Legally Blonde

2022-2023 Carthage Theatre Department Presents

APRIL 28-29 & MAY 4-6 | 7:30 P.M. APRIL 30 | 3 P.M. WARTBURG THEATRE Book by Heather Hach Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin

2001 Alford Park Drive Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140

Get Tickets 24/7 carthage.edu/tickets Fine Arts Box Office | 262-551-6661 Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 5 p.m. facebook.com/carthagefinearts | instagram.com/carthagefinearts

setting In and around the Delta Nu house, Southern California.

In and around the Harvard Law campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

cast and crew cast Elle Woods.................................................................. Alexyn Cervantes Warner Huntington III................................................ Jon Rassmusen Vivienne Kensington...................................................... Caitlin Preuss Emmett Forrest.............................................................. Nicky Caldwell Professor Callahan................................................... Matthew Wrbanek Paulette Bonafonte..................................................... Becca Robertson Serena........................................................................Hannah Czaplicki Margot................................................................................. Chloe Hilby Pilar.....................................................................................Rayven Craft Brooke Wyndham..............................................................Ella Bergfeld Grandmaster Chad/Kyle..............................................Brennen Adams Igor/Nikos/Bruiser.....................................................Lane Breimhorst DA Joyce Riley.............................................................Emily Halfmann Lowell.................................................................................. Chase Juster Dad/Pforzheimer.................................................Massimo Manfredini Kate/Chutney/Store Manager..........................................Bree Meinke.

Aaron Schultz/Carlos/Rufus...........................................Trevor Milne.

Jet Blue Pilot/Guard..........................................................Avery Morris Dewey/Reporter....................................................................Jack Myers Stenographer......................................................................Ellie Neybert Judge................................................................................Danae Palmer Enid Hoopes................................................................ Melissa Schmidt Mom/Courtney/Whitney...........................................Fangyiduo Wang Harvard Students, Marching Band, Cheerleaders, Inmates, Salespeople: Brennen Adams, Lane Breimhorst, Emily Halfmann, Chase Juster, Massimo Manfredini, Bree Meinke, Trevor Milne, Avery Morris, Jack Myers, Ellie Neybert, Danae Palmer, Fangyiduo Wang

understudies For Elle Woods: Bree Meinke; for Emmett Forrest: Chase Juster; for Professor Callahan: Chase Juster; for Warner Huntington III: Lane

cast and crew Breimhorst; for Vivienne Kensington: Hannah Czaplicki; for Brooke Wyndham: Melissa Schmidt swings Ella Bergfeld, Ellie Neybert dance captain Ellie Neybert production and design team Directors.............................Martin McClendon & Matthew Hougland Vocal Director.........................................................Matthew Hougland Choreographer.................................................Danny Dwaine Wells II Technical Director...................................................William Newcomb Scenic Designer...................................................... Martin McClendon Lighting & Projections Designer....................................... Gabbie Tifft Costume Designer.............................................................. Sierra Clark Costume Supervisor.........................................................Kim Instenes Stage Manager............................................................ Peyton Olesczuk Assistant Stage Managers.................. Cecilia Parkes & Liv Bissonette Associate Choreographer........................................ Stephen Patterson Assistant Choreographer.............................................Joshua Heinlein Assistant Music Director................................................ Yu-Mei Chang Assistant to M. Hougland/Sound Board Operator.....Melanie Wright Properties Designers............................. Zoe Landry & Mykah Melone Run Crew....................................................................... Mykah Melone Light Board Operator.......................................................... Ali Koclanis Spotlight Operator.......................................................... Mitchell Clark Sound Crew...............................Adam Blackwood, Jessica Whitekiller

special thanks Orion Couling, Dimitri Shapovalov, Corinne Ness, Heidi Baehr, Gabrielle Banzhaf, Amy Malczewski

scenes and musical numbers act i Scene 1: UCLA Delta Nu Sorority House/Mall/Elle’s Door “Omigod You Guys” Margot, Serena, Pilar, Delta Nu’s, Elle, Shopgirl, Manager Scene 2: Restaurant “Serious” Warner, Elle Scene 3: Delta Nu Sorority House/Golf Course/Harvard Law School Admissions Office “Daughter of Delta Nu” Margod, Serena, Pilar, Kate, Delta Nu’s “What You Want” Elle, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Kate, Mom, Dad, Grandmaster Chad, Winthrop, Pforzheimer, Lowell, Delta Nu’s and Company Scene 4: Harvard Yard “The Harvard Variations” Emmett, Aaron, Enid, Igor, and Harvard Students Scene 5: Callahan’s Classroom “Blood in the Water” Callahan and Company Scene 6: Harvard Yard “Positive” Elle, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Greek Chorus Scene 7: The Hair Affair “Ireland” Paulette “Ireland” (Reprise) Paulette Scene 8: Harvard Party “Serious” (Reprise) Elle, Warner Scene 9: Harvard Yard/Elle’s Room/Callahan’s Classroom “Chip on My Shoulder”

scenes and musical numbers Emmett, Elle, Greek Chorus, Company Scene 10: Dewey’s Trailer Scene 11: Harvard Hallway “So Much Better” Elle, Greek Chorus and Company

act ii Scene 1: Conference Room/Prison “Whipped Into Shape” Brooke, Callahan and Company Scene 2: Hansen-Harkness Department Store “Take It Like a Man” Elle, Emmett, Salespersons Scene 3: The Hair Affair “Bend and Snap” Elle, Paulette, Serena, Margot, Pilar, Salonfolk Scene 4: Courtroom “There! Right! There!

Elle, Callahan, Emmett, Brooke, Vivienne, Warner, Enid, Judge, Nikos, Carlos and Company Scene 5: Callahan’s Office/Elle’s Door “Legally Blonde” Elle, Emmett Scene 6: The Hair Affair “Legally Blonde Remix” Vivienne, Enid, Elle, Company Scene 7: Courtroom/Bathroom of the Wyndham Mansion “Omigod You Guys” (Reprise) Elle and Company Scene 8: Harvard Law Graduation “Find My Way/Finale” Elle, Paulette and Company

cast and crew biographies Alexyn Cervantes (Elle Woods) is so excited to be a part of this show as her dream role! She is currently a sophomore studying Elementary Education and Psychology. Favorite past credits include: Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Watertown Players Inc.), Sharpay in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (CAB and APO), and Linda in THE WEDDING SINGER (Theatre Unlimited Inc.) This is her first mainstage production.

Nicky Caldwell (Emmett Forrest) is a senior music theatre major, and is ecstatic to be returning for his sixth Carthage mainstage production! Previous credits include: THE BIG BANG BOOM! TOUR (Principal Singer/Dancer), SHE LOVES ME (Head Waiter), and BETRAYAL (Jerry). After graduation, Nicky is excited to head to ASU where he will get his masters in music theatre performance. He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support, and he hopes you enjoy the show!

Becca Robertson (Paulette Bonafonte) is a senior Music Theatre major.

Previous roles here at Carthage include Olympe De Gouge in THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Loud Stone in EURYDICE, Cassie in MEMENTO MORI and Claire/Old Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR. Becca is also an elder of the Merely Players Improv Group here. Becca has previously costumed and designed SEUSSICAL at the Raue Center For The Arts and LUNGS in the studio! She is thrilled to be a part of the show and she hopes you have a good time!

Matthew Wrbanek (Professor Callahan) is a senior Music Theatre major, with a minor in scenic design. On the Carthage mainstage, they have performed in PUFFS and SOMETHING ROTTEN. They have also performed in HAIR, RIDE THE CYCLONE, and SPRING AWAKENING. As a scenic designer, Matthew has worked as an assistant designer on MEMENTO MORI and is currently set to intern for scenic design at Hope Repertory Theatre. He would like to thank his family for always supporting him.

Jon Rassmusen (Warner Huntington III) is a freshman majoring in Music Theatre. He is super grateful to be working with this amazing cast! Previous roles at Carthage include Warren in ORDINARY DAYS. Previous roles include Jimmy Ray in BRIGHT STAR, The Beast in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and the healer/sheriff in GROUNDHOG DAY THE MUSICAL. Jonathan wants to thank his peers, teachers, friends and family for constantly pushing him and assisting him in all ways to push forward. He is excited for what the future holds for him at Carthage.

cast and crew biographies Caitlin Preuss (Vivienne Kensington) is a senior Music Theatre and Directing double major. Mainstage credits: William Shakespeare in SOMETHING ROTTEN, Marie Antoinette in THE REVOLUTIONISTS, MEMENTO MORI, RAJWIAB, WOMEN ON THE VERGE, FIGHTING FOR HOME. Workshop credits: Amalia Balash in SHE LOVES ME, LITTLE WOMEN. Directing credits: ORDINARY DAYS, BETRAYAL. @caitlinpreuss_ Ella Bergfeld (Brooke Wyndham) is a freshman double majoring in Political Science and Music Theatre. Her past favorites include Cinderella in ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA (Cornstock Theatre), Rapunzel in INTO THE WOODS (Stage 212), and Ellie in FREAKY FRIDAY (River Valley Players). This is her first mainstage production. Ella would like to thank her amazing support system, especially her boyfriend Chase, who did not credit her in his bio. Ella: 1 Chase: 0 Brennen Adams (Ensemble) is a senior Communications major. Previous roles at Carthage include the mainstage production of SOMETHING ROTTEN (Ensemble), as well as the workshop production of HAIR (Woof ).

Brennen would like to thank his family and friends for always supporting him while pursuing the things that he loves.

Lane Breimhorst (Ensemble) is a senior Music Theatre Major and Costume Design Minor. Professional Credits: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (Orin), LULU AND THE LONG WALK (Steve), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Boy/Watch 1) at Hope Repertory Theatre in Holland, MI. Carthage Mainstage Credits: SOMETHING ROTTEN (Snug/Bottom Troupe), PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE (Oro). MT Workshop Credits: HAIR (Tribe/ Berger u/s). Lane would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making his final show at Carthage a success! IG: @musical.lane Rayven Craft (Ensemble) is thrilled to be stepping into the role of Pilar.

Rayven is a senior majoring in Music Theatre with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She has been seen in several productions at Carthage such as MEMENTO MORI, SWEET CHARITY, and FIGHTING FOR HOME. Her credits also include her playwright debut: CINDERELLA: THE REAL STORY published by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Rayven would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support, phenomenal cast and crew for making this such a experience, and above all else God. Rayven thanks you for your presence and hope’s this show brings you laughter and glee.

cast and crew biographies Hannah Czaplicki (Ensemble) is a senior Music Theatre major. Carthage Mainstage Credits: SOMETHING ROTTEN! (Peter Quince/US Bea) and ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR (Meghan/Department Chair).

Studio Productions: ORDINARY DAYS (Claire); Music Theatre Workshop Credits: HAIR (Sheila); LITTLE WOMEN (Amy March/Troll); SHE LOVES ME (Ilona Ritter); SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Ensemble). She would like to thank her mom, grandpa, her amazing roommate, Emma, her many other friends and family, and everyone at Carthage for giving her the four most lifechanging and enlightening years of her life. Instagram: @hannah_czaplicki Emily Halfmann (Ensemble) is a sophomore Music Theatre & Directing double major and Spanish minor. Carthage credits: MEMENTO MORI (Cleo), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Tap Ensemble), LITTLE WOMEN (Aunt March).

Emily thanks her family and friends for always supporting her.

Chloe Hilby (Ensemble) is a senior Theatre major. They are excited to be working on one of their dream musicals with such an amazing cast.

Mainstage credits include PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE (Yoree) and ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR (Jill). Music Theatre Workshop credits include HAIR (Jeanie) and THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Stage Manager).

Studio credits include ORDINARY DAYS (Stage Manager). They would like to thank their mom for always coming to support them, even if it means traveling 1,100 miles to do so.

Chase Juster (Ensemble) is a Freshman Music Theatre Major and Dance Minor. He is so excited to be a part of his first mainstage show at Carthage.

Past shows: BAND GEEKS (Jake). Outside of theater he is a part of Merely Players Improv. Chase would also like to thank his friends and family for supporting him throughout his first year.

Massimo Manfredini (Ensemble) is a senior Music Theatre major. Previous roles at Carthage include the mainstage production of SOMETHING ROTTEN! (Ensemble), as well as the workshop productions of RIDE THE CYCLONE (Karnak) and HAIR (Margaret Mead/Tribe). Massimo would like to thank his family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show!

Bree Meinke (Ensemble) is a Junior Music Theatre major and Data Science minor. Carthage MT Workshop credits: SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Ensemble), LITTLE WOMEN (Mr. Laurence). Carthage Mainstage: MEMENTO MORI (Tori). Bree is also a member of the on-campus experimental theatre group, Neil-Futurists. Bree is so excited to share this

cast and crew biographies super fun show with everyone!

Trevor Milne (Ensemble) is a freshman double major in Music Theater and Engineering Science. He has previously appeared in FML and the directing scenes work, SILENT SKY. He would like to thank all of the new friends made this year that pushed him to audition and his parents who have always supported him, this experience is one he’ll never forget.

Avery Morris (Ensemble) is a junior pursuing a degree in vocal music education with a minor in theater. LEGALLY BLONDE is Avery’s first main stage show at Carthage. Previous credits include HAIR (Hud). Avery is also a member of Carthage Choir. Avery would like to thank his family, friends, directors, and professors for all their support.

Jack Myers (Ensemble) is a senior Music Theatre major with a Costume Design minor. Previous Carthage theatre credits include: HAIR (Berger), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Brother Jeremiah), SHE LOVES ME (Sipos), SISTER ACT (Eddie), and FLORA THE RED MENACE (Willy). They want to thank their mother, sister, and Emily Jean for their constant support.

Ellie Neybert (Ensemble) is a sophomore Music Theatre and Directing double major with a Dance minor. Carthage Credits: Portia Understudy/Ensemble in SOMETHING ROTTEN, The Girl in MEMENTO MORI, and Professor Bhaer in LITTLE WOMEN (workshop). Other notable credits: Lady of the Lake in SPAMALOT, Jojo in NEWSIES, Grace Farrell in ANNIE, and Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. @ellie.neybert Danae Palmer (Ensemble) is a Sophomore double major in Music Theatre and Public Relations. She is excited to be performing with such an amazing cast in her first Musical Production at Carthage. Danae was last seen in the Fall 2022 Musical Theatre Techniques Showcase. She would like to thank all of the love and support from her parents that has inspired her to continue her musical career.

Melissa Schmidt (Ensemble) is a sophomore double majoring in Social Work and Theatre Performance. Carthage credits: FRONTLINE (Nurse One and Playwright), MEMENTO MORI and its KCACTF remount at the Capitol Theatre in Flint, MI. (Alice and Playwright). Former favorites: CLUE (Miss Scarlett), THE OUTSIDERS (Dallas Winston), and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. Melissa would like to thank her friends and family for being nothing short of an amazing support system.

cast and crew biographies Fangyiduo Wang (Ensemble) is a second-year Masters Student at Carthage College having attended the Beijing Dance Academy received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Theatre. Past credits include BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (Olive), DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Heidi). She also performed in the Chinese original shows WELCOME and ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER. She loves to try new things in fields that require body awareness such as Pilates, Yoga, Contemporary, Jazz, Music Theatre and street dance. When Flower performs she strives to connect with her audience in such a way that they might be healed through the power of art. Her goal is not to showcase her own talents but rather to show how the performance arts have the ability to give people a look into their own humanity.

production team bios Lawrence O’Keefe (Music and Lyrics): Laurence O’Keefe received 2007 Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his work on Legally Blonde. Larry thanks all Blonde producers and creative team. He won the Ed Kleban Award, the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award and a Jonathan Larson award for his music and lyrics. Off-Broadway credits: Bat Boy: The Musical (Lucille Lortel, Richard Rodgers, Outer Critics’ Circle awards), which has received 100+ productions worldwide; music for Sarah, Plain and Tall, lyrics by Nell Benjamin (touring with TheatreWorksUSA). Co-author with Nell Benjamin of Cam Jansen (Drama Desk nomination) and The Mice. Larry is a product of his education with the Harvard Krokodiloes, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Harvard Lampoon and the Actors’ Gang, but especially the incomparable Nell Benjamin.

Nell Benjamin (Music and Lyrics): Nell co-wrote the score to Legally Blonde, the Musical with composer Laurence O’Keefe, which received Tony Award nominations, Drama Desk nominations, and the Olivier and Helpmann Awards for Best Musical. Nell wrote the lyrics to Mean Girls, which received multiple Tony Award nominations, including for Best Original Score and Best Musical. Nell’s play, The Explorers Club, won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant. Nell has written book and/or lyrics for Pirates! (or Gilbert and Sullivan plunder’d), Sarah, Plain and Tall, Cam Jansen (Drama Desk-nominated), I Want My Hat Back, How I Became A Pirate, The Mice, Life of the Party and Because of Winn Dixie.

Upcoming musicals are: Huzzah!, Life of the Party, Dave. Television writing includes “Unhappily Ever After”, Animal Planet’s “Whoa! Sunday with Mo Rocca”, “Electric Company”, “Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris”, “Ant

cast and crew biographies & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway”, “Julie’s Greenroom.” Benjamin is the recipient of the Kleban Foundation Award and a Jonathan Larson Grant.

Heather Hach (Book): Heather received 2007 Tony and Drama Desk nominations for her work on Legally Blonde. Graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, School of Journalism. Worked at The New York Times Denver Bureau as a research assistant and Sports and Fitness Publishing in Boulder, Colorado, as a magazine editor. Member of Denver’s Comedy Sports improv comedy troupe. Worked on the TV shows “Caroline in the City” and “Dilbert.” Won Walt Disney Screenwriting Fellowship in 1999.

Film credits include Disney’s “Freaky Friday” and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Also wrote the young adult novel “Freaky Monday” with Mary Rodgers. Much love to friends and family, especially Jason, Harper and Drake.

Martin McClendon (co-director, scenic designer) teaches, directs, and designs scenery for Carthage Theatre. He has received KC/ACTF Certificates of Merit for scenic design for the Carthage productions of MAN OF LA MANCHA, BOEING BOEING, ONE DAY IN THE SEASON OF RAIN, DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE, and a collaborative certificate for video technology for THE BREATH OF STARS. Martin was also honored to receive the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Innovative Teaching Award for 2016-17 for his work with students in developing veteran theatre projects, including the Veteran Night of the Arts fundraiser. Before coming to Carthage, Martin spent 10 years working as a professional actor, carpenter, and scene designer in Chicago and Los Angeles. He was nominated three times for NonEquity Jeff Citation Awards while designing scenery for the Defiant Theatre Company, Chicago. In addition to designing scenery, video, and sound at Carthage, regional scene design credits include Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and First Stage Children’s Theatre (Milwaukee, WI), Actor’s Ensemble (Rockford, IL), and The Evidence Room and Odyssey Theatres (Los Angeles, CA). Onstage appearances in Chicago include MOJO and SKYLIGHT (Steppenwolf ), DANNY BOUNCING (Victory Gardens) and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Northlight). On-camera work includes several independent movies, episodes of ER and EARLY EDITION, and numerous commercials.

He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA. Martin received his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, and his BFA in acting from Rockford College. He would like to thank his beautiful wife Jennifer and his wonderful kids Arabella and Horatio for their support and inspiration.

cast and crew biographies Matthew Hougland (Co-Director/Music Director): National Tour: SPAMILTON (MD/King George). Off-Broadway: LIFE OF THE PARTY (Lawrence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin), EMERGENCY. Workshop: WICKEDEST WOMAN. Past credits include CHICAGO, SISTER ACT, AMOUR, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, A CATERED AFFAIR. Awards: Broadway World Best Actor. Current: Celebrity Cruises (vocal director), SPAMILTON (vacation MD), Carthage College (Director of Undergraduate MT Studies). Education: MM NYU Steinhardt. www.matthewhougland.com @mrhougland Danny Dwaine Wells II (Choreographer): Danny Dwaine Wells II is a while travelled and versed dancer, performing throughout the United States and Europe. An alumnus of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and a graduate of San Diego State University’s BFA Dance program, he has 10+ plus years of training in numerous dance techniques. He has also had the pleasure of training with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (Summer Intensives), Diavolo Dance Theater, and has performed works by Peter Kalivas, Michael Mizerany and Jeremy Mitchell. He continues to work as a performer and choreographer both in the U.S. and Internationally. He currently teaches master technique classes throughout country. A few of his most recent performance credits are: Film- Waiting in the Wings, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story Commercial/Industry- Disneyland (Parade of Dreams/ Block Party Bash/ Fantasmic) Regional Theatre- Cabaret (Kit Kat Boy/ Ensemble), Elf The Musical (Ensemble) Saturday Night Fever (Male Swing), La Cage Aux Folles (Mercedes/ Dance Captain), Footloose (Male Swing), Hairspray (Male Swing#2), The Addams Family (Dance Captain), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) National Tours (Non-Equity)- Hair (Hud U.S.), Sesame Street Live Tour 2014-15 (Cookie Monster/ Count Live Dancer). Danny is proud a adjudicator and pedagogist for a variety of dance academies, dance competitions and convention circuits. Danny looks forward to countless opportunities to encourage and spread dance education to young artist.

William Newcomb (Technical Director, Assistant Professor of Theatre): holds a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre from Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, and an M.F.A. in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University.

He was assistant manager of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre for two years before coming to Carthage. William also served as production Manager for the Optimist Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park. William is a national member of USITT. Other credits include technical director of the Wells Fine Arts Center at Tarleton State University, assistant technical director at Oberlin College, scene shop foreman at Ohio Light Opera, and assistant to

cast and crew biographies the production manager of the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

Gabbie Tifft (Lighting & Projections Designer): Gabrielle Tifft is a senior Technical-Direction Theatre Major, with two Minors in Costume Design and Dance, and is ecstatic to show her final thesis work on the Wartburg stage!

Her mainstage credits at Carthage include ANTIGONE (sound designer), SOMETHING ROTTEN (stage manager), PATIENCE & FORTITUDE (sound designer), BETRAYAL (lighting designer), EURYDICE (assistant lighting designer), and ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR (sound designer).

Upcoming works include Starlight Theatre’s productions of FOOTLOOSE, IN THE HEIGHTS, and OLIVER as the lighting designer. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support, her peers who aided in making this project possible, and Martin McClendon, Matthew Hougland, and William Newcomb for this opportunity.

Sierra Clark (Costume Designer): Sierra is a senior costume design student and LEGALLY BLONDE is her thesis. Her previous design credits include BETRAYAL and BIG GUNS at Carthage College and . Her professional credits include UNTITLED SPACE TRADERS PROJECT at The Williamstown Theatre Festival. Her wardrobe supervisor credits include FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE, SOMETHING ROTTEN, MOMENTO MORI, THE HANDBOOK, EURYDICE, and PUFFS amongst others. She is also the Student Box Office Manager for the Carthage Office of Performing & Visual Arts. She wants to thank the theatre faculty for all their support, especially Kim Instenes. She also wants thank her family and friends for always being there for her. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Kim Instenes (Costume Superviser): (Associate Professor of Theatre) holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from Ohio University, and a BA in Theatre from UW-Whitewater. Kim continues to work as a freelance costume and make-up designer in the Milwaukee/Chicago area.

Professional design credits include THE SNOW and BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, as well as the musical BIG at Milwaukee’s First Stage Children’s Theatre, the JEEVES Trilogy and INDECENT at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and numerous shows at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theatre Works, Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Racine Theatre Guild. Design work at Carthage includes SOMETHING ROTTEN and costumes for the world premieres of NO NAME by Jeffrey Hatcher and GHOST BIKE by Laura Jacqmin, to name a few. GHOST BIKE won her a Certificate of Merit from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for costume and makeup design and an invitation to show her work at the Festival. Kim is excited to be a part of the Theatre Department

cast and crew biographies here at Carthage as it strengthens and strives to create theatre artists of the highest quality. She enjoys the thrill of watching a student understand what a costume does for their character and watching that character come to life as a result. She would also like to thank her family, husband Doug, and children, Lauren and Dalen, for their continued support of her creative endeavors.

Stephen Patterson (Associate Choreographer): Stephen Patterson holds a BFA in Dance & Choreography from California Institute of the Arts. He danced with Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater and Alternative Motion Project in Minneapolis and taught all over Minnesota and around the U.S. While in Minneapolis he presented work through Art to Change to the World.

Currently based in Chicago, Stephen is a company member and teaching artist for The Rooted Space.

Joshua Heinlein (Assistant Choreographer): Joshua Heinlein, originally from El Paso, Texas, is proud to call himself a Chicago actor of eight years.

He received his education in Kentucky and has a BA in Theater and Music Performance and had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of Blackbird Dance Theater during his years there. While he primarily sings and dances, he is thrilled to be making his collegiate debut as a choreographer. He is a proud husband and soon to be father. Thank you, Berenice Heinlein, for all that you do!

Peyton Olesczuk (Stage Manager) she/her/hers: Peyton is a Senior Japanese major with a minor in Theatre! She is super excited to be stage managing her second Mainstage Production. Peyton’s previous Carthage works have included BETRAYAL as Stage Manager. Peyton was also in Tokyo Gakugei University’s production of KOKEODOSHI as Ensemble. She would like to thank Martin McClendon and Matthew Hougland for giving her this opportunity, her Assistant Stage Managers Liv and Ceci for being amazing assistants, and her friends for supporting her through this journey! She hopes you enjoy this fabulous show!

Ceci Parkes: (Assistant Stage Manager) they/them/theirs: Ceci is a Freshman Stage Management Major. This is their second production at Carthage as a part of the Stage Management team. They’ve had the opportunity to work on FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE as Run Crew and their first-ever Assistant Stage Management position in ANTIGONE this past fall.

Ceci would like to thank their friends and family back home in Milwaukee for supporting their dreams and ambitions in theater and at Carthage. Ceci would also like to thank the Cast and Crew for making this show the best that it can be! Snaps for Legally Blonde!

cast and crew biographies Olivia “Liv” Bissonette (Assistant Stage Manager) [she/her/hers] is a freshman Stage Management major and Creative Writing and French double-minor. Carthage stage management credits: FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE, IN THE MOMENT, and ELEEMOSYNARY and SILENT SKY. Liv has stage managed fifteen productions before Carthage and thanks all those who continue to support her endeavors.

Yu-Mei Chang (Assistant Music Director): Yu-Mei is a graduate student at Carthage College majoring in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy. She is a music director and keyboard player active on theater stages both in Taiwan and China. Her previous credits in theater include MAMMA MIA!, AVENUE Q, DADDY LONG LEGS, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, MURDER BALLAD, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, LAUNDRY, THRILL ME, JEKYLL AND HYDE, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA international tour. Workshop credits: SHE LOVES ME, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ORDINARY DAYS. Mei would like to thank her family and friends for all the support and love. Hope you enjoy the show. Ig @maysmusica Melanie Wright (Assistant for Matthew Hougland): Melanie is a graduate student studying Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy. She recently graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University, where she received her B.A. in Vocal Performance. Melanie is also the Teaching Assistant for the Music Theatre Workshop class. She teaches voice lessons in the community of Kenosha and to Carthage students. Melanie is very happy to be part of the production of this show and wants to thank Matthew Hougland for the many opportunities he has given her.

Zoe Landry (Prop Designer): Zoe Landry (she/her) is a sophomore TechnicalDirection Theatre Major. her Carthage College mainstage credits: BETRAYAL (run crew), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Prop Designer), MEMENTO MORI (Prop Designer). She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support of her endeavors.

Mykah Melone (Prop Designer): Mykah Melone is a junior Theatre major with a minor in English and Secondary Education. Carthage Credits include Betrayal (assistant stage manager) Something Rotten (sound crew) Hair (Ensemble). Non Carthage acting credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, She Kills Monsters, Macbeth, Lysistrata and Unit LLT. He will also be a part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire’s Puppet Corps this summer. Break legs everyone and enjoy the show.

legally blonde Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Mero-Golwyn-Mayer motion picture.

Original Production by Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals, Dori Berinstein, James L. Nederlander, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, Amanda Lipitz, Broadway Asia, Barbara Whitman, FWPM Group, Hendel/Wiesenfeld, Goldberg/Binder, Stern/Meyer, Lane/Comley, Bartner-Jenkins/Nocciolino and Warren Trepp; Produced in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.

Legally Blonde is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

upcoming events Percussion Ensemble Concert Wednesday, May 10 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel I and You Friday, May 12 • 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 13 • 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 14 • 3 p.m.

Studio Theatre *tickets required Spring Band Concert Friday, May 12 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel Spring Choral Concert Sunday, May 14 • 2 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel Spring Philharmonic Concert Friday, May 19 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel

Fine Arts at Carthage acknowledges that the land on which our building stands is part of the traditional Potawatomi, Sioux, Peoria, Kickapoo, and Miami peoples past, present, and future. These homelands reside along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.

connect with us

tickets required

carthage.edu/fine-arts 262-551-5859 facebook.com/carthagefinearts instagram.com/carthagefinearts

Get tickets 24/7 at carthage.edu/tickets or 262-551-6661 noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday