Profiles-Fifty Words

22nd Anniversary Season PRESENTS THE MIDWEST PREMIERE OF

Directed by Joe Jahraus Stage Managed by Jordan Muller

Featuring: Darrell W. Cox and Katherine Keberlein Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company and is partially supported by a CityArts Program One grant from the City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

General operating support is also provided by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Baird Brown Charitable Fund of The Chicago Community Foundation and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

Profiles Theatre 1

CAST Jan.................................................................................. KATHERINE KEBERLEIN Adam........................................................................................ DARRELL W. COX* *Denotes Profiles Ensemble Member SET TING A renovated brownstone in Brooklyn, New York FIFTY WORDS is performed without intermission P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR.....................................................Joe Jahraus ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR...............................................Darrell W. Cox STAGE MANAGER...........................................................................Jordan Muller SET DESIGN..................................................................................... Thad Hallstein TECHNICAL DIRECTOR...................................................................... Rick Julien LIGHT DESIGN..............................................................................Lindsey Lyddan COSTUME DESIGN..................................................................... Joshua D. Allard SOUND DESIGN/ORIGINAL MUSIC............................................ Jeffrey Levin UNDERSTUDIES...................................................Allison Black, Dennis Frymire SET WELDER...........................................................................................Irv Sarussi PROP MASTER.............................................................................. Corey Weinberg CASTING DIRECTOR....................................................................Matthew Miller PUBLICIST.......................................................Cathy Taylor Public Relations Inc. POSTER ART................................................................................ Christopher Carr WEBSITE DESIGN............................................................................ Justin Siddons INTERNS.................... Alex Rust, Marget Brue, Joelle Matilsky, Ariel Ringham

CAST BIOGR APHIES DARRELL W. COX (Adam) is an ensemble member of Profiles Theatre where he most recently appeared as Greg in the Midwest Premiere of REASONS TO BE PRETTY by Neil LaBute and the World Premiere of KID SISTER by Will Kern. Prior to that, he was seen as Bobby Gould in SPEED-THEPLOW and John in OLEANNA, as part of the Mamet Repertory at American Theatre Company. He received his fourth Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role for his performance as Joe Cooper in 2 Profiles Theatre

Profiles’ production of KILLER JOE

by Tracy Letts. Darrell has appeared at Steppenwolf in the World Premiere of MEN OF TORTUGA (where he originated the role of Taggart), the Midwest Premiere of ORANGE FLOWER WATER (which traveled to the Galway Arts Festival), and the World Premiere of WENDALL GREENE. He has also been seen at the Goodman in THE SHAWL and HOME as part of the David Mamet Festival, the Chicago Premiere of THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE at American Theatre Company as Jim Jones, and the World Premiere of MARTIN FUREY’S SHOT at Timeline. He has won four Joseph

C A S T B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Jefferson Awards for Principal Actor for his work in Profiles’ productions of KILLER JOE, BLACKBIRD, SOME VOICES, and EYE OF GOD. In addition, he has received two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Performance for Profiles’ productions of POPCORN, and CARNAL KNOWLEDGE. KATHERINE KEBERLEIN (Jan) makes her Profiles debut with FIFTY WORDS. She was most recently seen as Jewel in BORDELLO with Chicago Dramatists, Suzanne in DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, produced by The British Stage Company at The

Royal George, and as the Princess in Oak Park Festival’s LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, where she also played Roxane in CYRANO and Elvira in BLITHE SPIRIT. Katherine has also worked with BackStage Theatre Company in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE and THE RULING CLASS, with Provision Theatre in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and with Remy Bumppo, Theater at the Center, Illinois Theatre Center, Light Opera Works, and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. She is a proud member of SAG with numerous commercial and independent film credits. Katherine travels internationally to perform classic American music as a vocalist with TrioChicago & Friends.

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F MICHAEL WELLER (Playwright) studied music composition at Brandeis University with Irving Fine, Harold Shapiro and Martin Boykin, then worked as a jazz pianist before taking his graduate degree in theater at the University of Manchester, England. His best known plays are MOONCHILDREN, FISHING, LOOSE ENDS and SPOILS OF WAR. His films include HAIR and RAGTIME for Milos Forman, LOST ANGELS for Hugh Hudson and a teleplay of his Broadway drama SPOILS OF WAR, starring Kate Nelligan. He co-founded, with Angelina Fiordelissi and Suzanne Brinkley, and serves now as supervising mentor of the Mentor Project of the Cherry Lane Theatre. Other recent plays include APPROACHING MOOMTAJ, SIDE EFFECTS, BEAST and the book for the musical ZHIVAGO, from the novel by Boris Pasternak. His work has received an Academy Award nomination, an N.A.A.C.P. Outstanding Contribution Award,

Critics Outer Circle Award, a Rockefeller Foundation Grant and a Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award, and has been honored by The Broken Watch Theatre Company which gave their playhouse his name. He is on the counsel of the Writer’s Guild Fund, and the Dramatists Guild of America.

JOE JAHRAUS (Director) is the founder and Artistic Director of Profiles Theatre. He most recently directed Profiles’ World Premiere of KID SISTER by Will Kern.

Previously, he directed the Midwest Premieres of JAILBAIT by Deirdre O’Connor, THE MERCY SEAT by Neil LaBute, GREAT FALLS by Lee Blessing and THE THUGS by Adam Bock. Joe also directed the Midwest Premieres of Neil LaBute’s IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, SOME GIRL(S) and FAT PIG, for which he received a Jeff Award Nomination for Outstanding Director. Other directing credits for Profiles include the American Premiere Profiles Theatre 3

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) of APPLE by Vern Thiessen, the award-winning Midwest Premiere of BLACKBIRD by Adam Rapp, BABYLON GARDENS by Timothy Mason, THE WATER ENGINE and SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO by David Mamet, and the award-winning Midwest Premiere of CARNAL KNOWLEDGE by Jules Fieffer, among others.

JORDAN MULLER (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be stage managing with Profiles Theatre for the first time. He recently received his B.F.A. from Sam Houston State University where he stage managed many productions including CHICAGO, RUMORS, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, and SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW..., as well as running sound for BUG. THAD HALLSTEIN (Set Design) has designed many sets for Profiles including BODY AWARENESS, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA, APPLE, and THIS IS HOW IT GOES. Other recent designs include SAVED and SEA MARKS for Mary Arrchie, THE BUTLER DIDN’T for Metropolis, THE FULLY MONTY, RENT, and CHESS for Brookhaven College in Dallas Texas, and EDUCATING RITA and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! for the Laboratory Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the full time Resident Designer and Technical Director for The Theatre of Western Springs, where he is also on the faculty of the Children’s Theatre. His recent set designs there have included HOTEL PARADISO, SUMMER AND SMOKE and LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN. He has also worked as a scenic painter for several Chicago area theatres, and for Chicago Scenic Studios Inc. Thad has worked in varying capacities for the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, The Illinois and Utah Shakespeare 4 Profiles Theatre

Festivals, and Opera Illinois. He holds degrees in Scenic Design and Graphic Arts from Illinois State University.

RICK JULIEN (Technical Director) is excited to return to Profiles having most recently served as Technical Director for REASONS TO BE PRETTY, KID SISTER and the original run of JAILBAIT. Previously, he was the Technical Director for all of Village Players Theaters Mainstage productions including YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, LOST IN YONKERS and THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO and he served as carpenter for THE GLORIOUS ONES, HELLO AGAIN and the Jeff Award Winning set for I AM MY OWN WIFE with The BoHo Theatre. He has been involved in theater and live productions for over 20 years.

LINDSEY LYDDAN (Lighting Design) returns to Profiles Theatre after recently serving as Assistant Lighting Designer for the Chicago Premiere of REASONS TO BE PRETTY by Neil LaBute and the World Premiere of KID SISTER.

By Will Kern. Next up, she will be working with Chicago Fusion Theatre on their production of BIG LOVE, and then with Theatre 7 on THE CHICAGO LANDMARK PROJECT. Lindsey is excited to have been accepted this fall into Northwestern’s graduate program in lighting design.

JOSHUA D. ALLARD (Costume Design) is pleased to be working with Profiles Theatre for the first time. He has designed over 70 productions with over 20 companies in Chicago since 2003, including Piccolo Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Eclipse Theatre, Chicago Tap Theatre, and Chicago Opera Vanguard. Joshua has also served

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) as a choreographer and movement practitioner. He toured for five months in 2008 as the Wardrobe/ Props ATD for an Equity TYA production from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Joshua is an artistic associate and resident costume designer with Piccolo Theatre in Evanston, IL. JEFFREY LEVIN (Sound and Music Design) is thrilled to be working again with Profiles Theatre. He is a composer, sound designer, music director, and instructor living in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated with a BM in music composition from Columbia College Chicago where he studied under Dr. Marcos Balter, Dr. Patricia Morehead, Dr. Ilya Levinson, and Philip Seward, piano performance with Dennis Luxion, and conducting with Russel Vinnick.

He will be attending the DePaul School of Music to pursue a Masters of Music in Composition this Fall.

His most recent music and sound designs include REASONS TO BE PRETTY, KID SISTER and JAILBAIT at Profiles, WORKBOOK with

Collaboraction, 2ND STORY with Serendipity Theatre Collective, and A CROWDED HOUSE with The State Theatre. He has also worked with schools including Columbia College Chicago, MR. MARMALADE (Original Music and Music Direction), and McGill University in Montreal, AGAMEMNON (Orignal Music). Upcoming projects include SKETCHBOOK with Collaboraction and LEAPFEST 8 with Stage Left Theatre. Aside from working in theater, Jeffrey writes compositions for the concert stage as well as for film/video, performs on piano for various events, and teaches music theory and sightsinging/ musicianship at Columbia College and the Merit School of Music.

CATHY TAYLOR PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC. (Publicist) was started in March 2007 to promote Chicago’s local non-profit theaters. For more information about Cathy Taylor Public Relations and its clients, please visit www.cathytaylorpr.com.

FIFTY WORDS is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. The World Premiere was presented by the MCC Theater, Artistic Directors Robert LuPone & Bernard Telsey; Associate Artistic Director, William Cantler SPECIAL THANKS Allan Power Plumbing and The Theatre of Western Springs, Mike Huth, Laura Williams, The Royal George Theatre, Neil LaBute, Matthew Miller, Bob Schroeder and Donna Simon Dunn at Aria Talent, Cleve Carney, David Reed and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Benjamin Theim, Ian Streicher, Myrna Petlicki, Jessica Antes, Justin Siddons, The Burgher Family, The Saints, Bob Chicoine, Jake Jahraus, Greg Yaeger, and Tracy Frank, Caitlin Fuller and everyone at FOOTLIGHTS.

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S U P P O R T E R S O F P R O F I L E S T H E AT R E Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit organization and donations are GREATLY encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to make a donation to Profiles Theatre this evening you may leave it with the box-office manager at the front desk. You may also visit Profiles’ website at www.profilestheatre.org and click on the donation icon or mail your check directly to Profiles Theatre at 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613.

Many thanks to the following for their generous financial contributions or volunteer services and special thanks to the Greg and Anne Taubeneck Family Fund at The Chicago Community Trust.

* D O N AT I O N * $1000 OR MORE Alderson, John, Phyllis & Birdwatch Carney, Cleve Graeff, Cheryl Henderson, Martha & Steve Michael’s Restaurant Stasiw, Barbara and John $300-$999 Blaylock, Chelsea Catch 35 Dekker, Melody Hartzel, Bud & Peggy Invision Carpet Systems Raynonich, William Jason Rudstein, David S. The Saints Torem Family $200-$299 Anderson, Douglas The Burgher Family Ellis, Jeff Finger, James Freed, Harvey M., M.D. Gray, Vicki Hersh, Stephen McCracken, Peggy Miller, Matthew Pellegrino, James Mark Quads Gym Yaeger, Greg $100-$199 Boss Bowman’s Restaurant Carlson, Mr. & Mrs. Dann, Jeremy

Gertz, Gwynne Guenther, Robert Hamilton Communications Herbert, Joy Krause, Arnold & Natalie Lavrik, Viktor Livnat, Miry & Alexander Nicholson, Toby & Juanita Princess Cleaners Razzi, Christina Robinson, Neal Rousseau, T. Marsall The Dworak Family Walker, Bradley Washlow, Robert & Roberts $99 OR LESS Anderson, Courtney Antes, Jessica Bartolo, Brad Berti, Jonathan Boart, Jason Bratschie, Ian Bringley, Maureen Burgher, Cindi Coats, Janelle Collins, Kristin Cordileone, Lisa Cudd, Jeremey Danforth, Kathryn Dann, Jeremy Eisenberg, Maureen Emil, Glenn Fink, David Friedman, Erik Goggin, Erin

Goldin, Nancy Goldin, Robert Goodloe, David Goodman, Brian Gray, Jamielyn Gray, Linda Harris, Boyd Irving, Anna Janowitz, Marla Michele Johson, Jill Latta, Caroline Lee, Eric Lessman, Steven & Ann Liston, Maggie Luke, Scott Allen Lumena, Dani McCabe, Jack McGregor, Corey Nagel, Charene & Dan Parenti, Brian Pinson-Rose, Will Plocinski, Jenn Poillen, Dr. William & Florence Price, Susan Pries, Bob Renn, Luke Rodriquez, Haydee Rogers, Patricia Rosenbloom, Mark Schmidt, Lindsay Schnell, Dennis Scmtner, Caleb Sebahar, Mary Shallow, Mark Stix, David & Arlene Torbica, Dan Torres, Nikolia Urteaga, Bryan Walker, Brad Young, Helen

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22nd Anniversary Season ENSEMBLE Joe Jahraus, Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, Associate Artistic Director Eric Burgher, Somer Benson, Allison Torem, Greg Yaeger, Sal V. Armano, Wayne Karl Artistic Associates: Maryann Carlson, Jeremy Hersh

PROFILES THEATRE HISTORY Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company now celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season of producing plays in Chicago.

Founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni, the company was originally called Profiles Performance Ensemble. Profiles was in residence at the Wright College Theatre Building until 1990, when Artistic Director Joe Jahraus directed Profiles’ first play at the theatre’s current home THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA – 2009 (4147 N. Broadway) - a hit production of David Mamet’s SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO. The following year, Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox joined the ensemble.

Darrell has a BFA in Theatre from Sam Houston State University in Texas and first performed with Profiles in their long-running production of Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST. Profiles shortly thereafter became the resident company at the Broadway address, formerly known as Red Bones Theatre, and took over all management responsibilities for the 50-seat theatre.

The ensemble officially changed the name of the company and of the theatre space to Profiles Theatre in 1995. Today, Profiles still maintains a small, tightly knit ensemble whose other members include Eric Burgher (2003), Somer Benson (2008), Allison Torem (2009), Greg Yaeger (1994), Sal V. Armano (1993), and Wayne Karl (1990). Profiles Theatre’s primary goal is to bring new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and GREAT FALLS – 2009 resiliency of the human spirit. They produce World, US and Midwest Premieres by promising new playwrights as well as established writers whose work has been seen around the globe.

They take pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk, and are particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language. Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way, ones that will complement BLACKBIRD – 2004 the ensemble and speak to their audience.

4147 N. Broadway, Chicago, Il 60613 (773) 549-1815 or www.Profilestheatre.org 8 Profiles Theatre

profiles theatre Advanced Scene Study Darrell W. Cox & Rick Snyder www.profilestheatre.org (773) 805-2344

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P R O F I L E S T H E AT R E P R O D U CT I ON H I S TO R Y 2011 – REASONS TO BE PRETTY (CHICAGO PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2007 – SOME GIRL(S) (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2010 – KID SISTER (WORLD PREMIERE)

by Will Kern

2007 – APPLE (AMERICAN PREMIERE)

by Vern Thiessen

2010 – JAILBAIT (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Deirdre O’Connor

2006/2007 – FAT PIG (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2010 – BODY AWARENESS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Annie Baker

2006 – AUTOBAHN (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2010 – KILLER JOE

by Tracy Letts

2005/2006 – THE GLORY OF LIVING

by Rebecca Gilman

2009 – THE MERCY SEAT (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2005 – THE RADIANT ABYSS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Angus MacLachlan

2009 – GRACELAND (WORLD PREMIERE)

by Ellen Fairey

2005 - REPARATION (WORLD PREMIERE)

by David Schulner

2009 – THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA (AMERICAN PREMIERE)

by Anthony Neilson

2004 - BLACKBIRD (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Adam Rapp

2009 – GREAT FALLS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Lee Blessing 2008 – THE THUGS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Adam Bock

2004 - NOISE (MIDWEST PRMIERE)

by Alex Jones 2003 - WONDER OF THE WORLD (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by David Lindsay-Abaire

2008 – MEN OF TORTUGA

by Jason Wells

2003 – SNAKEBIT (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by David Marshall Grant

2008 – IN A DARK DARK HOUSE (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2002 – JUMP TO COW HEAVEN (AMERICAN PREMIERE)

by Gill Adams

2008 – THIS IS HOW IT GOES (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Neil LaBute

2002 – SOME VOICES (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Joe Penhall

2007 – THINGS WE SAID TODAY (WORLD & MIDWEST PREMIERES)

by Neil LaBute

2001/2002 – DOGS BARKING (AMERICAN PREMIERE)

by Richard Zajdlic

10 Profiles Theatre

P R O F I L E S T H E AT R E P R O D U CT I ON H I S TO R Y ( c o n t .)

1999/2000/2001 - POPCORN (AMERICAN PREMIERE)

by Ben Elton

1994 - HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES

by Alan Ayckbourn

1999 - STRAY DOGS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Julie Jensen

1993 - THE WATER ENGINE

by David Mamet

1998 - BABYLON GARDENS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Timothy Mason 1997/1998 - EYE OF GOD (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Tim Blake Nelson 1997 - PADDYWACK (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Daniel Magee

1993 - MINOR DEMONS (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Bruce Graham 1992 - THE RUFFIAN ON THE STAIR

by Joe Orton 1992 - ORPHANS

by Lyle Kessler 1992 - CHARLIE THE CHICKEN

By Jonathan Levy

1996/1997 - THE BABY DANCE (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Jane Anderson

1992 - CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Jules Feiffer

1996 - GEOGRAPHY OF A HORSE DREAMER

by Sam Shepard

1991 - DOGG’S HAMLET

by Tom Stoppard

1995 - GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

by David Mamet 1995 - DEATH KNOCKS

by Woody Allen 1995 - ZARA SPOOK AND OTHER LURES (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Joan Ackerman 1994 - REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Rod Serling 1994 - THE TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SERIES

by Rod Serling (Remounted in 1995)

1991 - INTERVIEW

by Jean-Claude van Itallie 1991 - BATTERY (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Daniel Therriault 1990 - TRUE WEST

by Sam Shepard 1990 - SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO

by David Mamet 1989 - THE DAY ROOM (MIDWEST PREMIERE)

by Don DeLillo 1988 - THE FOREIGNER

by Larry Shue

1994 - HITTING TOWN

by Stephen Poliakoff

Profiles Theatre 11

Michael’s

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