Supporting Our Students Our theatre students are some of the hardest working students on campus. They depend on scholarship support to keep up rigorous academic and creative schedules, and to balance the various aspects of student life. You can help support our hardworking student citizen artists by making a donation online today!
auburngiving.org/theatre
334.844.4748
Our Generous Donors Paul Kyle Butler
Ms. Melissa Brown Herkt
Carol Luther
Rick and Mary Zellmer
Arthur and Barbara Wilke
We thank all our patrons for any contribution made during the 2021-2022 season. Your generous gift is in support of the student scholarship fund.
Department of Theatre and Dance Administrative Staff
Our Mission
Department Chair: Chase Bringardner Office Administrators: Becky Henderson, Hannah Herndon Marketing Coordinator: Magali Zaslabsky Graphic Designer: Ashley Butler
Theatre has the potential to foster dialogue, alter perceptions, and inspire social change. The Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated to the education and professional training of theatre artists, scholars, and audiences within a liberal arts environment.
Student Staff: Production Assistant: Anna Vu Sound & Lighting Assistant: Bailey Fenn Scenic Studio Assistants: Matthew Smith, Katie Wolfe Costume Studio Assistants: Bailey Hammett, Julianna Devaney, Rynnie Chapman Wig Assistant: Ashley Digiovanni Paints and Props Assistant: Mal Waggoner Box Office Assistants: Nisi Collins, Sydney Pereira, Addison Peacock, Lauren Selvia Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Jenna Viana, Katie Pappas, Nikki Ahlf
The Department champions the interaction between theory and practice and produces citizen artists who advocate for the arts through their own work in local, national, and international communities. Auburn University theatre and dance students think critically, creatively, and collaboratively and carry their knowledge from rehearsal spaces and classrooms to stages, campuses, and communities worldwide.
Learn more about our department and degree tracks at:
auburnuniversitytheatre.org Social icon
Rounded square Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Spring Awakening Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater Music by Duncan Sheik Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Andrew Schwartz • Music Direction by James Mablin Choreography by Jeri Dickey
November 11~19, 2021 • Telfair B. Peet Mainstage Theatre Spring Awakening is intended for mature audiences.
theatretickets.auburn.edu 334.844.4154
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
Artistic Team Artistic Director: Chase Bringardner Director: Ashley Butler Lighting Designer: Bram Sheckels Sound Designer: Ashley Butler Dramaturg: Oliver Schmanke
Production Team Director of Production: Bram Sheckels Staff Technical Director: Matt Gist Assistant Technical Director: Cameron Lucas Costume Shop Manager: Jennifer Salter Assistant Costume Shop Manager: Alyssa Allen Stage Manager: Alyssa Allen Light Board Operator: Alyssa Allen Sound Board Operator: Annabell Mallard House Manager: Nisi Collins
Production Crews Scenic Studio: Lisa Alfa, Nisi Collins, Jonny Dickey, Torlexcia Dixon, Bailey Fenn, Sydney Golden, Kate Harrington, Kaci Henders, Clay Hodges, Morgan Hogans, Mary Keyton, Maddie Maradik, Holden Mathison, Addison Peacock, Claudia Peeples, Olivia Price, Lauren Selvia, Danielle Simmons, Matthew Smith, Madison Todd, Mal Waggoner, Duoer Ye
Sydney Golden (Anne Marie, Cast B) is a senior BFA musical theatre major with a minor in journalism from Peachtree City, GA. She is thrilled to be in A Doll’s House Part 2. Previous Auburn credits include Bring it On (Bridgette U/S/Ensemble), Little Women (Aunt March), and New Day Dawning (Ensemble). She’s so thankful to everyone for this opportunity! Charlcie Hathorn (Nora, Cast A) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Tallassee, AL. Previous Auburn credits include Little Women (Older Amy), Blithe Spirit (Female Understudy), and Marion Bridge (Female Understudy). Charlcie Hathorn is also an ensemble member in Mosaic Theatre Company, where she takes pride in devising culturally conscious performance pieces among peers, and enjoys writing scripts that aim to impact audience members to seek avenues for social justice. Morgan Hogans (Emmy, Cast C) is a sophomore BFA musical theatre major from Dothan, AL. Auburn University theatre credits include Little Women (Understudy Jo and Understudy Marmie). Morgan is also an active member of Auburn’s Sonic Nation where she is a vocalist, the Tiger Excellence Scholarship Program, and AU Players.
Costume Studio: Whitley Adams, Ashleigh Avallone, Navi Collins, Jordan Denson, Nick DiJulio, Shelby Dupree, Bailey Hammett, Elle Hartman, Charlcie Hathorn, Grace Moebes, Lauren Northcutt, Katie Pappas, Meredith Rice, Adam Stremmel, Mary Grace Sullivan, Anna Turpen, Jenna Viana, Avonlea Yeakley
Addison Peacock (Anne Marie, Cast A) is a senior BFA musical theatre major from Auburn, AL. Previous roles at Auburn include: PROGRESS (Kate), Blithe Spirit (Ruth), The Belle’s Stratagem (Lady Francis), and Detroit (Sharon). She is so grateful for the opportunity to perform, and hopes you all enjoy the show! War Eagle!
Alyssa Allen (Stage Manager) is a senior BA theatre major with a focus in wardrobe from Milton, FL. Previous Auburn credits include wardrobe supervisor for The Future is Here, New Day Dawning, and Little Women, assistant wardrobe supervisor for Bring it On, assistant stage manager for The Theory of Relativity and Holiday Memories, and costume crew for The Belle's Stratagem and Big Fish. Alyssa would like to thank Ashley Butler for giving her this opportunity, as well as the cast for making this show so much fun. Rynnie Chapman (Emmy, Cast B) a junior BFA performance & visual media studies major with a costume concentration from Auburn, AL. Her recent credits include Grease (Sandy) at New Horizons Theatre and Bring It On (Truman Cheerleader) at AU Theatre. She’s so excited to be back on the stage. Enjoy A Doll’s House Part 2!! Antonavia Collins (Nora, Cast C) is a junior BFA theatre performance major from Montgomery, AL. Her credits include Bring it On (Ensemble), Little Women (Beth), and Eat Dessert First (Daughter). She hopes to enjoy the rest of the semester and her time here at Auburn. War Eagle! Julianna Devaney (Anne Marie, Cast C) is a senior BFA musical theatre major from Prattville, AL. Previous Auburn credits include Little Women (Mrs. Mingott), New Day Dawning (Ensemble), and Anonymous (Calista).
Glimmers in the Dark
A Doll’s House Part 2
Brian Eldredge (Torvald, Cast C) is a sophomore theatre major from Enterprise, AL. This is the first production in which Brian has been cast.
Bethany Novotny (Nora, Cast B) is a transfer BFA muscial theatre major from Litchfield Park, AZ. Bethany is thrilled to be in this production of A Doll’s House Part 2. Some favorite productions include Spring Awakening (Anna) at San Diego State University and bare: A Pop Opera (Ivy) and The Miracle Worker (Kate Keller) at Spotlight Youth Theatre.
Company Biographies
a reading of
Julianna would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her in all of her ventures!
Sydney Pereira (Emmy, Cast A) is a sophomore BFA music theatre major from Elon, NC. This is Sydney’s first role at Auburn. Auburn University theatre credits include The Future is Here (Wardrobe Crew) and A Doll’s House (Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor). Sydney also serves as secretary of AU Players here at Auburn. Dexter Pilcher (Torvald, Cast A) is a senior BFA performance major. Auburn University theatre credits include The Belle’s Stratagem (Phillip), Little Women (Mr. Dashwood), and A Doll’s House (Krogstad). Dexter is also an active member of Auburn’s Mosaic Theatre Company, and is an avid sci-fi fan, doing charity work as the Star Wars Villain Kylo Ren. Oliver Schmanke (Stage Directions / Dramaturg) is a sophomore journalism major from Cicero, NY. He loves doing the extensive research necessary to bring plays to life. In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, and attending costume conventions. He hopes you enjoy the show. Tony To (Torvald, Cast B) is a freshman theatre major from Bellevue, NE. Tony To will be making his debut in the Auburn theatre program as Torvald. Other notable roles include Aladdin in Aladdin The Musical and Duane Wilson in Harvey. He plays guitar and enjoys cooking for his friends.
Auburn University Theatre and Dance • 2021-22 Season
By Lucas Hnath Directed by Ashley Butler
The reading will run without an intermission. The performance will be followed by a talkback session with the three casts, the director, and special guests. We hope you will stay to have a conversation with us about your experience of the reading and the play's themes and ideas.
The Setting Norway. Inside the Helmer house. 15 years since Nora left Torvald.
Cast A (Thursday 10/21)
Cast B (Friday 10/22)
Cast C (Saturday 10/23)
Anne Marie . . . . . . Addison Peacock
Anne Marie . . . . . . . . Sydney Golden
Anne Marie . . . . . Julianna Devaney
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlcie Hathorn
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . Bethany Novotny
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . Antonavia Collins
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . Dexter Pilcher
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony To
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Eldredge
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . . . Sydney Pereira
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . Rynnie Chapman
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Hogans
Why A Staged Reading? The staged reading format offers audiences a different kind of engagement with performers and performance text. Rehearsed over a compact two-week period, this production places an emphasis on the playwright’s words and provides audiences an opportunity to encounter the play in a different way than that of a show fully produced with all manner of spectacle. Each night finds a different cast reading and performing the text and interpreting the story in their own unique way. All three casts met together during the entire rehearsal process to experiment, share ideas, and answer the question: How do multiple actors each take an individual approach to the same character while remaining true to the essence of the character as written by the playwright?
Director’s Note When Nora Helmer slammed the door on her old life in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, audiences of 1879 reacted with both shock and awe; heated conversations ensued about the nature of marriage, of mothers, of a woman’s place in a male-dominated society; and one of the greatest cliffhangers of modern dramatic literature was left hanging for well over a century: What happened to Nora? So it was with some measure of audacity, and not a small amount of wicked humor, that playwright Lucas Hnath decided to write a “sequel” of sorts — a contemporary take on what happens when Nora returns 15 years later to face all that she left behind — a continuance that picks up on those conversations of the past that are still happening today about marriage, motherhood, and gender dynamics. Ostensibly taking place in 1894, Hnath wrote his play with a decidedly contemporary vernacular, going so far as to prescribe a very specific style of “script grammar” that lends itself to contemporary speech patterns and cadences. He also noted that A Doll’s House Part 2 is not meant to be taken too literally as a period piece, but rather as an abstraction of Ibsen’s tale that lands somewhere in the mindset of today’s audiences and their experiences relative to those of the play’s timeless characters. Hnath has stated that he’s interested in “missing information” and “gaps in conversation.” Nora skipped out just when major epiphanies dawned and revelations were made, so she and Torvald never really got to have a proper argument about the conditions that had come between them. Hnath has also suggested he has not only a penchant for looking at various sides of an argument, but in fact, a near inabilty to commit to one viewpoint without examining the merits and flaws of other views. This is why audiences will not experience A Doll’s House Part 2 as a neat “message play” or as a story arc in full support of our protagonist Nora as heroine. In this play, everyone has their say. Nora has ample opportunity to validate her reasons for leaving and living the life she’s led since, but she is also forced to reckon with how her act of self-care affected those who had been closest to her. What results is something between a debate forum, a strategic chess match, and a boxing ring battle of wits, words, and fiery passions.
Special Thanks Chase Bringardner, Tessa Carr, Dott Dailey, Scott Phillips, Bram Sheckels, Mike and Jean Young
Auburn University Theatre and Dance gratefully acknowledges support for this production from the Office of the Provost of Auburn University. A Doll's House Part 2 is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
auburnuniversitytheatre.org
Artistic Team Artistic Director: Chase Bringardner Director: Ashley Butler Lighting Designer: Bram Sheckels Sound Designer: Ashley Butler Dramaturg: Oliver Schmanke
Production Team Director of Production: Bram Sheckels Staff Technical Director: Matt Gist Assistant Technical Director: Cameron Lucas Costume Shop Manager: Jennifer Salter Assistant Costume Shop Manager: Alyssa Allen Stage Manager: Alyssa Allen Light Board Operator: Alyssa Allen Sound Board Operator: Annabell Mallard House Manager: Nisi Collins
Production Crews Scenic Studio: Lisa Alfa, Nisi Collins, Jonny Dickey, Torlexcia Dixon, Bailey Fenn, Sydney Golden, Kate Harrington, Kaci Henders, Clay Hodges, Morgan Hogans, Mary Keyton, Maddie Maradik, Holden Mathison, Addison Peacock, Claudia Peeples, Olivia Price, Lauren Selvia, Danielle Simmons, Matthew Smith, Madison Todd, Mal Waggoner, Duoer Ye
Sydney Golden (Anne Marie, Cast B) is a senior BFA musical theatre major with a minor in journalism from Peachtree City, GA. She is thrilled to be in A Doll’s House Part 2. Previous Auburn credits include Bring it On (Bridgette U/S/Ensemble), Little Women (Aunt March), and New Day Dawning (Ensemble). She’s so thankful to everyone for this opportunity! Charlcie Hathorn (Nora, Cast A) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Tallassee, AL. Previous Auburn credits include Little Women (Older Amy), Blithe Spirit (Female Understudy), and Marion Bridge (Female Understudy). Charlcie Hathorn is also an ensemble member in Mosaic Theatre Company, where she takes pride in devising culturally conscious performance pieces among peers, and enjoys writing scripts that aim to impact audience members to seek avenues for social justice. Morgan Hogans (Emmy, Cast C) is a sophomore BFA musical theatre major from Dothan, AL. Auburn University theatre credits include Little Women (Understudy Jo and Understudy Marmie). Morgan is also an active member of Auburn’s Sonic Nation where she is a vocalist, the Tiger Excellence Scholarship Program, and AU Players.
Costume Studio: Whitley Adams, Ashleigh Avallone, Navi Collins, Jordan Denson, Nick DiJulio, Shelby Dupree, Bailey Hammett, Elle Hartman, Charlcie Hathorn, Grace Moebes, Lauren Northcutt, Katie Pappas, Meredith Rice, Adam Stremmel, Mary Grace Sullivan, Anna Turpen, Jenna Viana, Avonlea Yeakley
Addison Peacock (Anne Marie, Cast A) is a senior BFA musical theatre major from Auburn, AL. Previous roles at Auburn include: PROGRESS (Kate), Blithe Spirit (Ruth), The Belle’s Stratagem (Lady Francis), and Detroit (Sharon). She is so grateful for the opportunity to perform, and hopes you all enjoy the show! War Eagle!
Alyssa Allen (Stage Manager) is a senior BA theatre major with a focus in wardrobe from Milton, FL. Previous Auburn credits include wardrobe supervisor for The Future is Here, New Day Dawning, and Little Women, assistant wardrobe supervisor for Bring it On, assistant stage manager for The Theory of Relativity and Holiday Memories, and costume crew for The Belle's Stratagem and Big Fish. Alyssa would like to thank Ashley Butler for giving her this opportunity, as well as the cast for making this show so much fun. Rynnie Chapman (Emmy, Cast B) a junior BFA performance & visual media studies major with a costume concentration from Auburn, AL. Her recent credits include Grease (Sandy) at New Horizons Theatre and Bring It On (Truman Cheerleader) at AU Theatre. She’s so excited to be back on the stage. Enjoy A Doll’s House Part 2!! Antonavia Collins (Nora, Cast C) is a junior BFA theatre performance major from Montgomery, AL. Her credits include Bring it On (Ensemble), Little Women (Beth), and Eat Dessert First (Daughter). She hopes to enjoy the rest of the semester and her time here at Auburn. War Eagle! Julianna Devaney (Anne Marie, Cast C) is a senior BFA musical theatre major from Prattville, AL. Previous Auburn credits include Little Women (Mrs. Mingott), New Day Dawning (Ensemble), and Anonymous (Calista).
Glimmers in the Dark
A Doll’s House Part 2
Brian Eldredge (Torvald, Cast C) is a sophomore theatre major from Enterprise, AL. This is the first production in which Brian has been cast.
Bethany Novotny (Nora, Cast B) is a transfer BFA muscial theatre major from Litchfield Park, AZ. Bethany is thrilled to be in this production of A Doll’s House Part 2. Some favorite productions include Spring Awakening (Anna) at San Diego State University and bare: A Pop Opera (Ivy) and The Miracle Worker (Kate Keller) at Spotlight Youth Theatre.
Company Biographies
a reading of
Julianna would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her in all of her ventures!
Sydney Pereira (Emmy, Cast A) is a sophomore BFA music theatre major from Elon, NC. This is Sydney’s first role at Auburn. Auburn University theatre credits include The Future is Here (Wardrobe Crew) and A Doll’s House (Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor). Sydney also serves as secretary of AU Players here at Auburn. Dexter Pilcher (Torvald, Cast A) is a senior BFA performance major. Auburn University theatre credits include The Belle’s Stratagem (Phillip), Little Women (Mr. Dashwood), and A Doll’s House (Krogstad). Dexter is also an active member of Auburn’s Mosaic Theatre Company, and is an avid sci-fi fan, doing charity work as the Star Wars Villain Kylo Ren. Oliver Schmanke (Stage Directions / Dramaturg) is a sophomore journalism major from Cicero, NY. He loves doing the extensive research necessary to bring plays to life. In his spare time he enjoys reading, writing, and attending costume conventions. He hopes you enjoy the show. Tony To (Torvald, Cast B) is a freshman theatre major from Bellevue, NE. Tony To will be making his debut in the Auburn theatre program as Torvald. Other notable roles include Aladdin in Aladdin The Musical and Duane Wilson in Harvey. He plays guitar and enjoys cooking for his friends.
Auburn University Theatre and Dance • 2021-22 Season
By Lucas Hnath Directed by Ashley Butler
The reading will run without an intermission. The performance will be followed by a talkback session with the three casts, the director, and special guests. We hope you will stay to have a conversation with us about your experience of the reading and the play's themes and ideas.
The Setting Norway. Inside the Helmer house. 15 years since Nora left Torvald.
Cast A (Thursday 10/21)
Cast B (Friday 10/22)
Cast C (Saturday 10/23)
Anne Marie . . . . . . Addison Peacock
Anne Marie . . . . . . . . Sydney Golden
Anne Marie . . . . . Julianna Devaney
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlcie Hathorn
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . Bethany Novotny
Nora . . . . . . . . . . . Antonavia Collins
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . Dexter Pilcher
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony To
Torvald. . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Eldredge
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . . . Sydney Pereira
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . Rynnie Chapman
Emmy. . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Hogans
Why A Staged Reading? The staged reading format offers audiences a different kind of engagement with performers and performance text. Rehearsed over a compact two-week period, this production places an emphasis on the playwright’s words and provides audiences an opportunity to encounter the play in a different way than that of a show fully produced with all manner of spectacle. Each night finds a different cast reading and performing the text and interpreting the story in their own unique way. All three casts met together during the entire rehearsal process to experiment, share ideas, and answer the question: How do multiple actors each take an individual approach to the same character while remaining true to the essence of the character as written by the playwright?
Director’s Note When Nora Helmer slammed the door on her old life in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, audiences of 1879 reacted with both shock and awe; heated conversations ensued about the nature of marriage, of mothers, of a woman’s place in a male-dominated society; and one of the greatest cliffhangers of modern dramatic literature was left hanging for well over a century: What happened to Nora? So it was with some measure of audacity, and not a small amount of wicked humor, that playwright Lucas Hnath decided to write a “sequel” of sorts — a contemporary take on what happens when Nora returns 15 years later to face all that she left behind — a continuance that picks up on those conversations of the past that are still happening today about marriage, motherhood, and gender dynamics. Ostensibly taking place in 1894, Hnath wrote his play with a decidedly contemporary vernacular, going so far as to prescribe a very specific style of “script grammar” that lends itself to contemporary speech patterns and cadences. He also noted that A Doll’s House Part 2 is not meant to be taken too literally as a period piece, but rather as an abstraction of Ibsen’s tale that lands somewhere in the mindset of today’s audiences and their experiences relative to those of the play’s timeless characters. Hnath has stated that he’s interested in “missing information” and “gaps in conversation.” Nora skipped out just when major epiphanies dawned and revelations were made, so she and Torvald never really got to have a proper argument about the conditions that had come between them. Hnath has also suggested he has not only a penchant for looking at various sides of an argument, but in fact, a near inabilty to commit to one viewpoint without examining the merits and flaws of other views. This is why audiences will not experience A Doll’s House Part 2 as a neat “message play” or as a story arc in full support of our protagonist Nora as heroine. In this play, everyone has their say. Nora has ample opportunity to validate her reasons for leaving and living the life she’s led since, but she is also forced to reckon with how her act of self-care affected those who had been closest to her. What results is something between a debate forum, a strategic chess match, and a boxing ring battle of wits, words, and fiery passions.
Special Thanks Chase Bringardner, Tessa Carr, Dott Dailey, Scott Phillips, Bram Sheckels, Mike and Jean Young
Auburn University Theatre and Dance gratefully acknowledges support for this production from the Office of the Provost of Auburn University. A Doll's House Part 2 is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
auburnuniversitytheatre.org
Supporting Our Students Our theatre students are some of the hardest working students on campus. They depend on scholarship support to keep up rigorous academic and creative schedules, and to balance the various aspects of student life. You can help support our hardworking student citizen artists by making a donation online today!
auburngiving.org/theatre
334.844.4748
Our Generous Donors Paul Kyle Butler
Ms. Melissa Brown Herkt
Carol Luther
Rick and Mary Zellmer
Arthur and Barbara Wilke
We thank all our patrons for any contribution made during the 2021-2022 season. Your generous gift is in support of the student scholarship fund.
Department of Theatre and Dance Administrative Staff
Our Mission
Department Chair: Chase Bringardner Office Administrators: Becky Henderson, Hannah Herndon Marketing Coordinator: Magali Zaslabsky Graphic Designer: Ashley Butler
Theatre has the potential to foster dialogue, alter perceptions, and inspire social change. The Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated to the education and professional training of theatre artists, scholars, and audiences within a liberal arts environment.
Student Staff: Production Assistant: Anna Vu Sound & Lighting Assistant: Bailey Fenn Scenic Studio Assistants: Matthew Smith, Katie Wolfe Costume Studio Assistants: Bailey Hammett, Julianna Devaney, Rynnie Chapman Wig Assistant: Ashley Digiovanni Paints and Props Assistant: Mal Waggoner Box Office Assistants: Nisi Collins, Sydney Pereira, Addison Peacock, Lauren Selvia Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Jenna Viana, Katie Pappas, Nikki Ahlf
The Department champions the interaction between theory and practice and produces citizen artists who advocate for the arts through their own work in local, national, and international communities. Auburn University theatre and dance students think critically, creatively, and collaboratively and carry their knowledge from rehearsal spaces and classrooms to stages, campuses, and communities worldwide.
Learn more about our department and degree tracks at:
auburnuniversitytheatre.org Social icon
Rounded square Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Spring Awakening Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater Music by Duncan Sheik Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Andrew Schwartz • Music Direction by James Mablin Choreography by Jeri Dickey
November 11~19, 2021 • Telfair B. Peet Mainstage Theatre Spring Awakening is intended for mature audiences.
theatretickets.auburn.edu 334.844.4154
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.