in association with Center REP
DIRECTED BY ANDREW RUSSELL
NOVEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 17, 2023
MARIN THEATRE COMPANY NATIVE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Marin Theatre Company acknowledges our theatre and administrative offices are located on the ancestral, occupied, and unceded land of the Coast Miwok peoples. We recognize we currently benefit from living and working on their traditional homelands, and affirm their sovereign rights as first peoples. We are committed to learning and to strengthening our relationships with members of our local community, and to work toward dismantling the harmful effects of white supremacy and colonization. We acknowledge the Coast Miwok as the original caretakers of this land. We pay our respects to the Coast Miwok community and their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. The Coast Miwok, from the areas of Novato, Marshall, Tomales, San Rafael, Petaluma and Bodega, are members of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a community which includes the Southern Pomo peoples from the Sebastopol area. We pledge to build relationships with sovereign tribal nations and to never cease ongoing learning, to ensure Marin Theatre Company becomes a more inclusive and welcoming space.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COAST MIWOK AND THE FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA: Coast Miwok: Facebook.com/SouthernCoastMiwok coastmiwokofmarin.org marinmiwok.com Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria: GratonRancheria.com Support indigenous rights organizations on a national or global level: IllumiNative Native American Rights Fund Cultural Survival Indigenous Environmental Network
LABOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We acknowledge that the country we live in today has been made possible by the labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants. We are indebted to their labor and their sacrifice, and we acknowledge the tremors of anti-Black violence throughout the generations and the resulting impact that can still be felt and witnessed today. (Language developed by Dr. TJ Stewart)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Cast, Creative & Production Teams of Dragon Lady 6 Letter from MTC’s Managing Director 8 Letter from MTC’s NEW Artistic Director 10 About The Dragon Cycle 12 Cast, Creative & Production Teams’ Biographies 15 Marin Theatre Company Leadership & Staff 19 About Marin Theatre Company & Center Repertory Theatre 20 Marin Theatre Company Donors
Marin Theatre Company in association with Center REP presents
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY
SARA PORKALOB
DIRECTED BY ANDREW RUSSELL° RUSSELL
CAST
Sara Porkalob*
Original and Adapted Music Performed by Hot Damn Scandal Guitar and Vocals, Band Leader Pete Irving Upright Bass Mickey Stylin Trombone Jimmy Austin
CREATIVE TEAM
Scenic Design Lighting Design Sound Design Costume Design Consultant Props Lead Stage Manager
Randy Wong-Westbrooke Spense Matubang Erin Bednarz Daria Perkova Liam Rudisill Nick Carvalho*
Dragon Lady premiered at Intiman Theatre in 2017 and also played American Repertory Theatre in 2019. It will continue on to Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2024.
° The Director is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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THE SONGS OF THE SHOW “Dragon Theme”♪ “Duet”♪ “How Could I Have Known”♪ “Lullaby”♪ “Battle Theme”♪ “Dragon Theme Reprise”♪ “Blue Bayou” by Roy Orbison & Joe Melson “Love for Sale” by Cole Porter, Arr. Pete Irving “Lullaby Reprise”♪ Written by Pete Irving
♪
SHOW STAFF
Production Assistant Alijah Carter Audio Engineer/A1 Camille Rassweiler Light Board Programmer Krys Swan Light Board Operator Mary Blake-Booth Scenic Charge Artist Stephanie P Jucker Dresser Daria Perkova Carpenter Kahlil Gray Painter Joshua Patterson Sound Crew Mimi Daniel, Olivia Vazquez Electricians Mary Blake-Booth, Ash Brown, Elle Ghini, Brittany Mellerson, Brenton Wirth
MARIN THEATRE COMPANY STAFF
Artistic Director Lance Gardner Managing Director Meredith Suttles Artistic Producer Richard A. Mosqueda General Manager Nichole Gantshar Director of Development Anne Clark Director of Production Jessica Marchesi Special Events & Engagement Manager Zphyna Caldwell Education Programs Manager Euan Ashley Box Office Manager Jules Simons Patron Experience Manger Laura Odeh Steele Technical Director Jeff Klein Costume Shop Manager Daria Perkova ATD/Props Lead Liam Rudisill Lighting and A/V Supervisor Krys Swan Grant Writer Nina O’Keefe Marketing Partner RachelMedia.org Communications Partner Prismatic Communications Development Partner Donorly Concessions Manager Maxwell Bond Front of House Leads Victoria Davis, Casey Hermann, Bridget Novak, Perry Parsons, Jenise Walter Front of House Associates Skylahr Kruger, Sunny Orleans, Susan Urquhart Administrative Intern Arantza Monge
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FROM MTC’S MANAGING DIRECTOR Resilience is one of the words that captures the power of theatre for me. Resilience is abundant, from the artists who create what we see on stage to the staff, board, volunteers, and even audience members who support in the surrounding spaces. This year, MTC has experienced a monumental time of resilience. With every challenge, we have reached out and found a ready neighbor or opportunity that thrives in our team’s creative and capable hands. We have come through this time of resilience with reward, the reward of new relationships with members and businesses in the community, the reward of introducing innovative theatre, and the reward of ushering in a new era of leadership to launch the beginnings of great legacy. This point is where we are now, with you, as you join us in the theatre. As the tale of Dragon Lady unfolds, we learn that moments in time are part of a larger story, links connecting generations, years, and people.
SPECIAL THANKS American Conservatory Theatre, Kuboba Spot, Kahlil Photography, Salsa Marin, Cheryl and Rick Brandon, Kimberly Hughes and Steve Moazed, Matt Morrow, Boo Koo, Paseo Bistro, Barrel House, Good Earth Market, Elan Jayme Wine, Mill Valley Swirl
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It’s my pleasure to highlight one such significant moment in the appointment of Lance Gardner as Marin Theatre Company’s new Artistic Director. The aforementioned new era starts right now, as Lance joins us to lead with artistic vision, collaborate with me in caring for this theatre, and in continuing our relationship with all of you. As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to give in any way you can to deepen our shared connection to creating work that forges a path of resilience and reward. We are grateful for your presence in this moment and your role as a link between our rich history and bright future.
Meredith Suttles | MTC Managing Director
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FROM MTC’S NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR At the end of her life, as I rubbed her aching feet, my grandmother (the only one I knew), told me that she regretted not having done more. “I wanted to be a private detective,” she said, “or a spy.” This was a woman who spent a good portion of her adult life religiously entering contests that won her international travel, a cameo as a clown in the circus, print bylines, as well as cars for herself and most members of her immediate family. This was also a woman born in the 1920’s, married as a teenager, and responsible for raising four children across four decades. For women like her, regret was a product of sacrifice under circumstances in which sacrifice was a product of expectation. Since she died, I’ve often wondered how I could skirt regret in my final days as I look back upon a biography that from here, is at best, half written. Sometimes I wonder about my own mother’s regrets and whether I have grown enough to forgive the things that I think she should lament. When I feel pulled into that kind of thinking or begin to imagine some resolution to my ruminations, I try to look back at my history as though it were a play. I breathe deeply and remind myself that: Theatre at its best shows us people as they are (or were), not as they ought to be.
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Theatre at its best asks us not to judge, but to observe, for judgment does not serve understanding. Theatre at its best paints a portrait rather than holding up a mirror, and if we see ourselves in the stories on stage, it is through similarities rather than reflections. Dragon Lady is theatre at its best: free of judgment, a sometimes sad and beautiful portrait full of humor and understanding. Thank you for being here and carrying the weight of your own history through our doors. I invite you to put down your burden here in the dark, breathe deeply, and observe the profound impact of a grandmother on a grandchild. Mabuhay!
Lance Gardner | MTC Artistic Director
MARIN THEATRE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Matthew Purdon President Josh Rafner Vice President Barbara Roberts Treasurer Wendy Feng Secretary
Naima Dean Kipp Delbyck Doug Frazier Denmo Ibrahim Jennifer McEvoy
Vera Meislin Stacy Scott Tara Sullivan Rev. Floyd Thompkins Penny Wright
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THE DRAGON CYCLE
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY SARA PORKALOB The Dragon Cycle is a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about Sara’s Filipino American gangster family; one for each generation built around a central female protagonist and her specific hero’s journey. PART 1:
Dragon Lady Dragon Lady is a two act cabaret musical with a three-person band centering the story of Maria Porkalob Sr., the matriarch of the clan. On the eve of her 60th birthday, faced with her crumbling legacy and apathetic children, Grandma Maria decides to share the dark secrets of her fantastical life with one lucky grandchild and discovers that it is never to late to atone for the pain we inflict on the ones we love most and to forgive ourselves for past regrets. Intergenerational trauma an healing, lots of karaoke, and a couple of murders: this is Dragon Lady. Dragon Lady premiered at Intiman Theatre in 2017 and also played American Repertory Theatre in 2019. It will continue on to Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2024.
PART 2:
Dragon Mama Dragon Mama is a two act solo-show with music bout Maria Porkalob Jr,. the eldest of the second generation. Born to an immigrant mother with lost dreams, an absent father, and a society that fails immigrant families, Maria Porkalob Jr. is forced to grow up too soon, acting as surrogate mother to her 4 siblings while trying to balance her intersectional identity--poor, queer, brown, an immigrant. She yearns for a gayer, more POC-filled life than Bremerton, WA can offer her. When the opportunity to earn a lot of money in a short time presents itself, Maria must make an important decision. Leave her debt-ridden mother, four young siblings, and 10
newborn daughter for the wild unknown of Alaska, or stay close to home, family, and intergenerational ghosts? Dragon Mama traverses 25 years of her mother’s life filled with queer love in a barren land, a dope 90’s R&B soundtrack, Filipino gangsters, and ghosts. Dragon Mama Premiered at American Repertory Theatre in 2019 and recently enjoyed a run at Diversionary Theatre in Fall 2023.
PART 3:
Dragon Baby
Dragon Baby is a two act musical with a cast of 10. The first of her family to attend college, Sara Porkalob has one more project to complete before she begins her glamorous life as a professional actress: her senior thesis. Faced with her parent’s ugly breakup and midlife crisis, Sara decides to devote all of her time and energy into writing the next Great American Musical but no matter how much she writes, it all seems...wrong. What story did she have to tell? What could she create that hadn’t been already invented? Picking up where Dragon Mama left off, we follow Sara’s journey from the queer communal house of her childhood in Anchorage, AK to her teens in conservative hometown of Bremerton, WA to the hallowed halls of a Seattle liberal arts college as she deconstructs her white supremacist education, juggles 5 jobs including but not limited to a phone sex operator, a drug dealer, and a pizza call center aide, and ultimately realizes her purpose in the universe. Dragon Baby was commissioned by American Repertory Theatre and is currently in development.
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BIOGRAPHIES Sara Porkalob Playwright & Performer (she/they) is a storyteller, cultural worker, and creator of the Dragon Cycle. Dragon Cycle is a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipino American gangster family; one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist-grandmother, mother, granddaughter-and her specific hero’s journey. The first in the cycle, Dragon Lady, won three 2018 Gregory Awards for: Outstanding Sound/Music Design, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and Outstanding Musical Production. The second play, Dragon Mama, won Best Original Script and Best Solo Performance for the 2019 Elliot Norton Awards. The third play Dragon Baby is currently in development. Awards and nominations include: 2021 Princess Grace Award Winner for Theater, 2020 nominee Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award, Seattle Times 11 Movers and Shakers to Watch this Decade, 2019 nominee for Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities. She recently made her Broadway debut playing Edward Rutledge in the revival of 1776. She’s a consultant with the City of Seattle and their Creative Strategies Initiative (CSI), a new City effort that uses artsand culture-based approaches to build racial equity in non-arts policy areas like the environment, housing, and community development. @sporkalob www.saraporkalob.com
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Pete Irving Guitar and Vocals, Band Leader (he/him) has been pursuing music professionally for nearly half of his life. He’s been the band leader for Hot Damn Scandal since it formed on his birthday just over 15 years ago, he’s been composing scores and lyrics for theater and circus for almost 7 years, and just last year he wrote and directed his first production Chronopolis: Crime in Time City. He lives most of the year in Bellingham, Washington. Mickey Stylin Upright Bass (he/him) Having been born into a musical family, Mickey knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in the Performing Arts. Public school programs and private music lessons led him to collaborate with bands and projects of countless genres and mediums. After joining his current band, Hot Damn Scandal, it wasn’t long before Mickey began working with the incomparable Sara Porkalob in Dragon Lady. When not on stage, he can be found booking shows at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, WA, where he resides with his dog, Tenor. Jimmy Austin Trombone (he/him) Originally from Pullman, WA, Jimmy Austin inherited his name and his first trombone from his paternal grandfather. Many other members of his family are also musicians. Jimmy brings his intense, distinctive, and collaborative
musical style to many different settings. In 2009, Jimmy moved to Bellingham, WA and created a selfdesigned jazz-education degree. A few years later, he joined the band, Hot Damn Scandal, with whom he has been playing for almost ten years. In 2017, he moved to Seattle and began performing with many other projects, including the klezmer brass band, Shpilkis, and the funk band, Battlestar Kalakala. Jimmy is an occasional member of many other bands around the Pacific Northwest. Jimmy’s newest project a klezmer trio, called Tzepl. In addition to performing, Jimmy works with an anti-racist roots music education organization called the Rhapsody Project, organizing programming about Yiddish music, including klezmer jam sessions, guest artist workshops, and performances. Jimmy was recently chosen as a master artist for the Washington State Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program. Jimmy is honored to perform as part of Dragon Lady and excited to help bring the show to California!
Andrew Russell Director (he/him) As a writer and director of theatre and film for 20 years Andrew has focused on telling true stories in dynamic ways. He has collaborated as a director and writer with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, The Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Theatre Latte Da, On The Boards, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, among others. As the Producing Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle from 20112017, Andrew played a critical role in reorganizing and reopening the theater after it closed in 2011. Previous to this he was an Associate Producer at the theater from 2009-2011. Andrew has served as a storytelling consultant for Universal, makes documentary films, and is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
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Randy WongWestbrooke Scenic Design (they/ them/their) is an award-nominated scenic designer born and raised in the East Bay. They have designed sets locally for Shotgun Players, Aurora Theater, TheatreFIRST, Crowded Fire Theater, Ferocious Lotus, SF Playhouse’s Sandbox, New Conservatory Theater Company, Custom Made Theatre, Cutting Ball Theater, Los Altos Stage Company, Palo Alto Players, American Conservatory Theater’s M.F.A. Program, as well as many other independent theater and film projects. They are an alumnus of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s F.A.I.R. Program and a former mentee in the USITT Gateway Program. B.F.A. Ithaca College. They expect to graduate in June with an M.F.A. from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. rwwestbrooke.com Spense Matubang Lighting Design is a lighting and projections designer currently based in Oakland, California. They received their degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. Recent credits include Little Women with ACT Young Conservatory, The Emissary with Opera Parallèle at ODC Theater, Baskerville at Hillbarn Theatre, Edit Annie with Crowded Fire Theater at Magic Theatre, Locusts Have No King at New Conservatory Theatre Center, and Triumph of Love at Shotgun Players. They had the pleasure of being the Assistant Lighting Designer for MTC’s Justice and are very excited to make their return to MTC with another amazing team and project! 14
Erin Bednarz Sound Design (she/her) works in sound, music, production, and performance. Awards: Gregory (Seattle, WA), Broadway World (Regional). Press mentions: Wall Street Journal, The New York Times. Noms: Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, LA Drama Critics Circle. Residencies: Centrum, Sou’Wester, 2+U Studios, Jack Straw. TV: Band In Seattle. Off-Broadway: MAC BETH (Red Bull, Hunter Theater Project, Seattle Rep), The Convent (Rattlestick), An Endless Shift (Theatre Row). Regional: A Few Good Men (Pittsburgh Public); Dragon Cycle (American Rep, Intiman, Diversionary Theatre, Pittsburgh Public); Teenage Dick, Public Works: The Tempest, Lydia and the Troll (Seattle Rep); Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Seattle Children’s Theatre); The Year of Magical Thinking, The Thin Place, STEW (ACT); Choir Boy (ACT/ The 5th Avenue Theatre); Wonder Boy, Spring Awakening (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Teaching: Pomona College, Cal Poly Pomona, NYU, Atlantic Acting School, Cornish College, University of Washington. @play__pranks Nick Carvalho* Stage Manager (he/him) is excited to return to Marin Theatre Company for the rest of the season. Recent credits with MTC include Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, the continued-world premiere of Justice: A New Musical, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, and Dunsinane; the world premiere of Monument, or Four Sisters (a sloth play) (Magic Theatre); Twelfth Night (Marin Shakespeare Company); The Cherry Orchard and Cinderella: A Fairytale
(2019) (Town Hall Theatre). Nick is also the Production Manager for El Campanil Theatre. Nick is an alumni of Diablo Valley College where he advises student stage managers and serves on the Technical Theatre Advisory Board. During his time at DVC, he earned three certificates of merit in stage management from KCACTF for his work on Our Lady of 121st Street, Seussical: The Musical, and The Book of Will. Proud AEA member. He would like to thank his partner, Emma for her constant love!
LEADERSHIP & STAFF Lance Gardner Artistic Director A familiar face in the San Francisco Bay Area theatre scene, Lance Gardner is an actor and producer born and raised in the Bay Area. He has earned dozens of theatre credits over the last 20 years, including six mainstage shows and a school tour at Marin Theatre Company. He has also performed in multiple shows at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks, and more. He recently served as the President of the Board of Aurora Theatre. He comes to Marin from KQED, where, as a live event producer, he helped launch KQED Live, a year-round, in-person and virtual events program where he crafted unique experiences marrying journalism, arts, and entertainment. Harnessing the power of public media, he created bespoke concerts, game shows, performances, food and dining events, interviews, and more. His work has been featured on KQED TV and on the radio at KQED and KALW. Meredith Suttles Managing Director (she/her) is an arts leader with an extensive background in creative and performing arts in the areas of development, management,
strategic planning, fundraising, and performance. She has held senior leadership roles at TheaterWorksUSA, Soho Repertory Theatre, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and the New York City Opera. Meredith is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and former EmcArts: Arts Leaders as Cultural Innovators (ALACI) Fellow. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Steering Committee Member of the Black Theatre Commons, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of viBe Theater Experience. Richard A. Mosqueda Artistic Producer (He/She/They) is a queer, Mexican-American theater producer and director who is committed to adventurous new works by queer artists of color. As a director, they have worked with such companies as New Conservatory Theatre Center, Portland Center Stage, Theatre Rhinoceros, Custom Made Theatre, Halcyon Theatre, and Shotgun Players. Richard was selected to be part of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation 2017-2018 Observership Class, where he observed the TonyNominated director Leigh Silverman on Soft Power, A Play with a Musical at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. They are the founder and producer for Epic Party Theatre in San Francisco. She holds a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University. SDC Associate Member. Nichole Gantshar General Manager is a former dramaturg turned arts administrator. She spent five years as Executive Director of Rochester City Ballet and also worked for Tulsa Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Prior to her administrative career, she worked for Richmond Ballet, Syracuse Stage, Hangar Theatre, Playwrights 15
Horizons, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Milwaukee Ballet. Among her awards, she was twice nominated as an Outstanding Young Woman of America and received a LMDA residency grant to serve as the production dramaturg for the Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Great Gatsby. Anne Clark Director of Development Anne Clark, a seasoned Bay Area non-profit professional, is thrilled to assume the role of Director of Development at Marin Theatre Company. Dedicated to inspiring philanthropy that fuels creativity across generations, she is committed to embodying MTC’s core values. As the former Managing Director of 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, Anne adeptly navigated the challenges of the pandemic, establishing a flourishing educational program and overseeing a vibrant annual season
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of 17 productions. Her leadership played a pivotal role in securing the Playhouse’s permanent residence in historic Railroad Square. Anne’s extensive experience includes serving as the Director of Education at the Bay Area Children’s Theatre, where she orchestrated operations and strategy across 19 cities. A nationally recognized, award-winning director, she has directed, music directed, and choreographed over 40 productions, showcasing her dedication to theater arts for diverse age groups. With a BA in Musical Theater from UCLA and a rich history in regional and Broadway productions, Anne brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her new role at MTC. Zphyna Caldwell Special Events & Engagement Manager (she/her) first began working with Marin Theatre Company in 2011 as a Resident
Teaching Artist and Community Engagement Coordinator. She is thrilled to have returned in 2022 as MTC’s Special Events Coordinator. Zphyna has also worked as a Resident Teaching Artist with the Performing Arts Academy of Marin, the GATE Academy, and St. Hilary’s School. Beyond being a Teaching Artist, Ms. Caldwell has developed fully comprehensive Theatre Programs for the Cities of Mill Valley and Sausalito. In 2016 Zphyna founded her own youth performing arts company, Interactive Enrichment. Based in Sausalito, Interactive Enrichment has a primary focus on Musical Theatre, Ensemble Skills, and Improvisation. www.InteractiveEnrichment.com Euan Ashley Education Programs Manager (He/Him/His) is excited to be joining the MTC staff as an Educator Coordinator! He is an actor and San Francisco native with a strong belief that the best theatre comes from a place of passion and that arts education is crucial for people of all ages. Even though his training is primarily as an actor he is happy to do anything theatre related, having started at MTC as a box office associate before moving to his current position. He recently graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts and Dance from Sonoma State. Jules Simons Box Office Manager (she/her/hers) is elated to be a part of the MTC team. With a background in playwriting and production management, she is excited to gain new experiences as the Box Office Manager. She is a New Orleans native, though she spent the last five years at Ohio University, from which she holds a BA in Theater and will be completing her Master of Art Administration virtually this summer. She found a new passion for disability advocacy within
the performing arts after serving with AmeriCorps at Easter Seals Wisconsin Respite Camp in 2021. When not petting her cat, she is working toward a world in which including people with disabilities is the standard. Laura Odeh Steele Patron Experience Manager (she/her/hers) is excited to expand her love for theatre career in an administrative capacity at MTC. As a professional actor, Laura was first seen at MTC in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. In addition, she has work on Broadway, offBroadway and regionally at theaters including Lincoln Center Theatre, Irish Repertory Theatre, The Public Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre, and Berkeley Rep. She has worked with directors including James Lapine, Moisés Kaufman, Mark Lamos, Meredith McDonough, Bill Rauch, Don Roos and Charlie Kaufman. In addition to her acting career, Laura has taught in the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance at Sonoma State University since 2019. She received her MFA from the Graduate Acting Program at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Jeff Klein Technical Director started first working at MTC as an overhire carpenter in January 2006, was hired full time as the Assistant Technical Director in October 2006. With 17 seasons and nearly 7 dozen productions to his name here, he was promoted to Technical Director in June of 2015. A native Texan originally from San Antonio, Jeff has worked in all aspects of theatre. Getting the theatre itch in high school with some minor acting roles, he attended college graduating with a B.A. in Humanities with a Theatre minor. Eventually moving into a full time technical/ behind in the scenes career in his mid 17
20s, Jeff has a storied history working from theme park venues in Texas to a magic show in Branson, MO and then landing in the San Francisco Bay Area which he has been proud to call home since 2005. While Jeff misses the time acting on stage, he considers himself a character of life and does his best undertaking the roles of comedy (and drama, of course) that seemingly come at him everyday. Jessica Marchesi Director of Production is overjoyed to be returning to MTC after a nearly 20 year hiatus. Jessica is a native San Franciscan who has been working in professional theater for over 30 years, mostly in production management. Originally trained as an actor and director, her additional training and experience as a technician and designer led her to shift her focus to production. After starting her PM career at the San Francisco Fringe Festival and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Jessica served as MTC’s PM from 2001-2005, under then Artistic Director Lee Sankowitz. Since leaving the Bay Area, her career has taken her all over the country. During that time she managed production and operations for a wide variety of companies, including Studio Theatre in Washington, DC, Arkansas Repertory Theatre and the Walton Arts Center in Arkansas, and Horizon Theatre in Atlanta, GA, but the bulk of her career was spent at South Coast Repertory Theatre in Southern California. SCR specializes in new play development, and while she was there she had the great pleasure of helping launch over 50 world premieres, many of which have gone on to great success, including A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Lucas Hnath), Vietgone (Qui Nguyen), Cambodian Rock Band (Lauren Yee), Silent Sky and Emelie (Lauren Gunderson), The Language Archive 18
(Julia Cho), and many more. Jessica’s journey has been personal as well as geographical, and she is proud to have recently come out as Trans and is excited to begin her new life among old friends. Daria Perkova Costume Shop Manager (she/they) is a Bay Area native costume designer. She first took an interest in costuming when she was just 4 years old, watching Sailor Moon at her grandparents house and making props out of cardboard. She first stepped into theatre at her high school and fell in love with the magic of backstage production ever since. She has a BFA in Theatrical Costume Design from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and returned here to the Bay to pursue a full time career in costuming. She is the current Costume Shop Manager and Wardrobe Lead here at MTC, as well as the Assistant Costume Designer for the current 2022-23 season. She has recently costume designed How Black Mothers Say I Love You at Theatre Rhinoceros in SF and, Anton Chekov’s Uncle Vanya at Chabot College. Liam Rudisill Assistant Technical Director (he/him) is a carpenter and props maker who has been working with Marin Theatre Company since moving to the Bay Area in 2014. He’s excited to be back at full capacity as Assistant Technical Director. Recent design credits include Boys Go to Jupiter (Word for Word at Z Space); The Sound Inside, Pass Over, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, Dunsinane, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, and Justice: A New Musical (MTC).
ABOUT MARIN THEATRE COMPANY
Marin Theatre Company is the Bay Area’s premier mid-sized theatre and the leading professional theatre in the North Bay. MTC is committed to the development and production of new plays, with a comprehensive New Play Program that includes productions of world premieres, readings, and workshops by the nation’s diverse emerging and established playwrights. MTC’s numerous education programs serve more than 4,500 students from over 40 Bay Area schools each year. MTC envisions theatre as a vital space for sharing diverse stories to build a more just and equitable world. MTC is dedicated to inspiring conversation, learning and action to build more inclusive communities. We do this by providing a sustainable home for developing the work of diverse American playwrights and producing innovative theatrical experiences. MTC was founded in 1966 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY
Led by Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow and Managing Director Carolyn Jackson, Center REP is the award-winning resident theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Founded in 1968, Center REP is one of the oldest professional theatres in the region, serving the East Bay and beyond with a diverse program of classic and contemporary works and arts education programs. For nearly six decades, Center REP’s legacy endures as a vital community hub that fosters creativity and belonging among audiences and artists alike. Center REP’s mission is to celebrate the power of the human imagination by producing emotionally engaging, intellectually involving, and visually astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and Education programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of the communities it serves.
MTC BOX OFFICE 415.388.5208 | boxoffice@marintheatre.org Visit our website to join our mailing list, learn about our plays, and purchase tickets marintheatre.org All images and/or content provided by Marin Theatre Company staff, contractors, and/or creatives unless otherwise credited. Opinions expressed by contractors, contributors, and/or creative artists do not necessarily reflect the views of Marin Theatre Company. photo credits are included as provided.
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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY DONORS Marin Theatre Company acknowledges the generous support of the following individuals, foundations and corporations whose contributions make our extraordinary theatre productions and education programs possible. To join our family of contributors, receive sponsorship information or if you have questions about your gift, please contact the Development Director Anne Clark at development@marintheatre.org or 415.322.6035. The following gifts were received between July 1, 2022-November 20, 2023. EXECUTIVE PARTNER CIRCLE $25,000+ David Catania & Diana Gay-Catania Matthew Purdon & Liz Sklar Robert J. & Paula B. Reynolds Fund Christopher B. & Jeannie Meg Smith PARTNER CIRCLE $10,000-$24,999 Anonymous Gerald Cahill & Kathleen King Thomas W. Edwards & Rebecca Parlette-Edwards Kenneth & Vera Meislin Fred & Kathleen Taylor Charitable Fund Michael Wall & Wendy Feng PRODUCER CIRCLE $5,000-$9,999 Anonymous Franklin Amster Cheryl & Rick Brandon Lynne Carmichael John & Shelley Chesley Ron Clyman & Francoise Mauray Doug Frazier Jill & Steven Fugaro Susan & Dennis Gilardi Barbara & Jim Kautz Melanie Maier Bill & Janet McAllister Fund Ivan Poutiatine Rosenberger Family Fund Barbara & Eric Roberts Betty & Jack Schafer Susan & Joel Sklar Vickie Soulier ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CIRCLE $1,000-$4,999 Anonymous Helen & Thomas Anawalt Lois Kelly Ashley Mary Jane Baird Joan Beavin Carl & Fumiko Bielefeldt Lynn Brinton & Dan Cohn Janet Brown Noel Butler, In memory of Phil Kurjan Gatian’s Fund Kipp Delbyck Stephanie A. Douglass
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Stephen & Sharon Edelman Erin Elliot Theresa W. & Richard A. Ellis, MD Judith & Philip Erdberg Jeff Freedman & Marie Boylan David Gelfand & Ellen Daniell Ms. Margot Golding David Goldman Gerry Goldsholle & Myra Levenson Kenneth & Joan Gosliner Linda Groah Karen Gottlieb Michelle & Normand Groleau Larry & Rebekah Helzel Brian & Jocelyn Herndon Sandra Hess Mark & Lori Horne Chris & Kenneth Hurwitz Coreen & Mark Jamison Kelley Family Charitable Fund William Kissinger Dirk & Madeleine Langeveld Kathleen & John Leones Paulette Lueke Scott MacLeod & Linda Kislingbury Marymor Family Fund Andrew F. & Ann B. Mathieson Fund Stephanie Moulton-Peters & Roger Peters Victoria H. Newton & Cheryl Longinotti Kiki Pescatello Priscilla Pittiglio Suzanna G. Pollak Michael Poutiatine Robert & Donys Powell Drs. Janice & James Prochaska Gordon Radley Gary Robinson & Danny Field Thomas & Jill Sampson Laura Scher & Ian Altman and the Barn Road Foundation Kurt Schindler Eric Schwartz & Magda Wesslund Valerie Stoll Schwimmer Kate Sears Diana & Richard Shore John Simpson & Suzanne Cross Steven Sockolov & Susan Snyder Tara J. Sullivan Stephen Symonds Beverly Tanner & Jerry Herman Lisa Rogers Taylor
Dr. Samuel Test Will & Leslie Thompson Diane & Bob Wagner Elizabeth Werter & Henry Trevor Wilder Family Charitable Trust Penny Wright Vic Woo & Phil Brewer Susan York Charitable Fund FRIENDS OF MTC CIRCLE Contributor $500-$999 Anonymous (4) Paul F. & Geraldine Alpert Robert Anderson & Lois Stevens Robert Bailey Stephen Bischoff Adrian & Daniel Blumberg Dr. Paula Campbell The Leo J. & Celia Carlin Fund Nancy & Gary Carlston Henni Cohen & Lee Trucker Pat & Amanda Conran John Eichhorst & Jennifer Blackman Larry Fahn Karen Haydock Bill & Susan Hoehler Mark & Roberta Hoffman Katz Family Foundation Susan Kolb Harriet & Tom Kostic, Kostic Family Fund Stephen & Gail Lazarus Purple Lady/Barbara Meislin Fund Dr. Kurt Menning Mary & Stephen Mizroch Carol Mimura & Jeremy Thorner Kathryn E. Olson John S. Osterweis Philanthropic Fund Paul Gelburd & Diane Parish Marianne & Steven Porter Hector Richards Jean Bee Chan & Ken Ross Mark & Tobi Rubin Diane & Ed Ryken David A Shapiro, MD & Sharon L Wheatley Marsha Silberstein Judy & Greg Smith Valerie Sopher Stephanie Splane Richard & Jean Stenquist Susan J Wittenberg Julie & Tony Zanze Friend $100-$499 Anonymous (13) Chris Andersson Joseph D. & Gail P. Anguilo Stacy Hering Astor Janet Bamberger Nancy Barash Geraldine Barsotti Frank & Lee Battat Robert & Barbara Baum
Susan & Bill Beech Steve Beecroft David & Michele Benjamin Gail V. Bernstein Linden Berry Louis Bialy Brad & Robyn Bilfelt Steve Bischoff Annette Blanchard & John Hewitt Little Fawn Boland Joan & Nick Boodrookas Felix Braendel Josh Brier & Grace Alexander Meryl Brod Amy & Mark Brokering Bromley Carson Fund George & Cindy Brown Stephen Bryant The Buehler Family Gabriella Calicchio & Michael Janes Anne-Marie Caple Chris Carter Heidi H. Cary Alan & Caren Cascio Steven & Karin Chase Ann & Rick Clarke Judith Cohen & Malcolm Gissen Barbara Gay & Richard Cohn Cheryl Coles Naomi Conroy Bob Bowen & Linda Crouse Christina Crow Robert Crowell Betsey & John Cutler Christina Dallera Ms. Paula Davis James T. Diamond Jr. Ernest & Debra Dibenedetto Molly & Brett Dick Kerry Weiner & Andy Elkind Ms. Jane Elkins Joe Faimali & Dorita Decker Leland & Susan Faust Pam Feagles Jordan Felling Jolie Feng Doug & Jane Ferguson Lisa Ferguson Mardi Finegan Kathleen E. Foote Betsy Foy Christie Fraser Lilly Fu & Manolo Espinosa Gail Gallagher David Gast Rita & Kent Gershengorn Gail & Mervin Giacomini Helene & Lewis Gibbs Carey Gister Bruce & Linda Goldman Edward Granger Mark Green Michelle Green Mark Greenside
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Douglas & Carolyn Grey Gini & Gordon Griffin Kris Malone Grossman & Ed Grossman Patricia Oji Haas Anita Hagopian Robert Hall Charles Hanes Thomas M. Harlan Marc & Peggy Hayman Gillian A. Hayward Donation Fund Ian Hinchliffe Karen Hirsch & Jim Condit Adrienne Hirt & Jeffrey Rodman Jennifer Hochschild Mim Hodge Heidi Hofer Matt & Robin Hoffman Teri & Patricia Hollowell Dr. Richard Horrigan Karen Houston Kip & Sara Howard Dabney Ingram Elisabeth & Howard Jaffe Elizabeth Jameson Janet Johns Sheila-Merrle Johnson Will Johnson Julie Kaufman & Doug Klein Susan Keener Barbara Kerr Heidi Kirsch Mark Kushner David Lakes Monica Lange Amy Lauer Kate Lauer Jon Larson Andrew Lazarus Sharon Leach Gretchen Leavitt Judy & Robert Leet David Lesnini Joan Levison George Lindfelt Jennifer S. Lindsay Bunnie & Jerome Sachs Family Foundation Nanette & Bill Londeree David & Carolyn Long The Long Family Jacqueline Lopez-Wyman Dr. Laurence & Mrs. Samantha Lyons Lynn MacDonald Kathleen Maher Mary Malaspina Samara & Tania Malik Lynn Mason Ms. Margaret Mason Megan McCall John & Cindy McCauley Andy & Jane McClure Nelson & Julia Ishiyama & Terrie McDonald Teresa McGlashan Kevin & Paula McGrath Joe McGuire
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Consuelo McHugh Margaret McHugh Karen McLennan Sandy Mendler Roberta & Spencer Michels Sandra Mikesell Mary-Ann Milford David & Cordelia Miller Don & Barbara Miller Kimberley Milstead Christian Mills & Carolina Dangord Everett & Julia Moore Susan Morris Barbara Morrison Barry & Jane Moss Margaret Moster Chris & Bonnie Mumford Laura S. Murra Riyan Mustaq Robert Newcomer Molly Noble Jane Nydorf Constance J. O’Connor K. O’Mohundro & N. Handelman Connie Oclassen Marta A. Osterloh David Pasta Ms. Rebecca Pauling Sara Pearson Jonathan & Susan Peck Robert & Audrey Pedrin Lynn Perry Stephen Piatek Mariana Poutiatine Cotten Marcia Pizzo-Meyers Jack & Jessica Powell Joan & Russell Pratt Geneviève Duboscq & Lynn Prime Barbara Smith, Joveena Alleyne & Halifu Prince The Laurence Pulgram and Kelli Murray Charitable Fund Charles A. Quick & Virginia B. Quick, Quick Family Bright Future Fund Angela & Josh Rafner Dr. & Mrs. Joel Renbaum Edward L. Reynolds & Hernan Correa Susan Reynolds Helen Rogers Julianne Z. Rohmaller Marit Roman Jessica Romm Mel & Ruth Ronick Benjamin & Barbara Rooks Francoise Rothstein April H. Rox Angelo & Kimberly Salarpi Alan & Wendy Schaevitz Ellen & Donald Schell Laura & Michael Scott Carol & Randolph Selig Family Philanthropic Fund Judy Shaper Carole & Douglas Sheft Alyson Sinclair
Dr. Dorothy Slattery Shelagh Smith Lauren & Jason Snell Deborah Spanier & Ronald Fishman Louis & Bonnie Spiesberger Kate Stacy Lynnette Stallworth Renee Marler & Timothy Standing Joseph Stecher Drs. Shayna & Elliott Stein Joe & Diane Stemach Ken & Dana Stokes Gretchen & Grover Stone Daniel & Maureen Stuempfig Donald & Edith Suttles Svetcov Family Fund Candace Swimmer & Phil Rosenthal Susan Terris Cynthia Lynn Thomas Beverly Thorman Kathryn Thyret Beatrice Tocher Mark Toney Evelyn Topper Vanessa Topper The Norman and Carol Traeger Foundation Bruce Tremayne & Mary Diltz Sherri Tull Madeline Valentine Mary Van Voorhees Andrea Waters Meredith J. Watts Kenneth & Ellen Weber Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Weikert Paul Werner Janet & William Whitmer Linda Wilford Holly & Bruce Williams Carolyn & Fred Wood Sandra Yoffie Michelle Young Ms. Dara Zandanel MEMORIAL GIFTS In memory of Phil Kurjan Noel Butler In memory of Carl G. Berry Linden Berry
In memory of Gloria Guth David Pasta In memory of Henry Higgins Bill & Vanessa Higgins In memory of Jim Horan Ms. Margaret Mason In memory of Cary James Elaine James In memory of Peter Maier Terry & Larry Hill In memory of Herman & Dorothy Smith Barbara Smith, Joveena Alleyne & Halifu Prince In memory of Cathy Teague Nanette Londeree Anonymous TRIBUTE GIFTS In honor of Jim Horan Mardi Finegan; Matt & Robin Hoffman; Mary Malaspina In honor of Jasson Minadakis David Catania & Diana Gay-Catania; Jack & Jessica Powell In honor of Ivan Poutiatine Michael Poutiatine In honor of our son, David Everett Moore Everett & Julia Moore In honor of Carla Zilbersmith Hon. Molly Noble In honor of Tara Sullivan & Molly Horan, and in memory of Jim Horan Stephen Symonds In honor of Tara Sullivan Gail Gallagher In honor of Meredith Suttles Donald & Edith Suttles
In memory of Vivienn Fosman Purple Lady/Barbara J. Meislin Fund
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If you share our vision that theatre is a vital space for sharing diverse stories to build a more just and equitable world, then please show your support with a financial donation to Marin Theatre Company today by visiting MarinTheatre.org/Donate
THE LEGACY GIVING SOCIETY OF MARIN THEATRE COMPANY Linden & Carl Berry‡ Jack Bissinger‡ Dave & Bobbie Chapman John & Shelley Chesley Sheldon Doing & Steve DeHart Fred Drexler‡ Thomas W. Edwards & Rebecca Parlette Edwards Joseph & Antonia Friedman Brian & Tracy Haughton Sandra Hess Shirley Loube‡
Melanie Maier Gladys Perez-Mendez‡ Ivan & Lochiel Poutiatine‡ Leigh & Ivy Robinson‡ Gage Schubert‡ Beverly Tanner Fred & Kathleen Taylor Nancy Thomson‡ Phil Woodward & Connie Majoyy ‡ Deseaced
CORPORATIONS • FOUNDATIONS • GOVERNMENT MTC PARTNER | $50,000+ Californians For The Arts Clay Foundation West Marin Community Foundation Melody Wireless Infrastructure The Shubert Foundation William and Flora Hewlett Foundation VIP PRODUCER | $15,000-$49,999 Kimball Foundation National Endowment for the Arts The Bernard Osher Foundation California Arts Council Haughton Family Charitable Fund Stacy Scott Fine Cateringº EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | $10,000-$14,999 Koret Foundation The Tournesol Project
PREMIERE PRODUCER | $5,000-$9,999 3 Badge Beveragesº | August Sebastiani Acqua Hotelº Brooks Note Wineryº | Garry & Joanne Brooks Marin Cultural Association ASSOCIATE PRODUCER | $3,000& Carol Selig, Selig Floral Designº County of Marin PRODUCER | $1,000–$4,999 Body Kineticsº Clyman Family Foundation Compass Marin Charitable Association Mill Valley Market National Philanthropic Trust The Rock Foundation The Tow Foundation Whistlestopº
º In-Kind Donation
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