OCD
BY HEE-WON KIM APRIL 23-24 AT 7:30 P.M. ON-DEMAND: APRIL 25-MAY 8, 2021 VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE THEATREDANCE.UTEXAS.EDU Kirk Baltzell – Sound Designer • Brittney Dolan – Associate Producer and Production Manager Jacob Eaker – Director of Photography • Thomas Hardey – Stage Manager Jake Josephi – Technical Director • Hee-won Kim – Playwright Aaron Kubacak – Costume Designer • Ningmo Liu – Co-Environmental Designer Chinwe Okorie – Video Editor • Zsofia Otvos – Makeup Artist • Mike Steele – Director Mingxiang Ya – Co-Environmental Designer
CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Miji Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Chong-Harmer Robin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timmy Huynh Dr. Choi, Penguin 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Melendez Kimberly, Mom, Flower of Resurrection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Valeria Najera Zavala Princess Bari, Penguin 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Grady Father, Penguin 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Yi
The Department of Theatre and Dance is a world-class educational environment that serves as the ultimate creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre and performance.
A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS Welcome to UTNT Spring 2021! It is an honor to present five new works this semester by our ascending third-year M.F.A. in Playwriting candidates in collaboration with second-year M.F.A. in Directing candidates: Radiance by Gursimrat Kaur, directed by Giana Blazquez; sad women being sad written and co-directed by Jenny Krick, codirected by Andrea L. Hart; Fall the House by Nicholas Kaidoo, directed by Braxton Rae; OCD by Heewon Kim, directed by Mike Steele and Community Garden by Renae Simone Jarrett, directed by Kristen Osborn. Now in its fourteenth iteration, UTNT has consistently served as a launchpad for The University of Texas at Austin’s graduate and undergraduate theatre artists; artists who are continuing to change the American theatre landscape and influence hearts and minds around the globe. More than any other year, these trailblazing projects called for unique production concepts, development processes and presentation styles. The works you are about to experience are the products of insight, collaboration, craft, dedication and innovations for how we share stories in this changed and changing world. UTNT stands for UT New Theatre. Welcome to the launch of these inspiring works. Thank you for being the first!
CREATIVE Kirk Baltzell (Sound Designer) is a fourth-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in stage management at The University of Texas at Austin. Baltzell is also studying administration, music composition and classical studies. They have worked with organizations including Vineyard Theatre (off-Broadway), Theatre Aspen, Wolf Trap Opera and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduating, they plan to move to New York to pursue a career on and around Broadway. Jacob Eaker (Director of Photography) is a second-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology at The University of Texas at Austin. He has an extensive background in lighting design, acting and cinematography. He has worked on numerous projects for Texas Theatre and Dance, including Year of the Tiger (2021) and Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2020), as well as current projects for The Cohen New Works Festival (2021). Thomas Hardey (Stage Manager) is a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in stage management. Previous credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Sense and Sensibility (2020) and Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen (2020). Hardey is also a member of The University of Texas Longhorn Band and the Fine Arts Council. Aaron Kubacak (Costume Designer) received his undergraduate degree in Radio-TelevisionFilm from The University of Texas at Austin in 2001, where he also received his M.F.A. in Design and Technology in 2019. Credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Flora Circular (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2019), Momentum (2017), Transcendence (2018) and The Crucible (2017). Other credits include the Performance as Public Practice Graduate Student Alliance’s Telephone (2017) and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (2018), as well as Henry VIII (Texas Ballet Theater, 2018). akubdesigns.com
Ningmo Liu (Co-Environmental Designer) is a second-year M.F.A. in Design and Technology candidate with a focus in lighting design at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a theatre and visual artist with design experience in theatrical lighting, scenery, projection, costume and animation. Liu is an international student from China who earned his B.F.A. from Texas Christian University, where he worked on numerous productions including 42nd Street (projection designer, 2019); Bare (lighting and projection designer, 2018); Love, Loss, and What I Wore (costume designer, 2018); Sylvia (lighting designer, 2017) and Mister Major and the Minor Wife (scenic designer, 2017). Chinwe Okorie (Video Editor) is a Nigerian-born writer, director and editor in Austin, Texas. Her love of cinema began at age six after immigrating to the United States and seeing her first film, Titanic. In college, her student run TV station Topper TV received The Rising Star Award, and Study Breaks magazine featured her as their “Next Big Thing” in 2014. After graduating, Okorie went on to write, direct and edit short films including her most recent work Lovebites, which is currently distributed by Issa Rae Presents. Mike Steele (Director) is a M.F.A. in Directing candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. Recently, he directed Toros by Danny Tejera (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2020) and poolboy00 by Sam Mayer (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2020). Steele also worked as an actor, director and writer in Chicago for several years, collaborating with numerous companies. Additionally, he served as founding artistic director of The Island Theatre of Chicago and is a proud company member with Trap Door Theatre. He holds a B.F.A. from Southern Methodist University. Mingxiang Ya (Co-Environmental Designer) is a third-year M.F.A. in Design and Technology candidate with a focus in integrated media for live performance at The University of Texas at Austin. He comes from China and graduated from Shanghai Theatre Academy.
CAST
Sarah Chong-Harmer
Nicole Melendez
Catherine Grady
Valeria Najera Zavala
Joseph Yi
CAST Sarah Chong-Harmer (Miji Park) is an actor based in Austin, Texas. She is a company member at Hyde Park Theatre, where she was recently seen as “Daughter” in Death Tax and “Emmy” in A Doll’s House, Part 2. Other recent credits include “Bianca/Terina” in The Taming of the Shrew (Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare), “Summer” in Summer and Bird (Austin Playhouse) and “Girl” in Tryouts (Salvage Vanguard Theater). Timmy Huynh (Robin) is a B.F.A. in Acting major at The University of Texas at Austin. Nicole Melendez (Dr. Choi, Penguin 3) is a fourth-year B.S. in Radio-Television-Film major at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits include “Lorna” in Super (University of Texas at El Paso, 2020), “Margaret” in Much Ado About Nothing (Foot in the Door Theatre, 2019) and “Lucy” in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Knight Players, 2018). Valeria Najera Zavala (Kimberly, Mom, Flower of Resurrection) is a UTeach Theatre major at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits include "Rosamunda Dewthistle" in Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play and "Tess Harper" in The Rivers and Ravines. This is her first production with Texas Theatre and Dance.
Catherine Grady (Princess Bari, Penguin 1) is an actor and guest artist whose stage credits include “Helen” in Fixing Troilus and Cressida (Rude Mechs), “Beatrice” in Much Ado About Nothing at Rosedale Shakespeare (formerly Something for Nothing Theater), “Agatha” in The Moors (Hyde Park Theatre), “Duke Solinus” in The Comedy of Errors (Austin Shakespeare) and “Jenny” in John (Hyde Park Theatre). Film/TV credits include “Elle Davies” in The Twisted Nanny (Lifetime Movie Network) and “Mrs. Henderson” in Chicken Girls (Brat TV). Joseph Yi (Father, Penguin 2) is a B.S.A. in Biology major at The University of Texas at Austin. He has an extensive background in acting and has trained with Barbara Chisholm and Jeremy Lee Cudd. This is Yi’s first production with Texas Theatre and Dance.
CREW
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER REESE HERNDON
PROP SHOP SUPERVISOR CAROLYN ALLINGHAM HARDIN
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER LINN PLANT
PROP MASTER CAROLYN ALLINGHAM HARDIN
GUEST DRAMATURG LIZ ENGELMAN
PROP ARTISAN MORGAN RIDDLE
SCENIC STUDIO SUPERVISOR J.E. JOHNSON
PROP STOCK MANAGER INDIRA RAMPERSAD
SCENIC ART SUPERVISOR KAREN MANESS
COSTUME PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NANETTE ACOSTA
ASSOCIATE SCENIC STUDIO SUPERVISOR JASON LEE HUERTA
COSTUME PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE DESIREÉ HUMPHRIES
MASTER CARPENTER HANK SCHWEMMER
DRAPERS SARAH ALDRIDGE POUA YANG
ASSISTANT CHARGE SCENIC ARTIST ASHTON BENNETT MURPHY GRADUATE PRODUCTION ASSISTANT HARRISON HAYES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MADISON SHERIDAN PRODUCTION LEADS ZOE BIHAN GABBY CLEMENTE DANIEL GELD JAKE JOSEPHI EVAN MCCLAIN JULIO MUÑOZ
COSTUME SHOP ASSISTANTS EMMA DICKERSON KATHRYN MILLER CALIFORNIA THORSON COSTUME CRAFTS ARTISAN TANYA OLALDE TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS SUPERVISING ELECTRICIANS SEB BOONE SARAH CANTU SENIOR LIGHTING TECHNICIANS ARI JAMIESON EMILY NOVACK
TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS LIGHTING CREW CHARLOTTE BRUMBELOW LIBBY JANTZ BRISA SHAW ASSOCIATE AUDIO SUPERVISOR KENNY KUYKENDALL TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS AUDIO CREW CHEYENNE CHESTER CODY HANCOCK POLLYANNA O'HAIR WILLA SNOW MEDIA SHOP SUPERVISOR EARNEST MAZIQUE MEDIA GRADUATE ASSISTANTS JACKSON COBB BENJAMIN RANDALL PRODUCTION CREW SUPERVISORS EMMA CRAIG ZOEY CROW AURORA KENYON NINGMO LIU COURT ROGERS STAGE MANAGEMENT ADVISOR RUSTY CLOYES DIRECTING ADVISORS KJ SANCHEZ ALEXANDRA BASSIAKOU SHAW COSTUME DESIGN ADVISOR RAQUEL BARRETO
COSTUME TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR JAMES GLAVAN LIGHTING DESIGN ADVISOR MICHELLE HABECK INTEGRATED MEDIA DESIGN ADVISOR SVEN ORTEL SCENIC DESIGN ADVISOR WILLIAM BLOODGOOD SOUND DESIGN ADVISOR PHILLIP OWEN ACADEMIC PRODUCTION MANAGER JEFF GRAPKO GRAPHIC DESIGNER JEFF GRAY SPECIAL THANKS NORA LISE ULREY ANDRES LOSADA