Life Cycle of A Star — UK

Written by Ali Viterbi Directed by Herschel Kruger

setting Everywhere, in any time.

Well, probably not everywhere. This play definitely takes place in America. Mostly in suburban America.

And definitely not any time. A time when talking on the phone was still a thing.

But think of this world as beyond time and space, a sort-of-modern Grover’s Corner.

To borrow from Thornton Wilder’s prologue to Our Town, this play presents the life of a friendship “against the life of the stars.”

cast cast Time..................................................................................................... Sarah Loster Anna...................................................................................................Lily Lourigan Lily................................................................................................ Melissa Schmidt Ensemble 1................................................................................... Matthew Corgiat (Ryan, Kindergarten Kid, Drew, Cheerleading Squad, Henry)

Ensemble 2.......................................................................................... Chase Juster (Anna’s Dad, Lily’s Dad, Officiant, Kevin, Cheerleading Squad, Voicemail, James)

Ensemble 3.................................................................................Katie Layendecker (Anna’s Mom, Psychologist, Cheerleading Squad, Cassie)

Ensemble 4.........................................................................Alexa Marie Lindstrom (Teacher, Principal, Head Cheerleader, Sophie, Charlotte)

Ensemble 5..................................................................................... Reagan Weitzel (Kindergartener, Cheerleading Squad, Student)

Ensemble 6................................................................................... Micah A. O’Neal (Kindergartener, Cheerleading Squad, Student, Jonah)

Musicians................................................................Chase Portner, Dom Luzwick

special thanks Costume and Scene Shop workers and volunteers as well as VPA team and Dr. Corinne Ness

production team and crew Director ....................................................................................... Herschel Kruger Stage Manager ............................................................................ Olivia Bissonette Scenic Designer ............................................................. Maureen Chavez-Kruger Costume Designer ............................................................................Kim Instenes Technical Director ......................................................................... Owen Holecko Lighting Designers .................................................... Jessica Baker, Ro Longden Choreographer ................................................................................ Gina Laurenzi Composer......................................................................................... Chase Portner Percussionist ............................................................................. Dominic Luzwick Assistant Director/Stage Manager................................................. Paige Downey Stage Crew Head .............................................................................. Alyssa Sargis Costume Crew Head.....................................................................Emma Mehnert Costume Crew............................................... Mckenna Dehn, Susana Alexander Sound Design ................................................................................ Owen Holecko Sound Board Operator................................................................. Logan Gonzalez Light Board Operator........................................................................... Ro Longden Marketing............................................................... Jessie Skonesey, Ellie Neybert

director’s notes True – “forever friendships” are very rare, must be cherished and treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect.

Playwright Ali Viterbi who wrote LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR for the Carthage Theatre New Play Initiative, describes this play as an exploration of friendship, and especially female friendship which is something she has wanted to explore for some time. She draws on life experiences in this fictional account, placing great value on how a forever friendship has enriched her life. In Ali’s synopsis of the play she asks “…can a childhood promise survive the forces of Time and Space?” In this play, LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR, she presents the friendship of Anna and Lily “against the life of the stars.”

As the director of LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR, I have grappled with many questions and challenges during the planning and rehearsal phases of this production. Together with the cast and production team we delved into

director’s notes the empirical questions this play asks. What gives our life value? What is friendship? What makes a forever friendship? Within the finite experience of human existence how does “Time” fit into this equation? After seeing this production I invite you to share your thoughts and reactions with me in the lobby after the show, or through email at hkruger@carthage.edu.

cast biographies Sarah Loster (Time) is a senior Theatre Performance Major, with Minors in Costume Design and Secondary Education. Previous roles here at Carthage include Andrea in MEMENTO MORI on the mainstage, Mandy in WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN, and W in LUNGS in the studio theatre. She has also stage-managed four dance productions and costume-designed I AND YOU. Sarah would like to thank her Mom for always being there to support her.

Lily Lourigan (Anna) is a senior Theatre Performance Major with a minor in Chinese. She is beyond excited to have this show be her senior thesis and can not wait to show everyone the work she has put into her character.

Previous roles at Carthage include Liliane La Fleur in NINE THE MUSICAL, Prostitute/Business Owner in WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN, Caroline in I AND YOU, Jo in FML: HOW CARSON McCULLERS SAVED MY LIVED, and Chorus Leader in ANTIGONE. For three of these productions, she has been an Irene Ryan nominee through KCACTF and made it to the semi-finals in 2024. She would like to thank this amazing cast and crew for making this production possible and the playwright, Ali Viterbi for creating a play that every best friend can relate to. She would also like to acknowledge her best friend, Juliet, for being there throughout all of life’s stages. Much love to her parents, Tom and Jinny, for always allowing her to follow her dreams.

Instagram: @pandadinosaurs Melissa Schmidt (Lily) is a senior Theatre Performance Major with a double minor in Film & New Media and Social Justice. She is immensely passionate about this project and the process that the ensemble orchestrated. Previous roles include Wickersham Brother in SEUSSICAL at the Rhode Center for the Arts, at Carthage as Enid Hoopes in LEGALLY BLONDE, as well as Alice in MEMENTO MORI which was a KCACTF Region III showcase production at the Capitol Theatre and the Gaiety School of Acting in 2023. A special mention goes to her best friends who have given her the most electric love

cast biographies she could ask for. This show is for those who miss people, need people, and want people - we are intrinsically social, and she would not be the same without her supportive community.

Matthew Corgiat (Ensemble 1) is a senior Theatre Performance major with a Psychology minor. He is delighted to be working on such a great show with a wonderful team. Previously he has performed as You 3 - Thinker in THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT on the mainstage, and performed You 3 in Flint, Michigan at KCACTF (2024) as well. He has also performed in several studio productions including Ensemble 1 in WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN, Anthony in I & YOU, M in LUNGS, and Two in BIG GUNS. Matthew was also the designated fight captain for the production of WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN. He has also worked as Assistant Technical Director for Carthage’s studio production of ORDINARY DAYS and has been on run crew for several mainstage performances as well. He would like to thank the cast for their positivity and community, and his parents for their lifelong support.

Chase Juster (Ensemble 2) is a senior Music Theatre Major and Choral Literature and Conducting Minor. Carthage Credits: LEGALLY BLONDE (ENS/Emmett US/Callahan US), CARRIE (Billy Nolan), XANADU (Terpsicore), HEAD OVER HEELS (Pythio), LIFE IS A DREAM (Segismundo), and NINE (Guido Contini) for which he received a KCACTF Irene Ryan nomination. Other Credits Include: BAND GEEKS (Jake), and THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Joe Sutter). Outside of theater, Chase is a member of Carthage’s flagship ensemble the Carthage Choir as well as the Lincoln Chamber Singers, and works as the Music Theatre Department faculty fellow.

Chase is so excited to fill in and be apart of this amazing story :) IG: chasejstr Katie Layendecker (Ensemble 3) is a senior Theatre Performance and English major with an emphasis on creative writing at Carthage College. Previous roles include Messenger/Chorus in ANTIGONE in the Fall of 2022 on the mainstage and You 2 in THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT in the Fall of 2023 on the mainstage. She’s also a playwright and helped write THE KENOSHA VERBATIM PROJECT with Professors Martin McClendon, Nora Caroll, and peer Rayven Craft. This show was the recipient of the Rosa Parks Playwriting Award. She also worked on TERMINAL EXHALE, which is set to premiere in the Spring. She was assistant director and did dramaturgical work for ON THE VERGE in the Spring of 2024, earning a certificate of merit for her dramaturgical work. She would like to thank her friends and family, who have always been her biggest supporters.

cast biographies Alexa Marie Lindstrom (Ensemble 4) is a sophomore Musical Theatre Major. She is beyond excited about working on this show with this cast and crew! Some previous roles include Diana and Dance Captain in NINE, Morticia Addams and Dance Captain in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and Principal Dancer in THE NUTCRACKER. She also is a member of the Carthage Dance Team! She would like to thank all cast and crew for making this show what it is. Also, her friends and family for always supporting her no matter what. Even when things get crazy. @alexa.marie127 Reagan Weitzel (Ensemble 5) is a freshman at Carthage College.

She is a Theater Performance and Psychology double major with a photography minor. She is very excited to be a part of Life Cycle of a Star, her very first production here at Carthage. She would like to thank her friends Mason, Luke, Jolie, Laila, and many others for being the greatest friends and always making her laugh. She would especially like to thank her best friend, Taryn Hand, who never once let her give up on her acting dreams and who is always her biggest cheerleader.

“I love you so much, Taryn, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you by my side.”

Micah A. O’Neal (Ensemble 6) is a freshman Musical Theatre major.

This will be his Carthage College debut. He is honored to be a part of this incredible project as a performer and musician. He can also be seen Pole Vaulting here for Carthage for the track team. Micah has previously performed in MAMMA MIA at East Lansing High School where he played Sky and Fredrick Fellows in NOISES OFF. He has also been seen as a dancer for Karyn’s Dance Place where he did 3 years of contemporary partner dancing, 2 years of musical theater, and boys Ballet. He would like to thank his friends, family, and all of his previous teachers for their support and belief in him. Follow him on instagram @micahaoneal

production team and crew biographies Ali Viterbi (Playwright) is a playwright, television writer, and educator.

Her play IN EVERY GENERATION received its world premiere at Victory Gardens Theater in 2022 and its west coast premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in 2023. Ali’s work has been developed and/or commissioned by Geffen Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Round House Theatre, National New Play Network, San Diego REP, HERE Arts Center, The Barrow Group, and North Coast Repertory Theatre, among others.

Herschel Kruger (Director) Department Chair and Professor of Theatre. During the 2008-2009 school year Professor Kruger established the New Play Initiative commissioning original works each year for the Carthage Theatre Program. Professor Kruger has directed four of the new plays from this series including UP AND AWAY, written by Eric Simonson (KCACTF Citizen Artist Award, Distinguished Costume Design, and eight commendations for Distinguished Achievement, 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe participant) NO NAME, written by Jeffrey Hatcher (2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe participant), GHOST BIKE, written by Laura Jacqmin (2013, five KCACTF national awards including; Distinguished New Play, Directing, Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Outstanding Scenic Design) HONEST, written by Eric Simonson (2010, winner of four KCACTF national awards including Distinguished Curricular Development, Playwriting, and two Distinguished Performance awards). Additionally, Herschel directed the staged reading of Mikaley Osley’s One-Act play MATILDA’S CHARACTER which was named a KCACTF Region 3 winner.

In January of 2024, Professor Kruger was honored with the KCACTF Gold Medallion. The Medallion honors individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Professor Kruger has directed more than 30 productions at Carthage, and teaches both acting and directing classes, and a variety of other theatre classes. He has led more than ten separate J-term study tours to Greece, New York City (6), Scotland (3), and Germany to study theatre.

production team and crew biographies He has worked as an actor and director in New York, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Professor Kruger earned his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois, is a graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory Professional Actors Training program in New York City, and holds a BA in Theatre Communication from Cardinal Stritch University.

Paige Downey (Assistant Director/Assistant Stage Manager) is a Junior Stage Management and Directing double major with a minor in Dance.

She is very excited to be assistant directing Life Cycle of a Star! This is her 7th production at Carthage College, with three more already in the works. Her Main Stage credits at Carthage included dancing in IN THE MOMENT DANCE SHOW Fall 2022, Co Stage Manager for FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE Spring 2023, Costume Crew for LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Spring 2023, Stage Manager for THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT Fall 2023, Costume Crew for IN/VISIBLE DANCE SHOW Fall 2023.

Studio credits include Stage Manager for WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN spring 2024. Paige is also the recipient of the KCACTF Emerging Stage Manager Award for her work on The Genderless Play Experiment.

She would like to give a special thank you to her friends and family for always being her biggest supporters. “Thank you guys for all your support. I couldn’t have done it without you!” Insta: @Paigemary07 Olivia Bissonette (Stage Manager) has participated in six Carthage Theatre productions, having stage managed over sixteen total productions throughout her career, most recently including THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL (4 Community Theatre) and NINE (Carthage College). Liv is currently a junior pursuing a stage management major along with creative writing and French minors, and is also a worker in Carthage’s Office of Visual and Performing Arts along with working in both Carthage Theatre’s costume and scene shops. She is excited to share this beautiful story with you all and would like to dedicate this performance to her family in the stars: Grandpa Jerry, Papa Yoda, and Uncle Quinn. To share Quinn’s words: “In the end, it is the person you’ve become, not the things you have achieved, that is most important. You only get one go around and you can’t take any of it with you. Live your life.”

production team and crew biographies Maureen Chavez-Kruger (Scenic Designer) As a Scenic Designer and Assistant Professor of Theatre, Maureen is delighted to be a part of the 2024-25 Carthage Theatre season. Her regional design work includes productions at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, First Stage, Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Lawrence University, and UW-Milwaukee: Peck School of the Arts. Most recent scenic design work: NUNCRACKERS, BEEHIVE: THE 60’s MUSICAL, and MY WAY at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; ON THE VERGE, and FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE at Carthage College; TWELFTH NIGHT, and MAJOR BARBARA at UW-Milwaukee: Peck School of the Arts. Maureen holds an MFA in Scene Design from Boston University and served as a board member for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (2014-2020).

Kim Instenes (Costume Designer) 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 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.

production team and crew biographies Owen Holecko (Technical Director/Sound Design) is a sophomore double majoring in Playwriting and Theatrical Directing. Carthage credits: ELEEMOSYNARY (Stage Manager), NINE (Assistant Stage Manager), and CARRIE (Assistant Stage Manager). Other production credits: LEGALLY BLONDE (Student Director), THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Stage Manager), and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JUNIOR (Stage Manager). Other acting credits: PUFFS (Ernie Mac), ANASTASIA (Count Ipolitov), and SEUSSICAL (Ensemble). He would like to thank his parents and sister for always supporting him in everything he does!

Jessica Baker (Co-Lighting Designer) is the Arts Technician and Production Manager at UW Parkside and has been designing shows at Parkside since 2018. Summer of 2023 and 2024 she was the lighting designer for Company Class at First Stage and most recently designed lights for She Kills Monsters. Jessica has had the pleasure to also work at College of Lake County, Todd Wehr Theatre, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Great River Shakespeare Festival and the Sante Fe Opera.

Ro Longden (Co-Lighting Designer/Light Board Operator) is a freshman Technical Direction, Computer Science, and Data Science major.

They’ve enjoyed contributing to Life Cycle of a Star as their first college production. They’ve worked on many shows, including Songs for a New World, Puffs!, Mean Girls, and Radium Girls. Ro is excited to start their time with Carthage College with an impactful play and a fantastic crew and cast.

Gina Laurenzi (Choreographer) is a mover, maker, researcher and educator. Laurenzi graduated from the University of WI-Milwaukee where she earned her MFA in dance. Before beginning her chapter in Milwaukee, she was awarded a full merit scholarship to train at Giordano Dance Chicago, later performing with Giordano II and Inaside Chicago Dance, among other Chicago artists. For seven years, Laurenzi owned and operated Laurenzi Dance (Kenosha, WI). In her hometown of Kenosha, Laurenzi presented work regularly and mentored local dance artists of all ages. Choreographing for many arts organizations every season, Laurenzi has set work on dancers of the UW-Milwaukee Dance Dept., Water Street Dance Milwaukee, Danceworks Youth Performance

prodcution team and crew biographies Company (DYPC), Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE), Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Makaroff Youth Ballet (Appleton, WI), Carthage College dance students and the Milwaukee Ballet’s PreProfessional Program students. Since living in Milwaukee, Laurenzi has been able to perform the works of Daniel Burkholder, Simone Ferro, Marie Gillespie, Dani Kuepper, Deb Loewen, Jenni Reinke, Dan Schuchart, Dawn Springer, Christal Wagner, and Morgan Williams.

Currently performing with Wild Space, DPMKE and Hyperlocal, Laurenzi works to maintain an active performance calendar and connections with many artists in the dance community. Laurenzi is presently a lecturer at the University of WI-Milwaukee and Co-artistic Director at Danceworks in Milwaukee.

Chase Portner (Composer/Musician) is a sophomore double majoring in Vocal Music Education and Music Composition with a minor in Theatre. Chase is so excited to make his Carthage Theatre debut with LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR first production at Carthage College!

Back home, Chase is a founder of Quad City based theatre company Proscenium Players and (Jason Dean), SCAPIN (Sylvestre), CHICAGO (Amos Hart), RENT (Tom Collins), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Tin Man) and ALL SHOOK UP (Jim Haller). Chase’s production credits include: LEND ME A TENOR (Director & Set Designer), EURYDICE (Assistant Director, Composer/Musician, Set/Light Design), and ALL IN THE TIMING (Director) through his very own theatre company, the Proscenium Players, that he founded following his senior year of high school. He would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for always pushing him to be the absolute best he can be and making sure he’s doing well overall. insta: @chase.portner Dom Luzwick (Percussionist) is a Sophomore musical theater major here at Carthage and is thrilled to be working on his second play here! Although you may have seen Dom as an actor on stage here at Carthage- XANADU (Danny/Zeus) CARRIE (Tommy Ross) NINE (Cardinal/Gondolier) he is very excited to be playing percussion for this production. Dom is involved in many ways here at Carthage including being on the cheer team, serving as the Secretary for APO, the Treasurer for Jazz Combo, and the spirit team rep for student government. Much love to his family and friends especially his mom

production team and crew biographies who always pushes him to his fullest potential. Shoutout to Annelise <3 IG: Dom_luzwick Alyssa Sargis (Stage Crew Head) is a sophomore studying theatre education and spends most of her time in the scene shop. Last season, she worked on many shows, including projection and audio design for ON THE VERGE as well as sound mixer for THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT. She would like to thank all the wonderful friends she has made along the way, her professors, and her family for their continuous support. Enjoy the show :) Emma Mehnert (Costume Crew Head) is a sophomore double major in costume design and graphic design. She recently designed costumes for the Studio Theatre production of ELEEMOSYNARY and has been involved in theatre for nine years. Emma has designed costumes for multiple productions including THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT. McKenna Dehn (Costume Crew) is a sophomore theatre performance and sociology double major and a women and gender studies minor.

This is her 7th official show here at Carthage College. She did the spotlight for CARRIE and NINE and costumes for ON THE VERGE and AWAY FROM THE MIRROR 2024 in which she was the Costume Head.

She was also one of the Assistant Stage Managers for XANADU. She has also acted in the directing scenes of CRY IT OUT and DRUNKEN CITY and the studio show WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN (Ensemble 3). She would like to thank the cast, the rest of the production team, and Hershel for making this show so special. She would especially like to thank her family and friends for being her strongest supporters throughout the years.“Thank you guys for all of your help! Without you, I could not have completed it!” Insta:@mckennajo12 Susana Alexander (Costume Crew) is a first year Costume Design Major. This is her very first production with Carthage. She is incredibly excited to grow and learn within the environment fostered by this show.

Logan Gonzalez (Sound Board Operator) would like to thank his loving family and friends for their support. He has previously worked on prior Wright College productions such as THE HUMANS, PUTNAM

production team and crew biographies COUNTY SPELLING BEE, RIDE THE CYCLONE, and ALL NEW PEOPLE. This will be his debut in working in a Carthage Production.

Jessie Skonesey (Marketing) is a junior theatre performance major with a minor in french. Carthage Roles include: Antigone in ANTIGONE, Ms: Delaney in FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE, Stranger in GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT, Alex in ON THE VERGE, Artie in ELEEMOSYNARY. Positions in the department also include class rep and faculty fellow. She is so excited to promote this wonderful work of art for all to love.

Ellie Neybert (Marketing) is a senior Music Theatre and Self-Designed Theatre Production Major with an emphasis in Choreography.

Carthage Credits: Carrie White in CARRIE THE MUSICAL, Luisa U/S, Co-Dance Captain, and Ensemble in NINE, Dance Captain/ Ensemble Swing in LEGALLY BLONDE, Portia U/S and Ensemble in SOMETHING ROTTEN, The Girl in MEMENTO MORI, and Professor Bhaer in LITTLE WOMEN (workshop). Ellie would like to thank her friends and family for their support and encouragement. Instagram: @ellie.neybert.

carthage theatre faculty Rich Ashworth.............................................................Instructor Of Dance Jenny Bauer................................................................ Instructor of Theatre Brennin Beelow......................................................... Instructor of Theatre Maureen Chavez-Kruger............. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre Jessica Connelly........................................................ Instructor Of Theatre Rebecca Crystal............................................................Instructor Of Dance Dave Gonzalez...........................................................Fight Choreographer, Instructor of Theatre Cari Holmes.................................................................Instructor Of Dance Kim Instenes................................................................. Costume Designer, Associate Professor of Theatre Herschel Kruger............................................................. Department Chair, Professor of Theatre Martin McClendon..................................................... Professor of Theatre Ken Miller................................................................... Instructor of Theatre Stacy Pottinger.....................................................Head of Dance Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance Jenny Reed....................................................................Instructor Of Dance Dr. Neil Scharnick............................................................. Honors Director, Associate Professor of Theatre Zackary “SLiM” Simonini.............................................Technical Director, Instructor of Theatre Grace Weir........................................................... Costume Shop Assistant, Instructor of Theatre