music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman directed & choreographed by Patdro Harris
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Inspiration brings creativity to life. As a legacy sponsor of Indiana Repertory Theatre, OneAmerica FinancialSM is proud to celebrate world-class talent and enrich our local community through the power of the arts. Our 30-year commitment to supporting IRT is among the longest-standing in community theater nationwide. We look forward to enjoying the 2024-2025 Season with you.
Chairman, President and CEO
OneAmericaFinancial,2024-2025SeasonLegacySponsor
Through its community outreach efforts, the Navient Community Fund supports organizations and programs that address the root causes which limit financial success for all Americans. The Navient Community Fund is proud to support the Indiana Repertory Theatre as the Education Partner for the 2024-2025 Season.
Navient is a leading provider of asset management and business processing solutions to education, healthcare, and government clients at the federal, state, and local levels. Millions of Americans rely on financial support to further their education and improve their lives. We work hard each day to help our customers navigate financial challenges and achieve their goals.
We at Navient have a deep appreciation for the arts and for the hard work, passion, and emotion that go into them, as well as the positive influences the arts have on individuals and their communities. Our employees in central Indiana are proud to support our community through amazing programs like those offered by IRT.
Enjoy the show.
Rooted in the heart of Indiana, Indiana Repertory Theatre is committed to building a vital, vibrant, and informed community through the transformational power of live theatre. The Indiana Repertory Theatre produces inclusive, top-quality, professional theatre and community programming to engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain members of the whole community.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre will welcome the whole community, becoming a place of belonging for an ever-expanding audience of all ages and backgrounds seeking meaningful and enjoyable experiences. Using theatre as a springboard for both personal reflection and community discussion, our productions and programs will inspire our neighbors to learn about themselves and others. As the largest nonprofit theatre in the state of Indiana, IRT’s goal is to help make Indiana a dynamic home of cultural expression, economic vitality, and a diverse and engaged citizenry.
• Producing diverse plays, we strive to provide insight and celebrate human relationships through the unique vision of the playwright.
• Employing professional artists of the highest quality, we nurture an environment that allows them to grow and thrive on our stages and in our communities.
• We foster a creative environment where arts, education, corporate, civic, and cultural organizations collaborate to benefit our community
BUILDING INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESS (IDEA)
• Our community thrives when diverse voices and peoples gather to make, watch, and support theatre.
• It is our responsibility as a community resource to open our doors wide, welcoming all to our high-quality, relevant art.
• We acknowledge our history of privilege as a predominantly White institution as an initial and necessary step toward effectively supporting the dismantling of systems of oppression.
• To be an anti-racist organization we must seek knowledge and understanding to identify discriminatory practices and increase cultural awareness in collaboration with, and learning directly from, BIPOC, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI+), functionally diverse, and other historically excluded communities.
• As a public-benefit organization, we focus on community service, artistic integrity, and creating a range of ticket prices that allow all segments of our community to attend.
• Fiscal responsibility and financial security fuel our institutional sustainability.
• To ensure institutional longevity, we continue to grow our endowment fund as a resource for future development.
union agreements, photography, video, and audio recording
The videotaping of productions is a violation of
and an actionable Federal Offense.
Every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here or removed from here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Acknowledgment of the land which the IRT now occupies is critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage.
We want to acknowledge that what we now call Indiana is on the ancestral lands of many indigenous peoples including the Miami, Piankashaw, Wea, Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Delaware, and Shawnee. We pay respects to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of displacement, migration, violence, and settlement that bring us together here today.
This land acknowledgment was created in collaboration with Scott Shoemaker, PhD (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma). Portions of this acknowledgment come from the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture (usdac.us).
The Indiana Repertory Theatre moved to its current site on Washington Street in 1980, renovating and reopening a building that had been shuttered for nearly a decade.
The historic Indiana Theatre was built in 1927, a time when the shameful practice of racial segregation was the standard in movie theatres and public buildings across the United States. The Indiana Theatre building was originally segregated and at some point in its history this practice ceased. Many Indiana residents and their families’ heritage stories recall being treated as less than equal citizens in this building, with some even being barred from entering. We cannot erase this history.
We honor and respect all those who have faced discrimination and harm in this building. We strive every day to make the IRT a place that welcomes all people.
We strive to celebrate and serve the diverse people and cultures that make up our whole community. The IRT is committed to creating and maintaining an antiracist theatre that is inclusive, safe, respectful, and accessible.
Whether you have been coming for years or are here for the first time—welcome to your Theatre!
• Our community thrives when diverse voices and peoples gather to make, watch, and support theatre.
• It is our responsibility as a community resource to open our doors wide, welcoming all to our highquality, relevant art.
• We must acknowledge our history of privilege as a Predominantly White Institution in order to effectively support dismantling systems of oppression.
• In order to be an antiracist and inclusive organization we must seek knowledge and understanding to identify discriminatory practices and increase cultural awareness in collaboration with, and learning directly from, BIPOC, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI+), functionally diverse, and other historically excluded communities.
• We will represent and engage the diverse people, cultures, and communities of central Indiana.
• We will employ more people of color, with a goal of 40% of all new hires being BIPOC, and foster an inclusive culture of artists, staff, board, and vendors.
• We will continue and deepen our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) training for all board and staff.
• We will be accessible to all audiences inviting those who have been unheard or unseen in the past, including functionally diverse people, BIPOC, LGBTQI+, and under-resourced communities.
If you would like to read more about our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) work, go to irtlive.com/idea.
Indiana Repertory Theatre is thrilled to announce Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis as our 52 nd Season Spotlight Partner. Girls Inc. empowers young women to be strong, smart, and bold through innovative programs that break down gender stereotypes and build confidence.
Their commitment to inspiring girls to embrace their true selves aligns perfectly with our mission to tell stories that reflect the diverse lives of our community.
We look forward to shining a spotlight on their incredible work and supporting their mission throughout our upcoming season.
Whether on the page, on the screen, on the stage, or anywhere else, art brings life to life. KeyBank is grateful for the passion and creativity that inspire and enrich all our lives, and we’re proud to support the arts across our communities. Thank you, Indiana Repertory Theatre, for making a difference.
Fostering Artistic Expression
Faegre Drinker is proud to be an opening night sponsor for the 2024-25 season. We invest in the arts because vibrant communities are made more beautiful, inclusive and dynamic through creative expression.
Imagine a future where all members of our community are empowered to reach their full potential
Glick Philanthropies is an Indianapolis-based family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential.
We carry out our mission by leading and supporting efforts to:
BUILD COMMUNITY
Provide affordable housing
Support a healthy democracy
Strengthen Jewish cultural life
CREATE OPPORTUNITY
Expand equitable opportunities in the arts
Close education achievement gaps
Improve access to basic needs
Increase economic mobility
MARGOT LACY ECCLES WAS A LEADING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES. THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE CHERISHES ITS HISTORY WITH MRS. ECCLES AS A SUBSCRIBER, BOARD MEMBER, DONOR, AND CHAMPION OF OUR ORGANIZATION IN BOTH ITS EDUCATIONAL AND ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP. IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. ECCLES’S LEGACY AS BENEFACTOR AND ADVISOR, THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE IS PROUD TO HAVE NAMED ITS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR POSITION THE MARGOT LACY ECCLES ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.
BENJAMIN HANNA
Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director
Ben is in his second season as IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director, following six years as the company’s Associate Artistic Director. At IRT he has directed Little ShopofHorrors,Clue,Fahrenheit451,TheBookClubPlay, AChristmasCarol, and Elephant&Piggie’s“WeAreina Play!,” among others. This season he directs ThePlayThat GoesWrong.
As a director, educator, and community engagement specialist, Ben is guided by the belief that access to highquality theatre helps build creative, empathetic people and healthy communities. Across his career, he has focused on building the next generation of artists and audiences by creating and advocating for multigenerational, multicultural, and family-oriented programming. Prior to his role at IRT, he spent five years at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed shows at the Bay Area Children’s Theatre. In his native Minnesota, he served on the education staff of Penumbra Theatre Company and was an artistic associate at Children’s Theatre Company. He is the recipient of the prestigious Theatre Communications Group Leadership University Award funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program—Class XLVI.
Ben holds a degree in theatre arts from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He fell in love with telling stories at the age of eleven at the Prairie Wind Players community theatre in rural Minnesota, and he continues to create for his favorite audience: his five nieces and nephews.
SUZANNE SWEENEY Managing Director
Suzanne is a 26-year veteran of the IRT and is excited to work with Benjamin Hanna as co-CEO of the company, where she oversees its administrative functions. During her tenure, the IRT has secured a long-term lease for the building with the City of Indianapolis, renovated the Upperstage Lobby and restrooms, raised $20 million for its Front and Center campaign, and $5 million for the renaming of the Upperstage Theatre to the Janet Allen Stage.
Suzanne was elected Treasurer of the national League of Resident Theatres, where she serves as a board member. She has been a panelist for Shakespeare in American Communities in cooperation with Arts Midwest. She was the treasurer of Irish Fest for nine years, a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Day Nursery Association (now Early Learning Indiana) for three years, and treasurer of Indy Fringe.
Suzanne is a graduate of the College of William & Mary and Indiana University. She has worked in finance in Washington DC, Texas, Germany, Hawaii, and New Zealand. She is an alum of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program (Class XXXI). She lives in Lockerbie with her son, Jackson, and spends some of her downtime in Huntley, Illinois, with her partner, Todd Wiencek.
Ticket sales only cover half of what it costs to produce a show at the IRT—the other half is funded by generous donors like you! Every gift, no matter the size, plays a significant role in sustaining the high-quality performances and educational programs that the IRT o ers. Your support, whether as a one-time contribution or a monthly donation, helps ensure that the Theatre continues to thrive and enrich our community.
A $125 per month pledge also earns you a spot in the IRT's Repertory Society! As a member, you receive special benefits, such as: exclusive invitations to select events, additional discounts on single tickets, complimentary
Celebrating how the arts connect and enrich our community.
Citizens Energy Group is a proud partner of the Indiana Repertory Theatre. This ad was not paid for by customer rates.
Benjamin Hanna
Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director
Suzanne Sweeney
Managing Director
Drew Kowalkowski
Associate Managing Director
Jacob Lang
Executive Assistant
Malia Argüello
Production Manager
cara hinh
Associate Artistic Director
Jessica Huang
Playwright-in-Residence
Hillary Martin
Company Manager
Richard J Roberts
Resident Dramaturg
Becky Roeber
Production Coordinator
Tara Parchman
Jack London
Edith McDonnel
Dameon Cooper
Building Manager
Housekeeping
Carlton Foster
Tonika Miller
Steven Robinson
Kendall Thompson
Lane Fiorini
Wardrobe Supervisor
Heather Hirvela
Draper
Niamh Langfitt
First Hand
Bailey Lewis
Wardrobe Assistant
Rebecca Reyes
Junior Draper
Patrice N. Trower
Costume Shop Manager
Brady Clark
Development Systems
Tracy Heaton de Martinez
Development Associate
Jennifer Hiatt
Associate Director of Development
Nataly Lowder
Director of Development
Eric J. Olson
Institutional Giving Manager
Steven Stolen
Corporate Strategies, Senior Advisor/Consultant
Anna E. Barnett
Education Manager
Claire Wilcher
Education Assistant
Aaron Burns Electrician
Beth A. Nuzum
Lighting Supervisor
Megan Stockreef Electrician
Crowe Horwath
External Auditors
Faegre Drinker
Legal Counsel
Jeffrey Bledsoe Director of Finance
Jen Carpenter
Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Amanda Keen
Business Manager
Devon Ginn
Director of Inclusion & Community Partnerships
Kerry Barmann
Associate Director of Marketing
Geneva Denney-Moore
Design & Communications Manager
Danielle M. Dove
Director of Marketing & Sales
Megan Ebbeskotte
Audience Development Manager
Noelani Langille
Multimedia & Design Manager
Jessica Carlson
Assistant Charge Scenic Artist
Claire Dana Charge Scenic Artist
Jim Schumacher
Scenic Artist
Assistant House Managers
Grace Branam
Stacy Brown
Paully Crumpacker
Preston Dildine
Dieter Finn
Christine Gordon
Marilyn Hatcher
Samantha Hines
Katy Thompson House Manager
Tina Weaver
Bartender
Courtney Plummer
Ticket Office Manager
Molly Wible Sweets
Sarah James
Alicia McClendon
Madison Pickering
Jeff Pigeon
Phoebe Rodgers
Kathy Sax
Karen Sipes
Sam Stucky
Tessitura Administrator
Eric Wilburn
Assistant Ticket Office Manager
Customer Service Representatives
Ashlee Lancaster
Melody Lindner
Owen Louden
Chelsea Senibaldi
Cara Wilson
LB Clark
Ben Dobler
Lee Edmundson
Trevor Greenlee
Katharine Ivey
Littau
Radloff
Rachelle Martin
Properties Shop Manager
Dan Tracy
Properties Shop Carpenter
Nick Chamberlain
Lead Carpenter
Chris Fretts
Technical Director
Andrew Hastings
Master Carpenter
Nick Kilgore
Scene Shop/Automation Supervisor
Samantha-Rae Oliver
Carpenter
Jacob Spencer
Stage Operations Supervisor
Brit Hayth
Lead Audio Engineer
Todd Mack
Head of Audio and Video
Chloe Pate
Audio and Video Technician
Stage Managers
Nathan Garrison
Erin Robson-Smith
Production Assistants
Emma Littau
Natalie Stigall
Doug Sims
Group Sales & Teleservices Manager
Welcome to the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Our 52nd season, the second with Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna, promises to be full of laughter, tears, and music.
In this busy world, with so many demands on our time and our dollars, we appreciate not only your presence and your participation, but also your continuing financial support, which makes our work possible. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for choosing the IRT.
Your contribution is a vital part of our success. If you enjoy this production, please encourage your friends to come see it. If you do not already have a season ticket or a smaller ticket package, why not join the family? Consider a membership in the Repertory Society, too.
Great art doesn’t just happen. It takes committed patrons such as you in tandem with talented artisans. Enjoy the show!
–AndrewMichie,IRTBoardChair
CHAIR
Andrew Michie
OneAmerica Financial
VICE CHAIR & CHAIR ELECT
Jill Lacy
The Lacy Foundation
Kathryn Beiser
Eli Lilly & Company
Kathy G. Cabello
Cabello Associates
Brooke Dunn
Faegre Drinker
Biddle & Reath
Tom Froehle*
Faegre Drinker
Biddle & Reath
Patricia Gamble-Moore PNC
Ashley Garry Viatris Inc.
Ron Gifford
RDG Strategies LLC
Ricardo L. Guimarães
Indiana University
Kelley School of Business
Carrie Hagovsky Fifth Third Bank
TREASURER
Joy Kleinmaier
Healthcare Executive
SECRETARY
Julian Harrell
Faegre Drinker
Biddle & Reath
PAST CHAIR
Mark Shaffer* KPMG LLP
Brenda Horn
Ice Miller LLP, Retired
Rebecca Hutton
Leadership Indianapolis
Lauren James
Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
Elisha Modisett Kemp
Corteva Agriscience
Nicholas C. Pappas
Frost Brown Todd
Rita Patel
Jane Pauley Health Center
Brian Payne Central Indiana Community Foundation | The Indianapolis Foundation, Retired
Mary E. Phillips
Capital Group
Robert Anker* (in memoriam)
Rollin Dick
Berkley Duck*
Dale Duncan*
James W. Freeman
Nadine Givens*
Michael Lee Gradison* (in memoriam)
Mike Harrington*
Margie Herald (in memoriam)
David Klapper
David Kleiman*
Sarah Lechleiter
E. Kirk McKinney Jr. (in memoriam)
Alan Mills
Michael Moriarty
Barath Raman Lewis Wagner, LLP.
Peter N. Reist
Oxford Financial Group, Ltd.
Myra C. Selby Ice Miller LLP
Darshan Shah
Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
Shelly Smith Ernst & Young LLP
Amy Waggoner Salesforce, Inc.
Richard O. Morris* (in memoriam)
Jane Schlegel*
Wayne Schmidt (in memoriam)
Jerry Semler* (in memoriam)
Jack Shaw*
Mike Simmons
William E. Smith III*
Eugene R. Tempel*
L. Alan Whaley
David Whitman*
THE VERDICT IS IN! THE CELEBRITY RADIO SHOW IS THE MOST HILARIOUS NIGHT IN INDY!
Join us on February 28, 2025, for a night of laughs, lyrics, celebrities, and celebration as we gather to support the IRT as a community-based, Broadway-quality, inclusive arts organization right here in the heart of Indiana.
Welcome to the IRT! Thank you for joining us to launch our 2024-2025 season with another great musical: The 25th AnnualPutnamCountySpellingBee. Last season, our first musical in ten years was an exceptional success, welcoming more than 3,300 new patrons for LittleShopofHorrors. This overwhelming community response reaffirms the return of musicals to our repertoire, and we are thrilled to welcome musical theatre lovers to our house!
As the Olympics and Paraolympics recently reminded us, the thrill and suspense of competition is intoxicating Who will be the first to fold? Who will make it to the finish line? Who will make their dreams a reality? With guest celebrity spellers, musical mayhem, and a wonderful cast of quirky characters, Spelling Bee is tuneful and oh-so-charming. In traditional bee fashion, the words change each night, so cheer on our artists and audiences as we celebrate these spelling nerds in sweating the unknown and proudly letting their freak flags fly!
Many folks may not realize how much of our work is custom created by Hoosier artisans right here in our building. The sets, costumes, lighting, sound, video projection, marketing materials, etc., are all curated in house for each production. Artists are tucked in every corner of the Indiana Theatre building, expertly crafting the world of each play. We are very proud of not only our amazing production and administrative staff, but of the many wonderful local actors who grace our stages. These Hoosiers work in step with the incredible talent flown in from New York, Los Angeles, and every place in between to work in your backyard, breathing life into these beautiful stories just for you.
But our mission is more than just making great art on our stages. Our Community Ambassadors help us to open our doors wide, making authentic connections with historically underserved communities and ensuring access for our whole community. Our Theatre Camp and Young Playwrights in Process are just two of our many educational programs that serve more than 25,000 students every year. And this season our Spotlight Partner—lifting the work of local mission-aligned organizations—is Girls Inc. of Indianapolis, inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
This season you can look forward to the wide variety of programming that has long been a hallmark of the IRT. We’ll take you on a wonderful journey full of music, warmth, friendship, drama, and farce. If you’re not already a Season Ticket Member, I hope you’ll join us—it is the best way to invest in IRT and get your date nights set so you don’t miss the adventure!
As I launch my second season as artistic director, I want to thank you for your support and for making IRT a part of your life. It takes all of us to make the IRT grow and thrive.
With gratitude,
Charles Dickens’
adapted by Tom Haas
NOV 16 – DEC 24 presented by
Banish your bah humbugs and celebrate the season at the Indiana Repertory Theatre! A Christmas Carol shines a light on the power of kindness and love in this uplifting tale of one man’s journey to redemption. As the weather turns cold, warm your heart with story and song at the IRT.
SWEET SEATS are back this season! Make sure to reserve a seat in rows A-F for the best seats and a delicious treat from DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis!
Apply your Spelling Bee ticket toward a season ticket membership!
Did you know you can apply the cost of your The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ticket toward a season ticket membership?
Enjoy flexibility, special benefits, great seats, and the best pricing. Choose from a Signature Five* or Build Your Own Three package, and pick your perfect lineup!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Best deal on pricing compared to single tickets!
Discount on additional tickets
Fee free exchanges
(with notice prior to scheduled performance) *anupgrade chargemaybeapplicable
Guaranteed valet parking access
($100 for valet package for 5 shows)
Stage Door Pass
(local partner restaurant discounts)
Monthly e-newsletter
Best seats with priority seating for the 2025-2026 season
Trade tickets for a different production in your package
(once per season) *anupgradechargemaybeapplicable
One free upgrade to another performance
Priority for on our waitlist if you want to change your season tickets to another day or time
One Meet & Greet
(behind-the-scenes donor event)
Book into any night, any seat
Purchasing an Arts Trust License Plate directly supports arts and creativity in Indiana. Funding from the Arts Trust License Plate helps supports festivals, concerts, murals, art classes, and more through the Arts Project Support grant program.
Latino Center for Wellness and Education (LCWE) Tippecanoe County Arts Project Support Grant Recipient
Learn more about the Arts Trust License Plate
Whether a monthly donation or a planned legacy gift, your support creates experiences for an exciting today and an enriched tomorrow—that’s what we call encore-worthy!
Thanks to the Alan and Linda Cohen Education Fund, students and teachers all across Indiana can attend performances at the IRT. For the price of a coffee, you can help continue this gift and give a student a live theatre experience—some for the very first time!
Make your mark on the next generation of students, actors, and artists by joining the Ovation Society and creating a legacy gift at the IRT! Ensuring a lasting impact on your community can be as easy as changing your beneficiaries on insurance policies or including the IRT in your will.
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman directed & choreographed by Patdro Harris
additional material by Jay Reiss originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre.
ONEAMERICA FINANCIAL STAGE SEPTEMBER 18 – OCTOBER 13
Share your review on social media by tagging us at @IRTLIVE, using #IRTLIVE or by emailing REVIEWS@IRTLIVE.COM
SCENIC DESIGNER: Britton Mauk
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Jared A. Sayeg
Directed & Choreographed by PATDRO HARRIS
Music Director________________________ JOSHUA BURNIECE
Scenic Design__________________________ BRITTON MAUK
Costume Design_________________________ LINDA PISANO
Lighting Design________________________ JARED A. SAYEG
Sound Design________________________ STEPHANIE FARINA
Music Supervisor____________________ ANDREW BOURGOIN
Dramaturg_________________________ RICHARD J ROBERTS
Stage Manager______________________ NATHAN GARRISON
Assistant Stage Manager___________________ BECKY ROEBER
Casting____________________________ CLAIRE SIMON CSA
BENJAMIN HANNA
Margot Lacy Eccles
Artistic Director
Chip Tolentino______________ MATHEUS BARBEE
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenniere __ DEVAN MATHIAS
Leaf Coneybear ___________ DOMINIQUE LAWSON
William Barfee________________ BRETT MUTTER
Marcy Park__________________ AYANA STRUTZ
Olive Ostrovsky_____________ ARIANA D. BURKS
Rona Lisa Peretti_____________ MICHELLE LAUTO
Douglas Panch_____________ RYAN ARTZBERGER
Mitch Mahoney_________________ RJ GRIFFITH
Leaf’s Family, Schwartzy’s Dads, Olive’s Parents, & Jesus Christ played by Members of the Company
A school gymnasium. APPROXIMATERUNTIME: 2 hours, including one 15 minute intermission.
Video Designer: Zach Rosing
Wig Designer: Andrew Elliot
Assistant Choreographer: Angelina Clark
Assistant Costume Designer: Kate Lopez
Assistant Lighting Designer: Winston Limauge
Associate Sound Designer: Ethan Korvne
Intimacy Consultant: Clarie Wilcher
Production Assistant: Emma Littau
Understudies: Ben Asaykwee, Frankie Bolda, Samantha Ringor, & Russell Valdez
Dance Captain: Brett Mutter
Based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play by The Farm.
Indiana Repertory Theatre is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a nationwide association of not for profit theatres.
The director-choreographer is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.
The actors and stage managers in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers are represented by United Scenic Artists Local 829, IATSE.
The Barrington Stage Company workshop of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE was originally co-directed by Michael Barakiva and Rebecca Feldman.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Photography and recording are forbidden in the theatre. The videotaping of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable Federal Offense.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
“The Rules”
“My Friend, the Dictionary” “Pandemonium”
“I’m Not That Smart”
“Magic Foot”
“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor”
“Chip’s Lament”
“Woe Is Me”
“I Speak Six Languages”
“The I Love You Song” “Second”
“The Champion”
“Finale”
Conductor/Piano_______________
JOSHUA BURNIECE
Synthesizer___________________ BRENT E. MARTY
Cello___________________________ EUNICE KIM
Reeds________________________ NEIL BROEKER
Percussion_______________________ GREG WOLFF
Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director
music & lyrics by William
Finn
Mr. Finn is the writer and composer of Falsettos, for which he received two Tony Awards, Best Book of a Musical (with James Lapine) and Best Original Score. He has also written and composed In Trousers, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland(Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, two Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, the Lucille Lortel Award, and Guggenheim Fellowship in Musical Composition). Mr. Finn wrote the lyrics to Graciela Daniele’s Tango Apasionado (music by the great Astor Piazzolla) and, with Michael Starobin, the music to Lapine’s version of The Winter’s Tale. His musical, Romance in Hard Times, was presented at the Public Theater. Recently, he wrote Painting You for Love’s Fire, a piece commissioned and performed bye the Acting Company, based on Shakepeare’s sonnets. For television, Mr. Finn provided the music and lyrics for the Ace Award-winning HBO cartoon “Ira Sleeps Over,” “Tom Thumb and Thumbelina,” “Pokey Little Puppy’s First Christmas,” and, with Ellen Fitzhugh, two “Brave little Toaster” cartoons. Mr. Finn has written for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New Yorker. A graduate of Williams College where he was awarded the Hutchinson Fellowship for Musical Composition, Finn now teaches a weekly master class at the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing. His most recent projects include Elegies, A Song Cycle (Lincoln Center) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which ran on Broadway and has been produced nationally and internationally, as well.
book by Rachel Sheinkin
Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Tony, Drama Desk awards); Off Broadway: Striking 12 (Lucille Lortel nomination), Off-Off: Serenade. Regional: Guthrie, Little House on the Prairie; Center Theater Group, Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Los Angeles Ovation Award); London: Blood Drive. Residencies, fellowships, commissions include: Eugene O’Neill National Theater Center, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Manhattan Theatre Club, Deaf West, McCarter Theatre, Playwrights Horizons. Rachel is a volunteer mentor for TDF’s Open Doors program, a visiting instructor at Yale School of Drama, and adjunct faculty member of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.
conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Rebecca Feldman is the conceiver of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for which she won a Lucille Lortel Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony nomination for Best Musical. She directed its world premiere at Barrington Stage Company in the summer of 2004. Rebecca is Associate Producer on Transparent,theMusical Finale and served as Staff Writer on the finale as well. She is currently developing an episodic drama with Big Kid Pictures, called La Coyote which has been selected to the WeForShe’s 2019 Writeher List.
She is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab as well as the AFI Directing Workshop for Women where she won the Jean Firstenburg Award for Best Short.
Her short films include, My First Time Driving (AFI Jean Firstenburg Award, Best Short at Lake Arrowhead Film Fest, Best of Shorts at Outfest), A/VClub (TV Pilot, NYTVF), Uber Alice (Woodstock Film Fest), Dead Cat (Producer, Tribeca Film Fest) and Irving (Official Selection Rhode Island Film Fest, Official Selection USA Film Fest, Ft. Lauderdale Film Fest, Atlanta Jewish Film Fest).
The Farm was founded in 2000 by Rebecca Feldman, Artistic Director. It is a collective of writers and performers, including Jay Reiss, Dan Fogler, and Sarah Saltzberg. The Farm’s interest is in the role of improvisation in creating new work for the theatre. The Farm initially designates a two-week intensive period in which to discover, develop, and rehearse a play from the impulses borne mainly out of the pressure of a deadline. Previous projects include Super (at Atlantic Theatre Studios), WhyIHateFlorida (workshop at White Wave in DUMBO) and C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E (at the Present Company Theatorium in October 2002), on which The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is based. The character and original dialogue of Beth Marguiles, Vice Principal Douglas Panch, Mr. Barfee, and Logan Schwarzengrubenierre were created by Rebecca Feldman, Jay Reiss, Dan Fogler, and Sarah Saltzberg, respectively.
BY PATDRO HARRIS, DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a wonderful journey of words, family, and dreams.
My approach to the work was first to discover what was important to the characters—there lies our story. Besides the everyday life of Putnam County, what tools do we use to tell this story? Music, comedy, and you, the audience. The words tell us what to say, but it’s the characters’ relationships that tell us how to say it—whether it’s their relationships with their families at home or with others in the Putnam County community. This play allows the characters to live their dreams out loud. What a brave way to approach life.
Collaborating with this amazing design team, our incredible actors, and the wonderful crew, we began to bring the Bee Life to vivid reality on stage. And now, the final ingredient: you, the audience.
We have certainly enjoyed working together on this wonderful play about words, family, and dreams. We hope that you will enjoy it as well.
Welcome to the Bee Life!
BY RICHARD J ROBERTS, RESIDENT DRAMATURG
There are nine Putnam Counties in the United States: in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Eight of these (all except Florida) were named for Israel Putnam (17181790), a farmer who fought in the French and Indian War, rising from private to colonel, and later served as a general in the Revolutionary War. He is a character in the video game Assassin’s Creed III.
What is now Putnam County, Indiana, is on ancestral lands of indigenous peoples including the Delaware, Eel River, Miami, and Potawatomi. When the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state in 1816, much of what is today Central and Northern Indiana was still Native land. Territories south of the Wabash River (a large area stretching from Lafayette to Bedford to Richmond), including what would become Putnam County, were ceded to the United States in the Treaty of St. Mary’s in 1818.
Putnam County was the fifth county created in the state, in 1821. It has an area of 483 square miles, centered about 50 miles west of Indianapolis. The terrain is mostly flat, with a few gently rolling hills in the southwest quadrant. Before the arrival of white settlers in the late 1700s, the region was completely covered with beech, hickory, maple, oak, poplar, and walnut trees; eventually most of the land was cleared for agriculture.
Greencastle was established as the county seat in 1821. The first local newspaper, the Hoosier, was published in 1830. The first annual county fair was held in 1837. That same year, Indiana Asbury University was founded in Greencastle under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Indiana Asbury was one of the first institutions in the West to grant equal privileges to women. One of the first railroads in Indiana began passing through the county in 1852. That same year, the Putnam RepublicanBanner was started; it is now known as the BannerGraphic. Eli Lilly (1838-1898) opened his first drugstore on the Putnam County Courthouse Square in 1859. In 1884, Indiana Asbury became DePauw University.
Today, Putnam County has a population of 37,000. Besides Greencastle, its towns include Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Filmore, Roachdale, and Russellville. The county has 9 of the state’s 98 covered bridges (second only to nearby Parke County, with 32) and 25 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Putnam County Playhouse was founded in Greencastle in 1962. Since 1983, this community theatre has performed in a converted barn with 200 seats. Although the Putnam County Playhouse has never produced The 25th Annual PutnamCountySpellingBee, the show was produced by Greencastle High School in 2017.
RYAN ARTZBERGER | Douglas Panch Ryan’s IRT credits include Little Shop of Horrors, A Christmas Carol, Clue, Oedipus, Cyrano, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Diary of Anne Frank, Noises Off, Romeo and Juliet, The Three Musketeers, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, God of Carnage, Rabbit Hole, Iron Kisses, and Death of a Salesman. Ryan is executive artistic director of the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. Regional credits include the Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC, the Studio Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, the Goodman Theatre, Berkeley Rep, the Lookingglass, and Great Lakes. Ryan graduated from Ohio University and Juilliard. “Love to Marita, Will, and Clara.”
MATHEUS BARBEE | Chip Tolentino Matheus is thrilled to be making his professional debut with IRT! He is a recent graduate of Northwestern University. Previous stage credits include: Kinky Boots (Lola), Violet (Flick), SomethingRotten (Nigel u/s), and Shakespeare’s As You Like It. “I am eternally grateful to my family in North Carolina for their support and grace. Tremendous thanks to Gray Talent Group, Claire Simon, and the remarkable IRT team.” @matheusbarbee
ARIANA D. BURKS | Olive Ostrovsky Ariana is honored to be a part of her first show at IRT! Theatre credits include IntheHeights (The Muny), Beautiful:TheCaroleKingMusical (Paramount, Marriott), Antigone, The Gospel at Colonus (Court Theatre and the Getty); Children of Eden (Cadillac Palace); Spring Awakening (Porchlight); Urinetown (BoHo Theatre); The Nutcracker (the House Theatre); Hairspray (Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook); Wonderland (Chicago Children’s Theatre); The Compass, Dance Nation (Steppenwolf); Trevor: The Musical, Next to Normal (Writers); Life After, A Christmas Carol (Goodman). Television/film credits include Beats, South Side, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show (2011 Emmy Nomination). @arianaburks
RJ GRIFFITH | Mitch Mahoney RJ, a Chicago singer-songwriter and actor, inspires through his music and performances. After making a name for himself at Chicago’s historic Black Ensemble Theater and recently co-starring in the Olivier-nominated London West End hit musical Choir of Man, he’s excited to be making his IRT debut. RJ’s music has been featured in films and played on radio and TV stations. He has toured nationally and performed at major events, including sports games. Follow him on all social media platforms @rjgmusic and stream his music on all streaming platforms under RJ Griffith “Grateful for the support of my wife, mom, and family. Positive Vibes Only!”
MICHELLE LAUTO | Rona Lisa Perretti IRT debut! Select credits: IntheHeights,Grease,Oklahoma!, Ragtime, and Seussical (Marriott Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (South Coast Rep); In the Heights and Sunset Boulevard (Porchlight Music Theatre); Spamilton (Jeff Award, Best Actress); Evita (Drury Lane); Hair (Mercury Theater Chicago); and more. Michelle is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Thank you to Stewart Talent. “For B, always.”
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman directed & choreographed by Patdro Harris
DOMINIQUE LAWSON | Leaf Coneybear Dominique is returning to the IRT stage fresh from playing Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors last season. Off-Broadway: Shedding Load (59E59). Regional: Once on this Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Spring Awakening (Hangar Theatre), Rent (Theatre Aspen). Television: FBI, Bull (CBS), Younger (TV Land), High Maintenance (HBO), Hit & Run (Netflix), The Blacklist (NBC), Lisey’s Story (Apple TV+), Dr. Death (Peacock). Film: Happiest Season (Hulu), Down Low (Netflix). B.F.A. from University of Central Florida. “Thanks to my family and my reps at Entertainment Lab & BWA!” Instagram: @DominiqueAllenLawson
DEVAN MATHIAS | Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere Devan has appeared at the IRT in Clue, Sense and Sensibility, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!,” and The Little Choo Choo That Thinks She Can. She is grateful to be part of the thriving arts community in Indianapolis as both an actor and a teaching artist. Credits include productions with the Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Beef & Boards, American Lives Theatre, Summit Performance Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, where she is a company member. Devan received her B.A. in Musical Theatre from Ball State University.
BRETT MUTTER | William Barfee IRT debut! Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Brett spent the last decade performing around the country before making Indy home base in 2022. Most recently seen as the Lion in Beef & Boards’ The Wizard of Oz, he is grateful to be working in pants again. Other B&B credits: Escape to Margaritaville, 42nd Street, Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Little Mermaid. Other favs: Route 66 (ATI), The Music Man (Circa 21), Ripcord (Sierra Rep). Up next: She Loves Me with Actors Theatre of Indiana. Bowling Green State University, B.A. in Musical Theatre. “All my L-O-V-E to Joey, Mom, Dad, Lindsey, and Peggy!” IG: @b_mutt_er
AYANA STRUTZ | Marcy Park Ayana is a Japan-born and Hawaii-raised dancer and circus artist, currently residing in Chicago. She is absolutely ecstatic to be at IRT playing a dream role! You can catch her performing on stage, twirling in the air, touring across the United States, or on TV. Represented by Gray Talent Group. “I would like to dedicate this performance to our inner child, and for anyone who has struggled to feel seen. You matter. Your voice matters. And the world is brighter with you in it. Thank you and love to Jon, always!!” ayanastrutz.com
BEN ASAYKWEE | Understudy: Mitch, Barfee, Panch Ben has written, directed, and performed throughout the Midwest for more than two decades, with projects including White City Murder writer/director/performer (Phoenix Theatre); Tales from the Jungle Book—playwright/director (Lilly Theatre at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum); Clue—actor (Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre); Triangle—playwright/director (Phoenix Cultural Center); ProzacktheSadElf—playwright/performer (Phoenix Theatre); AChristmasCarolComedy—writer/director (The District Theatre), Cabaret—actor (Actors Theatre of Indiana); Every Brilliant Thing—actor (Stage Door Productions); Cabaret Poe writer/director/performer (Phoenix Theatre/Q Artistry); Kiss of the Spider Woman—actor (Chicago Theatre, Chicago).
FRANKIE JO BOLDA | Understudy: Rona Lisa Peretti Frankie is an Indianapolis-based actor, improviser, and musician pursing her M.F.A. in Acting at Indiana University. She is a performer and instructor with CSz Worldwide/ComedySportz and a company member with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. Theatre credits: Pipeline (IU Theatre), The Little Choo Choo That Thinks She Can (IRT), Hamlet (IndyShakes), PUFFS (LAFF, Indiana Premiere), The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) (Constellation/Cardinal Stage), Pride & Prejudice (Civic), and others. Frankie is an alumna of AMDA NYC. FrankieBolda.com
SAMANTHA RINGOR | Understudy: Schwartzy, Marcy, Olive Samantha Ringor is thrilled to be a part of her first production with IRT! She recently graduated from Rider University’s Musical Theatre program, but is happy to call Chicago her hometown. Recent credits: Lizzie (Bridget/Maggie) with Summer Stock Stage Eclipse at the Phoenix Cultural Center; The 39 Steps (Clown #2) with St. Patrick’s Summer Theatre; the world premiere of Clean Slate (Echo #1) with Passage Theatre; The Prom (Ensemble/Emma U/S) with Rider University.
RUSSELL VALDEZ | Understudy: Chip & Leaf Russell Valdez is honored to be joining the Bee at Indiana Repertory Theatre! He was last seen touring the country with Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour (Ensemble/Dance Captain). Other credits include Nick Jr. Live! Move To The Music (National Tour), Revelation: The Musical (The Players Theatre), An Enemy of the People (Centenary Stage Company) & Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Axelrod Performing Arts Center). He has a B.A. in Communication Studies and a Marketing Minor from Kean University. Instagram: @russelljvaldez
PATDRO HARRIS | Director & Choreographer Director: IRT (Crowns), Alliance, Sacramento Theatre Company, Round House, San Diego Rep, Penumbra, Tuskegee Rep, Ensemble Theater, True Colors, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Connecticut Rep, Syracuse Stage. Choreographer, artistic consultant, and movement director: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Kennedy Center, National Black Theatre Festival, Guthrie, Broadway’s Royal Theatre. Choreographer and lead dancer for Stevie Wonder. Choreographer and movement specialist for Toni Morrison’s opera MargaretGarner. Choreographer for Broadway’s Tony-winning A Raisin in the Sun starring Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad. Helen Hayes Awards: winner for Outstanding Choreography, nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Atlanta’s Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Director of a Play, 2013 and 2019. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, 2024. patdroharris.com
JOSHUA BURNIECE | Music Director A Minnesota-born musician, Joshua earned his B.A. in Music from Luther College (2016) and his M.M. in Collaborative Piano from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2023). Following his education, Joshua has been pursuing music directing in the world of musical theatre, working on such shows as Tick, Tick ... Boom!, A Year with Frog and Toad, Newsies, and now Spelling Bee. He serves as one of the Music Directors for the Spotlight Showcase in Minneapolis. Alongside musical theatre, Joshua is actively pursuing a career in writing music for the film–video game industry and has recorded music at Abbey Road Studios in London.
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman directed & choreographed by Patdro Harris
BRITTON MAUK | Scenic Designer Britton has designed scenery for Syracuse Stage (Clyde’s), Portland Center Stage (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rent, and Clyde’s), Long Wharf Theatre (I Am My Own Wife), Resident Ensemble Players, Constellation Stage, Gulfshore Playhouse, CATF, and Mixed Blood. Closer to home in Pittsburgh, he has designed for City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Front Porch Theatricals, CLO Cabaret, and Quantum Theatre. Britton is a member of the USITT IDEAS Committee and is the co-coordinator for the USITT Gateway Program. He is an assistant teaching professor at the University of Pittsburgh. For more, visit brittonmaukdesign.com
LINDA PISANO | Costume Designer This is Linda’s 20th design collaboration with IRT. Her work has been selected twice for the Quadrennial World Design Expo in Prague and twice for the World Stage Design exhibition. She is a three-time winner at the National Stage Expo, and a four-time recipient of the Peggy Ezekiel Award. Her work was featured in a world design exhibition with the Bakhrushin Museum in Moscow and the China Institute of Stage Design in Beijing. She serves as Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Indiana University in Bloomington, where she is professor of costume design.
JARED A. SAYEG | Lighting Designer
Nine-time Ovation Award Nominee. Winner: Ovation, StageRaw, Garland, and LADCC Kinetic Lighting Awards. Broadway: TheIllusionists,BravoBernstein, Gotham Glory at Carnegie Hall. Regional: Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, 5th Avenue Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, International City Theatre, Reprise, Ensemble Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Virginia Stage Company, The Colony, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. West End: Rolling with Laughter. Design teams for PRIMO and The Woman in White (Broadway), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury (national tour). Principal designer for the USA International Ballet Competition. International Association of Lighting Designers; United Scenic Artists-Local 829, Vice-Chair to the executive board. jaslighting.com
STEPHANIE FARINA | Sound Designer Stephanie is a Chicago-based sound designer and musical mixer. She was co-sound designer for the IRT’s Fannie. Sound design credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Drury Lane Theatre), Dreamgirls (McCarter Theatre), Revolution(s), Nacirema Society, NewStage2022 and 2023 (Goodman Theatre). Mixing credits include Blue,Twilight:Gods (Michigan Opera Theatre), Proximity, Factotum, Fiddler on the Roof, Twilight: Gods, West Side Story, Light in the Piazza, Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and ten years at the Goodman Theatre. Stephanie is the Interim Head of Sound Design at the Theatre School at DePaul University, and a Journeyman in the IATSE Local 2 of Chicago.
ZACH ROSING | Video Designer Zach is the owner of Zach Rosing Productions, providing video, photography, and multimedia production services to more than 30 arts organizations across Central Indiana. Along with his producing partner Zack Neiditch, Zach is a four-time NUVO Best of Indy winner for Best Locally Produced Play. Zach & Zack’s fifth production of The Rocky Horror Showreturns to the Athenaeum this October. Zach’s sound and video design work has been seen on stage with Butler University, Cardinal Stage, Indianapolis Opera, Phoenix Theatre, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Beef & Boards, ATI, Anderson University, Summer Stock Stage, Franklin Central Choirs, and Zionsville Showchoirs.
ANDREW ELLIOT | Wig Designer Andrew is a makeup artist, wig designer, and stylist. His work can be seen with IU Opera and Ballet Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Phoenix Theatre, Zach & Zack Productions, Summer Stock Stage, and more. As a makeup artist and stylist, his work can be seen locally and nationally in various publications, commercials, industrials, and editorials. He spent 2020 recreating icons of film, fashion, and theatre, which gained national attention, with features in the New York Times,NowThisNews,TheIndianapolisStar, and IndianapolisMonthly.andrewelliotbeauty.com
| Assistant Choreographer Angelina “Angel Ceara” Clark, a native Memphian, is a movement artist, actor, choreographer, creative director, and educator. She received her Dance/Movement Therapy and Performing Arts Degree from The University of Memphis. Afforded opportunities to work alongside and assist artists in theatre and film, such as Principal Dancer, Hope Boykin (Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre), Broadway Director and Choreographer, Patdro Harris, and Executive Producer, Princeton James (Princeton James Productions). With her recent debut at Hattiloo Theatre as Director and Choreographer of BluesInTheNight, a 7-time nominated production. Angel looks forward to her ever-growing career in theatre and film/television.
ANDREW BOURGOIN | Music Supervisor Andrew made his IRT debut as music director for Little Shop of Horrors. Broadway: Aladdin, Mean Girls. Touring: MJ: The Musical, The Band’s Visit, Something Rotten!,TheLittleMermaid.Regional Theatre: Guthrie, The Ordway, Ogunquit Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Theater Latté Da, and more. Andrew leads Bourgoin Productions with creative clients ranging from Johnson & Johnson to Hennepin Arts. Education: St. Olaf College, HarvardX. Memberships: AFM (30-73), Project Management Institute. Find him @andrewbourgoin@bourgoinproductions
CLAIRE WILCHER | Intimacy Consultant Claire earned her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Michigan State University, where she specialized in acting, pedagogy, and intimacy direction. Claire is a Certified Intimacy Director with IDC Professionals (Intimacy Directors and Coordinators), advocating for consent-based theatre spaces, bodily autonomy for actors, and safe-yet-creative storytelling. Her intimacy choreography has been seen on the stages of the IRT, Phoenix Theatre, IndyShakes, Summer Stock Stage, Summit Performance, Purdue University, Marian University, Williamston Theatre in Michigan, Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan, and Redtwist Theatre in Chicago, among others. More at clairewilcher.com
RICHARD J ROBERTS | Dramaturg This is Richard’s 35th season with the IRT, and his 27th as resident dramaturg. He has also been a dramaturg for the New Harmony Project, Write Now, and the Hotchner Playwriting Festival. He has directed IRT productions of AChristmasCarol,Bridge&Tunnel, The Night Watcher, Neat, Pretty Fire, The Cay, The Giver, The Power of One, and Twelfth Night. This season at Actors Theatre of Indiana he directs She Loves Me. Richard studied music at DePauw University and theatre at Indiana University and was awarded a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.
music and lyrics by William Finn book by Rachel Sheinkin conceived by Rebecca Feldman directed & choreographed by Patdro Harris
NATHAN GARRISON | Stage Manager This is Nathan’s 29th season at the IRT. He has also worked with Center Stage in Baltimore, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Brown County Playhouse, and he is a company member with the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company.
BECKY ROEBER | Assistant Stage Manager Becky is an Indianapolis local and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. This is their eighth season working at Indiana Repertory Theatre. They also serve as Production Manager for Summer Stock Stage and stage manage at several other theatres in town including Phoenix Theatre and Cultural Centre, Summit, and Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. “I am proud to be a part of the Indianapolis theatre community and grateful to continue to produce theatre with the team at IRT.”
CLAIRE SIMON CSA | Casting Based in Chicago, Claire Simon CSA has worked with the IRT for the past 25 years on casting more than 40 productions, including Little Shop of Horrors, The Folks at Home, A Christmas Carol, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Clue, Oedipus, Sense and Sensibility, MurderontheOrientExpress, and many more. Other regional credits include Syracuse Stage, Asolo Theatre, Lyric Opera, Milwaukee Rep, and the Tony Award–winning Million Dollar Quartet. TV credits include Empire, Easy, Sense8, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Crisis, and Betrayal. Film credits include Divergent, Contagion, Unexpected, and Man of Steel. Claire has won two Artios Awards.
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