The Tempest Digital Final

Cast David Gaines * Ella Grant Emma Harris Shakir Lee-Kwekwe Marcus Martinez Shannon Harrel Aadith Iyer Tommy/Ivy Maxson Gianna Battaglia Kai Yoffe Keaton Lazar Bertem Demirtas Hana Tawil Lake Rusch Ava Peach Jalen Whitmore Rachael McNutt Logan Conner Jonathan Coradin Spencer Wilde Peter Dasher Aurora Powell

Prospero Miranda Ariel Caliban Ferdinand Alonsa Antonio Sebastian Gonzala Stephano Trinculo Boatswain, Prospero Understudy Ensemble, Trinculo Understudy Adrian/Ensemble, Boatswain Understudy Ensemble, Sebastian Understudy Francisca/Ensemble, Antonio Understudy Ensemble, Miranda Understudy Ensemble, Ariel Understudy Ensemble, Master, Caliban Understudy Ensemble, Ferdinand Understudy Swing, Alonsa/Stephano Understudy Swing, Adrian Understudy

*Member- Actors Equity Association (AEA)

Production Team Rick Davis Andy Brown Valerie Pesot Joe Walsh Isabel Nemati Jay Dews Keeley Allen Paris Devlin Johnathan Dahm Robertson Alex Wade Ollie Maxted Laurel Dunayer Eli Nguyen Brianna Zawicki Ann Tran Minjoo Kim Mary Clare Bernier Lorraine Slone Kim Sherman Sang Nam James Casey Sha Norman Julie Haberstick DJ Drummond Lena Salins

Director Assistant Director Assistant Director Musical Director Dramaturg Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Scenic & Projections Designer Properties Designer Assistant Properties Designer Co-Costume Designer Co-Costume Designer Assistant Costume Designer Sound Designer Co-Lighting Designer Co-Lighting Designer Fight and Intimacy Director Composer Co-Video Designer Co-Video Designer Cultural Consultant Digital Programming Producer Digital Programing Production Manager

Arts Support Umbrella Micah Stromberg Carrie Cox Stephan Starling Ethan Osborne Maddie Southard Vika Hearne Adrienne Krauel Laurel Dunayer Sarah Alspach Alexandra Beverina Luisa Romero Emma Smith Adrianna Daugherty

ASU Production Manager Technical Director Assistant Technical Director Scene Shop Supervisor Lead Carpenter Properties Artisan Scenic Paint Overhire Costume Shop Supervisor Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor Costume Shop Asst Costume Shop Asst/Wardrobe Head Head Electrician Harris Theater Technical Director

Crew Will Lagraize Annelise Oulette Bree Nosrat Katherine Hindin Gabe Holsinger Luisa Romero Brianna Zawicki Arrieon Grovner Sasha Sands Caleb McMurtry Jackson Effer Lorelei Stuart Gage Jones

Light Board Op Sound Board Op Projections Op Spotlight Op Spotlight Op Staff Wardrobe Head Wardrobe Head Hair/Make-Up/Wardrobe Crew Hair/Make-Up/Wardrobe Crew Fly Supervisor Deck Crew Audio Engineer A2

Scene Shop Interns Margaret Kennedy Bertem Demirtas Anna Jungkeit Sanjay Nagar Kai Yoffe Clayton Ives Rachel Leary

Paint Intern Production Intern Production Intern Production Intern Production Intern Properties Intern Properties Intern

Costume Shop Interns Anna Grace Connole Shannon Harrell Eli Nguyen Holly Pulsifer Brianna Zawicki Production Interns Luna Jones Mary Clare Bernier Ann Tran Andy Brown

Lighting Intern Lighting Intern Sound Intern Production Management Intern

Scene Shop Construction Practicums Sharon Cho Kyle Crowne Carmine Degregorio Katie Murchison Isabel Nemati

Scene Shop Volunteer Artisans Anna Crowley Dee-Anne M. Van Tassel Lewis Van Tassel Tess Tsolis

Content Advisory In the interest of welcoming people with a wide range of needs and life experiences, the School of Theater offers a bit of information on what you will encounter in this production. Use this information as it is helpful to you.

Environment Warnings: This production of The Tempest includes the use of flashing lights, projected images and animation, loud storm sounds and music and prop weapons.

Content Advisory - may contain spoilers Select scenes in this production contain mild violence, derogatory language, alcohol drinking and brief mention of a deterred sexual advance.

The Tempest explores themes of power, revenge, empathy, love and forgiveness. Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, marooned on a Mediterranean island with his daughter, Miranda, uses magic to shipwreck those he seeks to punish for the misdeeds committed against him. Prospero ultimately forgives those who transgressed against him.

Gifts made between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025 Angel ($5,000 +) Estate of Frank William Johns Sponsor ($2,500-$4,999) Judy Canyock Edward Jones Mack and Paulette Miller Patron ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman Mrs. Jacqueline A. Austin Dianne and Gerard Blais Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee Dr. Peter N. Stearns and Ms. Donna L. Kidd Producer ($500-$999) Rick Davis and Julie Thompson Roland and Victoria Fabia Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati and Mr. Amin Neshati Don and Sonja Palomaki Robert and Ida Portland Norma Jean Reck Rachel and Theodore Winograd Performer ($200-$499) Country Club of Fairfax Charity Foundation Dan and Jean Feighery Linda and Shelly Gersten Emily and Bill Rusch Mr. and Mrs. Kosmo Tatalias Friend (up to $199) Anonymous Stacey Hall Linda and Harlan Harber Alice and Matt Magelssen-Green Sharon and Tom Morris Carissa O'Neill

Kaitlyn Cookson Ormesher Paula Powell Emily Roudebush Kirsten Smith Rebecca Wahls Joan R. White Sheila Woods

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Every time I choose (or recommend) a play for production, I ask myself a set of questions: Why this play? Why now? Why here? (It’s also the first item I ask my students to grapple with in my classes on directing and dramaturgy).

So let me offer a couple of public answers about The Tempest as performed by the School of Theater in 2025. Above all else (and there is much else), this play offers a story of the triumph of forgiveness over vengeance. Prospero, the wronged Duke of Milan, decides to pardon his enemies who have, variously, overthrown his rule, nearly killed their own monarch in their relentless pursuit of power, and, in a subplot that manages to be both menacing and comic, planned to murder him.

Prospero’s discovery of the power of forgiveness – immortalized in one of Shakespeare’s most beautiful lines, “the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance” – comes to him under the guidance of Ariel, a spirit of prodigious, shape-shifting powers, but affirmatively not a human being.

That this non-human figure can teach such a deeply human (and humane) lesson is one of the wonders of the canon, and for me it fully satisfies the questions above.

The world can always use a little more forgiveness, and Shakespeare seems to be asking us to look beyond our usual sources of moral guidance, as they may be failing us a bit. If our audience takes nothing else away from this encounter, I hope consideration of the “rarer action” stays with us all for a while.

But there is so much more to the “here and now” of a 21st century Tempest. What if Prospero’s magic powers come from his mastery of the digital world? What if his island of exile is home to a megadata center that he turns to his own uses? What if that wise spirit, Ariel, is an AI manifestation? What if Caliban, son of the “foul witch Sycorax” and rightful inheritor of the island, is a cyborg whose altered humanity is tested and grows in unexpected directions?

We are exploring all of this and more, and finding that Shakespeare’s “large language model” easily contains this vision of Miranda’s “brave new world.” We look forward to your thoughts.

The Tempest – Student Matinee Cast Prospero Miranda Ariel Caliban Ferdinand Trinculo Gonzola Alonsa Francesca Sebastian Antonio Stephano Boatswain

Bertem Demirtas Rachael McNutt Logan Conner Jonathon Coradin Spencer Wilde Hana Tawil Gianna Battaglia Shannon Harrel Aurora Powell Ava Peach Jalen Whitmore Peter Dasher Lake Rusch

Production Faculty Mentors Lena Salins Elizabeth Alman Minjoo Kim Kevin Dunayer Carrie Cox Stephan Starling Laurel Dunayer Billy Kessinger Robbie Gillam

Stage Management Dramaturgy Lighting Design Sound Design Technical Direction Props Design Costume Design Audio Engineering Music Composition

Cast Bios Aadith Iyer, is a theatre performance major in his final year! He has been in GMU productions such as The Road to the End and Fallen! The Tempest will be his first Shakespeare show ever, and he's really excited to help bring it to life!

Aurora Powell, is a third-year musical theatre student and Associate Company Manager on the board of Mason Players. Select GMU performance credits: Broadway’s Prince Mason Cabaret 2025, Nightingale (Once Upon a Mattress), Jeanne 2 & Others (Thrive or What You Will), Sonia (The Originals), Infanta Juana (The Hunchback of Seville), and Pythio (Head Over Heels). Production: Director (The Beautiful People / The Originals), Assistant Director (fallen), and Makeup & Hair (Twelve Ophelias). IG: aurorajpowell Bertem Demirtas, is a senior at Mason and this is his last show! You may know him from previous roles as Commerson in “Thrive, Or What You Will” and as Tow Truck Driver in “Road to the End”. He is also a writer, having written “Spoiled Milk” for the Mason Players Ghostlight series. He is ecstatic at being able to tackle Shakespeare with so many passionate people around him. He has so dearly loved working with this amazing cast and crew and will dearly miss everyone as he graduates later this spring. He would like to dedicate this performance to his friends, parents, his little sister Aleyna, and his cousin Alicem.

Thank you so much for being a part of his journey. Enjoy the show!

David Gaines, is a performer and director who has focused his work almost exclusively on telling stories in movement, mask, improvisation, commedia, and clown. He studied and later taught at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France, after which he was a founding member of The Moving Picture Mime Show – a movement theatre company based in London that toured Europe and the world for 10 years.

He holds a B.A. (Theatre) from Grinnell College, and a Diplome from the Ecole Lecoq. He has been a faculty member at the graduate school of the University of Missouri (Kansas City), and is now happy to be teaching at George Mason University.

As a clown, he is a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit in Washington and Baltimore. As a writer and director, he has developed and directed shows for companies in England, in Paris, and in Salzburg. "He is the author of the

chapter on "Full Face Masks, Pantomime Blanche, and Cartoon Mime" in the recently published Routledge Companion to Jacques Lecoq."

His two most recent solo performance pieces are: "A Little Business At the Big Top," performed at the New York Clown Festival, and "7 (x 1) Samurai," which has won awards and sold out at Theatre Festivals all across the country and the continent.

Ella Grant, (she/her) is beyond excited to be playing Miranda in The School of Theater’s “The Tempest!” Ella’s love for Shakespeare has only grown throughout this process. She would like to thank her family, friends, and Wyatt Moore for their constant support!

Emma Harris, is a junior theatre major with a concentration in theatre education.

Some of her previous roles include a soloist in Mason Cabaret, Ensemble in Once Upon a Mattress (Mason Players), Violet Newstead in 9-5 (Mason Players), and Suzy Simpson in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Nextstop Theatre Company). She hopes you enjoy the show, and thanks you for supporting the arts.

Gianna Battaglia, (Gonzala) is thrilled to be making her GMU School of Theater debut in The Tempest! Favorite credits include: Oklahoma! (The Premier Theater Company) and Mamma Mia! (Brick Memorial High School). She is a current junior at Mason, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater. She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her passions.

Hana Tawil, is a theatre major and music minor. Mason Players: Philoclea (Head Over Heels), Margaret (9 To 5). Mason Opera: Adele (Die Fledermaus), Angelina (Trial By Jury), Miss Silverpeal (The Impresario). Additional credits: Brooklyn in BKLYN (Silhouette Stages), Heather McNamara in Heathers (Dominion Stage), and Helena Landless in Drood (Workhouse Arts Center).

Jalen Whitmore, is a second-year Musical Theater major at Mason. Recent credits include 110 in the Shade (Lizzie), Thrive or If You Will (Jeanne 1), and Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Lucille). This marks her Shakespeare debut, and she is thrilled to join this amazing cast and crew for this exciting production!

Jonathan Coradin, is a Theater in Performance major. He is very excited to part of his first Shakespeare production at Mason. Shakespeare has always been something that he has been wanting to conquer with the expressive wordplay. His

recent work is "2024 Mason Cabaret, Women of Broadway, 1,001 Plays, and Hunchback of Seville". He wants to thanks his friends and family for the ongoing support of where he is today.

Kai Yoffe, is a third year theater major who has been involved in numerous productions with The Mason Players. He recently performed in 110 in the Shade, The Originals, and other shows every year. He is excited to take on the hilarious role of Stephano in The Tempest and hopes to continue his theatre career with may more roles just like it!

Keaton Lazar, is a senior at George Mason, and this is his 8th production with the school of theater. He was recently in 12 Ophelia’s and 9 to 5. Keaton is excited for his last production here at mason, and is excited to work with his peers!

Lake Rusch, is thrilled to be in this production of The Tempest! You might have seen them as Nine in The Originals Men on a Girder or as Jean 3 in Thrive, or What You Will: an epic. They are a sophomore majoring in Theater Education.

They’d like to thank their family for their love and support!

Marcus Martinez, (He/Him) is a freshman theater major at George Mason University. He has received classical training from the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Residency Program and Summer Intensive Program. Previous Shakespeare credits include Henry V, Richard III, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Peter Dasher, is a senior theatre major excited to bring to life such an iconic tale with such talented friends. Peter has been seen leaving his signature impression stage through previous productions such the Night Knights, La Belle Indifference, and mostly recently making his musical debut as Noah Curry in 110: In the Shade.

He is once again overjoyed for the chance to do what he does best, and remind the audience of what make Theatre so unforgettable.

Rachael Mcnutt, is thrilled to be part of her second show at George Mason University. She was seen last semester as Barney in the GMU MainStage Production of More Dogs. Rachael has been a passionate Shakespearean performer since middle school, is totally geeking out over this show, and would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.

Shakir Lee-kwekwe, This is Shakir's first production at George Mason University and he is very excited for the opportunity to show off his hard work along with the

rest of the cast. He is an aspiring actor who isn't afraid to go the extra mile to embody a character and bring them to life.

Shannon Harrel, is a Junior musical theater major here at GMU. She is ecstatic to be involved in the Tempest! This is her first Shakespeare show. Shannon has been involved various School of Theater productions such as 110 in the Shade (Ensemble/Lizzie u/s), Once a Upon a Mattress (Wizard), and Twelve Ophelias (Ensemble/Gertrude u/s). Shannon has also participated in The Originals as Eleven in Men on a Girder and Maya in A Dorian Mode. Shannon would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support!

Spencer Wilde, (Ensemble & Ferdinand u/s) is a Junior in the BFA Musical Theater program. Select GMU credits: Mason Cabaret (Featured Vocalist), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck), Men on a Girder (Director and Choreographer), The Peak (Sisyphus), You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), 9 to 5 (Dwayne; Dance Captain), Twelve Ophelias (Choreographer; AD), Head Over Heels (U/S Basilius; Ensemble).

Tommy Maxson, Ivy is ecstatic to be in The Tempest! They appreciate all the hard work that all of the actors and technicians have put into this production, and would like to thank their friends and family for standing by them no matter what.

Production Bios Rick Davis (Director) has directed more than fifty professional productions in regional theaters and opera companies such as Baltimore Center Stage, Delaware Theater Company, Opera Idaho, the American Ibsen Theater, Unseam’d Shakespeare, the Kennedy Center, IN Series, and Theater of the First Amendment. His productions for the Mason Players include Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labors Lost, Measure for Measure, and Pericles. He serves as Dean of CVPA, Executive Director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and Professor of Theater.

Rick was educated at Lawrence University (BA) and the Yale School of Drama (MFA, DFA).

Paris Lynn Devlin, is excited to be Assistant Stage Managing The Tempest at George Mason University. Previously, she served as Assistant Stage Manager for Fallen and was part of the cast in Antigone: by the Girls of St. Cats. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented team and looks forward to continuing her journey in stage management and theatre arts.

Isabel Donna Nemati, This is Isabel's first time being a dramaturg. She is very excited for this opportunity and grateful for all of the support she's received from everyone.

Jay Dews, (he/him) Stage Manager: Stage Management Credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Workhouse Performing Arts Center/ 9 to 5, Everybody, The Road to the End at George Mason University. Assistant Stage Management Credits Include: Flight, La Bohème, Threepenny Opera with the Janiec Opera Company. Education: BFA in Theatre with a Concentration in Stage and Screen Design from George Mason University. Jay thanks his friends and family for his support throughout his career.

Kim D. Sherman composes for the theater, opera, the concert stage, and film. Her music has been described as “rhapsodic and lush” as well as “craggy and leap-about.” She embraces lyricism and dissonance as equal partners in conveying dramatic musical landscapes. In April, 2024, BRIDGE TO PEACE: Invocation was recorded in Ukraine (and streamed internationally) by the Lviv National Philharmonic with baritone Will Liverman and soprano Allison Charney. Recent premieres and publications include: UNFATHOMABLE THINGS, a book of piano solos performed and recorded by Donna Weng Friedman and Kimberly Grigsby. UMBRELLA, (lyric by Stacey Luftig) for soprano and piano, recorded by Kate Baldwin and Georgia Stitt. A PRAIRY DIARY (texts by Darrah Cloud and Willa Cather) a song cycle for soprano, piano and cello, recorded by the ARK trio and released on the Navona label. THE CLARA CYCLE (text

by Royce Flippin) for soprano, violin and piano, premiered by Allison Charney, Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Donna Weng Friedman. Selected chamber and choral works include SUMMER, 1976, (text by Daniel Neer) a song cycle for lyric baritone and string quartet, premiered at The Opera Center in New York City in 2016. THE SONGBIRD AND THE EAGLE, (libretto by Rick Davis) for soprano, strings, piano, flute and percussion, premiered by San José Chamber Orchestra and soprano Allison Charney. GRAVESIDE, (text by Eric Ehn) her a cappella choral work, recorded by Musica Sacra and performed throughout the US and Europe. Her music-theater works include LOVE’S COMEDY (a chamber opera based on the play by Henrik Ibsen with libretto by Rick Davis) and several musicals, among them: HEARTLAND (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) O PIONEERS! (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) HONOR SONG FOR CRAZY HORSE (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) and THE TWO ORPHANS (book by Theresa Rebeck and lyrics by Theresa Rebeck and John Sheehy) On Broadway, she wrote incidental music for Paul Rudnick’s hilarious play I HATE HAMLET. She has written incidental music for many plays in regional theaters throughout the United States. Ms. Sherman studied piano and composition at Lawrence University, and composition and orchestration with composer Thea Musgrave. Her career started in Minneapolis, where she was awarded two Kudos Awards for her work in the theatre. She has enjoyed

residencies at The MacDowell Colony and The Banff Centre. A New Yorker since 1983, she is a regular volunteer composer and mentor for The 52nd Street Project

Coming Soon

1,001 Plays Co-directed by Nicholas Kfoury Horner & Kristin Johnsen-Neshati Online April 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Twelve Angry Jurors Based on the Emmy Award-Winning television movie by Reginald Rose Adapted for the stage

by Sherman L. Sergel Directed by Aven Hagen Grote TheaterSpace Preview: April 30 at 8 p.m.

May 1–3 at 8 p.m.

May 3–4 at 2 p.m.

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