Wellesley Girl
By Brendan Pelsue
Directed by Scott Phillips
September 26-October 5, 2024
Telfair B. Peet Mainstage Theatre
Wellesley Girl
By Brendan Pelsue
Directed by Scott Phillips
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I discovered Brendan Pelsue’s Wellesley Girl in March of 2016 when I attended a performance of the play at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New American Plays. It is a play about a dystopic future, but it is also about the idea of democracy. In 2016, it had been less than one year since Donald Trump descended Trump Tower’s golden escalator and announced he was running for president, and by the following March, it was clear that our politics were taking a nasty, divisive turn. The idea of directing Wellesley Girl at Auburn has been rattling around in my head ever since.
Of course, America has always had a history of nasty politics. In 1855, Kenneth Raynor, a former member of the House of Representatives, referred to President Franklin Pierce as a “pimp,” and Edwin Stanton once called Abraham Lincoln “that damned long-armed ape,” even though he later agreed to serve as Lincoln’s War Secretary. In 1968, Nixon blatantly played to racist sensibilities with his so-called “Southern Strategy,” which marked the beginning of the decline of the once-dominant Democratic Party in the South.
But something is different now; I suspect many Americans feel the same. The 19th and 20th centuries had their share of ugly political moments, but what Stanton shared with Lincoln was a baseline respect for democracy, for process, and for constitutional order, core principles that transcended partisan politics.
In recent years, faith in democracy has been sorely tested—both in Europe and the U.S., and a study by Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy released earlier this year showed that 81% of American voters believe that our democratic system is threatened; in 2020, Cambridge’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy conducted a study that found “[g]lobally, millennials are most dissatisfied with democracy, and more so than previous generations at the same stage of life.”
It is said that American socialite Elizabeth Willing Powell approached Benjamin Franklin after the Constitutional Convention. “Well, Doctor,” she asked him. “What have we got—a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin replied, “A republic—if you can keep it.” In Wellesley Girl, the citizens of Weston, Massachusetts, struggle to keep theirs amid an existential crisis. The process is messy, imperfect, and chaotic, but it is all they have.
There is an election this November. Let’s hope we can keep ours.
Wellesley Girl was first developed at Yale School of Drama. It premiered at the Actors Theatre of Louisville’s 2016 Humana Festival of New American Plays.
Wellesley Girl is produced by special arrangement with Mark Orsini, BRET ADAMS, LTD., 448 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. www.bretadamsltd.net
ARTISTIC TEAM
Artistic Director: Tessa Carr
Director: Scott Phillips
Costume Designer: Jennifer Salter
Assistant Costume Designer: Andrew Vance
Wig Designer: Hali Everette
Scenic, Lighting, and Projections
Designer: Matt Kizer
Sound Designer: Davy Davis
Intimacy Director: Sarah Chandler
Fight Coach: Andrew Schwartz
PRODUCTION CREWS
Scenic Studio:
Jeb Bethel, Romelo Blackmon, Hannah-Mae Burnette, Davy Davis, Brian Eldredge, Kirsten Estes, Rosemary Gross, Lily Hamilton, Will Johnson, Gab Knight, Abigail Krehling, Avery Melton, Kate Nymark, Sam Oliver, Olivia Prather, Maeson Proctor, Emma Grace Ramb, Sarah Schomburg, Evie Slaughenhoup, Ashleigh Vickery
Costume Studio:
Olivia Beland, Kinsey Bosher, Caroline Brooks, Tapley Cronier, Wil Eplett, Hali Everette, Catherine Govignon, Linnie Johnston, Kathryn Mims, Berkley Peacock, Kara Anne Smith, Lily Sosebee, Bekah Taylor
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director of Production: Laura Sims
Technical Director: Matt Gist
Stage Operations Coordinator: Emily Olson
Costume Shop Manager: Sam Heilhecker
Calling Stage Manager: Abigail Bowling
Deck Stage Manager: Cam Hart
Drapers: Abigail Bowling, Hali Everette, Cecilia Frederick, Linnie Johnston, Tino Soto, Andrew Vance, Michaela Williams
Props Coordinator: Reid Williams
Charge Artist: Lee Maples
Staff Electrician: Emily Olson
Wardrobe Supervisor: Kara Anne Smith
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor: Caroline Brooks
Wardrobe Crew: Olivia Beland, Kathryn Mims
Head Electrician and Light Board
Operator: Avery Melton
A1: Megan Starling
A2: Sarah Schomburg
Projections Operator: Kirsten Estes
Deck Crew: Lindsey Beam, Hannah-Mae Burnette, Rosemary Gross, Moreland Smith
SPECIAL THANKS
Auburn University Theatre & Dance gratefully acknowledges the following:
Support for our season from Dr. Vini Nathan and the Office of the Provost of Auburn University.
Auburn University Water Resources Center for our dramaturgical lobby display and partnership in furthering water education. The Water Resource Center's mission is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among Auburn University faculty and staff on water-related research, outreach, and instruction; conduct innovative research to find practical solutions for current and future water issues and empower private citizens to become active stewards of water resources.
Photography, videotaping, or other video or audio recording of this production is prohibited.
SETTING
The United States of America, aka Weston, Massachusetts, 2465 CE. The country is a small, walled-in citadel with little knowledge of the outside world. Because there are fewer than 435 Americans, everyone of voting age is a member of Congress.
CAST
Marie ....................................... Evie Slaughenhoup
Max/Voice 2 ......................................Andrew Vance
RJ/Mick ......................................... Tapley Cronier
Scott/Voice 1 .....................................Patrick Barnett
Donna .............................................. Daisha Flint
Garth ...................................... Hannah Carstarphen
Hank/Donnie ...................................... Reid Williams
The show runs approximately 105 minutes without an intermission.
SCENE BREAKDOWN
DAY ONE
1. The Yard
2. On the Way to Vote
3. At the Town Meeting
4. In a House
5. In a House
DAY TWO
6. The Departure of an Emissary
7. The Second Town Meeting
8. In the Halls of Justice
9. Home Again
DAY THREE
10. Back in the Halls of Justice
11. Last Night—Garth and Hank
12. Max and Marie's
13. The Town Green— A Farewell Address
14. A Troubling Coda
LEARN MORE
• Playwright Brendan Pelsue is also a librettist and translator whose work has been produced in New York and regionally. Read more about his work at brendanpelsue.com.
• Join us after the Thursday Oct. 3 performance for a talkback session with the actors and members of the artistic team.
• Check out the dramaturgical lobby display about water education, specially prepared by the Auburn University Water Resources Center.
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for interviews, takeovers, and other features about the show!
GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Matt Kizer (Scenic, Lighting, and Projections Designer) lives with his wife and son in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He is the Director of Theatre for Plymouth State University, where he has been the head of the design and technology program since 1996 and currently serves as Director of Theatre. He specializes in projections and HTML tools for theatre and theatre education.
Kizer is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) where he is a member of the Digital Media Commission and the International Activities Committee. He is a member of the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) where he serves as Vice-Chair for the Education Commission.
He has designed scenery, lighting, and projections for national tours, theatres, and universities in the United States and internationally. His work has been staged as part of the Prague Quadrennial, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; in the United Kingdom; and in Potsdam, Germany. He served as faculty lighting designer for Operafestival Di Roma in Rome, Italy with the Orchestra Sinfonica dell’ International Chamber Ensemble at Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza.
He serves as webmaster and contributor for BroadwayScene.com, AllTicketsInc.com, BroadwayIQ.com, and BroadwayEducators.com, all New York-based websites for theatre resources and Broadway sales.
He holds a BA in Theatre from Purdue University, and an MFA in Design from The Ohio State University. Visit his website and learn more: scenicandlighting.com
STUDENT COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES
Patrick Barnett (Scott/Voice 1) is a junior BFA musical theatre major from LaGrange, GA. His AUTD credits include Pippin (Ensemble), Twelfth Night (Feste), Barbecue (James T.), and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Pierre). Patrick would like to thank his family for their continuous support and prayers and hopes you enjoy the show!
Abigail Bowling (Calling Stage Manager) is a junior BFA theatre management major with a creative writing minor from Auburn, AL. Her previous AUTD credits include Dare WE Defend (Manager/Ensemble Member), Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (SM), and Monstersongs (SM). She also serves as the Vice President of AU Players, Production Assistant for the department, and Stage Manager for Mosaic Theatre Company.
Hannah Carstarphen (Garth) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Mobile, AL. She has previously appeared in Auburn University’s productions of The Wolves, Pippin, …And Dance!, and Barbecue, as well as in AU Players’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Titania. She currently stands as a senior leader of Mosaic Theatre Company. Hannah is elated to share her talent with you all tonight!
Tapley Cronier (RJ/Mick) is a senior BFA in theatre performance and psychology double major. Other AUTD credits include Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Balaga), The Thanksgiving Play (Caden), and Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew).
Davy Davis (Sound Designer) is a senior BA theatre major from Elba, AL. Their other AUTD credits include Dare WE Defend (Sound Designer), Barbecue (Deck Crew), and Fractals: Infinite Movement (Assistant Head Electrician).
Daisha Flint (Donna) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Piedmont, AL. They have multiple AUTD credits including Twelfth Night (Master/Priest, Feste/Sebastian Understudy), Barbecue (Assistant Director), and Monstersongs (The Kid).
Cam Hart (Deck Stage Manager) is a freshmen BA theatre major on the management track from Homewood, AL. Previous credits include Big Fish (Stage Manager), Shakespeare's Hilarious Tragedies (Lighting Designer), and Save Hamlet (Assistant Stage Manager).
Evie Slaughenhoup (Marie) is a junior BFA musical theatre major from Columbus, GA. Her previous AUTD credits include Pippin (Ensemble), Monstersongs (Teenage Vampire/Witch), and AU Players' production of Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennett). Evie wants to thank her parents for not letting her give up.
Andrew Vance (Max/Voice 2/Asst. Costume Designer) — y'all can call him Drew — is a junior BFA musical theatre major from Orange Beach, AL. His previous AUTD productions include Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Prince Bolkonsky), Monstersongs (Mummy/Sasquatch), and ...And Dance (Dancer). He would like to thank Jenni, Sam, the cast, the crew, and his crazy family. Cheers… and hey buddy.
Reid Williams (Hank/Donnie) is a junior BFA musical theatre major from Mobile, AL. His previous AUTD credits include Barbecue (Oscar Nominated Actor), Fractals: Infinite Movement (Dancer), and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Andrey). He is immensely thankful to have the opportunity to be in such a wonderful show and thanks God, all artistic staff and peers, and family for everything.
Wed. Oct. 30
Thurs. Oct. 31
Fri. Nov. 1
Sun. Nov. 3 Matinee
SPRING
Orlando
Telfair B. Peet Black Box
Thurs. Feb. 20 Opening
Fri. Feb. 21
Sat. Feb. 22
Sun. Feb. 23 Matinee
Wed. Feb. 26
Thurs. Feb. 27
Fri. Feb. 28
Sat. Mar. 1
We offer this season’s
Developed by Dr. Joel Bennett and staff at Organizational Wellness & Learning
the
Join Our Talkback Sessions
Want to learn more about the show? Join us after the performance for a discussion with the actors and the production’s artistic team.
Violet
Telfair B. Peet Mainstage
Wed. Apr. 16 Opening
Thurs. Apr. 17
Fri. Apr. 18
Sat. Apr. 19
Wed. Apr. 23
Thurs. Apr. 24
Fri. Apr. 25
Wellesley Girl imagines how future American communities have organized themselves in the aftermath of an environmental disaster.
Brendan Pelsue’s provocative play explores themes about political division, democratic process and governance, the rule of law, and the impact of our decisions on future generations.
Source:
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Across 5 major degree tracks and 3 different minors, our students engage daily in the rigorous hands-on work of the theatre. They construct sets, sew costumes, create designs, call shows, choreograph dance, devise new work, build props, focus lights, analyze texts, block scenes, score scripts, and everything in between.
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Students at Work
Top: Melanie Brown working on a dramaturgical installation (photo by Ashley Butler). Bottom: Avery Melton running sound and projections (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: Romelo Blackmon, Wil Eplett, Rosemary Gross, Kate Johnson, Abby Krehling, Presley McQuiddy-Gasparlin, Kate Nymark, Bekah Taylor, Ashleigh Vickery, Reid Williams
Costume Studio Assistants: Linnie Johnston, Tino Soto, Andrew Vance, Michaela Williams
Props Assistant: Reid Williams
Production Assistant: Abigail Bowling
Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Olivia Beland, Hannah Carstarphen, Kara Anne Smith
Scenic Studio Assistants: Daisha Flint, Jason Owens
Sound & Lighting Assistant: Davy Davis
Wig Assistant: Hali Everette
Follow @auburnuniversitytheatre on Facebook and Instagram
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
Top: Hannah Carstarphen (front) and Bethany Novotny (back) in Barbecue (2023), photo by Henry Eiland. Center: Telfair Peet Theatre, photo by Henry Eiland. Bottom: Abigail Bowling, stage manager, runs a rehearsal of Monstersongs (2023); photo by Ashley Butler.