted to be seen. Seen by teachers, seen by boys, seen by girls…anybody who cared about me beyond the shallow day-today interactions of high school. There was a distinct social order, and while that sounds trope-y, the repercussions of that time shaped the person I’ve become since then, for good and well, less good.

The setting of this play--mid-1990s, rural Connecticut, private Catholic girls’ school creates a pressure cooker created both by the institution of the Church and complex teenage relationships in a pre-cell phone, pre-social media world.

However, with the knowledge of “me-too” stories of the past decade, this play pushes hard on our present unwillingness to interpret nuances in the student-teacher relationship. As the play begins, I’m fascinated by the character of Jamie/Mr. Reed, who almost feels like 2024 walked in the door. He’s smart, funny, passionate; he sees these young women in a way that they haven’t been seen before. While I personally don’t condone his actions, I invite you to consider what community accountability looks like, and how a character like Jamie might be helped by restorative justice. He is human, he made some very bad decisions, but is he the worst of the worst?

I’m riveted by the blurry lines between information and gossip, protest and rebellion. Playwright Madhuri Shekar uses the themes and text from Sophocles’ Antigone to play out the conflict between the women, giving every moment a dual

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

meaning. Antigone wanted to commit a rebellious act against the wishes of the King, bending fate and her destiny towards her own death. But what is “death” for Marilyn? And what is it for Greta? Is professing a deep affection for another human a sin? Non-believers are often quick to criticize that the Church has too many restrictive rules and regulations; but I’m interested in how structure can create the image of freedom for believers and how it resonates with the belief systems of each of the characters. We’ve read many stories about the abuse of power in the Catholic Church, especially non-consensual circumstances between priests and young boys. However, what does a consensual pairing look like in the eyes of the Church? Does age matter? Why is love between two women or two men more abominable in the eyes of the Church? Where is the actual line between what is okay and what is not, and who’s responsibility is it to maintain the line?

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

Antigone, Presented by The Girls of St. Catherine’s by Madhuri

Shekar is a piece that captures the complicated lives and journeys of high school girls; especially within a scholarly environment and decade that is more oppressive and confining than what many of us may be used to now. The 1990’s was a time of youth expression through clothes, music, and their voices. The characters want that freedom, but face limitations within St. Catherine’s Preparatory Catholic School’s rules. Despite the watchful eye of the nuns- they all find their own ways to let their expression seep in. The play explores some of the different ways high school girls cope with getting older and wiser- even if it is not the safest of journeys for some. Antigone, Presented by The Girls of St. Catherine’s also showcases how vulnerable the art of theatre is, and the unfortunate possibilities of that vulnerability being taken advantage of. The girls exist within a space that they feel safe in and with someone they feel safe with.

The classroom is an oasis that they would never expect to completely flip on them when serious conflict arises. Growing up can be difficult and any form of affection presented can seem golden, which is why it is important to have a community that supports and protects each other, and that is what the friends of Antigone, Presented by The Girls of St. Catherine’s have. Humans are complicated, but discovering oneself shouldn’t have to be painfully so.

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

CAST

Greta ................................................................................

Marilyn .....................................................................

Paris Devlin

Sydney Schepisi

Susan ..............................................................................

Tamsin .............................................................................

Anna ................................................................................

Lily .......................................................................

Keeley Allen

Ky Dermott

Adia Spezza

Caroline Antonucci

Jamie/ Mr. Reed..............................................................

Swing ..............................................................................

Kyle Crowne

Grae Horner

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ..........................................................................

Deb Sivigny

Assistant Director/Dramaturg ........................................

Stage Manager .........................................................

Meg Ayers

Samba Pathak

Assistant Stage Manager ................................................

Scenic Designer ............................................................

Properties Designer ..............................................

Costume Designer ...............................................

Sound Designer .....................................................

Lighting Designer ................................................

Intimacy Consultant ............................

Lee Guber

Chloe Scheel

Luke Hartwood

Jeremy Pritchard

Elisabeth Dupuy

Benjamin Counts

Lorraine Ressegger-Slone

Voice Consultant .......................................................

Erin Gardiner

CAST BIOS

Keeley Allen she/her (Susan) is a freshman theater major at George Mason University. Keeley is excited to be cast in her first college play as Susan in Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine's. Her previous roles include Karen in Mean Girls and Agnes in She Kills Monsters at Magruder High School, along with Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar at Young Artists of America. She will also be seen in Mason’s production of Once Upon a Mattress this spring!

Keeley was previously on wardrobe crew for The Mason Players production of 9 to 5 the Musical and she is also planning on furthering her education in costume and hair/makeup design. She is excited to see all the talented performers this semester and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds!

Caroline Antonucci she/her (Lily) is ecstatic to be a part of the production Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s! As this is her first performance here at George Mason, she is incredibly thankful to the endless support and encouragement her directors and fellow cast have given her! While Caroline has been doing theater for a number of years, some of her favorite roles included Catherine in Theory of Relativity, Cherry in Tuna Fish Eulogy, and Susan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in addition to doing choreography her senior year for Cinderella. Caroline is touched that so many of her friends and family could support her on stage tonight, and is eternally grateful to her number one supporters and forever family; her mom Christine, her dad Phil, her sister Katie, her "brother" Isreal, and her boyfriend Justin.

Kyle Crowne he/him (Jamie/Mr. Reed) is very

excited to be a part of a Mason production. This is his first main-stage production, he's greatly enjoyed his time working with this wonderful cast and is excited to continue his theatre journey at Mason. A special thanks to any Canadians in the audience. If you know you know.

Ky Dermott they/them (Tamsin) is thrilled to be a part of the show with such an amazing cast and crew. They are truly overjoyed to do their first big stage production at Mason with such an lovely group of people. Past credits include The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, VAC’s A Christmas Carol, and Dracula. Ky would like to thank their mom and their friends for always supporting them and pushing them toward their passions.

kydermott.weebly.com |

TikTok: @chaotic good cosplayer| IG: @rambunctious giggle witch

Paris Devlin she/her (Greta) is very excited to be in a Mason theatre show, having worked mostly in tech she feels very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to act amongst some really amazing people. A special thanks to her partner Leah for always encouraging her to try out and expand her horizons.

CAST BIOS

Grae Horner they/she (Sister Margaret/Production

Swing) is thrilled to be a part of Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s as their first show with the Mason Players! They would like to thank this amazing cast and crew, along with her family and friends for supporting her through this journey.

Sydney Schepisi she/her (Marilyn) is a Theatre Major and Dance Minor here at Mason. She has been involved previously with Alpha Psi Omega, performed as the Maid in The Hunchback of Seville, Witch 1 in CFTC's Macbeth, and many more. She hopes that everyone enjoys the show!. IG: @sydschepisi

Adia Spezza she/her (Anna) is excited to be returning to the Mason stage with this production. Previous credits include Mrs. Peacock in Clue, Mrs. Phelps in Matilda, and The Mason Players' Originals! Adia also dabbles on the technical side most recently as the Assistant Stage Manager for Fallen and Stage Manager for Almost, Maine. Adia would like to thank her parents, sister, and everyone involved in the production, especially Samba!

PRODUCTION BIOS

Deb Sivigny she/her (Director) is a multidisciplinary artist who is on the Design/Tech faculty of the School of Theater. Recent credits include: New Kid (co-director and production designer) at Planet Word with Imagination Stage, and costume designs for A Year with Frog and Toad at Imagination Stage, The Chinese Lady at Everyman Theatre, Indecent at American Stage Company, Ink at Round House Theatre, A New Brain at Barrington Stage Company, and How the Light Gets In at 1st Stage. She is also the writer/creator of Hello, My Name Is and other immersive works created with The Arcanists, Rorschach Theatre and the Welders. www.debsivigny.com

Meg Ayers she/her (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) is a current fourth-year BA Theatre Major with a concentration in Theatre Studies and a minor in Film & Media Studies. She is the current Student Leader of The Kilroys Playreading Club and is excited to be part of a play that was read in Kilroys a few semesters ago. She has enjoyed wearing both the Assistant Director hat and the Dramaturg hat and-- literally-- switching between them throughout rehearsals. IG: @TheBelatedShow

PRODUCTION BIOS

Samba Pathak he/him (Stage Manager) is a proud Nepali-American artist, marketer, producer, and award-winning stage manager in the DC metropolitan area. DC AREA: DC Capital

Fringe/Theater J: The Road to the End (Stage Manager), NextStop Theatre: In the Heights (Sub ASM), Ordinary Days (Sub ASM), The Mountaintop (Projections Design). EDUCATIONAL: Stage Management: The Hunchback of Seville, The Boy Detective Fails, Eurydice, Midsummer Rekindled.

EDUCATION: B.A. Theatre ‘23 and M.A. Arts Management ‘24, George Mason University. Samba is also the Program Manager, Interim Lab Manager, and Staff Council Co-Chair in the Mason College of Public Health. In his role, he supports the Empowered Communities Project, and Mason and Partners Free Health Clinic for uninsured communities. Special thanks to my friends and family for supporting my artistic journey. Onto the next theatrical endeavor! Thanks to this production's cast and production team for facilitating a wonderful experience. Enjoy the show!! www.SambaPathak.com | IG: @SambaPathak

Lee Guber they/them (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be working as Assistant Stage Manager for this production of Antigone. They have previously worked on a couple productions last year, including as ASM for last year's production of 1,001 Plays (Baby Blues and Addiction), Fly System Operator for The Hunchback of Seville, and as ASM for 9 to 5. As they will be graduating, this will be the last Mason production they will be a part of, so they want to make it a good one!

PRODUCTION BIOS

Lorraine Ressegger-Slone she/her (Fight/Intimacy Consultant) Past Credits include: Mason: 9 to 5, Fallen; Washington National Opera: Grounded; Baltimore Center Stage: The Garden, How to Catch Creation; Round House Theatre: Spring Awakening; Woolly Mammoth: Describe the Night, BLKS, Botticelli in the Fire; Taffety Punk: La Salpêtrière, Our Black Death, Pramkicker. 1st Stage: How the Light Gets In, The Rainmaker, The Phlebotomist.

Chloe Scheel she/her (Scenic Designer) works as a scenic designer, scenic artist and props artist. She is currently the full-time Scenic Charge Artist for George Mason University. Previously she graduated from Penn State with her B.F.A. in Theatre Design & Technology in 2020 and has worked at places including the Pittsburgh CLO, Glimmerglass Festival, and LAIKA Studios.

Luke Hartwood he/him (Properties Designer) is a multimedia designer and Mason alum working in the DC area. Recent credits include Through the Sunken Lands and The Dragon King's Daughter (The Kennedy Center); Las Hermanas Palacios, Baño de Luna, and Kumanana! (GALA Hispanic Theatre); The Mountaintop (Round House Theatre), The Chosen (1st Stage); Angel Number Nine (Rorschach Theatre); 9 to 5, The Hunchback of Seville, and Head Over Heels (George Mason University). www.lukehartwood.com

IG: @LukeHartwood

PRODUCTION BIOS

Benjamin Counts (Lighting Designer) is proud to be working with Mason again. Recent/Favorite credits include Asst. Lighting Designer for Next To Normal with ROUNDHOUSE THEATRE, Lighting Designer for DC JazzFest, and The Hunchback of Seville at Mason. He is currently a student in Mason’s BFA Theatre program. More information on his work can be found at www.Intelluxlighting.com

emy Pritchard (Costume Designer) is a recent duate of George Mason University with a BA gree in Performance and Technical Theater. Past dits with School of Theater include Costume signer for Head Over Heels and 9 to 5.

w.JeremyPritchardDesigns.com | titchedByPritch

Elisabeth Dupuy she/her (Sound Designer) is in her final semester, graduating this spring with a B.A. in Theater: Design and Technical Theater. She is the Sound Intern for Mason School of Theater and Production & Sound Intern for The Barns at Wolf Trap. Recent credits include: Pippin (Imagination Stage), 9 to 5 (Mason School of Theater), and The Road to the End (DC Capital Fringe Festival). Elisabeth is excited to be pursuing her MFA in Sound and Media Design at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Fall 2024. IG: @lis.ekd

UNIT SUPPORT

Arts Support Umbrella

ASU Production Manager

Technical Director

Assistant Technical Director

Scene Shop Supervisor

Scenic Charge

Lead Carpenter

Overhire Carpenter

Overhire Scenic Painter

Venue Technical Director

Costume Shop Supervisor

Costume Shop Assistants

Sound Board Operator Crew

Wardrobe Crew

Light Board Operator

Scene Shop Interns

Properties Intern

Production Intern

Paint Intern

Micah Stromberg

Carrie Cox

Stephan Starling

Ethan Osborne

Chloe Scheel

Maddie Southard

Vika Hearne

Susan Lane

Adrianna Daugherty

Laurel Dunayer

Sarah Alspach

Alexandra Beverina

Catherine Denk

Sara Pawlowski

Leah Patterson

Meg Ayers

Bertem Demirtas

Gabriel Embry

Anna Jungkeit

Caleb McMurtry

Sydney Schepisi

UNIT SUPPORT

Costume Shop Interns

Anna Connole

Hannah Griffith

Lee Guber

Scene Shop Construction Practicums

Taylor Alexander

Mary Clare Bernier

Rosie Chan

E Griggs

Carter Hurd

Aadith Iyer

Kevin Kaluarachchi

Shannon Harrel

Jackson Ramos

Brianna Zawicki

Sydney Schepisi

Zatch Valenzuela

Walker Vlahos

Ky Wilcox

Spencer Wilde

Zoe Winter

Costume Shop Construction Practicums

Peter Dasher

Dyllan Hutchison

Kevin Kaluarachchi

Renee McFarland

Annelise Oullette

Valerie Pesot

Brianna Sullivan

Nathan Tilley

DRAMATURG'S NOTE UNIT SUPPORT

Alpha Psi Omega Officers

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Associate Member Coordinators

Historian

Community Service Chair

Education Deputy

Faculty Advisor

Mason Players Staff

Company Manager

Associate Company Manager

Company Secretary

Development Manager

Development Apprentice

Marketing Manager

Marketing Apprentices

Co-Company Historians

Players4Change Staff

Equity and Empowerment Managers

Faculty Advisor

Erin Birchfield (she/her)

Elisabeth Dupuy (she/her)

Dyllan Hutchison (she/her)

Peter Dasher (he/they)

Jay Dews (he/him)

Kamy Satterfield

Lorcan Von Slomski

Meg Ayers (she/they)

Martin Desjardins

Mimsi Janis

Nathan Tilley (he/him)

Lexi Carter (she/her)

Peter Dasher (he/they)

Erin Birchfield (she/her)

Ella Grant

Brett Womack (he/him)

Mercury Pitzer

Idil Erdoğan

Aurora Powell (she/they)

Mery Estrella (she/her)

Meg Ayers (she/they)

Mary Clare Bernier (she/they)

Jaylen "Jay" Dews (he/him)

Emma Harris (she/her)

Zoe Winter (she/they)

Deb Sivigny

SCHOOL OF THEATER FACULTY & STAFF

Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Director, School of Theater

Assistant Director

Production Manager

Academic Advisor

Office Manager

Marketing Assistant

Faculty

Elizabeth Alman

Kelly Armstrong

Djola Branner

April Brassard

Carrie Cox

Jonathan Dahm Robertson

Rick Davis

Kevin Dunayer

Laurel Dunayer

Leighann Enos

David Gaines

Erin Gardiner

James Gardiner

Edward Gero

David Goldstein

Nicholas Kfoury Horner

Rick Davis

Djola Branner

Nick Kfoury Horner

Lena Salins

Sara Simanski

Mary Burgess

Nafisa Ferdous

Mimsi Janis

Kristin Johnsen-Neshati

Mary Lechter

Billy Kessinger

Kaiulani Lee

Bryce Lenon

Ahmad Maaty

Heather McDonald

Sherrice Mojgani

Theresa Ohanian

Yaritza Pacheco

Franklin Robinson Jr.

Shaila Schmidt

Stefan Sittig

Debra Sivigny

Joseph Walsh

DRAMATURG'S NOTE DONOR SUPPORT

The School of Theater wishes to thank the following donors for their generous support

Professional Artist Residency in Theater (PART) Legacy Donors

Kenneth and Carol Adelman

Anonymous

John and Deborah Blacksten

Doris Bloch and Bill Hunt

Boeing Company

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth P. Braxton

Mary Brescia

Jane and Chris Brewster

Ms. Lois Brown

Byrd International, L.L.C.

Gordon and Judy Canyock

Ms. Grace Chae

Chevy Chase Trust Council on American-Islamic Relations

Ms. Chris Downey

Charles and Eileen DugganKen and Molly Elston and

The Greater Manassas

Christmas Parade Committee

Linda Evans

Dr. and Mrs. William H. Gilcher

Irwin and Fay Gold

Vernon W. Gras, Ph.D.

Mr. Carl Hemmer

Emmett L. Holman, Ph.D.

IBM International Foundation

Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati and Mr. Amin Neshati

Marilyn Jones

Eileen Mandell

Dr. Alan Merten and Mrs. Sally Merten

Mack and Paulette Miller

Merle L. Mulvaney

Diane and Tim Naughton

Warner and Cheryl North

Mr. Ronald Page

Robert and Ida Portland

Mrs. Lauren W. Rabb

Diane and Robert Rafuse

Captain Marsha and Robert Rease

Ted and Anne K. Rosenblum

Ms. Ann Steers

Daniel and Ann Toohey

Mikki Van Wyk

Verizon Foundation

Edward and Wava Vigen

1,001 Plays Supporters

Anonymous (2)

Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati & Mr. Amin Neshati

Nicholas Kfoury Horner

Phyllis Krochmal

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas

Vafa Mostaghim

DRAMATURG'S NOTE FRIENDS OF THEATER SUPPORT

angel ($5,000+)

Edward Jones

Diane and Tim Naughton

Virginia Foundation for the Humanities

sponsor ($2,500-$4,999)

Judy Canyock

Mack and Paulette Miller

Norma Jean Reck

patron ($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous

Dianne and Gerard Blais

Charles and Eileen Duggan

Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee

Dr. Peter N. Stearns and Ms. Donna L. Kidd

producer ($500 - $999)

Helen and Bill Ackerman

Mr. Rick Davis and Ms. Julie Thompson

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hamerschlag

Ms. Mary Lechter and Mr. Kevin Murray

Don and Sonja Palomaki

Robert and Ida Portland

William Schneider

Mr. and Mrs. Kosmo Tatalias

Anonymous performer ($200 - $499)

performer ($200 - $499) cont.

Brian and Laurie Lindberg

Patricia and Evans Mandes

Mitchell J. Martin

Lene Mcvoy

Mary and John Tuohy

Verizon Foundation

friend (up to $199)

April Brassard

Carol Burbage

James and Sue Christensen

Roland and Victoria Fabia

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Gerbracht

Linda and Shelly Gersten

Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Gholz

Zayd A. Hamid

Linda and Harlan Harber

Catie and Mark Hubbard

Shirley A. Joyce

David and Barbara Kilpatrick

Michael and Linda Kostrzewa

Christine Lange

Stanley Lichtman and Paulette

Lichtman-Panzer

Alice and Matt MagelssenGreen

Erica M. Nantais

Emily Roudebush

Terry Sarley

Dana D. Semmes

John and Toni Acton

Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman

Bob and Pat Warakomsky

Christopher M. Ward

Joan R. White

Sheila Woods

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

School of Theater would like to thank the Friends of Theater for their ongoing support of our programs, especially their support of scholarships for our students. Please consider becoming a Friend and giving by logging onto our website

https://theater.gmu.edu/give

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

At the place George Mason University occupies, we give greetings and thanksgivings to these Potomac River life sources, to the Doeg ancestors, who Virginia annihilated in violent campaigns while ripping their lands apart with the brutal system of African American enslavement, to the recognized Virginia tribes who have lovingly stewarded these lands for millennia including, the Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Upper Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Nansemond, Monacan, Mattaponi, Patawomeck, and Nottaway, past, present, and future, and to the Piscataway tribes, who have lived on both sides of the river from time immemorial.

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