GROW A SHOW SUPPORTERS
SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS
Heather & Mike Hilgers
Ryan Gross & Beth Barger
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Larry & Lucy Buntain Comine
Larry & Robyn Frederick
John Kirk
Art & Chris Zygielbaum
GROWERS CIRCLE
Diane & Michael Nolan
Additional Growers Support: Rich & Jeanne Kern
SEASON SPONSORS
WITH COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT FROM THE JOHNNY CARSON SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND FILM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Thank you for joining us for the world premiere of A House Divided by Christina Kirk. The Lied Center has a long history of supporting and creating new work as part of our Grow A Show Program, and over the years, we have commissioned, created, and partnered on dozens of theatrical, dance, and musical compositions. When I attended the reading of A House Divided on Nov 19, 2023, hosted by the Carson School of Theatre and Film, I was both impressed with the play and could not help but see the connection between America’s divide during the Civil War and the challenges we face in our country today. Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents in United States history as evaluated by countless historians and academic experts, and is also the namesake for our beloved Lincoln, Nebraska. Shortly after the reading, I reached out to Christina and the Carson School about the idea of producing a full production of the play for Fall of 2024 at the Lied Center.
I am so thankful for everyone who has made this play at the Lied possible including Christina Kirk, Hank Stratton, our Grow a Show investors, the Lied staff, the Carson School of Theatre and Film, and the entire production crew including director Timothy Scholl. Producing a show is much more involved than presenting an artist. This production would not be possible without this remarkable team of people that came together in making this vision become a reality.
I am a lover of history and care deeply about our country. As a university, we can reflect on history in deep ways that can help create positive change for the future. The performing arts can communicate stories and reflections of our world beyond what words alone are able to convey. I hope this play enriches everyone’s life with its history, examples of civility, and lessons from the past that can shape the future.
Beyond the play, we have a lecture and panel discussion on the topic of the Civil War and the connection of the divide, then and now. I hope you are able to join us for these free events next month.
The Lied Center is committed to not only present the greatest artists in the world on stage and in classrooms, but also to create and develop new work with the goal of making the world a better place. If you would like to be part of creating or developing the Lied’s next artistic work, please visit with us!
Abraham Lincoln used the phrase “a house divided” in his famous speech known as the “House Divided Speech,” delivered on June 16, 1858. The phrase is a reference from the Bible, Matthew 12:25 in which Jesus says, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” I hope this play may help bring our community and potentially our nation together in that spirit of unity Abraham Lincoln so believed in. Keep an eye on this new work, as you may see it on stages in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles in the future.
Best wishes,
Bill Stephan Executive Director and Chief Artistic Officer Lied Center for Performing Arts
AMERICA’S CIVIL WAR: THEN AND NOW
LECTURE BY JEREMI SURI, PhD, RENOWNED HISTORIAN AND CELEBRATED AUTHOR
OCTOBER 9, 2024, 7PM
Ethel S. Abott Auditorium at Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska - Lincoln FREE ADMISSION, Tickets available at LIEDCENTER.ORG
This free lecture by Jeremi Suri, PhD, from University of Texas-Austin, will provide a thought-provoking presentation related to A House Divided and the legacy of the Civil War. This event is presented in partnership with the Sheldon Museum of Art and is connected to the world-premiere production of the play A House Divided. Dr. Jeremi Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on contemporary politics and foreign policy, most recently Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. He also hosts the weekly This is Democracy podcast, which illuminates ways in which the past offers hope for the present and the future, if only we can escape the negativity of our current moment. Dr. Suri will share insights from his scholarship on the Civil War, including historical divisions in the U.S., and connections to current affairs.
A PANEL DISCUSSION REFLECTING ON THE LEGACY OF THE CIVIL WAR AND TODAY’S DIVIDE IN THE UNITED STATES.
OCTOBER 9, 2024, NOON
Lied Commons at Lied Center For Performing Arts FREE ADMISSION
This diverse panel featuring University of Nebraska experts joined by Nebraska leaders and celebrated author Jeremi Suri, PhD will be facilitated by Dr. Will Thomas, Angle Chair in the Humanities and Professor of History at the University of Nebraska.
FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY HUMANITIES NEBRASKA AND THE NEBRASKA CULTURAL ENDOWMENT
Ever since I learned that Mary Todd Lincoln’s half-sister, Emilie Todd Helm, visited the White House in December of 1863, I became increasingly convinced that Mrs. Helm’s brief stay with the Lincolns could make a compelling play. During this time in history, the Todd family and the country were violently divided. The two Todd sisters, both desperately wishing to grieve together over the loss of dearly loved family members, found themselves on opposite sides of a Civil War.
The circumstances for Mrs. Helm’s White House visit are fascinating. When attempting to return to Kentucky after her husband’s death in the Battle of Chickamauga, the Confederate General’s wife was stopped at Fort Monroe where she refused to swear her allegiance to the union. When officials sent a telegram to the President asking him what to do, Lincoln returned to them the message, “Send her to me.” Mrs. Helm and her daughter Katherine arrived at the White House in December of 1863.
Most incidents in this play reflect events in history documented in Emilie Helm’s diaries; in the diaries and letters of Lincoln’s secretaries: John George Nicolay, John Hay and William Stoddard; in the book written by Elizabeth Keckly about her years in the White House; in the extensive research documenting Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s correspondence and conversations; and in extensive research regarding those who worked in the White House at that time.
To serve the dramatic action, events in this script have been concentrated into six days in December of 1863. Some of the events and conversations depicted in the play occurred before or after Mrs. Helm’s White House stay; but most of the action reflects events documented to have occurred during her December visit. The events in this play depict actual incidents that occurred in history. As with all works of fiction, these events are presented through the lens of the author.
I wish especially to thank dramaturg Kia Corthron for providing feedback on multiple drafts. As well, she served as sensitivity reader offering valuable insight as regards the African American voices in the script.
I would also like to thank UNL’s Thomas C. Sorensen Professor of American History, Dr. Kenneth J. Winkle, for reading an early draft of the script and observing and responding to the first reading. As an award-winning scholar and published author of multiple books and articles about Lincoln, his feedback was invaluable.
And finally, profound thanks to my husband, Tim Veach, for listening to and responding to EVERY draft of this play with patience, humor and brilliant advice.
The play is dedicated to my grandchildren: William (Willie) Kirk Veach and Lincoln Christina Veach. (Granddaughter Lincoln was named after the 16th President of the United States.)
CHRISTINA KIRK
Special Thanks to:
Melanie Rudy: Lied Center Technical Director
Raymond Guern: Assistant Lied Center Technical Director
Kailyn Dunham: Child Safety Production Assistant
CHRISTINA KIRK (PLAYWRIGHT) is a tenured professor in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL. She served as Director of the Carson School and as the Executive Director of Nebraska Repertory Theatre from 2019-2022. Previously, Kirk was Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Otterbein University where she had taught since 1992. Her directing credits include The Living Theatre; New Dramatists; assisting Liviu Ciulei at Arena Stage; and numerous productions for Otterbein University Theatre and Otterbein Summer Theatre. She began her career at Nebraska Repertory Theatre, performing in Something’s Afoot and Charlie’s Aunt. More recently she performed the role of Linda in Death of a Salesman and directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Nebraska Repertory Theatre. She has also performed at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, the Illinois Repertory Theatre, CATCO, and in the Joseph Jefferson award winning Kabuki Medea, directed by Shozo Sato. Her one woman show, Conversations with Judith Malina, was featured in the March 2006 Theatre Journal. She is also a contributing author for two theatre texts: The Art of Directing, co-authored with John W. Kirk and Ralph Bellas, and Acting in the Space Between, by John W. Kirk. She has an M.F.A. in Directing from Columbia University in the city of New York and a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She is extremely grateful to Bill Stephen and Hank Stratton for their support and belief in this play and its message. As well, she wishes to thank Dr. Lucy Buntain Comine, Larry Frederick and Robyn Sitzman, Ryan Gross and Beth Barger, Heather and Mike Hilgers, Art and Chris Zygielbaum and Dr. John W. Kirk for championing this project and providing such generous financial support.
TIMOTHY W. SCHOLL (DIRECTOR) is a director, dramaturg, and scholar by avocation and an academic administrator by vocation. As a theatre artist he specializes in new play development, dramaturgy, directing, German theatre history, and dense 18th Century German playwrights. He serves as the Executive Artistic Director for Angels Theatre Company in Lincoln where he also manages the Salon Reading Series. Selected Directing credits include I Carry Your Heart With Me, Predictor, This Mortal Life Also, Losing the Ring in the River, Killing Crazy, Boy Gets Girl, Trailing Colors, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, for which he received a Santa Barbara Independent Award. Timothy specializes in German Theatre and Drama with a particular emphasis on the production of the German Classics (Deutches Klassiker) in Berlin after 1945. He currently works as an academic administrator at Purdue University Global. Thank you to Courtney, Maddie, and Noah for their patience and unending support of this theatre habit.
KIA CORTHRON (DRAMATURG) is a playwright and novelist. In February, Tempestuous Elements premiered at Arena Stage, and in March, Fish premiered in New York, a coproduction of Keen Company and the Working Theater. Other plays, including A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick, Breath, Boom, and Force Continuum, have been produced in New York by Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, Atlantic Theater Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Play Company; regionally by Eclipse Theatre, Yale Rep, Goodman Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Center Stage, Hartford Stage, Children’s Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, New York Stage and Film; in London by the Royal Court Theatre and Donmar Warehouse; and elsewhere. Awards include the Windham Campbell Prize, Horton Foote Award, Flora Roberts Award, USA Jane Addams Fellowship, McKnight National Residency. Moon and the Mars, her second novel, was published in 2021. Her debut, The Castle Cross the Magnet Carter, won the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice. Edgar and Writers Guild Outstanding Series awards for The Wire. She serves on the Dramatists Guild Council, is a New Dramatists alumnus, and is a member of the Authors Guild.
KENT JOSEPH (ABRAHAM LINCOLN) is honored to be working once again in Lincoln, NE, having previously played Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nebraska Repertory Theatre). Kent has recently played the roles of Charlemagne (Pippin, Regional Theatre of the Palouse), and Lurch (The Addams Family, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre). Other favorite roles include Dom Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Music Theater Works), Big Daddy (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, MadKap Productions), Chief Bromden (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Gift Theatre), Fagin (Oliver, various venues), and numerous productions of A Christmas Carol including one in Klingon! Kent can also be seen in the feature film The Girls of Summer, the podcast sci/fi drama Immunities, and in the short film Typical Crimson Christmas. More info can be found at: kentjoseph.weebly.com
is an actor who has performed in various stage plays, voiceovers, improv-comedy and stand-up. She is also an engaged public speaker with years of leadership experience in corporate finance. Ms. Fisher is thrilled to bring the role of Mary Todd Lincoln to life on stage in A House Divided this September. She enjoyed performing the role for an informal table reading for Christina Kirk earlier in the process. She has written and performed a stand-up roast for Wells Fargo, Foreign Currency Risk Management strategy conference. She played Lacy in Q-tips, directed by Christina Kirk. She has played Maria in Twelfth Night, Lady in waiting in Kabuki Medea, directed by Shozo Sato, Luce in The Comedy of Errors, and Molly Brazen in The Beggar’s Opera. Ms. Fisher earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Illinois, Champaign – Urbana, Illinois. She auditioned for and was accepted into the Professional Improvisation Training Program, Second City Improv Comedy, Chicago, IL where she studied with Don De Pollo and performed in the Improv Showcase on the ETC. stage. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach ® (CPCC) having completed credentialing through the Co-Active Training Institute, San Rafael, CA. Ms. Fisher completed the Enneagram professional coaching program with Russ Hudson at The Enneagram Institute – Stonebridge, New York. She currently trains in various voice acting genres at the Tennessee Voice Over (TNVO) in Nashville, TN.
(ELIZABETH KECKLY) is an Award winning Storyteller, Actress, Director, Master Hair Stylist, Vocalist and Entrepreneur with a wide array of experiences, based in Omaha, Nebraska. TammyRa’ has performed in many theaters throughout the Omaha/Lincoln area, including The Center Stage, The John Beasley Theater, Omaha Community Playhouse, Lincoln Community Playhouse, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Nebraska Shakespeare and the Union for Contemporary Art. TammyRa’s performance credits also include short film, commercials both local and regional, as well as radio and television voice overs. She has worked with the Great Plains Theatre Commons (GPTC) since 2008 as both an actress and director. In 2022, she joined GPTC as a Community Connector. During COVID, she started doing virtual shows with Playzoomers so that she was able to continue to share her talents with others and give back in her own way. TammyRa’ has performed in several shows at OCP and won an award for each performance. She won the CLARENCE TEAL AWARD for her first appearance in SOPHISTICATED LADIES. She has also been the recipient of the Fonda/Mcguire Award two years in a row for THE COLOR PURPLE as Celie (2021-2022, Season 97) and PRETTY FIRE as Charlayne (2022-2023, Season 98).
WALI JAMAL (WILLIAM SLADE) is a Pittsburgh born and raised actor/playwright and historian. As an actor, his theater career began in 1999 with Kuntu Repertory, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Vernell A. Lillie. He has performed on every major stage in Pittsburgh theater in: To Kill A Mockingbird; The Little Foxes; Our Town; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Two Trains Running; Seven Guitars; The Mike Webster Story; Parade; Once On This Island; The Civil War; The Full Monty; Kinky Boots, and many others. Most recently he performed in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s As You Like It and Quantum Theatre’s Moon for the Misbegotten. Wali is the only actor in the world to have performed in all ten plays in August Wilson’s American (Pittsburgh) Century Cycle AND his full length one act biographical play, How I Learned What I Learned. He was presented with citations from Allegheny County Council and the PA House of Representatives, and a proclamation from Pittsburgh City Council (2018). That same year Wali was named the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Performer of the Year. He is the only actor to have performed How I Learned at the National Black Theater Festival (2019). He most recently performed this show at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center for the biennial symposium of the August Wilson Society. Wali is writing a book, ‘Ain’t Nobody Stud’n You! An Actor’s Journey Through the Century Cycle of August Wilson’. Wali does Artist Residencies at colleges where he performs and holds master classes. His Youtube channel, History’s Flipside, focuses on African Americans in 19th Century American History.
JORDAN LOCKERT (JOHN GEORGE NICOLAY) is thrilled to play Nicolay in the first production of A House Divided! Previously in Lincoln, Jordan has appeared as Miles/Lady Romola in Act a Lady (Theatrix), Max in The Play that Goes Wrong (Nebraska Repertory Theatre), Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flatwater Shakespeare), and Happy Loman in Death of a Salesman (Nebraska Repertory Theatre). Jordan would like to thank his father, his stepmother, and his girlfriend Francie for their constant support in his acting efforts.
FRANCOISE TRAXLER (EMILIE TODD HELM) is proud to be performing in the debut of A House Divided. Her recent credits include Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) with Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Desdemona (Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief) with Flatwater Shakespeare Company, W (COCK) with OmniArts, and Annie (The Play That Goes Wrong) with Lincoln Playhouse. She is a Theatre Performance graduate of The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL. Francoise is excited to be moving to NYC this winter to further pursue her acting career. She would like to thank her parents for always trekking out to Lincoln to see her plays, and her boyfriend Jordan for his fierce support.
LUKE DURBAN (TAD LINCOLN) is a 4th grader at Cavett Elementary school who just turned 10! He loves being on stage and playing football, though usually not at the same time. Past roles include Boss “A dentist?!?” Elf in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at Lincoln Community Playhouse. Luke has been part of A House Divided since the very first reading, and he wants to thank Christina for including his ideas and trusting him with Tad, and his mom for helping him with his lines. He hopes you love the show!
ALEXANDRA KELLOGG (KATHERINE HELM) is excited to make her debut with the Lied Center. Alexandra started acting and singing in musicals with Theatre Arts for Kids. She also takes voice lessons, and she enjoys playing many musical instruments and participating in team sports. Alexandra is eleven years old and in the sixth grade, and lives in Lincoln with her parents, brother, and pets. She loves to act and have fun!
REN DEFOR (NETTIE COLBURN) is currently in their third year of the BFA acting program at The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. They have had a passion for theatre since as long as they can remember. You may have seen them appear as Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong or as Sir John Middleton in Sense and Sensibility, both at The Nebraska Repertory Theatre. Ren has a deep love for comedic roles and is very excited to be a part of this production! They would like to thank the cast and crew for helping make some magic, their friends and family for never failing to cheer them on, and the audience for showing up.
PATRICK LAMBRECHT (IRA HARRIS) is an accomplished actor, director, and designer based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with over 30 years of experience in theater and film. His journey in the performing arts began before college and was further developed at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Direction and Design. Lambrecht has significantly impacted the Lincoln theater scene, directing productions like Rent, Godspell, and The Diary of Anne Frank, with
PATRICK LAMBRECHT(CONT.) work showcased at various local and regional theaters. As a co-founder of the Crooked Codpiece Company, a successful and innovative theatrical troupe known for its comedic productions, Lambrecht contributed to its distinctive and engaging work. His notable roles elsewhere include Vladimir in Waiting for Godot, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey. In addition to theater, Lambrecht is active in the Nebraska independent film community, directing, writing, and acting in films such as The Tip, Ghost Hunter, and Love Bites. He is also a co-founder and organizer of the Flatwater Film Festival, an annual event dedicated to supporting Nebraska filmmakers, where he has been involved for the past five years.
is an actor, marketer and solar developer who calls Lincoln, Nebraska home. After graduating from the College of Fine and Performing Arts with a bachelor’s degree in theater, Eric moved to Los Angeles where he earned a number of bit parts in both film and television. Eric returned to Nebraska in 2006 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Marketing Communication and Advertising; not long after, he rekindled his love of acting appearing in a number of locally produced film projects. Eric is also an active participant in Lincoln’s thriving theater community, appearing in productions produced by the Lied Center, Angels Theatre Company, and Haymarket Theater.
In addition to freelance design, JD teaches design at the Johnny Carson School for Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska. He is a proud member of Local USA 829. He sends his love to his muse Elena, and their joy and inspiration: Huck, Harper, and Hemingway. His work would have no meaning without their patience and willingness to share their husband and father with the world. Select other design credits: Sex With Strangers, Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer, Abigail, The Serpent, Carousel, Pas de Duex, The Temperamentals, Cripple of Inishmaan, Sister Act, Death Trap, Richard III, Italian American Reconciliation, West Side Story, Middletown, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Two Character Play, Reckless, Beauty and the Beast, Songs for a New World, The Addams Family, King Lear, 1776, Big River; for more work visit: www.jdmadsen.com
is a Nebraska based Costume Designer and recent graduate of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Some of her previous works include Theatrix’ Clown Bar and Perfect Arrangement, Angels Theatre Company’s Dove and I Carry Your Heart With Me, Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s Stop Kiss, and Lincoln Community
HANNAH HANSEN (CONT.) Playhouse’s The Fantasticks, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Newsies Jr., and Little Shop of Horrors. She would like to thank her mentor Jamie Bullins for his continued support.
(LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a lighting design student in his senior year at UNL. His past design work includes productions with Theatrix (Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days, Ordinary Days), the UNL Opera (La Traviata, O Pioneers!), Nebraska Repertory Theatre (The Flick) and the Glenn Korff School of Music. He is grateful for the opportunity to help bring this new work to life.
BJ MONTAGUE (SOUND DESIGNER) has been a part of numerous productions throughout the region since moving to Lincoln in 2004. Past sound design credits include multiple shows at the Lincoln Community Playhouse and the Nebraska Communities Playhouse in Hickman. Most recent shows include Anastasia, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sweeney Todd. BJ is married to his wonderful wife Shaundra, for 26 years, and they have 5 kids and 3 grandkids together. When not behind the sound board, he enjoys singing with the Lincoln Continentals barbershop choir and his quartet, County Four.
STERMER (STAGE MANAGER) is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln pursuing a BA in Theatre Leadership and Management. Her recent work includes stage managing Theatrix’s The Woman in Black and Act a Lady as well as working as the AMS for Angles Theatre Company’s I Carry Your Heart With Me. She is grateful for this opportunity and to all of her friends and family for their support.
BILL STEPHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF ARTISTIC OFFICER
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