Upper School Musical: The Prom

DIRECTED BY MARIKO WATT

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 8 & 9 | 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 10 | 2:00 PM

THE VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PERFORMANCE BY ANY MEANS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

The Prom

The Prom is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

Book & Lyrics by

CHAD BEGUELIN

Book by

BOB MARTIN

Music by

MATTHEW SKLAR

Based on an original concept by

JACK VIERTEL

Original Broadway production directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw Originally produced on Broadway by Bill Damaschke, Dori Berinstein, Jack Lane

James & Catherine Berges, Nelda Sue Yaw, Natasha Davison, Joe Grandy, Kimberlee Garris, Lisa Morris, Terry Schnuck, Jane Dubin, Rosalind Productions, Inc., FAHS Productions, Seth A. Goldstein, Mike Kriak, Don & Nancy Ross, Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra & Stephen Della Pietra, Cliff Hopkins, Masie Productions, Vivek Shah, Three Belles & A Bob, Arment-Tackel, Armstrong-Manocherian, Fakler-Silver, Fox Theatricals-Mosbacher-Lonow, Palitz-Stern-Smedes, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg/David Lyons, Larry & Elizabeth Lenke/Elizabeth L. Green, Iris Smith/InStone Productions, Kuhlman-Ketner/ Wallace-ATxRandomProductions, The John Gore Organization and The Shubert Organization (Philip J. Smith: Chairman; Robert E. Wankel: President). Produced in association with Independent Presenters Network, Margot Astrachan, Darren P. DeVerna & Jeremiah J. Harris and Reagan Silber

Director’s Note

In choosing The Prom as this year’s musical, we have chosen to shine a spotlight on the challenges that students, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, face on a daily basis. The musical’s high school setting becomes a microcosm of the broader societal struggles. Today’s students navigate a landscape where issues of acceptance, identity, and equality are at the forefront of their experiences. According to the ACLU, there are currently 429 anti-LGBT bills that aim to block the community in some way from basic needs or the right to publicly exist, and while we exist in a small subset of acceptance here at Poly, there are still issues on campus. In states across the country, there are schools where producing this show is prohibited , and students that are barred from their own proms due to blatant hate and discrimination. I’ve always found that the performing arts are accepting of marginalized groups, and in an age where students are finding their voices and advocating for change, I hope that our production reflects their courage and resilience.

While some of the characters in The Prom are certainly caricatures (in particular, the theater personalities), through their passion and support, we hope to inspire empathy and understanding, and foster an environment where all students feel seen and heard. In doing so, we aspire to contribute to an ongoing conversation about creating safe and inclusive spaces for all. Our talented cast has poured their hearts into bringing this narrative to life, and we invite you to join us in acknowledging the unique and often difficult experiences faced by students in today’s society.

I’d also like to publicly acknowledge all the work that the cast, crew, my co-workers, and especially my student assistant director, Sadie Schoenberger, have put into this show. The hours that Sadie has spent helping block, organize, communicate to the cast, and note-take during rehearsals have been plentiful and not unnoticed. Everyone needs a Sadie in their life. I’d also like to thank and congratulate the seniors in this production for the hard work and leadership that they have put into this show, and all their past shows at Poly. To Zeke, Lulu, Jasmine, Tristan, Gen, and MaKiyah—I will miss each and every one of you, and hope I get to see you later this spring at your own prom!

Mariko Watt Director

A Note from Arts Leadership

We’ve had The Prom on our shortlist ever since the licensing became available for school productions, and we’re so thrilled that Mariko Watt and the production team are bringing this dynamic, community-focused musical to Poly. We are proud of the students in the production, grateful to the Poly arts faculty who strive to support all students, and glad to be part of an institution that will produce this show when other educational institutions have canceled or refused to entertain the idea of it on their stages. However, this doesn’t omit any of the daily struggles LGBTQ+ people experience or that our students are looking for representation in the curriculum to see themselves.

Highlighting LGBTQ+ representation on stage is crucial for fostering inclusivity and understanding, though selecting age-appropriate, large cast shows for a school community can be challenging. Poly produces five mainstage full productions a year on the Dyker Heights campus, and over the last six years, The Prom, will be only the third show to feature LGBTQ+ characters, following last year’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musical and The Laramie Project, the Grades 11 and 12 production in 2019. We strive to have our shows represent a diverse range of stories and experiences, and we consider how to support greater inclusivity in choosing the playwrights whose work we bring to the Poly community as well.

It is our students who push us to keep doing better daily, and we are thankful they have found a home in our Performing Arts Department, where who they are is incredibly valued. Please join us in congratulating our students and production team on a gorgeous production that celebrates love, in all its forms.

Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair

Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts

Cast

Lulu McDonald* Emma Nolan

Genevieve Fitzpatrick* ................................................................................. Alyssa Greene

Zeke Wise* Barry Glickman

Jasmine Donald* Dee Dee Allen

Isabelle Gerling* .......................................................................................... Angie Dickinson

Jasper Whiteley* Principal Hawkins

Donald Shields* .................................................................................................... Trent Oliver

Tristan Kelley* .............................................................................................................. Sheldon

Drew Waldman* Mrs. Greene

Ryan Geisler* ................................................................................................................... Kaylee

Stavroula Gabriel* Shelby

Griffin Allen* ........................................................................................................................ Nick

MaKiyah Turner-Hicks*.................................................................................................. Kevin

UNDERSTUDY/SWINGS

Sophia Taylor ............................................................................ Emma/Alyssa/Mrs. Greene

Devan Jiang ............................................................................................................ Barry/Trent

Spencer Udin Sheldon/Hawkins

Chloe Einaudi ................................................................................................ Angie/Dee Dee

Juliet Michaelis Nick/Kevin

Kailynn Hernandez......................................................................................... Shelby/Kaylee

Ensemble

Maggie Cochran, Tessa Cooper, Chloe Einaudi, Diego Garcia-Phillips, Kailynn Hernandez, Devan Jiang, Kiera Kinnane, Carolina Lisk, Sasha Londoner, Juliet Michaelis, Soleil Peña, Sophia Taylor, Spencer Udin

FEATURED DANCE ENSEMBLE

Jenesis Batholomew, Akeelah Binns, Sarai Dudley, Mia Pineda*, Suri Sun, Brianna Sylvain

Production Staff

Mariko Watt Director

Vincent Iannelli ............................................................................................... Music Director

Sam Turner Choreographer

Kim Griffin Costume Designer

Daniel Hogan .................................................................................................... Scenic Design

David Higham Lighting Design/Technical Director

Caitlin McMullen ............................................................................................................Sound

Student Production

Sadie Schoenberger* ...............................................................................Assistant Director

Zeke Wise* ...................................................................................... Assistant Music Director

Annakaecia Clarke Stage Manager

Lulit Adefris-Yaxley, Masoume Khonsari, Abby Mangerson, Carlyle Muldrow Run Crew

Oliver Balikci, Abigail Jean, Maia Kovaleski ............................................ Follow Spot

Junie Blaise, Madeline Gross..............................................................................Costumes

Quinn Marloe Sound

Orchestra

Lisa Parrott Reed 1

Rob Randazzo ................................................................................................................ Reed 2

Carrie Dowell Violin

Orrin Wilson .................................................................................................................. Trumpet

John Bowen ....................................................................................................................... Piano

Zachary Udin* Keyboard

Mike Pasipanki ................................................................................................................ Guitar

Vincent Iannelli .................................................................................................................. Bass

Scott Tofte Drums

Meet the Production Staff

Mariko Watt (Director) Mariko Watt is a seasoned theater director, acting coach, musical director, drama teacher, and performer. She’s very excited to be working with Mr. Iannelli, Mr. Turner, and this incredibly talented cast. Prior to Poly Prep, Mariko spent time teaching at the International School of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, Queens Theater, and taught for over 15 years in her own private vocal and acting studio. Favorite directing credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Curtains, Sweet Charity, Legally Blonde, Freaky Friday, Suessical, Guys and Dolls, and Annie.

Vincent Iannelli (Musical Director) Vincent is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and producer who is in his first year at Poly as Choral Director/Music Programs Coordinator. He is thrilled to join Ms. Watt and Mr. Turner as part of the Upper School Musical team! Recently, Vincent has been MD for various shows in the Bay Ridge/Dyker area including in St. Bernadette and Bay Ridge Catholic Schools, and he is currently acting Music Director of the not-for-profit arts organization brooklynONE based in Industry City. Vincent would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication to putting on a great show!

Samuel Turner (Choreographer) Sam Turner began his training in music and dance during high school. He received coaching and mentorship from notable figures such as Violette Verdy, Guillaume Graffin, Julie Kent, Jacques Cesbron, Iris Rosa, and George Pinney at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he performed principal roles across the classical, contemporary, and African diaspora repertoire. He returned to the East Coast to work with renowned choreographers including Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Linda Haberman, Graham Lustig, Elisa Monte, Jennifer Archibald, Lisa de Ribera, Tiffany Rea-Fisher, and Karen Gayle. His career has taken him on extensive tours throughout North America and Europe, performing with prestigious companies such as The Metropolitan Opera, The Radio City Rockettes, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Dance Theatre, Cirque du Soleil, Roxey Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, and the Elisa Monte Dance Company. As an American Ballet Theatre accredited teaching affiliate, his passion for dance extends to educational and choreographic endeavors. He has developed and amplified strong artistic programs while staging original choreographed pieces for dancers at institutions including Bay Ridge Ballet, The Harlem School of the Arts, The Joffrey Ballet School, Ballet Tech School, American Youth Dance Theater, TAG Young Scholars, STEPS on Broadway Youth, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Ballet Theater, Princeton Ballet School, and Poly Prep Country Day School.

Kim Griffin (Costume Designer) has designed for theater, musicals, dance, and opera; collaboration with directors, the design team, and the actors is integral to her process from beginning to end. Kim has worked at theaters, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, New Jersey Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, The Ohio Light Opera, Stageworks Theatre, Boomerang Theatre Company, Opera in the Heights, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. She has toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Legends Blue Unit and has stitched for The Met Gala, Broadway shows, and national tours. She has also designed for Theatre for Young Audiences tours, along with university and high school productions. Kim is originally from Houston, Texas and earned her BFA in Theatre Design & Technology with a minor in Music from Baylor University and an MFA in Costume Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As part of the fulfillment of her master’s degree at MGSA, she studied at Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe, and The School of Historical Dress in London, England.

Daniel Patrick Hogan (Scenic/Set Designer) has designed scenery, props, hair, and makeup for numerous productions. As a scenic designer, his favorite projects include; Little Shop of Horrors, The Seafarer, The Pirates of Penzance, In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and A Doll’s House. Recently, Daniel designed scenery for The Wallace Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd. He created an immersive, multi-levelled set that placed the audience in between different locations. His design utilized existing elements of the derelict Wallace Theatre and offered a unique viewing experience for each audience member. Daniel thoroughly enjoys transforming found spaces and designing new works.

David Higham (Lighting Designer & Technical Director) in his 32nd year at Poly, where he has been responsible for designing the lighting, sound, and scenery for over 170 productions. In addition to his work at Poly, Mr. Higham has designed lighting for productions at The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center, the Irish Arts Center, The Women’s Project, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, and The National Shakespeare Company, among others. Mr. Higham also has worked as a lighting designer for several New York City architectural and landscape design firms

The Prom Creator Bios

Matthew Sklar (Music) Tony, Emmy, and Drama Desk Award-nominated composer of the Broadway musicals Elf and The Wedding Singer (Tony nomination for Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Music). He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for the critically acclaimed NBC stop-motion animated TV Special “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas.” Additional TV/film credits include Sesame Street, Wonder Pets, and PBS’s American Masters. Awards include the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Award and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation.

Bob Martin (Book)

Bob Martin has been working as an actor and writer for over three decades. He has received many awards in both Canada and the US, including a Tony for The Drowsy Chaperone. Recent TV projects include Slings & Arrows (TMN, Sundance), Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays (CBC), Michael: Everyday (CBC), Sensitive Skin (HBO) and “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (NBC). Recent theater projects include Encores! Hey, Look Me Over (NY); The Sting (Paper Mill); HALF TIME (Chicago, Paper Mill); THE PROM (Atlanta); Elf (Broadway, Dublin, London); The Drowsy Chaperone (Toronto, Broadway, London); and Second City Toronto (Performer, Director, Artistic Director).

Chad Beguelin (Book & Lyrics)

Chad Beguelin is a four-time Tony nominee whose works include Disney’s Aladdin (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics and Best Book) and The Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics). He also wrote the lyrics for the Broadway musical Elf. Chad is the recipient of the Edward Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyric writing, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theater Award and the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizon Award. Chad is a graduate of New York University’s TISCH School of the Arts Graduate Dramatic Writing Program.

Note about our theater lighting:

Thanks to a generous gift from the late Robert Martinson ‘59 in support of technical theater improvements, David Higham, Technical Theatre Director, has been working with lighting technicians from Roundabout Theatre Technical Workforce Development Program to upgrade our lighting equipment. We’re currently installing 179 new LED lighting instruments as well as a new power and distribution system that will provide not only a more professional and flexible palette for design, but will also be significantly more energy efficient—reducing by 1/4 the wattage usage of every instrument. In addition to the theater lighting, we’ll be retrofitting 60 units to LED for use in the Chapel as well.

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Bisexual: A person emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way, or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.

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Pansexual: Describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.

Intersex: Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. There is a wide variety of differences among intersex variations, including differences in genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits.

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Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:

John Rankin

Interim Head of School

Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics

Sarah Bates Head of Upper School

Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts

Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair

The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions Department, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the Upper School Deans.

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