AUTD Presents DARE WE DEFEND / UNIVERSES)

Dare WE Defend

An Original Work Devised by AUTD Students and UNIVERSES Theater Company

Artistic Team

Artistic Director: Tessa Carr

Ensemble/Devising Director:

Mildred Ruiz-Sapp

Assistant Director/Dramaturg:

Sarah Chandler

Costume Designer: Claudia Peeples

Lighting Designer: Danielle Curtis

Scenic Coordinator: Matt Gist

Sound Designers: Davy Davis, Andrew Lynch

Production Crews

SCENIC STUDIO: Kinsey Bosher, Caroline

Brooks, Andie D'Amico, Wil Eplett, Kirsten

Estes, Abigail Johnson, William Johnson, Morgan McKenzie, Presley McQuiddyGasparlin, Avery Melton, Kathryn Mims, Kevin

Nelson, Kate Nymark, Jason Owens, Alex

Pharo, Patrick Reagan, Lily Sfida, Bekah Taylor, Tony To

COSTUME STUDIO: Patrick Barnett, Olivia Beland, Jeb Bethel, Romelo Blackmon, Abigail Bowling, Riley Brazell, Maddox Brock, Hannah-Mae Burnette, Tapley Cronier, Nick DiJulio, Shelby Dupree, Hali Everette, Cecilia

Frederick, Catherine Govignon, Asha Knight, Abby Krehling, Bethany Novotny, Kara

Anne Smith, Tino Soto, Mary Grace Sullivan, Madison Todd, Andrew Vance, Michaela Williams, Avonlea Yeakley

PROPS/SOUND STUDIO: Lily Hamilton, Evie Slaughenhoup, Reid Williams

Devising Ensemble

Abigail Bowling

Hannah Carstarphen

Wil Eplett

Kirsten Estes

Daisha Flint

Bella Hardin

Morgan Hogans

Kate Johnson

Asha Knight

Jonah N

Kate Nymark

Sam Oliver

Maeson Proctor

Lily Sosebee

Megan Starling

Bekah Taylor

Madison Todd

Michaela Williams

Production Team

Director of Production: Laura Sims

Technical Director: Matt Gist

Costume Shop Manager: Jennifer Salter

Stage Operations Coordinator: Emily Olson

Stage Management Team: Abigail Bowling, Sarah Chandler, Wil Eplett, Lily Sosebee, Madison Todd

Wardrobe Supervisor: Elle Hartman

Asst. Wardrobe Supervisor: Kara Anne Smith

Wardrobe Crew: Evie Slaughenhoup, Mary Grace Sullivan, Avonlea Yeakley

Props Coordinator: Madison Todd

Head Electrician: Patrick Barnett

Light Board Operator: Emma Grace Ramb

A1: Sarah Schomburg

Sound Board Operator: Davy Davis

SPECIAL THANKS: Lisa Alfa

This work was made possible through the Departmental Award for Excellence in Education, presented to the Department of Theatre & Dance by the Teaching Effectiveness Committee of the University Senate

About the Show

Welcome to Dare WE Defend, an original work created by the visionary, committed, and fearless Theatre and Dance students here at Auburn University. I am honored to have been part of this journey. I have learned so much and am encouraged by the future imagined by these young thinkers.

A bit about myself, I am one of the co-founders of UNIVERSES Theater Company, a National/International poetic musical theatre ensemble now in its 29th year. Since our artistic beginnings, we’ve been dedicated to creating and supporting works that are rooted in collective humanity. We channel the myriad of voices that speak to us on this journey; voices too often silenced in the dialogue of race, class, gender & identity. To that effect, I am honored that I have been invited to contribute something to this rich dialogue your students have engaged in as we stand on the ancestral lands of the Creek people.

When I first arrived at the Auburn University campus, my goal was simply to meet the students and facilitate exercises that would have them reflect on their own personal journeys through life to this point. They spoke of their favorite things, favorite foods, favorite music, memories, their hometowns/communities, and what made those communities so vital to them. After these exercises, we went around the room listing things they might want to talk about in this work. How could we collaborate to make sure that a myriad of voices were reflected in the room? There was laughter, singing, dancing, dialogue, and curiosity as to the possibilities.

They lifted several topics toward the building of a communal piece, but looming in their electrified conversation was the fact that Senate Bill 129 would soon reach the Governor’s office. Among other things, SB 129 states that a state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education may not 1) “Sponsor any diversity, equity, and inclusion program or maintain any office, physical location, or department that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion programs” or (2) “Direct or compel a student, employee, or contractor to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to a divisive concept” (SB 129, LegiScan.com). A few days into our conversation, Alabama’s Governor, Kay Ivey, signed the bill into law. It will be effective October 1st, 2024, but the effects and consequences of the signing of this bill have already started to surface. The signing of the bill raised the stakes in the room, solidifying the choice to dive deeper into the conversations that have led to the workshop performance you are here to witness today.

As you will see, this cast and management team of student writers, composers, choreographers, designers, and all-around creators, is a beautifully diverse group of individuals. They bring their lived experiences and those of the people they have encountered along the way since childhood to the room. They look for guidance in their memories; from children’s books to fairy tales, nightmares and dreams. They choose to call on their inner child as they tackle the decisions that adults today are putting into law and action. They have no solutions at the moment; like you, they will have to grapple with all that will come next, but they eagerly welcome you to the conversation.

They invite you to see the monsters and wild things at every turn; to play with abandon but never lose sight of how quickly things can be lost; to stay true to who you are and never abandon where you come from; to catch, carry, stand with and for each other along the way. I am blessed to have met these wonderful humans and inspired to have been a part of a hopeful dialogue of Alabama’s future.

“Let the wild rumpus start!” — Maurice Sendak

With deep gratitude,

Mildred Ruiz-Sapp Co-Founder, UNIVERSES Theater Company

Learn More!

Tonight’s performance will be followed by a talkback session with the cast and creators.

We hope you will stay to have a conversation with us about your experience of the show.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for interviews, takeovers, and other features about the production!

@auburnuniversitytheatre

Auburn University Theatre and Dance gratefully acknowledges support for this production from the Office of the Provost of Auburn University.

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

Student Company Biographies

Abigail Bowling (Manager, Performer) is a sophomore BA theatre major and creative writing minor on the management track from Auburn, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Stage Manager), Monstersongs (Stage Manager), and Edges (Stage Manager) among others. She also serves as the secretary of AU Players and stage manager for Mosaic Theatre Company.

Hannah Carstarphen (Performer) is a junior BFA theatre performance major from Mobile, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Movie Star Barbara), The Wolves (#14), and Pippin (Ensemble) among others. She currently stands as the vice president of AU Players, and is an active member of Mosaic Theatre Company. Hannah is elated to share her talent!

Davy Davis (Sound Designer) is a junior BA theatre major from Elba, AL. Their previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Deck Crew) and Fractals: Infinite Movement (Assistant Head Electrician).

Wil Eplett (Manager, Performer) is a freshman BFA music theatre major and arts administration minor from Lilburn, GA. His previous AUTD credits include Fractals: Infinite Movement (Dancer), and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble). He hopes you enjoy the show and are inspired to bring your own stories to the metaphorical table.

Kirsten Estes (Performer) is a sophomore BFA music theatre and special education double major from Birmingham, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Fractals: Infinite Movement (Dancer) and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Projections Operator). She is looking forward to this production and would like to thank Mildred and the AUTD staff for this opportunity.

Daisha Flint (Performer) is a junior BFA theatre performance major from Piedmont, AL. Their previous AUTD credits include The Wolves (Assistant Dramaturg), Twelfth Night (Master/Priest, Feste/Sebastian u/s), Barbecue (Assistant Director), and Monstersongs (The Kid). She is honored to devise theatre with such an amazing group of people.

Bella Hardin (Performer) is a senior elementary education major from Auburn, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include A Doll’s House (Helene), ...And Dance! (Dancer), and AU Players’ production of Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice). Bella is so thankful to be a part of this production as her last AUTD show!

Morgan Hogans (Performer) is a senior BFA music theatre major from Dothan, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Little Women (Jo u/s and Marmie u/s), A Doll’s House Part 2 (Emmy), Pippin (Ensemble), Barbecue (Adlean), and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Princess Mary/Ensemble). Morgan is excited to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kate Johnson (Performer) is a first year BA theatre and psychology double major from Gulf Shores, AL making her AUTD debut. She has previously performed in Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and The Nutcracker (Peppermint Dancer).

Asha Knight (Performer) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Montgomery, AL. She has performed in four productions here at Auburn and two productions at Cloverdale Playhouse. This year, she directed A Lost Art and assistant directed Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Asha counts herself blessed for such opportunities and hopes you enjoy!!

Jonah N (Performer) is a first year law and justice major and theatre minor from Mobile, AL making his AUTD debut. He has a background in concert choir where he gained a love for performance. Jonah is also involved in Diversity in Honors and the KAPi pre-law fraternity.

Kate Nymark (Performer) is a first year BFA music theatre major and economics major from Maple Grove, MN making her AUTD debut. She is on the AUTD front-of-house team and is playing Colonel Fitzwilliam in the AU Players’ production of Pride and Prejudice this spring!

Sam Oliver (Performer) is a first year BFA music theatre major from Birmingham, AL. Sam studied theatre and performance at JCATD under Carl Dean, falling in love with theatre every day. Sam is excited to show off their talents in their AUTD debut.

Claudia Peeples (Costume Designer) is a senior BFA theatre design/tech major, concentrating in costuming from Auburn, AL. They have previously been the scenic charge artist for Spring Awakening, Pippin, and Twelfth Night. This will be Claudia’s first full scale costume design. Big thanks to Dr. Tracy and Jenni for all their support!

Maeson Proctor (Performer) is a first year BA theatre major from Morris, AL making her AUTD debut. Her previous credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Silent Sky (Annie Cannon), and Moana (Tamatoa).

Student Company Biographies

Lily Sosebee (Manager, Performer) is a first year BA theatre major from Powder Springs, GA. Her previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Assistant Stage Manager), Fractals: Infinite Movement (Light Board Operator), and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Assistant Stage Manager).

Megan Starling (Performer) is a senior wildlife science/pre-veterinary major and theatre minor from Troy, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Adlean) and Edges (Assistant Stage Manager). She also previously performed in Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Megan is honored to have worked with this ensemble and hopes you enjoy the show!

Bekah Taylor (Performer) is a junior BA theatre major from Reeltown, AL making her AUTD debut. Some of her past credits include Pride and Prejudice (Stage Manager), Miss Nelson is Missing (Assistant Director), and Hands on a Hardbody (Cindy Barnes).

Madison Todd (Manager) is a junior BFA theatre management major and Asian studies minor from Columbus, GA. Her previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Stage Manager/Props Coordinator), Twelfth Night (Stage Manager), and The Wolves (Assistant Stage Manager) among others. Professional credits include Legends in Concert (Dresser) and Mary Poppins (Tech Crew) with the Fireside Theatre. Madison thanks her family for supporting her.

Michaela Williams (Performer) is a junior BFA music theatre major from Columbus, GA. Their previous AUTD credits include The Wolves (#00), Barbecue (Marie), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Dolokhov, Anatole u/s), and more! Michaela is also the t-shirt chair for the AU Players and a member of Mosaic Theatre Company. She hopes you enjoy the show!

u/s = understudy

Guest Artist Biographies

Danielle M.B. Curtis (Lighting Designer) is the production manager for the College of Fine Arts and Kirkland Fine Arts Center at Millikin University in Central Illinois and is a freelance lighting and scenic designer. Danielle earned her BA from Muskingum University and her MFA in production design from Michigan State University. Danielle spent several years working for the Ohio Light Opera and in New York City as a freelance scenic artist, electrician, and lighting designer. Previously, she served as the Assistant Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Education and the Director of Theatre at Lees-McRae College where she also frequented as a lighting or scenic designer for academic productions. Danielle's favorite designs have been for productions of Into The Woods (lighting), Eurydice (scenic), Silent Sky (scenic and lighting), and her previous Auburn University Theatre design for Alabama Love Stories (scenic and lighting). Enjoy the show!

Mildred Ruiz-Sapp (Ensemble/Devising Director) is a poet/playwright/actor/singer/songwriter/filmmaker. She is a co-founder and core member of UNIVERSES Theater Company since 1995. Playwriting/acting credits include: AmericUS; Unison; Party People; Ameriville; The Denver Project; One Shot in Lotus Position; Blue Suite; Rhythmicity; Slanguage; The Ride. Acting only credits include: DJ Latinidad; The Comedy of Errors; The Unfortunates; Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Enchained. Awards/Affiliations: 2020 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation National Playwright Residency Program recipient; 2015 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award (Theatre); Oregon Shakespeare Festival Acting Company Member ( 2012-2017) and Ensemble in Residence; 2008 U.S. Cultural Ambassador with the U.S. State Department/Jazz at Lincoln Center Rhythm Road Tour; 2008 TCG Peter Zeisler Award; 2006 Career Advancement Fellowship from the Ford Foundation through Pregones Theater; 2002-2004 and 1999-2001 TCG National Theater Artist Residency Program Award; Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) Award (Singing); Co-Founder of The Point CDC; Former Board Member, National Performance Network (NPN) and Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET); New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect; Bard College, BA ’92 (Literature/Language). Publications: Slanguage in The Fire This Time (TCG Books); Blue Suite in The Goodman Theatre’s Festival Latino: Six Plays (Northwestern University Press); Party People in The Manifesto Anthology (Rain City Projects, Fall 2014); featured on the covers of American Theater magazine (2004) and The Source magazine (2000). Member: Actors Equity Association.

THANK YOU, DONORS!

We are profoundly grateful to our generous donors. Every gift helps to support the work of our department and our incredible theatre and dance students.

Becky Barlow and John Kush

Bret and Lauren Cuthbertson

Craig & Gabriele Darch

Cheryl Jones

Elizabeth T. Murff

E. Hurst Peacock and Erin Reynolds-Peacock

Dr. Catherine Perricone

Fudd Graham & Patty Tyler

Arthur Wilke

Cathy Wright

We need your permission to list your name. This listing includes all donors who have given us permission to list as of the time of printing. If your name is missing and you’d like to be included, please contact us to be added to the next program.

Announcing Our 2024-25 Season

FALL SPRING

Wellesley Girl

By Brendan Pelsue

Directed by Scott Phillips

September 26 – October 5, 2024

Telfair Peet Mainstage Theatre

Ordinary Days

Music and Lyrics by Adam Gwon

Directed by Andrew Schwartz

October 24 – November 3, 2024

Telfair Peet Black Box Theatre

Dance Concert

Orlando

By Sarah Ruhl

Adapted from the original by Virginia Woolf

Directed by Ashley Butler

February 20 – March 1, 2025

Telfair Peet Black Box Theatre

Violet

Music by Jeanine Tesori and Libretto by Brian Crawley

Directed by Lindsay Taylor

April 16 – 25, 2025

Telfair Peet Mainstage Theatre

Conceived and Directed by Adrienne Wilson, Jeri Dickey, and Andrew Lynch

November 19 – 22, 2024

Telfair Peet Mainstage Theatre

Support Theatre & Dance at Auburn

We are especially in need of gifts for continued support of our Theatre & Dance Scholarship Fund. Our students depend on scholarship support to keep up rigorous academic and creative schedules and to balance the various aspects of student life. If you are new to AU Theatre & Dance, it’s easy to become a donor. If you gave last year, please consider giving again to help keep the AUTD mission going. Every gift, no matter the size, will make a difference!

1) Sarah Rollins (front), and Morganne Svoboda (back) in ...And Dance! (2023), photo by Henry Eiland; 2) Whitley Adams in Twelfth Night (2023), photo by Stew Milne; 3) Presley McQuiddy-Gasparlin (left) and Elle Hartman (right) working in the costume shop, photo by Magalí Zaslabsky; 4) Avery Melton runs the sound board for Monstersongs (2023), photo by Henry Eiland; 5) Megan Starling and Abigail Bowling stage managing for Edges (2023), photo by Magalí Zaslabsky; 6) Asha Knight (left) and Hannah Carstarphen (right) in Barbecue (2023), photo by Henry Eiland.

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE

Our Mission

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.

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

Administrative Staff

Department Chair: Tessa Carr

Office Administrators: Becky Henderson, Vickie Murtadha

Marketing Coordinator: Magalí Zaslabsky

Graphic Designer: Ashley Butler

Student Staff:

Event Staff: Olivia Beland, Romelo Blackmon, Tatum Clark, Wil Eplett, Kate Johnson, Abby Krehling, Presley McQuiddy-Gasparlin, Kate Nymark, Ashleigh Vickery, and Reid Williams.

Costume Studio Assistants: Hali Everette, Claudia Peeples, Mary Grace Sullivan, Avonlea Yeakley

Props Assistant: Madison Todd

Production Assistant: Abigail Bowling

Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Morgan Hogans, Bethany Novotny, Lily Sfida, Kara Anne Smith

Scenic Studio Assistants: Daisha Flint, Jason Owens, Tino Soto

Sound & Lighting Assistant: Davy Davis

Wig Assistant: Sydney Pereira

Follow @auburnuniversitytheatre on Facebook and Instagram Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.

Top (left to right): Antonisia Collins, Antonavia Collins, Camryn Chapman, and Daisha Flint in Twelfth Night (2023), photo by Stew Milne. Center: Telfair Peet Theatre, photo by Henry Eiland. Bottom: Madison Todd, stage manager, runs a rehearsal of Pippin (2022); photo by Magalí Zaslabsky.