THE MOORS
Directed
by Hershel Kruger
March 20-21 | 7:30 p.m.
March 26-28 | 7:30 p.m.
March 22 | 3 p.m.
Wartburg Theatre
program
cast
Agatha .............................................................................................................. Allie Gourlie
Hudle y .......................................................................................................... Madison Jones
Emilie..........................................................................................................Lorelai Amborn
Marjory ............................................................................................................. Layla Nemri
T he Mastiff ...................................................................................................... Alex Benassi
A Moor-Hen .............................................................................................. Kylene McNeese
production team and crew
Director......................................................................................................Herschel Kruger
Stage Manager....................................................................................Savanna Dipres-Filer
Scenic Designer .......................................................................... Maureen Chavez-Kruger
Costume Designer ..................................................................................... Emma Mehnert
Technical Director ................................................................................... Grace Kirk Lazar
Lighting Designer ............................................................................................. Lisa Gifford
Sound Design ................................................................. Owen Holecko, Herschel Kruger
Scenic Artists................................................................. Martin McClendon, Chase Juster
Property Master..................................................................................................Jim Schulz
Assistant Director ........................................................................................ Owen Holecko
Assistant Stage Manager ........................................................................... Jordan Lovelace
Sound Board and Mix .................................................................................... Julie DeFauw
Stage Crew................................................................... Trevor Sinclair, Maggie O'Connell, Lauren Krakora
Costume Crew Head ............................................................................ Sussana Alexander
Costume Crew .............................................................. Triniti Redlin, Laure Diaz-Miethe
Light Board Operator ................................................................................. Logan Gonzalez
Costume Design Thesis Advisor Kim Instenes
carthage theatre faculty
Rich Ashworth ..................................................................................... Instructor of Dance
Breannin Beelow............................................................................... Instructor of T heatre
Melissa Benson ...................................... Costume Shop Assistant, Instruc tor of Theatre
Maureen Chavez-Kruger .....................................Adjunc t Assistant Professor of Theatre
Rebecca Crystal .................................................................................... Instructor of Dance
Elizabeth Harrison ............................................................................... Instructor of Dance
Grace Kirk-Lazar ....................................................................................Technical Director
Kim Instenes .................................... Costume Designer, Associate Professor of Theatre
Herschel Kruger ................................................ Department Chair, Professor of T heatre
Martin McClendon ............................................................................ Professor of Theatre
Stacy Pottinger Head of Dance Program, Adjunc t Assistant Professor of Dance
Dr. Neil Scharnick ................................ Honors Direc tor, Associate Professor of Theatre
Jesse Todd .......................................................................................... Instructor of Theatre
Hillary Vacarello................................................................................... Instructor of Dance
Special Thanks
Costume and Scene Shop workers
Matthew Hougland
Dean Corinne Ness
Directors Notes
I would like to officially welcome everyone to the renovated Wartburg Theatre and our opening production of THE MOORS, by Jen Silverman. I met Jen Silverman at the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival in 2016 when I was on a panel of theatre companies and college programs that support new works. I heard about her new play THE MOORS and bought a copy eager to read another one of her plays. It immediately made my short list of potential shows to direct and I used it a couple of times in my Acting II course to get a feel for how it would play and how students would engage with the play. In its simplest form it is a play about two sisters and their dog who live out on The English Moors in Victorian England. The Moors are depicted as a dangerous place where only the strong can survive. When a new governess arrives a series of events are set into motion from which there is no turning back. The Moors is a dark comedy about love, desperation, and visibility. Even though it is set in the past this is a play about today. We struggle with many of the same issues, especially the isolation we may feel in the modern world of technology and social media. The desire to be seen, connect with other people and find validation is the driving force that sets each of the characters on track to meet their destiny.
cast biographies
Alle Gourlie (Agatha): Alle is a sophomore major in Vocal Music Education with a minor in Musical Theatre. She is thrilled to be in her first play! Previous roles at Carthage include Ensemble/Soul Girl/U/S Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Philoclea in HEAD OVER HEELS on the mainstage. Another credit to include is Hooker/Nun in SISTER ACT (Northern Lakes Arts Association, Ely, MN) Alle would like to thank her family, her little brother, and the 3 women in the cave who have always supported her. Enjoy the show!
Lorelai Amborn (Emilie): Lorelai is thrilled to be performing in her sixth Carthage production! Previous roles at Carthage include Pontius Pilate (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Ensemble (LIFE IS A DREAM), Echo/Artie/Dorothea Understudy (ELEEMOSYNARY), Claudia Nardi (NINE), and You 5-The Leader (THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT). Lorelai is also a member of the Carthage Choir, Lincoln Chamber Singers, and music fraternity Lambda Kappa. Lorelai would like to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support, as well as thank her grandfather Bob Gall for teaching her how to play the ukulele. Please enjoy the show!
Alex Benassi (The Mastiff): is a freshman majoring in music education with a minor is musical theater. He is super excited to work with the incredible cast and crew. Previous roles at Carthage include Doug in a directing scene from GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES as well as Anthony in a directing scene from I AND YOU.
Kylene McNeese (A Moor-hen): Kylene is excited to make her debut on the Carthage Main Stage!! She is a freshman psychology major with a double minor in musical theatre and french. Other roles include Liesl in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (La Crosse Community Theater,
cast biographies
La Crosse) and Ensemble in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (La Crosse Community Theatre, La Crosse). She wants to thank her family, her partner, her cat Linus, and God for supporting her!!
Layla Nemri (Marjory): Layla is a junior Music Education major with a minor in Music Theatre. She is thrilled to take part in her first mainstage production here at Carthage with this amazing group! Her previous roles at Carthage include TERMINAL EXHALE (Halleh Akbarnia), WHEREVER YOU'VE BEEN (Assistant Stage Manager), and the staged reading of LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR. Outside of the theatre, Layla is a member of Carthage Choir and the Lincoln Chamber Singers. She also serves as the president of Lambda Kappa. Layla would like to thank her family for being her first 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 amazing show! IG: @layla.nemri
Madison Jones (Huldey): Madison could not think of a better first show to do at Carthage than THE MOORS. She is a freshman from Milwaukee with a double major in Theater Performance and Playwriting. Her summer plans include traveling to New York in June and always seeking inspiration for her next play! Enjoy the show!
production team and crew biographies
Herschel Kruger (Director) Department Chair and Professor of Theatre. During the 20082009 school year Professor Kruger established the New Play Initiative commissioning original works each year for the Carthage Theatre Program. Professor Kruger has directed five of the new plays from this series including LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR, written by Ali Viterbi (2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe participant), 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 12 separate J-term study tours for students including Greece, New York City (7), Scotland (3), and Germany to study theatre. 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.
production team and
Maureen Chavez-Kruger (Scenic Designer, Assistant Professor of Theatre) Maureen holds an MFA in Scene Design from Boston University and a BA in Interior Design/Studio Arts from Mount Mary University. She continues to work as a freelance Scenic Designer in the Milwaukee area. Maureen’s design work includes productions at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Next Act Theatre and the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Lawrence University, and UW-Milwaukee: Peck School of the Arts. Her most recent scenic design work: NUNCRACKERS, BEEHIVE: THE 60’s MUSICAL, and MY WAY at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; TWELFTH NIGHT, and MAJOR BARBARA at UW-Milwaukee: Peck School of the Arts; and LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Carthage College. Maureen was awarded “Distinguished Achievement” from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for her scenic design, A Seat at the Table: The Testimony of Fannie Lou Hamer by Regina Taylor. She also served on the board for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (2014-2020). Maureen is delighted to be a part of the 2025-26 Carthage Theatre Season.
Martin McClendon (Scenic Artist) 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. In addition, Martin has worked with students and fellow faculty over the past nine years to create original verbatim plays which have been honored with several KC/ACTF awards, including the Rosa Parks Playwriting Award and several Citizen Artist awards. 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 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.
Grace Kirk-Lazar (Technical Director): Grace is the Technical Director at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Grace holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Peck School of the Arts at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She has been the Technical Director for Carthage’s productions of JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR(Mainstage), EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH(Mainstage), THE BLUE BIRD(Mainstage), DEAR ELIZABETH(Studio) and LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC(Studio). For THE BLUE BIRD(Mainstage) she was also the Properties Lead. She has worked as a Shop Sub-Manager for shows such as TWELFTH NIGHT(Mainstage, UW Milwaukee), THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI(Mainstage, UW Milwaukee), FEMALE TRANSPORT(Studio, UW Milwaukee), TROJAN WOMEN(Mainstage, UW Milwaukee) and A PIECE OF MY HEART(Studio, UW Milwaukee). Grace was also the Sound Designer for TWELFTH NIGHT(Mainstage, UW Milwaukee) and A PIECE OF MY HEART(Studio, UW
Milwaukee). She has been the prop artisan/lead for WITTENBERG(Mainstage, Concordia Chicago), WINTER’S TALE(Mainstage, Concordia Chicago) and IN THE NEXT ROOM (or THE VIBRATOR PLAY)(Mainstage, UW Milwaukee). Grace has worked at multiple venues such as the Pabst, Milwaukee Rep, Riverside and Fiserv Forum in the City of Milwaukee through the I.A.T.S.E. Stagehand Union in positions focused on set up and strike of large scale productions.
Emma Mehnert (Costume Designer): Emma is a junior double major in Costume Design and Graphic Design at Carthage College. She has been involved in theatre for about ten years and has been designing for five. Recent shows she has designed include Carthage's past productions of TERMINAL EXHALE and ELEEMOSYNARY during her sophomore year. She also worked as the costume crew head for LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR during its run at Carthage and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this past summer. She is super excited for you to see the show and hopes you enjoy!!
Jim Schulz (Props Master): Jim is a freshman major in Theatre- Technical Direction. Previous roles at Carthage include STAGEHAND in THE BLUEBIRD and LIGHTBOARD OPERATOR in EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH on the mainstage. Enjoy the show everyone!!
Owen Holecko (Assistant Director) is a sophomore double-majoring in Playwriting and Theatrical Directing. Carthage credits: LIFE IS A DREAM (Soldier), 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!
Jordan Lovelace (Assistant Stage Manager): Jordan is a freshman seeking a major in Theatre Performance. Prior roles at Carthage include two directing class production scenes, Logan Gonzalez's MEMORY OF THE FOG as The Author and Anthony in I AND YOU, by Lauren Gunderson. He has also held over 3 supporting roles in off campus productions and participated in 2 major shows held by The Baraboo Theatre Guild. Outside roles include, Juror #5 from 12 ANGRY JURORS (Baraboo, Platteville Campus), Peter Shaw in SILENT SKY (Griffin High, Griffin GA), and several other crew and background roles. Jordan would like to thank his brother Justin and mother Nicole for supporting his acting journey. He hopes to be of service to the cast and crew, learn from the production process, and help make this a great show!
Lisa Gifford (Lighting Designer): is delighted to return to Carthage College as the Lighting Designer for THE MOORS, reconnecting with the stages and mentors that first illuminated her artistic path. A proud Theatre major and member of the Class of 2006, Lisa discovered her passion for visual storytelling at Carthage, where late nights in shadowed wings and sunlit rehearsal rooms forged both her technical skill and her love of collaborative creation.
Since graduating, she has worked across educational, community, and professional theatre, crafting lighting designs that shape atmosphere, heighten tension, and guide the audience’s gaze through story. Her approach blends technical precision — from drafting and programming to cue structure and collaborative production processes — with a poetic sensibility, attuned to the moods and textures that light can conjure. Whether under the glow
of stage lights or shaping that glow from the control booth, Lisa has always been drawn to the magic of performance — the way a moment suspended in light and shadow can transform a story and the people experiencing it. Most recently, she has been seen in productions such as MOON OVER BUFFALO (Engle Lane Theatre: Streator, IL) as Charlotte, THE GREAT BEYOND (Morris Theatre Guild: Morris, IL) as Monica, SHREK (River Valley Players: Henry, IL) as Ugly Duckling, THE CEMETERY CLUB (Princeton Arts Council: Princeton, IL) as Lucille, and at Stage 212 in La Salle, IL. as Karen in JAKE'S WOMEN and Viney in THE MIRACLE WORKER. She also currently serves as Lighting Designer for CAROUSEL in the Theater Department at Aurora University Theatre in Aurora, IL. Lisa holds professional accolades and credits from her design and lighting work at Festival 56 in Princeton, IL for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and the 2006 KCACTF for PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE for Carthage College in Keonsha, WI.
Returning to Carthage feels like stepping back into a familiar echo, a place where her journey began, and she is thrilled to sculpt the shadows and illuminations that bring this haunting world to life. She extends her deepest gratitude to her family for their unwavering support, encouragement, and love throughout every step of her theatrical journey.
Savannah Dipres-Filer (Stage Manager): is a freshman majoring in Technical Stage Management and minoring in history. This will be her 15th show in total, her second at Carthage and her first production stage manager position. She is excited to be part of THE MOORS team and is ready to learn more every day! She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her, this wonderful cast and crew, the Redzone, for always being open when she needs it, and lastly shout out her dog Bella, whom she misses very much.
upcoming events
P Performing Arts S erforming Arts Series: Lak eries: Lakeside P eside Piano F iano Festival – S estival – Sara Daneshp ara Daneshpour our Sunday, March 22 • 2 p.m.
A. F. Siebert Chapel
Student Recital: Colin Campb Student Campbell – "Still Becoming" ell "Still Becoming"
Sunday, March 22 • 4 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Auditorium
Student Recital: A Student Ayden W yden Wildman – "S ildman – "Songs G ongs Greg Berg T reg Berg Taught M aught Mee" "
Saturday, March 28 • 4 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
P Piano Improvisation Recital iano
Sunday, April 12 • 1 p.m.
A. F. Siebert Chapel
P Performing Arts S erforming Arts Series: Alysha Umphress eries: Alysha Umphress Monday, March 30 • 7:30 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
G Graduatraduate Student Recital: M e Monica F onica Fegans – "My F egans – "My Future is Unlimit uture Unlimiteded" " Friday, April 10 • 7:30 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
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.