JimmyA.NoriegaPhd.,SchoolDirector
SusanPadveen,ArtisticDirector
RENT
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Amy video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Directed by Daryl Brooks
Choreographed by Tanji Harper
Music Directed by David Fiorello
May1-10,2025
GETZTHEATRECENTER
COURTYARDTHEATRE
72E11THST
CHICAGO,IL60605
ScenicDesign
Al Villanueva
SoundDesign
BenjiFelix
NinaDomanus
MakeupDesign
Bey
Intimacy
Julie Granata-Hunicutt
Celine Berger
CostumeDesign
Remus DePriest
PropsDesign
Mariah Bennett
Dramaturgy
Max Christensen
Lisa Gil
Dialect
Kendra Thulin
LightingDesign
Alison “Al” Popelka
HairDesign
Syd Ellis
FightChoreography
Shelby Fish
Edgar Lopez
StageManagement
Dylan Hirt
LANDACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WecollectivelyacknowledgethatColumbiaCollegeChicagooccupies theancestral,traditional,andcontemporaryLandsoftheAnishinaabeg ThreeFiresConfederacyoftheOjibwe,Odawa,andPotawatomi,aswell astheMiami,Menominee,Ho-Chunk,Illinois,SacandFoxnations. AlthoughtherearenorecognizedIndiannationsinthestateofIllinois, werecognize,supportandadvocateforthesovereigntyofallIndian nations,forthehistoricIndigenouscommunitiesinIllinois,forIndigenous individualsandcommunitieswholiveintheChicagolandarea,andfor thosewhowereforciblyremovedfromtheirHomelands.Byofferingthis LandAcknowledgment,wereaffirmourCollege’sDiversity,Equityand InclusionMissionstatement,andaffirmIndigenoussovereigntyandwill holdColumbiaCollegeChicagomoreaccountabletotheneedsof AmericanIndianandIndigenouspeoples.
RUNTIME
2hours,30minutes,includinga15-minuteintermission
CONTENTADVISORY
Pleasebeadvisedthattherewillbestage violence,drugsandreferencestodeathinthis production.
AIDSMemorialQuilt
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
Three panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt are now on display in the lobby of the Getz Theatre Center, 72 E. 11th Street. They will be onviewuntilMay13 and are with us as part of the programming around our production of Rent. I encourage everyone to visit The Quilt and to take time to reflect on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to honor those who were lost because of it.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a living archive and a memorial tribute made from the hands of those who lost loved ones. When working with the AIDS Memorial Quilt, I asked for them to loan us sections that contain the panels of legendary choreographer, dancer, and activist AlvinAiley (who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater); Broadway choreographer and director MichaelBennett (most known for his choreography of the original A Chorus Line); and actor and singer LarryKert (who originated the role of Tony in Broadway’s West Side Story).
These three individuals are among countless artistic lives that were lost to AIDS and among the more than 40 million people who have died of the disease since the 1980s. As you reflect on their lives, I want to remind you that HIV/AIDShistoryistheatre history. The pandemic had an immense impact on the NYC artistic communities; it was also these same communities that mounted the earliest interventions of activism and care for those afflicted by the disease. Organizations like ACTUP (co-founded by playwright Larry Kramer) and BroadwayCares/EquityFightsAIDS are two of the leading voices in the fight for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and awareness.
The fight against HIV/AIDS has always been a political one. It is also an artistic one. Tell people about the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Come see it with your class, bring your friends and loved ones, and take time to reflect and discuss how you feel in its presence.
The Quilt is open to the public
Thank you and take care, Dr. Jimmy A. Noriega
BEYONDTHESTAGE
CONNECTION IN AN ISOLATED AGE
ProgrammingConnectedtoRENT April30–May13,2025
AIDS Memorial Quilt
On display April 30–May-13
Lobby of 72 E. 11th Street
AIDS/HIV in Chicago: An Ongoing History
Saturday, May 3 12:00 PM
Pre-show presentation Classic Theater, 72 E. 11th Street Featuring:
• ErinBell,OperationsDirector oftheGerber/HartLibrary& Archive
QueerPeopleofColorPanel+ Mixer
Wednesday,May7
4:00–6:00PM TheHive
618S.Michigan,3rdFloor (SDIEvent)
LavenderCeremony
Thursday,May8
5:30–7:30PM TheHive
618S.Michigan,3rd Floor(SDIEvent)
UnityinPrideBall
Friday,May9
5:00–7:00PM
•
• HeatherMingesWols,PhD, Instructorof“TheBiologyof AIDS” VictoriaCan,PhD,Instructor of“BiologyofHuman ImmuneSystem”
• AlbertWilliams,Former editor,ChicagoGayLifeand WindyCityTimes;Chicago LGBTHallofFameinductee
AIDSDIVADocumentary
Tuesday,May6
1:00–3:00PM
+TalkbackHokinAuditorium, 623S.Wabash
623S.Wabash,TheHaus (SDIEvent)
Pre-showQ&A+ ActivationTable
Friday,May9
6:30PM Lobby,72E.11thStreet Featuring:
•TerraCampbell (HowardBrownCenter)
RSVP required for: Friday, May 9 at 6:30 PM
Pre-show Q&A + Activation Table With Terra Campbell (Howard Brown Center)
Welcometothe2024-2025seasonofColumbiaCollegeChicago’sSchoolofTheatre andDance!Wearethrilledtopresentadynamiclineupthatcapturestheheartofour program: innovative storytelling, diverse voices and perspectives, and powerful experiences that challenge, entertain, and inspire. Our season explores timeless questions of identity, love, resilience, and belonging, and we are honored to bring these powerful stories to the stage. Our season kicks off with Comedy Cabaret, a celebration of the power of comedy, collaboration, and creativity In this uniquely Columbia experience, our talented students bring fresh energy to a genre that’s essential to our collective identity and we are excited for audiences to experience their bold and fearless voices on stage as they revise and refine their show each week. HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is the iconic show that broke boundaries and continues to resonate across generations It presents themes of freedom,love,andprotestandfeelsjustasrelevanttodayaswhenitfirstpremiered in1967.InFabulationor,theRe-educationofUndinebyLynnNottage,weseeastory ofresilienceandself-discoveryasourprotagonistgrappleswithidentity,family,and issuesofclassassheworkstorebuildherlifeandfindanewsenseofpurpose.
Inthespringsemester,YouontheMoorsNowbringsclassicliterarycharactersintoa bold, contemporary world where they wrestle with timeless questions of independenceandagency.Thisplayful,feministreimaginingofbelovedfiguresfrom JaneAusten,theBrontësisters,andLouisaMayAlcottreanimatesourunderstanding of these classics. Finally, our season concludes with Rent, Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical about love, struggle, and survival in the early years of the AIDS pandemic This beloved musical speaks deeply to the ethos of our program— pursuingone’spassion,makingconnectionsandcommunityinanever-dividedworld, andpromotingthemesofcare,community,andhope.
In addition to these shows, we are presenting over 40 student-led productions that include plays, one-acts, staged readings, new works, and dance pieces In all these productions, our students explore vitally important themes while stretching their creative capacities to present a series of events that celebrate the power of live performance. We invite you to explore our webpage and Instagram account (@columbiacollegetheatre) to stay up to date with these productions and hope you willjoinustocelebrateourcollectivecreativetalent!
Enjoytheshow,
JimmyA.Noriega,PhD SchoolDirector
FromtheArtisticDirector
Welcome theatregoers,
This season we celebrate the individual in society – the person who doesn’t hide in the back row but steps forward to be counted. That is the humorous truth of this year’s Comedy Cabaret, and of a young person challenging the war in HAIR. It may be the woman who has discounted her past only to embrace it in her future in Fabulation or, the Re-education of Undine; the women with no agency who escape from their limitations in You on the Moors Now; or the artists who each have their own stories of liberation to tell in Rent – in each the status quo is always challenged, and is often actually the source for engaging storytelling.
We hope our audiences leave the theatre after each of this season’s offerings with a renewed sense of what is possible when even only one person says no to authority or cultural mores Thanks to all our student artists and faculty and staff mentors, and our audiences, as we bring another season of storytelling to the stage
Susan Padveen Artistic Director
FromtheDirector
In 1996, I was a Junior at Shenandoah University majoring in Musical Theater. I fully remember when RENT dropped. We knew that RENT was more than just another musical. It signaled change. Not just a change to the structure of musical theater as we knew it, but a change in how we talked about theater, its diversity and the statements that it was making. Theater is meant to be bold and make strong statements. RENT did just that. We listened to that soundtrack until the c.d. player burnt out. We all would have our characters we would sing, and at every party we would blast and proudly shout “La Vie Boheme!” I grew up in the 80’s during the height of the AIDS crisis I saw just how devastating it was, and how the stigma around it had everyone in a tizzy I also saw how our government decidedly did nothing and sat idly by while hundreds of thousands of people died from this terrible virus. I saw how they said that it was something preventable due to lifestyle choices. Determined to fight for the voice of the loved ones lost, the Queer community stood up and fought for the rights of themselves and the ones that were gone. Regulations changed, but the stigma didn’t. Jonathan Larson and RENT gave that movement a stage. Now here we are some decades later, and RENT is just as relevant as it was in ’96. We also find ourselves fighting some of the same battles. When I got the call to direct this piece, I knew that I had to be a part of this movement just I was in ‘96. This time instead of singing to the top of my lungs at a party, I would be behind the table leading a team of fantastic student actors, designers, and staff through a cultural revolution that will live on forever!
Thank you Jonathan Larson, Thank you RENT, Thank you Columbia College Chicago for having the courage to make this statement at a time when so many institutions are sidestepping their responsibilities to tell these stories at this time!!
Daryl D. Brooks Director RENT
RogerDavis........................................................................................
MarkCohen.......................................................................................
TomCollins.........................................................................................
Benjamin‘Benny’CoffinIII,RogerDavis(u/s)..........................
JoanneJefferson.............................................................................
AngelDumottSchunard................................................................
MimiMarquez....................................................................................
MaureenJohnson............................................................................
Steve,SqueegeeMan,Waiter,SeasonsofLovesoloist....
Paul,Cop,Benjamin‘Benny’CoffinIII(u/s)...............................
Gordon,TheMan,Mr.Grey.........................................................
Mr.Jefferson,X-masCaroler,Pastor,TomCollins(u/s).....
Mark’sMom
AlexiDarling,Roger’sMom
Mrs Jefferson,WomanwithBags
ThomasToohill
JohnnyJohnathanWebster
MarkBonney
JordanThompson
KailiSmith
BrennanLockwood
AddieReynoso
HarmonyRoseNielsen
KylerAnderson
JeremiahKimbrew
RyanWinters
EthanWilliams
ShadanRediger
SarahDriessen
LillianSophiaUrresti
SWINGS
AuroraBoe
OwenGainer
LucySkyMandlowitz
ElPinckney
MichaelSpahn
ChoeVenner
CASTBIOS
KYLERANDERSON
(he/him/his)(Steve,Waiter,SqueegeeMan,SeasonsofLoveSoloist)isafreshmanBFAMusical TheatrePerformancemajorfromMaryville,TN PreviouscreditsincludeTheLightningThief (PercyJackson),SpongeBobtheMusical(SpongeBob),SweeneyTodd(AnthonyHope),andInto theWoods(Jack).KylerissoexcitedandhonoredtomakehismainstagedebutinRent!
AURORABOE
(she/her)(JoanneJeffersonu/s)isaseniorBAMusicalTheatremajororiginallyfromHartford,CT, laterbasedinMurfreesboro,TN,andnowlivinginChicago.Favoriteperformancecreditsinclude SundayintheParkwithGeorge(Dot),theInternationalLyricAcademy’sLesMisérables(Fantine), ChicagoCabaretProfessionals'MerryMeasure(2023–24),andTheBeautifulCityProject'sWe WillRockYouandOscar’sNight Asachoreographer,she’sproudtohaveworkedonThe HunchbackofNotreDameandColumbia’sinauguralMusicalTheatreDanceConcert
MARKBONNEY
(he/him)(TomCollins)isafreshmanMusicalTheatremajorfromDetroit,MI.Hiscreditsinclude TheWiz(Tinman),OnceonThisIsland(TontonJulian),andJoseph...Dreamcoat(Joseph),among others A2023JimmyAwardsnominee,MarkperformedattheMinskoffTheatreinNYC He beganhisjourneywiththeDetroitYouthChoirandcontinuestogrowasanartistandperformer
SARAHDRIESSEN
(she/they)(AlexiDarling,Ensemble)isasophomoreMusicalTheatremajorfromFairfax,VA PreviouscreditsincludeFabulation,ortheRe-EducationofUndine(Stephie).Shewouldliketo thankAshtonShacochis,MoeKuhlmann,andyouforcomingtoseetheshow!
OWENGAINER
(he/him/his)(MarkCohenu/s,Steveu/s)isajuniorMusicalTheatremajorwithaminorin Education,bornandraisedinChicago,IL PreviousColumbiacreditsincludePippinandthe MusicalTheatreDanceConcert.Owenissogratefultothecastandcrewformakingthissucha joyfulandfulfillingexperience.
JEREMIAHKIMBREW
(he/him)(Paul,Cop,Benjamin‘Benny’CoffinIIIU/S)isasophomoreActingBAmajorfromChicago, IL HeisthesonofKatherine-CherryDavisandTitusKimbrew JeremiahhopesyouenjoyRent Filmcreditsinclude:PassionProject(Zack),Fear(Kai),andTheMess(Randy)–D1ShortFilm
CASTBIOS
BRENNANLOCKWOOD
(he/him)(AngelDumottSchunard)isathird-yearBFAMusicalTheatremajororiginallyfrom Chicago,Illinois.HemadehisColumbiaTheatredebutasafreshmaninMusicalTheatreNew StewandhassinceappearedasLukeinDanceNation(dir.AlisonDornheggen),intheensemble ofPippin(dir.DarylBrooks),andasHudinHAIR(dir.DavidFiorello).Heisthrilledtobeperforming inhissixthproductionatColumbiaandgratefultosharethestagewithsuchanincrediblecast
LUCYSKYMANDLOWITZ
(they/she)(Mimiu/s,AlexiDarlingu/s)issoexcitedtobemakingtheirmainstagedebut Theyare afreshmanfromBoulder,ColoradomajoringinTheatrewithaconcentrationinDirecting Their previousrolesareAngus/CaterpillarinAlicebyHeart,FriedainCarrie,JanetinRockyHorror,and WendyJoinFootloose.Theyhopeyouenjoytheshow.Vivalavieboheme.
HARMONYROSENIELSEN
(she/her)(MaureenJohnson)isasophomoresinger,dancer,actor,andchoreographerpursuinga BFAinMusicalTheatreatColumbiaCollegeChicago ShedreamsofreachingBroadway(and beyond!)andhopestoonedayachieveanEGOT butaboveall,sheispassionateabouttelling storiesthatmatter.Recentcreditsincludeco-choreographinganddancingintheMusicalTheatre DanceConcertandplayingÉponineinLesMisérableswiththeInternationalLyricAcademyinItaly. Whennotperforming,shedivideshertimebetweenChicago,LosAngeles,andCostaRica,where sheworksasapersonaltrainerandenjoystimewithhertwodogs,DukeandDraco ThisperformanceisdedicatedtoeveryonewehavelosttoAIDSandtoallwhohavelost someonetheylove.Rentremindsusthatlifeisbestmeasuredinlove andthisworldcould alwaysusealittlemore.AndintrueMaureenspirit:theonlywayoutisup!
ELPINCKNEY
(he/him)(Cop,Paulu/s,Gordonu/s)isajuniorActingmajorfromChicago,IL.Hewaslastseenas MichaelinTick,Tick…Boom.andisexcitedtoreturntotheworldofJonathanLarsonwithRent. Hethanksthecreativeteam,cast,andhislovedonesfortheirendlesssupport.
SHADANREDIGER
(she/her)(Mark’sMom,Ensemble)isafreshmanAudioArtsmajorwithaminorinMusicBusiness fromYorkville,IL PreviouscreditsincludeMammaMia!(Donna)andMeanGirls(Janis) Shadan haslovedbeingpartofherfirstcollegiateproductionandthankseveryonewhomadeitpossible
CASTBIOS
ADDIEREYNOSO
(she/her)(MimiMarquez)isasophomoreMusicalTheatrePerformancemajorandChicago native.ColumbiacreditsincludeLoneStarSpirits(Marley)andPippin(Ensemble).Sheisecstatic tobringMimitolife enjoytheshow!
KAILISMITH
(she/her)(JoanneJefferson)isasophomorefromWoodDaleIllinois,pastproductionsaretick tick…Boom!(KareesaJohnson)andLittleShopofHorrors(Audrey).
MICHAELPHOEBESPAHN
(he/she/they)(Cop,AngelDumottSchunaradu/s,Mr Jefferson)isajuniortransferstudent fromLongmont,CO.PastcreditsincludeAllShookUp(Dennis),SweeneyTodd(TobiasRagg), andThe25thAnnualPutnamCountySpellingBee(Leaf).Michaelisthrilledtomaketheir mainstagedebutatColumbia.Nodaybuttoday!
JORDANTHOMPSON
(he/him/his)(Benjamin‘Benny’CoffinIII,RogerDavisu/s)isafreshmanMusicalTheatremajor fromO’Fallon,MO.ColumbiacreditsincludeBones,IceCreamMachine,andPercentages.He’s excitedforeveryonetowitnessthehardworkofthisincrediblecastandcrew.
THOMASTOOHILL
(he/him)(RogerDavis)isathird-yearActingmajorwithaVideoProductionminorfromLeRoy, IL ColumbiacreditsincludeHair(Father/Tribe) Otherfavorites:Newsies(Davey),Grease (Danny),andWillyWonka(Wonka) ThomasrecentlystarredintheBFAthesisfilm5w-30and performedinMaryPoppins(Parkkeeper/US Bert) He’sbeenpreparingforRogersince Octoberandishonoredtohelptellthisstory.
LILLIANSOPHIAURRESTI
(she/her)(Mrs Jefferson,WomanwithBags,Sue,SeasonsofLoveSoloist,Ensemble)isa juniorfromOrangeCounty,CA.ColumbiacreditsincludeSundayintheParkwithGeorge (Nurse/Harriet),Pippin(Ensemble/CatherineU/S),andHair(Jeanie).Thankstofriends,family, cast,andcrewforalltheloveandsupport.LavieBohème!Muchlove! Instagram:@lillianurresti
CASTBIOS
CHLOEVENNER
(she/her)(Ensemble)isasophomoreatColumbiaCollegeChicagoandthrilledtobeinRent PreviouscreditsincludeHair(Sheila,CCC),Heathers(StonerChick,Point2Productions), Anastasia(CountessLily,ConantHS),andTheLightningThief(Clarisse/Charon,Schaumburg onStage).
JOHNNYJOHNATHANWEBSTER
(he/him)(MarkCohen)isafourth-yearTheatreDesign&TechnologymajorwithafocusinSound andLighting OriginallyfromGlenwoodSprings,CO,hiscreditsinclude:Design:HAIR (CCC, 2024),Feathers&Teeth(2023),RidetheCyclone(ThunderRiverTheatreCo),ComedyCabaret (CCC),andmore.Performance:HAIR(Ensemble,CCC).ThisperformanceisdedicatedtoJimmy Owen yourlightcontinuestoshinebrighterthanyoucould’veimagined.
ETHANWILLIAMS
(he/him/his)(Ensemble,TomCollinsu/s)isasophomoreMusicalTheatremajorfromSt Louis, MO ColumbiacreditsincludeMusicalTheatreNewStew(2023)andtheInauguralMusical TheatreDanceConcerts(2024&2025) He’sexcitedtobepartofRent!
RYANWINTERS
(he/him)(Gordon,TheMan,Mr.Grey,Ensemble)isaseniorMusicBAmajorfromLodi,WI.Thisis hisfirstandlastproductionatColumbia,andhe’sthrilledtoreturntomusicaltheatreafterfive yearsaway
JonathanLarsonreceived the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation's Comendation Award. In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical "Sitting on the Edge of the Future". In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical Superbia, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon He composed the score for the musical J P Morgan Saves the Nation, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue tick, tick... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to scoring and song writing for "Sesame Street", he created music for a number of children's book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg's "An American Tail" and "Land Before Time". Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for "Away We Go!", a musical video for children. RENT, his rock opera based on "La Boheme", had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop Mr Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday. His music (including songs cut from his shows) is archived in the Library of Congress
MTIBIO
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.
MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
DarylDBrooks(Director)isaChicagobasedDirector,Writerandproducer.Darylhas beenwiththeBlackEnsembleTheaterforover20yearsandiscurrentlytheProducing ManagingDirector.Hismusicalrevue,YouCan’tFaketheFunk:AJourneyThrough FunkMusic,premieredatBlackEnsembleTheaterandearnedhimanAfricanAmerican ArtsAward,BlackTheaterAllianceAward,andtheJosephJeffersonAwardforBest Musical/Revue HisproductionMenofSoulalsoreceivedmultipleawardsand nominationsincludingtheChicagoBroadwayWorldnominationforBestDirectorfora Musical/Revue,aJeffAwardNominationforBestDirectorofaReview,andwas selectedforproductionatTheNationalBlackTheaterFestival.Hehasdirectedover fiftyproductionsandsomecreditsinclude;BlackPearl:ATributetoJosephineBaker, WomenofSoul,TimeMachine:ATributetothe80’s,HITTRecords(BlackEnsemble Theatre),Memphis!,PumpBoysandDinettes(PorchlightMusicalTheatre),Million DollarQuartet(TheatreAttheCenter),AkeelahandtheBeeandFastFoodChain (AdventureStageandNorthwesternSettlement)ColorPurple,Dreamgirls(Phoenix TheaterCompany)Assassins(TheoUbique)SundayInTheParkWithGeorge,Pippin! (ColumbiaCollegeChicago)andmany,manymore!Darylisaproudmemberofthe SarahSiddonsArtisticCouncil In2019DarylreceivedtheChicagoDefender’sMenof ExcellenceAwardforbuildingdiversityandequitywithintheChicagotheater community Hewasalsonamedoneof NewCityStages50PlayersinChicagoin2022 and2024.Hismostimportantroletodateisbeingafathertohiswonderful,TikTock lovingdaughterMaya!
TanjiHarper(Choreographer),aproudSouthSideChicagonative,isateachingartist andchoreographertrainedbyJosephHolmesChicagoDanceTheater,ChicagoDance Medium,HomerBryant,JoelHall,andothers,andanalumnaofTheChicagoAcademy oftheArts Afterhighschool,shetrainedinLA andNewYorkanddancedformajor R&BandHipHopactsincludingR.Kelly,Sparkle,DoorDie,Avant,andBustaRhymes. Returninghome,shebecameartisticdirectorofTheHappinessClubandlaunched apprenticeshipprogramsforChicagoteensthroughAfterSchoolMatters.Recently, she’sfocusedonsupportingtheoften-overlooked18–25agegroupthroughBlu RhythmChicago,offeringworkshopsandperformances.Over18years,Harperhas contributedtoprogrammingwithorganizationsliketheChicagoParkDistrict,CPS, RedmoonTheater,DanceChicago,AmericanRhythmCenter,Lollapalooza,LyricOpera ofChicago,andeventheWhiteHouseEasterEggRollduringtheObamayears
DavidFiorello(MusicalDirector)isaJeffAward-winningmusicdirector,director, performer,orchestrator,andplaywrightwhoseworkhasbeenseenworldwide.Recent creditsincludeBluesintheNight(withFeliciaP Fields),SundayintheParkwith George(withSeanAlanKrill),ToBeatChicagoShakespeareTheater,theinternational premiereofWithaSonginMyHeart,andmusicdirectionforGypsy(Porchlight), SweeneyTodd(internationaltour),andDanny&Sylvia(Off-Broadway) Hehastaught atColumbiaCollegeChicago,Loyola,andNorthwestern;leadsTheBeautifulCity Project,raisingfundsforChicagocharitiesthroughmusicaltheatre;headsmusical theatreattheInternationalLyricAcademyinVicenza,Italy;andisdevelopinganew workonPucciniandhisoriginalmusicalTheLanguageortheKiss,featuringIndigo Girlsmusic.Moreatfiorellostudios.comandthebeautifulcityproject.com.
MariahBennettshe/her/hers(PropsDesigner)MariahisaTexasnativewithaBFA fromUniversityofNorthTexasandaMastersofDesignfromRhodeIslandSchoolof Design.Shegaveupherlifeasanarchitecttopursuehercurrentcareerintherealm offilmandtheater Asapropertiesdesigner,she'shadthepleasureofworkingwith ChicagoOpera,DefinitionTheater,Haven,CongoSquare,FilamentTheater,ThirdRail, APTP,RefractedTheater,TheGift,Gilbert&Sullivan,DePaulOpera,ShatteredGlobe, andNorthlightTheater.
PRODUCTIONBIOS
LeighaArmstrong
(she/her/hers)(AssistantScenicDesigner)isaseniorTheatreDesignand TechnologymajorfromMuscatine,Iowa.Herpreviouscreditsincludescenic designforLostGirl,MinutesandSeconds,andBones,andassistantdesignfor TheItandCreature.
LewisBeaver
(they/he)(AssistantScenicDesigner)isajuniorTheatreDesignandASL InterpretingmajorfromKnoxville,Tennessee.Theywerethescenicdesigner forThingsMyMotherTaughtMeandMusicalTheatreNewStew,andserved aslightboardprogrammer/operatorforTheBluestEye.
CelineBerger
(they/them)(IntimacyChoreographer)isaseniorActingmajor Previouswork includesintimacychoreographyandconsultationonPercentages,StopKiss, andthe2025One-ActPlayfest.They’regratefultobepartofthisproduction enjoytheshow!
IsaacBowman
(he/they)(AssistantProductionElectrician/Programmer)isasophomore TheatreDesignandTechnologymajorfromGreenBay,WI.Hiscreditsinclude lightingdesignerforOrlando,electricianforFabulation,andsounddesignerfor LoneStarSpirits.OutsideColumbia,heworksforLighthouseProductionsin Wisconsin.Specialthankstohisparents,girlfriend,andmentors.
MaxChristensen
(he/they)(Dramaturg)isajuniorTheatreDesignandTechnologymajorfrom Lawrence,Kansas He’salsoascenicdesigner,havingdesignedThe ImpracticalityofModern-DayMastodons,TheNether,andFeathersandTeeth Hehopesyouenjoytheshow!
JoCigarroaOntiveros
(they/them)(AssistantCostumeDesigner)isaseniorTheatreDesignand Technologymajorfocusingoncostumedesign They’vepreviouslydesigned StopKissandassistedonTheBluestEyeandRevolt Theyarethrilledtobe partofRent.
RemusDePriest
(he/him/his)(CostumeDesigner)isaseniorTheatreDesignandTechnology majorfromMissouri PastColumbiacreditsincludeLoneStarSpirits,Pippin, TheNether,andTheGiver He’sthankfulforthecreativemindshe’sworked with
NinaDomanus
(she/they)(SoundCo-Designer/A1)isajuniorSoundDesignmajorfrom Bedford,Michigan PreviouscreditsincludeLostGirlandMinutes&Seconds (SoundDesigner)andHair(A2) She’sgratefulfortheopportunitytoworkon Rent
SydEllis
(they/them)(HairandWigDesigner)isfromBedford,NewHampshire,andhas designedforHair,YouontheMoorsNow,andTheBluestEye Theyare excitedtodesignagainthisfallforGreaseandhopeyouenjoyRENT!
BenjiFelix
(he/him)(SoundCo-Designer)isajuniorSoundDesignmajorfromAurora,IL. ColumbiacreditsincludeOnTheTown(AudioAssistant),Pippin(AudioTech), Hamlet(SubSoundOp),andTheNetherandFabulation(SoundDesigner).He alsoworkedonshortfilmsBigStepsandSundownDrive.
ShelbyFish
(they/she)(FightChoreographer)isaseniorActingmajorandStageCombat minor.TheypreviouslychoreographedfightsforLoneStarSpiritsand Heathers.They’rehonoredtocloseouttheirtimeatColumbiawithRent.
DestinyGarner
(she/her/hers)(AssistantLightingDesigner/SpotDesigner)isajuniorTheatre DesignandTechnologymajorfromthesouthsuburbsofChicago Her ColumbiacreditsincludeSundayinthePark,Pippin,Creature,Minutesand Seconds,MusicalTheatreDanceConcert,andFabulation.Shealsodesigned WithinaShadowatTheDenTheatre.
QuinnGomez
(TechnicalDirector)isaseniorfromTinleyPark,IL.Columbiacreditsinclude Medea,OnTheTown,andTangoPalace Healsoworksinthesceneshopand isgratefulforthecommunityatColumbia
JackHewitt
(he/him)(WardrobeCrew)isafreshmanMusicalTheatremajorfrom Muskogee,Oklahoma HerecentlyperformedintheMusicalTheatreDance ConcertandD2’sAcrossAllWorldsDoubleBill
DylanHirt
(she/her)(StageManager)isaseniorStageManagementmajor Credits includeRent(SM),HairandHamlet(ASM),24-HourPlayFestival(SM),and Creature(SM).Thankstohermomandallhermentors.“Theoppositeofwar isn’tpeace,it’screation.”–Rent
MoeKuhlmann
(3rdAssistantStageManager)isasophomoreStageManagementstudentfrom St Louis,MO CreditsincludeTheImpracticalityofModern-DayMastodons (SM),24-HourPlayfest(ASM),andMinutesandSeconds(SM).
EdgarLopez
(he/him)(FightChoreographer)isanactor,playwright,andfightchoreographer fromChicago.ColumbiaactingcreditsincludeFabulation,SmallMouthSounds, andRogersPlay.He’sgratefultohaveworkedonRent.
RubyLundeen
(she/her/hers)(2ndAssistantStageManager)isastagemanagementmajor fromLewesBeach,Delaware.CreditsincludeLoneStarSpirits,EnterPursued byaWhale,TheGiver,Prowess,andEurydice/AntigoneNow.ThankstoTiyana, Donna,andduetpartnerKellyCollins.Carpediem!
KeelanoMayo
(he/him)(CostumeAssistant)isfromWestFargo,NorthDakota.Hehasworked onHamlet,TangoPalace,Hair,ThingsMyMotherTaughtMe,Sender,and Rent HisfavoritecreditsincludeHairandHamlet
MichaelMeschbach
(he/him)(AssistantLightingDesigner)isajuniorDesignandTechnology studentfromthenorthwestsuburbsofChicago.Favoriteproductionsinclude Pippin,Hair,andRent.
PRODUCTIONBIOS
EddieNeal-Morales
(he/they)(PaintCharge)isajuniorTheatreDesignandTechnologymajorwith ascenicfocusfromColumbus,Ohio.DesigncreditsincludeTheNether,Witch, andChairs;assistantcreditsincludeIandYou,Feathers&Teeth,andHair.
AlisonPopelka
(they/them/theirs)(LightingDesigner)isaseniorLightingDesignand TechnologymajorfromMadison,Wisconsin ColumbiacreditsincludeBones, DarkPlay,andLostGirl Theythanktheirfamily,friends,andtheRentteam!
DominickRodriguez
(he/him)(HairAssistant)isafreshmanMusicalTheatremajorwithminorsin DanceandSocialMedia.FromBrea,CA,he’sperformedinshowchoir,danced intheMusicalTheatreDanceConcert,andworkedonHair
Beyrali“Bey”Santiago
(she/her)(MakeupDesigner)isasophomoreTheatreDesignandTechnology majorwithaconcentrationinmakeup,fromChicago Rentmarksherfirst productionatColumbiaasadesigner Withnodirectmentorintherole,Bey embracedthechallengeofdesigningforafullcast drawingonskillsfroma pasttextanalysiscoursetoinformthoughtful,research-drivenchoices Sheis especiallygratefultoFrancesandKClarefortheirsupport,encouragement,and generositythroughouttheprocess.Beyisproudoftheworkshe’scontributed anddeeplyappreciativeoftheopportunitytobringthesecharacterstolife throughmakeup.
KateSheets
(she/her)(WardrobeCrew)isasophomorefromCedarPark,Texas,andis thrilledtobetechingherfirstshowatColumbiaafterpreviouslyworkingonthe actingsideoftheatre
LindsaySmith
(she/her)(AssistantDirector)isasophomoreDirectingmajorfromSanLuis Obispo,California ShepreviouslyservedasassistantstagemanageronTango PalacelastspringandwilldirectherDirectingIIprojectnextsemester Lindsay isespeciallyhonoredtoworkonRent,astheshow’simpactduringher freshmanyearofhighschoolinspiredhertobecomeadirector.Shethanksher parentsandbrothersfortheirconstantsupport(andforpatientlylisteningto hertalkaboutthisshowforfiveyears).Enjoytheperformance!
ZacharySwerdlow
(they/them)(A3)isasophomoreAudioArtsandMusicandTheatreDesignand TechnologymajorfromSantaMonica,California AtColumbia,theyhave servedasSoundDesignerforSenderandSoundBoardOperatorforLoneStar Spirits.
MaineTriplett
(he/him)(AssistantMusicDirector)isafreshmanBAMusicalTheatremajor fromSt Charles,Illinois HehasmusicdirectedTheSoundofMusicandThe LittleMermaid,andhasperformedinover40productions,includingSweeney Todd,LesMisérables,and(upcoming)Greasethisfall Maineisecstatictobe partofhisfirstColumbiaCollegeChicagoproductionandisimmenselyproud ofhowfartheentireteamhascome.
AmbikaTrivedi
(1 AssistantStageManager)isaStageManagementconcentrationfrom Libertyville,Illinois.PastColumbiacreditsinclude1stASMonFabulation,orThe Re-EducationofUndineandPSMofTheNether.Sheisexcitedforyouto experienceRentandhopesyouenjoytheshow!
AlVillanueva
(they/he)(ScenicDesigner)isaseniorTheatreDesign&Technologymajorwith concentrationsinScenicandCostumeDesign,fromAurora,Illinois.Previous scenicdesigncreditsatColumbiaincludeTheBluestEye,Late:ACowboy Song,andIandYou.
RiverWise
(he/him/they)(AssistantPropsDesigner)isaseniorTheatreDesign& TechnologymajorfromDesMoines,Iowa.HispreviouscreditsincludeLobby Hero(ScenicChargeArtist,ShatteredGlobeTheatre),Hair(ScenicDesigner), TrueWest(ScenicDesigner),andBatBoy:TheMusical(AssistantScenic/Run Crew).
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David M. Rubenstein.
Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Additional support is provided by The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein; and the Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation.
Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) The aims of this national theater education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels
Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the KCACTF regional festival and may also be considered for national awards recognizing outstanding achievement in production, design, direction and performance
Last year more than 1,500 productions were entered in the KCACTF involving more than 200,000 students nationwide. By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation
PRODUCTIONTEAM
ProductionManager
Erica L Sandvig
AssistantMusicalDirector
Maine Triplett
SceneShopSupervisor
Kevin Rolfs
AssistantScenicDesign
Lewis Beaver
Leigha Armstrong
LightingSupervisor
Nelli Fritjofson
DirectorofTechnology
Josef Szaday
AssistantStage Managers
Ambika Trivedi
Ruby Lundeen
Moe Kuhlmann
AssistantIntimacy
Choreographer
Celine Berger
StudentTechnical Director
Quinn Gomez
CostumeShop Management
kClare McKellaston
AssistantLighting Designer
Destiny Garner
Michael Meschbach
AssistantPropDesign
River Wises
AssistantDirector
Lindsay Smith
TechnicalDirector
Grant Sabin
PaintCharge
Eddie Neal-Morales
AssistantCostumeDesigner
Keelano Mayo
Sio Davis
Jo Cigarroa Ontiveros
AssistantProduction Electrician
Isaac Bowman
AssistantHairDesign
Dominick Rodriguez
SHOWCREW
DeckCrew
Analisa Gomes
WardrobeCrew Head
Sio Davis
LightingProgrammers
Isaac Bowman
SpotOps
Skye Baker
Nat Forsberg
Ushers
Ava Cossolotto
Maple Luna
WardrobeCrew
Jack Hewitt
Kat Liu
Kate Sheets
SoundTeam
A1Nina Domanus
A2 Claire McGowen-Henderson
A3Zachary Swerdlow
MENTORSANDADDITIONALTHEATRESTAFF
StageManagement Mentor
David Castellanos
LightingDesignMentor
Kentrell Brazeal
CombatMentor
David Woolley
ScenicDesignMentor
Jaqueline Penrod
SoundDesignMentor
Mikhail Fiksel
DirectorofAcademic Operations
Mary Butler
STUDENTSTAFF
AdministrativeOffice& ResourceCenter
Max Christensen
Jadyn Hogue
Khalyah Adams-Thompson
Production Management Assistant
Moe Kuhlmann
CostumeDesignMentor
Frances Maggio
DramaturgyMentor
Grace Kessler-Overbeke, PhD
AudienceServices Manager
Abigail Karr
SceneShop
Megan Burke
Quinn Gomez
Eddie Neal-Morales
Gael Owens
Sprig Velic
Al Villanueva
River Wise
CostumeShop
Kyler Anderson
Lou Baggett
Lauren Evans
Abi Hayes
Venus Petter
Lena Slininger
Carlee Walka
AV
Max Cichon
Jack Plahutnik
Johnathan Webster
ProductionAssistants
Khalyah Adams-Thompson
Natalie Frisch
Emma Jean Golden
Dylan Hirt
Jadyn Hogue
Whitney Ratliff
Ramon Rodriguez
ElectricsCrew
Zoe Cheever
Socorro Park
Al Popelka
TheatreAdvisoryBoard
The Theatre Advisory Board’s mission is to uplift students, alumni, and the Theatre Program at Columbia College Chicago by creating a vibrant community where they can exchange industry insights, share expertise, forge collaborative partnerships, and explore hands-on opportunities for professional growth while maintaining a strong connection with the institution.
To learn more, get involved and donate visit linktr.ee/ theatreadvisoryboard
Thankyouforjoiningus!Ifyoufoundthisproductioninteresting, inspiring,challenging,and/orentertaining,pleaseconsideradonation totheSchoolofTheatreandDance.UsetheQRCodebeloworsenda checkEARMARKEDTOTHESCHOOLOFTHEATREANDDANCEto:
ColumbiaCollegeChicago c/oDevelopmentDepartment 600S.MichiganAve.
