Gulf View

Wisconsin Lutheran College Theatre Department Presents

February 12, 17 & 18 @ 8 p.m. and February 13 @ 3 p.m.

Wisconsin Lutheran College 1

PROGR A M See Rock City

By Arlene Hutton Produced by special arrangement with Dramatist’s Play Service, Inc. See Rock City was developed at The New Harmony Project 2004.

Setting Place: The front porch of a modest bungalow in eastern Kentucky Time: Scene 1....................................................................................................................................................June 1944 Scene 2......................................................................................................................................a few weeks later Scene 3............................................................................................................................ early September 1944 Scene 4.............................................................................................................................................. an hour later Scene 5........................................................................................................................................... mid-May 1945 Scene 6...............................................................................................................................................August 1945

CAST Raleigh...................................................................................................................................................John Tiefel May...................................................................................................................................................... Naomi Tiefel Mrs. Gill........................................................................................................................................... Sarah Tullberg Mrs. Brummett........................................................................................................................... Deanna Strasse

S TA F F Director....................................................................................................................................... Rachel Williams Scene Designer...................................................................................................................... Andrew Sierszyn Lighting Designer..........................................................................................................................Bryan Quinn Costume Design.................................................................................................................. Vincent Pelligrino Sound Designer................................................................................................................Katie Meisenhelder Stage Manager.................................................................................................................................. Erin Eggers Props Master.......................................................................................................................................Bryce Clark Dramaturges................................................................................ Christine Thompson & Alycia Johnson Sound Board Op.......................................................................................................................Hannah Stellick Light Board Op..............................................................................................................................Katrina Smith Dialect Coach................................................................................................................................. Ken Williams Shop Manager/Tech Director................................................................................................... Dana Fralick Education Outreach Coordinator......................................................................................Deanna Strasse Media Coordinator................................................................................................................. Octavia Morton Theatre Department Technical/Shop Staff............................................ Blake Miller, Sean Gogerty,

Amanda Schumacher, MaryFran Stefanich, Renee Pottorff,

Christine Wilde, Brenda Kolell, Wendy Veramendi,

Miracle Mills, Martin Smith, Ben Adickes Faculty................................................................................................................... Jan Gompper, Jay Seirszyn

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S This play pulled me in because of the love that all these people have for one another. Even Mrs. Brummett who can be ignorant and mean has good intentions and truly wants the best for her family. As the cast worked through the script the sacrifices that each of the characters make really stood out for us. This era was a time of true pride and dedication to our country. Family was of the utmost importance. In today’s world it seems that different priorities can take precedence.

However, we are faced with similar trying times today. The unemployment rates are staggering. Although, we have come leaps and bounds in women’s rights and in understanding those with disabilities, we still struggle with discrimination and treating those we do not understand as second class citizens.

I’ve learned a lesson from May and Raleigh. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices in life.

Life is not always what we expect it’s going to be. Staying positive and putting the needs of others before our own helps. And as Mrs. Brummett says, “We just havent’ trust that our maker has his own plans for us.”

2 Wisconsin Lutheran College

Wisconsin Lutheran College Theatre Department Presents

Gulf View Drive March 3, 4 5 & 6th @ 8p.m.

Wisconsin Lutheran College 3

PROGR A M Gulf View Drive

By Arlene Hutton Produced by special arrangement with Dramatist’s Play Service, Inc. Gulf View Drive premiered in New York City at the 78th Street Theatre Lab in association with The Journey Company.

It was originally produced by the Actors Co-op, Hollywood CA, Paul Stuart Graham, Producing Director; Marianne Savell, Director.

It was developed in The New Harmony Project 2006.

Setting Place: A small island community on the gulf coast of Florida: The screened-in back porch of a modest cinderblock home.

Time: 1953-1954 Scene One.............................................................................................Right after Thanksgiving Scene Two.................................................................................................................Christmas Day Scene Three........................................................................................................Lincoln’s Birthday Scene Four.............................................................................................. Prior to St. Patrick’s Day INTERMISSION Scene Five............................................................................................... The week before Easter Scene Six........................................................................................................ Before Mother’s Day CAST Raleigh....................................................................................................................... Caleb Pearson May........................................................................................................................... Octavia Morton Mrs. Gill..............................................................................................................Maryfran Stefanich Mrs. Brummett.................................................................................................... Chelsea Nillissen Treva............................................................................................................................Anastasia Wild S TA F F Director................................................................................................................... Kristen Kraklow Scene Designer..................................................................................................Andrew Sierszyn Lighting Designer..................................................................................................... Bryan Quinn Costume Design..............................................................................................Vincent Pelligrino Sound Designer............................................................................................Katie Meisenhelder Stage Manager....................................................................................................... Renee Pottorff Assistant Stage Manager.........................................................................Lachrisa Grandberry Dramaturgy Advisor..................................................................................Christine Thompson Props Master.................................................................................................................. Bryce Clark Light Board Op......................................................................................................... Katrina Smith Sound Board Op.............................................................................................Lindsay Woelbing‎ Dialect Coach..............................................................................................................Ken Williams Shop Manager/Tech Director................................................................................ Dana Fralick Education Outreach Coordinator...................................................................Deanna Strasse Media Coordinator.............................................................................................Octavia Morton Theatre Department Technical/Shop Staff......................... Blake Miller, Sean Gogerty,

Amanda Schumacher, MaryFran Stefanich, Renee Pottorff,

Christine Wilde, Brenda Kolell, Wendy Veramendi,

Miracle Mills, Martin Smith, Ben Adickes Faculty............................................................................................... Jan Gompper, Jay Seirszyn 4 Wisconsin Lutheran College

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S The theme of productions at WLC this year has been a season of tests. In particular, the Nibroc Trilogy has been a test of commitment. In Arlene Hutton’s final chapter, May and Raleigh’s marriage is put through multiple tests, including moving away from their hometowns, living in the same house as their mother-inlaws and handling the effects of integration in the 1950s. Yet, through it all, they remain together. I think this play emphasizes the importance of commitment in relationships. In this day and age couples often have a skewed idea of what love is. Love is not temporary, conceited, or easy. Love is unconditional. It is putting another’s needs in front of your own. Love is hard. “Marriage has its ups and marriage has its downs.” Husbands don’t always have to like their wives but they should respect them. Wives don’t have to agree with their husbands but they should trust them. Love in a marriage and in a family is built on respect and trust.

One of the characters that exemplifies this best is Raleigh’s father, Mr. Brummett.

While he is never seen onstage, his lifelong outlook to love everyone influences May’s decision from choosing the easy path to choosing the right path in the final scene. Loving everyone is not just accepting them for who they are; it is having the desire to help them find happiness. Sometimes, love is tough to give but it is never worthless to give it. In this production of Gulf View Drive, I hope to remind audience members that love is given, not received and that commitments, while demanding, are worth the effort.

I’d like to personally thank my mom and dad for their model of commitment both as spouses and as parents. Thanks to my cast who put up with me and brought this story to life, to my theatre professors who taught me everything about the world I love, to my friends who believed in me even when I did not, and a special thanks to you, the audience. Thank you for coming and I hope you love the show as much as I do.

BIOGR APHIES Bryce Clark (Props Master) is very excited to be backstage for his first BlackBox show. He is no stranger to theatre since he has been performing in plays since he was in first grade.

Lachrisa Grandberry (Gulf View Drive-ASM) is very excited to be the assistant stage manager! This is her first time behind the scenes and she loves working with the awesome people at WLC!

Kristen Kraklow (Gulf View DriveDirector) is putting away her wigs and wrenches in order to sit in the director’s chair! After designing lights and playing The Duchess in Lady Windermere’s Fan, she is thrillled at the opportunity to direct. To all her supporters these past four years--her Lord, her family, her friends and her roommates--Thank you!

Katie Meisenhelder (Sound Design) is currently a junior at WLC. She has worked on five WLC theater productions as sound designer, sound engineer, sound board operator. Katie is working on an English/Writing degree which she Wisconsin Lutheran College 5

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) hopes to use in the Marketing and Advertising fields. She also plans to continue her involvement with the theater after college as both a sound technician and a writer.

Octavia Morton (Gulf View Drive-May) is a sophomore at WLC. She is thrilled to be returning to the Black Box as May! She feels very blessed to work with such amazing people. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. She would also like to thank her Parents, her little brother, Wolfgang and E-ma for always being there.

Chelsea Nillissen (Gulf View Drive-Mrs. Brummett) is excited to be in another WLC performance. Some of her favorite roles were Jo in Lovers and the Like, Mrs. Erlynne in Lady Windermere’s Fan, Dianna in The American Clock, and Battle Axe Annie in The Curse of the Aching Heart. “Thank you friends and family for all your encouragement, especially Mom, Dad, and Olivia for being there for me in my most dramatic moments”.

Renee Pottorff (Gulf View Drive-Stage Manager), a Junior Theatre major, is stage managing her first show. Previous tech positions include Props Assistant for Lady Windermere’s Fan and Assistant Stage Manager for The American Clock.

Caleb Pearson (Gulf View Drive-Raleigh) is a Junior at Wisconsin Lutheran College majoring in Communications and 6 Wisconsin Lutheran College

minoring in Theatre. He wants to one day become a filmmaker, or teach his love of film to others. Thanks to everyone who helped with this production and all those who have been supportive of me. Enjoy the show and maybe afterward, we can get some ice cream!

Vincent Pelligrino (Costume Designer) is a 2010 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College. He was brought on to the Theatre staff last fall to costume Last Train To Nibroc and Lady Windermere’s Fan. He then spent time living in Los Angeles where he was seen onstage at the Hollywood Fight Club Theatre. He continues to design costumes and audition as he pursues graduate study and a professional career in Acting and Costume Design.

Vincent is happy to be finishing out the 2010-2011 season at WLC. Thanks Jay. Visit his blog for costume and style at: www.ghostofbanquo.blogspot.com Katrina Smith (Light Board Op) is a junior art major from Owatonna, Minnesota. She enjoys working behind the scenes with the lighting crew and tech staff. In November, she played in the pit orchestra for Lady Windermere’s Fan. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!

Andrew Sierszyn (Scene Design) is a senior Theatre and Art double major. His most recent scene design was last falls production of Last Train To Nibroc, the first play of this Arlene Hutton Trilogy. When not scene designing, he considers himself a carpenter at heart. He will hopefully be

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) attending a graduate school next fall to continue his study in scenic design. He would like to thank God, his family, his friends and everyone who has been a part of his theatre family for the past four years.“I could not have asked for a better cast and crew to work with in this story called life.”

MaryFran Stefanich (Gulf View Drive Mrs. Gill) is a Junior Theatre Major excited to participate in her ninth production at WLC. A HUGE thanks to her wonderful roommate, Kim, for her constant love and support.

A junior theatre major here at Wisconsin Lutheran, Deanna Strasse (See Rock City-Mrs. Brummett) is glad to be back in the saddle.

Her WLC production history includes Lady Windermere’s Fan, Curse of an Aching Heart, The Seagull, Hecuba and Anything Goes. She’s also appeared in Rumors as Cookie and Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit with the Off-Book Players.

Big love goes out to her family for dealing with her.

Naomi Tiefel (See Rock City-May) is a 2005 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College. It was ten years ago in this very black box theater where she first met her husband and fellow actor, John Tiefel. How could she resist when the first words out of his mouth were,“I will marry you someday.”

Naomi has had other wonderful memories of performing at WLC, favorite roles include, Rose in Dancing at Lughnasa, and Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods.

John Tiefel (See Rock City-Raleigh) is a 2005 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College and earned a B.A. degree in European History.

However, he spent just as much time (if not more) in the theater as he did studying. John enjoyed working with the theater department while a student at WLC, especially when that meant spending time backstage with his “soon to be” wife.

He has had the pleasure of acting with and being directed by Naomi and has always appreciated her support and guidance both on stage and in life.

Christine Marmor Thompson (Dramaturgy Advisor) is a WLC theatre alumna (2003) who received her Master’s in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota, Mankato (2009). Besides having a love for dramaturgy, Christine is also a writer and her stage adaptation of G. K. Chesterton’s The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare will be getting work shopped at WLC in the Spring of this year.

Sarah Tullberg (See Rock City-Mrs. Gill) graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2009 with a double major in theater and art. Sarah is delighted to work with the cast and crew on such a lovely show as See Rock City. Currently, Sarah is serving as the Box Office Manager at Sunset Playhouse Theater in Elm Grove, WI. Recent stage credits include Red Herring (WRCT) and It’s a Wonderful Life (Sunset Playhouse).

Big thanks and hugs to Andrew for his support. And a shout out to her delightfully encouraging roomie Alicia.

Anastasia Wild (Gulf View Drive-Treva) is a sophomore and this is her second WLC production, which she is thrilled to be a Wisconsin Lutheran College 7

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) part of. She sends a huge thank you to her family and friends for all their love and support and thanks to Jesus for this incredible experience.

Rachel Williams (See Rock City-Director) graduated from WLC in 2002. She is thrilled to be directing here again and thanks Jay and Jan for the opportunity. Theatre at WLC is so important and she thanks the patrons who support this education for our students. Since graduation Rachel has been active in the Milwaukee Theatre community. She has enjoyed rolls with Dramatists Theatre, Cornerstone, The Boulevard, Milwaukee Irish Arts, Youngblood and Bunny Gumbo’s Combat Theatre to name a few.

Currently she is acting as a Monkey in

Bug in a Rug Theatre’s production of Caps for Sale. Rachel invites you to come see her in Chamber’s production of Among the Squirrels on March 7th.

She thanks the cast and crew of See Rock City for their hard work and commitment. Love to Ken for taking care of bedtime routine for the last month! Enjoy the show!

Ken Williams (Dialect Coach) is a local actor/educator who has had the pleasure of working with many exciting companies including Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Optimist Theatre Company, Summer Stage of Delafield, Cedar Creek Repertory, Boulevard Ensemble, Windfall Theatre, Cornerstone and Bunny Gumbo.

He is glad to see that there are places like WLC where theatre is an important art form and is impressed by the students’ dedication to it.

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