Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet | Boston University School of Theatre Program

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A NOTE FROM THE DEAN

W

elcome to the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre! I am glad that you are here.

A Fringe Festival places a spotlight on the essence of the performing arts. It emphasizes collaboration as multiple teams work to tell multiple stories within a single venue. It also underscores the ephemerality of theatre.

We gather to share in a moment which will soon become a memory shared only by the folks in this theatre today.

The College of Fine Arts produces more than 300 public events each year, including plays, operas, art exhibitions, and orchestra concerts. You are invited to all of them. To learn more, please visit our website: bu.edu/cfa.

If you would like to give a gift to support the next generation of artists, please scan the QR code on the back of this program.

Harvey Young Dean and Professor, College of Fine Arts

OCTOBER 20 - 22, 2023

JOAN & EDGAR BOOTH THEATRE 820 Commonwealth Ave. Brookline, MA _________________________________________

written by TARELL ALVIN McCRANEY directed by ROSALIND BEVAN _________________________________________

Producer

Costume Designer

Scenic Designer

Sound Designer

Lighting Designer

Production Manager

RIVER HAYES ANNA VIDERGAR CELESTE DELGADILLO

ERIC TRAN

GAGE BAKER

Stage Manager

GABRIELLE CADDEN-JAMES Technical Director

CALEB DEAN

SANAZ BAGHERI with

BRANDON NNOLI IMAYAH HAWKINS CHRISTIAN DONNERSON JADEN BRIDGES

JANELLE JOHNSON JULIAN X SAGE GUNNING MALIK MITCHELL

World premiere of THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS produced by the Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director), and McCarter Theatre Center (Emily Mann, Artistic Director; Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director). THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS were developed with the support of McCarter Theatre Center.

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A NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE DIRECTOR On the heels of seven new plays featured in the Next Stage Workshops we welcome you to the full length play offering from the School of Theatre in The Fringe Festival 2023.

We are proud to partner with the Opera Institute each year to bring exciting new, and newly conceived works to life. This year we were able to expand to a college-wide effort including works from the School of Music and the School of Visual Arts. The Fringe celebrates the best of living contemporary work. This play is the embodiment of that mission.

Marcus; Or The Secret of Sweet by Tarrell Alvin McCraney is dense with meaning illuminated by allusion to Yoruban myth and bayou lore.

This play set in San Pere Louisiana just days before Hurricane Katrina asks us to go on a provocative and poignant journey embracing the rhythmic language of one of this era’s most brilliant playwrights.

When interviewed by Krista Schlueter for the New York Times Tarell Alvin McCraney spoke about his new role as artistic director for the Geffen Playhouse saying, “if I really want to effect change, I have to get in—I can’t just sit on the sidelines.” This is the very definition of the work of the artists you will see in the Fringe. They are “getting in” and making work that we will remember forever. Thank you for seeing our work at Booth. We hope you will come back again and again to celebrate theatre that is transformational. Art changes the world, be a part of our movement.

- Susan Mickey, Director, School of Theatre

PAPERLESS PROGRAM Find this program and other archived production programs on our digital publication reader by scanning this code with your phone camera or visiting Boston University College of Fine Arts on issuu.com -2-

CAST OGUN SIZE

Brandon Nnoli

OBA

Imayah Hawkins

ELEGUA/SHUN

Christian Donnerson

OSHOOSI SIZE/SHUA

Jaden Bridges

SHAUNTA IYUN

Janelle Johnson

MARCUS

Julian X

OSHA

Sage Gunning

TERRELL

Malik Mitchell

PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR

Rosalind Bevan

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Sanaz Bagheri

ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION MANAGER

Ash Strange

STAGE MANAGER

Gabrielle Cadden-James

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Madison Koury

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Iaslyn Lewis

PRODUCER

River Hayes

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DESIGN & TECHNICAL TEAM SCENIC DESIGNER ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER PROPS COORDINATOR SCENIC PAINT CHARGES

Anna Vidergar Ethan Vettese Ethan Vettese Cameron Carcasson Liv King Ethan Vettese

COSTUME DESIGNER ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER

Eric Tran Morgan Bailie

LIGHTING DESIGNER ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN

Celeste Delgadillo India Silverman Grant Powicki

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN CONVENTIONAL / MOVING LIGHT PROGRAMMER

Ivy Comery

SOUND DESIGNER ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER SOUND ENGINEER ASSISTANT SOUND ENGINEER

Gage Baker Katie Chen Jessie Chen Angela He

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Caleb Dean Jules Trager

OFF STAGE COVERS

Valerie Zhao

Lucas Brown Sydney Jackson Kennedi Young

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PRODUCTION CREW ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGERS LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR/ LIGHTING CREW LIGHTING CREW

Maia Bester Ricky Castro Torres Zarah Warburton Jenna Avery Ethan Chang Serena Zhu BU Lighting Department

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Webb Hodges Kat Mehler

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR/ SOUND CREW SOUND CREW

Heris Salek Gavin Mariani Margaret Deely Tori Pascrell

WARDROBE CREW

Rachael Debraal

DRAPER

Duncan Cordell

FIRSTHAND

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Vyannie Saldana Barrientos

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MEET THE CAST Jaden Bridges (Oshoosi Size/Shua) (he/him) is so proud to be performing in his third show here at Boston University. He was previously a part of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea (Dontrell), and Three Sisters (Ferapont).

Jaden has also had the pleasure of directing with STAMP and New Works (Serenity Now, Sanity Later, and Salome). He would love to thank his mother, family, and huge support system of friends.

Janelle is a firm believer in therapy, MUNA, and magic mushrooms. @j_gracej

Malik Mitchell (Terrell) is a local Boston actor who is so excited to work with this wonderful group of artists. Previous credits include: Bud, Not Buddy (Wheelock Family Theatre) Once on this Island (SpeakEasy Stage Company), Pass Over (SpeakEasy Stage Company), Choir Boy (SpeakEasy Stage Company), The Bomb-itty of Errors (Actors Christian Donnerson (Elegua/Shun) Shakespeare Project), In the Heights (Wheelock (she/her) is a junior Theatre Arts major who Family Theatre). Awards include: Thomas Derrah specializes in performance, movement, and Emerging Artist Award from SpeakEasy Stage directing here at Boston University. She in 2019. Malik is also an alumnus of Boston Arts feels blessed to have had the opportunity Academy and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center’s to collaborate with such amazing artists on professional dance division’s senior company projects like Marisol, Scissoring, Six Years Old, NIA Dance Troupe. He now serves as a dance HALF and Slow Violence. She’s beyond grateful instructor with the company. to her friends and family for their unwavering love and support!! Thank you x1000 cast and Brandon Nnoli (Ogun Size) (he/him) is crew!! @cdonnerson an Acting major at Boston University who has been involved numerous productions at BU, Sage Gunning (Osha) (she/her) is an Acting including Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, See major at Boston University, who has worked on Right Through You, and Serenity Now, Sanity several shows such as Once, Assistance, and Later. He has a strong passion for the art and Sing a Black Girls Song. She is also involved in absolutely admires the impact it has on the Charcoal magazine, and is excited to expand world. Brandon is thrilled for his growth as her skills at London Academy of Music and an artist and is anticipatory for the future.

Dramatic Arts in the spring of 2023.

Brandon would love to thank his family and friends for their continual support.

Imayah Hawkins (Oba) (she/her) is a junior Acting Major at Boston University, who has Julian X (Marcus) (they/he) is a director, worked on several BU projects such as See Right actor and creative in all aspects of theatre. You Through You, Three Sisters, and Half. Outside may have seen him in The Legend of Georgia of the program, Imayah specializes in dance, McBride (Tracy Mills) and Little Row Boat, or commercial work and singing. Imayah would love Conjecture. They have had the pleasure of to thank her parents, family and friends for their directing multiple productions at BU including continued support in her growth as an artist.

Salome and assisting in the direction of the STAMP Thesis See Right Through You. Recently, Janelle Grace (Shaunta Iyun) is incredibly Julian made his Off-Broadway directing debut fortunate and excited to be studying Acting with the production of Laure (a project that at Boston University (regardless of what made its original debut here). Outside of Boston, her grades may say). She has had life giving Julian has also worked with numerous theaters experiences with the cast and crew of The Ain including Seatles Childeren’s Theatre and No Gordon Project, Dead Man’s Cellphone, Revolt. Dream Defered NOLA Julian would like to shout She Said. Revolt Again., The Moors, and most out his Mother and his amazing support system. recently Stew at Gloucester Stage Company.

Follow them on IG @julianwhxs.

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MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM at BU include Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again, Passage, and The Moors.

PRODUCTION TEAM Rosalind Bevan (Director) Rosalind Bevan’s recent directing credits include STEW at Gloucester Stage, NO CHILD… and TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 at Newton Theatre Company, ECHOES by Patrick Gabridge and THE 54TH IN ‘22 by Kirsten Greenidge, two short audio plays at The Huntington. And THE MOORS and PROOF at Boston University. She assistant directed WITCH at The Huntington and GREATER GOOD at Company One. She has also directed a number of readings and workshops. Rosalind has led workshops about professional theatre and audition technique at various colleges and universities including Boston Conservatory, Northeastern University, Emerson College, Tufts University, and Wabash College.

Rosalind holds a BFA in Theatre Arts Design & Production with an emphasis in Directing from Boston University.

Sanaz Bagheri (Production Manager) I am a first year student, in the field of Theatre Production Management at BU. I’m from Iran/ Tehran. I’ve been working and studying in theatre since 2012 as actress, theatre manager and director assistant, but I need learn more!

Ash Strange (Associate Production Manager) (they/them) is a Stage Management major with a concentration in Lighting Design and a minor in Deaf Studies.

They have worked on several shows at BU including The Corruption of Morgana Pendragon, Murder Ballad, and most recently Mankind. They are interested in doing a little bit of everything after they graduate. Ash would like to thank their friends and family for their support!

Gabriella Cadden-James (Stage Manager) Gabby Cadden is a junior Stage Management major with a concentration in Directing and Performance. Previous shows

Iaslyn Lewis (Assistant Stage Manager) Iaslyn is a first-year Stage Management transfer in the Design, Production, and Management program. She is so grateful to be here and be a part of this production.

They are very excited to continue their stage management journey. She wants to give a big “thank you” to the entire team!

River Hayes (Producer) is an Artistic Producer and practice-led researcher in the MFA in Production Management program. BU SOT credits: Mankind, Elephant’s Graveyard.

Currently they are examining producing models and expanding to film, television and transmedia storytelling platforms; seeking to transform whose stories are told and who gets to tell them.

DESIGN & TECHNICAL TEAM Anna Vidergar (Scenic Designer) (she/ her) is a senior thrilled to be working on her third BU Fringe Festival. Previous BU experience includes Art House (Kitchen Design), Laure (Scenic Design/Paints), and Little Women (Assistant Scenic Design/Props).

She would like to thank her friends and family for their support. Instagram: @designeragvid.

Cameron Carcasson (Scenic Charge) (he/ him) studies Theatre Arts, and is interested in props, puppetry, scenic design, performance, and more. Thus far he has worked in the paint shop on several shows, and will be lighting board operator for Mankind. Cameron would love to thank his people for inspiring him.

Eric Tran (Costume Designer) (he/him/ his) is a Costume Design major at Boston University. Combining his passions for sustainability and fashion, Eric serves as founder and president of Boston University’s sustainable fashion magazine, Fabrio Magazine.

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MEET THE DESIGN & TECHNICAL TEAM Morgan Bailie (Assistant Costume Designer) (she/her) is a sophomore Costume Design major. She is located in Boston and the Twin Cities. Other BU productions include the original production of Half (Costume Designer) and Little Women (Wardrobe). She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.

Celeste Delgadillo (Lighting Designer) Celeste is a junior Lighting Design major. She has been looking forward to this show all year and can’t wait for you to see it. She has learned so much about film/TV during this process and hopes to take all her new found knowledge with her in her career.

India Silverman (Assistant Lighting Designer) (she/her) is a Lighting Design Major at Boston University. At BU, she has worked on shows such as Shakespeare in Love, Little Row Boat or, Conjecture, Once, and El Nogalar. Originally from Seattle, she has worked with Village Theatre on You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.

Grant Powicki (Production Electrician) Grant is a 3rd-year Lighting Design student currently working on Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet as well as co-designing the upcoming BU productions of Hedda Gabler, School for Lies, and Directors Project. He is a Boston-based freelance designer, electrician and stagehand. His work can be found at Grantpowicki.com.

Ivy Comery (Assistant Production Electrician) Ivy is a sophomore lighting design major, born and raised in Atlanta. She has previously worked on the BULX crews for La Hija de Rappaccini and Little Women. Ivy would like to thank her friends, family, and wonderful team for all of their support!

R382, udon noodles, and freshly squeezed lemonade.

Gage Baker (Sound Designer) Gage is a sound designer and mixer currently pursuing an MFA in Sound Design at Boston University.

Design credits include Catastrophic Theatre and Rec Room. Production credits include Alley Theatre, Hangar Theatre, and Stages Repertory Theatre. He currently mixes the Boston company of Blue Man Group.

Gagebaker.com Katie Chen (Assistant Sound Designer) is a senior Sound Design & Production student at Boston University. Recent involvement at BU includes Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, Jado Jehad (BPT), Mankind, Uncle Vanya, Little Row Boat or, Conjecture, Choice, and Rx Machina (BPT). She is extremely excited and looking forward to designing Q2 Booth Show - Orlando!!

Jessie Chen (Sound Engineer) (she/her) is a sound designer from Taiwan, a first-year student in the sound design MFA program at BU. She found Boston a great place. Jessie hopes there will be more interesting credits and facts to share in the bios of her next show.

Caleb Dean (Technical Director) (he/him) is a Technical Production major at Boston University and has worked on productions such as If I Were You, Shakespeare In Love, Georgia McBride, and Let The Right One In. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continuing support, and BU for giving him this opportunity.

Valerie Zhao (Conventional/Moving Light Programmer) is a third-year Lighting Design major with a particular fondness for

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MEET THE OFF-STAGE COVERS & PRODUCTION CREW OFF-STAGE COVERS

PRODUCTION CREW

Lucas Brown (he/him) is an acting major at Boston University. A recent graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Lucas has worked on many plays such as The Winter’s Tale, You On The Moors Now, Macbeth, and much more. Lucas is very excited to be a part of the School of Theatre at BU and would like to thank his family and friends for their support always.

Maia Bester (Assistant House Manager) Maia is so excited to be part of her first BU show EVER! She can’t wait for the next four years.

Sydney Jackson (she/her) is a Theatre Performance Core major at Boston University School of Theatre. She is a member of Bassline, BU’s premier POC all-gender a cappella group. Sydney would like to thank her friends and family for their support!

Kennedi Young (she/her) is an Acting major at Boston University, who has worked on the crew of several BU shows such as Mankind and Little Rowboat. She is eager to become even more emersed in Theatre at BU and would like to thank her family and friends for their support!

Webb Hodges (Production Assistant) Webb is a first year design and production student and is so excited to be a part of this show and to start his college theater journey at BU. He is interested in pursuing costume design for the next four years, as well as a possible minor in Spanish.

Kat Mehler (Production Assistant) Kat is a first-year student at BU’s SOT in the DPM core originally from Yonkers, NY. This is her first time as a PA but has worked behind the scenes in both for 6 years.

Thank you to SOT, Roz, and the rest of the Marcus cast and crew!

Heris Salek (Sound Board Operator/ Sound Crew) is a first-year BFA student in the School of Theatre, and is pursuing a dual degree in Sound Design and Political Science. She is a classically-trained pianist, who has composed music and created soundscapes prior to her studies at BU. She hopes to one day work as a sound engineer for television.

Victoria Pascrell (Sound Crew) Victoria is a first year DP&M student looking to major in Stage Management. She has five years of lighting design experience and has stage managed four shows in the past few years. She is looking forward to learning more about sound design and production for this show.

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October 13 – November 19, 2023 Wheelock Family Theatre Directed by Nick Vargas Music Directed by David Freeman Coleman Choreographed by Larry Sousa Recommended for ages 8+ - 11 -

TICKETS AVAILABLE!

The annual Boston University Fringe Festival, now in its 27th season, is a collaboration between the College of Fine Arts School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. Fringe’s mission is to produce new or rarely performed significant works in the opera and theatre repertoire, bringing performances and audiences together in unique theatrical settings. For over two decades, Fringe Festival at BU has celebrated and amplified new work, shown in spare and minimal productions. Spurred by the dynamic and diverse programs within BU College of Fine Arts, this year’s Fringe features additional programming from BU School of Visual Arts and School of Music.

You’re invited to experience the innovation and artistry at this year’s performances! Learn more at bu.edu/cfa/fringe. _________________________________________

Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney Marcus is sixteen and “sweet.” Days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the projects of Louisiana, Marcus keeps having dreams about a mysterious man and a ton of rain. The currents of his life converge, overflowing into his close-knit community and launching the search for his sexual and personal identity on a cultural landscape infused with mysterious family creeds. The poignant and fiercely humorous coming-of-age story of a young gay man in the South, Marcus is the stirring conclusion of The Brother/Sister Plays.

Presented by Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre

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BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS Established in 1954, Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) is a community of artist-scholars and scholarartists who are passionate about the fine and performing arts, committed to diversity and inclusion, and determined to improve the lives of others through art. With programs in music, theatre, and visual arts, CFA prepares students for a meaningful creative life by developing their intellectual capacity to create art, shift perspective, and think broadly. CFA offers a wide array of precollege, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, as well as a range of online degrees and certificates. Learn more at bu.edu/cfa.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS SCHOOL OF THEATRE The School of Theatre at the College of Fine Arts at Boston University is a leading conservatory for the study of acting, stage management, design, production, and all aspects of the theatre profession. These programs of study are enriched by the School’s access to the greater liberal arts programs at Boston University. The School of Theatre values the notion of “the new conservatory” and seeks to provide students with opportunities for artistic growth through a rigorous curriculum, professional connections, and an emphasis on collaboration and new work.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY JOAN & EDGAR BOOTH THEATRE Since its inaugural season in 2018, this bold, state-of-theart structure encourages innovation, conversation, and collaboration. The flexible design of Booth Theatre allows for the inventive evolution of performances and a deep engagement with audiences. Research is at the core of Boston University, and BU College of Fine Arts practices it every day in the form of creative experimentation. Booth Theatre and the adjacent CFA Production Center are laboratories for such research, and in every detail, they are purpose-built for discovery. Recent productions include Once, Little Women, Angels in America (Parts I and II), Shakespeare in Love, If I Were You, Patterns of Wind, The Rake’s Progress, Mansfield Park, Dolores Claiborne, The Lathe of Heaven, and The Exonerated.

Learn more at bu.edu/booth.

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