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.
We also wish to share Indigenous activist K Rodriguez’s reminder that:
“Through colonization, the gender binary, along with all aspects of Western culture, has been violently imposed on Indigenous people. Two-Spirit and Indigenous Trans and Gender Non-Conforming [TGNC] people cannot thrive when the legacy of theft and genocide remain unaddressed, as our government continues to trample on both Native sovereignty and the rights of Two-Spirit and TGNC people. We are people who have to bear the brunt of both colonialism at-large and the violence of the gender binary simultaneously.”
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 production contains scenes with partial nudity, blood, violence and mentions of rape and assault.
Performance Notes
There will be one 15 minute intermission.
Please refrain from using the aisles during the performance.
the Wheaton College Department of Theatre & Dance and Kresge Theatre Company present…
directed by Ellie Savino ’26
assistant directed by John O’Meara ’26
produced by Joey Del Santo ’25
technical direction by Benjamin Campbell ’24
lighting design by Adrian Grimm ’24
costume design by Morgan Calverley ’25
sound design by Hannah Abraham ’24
props by Charly Peter ’27
scenic design by Joey Del Santo ’25 & Benjamin Campbell ’24
dramaturgy by Jill Brown ’27
stage management by Briana Freitas ’27
The video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
This production has been supported in part by the Joshua Matthews Fund for Theatre & Performance Support
From the Writer & Producer
Collaboration is at the center of what all of us do as theatre-makers and it has been essential to all the work that surrounds this production. Every element of this show from the house announcement to the bows is a result of some of the greatest collaborations I have been privileged to observe and be a part of. These collaborations have all found themselves at the intersection of a story I am passionate about telling and honored to hear each night. They have challenged me in ways I’ve never previously imagined and inspired me in ways I could never wish to forget.
To these people, I want to dedicate this and every production hereafter:
First, to Stephanie Burlington Daniels for believing in, challenging and encouraging me everyday and for giving this story a space in this year’s season.
To John O’Meara for believing in this piece for as long as I can remember it being in his hands and taking on the enormous task of figuring out what Jared’s story is all about.
To Colin Bourget for nurturing this play as director in its staged reading and for breathing such authenticity, confidence and power into Isaac.
To Sven Stenroos, Rob Bevacqua and Jill Brown for assisting with the research in the rewrites.
To Benjamin Campbell for challenging the norms of how this space is used.
And to Ellie Savino for dreaming big and achieving bigger. Your vision proves you to be a Director through and through.
Thank you all for telling this story. If it was ever mine, I give it to you.
Joey Del Santo ’25 Writer & Producer, Definitive President & Artistic Director, Kresge Theatre CompanyFrom the Director
Welcome to our production of Definitive, written by Wheaton College’s very own Joey Del Santo!
This show discusses some serious subject matters, including the mistreatment of and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Prejudice and discrimination is present in nations throughout the globe and is on the rise in our own. We hope our production encourages discussion around this topic and deepens our collective ability to understand ourselves completely.
Along with raising awareness for this topic, this show encourages you all to choose love. Love each other no matter what and let love guide you through any darkness.
This production is entirely produced, directed, acted, and designed by students, so on behalf of all of us, thank you and enjoy the show!
Ellie Savino ’26 Director, DefinitiveIntroducing… Kresge Theatre Company
At the end of the fall semester, after many conversations with our members, community members, faculty and staff, our Executive Board voted to rebrand Café Theatre. The Student Government Association’s Operation Committee approved the name change in December, and in January, we officially became Kresge Theatre Company.
As Kresge Theatre Company, we continue the traditions of Café Theatre, but with a broader scope. Under our new brand, we’ve built a student-led theatre company with our Executive Board taking on roles traditionally found in theatre companies such as Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director, Production Manager, Production Assistant and Director of Marketing & Communications. The expanded leadership of our club provides opportunities for students interested in Arts Administration to experience first hand what it takes to run a theatre.
With our new name also comes new events. This spring, we held our inaugural Monologue Slam. Next month, we’ll be introducing our Cabaret which we’re hoping will catch on as an events series for the Fall Semester.
As Kresge Theatre Company, we continue to welcome old and new faces to our club. Although we’ve got a new name, you’ll find we still like to have fun, and of course, we still “f*ckin’ love theatre.”
We invite you to learn more about us and how you can get involved by visiting our website.
Thank you for supporting student-led theatre by attending Definitive. We look forward to seeing you at future performances.
Theatrically Yours,
Joey Del Santo ’25, President & Artistic Director
Sven Stenroos ’24, Vice President
Lily Watson ’24, Associate Artistic Director
Rob Bevacqua ’25, Treasurer
James Foley ’24, Secretary
Benjamin Campbell ’24, Production Manager
Eli Jarsky ’27, Director of Marketing & Communications
Jill Brown ’27, Production Assistant
Production Team
Director Ellie Savino ’26
Assistant Director John O’Meara ’26
Producer & Co-Scenic Designer
Joey Del Santo ’25
Technical Director & Co-Scenic Designer Benjamin Campbell ’24
Lighting Designer Adrian Grimm ’24
Costume Designer Morgan Calverley ’25
Sound Designer Hannah Abraham ’24
Props Master Charly Peter ’27
Production Stage Manager Briana Freitas ’27
Assistant Stage Manager & Dramaturg Jill Brown ’27
Assistant Stage Manager
Phoenix Clarke ’27
Assistant Costume Designer Katelyn Spader ’27
Tech & Design Advisor Max Ponticelli *
Directing Advisor & Acting Coach Stephanie Burlington Daniels ’97*
* Wheaton College Department of Theatre & Dance Faculty
Crew
Light Board Operator Lorcan Lemay ’26
Sound Board Operator Hannah Abraham ’24
Run Crew
Noah Boudreau-Faria ’26, Nolan Caruso ’27, Alex Cassaday ’26
Construction Crew
Rob Bevacqua ’25, Noah Boudreau-Faria ’26, Jill Brown ’27, Benjamin Campbell ’24, Joey Del Santo ’25, Briana Freitas ’27, Adrian Grimm ’24, Elin Mica ’26, Max Ponticelli
Paint Crew
Rob Bevacqua ’25, Jill Brown ’27, Morgan Calverley ’25, Nolan Caruso ’27, Alex Cassaday ’26, Benjamin Campbell ’24, Joey Del Santo ’25, Briana Freitas ’27, Adrian Grimm ’24, Charly Peter ’27, Ellie Savino ’26
Jared John O’Meara ’26
Sara Tess O’Brien ’25
Isaac Colin Bourget ’26
Melissa Jane Leamon ’27
Annie Emma Zhou ’27
Michael & Bartender Ben McIntire ’26
President, Guard & Others Sven Stenroos ’24
Tim, Vice President & Guard Eli Jarsky ’27
Secretary of State & Moran Jill Brown ’27
Senator Webber & Others Declan Kennedy ’27
Chair, Ambassador & Others Jack Murray ’24
Dmitri & Matthews Jacob Packard ’27
Alena & Charlie Elin Mica ’26
Zora & Host Teddy Girouard ’25
Publicity & Management
Head of Finance Rob Bevacqua ’25
Head of Marketing & Poster Designer Eli Jarsky ’27
Program Designer
Social Media
Joey Del Santo ’25
Eli Jarsky ’27
Jill Brown ’27
Joey Del Santo ’25
Production Photographer Santos Harrison Rios ’24
Arts @ Wheaton
Associate Director, Arts, Events & Publicity
Assistant, Arts, Events & Publicity
Technical Coordinator
Jessica Kuszaj
Kristi Mahoney
Kristina Kalogeras
Cast
Kresge Theatre Company Executive Board
President & Artistic Director Joey Del Santo ’25
Vice President Sven Stenroos ’24
Associate Artistic Director Lily Watson ’24
Treasurer Rob Bevacqua ’25
Secretary James Foley ’24
Production Manager Benjamin Campbell ’24
Director of Marketing & Communications Eli Jarsky ’27
Production Assistant Jill Brown ’27
Faculty Advisor
Stephanie Burlington Daniels ’97
Special Thanks To…
Stephanie Burlington Daniels
Zachary Campbell
Julianne Coyne
Adam Crescenzi
Jackie Davis
LisaMarie, TJ, Andy, Marina & Summer Del Santo
Jenna Denomme
Cameron Desharnais
Sarah Leavitt
Jennifer Madden
Charlotte Meehan
Sam Noble
Clinton O’Dell
Max Ponticelli
Santos Harrison Rios
Kim, Ed, Gianna & Nathan Savino
Dr. Adam Tobias
TRYBE
Joe Wilson Jr.
Petra Zadroga
Creative Team Biographies
Joey Del Santo ’25 (Writer, Producer, Scenic Designer)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Producer), Rent (Assistant Music Director, Dramaturg, Ensemble), 5-Minute Play Fest Spring 2023 (Co-Producing Director) Hamlet (Lighting Designer); Stadium Theatre - 12 Angry Jurors (Lighting Designer), Freaky Friday (Lighting Designer), Annie (Lt. Ward); East End Theatre & Performing Arts - Hairspray (Fender); Scituate Youth Drama - Grease (Eugene/Teen Angel), The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man).
Joey is a junior at Wheaton College where he studies theatre and music. Joey also works as the Education Administrator at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Ellie Savino ’26 (Director)
Wheaton College - Rent (costume and makeup crew); Directorial debut. Ellie is a current sophomore and is excited to be directing for the first time. She is a Film and New Media and Italian double major and plans on minoring in Theater.
Benjamin Campbell ’24 (Technical Director & Scenic Designer)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Technical Director, Scenic Designer), Rent (Lighting Designer, Master Electrician), Wheaton College Dance Company (Lighting Designer), Hamlet (Technical Director, Scenic Designer), Roe (Assistant Technical Director), Stupid Fucking Bird (Scenic Artist); Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre - Gary, A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (Scenic Painter, Carpenter), The Revolutionists (Scenic Charge, Carpenter); Festival 56 - Million Dollar Quartet (Technical Director, Scenic Charge), Something Rotten (Technical Director, Scenic Charge). Ben is a Technical Director and Lighting Designer with a focus on lighting for contemporary dance.
Outside of Wheaton, Ben works as the Production Manager at Festival 56 outside of Chicago, IL. Ben is currently completing an honors’ thesis on the use of dance lighting in musical theatre, in which last fall’s production of Rent was the main subject. This is Ben’s final stage production here at Wheaton College, and he is beyond proud of the growth and talent he has seen in his peers through his time here.
Morgan Calverley ’25 (Costume Designer)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Costume Designer & Makeup/SFX Artist) Rent (Assistant Costume Designer), Hamlet (Costume Designer and Crew); Minuteman High School - Odd Couple (Olive), Blithe Spirit (Madame Arcati).
Adrian Grimm ’24 (Lighting Designer)
Wheaton College - Dance Fest 2024 (Co-Lighting Designer), Rent (Light Board Operator); FHS Theatre Company - Six Rounds of Vengeance (Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer), Cave Dream (Lighting Designer), The Addams Family (Lighting Designer); Though it took some time, Adrian is thrilled to have found the theatre department in his last year at Wheaton. He hopes his physics major will serve him well in a career backstage. Special thank you to Max for his wisdom and sense of humor!
Hannah Abraham ’24 (Sound Designer, Board Operator)
Wheaton College - I Am Made Of Stories (Sound Designer, Board Op), The Pillowman (Sound Designer, Board Op), New Plays Festival (Sound Designer, Board Op); PCA Players- Sound Of Music (Nun), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Mics), Pirates of Penzance (Mics, ASM), Mary Poppins (Mics), Guys and Dolls (Ensemble). Hannah is a senior at Wheaton College, graduating with a History major (European concentration) and a double minor in Art History and Psychology. While this is technically only her second year in the theater department, it has quickly become one of her favorite things to do on campus. She loves MAD house and would like to thank them for the best last year ever.
Charly Peter ’27 (Props Master)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Assistant Stage Manager); Norfield Church - The Greenbrier Ghost (Stage Manager), Regional Center for the Arts - The Laramie Project (Stage Manager). Charly Peter is a first-year Theater and Digital Media and Communications double major and is from Stamford, CT. She has aspirations of working in live entertainment. You can find out more about her from her website charlyellap.wixsite.com/charlyella.
Katelyn Spader ’27 (Assistant Costume Designer)
Wheaton College - Rent (Assistant Stage Manager); North Haven High School - Newsies (costume designer, props, scenic artist, actor), other musicals and shows incl. Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, and student productions (costumer, costume assistant, actor); Whitney Players Theater Company - various showcases/musicals incl. Damn Yankees, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (costume assistant, actor). Katelyn is an Art History and History major here at Wheaton, interested in the art and organization of costuming. She creates art, and is super excited to be a part of more Wheaton productions!
Briana Freitas ’27 (Stage Manager)
Wheaton College - Rent (Assistant Stage Manager); Case Theatre Company - Pippin (Catherine); Mamma Mia! (Tanya, Sound Crew Head); Cabaret (Ensemble, Sound Crew Head, Special Effects Crew); Love/Sick (Woman, Sound Crew Head). Briana is a first year at Wheaton, majoring in Biology. She graduated from Case High School in Swansea, MA in 2020. Although her interests are in science, she has a passion for theatre as well. She has many years of experience on stage but is excited to be learning more and gaining experience when it comes to managing the behind the scenes of a show.
Phoenix Clarke ’27 (Assistant Stage Manager)
Wheaton College - Rent (Assistant Stage Manager), Dance Fest (Assistant Stage Manager); Robert M. Grabble High School- Check Please (ASM), Gossip (ASM), Chicago (Head of Tech), Midsummer Nights Dream (Stage Manager), Suessical (Stage Manager, Set builder, Props Master)
Rob Bevacqua ’25 (Head of Finance)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Head of Finance, run crew), Hamlet (Polonius, Fortinbras); Something Rotten (Lord Clapham), Kiss Me Kate (Man 1), Peter and the Starcatcher (Smee), A Peace of my Heart (Male ensemble, Assistant Stage Manager), Guys and Dolls (Lt. Brannigan), Almost, Maine (East, Dave, sound). Rob Bevacqua is a junior at Wheaton College. Most of his previous theatre experience has been on stage but he is happy to be experiencing production. In his spare time, he likes to stare at multiple spreadsheets at once and make endless budgets.
Cast Biographies
John O’Meara ’26 (Jared; Assistant Director)
Wheaton College - Roe (Flip Benham), Hamlet (Laertes), The Pillowman (Director); Cape Cod Theatre Company - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince), Macbeth (Banquo); Orleans Playhouse - It’s A Wonderful Life (Clarence), Alice In Wonderland (Mad Hatter). John is a sophomore at Wheaton College where he studies history and theatre. He is reprising his role from the staged reading of Definitive last spring.
Tess O’Brien ’26 (Sara)
Wheaton College - Roe (Norma, Helen), Hamlet (Gertrude), The Pillowman (Little Jesus); Northampton High School - Romeo & Juliet (Friar Laurence), Snow Angel (Tina-Louise).
Colin Bourget ’26 (Isaac)
Wheaton College - Roe (Henry McClusky), Hamlet (Horatio), Crossroads Dance Co (Stage Manager), RENT (Mark Cohen and Assistant Director), Dance Fest Momentum (Stage Manager), 2024 New Works Festival (Co-Producer); Cape Cod Theatre Company- A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Nick Bottom), Macbeth (Macduff). Colin is an actor, director, stage manager, but most importantly a grandson to an awesome Nana. His only shoutout on this one goes to his Nana, you rock girl.
Jane Leamon ’27 (Melissa)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Tupolski); Educational Center for the Arts - Alice in Wonderland (Alice), Broken Hearts (Hans), Everybody (Everybody), Trojan Barbie (Polly X); Elm Shakespeare Company - The Tempest (Spirit/Ceres, Understudy Miranda/Ariel), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), Henry VI (Gloucester). Jane is a first-year classics student at Wheaton College. She graduated from North Haven High School and the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) in 2023. In addition to acting, she enjoys reading and horseback riding, and she is so excited to be a part of the cast of Definitive!
Emma Zhou ’27 (Annie)
Wheaton College - RENT (Ensemble); Tabor Academy Drama ProgramChicago (2022), The Addams Family (2023), The 39 Steps (2023).
Ben McIntire ’26 (Michael)
Wheaton College - RENT (Ensemble), Roe (Ensemble); Skowhegan Opera House - Not On This Night (Eddie Miller), Lakewood Theater - The Drowsy Chaperone (Ensemble). Ben McIntire spends most of his days dazed and confused. He loves challenges and won’t easily be dissuaded from taking one. Ben would like to remind you all to stow your metal bottles somewhere where you won’t kick them during the performance. Have a safe flight!
Sven Stenroos ’24 (President, Guard & Others)
Wheaton College - Roe (Justice Harry Blackmun, TV Reporter), Hamlet (Director); Eugene O'Neill Theater - Words That Mean Everything (Chip Brown, Playwright). Sven is a Theatre and English Double major at Wheaton College. He currently serves as Vice President of the Kresge Theatre Company and is a senior.
Eli Jarsky ’27 (Tim, Vice President & Guard)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Katurian); Proscenium CircusBackspace (Fledge), Lost Girl (Slightly), Urinetown (Old Man Strong). Eli is a freshman at Wheaton College majoring in film and new media. He acted in KTC's production of The Pillowman in December 2023 and is currently the director of marketing and communications on the KTC exec board. He says hi to his parents and to his dog, Eddie.
Jill Brown ’27 (Secretary of State & Moran; ASM & Dramaturg)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Stage Manager); CBNA Theatre Company - Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Run Crew), Weekend Warriors (Stage Manager), Radium Girls (Stage Manager), Godspell (Peggy and Stage Manager), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Technical Director, Lighting Designer, and Stage Manager), Twisted Tales of Poe (Tech Director, Foley Sound Artist, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Stage Manager), Wizard of Oz (Set Designer, Tech Director, Stage Manager), Diviners (Tech Director, Set Designer, Stage Manager). Jill is a Technical Theatre and Film and New Media student at Wheaton College. She has been doing theatre for the past five years so far and is continuing so here at Wheaton. She tends to stick to more technical roles but is branching out and doing both behind and in front of the curtain work with Definitive this spring!
Declan Kennedy ’27 (Senator Webber & Others)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Ariel); Hanover Theatre ConservatoryRock of Ages (Drew Boley); Saint John’s High School - The Sound of Music (Rolf), Clue: On Stage (Mr. Green). Declan is a first year here at Wheaton College. He previously attended Saint John’s High School. Declan is double majoring in physics and theatre.
Jack Murray ’24 (Chair, Ambassador & Others)
Wheaton College - The Pillowman (Katurian’s Father), Dimple Divers (Senior Member), Hamlet (Gravedigger); Danvers High School - The Addams Family (Run Crew), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Run Crew).
Jacob Packard ’27 (Dmitri & Matthews)
Wheaton College - RENT (Tom Collins); Nauset Players - The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Black Comedy (Harold Gorringe), Failure: A Love Story (Mortimer Mortimer), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), The Great Gatsby (Nick Carraway). Jacob Packard is a first year at Wheaton College hoping to study Creative Writing and Theater.
Elin Mica ’26 (Alena & Charlie)
Wheaton College - Debut. Elin is a sophomore at Wheaton College with a passion for film, comedy, and all things storytelling. When she’s not on campus, she resides at her home in Belmont, MA, with her wonderful sibling Owen and her multitude of cats. This is her first theatre production at Wheaton (and in her lifetime), although she is confident it won’t be her last.
Teddy Girouard ’26 (Zora & Host)
Wheaton College - The New Plays Festival (Dry [The Man], The Stakes Are Too High and the Standards Are Too Low [Milburn])
Upcoming Productions @ Wheaton
5 Minute Play Festival
April 14th, 2024
Kresge Experimental Theatre, Watson Fine Arts
Wheaton College Dance Company
April 18th - 20th, 2024
Weber Theatre, Watson Fine Arts
A Die is Cast: A DnD Adventure
Presented by THEA 471 - Ensemble Experiments
May 9th - 10th, 2024
Kresge Experimental Theatre, Watson Fine Arts
