DA R E TO DR E A M T H E AT R E PR ESENTS
T H E BFG (Big Fr iendly Gia nt) ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY
DAVID WOOD FROM THE BOOK BY
ROALD DAHL “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists
Dare to Dream is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to giving youth and their families opportunities to learn, play, discover and grow through theatre. Programs are designed by formally trained and educated theater professionals to create nurturing opportunities for personal growth and stimulate creative thinking. Here, all children are equal and free to explore. There are no wrong answers, or unhealthy competition. Only the chance to explore imagination, exercise creativity, and discover a little more about oneself and the world around. Dare to Dream offers a safe and caring environment for all children, whether healthy or at-risk, socially adept or challenged, to develop their imagination and creativity by learning fun theatre skills, making new friends and working together to perform for family and friends. A child’s dreams are the foundation of her or his future life. We invite you to help the children of our community to dare to dream.
Please help more children realize the dreamers within themselves. Donate online at www.DareToDreamTheatre.org or mail your check to Dare to Dream Theatre, P.O. Box 482, Sheboygan, WI 53082-0482
DI R E CTOR’ S NO T E What do you do when faced with giant challenges? Do you embrace them with bravery and defiance as Sophie does - or do you learn to live with them as her friend the BFG does? The unlikely friendship between Sophie and the BFG is one that has always held a firm place in my heart. Both are considered outsiders and don’t have any friends until they find one another. Sophie shows the BFG a kindness that he’s never known - being so different from those around him - and the BFG brings Sophie along on an adventure that she never dreamed of in her lonely life back in the orphanage. I love exploring story through theater because this cross-curricular process brings a team of people - who may otherwise have never interacted with each other - together to make magic onstage. But truly - the real magic happens offstage. As the director, there is no more fulfilling experience. I have the honor to witness the young and seasoned performers help each other blossom. I experience joy as I watch team members work together to solve artistic (and engineering!) challenges and share in the pride of accomplishment. I beam as I see young faces in the audience light up when the magic comes together. Thank you for being here today to celebrate with us - for that is what a performance is - a celebration of accomplishment and a sharing of joy through art! If you enjoy what you see today, we invite you to join us! Check out our website to find out how you can become involved, onstage, offstage, in a class or workshop, or as a sponsor or donor. We hope you will share your experience with your friends and family after the production and look forward to seeing you again soon! Rachel Thuermer Artistic Director & Founder Dare to Dream Theatre www.DareToDreamTheatre.org
T H A NK YOU TO OUR SEASON & SHOW PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
BRINGING SMILES TO LIFE Congratulations to the young actors in our Just Kids Dental family, and to the entire cast and crew of The BFG. Thank you for sharing your beautiful smiles with the world.
www.JustKidsDentalWi.com
C A ST L IST THE BFG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaine Huber SOPHIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brooklyn Velier SOPHIE (PUPPETEER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline McCormick MOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Rick DAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Hackbarth KENNY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kennedy Bille FLESHLUMPEATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Hackbarth BLOODBOTTLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayleigh Hoskins BONECRUNCHER (WEEKEND 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aliyah Kartes BONECRUNCHER (WEEKEND 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Romanoski MEATDRIPPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia Knier GIZZARDGULPER (WEEKEND 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vivian Prahl GIZZARDGULPER (WEEKEND 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isla Avery CHILDCHEWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kennedy Bille MAIDMASHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey Wittwer REBECCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Briella Evenson MISS PLUMBRIDGE (WEEKEND 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayleigh Hoskins MISS PLUMBRIDGE (WEEKEND 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isla Avery HEADMASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia Knier LIZZIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aliya Malone LIZZIE’S FATHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Hackbarth
C A ST L IST QUEEN OF ENGLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Rick MARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aliyah Kartes QUEEN OF SWEDEN (WEEKEND 1) . . . . . . . . . . . Vanessa McAlpine QUEEN OF SWEDEN (WEEKEND 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vinian Prahl SERVANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annalise Kregel, Kennedy Bille, Vanessa McAlpine, Vivian Prahl Audrey Wittwer, Anna McCormick
MR. TIBBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayleigh Hoskins HEAD OF THE ARMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Hackbarth HEAD OF THE AIRFORCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skylar Montambo PARTY GUESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaina Rick, Amelita Goodroe, Cathrine Risseeuw, Aliyah Kartes, Aliya Malone, Payton LaPoint, Anna McCormick, Caroline McCormick, Audrey Wittwer, Briella Evenson
DREAM DANCERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Romanoski, Isla Avery, Elaina Rick, Cathrine Risseeuw, Vanessa McAlpine, Aliyah Kartes, Aliya Malone, Payton LaPoint, Audrey Wittwer Anna McCormick, Caroline McCormick
C A ST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ISLA AVERY (Gizzardgulper, Miss Plumbridge, Dream Dancer ) This is Isla’s second production with Dare to Dream Theatre. She loves acting dancing and figure skating. Isla is in 7th grade at Kohler Middle School. She would like to thank her family for supporting her on her journey with Dare to Dream. Isla is excited to perform, and she hopes you enjoy the show!
KENNEDY BILLE (Kenny, Childchewer, Place Staff) Kennedy is a 5th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. BFG will be her 5th production with Dare to Dream Theater and she is loving every minute of it. When she is not rushing off to play practice you can find her playing video games, reading books or hanging with her dog Hailey. She is over the moon you are here! Enjoy the show!
BRIELLA EVENSON (Party Guest, Dreamer #1) Briella is a local first grader who loves to perform on and off stage. She has been in several Dare to Dream Theatre productions and looks forward to more! When this lively young lady is not performing, she enjoys playing with her dogs, dancing, singing, playing with Pokémon and doing art projects. She hopes you enjoy the show!
AMELITA GOODROE (Party Guest) Amelita is excited for her debut with Dare to Dream Theater. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and greatly enjoys expressing herself through various forms of art. When she is not on stage, she can be found reading, writing, listening to audio books, and creating stop-motion shorts.
COLIN HACKBARTH (Dad, Fleshlumpeater, Head of the Army) Colin is performing on stage for the first time because Olivia inspired him with her bravery and because she along with Emily, Evan, Madeline, and Lucas support him when he tries to do something new. When he isn’t with his family, he also does some engineering stuff on the side...
JAYLEIGH HOSKINS (Bloodbottler, Mr. Tibbs) Jayleigh is a sixth grader at Oostburg Middle School. She is excited to be in her fifth show with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not performing, she enjoys drawing, reading, writing, and singing.
BLAINE HUBER (The BFG) Blaine is a grinksludger and squifflerotter who is loving delumptious, fizzy frobscottle. It’s gloriumptious. Absolutely whoopsy-splunkers. He is hating trogglehumpers, and is thinking snozzcumbers is tasting of clockcoaches and slimewanglers. He is speaking the most terrible wigglish...
ALIYAH KARTES (Mary, Bonecruncher, Dream Dancer) Aliyah is a 5th grader at Howards Grove Middle School. She has been working with Dare to Dream Theatre for the last 4 shows and she absolutely loves performing with her friends. When she isn’t on stage she enjoys running cross country, taking voice lessons, swimming and crafting.
JULIA KNIER (Meatdripper, Headmaster, Palace Staff) Julia is in 9th grade at Sheboygan falls high school, and this is her 2nd show with Dare to Dream Theatre. When she is not on stage she enjoys running in cross country and track, reading and painting.
ANNALISE KREGEL (Palace Staff) Annalise is an 8th grader at Howards Grove Middle School. This is her third show with Dare to Dream Theatre. She enjoys singing in her school choir and making art.
PAYTON LaPOINT (Party Guest) Payton is a 4th grader at Sheboygan Falls Elementary. She is excited to be in her 5th show with Dare to Dream Theatre! When not performing, Payton likes to read, be in nature, and do arts and crafts.
ALIYA MALONE (Dreamer #2, Party Guest, Palace Staff) Aliya is almost 10 years old and has been in productions with Dare to Dream Theatre since she was 4 when she was a tiny snowflake in Frozen Jr. She loves dancing all day every day. It is her dream to one day be a choreographer.
VANESSA Mc ALPINE (Queen of Sweden, Dream Dancer) Vanessa is a 7th grader at Oostburg Middle School. This is her fourth show with Dare to Dream and she enjoys being in the ensemble. When not performing, she enjoys playing with her dogs Dozer & Libby, rollerblading and traveling. She also plays the oboe and spends her free time drawing and designing homes in roblox.
ANNA McCORMICK (Palace Staff, Dream Dancer, Party Guest) Anna is a 4th grader at Lake Country Academy. This is her 5th performance with Dare to Dream Theatre. Previously, she was in Fancy Nancy as Bree. Not on stage, she enjoys snuggling with her kitten Hazel, playing piano, playing tennis, and playing with her friends and sisters. She hopes you enjoy The BFG!
CAROLINE McCORMICK (Sophie Puppet, Dream Dancer) Caroline (CC) is a second grader at Lake Country Academy. This is her 4th production with Dare to Dream. She has loved her previous roles in Fancy Nancy, Finding Nemo Jr. and Jungle Book. She enjoys dancing, playing piano, reading Harry Potter, playing cards, and playing with her kitten Hazel. She hopes you enjoy the show!
SKYLAR MONTAMBO (Head of the Air Force) Skylar Montambo is an 8th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. This is her 9th show, and her 7th with Dare to Dream Theatre. She is very excited to be back on stage performing, and hopes you enjoy the show.
VIVIAN PRAHL (Gizzardgulper, Queen of Sweden) Viv is in 7th grade at Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Middle School. She loves theatre and is thrilled to be working on another show! When she is not performing she enjoys drawing, music, eating snacks, and spending time with her friends!
ELAINA RICK (Party Guest) Elaina is excited to be in her first show with Dare to Dream Theatre! She is a 3rd grader at Northview Elementary School and when she grows up she wants to start her own Animal Wildlife Rescue Center. Elaina would like to say “I hope you really like the show and come back again with family and friends.”
LINDSAY RICK (Mom, Queen of England) Lindsay is grateful to be working with Dare to Dream for the first time. Her favorite previous roles include Mayzie in “Seussical”, Morticia in “The Addams Family”, Sally in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, and Mary Magdelene in “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Lindsay is excited to be joining her daughter, Elaina, on stage!
CATHERINE RISSEEUW (Dream Dancer) Catherine is in 5th grade and is very excited to be in her 3rd show with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not performing, she enjoys reading, knitting, playing with her friends, swimming, and skating.
EMMA ROMANOSKI (Bonecruncher, Dream Dancer) Emma is a 7th grader at Kohler Middle School. She is so excited to be in her second show with Dare to Dream Theatre! In addition to performing, Emma enjoys soccer, figure skating, hanging out with friends, and playing with her dog, Tilly.
BROOKLYN VELIER (Sophie) Brooklyn is a 3rd grader at Trinity Lutheran School - Sheboygan. This is her first show with Dare to Dream Theatre. She has really enjoyed the experience and new friends. When not performing she enjoys crafting, camping and family game nights. Brooklyn would like to thank her family for all of their support.
AUDREY WITTWER (Palace Staff, Dream Dancer, Party Guest) Audrey is a 5th grader at Kohler Elementary. This is her first production with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not performing, she enjoys playing with her dog Walter, video games, and baking.
SPE CI A L T H A NK S ANNETT MATEO
Master Puppet Builder, Seattle Children’s Theater For the very generous donation of the Sophie puppet
CARMEN DOLSON
And the staff of Sheboygan Lutheran High School For the use of this amazing performance venue
JERRY TOERPE, NICK BILLE, KIRK WITTWER & JERRY KNIER Set Build Team
For swinging hammers and driving screws night after night after night
DANIELLE LINEAU & SANDRA LINEAU Prop Master and Prop Master’s Master
For making sure we don’t stand around on stage empty-handed
LIZZIE MALONE Costume Assistant
For helping to keep us clothed. Which everyone appreciates.
DREXEL
Lumber donation We wood if we could, but we couldn’t, so they did.
KATIE GRAY
Lakeside Players, Kenosha For the additional props and set pieces
ROBERT MONROE Musician
For helping to keep us composed
KOHLER FOUNDATION Granters of grants
For generously funding our SchoolTime performance
MARCUS LARSON Light Board Operator
For the illuminating experiences every night
KYLE VELIER & EMILIANO NIESING Spotlight Operators
For always putting us in the best possible light
KOHLER COMPANY Set Building Shop
For providing Jerry Toerpe a space to do the voodoo that he do so well And to all the parents, families, friends, sponsors, and community partners who helped bring this production to life, and fulfill our mission of bringing joy children.
PRODUCT ION T E A M RACHEL ELIZABETH THUERMER Director Rachel is pleased to spend her time working with children and theatre, helping them find the magic in themselves and discover their dreams. With a lifelong passion for theatre and the wonder of the arts, Rachel spends time onstage (when possible) offstage (as Artistic Director for Dare to Dream Theatre) in front of the camera (as an actor in regional film/television projects) and backstage (doing whatever needs to be done!) Rachel has a BA in Theatre from Wisconsin Lutheran College. For over 20 years, Dare to Dream Theatre has been a labour of love for Rachel, and she treasures the many people who have joined her in this dream over the years. She is proud of the growth she sees every day from the talented young people she works with, and can’t wait to be a part of their journey as they continue to Dare to Dream!
JEREMY WINCHESTER Set Designer & Lighting Designer Jeremy is a designer and director for theatre, dance, and opera, with a deep background of experience in Theatre for Young People, as well as new project development and arts-based activism for social justice. He is also an Affiliated Artist of Pacific Performance Project/east, with whom he has designed multiple world premieres. From 2012 to 2016, Winchester served as the Executive Artistic Director of Flint Youth Theatre, and for six years thereafter served on the Board of Directors for TYA/USA. Jeremy holds a BFA from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA from the University of Washington. He is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he also serves as the Director of MCLA Arts & Culture.
ERICH SCHMIDT Technical Director Erich Schmidt has been running sound for 9 years after taking a position as teacher at Sheboygan Lutheran High School. He has worked with Dare to Dream Theatre for Moana JR, Freaky Friday, Jungle Book KIDS, Finding Nemo JR, Tuck Everlasting, and Fancy Nancy. He enjoys overseeing the technical side of productions. This allows him to work with the performers to make their hard work heard and seen by everyone.
AMANDA JOHNSON Costume Designer Amanda Johnson DeWall is a graduate of Valparaiso University. She’s worked with Dare to Dream Theatre on many shows over the years, including Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Finding Nemo JR, and Tuck Everlasting. She spends her spare time adding glitter and spikes to anything anyone leaves within arms’ reach.
LEE KOEPPEN Master Builder Lee is handy with tools and happy when the set is safe and ready to go. He’s built sets, set pieces and occasional props for shows from Jungle Book to The Tempest. This is Lee’s 7th production as the Dare to Dream Theatre Master Builder, and 9th show with us, overall.
KIM LaPOINT Volunteer Coordinator Kim is the Finance and Operations Director for the Sheboygan County Food Bank. She loves the theater and performed while in high school. She is excited to help with her 6th show with Dare to Dream Theatre and is thankful to experience theater with her daughter who is a cast member.
ZOE MURPHY Stage Manager Zoe is an 8th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. She is elated to be helping behind the scenes with her 6th Dare to Dream Theatre production. When not performing, Zoe enjoys drawing, painting, reading, archery, and more.
LENA FARNUM Co-Choreographer Lena is a freshman at St. Norbert College. This is her 5th Dare to Dream production, and 2nd as part of the directing team. Lena was a member of the SFHS Varsity Dance Team for 4 years, and is exited to continue dancing with the St. Norbert College Dance Team.
REBECCA SHVARTSMAN Co-Choreographer This is Rebecca’s 7th show with Dare to Dream Theatre. She adores working with kids and seeing them find joy in learning new things. From performing, to assistant directing, to choreographing, it’s been one of her favorite experiences of her life.
AU TO GR A PHS
www.DareToDreamTheatre.org