Looking for Ithaca: An Odyssey Program

ASOLO REP PRESENTS

AN FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING PRODUCTION

Written by

JESS SHOEMAKER

Developed with and directed by

GABY RODRIGUEZ

Original Compositions by

LIZZIE HAGSTEDT

ON TOUR OCT 3-NOV 20!

For a complete list of public performances, visit asolorep.org/ithaca

Asolo Rep presents an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training Production

Written by Jess Shoemaker Developed with and Directed by Gaby Rodriguez Original Compositions by Lizzie Hagstedt

Executive Producers

Asolo Repertory Theatre (Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, Managing Director Linda DiGabriele) FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training (Conservatory Director Andrei Malaev-Babel) Scenic/Property Design Frank J. Paul

Costume Design Hsiao-Wei Chen

Lighting Design Ethan Vail

Sound Design Matthew Parker

Resident Wig/Makeup Dramaturg & Associate Music Director Stage Manager Designer Producer Lizzie Hagstedt Matthew Rohan Michelle Hart Elizabeth Guilbert Producer Producer Producer & Casting Nia Sciarretta Sara Brunow Director Celine Rosenthal

CAST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Dreaa Kay Baudy.................................................................Nestor Macaria Chaparro Martinez...................................................Telly Zoya Martin.....................................................................Penelope Sydney Story..........................................Old Shepherd/Menelaus Jerald Wheat...................................................................Odysseus Imani Lee Williams.............................................................Athena Understudies: Erin O’Connor, Evan Stevens, Peter Raimondo Looking for Ithaca: An Odyssey will be performed without an intermission.

The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

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ON TOUR

The

VISION

Theatre is for Everyone.

Presented by Asolo Rep and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, Asolo Rep On Tour creates innovative and accessible 45-minute adaptations of classic literature that travel into communities and schools throughout the state of Florida. We develop theatrical experiences and supporting materials that are exciting and responsive to audiences.

Asolo Rep On Tour holds surprises for all! These performances serve as an introduction to live theatre for firsttime audiences, while offering a new perspective of a story for seasoned theatregoers. Join us as we connect with communities and celebrate modern magic in classic stories.

The

PROGRAM

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, ranked as one of the top 10 actor training programs in the country, has been Asolo Repertory Theatre’s partner for over 45 years.

Twelve students a year are chosen to take part in the intense three-year training program, which combines high-caliber classroom work, guest artist workshops, and professional production experiences. In the third year of training, before joining Asolo Rep’s mainstage company as full-time members, Conservatory students take part in a touring production performed throughout the state for school groups and the general public.

The program is not only an invaluable part of the sophisticated training offered by the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, but it also represents the ongoing and ever-developing partnership between Asolo Rep and Florida State University.

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About ITHACA

PLAYWRIGHT JESS SHOEMAKER

CO-DEVELOPER/ DIRECTOR

GABY RODRIGUEZ

Jess is a freelance director, playwright, and educator who has spent the last decade working in classical theatre and new play development.

Jess recently served as curriculum consultant and contributor for the Hadestown National Tour Education Initiative. She also spent five years at the helm of the GRSF Apprentice Actor Training Program, where she developed her own curriculum for training skilled, authentic voices in the performance of classical and heightened texts. Directing credits include Seedfolks (upcoming, Metro Theatre Company), Sueño (upcoming, Webster University), Little Women and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Grandstreet Theatre), Loverboy, Flora Circular, 12 Ophelias, and Tjipeter (University of Texas). Her plays include Looking for Ithaca: An Odyssey, The Book of Orpah, (& Medea), and 50 Shades of Shakespeare. Jess holds her BFA in acting from Webster University and her MFA in directing from the University of Texas at Austin. When not in rehearsals, Jess can often be found playing endless games of fetch with her dog, Obe Mayhem.

Gaby is a director, dramaturg, teacher, and storyteller from Houston, TX and Santiago de Cuba. Directing credits include Fefu and Her Friends at Theatre Nuevo, Suffer the Children at The Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Miss You Like Hell and her devised piece Mi Don Quijote at the Webster Conservatory, and SHAKE38: The War of the Roses with Shakespeare Festival STL. New work development includes Dear Kitty…

Querida Ana with In the Margin Theatre Company, Ni Aquí Ni Allá with Great River Shakespeare Festival, and Refuge with Campfire Theatre Festival. As an Assistant Director, she worked at Great River Shakespeare Festival for two years (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Venus in Fur, The Merchant of Venice, Henry VI: The Rise of Richard, The Comedy of Errors) and at The Repertory Theatre of STL (The Wolves, A Christmas Story, The Play That Goes Wrong).

She was also the Assistant Director for Theatre Under The Stars’ Public Works Houston (Seussical). As a teaching artist she has worked with COCA and Metro Theatre Company, where she just finished puppeteering and Spanish coaching The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. As an artist, Gaby works to use theatre as a way of giving representation and voices to those that are often forgotten. Pa’lante mi gente!

To learn more about the vision for this performance, click here to watch a short interview with Gaby & Jess.

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The

CREATIVE TEAM

HSIAO-WEI CHEN (Costume Designer) is an

Austin, TX, and Taiwan based costume and scenic designer. She enjoys visual storytelling, using her diverse skill and broad aesthetic in design to create both environment and character. Her works include theatre, opera, musicals, dance, film, and music videos, and she is eager to explore more storytelling formats. Hsiao-Wei received an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin. hsiaoweichen.com

ELIZABETH GUILBERT (Dramaturg) is a

director, dramaturg, teaching artist, and arts administrator who has had the opportunity to work with artists of all ages, focusing on technique and creative work in scene study, playwriting, devised work, theatre for social change, and creative drama. Elizabeth spent several years at Goodspeed Musicals, where she managed and taught classes for the Goodspeed Kids Company, in addition to creating and facilitating new educational programs for students and professionals alike.

Previous work includes Goodspeed Musicals, McCarter Theatre Center, and the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. Elizabeth is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and is currently the Education & Engagement Coordinator at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

LIZZIE HAGSTEDT (Composer/Music Director)

is an actor/singer/musician/composer from Sayville, NY. With Asolo Rep: composer for four years of educational tours, as well as Lifespan of a Fact and Our Town; performer in The Music Man; and music director and performer in three new musicals with the Ground Floor series including her own, Sophie Blanchard’s High-Flyin’ Rock’n’Roll Extravaganza. Up next: performing in the The Tempest at Round House Theatre (directed by Aaron Posner and Teller) and a reading of her musical Oneida at the Tank in NYC. lizziehagstedt.com

MICHELLE HART (Hair/Wig & Make-up Designer) designs for Asolo Repertory Theatre and FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Other credits: Sarasota Ballet, Palm Beach Drama Works, freeFall Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, Banyan Theatre, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Venice Theatre, Dorset Theatre, Barrington Stage, and Open Stage Theatre. She has also done hair and/or make-up for Joan Rivers, Doris Roberts, Martin Short, Jane Russell, Arlene Dahl, Soledad Villamil, Jane Pauley, Richard Dreyfuss, Castille Langdon, Christopher Higgins, Mary Mara, Heather Robb, Lauren Sweetser, Justin Long, Paul Downs, Douglas Sills, and Nia Hills; Music videos: “Second Chance” by Shinedown, “Reverse Cowgirl” by T-Pain; Film and television: Lady of the Manor; Paradise, FL; and The Real Stephen Blatt.

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The

CREATIVE TEAMcont.

FRANK J. PAUL (Senior Props Master/Scenic Designer) is a proud member of

I.A.T.S.E. and Actors’ Equity. Frank received his BFA in Theatre from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in ’04. Frank held the position of master carpenter for three years in NYC, building Christmas windows for Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor, Tiffany’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf Goodman. Frank has performed on stage regionally in Chicago, Pennsylvania, New York, and St. Louis, and worked carpentry and stage management for shows in Chicago and New York for the past 18 years. Locally, Frank spent a year as the head of props at the Sarasota Opera and held various positions with the Sarasota Ballet. Much love to his wife, India, and their beautiful puppy Charlie-Bear.

MATTHEW PARKER (Sound Designer) received his BFA in Theatre Production

Design and Technology from Ohio University. He was the resident sound designer at Monomoy Theatre in 1990. He has worked sound and special effects at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina on such shows as I Hate Hamlet, the world premiere of Gilligan’s Island: The Musical, and others in the 1992 season. Since 1993, Matt has designed sound for many of Asolo Rep’s productions. In addition, he wrote and performed the musical scores for The Count of Monte Cristo and Nicholas Nickleby. Outside the theatre world, he has designed and programed the show control system for Livingston’s Amusements Bazooka Ball arena and produced Livestream expositions for the National Watercolor Society.

ETHAN VAIL (Lighting Designer) is pleased to join the team on this adventure.

Credits include Asolo Repertory Theatre: Grand Horizons, Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, Camelot; The Players Centre for the Performing Arts (Sarasota, FL): Head Over Heels, All Shook Up; Millbrook Playhouse (Mill Hall, PA): 65 productions, including the regional premiere of Fun Home; Compass Rose Theatre (Annapolis, MD): Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Manatee Players: Anne of Green Gables. He was the recipient of the 2013 USITT YD&T Award, sponsored by Barbizon Lighting Company, for A Midsummer Night’s Dream that he designed at Purdue University. He is also the master electrician at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

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The Company

“Stranger, you are welcome here. What I have is yours and I give it with a glad heart.”

DREAA KAY BAUDY (Nestor) is a New Orleans native, but currently resides in Sarasota. She graduated with her BA in Philosophy from Tulane University and is currently an MFA candidate for a Master’s in Acting at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Some of her credits include Esther in Intimate Apparel, Somebody in Everybody, Ophelia in Hamlet, and Maria in Twelfth Night. Besides her passion for acting, Dreaa Kay loves to travel, is a plant enthusiast, and a cat mom.

MACARIA CHAPARRO MARTINEZ (Telly) went to a play for the first time when they were 13 and has dreamed of telling stories ever since! Favorite people to have played include: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Lord of the Underworld/Interesting Man in Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, and Belise in The Learned Ladies here in Florida and with the very classmates they share the stage with today.

Favorite stories: Romeo & Juliet, Shrek, The Alchemist, Shrek 2.

Special thanks to educators, community, art, choir directors, parents, aunts, uncles, nana, na; for teaching me, for loving me.

ZOYA MARTIN (Penelope) is a third year in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, and this is her first season with Asolo Rep. She graduated with her BFA from Azusa Pacific University in Pasadena, CA. Some credits include Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Henrietta in The Learned Ladies, and Abby in Belleville by Amy Herzog. She is grateful to be participating in this educational tour and thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this impactful story to the community.

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ERIN O’CONNOR (u/s Penelope, u/s Athena) is very excited to be a part of the touring company of Looking for Ithaca! She is in her third year at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. You can see her onstage in the upcoming season at Asolo Rep. Past roles include Viola in Twelfth Night, Armande in The Learned Ladies, Everybody/As Cast in Everybody (FSU/Asolo Conservatory), Coco in The Cocoanuts and Cassius/Portia/ Mark Antony in Julius Caesar in a School Visit Program (Oregon Shakespeare Festival) that toured through middle/ high schools and colleges on the West Coast. Erin is very passionate about theatre education, stage combat, and dogs.

PETER S. RAIMONDO (u/s Telly, u/s Old Shepherd) is a third-year student with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He is from Buffalo, NY, and holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. Conservatory credits: Belleville (Zack), The Learned Ladies (Clitandre), Twelfth Night (Antonio), and Asolo Rep’s BardWired: Much Ado About Nothing (u/s perf., Claudio). Other 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 working with his cohort members and Asolo Repertory Theatre this season and is grateful for the love and support of his family and friends.

EVAN STEVENS (u/s Odysseus) is an actor from Boise, ID. He began acting professionally after graduating from Boise State University, where he majored in theatre with a minor in dance. Some of his favorite roles have included Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza, and most recently, Sebastian in Twelfth Night. In addition to acting, Evan enjoys nature, dancing, and spending time with his dog Otis. He is grateful and proud to be working and acting alongside this amazing ensemble.

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SYDNEY STORY (Old Shepherd/Menelaus) is excited to embark on the final leg of her MFA journey with Asolo Rep and with the education team. 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 Labour’s Lost. She was fortunate enough to sing backup for Kristin Chenoweth and work on a new work with Richard Oberacker during her undergraduate training and would like to thank her parents for their support.

JERALD WHEAT (Odysseus) is humbled and excited to be a part of this original touring production. He is in his third year at the FSU/ Asolo Conservatory. He was last seen at Asolo Rep on the Cook Theatre stage, performing in all four of the Conservatory’s 2022 season productions. Jerald would like to thank the excellent stage managers, the Asolo Rep Education department, Gaby Rodriguez for being such an inspiring director, Jess Shoemaker for writing this beautiful adaptation, his fellow ensemble members who are always a joy to work with, and his supportive family.

MATTHEW ROHAN (Stage Manager) is excited to be working at Asolo Rep this season and to be embarking on a theatrical odyssey across Florida with Looking for Ithaca: An Odyssey. Matthew is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Favorite past professional credits include Carmen, The Tender Land (Utah Festival Opera), and Elizabeth Rex (Oak Park Festival). Past university credits include The Marriage of Figaro, Native Gardens, A Little Night Music, and Songs for a New World (University of Illinois).

IMANI LEE WILLIAMS (Athena) has found theatre to be both a place that people follow and a movement that follows people - she is proud to be a part of it. Imani graduated from FSU with her BFA in Theatre and toured Atlanta, performing original works with the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta for five years. Credits include The Laboratory Theater: Jo in The Legend of Georgia McBride; June in Good, Bad People; and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible (2019 SWFL Broadway World’s Regional Award for Best Actress-nonprofessional). She will be seen next in Asolo Rep’s 2022-23 season. In her final year as an FSU/Asolo Conservatory student, Imani is overjoyed to help tell a healing story with such a dedicated cast and creative team. She thanks Gaby and Jess for their ever-welcoming craftsmanship. Enjoy the show! asolorep.org | 8

PATRONS OF THE FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY CLASS OF 2023 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

Ron Banyay Jody Beresford and Bob Mayer Doug Bradbury Henny and Dennis Dirks Thalia Dorwick Foster and Martha Harmon* Endowed Fund Charlie Huisking, Huisking Foundation Barbara Jacob Esther Mertz* Endowed Fund Jack and Priscilla Schlegel Eva T. Slane William A. Yandow* Endowed Fund To learn more about the Graduate Student Patron program, contact Angel Hissom at angel_hissom@asolo.org or 941.351.9010 ext. 4706. *in memoriam

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THANK YOU ACCESS TO THE ARTS DONORS! Contributors to Asolo Rep’s school-based Access to the Arts programs further our commitment to making live theatre part of our children’s education today and their lives tomorrow. These outstanding programs reach youth and families in our community and across the state of Florida.

For more information, contact Sarah Johnson at sarah_johnson@asolo.org or 941.351.9010 ext. 4707. Gifts are current as of August 1, 2022.

MAJOR DONORS ($5,000+) Anonymous • Ali and Gloria Bahaj • Betty-Jean and David* Bavar • Gerald and Sondra Biller • Travis and Kathy Brown • Elizabeth Butler and the Gary Butler Family Foundation • Tom and Ann Charters • Carole Crosby, Ruby E. and Carole Crosby Family Foundation • Bill and Elaine Crouse • Richard Ferrell, Andrew R. Ferrell Foundation • Charlie Huisking, Huisking Foundation • Melanie and Sean Natarajan • Jim and Susan Travers • Trivisonno Foundation • Leon and Marysue Wechsler • Gina and Thomas Winter • Geri and Ron Yonover • Stephen and Cheri Ziegler

FRIENDS OF EDUCATION ($500 – $4,999) Jo Ann Allen • Shari and Steve Ashman • Richard and Eve Biller • Martin and Barbara Bowling • Nancy Boxill-Thompson • Terry O. Brackett • Susan Brennan • Don and Jo Ann Burhart • Denise Campbell and Sean Altice • Don and Ann Casto • Vaughan Curtis • Designing Women Boutique • L’Tanya Evans • Wendy and Jerry Feinstein • David Gallagher • Barbara Gardner • Ronald Giarrusso • Sandy and Jim Goldman • George and Mary Dee Hicks • Susan and Pavel Hillel • George and Judith Hofmann • Barbara Jacob • Dr. Randell Johnson and Bobby Jensen • B.J. Jones • Ronald Kendall and Michael Ballantyne • Benjamin and James Luczak • Enid Marshall • Michael and Jean Martin • Jan McClure • Deborah McIlrevey • Terrence McKee • Betty Menell • Nancy Mina • Luis Montes and Kara Altice-Montes • Susan Palmer • Rebecca and Barry Preston • Maurice Richards* and Jack Kesler* • Steven and Carolyn Roskamp • Jeff and Nikki Sedacca • Lee Shapiro • Dawn Spencer • Mike and Madelyn Tetmeyer • Gayle Timmerman • Pamela and Mark Weinstein • Susan and Charles Wilson *in memoriam

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ENDOWED FUNDS M. Beverly and Robert G. Bartner Fund for Future Young Audiences Koski Family Foundation Fund for New Audiences John* and Elenor Maxheim Fund, in recognition of Theatre Arts Education *in memoriam

Asolo Rep’s Education & Engagement Director is sponsored by the Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Lead sponsor, Access to the Arts

Lead sponsor, Theatre for All

Koski Family Foundation

Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation

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Linnie E. Dalbeck Charles Henry Memorial Foundation Leach II Fund Trust