THE LONELY FEW
GIL CATES, JR.
Welcome to the Geffen Playhouse world premiere musical The Lonely Few !
This play was commissioned as part of Geffen Playhouse’s New Play Development Program, thanks to the generosity of Sandra Krause and William Fitzgerald. Major support for this world premiere production was provided by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund.
The Lonely Few is an ambitious project and we could not have more collaborative, more supportive producing partners than FourthWall Theatrical to bring it to life on the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater stage. Rachel Bonds and Zoe Sarnak have created a beautiful, lyrical love story between two women searching for a sense of home, told in the most imaginative way. Thank you for joining us on this heartfelt journey.
I would like to take a moment and recognize my dear colleague and Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Matt Shakman. As of
February 2023, Matt has transitioned out of his formal Artistic Director role and will remain on our Board of Directors. Since arriving at the Geffen in August of 2017, Matt pushed the boundaries of what theater could be, and what theater can teach us. I am particularly proud of the work he spearheaded through our Geffen Stayhouse programming lineup, which allowed the Geffen to not only thrive during the pandemic closure, but to create an entirely new and innovative way of connecting people through the power of storytelling.
We are forever grateful to Matt for all of his incredible work and artistic leadership at the Geffen. A search committee has been working on the process of finding our next Artistic Director, and we look forward to what that future holds for our theater.
Thank you and enjoy the show!
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive DirectorART LIVES HERE
FEATURED WORK #6 Mirror, Mirror
ARTIST
Joan Chéri Peake
ON DISPLAY
Feb. 1 – Apr. 9, 2023
As part of Geffen Playhouse’s Art Lives Here project, four Los Angeles artists have been invited to create original art works to be displayed in our lobby welcoming audiences during our 2022/2023 Season.
We celebrate 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.
As theatre is one of the most social of the arts and demands society to examine itself in the mirror, this piece will create the relationship between theatre and oneself. In a society where social media plays a major role in our lives, selfies have become almost a daily ritual around the world throughout the 21st century. This work will allow the theatre community to come together and blend with our current social norm. Over the past decade, selfies have helped people stand out, and helped them prove that they are a part of something important. So, essentially this mirrored artwork will show the audience that they are a part of the theatre culture and that they deserve their flowers while they’re here!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Joan Chéri Peake is a passionate, expressive, vibrant African American artist. At the young age of 5 she watched her mother create paintings from home, which instantly sparked
her love for art. Naturally, she was drawn to painting; her interest was cultivated during her teenage years and further developed when she decided to take her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Joan also had the desire to fulfill her love for fashion and decided to advance her education in New York City at Parsons New School for Design. Her sensual nature of art is inspired by femininity, pop culture, and her life experiences. Her aesthetic constantly allows her to explore new places, and new techniques.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT VISIT GEFFENPLAYHOUSE.ORG/ARTLIVESHERE
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AMY LEVINSON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adi Greenberg CHAIR
Victoria Alonso
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
Patricia L. Glaser
Welcome to The Lonely Few. It is always thrilling to produce a world premiere, but there is something particularly special when that world premiere is also a Geffen commission. From the moment writers
Rachel Bonds and Zoe Sarnak began their collaboration, we knew that they would create a beautiful and wholly original love story. It’s our joy to support new work, as every stage of its development—from conception to fully-realized production—is its own rewarding adventure.
The dynamic directing team of Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott has brought this musical to life with incredible vibrancy and truth. Each director brings a perspective and level of expertise that has enhanced and elevated this show. Together with Rachel and Zoe, they have assembled a brilliant cast of actors and musicians, so talented they blow the roof off of this intimate theater. Coupled with a design team that has created an entirely immersive experience, The Lonely Few is unlike anything we’ve produced in the Audrey Skirball Kenis theater up until now.
I would like to thank our extraordinary partners at FourthWall Theatrical, Jana Bezdek and Jen Hoguet. Their continuous support and guidance made this show possible. I also want to thank our departing Artistic Director Matt Shakman, who championed this new musical throughout its development. His belief in making bold choices has changed the trajectory of this theater. We will miss his leadership, his insight, and his impeccable taste. I know we will continue to follow his example and swing for the fences with the work we do. It has been a pleasure and privilege.
Amy Levinson Associate Artistic DirectorVictoria 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
Martha Henderson
Chair Emeritus
Loretta Everett Kaufman
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
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
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
Brenda Garcia
Ann Gianopulos
Priscila Giraldo
Eric Heer
Laura Kennedy
John McCrite
Audrey Povar
Eric Rollins
Scott Sandler
Cela Devine Sutton
Uma Swami
Miranda Tollman
Rebecca Vail
Laurie Ziegler
A PEEK INSIDE THE PROCESS
RACHEL BONDS & ZOE SARNAK BRING US INTO THEIR PROCESS WRITING THE LONELY FEW
PHAEDRA MICHELLE SCOTT: Where did the idea of The Lonely Few come from? What was the story you were interested in telling?
RACHEL BONDS: Zoe and I knew we were going to get to work together. We both wanted to make something with music, and I don’t come from the world of musicals at all. I was interested in making something that is on a smaller scale—like a Hedwig. Where the cast are also the musicians. Something that could maybe live in the world of a concert.
Zoe was interested in that idea because she had a group of songs that felt like they lived in a story together but potentially in a
less traditional musical structure. We started looking at this group of songs that she had with this idea that we were building up to a concert musical. I started interviewing her about her music—where did the songs come from? We found that most of the songs came from heartbreak, then we dug into it. Heartbreak, sexuality, and coming of age as a queer woman.
We started to shape the story from those interviews, and because we had the concert-model in mind, we wanted there to be a strong female-identifying protagonist—a frontwoman for the band—around whom we’d shape the whole story. Then we wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote. We were looking
for a narrative that felt right, that made the story satisfying.
Then, when the pandemic started, we paused and thought—maybe we can make this into a film. We sat down to write out a treatment, and that’s actually when we found the story we wanted to tell. When we thought about it as a film.
PMS: When you shifted mediums, that’s when it clicked?
RB: That’s where we really hammered out a plot and narrative, and THEN we went back to the stage version and shifted the whole thing. We realized—it’s a love story. And it’s not just this one protagonist—it’s actually two. It’s a story about two women. It’s their love story. That’s how we cracked it.
Then we wrote a billion more drafts after that (laughs).
PMS: How does music influence storytelling?
ZOE SARNAK: What’s really beautiful about musicals in general is that characters should sing truth and changes, and explore pain or joy or transformation or catharsis that they can’t quite express through dialogue or words. They have to express it through music, and it’s true of all great musicals, I think.
For this one, the characters are all in moments of significant change. All six of them. All six of them are excavating struggle in the past, liminal space in the present, or moments in their lives when everything is about to turn over. Or they are stuck and feel like they may never change again. All of those things are so hard to verbalize because we are busy living our day-to-day lives. Music has the language, even before lyric, in the notes and the rhythms, as a way that we express ourselves. In this show, the
added bonus is that [the characters] are musicians, so it is their language. Music can unlock things inside of us that we don’t know yet even, and I think that is really expressed in this show.
PMS: We’re getting a lot of the emotional story of the characters through their relationships to musicianship as well. So, there might be hints that an audience member listening closely might pick up.
ZS: 100%. The blend of genres of the piece allows different characters to have different musical voices. Another thing I found really exciting in seeing it on its feet, is the way people play [their instruments] is also character development. I cannot wait for people to see The Lonely Few play as a band, and just how much you learn about their character by how they hold their instruments, or when they play them gently, or when they are headbanging. There is so much character that is expressed through how we sing, but also how we play. When we choose to play, and when we don’t, as well.
PMS: What’s something that you hope audiences walk away with?
RB: This is a love story between two women, and as far as I know in the musical canon, there is no musical that features this kind of queer love story as the structural central relationship. Zoe and I didn’t necessarily approach this from a place of politics. We approached it from a personal place, but by nature it is political, especially at a time when I think a lot of us feel scared about having our rights stripped away from us, and losing our access to choice over our bodies and who we can love.
The main thing we’re putting out there is that this is just a love story like any other. It’s
about standing in front of the community and being embraced by that community, even if you didn’t necessarily think that community would embrace you.
ZS: I thought about this a lot. Some days I think to myself, I want to write a queer love story in the most rich and celebratory of queerness way. I want to write a queer love story that is something that I would have always wanted to see when I was younger. It could be so special for so many people, and I think it is so important.
And also, it is a love story in the universal sense. I really believe that one of the most powerful things about this show is that it can celebrate queerness, while being a love story that anyone can see themselves inside of.
PMS: The musical focuses on artists and creating art; what’s some advice you would give to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in the arts?
RB: My advice is to get your hands into as many mediums as you can. I think it’s really good to say yes to new things, even if you don’t know how to do them. It’s okay if you’ve never done it before, you can learn, especially if you have a background in theater, it makes you adaptable and potentially very good with people of all kinds.
ZS: Each show is different, but one of the things that was true about this show for me was—I wanted it to feel undeniably honest, always. There’s a lot of my personal life in the show. However, you can get caught up in thinking that the context you know [from lived experience] is in what you are doing. At the end of the day, you are writing for characters who are not you. Very importantly so.
I think the process for writing this show often for me has been putting myself in an
emotional place for any given character, and allowing it to connect to something unspoken and deep inside of me that brings out images and thoughts (and even memories). But then being ruthless about editing.
PMS: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
ZS: I am very thankful that this story is coming to life. It is such a labor of love over many years, and also it is an expression of a lot of truths that took me many years to feel comfortable sharing. For it to come to life and have people—such amazing artists so committed to it—have brought together this family of people. Feeling the energy already of people who want to connect to it is really meaningful. I want to thank every single person who comes because it’s a true labor of love.
I want to specifically thank Rachel, because I think it takes a really special writing partner to dive into stuff like this. It’s a gift to write with her.
RB: This has been a yearslong collaboration with Zoe. Because I don’t come from the world of musicals, she has taught me so much and it has been such a joy. It’s not like I’m off writing the book and she’s off writing the lyrics, everything we do has been so intertwined and she has taught me so much about structure and plot. Her brain works so differently than mine, and they are very complimentary. Our aesthetics are very similar and I just feel very grateful to have her and to make art with her. I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with her, and this has really become our child. It’s very close to our hearts.
To read more about The Lonely Few, visit geffenplayhouse.org/blog.
PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH FOURTHWALL THEATRICAL
THE LONELY FEW
BOOK BY RACHEL BONDS
MUSIC & LYRICS BY ZOE SARNAK
DIRECTED BY TRIP CULLMAN & ELLENORE SCOTT
SCENIC DESIGNER SIBYL WICKERSHEIMER
COSTUME DESIGNER SAMANTHA C. JONES
SOUND DESIGNER NICK KOURTIDES
MUSIC DIRECTOR MYRNA CONN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR MELISSA COLEMAN-REED
DIALECT & VOICE COACH TRÉ COTTEN
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER TALIA KRISPEL
LIGHTING DESIGNER ADAM HONORÉ
MUSIC SUPERVISOR BRYAN PERRI
ORCHESTRATIONS BY BRYAN PERRI & ZOE SARNAK
INTIMACY DIRECTOR SASHA NICOLLE SMITH
DRAMATURG PHAEDRA MICHELLE SCOTT
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS LAUREN BUANGAN & JULIAN OLIVE
OPENING NIGHT
CASTING BY BETH LIPARI, CSA & PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023
OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
THE LONELY FEW
CAST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Adam
Dylan..................................................................................
Lila .....................................................................................
JOSHUA CLOSE
DAMON DAUNNO
LAUREN PATTEN
Amy (thru 4/9) ............................................................................
JJ .............................................................................................
Paul..................................................................................
Amy (after 4/9)
CIARA RENÉE
HELEN J SHEN
THOMAS SILCOTT
NYLA SOSTRE
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.
TIME/SETTING
Present.
Rural Kentucky to Nashville.
RUNNING TIME
2 hours and 15 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!
MUSICIANS
Keyboard/Fiddle/Guitar/Music Director MYRNA CONN †
Guitar RAMÓN BLANCO † / ERIK HIMEL
Bass MIKE HILL † / FEDE DELFINO
Drums CARL THOMSON † / GREG SADLER
†Opening Night Band
JOSHUA CLOSE (he/him)
Adam
Joshua Close stars in Monica opposite Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson, which just premiered at the Venice Film Festival to amazing reviews and an over 11-minute standing ovation. Josh can next be seen portraying Leonardo DiCaprio’s brother in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. He recently wrapped the TV miniseries Plan B opposite Patrick J. Adams. Recent credits include the MGM TV miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair for director Jean-Jacques Annaud, the feature Solace opposite Anthony Hopkins and Colin Farrell, as well as Kill the Messenger with Jeremy Renner. Previously, Josh garnered attention from his recurring role on FX’s Fargo playing “Chazz Nygaard,” the calculating and arrogant younger brother to Martin Freeman. Additional credits include: Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and the FX series Justified. Before this, Josh starred opposite Jeremy Renner in ABC’s The Unusuals as well as The Pacific for HBO. Other credits include The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Diary of the Dead, and K-19: The Widowmaker for director Kathryn Bigelow.
DAMON DAUNNO (he/him)
Dylan
Damon Daunno received Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his performance as “Curly” in Daniel Fish’s Tony–winning revival of Oklahoma!. On screen, Damon can be seen in the recurring role of “Killer” in AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. He stars opposite Lucy Hale in The Hating Game (Amazon), and has guest starred in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), and Blue Bloods (CBS). Damon originated the role of “Orpheus” in the off-Broadway production of Hadestown at New York Theatre Workshop and can be heard on the original soundtrack available on all streaming services. Other theater credits include: The Bengsons’ The Lucky Ones (Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Drama Desk nomination); Daniel Fish’s Oklahoma! (St. Ann’s Warehouse, Bard College); Dave Malloy’s Beardo; with UK based Kneehigh Theater Company: Brief Encounter (Broadway), The Wild Bride, Tristan & Yseult, and The Tin Drum. Damon has performed with orchestras throughout Russia and Europe. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has scored feature and short length films. He is currently working on an EP of original music available to stream soon.
@damondaunno
LAUREN PATTEN (she/her)
Lila
Lauren Patten was the breakout star of the Alanis Morissette/Diablo Cody musical Jagged Little Pill, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as the Grammy, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards. Other stage credits include Fun Home on Broadway, the off-Broadway smash The Wolves (The Playwright’s Realm), Days of Rage (Second Stage Theater), and the original L.A. production of Deaf West Theatre’s revival of Spring Awakening. On television, Lauren is best known as “Rachel Witten” on Blue Bloods (CBS), a role she has played for six seasons. She can also be seen on The Good Fight (Paramount+) and Succession (HBO). She has a starring role in the upcoming Hulu series Death and Other Details. As a musician, Lauren has played sold-out shows at Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, and Tavern on the Green with her band. Their EP is in the works.
@pattenlauren
CIARA RENÉE (she/her)
Amy (thru 4/9)
Ciara is currently shooting a season-long arc in the hit Showtime series Your Honor opposite Bryan Cranston. She recently shot the independent feature Paint opposite Owen Wilson. Ciara most recently starred as “Jenna” in Waitress, and before that was the first Black mixed actress to play “Elsa” in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway. Previously, Ciara starred in MCC Theater’s The Wrong Man alongside Joshua Henry, directed by Thomas Kail. She originated the role of “The Witch” in Big Fish and appeared as “The Leading Player” in Pippin on Broadway. She also originated the role of “Esmeralda” in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Paper Mill Playhouse and was “Peggy/Maria” in the final lab of Hamilton. Ciara splits her time between New York and Los Angeles and also directs/ produces. Her next directing venture is the off-Broadway production of Millennials Are Killing Musicals by Nico Juber. Other television: The Big Bang Theory, Facebook’s Strangers, Netflix’s Master of None, DC’s Legends of
Tomorrow
HELEN J SHEN (she/they) JJ
Helen J Shen is a New Yorkbased actor, writer, and composer. She most recently starred in Man of God at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. A classically trained pianist, she will debut her solo show SHEL-SHOCKED at 54 Below in January. They are a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program (Go Blue!). Thanks to her family, friends, John, the folks at A&R, and their childhood piano teacher who always reminded them to practice. @helenjshen
Barefoot in the Park (Laguna Playhouse); Fugard’s Coming Home (Berkeley Repertory Theatre and The Fountain Theatre in L.A., winning Best Supporting Actor from Backstage Theatre Awards, and an NAACP Image Award Best Actor nomination) and Painted Rocks (The Fountain Theatre in L.A., Stage Raw Best Actor nomination), and as musician “Slow Drag” in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Mark Taper Forum in L.A., Ovation Award for Best Ensemble).
Television credits include: Law & Order, Evil, New Amsterdam, Luke Cage, This Is Us, Hand of God, and Criminal Minds. Graduate of Salem State University with a degree in theatre, and an M.F.A from New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Paul
He broke-out performing in national and international tours of the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk playing “‘da Voice.” Broadway: Sarah Ruhl’s Becky Nurse of Salem directed by Rebecca Taichman, Birthday Candles opposite Debra Messing. Off-Broadway: Fugard’s Boesman and Lena at the Signature Theatre. Regional: The Royale (Merrimack Repertory Theatre); To Kill a Mockingbird (Alliance Stage Company);
“I’m Black, I’m Queer, and I love it here!” Nyla Sostre is excited to join this beautiful cast and tell this story. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Nyla has come a long way from her humble beginning of singing in the MTA platforms with her guitar “Betty.” Debuting her acting career with the role of Peggy Schuyler in Hamilton, to most recently playing Annelle in Steel Magnolias at Weston Theater Company, Nyla is happy to mix the worlds of musical and realism in this pure and wander-ful piece of art. “Thank you to the MODs for allowing me to step into this role. Thank
THOMAS SILCOTT (he/him) NYLA SOSTRE (she/her) Amy (after 4/9)you Ciara for gorgeously paving the way, and the cast and crew for welcoming me. Huge thanks to Ashley Wible and the whole KMR family. Thank you Mami, te amo.”
ZOE SARNAK (she/her)
Composer, Lyricist & Orchestrations
Rachel Bonds is a playwright, screenwriter, essayist, and writer for scripted podcasts. Her plays have been developed or produced by Ars Nova, Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theater Company, Atlantic Theater Company, McCarter Theatre Center, Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse, Studio Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, and Williamstown Theatre Festival, among others. She is the recipient of the Weissberger Award, the Sky Cooper Prize, and the Heideman Award, as well as a Tow Foundation Fellowship. Her plays have been twice-named a New York Times Critic’s Pick. She recently finished writing The Boars’ Nest scripted series with Dub Cornett and Holly Gleason for Fresh Produce/ Audible, is currently developing her original scripted series, also for Audible, developing her play JONAH with Danya Taymor and Roundabout Theatre Company, and co-raising a family amidst a global pandemic. Originally from the mountains of Tennessee, Bonds is based in Brooklyn.
Zoe is a New York City-based composer, lyricist, and writer. She is the recipient of a 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant; a finalist for the Fred Ebb Award and the Kleban Prize; and original music composer for the award-winning production of A Crossing at Barrington Stage Company. Her work has been developed with and presented by Second Stage Theater, New York Stage and Film, The Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Guggenheim, Geffen Playhouse, New York Theatre Workshop, WP Theatre, MCC Theater, and many others. Works include: Galileo (with Danny Strong and Michael Weiner), Empire Records (with Carol Heikkinen), Secret Soldiers (with Marsha Norman and Tori Sampson), Afterwords (with Emily Kaczmarek), Particle Fever (with David Henry Hwang and Bear McCreary), Afloat (with Emily Kaczmarek), Split (with Michele Lowe), tv/film projects in development with Sallie Patrick, Timothy Prager and Danny Strong Productions, and others to be announced. Her music has been featured by the New York Times Live, The Shannara Chronicles (Spike), Silent Witness (BBC), and in benefit concerts and albums for Everytown. www.zoesarnak.com
Also at Geffen Playhouse: Barcelona, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City, Choir Boy. Broadway: The Rose Tattoo, Choir Boy, Lobby Hero, Six Degrees of Separation, Significant Other. Select off-Broadway: Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow, Yen, Punk Rock (Obie Award), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City (MCC Theater); Days of Rage, The Layover, The Substance of Fire, Lonely, I’m Not, Bachelorette, Some Men, Swimming in the Shallows (Second Stage Theater); Unknown Soldier, The Pain of My Belligerence, Assistance, A Small Fire (Drama Desk nomination), The Drunken City (Playwrights Horizons); Choir Boy (Manhattan Theatre Club); Murder Ballad (Manhattan Theatre Club and Union Square Theatre); The Mother, I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard (Atlantic Theater Company); Roulette (Ensemble Studio Theare); The Hallway Trilogy: Nursing (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater); The Last Sunday in June (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Century Center); Dog Sees God (Century Center); U.S. Drag (stageFARM); and several productions with The Play Company. London: The Colby Sisters of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Tricycle Theatre). Select regional: Alliance
Theatre, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Bay Street Theater, Williamstown Theater Festival.
by both The New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times as one of the top theatrical events of that year. FourthWall is also proud to have supported Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway), Jagged Little Pill (Broadway, National Tour), Nollywood Dreams (MCC Theater) and the UK premiere of The Band’s Visit (Donmar Warehouse).
SIBYL WICKERSHEIMER Scenic Designer
ELLENORE SCOTT (she/her) Director
Ellenore Scott is a New York based choreographer and creative director. Broadway: Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Titanique. Other choreography credits include: So You Think You Can Dance, Single All the Way (Netflix), Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical. Scott’s work has been seen at The Bushwick Starr, The Old Globe, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, McCarter Theatre Center, Cherry Lane Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. As a performer, Scott appeared in numerous television shows (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Smash, and Glee, to name a few) and was a finalist and All-Star on So You Think You Can Dance Scott is the Artistic Director of ELSCO Dance, a contemporary-fusion dance company. As a content creator, Scott makes lifestyle, dance, and comedy videos for over 1 million followers on TikTok. @helloellenore
FOURTHWALL THEATRICAL Producer
Founded by Jana Bezdek and Jen Hoguet, FourthWall Theatrical’s first production, This American Wife (Fake Friends), streamed live in May 2021 and was recognized
Sibyl’s interests span design for live performance, installations, exhibitions, and design for mental health care initiatives. Her foundation as a theatrical set designer led Sibyl to co-author the book Scene Shift: U.S. Set Designers in Conversation with scenographer Maureen Weiss, published by Routledge/Taylor & Francis in August of 2022. Sibyl has designed for theatrical stages across the country, including A.C.T., Theatre for a New Audience, Steppenwolf Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. In the L.A. area, she has designed at Kirk Douglas Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, The Industry, Circle X Theatre Co., A Noise Within, The Actors’ Gang, and many more. Unique projects have included art installations in SoCal art galleries, Eric Idle’s What About Dick? (Orpheum/Netflix), and the stage for the daily giant dinosaur puppet performances at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Sibyl is also an Associate Professor at USC in the School of Dramatic Arts. sawgirl.com
SAMANTHA
C. JONES (she/her)
Costume Designer
Samantha C. Jones is excited to return to Geffen Playhouse as
a part of this wonderful work. She is a Costume Designer and educator with previous design credits at Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Peninsula Players Theater, and others. Upcoming productions include: Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Center Theatre Group), King James (Manhattan Theatre Club). Her work can be viewed at samanthacjones.com.
ADAM HONORÉ (he/him)
Lighting Designer
Adam Honoré is a Harlem based designer for plays, musicals, and live events. His résumé includes Broadway productions, regional shows, and international premieres. Adam is a Drama Desk, Henry Hewes, Elliot Norton, and Helen Hayes Award nominee; AUDELCO Award Recipient; and is listed on Live Design magazine’s “30 Under 30.” www.honorelighting.com
NICK KOURTIDES (he/him)
Sound Designer
Nick Kourtides designs for musical theatre and creates sound environments for devised ensemble works. He is the global sound designer for Magic Mike Live in Las Vegas, London, Berlin, Australia, and North America. Off-Broadway: Oratorio for Living Things
(Ars Nova), Black Light (Greenwich House Theater), The Lucky Ones (Ars Nova), The Object Lesson (NYTW, BAM), Elephant Room (St. Ann’s Warehouse), Carson McCullers Talks About Love (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater), and Jomama Jones: Radiate (Soho Rep). Regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Play House, New York Stage and Film, McCarter Theatre Center, Center Theatre Group, Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre Company, Prince Music Theater, and La Jolla Playhouse. Collaborations with Pig Iron Theatre Company include A Period of Animate Existence, Cankerblossom, Isabella, Chekhov Lizardbrain, and Mission to Mercury. With BalletX, Nick designed Sunset, o639 Hours at Wilma Theater, Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, and Vail Festivals. Site-specific designs include works with PearlDamour, Lynn Nottage and Kate Whoriskey, and the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. He has taught Sound Design for Live Performance at Drexel University and Swarthmore College. Nick received the 2022 Lucille Lortel, 2015 Bessie, and 2006 Barrymore awards. www.nickkourtides.com
BRYAN PERRI (he/him)
Music Supervisor & Orchestrations
Bryan Perri most recently served as music supervisor and conductor for the Broadway production of Almost Famous. He was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for the world premiere cast album of Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots. Other credits as music director/conductor include the Broadway productions of Jagged Little Pill, Wicked, Chaplin, and the Broadway
National Tour of Next to Normal.
Bryan also music directed/conducted Superhero, Dogfight, and Vanities all at Second Stage Theater, and was music supervisor for Disney’s Freaky Friday premiering at the Signature Theatre in D.C. Bryan also received the Craig Noel Award for outstanding music direction for Almost Famous at The Old Globe in San Diego. Along with his husband Daniel C. Levine, Bryan is a proud founding member of ACT (A Contemporary Theater) of Connecticut, a regional Equity theater located in Ridgefield, Connecticut and also serves as their Resident Music Supervisor.
MYRNA CONN (she/her)
Music Director
Myrna Conn is a music director and composer based in New York City. Broadway: Pretty Woman (Key 1/Conductor & Key 2 sub). National Tour: Come from Away (Associate Conductor). Film: Spirited (Music Associate), Come from Away (Music Associate) New York music directing credits include Fountain (New Victory LabWorks), Bagels from Benny (92nd Street Y), and SHIZ: Broadway Meets Sketch Comedy (Feinstein’s/54 Below & UCB Theatre). Writing: Finding Nemo JR. & KIDS with Disney Theatrical Group (Music & Orchestration Adapter), The Story Pirates Podcast (Gimlet Media/Spotify). Proud graduate of Northwestern University.
MELISSA COLEMAN-REED (she/her)
Associate Director
Melissa Coleman-Reed is an international theatremaker: director, actor, producer, facilitator focused on the development of new works that foster activism and grow international collaborations. She is passionate about cultivating spaces for makers to
meet, train, and create. Directing credits include: Beneath the Bowtie by Katie Lindsay, Tova Katz, and Alexandra Kalinowski (Associate Director, Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room); Untitled Baby Play by Nina Braddock (Associate Director, IAMA Theatre Company); You Didn’t Die by John Lavelle (IAMA Theatre Company), Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage; Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus; Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years (New Village Arts Theatre). Development/workshops: Ammunition Theatre Company, CalArts, Cal State LA, Playwrights’ Arena, The Blank Theatre, The Road Theatre Company, and The Inkwell Theatre LAB including: Long Division by Aja Houston, Day of Saturn by Leviticus Jelks III, and John Lavelle’s Inhalation (O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Finalist). Training: SITI Company, The BGB Studio, Berg Studios, Vangeline Butoh, Steppenwolf West, and Butoh Master Yoshito Ohno. Melissa is currently training to be an Intimacy Coordinator, is pursuing filmmaking, and is a master teacher at The BGB Studio.
SASHA NICOLLE SMITH (she/her)
Intimacy Director
Sasha is thrilled to be working at the Geffen again! Other theater credits include: The First Deep Breath (Geffen Playhouse), The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Ms. Blakk For President (Steppenwolf Theatre), Familiar (Steppenwolf Theatre), How To Catch Creation (Goodman Theatre), A Raisin in the Sun (Guthrie Theater), The Bluest Eye (Virginia Stage Company), Toni Stone (Milwaukee Rep), Trading Places (Alliance Theater), Smart People (Writers Theater). Film/Televi-
sion: Tiny Beautiful Things (Hulu), Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon), Your Place or Mine (Netflix), That ‘90s Show (Netflix), How I Met Your Father (Hulu), Random Acts of Flyness (HBO), The Rookie: Feds (ABC), The Chi (Showtime), Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls (Amazon), Truth Be Told (Apple TV+).
TRÉ COTTEN (he/him)
Dialect & Voice Coach
Tré Cotten is a published and award-winning creator and educator. Based on the Kwakwaka’wakw Territory of North Vancouver Island, BC., Mr. Cotten has been featured in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times for his work as Dialect Coach on Regina King’s One Night in Miami... A Juilliard Teaching Fellowship Finalist (2021) and the keynote speaker for the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) Conference in 2021.
Film/TV credits: Dialect Coach on the CBC & BET’s Emmy-nominated period drama The Porter, and on Amazon’s newly released The Peripheral. He is currently in production as Acting & Dialect Coach on the new franchise film The Exorcist. He has an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Washington School of Drama. Raised in North Carolina, he is of proud Black and Indigenous descent. IG: @tre_cotten
PHAEDRA MICHELLE SCOTT (she/her)
Dramaturg
Phaedra Michelle Scott is a dramaturg based in New York City. Phaedra serves as a member of the Beehive Dramaturgy Studio (NYC). She is Resident Dramaturg for The New Harmony Project. Her credits include work at Audible Theater, American Ballet Theatre, MCC Theater, New Victory Theater, The Playwrights
Realm, Huntington Theatre Company, Cleveland Play House, Great Plains Theatre Conference, Playwrights’ Center. As a playwright, she is a member of Youngblood with Ensemble Studio Theatre, and an alum of Pipeline PlayLab, SPACE on Ryder Farm, and Great Plains Theatre Conference. She has been an arts and culture journalist for WBUR, Boston’s NPR station, and a content developer at the USS Constitution Museum. She is a crocheter, obscure history fan, and horror enthusiast.
www.phaedrascott.com
TALIA KRISPEL (she/her)
Production Stage Manager
Talia Krispel is thrilled to make her Geffen debut! South Coast Repertory: A Christmas Carol (2014-2022), Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, Abundance, Amadeus, Pinocchio. 3-D Theatricals: Newsies, The Secret Garden. 5-Star Theatricals: The Addams Family, Newsies, Something Rotten!, Mamma Mia!, The Music Man, West Side Story, Matilda, Shrek The Musical, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan. Musical Theatre West: Oliver!. Broadway: Inherit the Wind, Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Legally Blonde (Workshop). Sound Stage
LIVE!: The Little Mermaid. ACT of CT: Mamma Mia!. Theatre By The Sea: West Side Story; Sister Act. Ogunquit Playhouse: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. North Shore Music Theatre: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Old Globe: The Times They Are A-Changin’ For Mychal, Mama, and Dad. IG: @teekrisp. www.taliakrispel.com
LAUREN BUANGAN (she/her)
Assistant Stage Manager
Lauren Buangan is excited to make her Geffen Playhouse debut with The Lonely Few. She holds a B.A. in Theater from UCLA, a Certificate of Achievement in Film from Orange Coast College, and studied drama at Queen Mary University of London. Her previous assistant stage manager credits include A Christmas Carol, Nina Simone: Four Women, and Million Dollar Quartet at South Coast Repertory.
JULIAN OLIVE
Assistant Stage Manager
Julian Olive is a proud graduate of Marymount Manhattan College and is excited to be making his Geffen Playhouse debut! His other credits include the National Tour of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; 5-Star Theatricals’ productions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Shrek, Matilda, West Side Story, The Music Man, Mamma Mia!, Something Rotten!, Newsies, and The Addams Family; Wolf Trap’s Summer 2021 Season; South Coast Repertory’s She Loves Me, Sweeney Todd, Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, and A Christmas Carol; Bay Street Theater’s The Prompter (starring Tovah Feldshuh); Paper Mill Playhouse’s The Honeymooners; Second Stage Theatre’s King Liz; The York Theatre Company’s Wonderland; Hip to Hip Theatre Company’s As You Like It and Julius Caesar; Weathervane Playhouse’s Pippin, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, Merrily We Roll Along, Blood Brothers, Avenue Q, South Pacific, and Peter and the Starcatcher; 3-D Theatricals’ Newsies; and Rubicon Theatre Company’s The Gin Game.
BETH LIPARI, CSA (she/her) Casting
Since 2006, Lipari has worked as a Casting Director on scores of film, TV, and theatre projects working with award-winning directors, producers, and film and TV studios in Los Angeles and worldwide. She is currently on a multitude of independent films and loves her job. She is the winner of 2 Artios Awards (Excellence in Casting), and a Media Access Award, which she was honored due to her casting of Deaf West Theatre’s Broadway production of Spring Awakening. She has had the honor of working most recently at the Hollywood Bowl, the Ahmanson Theatre, and The Wallis for staged productions. Lipari is a proud member of the Casting Society of America, BMI, and Teamsters Local Union 399. In her spare time, she composes music for film and dance. Her most important work are her two children, Isabella and Myles. It is her honor to work at the Geffen and to be a part of this amazing musical.
PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA (she/her) Casting
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. 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,
GIL CATES, JR. Executive Director AMY LEVINSON (she/her) Associate Artistic DirectorJane 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.
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.
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
CHELSEA MARCANTEL
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.
Submissions for the 2023/2024 cycle of The Writers’ Room will open in early 2023. For more information, 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
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.
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
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.
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR THE LONELY FEW
Choreography Associate
Clarice Ordaz
Associate Sound Designer
Martin Carrillo
Costume Design Assistant
Alexandria Hoffman
Assistant Scenic Designer
Lily Lundine
Lighting Studio Associate
Shannon Clarke
Lighting Intern
Erik Alkire
Music Assistant
Alexandra Kalinowski
Additional Drum Arrangements
Damien Bassman
Copyist
Emily Grishman
Keyboard Programmer
Randy Cohen
Kemper Programmer
Rod Castro
Music Intern
Vanessa Gamble
Production Assistant
Julian Olive
Production Assistant Swing
Dani Jaramillo
Deck Crew
James Stanley
Wardrobe Supervisor
Stephanie Castro
Stitchers
Stephanie Castro, Kiko Cheyenne
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Scenery Provided By Pfinix Creative Group
Lighting Equipment Provided By PRG Los Angeles
Audio Equipment Provided By PRG Broadway
SPECIAL THANKS
Lighting Programmer
Nicole Jaja
Light Board Operator
Christiana Saldibar
Light Board Operator Swing
Jesus Cambero-Elias
Electricians
Erica Ammerman, Shannon Barondeau, Ezra Fisher, Ezra Muthiah, Christiana Saldibar, James Tatsch
A1
Jon Roberts
A2
Michael Svolos
Guitar Tech
Soroush Rajabnik
Lead Carpenter
Philip Rossi
Carpenters
Austin Bosley, Oliver Brink, James Chew, Ryan Fischer, David Foubert, Enrique Garcia, Rob Hille, Shadow LaValley, Claudia Peterson, Sydney Shoell, James Stanley, Becca Sundberg, Eiden Weissblum
Properties Artisans & Carpenters
Christopher R. Baab, Mikayla Bettner, Sihourney Chin, Danny Dolan, Alec Long
Scenic Painter
Chandish Nester
Production Photographer
Jeff Lorch
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; London Cleaners
THE WRITING TEAM WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
Nicholas Connors, Bryan Bauer, Tyne Rafaeli, and all the actors and artists who contributed their time and talent to the development of this piece.
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.
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 alumANNUAL 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 December 1, 2021, and January 24, 2023.
† Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors ^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees
§ Geffen Playhouse Advisory Board * Backstage at the Geffen Supporters
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
Jana & Trevor Bezdek*
California Arts Council
Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg^ City National Bank*
Edgerton Foundation
Louise & Dr. Brad Edgerton†*
David Geffen^ Foundation
The Adi† & Jerry Greenberg Foundation*
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Martha Henderson†
Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg^
Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Fund for Arts Education at the Geffen Playhouse
Loretta Everett Kaufman† & Victor Kaufman*
Elizabeth & David Kerman
Jerry & Terri Kohl
Linda Bernstein Rubin† & Tony Rubin*
Shubert Foundation
Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum†*
UCLA UCLA Health*
INNOVATOR CIRCLE
$50,000 – $99,999
Marcia Israel-Curley Foundation
John McCrite§ & Juan Lopez
Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Holly Rice† & Vince Gilligan*
Matt Shakman† & Maggie Malone*
The Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation*
ARTISTIC CIRCLE
$25,000 – $49,999
Anonymous
Victoria Alonso†*
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Mary Ann Cloyd†
Merle Dandridge†*
The Walt Disney Company*
Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin Keefer
Susan & Mark Fleischer†*
Carol & Paul Frimmer
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Patty Glaser† & Sam Mudie*
Samantha & Eric§ Heer*
Cindy & Alan Horn*
Erich and Della Koenig Foundation
Carla Malden† & Norman Beil*
Paramount Pictures*
Judith & Bruce Stern
PRODUCER’S CIRCLE
$10,000 – $24,999
Anonymous
Eva Aaronson In Memory of Bucky Hazan*
Pat & Sandy Adams
Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis
The Berlanti Family Foundation*
Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block†*
Mara W. Breech Foundation
Eileen & Harold Brown^
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Marcy Carsey*
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg*
Bonnie E. Eskenazi†*
Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle
Steve Freedman & Helen Sideris
Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.
Manuela & James Goren*
Marcy & Edgar Gross*
Alexander & Katie & Grey Grosvenor
In Memory of Morris A. Hazan
Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor
Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark
David & Martha Kadue
Glorya Kaufman^
Julie & David Kavner
Laura Kennedy§*
Lyn & Norman Lear*
Fay & Frank Mancuso^
Brian† & Renee Mann
Tiffany Mayberry†
Ron Meyer^
Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams*
Mary Osako†
Carol & Bill Ouchi
Soundis & Danny Passman†
Madeline & Bruce Ramer^
Thomas L. Safran
Ms. Carole B. Sager & Mr. Robert A. Daly^
Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz
Marcia & Robert Shuwarger
Sitrick Group, LLC
Sony Pictures Entertainment*
Cynthia P. Stafford†
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
Deborah Tavlin
Steve Tisch^*
Miranda§ & Brett Tollman*
U.S. Bank Foundation
Joanne & Ken Weinman*
Aurora & Marc Weinstock†
Ken Willner & Jim Stine
Karen & Rick Wolfen
Kevyn Wynn
PLAYWRIGHT’S CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Anonymous (2)
Jehan F. Agrama & Dwora Fried
Mellody Hobson / Ariel Investments, LLC*
Aversa Foundation
Robert E. & Maria H. Barron
David Bartman*
Judith & Thomas Beckmen
Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson
Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff
Noora Raj Brown
Glenn & Lynn Cardoso
Marcy Carsey
Comcast NBCUniversal*
Ellyce R. Cooper§ & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP*
In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert*
Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel
Susan & Jonathan Dolgen*
Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll
Susan Nahley Fleishman†*
Mimi & Marvin Freedman
Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family
Bob & Diana Friedman
Larry Gagosian*
Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand*
Ann§ & Jim Gianopulos*
Kiki & David Gindler
MaryAnn & Irwin Gold*
In Honor of Richard Sherman / From Ken & Lori Goldman
Sue & Steve Glusker*
Noble & Jacquelynn Hansen
Mellody Hobson*
Barbara & Ronnie Kahn
Mannon Kaplan
Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall*
Willette & Manny Klausner*
Marla & Daniel Klein*
Kling Family Foundation / Allen & Jessica Kling
Wendy Kurtzman*
David Kwong*
Sherry Lansing Foundation*
Karen & Walter Loewenstern
Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes*
Stewart Mayeda
Merle & Jerry Measer
Rio & Frank Morse
Tina & Jerry Moss^ / The Moss Foundation*
Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath
Olympus Theatricals*
Shana & Don Passman*
Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg
Judith Reichman, M.D.
Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer
Gil Schwartz Foundation
Richard & Barbara Sherman†*
The Simms/Mann Family Foundation^
Gussie Paster Sitkin
Snyder Family Foundation
Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham*
William & Karen Timberlake
Gayle & Barry Tyerman
Marjorie Walsh*
Waterman and Glicksteen Families
The Waterman Family Foundation
Julie & Peter Weil
Joanne & Ken Weinman
Susan & Dan White
Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero
Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks*
Karen Zoller, M.D. & David Tillman, M.D.
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$3,000 – $4,999
Anonymous
Cathy & Shel Bachrach*
Shelly & Libby Bergen
Susan Bloch-Kay & Stephen Kay
Philip Blumenshine
VJ Boyd
Marissa Caudill & David Merrill
Don Dorsey
Anne Dougherty*
Jacki & Murray Drechsler
In Honor of Virginia Field
Lynn T. Franklin
Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman
Karney Guren Family Foundation
Deidre Hall
Alan & Michelle Heilpern
ICM Partners
Jerry Katell*
Nancy Koven
Renee & Meyer Luskin
Jane & Rand Marlis
Robin Mitchel & Kathleen Marshall
Michael R. Oppenheim
Carol & Alan Ostroff
Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer
Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt
John Shustitzky
Zackery Alexzander Stephens
Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis
Susan & Peter Van Haften
Peter & Denise Walsh
Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg
Leslie White & Al Limon
In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler*
CREATOR’S CIRCLE
$1,500 – $2,999
Anonymous (3)
AnonyMoose Foundation
Miriam Aguiar
Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Allen
Bonnie R. Arnold
Basch Family Foundation
Patricia & Mark Benjamin
Paula & Bruce Bennett
Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey
Wendy & John Bergquist
Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden
Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee
Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza
Diana Buckhantz and the Vladimir and Araxia Foundation
Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert
Lexy & John Carroll
Stephanie§ & Jonathan Carson
Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo
Caroline Choi*
The Christal Family
Cindy Clark
Larry Coben
Linda & John Coleman
Ginger Conrad
Tim Curtis & Shandon Youngclaus
J. Jason Daunter
Debra Davis§
Phil Davis
Pam Dawber & Mark Harmon
Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck
Giovanna Desselle§
David & Joyce Evans
Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation
In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce
G2 Graphic Service, Inc.
Brenda Garcia§
Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick
Charlotte Gold
Ellie Goodman
Jack Grossbart & Marc Schwartz
The Guerin Foundation
Harris Family Foundation
Michael & Candie Herman
Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston
Jean Himmelstein
Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson
Iris Tuesday Productions
David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone
Freya & Mark Ivener
Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy
Linda & David Kagel
Deborah & Ivan Kallick
Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig
Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith
Carol Krause
Lydia & Chuck Levy
Trini Lewis
Judith & Dennis Locke
The Malins Family Foundation
Norma & Larry Meyers
Cookie Miller
Joan & Phil Miller
Mintz Family Fund
Laurie & Chuck Mondrus
Ron Myrick
Robert Nelson & Marguerite Renner
Conan & Liza O’Brien*
Michael Parks & Judith Hayward
Sallie Patrick
Daniel & Denise Perlstein
Phil & Agnes Peters
Ruth Popkin
Clark & Kathryn Porter
Audrey Povar§
Gary & Gail Rachelefsky
Joyce & Harvey Reichard
Carol Risher
Eric Rollins§
Wil Rosser
David A. & Karen Richards Sachs
Amy & Andy Schwartz
Susan Schwarz & Stuart Berton
Jerome & Joan Snyder*
John Sonego§ & Thomas Faughnan
Tom & Melanie Staggs
Andrew Stearn
Mitch & Sherry Stein
Cela Devine Sutton§
Theodore H. Sweetser & Jane L. Valentine
Rose Tarlow*
Marjorie Thomson
Catherine & Leonard Unger
Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet
Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D
Judith Leslie Waxman & Leo Stytle
Gelena & Seth Weissman
Westmount Asset Management
John & Connie Weston
David Young
Alissa & Jordan Zachary
Ellen & Arnold Zetcher
Bobbi & Walter Zifkin
DESIGNER’S CIRCLE
$1,000 – $1,499
Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter
Henry Alpert
Jan & David Altemus
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Don Bacigalupi
Rob Bailis
Karen Bell & Robb Cox*
Lydia & David Bell*
Yvonne Bernard & Henry De Priest & Lookout Entertainment
Marjorie Blatt
Larry & Julie Blivas
In Honor of Phyllis Blivas
Carol J. Bradshaw
Paula Brand
Anthony Carbone
Margaret Casey
Elizabeth & Gil Cates, Jr.†*
Jane Cates
Shelby & Lee Chaden
Martha J. Chase
Sachiko T. Cochran M.D. & Joseph T. Araki
Lori§ & Jerry Collins*
Stephen Cook
Honorable Candace Cooper
Jen Crittenden & Bill Wrubel*
In Honor of Development*
Lauren Shuler Donner*
Jan & Thea Drayer
Ed & Barbara Dreyfus
Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler
Colleen M. Ellis
Terri & David Elston
Lynne & Michael Feldman
Dr. Kimberly Finney
Shari Foos
Burt & Nanette Forester
Dennis & Jackie Fox
Joan & Charles Fox
Diane Futterman
The Glass Family
Linda & Louis Goldsman
Jill Grigsby & Rett Bull
Scott Hartle
Murray & Gail Heltzer
Jackson Henry
Winifred C. Hervey
Robin & Edgar Hirst
Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox
Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman
William Hoover & Jon Rupp
Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro
Gary T. Izumi
Brenda Marie Izzi
Marcie & Marc J. Jacoby
Carrie Johnson
Quincy Jones^
Patricia Keating
Trisha Kelley
King Nutronics Corporation
Dr. Phyllis H. Klein
Barton H. Kogan
Delores Komar & Susan Wolford
Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick
Charles Kristenson
Lena & Mark Labowe
Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta
Mindy Lauerlevin & Ed Levin
Rena & Craig Leeds
Gina Maria Leonetti
Carl Levinger
Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder
Steven Llanusa
Tania Lotia
Eric James Lund
Michael N. Marks
Kathy & Jim McCaffery
Anne & Ronald Mellor
Andrew & Laura Mintzer
Thaine & Elizabeth Morris
Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse
John Moschitta, Jr.
Mark & Diane Neubauer
Albert & Barbara Nichols
Michael Nicklin
Deborah & Stacey Olliff
Tal Oren & Liana Morgado-Oren
Janie & Allan Orenstein
Ornest Family Foundation
Ralph Page
Ron Rafay
Lise Ransdell & Eric Augusztiny
Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman
Dolores Rogers
Allison & Bennett Rosenthal
Nancy Stephens & Rick Rosenthal and The Rosenthal Family Foundation
Lori & David Rousso
Nancy & Ted Sanborn
Jane & Bill Schopf*
Rita & Jose Sigal
Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross
Karen & Bill Skinner
Ronald Smith
Jill & Scott Spiwak
Lisa Stonich
The Tatasciore Family*
Anne C. Taubman
John M. Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr.
Franklin David Tell
Audri & Stan Tendler
David & Cathy Thomas
Leon & Stephanie Vahn
Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela
Judith & Philip Winik
Cherie Wrigley
Richard Yaffe
Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras
Judy & Chancellor Charles E. Young^
Elena & Drew Zager
Arnold & Tricia Zane
PARTNER’S CIRCLE
$500 – $999
Anonymous (8)
Toshka & Norman Abrams
Allan Africk
Gaby Allen & Rob Greenberg
Laura & Harvey Alpert
Patti Amstutz
Audrey & Martin Appel
Eloise & Mark Appel
Elizabeth & Marc Axelrod
The Baek Family
Cecilia Ball
In Memory of Patricia Beals
Jeme & Erica Benadon
Marilyn R. Blacker
Pamela & Bill Bohnert
Michael & Susan Bordy
The Bordy & Leibovic Families
Toby Bornstein
Steven Briggs
Howard Brightman
Marlene Bronson
Janet & Mark Brown
Colleen O’Beirne Brydon
Laura D. Campbell
Sean & Martha Carey Family
Sylvie & Peter Cartmell
Sandra Chan & Richard Pezner
Shirley Churgin
James Clark
Mike Clements
Devorah Colker
Heidi Jo Corey
Muriel Dance & Alvin Martin
Zoud Danko
Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff
Susan Dashe
Maxwell DeMille*
Brock Dewey
Kristin Diehl
Linda Dozier
Jeff Eckerle & Marilyn Osborn
Ronald Eng
Elizabeth A. Evans
Katherine A. Evans
Terry Feuerborn
Carol & John Fox
Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilyn J. Friedman Family Foundation
Catherine Froloff
Corinne B. Garson
Gordon Gerson
Jeff Gibson
Daniel Giesberg & Carol Lifland
Bert & Benita Ginsberg
Priscila Giraldo§*
Linda & Tom Givvin
Dina Goldstein
Dorit Goldstein
Ellen & Reginald Golla
Roger Gordon
Liz Gottainer & David Sadkin
Howard Gradet
Vera & Paul Guerin
Roberta L. Haft
In Memory of Jane Hall
Keith Hall
Pamela Halle
Jeff Haller
Lonnie Hamerman & Kenneth Freundlich
Steven & Sylvia Harrison
Mary Hartley
Zvia Hempling
Hella Hershson
Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman
In Loving Memory of Stan Hollander
Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob
Robert & Gail Israel
In Memory of Joseph Jacobs
Jessica Kaltman & Robert Reznik
Linda Kaplan
Elodie Keene
Jim Keily
William & Renee Kendall
Nancy Kenney
Sharon Kerson
Dr. & Mrs. Klausner
Leana Kleinman & Jerald Johnson
Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock
Dorothy Klinger
Patricia Klous
Sharon & Joel Koppelman
Lynne Lainer
John & Sandra Langfitt
Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino
Rhonda K. Lawrence
Julie Leeds
Marla E. Levine
Lawrin & Linda Lewin
Renee Lonner
Daniel & Jennifer Low
Elizabeth Luster
Eric & Eva Plaza Mandel
Barbara Marshall
Deborah Marsten
Douglas McAvoy, Jr.
John McClure
Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers
Sharon McQueen
Christina Medigovich
Cynthia Melville
Eileen & Paul Meshekow
In Memory of Gregory Millar
Mona D. & Steven J. Miller
Lee & Jeff Milman
Thomas W. Mitchell
Dr. Paula C. Moseley
Andrea & Patrick Murray
Bonnie Nash
Sabine Oishi
Susan Oka
Cory & Bill Oppenheim
Rollin Ransom & Chris Lacroix
Jennifer Redner
Elyse Resch
Marianne Reynolds
Linda & Erin Rice
Lindy Robbins
Edwin Robinson
Julie Rogers
Eric Rolnick
Peter Rose
Barry Rosen & Neil Bokal
Douglas Ross
Dr. Martin & Lorraine Ross
Peter & Andrea Roth
Lisa Rowley
Arlene & Peter Sacks
Scott Sandler§
Cliff & Linda Schaffer
Mary Lou Schanche
Jo Schiff
Mr. Bernard Schiffer
Gary & Karen Schneider
Joel & Sonia Schneider
Nancy & Steven Schneider
William Schreiber
Lester Schwartz
John H. Scott
Marc Scott
Susanne Shallon
Donna Shapiro & Angel Castillo
Peggy & Robert Shapiro
In Memory of Michael Sherman
Robert M. Shore
Nancy & Bruce Silverman
Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz
Tricia Small
Amy Jo & Jeff Smith
M Leslie Stearns
Frances & Sy Strasberg
Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin
Robert & Kristie Svaleson
Joanne Takahashi
Mr. & Mrs. David Tann
Gloria Tapanes
Barbara & Larry Tenan
Rebecca Vail§
Karen Van Kirk
Barbara Vickery & Martin Shapiro
Julia Wackenheim
Ira & Laurie Waldman
Bradley & Natalie Wallace
William Wallace
Jennifer Weiser
Aaron Widera
Kelly Weber Williams
Gia & Michael Wise
Herbert Wolas
Albert Wolsky
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
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Thank you to our year-round in-kind sponsors for their incredible generosity and support of the arts:
Alligator Pear Catering*
Beam Suntory*
Cicada Club
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea*
Peroni Italia*
Skylight Gardens
Steinway & Sons*
STK | The ONE Group
W Los Angeles — West Beverly Hills
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 Assistant
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
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
ADMINISTRATION
Behnaz Ataee
Chief Financial Officer
Erick R. López
General Manager
Berenice Campos
Director of Human Resources
Peter Banachowski
Accounting Manager
Janice Gompers
Payroll Specialist & HR Admin
Youra Kim
Staff Accountant
Clay Dzygun
Office Coordinator
Marguerite Harris
Receptionist
Gil Cates, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDEVELOPMENT
Sarah Weinberg
Director of Development
Elizabeth Kegley
Director of Institutional Giving
Tracy Reich
Director of Individual Giving
Mark San Filippo
Director of Donor Stewardship
Christine Drew Benjamin
Director of Donor Engagement
Jessica Brusilow Rollins
Grant Writing Consultant
Allie Reasol
Development Assistant
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
Brenden Cates
Education Intern
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
Associate Director of Audience Services & Ticketing
Kevin O’Brien
Marketing Manager
Isaak Berliner
Social Media & Communications Manager
Janice Bernal
Box Office Manager
Alyssa Tyson
Box Office Manager
Jacob Feller
Part Time Box Office Manager
Vaneh Assadourian
House Seat Manager
Brianna Barrett, Rachel Jacoby, Sean James, Lauren Machain, Katie Sparks, Sarah Steuer, Sara Turken, 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
Sigourney Chin, Savanna Chute, Ki Duncan, Elizabeth Fritsch, Tony Jose Garcia, Alia Mahboob, Autumn Oyemade, Adam Simers
Guest Services
Brynn Allen, Lulu Altabbakh, Cristiana Barbatelli, 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, Alejandro Hernandez, Aja Hinds, Meredith McClure, Austin Merrill, Ana Nguyen, Elena Scaringe-Peene, Areany Tolentino, Lanae Wilks Ushers
Chloe Shi (Administrative Lead), Cecilia Bonner, Bethany Koulias, Bradley Pierce, Elizabeth Rao COVID-19 Safety Managers
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