Words From Eye Street (Fall 2020)

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Words From Eye Street!

The Weaver Family

The Dramatic Association of Gonzaga College High School proudly presents

Directed by Ms. Sarah Frances Hope Williams

Technical Direction by Mr. Jonathan Spencer

December 11, 2020 at 7:30 PM

Produced by Mr. Paul Buckley ‘86 and Mrs. Meghan Goldsmith

PRODUCER’S NOTE

Last March when our production of Newsies got shut down three days before opening, we had no idea what a long haul lay ahead. We were working on ways to get that production up and running for an audience. We didn’t expect that show to never happen, and we certainly didn’t think it would have an affect on that next fall’s production. And yet, as with all things in 2020, plans did not go as expected. Once we realized that we could not do a conventional play, we knew we had to come up with something unconventional.

Recognizing the significance of this being Gonzaga’s 200th year of exisistence, understanding the limitations presented by the pandemic, but wanting to give the kids something to create, we came up with Words from Eye Street. Most of the credit has to go to Sarah Frances Williams, who, in her first year as director, has already had to overcome so many obstacles, and she has done so in a way that focuses on the kids, all while keeping them safe, healthy, and energized. And a huge shout out also to our Tech Director Jonathan Spencer, who has gone above and beyond handling all of the tech for this show, which has included far more than for a normal fall play. But of course it is the kids who make this happen, and they are the reason we are here. They have taken words from the past two centuries, from major historical figures to momentous feats of literature, and transformed those words into their own interpretations, their own visions, and their own moments. We could not be more proud of them and all they have accomplished. Everyone has played a role different from what they thought it would be, but they have welcomed the challenge and are now ready to present the fruits of their labors to you. So please sit back in the comfort of your home, grab a snack from the fridge and enjoy our Words from Eye Street.

Paul Buckley ‘86 and Meghan Goldsmith Producers, Words from Eye Street

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

In 2020, the world has been flipped around. At the beginning, we could be connected to strangers and friends in the theatre through laughter, tears, joy and the magic of theatre. Now we are primarily connected through screens, chats, and Zoom backgrounds.

Together, the Gonzaga Dramatic Association has worked to bring back the magic of theatre, but in a new way. We are leaning into the technological world in which we currently find ourselves. As directors, actors, technical crew and creators, the students have worked together to bring to life famous monologues and speeches on your screens. They have each been challenged to create their own world with these well known words. The students perform, set up the stage, edit and complete produce on their own. As the director, I have guided the students to lean into their instincts and encouraged their creative freedom.

More than ever, the arts are needed. We all rely on them each day, whether we are watching our favorite Netflix show, listening to calming music, hearing a podcast the background, or reading a book to take us to a new world -- the arts are surrounding us now more than ever. We are bringing you these beautiful words, to challenge and to inspire you, to bring joy, sadness, laughter and thought.

I congratulate each of thse incredible students for their hard work, dedication, and creative minds. You have each been presented with a unique challenge and have navigated it with grace and determination. For that, I am honored to have worked with each of you.

To our viewers -- I hope you enjoy our

Words from Eye Street

.

Sarah Frances Williams Director, Words from Eye Street

The Gonzaga Fathers Club

PROUDLY PRESENTS

THE GONZAGA NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND FUNDRAISER

MARCH 20, 2021

SERVICE FOR SERVICE

THIS EVENT SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHILE ALSO BACKING THE MANY SERVICE PROJECTS OF GONZAGA, ITS STUDENT BODY, ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY

SPONSOR AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW

PLEASE VISIT

WWW.GONZAGA.ORG/DAYOFSERVICE

Due to the pandemeic, the Gonzaga Fathers Club regrets that it could not present the 32nd Annual DC Classic Basketball Tournament this year. This great event will be back and better than ever in December 2021.

The Gonzaga Fathers Club has a long history of support, service and celebration throughout our boys’ four years on Eye Street. GFC volunteers support Gonzaga’s mission to form Men for Others by serving alongside our boys in our community and in school, sport and outreach events throughout the year. Though the campus and the GFC will look di erent for most of us this year, we plan to engage with you in many new ways. We invite all fathers, stepfathers and guardians of both current and former students to join us in support of the Gonzaga community through membership in the GFC.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

The Jesuit Fathers and Brothers of the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Jesuit Community Congratulate the Gonzaga Dramatic Association on their Production of “Words from Eye Street”

ACT ONE

An Ideal Husband (Oscar Wilde).....................................Mary Ashleigh Berg (Georgetown Visitation)

“I Have A Dream” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)..................................Abe Dibba

Wonder of the World (David Lindsay-Abaire)...........Alese Cowardin (GV)

Laughing Wild (Christopher Durang).........................................Xavier Allen

Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller)......................................Matthew Gately

“Stanford Rathbun Lecture, 2017” (Ruth Bader Ginsberg)...Eleanor Bender (St. John’s College HS)

The Piano Lesson (August Wilson)..........................................Gabriel Dorsey

Our Town (Thornton Wilder)......................................................Emma Dowd (Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart)

Frankie & Johnny

in the Clair de Lune (Terrence McNally)................................Robert Fragola

“Farewell to Baseball” (Lou Gehrig)......................................Lorenzo Limarzi

Proof (David Auburn)........................................................Molly McGee (GV)

The Glass Menagerie (Tennessee Williams)................................James Miller

The Odd Couple (Neil Simon)..........................................................John Jerro

TWO

“Gettysburg Address” (Abraham Lincoln)..............................Matheiu Saliba

Brighton Beach Memoirs (Neil Simon)...................Caitlin Reischauer (GV)

“Stage Fright” (Mark Twain)...................................................Brendan O’Boyle

I Hate Hamlet (Paul Rudnick)..................................................................JT Off

The Actor’s Nightmare (Paul Rudnick)...........................................Luke Rizzo

The Play That Goes Wrong (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields)..................Grace Stephens (Connelly School of the Holy Child)

Pterodactyls (Nicky Silver).................................................................Guy Shoji

“Inauguration Speech, 1961” (John F. Kennedy).....................Locke Sullivan

The Seagull (Anton Chekov)...........................................................Jacob Wells

“Stanford Commencement, 2005” (Steve Jobs)...........................Paul Weaver

All monologues and speeches are included under the fair use exemption of U.S. Copyright Law and are restricted from further use.

Production Staff

Producers..............Mr. Paul Buckley ‘86 & Mrs. Meghan Goldsmith

Director......................................................Ms. Sarah Frances Williams

Technical Director...............................................Mr. Jonathan Spencer

Production teamS

Team A

Xavier Allen, Mary Ashleigh Berg, Alese Cowardin, Abe Dibba, Anthony Buckley, Thomas Carney

Team B

Eleanor Bender, Gabriel Dorsey, Emma Dowd, Robert Fragola, Matthew Gately, John Corso, Guyer Kopplin

Team C

John Jerro, Lorenzo Limarzi, Molly McGee, James Miller, Matthew Dukes, Joe Giuliani

Team D

Brendan O’Boyle, JT Off, Caitlin Reischauer, Luke Rizzo, Mathieu Saliba, Christopher Groh, Patrick Jacobs

Team E

Guy Shoji, Grace Stephens, Locke Sullivan, Paul Weaver, Jacob Wells, Jefferson Cedillos, Johnny Martinez Majano

StaGe creW

Stage Manager................................................................Joseph Giuliani

Light Manager...............................................................Matthew Dukes

Loft Manager.................................................Johnny Martinez Majano

Assistant Stage Manager..............................................Thomas Carney

Sound Manager..........................................................Jefferson Cedillos

Projections Manager..................................................Christopher Groh

Run Crew..............................................Anthony Buckley, John Corso, Patrick Jacobs, Guyer Kopplin

All stage crew members participated in every aspect of production for Words from Eye Street.

Production Staff BioS

Mr. Paul Buckley ‘86, HoF ‘16 (Producer) is in his 23rd year of running the Gonzaga Dramatic Association, and suffice to say in his 23 years he has not had a year quite like this one. He is immensely proud of the kids for maintaining the longest continually running theater in the original Federal district. He is especially thankful to Sarah and Jonathan for their ingenuity in pulling this off, and to Meghan for helping maintain some sense of normalcy. His heart goes out to the seniors for their valiant work in ayear that is not what we expected. Still, they show up to entertain you, and for that we are all grateful. Lastly, he thanks his wife Monica, and kids Anthony (stage crew), Caroline and Gabe for wearing their masks as they should.

Mrs. Meghan Goldsmith, HoF ‘18 (Producer) is in her 20th season as a member of the production staff and feels blessed by the opportunity to help bring the magic of theater to an audience, especially now. Memorable shows include Singin’ in the Rain ‘99, 42nd Street ‘02, Guys and Dolls ‘06, West Side Story ‘08, Kiss Me Kate ‘11, Fiddler ‘14, Beauty and the Beast ‘18. She has no doubt tonight’s performance will make it’s way into the list. Thank you to Paul, Sarah and Jonathan for being wonderful colleagues, creators and friends, and congratulations to the cast and crews, especially the seniors, on a job very well done. Love and thanks to her amazing husband Dan for his support and delicious dinners, and to Matt, Katie and Emmy-boo for being such happy, awesome kids -- thanks for sharing Mommy with the big kids, and for only popping up in Zoom rehearsals every once in a while.

Mr. Jonathan Spencer (Technical Director) is a native of Fairfax, VA and a graduate of the Art Institute of Washington. He is in his fourth year as the GDA Technical Theatre Director after having worked as the Technical Theatre Director for Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC and as the co-owner/audio engineer of the live music venue Turntable in North Carolina. Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented, he has been impressed with not only the students’ resiliency and creativity, but also for truly embodying the phrase “the show must go on!”

Ms. Sarah Frances Hope Williams (Director) is honored to be directing her first GDA show. This is her 7th year with the GDA. Sarah Frances is an actor, choreographer and teacher artist in the DMV. She graduated from The Catholic University of America Department of Musical Theatre. Previous GDA shows are Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Footloose, Fiddler on the Roof, and Hairspray. Previous performing credits include Beauty and the Beast, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Saturday Night Fever, Urinetown, and more. Sarah Frances is the Education Program Manager for Levine Music Theatre at the Levine School of Music. For Mom and Dad always.

Congratulations, Thomas, you have come so far in these four years on stage crew.

Love, Mom, Dad and John

1821-2021

Gonzaga perseveres as it has for its 200 years of educating Men for Others.

To the GDA cast and crew for persevering and putting on a great fall show… Bravo! The Joransen Family

Congratulations to Emma (SR ‘22)

and the entire GDA for working together on Eye Street during these challenging times to create a special, unique show to entertain and inspire!

With much love, The Dowd Family Mom, Dad, Ryan G’13, Trevor G’16 and Shaelyn

The Show Must Go On!

Break a leg and congratulations to the cast, crew and production staff of Words from Eye Street!!

Robert & Mary Barbuto

Mary Theresa Barbuto

Gabriella Barbuto GDA ‘14

Congratulations and Good Luck to the GDA -Keep It Up!! -- Andrew

and the entire Gans Family

PatronS of the GonzaGa dramatic aSSociation

The Adams Family Adventure Theater

Donne Allen

The Aranza Family

Aaron Aranza ‘17

Robert & Mary Barbuto

Mary Theresa Barbuto

Gabriella Barbuto GDA ‘14

The Berg Family

The Boston Family

Paul & Monica Buckley

The Campion Family

David Carney & Michele Sumilas

Vincent & Amy Caspari

Katie & Wally Cooney

The Cowardin Family

The Curtin Family

The Dolan Family

The Dorsey Family

The Dowd Family

The Dukes Family

The Farley Family

Nora Fitzpatrick & Robert Stephens

The Fragola Family

The Gans Family

The Gately Family

GDA Booster

Alumni Parents

The Gonzaga Fathers Club

The Jerro Family

The Joransen Family

The Leach Family

Levine School of Music

The Lewis Family

The Limarzi Family

Felipe McAlister

The McGee Family

The Miller Family

The O’Boyle Family

The Off Family

The Plantamura Family

The Reischauer Family

Norma and Tom Roberts

Lisa M. Roeder and Will ‘17

Jennifer Shoji

Deanna Howes Spiro

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Jesuit Community

Victory Comics

The Weaver Family

The Wells Family

The Wyatt Family

Good luck and keep up the great work Xavier!

It’s been a pleasure watching you grow into an exemplary young man.  We wish you continued blessings on your endeavors.

Love, The Adams Family

Applause!  Applause!  Applause!  We love GDA!

Best wishes from the Aranza Family and Aaron Aranza, Class of 2017

Hey Anthony, Mom and Dad say “it’s time to step away from the computer.”

Congratulations to Matthew Dukes ‘22 and the cast & crew for another great GDA production.  Even in 2020, the show must go on!! Love Mom, Dad, Emily, and Timmy

Congratulations to Robert, and the entire Cast and Crew!   Break a leg! Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of “Words from Eye Street!” Break a leg, John! We are very proud of you.

Love, Mom and Dad, Billy, Lizzy, Luke, Patrick and Ella

Bravo Lorenzo, Cast, Crew, Directors, Producers and everyone in the GDA. Words from Eye Street is living proof that The Show Must Go On!

Love, Meg, Toni, Luca and Lucia Limarzi

Molly, Congratulations on your first GDA performance! We are so proud of you! Love, Mom and the boys

Congratulations to Xavier Allen and all of the Gonzaga Eagles on an exceptional performance. From the Wyatt Family

Xavier Allen is a sophomore at Gonzaga who also wrestles and plays football. Thank you to Mr. Buckley, Ms. Sarah and Mrs. Goldsmith.

Eleanor Bender is a senior at St. John’s and is delighted to be in her 5th show at Gonzaga! She is so thankful to everyone who has helped during this process and would like to dedicate this performance to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and thank her for her inspirational words!

Mary Ashleigh Berg was in productions of both Grease (2019) and Newsies (2020) and considers GDA her second home. She would like to thank her parents for letting her do GDA monologues in the first place, and her family for constantly supporting her. Long live the batons!

Anthony Buckley is excited to be in his third production as a student at Gonzaga. His previous shows include The Laramie Project and Newsies. He is excited to continue his career as a member of the GDA.

Thomas Carney is excited for his seventh Gonzaga show. He is disappointed there is not an in-person show, but he is glad to have had this experience, even though there is a global pandemic.

This is John Corso’s third production with stage crew. This year, he edited for Team B, and is very excited to bring his past experience in filmmaking to Gonzaga. He’d like to thank the stage crew for all their support.

Alese Cowardin has waited SIX years to be a part of the GDA ever since her brothers graced the stage. She is overjoyed to be a part of the process that goes on behind the curtain and cannot wait for more amazing shows.

Abe Dibba has been doing Gonzaga theater since freshman year and it has been one of the highlights of his Gonzaga career. “If there is anyone considering doing theater, I say go for it, you will not regret it, and it will make your high school experience that much better.”

Gabriel Dorsey: “I just want to say that I am happy to be here and thank you to my mom, dad, the cast and crew, Mr. L’Etoile, Sarah and Mr. Spencer.”

Emma Dowd is a junior at Stone Ridge and is so excited to be a part of her fourth production with the GDA. She would like to thank Sarah and the entire cast and crew for a great show!

Robert Fragola is very excited to be part of his second show with the GDA! “Thanks so much to my parents for all their support, Mr. L’Etoile for his amazing directing in previous shows, and Sarah for organizing this show, even during these unstable times!”

Congratulations Matthew on your 7th performance with the GDA!

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for all their hard work on “Words From Eye Street” particularly during a global pandemic!

“The man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want.”

Love Mom, Dad, Will and Elizabeth

Willy Loman, “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Matthew Gately is a senior at Gonzaga in his seventh show. He wants to thank his parents and friends for their support and encouragement.

Joe Giuliani assures you he has spent at least five seconds contemplating what he will write in his bio to convey how excited he is to partake in his seventh production with the GDA. Also, he’s a senior at Gonzaga, in case that wasn’t obvious.

Chris Groh is a junior on stage crew doing his fourth show with the GDA. He is very excited to be back with the stage crew after they were so close yet so far from performing last Spring. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Patrick Jacobs is excited to be working on his third production and enjoy working with a great group of students and teachers.

John Jerro is a member of the Gonzaga rugby team, one of the founders of the Chess Club, a member of Retreat Team, a member of Debate Team, a member of SFA since freshman year, and this is his first show with the GDA. He is very thankful for the hard work of the moderators of GDA and the support of his family.

This is Lorenzo Limarzi’s first production in the GDA. He was slightly peer pressured into it and he slightly peer pressured a friend into it too. He would like to thank all those who contributed to the play, and those who were just along for the ride.

Molly McGee is excited to be doing her first show with the GDA. She goes to Georgetown Visitation and plans to play ice hockey. She wants to thank her family for always supporting her and everyone involved with making this possible.

James Miller is thrilled to be a part of his fifth (possibly fourth – does Newsies count?) show with the GDA. While this show may have been different, something about screaming about witches in an empty room seems fitting for this year.

Brendan O’Boyle: “Despite only being able to see everyone on Zoom, I’m still just glad to be here an dbe able to continue the friendships I’ve built.”

Aside from acting, JT Off also does two sports here at Gonzaga, along with a number of extracurriculars. JT Would also like to thank his friends and family for letting him have the opportunity to participate in a wonderful play with a wonderful cast.

Caitlin Reischauer has loved being part of the GDA these past few years and has really enjoyed being able to work with everyone this fall. She is very grateful to Sarah, Mr. Spencer and everyone else involved for working to put this together.

Luke Rizzo: “I finally got a chance to play the role I was born to play – a bad actor.”

Congratulations to my granddaughter, Molly McGee, on your first Gonzaga production.

Remember me when you become famous.

Love, Grandpa

This is Guy Shoji’s first production on Eye Street, and he is excited to get back into the game after a brief two-year hiatus from acting. His return is mostly due to the fact that it’s harder for upperclassmen to haze him over Zoom rehearsals.

Grace Stephens is so excited to be a part of her very first production with the GDA! She’s made so many friends and met so many great people. She wants to thank Sarah, Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Goldsmith for all their hard work! Grace has had such a blast and can’t wait to be in future GDA shows. She hopes you all enjoy the show!

Locke Sullivan is happy to be a part of Words from Eye Street and thanks all those who made this show.

Paul Weaver is excited to be back at it again with the cast creating a show.

Jacob Wells: “It’s nice to see you all (virtually)! I’d like to thank Sarah, Mr. Buckley, Mrs. Goldsmith and Mr. Spencer for giving us Seniors a chance to go out with a bang! Though I miss Mr. L’Etoile at rehearsals, I can still hear his raging voice in my head.”

Performance Programs

LMT’s performance programs provide advanced music theatre training for students of all ages. This year, we are excited for the opportunities for working together in a virtual environment. In the fall, we focus on training in all disciplines of music theatre and in the spring, our programs will work together to produce Les Misérables. Students will learn how to hone and enhance the digital performance skills needed in a changing and expanding market.

Youth Performance Institute (Grades 6-8)

The Youth Performance Institute is a performance training program designed to provide theatre students the building blocks they will need in the musical theatre world. Students will have a digital showcase in December before beginning rehearsals.

Performance Institute (Grades 9-12)

Levine Music Theatre and The Theatre Lab's Performance Institute is an audition-only advanced musical theatre training and performance program. Students will additionally have two showcase performances in December and May.

Generation Performance Project (All Ages)

Generations Performance Project is for students of all ages and experiences to come together and explore the process of creating a fully staged musical production while enhancing their skills in acting, voice, and dance.

To Our Dearest Jacob, GDA Cast & Crew

Here’s to you!

Bravo! Every performance was well done Encore!

Aquino-Wells Family

Dream on, Caitlin. We could not be prouder of you!

Love, Mom, Dad, Jade, Chase & Piper

“The world becomes a fantasy, and youʻre more than you could ever be, cause youʻre dreaming with your eyes wide open.”

Alese, Congratulations on fulfilling your dream since 4th grade... your very first GDA performance!

We know this is the first of years to come as you follow your brothers across the historic stage at Eye Street.

We are so happy for you.

Love Mom, Dad ‘85, Will ‘18 and Christopher ‘20

JTBe sure to break a virtual leg and get a virtual standing ovation!

Love, Mom & Dad

acKnoWledGementS

TheGonzagaDramaticAssociationwouldliketothankthefollowing peoplefortheircontributions,bothbigandsmall,withoutwhichthe showcouldnothavehappened.

Fr. Stephen Planning, Steve Neill, Tom Every, Jim Kilroy, Jim Rogers, Dale Johnson, Lashieta Rogers, Patti Calvo, Andrew Battaile, Mike Hanagan, Mark Emory and the Maintenance Staff, Palm Facilities Services, Jeanette Staton & The Mothers’ Club, Grant Palmer & The Fathers’ Club, the Security Staff, Joe Reyda, Dave Dugan, Mary Clare Glover, Brea Neri, Priscilla Flynn, Conrad Singh, Kathryn Vaughn, Peter Buckley, Jim Manion, Bobby Crowe III, and Eileen Vaughan.

drama BooSterS

TheDramaBoosterswasestablishedin1998toassisttheproductionstaff withcostuming,props,concessions,adsales,ticketsales,setconstruction, publicity,andwhateverotherneedstheproductionmayrequire.

WhiletheDramaBoostershavebeenunabletoprovidetheircustomary assistancetotheproductionduetothepandemic,theyhaveremaineda trulyunparalleledassettoourprogram,mostimportantlybyentrusting theirchildrentoourcareinthismostchallengingofcircumstances. Additionally,theirworkinhelpingtoraisefundsfortheshowhasagain proventobeinvaluable.

We could not do this without them.

For more information about the GDA Alumni Booster Parents, please contact Paul Buckley at pbuckley@gonzaga.org