A L L I A N C E T H E AT R E
JAN 31–MAR 3, 2024
2 | encore
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com
F U R LO U G H ’ S PA R A D I S E
FROM THE PRODUCER Between Us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 F E AT U R E For a.k. payne, Plays Are ‘Blueprints for Imagining Freedom & Invitations for Gatherings’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 STORY BY MASHAUN D. SIMON
P age 6
Program Highlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Onstage & Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Program Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Your Story, Your Stage. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Synopsis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 D E PA R T M E N T S About the Alliance Theatre. . . . . . . . . 29
P age 10
Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sponsors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Annual Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Alliance Theatre Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
P age 26
|3
4 | encore
betweenus
|5
When you imagine your perfect utopia, what do you see? Maybe it’s that once in a lifetime family gathering when everyone gets along; maybe it’s living in that perfect city, with that perfect partner, with that perfect job. Maybe your utopia is less self-serving and more about our world at large. Perhaps you dream of a society where the laws of the land solely prioritize the underrepresented; there is access for all to good education and health care; there is a unified commitment to the abolition of systems that are oppressive by design. The thing about utopia is that its literal definition is “no place.” It doesn’t exist. Instead it’s in the striving for change, the wrestling with the injustices of the dystopia we see all around us, in the insisting on imagining “what can be” in the wake of memories of “what was” that we move towards a more whole and functioning society. a.k. payne. Remember this name because if you are a regular theatregoer (and we do hope you are), you will for sure come across it again and again. Their magnificent Furlough’s Paradise is a story between two cousins. It’s a story that grapples with grief and regret, while celebrating the unwavering bond of kinship and our connections to home. It’s a play that beautifully navigates the “what can be” if time were infinite and options limitless in the face of the realities of upbringing, of roads taken and not taken, of latent grievances that can be paralyzing. More than anything this play teaches us that when we confront, face to face, loss and discomfort, only then can we dare to hope. This production of Furlough’s Paradise, as luck would have it, aligns with our celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition. For two decades, our theatre has wrapped its arms around original stories by emerging writers from MFA programs across the country — stories that open our hearts and minds to the evergreen question: What can be? Take a moment and introduce yourself to your neighbor. Share your hardships and your joys. Share your visions of your imagined utopias. You might be surprised by how your dreams align. Even better, you might learn you have a dream you didn’t even know you had. Let’s create a revolution by defying the literal definition of utopia. If but for these couple of hours in the theatre, it just may exist. We are so glad you are here.
Amanda Watkins Line Producer
6 | programfeature
FOR A.K. PAYNE, PLAYS ARE ‘BLUEPRINTS FOR IMAGINING FREEDOM & INVITATIONS FOR GATHERINGS’ STORY BY
Mashaun D. Simon
O
ne of a.k. payne’s (she/they) great pleasures is building community.
“Whether it is with people I have worked with before, or people I have worked with for the first time, building community is at the root of my excitement in my work.”
Winner of the 20th annual Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, payne’s play, Furlough’s Paradise, is having its premiere here at the Alliance from January 31 through March 3. We connected with payne to talk about the inspiration behind Furlough’s, what it means to be this year’s Kendeda winner, and their aspirations for audiences seeing the play. Mashaun D. Simon: For Atlanta audiences coming to see the show, when they sit down and open this program booklet, what do you want them to know about their experience at Furlough’s Paradise? a.k. payne: Hmm! That’s a good question. I think a lot of the play is about presence, how we witness each other, and how we share space together. These characters are fighting for moments to be in the same room together because that’s been taken from them. So, I want to invite the audience to breathe, and to, like, be in this room with these people. It is kind of a gift, and it feels really special. So, I invite the audience into an opportunity to share space, breath, and air with one another. Mashaun: One of the things I find fascinating about this story is how it deals with grief and the realities of it. Why did you choose to make grief a character? alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
|7
8 | encore a.k.: Yeah! I’ve been thinking a lot about how grief opens us up in ways nothing else does. Grief lays you bare. For these cousins, grief becomes a portal through which they can reconnect because of everything that’s happened between and because of these barriers — literal walls and differences. And, you know, just years and years of stuff. I don’t know if there’s any other way that they could see each other except through or from the collective experience of grief. I’ve been thinking a lot about how grief has affected Black Diasporic people. What does it mean to grieve when you don’t necessarily have the connection to lineage or language? What does it mean to grieve a lineage you can’t fully trace. So, grief feels really potent for me right now — in my own life and also with these characters. They cling to each other. They find each other. Even though they’re just in this room with each other for these three days, they’re really mourning and get to share uninterrupted space with one another. Mashaun: I love that. Very rarely do we ever get a time to like, sit, pause, deal with, and process. In this production you have given us permission to do that. a.k.: Yeah. The final day, the final day’s scenes are them building a new ritual for mourning that is like their own ... My aunt passed away in 2021, and so a lot of this play comes from my own desire to think through what it would mean for my cousin and I to be able to sit together and breathe and talk. This play is really rooted in trying to figure out how these people can manage to process and heal, but not in a linear way, but a circular way. Mashaun: Part of your personal life shows up in the story. What emotions or anxieties did you have about mixing your personal life into this story? a.k.: That’s a big element of a lot of my work. I write a lot from family histories and archives. My cousin was incarcerated. She went to jail when she was about 17 and I was about 13. She spent six years there. But in the play, the characters are older. I aged them up to give them space and time to grieve in a different way. I wanted to write a play about me and my cousin. I kept writing that in my notebook. And I didn’t know what that play was gonna be, but I knew I wanted to do one about us. It wasn’t until I read another play by Amy Herzog that dealt with friends and people in a condensed space that I began to imagine the structure for Furlough’s Paradise. Playwright a.k. payne It’s such a vulnerable work that
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com
|9
Actors Asha Basha Duniani and Cymiah Alexander on the first day of rehearsal for the Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage production of Furlough’s Paradise. Paradise. Photo by Aniska Tonge.
feels really, really tender to think about the ways I’m pouring parts of myself into this, but also being intentional about community. I told my cousin I was writing this and sent her the beginning of it. Mashaun: How did she respond? a.k.: She was like, ‘It’s a play about us!’ She was so excited, but I was so nervous. Mashaun: One final question. You’re the 2024 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwright Competition Winner. Kendeda has catapulted the careers of so many. How does it feel to have this opportunity to put this very personal story on the stage for others to experience? a.k.: I feel really excited and really grateful. Tarell Alvin McCraney, who won Kendeda some years ago, is actually my mentor. He is also one of my favorite writers in the world. And he told me about the competition. So that also makes it even more special. But also, I’m just really grateful for any space to share work, to share work with audiences, and to have resources to fully actualize a dream. I think a lot about plays as like blueprints for imagining freedom, or blueprints for imagining worlds, and the invitation to gather people. This is an opportunity to play around with what that blueprint can do and how we [can] imagine the space to be together.
10 | programhighlight
BLACK JOY: A RESTORATION OF HOPE WRITTEN BY
Jayla Dyas, Spelman Leadership Fellow
“In witnessing each other’s grief, we unlock space for joy.” – a.k. payne, Playwright
Furlough’s Paradise is a story that highlights a reunion in grief, and yet it is a reflection of hope and how space is created for joy to exist. As we witness Sade and Mina navigate their individual experiences with grief we also witness, as their time together unfolds, how they are able to create joy in this moment together. Their ability to make room for joy sheds light on a specific perspective that is necessary to isolate so that we better understand the depth it provides to the history of the Black experience. As a community, Black people have had to carve out our own paths for joy amongst what may be perceived as rugged ground. The reality of our collective pain is what sets our joy apart. And so, the impulse to emphasize the specific experience of Black Joy is necessary because of the ‘in spite of.’ At the center of every historically Black social movement is Black Joy. Moments of song and dance break out in the middle of protests. Black artists have used and continue to use their voices to empower and uplift the community amid these movements. The struggle has been passed down along with the laughs, the memories, the stories, in the ways we express ourselves, and the ways we take care of one another. Black Joy isn’t merely a statement used to gloss over our grief. It counters the narratives that Black life is only comprised of trauma, grief, and struggle. The idea is not meant to recreate these narratives and ignore the harsh realities of our experiences. Rather, it should serve as an addition to these and prove that our experiences are not monolithic. The struggle is real but so is our resilience in the midst of it.
Actor Kai Heath on the first day of rehearsal for the Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage production of Furlough’s Paradise. Paradise. Photo by Aniska Tonge.
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Often times, the meaning of joy is equated to happiness, however, happiness is fleeting while joy is a constant state of being. Happiness
encoreatlanta.com
| 11
depends on the ‘happenings’ around us. If the Black community solely depended on happiness to get us through, it’s hard to believe we would have been able to endure for so long. Instead, we have relied on what social scientist Arthur Brooks believes are the four pillars that are necessary to maintain joy: faith, family, friends, and work that serves. Black Joy is as big as the family cookouts and as intimate as eating Cookie Crisps while watching The Proud Family. It’s sitting on the porch, listening to Louis Armstrong with a cup of coffee. It’s humming while dyeing Kanekalon hair for rainbow twists. It’s swaying along to your favorite records. It’s taking a bath in the tub with a broken handle. It’s building a pillow fort and watching The Cheetah Girls. It’s laughing, loudly and uncontrollably. It’s embracing moments where we are not accepted and finding the spaces where we are. It’s dreaming of utopia and thinking about our paradise. Author Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts states in her book Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, “If the means is joy, the end must be our healing.” Although the narrative of trauma seems to stay at the forefront of the Black experience, it is the foundation upon which our joy rests to bring healing. Our joy allows us to be free even when enduring the literal and figurative imprisonment of our mind, body, and spirit. It’s that sliver of light we grab onto in the midst of darkness. Black Joy is an act of resistance, a demonstration of our resilience, and a pathway for the restoration of hope.
Actor Cymiah Alexander on the first day of rehearsal for the Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage production of Furlough’s Paradise. Paradise. Photo by Aniska Tonge.
12 | onstage&off
CHEERS TO 20 YEARS! WRITTEN BY
Amanda Watkins, Kay Nilest, & Ashley Elliott
20 years and 20 new play premieres on our Hertz Stage. That’s something to celebrate! Every September since 2003, playwrights from the leading MFA playwriting programs from across the United States submit scripts to the Alliance/ Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition. By way of a two-step adjudication process, four finalist plays are selected and one winning play is awarded a world premiere. Over 1,000 new plays have crossed the desk of the theatre’s literary department and more than 100 playwrights have been introduced to our city and graced our rehearsal halls. While it’s impossible to express the enormous impact these emerging playwrights and their powerful stories have had on our artistic community in a playbill article, we would like to lift up their names and celebrate their work here as you settle in to watch this performance. (For more information about the program, please visit alliancetheatre.org/kendeda-anniversary.)
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com
| 13
2004/05: Daphne Greaves, Day of the Kings Finalists: Andrew Barrett, Marcus Gardley, Megan Gogerty, Mat Smart 2005/06: Kenneth Lin, said Saïd Finalists: Michael Cooper, Hyeyoung Kim, Lynne “L.A.” Kuemmel, Brian Tucker, William Whitehurst 2006/07: Darren Canady, False Creeds Finalists: Beth Brandon Jensen, Carson Kreitzer, Chris Leyva, Ruth McKee 2007/08: Tarell Alvin McCraney, In the Red and Brown Water Finalists: Merri Biechler, Bekah Brunstetter, Ross Maxwell, Josh Tobiessen
Fun Fact: Kenneth Lin was a writer for the hit Netflix series House of Cards
2008/09: Julia Brownell, Smart Cookie
Fun Fact: Tarell Alvin McCraney won the 2016 Academy Award for Moonlight, based on his own play
Finalists: Randall Colburn, Zayd Dohrn, Sarah Gubbins 2009/10: Ismail Khalidi, Tennis in Nablus Finalists: Dana Lynn Formby, Virgina Grise, Emily Schwend, Paul David Young 2010/11: David Mitchell Robinson, Carapace Finalists: Joe Luis Cedillo, Will Fancher, Shane Sakhrani, Martin Zimmerman
2011/12: Meg Miroshnik, The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls Finalists: Bob Bartlett, Timothy Guillot, Alexander Maggio, Ben Snyder 2012/13: Mike Lew, Bike America Finalists: Peter Floyd, Neeley Gossett, Diana Grisanti, Janine Nabers 2013/14: Madhuri Shekar, In Love and Warcraft Finalists: Lindsey Ferrentino, Andrew Hinderaker, Jacob Juntunen, C. Quintana 2014/15: Tsehaye Geralyn Hébert, The C.A. Lyons Project
Fun Fact: Meg Miroshnik was a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Finalist
Finalists: Kimberly Barrante, Michael Yates Crowley, Emily Dendinger, Georgette Kelly 2015/16: Eleanor Burgess, Start Down Finalists: Will Arbery, Hilary Bettis, Nina Braddock, Jen Silverman 2016/17: Mansa Ra, Too Heavy For Your Pocket Finalists: Emily Feldman, Lindsey Ferrentino, Bennett Fisher, Mora Harris
Fun Fact: Mansa Ra’s play, Too Heavy for Your Pocket, opened offBroadway in 2017
2017/18: Alix Sobler, Sheltered Finalists: Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, Leo McGann, Tori Sampson, Korde Arrington Tuttle 2018/19: B.J. Tindal, Goodnight, Tyler Finalists: Karina Billini, Mary Kamitaki, Sam Riley, Marisela Treviño Orta 2019/20: Steph Del Rosso, 53% Of Finalists: Logan Faust, Ava Geyer, Cary Simowitz, Inna Tsyrlin
2020/21: Matt Libby, Data Finalists: Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin, Jessica Huang, Keyanna Khatiblou, Jay Stull 2021/22: Eliana Pipes, DREAM HOU$E Finalists: Alanna Coby, Carlyn Flint, Gloria Majule, Kyle J. McCloskey
Fun Fact: Janine Nabers has been a producer on shows such as Atlanta, Watchmen, and Swarm
2022/23: Stephen Brown, The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Finalists: Adam Ashraf Elsayigh, Brittany Fisher, Charlie O’Leary, Jamie Rubenstein, Arianna Gayle Stucki 2023/24: a.k. payne, Furlough’s Paradise Finalists: Jake Brasch, Rudi Goblen, Lia Romeo, David L. Caruso
Coming Soon in the 2023/24 SEASON
APR 3– MAY 12 2024 Pulitzer Prize Winner
FEB 21–MAR 17 2024 This radical reimagining of Charles Dickens’s classic tale of the French Revolution forces us to ask: am I who I am because of my actions or the circumstances of my birth? By CHARLES DICKENS Adapted by BRENDAN PELSUE Directed by LEORA MORRIS
The Pulitzer-Prize winning new play reinventing Shakespeare’s Hamlet. By JAMES IJAMES Direction by STEVIE WALKERWEBB
Plus many more! Tickets and memberships available at alliancetheatre.org
SHARE YOUR STORY. PRESERVE YOUR STAGE. The posting of photos taken before the show, during intermission, or in our lobbies is not only allowed but strongly encouraged! We do kindly ask that you refrain from taking pictures, recording audio, or capturing video during the performance to allow our audiences and performers to stay connected with each other during our brief time together.
Our stories are not simply told for you, but with you.
ALLIANCE THEATRE TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN
CHRISTOPHER MOSES
Jennings Hertz Artistic Director
Jennings Hertz Artistic Director
MIKE SCHLEIFER Managing Director
present
BY
a. k. payne SCENIC DESIGN
COSTUME DESIGN
LIGHTING DESIGN
CHIKA SHIMIZU
SHILLA BENNING
THOM WEAVER
SOUND DESIGN
DRAMATURGY
PROJECTION DESIGN
CHRISTOPHER LANE
ASHLEY THOMAS
MILTON CORDERO
CASTING
STAGE MANAGER
JODY FELDMAN
MESA*
DIRECTED BY
TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN SPONSORED BY
This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award. Furlough’s Paradise was developed in part with assistance from The New Harmony Project (www.newharmonyproject.org) Scenic construction for the 2023/24 Season is generously supported by The Home Depot Foundation. This production is supported in part by the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle.
16 | programnotes CAST ASHA BASHA DUNIANI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mina *KAI HEATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sade UNDERSTUDIES CYMIAH ALEXANDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mina MAKALLEN KELLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sade STAGE MANAGERS *MESA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stage Manager SAMANTHA HONEYCUTT . . . . . . . Stage Management Production Assistant PRODUCTION AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE AMANDA WATKINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Line Producer JAYLA DYAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Line Producer LAWRENCE BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Management Lead KATE HOANG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Sound Designer JULIE B. JOHNSON, PHD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Movement Integration LAURA MORSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mental Health Consultant FOR THIS PRODUCTION EMMA MOULEDOUX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound Engineer JOY DIAZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIghting Programmer/Board Operator MONICA SPEAKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dresser BRYAN PEREZ, VICTOR MOULEDOUX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stage Ops SPECIAL THANKS Jake Guinn Living On Purpose ATL A Meredith Schneider Company Women on the Rise Women in Transition Barred Business
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States The Alliance Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, an independent national labor union. The Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young Audiences (ASSITEJ/USA), The Atlanta Coalition of Theatres, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Midtown Alliance. Photos may be taken in the theater before the performance, and following the performance. If you share your photos, please credit the designers. Photos, videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited, is a violation of United States Copyright Law, and is an actionable Federal Offense.
This production is approximately eighty minutes long and has no intermission.
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
18 | encore CYMIAH ALEXANDER (u/s Mina) [she/her] is delighted to bring her passion to the stage in her first show at the Alliance Theatre! Notable roles include The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and key contributions to The Georgia Incarceration Project at Spelman College. Cymiah received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance and Psychology at Spelman College. She navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by pioneering the creation of the web series “Once Upon a Crime,” using the fantasy realm as a platform for discussions about the Black community. Her directorial debut in the post-pandemic era includes co-leading the Atlanta University Consortium’s inaugural 10-Minute Play Festival. Under the mentorship of esteemed acting coach Jemal McNeil, Cymiah continues to hone her craft. With a profound love for directing and producing, she eagerly anticipates a future filled with creative endeavors in those spaces. She is deeply grateful for the unwavering support from friends and family. Feel free to connect with her on social media: @cymiahalexander. ASHA BASHA DUNIANI (Mina) [she/her] is electrified to make her Alliance Theatre debut with the cast of Furlough’s Paradise. She credits her debut professional production to Synchronicity Theater’s Eclipsed in 2016 directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden. She recieved the Suzi Bass Award for Best Ensemble in her role as The Girl. Atlanta: Actors Express
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
(cullud wattah 2023), Synchronicity Theatre (In the Continuum 2023, Eclipsed 2016). Regional: North Carolina Black Repertory Company, Triad Stage Touring Theatre. Educational: The Colored Museum, In the Red and Brown Water, Hurt Village, Detroit 67, Ruined, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (North Carolina A&T State). Film/TV: Warner Bros, Magic Lemonade Productions, Westbrook Media. Asha Basha holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Professional Theater from North Carolina A&T State University. She would like to thank you for spending your day supporting live theatre. Find her on Instagram: @asha.b.duniani KAI HEATH (Sade) [she/her] hails from Harlem, NYC. Kai is hyped to be in Atlanta and making her Alliance Theater debut. Some of her favorite off Broadway credits include: “Kofa” in Amani (National BlackTheatre), “Leticia” in Blooms (Ensemble Studio Theater), “Dawn” in Bodies They Ritual (Clubbed Thumb), “The Rowdy” in On Sugarland (New York Theater Workshop), “Messenger” in The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. Regional credits: “Annie” in The Play That Goes Wrong (The Kennedy Center) “Averie” in Dot (People’s Light Theater). Instagram: harlemkai MAKALLEN KELLEY (u/s Sade) [she/her] is thrilled to join the cast of Furlough’s Paradise at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite educational credits include Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, Chelle in Detroit ’67,
encoreatlanta.com
Actor #4 in The Stinky Cheese Man, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Marianne Angelle in The Revolutionists, and Lily Miller in Ah, Wilderness! She was recently an Acting Apprentice at Actor’s Express during their 2022-2023 season where she understudied in Urinetown: The Musical; Oh, To Be Pure Again; and cullud wattah. She recieved a B.F.A. in Theatre Acting from the University of Southern Mississippi. Makallen would love to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support! You can find Makallen on social media platforms as @makallenkelley a.k. payne (Playwright) [she/they] is a playwright and theatermaker with roots in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her plays love on and engage Black lives and languages of the past, present, and future to find/remember stories that might create conditions for our collective liberation(s). They hold a B.A. in English and African-American Studies from Yale College and an MFA in Playwriting under Tarell Alvin McCraney from The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University (formerly known as Yale School of Drama). Their work has been a finalist for the L. Arnold Weissberger New Play Award and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. They are a grandchild of the Great Migration; a queer & non-binary abolitionist affected in community by the “New Jim Crow;” and of a great lineage of Black women storytellers and livingroom archivists; all of which deeply informs, uplifts, and amplifies their work as a playwright, community organizer, and spacemaker.
| 19
TINASHE KAJESEBOLDEN (Director/ Jennings Hertz Artistic Director) stepped into the role of Artistic Director in 2023 after serving as the Alliance’s BOLD Associate Artistic Director. Tinashe is a 2019 Princess Grace Award Winner for Directing and Map Fund Award recipient to develop her devised new work All Smiles, centering the experience of children on the Autism Spectrum. Most recently, she directed the World Premiere of The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd. Select directing productions include Toni Stone (co-production Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Alliance Theatre), School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre), Ghost (Alliance Theatre), Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theater), Nick’s Flamingo Grill (World Premiere at the Alliance Theatre), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award). As a director and actor, she has worked on and off Broadway, including The Imperial Theatre, Primary Stages, 59E59 Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem; and regionally at Yale Rep, Woolly Mammoth Theater Co, Cincinnati Playhouse, The Geva Theatre, CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, among others, as well as recurring roles on TV/Film (Strays, Suicide Squad 2, Marvel’s Hawkeye, CW’s Valor, Dynasty, HBO’s Henrietta Lacks, Ava Duverney’s Cherish the Day, among others.) She proudly serves on the ArtsATL Artist Advisory Council. “My mission is the pursuit of what connects our different communities and how we create art that serves that.”
20 | encore CHIKA SHIMIZU (Scenic Design) is a New York based scenic designer. REGIONAL: Pacific Overtures (Signature Theatre, DC), The Great Wave (Berkeley Rep), Sanctuary City (Pasadena Playhouse), RENT (Paper Mill Playhouse), Moriarty (Cleveland Playhouse), Somewhere (Geva Theatre), The Great Leap (Portland Center Stage), Vietgone, Tiger Style! (TheatreSquared), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Yale Rep, CT Critics Circle Award Nom). OFF-BROADWAY: Bite Me (WP Theatre), Belfast Girls (Irish Rep), The Naturalists (The Pond Theatre Company), The Winning Side (Epic Theatre Ensemble), Awake (The Barrow Group), Salesman之 死 (Yangtze Rep). INSTALLATION: Another Dream, Un(re)solved AR installation (Ado Ato Pictures, 2022 SXSW Innovation Award, Emmy Award). Training: MFA, Yale School of Drama. chikashimizu.com SHILLA BENNING (Costume Design) Regional Theatre: Working, Shakespeare’s R&J (Alliance Theatre); Pipeline (Cleveland Playhouse); Mudrow (People’s Light Theatre); Pipeline, Skeleton Crew (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Film: Fantasy Football, Do Revenge, Dear Evan Hansen, Like A Boss, What Men Want, SuperFly, Night School, Almost Christmas, Ride Along, Kevin Heart: Laugh At My Pain, Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam, Reluctant Fundamentalist, One Missed Call, Madea Goes To Jail, Zombieland, Footloose. Television: Bigger, Survivors Remorse, Being Mary Jane, Media, The House of Payne, The Originals, The Vampire Diaries,
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Drop Dead Diva, Dancing With The Stars. Recording Artist: Eryka Badu, Ciara, Lil Bow Wow, Andre 3000. Bronze Lens Film Festival Women’s Superstar Award Recipient. THOM WEAVER (Lighting Design) [he/him] Previously for Alliance: Everybody, Toni Stone. Off-Broadway credits include: Sandra (Vineyard), The Total Bent (Public), Kingdom Come (Roundabout), Exit Strategy (Primary Stages), King Hedley II, How I Learned What I Learned, The Liquid Plain (Signature Theatre Company), Teller’s Play Dead (The Players Theater). Regional credits include productions with: Huntington Theatre Company, Arden Theatre, The Wilma Theater (Associate Artist), Philadelphia Theatre Company, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Getty Pavilion, Children’s Theatre Company, The Cleveland Play House, Portland Center Stage, The Folger Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Round House Theatre, Hangar Theatre, CenterStage, California Shakespeare Theater, Syracuse Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Lincoln Center Festival, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre, as well as numerous designs with Pilobolus. He is the recipient of two Jeff Awards, six Barrymore Awards, the Helen Hayes award, and two AUDELCO Awards. Education: Carnegie Mellon and Yale. Program director for Theater Design and Technology at University of the Arts. He is a member of Wingspace Theatrical Design and Co-Founder of Die-Cast. Black Lives Matter.
encoreatlanta.com
CHRISTOPHER LANE (Sound Design) is an Atlanta-based sound designer, DJ, composer, mixing engineer, and entrepreneur. His previous regional credits include: DATA, Ghost, A Very Terry Christmas, Sounds of the West End, Knock Knock, In My Granny’s Garden, The Boy Who Kissed the Sky (Alliance Theatre, GA); Fannie, Four Women, Skeleton Crew, Paradise Blue (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, GA); Shutter Sisters (The Old Globe, CA); Skeleton Crew (Westport Country Playhouse, CT); Too Heavy for Your Pocket (George Street Playhouse, NJ); Four Little Girls, Ruby (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, AL); The Royale (Geva Theatre Center, NY); The Children, SHAPE, A Boy and His Soul (The Kitchen Theatre Company, NY); Detroit 67’ (Virginia Stage Company, VA), Incendiary (The Kennedy Center, DC). He is also a CoFounder and Executive Director at Multiband Studios. Check out the growing creative collective at www.multibandstudios.com. ASHLEY THOMAS (Dramaturgy) was born and raised in Harlem, New York. A writer and dramaturg — she is interested in exploring the intersections of culture, politics, and Beyoncé through a Black feminist lens. She’s a proud godmother of a fiery Aries toddler. She’s dramaturged classical works, plays in development, and solo shows through organizations such as Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and National Queer Theatre. She has been published in Theater magazine, Jabberwock Review, and 3Views Theater. Ashley has also
| 21
been a teaching artist for elementary and high school-aged students, and a teaching fellow for collegeaged students. Ashley is a proud alumna of the First Wave Urban Arts Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work. She recently graduated with her MFA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from Yale School of Drama. Ashley enjoys a good fiction book, well-designed concert merch, and cooking for loved ones. MILTON CORDERO (Projection Design) is thrilled to return to Alliance Theatre. Cordero started his career in film and theater (actor and designer) at a young age. Eventually, he explored the use of multimedia in live performances, which led to a career in projection design. Cordero’s projection designs have been seen on stages in New York, Atlanta, California, and Puerto Rico. Credits: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway At Music Circus, CA) Anna in the Tropics (Bay Street Theater, NY), Hands Up (Alliance Theatre, GA), In the Heights (“Choliseo” Coliseum, PR), The Nether (Emory Theatre, GA), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Aurora Theatre & Horizon Theatre, GA), El Burlador de Sevilla (Teatro Círculo, NY). @mcorderodesigns; www.miltoncordero.com Milton would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of his wife, Sharon Estela. JODY FELDMAN (Casting) began her theater career as an actress in Atlanta
22 | encore before moving into administration as the Assistant General Manager at Frank Wittow’s Academy Theatre. It was at the Academy that Jody realized the importance of theatre to a city’s cultural values and identity. Feldman started her career at the Alliance as casting director in 1991 and added producer to her title and responsibilities in 2001. She has cast and produced more than 250 productions at the Alliance, encompassing a range of world premieres that include The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry, Blues for An Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, The Geller Girls by Janece Shaffer, In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney, more than 20 years of Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competitionwinning plays, such world and regional premiere musicals as Aida; The Color Purple; Sister Act: The Musical; Bring It On: The Musical; Tuck Everlasting; Ghost Brothers of Darkland County; Harmony, A New Musical; The Prom; Trading Places, and finally, exciting new plays developed specifically for children and families, which is integral to the expansion of audience and mission for the Alliance. Jody is most proud of the thriving Alliance community engagement and partnerships that recognize theatrical work as a catalyst for civic conversation and connection.
including A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), English (Alliance Theatre), After Juliet (South Coast Repertory), Appropriate (SCR), A Small Man (SCR), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Chance Theater), The SpongeBob Musical (CSU Fullerton), and Beauty and the Beast (CSUF), among others. Mesa was a ’23 fellow of Beyond the Stage Door, a rigorous stage management program in New York City designed to teach and uplift recent BIPOC college graduates. Member of Actor’s Equity Association.
MESA (Stage Manager) [they/them] is the National Vision BIPOC Stage Management fellow for the Alliance Theatre’s 23/24 season. As a young professional, they boast an impressive list of stage management credits
CHRISTOPHER MOSES (Jennings Hertz Artistic Director) has been working in professional theatre for twenty years and in 2022 was awarded the Governor’s Award for Arts in Humanities for his body of work. In
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
SAMANTHA HONEYCUTT (Stage Management Production Assistant) studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Hello, Dolly!, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage), and Trading Places the Musical, Everybody, A Gift of Love with Adam L. McKnight, Hot Wing King, The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, Water For Elephants, and Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale.
encoreatlanta.com
January of 2011, Chris took on the position of Director of Education at the Alliance Theatre, overseeing the Alliance Theatre Institute (twice recognized as an Arts Model by the Federal Department of Education), Theatre for Youth & Families, and the Acting Program. Since taking over this position, Chris has expanded the reach and impact by making the Alliance Theatre Education department a vital resource for advancing the civic agenda of Atlanta. This work is accomplished through deep and sustained partnerships with social service organizations throughout the city. Under his leadership, the Alliance launched its Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young program, which provides fully interactive professional theater experiences for children of all abilities from ages newborn through five years old; the Alliance Teen Ensemble, which performs world premiere plays commissioned for and about teens; the Palefsky Collision Project, where teens produce a new work after colliding with a classic text; expanded the Alliance’s summer camp program to include over 3,000 children in multiple locations across Atlanta; and Alliance@work, a professional development program designed for the business sector — the latest offering of which uses theatre practice to create a culture of civility in the workplace. In 2014, Chris added the title Associate Artistic Director, and has continued to expand the Alliance’s education offerings. During his tenure in this position, the Alliance has produced over a dozen world premiere plays for
| 23
young audiences, including Pancakes, Pancakes by Ken Lin, The Dancing Granny by Jireh Breon Holder, Max Makes a Million by Liz Diamond, and The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Madhuri Shekar. Currently, the Alliance serves over 100,000 students pre-k – 12 each season, as well as over 4,000 adults through its extensive education offerings. In 2023, he was named Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre. MIKE SCHLEIFER (Managing Director) joined the Alliance Theatre in 2014 as the General Manager and in 2016, assumed the role of Managing Director. During his time at the Alliance, Mike has led the administrative and producing team on over 100 productions including bringing Tuck Everlasting and The Prom to Broadway. He was one of the architects of the “On the Road” season while a multi-million dollar renovation of the Coca-Cola Stage was underway. Mike is excited to have started the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee at the Alliance and to serve on the board of the League of Resident Theatres and True Colors Theatre Company. Prior to Atlanta, he spent 13 years at Baltimore’s Center Stage working in several roles including Associate Producer, Production Manager and Resident Stage Manager. While in Baltimore, Mike was an adjunct faculty member at Towson University and has guest-lectured all over the country. Mike began as a Stage Manager and has dozens of stage management credits between his time in New York and
24 | encore working regionally. Mike is married to theater director and educator Laura Hackman and the proud father of two boys, Jack and Ben. ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) Founded in 1913, AEA 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. www.actorsequity.org
Are you telling the right story to reach your clients?
T HE AT E R - INSP IR E D C OR P OR AT E T R A INING
Increase your competitive advantage and build capacity with Strategic Storytelling from Alliance@work. alliancetheatre.org/work
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com
| 25
26 | yourstoryyourstage
In the landscape of social justice, “Barred Business” is a beacon of hope, dedicated to uplifting and empowering those impacted by the criminal legal system. Barred Business was created to disrupt the narratives of Justice-Impacted people and humanize people who are often discarded. There are striking parallels between Barred Business’s realworld mission and the poignant themes explored in Furlough’s Paradise, a play that delves deep into justice, freedom, and the intricacies of societal challenges. Furlough’s Paradise is a profound exploration of family bonds, societal challenges, and the quest for freedom. Central to its narrative is the complex journey of individuals navigating the justice system. The play poignantly portrays the struggles and resilience inherent in this journey, offering a nuanced perspective on the themes of redemption, societal reintegration, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit. The endeavors of Barred Business find a compelling echo in Furlough’s Paradise. Both the organization and the play skillfully address the struggles, dreams, and aspirations of justice-impacted individuals. This parallel underscores the significance of support and understanding in their journey towards reintegration and empowerment. By reflecting these themes, Barred Business not only exemplifies the essence of the play but also highlights the broader societal importance of empathy and second chances. Barred Business takes a comprehensive approach to supporting justice-impacted individuals. From advocating for human rights restoration, policy change, using people centered language, community building, vocational training to legal assistance, the organization works to build power in the Justice-Impacted community. Notably, its policy initiatives, education, and job placement have rewritten numerous success stories, fundamentally altering lives. These achievements not only highlight the organization’s commitment but also underscore the potential for transformation in the lives of those it serves. In conclusion, initiatives like Barred Business and narratives like Furlough’s Paradise play crucial roles in fostering social change. They collectively amplify the importance of supporting and understanding justice-impacted individuals, driving a movement towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
Denise Ruben
Co-Founder/Co-Director Barred Business
Bridgette “Bri” Simpson Co-Founder/Co-Director Barred Business
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
encoreatlanta.com THE IMAGINE CAMPAIGN
| 27
Coming soon to Peachtree Street: THE GOIZUETA STAGE FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES IMAGINE a state-of-the-art performance space built specifically to deliver the best professional theatre for young audiences this country has to offer. IMAGINE year-round access to transformative arts experiences empirically proven to improve mental health, literacy, and hope for their own future. IMAGINE theatre as a birthright for children of all ages and economic backgrounds in our city, across the state, and around the world. AND JOIN US IN MAKING IT A REALITY. Over the next two years, the Woodruff Arts Center will transform the existing Rich Theatre into Atlanta’s year-round venue for youth and family programming. As a crucial component of this project, the Alliance Theatre is proud to launch The Imagine Endowment, a special $10 million fund providing access subsidies for audiences of all backgrounds and vital resources to equip and maintain Atlanta’s new home for youth, educators, and caregivers in perpetuity. With your help, geography and ticket prices will never be attendance barriers for the bright, empathetic, and creative audiences of tomorrow. ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTORS Special thanks to our early champions of the Imagine Campaign for their vision and generosity. Kenny Blank // Campaign Chair Anonymous Kristin Adams James Anderson Elizabeth Armstrong Ken Bernhardt & Cynthia Currence Cindy & Bobby Candler Around the Table Foundation Joel Babbit & Virginia Shackelford Terri Bonoff & Matthew Knopf Jennifer & Brian Boutte Ann & Jeff Cramer Jeffrey & Roxanne Cashdan Joe Crowley & Phil Mack Linda & Eugene Davidson Reade & Katie Fahs Howard & Ellen Feinsand Richard & Marsha Goerss John & Laura Hardman
Mr. & Mrs. Quill Healey II & Family The Hertz Family Foundation Jocelyn J. Hunter John Keller James & Lori Kilberg Phyllis Kozarsky & Eliot Arnovitz Allegra Lawrence-Hardy Alan McKeon & Evelyn Ashley Hays & Anna Mershon Phil & Caroline Moise Starr Moore & the James Starr Moore Memorial Foundation Papa John’s Foundation Jamal & Tiffany Powell Patty & Doug Reid Robert & Margaret Reiser
For more information about Alliance Theatre’s Imagine Campaign or to make an endowment contribution, please contact Trent Anderson, Director of Development, at trent.anderson@ alliancetheatre.org or (404) 733-4710. For information about the capital renovation and the Woodruff Arts Center’s Experience Atlanta, Experience Woodruff Campaign, please contact Kristin Hathaway-Hansen at kristin.hathaway-hansen@woodruffcenter.org. Donor listings are current as of December 20, 2023, and every effort is made to ensure accuracy. Please contact us to request a correction.
Maurice & Tricia Rosenbaum Mark & Ruth Rosenberg The Selig Foundation // Linda & Steve Selig, Cathy & Steve Kuranoff William & Margie Sleeper E. Kendrick & Caryl Smith Chandra Stephens-Albright & Warren Albright Benny & Roxanne Varzi Rebekah & Mark Wasserman Ben & Ramona White Suzy Wilner Todd & Amy Zeldin
28 | synopsis SYNOPSIS Cousins Sade and Mina, raised like sisters but now leading very different lives, return to their childhood town for the funeral of their mother and aunt. While Sade is on a three-day furlough from prison and Mina experiences a brief reprieve from her career and life on the West Coast, the two try to make sense of grief, home, love, and kinship. But traumas and resentments from the past, both real and surreal, threaten to pull them apart, all as time ticks towards the correctional officer’s arrival.
GET SOCIAL Connect with us and other audience members on your Alliance experience. Share your comments and photos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok with hashtags #FurloughsParadise and #AllianceTheatre. Plus, search your social media platforms with those hashtags for fun, behind-the-scenes content from our cast, crew, and creative team.
www.alliancetheatre.org alliancetheatre
alliancetheatre
alliancetheatre
alliancetheatre
Ever wanted to be a part of the Alliance team? Here’s your chance! Join our volunteer ushers! Commit to 20 hours of ushering at the Alliance and receive: • Alliance Theatre swag! • 15% off current ticket prices for all Alliance Theatre productions • 20% off Alliance Theatre Acting Classes • ONE complimentary ticket for ANY production in the current season
Visit alliancetheatre.org/usher for details.
aboutthealliance
| 29
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE THEATRE Founded in 1968, the Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theatre in the Southeast, reaching more than 165,000 patrons annually. The Alliance is led by Jennings Hertz Artistic Directors Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Christopher Moses and is a receipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award® for sustained excellence in programming, education, and community engagement. In January 2019, the Alliance opened its new, state-of-the-art performance space, The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre. Known for its high artistic standards and national role in creating significant theatrical works, the Alliance has premiered more than 135 productions including ten that have transferred to Broadway. The Alliance education department reaches 90,000 students annually through performances, classes, camps, and in-school initiatives designed to support teachers and enhance student learning. The Alliance Theatre values community, curiosity, collaboration, and excellence, and is dedicated to representing Atlanta’s diverse community with the stories we tell, the artists, staff, and leadership we employ, and audiences we serve.
OUR MISSION To expand hearts and minds onstage and off. OUR VISION Making Atlanta more connected, curious, and compassionate through theatre and arts education. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT In the sincerest efforts to gain further understanding of the history that has brought us to reside on this land and to accept the knowledge that colonialism is a current and ongoing process under which we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation, we hereby acknowledge this native land of the Muscogee Creek Nation.
30 | boardofdirectors OFFICERS Chair Jocelyn J. Hunter Immediate Past Chair Lila Hertz Secretary E. Kendrick Smith Treasurer Glenn Weiss Ex-Officio Hala Moddelmog LIFETIME DIRECTORS Rita Anderson Ken Bernhardt Frank Chew Ann Cramer Linda Davidson Laura Hardman Hays Mershon Richard S. Myrick Helen Smith Price Bob Reiser Jane Shivers H. Bronson Smith Ben White BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristin Adams Norman Adkins Kimberly Ajy James Anderson Farideh Azadi Marc Balizer Deisha Barnett Alba Baylin Maggie Blake Bailey Kenny Blank Terri Bonoff Jennifer Boutte Jeff Cashdan Steve Chaddick Madeline Chadwick Miles Cook LeighAnn Costley Joe Crowley Reade Fahs Howard Feinsand Rick Gestring Richard Goerss Claire Gotham Lila Hertz Jocelyn Hunter Malvika Jhangiani
Alexander Johnson Jane Jordan Casavant Anne Kaiser John Keller Matthew Kent Andjela Kessler Jim Kilberg Jesse Killings Carrie Kurlander Allegra Lawrence-Hardy Robert Masucci Jean Ann McCarthy Alan McKeon Dori Miller Jeffrey Miller Hala Moddelmog Phil Moïse Allison O’Kelly Victoria Palefsky Jackie Parker Paul Pendergrass Jamal Powell Ali Rahimi Anne Rambaud Herren Stephanie Ray Patty Reid Margaret Reiser Matthew Richburg Robyn Roberts Maurice Rosenbaum Kerri Sauer Steve Selig Kim Sewell Mital Shah Bill Sleeper E. Kendrick Smith Chandra Stephens-Albright Charlita Stephens Mark Swinton Julie Teer Benny Varzi Roxanne Varzi Rebekah Wasserman Dana Weeks Ugwonali Glenn Weiss Wai Wong Todd Zeldin
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
ADVISORY BOARD Advisory Board Co-Chair Laura Hardman Advisory Board Co-Chair Phil H. Moïse Joe Alterman Luis Andino Johanna Brookner Merry Hunter Caudle Elizabeth Cooper Mamie Dayan-Vogel Candice Dixon Malaika Dowdell Everett Flanigan Brandon Fleming Mary Beth Flournoy Les Flynn Natalia Garzón Martínez Lydia Glaize Emmanuel Glaze Meghan Gordon Tevin Goss Jeff Graham Dr. Eve Graves, Ph.D. Erica Greenblatt Shauna Grovell Della Guidry Campbell Hastings Elizabeth Hollister Zenith Houston Mallika Kallingal Jodi Kalson Jennifer Lee JoJasmin Lopez Theo Lowe Carlton Mackey Nelly Mauta Tre’Von McKay Monica McLary Juan Meija Caroline Moore Laura Murvartian Zach Nikonovich Kahn Amy Norton King Susan Sim Oh Kathy Palumbo Aixa Pascual Kisan Patel Marion Phillips Alexis Rainey Daniel Regenstein Michelle Robinson Wendy Schmitt Dr. Shenara Sexton
Beverly Brown Shaw Brian Stoltz Maria Storts Alicia Thompson Ana Urrego Emily Washburn Melinda Weekes-Laidlaw Angie Weiss Stuart Wilkinson Joni Williams VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP President, STARS Andjela Kessler Chairman, Theater Advocates Patricia Walsh Chairman, Theater Ushers Edwina Sellan Chairman, Hospitality Susan Stiefel
sponsors
| 31
ALLIANCE SPONSORS Alliance Sponsors are businesses, corporations, and institutions that have supported the work of the Alliance Theatre. We thank them for their generosity and support. $500,000+
$50,000+
Chick-fil-A Foundation | Rhonda & Dan Cathy Delta Air Lines, Inc. Lettie Pate Evans Foundation Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
Bank of America ACTivate Awards Cadence Bank City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Georgia Council for the Arts Georgia Natural Gas Google Jones Day Kaiser Permanente Kendeda Fund Liz Blake Giving Fund Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation National Endowment for the Arts National Vision Theatre Forward Wellstar Foundation
$250,000+ Anonymous AT&T Foundation The Coca-Cola Company Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Helen Gurley Brown Foundation WestRock
$100,000+ Accenture Georgia Power The Home Depot Foundation Invesco QQQ John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Fund King & Spalding Norfolk Southern PNC The Rich’s Foundation Shubert Foundation Warner Bros. Discovery Zeist Foundation
$25,000+ Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition, powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation Comcast Fulton County Board of Commissioners Graphic Packaging The Imlay Foundation, Inc. Johnny Mercer Foundation
Newell Brands Northside Hospital Peach State Health Plan Southwire
$10,000+ AEC Trust Alexander Babbage Alston & Bird Do a Good Day Foundation Edgerton Foundation Eversheds Sutherland George M. Brown Trust of Atlanta Georgia-Pacific John & Mary Franklin Foundation Northern Trust SCANA Energy South Arts
$5,000+ Anonymous Camp Younts Foundation Frances Wood Wilson Foundation Osiason Educational Foundation Perkins & Will Publix Super Market Charities
By attending our theater, you have made a powerful statement about how important the arts are to you. Make another statement of support louder than any standing ovation. Visit alliancetheatre.org and click on Donate.
32 | encore Hertz Series Sponsor
Official Research Partner
Official Hotel
government
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners
This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency the National Endowment for the Arts.
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Major support is provided by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
annualfund
| 33
Individual, foundation, and corporate donors contribute more than $10 million to the Alliance Theatre so that we are able to present exceptional theater and educational programming to our community. We are deeply grateful for your support. To find out more about the benefits of giving or to make your gift, visit us at alliancetheatre.org/waystogive or call 404-733-5157. Listed below are pledges and gifts to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund from January 1, 2023 — January 4, 2024. PREMIERE SUPPORT Spotlight $100,000+ The SKK Foundation Dan & Garnet Reardon Spotlight $50,000+ Ms. Stephanie Blank Starr Moore & the James Starr Moore Memorial Foundation Chairman’s Circle $25,000+ The Antinori Foundation Around the Table Foundation Ann & Jeff Cramer Katie & Reade Fahs Heidi & David Geller David & Carolyn Gould Jocelyn J. Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Ivester Jesse Killings Jane & J. Hicks Lanier Daniel Marks & Keri Powell Tim & Maria Tassopoulos Rosemarie & David Thurston Leadership Circle $15,000+ Ali and Farideh Azadi Maggie Blake Bailey & Andrew Bailey Brian & Jennifer Boutté Jane Jordan Casavant Roxanne & Jeffrey Cashdan Barbara & Steve Chaddick Ezra Cohen Charitable Fund Mr. Fredric M. Ehlers & Mr. David Lile Ellen & Howard Feinsand Doris & Matthew Geller Anne and R. Scott Herren Doug & Lila Hertz Mary Jane and David Kirkpatrick Kristie L. Madara Mr. & Mrs. Barry McCarthy
Phil & Caroline Moïse Allison & Shane O’Kelly Victoria & Howard Palefsky Jeffrey Miller Wade Rakes & Nicholas Miller Patty & Doug Reid Bob & Margaret Reiser Patricia & Maurice Rosenbaum Linda & Steve Selig Mr. & Mrs. David B. Sewell Ms. Mital Shah William & Margarita Sleeper Mr. & Mrs. E. Kendrick Smith Mark Swinton Benny & Roxanne Varzi Amy & Todd Zeldin Director’s Circle $10,000+ Ms. Kristin Adams Mr. & Mrs. Norman Adkins James Anderson Anonymous Deborah L. Bannworth & Joy Lynn Fields Deisha Barnett Alba C. Baylin Terri Bonoff & Matthew Knopf Judge JoAnn Bowens Martha & Toby Brooks Madeline Chadwick Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Chubb III Miles & Nicole Cook LeighAnn & Chad Costley Joe Crowley & Phil Mack Rick Gestring Marsha & Richard Goerss Mr. Wayne S. Hyatt Malvika Jhangiani Anne & Mark Kaiser John C. Keller Matthew Kent and Joseph Miller Mr. James Kieffer James & Lori Kilberg Brian & Carrie Kurlander Timothy Hardy and Allegra Lawrence-Hardy
Dr. & Mrs. John Lee Ms. Evelyn Ashley & Mr. Alan B. McKeon Dori & Jack Miller Paul Pendergrass & Margaret Baldwin Mark Perlberg Jamal & Tiffany Powell Mr. & Mrs. Asif Ramji Matt Richburg Robyn Roberts & Kevin Greiner Mr. George Russell, Jr. & Mrs. Faye Sampson-Russell Dean DuBose & Bronson Smith Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Lee Spangler Lynne & Steve Steindel Carol & Ramon Tomé Family Fund Dana & Obi Ugwonali Waffle House Ms. Kathy Waller & Mr. Kenny Goggins Mark & Rebekah Wasserman Ramona & Ben White Suzy Wilner BENEFACTORS $5,000+ Liz Armstrong Lisa & Joe Bankoff Mr. & Mrs. Roland L. Bates Ken Bernhardt & Cynthia Currence Natalie & Matthew Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. W. Kent Canipe Franklin & Dorothy Chandler Ann & Jim Curry Linda & Gene Davidson Diane Durgin Eve Joy Eckardt Kathy & Jason Evans Dr. Cynthia J. Fordyce & Sharon Hulette Dr. & Mrs. Marvin Goldstein Tad & Janin Hutcheson In honor of Carol Jones*
34 | encore Burelle Meeks Sam & Barbara Pettway Mr. & Mrs. Norman J. Radow Ms. Kristin L. Ray Paula Rosput Reynolds & Stephen Reynolds Brian Shively & Jim Jinhong Charlita Stephens & Delores Stephens Maria-Ruth Storts Chuck Taylor & Lisa CannonTaylor Julie Teer Ms. Cathy Weil Marjan & Navid Yavari $2,500 Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Allen Anonymous Ellen Arnovitz Ron & Lisa Brill Charitable Trust Dr. Aubrey Bush & Dr. Carol Bush Candace Carson Marcia & John Donnell The Robert S. Elster Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Flexner Mrs. Anuja Gagoomal & Dr. John Stites Karen & Andrew Ghertner Mr. David F. Golden Dr. & Mrs. John B. Hardman Ariana L. Hargrave David Heinsch Henry & Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Hostinsky Linda & Richard Hubert Jason & Laurie Jeffay Mr. & Mrs. Wyatt T. Johnson Leonard Lee Judith Lyon & Ron Bloom Lloyd and Mary* McCreary Hala & Steve Moddelmog Joan Netzel & John Gronwall Mr. & Mrs. Travis Newberry John & Helen Parker Peg Petersen Ali & Layla Rahimi, ALYKA Health Don & Rosalinda Ratajczak Dana Rice Dr. & Mrs. Fredric Rosenberg Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rosenberg Rein & Jane Saral Sharon & David Schachter Sam Schwartz & Lynn Goldowski
Mallie Sharafat Mr. & Mrs. S. Albert Sherrod David Shih Henry N. & Margaret P. Staats Chandra Stephens-Albright & Warren Albright Judith & Mark Taylor The Zaban Foundation $1,500+ Trent Anderson & Leandro Zaneti Anonymous Marie and Brad Foster Karen and Harold Carney Melodie H. Clayton Susan & Ed Croft Gail Crowder & Claude Wegscheider Tim & Tina Eyerly Sandeep Goyal & Taylor England Della & Theo Guidry Warren M. Gump Mrs. Elaine L. Hentschel Ashley & Elton James Boland & Andrea Lea Jones Randy & Connie Jones Mark Keiser Andjela & Michael Kessler Amy & Jeremy King David Long and Starane Shepherd Greg & Gillian Matteson Fabienne Moore Clair & Thomas Muller Denis & Leah Ng Mr. & Mrs. Armond Perkins Dr. Denise Raynor Lois & Don Reitzes Deborah W. Royer Kashi Sehgal Ms. Amy Speas Dr. & Mrs. Harry Strothers Stan & Velma Tilley Ms. Avril Vignos Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Weiss Penn & Sally Wells Kim Boldthen & Carolyn Wheeler Adrienne Whitehead William & Nancy Yang PATRONS $1,000+ Reza Abree Dawn & Michael Adamson Anonymous Mr. E. Scott Arnold Mr. George T. Baker
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Jay Bernath Jill Blair and Fay Twersky Robert Blondeau & Kristen Nantz, in memory of Betty Blondeau Russell Michelle Burdick Dr. & Mrs. S. Wright Caughman David Cofrin & Christine Tryba-Cofrin Richard & Grecia Cox Celeste Davis-Lane Howard & Ellen Eisenberg Dr. Azy Esfandiari, City Springs Dental Studio Dr. Marla Franks & Rev. Susan Zoller Richard Goodjoin & Kelvin Davis Louise S. Gunn Ms. Jo Ann Haden-Miller Anna & Hays Mershon Drs. Cathie & Hugh Hudson Ms. Floria Izadi Ms. Lauren Linder & Mr. Jonathan Grunberg Ms. Jaime McQuilkin Mr. & Mrs. Asghar Memarzadeh Stacia Minton Mr. Kasra Naderi & Mrs. Arezoo Akhavan Debbie & Lon Neese Ryan Roemerman Ms. Kerri Sauer Jane E. Shivers Michelle & Gary Simon Andrea Strickland & N. Jerold Cohen Nossi Taheri & Hope Vaziri Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth G. Taylor
encoreatlanta.com
| 35
ALLIANCE THEATRE MONTHLY SUSTAINER SOCIETY We would like to thank our donors who have committed to giving us a recurring monthly donation to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund. Join today: www.alliancetheatre.org/sustainer Dr. & Mrs. Marshall Abes Mr. Faraz Ahmed Mr. E. Scott Arnold Dr. Evelyn R. Babey Dr. Deloris Bryant-Booker Mr. Lee Burson & Mr. Dean Jordan Mr. Brandon Bush Karen & Harold Carney David Cashman Elizabeth Corrie Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence R. Cowart Mr. Christopher Cox Gray & Marge Crouse Mamie Dayan-Vogel & Steven Vogel Nash Ditmetaroj Malaika Dowdell Mr. & Mrs. David Felfoldi Eric & Leah Fisher Brenda Fleming Les Flynn
Christine & Andrew Fry Caroline Gold Katie Goodman Emmanuel Glaze Bryant Gresham & Alexander Bossert Shauna Grovell Ms. Jo Ann Haden-Miller & Mr. William Miller Penn Hansa Lindsey E. Hardegree Ms. Linda L. Hare & Mr. Gerald Barth Dr. & Mrs. David M. Hill Becca Hogue Karen Jones Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Kalista Amy & Jeremy King Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Kraft Andrea W. Lawrence Ms. Lauren Linder & Mr. Jonathan Grunberg Christian & JoJasmin Lopez
Ms. Alison Main Ms. Jaime McQuilkin Heather & Jim Michael Kelley J. Jordan-Monné Lori & Jonathan Peterson Ms. Kendrick Phillips Marion Phillips Marc & Jean Pickard Dana & Jacqueline Powe Brenda Pruitt Barbara Schreiber Tom Slovak & Jeffery Jones Charles Thompson Ms. Stephanie Van Parys & Mr. Robert A. Cleveland Ben Warshaw Caitlin Way David & Amy Whitley Mr. & Mrs. Napoleon A. Williams
CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF NEW VOICES BY SUPPORTING 20 MORE! Every year since 2004, the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition narrows down dozens of submissions from leading MFA programs across the country. Finalists receive developmental support culminating in a public reading, and one winner receives a full-fledged production at the Alliance, making this competition a one-of-a-kind launchpad for emerging voices. We are proud to present this year’s winner, FURLOUGH’S PARADISE by a.k. payne.
Give today and keep The Alliance a theatre where every story has a stage.
| 37
matchinggifts&legacysociety MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
Many companies offer a matching gifts program for employees and retirees. You can double, or even triple, your gift at no additional cost to you simply by asking your employer! Think of how much further your donation can go. We would like to thank the following companies who have matched contributions to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund. To find out more about matching gifts, contact Emma Seif at emma.seif@alliancetheatre.org. AIG Corporation American Express Aon Risk Solutions The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation AT&T Bank of America/Merrill BlackRock Bryan Cave-Powell Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Chubb Charitable Foundation The Coca-Cola Company Deloitte Equifax Inc. Foundation John and Mary Franklin Foundation GE Energy
Georgia Power Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Goldstein Google Hearst Foundations Home Depot Foundation Honda Motor Co. IAC, Inc IBM JPMorgan Chase Kimberly-Clark Lynch Macy’s Foundation McDonald’s Corporation McMaster-Carr Supply Microsoft Corporation Norfolk Southern Corporation
Principal Financial Group Foundation Prudential Financial Publix Super Markets Salesforce.com, Inc. Sprint SunTrust Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherns Veritiv Corporation Verizon Corporation The Walt Disney Company Wells Fargo Yahoo!
LEGACY SOCIETY Celebrating our supporters who have made a legacy gift to the Alliance Theatre. The Legacy Society celebrates individuals who have made a planned gift to the Alliance Theatre. Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for the Alliance Theatre and its mission, while accommodating your financial, estate planning, and philanthropic goals. With smart planning, you may increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the Alliance Theatre. To learn more about the Legacy Society, please contact Lindsay Ridgeway-Baierl at lindsay.ridgeway-baierl@alliancetheatre.org. Anonymous Rita M. Anderson Roland & Linda Bates Kathy* & Ken Bernhardt Anne & Jim Breedlove Ezra Cohen Ann & Jeff Cramer Susan & Edward Croft Sallie Adams Daniel Linda & Gene Davidson Terry & Stacy Dietzler Diane Durgin Elizabeth Etoll Ellen & Howard Feinsand James Edward Gay* Laura & John Hardman
Nancy & Glen Hesler P.J. Younglove Hovey David A. Howell* Lauren & David Kiefer David Kuniansky Virginia Vann* & Ken Large Edith Love* Lauren & John McColskey Anna & Hays Mershon Caroline & Phil Moïse Winifred & Richard Myrick Victoria & Howard Palefsky Armond & Sharon Perkins Jam Pomerantz Helen M. Regenstein* Margaret & Robert Reiser
Betty Blondeau-Russell* Tricia & Neal Schachtel Debbie* & Charles Shelton III Jane E. Shivers Roger Smith & Christopher Jones* Ron* & Kathy Tomajko Lee Harper & Wayne Vason Terri & Rick Western Ramona & Ben White * deceased
38 | staff ARTISTIC Jennings Hertz Artistic Directors . . . Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, Christopher Moses Producer & Casting Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jody Feldman Casting Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brant Adams Distinguished Artist in Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pearl Cleage Associate Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Watkins BOLD Producing Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay Nilest Spelman Leadership Fellows . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assata Amankeechi, Jayla Dyas Spelman Leadership Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaelyn Mullins, Kerrington Griffin, Asili Johnson Kenny Leon Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Yhap Cristo Rey Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diana Morales Joaquin Reiser Lab Artists Round 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justen Ross aka Domino Juicy Balenciaga. N’yomi Stewart aka Omi Juicy Balenciaga, Jade Maia Lambert, Ipek Eginli, Sara Ghazi Asadollahi, Juana Farfán, Anterior Leverett, Damian Lockhart, Jasmine Waters Production Management Director of Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence Bennett Associate Directors of Production . . . . . . . . . . Courtney O’Neill, Haylee Scott Costumes Costume and Wardrobe Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laury Conley Associate Costume Shop & Wardrobe Director . . . . . . . . . . . . Melanie Green Design Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summer Barnes Drapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonja Petersen, Cindy Lou Who Crafts Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana L. Thomas 1st Hands/Stitchers . . . . . . . Lyudmila Fesenko, Brett Parker, Margaret Tennant Wardrobe Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hauzia Conyers Wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monica Speaker Wig Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Ewing Electrics Director of Lighting & Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachael N. Blackwell Associate Director of Lighting & Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Jordan Staff Electricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joy Diaz Properties Props Department Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne Cooper Morris Props Artisans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathryn Andries, Bruce Butkovich Props Artisan/Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Townsend Scenery Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Longwell Associate Technical Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rigel Powell, Luke Robinson Shop Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Conley Lead Welder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Seifert Carpenters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Dyson, Parker Ossmann, Marlon Wilson Charge Scenic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kat Conley Scenic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Nerby Sound Sound Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clay Benning Assistant Sound Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Vockley Sound Engineers . . . . Tamir Eplan-Frankel, Emma Mouledoux, Graham Schwartz Stage Management Stage Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Campbell, Rodney Williams, Barbara O’Haley National Vision Stage Management Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaylee Mesa Stage Management Production Assistants . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Honeycutt, LaMarr White, Jr Stage Operations Stage Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Bowne Assistant Stage Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Lucibella Flyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie Palmer Parks Automation Stagehand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Victor Mouledoux Jr. Crew Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryan Perez Properties Stagehand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skylar Burks
EDUCATION Dan Reardon Director of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Moses Naserian Foundation Head of Early Childhood Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hallie Angelella Head of Youth & Family Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Aston Bosworth Head of Secondary Curriculum & Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Davis Education Accounting Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isabella Aguilar Irias Administrative & Adult Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Hindsman Camp Administrative Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jayson T. Waddell Head of Strategic Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aierelle Jacob Alliance@Work Creative Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Noble Alliance@work Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Prewitt Head of Elementary School Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Pogue Out of School Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robyn A. Rogers Artist in Residence & Teen Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Provenzano
Resident Artist & Allyship Program Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maya Lawrence Head of Education Advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristen Silton Education Production Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Williams BIPOC TVY Stage Management Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Autumn Stephens Teaching Artists Jae Ahn, Jimez Alexander, Will Amato, Chase Anderson, Jasmine Anthony, Ricardo Aponte, Imani Banks, Kim Bowers-Rheay Baran, Olivia Aston Bosworth, Jared Brodie, Chelsea Brown, Lon Bumgarner, Sara Burris, Dan Caffrey, April Andrew Carswell, Katie Causey, Lina Chambers, Hannah Lake Chatham, Hannah Church, Megan Cramer, Kelly Criss, Nakeisha Daniel, Peyton McDaniel Davis, Theresa Davis, Shelli Delgado, Sarah Donnell, John Doyle, Laurin Dunleavy, Suehyla El-Attar, Amitria Fanae, Shelby Folks, Sharon Foote, Spencer Ford, Daryl Funn, Allison Gardner, Neeley Gossett, Ilasiea Gray, Meg Grey, Amber Hamilton, Meg Harkins, Robert Hindsman, Julissa Sabino Hobbs, Deja Holmes, Renita James, Meg Johns, Kendra Johnson, Carole Kaboya, Ashe Kazanjian, Chris Lane, Maya Lawrence, Antonia LeChe, Anja Lee, Kathleen Link, Amy Lucas, Ansley Lynn, Christian Magby, Barry Stewart Mann, Cara Mantella, Gloria Martin, Mari Martinez, Dalyla McGee, Candy McLellan, Karin Mervis, Erika Miranda, Mary Moccia, Courtney Moors-Hornick, Amanda Wansa Morgan, Jenna Jackson Morris, Kevin Moxley, Audrey Myers, JD Myers, Patrick Myers, Amor Owens, Mary Michael Patterson, Tafee Patterson, Sydney Patton, Zuri Petteway, Rebecca Pogue, Michelle Pokopac, Samantha Provenzano, V Reibel, Morgan Rysdon, Daniela Santiago, Riley Schatz, Erin Schaut, Avery Sharpe, Caitlin Slotnick, Alexandria Joy Smith, Lucy Smith, Taryn Spires, Destiny Stancil, Autumn Stephens, LeeAnna Lambert Sweatt, Megan Tabaque, Jasmine Thomas, Callie Timme, Sariel Toribio, Ebony Tucker, Julia VanderVeen, Jeremy Varner, José Miguel Vasquez, Rachel Wansker, Megan Wartell, Andrea Washington, Davia Weatherill, Ayana Williams, Jay Williams, Vallea Woodbury, Melissa Word Teen Ensemble Members Lily Erera, Jordyn Nelson, Malachi S Chaney, Ella Grace Pavlovsky, Simon Link, Helena Skylark Denton, Haley Smith, Sam Yates, Cordelia O’Bradovich, Minnah Dunlap, Abigail May Watson, Ella Dameron, August Marks, Caleb Vaughn, Kennedy O’Neil, Anna Schwartz, Julianna Grace Pillsbury, Caroline Chu, Tomi Fawehinmi, Sophia Sánchez, Adler Horstemeyer, Ronnie McCoy, Morgan Stamper, Bailey Rodgers, Aria Armstead
MANAGEMENT Managing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Schleifer Company Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Thruston Assistant Company Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Cook Administration & Finance Director of Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Valerie Thomas IDEA Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TeKeyia Amaru Rice Controller & Head of Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elecia Crowley Accounting Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Hall Accounts Payable Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharette Driver Associate Director, Data Operations & Strategy . . . . . . . . . . Christina Dresser Management Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Quintana Development Director of Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Anderson Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natalie Adams Manager, Board Relations & Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kailan Daugherty Associate Director, Strategic Institutional Advancement . . . . . Collins Desselle Coordinator, Development Operations & Institutional Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanesha Ferguson Director of Individual Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edward McCreary Manager, Individual Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Ridgeway-Baierl Manager of Annual Fund & Donor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Seif Marketing & Patron Services Director of Marketing & Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathleen Covington Manager of Web & Digital Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Birtles Marketing & Promotions Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ashley Elliott Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Felicity Massa Marketing & Public Relations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mashaun D. Simon Social Media Manager & Content Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aniska Tonge Associate Director of Data & Ticketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle Hicks Patron Services Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Genesis Gates Patron Services Coordinators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andi Stanesic, Maiya Moran Patron Services Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . James McCune, Sydney Michelle, Zuri Petteway, Natalie Brown Box Office Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Posada Season Ticket Concierge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken McNeil Education Sales Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quintara Johnson Group Sales & Student Matinee Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jocelyn Rick Group Sales & Student Matinee Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chelsea Street Lead Front of House Managers . . . Lauren Alexandra, Robyn E. Sutton-Fernandez House Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara O’Haley, Brittany Mangham, Phillia Prior, Leah Thomas