Hedda Gabler | Boston University School of Theatre Program

Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre presents

HEDDA GABLER

DECEMBER 2-3, 2023

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH PLAYSCRIPTS, INC. (WWW.PLAYSCRIPTS.COM)

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEATRE PRESENTS

HEDDA GABLER Written by

HENRIK IBSEN Adapted by

CHRISTOPHER SHINN Directed by

GREGG WIGGANS DECEMBER 2-3, 2023 JEWELS 2 CFA 356 855 COMMONWEALTH AVE BOSTON, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes with a 10 minute intermission Caution: This show contains sexual content, and mentions of alcoholism, suicide, and mental illness. A prop gun and gunshot sound effects will be used.

CAST MRS. THEA ELVSTED

Chloe Kolbenheyer

HEDDA TESMAN

Christine Dvorak

ELJERT LOVBORG

Frankie Otis

JORGEN TESMAN

Jason Roblero

JUDGE BRACK

Liam McCarron

BERTE MISS JULIANNE TESMAN

Lila Heller Michaela Lazarou

PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR

Gregg Wiggans

STAGE MANAGER

Sara Gorelkin

SCENIC DESIGNER

Sienna Lopez

LIGHTING DESIGNERS

Zachary Connell Grant Powicki

ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER

Ethan Vettese

PROPS COORDINATOR

Ethan Vettese

LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR

Thalia Gerloff

LIGHTING CREW

Lance Shook Lydia Meyers

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS

Delaney Jankanish Luke Meisel

DIRECTOR’S NOTE What happens when the rules and values of society cast you in the role of ‘perfection’? What’s a girl to do but pay that role to the hilt. Even if it kills you.

Christopher Shinn’s adaptation of Hedda Gabler is quick, wry, and wildly dangerous.

Hedda has it all: the daughter of a respected general, a recent newlywed with a grand home, she has culture, refinement, and taste - it’s her own personal hell. When the past reappears at Hedda’s front door, all the virtues and values that she has clung to for survival may end up being the very things that destroys her and everyone involved.

If you can’t control your own destiny, why not control everyone else’s?

-- Gregg Wiggans, Director The Director would like to thank the following for their championship and support: Wendy C. Goldberg, Tasia Jones, Ashleigh Reade, Michael Kaye, Melisa Pereyra, Jim Noone, Katie Nelson, and River Hayes.

DIRECTOR Gregg Wiggans (DIRECTOR) is a freelance Director committed to the development of new and exciting American theater. For 3 seasons, Gregg served as the Artistic Directing Fellow at Kenyon Playwrights Conference under the leadership of Playwright, Wendy MacLeod. For over 6 seasons Gregg served as Artistic Associate, at the Two-Time Tony Award Winning National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, under the Artistic Direction of Wendy C. Goldberg. On over 10 productions, Gregg served as the Directing Associate at the Drama Desk and Obie Award-Winning Off-Broadway company, Transport Group Theater Company; under the Leadership of Jack Cummings III. BROADWAY as Assistant Director/Ockrent Directing Fellow on Promises, Promises alongside the legendary writer, Neil Simon and Director/Choreographer, Rob Ashford. Assistant Executive Producer How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying featuring Daniel Radcliffe. In addition, his work has also been seen at; ArtShare LA, Paper Mill Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Writers Theater of New Jersey, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Williamstown Theater Festival, The Lark, The Kennedy Center, The Goodman, Actor’s Salon of D.C., Austin Script Works, Casa Manana, Austin Lyric Opera, and Arena Stage. TELEVISION work includes; Assistant Executive Producer, SMASH (NBC), 2nd Assistant Director, IT COULD BE WORSE (Hulu) and has directed and produced episodes for the HGTV network. Gregg is a two-time National Directors Fellowship Finalist given by the Kennedy Center, The National New Play Network, and S.D.C.F. Gregg has been a guest artist at the National Theater Institute, Millsaps College, and Wagner College. A a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and a proud graduate University of Texas at Austin.

ADAPTOR Christopher Shinn (ADAPTOR) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and lives in New York. His plays have been premiered by the Royal Court Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, the Vineyard Theatre, South Coast Rep, and Soho Theatre, and later seen regionally in the United States and around the world. He is the winner of an OBIE in Playwriting fro WHERE DO WE LIVE (20042005) and a Guggenheim Fellowship in Playwriting (2005), was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for DYING CITTY (2008), was shortlisted for the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play for NOW OR LATER (2008), and has also been nominated for an Olivier Award for Most Promising Playwright (2003), a TMA Award for Best New Play (2006), a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play (2007), and a South Bank Show Award for Theatre (2009). In 2009, his adaptation of Hedda Gabler premiered on Broadway at the Roundabout (American Airlines Theatre). In 2019 his adaptation of JUDGMENT DAY premiered at Park Avenue Armory (Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Adaptation). He has also written short plays for Naked Angels, the 24 Hour Plays, and the New York International Fringe Festival (2002 winner, Best Overall Production). He has received grants from the NEA/TCG Residency Program and the Peter S. Reed Foundation, and he is a recipient of the Robert S. Chesley Award. He teaches playwriting at the New School for Drama.

ABOUT BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS SCHOOL OF THEATRE The School of Theatre at Boston University College of Fine Arts offers conservatory-style education for the study of acting, stage management, design, production, and all aspects of the theatre profession within the setting of a major research university. The School of Theatre seeks to provide students with opportunities for artistic growth through rigorous curriculum, professional connections, and an emphasis on collaboration and new work. Learn more about the current BU School of Theatre production season at bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season.

Learn more at bu.edu/cfa/theatre And find us on social media @buarts, @bu_schooloftheatre