THE CAST
Based on the book
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
Script by Mo Willems & Mr. Warburton
Lyrics by Mo Willems
Directed by Caitlin Lowans
Scenic Design Colyer Dermody
Sound Design
Alex Drelich
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Musical Director J. Chang-Tablada
Lighting Design
Holly A. Rawls
Production Stage Manager
Abi Walls
Puppet Design
Katy Williams
Costume Design
Lauren Asselin
Original Dramaturgy
Megan Alrutz
This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2019-2020 Season.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)'s rights and actionable under United States copyright law.
The Pigeon Katy Williams
The Bus Driver
Alex Campbell
Businessman & Others Kate Hertz
Bus Engine & Others
Tracy Taylor
Teenager & Others
Carla Brown
Little Old Lady & Others
Isaiah Culling
ACTORS
Katy Williams (Pigeon / Puppet Design) is a Colorado based puppeteer, fabricator, producer, and director. Katy loves all puppetry, specializing in creatures, suitcase crankies, and front facing shadow puppetry. Her mission is to accessibly spread the joy of puppetry in the Rocky Mountains, and she has been influential in implementing the art form in recent Colorado theatre. Katy is responsible for starting the Rocky Mountain Puppet Slam in 2018, producing three slams a year. She also created the children's festival, Puppet Palooza. In 2019 she received the prestigious True West Award for her work. She was a featured presenter and performer at the National Puppetry Festival 2019 and 2023, serves on the board of Puppeteers of America as the Treasurer, and is the President of the Rocky Mountain Puppetry Guild. Most recently her puppets and puppet direction were enjoyed by audiences in Theatreworks’ The Little Prince. Katy is thrilled to be both behind the scenes and onstage for this show, building the puppets and bringing the beloved pigeon to life! Special thanks to Cory and Sammy of WYNOT productions for their puppet support! She is thankful to you and your families for coming to see live theatre and supporting local artists. And most importantly:
DON’T
LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
See more of Katy’s work at katywilliamsdesign.com.
Alex Campbell (Bus Driver) Is exceedingly blessed to join this incredibly talented group of individuals with Don’t Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus. She recently had the chance to perform in Little Red: A New Musical! with The Denver Center for the Preforming Arts; where she also had the opportunity to work as an Intimacy Choreographer for DCPA’s pro-duction of Clyde’s last fall. Previous acting credits at the CSFAC include R&H’s Cinderella (Ella), Bye Bye Birdie (Rose Alvarez), Shrek the Musical (Dragon). Alex has also performed with Theatreworks (King Hedley II, The Bluest Eye), The Great River Shakespeare Festival (Twelfth Night, The Tempest ), The Connecticut Repertory Theatre ( As You Like It, The Cherry Orchard, Men on Boats), and will be joining The Curious Theatre Company’s production of Cullud Wattah this May. Alex enjoys teaching acting with The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Education’s Youth and Adult programs, as well as at local universities, (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and University of Northern Colorado). Alex is filled with gratitude for the love, support, and grounding gifted to her from her family. As a teaching artists, Alex enjoys working with The Denver Center for the Preform-ing Arts Education’s Youth and Adult programs; as well as at local universities (The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and The University of Northern Colora-do). Alex is filled with gratitude for the love, support, and grounding gifted to her from her family. MFA UConn 2020. Alexcampbellactor.com
Kate Hertz (Businessman & Others) is thrilled to work with the Fine Arts Center for the first time! Kate is a local actor, playwright, visual artist, bass guitarist, and Springs Ensemble Theatre (SET) member. At SET, you may have seen Kate as Morse in One Flea Spare in 2021. Kate has also performed on the beautiful stages of the Millibo Art Theatre (Push, Pull, Split, Spin) and the Iron Springs Chateau (Columbia in Rocky Horror ), and worked with amazing companies like Theatreworks (puppeteer in Snowy Tales), Theatre Across Borders (Push, Pull, Split, Spin), and WYNOT Productions (Christmas Eve in Avenue Q). Plays written by Kate have been performed at SET, Pikes Peak State College, and at Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin, Illinois.
Tracy Nicole Taylor (Bus Engine, & Others) is so excited to be back upstairs to bring you this fun show. Tracy has performed with the FAC theatre company since 2010, performing in numerous shows on both FAC stages. Most recently she was seen in Elf the Musical, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Cinderella. Other regional credits include La Cage Aux Folles (Town Hall Arts Center), SWING! (Country Dinner Playhouse), and Grease/My Partner (Butte Theatre). Her last show on this stage was The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, right as the world shut down, which makes it even more special to be back here today. Eternal gratitude to her family, partner, and friends.
Carla Brown (Teenager & Others) is delighted to be a part of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Carla is a proud Army veteran and a current student at UCCS pursuing an undergraduate degree in theatre and dance performance. Some previous credits include Steel Magnolias as Shelby (Theatreworks, CO), A Raisin in the Sun as Beneatha (Pealer Performing Arts Center, MD), Avenue Q as Gary Coleman (Forum Theatre, PA), Summer on Fire as Gwynn (Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, NC), and Hairspray as Ensemble (Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, PA). Carla has also done voiceover work in the Harbor Podcast as Kiln and double/ stunt work for the TV show Sleepy Hollow. Carla would like to express gratitude to her pillars of support—Christian, Cora, and Calla—for their unwavering love.
Isaiah Culling (Little Old Lady & Others) is an actor and singer from Colorado Springs, CO. You may have seen their recent work as Xantheus in Midge and the Butcher with Springs Ensemble Theatre, or as Elvis in Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Circus of the Night: Angels for Elvis with Millibo Art Theatre. While their love of theatre began as early as kindergarten, their more frequent practice began in the 8th grade and continued into high school. After graduating, they began their study of theatre at the University of Northern Colorado and have since transferred to Pikes Peak State College where they now study music and dance alongside theatre. Since moving back to the Springs, they’ve immersed themself in the local theatre community and expanded their love of dance, music, and puppetry. You may have also seen them in musicals such as Matilda: The Musical with Elevate Productions and Seussical: The Musical with Kaleidoscope/CIVA Charter High School, or in shows at PPSC such as John Proctor is the Villain, Laundry, and My Two Bosses. Isaiah is very excited to perform their first professional role in a musical at the Fine Arts Center, and hopes you enjoy the show!
DESIGN TEAM
Caitlin Lowans (Director) is a theatre director, arts educator, and community-builder who has served as the Producing Artistic Director at Theatreworks Colorado Springs since 2018. Prior to Theatreworks, Caitlin pursued their MFA in Directing at Northwestern and served as the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education at Greater Boston Stage Company (formerly Stoneham Theatre), north of Boston. Recent directing projects include Little Prince, Taming of the Shrew, Lumberjacks in Love!, Witch by Jen Silverman, and Free-For-All: Tempest at Theatreworks, as well as Rocky Horror Show for Phamaly Theatre Company and Silence for Colorado College. Next up, catch Caitlin directing (and collaborating again with the
fantastically talented J. Chang-Tablada) in Into the Woods in Concert featuring the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs at Theatreworks in March 2024.
Mo Willems (Author) #1 New York Times Bestseller Mo Willems began his career as a writer and animator for PBS' Sesame Street, where he garnered 6 Emmy Awards for his writing. During his nine seasons at Sesame Street, Mo also served as a weekly commentator for BBC Radio and created two animated series, Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats and Cartoon Network's Sheep in the Big City. While serving as head writer for Cartoon Network's #1 rated show, Codename: Kids Next Door, Mo began writing and drawing books for children. His debut effort, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! became a New York Times Bestseller and was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2004. The following year Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale was awarded a Caldecott Honor. The sequel, Knuffle Bunny Too: a Case of Mistaken Identity garnered Mo his third Caldecott Honor in 2008. In addition to picture books, Mo created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of "Easy Readers", which were awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009 and a Geisel Honor in 2011. For older audiences he has published an illustrated memoir of his year-long trip around the world in 1990-91 entitled You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons. Mo's drawings, wire sculptures, and ceramics (done in collaboration with his father) have exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the nation and his graphic story about his family experiences during 9-11 for DC comics resides in the Library of Congress' permanent collection. Mo has been heard on NPR's All Things Considered where he occasionally serves as the broadcast's 'Radio Cartoonist'. While no longer working in television, Mo voices and produces animated cartoons based on his books with Weston Woods studios. The animated Knuffle Bunny was awarded Best Film during the New York International Children's Film Festival in 2008 and received the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 2007. The animated Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! garnered Mo his second Carnegie Medal in 2010. Mo wrote the script and lyrics for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, commissioned by the Kennedy Center for its 2010 season. Mo lives in Massachusetts with his family.
J. Chang-Tablada (Music Director) is thrilled to be in his 8th season of music directing and performing at the Fine Arts Center! Thank you to this incredible cast and creative team. ChangTablada, a mixed-race Asian American artist of Filipino, Korean, and Irish descent, LOVES the FAC’s commitment to representation in live theatre. J. Is honored to be one of Colorado Springs’ most prolific Music Directors, known for his work with the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Theatreworks, and the Millibo Art Theatre. An accomplished entertainer in his own right, J. frequently takes the stage himself and is so excited to bring his solo cabaret residency, Songs in the Key of J. to the Fine Arts Center’s 2023-2024 Season. @jchangtablada
Lauren Asselin (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be designing her first show at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. In 2022, she received a BA in Theatre from the University of Denver. She has a BA in Theatre from the University of Denver. She has been a stitcher in the CSFAC’s costume shop since 2021 and has been a part of the wardrobe crew for many of their recent productions. Her past design work includes The Final Interrogation, M. Riverside, and The Wolves, Eye to Eye and Broken Hearts (DU). Lauren would like to thank her mentors, Janice and SB, as well as her parents for their support and encouragement. She would also like to express her gratitude to Chris and Caitlin for this wonderful opportunity.
Colyer Dermody (Scenic Design) a general theatre practitioner and former rancher/ hunting outfitter originally from Sonora, TX, has gone back to his roots in theatre by joining the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s staff as the Scene Shop Supervisor. Colyer got his BFA in Theatre Performance with concentrations in Directing, Scenic Design and Scenic Construction from Baylor University in Waco, TX. Then, designed Twelfth Night and The Amish Project as a freelance scenic designer for Baylor. Colyer worked as the Assistant Technical Director for the Savana Summer Theatre Institute in Savana, GA for a season and as a Production Manager at Theatre 3 in Dallas, TX, before changing his career path to ranching and hunting. He is excited to turn his page back to theatre and all the creative opportunities to come, including Scenic Design for the FAC’s production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Alex Drelich (Sound Design) joined our theatre company staff in July of 2022 as the Head of Sound. Alex holds a BA degree in Theatrical Design/Production from the University of Northern Iowa, class of 2020. He brings experience as a performer, technician, and audio engineer to the team.
Holly Anne Rawls (Light Design) graduated from CU Boulder a long time ago with a lucrative pair of degrees – Technical Theatre and Anthropology. For the past eighteen seasons at the FAC she has held the position of master electrician, Lighting Director, and Resident Lighting Designer, and has helped build the technical side of the Youth Rep program. In addition, she has designed many, many FAC productions including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (for which she won the 2020 Henry Award for Lighting Design), Intimate Apparel, Fun Home (for which she won the 2017 Henry Award for Lighting Design), Barnum, Man of La Mancha (for which she won the 2016 Henry Award for Lighting Design), 4000 Miles, The Wizard of Oz (for which she won a joint PPAC award), Gypsy, Other Desert Cities, and Sweeney Todd (for which she won a Denver Post Ovation award). Before joining the FAC, Holly worked for the Lyric Music Theatre and Macky Auditorium at CU Boulder and taught technical theatre at Lewis Palmer High School. Holly enjoys spending her off hours next to the fire pit with her amazing daughter. She would like to thank Chris for everything. Hrawls.wixsite.com/website
Abi Walls (Stage Manager) Abi is a writer, director, producer, performer, stage manager, carpenter, and technician who—in addition to these many hats—juggles balls, pins, and pastry knives. They first began stage managing productions while a student at Colorado College, with musicals such as Spring Awakening and William Finn's Elegies. Some of their recent stage management credits include the new play series East Side Stories: Actually at Metropolitan Playhouse, Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky at Colorado College, and the Fine Arts Center's 2023 summer production of Footloose.
Madison Dillon (Associate Lighting Designer) Earlier this week Madison turned on the lights in the kitchen and was like, "Hey, that was cool." Now she is the Associate Lighting Designer for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! She also flips light switches downstairs on the FAC Mainstage as the head electrician. Some recent lighting design credits include When Night Meets Day, All at Once (Ormao Dance Co), Every Brilliant Thing (Colorado College Theatre Workshop), and Have Mercy! The Comeback (Colorado College Dance Workshop).
