Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre presents
A NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE DIRECTOR
Welcome to our Season!
The School of Theatre at Boston University is delighted and honored for you to join us as we present our work to the world–all of the rehearsal hours, production meetings, technical rehearsals culminate in an experience that is not complete without you, our audience. The theatre is one of the only spaces in our lives where we gather in witness together, be it in joy, grief, curiosity, or even anger. In this, the theatre is a special space, a sacred space, and we invite your imagination to take flight with us during these performances, and hope you will return again (and again) to witness all of what makes us human as it is expressed on our stages.
With warmth and gratitude,
Kirsten Greenidge Director, BU College of Fine Arts School of Theatre
TERRENCE MCNALLY
Directed
GREGG WIGGANS
Scene Designer
Lighting Designer MARGARET
Stage Manager
Costume Designer
Sound Designer
Artistic Producer
APRIL 10-13, 2025
STUDIO ONE
Boston University College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA
Runtime
70 minutes, no intermission
Caution
This production contains the use of theatrical haze Additional Content Warnings: graphic language, hate speech, and depictions of intimacy, violence and assault.
CAST
JOSHUA
JUDAS ISCARIOT
PETER
JAMES ANDREW
PHILLIP JOHN
BARTHOLOMEW
MATTHEW
THOMAS
JAMES THE LESS SIMON
THADDEUS
Jack Essner
Kamran Bina
Jaden Bridges
Zachary Kautter
Michael Cameron
Mateen Bizar
Jason Roblero
Kaden Mays
Lucas Connor
Aaron Lamm
Brandon Nnoli
Billy McColl
Owen Sloane
TECHNICAL TEAM
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
PROPS MANAGER
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
SOUND ENGINEER
ASSISTANT SCENE DESIGNER
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER
ASSISTANT SOUND ENGINEER
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
Hope Brown
Jules Trager
Lance Shook
Nathan McWilliams
Sebastian Sachs
Lance Shook
Rhea Davies
Noah Wrafter
Benny Dietz
Louisa Hulbert
Kadynce Morton
PRODUCTION TEAM
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
DRAMATURG
ARTISTIC PRODUCER*
STAGE MANAGER
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
STAGE COMBAT
FACULTY PROJECT ADVISOR
PRODUCTION POSTER DESIGN
Gabriela Tovar-Borghini
Alexa Connors
River Hayes
Iaslyn Lewis
Victoria Pascrell
Olivia Dumaine
Emma Weller
Simon Kiser
Jim Noone
Lance Shook
PRODUCTION CREW
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Annbel Ji
Sophia Nedick
Sadie Yun
WARDROBE CREW
Samantha Koury
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR
SOUND CREW
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
LIGHTING CREW
Inez Montgomery Ariana Velasquez
Vince Nguyen Ariana Velasquez
Inez Montgomery
Tegan Trueblood
Gus Kim
Sam Koury
Renata Pavell
Harris
Qin Caldwell
Annabel Ji
Rebecca Weltmann
Lily Harper
Sarah Akand
Francesca Botifoll
Lily Harper
Erika Knebel
Bo Violet Vig
LEAD USHER
Tessa Herr
Helena Shore
PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR
Terrence McNally (PLAYWRIGHT)
Terrence McNally (Playwright, Librettist, and Collaborator) was a Tony Award-winning playwright whose groundbreaking works spanned theatre, film, and opera. His diverse works include The Ritz (1975), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (1987), The Lisbon Traviata (1989), Lips Together, Teeth Apart (1991), Love! Valour! Compassion! (1994), Master Class (1995), Corpus Christi (1998), Some Men (2006) and Mothers and Sons (2014). McNally had fruitful collaboration with composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, writing the book for The Rink (1984), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), which won the Tony Award for Best Musical and The Visit (2015). McNally also made lasting contributions to musical theater, writing the books for Ragtime (1998) and The Full Monty (2000), both of which received critical acclaim. His work extended to opera, collaborating with composers like Jake Heggie on Dead Man Walking (2000).
Gregg Wiggans (DIRECTOR)
Gregg Wiggans is a 3rd Year MFA Directing candidate Previously at Boston University: The Rink, One Penny Down, Hedda Gabler, Collective Rage, and BU Fringe. Previously, Gregg was the Directing Fellow at Kenyon Playwrights Conference, Artistic Associate, at the Two-Time Tony Award Winning National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. In New York Gregg was the SDCF Mike Ockrent Directing Fellow on Promises, Promises and Assistant Executive Producer on How to Succeedon Broadway and SMASH on NBC. Gregg has also worked at Boston Playwright’s Theatre, Carnegie Hall, William Inge Festival, StageWEST, ArtShare LA, Actors Theater of Louisville, Paper Mill Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Writers Theater of New Jersey, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Williamstown Theater Festival, The Lark, Primary Stages, The Kennedy Center, NYC Fringe Festival, The Goodman, Actor’s Salon of D.C., Austin Script Works, Casa Mañana, Austin Lyric Opera, and Arena Stage. Gregg is the 2024 David Kneuss Directing Fellowship, a twotime National Directors Fellowship Finalist, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, and a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
MEET THE DESIGNERS
Ethan Vettese (SCENE DESIGNER) is a third year undergraduate Scene Design Major. Previous BU design credits include "Dark Sisters." Previous BU assistant design credits include "The Rink" and "Hedda Gabler." Previous BU properties credits include "Sunday in the Park with George," "One Penny Down," and "Hedda Gabler." He would like to thank his family and friends for their endless support.
Margaret Garrity (LIGHTING DESIGNER), a second year MFA Lighting Design student, is thrilled to contribute to such a beautiful production. Selected design credits include: "Alcina" (Boston University), "Save the Whales" (Boston University), "The Little Dog Laughed" (Stella Adler Studio), "Over the Rainbow: The Rock Ballet" (Playwrights Horizons), and "Do You Feel Anger?" (Pace University). She is excited for you to embark on this story with her and the team! Find her online portfolio here: margaretgarrity.design
Shirley Brill (COSTUME DESIGNER) is a first year MFA Costume Design student. Most recently she was the Assistant Costume Designer for 'Julius Caesar' at Boston University. She has also previously served as Wardrobe Supervisor and Patchwork Costume Designer at Weathervane Theatre. Shirley would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continuous support.
Rory Shea (SOUND DESIGNER) is excited to be designing her second show in Studio One this semester! Previous designs with BU include "Julius Caesar" (2024), "The School for Lies" (2023), "Grow Until" (2024), "The Drunken City" (2024) and others. She would like to thank her team of engineers and assistant Benny for enhancing and sustaining the vibe.
MEET THE CAST
Jack Essner (JOSHUA) is an LA-born actor, writer, and a Senior Acting Major at Boston University’s School of Theater. He is an unapologetic Letterboxd user, an avid reader, and has a Scottish Fold cat named Mochi His favorite book is “Giovanni's Room” by James Baldwin, and if he could have dinner with anyone, it would be Marlon Brando or James Dean. He would like to thank every single person who contributed to the making of this show and his family for their constant support
Kamran Bina (JUDAS ISCARIOT) is a Boston native in his senior year, working toward a BFA in Acting with a Business Minor at Boston University. Recent credits include "Soft Star" at Boston Platwrights' Theatre (Mitch), "Fucking A" (Second Hunter), and "Three Sisters" (Vershinin). He has always been passionate about Shakespeare and spent a summer at the Pam Farr Summer Shakespeare Studio at The Old Globe. Last spring he studied abroad at LAMDA which led him to co-direct and produce "Troilus and Cressida" in NYC over the summer. He would like to thank all his professors and his family for their continued support!
Jaden Bridges (PETER) is so proud to be performing in his sixth and final show here at Boston University.You’ve previously seen him in Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea (Dontrell), Fucking A (Monster), The Rink (Buddy), Three Sisters (Ferapont) and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet (Oshoosi/ Shua) Most recently Jaden has taken a stab at playwriting with his new play “My Brother’s Keeper”. Jaden has also had the pleasure of directing at BU through New Works (Serenity Now, Sanity Later, and
Salome). He would love to thank his mother, family, and huge support system of friends. Post-grad you can follow Jaden's journey through his website: jadenhatim.com
Zachary Kautter (JAMES) (he/him) is an Acting Major at Boston University. Zach is also involved in several sports teams at the school. He would like to thank his family and friends for all their support!
Michael Cameron (ANDREW) After his longest hiatus from theatre in over a decade, senior acting major Michael Cameron is beyond stoked to be acting in one of his all-time favorite old, dusty plays. He is ineffably thankful to his Mum, Grammie, Pa, Caroline, Blake Leigh, Scottyboy, and Ms. Willa for preserving his sanity and nourishing his life with love. He is also grateful to you yeah, you for supporting the arts!
Mateen Bizar (PHILLIP) (he/him) is an acting major at Boston University.
Jason Roblero (JOHN) (he/him) is a dedicated senior acting major and a South Florida native His dynamic stage experience spans Macbeth (Macbeth) and Lady Windermere’s Fan (Lord Darlington) at the prestigious London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts, as well as Julius Caesar (Casca) Hedda Gabler (Tesman) and El Nogalar (Lopez) at Boston University. Trained extensively in classical voice and ballet, Jason is committed to uplifting creative voices of color. With deep appreciation, he thanks his family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support.
MEET THE CAST
Kaden Mays (BARTHOLOMEW) is a Senior Acting major at Boston University originally from the cutest Southern city of Fayetteville, Arkansas! Some of his favorite shows he has during his time in the School of Theatre have been Three Sisters as Chebutykin and The Goat, Or Who is Sylvia as Billy. He is incredibly excited to be in his 5th (and final) production at the BU School of Theatre and is blessed to get to finish his Senior Year with such a beautiful and talented company of actors!
Lucas Connor (MATTHEW) is a senior acting major who is thrilled to be indulging in one last hoorah with his fellow classmates in StudioONE with this production of 'Corpus Christi.' During his time at Boston University, Lucas has played Whit in “ENTRY,” Robert Ferrars and a Gossip in “Sense and Sensibility,” and was featured as a writer and cast member of the four-week late-night sketch-comedy show, “Going Down.” Lucas would like to thank all of his family that made it out to Boston see this performance... he knows how difficult it was to get him out of bed for church on Sundays. Turns out he just needed more props to be involved
Aaron Lamm (THOMAS) is a senior Acting major here at BU, and he is so excited to be a part of this beautiful production. Most recently, Aaron performed his Senior Acting Thesis earlier in the semester, and in December he played the role of "Elomire" in the SOT production of "La Bete." Aaron has worked a lot in his hometown of Chicago, and has done some film work here in Boston as well.
Brandon Nnoli (JAMES THE LESS) is an Acting major at Boston University who has been involved numerous productions at BU, including Julius Caesar, Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet, Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea, and Fucking A, along with multiple new works processes. He has a strong passion for the art and absolutely admires the impact it has on the world. Brandon is thrilled for his growth as an artist and is anticipatory for the future. Brandon would love to thank his family and friends or their continual support.
Owen Sloane (THADDEUS) is a senior theatre arts major from Brookline, Massachusetts Some of the projects he has worked on at Boston University are "Three Sisters" (Andrei), "La Bete" (Bejart), and "Directors' Project" (Director/Actor).
MEET THE TECHNICAL TEAM
Hope Brown (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) is a second year grad student in technical production She is endlessly grateful for the hard work of her team in making this show happen!
Jules Trager (ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) (they/she) is a junior technical production major from Baltimore, MD. Outside of BU, they have worked at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. They would like to thank the entire Corpus Christie team, especially Hope, for their endless support.
Lance Shook (ASSISTANT SCENE DESIGNER/PROPS MANAGER) is a designer from Austin, Texas, pursuing a BFA in Scene Design and a BS in Advertising. Boston University: "Corpus Christi" and "The Rink" He’s currently working with the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. Previous: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Texas Performing Arts/Broadway in Austin, Summer Stock Austin, Impact Arts, The Heller Awards, and The Cohen New Works Festival at UT Austin. He’s thrilled for his first design credit to be on a play like Corpus Christi. Many thanks to Ethan.
Nathan McWilliams (PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN) is a sophomore Lighting Design major from the Pittsburgh area. Notable BU experiences include Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s 2024 fall rep (Assistant Lighting Designer) and Molly Beall’s BFA Lighting Thesis: "Illuminate! An Electric Cabaret Showcase"
(Production Electrician). Additional past experiences include "Seussical", "Young Frankenstein", and "The Music Man" (Lighting Apprentice) at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. He would like to thank the rest of the lighting team for their hard work and dedication! nathanmcwilliams.myportfolio.com
Sebastian Sachs (SOUND ENGINEER) (they/them) is a Junior studying Theater Arts with concentrations in Sound and Production Management. They are very excited to work with this amazing team. Past BU credits include Next Stage Workshops, Sunday in the Park with George, One Penny Down, Fucking A, Art House, and Let The Right One In.
Rhea Davies (ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER) (She/Her) is a sophomore with a concentration in Costume Design and Production. Past BU credits include: First handing for Florencia en el Amazonas, The Rink, Julias Caesar and Dark Sisters. She is very excited to be working on Corpus Christi with this fabulous team! Rhea would like to thank her parents and brother for always supporting her!
Noah Wrafter (ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a 4th year Lighting Undergrad focusing his studies in Lighting Production and Technology. Noah is excited for you to see the work of the incredible design and production team of Corpus Christi, and hopes you enjoy the show and the final round of productions this semester!
MEET THE TECHNICAL TEAM
Louisa Hulbert (ASSISTANT SOUND ENGINEER) is a first year Design and Production major from St. Louis, Missouri. She is excited for this opportunity and would like to thank the amazing team that made this possible, as well as her friends and family for their ongoing support
Kadynce Morton (ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN) is a freshman (c/o 2028) from Huntington Beach, CA. She is double majoring in Lighting Design in the School of Theater and a Human Physiology in Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. "Corpus Christi" is her first show with BULX and she is excited for you to see it all lit up! @lights.by kady
Benny Dietz (ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER) is thrilled to be working on "Corpus Christi" in his first design position at BU! Across high school and his freshman year at BU, Benny has explored every aspect of theatre he can, now settling into studying a mixture of directing, sound design, and whatever else he can do to tell impactful stories. Benny would like to thank his friends, family, and the audience, for embarking on this theatrical journey with us
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Gabriela Tovar-Borghini (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) (They/She/He) is a Theatre Arts D and P major at Boston university, currently studying playwriting/directing, and costume design. They've worked on a number of BU shows, their favorites including, Laure, Mac Beth, The Chariot Reversed, Little Rowboat, and Mankind. Their goal is to build a career in bringing stories to the stage that are not only new, but a voice for the identities they hold.
Alexa Connors (DRAMATURG), current junior Theatre Arts / Philosophy major, is delighted to be a part of Orlando and dive further into chorus and movement work with this beautiful script. Lots of love to cast and crew! Past productions at BU include: Betty 3, Collective Rage; Assistant Choreographer, Once; Assistant Director, Lizzie The Musical.
River Hayes (ARTISTIC PRODUCER) is an Artistic Producer in the MFA in Production Management program, Founding Member of Theatre Exceptional, and the Associate Production Manager at Boch Center for the Arts. Producing credits: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Arezzo Opera Festival, Parallel45 Theatre, Project Common Bond, Theatre Exceptional, Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Stage Company; BU credits: "Corpus Christi," "The Rink", CFA Fringe Festival, BPT Spring Reading Series, "Art House," "Mankind," "Elephant’s Graveyard," and the BU MET Bright New Futures Symposium Currently they are examining emerging roles for Artistic Producers in the American Theatre and new ways to build storyworlds with theatre artists.
, Iaslyn Lewis (STAGE MANAGER) is a junior Stage Management major here at BU. Past BU credits include "Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet," "The School for Lies," "Cendrillon," "Greek Fest," and "Siren Song." They would like to thank her boyfriend, friends, family, and the team for their unending support. Enjoy the show!
Victoria (Tori) Pascrell (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) is a second year BFA Stage Manager. Her past production at BU include production assistant for "Sunday in the Park with George" (2024), stage manager for Next Stage Workshop's production of "La Llorona; or the Weeping Woman" (2024), as well as STAMP's production of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona"(2025) She would like to thank the cast and crew of "Corpus Christi" for all of their support throughout this process!
Corpus Christi begins, ‘We are going to tell you an old and familiar story.’ However, the ‘familiar’ is quickly upended by McNally’s Jesus Christ-like figure, a man named Joshua. Born and raised in Corpus Christi in the early 1950s, Joshua grows up in isolation and torment– an object of scorn due to his sexuality. When he flees Corpus Christi in search of a more accepting environment, he gathers a group of like-minded followers who are bound to him by his message of love and tolerance. But Joshua’s teachings of radical acceptance will not deliver him from his fate. His plea-- that we look upon all souls as equal in the sight of God—goes unanswered.
*The role of Artistic Producer was created for the first time this season at the School of Theatre - it is part of ongoing research exploring the role of the Artistic Producer in the nonprofit American Theatre and the bridge to the world of commercial producing. River Hayes was the inaugural Artistic Producer of Parallel45 Theatre in Traverse City, Michigan - there are currently at least 25 Artistic Producers actively working in the American Theatre with that role/title.
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