Richard Barletta & William Massolia Artistic Directors present
NO MORE DEAD DOGS Adapted from the novel by Gordon Korman by William Massolia Directed by Dorothy Milne Lighting Design: Nic Jones Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer Set Design: Joe Schermoly Original Music/Sound Design: Rick Sims Band Direction: Paul Gilvary Stage Manager: Becky Bishop Joseph deBettencourt, Colton Dillion, Samantha Dubina, Jeff Duhigg, Joey Eovaldi, Cameron Harms, Hillary Hensler, Jeremy Fisher, Alex Kyger, Ryan Lempka, Morgan Maher, Conor McCahill, Erin O’Shea, Ellie Reed The Griffin Theatre Company is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, the Theatre Communications Group and is partially supported by grants from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, CityArts and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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CAST (in
or der of appe ar ance)
Wallace Wallace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Lempka Dad/Coach Wrigley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Duhigg Mom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hilary Hensler Mr. Fogelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeremy Fisher Steve/Laszlo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cameron Harms Rick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Kyger Feather/Parker/Void . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colton Dillion Trudi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Dubina Rachel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellie Reed Nathaniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conor McCahill Vito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joseph deBettencourt Kelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin O’Shea Dylan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joey Eovaldi Rory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Maher Time: The Present Place: Any Town USA NO MORE DEAD DOGS is performed with one ten minute intermission. UNDERSTUDIES: Bryan DiLoreto A D D I T I O N A L P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Katherine McGrath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Director Bryan DiLoreto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fight Choreography
C O M PA N Y B I O S JOEY DEBETTENCOURT (Vito) was most recently seen on stage in the Griffin Theatre’s productions of Port and Stage Door and with their national touring production of Frindle. Joey has also been seen on stage as Joe Brennan in Lovers at City Lit Theatre and before that in David Cromer’s Cherrywood at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. A company member of the Griffin Theatre, Joey is a graduate of Northwestern University. COLTON DILLION (Feather/Parker/Void) is elated to make his Chicago debut with Griffin. A junior at Northwestern University pursuing 2 Grffin Theatre
Theatre and Engineering Design, he would like to thank his family and friends for their support, as well as the cast and crew for a memorable, enjoyable experience. SAMANTHA DUBINA (Trudi) is so happy to be back with Griffin Theatre. Sam was last seen as “April” in Griffin’s production of Company. Other Chicago credits include Noble Fool Theatricals, Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Northbrook Children’s Theatre, Bailiwick Repertory and Bailiwick Chicago, where she serves as an Artistic Associate. She has also been in over a dozen productions at Timber Lake Playhouse. Sam would like to thank Bill and Dorothy for this totally fun opportunity. Love to John, Mom, Dad and Keri.
C O M PA N Y B I O S ( c o n t i n u e d ) JEFF DUHIGG (DadCoach) is very excited to be working with Griffin Theatre Company again. Jeff was seen in 2010’s production of Stage Door. Jeff is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University and has been seen in multiple productions in Chicago. Jeff has worked with Seanachai Theatre, Caffeine Theatre, New Leaf Theatre, and various others. A special note of thanks to Dorothy, Bill, and Becky for all the support. JOEY EOVALDI (Dylan) Joey Eovaldi is currently a fifth grader at Orrington Elementary School in Evanston, IL. Joey’s passion for theatre grew as he attended several plays and camps at The Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. Early stage credits include The Piano Tuner (The Child), and The Island of Dr. Moreau (The Sloth Child) both at The Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. Most recently in 2010, Joey appeared in Not Wanted on the Voyage (The Unicorn), produced by the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University. Joey also appeared in The Who’s Tommy (Younger Tommy), produced by The Northwestern University Theatre and Interpretation Center. Joey enjoys playing baseball, basketball, football, the clarinet and singing in the chorus. He is an enthusiastic reader, an avid movie watcher, a passionate sports fan and devoted older brother to Luke, and Annabella. Joey is thrilled to perform for The Griffin Theatre. He would like extend many, many thanks to Dorothy, Bill, the entire cast and crew for this opportunity, and to his friends and family for their continued love and support.
JEREMY FISHER (Mr. Fogelman) is pleased to be working with Griffin again where he was last seen in Stage Door directed by Robin Witt. Other recent favorite credits include Hollow Lands directed by Jon Berry with Steep Theater and the title role in Ivanov directed by Sheldon Patinkin with Sinnerman Ensemble. Jeremy will be attending the Old Globe MFA program in San Diego beginning in the fall. Thanks to Bill and Dorothy for the opportunity. Thanks to family and Mechelle for the rest. CAMERON HARMS (Steve/Laszlo) is extremely excited to be making his Griffin Theatre debut in No More Dead Dogs. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Cameron is a graduate of Duke University where he studied History and Business. You may have seen him around Chicago in Bailiwick Chicago’s Fucking Men and Emerald City’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He enjoys biking, brunch and beer pong…not necessarily in that order. He hopes you enjoy the show!! HILARY HENSLER (Mom) graduated from Ohio University in 2002 with a BFA in Acting and has been living in Chicago ever since. She has worked as an actor with the Gift Theatre Company, Breadbasket Productions, The Viable Theatre Company, The Boxer Rebellion Theatre, Bailiwick Theatre and Monomoy Theatre in Cape Cod. She has studied acting at the School at Steppenwolf, Green Room Studio and Profiles Theatre. Hilary also works as a massage therapist.
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C O M PA N Y B I O S ( c o n t .) ALEX KYGER (Rick) is thrilled to be working with Griffin Theatre again on this amazing project. Recent credits include Stray Cats (Theatre Go Round Saudi Arabia), Prom Night (Red Tape Theatre), and Letters Home (Griffin Theatre). Alex is a founding member and the Executive Producer of bouffon troupe Les Enfants Terribles. He is also a company member of Red Tape Theatre where he also serves as the Director of Community Engagement. Alex received his BFA in Acting from Roosevelt University’s Theatre Conservatory this past year and would like to thank all his family and friends for their unwavering love and support! RYAN LEMPKA (Wallace Wallace) is pleased to be joining Griffin Theatre for the world premiere of No More Dead Dogs. Ryan has appeared with Griffin Theatre on the National tours of Letters Home as William Porter and Stinky Cheese Man as Jack. A recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts he made his professional debut at Red Tape Theatre alongside Les Enfants Terribles in Prom Night. Most recently, Ryan was seen in a reading for The Inconvenience as Jerome in Palos Verdes and Cal Schultz in Blatant Testimony’s production of Scared S***less. Television Credits include: Blue Lake Casino and Hotel National spot for iSino. Ryan would like to thank his Mom, Dad, and Sister for their amazing love and support. “There is no ocean like the one, within. Look to the moon rise with the tides, and swim” - Saul Williams MORGAN MAHER (Rory) is pleased to be working with the Griffin again after appearing in last springs production of Stage Door. Other 4 Grffin Theatre
credits include Collaboraction, American Theater Company, Chicago Fusion Theater, Appetite Theater, and Steppenwolf. Thanks to Bill and Dorothy. Dead Mangos 4 Life. CONOR MCCAHILL (Nathaniel) is a 2010 graduate of the Theatre School at DePaul University where he received a BFA in Acting. He was born and raised in the cold mountain air of Colorado and fell in love with theatre at a young age. He integrated himself into every level of theatre during high school becoming involved in makeup, costumes, scenic design, properties, and found himself a niche in playwrighting and on the stage itself. He is a working company member of Nothing Without a Company with whom he is exploring new frontiers in graphic design and slam poetry. Some of his favorite roles at DePaul include “The White Knight” in Alice and Wonderland directed by Sean Graney and Mr. Pendanski in Holes directed by John Jenkins and he recently appeared in Adventure Stage’s production of And A Child Shall Lead as his professional debut and is very happy and proud to be in Griffin Theatre’s No More Dead Dogs. ERIN O’SHEA (Kelly) is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in theatre and minored in music. She recently played the role of Molly in Jake’s Women (Citadel Theatre), and completed filming the first season of a webisode series, Completely Normal Activity (Private Portions). Other past roles include “Jo March” in Little Women the musical (Night Blue Theatre), Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show (Night Blue Theatre), “Kendall Adams” in Stage Door (Griffin Theatre), “Marley” in Want, Staged Reading (Victory Gardens), “Bille”
C O M PA N Y B I O S ( c o n t .) in Reality, Staged Reading (Nordic Play Festival, Chicago), “Pitti-Sing” in The Mikado (Augustana College Summer Opera), and “Paulinka Erdnuss” in A Bright Room Called Day (University of Notre Dame). She has also performed in several sketch review shows at Donny’s Skybox at The Second City, as well as in various films and short films in Chicago. Much love and thanks to her friends and family! ELLIE REED (Rachel) couldn’t be happier to be a part of No More Dead Dogs! She was most recently seen as Ronda in Hooters: A Play presented by Buzz22 Chicago, a theatre company of which she is a founding member. Ellie holds a B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University, where she spent her time acting, writing, performing stand-up comedy and improvising. She is currently continuing her comedic education at iO Chicago and The Conservatory at The Second City. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support and for laughing at her jokes. DOROTHY MILNE (Director) is glad to be back at Griffin Theatre where she previously directed Little Brother and Stardust. She is the Artistic Director and an ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre, where she has directed nineteen productions, receiving a NonEquity Jeff Award (Direction) for Around the World in 80 Days; and Non-Equity Jeff Nominations (Direction) for Pistols for Two, Jane Eyre (for which she also received an After Dark Award), Strong Poison, and Gaudy Night. She most recently directed The Mark of Zorro. Back in 1992, she received an Equity Jeff Nomination for her direction of Eleemosynary at Interplay Theatre Company. Dorothy is an 18-year member of the writing-performing collective Sweat Girls.
NIC JONES (Lighting Design) is very excited to be making his Griffin debut with such a talented cast and crew. Nic is currently also working on David Bell’s Murder for Two at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and American Theatre Company’s Grease. In television his work can be seen on FOX’s Chicago Code or the upcoming NBC Pilot Playboy Club where he is a Studio Mechanic. Other favorite staged work includes designing The Earl at A Red Orchid Theatre in association with The Inconvenience of which he is a founding member. Upcoming productions include Timeline Theatre’s World Premiere of My Kind of Town and Pinkalicious at the Broadway Playhouse. Elsewhere around Chicago Nic has worked as a Designer, Assistant, and Master Electrician at Writer’s, Lifeline, The Marriott, The Drury Lane, House, Strawdog, Mary-Arrchie, Remy Bumppo, Emerald City, The Neapolitans, Eclipse, and Jackalope Theatre. Nic is a DePaul Theatre School graduate with a B.F.A. in Lighting Design. JOE SCHERMOLY (Set Design) studied scenic design and art history at Northwestern University and works as a designer, carpenter and painter. He recently returned to Chicago after two years in London, UK. London design credits include UK premieres of In the Blood and You May Go Now (Finborough). Chicago design credits include Port, The Constant Wife (After Dark Award), How I Spent My Last Night on Earth(Griffin Theatre), The Master and Margarita, Richard III (Strawdog) and Sweet Confinement (Sinnerman Ensemble, After Dark Award). Big thanks to Bill, Dorothy and the rest of the Dogs team! NATHAN ROHRER (Costume Design) most recently worked with Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Ann Reinking on Thodos Dance Chicago’s critically acclaimed White City: Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. He has designed countless children’s theatre productions with Chicago’s Emerald City Theatre, most recently Grffin Theatre 5
C O M PA N Y B I O S ( c o n t .) costuming Pinkalicious, which is to debut this summer at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. He has also designed numerous works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s second company, as well as River North Chicago Dance, Deeply Rooted Productions, and countless other performing arts entities in Chicago. His picturesque costume renderings have been exhibited and sold in art galleries, and have been featured in Time Out Chicago. He is currently in residence at Thodos Dance Chicago, in addition to working as a Freelance costume designer. Nathan received his B.A. in Drama from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. RICK SIMS (Sound Design/Original Music) Rick has composed and designed sound for numerous Lookingglass productions and many other Chicago area theatres such as Steppenwolf, Congo Square, Writers Theatre, Lifeline, Griffin, The House, Court, ATC, Victory Gardens, The Raven, Steep and About Face. Out of town credits include Icarus at the Getty in L.A. with Lookingglass, and Gary at Boston Playwrights. Rick won a Jeff Award for lyrics in Hepheastus and was nominated for another for musical direction for The Shaggs both at Lookingglass. Rick also has two BTAA award nominations. Rick is an artistic associate of Lookingglass Theatre Company and an associate designer with Aria Music Designs (Ray Nardelli and Josh Horvath). Rick also wrote the book, music and lyrics for Lookingglass’ Hillbilly Antigone. PAUL GILVARY (Band Direction) was composer and musical director for Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Puss in Boots, Bongo Larry and Two Bad Bears, and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (Lifeline Theatre. KidSeries) and composed music for Cat’s Cradle and Crossing California (Lifeline Theatre, MainStage). Paul has also performed at Strawdog Theatre, playing stand up bass in the bands for Marathon 33 and Old Town. In the daytime, 6 Grffin Theatre
Paul teaches music at Oriole Park Elementary School. BECKY BISHOP (Stage Manager) returns to the Griffin after stage managing such shows with them as Stage Door, On the Shore of the Wide World, The Robber Bridegroom, Be More Chill, and Letters Home. Around Chicago she has also worked with The Gift Theatre, Caffeine Theatre, Dog and Pony, and just this past January as a guest SM at Roosevelt University. Thank you so much to Dorothy as we work together for the first time. And to everyone else I remain, Your Friendly Neighborhood Stage Manager. KATHERINE MCGRATH (Assistant Director) is a recent graduate of AMDA and Northwestern University, where she directed All’s Well That Ends Well, I Hate Hamlet, and Taming of the Shrew (which was absolutely not a musical). Previously this year, she directed an adaptation of Anyuta for Prologue Theatre Company. Now, she’s thrilled to be assisting Dorothy Milne here at Griffin! WILLIAM MASSOLIA (Adaptation/ Artistic Director) is a founding member of the Griffin Theatre Company. He is the author of over 30 plays and adaptations including, Be More Chill, Little Brother, Stardust, Loving Little Egypt, Shakespeare’s Dog, Ash Can Alley, and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. His play Letters Home recently completed a 17 city National Tour of North America and his children’s play, Frindle was presented in 22 US cities in the 2009/2010 season. Massolia is a 7-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for his work as a playwright. A graduate of Southern Illinois University, Mr. Massolia is a past member of the League of Chicago Theatres Board of Directors, a recipient of an IAC Playwriting Fellowship Award and currently sits on the theatre advisory panel for the Illinois Arts Council.
C O M PA N Y B I O S ( c o n t .) RICHARD BARLETTA (Artistic Director) is a founding member of the Griffin Theatre Company. In his almost 30 years of theatre he’s directed over 125 productions, many of these with the Griffin. Some of his favorites would include: Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, All The Way Home, Ah, Wilderness!, Shake Your Groove Thing, Shakespeare’s Dog, Ash Can Alley, Henry and the Second Gunman, A Night in Mantua, The Whipping Boy, There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, Frindle, There’s a Girl in my Hammerlock and Angus,
Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging, for which he received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for direction. Richard holds an MFA in Directing from the Goodman School of Drama and a BS in theatre from the University of Evansville. In addition he has directed productions at the Theatre School, DePaul University and Loyola University in Chicago. He received Joseph Jefferson Awards for both directing and ensemble with the Midwest premiere of Stags and Hens.
L O O K I N G F O R C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S H I P O P P O R U N I T I E S ? This Season the Griffin Theatre Company’s National Touring Program will be seen by over 100,000 audience members nationwide. Griffin’s artistic properties can give sponsors broad and premium visibility, and brand exposure to thousands of people coast to coast. Corporate sponsorships and foundation gifts ensure that Griffin is able to maintain artistic excellence on stage, enhance education programs and continue our conversation with our community, contributing to the quality of life in the Chicago Area and nationwide. To find more about how to become a corporate sponsor call Bill Massolia at 773-769-2228, ext 3. GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY 2010/2011 Touring Schedule LETTERS HOME Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN. October 5 – 12, 2010 Warsaw Performing Arts Center, Warsaw, IN. October 18 – 19, 2010 California State University-Northridge, Northridge, CA. October 22, 2010 Grand Theater, Wausau, WI October 25 – 26, 2010 Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines, IA. November 4 – 6, 2010 The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA. November 9 – 10, 2010 STINKY CHEESE MAN Cerritos Center for the Arts, Cerritos, CA. February 2 – 3, 2011 Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. February 10 – 12, 2011 Grand Theater, Wausau, WI. March 14 – 15, 2011 FRINDLE Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, IN October 18 – 19, 2010 The Ritz Theater, Tiffin, OH October 20 – 21, 2010 Metropolis Center for the Performing Arts, Arlington Heights, IL February, 3 – 12, 2011 Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, Westhampton, NY. March 31 – April 1, 2011 Capital Center, Concord, NH. April 3 – 4, 2011 Chris Brown Presents, Lowell, MA. April 5, 2011 SUNY-Purchase, Purchase, NY. April 6, 2011 Schwartz Center, Dover, DE. April 7 – 8 2011 Wilkins Theatre, Union, NJ. April 10 –11, 2011 Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. April 13 – 14, 2011 Grffin Theatre 7
THE NEW GRIFFIN ARTS CENTER
THE NEXT STAGE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN An opportunity to own a permanent space is a timely catalyst in the continuing growth of any arts organization. To have a building that one can call home can create unprecedented institutional growth, give the organization a firm foundation in a community, help expand its audience, and allow for new program initiatives and infrastructure development. After twenty-two successful years of producing theatre in Chicago for both children and adults the Griffin Theatre Company has been presented with this exciting opportunity to create a neighborhood professional performing arts center in the Bowmanville neighborhood of Chicago. Five years ago the Griffin vacated its thirteen year home in Andersonville due to escalating rents. Alderman Patrick J. O’Connor of the 40th ward saw a need to keep the Griffin in the neighborhood and offered the Griffin a chance to purchase, renovate and create a theatrical complex in an abandon police station on the corner of Foster Avenue and Damen Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood. The purchase price of building from the city of Chicago is an unprecedented amount—one dollar. The Griffin recognizes that this is a remarkable opportunity and a chance for the organization to create the unprecedented growth it needs to sustain itself for years to come. It is now critical for the Griffin to embark on a capital campaign. Renovating an old 1930’s police station poses some exciting challenges and opportunities for the Griffin Theatre. Celebrated theatre architect John Morris who designed both the Steppenwolf Theatre and the Lookingglass Theatre downtown at the pumping station is currently designing the venue. The complete project will be done in two phases. The first phase will begin in early 2011 and 8 Grffin Theatre
the renovation will include an 80 seat black box theatre. The second phase will create a 120 seat main-stage theatre. The theatre itself will have a fly system to utilize state of the art lighting and scenery designs. The stage floor will be a series of traps to allow for entrances and exits from below the stage. The design will be completely unique and architectural elements of the police station will be incorporated into the design of the theatre—the box office will be one of the stations old holding cells. The original office space and interrogation rooms of the police station will be converted in to the Griffin’s administrative offices and allow for classrooms and workshop space. The Griffin is dedicated to performing theatre for children and young people and in addition will create performing arts classes for children and partner with the nearby neighborhood schools to help integrate arts curriculum into the classroom. More importantly, the Griffin will be creating a neighborhood arts center where people of all backgrounds can gather to enjoy, participate, and experience the arts. Griffin’s finances and the future of this project lie in its ability to make this capital campaign successful. The funds it creates from its own resources through ticket sales, touring revenue, corporations and foundations and continued support from its friends through the annual fund and benefits will not be sufficient. That is why the Next Stage campaign is an exciting and tremendous opportunity and an important catalyst in the continuing growth and success of the Griffin Theatre Company. If you would like to find out more about how you can contribute or help be a part of the NEXT STAGE campaign, call 773-769-2228 ext. 2 or 3 or email bill.massolia@rcn.com. Grffin Theatre 9
A N N UA L F U N D The Griffin Theatre Company would like to gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies throughout the year, which have enabled our arts organization to continue to produce quality arts programming for young and old. If you would like to find out more about supporting the Griffin Theatre Company please call 773-769-2228 or use the form attached. $10,000 and up Alphawood Foundation The Chicago Community Trust The California Community Foundation Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation I.A. O’Shaughnessey Foundation David & Elizabeth McFadzean $5,000 - $10,000 The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation The Illinois Arts Council The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation Polk Bros. Foundation $2,500 - $4,999 City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs The Saints $1,000 - $2,499 David Aitken Diane Aitken Richard Barletta Claire Conley FMC Foundation James Denton Jeff Graves Bill & Mary Lou Griffin Jordan Humberstone Illinois Switchboard Corporation Paul Klaeysen Terese A. Kozlowski Helmut Mlakar Maureen Murnane Northside Federal Savings 10 Grffin Theatre
Square D Foundation Teresa Sullinger Weldy-Lamont Associates $500 - $999 AOL Time Warner Mr. & Mrs. Frank Barletta James Donnelley Timothy Fox Karen and David Larson Thomas & Barbara Leopold Mr. & Mrs. William Massolia Doris McGee The Playboy Foundation Sue & Tim Reardon Hugh Spencer Wellington Mortgage Corporation $250 - $499 Thomas & Linda Berk Duane Carter Tyrell Funkhouser William Massolia Vanguard Archives Inc. Mary Williams $100 - $249 Marge Adreani Alamo Shoes Paul & Kathy Boyd Chris Bruzzini Bill & Kathy Burnett Megan Byrne Café Boost Russell Carr Mary Carra DK’s Corporation Dan Cherry Richard Christiansen Carol Corski Carol Crisci Sandra deBettencourt Farraguts on Clark Michelle Fire Mr. & Mrs. David Flahive Timothy R. Fox
John W. Fritz CPA Kathy & David Gemperle Dean Giordano Mary Grover Bill & Mary Claire Hersh Suzanne Hoffman Beth & Bruce Holmquist Liz & Michael Howard Mark Hudson David W. Ives IBM Corporation Dixie P. Johnson Madeline Kahn Mari Louise Kailing Jane Kroner Dennis & Pat Lamont Bruce Leep Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Lundberg John & Kathryn Lutz Stephen Maclean K. F. Mazurek Joan Mazzonelli Michael McNamara Margaret Mell Walter S. & Arlene Mikol Thomas & Cecilia Murphy Pepsico Jerry Proffit Linda & Frank Runnfeldt Mark Schulte Bruce Siewerth Susan Solomon Terence Stevenson The Swedish Bakery Mark & Julie Weber Paul and Denise Wilkinson Don & Karen Zastawny Patricia Zastawny $1-$99 Jackie Aicher Janet Ahlgren Christopher Alvarado The Andersons Betty Barclay Deborah & Mark Berry Anne Basye
A N N UA L F U N D ( c o n t .) Susan Baum Archie & Vivian Benfield Kari Bellinaso Jane E. Betkus Michele Greco & Robert Blonski Jerry Blumenthal Boyle Design Michael & Ellen Brottman Verlee J. Buchholz Delano J. Busczynski Christina Calvit Monina Canete Russell & Catherine Cangelosi Donna & Michael Cavan Joan Centano Rae Ann Cerle The Christiansons Ian & Donna Cohen James Covello Mary Ann & Leonard Cowherd Marie E. Cristol Erica Danos & Joseph Schwartz Sydney Daniels Erica Danos Eddie Dekel-Tabak Jill DeVaney Alan Donahue Patricia Donegan Brendan Donnelly Mark Dougherty Natalie Dubs Chuck Elliott Herbert & Nancy Ferguson Sally Fermaint Roger & Delores Flaherty Lew Fox Fernanda Franchini Pat & Jack Frank Don & Sue Summerton Gamble Donald Gecewicz Michelle Geoga Richard Gertz Jinine Giese Margaret Givhan Mandel Goodkin Michael Goodkin Mark & Cynthia Greenwood Martha & Ramon
Greenwood Shonah Greer Karen Grost Caroline Guenette Kenneth Hager Barbara Hale Marion Hank Christine Haught Barbara Heathfield Lenore W. Hervey Carole Hilkin Annalee Letchinger & David Hoppe Ellen Horan Susan D. Imus Victoria Jackson Gregoire Klees-Johnson Kristin Johnson Leah Kaiser Mike Kaiser & Dale Royer Cheryl & Mark Kaplan Leonard Kaplan Madaline & Ted Kiedysz Samantha Kittle Jeffrey Koblish Jamie Kosinski Ruth Kurczewski Barbara Lanctot Robert Lanum Dolores & Bob Lathan Mary Lauren Karen Layer Sean Le Lori Lee Marvin & Ann Leiner Vincent Lengerich Loretta Lodestro Betty & Ara Mayian Maritime Canvas Mary Marnell Dr. Fredrick & Susan Mausolf Frank McCarthy Richard McGuire Timothy Michel Dorothy Milne Lori Mitchell John & Sandra Moore Mary Mullaney Lisa Murphy Frank Nagorka Annette & Steve Newby R.J. Niller Herbert Nipson Dorothy J. Nygren
Catherine O’Brien Patsy and David Oser Mack & Sara Overton Phil & Julie Ow Ronald Payne Janie Petkus Christopher Piatt Allen and Rita Pomerance Quaker Oats Foundation Carolyn & Bill Redding Bob and Katie Remer Sandra Remis Melissa & Jeff Riemer Jerry & Sue Ring Ed Ripp Elizabeth Roach Barbara Madej Roos Alan Saleski Heather Salisbury Udo Schaefer Heddi Schellbach R.E. Schingoethe Susan & Ian Schwartz Vladimir Seizovic Lynda Shadrake Kathleen L. Shannon Frank Sherman Carol Shrailberg Pam & John Simmons James B. Smith Meg Givhan & J. Sollberger Ms. Mary Ann Sorokie Donald Sprague Dr. Mrs. John Stankiewicz Seth Stein Andrea Sullivan Elisabeth Wilcox Szegho Jacqueline Thebaud Richard & Sally Thomas Kelly Webster Tracy & Tony Weisman Cary Weldy Diane Wesolokowski Marcia Whitney-Schenck Gail & Linda White Julie Whyte Ginger Williams Karen & Mike Williams Howard Witt Toby Wright Sayward Wyatt Jody Yohanna Jan Yusk Grffin Theatre 11
A B O U T T H E C O M PA N Y Our mission: The Griffin Theatre Company exists to create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. Through artistic collaboration the Griffin Theatre Company produces literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience. The Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Directors - Richard Barletta and William Massolia
Board of Directors Claire Conley - Chairperson Richard Barletta Duane Carter Jeff Graves Paul Klaeysen Terry Kozlowski William Massolia Joan Mazzonelli David Aitken - Emeritus Diane Aitken - Emeritus
Advisory Board Lynn Auerbach Bill Burnett Peggy Gormley Mitch Kohn Liz Livingston Tom Leopold Rick Levine John David Lutz Kevin MacKinnon Virginia Madsen David McFadzean Helmut Mlakar Denise Stewart Harriet Wasserman
Artists In Residence Jonathan Berry Joey deBettencourt Vanessa Greenway Paul S. Holmquist Kevin Kingston Dylan Lower Bill Morey Karyn Morris Edward Paul Ian Novak Robin Witt
(Please detach this form and mail it with your tax-deductible donation.) I would love to support the Griffin Theatre Company’s programming and search for a permanent home! Please accept my donation of:
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Phone Number: Email Address: Please return this form to: Griffin Theatre Company 3711 North Ravenswood Ave. Suite 145 Chicago, IL 60613
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T H E AT E R W I T
MISSION: SMART ART Theater Wit dedicates itself to producing plays that address contemporary issues with humor and intelligence. With groundbreaking new plays and classic works, Theater Wit seeks to engage its audiences with wit and wisdom. Theater Wit recently finished a $1.3 million renovation on the old Bailiwick Arts Center. It will be home to Theater Wit, resident companies, and numerous visiting artists, creating a welcoming and professional home for the neighborhood to experience Chicago’s diversely talented theater scene.
G E T A F L E X PA S S
e Here!!
m Your Na
To take full advantage of all the productions and companies in the space, you can purchase a FLEX PASS for any and all productions in the building. You can use it to purchase online or at the box office. One pass will let you see up to 10 shows at Theater Wit. Bring a date to 5 shows or a crowd of 10 to one show--it’s up to you. Make sure you are on our mailing list to get this great ticket offer for $200 -- a savings of up to 35% off. Call our box office at 773-975-8150 for details or visit us online at theaterwit.org.
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R E S I D E N T A N D V I S I TI N G S H OW S T H I S S E A S O N AT T H E ATE R W I T
Route 66 Theatre Ensemble A Twist of Water February 17 – March 27
InFusion Theatre Soul Samurai April 25 – June 5
Stage Left Theatre Enemy of the People February 25 - April 3
Griffin Theatre No More Dead Dogs April 28-June 19
Theater Wit This February 25 - April 23
Teatro Vista Freedom, NY May 7-June 12
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble Dirty Blonde April 1 – May 1
Stage Left Leapfest June
Call the Theater Wit Box Office for tickets 773-975-8150 or visit us online at theaterwit.org
T H E ATE R W I T S TA F F
Jeremy Wechsler........ Artistic Director David Wechsler....Company Manager Mercedes Rohlfs............Grant Director Nadia Garofalo, Mikey Laird................. Box Office Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Assocs.......... Press Relations Michelle D. Miller and John D. Neumann, Jones Day....................Legal Richard Kasemsarn................Architect David Trent Zilmer................................... General Contractor BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kathryn Stieber...................... President Paul Danao......................Vice-President Charles Hornewer.................. Treasurer Steve Owen.............................Secretary Todd Goldberg Ashley Nelson Neal Smyth Bruce Wechsler
With so much going on at Theater Wit, we recommend you get our e-newsletter to keep up. Get updated news on our resident companies, pre-production insights, interviews and photos. You can also be our bestest ever e-pals by visting us at facebook.com/theaterwit. Fill out a mailing list insert and give to any bartender, usher or house manager to get a free piece of chocolate, or sign up online at theaterwit.org/ join. Grffin Theatre 15
WitRESIDENCE
PROVIDING A HOME TO CHICAGO’S THEATERS Each season, Theater WIt offers its space to one or more companies to produce in year round. The WitRESIDENCE program combines the principles of a cooperative and a traditional rental house to create a more cohesive, professional, and efficient nonprofit environment. In its facility, Theater Wit will play host to other Chicago theater companies on a minimum two-year basis. The resident companies will volunteer their time for space maintenance, share audience development initiatives, and gain a home under one roof. Meet our resident companies!
B O H E M I A N T H E ATR E E N S E M B L E
BoHo Theatre’s mission is to create theatre that incorporates the arts as a whole — Art for art’s sake. BoHo’s vision is to challenge convention through literary originality and eclectic expression while fostering an ever-evolving artistic environment in which people are inspired to learn, think, dream, and feel. To teach others and ourselves how to expand, create, and present art through theatre while reveling not only in the process, but also in the journey. BoHo’s season is chosen to highlight and explore the four bohemian pillars of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love. Four shows, four pillars (and maybe a holiday musical thrown in for good measure!)
S TAG E L E F T T H E ATR E
Stage Left Theatre’s mission is to develop and produce plays that inspire debate about political and social topics. We focus on presenting complicated issues in the context of an engaging story, without prescribing a single point of view. We attempt to spark respectful debate about the issues most relevant to our community, and activate audiences to continue those conversations beyond the walls of the theatre. Stage Left also works to inspire playwrights to address political and social themes through our Downstage Left new work development program.
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Become a fan: facebook.com/footlights Follow us: twitter.com/footlightschi Make plans: footlights.com/chicago/events
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