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FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY

FOR ACTOR TRAINING

21-22 Photo by John Revisky.

GREG LEAMING

Director, Florida State University/ Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training Associate Director, Asolo Repertory Theatre

WELCOME TO THE 2021-22 SEASON AT THE FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING, one of the most important actor training programs in the country. Tonight you will be meeting our second year graduate actors — the people we believe are destined to become the future of the American Theatre! And you are seeing them for the very first time as they step out of the classroom and perform on the Cook stage! This season is a wonderful mix of contemporary and classics; of well-known plays and brand new voices. It includes two brilliant and moving plays from the 21st century and two of the most beloved classics.

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training is consistently referred to as one of top training programs in the country, and in fact in the English speaking world! More than 1,000 young artists audition each year — only 12 are chosen to participate in this very rigorous program. Tonight’s production is a highlight of our training — it is the opportunity for our students to step onstage and demonstrate the skills they have been developing in the classroom by working with some of greatest plays written for the theatre. It’s their chance to take on challenging roles, challenging works of art, to step out onto the high wire without a net for the first time since they began their training here. And when you join the audience, that’s when the picture is complete! It’s a thrilling moment for all of us. Our program would be nothing without you. Your support, as a single ticket buyer, as a subscriber, as a donor, is what enables us to do the work we are doing, and to graduate the artists that will work in live theatre, in film and on television for decades to come. Thank you for your continued support of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

DR. JAMES FRAZIER, EdD, MFA Dean, College of Fine Arts, Florida State University

Thank you for your support! We are so pleased that you chose to be here with us, taking in some of the best theatre in the nation. The Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory is a gem in the crown of the FSU College of Fine Arts, offering academic training and professional experience of the highest caliber through engagement with the Asolo Repertory Company and the rigorous curriculum of Master of Fine Arts in Acting degree program. I am excited to be connected to such a fine program and I feel privileged to regularly visit the Sarasota community — a community committed to the celebration of the arts, with so many invested in the prosperity of Asolo Rep and of our Conservatory students. We are indebted to you. What would theatre be without audiences and patrons? And, what better place for students to hone their craft! If you are a first-timer to the Cook Theatre, I hope that you will come again and again. Each season promises variety, to delight, to inspire, to encourage you to feel.

ENJOY THE SHOW!

SECOND-YEAR ENSEMBLE

JOE AYERS has had the pleasure of working on

PETER RAIMONDO is a second-year student

DREAA KAY BAUDY is a New Orleans

EVAN STEVENS is incredibly humbled to be returning

and offstage at many companies such as ACT, San Francisco Playhouse, Cal Shakes, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley Playhouse, and Center REP. He holds three BA degrees from UC Berkeley in Theater and Performance Studies, Dance and Performance Studies, and English. He is currently an MFA Acting candidate at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training in Sarasota, Florida.

native, who is excited to perform in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory season. Besides a passion for theatre, Dreaa Kay is a plant-lover and a cat mom. Some of her credits include Intimate Apparel and The Yellow Wallpaper. She looks forward to making art with her classmates and sharing it with the Sarasota community.

MACARIA CHAPARRO MARTINEZ is a

graduate of University of California, Irvine, where they played Lord of the Underworld/Nasty Man in Eurydice. They also were a founding member of the Neofuturist collective, Schroedinger’s Cats, as a performer/writer/ producer. Macaria was most recently seen as Sam in the Urbanite’s staged reading of Sam and Lizzie, as well as Portia in FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s filmed production of Julius Caesar. Enjoy!

with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He is from Buffalo, NY, and holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. Favorite credits: The Outsiders (Ponyboy), Hamlet (Rosencrantz), The Tempest (Ferdinand) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino). Peter is thrilled to be on the journey back to live theatre with his cohort members, and is grateful for the love and support of his family and friends.

to FSU after a summer spent dancing for a modern dance company based in Boise, Idaho (which is also his hometown). He completed his undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts at Boise State University, after which he spent his time performing with The Idaho Shakespeare Festival in three back-to-back tours, and enjoying a career as a professional dancer. Evan would like to thank the patrons of the conservatory, as well as his brilliant professors for making all this possible.

SYDNEY STORY has chosen to dedicate the rest of

her life working in and expanding the arts wherever she can. Her favorite roles include Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Miss Dorothy Brown in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jan in Grease, and Maria in Love's Labours Lost. She was fortunate enough to sing backup for Kristin Chenoweth and work on a new work with Richard Oberacker. She is excited for the chance to expand her horizons and work on something that isn't a musical.

CHRISTIAN DOUGLASS hails all the way

from sunny Orlando, Florida. He received a degree in Theatre and Media Communication Studies from Florida State University, and so is thrilled to return to FSU for a graduate degree. Previous work includes time at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Bright Star Touring Theatre, and Cedar Point. If he’s not singing or learning new instruments, you can find him with a margarita on the beach. An enormous thanks to Mom, Dad, Ryan, Katelyn, Rose, and Jolene.

JERALD WHEAT is ecstatic to be returning to live theatre. He was last seen on stage at the Los Angeles Hudson theatre in Purpose & Freedom. Jerald would like to thank the faculty and administration for their dedication to the students’ growth as artists; the production crew; his cohort, with which he is honored to share the stage; and his mother and siblings for their love, support, and sacrifice, that allow him to pursue his dream.

ZOYA MARTIN is a second year student at the

FSU/Asolo Conservatory. She is thrilled to be working with such remarkable artists and creators. Her favorite roles include Scout from the West Coast Premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and Elizabeth in The Crucible. Zoya has appreciated the innovative ways theatre has remained alive during the pandemic, and is grateful to participate in the return of live theatre.

ERIN O'CONNOR’s credits include: Coco in The

Cocoanuts, Mrs. Hopkins/Lady Boxington/Ensemble in My Fair Lady, Swing for Guys and Dolls and Head Over Heels, Cassius/Portia/Antony in Julius Caesar (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Swing for Guys and Dolls (The Wallis Annenberg Center); and Assistant Fight Director for Julius Caesar (Theatre for a New Audience). While she has an extensive background in musical theatre, she is most passionate about Shakespeare, stage combat/fight direction, and developing new works. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.

IMANI WILLIAMS began her training in musical

theater as an ensemble member of Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. Imani gained classical technique graduating from DeKalb School of the Arts. During her undergraduate career, she explored improvisational comedy, performing every other week. One of Imani’s proudest moments is being awarded SWFL BroadwayWorld’s Best Actress in a Play for her role as Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. Imani is grateful to the faculty of FSU/Asolo Conservatory and to her ever-supportive family.

class of

2023

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY PRODUCTION TEAM

SAVANNAH RAE HESLEP Production Stage Manager is a recent

graduate from Missouri State University (MSU) with a BFA in Design, Technology, and Stage Management. Her Stage Management credits at MSU include Working, bare: A Pop Opera!, and the 20/20: Spring Dance Concert. Savannah also has worked as the Assistant Stage Manager at Tent Theatre in Missouri and as the Stage Management Intern at Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

CHRISTOPHER McVICKER Resident Designer/Production Manager received his BA from George Mason University. He relocated to the Sarasota area in 1996 and has worked at most of the local theatres. Chris is excited to be entering his tenth season at the Conservatory. Locally, he has won lighting design awards for Into the Woods, A Little Night Music and School for Wives.

FACULTY & STAFF All the parties and people tied up with a bow.

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Proud Sponsor of

FSU/Asolo Conservatory

THE PRODUCTION OF TWELFTH NIGHT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM

FSU COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

DR. JAMES FRAZIER | Dean, College of Fine Arts brad brock | Director of the School of Theatre FOR MORE INFORMATION,PLEASE CONTACT: JONATHAN COURTEMANCHE 941.351.9010 ext. 2316 jcourtemanche@fsu.edu

STEPHEN & SHARI ASHMAN, THROUGH THE ASHMAN FUND OF GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

SPECIAL THANKS TO

THE PRODUCTION OF THE LEARNED LADIES HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM

WARREN COVILLE AND THE COVILLE/TRIESTE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

& SPECIAL THANKS TO

BY B R A ND E N J A C O B S -JE NK IN S DIRECTED BY GREG LEAMING Production Manager/Technical Director Chris McVicker stage manager Savannah Heslep sound design Alex Pinchin costume design Dee Sullivan Voice & Dialect coach Patricia Delorey Movement coach Eliza Ladd

NOVEMBER 3–21, 2021 P R E V I E W :

N O V

World Premiere produced by Signature Theatre, New York City. (Paige Evans, Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director; James Houghton, Founder)

2021-22

season

CAST Usher/God/Understanding Macaria Martinez Death Jerald Wheat Somebodies Erin O’Connor

Joe Ayers Christian Douglass Evan Stevens Dreaa Baudy Girl/Time Imani Williams Love Sydney Story Evil Bryan Lewis

CREW Assistant Stage Manager Light Board Operator Sound Board Operator Costume Crew Run Crew Box Office

Jordan Rich Danielle Vivcharenko Mikhail Roberts Falcian Page, Rebecca Rose Mims Sharon Pearlman Trezure Coles, Jackson Purdy, Brooke Turner, Rueben Wakefield, Rickey Watson, Isáyah phillips House Manager Brielle Rivera

DIRECTOR’S NOTES The past 18 months have been a time of reflection – reflecting on our jobs, on our relationships, on our lives. Most of us spend our lives feeling invulnerable, at least for much of them, but the years 2020 and 2021 have been a time to face our own mortality, to examine the dividing line between life and death, to really ask ourselves “What is our purpose here?” It’s a question that has bedeviled our species for its entire existence. The morality play, Everyman, a play that forces its central character to give an accounting of his life, was written for a time in which that line was far more present, was a part of everyday existence. One of our most important contemporary playwrights has looked at that play and has come up with Everybody, inspired by Everyman but far more suited to the 21st century. It could not come at a more appropriate time. Everybody, like so much of Jenkins work, is ironic, emotional, dark, and very very funny. But he has made this story even more chaotic by having the lead actor chosen by lottery every night. Chaos and humor and a real understanding of the good that lives after us in this life – a better play could not be found for our times.

C R E AT I V E T E A M GREG LEAMING (Director) Dog Days Theatre: Harbor, Double dee sullivan (Costume Designer) obtained her BA in Theatre Indemnity, What the Butler Saw. Asolo Rep: Gloria; Ah, Wilderness!; Good People; Other Desert Cities; The Game’s Afoot; Boeing-Boeing; Hearts; The Imaginary Invalid; The Play’s the Thing; Men of Tortuga; Anything to Declare?. Banyan Theatre: Fat Pig and Mrs. Warren’s Profession. FSU/Asolo Conservatory: Oedipus, Book of Days, The Actor’s Nightmare/ The Real Inspector Hound, The Water Engine, The School for Lies, Twelfth Night, Cloud Nine, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Pericles, Blue Window, Murder by Poe and The Mystery Plays. His translations/adaptations include: The Patsy and A Flea in Her Ear, from Feydeau; Anything to Declare? from Hennekin and Veber; and The Italian Straw Hat from Eugene Labiche. Seventeen years as director of FSU/Asolo Conservatory and Associate Director of Asolo Repertory Theatre. His work has been seen at many theatres around the country, including Portland Stage Company, Hartford Stage Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Merrimack Rep, Stamford Theatre Center, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Philadelphia Drama Guild, Clarence Brown Theatre Company, Stage West, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Shakespeare Sedona, and Southwest Shakespeare.

chris mcvicker (Production Manager/Technical Director)

has abandoned his plans of a career change to become an astronaut and is delighted to be returning for a tenth term at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He received his BA Degree and attitude from George Mason University. He has three beautiful kids that have taught him patience, understanding, and the ability to thrive without sleep. As always, he is ecstatic about delving into the upcoming season and foresees great enjoyment bestowed upon the viewing audience. Everybody is fantastic. Work is wonderful. Life is great. Cheers!

savannah rae heslep (Production Stage Manager) is a recent

ALEX PINCHIN (Sound Designer) is a multimedia designer based out of Sarasota. He works with several companies in the Sarasota area designing lights, sound, and projections. He is also one of the new Production and Design teachers at Booker High School. He uses his connections with local theaters to give students an opportunity to experience a side of productions that they may not normally have.

with an emphasis in costume design at the University of Wyoming. Her recent costume design credits include: Camelot: In Concert and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Asolo Repertory Theatre); Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (FSU/Asolo Conservatory); The Thanksgiving Play, Apples in Winter, and Wakey, Wakey (Urbanite Theatre); and Theophilus North (Dog Days Theatre).

PATRICIA DELOREY (Voice & Dialect Coach) is a Certified Associate

Fitzmaurice Voicework Teacher with an MFA in Voice and Speech from the Moscow Art Theatre/American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. She has taught voice at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia, the University of Bologna in Italy, Texas State University, and was an instructor of Voice and Teaching Skills at Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. Currently, Patricia teaches voice and dialects at the FSU/ Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, and is the Resident Voice and Dialect Coach for the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Patricia has worked extensively as a voice and dialect coach including Phaedra 4.48 directed by Robert Woodruff, Twelve Angry Men directed by Frank Galati, Bonnie & Clyde directed by Jeff Calhoun, Studio Six’s production of Plasticine directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky at the Baryshnikov Center, Saturday Night Fever for Royal Caribbean International Cruises, and the world premieres of Steven Drukman’s The Innocents, and Adam Rapp’s Nocturne directed by Marcus Stern.

ELIZA LADD (Movement) is a performer, director, stage writer,

composer, and choreographer from NYC. This is her eighth year as Associate Teaching Professor of Movement and Dance at the Conservatory. Eliza has created work in NYC at PS 122, Dixon Place, Movement Research, the Knitting Factory, Joyce Soho and at The Berkshire Fringe. She has performed at La Mama, the Kitchen, NY Theater Workshop, St. Ann’s Warehouse and with Shakespeare and Company in MA. In Sarasota she created Selfie of the Ancients at New Music New College, the Dali Picasso Project at the Dali Museum, and O let Me Just Be the Greek Whore that I Am at the Sarasolo Festival. In February 2019 Eliza devised and performed Tigers Above and Tigers Below with New College Students in the 20th Anniversary Season of New Music New College. Eliza holds a BA from Harvard University and an MFA from Naropa University.

SECURE THE

FUTURE

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THIS CAMPAIGN

FSU/ASOLO REP STUDENT FELLOWSHIP ENDOWMENTS

Forever Gifts

Baer Family Student Fellowship | Jack E. Block Fund | Dr. Janet Brown* and Dr. Margaret R. Martin Collinsworth Family Foundation of Community Foundation of Sarasota County | Margot* and Warren Coville Foster and Martha Harmon* Scholarship Fund | Lillian (Pat) Huisking* Student Fellowship | Bobby Jensen and Randell Johnson Endowed Fund | Koski Family Foundation | Wilda Q. Meier | Esther M. Mertz* Muriel O’Neil* Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County Maurice Richards* and Jack Kesler Endowed Fund | Roselyn Sedlezky* | Eva and Stephan* Slane Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. | Herb* and Edie Winston Endowment Fund Bill Yandow* Endowed Fund

& special thanks to Ron Banyay | Douglas Bradbury | Michael and Sherry Guthrie | Huisking Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County | Dr. Randell Johnson and Bobby Jensen | Judith* and Don Markstein Maurie Richards* and Jack Kesler | Additional gifts in support of the 2021-22 production season Judy Zuckerberg & George Kole | David Brunetti Musical Theatre Styles Workshop Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation & all the donors to the Community Foundation’s 2020 Giving Challenge

*in memoriam

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. — George Bernard Shaw

SECURE THE

FUTURE k e e p u s m o v i n g f o r wa r d !

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

The global pandemic had serious consequences for all of us. Although the Conservatory was able to continue to provide instruction for the 36 graduate students in residence, the customary four-show Cook season, as well as the Shakespeare in the Gardens originally planned for April 2020 had to be cancelled. The loss of ticket income has presented challenges for us this season. Your annual gift will help us meet our operating expenses as we move forward. Please use the pre-addressed envelope provided in this program book. Thank you!

Patricia Delorey, Voice, Speech, and Dialect Instuctor with Naire Poole, Class of '21.

class of

2024 (L TO R)

TREZURE COLES, REBECCA ROSE MIMS, FALCIAN PAGE, SHARON PEARLMAN, ISAYAH PHILLIPS, JACKSON PURDY, JORDAN RICH, BRIELLE RIVERA, MIKHAIL ROBERTS, BROOKE TURNER, DANIELLE VIVCHARENKO, REUBEN WAKEFIELD, RICKEY WATSON JR.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSERVATORY

patrons of the conservatory: Asolo Rep supports each FSU/Asolo Conservatory student with an assistantship that allows them to immerse themselves totally in their studies and performances. Once you become a Patron of the Conservatory, you enter into a whole new relationship with the theatre and the graduate students. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory MFA program continues to be one of the best in the country because of the support of the community. Please consider joining the Patrons and become a part of the journey of these young artists. For more information, contact Angel Hissom: Angel_Hissom@asolo.org | 941.351.9010 ext. 4706

THANK YOU, 21-22 PATRONS principal patron $12,000+

Douglas Bradbury ptah garvin and the class of 2023

Margot* & Warren Coville the brunch series

Henny & Dennis Dirks emily bohn and the class of 2024

Huisking Foundation, Charlie Huisking the class of 2022, 2023, and 2024

Barbara Jacob Jamie Saunders, garrick sigl, and the class of 2023 and 2024

Beverly L. Koski, Koski Family Foundation ptah garvin and the brunch series

ensemble patron $8,000-$11,999 Esther Mertz * Endowed Fund

Eva T. Slane & Stephan* Slane Scholarship Fund

Bill Yandow * Endowed Fund

dayna lee palya and the class of 2023 and 2024

bryan lewis and the Class of 2023 and 2024

garrick sigl and the class of 2023 and 2024

Jack Block London Study Program

Caryl Barrie Kaplan, in loving memory of Roy Kaplan

apprentice patron $4,000-$7,999

Jody Beresford & Robert Mayer

Charles Beye* & Richard Deppe

Maurice Richards* & Jack Kesler

the class of 2023

garrick sigl

the class of 2022

Sharon & Herman Frankel

Carol Gilbert & Matty Matheson

Nancy A. Gold and Hon. Bruce Lehman, Esq.

London Study Program

the class of 2024, london study program

class of 2024

Nancy Markle

Dr. Richard & Pam Mones

nydira adams

the class of 2024

Dr. Paul E. Nelson & Dr. Judy C. Pearson

Ron Banyay the class of 2023

Ed & Annette Eliasberg merri rashoyan

daniel ajak

nydira adams and the class of 2024

Patti Lee Curtis

Thalia Dorwick

the class of 2024

emily bohn, london study program

daniel ajak

Dr. Randell Johnson & Bobby Jensen

Carole & Mal Schwartz

Nancy Stevenson

Mike & Madelyn Tetmeyer

the class of 2024

the class of 2023

bryan lewis, london study program

Nona Macdonald Heaslip

giovanni rincÓn, london study program

Foster and Martha Harmon* Endowed Fund derek sikkema and the class of 2024

Leon & Marysue Wechsler

Judy Zuckerberg & George Kole

the class of 2024, london study program

Jamie Saunders, dayna lee palya

London Study Program

Muriel O'Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County merri rashoyan

Collinsworth Family Foundation of Community Foundation of Sarasota County london study program

Joyce F. Menschel nydira adams and the class of 2024

Susan & Terry Rawson dayna lee palya

*in memoriam

21-22

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY

FOR ACTOR TRAINING

NOV 2–21

JAN 4–23

By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins | Directed by Greg Leaming

By Amy Herzog | Directed by Jesse Jou

*2018 Pulitzer Prize Finalist* Journey through the meaning of life... and death. Witty, moving, and unlike anything you’ve seen.

This “stylish psychological thriller [is] predicated on the idea that the person closest to you may in fact be a complete stranger" (LA Times).

FEB 22–MAR 13

APRIL 5–24

By Molière | Translated by Richard Wilbur Directed by Benny Sato Ambush

By William Shakespeare | Directed by Jonathan Epstein

A perfect match? This satiric comedy on academic pretension and romance is full of wild characters, each one more hilarious than the next.

Shipwrecked on the shores of Ilyria, Viola falls into a tangled web of unrequited love. Join some of Shakespeare’s most glorious characters in this classic, performed by the entire second-year ensemble.

TICKETS | 941.351.8000 | asolorep.org/Conservatory

The William Yandow

Photo by Cliff Roles

21-22 MEMORIAL SEASON

The Yandow Production Season is made possible by the generous support of William “Bill” Yandow, a loyal donor who first learned of our program in 2008. From that moment he became one of our most dedicated supporters.

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY

MISSION STATEMENT

For more than 45 years, the FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY and ASOLO REP have been linked in a unique collaboration that combines a classical academic training program with a professional regional theatre company. It is one of the last remaining conservatory programs in the United States, offering a sophisticated combination of graduate classroom training with professional performance opportunities at ASOLO REP.

We are proud to dedicate all of our production work this season to the memory of our dear friend, Bill Yandow. ON THE COVER: Anna Beth Baker and Jacob Sefcak in Dead Man's Cell Phone. Photo by John Revisky.