Proudly Presents
By
Tim Clue & Spike Manton
STARRING
Ron Keaton Rachel Christianson Chelsea Hunter Gary Murphy
Sean Cowan June Miller Gary Saipe
Sam Fain Marc Nelson Kristen Williams
Directed by Tim Clue Assistant Directed by Sean Cowan
Scenic Design by Rebecca Primm
Costume Design by Genesee Spridco
Production Stage Manager Barbara Charlene
Lighting Design by Dante J. Orfei Multimedia Design by Stephen Ptacek Properties Design Kelly Schaub
Produced by Micheal A. Kott, Melanie Lamoureux, Dante J. Orfei & Spike Manton Standing in Mattoon
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SET TING Setting: Somewhere in Mattoon, Illinois, listening to an ice cream vendor named Chuck.
There will be one 15-minute intermission. The use of flash photography and video recording devices without the written permission of the management is prohibited. Please remember to silence or turn off your cellular phones and other messaging devices.
CAST Ice Cream Chuck..........................................................................................................................Ron Keaton Christi...................................................................................................................................... Kristen Williams Reverend Dale.......................................................................................................................... Gary Murphy Ann Dale..........................................................................................................................................June Miller Larry.................................................................................................................................................. Gary Saipe Patty................................................................................................................................ Rachel Christianson Pastor John..................................................................................................................................Marc Nelson George..................................................................................................................................................Sam Fain Multiple Character Guy...........................................................................................................Sean Cowan Multiple Character Girl......................................................................................................Chelsea Hunter Budd...............................................................................................................................................Marc Nelson
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F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R ’ S C H A I R One theme embedded in Standing in Mattoon is a conscious appreciation for the people who are part of our own personal stories. It was our first comedy, Leaving Iowa (lovingly produced at JPAC a few years ago), that brought forth the interest and trust in taking a stab at bringing this next work of ours into the light. We offer our deepest gratitude to the JPAC staff for allowing their foolish instincts to guide them back to us for this next adventure. In that same mindful vein, I must also offer a tribute to our cast and stage manager, who I’m almost certain would tell you that if they’d known how much time we were going to ask of them for this production you might have seen different names in this program. Regarding the impetus for Standing in Mattoon, my writing partner and I both grew up in small towns and have spent countless hours laughing and exchanging rambling stories of the unique, wonderful, goofy and heroic characters who influence our own stories, even to this day. It was our affection for these unique characters, their stories, and the story tellers that was the spark for what you are about to experience: a sentimental comedy about standing in one place for the wrong reason. Lastly, I am wary of the challenge of a good story told well, as my four year old daughter asks me to tell her one every night and my stories have no endings and put her to sleep. I can only hope that is not the case here tonight. Also, remember that with a new work in motion that your responses and interactions will help shape this play and you will receive no real credit nor payment for your tremendous efforts. But more than likely Spike and I are in the back of this theater right now watching your reactions, hearing where you laugh, sniffle, cough or seem confused, making you the final and most important phase of this wonderful collaboration with all our new friends at the JPAC in Cicero, Illinois. Tim Clue Writer/Director
March 28 - April 12
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CAST PROFILES June Entwisle Miller (Ann Dale) is delighted to be in Standing in Mattoon. She has performed with Provision Theatre, Tall Ship Windy, Quest Theatre, Metropolis Theatre, Oil Lamp Theatre, Music on Stage, Centerstage Theatre, Bowen Park Theatre, Citadel Theatre, the Mule Barn Theater, the Savoyaires, and the MacDowell Artists. Some of her recent roles include: Virginia (Three Viewings), Mr. Biggley (!) (How to Succeed in Business), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn (Music Man), Fern (Enter Love), Mother Superior (Nunsense), Gertrude (Hamlet), Ida (Honk!), Mother Miriam Ruth (Agnes of God), Queen Aggravaine (One Upon a Mattress), Mrs. Boyle (The Mousetrap). Rachel Christianson (Patty) is so super stoked to be part of this wonderful production. She was most recently seen in The Lockout: A Musical with Six Hours Short Productions and as General JInjur in The Marvelous Land of Oz with New American Folk Theatre. Other credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (KNOW Theatre), Disgruntled Employees (Clifton Performance Theatre), Touring company of Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show (MadCap Puppets) and Gravesongs (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati). She thanks Dad, Mom, Jim, Aaron, Lisa, and Brian for their unending love, laughter and support. Sean Cowan (Multiple Character Guy) is an MFA actor, director, teacher, and fight director. Before moving to Chicago he worked regionally in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Orlando, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and 4
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Spokane. He was the founder and artistic director of the Portland Improv Group and The F.A.C.T (Freakin’ Awesome Comedy Theatre). Sam Fain (George) was most recently seen on stage as John F. Kennedy in the world premiere of Interview: JFK at the National Pastime Theatre and prior to that during Crossroad Repertory Theatre’s summer stock season as Silvio in Servant of Two Masters and Henderson in You Can’t Take It With You. Other recent work includes Orsino in Twelfth Night, Robert in NoExit’s adaptation of Yellow Wallpaper, and as Bob Cratchit while working as an understudy for IRT’s A Christmas Carol. Other favorite roles include Martin in the Midwest premiere of Seminar at the Phoenix Theatre, Larry in Closer, Joey Doyle in A Steady Rain, Michael Wells in Two Rooms, Ben in Night Of The Living Dead, John Proctor in The Crucible, George Milton in Of Mice and Men, and Greg Keesling in the world premiere of Troubleshoot. He has also had roles in Diary of Anne Frank and Dracula also at the IRT. He is a company member of Heartland Actors’ Repertory Theatre and has been seen in four of their Shakespeare productions at White River State Park. He studied theatre at the University of Indianapolis. “Find what you love & let it kill you.” -C. Bukowski. Chelsea Hunter (Multiple Character Girl) Originally hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Chelsea is thrilled to make her official Chicago stage debut with Standing in Mattoon. A comedian at heart, she has made her way around the city doing various improvisation & stand up. Under her belt are classes at the Annoyance Theatre & the Chicago Neo-Futurist
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Theatre. Thank you to the wonderful cast & crew for making this an experience to remember. All my love to Mama, Daddy, Katie & Jeff. Marc A. Nelson (Pastor John, Budd) is happy to be working with Tim and Spike again after appearing at the Royal George Theater in one of their many cast lineups for Leaving Iowa as multiple character guy. Marc grew up looking at Iowa from the Hampton Illinois banks of the Mississippi and would like to dedicate his work in the show to the memory of his Father and Grandmother as well as one of the dressers from Leaving Iowa, Amy P., peace. H.W. Ron Keaton (Ice Cream Chuck) is a familiar presence to Chicago theatergoers. Mr. Keaton has worked at various area theatres – Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Theater Wit, First Folio, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theatre, among others. His latest roles were at Theater at the Center in Munster, Indiana as both Marley’s Ghost and Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol – The Musical. Ronald is an elected representative on the Central Regional Board of Actor’s Equity Association. He is the artistic director of the fledgling SoloChicago Ensemble, which advocates for solo performance in the theatre. Mr. Keaton has two solo pieces of his own that he now performs: Churchill, about the great British leader; and Whispers From The Moon, a solo musical with composer William Underwood of Oak Park, Illinois.
Gary Murphy (Reverend Dale) Every so often, the theatrical stars align and bring together a wonderful group of storytellers that remind us how vital story is in our lives. It’s been my great pleasure to make a small contribution to our Standing In Mattoon community, which of course, now includes you as well. Welcome, Happy New Year, enjoy the show and may all your bagels be ginormously tasty. Gary has played dozens of roles in Chicago area film and stage productions, ranging from the inimitable Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple to the irascible Clarence Darrow in Never the Sinner. Love and big hugs to Marnie and Bunbun. Gary Saipe (Larry) is delighted to be performing in the world premiere of Tim Clue’s and Spike Manton’s Standing in Mattoon. Gary played Dad in the production at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center of the writing duo’s previous play, Leaving Iowa, which strongly incentivized Gary to audition for Standing in Mattoon. Gary has previously appeared at Jedlicka as Mickey Fox in Forty-Five Seconds from Broadway, as Victor Fleming in Moonlight and Magnolias, and as Major Bouvier and Norman Vincent Peale in Grey Gardens. He has performed with numerous other theatre companies throughout the Chicago area, including Pegasus Players (where he appeared in Broadway Bound, the winner of the 2004 After Dark Award for best ensemble, and a nominee for a 2004 Jeff Citation for best production), Bailiwick Repertory, The Profiles Performance Ensemble, Congo Square Theatre, The Side Project Theatre Company, Premiere Theatre and Performance, Stage Two Theatre, Tinfish Theatre, Mary Arrchie Theatre, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and Element Theatre Company. Gary is the author of the play The Point Man, and appeared in its world premiere at Stage Standing in Mattoon
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Two Theatre. For many years, Gary was one of the writers of, and a featured performer in, The Chicago Bar Association’s annual Christmas Spirits show, a nationally-renowned musical political spoof. Gary and his wife, Tarryl, are the proud parents of Josh, Lara and Noah, and the proud grandparents of Zoe Durgavich. Kristen Williams (Christi) is a graduate from the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with an MFA in Theatre, and is a theatre professor and director at Kennedy King College. Since moving from Maine fourteen
years ago she has both directed and acted with several companies in and around the Chicagoland area. Kristen is an ensemble member at Raven Theater, where she has been actively performing for the past seven years. At Raven, Kristen has played Detective Beck in Boy Gets Girl, Katie in Bang the Drum Slowly, Grace in Bus Stop and Hannah Jelkes in Night of the Iguana. Kristen was the director, as well as a performer, in the long running Chicago production of Verbatim Verboten, is an actress with Nuns4Fun Entertainment and is an ensemble teaching artist with American Theater Company. Kristen is very excited to be reviving the role of Christi after the original workshop run over six years ago!
C R E AT I V E S TA F F P R O F I L E S Dante J. Orfei (Artistic Director, Lighting Designer) has been the Artistic Director at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has produced and directed a travel documentary titled European Sojourn, which aired on PBS. Dante also directed the U.S. Premiere of the musical Metropolis and worked closely with the show’s creator, Academy and Grammy Award-winner Joseph Brooks on the development of the show. Dante directed the national regional theatre premiere of Brooks’ most recent Broadway show, In My Life. He has studied with Tony Award-winners Harold Prince and Jules Fisher. He directed the Midwest Regional Premiere of the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You, and has also directed the World Premiere of Nefertiti – The Musical, as well as Premiere Chicago Productions of Little Women, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers, Jekyll and Hyde, The Baker’s Wife, and numerous plays by Olivier Award-winning playwright Ray Cooney, including the U.S. Premiere of Cooney’s It Runs in the Family. 6
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Dante has directed well over 175 stage productions on the professional, dinner theatre and academic levels. Tim Clue (Author, Director) Tim Clue’s first writing gig was stand-up comedy. He established Short Story Theater, a multimedia theatrical company that combined short fiction adaptations with documentary footage. Greek Streets was their inaugural work, using short stories by Harry Mark Petrakis. Other Definitions of Confinement premiered at the National Jewish Theater in 1993, introducing the life and writings of Russian political prisoner Dmitry Stonov. And in 1997, Coloring Potential debuted, which focused on the stories of Chicago’s inner-city youth. In 1999. Tim and his writing partner Spike Manton are now developing their second Midwestern comedy after receiving a Best New Play in the country nomination by the Detroit Free Press for Leaving Iowa. Tim grew up in Rochelle, Illinois, and is currently residing in Chicago with his wife, Kathryn, and daughter, Bailey.
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Spike Manton (Author, Producer) was born on a farm in far upstate New York, but his parents moved to a bustling metropolis of almost two thousand people, where he grew up in the standard 1960’s family unit of four kids, two parents and one station wagon. After graduating Bradley University, Spike moved to Chicago, quit his Procter & Gamble sales job, and began a career in standup comedy. Standup lead to some cable TV shows like Evening at the Improv, MTV and Comedy Central and eventually, a career in Chicago radio, where I spent 10 years hosting FM talk shows and sports talk shows on ESPN Radio. Along the way, he has been trying to create, write and produce original work with his writing partner, Tim Clue. Although the two have many projects at various stages of production, Leaving Iowa is our best example of executing that plan to date. Standing In Mattoon is the newest work in development. Spike lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Tami and his two children, Mickey and Samantha. Melanie Lamoureux (Managing Director) Melanie is thrilled to be part of the JPAC team. She has performed on the JPAC stage many times, most recently as Annie Sullivan in the 2011 production of The Miracle Worker. In addition to serving as the Managing Director of JPAC, Melanie is the Founding Artistic Director of BAMtheatre, a youth educational theatre company based in Hinsdale, IL that involves over 250 students every summer. Through BAM, Melanie has directed and produced such musicals as Into the Woods, Violet, and Chicago. Melanie is also a part-time faculty member of Fenwick High School, teaching choir and theatre. She holds a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Toronto, and a Masters of Music from the Boston Conservatory. Rebecca Primm (Scenic Design) As a recent transplant from Charlotte, NC, Rebecca Primm is enjoying her time as an artist and educator in the Chicago area. Her most recent designs were A Year
with Frog and Toad-Asheville Creative Arts and August Wilson’s Fences-Central Piedmont Community College. Other selected design credits include, The Music Man-Theatre Charlotte, White ChristmasTheatre Matthews, Sweeney Todd-CPCC, The Sojourner and Molly Sinclair-Southeast Opera Association as well as Diary of a Worm, Spider and a Fly, Willy Wonka Jr., The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, and To Kill a Mockingbird. When she’s not designing or painting, she is teaching art at Morton College on faculty. She is excited to be a part of creative team at JPAC. Micheal A. Kott (Sound/Multimedia) has directed numerous plays and musicals both stateside and in Europe, including his critically acclaimed production of Murderer, by Anthony Shaffer. His JPAC directing credits include Doubt, Lilies of the Field and The Boys Next Door. Michael is also a veteran performer at the JPAC having been involved in 18 shows over the last 12 years. Among his favorites are Blood Brothers, Moonlight and Magnolias, Peter Pan, and Tuesdays with Morrie. He is very grateful to Dante Orfei for his friendship, support, encouragement and trust. Micheal played the scene-stealing Psychic in Brain Damaged Film’s 2008 release Secrets of the Clown, available at www.blockbuster. com! Micheal is the founding director of the Green Door Theatre in Garlstedt, West Germany. Currently he is the Artistic Director of Master’s Backstage Players in Carol Stream, Illinois. Micheal was also an ensemble member of Cenacle Theatre in Chicago, where he acted and directed numerous productions. Mike is the multimedia specialist for Morton College by day and at night divides his time among the various theatres in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. He is very thankful to Dr. Felicity Thoet for her guidance and direction. She is a wonderful director and I thank her for her knowledge. Genesee Spridco (Costume Designer) is a multifaceted freelance theatre artisan from Milwaukee, WI, who is no stranger to the Standing in Mattoon
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commute to Chicagoland and across the country. Past costume designs include work with her own theatre ensemble Imaginez, the Fifth House Ensemble, Suitcase Shakespeare, Cave Painting Theatre, and Tibbits Summer Theatre (Michigan). She has a BFA in Directing and BS in Theatre Education from Viterbo University and an MFA in Ensemble Devised Physical Theatre from Dell’Arte International. Whether onstage or off, nothing thrills her more than seeing a new piece of theatre come into fruition. She is honored to join this production in its launch! Barbara Charlene (Production Stage Manager, Fight Director) is a wearer of many hats in theatre, hailing from Virginia. She has a BA in Theatre from Virginia Tech, a BS in Psychology from Virginia Tech, and an MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University. She is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a graduate of the International School for Comic Acting in Reggio-Emilia, Italy. She has performed and worked in theatre as close as New York City and as far away as Singapore. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild with her work in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and her fight direction for Stolen Chair Theatre Company’s production of The Accidental Patriot was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award. Barbara’s work has been seen at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The National Comedy Theatre, WOW Café Theatre, The Lost Colony, Bright Star Touring Theatre, and The Pennsylvania Renaissance
Faire. Standing in Mattoon marks her return to stage management and she cannot thank the artistic and production staff enough for their hard work and dedication to new play development. Thanks especially to Tim, Spike, Kathryn, and Sean, and as always to my family for their continued support as I pursue my dreams. www. barbaracharlene.com Diana Visk(Assistant Stage Manager, Dramaturg, Script Manager) is excited to be working with JPAC again. Favorite credits include: Phantom of the Opera, Legally Blonde, No Sex Please, We’re British, and Miracle Worker. Thanks to the cast and crew, especially Dante, Tim, Barbara, and Melanie for this opportunity! Kelly Schaub (Properties Designer) has been active in theatre for almost 30 years. Working in both administration and production, she has served as Production Stage Manager for the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre, Business Manager at The Children’s Theatre Company, Managing Director for 15 HEAD – a theatre lab, General Manager for Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and Board Chair for Open Eye Figure Theatre. Kelly also does freelance consulting to small arts nonprofits. She has toured the country as Stage Manager for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. She has designed for Prufrock Theatre Company, 20 Percent Theatre Company – Twin Cities, Alan Berks and Company, and is an avid photographer, mixed media artist, and entrepreneur.
T H E AT R E S TA F F Artistic Director............................................................................................................................ Dante Orfei Technical Director..................................................................................................................Michael Nedza Managing Director..................................................................................................... Melanie Lamoureux Scenic Construction............................................................................................................. Justin Dashiell Theatre Assistant..............................................................................................................Samantha Nieves Public Relations.................................................................................................................David Rosenberg Theatre Staff...............................................................................................Antonio Barrios, Anna Garcia, Marian Lamoureux, and Diana Visk. 8
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