Fine Arts Center Theatre Company's Rent Playbill

May 2–June 2, 2024

Book & Music by Jonathan Larson

Lyrics by Jonathan Larson and Billy Aronson

Directed by Marisa D. Hébert

Henry J. Bradley, CFP® Vice President, Financial Advisor

Portfolio Manager

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Jonathan D. Grant, MBA, CFP® First Vice President, Financial Advisor

Jonathan.D.Grant@morganstanley.com | 719.577.6327

Jeff W. Mohrmann, CFP® Vice President, Financial Advisor

Portfolio Manager, Insurance Planning Director

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Herman Tiemens II, MBA, CFP® Executive Director, Financial Advisor

Firework by Sydni Griffin

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Directed by Marisa D. Hèbert

Music Direction by Stephanie McGuffin

Scenic Design Frank J. Oliva

Lighting Design Josh Hemmo

Costume Design Pheobe Boynton

Sound Design Max Silverman

Choreographed by Nat Petit

Production Stage Manger Garth Moritz*

Assistant Stage Manager Kristen Wickersheim*

Producing Artistic Director Christopher L. Sheley

RENT was originally produced in New York by The New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway

By Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon, and The New York Theatre Workshop

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Sponsored by Members of the Fine Arts Center and Purple Mountain Group at Morgan Stanley

CAST

IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Mark Cohen....................................................................................... Christian Ray Robinson*

Roger Davis ....................................................................................................... Elton J. Tanega

Tom Collins ......................................................................................................... Bobby Bennett

Benjamin Coffin III Mark Autry*

Joanne Jefferson Cheerish Martin

Angel Schunard .................................................................................................... Micah Mims*

Mimi Marquez ..................................................................................................... Imani Gholson

Maureen Johnson ......................................................................................... Rebecca Myers*

Paul, Mr. Jefferson, The Man, and others Christopher Varano

Mrs. Jefferson, Coat Vendor, Season of Love Soloist, and others Dana Scurlock*

Gordon, Restaurant Man, and others .........................................................Robert Gabriel

Man with squeegee, Pastor, and others .............................................. Ronald McQueen

Steve, Junkie, Season Of Love Soloist, and others....................................... Jon Rodéz

Alexi Darling, Junkie, and others Tracy Nicole Taylor*

Mark’s Mom, Sue, and others Shannon Foley

Roger’s Mom, Pam, and others............................................................... Penina Eisenberg

UNDERSTUDIES

Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement For the appearance is made at the time of the performance.

For Roger and Mark (Roger cover for May 7 Student Matinee): Robert Gabriel; For Tom Collins and Angel: Jon Rodéz

For Benny: Ronald McQueen; For Maureen: Shannon Foley

For JoAnne: Dana Scurlock

THE BAND

Conductor / Keyboards ......................................................................... Stephanie McGuffin

Percussion ............................................................................................................ Brian Hobson

Guitar ...................................................................................................................... Jay McGuffin

Bass Theo Tillman

Substitutes: Bass: Scott Webring; Guitar: Jason Tyler-Vaughn

*The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE

Tune Up /Voice Mail #1 .................................... Mark, Roger, Mrs. Cohen, Collins, Benny

Rent ........................................................................................................................ The Company

You Okay Honey?................................................................................................ Angel, Collins

One Song Glory Roger

Light My Candle Roger, Mimi

Voice Mail #2.............................................................................................Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson

Today 4 U ............................................................................................................................. Angel

You’ll See ........................................................................ Benny, Mark, Collins, Roger, Angel

Tango: Maureen Mark, Joanne

Life Support Paul, Gordon, The Company

Out Tonight ............................................................................................................................ Mimi

Another Day ................................................................................ Roger, Mimi, The Company

Will I?...................................................................................................................... The Company

On The Street The Company

Santa Fe* Collins, The Company

We’re Okay ....................................................................................................................... Joanne

I’ll Cover You ......................................................................................................... Angel, Collins

Christmas Bells ................................................................................................... The Company

Over the Moon Maureen

La Vie Boheme / I Should Tell You* The Company

There will be one fifteen-minute intermission.

ACT TWO

Seasons of Love ................................................................................................. The Company

Happy New Year / Voice Mail #3 ......................... Mimi, Roger, Mark, Maureen, Joanne Collins, Angel, Mrs. Cohen, Alexi Darling, Benny

Take Me or Leave Me ................................................................................. Maureen, Joanne

Without You ............................................................................................................... Roger, Mimi

Voice Mail #4 .......................................................................................................... Alexi Darling

Contact The Company

I’ll Cover You: Reprise Collins, The Company

Halloween ..............................................................................................................................Mark

Goodbye, Love............................. Mark, Mimi, Roger, Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Benny

What You Own ............................................................. Pastor, Mark, Collins, Benny, Roger

Voice Mail #5

Roger’s Mom, Mimi’s Mom, Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Cohen

Finale / Your Eyes Roger, The Company

*Additional lyrics by Billy Aronson

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

A little over a year ago Moe Gatson casually walked over to me and asked what show I really wanted to direct. Automatically I responded “RENT”!

RENT has always been my dream show. I LOVE this show! I’ve loved this show since 1997 when I first heard the Broadway soundtrack. Here was a show with Queer people, Brown people, Kinky people, Geeky Artists, and Creatives. People struggling to survive in THE CITY during the plague of the AIDS crisis. A show peopled by artists who didn’t sound or look typical Broadway. I fell madly in love! I felt an immediate kinship with the character Joanne. I’m brown, I’m queer, I love margins and discipline, and I really do make lists in my sleep (just ask my wife). I made it my artistic goal to play the role of Joanne before I aged out. I’ve only had one opportunity in my career to audition for RENT, my audition was flawless, I got the callback, and absolutely bombed. That artistic goal will never come true for me. Still when asked “What is your dream show?” I respond with RENT every single time.

Why RENT? Why RENT right now? Why not? Humanity is always in need of reminding that life is precious, and fleeting, and worth living in all the moments be they big, small, good, bad, happy, or tragic. Life is full of love, and grief, and friendships, and healing, and learning lessons over and over again. How lucky we are that RENT packages all these things into one beautiful show? How lucky we are that we can watch humanity in all its unique forms played out on this stage in this town at this point in history? How lucky we are that we live in a time where being HIV+ is something that can be lived with instead of the death sentence it was in the 80’s and 90’s? How lucky we are. How lucky we are.

The heart in this production of RENT is the love shared between Collins and Angel, not Roger and Mimi as so many productions have done before. Sure, Roger and Mimi are great. They hold down the hot/cold, will they/won’t they, passion/disregard of “epic” love stories. Collins and Angel, however, show us what love can be when it’s fully formed and healthy. What love can be when we choose to give in, let love win, and decide to love with everything we have for every moment that we are able. They show us that there is magic to be had in the smallest interactions as well as the biggest choices. Their love holds this bohemian family together, and when they lose Angel, this family is left to flounder, unconnected and incomplete. The love that Collins and Angel share drives home the Love is Love, is Love that has asked our country to FINALLY recognize what those of us in Queer relationships have always known: that our love is just as real, just as valid, and just as “normal” as any “traditional” relationship.

Big thanks to the wonderful team at the FAC for being brave enough to program this production and to back it up with the time and resources that they have. Bigger thanks to the design team who, when I asked them to take what they knew about RENT and break it, they did so to 100%. I may never get over the talent and passion of this cast and crew. Thank you all for every moment of work you’ve poured into this production; I love each one of you. Kelcey, my love, you are my everything. Thank you for your support, your love, and your belief in everything that I am. I love you like the Sun loves the Moon.

When that automatic response to Moe over a year ago left my lips, I didn’t have a lot of hope that anything would come of it. But it did. And here we are. And I am having all the emotions, all the time, all at 100%. I wholeheartedly invite you to allow yourself to do the same as you enjoy our version of RENT.

THE ACTING COMPANY

Mark Autry* (Benny) is honored to be a part of this incredible production! Fine Arts Center shows include Bridges of Madison County, Barnum, The Full Monty, and A Christmas Story. At THEATREWORKS: American Prom, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Grapes of Wrath, and Our Town. He was in South Pacific with the National Dance Institute of NYC and was part of the National Tour of The Motones and Jerseys. Other Colorado theatre include Oklahoma, Oliver, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Mark holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. Endless gratitude to my family, friends, and teachers for their continued love and support.

Bobby Bennett (Collins) This is Bennett’s debut with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Bennett has been critically acclaimed for his work in The Inheritance at Vintage Theatre, You Enjoy Myself with Local Theater Company and is a Henry Award nominee, TruWest and OSCA Award winner. National audiences may remember him as a top 24 finalist on the 5th season of American Idol. Bobby would like to thank his “Fancy Man” and dedicates his performance to his family, friends, and the esteemed colleagues he’s had the pleasure of sharing the stage with over the last three decades.

Penina Eisenberg (Ensemble) is an actor/musician currently based in Colorado. This is her debut performance with the Fine Arts Center. Previous credits include Arvada Centers’ Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble and Natasha u/s), Ovation West Performing Arts production of Into the Woods (The Baker’s Wife). Penina has a B.M. in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Many thanks to her friends and family for all their support! @penina.eisenberg

Shannon Foley (Ensemble / US Maureen) is excited to return to the FAC after performing in Elf, The Musical. She spent 4 years as a singer on various cruise lines before returning to Denver to continue as a local performing artist. Cirque Dreams Holidaze, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Inventing van Gogh are a few of the productions she has been seen in in various theatres across the state. She is thrilled to now be doing one of her absolute favorite shows here in the Springs!

Robert Gabriel (Ensemble / US Mark/Roger) is a Hispanic actor born and raised in Tampa, FL. He attended the Theatre Conservatory at Chicago College of Performing Arts for musical theater, and now lives in NYC. Regional Favorites: Sonny - In the Heights (White Plains PAC, NY & Colorado Springs FAC), Piragua Guy – In the Heights (Mill Mountain Theatre, VA), John – The Lion in Winter (Freefall Theatre, FL), Picasso – Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Jobsite Theater, FL), Isaac – Taylor Mac’s HIR (Jobsite), Crookfinger Jake – The Threepenny Opera (Jobsite), Luke - Next Thing You Know (Steele Beam Theatre, IL). Special thanks to God, his family, and mentors for their unwavering support. Instagram: @rs_gabriel

THE ACTING COMPANY

Imani Gholson (Mimi) is excited to perform at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center for the first time, having most recently performed in Roald Dahl’s Matilda (Town Hall Arts Center) this past December. Other credits include Damn Yankees (Arvada Center), Dreamgirls (Lone Tree Arts Center), and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The Candlelight). She recently graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver where she received her B.A. in Theatre and Dance. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show! Visit: ImaniGholson.com IG: @imanigholson

Cheerish Martin (JoAnne) is a seasoned performer who is best known for giving audiences feel good moments and laughter that defies gravity. She is also a community activist in Colorado she has made it her mission to deliver change through art and celebration. Her favorite credits include: THEATREWORKS: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Billie Holiday), Into the Woods (Witch), Steel Magnolias (Truvy), Taming of the Shrew (Hortensia & Biondella), Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (Maureen Peal u/s Claudia), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon). Fine Arts Center roles include Working, the Musical and In the Heights and for the Millibo Arts Theatre High Yellow (Just Right). Cheerish has also been featured in several concerts and cabaret performances including 2022 Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards. She is a University of Northern Colorado and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alum. Cheerish is dedicating this performance to revolutionary queerness, and to those who love fearlessly.

Micah Mims* (Angel) is overjoyed to be returning home to CSFAC family performing his ‘dream’ role. He is North Carolina born and raised and a graduate of East Carolina University with two Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Musical Theatre and Professional Acting. Micah is currently living in New York, NY. Most recently seen in the Broadway-bound “What A Wonderful World”: a new musical based on the life of Louis Armstrong. He’s also in the newly released film ‘Our Son’ with Billy Porter and Luke Evans. BROADWAY/TOURS: BOM (tour), Cirque de Solis – Volta & Holidaze (tour). OFF/OFF-OFF B’WAY: Spandex - The Musical, Seussical The Musical; (INTERNATIONAL) Tokyo Disney’s Big Band Beat, Norwegian Cruise Lines 2017 World Cruise (78 COUNTRIES;5 continents); (FAVORTIE ROLES) Lola in Kinky Boots, REXY/JASON in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Angel in RENT, Mereb in AIDA, and Mitchell Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Insta-@misscp2007.

Ronald McQueen (Ensemble / US Benny) is thrilled to be back at the Colorado Fine Arts Center after having most recently worked on Elf, The Musical and In The Heights as Graffiti Pete. Other recent projects include Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812 (Arvada Center), Dreamgirls (Lone Tree Arts Center), and he performed in Scotland’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the Sasquatch Productions of Eigg The Musical. Favorite roles include Wailin’ Joe in Memphis (Town Hall Arts Center), The Falcon in The Falcon: Music of Flight (Colorado Chamber Orchestra). Ron attended MSU Denver for some years for Theatre & Dance, spent some time training at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and had the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with Cleo II. Ronald would like to thank his friends and family for their continuous love & support! You can see what he’s up to on IG @Mr.MickeyMcQueen

THE ACTING COMPANY

Rebecca Myers* (Maureen) is thrilled to join this exciting cast, crew, and production team for Rent. Some favorite Colorado credits include: By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Baskerville, Sheer Madness, Reefer Madness, Peter and the Starcatcher (Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at CC), Every Brilliant Thing, A Christmas Carol (Theatreworks CS), Little Shop of Horrors, Pippin, The 39 Steps, Singin’ in the Rain, My Fair Lady (Thin Air Theatre Company), Always...Patsy Cline (Mountain Rep Theatre), and Grey Gardens (Vintage Theatre). Native to Knoxville, TN, Rebecca now calls Colorado home where she teaches with Cambio Yoga and plays partner to Mickey and mother to Hazel. Here’s to community, kinship, and coming together by way of story. XO

Christian Ray Robinson* (Mark) is elated to be returning to the FAC for this production of Rent with such an incredible group of people. Credits include Ocean in a Teacup (Off Broadway /Theatre Row) Native Gardens (Eagle Theatre) A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (DCPA) The Legend of Georgia McBride, The Producers, Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat (FAC) Ragtime (Midtown Arts Center) Four Seasons with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Favorites include You Can’t Take it With You, The Odyssey, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Comedy of Errors and various others. TV/Film/VO: The Plot Against America, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Expulse, Foreward, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. Training BA Musical Theatre University of Northern Colorado.

Jon Rodéz (Ensemble/US Angel/Collins) Jon is proud to represent his hometown, the Lower East Side in Manhattan, where Rent takes place. Jon last performed on our stage in In The Heights as the Piragua Guy. His NYC credits include Spring Awakening (Georg), Barba the Musical (Hosoi), La Cancion at Repertorio Español (Star) and Bring It On (Lacienega). Jon is forever grateful to his queens, Mom and Jai, for being his rock! Parriba esa bandera! Follow him @ thejonrod for updates on his artistic journey and @TabithaSkyAlmonte on TikTok for laughs from your favorite tia/auntie/bestie.

Dana Scurlock* (Ensemble/Vocalist/US: JoAnne) is thrilled to be back for her third production with the Fine Arts Center, having played roles in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark as well as It’s a Wonderful Life. Originally from Cincinnati and based in New York City, her Off-Broadway credits include: 59E59, I Carry Your Heart; NYMF’s Abduction & the Davenport Theatre's production of Endangered. Dana has television acting credits from HBO and Nickelodeon and works as a voiceover artist for national brands like Google and Chase. Many thanks to Risa for inviting her to the party again!

Elton J. Tanega (Roger) is excited to be making his debut at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as Roger in RENT. Previous work includes Jack Kelly in Disney’s Newsies (Town Hall Arts Center), Prince Topher in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s: Cinderella (Vintage Theatre), Adam in Freaky Friday (Aurora Fox), Steve in The Velveteen Rabbit (Arvada Center), and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Northglenn Players). You can follow Elton on social media @elton_jt. Elton gives thanks to God, his family, partner, and friends for all their support!

THE ACTING COMPANY

Tracy Nicole Taylor* (Ensemble / Dance Captain) is ecstatic to bring you this beautiful show alongside these incredible performers. Tracy has been a consistent face at the FAC for over a decade. Most recent FAC credits include ELF, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, It’s a Wonderful Life (Lana Sherwood), and Cinderella. Other favorite credits: La Cage Aux Folles (Jaqueline) at Town Hall Arts Center, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, SWING!, Crazy for You, The Producers and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. When not on stage, you can find her working as a teaching artist; and for the Visual and Performing Arts department in District 11. Eternal gratitude to her family, partner, and friends.

Christopher Varano (Ensemble) is excited to again be performing at the Fine Arts Center after a decade-long hiatus. He was last seen in All My Sons, after which he went to college to pursue a career in education. A veteran of the Colorado Springs theater community since 2005, Christopher has performed in a myriad of roles, such as the Audrey II Puppeteer in Little Shop of Horrors, Peachy Weil in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and Chris in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare...Abridged. After earning a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Christopher has been an English and History teacher for nine years. Being cast in this gamechanging musical has been a dream come true. He would like to thank his wife, Heather, and his children, Dominic and Caius, for their sacrifices that made this possible.

*The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

+The Scenic Designer for this production is represented by United Scenic Artists, the international alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

NOTICE

Assisted listening devices are available at no charge from the ushers by request. 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.

If you leave the theatre for any reason during the performance, it will be left to the discretion of house management as to when you can return to your seat.

We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if their behavior is disruptive to the performance environment.

THE ACTING COMPANY

At this performance of Rent, the role of Tom Collins will be played by Jon Rodéz.

Ensemble roles usually played by Jon Rodéz will be played by Shabazz Green*

Jon Rodéz (Tom Collins/ u/s Angel) is proud to represent his hometown, the Lower East Side in Manhattan, where Rent takes place. Jon last performed on the FAC stage in In The Heights as the Piragua Guy. His NYC credits include Spring Awakening (Georg), Barba the Musical (Hosoi), La Cancion at Repertorio Español (Star) and Bring It On (Lacienega). Jon is forever grateful to his queens, Mom and Jai, for being his rock! Parriba esa bandera! Follow him @thejonrod for updates on his artistic journey and @ TabithaSkyAlmonte on TikTok for laughs from your favorite tia/auntie/bestie.

Shabazz Green* (Ensemble / u/s Tom Collins) is thankful to return to the CS Fine Arts Center. He is no stranger to Colorado, performing in Oklahoma! and A Christmas Carol (Denver Center); In The Heights, Cinderella, Hands on a Hardbody (CS Fine Arts Center); Topdog/Underdog and Sister Act (Lake Dillon Theatre Company). Notable New York credits include Bars and Measures (Urban Stages); Philosophy for Gangsters (Beckett Theatre); Intruder: The Musical (Hudson Guild). Other regional productions include The Play That Goes Wrong (Syracuse Stage); Mamma Mia (Village Theatre); To Kill a Mockingbird (Greenbrier Valley Theatre); The Ballad of Trayvon Martin (New Freedom Theatre); Little Rock (Passage Theatre); Portrait of the Widow Kinski (Vivid Stage); Humbug (Premiere Stages). Shabazz also appeared in the film Romance in the Digital Age. @shabazzgreen; shabazzgreen.com FEAR NOT!

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Josh Hemmo (Lighting Design) is thrilled to be designing for the CS Fine Arts Center for the first time! He’s an NYC-based designer who’s had the privilege of designing all over the country. Past credits include Aspen Music Festival’s Operas for 2022–2023 Season, The Great Comet of 1812 at FSU, Revelations: The Musical (off-Broadway), and the upcoming production of Emperor of the Moon for Theatreworks. jhemmolighting.com

WHO’S WHO

BAND

Stephanie McGuffin (Music Director/Keyboards) Stephanie is an award-winning music director who has been music directing musicals with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center since 2016, winning the Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Award for Outstanding Musical Direction for the production of Bridges of Madison County in 2020. Stephanie was also the music director for the FAC's Hands on a Hardbody and Fun Home, both of which were nominated for Outstanding Production of a Musical. She serves as collaborative pianist with the Colorado All State Choir, UCCS, SWACDA and various schools and studios in the Colorado Springs and Castle Rock areas. Stephanie is also the music director for the Colorado Springs Conservatory Music Theatre Intensive summer musical. Stephanie wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of her husband, Jay, their son, Michael, and their wonderful family.

Brian Hobson (Percussion) was raised by music loving, Volkswagen driving, peace-loving hippies. During high school, he played drums in various cover bands as a summer job and went on to study Percussion Performance at the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho. He is a veteran of the 504th Air Force Band at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. While in the Air Force, Brian toured and recorded with the Commanders Jazz Band and Wind Ensembles. Brian is a big fan of musical theater and has been playing shows at the FAC since 2017. He is currently living in Woodland Park with his wife Cathleen and their Golden doodle, Angus. Thank you for supporting live theater and enjoy the show!

Jay McGuffin (Guitar) is currently teaching music in Douglas County School District. Jay is excited to be back for his 36th show at the FAC! As a multi-string specialist, Jay has also performed on violin, cello and bass. In addition, he composed original music for the radio play “For Spacious Skies”. As an educator in Musical Theatre, his Castle View High School Theatre Company has received 12 Bobby G nominations, winning 6 awards including Outstanding Musical Direction (2018, Les Misérables) and Overall Best Production of a Musical (2019, Mamma Mia!). In total, he has performed in and/or directed over 70 shows in his career. Under his direction, The Castle View Chamber Orchestra was nominated to the State Orchestra Finals held by the Colorado Chapter of American String Teachers Association in 2020 & 2022 and won Overall Outstanding Performance at the Colorado West Music Festival in 2023. He’s a member of the Double McGuffin Band on Bass and Vocals since 2002, performing regularly with his father. He’s the principal bassist in The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Jay would like to thank his wife Stephanie (Music Director for Rent) and son Michael (Genie, Aladdin Jr.) for all their continued support!

Theo Tillman (Bass) is a senior at Discovery Canyon High School. His musical experience started with Suzuki violin at the age of three, which eventually sprouted into a passion for competing professionally in bluegrass and Texas fiddle contests. Nowadays, he loves playing jazz bass and singing in choir, and will be pursuing a career in elementary music education at CU Boulder this fall. His interests outside of music include unicycling, classic literature, art history, and yoga.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Colorado College occupies the traditional territories of the Nuchu, known today as the Southern Ute Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the Northern Ute People. Other tribes have also lived here including the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Comanche — and notably, continue to do so, along with many other Indigenous Peoples. To actively seek social justice, we acknowledge that the land continues to hold the values and traditions of the original inhabitants and caretakers of this land. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors, elders, and youth – past, present, and future.

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WHO’S WHO

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Marisa D. Hèbert (Director) is an Actor, Director, and Playwright located in Colorado Springs, CO where she lives with her wife and rescue dogs. Marisa is thrilled to be a returning director at the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. She also had the pleasure of directing It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and The Stone Garden for The Fine Arts Center. Directorially, Marisa has worked at THEATREWORKS, Seven Devils, the Smokebrush Theatre, Vintage Theater, and The Millibo Arts Theatre. Marisa was last seen on The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center stage in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Other Fine Arts Center productions include Tiny Beautiful Things, which won her the 2020 Colorado Henry Award for Best Supporting Actress, Annie, Love Loss and What I Wore, 9 to 5 The MuscialL, In the Next Room, and Little Shop of Horrors. As a playwright, Marisa wrote Just Keep Breathing, and Love in the Hate State for the Of Spacious Skies radio series. Her first full-length play Pieces of Him won the FAC’s 2013 Rough Writers New Play festival, and selections from her lyrical autobiographical play High Yellow have been performed at UCCS and The Millibo Arts Theatre. “Kelcey, I love you like the sun loves the moon.”

Frank J. Oliva (Scenic Design) is an award-winning Cuban-American Stage Designer. He’s thrilled to be back at the Fine Arts Center! With Marisa Hebert: King Hedley II, Every Brilliant Thing (Theatreworks); The Legend of Georgia McBride (Fine Arts Center). Recent projects include world premieres and new productions with theaters in New York, Miami and across the United States. Associate Designer on the recent Broadway productions of The Collaboration, Death of a Salesman, Oklahoma!, West Side Story and Hangmen. Theatre Designer for Netflix’s “Marriage Story”. Frank is the recipient of the Silver Palm, Carbonell and Innovative Theatre Awards for Stage Design. Nominated for Henry Hewes, Audelco and three Carbonell Awards. His designs have been featured in the American exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and profiled in Visa Magazine, Vulture, Voyage MIA and The Miami Herald. Member of Wingspace Theatrical Design, United Scenic Artists and a proud graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. www.frankjoliva.com

Max Silverman (Sound Design) is a Composer and Sound Designer originally from Boulder. He is honored to be joining the creative team for his first CSFAC production. Covid brought him back to his Colorado home where he joyfully joined the theatre community, while continuing his work in New York. Max is a 2023 True West Award recipient, two-time OnStage Colorado Award winner and four time Henry Award nominee. Some Colorado highlights include Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Arvada Center, Colorado Shakespeare Company, Local Theater Company, Lone Tree Arts Center, Curious Theatre, Creede Repertory Theatre, The Catamounts, Cherry Creek Theatre, and Theatre Or. Max has composed and designed sound for Off-Broadway and regional theaters. Most recently Off-Broadway, Max designed the world premiere of Madwomen of the West at the Actors Temple Theatre and Mr. Parker at Theatre Row. He has written music for podcasts, advertisements, and short films. Max is a proud member of the Boulder Emergency Squad. max-silverman.com

Pheobe H. Boynton (Costume Designer) is honored to be back at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center having just designing costumes for Elf – The Musical. She has been the costume shop manager for Theatreworks since 2018, and an adjunct professor of costume design at Chadron State College. Her past design work includes Taming of the Shrew, Lumberjacks in Love, Witch, Free-For-All: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Around the World in 80 Days, Little Shop of Horrors, and A Christmas Carol (Theatreworks), Indecent, A Flea in Her Ear, and Medea (UCCS VAPA), Silent Sky

WHO’S WHO

THE CREATIVE TEAM

(Colorado College) Elf: The Musical (Arvada Center), as well as work with Norwegian Cruise Lines, Cerritos College, YouTube Red, Investigation Discovery, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Post Playhouse, and AMDA LA.

Nat Petit (Choreographer) is a trans nonbinary theatre artist, and they are so excited to be returning to the Fine Arts Center to make their debut as a choreographer!! Recent performance credits: Ensemble, Buddy U/S in Elf the Musical (FAC), Ensemble in Dreamgirls (Lone Tree Arts), Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island (Aurora Fox Arts), Child 1 in In the Trenches and Ensemble in Xanadu (Town Hall Arts), Flotsam in The Little Mermaid and Phil Davis in White Christmas (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Larry/Dance Captain in A Chorus Line (North Coast Theatre Fest.) Education: B.A Music Theatre and Minor in Dance, University of Northern Colorado; certificate from the Moscow Art Theatre School. Nat also teaches tap at the Colorado School of Dance. Nat is so incredibly thankful for her amazing friends who have given her endless love and support and helped build her confidence over the past year. Keep up with Nat on Instagram @bon.nat.petit or at natpetit.com, and remember that TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.

Alex Campbell (Intimacy Coordinator) (she/her) feels exceedingly blessed to work with the incredibly talented cast and team. Last year she was thrilled to join the cast of In the Heights & Cinderella with the CS Fine Arts Center, as Claudia in The Bluest Eye at Theatreworks, Viola in Twelfth Night at The Great River Shakespeare Festival, and play multiple roles in Little Red: A New Musical! with The Denver Center for the Preforming Arts. Being able to wear many different theatrical hats, Alex is pleased to be the Intimacy Coordinator for this productions. Alex is an aspiring Choreographer and teaches Acting at The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and with The Denver Center for the Preforming Arts. She is unbelievably grateful for her family’s unending love and support. MFA UConn 2020. Alexcampbellactor.com

Bella Byrne (Props Supervisor) Born and raised in Colorado, she attended Denver School of the Arts as a visual arts major, gaining impeccable color theory, pottery, and life drawing skills. There she was introduced to the joys of collaborative creation for theater while working as an over hire carpenter. She later studied at Univ. of Northern Colorado while working as a stagehand in a local roadhouse exploring the breadth of theater production. While never able to decide between being an artist or construction worker, theater truly bridged the two. Since then, she pursued her master’s degree from Boston University in Technical Production. Grad school during a pandemic was unexpected but allowed her to focus on educational projects such as automation and scenic painting. Some of her favorite past productions include building props for Sunset Boulevard and assisting the TD for Singin in the Rain.

Garth Moritz* (Stage Manager) is excited to be working on his first production at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. A proud union member, Garth has recently moved to Colorado Springs after working regionally in Chicago, Indiana, Nebraska, and Boulder. Previous Theater Credits include Into the Woods, in Concert, and Dream House with Theatreworks in Colorado Springs, as well as Singing in the Rain at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago.

Kristen Wickersheim* (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be working with the Fine Arts Center. She loves working with such creative people. Kristen has worked locally with Theatreworks and the Millibo. Some of her favorite work was on The Game of Love and Chance, Arcadia, American Prom, Wild Honey, WTF: Women’s Theatre Festival. “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” -- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

WHO’S WHO

THEATRE STAFF

Christopher L. Sheley (Producing Artistic Director) is grateful for his new role in the company, which he has been a member of for the last 18 seasons. Originally from St. Louis, he moved first to Chicago to study at The Theatre School at DePaul University. After a decade in Chicago, he moved again to Colorado Springs and shortly thereafter began his tenure with the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company. As a scenic designer, his most recent credit includes Damn Yankees at the Arvada Center and some of his favorite designs at the FAC include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Barnum, Annie, Man of La Mancha, 4000 Miles, Floyd & Clea Under The Western Sky, Agnes of God, Other Desert Cities, Gypsy, Colorado College’s 23:59 and All in the Timing, The University of Denver›s Urinetown & THEATREWORKS’ The Servant of Two Masters. He has been nominated for six regional Henry awards and won Best Set Design for his work on Man of La Mancha. Additionally, he received the Gazette’s “Best of” award for Sunday in the Park and he also received the Denver Post’s Ovation Award of Best Set Design for his work on The Pirates of Penzance and Sweeney Todd. Other awards include the PPAC award for his set designs of 4000 Miles, Into the Woods & Sunday in the Park, as well as two True West awards for his designs of 4000 Miles and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He wishes to thank his family for their love and support. www.christopherlsheley.com

Holly Anne Rawls (Resident Lighting Designer/Lighting Director, Interim Director of Production) 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. https://hrawls.wixsite.com/website

Tim Muldrew (Company Manager) Tim has worked in Arts Administration for both the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College and Theatreworks at UCCS. He has been an Equity Stage Manager for over 25 years ‘calling’ such shows as the Henry Award Winning plays Guadalupe in the Guest Room and The Mountaintop. Tim is a member of Springs Ensemble Theatre (SET) and his SET directing credits include The Seafarer and The Boys in the Band. Tim will the directing David Auburn’s Proof opening in April 2024. Tim’s FAC directing credits include Crazy for You, 1776 and Knuffle Bunny. As a stage manager, Tim has toured the world with the world-famous Cirque organization. A love of Theme Parks has allowed him to work at Walt Disney World, Sea World, Circus World, Cypress Gardens and Cedar Point! Much love to his husband Craig, who not only supports Tim’s crazy artistic life, but has helped paint and build many of his sets.

Sarah Beth Parks (Costume Shop Supervisor) has been costume shop supervisor for the Fine Arts Center for 6 years. SB has designed and built costumes all over the country, including Hartford, CT, where she worked on the Tony-winning original productions of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Anastasia. SB holds a BA in Theatre from CU Boulder and an MFA in Dramatic Arts/ Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut.

WHO’S WHO

THEATRE STAFF

Alex Drelich (Head of Sound) joined our theatre company staff in July of 2022 as the Head of Sound. Alex holds a B.A 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.

Sarah Talaba (Scenic Charge Artist; Props Inventory Manager) is a passionate artist, designer and self-described “mad scientist,” specializing in painting, creature effects, and sculpture for stage and screen. She recently joined the FAC shop staff after years of freelance artist work throughout the Front Range. Sarah holds 2 degrees from CU- Boulder, a BFA in Scenic Design and a BA in Studio Arts. A few accolades include a KCACTF Meritorious Achievement Award in Scenic Design for RENT; and Grand Prize Winner of the Jim Henson Foundation’s Dark Crystal fan film competition. Whether she’s in the scene shop or at home in her own shop, Sarah delights in creating weird stuff and making magic. She is forever grateful for the love and support of family and friends who feel like family.

Colyer Dermody (Interim Technical Director/Scene Shop Supervisor) 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! The Musical!

Theatre not only entertains, but it challenges and enlightens us regardless of age. We at the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company want to ensure that the next generations have this same life changing experience. That’s why we’ve launched Send a Student to help ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity regardless of the ability to pay. Would you please consider sending a student? $25 is all it takes to transport and ticket one child to a student matinee. Please help us build the path to the next generation of theatre artists and patrons.

CURTAIN CALL

As the super-fans of the FAC Theatre Company, their contributions provide us the ability to keep up with the artistic risks and technological needs of modern theatre. Members are invited to gather for dinner before every opening night and get behind-the-scenes information about the performances, meet the artists who made them, and be the first to hear about new projects and upcoming seasons. Join online at fac.coloradocollege.edu/curtain-call

2023–2024 MEMBERS

(As of April 12, 2024)

Ron Brasch and Una Ng-Brasch

Susan Burghart and Rich Tosches

Harley and Joan Ferguson

Morland and Jerlynn Gonsoulin

Lyne Hannan

Erin Hannan

Bart and Cathy Holaday

Leon and Heather Kelly

Daniel League and Joan Donner

Christina McGarry

Leann Nitschke

Gina Perenchio

Eric and Jane Ridings

Robert Swanson

Alice Thomas

Herman and Tang-Lin Teo Tiemens

Ms. Eve Tilley-Chavez and Mr. Sol Chavez

Tran Family

Todd and Nancy Whitford SEND A STUDENT

fac.coloradocollege.edu

Send a Student is supported in part by Bee Vradenburg Foundation

STAFF

FAC LEADERSHIP

Executive Director: Nicole Herden

Deputy Director: Maria Capp

Director of Events: Rebecca Rounds

Producing Artistic Director: Christopher L. Sheley

Director of Visual Arts and Museum: Michael Christiano

Director Bemis School of Art: Tara Thomas

Director of Development: Cristina Gonzales

RENT PRODUCTION STAFF

Production Stage Manager: Garth Moritz*

Assistant Stage Manager: Kristen Wickersheim*

Intimacy Coordinator: Alex Campbell

Sound A1: Alex Drelich

Sound A2: West Rutherford

Carpenters: Coyler Dermody, Cliff Hamilton, Molly Gillard, Jacob Hacker, Hossein Forouzandeh

Lead Electrician: Madison Dillon

Charge Scenic: Sarah Tabala

Props Supervisor: Bella Byrne

Costume Shop Assistant: Amaya Egusquiza

Wardrobe Supervisor: Bekah Irwin

Wardrobe Team: Lauren Asselin, Kenzie Connors, Janae Lazar, Patty Bizarro

Costume Shop: Mary Jo Farr, Mindy Coulson

Light Board Operator: Madison Dillon

Sound Board Operator: Alex Drelich

Spot Light Operators: Paige Seuffert, Maia Rychlik

Stagehands: Rebecca Savage, Micah Spiers, Danielle Sanchez

Covid Safety Officer: Janae Lazar

House Manager: Jude Talaba

Production Photographer: Isaiah Downing

200 members across the US and aborad

• Supporting collaboration between musical theatre writers and producers, and among theatres nationally

• Nurturing the creation, development and production of new and classic musicals www.namt.org

FAC THEATRE COMPANY

Producing Artistic Director: Christopher L. Sheley

Company Manager: Tim Muldrew

Resident Lighting Designer/Lighting Director, Interim Director of Production: Holly Anne Rawls

Interim Technical Director/Scene Shop Supervisor: Colyer Dermody

Costume Shop Supervisor: Sarah Beth Parks

Head of Sound: Alex Drelich

Charge Scenic Artist: Sarah Talaba

House Manager: Jude Talaba

FINE ARTS CENTER STAFF

Patron Services Manager: Frances Huntington

Patron Services Assistant Manager: Matthew Driftmier

Patron Services Staff: Kari Bell, Jon Adams

Marketing & Communications: Jessi Burns, Sarah Waddell

Education Manager: Sammie Joe Kinnett

Operations Manager: Luke Cammack

Assistant Operations Manager: Mark Cannon

Patron Experience Team: Darla Slee, Ian Stewart, Melanie Audet, Megan Brockriede, Cordelia Colt, Rob Estes, Danielle Sanchez, Angie Schwickerath, Tiffany Scott

Museum Staff: Stormy Burns, Katja Rivera, Sara Hodge, Blair Huff, Christian Valvano, Jonathan Dankenbring, JD Sell, Brittany Hall, Alana Adams

Bemis Assistant Director: Jeremiah Houck

Bemis Staff: James Howard, Kazzandra Medellin

The Fine Arts Center is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre

The power of theatre lies in its ability to bring us together, forge community, and widen our empathic imaginations through stories both within and outside of our own lived experiences. For theatre to truly maximize this potential, it is paramount that everyone feels seen, heard, and represented.

Colorado College (CC) is committed to becoming an antiracist institution and inspire action to create a more just world. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theater Company, therefore, embraces this commitment wholeheartedly taking intentional action to dismantle visible and invisible structures of oppression so all people feel are seen, heard, and welcome at the FAC. We publicly affirm our commitment to anti-oppressive programming and commit to the iterative and lifelong work of creating a brave space for all of our stories: one where we can empathize, grow, learn, and together co-create a more just and compassionate society.

• We are aligning our creative and production teams with the shows that we produce. We honor the stories that we tell onstage by centering creative artists whose lived experiences and identities align with the content.

• Moreover, we are disrupting the ways in which BIPOC artists can be “cast” only within their race by democratizing artistic opportunities across the board.

• By taking our work outside of the building, producing ancillary events, and investing in long-term relationship-building, we will authentically connect to marginalized communities who may not have felt welcomed here in the past.

• BIPOC2 voices will be the priority of new play commissions for the foreseeable future.

• We have instituted the practice of land acknowledgements to honor the Indigenous Peoples who historically inhabited the lands we currently occupy. Moreover, we are programming Indigenous artists, and supporting new works to build beyond an acknowledgment with tangible action and artistic support.

• To reach new communities, we are continually interrogating and expanding our programming with events like Dia de Muertos and Dragstravaganza.

• We are overhauling our student outreach practices for the FAC Theatre School, so that we can engage students from systemically excluded communities. We are also investigating new tuition structures to

ensure that our programs are financially accessible for everyone.

THE WORK CONTINUES

We acknowledge that many of our practices in the past perpetuated systemic inequities, including but certainly not limited to the homogeneity of our programming and the distinct lack of BIPOC artists and stories. We recognize these failures and commit to working towards repairing the harm we’ve caused in the past and creating a more equitable and just future.

To hold ourselves accountable, and so you may do the same, we are sharing our action plan, which will continually evolve and grow.

To truly welcome artists and audiences in our spaces, we are committed to the following:

• The staff of the FAC Theatre Company will continue our work in anti-racism education through ongoing seminars, focus groups, and open dialogue.

• We are committed to color-conscious casting. We are dedicated to creating equitable and inclusive theatre that amplifies voices from every culture. We welcome all and encourage people of every race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status or any other identity or lived experience to audition for our productions.

• By prioritizing the voices of BIPOC2, feminineidentifying, and LGBTQ+ communities, we commit to curating seasons that more accurately represent and reflect our world.

This is just the beginning of our dedication to being an equitable, accessible, and inclusive theatre company. Please know that this is an ever-evolving commitment that will grow and change as we do. Whether you’re a loyal subscriber, a new audience member, or a guest artist, we hope to continue engaging in this dialogue together with open hearts and open minds. We are energized by the work we have done, and continually looking for opportunities to translate it into action. Most importantly, we ask that you hold us accountable. You are an essential component of the work that we do.

We look forward to our continued conversations this season. See you at the theatre.

1Global Majority is a collective term that encourages those of African, Asian, Latin American, and Arab descent to recognize that together they comprise the vast majority (around 80 per cent) of people in the world.

2BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and people of color

*We See You, White American Theater