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2 - Lady Day Mark Clements Chad Bauman Artistic Director Managing Director September 9 – October 30, 2016 Stackner Cabaret Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Directed by Leda Hoffmann Music Director Abdul Hamid Royal Costume Designer Jason Orlenko Sound Designer Victoria Deiorio Scenic Designer J. Michael Griggs Lighting Designer Christine Binder Casting Director JC Clementz Stage Manager Anthony Poston* By Lanie Robertson
3Lady DayAlexis J. Roston * as Billie Holiday Abdul Hamid Royal* as Jimmy Powers Understudy: Candace Thomas for Billie Holiday Understudies are never substituted for listed players unless a specific announcement is made prior to the performance. Stage Management Resident.........................................................................................Vickie Morales Assistant Director ...................................................................................................... Daniella Wheelock Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill will be performed with one intermission. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. * Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. PRODUCTIONCAST SUPPORT Milwaukee Repertory Theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and our stagehands and carpenters are members of Milwaukee Theatrical Stage Employees’ Union IATSE Local 18. The Rep is an equal opportunity employer. The Rep is proud to be a member of The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. Production Manager ............................................................................................................ Jared Clarkin Technical Director .................................................................................................................... Tyler Smith Properties Director..................................................................................................................... James Guy Charge Scenic Artist ............................................................................................................... Jim Medved Costume Director .................................................................................................................... Sara Seavey Lighting & Video Director ............................................................................................... Robert Schultz Sound Director ............................................................................................................................. Erin Paige Production Stage Manager ....................................................................................... Kimberly Carolus PRODUCTION STAFF
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5Lady DayAlexis J. Roston, Billie Holiday Alexis is honored to be returning to Milwaukee Rep where she was last seen in The Color Purple. She proudly reps Chicago, though she obtained her BFA in musical theatre at Howard University in Washington, DC. Chicago credits include Company, The Old Settler (Writers Theatre, 2010 BTAA Winner for Best Featured Actress In A Play), Seussical, Dreamgirls (Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire), Ain’t Misbehavin’, Crowns (Goodman Theatre), Hairspray (Oakbrook Drury Lane Theatre), Hair (Paramount Theatre), Porgy and Bess, Spunk, The Piano Lesson (Court Theatre), What I Learned In Paris, Seven Guitars, The Colored Museum, (Congo Square Theatre Company),The Wiz, Godspell (Theatre At The Center), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Ragtime (Porchlight Theatre Company), and Don’t Make Me Over: A Tribute To Dionne Warwick (Black Ensemble Theater). She is a proud ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Company and is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency Chicago. Abdul Hamid Royal, Jimmy Powers/ Music Director Abdul has won The Ovation Award, The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, The SAGE Award as Best Music Direction for his work on The Gospel at Colonus, and The NAACP Image Award for Five Guys Named Moe. Broadway/International/ National Music Director credits include: Five Guys Named Moe, Twist, Sophisticated Ladies, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Jelly’s Las Jam, The Wiz, Truly Blessed, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Betsy Brown, Concerts for the Earth, Colors of Christmas, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Life. Composer/Arranger credits include: Five Guys Named Moe, Truly Blessed, Body and Soul, Twist, Cole Porter Festival, Colors of Christmas, and several recordings and educational publications. He has worked with recording artists Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Chaka Kahn, Melissa Manchester, Cy Coleman, Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Liza Minelli, Ashford & Simpson, Martha Wash, Jennifer Holliday, Jeffrey Osborne, Maurice Hines, Melba Moore, Patti Austin, Grover Washington Jr., Masashi Sada, Patti LaBelle, Christina Aguilera, Jason Mraz, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Doc Powell, The LA Philharmonic, Ty Herndon, Freddie Waites, Brenda Russell, and Phil Collins.
Leda Hoffman, Director Leda is thrilled to be directing in the Stackner Cabaret. Her directing credits include The Amish Project (Milwaukee Rep), Hamlet (Illinois Shakespeare), Censored on Final Approach (Renaissance Theatreworks), The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors (Door Shakespeare), The Penelopiad, A Second Sam (Luminous Theater), The Chairs, King Lear (Alchemist Theatre), Birth Witches (Riverside Theater), and Phaedra’s Love (World Stage Company).
Leda also serves as The Rep’s Director of Community Engagement and is the Artistic Director of Luminous Theatre, which produces work in non-traditional venues across Milwaukee. Leda is a proud graduate of Grinnell College, a former Milwaukee Rep directing intern, and a member of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. Upcoming: A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Greendale Community Theater), and Mr Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Luminous Theatre). www.ledahoffmann.com
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
Christine Binder, Lighting Design Ms. Binder has designed lighting for Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Ms. Binder’s opera designs include work with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theatre, San Diego Opera, San Francisco Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. Recent designs include Thaddeus and Slocum at Lookingglass; Disgraced at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles; and Cinderella for the Joffrey Ballet. Upcoming Hand to God for Victory Gardens Theatre; The Pearle Fishers for Tulsa Opera; and Eugene Onegin for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She is the Head of Lighting Design at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Victoria Deiorio, Sound Design Victoria is very excited to be back at Milwaukee Rep after composing and designing for The Invisible Hand, The Amish Play, and her work as an associate designer on The Foreigner and Frozen OffBroadway Productions include: A Christmas Carol (Theatre at St. Clement’s) Two Point Oh (59E59th St.), Cassie’s Chimera ( Joe’s Pub, The Public Theatre), The Bluest Eye (Steppenwolf Theatre @ The Duke Theatre), Ophelia (NYC Fringe Festival), and Arnie the Doughnut (NYMTF). As associate designer Off-Broadway: Boy and Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams (Primary Stages), God of Hell
Jason holds an MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University. www.jasonorlenko.com
6 - Lady Day J. Michael Griggs, Scenic Design J. Michael is thrilled to be making his Milwaukee Rep debut. A native Chicagoan, he recently returned to the Midwest after 20 years in Boston. Most recently he designed the initial production of Long Lost by Donald Margulies for the Sullivan Project at Illinois Theatre, School for Scandal for the Actor’s Shakespeare Project, 1984 for Illinois Theatre, and the world premiere of David Auburn’s Lost Lake for The Manhattan Theatre Club. For The American Repertory Theater: No Man’s Land, Romance, How I Learned to Drive, No Child, Boston Marriage (premiere), Animals and Plants (premiere), Nobody Dies on Friday (premiere). Boston area companies include The Súgán Theatre Company: The Sanctuary Lamp, Well of the Saints, The Lonesome West, St. Nicholas, Talking to Terrorists, Mojo Mickybo, Howie the Rookie, Bailegangaire, Perfect Days, Molly Maquire, This Lime Tree Bower. Gloucester Stage Company: Fences, Auld lang Syne, Trad. Speakeasy Stage Company: The Seafarer. Lyric Stage Company: 9 Parts of Desire, Adrift in Macao. Publick Theatre: Travesties, Design for Living. Also for Tir Na Theater, New Repertory Theater, Opera Providence. As a designer for PBS and WGBH Television he designed for many local, national, and international clients as well as national PBS shows like “Mystery!” and “Fetch with Ruff Ruffman.” Mr. Griggs is the Chair of the Scene Design Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a member of United Scenic Artists 829. Jason Orlenko, Costume Design Jason is always thrilled to return to The Rep where he has designed The Devil’s Music, The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith and Forever Plaid. A Milwaukee based designer, favorite work includes Fallen Angels at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, A Charlie Brown Christmas at First Stage, The Snow Dragon at Skylight Music Theatre and Opera Siam, and The Story of My Life at Milwaukee Opera Theatre. His designs have also been seen at The Rep of St. Louis, Renaissance Theaterworks, In Tandem Theatre, Indiana Festival Theatre, Children’s Theater of Madison, Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he has also served as an adjunct lecturer. Other professional credits include American Players Theatre, The Florentine Opera, Hangar Theatre, and Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Upcoming work includes Time Stands Still at In Tandem, The Violet Hour at Renaissance Theaterworks and Great Expectations at Milwaukee Chamber.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES cont.
A recent graduate of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Victoria has a BA in theatre with a focus in Stage Management. She recently completed a season with the Oberlin Summer Theater Festival and a Southeastern tour of Tuxedo Junction with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Some of her favorite theatre credits include: SFB, In the Next Room and Peter and the Starcatcher Victoria would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support and the cast and staff for their amazing work and constant collaboration.
JC Clementz, Casting Director JC is the Casting Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Prior to leaving for Chicago, he spent five years at The Rep, most recently as the Artistic Associate: Casting Director & Director of the Emerging Professional Residency. In addition to casting over 25 productions at The Rep, JC directed last season’s The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, as well as The Doyle and Debbie Show, Forever Plaid, and five seasons of Rep Lab. JC traveled throughout Europe as the Assistant Stage Manager for New York Harlem Productions’ international tour of Porgy and Bess, and spent four summers working at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts in the mountains of Colorado. He holds an MFA in Directing from Western Illinois University. Anthony Poston, Stage Manager Anthony’s honored to be working with Milwaukee Rep for his second season in Milwaukee, after also working with Skylight Music Theatre and First Stage. Regional credits include B Street Theatre, Music Circus, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and North Shore Music Theatre. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. Victoria Morales, Stage Management Resident Victoria is very excited to be joining Milwaukee Rep for the 2016/2017 Season!
7Lady Day(Actor’s Studio Theatre), Luminescence Dating (Ensemble Studio Theatre,) and Live Girls (Urban Stages). National Tour: Private Lives (LA Theatre Works). Productions with: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Players Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, CATF, Victory Gardens Theatre, Center Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage, Geva Theatre, Writers Theatre, many other regional theaters in and around Chicago, NY, and LA. Victoria has been nominated for 13 and has received 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as 2 After Dark Awards. She is the head of Sound Design for The Theatre School at DePaul University. Victoria would like to thank her associate Kami Siu, without whom this show would not be possible. For more information visit www.victoria-sound-design.com
Daniella Wheelock, Assistant Director Daniella is originally from San Diego, California, and recently graduated magna cum laude from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University with a degree in Directing. She has a passion for new works and theatre that promotes social discourse. Favorite directing credits include: Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Mauritius, and original and devised works. Daniella is excited to move to Milwaukee, and thrilled to be a part of The Rep’s season!
Mark Clements, Artistic Director Mark began his tenure as Milwaukee Rep’s Artistic Director with the 2010/11 Season. He is an award-winning international theater director whose work has appeared in over 100 major theaters throughout Europe and the United States. For Milwaukee Rep: American Song, Of Mice and Men, Dreamgirls, Five Presidents, The Color Purple, The History of Invulnerability,
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES cont.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES cont.
Chad Bauman, Managing Director Chad was heinManagingMilwaukeeappointedRep’sDirector2013.Previously,wastheAssociate Executive Director at Arena Stage where he was instrumental in the 2010 opening of the Mead Center for American Theater, a 200,000 square feet, three theater performing arts complex dedicated to American voices and playwrights. While at Arena Stage, he more than doubled earned revenue, reversed a decline in subscriptions by almost doubling the base, and shattered several company sales records that dated back almost 60 years. In addition, he worked on the Broadway transfers of Next to Normal (Pulitzer Prize; Tony Award), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Tony Award), Wishful Drinking starring Carrie Fisher, Looped starring Valerie Harper, and John Grisham’s A Time to Kill in addition to other notable plays including the world premiere of Marcus Gardley’s Every Tongue Confess starring Phylicia Rashad and Red Hot Patriot starring Kathleen Turner. Prior to Arena Stage, he was Director of Marketing and Communications for Americans for the Arts as well as Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk, VA. He is a frequent speaker and consultant with past clients that include the Smithsonian Institution, Pew Charitable Trust, Carnegie Hall, EmcArts Innovation Labs, Arts & Business Council, Association of Performing Arts Presenters and ArtsMidwest. He has served as an adjunct professor at American University (Washington, DC), Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) and CalArts (Valencia, CA). In addition to teaching, he is currently a Board member of Pathways High School, sits on the advisory boards of TRGArts and ArtsMarketing.org, and is a past trustee of Contemporary American Theater Festival. From 2011-2013, he was named one of the most influential leaders under 40 in Washington, DC by Washington Life Magazine, and in 2016 he was named to Milwaukee Business Journal’s list of the Top 40 leaders under 40. Bauman is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management program, and has earned a Master of Fine Arts in producing from the CalArts where he was an Ahmanson Scholar and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the Honors College of Missouri State University. In his free time, he is proud to be a co-coach of Wauwatosa East High School’s Destination Imagination team.
8 - Lady Day End of the Rainbow, Ragtime, Clybourne Park, Assassins, Othello, Next to Normal, Death of a Salesman, Bombshells and Cabaret. For The Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia: Oliver!, Born Yesterday, Great Expectations, Les Misérables (2008 Barrymore Award –Best Production of a Musical) and Of Mice and Men (2007 Barrymore Award – Best Director and Best Production of a Play).The Milliner (Off-Broadway, World Premiere), CSC, New York; My Fair Lady, Copenhagen; The Browning Version (Barclays/TMA Regional Theatre Award) at Derby Playhouse and Blunt Speaking (World Premiere), Chichester Festival Theatre U.K. and Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York. Other productions
include: Speaking in Tongues (U.S. Premiere), Roundabout Theatre Company; Speaking in Tongues (European Premiere; Barclays/ TMA Best Director Nomination), Hampstead Theatre, London; Creator/Director – Soul Train, West End (Olivier Award nomination), and three U.K. National Tours. U.K. National Tours of The Glass Menagerie, The Gingerbread Lady and Love & Marriage all for Bath Theatre Royal productions. Mark served as an Associate Artistic Director for Moving Theatre Company, the production company founded by Vanessa and Corin Redgrave. He has also been Associate Artistic Director for New End Theatre and New Players Theatre, both in London, Royal Theatre in Northampton, and Torch Theatre in Wales. Additionally, Mark served as Artistic Director of the award-winning Derby Playhouse in the U.K. from 1992 to 2002, where he directed over 40 productions. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board for the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at Ten Chimneys.
