Lisa Portes, Artistic Director presents
written by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood Director - Ernie Nolan Dramaturg - Jacob C. Shuler Vocal/Dialect Coach - Phil Timberlake Scenic Designer - Tierra G. Novy Costume Designer - Molly C. V. Ryan Lighting Designer - Elizabeth G. Smith Sound Designer/Composer - Mikey Moran Video Designer - Jillian Rothman Stage Manager - Rebecca Rowlett October 25 - December 3, 2011
DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 Email: theatreboxoffice@depaul.edu http://theatreschool.depaul.edu (312) 922-1999
DePaul University 1
C A S T ( i n o r d e r o f a p p e a ra n c e ) Grand High Witch.........................................................................................................Alex Seeley Boy.............................................................................................................................Sophia Reppert Doorman/Father/Sailor/Meeting Witch/Waiter............................................Trent Eisfeller Bruno/Passerby/Sailor.............................................................................................Julian Hester Chef/Passerby/Lawyer/Late Passenger/Meeting Witch 2..................................Sam Tank Mr. Jenkins/Passerby/Passenger/Meeting Witch..............................................Steve Lords Edith the Acolyte (Witch #1)/Passerby/Passenger........................................Moira O’Neill Tree House Witch/Mother/Meeting Witch/Maid/Hostess....................Autumn Teague 2nd Chef/Passerby/Passenger/Nurse/Meeting Witch/Frog Girl............Daniela Colucci Mrs. Jenkins/Passerby/Passenger/Meeting Witch...................................Allison Martone Grandma....................................................................................................................Ann Wakefield Witch Ensemble................................................................... Isabella Coelho, Devon Doherty, Gina Marie Koontz, Meghan Owen, Elizabeth Thomas Place and Time: Not too long ago in Norway and at The Hotel Magnificent, Bournemouth, England The play will be performed without intermission. P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Assistant Director..............................................................................................Morgan Madison Assistant Dramaturg.......................................................Lauren Genta, Matthew T. Messina Assistant Stage Managers.......................................................Olivia Wallace, Dana Stringer Assistant Scenic Designer.....................................................Ingrid Larson, Jillian Rothman Assistant Costume Designer............................................................................. Anne Stebbins Assistant Draper/Cutter ...............................................................................Jordan Wrobleske Assistant Lighting Designer...............................................................................Garvin Jellison Production Coordinator....................................................................................Jeanne Williams Technical Director........................................................................................................ Tim Combs Reskin Technical Director.............................................................................................Jen Leahy Reskin Assistant Technical Director..................................................................Max Raynolds Technical Assistant........................................................................................... Aaron Pijanowski Scene Shop Foreman ......................................................................................... Gerry Reynolds Carpenter................................................................................................................ Quentin Brown Scenic Artist....................................................................................................................Joanna Sim Property Master...................................................................................................Wayne W. Smith Draper/Cutter................................................................Jessica Burgwald, Dawn G. McKesey Stitcher........................................................................................................................ So Hui Chong Make-up Supervisor............................................................................................... Nan Zabriskie Head of Make up and Wigs................................................................................ Sarah Jo White Costume Crafts Person.........................................................................................Taylor S. Payne Master Electrician............................................................................................................Baily Rosa Scenery and Property Crew........................................Leila Abdelraraq, Danielle Fleming, Samuel Haines, Gregory Pinsonesult, Aimee Sweet Costume Crew....................Anna Brett, Michael Conroy, Kimberly Kidders, Amy Sticha Make-up Crew........................................................................... Audrey Gladson, Vincent Palo Lighting Crew.........................Elyse Balogh, Lydia Brown, Claire Cleary, Margaret Mohr Sound Crew...........................................................................................................Catherine Miller Sign Language Interpreter Coordinator.............................................................David Jones Sign Language Interpreters.................................................Sheila Kettering, Pip Klibanow 2 DePaul University
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t . ) Director of Marketing and Public Relations........................................................Anna Ables Manager of PR and Special Events......................................................................Andrea Tichy Publicity/Production Photos................................................ Anna Ables, Michael Brosilow Publicity and House Crew.......................Shannon Daly, Cecilia Falter, Aaryanna Gariss, Claire Meyers, Meredith Taylor Box Office Manager...................................................................................................... Julia Curns House Manager....................................................................................................LaKisha Jackson Theatre Manager........................................................................................................Leslie Shook D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Roald Dahl took great pride in knowing his young audience. In fact, when editors began to criticize early drafts of The Witches as too macabre he wrote, “I must keep reminding you that this is a book for children and I don’t give a bugger what grownups think about it.” Dahl firmly believed that the job of the children’s author was to write a book that was “so exciting and fast and wonderful that the child falls in love with it.” In order to create a good story, he also believed that stories “have always got to have something a bit scary for children – as long as you make them laugh as well.” Another master storyteller, Alfred Hitchcock, knew that the combination of fright and fear made for great storytelling as well. In an interview, Hitchcock shared that audiences “like to put their toe in the cold water of fear.” In fact, Hitchcock was an admirer of Dahl’s adult fiction and adapted several of his stories for his television program Alfred Hitchcock Presents. With these collaborations in mind, we’ve used “The Master of Suspense” as our inspiration for our production and created a Hitchcockian fantasy adventure for our young audience. Among the thrills and chills, it isn’t our goal to prove that “witches” exist. You could say they do in some shape or form out in the world. What we do hope to show, like all exciting fairy tales, is that with hard work, creativity, and love, any “witch” can be defeated. - Ernie Nolan D R A M AT U R G Y N O T E S Have you climbed a beanstalk or battled an ogre? Few people have, but in the world of fairy tales, it happens all the time! Yet our own lives are full of journeys and adventures just like those from our favorite storybooks. In Roald Dahl’s The Witches, a warm Grandmother cautions us that witches are very real and far worse than those of myth and legend. She tells us that these evil woman can be anyone and anywhere: on the street, on the bus, or in the cafeteria. In our world, we confront our own version of witches in many forms. Roald Dahl once said that we need fairy tales as “a place to put [our] fears.” Like the booster shot you get at the doctor’s office to help you build an immunity to sickness, bedtime stories give us little doses of fright to help us battle real world fears. So as you experience Roald Dahl’s world of witches, allow yourself to scream, allow yourself to feel fear, and allow yourself to laugh. Take comfort in the creepy and the crawly as you follow the breadcrumb path to your very own happily ever after. - Jacob C. Shuler, Matthew T. Messina, and Lauren Genta, dramaturgs DePaul University 3
BIOGR APHIES STEVEN BURRUANO (Mr. Jenkins/Passerby/ Passenger/Meeting Witch) 3rd Year BFA/ Acting. Past Theatre School productions include The Diary of Anne Frank (Mr. Van Daan), Osama the Hero (Mark) and The Marriage (Podkoliosin).
on the lab stage in Woyzeck (Marie) and Lab #2 (Ensemble). Other recent projects include Wenonah (Playwright/Director) and The Lonely Soldier (Assistant Director). Chicago credits include Eros, The Living Canvas: Rain, Demons, Nocturne (The National Pastime Theatre).
ISABELLA COELHO (Witch Ensemble) 3rd year BFA/Theatre Arts. Isabella hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her recent credits at The Theatre School include serving as assistant director for Columbinus and Shipwrecked! as well as performing the role of One in 4.48 Psychosis. Isabella has also interned for Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and the Augusto Boal Workshop at the Carnegie Mellon University Drama PreCollege Program. Her upcoming projects include serving as assistant director for In Regards to the Shark and The Rivals.
ALLISON MARTONE (Mrs. Jenkins/ Passerby/Passenger/Meeting Witch) 4th year BFA/Acting. Allison hails from Westlake Village, California. Her Theatre School credits include Reasons to be Pretty (Stephanie), Lips Together Teeth Apart (Sally), Coronado (Patient), and Cabaret (Helga).
DANIELA COLUCCI (2nd Chef/Passerby/ Passenger/Nurse/Meeting Witch/Frog Girl) 3rd year BFA/Acting. From Van, Texas. Her Theatre School credits include The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Dan Kerr-Hobert, The Blue Room, directed by Ann Wakefield, and The Marriage, directed by Meaghan McCarthy. DEVON DOHERTY (Witch Ensemble) 4th year BFA/Theatre Arts. Devon hails from Toronto, Canada. Previous Theatre School credits include assistant directing Normal and Blood Wedding, directing Silence as part of the 2011 10-Minute Play Festival and her play Circus was featured in the 2011 Wrights of Spring Festival. Devon will also be assisting Reshmi Hazra on Venus in the winter and assistant dramaturging Barrio Grrrl! in the spring. TRENT EISFELLER (Doorman/Father/Sailor/ Meeting Witch/Waiter) 3rd year BFA/Acting. Trent grew up in a small town called Byron, Illinois, where he went to Byron High School. His Theatre School credits include Nick in Months on End, directed by Kevin Douglas; The Aristocrat in The Blue Room, directed by Anne Wakefield; and the Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie, directed by Jennifer Markowitz. JULIAN HESTER (Bruno/Passerby/Sailor) 4th year BFA/Acting. Julian comes to Chicago from Raleigh, NC. Theatre School credits include Cabaret at the Merle Reskin Theatre, Rodolpho in A View from the Bridge, Bridegroom in Lorca’s Blood Wedding, 4.48 Psychosis, Dennis Lehare’s Coronado, and The Lady in the Van directed by Ann Wakefield. GINA MARIE KOONTZ (Witch Ensemble) 4th year Theatre Arts major. She has appeared 4 DePaul University
MOIRA O’NEILL (Edith the Acolyte [Witch #1]/Passerby/Passenger) 4th year BFA/ Acting. MEGHAN OWEN (Witch Ensemble) 4th year BFA/Theatre Arts. SOPHIA REPPERT (Boy) 3rd year BFA/ Acting. Sophia is from the East Coast where she attended Walnut Hill School in Massachusetts. She performed in multiple plays, her favorite roles being Duckling Smith in Our Country’s Good and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Her Theatre School credits include Margot in The Diary of Anne Frank, directed by Daniel Kerr-Hobert; Lea in DNA, directed by Ernie Nolan; and Agafya/Dunyashka in A Marriage, directed by Meghan McCarthy. ALEX SEELEY (Grand High Witch) 4th year, BFA/Acting. Alex has lived in Ohio, Tennessee, Mexico, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, and now Chicago. His most recent Theatre School credits include The Skriker, directed by Jess Jong, Hedda Gabler (Judge Brack), directed by Azar Kazemi, and Medea (servant), directed by Damon Kiely. SAM TANK (Chef/Passerby/Lawyer/Late Passenger/Meeting Witch 2) 3rd year BFA/ Acting. Sam is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Theatre School credits include Mouthful of Birds, The Politician in The Blue Room, directed by Ann Wakefield, and Ace Stamper in Splendor in the Grass, directed by Jimmy McDermott. AUTUMN TEAGUE (Tree House Witch/ Mother/Meeting Witch/Maid/Hostess) 3rd year BFA/Acting. Autumn proudly hails from Keller, Texas. Her Theatre School credits include Pheobe in Months on End, The Actress in The Blue Room, and Juanita/ Angelina in Splendor in the Grass. ELIZABETH THOMAS (Witch Ensemble) 3rd year BFA/Theatre Arts. Hails from Austin, Texas. Her past Theatre School
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) credits include assistant directing the first production of The Painted Lady. ANN WAKEFIELD (Grandmother) Ann has worked in South Africa, England, France, and the U.S.A. as an actor, director, and teacher. Ann has a special interest in theatre for children and has written and directed plays and touring shows for junior, senior schools and universities. She was awarded Jeff citations for her performances in Another Part of the Forest and The Road to Mecca and an After Dark award for The Lion in Winter, and a Jeff ensemble award for TimeLine’s acclaimed The History Boys. She has taught in the Residency Program for Lifeline Theatre, collaborated on a translation of The Barber of Seville for Court Theatre. She directed Lapin Lapin for The Theatre School Showcase as well as The Owl and the Pussycat, Alice in Wonderland, Mango Leaf Magic, and Tokoloshe, and Tales of Africa for which she was also the author. ERNIE NOLAN (Director) Ernie Nolan is the Producing Artistic Director of Emerald City Theatre in Chicago where his various directing credits include Pinkalicious (Broadway in Chicago transfer), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, The Wizard Of Oz, and Seussical. He has adapted and directed such story book favorites as If You Give A Cat A Cupcake, If You Take A Mouse To School, and The Adventures Of Doctor Dolittle. His work as a TYA playwright has been featured both nationally and internationally. His adaptation of Mo Willems’ Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! was invited to perform in Chicago’s Millennium Park this summer. Ernie’s plays A Fairy Tale Life, Snow White As Performed By Tj Barker And His Troupe Of Theatricals, and Beasts are published and licensed by Dramatic Publishing. He is a resident artist of The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. For Chicago Playworks he has directed The BFG and The Giver. He currently serves as the Vice-President of Theatre for Young Audiences USA. He represented the United States as an official delegate at the 17th ASSITEJ World Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmoe, Sweden last May. A graduate of both the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (BFA Musical Theatre) and The Theatre School at DePaul University (MFA Directing), Ernie has been awarded an Anne Shaw Fellowship and was selected as one of DePaul University’s “14 Alumni Under 40” this year. MORGAN MADISON (Assistant Director) 4th Year BFA/Theatre Arts. Morgan is from Annapolis, Maryland. Her past Theatre School credits include Fool for Love and The
Bacchae. Last spring she assistant directed Emerald City Theatre’s production of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. She has also worked at Next Theatre Company in Evanston and is the development intern for TYA/USA. In the winter she will be directing a new adaptation of the Grimm Tales for The Theatre Schools Lab Series. JACOB SHULER (Dramaturg) 4th year BFA/ Playwriting. PHIL TIMBERLAKE (Vocal/Dialect Coach) Professor of Voice and Speech, Performance. Phil is an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework and was the 1996 Annette Kade Fulbright Fellow to France, studying “extended voice” work at the Roy Hart International Arts Centre. He previously taught at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Phil is an ensemble member of Lifeline Theatre where he received a Jeff Citation Nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Musical for his work in Queen Lucia. Other Chicago acting credits include First Folio Shakespeare (The Tempest), Lifeline (The BIOGRAPHIES Island of Dr. Moreau [Non-Equity Jeff Award – Best Production], The Two Towers), Apple Tree (Violet), Powertap (The Beaux’ Stratagem), Shaw Chicago (Misalliance), City Lit (Playboy Stories), and Shakespeare’s Motley Crew (Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear). He is the resident Voice and Speech Coach at First Folio Shakespeare, and is a member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association), SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and the Society of American Fight Directors. TIERRA G. NOVY (Scenic Designer) 3rd Year/BFA Scenic Design. Novy hails from Winfield, Illinois. Her past Theatre School credits include scenic design for Sharon Bridgeforth’s Blood Pudding (Fall 2010). Scenic assisting credits include Cabaret (Fall 2010) and Pinkalicious (Spring 2011). MOLLY C. V. RYAN (Costume Designer) 3rd year BFA/Costume Design. Molly hails from Wheaton, Illinois, where she has received numerous art awards from the community. Her Theatre School credits include assistant costume design for The Skriker, The Monster Under the Bed, and Mayday Mayday Tuesday. This summer, Molly was the assistant costume designer on nine operettas at Ohio Light Opera. In 2010, she interned with costume designer Anna Glowacki at Redmoon Theater’s J.O.E. Festival, Circuit Night Club, and Chicago Tap Theatre. Molly currently works in the make-up shop. DePaul University 5
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) ELIZABETH G. SMITH (Lighting Designer) 4th year BFA/Lighting Design. Elizabeth hails from Orlando, Florida. Her previous Theatre School credits including Lighting Designer for A View from the Bridge directed by Krissy Vanderwarker and Assistant Lighting Designer for The Secret Garden, Romeo and Juliet, and Loose Knit. Upcoming Theatre School work includes Assistant Lighting Designer for A Lie of the Mind and Lighting Designer for The Rivals. This summer Elizabeth served as the electrics intern at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. MIKEY MORAN (Sound Designer/ Composer) 3rd year BFA/Sound Design 3. Theatre school credits include Original Recipe and A View From The Bridge. A selftaught musician, Mikey learned composition through trial and error. JILLIAN ROTHMAN (Projection Design and Asst. Scenic Designer) 3rd year BFA Scene Design. Jillian was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her previous Theatre School credits include set design for Blood Wedding and assistant set design for The Skriker and Much Ado About Nothing. Jillian will be designing The Theatre School’s production of The Rivals in the spring. REBECCA ROWLETT (Stage Manager) 4th year BFA/Stage Management. Rebecca originally is from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her most recent stage management credits include assisting on Cabaret (dir. Barry Brunetti) and stage managing Macbeth (dir. Stephen James Anderson), The Civic (dir. Sandy Shinner) and Medea (dir. Damon Kiely). She is also a member of the Chicago based “The Arc Theatre” company. OLIVIA WALLACE (Asst. Stage Manager) 3rd year BFA/Stage Management. Olivia Wallace is a Chicago native. Her Theatre School credits include assisting on The Pillowman (dir. Jen BeVard), Thieves Like Us (dir. Kimberly Senior), Cabaret (dir. Barry Brunetti), Mayday Mayday Tuesday (dir. Dexter Bullerd) and stage managing Pygmalion (dir. Jess Jung), Professional credits include: “Shining City” at Redtwist Theatre (ASM). This past summer she stage managed “Salome” at National Pastime as part of their Naked July Festival. LISA PORTES, (Chicago Playworks Artistic Director) serves as the Head of Directing for The Theatre School. Recent projects include The Piano Teacher by Julia Cho (Next Theatre), the world premieres of Ghostwritten (Goodman Theatre) and After A Hundred Years (Guthrie Theatre) both by 6 DePaul University
Naomi Iizuka, Ski Dubai by Laura Jacqmin and Spare Change by Mia McCullough (First Look Repertory of New Plays, Steppenwolf Theatre) Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue by Quiara Hudes (Teatro Vista and Rivendell Theatre at Steppenwolf ), El Grito del Bronx by Migdalia Cruz (Latino Theatre Festival, Goodman Theatre) Permanent Collection by Thomas Gibbons (Northlight Theatre), Far Away by Caryl Churchill and In the Blood by SuzanLori Parks (Next Theatre), Offspring of the Cold War by Carlos Murillo (Walkabout Theatre) and Wilder by Erin Cressida Wilson, Jack Herrick and Mike Craver (Playwrights Horizons, NYC). Her work has been seen regionally at the Kennedy Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre’s Hispanic Playwrights Project, McCarter Theatre Lab, A Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Cape Cod Theatre Project, the Sundance Theatre Lab, the Santa Barbara Theatre Lab, and the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference; in New York her work has been seen at Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep, New York Theatre Workshop, the Public Theatre, the Flea Theatre and the Cherry Lane Alternative Theatre. Chicago Playworks credits include Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans by Karen Zacarías and Debbie Wicks La Puma and The Highest Heaven by José Cruz González. JOHN CULBERT (Dean). In Chicago, John has designed scenery and/or lighting for the Buckingham Fountain, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Garfield Conservatory, Chicago Park District, Field Museum of Natural History, Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Chicago Opera Theatre and more than thirty productions at Court Theatre. At the Court Theatre, he received several Joseph Jefferson nominations and a Jeff Award for The Triumph Of Love and will be designing lighting for Invisible Man and scenery for Angels in America. Other Chicago productions include Regina for the Lyric Opera of Chicago and A Year With Frog And Toad for Chicago Children’s Theatre. John has designed scenery and/or lighting for the Boston Lyric Opera, St. Louis Opera, Baton Rouge Opera, Southern Repertory, Cleveland Orchestra, McCarter Theatre and Bristol Riverside Theatre. At The Theatre School he has designed productions of The Misanthrope, Streetcar Named Desire, The Rose Tattoo, The Women, The Snow Queen, Rip Van Winkle and Stage Door.
C H I C AG O P L A Y WO R K S G A M E Color in the drawing and be eligible to win twelve (12) tickets to the Chicago Playworks Winter production of Nancy Drew and the Sign of the Twisted Candles. This prize is valued at $ 96! The winner will be notified by mail. The contest is open to young people ages 4 to 18. Entries must be received by December 15, 2011.
Name:____________________________________________ Age:_____________ Address:_____________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________ State: _________ ZIP:______________ Phone: _____________________________________________________________ E-mail:______________________________________________________________ Mail to: Chicago Playworks Contest DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre 60 E. Balbo Drive Chicago, IL 60605 DePaul University 7
C H I C AG O P L A Y WO R K S C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S KidSnips Locations in Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Lincoln Park, Oakbrook, Vernon Hills, Wheaton, and Wilmette. www.kidsnips.com United Services Organization The mission of the USO is to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and involved or supporting civilian communities. http://uso.org/illinois Chicago Athletic Clubs Locations in Evanston, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Lakeview and soon in Lincoln Square. www.chicagoathleticclubs.com Chicago Public Library
C H I C AG O P L A Y WO R K S I C E C R E A M S O C I A L S Enjoy an ice-cream treat, discussion, activity, and autograph session with the company of each Chicago Playworks production at the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel after designated performances. Admission is $7. These events are interpreted in American Sign Language.
Can’t wait until showtime? At Footlights.com you can preview the program before opening night!
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The Theatre School’s 2011-2012 Season THE THEATRE SCHOOL SHOWCASE A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard directed by Carlos Murillo February 3 - 12, 2012 (previews 2/1 & 2/2) The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan directed by Catherine Weidner April 13 - 22, 2012 (previews 4/11 & 4/12) MFA12, TBA by Sarah Gubbins directed by Geoff Button An ensemble piece to be performed by MFA III actors. May 11 - 20, 2012 (previews 5/9 & 5/10) CHICAGO PLAYWORKS FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG AUDIENCES The Witches by Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood directed by Ernie Nolan October 25 – December 3, 2011 Nancy Drew and the Sign of the Twisted Candles based on the book by Carolyn Keene adapted and directed by Damon Kiely January 14 – February 28, 2012 Barrio Grrrl! A Musical book and lyrics by Quiara Alegría Hudes music by Bill Sherman, directed by Lisa Portes musical direction by Mark Elliott March 27 – May 19, 2012 NEW DIRECTORS SERIES At Theatre Wit Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, adapted by Rupert Goold and Ben Power directed by Krissy Vanderwarker November 4 – 13, 2011 (previews 11/2 & 11/3) At the Greenhouse Theatre Center Venus by Suzan-Lori Parks directed by Reshmi Hazra February 10 – 19, 2012 (previews 2/8 & 2/9) NEW PLAYWRIGHTS SERIES The Death of Gaia Divine by Jacob Schuler directed by John Jenkins May 4 – 13, 2012 (previews 5/2 & 5/3) All dates are subject to change. DePaul University 9
T H E AT R E S C H O O L FAC U LT Y / S TA F F John Culbert – Dean Dean Corrin – Associate Dean Linda Buchanan – Associate Dean for Curriculum Christine Binder – Chair, Design and Technical Theatre Barry Brunetti – Chair of Theatre Studies Trudie Kessler – Chair, Performance Department ADMINISTRATION Anna Ables — Director of Marketing and Public Relations Jason Beck — Director of Admissions Mitsu Beck – Executive Assistant John Bridges — Assistant Dean, Director of Administration, Alumni Relations Tessa Craib-Cox – Director of Development Anastasia Gonzalez – Budget Manager Joshua Mangilia - Technical Operations Manager Andrea Tichy — Manager of PR and Special Events Melissa Tropp – Admissions Assistant Jeanne Williams – Coordinator of Academic Services AJ Links – Production Coordinator Dexter Zollicoffer – Diversity Advisor ACTING & DIRECTING Dexter Bullard – Head of Graduate Acting, Artistic Director/The Theatre School Showcase John Jenkins – Head of Undergraduate Acting Lisa Portes – Head of Directing, Artistic Director/ Chicago Playworks Greg Allen Jane Drake Brody Linda Gillum Noah Gregoropolous Nick Johne Damon Kiely
Susan Messing Matt Miller Joseph Slowik, emeritus Ann Wakefield Catherine Weidner
MOVEMENT Patrice Egleston – Head of Movement Laura Dixon Julia Neary Gabriel Halpern Nick Sandys Pullin Natasha Julius Clifton Robinson Alie McManus Mary Schmich Kimosha Murphy Natalie Turner-Jones VOICE AND SPEECH Claudia Anderson – Head of Voice and Speech Eva Breneman Kathy Keyes Mark Elliott Jason Martin Phyllis E. Griffin Diane Robinson Trudie Kessler Phil Timberlake
DESIGN Christine Binder – Head of Lighting Design Linda Buchanan – Head of Scene Design Nan Cibula-Jenkins – Head of Costume Design Victoria DeIorio– Head of Sound Design Nan Zabriskie- Head of Make Up Jeff Bauer John Boesche Rachel Healy Jason Knox
Jack K. Magaw Birgit RattenborgWise Joanna White
TECHNICAL THEATRE Shane Kelly – Head of Theatre Technology Janet C. Messmer – Head of Costume Technology Narda E. Alcorn – Head of Stage Management Claude Binder Russell Poole Jason Brown Michael Rourke Richard Bynum Jim Savage David Castellanos Alden Vasquez Kevin Depinet Laura Whitlock David Naunton THEATRE STUDIES Barry Brunetti – Head of Theatre Arts Carlos Murillo – Head of Playwriting Alan Salzenstein – Head of Arts Leadership Marcie McVay – Interim Head of Theatre Management Rachel Shteir – Head of Dramaturgy Sharon Bridgeforth– Visiting Multicultural Faculty Member Suzanne Bizer Ernie Nolan Alan Donahue Bill O’Connor Criss Henderson Coya Paz-Brownrigg Jim Jensen Roche Schulfer Chris Jones Sandy Shinner Jan Kallish LIBERAL STUDIES Bea Bosco Lou Contey Shanesia Davis Jen Goode Carolyn Hoerdemann
Reggie Lawrence Dan Moser Chris Peak James Sherman Rachel Slavick
TECHNICAL STAFF So Hui Chong – Stitcher Tim Combs – Technical Director Chris Hofmann – Director of Production Jen Leahy – Reskin Technical Director Dawn G. McKesey – Assistant Costume Shop Manager Max Raynolds– Reskin Assistant Technical Director Aaron Pijanowski – Technical Assistant Gerry Reynolds – Scene Shop Foreman Ron Seeley – Master Electrician Wayne W. Smith – Property Master, Safety Officer Joanna White – Scenic Artist
For more information, check our Web site: theatreschool.depaul 10 DePaul University
M E R L E R E S K I N T H E AT R E S TA F F Dean ....................................................................................................................................... John Culbert Theatre Manager ................................................................................................................ Leslie Shook Director of Marketing and Public Relations .................................................................Anna Ables Manager of Public Relations and Special Events ................................................... Andrea Tichy Marketing Assistants ............................................................... Meredith Matthews, Jenna Moran Webmaster .....................................................................................................................Joshua Maniglia Box Office Manager ...............................................................................................................Julia Curns Assistant Box Office Manager .................................................................................Stefanie Rahaim Ticket Agents ....................................................Brent Beavers, Michael Herring, Brandon Mack, Meghan Owen, Anastasia Schriber Group Sales Representative ..................................................................................... Linda RM Jones Group Sales Assistants ................................................... Christopher Knoerzer, Shane Sweeney Administrative Assistant .......................................................................................................Liz Calvert Office Assistants ......................................................................... Meghan McDonald, Jourdi Waller Chicago Playworks House Manager ..................................................................... LaKisha Jackson Theatre School Showcase House Manager .................................................................... Alicia Graf Reskin Technical Director ......................................................................................................Jen Leahy Reskin Assistant Technical Director ...........................................................................Max Raynolds Technical Assistant ....................................................................................................Aaron Pijanowski Master Electrician .................................................................................................................. Ron Seeley
T H E T H E AT R E S C H O O L S T U D E N T WO R K E R S Faculty Assistants .......................................................... Brent Beavers, Belinda Bing, Todd Boger, Celeste Cooper, John Crosthwaite, Devon Doherty, Liz Fiala, Joseph Flynn, Reshmi Hazra, Emily Hitmar, Garvin Jellison, Toni Kendrick, Constance Lee, Jillian Rothman, Brae Singleton, Kelly Sloan, Krenee Tolson, Krissy Vanderwarker, Olivia Wallace Admissions Assistants .................................................Nick Belley, Karly Bergmann, Taylor Blim,. Anna Bosy, Dan Johnson, and Morgan Madison Administration Assistants ....................................Jacob Abbas, Olga Aguilar, Cameron Benoit, Meredith Boe, Mark Bonham, Bella Coelho, Brian Crawford, Pamela Davis, Caroline Donnelly, Rhiannon Falzone, Holly Haupert, Jerry Kurian, Mark Lancaster, Ariel Rubin, Brittany Squier, Suneel Tripuraneni, Jess Troy, Sean Wiberg Costume Shop .................................................................. Olivia Ball, Jessica Burgwald, Kara Dent, Constance Lee, Adrienne Littlefield, Chloe Patten, Taylor Payne, Elise Petrucci, Megan Turner Door Monitors ..........................................................Jacob Abbas, Lauren Genta, Lorena Gomez, Lauren Lundy, Morgan Madison, Ceci Settles Make Up Shop.................................................... Carmen Briwa, Jessica Burgwald, Dan Dvorkin, Kelsey Jorissen, Taylor Payne, Colin Sphar, Kristy Staky, Rose Streit, Megan Truscott, Williams Wever, Sarah Jo White Mat Cleaners .........................................Jared Green, Patricia Lavery, Manuel Ortiz, Sean Parris Prop Shop .......................................................................Toni Kenrick, Tierra Novy, Jillian Rothman, Megan Truscott, Rachel Watson Merle Reskin Theatre Crew ....................................... Chris Barker, Nicolas Belley, Belinda Bing, Rachel Claxton, Jean Compton,Maggy Grossbart, Sam Hillyer, Garvin Jellison, Rebecca Rowlett, Brae Singleton, Elizabeth Smith, Joe Watrach, Shawn Watson Scene Shop ...............................................Matt Browning, Kelly Claussen, William Deleguardia, Vannessa Fusi, Noah Hayman, Alex Long, Andrew McCarthy, John Ofori, Claudia Peterson, Seth Randall-Tapply,Kyle Vanover, Anders Wahl, Jon Woelfer Studio Coordinators ...................................................................Matthew Baca, Elizabeth Thomas DePaul University 11
G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N BOX OFFICE TELEPHONE (312) 922-1999 REGULAR BOX OFFICE HOURS Tuesday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PERFORMANCE BOX OFFICE HOURS Evening performance days: Open until 8 p.m. Saturday matinee days: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee days: 12 - 2:30 p.m. NO SMOKING In compliance with the City of Chicago Clean Air Ordinance, smoking is prohibited in the Merle Reskin Theatre. We appreciate your cooperation. EMERGENCY EXITS Please note the location of emergency exits in the theatre. NO CELLULAR PHONES, TEXT MESSAGING, RECORDING DEVICES, PHOTOGRAPHY, PAGERS, FOOD AND BEVERAGES Please do not use the above listed items in the theatre. Patrons with electronic pagers or cellular telephones are asked to either turn off their equipment in the theatre or check them with the House Manager prior to curtain. We discourage text messaging during the performance. The light from the screen can bother other patrons. We allow photographs to be taken before and after but never during the performance. You may also check cameras and recording equipment with the House Manager who will secure them until final curtain. As a special favor, we ask that young people do not chew gum. Water fountains are located in the lower lobby and in the lobbies of the mezzanine and balcony. RESTROOMS Restrooms are located in the lower lobby, the mezzanine, and balcony. An accessible restroom is located on the main floor inside of the theatre. LOST AND FOUND If you find an item or have lost an item, please contact the House Manager. You may also call (773) 325-7968 the next day to determine if an item has been found. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALLS Patrons with electronic pagers are requested to either turn off their pagers in the theatre or check them with the House Manager prior to showtime. Should you need to give an emergency telephone number where you can be reached during a performance, please alert the House Manager of your seat location and give the Box Office telephone number for emergencies, (312) 922-1999. After Box Office hours, use (773) 325-7968 as an emergency number. PARKING ARRANGEMENTS We have arrangements with two parking lots: Multi-Park, 635 S. Wabash at Balbo, and LAZ Parking, One East 8th Street at State. Please ask the Box Office for details about rates and payment. SENNHEISER INFRA-RED LISTENING SYSTEM FOR OUR HEARING-IMPAIRED PATRONS We require the security deposit of a driver’s license or other identification during the performance. The I.D. will be returned when you return the headset. LARGE PRINT PROGRAMS You may request a large print program from the ticket taker or the House Manager. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING Selected performances at the Merle Reskin Theatre will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call the Box Office or see the website for the schedule. OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS Please alert us to anything you may require when you attend performances. We will do our best to assist you. 12 DePaul University
T H E T H E AT R E S C H O O L AT D E PAU L U N I V E R S I T Y Mission Statement The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, culturally diverse and that strives for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to our mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. We seek to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of our university community, our city and the profession. For admissions information, telephone (773) 325-7999 or 1-800-4-DEPAUL. Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Chicago Playworks offers a live theatre experience to students, teachers and parents in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is our mission to provide theatre for children that reflects their experiences in a contemporary, multi-ethnic, urban environment. Founded as the Goodman Children’s Theatre in 1925, Chicago Playworks is the city’s oldest continuously operating children’s theatre. It has been the first theatre experience for audiences of Chicago’s young people for more than seven decades and was one of the first major theatres for children in the United States. In 1997 and again in 2003, Chicago Playworks was honored by the Illinois Theatre Association with the Children’s Theatre Division Award, for its outstanding long-term contribution to children’s theatre. In 1980, Chicago Playworks was awarded the prestigious Sara Spencer Award by the Children’s Theatre Association of America (now the American Alliance for Theatre and Education). Chicago Playworks is a vital aspect of the training at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Students gain pre-professional experience in an extended run before a most demanding and appreciative audience. Chicago Playworks presents three unique productions to more than 35,000 young people each season and has entertained more than 1 million schoolchildren and families since 1925. The Theatre School Showcase Contemporary Plays and Classics Presenting diverse and exciting productions, The Theatre School Showcase blends imagination and cultural impact with three plays, and rounds-out the season with a fourth production featuring the graduating MFA in Acting candidates. The Theatre School Showcase offers a unique opportunity to see tomorrow’s industry leaders today, by introducing the raw creativity and dedicated collaborations of artists at the beginning of their careers. Their work is powerful, imaginative, and new. Merle Reskin Theatre Celebrating a century of performances this season, the Merle Reskin Theatre, built as the Blackstone Theatre in 1910, was designed by Chicago architects Marshall & Fox. The stone façade and mansard roof of the Beaux-Arts style building have been modified only slightly over the years. The interior finish of French walnut and gold was designed by Plamondon & Tetze to give the appearance of a European opera house. Prior to DePaul’s purchase of the theatre in 1988, it had been home to vaudeville, the Federal Theatre Project and the touring productions of the Shubert Organization. The Theatre School brings an audience of more than 35,000 people to the theatre each season. DePaul University 13
T H E T H E AT R E S C H O O L B OA R D Sustaining Members David Dunning, Chair Sondra Healy, Chair Emeritus Joseph Antunovich Kathleen M. Bette Mary Spalding Burns Kyle DeSantis James Fitzpatrick John M. Lenckos Catherine McBreen Irene Michaels Carol Morse Penny Obenshain Vonita Reescer
Merle Reskin John Samolis Patricia Costello Slovak Msgr. Kenneth Velo Professional Associates Scott L. Ellis, Hon. Co-Chair Zach Helm Criss Henderson Paul Konrad Paula Lisbe Amy K. Pietz John C. Reilly
Bernard Sahlins Charlayne Woodard Dennis Zacek Honorary Board Dr. John Ransford Watts, Dean Emeritus Dr. Bella Itkin-Konrath, Faculty Emeritus Joseph Slowik, Faculty Emeritus Lord Piers Wedgwood
D E PAU L U N I V E R S I T Y A L U M N I The Office of Alumni Relations provides many opportunities to help graduates maintain a lifelong connection to classmates and the university. Alumni can connect with current students, participate in volunteer opportunities and attend a variety of events and programs throughout the year and across the country. For more information about the alumni community, please visit alumni.depaul.edu or call (800) 437-1898.
DONORS Listings in the honor roll reflect contributions and pledge payments made to The Theatre School between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. President’s Club Gifts of $1,000 and above annually qualify for membership in the President’s Club, DePaul’s honor society of donors. The President’s Club comprises giving circles named for former university presidents. *$1,000,000 lifetime giving + Donor has made a special philanthropic pledge to DePaul University between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 ~ Denotes President’s Club membership, Fr. Richardson Circle, for recent graduates $50,000 + Fr. McCabe Circle *Dr. Dominic Parisi & Helen Parisi *+Merle Reskin $25,000-$49,999 Fr. Levan Circle +Gerhard Bette & Kathleen Bette +Lawrence Bundschu *Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Geico *+ Sondra Healy, GSD ‘64 (Life Trustee) & Denis Healy +William Obenshain & Penny Obenshain Turtle Wax, Inc. $10,000-$24,999 Fr. Corcoran Circle American Airlines Antunovich & Associates Joseph Antunovich & Leslie Antunovich ComEd 14 DePaul University
*Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust *Richard Driehaus, COM ‘65; MBA ‘70; DHL ‘02 (Life Trustee) & Inese Romanovska +Nik Edes Scott Ellis, GSD ‘78 Exelon Corporation Health Care Service Corporation Magellan Corporation +Power Construction Company, LLC +Claire Rosen & Samuel Edes Foundation John Samolis Gordon Segal & Carole Segal *+Father Charles Shelby, C.M., MS ‘72 $5,000-$9,999 Fr. O’Connell Circle Bank of America Barclays Bank PLC
Bulley & Andrews, LLC Joseph Burns & Mary Burns Chicago Drama League The Cleveland Foundation James & Catherine Denny Foundation *+James Denny Sr. (Life Trustee) & Catherine Denny +David Dunning & Toni Dunning Edgewater Management, Inc. Fifth Third Bank Illinois Tool Works, Inc. John Lenckos Paul Mc Breen, JD ‘86 & Catherine McBreen, JD ‘86 Carol Morse Mortenson Construction Northern Trust Corporation Kathy O’Donnell R4 Services Patrick G. & Shirley W. Ryan Foundation Andrea Saccone
DONORS (cont.) Sarah Siddons Society, Inc. Patricia Slovak Staples, Inc. Steppenwolf Theatre Co. Walsh Construction Co. of Illinois W. E. O’Neil Construction Co. $2,500-$4,999 Fr. O’Malley Circle Rochelle Abramson, MED ‘89 & Elliott Abramson David Blowers Emma Byrne Katherine Frekko Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation, Inc. Daniel Lyons, MUS ‘83; MM ‘91 & Monica Abramson-Lyons, THE ‘87 National Restoration Systems, Inc. Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program Ann O’Brien Terry Perucca Schiff Hardin, LLP Robert Segal Maureen Huntley, GSD ‘82 & Paul Sheahen Robert Shook, GSD ‘72 & Leslie Shook Richard Sieracki & Linda Sieracki Thornton-Tomasetti Group, Inc. $1,000-$2,499 Fr. Richardson Circle Teresa Aguilera, THE ‘98 Alpine Pictures, Inc. Suzanne Bizer Lois Brennan Broadway in Chicago Paul J. Byrne, MFA ‘99 & Jaime Byrne Ryan Carroll, GSD ‘82 Chapman & Cutler, LLP *Philip H. Corboy Foundation Tessa Craib-Cox John Culbert & Kitty Culbert Dell USA, LLP *Mary Dempsey, JD ‘82 (Trustee) & Philip Corboy Sr. William Devers Ernst & Young Foundation William Ibe, LAS ‘80 J. C. Anderson, Inc. Anthony Johnson, THE ‘95 & Candace Johnson Jack Karp Bob & Linda Kozoman Larry Kugler James Luebchow Irene Michaels
Millard Group, Inc. Susan & Bob Morrison Mason Parson Family Foundation Patricia Parson, SNL ‘78 (Trustee) The Peoples Gas Light & Coke, Inc. Phil Varchetta & Associates Roger Plummer (Trustee) & Joanne Plummer PSEG Thomas Reedy Bernard Sahlins & Jane Sahlins Rosemary Schnell Segal Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. R. Michael Shehorn Charles Smith Phil Varchetta, COM ‘49 Susan Vargo, THE ‘98 Monsignor Kenneth Velo Wedgwood USA Bonnie Zimmer $500-$999 Katherine Abelson Rosemary S. & John F. Bannan John Bowab John Bridges Russell Bruzek, GSD Child’s Play Touring Theatre Patricia Cox Joseph Cushing James Fitzpatrick Arny Granat Mark L. Hawkins, COM ‘01; MBA ‘06 John & Kelly Hoogenakker KI Mark Kijek, MD & Barbara Kijek, MD Kirkegaard Associates Virginia Larson Gerald McLaughlin Dr. Richard Meister & Joan Meister Elizabeth Soete & Raymond Narducy Henry Nord, JD ‘49 (Life Trustee) Professional Decorating & Painting, Inc. Schuler & Shook, Inc. Beverly Shaw Weiss & Company, LLP $250-$499 Rebecca Borczon, GSD ‘78 Linda Buchanan Herbert Felsenfeld, GSD ‘63; GSD ‘65 Hobart Senior High School James Jensen BJ Jones Shane Kelly
Donald Livesay Janet Messmer David Mold, MFA ‘97 Gregory Reger, COM ‘73 David Saltiel ~Ronald Seeley Jr., THE ‘06 Showtime Network Norbert Sieracki, COM ‘49 Stearns Family Charitable Fund Neele & Bonnie Stearns Joanne Velasquez (Trustee) & Arthur R. Velasquez Catherine Weidner Dennis Zacek, LAS ‘63 $100-$249 Anonymous (1) Linda Boskelly Nicholas Bowling, MFA ‘96 Jane Brody Jeffrey Bruckerhoff, THE ‘94 Mark & Linda Burns Dean Corrin Carole Doris, JD ‘76 & Dr. Peter Doris Dr. William Dumbleton & Susanne Dumbleton, PhD Charles Gerace, GSD ‘66 & Brigid Duffy, GSD ‘65 Gilbert Gonzalez & Anastasia Gonzalez Dr. Donald Ilko John Jenkins & Nan CibulaJenkins Anida Johnson Cohen Damon Kiely Yasmine Kiss, THE ‘98 David Lively & Elizabeth Gillette Lively William McKenna & Marilyn McKenna Dawn McKesey Zorine Morton, GSD Janine Poronsky, JD ‘86 Lindy Russell-Heymann, THE ‘00 Alan Salzenstein James Sieracki & Linda Sieracki Steven Sieracki & Mary Sieracki Joseph Slowik, GSD ‘53 & Patricia Slowik Jennifer Smith, THE ‘91 Carri Speicher Dr. John Ransford Watts & Joyce Watts Matching Gifts The Peoples Gas Light & Coke, Inc. Ernst & Young Foundation PSEG
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S C H O L A R S H I P I N F O R M AT I O N A priority at The Theatre School is to make sure any student who has the talent to be admitted to our conservatory training program, can attend regardless of their financial means. For the vast majority of our students, pursuing their passion for the theatre profession is a financial struggle. We work hard every year to make funding available to help our students reach their professional goals. NEW ENDOWED AND EXPENDABLE SCHOLASHIPS The total in endowed scholarship accounts is $1,997,080.81. EXPENDABLE SCHOLARSHIPS The Gala Live Auction at The Theatre School Gala added another 5 expendable $10K scholarships to be awarded in the 2010-11 academic year. Donors: Joseph and Leslie Antunovich Sondra and Denis Healy A scholarship in memory of Deborah Ann Goldwater John Simon and Millie Rosenbloom Richard Driehause The Evans, Kozoman and Obenshain Scholarship DONATIONS TO EXISTING SCHOLARSHIPS Merle Reskin made a $15,000 pledge payment to the Merle Reskin Endowed Scholarship. Alum Scott Ellis made a pledge payment of $10,000 to the Joseph Slowik Scholarship and to an expendable scholarship for 10-11. Alum Robert Shook and Leslie Shook made a pledge payment to the Lighting Design Scholarship. Andrea Ganzel Saccone made an additional gift to the Mark Ganzel Memorial Scholarship. Gerald McLaughlin made additional gifts to the Michael Maggio Endowed Scholarship. The following alums and friends made donations to the Itkin and Slowik Endowed scholarships: Becky Borczon, Richard and Barbara Bull, John Castaneda, Nancy Costikyan, Tessa Craib-Cox, Joan and Michael Dry, Herbert Felsenfeld, Al Fenske, Charles Gerace and Brigid Duffy Gerace, Michelle Gross and Betty Bayard, Patricia and Christopher Hoffman, William Hollis and Coleen Maloney-Hollis, Christina James, Sandi Juhlin, , Betty Martinez , Denise McCauley, William McDonnell, Dawn McKesey, Cynthia McWilliams, Janet Messmer, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Million, Jeffrey Neal, Rich Pierrelouis, James Rau, Kenneth Ruta , Maureen Huntley Sheahen and Paul Sheahen, Robert and Leslie Shook, Carlo da Silva, Kevin Slaughter, Ted Wass, Kevin White, Jann Wilson. If you are interested in making a gift to support student scholarships or a program at The Theatre School, please call Tessa Craib-Cox, Director of Development at 773-325-7929
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