Romeo and Juliet Program by Syracuse Stage

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA AS YOU WILL READ ELSEWHERE in these pages, our current mainstage season is dedicated to the memory of our beloved colleague, mentor, and friend, Felix E. Cochren, Jr. And while our tribute to him can detail facts, figures, and lists of accomplishments, it will always be woefully incomplete. It will never capture his radiant spirit, his wry humor, nor his fierce dedication to his students and to the enduring power of the theater. Among other things, Felix was famous for reminding his design students that “Man is the measure of all things….so remember to put a figure in your drawings.” Woe betide the

student who handed in a rendering of a set that included only walls and furniture. That human figure was needed – not only to serve as a visual reminder of the scale of the composition, but more importantly to remind all of us that we are engaged in the act of storytelling; the act of illuminating the human condition. Aesthetic details and theatrical flourishes don’t matter if they don’t help us find our way to the heart of the matter. As you read our tribute, you will note that in 2017, Felix was the recipient of a Torch Bearer for Black Theatre Award, in recognition of his commitment to the legacy and continuing development of black theater nationwide. This dedication to legacy – not

only to preserving the past, but also to bringing it actively and vitally into the present for his students and his audiences – is what brings him particularly to mind for me as I welcome you to our 2019-20 season.

I am grateful that you have chosen to join us, and I hope you will be as engaged by these stories as we have been as we worked to bring them to life. And I hope that we have done Felix proud. Finally, I invite you to share your thoughts about some of the themes these stories investigate by joining us for one or more of our free Sunday Salon Series discussions following the first Sunday matinee of each production. Join the director, members of the creative team, and experts drawn

 RALPH ZITO

Each of these plays is a classic example of its genre, or is directly linked to a classic. All of them invite us to explore and critique the values, themes, and underlying assumptions of the eras in which they were written and the eras that they depict. Further, they provide many opportunities for us to explore the art of storytelling, and demand that we share these stories in ways that speak to our current cultural condition.

from the Syracuse University faculty and Syracuse community as we take a closer look at the creative process and the larger questions raised by each production. Once again, thank you and enjoy the show!

Ralph Zito

Chair, Department of Drama

THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA DEDICATES THE 2019-20 MAINSTAGE SEASON TO THE MEMORY OF

Felix E. Cochren, Jr. BELOVED COLLEAGUE, MENTOR, AND FRIEND SEPTEMBER 21, 1950 – APRIL 26, 2019

A Syracuse native, Cochren joined the College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2002. Beloved by his students and colleagues, he was recognized for teaching excellence with the college’s Outstanding Faculty Award in the 2007-08 academic year.

 FELIX E. COCHREN, JR.

A scenic and costume designer, Cochren attended Carnegie Mellon University and was an associate member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, New York. His New York credits included Broadway productions of Home, Inacent Black and Amen Corner and off-Broadway productions of A Soldier’s Play, A Brief History of White Music and Lotto. His other New York credits included designs for the New Federal Theatre, Billie Holiday Theatre, Opera Ebony, Boys Choir of Harlem, New York Theatre Workshop, the Negro Ensemble Company, Soho Rep and the Joseph Papp Public Theater. Cochren’s resident theater credits included productions for Alabama Shakespeare Theatre, Buffalo Studio Arena, Syracuse Stage, GeVa, Alliance Theatre, Philadelphia Drama Guild, Harmonie Park Playhouse, Freedom Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Cleveland Play House, St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Crossroads Theatre, Hartford Stage, McCarter Theatre Center, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Guthrie, the Huntington and the Goodman. For the Opera Company of Philadelphia, he created sets and costumes for Porgy and Bess, which were also featured in productions for Indianapolis; Atlanta; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Memphis, Tennessee.

Network’s Winona Fletcher Award for Excellence in Design, six St. Louis Black Rep’s Woodie King Awards, seven AUDELCO Awards (New York City), a Cleveland Newspapers Tribute, a Detroit Free Press Award, nominations for Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award and BTAA Award, a shared OBIE Award for Black Nativity and the first award for Outstanding Scenic Design from the National Black Theatre Festival. In 2017 he was honored as a “Torch Bearer for Black Theatre” and participated in the Passing of the Torch Ceremony in New York City. Torch Bearers for Black Theatre are past recipients of the “VIV” (Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Award for Excellence in Black Theatre) and are committed to the legacy and continuing development of black theater nationwide.

Cochren was honored with the Black Theatre 4

College of Visual and Performing Arts

PRESENTS

William Shakespeare ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY

Thom Miller SCENIC DESIGNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SOUND DESIGNER

Robert John Andrusko

Marilyn Wechsler

Martin E. Vreeland

Kevin O’Connor

MOVEMENT CHOREOGRAPHER

FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER

VOICE/VERSE COACH

INTIMACY COORDINATOR

Reagan Rees

Felix Ivanov

Holly Thuma

Alec Barbour

STAGE MANAGER

Sarah Preston CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA

Ralph Zito SEASON SPONSOR

February 14 - 22, 2019

è Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/SUDrama.VPA 5

CAST (in alphabetical order)

Friar Laurence.........................................................Michael Cagnetta Montague, Friar John, Mercutio’s Page...................Chidube Egbo Lady Montague, Apothecary, Paris’ Page..........Emily Hernandez Sampson, 2nd Watchman................................................Tyler Jessey Juliet.............................................................................Clara Napolitano Benvolio, 1st Watchman.........................................Giochino Orrico Lady Capulet...............................................................Pauline Pauwels Balthasar, Servingman at Capulet’s Party.........Yasmin Ranz-Lind Tybalt......................................................................................Jack Rento Romeo..........................................................................Isabel Rodriguez Peter.....................................................................................Eli Schwartz Gregory, Third Watchman...........................................Caleb Sheedy Nurse, Prince.................................................................Olivia St. Peter Paris, Abraham................................................................Charlie Towle Mercutio.........................................................................Megan Wilcox Capulet................................................................Christopher Zaccaro

ADDITIONAL CREDITS Dance Captain: Olivia St. Peter Fight Captain: Charlie Towle Assistant Directors: Julia Catalano, Andi Voigt Assistant Scenic Designer: Allison Turlo Assistant Costume Designers: Genevieve Kaylyn Phanhthaly, Adeline Santello Assistant Lighting Designers: Cara Spindel, Sarah Schultz Assistant Fight Choreographers: Logan Shiller, Rodrigo Altamirano Assistant Stage Managers: Lauren Krohn, Kiara Brown, Soumya Tadepalli Casting Associate: Wallis Dean

There will be one fifteen-minute intermission.

SPECIAL THANKS Special thanks to Ralph Zito, Dianna Angell, Syracuse Stage, the Syracuse Stage Marketing Department, Kate Miller, and the families of all involved in this production for their constant support.

ROMEO AND JULIET

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

 THOM MILLER

SONNETS ARE OFTEN REFERRED to as the language of love and William Shakespeare famously wrote them very well. He even found ways of subtly weaving them into his plays at times. This play has a number of them, including the first words spoken between Romeo and Juliet – a clue about the true depth of their connection. It is this masterful use of poetic structure – along with his heightened language, his understanding of the human condition, and his play with form – that makes his work such a great teaching tool when training young artists. But what does Shakespeare offer to a modern audience? There is never a bad time to produce Romeo and Juliet, but now may be a better time than ever. The language is as beautiful, the characters as rich, and the story as compelling as the day it was written. The themes, however, may resonate even louder today. With divisive language being printed in our headlines and used on every news show it seems an important time to explore a play with such a strong moral center. A divided community will

ruin the most beautiful of things: true love. We hope you enjoy our contemporary investigation of this classic play and that it illuminates the fact that although many things have changed, one very important thing remains constant: the language of love isn’t a sonnet. It isn’t really anything to do with speaking. The language of love is listening. –Thom Miller

CAST Michael Cagnetta (Friar Laurence) is a sophomore acting major. He was previously seen in The Crucible (Department of Drama, mainstage) as well as Godspell, Bye Bye Birdie, and several other shows at the College Light Opera Company on Cape Cod. He is absolutely thrilled to get to tell this iconic story with this group of people. He would like to thank his cast, crew, directing team, and his mother for always being there for him. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Tyler Jessey (Sampson, 2nd Watchman) is a sophomore acting major from Vancouver, WA. At the Department of Drama, Tyler has been seen as the Translator and the Farmer in The American Pilot (sophomore project). This is his first mainstage production at Syracuse University. Tyler would like to thank his incredible parents for supporting him, and the immensely talented cast and crew. Clara Napolitano (Juliet) is a junior acting major from Brooklyn, NY. This is her Department of Drama mainstage debut. A very grateful thank you to Thom, this cast, and her friends and family for believing in her.

Chidube Egbo (Montague, Friar John, Mercutio’s Page) is a sophomore acting major from Hillsboro, OR. He would like to thank his mom for being more than incredible.

Giochino Orrico (Benvolio, 1st Watchman) is a junior acting major from South Carolina. This is his debut mainstage production in the Department of Drama. Previously, he was seen as a swing in Circle Mirror Transformation (Black Box Players), and in The Skin of Our Teeth (sophomore project). He would like to thank family, friends, and faculty for their support.

Emily Hernandez (Lady Montague, Apothecary, Paris’ Page) is a sophomore acting major from northern New Jersey. At the Department of Drama, Emily has been seen as The Trader in The American Pilot (sophomore project) and as Somebody in Everybody (studio project). Emily would like to thank all involved in the production for making it so rewarding and enjoyable.

Pauline Pauwels (Lady Capulet) is a junior acting major from Raleigh, NC. At the Department of Drama, she has been seen in the soph10

CAST omore project The Skin of Our Teeth, as well as in the faculty project Jack, or the Submission. Having just come back from studying abroad in London, Pauline is beyond excited to take part in her first mainstage production, as well as her first Shakespeare. She’d like to thank her family, as she would not be here today without their endless support.

other answer make but thanks,/And thanks, and ever thanks.” Isabel Rodriguez (Romeo) is a senior musical theater major from Bronx, NY. At the Department of Drama, Isabel has been seen as Ms. Gibbs in Our Town (studio project), in Native Gardens with Syracuse Stage (ensemble), and recently as Diana in A Chorus Line (mainstage). Isabel would like to send a special thanks to Thom, Holly, Ralph, and her mother.

Yasmin Ranz-Lind (Balthasar, Servingman at Capulet’s Party) is a sophomore acting major and is so excited to be making her mainstage debut. Recent credits include Everybody (studio project) and The American Pilot (sophomore project). She is so honored to be a member of this incredible ensemble. She would like to thank the directing team and the cast, as well as her endlessly supportive family and friends.

Eli Schwartz (Peter) is a sophomore acting major from Gaithersburg, MD. He was recently an understudy in the Department of Drama production of The Crucible (mainstage) and is very excited to bring this contemporary take on a classic story to the Archbold stage with the help of an amazing team of actors, directors, and designers.

Jack Rento (Tybalt) is a junior acting major from Albany, NY. Department of Drama credits include The Wild Party (mainstage), The Children’s Hour (studio project), and Our Town (sophomore project). Jack recently returned from a semester in London, having had the opportunity to study at Shakespeare’s Globe. This spring, he’ll be performing at Feinstein’s/54 Below in the new musical, Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical. To the cast and crew, “I can no

Caleb Sheedy (Gregory, Third Watchman) is a sophomore acting major from New Paltz, NY. At the Department of Drama, Caleb was recently seen as Pilot in The American Pilot (sophomore project). This summer Caleb spent a month studying acting at Shakespeare’s Globe in London on a Fulbright scholarship. He would like to thank his friends and family for always being there to show their immense support. 11

CAST Olivia St. Peter (Nurse, Prince, Dance Captain) is a junior musical theater major from Clemson, SC. She is delighted to be making her Department of Drama mainstage debut. Past credits include How to Make Friends and Then Kill Them (independent studio project), Jack, or the Submission (faculty studio project), and The Skin of Our Teeth (sophomore project). For Mom, always. @oliviast.peter

Megan Wilcox (Mercutio) is a junior acting major from Chicago returning from London, where she spent her past semester. Her Department of Drama credits include Our Town (sophomore projects) and [title of show] (independent project). Most recently she was seen as Jessica in This Is Our Youth, and in independent short films The Last Woman, Connected, One Day, and Neighbors, Friends, and Family in Syracuse and Chicago. Megan is also in Syracuse University’s Orange Collective jazz ensemble and teaches yoga. Many thanks to her family and to Thom, who encourage her to be a stronger woman every day.

Charlie Towle (Paris, Abraham, Fight Captain) is a sophomore acting major from Fort Worth, TX. Charlie is thrilled to be making his mainstage debut. He has most recently been seen as Frank in the Black Box Players production of [sic] and Charlie in the New York run of Jockey (an original work, written by Charlie Towle, Jacob Rosen, and Jack Fortin). He would like to thank the cast, crew, and creative team, as well as his friends and family for all of their support.

Christopher Zaccaro (Capulet) is a sophomore acting major from River Edge, NJ. At the Department of Drama, he has appeared as Carl in Getting Out (sophomore project) and is excited to be making his mainstage debut. He would like to thank his mom, dad, and brother for all of their love and support.

A R T I S T I C S TA F F Robert John Andrusko (Scenic Designer). Previously for the Department of Drama, Steel Pier, Punk Rock. West End, associate scene designer, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Mille. Broadway: associate scene designer, All My Sons, The Frogs,

Thoroughly Modern Mille, Gem of the Ocean, King Hedley II, The Farnsworth Invention, Swinging On A Star. Broadway: assistant scene designer, Nantucket Sleigh Ride, 42nd Street, Dance of the Vampires, Voices in the Dark, Titanic, The King and 12

A R T I S T I C S TA F F NHSMTA/2018+2019 Jimmy Awards, and 15 Annual Easter Bonnet Competition Shows. Off-Broadway: Lost in Yonkers (TACT), Tryst (Irish Rep), Road to Qatar (York Theatre), Freed (59E59 Theatres). Elsewhere: Arkansas Rep, Broadway Sacramento, North Shore Music Theatre, City Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Theatre Squared, Merrimack Rep, TheatreWorks Hartford, Cape May Stage, Cherry Lane Theatre, PS122, St Clements, Personal Space Theatrics, Penguin Rep, Engeman Theatre, New Harmony Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, and Troika. Martin has also assisted on several Broadway productions including currently working on The Lion King.

I, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Assistant art director, Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill. Member of the fabrication team for Star Trek The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829. Adjunct faculty member, Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Department of Drama, since 2006. And, most importantly, proud Dad of Daria. Marilyn Wechsler (Costume Designer) is a junior stage management major with a concentration in costume design from Houston, TX. This is Marilyn’s first full design here at the Department of Drama and she is extremely grateful for the opportunity. Her other credits at the Department of Drama include her work on The Lewis Hecker Drama Showcase, The Wild Party (mainstage), Elf The Musical (Syracuse Stage/Department of Drama co-production), Into the Woods (mainstage), [title of show] (independent project), Little Shop of Horrors (mainstage), and Crazy For You (mainstage). She would like to thank her family, professors, and advisors for all of their support. Martin E. Vreeland (Lighting Designer) is an alumnus of the Syracuse University Department of Drama and is currently here as a visiting professor of practice. His work was last seen locally on the Syracuse Stage/ Department of Drama co-production of Elf, The Musical. Broadway:

Kevin O’Connor (Sound Designer) is currently in his eleventh season working for Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama. He graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in Music in 2008. Previous sound design credits include Department of Drama productions of The Crucible, Good Kids, We Are Proud to Present...,The Baltimore Waltz, Crazy for You, Major Barbara, The King Stag, Laura and the Sea, A Flea in Her Ear, The Spitfire Grill, Agamemnon, Measure for Measure, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Stepping Out, The Good Woman of Setzuan, and Translations, as well as Miss Electricity for the Department

A R T I S T I C S TA F F of Drama Children’s Tour. Kevin has also worked as the A1 position, controlling the audio console/live mixing most of the musicals in recent years for Syracuse Stage and the Department of Drama including Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, The Last Five Years, Elf The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Next to Normal, The Wizard of Oz, Ring of Fire, Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage, Mary Poppins, Nine, The Spitfire Grill, Peter Pan, Kiss Me, Kate, Avenue Q, Hairspray, Parade, Spring Awakening, Seussical, Violet, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Merrily We Roll Along, Quilters, The Cradle Will Rock, and Cabaret.

motion pictures, and television. Presently, Felix is an associate professor at the Syracuse University Department of Drama. He has previously taught at The Juilliard School, The Actors Center, Brooklyn College, and SUNY Purchase, NY; Rutgers University, NJ; The Hartt School, Hartford, CT; and The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC. His stage movement and combat choreography have been seen at many American venues including The Acting Company, Lincoln Center Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, The New York Theatre Workshop, The Wooster Group, The Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC; The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN; The Shakespeare Theatre Festival in Cleveland, OH; and The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., among others.

Reagan Rees (Movement Choreographer) is a junior musical theater major from Dallas, TX. At the Department of Drama she has been seen as Death in Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (studio project) and as Gladys in The Skin of Our Teeth (sophomore project). She is thrilled to be making her mainstage debut with this classic play. Many thanks to her parents for their love and support.

Holly Thuma (Voice/Verse Coach) is associate professor of voice and verse in the Department of Drama and a certified associate teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework. Holly’s acting and directing credits include productions with Quantum Theatre, the Dallas Theatre Center, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, City Theatre Company, Penn State Center Stage, and Perry Mansfield New Play Festival, as well as independent films. She has served as dialect/vocal coach for many productions at the Syracuse University Department of Drama including The House of the Spirits, Major Barbara, and Top Girls, and

Felix Ivanov (Fight Choreographer) is a graduate of the prestigious Shchukin Theatre School at the Vakhtangov Academy Theatre and the Stasov Musical School (violin) in Moscow, Russia. He has choreographed combat, movement, and character dance scenes for over 300 Russian drama and puppet theaters,

A R T I S T I C S TA F F for Mickey Rowe in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Syracuse Stage. A passionate believer in arts education, Holly’s career has included development and direction of performance programs for underserved children through the Pittsburgh Public Theater and for the Hope Academy of Music and the Arts. She is a proud union member of Actors’ Equity and SAG/AFTRA.

Again (with J. David Brimmer); Syracuse University Department of Drama: Kiss Me Kate; Nazareth College: Spring Awakening, Hayfever, Vinegar Tom; Le Moyne College: She Kills Monsters, Macbeth in Concert, Romeo & Juliet in Concert, The Liar; Hilberry Repertory Theatre: The Cripple of Inishmaan, Macbeth, The Mousetrap, Moon Over Buffalo; Wayne State University: Arabian Nights, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, SubUrbia; Wallbyrd Theatre Co: Two Gentlemen of Verona, Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Dracula. Alec teaches stage combat courses at LeMoyne College, Nazareth College, and Utica College. He recently began training with Intimacy Directors International, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and SAG/AFTRA.

Alec Barbour (Intimacy Coordinator) is a Rochester, NY based actor, fight choreographer, and playwright. He received his M.F.A. in acting at the Hilberry Repertory Theatre at Wayne State University in Detroit, where his roles included Iago in Othello, Carson in Gross Indecency, and Charles Lomax in Major Barbara. Regional acting credits include Sir Castor (and fight captain) in Camelot at Drury Lane Theatre and Horner in The Country Wife at Franklin Stage. He has been studying stage combat since 2005, and is an Advanced Actor/ Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. Syracuse Stage: Deathtrap, Disgraced; University of Rochester: Revolt. She Said. Revolt

Sarah Preston (Stage Manager) is a junior stage management and political science major from Phoenix, AZ. At the Department of Drama Sarah has stage managed Tesori Tonight (student produced Sutton project) and A… My Name Will Always Be Alice (student produced Sutton project).

A S S I S TA N T S & A S S O C I AT E S Rodrigo Altamirano (Assistant Fight Choreographer) is a junior acting major from San Salvador, El Salvador. Kiara Brown (Assistant Stage

Manager) is a freshman stage management major from Joliet, IL. Julia Catalano (Assistant Director) is a junior theater management

A S S I S TA N T S & A S S O C I AT E S major from Staten Island, NY.

design and technology major from Chicago, IL.

Wallis Dean (Casting Associate) is a junior theater management major from Dallas, TX.

Logan Shiller (Assistant Fight Choreographer) is a junior acting major from Pittsburgh, PA.

Lauren Krohn (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore stage management and psychology double major from Naperville, IL.

Cara Spindel (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a sophomore theater design and technology major with a concentration in lighting design.

Genevieve Kaylyn Phanhthaly (Assistant Costume Designer) is a junior theater design and technology major with concentrations in scenic and costume design from San Diego, CA.

Soumya Tadepalli (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman theater management major from Corvallis, OR. Allison Turlo (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a sophomore theater design and technology major with a concentration in scenic design from Benton, ME.

Adeline Santello (Assistant Costume Designer) is a freshman theater design and technology major with a concentration in costume design from Arlington, MA.

Andi Voigt (Assistant Director) is a sophomore stage management major from Duluth, MN.

Sarah Schultz (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a freshman theater

D I R E C T O R / A D A P TAT I O N Thom Miller is an assistant professor of voice and verse in the Syracuse University Department of Drama. In addition to his academic work he continues to maintain a strong career as an actor in contemporary, classical, and musical theater. He was seen most recently playing Guy in Once: The Musical at Northern Stage in Vermont and

in the professional premiere of the new musical Fly More Than You Fall at the NOORDA Center for the Performing Arts in Utah. Other favorite regional credits include: Company (Writer’s Theatre in Chicago), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Richard II (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), My Fair Lady, Henry IV, and The Winter’s Tale (Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre), Hair (Prince Music

D I R E C T O R / A D A P TAT I O N Theater), Macbeth and Cymbeline (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Reasons To Be Pretty (Studio Theatre), The Last Five Years (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), Mad Love, Boeing Boeing, Deathtrap, and Dancing at Lughnasa (Northern Stage), The Music Man and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (New London Barn Playhouse). Off-Broadway: Camp Wanatachi (La Mama), Mental: The Musical (Cherry Lane), and Only A Lad (NY

Fringe). Thom received a B.F.A. in acting from North Carolina School of the Arts and an M.F.A. in acting from the University of Illinois where he also received the award for Departmental Distinction. A proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA, he has acted in independent films, regional commercials, and skits on the David Letterman Show. He can be seen this summer playing Angelo in Measure for Measure at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

P L AY W R I G H T William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s preeminent dramatist. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Most of his known work was produced between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the sixteenth century. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about

1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the nineteenth century. The Romantics, in particular, acclaimed Shakespeare’s genius, and the Victorians worshipped Shakespeare with a reverence that George Bernard Shaw called “bardolatry”. His plays remain highly popular today and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.

PROGRAM BOOK Publications Director Joseph Whelan Layout Jonathan Hudak Advertising Joanna Penalva

Romeo and Juliet, Published February 14, 2020 The Department of Drama program is published five times a year. For advertising rates and information contact the marketing office at 315.443.2636.

C H A I R , D E PA R T M E N T O F D R A M A Ralph Zito is in his tenth year as chair of the Department of Drama. He came to Syracuse University from the Juilliard School Drama Division, where he had been a teacher and director from 1992 to 2010 and chair of the Voice and Speech Department since 1999. He was a director and adjunct lecturer in the Barnard College Theater Department from 2006 until 2010 and has been a guest artist at training programs across the country, including the Old Globe in San Diego, The University of Texas at Austin, and the Academy for Classical Acting in Washington, DC. Directing credits for the Department of Drama include: The Spitfire Grill, As You Like It, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and The Aliens. He has served as a voice, text or dialect consultant for numerous professional productions both on and off-Broadway, including: The Light in the Piazza; Awake and Sing!; The Herbal Bed; Mrs. Klein; The Fiery Furnace; The Time of the Cuckoo (Lincoln Center Theatre); Tongue of a Bird; The Merchant of Ven-

ice (New York Shakespeare Festival); The Pitchfork Disney (Blue Light Theatre Company); Birdy (The Women’s Project); The Model Apartment (Primary Stages); the New York premiere of Tony Kushner’s SLAVS! (New York Theatre Workshop); and The African Company Presents Richard III (The Acting Company). His regional theater credits include numerous productions at The Shakespeare Theatre and Arena Stage in Washington, DC; Syracuse Stage; Baltimore CENTERSTAGE; Hartford Stage; and the McCarter Theatre, among others. A former touring member of The Acting Company, he served as artistic associate of The Chautauqua Theatre Company for seven years and was a member of the Board of Directors of The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) for six years. He is a graduate of Harvard University, The Juilliard School, and the American Center for the Alexander Technique. He was recently awarded the prestigious Juilliard President’s Medal in recognition of his contributions to both Juilliard and to the broader performing arts community.

A B O U T T H E D E PA R T M E N T O F D R A M A Part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Syracuse University Department of Drama offers degree programs in acting, musical theater, theater design and technology, stage management, and theater management utilizing conservatory-style training in a university setting and in collaboration with Syracuse Stage. With much appre-

ciation, the Department of Drama wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Syracuse Stage staff. While students are responsible for designing the technical elements of most Drama productions, implementing these designs requires a significant contribution by the professional staff of the Syracuse Stage production department. 18

R O M E O A N D J U L I E T P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F & R U N C R E W

Faculty Advisor to Student Designers...................................................................Rob Andrusko Faculty Advisor to Stage Managers...................................................................Stuart Plymesser Light Board Operator...............................................................................................Olivia Andrews Sound Board Operator...................................................................................................Emma Yehle Deck (Run Crew)................................................Maxwell Evans, Suhail Kumar, Alexandra Ley Dressers (Run Crew)...........................................Sara Shaygan, Rebecca Voss, Dylan Weaver Costume Maintenance...................................................................John Owen, Cole Russoniello LX Hang and Focus Crew.......................Chrissy Forestiere, Manny Khan, Addie Livingston, Malena Logan, Sophia O’Connor, Adeline Santello, Sarah Schultz, Emma Stripling, Benjamin Wolfe, Jason Zong Production Assistants..........Maeve Doody, Corrine S Ferrer, Chloe Hechter, Stella Schwartz, Olivia Tyrrell, Mary Chapman Underwood, Dylan Weaver S Y R A C U S E U N I V E R S I T Y D E PA R T M E N T O F D R A M A

Chair.......................................................................................................................................Ralph Zito Business Manager.................................................................................................................Lisa Tucci Administrative Specialist...................................................................................Charlotte Santella Director, Tepper Semester in NYC.............................................................................Lisa Nicholas Assistant Music Director...............................................................................................Jacob Stebly Dean, VPA...................................................................................................................Michael S. Tick F U L L-T I M E FA C U LT Y

Rufus Bonds, Jr. Brian Cimmet Gerardine Clark James A. Clark Stephen Cross Rodney Hudson Felix Ivanov

Rebecca Karpoff Alex Koziara Andrea Leigh-Smith David Lowenstein Celia Madeoy Brian J. Marcum Maria Marrero

Katherine McGerr Thom Miller Ricky Pak Anthony Salatino Holly Thuma

A D J U N C T FA C U LT Y

Jill Anderson Rob Andrusko Dianna Angell Kathleen Baum Bradley Beckman Dave Bowman Rob Bundy Don Buschmann Diane Coloton Richard Crawley Gretchen Darrow-Crotty Danita Emma Kathryn Fathers Len Fonte

Jacqueline R Herter Robert Hupp Sandra Knapp Richard Koons Nicholas Kowerko Holly K. LaGrow Victoria Lillich Karen Menter Kathryn Miranda Amanda Moore William Morris Leslie Noble Jaylene Ogle Whitney Pak

Stuart Plymesser Mara Rich Rebecca Schuetz Hanni Schwarzlander Abel Searor Blake Segal Jacob Stebly Randy Steffen Bradley Stone Renee Storiale Joseph Whelan Matthew Winning Kathleen Wrinn

A C C O M PA N I S T S

Kerry Dromgoole, David Sabin, Abel Searor, Jacob Stebly 19

N E X T AT T H E D E PA R T M E N T O F D R A M A

ON THE LAKE

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING

BY REZA DE WET | DIRECTED BY STEPHEN CROSS | ASSOCIATE DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY ANDREA LEIGH-SMITH MAY 1 - 9 | OPENING NIGHT: MAY 2

Many of the most beloved, uplifting, and romantic songs in musical theatre history have one thing in common: the incomparable writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. A Grand Night For Singing is a musical review that collects over 30 treasured works from Rodgers and Hammerstein hits such as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, and Cinderella; as well as lesser-known shows like Allegro, Flower Drum Song, and Pipe Dream. Audiences are invited to experience these classics anew through artful arrangements and clever interpretations – it’s “something wonderful” for any lover of classic musical theater.

In the magic-comic On the Lake, playwright Reza de Wet revisits Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, with an eye on exposing the tensions beneath the surface of the Chekhovian world. Zooming in on Constantine’s symbolist play-within-theplay, de Wet imagines the experience from Nina’s perspective: a dreamlike vision of the future, where the hope of escape is linked directly to the potential for the theater itself to rise up and fly away.

N E X T AT S Y R A C U S E S TA G E

AMADEUS

ONCE

BY PETER SHAFFER | DIRECTED BY ROBERT HUPP | CO-PRODUCED WITH THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA MARCH 11 – 29 | OPENING NIGHT: MARCH 13

BOOK BY ENDA WALSH | MUSIC AND LYRICS BY GLEN HANSARD AND MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ BASED ON THE MOTION PICTURE WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY JOHN CARNEY | DIRECTED BY MARK CUDDY | CO-PRODUCED WITH GEVA THEATRE CENTER | APRIL 15 – MAY 3 OPENING NIGHT: APRIL 17

Mickey Rowe (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) returns to Syracuse Stage to take on the role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in this contemporary favorite about artistic rivalry and suspected murder. Antonio Salieri has pledged his life to God in exchange for success as a composer. Yet the music that most captures God’s voice comes not from Salieri, but from the prodigy Mozart. Could jealousy have driven Salieri to murder this “obscene child” who is unworthy of the musical genius he possesses? On the eve of his own death, Salieri reveals his final composition: “The Death of Mozart – or, Did I Do It?” Well, did he or didn’t he? An enticing and enjoyable theatrical experience enhanced by a variety of events in partnership with Symphoria.

The exuberant spirit of a lively pub session (what the Irish call craic) meets an out-ofthe-ordinary love story in this irresistible musical based on the beloved indie film. Guy has been busking on Dublin’s Grafton St. for too long. He’s ready to chuck his music and forget the girlfriend who relocated to New York. Girl is an émigré from the Czech Republic with a tangled personal life, a passion for music, and a belief in Guy and his songs. It’s a complicated business this love. It doesn’t always turn out as expected. Sometimes, that’s ok. Nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner of eight, including Best Musical, Once is a warmly affecting show that understands the power of music to move the human heart. 21

S Y R A C U S E S TA G E S TA F F Artistic Director.............................................................................................................Robert Hupp Managing Director.....................................................................................................Jill A. Anderson Associate Artistic Director....................................................................................................Kyle Bass P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F

Director of Production Operations...........................................................................Don Buschmann Associate Director of Production Operations..........................................................Dianna Angell Company Manager and Production Management Associate......................................Brian Crotty Events Manager and Production Management Assistant......................................Audrey Flynn Facilities Student Assistant.............................................................................Marilyn Wechsler Technical Director..................................................................................................Randall Steffen Assistant Technical Director............................................................................Rebecca Schuetz Scene Shop Foreman...........................................................................................Michael King Carpenters.............................................Brian McBurney, Cheyenne McBurney, John Gamble Graduate Assistant................................................................................................Joshua Baker Student Assistans......................................................................Ian Borowik, Addie Livingston Scenic Charge Artist...........................................................................................Holly K. LaGrow Assistant Scenic Artist...........................................................................................Phillip Dyke Props Supervisor............................................................................................................Mara Rich Props Carpenter...............................................................................................Jordan Michaud Props Artisan....................................................................................................Jessica Culligan Props Apprentice.............................................................................................Andrew Morgan Props Overhire.......................................................................................................Chad Healy Student Assistants.................................................Shannon Bagoly, Drew Davis, Allison Turlo Costume Shop Manager..........................................................................Gretchen Darrow-Crotty Assistant Costume Shop Manager.....................................................................Amanda Moore Cutter-Drapers.................................................................Catherine Hennessy, Kathryn Rauch First Hand.........................................................................................................Victoria Lillich Stitchers.......................................................................................Emily King, Katelyn Yonkers Craftsperson/Shopper.........................................................................................Sandra Knapp Wardrobe and Wig Supervisor...............................................................................Jaylene Ogle Student Assistants.......................................Danielle Fenske, Christina Forestiere, Xinglan Yan Lighting and Projection Supervisor..................................................................David M. Bowman Electrician…….......................................................................................................Jed Daniels Electrics Apprentices...............................................................Sydney E. Curran, Susan Pipolo Student Assistants......................................................Garett Pembrook, Genevieve Phanhthaly Resident Sound Designer/Audio Engineer......................................................Jacqueline R Herter Assistant Audio Engineer/A1..........................................................................Kevin O’Connor Sound Apprentice/A2........................................................................................Daniel McLain Production Stage Manager....................................................................................Stuart Plymesser Stage Manager..............................................................................................Laura Jane Collins Stage Management Journeymen........................................................Erin C Brett, Em Piraino 22

S Y R A C U S E S TA G E S TA F F A D M I N I S T R AT I V E S TA F F

General Manager....................................................................................................Michael McCurdy Comptroller..............................................................................................Mary Kennett Morreale Human Resources Manager/Business Associate.......................................................Kathy Zappala Director of Information Management & Technology...................................Garrett Wheeler-Diaz Box Office Managers......................................Laurie Lindsey, Courtney Richardson, A'Isha Shanes Box Office Staff...............Chidube Egbo, Crystal Heller, Jordan McKey, Makenzie Nickerson, Rachel Nickerson Samoya Peters, Eli Schwartz, Olivia St. Peters Box Office Intern...............................................................................................Cara Christian Audience Services Manager........................................................................................Jacob Ellison Audience Services Assistant.................................................................................Ella Lafontant Audiences Services Intern................................................................................Jackson Norman House Managers...............................................Patricia Condello, Adam Secor Donna Stuccio Student Assistant House Managers.........................Calvin Keener, Claire Kenney John Macleod, Kerri McAneney, Jackson Norman, Claire St. Marie, Marilyn Wechsler Student Front of House Associates........Sofia Aguirre, Haley Ayers, Alana Barker, Ben Bauder, Anju Cloud, Ashley Collado, Avery Curcio, Emily Decker, Trevor Hart, Ellie Kallay, Suhail Kumar, Maria Polanco, Alyeska Reimer, Brandon Richards, Eli Schwartz, Stella Schwartz, Gabriel Vazquez-Arbelo, Marilyn Wechsler Bartenders..............Michelle Cannizzo, Kristian Elderbroom, Leah Knapp, Meg Pusey-Anthis Development Manager............................................................................................Stefania Ianno Development Assistant..............................................................................Ryan Duncan-Ayala Director of Education & Community Engagement.......................................................Joann Yarrow Associate Director of Education.............................................................................Kate Laissle Community Engagement and Education Assistant...................................MiKayla Hawkinson Education Assistant...................................................................................................Len Fonte Education Interns...........................................................Wallis Dean, Alex Keane, Kayla King Director of Marketing and Communications..............................................................Joseph Whelan Group/Corporate Sales Manager..........................................................................Tracey White Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications......................................Joanna Penalva Patron Campaign Specialist.........................................................................Nori Gartner-Baca Senior Designer, Creative Content....................................................................Brenna Merritt Graphic Designer............................................................................................Jonathan Hudak Group Sales Assistant..............................................................................................Sara Tucker Student Group Sales Assistant.........................................................................Jackson Norman Marketing Intern.............................................................................................Adam Saifudeen Executive Assistant..................................................................................................Rebecca Li Grady Artistic Student Intern................................................................................................Beruk Teshome Sign Language Interpreters..............................Brenda Brown, Jim Brown, Jessie Falke, Sue Freeman, Mae Harrington, Joanne Jackowski, Zenna Preli, Trisha Schwartz, Tessa Wall Open Captioning...................................................................................................Michael McCurdy Audio Description...................................................................................Kate Laissle, Joseph Whelan Community Services Officers.......................................................Stacey Emmons, Joseph O'Connor Custodian........................................................................................................................Tony Rogers 23

College of Visual and Performing Arts

A CHORUS LINE

PRESENTS

CONCEIVED AND ORIGINALLY DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL BENNETT | BOOK BY JAMES KIRKWOOD AND NICHOLAS DANTE | MUSIC BY MARVIN HAMLISCH | LYRICS BY EDWARD KLEBAN CO-CHOREOGRAPHED BY BOB AVIAN | DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY BRIAN J. MARCUM | MUSIC DIRECTION BY BRIAN CIMMET | OCTOBER 4 - 13 OPENING NIGHT: OCTOBER 5

THE CRUCIBLE BY ARTHUR MILLER | DIRECTED BY GERARDINE CLARK NOVEMBER 8 - 17 | OPENING NIGHT: NOVEMBER 9

SEASON

DISNEY'S

ROMEO AND JULIET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | DIRECTED BY THOM MILLER | PERFORMED IN THE ARCHBOLD THEATRE FEBRUARY 14 - 22 | OPENING NIGHT: FEBRUARY 15

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S

A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING MUSIC BY RICHARD RODGERS | LYRICS BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II | MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BY FRED WELLS | ORCHESTRATION BY MICHAEL GIBSON AND JONATHAN TUNICK | CONCEIVED BY WALTER BOBBIE DIRECTED BY RUFUS BONDS, JR. | CHOREOGRAPHY BY BRIAN J. MARCUM | MUSIC DIRECTION BY JACOB STEBLY ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA KEEN MARCH 27 – APRIL 5 | OPENING NIGHT: MARCH 28

ON THE LAKE BY REZA DE WET | DIRECTED BY STEPHEN CROSS ASSOCIATE DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY ANDREA LEIGH-SMITH | MAY 1 - 9 | OPENING NIGHT: MAY 2

*DRAMA SUBSCRIBERS WILL RECEIVE VOUCHERS REDEEMABLE FOR TICKETS TO DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. PHOTO: (L-R) JOSHUA KEEN, JOSHUA KRING, AND KAYLA MATTOCKS IN THE WILD PARTY. DIRECTED BY KATHERINE MCGERR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER: ANDREA LEIGH-SMITH. MUSIC DIRECTOR: BRIAN CIMMET. SCENIC AND LIGHTING DESIGNER: ALEX KOZIARA. COSTUME DESIGNER: CARMEN MARTINEZ. SOUND DESIGNER: JACQUELINE R HERTER. MAKE-UP AND WIG DESIGNER: SARAH STARK. PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL DAVIS. RALPH ZITO, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA

S E AS O N S PO N S O R

TICKETS AND SEASON PACKAGES AVAILABLE VPA.SYR.EDU/DRAMATICKETS 315.443.3275