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Steve Marcus VICE PRESIDENT Matt Thiele DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Greg Widener ART DIRECTOR Sarah Sallmann VENUE RELATIONS/EDITOR Ryan Albrechtson COMPANY COMPTROLLER Karin Marcus ADVERTISING SALES // ILLINOIS Will M. McAuliffe ADVERTISING SALES // WISCONSIN Barbara Kluth ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Allyson Imig PRESIDENT + PUBLISHER
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THE CHRISTIANS by Lucas Hnath Directed by Edward Morgan
Videographer/Editor Timothy Moder
Costume Design Amy Horst
Properties Master Heidi Salter
Music Director David Bonofiglio Production Director/ Sound Engineer Michael Van Dreser Stage Manager Jessica Connelly*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
November 23 – December 13, 2020 Generously sponsored by Angela Jacobi and The Einhorn Family Foundation. Next Act Theatre’s 2020-21 season is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Milwaukee Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
This video recording was produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Lucas Hnath. All rights reserved. This performance is authorized for non-commercial use only. By accepting the video recording, you agree not to authorize or permit the video recording to be 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 or copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or 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 THE CHRISTIANS
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MYSO, Photo by Ron Oshima; Milwaukee Ballet, Photo by Social Candy; Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Photo by Michael Brosilow. 4 Danceworks; Next Act Theatre
THE CAST Pastor Paul ..................................................................................................... David Cecsarini* Elizabeth (Pastor’s wife) ...................................................................................... Marti Gobel* Associate Pastor Joshua ................................................................................ Andrew Muwonge Jenny (a congregant) ......................................................................................... Emily Vitrano* Elder Jay.................................................................................................................. Rick Richter Church Choir.............................................. Lachrisa Grandberry, Raven Dockery, Rana Roman *member of Actors’ Equity Association The play will be presented with no intermission.
SPECIAL THANKS We owe a great debt and tremendous thanks to Pastor Pete Peterson for opening his church to our project. The beautiful Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, provided the ideal backdrop to bring this video production to life. Thank you Pastor Pete for your generosity and grace.
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DIR ECTOR’ S NOTES – E DWAR D MORGAN This is a play about belief. It takes place in an evangelical church, but the play isn’t simply about Christianity or even religion. It’s about how a group of people share a particular belief, and then what happens when someone has a change of heart or a change of conviction. This is why the play is so relevant. Because all of us hold certain truths to be self-evident – be they moral, religious, political, cultural or familial. And sometimes our truths bind us to others. But sometimes they keep us apart or tear us apart. Ultimately, the play poses a question, “Can people really relate to each other if their convictions have diverged?” Edward Morgan
BIOGR APHIES LUCAS HNATH (Playwright) Hnath’s work as a playwright includes A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2; HILLARY AND CLINTON; RED SPEEDO; THE CHRISTIANS; A PUBLIC READING OF AN UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY ABOUT THE DEATH OF WALT DISNEY; ISAAC’S EYE; and DEATH TAX. His work has been produced nationally and internationally, including at Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, Soho Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville/Humana Festival of New Plays, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Steppenwolf Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Royal Court Theatre, and on Broadway at the John Golden Theater. He is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and a resident of New Dramatists. His plays are published by Dramatists Plays Service, Playscripts, Nick Hern Books, Overlook Press, and Theatre Communications Group. Hnath is a recipient of an Obie, Guggenheim Fellowship, Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Play, Whiting Award, Kesselring Prize, two Steinberg citations from the American Theatre Critics Association, and a 2017 Tony nomination for Best Play. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dramatic Writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He holds both a B.F.A. and M.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. At NYU, Hnath has previously served as a Language Lecturer in the Expository Writing Program. Additionally, he 6
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has taught at Rutgers, University of Rochester, and the Southampton Writers Conference. DAVID CECSARINI (Pastor Paul) 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, going on 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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M A D I S O N M E D I C A L A F F I L I AT E S
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Kathleen Baugrud, M.D.
John Betz, M.D.
Matthew Connolly, M.D.
Kevin DiNapoli, M.D.
Deidre Faust, M.D.
Maria Ignacio Vitug, M.D.
Scott Jorgensen, M.D.
Unchu Ko, M.D.
Jay Balachandran, M.D.
Burak Gurses, M.D.
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Kawaljeet Kaur, M.D., M.S.
PULMONARY
David Lucke, M.D.
Rachel Oosterbaan, M.D.
John Sanidas, M.D.
Kevin Gee, M.D.
Abraham Varghese, M.D.
James Volberding, M.D.
Dima Adl, M.D.
ENDOCRINOLOGY
UROLOGY
Christopher Kearns, M.D.
Peter Slocum, M.D.
Amy DeGueme, M.D.
Elaine Drobny, M.D.
Antoni Gofron, M.D.
SURGERY
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Vincents Dindzans, M.D.
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Srihari Ramanujam, M.D.
Chad Stepke, M.D.
Daniel Butz, M.D.
MOHS SURGERY
Jasna Coralic, M.D.
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Alysandra Lal, M.D.
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Next Act Theatre M I LW A U K E E ’ S
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Manish Gharia, M.D.
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Jason Rosenberg, M.D.
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OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOLGY
Jonathan Berkoff, M.D.
Patricia Dolhun, M.D.
Katya Frantskevich, M.D.
Shireen Jayne, D.O.
Jennifer Moralez, M.D.
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M I LW A U K E E ’ S P R E M I E R M E D I C A L P R A CTHE T I CCHRISTIANS E
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MARTI GOBEL (Elizabeth, Pastor’s wife) Marti Gobel is proud to return to Next Act Theatre for yet another timely and relevant project. Past NAT productions as an actor include PERFECT MENDACITY, TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 and THE TAMING. As a director, Ms. Gobel directed NAT’s BLOOD AT THE ROOT which toured to several Milwaukee high schools. She looks forward to directing the upcoming production of PRINCIPAL PRINCIPLE. A fierce believer in the power of performing arts to bring about understanding and compassion, Ms. Gobel continues to speak publicly about the need for diversity in the arts… “Take me to church!” (Hozier) ANDREW MUWONGE (Associate Pastor Joshua) A Milwaukee native, Andrew is honored to return to Next Act where he was last seen in UNSILENT NIGHT and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992. Other Milwaukee credits include: THE BROTHERS SIZE (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), FREEDOM HIGH (UpRooted Theatre). Chicago credits include: OTHELLO: THE REMIX (Q Brothers Tour 2020), A SWELL IN THE GROUND (The Gift Theatre), LETTERS HOME (Griffin Theatre), DON’T GO GENTLE (Haven Theatre), THE LAST CADILLAC (American Demigods), CITY OF CONVERSATION u/s (Northlight Theatre), Q BROTHERS CHRISTMAS CAROL u/s (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), PEACEBOOK (Collaboraction Theatre), FREEDOM CODE (Greatworks Theatre), UNITED FLIGHT 232-Staged Reading (The House Theatre of Chicago). Andrew received his BFA in Theatre-Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
EMILY VITRANO (Jenny, a congregant) Emily Vitrano is an actor, educator, and writer making her creative home in the Chicago area. She most recently played the role of Jenny in Next Act Theatre’s production of A SMALL FIRE. Emily has worked regionally on many stages, including: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Allentown Shakespeare in the Park. Emily has also appeared on television on WTMJ-4 News as the morning traffic reporter, as well as in a national commercial for Batteries Plus Bulbs, and regional commercials for Mills Fleet Farm, Sanford Brown University, and Walgreens. She once played a Featured Dancer on the CW hit Gossip Girl and that credit may or may not be her favorite on her resume. Emily is looking forward to playing the role of Jen in Renaissance Theaterworks’ production of THE CAKE in the summer of 2021. You can learn more about Emily’s career at www. emilyvitrano.com. Emily is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and represented by Paonessa Talent in Chicago. For Ella, always. And now, also, for Miles. RICK RICHTER (Elder Jay) Rick is pleased to be back again with Next Act Theatre, and to be working with such an amazing cast and director! His last production here was THE EXONERATED, also under the direction of Edward Morgan. Over the years, you may have also seen Rick at: The Rep, First Stage, Skylight and various community theaters throughout the area, along with a possible sighting in a commercial or two, or perhaps one of his TV episodes in “Joe Pera Talks With You”. Rick’s favorite stage roles have been: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Tevye), CAMELOT (King Arthur), IT’S THE CHRISTIANS
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A WONDERFUL LIFE (George Bailey), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Otto) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Scrooge). Rick would like to thank all his family and friends for their continued support of his passion and to thank God for all life’s blessings He has provided along the way. You can follow Rick at www.rick-richter.com EDWARD MORGAN (Director) Just before the world shut down in March, Mr. Morgan directed his play, EL PANFLETO, at the Gran Teatro de Cibao in Santiago, Dominican Republic. In June, an online reading of his play, SO YOU CAN LOOK AHEAD, was sponsored by Regent’s University London and Gedenkort-T4 in Berlin. In other pandemic news, he translated a Spanish book on integrative health and administrated an international program providing free online medical and psychological counseling through Luna Life Foundation. In 2019, which seems like forever ago, Mr. Morgan spent half the year as a Senior Fulbright Scholar, teaching and directing in Bulgaria. He then came back to Next Act to direct LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR. THE CHRISTIANS is his 20th production for Next Act (counting six with John McGivern). Aside from LAUGHTER, his favorites include OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, THE SECRET MASK, THE EXONERATED and FAITH HEALER. Having worked at various theatres, festivals and universities across the country and abroad, Mr. Morgan is grateful to have an artistic home here at Next Act. www.edward-morgan.com. DAVID BONOFIGLIO (Music Director) David Bonofiglio holds a BFA in piano performance from Cardinal Stritch University. Selected credits as musical director: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, OKLAHOMA, URINETOWN, and PIPPIN for Skylight 12
Next Act Theatre
Music Theatre; LITTLE BY LITTLE, SCROOGE IN ROUGE, A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS, and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for In Tandem Theatre; and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE for Windfall Theatre. As assistant musical director: A CHRISTMAS CAROL for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. As cover piano/conductor: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES for Skylight Music Theatre. As keyboardist and programmer: POWDER HER FACE, LES MISERABLES, IN THE HEIGHTS, NEWSIES, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES for Skylight Music Theatre. 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 over 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); and HAIRSPRAY (Little Theatre on the Square). Jessica is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and an honors graduate of UW-Milwaukee. She is the loving dog mom to two small furry babies; 8-year-old mini dachshunds
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Auggie and Fritz. In loving memory of Cleopatra. She hopes this play will remind everyone that kindness is everything, and our differences aren’t greater than our similarities. MICHAEL VAN DRESER (Production Director/Sound Engineer) Mike has served as Next Act Theatre’s Technical Director since 2011, taking on the additional roles of Facility Manager and Rental Coordinator in 2014. Previously, Mike was the resident Master Electrician and Light Board Operator. Mike studied with renowned Lighting Designer Jason Fassl. Some of Mike’s designs include I AND YOU; UnSILENT NIGHT; BRAVO, CARUSO!; IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE LIVE RADIO SHOW; NO CHILD…; PERFECT MENDACITY; and ONE TIME with Next Act Theatre and HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE WILD PARTY and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS with All In Productions. When Mike is not working for Next Act, he is working on building his own production company that services technical theatre needs for high schools, colleges and other area theatre organizations. Mike looks forward to many more years with Next Act and the Greater Milwaukee theatre arts. AMY HORST (Costume Designer) She/Her. Previously at Next Act: STONES IN HIS POCKETS, DEAR ESTHER, EARS ON A BEATLE, COYOTE ON A FENCE, AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL ROBESON, LOMBARDI, MARY’S WEDDING, HOW TO WRITE A NEW BOOK FOR THE BIBLE, and LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR. This season: LIFESPAN OF A FACT (Forward Theater). Upcoming: ACTUALLY (Renaissance Theaterworks). Thank you BP and THHP. In honor of the justice-building faith communities in our city, loving mercy and walking humbly. HEIDI SALTER (Properties Master) Heidi Salter is happy to be returning to Next Act Theatre and happy to be a part of THE CHRISTIANS. She has produced
and directed dozens of productions over the years and has enjoyed designing props for the past few seasons at Next Act and for Renaissance Theaterworks’ PHOTOGRAPH 51 and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY. Her full time gig is as the Annual Campaign and Development Database Manager at First Stage. Being a part of the Milwaukee theatre scene has given her life and purpose, and she has particularly enjoyed working on the many shows with the wonderful people at Next Act. Thanks to David, Morgan, Jessica, and the rest of the team for always making it interesting. Please support these wonderful artists as much as you can! SHELBY KAISHIAN (Wardrobe Manager) Shelby has been wardrobe mistress with Next Act since their 2015/2016 season, making her backstage Next Act debut for THE TAMING. She’s also worked for In Tandem, Skylight Music Theatre, and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival. She’s artsy and passionate and so incredibly proud to call this amazing theater her home. JANE FLIELLER (Development Director) This season marks Jane’s second with Next Act, having previously served as Producing Director for In Tandem Theatre, a Milwaukee-based theatre company she co-founded with her husband, Chris. Her work with In Tandem culminated in twenty-one years of producing criticallyacclaimed, 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 THE CHRISTIANS
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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 behindthe-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), 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 14
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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. 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.
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THE CHRISTIANS
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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
Season Sponsors
Production Sponsors: THE CHRISTIANS Angela Jacobi The Einhorn Family Foundation
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.
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Next Act Theatre
THE CHRISTIANS
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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
Generously giving since November 2019. William & Janice Godfrey Family Foundation Trust Tom Gauthier Judith Goetz Greater Milwaukee Foundation Colton Charitable Fund Judith A. Keyes Family Fund Richard Hoffmann Andrew & Paula Holman Richard & Esther Huiting Jewish Community Foundation Pam Kriger Donor Advised Fund INVESTORS Jack & Lucy Rosenberg ($5,000 - $9,999) Donor Advised Fund CAMPAC L. William & Nicole Teweles City of Milwaukee Arts Board Donor Advised Fund The Einhorn Family Mark & Ginny Kannenberg Foundation Mary Ann & Charles LaBahn Greater Milwaukee Foundation John Mahony & Werner W. and Susan M. Evelyn Burdick Krause Family Fund Guy & Mary Jo McDonald Dorothy Inbusch Kathleen McElroy & Foundation, Inc. David Newby Angela Jacobi Joyce Mielke Donna Martynski Daniel P. & Julie Murray Milan Racic Robert & Theresa Muselman Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Kathy Nusslock Charitable Trust David Paris Dentistry Wilfred Wollner Jr. J. Michael Reavis Julia & David Uihlein Anna & Dan Robbins Sandra Zingler & Howard & Sue Schoenfeld Barbara Johnson Sempercor Jan Serr & John Shannon PRODUCER’S CIRCLE Foundation ($1,000 - $4,999) Dr. Mark & Nancy Smuckler James & Terri Alioto Gilbert Southwell III David & Patricia Anderson & Tracy Luber Anonymous (2) Eileen & George Stone Katharine Banzhaf Christine A. Symchych & Dr. Richard & Mrs. James P. McNulty Diana Barthel Way & Jacquelyn Haly Besaw Thompson Jr. Briggs & Stratton Corporation Four-Four Foundation Foundation, Inc. David & Cheryl Walker Michael & Ericka Burzynski Dick & Diane Wright Miles & Barbara Capron Charitable Fund Lois Cecsarini Dr. Keith L. Crawley & Family DIRECTORS ($500 - $999) Judges John & Jean DiMotto Adonai Employment Clare M. Peters Robert Balderson Charitable Trust Donna & Donald Baumgartner Pam Frautschi Mark & Karen Bitzan VISIONARIES ($10,000 and above) Bader Philanthropies Larry & Patty Compton Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Nancy L. Laskin Sheldon & Marianne Lubar The Martin Family Foundation Skip & Ildy Poliner The Shubert Foundation Julia Uihlein Wisconsin Arts Board
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Sue Bronson & Dan Frankel Marcia Brooks & Edward J. Hammond The James Cauley & Brenda Andrews Charitable Fund David Cecsarini & Deborah Staples Anne Chapman & Scott Maul Margaret Dethloff Cathy Dills Patrick & Patti Doughman Sandy Duffy Mohammad N. ElBsat Jane M. Foster Tim & Sue Frautschi James & Margo Frey Rob & Lori Gardenier Meghan Gauger & Sam Garst Greater Milwaukee Foundation Sherry & Norm Malmon Philanthropic Fund Anthony & Donna Meyer Fund Michael & Lyn Hamilton Diana & Ron Hankes Jami & Joe Hanreddy David Hertel Cathy Jakicic Mark & Ginny Kannenberg In memory of Jan Martin Ted & Mary Kellner Senator Herbert Kohl Dale & Barbara Lenz Jane Barclay Mandel & Paul Mandel Brian & Susan Manthey Tom & Renee McCutcheon Melanie & Frank Popa Gus & Joanne Ricca Laura Gordon & Jonathan Smoots Sarah Sobeck & Scott Verburgt Jeffrey & Penny Timm Scott Wilke Eve Joan Zucker LEADING ACTORS ($250 - $499) George Affeldt Tom & Kathy Alpren Charles & Mary Anderson Charitable Fund David Becker & Yinbo Li Natalie Beckwith
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 Jill Broekhuizen Tom & Mary Belle Chatton Armando & Jo Covelli Carol Z. Dolphin Sarah Ford & Randall Klumb Natalie Frankel Norm & Daryl Grier Nancy & Reed Groethe James & Mary Ann Hanson Hal Horneffer Larry & Holly Jurss Sherry & Richard Lundell Lee Marquardt Douglas Mickelson Kenn Miller & Wendy Walker Miller Wendy Moeller Jane O’Connell Donald Petersen Dave & Carole Pucely Kathleen & Michael Quirk Christine Radiske & Herbert Quigley Mary & Ross Read Paul & Lynn Rix Ruth Schudson Pamela Seccombe John & Pamela Shefchik Sharon & Gary Simon Katherine M. Smith Gregory Strowig Marjorie Sutton Steven Tietz & Cathy Markwiese Andrea Toussaint Jim & Kathie Vint George Volkaitis Donna & Jerry Walsh William Werner Penny Williams & Paul Noack
Kathleen Brengosz Sharon Brenner Daniel Brophey Mary Buchel & Larry Salsbury Phil & Ann Buechler Neal & Carla Butenhoff Fund The Pete & Laurie Byrne Family Fund Alice H. Cecsarini Suzanne Chernik Stephen & Jane Chernof Eric & Jeanne Christiansen Kelly & Kathryn Clark Karen Connell Rosemary Connelly Betsy and Dan Corry David Counard Randall Daut & Patricia Ryan Kathleen & Randy Dean Jane Dennis Rod & Sharon DePue Marcee Doherty-Elst & Christopher Elst Julie Dolinky The Durant Family Fund MB & SD Eckels Stephen & Nancy Einhorn In memory of Eric Butlein John Emanuel Ingrid Erickson Brian & Susan Faracy Abe Fenster & Ethel Lieberthal David McIntosh Robert Ferriday III & Barbara McMath David Flores Sue & Bill Frazier Carol Goldstein Stephanie Govin-Matzat David Haase Robert & Jill Hartmann SUPPORTING ACTORS Matthew David Hertel ($100 - $249) Cynthia Hiteman Cindy Amini John Holland & Konrad Robert Amsden & Kuchenbach Jeanne Williams Dolores Holman Anonymous (4) Darryl Huennekens Richard Antonacci Linda E. Jaeger Jerry Apple Jewish Community Nancy Balcer Foundation Katie Bayliss & Tom Mann Joan & Robert Klein Barbara Becker Donor Advised Fund Dennis & Paula Berg Nathan Jorgensen Brooke Billick & Susan Bickert Richard & Diane Kane Glendon & Susanne Bogdon Dale & Susan Karpen Julie & William Bonnell Caryn Kaufman
Ellen Kellen Noreen & Gary Killian Joe Kmoch Mary Knudten Neil & Kathleen Knutsen Lilane Koehn Mace Daniel & Maureen Konkol Carolyn Korona Kleo & Thomas Kritz Konrad Kuchenbach In memory of John Edward Holland Helen Kuzma Dane & Dana LaFontsee Kelsey Lawler Carol & Jason Leonard Ronald Leonhardt Dennis & Karen Leyer E.O. Lieberthal Greg and Susie Lochen Kathleen & Kenneth Maciolek Lois Malawsky Christine Martin Elaine McDermott Rachel McGraw & Patrick Brady Patricia McMahon Barbara McMath Raeleen McMillion Chuck & Cindy Meyer Debra L. Miller Virginia Mueller Donna J Neal David N. Nevin, MD Tim & Deborah Nustad John Oberwetter James & Christine O’Brien Alan & Kathy Olsen Suzanne Osetek Steven Pace Judy Payne John Payton & Roger Hansen Jeanne Pehoski Dennis & Rebecca Pelzek Diana & Richard Pine Jill Anna Ponasik & William Bradley David Powell Lynn Preston & Craig Petros Nancy Radke Dorotheann Rauch Patricia A. Rauch Richard & Donna Reinardy Marianne & Matthew Robbins Ronald & Sandy Roller Linda Gale Sampson THE CHRISTIANS
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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 Robert Schellhammer & Maureen Holt Jeff Schmeckpeper & Susan Ramsey John F. Schneider Billi Dawn & Chris Schoggen Jeff & Joicelyn Schwager Beth Shepard Amy & Joe Silvers Kathy & Wayne Sojkowski Gretchen P. Spencer Robert Spencer John & Mary Splude Betty Staples Alice Jo Star Michael Stebbins Dan & Valerie Stefanich Charitable Fund Tom & Linda Streifender Laura Sutherland Jerry & Patricia Styberg In memory of John Styberg Paul & Donna Tanzer Marie & Thomas Thornton Sara Toenes Jo & Herb Trask Leon Travanti & Carolyn White-Travanti Phyllis Tubesing Susan Tyndall Lupe Ugent-Ewert & Andrew Alan Ewert Robert & Marlene Urch Catherine Washabaugh Phyllis Wax Sue & Dennis Webb Marie Weiss Betty White Mary Ellen Winter In honor of Jane Flieller Prati & Norm Wojtal Michael Wright & Ray Jivoff In memory of Larry Compton John & Susan Zientek
Margaret Blodgett & Ken Miller Pamela Booth Cheri Briscoe Karen & Russell Brooker Richard & Jane Browne Mary & Rick Burbey Dave & Mary Carlson Connie Casper Flora Coker Cynthia Cooper Barbara Corning & John Koeppen Jean Crane Mary E. D’Amico & Mary M. Ruzinski Smith N. J. De Meyer Anne Landre & Charlie Dee Patricia DeFrain Lynda Di Pierro Peggy Dickson Scott Downey Jane Earle David & Judith Eklund Russel Evans Edwin & Sheila Fabiszak Family Mediation Center Suzanne Freshley Dr. Andrea Gavin Rosalie Gellman Nancy & David Giffey James Gingery Irv & Reesa Gottschalk Rita Hale Winifred Hammermeister Katie & Tom Heinen Janis Heinze Cary & Karen Henson E. Alexander & Barbara Hill Nona Hill & Clark Johnson Carol Hoernke & Nancy Dean David Hoffman Donna Hoffman Debra & Peter Johnson Ina Johnson James Kaplan & Kay Stiefel JOURNEYMEN ($25 - $99) Donald & Renee Kielich Curt & Joan Anderson Lee Ann & William Kingston Anonymous (6) Pat Klister Susan Armour Seidman Ann & Terry Krueger Jerry & Gail Baccetti Gayle Kugler Janet Bashirian Anne Kumor Dr. William Baurecht & Marilyn Kupka Dr. Helen Bannan Marcia & Robert Lange Art Blair Cecile & Russ Langford 20
Next Act Theatre
Justine Leonard Al Loeb Gordon & Alicia Lugauer Marcus Promotions, Inc. Al & Marti Marino Mark & Courtney Marlaire Kent Mayfield & Jack Ford Will McGraw Julie McHale Patricia Monroe Lisa Mosier Bruce Murphy & Rose Balistreri Alex Ng & Carol Julin Jo Anne Nissen Jean Novy Loretta O’Boyle Kit O’Meara Barbara & Patrick Patterson Therese Philipp Corliss Phillabaum Marsha Poulsen Pamela Quebbeman David Kozlowski & Sandy Raduenz Elaine Reis Jovanka Ristic Darlene Roberts Dennis Hennessey & Linda Roethlisberger Michael Schade Debra Schampers Christine Schultz Rozanne Screven Kathleen Scullin Florence Slavick Morton & Naomi Soifer Linda Stephens John Surber Carolyn Sweers Roberta Tacke Joan Tarachow Diane Thomas Ann & Bob Ulatt Margie Vehrenkamp Kathi Villarreal Mark & Yvonne Wagner Alyce & Russell Weiss Barbara Weiss Kenneth Wierzba Rocklan Wruck & Heather Kitchin Allyn Ziegenhagen & Lorri Croft
NEXT ACT THEATRE SUPPORTERS
Thank you for matching your employees’ and retirees’ donations! Anthem Ameriprise Financial EMD Millipore Corporation GE Foundation Guardian Life Insurance Company of America Johnson Controls Foundation Reader’s Digest Foundation Robert W. Baird & Co. US Bank Foundation WE Energies Foundation We are grateful to ALL our donors. Your generosity allows Next Act Theatre to thrive and your support is deeply appreciated. We make every effort to keep our list accurate. Please contact Jane at 414-278-7780 or jane@nextact.org for corrections.
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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N E X T AC T T H E AT R E B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S
Officers
David Anderson...........................................................President Daniel P. Murray.................................................Vice President Tom Gauthier..............................................................Treasurer Cathryn Jakicic...................................Immediate Past President
Directors Terri Alioto Paul Barno Haly Besaw Brooke Billick Michael Burzynski† Mohammad N. ElBsat
Steve Marcus† Donna Martynski John McGivern Sean Rierdon Susan Schoenfeld Sandy Zingler
Former Board President
†
GREETING CARDS FOR THEATRE PEOPLE
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Next Act Theatre
THE CHRISTIANS Director............................................................................................................. Edward Morgan Videographer/Editor.......................................................................................... Timothy Moder Music Director..................................................................................................David Bonofiglio Stage Manager................................................................................................... Jessica Connelly* Lighting Design ...........................................................................................Michael Van Dreser Costume Design ........................................................................................................ Amy Horst Production Director/Sound Engineer ...........................................................Michael Van Dreser Properties Master ..................................................................................................... Heidi Salter Scenic Advisor .................................................................................................. Rick Rasmussen Grip......................................................................................................................... Pierce Ellner Wardrobe Manager .............................................................................................Shelby Kaishian Ticket Office Manager..................................................................................... Christine Yündem Ticket Office Staff................................................................................................... Libby Amato *Member of Actors’ Equity Association F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N FOOD AND BEVERAGES – Drinks and food may be ordered from Next Act Theatre through the Curbside Concessions program. For more information, visit www.nextact.org/curbsideconcessions or contact Libby at 414-278-7780. 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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February 15 - March 7, 2021 Set in a Chicago public school, this dark comedy satirizes teachers lounges and test scores to celebrate the resourcefulness, sacrifice and devotion of those who teach us. Directed by Marti Gobel. 255 S Water St | Milwaukee, WI 53204 | 414.278.0765 | nextact.org