Steep-Festen

Season X

Steep Theatre Company proudly presents

Festen

A Dramatization by David Eldridge Based on the Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov, and Bo hr. Hansen.

Festen is presented in association with Marla Rubin Productions Limited.

Cast (in speaking order)

Michael..................................................................................................................................Michael Salinas* Mette...........................................................................................................................................Sasha Gioppo Christian......................................................................................................................................... Kevin Stark Lars................................................................................................................................................ Alex Gillmor* Helene..............................................................................................................................................Julia Siple* Else...........................................................................................................................................Melissa Riemer* Helge...........................................................................................................................................Norm Woodel Pia........................................................................................................................................Marika Engelhardt Little Girl (Alternating Performances).............................................................................. Julia Baker Little Girl (Alternating Performances)............................................................................... Leah Uteg Helmut..........................................................................................................................................James Allen* Grandfather..........................................................................................................................Toby Nicholson Poul...............................................................................................................................................Pete Esposito Kim................................................................................................................................................Peter Moore* Gbatokai......................................................................................................................... Justin James Farley

Production Staff Director................................................................................................................................... Jonathan Berry Stage Manager...........................................................................................................................Ellen Willett Set Design................................................................................................................................... Dan Stratton Lighting Design.................................................................................................................... Sarah Hughey Costume Design..........................................................................................................................Janice Pytel Sound Design......................................................................................................................Christopher Kriz Props Designer.................................................................................................................... Sarah Burnham Dialect Coach.......................................................................................................................... Kendra Thulin Fight Choreographer.............................................................................................................Ryan Borque Technical Director.........................................................................................................................Julie Allen Assistant Director.................................................................................................................... Lev Kalmens Assistant Costume Design.........................................................................................................Rick Lurie Production Manager................................................................................................................. Julia Siple* Casting Director..................................................................................................................... Caroline Neff* *denotes company member Graphic Design – Michael Salinas & Stu Kiesow

Press Photos – Lee Miller

Special Thanks to our models Dode Lipinski and Alice Bakkum 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, 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.

Steep Theatre Co. 1

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

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

January 2011 Spetember 2010 May 2010 January 2010 October 2009 June 2009 March 2009 January 2009 October 2008 May 2008 February 2008 September 2007 July 2007 May 2007 February 2007 December 2006 September 2006 June 2006 March 2006 March 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 August 2005 June 2005 March 2005 October 2004 August 2004 May 2004 August 2003 August 2003 August 2003 May 2003 October 2002 June 2002 March 2002 September 2001 August 2001 March 2001 Steep Theatre Co. 3

SPECIAL THANKS Jason Akemann Charin Alvarez David Alex Trace Bar Dave Bartusek Ben and Amy Berg Mary Brennan Marge Britton Broadway in Chicago Deb Clapp Marianna Csaszar Erica Daniels Steve DeRosa Steph Diaz Rudy Galvan Elaine Glusac Griffin Theatre Company

Ashlee Harris Brea Hayes Nathan Hildig Kurt Kolar Eileen LaCario Will Martin Leo Mendoza Elisa Miller Lee Miller Northlight Theatre Northwestern University Lucy Osbourne John Paulun Cameron Peart Ben Peterson Josie Rourke Meaghan Schneider

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

D I R E C TO R S N O T E S This play is set in Denmark. And like that other, albeit more famous play set in Denmark, this play also contains a ghost and a man who is haunted, not just by the ghost, but by his past. A past that, try as he might, there is no escape from. One’s past makes you who you are and one must come to terms with that truth in order to make headway in life. You can’t erase your past, or your heritage, so the only possibility is to accept it, confront it, and move through it.

We’ve spent a great deal of time in these rehearsals talking about how something as appalling as the incident in the play could occur, and how a family could hide this incredibly terrible secret for so long. So much of what drives us as humans is our desire to, above all else, survive. And we will do what we need to in order to make it through to another morning. While we hear of the physical feats – the hiker sawing off his arm to escape being trapped by a rock, we hear less of the mental feats – what someone ignores, or looks past, or blocks to make their daily life survivable. And yet those mental feats, those lies we tell ourselves, are both far more frequent, and ultimately, more damaging. This play looks at a moment where, after a lifetime of hiding, someone makes that choice to live in the light.

Another young Dane struggled with a similar question.

4 Steep Theatre Co.

To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die, to sleep, No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, — ‘tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life.

PROFILES Jonathan Berry (Director) Jonathan Berry is a director and teacher in Chicago. Prior work at Steep includes: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sun Times and Tribune Top 10 lists for ’06-’07) , and the midwest premiere of The Hollow Lands. As a Griffin Company artistic associate, productions include: the North American premieres of Simon Stephens’ Port, and On the Shore of the Wide World, Company, Picnic, Time and the Conways (Jeff nom – director/ ensemble), Dead End, Be More Chill, Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and the critically acclaimed Journey’s End. Other work includes: A Separate Peace for Steppenwolf’s SYA and Melinda Lopez’s Gary for First Look. Theater Mir, Caucasian Chalk Circle; Remy Bumppo, The Marriage of Figaro; Lifeline Theater, The Piano Tuner (Afterdark Award – Best Production). He pursued his MFA in directing from Northwestern University.

He has taught acting, directing, and viewpoints at Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Act One Studios and The School at Steppenwolf.

Ellen Willett (Stage Manager) Ellen is happy to be back at Steep after a great time stage managing The Hollow Lands and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings.

Previously, she has stage managed with Strawdog Theatre Company, Lifeline Theatre, Eclipse Theatre Company, Jonny Stax Productions, Adventure Stage Chicago, National Pastime Theatre, and many more. She also serves on the board of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), a unique and vibrant ensemble dedicated to advancing the music of our time.

Dan Stratton (Set Design) Dan recently finished Northwestern University’s Graduate Stage Design program. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the University of Michigan. Dan recently designed Steep’s Lakeboat and LookingGlass Theatre’s Peter Pan: A Play. Other scenic design credits include Suicide Inc. at Gift Theatre Company, Abigail’s Party at A Red

Orchid Theatre, Kill the Old, Torture their Young at Steep, R.U.R. at Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre Company, and the New York/San Francisco productions of Fools Fury’s The Devil on All Sides.

Sarah Hughey (Lighting Design) Sarah is happy to be returning to Steep after lighting Parlour Song in 2009. Sarah’s Chicago lighting design credits include work with Lifeline, Silk Road Theatre Project, The House, A Red Orchid Theatre, The Gift, Seanachai, City Lit, Provision, Lookingglass, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Upcoming projects include Yellowface at Silk Road Theatre Project, They’re Playing Our Song at Fox Valley Rep, and Goodnight Moon with Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Janice Pytel (Costume Design) Broadway: 33 Variations; I Am My Own Wife. Chicago: A Streetcar Named Desire (Writers’ Theatre); The Long Red Road (Goodman Theatre); The Seafarer (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Our Town (Lookingglass Theatre Company); Picnic (Writers’ Theatre); Sonia Flew (Steppenwolf Theatre); Fences (Court Theatre); The Last of the Boys (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Pain and the Itch (Steppenwolf Theatre); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Court Theatre); Pulp (About Face Theatre); The Drawer Boy (Steppenwolf Theatre). Regional: The Farnsworth Invention (Alley Theatre); Winesburg, Ohio (Kansas City Rep); The Glass Menagerie (Kansas City Rep.); 33 Variations (Arena Stage and La Jolla Playhouse); Lombardi: the Only Thing (Madison Rep.); Rembrandt’s Gift (Madison Rep.); Agnes of God (Indiana Rep.). Los Angeles: The Seafarer (Geffen Playhouse). Multi Media: Catherine Sullivan’s Triangle of Need (Walker Art Center, Vizcaya Musuem and Gardens, Metro Pictures Gallery).

Christopher Kriz (Sound Design) Christopher is happy to be working with Steep for the first time. Current Chicago credits include Conquest of The South Pole (Strawdog), The Man Steep Theatre Co. 5

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

From Nebraska (Redtwist Theatre) and The Woman In Black (First Folio).

Recent credits include the national tour of America Amerique (Jena Company), Eclipsed (Northlight Theatre), Madagascar (Next Theatre), Open Systems (Goodman Theatre /WBEZ), Precious Little (Rivendell Theatre), This (Theatre Wit), Dental Society Midwinter Meeting (16th Street Theatre), Dead Pile (XIII Pocket), Lonesome West (Gift Theatre), Aiming For Sainthood (Victory Gardens), Thieves Like Us (House Theatre), The Invasion Of Skokie (Chicago Dramatists), Baal (TUTA), Master Harold and The Boys and All My Sons (TimeLine Theatre). To hear more of his work, please visit www. christopherkriz.com Sarah Burnham (Properties Design) Sarah is a properties & scenic designer.

Her most recent work includes properties design for Rantoul and Die at American Blues Theater, and The Regina Taylor Project: State(s) of America at Northwestern University. Previous credits include technical direction for ABT: Tobacco Road, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph! and properties design for Steep Theatre: Lakeboat; Theater Seven: Mimesophobia, Hunting and Gathering; SiNNERMAN Ensemble: Days of Late. Upcoming projects include The Chicago Landmark Project with Theater Seven, The Double with Babes with Blades and Waiting for Lefty with ABT. She is an ensemble member at American Blues Theater. She sends her love to Brian and Piper.

Kendra Thulin (Dialect Coach) Kendra is a professor in the theater department at Columbia College where in addition to teaching acting and voice for the stage, she has vocal and/or dialect coached over fifty student productions.

She was the dialect coach for City Lit’s The Wind in the Willows, and has performed as an actress with that company in The Thin Man. Her most recent acting credits include State of the Union (Mary Matthews) at Strawdog Theatre and in Steep Theatre’s 6 Steep Theatre Co.

production of Harper Regan (Harper), for which she won the 2010 Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Actress.

Ryan Bourque (Fight Choreography) Ryan moved to Chicago from Cape Cod, MA, and attended Columbia College for theatre. As an actor, he has worked with the Hypocrites (Woyzeck, The Pirates of Penzance, Miss Julie), the Griffin Theatre Company (The Hostage), Mary Arrchie Theatre Company (Cherrywood), The Sean Miller Explosion on their adventure through 6 Chicago sketchfests, as well as New York City, and The Earl, with The Inconvenience.

Fight Choreography: The Jackalope Theatre Company (Moonshiner), the Griffin Theatre Company (Company), and The Den (Bus Stop) and The Earl.

He composed the original musical Chicagoland, presented by The Inconvenience, an arts organization he currently serves as a company member and marketing director for. He also runs his own freelance photography biz. Thank you to friends and family for your love and support.

Lev Kalmens (Assistant Director) Lev is thrilled to be working with Steep for the first time. He earned his BA in Directing from Columbia College Chicago. Recent directing credits include Locking Up Honesty (Simple Theater’s K.I.S.S Fest), Irrational Voices (Hobo Junction’s Hobo Robo Fest), The S-O-N Café (Cold Basement Dramatics) and assistant director on Stage Door (Griffin Theater). Lev also spent time in Israel teaching a theater workshop to Israeli teens. Besides making plays, his other passion is photography. Visit www.kalmensphotography.com for samples of his work. A big thanks to Jon for the opportunity and to his family and Susie for the tremendous support.

Rick Lurie (Costume Design Assistant) Ricky is so happy to be working with Steep for the first time. His designs have been seen at: American Blues Theater, City Lit, Halo Entertainment, Oak Park Festival, Village

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Players, Route 66, Red Tape Theatre The Green House Theater, Profiles Theater, Porchlight Music Theater, Polarity Ensemble Theater,City Lit, & Columbia College Chicago. Ricky has assisted at: Theater at the Center, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens, Sinnerman, Pegasus Players, Live Bait Theater, The Gift, Writers, & Remy Bumppo. Ricky graduated from Columbia College Chicago’s Theater Department with a concentration in costume design.

Thanks to all.

Democrats, Hollywood Babylon, Honky and Space Cadets. She is currently working on a stage adaptation of a cult Swedish film, as well as developing a comedy theatre review on the last quarter century of sexual politics.

David Eldridge (Playwright) David was born in Romford, Essex, in 1973 and began writing full time after graduating in English Literature and Drama from Exeter University in 1995. His full length plays include Serving It Up (Bush Theatre, February 1996), A Week With The Creators Tony (Finborough Theatre, June 1996), Summer Begins (RNT Studio & Donmar Marla Rubin Productions Ltd/Marla Warehouse, Four Corners Festival of New Rubin Montreal-born and LondonWriting, March 1997), Falling (Hampstead based producer Marla Rubin’s latest Theatre, A Small Drop of Ink Festival of stage production was The Mountaintop, New Writing, February 1999), Under The which won the Olivier Award for Best Blue Sky (Royal Court Jerwood Theatre New Play of 2010 in London. It will next Upstairs, September 2000). He adapted be going to Broadway in the autumn The Dogma95 film Festen for The of 2011. As her first theatrical venture, Almeida theatre and Lyric, West End in Marla Rubin produced the Almeida London and was until November 2002 Theatre Company’s production of the Soho Theatre Company’s Playwright Festen in London (both at The Almeida in Residence at the Advertising agency Theatre and then transferring to TBWA\GGT in Dean Street, London. His The Lyric Theatre in the West End) play M.A.D, opened in April 2004 at the to great critical and commercial Bush, and Incomplete And Random Acts acclaim. Festen has gone on to win Of Kindness opened later in 2004 at the the London Evening Standard Award Royal Court. David’s play Market Boy (Best Director & Best Design), the premiered at the Olivier Theatre at the London Critics’ Circle Theatre Award RNT last summer to rave reviews. His (Best Director), the Whatsonstage new adaptation of Ibsens’s The Wild Theatregoers’ Choice Award (Best Duck played to full houses after great New Play), the Sydney Theatre Award reviews at the Donmar Warehouse in (Best Direction, Set Design & Costume December 2005 and his new version of Design), alongside receiving five Olivier John Gabriel Borkman opened to great Award Nominations (including Best acclaim at the same theatre February Play) and a New York Outer Critics Circle 2007. In Autumn 2008 Under The Blue Award Nomination (Best New Play). In Sky was remounted at the Duke Of York’s addition to producing the subsequent starring Catherine Tate and Francesa Broadway and UK Tours of Festen, Marla Annis. His adaptation of Babylone will Rubin has overseen productions of be performed at the Belgrade Theatre the show in Australia, Brazil, Canada, in Coventry in October 2009. In 2010 he Chile, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hungary, adapted Ibsen’s The Lady From the Sea for Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Peru and South Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

Africa. Her film and television credits Currently in 2011, Eldridge’s new play as a Producer include the Simon A Knot of the Heart has just received its Wiesenthal Centre’s Museum of world premiere at The Almeida Theatre, Tolerance (Academy Award to Museum), to outstanding critical acclaim. His Crimes of Violence (Emmy Award, short plays include Cabbage For, Tea, Tea, Direction), America Undercover, The Tea! (Exeter University, February 1995), Steep Theatre Co. 7

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Fighting For Breath (Finborough Theatre, November 1995), Dirty (Theatre Royal Stratford East, Young Voices Platform Performance, June 1996) and Thanks Mum (Red Room & BAC, June 1998). In 1997 David was Pearson TV Playwright in Residence at the Royal National Theatre.

Methuen Drama publishes his plays Serving It Up & A Week With Tony and Under The Blue Sky. In December 1996 the Bush Theatre was awarded a Time Out Live Award for its London Fragments season, of which Serving It Up was the second play, of three. In January 2001 Under The Blue Sky was awarded the Time Out Live Award for Best New Play in the West End. In August 2000 BBC Choice broadcast his short television play Killers and in March 2001 BBC Radio Four broadcast his play for radio, Michael And Me. David adapted the William Sutcliffe novel Bad Influence for IWC/Channel 4.

His adaptation of the Simon Garfield book Our Hidden Lives was part of BBC

Four’s Lost Decade Season, starring Iain McDiarmid, Sarah Parrish, Lesley Sharp and Richard Briers. David is currently adapting Lady Chatterley’s Lover for BBC Drama and under commission as part of the BBC Decades Season for BBC2 through Red Productions.

Thomas Vinterberg (Director/ Filmmaker) Thomas Vinterberg was born in Copenhagen in 1969 and enrolled the National Film School of Denmark in 1989. He graduated in 1993 and his graduate film Last Round was nominated for an Oscar in 1994. In 1995/1996 he directed his first feature film Heroes, and founded the DOGME 95 Movement together with the Danish director Lars von Trier. His second feature film Festen premiered in 1997 and it received a long range of prizes, among others: Prix du Jury, Cannes International Film Festival, Best Foreign Language Picture, L.A and N.Y. Critics

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

8 Steep Theatre Co.

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Award, Prix de l’Avenir du Cinema Européen Best Foreign Language Picture, Independent Spirit Award USA. In 2001/2002 he directed his third feature film It’s All About Love. In 2004 he directed Lars von Trier’s script Dear Wendy and in 2007 helmed A Man Comes Home. His latest feature is called Submarino which he directed in 2010.

Bo Hr. Hansen (Screenwriter) Bo Hr. Hansen was born 1961 in Copenhagen.

In the 1980’s he wrote poems and played in the punk band, Cinema Noir. From 1980-86 he studied at the Danish Journalists High School and in 1992 he earned his degree from the script department of The National Film School of Denmark. In 1989 Hansen wrote his first play, Sugar Town. In 1991, with Søren Fauli, Hansen wrote The Screaming Throats, which became a cult-success. From 1993-96 Hansen wrote several film scripts with director Thomas Vinterberg. Together they produced The Greatest Heroes in 1996. During the same year Hansen returned to writing for the stage with an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Traveling Companion, and has since then written several stage and film scripts. Latest the prizewinning children’s film Wallah Be and Someone like Hodder just as he wrote the Christmas television series Jesus and Josefine.

Mogens Rukov (Screenwriter) Mogens Rukov was born in 1943 and has been working on the Danish Film School since 1975. He considers himself basically a teacher and the main part of the film people in Denmark are Students of the Film School. He is considered the Godfather of the new Danish film and has co-written a long range of Danish films among those: Vinterberg’s: Festen, Søren Kragh Jacobsen’s: Mifunes sidste sang, Ole Christian Madsen’s : En Kærlighedshistorie, Lars von Trier’s: Idioterne and Christoffer Boe’s: ,Reconstruction which won a Caméra d’Or. He has received quite a few National awards.

The Cast James Allen (Helmut) It’s great to be back doing another Steep show.

Working with Jon Berry, this cast, & fellow Steep members has been a real pleasure. Past Steep credits include Incident at Vichy, Book of Days, Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Bang the Drum Slowly, Otherwise Engaged and many more.

Recently, I performed in Slimtack Theatre’s production, Death to Fascism, Freedom for my People: A Basement of One Acts by Harold Pinter. I have too many people to thank for their friendship, lessons and inspiration, but the top of the list is my beautiful fiancé, Stacy.

Julia Baker (Little GIrl) Julia is thrilled to be making her Steep Theatre debut with Festen. She first appeared on stage at age 4 in Gypsy. Most recently she was in Tea at 3 for the Chicago Cultural Center.

Along with theatre, she has also appeared in a commercial. Julia loves acting, singing, dancing, piano and soccer. She has been attending theatre events since she was a baby as a big fan of her older sister Jennifer. Heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Berry and Gray Talent for this incredible opportunity.

Marika Engelhardt (Pia) Marika is a proud native of the Pacific Northwest where she studied English Literature at Lewis and Clark College.

After several years spent working in Portland, Oregon (the title role in Salome being her favorite) and a year teaching high school level English in Paris, she came to Chicago and received her MFA in acting from DePaul University. Since graduating she has Steep Theatre Co. 9

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) worked with, among others, The Goodman, About Face, Strawdog, Chicago Dramatists, Rivendell, and Mary Arrchie. She has worked on several independent feature films, including House of Purgatory and Jamie and Jesse are not Together which will be released summer 2011. Thank you to the ladies at Gray Talent for all your hard work!

Peter Esposito (Poul) Peter is honored to be once again performing with the extremely talented artists of Steep Theatre.

Coming off the success of In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Sammy), he is confident that he is once again a part of something special. Steep Theatre has been kind enough to have included Peter Esposito in several of its productions. My thanks to you. A special thanks to Jonathan Berry for bringing me aboard. Peace!

Justin James Farley (Gbatokai) Justin James is truly thrilled to be a part of Festen at Steep. He was last seen in Dead Pile, with Thirteen Pocket, Scorched at Silk Road Theatre Project, and the world premiere of Dental Society Midwinter Meeting at Chicago Dramatists. He wishes to thank Jonathan, all family and friends, his fiancée Ashley and every single person involved with this production. Thank you.

Sasha Gioppo (Mette) Sasha Gioppo is a graduate of Northwestern University and the School at Steppenwolf. Some Chicago credits include Legion with Wildclaw Theatre, Six Degrees of Separation and Blue Surge with Eclipse Theatre. She is a founding member of Pinebox Theatre Company,

where she has performed in their productions of Need Hedges/3, The Most Liquid Currency in the World, and Life and Limb with Pine Box Theatre company. She is also a burlesque dancer with the Chicago Starlets, awarded Best Troupe at the 2010 Burlesque Hall of Fame Pageant, and has performed burlesque all over Chicago and the Midwest, as well as in Toronto, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Paris, and Montreal, where she won second place in their First Annual Burlesque Festival. Her independent film credits include Present Company, which premiered at the 2008 SXSW Festival, Miss Ohio, and most recently One Small Hitch, which is currently in post-production.

Alex Gillmor (Lars) Alex is happy to be on stage again, and glad to be working with Jon Berry. Some of the favorite parts that Alex has played are Mugsy in Dealers Choice, Bruce in Bang the Drum Slowly, Gibbs in The Hot House, and Charlie Terrific in Breathing Corpses. Welcome to our new guest artists. Thanks to the cast and crew for making this another great experience. Thanks to the audience, our board, and everyone that has supported Steep. Of course, special thanks to Anna, Lili, and Greta for their love and support.

Peter Moore (Kim) Festen has been a long time in the making. Thanks to Marla, Jon, the cast, crew, and Company for making it a reality and devoting as much care and attention to it as it deserves. Pete is a Founding Member of Steep and over the years has appeared in numerous productions.

Recent shows include A Brief History of Helen of Troy, Lakeboat, Harper Regan, The Hollow Lands, and In Arabia We’d All

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Be Kings. Pete is Steep’s Artistic Director, a member of the Board of the League of Chicago Theatres, and a graduate of Bowdoin College and The School at Steppenwolf. Thanks as always to his very supportive family, his lovely wife Jen, and his pal Harry. Thanks to you for checking out Steep.

Toby Nicholson (Grandfather) Toby is pleased to return to Steep Theatre after appearing in Steep’s production of Insignificance, although going from playing Einstein to a senile grandfather is a bit of a come-down. Other favorite roles include Glen in Wonder of the World at Profiles, Dr. Fine in Six Degrees of Separation at Raven, and Franz in The Sound of Music at Light Opera Works. Mr. Nicholson is a director, choreographer, and set designer, and a very active volunteer and board member in several organizations. He lives in Winnetka with his talented wife, Juanita, and is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Best Supporting Actress), Helen Potts in the Griffin’s production of Picnic (directed by Jonathan Berry and also performed at Theatre On The Lake), and Music Box Woman in the Side Project’s production 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. And love to my family always!!

Michael Salinas (Michael) Michael is grateful to be an ensemble member here at Steep, where his past credits include A Brief History of Helen of Troy, The Hollow Lands, and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Non-Equity Jeff Award for Ensemble). Other Chicago credits include Suicide, Incorporated with The Gift Theatre; Fedra: Queen of Haiti with Lookingglass; Hunting and Gathering Melissa Riemer and Mimesophobia with Theatre Seven; (Else) Melissa is an Sketchbook 9’s “Beatrice and Beau” with ensemble member Collaboraction; As Told by the Vivian Girls with Steep. Steep with Dog & Pony; Hatfield & McCoy with credits include Nan in The House. Regional credits include 2,000 Feet Spinning Into Butter at Southern Away, Allison Wooley Repertory Theatre and several in Steep’s Jeff productions with The Shakespeare Nominated production of Harper Regan, Festival at Tulane. On film, he can be Martha Hoch in Book of Days (Jeff seen in Freshman Orientation. Michael Nomination – Best Ensemble) and the likes working with Mr. Berry.

Older Women in Catch-22. Other Chicago credits include Start Fair In The Julia Siple (Helene) Common Race in the What’s Next Lab Julia is an ensemble Series at Next Theatre, Ropeen in the member and Griffin Theatre’s production ofThe Managing Director at Hostage (directed by Jonathan Steep. She most Berry), the Moms in the Griffin Theatre’s recently appeared as production of Letters Home (Chicago/ the manager in National Tour), Mrs. Antrobus in Steep’s production of Backstage Theatre’s production of The 2000 Feet Away. Prior Steep shows Skin Of Our Teeth (Jeff Nomination – include Harper Regan and Parlour Song.

12 Steep Theatre Co.

P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)

Julia has worked with various theater companies around Chicago including Viaduct, TUTA, Strawdog, Circle, Griffin, and Uffish. She would like to thank JB for giving her this opportunity and the Steep family for their hard work.

Kevin Stark (Christian) Kevin is thrilled to be back in Chicago with a show and company he admires. Favorite Chicago credits include How to Disappear Completely and Never be Found at Mary-Arrchie, Another Day in the Empire with Black Sheep, New Orleans at The Side Project, The Cider House Rules with Famous Door, and The Violet Hour at Steppenwolf. He has also worked with Collaboraction, Infusion, The Mercury, Shattered Globe, Strawdog, and Victory Gardens to name a few. Thank you for supporting live theatre.

Leah Uteg (Little Girl) Leah is nine years old. She is the fourth of six children.

In December she became a proud aunt of a beautiful niece, Rylee. Born ambitious and meant to entertain at three, Leah would act out little skits for anyone who visited her home. After two years of begging her mom to let her act, with her granddad’s help of course, Leah began her acting career at age five. At seven she signed on with Gray Talent and her acting began to move forward.

Since signing on with Gray, Leah has portrayed roles such as; Creepy Girl 3 (the iconic jump rope girl) in the 2010 Nightmare On Elm Street remake, Little Christine in Empty Room for The Steppenwolf Theater Explore Series, and Gladys Herdman in The Provision Theater’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Additionally, she has done the Girl Scout Radio Announcement for 2011, a

Firestone web commercial, and several print jobs. In the moments Leah is not acting she loves to take several types of dance lessons, swim lessons, gymnastics lessons, and music lessons.

Leah is grateful to Jonathan Berry for giving her a role that lets her meet new challenges. Leah and her family would like to thank Jonathan Berry, all the people at Gray Talent Agency, the entire cast and crew of Festen, and everyone who took the time out to see Festen. All the time and energy that goes into making her dreams possible is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Norm Woodel (Helge) Norm was last seen on Steep’s stage as Skippy in our Jeff Recommended production of Lakeboat. His Chicago area stage credits include; Ross in The Elephant Man, Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Sir Anthony in The Rivals, George in F**king Men, a play written by 2010 Tony Award Winner, Joe DiPietro. This is Woodel’s second attempt at trying to please director, Jonathan Berry ;-) having played Charlie in Berry’s 2008 production of On The Shore Of The Wide World. TV and Film Credits for Norm include Matlock, The Dottie West Story, Early Edition, Radio Land Murders, The Client, and, music videos with Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. He’s also one of Chicago’s most successful Voice Actors having recently voiced When Weather Changed History for The Weather Channel. Woodel has an EMMY for Television Production and UPI and AP Awards for Journalism. Norm’s performance is dedicated to the memory of his friend Finney

Steep Theatre Co. 13

Steep’s Season X Continues With . . .

July 28th through September 3rd The U.S. Premiere of Simon Stephen’s

Pornography

Directed by Robin Witt “one of the most exciting voices around...the most shocking play of the Edinburgh Festival” The Telegraph Seven stories intertwine to offer a portrait of society at the dawn of a new century and on the eve of a world tragedy.

This U.S. Premiere reunites the playwright and director behind the best-selling show in Steep history, Harper Regan. Harper was named one of the Top Ten Shows of the Year by the Chicago Tribune and TimeOut Chicago. Director Robin Witt’s other Steep collaborations include Parlour Song and Breathing Corpses, which was named one of the Top Ten Shows of 2008 by TimeOut Chicago.

Featuring Company Members Peter Moore, Caroline Neff, and Michael Salinas With guest artists Walter Briggs, Maggie Cain, Rudy Galvan, Blake-Briana McKay, John Taflan, and Harper’s Jeff Award winning Kendra Thulin

Season Eleven Information Coming Soon!

Visit our website for information about season ticket packages www.steeptheatre.com

14 Steep Theatre Co.

DONORS Steep Benefactor ($1,000 +) The Alphawood Foundation Broadway in Chicago & The League of Chicago Theatres Jennifer and Reid Broda Electronic Theater Controls, Inc. 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) Don & Marlys Akin Jeremy Kazan & Kendra Thulin Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Harley & Oberman Foundation Holly & David Collins Jennifer Collins Moore Unilever Steep Contributor ($250-$499) Chris Baer & Matthew Greenberg Nancy M. Cunniff & Alan M. Zunamon, M.D. Donald & Karen Foster Sara Foster John & Nancy Hoffmann Joseph Moore Kate Moore Matthew Moore Richard & Anne Moore Pactiv Corporation J. Randall White & Lisa Bowers White Steep Circle (Up to $249) Brad Akin David & Ilene Alex Patricia Ansuini Gerard Aranha AT&T Foundation Robert Baldwin & Margaret Sieck Joy Barriball Patty & Rob Battles

Stacy Bosma Adam Carpenter Tom Chiola Jon Cohen Roger & Ann Coles Stephany Creamer J. Kirby Cunningham B. Timothy & Nancy Desmond Michael Dice, Jr. Patricia Donegan J.P. & J.A. Elmes Susan Gaspar Michael Glusac Uda Goode Marilyn & Ronald Grais Kenneth Green Martha & Ramon Greenwood Patricia Haneline Sharon Hart Joe Hartness Jennifer Herman Christine Hodak Kathleen Holmberg Judith Iacuzzi Neil & Tamara Jain Stasha Jain Celia Johnson Justgive.org Polly Kawalek Katie Kett Will Kinnear Margaret Kritzler Peggy Malon Kukanos Gabrial Labovitz Barbara Lanctot Jules & Joyce Lerner H.B. Lottero Mari McCarty Richard & Nancy Melanson Laura Milani Julia & Jim Montross Dr. Anne Moore & Dr. Arnold Lisio Molly Moore Patrick Moore Bruce Munroe Alan Neff Toby Nicholson Catherine D. O’Brien Dave Pavlatos Michael Peck Angela Platt Susie Griffith & Scott Porterfield Jon & Catherine Putnam Melissa & Jeff Riemer

Neal Robinson Jane & Bernie Sahlins Frank & Karen Schneider Carole & Gordon Segale Kathryn Simpson Bill & Cathy Siple Charles Siple Laurene & Michael Szkatulski Joe & Margaret Tilson Piet Walvoort Elizabeth Ward John Walters Marilyn Weil Alice & Jerome Wermuth Mary Wermuth Garret White Patrick White Margaret White Marilyn & Robert Willett Brian 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.

Steep Theatre Co. 15

S T E E P T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y COMPANY MEMBERS Brad Akin James Allen G.J. Cederquist Patricia Donegan Peter Dully Jonathan Edwards

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES Jonathan Berry Joanie Schultz

BOARD MEMBERS

Alex Gillmor Cynthia Marker Brendan Melanson Peter Moore Caroline Neff Jim Poole

Egan Reich Melissa Riemer Michael Salinas Kevin Shaw Julia Siple

Brandon Wardell Chelsea Warren

Robin Witt Jeremy Kazan Stu Kiesow Elizabeth Moore Molly Moore Jon Putnam

Kelly Carpenter President

Ian Galleher Treasurer

John C. White Secretary

Dave Bartusek Sara Foster Neil Jain

FRIENDS OF STEEP

Steven DeRosa John Dunnigan Barry Grant

Jennfer Collins Moore Christine Rousseau Craig Steadman

Almir Limaj

David Oelert

Heidi Brock Jennifer Quinn Broda

PRODUCTION INTERNS Kathryn Acosta

Please contact us at: Steep Theatre Co.

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

(312) 458-0722

W el l n ess w h er ev er you a r e!

Onsite Corporate Chair Massage Non-­Profits, Student Groups, & Fundraisers Assisted L iving & Hospital Care Customer & Staff Appreciation Conventions & Tradeshows Athletic & Special Events

w w w. b o d h i w o r k m a s s a g e . c o m Lauren N. Goode

Nationally Certified & State Licensed Massage Therapist 16 Steep Theatre Co.