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NATURAL SHOCKS by Lauren Gunderson Directed by Michael Cotey Featuring Jennifer Vosters
Stage Manager Jessica Connelly*
Sound Design/Editing Peter Goode
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
May 24 – June 13, 2021 The world premiere of NATURAL SHOCKS was presented in October 2018 by WP Theater (Lisa McNulty, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Sag, Managing Director) NATURAL SHOCKS is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. ©2021. This Video recording was produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Lauren Gunderson. All rights reserved. This performance is authorized for noncommercial use only. By accepting this license, you agree not to authorize or permit the Video to be recorded, copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed. WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, Audio & Videotapes or Audio & Videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.
Next Act Theatre | 255 S. Water Street | Milwaukee, WI 53204 NATURAL SHOCKS
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UPAF.ORG/DONATE Photo by Ron Oshima; Milwaukee Ballet, Photo by Social Candy; Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Photo by Michael Brosilow. 4 Danceworks; Next ActMYSO, Theatre
THE CAST Angela ............................................................................................................... Jennifer Vosters
THE PL AY WILL BE PERFOR MED WITHOUT INTER MISSION.
SPECIAL THANKS Third Avenue Playhouse Bob Boles & James Valcq Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort Heidi Rose Jon Ginnow Randy Vosters & Jane VanGilder
Next Act Theatre’s 2020-21 artistic season is supported in part by grants from the Herzfeld Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, the Milwaukee Arts Board, CAMPAC and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Next Act Theatre is a proud member of the United Performing Arts Fund.
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DIR ECTOR’ S NOTES – MICHAEL COTE Y Spoiler alert: It’s hard to talk about NATURAL SHOCKS without talking about the issues and themes brought up in the play. If you’d like to remain surprised - turn away now and return to read it after you watch the show. On February 14, 2018, a gunman took the lives of 17 individuals and injured 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the wake of that horrific event, playwright Lauren Gunderson got to work on NATURAL SHOCKS. “It was already in my mind to write, but when the massacre at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas school happened I was pushed to create it right then and there,” Lauren told me, “I wanted to write a piece that was surprising not just in its twist, but in its tone and character. The play is funny, fast, sexy, tense. It’s confessional, comedic, cathartic. And it centers upon a woman which is rare to see, even today.” Rarer still is seeing a play that uncovers a tragic fact about mass shootings and gun violence hiding in plain sight: that there is a history of domestic abuse and often, a shooter’s first victim is their female partner. The data proves it. A study conducted by Boston University in 2020 found “that nearly half of mass shooters between 1966 and 2020 have a history of violence against women.” And then, in an analysis of 749 mass shootings conducted by Bloomberg News, “60 percent were either attacks against a partner or family member, or committed by men with histories of domestic violence.”1 To prove the point that this data is so readily available, Angela, the character at the center of our story, is capable of rattling it off in the play’s more harrowing moments. I once participated in a debate during my high school civics class where I had to argue for gun reform. I dug into the topic and was confronted with the staggering statistics about the gun violence epidemic in our country. My debate tactic was to relay those statistics back to my classmates, expecting them to share my outrage. I lost that debate. It seems that no matter how unfathomable and irrefutable the statistics and data are, they will never be enough. They alone will never sway opinion or change hearts and minds. But stories can. Understanding and empathizing with another’s experience, no matter how different or distant it may seem from our own, can. Which is why I’m grateful to Lauren that this play exists - that when tragedy struck, she put pen to paper. Her words give space and voice and attention to a story that needs to be heard. This production was originally intended as a one-off performance for Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay. I am indebted once again to David for seeing a place for it as the final piece to the Next Act season, and Bob Boles at TAP for asking me to do it in the first place. Giving this production an extended life is such a privilege for two reasons. First, for everything above: to bring this story to a wider audience and, hopefully, to those who need to see it the most. And second, because you get the pleasure of witnessing Jennifer Voster’s tour-de-force performance as Angela. I knew when I cast Jennifer that she would be brilliant, but somehow even that word feels like an understatement. She brings this play to life in a way I feel few could. Jennifer: you, my friend, are, as the kids say, dope AF. 1
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Next Act Theatre
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BIOGR APHIES LAUREN GUNDERSON (Playwright) Lauren Gunderson is the most produced living playwright in America, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Steinberg/ ATCA New Play Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Co. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at companies across the US including the Denver Center (THE BOOK OF WILL), South Coast Rep (EMILIE, SILENT SKY), The Kennedy Center (THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL AND HER DOG!), the O’Neill Theatre Center, Berkeley Rep, Shotgun Players, TheatreWorks, Crowded Fire, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre,
Synchronicity, Olney Theatre, Geva, and more. Her work is published by Dramatists Play Service (SILENT SKY, BAUER), Playscripts Inc. (I AND YOU; EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR; and TOIL AND TROUBLE), and Samuel French (EMILIE). She is a Playwright in Residence at The Playwrights Foundation, and a proud Dramatists Guild member. She is from Atlanta, GA, and lives in San Francisco. LaurenGunderson.com and @LalaTellsAStory. JENNIFER VOSTERS (Angela) Jennifer is excited to make her Next Act acting debut after assisting on EQUIVOCATION. Wisconsin: American Players Theatre (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, MACBETH), Forward Theater (Wisconsin Wrights 2020), Children’s Theater of Madison (A
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CHRISTMAS CAROL), Third Avenue Playhouse (#ENOUGH, NATURAL SHOCKS), In Tandem Theatre (CARNIVAL), Acacia Theatre (THE HIDING PLACE). Regional: Utah, Notre Dame, and Flagstaff Shakespeare Festivals; Lyric Repertory Company. Directing: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (2019 Young Playwrights Festival, 2019 Montgomery Davis Series), Voices Found Repertory (MEDEA), Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival (A LIE OF THE MIND). She is also a writer, musician, and proud alumna of Saint Mary’s College. www.jennifervosters.com MICHAEL COTEY (Director) Michael (www.michaelcotey.com) is excited to be back at Next Act after recently directing 9 CIRCLES and EQUIVOCATION. He is so grateful to David for giving this production a new lease on life after it previously streamed for Third Avenue Playhouse. Michael has also directed at Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, Northwestern University, UW-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Illinois Wesleyan University and Youngblood Theatre. Michael has also assisted at Goodman Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare, Steppenwolf and Milwaukee Rep, for prominent directors like Tony Award-winners Mary Zimmerman and Robert Falls. From 2009-2013, he was the Founding Artistic Director of Youngblood Theatre in Milwaukee. Regularly celebrated by the theater community and the press as one of the most exciting new Milwaukee theater ventures in decades, Youngblood provided professional opportunities to early career emerging artists, introduced the works of provocative new playwrights and staged theatre in raw found spaces that invoked Milwaukee’s storied industrial past. He’s taught at UW-Madison, Roosevelt University, Northwestern and UW-Milwaukee. In 2020 Michael launched #ENOUGH: Play to End Gun Violence (www.enoughplays.com), a year-long initiative to give teens a platform to confront gun violence through playwriting, culminating in an evening of simultaneous staged readings across the country of the finalist plays. Theatres and schools from fifty
communities in 23 states participated in the inaugural nationwide #ENOUGH reading, with over 1,100 artists involved. Michael graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Acting and from Northwestern University with an MFA in Directing. In 2014, he was named UWM’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” and in 2020 he took on his most exciting role to date: Jackson Cotey’s dad. JESSICA CONNELLY (Resident Stage Manager) Jessica first began working with Next Act Theatre in 2003. Since 2006 she has been Next Act’s Resident Stage Manager, stage managing nearly 60 productions. A few of Jessica’s favorite projects include: DEAR ESTHER, MASTER HAROLD and the BOYS, LAST OF THE BOYS, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, GREETINGS, FAITH HEALER, PURGATORIO, GOING TO ST. IVES, VIGIL, GRACE, THREE VIEWS OF THE SAME OBJECT, TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992, BLOOMSDAY, SILENT SKY, EQUIVOCATION, I AND YOU and BLOOD AT THE ROOT (Next Act Theatre); A RISING WIND (John Michael Kohler Arts Center); CHESAPEAKE, TROJAN WOMEN, THE SHAPE OF THINGS and the US premier of SKIN TIGHT (Renaissance Theaterworks); DISGRACED, FENCES and BLUE ROSE (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); SANTALAND DIARIES (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts); HAIRSPRAY (Little Theatre on the Square). Jessica is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and an honors graduate of UWMilwaukee. She is the loving dog mom to two small furry babies; 8-year-old mini dachshunds lovingly named Auggie and Fritz. In loving memory of Cleopatra. PETER GOODE (Sound Design/Editor) Peter is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist based in Milwaukee. Select sound design and music credits include: STARLINGS by Ben Daniel Parman, Soulstice Theatre; NATURAL SHOCKS
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BIOGR APHIES
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THE DUMB WAITER, The Alchemist Theatre; THE NAUTICAL TRAGEDY OF DICK III, Quasimondo Physical Theatre; QUALITY STREET, Acacia Theatre; MEDEA, Voices Found Repertory; and THE ISLAND, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. They are delighted to work with Next Act for the first time, and grateful to Michael and Jennifer for the opportunity to support their brilliance. They send additional love and thanks to Sky, Erin, Cara, Kelsey, Ben, and their family at Zao MKE. DAVID CECSARINI (Producing Artistic Director) David’s professional theatre debut was played out with the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis as a journeyman actor in 1978. From 1980-86, he worked his formative years as an original company member of the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI. During his thirty-plus year Milwaukee residency, he has acted with many of its professional companies, including the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight and the Milwaukee Rep. Appearing most recently as Max Prince in Next Act’s LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR, other memorable acting assignments include Anthony in OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, Sir Robert Cecil in EQUIVOCATION, Vince Lombardi in LOMBARDI: THE ONLY THING, Ben in LAST OF THE BOYS, Eddie in FOOL FOR LOVE, Bennett in MICROCRISIS, Ezra Pound in INCOMMUNICADO and “all the gang” in BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR. David has proudly served as Producing Artistic Director for Milwaukee’s Next Act Theatre for 29 years. He is fortunate to live in Whitefish Bay with his three beautiful girls: Miranda, Amalia and his ever-patient, life-partner wife, Deborah Staples Cecsarini.
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JANE FLIELLER (Development Director) This season marks Jane’s second with Next Act, having previously served as Producing Director for In Tandem Theatre, a Milwaukeebased theatre company she co-founded with her husband, Chris. Her work with In Tandem culminated in twenty-one years of producing critically-acclaimed, exciting live theatre for which she received an Artist of the Year Award from the Milwaukee Arts Board, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2019 Footlights People’s Choice Awards and numerous Best of the Year recognitions through the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Shepherd Express. A former stage manager, Jane toured nationally with the Great American Children’s Theatre Company and has worked locally for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Theatre Tesseract, Next Act Theatre and Next Generation Theatre. For several years, Jane was the stage manager for ComedySportz, a position she originated. Jane’s directing credits include In Tandem, Carroll University, Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre, South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, Whitefish Bay High School and Marquette University. A.J. MAGOON (Marketing Director) A Milwaukee-based arts administrator and actor, A.J. holds a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Public Relations from Marquette University. He has performed various administrative duties for Summit Players Theatre, First Stage, Theatre Gigante and Theatre Nervosa and came to Next Act from Bottom Line Marketing and Public Relations. In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, A.J. has been seen onstage with First Stage, Renaissance Theaterworks, Theatre Gigante, Voices Found Repertory, Summit Players Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (Young Playwrights Festival),
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Theatre Nervosa, Quasimondo Physical Theatre, Off the Wall Theater, Windfall Theatre and Cooperative Performance. Outside of theatre, he enjoys baking and spending time in the great outdoors. GRACE DEWOLFF (Education Manager) Grace is a Milwaukee born-and-raised theatre maker with experience as a professional actor and as an auxiliary theatre teacher in a multitude of MPS schools. Before working at Next Act, she taught in educational outreach programs at First Stage, Skylight, Arts@Large and The Rep and continues to bring professional theatre experiences to classrooms and students in and around Milwaukee. When not at Next Act, Grace can be found traveling to the Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival or rehearsing a staged sword fight (someday maybe both at once). LIBBY AMATO (Administrative Assistant) Libby has been a member of the Next Act family for more than 15 years in a variety of roles, including House Manager, Ticket Office Attendant, Actor and Deck Chief. As of summer 2020, she’s delighted to add Administrative Assistant to the list. Libby is a long time Milwaukee theatre professional. She also recently turned her weird hobby (soap-making) into a small business venture. In her free time she enjoys running by the lake and hanging out with her elderly cat.
with powerful stories by creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible. “TAP is one of the crown jewels in Wisconsin theatre.” -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (“Equity”) Equity, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. Equity is governed by its own members through an elected Council, representing principal actors, chorus actors and stage managers living in three regions: Eastern, Central and Western. Members-at-large participate in Equity’s governance through a system of regional Boards and Committees. Equity has 28 designated area liaison cities with over 100 members each.
THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE Third Avenue Playhouse is Door County’s premier year-round professional theatre. Led by Co-Artistic Directors Robert Boles and James Valcq, TAP produces riveting performances of contemporary and classic plays, musicals, and even opera, bringing audiences face to face NATURAL SHOCKS
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T H A N K YO U 2 0 2 0 - 21 S E A S O N S U P P O R T E R S
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Sheldon and Marianne Lubar Next Act Theatre engages the hearts and minds of audiences with intimate, compelling productions intended to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote the development of new perspectives and understanding. 12
Next Act Theatre
T H A N K YO U 2 0 2 0 - 21 S E A S O N S U P P O R T E R S
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Next Act Theatre’s newly-created Inclusion, Equality and Opportunity Internship Program is generously sponsored by The United Performing Arts Fund’s Kasey’s Fund In an effort to create more opportunities for artists of color and to foster new and lasting professional relationships in Milwaukee, Next Act Theatre has created the Inclusion, Equality and Opportunity Internship Program. For each production within a season, Next Act will contract an emerging artist of color to participate in a paid internship. The 2020-21 season focused on directing internships. Going forward, the program will grow to include stage management, design and administration.
AT YOUR SERVICE. AT YOUR SIDE. For over 80 years, we have helped the families of Milwaukee and New Berlin honor their loved ones. Being a family owned funeral home, we understand the importance of family values. That’s why we take pride in fulfilling your wishes with kindness, compassion and respect. We devote ourselves to the complete care of you and your family, guiding you every step of the way through one of life’s most difficult times. When you need us most, we’ll be right there by your side. That’s our promise. Mark Krause, Owner
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Generously giving since May 2020. Marcia Brooks and Edward Hammond Michael and Ericka Burzynski Miles and Barbara Capron Lois Cecsarini Judges John and Jean DiMotto Jane M. Foster Four Four Foundation Pam Frautschi Tim and Sue Frautschi William N. and Janice V. Godfrey Family Foundation Trust Judith Goetz Greater Milwaukee Foundation Colton Charitable Fund Robert Gardenier and Lori Morse Charitable Fund Jami and Joe Hanreddy Andrew and Paula Holman Richard and Esther Huiting INVESTORS ($5,000 Jewish Community Foundation - $9,999) Pam Kriger Donor CAMPAC (Milwaukee Advised Fund County Funding) Jack and Lucy Rosenberg The Einhorn Family Donor Advised Fund Foundation Mark and Ginny Kannenberg Greater Milwaukee Foundation Mary Ann and Charles LaBahn Judith A. Keyes Family Fund Sandy Laedtke Werner W. and Susan M. John Mahony and Krause Family Fund Evelyn Burdick Nancy L. Laskin Donna Martynski City of Milwaukee Arts Board Guy and Mary Jo McDonald Nonprofit Management Fund Kathleen McElroy and J. Michael Reavis David Newby Bert L. and Patricia S. Joyce Mielke Steigleder Charitable Trust Dwight and Marleen Morgan Christine Symchych Daniel P. and Julie Murray and Jim McNulty Kathy Nusslock Wisconsin Arts Board David Paris Dentistry Wisconsin Arts Board Clare M. Peters (Cares Act Funding) Charitable Trust Wilfred Wollner Jr. Anna and Dan Robbins Sandra Zingler and Mary Ruffolo and Ben Litwin Barbara Johnson Howard and Sue Schoenfeld Sempercor Foundation PRODUCER’S CIRCLE Jan Serr and John Shannon ($1,000 - $4,999) Foundation James and Terri Alioto Sandra M. Seymour David and Patricia Anderson John and Pamela Shefchik Anonymous (3) Dr Mark and Nancy Smuckler Bob Balderson Gilbert Southwell III Donna and Donald and Tracy Luber Baumgartner Eileen and George Stone Haly Besaw Tom and Linda Streifender VISIONARIES ($10,000 and above) Bader Philanthropies Patty Compton Greater Milwaukee Foundation Ildy and Skip Poliner Fund Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc. The Martin Family Foundation Vincent L. Martin and Janet Dowler Martin Revocable Trust Milan Racic The Shubert Foundation Julia and David Uihlein United Performing Arts Fund; Bright Minds and Kasey’s Fund
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Way and Jacquelyn Thompson Jr. Dick and Diane Wright Charitable Fund DIRECTORS ($500 - $999) James Alioto Kathy and Tom Alpren Anonymous (2) Brooke Billick and Susan Bickert Sue Bronson and Dan Frankel Shirley Conlon and Jess Brownell The James Cauley and Brenda Andrews Charitable Fund The Thomas and Mary Belle Chatton Fund Karen and Robert Dean Sandy Duffy John F. Emanuel Robert Ferriday III and Barbara McMath Helen and Bert Forster Rob and Lori Gardenier Meghan Gauger and Samuel Garst Tom Gauthier Greater Milwaukee Foundation Compton/Jacobsen Family Fund Sherry and Norm Malmon Philanthropic Fund Donna and Tony Meyer Fund Bill and Gwen Werner Fund James and Mary Ann Hanson Jill Heavenrich Roy and Sigrid Jablonka Cathy Jakicic Jewish Community Foundation Lucy and Jack Rosenberg Donor Advised Fund L. William and Nicole Teweles Donor Advised Fund Annie Jurczyk and Steve Miller Annie Jurczyk Realty, LLC Kerri Kilbourne Dale and Barbara Lenz Brian and Susan Manthey Thomas and Renee McCutcheon John McGivern and Steve Brandt
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Julie Dolinky The Durant Family Fund Michael Evans Abe Fenster and Ethel Lieberthal Abraham Fenster David Flores Wayne Frank James and Margo Frey Linda Gaalaas Laura Gordon and Jonathan Smoots Stephanie Govin-Matzat LEADING ACTORS Reed and Nancy Groethe ($250 - $499) David Haase June and Paul Ambro John Payton and Roger Hansen Charles and Mary Anderson Cynthia Hiteman Charitable Fund Dotty Holman Anonymous Buck Katie Bayliss and Tom Mann Pat Janisch Natalie Beckwith Richard and Joan Janisch Nic Bernstein Doug and Logan Jarecki Becky and Dan Burzynski Kristine Jensen Neal and Carla Butenhoff SUPPORTING ACTORS Jewish Community Foundation Jane and Steve Chernof ($100 - $249) Joan and Robert Klein Kathryn and Kelly Clark Cindy Amini Donor Advised Fund Armando and Jo Covelli Robert Amsden and Ken and Judy Kaplan Kathleen and Randolph Dean Jeanne Williams Michael Katzoff, MD Mrs. Marcee Doherty-Elst Anonymous (7) Caryn Kaufman and Mr. Christopher Elst Bob and Cindy Barczak Stan Kay Carol Z. Dolphin Don and Nancy Behrens Laurie and Bruce Kestelman Brian and Susan Faracy Mark and Diane Betz Noreen and Gary Killian Feast of Crispian Paul and Mindy Biedrzycki Joe Kmoch Greater Milwaukee Foundation Glendon and Susanne Bogdon Mary S. Knudten McDonald Charitable Fund Andee and Chuck Bram Neil and Kathleen Knutsen David and Kelly Guthery Mr. and Mrs. John Brandl Dennis and Carolyn Kois The Halverson Charitable Kathy Brengosz Carolyn Korona Gift Fund Robert and Sharon Brenner Ann and Terry Krueger Michael and Lyn Hamilton Jill Broekhuizen Anne Kumor Carrie Hitchcock and Russell and Karen Brooker Kurtz/Larme Family Fund Norman Moses Daniel and Janet Brophey Dane and Dana LaFontsee Hal Horneffer Mary Buchel and Barbara Leitner Charles and Mary Kamps Larry Salsbury Jason and Carol Leonard Richard and Diane Kane Phil and Ann Buechler Ross Lloyd James Kaplan and Kay Stiefel The Pete and Laurie Sherry and Richard Lundell Thomas M. Kelly Byrne Family Fund Kathleen and Kenneth Donald and Renee Kielich Marie T. Campos Maciolek Susan LeVine and Alice H. Cecsarini Lois Malawsky Kevin Mackey Karen Connell Margaret Malnory and Greg and Susie Lochen Betsy and Dan Corry Thomas Silbernagel Mary E. Long Kathy Dahlk Lee Marquardt Wendy Moeller Stew Edwards and Judy Martel Robert and Theresa Muselman Joanne Danforth Christine Martin Jean Novy Randall Daut and Patricia Ryan Robin and Tom Martin Christine and James O’Brien Jane Dennis Elaine McDermott Gregory and Holly Orlowski Rod and Sharon Lee DePue Rachel McGraw and David Paris Cathy Dills Patrick Brady NATURAL SHOCKS
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T H A N K YO U N E X T AC T T H E AT R E S U P P O R T E R S David McIntosh Donna Menzer and James Schultz Patricia Monroe Alicia Mullins Michael Murray David N. Nevin, MD John F. Oberwetter Chris O’Brien Jane O’Connell Kathy and Alan Olsen Jeanne Pehoski Kate and Dave Perry David and Louise Petering John Peters Jill Anna Ponasik and William Bradley Lynn Preston and Craig Petros Kathleen and Michael Quirk Kathleen M. Quirk Herbert Quigley and Christine Radiske Nancy Radke Patricia A. Rauch Mary and Ross Read Sean Rierdon Patricia and Allen Rieselbach Susan J. Riordan Marianne and Matthew Robbins Darlene Roberts Ronald and Sandy Roller Tom and Judy Saeger Heidi Salter Linda Gale Sampson Cory and Joe Schlangen Schmeckpeper/Ramsey John F. Schneider Billi and Chris Schoggen Joicelyn and Jeff Schwager Amy and Joe Silvers Wayne and Kathy Sojkowski Gretchen P. Spencer Robert Spencer and Michael Necroto John and Mary Splude Jerrel and Judy Stanley Alice Jo Star Dan and Valerie Stefanich Charitable Fund Steven and Jean Stern Curtis Stockhausen J. Tanner and W. Hable Diane Lynn Thomas Marie and Tom Thornton Alice and Stephen in Oshkosh Sara Toenes 16
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Lynn Tolcott Andrea Toussaint Leon Travanti and Carolyn White-Travanti Dennis and Carol Trinastic Bob and Louise VerWert Jim and Kathie Vint Catherine Washabaugh Dennis and Sue Webb Prati and Norm Wojtal Heather and Rocky Wruck JOURNEYMEN ($25 - $99) Anonymous (29) Susan Armour Seidman Ronald and Barbara Auer Jerry and Gail Baccetti Janet Bashirian Caroline C. Basley Geoffrey and Karen Bilda Derin Bjugstad Cheri and Tom Briscoe Dana Brzezinski Sue Burwell Connie Casper Judith Christianson Flora Coker Roberta Coles Elizabeth Daly and Richard Daggett Mary E. D’Amico and Mary M. Ruzinski Smith Anne Landre and Charlie Dee Rose Delaney Peggy Dickson Dietz Family Fund Kit Donahue David Dreger Kathleen Drury Shawn Duffy Carol Dussault Diane and Jeff Edwards Linda and Mike Edwards-Savage Edward and Alice Eisendrath John and Marie Elsner Mark and Mary Flagg Suzanne Freshley Judy Ganzke David and Nancy Giffey Irv and Reesa Gottschalk Jim Gramentine Ron Oshima and Kari Gunderson Ellen Gyland Richard and Susan Hackl Rita K. Hale Rollie Hanson
Katie and Tom Heinen Janis Heinze Cliff Heise Cary and Karen Henson Donna Hoffman Molly Hoholik Mary Kay Jiricka David Johnson Debra and Peter Johnson Debra Jupka Kathie and John Karkheck Celia Klehr Lilane Koehn Mace Katherine Koetting David and Jennifer Konieczka Daniel and Maureen Konkol Jessica Franken and David Korr Marilyn Kupka Russ and Cecile Langford Sally A. Lemke Michael and Barbara Levin Dennis and Karen Leyer Debra Liebhauser Charlie and Patti Lomas Mary Ellen Lukaszewicz Mary Madden Kurt Magoon Marcus Promotions Inc. Courtney and Mark Marlaire Kent Mayfield/Jack Ford Doug and Joan Maynard Will McGraw Julie S. McHale Larraine McNamara-McGraw Chris and Dennis Merritt Bruce Murphy and Rosemarie Balistreri Gene and Mary Newell Carol Julin and Alex Ng Jill and Paul Paradowski Lauren Parker Barbara and Patrick Patterson Dennis and Rebecca Pelzek Therese Philipp Corliss Phillabaum Katja Phillabaum Marsha Poulsen Barbara and Richard Prodehl Joseph and Susan Puhek David Kozlowski and Sandra Raduenz Dorotheann Rauch Jovanka Ristic Linda Roethlisberger and Dennis Hennessy Lynne Schade Michael and Jan Schade Victoria Schaefer
T H A N K YO U N E X T AC T T H E AT R E S U P P O R T E R S Debra Schampers Alex Scheurell Ted Schulte Beth and Kevin Schumacher Martin Schwartz Rozanne Screven Kathleen Scullin Julie Seidlitz Barbara A. Sem Naomi and Mort Soifer Vince and Julie Sperka
Susan Stein Linda Stephens Philippa Claude and Tony Stretton Karin Sundelius John Surber Joan Tarachow Aria Thornton James and Jean Tobin Janet Trigg Jeanne and Paul Troglia
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CHARLES D. KAKUK LEGACY SOCIETY Charles D. Kakuk Sally Marks Jan D. Martin
Milan and Gordana Racic Bettie Zillman
The Charles D. Kakuk Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on Next Act Theatre through their generous planned gift. To learn more about including Next Act Theatre in your planned giving, please call Jane Flieller, Development Director, at 414-278-7780 or email jane@nextact.org. The Charles D. Kakuk Legacy Society was created by a special gift from Dick and Diane Wright.
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Heritage West Allis Lincoln Village 7901 West National Ave. 1330 West Lincoln Ave. West Allis, WI 53214 Port Washington, WI 53074 Heritage Monona 111 Owen Road Aspire* Monona, WI 53716 825 Cobblestone Lane Kimberly, WI 54136
• On-Site Restaurant Dining • Warm-Water Pools at our premierStyle properties* • Fitness Centers with on-site Therapy Services • Fitness Centers with on-site Services • On-Site Restaurant Style Dining • OutdoorTherapy Grills and Firepits • Fitness Centers with on-site Therapy •Services Housekeeping Services • Outdoor Grills and Firepits • Entertainment Theaters at our premier properties* • Outdoor Grills and Firepits • Housekeeping Services • Transportation provided for scheduled events & activities • Housekeeping Services • Spacious Plans properties* • Entertainment Theaters at our premier properties* • Entertainment Theaters at ourFloor premier • Transportation provided for scheduled events & activities • Transportation provided for scheduled events & activities We can help you with the • Spacious Floor Plans • Spacious Floor Plans
We can help you with the Living Next • Assisted • Independent
Step!
Next Step!
We can help •you with the Next Memory Care
• Independent
Step!
• AssistedHeritage Living Lake Country* • Pendant Program: Safety,Waukesha Security & Peace of Mind Heritage Heritage Muskego* • Independent • Memory Care Village Square Drive 1831 Meadow Lane S64 W13780 Janesville 2975 Pendant Program:Living Safety, Security & Peace ofPewaukee, Mind WI 53072 • Assisted Rd. Muskego, WI•53150 Hartland, WI 53029
• Memory Care Heritage Oakwood Hills Heritage Deer Creek Heritage Court 3606 Damon St. of Mind • Pendant Program: Safety, Security & Peace 3585 147th Street N48W14250 W. Hampton Ave. New Berlin, WI 53151 Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Eau Claire, WI 54701 Lexington Heritage Heritage Court 5020 South 107th Street 3515 East Hamilton Ave. Greenfield, WI 53228 Eau Claire, WI 54701
Heritage Oshkosh* Coming Summer 2021! 2080 Witzel Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54904
Visit us at heritagesenior.com NATURAL SHOCKS
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TRIBUTE GIF TS In honor of Pam Best Cathy Dills In memory of Eric Butlein Stephen and Nancy Einhorn In honor of Eric Christiansen W. Brett Christiansen In memory of Bob Connelly Rosemary Connelly In memory of Tom Gauthier Dennis and Susan Daye Liz, Fred, Margie and Dean Doepkens (Desmarais cousins) Beth Dorsey Eileen and Howard Dubner Tom and Barb Garibaldi James Gauthier Jim and Sue Gauthier Margaret Gran Holly Grassin-Kremmel Helga Ickert Annie Jurczyk Jay and Kay Kaun Lin Family Joyce Mielke Cheryl Orgas and William Meeker Diane and Rich Pine Julie Bamberger Roubik Peter and Emily Sensenbrenner Susan Stein John and Pam Stockbridge
Michael Taibleson Corinthia Van Orsdol Jon and Karin Welstead Terry and Kathy Young In memory of John Edward Holland Konrad Kuchenbach In memory of Evan Jaeger Linda Jaeger In honor of Karen Rhonda Cundy and Katie Kesler In honor of Grace Lusby Betty Staples In memory of Jan Martin Mark and Ginny Kannenberg In memory of Geoffrey Palmer Ms. Lynda Di Pierro In memory of Joseph Pollack Irv and Reesa Gottschalk In memory of Milan and Gordana Racic Robin Leenhouts In honor of Rosie Ryan Schabach In memory of John Styberg Jerry and Patricia Styberg In memory of Jo Ann Tomm Tim and Deborah Nustad In memory of my husband, Randy White Marilyn White In honor of Alice Zinky James Zinky
We are grateful to ALL our donors. Your generosity makes a tremendous difference in our ability to provide artistic and educational programming to the Greater Milwaukee community. We make every effort to keep this list accurate. Should you find an error, please accept our apologies and call Jane at 414-278-7780 or email jane@nextact.org to make any corrections. Please consider including Next Act Theatre in your planned giving.
THANK YOU FOR MATCHING YOUR EMPLOYEES’ AND RETIREES’ DONATIONS! Ameriprise Financial Robert W. Baird & Co. EMD Millipore Corporation GE Foundation Guardian Life Insurance Company of America Johnson Controls Foundation Reader’s Digest Foundation US Bank Foundation WE Energies Foundation Check with your Human Resources department and find out if they will match your donation and double the impact of your gift. 18
Next Act Theatre
N E X T AC T B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S
Officers
David Anderson...........................................................President Daniel P. Murray.................................................Vice President Cathryn Jakicic........ Acting Secretary, Immediate Past President Brooke Billick...................................................Acting Treasurer
Directors Terri Alioto Paul Barno Michael Burzynski t Mohammad N. ElBsat Steve Marcus t
Donna Martynski John McGivern Sean Rierdon Susan Schoenfeld Sandy Zingler
t = Former Board President
N AT U R A L S H O C K S Director............................................................................................................. Michael Cotey Stage Manager...................................................................................................Jessica Connelly Sound Design/Editing .......................................................................................... Peter Goode * Ticket Office Manager................................................................................... Christine Yündem Ticket Office Staff/Administrative Assistant........................................................... Libby Amato Producing Artistic Director...............................................................................David Cecsarini Development Director............................................................................................ Jane Flieller Marketing Director................................................................................................A.J. Magoon Technical Director.......................................................................................Michael Van Dreser Education Manager............................................................................................ Grace DeWolff *Member of Actors’ Equity Association
F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N GROUP DISCOUNTS – Groups of 10 or more receive a discount of 20%. To book groups, contact A.J. at 414-278-7780. Discounts are not available on performance run extensions.
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NOW OPEN
The Lutheran Home is proud to present Elaine's Hope, our new memory care community. Learn more about this new community and all our senior care options.
Contact us today! 414-326-3398
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Next Act Theatre
www.thelutheranhome.org