Presents
Six Stories Tall By Marco Ramirez Directed by Tom Arvetis November 10 – December 13, 2012
Brian Bell*...................................................................................................................... Dramaturg Kitty Campbell.........................................................................................................Props Design Mikhail Fiksel.........................Sound Design, Music Direction & Original Composition Heather Gilbert................................................................................................. Lighting Design Stephanie Paul............................................................................................Movement Director Brandon Wardell*................................................................................................. Scenic Design Jessica K. Wardell*........................................................................................... Costume Design Emilio G. Robles.............................................................................................Assistant Director Phil Claudnic....................................................................................................... Stage Manager Morgan Gire......................................................................................Assistant Stage Manager * denotes ASC Ensemble Member
The play is presented without an intermission. Originally performed by The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as Mermaids, Monsters and the World Painted Purple, directed by Gregg Henry. Permission granted by Abrams Artists Agency, 275 Seventh Ave., 26th floor, New York, NY 10001. All inquiries concerning rights to the Play shall be addressed to the above or to literary@abramsartny.com. Adventure Stage Chicago is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre. Adventure Stage Chicago is also a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres, TYA/USA, American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Arts Alliance Illinois and East Village Association. Six Stories Tall
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T H E C O M PA N Y Danielle Davis Mark Anthony Gonzalez Sarah Rose Graber* Kevin Brown-Percussionist
Alexander Knapp Lance Newton Alyssa Vera Ramos Mikhail Fiksel-DJ
Understudies- José “Tony” Garcia, Sara Sawicki *denotes Adventure Stage Chicago Ensemble member Sirena Sirena............................................................................................................................................Sarah Rose Graber Tomas................................................................................................................................ Mark Anthony Gonzalez Narrator..........................................................................................................................................Alexander Knapp Townspeople.....................................Kevin Brown, Danielle Davis, Lance Newton, Alyssa Vera Ramos B Minor Rebecca................................................................................................................................................Danielle Davis Stranger........................................................................................................................... Mark Anthony Gonzalez Alfredo............................................................................................................................................Alexander Knapp Musicians................................................................................................................... Kevin Brown, Mikhail Fiksel Townspeople........................................................ Sarah Rose Graber, Lance Newton, Alyssa Vera Ramos I am not Batman Boy........................................................................................................................................................ Lance Newton Drummer................................................................................................................................................ Kevin Brown All The Noises This House Makes Emilia........................................................................................................................................... Alyssa Vera Ramos Carbon............................................................................................................................................Alexander Knapp Abuela .................................................................................................................................................Danielle Davis Orderer............................................................................................................................. Mark Anthony Gonzalez Voice Instructor.........................................................................................................................Sarah Rose Graber Chorus...................................................................................................................... Kevin Brown, Lance Newton Lupe and the Red Line Monster Lupe............................................................................................................................................. Alyssa Vera Ramos Marta Elena.........................................................................................................................................Danielle Davis Narrator............................................................................................................................ Mark Anthony Gonzalez Warrior 1............................................................................................................................................. Lance Newton Warrior 2........................................................................................................................................Alexander Knapp Chorus.............................................................................................................. Kevin Brown, Sarah Rose Graber Chester, Who Painted the World Purple Chester................................................................................................................................................ Lance Newton Abuelo.............................................................................................................................. Mark Anthony Gonzalez Yennifer....................................................................................................................................... Alyssa Vera Ramos Store Clerk.....................................................................................................................................Alexander Knapp Lawn Guy.....................................................................................................................................Sarah Rose Graber Announcer........................................................................................................................................... Mikhail Fiksel Chorus.......................................................................................................................Kevin Brown, Danielle Davis
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A D D I T I O N A L P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Kristina Carr.................................................................................... Charge Artist/Costume Design Assistant Sarah Fornace.............................................................................................................................. Stunt Consultant Patrick Kenney........................................................................................................................................... Carpenter Daniel Osburn........................................................................................................................................... Electrician
A DV E N T U R E S TAG E C H I C AG O S TA F F
Producing Artistic Director Tom Arvetis
Managing Director Scott Letscher
Artistic Associate Artistic Director..............................................................................................Allison Latta Lashford Artistic Intern ....................................................................................................................................Dana Murphy Education Director of Education...................................................................................................................Merissa Stewart Teaching Artists......................................Brian Bell, Dani Bryant, Amanda Dimond, Sarah Rose Graber Teaching Artist Apprentice.............................................................................................................. Sindy Castro Education Intern..........................................................................................................................Shawn Escarciga Administration Director of Communications.................................................................................................Jennifer Mathews Marketing & Sales Associate..............................................................................................................Dani Bryant Administrative Intern/Box Office...............................................................................................Laura Przybysz Marketing Intern......................................................................................................................................Molly Bires Production Production Manager..............................................................................................................Brandon Campbell Technical Director ........................................................................................................................... Jarrod Bainter Production Assistant......................................................................................................................... Anna Morrell Artistic Ensemble Brian Bell Dani Bryant Sarah Rose Graber
Allison Latta Lashford Brandon Wardell Jessica Kuehnau Wardell Laura Kollar
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A N O T E TO YO U Welcome to our 9th season and what promises to be some of our most memorable work to date. In this day and age there are so many ways you could choose to spend this time. We are grateful you have chosen to spend it with us. Where else can the entire family go and experience something together that affects everyone, from youngest to eldest, with equal doses of wonder and imagination? Where else can a family go and dream together? Theatres like Adventure Stage Chicago have an important role to play in the act of exploring the meaning of family, of forging identity, of building and nourishing community. We want our theater to be a place where community can come together to celebrate its diversity and challenge its perception of itself and what it is capable of accomplishing. The fact that you have joined us in the theater today is a conscious choice, just as becoming part of a community is a conscious choice. We extend the invitation to join us in realizing that we all share the power to generate and nourish this art. We hope you leave here today inspired to continue our conversation and further the work to strengthen our community. We close with the eloquent words of community arts pioneer Robert Gard. If you try, what may you expect? First a community Welded through art to a new consciousness of self: A new being, perhaps a new appearance… A people proud Of achievements which lift them through the creative Above the ordinary… A new opportunity for children To find exciting experiences in art And to carry this excitement on Throughout their lives… A mixing of peoples and backgrounds Through art; a new view Of hope for mankind and an elevation Of man…not degradation. New values for individual and community Life, and a sense That here, in our place, We are contributing to the maturity Of a great nation. If you try, you can indeed Alter the face and the heart Of America.
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Tom Arvetis Producing Artistic Director
Adventure Stage Chicago
Scott Letscher Managing Director
F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R Six stories tall. When you hear that title, what images does it evoke? A ladder, maybe. Or a building. Are you standing at the bottom looking up or are you on top of it looking down at a view that can only be enjoyed from up high? It makes me wonder what kind of courage it takes to scale that height. How would I get up there? Would I use the stairs? The elevator? The fire escape? Or would I instead use my superpowers and climb the side of it using only my hands and feet like Spiderman or fly to the top like Superman? The gift that Marco Ramirez has given us with Six Stories Tall is the joy derived from the power of youthful imagination and the conceit that young people can be superheroes, guardians and saviors. Through six uniquely wrought adventures we see a boy save a mermaid, a girl defeat the devil at the crossroads, another boy become Batman, another girl defeat a legendary monster relying on video game skills, a boy and a girl invent a musical language together, and a boy express his love for his grandfather by literally changing the world. I love these kinds of stories (and I hope you do, too) because they make me feel strong. They make me feel heard. They make me feel capable. We deserve the opportunity to imagine ourselves capable of feats of unbelievable strength, stamina, skill and sacrifice. This is the power of good storytelling. To transport the listener to another time and place where we can put on the shoes of the hero and be a hero ourselves. These kinds of stories also succeed in making me feel connected to something or someone else. Maybe it’s the playwright to whom I am grateful for giving us this gift. Maybe it’s the actors on stage who mesmerize me with their talent and inspire me to want to play the way they play. Maybe it’s all those other people in the room who are watching with me. Are they feeling the same feeling as me? Are we all connected? And maybe there’s something bigger still. A world beyond the dark theatre in which stories have real power – the power to unite, the power to change, the power to inspire. Thank you for coming to see Six Stories Tall. It has been incredibly fulfilling to work with these stories and prepare them for your enjoyment. Hopefully they will spark something in you, too, and you’ll be using your imagination to climb to unheard of heights! Cheers,
Tom@adventurestage.org
THE CRITIC’S CORNER Now that you have experienced Six Stories Tall, we want to hear from you. One of our guiding principles here at Adventure Stage is that theater inspires dialogue. You may have had the chance to participate in one of our Curtain Conversations with the cast. You can continue the conversation on our website (www.adventurestage.org) through our blog, The Adventure Page. The blog includes The Critic’s Corner where you can tell us what you thought about the show and continue probing the questions posed during our Curtain Conversation. We’re waiting to hear from you! Six Stories Tall
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PERFOR MER BIOGR APHIES Kevin “Chops” Brown is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Communication and has played percussion for theatrical productions throughout Chicago with companies such as The New Colony, Theo Ubique Cabaret, House, Signal, Boho, Circle, and Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. He is also an educator and company member of rhythmic performance ensemble Be the Groove under the directorship of choreographer Stephanie Paul, and the drummer for the band Dry Goods and San Francisco-based songwriter Megan Keely. When not performing, he works at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago theater and serves as a Teaching Artist with Urban Gateways and Old Town School of Folk Music. Danielle Davis is thrilled to be in Six Stories Tall! She received a B.F.A. in Acting from the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Other credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar and Leader Of The Pack (Big Noise Theatre); Wigmaker/Cobbler’s Wife in Rapunzel at Winnetka Theatre; Little Shop of Horrors, The Wiz and Nunset Boulevard (Theatre At The Center); In Darfur (TimeLine Theatre); Scapino! (Roosevelt University); Quest Theatre Ensemble’s Drum Circle Pandora and Evolution/Creation; Godspell (Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, Missouri), and A Midnight Cry (Auditorium Theatre/Tour). Enjoy the show! Mikhail Fiksel returns to Adventure Stage where he recently worked as designer for Sinbad: The Untold Tale. Mr. Fiksel has worked at Chicago theaters including: Goodman, Writers, Next, Timeline, Lifeline, and Victory Gardens as well as regionally at Second Stage Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and the Dallas Theatre Center. He has received six Jeff awards, a Lucille Lortel Award, an After Dark Award and a Michael Maggio Emerging Designer 6
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Award. He is an ensemble member of 2nd Story, an artistic associate with Teatro Vista, Collaboraction and Redmoon and on the faculty at Loyola University Chicago. As a dj Mikhail works with his nu-jazz ensemble Seeking Wonderland and the dynamic dj duo The Ordeal, or on solo projects, sometimes under the monikers DJ White Russian or The Red Menace. mikhailfiksel.com José “Tony” García is humbled to be a part of this Adventure Stage Chicago production! Chicago and Regional credits include: The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks); The Last Meal Man (Collaboraction’s Sketchbook 12); Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Oedipus Complex and King Lear (Goodman Theatre); Macbeth (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival); Honus and Me (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Macbeth and Twelfth Night (Illinois Shakespeare Festival); and The Vow (Stage Left Theatre). Television credits include Boss (Starz) and Prison Break (FOX). Tony received an MFA from Indiana University and a BFA from University of Connecticut. Mark Anthony Gonzalez, fresh to the professional acting world, is so excited for his debut theatre performance with Adventure Stage Chicago. Graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BFA in Theatre Performance, he is probably most remembered by his college buddies as Don Alvaro di Castiglia, the spicy Spaniard gentlemen from The Foxy Widow. He recently married his best friend, Courtney, and loves every minute of it. The Paonessa Talent Agency currently represents Mark-Anthony with whom he booked his first commercial. Go peacocks! Sarah Rose Graber is an Artistic Ensemble Member with ASC. She graduated from Northwestern University’s Theatre Program and received her acting certificate from The Royal
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Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Past Adventure Stage projects include: The Giver, The Ash Girl, The Blue House, and Neighborhood Perspectives. Recent credits include Barefoot in the Park (Corie Bratter) and The Book of Liz (Liz) at CIC, MilkMilkLemonade (Lady in a Leotard) with Pavement Group, New Adventures of Popeye (Olive Oyl) at The Factory Theater, and The Last Meal Man (Karla Faye Tucker) at Collaboraction. Big thanks to the ASC team, cast, and crew! Alexander Knapp is excited to be a part of this adventure on stage, and to be making his debut with ASC. He attended the Columbia College Acting program, has performed with Milwaukee Children’s Theater, Silent Theater Company, Collaboraction, Redmoon Theater, and recently returned from a one year national tour as a Pirate in 360 Entertainment’s production of Peter Pan. Alex performs as a Cellist with his band Pirates. He also is a Juggler, Clown, Mime, Acrobat, Unicyclist, Stilt Walker, and Balloon Smith that entertains children through adults at festivals, parties, and a variety of events. Lance Newton, native to Las Vegas, NV graduated from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI where he studied Theatre Performance with an acting emphasis and a minor in Philosophy. He has performed for many theatre companies around the city, including A Ribbon Around a Bomb with The Prologue Theatre company, To Tree with Brown Paper Box Co., Sleeping Beauty with The Chicago Kids Company, and with Urban Theatre Company where he received a Black Theater Alliance/Ira Aldridge Award nomination for Most Promising Actor. In his spare time Lance enjoys juggling, watching movies, and playing the guitar. He is honored to work with Adventure Stage for the first time on such an adventurous and meaningful piece. He thanks everyone who believes in his work and sends many smiles to that special someone.
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Alyssa Vera Ramos is an actor, director, and teaching artist in Chicago. Alyssa is an Artistic Associate at Teatro Luna and a member of For Youth Inquiry Performing Health Collective. She is also a proud member of the ASC Trailblazers youth mentorship program (shout out to Katara!). Performance credits include Art Heist (Abraham Werewolf); A Streetcar Named Desire (Earth Pearl Collective); Project Us, Can I Hit It? (For Youth Inquiry); Aunt Dan and Lemon, Still Life with Iris (Northwestern University, her alma mater). Alyssa plays next in Teatro Luna’s mainstage holiday show this December. Thanks to Tom & ASC, Abby & Naomi, Dan, and mi familia.
Sara Sawicki is very grateful to be working with Adventure Stage Chicago for a second time. Most recently she directed Quake in the 2012 Winter Repertory for Buzz22 Chicago where she is a founding company member and Co-Artistic Director. As a performer she has also had the privilege of working with Sojourn Theatre (Portland, OR), Thirteen O’Clock Theatre (McAllen, TX), Remy Bumppo & The House Theatre of Chicago. Sara is a graduate of the Northwestern Theatre and Musical Theatre Certificate programs and a proud Cincinnati Skyline Chili enthusiast.
PRODUCTION BIOGR APHIES Marco Ramirez (Playwright) has had plays produced at The Kennedy Center, The Juilliard School, The Black Dahlia (LA), and Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival (where his pieces I am not Batman and 3:59AM were both recipients of The Heideman Award for Best Short Play). Other honors include the Bryan Award from The Fellowship of Southern Writers, a Helen Hayes nomination, the Lila Acheson Wallace Juilliard Playwriting Fellowship, Lincoln Center’s Le Comte du Nouy Award, and TCG’s Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. He trained at both NYU and The Juilliard School. His TV writing credits include Sons of Anarchy, DaVinci’s Demons, and Orange is the New Black. Tom Arvetis (Director, Producing Artistic Director) Six Stories Tall has been a labor of love and he wants to thank the many brilliantly talented people who have made this experience come to life. His adaptation of Sharon Creech’s award-winning novel Walk Two Moons (seen here last season) got an honorable mention in Chicago Theatre Beat’s Best Shows of 2011 and will receive another production in Pittsburgh, PA, this coming spring. He recently directed the touring remount of 500 Clown Trapped and is already preparing to direct Augusta & Noble, an original play commissioned by ASC to explore the experience of youth in our very own West Town neighborhood. Previous directing credits for ASC include And A Child Shall Lead by Michael Slade; Katrina: The Girl 8
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Who Wanted Her Name Back by Jason Tremblay; The Blue House by José Cruz González; and A Woman Called Truth by Sandra Fenichel Asher. Tom also wrote and directed I Dream in Blues with Chicago blues veteran Katherine Davis. Tom was an Ann Shaw Fellow with TYA/ USA in 2009 and is a board member with the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. He couldn’t do any of this without the love and support of his wife, Dana, and their three beautiful daughters—Lyra, Simone and Vivian. Brian Bell (Dramaturg) is a proud member of the ASC Ensemble. He has toured nationally with the Chamber Theatre of Boston as well as acting and directing for two summers at the Theatre at Monmouth - The Shakespeare Theatre of Maine. Brian is a CAAP grant recipient, a Goethe Institute directing fellow, as well as a fellow of the International Forum in Berlin. Last summer Brian was a deviser/ performer for Projekt G, an international theatre project in Tokyo & Fukushima in Japan, as well as directing Neil LaBute’s This Is How It Goes at the English Theatre in Berlin. His current production of The Feast runs at the Prop Thtr through December 16th. Thanks as always to Mom & The Dadster. www.brianbell.org Kitty Campbell (Prop Design) is excited to be involved with her first production at Adventure Stage. Kitty hails from Maine and holds a BFA in Art History from the Massachusetts
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College of Art and Design. She has previously designed for COF Theater [Boston], Marvell Repertory Theater [New York], and The Theater at Monmouth [Maine]. She would like to thank her excellent family and friends for their continued support. She would also like to thank Adventure Stage for letting her be a part of such a fun and exciting show. Phil Claudnic (Stage Manager) is loving his second show at Adventure Stage Chicago where he previously stage managed And a Child Shall Lead. Phil is also an ensemble member of Factory Theater Company, and is Production Manager on the currently running Toast of the Town, the last show of our 20th anniversary season! Mikhail Fiksel (Music Direction/Sound Design/ Original Composition) See Performer Bios Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design) is a Chicago based lighting designer and new to Adventure Stage Chicago. Recent Chicago designs: Rent (ATC/About Face Theatre), The Better Half (Lucky Plush Productions at the MCA), and Immediate Family with Martian Productions. Chicago theatres: Writers Theatre, Next Theatre, Court Theatre, The Hypocrites, About Face, Strawdog, Steppenwolf, others. Regional: Our Town (Broad Stage-LA, Huntington TheatreBoston), A Streetcar Named Desire (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Off-Broadway: Our Town (Barrow Street Theatre). Heather was a 19992001 recipient of the NEA/TCG Development Program Award. She is the Head of Lighting Design at Columbia College, and received her MFA from The Theatre School at DePaul. Morgan Gire (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to Adventure Stage Chicago. Morgan is a freelance stage manager in Chicago and has had the wonderful fortune of working with such companies as Halcyon Theatre, Actor’s Training Center and The Chicago Sketch Fest. Her most recent work has been with the Iowa Summer Repertory Theatre in Iowa City. Stephanie Paul (Movement Director) is a huge fan of all things music and dance! She is a Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and ensemble member of Be the Groove, a Chicago based rhythmic performance ensemble. She is also on dance faculty at Northwestern University and Dance Center Evanston. Stephanie has
taught for Chicago National Association of DanceMasters and choreographed for Ohio Northern University, Northwestern University and the Evanston Dance Ensemble. She is a proud Resident Artist of Albany Park Theater Project and has worked with Lookingglass Theatre’s LAB program as a Movement Director. Stephanie is honored to be a part of Adventure Stage Chicago’s incredible Six Stories Tall team! Emilio G. Robles (Assistant Director) is thrilled to work with Tom on this project. He has assisted ASC on various projects in the past and looks forward to continuing the collaboration. Brandon Wardell (Scenic Design) is a freelance Lighting and Scenic Designer in Chicago. He is an Ensemble Member with Adventure Stage Chicago, an Artistic Associate at Steep Theatre Company, and teaches Lighting Design at Northern Illinois University. Recently at ASC, Brandon designed the lights for The Giver, And a Child Shall Lead, and Ghosts of Treasure Island, as well as the set for Holes. Other favorite projects include Baal (TUTA), Three Days of Rain (Backstage), Harper Regan (Steep), The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Moonstone (Lifeline). Brandon earned his MFA from Northwestern University. www.brandonwardelldesign.com Jessica K. Wardell (Costume Design) is pleased to be designing a seventh season with ASC and is a proud ensemble member since 2009. Her previous designs for ASC have included sets for The Giver, Eye of the Storm, Shakespeare Stealer, The Blue House and And A Child Shall Lead and costumes for Still Life with Iris, Search for Odysseus and Katrina. A graduate of Northwestern University, Jessica received her MFA in both set and costume design. Her Chicago credits include Rivendell Theatre (Jeff recommended These Shining Lives), Steep Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Building Stage, Pegasus Players, MPAACT, Circle Theatre and Metropolis Performing Arts Center. She is currently the resident set designer and design professor at North Park University and full time teaching faculty at Northeastern Illinois University. jesskdesign.com
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S P O T L I G H T O N - S T E P H A N I E PAU L ASC: How did you become involved with movement and dance for the theater? Stephanie: It kind of happened by accident. In early 2010, Albany Park Theatre Project (Chicago based youth theater company that creates original plays based on people’s real life stories) was looking for someone to help them create a piece for their production “Feast.” The story I was asked to help tell was that of an Albany Park-based Lebanese butcher. Our goal was to tell the story through a seamless blend of traditional storytelling, percussion and movement. I was recommended because of my multi-disciplinary music/ dance work and very quickly realized that my contribution to the piece had to be integral to the process. We couldn’t stage the acting and then plop movement and music on top of it afterwards. My work couldn’t be the extra “fries on the side.” It had to be part of the main dish! This was a challenge but it also inspired me. I am committed to discovering new ways in which dance can contribute to storytelling and be a necessary part. The goal is never to distract but to contribute to the larger whole. ASC: What drew you to Six Stories Tall? Stephanie: I fell in love with the style of the writing. It’s fresh, contemporary and real. Even though the story lines are occasionally farfetched I could feel the truth behind the words and the passion poured into them. I grew up outside of NYC and these stories feel like home. They are tales of young, urban kids with incredible spirit, fight and passion. When I read the script I could see the action unfold right in front of me. That’s the power of great theater. A door opens and when you walk through it you’re transported to a magical new place. ASC: Why is movement an important part of the storytelling in Six Stories Tall? Stephanie: There is a larger than life quality to many of these stories and they deserve to be played out in majestic ways. Dance is a way to increase the theatricality of the stories. There are moments when we’ll purposefully choose to keep things small (to highlight the power of both the text and acting) but we will also counter the simple with the grand. I believe that when the body and voice are equally invested the power of the storytelling is always greater. ASC: Where do you get inspiration for movement and dance for a particular play? Specifically for Six Stories Tall? Stephanie: My movement inspiration for Six Stories Tall comes from many places but here are a few notable sources: Style of writing: As I noted earlier I love the young, fresh energy of the script. It transports me to NYC (specifically Brooklyn and Harlem) with its slang, music, style, everything! Director/ Production Team: Tom really wants to know what his team is inspired by, which is awesome. It’s wonderful to work in an environment in which your opinion is truly valued. However, I also love knowing what is motivating him and my fellow designers. We have production meetings as a group and these sessions are invaluable as we are able to be together to brainstorm, discuss and as a team make decisions about the overall direction of the play. Actors: We had a 3 day workshop with many actors (some in the play, some not… but they were all major players in helping us discover what this show looks/feels like) and in those few days we learned so much about the possibilities of this production. We did a lot of group improvisation and through that I got a sense of how people moved as individuals, as a team, etc. We played a lot! We also frequently dialogued with the actors, picking their brains to see if they had any ideas and always checking in to see how things felt. Though I trust my instincts, as a movement director it’s essential that I know how the actors feel. If something looks right to me but feels awkward or strange to the movers it’s worth knowing why. ASC: How do you work with directors, designers, and actors? What is your role in the rehearsal room? Stephanie: It can be tricky when you have lots of “captains” (other directors, etc) in the room, but for me it’s important to have confidence in what I bring to the table. Yet, I must also be open to other 10
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ideas. You can’t walk into a rehearsal room believing it’s your way or the highway because you then lose the opportunity to have new discoveries and be inspired by others. My job is to have a vision for the movement of this play while also being open to collaboration. That’s what being on a team is all about. ASC: Do you work with the sound designer to decide on the musical world of the play, or are those decisions made by the director? Stephanie: Mikhail Fiksel, Tom Arvetis and I very quickly established a feeling of trust and respect for each other. It’s interesting because all three of us have crossed over into each other’s fields at one point in our careers. For example, Mikhail has experience in dance choreography and Tom is both a musician and sound designer. I direct my own multi disciplinary music/dance company and am also a musician. Ultimately, as Sound Designer, Mikhail will have the biggest hand in determining the musical world but since the music relates to everything (movement, acting, etc) it’s necessary for us to work as a team. ASC: What images and themes do you hope audiences will leave the show with? Stephanie: These stories all feature young people with strength and purpose. I hope our young audiences are able to take a piece of what they see, reflect on who they are and know that they too can create their own magic. ASC: What advice do you have for aspiring young actors, dancers, and choreographers? Stephanie: Keep a journal and jot down your ideas/stories/adventures. It’s great to have a place where you can express yourself without fear of being judged, etc. Take dance, music or acting classes if you can. If not, create on your own! Get a group of friends together and make dances or put on a show for your family & friends. Just have fun. There are no rules!
EXPLORE MORE Fiction: •
Abuela by Arthur Dorros. This heartwarming tale is a great example of magical realism and would be a fantastic read-aloud book. • The Day it Snowed Tortillas by Joe Hayes. This collection of folktales in both English and Spanish has many fantastic short stories full of clever tricksters and magical realism. • The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. This classic tale is a great example of magical realism set in an urban environment. Check out the movie after you read the book! • When Tía Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez. This colorful story is about the time troubled pre-teen Miguel’s quirky, charismatic, and possibly magical Aunt Lola arrives from the Dominican Republic for an extended stay, ensuring that his life will never be the same again. Non-Fiction: • My Name is Gabito by Monica Brown. This is a child friendly biography of Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who popularized magical realism throughout the world. • A Kid’s Guide to Latino History: More than 50 Activities by Valerie Petrillo. Hands-on activities, games, and crafts that explore the diversity of Latino culture and teach children about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Hispanic American history. •
Extraordinary Hispanic Americans by Cesar Alegre. Real-life stories of Hispanic struggle, achievement, victory, and sometimes loss.
Websites: The National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago IL: www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org These sites contain collections of Latino folklore, including mythical creatures such as El Chupacabra: • www.gosouthamerica.about.com/od/folklore/Myths_Folklore_Magic_and_Monsters.htm • www.americanfolklore.net/folklore/latin-american-folklore/ Six Stories Tall
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These sites include information about the origins of Latin American music and dance: • www.revels-bey.com/history_of_latin_music.htm • www.scaruffi.com/history/latin.html
SPECIAL THANKS The Actors Gymnasium, The ASC Ensemble, Matt Buettner, Mario Class, Celeste Cooper, Ray Crosland, Tony Feliciano, Kasey Foster, Kyle Gibson, Mary Frueh Lardie-Sulzer Regional Library, Ron Manderscheid, Noble Street College Prep School Tech Club, Caleb Nolan-West Town Library, The NUSH Board of Directors, Mike Ooi, Deanna Reed, Maria Digna Reyes, The Saints, Alee Spadoni, Katie Taylor, Lisandra Tena, TimeLine Theatre Company
A N N UA L F U N D D O N O R S We are extremely grateful to the following individuals for their generosity: Sonia Arvantis John Arvetis Baize Buzan Sandy Elias Charles Finger Elza Garnett Carissa Johnson
Casey Lane Tiffany Lange Mary Letscher Joslen Letscher Lona Livingston Grady Ormsby Paul Pasulka
Jeanne Rattenbury John Ruhaak Jim and Nedra Shunk Stuart Strong Louise Zarrow
S U P P O R T I N G A DV E N T U R E S TAG E C H I C AG O Adventure Stage Chicago deeply appreciates the support of The Chicago Community Trust, City Arts Program 1 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., EmcArts’ Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Grover Hermann Foundation, Illinois Arts Council-a state agency, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Polk Bros Foundation, RBC Foundation-USA, Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
C O M I N G N E X T AT A DV E N T U R E S TAG E AUGUSTA AND NOBLE World Premiere Written by Carlos Murillo Directed by Tom Arvetis April 13 – May 16, 2013 Embracing its place within a 121-year-old settlement house, Adventure Stage Chicago combines its award-winning theatrical aesthetic with a unique, community-based development process that utilizes true stories collected from residents of Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Told in both English and Spanish, Augusta and Noble features a young hero born of Latino immigrant parents who seeks to bridge her reality of home with theirs, despite what feels like a world of difference. While honoring the rich history and beautiful resilience of the many Chicago immigrants who call this city home, Augusta and Noble raises questions about our responsibility to each other as members of the same community. Tickets on sale now! Call 773.42.4141 or purchase online at www.adventurestage.org. 12
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