Pink Banana-Spring One Acts

Presents

Tough Cookie

By Rich Orloff

The Grade

By Megan McGee

Guess Who Died?

By Allison Gruber 15 min Intermission

The Dilemma

By Sammi Dittloff

Sound of One Loaf Baking

By Charles Sommers

Portuguese

By Megan McGee Pink Banana Theatre 1

Who is Pink Banana?

Producers Juanita Schuelke - Founder & Managing Producer Matt Kemple - Artistic Producer Staff Jessica Betts - Production Manager Fjosh Redbeard - Technical Director Gwen Zupan - Company Manager James Boland - Creative Manager Sammi Dittloff - Marketing Manager Board of Directors Renee Pasciak, President Alexis Hagquist, Vice President Rose Wasielewski, Treasurer Lori Muench Andy Arends Rebecca Grabarec A S P E C I A L T H A N K YO U This show would not be possible without Next Act and In Tandem Theatre Company’s wonderful support, thank you! We love you! Mike Van Dreser, thank you for all your illuminating support and dedication; we couldn’t do it without you! Beverly Sargent, our thoughts are with you and your family. We can’t wait to work with you again soon! Thanks to Angela Iannone and Matt Whitmore.

A big thanks goes to Soulstice Theatre Co. and Marquette Theatre Department for helping us with rehearsal space. We want to give a big warm welcome to all the new members and Board members; we couldn’t do what we do without your wonderful support!

FUTURE PINK BANANA EVENTS !

Rummage Sale near you!

To fund shows like the one you will see today, we are starting annual rummage sales. You can do two things to help out: donate items to sell or come by and buy the items we get. We will take anything that is in good condition and you can even get tax deduction for these items!

For more details go to our website: www.pinkbananatheatre.com.

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G E T T I N G I N VO LV E D We are always looking for new people to join our crazy crew. If you are interested or just want to know more about us, let us know what is on your mind : questions@ pinkbananatheatre.com Have a play or project you would like produced? Please e-mail submissions@pinkbananatheatre.com Always feel free to stop one of us to ask a question. We don’t bite. Well…at least some of us don’t.

Pink Banana Theatre Co’s mission is to provide professional opportunities to emerging artists.

PRODUCTION NOTES We want to welcome you to our annual One-Acts Festival! This year’s theme Higher Education, was inspired by the many levels of education one receives in this thing called life. Both in the classroom and outside of it, we learn so much. Each piece has a lesson or two to share and with each lesson we hope to give you a slice of higher understanding or, at least, a lighter take on life.

So please sit back and enjoy!

-Jessica Betts Production Manager

BEHIND THE SCENES CREW Jessica Betts (Production Manager)

Fjøsh Redbeard (Tech Director)

Mike Van Dreser (Board Ops and Lighting Designer)

Andrea Schoening (Stage Manager) Andrea Schoening will be graduating from Marquette University next May with a degree in technical theatre, an emphasis on stage management, direction, and design. Her latest stage management credits include assistant stage manager at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for their recent production of LION IN WINTER, and at Marquette, the 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE last fall. She would like to thank the lovely people at Pink Banana for this opportunity to expand her stage managing horizons.

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TO U G H C O O K I E B Y R I C H O R L O F F Rebecca Segal Director Rebecca Segal is thrilled to be making her (post-high school…thanks, Mr. M!) Milwaukee directorial debut. She received her BA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2008, where she directed NO EXIT, THE BALTIMORE WALTZ, and THE MAN WHO. She was most recently seen performing in PATRICK SCHMITZ PRESENTS: SKETCH 22 (VII) at the Alchemist Theatre and as Harriet in PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA at the Boulevard Theatre. Thank you so much to the Pink Banana crew for making this all possible! Thank you to my family for your undying support! And thank you to you! You know who you are. Yeah, you.

Rob Maass Actor- James in Tough Cookie and Declan in The Dilemma Rob Maass is happy to once again be involved with Pink Banana for the fifth... fourth... No. Sixth. I don’t know. Math was never my strongpoint. Hence the degree in acting. Anyways, thanks everybody! Enjoy!

Karina Lathrop Actress- Mom in Tough Cookie Karina is thrilled to be in Wisconsin again, making her first appearance on the Milwaukee Stage since the ol’glory days of 2004 at First Stage Children’s Theatre! She returns with a BFA in Acting from Stevens Point, and also with less money after 3 magical years spent in the Big Apple (shout out to all my fellow nannies). Much love to my parents for sharing their cars with me, to this wonderful cast for such a fun process, and to Milwaukee theatre. It’s good to be back.

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Kris Puddicombe Actor- Dad in Tough Cookie When you type http://www.youtube.comwatch? v=4yyN63gqARQ into your internets you see the first stage appearance of Kris in the 1986 Prairie Elementary School 5th grade drama festival. Sadly, it has all been downhill from there. That said, Kris, recently played “Chris” in NATALIE RYAN & THE BRAIN THIEVES, which, in addition to being a fantastic show, offered him the opportunity to take on a role which challenged him to explore a character with a slightly different spelling of his name than his own. Kris has also written and acted in Sketch 22 and last December deftly navigated the role of “Coach Comet” in Patrick Schmitz Presents RUDOLPH THE PISSED-OFF REINDEER, one of Milwaukee’s longest named seasonal reindeer themed productions. He is excited to be playing the role of the father in TOUGH COOKIE, though to be fair, as a high school English teacher, he’s excited to be anywhere now that it’s June.

Kelly Coffey Actress- Lawyer in Tough Cookie Kelly’s path in life was destined to lead back to the stage someday. Today is someday! For the last 10 years she’s been on “hiatus”, nursing the elderly, mothering her 2 children and babying her husband. She received her acting training at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers Univ. and the William Esper Studio in NY. Favorite roles include Maggie in LEND ME TENOR, Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE IT and Alice in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. “Ah theatre, I missed you” Michael T. Black Actor- Guard in Tough Cookie, Joe in The Dilemma, and Traicee/ Student 2 in Guess Who Died?

Michael T. Black is a native Milwaukeean

TO U G H C O O K I E B Y R I C H O R L O F F ( c o n t .) who started acting at Pius XI High School. In 2006, Michael earned his BFA in Music Theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University. He’s performed at regional theaters and amusement parks throughout the United States. His favorite roles

include Fred from KISS ME, KATE and Nathan Detroit from GUYS & DOLLS. Later this year, Michael can also be seen performing at locations such as the Kohl’s Wild Theater, The Alchemist Theatre and The Skylight Opera Theatre.

THE GR ADE AND PORTUGUESE BY MEGAN MCGEE Kevin Wleklinski Director for The Grade and Portuguese Kevin is thrilled to be directing for the Pink Banana One Acts for the second straight year. He’d like to thank his wonderful cast for a great time and just having fun with the piece! He’d like to also thank his friends and family, especially Ashlea for her continued love and support.

Previous directing credits include ODD DUCKS (Pink Banana Theatre), WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (Marquette University), MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE with Phylis Ravel (Marquette University), and as a directing intern on RABBIT HOLE (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre).

Marion Araujo Actress- Teacher 1 in The Grade and Voice in Portuguese Marion is thrilled to be making her Pink Banana debut and to be working with such a fun cast. Marion has recently performed at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater’s Young Playwrights Festival and The Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre as Harriet in PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA and IT’S YOUR MOTHER. Alix Lahren Actress- Student 1 in The Grade and Naomi in Portuguese This is Alix’s first theater experience in the Milwaukee area. Her past works include URINETOWN at UW-Stout and several

shows in her hometown of St. Cloud, MN. She would like to thank her friends, family and co-workers for their support and encouragement. Special thanks to the Pink Banana family for making her feel so welcome.

Ashlea Woodley Actress- Teacher 2 in The Grade This is her third year with Pink Banana. She would like to thank the cast for this great experience, her family for supporting her through her crazy life changes, and Kevin for keeping her sane through the year. Previous acting credits include LEAVING IOWA (Acacia Theatre), LOVE’S FIRE (Renaissance Theatreworks), THE WOOLGATHERER (Marquette University), and POOR TOM (Marquette).

Sammi Dittloff Actress- Student 2 in The Grade Sammi is thrilled to be participating in her third year of the Pink Banana One Acts. Past experiences also include DRACULA and H.H. HOLMES at the Alchemist Theatre, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at DePauw University, and several performances with the Greendale Community Theatre.

Sammi would like to thank her friends and family for putting up with her frazzled mentality that has led up to her graduation, and everyone that helped make the show possible, especially the wonderful people on her Marketing team. The tacos were delicious.

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GUESS WHO DIED? BY ALLISON GRUBER Alan Piotrowicz Director, Production Sound Designer Alan makes his Pink Banana debut with GUESS WHO DIED? In Milwaukee, he has directed THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES (twice) and SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU for the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center.

Other previous direction includes EVERY SEVENTEEN MINUTES THE CROWD GOES CRAZY for Chadbourne Residential College, BILL OF (W)RIGHTS for the Undergraduate Theatre Association at UW-Madison, and NATURAL HOSPITALITY for the Marcia Legere Play Festival. Alan is also a freelance lighting designer and has worked with many companies in Wisconsin including First Stage Children’s Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Next Act, Uprooted, and Youngblood. Much love to Eric. www.alanpiotrowski.com Beth Lewinski Actress- Georgia in Guess Who Died?

Beth Lewinski is making her Pink Banana debut in GUESS WHO DIED? Beth has done several shows with the Alchemist Theatre and performs regularly with Radio WHT and Sketch 22. Together with Vince Figueroa, she co-wrote and codirected NATALIE RYAN AND THE BRAIN THIEVES. She is also a player, referee, and instructor at ComedySportz and a member of the group Meanwhile Improv.

Ticket SPECIALS Visit Footlights.com to check out the latest event discounts.

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Mandy Marcuccilli Strop Actress-Rose in Guess Who Died?

Mandy holds a BA in English and theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has acted in the Madison and Milwaukee area.

Favorite past roles include: Ensemble in AMERICAN ENTERPRISE, Mrs. Van Daan in DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Countess Illona Bathory in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, Diane Symonds in SISTER MARY IGNATIOUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, contestant in AUDITION IDOL, and various monologues in THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. Amie Lynn Losi Actress- Guess Who Died? Professor Allen A native Californian Amie has been acting and choreographing in and around Milwaukee for the past ten years. She is proud to have worked for Off the Wall, Bunny Gumbo, The Boulevard, In Tandem, Optimist and The Alchemist. This is her first production for Pink Banana and she is excited, thankful and happy! Special thanks to Alan for giving her this opportunity.

Tim Braun Actor- Student 1 in Guess Who Died? and Carl in The Sound Of One Loaf Baking Tim Braun is a senior at Marquette University studying Theatre Arts and Public Relations. He most recently worked at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre serving as their Marketing Intern and understudy for their recent production of THE LION IN WINTER. Tim would like to thank his twin sister, Eleni.

THE DILEM M A BY SA M MI DIT TLOFF Dana Gustafson Director Dana recently moved to Milwaukee from Des Moines, IA, after graduating from Drake University with a BFA in Directing and spending a season employed as the Production Manager for StageWest Theatre Company. Pre-

vious credits include: Directing - SOME GIRL(S) (Drake University), DYING CITY (StageWest Scriptease); Stage Management - ALMOST, MAINE (StageWest); Acting - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Drake University). She thanks the Pink Banana team for this opportunity and for the warm welcome, and her family, friends and Corey for their continued support.

S O U N D O F O N E L OA F B A K I N G B Y C H A R L E S S O M M E R S Eleni Sauvageau Director Eleni Sauvageau is a first time Pink Banana director and thrilled about it! A graduate of Marquette University, she is planning to study in England for a Master in Classical Theatre. She would like to thank the playwright, players, her family, friends, Pink Banana, and you! Enjoy!

Megan Kaminsky Actress- Juliana Baker in Sound of One Loaf Baking A Milwaukee native, Megan Kaminsky graduated from UWMilwaukee with a BA in Theatre. Past shows include HAY FEVER, FEEDING THE MOONFISH, WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER, and ARMS AND THE MAN. Megan has also attended Shakespeare and Company’s Summer Training Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts, where she hopes to return someday.

When she’s not acting in a show, Megan enjoys choreographing middle school and high school musicals around the area. Thank you to family and friends for all of their support.

him rediscover the acting bug. But he kept his day job as associate editor and sports columnist for Milwaukee Magazine. He spends Tuesday mornings on SportsRadio 1250’s “Doug and Mike Show” and contributes to WUWM’s “Lake Effect.”

Joaquin Rodriguez Actor- Buddha Baker in Sound of One Loaf Baking Joaquin is thrilled to be back to Pink Banana. After his debut with PB last year, Joaquin went on to work with the Racine Theatre Guild and the Young Playwright Festival at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Thank you PB for another great opportunity. It is nice to be back “home”.

Ellen Dunphy Actress- Period in Sound of One Loaf Baking Ellen Dunphy is excited to appear in Pink Banana’s 2011 One Acts. She received her BA in Theatre from Ripon College and performed in IMAGINARY INVALID, ARCADIA, ANATOMY OF GRAY, Howie Magner among other productions. Milwaukee Actor- Baker in Sound credits include TAMING OF THE SHREW of One Loaf Baking (Carte Blanche Studios), THE VAGINA Two decades after MONOLOGUES (Milwaukee Gay Arts his last public stage Center), and the Milwaukee Rep’s scenic gig, Howie Magner’s painting internship. wife, Nicole, helped Pink Banana Theatre 7

E H T E V A S S! E T DA Mark your calendars for the first Pink Banana Theatre Co. Rummage Sale of the season: Sat. July 16 and Sun. July 17: 121 Lincoln Ave. Mukwonago, WI 53149 8am-5pm Located right near the Maxwell Street Days Flea Market taking place there the same weekend!

Plenty of useful and unique items, clothing, toys and more!

Pink Banana’s Fall Production Dead Man’s Cell Phone

by Sarah Ruhl November 3-12, 2011 at Next Act’s brand new theatre space!

255 S. Water St. An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man—with a lot of loose ends. So begins Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative new comedy by MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sarah Ruhl.