GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF THEATER and
THE MASON PLAYERS
present
The Originals! Co-directed by Franklin Robinson, Jr. & April Brassard
September 15* & 16 at 8pm September 16 at 2pm in TheatreSpace *ASL interpreted
Recordings and photography of any kind are strictly prohibited.
MENTORS’ NOTE The Originals! holds an incredibly special place in our hearts. This production is entirely student written, directed, performed, designed, stage managed, and produced. As professors, we strive to not only educate our students in theater, but to see them step into the roles they have learned about, to embrace their chosen craft, and to gain experience that will prepare them for their future endeavors. There is nothing more fulfilling than watching our students further develop their confidence, collaborate creatively, and channel their talents into creating incredible theater. We begin The Originals! in January, receiving playwright submissions, then choose six plays to develop, pair student directors to bring each play to life, and (over the summer) workshop the plays with the playwrights to perfect the pieces for the stage. Finally, in the Fall, our process culminates in an inspiring evening of performances. We collaborate much of the year on this festival, which amplifies our adoration for The Originals! We truly hope you enjoy the clever, comical, devastating, poignant, magnetic journey that is The Originals!
~April E. Brassard & Frank Robinson, Jr.
CAST AND CREW So, Two Spies Walk Into a Restaurant… by Dyllan Hutchison, Directed by Sage Munson Spy 1...................................... Paris Devlin Spy 2........................... Aadith Sriram Iyer Guest..................................Michelle Rizzo Guest........................... Savannah Lagana Guest..................................... Adia Spezza Danny The Waiter ............. Nathan Tilley Daryl..............................Bertem Demirtas Sheryl.............................Caroline Mclaury Restaurant Guest..................Katie Hindin I’ll See You at the Gate by Macy Bass, Directed by Raynell Crook Dante................................Sanjay Nagar Mr. Banks.......................... Kyle Crowne Lily .............................. Jennah Sidiabed The Bricks of My Body Book by Cara Hadden Directed and Choreographed by Lexi Carter Dancer ...................... Amollie Stoermer Dancer, Sound Effect Artist.... Kai Yoffe Nurse.................................... Lake Rusch Lissette......................... Meghan Krause Sonia................................ Aurora Powell Stellan..................... Kevin Kaluarachchi
CAST AND CREW INTERMISSION ISPY by Anthony Flora, Directed by Martin Desjardins Specs.................................... Carter Hurd Packrat.............................. Isabel Nemati Pyro.................................... Peter Dasher Guise................................. Juni Mortimer Captain............................... Stef Waldrop
Until Death Do Us Part by Megan Ayers, Directed by Janée Meadows Honey..............................Arrieon Grovner Darling................................. Derek Castillo Death..................... ........JohnCole Quinley A Dorian Mode: A Bite-Sized Operetta Music, Lyrics, and Book by Brett Womack Directed by Darren Badley Maya................................Shannon Harrel Dorian.....................................Ellias Collier
PRODUCTION TEAM
April Brassard Faculty Co-Director
Stage Manager Asst Stage Manager Dramaturg Venue Tech Director Sound Design Lighting Coordinator Props Coordinator
Frank Robinson, Jr Faculty Co-Director
Andy Brown Gabriel Embry Cara Hadden Tom Terlecki Lorelei Stuart An Tran Garrett Jones Caleb McMurtry
UNIT SUPPORT Alpha Psi Omega Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Associate Member Coordinators Historian Community Service Chair Education Deputy
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 Megan Ayers (she/they) Martin Desjardins
Mason Players Staff Company Manager Associate Company Manager Company Secretary Development Manager Marketing Manager Co-Company Historian Co-Company Historian Marketing Apprentices
Nathan Tilley (he/him) Lexi Carter (she/her) Peter Dasher (he/they) Erin Birchfield (she/her) Brett Womack (he/him) Aurora Powell (she/they) Mery Estrella (she/her)
Players4Change Staff Equity and Empowerment Managers
Megan Ayers (she/they) Mary Clare Bernier (she/they) Jaylen "Jay" Dews (he/him) Emma Harris (she/her) Zoe Winter (she/they)
DRAMATURG'S NOTE & STAFF SCHOOL OF THEATER FACULTY Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts Director, School of Theater Assistant Director
Rick Davis Djola Branner
Nicholas Kfoury Horner
Production Manager
Lena Salins
Academic Advisor
Sara Simanski
Office Manager
Mary Burgess
Marketing Assistant
Nafisa Ferdous
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
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
Eileen Mandell
Anonymous
Dr. Alan Merten and
John and Deborah Blacksten
Mrs. Sally Merten
Doris Bloch and Bill Hunt
Mack and Paulette Miller
Boeing Company
Merle L. Mulvaney
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth P. Braxton
Diane and Tim Naughton
Mary Brescia
Warner and Cheryl North
Jane and Chris Brewster
Mr. Ronald Page
Ms. Lois Brown
Robert and Ida Portland
Byrd International, L.L.C.
Mrs. Lauren W. Rabb
Gordon and Judy Canyock
Diane and Robert Rafuse
Ms. Grace Chae
Captain Marsha
Chevy Chase Trust Council on American-Islamic Relations
and Robert Rease Ted and Anne K. Rosenblum Ms. Ann Steers
Ms. Chris Downey
Daniel and Ann Toohey
Charles and Eileen DugganKen
Mikki Van Wyk
and Molly Elston and
Verizon Foundation
The Greater Manassas
Edward and Wava Vigen
Christmas Parade Committee Linda Evans
1,001 Plays Supporters
Dr. and Mrs. William H. Gilcher
Anonymous (2)
Irwin and Fay Gold
Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati
Vernon W. Gras, Ph.D.
& Mr. Amin Neshati
Mr. Carl Hemmer
Nicholas Kfoury Horner
Emmett L. Holman, Ph.D.
Phyllis Krochmal
IBM International Foundation
Literary Managers and
Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati
Dramaturgs of
and Mr. Amin Neshati Marilyn Jones
the Americas Vafa Mostaghim
FRIENDS DRAMATURG'S OF THEATER NOTE SUPPORT from July 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023
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
performer ($200 - $499) cont. Anonymous Brian and Laurie Lindberg Patricia and Evans Mandes Mitchell J. Martin Lene Mcvoy Mary and John Tuohy Verizon Foundation
patron ($1,000 - $2,499)
friend (up to $199)
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
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 Magelssen-Green Erica M. Nantais Emily Roudebush Terry Sarley Dana D. Semmes Bob and Pat Warakomsky Christopher M. Ward Joan R. White Sheila Woods
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
performer ($200 - $499) John and Toni Acton Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman
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.
THE MASON PLAYERS Fall 2023 performance season 9 to 5 The Musical October 20-29, 2023
fallen November 16-19, 2023
Staged Reading: La Belle Indifference December 1, 2023
Follow The Mason Players for Season Updates & Announcements on
@THEMASONPLAYERS
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