Season XII Steep Theatre Company proudly presents
Making Noise Quietly By Robert Holman The Cast (in speaking order) Eric Faber............................................................................................................................................Josh Salt Oliver Bell.............................................................................................................................. Nick Goodman Geoffrey Church.....................................................................................................................Peter Moore* May Appleton................................................................................................................Patricia Donegan* Helene Ensslin....................................................................................................................Lorraine Freund Alan Tadd........................................................................................................................Craig Cunningham Sam............................................................................................................................................... Théo Tounge May, Helene (Understudy)............................................................................................... Judi Schindler Oliver, Alan (Understudy)..............................................................................................Luke Fattorusso Production Staff Director............................................................................................................................................Erica Weiss Stage Manager.......................................................................................................................Lauren Lassus Set Design..........................................................................................................Stephen Harold Carmody Lighting Design.................................................................................................... Elizabeth M. Patterson Costume Design............................................................................................................... Alarie Hammock Original Music and Sound Design........................................................................... Christopher Kriz Props Design...........................................................................................................................Maria DeFabo Dialect Coach.........................................................................................................................Eva Breneman Dramaturg............................................................................................................................... Kristin Leahey Fight Choreographer......................................................................................................... Ryan Bourque Technical Director.............................................................................................................Bradley Jackson Production Manager.................................................................................................................Julia Siple* Assistant Director............................................................................................................ Alexis Randolph Asst. Production Manager.................................................................................... Christopher Renton Asst. Stage Manager.......................................................................................Shane Goldbaum-Unger Asst. Dramaturg....................................................................................................Brandy Reichenberger Casting Director.................................................................................................................... Caroline Neff* *Denotes Company Member ** Denotes Artistic Associate Graphic Design – Stu Kiesow
Press Photos – Lee Miller
Please visit our website at www.steeptheatre.com Making Noise Quietly was first performed as a trilogy at the Bush Theatre, London in 1986. 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 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.
In memory of
Brendan Melanson
Late this past summer, we lost our Company Member and dear, dear friend Brendan Melanson.
Brendan was involved with Steep since the very beginning and has been as responsible as anyone else for where the company is today. That is praise as well as indictment. Brendan appeared in countless Steep shows over the last 12 years and had a hand in every monumental step the company has taken: he appeared in our first show, built our first theater, appeared in the first show in our first theater, built our second theater, and appeared in our first show in that theater. It seemed he was either in costume or covered in drywall dust and black paint for these last 12 years. Some shows that Brendan would surely like us to mention: our first - Life During Wartime, Geography of a Horse Dreamer, The Job, Howie the Rookie, Dealer’s Choice, Below the Belt, Of Mice and Men, Harper Regan and 2,000 Feet Away. We like to think of ourselves as a family at Steep and Brendan was our biggest, craziest brother. He was the embodiment and the spirit of everything that makes us who we are. We miss dearly. 2 Steep him Theatre Company
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-four 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 nontraditional 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 11 years Steep has produced over 40 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 Moment by Dierdre Kinahan The Receptionist by Adam Bock Love and Money by Dennis Kelly Under the Blue Sky by David Eldridge Pornography by Simon Stephens Festen by David Eldridge, Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov, Bo Hr. Hansen 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
July 2012 April 2012 January 2012 October 2011 July 2011 May 2011 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
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Steep Theatre Company
A F O R e Wo R D Robert Holman is a fifty-sixyear-old Yorkshire man from the agricultural countryside of England’s north-east coast. Over the past thirty five years he has written, in my opinion, some of the most important plays in English theatre. Over the past decade I’ve come to know him well. I wrote a play, “A Thousand Stars Explode In The Sky”, with him and David Eldridge, Simon Stephens with Steep Company Members Melissa Riemer, the author of “Under The Kendra Thulin, Caroline Neff, and Julia Siple. March, 2012. Blue Sky,” a few years ago. It’s Photo by Lee Miller one of the highlights of my working life that I can describe him as a friend. He is a shy understated man. His plays are rarely produced outside of England. This seems to fit with his shyness. He is also a man with a gentle soul and a core of steel. The gentleness and ferocity define his work as much as his shyness. It’s what makes his relative anonymity outside of the UK a shame. I first read his plays, and in fact first met him, when I was on a residency at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2000. It was during that residency that I wrote my first successfully commissioned play, “Herons.” It was during that residency that I started to take myself seriously as a writer. It was in that year that I started to write professionally. Robert’s work was instrumental to that year. His plays astonished me with their linguistic clarity and visual imagination. The daring of the narratives and the organic mastery of structure and form took my breath away. Before reading plays like “Rafts and Dreams” and “Across Oka” I had no ideas that plays could search so hard or be so adventurous. I had no real understanding that contemporary plays could be so fragile and poetic and shatteringly honest at one and the same time. Every time I read his plays I am reminded of that lesson. Every time I read his plays I am turned into a slightly better writer. “Making Noise Quietly” was my favourite. It had a dark undertow and a tender skin that broke my fucking heart. Its darkness and tenderness came out of a profound understanding of the contradictory mess of what it is to be human. Characters lie and then tell startling truths. They change their mind with organic accuracy. They listen to one another. They confide in one another. They fail to listen to one another. They daren’t confide in one another. They are brave. They are cowardly. It also had the best and most appropriate title of a play that I’d come across. Its influence under “Under The Blue Sky” is as palpable as it is under my own play “Wastwater”. It is a play that is genuinely inspiring. There is a directness and a humanity to Robert’s work that I thought of when I visited Steep Theatre in the Spring of 2012. This is a company that is built around the actor’s capacity to stand still and listen. It is a company in which language is spoken to be heard not simply to be spoken. It is a company in which truth rather than the demonstration of truth is absolutely of the essence. In my opinion Robert Holman is England’s best theatre poet of truth and stillness and listening. The idea that Steep is staging his most delicate and humane of plays thrills me. It is a marriage of play and theater company that is quite, quite perfect. - Simon Stephens, August 2012
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Steep’s 12th Season
Steep’s 12th Season It’s everything you’ve come to expect from Steep. Original. Daring. Thought-provoking. Compelling. And eminently affordable.
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come to expect from Steep. Original. Daring. Thought-provoking. Discounted tickets for you and your friends Reserved seats Compelling. Invitations to special Steep Events And eminently affordable. Visit our box office after the show for tickets and more information.
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Discounted tickets for you and your friends Reserved seats Invitations to special Steep Events Visit our box office after the show for tickets and more information. 6
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Steep Theatre Company
The Remainder of Season 12... The Midwest Premiere of
Luther
by Ethan Lipton Directed by Steep Artistic Associate Joanie Schultz January 24th through March 2nd The world is a hard place for a returning war-vet. Lucky for Luther, he’s been adopted by a couple of caring urbanites like Walter and Marjorie. Joanie Schultz, director of Steep hits In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, A Brief History of Helen of Troy, and The Receptionist, returns to Steep for this devastatingly funny and equally unnerving examination of America’s uneasy relationship with our veterans. “wine dark satire...will stick to your bones and your conscience long after you’ve left the theater.” Catherine Rampell, The New York Times “[a] ferocious new satire...brilliant, unsettling” Jacob Gallegher-Ross, The Village Voice The U.S. Premiere of
The Knowledge
by John Donnelly Directed by Steep Artistic Associate Jonathan Berry April 18th through May 25th What qualifies as functioning in an utterly dysfunctional school? Director Jonathan Berry follows back-to-back, runaway Steep hits Moment and Festen with this darkly funny and bracing story of a teacher’s fight for survival in a broken school system. “The History Boys this ain’t...crackingly paced, hilarious, shocking...The Knowledge sets the bar high for new writing” Karen Fricker, Variety “grips our attention from start to finish...a wincingly plausible picture of life at
the bottom of the educational heap.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
Final Show of the Season July 11th through August 17th To be announced...
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SET TING One “Being Friends” The corner of a field at Oxen Hoath in Kent. July 1944. Two “Lost” A terraced house in Redcar, Cleveland. June 1982. Three “Making Noise Quietly” A wood in the Black Forest, Germany. August 1986.
“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE, AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN MERELY PLAYERS.” Open casting call for the Lead role (full time) of
ADVERTISING SALESMAN
Supporting roles (part time) are also being cast. Show is open ended and has been running since 1996. Male or Female actors may apply. All ages will be considered. Candidates must be comfortable in front of a live audience and be able to handle the physical demands of daily performances. Please send bio and headshot (resume and cover letter) to: SALESJOB@FOOTLIGHTS.COM
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Steep Theatre Company
THE CREW Erica Weiss (Director) Erica is a freelance director in Chicago and the Associate Artistic Director of Route 66 Theatre Company. She was the director of Route 66’s World Premiere production of A Twist of Water, and will also direct its New York Premiere this fall. She directed and conceived “NEXT STOP: A New Chicago Musical” with composer Diana Lawrence and six Chicago playwrights for Route 66 Theatre in June of 2012. Along with playwright Caitlin Montanye Parrish, she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for “Best New Work” for A Twist of Water. Erica was the founding Artistic Director of Hypatia Theatre Company, where she produced four World Premiere productions, two of which (the critically acclaimed Red Georgia Clay and Florida Styx, both written by Caitlin Montanye Parrish) she directed. Recently, she served as Assistant Director to Barbara Gaines on the Chicago Premiere of Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. As a director, dramaturg, and assistant director, she has worked with many of Chicago’s biggest Equity Houses and smaller storefront companies, including Victory Gardens Theatre, where she was the Dramaturg for the workshop and World Premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz (Pulitzer Prize finalist, Jeff Award winner), Northlight Theatre, American Theater Company, Chicago Dramatists, Stage Left Theatre, MPAACT, and more. Up next, she will direct Vigils by Noah Haidle to kick off the eleventh season at The Gift Theatre, followed by the World Premiere of Mahal at Bailiwick Chicago. Erica is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she earned her degree in Theatre Studies with an emphasis on directing and new play development. Thanks to everyone at Steep for welcoming her into the fold.
Theatre; Icarus and Trust, Lookingglass; Rantoul and Die, American Blues Theatre and TransForm with New Suit Theatre Co where she is a company member.
Robert Holman (Playwright) Robert Holman is a renowned and celebrated playwright in British Theatre. His plays include: German Skerries, Bush Theatre, George Devine Award (1977); Rooting, Traverse Theatre (1979); The Estuary, Bush Theatre (1980); Other Worlds, Royal Court Theatre (1980); Today, Royal Shakespeare Company (1984); The Overgrown Path, Royal Court Theatre (1985); Making Noise Quietly, Bush Theatre (1987) / Manchester Royal Exchange (2003); Across Oka, Royal Shakespeare Company (1988); Rafts and Dreams, Royal Court Theatre (1990); Bad Weather, Royal Shakespeare Company (1998); Holes in the Skin, Chichester Festival Theatre (2003); Jonah and Otto, Royal Exchange Theatre (2008) and A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky (co-written with David Eldridge and Simon Stephens) Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith (2010). Most recently his play, Making Noise Quietly was revived at the Donmar Warehouse (2012).
Alarie Hammock (Costume Design) Alarie is very excited to be working with the great people at Steep. Her design credits include Caffeine Theater’s Brutal Imagination, Wreckage, and Or as well as co-designing Wild Nights with Emily with Samantha Umstead. She also designed Route 66’s A Twist of Water. She works as a first hand/stitcher at the Steppenwolf costume shop. In addition to Steppenwolf, she has worked on projects for Court Theater, Lookingglass, and the Lyric Opera. In her spare time she’s the wardrobe supervisor at Million Dollar Quartet. A big shout out and thank you goes to Erica, the stellar cast and wonderful crew for making this an amazing experience! Enjoy!
Robert has been Resident Dramatist at the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. He has also written for television and radio. Lauren Lassus (Stage Manager) Lauren Lassus is thrilled to work once again with Steep. Previous Steep credits include: Lakeboat, Love and Money, Earthseige: Commence with Naked Angels, and Jason Lindner’s The Gog/Magog Project with Moonpie Productions. Other Chicago credits: A Streetcar Named Desire, Writers
Stephen Harold Carmody (Scenic Design) Recent design credits include The Receptionist for Steep, Gutenberg! The Musical! for Milwaukee Rep, A Twist of Water for Route 66, Pippin for The Music Theatre Company, Around the World in 80 Days and Bad Dates for Fox Valley Rep, Nunset Blvd. for Theatre at the Center, and Changes of Heart for Remy Bumppo. Stephen has worked along side Designers Walt Spangler, Dereck McLane, Jack Magaw, Kevin Depinet, and Linda Buchanan on shows regionally and on Broadway. A graduate from DePaul University, Stephen received The John Murbach Scholarship for Collaborative Design, presented at The 2009 Michael Merritt Awards. Please visit www.stephenHC.com Elizabeth M. Patterson (Lighting Design) Elizabeth is excited to have been invited to work at Steep Theatre and to work with Erica Weiss again. Since graduating with a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University, Elizabeth has mostly been working as electrician around town and has a tendency to favour working at The Goodman Theatre. Her most recent design work includes Bus Stop for The Den Theatre’s inaugural show, Mami Where’d My O Go? with T&T Productions at Lifeline Theatre, and Electricidad at The Merle Reskin Theatre. Favourite assistant design works are Hairspray at Drury Lane Oakbrook with Charlie Cooper, The Great Fire at Lookingglass Theatre with Mike Durst, and A Twist of Water at Theatre Wit and Mercury Theatre with Sean Mallary.
Christopher Kriz (Original Music and Sound Design) Christopher works nationally as a composer and sound designer and is pleased to be working with Steep again, having previously designed Festen. In Chicago, Chris has designed for companies including Northlight, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Victory Gardens and TimeLine. Some recent Chicago credits include The Woman In White (Lifeline Theatre), I Am Going To Change The World (Chicago Dramatists), After The Revolution (Next Theatre), The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter (Steppenwolf Theatre) and Black Pearl Sings (Northlight Theatre), Recent regional credits include The Nerd (Peninsula Players), Fall Of The House (Theatre Making Noise Quietly
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T H E C R E W ( c o n t. ) Squared) and the national tour of America Amerique (Jena Company). Recognition includes Non Equity Jeff Awards for Best Sound Design for Opus (Redtwist Theatre) and nominations for Original Music and Sound Design for The Count Of Monte Cristo (Lifeline Theatre) and Bug (Redtwist Theatre). Upcoming productions include Yellow Moon (Writers Theatre), The Whipping Man (Northlight Theatre), Creditors (Remy Bumppo) and American Wee Pie (Rivendell Theatre). Chris is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com Maria DeFabo (Prop Design) Maria is captivated by creating and telling stories through the use of props. She is enthralled to return to Steep after making props for Moment, 2000 Feet Away and Pornography. Maria has made props for over 50 productions in the Chicago area. Some of her favorite people that she has made props for include Lookingglass Theatre, The Hypocrites Theatre, The House Theatre, Chicago Opera Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, North Park University, and Next Theatre Company, although she has a lot of other favorite people too, most likely you are one of them. She is a proud artistic associate of the Hypocrites Theatre Company, and would love to meet to talk about how props make the world a better place. Feel free to contact her mariadefabo.com Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach) Eva previously worked on Steep’s production of Harper Regan. Chicago: Good People, The March, The Brother/Sister Plays (Steppenwolf ); Elizabeth Rex, The Madness Of King George (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Eastland, The Great Fire (Lookingglass); The Caretaker, Travels with My Aunt (Writer’s Theatre); 33 Variations, Enron (Timeline); and won the non-Equity Jeff award for dialect coaching for The Light in the Piazza (Theo Ubique). Regional: Around the World in 80 Days (Centerstage Baltimore and Kansas City Repertory); Mamma Mia! (National Tour; Las Vegas). Television: The Chicago Code (Fox); The Beast (A&E). Eva is an Associate Artist at Timeline, and a Production Affiliate of Lookingglass. Kristin Leahey (Dramaturg) Kristin’s previous credits with Steep include Pornography, Moment, and the company’s collaboration with Naked Angels Theatre. Leahey is the Resident Dramaturg at Northlight Theatre and formerly the Literary Manager at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC. She has worked with the Goodman Theatre, The Kennedy Center, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Victory Gardens Theater, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Collaboraction, Teatro Luna, Teatro Vista, Eclipse Theatre Company, Redmoon Theater, Next Theatre Company and A Red Orchid Theatre, among others. Her publications include articles in Theatre Topics, Theatre History and Theatre Studies. Her teaching credits included courses at The University of Texas, Lake Michigan College, DePaul University, and Columbia College. She received her doctorate in dramaturgy and performance studies at The University of Texas at Austin. 10
Steep Theatre Company
Ryan Bourque (Fight Choreographer) Ryan graduated from Columbia College with a degree in acting. He has acted in Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses, Woyzeck, The Pirates of Penzance, Miss Julie (The Hypocrites), The Earl (The Inconvenience), Cherrywood (Mary Arrchie), and The Hostage (The Griffin). Fight Choreography: Sweet Bird of Youth (Assistant to David Woolley: The Goodman), Equivocation, Oedipus El Rey, We are proud to Present: a Presentation, (Victory Gardens), Romeo Juliet, Sophocles: Sicknesses, Woyzeck (The Hypocrites), Hit The Wall, Fight Night, The Earl, Chicagoland (The Inconvenience), Moonshiner (Jackalope), Company (The Griffin), Bus Stop (The Den), Geography of a Horse Dreamer, Cherrywood (Mary Arrchie), and Making Noise Quietly, Festen (Steep Theatre). Ryan is also a freelance photographer, and works for Time Out Magazine as such. (www.BourqueOnline.com). He is also the Director of Media Relations, and a company member of The Inconvenience. Thank you Family, and Friends for your love and support. Shane Goldbaum-Unger (Assistant Stage Manager) Shane is thrilled to be a part of Steep on this production. Shane is originally from Seattle, WA and graduated from Syracuse University this past May with a BFA in Stage Management. Shane has since moved to Chicago. Back in the early summer, Shane was a stage management intern at Victory Gardens Theater on the production of Oedipus El Rey. Later this fall/winter, Shane will be an assistant stage manager for Emerald City Theatre Company’s productions of Alice in Wonderland and Knuffle Bunny. In January, Shane will be a stage management intern for the Goodman’s production of Measure for Measure. Shane will also be stage managing the extension of Moment at Theater Wit. Thank you Steep for being so welcoming! Alexis Randolph (Asst. Director) Alexis is very excited to be working at Steep! Acting and directing credits include work with Redmoon, The State Theatre, New Leaf, and the Chicago Fringe Festival. She would like to thank Erica for giving her this amazing opportunity, the cast for all their incredible work and Josh for his constant love and support. Christopher Renton (Asst. Production Manager) Chris is from Wisconsin. He got a degree in film a few years back. He’s had a lot of jobs that don’t relate to one another. He likes it that way. Chris also likes mid-century Pontiacs, rye whiskey and the smell of old books. He’s fallen in love with Steep and can’t quite shake it. Brandy Reichenberger (Assistant Dramaturg) Brandy is very excited to be working with Steep for the first time! Brandy is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Theatre and English. She was a 2011 Faculty Associate with the National High School Association “Cherubs” program, and served as Program Facilitator for the Arts Infusion Initiative. Her dramaturgical experience includes an LUC workshop of Mansfield Park, and assisting with The Odd Couple and Stones in His Pockets as part of an internship at Northlight Theatre.
W el l n ess w h er ev er y ou a r e! Onsite Corporate Chair Massage Non-Profits, Student Groups, & Fundraisers Assisted L iving & H ospital Care Customer & Staff Appreciation Conventions & Tradeshows Athletic & Special Events
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Nationally Certified & State Licensed Massage Therapist
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 Making Noise Quietly
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THE CAST Craig Cunningham (Alan Tadd) Craig is absolutely thrilled to be making his Steep Theatre debut. Craig has worked around town with such companies as The Factory Theatre, Last Match Theatre Company, Mary Arrchie Theatre as well as being the Artistic Director of EP Theater in Pilsen for several years. Craig would like to thank all the very talented cast and crew that has worked on this piece. Specifically Theo for having a hard head. His wonderful friends that have intermittently let him stay with them over the last several months. And of course, my parents who have always been there, even though we no longer share the same cities. Love. So much. Patricia Donegan (May Appleton) Patricia is proud to be a Steep Ensemble Member. Prior Steep productions include Book of Days, Kill the Old Torture Their Young and Love and Money. Other credits include Victory Gardens production of Jacob and Jack, Remy Bumppo’s Jeff Recommended production of The Voysey Inheritance, Lifeline Theatre’s A Room With a View, Gift Theatre’s production of W;t and David Cromer’s mounting of Hot l Baltimore. She was delighted to work with Strawdog Theatre on Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya, both directed by Kimberly Senior. Patricia has also appeared at 16th Street Theatre, numerous shows with the Griffin Theatre and Shattered Globe as well as appearances with Court Theatre, Collaboraction, Lookingglass, Stage Left and Chicago Dramatists. Many thanks to Erica, the cast and crew, as well as all my fellow Steepers for helping us make this noise. Lorraine Freund (Helene Ensslin) Lorraine was most recently seen in Thirty Thousand One with Pursuit Productions. Prior to that, she appeared in Hubris Productions’ Red Noses, Steel Magnolias, and Agnes of God (for which she received a Jeff nomination). Her other credits include The Hecubae with BBT at Raven Theatre, Sketchbook Two at Steppenwolf Garage, Spreading the News with Halcyon 12
Steep Theatre Company
Theatre, Housework at Live Bait Theatre, Medium at Large, Barefoot in the Park and House of Leaves, all at Village Players, Before I Wake at Victory Gardens Greenhouse, Necessary Targets with St. Sebastian Players, Climbing the Volcano at Piccolo Theatre, and Book of Days with NWP. Lorraine has also worked at Victory Gardens Theatre, Theatre Wit, Bailiwick Theatre, Court Theatre, Wisdom Bridge and Old Town Players, among others. She is so excited to be working with Steep Theatre on Making Noise Quietly. She thanks her husband Russell and children Kate and Max for their continued support. Represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. Nick Goodman (Oliver Bell) Nick is thrilled to be working with Steep. Previous Chicago credits include: the touring production of Letters Home (Griffin Theatre), The Sign of the Four (City Lit), and understudying The Shadow of a Gunman. (Seanachai Theatre). Regional credits include the Great River and Kentucky Shakespeare Festivals. Nick is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. Peter Moore (Geoffrey Church) Pete is one of the founding members of Steep and has appeared in numerous shows over the last 12 years. He is thrilled to be back on stage and working with yet another group of wildly talented and attractive people. Pete’s recent credits include The Receptionist, Love and Money, Pornography, Festen, A Brief History of Helen of Troy, and Harper Reagan. Pete is Steep’s Artistic Director, a member of the Board of Directors of the League of Chicago Theatres, and a graduate of Bowdoin College and The School at Steppenwolf. He is represented by Paonessa Talent. Thanks to everyone at Steep, our Board, and all of Steep’s loyal supporters. Special thanks to his tremendously supportive family, his lovely wife Jen, and his pal Harry. Finally, to Brendo: thank you doesn’t quite do it. We’ll try to do you proud, brother. And we miss you a ton.
T H E C A S T ( c o n t. ) Josh Salt (Eric Faber) Josh is incredibly grateful to have his first experience working with Steep. Josh recently appeared as Cripple Billy in The Cripple of Inishmaan at Redtwist Theatre directed by Kimberly Senior. Last fall he was seen as Melchior Gabor in Griffin Theatre’s Jeff Nominated production of Spring Awakening directed by Jonathan Berry. He is currently a Senior acting major at Columbia College Chicago. He will originate the role of Tim in the World Premiere of Teddy Ferrara at The Goodman Theatre (Opens February 11th) as well as play Lee in Yellow Moon at Writers Theatre (Opens April 2nd). A huge thanks to Erica Weiss, Jeff Ginsberg, and Matt Pratt. Dedicated to my family. “In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” -Alex Haley Théo Tounge (Sam) Théo has performed in Macbeth at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in Exiles and The Misunderstanding at Theater Y, and understudied in Night and Day at Remy Bumppo Theater. He has trained in Improv at The Second City, enjoys Gracie Barra jiujitsu, and is in 7th grade at Lincoln Elementary where he follows a double curriculum in French and American. Théo is very happy to join the excellent Steep Theatre crew!
Luke Fattorusso (Oliver, Alan - U/S) Luke is grateful and excited to work with the amazing group of people at Steep Theatre, and the talented cast and crew of Making Noise Quietly. Luke graduated from Ball State University in May with a BFA in Acting and has been loving life in the Windy City ever since. He recently had the incredible opportunity to work at Steppenwolf Theatre in Tracy Letts new adaptation of Three Sisters, and is eager to face whatever the future holds. Judi Schindler (May, Helene U/S) Judi is thrilled to be working with Steep Theatre on this touching, dramatic and intelligent play. Since launching her acting career three years ago, she has appeared in numerous plays and commercials. Among her favorite roles are: Alumni Frenchy, The Original Grease at ATC; Grandma Joad, Grapes of Wrath at Infamous Commonwealth; Claudia Garrish, Horrible, Hobo Junction Theatre; Amanda Clifton, Risk Management, The Fine Print Theatre’s Citizens’ Play Festival, and Juanita Bartlett, Sordid Lives, Ludicrous Theatre. A former public relations and marketing consultant, she is currently working on a one-woman performance piece, titled Husbands: An Owner’s Manual designed for women’s groups and events.
SPECIAL THANKS Jason Akemann David Alex Trace Bar Dave Bartusek Helen Beaumont Ben and Amy Berg Mary Brennan Marge Britton Broadway in Chicago Deb Clapp Columbia College Chicago Erica Daniels Steve DeRosa David Eldridge Elaine Glusac John Green Ashlee Harris
Brea Hayes Luke Holbrook Mel Kenyon Deirdre Kinahan Kurt Kolar Eileen LaCario Kristin Leahey Will Martin Leo Mendoza Elisa Miller Lee Miller Northwestern University John Paulun Cameron Peart Ben Peterson Meaghan Schneider Adrienne Smith
Anne Stratton The School at Steppenwolf Alderman Mary Ann Smith Patrick Shanahan Meghan Raham Antje Oegel David Raino-Ogden David Reed Jeff Riemer Señor Ryan Rockaitis Beth Rohlmeier Sandy Shinner Simon Stephens Ben Thiem Jim Wagner UNC Charlotte Department of Theatre Making Noise Quietly
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DONORS Steep Benefactor ($1,000 +) Jennifer and Reid Broda The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Alex Gillmor & Anna Wermuth Illinois Arts Council John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation The Rothman Family Foundation Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg Steep Patron ($500-$999) Stacy & James Allen The Ann Barzel/Patrick Henry Arts Fund Holly & David Collins Diane & Ian Galleher* Martha & Ramon Greenwood Jeremy Kazan & Kendra Thulin Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Harley & Oberman Foundation Barbara & Edward Mills Jen & Peter Moore Anne & Richard Moore Jordan & Jean Nerenberg Family Foundation Neal Robinson Steep Contributor ($250-$499) Anonymous* Lawrence DelPilar Sara Foster Joe Hartness Leigh Hourihane Fran & Chuck Licht Kate Moore Martin Munroe Elizabeth Murphy & Murphy’s Bleachers* Greg Rothman Donna Tickman & Mary E. McAvoy Steep Circle (Up to $249) Arjun & Anu Aggarwal David Alex* Peggy Baglely
Henry Bliss Bank of America Rob, Patty, Molly & Annie Battles Debra Baker Jennifer Beachall Bruce Beatus Sharon Bergen Rob Biesenbach Marc Blumer David Bock The Staff at Brook Park Elementary School* Maggie & Barry Cain Tom Chiola Jeanine Choramanski Jackie Renner & David Craig Stephany Creamer Christine Culen* Kirby Cunningham Beverly Desort & Tiffany McManus* Lisa Disch Patricia Donegan Joyce & James Elmes Kirsten Fitzgerald Patricia & Jerome Flanagan* Dan Flannery* Susan Gaspar Cynthia & Stuart Garbutt Jeremy Glenn Carolyn Goffman Jerry Goodman Valerie Gorman* Catherine Gray Gabe Guzzo Sharon Hart Marilyn Heckmyer Allen Hintz Philip Hoffman Trish Holland Amy Jacob Rani & Jagit Jain Stasha Jain J.B. & J.J. Jeske, Jr.* Katie Kett Stu Kiesow* Gwen Konigsfeld Rosalie & Dave Lauerman Kathryn LeFevour* Sarah Leonard Joyce & Jules Lerner
Diane Levy Anne Moore & Arnold Lisio H.B. Lottero Ted Lowitz Norman E. Masters, Jr. Chris McNamara Jane Melanson* Kimberly Melanson-Genereux & Family* Nancy & Richard Melanson Sandra and Bernard Meyer Dannenberg Meyer Foundation Joseph Moore Maureen Mullally Lynda & Nishad Nadkarni* Allyson and Tim Olson* Pasta D’Arte* Dave Pavlatos Susie Griffith & Scott Porterfield Catherine & Jonathan Putnam* Mary Beth & Jack Reich Melissa & Jeff Riemer Michael Rozmus* Jacob Rubinstein Liz Schroeder* Mary & John Scully* Nicole & Josh Shaver Peggy & Don Shearn Cathy & Bill Siple Charles Siple Norm Sloan Gail and Bob Spiel Trimble & Neal Stamell Lauren Strelsin Deborah & Larry Stryker Kate & Steve Szczudlo Laurene & Michael Szkatulski Margaret & Joe Tilson Laura Truax Nancy Vaznonis* Gaby Voicu* Ralph Walsh Esther Weiss Mary Wermuth Katherine Wilhoite Brian Williams Mark Woodward * In Memory of Brendan Melanson
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. 14
Steep Theatre Company
La Fonda Latino Grill
5350 North Broadway Just a block north of Steep on Broadway. Tuesday Nights - Half-off Bottles of Wine Wednesday Nights - Half-off Sangria Thursday Nights - Any House Margarita $5.00 www.lafondalatinogrill.com (773) 271-3935 Making Noise Quietly
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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 Kendra Thulin
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES
Emily McConnell Joanie Schultz Brandon Wardell
Chelsea M. Warren Robin Witt
Board Members
Jeremy Kazan Secretary
Sara Foster Neil Jain Katie Kett Stu Kiesow Ted Lowitz Elizabeth Moore Molly Moore John C. White
Brad Akin James Allen G.J. Cederquist Patricia Donegan Peter Dully
Jonathan Berry Thomas Dixon
Stu Kiesow President Sara Foster Vice President
Ian Galleher Treasurer Anand Aidasani Dave Bartusek Kelly Carpenter
Friends of Steep
Kelly Fitzgerald Diane Galleher Barry Grant Jennfer Collins Moore
Jon Putnam Christine Rousseau Craig Steadman
PRODUCTION INTERNS
Anna Karas Rhiannon Koehler Conner Meinhart
Ilana Rozin Paul Twarowski
Heidi Brock Jennifer Quinn Broda John Dunnigan
Dorian Antonacci Ellen DeSitter
Please contact us at: Steep Theatre Co. 1115 West Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640 www.steeptheatre.com steeptheatre@gmail.com (312) 458-0722
Steepin’ Around Town Jonathan Berry is opening the world premiere of Andrew Hinderaker’s new play Dirty at the Gift, and is about to begin rehearsals for the Midwest premiere of The Burnt Part Boys, a blue grass musical produced by the Griffin, opening in November...Jonathan Edward’s one-act play, Kathleen Turner’s Ear, has been selected for the 2012 Samuel French Short Play Festival and will be performed at the Beckett Theatre in NYC in October...Michael Salinas will be appearing this fall in Night over Erzinga with silk Road Rising, and then Failure: A Love Story with Victory Gardens...Kendra Thulin will be appearing at Strawdog Theatre in Neighborhood 3 directed by fellow Steeper Joanie Schultz. Joanie and Kendra will be back at it at Steep in January working on the second show of the season Luther, with other company members Alex Gillmor, Peter Moore, and Jim Poole...Jim Poole will also be appearing this fall in Theatre Seven of Chicago’s production American Storm...Brandon Wardell will be busy designing for The Life of Death with Wildclaw Theater in October, Six Stories Tall at Adventure Stage this November, and Flare Path with Griffin Theatre in the winter. …Robin Witt is directing Seagull for UNC Charlotte (Oct. 2012) and Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path for the Griffin Theatre (opening Jan. 2013). 16
Steep Theatre Company