Applause -- Life of Pi, March 18-30, 2025

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Photographed at the Denver Art Museum.

SIGHTLINE

BY JOHN EKEBERG

HHello and thank you for joining us at the theatre. Whether you’re attending Life of Pi, and/or THE WIZ, I hope your experience at the Buell is full of the theatrical magic that is uniquely Broadway! And if this happens to be your first time at the theatre…welcome!

I was fortunate enough to see each of these shows during their Broadway runs in New York and think back fondly on those experiences. I also remember thinking that I couldn’t wait for each of them to go on the road to entertain audiences across the country. We are fortunate in Denver to have so many of the most entertaining and moving shows from Broadway come to the Buell Theatre. In fact, at the time of this writing, we are putting the final touches on our 2025/26 season, which we plan to announce in the first quarter of the year.

I’m very much looking forward to all of the exciting new shows that are hitting the road and making their way to Denver. I’m also appreciative of you, the audience, because it’s your support of the theatre that makes the Buell one of the top tour destinations in the country.

In the pages of this Applause magazine, you’ll see many exciting theatrical projects that are playing our stages in the months ahead. I hope you find something that intrigues you and invite you to join us again.

Vladimir Script

With appreciation,

John Ekeberg

John Ekeberg

Executive Director, DCPA Broadway & Cabaret

HONORING OUR ELDERS

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts honors and acknowledges that it resides on the traditional and unceded territories of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary Indigenous Tribes and Nations who have historically called Colorado home.

APPLAUSE MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXV • NUMBER 6 • FEB - APR 2025

EDITOR: Suzanne Yoe

DESIGN DIRECTOR: Kyle Malone

DESIGNER: Brenda Elliott

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS: Paul Koob, Lucas Kreitler

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Lisa Bornstein, Emma Holst

Applause is published eight times a year by Denver Center for the Performing Arts in conjunction with The Publishing House, Westminster, CO. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Call 303.893.4000 regarding editorial content.

Angie Flachman, Publisher For advertising 303.428.9529 or sales@pub-house.com coloradoartspubs.com Applause magazine is funded in part by IN THIS

THE WIZ pg 14 Life of Pi pg 26 FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF UPCOMING SHOWS:

Denver Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization that engages and inspires through the transformative power of live theatre.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Hassan Salem, Chair

Ruth Krebs, Vice Chair

David Jacques Farahi, Secretary/Treasurer

Nicole Ament

Brisa Carleton

Jerome Davis

Elizabeth Hioe

Deb Kelly

Kevin Kilstrom

Lynn McDonald

Susan Fox Pinkowitz

Manny Rodriguez

Alan Salazar

Richard M. Sapkin

Martin Semple

William Dean Singleton

Robert Slosky

Tina Walls

Dr. Reginald L. Washington

Sylvia Young

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Navin Dimond

Margot Gilbert Frank

Jeannie Fuller

Robert C. Newman

Cleo Parker Robinson

Judi Wolf

HELEN G. BONFILS FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Martin Semple, President

William Dean Singleton, Vice President

Dr. Reginald L. Washington, Secretar y/Treasurer

Nicole Ament

Marco D. Chayet

David Jacques Farahi

Kevin Kilstrom

Ruth Krebs

Susan Fox Pinkowitz

Hassan Salem

Robert Slosky

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Janice Sinden, President & CEO

Jamie Clements, Vice President, Development

Chris Coleman, Artistic Director, Theatre Company

John Ekeberg, Executive Director, Broadway & Cabaret

Angela Lakin, Vice President, Marketing & Sales

Glen Lucero, Vice President, Venue Operations

Laura Maresca, Chief People & Culture Officer

Charlie Miller, Executive Director & Curator, Off-Center

Lisa Roebuck, Vice President, Information Technology

Charles Varin, Managing Director, Theatre Company & Off-Center

Allison Watrous, Executive Director, Education & Community Engagement

Jane Williams, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

THE DENVER CENTER IS YOUR HOME FOR BROADWAY’S HOTTEST SHOWS — AND SO MUCH MORE.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to announce a spellbinding, spine-tingling (and slightly corny) 2025/26 Broadway season. Join the ride as we fight for eternal love, set out on new adventures, and explore fantastic worlds where anything is possible. Get on board for an eight-show season that will make you believe in magic every time you step foot in the theatre!

Subscribers unlock a full season of perks, including:

• The best prices on seats you love – when prices increase, subscribers already have their seats

• Savings on additional tickets*

• Fee-free exchanges* (save $8 per ticket) & concierge ticketing services

• Auto-renewal so you always remember to keep your favorite seats

• Priority access to all DCPA shows

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, North American Tour. (l-r) Julia Nightingale as Delphi Diggory, Aidan Close as Scorpius Malfoy, and Emmet Smith as Albus Potter. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Adrift A Dream Photography for the Santa Fe Opera

BRING SOME SHOW TO YOUR BUSINESS CORPORATE EVENTS AT DCPA

Whether you’re planning a Board meeting, corporate retreat, or employee appreciation event, look to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts for your corporate needs. From planning and logistics to lighting design and catering, we’re able to pull off showstopping affairs for the ultimate show of appreciation for your clients and guests!

Working with our theatrically trained, in-house Event Services team, you can select from the spectacular Seawell Ballroom or intimate Directors Room plus your choice of:

• Eight caterers

• Customized bar package from Sodexo Live!

• Dramatic lighting design and Broadway-caliber sound

TICKETS ON SALE

JANUARY 28, 2025

JUNE 19 - 22

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF EUROPE

DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUNE 28 - JULY 4 THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA JULY 6 - 13 THE

JUNE 19 - JULY 31, 2025

JULY 16 - 23

SPECIAL FREE CONCERT: SINFÓNICA DE MINERÍA IN AVON JUNE 26

by Amanda Tipton

Photos

SEEING YOURSELF IN T H E WIZ

BY LISA BORNSTEIN

SStanding in the pastel-blue living room, hair in some incongruous “Broadway” style, an 8-year-old sings “Home,” wistfully crooning in her best Stephanie Mills style. Three years later, she and her friends choreograph a dizzying, spinning version of “Tornado” for the school dance show.

That little white girl? She loved The Wiz, but she had no idea of the impact the 1975 musical and its 1978 film version had on generations of Black audiences and artists. The Wiz wasn’t the first all-Black Broadway musical (Purlie and Raisin came first), but it was the most impactful.

“On the 50th anniversary, it’s great to be able to step into these shoes and to tell the story,” says actor

Elijah Ahmad Lewis who plays Scarecrow in the national tour. “The Wiz was my first introduction to musical theater and the role that I played was Scarecrow in my eighthgrade production. It is the American story of believing in yourself and knowing that whatever we go through in life, we are able to conquer.”

Lewis was not the only one impacted by the show. Broadway national tour choreographer and leading local Black artists recall the joy and power that their experiences with The Wiz brought.

because it was such a strong part of my childhood.”

For a young Black artist, the show’s impact was particularly powerful. “The meaning of seeing yourself on screen and stage is invaluable; there’s no other feeling like that,” he says. “Knowing you have a place in this industry, that there’s space and room for you was such a big part of my upbringing in understanding art, dance, and movement. Seeing The Wiz and falling in love with it inspired who I’ve become today.”

Cleo Parker Robinson, founder, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Cleo Parker Robinson had wellestablished her Denver-based dance company by the time she saw the original Broadway cast of The Wiz.

“It was sort of like a radical cultural thing that took place for an all-Black cast to do The Wizard of Oz,” she says. “We were so inspired by it.”

Robinson choreographed numbers from The Wiz for local performances with Shadow Theatre founder Je rey Nickelson playing the title role. Her son, Malik was just in kindergarten and asked to be in the show.

JaQuel Knight, choreographer, Broadway revival

Knight has had plenty of moments in the spotlight, from choreographing Beyonce’s 2009 hit “Single Ladies” to multiple awards shows and Super Bowls. Still, he says, “Getting the call to be a part of The Wiz was probably more special than any other job

“I said, ‘Malik, this is not for children. There are no children in the show,’” she says. “Well, he managed to get his own audition in the show, and we had a few little ones in there. I think he invited his whole kindergarten class.”

Later, Robinson took the show into schools. She remembers the particular power of the gospel-influenced song “A Brand New Day,” written for the musical by Luther Vandross. “We were coming out of the ’60s and coming out of some real turmoil in our communities, and I think that was like a theme song, that things are going to be brighter.”

Pre Broadway Production of THE WIZ featuring Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman, Avery Wilson as Scarecrow.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel, (c) 2023.

Photo by Tyren Redd

Mary Louise Lee, actor and singer

Denver native Mary Louise Lee has spent her life performing in area theaters including playing Glinda in The Wiz for Afterthought Theatre, now Vintage.

“I remember as a little girl, we would be in the basement, and that was when your basement was mirror-cork, mirror-cork,” she says with a laugh.

“My sister and I would be in those mirrors just singing away to the soundtrack of The Wiz. The very first time I saw The Wiz in the movie theater, I was absolutely awed. I loved seeing people who looked like me on the screen.”

“I’ve always loved The Wizard of Oz, but to see a production like The Wiz just gave a whole new meaning to a little Black girl. I would just use my hand, pretending like that was me up onstage, and just singing those songs of joy and hope and love. It was amazing.”

Today, Lee frequently performs “Home” and “Ease on Down the Road” with her band. Her most frequent choice to perform is the song “Believe in Yourself.”

“It has such a powerful meaning for everybody,” she says. “You’ve got to believe in yourself and know that you can do anything you set your mind to. That’s what Lena Horne (as Glinda on Broadway) was telling Dorothy.”

The very first time I saw The Wiz in the movie theater, I was absolutely awed. I loved seeing people who looked like me on the screen.

— MARY LOUISE LEE, DENVER ACTOR AND SINGER

Betty Hart, actor, director and co-artistic director of Local Theatre Company

“[The Wizard of Oz] never resonated with me,” says Betty Hart. “I grew up in Miami, we had orange groves, but farms?”

Seeing The Wiz as a teen was a di erent story. “Something about The Wiz caused me to lean in in a way that The Wizard of Oz caused me to lean back,” she says. “The movie aspect of The Wiz is one of the touchstones as a teen to be able to look up and see incredible Black artists performing with passion and heart and humor. It was a further confirmation that I wasn’t crazy for wanting to do it.”

The magnitude of the stars populating the screen further swayed her.

To see iconic celebrities such as Diana Ross, comedian Nipsey Russell, and Michael Jackson in the roles is “an a rmation of what Black artists and all artists are seeking. You want to be perceived as artists, and you want to be perceived as the best, and they all were. You think, I can be a part of that.”

APR 8 – 26 • BUELL THEATRE

ASL Interpreted, Audio Described, and Open Captioned performance: Apr 26 at 2pm

COMING UP FROM BROADWAY & JULIET

It’s time to flip the script on a centuries-old tale. & Juliet hits the Buell Theatre this summer, bringing your favorite pop anthems and a new romance to the stage. Forget the Juliet you thought you knew and see what might have happened if she ditched her untimely ending for a new life and a new love.

With a book by Emmy and Golden Globe-winning writer David West Read (“Schitt’s Creek”) and music by internationally recognized producer Max Martin, & Juliet was launched into the spotlight after transferring to the West End. Upon its Broadway opening, audiences fell in love with the timely, hilarious, and high-energy show. Variety said “& Juliet is exactly the show Broadway needs right now: fun, exuberant, supremely joyful, [and] hilarious…”

& Juliet features beloved tracks like “Baby One More Time,” “Stronger,” and more by Britney Spears; “Roar,” “Teenage Dream,” and other hits from Katy Perry, plus dozens of other recognizable songs from artists including The Backstreet Boys, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande.

With great music comes dancing — and Tony Award-nominated choreographer Jennifer Weber delivers. The Washington Post says & Juliet is “a pull-out-all-the-stops sensation that gets your heart racing.”

Catch this romantic comedy when it comes to Denver on June 4 – 15 and see what life could be after Romeo. The only tragedy would be missing it.

Rachel Simone Webb and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET . Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy.

BY SUZANNE YOE

TThese days, there’s a commemorative day for everything. A quick Google search led to the National Today website, which lists 132 dates dedicated to literature alone.

To celebrate National Reading Month (March), Read Across America Week (March 2-6), Shakespeare Week (March 21-27) and, of course, Edible Book Day (April 1) — because who doesn’t like to nibble on paper and ink? — it’s a perfect time to introduce Denver Center for the Performing Arts audiences to Book Stars.

Statistically speaking, the value of early childhood literacy is enormous. According to E ective Early Childhood Programs: Turning Knowledge Into Action, 37% of children start kindergarten without the literacy skills necessary for lifelong learning and only 2% can read simple sight words. Yet, the National Commission on Reading has identified that the single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.

So, in 2016, DCPA Education & Community Engagement introduced Book Stars, an early childhood literacy program designed for PreK through Kindergarten students. Each year, the Education team carefully selects a variety of beloved children’s stories to take to area schools and community centers. This year’s selection includes Yoko by Rosemary Wells, The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle, They Say Blue by Jillan Tamaki and Goodnight Moon by Doreen Cronin among a dozen others.

The team of 15 teaching artists doesn’t just read a book to excited children; instead, they come prepared with props and activities that are used by the children to act out the stories, embody the characters, and solve the problems posed in the plot. Unbeknownst to the children, they are learning literacy concepts for life including print motivation, print awareness, letter recognition, and phonological awareness.

These free 30-minute workshops are so popular that the program currently has a waitlist. In fact, last year the program offered 1,380 workshops for 27,026 children. That’s nearly eight workshops per day throughout the school year. The program continues to see exponential growth, increasing more than 15% in each of the previous years. In total, more than 121,000 students have participated in Book Stars since its inception.

Schools and community centers serving PreK through Kindergarten students are encouraged to join the waitlist at education@dcpa.org

Theatre Education at the DCPA

PreK - Adult

No Experience Required

1-Day Workshops

Multi-Week Courses

Daytime, Evening, and Weekend Classes

YOURSELF ON STAGE

A MOUTH-WATERING SEASON FINALE

The 2024/25 Theatre Company season wraps with a pair of award-winning comedies that are guaranteed to leave you hungry for more.

FEAST ON A BELOVED SCI-FI MUSICAL THAT HAS ROCKED THE GLOBE FOR GENERATIONS!

APR 11 – MAY 25

Little Shop of Horrors Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken

Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith

Directed by Chris Coleman

A FIERCE COMEDY ABOUT THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF CELEBRATING WHO YOU ARE

BYEXTENDED DEMANDPOPULAR

The Hot Wing King By Katori Hall

APR 25 – MAY 25

Directed by Timothy Douglas

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SEASON SPONSOR

SIMON FRIEND DARYL ROTH HAL LUFTIG MARK GORDON PICTURES NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS

42ND.CLUB KATE AND BILL FISHEL PLAYING FIELD HARRIET NEWMAN LEVE KUHN DODANI

HANNA OSMOLSKA & SETH WENIG, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER AND SHEFFIELD THEATRES Present

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY YANN MARTEL ADAPTED BY LOLITA CHAKRABARTI

TAHA MANDVIWALA

JESSICA ANGLESKHAN ALAN ARIANO PRAGUN BHARDWAJ BEN DUROCHER

SHILOH GOODIN ANNA LEIGH GORTNER AUSTIN WONG HARPER AARON HASKELL

RISHI JAISWAL TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS MI KANG INTAE KIM SHARAYU MAHALE SINCLAIR MITCHELL

MAYA RANGULU BETSY ROSEN ANNA VOMÁČKA SORAB WADIA & SAVIDU GEEVARATNE

Scenic & Costume Design TIM HATLEY

Puppetry & Movement Direction FINN CALDWELL Puppet Design NICK BARNES & FINN CALDWELL

Video & Animation Design ANDRZEJ GOULDING

Lighting Design TIM LUTKIN & TIM DEILING Sound Design CAROLYN DOWNING

Hair & Wig Design DAVID BRIAN BROWN MEG MURPHY Composer ANDREW T. MACKAY Dramaturg JACK BRADLEY

Global Associate Puppetry & Movement Director SCARLET WILDERINK

Puppetry & Movement Director/Resident Director JON HOCHE Casting ARC DUNCAN STEWART, CSA PATRICK MARAVILLA Digital Marketing THE THEATER LOVERS

General Management GENTRY & ASSOCIATES GREGORY VANDER PLOEG

Production Stage Manager KELSEY TIPPINS

irector

Booking & Marketing Direction BOND THEATRICAL

General Management SIMON FRIEND ENTERTAINMENT

Manager KATIE CORTEZ Production Management NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS JASON JUENKER

Taha Mandviwala

Jessica Angleskhan

Alan Ariano

Pragun Bhardwaj

Ben Durocher

Savidu Geevaratne

Shiloh Goodin

Anna Leigh Gortner

Austin Wong Harper

Aaron Haskell

Rishi Jaiswal

Toussaint Jeanlouis

Mi Kang

Intae Kim

Sharayu Mahale

Sinclair Mitchell

Maya Rangulu

Betsy Rosen

Anna Vomáčka

Sorab Wadia

Leigh

Intae

CAST

Pi TAHA MANDVIWALA

Pi (at certain performances) ...............................................................................SAVIDU GEEVARATNE

Cook/Voice of Richard Parker

BEN DUROCHER, TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS

Father SORAB WADIA

Admiral Jackson/Russian Sailor/Father Martin SINCLAIR MITCHELL

Amma/Nurse/Orange Juice JESSICA ANGLESKHAN

Lulu Chen/Mrs. Biology Kumar/Zaida Khan MI KANG

Mamaji/Pandit-Ji RISHI JAISWAL

Mr. Okamoto/Captain/Jai ......................................................................................................ALAN ARIANO

Rani SHARAYU MAHALE

Richard Parker/Puppeteer ...................................................... BEN DUROCHER, SHILOH GOODIN, ANNA LEIGH GORTNER, AUSTIN WONG HARPER, AARON HASKELL, TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS, BETSY ROSEN, ANNA VOMÁČKA

Ensemble PRAGUN BHARDWAJ, BEN DUROCHER, SAVIDU GEEVARATNE, SHILOH GOODIN, ANNA LEIGH GORTNER, AUSTIN WONG HARPER, AARON HASKELL, TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS, BETSY ROSEN, ANNA VOMÁČKA

SETTING

1976-78. Pondicherry in India, Tomatlán in Mexico and the middle of the Pacific Ocean

UNDERSTUDIES

Understudies never substitute for the listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.

For Pi—SAVIDU GEEVARATNE, SHARAYU MAHALE ; for Father—PRAGUN BHARDWAJ, RISHI JAISWAL; for Admiral Jackson/Russian Sailor/Father Martin—PRAGUN BHARDWAJ, INTAE KIM; for Amma/Nurse/Orange Juice—MAYA RANGULU; for Lulu/Leonard Chen/Mrs./Mr. Biology Kumar/Zaida/Mr. Khan INTAE KIM, MAYA RANGULU; for Mamaji/Pandit-Ji PRAGUN BHARDWAJ, AUSTIN WONG HARPER; for Mr. Okamoto/Captain/Jai JON HOCHE, INTAE KIM; for Rani/Ravi—SAVIDU GEEVARATNE , MAYA RANGULU; for Richard Parker JON HOCHE

SWINGS

JON HOCHE, INTAE KIM, MAYA RANGULU

ASSISTANT PUPPETRY & MOVEMENT DIRECTION/ PUPPET CAPTAIN: BETSY ROSEN

FIGHT CAPTAIN: TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS

TO VIEW THE CAST LIST FOR THIS PERFORMANCE, SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW:

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.

TAHA MANDVIWALA (Pi) is an actor, athlete, and health coach. Deeply passionate about movement and storytelling, he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Life of Pi tour as Pi. Taha blends his love for performance and wellness to inspire others toward vibrant, balanced living. @manlykoala

JESSICA ANGLESKHAN (Amma/ Nurse/Orange Juice) is an NYC actor of over 20 years, now on her first National Tour. Frequent Met Opera performer, she’s worked internationally as a revival movement director. Other credits include “Law and Order: SVU,” “Blue Bloods,” and more. Training: NYU, Stella Adler. Member of SAG-AFTRA, AEA. For Behr

ALAN ARIANO (Mr. Okamoto/Captain/ Jai) comes direct from Girl From the North Country (Dr Walker) National tour. Broadway: Miss Saigon (Original 1991), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The King and I, M. Butterfly, Shogun. OffBroadway: Felix Starro, Good Enemy, Greater Clements. TV: “Law and Order: SVU” (recurring), “L&O,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Gotham,” “Tremé.” Visit www.alanariano.com. For MOM

PRAGUN BHARDWAJ (Ensemble, u/s Father, u/s Admiral Jackson/Russian Sailor/Father Martin, u/s Mamaji/ Pandit-Ji) is an Indian American actor with a BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University and is thrilled for his tour debut! Recently seen in Sunset Boulevard (Artie Green) at ACT of CT, and In The Heights (Ensemble - u/s Benny, Sonny, Piragua Guy) at the Gateway. Thankful for my beautiful family. @pragun_bhardwaj

BEN DUROCHER (Cook/Voice of Richard Parker/Puppeteer, Richard Parker/Puppeteer, Ensemble). New York: Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), Madama Butterfly at Met Opera, TV/ Film: “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock,” “Helpsters,” “Pineapple Playhouse,” Dying For Sex, “Mr. Crocket.” Two-time Emmy Award winning puppet builder/ wrangler for “Sesame Street” and The Jim Henson Company. @bendurocher

SAVIDU GEEVARATNE (Ensemble, u/s Pi, u/s Ravi) is thrilled to be joining Life of Pi! A Sri Lankan-American actor, singer, and musician, he trained at NYU Tisch. Off-Broadway: Your Own Personal Exegesis, Monsoon Wedding. Thanks to ARC+Julia for believing! Love to his teachers, friends, and family for their support. Thank you Amma for everything. @the_savidoodle_

WHO’S WHO

SHILOH GOODIN (Richard Parker/ Puppeteer, Ensemble). Broadway: Life of Pi, Paradise Square. Off-Broadway: Babes in Toyland at Lincoln Center, LoveLife at Encores, Screwtape Letters, The Anthem. Other faves: A Chorus Line (Cassie) at Cincinnati Playhouse, Rigoletto (Santa Fe Opera), Twelfth Night (Assoc Choreo, The Public).

ANNA LEIGH GORTNER (Richard Parker/Puppeteer, Ensemble ). Broadway tour debut! Regional Theater: label•less (Cincinnati Playhouse), The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Proud Tumbling instructor at Broadway Dance Center! So much love to Mom, Dad, Beth, Chris, Andrew and all of the teachers who helped me on the way! Jer 31:13. @anna.gortner

AUSTIN WONG HARPER (Richard Parker/Puppeteer, Ensemble, u/s Mamaji/Pandit-ji, Lift Captain). (he/ him) National Tour: Tootsie. Select Regional: Sister Act (The Muny), Tootsie (Ogunquit Playhouse), Guys and Dolls, Newsies, Billy Elliot (Woodminster). Big love to mom, Patrick, and Stanley! @austinhapa

AARON HASKELL (Richard Parker/ Puppeteer, Ensemble). Fellowship recipient at Alvin Ailey. Credits: War Horse, Lion King Broadway (Puppetry Specialist), Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk, and Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Creator/Director of Wake Up, You’re Dead!, and The Pact; Designer/Builder for Six Flags, Lincoln Center, Acheson/ Walsh Studios, and Nightmare: Haunted House.

RISHI JAISWAL (Mamaji/Pandit-Ji, u/s Father) is an actor, director, screenwriter, and choreographer. He has been featured on the NBC comedy “American Auto,” ABC’s “Johnny Knoxville’s Prank Panel,” NBC’s “Superstars of Dance,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “Good Morning America.” Rishi wrote, starred in, and directed the feature film Unmasked in 2022.

TOUSSAINT JEANLOUIS (Cook/Voice of Richard Parker/Richard Parker/ Puppeteer, Ensemble, Fight Captain) Meredith Monk’s Indra’s Net (Chorus), Dr. Bernice Reagan Johnson and Toshi Reagan’s International Tour of Parable of the Sower: The Opera (Bankole/ Richard Moss), based on the novel by Octavia E. Butler, Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize winning Hot Wing King (Cordell), and SITI Company’s The Bacchae (King Pentheus).

MI KANG (Lulu Chen/Mrs. Biology Kumar/Zaida Khan) is thrilled to be part of the Life of Pi! Selected credits: Inherit the Wind (Goodman); Villette (Lookingglass); The Chinese Lady (TimeLine); Dracula (Cincy Playhouse); Journal of Ben Uchida (Seattle Children’s); Tale for Time Being (Book-It). Mi is a Northwestern MFA Acting graduate and represented by Stewart Talent.

INTAE KIM (Swing, u/s Admiral Jackson/Russian Sailor/Father Martin, u/s Leonard Chen/Mr. Biology Kumar/ Mr. Khan, u/s Mr. Okamoto/Captain/ Jai) is making his National tour debut. Originally from Boston, he graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in Theater and English. Past credits include projects like “Fargo” and “Succession”. He’s thrilled to tour with this team and grateful to his family and loved ones for their support.

SHARAYU MAHALE (Rani, u/s Pi) is an Indian-American actor and dancer. After completing a B.S. in Business from NYU she pivoted to a career in the performing arts! Credits include: Monsoon Wedding (Off-Broadway), “Cobra Kai” (Netflix), Footnotes (Amazon), Frankie Meets Jack (Tubi). Thank you Aai & Papa! @sharayu.mahale

SINCLAIR MITCHELL ( Admiral Jackson/Russian Sailor/Father Martin). Broadway: The Lion King. OffBroadway: The Emperor Jones, Harlem Song. National Tour: The Prom, School of Rock, The Producers, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Regional: Shout Sister Shout!, The Wiz. CCM Grad, Olympic Torch Bearer (’96 games). Love to fiancé Joey. Thanks to About Artists Agency.

MAYA RANGULU (Swing, u/s Amma/ Nurse, u/s Lulu Chen/Mrs. Biology Kumar/Zaida Khan, u/s Rani) is thrilled to make her National tour debut! Originally from Portland, Oregon, her training includes American Conservatory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, AMAW Los Angeles, and a B.A. from Stanford University. Endless gratitude to family, friends, and mentors. Here’s to the stories we tell and the people we love. @mayarangulu

BETSY ROSEN (Assistant Puppetry and Movement Director/Puppet Captain/Richard Parker/Puppeteer, Ensemble) is a Helen Hayes Awardwinning artist based in NYC. Broadway: Life of Pi (OBC). Selected credits: Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center,

American Repertory Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse, Woolly Mammoth. Grateful for all who hold me up, the LOP family, and FSE. @thebetsyrosen

ANNA VOMÁČKA (Richard Parker/ Puppeteer, Ensemble) is a dancer who has worked with Brennan Gerard & Ryan Kelly, Bebe Miller, & Nami Yamamoto. She also creates her own work, including film Listening Near an Edge (2022) and immersive performance W A S T E in S P A C E (2019). Excited for her National tour debut! Annavomacka.com @anna.vomacka

SORAB WADIA (Father) From Bombay, India. Tours: Aladdin, Oklahoma! Kite Runner (solo play). International: Jihad! The Musical (West End, London), Merchant of Venice (Venice, Italy), Bend It Like Beckham (Toronto). Regional: Nathan the Wise (Folger/Theater J), Much Ado About Nothing (St. Louis Shakespeare Festival), Monsoon Wedding (Berkeley Rep). Off-Broadway: Babette’s Feast (Theater at St. Clement’s), The Tempest (LaMama), Bunty Berman Presents… (The New Group), Nymph Errant (Prospect Theater). TV: “Blacklist: Redemption,” “Madame Secretary,” “L&O: SVU,” “30 Rock,” “Chapelle’s Show.” @SorabWadia

YANN MARTEL (Novelist) is a Canadian writer. He is the author of a collection of short stories and four novels, most notably Life of Pi, for which he won the 2002 Man Booker Prize. Writing credits include: The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, Self, Life of Pi, Beatrice and Virgil, The High Mountains of Portugal and the non-fiction collection 101 Letters to a Prime Minister: The Complete Letters to Stephen Harper. Martel is presently at work on Son of Nobody, a novel about the Trojan War. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with the writer Alice Kuipers and their four children.

LOLITA CHAKRABARTI (Playwright) is an actress and award-winning playwright. She won an Olivier, WhatsOnStage and UK Theatre Award for Best New Play for Life of Pi. Her adaptation of Hamnet recently opened at The RSC and London’s West End. Her debut play Red Velvet earned her the Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award and The Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and an Olivier Award nomination. Other writing includes Hymn, Invisible Cities, Calmer, dramaturg on Message In A Bottle and Sylvia. Lolita trained at RADA and has worked as an actress on stage and screen for 35 years.

MAX WEBSTER (Director) is a Tony & Olivier Award nominated director specializing in new work, opera, and live music events. Theatre credits include: The Importance of Being Earnest (Upcoming, National Theatre); Macbeth (Donmar & West End); Henry V (Donmar); Antigone, As You Like It and Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park); Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (Old Vic/ San Diego Old Globe/Minneapolis Children’s Theatre); The Jungle Book (Fiery Angel); Fanny and Alexander, Cover My Tracks (Old Vic); The Twits (Leicester Curve); The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh); The Sea of Fertility, Mary Stuart (Parco Tokyo); Much Ado About Nothing (Globe); Orlando, To Kill a Mockingbird, My Young and Foolish Heart (Royal Exchange, Manchester); James and the Giant Peach, My Generation (Leeds Playhouse). Opera: La Bohème (Göteborgsoperan, Sweden) and The Merry Widow (ENO).

ASHLEY BROOKE MONROE (Tour Director). Broadway: Life of Pi, Indecent, Fun Home, The Glass Menagerie Broadway National tour: Hamilton (resident director). Off-Broadway: All of Me (The New Group), Julius Caesar (CSC), Death Cruise (Access Theater), The Goree All-Girl String Band (Theatre Row). Regional: All of Me (Barrington Stage Company), Fun Home (Cape Rep), Indecent (Huntington, Center Theatre Group).

TIM HATLEY (Scenic Design and Costume Design) Broadway/West End: Starlight Express 2024, Back to the Future: The Musical, Life of Pi, Dreamgirls, Travesties, Ghosts, Vincent in Brixton, Temple, Bodyguard, Shrek, Spamalot, Humble Boy, Private Lives, The Crucible, The Pajama Game, Carmen, Don Quixote, My Fair Lady, Singin’ in the Rain. Film credits include Closer, Notes on a Scandal, and Stage Beauty. Winner of three Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards for Best Design. timhatley.com

FINN CALDWELL (Co-Puppet Design, Puppetry/Movement Director) is an Olivier Award winning director, designer and performer; he is a co-artistic director of Gyre & Gimble, where his co-director/puppet designer credits include The Four Seasons: A Reimagining (Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (U.K. tour) and The Elephantom (National Theatre/West End). As puppet co-designer/director: The Wicker Husband (Watermill), The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic/West End), Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (Old Vic/ San Diego Old Globe/Minneapolis

Children’s Theatre) and Running Wild (Chichester/Regent’s Park/U.K. tour). As director of puppetry/movement: The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Angels in America, The Light Princess and War Horse (all National Theatre/ West End). As director, credits include: Ex Machina (NIDA, Australia) and Lardo (Old Red Lion).

NICK BARNES (Co-Puppet Design) began making puppets at university and afterwards at the Slade School of Fine Arts, incorporating puppets into his theatre designs for opera and theatre. He subsequently formed the puppetry company Blind Summit Theatre, devising and performing in shows which toured internationally from the Edinburgh Fringe to the Metropolitan Opera and co-directed the puppetry for the London Olympic Games opening ceremony. Nick now runs his puppet making studio in Hove. Follow Nick’s work at www.nickbarnespuppets.co.uk

ANDRZEJ GOULDING (Video & Animation Design). Video designs include & Juliet, Room, Groundhog Day (Broadway); Starlight Express, Just For One Day, Life of Pi, The Drifters Girl, & Juliet, Message in a Bottle, Sylvia, The Unfriend, Eureka Day, Pressure (West End); People, Places and Things (St Ann’s Warehouse); Henry V, Coriolanus (Donmar Warehouse, NT Live); The Da Vinci Code (U.K. tour); Burn (Joyce Theater); The Machine (Park Avenue Armory), Message in a Bottle (tour).

TIM LUTKIN (Lighting Design). Tony and two-time Olivier Award winner. Broadway: Back the Future: The Musical, Life of Pi. Select West End: The Crucible, Back to the Future, Fiddler on the Roof, Noises Off, Strangers on a Train, Close to You, The Full Monty, Present Laughter, Chimerica, Quiz, Lungs, A Number, Elf, Big. National Theatre: Under Milk Wood, Antony and Cleopatra, LesBlancs, Jack Absolute Flys Again.

TIM DEILING (Lighting Design). West End credits: SIX, Knights of the Rose, American Idiot, Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Vanities the Musical. He’s also lit many U.K. tours including Club Tropicana, Our House, HMS Pinafore and Summer Holiday. He’s worked on many plays/musicals at regional U.K. theatres and throughout Europe. He’s also worked for many years as an associate to Ken Billington and The National Theater in London. Tim is an American living in London.

CAROLYN DOWNING (Sound Design) is an award-winning sound designer working internationally in a variety of

fields with creativity and collaboration at the heart of her work. Carolyn’s work includes The Commonwealth Games 2022 Opening Ceremony, Birmingham; Jean Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibition; The Normal Heart for the National Theater; Downstate at National Theatre, Steppenwolf Playwrights Horizons; Henry V for Donmar; Summer and Smoke (Olivier nomination 2019) and Chimerica for Sonia Friedman Productions (Olivier award 2015).

DAVID BRIAN BROWN (Wig Design). Broadway highlights: Drama Desk Awards for Mrs. Doubtfire and War Paint Moulin Rouge!, Life of Pi, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, She Loves Me (Drama Desk nomination), Shrek, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Nine, Sweet Smell of Success, Aida, Chicago, Sideshow. Film credits: “Angels in America” (Emmy nominated), Too Wong Foo….

ANDREW T. MACKAY (Original Music) is an Olivier Award-nominated composer and the co-founder of Bombay Dub Orchestra. He studied at the London College of Music. His music often fuses orchestra with traditional elements from the project’s region and has scored many films in India and around the globe. Life of Pi was Andrew’s first theatre score, followed by Henry V (Donmar) with Kit Harington. The soundtrack to Life of Pi is available on all streaming platforms.

JACK BRADLEY (Dramaturgy) is a dramaturg, translator and playwright. As literary manager at the National Theatre (1994-2007) he advised Richard Eyre, Trevor Nunn and Nicholas Hytner on new plays. For Sonia Friedman Productions since 2007 shows include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; Mean Girls; and New York, New York. For Tricycle Theatre (2007-2012): The Great Game, The Bomb-A Partial History, The Riots. And for Simon Friend, other work: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Jack has conducted writing workshops around the world.

SCARLET WILDERINK (Global Associate Puppetry & Movement Director) (she/her/hers) one of the Olivier award winning puppeteers in the original West End cast of Life of Pi; then set up the ART, Broadway and Toronto productions. Regional: Life of Pi, Mirvish Theatre, American Repertory Theatre. West End: War Horse, New London Theatre; Life of Pi, Wyndham’s Theatre (Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor); Pinocchio, National Theatre. Off-West End: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Southwark Playhouse;

Putting It Together, The Other Palace U.K. regional: The Wicker Husband and Watership Down, Watermill Theatre; Treasure Island, Stephen Joseph Theatre. U.K. tour: The Comedy of Errors & A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Running Wild. International: Cabaret, MAC Theatre. Education: Guildford School of Acting. Actors’ Equity Association member.

JON HOCHE (U.S. Associate Puppetry & Movement Director/Resident Director/ u/s Mr. Okamoto/Captain/Jai, u/s Richard Parker). Broadway: Life of Pi (Richard Parker puppeteer), King Kong (Voice of King Kong/Puppeteer). Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey 2 puppeteer); Soft Power (The Public Theater, Grammy-nominated); Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks (Manhattan Theatre Club); Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G (Ma-Yi Theater/Vampire Cowboys Theater); Hello, From the Children of Planet Earth (Playwrights Realm). National tour: War Horse (Puppeteer/Puppet Captain). TV: “Hello Tomorrow!” (Apple TV+) @JonHoche

ARC (Casting). 150+ productions across the globe & 13 Artios Awards for Casting. Broadway/NY Past & Present Productions include: A Wonderful World, Life of Pi, Chicago the Musical, Disney’s The Lion King & Beauty and the Beast, Hadestown, Lost in Yonkers, Great Comet of 1812, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, 39 Steps, Pippin, La Cage aux Folles. TV/Film: Netflix, 20th Century Fox, NBC, Lionsgate, Disney Channel. West End/U.K.: Sister Act, Hadestown, Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. Tours: 1776, Girl From The North Country, Hairspray, Waitress, Urinetown, Finding Neverland, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You Regional: A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Alley, Bay Street, Goodspeed, Hollywood Bowl, McCarter, Signature. ARC, Part of RWS Global. www.castingbyarc.com IG: castingbyarc

BOND THEATRICAL (Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity) is an independently-owned theatrical booking, marketing and publicity company representing award-winning Broadway shows and live entertainment properties. BOND connects artists and audiences by forming strategic, authentic and profitable partnerships between producers and presenters across North America. For a complete list of current projects, please visit BondTheatrical.com

KATIE CORTEZ (Company Manager)

National Tours: To Kill a Mockingbird, 1776, Waitress, The Prom, The Phantom of the Opera, Finding Neverland, Bullets Over Broadway, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

FRANK DEMING II (Associate Company Manager). National Tours: Mean Girls, To Kill a Mockingbird (ACM), Pretty Woman (ACM), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (CSM). Regional: Virginia Theatre Festival (CM), New Harmony Theatre (CM). Graduate of the University of Montevallo. Proudly mentored by Jen and Marcus Lane, Katie Cortez, and Jack Stephens.

KELSEY TIPPINS (Production Stage Manager) (she/they). National Tours: Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman the Musical, The Prom, Once On This Island, A Bronx Tale, Finding Neverland, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Elf The Musical, and Shrek The Musical Favorite regional: The Muny, Weston Playhouse and Piedmont Opera. For Ace. @kelseytippins

MATTHEW BROOKS (Stage Manager) (he/him). National Tours: Company; Jesus Christ Superstar; A Christmas Story; An Officer and a Gentleman; Xanadu; and Rosie Revere, Engineer and Friends. Regional: Asolo Repertory Theatre; New York Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Theatre; Connecticut Repertory Theatre; Colorado Shakespeare Festival; and the Dorset Theatre Festival. Thanks to Kelsey, Heather, my parents, and mi amore Nia most of all. Proud AEA member and graduate of the University of Illinois. matthewibbrooks.com

FOUAD HASSAN (Assistant Stage Manager) (he/him) is a blind and Arab stage manager, proud of both. Fouad dedicates his work to beautiful Arabs who rarely see ourselves and our real stories represented. With credits including Broadway’s Hamilton and The Kite Runner, and Off-Broadway’s We Live in Cairo, Fouad strives to foster spaces of community, care, and visibility for all.

SARAH HOLLAND ( Production Assistant/Sub ASM) is excited to be working on her first National Tour! Her past credits include: The Little Mermaid (ASM) and Waitress (ASM), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (PA), West Side Story (PA) and Sister Act (PA) at The Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis. At the Repertory Theatre St. Louis - Confederates (PA) & Moby Dick (PA) and at Metro Theater CompanyEddie & Vinnie (PSM). She would like to send a special thank you to her family for always supporting her dreams!

GENTRY & ASSOCIATES (General Manager) has managed nearly 250 national and international touring theatrical productions over the past 25 years. Current and upcoming productions include A Beautiful Noise, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Funny Girl, The Great Gatsby, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Mean Girls, Peter Pan, Cameron Mackintosh presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music and The Wiz.

HANNA OSMOLSKA ( Executive Producer) has general managed Life of Pi in London’s West End (Wyndham’s Theatre), on UK tour and on international engagements. She is also the Executive Director of Simon Friend Entertainment whose current and recent productions include Paranormal Activity, Here You Come Again, The Girl on the Train and The Height of the Storm.

SETH WENIG (Executive Producer) has been with NETworks since its inception in 1995. He spearheaded the international tours of Fosse starring Ben Vereen and Ruthie Henshall. Seth has produced the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific and the National Theatre production of War Horse. Together with Cameron Mackintosh, Seth served as Executive Producer for both the US and UK tours of the National Theatre’s My Fair Lady, the 25th Anniversary US tour of Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera tour, Miss Saigon. Currently, Funny Girl, The Book of Mormon, and Life of Pi. He is most proud of his greatest productions – Marlo and Camden.

SIMON FRIEND (Producer) has commissioned, developed and lead produced many productions in the U.K. including Life of Pi, which arrived on Broadway last year after a long run in London’s West End - the production won 3 Tonys and 5 Oliviers. This year has included world premiere productions of Minority Report based on Philip K. Dick’s story, and Paranormal Activity based on the Paramount Pictures films, the enormously successful new Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again across the U.K. and in London, and the forthcoming new play Second Best Recent West End credits: The Real Thing, Life of Pi, Bad Jews, The Starry Messenger, The Girl on the Train, The Height of the Storm (also Broadway) and Admissions, amongst many others. Simon also produced the Academy Award-winning film The Father.

DARYL ROTH (Producer) holds the

singular distinction of producing seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics, August: Osage County, Clybourne Park, How I Learned to Drive, Proof, Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women and Wit. The proud recipient of 13 Tony Awards and London’s Olivier Award, over 130 productions including Kinky Boots, Into the Woods, Indecent, Left on Tenth and The Normal Heart. Trustee, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Lincoln Center Theater. Honored to have been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

HAL LUFTIG (Producer). Winner of five Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards, Hal Luftig has worked on and off Broadway for the past 35 years. Broadway includes Here Lies Love, Plaza Suite, American Utopia, Kinky Boots, Children of a Lesser God, Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Diary of Anne Frank and Angels in America. Off-Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish; Scotland, PA (Roundabout); Here Lies Love (The Public). Upcoming: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Becoming Nancy and Scotland, PA (Broadway).

MARK GORDON PICTURES (Producer). Broadway: Romeo + Juliet, Life of Pi, The Piano Lesson, POTUS. OffBroadway/Regional: Teeth, Highway Patrol, Nollywood Dreams, The Buddy System. UK: People, Places and Things, Brace Brace, Punch, School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play. Film: Saving Private Ryan, Speed, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, Murder on the Orient Express, Source Code, Molly’s Game, Steve Jobs, The Patriot. Television: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ray Donovan,” “Designated Survivor,” “Quantico,” “Private Practice,” “The Rookie.”

NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS

(Producer) is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. Current and upcoming productions include A Beautiful Noise, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, Funny Girl, The Great Gatsby, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Mean Girls, Peter Pan, Cameron Mackintosh presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music and The Wiz.

42ND.CLUB (Co-Producer) is a seven-time Tony Award-winning network of Broadway producers and investors. Productions include & Juliet, Hadestown and Moulin Rouge!. In development: Alice in Neverland

Producers: Phil & Claire Kenny, Winston Hatta (@buddybroadway) and Miles & Bonnie Romney. www.42nd.club

KATE AND BILL FISHEL (Co-Producer) live in the Pacific Palisades with their three sons Mike, John, and Andy and their own representative of the divine through love, fear, and survival: Wally Washington Fishel.

HARRIET NEWMAN LEVE (Co-Producer) has won four Tony Awards. Productions include Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, An American in Paris, Hedwig, War Horse, The 39 Steps, The Mountaintop, A Little Night Music, La Cage aux Folles, The Norman Conquests, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Crucible and Stomp.

KUHN DODANI ( Co-Producer ). Eric Kuhn is a Tony Award-winning producer between New York and London and co-CEO and co-founder of Folk Media Group. Nik Dodani is an actor, filmmaker, and producer who serves as CEO of Cosmic Pomegranate and co-founder of The Salon.

PLAYING FIELD (Co-Producer). Combining our knowledge of theatre and capital, Playing Field is dedicated to accelerating the creation of world class theatre through the early-stage development, late-stage investment and production of a wide variety of projects in London, nationally and internationally. Work includes The Lehman Trilogy, Back to the Future, Life of Pi, War Horse, Starlight Express, Dear England, Stranger Things, The Motive and the Cue, Moulin Rouge, Merrily We Roll Along, Funny Girl, Patriots and Jerusalem. playingfield.co.uk

AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (Co-Producer) at Harvard University, led by Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Kelvin Dinkins, Jr., produces groundbreaking work to catalyze dialogue and transformation. The A.R.T. is a Tony Award-winning creative hub, launching acclaimed productions seen on Broadway, across the U.S., and around the world including Jagged Little Pill, Waitress, Great Comet, All the Way, The Glass Menagerie, Pippin, Once, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, 1776, and Real Women Have Curves (upcoming).

SHEFFIELD THEATRES (Co-Producer) is the largest U.K. producing theatre complex outside London, comprising the Crucible, Lyceum and Playhouse. Celebrated for creating bold new work, recent hits include Life of Pi, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Standing at the Sky’s Edge.

Opening Night: December 10, 2024

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Hanna Osmolska and Seth Wenig

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Gentry & Associates

Gregory Vander Ploeg

Madeline McCluskey Steven Varon-Moore

Maia Sutton

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

NETworks Presentations

Jason Juenker

Hector Guivas Matthew Reardon Alex Williams

pesci Aimeé Mangual Pagán

TOUR BOOKING, MARKETING & PUBLICITY

BOND THEATRICAL bondtheatrical.com TOUR BOOKING

Temah Higgins Mollie Mann Wendy Roberts

Madison St. Amour Laura Rizzo Nilesha Alexander

TOUR MARKETING & PUBLICITY

DJ Martin Marc Viscardi

Tony Joy Harrison Mootoo CASTING

ARC

Duncan Stewart, CSA Mark Brandon, CSA

Patrick Maravilla, Jarrett Reiche, Kendra Luca

Kyle Coker, Devi Peot, Jaron Cole

Ryan Stana, CEO RWS Global Ryan Saab, SVP RWS Global

Production Stage Manager Kelsey Tippins

Stage Manager Matthew Brooks

Assistant Stage Manager Fouad Hassan

Sub Assistant Stage Manager Sarah Holland

Company Manager Katie Cortez

Associate Company Manager Frank Deming II

Associate Puppet Designer Caroline Bowman

Associate Scenic Designer Ross Edwards

Associate Costume Designer Robin L. McGee

Assistant Costume Designer Jeanna DiPaolo

Associate Lighting Designers Timothy Reed, Paul Toben

Moving Light Programmer Paul Toben

U.K. Associate Sound Designers Sam Clarkson, Elliott Williams / Sound Quiet Time

Associate Video and Animation Designer Brad Peterson

Video Associate and Programmer Dan Trenchard

Production Supervisor Sharika Niles

Production Electrician Eric Norris

Production Sound Shannon Slaton

Assistant Production Sound Nikki Belenski

Production Props Dan Brown

Production Video Chelsea Zalikowski

Production Puppets Marta Sarrion, Aga Fraczak

Head Carpenter Adam Randall

Assistant Carpenter Shawn Watson

Automation Carpenter Mitchell S. Ponikiski

Head Electrician Lars Stolpe

Assistant Electricians Jeremy Bolnick, Tim Mack

Head Sound Philip Franzone

Assistant Sound Jimmy O’Connor

Head Props Cailin Kucera

Assistant Props Robyn Monkarsh

Puppet Tech Jena Kerr

Wardrobe Supervisors Tyler J. Guse, Brendan James Van Stee

Costume Researcher Maariyah Sharjil

Fight Director Rod Kinter

Dialect Coach Luca Fontaine

Production Assistants Sarah Holland, Gabriella Shead, Campbell Tiffin

Merchandising The Araca Group

Merchandise Manager Kelli Farmer

Marketing Materials AKA NYC

Promotional Video Situation, Spotco, Tour Design

Photography Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman

Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity Office BOND Theatrical Jenny Bates, Melissa Cohen, Jesse Daniels, Bailey Ford, Caroline Frawley, Ayanna Jernigan, Steph Kelleher, Scotland Newton, Elisabeth Reyes, Linda Stewart Jacob Stuckelman, Hannah Wallace

Physical Therapy Pip Gamble, NEURO TOUR Physical Therapy, Inc.

Safety Consultant Bryan Huneycutt

Accounting NETworks Presentations LLC

Tax Accountant Jeff Mensch

Legal Services David F. Schwartz, Esq., Gray Schwartz LLP

HR Support K+K Reset, LLC

Housing Road Concierge

Travel Agency Kessler & Co. / Direct Travel

Associate Producer Hannah Rosenthal

Executive Assistant Isabella Schiavon

Sr. Director/Finance

Vice President of Finance

Controller

Director of Tour Accounting

Tax Director

Accounts Payables & Receivables Clerk

Sr. Director, Booking & Engagements

John Kinna

Scott Levine

Jennifer Gifford

Laura S. Carey

Pat Guerieri

Lisa Loveless

Amanda Laird

Directors, Booking & Engagements Stacey Burns, Colin Byrne

Director of Sales

Director of Marketing

Zach Stevenson

Heather Hess

Sr. Director/General Management Gregory Vander Ploeg

General Managers Madeline McCluskey, Steven Varon-Moore

Associate General Manager

Sr. Director/Production Management

Sr. Production Manager

Production Managers

Maia Sutton

Jason Juenker

Hector Guivas

Matthew Reardon, Alex Williams

Technical Director pesci

Production Coordinator Aimeé Mangual Pagán

Director of Operations Pearce Landry-Wegener

People Operations/Payroll Manager Sara Clayton

Resource Director Kayla Rooplal

Office Manager Michelle Adye

Music Coordinator John Mezzio

Warehouse Manager Joseph Spratt

Warehouse Costume Manager Bobby Maglaughlin

Warehouse Costume Shop Assistant Grace Santamaria

SIMON FRIEND ENTERTAINMENT

Producer Simon Friend

Executive Director Hanna Osmolska

Associate General Manager Amy Hendry

Associate General Manager Kati Donlon

Associate General Manager

Aaron Rogers

Production Coordinator Mia Franey

Finance Director

Payroll

George Bradley

Toni Palmer, Francesca Oldnall

Administration Assistant Poppy Maxwell

DARYL ROTH PRODUCTIONS

Associate Producer Megan Smith

Executive Assistant Patton Linder

Producing Assistant Rebecca Salzhauer, Sarah Shapiro

Director of Finance

Emily Currie

Bookkeeper Darren Ley

Interim Associate Producer Victoria Weinberg

HAL LUFTIG PROUDCTIONS Hal Luftig

Producer Kevin Connor

Associate Producer Eli Cohen

MARK GORDON PICTURES

Producer Mark Gordon

President Bibby Dunn

Producers Jessica Chase, Katie Myers, Bonnie-Chance Roberts

Associate Producer Michela Rodriquez

Executive Assistants Chelsey Dobbins, Andrea Rivera, Taylla Smith

CREDITS

Scenery fabricated by Great Lakes Scenic Studios, Burlington, ON, Show Control and Scenic Motion Control featuring STAGE COMMAND SYSTEMS® by PRG Scenic Technologies, a division of PRG Broadway L.L.C., New Windsor, New York. Sound and Video Systems provided by Sound Associates, Yonkers, NY. Lighting equipment from Christie Lites. Costumes by Eric Winterling Inc., Pintler Costumes. Puppets made by Nick Barnes Puppets: Caroline Bowman, Jodie Dean, Aga Fraczak, Harriet Lansdown, Suzanne Law, Chelsey Lee, Oli Simonon, Georgina Smith, Jessica Taylor, Charlie Tymms, Ash West. Rehearsed at NEW 42nd Street Studios, 229 W 42nd Street, New York, NY.

SPECIAL THANKS TO Cameron Mackintosh, Mark Lunsford, Emma Watt, Skip Curtiss, Sabrina Cuniberto. Broadway Across America Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD Ron Legler, President and Chris Mahan, Vice President. Insurance Broker Services EPIC Entertainment & Sports Financial Services and banking arrangements by Flagstar Bank N.A.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers of the United States.

The Musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.

ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT IN ITS 2024/25 BROADWAY SEASON

PLEASE BE ADVISED

• LATECOMERS and those exiting the theatre are seated at predetermined breaks in designated areas.

• PHOTOS, RECORDING & CELL PHONE USE are prohibited.

• CHILDREN 6+ are welcome in our theatres and must be ticketed.

• DRINKS are allowed in provided containers.

• ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES, LARGE PRINT PROGRAMS & BOOSTER SEATS are available in most theatres. Ask an usher to direct you.

• BRAILLE PROGRAMS are available with 2 weeks’ notice to amcmullen@dcpa.org or 303.446.4836

Members of Denver Theatrical Wardrobe, Wigs, Hair and Make-up, IATSE Local 719

Leslie Lambert

Robin Appleton

Julie Bassignani

Vonnie Clough

Craig Cory

Cyndie Cory

Steve Davies

Anne Davis

Amber Krimbel

Carolyn Dore

AnnSue Gunter

Judy Holabird

Will Holabird

Lauren LaCasse

Kelsey Lambert

Mark Anthony

Perry Elliott

Kiko Marra

Sarah Lambert

Sharon Millikan-Hale

Callie Morrow

Tim Nelson

Lisa Parsons Wagner

Laura Payne

Dave Poole

Alan Richards

Elisa Spadi

Amy Tepel

Eliza Vlasova

Barbara Wilson

DPAC House Crew

Albert Sainz Sr.

Josh Thurman

Derek Tovar

Allen Olmstead

David A. Wilson

The Denver Performing Arts Complex is owned and operated by Denver Arts & Venues for the City and County of Denver.

City and County of Denver

Mike Johnston, Mayor

Denver Arts & Venues

Gretchen Hollrah, Executive Director

Tariana Navas-Nievas, Deputy Director

Denver Arts & Venues, Arts Complex Operations

Mark Heiser, Venue Director

Jody Grossman, Assistant Venue Director, Booking

Todd Medley, Facilities Superintendent

Kelly Graham, Safety, Security and Garage Operations Manager

Carol Krueger, Patron Services Manager

artscomplex.com | (720) 865-4220

For immediate assistance & security (720) 865-4200

Trucking Clark Transfer LifeofPiBway.com Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok: @LifeofPiBway FOR NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS

Chief Executive Officer Orin Wolf

President/Chief Production Officer Seth Wenig

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Margaret Daniel

Business Affairs Scott W. Jackson

Executive Producers Mimi Intagliata, Trinity Wheeler

The Press Agents and Company Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers. Backstage employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).

United Scenic Artists represents designers and scenic artists for the American Theatre.

This production is produced by a member of The Broadway League in collaboration with our professional union-represented employees.

TPUPPETEERS BRING ANIMALS TO LIFE IN

The life of Pi has been long and fruitful, although full of challenges for the title character. The peregrinations of Piscine Molitor Patel began with the best-selling 2001 novel by Canadian author Yann Martel, continuing 11 years later with the Ang Lee film, which won four Academy Awards. In 2023, it moved to Broadway in an adaptation by British playwright and actor Lolita Chakrabaty, in a production that won three Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards.

With the self-given nickname Pi, young Pi explores and adopts as his own Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity while helping his family run their zoo in Pondicherry, India. Leaving the repressive government of Indira Gandhi in India, the family emigrates to Canada with the zoo. But when a storm sinks their ship, Pi is left adrift on a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a tiger named Richard Parker for company.

As the boat drifts, so too does the story, an examination of domination, cooperation and the quest for survival. The novel was considered unfilmable but instead emerged as a critical success. Onstage, animalistic natures are recreated through puppetry, created for the London stage by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell. Last month, the stage production began its North American tour in Washington,

BY LISA BORNSTEIN

D.C., with Jon Hoche as the associate puppetry and movement director.

“The puppets in Life of Pi are like no other,” Hoche says. “You could say that they use concepts and ideas from Bunraku puppetry, a Japanese traditional puppetry style, where a small human-like puppet is puppeteered by three people.”

In fact, three actors are required to puppeteer Richard Parker, in order to give him both lithe felinity and maneating ferocity. Animals are not the only parts of the awardwinning set brought to life by the puppeteers.

“Besides the animals, there are objects in the show being puppeteered to act as objects in the ocean after a massive shipwreck,” Hoche says. “We have eight dedicated puppeteers in our cast that focus mainly on the animals but every member of the acting ensemble also puppeteers something in the show.”

Hoche’s own love of puppetry began as a child, watching TV shows including “The Muppet Show” and “Eureeka’s Castle.” As a young actor in New York, he was cast by the downtown company Vampire Cowboys in a sci-fi comic play called Fight Girl/Battle World. On the first day of rehearsal, he was told his character had become a puppet.

Illustration by Kyle Malone

Puppets appeal to the audience’s sense of play, and there is a silent contract between the audience and the puppeteers to suspend all disbelief.

— FINN CALDWELL, PUPPET CO-DESIGNER

“I took to it rather quickly,” he says. He continued performing with them as a puppeteer, leading him to study with The Jim Henson Company and serve as puppet captain on the national tour of War Horse. Hoche made his Broadway debut in King Kong as the title character.

“I think we all are puppeteers as children,” Hoche says. “We have such active imaginations, we bring action figures, dolls, or stuffed animals to life. I love to keep that essence, that spark alive through puppetry. I also love the ensemble nature of multiple people coming together to bring a single entity to life.”

Puppets are often thought of as children’s fare, but those in Life of Pi can be terrifying and vicious. The tiger alone had to jump, climb, attack prey, and even swim. Barnes and Caldwell began their design process by experimenting with simple shapes cut from wood, then moved on to computer aided design and manufacturing. Puppets were milled, 3D printed, and laser cut.

“Richard Parker is made to look weather beaten and like driftwood, but the audience will consistently see the form of the tiger,” Barnes says. “The orangutan is more like a traditional Japanese bunraku puppet with a flexible nylon rod creating its rib cage. The operation of the giraffe is more like object puppetry, whilst Richard Parker and the orangutan are operated by three people and are the most complex puppets in the show.”

As former performers, Barnes and Caldwell were aware that the puppeteers had to create character as well as manipulate the puppets.

“The most important thing to remember is that the audience needs to believe the puppet is alive. If that doesn’t

happen, everything else is lost,” Caldwell says. “Puppets appeal to the audience’s sense of play, and there is a silent contract between the audience and the puppeteers to suspend all disbelief. It’s the same as two children agreeing to play with a toy. There’s an unspoken agreement that the object is alive.”

That tacit agreement reflects the play’s themes through its design. When Pi eventually arrives in Mexico, the police there prefer one version of his story to the other. The question of a reliable narrator and storytelling in general pervade the tale, much as the puppets create a flexible reality.

Nearly every member of the cast takes on at least one puppet during the play. Bringing them to life requires precise breath control and flexible bodies with backgrounds in dance, acrobatics or martial arts. All of that physical labor onstage takes a toll offstage, says Fred Davis, one of the puppeteers who originated the role of the tiger Richard Parker.

“We all had to do quite intense weight, endurance and stamina training in order to be able to puppeteer the tiger effectively,” he says. “We achieved this with thorough physical warm-ups, wearing ankle, wrist, or chest weights while rehearsing, and by just using the puppets for as long as we could bear to in each rehearsal session. It was essential to build the required muscles as early on as possible so as to reduce the chance of injury and to facilitate us to be able to rehearse the show and not have to stop for a rest because of fatigue.”

The puppets and actors are coworkers, bringing the mystical, spiritual essence of Life of Pi to live performance, says Hoche.

“I could not imagine this amazing story being told on stage any other way.”

Supplemental material for this story was provided by the company of Life of Pi.

LIFE OF PI

MAR 18 - 30 • BUELL THEATRE

ASL Interpreted, Audio Described and Open Captioned performance: Mar 30 at 2pm

A PROUD PARTNER OF THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

CChevron has invested in Colorado for more than 90 years and today Chevron is the largest oil and gas producer in Colorado, with close to 1,000 employees. We know how to deliver affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy and we are investing resources and time to find ways to drastically lower the carbon intensity of the energy we produce while maintaining the important pillars of affordability and reliability.

Our company and our employees take pride investing our time and talent into the many communities we call home. Chevron invests millions of dollars and volunteers thousands of hours with community organizations across the state. Our focus areas include meeting essential needs, promoting diversity and inclusion, enhancing education, providing arts experiences, and protecting the environment.

Through several different partners, Chevron supports science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects at universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, career technical education centers on the Front Range and Western Slope.

We also work with non-profits whose programming encourages young boys and girls to explore STEM in various ways. Our support of robotics programs in several schools enables youth to have hands-on learning.

We have proudly supported the Denver Center for the Performing Arts for more than three years, believing in its vital contribution to the state’s creative energy. The arts are for everyone, and Chevron’s contribution enables DCPA’s educational programs, youth theater, budding teen playwrights, Denver’s own theater company, and Broadway productions.

Congratulations on another wonderful year bringing the performing arts to all the Front Range, and indeed, Colorado.

To learn more about Chevron and our community investments, please visit https://colorado.chevron.com/

Supporting communities is a treasured and fundamental ethic of Chevron employees. They are proud to volunteer at food banks, environmental projects, fundraisers, and more.

Tuesday, April 22

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Sheraton Downtown

Denver Hotel

OFFICIAL PROUD SPONSOR OF DCPA BROADWAY’S PRESENTATION OF LIFE OF PI

[The arts] inform, inspire, and uplift while bringing the community together.

— ANDY AYE, CO/AZ/NV/NM MARKET LEADER, GIS

TThe arts are a significant part of making Denver an amazing place to live and work. U.S. Bank believes in the power of play, which includes the arts, because it brings joy, encourages creativity, teaches problem-solving skills, and builds emotional learning. That is why U.S. Bank is a long-time supporter of the magnificent programs and spectacular performances at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA).

The arts educate, promote understanding, broaden our perspectives, and enable communities to share rich cultural experiences. Denver is fortunate to have a thriving arts community, which is home to some of the nation’s finest theatres, museums, and artists.

“We’re proud to serve the DCPA because it provides the best in live entertainment, in addition to education for all ages through the art of theatre,” said Andy Aye, Global Industrials and Services Market Leader for Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. “We know the critical role that the arts play in our society. They inform, inspire and uplift while bringing the community together.”

In 2023, the U.S. Bank Foundation committed $96.4 million in corporate contributions to nonprofit organizations across the entire enterprise, $3.1 million of which was invested to Colorado nonprofits. Those contributions had an emphasis on community development diversity and inclusion, financial education, and the environment. Additionally, its employees volunteered more than 360,000 hours, demonstrating that employee engagement is a major component of its community success.

“The DCPA brings us together to appreciate our diversity of thought, perspective, and talent,” said Aye. “I am always amazed at how much we share when we all laugh or gasp during a key moment in a performance. It is a sense of participation and belonging that strengthens our community. Supporting the DCPA is making an investment in ourselves, the arts, and the place we call home.”

Union Pacific is proud to support the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and its commitment to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into its organization and programs.

PROUD UNDERWRITER OF THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES TICKET SCHOLARSHIPS

UUnion Pacific Railroad, through our Community Ties Giving Program, is proud to underwrite scholarships for DCPA Education’s Theatre for Young Audiences program, ensuring equitable access to underserved populations in the Center’s surrounding communities.

Union Pacific proudly supports organizations that improve the quality of life where our employees live and work. Investing in high quality, nonprofit programs positions communities for future growth and prosperity.

Union Pacific is proud to support the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and its commitment to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into its organization and programs. Theatre for Young Audiences introduces children to the joy of live theatre and invites them to see themselves in a story or on stage. This program meets the community’s need for an affordable, family-friendly program that showcases differences and unites us through storytelling.

Every Saturday from April 5 – May 10, our troupe of actors will stage 60-minute versions of the Bard’s most beloved plays in and around our pickup truck “set.”

LEARN MORE denvercenter.org/community-events

Fun family event! Please bring your own lawn chairs.

WELCOMING COMMUNITY THROUGH TICKET PROGRAMS

BY SUZANNE YOE

THANKS to ongoing citizen support of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and the generosity of donors, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts provides a variety of free and low-cost programs to welcome underrepresented communities.

DCPAccess

Made possible by the SCFD, the Denver Center offers low-cost tickets to select productions throughout the season. Individuals are invited to sign up to receive a notification of sales on designated dates for both locally produced and Broadway shows. Last season, more than 17,000 tickets were sold through DCPAccess. Pricing is good while supplies last, so if you’ve never been to the theatre, want to try something fun, or just need a few extra seats, sign up at denvercenter.org/ dcpa-access-sale.

Radvantage Memberships

Designed especially for individuals 30 and under, Radvantage is a $25 membership that gets you access to savings of up to 75% off face value of tickets to select shows all season long. Tickets are generally available to Broadway, Theatre Company, Off-Center, and Cabaret shows. Learn more at denvercenter.org/radvantage.

Advance Offers for Students, Military, Seniors, & Educators

Buy your tickets in advance and save with special offers for special groups!

• Students can purchase purchase low-cost tickets to select Theatre Company and Off-Center shows

• Military personnel, Seniors (62+), and Teachers can save on select Broadway and Theatre Company shows

Visit denvercenter.org/special-offers for details.

Last-Minute Offers for Students, Military, Seniors, First Responders, & Teachers

While the offers vary show-by-show, members of these groups can save up to 50% on two rush tickets. These tickets are based on space availability. Just swing by a DCPA ticket counter one hour before the show with your ID to check out your options.

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

Each fall and spring, DCPA Education & Community Engagement takes its show on the road to a community center near you. The Shakespeare in the Parking Lot troupe offers three abridged productions — Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream — using a pickup truck as a set. Upcoming free performances will be held on Saturdays April 5 –May 10 and September 7 – October 11 throughout the seven-county SCFD area. Locations will be announced as they are scheduled; visit denvercenter. org/community.

Subscriptions

Subscribers still get the best prices paired with the best benefits around — plus guaranteed seats to some of the hottest shows. Broadway and Theatre Company subscription packages feature the best seats at the best price, priority access to added attractions, free and flexible ticket exchange, and discounts for friends and family. New seasons will be added in the coming months. Visit denvercenter.org/subscriptionsmemberships to see your options.

Ticket Donations

Need an auction item for your area non-profit? Submit a request 90 days in advance at dcpa.approveforgood. com. Donations are based on availability.

The cast of A Little Night Music

•

Photo by Amanda Tipton Photography.

INSET: Katherine George and Sekou Laidlow in Clyde’s.

Photo by Jamie Kraus Photography.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES AND SATURDAY NIGHT ALIVE

DAVITA: COMMUNITY FIRST

AAs a leading provider of kidney care services in the United States, DaVita is committed to making a lasting impact, starting with the care it provides and extending to the broader communities it serves.

Since first calling the Mile High City home in 2010, the company has remained dedicated to supporting causes that uplift the Denver community while fostering a culture that encourages teammates to get involved. As a company, DaVita invests in opportunities that advance leadership, sustain cultural institutions, and respond to the community’s most pressing needs.

DaVita is proud to support the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, a vibrant organization committed to increasing access to performing arts for all individuals. DCPA’s mission to serve, engage and inspire its community aligns with DaVita’s efforts to support healthy communities around the world, as well as in its own backyard of Colorado. DaVita is proud to play a role in DCPA’s Theatre for Young Audiences program, engaging more than 15,000 pre-K through 3rd grade students and educators from 128 schools across metro Denver.

Following are examples of other local community collaborations DaVita is proud to support:

Funding 10 Denver Scholarship Foundation recipients as they pursue a pathway to healthcare related careers.

Preparing teen moms at Florence Crittenton Services for future livable wage opportunities through a summer exposure program that matches them with paid internships. The program provides them with flexibility of job choice over the summer while helping to ensure they are ready for medical internships and gain necessary professional skills.

DaVita is a proud premier supporter of Urban Peak’s annual fundraiser, Urban Nights. The nonprofit is the only organization in Denver that provides wrap-around support services for youth experiencing homelessness.

DCPA

Janice Sinden President & CEO

Donna Hendricks Executive Assistant, President & CEO

Julie Schumaker Manager, Board Relations

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

Jane Williams CFAO

Sara Brandenburg Director, Accounting Services

Jennifer Je rey Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Kristina Monge Associate Accountant

Jennifer Siemers Director, Accounting

Audrey Smith Associate Manager, Accounting

BROADWAY & CABARET

John Ekeberg Executive Director

Administration

Ashley Brown Business Manager

Alicia Bruce General Manager

Lisa Prater Operations Manager

Garner Galleria Theatre

Abel Becerra Technical Director

Jason Begin+, Anna Hookana+ Core Stagehands

DEVELOPMENT

Jamie Clements Vice President

Connor Carlin Associate Director, Major & Planned Gifts

Sarah Darlene Manager, Grants & Reports

Caroline Eppers Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Kara Erickson-Stiemke Coordinator

Emily Kettlewell Associate Director, Annual Giving

Caitie Maxwell Senior Director, Major Gifts

Marc Ravenhill Director, Donor Relations

Megan Stewart Associate Director, Special Events

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Allison Watrous Executive Director

Stuart Barr Technical Director

Leslie Channell Director, Business Operations

Lyndsay Corbett Teaching Artist & Manager, Bobby G

María Corral Director, Community Engagement

Heather Curran Teaching Artist & Manager, Playwriting

Elliot Davis Evening Registrar & O ce Coordinator

Rachel Ducat Executive Assistant & Business Manager

Rya Dyes Registrar & On-Site Class Manager

Gavin Juckette Teaching Artist & Manager, TYA Engagement & Music

Timothy McCracken Head of Acting

Rick Mireles Manager, Community Engagement

David Saphier Teaching Artist & Manager, In-School Programming

Charlotte Talbert Librarian

Rachel Taylor Teaching Artist & Manager, Literary Engagement & Resiliency

Justin WalvoordTeaching Artist & Manager, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

Samuel Wood Director, Education & Curriculum Development

EVENT SERVICES

Samantha Egle, Cody Gocio Senior Sales & Event Managers

Stori Heleen-O’Foley Event Technical Manager

Shane Hotle Audio Engineer

David Mandlowitz Video Engineer

Natalia Marroquin, Phil Rohrbach Sales & Event Managers

DCPA TEAM

Tara Miller

Event Sales & Operations Director

Brook Nichols Event Technical Director

Kate Olsen Event Sales Coordinator

Benjamin Peitzer Event Technical Lead

Michael Harris,

Alex Taylor Lighting Designers

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Lisa Roebuck Vice President For security purposes, the IT team has been omitted.

MARKETING & SALES

Angela Lakin Vice President

Whitney Testa Executive Assistant, Marketing & Broadway

Marketing

Heidi Bosk Associate Director, Press & Promotions, Broadway & Cabaret

Erin Bunyard Senior Digital Strategist

Sofia Contreras, Lucas Kreitler Graphic Designers

Brenda Elliott, Paul Koob Senior Graphic Designers

Harper Anne Finch Manager, Social Marketing

TJ Forlenza Copywriter

Claire Graves Director, Produced Programs

Brittany Gutierrez Associate Director, Communications

Linda Horan Program Manager

Je Hovorka Director, Sales & Marketing, Broadway & Cabaret

Emma Holst Associate, Communications & Content

Emily Kent Director, Insights & Strategy

Michael Ryan Leuthner Director, Digital Marketing

Emily Lozow Associate Director, Sales & Marketing, Broadway & Cabaret

Kyle Malone Director, Design

Dan McNulty Analyst

Todd Metcalf Media Producer

Hannah Selwyn Manager, Email Marketing

Sergio von Kretschmann Manager, Website

Julie Whelan Manager, Produced Programs

Mikayla Woods Coordinator, Produced Programs

Suzanne Yoe Director, Content & Communications

Ticketing & Audience Services

Jennifer Lopez Director

Jessica Alverson*, Tamika Cox*, Zeah Edmonds*, Lauren Estes*,

Luke Fish*, Jen Gray*, Noa Halpern*, Noah Jungferman*, Noelle Norris*, Alexander Roy*, Holly Stigen*, Bronwen

VanOrdstrand*, Alfonso Vazquez*, Rob Warner* Ticket Agents

Kirsten Anderson*, Scott Lix*, Liz Sieroslawski*,

Greg Swan* Subscription Agents

Jon Collins Manager, Subscription

Katie Davis Manager, VIP Ticketing

D.J. Dennis*, Edmund Gurule*, Lane Randall*, Hayley Solano*,

Sam Stump*,

Andrew Sullivan* Counter/Show Leads

Billy Dutton Associate Director, Operations

Danielle Freeman Manager, Customer Service

Claire Hayes, Ella Mann,

Robert McCowan Managers, Box O ce

Chris Leech Coordinator, VIP Ticketing

Katie Spanos Associate Director, Subscriber Services

Group Sales

Jessica Bergin Associate Director

Tucker Kamin Manager, Audience Development

Elias Lopez Coordinator

Maddie Young Associate, Education & Group Sales

OFF-CENTER

Charlie Miller Executive Director & Curator

Cat Huck Assistant Operations Manager

Courtney Ozaki Creative Producer

Mike Pingel Operations Manager

OPERATIONS

Sarah Arzberger Administrator

Vincent Bridgers Manager

Adam Busch Analyst

Aaron Chavez Lead

Ruben Cruz, Jordan Latouche Engineers

Simone Gordon Associate Director

Kyle Greufe Senior Analyst

Maria Herwagen Junior Analyst

Brandon LeMarr Manager

Alison Orthel, Tara Perticone Analysts

Joseph Reecher Senior Engineer

Cordelia Taylor Coordinator

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Laura Maresca CPCO

Equity & Organization Culture

Seán Kroll Coordinator

Human Resources

Brian Carter Senior Business Partner

Andrew Guilder HR & Recruiting Specialist

Michaela Johnson Interim Mailroom Assistant

Paul Johnson Manager, Payroll & Compliance

Jocelyn Martinez Business Partner Kinsey Scholl Manager, Operations

THEATRE COMPANY

Administration

Charles Varin Managing Director

Emily Diaz Business Admin./ Asst. Company Manager

Alex Koszewski Company Manager

Ann Marshall General Manager

Artistic

Chris Coleman Artistic Director

Jessica Eckenrod Artistic Associate

Grady Soapes Artistic Producer & Casting Director

Leean Kim Torske Director, Literary Programs

Madison Cook-Hines Literary Assistant

Costume Crafts

Kevin Copenhaver Director

Chris Campbell Assistant

Costume Shop

Janet MacLeod Director/Design Associate

Meghan Anderson Doyle Design Associate

Ingrid Ludeke,

Sara Pugh Associate Supervisor

Bennet Goldberg, Georgina Kayes, Ashley Lawler Artisans

Andrew McGlothen Prop Carpenter

Scene Shop

Eric Moore Technical Director

Albert “Stub” Allison, Robert L. Orzolek, Josh Prues Associate Technical Directors

Jeremy Bantho , Tyler D. Clark, Amy Wynn Pastor,

Kyle Scoggins Scenic Technicians

Louis Fernandez III Lead Scenic Technician

Brian “Marco” Markiewicz Lead Carpenter

Scenic Design

Lisa Orzolek Director

Kevin Nelson, Nicholas Renaud Assistants

Sound Design & Technology

Alex Billman Supervisor

Meagan Holdeman+, Timothy Schoeberl+, Dimitri Soto+ Technicians

Elena Martin Associate Supervisor

Stage Management

Anne Jude Supervisor

Wayne Breyer, Liz Campbell, Corin Davidson, Harper Hadley, Brandon T. Holmes, Sage Hughes, Lara Maerz, Nick Nyquist, Malia Stoner Stage Managers

Anna Cordova, Sam Forrest, Megan Franco Apprentices

Wardrobe

Heidi Echtenkamp Supervisor

Robin Appleton^, Amber Krimbel^, Lauren LaCasse^, Lisa Parsons Wagner^, Nicole Watts^, Kami Williams^ Dressers

Wigs

Diana Ben-Kiki Supervisor

Abby Schmidt^, Marisa Sorce^ Wig Assistants

VENUE OPERATIONS

Glen Lucero Vice President

Merry Davis Financial Manager

Jane Deegan Administrator

Kristi Horvath Director of Venue Operations

Facilities

Craig Smith Director

Dwight Barela, Mark Dill, Bryan Faciane, John Howard, Iver Johnson Engineers

Steven Bilbao, Abraham Cervantes, Lindsey Cervantes, Carmen Molina, Judith Primero Molina, Juan Loya Molina, Blanca Primero Custodians

Michael Kimbrough Manager, Engineering

Katarina Kosmopoulos First Hand

Carolyn Plemitscher Drapers

House Crew

Douglas Taylor+ Supervisor

James Berman+, Forest Fowler+, Dave Mazzeno+, Kyle Moore+, Piper Stormes+, Matt Wagner+ Stagehands

Joseph Price+, Kelley Reznik+ Assistants

Lighting Design

Charles MacLeod Director

Connor Baker+ Production Electrician

Lily Bradford Assistant

Paint Shop

Kristin Hamer MacFarlane Charge Scenic Artist

Melanie Rentschler, Sasha Seaman Scenic Artists

Production

Je Gi ord Director

Julie Brou Administrative Assistant/ O ce Manager

Matthew Campbell Production Manager

Peggy Carey Associate Production Manager

Prop Shop

Meghan Markiewicz Supervisor

Brian McClain Manager, Custodial

Patron Experience

Evan Gendreau Associate Director

Kaylyn Kriaski, Leilani Lynch, Aaron McMullen, Stacy Norwood, Wendy Quintana, Valerie Schaefer Assistant Managers

Kelly Breuer, Nora Caley, Amy Howard, Robin Lander, Barbara Pooler, Ayden Smith House Managers

Safety & Security

Quentin Crump Director

Jacquelyne Schmidt Manager, Health & Safety

Timothy Allen, Jodi Benavides Lead Security O cers

Mayte Armendariz, David Bright, Ariana Cuevas, Erika Gajarszki, Ethan Kemberlin, Jack Leatherwood, Ian Nelson, Jason Porquis, Isabella Samaniego, Marcus Sanders, Pamela Winston, Tori Witherspoon, Angel Zanudio Security Specialists

Judy Briggs Front Desk