cast and crew
setting
Time: Modern Day
Place: A Trauma Bay in a Large American Hospital cast
Babak Sarani .................................................... Logan Gonzalez
Richard Gillard ................................................. Aiden Benewich
Allison Amateis ............................................. Katie Layendecker
Kellie Snooks ................................................... Amber Sherman
Joseph Sakran..................................................... Marcus Hanna
Colleen Trevino ......................................... Paige “PJ” Hebbring
Nina Agrawal..................................................... Annelise Lopez
Denzell Brown .............................................. Terrell T. Franklin
Melissa Chiu ....................................................... Maria Romero
Cassie Ferguson ..................................................... Olivia Litton
Halleh Akbarnia ...................................................... Layla Nemri
production team and crew
Director........................................................ Martin McClendon
Technical Director ........................... Zackary “SLiM” Simonini
Stage Manager ..................................................... Liv Bissonette
Costume Designer ............................................ Emma Mehnert
Scenic & Lighting Designer ....................... Martin McClendon
Sound Designer ............................................... Daniel Michalec
Dramaturg & Assistant to Director ................. McKenna Dehn
Assistant Stage Manager ....................................... Lilia Hackert
Costume Supervisor ............................................. Kim Instenes
Light Board Operator .......................................... Willow Newell
Sound Board Operator...................................... Emma Gillman
Run Crew ................................. Vivian Alexander, Lydia Sabath
Costume Crew Head .......................................Melissa Schmidt
Crew ................................................................. Matthew Corgiat
Special Technical Consultant ...... HM1(FMF) Joshua Zamber, Active Duty US Navy, Carthage College BSN ‘25
authors and sponsors
Terminal Exhale
Written By:
Michael Cotey, Martin McClendon, and The Carthage Verbatim Theatre Class of 2024:
Terrell Franklin, Owen Holecko, Grant Larkins, Katie
Layendecker, Stephanie Majer, Hope Posley, Ericka Sanchez, Nicolette Zawrazky
Terminal Exhale is based on the testimony of 11 healthcare workers, without whose participation the play would not exist.
The creation of Terminal Exhale was supported by a grant from The Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation. The production and related programming are supported by the Carthage Nursing Program, Everytown for Gun Safety/ Moms Demand Action, Darryl Morin and the 80% Coalition for Gun Violence Prevention, Carthage Theatre, and the Carthage Social Work Program.
special thanks
Carthage Theatre Costume and Scene Shop workers
Corinne Ness, Dean of Fine Arts and Humanities
Herschel Kruger, Chair, Carthage Theatre Department
Debbie Kelly, Carthage Social Work Department
Nancy Reese, Director, Carthage Nursing Program
Alex Thompson, Carthage Nursing Program
Austin Ryan, Nursing Simulation Specialist
Nick Matuszewski, Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort
Katharine Keenan, Carthage Advancement Office
Kristin Gritzner & Chantelle Hackney, Stop The Bleed, Ascension All Saints Hospital
Aiden Benewich (Richard Gillard) is a Freshman Musical Theatre Major and is delighted to be a part of his first production here at Carthage and his first ever play! You may have seen Aiden this past fall while he performed at Six Flags Great America as part of the SKELETON SQUAD. His other credits include Janesville Performing Arts’ MEAN GIRLS (Aaron Samuels), LEGALLY BLONDE (Prof. Callahan), Craig High School’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Gaston) and SPOTLIGHTERS SHOW CHOIR (Hades/Dance Captain). You may also catch him April 4th and 5th in the Carthage Dance Show AWAY FROM THE MIRROR! Aiden would like to thank all those who continue to support him and all his aspirations! He also thanks all those who made this show possible and hopes you enjoy TERMINAL EXHALE. IG: @ajbenewich
Terrell T. Franklin (Denzell Brown) is a Senior English major and part of his first ever production at Carthage. Terrell is also a co-writer for TERMINAL EXHALE. He has written and directed screenplays, published two novels and is now trying his hand at acting. He would like to thank everyone who made this show possible and for the ability to both write and act in a theatre production here at Carthage College.
Logan Gonzalez (Babak Sarani) is a Junior Theater Performance Major. He is excited to debut for Carthage Theatre in his first show here. Logan has been in previous shows at Wright College which include ALL NEW PEOPLE, RIDE THE CYCLONE, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and THE HUMANS. He has also worked on crew for Carthage’s show LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR. Logan would like to thank his loving parents, sister, grandparents and family. He would also like to thank his mentors Tom Murdock, Kristen Williams, Patrick Ham, Jonathan Cohen and Sharon Arnowitz for their guidance and belief in him because without them he wouldn’t be here doing theatre. Much love to all, especially the amazing cast, crew, and directing team. Please enjoy TERMINAL EXHALE.
Marcus Hanna (Joseph Sakran) is a Senior Biology Major and Chemistry Minor. Marcus has participated in shows at Community Players Theatre, which includes NEWSIES (Davey), and MARY POPPINS (Robertson Ay). At Carthage, he worked crew for TO THE
GROWTH EDGE. He would like to initially thank his parents Guy and Jennifer Hanna, and his roommates Jojo Colvin and Addie Saarenas for their unwavering support. Thank you for attending this performance and please enjoy TERMINAL EXHALE.
Paige “PJ” Hebbring (Colleen Trevino) is a junior double major in Theatre Performance and Secondary Education with a minor in English. She is excited to take part in another Carthage College production and to have been allowed to be a part of such a great team of artists. Her most memorable Carthage College Theatre credits are ANTIGONE (Chorus Member), THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT (You 4– The Performer), and FANNY (On the Verge). Since her freshman year, she has found a family in the Merely Players Improv Comedy troupe on campus and is now acting as the copresident! Always running around, she is also the head house manager of the VPA department and lends her hand backstage whenever she has time. She’d like to thank her friends, family, and bulldog Lucy for always supporting her and putting up with her busy schedule! She is extremely proud of everyone involved in TERMINAL EXHALE and hopes you all enjoy the show. IG: itspjhebbring
Katie Layendecker (Allison Ameteis) is a senior Theatre Performance and English major with an emphasis on creative writing at Carthage College. Previous productions include ANTIGONE (Messenger/ Chorus) in the Fall of 2022, THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT (You 2) in the Fall of 2023, and LIFE CYLE OF A STAR (Ensemble 3) in the Fall of 2024, all 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 is also a co-writer of TERMINAL EXHALE. 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.
Olivia Litton (Cassie Ferguson) is a Senior Musical Theatre Major and is thrilled to be in her fourth production at Carthage and her FIRST Carthage play! You may have seen her previously in Carthage’s production of XANADU (Melpomene), NINE (Saraghina), CARRIE (Miss Gardner), Elgin Community College’s productions of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Simon Zealotes), THE MAD ONES (Kelly), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Chiffon), or Fox Valley Theater Company’s FOOTLOOSE (Rusty). Olivia would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her, as well as the amazing cast, directing team, and production staff that made this show possible! IG: @liv.litton
Annelise Lopez (Nina Agrawal) is an Elementary Education and Special Education Major here at Carthage. Although this is Annelise’s first show at Carthage, she is no stranger to the acting world. In the past, you may have seen her writing or acting with POVS (point of view story), where she works on providing healing-centered agencies and facilitators with access to therapeutic short films—driving meaningful moments of healing for clients impacted by harm and violence in the sex industry. Annelise would like to thank her boyfriend for the amazing love and support she gets from him. She would also like to thank her family for always being there to support her with everything that she does in life, specifically her beautiful mother. “Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Bar!”
Layla Nemri (Halleh Akbarnia) is a Sophomore Music Education Major with a minor in Musical Theatre. She is so excited to step into her first role here at Carthage! Her previous work with the Carthage Theatre Department includes Assistant Stage Manager of WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN and the staged reading of LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR. Other previous productions at Oak Lawn Community High School include ANTIGONE (Antigone) and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Audrey). She would like to thank her family for being her first and biggest supporters, and her friends for their endless supply of laughter and love, whether they are here on campus or back home. She hopes you enjoy this wonderful show! IG: @layla.nemri
Maria Romero (Melissa Chiu) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre Major and is excited to be part of the verbatim theatre production:
TERMINAL EXHALE. This is Maria’s first show with Carthage College! Maria has previously been in shows at Fenwick High School such as BRIGHT STAR (Mama Murphy) and ROCK OF AGES (Dennis Dupree), and has done productions with BAM Theatre such as LES MISERABLES (Eponine) and A CHORUS LINE (Diana Morales). Recently, she has had the chance to be a part of Fright Fest and Six Flags Great America as a scare actor. She has always loved being on the stage and she would not have been able to get as far as she has without the help from her number one supporter, her mom, and many people who believed in her and her abilities. Maria can’t wait to show you what TERMINAL EXHALE has to offer!
Amber Sherman (Kellie Snooks) is a Sophomore Marketing Major with a double minor in Musical Theatre and Economics. She is very excited to be in this show as her first performance ever at Carthage! Amber was previously in shows at Wauconda High School such as SPAMALOT and INTO THE WOODS. She was also on crew for Carthage’s last dance show, TO THE GROWTH EDGE, running the light board. Amber would like to thank her family and friends for always being there and supporting her big dreams. She would also like to thank everyone who helped put this wonderful show together. She hopes that you enjoy!
Michael Cotey (Co-Author) has spent the last five years exploring theater’s role in gun violence prevention. In addition to codeveloping TERMINAL EXHALE, Michael is the creator and Joaquin Oliver Artistic Producer of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence (enoughplays.com), a national initiative encouraging teens to write short plays addressing this issue. Since its founding in 2019, ENOUGH! has empowered over 600 teen playwrights from 35 states, reached more than 14,000 audience members through 140 staged readings, and garnered attention from PBS NewsHour, NPR, and the BBC, and is the recipient of the 2024 TYA/USA Community Impact Award and the 2023 Goldin Foundation Exemplary Project recipient. He is also the director and one of the producers of GUAC, written and performed by Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin “Guac” Oliver was one of the 17 murdered in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL. GUAC premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theater and subsequently played Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., where it was Helene Hayes Recommended. Michael is the executive producer of a soon-to-bereleased short film adaptation of REHEARSAL, an ENOUGH! play highlighting the trauma of active shooter drills. Outside of his gun violence prevention work, Michael served as the Festival Producer for World Premiere Wisconsin from 2022-2024 and co-founded the legendary scrappy Milwaukee theatre, Youngblood. Directing credits: Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Cabinet of Curiosity, Gift Theatre, American Blues Theatre, and 1st Stage.
Martin McClendon (Director/Co-Author/Scenic & Lighting Designer) has worked with students and fellow faculty for a decade to create original verbatim plays. In 2024, Carthage Theatre was honored with a Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Citizen Artist award recognizing ten years of Carthage verbatim projects. Other KC/ACTF awards shared with student collaborators include: AFGHANISTAN/WISCONSIN (National Award for Distinguished Production), THE KENOSHA VERBATIM PROJECT (2024 Rosa Parks Playwriting Award) and FIGHTING FOR HOME (Citizen Artist Award) TERMINAL EXHALE was the second verbatim play written in collaboration with students enrolled in his Verbatim Theatre Techniques course; the first was FRONTLINE. Both focus
on healthcare workers and were co-created by theatre, nursing, and other students. Martin was also honored to receive the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Innovative Teaching Award for 201617 for his work with students in developing veteran theatre projects, including the Veteran Night of the Arts fundraiser. teaches, directs, paints 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. 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 Non-Equity 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). Oncamera 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.
Zackary “SLiM” Simonini (Technical Director) is thrilled to be working with the Carthage team yet again. Slim is at times the professor of Stagecraft here at Carthage and enjoys being able to continue to make theatre magic! He is a General Theatre graduate from the class of 2012. When not Tech Directing he enjoys acting. He can be seen in PLANETQUAKE!, WEEKEND DEADAWAY, and CONTINENTAL SPLIT. He would like to thank his family, friends, Tommy, Marty, and his lovely wife Allison Simonini. All of these wonderful people are owed a thank you for encouraging Slim to continue to pursue a life in the arts.
Liv Bissonette (Stage Manager) is a junior majoring in technical stage management and minoring in both creative writing and French. TERMINAL EXHALE is her eighth show at Carthage College, and career-wise marks her twenty-third show as stage manager for a production, having received four Certificates of Merit in stage management from The Kennedy Center American Collegiate Theatre Festival and recently having been a finalist in KCACTF’s Region 3 Stage Management Fellowship this past January. Some of Liv’s most recent and favorite stage management credits at Carthage include LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR, NINE, and CARRIE. Liv serves as president of Alpha Psi Omega (the Theatre Honor Society at Carthage), as a student worker for the Office of Visual and Performing Arts, and works in Carthage Theatre’s Scene and Costume Shops. She would like to thank her family, the cast and production team, and fellow Carthage SMs for their constant support and encouragement. And finally, thank you, the audience, for dedicating your time to seeing and hearing this incredible show; it is through your support and discussion of TERMINAL EXHALE that we can spread the impact of its message.
Emma Mehnert (Costume Designer) is a sophomore double major in costume design and graphic design. She has been involved in theatre for nine years and has been designing for four years. Shows that she has designed include Carthage’s production of ELEEMOSYNARY, Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT, and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. This is Emma’s second Carthage production as costume designer and she is so excited for you to see this incredible show!
Daniel Michalec (Sound Designer) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre-Technical Direction with a minor in Film and New Media. He has been involved in Theatre since his Sophomore year of high school. This will be his fifth time working on a Carthage production and he can not wait to have you see this amazing show!
McKenna Dehn (Assistant to the Director/Dramaturg) is a sophomore theatre performance and sociology double major and women and gender studies minor. This is her eighth official show here at Carthage College. She did the spotlight for CARRIE and NINE and costumes for ON THE VERGE, LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR, 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 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 Martin 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
Lilia Hackert (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore at Carthage College, double majoring in stage management and business management. She is so excited to be working on this impactful story. She has previously worked with Carthage as an Assistant Stage Manager for THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT, and the Stage Manager for ON THE VERGE and XANADU. She would like to thank the cast and crew of Terminal Exhale for their hard work and dedication to this show and especially thank Olivia Bissonette for being such a wonderful stage manager throughout this process. @lilihackert
Kim Instenes (Costume Supervisor) 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.
Willow Newell (Light Board Operator) is a senior at Carthage majoring in Musical Theatre and minoring in History. She previously worked crew for THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT, played Dionne in HAIR, acted in the directing scene CRY IT OUT, and directed the staged reading of Hope Posely’s ‘24 SUNDOWN. @willowiswillow
Emma Gillman (Sound Board Operator) is a senior at Carthage College, tech theatre major and minor in film and new media. She has previously worked ON THE VERGE as prop crew, FOOTLOOSE at BAM Productions as Sounds Effects Operator, MEMENTO MORI as Light Board Operator, and run crew for XANADU. She would like to thank the cast and crew of TERMINAL EXHALE for their hard work.
Vivian Alexander (Run Crew) is a junior Music Theatre major and this is her first time on the run crew for a Carthage production. Carthage credits include Sue Snell in CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, Erato/Hera in XANADU, and Our Lady of the Spa in NINE THE MUSICAL. Vivian really enjoys working with such great mentors like Martin and SLiM and is very excited to support her friends and colleagues from backstage in TERMINAL EXHALE!
Lydia Sabath (Run Crew) is a freshman Theatre student here at Carthage College. This is her first production here at Carthage and she couldn’t be more excited! Lydia is extremely grateful for all of the professors and fellow students she has met here at Carthage and couldn’t be more excited for the years ahead.
Melissa Schmidt (Costume Crew) is a senior, Theatre Performance major with a double-minor in Film & New Media and Social Justice. This is Melissa’s sixth show at Carthage and her first time working on costume crew. Her past mainstage acting credits include her senior thesis performance and Irene Ryan nomination in LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR (Lily), LEGALLY BLONDE (Enid Hoopes), as well as MEMENTO MORI (Alice). The ensemble of MEMENTO MORI performed for KCACTF at the Capitol Theatre in Flint, Michigan, as well as the
Gaiety School of Acting - Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, and the West End House in Killarney, Ireland. Her most recent show was ANASTASIA (Ballerina/Featured Dancer) at the Rhode Center of the Arts. Past shows with the Lakeside Players include SEUSSICAL (Wickersham), CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Frieda), and THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH ADDITION (Hair & Makeup). Melissa is Vice President of Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre Honors Society) and is on e-board for the Special Olympics and Yoga clubs. She looks forward to her first dance show this spring - AWAY FROM THE MIRROR, as well as her self-directed/produced independent film study. This August, she will be performing with the cast and crew of LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Melissa would like to extend her gratitude to her loved ones for all of their grace and support, as well as Martin for creating a Verbatim Theatre space. She hopes that you listen to these significant, verbatim walks of life, and enjoy the wonderful work from everyone involved!
IG: @itsmelissaschmidt
program notes
Terminal Exhale was co-written by Michael Cotey, founder of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence, which creates space for teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country. Their mission is to promote playwriting as a tool for self-expression and social change, harnessing this generation’s spirit of activism and providing a platform for America’s playwrights of tomorrow to discover and develop their voices today.
Visit enoughplays.com for more information.
Music Departmental - Brown Bag Concert Series
Thursdays, April 3-May 8 • 11:30 a.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Student Recital: Xianze Zhang
Thursday, April 3 • 7:30 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Away from the Mirror
Friday, April 4-5 • 7:30 p.m.
Wartburg Theatre
Student Recital: Emma Murphy
Saturday, April 5 • 4:00 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Performing Arts Series: Roomful of Teeth
Tuesday, April 8 • 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church-Kenosha
The 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.