Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems Published by Hyperion Books for Children Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Originally commissioned and produced By the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Directed by Nancy Schaeffer This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2013-2014 season. Mo Willems’ ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com.
JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 25, 2024 TITLE SPONSOR
dct.org
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
Texas Instruments PRESENTS
Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems Published by Hyperion Books for Children Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Originally commissioned and produced By the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2013-2014 season. Mo Willems’ ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com.
Directed and Choreographed by NANCY SCHAEFFER Music Direction by ADAM C. WRIGHT
Props Design by SALLY FIORELLO
Scenic Design by KATHERINE STEPANEK
Sound Design by MARCO SALINAS
Lighting Design by AARON JOHANSEN
Costume Design by LYLE HUCHTON
Stage Managed by MADDIE COLLINS*
Special Thanks: Medical City and Capital One 2
THE VIDEOTAPING OR OTHER VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER 2023-2024 SEASON SUPPORTED BY
Office of
Arts & Culture THE ROSEWOOD CORPORATION
MARCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
THE THEODORE AND BEULAH BEASLEY FOUNDATION, INC.
THE CARLSON FOUNDATION
THE M.R. & EVELYN HUDSON FOUNDATION
CARL B. & FLORENCE E. KING FOUNDATION
GENERAL SPONSORS INCLUDE The Koz Foundation The Holloway Family Foundation
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
The Rocky Howard Family
Karen and Ken Travis
Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District
Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPONSORS INCLUDE
Capital for Kids Ellen and Jim Markus TACA The Melinda and Jim Johnson Family Joan Becker National Endowment for the Arts Stephen M. Seay Foundation Sarah Freedman and Christopher Skoog Emily Jefferson Tara Lewis and John Swords The Anderskouv Jarnum Family Central Market Margot B. Perot Jane and Greg Greene Strake Foundation Laurie Sands Harrison Sharron Hunt Green Mountain Energy
Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
BUILDING FUND SUPPORT The Carlson Foundation The March Family Foundation Laurie Sands Harrison The Rosewood Corporation Anonymous Family Elizabeth & Bart Showalter Karen and Ken Travis The Hersh Foundation Everett and Becky Spaeth
DCT’s official renewable energy partner
5938 SKILLMAN ST., DALLAS, TX 75231 PHONE: (214) 978-0110 | BOX OFFICE: (214) 740-0051 | DCT.ORG
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THE CAST GERALD.................................................................................................... BRIAN HATHAWAY* PIGGIE.............................................................................................. LESLIE MARIE COLLINS* SQUIRRELLE #1................................................................................ MADISON POLOZOLA SQUIRRELLE #2 / DANCE CAPTAIN..............................................................ANIA LYONS SQUIRRELLE #3........................................................................................................ GENA LOE DOG / PENGU........................................................................................... KARL SCHAEFFER* UNDERSTUDIES PIGGIE ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................GENA LOE GERALD ...............................................................................................................................................................................................KARL SCHAEFFER*
*INDICATES MEMBER OF ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity Association, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as fosters the art of live theatre asActors' anEquity essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, included health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. THE VIDEOTAPING OR OTHER VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
THE VIDEOTAPING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS A VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT LAW AND AN ACTIONABLE OFFENSE.
Dallas Children’s Theater is a proud member of TYA/USA, TCG and ASSITEJ, The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.
PRODUCTION STAFF DIRECTOR OF DESIGN...........................................SALLY FIORELLO PRODUCTION MANAGER...................................JANEL VILLATORO ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER................ CAITLYNE MARTIN TECHNICAL DIRECTOR................................................JOSH SMITH ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR..................... NOLAN MORALEZ STAFF CARPENTER.............................................JESUS GONZALEZ MASTER ELECTRICIAN................................VINCHENZO LOCASCIO SOUND ENGINEER........................................ BRIAN CHRISTENSEN SCENIC ARTIST....................................................EMILY HAUEISEN COSTUME SHOP MANAGER................................... LYLE HUCHTON ASST. COSTUME SHOP MANAGER...................... GLORY SPRINKLE
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STITCHER...................................................................MATT NUNN DECK CREW HEAD.......................................... DANIELLE WOODEN CARPENTERS................ SHAWN CUMMINGS, NOEL HAWTHORNE, ALEX LORRAIN-HILL, ZIGGY RENNER, DEBORAH SAMUELSON ELECTRICIANS......................AUSTIN BENDER, ALLIE BUTEMEYER, SHAWN CUMMINGS, NOEL HAWTHORNE, JAMIE MILLIGAN, NOLAN MORALEZ, ASH WILSON PRODUCTION APPRENTICES....... KACEE COCHRUM, THEO MOERS, DANI WILSON, NOAH WEEKS ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER.................................... IVY CARTER
LESLIE MARIE COLLINS* Piggie
Leslie was last seen in DCT’s production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (Little Old Lady). Leslie spent 20 years performing worldwide in theater, television, commercials, and musical improv. Leslie loves podcasts, so she can be heard on the podcast Nice To Meet You voicing a very kooky parrot and on her own podcast called Sumo Kaboom, which is all about sumo wrestling!
BRIAN HATHAWAY* Gerald
Brian is thrilled to be back at Dallas Children’s Theater, having last been seen in Schoolhouse Rock Live! He was most recently seen elsewhere in Little Shop of Horrors at Lyric Stage and The Other Josh Cohen at Circle Theatre. He has also been seen locally in productions at Uptown Players, WaterTower Theatre, Theatre Arlington, Theatre Three, and others. Favorite past credits include Goin’ Hollywood (Garson Stein), The Producers (Leo Bloom), The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Crazy For You (Bela Zangler), Gypsy (Herbie), and Little Women (Professor Bhaer). Brian is also a frequent collaborator with MusicalWriters.com, which fosters the development of new original musicals. Brian is also a voice actor for Crunchyroll and has been heard in series such as One Piece and Attack On Titan. Much love to Elisa, whose constant support knows no bounds.
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GENA LOE
Squirrelle #3 / Piggie Understudy Gena is excited to return to DCT! Her previous work with DCT includes Charlotte’s Web (The Goose), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (Bus Engine & More), Dragons Love Tacos (Yellow Dragon) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Babette). Outside of children’s theater, Gena has been seen in Clue and A Christmas Carol at Dallas Theater Center; The Rocky Horror Show at Lyric Stage; and Head Over Heels, Kinky Boots, and Disaster! at Uptown Players.
ANIA LYONS
Squirrelle #2 / Dance Captain Ania Lyons is so happy to return to the DCT stage. She’s been in A Charlie Brown Christmas (Frieda); John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (Hungry Boy, Villager, Snake Puppeteer); Charlotte’s Web (Understudy); The Happy Elf (Bubbles); Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (May); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Susan); Dragons Love Tacos (Blue Dragon) and more! She returned to LIVE THEATRE in Dallas Theater Center’s A Christmas Carol (Female Swing) and Theatre Three’s touring production of The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn). Ania has also worked onstage and backstage with other DFW theaters, such as Prism Movement Theater, Uptown Players, Casa Mañana, Lyric Stage, and more. Follow her adventures @Lyons.dance543.
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MADISON POLOZOLA Squirrelle #1
Madison is so excited to be back on the DCT stage with such an amazing cast and crew! Her recent DCT credits include Charlotte’s Web (Fern) and Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Lucille/Mother/Gus Vallony). You can also see her around the Education Department teaching K-1! She would love to thank Nancy, her beautiful family, and her brand-new husband for their constant love and support!
KARL SCHAEFFER*
Dog / Pengu / Gerald Understudy Karl has appeared in many DCT productions including Charlotte’s Web; Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!; Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School; Dragons Love Tacos; Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook; Treasure Island Reimagined!; Blue; Skippyjon Jones; Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat; Night of the Living Dead; Pinkerton!!!; The Emperor’s New Clothes; Babe, the Sheep-Pig; Holes; The Mummy’s Claw; Pecos Bill; The Island of the Skog; Frankenstein; The Stinky Cheeseman…; Honus & Me; Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; The Pied Piper’s Magic; Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!; Go, Dog. Go!; Charlotte’s Web; Balloonacy; and Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium. He also performed with Dallas Theater Center, Shakespeare Dallas, and Theatre Three. Karl is an Artist-In-Residence at DCT and teaches video and acting classes for the DCT Academy.
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MEET THE ARTISTIC / PRODUCTION STAFF SAMANTHA TURNER Executive Director Samantha Turner is a leader in both the non-profit and corporate sectors with expertise in performing arts administration, business management, and marketing. In June 2023, she was named Executive Director for Dallas Children’s Theater after serving as Executive Director for Ballet Arizona for six years. During her tenure, the professional ballet company achieved its greatest levels of financial and creative health. Before Samantha was appointed Executive Director, she served three years as Ballet Arizona’s Director of Marketing, achieving record earned revenue for several productions. Prior to joining Ballet Arizona, Samantha held leadership roles in both non-profit and Fortune 500 companies. She served as Head of Business Operations and Finance for CAP21, a New York-based musical theatre conservatory and theatre company. Samantha moved into that role after a year-long sabbatical immersed in acting, singing, and dance training that allowed her to gain a deep understanding of the arts and artists. She integrated those insights with her 20 years of Fortune 500 leadership experience to transition to a career focused on the strategic management of arts organizations. Samantha’s for-profit career includes high-level marketing and business management roles at Aflac, Assurant, and other organizations of national and regional scope. In addition to her professional experience, Samantha holds MBAs in marketing and international business/ecommerce, and an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism. NANCY SCHAEFFER Artistic Director / Production Director / Choreographer Nancy has directed numerous DCT productions including Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!; Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School; Dragons Love Tacos; Schoolhouse Rock Live!; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Ella Enchanted: The Musical; Magic Tree House’s Holiday Musical: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens; Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium; Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook; Teen Brain: The Musical; Skippyjon Jones; Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale; Go, Dog. Go!; Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat; Pinkalicious, The Musical; How I Became a Pirate; dont u luv me?; Madeline’s Christmas; EAT (It’s Not About Food); Goodnight Moon; The Secret Life of Girls; and 12 productions of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Nancy also directed DCT’s highly successful touring production of The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales which toured the U.S. and then traveled to Shanghai, China, playing at the 2006 Shanghai International Children’s Culture and Arts Expo. Nancy has directed for The Dallas Opera and Shared Stories for the Sixth Floor Museum. She has also directed the Christmas Celebration for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She serves as DCT’s Education Director and Artistic Director. ADAM C. WRIGHT Music Director Adam C. Wright is a prolific pianist, composer, accompanist, and director who has maintained a lengthy and abundant career across North Texas. Music directing productions at Dallas Children’s Theater, WaterTower Theatre, Uptown Players, Theatre Three, and Imprint Theatreworks, to name a few, he rarely finds a moment when his fingers are away from the keys. He also music directed a staged reading at the Lyric Theater in London, two US premieres, and several Southwestern regional premieres. Adam works as an accompanist and musical theater educator at both DCT and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts.
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MEET THE ARTISTIC / PRODUCTION STAFF MO WILLEMS Author / Playwright #1 New York Times Bestseller Mo Willems began his career as a writer and animator for PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered 6 Emmy Awards for his writing. During his nine seasons at Sesame Street, Mo also served as a weekly commentator for BBC Radio and created two animated series, Nickelodeon’s The Off-Beats and Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City. While serving as head writer for Cartoon Network’s #1 rated show, Codename: Kids Next Door, Mo began writing and drawing books for children. His debut effort, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! became a New York Times Bestseller and was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2004. The following year Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale was awarded a Caldecott Honor. The sequel, Knuffle Bunny Too: a Case of Mistaken Identity garnered Mo his third Caldecott Honor in 2008. In addition to picture books, Mo created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of “Easy Readers”, which were awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009 and a Geisel Honor in 2011. For older audiences he has published an illustrated memoir of his year-long trip around the world in 1990-91 entitled You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons. Mo’s drawings, wire sculptures, and ceramics (done in collaboration with his father) have exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the nation and his graphic story about his family experiences during 9-11 for DC comics resides in the Library of Congress’ permanent collection. Mo has been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered where he occasionally serves as the broadcast’s ‘Radio Cartoonist’. While no longer working in television, Mo voices and produces animated cartoons based on his books with Weston Woods studios. The animated Knuffle Bunny was awarded Best Film during the New York International Children’s Film Festival in 2008 and received the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 2007. The animated Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! garnered Mo his second Carnegie Medal in 2010. Mo wrote the script and lyrics for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, commissioned by the Kennedy Center for its 2010 season. Mo lives in Massachusetts with his family. DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA Composer A composer, music director and orchestrator, Deborah Wicks La Puma is one of the most produced Theatre for Young Audiences artists working today. With bestselling children’s author Mo Willems she has created Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”; Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience; and Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Her many and diverse works with playwright Karen Zacarías include Ella Enchanted (based on the book by Gail Carson Levine), Olivério: A Brazilian Twist, Frida Libre, Looking for Roberto Clemente and Einstein Is a Dummy. With playwright Adam Tobin she created She Persisted (based on the book by Chelsea Clinton), and the upcoming What Do You Do With An Idea? (based on the book by Kobi Yamada). Her adult works include the lyric opera Dakota Sky and the Mexican folk musical Perdita (based on Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale) with Kathleen Cahill. She received her MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, and studied folk music with ethnomusicologist Alfredo López Mondragón. Her honors include the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, an NEA New American Works Grant, two Parents’ Choice Awards, and a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation. A proud Mexican-American and “Navy brat” who grew up in Brazil, Portugal and California, La Puma is a member of TYA USA/ASSITEJ, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. Mother to three daughters and Mimi the Cat, La Puma lives in Southern California with her PR agent and loving husband, Chris. KATHERINE STEPANEK Scenic Designer Katherine Stepanek is a Professor of Theatrical Design and Technology at Maryville College. Selected designs include Million Dollar Quartet at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, TN; Miracle on 34th Street at Crane River Theatre in Kearney, NE; and The Hobbit at Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, KY. She has also worked in the art department for Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War. Her most recent work design for DCT was Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! 9
MEET THE ARTISTIC / PRODUCTION STAFF AARON JOHANSEN Lighting Designer Aaron Johansen is pleased to be returning to Dallas Children’s Theater!! Previous collaborations have included: Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre (Artistic Associate/Resident Lighting Designer), Kitchen Dog Theater (Company Member), Stage West, Uptown Players, Cry Havoc Theater Company, Theatre Three, and Sweet Tooth Hotel Art installation. Aaron recently became the co-lighting director for The Drone Racing League where he lights drone races for television around the country. Follow my work and me on Instagram: @Famoustrendywizard. Enjoy the show! SALLY FIORELLO Director of Design and Props Designer Sally began her association with Dallas Children’s Theater in 1984 and has since served as a director, designer, actor and consultant for numerous DCT productions. She is a Master Puppeteer and senior designer with the critically acclaimed Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts and has designed and performed in over 40 original puppet productions including such DCT favorites as The Nutcracker and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She most recently created Leroy the dog for DCT’s Dragons Love Tacos and props for Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School and The Happy Elf. Sally is a recipient of the Dallas-Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Award. MARCO SALINAS Sound Designer Marco has designed many, MANY shows for DCT over the last 22 years. He is also a recipient of numerous awards for his sound design work in the Dallas/Fort Worth theater scene and has designed for shows as far away as New York City and even Ireland. He is also the Director of Educational Tours with Shakespeare Dallas where he writes and directs local area tours that teach children and teens about William Shakespeare. LYLE HUCHTON Costume Designer Lyle has been a working costumer in the Dallas area for over 30 years. He has designed over 50+ shows for Dallas Children’s Theater. Some of his favorites include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Ella Enchanted: The Musical; Treasure Island Reimagined!; Jungalbook; James and the Giant Peach; Junie B. Is Not a Crook; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane; Pinkalicious, The Musical; and Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale. Other regional credits include The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Shakespeare Dallas, San Antonio Opera, and The Dallas Arboretum’s The 12 Days of Christmas. National tours for HIT Entertainment include Barney Live! and The Wiggles. He also worked on the locally produced PBS television show Barney and Friends, receiving two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Costume Design/Styling. He is in his 10th year as the Resident Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager at Dallas Children’s Theater. MADDIE COLLINS* Stage Manager Maddie is so excited to be back for another show with Dallas Children’s Theater! She has worked with various local theaters, including Dallas Theater Center and Uptown Players. Some of her previous shows with DCT include The Happy Elf; Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Some other places she has worked locally include Lyric Stage, Garland Summer Musicals, and Uptown Players. Maddie has been with DCT since her internship in the 2018-2019 season and would like to thank her DCT family for all of their support.
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#elephantandpiggieatDCT 10
Dr. Maya Angelou’s inspiring poem comes to life in a powerful and innovative musical, celebrating the strength and courage in us all, on tour and the DCT stage for a limited time!
MARCH 16 - MARCH 30 2024
By PAIGE HERNANDEZ with Music by KRIS FUNN Based on “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” by DR. MAYA ANGELOU From the book AND STILL I RISE Used with permission of CAGED BIRD LEGACY, LLC Directed by PAIGE HERNANDEZ
ENJOYED BY AGES 5 AND UP “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” from the book And Still I Rise Copyright © 1978 by Dr. Maya Angelou Used with permission of Caged Bird Legacy, LLC. Photo by Eric Mull. Courtesy of Paige Hernandez.
BUY TICKETS NOW TITLE SPONSORS
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DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER THANKS YOU! List reflects gifts received through January 10, 2024.
On behalf of the 250,000+ children and families served annually, we gratefully acknowledge our donors who through their contributions made it possible for DCT to present over 500 performances of high quality, professional theater for youth and families. Although program space limits our ability to publicly recognize only donors of $500 and above, we deeply and sincerely appreciate every contribution. As ticket sales cover only half our costs, your annual financial support is critical to introducing North Texas children to the magic of live theater. Should you wish to be added to this extraordinary list of donors or suggest corrections to our list, please contact the DCT Donor & Corporate Relations Department at (214) 978-0110 and THANK YOU!
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $100,000 + City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture March Family Foundation Texas Instruments Foundation PRODUCING PARTNER $50,000-$99,999 The Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation The Carlson Foundation Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee The M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation The Rosewood Foundation The Shubert Foundation CENTERSTAGE SPONSOR $25,000-$49,999 Chi Omega Education & Charity Fund of Dallas Crawley Familly Foundation Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District William Randolph Hearst Foundation Rocky Howard Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation The Koz Foundation The Eugene McDermott Foundation Texas Instruments Karen & Ken Travis SEASON BENEFACTOR $10,000-$24,999 Anderskouv Jarnum Family Joan Becker Capital for Kids Central Market Jane & Greg Greene The Holloway Family Foundation Emily Jefferson Melinda & Jim Johnson Ellen & Jim Markus National Endowment For The Arts Margot B. Perot Stephen M. Seay Foundation Sarah Freedman & Christopher Skoog Becky & Everett Spaeth Strake Foundation Deborah & Craig Sutton Tara Lewis & John Swords TACA Texas Commission on the Arts Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program TXU Energy LEADING PLAYER $5,000-$9,999 Jennifer & Peter Altabef Jean Aoki Joe B. Brooks June Dales Sarah & Michael DeLuke Kelly & Gregory Fijolek Betsy & Rick Fijolek Goldman Sachs Lauren & Ryan Herrington Carolyn Holloway 12
Houlihan Lokey Stephanie & Ben Jeffery Joyce & Robert Johnson Fred Jones Family Foundation Carole & Chris Jordan Louise W. Kahn Endowment Fund of The Dallas Foundation Margaret & Lester Keliher Augustine Frizzell & David Lowery Jacqui & Ray Mackewicz Leah & Adam Mora Harry S. Moss Foundation Julie & John Parolisi Prosperity Bank Kara & Todd Ranta Debbie & Michael Rasa Laurie Sands Harrison Janet & Lewis Shaw Showalter Family Fund at The Dallas Foundation Lisa K. Simmons Rachael & Evan Singer Wilson Tarver Jane & William B. Travis Retta Van Auken Wilhelm Harrison Family Fund DIRECTOR $2,500-$4,999 Anonymous Morgan & Kilian Bennett Kathleen Kerr & Chuck Blanchard Sara & Nicholas Borrelli Capital One Services, LLC Faus Family Foundation Jennifer Garratt The Ryan Goldblatt Foundation Patrick & Beatrice Haggerty Foundation Meagan & Daniel Hemenway Hudson Family Charitable Fund Sharron Hunt Matt Johnson Erin & Josh Johnston Eric Karp Judith Kurnick Robin A. Ladd Lisa Lee Sarah & Alan Losinger Corale & Mitchell Madden Mary Price Womack, LLC Tim Mullins Stephanie & Mark Nelson Alicia Duque & Nima Rohani Sarah & Tim Salmon Amanda & David Schnetzer Brooke & Aaron Shelby Camelia & Ted Shoemaker Deborah & Richard Stanford Jasmine & Chris Tobias PRODUCER $1,000-$2,499 Bonnie Jean Foundation Barbara Brice Lorelei Garratt
Grant Thornton, LLP Marcy & Mike Grossman Charlene Howell Suki & Paul Jarzemsky Rachel & Garth Orr Pioneer Natural Resources Patricia Santiago Elizabeth Solender & Gary Scott Henny Wright & Ed Stead Triumph Financial Annette Teter Texas Mutual Amy & Kyle Turner Julie & Bill Wheat PATRON $500-$999 Lynn Hampton & Dennis Auld Adrienne & Michael Ball Martha Barrios Wesley & Jeff Brady Kendra Clark Carol Crowe Barbara & Julien DeVereux Mary Dolan Sally & Tom Dunning Jay Gardner Margaret Gavin Ann & Jim Hambleton Jo Anne Hughes Janet C. James Susan & James Jennings Kalais & LB Jeter Rae & Lloyd Marquis Nancy Dee Miller Renee & Henry Morales Stacy & Dennis O’Riley Stefanie Schneidler & Jeffrey Robinson Maureen & Robert Royer Jeanne & David Selzer Kim Stravinski Cheri & Bart Thomas Charlotte & Wade Wiles Karen & Jim Wiley IN-KIND April Bosworth Eugenia Cass CiCi’s Pizza Ellis Hill Nicole & David Jones Tara Lewis Carol & Kevin March Miron Crosby Neiman Marcus Southwest Airlines Shanti Shahani Venegas TXU Energy Vandelay Wolfgang Puck
The exciting prequel to THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE...Narnia is born!
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A stunning production... the magic is exhilarating! NANCY CHURNIN
The Dallas Morning News
APRIL 27 – MAY 25 2024
Dramatization by AURAND HARRIS Adapted from the story by C.S. LEWIS Directed by ARTIE OLAISEN
ENJOYED BY AGES 7 AND UP
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Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
TITLE SPONSOR
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DCT BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT: Jim Markus* CHAIRMAN: Todd Ranta* EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT: Leah Mora* VP DEVELOPMENT: Michael DeLuke* CO-VP EDUCATION: Evan Singer* VP FACILITIES: Everett Spaeth* VP FINANCE/TREASURER: Lauren Herrington* CO- VP GOVERNANCE/NOMINATING: Camelia Shoemaker* CO- VP GOVERNANCE/NOMINATING: Martha Barrios* CO- VP SOCIAL OUTREACH: Mar Howard* CO- VP SOCIAL OUTREACH: Amanda Schnetzer* SECRETARY: Julie Parolisi* Morgan Bennett Alencia DeAnda-Gregg Angela Downes Kelly Fijolek Sarah Freedman* Jennifer Garratt Brooks Hall Tiffini Hall Meagan Hemenway Scott Hudson Stephanie Jeffery LB Jeter, Jr. Kimberly Kort
Robin A. Ladd Lisa Lee Jacqueline Mackewicz Corale Madden Adam Mora Jr., MD Rachel Orr Liliana Rivera Nima Rohani, DDS, MS Sarah Salmon Deborah Stanford Jasmine Tobias Shanti Shahani Venegas
DCT BOARD OF ADVISORS Lorlee Bartos Joan Becker Nancy Carlson Mary Covington Yvonne Crum Paul Daugherty Betsy Fijolek Jane Kennedy Greene Rocky Howard Sharron Hunt Vibeke Jarnum Emily Jefferson Josh Johnston
Margaret Keliher Tara Lewis* Peter Martin Stephanie Nelson* Teresa Parravano Christa Sanford Sally Schopmeyer Elizabeth Showalter Laurie-Jo Straty Craig Sutton Bill Travis Karen Travis
EMERITUS MEMBERS CHAIR EMERITUS: Melissa Deakins CHAIR EMERITUS: Laurie Sands Harrison CHAIR EMERITUS: Julie H. Kosnik CHAIR EMERITUS: Carole Jordan CHAIR EMERITUS: Carol March* BOARD LIAISON Mickie Bragalone – Office of Cultural Affairs
* Executive Committee
DCT STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Samantha Turner ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Nancy Schaeffer ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Artie Olaisen
FOUNDER: Robyn Flatt
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR: Coy Covington FINANCE PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR: Kimberly Parks ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT: Roxie King DEVELOPMENT GRANTS MANAGER: Joey Hamilton DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT RECORDS AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATION: Elizabeth Ross EDUCATION EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Terry Feagin PROJECT INCLUSION COORDINATOR: Gina Waits EDUCATION MANAGER: Amelia Awalt MUSICAL THEATER CONSERVATORY DIRECTOR: K. Doug Miller ACADEMY COORDINATOR: Raven Lanuza-Brown
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ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE ACTING / VIDEO: Karl Schaeffer MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING: Mallory Coulter DIRECTOR OF TICKETING & PATRON SERVICES: Steve Jones PR / ENGAGEMENT MANAGER: Jazmine Hill BOX OFFICE ASSOCIATE: Douglass Burks BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT: Rachel Wells FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR: Joanna Coogan FACILITIES NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMIN. / IT / FACILITIES: Aaron Rodriguez
PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER / RENTAL COORDINATOR: Janel Villatoro ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER: CaitLyne Martin TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Josh Smith ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Nolan Moralez RESIDENT COSTUME DESIGNER / COSTUME SHOP MANAGER: Lyle Huchton SOUND ENGINEER: Brian Christensen RESIDENT SOUND DESIGNER: Marco Salinas MASTER ELECTRICIAN: Vinchenzo Locascio STAFF CARPENTER: Jesus Gonzalez ASSISTANT COSTUME SHOP MANAGER Glory Sprinkle DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Sally Fiorello
THE LEGACY OF OUR FOUNDER
ROBYN FLATT
In 1984, Robyn Flatt, already an acclaimed director, actor, and lighting designer, co-founded Dallas Children’s Theater with start-up funds of just $500. She then led the organization to great success for four decades before her retirement from DCT in 2023. A former Dallas Theater Center Resident Company member, she served as Assistant Artistic Director and Director of Theater-in-the-Parks at DTC. Her acting credits include two roles she created for award-winning world premiere productions: Dewey Dell in Journey to Jefferson and Martha Ann Sickenger in Preston Jones’ The Oldest Living Graduate. Her directing credits at DCT include several world premiere adaptations by Linda Daugherty of Steven Kellogg’s stories, which have also toured nationally. Other critically acclaimed productions include Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Miracle Worker, And Then They Came For Me, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale, Treasure Island Reimagined!, and Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet. She has served on the boards of AATE, ASSITEJ/USA, and CTFA. She is a recipient of The 500, Inc.’s prestigious Ken Bryant Visionary Award, Dallas Historical Society’s 1999 Excellence in Community Service for Creative Arts, the 2002 Leon Rabin Standing Ovation Award, and the Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award. Ms. Flatt is a College of Fellows of American Theatre member and served five years as Treasurer of the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. She was nominated by The Dallas Morning News arts staff for the Texan of the Year Award in 2010 and 2015 and was honored in 2016 with the Orlin Corey Award for Artistic Excellence from the American Alliance for Theater and Education. In 2023, Robyn received the Jac Alder Advocacy Award presented by the Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition and the Linda and Bill Custard Award presented by Dallas Theater Center.
aren Photos by K
wrence da Blase, La Almond, Lin
Jenkins, and
DCT staff
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Photos by Lawrence Jenkins, Linda Blase, and DCT staff