Alliance Theatre: The Incredible Book Eating Boy, July 2023

ENCOREATLANTA.COM

PUBLISHER Brantley Manderson brantley@encoreatlanta.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR CHARLOTTE Hila Johnson hila@encorecharlotte.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Robert Viagas robert@encoreatlanta.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Tamara Hooks tamara@encoreatlanta.com

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Jennifer Nelson jennifer@encoreatlanta.com

PROGRAM PRODUCER

Ashley Elliott ashley.elliott@alliancetheatre.org

ENCORE ATLANTA is published monthly by B2 MEDIA, LLC. P.O. Box 1377 | Columbus, Georgia 31902 Phone 678-837-4004

Copyright © 2023 Encore Atlanta. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Encore Atlanta is a registered publication of B2 Media, LLC. The publisher shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical errors, or errors in publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication.

CONTACT Hila Johnson 305-978-2922

hila@encorecharlotte.com

As one of the region’s largest Marketing Solutions Providers, Communicorp handles everything from print to digital to emerging technologies like clickable print or eCommerce storefronts. We guide clients through the maze of new marketing technologies and methodologies with a unique approach that always looks beyond yesterday’s solutions. Based in Columbus, GA, Communicorp is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aflac. To learn more about our award-winning solutions, visit Communicorp.com.

If you could eat one book and immediately digest its contents, what would it be? This became something of a conversation starter in certain Alliance meetings over the past year. Try it the next time you’re stuck. The question, not the eating of books. It promises to generate some riveting conversation. Some people choose out of guilt (“well I really should have finished Moby Dick ”), some go practical (“if I could eat that Spanish textbook, I could finally be fluent”), while some simply choose their all-time favorite story. We’ve been posing this question in celebration of The Incredible Book Eating Boy, a glorious new musical that was inspired by an equally glorious picture book.

I love picture books. There’s something about the economy of words and the perfect marriage of illustration and story that can stay with you a lifetime. They can surprise you with joy, fill you with hope, and move you to tears all at the same time. Each of artist and author Oliver Jeffers’ books illustrates this so brilliantly — from the humor of The Day the Crayons Quit to the profundity of Heart and the Bottle (which is on my short list for one of the books I would eat) to the whimsy and wisdom of The Incredible Book Eating Boy Jeffers credits the twin virtues of curiosity and humor as his artistic guides — two qualities that also animate all of playwright Madhuri Shekar’s work. Her theatrical adaptation of this story (with music and lyrics by the incomparable Christian Magby and Christian Albright) captures the humor and heart of the book in a way that is every bit as incredible as the Book Eating Boy himself. I trust that it, like the best picture books, will stay with you for a lifetime too.

Now, pardon me. I need to go chew on some Tolstoy.

Christopher Moses Dan Reardon Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director

ALLIANCE’S INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY CELEBRATES THE POWER OF IMAGINATION

Alliance Theatre’s The Incredible Book Eating Boy Marks Return for Madhuri Shekar; First Major Stage Production for Lyricist and Composer

STORY BY Mashaun D. Simon

Madhuri Shekar once described the Alliance Theatre as her own personal Disneyland.

“I absolutely love working at the Alliance,” said the 2014 Alliance/ Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition winner (In Love and Warcraft). “This place has set the standard for me, shown me how I want to work with people, and shown me how things should be done, especially with a new play production.”

This summer’s production of The Incredible Book Eating Boy, adapted from the award-winning children’s book by author Oliver Jeffers, marks Shekar’s fourth production at the Alliance and her first time doing a musical.

When she was approached to write The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Shekar didn’t hesitate. While her schedule was “getting full,” doing another show at the Alliance, and it being a children’s play, felt like the kind of soul-feeding opportunity she needed.

“The book is a really charming and beautifully written picture book about a boy named Henry who loves books, but doesn’t enjoy reading them,” she said. “Henry just wants to be one of the smart kids and doesn’t want to be left behind. Which is what leads him to the discovery that if he eats them, he can absorb them and be one of the smart kids.”

Henry’s story isn’t all that different from other kids’zzzzzzzzx. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, virtual learning exacerbated many of the learning challenges facing our young learners. Children struggle to find the joy Shekar said she had for reading when she was young.

“As we were developing the story, we spoke to a special education reading coach,” Shekar said. “She shared with us how her son was not interested in reading at all before discovering Pokémon cards. There are all sorts of debates on the best way to teach [kids]. Many are left behind, but what’s most important is meeting them where they are.”

Christian Magby, the musical’s composer and orchestrator, found himself identifying with Henry as they worked on developing the production.

“I wasn’t as young as Henry, but there was a time during my childhood where I felt l wasn’t progressing through at the same pace as some of my peers,” Magby said. “I was trying to find the best ways to learn and keep up. It’s kind of like when our parents tell us we need to eat our vegetables or clean our rooms. We do it because we are told to, but we don’t exactly understand the importance. That is where Henry is coming from.”

The Incredible Book Eating Boy playwright Madhuri Shekar

The Incredible Book Eating Boy composer Christian Magby and lyricist Christian Albright

“We don’t always understand the why and because we aren’t getting it and no one is breaking it down for us in an accessible way, we have to take drastic measures,” said Magby. “For Henry, that meant book eating to keep up.”

Christian Albright, the musical’s lyricist, says that “understanding that there are different ways of learning” is at the heart of it.

“What we really hope for audiences, both adult and child, is to realize that learning does not have to be scary and that every child learns at their own pace and speed,” Albright said. “There is power in the imagination. Everything begins with the imagination.”

If the feedback received during the February workshop from 2021 was any indication, the production team — which represents some of the best Atlanta talent — was on the right path.

As the show started, Magby said the kids couldn’t contain themselves.

“The first song started, and they were swaying and moving about. It was immediate!” Magby said. “During the talkback after the workshop, they talked about all of their favorite parts. They reiterated everything, from beginning to end. We had no idea it would work so well.”

“Children are unpredictable,” said Albright. “Sometimes you don’t know what they will really like. Sometimes you aren’t sure if they will get the joke or the message, and you don’t want to dumb anything down.”

Albright says that they “did a lot of research. Chris Moses [the Alliance’s Director of Education, plus the show’s Line Producer] did a lot of work of getting resources from area schools so we would have an idea of what they are learning in their classrooms. It was so enormously gratifying to realize what we created related to them.”

Having some of the best Atlanta talent involved also makes the production special for Shekar. In addition to Magby and Albright both being Atlanta natives, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Jamil Jude will direct. (This KSU remount of the original production will bring Sam Provenzano to the team, the Alliance’s own Artist in Residence & Teen Program Manager.)

“This is a completely local cast,” Shekar said. “We are so lucky, and it feels great. The songs are fantastic. They will be earworms that you won’t be able to get out of your head. Christian and Christian are so talented. And with this being their first major production and the Alliance being their first big break like it was for me, is all exciting. It’s really exciting for people to get introduced to their work.”

Cast, creative team, and Alliance Theatre Staff at the meet and greet for The Incredible Book Eating Boy. Photos by Aniska Tonge.

KSU + ALLIANCE THEATRE

In conversation with KSU Professor Chuck Meacham

Charles Meacham is the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. Mr. Meacham is a professional theatre production manager and technical director. Mr. Meacham has worked with such organizations as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival in various capacities professionally, including as a master electrician, lighting designer, production manager, and technical director. Mr. Meacham received a BA in Theatre from Wake Forest University, after which he served there for two years as the Assistant Technical Director. He earned an MFA in Theatre Technology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Why are you excited to bring The Incredible Book Eating Boy to Kennesaw?

I think bringing The Incredible Book Eating Boy to Kennesaw and to campus this summer builds on a growing collaboration between the Alliance and KSU. We’ve been helping each other out in many ways over the past several years, and this opportunity to both host the show and offer Alliance camps on our campus this summer seemed like a natural fit when Chris Moses and I discussed it last summer.

What drew your attention to The Incredible Book Eating Boy ?

Chris Moses and Olivia Bosworth (a KSU alum) contacted me last summer as the Alliance was gearing up for the opening of the premiere for The Incredible Book Eating Boy. I went down for a meeting, and the more we talked, the more ways we saw a great opportunity. Chris invited me and my wife, Karen (who is an early

INTERVIEW BY Kristen Silton & Ashley Elliott

Chuck Meacham

childhood educator), to opening night for the show. We saw an incredible production AND I saw all the opportunities for growing the collaboration between our Department and the Alliance.

How does this partnership benefit KSU theater students?

We’re excited to be able to offer several different types of opportunities to our students through the partnership this summer. Some of our students and recent alums are being hired as teaching artists and teaching assistants for the three weeks of camp that the Alliance is running on our campus during the month of July. Still more of our students and recent alums are being hired to be technical and stage management staff for the load-in, setup, and run of the performances of The Incredible Book Eating Boy while it runs in our Stillwell Theater at the same time. In both cases, this provides an amazing opportunity for our students to get to learn by working alongside the incredible professional staff of the Alliance. And, hopefully, these will all be efforts and establish relationships that we can build upon in the future.

How do you hope to see this partnership between the Alliance and KSU grow?

We already have some pretty solid partnerships between our Department at KSU and the Alliance in working with the youth on several fronts. In addition to these camps and The Incredible Book Eating Boy this summer, we’re already regular collaborators in working with students in the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Education system. I think it’s incredibly exciting to imagine lots of different ways that we can expose our students and our audiences through this partnership to so many different expressions of what theatre looks like and how we can envision new ways of creating together.

I Spy at the Theatre

Can you find each of these items in the theatre today?

Stage Light Program

a Silenced Cell Phone a copy of the book ticket

exit

spike tape (colorful tape on the floor of the stage)

Oliver Jeffers Crayon

Activities created by Olivia Aston Bosworth and A’Shiah N. Rachel

AUG 16–SEP 17 2023

Pulitzer Prize Winner

Described as “a rich new play, both contemplative and comic” by THE NEW YORK TIMES, English examines what opportunities are gained and identities lost when assimilating into a new culture.

By SANAZ TOOSSI

SEP 15–OCT 1 2023

Co-Production with the Atlanta Opera

The iconic Stephen King thriller, theatrically adapted as a riveting opera.

Composed by PAUL MORAVEC Libretto by MARC CAMPBELL Stage Direction by BRIAN STAUFENBIEL

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.

THE ALLIANCE THEATRE

MIKE SCHLEIFER Managing Director

CHRISTOPHER MOSES

Dan Reardon Director of Education & Associate Artistic Director

TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN

BOLD Associate Artistic Director present

BY MADHURI SHEKAR

BASED ON THE BOOK BY OLIVER JEFFERS

MUSIC/ORCHESTRATIONS

CHRISTIAN MAGBY

CHOREOGRAPHY DANIELLE SWATZIE

LIGHTING DESIGN BEN RAWSON

LYRICS

CHRISTIAN ALBRIGHT

SCENIC DESIGN KAT CONLEY

SOUND DESIGN JEREMIAH DAVISON

CASTING JODY FELDMAN

COSTUME DESIGN AN-LIN DAUBER

MUSIC DIRECTOR CBD

STAGE MANAGER LIZ CAMPBELL*

DIRECTED BY JAMIL JUDE

FAMILY SERIES SPONSORED BY Community Tickets provided by Georgia Power.

CAST

*ALEXANDRIA

*RHYN MCLEMORE

ADRIENNE OCFEMIA Henry

*BRAD RAYMOND

JUAN CARLOS UNZUETA

UNDERSTUDIES

BROOKE BLACKWELL Ms.

Show Host/Book

ALEXANDER CHEN Henry

IAN SAWAN

MUSIC TEAM

CHRISTIAN MAGBY Musical Tracks Producer

CHRISTIAN MAGBY, CBD, DEVANTE SINGLETARY Piano/Keyboard

ERON COCHRAN Drums

MAURICE FIGGINS Bass

STEPHON LEMARR, LEONARD W. ROSE Guitars

CRAIG BROCK Mix Engineer

CC SUNCHILD Piano

CBD

ELIZA CRAFT

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE

CHRISTOPHER MOSES Line Producer

SAM PROVENZANO Associate Director

*ALEXANDRIA JOY Dance Captain

FOR THIS PRODUCTION

CHARLES BEDELL Sound Mixer

JADE ROMAN Deck Sound

PATRICIA FULLER

MICHELLE LEE

SPECIAL THANKS

Children Read Atlanta

* 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 show runs approximately forty-five minutes with no intermission.

BROOKE BLACKWELL

(u/s Ms. Penny, Mom, Books, Artist, Olivia, Reporter) is so excited to be joining Alliance Theatre in telling the delectable story of The Incredible Book Eating Boy! She recently graduated from Brenau University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Gainesville Theatre Alliance), Jen in John and Jen (Gainesville Theatre Alliance), and Katherine Plumber in Newsies (The Holly Theatre). She also pursues acting for film/television and most notably portrays Young Taylor in the faithbased film: Most Wonderful Time When she’s not on stage or in front of the camera, you might catch her voice acting behind the mic; most recently in a commercial for Citizen’s Bank. For more, check out her YouTube channel: “Brooke Blackwell” or her website: brookeblackwell.com. Follow @brookeeblackwell ~ Enjoy the show!

ALEXANDER CHEN (u/s Henry) is thrilled and honored to return to this Incredible show! Theatre credits: Hyunsoo in Bina’s Six Apples, the Alliance’s world premiere production, which was Alex’s professional debut. Henry in The Incredible Book Eating Boy; Wizard of Oz (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Beauty and the Beast; Moana. Alex’s performing includes karate, nunchucks, bow staff, piano, singing, and dancing. Alex would like to thank his Mom and Dad for their support and guidance. He dedicates this performance to his four grandparents, without whom this show would not have been possible. :) Represented by Alexander White Agency.

ALEXANDRIA JOY (Artist/Olivia/Reporter/ Books/Student/ Assistant Stage Manager/Dance Captain) [she/her] is excited to join The Incredible Book Eating Boy family. She is an ATL native who loves fun trips and mozzarella sticks.

Special thanks and undying gratitude to her husband Terrence J. Smith and her amazing mother Siobhan for their unconditional love, inspiration, and support. Regional: Mother of God: A New Musical by Christian Magby and Christian Albright, Heathers: The Musical (Actors Express), The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, Beautiful Blackbird LIVE!, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Alliance Theatre), Spring Awakening, Hair, Ragtime (Serenbe Playhouse), Ella Enchanted (Synchronicity Theatre), Jekyll & Hyde (Atlanta Lyric Theatre). TV/ Film: Lovecraft Country. 2018-2019 Apprenticeship Company (Serenbe Playhouse). Education: BFA in Theatre, Emphasis Musical Theatre, Valdosta State University. “Hey Boba! This is the way. SKOL!” IG: @missalliejoy

RHYN MCLEMORE (Ms. Penny/Mom/Books) is thrilled to be back with her Book Eating Boy fam! Other Alliance credits include Darlin’ Cory, Ever After (Suzi nomination), and A Christmas Carol. Other Atlanta credits: The Humans and Safety Net (Theatrical Outfit); Roe (Suzi nomination) and The Cake (Horizon Theatre); Fun Home, Stupid F***ing Bird, and Company (Actor’s Express); Cinderella, The Bridges of Madison County, and Split in Three (Aurora Theatre); Dot (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company). OffBroadway: Dot (The Billie Holiday Theatre) and A World to Win (The York Theatre). Regional: Violet and The Crucible (Gallery Players); The Sound of Music (Sierra Repertory Theatre); The Spitfire Grill (Cape Fear Regional Theatre); A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Our Town (West Virginia Public Theatre); The Crucible and The Comedy of Errors (North Carolina Shakespeare Festival). Love and gratitude to her hubby, Caleb. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. IG: @rhynmac. www.rhynmclemore.com

ADRIENNE OCFEMIA

(Henry) [she/her] is so honored to return to Alliance Theatre and be reunited with The Incredible Book Eating Boy family! Most recently, she participated in the 2023 Alliance/ Kendeda Week staged reading of Ruth and Lydia (Child Ruth) and performed in Alliance’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol (Melinda Cratchit/Child Wilkins/ Want/Tiny Tim u/s). Her other credits include Stage Door Theatre (Prentiss in Peter and the Starcatcher); Aurora Theatre (Jane Banks in Mary Poppins); Horizon Theatre (Madeline in Madeline’s Christmas); Atlanta Lyric Theatre (Amanda Thripp/ Matilda Wormwood u/s in Matilda the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Best of Broadway); City Springs Theatre Company (Billy Elliot, South Pacific); and The Atlanta Opera (Dead Man Walking). Special thanks to Jody Feldman, Chris Moses, Jamil Jude, the IBEB Team, and all her instructors and directors who have encouraged and supported her. When not training or performing, she enjoys playing the piano, cello, and ukulele, creating art, and spending time with family and friends. Love to her parents and older sister, Sophia. IG: @adrienne_aly.o

BRAD RAYMOND (Dad/ Doctor/Game Show

Host/Books) is so excited to be returning to The Incredible Book Eating Boy! He is especially excited about being a part of such a fun family production! Brad has performed as an actor, singer, or conductor at some of the art world’s most esteemed institutions including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Light Opera Works of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival, Arena Stage, The Broad Stage, The Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Opera, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Theater Emory, Horizon Theatre, and Spivey Hall. Some of Brad’s favorite roles include: Homer in Lilies of the Field; Fetch in Fetch Clay, Make Man; Ronald in Born For This; and the Suzi Bass Award-winning performance as Blue in Chasin’ Dem Blues.

IAN SAWAN (u/s Dad, Doctor, Game Show Host, Books, Rover, Jeff, Reporter, Student) [he/ him] is honored to be back at the Alliance understudying The Incredible Book Eating Boy! A proud Palestinian-Vietnamese actor and creative, Ian was raised in Doha, Qatar, graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s esteemed BA Acting program in 2020, and is now based in Atlanta, GA. Some credits include A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), An Inspector Calls (Untethered Theatre Project), Pinocchio (Citizens Theatre), and Les Misérables (The Doha Players). He’d like to thank his family and friends for their unending support; you mean the world to him. Connect with him on social media at @iansawan and at www.iansawan.com!

JUAN CARLOS

UNZUETA (Rover/Jeff/ Reporter/Books/ Student) Atlanta credits: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, The Lizard and El Sol (Alliance Theatre); In The Heights, Christmas Canteen 2020-2022, País de Bicicleta, 2017 Suzi Award-winning TYA Production The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Beat Bugs A Musical Adventure (Aurora Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors, Merrily We Roll Along in Concert, and Fun Home (Actor’s Express); Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre); Guys and Dolls, Luminous, and The Best of Broadway (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit); Let’s Hang On (City Springs Theatre Company); NINE in Concert and Chess in Concert (Jennie T. Anderson Theatre); Songs for a New World (BUICEntennial Productions). Education: BFA, BA, University of North Florida. Other: Graphic Designer and Marketing Associate at Aurora Theatre, Film/TV/Commercial Representation by People Store. IG: @juancho181

JAMIL JUDE (Director) is a highly accomplished director, producer, playwright, and dramaturg focusing on bringing socially relevant art to the community. Jamil is the Artistic Director at True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia, where he previously served as Associate Artistic Director. Additionally, he is the Co-Founder of The New Griots Festival, which is dedicated to celebrating, advocating, and advancing the careers of emerging Black artists in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area in Minnesota. Prior to joining the staff at True Colors, Jamil served as the Artistic Programming Associate at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, a Producer in Residence at Minneapolis’ Mixed Blood Theatre, a New Play Producing Fellow at Arena Stage in Washington, DC and co-founded the Colored People’s Theatre. Among his many awards, Jamil has been named the recipient of the Turn The Spotlight Fellowship (18/19), Andrew W. Mellon/ TCG Leadership U Fellowship (2015/17), Nautilus Music Theater Management Fellowship (2014/15), NNPN Producer Residency (2011/12; 2012/13), Jerome Foundation/The Playwrights’ Center Many Voices Mentorship (2013/14) and the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship at Arena Stage (2009/10; 2010/11). Jamil received his Bachelors of Arts from Colgate University.

CHRISTIAN MAGBY (Music), composer and actor, is excited to be back at Alliance Theatre after an extended world premiere of The Incredible Book Eating Boy last year. He can currently be seen in the CW’s hit series, The Flash, as Deon Owens, the Still Force and latest cosmic force to be introduced to the Arrowverse. He can also be seen in the Oscar nominated Amazon feature One Night in Miami, directed by Regina King, starring opposite Leslie Odom Jr., Aldis Hodge and Lance Reddick. He also worked, in the music department for the NBC/Universal motion pictures Dear Evan Hansen and Pitch Perfect 3. He just finished

music directing Dreamgirls with Dominion Entertainment. Last year, he served as executive producer and composer for the original musical Mother of God, which premiered at the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta. He is also the music director for the original musical, Garden, produced by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, July 27-August 6. Proud alum of Youth Ensemble of Atlanta and SCAD. To God be the Glory. IG: @christianmagby

CHRISTIAN ALBRIGHT (Lyrics) is thrilled to welcome the remounted Alliance Theatre production of The Incredible Book Eating Boy. This show was such an amazing experience during its original run and will always play a significant part in his evolution as an artist. Christian is currently serving as lyricist for an untitled children’s musical production set for 2025. Credits include: lyricist for the Seattle Film Festival Selectee, The BoomBox Saints, and Librettist and Co-Lyricist for Mother of God (Southwest Performing Arts Center — 2022), a premiere main stage production co-created with his creative partner Christian Magby. Christian continues to write songs and lyrics for numerous artists in Atlanta as well develop musicals and screenplays. Christian is very thankful for the support of his parents, family, and friends! Social Media: @christianjalbright

MADHURI SHEKAR (Book) was born in California and grew up in India. She is currently based in the New York region, having recently graduated from the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at Juilliard. She writes on themes of love, relationships, and sexuality inspired by her crosscultural background. Madhuri’s plays include Dhaba on Devon Avenue (commissioned by Victory Gardens), House of Joy (California Shakespeare Theatre, San Diego Rep, developed at South Coast Rep, Juilliard, Atlantic, NY Stage and Film), Queen (Victory Gardens—2017 Jeff Award for Best New Play; APAC—NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Full Length Script; Geva Theatre Center), A Nice Indian

Boy (East West Players, Rasaka Theatre Company, EnActe Arts), In Love and Warcraft (Alliance/Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition winner), Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s (Alliance Theatre), and Bucket of Blessings (Alliance Theatre). Madhuri was one of the first recipients of Audible’s new commissioning program for emerging playwrights. Her audio drama, Evil Eye, debuted at #5 on Audible’s bestseller list, and won a 2020 Audie Award from the Audio Publishers Association for Best Original Work. The film adaptation is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime. In Hollywood, Madhuri was a staff writer on HBO’s The Nevers and is currently at work on a film to be announced soon. Madhuri is a Resident Playwright at New Dramatists. She has an MFA in Dramatic Writing from USC, and a dual Master’s degree in Global Media and Communications from the London School of Economics and USC.

OLIVER JEFFERS (Author) is a visual artist and author working in painting, bookmaking, illustration, collage, performance, and sculpture. Curiosity and humor are underlying themes throughout Oliver’s practice as an artist and storyteller. While investigating the ways the human mind understands its world, his work also functions as comic relief in the face of futility. Jeffers’ engagements and practice are truly international in scope. His critically acclaimed picture books have been translated into over fifty languages and sold over 14 million copies worldwide. His original artwork has been exhibited at such institutions as the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Palais Auersperg in Vienna. Jeffers has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award, Bologna Rigazzi Award, An Irish Book Award, and a United Kingdom Literary Association Award. His nineteenth book as author and illustrator was released in October 2021, and he has illustrated several others. Oliver grew up in Belfast,

Northern Ireland; he currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

DANIELLE SWATZIE (Choreography) [she/her] is thrilled to return to the creative team of The Incredible Book Eating Boy at the Alliance Theatre. Danielle Swatzie was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from The University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield in Spring 2019. Swatzie is a Director, Choreographer, Movement Artist, and Freelance Dancer based in the Southern city. She has presented growing roots through concrete, her debut dance film premiering at The Modern Atlanta Dance Festival (MAD). In addition to her latest work, META, created through Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company as a Dihvinely Konnecked Fellow, which later won Best Music and Dance Video at the BronzeLens Film Festival. Swatzie’s work extends into academia, where she has set work on Spelman Dance Theatre, and has nourished her craft through residencies through organizations like Dance Canvas. As a freelance dancer, she can be seen on Television Networks such as BET, YouTube RED, Amazon Video, and Apple TV, in addition to performing on independent films, and with projectbased companies. You can find more of Danielle Swatzie on social media @ daniswatziee or visit www.danielleswatzie.com to learn more about her work.

KAT CONLEY (Scenic Design) is ecstatic to be a part of the continuing story of The Incredible Book Eating Boy. She has designed more than 30 Alliance productions, including Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Courtenay’s Cabaret, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Wizard of Oz. Kat has designed scenery for Arena Stage, Orlando Shakespeare, the Kennedy Center, Georgia Shakespeare, Marin Theatre Company, Actor’s Express, The Atlanta Ballet, The Center for Puppetry Arts, 7 Stages, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre, Theatre in the Square, and Aurora Theatre. She continues to be the Charge Scenic Artist for the Alliance Theatre. Whether dramatically challenging,

visionary, or escapist, all theater and art is important; thank you for supporting it in our community.

AN-LIN DAUBER (Costume Design) [she/her] is a set and costume designer based in New York and Seattle. Off-Broadway/New York: Paul Swan is Dead and Gone; What You Are Now (The Civilians), Letters That You Will Not Get (American Opera Project), H*tler’s Tasters; Great Novel (New Light Theater), Salesman 之死; June is the First Fall (Yangtze Repertory Company), Bulrusher; Passage (Juilliard).

Seattle: Metamorphoses (Seattle Rep), The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window (Intiman & The Williams Project), Amen Corner; Marisol; Blood Wedding; The Bar Plays: Small Craft Warnings, and The Time of Your Life; A Bright Room Called Day (The Williams Project). Regional: Huntington Theater Company, Hartford Stage Company, Alliance Theatre, Yale Repertory Theater, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Virginia Stage Company, Magic Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Park Square Theater, Serenbe Playhouse, Passage Theatre, InterACT Theatre, Inis Nua, Theater Alaska. Film: Lolita Express (Houselight). Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of Washington. Company member of The Williams Project, a living wage theater company dedicated to radical hospitality. MFA Yale School of Drama. Proud member of USA 829.

BEN RAWSON (Lighting Design) is an Atlanta-based Lighting Designer for Theatre, Opera, and Dance, member USA 829. Theatrical/ Opera design work can be seen at The Alliance Theatre (GA), Detroit Opera (MI), Florida Studio Theatre (FL), Glimmerglass Opera (NY), Utah Opera (UT), Atlanta Opera (GA), Theatrical Outfit (GA), Aurora Theatre (GA), Actors Express (GA), and others. Dance design work includes choreographers Ana Maria Lucaciu, Troy Schumacher, Claudia Schreier, Remi Wörtmeyer, Bryn Cohn, and Danielle Agami as well as with Atlanta Ballet (GA), BalletCollective (NY), Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (GA), Fly On A Wall (GA), and others. Ben

has also worked across the country as an Associate & Assistant Lighting Designer for San Diego Opera (CA), The Alliance Theatre (GA), Berkshire Theatre Festival (MA), Atlanta Opera (GA), Utah Opera (UT), Glimmerglass Festival (NY), Playmakers Repertory Company (NC), and Atlanta Ballet (GA). benrawsondesign.com

JEREMIAH DAVISON (Sound Design) [he/him/his] is excited to be back at Alliance! Alliance Credits: The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Do You Love The Dark; Select Atlanta Credits: Summer The Musical, Cinderella: The Musical, Song & Dance (Aurora TheatreSuzie-nominated); Urinetown The Musical, Bootycandy, Home Town Boy, Heathers: The Musical, Head Over Heels (Actors Express); Dream Girls, Chicken & Biscuits (Dominion Ent.); The Light (Horizon); Fires in a Mirror (Theatrical Outfit).

Touring: The Step Afrika! National Tour of Drumfolk. Education: 201718 Actors Express Apprenticeship, University of West Georgia & Georgia State Perimeter College Alum. Davison is a Co-Founder and the current COO of Multiband Studios LLC. @MultibandStudiosLLC

CBD (Music Director) [he/they, aka “Chris Brent Davis”] is an Atlanta-born music director, pianist, conductor, arranger, and educator. Off-Broadway/National Tour: Greenwood: the Musical (Original Cast Member, starring Andrea McArdle), Della’s Diner (Springer Theatricals). Regional Credits: The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Alliance Theatre), john & jen, Spring Awakening (freeFall Theatre Co.), Les Misérables (The Springer Opera House), and Children’s Letters To God (Suzi Nom., The Legacy Theatre). CBD served as Resident Music Director for Serenbe Playhouse from 2015-2019, on their landmark productions of Titanic, Miss Saigon (Suzi Bass Award), and Carousel. They are a member of the Broadway Dreams Foundation faculty, serving as music director and pianist. Starting in the fall of 2023, CBD will begin serving as the Dream Director of Education and Resident Music Director for The Legacy Theatre & Conservatory, which serves 300+

students in the South Metro Atlanta area. This performance and every performance is dedicated to his #1 cheerleader, Nana! @cbd.the.real

JODY FELDMAN (Casting) began her theater career as an actress in Atlanta 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 Urey, 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 Competition-winning 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.

LIZ CAMPBELL (Stage Manager)

[she/her] Alliance credits include: The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd, A Christmas Carol, Bina’s Six Apples, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Max Makes a Million, The Wizard of Oz, Paige in Full, Winnie the Pooh, The Jungle Book, The Dancing Granny, Cinderella and Fella, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pancakes, Pancakes!, Tiger Style!, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and Charlotte’s Web. Other local credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone, Camelot, The

World Goes ‘Round, Million Dollar Quartet, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Ragtime (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); In the Continuum (Synchronicity Theatre); Book of Will and It’s a Wonderful Life (Theatrical Outfit). She has been the Stage Manager for the GHSMTA (Shuler Awards) since 2015. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Niagara University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Cofounder of Atlanta Theatre Artists for Justice. Love to Ali and Maggie.

ELIZA CRAFT (SM PA/Young Performer Supervisor) is so excited to work on her first production with the Alliance! Previous credits include Guys and Dolls (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Bootycandy (Actor’s Express); Rent, Jitney, The SpongeBob Musical, and The Spitfire Grill (Kennesaw State University). She just graduated with a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies from Kennesaw State University. Lots of love to her amazing family and mentors.

CHRISTOPHER MOSES (Dan Reardon Director of Education & Associate Artistic Director) has been working in professional theatre for 20 years and was awarded the Governor’s Award for Arts in Humanities for his body of work. In 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 5 years old, the Alliance Teen Ensemble, which performs world premiere plays commissioned for and about teens,

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 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.

TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN (BOLD

Associate Artistic Director) is the BOLD Associate Artistic Director at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Tinashe is a Princess Grace Award 2019 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, directed the Alliance/Kendeda winner The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd. Tinashe held a salaried creative and Director’s Shadow position during the pre-production, pilot, and 2nd episode development of the TV Series Our Kind of People (Fox Studios) under Lee Daniel’s production company and was Director Shadow on the season finale of “BMF.” 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, Hertz Stage), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award). As a director and actor, she has worked on + 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 (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 ARTS-ATL Artist Advisory Council. “My mission is the pursuit of what connects our different communities and how we create art that serves that.”

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 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

By the time Atlanta native Selah Thompson was 5 years old in 2017, she had already fallen in love with books and reading — so much so that on her first day of kindergarten she became truly sad when she realized that a large number of her new friends did not know the alphabet or how to spell their names, let alone how to read even basic sight words. That was the moment that gave birth to Selah’s dream of getting all kids excited about books and reading and making sure they had access to fun, adventurous books where all kids could see themselves reflected in the pages. From that dream, the Empowered Readers Literacy Project was born.

The Empowered Readers Literacy Project is an non-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia with a mission to get all kids excited about books and reading and to help families build strong reading rituals. We work to achieve these goals by presenting literacy in a number of fun and exciting ways that help kids re-imagine reading.

At Empowered Readers, we discovered that when we curate experiences combining fun, excitement and access, it is always a formula for success. We create and host real-life treasure hunts (because we believe books are treasures), literacy pop-up events, story writing workshops, kingdom building exercises and more to take reading beyond the pages of books for kids and provide fun activities in which entire families can participate. With the right inspiration, all kids can fall in love with reading, creating, and learning. It only takes one encounter with one book to spark a child’s interest in reading and change the trajectory of their life forever.

At Empowered Readers, we realize what the Artist in The Incredible Book Eating Boy realized and shared with Henry: “Reading doesn’t have to feel so strange. It’s just a matter of perspective. It’s how you read that must change, by finding what’s most effective. … Think of your mind as a stage. Let every sentence jump out of the page. No limits. You set the bar. Choose whether or not to read or see the stars.”

Selah dreamed up Empowered Readers to help bring books to life for other kids the way her imagination brought books to life for her. In fact, the same year that Selah launched Empowered Readers, out of her imagination grew the idea for her own STEAM book series called Penelope the Pirate Princess, and in 2019 she released the first book in that series.

Selah always reminds us that “all kids deserve to read”, and Empowered Readers is on a mission with our now 10-year-old founder to make sure that all kids in the city of Atlanta get that chance.

Nicole E. Thompson, Esq. Executive Director Empowered Readers Literacy Project

SYNOPSIS

Henry loves books. But he hates reading them. Because books are so full of... words! Annoying, complicated, indecipherable words! Then one day he discovers the most amazing alternative to reading — eating the books whole. By chowing down, chomping, and literally digesting the contents of whole libraries, Henry gets smarter, and smarter and smarter... until his tummy doesn’t feel so good.

The original 2022 production of The Incredible Book Eating Boy was produced in collaboration with the High Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books.” This collaboration was the High and the Alliance’s seventh in a series of exhibitions and theatre productions celebrating the work of an acclaimed children’s book author and artist.

GET SOCIAL

C onnect with us and other audience members on your Alliance experience. Share your comments and photos on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and TikTok with hashtags #IncredibleBookEatingBoy , #Chomp , 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

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 a recipient 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 116 productions including nine 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.

OFFICERS

Chair

Jocelyn J. Hunter

Immediate Past Chair

Lila Hertz

Secretary

E. Kendrick Smith

Treasurer

LeighAnn Costley

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

Helen Regenstein

Bob Reiser

Jane Shivers

Ben White

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kristin Adams

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

Alison Danaceau

Reade Fahs

Howard Feinsand

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

Hala Moddelmog

Phil Moïse

Allison O’Kelly

Victoria Palefsky

Paul Pendergrass

Jamal Powell

Ali Rahimi

Stephanie Ray

Patty Reid

Margaret Reiser

Matthew Richburg

Robyn Roberts

Maurice Rosenbaum

Kerri Sauer

Steve Selig

Kim Sewell

Mital Shah

Bill Sleeper

H. Bronson Smith

E. Kendrick Smith

Chandra Stephens-Albright

Charlita Stephens

Mark Swinton

Julie Teer

Benny Varzi

Roxanne Varzi

Rebekah Wasserman

Dana Weeks Ugwonali

Glenn Weiss

Todd Zeldin

ADVISORY BOARD

Advisory Board Co-Chair

Laura Hardman

Advisory Board Co-Chair

Phil H. Moïse

Joe Alterman

Luis Andino

Jonathan Arogeti

Kelli Bennett

Johanna Brookner

Merry Hunter Caudle

Elizabeth Wiggs Cooper

Candice Dixon

Malaika Dowdell

Anjali Enjeti

Everett Flanigan

Mary Beth Flournoy

Les Flynn

Jennifer Foster

Natalia Garzón Martínez

Lula Gilliam

Lydia Glaize

Meghan Gordon

Tevin Goss

Dr. Eve Graves, Ph.D.

Shauna Grovell

Della Guidry

Elizabeth Hollister

Zenith Houston

Mallika Kallingal

Debby Kelly

Joyce Lewis

Indira Londono

Theo Lowe

Carlton Mackey

Nelly Mauta

Monica McLary

Jamie McQuilkin

Nishant Mehta

Juan Meija

Caroline Moore

Laura Murvartian

Victoria Necessary

Zach Nikonovich Kahn

Amy Norton King

Kathy Palumbo

Aixa Pascual

Kisan Patel

Marion Phillips

Shirley Powell

Nancy Prager

Alexis Rainey

Kristin Ray

Daniel Regenstein

Kirk Rich

Ryan Roemerman

Fred Roselli

Wendy Schmitt

Dr. Shenara Sexton

Beverly Brown Shaw

Dan Silverboard

Brian Stoltz

Maria Storts

Ronald Tomajko

Kathy Tomajko

Robin Triplett

Emily Washburn

Angie Weiss

Stuart Wilkinson

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP

President, STARS

Andjela Kessler

Chairman, Theater Advocates

Patricia Walsh

Chairman, Theater Ushers

Edwina Sellan

Chairman, Hospitality

Susan Stiefel

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+

Lettie Pate Evans Foundation

Robert W. Woodruff Foundation

$250,000+

Anonymous

AT&T Foundation

Chick-fil-A Foundation | Rhonda & Dan Cathy

The Coca-Cola Company

Georgia Power

Helen Gurley Brown Foundation

WestRock

$100,000+

Accenture

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

The Home Depot Foundation

Invesco QQQ

John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Fund

King & Spalding

Norfolk Southern PNC

Rich Foundation

Shubert Foundation

Zeist Foundation

$50,000+

Bank of America ACTivate Awards

City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Google

Kaiser Permanente Kendeda Fund

Liz Blake Giving Fund

Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

National Vision Theatre Forward

$25,000+

Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition, powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Alston & Bird

Comcast

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Georgia Council for the Arts

Georgia Natural Gas Graphic Packaging

The Imlay Foundation, Inc.

Johnny Mercer Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Newell Brands

Peach State Health Plan

Southwire

$10,000+

AEC Trust

Alexander Babbage Do a Good Day Foundation

George M. Brown Trust of Atlanta

Georgia-Pacific

Gulfstream

John & Mary Franklin Foundation

Macy’s Northern Trust

SCANA Energy South Arts

$5,000+ Anonymous

Camp Younts Foundation

Frances Wood Wilson Foundation

Osiason Educational Foundation

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.

Family Series Sponsor government

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, 2022 — June 9, 2023.

PREMIERE SUPPORT

Spotlight $100,000+

The SKK Foundation

Artistic Director’s Circle

$50,000+

Ms. Stephanie Blank

Chairman’s Circle

$25,000+

The Antinori Foundation

Around the Table Foundation

Farideh & Al Azadi Foundation

Brian & Jennifer Boutté

Jane Jordan Casavant

Roxanne & Jeffrey Cashdan

Ann & Jeff Cramer

Katie & Reade Fahs

Ellen & Howard Feinsand

David & Carolyn Gould

Doug & Lila Hertz

Jocelyn J. Hunter

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Ivester

Anne & Mark Kaiser

Jesse Killings

Kristie L. Madara

Mr. & Mrs. Barry McCarthy

Daniel Marks & Keri Powell

Starr Moore & the James Starr Moore Memorial Foundation

Allison and Shane O’Kelly

Paul Pendergrass & Margaret Baldwin

Bob & Margaret Reiser

Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Lee Spangler

Tim & Maria Tassopoulos

Rosemarie & David Thurston

Carol & Ramon Tomé Family Fund

Leadership Circle

$15,000+

Ms. Kristin Adams

Alba C. Baylin

Ken Bernhardt and Cynthia Currence

Judge JoAnn Bowens

Barbara & Steve Chaddick

Joe Crowley & Phil Mack

Ms. Alison Danaceau & Mr. Tim McKinley

Mr. Fredric M. Ehlers & Mr. David Lile

Heidi & David Geller

Doris & Matthew Geller

Doug Ivester

John C. Keller

David & Mary Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane & J. Hicks Lanier

Phil & Caroline Moïse

Victoria & Howard Palefsky

Jamal & Tiffany Powell

Patty & Doug Reid

Robyn Roberts & Kevin Greiner

Wade Rakes & Nicholas Miller

Linda & Steve Selig

Mr. and Mrs. David B. Sewell

Ms. Mital Shah

William & Margarita Sleeper

Dean DuBose & Bronson Smith

Mr. & Mrs. E. Kendrick Smith

Lynne & Steve Steindel

Mark Swinton

Benny & Roxanne Varzi

Waffle House

Mark & Rebekah Wasserman

Suzy Wilner

Amy & Todd Zeldin

Director’s Circle $10,000+

In honor of Carol Jones**

James Anderson

The Balloun Family

Lisa & Joe Bankoff

Deborah L. Bannworth & Joy Lynn Fields

Mr. & Mrs. Roland L. Bates

Natalie & Matthew Bernstein

Terri Bonoff and Matthew Knopf

Laura Brightwell

Martha & Toby Brooks

Madeline Chadwick

Thomas C. Chubb III

Ezra Cohen Charitable Fund

Miles and Nicole Cook

LeighAnn & Chad Costley

Linda & Gene Davidson

Kathy & Jason Evans

Marsha & Richard Goerss

Mr. Wayne S. Hyatt

Malvika Jhangiani

Mr. James Kieffer

James & Lori Kilberg

Mr. Charles R. Kowal

Allegra J. Lawrence-Hardy & Valerie Haughton

Ms. Evelyn Ashley & Mr. Alan B. McKeon

Dori & Jack Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Norman J. Radow

Mr. & Mrs. Asif Ramji

Matt Richburg

Patricia & Maurice Rosenbaum

Charlita Stephens & Delores Stephens

Maria-Ruth Storts

Dana & Obi Ugwonali

Ms. Kathy Waller & Mr. Kenny Goggins

BENEFACTORS

$5,000+

Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Allen

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. George Ajy

Liz Armstrong

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas* J. Asher

Mrs. Juanita Baranco

Ron & Lisa Brill Charitable Trust

Franklin & Dorothy Chandler

Ann & Jim Curry

Diane Durgin

Eve Joy Eckardt

Dr. Cynthia J. Fordyce & Sharon Hulette

Dr. & Mrs. Marvin Goldstein

Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Hostinsky

Tad & Janin Hutcheson

Jason & Laurie Jeffay

Boland & Andrea Lea Jones

Dr. & Mrs. John Lee

Melanie & S. Alan McKnight, Jr.

Burrelle Meeks

Joan Netzel & John Gronwall

John & Helen Parker

Don & Rosalinda Ratajczak

Paula Rosput Reynolds & Stephen Reynolds

Mr. George Russell, Jr. & Mrs. Faye Sampson-Russell

Alan & Cyndy* Schreihofer

Brian Shively & Jim Jinhong

Susan & Alan* Stiefel

Chuck & Lisa Cannon-Taylor

Julie Teer

The Zaban Foundation

$2,500

Trent Anderson & Leandro Zaneti

Ellen Arnovitz

Anonymous

Susan Booth & Max Leventhal

Mr. & Mrs. W. Kent Canipe

Candace Carson

Melodie H. Clayton

Rita & Ralph Connell

Susan & Ed Croft

Marcia & John Donnell

The Robert S. Elster Foundation

Mr. Mark Fogas

Anuja Gagoomal & John Stites

Karen & Andrew Ghertner

Mr. David F. Golden

Dr. & Mrs. John B. Hardman

Ariana L. Hargrave

David Heinsch

Mrs. Elaine L. Hentschel

Henry & Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation

Linda & Richard Hubert

Mark Keiser

Andjela and Michael Kessler

Leonard Lee

Debbie & Lon Neese

Mr. and Mrs. Travis Newberry

Mr. & Mrs. Armond Perkins

Peg Petersen

Sam & Barbara Pettway

Ms. Kristin L. Ray

Dana Rice

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rosenberg

Jane & Rein Saral

Sharon & David Schachter

Ms. Donna Schwartz

Sam Schwartz & Lynn Goldowski

Mr. & Mrs.* Charles B. Shelton III

Henry N. & Margaret P. Staats

Chandra Stephens-Albright & Warren Albright

Judith & Mark Taylor

Kathy & Ron Tomajko

Ms. Cathy Weil

Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Weiss

$1,500+

Dawn & Michael Adamson

Anonymous

Mr. George T. Baker

Dr. Aubrey Bush & Dr. Carol Bush

Tim & Tina Eyerly

Mr. & Mrs. David Felfoldi

Andrew & Wendie Fisher

Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Flexner

Sandeep Goyal and Taylor England

Della & Theo Guidry

Ashley & Elton James

Randy & Connie Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Masucci

Greg & Gillian Matteson

Clair & Thomas Muller

Steve & Tonya Paro

Dr. Denise Raynor

Dr. & Mrs. Fredric Rosenberg

Kashi Sehgal

Mr. & Mrs. S. Albert Sherrod

Amy Speas

Dr. & Mrs. Harry Strothers

Lisa & David Switzer

G. Scott Thompson

Stan & Velma Tilley

Ms. Avril Vignos

Penn & Sally Wells

Kim Boldthen & Carolyn Wheeler

William & Nancy Yang

PATRONS

$1,000+

Anonymous

Anonymous

Mr. E. Scott Arnold

John & Lynn Ayers

Jay Bernath

Jill Blair and Fay Twersky

Robert Blondeau & Kristen Nantz, in memory of Betty Blondeau Russell

Michelle Burdick

David Cofrin & Christine

Tryba-Cofrin

Richard & Grecia Cox

Gail Crowder

Celeste Davis-Lane

Dr. Marla Franks & Rev. Susan Zoller

Richard Goodjoin & Kelvin Davis

Louise S. Gunn

Drs. Cathie & Hugh Hudson

Bill and Jennifer Kahnweiler

Veronica Kessenich

Judith Lyon & Ron Bloom

Anna & Hays Mershon

Stacia Minton

Margo Brinton & Eldon Park

Susan C. Puett

Lois & Don Reitzes

Ryan Roemerman

Deborah W. Royer

Kerri Sauer

Starane Shepherd

Jane E. Shivers

Amy Speas

Ann Starr & Kent Nelson

Andrea Strickland & N. Jerold Cohen

Caitlin Way

Adrienne Whitehead

Lynne Winship

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

Stephanie Abes

Mr. Faraz Ahmed

E. Scott Arnold

Dr. Evelyn Babey

John & Gina Bauer

Aparna Bhattacharyya

Deloris Bryant-Booker

Lee Burson & Dean Jordan

Brandon Bush

Harold & Karen Carney

David Cashman

Jacquel Kelly Chambers

Mishelle Cirillo

Elizabeth Corrie

Lawrence R. Cowart

Christopher Cox

Marge & Gray Crouse

Nash Ditmetaroj

Derrick Doose

David & Jessica Felfoldi

Martha Fineman

Stanely Fineman

Eric & Christina Fisher

Brenda Fleming

Ken Foskett & Catherine S. Williams

Christine & Andrew Fry

Katie Goodman

Bryant Gresham & Alexander Bossert

Shauna Grovell

Jo Ann Haden-Miller & Mr. William Miller

Joy Hambrick

Wynette Hammons

Penn Hansa

Lindsey E. Hardegree

Lisa Hare and Mr. Gerald Barth

David & Christy Hill

Becca Hogue

Jim Johnson

Karen Jones

Stephen & Pamela Kalista

Amy King

Dr. Andrea Lawrence

Darryl Lesure & Candace Simon-Lesure

Karen Lightfoot

Lauren Linder & Jonathan Grunberg

Christian & JoJasmin Lopez

Michael & Melanie Lynch

Alison Main

Edward & Haley McCrear

Jaime McQuilkin

Heather & James Michael

LOVED THE SHOW AND WANT MORE?

Your contribution allows everybody to experience world-class theatre at the Alliance, while giving you exclusive benefits!

From seeing your name in this playbill, Opening Night event invitations, to our keepsake season mug — there’s a perk for you. Become a donor today! It’s easy to scan and give.

Jonathan & Lori Peterson

Kendrick Phillips

Jean & Marc Pickard

Jacqueline Powe

Shannon Price

Brenda Pruitt

Alexis Rainey

Corwin Robison & Daisy Pareja

Peggy Rogers

Peter & Margo Savitz

Barbara Schreiber

Tom Slovak & Jeffery Jones

Laura Stordy

Jill Strickland

Charles Thomspon

Stephanie Van Parys

Ben Warshaw

Caitlin Way

David & Amy Whitley

Napoleon & Karen Williams

Janice Wolf & Barry Etra

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 Toni Friday at toni.friday@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

LEGACY SOCIETY

GE Energy

Georgia Power

Goldman Sachs Matching Gift

Goldstein

Hearst Foundations

Home Depot Foundation

Honda Motor Co.

IBM

JPMorgan Chase

Kimberly-Clark

Lynch

Macy’s Foundation

McDonald’s Corporation

McMaster-Carr Supply

Microsoft Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation

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!

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 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