The Masque of Red Death-Carte Blanche

CARTE BLANCHE STUDIOS presents

by William W. Jackson adapted from the short story by Edgar Allan Poe CAST LEADS DR. ALAN KILGORE...................................................................................................................... David Kaye SANGRID KILGORE....................................................................................................................... Emily Craig PROSPERO II...................................................................................................................James Dragolovich MORTDALA.......................................................................................................................... Samantha Paige MILO RUDGE/RUDDY/THE RED DEATH.....................................................................Jerome Maywald ENSEMBLE THE ALDEBARQUE FAMILY LALO............................................................................................................................................. Alex VanAble CAMELLIA................................................................................................................................Michelle White EVA.............................................................................................................. Jennifer Gaul/Caitlynn McKara BORIS............................................................................................................................................Josh B. Bryan THE VISION VICTOR III........................................................................................................................ Jimmy Dragolovich ROSALYN.................................................................................................................................. Michelle Paura BERENICE...................................................................................................................................... Annie Lipski DEATH.............................................................................................................................................Adam Meitz RESIDENTS OF CASTLE HUBRIK LIEUTENANT.............................................................................................................................Nicholas Kaye NORVAL....................................................................................................................................... Alex VanAbel GUARD..........................................................................................................................................Josh B. Bryan BERENICE/GOVERNESS............................................................................................................ Annie Lipski PROSPERO’S MAID......................................................................................................................Nicole Beck ELDER ARTISAN(S)........................................................................................... A.J. Stibbe, Nicholas Kaye,

Jerome Maywald, Zach McLain PROSPERO’S CHEF................................................................................................................Caitlyn McKara TRIPETTA.................................................................................................................................. Michelle Paura TRIPETTA’S MOTHER...................................................................................................................... Carole Alt INA BUZZARD........................................................................................................................Michelle White BODY BRIGADE 1............................................................................................................................ Carole Alt BODY BRIGADE 2....................................................................................................................Nicholas Kaye The Masque of the Red Death

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REFUGEES OF HUBRIK LENORE.................................................................................................................................... Michelle Paura TROUBADOR................................................................................................................................... A.J. Stibbe METZENGERSTEIN.................................................................................................................... Zach McLain ANNABELLE LEE........................................................................................................................ Jackie Benka BILL WILSON...............................................................................................................................Ed Barczinski STUDENT........................................................................................................................................... Carole Alt YOUNG MOTHER................................................................................................................ Caitlynn McKara GUARD 1.................................................................................................................................... Audwin Short GUARD 2................................................................................................... Jennifer Gaul/Caitlynn McKara GUARD 3......................................................................................................................................Josh B. Bryan BLACKSMITH.............................................................................................................................. Zach McLain SANGRID’S GUARD......................................................................................................................Nicole Beck LIGEIA’S SERVANT...................................................................................................................Nicholas Kaye THE RAVE ARCHBISHOP.............................................................................................................................. Zach McLain EDGAR......................................................................................................................................... Alex VanAbel RODERICK USHER.....................................................................................................................Ed Barczinski MADELINE USHER................................................................................................................Michelle White LIGEIA..............................................................................................................................................Nicole Beck BUTLER/ETHELRED........................................................................................................................ A.J. Stibbe THE ROYAL MUMMERY FOOL/MASTER OF REVELS...................................................................................................... Adam Meilz RED DEATH CLOWN ..............................................................................................................Nicholas Kaye STEAMPUNK PUPPETEER/ HOP FROG......................................................................................................................................... Carole Alt LIGEIA..............................................................................................................................................Nicole Beck TOWNSPEOPLE/COURTIERS...................................................................... Nicole Beck, Nicholas Kaye

George Spelvin, Audwin Short

Carole Alt, Annie Lipski, David Kaye PRODUCTION TEA M ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.....................................................................................................James Dragolovich PRODUCERS........................................................................................ James Dragolovich, Adam White DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION DESIGNER....................................................................................Bill Jackson ASST. DIRECTOR/STAGE MANAGER...........................................................................Jacqueline Benka LIGHTING DESIGNER................................................................................................................Josh B. Bryan SET CONSTRUCTION.................................................................................................................. Ray Vannoy,

James Dragolovich Andrew Platz COSTUME DESIGNER................................................................................................................Kate Vannoy WARDROBE/PROPS..........................................................................................................................Zoe Weis WARDROBE/PROPS ASSISTANT..............................................................................................Mike Keiley FIGHT MISTRESS.............................................................................................................................. Carole Alt HOUSE MANAGER....................................................................................................................Ed Barczinski PROGRAMS.......................................................................................................................................Footlights

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C A R T E B L A N C H E S TAG E S B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Joan Kojis, President Kathy Tanty, Vice President John Baiocchi James Dragolovich Bill Jackson Kate Vannoy Zoe Weis Adam White Terry White

D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S While I was the Theatre Director at South Milwaukee High School, James Dragolovich visited me there and introduced me to Carte Blanche Studios when he invited me to their production of CABARET. After attending this thrilling musical, I was captivated by the energy and indefatigable industry of this energetic young company. I offered my play, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH adapted from the short story by Edgar Allan Poe, America’s premiere writer of horror. In February, we staged a remarkably successful play reading that lead to revisions of my play that made it more than it had ever been. This company has been in rigorous rehearsal since July in an organic development of this theatrical event that has become more than I could have hoped for. MASQUE premiered at Milwaukee High School of the Arts in 1987, staged again by the South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company in 2008, and celebrates its 25th birthday and professional debut here at Carte Blanche Studios. I offer my personal thanks to our audiences who support this prodigious young theatre and theatre innovation in Milwaukee at this, the premiere of our gothic melodrama. We hope this production is the artistic banquet for you that it has been for us. A banquet in which, for those of you who’ve done your homework, you’ll find many familiar…tidbits. And now…

That motley drama- oh, be sure It shall not be forgot!

With its Phantom chased for evermore, By a crowd that seize it not, Through a circle that ever returneth in To the self-same spot, And much of Madness.. and more of Sin..

And Horror the soul of the plot.

LIGEIA by Edgar Allan Poe Bill Jackson Director/Playwright

The Masque of the Red Death

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BILL JACKSON (Director, Production Designer, Playwright) Bill’s performed at Skylight in AINT MISBEHAVIN under the direction of Sheri Williams-Pannell, Milwaukee Chamber, where he appeared in ANGELS IN AMERICA: PERESTROIKA and HOMEBODY/KABUL under the direction of Milwaukee’s revered director, Montgomery Davis, and Milwaukee Shakespeare Theatres. Roles in 13 years with The Bay View Players under the direction of Charmaine DeNoyer include The Arbiter in CHESS and Todd in SWEENEY TODD. He directed and choreographed WEST SIDE STORY and THE FANTASTICKS at Waukesha Civic Theatre and SWEET CHARITY and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK for the Brookfield Players. Bill served for a year as Artistic Director at the Hansberry-Sands Theatre Company where he produced MULE BONE in exclusive arrangement with the estates of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston and THE OTHER CINDERELLA in cooperation with the Chicago Black Ensemble. At Milwaukee High School of the Arts and South Milwaukee High, Bill directed A RAISIN IN THE SUN, A SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, OLIVER, PIPPIN, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, WEST SIDE STORY, and THE APOLLO OF BELLAC. At MHSA, where he founded the Creative Writing and Journalism Department and THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH debuted, he wrote and directed the Black Arts Productions JUBILATION, A FESTIVAL OF BLACK ACHIEVEMENT and SPEAKING OF FREEDOM...! Bill has been a professional educator for 25 years and holds an M.A. from Alverno College in Professional Educational Leadership. He is currently directing A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Menomonee Falls High School.

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CAROLE ALT (Body Brigade 1, Tripetta’s Mother, Student, Hop Frog/Puppeteer, Fight Mistress) Carole is delighted to be making her debut with Carte Blanche Studios! She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from UW-Whitewater where she studied with Milwaukee treasure, Angela Iannone.

Favorite shows include the First Witch in MACBETH and Diwata in SPEECH AND DEBATE. She was most recently the female understudy in Affectivity Theatre Company’s TALLGRASS GOTHIC. JACQUELINE BENKA (Asst. Director/Stage Manager, Annabelle Lee) Jacqueline is thrilled to be a part of this cast of characters. She is a familiar face around Carte Blanche both on and off stage. She directed MEIN KAMPF here last summer and has stage managed countless shows. She is an accomplished playwright whose works include RIPPER produced at The Alchemist Theatre, THE WOLF, THE PRINCESS, AND THE REVOLVER and WHITE PORCELAIN both produced here at CBS. JOSH B. BRYAN (Boris, Guard, Guard 3) Josh has been bringing his background in film production to the Carte Blanche’s stage since 2008. Both as a lighting designer and more recently as an actor, Josh brings both tenacity and talent to the craft. “Oh my, it seems my disbelief has been suspended yet again!”

EMILY CRAIG (Sangrid Kilgore) Emily studied acting and vocal performance at Cardinal Stritch University.

This is her eighth show at Carte Blanche Studios including roles such as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Pickles in GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, Sally in REEFER MADNESS and Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. She has enjoyed being a part of Masque and working with its amazingly daring and talented cast and crew.

Sept. 28 - Oct. 27

Nov. 23 - Dec. 9

Jan. 18 – 27

Feb. 14 - March 3

April 12-28

May 24 – June 9

Nov. 8 -11

1024 S 5th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | 414-688-7313

www.carteblanchestudios.com

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JAMES DRAGOLOVICH (Artistic Director, Prince Prospero) James Dragolovich is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Carte Blanche Studios. He began his training at Milwaukee High School of the Arts and went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting at California Institute of the Arts. He has performed in numerous off-Broadway shows in New York City and has produced and directed over 20 productions at Carte Blanche including DRACULA, ON THE RAZZLE, NOISES OFF, CABARET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, THE PRODUCERS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, REEFER MADNESS, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. He has also appeared on the Carte Blanche stage as Don John in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Harry in NOT NOW, DARLING, and Hitler in MEIN

KAMPF. James is thrilled to be acting in THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH once again after 25 years and even more thrilled to be working with Bill Jackson, his long time acting coach and mentor.

JENNIFER GAUL (Eva, Guard 2, Ensemble) Jennifer Gaul is happy to be a part of such a dynamic and talented cast.

Some of her favorite roles include Hamlet the Fool in MY MIND’S EYE and Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Jennifer most recently appeared in the chorus of the critically acclaimed production of MEDEA with the Fools For Tragedy Theatre at the Villa Terrace. She thanks her family, friends, and Adam for their unending love and support.

DAVID KAYE (Dr. Alan Kilgore, Ensemble) David is pleased to return to the stage after a two year hiatus. He is

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For more information and rates, please contact Jimmy at (414) 688-7313 or Adam at (414) 305-9102.

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the founder and director of Bad Example Productions, where he has most recently directed 1984 and JULIET AND ROMEO at the Alchemist Theatre. He is also the keyboard player for BYE BYE LIVER: THE MILWAUKEE DRINKING PLAY. NICHOLAS KAYE (Lieutenant, Body Brigade 2, Red Death Clown) Nicholas Kaye studied theatre at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and Carroll College, where he toured a production of RHINOCEROS at the Ilkhom Theatre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in computer science at UWM. ANNIE LIPSKI (Berenice) This is Annie’s first time onstage without a movie screen in the background. She spent four years in SENSUAL DAYDREAMS, Milwaukee’s RHPS cast. She also starred as Sara O’Conner in the locally produced film, THE GLUTTONATOR. JEROME MAYWALD (Milo Rudge, The Red Death, Artisan) In 2008, Jerome joined CBS after thirty plus years as a pro wrestler. He has appeared in HOUSE OF DRACULA, MRS. CRATCHIT’S WILD HOLIDAY BINGE, TITUS ANDRONICUS, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. During the 2012 Winter NEW ONE ACT PLAYS, Jerome further honed his talent with appearances in A DAY IN THE LIFE and BAR CAR REVERIE, adding a directorial debut with PACKAGE DEAL. CAITLYNN MCKARA (Eva/Guard 2 Understudy, Prospero’s Chef, Young Mother, Ensemble) Caitlynn was another CBC actor who was a student of Bill Jackson at The Milwaukee High School of the Arts, majored in theater, and was a townsperson/partygoer in the original production of THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. She is very excited to be back to acting after far too long away and especially to be part of this exceptional cast.

ZACH MCLAIN (Elder Artisan, Metzengerstein, Blacksmith, Archbishop) Zach studied performance at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. He has performed in productions such as MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Bottom), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Mr. Mushnik), ALMOST MAINE (Jimmy/ Dave), URINETOWN (Officer Lockstock), FUNNY THING...FORUM (Miles), ANGELS IN AMERICA (Roy Cohn). Zach works as a film and Theatre set builder/designer as well as a voice over artist for various studios.

Zach is currently popping up in roles for various independent films including THE CUCARANCHULA by Kate Balsley.

Zach will be directing/producing his first feature film WHAT WE BECOME in 2014.

ADAM MEITZ (Fool) Adam is a new face in the Milwaukee theatre scene, but he hopes to be a more frequent one. Having played Lucius in Carte Blanche’s production of TITUS ANDRONICUS, Adam was called back this year to audition for THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. SAMANTHA PAIGE (Mortdala) Samantha’s credits include Sally Bowles in CABARET at Carte Blanche Studios, Stella Kowalski in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, and Nikki Pignatelli in SWEET CHARITY at Sunset Playhouse where she also played Lola in DAMN YANKEES with Bill Jackson as Applegate. This winter she’ll be playing Wanda in In Tandem Theater’s A CUDAHY CAROLER CHRISTMAS. This past summer she directed TALLGRASS GOTHIC for Affectivity Theater Company.

An MHSA Dance Department graduate, she has choreographed such shows as THE PRODUCERS and REEFER MADNESS for Carte Blanche Studios and HAIRSPRAY! for Greendale Community Theater.

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AUDWIN SHORT (Guard 1, Ensemble) Audwin Short grew up in Chicago where he studied Acting, Improvisation and Screenwriting at Columbia College. He has done Extra work in a number of commercials, television shows, and films in both Chicago and Milwaukee. His most physical role was playing a SWAT Officer in BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. His interests include Photography, Voiceovers, and Writing.

ALEX VAN ABEL (Lalo, Norval, Edgar) This is Alex’s fourth show at Carte Blanche.

Previous productions include THE ZOO STORY and two NEW PLAYS FESTIVALS. He has also appeared in THREE SISTERS, AS YOU LIKE IT, and BY THE BOG OF CATS at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he is studying theatre and mathematics.

Alex would like to thank his friends, family, director and cast for all the support, love, and good times.

O U R T H A N K S TO Milwaukee High School of the Arts for lights and weapons.

Our newly founded Board of Directors for professional innovation and support Milwaukee Footlights for personal attention and care to our programs Our Production Team for prompt and professional response and creativity in set, lights, props, and wardrobe The Walker’s Point Community for continued support and friendship

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