A Christmas Carol 2024 Program

NOVEMBER 23—DECEMBER 29

2024/2025 SEASON

FROM THE ARTISTIC & MANAGING DIRECTORS

Welcome to the wondrous world of A Christmas Carol, a Hartford Stage tradition since 1998, and one that we are delighted to share once again with you and the larger Hartford community.

What a glorious community forms for this production, as seasoned professionals, young artists, and children — the next generation of theatergoers and makers — join to share Dickens’ story.

Community is crucial to what Hartford Stage does: we tell stories that reflect our experiences and bring, we hope, the best of our humanity to the fore. The world has never been a simple place, and Dickens struggled to make sense of and bring light to the darkness he saw and lived through in 19th-century London. His vision of redemption is one we can all cherish, as we look to the new year with our own hopes for peace and transformation.

At this time of year, as the darkness encroaches ever more, we welcome the light of brilliant storytelling. For over sixty years, this theater has been a civic center striving to tell stories that bring astonishment and recognition to our lives. As Scrooge awakens to the opportunity to relish and help those around him, we hope you too will be filled with optimism and joy in this season.

Thank you for supporting Hartford Stage, thank you for being a part of this community, and enjoy A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.

Melia Bensussen Artistic Director

Cynthia Rider Managing Director

THE CAST

Erik Bloomquist

Natalie Brown

Vanessa R Butler

Robert Hannon Davis

Allen Gilmore Rebecka Jones

Hero Marguerite

Mauricio Miranda

John-Andrew Morrison

Patrick O’Konis

Stuart Rider Noble Shropshire

MELIA BENSUSSEN

Artistic Director

CYNTHIA RIDER Managing Director

By Charles Dickens

Adapted & Directed by

Michael Wilson

Choreography Hope Clarke

Scenic Design Tony Straiges

Costume Design Alejo Vietti

Lighting Design Robert Wierzel

Original Music & Sound Design John Gromada

Original Costume Design Zack Brown

Wig Design Brittany Hartman

Flying Effects ZFX, Inc.

Dialect and Voice Coach Johanna Morrison

Music Director John Fitzpatrick

Associate Choreographer Derric Harris

Fight Coordinator Michael Rossmy

Youth Coordinators Shelby Demke & Lina Pardo

Wig and Hair Coordinator Jodi Stone

Original Dramaturg Christopher Baker

Casting Alaine Alldaffer & Lisa Donadio

Production Stage Manager Kelly Hardy *

1st Assistant Stage Manager Chandalae Nyswonger *

2nd Assistant Stage Manager Campbell Anidjar *

Associate Artistic Director Zoë Golub-Sass

Director of Production Bryan T. Holcombe

General Manager Emily Van Scoy

NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 29, 2024

THE CHARACTERS

Ebenezer Scrooge............................................................................................... Allen Gilmore *

Mrs. Dilber, his housekeeper ................................................................... Noble Shropshire *

Bob Cratchit, his clerk .................................................................................... Patrick O’Konis *

Fred, his nephew Erik Bloomquist *

Fred’s Wife Vanessa R Butler *

First Solicitor.............................................................................................................. Stuart Rider *

Second Solicitor ................................................................................... Robert Hannon Davis *

Mr. Toby John Pagliarulo ^

Bettye Pidgeon, a doll vendor Rebecka Jones *

Beggar Woman Natalie Brown *

Rich Lady .................................................................................................................... Jessie Levin ^

Bert, a fruit and cider vendor ..................................................... John-Andrew Morrison *

Mr. Marvel, a watchworks vendor Mauricio Miranda * Undertaker Robert Hannon Davis *

Jacob Marley ................................................................................................. Noble Shropshire *

Spirit of Christmas Past ................................................................................. Rebecka Jones *

Scrooge at 14 ............................................................................................. Jason Pietroluongo ^

Scrooge at 30 Erik Bloomquist *

Mr. Fezziwig Stuart Rider *

Mrs. Fezziwig ........................................................................................................ Natalie Brown *

Nichola, Fezziwig’s daughter ............................................................................ Jenna Willet ^

Wendy, Fezziwig’s daughter ................................................................................ Liiana Alva ^ Fiddler Jessie Levin ^

Dick Wilkins Jordan Cyr ^

Guests at Fezziwig’s Party .........................................Jason Pietroluongo ^, Max Unlu ^

Belle, affianced to Scrooge.......................................................................Vanessa R Butler *

Spirit of Christmas Present ......................................................... John-Andrew Morrison *

Mrs. Cratchit Hero Marguerite *

Martha Cratchit Madelyn Rothstein ^

Mr. Topper ......................................................................................................................... Max Unlu ^

Fred’s Sister-In-Law........................................................................................... Natalie Brown *

Guests at Fred’s Party ............................................................ Liliana Alva ^, Jessie Levin ^ John Pagliarulo ^, Jason Pietroluongo ^

Spirit of Christmas Future Himself

Old Jo..................................................................................................................... Rebecka Jones *

Ghostly Apparitions & Citizens of London ............... Liliana Alva ^, Natalie Brown *, Jordan Cyr ^, Jason Pietroluongo ^

Madelyn Rothstein ^, Jenna Willet ^, Max Unlu ^

Swings Katie Gwen Morris ^, Xavier Turner ^

THE CHARACTERS

Tim Cratchit..............................................................

James Salvo or Logan Gordon-Gay

Spoiled Child .................................................................... Victoria Bowling or Aria Pierce

Schoolboys ............................

Victoria Bowling, Coralie Frumkin, Cru Aspen Lyles, Isabella Lundy, Gibson Quinn, or Aria Pierce

Boy Scrooge / Fred’s Son

Rashad Matthews, Jr. or Julian McKinney

Fred’s Daughter...........................................................

Coralie Frumkin or Gibson Quinn

Fan, Scrooge’s sister ............................................................... Avery Cerny or Elise Proto Claire, Fezziwig’s daughter

Belinda Cratchit

Peter Cratchit

Ari Mendoza or Julia Sheehan

Cru Aspen Lyles or Isabella Lundy

Emaline Gray or Eliot Lentino

Cider Child / Ignorance .................. Addison “Addy” Curren or Adelina McGinnis

Fruit Child / Want ...................

Theodore “Teddy” Curren or Gloria Dotson-Kelly

Turkey Boy Benjamin O’Brien or Vedanth Satish Lamplighter Naeem Opoku-Shinn or Jordyn Schmidt

THERE WILL BE ONE INTERMISSION.

Hartt School Assistant Director Jeremy Parrott ^

Assistant Scenic Designer Catherine Chung

Assistant Lighting Designers ................................ Eric Norbury & Shane Hennessey

Assistant Sound Designer .............................................................................. Lucas Clopton

Intimacy Coordinator.................................................................................... Michael Rossmy

Dance Captain Natalie Brown *

Hartt School Observer Samantha Acosta ^

Production Assistant...................................................................................... Alyssa Edwards

Understudies never substitute for listed actors unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance. For Ebenezer Scrooge: Robert Hannon Davis. For Mrs. Dilber, Jacob Marley: Patrick O’Konis. For Bob Cratchit: Erik Bloomquist. For Bettye Pidgeon, Spirit of Christmas Past: Natalie Brown. For Bert, Spirit of Christmas Present: Stuart Rider For Mr. Marvel: John Pagliarulo. For First Solicitor, Second Solicitor, Mr. Fezziwig: Mauricio Miranda. For First Solicitor, Second Solicitor: Jason Pietroluongo. For Fred, Scrooge at 30: Max Unlu. For Scrooge at 14, Mr. Topper: Jordan Cyr. For Beggar Woman: Madelyn Rothstein. For Undertaker, Mrs. Fezziwig, Fred’s Sister-in-Law: Jessie Levin. For Mrs. Cratchit: Jenna Willet. For Martha Cratchit: Jessie Levin. For Rich Lady, Belle, Fred’s Wife: Liliana Alva. For Old Jo: Vanessa R. Butler.

* Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

^ BFA student from our academic theater partnership with The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

Charles Dickens in his Study, 1859 by William Powell Frith, Victoria and Albert Museum.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is widely considered the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era. His many novels include A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. Dickens was more popular during his lifetime than any previous novelist had been. His work functioned on many levels, and had a wide appeal; he was both a great comic writer and a serious and thoughtful critic of the society he lived in. The novels that were most successful in his time are not as a rule the same ones that we read most today–but A Christmas Carol has always been among the best-loved of his novels. He also wrote a couple of plays, and while neither of them were hits, many of the novels have been successfully dramatized and are regularly produced today.

A Christmas Carol was the first of Dickens’ Christmas novels–a genre he created. He conceived of and wrote it in a few weeks, in the midst of his work on the much longer Martin Chuzzlewit. It’s the one great Christmas myth of modern literature, and quickly entered the general consciousness. When he died, a London costermonger’s girl is said to have exclaimed “Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die too?” Thackeray called A Christmas Carol “a national benefit, and to every man and woman who reads it a personal kindness.” Dickens wrote a further Christmas book almost every year for the next two decades, but while they did well, none had such a wide effect on the general culture.

In 1858, Dickens started giving public paid readings of his work. A novelist who had once considered being an actor, he had always written work that lent itself well to reading aloud. The most popular of his readings were of A Christmas Carol and of the trial scene from The Pickwick Papers. He gave readings both in London and on tour over the next decade, culminating in a tour of the United States. A natural performer, he brought out the nuances in his work while also making good use of the dramatic effects. Each reading was about two hours in total, and these performances brought in a great deal of his income in the last decade of his life. No other major novelist (until Mark Twain) had taken on such a series of readings, and they were very successful, but they took their toll.

The American tour in 1867-68 was the last he made, and contributed to the decline in his health. In 1869 he gave a series of farewell readings in London, and famously ended them with the lines “From these garish lights I vanish now forever…,” lines which were repeated only three months later on the card for his funeral. He died suddenly in 1870 at only 58, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Behind the Magic of

Peek behind the scenes of A Christmas Carol !

Scenic

It takes our Scene Shop about 800 hours to unpack, repair, and install the set every year.

Many elements from the original 1998 set are still on stage today!

Can you spot your seat? This is a view of the house from backstage.

Above: Original Scenic Design by Tony Straiges.

Props

We pop over 150 Christmas poppers during rehearsals and performances. Each popper is handmade by our Prop Shop.

We use 3 types of confetti and 2 different sizes of plastic snow throughout the show.

We use over 350 pounds of dry ice per year. The dry ice creates steam effects for Bert’s cider and Mr. Marvel’s cart.

Wonder how we get it to snow in the theater? Look up and you might see how!

Between the lights and speakers overhead, you’ll also find contain a motor and a filter—and are packed with plastic snow. When it’s time for the snow to fall, the motor triggers the filter, which slides back and forth, letting bits of snow sprinkle through. After the performance, we sweep and vacuum up the snow and re-load the boxes to create the magic all over again.

Right: Mauricio Miranda as Mr. Marvel in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023). Photo by T. Charles Erickson. Below: The snowboxes above the stage.

Lights

It takes a team of 6-7 people a total of 7 days to hang the lights. Once the lights are in the air, it takes 9 people 1 day to focus them. Focus is an important step, where the angle and shape of the lights are set. Once the lights are in position, the designer works to set the intensity and timing of each individual light.

There are over 500 lighting instruments that turn on (and off!) over the course of production. Some of these are overhead, and some are on stage.

We insert gobos in many lights on stage. Some gobos have an abstract design, while some are very recognizable. production. Some of these are overhead, and some are on stage.

What’s a gobo? A gobo is a template to shoot light through and create designs on stage. We have a stock of gobos that can be used in various productions, but we also order custom gobos for specific shows. The most famous custom gobo in our production is the clock that is seen on the floor of the stage.

Left: Assistant Production Manager Wesley McCabe-Schroeder assisting in spotlight focus. Photo by Molly Flanagan. Above: The cast of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

There are 173 sound cues, made

What’s a cue?

A cue is a prompt that something should happen. For example, when we run a light cue – the lights change. The lighting looks that we are moving through are crafted by the designer and then run by an operator through a preprogrammed board.

Sound Sound

All of the music, with the exception of a few traditional carols, is original and was composed for this production.

The sound cues are designed and balanced to be heard via the 25 speakers in the sound system including one wireless speaker, hidden in Mr. Marvel’s cart!

There are 11 microphones in the production: 4 area microphones that amplify multiple voices (these are hung in the air and hidden on stage) and 7 body microphones that are worn by individual actors to amplify their voices.

The Art of the Hidden Microphone

Body microphones are often hidden in costume pieces and wigs. In this production some hiding spots include: Mrs. Dilber’s microphone hidden in her wig, The Ghost of Christmas Past’s microphone hidden in her headdress, and Scrooge’s microphone hidden in his glasses!

Above: A Christmas Carol Composer & Sound Designer John Gromada, 2008.

Left: Noble Shropshire as Mrs. Dilber in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Costumes

Our Costume Shop is responsible for dressing the cast of 46 actors (12 professional actors, 10 students from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and 24 children from the community).

minutes depending on the number of costume pieces and complexity of design.

There are 153 different costumes (made up of approximately 1,193 individual pieces of clothing and accessories!) and 45 wigs.

1 Wardrobe Supervisor who oversees the Wardrobe Team and costume repair and maintenance.

2 Wardrobe Run Crew Members who help the cast get dressed before the show and make quick changes between scenes. One of these crew members is dedicated to overseeing the Youth Ensemble’s costume track.

1 Wig Supervisor who oversees wig repair and style maintenance.

1 Wig Crew Member and out of their wigs before, during, and after the performance.

1 Wardrobe Swing who learns all of the wardrobe tracks, so they are prepared to step in backstage in case of illness or injury.

Left: John-Andrew Morrison as the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023). Photo by T. Charles Erickson. Above: Stitcher Joseph O’Brien in the Costume Shop.

Below: Ari Mendoza (Claire) gets fitted for her costume.

Crew & Stage Management

Alongside our cast, our backstage team of 22 works to bring the magic of this production to life for each and every performance. This team is composed of:

1 Stage Manager who oversees the execution of everything on stage—and off! They sit in the windowed booth behind the audience of Section D, so they have a clear view of the stage. The Stage Manager communicates with the full backstage team about when lights change, scenery moves, actors enter, and more.

2 Assistant Stage Managers who oversee the crew and guide the cast backstage.

1 Light Board Operator who runs the lighting cues, as called by the Stage Manager.

1 Sound Board Operator who runs the sound cues, as called by the Stage Manager, and adjusts the volume of the microphones and speakers live.

1 Automations Operator who runs the automated cues (ex. trapdoors, sliding walls, etc.).

3 Deck Crew Members who manually move set pieces and fly scenery in and out.

2 Fly Team Members who fly the actors and work to ensure their safety.

2 Spotlight Operators who manually shifts lights to follow the actors’ live performances.

2 Youth Coordinators who work with the Youth Ensemble throughout rehearsals and performances. At the theater, they guide the children through their tracks and help them navigate backstage.

1 Crew Swing who learns all of the crew tracks, so they are prepared to step in backstage in case of illness or injury.

THE HARTT SCHOOL/HARTFORD STAGE PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING

Now in its twenty-first year, The Hartt School/ Hartford Stage Partnership in Training offers a unique alliance of an undergraduate acting conservatory program and a respected professional theatre. This partnership helps ensure that acting students at the Hartt School receive rigorous training and bring their skills, imagination, and intellect to the demands of a professional theatre setting. Hartt students have been seen in The Winter’s Tale, Ah, Wilderness!, Quixote Nuevo, The Flamingo Kid, Henry V, The Age of Innocence, The Comedy of Errors, Anastasia, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, The Crucible, Snow Falling on Cedars, Antony & Cleopatra, To Kill a Mockingbird, Noises Off!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL WORD SEARCH

TECHNICAL

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

ERIK BLOOMQUIST

Fred / Scrooge at 30

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Rear Window, Hamlet, Ether Dome. Regional: The Great Gatsby (Legacy Theatre); Calendar Girls, The Game’s Afoot, A Christmas Carol, Memphis, La Cage Aux Folles (Ivoryton Playhouse); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Valley Shakespeare Festival), others. Directing: The 39 Steps (Ivoryton Playhouse); Footloose (Ozark Actors Theatre); Bye, Bye, Birdie (Priscilla Beach Theatre); Carrie, Heathers: The Musical, Rent, Into the Woods (Trinity College); 25th...Spelling Bee (Clark University), others. Film: Founders Day, She Came from the Woods, Self-Help, Weekenders, Intermedium, Night at the Eagle Inn, Christmas on the Carousel, Midas, High Heat, others. Television: The Cobblestone Corridor (also series creator), The Mystery of Matter, others. Education: BA Theater and Dance, Trinity College; London Dramatic Academy. Other: Narrator of 80+ audiobooks. Awards: Two-time Emmy Award Winner for The Cobblestone Corridor (Outstanding Writer, Outstanding Director); Top 200 Director HBO’s Project Greenlight; Connecticut Magazine “40 Under 40”. @erikcbloomquist

NATALIE BROWN

Beggar Woman / Mrs. Fezziwig / Fred’s Sister-In-Law / Ghostly Apparition

Hartford Stage: The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 8 by Tenn, Night of the Iguana, Macbeth, Camino Real, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, A Streetcar Named Desire. Off Broadway: Rock Doves (Irish Arts Center). Regional: Approaching Moomtaj, The Real Thing (New Repertory Theater); The Exonerated, The Laramie Project (Connecticut Critics Circle Award) (TheaterWorks Hartford); Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Rebecca, All In The Timing (American Stage Festival); Hamlet, Macbeth (North Shore Music Theatre); The Fever, The Swan (Nora Theatre Company); Lizzy Borden: The Musical, Shadowlands (Stoneham Theater); Gypsy, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Children, Lucky Stiff (Worcester Foothills Theatre); Fiddler on The Roof, Evita (Harbor Theatre Festival); Monomoy Theatre; Vineyard Playhouse; Lyric Stage. Film: Founder’s Day, Intermedium, Ghost Tour, Little Women, Hitting Home. Training: Boston Conservatory of Music, Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC. Other: Lead vocalist of the international rock band Circuline. She is also an LMSW, MCLC in New York.

VANESSA R BUTLER

Fred’s Wife / Belle

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Queens for a Year. Off-Broadway: The Comedy of Errors, Lear (Smith Street Stage); 48 Hours in Harlem (Harlem 9); Scissoring (INTAR); Terminus (New York Theatre Workshop); the Colony (Columbia/Signature Theatre). Regional: Raisin in the Sun (TheatreSquared); The Odyssey (Alley Theatre); Possessing Harriet, Jimmy & Lorraine, Gross Domestic Product (HartBeat Ensemble); Romeo & Juliet (Capitol Classics Theatre); Khalas (Collective Consciousness Theatre); Freedom in 3 Acts (Bated Breath Theater Company). Film: Holiday for Heroes (Hallmark). Television: Billions, Zero Day, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted. Awards: Connecticut Critics Circle Award 2017 — Outstanding Actress in a Play. Education: California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) MFA. vanessarbutler.com

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

ROBERT HANNON DAVIS

Second Solicitor / Undertaker

Hartford Stage: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Romeo & Juliet; Kiss Me, Kate; Our Town; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas; Brand:NEW: Welcome to Jesus, American Hero, Horton Foote’s The Shape of the River, Stuff Happens; Peter & Jerry: A Play by Edward Albee (u/s). Regional: Show Boat (Goodspeed Musicals); The Exonerated (TheaterWorks Hartford; Connecticut Critics Circle Award — Best Ensemble); Possessing Harriet (HartBeat Ensemble); Shakespeare & Company, Tulane Shakespeare Festival, Swine Palace Productions, Monomoy Theatre. Voice & Dialect Coach: Hartford Stage (Feeding the Dragon, Queens for a Year, An Opening in Time, Abundance, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill A Mockingbird); Goodspeed Musicals (Oliver!); Yale Repertory Theatre; Colorado Shakespeare Festival; TheaterWorks Hartford (Relativity with Richard Dreyfuss). Teaching: Professor at The Hartt School Theatre Division at the University of Hartford, Shakespeare & Company Training Programs, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Theater Institute, National Endowment for the Humanities’ Rose Playhouse Institute, Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. Television: Sesame Street.

ALLEN GILMORE

Ebenezer Scrooge

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Recent: Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville as Sherlock Holmes (Peninsula Players). Theater: Created the title role in Malvolio (Classical Theater of Harlem; co-directed by Ian Belknap and Ty Jones). Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Classical Theater of Harlem and Yale Rep; directed by Carl Cofield); Choir Boy by Academy Award-Winner Tarel Alvin McCraney (Yale Rep; directed by Christopher D. Betts); Scrooge in Mark Shanahan’s A Sherlock Carol (New World Stages in New York, co-directed by Jen Waldman and Shanahan). Other: Originally from Houston, Allen is a US Army Infantry veteran, a 2015 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, a 2015 3Arts Prize recipient, a 2019 Nicholas Ruddall Prize recipient, and a proud ensemble member of Congo Square Theater. allengilmore.com

REBECKA JONES

Bettye Pidgeon / Spirit of Christmas Past / Old Jo

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, The Crucible, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth. Regional: Network (Florida Studio Theatre); The Shadow Box (SCF); Sixteen Wounded (Long Wharf Theatre); King John, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare & Company); Anton in Show Business, Salvage, Marion Bridge, Private Lies, Acting Out: New Play Series (Theatre4); Tempest, Macbeth (Elm Shakespeare Company); The Comedy of Errors (Monomoy) Education: MFA, Actor Training, Ohio University.

HERO MARGUERITE

Mrs. Cratchit

Hartford Stage: All My Sons (Ann/Lydia u/s), A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Regional: Big Big Sky, Circle Mirror Transformation (Chester Theatre Company, Berkshire Theatre Awards Nominee); The Trip to Bountiful (Westport Country Playhouse, staged reading); Iodine (The Adams Theater, workshop); RE/ Emergence (RE/Emergence Collective); Sweeney Todd (Pan Opera); Hope I Die Before I Get Old (CitySpace); Amahl and the Night Visitors (Hartford Opera Theater); Port

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

of Entry (WAM Theatre, staged reading). Film: Cordelia Lear (Independent); Making Learning Stick Series (Wesleyan University Psychology Department); Backwater (Independent). Education: Smith College (Denton Snyder Prize); LAMDA classical semester program.

MAURICIO MIRANDA

Mr. Marvel

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Off-Broadway: Spring Awakening (Alphanyc). Regional: Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing (Capital Classics); The Comedy of Errors, The Book of Will (Utah Shakes); Pericles, Une Tempete, A Christmas Carol (American Shakes); Macbeth (Alabama Shakes); The Tempest (Elm Shakes); As You Like It (Shakes On The Sound); Holy Laughter (KC Rep); Habia Una Vez (Indiana Rep); Hamlet (Heart of America Shakes); King Lear (New Frontiers International); The Crucible, Grapes of Wrath, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Curious Incident, Shakespeare In Love (Connecticut Rep); River City (Phoenix Theatre); Water By The Spoonful (Wisdom Tooth Theatre Project). Film: Take Care. Education: BA Theater Performance, Freed-Hardeman University; MFA Playwriting, Indiana University; MFA Acting, University of Connecticut; Month-Long Acting Intensive, Shakespeare & Company.

JOHN-ANDREW MORRISON (JAM)

Bert / Spirit of Christmas Present

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Broadway: A Strange Loop (also Off Broadway; Tony Nomination, Lucille Lortel Award, OBIE Award). OffBroadway: Blues for an Alabama Sky (Outer Critics Circle Award Honoree); Malvolio (Classical Theater of Harlem with Allen Gilmore; AUDELCO Nomination). Cabaret: He recently presented his solo cabaret show at 54 Below to critical acclaim. Podcast: He is a cohost of the podcast 5 Questions with JAMES & JAM (with James Jackson Jr.).

Education: BA, Brandeis University; MFA, UC San Diego. Member of The Actors Center. As always, this is for his mom Eunice. @jandymorri

PATRICK O’KONIS

Bob Cratchit

Hartford Stage: Debut. Off-Broadway: Act A Lady (Connolly Theater); A Map of Virtue (Irondale Center); Weasel Festival (The Public Theater). Regional: John Proctor is the Villain (Huntington Theatre); The Hombres (Gloucester Stage); Touching the Void (Apollinaire Theatre); Indecent (Wilbury Theatre Group); Mystic Pizza (Ivoryton Playhouse). Immersive Theater: Stranger Things Experience (Netflix/Fever); The Polar Express Train Ride (Universal/Rail Events). Director: Guarding (The Drama Studio); At the Wedding, Almost, Maine (Alternative College Theatre) Awards: Elliot Norton Acting Ensemble 2024. Education: MFA (Brooklyn College), BA (College of the Holy Cross). Teaching: Visiting Professor and Director at College of the Holy Cross. Forever for his family. patrickokonis.com

STUART RIDER

First Solicitor / Mr. Fezziwig

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Ah, Wilderness! Regional: Native Gardens, The Royale, History Room, Clue, General Store, Arsenic and Old Lace, Mountain Octopus (Creede Repertory Theater); Glengarry Glen Ross, The

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Seafarer, Private Lives, The Cripple of Inishmaan (Kansas City Actors Theater); The Odd Couple with George Wendt; Move Over Mrs. Markham with Loretta Swit (The New Theatre); The Gin Game with Shirley Patton (Camelot Theater). Training: American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco, CA.).

NOBLE SHROPSHIRE

Mrs. Dilber / Jacob Marley

Hartford Stage: The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, La Dispute, The Tempest, The 39 Steps, Noises Off!, Macbeth (2000), Our Town, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Brand:NEW Play Festival. Broadway: Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone; Royal National Theatre’s premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Not About Nightingales with Trevor Nunn; Candida (Roundabout). Off-Broadway: The Killer (Theatre for a New Audience); Parris in The Crucible (Roundabout); CSC (9 seasons): title roles in Hamlet, Peer Gynt, Tartuffe, Leonce & Lena, as well as the Fool in King Lear, Mephisto in Faust, Hummel in Ghost Sonata, Robespierre in Danton’s Death, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard; La Mama. Regional: Actors Theatre Louisville, Alley Theatre, ART, Arena Stage, Asolo, Cincinnati Playhouse, City Theatre, Denver Center, Great Lakes, Monomoy Theatre, PlayMakers, Phoenix Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Co., Pittsburgh Public, Rep Theater St. Louis, Stage West, Westport Country Playhouse. Television: Roger Stifdik in Strangers with Candy, Loving, Guiding Light Film: The Asylum Seekers, The Uninvited Training: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

THE HARTT SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING

SAMANTHA ACOSTA

Hartt School Oberver

Hartford Stage: Breakdancing Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, Project Transform. Television: Tengo Talento Mucho Talento, Saturday Night Live. Commercial: Fidelity Banking investments, Titleist Golf, Notify NYC. Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Midsummer Nights Dream; Twelfth Night; Julius Caesar; Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play; The Wolves, Reasons to Be Pretty. Radio: ESPN (the Rob Dibble Show); Kiss 95.7 (iHeartMedia). Other: Brand Ambassador.

LILIANA ALVA

Ghostly Apparition / Guest at Fred’s Party / Wendy

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education: Drama Studio London; BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (recent productions include: Cyrano de Bergerac; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Wolves; Mr. Burns a Post-Electric Play). Thanks to her teachers, family (especially her mom), and Xavier for their love and encouragement.

JORDAN CYR

Ghostly Apparition / Dick Wilkins

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Photosynthesis (Festival of New Musicals, Goodspeed Musicals); Cats, Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Cabaret, Mamma Mia! (Jean’s Playhouse). Education: BFA Music Theatre, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Footloose, Something Rotten!, My Fair Lady, Sister Act, A New Brain, She Loves Me).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

KATIE GWEN MORRIS

Swing

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Rent, Jersey Boys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (New London Barn Playhouse); Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, The Sound of Music (NCCA Jean’s Playhouse). Education: BFA Music Theatre, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Footloose, Sister Act, My Fair Lady, Something Rotten!)

JESSIE LEVIN

Rich Lady / Fiddler / Guest at Fred’s Party

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Mr Burns, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac).

JOHN PAGLIARULO

Mr. Toby / Guest at Fred’s Party

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Guys and Dolls, A Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol, Jack and the Giant (Greater Boston Stage Company); Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival); Meet Me in The Bathroom (Moonbox Productions). Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Cyrano de Bergerac, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Trojan Women).

JEREMY PARROTT

Hartt School Assistant Director

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Footloose, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really).

JASON PIETROLUONGO

Ghostly Apparition / Scrooge at 14 / Fezziwig Party Guest / Guest at Fred’s Party

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew (Capital Classics); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night (Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival). Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Cyrano de Bergerac; Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play; A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

MADELYN ROTHSTEIN

Ghostly Apparition / Martha Cratchit

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Martyr, The Wolves, Trojan Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac).

XAVIER TURNER

Swing

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Rent, Jersey Boys, Joseph…Dreamcoat (New London Barn Playhouse); Something Rotten!, Oliver (Sharon Playhouse). Education: BFA Music Theatre, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Cyrano de Bergerac, My Fair Lady, Sister Act, Violet). Xavier is so grateful to be part of this amazing company! He would like to thank his teachers, family, and Lily for their endless love and support.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

MAX UNLU

Ghostly Apparition / Fezziwig Party Guest / Mr. Topper

Hartford Stage: Debut. Film: Ketchup on Waffles (upcoming). Education: BFA Actor Training, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Hot Dam!, Mr. Burns: a Post-Electric Play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac).

JENNA WILLET

Ghostly Apparition / Nichola

Hartford Stage: Debut. Regional: Bright Star (Quisisana Resort). Education: BFA Music Theatre, The Hartt School, University of Hartford (productions include: Sister Act, Violet, Pippin, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

THE CHILDREN OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL

CRU ASPEN LYLES | Belinda / School Boy

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Commercial: 2022 Meati Summer Lifestyle. Training: Hartford Stage Youth Studio classes (Improv, Shakespeare).

VICTORIA BOWLING | Spoiled Child / School Boy

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Seussical the Musical, Annie, Guys and Dolls Education/ Training: Wethersfield Teen Theatre, NCTC, Webb Elementary Drama Club. Award: Best Smile, Modeling, All American Girl.

ADDISON “ADDY” CURREN | Cider Child / Ignorance

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Age 6. A budding performer, Addy brings both her dance skills and holiday spirit to life in this beloved production. She is deeply grateful for her family’s support and thrilled to create more cherished memories with Teddy in this festive journey.

THEODORE “TEDDY” CURREN | Fruit Child / Want

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Age 6. Known for his creativity and storytelling flair, Teddy brings a touch of Christmas magic to every scene. He’s grateful for the unwavering support of his family and excited to share this festive experience with Addy once again.

AVERY CERNY | Fan

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Shrek! The Musical, The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Guild of Simsbury); Mary Poppins, The Music Man, James and the Giant Peach (Prescott Park Arts Festival, New Hampshire). TV/Commercials: 2019 WNBA Draft tease. Film: Breaking Fast with a Coca Cola, Whipped Cream, Toy Car. Education: Henry James Middle School (Simsbury, CT). AveryMillsBrooks.com

GLORIA DOTSON-KELLY | Fruit Child / Want

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Wizard of Oz (Theatre Guild of Simsbury); Beauty and the Beast (Square Foot Theatre); Matilda (Greater Waterbury Children’s Theatre).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

CORALIE FRUMKIN | School Boy / Fred’s Daughter

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Matilda (Chestnut Street Playhouse); The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Connecticut Family Theatre). Education/Training: 5th Grade at Aiken Elementary School (West Hartford); Connecticut Family Theatre; Playhouse Theatre Academy. Other: Sings in the choir and loves cats!

LOGAN GORDON-GAY | Tiny Tim

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Education @ Hartford Stage: Summer Studio Children’s Cast (2022, 2023, 2024). Other: Petite Competition Team, The CODE Dance Studio.

EMALINE GRAY | Peter

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education @ Hartford Stage: High School Musical Jr., Matilda Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Anastasia Youth Edition, The Enchanted Bookshop, Stuart Little, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Shakespeare Young @ Part. Theater: Junie B. Jones Jr.

ELIOT LENTINO | Peter

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Education @ Hartford Stage: Red Rose, The Little Mermaid Jr., Annie Jr., Complaint Department and Lemonade (Summer Studio). Education: 8th Grade at Silas Deane Middle School.

ISABELLA LUNDY | Belinda / School Boy

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Frozen Jr., Seussical Jr., Bots! A Children’s Musical (Connecticut Performing Arts Center); Journey of the Noble Gnarble (CAST Children’s Theater). Training: Studied voice under Aizel Livioco; Studied Dance (Tap and Ballet at Northstar Dance Academy). Other: Performed US National Anthem for Hartford Athletic pro soccer team, 2024; Performed Part of Your World at the Wapping Fair, 2024.

RASHAD MATTHEWS JR. | Boy Scrooge / Fred’s Son

Hartford Stage: Debut. Education @ Hartford Stage: Anastasia Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., and Annie Jr. (Summer Studio).

ADELINA MCGINNIS | Cider Child / Ignorance

Hartford Stage: Debut. Other: Loves art and science—and the world of exploration! Enjoys crafts, writing, reading, and singing. She is excited to be a part of this year’s production!

JULIAN MCKINNEY | Boy Scrooge / Fred’s Son

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: The Lion King (ActUp Theater); Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Newington Children’s Theatre Company). Education/Training: ActUp Theater Summer Camp.

ARI MENDOZA | Claire

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Aesop Goes to School, The Friendship Game, Frankie Needs a Friend (The Drama Studio) Training: The Drama Studio (Intro to Acting, Character Work, Improv Technique – Springfield, MA). Other: Former competitive gymnast. Enjoys playing volleyball, listening to music, skateboarding, and writing.

Great GiftIdeas

This holiday season, treat yourself or the special people in your life with tickets to Hartford Stage. You can purchase tickets, packages, or gift certificates, and what you’ll really get are unforgettable experiences that inspire, delight, and amaze.

TICKETS & SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES

Choose from individual shows — including A Christmas Carol with performances through December 29 — or save when you select one of our subscription packages. Learn more online at HartfordStage.org/Subscribe

EDUCATION CLASSES

A variety of classes are available this winter for adult and youth students. Plus, our popular 2025 youth summer camp goes on sale November 29!

GIFT CERTIFICATES

You choose the amount, they choose what to see. Gift certificates are available in any amount and never expire. Apply to tickets, packages, or youth and adult classes.

Sample Gift Certificate Amounts:

$210 for 2 premium seats to Two Trains Running

$150 for select 8-week youth acting classes

$100 for 2 adult bronze seats and 2 youth seats for Romeo & Juliet

JANUARY 23 - FEBRUARY 16, 2025

AUGUST WILSON’S

TWO TRAINS RUNNING

A compelling drama exploring the beauty in resilience.

Directed By Gilbert McCauley

MARCH 6 - MARCH 30, 2025

LAUGHS IN SPANISH

A vibrant collage of chaos, cultura, and connection. By Alexis Scheer

Directed By Lisa Portes

APRIL 17 - MAY 18, 2025

ROMEO & JULIET

The world’s most famous romance. By William Shakespeare

Directed By Melia Bensussen

JUNE 5 - JUNE 29, 2025

HURRICANE DIANE

A provocative comedy about letting things get a little wild.

By Madeleine George

Directed By Zoë Golub-Sass

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BENJAMIN O’BRIEN | Turkey Boy

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Theater: The Music Man, Oliver, Elf (Colchester Community Theater). Education: Griffith Academy School of Dance. Other: Loves hockey, tennis, and dance.

NAEEM OPOKU-SHINN | Lamplighter

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Education @ Hartford Stage: The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon (Summer Studio Junior Troupe). Theater: Cinderella, Descendants the Musical. Education: 7th grade. Other: Black Lives Matter speech, Bloomfield rally, 2020.

JAMES SALVO | Tiny Tim

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: The Rock Slinger: The Story of David and Goliath; Malice in the Palace: The Story of Esther (St. Peter’s Church Drama Camp). Education: St. Peter’s Church (Drama Camp). Other: Member of the Boy Scouts, loves playing baseball, singing, and Lego.

VEDANTH SATISH | Turkey Boy

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas Theater: The Day Aliens Attacked Fairfield, The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon (CAST Children’s Theater); Matilda, Finding Nemo (TEMS “Entertainers” Show). Education: Timothy Edwards Middle School (TEMS/South Windsor, CT); CAST Children’s Theater (Manchester, CT); Lamb Studios (Voice/Acting). Vedanth is excited to be a part of the cast of A Christmas Carol once again at Hartford Stage. He loves performing, singing and acting. He can also play the piano and loves to play video games in his free time. Vedanth’s inspiration is his older brother who is also into performing arts and has been a part of the Christmas Carol family.

JORDYN SCHMIDT | Lamplighter

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Murder on the Orient Express. Theater: Glastonbury Youth and Family Services Summer Productions; CAST Children’s Theatre; Middletown Stage Company. Training: Glastonbury Dance Center (Dance, Tap); piano lessons. Other: Mallet Ringers (bell choir); Cantate Choir; Caroler Choir; Cherub Choir (First Church of Christ Congregational – Glastonbury, CT).

JULIA SHEEHAN | Claire

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Macbeth (Capital Classics); Matilda the Musical, Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring (NCTC). Education/Training: Education @ Hartford Stage (Improv); Market Square Music Academy.

ARIA PIERCE | Spoiled Child / School Boy

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Model Training: Flying Solo, NY; Haus of Neon, NY. Other: Model, NYFW Flying Solo Production; Model, Haus of Neon, NY; Brand Ambassador, Glam Collections, GA; Competitive Cheerleader; Competitive Majorette.

ELISE PROTO | Fan

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: Newsies Jr. (Farmington Continuing Education); 13 Jr., Frozen Jr., Matilda Jr., Annie Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Newington Children’s Theatre Company). Education/Training: Playhouse Theater Academy Young Actors Improv.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

GIBSON QUINN | School Boy / Fred’s Daughter

Hartford Stage: Debut. Theater: The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Guild of Simsbury); The Sound of Music (McLean); Fences (Playhouse on Park). Education: Playhouse on Park Theater Academy; Henry James Memorial School, YPI Camp (Dance and Theater) Other: OAKE Choir, 2023; CMEA Honors Choir, 2024.

CREATIVE TEAM

MICHAEL WILSON

Adaptor / Director

Michael Wilson returns to Hartford Stage (where as Artistic Director in 1998 he launched the theater’s celebrated production with Bill Raymond as Scrooge) to direct A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas featuring a largely returning company led by Allen Gilmore as Scrooge. Wilson directed in 1990 the premiere of his adaptation — featuring Noble Shropshire as Jacob Marley and Mrs. Dilber — for Houston’s Alley Theatre. Former Hartford Stage Associate Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif — recently appointed Arena Stage Artistic Director — made an acclaimed production of his adaptation for Repertory Theatre of St. Louis during her last two seasons there as Artistic Director. 2024 marks the 20th consecutive season of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at Washington D.C.’s historic Ford’s Theatre. In 2020, Ford’s Theater — in collaboration with National Public Radio’s WAMU — produced a one-hour radio version featuring John Gromada’s score and sound design. In 2009, Dramatists Play Service published the play and licenses it to community theatres, colleges, and high schools across the country. Thank you David C, George & Ann R, Tuck M, David K, Jennifer S T, Walt H, Paul B, Janet S, Beverly G, Michael L, John M, Lyn O, Chrissie R, Mike S, Jim I, Elaine C, Nate K, Deandre E, Wendy B & Jim W: your spirits forever strive within.

HOPE CLARKE

Choreographer

Hartford Stage: Resurrection, The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue, Rough Crossing, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, ...Love, Langston, The Colored Museum, Spunk. Broadway: A Free Man of Color (Lincoln Center); Caroline, or Change, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Tempest (also in Central Park), West Side Story, Grind, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, Purlie, Hallelujah, Baby! Off-Broadway: The Reckoning, House of Flowers, One Last Look, Othello, A Raisin in The Sun, Dark of The Moon. International: National Theatre: Caroline, or Change. Regional: Alliance Theater: Jesus Christ Superstar; Barrington Stage and Pioneer Theatre: South Pacific, Mack and Mabel; Lyric Opera: Amistad; Delacorte Theatre: The Tempest. Regional/Director Duke Theater Showcase: In Gathering; The Multi Series at York Theatre: Hallelujah, Baby! Dance Soloist: Katherine Dunham Company, Talley Beatty, Louis Johnson; Principal dancer: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Television: New York Undercover, Law & Order. Honors: Tony Nomination, Best Choreography for Jelly’s Last Jam; Drama-Logue Award, Joseph Calloway Award and NAACP Image Award for the same piece; first black director and choreographer to do a major tour of Porgy & Bess and the Dance Jazz version for Dallas Black Theatre. Recent: For the past 2 years, a play about the Tuskegee airmen called Fly; directed Cosi fan tutte for Opera Ebony.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

TONY STRAIGES

Scenic Design

Hartford Stage: Designs include The Great Magoo, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue, Tea at Five, Noises Off!. Broadway: Designs include Timbuktu!, A History of the American Film, John Curry’s Ice Dancing, Richard III, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Copperfield, Harold and Maude, Golden Child, Enchanted April. Stage Design Sketches and Models: Included in Tobin Theater Collection at the McNay Art Museum (San Antonio, Texas); The Lawrence & Lee Theater Institute (Ohio State University); Harvard Theater Collection (Harvard University); Lincoln Center Library for The Performing Arts (New York City). Current: Joined the Art Colony in Provincetown.

ALEJO VIETTI

Costume Design

Hartford Stage: The Mystery of Irma Vep, Bad Dates, Mistakes Were Made, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Dying City, Nightingale, Ella. Broadway: Allegiance (Drama Desk Nomination), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (West End Olivier Nomination, Japan, Australia, UK tour and U.S. National Tour), Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. Off-Broadway: Currently: Titanique (Lucille Lortel Award), Merry Me (NY Theatre Workshop), Spain (Second Stage), and Translations (Irish Rep). Others NY works include productions for Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theatre, Primary Stages, The New Group, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, City Center’s Encores, and NY City Opera, among others. National Tours: Annie. Regional: Alley (Over 26 productions), Guthrie, Ford’s DC, Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Chicago Lyric Opera, Old Globe, Colorado Ballet, Shakespeare Theatre DC, Geffen Playhouse, Williamstown, and many more. Others: Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame (Japan, Germany and Austria), West Side Story World Tour. Recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Young Master Award. Instagram @alejo_vietti_costume_design.

ROBERT WIERZEL

Lighting Design

Hartford Stage: The Underpants, Divine Rivalry, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Scene, Edgardo Mine, Constant Star, Happy Days, Romeo and Juliet, Arms and the Man, Morocco, The Stick Wife, Pericles, On the Verge. Broadway: FELA! Musical; Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill; David Copperfield’s Dreams & Nightmares. Off-Broadway: Indian Ink, The Deep Blue Sea, Master Class (Roundabout). Othello, Kingfish, Carnage—A Comedy (NYSF); The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (New Victory); Two Trains Running, Hot ‘N’ Throbbing (Signature Theatre Company); Jack’s Holiday, Moe’s Lucky Seven, Little Egypt (Playwrights Horizons); The March to Liberation (David Geffen Hall, New York Philharmonic); Curriculum II (New York Live Arts); Deep Blue Sea (Park Avenue Armory). Regional: Romeo & Juliet, Blue (Washington Nation Opera); The Lehman Trilogy (Huntington Theatre Company); Das Rheingold (Atlanta Opera); Hamlet (Guthrie Theatre); We Shall Not Be Moved (Pittsburgh Opera); Ever After (Alliance Theatre); A Walk On The Moon (George Street Playhouse); The Shining (Lyric Opera Of Kansas City). Education: MFA, Yale School of Drama; BFA, University of South Florida, Tampa. Professional Positions: Adjunct Instructor, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Design of Stage & Film. Awards: Tony Award Nomination, Lighting Design for FELA!

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

JOHN GROMADA

Original Music & Sound Design

Hartford Stage: The Orphans’ Home Cycle, Streetcar, Camino Real, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Jeeves and Wooster, Night of the Iguana, Macbeth, so many more. Broadway: 40+ including Birthday Candles, All My Sons, Torch Song, The Elephant Man, Trip to Bountiful, The Best Man, A Bronx Tale, Rabbit Hole, Clybourne Park, Dividing the Estate, Seminar, Proof, Enchanted April, A Few Good Men Off-Broadway: Drinking in America, Sherlock Carol, The Cake, Amy and the Orphans, Old Hats, Measure for Measure, The Orphans’ Home Cycle, Shipwrecked!, The Skriker, Machinal. Regional: Hundreds at major regional theatres. Television & Film: A Bronx Tale, Trip to Bountiful, The Interrogators, Showing Roots. Audio Dramas: Bob & Jean, Drinking in America and Men’s Health for Audible, A Christmas Carol for WAMU/PRX, Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theatre, White Heron Ghostlight Series. Education: Duke University. Awards: Tony Nomination, three Drama Desk Awards, Lortel, Obie, Henry Hewes Awards, NEA Opera/Music Theatre fellowship.

ZACK BROWN

Original Costume Design

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Broadway: Tony Award-winning revival of On Your Toes (Scenery & Costumes). Regional: Arena Stage: The Importance of Being Earnest, Candide, Of Thee I Sing, Animal Crackers, Tales From The Vienna Woods, On The Town, Twelfth Night, Arcadia; Kennedy Center: Don Quixote; Circle In The Square: 14 productions including Suddenly Last Summer, Salome (American Theatre Wing Nom., Set), Tartuffe (filmed for PBS, Drama Desk Nom.), The Importance of Being Earnest (Tony Nom.), St. Joan (Drama Desk Nom., Costumes), The Night of the Iguana, Devil’s Disciple, Loose Ends. Opera Company Credits: Washington Opera: Principal Designer (42 productions from 1979 to 1994, scenery and costumes); Santa Fe; San Francisco: La Gioconda (two Emmy Awards); Metropolitan Opera: Rigoletto; New York City Opera; Houston Grand Opera. Ballet Credits: American Ballet Theatre; Milwaukee Ballet; Atlanta Ballet; Hamburg Ballet; Hamburg Staatsoper: On The Town (Scenery & Costumes). Education: University of Notre Dame, Yale School of Drama.

BRITTANY HARTMAN

Wig Design

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, La Dispute, Macbeth. Current: Wig Shop Manager for Saturday Night Live and NBC studios. Film: Fire Island (Key Hairstylist, Hulu). Broadway: The Thanksgiving Play Regional: Rent (Papermill); Camp Siegfried (Second Stage); Wizard of Oz (Geva); Snow in Midsummer (Classic Stage Company); Ragtime, Secret Garden, The Wiz, Singin’ in the Rain (Broadway Music Circus); Gypsy (Theatre Aspen). Broadway (selected associate design credits): Jagged Little Pill, Frankie and Johnny… (2019 revival), Bandstand, Sunset Boulevard (2017 revival), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Of Mice and Men (2014 revival), Violet

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

JOHANNA MORRISON

Dialect and Voice Coach

Hartford Stage: Dialect and Voice Coach: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas; Acting: The Comedy of Errors (dir. Darko Tresnjak), Ether Dome, Noises Off, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (19 seasons as the Spirit of Christmas Past), Summer and Smoke (also Papermill Playhouse), Brand:NEW Festival: Stuff Happens; Williams Marathon. Regional: North Carolina Shakespeare Festival; Virginia Museum Theatre; Playmakers Rep; Chapel Hill; Theater By the Sea, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; TheaterWorks Hartford; The Monomoy Theatre; Milwaukee Repertory Theater; Milwaukee Chamber Theater; Indiana Repertory Theater; Walnut Street Theater; Cleveland Playhouse; Denver Center Theatre; Papermill Playhouse. Orchestral: Appeared in dramatic oratorios with major symphony orchestras including Hartford Symphony and North Carolina Symphony. Films: Critical Condition, Double Exposure, The Queen’s Horse. Television: Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Diagnosis Murder Faculty: Adjunct Faculty, The Hartt School, University of Hartford Theatre and Vocal Division; North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Drama; University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill; National Theater Conservatory, Denver; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; Dialect Coach for Universal Pictures, Great Britain. Other: Always in loving memory of my mentor, my best friend, my inspiration… the Love of My Life—Malcolm Morrison.

JOHN FITZPATRICK

Music Director

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. National Tour: Jigsaw Jones: The Musical Regional: Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver (Shadowland Stages), Hand to God (Storyville Collective), Big River (Oldcastle Theatre Co.), A Streetcar Named Desire (Le Petit Theatre), Newsies (Summer Lyric at Tulane), Urinetown (The NOLA Project). Education: BM Vocal Performance (Music Theatre), NYU Steinhardt. Professional Positions: Lead instructor at John Fitzpatrick Voice and Guitar, a privately run teaching studio based in Fairfield, CT. Awards: Big Easy Award for Best Actor in a Play in New Orleans Regional Theater. IG: @JohnFitzpatrickMusic

DERRIC HARRIS

Associate Choreographer

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Broadway: A Free Man Of Color, Dance Of The Vampires, Kiss Me, Kate. First National Tours: Fosse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Off-Broadway: Purlie, Tenderloin, House of Flowers and On A Clear Day... (all at City Center Encores!); Paul Robeson: All American, Much Ado About Nothing, The Little Rock 9. Regional: Dr. Ralph in Dennis, Jimmy in Dreamgirls, Man 1 in The Colored Museum, Spunk, Master Harold and the Boys, Sizwe Bansi Is Dead, God Is So Good, Boogie, ich habe dich sehr lieb...a work in progress, Elergies, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. Film & Television: One Life To Live, Rodney & Thieves, and Liars. Currently writing 2 books.

MICHAEL ROSSMY

Fight & Intimacy Coordinator

Hartford Stage: Debut. Broadway: A Tale of Two Cities. Off-Broadway: White Noise, Measure for Measure, The Vagrant Trilogy, Troilus and Cressida (The Public Theatre); What the End Will Be (Roundabout); Blues for an Alabama Sky, This Space

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Between Us (Keen Co); Peerless, Harbour (Primary Stages). Regional: Yale Repertory Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, Asolo Rep, The Old Globe, TheaterWorks Hartford, KC REP, The Acting Company, Soho Rep., The Geffen Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, and others. Other: Resident Fight and Intimacy Director for Yale Rep; Lecturer in Acting and Stage Management at David Geffen School of Drama; Combat and Intimacy Advisor for Yale College. Upcoming: Broadway premier of Purpose by Branden Jacobs Jenkins.

SHELBY DEMKE

Youth Coordinator

Hartford Stage: All My Sons, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, The Piano Lesson, Jane Eyre, Lost in Yonkers. Off-Broadway: Beneath the Gavel! (59E59 Theaters). Educational: Erismena (Yale Baroque Opera Project); The Little Mermaid, Once Upon a Mattress, Mary Poppins (Academy of International Studies 6-12); Pippin, Mary Poppins Jr., The Addams Family, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Matilda Jr., Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid Jr., The SpongeBob Musical (Education @ Hartford Stage).

LINA PARDO

Youth Coordinator

Hartford Stage: Debut.

JODI STONE

Wig and Hair Coordinator

Hartford Stage: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023), Seder, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Queens for a Year. Broadway: Hamilton, Tommy, Jersey Boys, Beautiful, Ain’t Too Proud, Allegiance, Motown, The Color Purple, Beetlejuice, Great Gatsby, Wicked. Regional: Richard II (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Cherry Orchard, The Sisters Rosensweig, Gem of the Ocean, The Rivals (Huntington Theatre Company). Film: Dan In Real Life, Underdog, What Lies Beneath, Outside Providence. TV: The Wiz, Jesus Christ Superstar, Brotherhood. Education: Bachelor’s Theatre Arts, Gettysburg College (1992). Professional Positions: Custom Wig Maker, CGL Wig Designs (2021–current); Wig and Makeup Supervisor, Hartford Stage (2018–2020); Wig and Makeup, Designer Children’s Theatre Company (2001–2004); Wig Master (1995-1997), Stitcher/Wardrobe (1992-1995), Huntington Theatre Company.

ALAINE ALLDAFFER & LISA DONADIO

Casting

Hartford Stage: 2023-2024 season; Trouble in Mind, The Art of Burning, The Mousetrap; It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; Ah, Wilderness!; Quixote Nuevo; Ether Dome. Theatre: Credits include Stereophonic, A  Strange Loop, Clybourne Park, Grey Gardens  (for Playwrights Horizons and Broadway); Downstate (Artios Award) Circle Mirror Transformation (Drama Desk and Obie Awards for Best Ensemble and an Artios Award); and The Flick (Playwrights Horizons and The Barrow Street Theater). Regional: Theaters include The Old Globe-San Diego, The Huntington Theatre-Boston and Williamstown Theater Festival. Television: Credits include The Knights of Prosperity (aka Let’s Rob Mick Jagger) for ABC. Associate credits include Ed for NBC and Monk for USA.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

KELLY HARDY

Production Stage Manager

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, The Art of Burning, Lost in Yonkers, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Jane Eyre, Cry It Out, Make Believe, Anastasia, The Underpants. Broadway: Anastasia, The Real Thing. New York: Second Stage, Fiasco Theatre, Lincoln Center - LCT3, The Public, Vineyard Theatre, Red Bull Theatre, NYMF, Theatre for a New Audience, Working Theatre, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, The Actors Company Theatre. Regional: The Huntington, The REV Theatre Company, The Public Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Trinity Repertory Company, Long Wharf Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Quintessence Theatre, North Coast Rep, Bard SummerScape, Bucks County Playhouse. International: Royal College of Music, London; Shakespeare’s Globe, London. Education: UC San Diego.

CHANDALAE NYSWONGER

First Assistant Stage Manager

Hartford Stage: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas; Lost in Yonkers, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Cry It Out, Hamlet, Espejos: Clean, Rear Window. Broadway: Anastasia Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (Roundabout Theatre Company); Knight of the Burning Pestle (Red Bull Theatre); Pericles, Twelfth Night (Classic Stage Company); 53% OF, Somebody’s Daughter (Second Stage); Jesus Hopped the “A” Train (Signature Theatre). Regional: The Song of Rome (Spoleto Festival); A Doll’s House (Everyman Theatre); National Playwrights Festival 2023, 2024 (Eugene O’Neill Theater Center); Private Lives (Dorset Theatre Festival); Hair, At Home at the Zoo, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Oklahoma! (Berkshire Theatre Group).

CAMPBELL ANIDJAR

Second Assistant Stage Manager

Hartford Stage: Debut. Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (New York Theatre Workshop). National Tours: The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis Onstage: Further Up & Further In, C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce (Fellowship for Performing Arts). Regional: The Song of Rome (Spoleto Festival USA). Special Events: 2024 GMHC Cabaret & Howard Ashman Award (GMHC); AIDS Walk New York 2023 (GMHC). Education/Training: B.A. in Theater Arts, concentration in Producing & Management, Marymount Manhattan College.

ABOUT HARTFORD STAGE

Hartford Stage has been led by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and Managing Director Cynthia Rider since the summer of 2019. The theater’s mission is to enlighten, entertain, and educate by creating programming of the highest caliber that has a transformative impact on audiences, the community, and its field. Under Bensussen’s artistic vision, the theater has reimagined classics including Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness! which reopened the theater to great acclaim following the pandemic and brought more work celebrating the Latiné heritages in the region, including Quixote Nuevo, the virtual American Voices New Play Festival, Kiss My Aztec!, Espejos: Clean, and Simona’s Search. Hartford Stage has produced various world premieres including the Broadway successes Anastasia and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (winner of four 2014 Tony Awards), and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Water by the Spoonful (winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama). Hartford Stage’s vast education programs engage students of all ages from across the state through student matinee performances, in-school programs, theatre classes, and youth productions. HartfordStage.org

Rebecka Jones, Sudan Chang, Emma Billings, and Allen Gilmore in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (2023). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

ABOUT HARTFORD STAGE

MELIA BENSUSSEN

Artistic Director

Melia Bensussen is an award-winning director and artistic leader who has directed extensively at leading theatres throughout the country. The first woman to lead Hartford Stage, she has been its Artistic Director since the summer of 2019. Devoted to new work as well as to classic texts, she was appointed Artistic Director of the National Playwrights Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center in 2024. Raised in Mexico City, Bensussen is fluent in Spanish and has translated and adapted a variety of texts, including her edition of the Langston Hughes translation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding, published by Theater Communications Group. Among her credits developing and premiering new works, she co-conceived and directed, alongside playwright Kirsten Greenidge, the theatrical adaptation of Anthony J. Lukas’ Pulitzer Prize winning Common Ground, which premiered at the Huntington Theater in Boston. A graduate of Brown University, Bensussen serves on the Arts Advisory Board for the Princess Grace Foundation, and on the executive board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). Prior to her position at Hartford Stage, she was Chair of the Performing Arts Department of Emerson College, in Boston. She is the recipient of an OBIE Award for Outstanding Direction, as well as the Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation for Excellence in Directing.

CYNTHIA RIDER

Managing

Director

Rider has been the Managing Director of Hartford Stage since 2019. Previously, she was the Executive Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and prior to joining OSF, Cynthia Rider spent nine years at Kansas City Repertory Theatre as Managing Director and the Associate Director for Advancement & Administration. Her experience also includes six years as Executive Director of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. In her early non-arts career, she served as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Partnership, which worked to strengthen small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state. Rider’s theatre experience also includes time spent on the stage. After graduating from Boston University, she started her theatre career as a resident company member at the Alley Theatre in Houston.

Our award-winning education programs provide students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with innovative opportunities that challenge and inspire. Using theater techniques, we build community and citizenship, promote a passion for literacy and creative expression, and encourage lifelong learning.

ADULT & YOUTH CLASSES:

Throughout the year, we have classes for youth and adults looking to improve their acting skills.

STUDENT MATINEES: Middle and high school students are invited to join us for special performances throughout the year. They’ll get to see the show, plus participate in a talkback with the cast. Add-on workshop with a teaching artist available! Tickets start at $20, with discounts available for Title 1 schools.

CONNECTIONS: Connections is an in-school program that brings teaching artists into classrooms to explore a book through drama, strengthening reading comprehension skills and building excitement about reading.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Bring a Hartford Stage teaching artist to your afterschool program! Programs range from drama classes to full productions and are designed based on the needs of each individual school.

ABOUT HARTFORD STAGE

EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM COMMITMENTS

We are working toward greater anti-racism, equity, justice, inclusion, and belonging for all at our theater. We invite you to join us on this journey.

CREATING A CULTURE OF BELONGING & INCLUSION

We strive to create a place where all people feel a sense of belonging across the organization. We strive to create a culture where everyone sees themselves, their styles, their culture, and their humanity reflected and appreciated in all the work we do.

CONTINUED LEARNING & SKILLSET BUILDING

We strive to equip our staff, volunteers, and board with opportunities to strengthen their personal and collective understanding of the inequities and injustices within and outside our organization and build skillsets that bring greater consciousness into every aspect of our work.

EQUITABLE & SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS & PRACTICES

We strive to build an organization that recognizes the humanity of every member of our staff, board, volunteer, audience, and community and the needs and necessities to live and thrive in the 21st century.

Words matter. Actions speak louder. Learn more at HartfordStage.org

A THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO FIRST LIVED ON AND CARED FOR THESE LANDS

We recognize that our theater is built on land that was once and still is peopled by indigenous tribes, specifically territory of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke peoples and their ancestors of these lands: the Wangunk, the Podunk, and the Tunxis.

You’re Invited to Play a Part

The Set the Stage campaign is focused on two areas where donors like you can impact the future.

As we look ahead, we envision a thriving theater that continues to tell compelling and relevant stories—from the classics to the contemporary—that tell of our common humanity and welcomes intergenerational audiences that reflect the communities around us.

ENDOWMENT Building a robust endowment will ensure Hartford Stage is here fulfilling its mission for decades to come.

The $20 million raised will secure our vision and enhance our community.

The Set the Stage campaign is focused on two areas where donors like you can impact the future.

PROGRAMMING Donations are a crucial component to creating the world-class art you see on our stage, and for sharing the power of what theater can do with our community.

ENDOWMENT Building a robust endowment will ensure Hartford Stage is here fulfilling its mission for decades to come.

PROGRAMMING Donations are a crucial component to creating the world-class art you see on our stage, and for sharing the power of what theater can do with our community.

Learn more about how you can be a part of the legacy of Hartford Stage. Please join us in setting the stage for Hartford Stage’s next 60 years.

The cast of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2024). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

SET THE STAGE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to supporters of the Set the Stage Campaign.

We are grateful for their generosity, helping us rais over $9 million to date.

$2 MILLION+

Stanley Black & Decker*

$1 MILLION+

The Hartford*

Travelers*

$750,000+

Don & Marilyn Allan

Rick & Beth Costello

$500,000+

Jack & Donna Sennott

$250,000+

David & Janice Klein

$100,000+

Doug & Sheryl Adkins

Sue Ann Collins

The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Robert & Francine Goldfarb

Family Fund

Wes & Chloe Horton

Thomas & Margah Lips

Chrissie & Ezra Ripple

$50,000+

John & Suzanne Bourdeaux

Carrie & Jonathan Hammond

Walter & Dianne Harrison

Barbara & Matthew Hennessy

Barnaby Horton & Hannah

Granfield-Horton

Estate of Mary Jean Kilfoil

Marjorie E. Morrissey

*BUSINESS PARTNERS

LIST AS OF 11/12/24

$20,000+

David & Kathleen Jimenez

Mike & Colleen Nicastro

Barri Marks

Judith Meyers & Richard Hersch

Linda & Donald Slipe

$10,000+

Anonymous

Marla & John Byrnes

The Edgemer Foundation

Marilda Gandara & Scott O’Keefe

Estate of Christine Hunihan

Andy & Jen Pace

Rosalie Roth

Elease & Dana Wright

$5,000+

Devon & Thomas Francis

George & Helen Ingram

Theodore & Nancy Johnson

Dan & Arlene Neiditz

Ted Whittemore

Sherwood & Maggie Willard

$100 - $4,999

Kathleen & David Bavelas

Robert & Catherine Boone

Alana & Matt Curren

Mary Ellison

George & Laura Estes

Emily & Patrick Harrington

Carolyn Johnson

Robert Parrott & Sally Wister

Gil & Kathy Salk

Pam & Peter Sobering

Rhonda Tobin & Jeffrey Smith

Paul & Karen Torop

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to all our donors. We are grateful for the generosity throughout our entire community and recognize all of our supporters on our website at HartfordStage.org/recognition. We are happy to acknowledge here those with leadership contributions in the past 12 months, November 4, 2023 –November 4, 2024.

ANNUAL FUND

PRODUCER CIRCLE • $25,000+

Jill Adams & Bill Knight

Don & Marilyn Allan

The Cheryl Chase & Stuart Bear

Family Foundation

Rick & Beth Costello

Wes & Chloe Horton

David & Janice Klein

Jack & Donna Sennott

Sally Speer

Judith & William Thompson

OVATION SOCIETY • $10,000+

Sheryl & Doug Adkins

Sue Ann Collins

Francine & Robert Goldfarb

Arnold Greenberg

Dianne & Walter Harrison

George & Helen Ingram

Jane & Roger Loeb

The Pryor Family Foundation

Chrissie & Ezra Ripple

Elizabeth Schiro & Stephen Bayer

Elizabeth Vandeventer

ENCORE

SOCIETY • $5,000+

Andra Asars

Patti Broad

Sara & David Carson

Jamie & Isaac Cohen

Alana & Matthew Curren

Devon & Thomas Francis

Nancy Goodwin

Barbara & Matthew Hennessy

Jeffrey & Nancy Hoffman

Barnaby W. Horton & Hannah

Granfield-Horton

Konover Coppa Family Fund

Katherine J. Lambert

Christopher Larsen

Tom & Margah Lips

Amy & Neal Mandell

Barri Marks

Harry E. Meyer

Judith Meyers & Richard Hersh

Michael & Colleen Nicastro

Douglas H. Robbins

Rosalie B. Roth

Suzanne B. Ruffee

Donald & Linda Silpe

Nelson & Helen Sly

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS

Sally & Allan Taylor

Elizabeth & Gerard Vecchio

Maggie & Sherwood Willard

Mark & Patty Willis

Elease & Dana Wright

PATRON SOCIETY • $3,500+

Paul & Joanne Bourdeau

Marla & John Byrnes

Robert L. & Susan G. Fisher

Ruth Fitzgerald & Dave Sageman

Marilda Gandara & Scott O’Keefe

Doris & Ray Guenter

David & Gail Hall

Carrie & Jonathan Hammond

Jackie & Drew Iacovazzi

Adlyn & Theodore Lowenthal

Ed & Kelly Lyman

Bob & Joan Penney

Kristen Phillips & Matthew Schreck

Rhonda Tobin & Jeffrey Smith

Nicole Vitrano & Art Wallace

Jacqueline Werner

Yvette Yelardy & Daniel Morgenstern

HONORARY GIFTS

IN HONOR OF MELIA BENSUSSEN

William V. & Patrick M.

Madison-McDonald

IN HONOR OF TODD BRANDT

DarrylLee VanOudenhove

IN HONOR OF ANNIE HILDRETH

Diane Hildreth

IN HONOR OF AMY & NEAL MANDELL

Debi & Peter Miller

IN HONOR OF CYNTHIA RIDER

Sandy Grampsas

Anne Rider & Rob Hinrichs

Ellen Rider & Stanley King

IN HONOR OF ROSALIE ROTH

Karl Krapek Jr.

IN HONOR OF HANS WALSER & CAROL SCOVILLE

Karen Kleine

IN HONOR OF ROSALIND SPIER

Karen & Phillip Will

IN HONOR OF RHONDA TOBIN

Shari & Jay Tobin

IN HONOR OF PATTY WILLIS

The Burkehaven Family Foundation

IN HONOR OF THE CONTINUATION OF NON-COMMERCIAL THEATRE

James F. Ingalls

MEMORIAL GIFTS

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT EPSTEIN

David & Janice Klein

IN MEMORY OF GALINA FAYNGERSH

Diana Lee

IN MEMORY OF ANNEMARIE HAENDIGES

Brian Haendiges

IN MEMORY OF MARGARET MACDONNELL

William MacDonnell

IN MEMORY OF BOB MONTSTREAM

Ami Monstream

IN MEMORY OF LOIS M. O’HARE

Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. O’Hare

IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH PIERCE

Dorella Bond

IN MEMORY OF BERNICE POKSAY & KIM O’NEAL

Anonymous

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING

$200,000+

The Shubert Foundation

Stanley Black & Decker*

$100,000+

Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Raytheon Technologies*

$75,000+

Burry Fredrik Foundation

$50,000+

Greater Hartford Arts Council

The John and Kelly Hartman Foundation

The Katherine K. McLane & Henry R. McLane Charitable Trust

SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.

The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts

Travelers*

$25,000+

Connecticut Humanities

Connecticut Judicial Branch

The Elizabeth M. Landon & Harriette M.

Landon Charitable Foundation

Ensworth Charitable Foundation

The Hartford*

Laurents/Hatcher Foundation

Robinson & Cole LLP*

Roberts Foundation for the Arts

* BUSINESS PARTNERS

$15,000+

Global Atlantic*

Lucille Lortel Foundation

The MorningStar Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Talcott Resolution*

United States Treasury

$10,000+

Conning*

The J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Inc.

The Vandeventer Foundation

The William & Alice Mortensen Foundation

$5,000+

The BFA Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Burton & Phyllis Hoffman Foundation

The George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation

Grunberg Realty

Jana Foundation

McDonald Family Trust

Stanley D. & Hinda N. Fisher Fund

William H. & Rosanna T. Andrulat Charitable Foundation

$2,500+

BBE, Inc.*

The Blair Fund

Enterprise Rent a Car Foundation

Alexander M. & Catherine Maus Wright Charitable Foundation

$1,000+

The Foulds Family Foundation

Carol Sirot Foundation

$500+

United Way of Central Indiana

IN-KIND

The University of Saint Joseph*

Entertain clients, engage vendors, or reward employees and support Hartford Stage.

Your charitable or in-kind contribution will support the artistic, educational, and community programming at Hartford Stage. Select benefits that align best with your priorities, and receive prominent recognition all season-long.

It’s easy to become a Business Partner and all partnerships will be fully customized to meet your needs!

Benefit options include:

• Complimentary Show Tickets

• Recognition Opportunities

• Unique Private Event Spaces

• Fully Catered Events

• Conversations with Artists

• Invitations to Special Events

Call us today to create your unique partnership agreement!

Contact Director of Development Jennifer Levine at jlevine@hartfordstage.org or 860-520-7249.

What is an Endowment Fund?

An Endowment Fund is an investment account for a non-profit organization. The goal of an endowment fund is to exist into perpetuity; to provide support to the organization not only in the present time, but in the future as well. Our Endowment Fund offers a dependable and reliable source of income, which allows us to balance out the unpredictable revenue from ticket sales and charitable contributions.

How does Hartford Stage use its Endowment Fund?

Hartford Stage uses an annual draw up to 5% from our endowment to support our artistic programming, our summer education camp, and maintenance to our theater facility.

Why should I donate to the endowment?

A gift to the endowment is a gift to the future of Hartford Stage. The larger the endowment, the larger the annual draw, providing much needed stability in our income stream. This ensures that Hartford Stage can continue to entertain, educate, and enlighten audiences for years to come.

How can I donate to Hartford Stage’s Endowment?

Make a direct gift through: Cash Donations • Stock Donations Contributions from your IRA or Donor-Advised Funds Joining our Shakespeare Society

To learn more about the Hartford Stage endowment, Shakespeare Society, or to contribute, contact Jennifer Levine, Director of Development, at jlevine@hartfordstage.org or 860-520-7249.

Nathan Darrow, Jotham Burrello, Omar Robinson, and Jamie Ann Romero in The Winter’s Tale (2023).

Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY

The Shakespeare Society comprises individuals who have provided for the future of Hartford Stage in their estate plans. Hartford Stage is deeply grateful for their generosity and foresight. The members of this group help to ensure the legacy of Hartford Stage. Have you included Hartford Stage in your estate plans? Tell us about it! Call Evan Kudish, Manager of Board & Donor Relations, at 860-520-7241 to share your plans and allow us to thank you.

Thank you to all members of our Shakespeare Society:

Anonymous (15)

Brian & Betty Ashfield

Richard & Alice Baxter

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bourdeau

Mrs. Joan Brown

Kimberley & Christopher Byrd

Marla & John Byrnes

Mario R. Cavallo

Sue Ann Collins

Richard G. Costello

Ms. Linda Diana DeConti

Mr. Reginald Gregory DeConti

Robert L. & Susan G. Fisher

Kathy Frederick & Eugene Leach

Victoria E. Gallo

Carrie & Jonathan Hammond

Walter & Diane Harrison

George & Helen Ingram

David & Janice Klein

Joel M. & Naomi Baline Kleinman

Katherine J. Lambert

Christopher Larsen

William C. Leary

Tom & Margah Lips

Mark & Liisa Livingston

Elaine T. Lowengard

Marjorie K. & Jack S. Solomon,

Doreen A. Cohn, Faith L. Solomon Fund

Donna Matulis

Judith Meyers & Richard Hersh

Ki Miller

Arthur & Merle Nacht

Judge Jon O. Newman

Lyn Oliva & John Brighenti

Belle K. Ribicoff

Ezra & Chrissie Ripple

Prudence P. Robertson

Barbara Rubin

Carol W. Scoville

Donald & Linda Silpe

Jennifer Smith Turner & Eric Turner

Mary L. Stephenson

Elsa Suisman

Robert & Gretchen Wetzel

Michael Wilson & Jeff Cowie

Henry M. Zachs

Michael & Ellen Zenke

IN MEMORIAM

Hartford Stage fondly remembers these late members of the Shakespeare Society.

Anonymous (6)

Margaret Atwood

Cynthia Kellogg Barrington

Maxwell & Sally Belding

Susan R. Block

Clifford S. Burdge

Edward C. Cape

Ruth Cape

Anna & David Clark

James H. Eacott, Jr.

David Geetter

Yummy Graulty

Dieter & Siegelind Johannes

Hugh M. Joseloff & Helen J. Joseloff

Nafe E. Katter

Janet M. Larsen

Joe Marfuggi

Mr. & Mrs. Henry R. McLane

Mary & Freeman Meyer

Tuck Miller

Ann & George Richards

Dr. Russell Robertson

Robert K. Schrepf

Talcott Stanley

Janet S. & Michael Suisman

Helen S. Willis

Louise W. Willson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Michael D. Nicastro, President

Elease Wright, Vice President

Devon Francis, Treasurer

Richard G. Costello, Secretary

GOVERNING

DIRECTORS

Douglas Adkins

Don Allan

Patti Broad

Marla J. Byrnes

Shari Cantor

Jamie Hait Cohen

Julio Concepción

Mark G. Contreras

Alana Curren

Anne D’Alleva

Jarret Eamiello

John Doran

Marilda Lara Gándara

Rev. Darrell L. Goodwin

Emily Harrington

Rydell Harrison

Annie Hildreth

Barnaby Horton

Very Rev. Miguelina Howell

Jackie B. Iacovazzi

Katherine Lambert

Aaron Lyles

Kelly M. Lyman

Sibongile Magubane

Amy Leppo Mandell

Barri Marks

Margorie E. Morrissey

Andy Pace

Sarah M. Patterson

Esther A. Pryor

Allan B. Taylor

Judith E. Thompson

William J. Thompson

Rhonda J. Tobin

Nicole Vitrano

Patty Willis

Yvette Yelardy

STAGE ONE

Young Professional Board Directors

Cordelia Brady

Kentavis Brice, Co-Chair

Brennden D. Colbert

Angel Cotto

Brittnee Johnson-Colbert

Kaitlyn Keeler

Greidy Miralles

TJ Noel-Sullivan

Malia Peres

Claire Stermer, Co-Chair

Nathan Sykes

Maxwell Toth

Alia Walwyn-James

LIFE DIRECTORS

George L. Estes III

Arnold C. Greenberg

Walter Harrison

Jeffrey S. Hoffman

George A. Ingram

David M. Klein

Roger S. Loeb+

Belle K. Ribicoff

Christina B. Ripple

Linda Fisher Silpe

Sherwood S. Willard

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Carrie Hammond

Barbara Hennessy

Nancy P. Hoffman

Robert A. Penney

Rosalie Roth

Bruce Simons

EMERITUS DIRECTORS

Margaret B. Amstutz

R. Kelley Bonn

Sara Marcy Cole

Susan J. Copeland

Susan G. Fisher

Judith C. Meyers

PAST PRESIDENTS

Jill Adams

Joel B. Alvord

Paul L. Bourdeau

David W. Clark Jr.+

Sue Ann Collins

Ellsworth Davis+

Elliot F. Gerson

Thomas J. Groark Jr.+

John W. Huntington+

Walter Harrison

David R. Jimenez

David M. Klein

Edward Lane-Reticker+

Janet Larsen+

Thomas D. Lips

Scott McAlister+

Tuck Miller+

Christina B. Ripple

Jack Sennott

Deanna Sue Sucsy

Jennifer Smith Turner

Peter R. Wilde+

EX OFFICIO DIRECTORS

John B. Larson

US Representative, First Congressional District of Connecticut

Arunan Arulampalam

Mayor City of Hartford

Melia Bensussen

Artistic Director

Hartford Stage

Cynthia Rider

Managing Director

Hartford Stage

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

LEADERSHIP

Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director

Position endowed by Janet S. Suisman

Cynthia Rider, Managing Director

ADMINISTRATION

Emily Van Scoy, General Manager

Sara Walnum, Business Manager

ARTISTIC

Zoë Golub-Sass, Richard P. Garmany Associate Artistic Director

Jeffrey Steele, Artistic Management Assistant

DEVELOPMENT

Jennifer Levine, Director of Development

Evan Kudish, Manager of Board & Donor Relations

Sierra Vazquez, Annual Fund Manager

Travis Kendrick-Castanho, Development Associate

EDUCATION

Jennifer Roberts, Director of Education

Nina Pinchin, Associate Director of Education

Emely Larson, Studio Manager

2024/2025 Teaching Artists

Marie Altenor, Thomas Beebe, Brandon Couloute, Shelby Demke, Erica LuBonta, Greg Ludovici, Jan Mason, Jessica MacLean, Tori Mooney, Justin Pesce, Kevin Scott

MARKETING

Todd Brandt, Director of Marketing

Molly Flanagan, Marketing Associate

House Management

Scott McEver, Audience Experience and Front of House Manager

Lindsay Abrams, Events Coordinator/ Assistant House Manager

Aarron Schuelke, Assistant House Manager Bartenders:

Tanya Bermudez, Sam Chiasson, Tracy Chinnici, Karen Kudish, Loren Milledge, Kimberly Quinn, Nefris Quiterio, Erica Santa Lucia, Kerry Yerkes

Gift Shop Attendants/Event Bartenders: Art Arpin, Paulette Caldwell, John Harbison

Patron Services

Lindsey Hoffman, Box Office Manager

Corey Welden, Box Office Supervisor

Box Office Representatives:

Julie Borsotti, Amaris Diaz, Briana Maia, Rick Sahlin, Lindsey Taft

PRODUCTION

Bryan T. Holcombe, Director of Production

Wesley McCabe-Schroeder, Assistant Production Manager

Alyssa Edwards, Production Assistant

Set Construction & Scenic Art

Aaron D. Bleck, Technical Director

Jared Wolf, Assistant Technical Director

Ian Sweeney, Lead Carpenter

Audra Giuliano, Scenic Carpenter

Nathalie Schlosser, Charge Scenic Artist

Costumes & Wardrobe

Alex Meadows, Costume Shop Director

Grace Petersen, Assistant Costume Director

Joshua Richardson, Wardrobe Supervisor

James Weeden, Draper

Rio Cañas, First Hand/Stitcher

Props

Joe Dotts, Props Manager

Claire Linden-Dionne, Assistant Props Manager

Lighting

Jackie Costabile, Lighting Manager

Ethan Sepa, ALDM, Programmer

Sara Dorinbaum, Light Board Operator

Sound

Lucas Clopton, Audio/Video Manager

Jim Busker, Assistant Audio/Video Manager

Company Management

Christopher Rowe, Company Manager

FOR THIS PRODUCTION

Krizzia Cruz, Gabby Esposito, Prompters

Emma Rucci, Interim Youth Coordinator

Bryan McManamy, Deck Crew Lead

Julius Cruz, Ariana Harris, Kat Harris, Matt Hennessy, Deck Crew

Bryan McManamy, Ash Fischer, Fly Crew

Sara Dorinbaum, Nico Platz, Emily Sousa (substitute), Spot Operators

Michele L. Sansone, Crafts Artisan

Marissa Menezes, Crafts Artisan/Millinery

Barry Sellers, Draper

Joseph O’Brien, Margaret McFarland, Allison Nishimura, Stitchers

Jack Richards, Hanna Zammarieh, Wig Crew

Erin Hager, Wardrobe/Wig Crew

Kailee Goodine, Children’s Wardrobe Crew

SPECIAL THANKS

Downtown Hartford YMCA

Residence Inn by Marriott Hartford Downtown

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Santa Fe Opera