The Ants Program

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

We are proud to present the world premiere production The Ants to close our 2022/2023 Season, developed by Geffen alum Ramiz Monsef in our own Writers’ Room. Geffen Playhouse’s ongoing commitment to foster new, innovative works is an essential component of our overall mission, and we are grateful you are here on the journey with us.

As this season nears its close, I invite you to explore our exciting new lineup of plays for next season. The Geffen Playhouse 2023/2024 Season is filled with inspired storytelling at its best, and we look forward to bringing new voices to our LA stages, artists we are sure you will love for years to come. We hope you will join us in experiencing these plays that run the gamut from comedy to tragedy and give us new takes on stories we thought we knew.

I would also like to offer a special thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Backstage at the Geffen, honoring Debbie Allen and Greg Berlanti. This annual benefit raises funds to support our ongoing commitments to educational outreach, artistic excellence, and new play development—making the performance you are about to experience possible.

Welcome home, and thank you for supporting live, local theater here at the Geffen.

Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director

ART LIVES HERE

Geffen Playhouse celebrates the diversity in our audiences and our productions, and it is our mission to create, foster, and nourish an environment that is open and welcoming for all. We are a home for the arts, and we believe our physical space should also reflect and be representative of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do and the communities we support.

Next season, we welcome Terrell Tilford (Band of Vices) as Creative Director of Art Lives Here. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/artliveshere.

FEATURED WORK #8

The Storyteller

ARTIST

Zachary Bones

ON DISPLAY

June 6 – July 30, 2023

Theatre is in my blood. By the time I was 5 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a performer. I was a child of adoption and it wasn’t until

I was 17 and already well on my way to theatre school that I discovered that not only were both of my biological parents actors, but that they had actually met while performing. Thinking about my own origins often makes me think about the origins of theatre itself... not the Greeks, but the earliest theatre. The cave paintings of theatre. My painting seeks to imagine the FIRST theatre and pay tribute to these early actors. In a time when human life was little more than survival, these storytellers gave meaning to our lives, and a name for our fears. Theatre is innately and uniquely human—it is our birth right passed down from these first storytellers.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Zachary Bones is an LA based visual artist, performer, activist, and arts educator who believes that art and storytelling have the power to grow our

capacity for understanding and empathy in the world. Zach is passionate about social justice and holds the conviction that the creation of art is vital to the progress of anti-racist work, the social evolution of our country, and even the survival of our species. Zach has worked on a variety of artistic projects over the years including: working as a storyboard artist for film and television, live speed painter, and a comissioned portrait and memorial artist. Zach has worked as a muralist, designer, scenic painter, and master carpenter with: Theatre of Note, Finite Films, Illyrian Players, Escape Room LA, Encore Entertainers, and more. You can learn more and see some of Zach’s work on his website at www.zachbart.com, or follow him on Instagram

@art_on_my_sleeve.

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AMY LEVINSON

Welcome to our final play of the 2022/2023 Season, The Ants. We are thrilled to premiere this new play by Geffen alumnus Ramiz Monsef. After powerhouse performances in Guards at the Taj and Mysterious Circumstances, Ramiz joined the 2019/2020 Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room, where he developed this piece. Part horror story, part social satire, the play takes us on an unexpected and unsettling ride. Ramiz’s voice as a writer is as complex and layered as his performances as an actor; if you have been lucky enough to see him onstage here, you already know his capacity to transport an audience to an alternative time and place.

At the helm of this world premiere production is director Pirronne Yousefzadeh, who has expertly assembled a stellar cast and team of designers to execute this technically and emotionally ambitious play. Together, the team has transformed this intimate space into a domestic fortress that strives to keep its inhabitants safe from the rest of the world. Pirronne’s production keeps us on the edge of our seats as The Ants explores the haves vs. the have nots.

As we wind down on the 2022/2023 Season, I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the patrons, for continuing to invest in and engage with us. We continue to be inspired by your reactions to the work we are presenting, by your willingness to join us in conversation, and by your enthusiasm for new plays. Our work is made possible only by your participation. We look forward to beginning a new season in your company with Every Brilliant Thing in the fall.

Enjoy the show!

Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director

Adi Greenberg CHAIR

Dr. Gene D. Block

Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director

Mary Ann Cloyd Vice Chair

Merle Dandridge

Dr. Brad Edgerton

Bonnie E. Eskenazi

Mark Fleischer

Susan Nahley Fleishman

Brenda Garcia

Patricia L. Glaser

Eric Heer

Carla Malden

Brian Mann

Tiffany Mayberry

Mary Osako

Danny Passman

Holly Rice

Linda Bernstein Rubin

Matt Shakman

Richard Sherman

Cynthia P. Stafford

Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus

JaHan Wang

Marc Weinstock

FOUNDING

TRUSTEES

Harold A. Brown

Kirsten Combs

Robert A. Daly

David Geffen

Herbert M. Gelfand Chair Emeritus

Quincy Jones

Jeffrey Katzenberg

Glorya Kaufman

Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus

Ron Meyer

Jerry Moss

Bruce M. Ramer

Founding Chair

Victoria Mann Simms

Andy Spahn

Steven Spielberg

Steve Tisch

Dr. Charles E. Young Chair Emeritus

IN MEMORIAM

Gilbert Cates Founder

Marcia Israel-Curley

Audrey Skirball Kenis

Charles Kenis

Karl Malden

Ginny Mancini

Jerry Perenchio

Edie Wasserman

Lew Wasserman

LEGAL COUNSEL

Nikki Kerman Venable LLP

ADVISORY BOARD

John Sonego Chair

Stephanie Carson

Lori Collins

Ellyce R. Cooper

Debra Davis

Giovanna Desselle

Ann Gianopulos

Priscila Giraldo

Laura Kennedy

John McCrite

Audrey Povar

Eric Rollins

Scott Sandler

Cela Devine Sutton

Uma Swami

Miranda Tollman

Rebecca Vail

Laurie Ziegler

PHOTO BY ISAAK BERLINER

THE ANTS

WRITTEN BY RAMIZ MONSEF

DIRECTED BY PIRRONNE YOUSEFZADEH

SCENIC DESIGNER CAROLYN MRAZ

LIGHTING DESIGNER PABLO SANTIAGO

PROJECTION DESIGNER HANA S. KIM

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

SUSANNA JARAMILLO

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER DARLENE MIYAKAWA

COSTUME DESIGNER DOMINIQUE FAWN HILL

ORIGINAL MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY JOHN NOBORI

MAGIC CONSULTANT DOMINIK KRZANOWSKI

FIGHT DIRECTOR JULIE OUELLETTE

DRAMATURG OLIVIA O’CONNOR

CASTING DIRECTOR PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA

OPENING NIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023

This play was created during the Geffen Playhouse’s The Writers’ Room program, in which Los Angeles playwrights develop new works with the support and guidance of the Geffen Playhouse artistic team

Major support for this world premiere production provided by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund

THE ANTS

CAST OF CHARACTERS

(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

The Brain HUGO ARMSTRONG †

Nami NICKY BOULOS

Meredith MEGAN HILL

The Pizza Guy JEREMY RADIN

Shahid RYAN SHRIME

†Fight Captain

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

SETTING/TIME

The City. Soon.

RUNNING TIME

2 hours and 20 minutes Including one intermission.

PLEASE NOTE

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!

OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS

THE ROLE OF NUNZIO’S PIZZA IS PLAYED BY FRESH BROTHERS PIZZA

HUGO ARMSTRONG (he/him)

The Brain

Hugo Armstrong was most recently seen in Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 at the Mark Taper Forum, Uncle Vanya at Pasadena Playhouse, and Power of Sail here at the Geffen Playhouse. TV includes recurring roles on Bosch: Legacy and NCIS as well as stints on True Lies, The Blacklist, Room 104, and Fear the Walking Dead. Movies include Lucky, Coherence, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and Daniel Martinico’s OK, Good and Excursions. Recent VO includes podcast series DUST, Agent Stoker, and Blood Weed on Audible Originals, as well as voices for Cinema Toast and the MCU. He’s recurring on the Oldhead Two Hour Radio Hour on Blast Radio, and is a CalArts grad.

and Stonestreet Studios. Nicky’s TV credits include New Amsterdam, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and God Friended Me, acting opposite Navid Negahban, who later enlisted Nicky in a reading of the powerful play Asher’s Command. During the pandemic Nicky wrote an Arab superhero origin screenplay and is now working on the comic book so he can see more people like him represented on the big screen! Nicky co-founded Arcana Den, a creative, mindful studio in DTLA that offers breathwork workshops, figure drawing, tarot reading workshops, and sound bath meditations. Check out @arcana.den on Instagram for more details. Nicky is excited to be a part of this production and make his Geffen debut!

@nickyboulos

www.nicky-boulos.com

Nelson Greenberg’s Do You Feel Anger?; Robert Askins’ Hand to God; Lonesome Winter (co-written with Joshua Conkel). In 2019, Megan was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of David Lee Roth in Eddie and Dave and was named one of the Best Comedic Performances of the Year by the New York Times. Her play The Last Class: A Jazzercize Play has had acclaimed runs in New York, DC, and Seattle. B.F.A. in Acting & Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts. M.F.A. in Acting from ART/ MXAT IATT at Harvard. For more info: www.meganhill.net or follow on Instagram: @meganhillwhat.

NICKY BOULOS

Nami

Nicky Boulos is thrilled to be appearing in the world premiere of The Ants. Nicky earned his B.F.A. at NYU Tisch, and has continued his studies at Stella Adler Studio of Acting

MEGAN

Meredith

HILL (she/her)

Megan is delighted to be making her Geffen Playhouse debut and to be in collaboration again with Ramiz and Pirronne. Megan is a Brooklyn-based actor and writer. As an actor, she has originated roles in the world premieres of: Leah Nanako Winkler’s The Brightest Thing in the World and Kentucky; Crystal Skillman’s Open and Cut; Amy Staats’s Eddie and Dave; Mara

Jeremy Radin is an actor and writer and is absolutely thrilled to be making his professional LA theater debut at the Geffen Playhouse! He’s appeared in films such as The Way Back (directed by Gavin O’Connor) and The New World (directed by Terrence Malick), and TV shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Criminal Minds, and CSI. He’s an original member of the LA-based theater company The Public Assembly and Krymov Lab NYC. He studied and taught at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. His poetry has been

JEREMY RADIN The Pizza Guy

published widely in magazines and journals and he’s the author of two full-length collections: Slow Dance with Sasquatch (Write Bloody, 2017) and Dear Sal (Not A Cult, 2022). He owns and operates Lanternist Creative Consulting, through which he coaches writers and performers. This one’s for mom, who knew I was an actor before I did. Instagram: @germyradin

RAMIZ MONSEF (he/him)

Playwright

RYAN SHRIME (he/him)

Shahid

Ryan is thrilled to be back on stage making his Geffen debut in The Ants! An actor, singer, writer, producer, and voice performer, his favorite credits include Hulu’s Pam & Tommy and Grimcutty, Netflix’s On My Block, Nickelodeon’s Sam & Cat, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, as well as The Engine of Our Ruin at The Victory Theatre, and his recent voice role in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

II. Ryan trained at the William Esper Studio in NYC, the Berg Studios in LA, is currently studying at The Last Acting Studio in LA, and he holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University.

Socials: @ryanshrime

Ramiz is an alumnus of The Writers’ Room at Geffen Playhouse, where The Ants was developed. It also was developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference in 2021. Ramiz is co-author of the musical The Unfortunates produced at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and A.C.T. in San Francisco. He wrote that show’s accompanying graphic novel as well. He also co-wrote The Many Deaths of Nathan Stubblefield, which premiered in the 2017 Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. His play 3 Farids was part of The Bushwick Starr reading series and selected to be in the New Works Festival at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the DNA New Work Series at La Jolla Playhouse, and at Playwrights Horizons. Ramiz is an actor and has appeared in major theatres across the country, most recently playing the title role in Rajiv Joseph’s Letters of Suresh off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater, numerous television series including NCIS, S.W.A.T., SEAL Team, Kidding, Shameless, Modern Family, and Young Sheldon. He is also in the film Synchronic. Ramiz would like to thank Rachel Wiegardt-Egel, as well as Bob Egan at Ojai, for their championing of this piece. Ramiz is a former member of

the Evolving Playwrights Group at Circle X Theatre Co., and a current member of the L.A. Writers’ Workshop at Center Theatre Group, here in Los Angeles.

Pirronne Yousefzadeh is a director, writer, and educator, and serves as the Interim Associate Artistic Director at Playwrights’ Center. Prior to this appointment, she served as Geva Theatre Center’s Associate Artistic Director and Director of Engagement, where her directing credits include Vietgone by Qui Nguyen, Queen by Madhuri Shekar, The Royale by Marco Ramirez, Heartland by Gabriel Jason Dean, and The Lake Effect by Rajiv Joseph. She has a passion for new work that centers and uplifts the stories of global majority communities and has developed and directed work at Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, Soho Rep, Ars Nova, The Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cleveland Play House, and many more. Pirronne is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges Affiliated Artist, and member of EST, No More 10 Out

PIRRONNE YOUSEFZADEH (she/her) Director

of 12s, and Wingspace. She is an alumna of the 2050 Fellowship at NYTW, Sagal Fellowship at Williamstown, SDC Denham Fellowship, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Soho Rep Writer/ Director Lab, New Georges Jam, and Drama League Directors Project. Pirronne was a finalist for the 2020 Zelda Fichandler Award from SDC and is a proud member of the union. M.F.A., Columbia University. Representation: Ben Izzo at A3 Artists Agency. www.pirronne.com

CAROLYN MRAZ (she/they)

Carolyn has collaborated on over 70 world premiere new works such as off-Broadway musicals, regional theater productions, immersive events, performance art, and international tours, including some favorite design challenges: a magic show, a spaceship, a sexy lounge on a decommissioned ferry, a rock musical staged in a church sanctuary, and a collapsible performance tent. For their experimental work in NYC, Carolyn has earned five Hewes Design Award nominations. Carolyn is a longtime associated artist of Target Margin Theater and Clubbed Thumb in NYC, and A Host of People in Detroit. Carolyn recently moved to LA and teaches at California State University, Fullerton. Proud union member USA 829. Please visit www.cmraz.com for a visual peek.

DOMINIQUE FAWN HILL

Costume Designer

Broadway: Fat Ham. Off-Broadway: Tambo & Bones (Playwrights Horizons and Center Theatre Group); Where the

Mountain Meets the Sea (Manhattan Theatre Club); The Dark Girl Chronicles: CHRONICLE X (The Shed); 125th & FREEdom (National Black Theatre); Fat Ham (The Public Theater and National Black Theatre). Regional: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rent (Portland Center Stage). Awards and Nominations: Obie Award, the USITT/USA Prague Quadrennial Best Costume Design Award, Lucille Lortell Award nomination, and Tony Award nomination. M.F.A., University of California, San Diego. Website: www.dominiquefhill.com

PABLO SANTIAGO (he/him)

Lighting Designer

Pablo is a live performance and digital film lighting designer. Winner of the Richard E. Sherwood Award, Stage Raw Award, and multiple Ovation Award nominations. Pablo’s designs aim to find evocative images that embody the emotional moment of the show. Images that can spark the imagination of the audience to worlds beyond the stage. Pablo has worked at Geffen Playhouse, Santa Fe Opera, LA Opera, Opera Omaha, Boston Lyric Opera, Detroit Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Long Beach Opera, Prototype Festival, The Industry, Opera Columbus, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, Opera Santa Barbara, The Kennedy Center, Teatro Municipal São Paulo Brazil, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, BAM Harvey Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Denver Center

for the Performing Arts, Los Angeles Theatre Center, South Coast Repertory, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Broad, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Ensemble Theater Company Santa Barbara, Hollywood Bowl. Visit pablosantiagodesign.com and follow him on Instagram @pablosdesign.

JOHN NOBORI

Original Music & Sound Designer

John Nobori is a California-based sound designer, composer, and ensemble member of Cornerstone Theater Company. His work has been heard in plays produced by such organizations as Pasadena Playhouse and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Other recent credits include Center Theatre Group’s production of Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue and South Coast Repertory’s production of Our Town. He has been nominated for several awards for excellence in sound design and is the recipient of an Ovation Award for his work on The Golden Dragon at Boston Court Pasadena. B.A. University of California, Irvine.

HANA S. KIM (she/her) Projection Designer

Broadway: The Old Man & The Pool (Lincoln Center Theater), Summer, 1976 (Manhattan Theatre Club). Off-Broadway/ New York: The Harder They Come (The Public Theater), The Visitor (The Public Theater, Lucille Lortel nomination), Eve’s Song (The Public Theater), Everything Rises (BAM), Magdalene (Prototype Festival). New music/opera: Sweet Land (The Industry), The Anonymous Lover (LA Opera). Regional: Geffen

Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Magic Theatre, A.C.T., among others. Awards: Princess Grace Award, Dorothy and Richard E. Sherwood Award, Helen Hayes Award, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Distinguished Achievement Award, among others. www.hananow.com

DOMINIK KRZANOWSKI

Magic Consultant

Dominik Krzanowski discovered magic at age 5 while watching Paul Daniels on British TV. His passion grew in Northern California, inspired by David Copperfield. Moving to Los Angeles, he became a Junior Member at the Magic Castle at 17. Dominik immersed himself in the magic library, performing in the Magic Castle each summer. Soon, he began designing illusions for himself and other magicians, showcasing his creations worldwide on cruise ships, TV, movies, and in Las Vegas. Credits include Guards at the Taj, Dracula the Musical, Dynamo: Magician Impossible, The Carbonaro Effect, Masters of Illusion Live!, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and Carnival Cruise Lines. For 12 years, Dominik served as stage manager at the Magic Castle, and now directs and stages Milt Larsen and Terry Hill’s It’s Magic! show. Outside of magic, he trains horses and develops his own show at www.sebastiankraine.com.

SUSANA

JARAMILLO (she/her)

Assistant Director

Susanna Jaramillo is a Queensbased director who believes in radical inclusion and aims to create work that subverts our

expectations of identity, uplifts voices that are historically excluded from the theatrical canon, and interrogates the societal structures that limit us. Recent credits include: Jesus 2.0 (The Workshop Theater), Fucking A (PPAS), Best Life (JACK), Daddy (John Jay College). Assisting credits include: Wolf Play (MCC Theater), Dom Juan (Bard SummerScape), Wine in the Wilderness and Bite Me (Roundabout Theatre Company), African Caribbean MixFest (Atlantic Theater Company). Select academic theatre direction includes: Yellow Face (Front Row Theatre Company), Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (iNtuitons Experimental Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Quadramics Theatre Company), Susanna is a member of Cohort 4 of the Roundabout Directors Group and the inaugural Drama League Stage Directing Assistantship Program and would like to thank the Drama League for this opportunity!

www.susannajaramillo.com

JULIE OUELLETTE (they/she)

Fight Director

Julie Ouellette is a Queer feminist actor and fight director committed to building safer spaces for marginalized artists by fighting for authentic representation, radical accessibility, and systemic racial equity in the entertainment industry (and beyond). Recent: A Transparent Musical (Center Theatre Group), The Inheritance (Geffen Playhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (Pasadena Playhouse). Upcoming: Julie will return to the stage this summer, appearing as the Major General in a wildly re-

bellious production of The Pirates of Penzance (Ophelia’s Jump).

www.hellojulieo.com

OLIVIA O’CONNOR (she/her) Dramaturg

Olivia O’Connor joined the Geffen as Literary Manager & Dramaturg in July 2022. Her previous creative development experience includes staff positions at Pittsburgh CLO (Manager of New Work Development) and Roundabout Theatre Company (Artistic Associate), as well as dramaturgy and selection committee work with City Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Bricolage Production Company, Third Space Theatre, The Flea Theater, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and the 5th Avenue Theatre. Outside of her institutional work, Olivia has experience as a script consultant, copywriter, and playwright. www.oliviaannoconnor.com

DARLENE MIYAKAWA (she/her) Production Stage Manager

Darlene Miyakawa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and the American Guild of Musical Artists and has worked around the U.S. including at: South Coast Repertory, Geva Theatre Center, L.A. Dance Project, Barrington Stage Company, Long Beach Opera, The Watermill Center Festival, Playwrights’ Arena, Piedmont Opera, Opera San Jose, California Symphony, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Memphis, Tri-Cities Opera, New York City Opera, OPERA San Antonio, Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, East West Players, Getty Villa, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.

PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA (she/her)

Casting Director

Phyllis is an Artistic Associate and the Casting Director for Geffen Playhouse. Recent casting includes The Inheritance: Part 1 & Part 2 and TRAYF. She has received 8 Artios nominations: Power of Sail, Man of God, Witch, Significant Other, Actually, Barbecue, Barcelona, and The Country House. Before joining the Geffen, she was the Casting Director for Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar Street Theater in Chicago). Broadway transfers include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony Award for Best Revival), The Song of Jacob Zulu, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. She is a member of the Casting Society of America.

GIL CATES, JR.

Executive Director

Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible

for managing the Geffen’s dayto-day operations; developing new, ongoing theater partnerships and leading its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber. Prior to being named Executive Director in 2015, Cates served as Geffen Playhouse Board Vice Chairman since 2012 and served as a producer and director in theater, film and television. His theater credits include the award-winning Names (Matrix Theatre Company) and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Cates’ film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret). In addition, Cates co-produced and co-directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which premiered on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning) and The Mesmerist (starring Jessica Capshaw and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Cates’ television directorial debut was an episode of the NBC comedy Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc. He is currently directing a documentary short chronicling the journey of one of the first

refugee families to flee Ukraine and arrive in the U.S. after escaping the Russian invasion, set for release in 2023. He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.

During her tenure at the Geffen, Amy has spearheaded numerous programs for commissioning and developing new plays and has shepherded more than 150 plays into production. Dramaturgy credits include the commissions and world premieres of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still and Coney Island Christmas, Jane Anderson’s The Quality of Life and The Escort, Amanda Peet’s Our Very Own Carlin McCullough, and Michael Mitnick’s Mysterious Circumstances. Other dramaturgy credits include Actually, Invisible Tango, Extraordinary Chambers, Build, Equivocation, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress, Guards at the Taj, and Geffen Stayhouse virtual shows including Helder Guimarães’ The Present and The Future, and David Kwong’s Inside the Box. She holds an M.F.A. in Dramaturgy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

AMY LEVINSON (she/her) Associate Artistic Director

BEHNAZ ATAEE

Chief Financial Officer

Behnaz “Nazy” Ataee is Chief Financial Officer of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, she has oversight responsibility

for accounting functions of the theater, including operating and capital budgets. In addition, she supports all IT and HR activities. Behnaz was named Chief Financial Officer in 2015 after serving as General Manager since 2002. She first joined Geffen Playhouse in 1999. Previously, Ataee worked as a senior financial analyst for Ultratech Inc., an international semiconductor company based in San Jose. Prior to Ultratech, she was an auditor for Van Sloten

CPA, after holding the position of Director of Accounting at FABS Management, where she was responsible for overseeing the finances of more than 25 non-profit organizations. As a financial professional with more than 30 years’ experience in for-profit and non-profit financial management and auditing, Ataee began her career in the Bay Area as a partner in a small tech startup. She holds a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.Mint aut

THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft, and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.

The Geffen Playhouse’s New Play Development Program is made possible, in large part, through the leadership and generosity of donations from: The Edgerton Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Fay & Frank Mancuso, Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald, Hilary & Jack Angelo and Mary Bianco, The MOCA Foundation.

We are proud to have the following artists under commission:

LUIS ALFARO

JONATHAN CAREN

COLMAN DOMINGO

MICHAEL GOLAMCO

MEGHAN KENNEDY

MATTHEW LÓPEZ

MARTYNA MAJOK

QUI NGUYEN

STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR

JIEHAE PARK

JOHN POLLONO

ROBERT SCHENKKAN

JEN SILVERMAN

DAVID WIENER

CRAIG WRIGHT

LAUREN YEE

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.

THE WRITERS’ ROOM

A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city. During this one-year residency, playwright members gather monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.

For more information on the 2023/2024 cycle of The Writers’ Room, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.

The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and Jerry and Terri Kohl.

GEFFEN AT A GLANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PRODUCTION STAFF FOR THE ANTS

Assistant Scenic Designer

Destiny Manewal

Assistant Costume Designer

Jennifer Deck

Assistant Lighting Designer

Edgar Alamo

Assistant Sound Designer

Caitlin Leong

Assistant Projection Designer

Jesus Hurtado

Assistant Fight Director

Collin Bressie

Production Assistant

Danielle Jaramillo

UCLA Directing Observorship Intern

Adrian Clark

Deck Crew

Chris Cowan, James Stanley

Automation Operator

Enrique Garcia

Carpenter Crew Lead

Philip Rossi

Wardrobe Supervisor

Kassidy Kleinsmith

Lighting Programmer

Nicole Jaja

Light Board Operator

Jesus Cambero Elias

Light Board Operator Swing

Erica Ammerman

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Scenery Built & Painted By

Centerline Scenery

Lighting Equipment Provided By

Kinetic Lighting

Sound Equipment Provided By

Jon Sound Inc., DnB Design, Launch

Projection Equipment Provided By

PXT Studio

SPECIAL THANKS

Sound Board Operator

Michael Svolos

Projections Programmer

Erin Teachman

Properties Artisans & Carpenters

Christopher R. Baab, Sigourney Chin, Danny Dolan Carpenters

Austin Bosley, Oliver Brink, James Chew, Chris Cowan, David Foubert, Ryan Fischer, Enrique Garcia, Rob Hille, Shadow LaValley, Claudia Peterson, Lila Schmitz, Syd Shoell, James Stanley, Eiden Weissblum

Scenic Painter

Vanessa Lara Dresser

Meghan Gottschalk

Stitchers

Meghan Gottschalk, Kassidy Kleinsmith Stitcher/Wardrobe Swing

Stephanie Castro

Electricians

Shannon Barondeau, Ezra Fisher, Emily Moore, Ezra Muthiah, Keannak Parvaz, Sydney Smith, Christiana Saldibar, James Tatsch

CONTACT

Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90024

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

310.208.6500

Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm

AUDIENCE SERVICES

310.208.2028

Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.

BOX OFFICE WINDOW

Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain.

Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges or future sales one hour prior to curtain time on performance days.

ACCESSIBILTY

Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/access or call Audience Services.

Production Photographer

Aaron Epstein

Media Filming

Ramon Garcia

Design + Art Direction

Base Design Photography

Justin Bettman

UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume Shops; Rafi Barsoumian, Owais Ahmed, Behzad Dabu, Wade McCollum; Ali Ahn, Lucy DeVito; Souad Shrime, George Shrime

LATE SEATING

Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage. Some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating. To minimize disturbances to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. Susana Jaramillo’s participation as Assistant Director on this production was made possible by the Stage Directing Assistantship Program of The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Artistic Director; Bevin Ross, Executive Director).

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.

UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION

Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production.

Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

THE CATHARSIS OF HORROR

AN INTERVIEW WITH PLAYWRIGHT RAMIZ MONSEF

BY OLIVIA O’CONNOR, DRAMATURG FOR THE ANTS

OLIVIA O’CONNOR: You grew up in the Bay Area. How does your experience in that city— and your experience watching the city change over the past decades—show up in The Ants?

RAMIZ MONSEF: I have a really complicated relationship with the Bay. I love it so much and also really don’t love what it’s become.

As a kid, San Francisco always felt liberating. It’s not a place that feels like that anymore, and that breaks my heart. It’s prohibitively expensive to exist there unless you’re a millionaire. I really see how life has left that city. And it’s because we put our faith in the almighty dollar rather than putting our faith in what built that city in the first place, which is the people.

I started writing The Ants when I was doing a show at ACT [American Conservatory Theater]. We were at The Strand on Market Street, and I was staying right around the corner, in the heart of the Tenderloin. Being there and seeing the huge disparity of wealth was shocking. It was shocking to step over bodies to walk

into the Twitter building. It seemed ridiculous to me that there was all this money and we couldn’t help people.

OO: How long have you lived in LA?

RM: I’ve lived here about eight years, but I’ve been in a different financial situation here. As an adult, I lived in the Bay between [the ages of] 18 and 24, during and after my time at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. During those years, I was dirt poor. I was selling CDs to eat. I was selling weed. I was piecing together whatever money I could to pay my rent and have food.

I haven’t had that same experience during my years in LA, but I still see economic disparity across the city. That is the reason why I don’t specify a city in this play. I don’t want anyone to be like, oh, that takes place in Chicago. That’s not here. Or that takes place in LA; that’s not here. It’s everywhere. It’s in different forms, but this is a problem everywhere. And it’s a problem to do with capitalism.

PHOTO BY BING PUTNEY

Playwright Ramiz Monsef

OO: Our audiences are going to experience [that disparity] coming to the Geffen to watch this play: just walking from the parking garage to the theater.

RM: Yeah. It’s so easy for people to distance themselves from it or throw out [explanations] like mental health. But I’ve known homeless people; I’ve been friends with homeless people by name. And being that poor would make you crazy too, you know? I wish we were all a little bit better at recognizing the difference between somebody who is dangerous and a threat and somebody who is just trying to check with the world if they exist anymore.

OO: The Ants is a horror play. Talk to me about your history with that genre.

RM: I love horror. I love to be scared. It’s a kind of catharsis to be scared, as it is to laugh.

Horror is having a bit of a moment. I think it’s because we are all dealing with some very pent up and complex emotions about the last few years. The last six, seven years have been horrific for a lot of people. We’re looking for some way to get that out of us.

When I was a kid, I was terrified of the “Thriller” video. And then I found a VHS of the making of “Thriller” where it’s Rick Baker putting on the zombie makeup and zombies having a great time off camera. All of a sudden, it wasn’t scary anymore. It was just fascinating. And then my obsession with monsters and creatures began.

OO: You’ve cited Night of the Living Dead, which makes a cameo in this play, as a source of inspiration. What about that movie spoke to you?

RM: It was one of the early [horror movies] that hooked me. Those three actually: Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead are brilliant, because they are a perfect example of horror as metaphor.

Night of the Living Dead came out in ’68. Our country was going through some things in 1968. [The movie is] very much to do with race. Dawn of the Dead is about consumerism. Day of the Dead is about the military-industrial complex. They are three movies that are a perfect example of horror as social commentary and how this really is an elevated art form that masquerades as lowbrow entertainment.

OO: How has your experience as an actor influenced your approach to writing?

RM: Working in this business is a little like

working in a restaurant. I would hope that whoever the artistic director is, whoever’s managing the restaurant, at one point also washed dishes and mopped the floors. So that they know how every little piece in that machine works.

The only pieces I have are being an actor. But luckily, as a writer, most of what I’m doing is giving a thing to an actor. So I do feel like I have a leg up in terms of knowing what I as an actor would want from a writer. I also feel very lucky that I have worked with some really great playwrights. I’ve gotten to watch them and their process.

I always say that a good play is an emotional map that you give to an actor. All they should need to do is follow the instructions. I want to give actors all of the clues and all of the directions that they need to get to where they need to go.

OO: You and [director] Pirronne Yousefzadeh have worked together before. How did you start collaborating?

RM: We met a long time ago at UCSB, and then we reconnected when she did the apprentice show at Actors Theatre of Louisville years ago. Pirronne’s show was exquisitely directed. At the time, I didn’t realize that we had met before. I just was like, I want to know you because I want to know other dope artists. And then she reminded my forgetful ass that we actually had met a number of years ago.

So we reconnected in Louisville and then I wrote 3 Farids. And immediately I was like, do you want to direct a reading of this? It was one of those collaborations that was like, yes, of course. She gets what I’m trying to say, and there’s a very natural balance: we listen to each other; we respect each other. I feel like we’re both in it for the same reason, and that’s to make good art in a world that’s really hard to make good art in.

OO: The Ants came out of The Writers’ Room and was then developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. Coming into this process, the first full production, what are you hoping to learn or discover about the play?

RM: I guess we’ll learn if it works or not. I really want to make people uncomfortable. My favorite movies to experience are ones where I walk out and I feel different. That’s what I’m hoping for. I hope it doesn’t just feel like another fun night at the theater. I hope it really is hard for people to shake.

To read the full interview with Ramiz, visit geffenplayhouse.org/blog.

I’ve been working tirelessly to raise awareness about diabetes and its contributions to kidney disease, heart disease and more. It’s plagued my family for generations.

I am thrilled that UCLA Health is partnering with the Geffen because there is nothing like the arts to help address situations that need our attention, like health and wellness. The performing arts, like dance and theater, are transformative. I applaud UCLA Health and the Geffen Playhouse for coming together to help people.

—DEBBIE ALLEN

actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, and Geffen Playhouse alum

Award-winning

ANNUAL DONORS

Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund and Backstage at the Geffen. Donors are listed at the Partner’s Circle level and higher for gifts made between March 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023.

† Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors

^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees

§ Geffen Playhouse Advisory Board

In appreciation, Annual Fund donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more.

For more information, please call Tracy Reich at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.

PREMIERE CIRCLE

$100,000+

Anonymous (2)

Jana & Trevor Bezdek

California Arts Council

City National Bank

Edgerton Foundation

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William Randolph Hearst Foundation

Martha Henderson

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Elizabeth & David Kerman

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Shubert Foundation

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UCLA

UCLA Health

INNOVATOR CIRCLE

$50,000 – $99,999

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ARTISTIC CIRCLE

$25,000 – $49,999

Anonymous

Marcy Carsey

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The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Patty Glaser† & Sam Mudie

Marcy Gross

Capital Group Companies

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Carla Malden† & Norman Beil

Paramount Pictures

Judith & Bruce Stern

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE

$10,000 – $24,999

Anonymous (2)

Eva Aaronson

In Memory of Bucky Hazan

The Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Family Foundation

Pat & Sandy Adams

Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis

Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block†

Kevin & Claudia Bright

Eileen & Harold Brown^

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Mary Ann Cloyd†

Comcast NBCUniversal

Ellyce R. Cooper§ & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP

Creative Forces

Anne Dougherty & David Dobrikin

Louise & Dr. Brad Edgerton†

Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation

Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle

Susan Nahley Fleishman†

Larry Gagosian

Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.

Brenda Garcia†

Sue & Steve Glusker

MaryAnn & Irwin Gold

Manuela & James Goren

Alexander & Katie & Grey Grosvenor

Noble & Jacquelynn Hansen

In Memory of Morris A. Hazan

Samantha & Eric Heer†

Mellody Hobson / Ariel Investments, LLC

Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation

Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark

David & Martha Kadue

Julie & David Kavner

Laura Kennedy§

Willette & Manny Klausner

Marla & Daniel Klein

Lyn & Norman Lear

Fay & Frank Mancuso^

Brian† & Renee Mann

Tiffany Mayberry†

Carol & Bill Ouchi

Mary Osako†

Soundis & Danny Passman†

Shana & Don Passman

Madeline & Bruce Ramer^

Thomas L. Safran

Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz

Richard† & Barbara Sherman

Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Kate Capshaw Spielberg & Steven Spielberg^

Cynthia P. Stafford†

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Deborah Tavlin

Steve Tisch^

Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy

U.S. Bank Foundation

JaHan Wang†

Joanne & Ken Weinman

Aurora & Marc Weinstock†

Susan & Dan White

Ken Willner & Jim Stine

PLAYWRIGHT’S CIRCLE

$5,000 – $9,999

Anonymous

Aversa Foundation

David Bartman

Judith & Thomas Beckmen

Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck

Mara W. Breech Foundation

Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff

Glenn & Lynn Cardoso

Dan Clivner

In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert

Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel

Susan & Jonathan Dolgen

Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll

Steve Freedman & Helen Sideris

Mimi & Marvin Freedman

Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family

Bob & Diana Friedman

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Ann§ & Jim Gianopulos

David & Kiki Gindler

Waterman and Glicksteen Families

Sir Elton John & David Furnish

Mannon Kaplan

Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall

Daniel & Marla Klein

Kling Family Foundation / Allen & Jessica Kling

Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald

Wendy Kurtzman§

Sherry Lansing Foundation

Karen & Walter Loewenstern

Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero

Renee & Meyer Luskin

Stewart Mayeda

Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick

Bradley & Lisa Mindlin

In Memory of Sandra Tenenbaum

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Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath

Olympus Theatricals

Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes

Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg

Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer

Judith Reichman, M.D.

The Michael Schwab Family

In Honor of Richard Sherman

From Ken & Lori Goldman

Gussie Paster Sitkin

Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor

Gil Schwartz Foundation

Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham

Karen Zoller, M.D. & David Tillman, M.D.

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DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$3,000 – $4,999

Anonymous (2)

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VJ Boyd

Noora Raj Brown

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Marissa Caudill & David Merrill

Linda & John Coleman

Don Dorsey

In Honor of Virginia Field

Dennis & Jackie Fox

Karney Guren Family Foundation

Alan & Michelle Heilpern

Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt

Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy

Linda & David Kagel

Jerry Katell

Jane & Rand Marlis

Robin Mitchel & Kathleen Marshall

Michael R. Oppenheim

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John Shustitzky

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Peter Van Haften

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In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler

CREATOR’S CIRCLE

$1,500 – $2,999

Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Allen

Henry Alpert

Miriam Aguiar

Laura & Harvey Alpert

Jan & David Altemus

Patti Amstutz

Robert E. & Maria H. Barron

G2 Graphic Service, Inc.

Patricia & Mark Benjamin

Paula & Bruce Bennett

Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey

Wendy & John Bergquist

Westmount Asset Management

Larry & Julie Blivas

In Honor of Phyllis Blivas

Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden

Paula Brand

Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee

Diana Buckhantz and the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation

Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman

Lexy & John Carroll

Stephanie§ & Jonathan Carson

Sylvie & Peter Cartmell

Gil Cates, Jr.†

Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo

Caroline Choi

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Larry Coben

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J. Jason Daunter

Phil Davis

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Brock Dewey

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AnonyMoose Foundation

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In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce

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Priscila Giraldo§

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The Guerin Foundation

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Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson

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Jerome & Joan Snyder

John Sonego§ & Thomas Faughnan

Cela Devine Sutton§

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DESIGNER’S CIRCLE

$1,000 – $1,499

Anonymous (2)

Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter

Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum

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Don Bacigalupi

Rob Bailis

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Yvonne Bernard & Henry De Priest & Lookout Entertainment

Artie & Ellie Berrick

John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey

Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza

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Dr. Fanya Carter, Ph.D.

Jane Cates

Shelby & Lee Chaden

Martha J. Chase

Sachiko T. Cochran M.D. & Joseph T. Araki

Lori§ & Jerry Collins

Stephen & Erin Cook

Honorable Candace Cooper

Jen Crittenden & Bill Wrubel

Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff

Susan Dashe

Joanna & Jeff Davis

In Honor of Development

Lauren Shuler Donner

Ed & Barbara Dreyfus

Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler

Jeff Eckerle & Marilyn Osborn

Carl & Courtenay Enright

Lynne & Michael Feldman

Susanna Felleman

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Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly

Corrinne Mann Kempinsky & Louis Kempinsky

King Nutronics Corporation

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Charles Kristenson

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Tania Lotia

Eric James Lund

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Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers

S. McQueen & D. Whalen

Ali Meghdadi

Anne & Ronald Mellor

Cynthia Melville

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Mintz Family Fund

Thomas W. Mitchell

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Thaine & Elizabeth Morris

Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse

Robert Nelson & Marguerite Renner

Albert & Barbara Nichols

Michael Nicklin

Deborah & Stacey Olliff

Tal Oren & Liana Morgado-Oren

Ornest Family Foundation

Ralph Page

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Clark & Kathryn Porter

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Allison & Bennett Rosenthal

Oren Rosenthal

William Hoover & Jon Rupp

David A. & Karen Richards Sachs

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John Shaw

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Mr. & Mrs. David Tann

Rose Tarlow

The Tatasciore Family

Anne C. Taubman

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Franklin David Tell

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PARTNER’S CIRCLE

$500 – $999

Anonymous (3)

Allan Africk

Robert C. Anderson

Audrey & Martin Appel

Bonnie R. Arnold

The Baek Family

In Memory of Patricia Beals

Marjorie Blatt

Pamela & Bill Bohnert

Michael & Susan Bordy

Carol J. Bradshaw

Steven Briggs

Howard Brightman

Marlene Bronson

Janet & Mark Brown

Laura D. Campbell

Anthony Carbone

Sean & Martha Carey Family

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Mike Clements

Devorah Colker

Muriel Dance & Alvin Martin

Zoud Danko

Kristin Diehl

Linda Dozier

Jan & Thea Drayer

Elizabeth A. Evans

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Carol & John Fox

Catherine Froloff

Gordon Gerson

Linda & Tom Givvin

Ellen & Reginald Golla

Howard Gradet

Vera & Paul Guerin

Roberta L. Haft

In Memory of Jane Hall

Hella Hershson

Dr. Shelley Hill

Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman

In Loving Memory of Stan Hollander

Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro

Elodie Keene

William & Renee Kendall

Nancy Kenney

Sharon Kerson

Dr. & Mrs. Klausner

Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock

Patricia Klous

Delores Komar & Susan Wolford

Sharon & Joel Koppelman

Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta

Lynne Lainer

John & Sandra Langfitt

Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino

Tricia Lee & Joerg Huettner

Julie Leeds

Gina Maria Leonetti

Lawrin & Linda Lewin

Renee Lonner

Barbara Marshall

Deborah Marsten

Linda May

Douglas McAvoy, Jr.

Christina Medigovich

Mona D. & Steven J. Miller

Lee & Jeff Milman

John Moschitta, Jr.

Dr. Paula C. Moseley

Elizabeth Luster

Andrea & Patrick Murray

Bonnie Nash

Colleen O’Beirne Brydon

Sabine Oishi

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Carol F. Phillips

Ron Rafay

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Jennifer Redner

Elyse Resch

Barry Rosen & Neil Bokal

Dr. Martin & Lorraine Ross

Douglas Ross

Wil Rosser

Peter & Andrea Roth

Lisa Rowley

Arlene & Peter Sacks

Scott Sandler§

Maxine Savitz

Cliff & Linda Schaffer

Mary Lou Schanche

Jo Schiff

Mr. Bernard Schiffer

Nancy & Steven Schneider

Gary & Karen Schneider

Lester Schwartz

John H. Scott

Donna Shapiro & Angel Castillo

Peggy & Robert Shapiro

In Memory of Michael Sherman

Robert M. Shore

Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz

Karen Smits

Jill & Scott Spiwak

Audri & Stan Tendler

David & Cathy Thomas

Johnson Thurston

Rebecca Vail§

Elizabeth Wheat

Herbert Wolas

Arnold & Tricia Zane

IN-KIND SUPPORTERS

Kayla Allen / Pure Barre

Cyrus Batchan / Camphor

Ashton Easter / Playground LA

Fairmont Empress / Stephanie Jones

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The Friedman Group

The Hammer Museum at UCLA

Tom Kenny

The Lodge at Torrey Pines — Evans Hotels

Gavin D. Pak / East West Players

Pasadena Playhouse

Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique

HOSPITALITY SPONSORS

Thank you to our year-round in-kind hospitality sponsors for their incredible generosity and support of the arts:

Skylight Gardens

STK | The ONE Group

W Los Angeles — West Beverly Hills

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, the leadership wishes to acknowledge the historical contributions of these individuals to the Geffen Playhouse who have made the original vision of our founder, Gil Cates, possible:

Anonymous

Annenberg Foundation

Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block† City National Bank

Kirsten^ & Donald Combs

Maria Israel-Curley & Jim Curley

Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.

The David Geffen Foundation

Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand

Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher

Audrey & Charles Kenis

Lincy Foundation

Fay & Frank^ Mancuso

Tina & Jerry^ Moss / The Moss Foundation

Perenchio Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

The Simms/Mann Family Foundation

Skirball Foundation

University of California, Los Angeles

Wasserman Foundation

Judy & Chancellor Charles^ E. Young

Donors at the $150 level and up are recognized on our website at geffenplayhouse.org/thankyou.

If your name has been misspelled or omitted from the list in error, please contact Tracy Reich, Director of Individual Giving at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.

ARTISTIC

Amy Levinson

Associate Artistic Director

Daniel Ionazzi

Producer

Phyllis Schuringa

Artistic Associate / Casting Director

Bella Luna

Company Manager

Olivia O’Connor

Literary Manager & Dramaturg

Lexy McAvinchey

Artistic Coordinator

Colm Summers

Director in Residence

PRODUCTION

Renee Duron

Director of Production

Jill Barnes

Artistic & Production Administrator

Melissa Hartman

Interim Technical Director

Patty Squibb

Interim Technical Director

Alexandre Norkus

Automation Supervisor

Rick Gilles

Properties Master

Daniel Lynn

Associate Properties Supervisor

Audrey Lastar

Costume Supervisor

Sarah Lindsley

Costume Shop Supervisor

Spencer Doughtie

Lighting & Projection Supervisor

Jesus Cambero-Elias

Assistant Lighting Supervisor

James Grabowski

House Sound Supervisor

Bob Gilmartin

Resident A1

Chloe Shi

Production Assistant

ADMINISTRATION

Behnaz Ataee

Chief Financial Officer

Erick R. López

General Manager

Berenice Campos

Director of Human Resources

Janice Gompers

Payroll Manager & HR Admin

Youra Kim

Senior Accountant

Tara Alexander

Junior Accountant

Clay Dzygun

Office Coordinator

Marguerite Harris Receptionist

Gil Cates, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEVELOPMENT

Sarah Weinberg

Director of Development

Elizabeth Kegley

Director of Institutional Giving

Tracy Reich

Director of Individual Giving

Christine Drew Benjamin

Director of Donor Engagement

Vaneh Assadourian

Interim Donor Relations Associate

Jessica Brusilow Rollins

Grant Writing Consultant

EDUCATION

Brian Allman

Director of Education & Community Engagement

Paloma Nozicka

Education Associate

Sean Michael Boozer, DeJuan Christopher Conner, Lyssa Deehan, BJ Lange, Tara Ricasa, Kenzo Rice, Maddy Wagner

Teaching Artists

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Patrick Brown

Director of Marketing

Zenon Dmytryk

Director of Communications

Karen Gutierrez

Director of Advertising & Audience Development

Brian Dunning

Director of Content & Creative

Zack Hamra

Director of Audience Services & Ticketing

Isaak Berliner

Social Media & Communications Manager

Alyssa Tyson

Audience Services Manager

Janice Bernal

Box Office Manager

Jacob Feller

Box Office Manager

Brianna Barrett, Rachel Jacoby, Sean James, Lauren Machain, Katie Sparks, Sara Turken, Anika Waco, Dennis Woullard Box Office Staff

OPERATIONS

Jeni Pearsons

Director of Operations

Mel Yonzon

Front of House Manager

Amy Farkas

Lead Concierge

Rob Mersola

Event Manager

Sarah Chute, Anya Pryjmak, Emir Yonzon

Part Time House Managers

Cristiana Barbatelli, Savanna Chute, Elizabeth Fritsch, Tony Jose Garcia, Alia Mahboob, Shannon Noel, Autumn Oyemade, Adam Simers

Guest Services

Brynn Allen, Lulu Altabbakh, Hannah Battersby, Blaire Battle, Avery Brown, Marlon Campos, Matt Clark, Sofia Constantine, Lauren Curet, Enzo De Cunto, Cecily Dowd, Camille Edwards, Blake Elder, Hector Eribez, Sydney Fleischman, Aja Hinds, Meredith McClure, Austin Merrill, Kenneth Sambula Jr., Elena Scaringe-Peene, Areany Tolentino, Lanae Wilks

Ushers

INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

Karim Bouzzit

Cloud System Administrator

Dream Warrior Group

System Administrator

FACILITIES

MANAGEMENT

Art Guillen

Facilities Manager

Martin Ayala, Felipe Ayala

Building Maintenance

Mario Santillan-Perez

Custodial

Juan Carlos Umaña, Camerina Martinez

Cleaning Custodial

Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This project was also funded in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.