Small Mouth Sounds
By Bess Wohl
Directed
by Lindsay Rae Taylor
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the Omega Institute
Discover the Power of “Re”
Reset your perspective, recharge your energy, and renew your …roots. Since its inception, Omega has maintained a strong commitment to mindful practices, fostering a variety of modalities drawn from both spiritual and secular traditions. Led by world-class teachers with nearly 50 years of expertise, Omega creates the perfect environment for you to discover truth, clarity, and purpose. Your journey begins here.
And…Breathing in. Breathing out.
Bess Wohl was inspired to write Small Mouth Sounds after attending a silent retreat at the Omega Institute in upstate New York. She didn’t know she would be taking a vow of silence until after she arrived, so that was a surprise, but she then became fascinated by the challenges of navigating situations with strangers without dialogue. She wanted to explore storytelling with limited text, detailed physical action, and of course, small mouth sounds. With this play, Wohl recognizes our achingly human need to connect and considers the various ways we approach this need without words.
Our hope is that audiences will engage as active participants when watching Small Mouth Sounds. Given that the play is predominantly guided by the actors’ movement, we encourage you to sit forward and take on the role of detective, piecing together the backstories of these characters.
Many thanks to the AUTD community, and to the cast, crew, and creative team of Small Mouth Sounds. It has been such a harmonious process. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you.
Now, lean in and…
“Listen to the silence. It has so much to say.” (Rumi)
Lindsay
Rae Taylor, Director
ARTISTIC TEAM
Artistic Director: Tessa Carr
Director: Lindsay Rae Taylor
Assistant Director: Abigail Bowling
Costume Designer: Linne Johnston
Assistant Costume Designer: Caroline Brooks
Hair/Wig Designer: Amy Roberts
Scenic Designer: Lindsey Beam
Lighting Designer: Bryan Ealey
Sound Designer and Composer: Davy Davis
Dialect Consultant: Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha
Fight Choreographer: Andrew Schwartz
Dramaturg: Ash Vickery
PRODUCTION CREWS
Scenic Studio:
Lindsey Beam, Jeb Bethel, Cahlin Cheek, Harrison Dunn, Rosemary Gross, Lily Hamilton, Olivia K. Hancock, William Johnson, Sam Oliver, Jason Owens, Emma Grace Ramb, Amy Roberts, Rebekah Taylor, Andrew Vance, Madilynn Wall, Kylia Wheeler, Reid Williams, Cody Woodfin, Alaya Young
Costume Studio:
Patrick Barnett, Lily Boyd, Caroline Brooks, Mai Cooper, Kirsten Estes, Catherine Govignon, Mary Graham, Abigail Johnson, Abby Krehling, Em McAlexander, Anna Beth McSpadden, Kayla Newell, Kate Nymark, Sawyer Skinner, Tino Soto, Rebekah Taylor
LEARN MORE
Check out our dramaturgical display in the theatre lobby.
Join us after the Thursday, October 30th performance for a talkback session with the actors and members of the creative team.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for interviews, takeovers, and other features about the show!
Mirror Lake
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director of Production: Laura Sims
Technical Director: Matt Gist
PM-Stage Operations: Brent Morrison
Costume Technology Director: Sam Heilhecker
Calling Stage Manager: Cam Hart
Deck Stage Manager: Madilynn Wall
Props Coordinator: Olivia K. Hancock
Charge Artist: Kylia Wheeler
Head Electrician: Jason Owens
Wardrobe Supervisor: Mai Cooper
Wardrobe Crew: Gracie Bowden, Patrick Reagan
Hair/Wig Technician: Amy Roberts
Light Board Operator: Fritz Michel
Sound Board Operator: Elijah Reitmeier
Deck Crew: Melanie Brown
SPECIAL THANKS
Auburn University Theatre & Dance gratefully acknowledges the following:
Support for our season from Dean Jason Hicks and the College of Liberal Arts
Darrell Crutchley, John Lin, and Connor McNeill
Photography, videotaping, or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Small Mouth Sounds is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
SETTING
A silent spiritual retreat in upstate New York
The show runs approximately 90 minutes without an intermission.
CAST
Teacher ........................................... Catherine Govignon
Joan .................................................... Isabella Doyle
Judy ................................................... Rebekah Taylor
Alicia ........................................... Anna Beth McSpadden
Ned..................................................... Harrison Dunn
Rodney .................................................. Reid Williams
Jan ........................................................ Jeb Bethel
Voice of Fred ............................................. Cahlin Cheek
Voice of Automatic Message ............................... Ash Vickery
SCENE BREAKDOWN
GUEST ARTISTS
and Judy’s Room
Day One ............... The Great Hall Night One
Rodney and Ned’s Room
Alicia and Jan’s Room
Day Two ................ The Great Hall
In the Woods
At the Lake
Night Two ........ Question and Answer
Day Three ............ A Different Room
Joan and Judy’s Room
Bryan Ealey (Lighting Designer) is a New Yorkbased Designer from Houston, TX, and holds an MFA in lighting design from the University of California, San Diego. Bryan’s most recent accomplishments include lighting design for Deceived at The Old Globe, Primary Trust at TheaterWorks Hartford, the Off-Broadway world premiere of The Fires at SOHO Repertory Theatre, 2025 Houston Press Award Nominee for Best Lighting Design for Topdog/Underdog at 4Wall Theatre Co., 2024 Henry Hewes Design Award Nominee for The Fires, and the 2023 San Diego Craig Noel Critic Choice Award Winner for Outstanding Lighting Design for the world premiere production of Sharon at Cygnet Theatre. bryanealey.com.
Night Three .............. Judy’s Room .
. Ned and Rodney’s Room
Day Four ................ The Great Hall
Night Four .......... Outside and Inside
Joan and Judy’s Room
Ned and Rodney’s Room
Jan and Alicia’s Room
Day Five ................ The Great Hall
Davy Davis (Sound Designer and Composer), originally from Elba, Alabama, is a 2025 graduate of Auburn University, where they first discovered their passion for theatrical sound design. While attending Auburn, they served as assistant sound designer for Dare WE Defend and as sound designer for Wellesley Girl. Davy is excited and honored to return to their alma mater as a guest artist for this production. They are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate once again with Auburn’s talented students and faculty, and to contribute to the creative community that played such a key role in their artistic growth.
Sacred Pavilion
Re ection Pond
STUDENT COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES
Library
Great Hall
Lindsey Beam (Scenic Designer) is a sophomore BA theatre major on the design/technology track for scenic design from Myrtle Beach, SC. She is also a dance and arts administration minor. Previous AUTD credits include As You Like It (Wardrobe Crew), Violet (Assistant Scenic Designer), Flying/Falling (Light Board Operator), Ordinary Days (Dramaturg), and Wellesley Girl (Deck Crew). Lindsey is so excited and grateful to have had this design experience. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Jeb Bethel (Jan) is a junior BFA music theatre major from Dalton, GA. His other AUTD credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Orchestra Vocalist), Ordinary Days (Warren), and Violet (Preacher/Bus Drivers). He would like to thank the cast, crew, and management team for this great experience, as well as his family and God.
Meditation Labyrinth
Grounding Field
Security O ce
Abigail Bowling (Assistant Director) is a senior BFA theatre management major minoring in creative writing and English from Auburn, AL. She is very excited to step into a different role as an assistant director, having previously stage managed several AUTD productions. She hopes you enjoy the show at least half as much as she enjoyed making it!
Garden Co age
Arts Center
Mantra Cafe
Caroline Brooks (Assistant Costume Designer) is a junior music theatre major from Huntsville, AL, with a special interest in costumes and wardrobe! She is very excited to be working on her eighth AUTD production. When not working on a show, you might find her working as a costume shop assistant. Caroline would like to thank Jenni and Sam for guiding her through her costume journey!
Guest Parking
Cahlin Cheek (Voice of Fred) is a sophomore BFA music theatre and business management double major from Chelsea, AL. Previous AUTD credits include As You Like It (Adam, Frankie Flow, DeBoys Dancer/William/Royal Minion/Duke Frederick Standby), Violet (Leroy Evans/Waiter/Billy Dean) and Flying/Falling (Ensemble).
Basketball Court
Children’s Center
Inner Child Garden
Luggage Tent
Isabella Doyle (Joan) is a sophomore BFA music theatre and composition technology double major from Nashville, TN. She last appeared onstage in AUTD’s Orlando (Sasha). Isabella fell in love with the script of Small Mouth Sounds the moment she read it and is thrilled to be a part of this production!! She is so thankful to be acting alongside some of her best friends! She is also excited to work with her awesome director, Lindsay Rae Taylor, and wants to thank everyone involved in the process!!!
Main O ce
Bike Rentals
Third Eye Amphitheater
Sustainability Garden
Harrison Dunn (Ned) is a senior BFA performance and film double major from Huntsville, AL. He is the lead directorial voice at HMP, a student-led organization devoted to innovation through harmony in the theatrical arts. Through HMP and AUTD, Harrison has had the honor of contributing to three different productions on campus: AUTD’s Orlando (Queen Elizabeth), HMP’s Haircuts, and HMP’s Sondheim Tonight. On behalf of everyone involved with this show, welcome to the Omega Institute...
Catherine Govignon (Teacher) is a junior BFA music theatre major from Calhoun, GA. She is very excited to be working on her third production at Auburn. Her AUTD credits include Ordinary Days (Claire) and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Orchestra Vocalist). She wants to thank the cast and the rest of the production team for such a beautiful rehearsal process. She also thanks her family and friends for all their love and support!
Pickleball Courts
Drum Circle
Sustainable Living Center Tennis Courts
Olivia K. Hancock (Props Coordinator) is a senior BA theatre major from Section, AL. She is very thankful to be working on Small Mouth Sounds and has enjoyed the amazing process since the beginning. Olivia would like to thank the wonderful design team, the dedicated cast members, and everyone who has helped create this production. She is incredibly thankful to God for this amazing opportunity.
Cam Hart (Calling Stage Manager) is a sophomore working towards a BFA in theatre management and a minor in women’s and gender studies. This is her first time working as a calling manager here at Auburn. She has worked as an assistant stage manager for both Wellesley Girl and Orlando.
Creekside Co age
Memory Bridge Peace Garden
Lakefront Pavilion
Mindfulness Training Center
Linne Johnston (Costume Designer) is a senior BFA design/tech major from Huntsville, AL. She is very excited to be designing her second production at AUTD, having previously designed costumes for Ordinary Days. Linne would like to thank the dedicated cast, crew, management team, and faculty for the opportunity and experience. She is grateful for the support from her family and friends.
Anna Beth McSpadden (Alicia) is a junior BFA performance and public relations double major from Henagar, AL. She is thrilled to be making her AUTD onstage debut and is deeply grateful for this opportunity. Anna Beth wants to thank her family and friends for their constant encouragement and support, and she gives all glory to God.
General Store Lakefront
Water Activities Pier
Rebekah Taylor (Judy) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Reeltown, AL. Over the summer, she portrayed Jenny in Company, and last spring she appeared as a chorus member in AUTD’s Orlando. She is grateful to all the amazing and talented humans who brought this show to life and is thrilled to share it with you tonight. She hopes you enjoy the performance!
Lakeside Co age
Stillwaters Co age
Madilynn Wall (Deck Stage Manager) is a freshman BA theatre major from Elba, AL, on the design/technology track. Some of her favorite previous credits have been Descendants and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She is really excited to get to be a part of theatre here at Auburn and is looking forward to participating in future productions.
Reid Williams (Rodney) is a senior BFA music theatre major from Mobile, AL. Previous AUTD credits include Violet (Monty), Ordinary Days (Jason), Wellesley Girl (Hank), and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Andrey). He is stoked to rock a man-bun and do yoga and offers all a hearty “namaste.”
Mirror Lake
Ash Vickery (Dramaturg/Voice of Automatic Message) is a senior BFA music theatre major from Decatur, AL. You may have seen them painting in the scene shop, printing tickets in the box office, wearing various wigs in Monstersongs, speaking Britishly in the staged reading of The Children, or being old in Violet. They are very grateful to work with such a remarkable cast and crew on such a remarkable show. All love to all folks!
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, call shows, sew costumes, create designs, analyze texts, choreograph dances, devise new works, build props, focus lights, block scenes, conduct research, score scripts, and everything in between.
HELP US REACH OUR SCHOLARSHIP GOAL
AU Theatre and Dance students are some of the hardest working on campus. And every year we must start anew in finding ways to help support their remarkable efforts.
Our students depend on scholarship support to keep up rigorous academic and creative schedules, and to balance the various aspects of student life.
To remain a competitive program, we must grow our awardable scholarship dollars. Currently, we award roughly sixty thousand dollars in scholarships each year.
Our goal is to raise our available funds to one hundred thousand dollars within the next three years.
Meeting this goal will give us the capacity to continue our recruitment of the finest academic, performance, and production students.
Please consider becoming an AU Theatre and Dance donor today, or renew your previous generous gift if you gave in the past.
Every gift, no matter the size, truly makes a difference and will mean the world to our student citizen artists!
Every opening night ticket goes toward student scholarships!
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.
Ann H. Beale
Lee Bryan
Sergio Ruiz Cordova and Evelyn Hawk-Ruiz
Craig and Gabriele Darch
Kristy and Ken Dunn ’86 & ’87
Debbie and Scott Enebak
Stanley Jones
Dr. Catherine Perricone
Hurst Peacock and Erin Reynolds-Peacock
Lyn Woodham
We would love to thank you publicly, but 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.
Students at Work
A Daisha Flint running choreography. B Elijah Racz in Intro I for Majors. C Abigail Johnson working in the costume shop.
Photos 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
Coordinator, Student and Patron Services: Becky Henderson
Office Administrator: Vickie Murtadha
Marketing Coordinator: Magalí Zaslabsky
STUDENT STAFF
Event Staff: Rosemary Gross, Sh'kayla James, Presley McQuiddyGasparlin, Kate Nymark, Sarah Schomburg, Lily Sosebee, Rebekah Taylor, Ash Vickery, Reid Williams, Alaya Young
Costume Studio Assistants: Jeb Bethel, Abigail Bowling, Caroline Brooks, Catherine Govignon
Costume Stock Assistants: Linne Johnston, Berkley Peacock
Props Assistant: Isabella Doyle
Production Assistant: Lily Sosebee
Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Olivia Beland, Kayla Newell, Kara Anne Smith
Outreach Special Projects Staff: Wil Eplett, Sawyer Skinner
Scenic Studio Assistants: Lindsey Beam, Will Johnson, Jason Owens, Olivia K. Hancock, Ash Vickery
Sound & Lighting Assistants: Will Johnson, Lily Hamilton
Wig Assistant: Amy Roberts
Graphic Designer: Ashley Butler Follow @auburnuniversitytheatre on Facebook and Instagram
A Patrick Barnett in Wellesley Girl (2024).
B Telfair Peet Theatre.
C Lily Hamilton works on the black box sound board.
Photos by Henry Eiland