Forward Theater Company - The Lifespan of a Fact

BY JEREMY KAREKEN & DAVID MURRELL AND GORDON FARRELL

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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TheaterGR Company MAForward D I S ON E ATE R M I LWAU KE E

M INN EA P O L I S

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FORWARD THEATER COMPANY presents

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell

Based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal Directed by Joe Hanreddy***

Scenic Designer Joseph Varga**

Lighting Designer & Art Director Noele Stollmack**

Costume Designer Amy Horst

Composer & Sound Designer Joe Cerqua**

Props Master Pamela Miles

Stage Manager Sarah Deming-Henes* Video Editor/Consultant Kathy Wittman

The Lifespan of a Fact is generously sponsored by:

Steve & Jacqui Suleski This play was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times.

Season Sponsors: The Evjue Foundation, Inc., Distillery Design, The Madison Concourse Hotel, Wisconsin Arts Board, Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin * Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

** Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829

*** Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT was originally produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Norman & Deanna Twain, Will Trice, Barbara H. Freitag, Suzanne Grant, Gold/Ross Productions, Jamie deRoy, Jennifer Manocherian, Barbara Manocherian, ManGol Productions, Carl Moellenberg/ Wendy Federman, Ken Greiner, Van Kaplan, Dominick LaRuffa Jr., Marc David Levine, WitzEnd Productions, Eric Falkenstein/Moreland Mott, Caiola Productions, Remmel T. Dickinson, & Jayne Baron Sherman THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. ©2020. This video recording was produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell. All rights reserved. This performance is authorized for non-commercial use only. By accepting the video recording, you agree not to authorize or permit the video recording to be copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.

WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.

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F O R WA R D T H E AT E R CO M PA N Y S TA F F ARTISTIC Artistic Director......................................................................................................... Jennifer Uphoff Gray Artistic Associate....................................................................................................................Karen Moeller

ADMINISTRATIVE Managing Director................................................................................................................ Julie Swenson Director of Development.................................................................................................... Julia Nicholas Director of Marketing.............................................................................................................. Scott Haden Company Manager..................................................................................................................Celia A. Klehr Business Manager....................................................................................................................Alex Moskoff Audience & Donor Relations Manager......................................................................... Samara Safarik

PRODUCTION Stage Manager....................................................................................................... Sarah Deming-Henes* Technical Director..................................................................................................................Kevin Zimmer Assistant Stage Manager.............................................................................................................Abbi Hess Creative Consultant...................................................................................................................Jake Penner Technical Consultant................................................................................................................ Scott Haden Makeup Consultant................................................................................................................ Krystal Hardy Art Director.......................................................................................................................... Noele Stollmack

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

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THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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F O R WA R D T H E AT E R CO M PA N Y B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S Rozan Anderson, UW Hillel Foundation Dave Chaimson, Full Compass Systems Dr. Charles Ford, UW Division of Otolaryngology Dr. Amy Gilman, Chazen Museum of Art Marci Henderson, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin, Badgerland Roth Judd, Government Integrity Advisor Hallie Kuenning, WPS Health Solutions Gregory Monday, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Donna Moreland, Perkins Coie LLP Jolen Neumann, Janus Galleries Kathie Nichols, Forward Community Investments/Sort Sol Group Susan Pigorsch, Pigorsch Media Design Carol “Orange” Schroeder, Orange Tree Imports Dr. Jason Stephenson, UW School of Medicine & Public Health Steve Suleski, CUNA Mutual Group, retired Ted Waskowski, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP Jennifer Winding, QTI Group F O R WA R D T H E AT E R A DV I S O RY CO M PA N Y William Bolz* Jim Buske Jo Chalhoub Sarah Day Dennis Dorn

Mike Fischer Clare Arena Haden Shannon Heibler* Michael Herold Maureen Janson

Karen Olivo* Jake Penner Rána Roman Nadja Simmonds Sam D. White *On sabbatical

F O R W A R D T H E AT E R C O M PA N Y A L U M N I Forward Theater would like to thank the former Board and Advisory Company members that contributed to our success:

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Ann Archbold Colleen Burns John Frautschy Richard Ganoung Monica Kilkus Jessica Lanius

Advisory Company Casey Martin Georgina McKee Gwen Rice Scott Rött Frank Schneeberger Kirk Stantis

Chad Bartell Rebecca Baumbach Carousel Bayrd Donna Beestman Tim Crisp Am Curet Burt DeHaven Jane Elder Ellen Foley

Board of Directors Tom Frazier Jon Furlow Marta Gialamas Marcia Kasieta Gail Kohl Shana Lewis Erika Monroe-Kane Dean Richards John Russell

Forward Theater Company

Susan Sweeney Michele Traband Charles Jennings Trieloff, II Jack Forbes Wilson Kimberly Megna Yarnall

Karen Saunders Joe Shapiro Joseph Shumow Scott Thornton Brent Wagner Sherry Wagner-Henry Erin Wenzel Lynn Wood Ledell Zellers

Wisconsin politics with a dose of humor New episodes Fridays

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR... JENNIFER UPHOFF GRAY Since Forward’s founding, I have been unceasingly grateful for our unique operating and governance structure, which allows our company to be guided and improved by the insights and hard work of our Board of Directors, Advisory Company of artists (AC), and staff. But only now, in the crucible that 2020 has become for all of us, have I been able to fully appreciate how lucky I am to be surrounded by this team.

To get a sense of what I mean, please take a moment to read the letters from our current Board and AC leaders, here in this Playbill. I also encourage you to take a look at the list of Forward’s ‘Alumni’ who have generously served this company since our founding. Their collective artistic, financial, and governing contributions are the bedrock on which we stand, and the reason we have been well-positioned to survive this current storm. If you see one of these folks out and about in the community, please thank them!

And I’d be remiss not to shout out Forward’s dedicated staff, who have quickly risen to the needs of this moment. They shifted overnight to working from their homes. Handled the ticket refund and donation requests of thousands of patrons for our canceled spring production. Set up new platforms for rehearsing and sharing our Wisconsin Wrights New Play Festival in a matter of weeks. Secured all the union and licensing permissions to be able to offer this season online to patrons regardless of whether we are allowed to perform live, so that audience members can make their own decisions about their safety.

Became filmmakers practically overnight, and adapted our storytelling skills to new ways of sharing them. The list goes on and on!

As you read through this Playbill, know that every artist and technician listed jumped in without hesitation to bring you The Lifespan of a Fact at the highest level of artistry possible. Our esteemed director Joe Hanreddy, our patient and thoughtful stage manager Sarah Deming-Henes, our phenomenal design team and our incredible cast (who had to be their own film crews!). The bravery and teamwork of everyone involved has been inspiring and joyful. And we all need more of that in our lives right now.

So here’s to theater - live and otherwise - and to the connections it creates. I hope you enjoy The Lifespan of a Fact.

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FROM THE DIRECTOR... JOSEPH HANREDDY Some thoughts on August 17, the night before online rehearsals begin for The Lifespan of a Fact.

My first and foremost feeling is gratitude. Forward’s decision that an online performance was the only way forward for Lifespan came with their commitment keep our cast and design team onboard for the full rehearsal and performance period budgeted for the production in the Playhouse. Inspired by the strength of the theater’s commitment, we pressed forward into what would be unexplored territory for virtually all of us. I am not possessed of the gift or inclination to be a computer whiz—yet given the gift of ample time and the partnership of my colleagues, I grew increasingly confident that we would find creative and technical solutions that would honor the content and theatricality of the play.

I started the process with a “Zoom Play” that described how the entrances, exits, and the placement of actor frames, combined with a series of illustrations provided by our set designer, Joe Varga, might suggest action and movement, as well as locales and props.

After seeing Joe’s initial sketches, I steadily asked him for more (22 as of this writing) sensing that his artistry would enhance the clarity of the story as well as provide an artistic signature for the presentation.

Concurrently, Forward’s Director of Marketing Scott Haden and AC member Jake Penner teamed with Noele Stollmack, who had initially been contracted as our lighting designer, to research which computer platform would best accomplish what we had in mind. Noele then took on the central, and exceedingly time-intensive task, of creating storyboards (93 so far) that would provide the spine for the work ahead. Music composer and sound designer Joe Cerqua (yes, there are three Joes working on the production) worked on themes and effects that would enhance and clarify the narrative. Costume designer Amy Horst worked with the actors remotely as she shopped online for the right clothing for the characters. And prop master Pam Miles located and transported the actual furniture and props we needed to the actors’ homes. The final, and key, addition to our team was Kathy Whittman, a multi-talented video and film artist who will assemble all of the bits and pieces we send to her into the final package.

Tomorrow will be our first rehearsal with the actors, our stage manager Sarah DemingHenes, and her assistant Abbi Hess. For two weeks we’ll focus on the character relationships, central arguments of the play and thematic ideas, as well as experimenting with rough actor and camera blocking before we start to record during week three.

Noele has provided the actors with portable lights and rigging and they will be their own technicians as she works with them to create lighting setups. Each actor has been provided with an iPhone that will function as the camera while their own devices will be placed to allow them to see and interact with their acting partners. When we move to actual recording, we plan to shoot as much as we can in long takes in order to create the spontaneity and immediacy of a stage performance.

The collective spirit, generosity and sense of purpose of my colleagues coming together to find a way to make and share a play at this challenging and dark time has been poignant. At the risk of being sentimental, and even corny, the experience is a reminder for me of what attracted me to a life in theater many decades ago.

We all long for the time when we’re able gather for live performances. Please be well, stay safe, mask up, and spread out.

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A CLOSER LOOK... DRAMATURG MIKE FISCHER Truth in the Pleasant Disguise of Illusion Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve. But I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.

– Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie (1944) During my years as a theater critic, I conducted hundreds of interviews. Not one of them appeared in the newspaper as a verbatim transcript of what my subject had actually said.

I would abridge hour-long conversations into 500 words. Clean up mangled syntax.

Eliminate meaningless filler like “ums” and “ahs.” Reduce repetition. Scramble and reorder the sentences in a subject’s answer. And even string together separate answers, sometimes given in response to distinct but related questions.

During my 15 years on the job, nobody ever complained (people reserved their complaints for my reviews!). Instead I received countless compliments from actors, directors, and designers thanking me for doing such a good job in conveying what they’d been trying to express. But if I’d had Jim Fingal as my fact-checker, he’d have screamed bloody murder regarding the alleged liberties I was taking with the truth.

The Lifespan of a Fact was inspired by a bruising seven-year battle between Fingal and writer John D’Agata after D’Agata submitted a 15-page essay to The Believer magazine about a teen who’d jumped to his death from a Las Vegas casino tower. D’Agata’s essay would play an integral role in About a Mountain (2010), his terrific book about the meaning of Las Vegas in a country that consistently ignores the future.

When their paths crossed in 2003, Fingal was a bright but unknown 20-something fact-checker at The Believer. D’Agata was and is one of the best essayists in America.

Through his books and his massive, idiosyncratic three-volume survey of the essay, D’Agata has not only played an invaluable role in resurrecting the essay from its status as a second-class art form. He has also challenged our view of what an essay even is.

Trench Warfare Before Lifespan became a Broadway hit in 2018, it was an alternately entertaining and maddening 2012 book, a latter-day Talmud in which D’Agata and Fingal reprint the essay D’Agata originally submitted to The Believer and then surround it on all four sides with their raging battle over the accuracy of every sentence – I do not exaggerate – in D’Agata’s essay.

And yes, Fingal really does go after D’Agata for exactly the sort of editing and shaping that I did in every profile and advance piece I’ve ever written.

“The basic gist of this quote is in John’s notes,” Fingal writes in his fact-checking spreadsheet, “although not in this order syntactically.” “Same general idea,” Fingal writes of another D’Agata sentence in relation to its source, “but John is still playing around with the guy’s words . . . he’s manipulating what this guy actually said in order to create a literary effect.”

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A CLOSER LOOK... DRAMATURG MIKE FISCHER. . .

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“I’ve just streamlined this quote in order to help things move along a little better, and to create a bit of resonance with neighboring paragraphs,” John responds. “It’s what writers do.” (It’s what I just did, dear reader, in stringing together three separate quotes from this exchange; it’s also what D’Agata and Fingal openly admit they did in presenting a condensed and heightened version of their seven-year battle as a book).

But how far does this license extend? As you’re about to see, John also changed numbers and colors. Conflated separate events that stretched over months. And altered the nature of a second suicide occurring on the same day – describing it as a death by hanging even though it also involved someone jumping from a building – because he wanted his subject’s suicide to be “unique.”

“I take liberties with things that deepen the central truth of the piece,” John insists in the play. “Don’t get bogged down in the details. Keep your eye on the big picture.”

“If you say that an event occurred, readers need to trust that it occurred,” Jim responds.

“How can you even for a moment claim that facts are negotiable?”

Are Facts Ever Innocent?

The philosophical battle between Jim and John – the first a radical positivist who often can’t see the forest for the trees, and the second a self-described artist championing a version of Wilde’s insistence in The Decay of Lying (1891) that life imitates art – isn’t new.

Every act of writing presents a particular point of view and reshapes the world, including some facts while ignoring others. Hence no fact is either pure or innocent: whether and how facts get presented necessarily shapes how they are perceived. “A fact,” writes D’Agata in The Next American Essay (2003), “is merely something upon which action has happened. It’s not even a word that can do its own work.”

I’d go further: Any attempt to present all the facts about a given subject (and how, precisely, is one to define what the parameters of “a given subject” are? Or what facts are in and which are out?) is not only impossible. It is also a distortion of the truth that substitutes information for story and data for interpretation.

Our ethical and moral obligation as human beings demands that we get our hands dirty, sifting through the facts to make sense of the world. We must choose what to preserve and what to exclude, what we’ll accept and what we’ll minimize or outright reject as irrelevant.

And yes: fulfilling that obligation necessarily means that some facts will be minimized or left out and that we will thereby inflate the importance of those we keep. “To articulate the past historically,” wrote Walter Benjamin in 1940 – just before his ill-fated flight from Vichy France – does not mean to recognize it ‘the way it really was.’”

Benjamin rightly recognized that to imagine we can do so is not just naive. Doing so is also willfully blind to the ways in which every story involves an exercise in the will to power. It abdicates our responsibility to shape the stories that define where we’re from.

Who we are. And what we might yet become.

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A CLOSER LOOK... DRAMATURG MIKE FISCHER. . .

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The Quest for Truth Which doesn’t mean anything goes or that the truth is whatever we say it is. Just because all truths are partial doesn’t mean they’re all equal: the fake news generated by tyrants in this country and around the world can and should be exposed as such.

Watching this play, you may agree with Jim, concluding that John’s distortions are similarly problematic. Or you may conclude that Jim is missing the point; perhaps John’s way of seeing opens new vistas, allowing us to grasp fundamental truths – about Las Vegas and America, the mental health crisis involving our teens and all we willfully deny – that we wouldn’t have otherwise understood.

At a minimum, The Lifespan of a Fact will challenge you to think harder about what we assume to be true – and how such assumptions risk blinding us to the way we live.

Our greatest American playwright was onto something when he warned us in The Glass Menagerie against blind acceptance of naturalistic stories offering the illusion of reality. What Tennessee Williams proposed instead is being conscious that all stories are artificially constructed illusions, so that we might work harder to discover the truth.

If we’d learn to better interpret the world, perhaps someday we’ll be able to change it.

That’s a fact worth fighting for.

– Milwaukee, August 19, 2020

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS... STEVE SULESKI “Creating a home base for Wisconsin theater professionals….” These are the first eight words of Forward Theater’s mission statement. They represent one of our most fundamental commitments which you, our audience and donors, have so generously supported since Forward’s founding over eleven years ago.

Now, as the pandemic rages and decimates theater companies across the country, we continue to do all that we can do to sustain Wisconsin theater professionals, to maintain their “home base.” We are doing this: · By honoring all of our contracts with them for the 2020-21 Season, no matter what this Season ends up looking like, what form it will take. This provides them with a paycheck, credit for health coverage and other resources for basic survival. · By providing artistic work for them in all sorts of new and innovative ways. This allows them to practice their craft, and derive satisfaction and purpose from doing the work they’ve been called to do. · By reassuring them that they have a home in Forward when so many other parts of their support structure may be crumbling. This gives them the confidence that they can count on us no matter what as they attempt to maintain their careers in theater.

You, our loyal subscribers and donors, have risen to a new level in your support of 12

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FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS... STEVE SULESKI CONT. Forward as we stay true to our mission in these troubled times. You have subscribed for season tickets in numbers that blew away our expectations when live performances and theater gatherings are probably not going to happen for a while. You have opened your hearts and your minds to new ways of experiencing theater as we experiment with Zoom-like formats, filmed productions, creative readings and other innovations that were beyond our imagination before the start of the pandemic. And you haven’t skipped a beat in the level of your financial support as you’ve increased your donations since the beginning of the crisis.

So we enthusiastically welcome you to our 2020-21 Season, a season unlike any other. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your relentless support in helping us, no, enabling us, to continue to provide a “home base” for Wisconsin theater professionals — a “home base” in the truest sense of what having a home means.

FROM THE ADVISORY COMPANY... JO CHALHOUB & MICHAEL HEROLD Hello and welcome to Forward Theater’s 12th season! As your new Advisory Company Deputies, we are so excited to share what we have in store for you this season. Our productions may look quite different this time around, but one thing’s for sure: these plays will continue to challenge, delight, and entertain you!

As we embark on our season of “United Stories of America,” we all find ourselves in our own untold stories, both as individuals and as a community, during this time. Many of our stories are evolving and shifting while others are finally coming to light - stories of courage, of injustice, of immense perseverance, and of radical love; how we consume stories and what stories get re-written over time. All of these moments shape the story of us, and we are so very proud to be able to write its chapters with all of you.

As we pivot throughout this season and continue to find innovative ways to share our stories with you, our commitment to Forward’s mission is clear: to create a home base for Wisconsin theater professionals and audiences that expands the cultural and economic life of the greater Madison area. We are doing the work of becoming a familiar home for every type of theater artist and storyteller and are honored to be on this journey with our donors, subscribers, and audiences. Now more than ever, we thank you for your continued support and trust in us to bring passionate, thoughtful, and quality work to your homes and hearts.

So breathe in and breathe out with us. The world is a chaotic and uncertain place right now, but Forward Theater is and always will be committed to bringing you new, interesting, and heartfelt work to fill your souls with art and understanding.

And hope. There’s always space for hope.

With Gratitude, Jo Chalhoub & Michael Herold

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G O I N G F O R W A R D – A C O N V E R S AT I O N We invite you to consider the topics below and discuss them with your fellow audience members, whether online, in person (socially distanced, of course), or with other members of your household.

Let’s start the conversation:

· In the past few years, we have been introduced to the concept of “alternative facts,” and have become very aware of how facts can be manipulated to support or refute a particular viewpoint, or to create more than one version of the “truth.” In The Lifespan of a Fact, we see facts being manipulated with a more artistic goal in mind, in the hopes of illuminating deeper, more universal truths.

Where do you draw the line in a search for truth? Can a balance between total transparency and artistic license exist? · As you watched the play, did you continually side with one character over another? Or did you find your allegiances shifting? If you were in Emily’s shoes, who would you side with, the celebrated author, or the critical factchecker?

We also hope you will join the cast at the scheduled live talkbacks, where audience and artists will gather on Zoom to discuss these and any other issues brought to light by this production. Live talkback schedule and is available in our Digital Lobby (link can be found in your ticket confirmation), or on the Lifespan page on ForwardTheater.com. To learn even more about the play, please watch our pre-show lecture, also available on ForwardTheater.com. And please keep the conversation going by sharing your thoughts on our Facebook page, or by including us in your posts - @forwardtheater

OVE R TUR E CE NTE R L AN D ACK NOWLE DG E M E NT Acknowledging Ho-Chunk Nation’s ancestral lands, Forward Theater and Overture Center for the Arts celebrate the rich traditions, heritage, and culture that thrived long before our arrival. Overture respectfully recognizes this Ho-Chunk land and affirms that we are better when we stand together.

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THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell

Based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal

CAST Jim Fingal..........................................................................................................................James Carrington Emily Penrose........................................................................................................Mary MacDonald Kerr* John D’Agata.......................................................................................................................Michael Herold* *Performers appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES James Carrington (Jim Fingal) is extremely excited to be making his Forward Theater debut even if it’s from his own room! He is an actor and singer based in Milwaukee. He is a graduate of UWMadison’s Acting Specialist B.F.A. Program.

Some favorite roles include Matt in Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play at Luminous Theatre; Man 3 in The Ballad of Emmett Till at Renaissance Theaterworks; The Lion in The Wiz at First Stage; and William Barfèe in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Skylight Music Theatre. James has also worked with: Children’s Theater of Madison, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Door Shakespeare, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Immense thanks and gratitude to everyone at Forward during these incredibly hard times for providing artists the opportunity to create. Be well, be safe, be loved.

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Michael Herold (John D’Agata) is honored to be part of Forward Theater’s first fully virtual production. He is equally honored to be working with Joe Hanreddy, who he has known since 1986 when they first worked together at the Madison Rep, James Carrington, who Michael had the pleasure of working with in the 2019 season at Door Shakespeare, and Mary MacDonald-Kerr, whose theatrical work he has enjoyed and respected for many years. A special thanks to the production team, and those at Forward who went above and beyond for this production. Michael is a founding member of Forward Theater Company and has been a member of Actor’s Equity since 1991. He has performed with many theater companies throughout the Midwest including the Briar Street Theater in Chicago, the Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theater, Madison Rep, Theatre LILA, Forward Theater, Four Seasons Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Children’s Theater of Madison and Artists

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

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Ensemble in Rockford, IL. He has acted in films, television and radio commercials.

Michael lives in Sun Prairie with his wife, Tracy, and his children Gabriel and Oliver.

Mary MacDonald Kerr (Emily Penrose) is thrilled to finally be performing at Forward Theater! She has been a theatre professional in the Milwaukee area for 25 years, both as an actor and director.

Most recently Mary played Emily in Next

Act Theatre ‘s production of A Small Fire.

Other favorite roles in Milwaukee include Terry Glimmer in SideMan, Grace in Faith Healer, Frankie in Voice of the Prairie at Next Act; Q in The Few, Alice in The Detective’s Wife, Darryl in Sweetest Swing in Baseball at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre; Anna in Burn This and Pope Joan in Top Girls at Renaissance Theaterworks. Mary directed Mary Jane last season here at Forward. Other favorite directing projects include West Side Story at Hope Rep., Cyrano at Titan Theater, Luna Gale at Renaissance Theaterworks, and Mother Courage at Carthage College.

PRODUCTION ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES Jeremy Kareken (Playwright) Jeremy is a playwright living in New York and Baltimore. His short plays HOT ROD, BIG TRAIN, and 80 CARDS have been performed around the country and internationally. He served as a speech writer and policy analyst for two presidential campaigns. His awards include the Sewanee Conference’s Dakin Fellowship for FARBLONDJET, and Guthrie/Playwrights Center’s TwoHeaded Challenge for THE SWEET SWEET MOTHERHOOD. The Hamptons Film Festival Screenwriters Conference selected Kareken and David Murrell for their horrorcomedy script about haunted breast implants—“THESE! Conquered the Earth!”

In 2018, PlayPenn shortlisted Jeremy’s new political satire about an illiterate king, THE RED WOOL. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, and a graduate of the University of Chicago, he has taught at NYU, NYIT, the Actors Studio Drama School, and currently teaches at the Acting Studio—New York. A lifetime member of The Actors Studio, Jeremy occasionally acts and for 18 years served as the researcher for Bravo TV’s “Inside the Actors Studio.”

David Murrell (Playwright) David Murrell was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School

and the University of Chicago, currently lives in Queens, and has written a sea chest’s worth of TV and film treatments and spec scripts. Access Theater (NYC) and the Cleveland Public Theatre each produced his play DUCTWORK and the Hamptons Film Festival Screenwriters Conference selected his and Jeremy Kareken’s feature screenplay about haunted breast implants, “THESE! Conquered the Earth.” In 2019, the Outer Critics Circle co-awarded David its John Gassner Playwriting Award for THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT. Gordon Farrell (Playwright) Trained as a playwright at the Yale School of Drama, Gordon received an MFA in 1986 and went from there to work with major Hollywood studios, initially as a story analyst for Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures, and eventually as a screenwriter. He has written for hire and sold screenplays to Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, MGM, and ITC. He has worked with Robert Simonds (producer of “The Wedding Singer,” “Molly’s Game,” “Mile 22”); Neal Moritz (producer of “XXX,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Fast and Furious”) and Bruce Berman (producer of “The Matrix,” “Three Kings,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”).

Working in independent film, Gordon has written for and sold projects to NYC THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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PRODUCTION ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES indie producer Norman Twain (producer, “Lean on Me,” “Boycott,” “My Dog Tulip”).

Gordon’s first independent screenplay, “Girls Who Smoke,” premiered in 2011.

It went on to be an official selection at over a dozen film festivals, ultimately winning the Audience Choice Award in Seattle at the Post Alley Film Festival. As a playwright, from 2009 to 2013, Gordon worked with dozens of women on New York’s Lower East Side who wanted to tell their personal stories on stage. The series of monologue plays that grew out of it was called IN THE RED ROOM/EVERY WOMAN DANCES FOR SOMEONE. In May 2019 the fully dramatized version, GIRLS WHO WALKED ON GLASS, played to SRO houses and rave reviews in Buffalo and is scheduled to transfer to New York City in 2020. His other plays have been produced in San Francisco, at the Alleyway Theatre, at the Yale School of Drama, and at Primary Stages in New York. He is the author of “The Power of the Playwright’s Vision,” published by Heinemann Press in 2001.

It has been translated internationally and become a standard playwriting text at colleges and universities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Joe Cerqua (Sound Designer/Composer) is a freelance composer, producer, vocalist and sound designer. He is thrilled to be working with Forward Theater again where he has previously composed and designed sound for Every Brilliant Thing; For Peter Pan; Mary Jane; Life Sucks; Skeleton Crew; Marjorie Prime; Learning to Stay; Outside Mullingar; 4000 Miles; Mr. Burns; The Flick; Silent Sky; Vanya and Sonya...; The Other Place; From Up Here; Or; Red; Sons of the Prophet; Good People; 44 Plays for 44 Presidents; Love Stories; In the Next Room...; Going to St. Ives; Why Torture is Wrong...; and The Farnsworth Invention. He has composed music and/or designed sound for over 300 productions in Chicago, nationally, and internationally.

Recent projects include original music and sound design for American Players Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, 18

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Arizona Theater Company, First Stage, Clarence Brown Theater, Northlight Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Deaf West in LA, American Blues Theater, The Artistic Home, and Goodman Theatre. Joe is the Producing Director/Composer in residence for the Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, a critically acclaimed 13-piece jazz orchestra and 10-member dance company. He is the Creative Director and Producer for the Music Department at Columbia College Chicago.

Sarah Deming-Henes (Stage Manager) At Forward Theater Company Sarah has joyfully stage managed Skeleton Crew, Fun Home, Heisenberg, Life Sucks, Mary Jane, For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday, Every Brilliant Thing, and as much of The Amateurs as the COVID-19 Pandemic would let her.

Sarah has proudly stage managed at many other Wisconsin based theaters, including 14 seasons at American Players Theatre – and 13 years in Milwaukee, where she happily managed for theaters including: First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Last summer she delighted in stage managing Boswell at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and this spring she had fun guest lecturing on Stage Management at UW-Parkside.

Many thanks to her family and friends for unfailing kindnesses. And an acre of gratitude to the FTC Staff & Board, and, you, the audience, for going above and beyond to keep theater alive and appreciated in Wisconsin!

Joe Hanreddy (Director) Joe’s career as an Artistic Director has included three theaters: The Ensemble Theater Company in Santa Barbara, California, followed by the Madison and Milwaukee Reps.

Since retiring from the latter in 2010 he has directed several productions for the Utah, Idaho, Great Lakes and Door Shakespeare Festivals, as well as OffBroadway at the Pearl Theater, People’s Light Theater in Philadelphia, Writers Theater in Chicago, Connecticut Repertory

PRODUCTION ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES Theater, the REP Delaware and Next Act Theater in Milwaukee. Joe has also written adaptations of Jane Austen, George M. Cohan and Luigi Pirandello that have had close to 200 productions at theaters throughout the US, England and Australia.

Joe lives with his wife Jami and Odin, their Tibetan Terrier, near Gills Rock and Deaths Door at the tip of the Door Peninsula.

Abbi Hess (Assistant Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be working on her first season at Forward! A Waukesha native, she graduated from Carroll University with her B.A. in Theatre Arts and History. Last season, she was a Stage Management Resident at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Past favorite credits include: Bare and Wonderland (Outskirts Theatre Co.); Mary Poppins (Sunset Playhouse); Mamma Mia (Lake Country Playhouse); Next to Normal and Hamlet: A Cover (Carroll University); 2 Pianos 4 Hands and The Legend of Georgia McBride (Milwaukee Rep). She is grateful to every person that she has worked with that has got her to this point, especially her talented SM teams throughout the years (and her amazing family, of course!).

Amy Horst (Costume Designer) She/her.

Forward debut. Based in Milwaukee, with work at Renaissance Theatreworks, Skylight Music Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Northern Sky Theater, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Collaboration is the greatest joy and honor in my working life. Love and solidarity to all of us who create through contact. Thank you to everyone who has been in an audience and is meeting us here. For my family, BP and TP. Pamela Miles (Props Master/Scenic Charge Artist) is delighted to return to Forward for her seventh season. She is so proud to be a part of this generous and courageous company. Pam lives in Spring Green, WI where she has worked at American Players Theatre for eleven seasons as the Associate Scenic Charge Artist, as well as completed four

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fall shows as the Scenic Charge Artist.

Other companies she has painted for include: Arizona Broadway Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Madison Ballet (Dracula: A Rock Ballet) and the Summit Credit Union Inspiration Branch project. She has performed the role of Props Master for the Black Theatre Troupe in Phoenix, AZ and American Players Theatre’s Mary’s Wedding.

Noele Stollmack (Lighting Designer) is happy to be returning to Forward Theater for another season. Her lighting has appeared onstage at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sydney Opera House and the Library of Congress Theatre, as well as the opera companies of Ontario, Costa Mesa, Portland, Vancouver, New Orleans, Nashville, and Santa Fe. Regional design for the theatre includes the Milwaukee Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Skylight Music Theatre, American Players Theatre and Jeff Daniel’s Purple Rose Theater. Lighting and Scenic Realization includes Meredith Monk’s international tours of mercy & impermanence. As Lighting Director for the Houston Grand Opera, she supervised lighting for over 50 operas and designed such productions as Andrei Serban’s Elektra, Dr. Jonathan Miller’s Der Rosenkavalier, Aida and the world premieres of Harvey Milk, Desert of Roses and Dracula Diary.

Member, United Scenic Artists local 829.

Joseph Varga (Scenic Designer) This is Joe Varga’s sixth show with Forward, this one in a unique new production format. Past shows include Sons of the Prophet, From Up Here, 4000 Miles, Skeleton Crew, and last season’s For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday. For Madison Opera: Sweeney Todd, for University Opera: La Bohème and Cosi Fan Tutte, just this last February. For Four Seasons: Kiss Me Kate and 1776… also numerous productions for Madison Rep including Talley’s Folly and The Diary of Anne Frank. He has designed professionally for theatres THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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PRODUCTION ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES across the country, such as Milwaukee Rep and Berkshire Theatre Festival, as well as the Shakespeare festivals of Alabama, Colorado, and Georgia. Madison audiences have seen his Nutcracker designs at Overture Center annually since 2004. A UW-Madison professor emeritus with the Department of Theatre and Drama, his portfolio of representative designs is on view at www.joevarga.com.

Kathy Wittman (Video Editor & Consultant) has designed video projections and interactive media for opera and theatre companies including Heartbeat Opera, Pioneer Valley Symphony, Suffolk University Theatre, The Florentine Opera Company, Odyssey Opera, and Queer Soup Theatre. In addition to projection design, she is the founder and principle artist at Ball Square Films, a video production company that specializes

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in documentary photo and video for the performing arts. Current and favorite clients include the Huntington Theatre Company, Merrimack Rep, Peregrine Theatre Ensemble, The Boston Early Music Festival, Blue Heron, New England Conservatory, Heartbeat Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, White Snake Projects, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Kevin Zimmer (Technical Director) has worked with Forward Theater since the 2009-2010 season, first as Master Carpenter and now as Technical Director. In addition, he worked as a Master Carpenter for Madison Repertory Theatre, Master Carpenter for CTM, and Shop Foreman and Carpenter for American Players Theatre. Additional credits include professional work in the theatre community in St. Louis and as a Welder at the St. Louis City Museum.

C O R P O R AT I O N , F O U N D AT I O N A N D G O V E R N M E N T S U P P O R T Thank you for your commitment to bringing exceptional professional theater to Madison area audiences.

The Great Performance Fund for Theater, a component fund of the Madison Community Foundation $30,000+ The Shubert Foundation $10,000+ The Evjue Foundation Inc. $5,000 - $9,999 CUNA Mutual Group Custer Plumb Financial Services Dane Arts DeWitt LLP Madison Gas & Electric Marriott Daughters Foundation Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Wisconsin Arts Board 20

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$2,500 - $4,999 Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation Stafford Rosenbaum Attorneys $1,000 - $2,499 The Cap Times First Business Bank Husch Blackwell Steve Brown Apartments

INDIVIDUAL GIVING Forward Theater can serve audiences, artists, and the broader community because people like you see its value and give generously.

As a non-profit organization, revenue only covers a portion of our total budget (in our case about 50%). The rest is from contributed income including over 800 donor households.

When you donate, you give the gift of professional theater and so much more to the greater Madison area. THANK YOU! We are pleased to recognize contributions received August 1, 2019 – August 20, 2020. If you notice any errors in acknowledgement or have questions about donation options, please contact Julia Nicholas at 608-234-5001 or jnicholas@forwardtheater.com. To make a tax-deductible donation to Forward Theater online or learn about donor benefits, visit our website at forwardtheater.com. To mail in a contribution, please use the following address: Forward Theater, P.O. Box 14574, Madison, WI 53708.

INTERESTING IN GIVING MONTHLY?

You can give in a convenient, ongoing way. Visit forwardtheater.com, click on Support in our banner and begin an online donation. Fill in the amount you’d like to contribute per month in the gift amount, and then under CHOOSE A FREQUENCY, select “Monthly.”

Each month, we’ll charge the amount you specify. $8.34/month = $100/year $20.84/month = $250/year $41.67/month = $500/year Become a FORWARD LEADER $83.34/month = $1,000/year Your regular support provides a strong foundation we can rely on.

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C O L L E E N B U R N S M E M O R I A L F U N D 2 0 2 0 -2 0 21 H O N O R E E

Lifespan cast member Michael Herold presented Mary MacDonald-Kerr with flowers with flowers prior to rehearsal.

The inimitable Colleen Burns, a professional actress for more than 30 years, was instrumental in the creation of Forward Theater Company in 2009.

Colleen’s enormous talent, her laughter, her dedication to her art, and her long friendships with her professional colleagues will be the legacy that lives on in all our hearts. Proceeds from this fund underwrite the salary for one actress per season as a tribute to Colleen, who brought so much joy to Madison audiences.

This season, Mary MacDonald Kerr (Emily Penrose in The Lifespan of a Fact), is the “funds’ honoree.” Mary most recently directed last season’s Mary Jane. Forward Theater’s Advisory Company felt she was the perfect choice for this award as she’s both an actor and director, like Colleen.

To make your own contribution to continue to celebrate Colleen’s legacy, please contact Julia Nicholas at 608-234-5001 or jnicholas@forwardtheater.com, or make an online donation and note “Colleen Burns Memorial Fund” in the comment section.

MADISON’S CENTER S TA G E 1 West Dayton Street • Madison, Wisconsin 53703 800 356 8293 • info@concoursehotel.com

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FO RWAR D LE AD E R S Forward Leaders show a strong personal commitment to Forward Theater’s mission by making annual gifts of $1,000 or more.

Dr. Linda Garrity Mr. William Wartmann

$1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous (2) Merry Anderson $10,000 - $19,999 Steve Bablitch & Maurice & Sybil Better Elaine Kelch Nancy Ciezki & Richard & Janneke Baske Diane Kostecke Dean & Nancy Baumgardner Steve & Jacqui Suleski Kit & Phil Blake Janet Zimmerman Diane Bless Lewis Bosworth $5,000 - $9,999 Nancy & Lou Bruch W. Jerome Frautschi Janet & David Daniel Thomas Hurst & William & Janine DeAtley Kleo Baruth Kritz Martin Densch Margie Devereaux & $2,500 - $4,999 David Hall Anonymous (2) Carla & Michael DiIorio Rozan & Brian Anderson Ed Feige & Elizabeth Palay Beth Bovis & David Feldstein Mike Fischer & Elaine Griffin Peggy & Christopher Bugg Susan French & Jane Coleman Brian Driscoll Charles N. Ford & Jerry & Betty Fuller Sharon L. James Deirdre Garton Jon & Brenda Furlow Thomas & Joanne Gobel Dolores & Paul Gohdes Peter Gray & Betty & Walter Gray Jennifer Uphoff Gray Kathleen Harker Connie & Wayne Grogan William & Anne Hunnex JoAnn Gruber-Hagen & Roth & Lynne Judd Doug Hagen Kathie Nichols Mary Hampton & John & Jane Norman Barbara Voelker Terry & Jean Prahl Marci Henderson John & Mary Schroeder Bob Hodgson & Dot Steele Efrat Livny & Ken Baun Vince Jenkins & Don Tubesing & Stefanie Moritz Nancy Loving Tubesing Clark Johnson & Fran Wong & Tom Reps Martha Pernokas Mary & Scott Kolar The David & Paula Kraemer Fund Fritz Kruger & Kathy Lawler Richard & Meg LaBrie

Tim Lardinois Roger & Sheryl LePage Susan & Jonathan Lipp Lovers of the Arts Sally & John Mather Kathleen McElroy & David Newby Nancy McGill Don & Mary Metz Jane & Duane Miller Karen & Allan Moore Chad & Jolen Neumann Tom & Julia Nicholas Pamela Oliver & John Lemke Zorba & Penny Paster Pam Ploetz Ken & Nancy Ragland Linda Reivitz Ann Rifenberg DeeDee & Bing Rikkers Susan & Michael Schall Linda & John Schilling Dean & Carol Schroeder Lynda Sharpe Joe & Jeanne Silverberg Tim & Pat Size Bud & Lisa Smith Abby & Kurt Suckow Cheri Teal LaRynda Thoen & Neil Salyapongse Sherry Wagner-Henry & Mick Henry Lee & Mary Waldhart Cathy & Ted Waskowski Jennifer & Bob Winding Theodora Zehner Ledell Zellers & Simon Anderson Susan & Jim Zerwick Judith Zwirlein

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ANNUAL FUND $500 - $999 Anonymous (3) Holly Anderson Maytee Aspuro & Tricia Noriega Craig & Ann Aswegan Jean M. Bahr Chuck Bauer & Chuck Beckwith Larry Bechler Donna & George Beestman Ellen & Tim Bell Norm & Barbara Berven Anna Biermeier & Roger Hanson Martha & Charles Casey Sherry & Doug Caves Dave & Audra Chaimson Philippa Claude & Tony Stretton Keith & Linda Clifford Fred & Wendy Coleman Betty & Corkey Custer Tom & Greta DeCoster Walter & Londa Dewey Kim & Bill Donovan Carla Draper & Peg Carlson Fred & Ivy Edelman William & Lynne Eich Cedric C. Ellis Oliver Eng Paul & Lari Fanlund Jim & Evey Fleming Mary & Jay Gallagher Paul Gibler & Tom DeChant Jeff A. Goldman Dianne Greenley Nancy & Peter Gunder Jane Hamblen & Robert Lemanske Larry Hamlin Patricia Hanson & Terri Bleck Honorable Paul B. Higginbotham (Ret.) and Tina Maroni Rod & Jean Jacobson Monica Jaehnig Rosemary & Lee Jones Mary Kateada & Frank Schneeberger 24

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Birke Knipping & Ryan Parks Steve & Lorene Kowalsky Michael & Megan Kushner Janet & Jay Loewi Pete & Jill Lundberg Stewart Macaulay Helen Madsen Lee Marquardt Kathleen Massoth & Bruce Edmonson Colleen McCabe Ron Mensink Binit Mohanty & Amy Lenard David Myers Fred Newmann & Carolyn Hegeler Marilyn Oberst Linda Baldwin O’Hern & Vince O’Hern Lynette & Rex Owens Scott M. Paler Susan Paskewitz Barb Rex & Jim Eggler Theresa L. Roetter Jim & Michele Rohan Bruce Rosen & Diane Seder Ron Rosner & Ronnie Hess James & Carol Ruhly Ann & Tim Salutz Bela & Ruth Sandor Renie Schapiro & Norm Fost Willa Schlecht Howard & Diane Schuck Ron & Diana Shaw Philip Shultz & Marsha VanDomelen Robert E. Shumaker Charles Snowdon & Ann Lindsey Jocelyn Riley Joe & Phyllis Stertz Marjorie Stewart Susan Sweeney Julie Swenson John Thompson & Jane Bartell Scott Thornton Paul & Emily Tveite Karen Updike Selma Van Eyck

Peter & Alice Waldron Bob & Cindy Zellers Susan & John Zientek Benefactors ($250 - $499) George Affeldt Susan Alban Carla & Fernando Alvarado Beth Ament & Steve Pudloski Jim & Marilou Angevine Alice & Richard Appen Rima & Michael Apple George Austin & Martha Vukelich-Austin Rose Barroilhet Amy Quan Barry Marshall & Wendy Beck Holly Berkenstadt Bennett Berson & Rebecca Holmes Patricia Brady & Robert Smith Don & Carola Breckbill Diane & Rick Broughman Lynn Christensen Carol Cohen James Couser & Kathryn Middleton Mike & Donna Crane Nancy Daly Michael & Judith Dereszynski Alison Dorner J. Doyle Jim & Jessica Doyle John & Deidre Dunn Jim & Jean Elvekrog Adam R. Erdmann Clayton & Belle Frink Roberta Gassman & Lester Pines Sandra & Norris Glick Jane Grogan & Bob Blitzke Eileen Hanneman Rachel & Gil Hillman Grace Homb Hickory Hurie Margaret & Paul Irwin Barbara Johnson & Sandy Zingler Jerome & DeeDee Jones Deb Jurmu Bill & Jennifer Kraemer James Krikelas Hallie Kuenning Matt Larson Peggy Larson Phyllis Lefcowitz Roma Lenehan

ANNUAL FUND

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Ronald S. Luskin & Terry Ruzicka Dan & Mari McCarty Bev & Chan McKelvey LuAnn & Joe Meyers Sue Milch & Wilton Sanders Mark & Nancy Moore Donna V. Moreland Lauri Morris & Jim Cole Tess Mulrooney Robert Mutton & Vera Ames Dan & Joyce Muxfeld Al & Aileen Nettleton Casey & Eric Oelkers Russell & Paula Panczenko Ruth & Seymour Parter Reynold V. Peterson Evan & Jane Pizer Sandra & Chris Queram Peter & Beth Rahko Don & Carol Reeder Susan Rogers Barbara Samuel James & Suzanne Scheuerman Marcia Schmidt Carolyn Senty David & Margaret Sharpe George & Nancy Shook Sonjia Short Dan & Marcia Smith Thomas Rae Smith Maggie Steele Vicki & Jerry Stewart

Patrons ($100 - $249) Anonymous (6) Sharon Abrams Julius & Hilde Adler Ray Aldag & Deb Douglas Bob & Paula Alt Gary Anderson Bruce & Marge Anderson Peggy Anderson Anne Arnesen Nancy & Steve Arnold Jeff & Angela Bartell Douglas & Mary Bates Robert Bauer Cindy & Orion Bawdon David & Connie Beam Norlin Benevenga Thomas W. Benson Susan & George Benton Richard & Luise Beringer Rikhil Bhavnani & Dustin Brown Harvey Black Philip Blackwell Terry Bloom Catherine Bloomer John & Jan Bonsett-Veal William Bradley & Jill Anna Ponasik Malcolm & Penny Brett Daniel & Joyce Bromley B. Bradford Brown & Maribeth Gettinger

Louis & Shirley Chosy Jennifer Christensen Barbara & Bill Clapp Charlie & Joyce Clark Betty & Steve Cohen Toby & Bernard Cohen Linda Cohn Mike & Cindy Collins Margaret Corbae Louis Cornelius & Pris Boroniec Robin Washburne Cozette Patricia Cronin Alan & Karen Crossley L. Beth Cummings Wade DallaGrana & Chris Antonuzzo Betsy Curtis D’Angelo Mike Davis & Julann Jatczak Geke De Vries Jocelyn DeWitt & Kurt Riegel Donalea Dinsmore Cari & Stephen DiTullio David Dohler Renae & Todd Donkle Melinda Dorris Marilyn Dreger Susan & Joe Drennan Theresa Drinka Stan & Jean Druckenmiller Richard & Doris Dubielzig Nancy Cross Dunham Susan Eichhorn

WHY I GIVE:

“Fantastic plays, talented local actors paid a living wage, talkbacks, community outreach, pre-show talks, stellar leadership - we are proud to support everything about Forward Theater!!”

~ Michael and Susan Schall

David & Sue Stone Arlene & John Strikwerda Katie & Ellis Waller Erin Wenzel Bill White Marybeth Wilk & Katherine Brophy Barbra Winter Lynn Wood William Zarwell & Robin Chapman

David & Claudia Brown Mary Lou Brown Thea Brunsell Barbara Buenger Linda Bunger Anna Campbell Sandy Carlson Colleen & Pete Chase Mo & Melissa Cheeks Jennifer & Martin Chiaverini Grace & Jack Chosy John Chosy & Tamara Bryant

Jane Elder & Bill Davis The Elson Family Rita & Edward Emmenegger Susan England & James Stirniman Phyllis Ermer Kristine Euclide & Doug Steege Ted Finman & Jean Azemove Alan Fish & Susan Goodwin Virginia Francis Marla & Larry Frank Byron & Janet Frenz THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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ANNUAL FUND

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Kristin Friel & Jeff Durkee Jacki & Milt Friend Christine & Frank Frinak Barbara Furstenberg Genevra Gallo-Bayiates & Andy Bayiates Casey Garhart Jan Garske Amy Gilman Christopher & Erin Glueck Paul Goldschmidt & Kriss Hamilton Louise Goldstein & Bruce Thomadsen Robert & Georgia Graves Marsha & Bruce Gregg Karen Gunderson & Joanie Kanter Jan Hall Rich & Lori Hamann

Martin & Rita Kades Joan Karan Dan & Leslie Kemp Liz King & Rick Kiley Laurel Kinosian Pamela & John Kitslaar Monica Klehr Carol Klukaczewski Larry M. Kneeland Milka & Ivan Knezevic Doug Knudson & Judy Lyons Bob & Judy Knudtson Voula Kodoyianni & Tom Record Philip Koenig Penny & Jerry Koerner Terry & Jean Kringle Ed Krinsky & Mary Jane Armstrong Jamie & David Pekarek Krohn Jude Kuenn

Mary Ann McBride Mike & June McCowin Kimberly McDowell William & Carolyn McKinney Ed Meachen & Francine Tompkins Marylynne Mehl John & Linda Merrill Lawrence & Julie Midtbo Mike & Sally Miley Chuck Mitchell & Sally Weidemann Alison Mix Millie Moffett Nancy Mohs Kitty Moore Jennifer Morgan Patricia Ann Mullins Laura Baldus Murphy Aleta Murray

WHY I GIVE: We enjoy great theater, and with each new play they present Forward Theater has set the bar higher and higher for their next play - and exceeded it.” ~ LuAnn & Joe Meyers Ernest & Diane Hanson Maria Hanson Margaret Harrigan & Richard Ross Jessica & Kendall Harrison Donald Hart Paula Haseman John Hayward & Susan Roehlk Neil & Nancy Christy Heinen John & Elizabeth Heiner Patricia & Paul Heiser John & Sally Helgeson Tom & Margaret Henzler Karen Hester Diane Highsmith Jon & Jane Hisgen Carol Holtsapple Nancy & Bill Horns Andrew Howick & Mary Stelletello Jim Hudson & Diane Martin Ed Hughes Jean Hughes Richard & Roberta Johnson Richard Jordan 26

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Richard & Judy Kvalheim Steve & Susan LaBelle Larry LaMar & Mary Struckmeyer Jan & Bob Langdon Janet & Douglas Laube Tim & Gillian Lechmaier Kathryn Lederhause & Daryl Sherman Victor & Judy Levine Shana Lewis & Rob Magasano Madeline & Barry Light Diane & Bill Littman Tom & Stacy Littrell Susan S. Lloyd Elaine Lohr Joe Lowndes Lesleigh Luttrell Gary Lyons & Jayne Squirrell Mary & Eileen Maher Karin Mahoney & Adam Balin Rabbi Bonnie Margulis & Rabbi Jonathan Biatch Katharyn May Douglas & Joan Maynard

Carla Nagle Leah Narans Sharon Nellis Phyllis Nelson Gregg Nettesheim and Maggie Steele Jules & Judy Nicolet Dan O’Brien Heather Ockler William O’Connor & Krista Roys Jennifer Ondrejka & Tom Rudy Gail O’Neal Bonnie Orvick Ann Ostrom Patricia Parks Allan and Patricia Patek Penny Patterson & Sheila Faulkner Tim & Tammy Peyton Steve & Rita Pieroni Hans & Susan Pigorsch Jerald & Dian Polly Sharon & Ken Poniewaz Sylvia & Thomas Poppelbaum Dave Puchalsky

ANNUAL FUND

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Peg Rasch & Dave Stute Rick & Sally Raschick Sherry Reames Richard & Donna Reinardy Ed & Mary Lou Reisch Anne & Buck Rhyme Jan Robertson Brian D Rodeck Alexandria Roe Joyce & David Rolnick Sarah Rose Kelda Roys & Dan Reed Robert & Nancy Rudd Steven & Lennie Saffian Christine J Johnston John & Sarah Schaffer David & JoAnn Schoengold Gary & Barbara Schultz Barb Schuster Patrick & Marlys Semple John & Liz Senseman Dee & George Seyfarth Claire Shaffer Bassam Shakhashiri Virginia A. Shannon Victoria Sheldon Karen Sielaff Judy Sikora & Steve Siehr Maureen Skelton Meg Skinner Ted & Ina Smolker

Barbara Tesch Don & Joanna Thompson Karen Timberlake Lynn Tolcott Russell & Karen Tomar Steven & Jeannie Tomasko John Tradewell Carol Trapp The Ullrick family Peter Uttech Andree Valley Marjorie Van Handel Teri Venker Michael Verveer Jane & Michael Voichick Ellen Walker Elizabeth & Steve Wallman Judith & Skelly Warren Beth Weber & Duane Beckett Mary Weber Ann F. Wenzel Hank & Judith Whipple Barbara White Tripp & Nancy Widder Ann & David Wilson Michael Wright & Ray Jivoff Paul & Tracy Wrycha Douglas Yanggen Susan Young Karen & Doug Zweizig

WHY I GIVE:

Judy Bluel Anastasia Bormann Burneatta Bridge Michael K. Bridgeman Richard Brualdi & Mona Wasow Anna Bruckner Catherine Buege Jim & Stephanie Buske Lisa Byers & John Calderone Carol & John Cantwell Joanne Chalhoub Katherine Charlton Lauren Cnare & Ralph Russo Jane Crandall Daniel & Barbara Danahy Ian Davies & Marta Meyers Meredith Degen Susan Dinauer Dan & Carole Doeppers Sean Douglass Katie Dowling-Marcus & Ben Marcus Sally Drew Chris Eckerman & Joe Ripp Jennie M. Ehrmann Ms. Lori Elmer Tom & Kelley Engle Hildy Feen Nancy Feingold & Doug Green Connie Finnegan & Joe Spolar Janet & Paul Firgens

“Because Forward produces work that amplifies stories and voices of marginalized people, while showing the world how local professional theater can thrive.” ~ Adam Erdmann Anita C. Sprenger & Michael Cain Anne Spurgeon & David Woods Mona Steele Laura & Jason Stephenson Steve Stern & Florencia Mallon Jurate Stewart JoAnne & Ken Streit Jim Struve Charles & Diane Stumpf Edith Sullivan William & Edie Swift Mindy Taranto & Ken Mericle Richard & Marcia Taugher

Friends ($25 - $99) Anonymous (6) Christine Ahern Tammy Albrecht Elizabeth Amato Mary Anglim Rita Applebaum Heather Arnoldussen Laura Batzer Kelsey Baubie Janine Bessemer Eric Beuerman Jill Bidlingmaier Carole Blemker

Edith First Peter Fisher & Cyndy Galloway David & Maureen Flanagan Barbara & David Flesch Evelyn Fox William & Sandra Frazee Marian Fredal Russell & Suzanne Gardner Ed & Sara Gleason Karen Godshall Eileen Goode Janice Gratch & Steve Wilensky Michael Griffith Lauren & Christopher Gruber THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

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ANNUAL FUND

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Pat Guhleman & Joel Wall Geraldine Gurman Michael Haeft & Martha Schwer Carol Harm Lois Harr Timothy Harrington Jr. Martin & Eileen Harrison Ms. Sharon Harrison Ellen Hartenbach Philip Haslanger Jan & Maria Heide

Peter & Marjorie Marion Jeanne Marshall Barbara Martin Peg Martin Janet McChesney Gene & Sondy McLinn Janet Mertz & Jonathan Kane Gene & Marjorie Miller Richard Miller Cayla Turner Minear Susanna & Patrick Mooney

WHY I GIVE:

Suzannah Sisler Brittaney Smith Bill & Roberta Sonzogni Lee Sorenseon Bob & Jo Sparks Jeff & Sheryl Spitzer-Resnick Susan Sprague Sylvia Stalker Howard Steinberg & Barbara Andrews Linda Stephens

“Excellent plays & acting; interest in and engagement with the audience and greater community.”

~ Judith Howard and Amy Scarr

Brian & Annette Hellmer Jim & Kathy Herman Nona Hill & Clark Johnson Les & Susan Hoffman Sarah Hole & Eileen Mershart Amy Horst Judy Howard & Amy Scarr Joan Jacobsen & Julie Woodward Alice Y Jenson Doug & Kathy Johnson Stan & Leann Johnson Edward Jordan Lois Karn Marilyn C Kay Suzanne & Steve Kilkus Rob Kimbro Gregg Kissel & Jean Bae Noël & Steve Klapper Mary Klink & Jim Giesen Diane Knauff Ms. Teresa Kobelt Rebecca Kordahl Andrew Krikelas Carrie Kruse & Ellen Pryor Merilyn Kupferberg Ann Lacy Donna Leet Joanne & Bob Lenburg Eugenia Lerum Juli & Rex Loker Patricia Maddox Maija Maki-Laurila Gordon & Donna Malaise Mary Malaney 28

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Grant Moore Marianne Morton Nikki Muenchow & Chris Jarosh Fred Nepple Christian Neuhaus Jerry & Amy Nickles Beverly Nilles Amy & Bruce Noble Cynthia Ofstead Norman & Darlene Olson Rita Olson Ellen Paul David Pausch & Karen Saari Debi Peters Lauren Peterson Meghan Randolph Mary Rendall Satya Rhodes-Conway Evan & Catherine Richards H. Robbins Sara Roberts David Ronis Marlene Ross Mary & Kendall Rouse Tom Royston Jane Sadusky Patricia Sammataro Gary A Scheele Sarellen Schuh Kate Schultz Richard & Nancy Schultz Erica Serlin & Ken Kushner J. Peter Shaw & Pam Nash Judy & Ben Sidran Debra Simon

Prudence Stewart Elaine B. Strassburg Jodi Streicher Johanna Streyle David Sulman & Anne Altshuler Myron & Margaret Talcott Danielle Thai James Thomas David & Kathy Tiffany Ann Ulatt Tom & Sue Ullsvik Peg Unger Charles Uphoff Mary Vilker Betty Volquardsen Kate Walker Lorette Wambach Joseph Warnemuende Karen Weatherwax Peter Weiler Robert L Weiss Joyce Wells Jenny & Nick White Elizabeth Whitesel Patricia Wilcox Cheryl Wittke Curtis Wittwer Kathryn Wodtke James & Nancy Youngerman Peg & Tom Zanzig Allyn Ziegenhagen Marjorie & Steven Zwickel

IN HONOR In honor of Matt Daniels Laura Baldus Murphy

In honor of Kathy Harker Pam Ploetz

In honor of Don & Barb Dinsmore Donalea Dinsmore

In honor of Marci Henderson Nancy McGill

In honor of Kelly Doherty Kate Schultz

In honor of Miranda Jones James & Nancy Youngerman

In honor of Josephine B. Fischer Jane & Duane Miller

In honor of Celia Klehr and the Little Players of Norman, Oklahoma Monica Klehr

In honor of Chuck Ford Carla & Fernando Alvarado In honor of Forward Theater’s New Play Festival Mary Hampton & Barbara Voelker In honor of the Forward Theater Staff Rabbi Bonnie Margulis & Rabbi Jonathan Biatch In honor of the wonderful and talented staff, cast, and board of Forward Theater Pete & Jill Lundberg

In honor of Diane Kostecke & Nancy Ciezki Gary A Scheele In honor of Kathie Nichols Jenny & Nick White In honor of Julie Swenson Ellen & Tim Bell Robin Washburne Cozette In honor of Maddie Ullrick The Ullrick family

In honor of Frances R Goldstein Louise Goldstein & Bruce Thomadsen

IN MEMORY In memory of Terry Lee Allen Lewis Bosworth In memory of Susann “Suzy” Griffiths Christine Ahern Anna Bruckner Linda Bunger Colleen McCabe

In memory of Judith Klehr Scott Thornton Phyllis Lefcowitz In memory of Patricia Struck Larry Bechler In memory of Louise Uphoff Charles Uphoff

M AT C H I N G G I F T O R G A N I Z AT I O N S Alliant Energy Foundation First Weber Realtors IBM US Bank

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T H A N K S T O O U R F R I E N D S O F F O R W A R D T H E AT E R V O L U N T E E R S !

Volunteers help Forward Theater by staffing events, helping with mailings, and other office support. If you would like more information, please visit our website at Forwardtheater.com or contact Company Manager Celia Klehr at 608-234-5001 2020-2021 Volunteers: Tammy Albrecht Rima Apple Lewis Bosworth Michele Brucker Carla DiIorio Michael DiIorio Dolores Gohdes Paul Gohdes Steve Kilkus Amy Kozak Kathryn Lederhause

Mary Metz Sue Milch Tess Mulrooney Rex Owens Jessica Podemski Barb Sanford Lynda Sharpe Daryl Sherman Dot Steele Cheri Teal Theodora Zehner

HOUSING Due to the unusual circumstance of producing theater during the time of Covid-19, our artists are working from their own homes. We would like to express our deep gratitude to their housemates who suddenly found their homes have become a rehearsal room, stage and video studio.

A huge round of applause goes to: Barbara Carrington Pastor James Carrington Sr. Jami Hanreddy Gabe Herold Oliver Herold Tracy Herold Kelly McGee-Hess William Hess Joe Kletch Birger Pahl Thomas Pahl Wilfredo Rivera Ron Shanaver Zoe Shanaver

Forward Theater Company is a member of the Madison Arts Production Center (MAPC), which provides high quality, functional, affordable production space, equipment, and theatrical inventory for Madison area artists and arts organizations. For information on rentals and membership options go to ctmtheater.org.

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Forward Theater Company

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Bravo!

The Burish Group supports the arts We proudly support the arts and Forward Theater Company. The arts help economies thrive, communities flourish and individuals connect with each other while educating and enriching societies.

The Burish Group UBS Financial Services Inc. Milwaukee 411 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1700 Milwaukee, WI 53202 262-794-0872

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Exp.: 11/30/2020