Steep - Under the Blue Sky_final

Season XI Steep Theatre Company proudly presents

Under the Blue Sky

By David Eldridge The Cast Helen........................................................................................................................... Caroline Neff* Nick..........................................................................................................................Michael Salinas* Michelle............................................................................................................................Julia Siple* Graham........................................................................................................................Alex Gillmor* Anne.........................................................................................................................Melissa Riemer* Robert................................................................................................................................ Jim Poole* Production Staff Director............................................................................................................................. Brad Akin* Stage Manager.........................................................................................................Becky Bishop Set Design....................................................................................................................... Scott Davis Lighting Design........................................................................................................... Pete Dully* Costume Design.................................................................................................... .Emily Tarleton Sound Design...................................................................................................... Kevin O’Donnell Props Designer.....................................................................................................Sarah Burnham Dialect Coach............................................................................................................... Anita Deely Technical Director......................................................................................................... Julie Allen Assistant Director.................................................................................................Alyssia Muñoz Production Manager..................................................................................................Julia Siple* Casting Director..................................................................................................... Caroline Neff* *Denotes Company Member Graphic Design – Stu Kiesow

Press Photos – Lee Miller

Under the Blue Sky

By David Eldridge Copyright by David Eldridge; Copywright Agent Michael McCoy of Independent Talent Group Ltd., Oxford House, 76 Oxford Street, London W1D 1BS Please visit our website at www.steeptheatre.com Before you turn off your cell phones, why not take a moment to visit Facebook, FourSquare, Twitter, etc., and let your friends know you’re at Steep? Check back in after the show and share your thoughts. Thanks for spreading the word about Steep!

This theater and this program were made possible by grants from The Alphawood Foundation, The City of Chicago, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Rothman Foundation, The Young Leaders Fund, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Steep Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the winner of the 2010 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award.

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Pizza with an Edge Pasta With a Bite Est. 1999 Among best sandwiches in the city Chicago Reader 2004 Best Restaurants along the red line Chicago Reader 2002 1125 West Berwyn 50 yards west of Steep Monday through Thursday 11 am – 11 pm Friday & Saturday 11 am – 12 pm Sunday noon – 11 pm 773-769-4900

BYOB 2 Steep Theatre Co.

S T E E P T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y Steep Theatre Company was founded in 2000 by artists with little more than a desire to work in an open, ensemble atmosphere and a shoestring budget. Over the years, the company has become a dedicated, close-knit group of twenty-one actors, directors, designers, and writers driven by a shared commitment to the organization’s mission: To bring out the everyday truths in the stories we tell through ensemble work and to reach out to non­-traditional theater goers by seeking out stories and creating experiences relevant to them.

As a company, we believe theater should stoke conversations about the issues and conditions that are a part of all of our lives; conversations that take place amongst and between our artists and audiences in the theater, in the lobby, or long after everyone has headed home. But Steep’s goal is more than just creating these conversations. Our goal is to add more voices to these conversations. We strive to reach the everyday person that may have abandoned theater as a relevant art form by telling stories that touch their lives in real and palpable ways and by creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone. By bringing these voices back to the theater, we hope to reinvigorate our conversations and ensure that theater is a viable, vital, and productive art form.

Over the past 10 years Steep has produced over 30 shows that have enjoyed remarkable critical and commercial success. We find works that showcase and broaden our ensemble’s talents and our ensemble style.

Productions Pornography by Simon Stephens July 2011 Festen by David Eldridge, Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov, Bo Hr. Hansen May 2011 Lakeboat by David Mamet January 2011 A Brief History of Helen of Troy by Mark Schultz Spetember 2010 2,000 Feet Away by Anthony Weigh May 2010 Harper Regan by Simon Stephens January 2010 Kill the Old Torture Their Young by David Harrower October 2009 The Hollow Lands by Howard Korder June 2009 Parlour Song by Jez Butterworth March 2009 In Arabia We’d All Be Kings by Stephen Adly Guirgis January 2009 Seven Days by Egan Reich October 2008 Greensboro: A Requiem by Emily Mann May 2008 Breathing Corpses by Laura Wade February 2008 Coronado by Dennis Lehane September 2007 Insignificance by Terry Johnson July 2007 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht May 2007 Otherwise Engaged by Simon Gray February 2007 2nd Annual Steep Family Reunion One-Act Festival December 2006 The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis September 2006 Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris, adapted by Eric Simonson June 2006 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck March 2006 The Night Heron by Jez Butterworth March 2006 Steep Family Reunion One-Act Festival December 2005 Evangeline adapted by Tony Adams November 2005 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller October 2005 Pleasanton by John Wilson August 2005 Book Of Days by Lanford Wilson June 2005 Incident at Vichy by Arthur Miller March 2005 Howie the Rookie by Mark O’Rowe October 2004 Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber August 2004 The Time Trial by Jack Gilhooley May 2004 The Hothouse by Harold Pinter August 2003 Below the Belt by Richard Dresser August 2003 My Donkey Lady by John Wilson August 2003 The Job by Shem Bitterman May 2003 The Aspidistra Code by Mark O’Rowe October 2002 Geography of a Horse Dreamer by Sam Shepard June 2002 These Flowers are for My Mother by Michael McGuire March 2002 Pvt. Wars by James McLure September 2001 Search and Destroy by Howard Korder August 2001 Life During Wartime by Keith Reddin March 2001 Steep Theatre Co. 3

SPECIAL THANKS Jason Akemann David Alex Trace Bar Dave Bartusek Ben and Amy Berg Mary Brennan Marge Britton Broadway in Chicago Deb Clapp Erica Daniels Steve DeRosa Elaine Glusac Griffin Theatre Company Ashlee Harris Brea Hayes

Nathan Hildig Kurt Kolar Eileen LaCario Kristin Leahey Will Martin Leo Mendoza Elisa Miller Lee Miller Northlight Theatre Northwestern University John Paulun Cameron Peart Ben Peterson Meaghan Schneider Adrienne Smith

The School at Steppenwolf Alderman Mary Ann Smith Patrick Shanahan Meghan Raham David Raino-Ogden David Reed Jeff Riemer Se単or Ryan Rockaitis Beth Rohlmeier Sandy Shinner Ben Thiem Jim Wagner

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nothing up our sleeves Weekly ticket giveaways

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THE CREW Brad Akin (Director) Brad is so very happy to be back home at Steep, where he’s been a Company Member for the last six years. Past Steep credits include Lanford Wilson’s Book of Days (Jeff Nominated - Best Ensemble), the Chicago premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Terry Johnson’s Insignificance and the Chicago premiere of Emily Mann’s Greensboro: A Requiem. Brad spent the last three years studying under Anna Shapiro and Jessica Thebus at Northwestern University’s MFA Directing program. This last Spring, he had the pleasure of directing the Chicago premiere of Lucy Thurber’s Where We’re Born at the Steppenwolf Garage. This coming February, Brad will be back at the Garage directing the Chicago premiere of Bekah Brunstetter’s OOHRAH! for LiveWire Theatre.

Becky Bishop (Stage Manager) Becky is incredibly happy to work with Steep Theatre for the first time in this production of Under the Blue Sky. She has been a freelance stage manager in Chicago since 2006. Some production credits include Under Milk Wood with Caffeine Theatre, Suicide Inc, at the Gift Theatre, Stage Door, Letters Home, Robber Bridegroom, and more with the Griffin Theatre Company. Other companies she’s worked for include Dog & Pony, 5th Floor Productions, and guest stage manager for Roosevelt University’s production of Eurydice earlier this year. Becky has a BA in Theatre Arts and English which has carried her on surprisingly well. Thanks to the teachers who helped get her here. And many thanks to Brad and the rest of the Steep ensemble for bringing me along on this journey.

Scott Davis (Scenic Design) Murder For Two: A Killer Musical, Short Shakes!

Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theater),Venus, Where We’re Born (Steppenwolf Garage), Peribañez, Regina Taylor’s State(s) of America, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, In Trousers, MASS, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Northwestern University), Into the 6 Steep Theatre Co.

Woods (Associate Designer; Alliance Theater), Trinity River Plays (Associate Designer; Goodman Theatre and Dallas Theatre Center), Filthy Rich,The Colored Museum, Alice In Wonderland, Home Free!, The Weir (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center), In the Heart of America (Associate Designer; Repertory Stage), The Cassandra Project (The Capitol Fringe Festival). www.scottadamdavis.com Pete Dully (Lighting Design) Lighting Design Credits: Lakeboat, 2000 Feet Away, Otherwise Engaged, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, (Steep Theatre, Chicago, IL), Stage Door (GriffinTheatre, Chicago, IL), The Maids (Writers’ Theatre, Glencoe, IL), Dialogues Des Carmelites (Northwestern University Opera, Evanston, IL). Pete works as a Lighting Designer, Production Manager, and Technical Director in Chicago, and manages Cahn Auditorium at Northwestern University.

Kevin O’Donnell (Sound Design & Original Music) Kevin is very happy to be working at Steep for the first time. His work in Chicago theater has earned him 16 Jeff Nominations (6 Awards), and 2 consecutive After Dark Awards (for Outstanding Season). In Chicago he has worked with The House (company member), The Hypocrites (artistic associate), Redmoon, TimeLine, A.T.C., Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, The Building Stage and Lookingglass Theatre, amongst others; regionally his work has been heard at The Cherry Lane, 59E59, St Anne’s Warehouse, DTW (NYC), The Tapper Forum (LA), A.C.T. (San Francisco), Tangént (Montreal), The Arsht Center (Miami), The Stages Rep (Houston), The Kansas City Rep, and Baltimore CenterStage. As a musician he has worked extensively with Andrew Bird, with whom he co-produced the music for the film “Norman”, and for whom he has drummed on numerous recordings. www.kevinodonnellmusic.com.

Emily Tarleton (Costume Design) Emily has completed her coursework in Northwestern University’s MFA Design

THE CR EW (cont.) program in Costume and Scenic Design.

Recent credits include Venus (Costume Design) and Animals out of Paper (Scenic Design) at the Steppenwolf Garage, as part of the NEXT UP series.

Previous costume design credits include JungalBook, The Edge of Peace, Peribañez and the Commander of Ocaña, Air Guitar High, The American Pilot, and Orlando (Northwestern). She is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, where she received her BA in Theater with an emphasis in Costume Design. Recently her work was displayed at the Prague Quadrennial in the Czech Republic.

Anita Deely (Dialect Coach) Anita likes working at Steep Theatre. Recent adventures as a dialect coach include: Old Times at Strawdog, Pornography at Steep Theatre, New Electric Ballroom and Pumpgirl at A Red Orchid Theatre, and Ghosts of Treasure Island at Adventure Stage. Anita last appeared in Master and Margarita at Strawdog (ensemble member), Louis Slotin Sonata with A Red Orchid Theatre, Aunt Dan and Lemon with BackStage Theatre Company and before that in Memory of Water, also BackStage. She’s also worked with Apple Tree, Next and Noble Fool, among others.

Sarah Burnham (Prop Design) Sarah is happy to be working with Steep again! Recent projects include: Festen, Lakeboat with Steep Theatre; A Few Good Men, The Importance of Being Earnest at Peninsula Players Theater; The Chicago Landmark Project with Theater Seven and Waiting for Lefty with American Blues Theater. Coming up next: It’s a Wonderful Life with American Blues Theater and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat with Magical Starlight Theater. Sarah does not only design props, but production managers and acts, too. She is an ensemble member at American Blues Theater.

Alyssia Muñoz (Assistant Director) Alyssia Munoz is a recent graduate of Northwestern University. She has three cats, one boyfriend and twenty-four tea cups. She was born and raised in Texas,and boy does she miss the BBQ. She enjoys talking about herself in third person and feels incredibly honored to have been given the opportunity to work with such lovely and talented people. She was in her 7th grade history class when she saw the World Trade Center attacked and sometimes forgets her country is still at war. She is the daughter of two school teachers.

THE CAST Alex Gillmor (Graham) Alex is happy to be on stage again, and thrilled to be working with Brad Akin again. Welcome back Brad. We are glad Northwestern changed you for the better. Some of the favorite parts that Alex has played are Mugsy in Dealer’s Choice, Bruce in Bang the Drum Slowly, Gibbs in The Hot House, and Dale in Parlour Song. Thanks to the cast and crew for making this yet another great experience. Thanks to the audience, our board, and everyone that has supported Steep. Of course, special thanks to Anna, Lili, and Greta. People say they grow up too fast. It’s true.

Caroline Neff (Helen) Caroline is an Ensemble Member at Steep and was last seen here in the critically acclaimed Pornography. She’s also been seen in A Brief History of Helen of Troy (Jeff Award – Best Actress), Harper Regan, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Jeff Award – Best Ensemble), Coronado, and Of Mice and Men at Steep. She last worked with Brad on Where We’re Born, part of the inaugural Next Up season in the Steppenwolf Garage. Other credits include: The Metal Children with Next Theatre; Port (Jeff nomination – Best Actress), Stage Door (Jeff nomination Steep Theatre Co. 7

T H E C A S T ( c o n t .)

–Best Production), and Be More Chill with the Griffin; Cherrywood and Saved with Mary-Arrchie; St. Crispin’s Day (Jeff nomination – Best Production) with Strawdog; Moonshiner with Jackalope.

Thanks to Brad and the Blue Sky crew.

Jim Poole (Robert) Uncannily, Jim’s had blues skies above him most of his life, or at least on the not-too-distant horizon, ...if you don’t count that 6 month stretch of mostly cloudy, or the downpour of ‘08, or the 7 years of famine and drought - other than that, he’s all about the sun. And as a Steep member, it’s never hard for him to see silver lining: The Hothouse, Dealer’s Choice, Catch 22, Night Heron, Lakeboat, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot provided many of his favorite roles among others. He recently starred in Steel Beam’s Au Pair Man and At Home and At The Zoo. This winter you can catch him in Strawdog’s The Petrified Forest.

Melissa Riemer (Anne) Melissa is an Ensemble Member with Steep. She most recently appeared as Else in Steep’s production of Festen.

Her other Steep productions include Allison Wooley in Harper Regan, Martha Hoch in Book of Days (Jeff Nomination – Best Ensemble) and the Older Women in Catch-22.

Other Chicago credits include the White Woman in Next Theatre’s What’s Up Next Lab production of Start Fair In The Common Race, Ropeen in the Griffin Theatre’s production of The Hostage, the Moms in the Griffin Theatre’s production of Letters Home (Chicago/National Tour), Mrs. Antrobus in Backstage Theatre’s production of The Skin Of Our Teeth (Jeff Nomination – Best Supporting Actress), Helen Potts in the Griffin Theatre’s production of Picnic (also performed at Theatre On The Lake), and Music Box Woman in the Side Project’s production 8 Steep Theatre Co.

of Maggie – A Girl Of The Streets. London credits include The Lost Vegas Series (Riverside Studios), An Empty Plate In The Café du Grand Boeuf (New End Theatre) and Time And The Conways (Drayton Court Theatre). Melissa trained at the Drama Studio London. Thank you for supporting Steep. Love to my family always!! And welcome back, Brad!

Michael Salinas (Nick) Michael is an ensemble member here at Steep, where his credits include Pornography, Festen, A Brief History of Helen of Troy, The Hollow Lands, and In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings (Non-Equity Jeff Citation for Best Ensemble). Other Chicago credits include Suicide, Incorporated (The Gift Theatre); Fedra: Queen of Haiti (Lookingglass); Hunting & Gathering and Mimesophobia (Theatre Seven); As Told by the Vivian Girls (Dog & Pony); Hatfield & McCoy (The House). Regional credits include Spinning Into Butter (Southern Repertory Theater) as well as many productions with The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. Film credits include Freshman Orientation (2004 Sundance Selection). He loves many people.

Julia Siple (Michelle) Julia most recently appeared as Helene in Steep’s production of Festen and the Manager in 2000 Feet Away. Prior Steep shows include Harper Regan and Parlour Song. Julia has worked with various theater companies around Chicago including Viaduct, TUTA, Strawdog, Circle, Griffin, and Uffish. Julia is a holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Michigan.

DONORS Steep Benefactor ($1,000 +) The Alphawood Foundation Anonymous Broadway in Chicago & The League of Chicago Theatres Jennifer and Reid Broda Holly & David Collins Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Illinois Arts Council The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation The Rothman Family Foundation The Young Leaders Fund Steep Patron ($500-$999) Jeremy Kazan & Kendra Thulin Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Harley &

Oberman Foundation Jennifer Collins Moore Steep Contributor ($250-$499) Chris Baer & Matthew Greenberg Patrick Hughes Donald & Karen Foster Sara Foster Joseph Moore Kate Moore Richard & Anne Moore Steep Circle (Up to $249) Brad Akin David & Ilene Alex Sharon Bergen Leonard Berlin Robert Bonace Stacy Bosma Adam Carpenter Tom Chiola Jon Cohen Stephany Creamer

Michael Dice, Jr. Patricia Donegan J.P. & J.A. Elmes Susan Gaspar Michael Glusac Uda Goode Marilyn & Ronald Grais Kenneth Green Martha & Ramon Greenwood Heidi Grossenbacher Patricia Haneline Sharon Hart Joe Hartness Jennifer Herman Debra Hinze Holly Hirst Patricia Holland Kathleen Holmberg Leigh Hourihane Judith Iacuzzi Neil & Tamara Jain Stasha Jain Celia Johnson Justgive.org Katie Kett

Great after-work or after-show night cap.

Just across the street from Steep D.J.’s 5 Nights a Week Wednesday through Friday Blues, Stepping Music, Great Oldies, and Contemporary Music

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DONORS (cont.)

Mary Anne Kiser Margaret Kritzler Peggy Malon Kukanos David Kurtz Gabrial Labovitz Barbara Lanctot Jules & Joyce Lerner Loella & Mark Levy Mr. & Mrs. Charles Licht H.B. Lottero Norman J. Masters Robert McGreevey Richard & Nancy Melanson Julia & Jim Montross Dr. Anne Moore & Dr. Arnold Lisio Molly Moore Patrick Moore Toby & Juanita Nicholson Catherine D. O’Brien Dave Pavlatos Lauralyn Persson Angela Platt Susie Griffith & Scott Porterfield Jon & Catherine Putnam Melissa & Jeff Riemer Neal Robinson Pat Schaefer Frank & Karen Schneider M. James Scott

Carole & Gordon Segale Kathryn Simpson Bill & Cathy Siple Charles Siple Norm Sloan Gail & Bob Spiel Trible & Neal Stamell Laurene & Michael Szkatulski Seth Tannenbaum Janet Taylor Joe & Margaret Tilson Gretchen & James Vacendak Piet Walvoort Elizabeth Ward Adam Washowski Esther Weiss Alice & Jerome Wermuth Mary Wermuth Garret White Margaret White Marilyn & Robert Willett Brian Williams Gary Donahue & Mary Williams In Kind Donors Ryan Bourque Broadway in Chiacgo Teri Calandra & Kristine Ward

Chicago Trubune, Timeout Chicago Coopers Hawk Winery Jim Foley & Ted Johnson Karen & Donald Foster Ian & Diane Galleher Lauren Goode Goodman Theatre Gordon’s Salon Neil Jain Marigold Restaurant Sara McCarthy Meez Meals Merkle’s Bar & Grill Mullen’s Bar & Grill Beth Murphy & Murphy’s Bleachers Ashley Neal Noel Nehf Lindsay Pearlman Lauren Pett C.C. Shea & Spare Time Craig Steadman Steppenwolf Theatre Sweetwater Tavern & Grille Theatre 773 Trace Bar Kristine Ward John Barleycorn Wrigleyville

S U P P O R T S T E E P T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y Steep’s growth and success over the years is a testament to the dedication of our Company Members, Board, volunteers, and, most important, the unending support of our patrons. As we move forward, the continued support of patrons like you is critical for us to continue to stretch ourselves as artists and make the most of this beautiful theater we have built together.

Steep is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible. Please send donations to Steep Theatre, 1115 West Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640.

To find out more about supporting Steep Theatre Company, email us at steeptheatre@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support.

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S T E E P T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y COMPANY MEMBERS

Jonathan Edwards Alex Gillmor Cynthia Marker Brendan Melanson Peter Moore Caroline Neff

Jim Poole Egan Reich Melissa Riemer Michael Salinas Julia Siple

Jonathan Berry Joanie Schultz

Brandon Wardell Chelsea M. Warren

Robin Witt

BOARD MEMBERS

Ian Galleher Treasurer

Elizabeth Moore Molly Moore Jon Putnam

Brad Akin James Allen G.J. Cederquist Patricia Donegan Peter Dully

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES

Kelly Carpenter President

Dave Bartusek Sara Foster Neil Jain Stu Kiesow

Jeremy Kazan John C. White Secretaries

FRIENDS OF STEEP

Steven DeRosa John Dunnigan Barry Grant

Jennfer Collins Moore Christine Rousseau Craig Steadman

PRODUCTION INTERNS

Rhiannon Koehler Almir Limaj Reid Moffatt David Oelert

Natalie Pappas Ilana Peña Louis Vanarsdale Connor White

Heidi Brock Jennifer Quinn Broda

Kathryn Acosta Claudia Alpert Jerica Hucke

Please contact us at: Steep Theatre Co.

1115 West Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640 www.steeptheatre.com steeptheatre@gmail.com

(312) 458-0722

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