Ars Creo Presents:
The Tragic Account of Joseph Much a fairytale
Act 1 Scene 1 – The Woods Prologue, Accidents Happen, Who Knows?, and A Student. Scene 2 – The Workshop. What is it? Scene 3 – Prosthetic Shop Repairs, Fatal or Otherwise, A Thing of Beauty, and The Argument Scene 4 – The Woods Scene 5 – Another part of The Woods Scene 6 – Prosthetic Shop Scene 7 – The Doctor’s Study Scene 8 – Prosthetic Shop The purpose of an axe and How is it done?
Act 2 Scene 1 – The Prosthetic Shop A Thing of Beauty Reprise, Ladies and Gentlemen Scene 2 – The Woods Dream Scene 3 – Outside the Shop Scene 4 – Outside the Shop A Thing of Beauty Reprise Scene 5 – The Woods Sprinkling of Flower Petals, Who do you think you are? Scene 6 – The Prosthetic Shop I’ve Never Understood Scene 7 – The Woods Scene 8 – The Village and The Woods The Interrogation, If They Find Him, The Purpose of an Axe Reprise Scene 9 – The Village Finale
Cast: Joseph – Bradley Luckton Simon – Scott Bennett Annabel – Briana Gunter The Doctor – Christopher Lee Clark Babylon – Rebecca McLaughlin Long Nails – Pam Jeffries Otherwise – Emma Crook Halfpastfour – Isaac Preston Kayla – Shannon Gilpin Marcy Desoutter – Andy Maier Dubois Parmlee – David Ziegler Mrs. James Potts – Gayle Bugg Sir James Syme – Johnathan B. Rodriguez Mysterious Voices – Carolyn Bugg
Crew: Author and Co-Director – Ashleigh Gill Music Director, Composer, Choreographer – Zack Merritt Set Designer and Co-Director – Christopher Lee Clark Stage Manager and Props Master – Carol Jackson Seamstress – Deya Terrafranca Promotional Materials – Mary Maier Sound Technician – Timmy Simms Lighting – Shawn Gill Stage Crew – Kayla Gunter and Jessy Wisdom
Orchestra: Conductor – Zack Merritt Piano – TK Lombardo Synthesizer – Andrew Weiss Guitar – Lars Swanson Violin 1 – Molly Lynn Page Violin 2 – Angela Scoulas Cello – Dean Pauley Bass – Craig Burletic Reed 1 – Shey Dillon Reed 2 – Jason Mitchell Brass – Brianna Williams Percussion – Colin Vaughn
Orchestra for the 2012 Ars Creo Production of Catch
About Ars Creo: Ars Creo is a Hinton-based theater group composed entirely of volunteers dedicated to bringing art to their communities. The group produces original musicals every summer, free of charge. Their past shows, in chronological order, are:
A Thorn By Any Other Name After Ruby Jones To The Egress Catch This year will mark their fifth show, The Tragic Account of Joseph Much. Each year, Ars Creo gains new members from the community as interest in the work becomes more widespread. The goal is to provide a creative outlet for anyone interested in expressing their particular skill or art form, and because theater inherently mixes many arts, it is the perfect medium for this. It also provides a sense of fulfillment and community for those involved, who experience the creation of something that at once hinges on every individual and becomes bigger than the group itself.
If you would like to join Ars Creo inform Ashleigh Gill or Zack Merritt. We are always looking for more actors, technicians, and artists to add to our group. For more information visit http://arscreo.org
About the Author: Ashleigh Gill (Author, Co-Director)
Ashleigh Gill holds a BA in Literature and a BS in Education from Concord University. Carried by a love of writing and an addiction to coffee, she is working toward an MFA at Hollins University.
Thoughts on the Show: Fairytales are the primal root of literature. They unify humanity over time, place, and age. We tell the old stories to examine new realities, and they are deeply part of us, like bone, like language. This fairytale is among the most difficult and natural things I’ve written. It’s not a kind creature, but it is a nice one. Among its themes, you’ll notice the importance of Names. I wanted to examine the use of words and names as powerful tools. We base our identities on what people call us. We understand the world by labeling it. In some myths, speaking something’s name gives you power over it. Some names are too holy, or too evil, to utter. This story examines the effect of finding your name, or giving it up. It’s a play about having and losing, wanting and taking. It leaves, I hope, an enduring question: what would it take to fully know yourself, and how far would you go to learn?
About the Composer: Zack Merritt (Composer, Choreographer, Music Director) Using divergent media, Zack Merritt (muZack__) creates vignettes that are suspended in time and blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy. His works are presented in a framework that encourages audience participation and interpretation. Mr. Merritt’s work has been performed regionally on recitals and festivals including the 2010 SCI Student National Conference, 2012 Marshall University Festival of New Music, and was recently included in the 60×60 East Coast Mix. My work is as simple as you think it is. I like curries, knitting, and kittens (though not combined). Merritt holds a BFA (Summa Cum Laude) in Music Composition from Marshall University where he was awarded the outstanding senior in music. He is currently at Bowling GreenState University where he is obtaining a MM in Composition. He has studied with Mikel Kuehn, Christopher Dietz, and Mark Zanter.
Thoughts on the show: A fairy tale is something that everyone experiences at some point in their life. Through retelling we often envision sounds the accompany the action of the story. I’m certain that if you think of the big bad wolf blowing down the houses of the three little pigs you’ll hear some kind of tempestuous sound to accompany the action; that compositional method is the essentially the same one that I used to score this show. This show is visual, aurally, and emotionally spectacular and I just want to take a moment to thank all of the cast and crew that put so much time and effort into this thing. Enjoy!
Carol S. Jackson (Stage Manager, Props Master) Carol is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and 2004 graduate from Concord University. Carol has been designing costumes and sets for the Summers County Kids in Dramatic Studies for over a decade and with Ars Creo since its inspiration. This is the BEST SHOW so far congratulations cast, crew and creators!! (Past credits: Set Design for A Thorn by Any Other Name, After Ruby Jones, To The Egress, Catch)
Christopher Lee Clark (Set Design, Co-Director, The Doctor) Christopher Lee Clark holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Kentucky in Architecture and Theatre. He works as an architectural designer for E T Boggess Architects. His artwork can be seen on display at the Gary Bowling House of Art. Past roles include Skunk, Ronald, and Mike Stabinsky in As Bees in Honey Drown, captain of police in Cops, Jean in Miss Julie, Robin Starveling in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and various roles in the films Blink, Seraphim, and Bug (which was showed at the Hong Kong film festival). (Past credits: Governor Peg: Catch)
Cast: Briana Gunter (Annabel) is a student at Concord University majoring in elementary education. She has been acting for 10 years with various groups including the Summers County KIDS, Ars Creo, Theatre West Virginia, and the Appalachian Shakespeare Project. Briana is the assistant director of the Summers County KIDS and a theatre attendant at the Ritz Theatre (and is official the only actor to perform in every single Ars Creo production over the past five years). “I’m excited to be involved in another original musical created and performed by the most creative people I know.” (Past Roles: North in Catch, Mrs. Montague in A Thorn by Any Other Name, Ruby Jones in After Ruby Jones, and Gladys in To The Egress) Rebecca McLaughlin (Babylon) holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and Art Education, B.A. in Studio Art, and obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership/Supervision at Concord University. She is the current Director of the Summers County K.I.D.S. This is her third year acting with Ars Creo and is eager to continue working with this group. She began acting and singing with the K.I.D.S. in the first grade (some of her roles included Widow Corney in Oliver Twist, Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Witch in The Wizard of Oz, and Wendy in Peter Pan. She has also worked at Theater WV. Other shows she has participated in include: Hatfields &McCoys, Honey in the Rock, The Sound of Music, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Rebecca currently teaches Kindergarten at H.A.E. and she loves spending time with her (adorable) daughter Paisley. (Past roles: South in Catch and Lucy in To The Egress) Bradley Luckton (Joseph) is a resident of Hinton, WV and attends Virginia Tech, majoring in Chemical Engineering. He has been involved with local theatre groups for eleven years, starting with the K.I.D.S. performing in shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Peter Pan, Seussical, and Annie. Favorite roles have been “Daddy” Warbucks, The Cat (Honk), ½ of the Giant (Jack and the Giant), and Dr. Harold
Harlow. Outside of Theatre Bradley’s other interests involve music, classic and science fiction books, chemistry, and video games. (Past roles: East in Catch, Dr. Harold Harlow in After Ruby Jones and Walter in To The Egress) Scott Bennett (Simon) is a clump of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen atoms that were forged in the hearts of distant stars long long ago. (Past roles: West in Catch, Mr. Montague in A Thorn by Any Other Name and Gilby Jones in After Ruby Jones) Pam Jeffries (Long Nails) is a native West Virginian. She is an administrative assistant and semi-retired professional white-water guide. Past performances include Hello Dolly, Carousel, and No, No Nanette. “It is wonderful to have a group of individuals with such creative skills and talents. They are truly a positive attribute to our community.” (Past roles: The Builder in Catch and Margaret in To The Egress) Isaac Preston (Halfpastfour) is a space cowboy who roams the cosmos looking for work. In his many travels, he decided to explore his old home, Earth. While enjoying an arts event, he stumbled upon a wise spirit telling him of a powerful clan known as Ars Creo. Ars Creo was known to perform magic that could entangle the minds of the masses and cast them into lands of imagination and chaos. To The Egress was an adventure in which Isaac became an elderly man by the name of John Johnson. Also, there was a great and powerful magician who would be the steward of all the elderly and help them along their many travels. Catch was an adventure that tossed Isaac into the mind of Governor Breach, a great leader of a fine academic institution. His current adventure lands him in a land of accidents where he is a witch by the (possible) name of Halfpastfour. These adventures and many more to come from the great traveler as he carries on with the people of Ars Creo. (Past Roles: Governor Breach in Catch and John Johnson/The Magician in To The Egress)
Emma Crook (Otherwise), attends SCHS where she is a percussionist in the school band. Emma is no stranger to the stage and has performed in many plays including: MLK and the Ugly Duckling. She sings in choir and plays softball. You can see her almost every night working at the Dairy Queen. Emma is also the mascot for the basketball cheer team. (Past Roles: Phyllis in Catch) Shannon Gilpin (Kayla) recently graduated from Summers County High School and is attending Liberty University Online studying Elementary Education this fall. She has worked with the Summers County KIDS since fourth grade and has been helping direct the group for the past two years (Honk and The Little Mermaid). Shannon has enjoyed roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Jack and the Giant, Seussical, Willy Wonka, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Catch, and now The Tragic Account of Joseph Much. She is also a princess in the 2013 Hinton Water Festival. (Past Roles: Susan Stampstone in Catch) Andy Maier (Marcy Desoutter) has been on the stage since the age of three working with the Summers County K.I.D.S., Theatre West Virginia, and Ars Creo. Andy recently graduated from Summers County High School and works full time at Pipestem State Park. She is attending Berea College this fall where she is pursuing a degree in arts education. While at SCHS she was a cheerleader, a percussionist in the band, a member of the key club, and a member of the 4-H. Andy is a princess in the 2013 Hinton Water Festival (Past roles: Arthur in Catch, G端nter in To The Egress and Elizabeth in A Thorn by Any Other Name) David Ziegler (Dubois Parmlee), attended Darthmouth College earning a A.B. in Government in 1968. He earned a degree from the University of Virginia in Law in 1974. He has performed in The Birthday of the Infanta and The Mouse that Roared while attending Palmer High School. He currently works as a lawyer in Summers County. While not working on the stage or behind a desk he enjoys spending time with his granddaughter, farming, traveling, and
photography. “Performing with a much younger cast makes me feel young.” (Past Roles: Fred in Catch) Gayle Bugg (Mrs. James Potts), holds a BS in Business Administration (Music Minor) from Elizabethtown College. Gayle has performed at the Kennedy Center and National Cathedral with the Choral Arts Society of Washington. Past shows include My Fair Lady and Oliver. She currently works as a medical assistant. Gayle also enjoys sharing the gift of music by directing the choir at the First United Methodist Church of Hinton, performing with the Bluestone Chamber Singers, and singing for special community events. She enjoys gardening and photography. (Past Roles: Vittsjö in Catch) Johnathan B. Rodriguez (Sir James Syme) was born of a father who lives in Cybertron and Azeroth and as a result was destined to live in the gaming world. His mother, who has generations of creation, design, and passion, was able to bring him up as an artist with a great amount of potential. Born and raised in Texas, Johnathan moved to West Virginia during his 6th Grade year. He greatly enjoys High School, spending times with his friends, playing 3DS (pokémon!). Rodriguez is also an avid illustrator and has been working on a comic strip called Crazy Days for roughly two years.
Crew: Kayla Gunter (Stage Crew) recently moved from the great state of Kansas. She graduated from WVWC in 2011 with a major in Accounting. Gunter entered the theater world in 2000 as stage crew member and she never strayed far from the stage. Recently she has made her way from behind the curtains to the stage deputing in Seussical. She joined Ars Creo at the beginning of its first show and assisted in directing the show. She also loves randomness and enjoys eating cookies in milk. (Past Credits: Director and Mrs. Capulet in A Thorn by Any Other Name, Stage Manager in After Ruby Jones, Kayla and Stage Manager in To The Egress, and Emotional Support in Catch) Jessy Wisdom (Stage Crew) hails from the great land of Oz. She graduated from McPherson College with a B.S. in Mathematics. Jessy loves Frisbees, bikes, and Papermate pens.
Deya Terrafranca (Seamstress) grew up on a mountain near Sandstone WV, above the morning mist line of the New River Valley. She graduated from Concord University with a degree in Sculpture and currently holds the position of Assistant Director at the Summers County Public Library. She likes plays, short walks on the beach, and her dog Gus. She now lives in Hinton, below the morning mist line and is never prepared for the day's weather. Shawn Gill (Lighting) began acting with Patty Jeffries in the Summers County KIDS. He is no stranger to the stage and has performed lead roles including: Henry in A Thorn by Any Other Name and The Cat in the Hat in Suessical. (Past Credits: Henry in A Thorn by Any Other Name, Alejandro in To The Egress, and Lighting in Catch)
Orchestra: Tk Lombardo (Orchestra, Piano) is from Huntington, WV. He is the music director/organist at Central Christian Church in downtown Huntington and is very thankful for the opportunity to work with Zack Merritt and the rest of the cast and crew. Shey Dillon (Orchestra, Flutes) graduated from Marshall University with her BFA in music performance this year, and will be pursuing her MS in music therapy at Radford University in the fall. Last year she served as principal flutist in the Marshall University Symphony Orchestra, as well as participating with the John Marshall Fife and Drum Corps and Marshall University Wind Symphony. Along with The Tragic Account of Joseph Much, other musicals that Shey has participated in include 1776 and Jekyll and Hyde with the Arts Resources for the Tri-State, Once Upon a Mattress with the First Stage Theater Company, White Christmas and Titanic with the 5th Avenue Theatre Company, as well as Catch and To The Egress with Ars Creo. Jason Mitchell (Orchestra, Saxophone and Flute) As a native to Summers County, Jason Mitchell graduated from Summers County High School in May of 2007. He later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Studies from Marshall University in May of 2011. At Marshall, he studied under Dr. Ed Bingham and Dr. Sean Parsons. Currently, he is a Masters Candidate at Rutgers University-Newark in Newark, NJ where he is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Jazz History and Research studying under Dr. Lewis Porter and Dr. Henry Martin. His research topics range from race relations in jazz to the evolution of song forms; his thesis is on the biography and evolution of compositional tendencies of jazz composer and saxophonist, Wayne Shorter. In the coming semester, Mr. Mitchell will be teaching as part of the RutgersNewark faculty in the role of a Part Time Lecturer. Upon earning his degree in May of 2014, Mr. Mitchell plans to begin a PhD program in Ethnomusicology at an institution to be determined. His
research will focus on the impact of the Atlantic slave trade on the traditional musics of the existing municipalities of the Dutch Caribbean and how those traditions compare and contrast to the development of jazz in the southern United States as a result of the same slave trade. Brianna Williams (Orchestra, Trombone and Euphonium) is a graduate music education major at Marshall University. She currently holds a BA in music education from Marshall University. A native of Bluefield Wv, she is principal euphonium in Marshall’s Wind Symphony and performs regularly with the University’s Trombone Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Tubonium Ensemble, as well as with the East River Mountain Town Band and Brass Band of the Tri State. In the community, Brianna has performed with the 5th Avenue Theatre Company, First Stage Theater, Ashland Community & Technical College Theater Department, and many churches throughout the Tri-State Region. Brianna is a student of Dr. Michael Stroeher. Craig Burletic (Orchestra, Electric Bass) studies jazz bass at Marshall University under the direction of Clancy Hatfield. He is a member of the 12:00 Big Band at Marshall University, Deadbeats and Barkers, and an Old Time Appalachian music group. Craig has also backed acts such as Barbara Harris from the Toys, The Chiffons, and The Coasters. Andrew Weiss (Orchestra, Synthesizer) is a recent graduate of Summers County High School. He has been playing the piano for 7 years. In the fall, he will be attending Concord University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education. Andrew enjoys playing the piano, hanging out with friends, and being an active part of his community. Molly Lynn Page (Orchestra, Violin) is pursuing a bachelors degree in Music Education and Violin Performance at Marshall University. While in high school she participated in the West Virginia Youth Orchestra and various chamber music ensembles.
She also played with SCORCH orchestra, which was invited to compete in the national orchestra festival and was undefeated at every state wide competition. She has played with acts in Charleston such as Ryan Matthew Hardiman, CYAC, and the Rubber Soul. In Huntington she has played with the Mystic Mountain Blueberry’s which aided in saving the historic Keith Alby sign and participated in many other charity events for the city of Huntington. She and Craig Burletic are featured on the Spring Huntington Sampler. She also works at Route 60 music store teaching Violin, Mandolin, and beginner Piano. Angela Scoulas (Orchestra, Violin) is currently living in Huntington WV, and is a senior at Marshall University pursuing BFA in Violin Performance. Scoulas began violin at the age of 5, studied with the Academy of Strings and the Johnson City Youth Orchestra in TN for 6 years. Participated in George Washington High School's Strings program and the WV Youth Symphony. 1st violinist in WV All State and All County Orchestra 2007.1st violin player in the Marshall University Orchestra and served as Concert Master for the 2012-2013 academic year. Was a finalist in the Marshall University Concerto Competition in 2012. Served as a musician for St. Joe Catholic Church, First Presbyterian, and for various other church services around the Huntington area. Currently the violin instructor at the Music Box in Ceredo WV and traveling performer for weddings and special occasions. Studying under the direction of Dr. Reed Smith. Dean Pauley (Orchestra, Cello) is a graduate student at Marshall University. He is from Boone County, WV and is pursuing a Master's degree in Cello Performance under the direction of Dr. Şölen Dikener. He enjoys playing with the Marshall University Symphony Orchestra and also enjoys performing with the many string quartets and ensembles at Marshall. Colin Vaughn (Orchestra, Percussion) is a Junior this year at Summers County High School. Including percussion, he plays guitar, piano, bass and sings. Colin performs regularly at the Chestnut
Revival's open mic and played in the Summers County Marching Band Drumline for 5 years. This is his first show with Ars Creo. Lars Swanson (Orchestra, Guitar) a Hinton native, is an all-state musician approaching his senior year in high school. Lars plays multiple instruments and enjoys playing with area groups. He can also hold his breath underwater for a minute at least. Lars is excited to enter the realm of Ars Creo as more than a spectator!
We would like to thank: Patty Stacklin Carol Jackson Patty Jeffries Robbie and Mary Beth Merritt For their constant donations and support We would also like to thank: The Central Baptist Church Josh Houchins and the Summers County High School The Summers County BOE Nationwide Insurance Appalachian South Folklife Center and Shelli Osborne Radio Am 1300 Jessica Farrish Diane Landy The Summers County KIDS Local business for allowing us to promote The family and friends of the cast and crew The Fabulous Orchestra Our Audience and Supporters For their time, patience, and support. and finally: The Hinton Area Foundation for providing Ars Creo with another grant this year. Without their support we truly would have been unable to produce a show this year.