Scenic Designer: Blythe Ryther
Costume Designer: Greer Gardner
Prop Master: Megan De Santos
Lighting Designer: Miranda Carpenter
Hair/Makeup Designer: Jen Prichard
Sound Designer: Aerik Harbert*
Technical Director: Harold Kast
Dramaturgs: Ziggy Bozigian
March 20–29, 2025 • Young Theatre
Band
Bass: Josh Cahill
Cello: Oliver Walton
Drums: Art Pacheco
Guitar: Justin Smith
Keyboard: Zach DeChance
Keyboard: Sarah Grandpré
Viola: Si Tran
Violin: Robin Cecil
Act One
Mama Who Bore Me...................................................................................................Wendla
Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)....................................................................Wendla and Girls
All That’s Known.......................................................................................................Melchior
The Bitch of Living.......................................................................Moritz, Melchior, and Boys
My Junk...........................................................................................................Girls and Boys
Touch Me........................................................................................................Boys and Girls
The Word of Your Body.........................................................................Wendla and Melchior
The Dark I Know Well.........................................................................Martha, Ilse, and Boys
The Word of Your Body (Reprise 1)...............................................................Otto and Georg
And Then There Were None.........................................................................Moritz and Boys
The Mirror-Blue Night...............................................................................Melchior and Boys
I Believe..........................................................................................................Boys and Girls
Act Two
The Guilty Ones................................................................Wendla, Melchior, Boys, and Girls Don’t Do Sadness........................................................................................................Moritz
The Word of Your Body (Reprise 2) ..................................Hanschen, Ernst, Boys, and Girls
Whispering..................................................................................................................Wendla
Those You’ve Known...............................................................Moritz, Wendla, and Melchior
The Song of Purple Summer..............................................................Ilse and Full Company
Spring Awakening is a controversial and intensely-regarded musical created by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater in 2005–2006. It had its first off-Broadway premiere date on June 15th, 2006 and it went to Broadway on December 10th, 2006. It quickly became the musical for the young generation of the time. Teens adored it (and continue to) for its lyrics, characters, relatability, dark themes, music itself, and star-studded cast. The original production featured Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, John Gallagher Jr., Gideon Click, Krysta Rodriguez, Skylar Astin, Christine Estabrook, and so many more.
The musical’s creators, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, are long-time collaborators. Both are artists in their own right and have created several beautiful pieces of art by bringing their skills together. Their other works include Alice by Heart, Nero, The Nightingale, Ma Vie en Rose, and more.
The musical version of Spring Awakening is based on an 1891 German text of the same title by Frank Wedekind. His play, Spring Awakening (A Children’s Tragedy), is very much so the same story as the later musical. The subject material in both versions shocked audiences in both eras. Wedekind’s play was so jarring that it did not receive its first performance until November 20th, 1906. It was put up at Berlin’s Deutsches Theater and directed by Max Reinhardt. The intent behind Wedekind’s play was to provide commentary on the sexually reserved culture of late 19th-century Germany. Sater and Sheik’s musical perfectly encapsulated that and hardly had to modernize it.
Religion (Protestantism) is a big theme in Spring Awakening. It is used as a basis for laws, school structure, social expectations, and more. Wedekind, Sheik, and Sater all saw the potential of using religion as a powerful theme in order to make audiences (more importantly society) think about the world. Throughout this production, there were many discussions about the continued relevance of this production. While it was written in 1891, then the 2000s, the controversy and prevalence in society remains. The truth is, young people don’t change. They question the world, come to know the darkest parts of the mind, watch their friends make horrible decisions, see through the words of adults, and develop a natural instinct to explore the body. Not acknowledging these things brings nothing but harm. There are many questions we should be asking ourselves after seeing Spring Awakening, especially in a modern context almost 20 years later. However, there is one that flags itself as the most important- the most controversial.
If we do not educate our young people about the beauty and consequences of love, sex, and death – what do we expect to happen?
Christine Negherbon’s (she/her) extensive performing credits include National Tours of My Fair Lady (Eliza u/s), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Starring Ann-Margret), Crazy for You (Polly), Chicago, 42nd Street (European TourPeggy Sawyer) and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Regionally, she has performed in Oklahoma! (Laurey and Dream Laurey - PA Shakespeare Festival), Cats (Jennanydots - The MUNY, Sacramento Music Circus), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), to name a few.
Negherbon’s TV credits include: Hart of Dixie and Haunting Evidence.
Christine has directed and/or choreographed productions such as The Belles are Swinging (Pre-Broadway workshop), A Chorus Line and 42nd Street (Norris Theatre), Holiday Inn, and The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins (MTW). Christine is a teaching artist for the Disneyland Resort. She is also Executive Director of MTC: The Triple Threat Competition, Associate Creative Director of MTCA and on faculty with Fluid Dance Conventions. She and husband/actor Joe Abraham, are the authors of The Thriving Artists. They have two sons and live in Los Angeles.
Sarah Grandpré has over twenty years of music education and directing experience in Southern California. Notable productions include Chess, Ride the Cyclone, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dogfight, Les Misérables, Spring Awakening, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, The SpongeBob Musical, and Zanna, Don’t! Sarah developed and directed Voices of Hope Children’s Choir. Under her leadership, the choir earned the coveted “Golden Buzzer” and a place in the finals on Season 13 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Sarah had the privilege of collaborating with Josh Groban, Pentatonix, Becky G, Donny Osmond, Tom Ball and Tokio Myers in televised appearances on NBC’s Red Nose Day, America’s Got Talent Champions, America’s Got Talent All-Stars, ABC’s WEDay, and the 96th Academy Awards. Sarah is an accomplished soloist, with career highlights including Brahms’ Requiem at Carnegie Hall, Beethoven’s Mass in C Major at Royce Hall and touring internationally in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Sarah teaches voice and musical theatre technique at Cal State Fullerton and offers individual and group voice programs through her music studio in Orange County, California. @sarahgrandpre / sarahgrandpre.com
About the Choreographer | Tula B. Strong
Tula B. Strong is a Liberian American choreographer, banjoist, and arts educator. She is passionate about creating multidisciplinary performances that weave dance, storytelling, and music. As such, you can often catch Tula happily choreographing within the spheres of musicals, theatre, film, and concert dance. Tula has been honored to have her work receive support and recognition from California Art Council’s Individual Artists Fellowship, Inland Film Festival, Charlotte Black Film Festival, Kwanzaa Film Festival, Blavity’s BlavityTV, the National Black Arts’ Artist Project Fund, San Bernardino Arts Connection’s Arts Innovator Micro-Grant, Californian’s for the Arts - IE Region’s Artists as Second Responder Award, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s DEAR Artist Retreat, and Princeton University’s The Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts.
As a first-generation college graduate, Tula earned her M.F.A. in dance from UCLA, her master’s in educational studies from Loyola Marymount University, and her Bachelors from Princeton University. Tula currently serves as a lecturer at Cal State Fullerton where she teaches courses in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Alongside the efforts of L.A. Based Choreographer Marianna Varviani, Tula also coleads L.A. Dance Calendar – an online platform providing one centralized location to discover all things dance in Greater Los Angeles. www.tulabstrong.com
Assistant Stage Managers: Matilda Lander, Kara Dietz
Assistant Lighting Designer: Anabella Piner
Assistant Costume Designer: Macy Mccoy
Assistant Hair/Makeup Designer: Jadzia Stiff, Alonso Valle
Associate Sound Designer: Jordan Benitez
Lighting Programmer: Francisco Amezcua
Light Board Operator: Alejandra Reyes
Spot Operators: Felix Fry, Amaya Blau, Gabriel Elizarraras, Omar Estrada
Audio Mixer: Maya Reed
Sound Board Operator: Alexa Aure
Audio 2: Jada Roberts, Lily Andrada, Kathryn Harbauer
Costume Crew: Clover King, Kyle Rogers, Pilar Magallanes, Ankita Krishnan, Ash Lopez
Hair & Makeup Crew: Maria Pinto, Michael Sagan, Lily Aniceto, Delaney Jackson, Gabriel Hernandez, Madelyn Stairs
Scenic Crew: Salvatore Messina, Cailin Leimbrock, Tina Lei Mahuta, Fabian Lopez, Abrahan Barajas, Gabriel Elizarraras
Costume Lab Student Assistants: Ryn Heier, Makayla Finn, Haven Hanson, Julianna Barlow, Alyssa Gauss, Caroline Lovett, Alicia Robles, Lilian Andrada, Mickey Narez, Getz Bayardo
Prop Assistants: Avis Constantino, Sierra Campoy, Anthony Casas, Henry Esteva
Lighting Assistants: Miranda Carpenter, Conner Hyman, Neroli Pruett and the students of THTR 286
Scenic Lab Carpenters: Lily Andrada, Alexa Aure, Logan Ayala, Nat Bull, Kate Checkwood, Isabella Cruz, Kiran Desai, George Diaz Mejia, Elizabeth Doubrovski, Cole Johnson, JJ Lopez, Henry Passo, Georgia Rau, Elliot Rosenthal, Julissa Tucker, Madison Williams, and students from TH 276 and THTR 372.
Special thanks to Caitlyn Nguyen as fill-in ringer carpenter, stitcher, and all-around lifesaver
Charge Scenic Artist: Mickey Narez
Assistant Charge Scenic Artist: Yanira Loera
Lead Scenic Artists: Diego Banda, Kyle Hayes, Alizée Carlson, Mariia Tumasova, Nev Bumgarner
Scenic Artists: Gina Kim John Corde, Savannah Gregg, Ella Davis, Miles Guiditta, Malyssa Castillo, Kathryn Harbauer, Eric Rodriguez, Nathan Camacho, Breanna Lange, Isabella Moll, Paige Oberholtzer
Dance Captains/ Asst. Choreographers: Garret Sullivan, Aja Jett
Vocal Captain: Aurora Villareal
Fight Captain: O’lani Sonis
Box Office Staff: Avery Ackerman, Anais Barron, Jonathan Bass, Charlie Duval, Cole Johnson, Josiah Sanchez, Rhylee Smith, Cash Wheeler, Dylan Magallanes
Costume Design Mentor: Joyce Cantrell
Hair/Makeup Mentor: Joyce Cantrell
Props Mentor: Chris Hansen
Stage Management Mentor: Jamie Tucker
Scenic Design Mentor: Chris Hansen
Lighting Design Mentor: Scott Bolman
Production Management Mentor: Renee Duron
Proceeding Safely: Clayes Performing Arts Center will match all current COVID-19 recommendations and guidelines provided by local health agencies. When purchasing a ticket to a Clayes Performing Arts Center event, you agree to adhere to all COVID-19 safety entry requirements in effect at the time of the event.
Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Theatre & Dance affirms its commitment to inclusiveness in student learning and success in all areas of theatre based on merit and achievement, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, mental or physical disability, marital status or age.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Cellphones and other electronic devices must be turned off prior to the start of the performance and at the beginning of the second half to minimize disruptions in the theater and ensure the enjoyment of all patrons in attendance.
The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited, and any recordings will be asked to be deleted.
Food & Drink Policy: Food and drink is not allowed in the venue, with the exception of bottled water.
If you do not follow these guidelines, you may be asked to leave.
Faculty, Staff and Guest Artists of the Department of Theatre & Dance are specialists in their respective disciplines. Within these groups, the following professional artist unions are represented:
AEA (Actors’ Equity Association)
AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists)
AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists)
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Artists)
SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society)
USA (United Scenic Artists)
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.
$500,000 +
Mrs. Junko Klaus
$100,000-$499,999
Johnny Carson Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
CSU Northridge Foundation
Leo Freedman Foundation
Ms. Susan Hallman in Memory of Ernie Sweet ‘77
Mr. Matthew Scarpino & Ms. Karyn Hayter
Mr. Steve & Mrs. Robin Kalota
Dr. Sallie Mitchell*
Dr. Tedrow & Mrs. Susan Perkins
Mrs. Louise Shamblen
$25,000 - $49,999
Mr. Darryl Curran
Mrs. Lee C. Begovich
Mrs. Marilyn Carlson
Ms. Mary A. and Mr. Phil Lyons
Mr. Bob & Mrs. Terri Niccum
Mr. Ernest & Mrs. Donna Schroeder
Dr. Ed & Mrs. Sue Sullivan
$10,000-$24,999
Dr. Joseph & Dr. Voiza Arnold
Mr. John Aimé & Ms. Robin de la Llata Aimé
Dr. Marc Dickey
Mrs. Evelyn Francuz
Mr. Edward & Mrs. MaryLouise Hlavac
Ms. Kathleen Hougesen
Ms. Kathy Mangum
Mr. James & Mrs. Eleanore Monroe
Mrs. Norma Morris
Mr. John Brennan & Ms. Lucina Moses
$5,000-$9,999
Mr. Nick & Mrs. Dottie Batinich
Continuing Life LLC
Ms. Harriet Cornyn
Mr. William S. Cornyn
Dedicated 2 Learning
Mr. Richard & Mrs. Susan Dolnick
Ebell Club of Fullerton
Friends of Jazz, Inc.
Dr. Margaret Gordon
Mr. Norm & Mrs. SandyJohnson
Ms. Teri Kennady
Mrs. Jill Kurti Norman
Morningside of Fullerton
Mrs. Bettina Murphy
Mr. David Navarro
Dwight Richard Odle Foundation
Dr. Stephen Rochford, DMA
Southern California Arts Council
Swinerton Builders
Mr. Framroze & Mrs. Julie Virjee
$1,000-$4,999
Mr. John A. Alexander & Mr. Jason Francisco
Mrs. Judy Atwell
Mrs. Lois Austin
Mr. Tod Beckett-Frank
Ms. Karen Bell
Mr. John &
Ms. Shanon M. Fitzpatrick
Dr. Keith & Mrs. Renae Boyum
Mr. Allan & Mrs. Janet Bridgford
Mrs. Marion Brockett
Mr. James & Mrs. Diane Case
Mr. Stephen Collier & Ms. Joann Driggers
Mr. William H. Cunliffe, Jr.
D Barry Schmitt Trust
Ms. Jeannie Denholm
Mr. Gordon & Mrs. Lorra Dickinson
Mr. Kenneth & Mrs. Stacey Duran
Mr. Greg & Mrs. Shawna Ellis
Ms. Judi Elterman
Dr. Anne Fingal
Fullerton Families & Friends Foundation
The Jane Deming Fund
Mrs. Marsha Gallavan
Mrs. Terie Garrabrant
Dr. Leon & Mrs. Annette Gilbert
Mrs. Janet M. Green
Mr. James Henriques
Mr. David &
Mrs. Margret Hoonsbeen
Mr. Mike Ibanez
Mr. Darren &
Mrs. Tatyana Jones
Ms. Michelle H. Jordan
Ms. Gladys Kares
Ronald L. Katz
*deceased
Very special care has been given to the prepartion of this donor list. For questions or concerns, please contact: Ann Steichen | 657-278-3347
Family Foundation
Mr. Raymond & Mrs. Masako Kawase
Mr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Gayle Kenan
Dr. Kristin Kleinjans & Mr. Anthony Dukes
Mrs. Shirley Laroff
Mr. Lynn & Mrs. Susan Lasswell
Mrs. Marilyn Little
Mr. Juan Lopez
Mr. Paul Coluzzi & Mr. John Martelli
Dr. George& Mrs. Karen Mast
Mrs. Thelma Mellott
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Mary Miguel
Mr. Carl Mrs. Patricia Miller
Stifel Nicolaus
Mr. Ujinobu & Mrs. Yoshino Niwa
Mr. Colin Connor & Ms. Debra Noble
Dr. Arie & Mrs. Deanna Passchier
Mr. Jarrold Petraborg
Mr. John Phelps & Mrs. Kerry Laver-Phelps
Mr. Jim Plamondon
Mr. E. B. & Mrs. Linda Powell
Mr. Robert Rennie & Mrs. Nancy Rennie
Ms. Christine Rhoades
Ms. Mary Rupp
Mr. Thaddeus & Mrs. Eleanor Sandford
Mrs. Rita Sardou
Mr. D. Schmitt
Mrs. Martha Shaver
Mrs. Ingrid R. Shutkin
Ms. Barbara Kerth & Ms. Lorena Sikorski
Ms. Janet Smith
South Coast Repertory
Ms. Ann Sparks
Mr. Robert & Mrs. Roberta Sperry
Mr. Douglas Stewart
Mr. Tom & Mrs. Carolyn Toby
Liqi Tong
Viet Tide
Ms. Verne Wagner
Dr. Sean & Dr. Tina L. Walker
Dr. Robert & Mrs. Teri Watson
Dr. Wayne & Dr. Ruth Zemke
Gifts received from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
The Ontiveros Society includes individuals who have provided a gift for Cal State Fullerton through their estate plan. We extend our deep appreciation to the following Ontiveros Society members, whose gifts will benefit the students and mission of the College of the Arts:
ANONYMOUS
JOHN ALEXANDER
LEE & DR. NICHOLAS A.* BEGOVICH
GAIL & MICHAEL COCHRAN
MARC R. DICKEY
JOANN DRIGGERS
BETTY EVERETT
CAROL J. GEISBAUER
& JOHN* GEISBAUER
SOPHIA & CHARLES GRAY
MARYLOUISE & ED HLAVAC
GRETCHEN KANNE
DR. BURTON L. KARSON
ANNE L. KRUZIC*
LOREEN & JOHN LOFTUS
ALAN A. MANNASON*
WILLIAM J. MCGARVEY*
DR. SALLIE MITCHELL*
ELEANORE P. & JAMES L. MONROE
LYNN & ROBERT MYERS
MR. BOB & MRS. TERRI NICCUM
DWIGHT RICHARD ODLE*
SHERRY & DR. GORDON PAINE
*deceased
DR. JUNE POLLAK
& MR. GEORGE POLLAK*
DR. STEPHEN M. ROCHFORD
MR. STAN MARK RYAN ‘75
MARY K. & WILLIAM SAMPSON
LORENA SIKORSKI
DOUGLAS G. STEWART
ANDREA J. & JEFFREY E. SWARD
RICHARD J. TAYLOR
VERNE WAGNER
RICHARD WULFF
DR. JAMES D. & DOTTIE YOUNG*
The College of the Arts Proudly Recognizes the 300+ Members of Our VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUPS
ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: The Alliance for the Performing Arts (formerly MAMM) benefits performing arts students through underwriting visiting artists; special theatre, dance, and music performances; and other unique experiences for members.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Judy Atwell
Drs. Voiza & Joe Arnold
Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon
Susan Hallman
Norma Morris Richard Odle Estate
Kerry & John Phelps
Jeanie Stockwell Verne Wagner
ART ALLIANCE: Art Alliance promotes excellence and enjoyment in the visual arts, and their fundraising efforts contribute to student scholarship, gallery exhibitions, opening receptions and sculpture acquisition on campus.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Fay Colmar
John DeLoof
Joann Driggers & Steve Collier
Loraine Walkington
MUSIC ASSOCIATES: Music Associates maintains a tradition of active involvement and community support, and raises scholarship funds for School of Music students through annual fundraising events and membership dues.
SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING
Marilyn Carlson
Evelyn K. Francuz
Sandy & Norm Johnson
Marti & Bill Kurschat
Karen & George Mast
Thelma & Earl Mellott
Bettina Murphy
Grace & Ujinobu Niwa
Kerry & John Phelps
Mary & Jerry Reinhart
Ann & Thad Sandford
Dodo V. Standring
Carolyn & Tom Toby
John Van Wey
MORE INFORMATION: Haley Sanford • 657-278-2663
There are many ways to support the College of the Arts, the School of Music, Department of Theatre and Dance, and Department of Visual Arts
