Welcome to the 8th annual McMaster Arts & Science Musical, Project Sassafras!WeareSOthrilledtohaveyouherewithus!
The Artsci Musical is a highly collaborative production only possible with your support. By being here, you have contributed to the longevity and legacy of ASM. This year, your love and kindness will allow us to support the Kids Up Front Foundation, whose mission is to provide access to enrichingexperiencestochildrenfacingbarriers.
We are big advocates for access to the arts. The arts offer agency and autonomy in children’s learning by celebrating their identities and empoweringthemascreatorsanddecision-makers.
Theatre is not just an art form it is a transformative experience with the power to inspire, educate, and heal. Theatre is a safe space to come together as a community, regardless of our backgrounds, and share in the magic of storytelling. It allows us to explore complex emotions, challenge our perspectives, and ultimately, celebrate the beautyofthehumanexperience.
This production, in particular, holds a special place in ourhearts.
Toourcast,dancelineandband:Youareourbiggestand fiercest inspirations. We are so grateful for all of you and you have made us so proud. Seeing you perform, whether in rehearsal or on stage makes us tear up. You are all such charismatic performers and that is somethingyoucan’tteach!Yourdriveandsheerpassion have made this production an opportunity of a lifetime. Thankyouforthemems!Weloveyouallsomuch!
To our writers, Amarah, Sam and Mitch: You are such stars! Your attention to detailandcareforthisshowelevateditineverywaypossible.Watchingyour ideas come to life on stage has been a remarkable experience, and we are in awe of your talent and dedication to your craft. Thank you for sharing your giftswithusandforenrichingouryearwithyourcreativity.
To our stage manager, Tess: Your dedication, organization, and community values were the reasons everything came together so seamlessly. You have truly held down the fort, managing countless moving parts with grace and precision. Your leadership behind the scenes has not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do. Thank you for your hard work, yourpassion,andyourunwaveringcommitmenttothisproduction.
To our beloved creative and music team: Thank you for the countless hours you have dedicated to this show. You have all poured your hearts and souls intothisproduction,anditshowsineverydetail.Thankyouforsharingyour passions and creativity with us and for bridging this story to life in such a magical way. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you and watch youall“spinit”inyourelements.
To our backstage team (props/costumes/tech): From the intricate props that helpedsetthescenetothestunningcostumesthatbroughtourcharactersto life, and the flawless tech work that created the perfect ambiance, each of youplayedacrucialroleinmakingthisproductionasuccess.
To our behind-the-scenes superstars (promo, fundraising, production): Your hard work and passion have not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you have done. Thank you for your tireless work, yourcreativity,andyourunwaveringcommitmenttothisproduction.
Tonight, as you immerse yourself in the world we have created on stage, we hope you feel the same sense of wonder, joy, and connection that we do. Thankyouforbeingapartofthisjourney.Bigthingscomingsoon...
Withgratitude, ImaanMithaandMaiaPoon
Hello and welcome! If you’re reading this, then you’ve chosen to spend your weekend with us at the 2024 Artsci Musical, Project Sassafras. The Artsci Musical is a programwide tradition that allows Artsci students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to come together around stories by and about Artsci students. Often, these stories ask questions about what Artsci is what it means to be in the program, what makes our community special, why the “Artsci identity” can resonate with students in so many ways.
Perhaps most importantly, the Artsci Musical is entirely student-run cast, crew, band, creative direction, and administrative roles are all occupied by students in Artsci and friends of the program studying in other faculties.
Last summer, we three had the privilege of writing the script for this year ' s production. Since then, it's passed through the capable hands of producers, directors, choreographers, cast members, musicians, and many others. All involved have poured their creative talent and energy into the show, and we feel so lucky that they've brought our script to life. As graduating students, the opportunity to collaborate with so many Artscis (and friends!) to make this show in our final year has been .
incredible, and we’re so grateful that you ' ve all come out to see it.
Project Sassafras, the eighth annual Artsci Musical, takes place in 1977, four years before McMaster's Arts & Science program was founded. It follows students from different departments at Mac finding their way, while also vying for a competitive internship with a mysterious university research group called SASS (not to be confused with the present-day Society of Arts & Science Students). We took some creative liberties in imagining McMaster in the 1970s, so don't take any of this as a historical document. Still, we hope you can indulge in our imagined past with us, and have fun listening to tunes from the 70s (and before!) while doing it. Enjoy the show!
- ASM (Amarah, Sam, and Mitchell)
This year’s production is proud to support local organization Kids Up Front in their totally radical mission to provide all kids with enriching experiences in arts, culture, and sports.
Co-Producer Imaan Mitha
Co-Producer Maia Poon
Stage Manager Tess Macdonald
Co-Scriptwriter Amarah Hasham-Steele
Co-Scriptwriter Sam DePaul
Co-Scriptwriter Mitchell Lane
Script Supervisor Dani Wohl
Co-Director Aliana Niezova
Co-Director Monica Yeom
Co-Choreographer Victoria D'Anna
Co-Choreographer Gabriella Pelosini
Co-Choreographer Soraya Lee Wo
Co-Vocal Director Tobi Adesipo
Co-Vocal Director Maia Rousseau
Music Director Victoria Li
Music Arrangement Team Bronwyn MacLeod
Music Arrangement Team Sam DePaul
Costuming Director Sim Jolly
Props & Set Master Maya Kim
Props & Set Master Olive Thomas
Promotions Coordinator Rya Adronov
Fundraising Coordinator Adda Epstein-Shapiro
Production Coordinator Ella Gwendolyn Jeffery
Tech Director Aleksandar Guzina
Barry Kai Yang
Ariel Olivia Cara
Charlie Eve Adams
Wendy Sofia Ferraro
Larissa Ashly Edde
Evangelina Rameesha Ahmad
Taylor Schmidt, Director of the Board of SASS Lee McMillan
Dennis/Mascot Laurel/The Judge Joshua Watson
Gail Ashly Edde
SASS Researcher (Creativity)/Board Member 1 Dani Wohl
SASS Researcher (Open-Mindness)/Board Member 2
Ella Brown
SASS Researcher (Ambition)/Board Member 3
Arthy Pansanathan
SASS Researcher (Temperance)/Board Member 4
Sara D’Ambrosio
SASS Researcher (Confidentiality)/Valet Sarayu Nambiar
IE Cow Parsnip/Ensemble Luke Morrison
IE Giant Hogweed/Ensemble Evan Tyler
IE Staghorn Sumac/Ensemble Airo Marsh
IE Rabbit/Margaret/Ensemble Naomi Moshe
IE Blueberry/Harold/Ensemble Ezra Cento
Bernard/Ensemble Alyssa Abush
Tim/Venue Tech/Ensemble Alice Qiu
The Wheel - Olive Thomas
Tinson Chen as himself
Anna Farley
April Louie
Emily Yang
Kiran Oberai
Lauren Misiaszek
Mia Saha
Naia Lee
Olly Griesbach
Conductor Victoria Li
Percussion Ishmeet Johal
Piano Jennifer Lin
El. Guitar Ben Hemsworth
Bass Kate Linardic
Trumpet Sam DePaul
Trumpet Jonathan Rosenhek
Alto Saxophone Sara Paterson
Tenor Saxophone Samantha Potts
Tenor Saxophone Victoria Yip
Clarinet EJ Jiang
Violin Graeme Lavrence
Violin Ella Boich
Violin Sophia Moosa
Flute Brownwyn MacLeod
Flute Gia Chahal
Margaret Kirke
Maya Krieger
Ahastan Surees
Serena Suleman
Olli Zelek
Indigo Kim
Karina Tavernese
Becca Hiller-Ranney
Ava Wynhofen
Geneva White
Vivian Vuong
Laila Somani
Sarah Shawaf
Sara Paterson
Flynn O’Dacre
So Much to Do!
tune of Grease's "Summer Nights"
"Don't be scared, be excited and proud/To join a club, to find your crowd"
Our Cardinal Values
tune of Spanky & Our Gang's "5 Definitions of Love"
"One, creativity: knack for thinking outside boxes..."
Far Greater Things
tune of My Fair Lady's "On the Street Where You Live"
"An overshadowing yearning to be concomitant with Martin and Eugene [Short, Levy]"
The "Game Show"
tune of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory's "Pure Imagination"
"If they want to work with genius, all they have to do is win it"
What's Sassafras?
tune of Chicago's "All That Jazz"
"What kind of operation are they running there? Just thought we'd ask"
PG BnB Ad Jingle
tune of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory's “Oompa Loompa”
No context ;)
Where Will I Go (Charlie's Theme)
tune of Dionne Warwick's "Silent Voices"
"The leading years to my career have left me fearful and alone"
The Meaning of SASS to the tune of Sweet Charity's "Rhythm of Life"
"Though a small town's solitude was first appealing, Hamilton uniquely had a halfway feeling"
Without Me
to the tune of Nina Simone's "He Needs Me"
"Will you feel alone and without a clue? Just as I am without you "
The Most Peculiar Folks to the tune of Sá, Rodrix, & Guarabyra's "Zepelin"
"Safe to say I'll likely never know to what I'm contributing"
Never Enough to the tune of A Little Night Music's "Send In the Clowns"
"What did I do? Why can't I explain?
Never Enough (Reprise)
"Isn't it sad? I gave them my all"
Barry & Ariel Visualize an Orange to the tune of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams"
"I wish you'd sew your heart onto your sleeve/So I'd know if you feel the same about me "
Take It as You Choose to to the tune of ABBA's "Thank You for the Music"
"Far as I see, there's no worth walking a path guaranteed"
