InFusion Theatre Co. - Ithaka

presents the Midwest premiere of:

ITHAKA

by Andrea Stolowitz Directed By Mitch Golob Scenic Design Dave Ferguson

Lighting Design Nicholas J. Carroll

Video Design Liviu Pasare

Sound Design Christopher Kriz, USA 829

Props Design Angela Campos

Costume Design Rachel Sypniewski

Stage Manager Tara Malpass Brabant

Production Manager Aaron Shapiro

Casting Director Blair Robertson

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency We would also like to thank the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation for their generous support of our programming Ithaka

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CAST Lanie........................................................................................................................................... Meredith Rae Lyons Evie/The Cat............................................................................................................................................... Anji White Bill..................................................................................................................................................................Nick Freed Odysseus/Jacob............................................................................................................................Andrew L. Saenz Evie’s Mother............................................................................................................................................ TinseyRose Female Understudy............................................................................................................................Carey Burton Male Understudy................................................................................................................................Matt Fleming (The performance runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission)

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director....................................................................................................................................................Mitch Golob Scenic Design...................................................................................................................................Dave Ferguson Lighting Design.......................................................................................................................................Nick Carroll Assistant Lighting Design........................................................................................................Nicole Malmquist Video Design........................................................................................................................................... Liviu Pasare Sound Design.................................................................................................................................Christopher Kriz Costume Design...................................................................................................................... Rachel Sypniewski Props Design................................................................................................................................... Angela Campos Production Manager....................................................................................................................... Aaron Shapiro Stage Manager.................................................................................................................... Tara Malpass Brabant Technical Director................................................................................................................................Michael Wax Assistant Director........................................................................................................................... Rob Grabowski Dramaturg................................................................................................................................ Rose Sengenberger Casting Director..............................................................................................................................Blair Robertson

D R A M AT U R G ’ S N O T E It takes 13 weeks of rigorous physical and mental Recruit Training, 29 additional days of Marine Combat Training (59 days for combat specialties), and anywhere from three weeks to 12 months of Military Occupational Specialty school to turn a person into a marine. And then, after years of service, tours of duty overseas and often multiple deployments, these soldiers become civilians in a matter of days – with little ceremony, and a great deal of paperwork.

In Greek myth, the hero Odysseus spends ten years returning home from war – the same amount of time he spent fighting it. His journey home is fraught with trials that test his cunning, threaten his life and nearly destroy his sanity. In the end, he makes it home – to Ithaka – alone.

The business of making soldiers is about creating an army. A cohesive unit that eats, sleeps, lives and fights together. Many veterans will tell you that war isn’t about the conflict between countries or ideals or freedoms – it’s about the soldier beside you. The journey from civilian to soldier is made as a unit, and wars are fought side-by-side with brothers and sisters in arms.

But the journey home happens alone. Haunted by ghosts, guilt and demons. Taking a road that seems much longer on the way back…

SPECIAL THANKS Cole Simon, Stanley’s Fruit & Vegetables, Claire Tuft, At Home Inn Chicago, Brock Alter

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BIOGR APHIES Nick Freed (Bill) is very excited to be working with InFusion after participating in their New Play Development Workshop with Randall Colburn’s Hesperia.

Chicago credits include Hesperia and Titus Andronicus (Right Brain Project), Dracula (Building Stage), Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Filament Theatre Ensemble), King Ubu (Plagiarists), and Five Flights (Immediate Theatre). Nick is also Artistic Director of Chicago dell’Arte, and holds a BA in Theatre from Truman State University. He wants to thank his friends, and, most importantly, his family for their undying love and support of his vast dreams.

Meredith Rae Lyons (Lanie) is elated to be working again with InFusion Theatre Company! She made her InFusion debute as Mikah Monoch in Fight Girl Battle World. She was most recently seen onstage in RhinoFest’s Dangling Conversations and as Coyote in It Comes In with The Side Project. Other favorite performances include Nanette in Brewed coproduced by the Ruckus and Tympanic Theatre Company, The House Theatre’s Iron Stag King and Cyrano as well as Joan’s Laughter (Joan of Arc) and Birthday (Leila) with The Side Project where she is an Associate Artist. Originally from New Orleans, she holds dual B.A.s in Theatre and Mass Communication from Louisiana State University. (If you google Chicago Martial Arts Examiner, you’ll find her making use of that other degree.) She would like to thank Dean for being her support in every way possible, and Jim Conway, USMC for sharing his personal stories.

Andrew L. Saenz (Jacob/Odysseus) is incredibly excited to be working with InFusion Theatre Company for the first time. His Chicago credits include Ephebophilia (The Phebe Project), Blood and Gifts (TimeLine Theatre),

Buzz 22-Hour Theatre (Buzz 22 Chicago), As You Like It ((re)discover theatre) and Hellcab (Profiles Theatre). Television credits include Chicago P.D. (NBC) and Sirens (USA Network).

He received his B.F.A. in Performance from Baylor University and is proudly represented

by Stewart Talent. He’d like to thank all active and retired military personnel for their service and those willing to share their story in the realization of this play. Additionally, thanks goes out to his friends and family for their generous support.

TinseyRose (Evie’s Mother) is proud and excited to be working with InFusion for the first time! She is a recent graduate of Chicago International Performing Arts Academy “IPAA”.

Before that, her Chicago credits include “Don’t Start No Stuff @ 30,000 Ft.” (Independent) creator/directed by Avery Sutton, co-creator/ co-directed by Nicole Mitchell. “You can’t Take It With You” (St. Sebastian Players Theatre Group) producer/director: Sharon Sullivan/ Jonathan Hagloch. TinseyRose thanks her husband for all of his support, her kids: Keith, Terra, Britney and Willy for always having her back, her fellow IPAA classmates and instructor Frederick Ford Beckley for their encouragement and support. Lastly but way more importantly...she gives praise and glory to the Lord Our Father for allowing “now” to be her time!

AnJi White (Evie/The Cat) is so very grateful to be given another chance to work with InFusion once more! Some of her Chicago credits includes RENT (American Theatre Co); Soul Samurai (InFusion Theatre). She›s also had the opportunity to understudy Timeline›s production of A Raisin in the Sun, Steppenwolf’s production of Clybourne Park and Goodman’s production of Regina Taylor’s Trinity River Plays. She continues to give much praise to the Almighty for allowing her dreams to become a reality and cherishes her parents for believing and nurturing the dream.

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Carey Lee Burton (Female Understudy) is honored to be working with InFusion Theatre. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Carey has spent her post graduate years performing around the Chicagoland area.

Favorite credits include Moment (Steep Theatre), Wild Nights with Emily, Many Loves, Ion (Caffeine Theatre), Lend Me a Tenor, A Christmas Carol (Citadel Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Glass Onion Theatre). Carey is also a proud company member of GreatWorks Theatre, a company dedicated to bringing history and literature based plays into the school system.

Matt Fleming (Male Understudy) is excited to be working with InFusion for the first time. Recent Chicago credits include Jakob in The Rubenstein Kiss (Coriolis Theatre) and Paul in Lemon Cake (The Waking Theatre).

Matt has worked regionally with Theatre at the Center (Munster, IN), The Public Theatre (Lewiston, ME), PlayMakers Repertory Company (Chapel Hill, NC) and New Repertory Theatre (Newton Highlands, MA).

Matt Received his MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his BA from the University of Northern Iowa. Matt thanks his wife, Kristin, his children Iris, Maeve and Beau, and everyone else at the GrazianoSerafini-Fleming compound for support and perspective.

Andrea Stolowitz’s plays have been presented at The Cherry Lane (NYC), The Old Globe (SD), The Long Wharf (CT), New York Stage and Film (NY), and Portland Center Stage (OR). The LA Times calls her work “heartbreaking” and the Orange County Register characterizes her approach as a “brave refusal to sugarcoat…issues and tough decisions.” She has also received much acclaim for her previous plays, Antarktikos, Knowing Cairo and Tales of Doomed Love.

Stolowitz’s screenwriting work includes Jonathan’s War, a feature-length action film, the treatment for Code Name: Pelicano, which 4

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was sold to independent producers, and the upcoming web series Crackerjacks. An MFA playwriting alumna of UC-San Diego, Andrea has served on the faculties at Willamette University, The University of Portland, Duke University and UC-San Diego. She is a founding member of Playwrights West.

Mitch Golob (Director / Artistic Director) can’t believe that Ithaka is the 10th show he has directed with InFusion! Other productions include the world premieres of The Improv Play, Pluto is Listening, Ghostbox and Créole (nominated for 5 Black Theatre Alliance Awards), the U.S. premiere of The Last Supper, and the Midwest premieres of Intrigue With Faye, Rhymes With Evil, Soul Samurai, and Fight Girl Battle World. Some of his other directing projects include 8 By Tenn at Hartford Stage Company, working with Tony Award Winners Elizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer.

He directed the U.S. premiere of Jump to Cow Heaven at Profiles Theatre, And Then They Came For Me at Apple Tree Theatre, and was Associate Director of the award winning world premiere of Hannah & Martin at TimeLine Theatre. He was also a member of Naked Eye Theatre Company, where directing projects included the Jeff Award winning production of Waving Goodbye in a co-production with Steppenwolf. He has also directed at Pegasus Players, Stage Left Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists. Mitch was thrilled to work with such a passionate cast and crew on this beautiful little play about coming home. Much love to Amber, Macy, and & Zach – his reason for coming home.

Tara Malpass Brabant (Stage Manager) is very happy to be working on her 7th InFusion show, where she also serves as the Managing Director. Past InFusion shows include The Improv Play, Soul Samurai, Rhymes With Evil, Intrigue With Faye, Creole, and The Last Supper.

Tara has been very lucky to have worked with many fantastic theatre companies in Chicago including Stage Left, Collaboraction, Theatre Seven, Babes With Blades, Circle Theatre, Backstage, Eclipse, The Side Project and Seanachai. Love to Mike, Billie and Johnny 5!

Angela M. Campos (Properties Designer) is a Chicago based props and scenic designer who frequently collaborates with several storefront theater companies. She also does

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contract work for short films and Chicago interiors. She is proud to be a company member at Collaboraction Theatre Company, as well as an Artistic Associate with 20% Theatre Company. She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support.

Nicholas J. Carroll (Lighting Designer) is a filmmaker and lighting designer working with InFusion for the first time. Nick designed the Off-Broadway production of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche for The New Colony, as well as That Sordid Little Story, 11:11, and projections design for the original production of reWILDing Genius. Other Chicago lighting design credits include Hank Williams: Lost Highway with Filament Theatre Ensemble, several seasonal shows at Actor‘s Gymnasium, and Associate Lighting Design for The Cat In the Hat at the Broadway Playhouse.

Film direction credits include So Many Days (narrative short), Script Comes Last (documentary short), and B-Side Studio (live studio web series) with The New Colony.

Special Thanks to Stephanie and Hero.

David Ferguson (Scenic Design) David designed scenery for InFusion Theatre Co.’s Soul Samurai, Fight Girl Battle World, Allotment Annie and The Improv Play and is thrilled to be a part of the team for Ithaka. Other recent credits include scene design at The Black Ensemble for One Name Only and The Other Cinderella, The Little Shop of Horrors at Stage773, Assisted Living at Profiles Theatre Co., Welcome to Arroyo’s at ATC, Pyewacket’s The Gardens of Frau Hess(Jeff Nomination) and for Coast of Chicago at the Lookingglass Theatre, and lighting design for A Behanding In Spokane at Profiles, Weapons of Mass Impact at A Red Orchid Theatre, Mistress Cycle at The Auditorium Theatre, High School Musical at Metropolis PAC. He would like to say thanks to his most awesome 9 and 7 year old theatrical consultants Megan & Eliot.

Rob Grabowski (Assistant Director) This is the third show with InFusion that Rob has worked on. Prior, Rob was an actor in The Improv Play and Fight Girl Battle World. For a change of scenery, Mitch allowed Rob to work behind the scenes. Besides Infusion, Rob has worked with The New Colony, Profiles Theatre, The Ruckus Theatre, ComedySportz Chicago and

several others. He performs regularly at iO Chicago. He is also a company member with InFusion Theatre.

Christopher Kriz (Original Music and Sound Design) works nationally as a composer and sound designer. In Chicago, Chris has designed for companies including Writers Theatre, Northlight, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Victory Gardens, Remy Bumppo, First Folio, The Gift and Timeline. Some current and upcoming designs include Hedda Gabler (Writers Theatre), Salvage (First Folio), The Great God Pan (Next Theatre) Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England (Theatre Wit) and Cicada (Route 66 Theatre). Chris has received 9 Joseph Jefferson nominations and 2 awards, most recently the Equity Jeff Award for Turn Of The Screw (First Folio). Chris is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com Nicole Malmquist (Assistant Lighting Designer) is excited for her first show with InFusion. Chicago credits include: Fahrenheit 451 (Otherworld Theatre Co.), Schweyk in the Second World War (Red Theater Collective), Amelia (Roosevelt University Opera), You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (ECC), Dearly Departed, Reefer Madness, When the Rain Stops Falling (Circle Theatre). Other professional work: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Lookingglass Theatre Co., Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Utah Shakespearean Festival, IATSE Local 67.

Thanks to Nick for asking her to help out! www.nicolemalmquist.com Liviu Pasare (Video Design) has a Chicago based practice creating visual experiences using new media and technology. He works as a video designer, cinematographer, editor, animator and has produced, directed and performed for live events. He has frequent collaborations with theaters and artists such as Luftwerk, Redmoon, Chicago Children’s Theater, Collaboraction, and many others Chicago. Visit liviu.stoptime341.com for more info.

Rose Sengenberger (Dramaturg) is proud to be part of sharing this story with InFusion.

Rose earned her BFA in Dramaturgy from Carnegie Mellon, and her recent dramaturgy Ithaka

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credits include Antebellum by Robert O’Hara, Mother/Tongue by Claire Robinson May and Open Mind Firmament devised by Raymond Bobgan, all with Cleveland Public Theatre.

Thank you to Mitch for this opportunity, Andrea for sharing this wonderful play with us, Adam for always being in my corner, and Luke for your service, your insight and your patience with my questions.

Aaron Shapiro (Production Manager) is greatful to be working with InFusion for the first time! He currently serves as Executive Director for Studio BE. Aaron also serves as the production manager for Porchlight Music Theatre and Sideshow Theatre. After college he founded Oracle Productions and opened their 40-seat black box theatre in Wrigleyville where he served 4 years as Artistic Director.

He has worked in Chicago as a director, stage manager, producer, actor, production manager, electrician, carpenter, sound engineer, run crew, technical director, scenic designer and lighting designer for Chicago Children’s Theatre, Collaboraction, ATC, Lookingglass, House Theatre, Lincolnshire Mariott, Writers Theater, Shattered Globe, Theatre Wit, Devonshire Players, Downers Grove Players, Pegasus Players, Museum of Contemporary Art, Northwestern University, Route 66, Victory Gardens Greenhouse and

Biograph, Teatro Luna, Teatro Vista, Timeline, Next, The Entertainment Project, T.U.T.A., Light Opera Works, Albany Park Theatre Project, and Pinebox Theatre.

Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Design) has designed InFusion’s past five productions, but this is her first as a company member! Other companies she has worked with include Infamous Commonwealth, Will Act For Food, Promethean, Trap Door, Open Eye, Strawdog, Vitalist, Rasaka, the Factory and New Leaf. She also has worked on shows with St. Patrick’s High School, Indiana University Northwest, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Rachel is also a company member with The Factory and a resident costume designer for Trap Door. More info at www.rachelsyp.com. Much love to Robb, Bailey and the cats.

Michael Wax (Technical Director) is thrilled to be working with InFusion for the first time. Michael has worked as a TD for many theaters around the Chicago area including; Collaboraction, Profiles Theater, The New Colony, Cold Basement Dramatics among others. When not in the theater works Michael is an avid nap taker as well as a huge fan of a good block of cheese. Michael would also like to give a huge shout out to his family, especially Nanna.

DONORS Titanium Member ($1000+) Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. Platinum Member ($500 – $999) Clay & Kelly Drury Derek & Renae Mauser Gina Rosanova Gold Member ($250 – $499) Bruce Golob & Jean Freeman Jill & Ron Rohde Bill Vellon & Sara Stotts Silver Member ($100 – $249) Della Allen Jeff Davis Neil & Autumn Dawkins 6

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Larry Diskin & Christina Van Pelt Jeremy & Jennifer Glenn Marsha Chernoff Golob David & Dana Henderson Doug & Grace James Dan & Melissa Kinzler Mr. Thomas Lavallee & Dr. Renee Scola Andrew Magliochetti & Jennifer Olson Kate Magon Doug & Judy McDonald Rob & Danielle Mohn George & Lara Moynihan John & JoJo Neumann Matt Post Ben & Allison Richman Keith Rudman

Chuck & Jo Shomo Matthew Smith John Voss Mike & Jorie Wisnefski Bronze Member (Under $100) Sarah Ailey Kevin Anderson Diane Baia Andy Baldeschwiler Debbie Brand & Michael Musante Monica Brand & Jordan Engle Daniel Caffrey Lori Clark Spencer Cohn Brian & Lindsay Corby Jason Crutchfield

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Andree Eckert Bill Eckert Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fleetwood Sandy Golob Sandra Greenham Anita Guziec Jeff Herman & Liba Zweigbaum-Herman Ross & Ximen Januszyk Mr. & Mrs. Allan & Melody Jean Laura Lambert Allen & Beth Laufenberg

Scott Lehman Margaret Lewis Susan Lieberman & Jim Stoller Kevin Lilly Micah & Shari Marcus Matthew McLeod Maia Mosillo & Pat Wagner Ronald & Rosemarie O’Connor Mike & Amy Phillips Troy Piper Jonathan & Mandee Polonsky Don & Paula Render

Nick Scarlett Thomas & Cynthia Scarlett Megan Smith Rob Smith & Kelly Hawkins Smith Sheri Stone Ann Tarpey Charles & Sylvia Traeger Jamie & Jessica Turner Andy & Lorrie Zimmerli Sharon Zweigbaum

A B O U T I N F U S I O N T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y InFusion Theatre Company’s mission is to seek out new plays and organically “infuse” them with other elements of entertainment such as music, dance, and film. We strive to create dynamic performances by combining different forms of entertainment that will result in both exciting and thought-provoking work. We focus on giving voice to new works, as well as looking at older works in a new way.

InFusion Theatre Company bridges the gap between socially relevant and “consumer friendly” theatre. The goal is to use its mixed-media focus to reach out to people who may think theatre is academic, high-brow, too expensive, or boring. InFusion’s goal is to show these individuals how exhilarating and accessible a play can be. Our productions are targeted at the entire community, but we concentrate on attracting Young Adults in their 20’s & 30’s, many of whom are infrequent theatre-goers. We hope to captivate this new audience in addition to preserving our traditional audience by making each of our plays an accessible and exciting alternative to going to the movies or watching television.

We seek out plays, by both emerging and established playwrights, that would be enhanced by infusing other media into a production – but with the understanding that we are not trying to impose any artificial elements. We look to further develop and expound upon the themes, ideas, and story already inherent in a specific work. We focus on producing world or regional premieres, but will consider previously produced plays if their story can be told with an innovative and exciting approach. Theatre is one of the few truly interactive forms of entertainment, and we hope our approach will allow us to connect with our audiences in a very real way.

Artistic Director.....................................................................................................................................Mitch Golob Managing Director............................................................................................................. Tara Malpass Brabant Company Manager.................................................................................................................... Jason Crutchfield Literary Manager.........................................................................................................................Bridgette Harney Company Member....................................................................................................................... Michael Brabant Company Member..............................................................................................................................Kevin Crispin Company Member......................................................................................................................... Rob Grabowski Company Member..............................................................................................................................Devyn Mares Company Member....................................................................................................................................... Kit Ryan Company Member...................................................................................................................Rachel Sypniewski Company Member............................................................................................................................Steve Thomas Board President...............................................................................................................................Jeffrey A. Brand Board Member....................................................................................................................................Tanya Burnell Board Member........................................................................................................................................ Amy Eckert Board Member....................................................................................................................................Amber Golob Board Member..................................................................................................................................Rodrigo Lopez Board Member.....................................................................................................................................Rahul Sekhar Ithaka

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