Milwaukee Chamber Theatre - Young Playwrights Festival Showcase

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre 2021

Young Playwrights Festival Showcase February 1-28, 2021 www.milwaukeechambertheatre.org

2021 Young Playwrights Festival Showcase

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Milwaukee

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Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

WELCOME To those near and far, our audience, our friends: welcome! The culmination of a two-year Young Playwrights Festival cycle for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, the YPF Showcase, is at hand. We’re thrilled to present emerging members of our theatre community alongside established artists as they interpret the work of our region’s freshest voices.

The team is formidable. We have over twenty MCT debuts among our cohort of directors, designers, and actors—many of them professional debuts to boot. We have our first second-generation Showcase participant. We have a former winning YPF playwright, now a professional actor and playwright, appearing as an actor. In fact, Brent Hazelton, MCT’s new Artistic Director, who is experiencing this project from a producing and administrative perspective for the first time, is himself an alum of the YPF Showcase: the first time he was handed a check for directing was for this project years ago. Together, it’s a joyous assemblage. My only pinch of melancholy is that we couldn’t all be in a room together with you to appreciate and fuel one another’s work in performance.

Nevertheless, the resilience of storytellers moves me. I celebrate the opportunity we’ve had to bring these playwrights’ tales to you. I hope you enjoy the words: the wit, imagination, and heart of our debuting writers. Our young people are often some of the last or least heard, but they’re some of the wittiest and most provocative thinkers in our community. I hope you enjoy the collaboration as well: the innovation, care, and talent of our artists bringing these plays to you. Thanks for being with us.

Marcella Kearns MCT Associate Artistic Director/YPF Showcase Producer

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Y P F S H OWC A S E P R O D U C T I O N S

LUCIFER JR.

by Dexx Spychala, Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School directed by Nadja Simmonds SET TING PLACE: Lucifer Jr.’s room, Hell; 21st century.

CAST Lucifer Jr.......................................................................................................................................... Kory Friend Lucifer .......................................................................................................................................Joel Kopischke D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Enjoy the hell out of it. -NS BIOGR APHIES

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DEXX SPYCHALA (Playwright) Dexx Spychala is a senior at Ronald Reagan High School. “I’ve spent most of my life here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I love action, comedy, and anime.”

CATCO. Past MCT YPF credits include THIS JUST IN and BURYING HAMLET. Lots of love goes to her family and those continuously fighting for justice and equality. Black Lives Matter. nadjasimmonds.com

NADJA SIMMONDS (Director) Nadja is incredibly excited to be back with MCT’s Young Playwrights Festival!

After leaving her hometown of Cincinnati and attending Marquette University, she now works in Milwaukee as a theater and teaching artist. Regional credits include productions with Forward Theater, First Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Northern Sky Theater, Summit Players Theatre, and Children’s Theater of Madison.

Recently, she proudly participated in the inaugural Milwaukee Black Theater Festival as Woman 2 in HOME, and in A COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS CAROL with

KORY FRIEND (Lucifer Jr.) Kory Friend is a Wisconsin native and ecstatic to be working with MCT for the first time! Kory is fresh out of college—a December 2020 grad from UW Whitewater—where they received their BFA in Theatre Performance. Some of their favorite roles from their undergrad include VANITY FAIR (Actor 5), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Pugsley), TWELFTH NIGHT (Malvolio), and RESORT 76 (Yablonka). Kory hopes to eventually migrate to the Boulder, Colorado area to continue their acting career. Kory is extremely passionate about theatre and is beyond overjoyed to have a hand in bringing this

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

BIOGR APHIES script to life. Kory would like to thank their wonderful partner, Kathleen Grace, their acting mentor, Sara J. Griffin, and their family and friends for the constant love and support.

JOEL KOPISCHKE (Lucifer) Joel is excited to return to MCT’s YPF Showcase, after appearing in HANDMADE OR GO HOME in 2019. Joel has been performing professionally for over 40 years, singing loudly and having fun on stage, TV, radio, and film. He has performed at Skylight, the MSO, First Stage, Mad Rogues, Milwaukee Opera, Forte, Theatre RED, TAP, and Schmitz

Call to learn about our move-in special!

& Giggles. He has released humorous holiday CDs I Got Yule, Babe and Ground Control to Santa Claus, heard on XM Radio, DirecTV, and Doctor Demento. Joel has written oneact plays ROLE PERVERSAL and MONKEY/ CAT and created (with Alissa Rhode & Eva Nimmer) the smash-hit musical DAIRY HEIRS that premiered at Northern Sky Theater in 2018 and is currently working with amazing collaborators on a new rock musical WATCH ME. He is also a leadership consultant, working with co-op and nonprofit boards and leaders across the country in various types of businesses.

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Y P F S H OWC A S E P R O D U C T I O N S

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TO MAKE HISTORY AND LET OTHERS WRITE ABOUT IT HACER HISTORIA Y DEJAR QUE LOS DEMÁS LA COMENTEN by / de Imanol S. Ruiz, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School directed by / dirección Jake Penner SET TING / ESCENARIO Father Llorente’s bedroom / Dormitorio del Padre Llorente Father Llorente’s memory / Recuerdos del Padre Llorente C A S T / R E PA R TO Fr. / Padre Armando Llorente, S.J..........................................................................................David Flores Idel Jiménez..............................................................................................................................Miriam Kopec Juaquín Jiménez.......................................................................................................................Augosto Rios Estevan Escorta..........................................................................................................Daniel Torres-Rangel D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S / M E N S A J E D E L D I R E C TO R I love my job; but I wouldn’t say I’ve ever felt called to do it. I’m not even sure a term like that can be applied to a line of work as privileged as mine.

For me, to be called to do something is reserved for those professions who have it the toughest. Nurses, teachers—there’s a pair of jobs we’ve kept in our thoughts a lot this past year, haven’t we?—soldiers, healthcare researchers, community organizers, or just about anyone in our society who wakes up with every reason in the world not to want to go to work today, but does anyway, day after day after day. Not because they want to, but because they know that for reasons larger than themselves they have to.

I’m in awe of these people in the same breathless way I feel at the climax of any great play.

And I don’t think that’s an accident. Because by choosing the tough path, some of our neighbors have chosen a life that is inherently dramatic. I don’t want to do this. But I must.

I believe this was the premise from which Imanol Ruiz wrote TO MAKE HISTORY AND LET OTHERS WRITE ABOUT IT, the play you’re about to see that follows Father Armando Llorente, the real-life Jesuit priest whose impressive legacy happens to include having been Fidel Castro’s childhood mentor. What if you’re called to do something—in fact, called by God himself—but in so doing perpetuate the pain of an innocent person? What if in so doing you perpetuated the pain of an entire community—in fact, your community?

Are you, in fact, as good as you once believed? -JP La versión en español de este mensaje se encuentra en la siguiente página The Spanish version of the director’s note can be found on the next page 6

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S / M E N S A J E D E L D I R E C TO R

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Me encanta mi trabajo; pero yo no diría que me he sentido llamado para hacerlo. Ni siquiera estoy seguro de que una idea así se pueda aplicar a una línea de trabajo tan privilegiada como la mía.

Para mí, la idea de ser llamado para hacer algo se reserva para esas profesiones que son las más difíciles. Enfermeros, maestros—estos son un par de trabajos que hemos tenido en mente muchísimo durante el último año, ¿verdad?—soldados, investigadores de atención sanitaria, organizadores comunitarios o cualquier persona en nuestra sociedad que se despierta con todas las razones del mundo para no querer ir al trabajo hoy, pero sí va de todas formas, día tras día tras día. No porque tienen ganas de ir, sino porque saben que, por razones más grandes que ellos mismos, tienen que ir.

Estas personas me asombran. Me dejan sin aliento igual que el punto culminante de cualquier gran obra. Y no creo que eso sea por pura casualidad. Porque al elegir el camino duro, algunos de nuestros vecinos han elegido una vida que es dramática por naturaleza.

No quieren hacerlo, pero se ven obligados.

Creo que fue desde esta perspectiva que escribió Imanol Ruiz HACER HISTORIA Y DEJAR QUE LOS DEMÁS LA COMENTEN, la obra que usted está a punto de ver que está basada en la vida del Padre Armando Llorente, el padre jesuita cuyo legado impresionante incluye haber sido el mentor de Fidel Castro durante su infancia. ¿Qué pasa si usted es llamado para hacer algo—llamado, de hecho, por Dios mismo—pero al hacerlo usted perpetua el dolor de una persona inocente? ¿Qué pasa si al hacerlo usted perpetuara el dolor de una comunidad entera—incluso de su propia comunidad? ¿Es usted, de hecho, tan bueno como una vez se creía ser? -JP

BIOGR APHIES / BIOGR AFÍAS IMANOL S. RUIZ (Playwright/ Dramaturgo) Imanol S. Ruiz is a graduating senior from Cristo Rey Milwaukee and is now going to the University of WisconsinMilwaukee to pursue his love for film. He comes from an average Mexican, Catholic, immigrant household and uses every milestone he reaches as another way to show his family the reward for their hard work and sacrifices. Now Imanol works every day to push himself and better prepare himself to meet his own goals head on and try to achieve that seemingly “Impossible Quest.”

JAKE PENNER (Director/ Dirección) Jake Penner is a Wisconsin-based director. Recent credits include THE SINS OF SOR JUANA (American Players Theatre); THE TAMING (Edgewood College); CARRIE: THE MUSICAL (Capital City Theatre); SKELETON CREW (Forward Theater Company); and THE LIGHT (PBS Wisconsin, Emmy Award winner). Jake currently serves as Artistic Associate at American Players Theatre and as a member of the Advisory Company at Forward Theater. Thank you to Marcy Kearns and the whole team at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the chance to bring this talented young artist’s words to life.

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BIOGR APHIES / BIOGR AFÍAS

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DAVID FLORES (Father/ Padre Armando Llorente, S.J.) David has performed extensively with many Milwaukee theater, music, and dance companies including Alchemist, Boulevard Theatre, Cornerstone, First Stage, In Tandem, Milwaukee Chamber, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Off The Wall, Optimist, Renaissance Theaterworks, Skylight, Theater X, Windfall, Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and Wild Space Dance.

Credits include everything from Albee to DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE and Shakespeare to Sondheim. He was stage director of wellreceived productions of FIGARO (Windfall Theatre), THANK YOU. NEXT? (Milwaukee Opera Theatre), PAL JOEY (Boulevard Theatre), and WHERE THE STREETCAR BENDS THE CORNER, DOWN BY THE ZOO (Boulevard Theatre), the last for which he also served as co-writer/creator. He is a long-time member of the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.

MIRIAM KOPEC (Idel Jiménez) Miriam Kopec, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is thrilled and honored to be part of this production.

With a bachelor’s degree in Theatre, she has been seen in LOS SECRETOS DE SANTA MÓNICA-LA BODA, playing as Mary—a feisty, upbeat Puerto Rican mother and beautician, Hortensia—the gossiper of town, and Dolores—a Puerto Rican, harsh and insensitive mother from the past. She has also been seen as the quiet and introverted Amelia at THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA, and Jaquenetta- a provocative, blunt and unaffectionate wench in LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. She is grateful to be on stage once again and share this experience with the audience.

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Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

AUGOSTO RIOS (Juaquín Jiménez) Augosto Rios is 11 years old and is in fifth grade at Coonley Elementary School. He enjoys music, video games, being with his friends and watching wrestling with his dad. He has performed at the Marcus Center in CANTOS DE LAS AMERICAS, the Bristol Renaissance Faire with Broon, and in guitar concerts since he was 5. Augosto is very happy to be a part of Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.

DANIEL TORRES-RANGEL (Estevan Escorta) Daniel is thrilled to be making his Milwaukee Chamber Theatre debut.

As a local Madison actor, he has performed with Children’s Theater of Madison, Madison Theatre Guild, Mercury Players Theatre, Strollers Theatre, and Forward Theater. He is a graduate of Stanford University and studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Daniel is a former teacher and currently works as the Director of Education at Wingra School. He lives in Madison with his wife, two children and their dog, Capri.

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THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE

by Samia Sheikh, Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School directed by Jeffrey Mosser SET TING Zoom, in India (living rooms, Arjun’s room, Priya’s room); the present CAST Priya’s Dad/Arjun’s Mom................................................................................................ Sonia Cummings Priya’s Mom/Arjun’s Dad.........................................................................................Kanchana Srinivasan Arjun.............................................................................................................................................Maaz Ahmed Priya................................................................................................................................................... Natalie Lall D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S My high school girlfriend Kristin was amazing. She was in forensics, band, choir, AP classes, and to top it off she was a Sunday school teacher. She was, as my mom very openly and often put it, “marriage material.” Shortly after graduation day from our respective high schools my mom pushed us both in my room and said, “Why don’t you talk about what you’re going to do together next—you know, maybe even before you graduate college.”

I am reminded that our parents want us to have the same happiness they have. Whether by force or by fate, they want to see a bit of themselves in us. Priya and Arjun aren’t just rebelling against their parents, they’re rebelling against a tradition that is upheld by a society that they’ve been born into.

This play breaks out of that society (the theatrical fourth wall) from the very beginning.

With the subtext on the outside, this satire asks us to think about the real pressures people encounter. We don’t always do things for ourselves, so when we can get away with our own twist on it we take it. Theatre for that matter, is often an arranged marriage. We come into a (Zoom) rehearsal room, we don’t always get to decide who we’re playing opposite or maybe who our lighting designer is, but we make the best with the artists we’ve assembled. Ultimately, we make something amazing because we’ve made it ours.

An arranged marriage with a pandemic might tell our society that we’re supposed to avoid the theatre, but here we are making it ours. -JM

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BIOGR APHIES SAMIA SHEIKH (Playwright) Samia Sheikh is a debuting playwright.

Currently a freshman at Yale University, Samia is interested in studying Global Affairs and Near Eastern Studies. She has a vested interest in learning different languages and cultures. In her free time, she is most likely to be dancing to a corny song or binging on a Netflix series.

JEFFREY MOSSER (Director) Jeffrey Mosser is a theatre-maker and co-founder of Project: Project Theatre Ensemble, where he co-devised & directed immersive events, adaptations, and documentary-style performances. He is currently the Associate Director of Education at Milwaukee

Repertory Theater. Favorite directing credits include: THEATRE FOR TWO: THE WEDDING PARTY, IMAGINATION (Actors Theatre of Louisville), T: AN MBTA MUSICAL (American Repertory Theatre’s Club Oberon), 44 PLAYS FOR 44 PRESIDENTS (Bad Habit Productions), HOW MAY I CONNECT YOU? (OR, SCENES IN THE KEY OF D:\) (Project: Project), and BOBRAUSHENBERGAMERICA (National High School Institute). He has trained with Dell’Arte International, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Double Edge Theatre, ImprovBoston, Augusto Boal, Giovanni Fusetti, Liz Lerman, Dominique Serrand, and the inmates from Shakespeare Behind Bars. He is a champion for ensemblebased new play development and explores how it is sustainably made and paid for with his podcast From the Ground Up. Episodes are available at HowlRound.com or at www.JeffreyMosser.me. MFA Northwestern University.

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BIOGR APHIES

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MAAZ AHMED (Arjun) Maaz Ahmed is a current junior at Marquette University majoring in Theatre Arts and Digital Media.

He has been involved in the theatre since accidentally stumbling into his middle school choir room in the 7th grade and being drafted into running the light board for the school musical.

Since then, Maaz has gone on to act, direct, design, produce, and of course, run many more light boards. He most recently served as Assistant Director on DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE at Marquette University and will be lighting designing SILENT SKY at Marquette University this winter. Check out more of his work at maazahmed345.wixsite.com/ portfolio and consider hiring him so he can finally afford to get real headshots taken. He hopes you enjoy the show!

SONIA CUMMINGS (Arjun’s Mom/ Priya’s Dad) Sonia Cummings is delighted to be making her debut with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. A Wisconsin native, she has recently returned to the state after finishing her Master of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Oregon. During her time at UO, Cummings performed the roles of Micäela in Constant’s THE TRAGEDY OF CARMEN, Antonia in Offenbach’s THE TALES OF HOFFMANN, and Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. She has also performed in concerts and musicals with Eugene Opera, Eugene Vocal Arts, UO Musicking Conference, and the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival.

NATALIE LALL (Priya) Natalie is a junior at Carthage College double majoring in Theatre Performance and Political Science.

She is honored to be making her MCT debut with a play that gives voice to the South Asian community. Her credits at Carthage include ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR, FIGHTING FOR HOME, and MARIE ANTOINETTE, as well as studio productions of THE SECRET IN THE WINGS and THE TAMING. Now grab some chai, get comfy, and enjoy the show!

KANCHANA SRINIVASAN (Priya’s Mom/Arjun’s Dad) Kanchana Srinivasan is a dancer, engineer, and mom who lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

She discovered her interest in performance arts as a 9-year-old when her mother taught her a few dance moves. Her parents have encouraged her interest and supported her participation in theater and dance through her life, and she has received formal training in various dance styles for over 35 years.

She believes in continuous learning and is a student of Indian Classical dance, African dance, Samba and Bomba to name a few dance styles. She actively performs through her dance schools and has been a part of several GIOT shows through Danceworks, Milwaukee. She also had the opportunity to act in a movie made by the UW-Madison students’ Communication Arts Department in 2018. While engineering is her career, performance art is her passion.

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Y P F S H OWC A S E P R O D U C T I O N T E A M Producer...............................................................................................................................Marcella Kearns* Assistant to the Producer.................................................................................... Samantha Martinson* Editor............................................................................................................................................. Peter Goode Costume Designer.................................................................................................................Latora Lezotte Production Manager/Company Manager...............................................................Colin Gawronski* Scenic/Props Designer.........................................................................................................Jordan Stanek Sound Designer.............................................................................................................................. Derly Vela Stage Manager....................................................................................................................Rayne Kleinofen Translator/Language Consultant.................................................................................Jenna Bonofiglio *see MCT staff biographies

Y P F S H OWC A S E P R O D U C T I O N T E A M B I O G R A P H I E S PETER GOODE (Editor) Peter Goode is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Milwaukee.

Select credits include STARLINGS by Ben Daniel Parman, Soulstice Theatre (sound designer); THE DUMB WAITER, The Alchemist Theatre (sound designer); THE NAUTICAL TRAGEDY OF DICK III, Quasimondo Physical Theatre (music director, performer, and composer); QUALITY STREET, Acacia Theatre (music director and performer); MEDEA, Voices Found Repertory (sound designer); and THE HIDING PLACE and THE POTTING SHED, Acacia Theatre (director). Peter also plays the fiddle with local Irish folk band The Shinigans. They are delighted to be working with MCT for the first time and look forward to also serving as sound designer for MCT’s upcoming production of THE ISLAND. They send love and thanks to Sky, Erin, Cara, Jennifer, Kelsey, Ben, and their family at Zao MKE. LATORA LEZOTTE (Costume Designer) Latora Lezotte received her BA in Costume Design from Carthage College ‘20. Her past credits include Assistant Costume Design for THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and HENRY V (Door Shakespeare 2019), Costume and Makeup Design for A

DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2 (Carthage) and the world premiere of UP AND AWAY (Carthage, Edinburgh Fringe), Makeup Design for INTO THE WOODS, MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, and TWIN SET (Carthage), and Wardrobe Assistant for THE LEGEND OF ROCK PAPER SCISSORS (First Stage). Latora would like to thank Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for giving her the opportunity to make her professional Costume Design debut! She would also like to thank her partner and family for always standing by her side in support and giving her the drive to create and dream. www.latoralezotte.wixsite.com/portfolio Instagram:@latora.lezotte JORDAN STANEK (Scenic/Props Designer) Jordan Stanek is very excited to be working with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the first time! Stanek has completed internships at PCPA-Pacific Conservatory Theatre, and The Public Theater. He has propped professionally for Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute and for numerous companies in Milwaukee including Renaissance Theaterworks (ANNIE JUMP AND THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN, HAPPY DAYS) and The Constructivists (THE NETHER).

Always treat each other with kindness and PROP UP your peers!

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Y P F S H OWC A S E P R O D U C T I O N T E A M B I O G R A P H I E S DERLY VELA (Sound Designer) Derly Vela is a current student at Marquette University studying Theatre and already has a degree in Criminology and Law Study. He has acted at Marquette University (WORKING, LITTLE WOMEN) and has also sound designed at Marquette University (ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT, DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE). During the school year, he works as a Scene Shop Assistant and a Resident Advisor at Marquette University. He enjoys what he does and takes opportunities as they come. Derly is very excited for his sound design debut at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and he hopes you enjoy the showcase!

RAYNE KLEINOFEN (Stage Manager) Rayne Kleinofen is so excited to be a part of the 2021 Young Playwrights Festival. She had the opportunity to act in the 2019 Young Playwrights Festival Honorable Mention Staged Readings (IS IT NOW, OR HAS IT EVER BEEN?). In the past she has worked with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre as a Deck Chief (JEEVES AT SEA) and an Assistant Stage Manager (CHRISTMAS IN BABYLON).

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Jenna Bonofiglio (Translator/Language Consultant) Jenna moved to Milwaukee in 2011 for an Acting Internship at Milwaukee Rep and has stayed here ever since! Since 2013, she has taught Spanish at Dominican High School, where she has also directed the fall play for the past three years. Jenna is a certified healthcare interpreter and worked part-time as a Spanish interpreter at Children’s Wisconsin from 2017-2019.

She has performed onstage locally at Skylight Music Theatre, In Tandem Theatre, Kohl’s Wild Theater, and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (in the 2013 iteration of YPF, in fact!), has appeared in a couple of Steinhafels commercials, and, most recently, has been doing professional voiceover work in Spanish, recording spots for the Arizona Department of Health Services, New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and National Alliance on Mental Illness Wisconsin. She has loved being able to combine two of her greatest loves—theatre and Spanish— while working on YPF!

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YPF HONOR ABLE MENTION READINGS

DANCE WITH ME

by Hanah Galvan, Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School directed by Giana Blazquez SET TING A run-down apartment in the city; a school hallway in a wealthy neighborhood of the suburbs CAST Ylla........................................................................................................................................... Nashley Medina Tia Maria Jose.................................................................................................................... Sandra Hollander Alison.....................................................................................................................................Elisheva Scheuer Penny................................................................................................................................................Ella Vitrano Stage Directions........................................................................................................ Samantha Martinson

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BIOGR APHIES HANAH GALVAN (Playwright) Hanah is debuting as a playwright with DANCE WITH ME. She is passionate about using writing to promote stories that feature minority perspectives and social justice topics. Playwriting, in particular, is one of Hanah’s favorite formats to tell these stories. For DANCE WITH ME, Hanah was inspired by her own multicultural story and the stories of family members. For example, Ylla’s relationships with her peers are based on real-life experiences, especially Ylla’s struggle with her name. Hanah is grateful for the opportunity to share her story, and hopes that it is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

GIANA BLAZQUEZ (Director) Giana Blazquez is a second-year M.F.A. candidate in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities at The University of Texas at Austin. She identifies as a director, choreographer, and teaching artist from Orlando, FL. As an emerging TYA professional and advocate for young voices, Giana strives to empower young people through theatre that challenges them artistically, fosters justice and inclusion, and cultivates artistic agency. As a teaching artist she has worked for Pink Umbrella Theater Company, ZACH Theater, First Stage, and the Orlando Repertory Theater. Regional Directing and Choreography credits include NATE THE GREAT (First Stage), NOBODY KNOWS (First Stage), LOVABYE DRAGON (First Stage), and WELCOME TO BRONZEVILLE (First Stage).

Giana has also performed professionally at First Stage.

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SANDRA HOLLANDER (Tia Maria Jose) Sandra is delighted to be part once again of the Young Playwrights Festival; in 2019 she was part of YPF as Abuela in PINTA EL FUEGO. Other credits in the area include work with Windfall Theatre (FIGARO); Cooperative Performance Milwaukee (KALEIDOSCOPE; ELLIS); Falls Patio Players (GLORIOUS!); Boulevard Theatre (THE REALISTIC JONESES); Village Playhouse (WEEKEND COMEDY-understudy; THE LAST LOVE STORY; THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA); Sunset Playhouse (SISTER ACT; THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF; THE ADDAMS FAMILY); and West Allis Players (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; CURTAINS). Thanks to Marcella Kearns and all involved!

NASHLEY MEDINA (Ylla) Nashley is so happy to be working with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the very first time. She is a Junior at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee where she takes part in Theatre, Cheer, and StuCo. She started acting in school plays from Middle School to High School. Some of her past performances include Ted Wiggins from THE LORAX, a Special Act for Mother’s Day full of comedy, “Tipica Madre Tradicional Mexicana vs. Moderna,” Shprintze from the Musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Esperanza from THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET. She was also head of costume crew for the Musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Theatre has played a heavy role in her life; she says, “It has helped me overcome my fears of performing in front of people and be more confident with myself.” She also has to give credit to her single mother of four for supporting Nashley in her dreams and goals of acting and believing in her.

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ELISHEVA SCHEUER (Alison) Elisheva Scheuer is thrilled to be making her Milwaukee Chamber Theatre debut with the YPF Showcase in DANCE WITH ME! A junior at Nicolet High School, Elisheva has been performing since she caught the theater bug playing Annie in ANNIE KIDS! Most recently, she was seen as Lucetta and Outlaw 2 in THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA with First Stage’s Young Company. Passionate about Shakespeare, she competed at the 2020 Utah Shakespeare Festival with Young Company’s Team Yorick where she took second place in the monologue category.

Elisheva is also involved with the Milwaukee Rep as a member of the Professional Training Institute (PTI) and was a finalist in last year’s August Wilson Monologue Competition. Favorite theater credits include MAMMA MIA!, TINKERBELL, ROMEO AND JULIET, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and URINETOWN. She’s forever grateful to her family for their incredible support!

ELLA VITRANO (Penny) Ella is so excited to be working with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the first time. She is currently a sophomore at Greendale High School where she participates in theater and is on the JV tennis team. Some of her favorite past credits include Mary Beth in A CHRISTMAS STORY at The Fireside Theater, Amanda Thripp in MATILDA at First Stage, Mary Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Milwaukee Rep, Reggie Fluty in THE LARAMIE PROJECT at Greendale High School, and Jane Banks in MARY POPPINS at Sunset Playhouse. She would like to thank her mom and dad for always being there for her as well as anyone who has helped support the arts during these hard times.

She hopes everyone stays safe and healthy and that they enjoy the show. For Auntie Em, always.

GREETING CARDS FOR THEATRE PEOPLE

ACTLikeYouCare on Etsy.com 2021 Young Playwrights Festival Showcase

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JUST FRIENDS

by Bianna Townsend, Messmer High School directed by Samantha Martinson associate directed by Brielle Richmond SET TING State Fair, Milwaukee; summer, sunny and blazing hot CAST Ranae.......................................................................................................................................... Niajah McGee Ladayah.................................................................................................................................... Malaina Moore Ronnie.....................................................................................................................................Braylen Stevens Stage Directions................................................................................................................ Brielle Richmond D I R E C TO R S ’ N O T E S What does it mean to be “just friends”? What happens when expectations, boundaries, and honesty are not mutually understood? Set in the heat of the summer at the Wisconsin State Fair, JUST FRIENDS is a delightful commentary on the importance of trust and loyalty.

It reminds us of what is most important in life, the value of self-worth, and how we are willing to grow—or not—when faced with the truth. -SM & BR BIOGR APHIES SAMANTHA MARTINSON (Director) Education Associate at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Elated to be assistant producing the YPF showcase for the third time. Directed: LEONA LIONHEART SAVES THE WORLD (Kohl’s Wild Theater), STITCHED WITH A SICKLE & HAMMER (Renaissance Theaterworks, Br!nk), THE TEMPEST (Mad Rogues), MISS LULU BETT (Voices Freed Reading Series), TWELFTH NIGHT (Milwaukee Youth Theater). Assistant Directed: THE ROOMMATE (Renaissance Theaterworks), MILWAUKEE CARRIES (Cooperative Performance). Recent 18

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performances: SAVIOR’S GRACE (Renaissance Theaterworks, Br!nk Briefs). RICHARD III, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Mad Rogues); GHOSTS, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Windfall).

Manager of Innovation and Community Engagement at Zoological Society of Milwaukee; focusing on empathy as a tool for connection and social action. www.samanthamartinson.com

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BRIELLE RICHMOND (Associate Director) Brielle Richmond, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, is excited she has been given the opportunity to take on the Associate Director position with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for the Young BRIELLE RICHMOND Playwrights Festival Showcase serving as her official directing debut. Brielle is a recent graduate of Marquette University holding degrees in both Theatre Arts & Criminology.

As an esteemed actor and performer, she is thrilled to continue to learn, cultivate, and perfect her craft by broadening her experiences. Brielle has worked with several production companies and theatres that include Black Arts MKE, Lights! Camera!

Soul!, Marquette Theatre and Northern Sky Theater as well as Milwaukee Chamber Theatre—in particular acting in the 20162017 YPF Showcase. She recently starred in BLACK NATIVITY directed by Antoine Reynolds which was her first professional show after graduating. Since then, she has taken on a couple of local projects including one with Lights! Camera! Soul! as well as a Director internship with Next Act Theatre.

She is excited to continue to grow in her artistry, share her gifts with the world, and make her mark. She would like to give a special thanks to Marcy & Samantha as well as the rest of the MCT family for being given this opportunity and to all who have supported her throughout the years: her family, friends, and most importantly, God. Without God, none of this would be possible! She hopes you all enjoy this piece, and thank you so much for watching! This is only the beginning! Philippians 4:13.

Website: www.briellerichmond.com.

NIAJAH MCGEE (Ranae) Aspiring actress Niajah McGee booked her first three auditions that were theatrically performed in the Milwaukee and Chicago area. Her most memorable performance was her role in SICK & ASIAN (a play about the coronavirus pandemic) as Millenia. Niajah has obtained formal training from both the Milwaukee and Chicago area with industry professionals like Maragaret Thalken, Khalid Long, and Rachel Bunting. Niajah has mostly done theatre work in her career, but wants to pursue film work more. Niajah also has many tricks up her sleeve. She is proficient in playing the Trumpet. She performed at the Wisconsin Solo Ensemble Festival (that she won a gold medal for), and she also performed for The University of Illinois musical professors. Niajah has been practicing a British accent since the age of 10, and she also likes to practice yoga.

Niajah continues to learn more skills and gets excited when given the chance to show them.

MALAINA MOORE (Ladayah) Malaina Moore is a Milwaukee-based actress and playwright.

Malaina began writing as a senior in high school, when she entered and premiered her one-act play, THIS JUST IN, with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre during the 2016-2017 Young Playwrights Festival Showcase. Since then she has written and starred in her award-winning play WHITE PRIVILEGE that premiered on the Marquette University mainstage in 2019. Aside from WHITE PRIVILEGE, some of Malaina’s favorite productions have been STEW in the first annual Milwaukee Black Theater Festival with MCT, CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE 2021 Young Playwrights Festival Showcase

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OF JOY with Marquette, and ELLIS with Cooperative Performance. Malaina is excited to be working with Chamber again and being a part of playwriting development and is looking forward to many projects in the coming year, such as PRINCIPAL PRINCIPLE! at Next Act and seeing her play being performed at Chain Reaction Theatre Company in Minnesota in May of 2021.

BRAYLEN STEVENS (Ronnie) Braylen Stevens, a graduating senior at DePaul University in Chicago, IL is excited to join the JUST FRIENDS cast. Making his debut with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre through the Young Playwrights Festival, he last worked with MCT as a curating member for the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival earlier this Fall. Previous theater credits include HAIRSPRAY (Concordia University); BLACK NATIVITY (Black Arts

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MKE); THE COLOR PURPLE, A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Milwaukee Rep); A MIDNIGHT CRY, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (First Stage); and THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Rufus King). He is also the founder of MBRACED CULTURE LLC (www. mbracedcu.com), a social enterprise focused on authenticity and individuality. He thanks his parents, friends, and extended family for their continuous support. He is represented

by Lori Lins Ltd.

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BLOOM.

by Sylvie Elise Arnold directed by Catie O’Donnell SET TING Your local laundromat; the present, then about two years later CAST Lily.............................................................................................................................................Jaclyn Janowski Marc................................................................................................................................................ JJ Gatesman Stage Directions........................................................................................................ Samantha Martinson D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Words cannot express enough how much I love the Young Playwrights Festival, both as a director and as an educator. I have worked with YPF for a number of years, and I have seen how it helps expand students’ creativity, writing skills, and confidence in themselves to tell their stories and have their voices heard. You can see this in particular with BLOOM., and how Sylvie wrote about topics that she feels passionately about, while creating characters with depth and relatability. I hope that she, and all of the other playwrights this year, continue to write and share their stories with the world. -CO BIOGR APHIES SYLVIE ELISE ARNOLD (Playwright) Sylvie is a second year at the University of Virginia studying English.

BLOOM. is her debut as a playwright. Currently, Sylvie is focused on moving her work to the screen through the creation of her first short film in her Screenwriting and Filmmaking class at UVA. Though most experienced in prose, she hopes to continue pursuing and learning writing in all forms as she pursues her degree. Sylvie is so grateful to Marcella Kearns and the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for this incredible opportunity.

CATIE O’DONNELL (Director) Catie O’Donnell is thrilled to be returning to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre to direct for the Young Playwrights Festival again! She is a theater director, producer and educator. Favorite directing credits include RUDDIGORE, THE MIKADO and CANDIDE with Milwaukee Opera Theater; regional premieres of STRIKING 12, ARLINGTON, HOSTAGE SONG, 35MM, and NEVERMORE with Music Theater of Madison; THE LOVE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, SOUL FOOD and IN A CLEARING with Forward 2021 Young Playwrights Festival Showcase

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Theater; AMADEUS with The World’s Stage in Milwaukee; A KLINGON CHRISTMAS CAROL with Commedia Beauregard in Chicago; associate director for THE BELLE OF AMHERST with Renaissance Theaterworks; assistant director for THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO with Skylight Music Theatre; and directing intern for ROMAN HOLIDAY at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

She is currently the head of the theatre department at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.

She is an alumna of Lincoln Center Directors Lab in New York and holds a BA in theater and music from the University of Miami, FL. JACLYN JANOWSKI (Lily) Jaclyn Janowski is incredibly excited to be a part of the cast of BLOOM. She is a graduate of the BFA Musical Theatre program at UW-Stevens Point, where her credits include HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL & LIVING IN PARIS, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. This is her first project with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and she is thrilled to be a part of the Young Playwrights Festival Showcase. She is so grateful for the opportunity to make art during this challenging year. Many thanks to God for His blessings, as well as her friends and family for their love and support.

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JJ GATESMAN (Marc) JJ Gatesman is an MFA from Western Illinois University. Originally from Las Vegas, this Milwaukee transplant has enjoyed roles on stage with the Summer Stage of Delafield (Romeo, Mr. Darcy), The Resident Acting Company at the Saint Kate Arts Hotel, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and most recently digitally with the Imaginarium Theater Festival where he played the lead in the original play ASPHODELS. JJ is a sometimes director having led the charge on productions with Milwaukee Entertainment Group (THE BEAUTY OF PSYCHE, SPIKE HEELS, JACK OF HEARTS) and Cooperative Performance Milwaukee (MACHINA PERSONA, NESTING DOLLS). He is thrilled to be making his performance debut with Chamber Theatre.

A B O U T T H E YO U N G P L A Y W R I G H T S F E S T I VA L If you’re new to the Young Playwrights Festival, here’s what it’s all about! Every year, MCT Education hosts residencies in high schools in which we teach the art and craft of writing a one-act play. In June, we host a one-act playwriting competition open to Wisconsin high school students. Every other year, we gather over fifty emerging and established artists to produce three winning plays and offer a reading of three additional honorable mentions in the YPF Showcase.

This year, to keep everyone safe, we shifted our storytelling platform from the stage to the ever-evolving medium of videoconferencing software. Our honorable mention readings are as close to a live reading as possible—actors working from scripts, stage directions read. Our Showcase productions have all explored in unique ways how this medium that’s not quite theatre, not quite film—via design, editing, actors in their own spaces—may illuminate the words of our winning playwrights.

Want to know more? Want to get involved? See below: How to Submit Your Play to the 2021 YPF Competition Inspired by this year’s Showcase or know a high school writer who would be?

Enter the 2021 YPF Playwriting Competition, and your work might be the next to appear on our Showcase stage! We’re looking for original one-act plays by current Wisconsin high school students, on any subject and in any genre, with no prior professional production. Enter by June 1, 2021! Participation in YPF Residency not required for entry. For more details on submissions and the competition, write to Marcy at marcella@milwaukeechambertheatre.com.

How to Become a School Partner for YPF Residencies Students and teachers of Theater, English, English Language Arts, Creative Writing, and more: MCT Education has a residency for you. Students will learn the basics of playwriting and complete a draft of a one-act play. The format is flexible: you can supplement almost any discipline’s class unit by exploring a subject through creative writing (from Gothic literature to climate change!). You can have your students collaborate by devising a work together. Or, working with our traditional format, you can have MCT teaching artists mentor your students both as a class and one-on-one to create their own work.

MCT Playwriting Residencies may be conducted virtually or via correspondence this season. Partial or full scholarships for classrooms are available. Drop Marcy a line at marcella@milwaukeechambertheatre.com to learn more or to book a creative journey this spring!

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S !

Congratulations once again to the 2018-2020 YPF Top Twenty Distinguished Playwrights:

Sabrina Arassi Sylvie Elise Arnold Sophia De Los Santos Hanah Galvan Addy Grace Imani Hankins Kate Ketelhohn Indigo Dawn Lubotsky Nasya Miller Elysium Morss Irvin Palmer Jasmin Rivera-Gonzalez Zach Rolf Imanol S. Ruiz Diana Sanchez John Sellars Samia Sheikh Dexx Spychala Bianna Townsend Charlie Voith T H A N K YO U Many thanks to 2018-2020 YPF Top Twenty Distinguished Plays Mentor Teachers: Angelina Cicero, Homestead High School Jonathan Davidson, Pius XI High School Carrie Baker Jackson, Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School Nate Krug, Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School Catie O’Donnell, Pius XI High School/Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Kelly O’Keefe-Boettcher, Rufus King International High School Wes Schultz, Brookfield Academy Kevin Schwartz, Pius XI High School Tyne Turner, Golda Meir High School Zachary Ziegler, Messmer High School A B O U T M I LWAU K E E C H A M B E R T H E AT R E The mission of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is to produce intimate, high-quality, professional theatrical works of literary merit that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists.

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M I LWAU K E E C H A M B E R T H E AT R E S TA F F Artistic Director..................................................................................................................... Brent Hazelton Managing Director.................................................................................................................. Amy Esposito Associate Artistic Director................................................................................................Marcella Kearns Development Director.................................................................................................... Meghan Roesner Marketing/PR Manager.................................................................................................................. Liz Shipe Production Manager/ Company Manager................................................................Colin Gawronski Education Associate................................................................................................ Samantha Martinson S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S BRENT HAZELTON (Artistic Director) Before succeeding Michael Wright as Artistic Director, Whitewater native Brent Hazelton spent 20 seasons at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, including ten as Associate Artistic Director. From 2003 to 2010, he expanded The Rep’s Artistic Internship Program into one of regional theater’s premier professional transition programs, and from 2011 to 2019 built and led the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development program, including supervising the development of nearly two dozen commissioned and world premiere plays. Artistically at The Rep, he wrote and directed LIBERACE!, conceived the premiere and 2019 installments of REP LAB, directed SONG MAN DANCE MAN, HOW THE WORLD BEGAN, THE WHIPPING MAN, the final installment of the Hanreddy/Morgan A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MCGUIRE, OUR TOWN, and GUARDS AT THE TAJ, three of which set all-time Rep sales records. As an institutional leader, Brent is eager to explore how a regional theater can speak directly to the experience of its community and include everyone who chooses to call it home in that conversation.

AMY ESPOSITO (Managing Director) New to the team in June of 2020, Amy comes to MCT with a strong arts leadership background.

Most recently, she was on staff with the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in a communications and producing role. Prior to that, she spent some years in Chicago, most notably as the

Associate Director of Marketing for Chicago Opera Theater. In that role she discovered the importance of audience experience, organizational transparency, and community relations. Her core beliefs as an arts leader are around removing barriers to the performing arts while finding sustainable ways to develop earned revenue. Amy is finishing her M.P.S. in Arts & Cultural Leadership from the University of Minnesota and continues her board service with Theatre Unbound, a small theatre company focused on the voices of women in the Twin Cities.

MARCELLA KEARNS (Associate Artistic Director/YPF Showcase Producer) Marcella is a Milwaukeebased director, actor, and theatre educator.

She teaches acting and theatre skills to students level K-4 through lifelong learners as an independent coach and as an adjunct instructor for Carthage College, Marquette University, and First Stage. In July 2013, she joined the staff of MCT as lead educator/literary manager and has served as associate artistic director since 2016. Marcy earned an MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina and completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Vienna, Austria, where she studied dramatic literature. In 2008, she was the recipient of a TCG Observership Program grant to study theatres’ approaches to teacher training. The former education director of Milwaukee Shakespeare, Marcy spearheaded the company’s multi-year participation in the National Endowment for the Arts Shakespeare For a New Generation initiative. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

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MEGHAN ROESNER (Development Director) Meghan is MCT’s Development Director, leading all fundraising efforts for the organization, including individual donations; major gifts; legacy giving; corporate, foundation, and government grants; and special events. Prior to joining MCT in 2019, she worked at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for three seasons as the Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving, where she led many grant writing, volunteer management, and donor stewardship efforts.

She has held other arts administration positions at the United Performing Arts Fund and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Arts Management from Indiana UniversityBloomington.

LIZ SHIPE (Marketing/ PR Manager) Liz is so excited to join the staff of Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. In just over a decade Liz has worked in the Milwaukee Theatre community as an actor, costumer, playwright and marketing professional. She was named one of Milwaukee’s most prolific playwrights in 2014

by M-Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine. Her most recent work, THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE OF ALVIN TATLOCK, enjoyed multiple productions in Wisconsin and was nominated for a Footlights award for Best Play 2017 and toured in the summer of 2019. She also penned the Sherlock Holmes-focused BAKER’S STREET TRILOGY featured at Old World Wisconsin. Her pirate-themed spectacle BONNY ANNE BONNY was also given honorable mention as one of the best plays of 2016 by both the Journal Sentinel and OnMilwaukee.

COLIN GAWRONSKI (Production Manager/ Company Manager) Colin is very excited to be part of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre staff and to contribute to the vibrant theatre 26

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community in Milwaukee. Colin is a lighting designer and theatrical technician native to Milwaukee. They have worked extensively with Danceworks, Inc. as well as such local companies as Renaissance Theaterworks, Skylight, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, UWM Dance, Next Act, Kohl’s Wild Theater, PrideFest Milwaukee, Bard and Bourbon, Gina Laurenzi Dance Project, Black Arts Milwaukee and the Bronzeville Arts Ensemble. They have also worked with the Sacramento Music Circus, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Lila and has taken productions to the Indianapolis and Chicago Fringe Festivals.

Favorite productions include IGNITE: A HIP HOP EXPERIENCE, SECRETS FROM THE WIDE SKY, BLACK NATIVITY, RUSSIAN TRANSPORT, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY, STORIES FROM A LIFE, KING LEAR, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, SERENDIPITY, ANY GIVEN MONDAY, MAURITIUS, MY FAIR LADY, LAMPS FOR MY FAMILY, and VAGABONDARE. Give Love Always.

SAMANTHA MARTINSON (Education Associate/Assistant to the Producer) Samantha is a theater artist and teacher— she has worked in administration, education, and production at several regional theaters. At MCT, Samantha facilitates high school playwriting residencies across the greater Milwaukee area and biennially assistant produces the Young Playwrights Festival Showcase. Samantha also works with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee(ZSM) as the Manager of Innovation and Community Engagement. There she oversees several major grant programs focused on increasing access for Milwaukee community members, the development of Kohl’s Wild Theater’s education content, ZSM’s DE&I initiatives. Samantha has presented at national conferences (AZA & ACE for Wildlife) on the importance of putting empathy into practice. Within the region, Samantha has worked with Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage, and Door Shakespeare.

M I LWAU K E E C H A M B E R T H E AT R E D O N O R S Milwaukee Chamber Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our work.

Please note: We are currently undergoing an extended database transition which may impact the accuracy of this list. For changes, additions, or omissions to your listing, please contact Development Director Meghan Roesner at meghan@milwaukeechambertheatre.com.

Donations listed are tax-deductible gifts made between July 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre gratefully acknowledges the United Performing Arts Fund, our single largest donor, for its annual support of more than $163,000.

CORPORATION, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT GIVING $10,000+ Bader Philanthropies The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Harley-Davidson Foundation The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Milwaukee County CARES for Arts & Culture Grant Program Northwestern Mutual The Shubert Foundation Tinsley Helton Charitable Trust Wisconsin Arts Board Wisconsin Department of Administration COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grant Program $5,000-$9,999 CAMPAC City of Milwaukee Arts Board Greater Milwaukee Foundation Hitz Foundation Johnson Controls Foundation Rotary Club of Milwaukee Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust

$2,500-$4,999 Anonymous The Gardner Foundation GE Foundation Sempercor Foundation We Energies Foundation $1,000-$2,499 Baird Foundation Black Arts MKE The Business Council, Inc. Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation Dorothy Inbusch Foundation World Outreach and Bible Training Center, Inc.

$100-$999 Athena Communications Brookby Foundation Carvd N Stone Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation MBRACED CULTURE Microsoft Corporation MKE Black Ring & Du Chateau LLP Rockwell Automation TheaterRed U.S. Bank $1-$99 Footlights Performing Arts Relief Fund In-Kind 88Nine Radio Milwaukee Broadway Theatre Center WUWM 89.7 Milwaukee’s NPR

INDIVIDUAL GIVING $10,000+ Isabel L. Bader Greater Milwaukee Foundation Anonymous Elaine N. Peterson Max and Marni Seigle John Shannon and Jan Serr $5,000+ Julie Anding and Lisa Kornetsky Robert Bladerson Buffy and Steve Duback Patrick and Julia Fennelly Konrad Kuchenbach Elizabeth Levins and Herbert Zien Debbie and Jamshed Patel Barbara Johnson and Sandra Zingler J. Michael Reavis Emily and Leopold Shircel

Wilfred W. Wollner, Jr. $2,500-$4,999 Koren Black Chris and Judi Collins Robert Gardenier and Lori Morse Joseph and Gwenn Graboyes Charitable Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc. Angela Jacobi Nancy Jacobs Nancy Laskin Marina and Frank Krejci Susan and Robert Lueger DeAngela Luna John Mahony and Evelyn Burdick Guy and Mary Jo McDonald Dwight and Marleen Morgan Jason Rae and Phillip Bailey

Debbie and John Roesner Dan Schley and Barb Haig $1,000 - $2,499 Carolee Beutler Richard and Kerstin Conner Pamela Frautschi Michael and Kelly Grebe Dan and Pat Johansen Greater Milwaukee Foundation Judith A. Keyes Family Fund Jewish Community Foundation Pam Kriger Donor Advised Fund Joseph R. Pabst Patricia and Allen Rieselbach Marsha Sehler James Van Ess

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INDIVIDUAL GIVING CONTINUED $500-$999 Anonymous James and Theresa Alioto James Cauley and Brenda Andrews Charitable Fund Susan and Gee Esslinger Robert Ferriday III and Barbara McMath Michael and Lyn Hamilton James and Mary Ann Hanson David and Margarete Harvey Anita Holloway Leslie Kohler Vince Martin William Lorber and Kristy Nielson Allyson Nemec Donald Petersen and Corinthia Van Orsdol Susan Riedel Robert Spencer Richard Stone Anne and Gary Summers Michael Wright and Ray Jivoff $250-$499 Anonymous (2) Patricia Andersen Richard and Sara Aster Natalie Beckwith James Boerner Cathy and Mario Costantini Pat and Phil Crump Thomas Derenne and Robert Zimmermann Carol Z. Dolphin Sandy Duffy Eric Durant Mike Fischer and Elaine Griffin David S. Flores Nadya Fouad Barbara Gawronski Reed and Nancy Groethe Andrew and Paula Holman Kathleen and Hal Jenkins Mary S. and Charles Kamps Demaris and Gontran Kenwood Thomas Kelly and Jane Kivlin Patricia Knight David and Mary Ann Lillich Alan and Nancy Meier Susan Ploetz Patrick G.H. Schley Ruth Schudson Pamela Seccombe George and Eileen Stone Jerry and Donna Walsh Steve Weber and Kelly Schlicht Mary Wegener

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$100-$249 Anonymous (3) Larilyn Arbelaez Carl and Ellen Baehr Nancy Balcer Barbara J. Becker Glendon and Susanne Bogdon William and Barbara Boles William Bradley and Jill Anna Ponasik Anne Marie Bula David and Deborah Cecsarini Karen and Richard Christenson Mary and James Connelly Betsy and Daniel Corry Wayne Cranston Cathy Dills Kyle Dlabay Eileen and Howard Dubner Shawn Duffy Mary and John Emory Gerald and Patricia Freitag Mary Frenn Linda Gaalaas Mary Anne Gavin Matthew and Karin Gerdisch Kirt Graves Norm and Daryl Grier Katherine Grogan Bruce and Sandra Hazelton Katie Heil Hugh Hoffman Erin and Charles Housiaux Pauline and Thomas Jeffers Maureen Kania James Kaplan Edward Kelly Mary Knudten Dennis Kois James and Charmaine LaBelle Avrum and Dannette Lank Bill and Judy Laste Heinz and Barbara Leichter Dale and Barbara Lenz Colleen Lese Gregory and Sue Lochen Theodore Londo Lois Malawsky Christine Martin Cara McMullin Mark Medrek Scott Mendel Frank Miller Virginia A. Mueller Ann Navin Jan Niebler Jean Novy Dr. David S. Paris, DDS Thomas J. Paschke John E. Peters

Joshua Pohja Christine Radiske and Herbert Quigley Emily and Stewart Randall Karen and John Reddin The Helen Reich Fund Linda Gale Sampson Michael and Susan Schall Cory and Joe Schlangen Mary Beth Schmalz and Urban Wemmerlov Carla Slawson and Bill Martens La Toya Sykes Paul Tanzer Lindsey Tauber and Sam Leichtling Barbara Tessman Sara Toenes Michael and Charlane Uhing Pamela Van Doren Louise VerWert James and Kathie Vint Andrea Wagoner and Roger Ruggeri Russell and Alyce Weiss Jeffrey and Elizabeth Williams Mary Wolverton Daryl and Bonnie Wunrow Sue Patrice Yee Judith Zwirlein $1-$99 Anonymous (8) George Affeldt Judith Schaumberg-Aigner Vivian C. Aikin MacArthur Antigua Robert Ater and Greg Baer Rebecca Bailey and Jim Schley Paul Barnes F. Tessa and Richard Bartels Christopher and Jill Bebeau Gerald Bergtrom Karen and John Berst Emily Besser William Bird Mary Bolich David and Deborah Bonofiglio Andrew and Linnea Booher Karen Brubakken Jim and Stephanie Buske Richelle Harrington Calin Ryan Cappleman Jennifer Clark Wendy and Fred Coleman David Counard William and Jane Crise Diane Dalton Cathy Demers Gerald and Ellen DeMers Laura Sue Diamondstone Michael Duncan

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INDIVIDUAL GIVING CONTINUED Ed and Alice Eisendrath Don and Mary Ellingsen Richard and Deborah Esposito Russel C. Evans Ed and Sheila Fabiszak Leonard and Ann Marie Fabos Donna Faw and Jay Miller Al and Sally Ferguson Leslie Fillingham Katrina Fingerson Maura Fitzgerald Kama Fletcher Sarah Ford and Randall Klumb Barbara Franczyk John Frederick Ken and Susan Freitag James and Margo Frey Ken Germanson Christopher Gerson Juliet Gorsuch Irv and Reesa Gottschalk John and Kathy Goudie Stephanie Govin-Matzat Rick and Maggi Grabowski Richard Gustin Richard and Susan Hackl Dale Hagan Richard Hehn and Joanne Tlachac-Hehn Katie and Tom Heinen Roe Hemenway Dennis Hennessy and Linda Roethlisberger David Hitz Thomas J. Darrow and Michael D. Houle Thallis Hoyt Drake Betty Hunt Linda Jaeger Janice Jeanneret Ina and Dennis Johnson Marcella Kearns Celia Klehr Henry Krokosky and Charlotte Schall-Krokosky Lane Kuske Deb Lampert James and Teri Larson Robin Leenhouts Janice Leffert Sally Lemke David and Deborah Lenz Eva Llanera and Michael Egan Michelle Lopez-Rios James and Debra Lowder Mary Ellen Lukaszewicz Mary and Rodney W Malinowski Sean Malone Gaetano Marangelli Jeff Martinka

M. Kent Mayfield and Jack Ford Gerry and Cathy McGrath Patrick and Mary Mickelsen Jay and Bobby Miller Janet Moebus Karen Morris-Cetin Bruce Murphy Charles and Barbara Murphy Carolyn Murray Lois Mytas Charlane O’Rourke Hertig and Keith Hertig Michelle Owczarski Shelia Payton Velta Pelcis Margot Peters Randy and Janet Peterson Katja Phillabaum Ann Phillips Sally Powrie Schley Tom Reed Darlene Roberts Carol Robinson Ruth Ruege Syndi and David Salat Patricia Santilli Imy Schley Sharene Schmalz Kathleen Schultz Kathleen Scullin Linda Sheridan Patricia Sherman-Cisler Michael Shipley Nancy Simuel Stanislaus Spence Malkia Stampley and ChikÊ Johnson Shayne Steliga LeRoy Stoner Nancy Tawney Tom and Michele Tiffany Janet Trigg Jacque Troy Susanne Burwell Carrie and Sam Van Hallgren Thomas and June Varney Gregg Vergetis and Curt Cattanach Mark and Yvonne Wagner Bailey Wegner Dawn Wenszell Richard Wenzel Kathy and Dennis Wicht Sharon Wolf Mary Thomas Carolyn Wood James Zinky

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MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES In honor of C. Michael Wright Linda Loving Robert Ferriday III and Barbara McMath James Van Ess In honor of Ruth Schudson Isabel L. Bader In honor of Jean Collins Nancy Balcer In honor of Elyse Edelman Scott Mendel In memory of Larry Compton The Compton/Jacobson Family

In Memory of Monty Davis Buffy and Steve Duback In memory of John Holland Nancy Balcer Andrew and Linnea Booher Leonard and Ann Marie Fabos Konrad Kuchenbach Charlane O’Rourke Hertig and Keith Hertig Ruth Ruege Sharene Schmalz In memory of Annette Mickelson Nadya Fouad Hans and Kathy Jorgensen Janet Moebus Mary Beth Schmalz and Urban Wemmerlov

MCT FRIENDS FOR LIFE Marilyn Auer Nancy Balcer Cecile Cheng Donald A. Cress Pat and Phil Crump Al and Sally Ferguson John E. Holland and Konrad K. Kuchenbach David Keen and Judy Perkins Sandy Laedtke Robb Marks Guy and Mary Jo McDonald David Paris Jamshed and Deborah Patel Mickey and Casey Ripp Ron and Sandy Roller Ruth Schudson Carol and Kevin Schuele Michael Wright and Ray Jivoff

M C T B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S Emily Shircel...................................................................................................................................... President Marina Krejci.......................................................................................................................... President-Elect Jason Kuwayama..............................................................................................................................Treasurer Allyson Nemec.................................................................................................................................. Secretary Trustees Julie M. Anding Koren Black Julia Fennelly Dr. Prasenjit Neel Guptasarma Erin Corbo Housiaux Sue Lueger DeAngela (D) Luna Dwight Morgan Jason Rae Dan Schley Max Seigle Anne Summers La Toya Sykes

SPECIAL THANKS MCT and the Young Playwrights Festival gratefully acknowledge the following for inspiration, support, and guidance: Celia Bizien; David Bowie; Derrick Brown; Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Education Committee; YPF schools, alumni, and auditionees; YPF young performers’ families and guardians; and, most especially, this cycle’s YPF Playwriting Competition Reader Panel: James Carrington, Maureen Chavez-Kruger, Barbara Franczyk, Erin Housiaux, Karl Iglesias, Lauren Instenes, Gaetano Marangelli, Adam Qutaishat, Dan Schley, Nadja Simmonds, Deanie Vallone, and C. Michael Wright.

W I T H G R AT I T U D E MCT and the Young Playwrights Festival gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation, and UPAF Bright Minds. MCT is a proud member group of the United Performing Arts Fund.

Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation

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Milwaukee Chamber Theatre