Northeastern Illinois University Department of Music presents The Opera Workshop
Fall 2013 Scene Recital Sasha Gerritson, Director Jane Kenas-Heller & Kay Kim, Piano
Scenes from: Little Women (Opera), Little Women (Musical), Madama Butterfly, Miss Saigon, La Bohème, Rent and Falstaff
Performance running time: approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes (including one 15 minute intermission)
Fall Scene Recital
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L E T T E R F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R Dear friends, Thank you so much for being here tonight to celebrate and support this Fall Opera Workshop Scene Recital. The students have worked very hard and the results are fantastic. I feel it is very important for students to have a safe, constructive learning environment that challenges them where they are today and encourages them to grow towards the singer/actor they aspire to be. This is a class where students can take the necessary steps to learn and develop as young artists without the pressure of an entire role or production. I decided to do scenes from “parallel shows” i.e. shows that have both an operatic and musical theater version. Little Women, the opera, and Little Women, the musical, Madama Butterfly and Miss Saigon, La Bohème and Rent and end with Falstaff, which has a parallel show as well (The Merry Wives of Windsor), but there was not enough time to do everything! Since all the students are at different places on their singing and acting journey, you’ll notice that some scenes are sung in Italian, and some in English. You may also notice there are no sets, very little furniture and only a handful of props. This is due to the nature of the class, which is devoted to the growth and development of the performance skills of each student, not the “tech” of the show, but the artistry. This is a very valuable and critical step in their singing and acting experience. This is something I learned the importance of first-hand here at NEIU, when I was a student myself. Without valuable stage time, the students aren’t really able to grow as artists. I would like to dedicate this performance to my dear friend and colleague Dr. R. Shayne Cofer, NEIU Music Department Chair. Thank you, Shayne, for your encouragement; I wouldn’t be doing this today without your support. Much love! Certainly there is NO way I could’ve pulled this off without the hard work and dedication of so many people – especially Tasha, Kay M, Kay K, Jane, Drew, Chris, CJ, Bill M., Sarah and of course my wonderful husband Eugene Jarvis, who supports my efforts in every way. Thanks my friends – I don’t know what I’d do without you! In April, 2014 we will present La Vie Parisienne by Offenbach. Please join us! Fondly, Sasha Gerritson Director
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PROGR A M Little Women (Opera)....................................................................................Mark Adamo Amy............................................................................................................................................... Michelle Guy Beth.........................................................................................................................................Maureen Davies Meg....................................................................................................................................... Allison Hennessy Jo..................................................................................................................................................Alaina Carlson Laurie......................................................................................................................................... Alex Makkawy Mr. Brooke.........................................................................................................................Nicholas Brubaker Alma March............................................................................................................................ Patricia Mehler Little Women (Musical).............................................................................. Jason Howland Amy ................................................................................................................................. Lety Ortega (11/22) Janelle Gianakopoulos (11/23) Meg....................................................................................................................................Melissa Orr (11/22) Dwan Buetow (11/23) Beth................................................................................................................................ Robyn Falasz (11/22) Jodi Jean Amble (11/23) Jo.............................................................................................................................Allison Hennessy (11/22) Jillian Mayer (11/23) Mr. Laurence......................................................................................................................Fred Sivils (11/22) Jerry Lee Brown (11/23) Laurie.................................................................................................................................Christopher Zeglin Choreography........................................................................................................................Andrew Waters Madama Buterfly.....................................................................................Giacomo Puccini Pinkerton.......................................................................................................................................Aldo Perrelli Cio Cio San (Butterfly)....................................................................................................Erica Rose Sauder Goro......................................................................................................................................... Wesley Hentges Sharpless.................................................................................................................................... Tyrone Green Maid Servants.......................................................................................Ahriel Mullings, Yleana Morales, Lety Ortega, Caroline Wattelle INTERMISSION Miss Saigon..............................................................................Claude-Michel SchÜnberg John................................................................................................................. Christopher Hatcher (11/22) Wellington Da Silva (11/23) Chris............................................................................................................................ Alex Makkawy (11/22) Brennan Roach (11/23) Kim..............................................................................................................................Yleana Morales (11/22) Sarah Peace (11/23) Ellen............................................................................................................................... Jessica Fisher (11/22) Theresa Egan (11/23) Engineer.......................................................................................................................................Hector Payan La Bohème................................................................................................Giacomo Puccini Mimi......................................................................................................................Erica Rose Sauder (11/22) Mary Lutz Govertsen (11/23) Rodolfo.......................................................................................................................................DaRell Haynes Musetta.............................................................................................................................Erica Bland (11/22) Jessica Fisher (11/23) Marcello.............................................................................................................................Nicholas Brubaker Fall Scene Recital
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Rent.......................................................................................................... Jonathan Larson Roger................................................................................................................. Wellington Da Silva (11/22) Christopher Zeglin (11/23) Mimi................................................................................................................................ Jillian Mayer (11/22) Ahriel Mullings (11/23) Mark...........................................................................................................................Brennan Roach (11/22) Christopher Hatcher (11/23) Collins.............................................................................................................................Billy Jozwiak (11/22) Anthony DeFrancisco (11/23) Mom........................................................................................................................... Janelle Gianakopoulos Benny............................................................................................................................ Hector Payan (11/22) Fred Sivils (11/23) Falstaff........................................................................................................Giuseppe Verdi Alice Ford............................................................................................................... Jodi Jean Amble (11/22) Melissa Orr (11/23) Nanetta........................................................................................................................ Theresa Egan (11/22) Caroline Wattelle (11/23) Meg..............................................................................................................................Dwan Buetow (11/22) Robyn Falasz (11/23) Dame Quickly........................................................................................................ Evelyn P. Priebe (11/22) Gretchen Sheirok (11/23) Fenton.................................................................................................................................... Wesley Hentges Ford.............................................................................................................................................. Tyrone Green Dr. Cajus.................................................................................................................................... Alex Makkawy Bardolph....................................................................................................................................... Billy Jozwiak Pistola........................................................................................................... Anthony DeFrancisco (11/22) Gabe Muenzer (11/23) TECH / NEIU PERSONNEL Director...................................................................................................................................Sasha Gerritson Accompanists/vocal coaches......................................Jane Kenas-Heller, Kay Kim, Paul Hamilton Stage Manager........................................................................................................................ Tasha Sargent Choreographer......................................................................................................................Andrew Waters Lighting Designer........................................................................................................Christopher Burpee Costume Designer......................................................................................................................... Bill Morey Choreography (Little Women).........................................................................................Andrew Waters Props Mistress....................................................................................................................Gretchen Sheirok House Manager............................................................................................................................. Steve Zivin Assistant to Director................................................................................................................. Sarah Linske Programs........................................................................................................................ Marcus Promotions Sound Engineer................................................................................................................. Charles Johnson Photography......................................................................................................................................Joe Davis
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CAST BIOGR APHIES Jodi Jean Amble (Alice Ford in Falstaff, 11/22 & Beth in Little Women (Musical), 11/23) is pursuing a Masters Degree in Applied Vocal Pedagogy at NEIU and studies with Dr. Heitzinger. She was recently seen as Johanna in NEIU’s production of Sweeney Todd. Other theatre credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Remy Bumppo, American Players Theatre, Bialystock and Bloom (Milwaukee, WI) and Maine Shakespeare Festival. She is a singer and songwriter, performing in Chicago and throughout the Midwest with the Jodi Jean Band (www.jodijean.com) and Jenny Dragon (www.jennydragon.com). Erica Bland (Musetta in La Bohème, 11/22), a Vocal Performance Major studying with Dr. Heitzinger, is excited to be singing the role of Musetta this semester, after her debut as Julie Jordan in scenes from Carousel over the summer. Prior to attending Northeastern, Erica attended the University of Colorado. She decided that singing classically was her calling, after winning the National American Miss Talent Competition in 2009. Erica has been in performances of Le Nozze di Figaro (Barbarina), L’Elisir D’Amore (Chorus), Dido and Aeneas (Chorus), and Grease (Patty Simcox). She would like to thank her parents and siblings for being there to support her all the way. Jerry Lee Brown (Mr. Laurence in Little Women (Musical), 11/23) A graduate of the TCP program in 2009, Jerry has longer connections with NEIU through stage work. He has appeared in several Opera Workshop productions including Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience in 2007, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods in 2009, Puccini’s La Bohème in 2010, 2011 productions of The Secret Garden and A Christmas Carol and, more recently, the 2013 production of Sweeney Todd. He is pleased to appear here again, working with this fine ensemble of friends and musicians.
Nicholas Brubaker (Mr. Brooke in Little Women (Opera) & Marcello in La Bohème) is a first year graduate student in Vocal Pedagogy who studies with Dr. Heitzinger. He received his Bachelors in Vocal Performance from the University of Denver and is currently living in Rogers Park with his wife. Dwan Buetow (Meg in Falstaff, 11/22 & Meg in Little Women (Musical), 11/23) is an NEIU Alumna, full time employee in the Pedroso Center and current student working on a second BA in Vocal Music Performance. Dee, (her alias), is currently studying voice with Dr. Phyllis Hurt and has performed in several community operettas and musicals, a long time ago... This past summer, Dee returned to the stage here at NEIU, in Opera Workshop summer scenes as Rona Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Dee spends her spare time cooking for her daughters and friends, cheering for the Chicago White Sox, dancing and traveling. Dee’s biggest fans are her two daughters, Zephranie and Dana Buetow. Chris Burpee (Lighting Designer) Previous NEIU design credits include Sweeney Todd, Street Scene, A Christmas Carol and Secret Garden. Chris is also the resident lighting designer at Redtwist Theatre, where his recent credits include Body of Water, Broken Glass, Opus, and Man From Nebraska. Other recent designs include Avenue Q for NightBlue at Stage 773. Chris, in addition to designing, is also the Technical Director here at NEIU. Chris is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Alaina Carlson (Jo in Little Women (Opera) has been a musician since beginning her piano studies at age 7 in her hometown, Racine, Wisconsin. She has since become an avid choir member and performer, and got her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Lake Forest College in 2011. In addition to her choral work, Alaina’s favorite musical theater and opera roles have included Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the Leading Player in Fall Scene Recital
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Pippin, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. She first worked with Sasha Gerritson this past summer in the Opera Training Institute of Chicago, where she performed in scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte and Don Giovanni. She currently sings with the treble sextet La Caccina, Peregrine Vocal Ensemble, the Saint James Cathedral Choir and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Alaina studies voice with Sunny Joy Langton, and she works as a piano and voice instructor for Piano Lessons in Your Home.
to being a part of as many productions as possible at NEIU and would like to thank his director, Sasha Gerritson, and private instructor Art Linsner for being influential parts of his second year at NEIU.
Theresa Egan (Nanetta in Falstaff, 11/22 & Ellen in Miss Saigon, 11/23) is thrilled to be singing the roles of Nanetta and Ellen in this scene recital. She was seen making her American Chamber Opera debut singing the role of Papagena in the company’s August production of Magic Flute. She recently earned a Masters in Applied Vocal Wellington DaSilva (Roger in Rent, 11/22 Pedagogy from NEIU where she studied & John in Miss Saigon, 11/23) is a student with Dr. Heitzinger. She was most recently in NEIU’s Vocal Performance program. He seen as Lucille from Parade in the NEIU has performed leading roles in numerous Summer Scene Recital and Mrs. Lovett in operas and musicals at Northeastern NEIU Opera’s April production of Sweeney and is so pleased to have been a part of Todd. Some of her favorite performance this scene recital. He was last seen as The credits include: Musetta (La Bohème), Beadle in Sweeney Todd, Sam Kaplan in Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Gianetta (Elixir Street Scene, the Ghost of Christmas Present of Love), Adele (Die Fledermaus) and Mrs. in A Christmas Carol and Archibald Craven Cratchit (A Christmas Carol). She currently in The Secret Garden. Wellington is the lives in Evanston and teaches private winner of the Orvieto Musica Scholarship voice and piano lessons in the Evanston award and has just returned from Italy and Skokie areas. She is also the assistant after spending three weeks there studying conductor for the Angeli Young Women’s Italian language and chamber music. Choir in Park Ridge. She is eternally grateful to her husband, Tim, and her parents for Maureen Davies (Beth in Little Women their unending support and love. (Opera) is so excited to be performing in the NEIU scenes recital. She earned a BM in Robyn Falasz (Beth in Little Women vocal performance from DePaul University, (Musical), 11/22 & Meg in Falstaff, 11/23) where she sang in several DePaul Opera is a Vocal Performance major at NEIU, and Theatre productions. This past summer, she studies with Dr. Heitzinger. Previous roles sang with the Apprentice Chorale in the include Mabel in Pirates of Penzance in high Grant Park music festival. school, Liesl in The Sound of Music with the Bethesda Summer Music Festival, Zerlina Anthony DeFrancisco (Pistola in Falstaff, from Don Giovanni, Ines from La Favorita 11/22 & Collins in Rent, 11/23) is an and Frasquita from Carmen both in the instrumental music education major at opera scenes recitals at NEIU. She would NEIU. Anthony is found more commonly like to thank Sasha for the opportunity to in the pit rather than on the stage as he be in this wonderful production. is first and foremost a trombone player but loves the stage no less than the pit. Jessica Lauren Fisher (Ellen in Miss Anthony has played shows such as Gypsy, Saigon, 11/22 & Musetta in La Bohème, Ragtime, Urinetown, Cabaret, and The Music 11/23) is thrilled to be performing in Man. Anthony was most recently seen at this production! She has performed NEIU as a member of the Core Ensemble throughout the Chicagoland and Indiana in Sweeney Todd. Anthony looks forward areas in both operatic and theater 6
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productions portraying many characters from mice to men. She is currently pursuing her degree in music at NEIU after completing her degree in theater from DePaul University. She is a proud student of Dr. Hibbard and gives her thanks to her family, friends and partner in crime, Andrew. LVYA Mom! Sasha Gerritson (Director) is extremely grateful to all the people who helped make tonight possible. A graduate of NEIU and DePaul, Sasha has been the NEIU Opera Director for seven years, in addition to teaching Music Theory. She is also the Recruitment and Scholarship Coordinator for the Department of Music, a job she loves! In her spare time she sings opera and musical theatre and serves as the Music Minister of the Park Ridge Community Church. Sasha lives in Glenview with her husband Eugene Jarvis and their sons Nate and Josh. Janelle Gianakopoulos (Amy in Little Women (Musical), 11/22 & Mom in Rent) is very excited to be in another scene recital. She would like to thank her director Sasha Gerritson for giving her this opportunity and her family for being so supportive of her singing. She is a Vocal Education Major at NEIU and studies voice with Kathy Cowan. Tyrone Green (Sharpless in Madama Butterfly & Ford in Falstaff) is an undergraduate student at NEIU, pursuing his music education degree. Tyrone is delighted to take part in this scene recital and looks forward to growing musically and professionally here at NEIU. Michelle Guy (Amy in Little Women (Opera) is a senior Biology and Music Performance major at NEIU and studies voice with Dr. Hibbard. She is the winner of the Orvieto Scholarship as well and the BrommelRatner Award, among others. In previous years she has performed the roles of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Louise in scenes from Charpentier’s Louise, Rose in Street
Scene, Alice in The Secret Garden and Alice in A Christmas Carol. She thanks her family and friends for their loving support. Christopher Hatcher (John in Miss Saigon, 11/22 & Mark in Rent, 11/23) is pleased to be performing in his first show at NEIU. Recent productions include the roles of Papageno in Die Zauberflote and Masetto in Don Giovanni with the American Chamber Opera. DaRell Haynes (Rodolfo in La Bohème) is the 2013 Concerto Competition Winner and recipient of the 2012-13 Opera Piccola Award as well as the 2013 Orvieto Musica Award. A second year graduate student in Applied Vocal Pedagogy and studying with Dr. Robert Heitzinger, DaRell recently made his tenor debut with Chicago Opera Initiative singing the role of Bill in Samuel Barber’s Hand of Bridge. Past credits include: La Traviata (Dottore Grenvil), Die Fledermaus (Doctor Falke), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), Cendrillon (Pandolfe), Les Contes d’Hoffmann (4 Villains), Le Nozze di Figaro (Count Almaviva), Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro), and Little Women (John Brooke). The Louisiana native holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts as well as a Master and Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University. He has recently completed a production of Barber of Seville as Bartolo with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Opera in the Neighborhoods. Wesley Hentges (Sharpless in Madama Butterfly & Fenton in Falstaff) is originally from Russellville, Missouri. He received his undergraduate degree in sacred music with an emphasis in vocal performance from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. Wesley has performed with the Elgin Opera and participated in Opera in the Ozarks in Eureka Springs, AR. This is his first semester as a graduate student in the Vocal Pedagogy program at NEIU and studies with Dr. Heitzinger. Fall Scene Recital
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Allison Hennessy (Meg in Little Women (Opera), Jo in Little Women (Musical), 11/22) is a music education major in her first semester at Northeastern. She has sung and toured with the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong, and studied with Dr. Christopher Aspaas at St. Olaf College. This summer, she spent a month touring Norway and recording a Christmas special for PBS with the St. Olaf Choir. She is a member of the Park Ridge Community Church Choir under the direction of Sasha Gerritson, and has toured with that choir to Italy, Austria and Belgium. She is thrilled to be participating in the opera workshop this fall at NEIU. Billy Jozwiak (Collins in Rent, 11/22 & Bardolph in Falstaff) is a junior at NEIU. He is an instrumental music education major, and his primary instrument is the tuba. Jane Kenas-Heller (Accompanist, Vocal Coach), Dr. Kay Kim’s predecessor as staff pianist for the NEIU Music Department, is thrilled to continue her association with Opera Workshop. As pianist for the modern dance company, Concert Dance, Inc., Jane has performed at the Ravinia Festival and at the New Dance Festival in Prague, Czech Republic. She is fortunate to have toured twice for the USO, performing on US military bases in Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. Also a singer, Jane was a finalist in the Bel Canto Competition, has sung with Chicago Opera Theatre, and toured with the Lyric Opera Center. As a composer, Jane’s one-act opera, Romance Novel, was premiered at NEIU. Jane received her Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy degree from NEIU as a student of Dr. Phyllis Hurt, and her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as a voice student of Dr. Ronald Combs. Kay Kim (Accompanist, Vocal Coach) An active collaborator, pianist Kay Kim performs an average of over 50 concerts a year both domestically and internationally. She has been one of the 8
pianists of Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s conductor’s rehearsals, performed with the Stradivari Society artists and collaborated with Chicago Chamber Musicians. As a member of musical ambassador group Trio Chicago and Friends, Ms. Kim performs worldwide in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. She has been heard in CBS ‘Early Show’, WFMT ‘Impromptu’ and Dame Myra Hess Series. Ms. Kim serves as a full-time staff pianist and as an instructor of piano accompanying at NEIU. Her previous teaching and staff positions include Northwestern University, Indiana University and the Juilliard School. She holds a doctoral degree in piano performance from Northwestern University. Mary Lutz-Govertsen (Mimi in La Bohème, 11/23) is thrilled to be back performing with NEIU, where she earned her teaching degree in 2011 and is currently a studentat-large. At NEIU, she performed the role of Anna Maurrant/Street Scene; Ghost of Christmas Past/A Christmas Carol; Lily/The Secret Garden; and Mimi/La Bohème. Mary has performed with many companies in Chicago, where she has been seen as First Lady/The Magic Flute; Rusalka/ Rusalka; Madame Lidoine/The Dialogues of the Carmelites; and Mlle. Silberklang/Der Schauspieldirektor. She was an apprentice at Opera New Jersey, where she covered the role of Clorinda/La Cenerentola and at Opera Cedar Rapids, as Fiordiligi/Cosi fan tutte. Upcoming engagements include the soprano solo in Elijah, Olympia/Antonia/ Giulietta in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. Alex Makkawy (Laurie in Little Women (Opera), Chris in Miss Saigon, 11/22 & Dr. Cajus in Falstaff) is a recent graduate of NEIU, with his BA in Vocal Performance. He is thrilled to be returning to the NEIU stage for yet another fabulous scene recital. He was last seen as Sam Kaplan in NEIU’s production of Street Scene. Other NEIU roles include Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden and Schaunard in La Bohème. Alex
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participated in the Opera Training Institute of Chicago this past summer. “It has truly been an honor to get to work with such talented cast, crew and, of course, director.”
two time Equity Jeff Award winner as well as the recipient of two After Dark Awards and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award. For more info please visit www.billmorey.com
Jillian Mayer (Mimi in Rent, 11/22 & Jo in Little Women (Musical), 11/23) is thrilled to be performing in scenes from two of her absolute favorite musicals this fall! Jillian was last seen on the NEIU stage this summer in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Logainne and last spring as Mrs. Lovett (another dream come true) in Sweeney Todd. Other favorite credits include Martha in The Secret Garden, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical, and Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables. Thank you to family, friends, and Linas for all your love and support. Enjoy the show!
Gabe Muenzer (Pistola in Falstaff, 11/23) is a Junior at Lincoln Park High School. He has recently started taking voice lessons and is part of a recruitment program here at NEIU. This is his second vocal performance, after being seen last semester as Masetto in scenes from Don Giovanni, although he has performed as an actor several times at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also studies violin and guitar.
Patricia Mehler (Alma March in Little Women (Opera) has studied voice and sung most of her life. She is a member of NEIU’s College and Community Chorus, and has been a soloist. She also sings, solos and tours with the Chicago Bar Association Chorus. Internationally, Pat has toured with Berkshire Choral Festival and with Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, also appearing at Carnegie Hall. Locally, she has sung with Lake Street Church, Park Ridge Chorus, Waukegan Chorus, Hinsdale Opera Theatre, IBC Productions, Albright Theatre, and others. She also cantors (at churches). Pat studies voice with Dr. Ron Combs, to whom she is most grateful! Yleana Morales (Maid Servant in Madama Butterfly & Kim in Miss Saigon, 11/22) is a music education major here at NEIU, currently studying voice with Dr. Sarah Hibbard. Every semester she looks forward to being a part of the Opera Scenes under the direction of Sasha Gerritson. Yleana also enjoys learning/gaining new skills in acting and singing. Bill Morey (Costume Design) designed NEIU’s Sweeney Todd, Street Scene, The Secret Garden and A Christmas Carol. He is a
Ahriel Mullings (Maid Servant in Madama Butterfly & Mimi in Rent, 11/23) started singing and touring internationally with the Chicago Children’s Choir when she was 8 and continued for ten years before coming to Northeastern. Currently, she is a junior at NEIU with a major in Vocal Performance and a minor in dance. She enjoys working with the faculty, staff, and fellow students at NEIU. Melissa Orr (Meg in Little Women (Musical), 11/22 & Alice Ford in Falstaff, 11/23) is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree, studying under Dr. Robert Heitzinger, as an Honors Scholar and Vocal Performance major at NEIU. Her nearly 20 years of performing have contributed to a wide array of accomplishments in music and theater. Studying ballet, flute, voice and acting as a young girl, Ms. Orr was invited to study Opera and Vocal Performance under scholarship at the Concordia University-Chicago School of Music in River Forest, Illinois, and later under scholarship at the DePaul University School of Music in Lincoln Park, Illinois. Melissa has been featured in masterclass with soprano Glenda Kirkland and soprano Martha Guth. She was often featured as a soloist with various choral and small ensemble groups throughout her studies and continues to perform professionally throughout the Chicagoland area. She enjoys volunteering her voice for benefit concerts and events Fall Scene Recital
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for local churches, and has performed as a soloist and member of the Concordia Theological Seminary Schola CantorumFt. Wayne, IN, the Downers Grove Choral Society, the DGCS Artist Recital Series, the Lewis University Community Jazz Ensemble, and also enjoys directing annual children’s Christmas programming with her church and volunteering. Lety Ortega (Amy in Little Women (Musical), 11/22 & Maid Servant in Madama Butterfly) is a transfer student from Morton College in Cicero. She is very excited to commence her career here at NEIU. Presently, she is also a part of the NEIU Chorus. Previously, she participated as a member of the chorus in Morton College’s production of A Tale of Two Cities. As a participant of the Morton College Choir, she had the opportunity to perform at Chicago Symphony Hall under the direction of Simon Carrington. It is her first semester attending NEIU and she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and in Spanish. Hector Payan (Engineer in Miss Saigon & Benny in Rent, 11/22) is a sophomore at NEIU. He plans to major in psychology and minor in voice. He participated in Sweeney Todd in Spring of 2013 and in the 2012 Fall Opera Scene Recital as a party guest in Die Fledermaus. He’d like to thank his parents and friends for their wonderful support. Sarah Peace (Kim in Miss Saigon, 11/23) after transferring from Harold Washington College, is a music performance major at NEIU. She is currently being trained by Kathy Cowan. Although this is her first participation in such a production, she is excited to learn as much as she can from this class and from this talented group of singers.
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Aldo Perrelli (Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly) is thrilled to be a part of Opera Workshop at NEIU again! Aldo recently completed his Master’s degree in Opera Performance from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, under the direction of William Farlow. During his time in Madison, Aldo performed the role Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème (also performed at NEIU where he received his undergraduate degree). He most recently sang the tenor solo in the Verdi Requiem at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. Other roles performed include Gaisone in Cherubini’s Medea and Fritz Cobus in Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz. Aldo has been a finalist in numerous vocal competitions, including NATS and the Bel Canto foundation (Chicago). Aldo has also been a member of the Opera Training Institute of Chicago for 2 years. Evelyn Priebe (Dame Quickly in Falstaff, 11/22) has a long history of performing. She has a particular affinity for the musical stage, having performed in many operas, operettas and Broadway-style musicals. She again returns to the NEIU stage as a Community Listener. Brennan Roach (Mark in Rent, 11/22 & Chris in Miss Saigon, 11/23) is a graduate student in the NEIU Vocal Pedagogy program, where he studies with Dr. Heitzinger. Brennan has been seen performing leading roles in Sweeney Todd, Street Scene, A Christmas Carol and The Secret Garden at NEIU. He has spent time performing and directing regionally around Chicago as well as in the Greater Boston Area with such theatres as Fox Valley Repertory, The Artistic Home, Light Opera Works, Seanachai Theatre Company, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, Terra Mysterium and Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston. Graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Many thanks to my family and friends for their love and support!
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Tasha Sargent (Stage Manager) is a rural Oklahoma transplant into the big city of Chicago. She graduated with a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and will begin a Master Theological Studies degree this fall. An avid lover of the fine arts, this is Tasha’s second production as stage manager. Erica Rose Sauder (Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly & Mimi in La Bohème, 11/23) is a vocal performance major at NEIU, studying with Dr. Hibbard. She has performed in Sweeney Todd (Core Ensemble), A Christmas Carol (Chorus), Street Scene (Mrs. Olson) and as Mercedes in the quintet from Carmen. This summer Erica participated in OpTIC, Opera Training Institute of Chicago in Evanston, performing excerpts as Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte and Mimi in La Bohème. Outside of school she leads Patchwork, a folk rock band through Park Community Church in Chicago. “Thank you Sasha, for this wonderful and fun opportunity, and thanks to my family, friends and fellow cast mates for your love and friendship. Break legs!” Gretchen Sheirok (Dame Quickly in Falstaff, 11/23) is thrilled to be in another show at NEIU. This makes her 20th appearance singing and being the prop mistress. She also enjoys singing in local choir groups around the city and suburbs. Fred Sivils (Mr. Laurence in Little Women (Musical), 11/22 & Benny in Rent, 11/23) is a Community Listener who is appearing in his eighth production under Sasha’s direction. “I wish to thank Sasha and all of the wonderful singers and actors for this chance to appear with them again. As usual, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself through all of the hard work and learning that makes Sasha’s productions so magical.”
Andrew Waters (Choreographer for Little Women (Musical) is thrilled to collaborate with Ms. Gerritson on another performance together! Other memorable shows include Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods, The Secret Garden, Susannah and Street Scene. Most recently he choreographed Barnum for The Mercury Theater and assistant choreographed Smokey Joe’s Café playing at the Royal George. He is a freelance choreographer and has choreographed over fifty productions in the Chicagoland area. Last year he worked on T-Mobile’s national TV commercial, Home for the Holidays and The Christmas Schooner for The Mercury Theater. Andrew would like to thank you for supporting live theater at NEIU. Caroline Wattelle (Maid Servant in Madama Butterfly & Nanetta in Falstaff, 11/23) is a junior at NEIU double majoring in Music Performance and Psychology. While part of the Chicago Opera Theater Apprenticeship Program, she played Mabel in Pirates of Penzance. She is thrilled for tonight’s performance and hopes for many more to come! Christopher Zeglin (Laurie in Little Women (Musical) & Roger in Rent, 11/23) is thrilled to be making his first musical/theatrical performance at NEIU. Chris is currently a sophomore studying vocal music education and hopes to minor in theatre. Chris studies voice with Dr. Sarah Hibbard. He has appeared in a number of other productions throughout high school and in community college as well.
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N E I U D E PA R TM E N T O F M U S I C & DA N C E P R O G R A M Offering Undergraduate Majors in: Vocal or Instrumental Performance • Vocal or Instrumental Music Education Offering Graduate Programs in: Applied Vocal or Instrumental Music Pedagogy Offering Minors in: Music • Dance Please contact Sasha Gerritson at S-Gerritson@neiu.edu or phone 773.442.5906 for more information ** Scholarship auditions for new students to be held in February and March 2014
A B O U T T H E O P E R A / M U S I C A L T H E AT R E P R O G R A M AT N E I U In order to give our students a variety of experiences, as they go forward with their performing and teaching careers, an intentional four year repertoire rotation was established in 2007. In between major productions we supplement the student learning experience with scene recitals drawn from all types of repertoire. YEAR ONE: Modern opera, sung in English. YEAR TWO: Modern musical theater YEAR THREE: Standard repertoire opera/operetta YEAR FOUR: Standard/”legit” style musical theater. Recent NEIU full productions include: 2007- 2008 (Year one) Susannah by Carlisle Floyd The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti 2008-2009 (Year two) Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim 2009-2010 (Year three) La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini (sung in original Italian) 2010-2011 (Year four) The Secret Garden by Lucy Simon 2011-2012 (Year one) A Christmas Carol by Ronald Combs Street Scene by Kurt Weill 2012-2013 (Year two) Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim 2013-2014 (Year three) La Vie Parisienne by Jacques Offenbach 12
Northeastern Illinois University Department of Music