Thrive

Thrive, or What You Will (an epic)

By L M Feldman Directed by Erin Birchfield

April 11, 12** and 13 at 8 p.m.

April 13 and 14* at 2 p.m. in TheaterSpace ** Audio Described, ASL interpreted and Talkback to follow * Audio Described

Content Advisory: Implied depiction of rape Strong language Discussion of sexual themes Transphobia Forced pregnancy as result of assault Non-firing prop firearms Depictions of violence

DIRECTOR'S NOTE What an honor it has been to work on Thrive, or What You Will as my final production at Mason. From my first time reading the script, I found the style of artistic storytelling to be incredibly inspiring and that inspiration has continued to grow in each stage of this process, with each member of the creative team, every cast member, every mentor and friend with whom I have shared this journey. Thank you all – it has been an incredible experience and a crazy wonderful challenge.

Thrive, being the epic that it is, does so many things all at once.

It’s the story of an 18th century herb woman, a vast seafaring adventure, an interrogation of modern America, a devastating tragedy, and the melancholia of a woman’s perspective lost to history. This show is all of these things and more wrapped up into a beautiful behemoth of a play that is so full of hope.

Thank you for coming and enjoy Thrive, or What You Will!

– Erin Birchfield

DRAMATURG'S NOTE Thrive, or What You Will is interesting to approach as a researcher because, well, so are the characters in the play! The plot exists as a discovery of its own events as they happen through the journeys of the Askers and their efforts to battle history over what narrative can be found. Going in, I was wholly unfamiliar with the story of Jeanne Baret, so my first act of research was reading Glynis Ridley’s The Discovery of Jeanne Baret, the same source material the playwright states inspired much of Thrive. Felt apt. Going from the play to the historical backing prompted a whole new set of questions (and appreciation for Ridley’s incredible work) – why isn’t this story more well-known? What kind of presence did these real, complicated people have? What can we, as makers of theatre, impart to a modern audience? And can we bring home just how human our history is?

The goal throughout this whole process was to create space for empathy – through theatrical conventions, we see the roots of Baret’s experiences take hold in multiple bodies, but this experience need not be restricted to the performers. This work inspires curiosity about how we ended up here, brings us closer to people centuries ago who feel the same kinds of emotions and troubles we do now, and challenges us to uncover what we can learn from their decisions and mistakes. To thrive is to overcome the elements and transcend the essentials, and thus to make something that others can further build off of. I hope we’ve managed to give more room for Jeanne Baret’s story to touch lives and spark thought about what it takes to thrive.

– Aven Hagen Grote

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

CAST

Jeanne 1 .................................................................... Jalen Whitmore Jeanne 2 ...................................................................... Aurora Powell Jean 3 ................................................................................ Lake Rusch Jean 4 ......................................................................... Felisha Cuenca Jean/ne 5 ................................................................... Nafisa Ferdous Commerson ...........................................................Bertem Demirtas Jeanne 2 and Jean 3 Understudy ............................ JonKol Quinley Commerson Understudy ..................................... Dae’Quon Shines

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ...................................................................... Erin Birchfield Assistant Director/Dramaturg ......................... Aven Hagen Grote Stage Manager .................................................................. Ella Grant Assistant Stage Manager ................................................ Tess Tsolis Properties Coordinator.......................................... Isabella Koontz Costume Coordinator ........................................... Brianna Zawicki Sound Designer .......................................................... Lorelei Stuart Lighting Designer ............................................. Mary Clare Bernier Fight and Intimacy Choreographer ............................. Mimsi Janis Faculty Directing Mentor ........................... Elizabeth Forte Alman Technical Director .................................................... Gabriel Embry

CAST BIOS Felisha Cuenca she/her (Jean 4) is a Biology major and this is her second on-stage theatrical production. Her previous experience was in her freshman year of high school, too long ago. She has always loved theatre and the arts and hopes opportunities and experiences like these will continue for her.

Bertem Demirtas he/him (Commerson) This is Bertem’s first lead role in a Mason Players Production and he is extremely excited! Bertem’s most notable role in previous shows at Mason was as the Tow Truck Driver in Road to the End. He would like to thank his wonderful cast, directors, stage managers, and crew for all their hard work. He could not have asked for a better group of people around him! Bertem would also like to thank his friends and family for supporting his dreams and would like to dedicate this performance to his cousin Alicem Akturk.

Nafisa Ferdous she/her (Jean/ne 5) is an international student from Bangladesh graduating with a MA in Political Science. She worked with Prachyanat, acting in street plays and cultural events alongside productions of Chompaboti and Kinu Kaharer Thetar. She participated and won interuniversity drama competitions while pursing BA in English at the University of Dhaka. She also worked with Dope Productions as an assistant director and costume assistant. Nafisa’s journey with the performing arts began at age eight with singing, and she found her love for acting soon after. She enjoyed her time at Mason and wants to continue exploring life.

CAST BIOS Aurora Powell they/she (Jeanne 2) is a second-year musical theatre student and Co-Historian on the board of Mason Players. Last year at Mason, you may have seen them as Pythio in Head Over Heels or Infanta Juana in Hunchback of Seville. Recently, they assistant directed fallen with Theresa Ohanian and designed the makeup and wigs for Twelve Ophelias. They thank you for supporting queer and female stories! IG: aurorajpowell

JonKol Quinley they/them (Jeanne 2/Jean 3 Understudy) is an actor from Richmond, Virginia.

Other works include Angie in The Prom!, Cinderella's Stepmother in Into The Woods and Laurie in Little Women. They are very excited to work on this show and collaborate with everyone involved.

Lake Rusch they/them (Jean 3) Lake is thrilled to be in this production! They are a freshman and a theater performance major. You might have seen them as Nurse in Mason Player’s The Originals! last fall. They would like to thank their family for their love and the Thrive cast/crew for their constant support!

CAST BIOS Dae’Quon Shines he/him (Commerson Understudy) Quon is a zealous individual with an immense love for Arts. He studied at the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School and currently studies performance theater at a collegiate level. He loves the color orange and also loves to teach! His goal in the arts is to bring joy and inspiration through others that come across his work!

Jalen Whitmore she/her (Jeanne 1) is a first-year student at Mason, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Last semester, she made her collegiate debut in fallen (Marina, U/S Cassandra), and is excited to perform at Mason again!

PRODUCTION BIOS Elizabeth Forte Alman she/her (Faculty Directing Mentor) is an Associate Professor of Theater and the area head for Theater Studies at Mason. Dr. Alman has worked in various capacities in professional theater throughout the United States for over thirty years. She is the Founder and CEO of Spiel, a corporate training, private coaching and executive development consulting firm based in Northern Virginia.

Mary Clare Bernier she/they (Lighting Designer) is a junior BA Theater major (DTT), minoring in Medieval Studies and LGBTQ+ Studies. They most recently worked as the Lighting Designer on fallen, Master Electrician on 9 to 5 The Musical, and as Lighting Designer/Graphics lead on WHS’ 2023 Summerstage production of Footloose. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continued support!

Erin Birchfield she/her (Director) is a Senior Theater major with a focus in Directing. She is President of the Mason cast of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society and Development Manager for the Mason Players. She has worked as Assistant Director on the Mason Players productions - The Hunchback of Seville and 9 to 5 The Musical and is very excited for audiences to see her biggest project yet: Thrive or What You Will!

Gabriel Embry (Technical Director)

PRODUCTION BIOS Ella Grant she/her (Stage Manager) is a second year student studying Theater Education with a minor in Performance. This is her first time stage managing! She would like to thank her loved ones for their ongoing support and encouragement.

Aven Hagen Grote he/they (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) is a Theatre Studies major in roughly the shape of a junior! They were recently spotted in The Mason Players’ Twelve Ophelias.

He’d like to thank his family and friends for their support and encouragement, and Mason Theatre for the opportunity to bring this show to life. And Erin, they suppose, for letting them get this far.

Hope you enjoy!

Mimsi Janis (Fight and Intimacy Choreographer)

Isabella Koontz (Properties Coordinator) is a first year majoring in Film with a concentration in Directing and minors in Event Technical Production and Marketing. She has been participating in theater since elementary school and working tech since middle school. She is so excited to be working as props coordinator for the first time and would like to thank her mentor, Stephan, and her friends!

PRODUCTION BIOS Lorelei Stuart (Sound Designer) is a second year Music Technology major. Lorelei has also sound designed for Mason Players’ The Originals! and was A2 for The Masons Players’ production of 9-5 The Musical. She would like to thank her family and friends for their wonderful support!

Tess Tsolis they/them (Assistant Stage Manager) is the assistant stage manager for this production.

They previously were assistant stage manager for George Mason's previous production of 9 to 5 The Musical. They are very excited to have the opportunity to work on a Mason production again.

Brianna Zawicki she/her (Costume Coordinator) is a second year Business major who loves the Theatre and costumes. She would like to thank the actors for being so amazing, and her family for supporting her passion of costume construction.

UNIT SUPPORT Arts Support Umbrella ASU Production Manager ASU Technical Director Assistant Technical Director Scene Shop Supervisor Scenic Charge Lead Carpenter Overhire Carpenter Overhire Scenic Painter Venue Technical Director Costume Shop Supervisor Costume Shop Assistants

Micah Stromberg Carrie Cox Stephan Starling Ethan Osborne Chloe Scheel Maddie Southard Vika Hearne Susan Lane Tom Terlecki Laurel Dunayer Sarah Alspach Alexandra Beverina

Crew Wardrobe Crew Light Board Operator Sound Board Operator

Brianna Zawicki Leah Aiken-Nelson Adia Spezza

Scene Shop Interns Properties Intern Production Intern

Paint Intern

Meg Ayers Bertem Demirtas Gabriel Embry Anna Jungkeit Caleb McMurtry Sydney Schepisi

UNIT SUPPORT Costume Shop Interns Anna Connole Hannah Griffith Lee Guber

Shannon Harrel Jackson Ramos Brianna Zawicki

Scene Shop Construction Practicums Taylor Alexander Mary Clare Bernier Rosie Chan E Griggs Carter Hurd Aadith Iyer Kevin Kaluarachchi

Sydney Schepisi Zatch Valenzuela Walker Vlahos Ky Wilcox Spencer Wilde Zoe Winter

Costume Shop Construction Practicums Peter Dasher Dyllan Hutchison Kevin Kaluarachchi Renee McFarland

Annelise Oullette Valerie Pesot Brianna Sullivan Nathan Tilley

DRAMATURG'S NOTE

UNIT SUPPORT

Alpha Psi Omega Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Associate Member Coordinators Historian Community Service Chair Education Deputy Faculty Advisor

Erin Birchfield (she/her) Elisabeth Dupuy (she/her) Dyllan Hutchison (she/her) Peter Dasher (he/they) Jay Dews (he/him) Kamy Satterfield Lorcan Von Slomski Meg Ayers (she/they) Martin Desjardins Mimsi Janis

Mason Players Staff Company Manager Associate Company Manager Company Secretary Development Manager Development Apprentice Marketing Manager Marketing Apprentices Co-Company Historians

Nathan Tilley (he/him) Lexi Carter (she/her) Peter Dasher (he/they) Erin Birchfield (she/her) Ella Grant(she/her) Brett Womack (he/him) Mercury Pitzer Idil Erdoğan Aurora Powell (she/they) Mery Estrella (she/her)

Players4Change Staff Equity and Empowerment Managers

Faculty Advisor

Meg Ayers (she/they) Mary Clare Bernier (she/they) Jaylen "Jay" Dews (he/him) Emma Harris (she/her) Zoe Winter (she/they) Deb Sivigny

SCHOOL OF THEATER FACULTY & STAFF Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts Director, School of Theater Assistant Director

Rick Davis Djola Branner

Nick Kfoury Horner

Production Manager

Lena Salins

Academic Advisor

Sara Simanski

Office Manager

Mary Burgess

Marketing Assistant

Nafisa Ferdous

Faculty Elizabeth Alman Kelly Armstrong Djola Branner April Brassard Carrie Cox Jonathan Dahm Robertson Rick Davis Kevin Dunayer Laurel Dunayer Leighann Enos David Gaines Erin Gardiner James Gardiner Edward Gero David Goldstein Nicholas Kfoury Horner

Mimsi Janis Kristin Johnsen-Neshati Mary Lechter Billy Kessinger Kaiulani Lee Bryce Lenon Ahmad Maaty Heather McDonald Sherrice Mojgani Theresa Ohanian Yaritza Pacheco Franklin Robinson Jr. Shaila Schmidt Stefan Sittig Debra Sivigny Joseph Walsh

DRAMATURG'S NOTE DONOR SUPPORT The School of Theater wishes to thank the following donors for their generous support

Professional Artist Residency in Theater (PART) Legacy Donors Kenneth and Carol Adelman Anonymous John and Deborah Blacksten Doris Bloch and Bill Hunt Boeing Company

Eileen Mandell Dr. Alan Merten and Mrs. Sally Merten Mack and Paulette Miller Merle L. Mulvaney

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth P. Braxton

Diane and Tim Naughton

Mary Brescia

Warner and Cheryl North

Jane and Chris Brewster Ms. Lois Brown

Mr. Ronald Page Robert and Ida Portland

Byrd International, L.L.C.

Mrs. Lauren W. Rabb

Gordon and Judy Canyock

Diane and Robert Rafuse

Ms. Grace Chae

Captain Marsha

Chevy Chase Trust

and Robert Rease

Council on American-Islamic Relations Ms. Chris Downey Charles and Eileen DugganKen and Molly Elston and The Greater Manassas

Ted and Anne K. Rosenblum Ms. Ann Steers Daniel and Ann Toohey Mikki Van Wyk Verizon Foundation Edward and Wava Vigen

Christmas Parade Committee Linda Evans Dr. and Mrs. William H. Gilcher Irwin and Fay Gold Vernon W. Gras, Ph.D. Mr. Carl Hemmer Emmett L. Holman, Ph.D. IBM International Foundation Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati and Mr. Amin Neshati Marilyn Jones

1,001 Plays Supporters Anonymous (2) Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati & Mr. Amin Neshati Nicholas Kfoury Horner Phyllis Krochmal Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas Vafa Mostaghim

DRAMATURG'S NOTE FRIENDS OF THEATER SUPPORT angel ($5,000+) Edward Jones Diane and Tim Naughton Virginia Foundation for the Humanities

sponsor ($2,500-$4,999) Judy Canyock Mack and Paulette Miller Norma Jean Reck

patron ($1,000 - $2,499) Anonymous Dianne and Gerard Blais Charles and Eileen Duggan Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee Dr. Peter N. Stearns and Ms. Donna L. Kidd

producer ($500 - $999) Helen and Bill Ackerman Mr. Rick Davis and Ms. Julie Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hamerschlag Ms. Mary Lechter and Mr. Kevin Murray Don and Sonja Palomaki Robert and Ida Portland William Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Kosmo Tatalias

performer ($200 - $499) John and Toni Acton Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman Anonymous

performer ($200 - $499) cont.

Brian and Laurie Lindberg Patricia and Evans Mandes Mitchell J. Martin Lene Mcvoy Mary and John Tuohy Verizon Foundation

friend (up to $199) April Brassard Carol Burbage James and Sue Christensen Roland and Victoria Fabia Dr. and Mrs. Robert Gerbracht Linda and Shelly Gersten Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Gholz Zayd A. Hamid Linda and Harlan Harber Catie and Mark Hubbard Shirley A. Joyce David and Barbara Kilpatrick Michael and Linda Kostrzewa Christine Lange Stanley Lichtman and Paulette Lichtman-Panzer Alice and Matt MagelssenGreen Erica M. Nantais Emily Roudebush Terry Sarley Dana D. Semmes Bob and Pat Warakomsky Christopher M. Ward Joan R. White Sheila Woods

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

School of Theater would like to thank the Friends of Theater for their ongoing support of our programs, especially their support of scholarships for our students. Please consider becoming a Friend and giving by logging onto our website https://theater.gmu.edu/give

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT At the place George Mason University occupies, we give greetings and thanksgivings to these Potomac River life sources, to the Doeg ancestors, who Virginia annihilated in violent campaigns while ripping their lands apart with the brutal system of African American enslavement, to the recognized Virginia tribes who have lovingly stewarded these lands for millennia including, the Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Upper Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Nansemond, Monacan, Mattaponi, Patawomeck, and Nottaway, past, present, and future, and to the Piscataway tribes, who have lived on both sides of the river from time immemorial.

THE MASON PLAYERS spring 2024 performance season

1,001 Plays April 19, 2024

A Concert Presentation of: Once Upon a Mattress April 26-28, 2024

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