Amadeus (program)

Land Acknowledgement

As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation, we are opening our program with an acknowledgement that we are on the traditional territory of the Wampanoag.

We practice this acknowledgement to recognize and respect the Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards and owners of this land. They existed before colonization and are still here. Indigenous peoples continue to experience forced removal, genocide, theft of their ancestral lands, and other atrocities connected to colonization. Our acknowledgement is one action we can take to correct the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture. It is a step towards being more equitable and inclusive on our campus.

Content Advisory

This play depicts scenes featuring misogyny, physical violence, sexual coercion, and suicide.

Performance Note

This show will run for roughly 3 hours. There will be a

15-minute intermission in between Acts 1 and 2.

Director’s Note

The first thing you will notice about this production, if you happen to know anything about the play, will be setting.

In lieu of powdered wigs, hoop-skirts, and ornate golden tailcoats this production takes us to a much different place. As one might break the boundaries of context with a Shakespearean or classical text, so too have I sought to bring Amadeus into a brand new world, much different than what might first rise from the page.

This production thrusts us into a world immediately recognizable. Red shoulder straps, ushankas, black leather, cigarette smoke, and the suggestion of danger beneath any word of dissent tell us exactly where we are.

Here, in the cultural tableau of Soviet authoritarianism, do we find the story of Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Mozart quite well fitted.

This production is unlike any I have ever had the pleasure of working on before. It takes risks, swings big, and features some of the best acting and technical talent this college has to offer. On behalf of the Kresge Theatre Company, and the entire cast and crew, I sincerely hope you enjoy the fruits of their tireless labor.

—John O’Meara ’26, Director

Director’s Inspiration

These images provide a glimpse into the process of Amadeus director John O’Meara ‘26 and the rest of the team as they developed their vision for this musical odyssey.

Stage Manager’s Note As a freshman, having the opportunity to work with KTC on Amadeus has been an incredibly positive experience.

Being able to translate what I’ve learned in my stage management class with Max Ponticelli into real-time practice has been exactly what I needed to prepare for future work in theatre.

There have certainly been moments of challenge, but within this process, I have felt supported every step of the way. This collaborative and educational environment has allowed me to grow and take the lead while asking questions, something I would not necessarily be able to do in other environments. I’ve received invaluable guidance from peers, staff, and faculty, all of which has shaped my experience in meaningful ways.

I hope to see KTC continue to collaborate with Wheaton Theatre and Dance and create educational theatre opportunities going forward.

I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and proud to be part of this production. I can’t wait for you to experience KTC’s Amadeus.

—Maggie Mercadante ’29, Stage Manager

Kresge Theatre Company proudly presents

AMADEUS written by

Peter Schaffer

AMADEUS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com)

Production Team

Director ………………………………………………John O’Meara ’26 Stage Manager…….…………...….…….Maggie Mercadante ’29 Assistant Stage Managers…….………………….Levi Earley ’29 Hailey Levangie ’29 Technical Director/Scenic Designer….………..Eli Cowie ’26 Assistant Technical Director….………..Declan Kennedy ’27 Lighting Designer …………….………………………..Jill Brown ’26 Costume Designers ………..………………………Toriana Roe ’26 & Nightshade Lilly ’27 Sound Designers…….…………………………….Ethan Popick ’26 & Brian Brigandi ’29 Props Designer ……….……..………..Caroline Sienkiewicz ’28 Props Master………………………………..…….Sarah Leavitt ’26

Mentors

Directing…………....……..Stephanie Burlington-Daniels ’97* Production, Management & Design…….....Max Ponticelli* Props…………...…………………………………..……Sarah Leavitt ’26 * Indicates Wheaton College Faculty

Crew

Light Board Operators…………..…….…………….Jill Brown ’26 & Ben Zaborski ’26 Sound Board Operators…………….………….Ethan Popick ’26 & Brian Brigandi ’29 Master Electrician……………..…….…..……….Ben Zaborski ’26 Wardrobe Head……….………….……………Nightshade Lilly ’27 Build/Paint Crew…...…Jill Brown ’26, Declan Kennedy ’27 Charlie Staley-Brain ’27, Addison Black ’29 Colin Bourget ’26, Evi Rocha ’29, Maggie Mercadante ’29

Publicity & Management

Production Manager………………………………….Jill Brown ’26 Assistant Production Manager………………Lucas Caron ’28 Finance Coordinator…………………………….Sydney Esper ’28 Production Photographer…………………….Ethan Popick ’26 Marketing/Poster Design……………………….…..Eli Jarsky ’27

Representation & Accountability

Cast Deputy………………………………………Reagan Jensen ’26

Cast

Antonio Salieri……………………………………..Colin Bourget ’26 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart……………….Jacob Packard ’27 Constanze Weber……………...Arianna Jimenez-Laurent ’29 Emperor Joseph…………………………….……….Lucas Caron ’28 Count Orsini-Rosenberg………………..Gabby Fernandes ’29 Baron Van Swieten……………………..……Declan Kennedy ’27 Johann Von Strack…………………….……….Reagan Jensen ’26 Venticello 1…………………………..………………….Alayna Ellis ’29 Venticello 2…………………………………….……….….Eli Jarsky ’27 Ensemble/Majordomo………………….Corday Cummings ’26 Ensemble/Teresa/Karl………………...Serafina Velazquez ’28 Ensemble/Kapellmeister Bonno/Friedrich..Evi Rocha ’29 Ensemble/Katherina Cavalieri……………..Sydney Esper ’28 Ensemble/Valet……………………………….……Owen Moses ’28 Ensemble/Cook………….………………………..Sigal Solomon ’29

Kresge

Kresge Theatre Company Executive Board

President & Artistic Director……………...John O’Meara ’26 Associate Artistic Director…………………….….Jill Brown ’26 Vice President……………………………….……Jacob Packard ’27 Secretary……………………………………….……...Jane Leamon ’26 Director of Marketing & Communications…Eli Jarsky ’27 Business & Development Manager…..….Sydney Esper ’28 Company Representative……………………...Lucas Caron ’28 Members-at-Large…………..……………....Declan Kennedy ’27 & Alayna Ellis ’29 Faculty Advisor……………………..………………...Max Ponticelli* * Indicates Wheaton College Faculty

Arts@Wheaton Staff

Associate Director, Arts Events & Publicity……………………………Jessica Kuszaj⍅ Technical Coordinator………………………Kristina Kalogeras⍅ Box Office Staff…………………………...…Carmen Almonte ’26 Bessie Reina Figueroa ’26, Maggie Gould ’26 Aslan Gustafson ’27, Annkeila Rosario ’27 Rose Gifford ’28 ⍅

Indicates Wheaton College Staff

About the Kresge Theatre Company The Kresge Theatre Company, formerly known as Café Theatre, is an entirely student-run organization on the Wheaton College campus dedicated to producing accessible theatre productions that anyone can participate and engage in, regardless of ability, time commitment, prior experience, or academic program.

Through equity, inclusivity, collaboration, respect, and responsibility, we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for Wheaton students to share their love for theatre and work towards artistic growth.

Theatre is, and always has been, a window into perspectives different from our own. Whether it’s a glimpse into the stories of Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a city council in crisis, or an ancient shapeshifting fairy, KTC’s mission is to create theatre that allows artists and audience members alike to see a different view of the world. We truly hope you enjoy our productions, and that they allow you to see our world in a new light.

—Lucas Caron ’28, KTC Company Representative

Special Thanks

Lucas’ buddy Eric Melany Caron, Carole Caron, & Nelson Caron Stephanie Burlington Daniels ’97 Max Ponticelli Teddy Lytle Clinton O’Dell Jordan D’Allesandro Bits and Bobs Theatre Company Croissant Mom, Dad, Raven Sarah & Vini Penelope & Logan

Upcoming KTC Events 24-Hour Play Festival: April 10th-11th Murder Mystery: April 18th KTC’s The Skriker: May 1st