WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation
Adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott
Music and Lyrics by S–Ankh Rasa
Directed by S–Ankh Rasa and Robyn Flatt
Directed by S–ANKH RASA AND ROBYN FLATT
Musical Composition and Direction by S-ANKH RASA
Choreographed by MICHELLE N. GIBSON
Scenic Design by KRISTINA ORTIZ MILLER
Based on an original design by Randel Wright
Lighting Design by LINDA BLASE
Sound Design by MARCO SALINAS & BRIAN CHRISTENSEN
Props Design by SALLY FIORELLO
Costume Design by GLORY SPRINKLE
Stage Managed by DWIGHT SANDELL *
Special Thanks: Bweela Steptoe and Capital One
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER 2023-2024 SEASON SUPPORTED BY
MARCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
THE
THE CARLSON FOUNDATION
THE ROSEWOOD CORPORATION
GENERAL SPONSORS INCLUDE
The Holloway Family Foundation Sharron Hunt
Lara and Stephen Harrison TACA
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation
The Rocky Howard Family Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY BUILDING FUND SUPPORT
Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District
Capital for Kids
Joan Becker
Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts
Stephen M. Seay Foundation
Margot B. Perot
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Ellen and Jim Markus
Central Market
Laurie Sands Harrison
Lisa K. Simmons
Green Mountain Energy
DCT’s official renewable energy partner
The Carlson Foundation
The March Family Foundation
Laurie Sands Harrison
The Rosewood Corporation
Anonymous Family
Elizabeth & Bart Showalter
Karen & Ken Travis
The Hersh Foundation
Everett & Becky Spaeth
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPONSORS INCLUDE
Fichtenbaum
Charitable Trust
Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
STORYTELLER / MESSENGER ...................................................... RICK SPIVEY *
MUFARO / DANCE CAPTAIN ....................................................... IVAN JONES *
MANYARA / OLD WOMAN ................................................ MYIESHA J. DUFF *
NYASHA ........................................................................... CHARLI ARMSTRONG *
VILLAGER 1 / LAUGHING TREE / KING ....................... GERALD TAYLOR II *
VILLAGER 2 / LAUGHING TREE / OLD WOMAN .... MONICA J. PALMER *
HUNGRY BOY / VILLAGER ENSEMBLE / SNAKE PUPPETEER .......................................................................... ANIA LYONS
VILLAGER ENSEMBLE / SNAKE PUPPETEER ............... OCTAVIAN LEWIS
*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 fosters the art of live theatre as 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, 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.
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 JESÚS GONZALEZ
MASTER ELECTRICIAN ............................... VINCHENZO LOCASCIO
SOUND ENGINEER BRIAN CHRISTENSEN
SCENIC ARTIST EMILY HAUEISEN
COSTUME SHOP MANAGER .................................. LYLE HUCHTON
ASST. COSTUME SHOP MANAGER ..................... GLORY SPRINKLE
DECK CREW HEAD BECCA BONGIORNO
CARPENTERS GAGE ANDERSON, BECCA BONGIORNO, ISAIAH NAVARRO , ZIGGY RENNER, TOMMY STUART, LAUREN WHEAT
ELECTRICIANS ..................... AUSTIN BENDER, ALLIE BUTEMEYER, JEREMY CLAYCAMP, JAMIE MILIGAN
PRODUCTION APPRENTICES NOEL HAWTHORNE, THEO MOERS, DANI WILSON
ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER LAUREN HUMES
Charli lends her talents to DCT for the fifth time, previously taking the stage in productions of John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale and The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (Mrs. Cartero). She also appeared in DCT’s main-stage production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Mrs. Beaver). Her other Dallas-area credits include featured roles in King Arthur, Aladdin, Puss In Boots with Theatre Britain; and The Soul Gatherer and Marianela with MBS Productions. Charli also appeared in Pinocchio for the Orlando Repertory Theatre in Orlando, Florida.
Myiesha J. Duff is excited to return to the DCT stage!! She was last seen at DCT in Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte) and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (the Bus Driver). She has also performed in several local productions, such as Trouble in Mind (Understudy), Sister Act (Deloris), Elf (Mrs. Hobbs), and The Wiz (Glinda). She holds many titles, including wife, songwriter, educator, and author, but her favorite title is Mom. Huge heartfelt thanks to God, family, and friends! You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram at @myieshajduff.
Ivan is excited to return to DCT! He appeared as Mufaro in the 2008-09, 2011-12, and 201617 national tours of John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. His Dallasarea credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oliver, and The Rocky Horror Show with KD Studios; Nice Work, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, and Cats with Garland Summer Musicals; Beauty and the Beast, King Arthur, Out of Order, Puss in Boots, and Babes in the Wood with Theatre Britain; It Runs In The Family with Rover Dramawerks; and Lucifer Descending and Dante (Inferno/Purgatorio) with MBS Productions. He also danced with The Dallas Opera in Romeo and Juliet and Boris Godunov. Mr. Jones is a choreographer and gymnast. He holds Associates Degrees in Theater and Musical Theater from KD Studio’s Acting Conservatory. To my family/friends, thanks for your continued support! Forgive me, for I have Sinned!
Octavian Lewis is a multi-talented powerhouse born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Octavian graduated from Texas College with a Bachelor of Science in Music. His credits include The Color Purple at Jubilee Theatre, Saturday Night Fever and Hello Dolly at The Firehouse Theatre, Black Nativity at the Bishop Arts Theatre Center as well as AIDA and The Rocky Horror Show with Lyric Stage at The Majestic Theatre, portraying the roles of a Phantom and Transylvanian. For his performance in Black Nativity, Octavian was nominated for “Best Actor in a Musical” for the 5th Annual Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards. He also was featured in DFW Center Stage’s Beyond the Bio after he brought the house down with his performance in RENT (Tom Collins) at the North Texas Performing Arts Repertory (Willow Bend Center of the Arts). Octavian would like to thank his directors, cast, family, and friends for their unconditional love and support!
Ania Lyons is so happy to return to the DCT stage. She’s been in Charlotte’s Web (Understudy); Harry Connick, Jr.’s The Happy Elf (Bubbles); Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (May); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Susan); and Dragons Love Tacos (Blue Dragon)! 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.
Monica J. Palmer is a native of Detroit, MI. She received her BFA in Theatre from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and a MFA in Theatre from Cornell University. Credits include The Lion King National Tour, Disney World Animal Kingdom’s Festival of The Lion King, and Disney Cruise Lines.
Rick Spivey is proud and excited to reprise his role of Storyteller/Messenger! He has performed 6 national tours with Dallas Children’s Theater from 2006 through 2017. Highlights include Most Valuable Player (Jackie Robinson) and all 3 of John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale tours (Storyteller/Messenger). He also has been seen at Casa Mañana Theatre playhouse and their Broadway at the Bass series in Alice in Wonderland (King of Hearts) and A Few Good Men (Corporal J.O. Howard). The stage veteran has also frequented African American Repertory Theater in Jitney (Booster) and Fences (Lyons). His career began with Jubilee Theatre in 2000, performing in over 13 productions; most notable are African Company Presents Richard III (James Hewitt), Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting (Jackie Robinson), and Rudy Eastman’s Coop DeVille: Time Traveling Brother (M.C. Square). He also won the 2012 New Playwrights Festival for his musical play Sweep N Slide.
Gerald is delighted to be back at DCT. You may remember him from Last Stop on Market Street, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show, The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats (Peter), and Dragons Love Tacos (Dog). He toured the country with the DCT productions of The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) (Bloodbottler/Mr. Tibbs) and John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (The King). Nam-myhoho-renge-kyo!
Robyn Flatt co-founded DCT in 1984 with start-up funds of $500. Under her artistic leadership, the theater’s creative and operational stature has grown over the past 39 years to reflect its current annual budget of more than $4 million. Her theatrical career has brought her acclaim as a professional director, actor and lighting designer. During her tenure as a member of the Dallas Theater Center Resident Company, she served as Assistant Artistic Director and Director of Theater-in-the-Parks. She holds a MA degree from Baylor University and studied under Paul Baker, Juana Laban, and Hanya Holm. Ms. Flatt’s many 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 member of the College of Fellows of American Theatre and served 5 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 both 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.
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.
Artistic Director
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.
S-ANKH RASA
Production Co-Director / Musical Composer and Director
At age 12, S-Ankh Rasa was the youngest student accepted to the University of California, Berkeley Music Department. He composed his first symphony at 15 while attending the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. At 16, he performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival as a featured saxophonist with Dizzy Gillespie and the Modern Jazz Quartet. In Los Angeles, he worked as a studio musician (saxophone, flute, & clarinet), composer, arranger, and musical director with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, and many others. He retired from the LA music scene and began studying traditional African music. This led to a US tour with the world-renowned African drummer Mamady Keita. Mr. Rasa is also a performer and historian of the Mandinko kora (African harp) and composes and sings in three languages. He worked with acclaimed actress, playwright, and director Regina Taylor in the Dallas’ production of Crowns in the vital role of multi-percussionist. He also performed in the US tour of Crowns as co-Music Director and multi-percussionist under the direction of Andrea Frye. His other Dallas area credits include the composition of original scores for Cara Mía Theatre Co.’s productions of Romeo and Juliet and Lorca’s Blood Wedding. This season’s tour marks his third production of John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale with DCT. He was also the musical director/composer of DCT’s productions of Anansi - The Spider-Man and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, directed by Cheryl Denson. Mr. Rasa composed a one-man original score for Crystal City 1969, directed by David Lozano for Cara Mía Theatre Co.
Mother, Choreographer, Cultural Ambassador, Professor, and Performing Artist Michelle N. Gibson received her BFA in Dance from Tulane University and her MFA from Hollins University in collaboration with the American Dance Festival (ADF) at Duke University. Some of her works include Takin’ it To The Roots, supported by the National Performance/Visual Artists Network’s Creation Fund; Displaced Yet Rebirth performed by Dallas Black Dance Theatre; Origins of Life on Earth with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center; Voices of Congo Square, presented at Sun Theatre in St Louis, Missouri; and Orpheum Theater in New Orleans. Gibson has shared on symposiums with Duke University Dance Department, the University of Florida, and the University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Gibson curates Culture, Brass, and Jazz in the Park Festival, a partnership between The New Orleans Original BuckShop and ArtsBridge Powered by Toyota, a community arts program of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, TX. In 2022, Gibson was the Grand Marshall for the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland and part of Jacob’s Pillow’s 90th anniversary performing her one-woman show, Takin’ it To The Roots, featured in The New York Times. Serving thirteen years with ADF and four with Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Gibson is currently a Professor of Practice in the dance division at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. In 2023, Gibson was featured in the Dance On Camera Festival’s documentary Moving Together and a guest artist with New Waves Institute 2023 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. In the fall of 2023, Gibson is purposed with promises, setting choreographic works on Red Clay Dance Company and the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
Producer / Props Designer
Sally began her association with Dallas Children’s Theater in 1984 and has since served as a director, designer, and actor for numerous DCT productions. As the theater’s National Tour Director, she produced and managed three tours of John Steptoe’s Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. 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 designed props for last season’s Charlotte’s Web. Sally is a recipient of the Dallas-Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Award.
Scenic Designer
Kristina is thrilled to be back at Dallas Children’s Theater and to be a part of this truly magical production. Previous credits include Last Stop on Market Street (scenic/video designer); Stages: Houston for the Holidays with DeQuina Moore (costume design); MacGyver The Musical (costume designer); NSFW (costume designer); Panto: Wonderful Wizard (scenic designer); End of the Rainbow (scenic designer); Girls Night (scenic designer); Sexy Laundry (scenic designer); AD Players at the George: A Texas Carol (costume designer); Dear Jack, Dear Louise (costume designer); and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (costume designer). Kristina lives in Ft. Worth with her husband and her three kids.
LINDA BLASE
Lighting Designer
A recipient of two Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum Awards and six Leon Rabin Awards, Linda has designed lighting for over 445 professional productions. Linda is an experienced stage photographer whose images have appeared in The New York Times, Texas Monthly, D Magazine, People, US, Dialogue, TIME, American Theatre, and Saturday Review (including Saturday Review cover photo May 15, 1976).
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.
BRIAN CHRISTENSEN
Sound Designer
Brian Christensen feels very fortunate to call Dallas Children’s Theater his home since 2015. In addition to his position as a resident audio engineer, Brian regularly works with Uptown Players, MusicalWriters.com, and numerous other theaters in the DFW area. His original musicals Daughter of Re and Greece: A Mythical Comedy were performed at IMPRINT Theatreworks’ First Impressions Festivals. Daughter of Re was also featured in the 2022 Rogue Theater Festival in NYC.
Costume Designer
Glory Sprinkle is the new Assistant Costume Shop Manager and is grateful for the opportunity to design such a colorful show! Since graduating with her Theatrical Costume Design degree from Stephens College, she’s mainly been a stitcher but last season dipped her toe into the designer role for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Beyond this, she is known for her hand in building shows like The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Charlotte’s Web.
Stage Manager
Dwight Sandell works as an actor and stage manager. DCT acting credits include The Island of the Skog (Wooster), Charlotte’s Web (Templeton), and The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs (Pig #3). Stage management credits include The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show, Ella Enchanted: The Musical, Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, Balloonacy, and Madeline’s Christmas.
List reflects gifts received through September 18, 2023.
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
The Dallas Foundation/Showalter Family Fund
Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District
Fidelity Charitable/Sharron Hunt and Family Fund
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Rocky Howard
Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Morgan Stanley GIFT/The Karen & Ken Travis Fund
Schwab Charitable/Melinda & Jim Johnson
Texas Instruments
SEASON BENEFACTOR
$10,000-$24,999
Anderskouv Jarnum Family
Capital for Kids
Central Market
Charles Schwab/Becky & Everett Spaeth
Communities Foundation of Texas/North
Texas Giving Day Fund
Crawley Familly Foundation
Fidelity Charitable/Ellen & Jim Markus
The Holloway Family Foundation
National Endowment For The Arts
Margot B. Perot
Prosperity Bank
Raymond James Charitable/Lisa K.
Simmons
Laurie Sands Harrison
Schwab Charitable/Joan Becker
Stephen M. Seay Foundation
Becky & Everett Spaeth
Strake Foundation
TACA
Texas Commission on the Arts
Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program
TXU Energy
LEADING PLAYER
$5,000-$9,999
American Endowment Foundation/Lara & Stephen Harrison
American Funds/Anonymous
The Blackbaud Giving Fund/The Herrington Family
The Blackbaud Giving Fund/Kara & Todd Ranta
Joe B. Brooks
Communities Foundation of Texas/Sutton
Family Fund
June Dales
The Dallas Foundation/Louise W. Kahn
Endowment Fund
The Dallas Foundation/The McGee Endowment Foundation Fund
Sarah & Michael DeLuke
Fidelity Charitable/Augustine Frizzell and David Lowery
Fred Jones Family Foundation/Angela & BJ Hall
Goldman Sachs/Charities Aid Foundation America
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Houlihan Lokey
J.P. Morgan Charitable Giving Fund/Jane & Greg Greene
Emily Jefferson
Stephanie & Ben Jeffery
Melinda & Jim Johnson
Joyce & Robert Johnson
Carole & Chris Jordan
Margaret & Lester Keliher
Lisa Lee
Jacqui & Ray Mackewicz
Morgan Stanley GIFT/Julie & John Parolisi
Harry S. Moss Foundation
Julie & John Parolisi
Pershing Advisor Solutions/Carolyn Holloway
Janet & Lewis Shaw
Rachael & Evan Singer
Sarah Freedman & Christopher Skoog
Jane & William B. Travis
DIRECTOR
$2,500-$4,999
Jean Aoki
Ayco Charitable Foundation/Scott Hudson Family
Morgan & Kilian Bennett
Kathleen Kerr Blanchard & Chuck Blanchard
Nick & Sara Borrelli
Capital One Services, LLC
Charles Schwab/Tara Lewis & John Swords
Communities Foundation of Texas/ Michael & Debbie Rasa
Ernst & Young Foundation/Deborah & Richard Stanford
Jennifer Fargo
FGH Foundation/Betsy & Rick Fijolek
Fidelity Brokerage Services/Wilson Tarver
Fidelity Charitable/Meagan & Daniel Hemenway
Kelly Fijolek
Christy & Bill Gammill
The Ryan Goldblatt Foundation
Holland & Knight
Sharron Hunt
Erin & Josh Johnston
Robin A. Ladd
Sarah & Alan Losinger
Corale & Mitchell Madden
National Financial Services/Jean Aoki
Tim Mullins
Raising Canes
Raymond James Charitable/Faus Family Foundation
Alicia Duque & Nima Rohani
Sarah & Tim Salmon
Amanda & David Schnetzer
Schwab Charitable/Brooke & Aaron Shelby
Camelia & Ted Shoemaker
UBS Financial Services/Retta Van Auken
Shanti & Ian Venegas
Shelly & Stephen Wilson
Benevity/Jasmine & Chris Tobias
Bonnie Jean Foundation
Communities Foundation of Texas/Brice
Family Charitable Fund I
Communities Foundation of Texas/Jacque Gavin
The Dallas Foundation/Sally & Tom Dunning
Lorelei Garratt
Grant Thornton, LLP
Charlene Howell
Matt Johnson
Keliher Family Foundation
Make It Count Family Foundation
Nancy Miller Blount
Leah & Adam Mora Jr. MD
Stephanie & Mark Nelson
Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC/Rae & Lloyd Marquis
LaToyia Pierce
Patricia Santiago
Schwab Charitable/Patty & Joe Smith
Elizabeth Solender & Gary Scott
Henny Wright & Ed Stead
Laurie-Jo & Steve Straty
Tara Lewis & John Swords
Annette Teter
Texas Mutual
Jasmine & Chris Tobias
Amy & Kyle Turner
Julie & Bill Wheat
Karen & Jim Wiley
PATRON
$500-$999
Lynn Hampton & Dennis Auld
Martha Barrios
Wesley & Jeff Brady
Barbara & Julien DeVereux
Mary Dolan
Fidelity Charitable/Stefanie Schneidler & Jeffrey Robinson
Fidelity Charitable/Jeanne & David Selzer
Ann & Jim Hambleton
Janet C. James
Morgan Stanley/Maureen & Robert Royer
Stacy & Dennis O’Riley
Brooke & Aaron Shelby
Katie & David Shutler
Harianne & David Wallenstein
Charlotte & Wade Wiles
Nicole & David Jones
Southwest Airlines
TXU Energy
DCT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PRESIDENT: Jim Markus*
CHAIRMAN: Todd Ranta*
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Leah Mora*
VP DEVELOPMENT: Michael DeLuke*
VP EDUCATION: Helen Harris-Allen*
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
Sara Borrelli
Kelly Fijolek
Angela Downes
Sarah Freedman
Brooks Hall
Tiffini Hall
Meagan Hemenway
Scott Hudson
Stephanie Jeffery
LB Jeter, Jr.
Matt Johnson
Josh Johnston
Amanda Kendall
Robin A. Ladd
FOUNDER: Robyn Flatt
Lisa Lee
Jacqueline Mackewicz
Corale Madden
Adam Mora Jr., MD
Tim Mullins
Stephanie Nelson*
Rachel Orr
Nima Rohani, DDS, MS
Sarah Salmon
Jennifer Garratt Saltsman
Evan P. Singer
Deborah Stanford
Jasmine Tobias
Kyle Turner
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
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Margaret Keliher
Tara Lewis*
Peter Martin
Teresa Parravano
Todd Ranta
Christa Sanford
Sally Schopmeyer
Elizabeth Showalter
Laurie-Jo Straty
Craig Sutton
Bill Travis
Karen Travis
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
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Samantha Turner
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Nancy Schaeffer
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Artie Olaisen
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES: Dennis O’Riley
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR : Coy Covington
FINANCE
CONTROLLER :
Nina Williams
FINANCE MANAGER:
Jim Amrhein
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT :
Roxie King
DEVELOPMENT
GRANTS MANAGER:
Joey Hamilton
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANTRECORDS 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
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
PRODUCTIO N
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 40th Anniversary Season of DCT is here and we want you to celebrate with us as we honor the enduring legacy of our Founder and co-director of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters , Robyn Flatt.
This spring DCT launched Robyn’s Beautiful Legacy Fund, a Fund that has been created to ensure Robyn’s enduring artistic legacy, which includes plays like the one you are seeing today, is carried on at DCT.
What a great honor to Robyn! Just imagine all the dynamic initiatives and creative new works that this makes possible for DCT and the many children and families we serve each year. But, our work is not done. We would like to do even more with your help.
Any gift is much appreciated and it’s so easy to do: Call Elizabeth Ross at DCT: 214-978-0110, ext. 174 or email her at elizabeth.ross@dct.org to make your contribution.
Thank you for joining us in contributing to this Fund and honoring Robyn, a true Dallas arts trailblazer, and her lifelong commitment to the arts, children and families of our community.
Best Regards,
Carol March Tara Lewis
Thank you to our donors as of September 18, 2023.
$5,000 +
Vibeke Jarnum and Niels
Anderskouv
Joan Becker
Joe B. Brooks
Nancy and Clint Carlson
Jane and Greg Greene
Carolyn Holloway
Rocky Howard
Emily Jefferson
Bob Johnson
Melinda and Jim Johnson
Carole and Christopher Jordan
Margaret Keliher
March Family Foundation
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Rosewood Foundation
Stephen M. Seay Foundation
Elizabeth and Bart Showalter
Lisa Simmons
Becky and Everett Spaeth
Deborah and Craig Sutton
Tara Lewis and John Swords
Jane and Bill Travis
Karen and Ken Travis
Under $5,000
Jean Aoki
Rebecca and Chad Brown
Connie Coit Kitchens
Alice and Chris Dawe
Elizabeth and George Deuillet
Mary Dolan
Ann and Jim Hambleton
Meagan and Daniel Hemenway
Charlene Howell
Nicole and Scott Hudson
Sharron Hunt
Martha Jarmon
Sarah and Alan Losinger
Peter Lutken
Janet and Ron Massey
Karol and Kent Middleton
Julie Parolisi
Eliza Solander and Gary Scott
Rachael and Evan Singer
Brooke and Aaron Shelby
Henny Wright and Ed Stead
Annette Teter
Fallon and Robie Vaughn
Julie and Bill Wheat
Karen and Jim Wiley