carmen - Olney Theatre Center

OLNEY THEATRE C ENTER
CARMEN
AN AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ MUSICAL
Co-produced with
Tectonic Theater Project
Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical was commissioned,
developed, and co-produced by Tectonic Theater Project,
with support from The National Endowment for the Arts.
PRODUCTION SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE Eugene B. Casey Foundation
A NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to the world premiere of CARMEN: AN AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ MUSICAL!
The journey to today’s performance began in 1996, when I first met Carmen’s director
and co-book writer, Moisés Kaufman. He was pitching a project that would become Gross
Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, a groundbreaking exploration of sexuality and
politics that established his trademark melding of hot-topic narrative with adventurous
form. Though I wasn’t in a position to help him then, it didn’t take Moisés long to claim
his place at the forefront of American theater. That came with his legendary The Laramie
Project, about the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, which has been seen in stage
and film versions by more than 50 million people. A few years later, he shepherded
Doug Wright’s Pulitzer-winning I Am My Own Wife to become the most-produced play in
America in 2006-07, for which Moisés received a Tony® nomination as director.
So when Moisés called me two years ago to say another idea had lodged in his mind, I
said yes even before I knew what it was! But truthfully, I had to be sold on it, and sell me
he did: an adaptation of the opera Carmen set in Cuba in 1958, just before the revolution,
with an Afro-Cuban Jazz band playing Bizet-inspired stylings by the country’s foremost
Afro-Latin composer. I fell, and fell hard. Carmen, the gypsy of Bizet’s opera set in 1820,
becomes a gun-runner for Fidel Castro’s rebels. Don José, of the occupying army in the
opera becomes José, a soldier in the army under the command of corrupt dictator Fulgencio Batista. And Escamillo, Bizet’s famous
toreador, becomes a Cuban boxer taking the world by storm.
It’s an exceptionally smart and prescient idea. The project is perfect for Moisés because it asks two questions that his work has raised
throughout his career: who owns your story, and what happens at the intersection of sex and politics? When you think of Gross
Indecency, Laramie, and I Am My Own Wife, these are plays that wrestle with those questions in unique, theatrical ways. And these
are questions our culture has been wrestling with since the 1960s.
Carmen is Cuba. Cuba is written on her body, with its stark and disturbing contrasts: its incredibly rich resources and astonishing
poverty, its greed and its generosity, its humor and sadness, its complex history, its freedom and its utter entrapment. Carmen wants
only to survive and live her life in freedom. She’s a modern-day Mother Courage. But both Batista and Fidel have other plans.
Moisés has gathered some amazing artists to bring this idea to life: the world’s leading composer of Afro-Latin Jazz, Arturo O’Farrill;
Broadway choreographer Sergio Trujillo; the extraordinary Cuban-American playwright Eduardo Machado. And all of us at Olney
Theatre Center – you, the audience, included – get to be part of launching this musical into the canon. This is just the first stop on
its journey. And if we succeed (today or in the next production or the production after that), we will have penned our chapter in the
ongoing story of Cuba’s remarkable history, of the American musical theater, and of the eternal story of Carmen, José, Micaela, and
Camilo – one of the most complex and fascinating love stories of all time.
Thank you – from the bottom of my heart – for giving me this opportunity to bring this new work to you. It’s a risk I hope you feel
was worth taking. We don’t get many opportunities to experiment and push the boundaries of the form we love, and it’s thanks to
you we can. Let me know what you think at [email protected].
All the best,
OL N EY THEATRE C E NTE R
Contributing Editor: JJ Kaczynski
Ad Sales: 301.924.4485 x105
Copyright by Olney Theatre Center.
All editorial and advertising material is fully protected and
must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission.
Olney Theatre Center is a non-profit arts organization with a mission to create professional theater
productions and other programs that nurture artists, students, technicians, administrators, and
audience members; to develop each individual’s creative potential using the skill and imaginative
possibilities of theater and the performing arts.
301.924.3400
Jason Loewith
Artistic Director
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
2
Opening Night: Saturday, February 13, 2016
O L N E Y THE AT RE CE NT E R
Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director
Lauren Wainwright, Executive Director
Jason Loewith,
Debbie Ellinghaus,
Artistic Director
Managing Director
present
CARMEN
AN AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ MUSICAL
Book by
Moisés Kaufman and Eduardo Machado
Music Composed and Adapted by Arturo O’Farrill
Lyrics by Moisés Kaufman
Jason Loewith and Christopher Youstra
Based on the Music of Georges Bizet
Additional Lyrics by
featuring
Michelle Alves
Moses Bernal
Briana Carlson-Goodman
Nurney
José Ozuna
Kara-Tameika Watkins
Sumayya Ali
Skizzo Arnedillo
Tiffany Byrd
Nick Duckart
Calvin McCullough
Caesar Samayoa
George Akram
Brandon Andrus
Ronald Bruce
Karla Choko
Alejandra Matos
Christina Sajous
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Narelle Sissons
Clint Ramos
David Lander
Robert Kaplowitz
Additional Choreography
Vocal Arrangements
Orchestrations
Dramaturg
NY Principals Casting
Marcos Santana
Andrea Grody
Alejandro Aviles
Jason Loewith
Tara Rubin Casting
Production Stage Manager
Director of Production
Associate Artistic Director/Director of Music Theate
Josiane M. Lemieux^
Dennis A. Blackledge
Christopher Youstra
^Olney Theatre Center Artistic Associate
Music Director/Additional Arrangements
Christopher Youstra
Choreographer
Sergio Trujillo
Director
Moisés Kaufman
Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical was commissioned and developed by Tectonic Theater Project, New York, NY
Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director Lauren Wainwright, Executive Director
A development production of Carmen was originally co-presented by Tectonic Theater Project and the Department of Theatre Arts
at the University of Miami. Development and production support for Carmen are provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
3
REGIONAL PREMIERE • PULITZER PRIZE NOMINEE
MARJORIE
PRIME
By Jordan Harrison
Directed by Jason Loewith
March 10 – April 1
301-924-3400 • www.olneytheatre.org
Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab
O L N E Y TH E ATRE C E N TE R
CAST of CARMEN (in alphabetical order)
Willy Duarte.....................................................................................................................George Akram*
Mercedes..............................................................................................................................Sumayya Ali*
Fina................................................................................................................................. Michelle Alves*
José.............................................................................................................................Brandon Andrus*
Roberto............................................................................................................................. Moses Bernal+
Micaela........................................................................................................ Briana Carlson-Goodman*
Zúñiga............................................................................................................................... Nick Duckart*
Diego....................................................................................................................... Calvin McCullough*
Carmen........................................................................................................................ Christina Sajous*
Camilo...........................................................................................................................Caesar Samayoa*
Ensemble..........................................................................................Skizzo Arnedillo*, Ronald Bruce,
Tiffany Byrd, Karla Choko+, Nurney, Alejandra Matos,
José Ozuna*, Kara-Tameika Watkins*
Production Stage Manager – Josiane M. Lemieux*
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association +Equity Membership Candidate
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never appear for a listed player unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
Carmen – Michelle Alves*; Camilo – Calvin McCullough*; José – Nick Duckart*
Fina, Mercedes – Kara-Tameika Watkins*; Zúñiga – George Akram*
Dance Captain – Skizzo Arnedillo*
Fight Captain – Caesar Samayoa*
CARMEN orchestra
Piano/Conductor........................................................................................................... Christopher Youstra
Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute.............................................................................................................. Ben Bokor
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax.............................................................................................Vince Norman
Trumpet...................................................................................................................................Chris Walker
Trumpet.................................................................................................................................... Tim Stanley
Trumpet................................................................................................................................ Brad Clements
Trombone.................................................................................................................................Joe Jackson
Guitar............................................................................................................................................ Ken Hall
Bass......................................................................................................................................... Max Murray
Drums & Percussion................................................................................................................Joe McCarthy
Percussion........................................................................................................................................ Ed Fast
The musicians employed in this production are members of and represented by Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians,
Local 161-710 of the American Federation of Musicians.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
5
CARMEN - SCENES AND Musical numbers
ACT I - SCENE I
Havana, spring 1958. Shortly after the U.S. imposed an arms embargo
on the Cuban government of Fulgencio Batista.
Prelude.........................................................................................................................Carmen Orchestra
Come Inside................................................................................................................... Ensemble, Zúñiga
Carmen’s Entrance............................................................................................................Ensemble Men
Habanera............................................................................................................ Carmen & The Ensemble
Habanera Reprise......................................................................................................... Ensemble Women
I’ll Take You As You Are.................................................................................................. Micaela & José
tra la la.......................................................................................................................................Carmen
Willy Duarte..................................................................................................................... Carmen & José
Habanera Reprise......................................................................................................... Ensemble Women
ACT I - SCENE II
Willy Duarte’s Tavern in Havana, a few months later.
Gypsy Song......................................................................................................... Carmen & The Ensemble
Bring The Glory Home.........................................................................................Camilo & The Ensemble
Flower Song.....................................................................................................................................José
Far And Away.................................................................................................................... Carmen & José
Freedom Song.................................................................................................... Carmen & The Ensemble
ACT II - SCENE I
An abandoned coffee warehouse in the Sierra Maestra mountains in late July 1958.
Shortly after Batista’s army has surrounded Fidel Castro’s rebels nearby.
ONE FALSE STEP........................................................................................................................... Ensemble
CARD SONG PT. 1................................................................................................................. Fina, Mercedes
CARD SONG PT. 2....................................................................................................Carmen, Fina, Mercedes
TRIO........................................................................................................................ Carmen, José, Micaela
ACT II - SCENE II
Outside a boxing ring in Havana, two weeks later.
BUY A TICKET/BRING THE GLORY HOME REPRISE.......................................................................... Ensemble
LOVELIEST CHARM........................................................................................................... Carmen & Camilo
FINALE........................................................................................................................................ Ensemble
NOTE: Scenes, Musical Numbers and their order are subject to change.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
6
ABOUT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER
Olney Theatre Center is an award-winning, nonprofit,
Equity theatre. Our mission is to produce and present
extraordinary theatre and performance on our fourtheatre campus for an ever-more diverse set of audiences
in our community, and to educate the next generation
of theatremakers to follow in our footsteps. We strive
every day to unleash the creative potential of our artists
and audiences, and in so doing, become Maryland’s
premier center for theatre performance and education.
In the past two years, Olney Theatre has had six world or regional premieres, including Andrew Hinderaker’s Colossal
(2015 Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical), and Jennifer Hoppe-House’s Bad Dog (2015
Steinberg Award nominee). Olney’s shows and educational activities are accessible and affordable, and we strive to
provide a thought-provoking and enjoyable theatrical experience.
Olney Theatre Center is situated on 14 wooded acres in the heart of the beautiful Washington-Baltimore-Frederick
“triangle,” within easy access to all three cities, and is also home to National Players, America’s longest-running touring
company. Olney Theatre Center is led by Artistic Director Jason Loewith and Managing Director Debbie Ellinghaus. For
more information, please visit www.olneytheatre.org.
Follow Olney Theatre Center on Twitter @olneytheatre and on Facebook at facebook.com/olneytheatre.
ABOUT TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT
Tectonic Theater Project is dedicated to developing
innovative works that explore theatrical language and
form, and fostering an artistic dialogue with audiences
on the social, political and human issues that affect us
all. Our goal is to develop and present new work that
brings together a broadly diverse spectrum of artists and
audiences to explore and embrace theater together, as
both an entertaining art form and a personal resource.
Founded in 1991 by Moisés Kaufman and Jeffrey
LaHoste, Tectonic is an award-winning company whose plays have been seen by millions of people around the world.
The company is behind such plays as The Laramie Project (2002 Humanitas Prize, 4 Emmy nominations, GLAAD Media
Award, HBO film); The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later; Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Oscar Wilde (Lucille Lortel
Award, Outer Critics Circle); I Am My Own Wife (Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award-Best Play, Obie Award, Drama Desk Award,
Outer Critics Circle Award); El Gatos Con Botas (Puss in Boots), an opera based on the classic fairy tale by Charles
Perrault and featuring innovative Bunraku-style puppetry by London’s Blind Summit Theatre; 33 Variations, starring
Jane Fonda (Tony Nom.-Best Play); and, The Tallest Tree In the Forest, which recently had its NYC premiere at BAM.
Artistic Director Moisés Kaufman and members of Tectonic travel to schools and communities nationwide teaching the
company’s unique method of theater-making – Moment Work – giving artists the tools to integrate Moment Work’s
vocabulary into their own creations, to achieve works of power with lasting resonance. Our first manual on Moment
Work will be published by Random House in 2016. Visit us at www.tectonictheaterproject.org.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
7
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
CARMEN
AN AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ MUSICAL
Co-produced with
Tectonic Theater Project
is made possible, in part, by contributions from
PrINCIPAL Sponsor
Eugene B. Casey Foundation
Production Sponsors
Mita M. Schaffer and Tina M. Martin
Opening Night Sponsor
Creative Team
Sponsor
Kathleen Quinn sponsoring
Moisés Kaufman and Christopher Youstra
Artist Sponsors
Susan and Jay Finkelstein
sponsoring Christina Sajous
Rhonda Friedman
and James Rafferty
sponsoring Caesar Samayoa
Karen and Hal Gordon
sponsoring Briana Carlson-­Goodman
Robert E. Hebda
sponsoring Kara-Tameika Watkins
Kathleen Quinn
sponsoring
Josiane M. Lemieux and Nurney
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
8
WHY OLNEY THEATRE CENTER MATTERS TO ME
Last spring we learned that Olney Theatre Center would present a fresh
approach to Carmen, one of the world’s most beloved operas, as a highlight
of the new season. Excited by the prospect, we signed on as Production
Sponsors.
It seemed only natural that soon afterward, on a vacation in Spain, we
decided to visit Carmen’s place of employment in Seville.
Mash-ups of Bizet’s Greatest Hits playing in our heads, we explored the
famed Real Fábrica de Tabacos, which now houses the University of Seville.
If we wondered which of the students hanging out in the courtyard might be a latter-day Carmen, Don José, Escamillo
or Micaëla, who could fault us? Certainly not the extraordinary creative team transporting Carmen’s timeless story and
music to mid-20th century Cuba on the verge of revolution.
We are proud to support the creation of Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical at Olney Theatre Center. Over the years
we have contributed to the organization by developing marketing materials, serving on the board, and becoming
donors. We have witnessed and participated in the transition of a historic summer playhouse to a year-round venue
with four stages and visionary leadership, a vibrant regional theater now garnering national attention.
As Montgomery County business people and involved citizens, we appreciate the critical importance of strong arts
organizations as drivers of the economy, partners in education and centers of communities.
Join us! Celebrate and support a unique cultural asset: Olney Theatre Center.
Looking forward,
Tina and Mita
THREE SHOWS MAKE YOU A MEMBER
Save on the BEST seats and enjoy EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS
such as free member programs, discounts on additional tickets and special events,
free ticket exchange and replacement, bimonthly e-newsletters, and MORE!
MARJORIE PRIME
DIAL ‘M’ FOR MURDER
BAKERSFIELD MIST
EVITA
THE HYPOCRITES:
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
AND THE MIKADO (IN REP)
301-924-3400
www.olneytheatre.org
301.924.3400
OLN EY THEATRE CEN TER
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
9
MAKE A GIFT TO
OLNEY THEATRE CENTER!
2014 Helen Hayes Award Recipient, Outstanding Resident Musical - A Chorus Line
Patron and community support is vitally important to
Olney Theatre Center. Ticket sales cover only 50% of
our production and operating expenses. When you
make a gift to Olney Theatre you directly help us to:
• produce high-quality theatre
• support local and regional artists
• provide educational opportunities for students
• train the next generation of theater makers
2015 Helen Hayes Award
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical HAYES Production - Sam Ludwig
How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying
Colossal - 2015 Helen Hayes Award Recipient, Outstanding Director of a
Play, Sound Design, Choreography in a Play - HAYES Production.
The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical
TO MAKE A GIFT:
• Send your donation to us in the envelope provided in your program
• Make your gift online: www.olneytheatre.org/support
• Call 301-924-4485 ext. 103
Every gift makes a difference. ThankOLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
you.
301.924.3400
10
WHO’S WHO - CAST
George Akram (Willy Duarte) was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and is thrilled to make
his Olney Theatre Center debut! BROADWAY: West Side Story (Bernardo). NATIONAL TOUR: Between
Worlds (Love). REGIONAL: Visa Para Un Sueño (Anti-Ego). The Kennedy Center Honors: Rita
Moreno’s Tribute; Gustavo Dudamel’s Amor Brujo (Espéctro); Los Angeles Philharmonic. FILM: Stuck
On You, Sins Of Our Youth, My Friend Vijay, KM72. TV: Currently seen on Amazon’s Borderline.
Thankful and blessed to have you in my life: Mom, dad, Vic, SJ, U&K Crew. And you, thank you for
reading and enjoy the show! www.georgeakram.com IG/Twitter/Snap: @GeorgeAkram.
Sumayya Ali (Mercedes) is thrilled to make her Olney Theatre Center debut! BROADWAY: Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Bess, Clara, u/s Serena); Ragtime Revival (soprano soloist). OFF-BROADWAY: City Center Encores!: Lost in the Stars (soprano soloist); Lincoln Center: Ragtime (soprano
soloist). NATIONAL TOUR: Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Clara) [NAACP Theater Award Nomination].
REGIONAL: American Repertory Theatre: Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812; Portland
Center Stage: Oklahoma! DC AREA: The Kennedy Center: Master Class (Sharon standby); The Kennedy Center: Ragtime (soprano soloist). OPERA: National Metropolitan Opera: Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That
Line to Freedom (Harriet Tubman) [Boston District Winner]. FILM: Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer. TV: Being Iman;
American Idol Season 6 Top 100. EDUCATION: BA from SPELMAN College; MM from The New England Conservatory.
Product of Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington, DC. www.Sumayya.com.
Michelle Alves (Fina) is thrilled and excited to be a part of this wonderful production and to be
making her debut at the beautiful Olney Theatre Center. BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR: West Side
Story (Anita) [2013 Best Featured Actress in a Touring Production award by Broadway World LA].
REGIONAL: The Palace Theatre: Hairspray (Lil Inez/Dynamite), Chicago (June), Godspell (Turn Back
O’ Man); CBA PR: RENT (Ensemble), Hair (Dionne), Nine (Anabella). FILM: Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights, Feel the Noise. TV: Billboard Awards, Grammy Awards. www.michellealves.com.
Brandon Andrus (José) is thrilled and thankful to premiere at Olney Theatre Center and with
Tectonic Theater Project! Credits: BROADWAY: Side Show (Terry/Buddy Cover). NATIONAL TOURS:
Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Oklahoma! (Curly). REGIONAL: La Mirada Theater: Jane Austen’s Pride &
Prejudice A Musical (Mr. Darcy); PCLO: The Wedding Singer (Glen); Maine State Music Theatre:
Xanadu (Sonny); All Shook Up (Chad); The Gateway: South Pacific (Cable); Gretna Theater:
Camelot (Arthur); Goodspeed: Annie Get Your Gun (Frank u/s), Camelot (Lionel). TV: Power, Madam Secretary, The Blacklist, Guiding Light. VO: Telltale Games Game of Thrones, A Golden Wake. EDUCATION: BFA in
Musical Theater from Ithaca College. Proud member of AEA & SAG-AFTRA. A special thank you to Moisés, Arturo,
Sergio and the entire creative team. Much love to Deven, Mom and Dad. www.brandonandrus.com
Skizzo Arnedillo (Ensemble) Born in San Sebastian, Spain; 22 years of professional dance experience around the world. THEATER: Peter Pan (John), Beauty and the Beast (M7), The Wedding
Singer (David, u/s Sammy), Saturday Night Fever (Joey), Chicago (Harry, Judge and 2nd u/s Amos
Heart), Sweet Charity (off-Broadway). SINGER: Don Omar, Monica Naranjo, Paulina Rubio, Patricia
Manterola, Ninel Conde, Miguel Bose, Samantha Mumba… FILM: La maquina de bailar, Bracula,
Di que si. COMMERCIAL: Tide, Lay’s, Movistar, Leroy Merlin. CHOREOGRAPHER: TVE1 Diselo Bailando, Nadia y bea, Las supremas de Mostoles, Prinncesa, Greta, Taj Lounge Latin Mondays. ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER: Taboo Macao with Jermaine Browne, Maria Torres (Madison Square Garden Latin Day).
Moses Bernal (Roberto/Ensemble) is very happy about his first appearance at Olney Theatre
Center. Previous theatre credits include: NATIONAL TOUR: Altar Boyz (u/s Juan and Abe); Sesame
Street Live: Elmo Makes Music (Grover, Baby Bear); 5 Little Monkeys (swing Monkey 1, 3, 5).
REGIONAL: Artscentric: It’s A Wonderful Life (George); Toby’s Dinner Theatre: In The Heights (ensemble, u/s Sonny); Legally Blonde the Musical (Emcee Chad, Carlos); Academy Theatre (NJ): A Chorus
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
11
WHO’S WHO - CAST
Line (Paul); Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival: Yank! (Rotelli). DC AREA: Shakespeare Theatre: Much Ado
About Nothing (Ensemble). DC Fringe Festival: It’s What We Do: A Play about the Occupation (Ensemble) [2015 Pick
of Fringe Audience Award for Best Drama]. FILM: Dead Cell, Self Control, Mama Clause, Z*Con. TV: Deadly Affairs.
EDUCATION: BFA in Theatre from University of the Arts, Philadelphia.
Ronald Bruce (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his debut with Olney Theatre Center. INTERNATIONAL: Norwegian Cruise Line (Legends in Concert Ensemble), Duets (Featured Singer). REGIONAL: Riverside Dinner Theatre: West Side Story (Diesel/Dream Tony), The Wedding Singer (Ensemble); Alluvion Stage Company: The Little Mermaid (Ensemble), Sister Act: The Musical (TJ/Dance
Captain). EDUCATION: BA in Musical Theatre from Liberty University.
Tiffany Byrd (Ensemble) is thrilled to be in Carmen as her first show at Olney Theatre Center.
REGIONAL: Alluvion Stage Company: Sister Act: The Musical (Deloris); Bristol Riverside Theatre:
Ragtime (Featured Dancer/Harlem Ens.); Sight & Sound Theatres: Moses (Alam). DC AREA: DC
Capital Fringe Festival ‘15: The Paper Game (Denise); TheatreVCU: Avenue Q (Gary Coleman).
EDUCATION: BFA in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Briana Carlson-Goodman (Micaela) Olney Theatre Center debut. BROADWAY: Les Misérables, the
original casts of Doctor Zhivago and the Tony®-winning revival of Hair. OFF-BROADWAY: Wanda’s World.
NATIONAL TOUR: The 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables (Eponine). REGIONAL: Philadelphia
Theatre Company: Nerds (Sally). TV: Person of Interest on CBS. You can find Briana singing with her
alt-folk band, The New Students, on iTunes & Spotify. www.brianacarlsongoodman.com.
Karla Choko (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of the Carmen cast at Olney Theatre Center. Born and
raised in Mexico, she followed her dreams after being accepted to the Alvin Ailey Professional Program. Her business and mentor-driven personality led her to open up her own dance & arts school,
Sol Dance Center in NY, directing and producing Dancesanity Stars at the Tony Bennett concert hall for
over 5 years. An up-and-coming Latin Dance shoe designer, now living another one of her dreams,
performing in this amazing Latin production. Special thanks to my family, friends, and mentors.
Nick Duckart (Zúñiga) is beyond thrilled to be making his Olney Theatre Center debut! FAVORITE
REGIONAL: La Jolla Playhouse: Cuba Libre; Artists Repertory Theatre: Cuba Libre; North Carolina
Theatre: Evita (Magaldi); Actors Playhouse: In the Heights (Usnavi) [Carbonell Award for Best Actor
in a Musical], Next to Normal, Joseph..., First Date, Godspell, Ragtime; Palm Beach Dramaworks:
Zorba! (Nikos), Man of La Mancha, 110 in the Shade, Company; Gulfshore Playhouse: Venus in Fur
and A View From the Bridge, among others. TV: Burn Notice and The Arrangement. EDUCATION: BFA
in Music Theatre from University of Florida/New World School of the Arts.
Alejandra Matos (Ensemble) From Caracas, Venezuela. Alejandra has danced professionally for
25 years. She has performed in many different TV shows and commercial works, at first in her
country and then continuing her career in LA and NY. She is beyond excited to be part of the Carmen
cast. Special thanks to my family, friends, and mentors.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
12
WHO’S WHO - CAST
Calvin McCullough (Diego/Ensemble) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Godspell. DC AREA: Ford’s Theatre: A Christmas Carol; Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Shrek the Musical, In the Heights; Adventure Theatre-MTC: Miss Nelson is Missing, Snowy Day, BIG, Mirandy and Brother Wind; Everyman Theatre:
A Raisin in the Sun; Imagination Stage: Peter and the Wolf, When She Had Wings.
Nurney (Ensemble) is happy to return to Olney Theatre Center, where he has been seen in Guys
and Dolls, The Producers, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. DC AREA: THEARC Theater: Truth: The
Musical; Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Shrek, Spamalot [Helen Hayes nomination Outstanding Ensemble],
The Wiz, The Color Purple [Helen Hayes nomination Outstanding Resident Musical]. EDUCATION: BS
Communication Studies Towson University 2013. Upcoming: Evita at Olney Theatre Center.
José Ozuna (Ensemble) is happy to be performing for the first time at Olney Theatre Center. DC
AREA: GALA Theatre: Puerto Rico...¡Fua! (Choreographer/Swing) [2012 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Ensemble] and Canto al Peru Negro (Swing). INTERNATIONAL: National Theatre, Dominican Republic: West Side Story (Indio/Swing), Chicago (Swing), Resurrection (Santiago/Swing); Patrick Hughson Theatre: 1st and 2nd edition of Cosechando Ilusiones (Dancer). TV/INTERNATIONAL:
Production Assistant: Conectados (2009-2010). EDUCATION: BA in Contemporary Dance, Certified
Medical Assistant, Certified TV Producer. ADDITIONAL: Alvin Ailey Extension: Fitness Instructor. Equinox Gym: Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer.
Christina Sajous (Carmen) is making her Olney Theatre Center debut. BROADWAY: Green Day’s
American Idiot (Extraordinary Girl), Spider Man: Turn off the Dark (Arachne), Baby It’s You! (Shirley
Owens), and Tupac Shakur’s: Holler If Ya Hear Me. OTHER: Denver Center of Performing Arts: THE
12 (Mary Magdalene); BAM/New York City Opera: Anna Nicole (Blossom), Forever Dusty (Claire).
FILM: Brazzaville Teenager by Michael Cera, and Broadway Idiot. TV: Alpha House (Amazon Studios); The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS); One Life to Live (ABC). EDUCATION: New York
University: Tisch School of the Arts. This performance is dedicated to my brother and angel, Joshua Sajous.
Caesar Samayoa (Camilo) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Carousel (Billy Bigelow). Most recently
originated the role of Colin 2 in the critically acclaimed production of Come From Away for La Jolla
Playhouse and Seattle Rep. BROADWAY: Sister Act, The Pee Wee Herman Show. Credits include
leading roles in film, TV, Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre companies around the country including The Public Theater-Shakespeare in the Park, Yale Rep., Goodspeed Opera House, Huntington Theatre, Barrington Stages, Le Freres Corbusier, Primary Stages, Urban Stages, The Play
Company, Sundance Theater Lab and Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Caesar has also appeared as a soloist
at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and in various national and international concert tours. EDUCATION: BFA from
Ithaca College.
Kara-Tameika Watkins (Ensemble) is excited to return to Olney Theatre Center having last
appeared in Little Shop of Horrors. Some of her other credits include: OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Eubie!, Peter Pan, Camelot; Signature Theatre: Dreamgirls [Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Resident Musical], Hairspray [Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Resident Musical and Ensemble], A
Funny Thing…Forum; Arena Stage: Crowns [Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble], Smokey Joe’s Café; Ford’s Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors, Children of Eden; Studio Theatre: Caroline or Change; Round House Theatre: Once on This Island; PCLO, Northshore Music Theatre: Hairspray; and
the Nevada productions of Hairspray and Smokey Joe’s Café. Proud Member AEA.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
13
WHO’S WHO - CREATIVE
Moisés Kaufman (Co-Book Writer/Lyricist/Director/Artistic Director-Tectonic Thearer Project) is a Tony® and
Emmy nominated director and playwright and is the Artistic Director of TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT. He most recently
directed a critically lauded production of Bent at the Mark Taper Forum. Prior Broadway credits: The Heiress, 33
Variations (which he also wrote) with Jane Fonda, which received five Tony nominations; Rajiv Joseph’s Pulitzer
Prize finalist Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with Robin Williams; the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play I Am
My Own Wife. His plays Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and The Laramie Project are among the
most performed plays in America over the last decade. Kaufman also co-wrote and directed the film adaptation of
The Laramie Project for HBO, which received two Emmy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Writer. He is a
Guggenheim Playwrighting Fellow.
Eduardo Machado (Co-Book Writer) was born in Cuba and came to the United States when he was nine. He is
the author of over fifty plays, including The Cook, Havana is Waiting, The Modern Ladies Of Guanabacoa, Fabiola, In
the Eye of the Hurricane, Broken Eggs, Once Removed, Worship, and Stevie Wants to Play the Blues. His plays have
been produced at Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the
Mark Taper Forum, Long Wharf Theatre, Hampstead Theatre in London, American Place Theatre, The Cherry Lane
Theatre, INTAR Theatre, Theater for the New City, and Repertorio Español, and productions throughout Latin America.
Mr. Machado’s television credits include Executive Story Editor on Season 2 of the Starz drama Magic City, Executive
Story Editor on two seasons of the HBO television show Hung, and he wrote and directed the film Exiles in New York.
Mr. Machado is a Professor of Playwriting in the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the
Arts. “Tastes Like Cuba: An Exile’s Hunger for Home,” a food memoir by Eduardo Machado and Michael Domitrovich,
is published by Gotham Press. His work is published by Samuel French and TCG, including his most recent collection
of plays, Havana is Waiting and Other Plays.
Arturo O’Farrill (Composer), the leader of the “first family of Afro-Cuban Jazz” (New York Times) was born
in Mexico and grew up in New York City. Commissions include: Meet the Composer, the Big Apple Circus, the
Philadelphia Music Project, Symphony Space, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and The Apollo Theater. Film work
includes: Hollywoodland and Salud. His debut album with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Una Noche Inolvidable,
earned a Grammy® Award nomination in 2006 and the Orchestra’s second album, Song for Chico, (ZOHO) earned a
Grammy® Award for “Best Latin Jazz Album” in 2009. Their third Grammy® nominated album was 40 Acres and a
Burro (ZOHO) in 2011. That same year, O’Farrill released his first solo album, The Noguchi Sessions (ZOHO). O’Farrill
and the Orchestra’s 2014 release, The Offense of the Drum (Motéma Music), won a Grammy® for “Best Latin Jazz
Album.” Their latest recording, Cuba: The Conversation Continues, captures the historical moment of President Obama
restoring full diplomatic relations with Cuba and has been nominated for a Grammy® Award in the “Best Large Jazz
Ensemble Album” category and “Best Instrumental Composition.” O’Farrill is artist-in-residence at Harlem School
of the Arts and Casita Maria Center for Arts & Culture, and on the faculties of Brooklyn College and the Manhattan
School of Music. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Chapter of NARAS, and a Steinway Artist.
Sergio Trujillo (Choreographer) BROADWAY: On Your Feet, Memphis (Olivier, OCC Awards; Astaire, Drama Desk
noms), Jersey Boys (Olivier, Drama Desk, OCC noms.), Hands on a Hardbody (Drama Desk nom.), Leap of Faith
(Drama Desk, Astaire noms), The Addams Family, Next to Normal (Lortel nom.), All Shook Up, Guys and Dolls (Astaire
nom.). OFF-BROADWAY: Invisible Thread, Saved (Lortel nom.), The Capeman, Romeo & Juliet (Public), A Tree Grows
in Brooklyn, Kismet (Encores!). REGIONAL: Dir/Choreo: Arrabal, Flashdance, White Noise; Choreographer: The Wiz
(La Jolla Playhouse), Mambo Kings. INTERNATIONAL: Disney’s Tarzan, West Side Story, The Sound of Music (Stratford
Festival), Peggy Sue Got Married (West End). UPCOMING: A Bronx Tale (Paper Mill), Freaky Friday (Disney).
Ben Cunis (Fight Choreographer) has choreographed fight sequences for Olney Theatre Center productions of Colossal [Helen Hayes Award 2014 - Outstanding Choreography], Carousel, and, most recently, Guys and Dolls, where he
also appeared as Harry the Horse. He is a 10th year Company Member at Synetic Theater, for whom his fight choreography credits include: Much Ado About Nothing, Beauty and the Beast, The Island of Dr. Moreau, [Helen Hayes Award
2014 - Outstanding Choreography] Twelfth Night, The Three Musketeers [Helen Hayes Award 2013 - Outstanding
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
14
WHO’S WHO - CREATIVE
Movement], King Lear [Helen Hayes Award 2011 - Outstanding Choreography], A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King
Arthur, Antony and Cleopatra, Dante, Host and Guest and many others. He also wrote and directed Synetic’s Genesis
Reboot and Beauty and the Beast, and wrote, directed, and performed in Synetic Blackout Series’ Last Tango with
Rosie. Training: Catholic University of America.
Robert Kaplowitz (Sound Designer) has been designing sound and composing for 23 years, and has been
honored with an OBIE for Sustained Excellence in Sound Design and a Tony® for Fela! In NYC, he’s designed on
Broadway, as well as for Lincoln Center, The Public, NYTW, MCC, 2nd Stage, the Vineyard, MTC, and just about
every 99-seat-or-smaller venue in the five boroughs. A Philadelphian since 2010, designs there have been heard at
PlayPenn, Wilma, Interact, Arden, Lucidity Suitcase, Pig Iron, Lantern, PTC, Flashpoint and Azuka; regional credits
include the Guthrie, the Alley, Baltimore Center Stage, Sundance, the O’Neill and The National Theatre of England.
David Lander (Lighting Designer) Olney Theatre Center debut. David is a frequent collaborator with Moisés Kaufman.
Carmen marks their 15th production; including the Broadway productions The Heiress with Jessica Chastain, Bengal
Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with Robin Williams (Drama Desk Award; Tony, Outer Critics Nominations), 33 Variations
with Jane Fonda (Tony, Outer Critics nominations), I Am My Own Wife (Drama Desk, Outer Critics nominations).
OTHER BROADWAY: The Winslow Boy, The Lyons, Master Class (MTC), A Man for All Seasons with Frank Langella,
Dirty Blond (Drama Desk nomination), Golden Child. OFF-BROADWAY: The Tempest with Sam Waterson, Cymbeline
with Hamish Linklater, Incident at Vichy with Richard Thomas, The Lady from Dubuque with Jane Alexander, King
Lear with Kevin Kline, among others. Regional credits include Master Class with Rita Moreno; Venecia with Chita
Rivera, Ahmanson Theater, Goodman Theater, Old Globe, Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center and La Jolla
Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum. International theater and opera credits include productions in London, Dublin, Caracas,
Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Japan.
Josiane M. Lemieux (Production Stage Manager) Previous Olney Theatre Center credits include Guys and Dolls,
Hay Fever, Carousel, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Colossal, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Once
On This Island, Sleuth, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Sound of Music, Witness for the Prosecution, Opus, and
Dinner with Friends. Off-Broadway: The Acting Company’s Jane Eyre, Murder By Poe and Richard III. REGIONAL: Ten
seasons with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, most recently Oliver Twist, and The Taming of the Shrew; The
Huntington Theatre Company: Circle Mirror Transformation and Stick Fly; Crossroads Theatre Company: One Mo’ Time
and Yo Soy Latina; In Actu Theatre: Murdering Marlowe; Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey: Whores; Shakespeare
Festival/LA: Twelfth Night. NATIONAL TOURS: The Acting Company (2004 and 2007) and TheatreWorksUSA. She is
a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Clint Ramos (Costume Designer) Olney Theatre Center debut. BROADWAY: The Elephant Man with Bradley
Cooper (also West End), Violet and the upcoming Eclipsed with Lupita Nyong’o. Recent designs include Here Lies
Love (NY and London), Little Shop of Horrors with Jake Gyllenhaal (Encores!), Barbecue (Public) and The Tallest
Tree (BAM, Arena Stage, Taper and KCRep) directed by Moisés Kaufman, and many others. He is the principle
designer for Encores!Off-Center. AWARDS: 2013 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence, three Lucille Lortel Awards,
the TDF Irene Sharaff Young Master Award, two American Theatre Wing Henry Hewes Awards and a Helen Hayes
Award. MFA from NYU.
Marcos Santana (Additional Choreography) Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Broadway: On Your Feet (Assoc.)
Marquis Theater, Rocky (Assoc.) Winter Garden Tony® nomination, Guys & Dolls (Asst.) Nederlander Theater, Other:
Man Of La Mancha (STC, Washington DC), The Pirates of Penzance (Stratford), Randy Newman’s Faust (City Center
Encores) Kiss Me Kate (Maltz Jupiter) Much Ado About Nothing (STC Washington DC) Amor Cubano (Playlist Productions), Brazil Brazil, (New Victory Theater) Paul Simon’s Capeman (Assoc) The Public, Fortress Of Solitude (The
Public), My Fair Lady (J. Engeman Theater), Guys and Dolls (J. Engeman Theater).
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
15
WHO’S WHO - CREATIVE
Narelle Sissons (Scenic Designer) BROADWAY: The Roundabout Theatre: All My Sons. OFF BROADWAY: Public
Theatre: How I Learned To Drive [original production] and Stop Kiss [original production], In The Blood [original
production], Kit Marlowe [original production], Julius Caesar and Little Flower of East Orange [original production].
Also in NYC many productions with: Mabou Mines, LAByrinth Theatre Company [co-member], Playwrights Horizons,
New York Theatre Workshop, Epic Theatre Ensemble, The Women’s Project and CSC Entertaining Mr. Sloane [Drama
desk nomination]. REGIONAL: Kansas City Rep: Into The Woods, directed by Moisés Kaufman; Woolly Mammoth
Theatre Company: The Clean House [Helen Hayes Award nomination for best Scenic Design]; Shakespeare Theatre:
The Taming of The Shrew [Helen Hayes Award nomination for best Scenic Design]; ArtsEmerson: Mabou Mines
Dollhouse [Elliot Norton Award, Outstanding Design nomination]; ACT: Sideman [Backstage West Award]; Repertory
Theatre of St Louis: Bad Dates [Kevin Kline Award nomination for best Scenic Design]; Dallas Theatre Centre: An Ideal
Husband [Leon Rabin Award nomination for best Scenic Design]; Maltz Jupiter Theatre: The King and I [Carbonell
Award nomination for best Scenic Design]. INTERNATIONAL: Jesus Hopped the A Train, directed by Philip Seymour
Hoffman, London and New York; Mabou Mines Dollhouse, directed by Lee Breuer, USA and World Tour. Also: The
Syringa Tree in Vienna, Austria and Frankfurt, Germany; No Child at the Edinburgh Festival; and recently Sokrates: A
Banquet in Prytaneion at VAT Theatre, Estonia. GRANTS AND EXHIBITIONS: Fulbright Specialists grant, exhibitor at
Prague Quadrennial 2007 and 2011. Ms. Sissons is a graduate of Central St Martins and The Royal College of Art in
London and she is an Associate Professor in the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University.
Christopher Youstra (Associate Artistic Director - Music Theater /Musical Director/Additional Lyrics) As the past
resident music director, Mr. Youstra has music directed and conducted around 35 musicals at Olney Theatre Center,
including Carousel, Godspell, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and Avenue Q. He has also music
directed at many of the other local theaters including Ford’s Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,
Little Shop of Horrors; Studio Theatre 2nd Stage: Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Pop!,
Passing Strange; Studio Theatre: Adding Machine: A Musical; Round House Theatre: Once on This Island, A Murder
A Mystery A Marriage, The Summer of ‘42, and The World Goes ‘Round; Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Les Misérables, The
Color Purple, Titanic, Beauty and the Beast, Aida, The Producers, Godspell, Rent, Miss Saigon, Ragtime: The Musical,
Chicago; Imagination Stage: Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Miss Nelson is Missing; The Kennedy Center Theatre for
Young Audiences: Nobody’s Perfect, Chasing George Washington, Dr. Wonderful, Knuffle Bunny; Arena Stage; Burn
Brae Dinner Theatre; Montgomery College; American University; Musical Theatre Center; Signature Theatre; and
Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts. Mr. Youstra has been nominated for nine Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding
Music Direction and received the award for Titanic. He is director of music at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Columbia,
has worked with both Phoenix Productions and Troika Entertainment national touring company and toured both Europe
and Korea with Smokey Joe’s Café. As a composer, Mr. Youstra’s music has been heard throughout the area, including
The Dancing Princesses at Imagination Stage, Big Nate: The Musical (with Jason Loewith), the Helen Hayes Awards,
the 2014 Summer Hummer, and the opening gala of the ATLAS center.
Jason Loewith (Artistic Director/Dramaturg/Additional Lyrics) recently directed Olney Theatre Center’s critically
acclaimed production of Carousel. Previous Olney Theatre Center productions include the NNPN Rolling World Premiere
of Steven Dietz’s Rancho Mirage as well as last season’s Avenue Q and How to Succeed in Business Without Really
Trying [2015 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Musical]. Jason won Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle,
and Jeff Awards for Best New Musical for Adding Machine: A Musical, which he co-wrote with composer Joshua Schmidt
(off-Broadway, 2008). His latest musical is Big Nate: The Musical which premiered in 2013 at Adventure Theatre-MTC,
co-written with Olney’s Associate Artistic Director Christopher Youstra. Recent regional work as a director includes the
world premiere of Broke (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), Time Stands Still (Everyman, Baltimore), Crime and Punishment,
and Working It Out (Center Stage, Baltimore), Adding Machine: A Musical (Studio Theatre, DC), and a dozen plays for
Chicago’s Next Theatre Company, where he served as Artistic Director from 2002-08. Those credits include the Chicago
area premieres of Dying City, Defiance, The Long Christmas Ride Home, and Fabulation. He conceived and directed
the world premiere of The American Dream Songbook, and produced Chicago premieres by Caryl Churchill, Suzan-Lori
Parks, Carson Kreitzer, Sam Shepard, Dael Orlandersmith, and many more. He is a three-time grantee from the NEA
for Artistic Excellence, a recipient of support from the Rockefeller MAP Fund and MacArthur’s International Connections
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
16
WHO’S WHO - CREATIVE
Fund, and a TCG New Generations Future Leaders grant. Jason joined Olney as Artistic Director in 2013 after serving
four years as Executive Director of the National New Play Network. Jason is the proud recipient of a 2015 Montgomery
County Executive’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities, and serves on the board of Governors for Theatre
Washington.
Debbie Ellinghaus (Managing Director) joined Olney Theatre Center in August 2014. At Olney, she partners with
Artistic Director Jason Loewith to lead the staff and execute the mission and vision of the Theatre. She also serves as
a liaison to Olney Theatre’s Board of Directors, of which she is a member. Prior to joining Olney, she was the Director
of Development at the University of Maryland, College of Arts and Humanities where she raised major gifts to help
advance student scholarship and academic programming. From 2005-2011, she was the Senior Associate Director
of Development at Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT. At Yale, she she was part of
a university-wide campaign that raised more than $3.8 billion and included transformational gifts for Yale Rep from
the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Robina Foundation, which established the Binger Center for New Theatre.
Ms. Ellinghaus was the Director of Development at Jean Cocteau Repertory (New York, NY) and held positions at the
Guggenheim Museum, the Cathedral School (NY) and the Epiphany School (NY). She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree
from the University of Maryland (College Park) and is a graduate of the New Actors Workshop, where she studied
with George Morrison, Mike Nichols, and Paul Sills. Since 2013, Ms. Ellinghaus has served as Chair of the Downtown
Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, a not-for-profit organization that helps to preserve the cultural significance of
Merriweather Post Pavilion and provides support to other arts and culture organizations in Howard County, MD.
Lauren Wainwright (Executive Director of Tectonic Theater Project) joined Tectonic Theater Project in May 2015.
Wainwright, a former corporate lawyer, served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Goldman Sachs and as
an Associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Prior to Tectonic she was Managing Producer of The Foundry Theatre, Associate
Managing Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, General Manager of the Yale Institute for Music Theatre, and Yale Fellow
at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. She received an MFA in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama,
a JD from Boston College Law School, and a BA in Classics from Wesleyan University.
They couldn’t do it without you.
BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY!
Sponsorships bring you closer to the artists of Olney Theatre Center. Get to know
the artists and creative teams and experience a production from start to finish.
Artist Sponsorships
(actors, musicians, stage management)
begin at $500
Creative Sponsorships
(directors, choreographers, musical directors)
begin at $1,000
Production Sponsorships
(sponsor the run of a show)
begin at $2,500
Artist sponsor Robert E. Hebda with actress Valerie Leonard.
Sponsorship benefits include: Invitations to the First Rehearsal and Opening Night Celebration
Commemorative Photo • Acknowledgment in the Program • Our Eternal Applause!
To learn more about these opportunities, please contact Julie Carew, Director of Development,
at 301-924-4485 ext.103 or [email protected]
Dramaturgical Note
Cuba
IN
Carmen
An explosive mix of story, politics and clashing worldviews fuels Carmen: An
Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical. Audience members will surely bring preconceived notions
to the theater about Bizet’s legendary temptress and Fidel Castro’s revolution. But
to appreciate this production, they’ll need to dive below the surface of both.
Georges Bizet’s groundbreaking 1875 opera Carmen whirls around the loves of
its title character, a gypsy working in a cigarette factory, who seduces an uptight
soldier named José away from his childhood love, and into dereliction of duty
and the life of a smuggler. When Carmen tires of José’s puppy-love attentions,
she leaves him for Escamillo, a famous bullfighter. Rather than see her with
another man, José kills the woman he loves so desperately, and the opera
comes to its tragic end.
Moisés Kaufman and his collaborators transport Carmen the character by transporting her from 1820s Spain into the 20th century: specifically Cuba in 1958,
on the verge of Castro’s revolution. Our Carmen is an outsider by virtue of her
poverty, her confident sexuality in the macho worlds of the military and the mob,
and (as a descendant of slaves) her race. She’s also an adherent of Santería,
the amalgam of West African religious and Roman Catholic traditions, setting
her further apart. That outsider’s view of a rapidly changing world gives her a
ferocious determination to be free: as a woman, and as a Cuban.
Freedom was a complicated proposition in 1958 Cuba. Castro promised racial
and gender equality, an end to the corruption of the government of dictator Fulgencio Batista, and a socialist democracy, but revolutionary fervor quickly turned
Cuba into a Communist dictatorship just as oppressive (if not more) as the one
it replaced. Carmen must strike a balance between both worlds to protect her
freedom and stay true to her homeland. Like Brecht’s Mother Courage, she’ll
smuggle guns to Castro’s rebels in the name of freedom, but if the tide turns,
she’ll sell what she’s got to Batista’s military and the American mob to retain
control of her self and her body.
In the fall of 1958, Castro’s small rebel force and Batista’s army fought a series
of see-saw battles that left the outcome up in the air. José (here a corporal
in Batista’s army who deserts to follow Carmen’s smuggling operation) catches revolutionary fever, just as Camilo, Cuba’s homegrown and world-famous
boxing champion, returns to the island covered in glory after having defeated
one gringo after another in the States. Carmen is caught in an emotional and
socio-political love triangle.
If we think of Carmen as Cuba, both the character and the island come into
starker relief. Cuba’s people – products of oppression, colonization, slavery and
slaughter – are still caught between the corruption of Batista and the promise
of Castro. Ideologies aside, they’re just struggling to survive, come what may.
And what may come in the next few years, given the recent diplomatic thaw,
is anyone’s guess.
Christina Sajous
as Carmen
Jason Loewith, Production Dramaturg
Alexandra Ley, Associate Dramaturg
Cuba in the Twentieth Century
Cuba’s population skyrocketed during the nineteenth century as an
increasing number of African slaves were imported to work on sugarcane
plantations benefiting the Spanish empire. The end of the nineteenth century
saw the abolishment of slavery and the War of Independence from Spanish
rule. The Platt Amendment ended the American occupation of Cuba that had
started during the war, but also granted the American government permission
to come and go on Cuban soil as often as they deemed necessary. America
thus was the major force behind the industrialization and economic diversification of Cuba until the revolution in 1958. During the 1930s, mobsters
Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano led a large international operation that
turned Havana into an American tourist playground. Their goal was to create
a “mobster nation” where Americans could indulge in gambling, prostitution,
and other illicit activities. Lansky and Luciano spearheaded the construction
of casinos and hotels on the island. All they needed was a government willing
to look the other way as they increased their foothold at the expense of the
local population.They found one in dictator Fulgencio Batista, who became
president of the country in 1952.
Over half of the population of Cuba lived in urban areas by
then, and only two thirds of the population were able to keep steady and
full-time jobs. Batista’s regime was centered on his complete dictatorial control. He profited from the success of the nightlife industry in Havana, reinstated many corrupt political figures from his first presidential term in the 1940s,
and refused to let himself be taken to court over the legality of his ascendancy to power. Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl organized and trained soldiers
in the remote Sierra Maestra Mountains while they publicized revolutionary
ideals throughout the entire country. Although the soldiers at times numbered
as few as 200, as is the case at one point in our production of Carmen, their
campaign eventually won over the hearts and minds of the Cuban people.
Havana Skyline by Nicole Neuefeind. Image from Fine Art America
Throughout 1958, tensions heightened between followers of
Batista and those of Castro, while both sides resorted to more extreme displays of violence. Castro promised his government would be along
Socialist Democratic ideals, but in 1962 when America refused to support
Cuba, he aligned the Cuban government with the Soviet Union. Cuba officially became a national Communist state in 1965.
1492: Christopher Columbus
claims Cuba for Spain.
The slaughter of native
populations begins.
1513 - 1873: Cuba imports over
one million African slaves to
work on the sugar plantations.
1898: The Spanish-American
War, known in Cuba as “The War
of Independence,” ends with
the Platt Amendment declaring
that America has the right to
intervene in Cuban affairs.
July 26, 1953: Fidel Castro stages
a failed uprising against President
Fulgencio Batista by attacking the
military barracks in Moncada;
Castro is exiled to Mexico, where
he meets Che Guevara.
1956: Castro, his brother
Raul, Guevara, and 80 other
insurgents sail from Mexico
to Cuba to prepare to take
on Batista’s soldiers.
March 1958: The United States
stops sending weapons and
other aid to Cuba because of
the violence, turning the tide
against Batista’s regime.
December 1958: Castro’s forces
advance and President Batista
flees the city on New Year’s Eve,
leaving the revolutionaries to
riot in the streets and set up a
new form of government.
African and European Values Merge
to Create Afro-Cubanism
About 35% of Cuba’s population is descended in part from the million-plus slaves brought to the island
from Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries. Determined to keep elements of their native culture alive, these
descendants blended parts of different African belief systems with Roman Catholicism to create Santería, or La Regla
Lucumí. In Santería, initiates and priests (santos and santeros) follow one deity (orisha) in particular. Each orisha has
designated colors, offerings, legends, and sacred days of the year.
Musical and percussive elements are crucial to the rituals and practices of Santería, because orishas are asked to join in the celebration by
the beat of the sacred batá drums. Typically, only men beat on the three
drums, though both men and women join in the dance and celebration.
Distinctive rhythms on the batá drums provided the foundation for the
genre of Afro-Cuban jazz.
Batá drums
The rhythm of Carmen’s famous habanera originated in
Cuba, and spread far beyond the island and into Europe during the
nineteenth century. The characteristic rhythm of the dance came
from the contradanza, a Spanish line dance popular in the 18th and
early 19th centuries. Franco-Haitian slaves introduced the French
version of this dance, the contredanse, and its distinct rhythm, to
Cuba in the 1790s. During the mid-19th century, Bizet frequented a Latin café in France with an ensemble of musicians. It was there that he first heard the habanera, which would become the basis for one of the world’s greatest
and most famous operatic arias.
The fusion of Cuban and Spanish Caribbean
percussion and jazz began in 1940 with the establishment of an Afro-Cuban orchestra in New York City.
The Cuban émigrés Machito (also known as Frank Grillo)
and Mario Bauzá led the big band-style group. In 1950,
Machito’s orchestra recorded the Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite,
featuring performances by major jazz musicians of the day
and musical arrangements by Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill (the
father of our Carmen composer.) O’Farrill was front and
center for the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz in the Cuban
music scene, as he was part of some of the big band performances at Havana night clubs such as La Tropicana.
Afro-Cuban culture’s popularity grew immensely throughout the twentieth century. The rumba and the conga
are two of the most well-known Afro-Cuban dances in the world, and Castro’s administration designated the rumba as
the country’s official dance because it emphasized the African heritage of the country as well as Spanish Gitano and
gypsy flamenco. Today, Afro-Cuban music and dance is the most popular way to celebrate the distinct blend of African
and Latin American culture and history that has influenced Cuba and many of its people.
The Cuban Revolution was a moment when the whole of Cuban society was
reorganizing itself. And so what happens to the individual when society is
completely redefining itself? I think we are living in times where more and
more society redefines itself constantly and we have to continue to deal with
who we are as individuals in the midst of all that change.”
– Moisés Kaufman
Carmen: A Character For the Ages
Georges Bizet was commissioned by the Opéra-Comique to
write an opera based on Prosper Mérimée’s novella Carmen in
1873. Mérimée put himself in his novella as an anthropologist
visiting Spain. There he meets an outlaw named Don José Navarro, who tells him the tragic story of his love affair with and
murder of a gypsy named Carmen. Bizet adapted the novella into
a groundbreaking opera that, despite its contemporary reception
as scandalous, is now hailed for its realistic portrayal of the world
of gypsies and ruffians, and women who broke the mold by smoking cigarettes, expressing their sexual desires, and engaging in
physical fights. Many of its songs, particularly “Toreador Song”
and “Habanera,” are instantly recognizable and used often in
popular culture.
Composer Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
Carmen has never strayed far from the spotlight. In 1943,
Oscar Hammerstein II debuted the popular musical Carmen Jones, which
placed the story of Carmen in the World War II-era suburbs of Chicago with
an all African-American cast. Over the years, the opera has been adapted for
film more than 70 times. The character of Carmen has been transformed
into a young actress in Philadelphia (in MTV’s adaptation starring Beyoncé), an aspiring Bollywood dancer in the city of Bradford in England (in
BBC Three’s Bollywood Carmen Live), and a male mechanic (in Matthew
Bourne’s ballet Car Man: An Auto-Erotic Thriller).
Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte from the Otto Preminger film Carmen Jones
A new theatrical adaptation of the story premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2007, telling the story from
the perspective of José and incorporating flamenco dance and contemporary music by John Ewbank and AnnMarie
Milazzo. A 2008 circus-themed adaptation by Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy, and Norman Allen was lauded as the
most successful production in Czech theater history. Much like the production on OTC’s stage, Norge Espinosa Mendoza and Stephen Clark’s bilingual production Carmencita Jones: El Amor Cubano uses Carmen Jones as its basis and
reinterprets the story of Carmen and José in 1958 revolutionary Havana, Cuba.
Concept art by Andrea Bartha for the 2008 Czech production. Image from BroadwayWorld.com
Morning Edition
BBC Newshour
The Diane Rehm Show
The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Here & Now
Fresh Air
All Things Considered
More Than
a Soundbite
are you listening?
Dine Sunday thru
Thursday and receive
$10 OFF
your check!
With this ad. Cannot be combined
• Only Belgian Restaurant in Olney!!!
with any other deal.
• Over ten times winner of top Washingtonian restaurant award.
• Zagat rated each year since its beginning in 1999.
• Offering over 16 different mussel pots, Steak frites various sea food items, escargot and more!!!
• Three course meal of your choice from our extensive menu from Sunday thru Thursday for $34.14!!!
18064 Georgia Avenue, Olney, MD 20832 • 301-570-4800 • www.mannequinpis.com
Trust Local.
Suzanne B. Simpson
Attorney and Counselor at Law
Marcos Sanchez
Branch Manager / NMLS# 183941
301.232.1997
[email protected]
www.embracehomeloans.com
17810 Meeting House Rd
Suite 265
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Embrace Home Loans, Inc. NMLS ID # 2184 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) is licensed by
the Delaware State Bank Commissioner to engage in business in Delaware (Lic#7317. Exp.
12/31/2015), DC, MD, Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance, PA, VA.
provides a comprehensive,
compassionate, and
convenient way for busy parents
and professionals to obtain
vitally necessary estate planning
services including: probate and
trust administration, elder law,
Wills, Trusts, Special Needs
Trusts, Medical Directives,
and Powers of Attorney.
Simpson Law, pa • Spencerville, Maryland
301-421-0190 • www.SimpsonLaw.biz
CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION GIFTS
This list consists of contributions of $250 or more for the period 10/1/2014 through 12/31/2015
$1,000+
$100,000+
Adventure Park
America’s Charities
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Graham Holdings
National Philanthropic Trust
Eugene B. Casey Foundation
500+
CQI Associates, LLC
National Housing Endowment
- In honor of Robert Mitchell
United Jewish Endowment Fund
$50,000+
Matching Gift
Companies
$10,000+
A NOTE FROM YOUR FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Prepare
Protect
Prosper
A Properly Produced Financial Plan takes
CENTER STAGE with Direction, Leadership, & Skill.
Integrating Tax & Wealth Management is the key to a Well Prepared
financial future. At EagleStone, we provide a full spectrum of investment
management, financial planning, wealth advisory, accounting, and tax services
so we can help secure Your Financial Future with Your Goals in mind.
Rooted in the Olney Community, we are here to help you get started. Contact
us today.
$5,000+
Financial Planning, Investment & Wealth Management services provided through EagleStone Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Tax & Accounting services provided through EagleStone Tax & Accounting
Max & Victoria Dreyfus
Foundation, Inc.
$2,500+
Dallas Morse Coors Foundation
for the Performing Arts
Edelman Financial
IBM International Foundation
GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
MedImmune, LLC
PEW Charitable Trusts
Verizon Foundation
In-Kind Donations
Brooke Grove Retirement Village
MaryLee Adams
J. Roger Bentley
Creative Floral
David and Laura Epstein
Diane Grimes
Suzanne Gust
Harris Teeter
Margaret T. Roper and Clifford L. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Jason King Jones
Ruth A. Pollack
Kathleen Quinn
Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber
Martin H. Sachs
Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation
Pam Wade
Government Support
Maryland Department of
General Services
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
24
INDIVIDUAL GIFTS
This list consists of contributions of $250 or more for the period 10/1/2014 through 12/31/2015
$500,000+
Bob and Eveline Roberts
$100,000+
Mrs. Eugene B. Casey
Gana and Jim Dunlop
$50,000+
Mrs. Maggi Root
$10,000+
Anonymous
Susan and Jay Finkelstein
Rhonda Friedman and James Rafferty
Margaret T. Roper and Clifford L. Johnson
Charles S. Mack and Alice Barrett Mack
Helen Marshall
Kathleen Quinn
Patricia Woodbury
$5,000+
Anonymous - In memory of Kate Gibson
Mr. and Mrs. David Bottegal
Robert E. Hebda
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Z. Kaufman
Jennifer and Scott Kneeland
Paul and Pat Mangus
Bill and Babi Meekins
Bob and Marlene Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Mulitz - In honor of
the Mulitz-Gudelsky Family
Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber
Kevin White & Rossana Salvadori
- In honor of our parents, Anson
& Marge, Dilvo & Dina
$2,500+
Anonymous
Dennis and Holly Blackledge
M. Charlene Dorrian
Debbie and Andrew Ellinghaus
Morty and Meghan Gudelsky
TrueTheatergoer, LLC
Ms. Winifred E. Herrmann
Nettie Horne
Andi Kasarsky
Stephen and Mary Klein
Sidney Kramer
The Honorable Karen S. Montgomery
and Mr. Harry Montgomery
James Pape and Nancy Newman-Pape
Mita M. Schaffer and Tina M. Martin
301.924.3400
Victor Shargai and Craig Pascal
Mr. Vernon L. Skinner
Carol Trawick
$1,000+
Patricia Beaston
Deborah and Bruce Berman
Cathy S. Bernard
Merle and Nancy Biggin
Robert Burk
Julie B. Christopher
Ned Cramer
Ed and Leslie Cronin
Steve Danielson and Dr. Kenneth Hoyle
Eileen and Paul DeMarco
Frederick Denecke
Gordon and Margot Dibble
Joan Elise Dubinsky and Craig N. Packard
Edith L. Embrey
Edward Epes
Maureen and Tom Estrin
Bob and Pat Fauver
Berdie and David Firestone
Barry and Marie Fleishman
Hal and Karen Gordon
Mrs. Mary Graham
The William H. Graham, Sr. Family
William A. Hanson and Gail A. Lieberman
Paul Henderson - In memory of
Marilyn Henderson
Max and Helen Jacobs - In memory of
William Graham
Mr. and Mrs. Lane Jennings
The Honorable Benjamin F. Kramer
Jane Thérèse Larsen
Megan and Tony Limarzi
Jason Loewith
John and Kathy Lyons
Maggie and Tico McCready
Lisa McKillop - In honor of Wes Meekins,
Weldon Brown, and Valerie Leonard
Tony and Connie Morella
Sue Morss - In loving memory of
Lester Robert Morss
Clyde and Christina Northrop
Steve C. Phan and Richard J. Poster
Robert and Lelia Russell
Adrienne and Louis Sacks
Marlin R. and Alicia B. Taylor
John and Andrea Urciolo
Sandy and Alan Wade
Brad Watkins
Dr. and Mrs. Steven C. White
George A. and Katherine C. Whitehouse
$500+
Dean and Jo Ann Aulick
Harold M. and Christine A. Bartlett
Jeanne Brush
Alfonso and Alicia Burgos
Susan and Dixon Butler
Dr. Thomas A. Clark
Kevin and Amber Colleran
Richard and Joan Curtis
Rev. Lee Davis and Mr. Daniel Lonteen
Brad Diederichs
Patricia Dorazio
Ms. Andrea Drimmer
David Dunn
Carol B. Epstein
Mr. Mark B. Epstein
Robert and Carole Fontenrose
Robert J. and Liane A. Giardina
Mr. Gerald Gietka
Judith P. Hallett and Mark Hallett, M.D
David and Lindsey Heinemann
Elizabeth A. Henriksen
Jim and Lynne Hensley
Jon and Michelle Hulsizer
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jourdenais
Mr. Jim Kronzer
The Honorable Isiah Leggett
and Mrs. Catherine S. Leggett
Richard W. Ley
Robert E. Liles II
David and Jennifer Lubitz
Edwin M. Martin and Nancy A. Spangler
Susan McCarthy
Mr. William L. Mitchell and
Mr. David A. Vignolo
Frederick and Elizabeth Montgomery
Marty and Christina More
Elizabeth M. Moss
Osborne C. Parchment, PhD
Rosemary Celia Pompa
Daniel and Christine Powers
Mark and Sharon Prysant
Howdie and Cecelia Ritchie
Ms. Margaret Ann Ross
Barbara and Roger Schwarz
Dr. Robert Sjogren
Mary and Richard Slaninka
Leslie F. Smith and Stacy P. Smith
Charles and Mary Solla
Roger and Carolyn Sorensen
Jerome and Patti L. Sowalsky
Ms. Donna Spiegler
Neil and Lily Starr
Duane and Sylvia Straub
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
25
OLNEY THEATRE CENTER THANKS THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY
Nancy Suter - In loving memory of
Dick and Nancy Thomas
Lois Taylor and Stephen Simpson
Scott Tholan
Diane Tredwell
Ken and Jaki Ulman
Adolph Vezza
J. Watkins and Dr. Brad Frey
Jonathan Weiss
Robert and Sarah Wheedleton
David and Deborah Yaffe
$250+
Anonymous
Connie and Larry Aaronson
Mark Ahart
Richard H. and Mary Ann Austing
Carol Ballentine
Tim and Julia Boulay
Arden M. Brady
Patricia Bulhack
Valerie M. Campbell
Dan and Cheryl Chartier
Katherine and Wil Chase
Clare Crawford-Mason
James and Denise Duda
Brad Farrell
Lawrence and Joan Friend
Lucian and Lynn Furrow
Peter Glassman, Arx Wealth Management
- In honor of Rhonda Friedman
Ed Grossman and Rochelle Stanfield
- In memory of Howie Stanfield
Freddi and Dick Hammerschlag
Sara & David Harris
Joshua and Ana Rita Hauge
Ms. Linda Lurie Hirsch
Peter Hopkins
Mr. Eric Horowitz
Joannene Hudak
Mr. Richard F. Hughes
Ms. Susan B. Hughes
Mr. and Mrs. Jason King Jones
Elizabeth S. King
Nancy Laing
Beverly G. Landstrom
Linda Levy and Dennis Kronenberg
- In honor of Victor Shargai
Mrs. Lillian Litowsky
Marcia D. Litwack
Jesus and Alicia Lizarazo
Katherine C. Madaleno
Mr. Walter Magruder Jr.
Peg Mancuso
Frederick and Betty Marcell
Maury and Beverly Marks
Linda and Tom McCabe
Ms. Donna P. Mergliano
Reginald and Chrissie Nash
Allyson and Bob Parlock
John and Maureen Pelosi
William Phillips
Wesley Pickard and Jeanette Studley
Dr. Carole A. Rayburn
Steve and Cokie Roberts
Suzanne Rotbert and Jim Dawson
Fill and Linda Ruegg
Donald Sauer
Thomas Schall
Julia and Peter Shawhan - In honor
of Susan J. Shawhan
and National Players
Cora and Murray Simpson Family Fund
Patricia M. Smith
Michael and Camilla Smith
Gary and Janet Sowers
Christopher Specht
Wyman and Tine Stone
Susan Stracquatanio
and Thomas Jones
Peter Threadgill
Kevin Townsend
Carrie and John Trauth
Marc Walton and Toni Stifano-Walton
T & Tara Watts
Helene Weisz & Richard Lieberman
David Mendick and Naomi Yadin-Mendick
B R O U G H T TO YO U BY BA ROUH
STAN BAROUH PHOTOGRAPHY
PERFORMING ARTS | SPECIAL EVENTS | PORTRAITURE
[email protected]
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
26
KIDS MAKE THEATER HAPPEN This Summer at
O L N E Y T H E AT R E C E N T E R
SUMMER
STOCK
Super Theatre at Olney for Creative Kids
GRADES 4-6
OLNEY THEATRE CENTER SUMMER STOCK
is a one-of-a-kind theater arts program for students in grades 4-6.
Students will work with OTC theater artists daily, taking classes in
Acting & Improvisation, Voice & Singing, Dance & Movement, and
Scene Creation. Masterclasses from Guest Artists and special visits to
rehearsals of active OTC productions are also on the schedule. At the
end of the two-week session, students will perform in a showcase
featuring their original scene along with musical theater song and
dance: parents and family members are invited!
Sing a number from a hit Broadway Musical
Dance a routine choreographed
especially for them
Write an original scene
Act in the scene they write
Play a variety of theater games
Perform in a showcase
Learn from the Professional Artists
who work on Olney’s stages
Before and After Care available
Register before March 1 to take advantage of our early bird discount
FOR INFO AND REGISTRATION
Visit OlneyTheatre.org/Camp or contact Jason King Jones
Associate Artistic Director/Director of Education
301.924.4485 ext. 127 • [email protected]
Close to Home,
but a World Away!
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
27
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Independent living
assisted living
rehabilitation
long-term care
memory support
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
28
A NOTE FROM YOUR FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Prepare
Prosper
Protect
A Properly Produced Financial Plan takes
CENTER STAGE with Direction, Leadership, & Skill.
Integrating Tax & Wealth Management is the key to a Well Prepared
financial future. At EagleStone, we provide a full spectrum of investment
management, financial planning, wealth advisory, accounting, and tax services
so we can help secure Your Financial Future with Your Goals in mind.
Rooted in the Olney Community, we are here to help you get started. Contact
us today.
Financial Planning, Investment & Wealth Management services provided through EagleStone Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Tax & Accounting services provided through EagleStone Tax & Accounting
Dr. Lori Reitman
I am pleased
to announce the
establishment
of a private retainer
based practice of
Internal Medicine in
my home community
of Olney, MD.
WE ARE PROUD TO PROVIDE:
Same day sick visits l Comprehensive annual physicals
On time and unhurried appointments
Hospital visits at Medstar Montgomery
24/7 access to your doctor for emergencies
Available by telephone or email l Coordination of care
House calls in the Olney area when medically appropriate
Unmatched courteous and professional service
Lori L. Reitman, M.D.
301-774-7115
301.924.3400
l
l
Olney, MD
drlorireitman.com
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
29
Find
your
voice.
Rigorous,
hands-on,
project-based
learning for
grades 6-12.
barrie.org/
Prep
Coed Age 18 months through Grade 12
●
Beautiful 45-acre campus located just
minutes from the Metro and ICC
Bus transportation options for the
2015-2016 school year (ages 5 and up)
301.576.2800 ● barrie.org ● 13500 Layhill Road ● Silver
Spring
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG 30
301.924.3400
OLNEY THEATRE CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Charles Mack..........................................................................................................................................President
Susan Finkelstein................................................................................................................................Board Chair
Linda E. Rosenzweig........................................................................................................................Vice President
Clifford Johnson.................................................................................................................................... Treasurer
Robert Mitchell...................................................................................................................................... Secretary
Jennifer Kneeland......................................................................................................... Immediate Past President
Directors
Phyllis Bottegal • Debbie Ellinghaus • Rhonda Friedman • Robert E. Hebda
Stephen Klein • Jason Loewith • Helen Marshall • William Meekins • Alan Wade
Honorary Board Members
Stephen Kaufman • Anthony Morella • Mita M. Schaffer
William H. Graham, Sr. (in memoriam)
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES
Actors
Evan Casey • Julie-Ann Elliott • Rick Foucheux • Helen Hedman • Valerie Leonard
Susan Lynskey • Donna Migliaccio • Paul Morella • Jon Hudson Odom • Tracy Lynn Olivera
Michael Russotto • Bobby Smith • Stephen Gregory Smith
Directors, Choreographers, AND Musical Directors
Michael J. Bobbitt • John E. Going • Eleanor Holdridge • Tara Jeanne Vallee • Mark Waldrop
Designers AND Stage Managers
Colin K. Bills • James Fouchard • Misha Kachman • Pei Lee • Josiane M. Lemieux
Milagros Ponce de León • Ivania Stack
AUDIENCE SERVICES
Theater Policies
Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the house manager. Please do not bring food into the theater (beverages are
allowed). All buildings are smoke-free. The use of recording
or photographic equipment during the show is prohibited.
Olney Theatre Center is not responsible for any items left on
our campus. All children, including babies, require a ticket.
We will ask parents to take their children to the lobby if
their behavior is disturbing patrons. Please turn off your cell
phone in the theater.
Post-Show Discussions
Join the artistic staff and/or invited guests after select Saturday matinees for AfterWords. Please call the Box Office
at 301.924.3400 for more information on these events.
Sign-Interpreted Performances
Sign interpretation is available for the third Thursday evening during a show’s run. The service must be requested
two weeks in advance and is based on the availability of
qualified interpreters. To request this service, please email
[email protected].
Audio-Described Performances
Audio-described performances are offered during the third
week of a show’s run on Wednesday evenings. This includes
pre-show program notes and descriptions of the action,
scenery, and costumes during pauses in the dialogue.
301.924.3400
Listening Assistance
We offer devices that amplify sound free of charge in exchange for identification. Please ask the house manager
for assistance. (This service is not available on the third
Wednesday evening of a show’s run.)
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
31
Tectonic Theater Project Support
Tectonic Theater Project programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support
of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Special thanks to the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Surdna Foundation, New York Community Trust, Ford Foundation,
SHS Foundation, Hearst Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust,
Theatre Communications Group, Autism Speaks, Aspergers Awareness Council, Axe-Houghton Foundation & Bailey’s
Team for supporting Tectonic Theater Project.
Subsidized studio space provided by the A.R.T./New York Creative Space Grant, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation.
Tectonic Theater Project Artistic Director’s Circle
$25,000 and above
$5,000 - $9,999
Richard Feldman and Jon Nathanson
Steve and Rosemarie Johnson
Jeanne M. Sullivan
Ted Trimpa
Erik Batt and Daniel Marsili
Ralph and Gail Bryan
Bruce Carter
Margery Feldberg and Jeremy Levin
Ruth and Itzhak Fisher
John Hadity and Scott Davis
Stephen and Ruth Hendel
Mellody Hobson
Ricardo Hornos and Lisa Kohl
The Lowy Salpeter Company
(Benjamin Lowy and Adrian Salpeter)
Stephanie and Carter McClelland
Steven and Marianne Mills
Garrett and Mary Moran
Deborah Taylor
Henry Van Ameringen
Aaron Walton
Shelby White
Lois Whitman
$10,000 - $24,999
The Hon. John G. Heimann and Maria Cristina Anzola
Barbara Whitman
Jim and Lori Steinberg
Amy Stursberg and Philip Barber
Shawn Donnelley
James C. Hormel and Michael Nguyen
Jeffrey and Vivien Ressler and the Jordan Ressler Fund
Jeanne Donovan Fisher
Mark Gude and Paul Sekhri
Alan W. Kornberg and Harold J. Koda
Jonathan and Mindy Gray
John and Maggie Langley
Gigi Pritzker and the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
Heather Randall and the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund
Jon Stryker
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
32
Tectonic Theater Project Staff
Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director Lauren Wainwright, Executive Director
Tiffany Redmon............................................................................ Director of Development & Communications
Liz Olson.......................................................................................................General Manager/Line Producer
Matt Freeman................................................................................................................... Education Director
Darren Johnston.................................................................................................... Administrative Coordinator
Mara Isaacs................................................................................................................. Production Consultant
Rebecca Hof.......................................................................................................................................Intern
Tectonic Theater Project Board of Directors
Ted Trimpa, Chair
Alan Kornberg, Vice-Chair
Tim Wu, Vice-Chair
John Hadity, Treasurer
Amy Stursberg, Secretary
Ralph Bryan, Michael Graziano, Mark Gude, Andrew Hindman, Krysti Keener, Jeffrey LaHoste, Allen Lamb, Scott Mauro,
Erick Neher, Cathy Renna, Jeffrey Ressler, Richard Sheehan, Deborah Taylor, Aaron Walton, Barbara Whitman
What’s up next for Tectonic Theater Project
Uncommon Sense – Written by Tectonic company members Andy Paris and Anushka Paris-Carter, Uncommon Sense is
a theatrical exploration of the autism spectrum that pushes the boundaries of narrative and design to allow audiences
to experience what it means to live outside the bounds of ‘normal.’ Uncommon Sense will see its world premiere in
Tectonic’s 2016/17 Season.
El Gato con Botas – Moisés Kaufman’s theatrical adaptation of the classic fable Puss in Boots combines bunraku style
puppetry and classic opera. Tectonic Theater Project partners with the UK’s Blind Summit Theatre to bring you this
mesmerizing, bi-lingual production – slated to tour in 2017/18.
The Tallest Tree In the Forest – Daniel Beaty’s play with music about the life of one of the most dynamic figures in
American History - Paul Robeson. Employing multi-character transformation, monologues, narrative scenes, heightened
poetry and video footage of the era, this theatrical work explores the evolution of Robeson as an artist/activist, his
humanity, his courage, his contradictions, and why many called him The Tallest Tree In the Forest. Tallest Tree toured
to Kansas City Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Arena Stage and Mark Taper Forum before premiering to rave reviews at the
Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2015. Tallest Tree will see a national tour in 2017/18.
Please continue to check our website for details: www.tectonictheaterproject.org.
301.924.3400
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
33
OLNEY THEATRE CENTER STAFF
ARTISTIC
Artistic Director
Associate Artistic Director/
Director of Music Theater
Associate Artistic Director/
Director of Education
Artistic Apprentice
PRODUCTION
Director of Production
Company Manager/
Assistant Production Manager
Technical Director
Assistant Technical Director
Shop Foreman
Carpenters
Resident Scenic Artist
Costume Shop Supervisor
Resident Costume Designer/
Assistant Costume
Shop Supervisor
Costume Shop Associate
Master Electrician
Properties Master
Resident Sound and
Projections Supervisor
Production Management
Apprentice
Company Management
Apprentice
Production Apprentices
SHOW STAFF
Jason Loewith
Christopher Youstra
Jason King Jones
Leah Wedge
Dennis A. Blackledge
Claire Kennedy
Stephen M. Greene
David Ash
Sarah Splaine
Joseph Caverly, Brad Ziegler
Fred Via
Jeanne Bland
Managing Director
General Manager
Facilities Manager
Debbie Ellinghaus
Fred T. Paul
Michael Plater
DEVELOPMENT
Director of Development
Manager of Institutional Giving
Individual Giving Manager
Marketing and
Development Apprentice
FINANCE
Senior Accountant
Business Manager
Julie Carew
Tom Eisman
R. Wesley Meekins
Clara Huang
Chyeslan Buso
Kynda Reid
COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Marketing and
Communications Joshua Ford
Sales Director
Weldon C. Brown
Marketing and Public
Seth Gilbert
Relations ManagerHeather Andrews
Kelsey Willis
Brand Director/
Samantha Campbell
Graphic Designer
JJ Kaczynski
Rachael Erichsen
Patron and Volunteer
Services Manager
R. Wesley Meekins
Brian Chismar
Box Office Supervisors
Chisomo Maluwa, Taylor Payne, Josh Rose
Front of House Supervisors
Lucirae Cooley, Desirée Ward
Kat Lea
House Managers
Lina Al Dajani, Nic Lopez,
Ricardo José Meléndez, Barbara Scanlan
Elana Lantry
Trey Brazeal, Caron Davis, Carissa Gilson, Box Office Associates Judy Abrams, Jessica Comstock,
Tatyana Goddard, Emily E. James,
Vince Constantino, Shayla Garfield,
Shelby Marie Gable, Natalie Petruch,
Marion Levy Qualls,
Benjamin Ramos
Rachel Spory-Harper, Emily Townsend
Marketing Intern
Becky Polinger
Assistant Director
Nick Martin
Assistant OrchestrationsVince Norman
Assistant Musical Director
Nathan Beary Blustein
Assistant Stage Manager
Emily E. James
Rehearsal Assistant
Stage Manager
Carissa Gilson
Assistant Sound Designer
Justin Schmitz
NYC Production Assistant
Claire Carden
Fight Choreographer
Ben Cunis
Co-Company Manager
Elana Lantry
Assistant Scenic Designer
Frank Blackmore
Assistant Lighting Designer
Ali Hall
Assistant Costume DesignerHeather Stanley
Props Crew
Caron Davis
Deck Chief
Sarah Splaine
Deck Crew
Ben Ramos
Sound Engineer
Ed Solomon
A-2
Natalie Petruch
Light Board Op
Trey Brazeal
Follow Spot Operators Brittney Biddle, Megan Hart
Wardrobe Supervisor
Kelsey Willis
Wardrobe
Shelby Marie Gable
Hair and Wig Consultant
Anne Nesmith
Production Dramaturg
Alexandra Ley
ProgrammersHelen Garcia-Alton, Joe Gugliuzza
Additional Painters
Claire Jones, Gracie Jones, Anna Mihm
Additional Carpenters
Brendan Gregg
Additional ElectriciansHelen Garcia-Alton, Stephanie DeHart,
Brendan Gregg, Joshua Taylor
301.924.3400
ADMINISTRATION
EDUCATION
Education Programs
Manager
Dramaturgy Apprentice
Education Apprentice
Kevin Hasser
Alexandra Ley
Brittney Biddle
The Director and Choreographer are members of the
Olney Theatre Center for the Arts is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national
service organization representing the not-for-profit American theater; the Cultural Alliance of
Greater Washington; the League of Washington Theatres; and the Baltimore Theatre Alliance.
Olney Theatre Center for the Arts is a professional theater employing members of
Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers
in the United States.
Actors’ Equity Association, founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors
and stage managers in the U.S. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions,
providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Equity
seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
34
Special thanks to our Season Sponsors
When expertise and rapid response are key, healthcare professionals
and their patients count on Roberts Home Medical, Inc. Serving Maryland,
Virginia, and the District of Columbia since 1977, Roberts Home Medical, Inc.
is the area’s largest and most trusted independently owned and operated
home medical equipment supplier.
LOCATIONS: Ashland, VA • Baltimore, MD • Charlottesville, VA • Falls Church, VA • Frederick, MD
Fredericksburg, VA • Germantown, MD • Harrisonburg, VA • Lynchburg, VA • Newport News, VA
www.robertshomemedical.com
Since our founding in 1966 as a local distributor of compressed industrial,
medical and specialty gases, cryogenic gases and equipment, welding
equipment and supplies, we have expanded our capabilities and services
to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Today, Roberts Oxygen
is recognized as the finest service oriented independent distributor from
Pennsylvania to Florida with 44 locations, serving 9 states.
Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.• 15830 Redland Road • Rockville, MD 20855
Main: 301-948-8100 • Fax: 301-948-2465 • www.robertsoxygen.com
OL NEY T H EATRE CE N T E R
“My Montgomery
helped me lose 80 pounds
and regain my life.”
Losing weight for Carolyn was frustrating.
She worked with personal trainers and
dieted frequently. But instead of results,
she got pain in her knees and back that
was so extreme, exercising became limited.
After an appointment at MedStar
Montgomery Medical Center, Carolyn
found a doctor and procedure that
changed her life. Today she’s 80 pounds
lighter and 100 percent happier with the
way she looks and feels.
With a focus on all areas of health care,
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center has
the skillful, caring specialists to help you
through it all.
To see Carolyn’s full story, visit
MedStarMontgomery.org/OlneyTheatre.
Call 855-546-1793 to make an
appointment with one of our physicians.
301.924.3400
18101 Prince Philip Dr., Olney, MD
OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG
36