Welcome to SDSU’s production of A New Brain! This performance marks the exciting conclusion of our fall season and also serves as the directorial debut of our visiting faculty member, Josh Walden.
We are delighted to welcome Josh to SDSU. Hailing from New York City, Josh brings a wealth of experience from Broadway, where they have worked both as a performer and as an associate director and choreographer. Throughout this semester, they have shared their expertise with our students in the Musical Theatre program, offering invaluable insights into musical theatre dance, acting through song, and storytelling in performance. This production of A New Brain is the culmination of their work with our talented students.
Bringing in professional visiting faculty like Josh is an essential part of enhancing our students’ education at SDSU. Not only do they benefit from expert instruction, but they also gain hands-on experience with the “real-world” techniques and practices that define professional theatre. We are proud to host many guest artists and visiting faculty members in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film, enriching our students’ academic and artistic journeys.
Thank you for supporting TTF and the Musical Theatre program. We hope you enjoy the show!
Stephen Brotebeck, Interim Director School of Theatre, Television, and Film
This production contains theatrical fog/haze and flashing/strobe lighting.
A New Brain is performed without an intermission.
Produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Specials...........Homeless Woman, Gordon, Rhoda, Waitress, Mr. Bungee 911 Emergency............................Doctor, Richard,Nancy D., Rhoda, Gordon Heart and Music ................................................. The Minister, Gordon, Rhoda, ....................Homeless Woman, Mother, Roger, Doctor, Richard, Nancy D.
Trouble in His Brain ........................................................ Doctor, Mother, Rhoda Mother’s Gonna Make Things Fine ........................................ Mother, Gordon Be Polite to Everybody..........................................................................Mr. Bungee
Sailing .................................................................................................................... Roger
Family History.............................................................Nancy D., Richard, Mother
Gordo’s Law of Genetics....................................................The Minister, Rhoda, ....................................................Homeless Woman, Doctor, Richard, Nancy D. And They’re Off...................................................................Gordon, The Minister, ....................................Rhoda, Homeless Woman, Doctor, Richard, Nancy D. Roger Arrives ............. Homeless Woman, Roger, Rhoda, Mother, Gordon
Just Go ..................................................................................................Gordon, Roger
Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat........................... Richard, The Minister, Gordon, .......................................................................................................................Mr. Bungee
M.R.I. Day........................................................................................................Nancy D.
Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk ................The Minister, Gordon, ......Rhoda, Homeless Woman,Mother, Roger, Doctor, Richard, Nancy D.
Craniotomy.........................................................Doctor, Nancy D., The Minister
An Invitation to Sleep in My Arms ........... Gordon, Roger, Rhoda, Mother
Yes.........................................Gordon, Mr. Bungee, Doctor, Richard, Nancy D.
In the Middle of the Room ...................................... Gordon, Mother, Richard Throw It Out ..................................................................................................... Mother
In the Middle of the Room Reprise ......................................................... Gordon
A Really Lousy Day in the Universe ..................... Homeless Woman, Roger
Brain Dead .......................................................................................... Gordon, Roger
Whenever I Dream ..........................................................................Rhoda, Gordon
Eating Myself Up Alive .............. Richard, The Minister, Homeless Woman, ..............................................................................Doctor, Nancy D., Roger, Rhoda
The Music Still Plays On............................................................................... Mother
Don’t Give In............................Mr. Bungee, Roger, Rhoda, Mother, Gordon
You Boys are Gonna Get Me in Such Trouble ..... Richard, Gordon, Roger On the Street ..............................................Homeless Woman, Gordon, Roger
Time .......................................................................................................Gordon, Roger
Time and Music .................................................................................. Full Company
I Feel So Much Spring ...................................................................... Full Company
DRAMATURGS NOTE
A New Perspective
William Finn wrote A New Brain following his own near-death experience with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in 1992, an event which drastically changed his outlook. The musical is highly autobiographical, with main character Gordon abruptly discovering that he has AVM when he passes out in a restaurant. Throughout the plot we see how Gordon and his loved ones grapple with this condition, from diagnosis, to treatment, and beyond. Throughout, the playwright hammers home the idea that our time is not guaranteed. Rather, “life is a cause that you have to take up.”
One of the most important characters in the musical is Roger, Gordon’s lover. The image of Roger attending to Gordon in the hospital mirrors the hundreds of thousands of hospital rooms in which gay men and others suffered from HIV/AIDS during the 80s and 90s. More broadly, A New Brain can be seen to reflect the struggles of an entire generation of young gay men. How do you respond when, in your youth, you are paradoxically closer to death than ever before? How can you be a lover, friend, or parent to someone whose future may not exist? What do you do if they die? Or if you do? These questions are close to the heart of this musical, but, in the end, not what William Finn truly asks us to consider. Rather, Finn asks us how we proceed after answering all these questions. After the scary diagnosis, the risky treatment–what lies beyond? In 1995, this was a question that gay men suddenly had to ask themselves when the first protease inhibitor was approved for the treatment of HIV in the US. Protease inhibitors were the drug that finally made HIV/AIDS survivable, treatable, undetectable. Suddenly there was not just a hope for, but the promise of, life. A whole generation of gay men had time again.
William Finn did not write this musical because of HIV/AIDS, and yet the connection between his near-death personal experience and that of the community is strong. Moreover, the story resonates beyond the queer community, so personal that it touches us all. We are mortals charging into the unknown at full tilt. We love, we lose, and we change. Scary, perhaps, but as Gordon teaches us, it can be quite beautiful too. As you watch A New Brain, consider what your time means to you. Maybe we don’t have to get that close to death to feel the vigor of life and see the world with new eyes…
In other words, how will you take up the cause of living?
ROBYN WILKINSON , Dramaturg
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I saw the original Off-Broadway production of A New Brain at Lincoln Center in the late 1990s and felt profoundly moved by the piece. It was rare to see a musical produced at that level in New York City dealing with queer themes and relationships. And these themes and relationships were not the obstacles of the piece. They were just presented as realities for the lead character. I remember being excited for the representation but also observing how the normalizing of queer love still felt new and dangerous. Revisiting the piece in 2024 at San Diego State University as the director and choreographer has proven to be an unexpected gift on so many levels. I get to fully celebrate how progressive William Finn and James Lapine were in writing these characters into history. Also, having been a student at New York University studying drama in the 1990s, I’m afforded a nostalgic opportunity to travel down memory lane and recall what New York City was actually like during the timeline of A New Brain. But, most importantly, I get to fully tap into my imagination within a fully supportive academic environment with students hungry to tell truthful, fullbodied stories.
Understanding that A New Brain sources its main storyline from William Finn’s actual journey suffering through an arteriovenous malformation, I quickly observed the script as a sort of stream of consciousness. It’s abstract by nature but deeply rooted in human needs and connections. I immediately discovered two worlds—the real world of gritty New York City and the fever dream experienced by the lead character as they navigate through the realities of a burst vein inside their brain. I have asked the student actors, as well as the student designers, to help me create these two parallel existences on stage through abrupt stylistic choices. When outside the hospital, everything is harshly honest and exposing. When inside the confined walls of a hospital room, fantasy explodes and perceptions dramatically blur. My hope is for the audience to clearly see the psychological chaos we experience as humans when presented with the possibility of death and to honestly ask themselves the important questions while we are still living. What voices inside our head do we give power to? What is our actual legacy when we are gone? What truly matters in life?
JOSH WALDEN, Director
DIRECTOR
JOSH WALDEN (they/them) was the Associate Director/ Associate Choreographer for the Tony-Nominated Broadway Revival of Ragtime and was a choreographer for Disney+’s Encore (S1, E12).
Director/Choreographer credits include Camelot (The Cape Playhouse), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Fulton Theatre), A Chorus Line (Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Theatre By the Sea, The REV Theatre Co., Theatre Memphis), The Full Monty (Transcendence Theatre Company), Legally Blonde (The REV Theatre Co.), 42nd Street (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), Head Over Heels (Theatre SilCo), On the Town (Capital City Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (University of Buffalo), Freaky Friday (Okoboji Summer Theatre) and the rock opera Fallen Angel (International Fringe Festival), which won Best Musical.
As a performer, they were seen on Broadway in Ragtime (Harry Thaw), La Cage aux Folles (Mercedes), A Chorus Line (Bobby for 2 1/2 performances) and 42nd Street (Swing) and Off-Broadway in Seussical (The Mayor of Who), Cagney (Bill Cagney) and The Awesome 80’s Prom (Dickie Harrington). Josh graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Thejoshwalden.com @thejoshwalden
MISSION The School of Theatre, Television, and Film provides a high quality education for undergraduate and graduate students that emphasizes excellence in the arts and technology, grounded in conceptual and historical foundations.
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MUSICAL DIRECTOR
ROBERT MEFFE, Head of the SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program, spent twenty-two years in New York City as a professional conductor, music director, keyboardist, orchestrator, arranger and music copyist. His Broadway credits include: Associate Conductor of Little Women and the last six years of Les Misérables, keyboards for Evita (2012 revival), Newsies, The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Grey Gardens, and Bombay Dreams.
National Tour credits include Music Director of Evita (2012 revival) and The Phantom of the Opera, Associate Conductor of Les Misérables, Little Women, and Sunday in the Park with George. Off-Broadway: Myths & Hymns, Violet, The Prince and the Pauper, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and music arrangements for Disenchanted. TV: Encore! (Disney+), Earth To America (TBS), Renee FlemingLive at Lincoln Center (PBS). Las Vegas: Associate Conductor of Avenue Q, keyboards for Mamma Mia and Hairspray. Williamstown Theatre Festival: Ten Cents a Dance (directed by John Doyle). Paper Mill Playhouse: Peter Pan (Music Director), Forum, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Associate), A Wonderful Life, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(keyboards). San Diego credits include a nomination for Best Musical Direction for Fun Home (San Diego Rep), keyboards for Wicked, Waitress, Beautiful and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (San Diego Civic Theatre), Bright Star, Looking for Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Kiss My Aztec, Fly (La Jolla Playhouse) and Far Away Places, a one-night cabaret show with Patti Lupone (Balboa Theatre).
Robert served as Music Prep Supervisor/Orchestrator for the benefit concert, You’ve Got a Friend at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles honoring legendary singer/songwriter Carole King. New orchestrations included “I Feel the Earth Move” for Alicia Keys and “It’s Too Late” for Amy Grant.
Mr. Meffe serves as the Head of the Faculty for the Musical Theatre Studio at the Trentino Music Festival in Mezzano, Italy. For this festival he has music directed Godspell, Evita, Into the Woods, and Rent.
A champion of new works, Mr. Meffe has music directed many workshops and reading of new musicals including Postcard American Town by Lynne Shankel and Crystal Skillman, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, by Bobby Cronin and Caroline Prugh, Mister Doctor and Mr. Holland’s Opus, both written by B.D. Wong and Wayne Barker, We Foxes and Darling, both written by Ryan Scott Oliver, Quanah by Larry Gatlin and Tony Dodge, College: The Musical by Drew Fornarola and Scott Elmegreen, A Lasting Impression by Zoe Sarnak, Factory Girls by Sean Mahoney and Creighton Irons and I Capture the Castle by Cara Reichel and Peter Foley. MM, Choral Conducting, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati BA, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
PIANIST
RON COUNCELL, an accomplished musical director and accompanist, performs at many of the theatres in San Diego, which include the The Old Globe (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels World Premiere, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life (World Premiere), Working, Himself and Nora, The Grinch) La Jolla Playhouse (Dracula, Zhivago; Civic Theatre: The Full Monty, The Producers) Lyceum (Reunion, Always…Patsy Cline) and most recently North Coast Repertory Theatre (Dames at Sea, Romance Romance, Man with a Load of Mischief, and Pippin).
Ron believes strongly in the importance of the Arts in children’s education. He was the
Vocal Director for the international Spanish/English Children’s Educational Program “Dos Y Dos”. He also works in children’s theatre and has directed and conducted numerous productions for San Diego Junior Theatre (Sound of Music, 42nd Street, Cinderella), Peter Pan Junior Theatre (Annie, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady), the San Diego Opera Education and Outreach Program (Rip Van Winkle), and at Muirlands Middle School (Working, Once Upon a Mattress, Pippin).
Ron has taught for the Grossmont College Theatre Department for 15 years, co-teaching a Music Theatre Workshop class with both Susan Jordan DeLeon and Lisa Drummond (both graduates of the MFA in Musical Theatre at SDSU). While there, he Musical Directed seven productions, The Fantasticks, Suds, Company, I Love You Because, Parade, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Lucky Stiff.
In addition, Mr. Councell was the musical director and arranger for the internationally acclaimed Celtic-rock dance show, Celtic Fusion which toured in the United States, South America, Australia, and Scotland. He enjoyed spending six weeks in Glasgow performing at the Celtic Connections Festival and recording the Celtic Fusion soundtrack with the original cast. During his career, Ron has performed in Iceland, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Currently, Mr. Councell is the Music Director for Unity San Diego (20+ years). He is also the Vocal Coach and staff accompanist for the MFA in Musical Theatre at San Diego State University where he musical directed Hi, My Name Is Alice and Spring Awakening. He has also worked on their productions of A Little Night Music, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Pal Joey, Les Misérables, Into the Woods, and Children of Eden. While at SDSU, Ron has had the privilege of workshopping several new musicals, Mr. Doctor and Mr. Holland’s Opus with BD Wong and We Foxes with Ryan Scott Oliver, Enchanted April, Postcard American Town, and In a Sunshine State.
DRAMATURG
ROBYN WILKINSON (she/they) is a second year MA student serving as a dramaturg on her fourth production here at SDSU. Robyn focuses primarily on education, dramaturgy, and directing, and is currently a teaching artist at Diversionary Theatre. Over the summer, Robyn worked as the Drama School Summer Coordinator for Seattle Children’s Theatre, one of the premier Theatre for Young Audiences institutions in the country. Some of Robyn’s recent credits at SDSU include The Thanksgiving Play (Dramaturg), Lucky Me (Assistant Director and Dramaturg), and Ziggy, Stardust & Me (Assistant Dramaturg). She is proud to take on the role of Dramaturgy Advisor this year, supporting fellow dramaturgs on four additional productions this season.
SCENIC DESIGNER
ATRIA PIROUZMAND (she/her) is from Iran and is currently in her last year of the MFA program at SDSU, majoring in Design and Technology. Her scenic design credits include Into the Woods (UCI), Love’s Labor’s Lost (SDSU), Ziggy, Stardust, & Me (SDSU), The House of Bernarda Alba (SDSU), Measure for Measure (New Swan Shakespeare Festival), Little Women, and Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Moxie Theatre). She is thrilled to be a part of the amazing team of A New Brain
LIGHTING DESIGNER
SAMMY WEBSTER would like to dedicate the lighting design of A New Brain to my mom. Thank you for always encouraging me to make magic. I will never stop trying. I love you. Your son, Sammy W.
SOUND DESIGNER
PAUL PETERSON, Sound Design at San Diego State University: The Thanksgiving Play, Waiting for Godot, In A Sunshine State, The House of Bernarda Alba, Lucky Me, Mr. Burns-A Post Electric Play, Children of Eden, Ziggy, Stardust & Me, Cabaret, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Postcard American Town. Elsewhere: The Old Globe, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre, CenterStage, La Jolla Playhouse, Sledgehammer Theatre (Associate Artist), San Diego Repertory Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre and many more. Education: B.A. in Drama with an emphasis in Technical Design from SDSU. Paul is a Lecturer in Sound Design and Technology at SDSU’s School of Theatre, a proud member of United Scenic Artist’s Local 829, and a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA).
COSTUME DESIGNER
ANASTASIIA SENNIKOVA is a second year Costume Design MFA student originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia. She has received her Costume Design and Technology BFA with a minor in Art from the University of West Florida (UWF). Among her previous designs are Lucky Me at SDSU, Godspell at Emerald Coast Theatre Company, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at UWF. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing team of creatives and extends many thanks to her friends and family for their continuous love and support (and snacks).
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Nole Jones is a singer, actor, voice teacher, and director from Birmingham, Alabama. Nole is an MFA Musical Theatre candidate and graduate instructor at SDSU, where he teaches courses in musical theatre performance and music theory. Prior to joining SDSU he taught on the faculty of the BFA Music Theater program at Illinois Wesleyan University from 2018 to 2024. His favorite stage appearances have included Bright Star (Jimmy Ray), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), The Secret Garden (Archibald), She Loves Me (Georg), three original short musicals with Dollywood Entertainment featuring music by Dolly Parton, and most recently Sondheim Tonight! with the San Diego Symphony and Broadway conductor Rob Fisher. Nole holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and undergraduate degrees in both theatre and music from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Alexander Ameen is a first-year graduate student pursuing an MA in Theatre Arts. He received a BS in TV, Film, and New Media Production from San Diego State University in 2014, and earned the Kathleen Kennedy Grant for his senior thesis film War Torn, which played at numerous festivals. He also studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. During his previous stint at SDSU, he appeared as Frid in A Little Night Music and Mike in Pal Joey. Alexander is also a playwright: his one-act play Affected Place was developed through the Veterans Playwriting Workshop at La Jolla Playhouse, which concluded with a public staged reading. His new play Corporate Deregulation will receive a staged reading as part of the Powers New Voices Festival - Celebrating Community Voices at The Old Globe. He served as a journalist in the U.S. Navy, and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.
Nicole Buck is a passionate theatre performer currently pursuing a Bachelors in Theatre at San Diego State University. She previously studied Musical Theatre at San Diego City College where she gained valuable stage experience in productions like Heathers the Musical and Urinetown the Musical, portraying Pennywise and serving as Dance Captain. Nicole loves a collaborative approach and has a strong desire to learn and grow within the performing arts.
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Milo Mee is a fourth year at SDSU majoring in Musical Theatre. Some of his most recent roles have been Melchior in Spring Awakening (Trentino Music Festival), Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (SDSU), Dom in Steel Pier (SDSU), Cole in The Free Play Project (SDSU), Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (CMTSJ), Patrick Star in The Spongebob Musical (CMTSJ), and the Minister, Grandmother, Grandfather, and Dancer in The Long Christmas Ride Home (SDSU). Milo was awarded Best Actor in the 2021 California High School Rita Moreno Awards, where he went on to represent the Bay Area at the Broadway League’s annual Jimmy Awards. He is so excited to be a part of such a talented cast and hopes you enjoy the show.
Anthony Methvin
(he/him) is currently pursuing his MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. Directing credits include: How I Learned to Drive, Proof, Steel Magnolias, Bachelorette, and co-director with Fran Gercke for Abundance and the World Premiere of Tarrytown, which won the San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Musical (Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company); Significant Other, The Santaland Diaries and Director/Conceiver for Linda Libby’s HoliGay Storytime (Diversionary Theatre), and the workshop of Affected Place (La Jolla Playhouse). Assistant Director: Buyer & Cellar and Sense & Sensibility (Old Globe), and Dogfight (Cygnet). Selected San Diego performances: Little Charles in August: Osage County, Doug in Gutenberg! The Musical! and Lord John in The Elephant Man (Backyard Renaissance), Sir Bedevere & others in Spamalot (Cygnet), Roger in A New Brain and Reed in Boys and Girls (Diversionary). Education: BFA in Acting from Florida State University.
Maya Jean Ponce
is a first-year Musical Theatre major. She began performing at the age of eight, when she joined Act-1 Academy for Children’s Theater in Los Angeles. Since then she has been in over 25 Musical Theater Productions, most recently starring in Village Christian High School’s, Beauty and the Beast as Belle. The production won the prestigious Jerry Herman Award for Best Production in 2024. Maya would like to thank Josh Walden and Rob Meffe for inviting her to be a part of A New Brain. She would also like to thank her castmates for sharing their theater wisdom and being so kind to her during the rehearsal process.
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Abigail Maurer is a fourth-year Musical Theatre student based in Thousand Oaks, CA. Abigail has been in 24 shows in her 16 years of acting experience and has played roles such as The Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (Westlake High School Theatre Company), Claire in The Long Christmas Ride Home (San Diego State), and Edna in Mr. Burns: A PostElectric Play (San Diego State University). Abigail is currently a Youth Ambassador for 5-Star Theatricals in Thousand Oaks and has been with the company for nine years. The last two summers she has worked as an acting coach at Hillcrest Players’ musical theatre summer camp for Lion King Jr. and Mary Poppins Jr. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @abigailrawlings.
Robert Bednar
is thrilled to be playing Mr. Bungee in A New Brain. He is a 3rd year Theatre Arts, Performance major. You may have seen him previously in, In A Sunshine State (Clark), Children of Eden (young Abel), Alice By Heart (Mad Hatter). Creatively he has worked on Supertramp The Musical as a Sound Engineer/Music Arranger, as well as composing for the Old Globe’s Arts Engagement Program. He wants to thank the whole cast, crew, and director. His mom also thinks he’s a pretty handsome frog.
Brice Cloke
(he/him) is ecstatic to be performing in his first show at San Diego State University! Currently pursuing a degree in Musical Theatre, Brice has enjoyed the opportunity to learn and create alongside such a talented and supportive cast. Notable credits include Marius in Les Misérables, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Squidward in SpongeBob The Musical. When not on stage, Brice enjoys going to baseball games, listening to music, and spending time with his friends. He is excited to bring this character to life and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a unique and inspiring production. Brice would like to extend a huge thank you to Josh, Rob, Aden, Maggie, and everyone who had a hand in bringing this show to life. He would also like to thank his mentors and teachers for their guidance, and his friends and family for their endless love and support. Enjoy the show!
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Janeth Shayo is a passionate musical theatre performer whose vibrant career has spanned over 15 years, captivating audiences with her powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and heartfelt performances. Janeth has consistently showcased her extraordinary talent in shows such as SpongeBob the Musical, Hairspray, and The Fantasticks. She envisions a future where she can collaborate with theatres on an international level, fostering a global community of performers and educators. She dreams of creating inclusive and accessible programs that inspire young talent from diverse backgrounds to explore their creativity and find their own unique voices in the world of musical theatre.
Rebecca Murillo
is a multi-hyphenate artist originally from Orange County, California, and a member of the 2026 MFA Musical Theatre cohort. International: West Side Story (IHI StageAround - Tokyo, Japan). New York Theater: Legally Blonde (Engeman), A Chorus Line (Argyle), All Shook Up (WBT), Evita (New York City Center; Assistant Choreographer). Regional Theater: Footloose (TBTS). Off-Broadway: Lolita, My Love & A Man For All Seasons (Assistant Director). Music: Breathe - a new musical (Co-Composer/Lyricist/Book Writer), A Seat at the Table (TNNY Soundbites Festival), Trust The Process (Web-Series). B.F.A. Musical Theater from Pace University. A special thanks to our amazing gracious leader, Josh, and to my new family here at SDSU. @rebecca.murillo
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Alyssa “Ajay’’ Junious is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, pilates practitioner and creative entrepreneur from Oceanside, California. She has a BFA in Performance, Choreography, and a Certificate of Arts Management from the University of California, Irvine. For the past 10 years, she has performed and choreographed professionally throughout San Diego. Some of her professional theater credits include La Jolla Playhouse, Cygnet Theater, New Village Arts, Teatro San Diego, and Oceanside Theater Company. She is the founder of Continuum Arts & Pilates, a movement training and performance company. You can learn more by following @continuum.sd! Ajay is a first year MFA student in the Musical Theatre program and excited to have her debut performance at SDSU in A New Brain.
Courtney
Corey-Armstrong is an MFA Musical Theatre Candidate. Nominated for the 2020 Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award, she is the founder of Theatre Arts School of San Diego in the Arts District at Liberty Station. BROADWAY/TOURS: Wicked (Elphaba performing understudy), RENT (Maureen). REGIONAL: Bonnie and Clyde, The Wiz, Limelight at La Jolla Playhouse, Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe, The Great American Trailer Park Musical at The San Diego Rep, and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Over The Tavern, and This at North Coast Rep. Proud AEA member. BA Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Performance SDSU. She dedicates this performance to her husband, Matt, and son, Jack. www.CourtneyCorey.com
PRODUCTION STAFF
MANAGEMENT & DIRECTION
Assistant Director .................................................................... Rebecca Murillo
Production Electrician ................................................................ Nayeli Bailey°
Assistant Production Electricians .......... Eden Shay and Jacob Demare Electricians. ............................................................... Team Lighting, THEA240
Box Office Staff ........................................... Zaida Alonzo, Andrea Dankah, ................................ Emerson Clarke, Feliz Citron-Pousty, Andrew Garcia,
........................................... Isabella Gaeta, Audrey Daynes, Amanda Mann ............................................................................ Skull and Dagger
+MA in Theatre Arts
*MFA in Musical Theatre
°MFA in Design and Technology for Theatre, Television, and Film ^Qualifying or Thesis Production
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Dr. William and Evelyn M. Lamden
Jeremy Lane
Kathleen M. Lemieux
Charles S. Luby and Robin B. Luby
Denise Madruga and Michael Lesniak
Mort Marcus and Deborah Klein
Jim A. and Deborah D. Marshall
John Andrew Mateja
Stewart Scott Mc Donald
Timothy Mccalister
McCulloch Family Charitable Fund
Oliver R. McElroy
Paul S. Mcintyre and Cynthia McIntyre
Colin Mckearnan
Randi and Thomas L. McKenzie, Ph.D.
Margaret McKerrow, Ph.D.
Martin McKerrow
Toni B. McKerrow
Kevin J. O’Connor and Katherine D. O’Connor
Terry Lee O’Donnell
Mike and Chris Pack
Adam Parrocha
Michael James Perkins
Paula Perry
James P. and Gale S. Petrie
Richard Sellers and Ellen Porter
Marshall A. Lewis and Judy M. Price-Lewis
Linda J. Rankin and Rodney T. Whitlow
Jon Carl Ringbom
Dr. Patti Roscoe and James Tiffany
Allison Rossett, Ed.D.
Michele Schlecht and Richard Alan Covey
The Shelton Family
John A. Shelton
Mike Shelton
Karen and Christopher (Kit) Sickels
Fred and Sonia Silverstein
Jeffrey H. and Malka Silverstein
Emily Norine Smith
Jane K. Smith
Nancy A. and Alan Richard Spector, M.D., Ph.D.
Clarence E. and Catherine Ann Stephenson
Charles J. and Nancy M. Stewart
James J. Tarbox
Ronald T. Thornton
Seth and Cynthia L. Trostler
C. Anne Turhollow
Kenneth G. and Joyce Ulrich
Edward Law Underwood
Carol Vassiliadis
Richard and Patricia Wagner
Carey Gail Wall
Debra Wanger
Judith and Jack White
Rodney T. Whitlow
Carole Wilson
Joshua A. Young
The Conrad Prebys Foundation
ADMINISTRATION
FACULTY & STAFF
Stephen Brotebeck, Professor & Interim Director of TTF
Stephanie Garibo Alday, TTF Academic Advisor
TaiReikca LA, Box Office Coordinator
TELEVISION, FILM, AND NEW MEDIA FACULTY/STAFF
Marwa Abdalla, Lecturer
Abraham Amkpa, Lecturer
Ralph Blanchard, Lecturer
Jose De Matos, Tech Engineer
Krystal Dawkins, Lecturer
Jeff Deverett, Lecturer
Oliver Eclarinal, Lecturer
Alex Farnsley, Lecturer
Michael Feinstein, Lecturer
Lizzette Flores, Equipment Supervisor
Mark Freeman, Professor
Ángel Granados, Lecturer
Glenn Heath, Lecturer
Brian Hu, Associate Professor
Brie Iatarola, Lecturer
Donn Johnson, Lecturer
Brendan Julian, Lecturer
Martha M. Lauzen, Professor, Executive DirectorCenter for the Study of Women in Television/Film
Stephanie Lee, TFM Shop Foreman
Jessica McGaugh, Assistant Professor
David Morong, Professor, Graduate Advisor
Vernon Mortensen, Lecturer
Greg Penetrante, TV/Film Studio Engineer
Dane Picard, Lecturer
Mary Posatko, Assistant Professor
Timothy A. Powell, Professor, Area Head
Genadi Radiul, Lecturer
David Steinberg, Lecturer
Rich Underwood, Lecturer
Stuart Voytilla, Lecturer, Undergrad Advisor
THEATRE FACULTY/STAFF
Adrian Alita, Associate Professor, Head of Acting
Dani Bedau, Associate Professor
Denitsa Bliznakova, Professor, Head of Costume Design & Technology
Cynthia Bloodgood, Lecturer
Peter Cirino, Associate Professor
Ronald Councell, Staff Accompanist/Vocal Coach
Kristen Flores, Scenic Charge Artist/Prop Master
Ralph Funicello, Don Powell Chair, Scene Design
TaiReikca LA, Production Facilitator
Peter Herman, Wig Making, Make-up Costume
Construction
D.J. Hopkins, Professor
Brooke Kesler, Lecturer
Noah Lange, Performing Arts District
Technical Specialist
Kat Makarushka, Theatrical Lighting, Projection, & Sound Lead
Randi McKenzie, Emerita Assistant Dean
Anne McMills, Associate Professor, Design/Technology MFA Graduate Advisor
Brian McVicker, Technical Director
Robert Meffe, Professor, Graduate Advisor, Head of Musical Theatre
Laurinda Nikkel, Lecturer
Shelley Orr, Associate Professor, Graduate Advisor for MA Theatre Arts
Wilfred Paloma, Lecturer
Paul Peterson, Lecturer
Nicholas Ponting, Lecturer
Jesca Prudencio, Associate Professor
Randy Reinholz, Professor
Jill Rovatsos, Lecturer
Jay Sheehan, Faculty Production Manager, Stage Management Advisor
Nancy Snow Carr, Lecturer
Teri McConnell Tavares, Costume Shop Manager
Katie (Laura) Turner, Lecturer
Josh Walden, Visiting Professor
Christopher Warren, Associate Professor
Andrew Young, Scene Shop Foreman
EMERITUS FACULTY
Hayes Anderson, Professor Emeritus
Carroll Blue, Professor Emerita
Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Professor Emerita
Greg Durbin, Professor Emeritus
Michael Harvey, Professor Emeritus
Elizabeth Heighten, Professor Emerita
Kaye Jameson, Professor Emeritus
Paula Kalustian, Professor Emerita
Margaret Larlham, Professor Emerita
Peter Larlham, Professor Emeritus
Robert E. Lee, Professor Emeritus
Roy Madsen, Professor Emeritus
Donald R. Martin, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Margaret McKerrow, Professor Emerita
Tom Meador, Professor Emeritus
Jack Ofield, Professor Emeritus
Michael Real, Professor Emeritus
Beeb Salzer, Professor Emeritus
Loren Schreiber, Emeritus Professor
Rick Simas, Lecturer Emeritus
Carolyn “C.J.” Keith, Lecturer Emerita
John Witherspoon, Professor Emeritus
Craig Wolf, Professor Emeritus
GENERAL INFORMATION
CELL PHONES
As a courtesy to those around you, please turn off or silence cell phones while in the theatre.
CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES
The use of any cameras and/or recording devices is strictly prohibited without advance written permission from The School of Theatre, Television, and Film.
LATE ARRIVALS & NO-SHOWS
Please arrive on-time and do not be a no-show. Latecomers may be asked until an intermission to be seated; and, seats not claimed will be re-sold.
BOX OFFICE
Hours of Operation: One-hour before Curtain
The Box Office is closed for all school holidays as well as during the summer vacation period.
Purchase Tickets Online: ttf.sdsu.edu
General Admission Tickets: Theatre $20 / Film $10 (Prices may vary for special events/productions)
Email: ttf.boxoffice@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6884
Administrative Office Phone: 619-594-5091
Theatre productions, film events, and TV programming are made possible by the generous support of our donors. To make a contribution to our outstanding programs, please call 619.594.4548 or visit psfa.sdsu.edu
Take a Seat!
SDSU performing arts invites you to take part in an exciting opportunity to support its new Performing Arts District in a meaningful way by participating in the Take A Seat campaign.
You have the opportunity to Take A Seat in the spotlight and enjoy having your name, a sentiment, anniversary date, or the name of another person you wish to honor laser-engraved on an elegant nameplate placed on one of the theater seats. Your sponsorship will support performances, students, faculty, and the greatest needs of the SDSU performing arts program.
The engraving you select promises that you or your loved one will be a visible part of this dynamic Performing Arts District for years to come.
Interested in reserving a seat?
Scan the QR Code above for more information, or visit psfa.sdsu.edu/takeaseat
