A L L I A N C E T H E AT R E
MAY 25–JUN 26, 2022
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T R A D I N G P L AC E S
F R O M T H E A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R Between Us. .
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F E AT U R E Atlanta’s Own Kenny Leon Returns to His Roots for Trading Places.
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The Tony Award-winning director shares the process behind his latest musical
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Story by Sally Henry Fuller Program Highlight.
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Onstage & Off. .
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Program Notes.
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Your Story, Your Stage. Synopsis. .
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D E PA R T M E N T S . . . . . . . .
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About the Alliance Theatre. Board of Directors. . Sponsors.
Annual Fund.
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Alliance Theatre Staff.
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Much as we might want you to believe otherwise, it’s not rocket science, this thing we do as theater artists. It’s kind of gobsmackingly simple, truth be told. We tell other people’s stories. Bam. That’s it. Whether as actors stepping into the time, place, context and psyche of another being, or as directors crafting worlds in which an audience from one point of view can come meet a narrative from another one, we’re really just humans telling stories about other humans. But here’s the thing. After a few years of isolation and a few years of divisive rhetoric, I can’t think of anything more bracing, more wonderful, and more essential than that simple act of — wait for it — trading places. Stepping fully into the world of someone who carries different burdens, harbors different hopes, faces different receptions than those with which we’re accustomed. You do it as audience members as well (and bless you for that), by committing a couple hours of your time to that same act of surrender. “Go ahead,” you say to a collection of people on that stage in front of you. “Tell us what’s going on in your world. We’ll listen.” How simple. How radical. How necessary. Trading Places was the right show for us to bring to you for a host of reasons, including that aforementioned one. But one that needs to be mentioned before closing out is that it brings home to Atlanta and the Alliance a major part of this arts community and this theater’s origin story, and that’s Kenny Leon. It’s such a gift to have him back in these hallways and rehearsal studios and in this zip code. So welcome home, Kenny. And welcome each and every one of you who had the heart and the generosity to sign up for a few hours in someone else’s story. You are why we should all have hope.
Susan V. Booth Jennings Hertz Artistic Director
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ATLANTA’S OWN KENNY LEON RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS FOR TRADING PLACES The Tony Award-winning director shares the process behind his latest musical STORY BY
Sally Henry Fuller
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tlanta has a few claims-to-fame in the entertainment industry at large. From the film industry boom around Metro Atlanta to Alliance Theatre’s pre-Broadway world premiere musicals, our community has become a launchpad for greatness in the arts. One specific entertainment industry legend we proudly claim is Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon. Famous for directing everything from Broadway productions like A Raisin in the Sun and A Soldier’s Play, to screen adaptations like Steel Magnolias and The Wiz LIVE, he has decidedly made a name for himself in the theater landscape. But before all of that, he was here in Atlanta. “I always feel like I’m Atlanta’s own,” Leon said. “Before the Tony Awards, before the NAACP Image Awards, before the Emmy nominations, I had people [in Atlanta] who knew me and supported me and loved me. That’s where I learned how to be a better director, a better actor, a better artist. And it’s great to come home to Atlanta and to the Alliance Theatre, specifically a theater that’s gone on to make its mark in the nation and the artistic community.” alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
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As former Artistic Director of first Alliance Theatre and then Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company (which he also co-founded), his Atlanta legacy is alive and well. Now more than 20 years since he turned over the reins at Alliance, he returns to his roots to direct the world premiere musical Trading Places.
Seeing Through New Eyes While this version will be familiar to fans of the 1983 movie of the same name, Leon is taking the opportunity to tell a new story for modern audiences. “I always treat each piece as if it’s a brand new piece,” he explained. “I try to honor the intentions of the original, but I try to look at it through fresh eyes. [The film’s creative team], including Eddie Murphy, put some amazing work on screen. But it would not be honoring them to just copy what they did and put it on stage. Honoring them is asking, ‘How does their work inspire me, being an artist in 2022?’”
It ’s gre at to come home to Atlanta and to the Alliance The atre , spe cifically a the ate r that ’s gone on to make it s mark in the nation and the ar tistic communit y. — Kenny Leon
In this case, he thought a story about seeing the world through the eyes of someone very different would be perfect for today.
T rading Places director Kenny Leon
“I couldn’t be more excited, because the musical is about if we were actually to trade places with each other,” he said. “With Trading Places, the reason to [adapt it now] is because of where we are in our country now, what we’ve gone through post-George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, where we are in recognizing that our differences could be our beauty.”
8 | encore He believes this is the perfect story to use to explore this idea. “We’re all different. We’re different with sexual orientation; we are different racially and culturally. And so the musical comedy explores the question, ‘If we were to trade places with each other, what would we learn? How great could we become?’” said the director. Whenever he adapts a story, whether stage-to-screen or screento-stage, he considers what it is artistically that makes the story right for the new medium.
What Makes It Sing “I’m always looking for what makes [a film] stage-worthy or what makes it want to sing. I don’t believe in taking a movie and putting it on stage,” he said. “So we have to say, ‘[The musical is] different because of the way we are going to cast it,’ or ‘It’s different in terms of how we are going to structure the book,’ or it’s different in some other way.” One of the main differences between the original and his stage version is in the casting. “The first thing I wanted to do is take that center role and make it an African-American woman. And then I wanted to take the other female role, that was originally a sex worker, and make it a gay, Latiné drag queen,” he explained. “And so I wanted to find as much diversity in the telling of the story so that the audiences would say, ‘Okay, I see the story of the movie, but now it’s fresh, and it’s different, and it’s more impactful because it’s talking to me right now.’”
If we we re to trade place s with e ach othe r, what would we le arn? H ow g re at could we be come? — Kenny Leon
While using Trading Places to say something meaningful and timely, he emphasizes that the musical is hilarious as well. “[I’ve asked myself], ‘What can I say politically and socially while at the same time, having people laughing and rolling on the floor because that’s the art form?’” Leon continued.
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Bryce Pinkham and Aneesa Folds. Photo by Greg Mooney.
“I mean, the way we’re telling it is a musical comedy. So in a musical comedy, if no one is laughing, I haven’t done my job. So I want them to laugh. And I promise you, people will be laughing big time, and hopefully they’ll be humming a lot of these songs.” After Trading Places concludes, Atlanta will have a touch of Leon’s artistic spark when his recent Tony Award-winning revival A Soldier’s Play tours to the Fox Theatre in March 2023. “I’m very happy because [A Soldier’s Play playwright] Charles Fuller is one of our amazing African-American writers. And he just did an amazing job with that play,” he shared. “The more eyes on the story, the more opportunity we have for impact to change the world.”
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Director Kenny Leon and Jennings Hertz Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. Photo by Ashley Elliott.
Yes to Coming Home Whatever the project, Leon’s fondness for Atlanta has kept him coming back. He’s excited to be home, especially for an extended time with Trading Places. “I said yes to [Trading Places]. And I said yes to coming home,” Leon said. “I like to say, Atlanta is never a step to get somewhere else. I’m creating this production Trading Places for the world and it just happens to be in Atlanta. So that should make it even sweeter and more special because it’s the place I call home.”
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programhighlight
ANCESTRAL SPACES IN TRADING PLACES In conversation with Beowulf Boritt, scenic designer for Trading Places STORY BY
A’Shiah N. Rachel, Spelman Leadership Intern It is an ancient Ghanian belief that we must go back in order to move forward, commonly referred to as Sankofa (to go back and get it). We must acknowledge the terror and atrocities of the past, the joy, and our ancestors’ presence to create a brighter, more equitable future. In my conversation with Beowulf Borritt, the scenic designer for Trading Places, we discussed the presence of ancestral spaces in the play and the deliberate construction to include subliminal messages inside the T rading Places scenic designer Beowulf Boritt set. As Boritt and director Kenny Leon brainstormed their intentions behind the design, one of the first things Leon said was that “he wanted to do something that felt like a very typical musical comedy, sort of light and fluffy, but to kind of sneak a social message in under that,” Boritt said. “So, people are tapping their toes and singing along and thinking they’re watching a light story and then getting a more important message.” The set is split into socioeconomic classes, with stage left being the wealthier part of town and stage right being less funded and more in disrepair. The design showcases the blatant disregard for under-resourced communities in the inner city due to a classist, elitist way of thinking and operating. Leon and Boritt also included small symbols that represented a troubled history to acknowledge the gruesome and racist undertones that often plague these wealthier communities. After I asked what subliminal messages stood out to Boritt in the play, he answered, “One of the things we popped in is in the most upstage townhouse. There’s a little statue up on the roof — some people probably won’t even notice it’s there — but it’s a silhouette of one of those lawn jockey statues. When I was a kid growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1970s, there were a lot of those around still. And I just liked little figures of little sculptures; I just thought they were cool, until at some point, probably when I was a teenager, ... I understood the racist history behind them. We decided to put one of those in there so that for people who see it, there is that kind of alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
12 | encore added dimension to the wealthy part of town in these kinds of racist totems.” Not only does this add dimension to the play, but it also recognizes history so we can continue to move forward and do better. The Heritage Club scene also included the misogynistic, patriarchal, dehumanizing past of the men in the portraits. Boritt, describing the vision, said, “It’s called Heritage Club, and there’s portraits all over the wall. And we started off just saying, ‘Let’s just make it a bunch of old white guys.’ But as we went along, we started specifically putting in, you know, figures who had either like an outright racist history or more often like sort of just a troublesome history. There’s so many American presidents and a lot of our founding fathers who had enslaved people held in bondage. ... And it’s that sort of difficult history that, you know, Thomas Jefferson was important and sort of made a living document of this country. And at the same time, he held people in slavery, and he had a child mistress who was an enslaved person. We’re trying to get at some of that duality that lies under the story. We put in the guy who invented redlining for a bank in the 1950s, John McKnight. I don’t know if the audience is going to get that or not, but if they do, hopefully it adds a deeper dimension for them.” Although the scenic design highlights the transgressions of American history, it also reminds us of possibility. While paying homage to the past, we can pave the way for the next generation and dismantle outdated systems and ideologies. The set shines a bright violet, emphasizing the opulence and importance Leon felt added to the play. The purple hue symbolizes the regality of socio-economically oppressed people in ancestral spaces and their courageous ability to find joy amid tragedy while aspiring to dream of trading places.
T rading Places scenic design concept art by Beowulf Boritt.
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A SEAT AT THE TABLE By Raiyon Hunter, Spelman Leadership Fellow, and Asia Reese
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ow do you gain a seat at the table? This is a question I’ve pondered for a while. What does that mean exactly, to have a seat at the table? Is there a set definition? Is there a specific set of rules?
A “seat at the table” is a colloquialism so ingrained in society that its origins remain elusive. However, its scope recently entered that of pop culture through musician Solange Knowles, who challenged the term when referencing Black Women. For Solange, a seat at the table wasn’t about a certain tokenism that came with limited access to resources. Rather, a seat at the table was a way to reclaim equity and representation in an extremely radical way. We see Billie Rae applying for positions in Trading Places, but she is continuously denied job after job because of her lack of experience. After switching places with a privileged white stockbroker, she not only gets a seat at the table but goes beyond the singularity that it implies and channels Solange’s philosophy of creating equity. Ultimately, this eradicates the fixed limits of a table, transforming them into a whole new type of communion and exchange of resources. This term emphasizes the importance of community. Whether you work at a Fortune 500 company, a grassroots organization, or you’re an entrepreneur, your table is created by you. We get to choose and have agency over what we want that to look like, whether starting our own thing or working inside out of the system. I asked a series of Black Women what this term means to them. The responses I received all followed the same train of thought.
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“In short, I would say being welcomed into an already established environment that is accepting of you. But I used to think that was admirable; now, I want to build my own table/room. We ain’t waiting on invitations.” — Allyson Lee Brown, Actress
“When I think of the term, I think about how I don’t want a seat at the table. I want the wood and the space to build up the communities I come from.” — Ambria Coakley, Spelman College student
“A seat at the table is being an active participant in programming and decision making to create change.” — Dr. Eve Graves, Chairperson of the Department of Speech Communications and Theatre Arts
This is how we ended up with folks like Jesseca Dupart, Issa Rae, Quinta Brunson, Phylicia Rashad, and Angela Basset. These amazing artists were committed to their community and realized to make true change, they had to redefine the definition of success and question if a table should even exist. They had a chance taken on them, excelled, and made it their prerogative to reach back. They took their seat at the table and used it to give back metaphorical wood, tools, nails, and resources to their community to build our own spaces. They flipped and dismantled the table as a means to reimagine spatial identities. Ultimately, it is your decision on how you plan to make a difference in your community, whether it be taking a seat at the table to bring your community with you or dismantling the aspect of “the table” in its entirety. I leave you with one question to ponder. What is your path?
THE ALLIANCE THEATRE Susan V. Booth, Jennings Hertz Artistic Director & Mike Schleifer, Managing Director present
BOOK BY
THOMAS LENNON
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
ALAN ZACHARY MICHAEL WEINER
Based on the Paramount Pictures film Trading Places, written by Timothy Harris & Herschel Weingrod CHOREOGRAPHER
SCENIC DESIGN
COSTUME DESIGN
LIGHTING DESIGN
FATIMA ROBINSON
BEOWULF BORITT
EMILIO SOSA
ADAM HONORÉ
SOUND DESIGN
JOHN SHIVERS
HAIR & WIG DESIGN
MIA NEAL
ORCHESTRATIONS
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
AUGUST ERIKSMOEN
RICK EDINGER
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
ASSOCIATE MUSIC DIRECTOR
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHERS
RICK SORDELET
EMILY WHITAKER
TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN
JEREMY GREEN ADRIAN WILTSHIRE
CASTING
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
THE TELSEY OFFICE PATRICK GOODWIN, CSA JODY FELDMAN
RALPH STAN LEE*
DIRECTED BY
KENNY LEON S P O N S O R E D BY
Produced by special arrangement with Marc Madnick and Michael Cassel Group This production is supported in part by the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle.
18 | programnotes CAST *JIMMY RAY BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *DANA COSTELLO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *KAYLA MARIE CRUZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *ANEESA FOLDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billie Rae Valentine JULIA GRONDIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swing *BENJAMIN HOWES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *MARC KUDISCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mortimer Duke *MCKENZIE KURTZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Penelope Van Verst *JOSH LAMON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Beeks *RAYMOND J. LEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble JAMES LUC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *MICHAEL LONGORIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Lopez *BRYCE PINKHAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louis Winthorpe III *MALAIYKA REID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *XAVIER REYES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble JACOB ROBERTS-MILLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swing *MICHAEL MCCORRY ROSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *DON STEPHENSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coleman *NYLA WATSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble *LENNY WOLPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randolph Duke *KEVIN ZAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swing UNDERSTUDIES *JIMMY RAY BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coleman/Mr. Beeks *DANA COSTELLO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Penelope Van Verst *BENJAMIN HOWES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mortimer Duke/Randolph Duke *XAVIER REYES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Lopez *MICHAEL MCCORRY ROSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louis Winthorpe III *NYLA WATSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billie Rae Valentine *KEVIN ZAK . . . . . . . . . . Randolph Duke/Mortimer Duke/Coleman/Mr. Beeks MUSICIANS ROBERT BOONE, JR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drums MARY BURNDRETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Violin/Viola KEVIN CHANEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Violin II RICK EDINGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Music Supervisor/Conductor/Keyboard GEOFF GILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rehearsal Drummer BILL HATCHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . Electric Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Tenor Banjo DERRICK JACKSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trombone SETH KUEHN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenor Sax/Clarinet MARC MILLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Electric Bass/Upright Bass NEIL NEWCOMB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Baritone Sax/Bass Clarinet SAM SKELTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alto Sax/Clarinet/Flute RON TURNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trumpet JONATHAN URIZAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Violin STAGE MANAGERS * RALPH STAN LEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Stage Manager *DAVID S. COHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Stage Manager *SHAINA PIERCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Stage Manager DANIELLE BERGMAN . . . . . . . . . . . Stage Management Production Assistant SAMANTHA HONEYCUTT . . . . . . . . Stage Management Production Assistant
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PRODUCTION AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE JODY FELDMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Line Producer ALEXIS DISTLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Scenic Designer ROMELLO HUINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Scenic Designer ELIVIA BOVENZI BLITZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Costume Designer ANNIE J. LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Costume Designer SHANNON CLARKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Lighting Designer MACK SCALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant Lighting Designer TAYLOR J. WILLIAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keyboard Programmer BRANDON BAGWELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lighting Programmer KEVIN KENNEDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Sound Designer BRIAN RAU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound Mixer JONATHAN BAUERFELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Score Supervisor JOANN KANE MUSIC, RUSSELL BARTMUS . . . . . . . . . . . . Music Preparation ASHLEY WISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Hair & Wig Designer JUSTIN M. PETITO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Electrician SASHA NICOLLE SMITH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intimacy Director HAYLEE SCOTT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COVID Coordinator AMBER DEMERY . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Assistant, Kenny Leon Productions VINCENT PENDARVIS II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant to Kenny Leon KAYLA PARKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Directing Observer FOR THIS PRODUCTION SKYLAR BURKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Props Artisan/Props Stagehand HAUZIA CONYERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wardrobe Supervisor ZACHARY MORRISON, RODNEY LAMAR WILLIAMS, JENN ROGERS, MONICA SPEAKER, PATRICIA ALENE KUIPERS FULLER . . . . . . . . . .Wardobe GEORGE DEAVOURS, ALANA SPACH, LINDSEY EWING . . . . . . . . . Wig Crew SAMMY MAINZER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NYC Shopping Assistant TROY ANICETE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NYC Draper PATRICIA MCMAHON, PATRICIA ALENE KUIPERS FULLER, JULIE KENNEDY, MARIANNE MARTIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional Stitchers MONICA SPEAKER, KAYLI WARNER, LAURY CONLEY . . . . . .Design Assistants EMMA MOULEDOUX, JAYSON T. WADDELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deck Sound NEIL ANDERSON, GABRIELLE DRUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spotlight Operators BRYAN PEREZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crew Chief WILLIE PARKS, ROY SOCKWELL, JJ WALLACE CHARLES BEDELL, NIC STEPHENSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stagehands VICTOR MOULEDOUX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automation Stagehand JOHN ANDERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Carpenter ISABELLA STADLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automation Technician JULIA GRONDIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dance Captain MALAIYKA REID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fight Captain SPECIAL THANKS Ann C. James Josephine Kearns Clark Atlanta University Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company OUT Georgia (Community Partner) Out Front Theatre (Community Partner) Show Control and Scenic Motion Control featuring STAGE COMMAND SYSTEMS® by Scenic Technologies, a division of PRG Broadway LLC. Lighting Equipment and Special Lighting Effects by PRG Broadway
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* Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States The Alliance Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, an independent national labor union. The Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young Audiences (ASSITEJ/USA), The Atlanta Coalition of Theatres, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Midtown Alliance. Photos may be taken in the theater before the performance, during intermission, and following the performance. If you share your photos, please credit the designers. Photos, videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited, is a violation of United States Copyright Law, and is an actionable Federal Offense.
Take CENTER STAGE this summer. Enrolling Age 4 – Grade 12 at five convenient Atlanta locations. alliancetheatre.org/camps
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JIMMY RAY BENNETT (Ensemble, u/s Coleman, Mr. Beeks) is co-creator of the off-Broadway improvised “cult hit” The Nuclear Family, Nathan Brooks in Hand of God for Amazon Prime, and the body and voice of Floyd for Grand Theft Auto 5. Past theatres include The Arena, McCarter, LaJolla Playhouse, Barrow Street, NYTW, The Duke on 42nd, City Center, the Kennedy Center, and The Groundlings. TV: “Billions,” “Hot In Cleveland,” “AJ And The Queen,” “Blacklist, “ “The Daily Show,” “Better Nate Than Ever” and “DL Hughley’s Endangered Species List.” Shout out to his friends at Dad’s Garage. @JimmyRayBennett DANA COSTELLO (Ensemble, u/s Penelope Van Verst) Broadway: Finding Neverland (Mary Barrie), Pretty Woman (Rachel, u/s Vivian), Jekyll & Hyde (Broadway and National tour: Nellie, u/s Emma), Lincoln Center’s concert production of The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marie Tussaud). Other favorite credits include: Dave (Montana Jefferson; Arena Stage, DC), Cabaret (Sally Bowles; Argyle Theatre, NY), Enter Laughing (Miss B.; York Theatre, NYC) and many more Off-Broadway and regional works. She was most recently seen as Catherine Fox on the revival of “Law & Order” on NBC. For more follow @dana_coz and visit www.dana-costello. com. Thank you for supporting live theater! KAYLA MARIE CRUZ (Ensemble) is extremely thrilled to be making her musical theater debut and joining the fabulous cast of Trading Places! Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Kayla began dancing at just one year old. She most recently graduated from Wagner College with a
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B.A. in Dance Education, while simultaneously pursuing a professional career in commercial dance. Kayla has performed with several musical artists such as Meghan Trainor, J Balvin, Meek Mill, and the Jonas Brothers, and has been featured on television shows such as “Law & Order: SVU” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” She is also a member of the Brooklynettes, the official dance team for the NBA Brooklyn Nets. Kayla would like to extend a huge thank you to her agency, Bloc NYC, her parents, Stephanie and Sean Cruz, as well as her RCDC and Brooklynettes families for all of their support and love through the years! For more info, follow: @kaylacruz_ ANEESA FOLDS (Billie Rae Valentine) is thrilled to be joining this incredible cast and team of beautiful people! Folds was last seen on the Broadway National Tour of Freestyle Love Supreme and also joined the Special Tony Awarded show on Broadway in both 2019 and 2021. She was also a part of the Grammynominated Hulu documentary “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme” and is a member of the Grammy award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices. Aneesa has been featured on Disney Channel, Sesame Street, Rolling Stone and in The New York Times. Favorite credits include: Off-Broadway/NYC: Sistas The Musical. Regional: North Shore Music Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Arrow Rock Lyceum. National Tour: Ragtime. Film: Vivo, Tick Tick Boom! Much love to her family, friends, and entire team for their never-ending support! Follow on all platforms @AneesaFolds. JULIA GRONDIN (Swing, Dance Captain) is beyond excited to be joining this incredible production! She is a recent graduate of Pace University with a
22 | encore BFA in Commercial Dance. After joining the first national tour of Escape to Margaritaville, she became a Knicks City Dancer. She would love to thank MSA agency for being the best in the game. She is so grateful to everyone who has trained her to get to this point, and she would love to thank her family and friends for their unwavering love and support. BENJAMIN HOWES (Ensemble, u/s Mortimer Duke, Randolph Duke) Originally from Sydney, Australia, Benjamin has performed on Broadway in Mary Poppins, Scandalous, and [title of show]. He has toured the country in Mary Poppins, Shrek The Musical, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, playing Willy Wonka more than forty times. Off-Broadway credits include The View Upstairs and its recording. Regionally, he has performed at A.R.T. in the award winning play The Shape She Makes, at the Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, MiIwaukee Repertory Theatre, and Asolo Repertory, among many others. Television credits: “The Blacklist”, “Gossip Girl”, “The Deuce” (recurring), “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Conchords,” and a small but glamorous recurring role in “One Life To Live” as Shakespearereciting drag queen, Alma Children. Film: Easter Mysteries as Thomas; Miles as Mr. Meely. Benjamin is currently serving as an Artist Champion for the famed HB Studio in New York. He teaches and coaches actors and singers all over the USA. Follow on Instagram @benjthestar MARC KUDISCH (Mortimer Duke) BROADWAY: 15 shows total, having just completed Girl from the North Country at the Belasco Theatre; Tony nominations for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty
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Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie. OFF BWAY: F**king A, Hand to God, The Wayside Motor Inn (Drama Desk Award), A Minister’s Wife, The Glorious Ones, See What I Wanna See. OPERA: NYCO (A Little Night Music, Pirates Of Penzance); LA Opera (A Little Night Music, anatomy theater, Wonderful Town); Dutch National Opera (The New Prince); currently developing TRADE for The Prototype Festival/NYC, LA Opera and the Irish National Opera. FILM: Late Night, UnSeen, Man In The Dark. TV: Rathbone on “The Tick,” Dr Gus on “Billions,” “The Equalizer,” “The Good Fight,” “Condor,” “Black List,” “Mindhunter,” “House of Cards,” “Unforgettable,” “Power,” “Blue Bloods,” “Sex and the City,” “Bye Bye Birdie.” www.marckudisch.net MCKENZIE KURTZ (Penelope Van Verst) is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Atlanta playing Penelope in the world premiere of Trading Places. Previous credits include Star to Be in NBC’s Annie Live!, Anna in Frozen on Broadway/the North American Tour, and Ariel in Footloose (The Muny). Proud alumna of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Special thanks to Tim and Erica. So much love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, and Lydia for their endless love and support. @mckenziekurtz JOSH LAMON (Mr. Beeks) most recently appeared at the American Repertory Theater in the world premiere of Wild with Idina Menzel. BROADWAY: The Prom*, Groundhog Day*, Finding Neverland*, Elf, Hair*. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Into the Woods. OFF BROADWAY: A New Brain* (Encores!); Little Miss Sunshine (2nd Stage); Little Me; Emojiland*; February House (The Public Theatre);
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Notes From Now (Prospect). NATIONAL TOUR: Hair (Helen Hayes Award), Wicked (1st National). TV/Film: “Here Today” (Dir. Billy Crystal), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Blacklist,” “The Good Fight,” “30 Rock,” “Deadbeat,” “Inside Amy Schumer.” Podcast: “Josh Swallows Broadway,” Broadway Podcast Network. www.JoshLamon.com | @Josh.Lamon (*Original Cast Recording) RAYMOND J. LEE (Ensemble) is excited to make his Alliance Theatre debut with this incredible group of people! Ray was most recently in the company of Once Upon A One More Time at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Broadway credits include Aladdin, Anything Goes, Groundhog Day, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Mamma Mia! Other NY credits include Soft Power (The Public), Mack & Mabel (Encores!), The Wild Party (Encores!), Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Public), and Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical. Regional credits include productions at A.C.T., CTG, La Jolla, The MUNY, Paper Mill, and Portland Center Stage. Film/TV credits include Marriage Story, Fire Island, Ghost Town, “The First Lady,” “Succession,” “Billions,” “Red Oaks,” and “Smash.” His voiceover work includes projects for Dreamworks, Netflix (including Squid Game), and numerous audiobooks. Ray is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and is repped by Nicolosi & Co. and Sullivan Talent Group. Love to Robbi & Ella! Follow @raymondjlee on the socials and visit www.raymondjlee.com MICHAEL LONGORIA (Phil Lopez) is best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. He made his Broadway debut in the
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smash hit musical Hairspray. Additional Stage credits include the original OffBroadway cast of The View Upstairs, and international productions of West Side Story and A Chorus Line. Select TV Credits Include: “America’s Got Talent,” “Broadway Under The Stars: A Tribute To Harold Prince,” and “Dora the Explorer.” As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has released 3 albums: Broadway Brick By Brick, Merry Christmas Darling, & Like They Do In The Movies. @michaellongoriasings JAMES LUC (Ensemble) is excited to be making his musical theater debut with Trading Places! Born and raised in Queens, NY, James began dancing at the young age of 7. Consistently watching and imitating the legendary Michael Jackson helped create a dream that he would soon turn into reality. He fell in love with the ability to perform and truly entertain others. In the past, he has worked with musical artists such as JLO, Travis Scott, Mariah Carey, Daddy Yankee, and more. James also most recently appeared in the films Marry Me and In the Heights, and shows such as “Law and Order: SVU” and “Harlem.” When he’s not in the studio moving, he’s investing his time in other artistic endeavors like modeling, acting, and teaching the youth. He believes that everyone has this common undeniable talent called “Potential.” With potential and your own faith there is nothing you cannot master. This belief is what helped create his favorite saying, “Success is a must!” He would love to give a special thank you to his agency, Bloc, and his family and friends back home for being pillars to his strength. BRYCE PINKHAM (Louis Winthorpe III; he/him) This is the first time Bryce has performed since Broadway shut down in 2020, and he is thrilled to
24 | encore be back onstage, making his Alliance Theatre debut! Mostly, he hopes that the company can make you laugh a little (or a lot) at this show. If they can’t, that’s okay too, just know that they all tried, but that Bryce tried the hardest. Bryce’s Broadway credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, The Heidi Chronicles, Holiday Inn, The Great Society, Ghost, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. TV and Film: The Comedian, “The Get Down,” “Mercy Street,” “Person of Interest,” “The Good Wife,” “Blacklist,” and the new HBO series “Julia.” He is also the voice of Stolas on “Helluva Boss.” Bryce cofounded a charity for under-resourced kids in Madagascar (www.zaraaina.org) and has performed with Outside the Wire for US military audiences in Kuwait, Qatar, Guantanamo Bay and Japan. Bryce studied acting and bio-writing at the Yale School of Drama and Boston College, but he is most proud of his permanent role as Winnie and Wilder’s Dad and Scarlett Strallen’s husband. Follow @ theBryceCapades MALAIYKA REID (Ensemble, Fight Captain) Off-Broadway: Black No More; Miss You Like Hell (assoc. choreographer); The Fortress of Solitude; Cabin in the Sky (Encores!). National tours: Fela!. Regional: The Wiz (The Muny), Staggerlee; Man in the Ring (movement director). TV: “The Get Down,” “Dickinson,” “The Wiz: Live!,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” Film: Coming 2 America, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Other credits: The Metropolitan Opera: Porgy and Bess. XAVIER REYES (Ensemble, u/s Phil Lopez; he/him) is a Puerto Rican actor constantly and actively pursuing ways of storytelling. Xavier is very grateful and excited to be part of this fun story! Having performed
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all over the US, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Canada, some credits include the Kinky Boots Broadway National Tour, the Night at the Museum musical workshop, Working, Fun Home, Hair, In the Heights several times, Rent several times, West Side Story several times, La Cage Aux Folles, Lynn Nottage’s SWEAT, and Encanto, a new musical in Puerto Rico. Thank you, God. Thank you to the creative team, cast members, Telsey & Company for seeing me, Kenny Leon, BLOC NY Agency (Jim, Kyla, Bridget), Bohemia Group (Naomi Kolstein), my friends who constantly pull up (and help me self-tape), and my family for always praying for my success and artistry. Everything I do is for my Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico! I love being an artist. Thank you, audience member, for showing up, supporting, and being a part of this experience. Proud Alum of Ithaca College. Follow @XavierReyesActor JACOB ROBERTSMILLER (Swing) is delighted to make his Alliance Theatre debut! National Tours: A Bronx Tale (Handsome Nick, u/s Calogero–Networks). Off-Broadway: From Here to Eternity, (Anderson, Baryshnikov Arts Center). Regional: Spamalot (Ensemble–Ogunquit Playhouse), Kiss Me, Kate (Gremio, u/s Bill–Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), A Christmas Carol (Ensemble–Zach Scott Theatre), Footloose, South Pacific, Mamma Mia (Ensemble–The Rev), Secret Garden (Dickon–New London Barn Playhouse). Social: @jacobtwolastnames. Many thanks to his wonderful fiancee, his incredibly kind friends and family, and the folks at the Daniel Hoff Agency. MICHAEL MCCORRY ROSE (Ensemble, u/s Louis Winthorpe III) is excited to be making his Alliance Theatre debut! Broadway/ Tour: Wicked, A
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Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, and Anastasia. Film: Disenchanted (premiering this fall on Disney+) and Snapshots (2022 Grammy nomination). Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, and Project Shaw. Visit www.MichaelMcCorryRose.com DON STEPHENSON (Coleman) most recently created the role of Bill O’Wray in the Broadway premiere of Trouble in Mind. Previous Broadway appearances: Starred as Leo Bloom in The Producers, the D’Ysquith Family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Victor in Private Lives, and Hertz in Rock of Ages. He created the roles of Mr. Peavy in Parade, Bingo in By Jeeves, Renfield in Dracula, and Charles Clarke in Titanic (Broadway debut). New York City Opera: Frank Lippencott in Wonderful Town. New York City Center Encores!: Me and My Girl, Pardon My English, The Bandwagon. Other NY credits include Death Takes a Holiday, Chess. TV & Film credits: “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Law & Order,” “The Blacklist,” “The Americans,” “Deception,” “Happy,” “The Good Wife,” “30 Rock,” “Glee,” “Ugly Betty,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” and “Heartland Express.” Recordings: Titanic, Parade (RCA); Death Takes a Holiday (PS Classics); the complete recordings of Guys and Dolls, Wonderful Town, The Most Happy Fella (JAY Records). Visit donstephensonactordirector.com. NYLA WATSON (Ensemble, u/s Billie Rae Valentine) Giving all glory to God, Nyla Watson is a Cleveland-born NYC-based actor, concert artist, voice teacher, and acting coach. She joins us after shining bright in the star-studded new musical Black No More
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Off-Broadway and after making her Broadway debut in Waitress the Musical with Sara Bareilles. Other notable performances include Gigantic (OffBroadway), touring with Wicked and The Color Purple revival, and having the honor to play both Reno Sweeney and Mama Rose at NYU. She attributes her success to her Christian faith, her parents, her education, the team at CGF Talent, and her professional and personal influences. Proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace and NYU - Steinhardt. Thank you to the amazing team of Trading Places and the Alliance Theatre for this amazing opportunity. www.queennyla.com | @brandnewnyla. Acts 4:7-12. This one is for Dr. Sears. Thank you. LENNY WOLPE (Randolph Duke) is delighted to be at the Alliance. He has appeared on Broadway in Bullets Over Broadway, Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sound of Music, Mayor, Into the Light, Onward Victoria, and Copperfield. Off-Broadway: Heartbreak House, Midnight Street, Marry Harry, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Company, Radio City Spring Spectacular. National tours: Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, Forum, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse (Baker’s Wife, Gypsy, The Outsider), Goodspeed Opera House (Show Boat, A Connecticut Christmas Carol), Musical Theatre West, North Coast Rep, Barrington, Pasadena Playhouse, Westport, Reprise LA, Capital Rep, La Mirada, St Louis Rep, Maltz Jupiter, Asolo Rep, McCarter, Sacramento, Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Rep, DTC, Cape Playhouse, Bucks County, Denver Center, TUTS Houston, Hollywood Bowl (The Music Man). TV: Lenny has guest starred on nearly 100 shows from “ER,” “Ally McBeal,” and “L.A. Law” to “The Golden Girls,” “Chapelle’s Show,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “The Good Fight.” Lenny received an Emmy nomination for the Amazon series “After Forever.”
26 | encore KEVIN ZAK (Swing, u/s Randolph Duke, Mortimer Duke, Coleman, Mr. Beeks) is a NY-based actor, comedian, and writer. Off Broadway: An Evening With Pam Goldberg (Ars Nova), Clinton The Musical (Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Original Cast Recording) Neurosis (Original Cast Recording), Katie Thompson’s R.R.R.E.D. (Original Cast Recording) Silence! The Musical. National Tours: Waitress (1st national), Cats. Other credits include shows at The MUNY, BPAC, and Goodspeed Musicals, as well as countless workshops. TV: “The Flight Attendant,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Kevin’s internet comedy has been featured in many press outlets including The Daily Beast, The Wrap, Out, Buzzfeed, and The Today Show. @Kevinjzak ALAN ZACHARY (Music & Lyrics) co-wrote music and lyrics for the Broadway musical First Date, which played at the Longacre Theatre in New York and has since been translated into more than a dozen languages and has had over 200 productions around the world. He also co-wrote the score for the stage musical adaptation of the film Secondhand Lions (book: Rupert Holmes/ producer: Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures) which premiered at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle (studio recording on Broadway Records). In the world of TV and streaming, Alan has written songs for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Disney+, as well as the critically acclaimed musical episode of ABC’s fantasy series “Once Upon a Time.” Additionally, he has developed TV shows for ABC, Amazon, The CW, Disney Channel and FOX, and has written songs for DreamWorks Animation. Upcoming projects include: a stage musical adaptation of the hit Jennifer Garner film 13 Going on 30 (director: Andy Fickman/ book: Josh Goldsmith & Cathy Yuspa),
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screenplay/songs for movie musicals at TriStar Pictures and Disney+, and songs for the upcoming Paramount Pictures animated feature, Paws of Fury. Alan is the 2012 recipient of the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. www. zacharyandweiner.com MICHAEL WEINER (Music & Lyrics) co-wrote the score for the Broadway musical comedy First Date, which premiered at the Longacre Theatre starring Zachary Levi and has subsequently had over two hundred productions around the world. Michael also co-wrote music and lyrics for the musical adaptation of the film Secondhand Lions (book: Rupert Holmes/producer: Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures) which debuted at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. Additionally, Michael composed the music for Liberty Smith, an original musical that opened at historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. On television, Michael has written songs for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Disney+, as well as the critically acclaimed musical episode of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time.” Michael has developed TV shows for ABC, AMAZON, FOX, CW, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. Upcoming projects include: a stage adaptation of the hit film 13 Going On 30 (director: Andy Fickman/book: Josh Goldsmith & Cathy Yuspa), an original musical Galileo (director: Michael Mayer/book: Danny Strong/co-music & lyrics: Zoe Sarnak), screenplay/songs for movie musicals at TriStar Pictures and Disney+, and songs for the Paramount Pictures animated feature, Paws of Fury. Michael is the 2012 recipient of the ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. www.zacharyandweiner.com THOMAS LENNON (Book) is an actor, screenwriter, and New York Times Best-Selling novelist from Oak Park, Illinois. He attended the Tisch School of the Arts at New York
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University, where he was a member of the influential sketch comedy group The State. Lennon is the co-author of thirteen feature films including the Night at the Museum series and Disney’s The Pacifier. For television, he has written for “Strangers with Candy,” and co-created the shows “The State,” “Viva Variety,” and “Reno 911!,” in which he plays Lt. Dangle. “Reno 911!” is in its eighth season on Roku. Lennon’s best-selling young adult novel Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is in development at DreamWorks for a feature film slated for 2025. He has been nominated for two Emmy Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award, and one MTV Movie Award (Best Kiss with Paul Rudd in I Love You, Man). KENNY LEON (Director) is a Tony Award-winning director who also has been honored with an Obie Award and an NAACP Image Award. Mr. Leon is also a proud honoree of the George Abbott Lifetime Achievement for American Theatre. Broadway: A Soldier’s Play; American Son; Children of a Lesser God; Holler If Ya Hear Me; A Raisin in the Sun; The Mountaintop; Stick Fly; August Wilson’s Fences, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf. Off-Broadway: The Underlying Chris, Everybody’s Ruby, Emergence-See! (The Public); Smart People (Second Stage). Television: Colin in “Black & White;” “4400;” “Amend: The Fight for America;” American Son (adapted for Netflix); Hairspray Live!; The Wiz Live!; Steel Magnolias; “Dynasty;” In My Dreams. Author: Take You Wherever You Go. Artistic Director Emeritus: Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Senior Resident Director: Roundabout Theatre Company. FATIMA ROBINSON (Choreographer) As The New York Times notes, Fatima Robinson is “one of the most soughtafter hip-hop and popular music choreographers in the world.” Recent highlights include the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Beyonce’s performance
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for the 2022 Oscars, and as a producer of the 2022 Grammy Awards. Upcoming work includes the highly anticipated Warner Bros. musical The Color Purple. Fatima was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for producing the highly regarded 2021 Grammy Awards. Fatima’s film resume reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood having choreographed the critically acclaimed Dreamgirls, Coming 2 America 2, The Harder They Fall, American Gangster, Public Enemies, Ali, and Anchorman 2. Fatima was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreographer — Off-Broadway, for her theatrical debut, Radiant Baby, a musical based on the life of artist Keith Haring, produced and directed by George C. Wolfe at the New York Public Theater. JEREMY GREEN (Associate Choreographer) A true creative, leader, and trendsetter, Jeremy Green is quickly taking the entertainment industry by storm by way of Atlanta. His work can be seen in television shows such as Netflix’s “Insatiable,” ABC’S “Queens,” BET Hip Hop Awards, BET Awards, “Grownish,” ABC’s “Fresh Off The Boat,” Fox’s “Labor of Love,” and as a creative director/choreographer for the film Uncle Drew starring Shaquille O’Neal. Jeremy recently worked with Fatima Robinson on the feature film Coming 2 America and JCrew’s commercial with Tracee Ellis Ross. Working alongside Eboni Nichols, Jeremy also assisted on the film Night School (starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish). He has worked with artists such as Lil Baby, Latto, Bia, Cardi B, Migos, and more for TV shows and tours. Jeremy believes that all artists should be approached with vision and passion which has led him to be the visionary and founder of the annual Atlanta event “Behind the Movement,” a production company known for dance showcases and training intensives for up and coming talent and to raise funds to benefit youth in the dance community. ADRIAN WILTSHIRE (Associate Choreographer) Adrian Wiltshire’s strong background in classical training
28 | encore (School Of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theater of Harlem) has led to his current niche in hip hop/urban commercial dance and choreography. As an associate/assistant to highly esteemed choreographer Fatima Robinson, his recent credits include the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, Eminem), the 94th Academy Awards with Beyonce “Be Alive” from King Richard, Coming 2 America, The Bobby Brown Story, “Black-ish,” and the highly anticipated feature film The Color Purple. His choreography can be seen in Fox’s hit show “The Masked Singer,” in the film Straight Outta Compton, the Grammy’s tribute to Nipsy Hussle, and as creative producer for “The Voice.” He has worked with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Will.I.Am, Fergie, Ariana Grande, Keyshia Cole, One Republic, and many more. In addition to success as a choreographer, Adrian can be seen as a featured dancer in the films Honey, Stomp the Yard, DreamGirls, and Step Up 3D, directed by Jon M Chu. BEOWULF BORITT (Scenic Design) designed Saint Lucy’s Eyes and …Spelling Bee at the Alliance Theatre. 25 Broadway designs include Act One (Tony Award), The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Nomination), Thérèse Raquin (Tony Nomination), Come From Away, Flying Over Sunset, Freestyle Love Supreme, Be More Chill, The New One, On The Town, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Meteor Shower, A Bronx Tale, Prince Of Broadway, Hand To God, Sondheim On Sondheim, …Spelling Bee, LoveMusik, Rock of Ages, Chaplin, and Grace. 100 Off-Broadway designs include Much Ado About Nothing, Merry Wives, The Last Five Years, Fiddler On The Roof (in Yiddish), Sleepwalk With Me, and Miss Julie. He has designed for The NYC Ballet and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and around the world in England, Russia, China, Australia, and Japan. 2007 OBIE Award for sustained excellence. EMILIO SOSA (Costume Design) Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Emilio is one of Broadway’s most unique talents. He began his theater
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career at Grace Costumes, starting as a shopper, and eventually becoming its Creative Director. Emilio went on to tour the world with Celine Dion, The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Emilio made a name for himself styling music videos for Hip Hop pioneers and designing for music icons like Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and Gloria Estefan. Emilio became Spike Lee’s in-house stylist, working on national and international ad campaigns, before setting his sight on Broadway, where he was mentored by director George C. Wolfe, for whom he designed his first Broadway show, Topdog/Underdog. His other Broadway credits include, On Your Feet! The Emilio and Gloria Estefan Story, Motown: The Musical, Porgy and Bess (Tony Award nom) and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. He shares the unique distinction of being the first designer of color to design The Radio City Music Hall Spring Spectacular and a new permanent number for the legendary Christmas Show, both starring The Rockettes. He has received both Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations and has been the recipient of a Lucille Lortell Award, NAACP Theatre Awards, and an LA Ovation Award. The proud Chair of the American Theater Wing. Emilio shares his vast theater knowledge with communities rarely represented, by sponsoring theater trips, workshops and talk backs. @esosafashion ADAM HONORÉ (Lighting Design) BROADWAY: Chicken and Biscuits. OFFBROADWAY: Select: The Public: Ain’t No Mo; Classic Stage Company: Carmen Jones; Out of the Box: The Last Five Years. REGIONAL: Select: Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theater Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival. AWARDS: Drama Desk, Henry Hewes, Helen Hayes Nominee; AUDELCO Award recipient. www.HonoreLighting.com @itsadamhonore JOHN SHIVERS (Sound Design) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Worldwide), Pretty Woman, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour
encoreatlanta.com (Worldwide), Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award recipient) (Worldwide), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan (Worldwide), & Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays. International: Wicked (Hamburg), Spirit of Life, The Secret, Das Wunder Von Bern, The Lion King (Shanghai) and (Singapore), Regional: The Muny 2015 — Present, The Wanderer, Becoming Nancy, 42nd St., The Heart of Rock and Roll, Moonshine, Harmony, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma, Robin and the 7 Hoods. Other credits include: Savion Glover, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Gregory Hines. MIA NEAL (Hair & Wig Design) Academy Award for Best Hair and Makeup in 2021, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Broadway credits: West Side Story (2020), Iceman Cometh, Shuffle Along (Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Hair and Wig Design), A Raisin in the Sun. Off Broadway: Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare in the Park), By the Way Meet Vera Stark (Signature Theatre), Carmen Jones (Classic Stage Company). Numerous film and television credits. Education: Jackson State University and Juilliard Professional Internship program for wig and makeup. AUGUST ERIKSMOEN (Orchestrator) Broadway: Orchestrations — Come From Away (Olivier Award, Grammy nomination), Bright Star (Tony nom.), Prince Of Egypt (London West End), Gigi, First Date, Hugh Jackman Back On Broadway (additional orchestrations), The Addams Family (dance arrangements, additional orchestrations), Memphis (dance arrangements), Million Dollar Quartet (assoc. music supervisor), Ring of Fire (assoc. MD), All Shook Up (MD), Rent (assoc. conductor). Off-Broadway: Bare, Romantic Poetry, Walmartopia, Imperfect Chemistry. Other: “A Christmas Story Live” (Fox), “Once Upon A Time” (ABC), Disney’s Descendants (Andrew Lippa’s “Evil Like Me”), 2011 Billboard Music Awards, I Am Harvey Milk, Bull Durham, James and the Giant Peach. TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN (Associate Director) is the BOLD Associate Artistic
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Director at the Alliance Theatre. Tinashe is a Princess Grace Award 2019 Winner for Directing, and Map Fund Award recipient to develop her devised new work All Smiles that centers the experience of children on the Autism Spectrum. Recent theatre directing productions include Toni Stone (co-production Milwaukee Repertory Theater/The Alliance Theatre), School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre), Ghost (The Alliance Theater), Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theater), Nick’s Flamingo Grill (World Premiere at The Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Suzi Bass Award for Best Director). Upcoming projects: co-directing Everybody with Susan Booth on the Coca-Cola Stage and the world premiere of the 19th winner of the Alliance/ Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd by Stephen Brown of Juilliard. Tinashe held a salaried Director’s Shadow position during the pilot and second episode development of “Our Kind of People” (Fox Studios) under Lee Daniel’s production company, and was Director Shadow on the season finale of “BMF.” As a director and actor, she has worked On + Off Broadway, including The Imperial Theatre, Primary Stages, 59E59 Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem; and regionally at Yale Rep, Woolly Mammoth Theater Co, Cincinnati Playhouse, The Geva Theatre, CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, among others, as well as recurring roles on TV/Film (Suicide Squad, Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” CW’s “Valor, “Dynasty,” HBO’s “Henrietta Lacks,” Ava Duverney’s “Cherish the Day,” among others.) Love and thanks to my amazing husband Keith, our boys, and Kenny Leon for being a generous mentor. “My mission is the pursuit of what connects our different communities and how we create art that serves that.” RICK EDINGER (Music Supervisor/ Conductor/Keyboard; he/they) is a proud queer AAPI music director, educator, vocal coach, and pianist. Edinger is thrilled to be making his Alliance Theatre debut with this hilarious show and brilliant team of collaborators! Edinger started
30 | encore the 2021-2022 season as Music Director for the world premiere of Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, and Kwame Kwei-Armah’s The Visitor at The Public Theater in New York (Daniel Sullivan, director) starring David Hyde Pierce. Additionally, Edinger was Music Director/Keys/Man 2 for New City Music Theatre’s inaugural production of Songs for a New World at Radial Park in New York (Miles J. Sternfeld, director) starring Nancy Opel, Liz Callaway, Bonnie Milligan, Christy Altomare, Jason Gotay, Jay Armstrong Johnson, et al. In late fall 2021, Edinger music directed the developmental reading of Mizer and Moore’s The Amazing Mr. X starring Kate Baldwin, Krystina Alabado, & Nik Walker. They arrive in Atlanta after Music Supervising Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama’s production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Tomé Cousin, director).This summer and fall, Edinger will music direct the workshop of Joy by AnnMarie Milazzo and Ken Davenport. Edinger serves as Associate Professor of Musical Theater at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. They also serve on the Board of Directors of The National Alliance for Musical Theatre and New City Music Theatre. As new work consultant, Edinger has recently contributed to the development of The River is Me, Interstate, Māyā, and Hart Island. For more information: www.rickedinger.com IG: @rickedingernyc RICK SORDELET (Fight Choreographer) Rick and Christian Kelly-Sordelet created Sordelet Inc., a Native-owned action movement company with 30 years’ experience. They have done 80 Broadway productions, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and currently Tina and Take Me Out, with 52 firstclass productions worldwide, including currently Beauty and the Beast UK Tour and West End production, soon to Broadway, as well as many National Tours, currently Jesus Christ Superstar and Macbeth/The Great Gatsby for the Aquila Theater, Operas, currently resident fight/ intimacy directors for Santa Fe Opera 2022 season, films, currently One True
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Loves and shooting Blue Light and loads of television productions. They teach at William Esper Studio, HB Studio, CUNY Harlem, Montclair State, Kean University, and 22 years at Yale School of Drama. Rick is a board member for Red Bull Theater. To learn more, visit www.sordeletink.com. EMILY WHITAKER (Associate Music Director) is a music director and pianist from upstate New York. Recent credits include: Mean Girls National Tour (music director), The Visitor at the Public Theater (associate music director), Merrily We Roll Along with Fiasco Theater at Roundabout (conductor/pianist/associate music director), The Band’s Visit on Broadway and with the Atlantic Theater Company, Into the Woods at Princeton University, and The Hello Girls with Prospect Theater Company. Emily has also been a proud teaching artist at Princeton and McCarter Theater Center. B.A. Princeton University; M.A. in Musicology: Columbia University. THE TELSEY OFFICE/PATRICK GOODWIN, CSA (Casting) With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theater, film, television, and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable, and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability, and advocacy. JODY FELDMAN (Casting) began her theater career as an actress in Atlanta before moving into administration as the Assistant General Manager at Frank Wittow’s Academy Theatre. Feldman started her career at the Alliance as casting director in 1991 and added producer to her title and responsibilities in 2001. She has cast and produced more than 200 productions at the Alliance, encompassing a range of world premieres that includes The Last Night of Ballyhoo, What I Learned in Paris, Broke, Troubadour, In the Red and Brown Water, and more than 10 years of Alliance/ Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition-winning plays, plus such world and regional premiere musicals as
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Tuck Everlasting; Aida; The Color Purple; Sister Act: The Musical; Bring It On: The Musical; Ghost Brothers of Darkland County; Harmony, A New Musical, and The Prom. Jody is most proud of the thriving Alliance engagement activities and partnerships that recognize theatrical work as a catalyst for community conversation and connection. RALPH STAN LEE (Production Stage Manager; he/him) hails from Long Island. Ralph graduated from an HBCU, NC A&T and went to grad school after. During his career he has worked several festivals, off-Broadway and regional shows. Ralph primarily has worked on National and International tours. Ralph also served as the Head of B.F.A. Stage Management at Penn State University. Selective PSM Credits: National Tours; Hamilton (Angelica first national); Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (first national); Chicago (Cellblock tour); The Bodyguard (first national); Motown (second national, 1st SM); Nice Work if You Can Get it; A Christmas Story; Dreamgirls; Hello, Dolly! (50th anniversary w/ Sally Struthers); Kinky Boots (Asia); Cinderella (2nd National). He is blessed to have been taken around the world to do theater. DAVID S. COHEN (Assistant Stage Manager) lives in Portland, OR and is thrilled to be coming home to Atlanta and the Alliance. David has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, and is also a show-caller and deck manager for large-scale corporate events and trade shows. Some highlights include TedX, Yahoo, the International Science and Engineering Fair, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Teaching Visit to the U.S. Much love to Jimmy and the fam. SHAINA PIERCE (Assistant Stage Manager) is the Alliance Theatre’s Inaugural Recipient of the Stage Management Fellowship. She is a recent graduate of The University of Alabama with a MFA degree in stage management. Shaina has stage managed The Merchant of Venice, Legally Blonde, and Intimate
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Apparel at The University of Alabama. She has also stage managed Cinderella and A Comedy of Errors at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Some of her other credits include The Last Five Years at the Cloverdale Playhouse, Disney’s The Beauty and the Beast, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Darlin’ Cory and Toni Stone at the Alliance Theatre. Shaina wants to thank her family and loved ones for their continued support and doing all they can to help her continue to do art. Thank you to the Alliance Theatre and Roll Tide! DANIELLE BERGMAN (Stage Management Production Assistant; she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Alliance Theatre! Her previous Alliance Theatre credit was as the stage management observer for Cinderella and Fella. Danielle is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Stage Management and minors in Psychology and Theatre & Drama. Her favorite Indiana University credits include Little Women, Adored You, Haus of Mirth, Crazy for You!, The Heiress, and City of Angels. She is currently an MFA Candidate in Stage and Production Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Other credits include Parallel 45’s Reading Series of 2021, The Sound of Music (P45), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (P45), and The Alchemist of Sharpsburg (RealTime Interventions). Danielle would like to thank her mentors, friends, and family for their support! SAMANTHA HONEYCUTT (Stage Management Production Assistant) studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Hello, Dolly!, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas
32 | encore Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage). TIMOTHY HARRIS (Screenwriter) Timothy Harris’s writing and producing credits include Trading Places, Brewster’s Millions, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Space Jam, Falling Down, and Astro Boy. He considers Trading Places, which won the 1983 Image Award for Best Film and Best Screenplay, the highlight of his career in motion pictures. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed and widely translated Thomas Kid novels. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. Masters Degree from Cambridge University and currently resides in London, England. He hopes this stage musical of the film will move and delight the people of Atlanta tonight and go on to success around the world. Looking good, Billie Ray... HERSCHEL WEINGROD (Screenwriter) has been a working screenwriter and producer for over forty years. His credits include Trading Places, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Brewster’s Millions, Falling Down, Space Jam, and Space Jam: A New Legacy. He also directed the award-winning short film Last Wishes. He is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin and the London Film School, and a member of the Writers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mr. Weingrod resides in Los Angeles, California. PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION has for over 100 years produced and distributed some of the world’s most iconic films including The Godfather, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Forrest Gump, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Transformers, and Titanic. Recent live stage productions on Broadway include Mean Girls and School of Rock, the Musical. Live stage projects in development include Almost Famous, Roman Holiday, and Clueless. Paramount Global is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic
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studios, networks, and streaming services, Paramount’s portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Simon & Schuster, among others. SUSAN V. BOOTH (Jennings Hertz Artistic Director) joined the Alliance Theatre in 2001 and has initiated the Palefsky Collision Project, the Kendeda Playwriting Competition, the Reiser Atlanta Artists Lab, and commercial partnerships on such projects as The Prom; Tuck Everlasting; Ghost Brothers of Darkland County; The Color Purple; Bring It On: The Musical; Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away; Sister Act: The Musical; Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk; and Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL. She has directed nationally at the Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and many others. She holds degrees from Denison and Northwestern Universities and was a fellow of the National Critics Institute and the Kemper Foundation. Booth’s leadership is underwritten by the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle, an initiative to support and promote women’s theater leadership funded by The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation. She is married to Max Leventhal and is the proud mother of Moira Rose Leventhal. MIKE SCHLEIFER (Managing Director) joined the Alliance Theatre in 2014 as General Manager, and in 2016 became Managing Director. Schleifer has led the administrative team on more than 50 productions and was one of the architects of the “On the Road” season, in which the Alliance produced 12 shows at 12 venues. He started the Alliance’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee and serves on the League of Resident Theatre’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Initiative. Previously, he spent 13 years at Baltimore’s Center Stage, working as Associate Producer, Production Manager and Resident Stage Manager. While in Baltimore, he spent
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seven years as an adjunct faculty member at Towson University and guest lectured all over the East Coast. He began his career as a Stage Manager and has dozens of stage-management credits in New York and regionally. He is married to theater director and educator Laura Hackman and is the proud father of two boys, Jack and Ben.
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advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) Founded in 1913, AEA is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and
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34| yourstoryyourstage Dance 411 serves as a community resource, a place of empowerment, and a springboard to careers in the dance and music industry. Offering kids’ classes in early movement, ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, breakdance, and contemporary alongside a range of teen and adult programs that range from basic to advanced steps. Dance 411 covers the full spectrum. The studio’s in-house talent agency, 411 South, links promising young talent with auditions and jobs nationwide. It is the #1 choreography and dance representation firm in the Southeast. Representing dancers, choreographers, actors, and models for opportunities in film, commercial, live stage, theater, award shows, music videos, and more! We are proud to have provided talent for the Trading Places audition and production, and we look forward to working with the Alliance Theatre on future productions!
Nefertiti Robinson & Sindy Guerrero Talent Representatives Dance 411
The KENNY LEON Internship
Scan to donate! Thank you for your support!
Established in 2001, the Kenny Leon Internship is a launchpad for earlycareer artists of color to build skills in arts administration and mastery in their artistic endeavors. Distinguished alumni of this program transform their communities, mentor emerging professionals, and advance the art form in leadership positions at theatres across the country. Your support of this endowed position provides ongoing opportunities to the next generation of American theatre leadership. Visit my.alliancetheatre.org/donate/q/kennyleon
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synopsis
SYNOPSIS When the lives of a poor street hustler and a privileged stockbroker are swapped as part of an elaborate bet between wealthy brothers, each is challenged in a way they never imagined. With the help of a charming and unlikely cast of characters, the pawns team up to take their revenge in a comedic and fitting turn that leaves them forever changed for the better.
GET SOCIAL Connect with us and other audience members on your Alliance experience. Share your comments and photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with hashtags #TradingPlacesMusical and #AllianceTheatre. Plus, search your social media platforms with those hashtags for fun, behind-the-scenes content from our cast, crew, and creative team. alliancetheatre.org alliancetheatre alliancetheatre alliancetheatre alliancetheatre
Do you appreciate live theatre, enjoy meeting new people and trying new things? If so, then get involved with one of the largest volunteer forces in the arts. The Alliance Theatre volunteer STARS program offers a wide range of opportunities, which includes advocating for live theatre, ushering for Alliance productions, participating in and staffing fundraising & hospitality events, and assisting Alliance staff members with daily office tasks. STARS is composed of three committees working together on fund-saving and fundraising projects to benefit the theatre. The three committees are the Theatre Advocates, the Theatre Educators, and the Theatre Ushers. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please contact ATUshers@alliancetheatre.org.
36 | aboutthealliance
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE THEATRE Founded in 1968, the Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theater in the Southeast, reaching more than 165,000 patrons annually. Under the leadership of Susan V. Booth, Jennings Hertz Artistic Director, the Alliance received the Regional Theatre Tony Award® for sustained excellence in programming, education, and community engagement. In January 2019, the Alliance opened its new, state-of-the-art performance space, The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre. Known for its high artistic standards and national role in creating significant theatrical works, the Alliance has premiered more than 116 productions including nine that have transferred to Broadway. The Alliance education department reaches 90,000 students annually through performances, classes, camps, and in-school initiatives designed to support teachers and enhance student learning. The Alliance Theatre values community, curiosity, collaboration, and excellence, and is dedicated to representing Atlanta’s diverse community with the stories we tell, the artists, staff, and leadership we employ, and audiences we serve. www.alliancetheatre.org. OUR MISSION To expand hearts and minds onstage and off. OUR VISION Making Atlanta more connected, curious, and compassionate through theatre and arts education. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT In the sincerest efforts to gain further understanding of the history that has brought us to reside on this land and to accept the knowledge that colonialism is a current and ongoing process under which we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation, we hereby acknowledge this native land of the Muscogee Creek Nation.
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boardofdirectors
OFFICERS Chair Jocelyn J. Hunter Immediate Past Chair Lila Hertz Secretary E. Kendrick Smith Treasurer LeighAnn Costley Ex-Officio Hala Moddelmog LIFETIME DIRECTORS Rita Anderson Ken Bernhardt Frank Chew Ann Cramer Linda Davidson Laura Hardman Hays Mershon Richard S. Myrick Helen Smith Price Helen Regenstein Bob Reiser Jane Shivers Ben White BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristin Adams Kimberly Ajy James Anderson Alba Baylin Kenny Blank Brittany Boals Moeller Terri Bonoff Matthew Bower Laura Brightwell Jeff Cashdan Steve Chaddick Miles Cook LeighAnn Costley Joe Crowley Alison Danaceau Fred Ehlers Reade Fahs Howard Feinsand Andrea Freeman Richard Goerss Lila Hertz Jocelyn Hunter Malvika Jhangiani Anne Kaiser
John Keller Andjela Kessler Lauren Kiefer Jim Kilberg Jesse Killings Mary Jane Kirkpatrick Carrie Kurlander Allegra Lawrence-Hardy Robert Masucci Jean Ann McCarthy Alan McKeon Alan McKnight Dori Miller Hala Moddelmog Phil Moïse Maureen Morrison Allison O’Kelly Victoria Palefsky Paul Pendergrass Jamal Powell Asif Ramji Danielle Reardon Patty Reid Margaret Reiser Matthew Richburg Robyn Roberts Maurice Rosenbaum Kerri Sauer Steve Selig Mital Shah Bill Sleeper H. Bronson Smith E. Kendrick Smith Chandra Stephens-Albright Charlita Stephens Rosemarie Thurston Benny Varzi Rebekah Wasserman Dana Weeks Ugwonali Glenn Weiss Cynthia Widner Wall Todd Zeldin ADVISORY BOARD Advisory Board Co-Chair Laura Hardman Advisory Board Co-Chair Phil H. Moïse Chris Ahrenkiel Rene Alegria Charmaine Alexander Joe Alterman
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Jonathan Arogeti Carrie Ashbee Farideh Azadi Kelli Bennett Jericho Brown Merry Hunter Caudle Farah Clerveau Elizabeth Cooper Gail Crowder Tallia Deljou Anjali Enjeti Jason Feldman Rev. Everett Flanigan Nathan Flint Mary Beth Flournoy Jennifer Foster Karen Foster Lula Gilliam Shauna Grovell Laura Hardman Wendy Heckelman Jason Hoch Elizabeth Hollister Zenith Houston Jim Issa Debby Kelly Robin Kendric Triplett Helen Kim Ho Quinn Leoni Joyce Gist Lewis Andra London Indira Londono Theo Lowe Monica McLary Jaime McQuilkin Jenna Measroch Nishant Mehta Phil H. Moïse Victoria Necessary Andisheh Nouraee Ade Oguntoye Aixa Pascual Shirley Powell Nancy C. Prager Shannon Price Alexis Rainey Kristin Ray Kat Reynolds Kirk Rich Ryan Roemerman Fred Roselli Kyle Rossilli Amanda Shailendra
Pastor Beverly Brown Shaw Dan Moss Silverboard Christie Sithiphone Charles Stephens Brian Stoltz Maria Storts Velma C. Tilley Kathy Gillespie Tomajko Ronald J. Tomajko Hilda Tompkins Roxanne Varzi Stuart Wilkinson VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP President, STARS Andjela Kessler Chairman, Theater Advocates Judy Feldstein Susan Stiefel Chairman, Theater Educators Myra Medlin Faye Windham Chairman, Theater Ushers Edwina Sellan Chairman, Hospitality Susan Stiefel
38| sponsors Alliance Sponsors are businesses, corporations, and institutions that have supported the work of the Alliance Theatre. We thank them for their generosity and support. $1 Million+ The Coca-Cola Company
$500,000+ Chick-fil-A Foundation Rhonda and Dan Cathy Lettie Pate Evans Foundation
$250,000+ Anonymous The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation WarnerMedia & AT&T Foundation The Goizueta Foundation Helen Gurley Brown Foundation The Home Depot Foundation WestRock
$100,000+ Accenture The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation The Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Foundation Charles Loridans Foundation Delta Air Lines, Inc. Georgia Natural Gas Invesco QQQ The Kendeda Fund Norfolk Southern PNC Shubert Foundation The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
The David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Fund The Rich Foundation The Zeist Foundation
$50,000+ R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation Edgerton Foundation Fulton County Board of Commissioners Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. King & Spalding National Vision Northside Hospital
$25,000+ Alston & Bird City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Georgia Council for the Arts Georgia-Pacific The Imlay Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Northern Trust The Princess Grace Foundation, USA Rotary Education Foundation of Atlanta SCANA Energy United Distributors William Randolph Hearst Foundations
Cancer Treatment Centers of America Thalia & Michael C. Carlos Foundation Cartoon Network CNP Disney Publishing Do a Good Day Foundation Eversheds Sutherland Frances Wood Wilson Foundation George M. Brown Trust of Atlanta John and Mary Franklin Foundation Jones Day Kile’s Beautiful Mind Foundation The Johnny Mercer Foundation Macy’s Osiason Educational Foundation South Arts Theatre Forward Worldpay US, Inc.
$5,000+ Anonymous Augustine Foundation Camp-Younts Foundation Lexus Mary Wilmer Covey Charitable Trust Publix Super Markets Charities
$10,000+ AEC Trust Anonymous Aon
By attending our theater, you have made a powerful statement about how important the arts are to you. Make another statement of support louder than any standing ovation. Visit alliancetheatre.org and click on Donate. alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
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Alliance Series Sponsor
Official Hotel
Official Research Partner
government
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners
This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency the National Endowment for the Arts.
Major support is provided by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
40| annualfund Individual, foundation, and corporate donors contribute more than $8 million to the Alliance Theatre so that we are able to present exceptional theater and educational programming to our community. We are deeply grateful for your support. To find out more about the benefits of giving or to make your gift, visit us at alliancetheatre.org/waystogive or call 404-733-4710. Listed below are pledges and gifts to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund from June 1, 2020 – May 3, 2022. PREMIERE SUPPORT Spotlight $100,000+ The Antinori Foundation The SKK Foundation Spotlight $50,000+ The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Ms. Stephanie Blank & Mr. David Williams Roxanne & Jeffrey Cashdan Barbara & Steve Chaddick David & Carolyn Gould Doug & Lila Hertz Starr Moore & the James Starr Moore Memorial Foundation The Naserian Foundation Dean DuBose & Bronson Smith Rosemarie & David Thurston Artistic Director’s Circle $35,000+ Kathy* & Ken Bernhardt Doris & Matthew Geller Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Ivester Allison and Shane O’Kelly Bob & Margaret Reiser Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Lee Spangler Chairman’s Circle $25,000+ Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Catalfano Ann & Jeff Cramer Ms. Alison Danaceau & Mr. Tim McKinley Mr. Fredric M. Ehlers & Mr. David Lile
Katie & Reade Fahs Jocelyn J. Hunter Anne & Mark Kaiser David & Mary Jane Kirkpatrick Jane & J. Hicks Lanier Phil & Caroline Moïse Victoria & Howard Palefsky Paul Pendergrass & Margaret Baldwin Mr. & Mrs. Asif Ramji Patty & Doug Reid Patricia & Maurice Rosenbaum Ms. Mital Shah Mr. & Mrs. E. Kendrick Smith Tim & Maria Tassopoulos Carol & Ramon Tomé Family Fund Amy & Todd Zeldin Leadership Circle $15,000+ James Anderson Farideh & Al Azadi Foundation The Balloun Family Terri Bonoff & Matthew Knopf Susan Booth & Max Leventhal Judge JoAnn Bowens Miles and Nicole Cook LeighAnn & Chad Costley Marcia & John Donnell Diane Durgin Ellen & Howard Feinsand Heidi & David Geller Marsha & Richard Goerss Mr. Wayne S. Hyatt Mr. & Mrs. David E. Kiefer Jesse Killings Brian & Carrie Kurlander Mr. & Mrs. Barry McCarthy
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Ms. Evelyn Ashley & Mr. Alan B. McKeon Mr. & Mrs. Angus Morrison Mr. & Mrs. Sean Reardon Matt Richburg Linda & Steve Selig William & Margarita Sleeper Mr. & Mrs. Art Waldrop Ramona & Ben White Director’s Circle $10,000+ Ms. Kristin Adams Mr. & Mrs. George Ajy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Asher Deborah L. Bannworth & Joy Lynn Fields Mr. & Mrs. Roland L. Bates Alba C. Baylin Natalie & Matthew Bernstein Martha & Toby Brooks Franklin & Dorothy Chandler Ezra Cohen Charitable Fund Eve Joy Eckardt Dr. Cynthia J. Fordyce & Sharon Hulette Kim and Ted Greene Malvika Jhangiani John C. Keller James & Lori Kilberg Melanie & S. Alan McKnight, Jr. Dori & Jack Miller Jamal & Tiffany Powell Wade Rakes & Nicholas Miller Robyn Roberts & Kevin Greiner Mark & Linda Silberman Lynne & Steve Steindel In honor of Carol Jones Dana & Obi Ugwonali
encoreatlanta.com Benny & Roxanne Varzi Waffle House Mark & Rebekah Wasserman Suzy Wilner BENEFACTORS $5,000+ Anonymous Ellen Arnovitz Lisa & Joe Bankoff Brian & Jennifer Boutte Ron & Lisa Brill Charitable Trust Mrs. Lucinda W. Bunnen* Mr. & Mrs. W. Kent Canipe Ann & Jim Curry Linda & Gene Davidson The Robert S. Elster Foundation Kathy & Jason Evans Mr. David F. Golden Dr. & Mrs. Marvin Goldstein Dr. & Mrs. John B. Hardman Ariana L. Hargrave Henry & Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation Tad & Janin Hutcheson Boland & Andrea Lea Jones Mr. James Kieffer Mr. Charles R. Kowal Dr. & Mrs. John Lee Kristie L. Madara Daniel Marks & Keri Powell Burrelle Meeks Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Metzger Hala & Steve Moddelmog Debbie & Lon Neese John & Helen Parker Steve & Tonya Paro Mr. & Mrs. Norman J. Radow Mr. George Russell, Jr. & Mrs. Faye SampsonRussell Alan & Cyndy* Schreihofer Henry N. & Margaret P. Staats Charlita Stephens & Delores Stephens Susan & Alan* Stiefel Maria-Ruth Storts Chuck & Lisa CannonTaylor
Leslie Taylor & David Pratt G. Scott Thompson & Caitlin Way $2,500+ Anonymous Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Allen Dr. Aubrey Bush & Dr. Carol Bush Rita & Ralph Connell Gail Crowder Joe Crowley & Phil Mack Brad & Sally Currey Mark Fogas Andrea and Jerry Freeman Karen & Andrew Ghertner Mrs. Elaine L. Hentschel Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Hostinsky Linda & Richard Hubert Jason & Laurie Jeffay Allegra J. Lawrence-Hardy & Valerie Haughton Raymond & Penelope McPhee Stacia Minton Clair & Thomas Muller Joan Netzel & John Gronwall Mr. & Mrs. Armond Perkins Sam & Barbara Pettway Don & Rosalinda Ratajczak Ms. Kristin L. Ray Dr. Denise Raynor Mr. Ronald Russell & Mr. Tommy Russell Jane & Rein Saral Sharon & David Schachter Sam Schwartz & Lynn Goldowski Mr. & Mrs.* Charles B. Shelton III Jane E. Shivers Chandra Stephens-Albright & Warren Albright Judith & Mark Taylor Stan & Velma Tilley Kathy & Ron Tomajko Ms. Kathy Waller & Mr. Kenny Goggins Ms. Cathy Weil Kim Boldthen & Carolyn Wheeler The Zaban Foundation
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
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$1,500+ Trent Anderson & Leandro Zaneti John & Lynn Ayers Mark & Pam Bell Candace Carson Andrew Childers Melodie H. Clayton Susan & Ed Croft Gail Crowder Mr. & Mrs. Erik Curns Tim & Tina Eyerly Mr. & Mrs. David Felfoldi Andrew & Wendie Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Flexner Debbie Frank & Sandy McDonald Marla Jane Franks, MD Sandeep Goyal and Taylor England Louise S. Gunn Randy & Connie Jones Jason Kahn Mark Keiser Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Kessenich Andjela and Michael Kessler Dr. William A. Kiser David L. Kuniansky Sheri & Steve Labovitz Jennifer Manning Ann Starr & Kent Nelson Lynn & Galen Oelkers Peg Petersen Helen M. Regenstein Dr. & Mrs. Fredric Rosenberg Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rosenberg Ms. Donna Schwartz Kashi Sehgal Brian Shively & Jim Jinhong Jim & Janie Stratigos Jenny Streeter Dr. & Mrs. Harry Strothers Judith & Mark Taylor Ms. Avril Vignos Penn & Sally Wells Adrienne Whitehead Kiki Wilson Lynne Winship William & Nancy Yang Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Young
42 | encore PATRONS $1,000+ Dawn & Michael Adamson Dr. Evelyn R. Babey Mr. George T. Baker Rob & Suzanne Boas Dr. Deloris Bryant-Booker Mr. W. Imara Canady Frank & Mary Anne Chew Mr. Kevin Clift & Mr. Michael Yochelson David Cofrin & Christine Tryba-Cofrin Carol Comstock & Jim Davis Mrs. Eleanor H. Finley Kristin Garbarino Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Giornelli Ms. Lauren Linder & Mr. Jonathan Grunberg Ms. Jo Ann Hayden-Miller Ms. Joy Hambrick Drs. Cathie & Hugh Hudson Ashley James Mrs. & Mr. Donna R. Kallman Elena Kaplan Drs. Sharon Neulinger & Richard Kaplan Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Kelly Thomas & Constance Kinnear Sarah Latif Mr. Kevin and Dr. Jennifer Lyman Judith Lyon & Ron Bloom Paul & Marcia Meis Anna & Hays Mershon Amsi Morales-Owens Vicki & Steve Morris Denis & Mary Jane Ng Mr. Mark A. Pallansch Rebecca Pogue Lois & Don Reitzes Deborah W. Royer Mr. & Mrs. Chris Rozell Mr. & Mrs. David W. Scheible Elizabeth Wallace & Christopher Scislowicz Ms. Janet F. Smith Jennifer Smith & Alissa Atkins Ms. Martha Solano Karen & Alex Stickney Andrea Strickland Eric C. Tiegel Celia Till John & Bunny Underwood
Wayne & Lee Vason Brooke & Winston Weinmann Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Weiss $500+ Anonymous Alfred G. & Sarah H. Adams Dragon Army Christine Barfield Nate Bayer Patricia Bigazzi Mr. George Boyd Lee Buechele Michelle Burdick Mr. Brandon Bush Ms. Jennifer L. Calvert Karen and Harold Carney William M. Carroll Dr. & Mrs. S. Wright Caughman Mark Christensen Ms. Jacquel Kelly Mr. Peter D. Colbenson & Mrs. Kathy B. Colbenson Colonna Family Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence R. Cowart B.J. Erb, M.D. & Bruce I. Crabtree III Gray & Marge Crouse Mr. Derrick Doose Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Edge Richard & Su Ellis Judy and Stan Fineman Brenda Fleming Ms. Nathalie Fleury Mr. David Flores-Codden* Homer S. French Christine & Andrew Fry Thomas & Donna Fullilove Betty F. Furst Jill Gapper Mrs. Nancy S. Geller Judith & Robert Golomb Dr. Richard Goodjoin Dale R.F. Goodman Adam Greenwald Bryant Gresham The Gutenberger Family Mr. Alan H. Halpern Wynette Hammons Mr. Alfred Hanner Stuart & Maria Harvey James Hernandez Dr. & Mrs. David M. Hill Mr. & Mrs. Phillip S. Hodges Rebecca Jarvis
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Mr. & Mrs. George H. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Kalista Lucy Kinnaird Mr. & Mrs. Loren Koch Elizabeth Kosbab Mr. Brian Latour Faith & Howard Levy Ms. Ellen B. Macht Ms. Jaime McQuilkin The Merkel Family In Memory of Ameli Cruz Chris & Brittany Moses Richard S. & Winifred B. Myrick Gracie Overcash Scott Pearson Sophia Brothers Peterman Lori & Jonathan Peterson Marc & Jean Pickard Ms. Shannon L. Price Shannon Reichley Rishi Renjen Gloria J. Rodgers Mr. & Mrs. Bill Rogers Ms. Tiffany Rosetti Barbar Schreiber Dr. David Scott Starane Shepherd Suzanne Shull Ms. Carol Smith Amy Speas Atlanta Workshop Players Mrs. Jill Strickland Patricia & James Sykes Ed Tam Mr. & Mrs. Micky Tate Robert Todd Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Vivona Simmie Walker Caroline Waterson Mrs. Kate Robson Mr. Bruce Wilson Prof. & Mrs. Paul Root Wolpe Sherry Wright $250+ Valerie Adair Ilene Baker Eleanor Banister Derrick Banks Mr. & Mrs. Jim N. Barnhart Mr. & Mrs. Peter Benoit Ms. Mary Bergh Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bernardino Betty Blondeau-Russell* Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Blonder
encoreatlanta.com Bonny Breuer Jamie Clements & Lance Owen Mr. & Mrs. Ben T. Counter Enid & Jerry Draluck Alexandra & Charlotte Dretler Desmond Drummer Kip & Genia Duchon Mitch & Jane Durham Drs. Bryan & Norma Edwards Elizabeth Etoll Henry Farmer Amy Ferguson Louise B. Franklin Steve & Peggy Freedman Hudson Fund Ms. Mary B. Galardi Shelley & Bruce Gaynes Larmon R. Gervin Mrs. Anne Gillman Dr. & Mrs. Donald M. Gilner Katie Goodman Ms. Cathy D. Hampton Anne Hansen Sarah Hawbecker & William Fuller Joseph R. Hawkins Dr. Wendy Heckelman
Daniel Henning Ms. & Mr. Loretta Holmes Betty Jeter Dr. & Mrs. Kahnweiler Mr. & Mrs. Roger A. Key Ken & Susan Kincaid Ms. Mary Alice Kirkpatrick Ms. Edith V. Knowlton Mr. & Mrs. Steve Koonin Megan Kurzius Jim & Ellen Landers Mrs. Sarah L. Larson S. Jarvin Levison Parker Lincoln Mrs. Casey B. Lybbert Lori Marshall Jennifer Mathews Terry & Elaine McClean Sharon McCreery Kirkland McGhee Gayle & Peyton Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Leo F. Mullin, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Stephen I. Oppenheimer Edward M. Panetta Jay Patel Joan & Neal Patton Santiago Perez-Varela Mr. Thomas A. Peterman & Ms. Jeanne Bertolli
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Mr. & Mrs. James M. Poe Kathleen Presswala Debra & Scott Pyron Rishi Renjen Miss Lillie M. Robbins Mr. Howard Rowe Garey C. Rozier Dr. Susan E. Shapiro Mr. Alexander Shulman Mr. Dan Silverboard Nancy & Gerald Silverboard Ben Simms Fred B. Smith Sherman & Lisa Smith Barry Spurlock Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Strassner Frank & Anne Strickland Ms. Rosanne Tricoles & Mr. Glenn Colville Christin Viola Ms. Andrea Volk Kaniaru Wacieni Scott Watson Sue S. Williams Joyce Smith Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Jim Wininger Mr. & Mrs. Lane Wolbe Mr. & Mrs. David Young
Ever wanted to be a part of the Alliance team? Now’s your chance! Join our volunteer ushers! Commit to 20 hours of ushering at the Alliance and receive: • Alliance Theatre swag! • 15% off current ticket prices for all Alliance Theatre productions • 20% off Alliance Theatre Acting Classes • ONE complimentary ticket for ANY production in the current season
Email atushers@alliancetheatre.org or visit alliancetheatre.org/usher for details.
44 | encore ALLIANCE THEATRE MONTHLY SUSTAINER SOCIETY We would like to thank our donors who have committed to giving us a recurring monthly donation to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund. Join today: www.alliancetheatre.org/sustainer Anonymous Dr. & Mrs. Marshall Abes Mr. Faraz Ahmed Mr. E. Scott Arnold Gaytra D. Arnold Dr. Evelyn R. Babey Mr. & Mrs. John Bauer Ms. Aparna Bhattacharyya & Mr. Paul Nilsson Dr. Deloris Bryant-Booker Jeff Burnham Mr. Brandon Bush Henry Cabaniss Mr. W. Imara Canady Karen & Harold Carney Mr. William Carroll David Cashman Ms. Jacquel Chambers Ms. Sarah K. Chester Ms. Mishelle Cirillo & Ms. Bryan Suttles Mr. Kevin Clift & Mr. Michael Yochelson Ouida Collins Mr. & Mrs. Joe Colonna Elizabeth Corrie Mr. Lawrence R. Cowart Mr. & Mr. Christopher Cox Marge & Gray Crouse Nash Ditmetaroj Derrick Doose Christina Dunn Whitney Fahner Edward Feldstein Eric Fisher Brenda Fleming Mr. Ken H. Foskett Christine & Andrew Fry
Ms. & Ms. Katie S. Goodman Mr. Bryant D. Gresham & Mr. Alexander Bossert Shauna Grovell Lauren & Jonathan Grunberg Mrs. Jo Ann Haden-Miller & Mr. William Miller Ms. Joy Hambrick Ms. Wynette Hammons Penn Hansa Ms. Lindsey E. Hardegree Ms. Linda L. Hare & Mr. Gerald A. Barth Nancy A. Hatfield Dr. & Mrs. David M. Hill Ms. Becca Hogue Jim Johnson Karen Jones Kelley J. Jordan-Monne Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Kalista Mr. Barnabas Kane Amy & Jeremy King Ms. Lynne Kuhn Sarah Latif Dr. Andrea Lawrence Mr. Darryl E. Lesure & Mrs. Candice Simon-Lesure Ms. Joyce R. Lewis Ms. Karen Lightfoot Ms. Barbara Lincoln & Mr. Gary Rosenshein Ms. Alison Main Ms. Jaime McQuilkin Mr. & Mrs. James Michael Ms. Jeanette M. Morgan Victoria Necessary Ms. Ronita Pace Mr. Steve M. Peck
Scan to Give! Scan this QR code to make a one-time or monthly contribution.
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
Chris J. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan K. Peterson Ms. Kendrick Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Marc B. Pickard Jacqueline Powe Ms. Shannon L. Price Mrs. Brenda Pruitt Alexis Rainey M. Corwin Robison Mrs. Peggy Rogers Garey C. Rozier Mr. & Mrs. Peter S. Savitz Barbara Schreiber Eric Schwartz Mr. Tom Slovak & Mr. Jeffery Jones Ms. Carol Smith Chaundra Smith Ms. Janet F. Smith Jennifer Smith Ms. Lynn Stallings Laura Stordy Mrs. Jill Strickland Charles Thompson Stephanie Van Parys Ben Warshaw Ms. Caitlin Way Mr. & Mrs. David D. Whitley Mr. & Mrs. Napoleon A. Williams Ms. Janice A. Wolf & Mr. M. Barry Etra Chandra C. Wright Michelle Zinney
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matchinggifts&legacysociety MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
Many companies offer a matching gifts program for employees and retirees. You can double, or even triple, your gift at no additional cost to you simply by asking your employer! Think of how much further your donation can go. We would like to thank the following companies who have matched contributions to the Alliance Theatre Annual Fund. To find out more about matching gifts, contact Caitlin Way (caitlin.way@alliancetheatre.org). AIG Corporation American Express Aon Risk Solutions The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation AT&T Bank of America/Merrill Bryan Cave-Powell Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Chubb Charitable Foundation The Coca-Cola Company Deloitte Equifax Inc. Foundation GE Energy
Georgia Power Goldstein Home Depot Foundation Honda Motor Co. IBM JPMorgan Chase Kimberly-Clark Lynch Macy’s Foundation McDonald’s Corporation McMaster-Carr Supply Microsoft Corporation Norfolk Southern Corporation Prudential Financial
Publix Super Markets Salesforce.com, Inc. Sprint SunTrust Foundation Thrivent Financial for Lutherns Verizon Corporation Wells Fargo Yahoo!
LEGACY SOCIETY Celebrating our supporters who have made a legacy gift to the Alliance Theatre. The Legacy Society celebrates individuals who have made a planned gift to the Alliance Theatre. Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for the Alliance Theatre and its mission, while accommodating your financial, estate planning and philanthropic goals. With smart planning, you may increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the Alliance Theatre. To learn more about the Legacy Society, please contact Caitlin Way at 404-733-4757 or caitlin.way@alliancetheatre.org. Anonymous Rita M. Anderson Roland & Linda Bates Anne & Jim Breedlove Ezra Cohen Ann & Jeffrey Cramer Susan & Edward Croft Sallie Adams Daniel Linda & Gene Davidson Terry and Stacy Dietzler Diane Durgin Elizabeth Etoll Ellen & Howard Feinsand Laura & John Hardman Nancy & Glen Hesler P.J. Younglove Hovey
Lauren & David Kiefer David Kuniansky Virginia Vann* & Ken Large Edith Love* Lauren & John McColskey Anna & Hays Mershon Caroline & Phil Moïse Winifred B. & Richard S. Myrick Victoria & Howard L. Palefsky Armond & Sharon Perkins Jan Pomerantz Helen Regenstein Margaret & Robert Reiser Betty Blondeau-Russell*
Tricia & Neal Schachtel Debbie* & Charles B. Shelton III Jane E. Shivers Roger Smith & Christopher Jones* Lee Harper & Wayne Vason Terri & Rick Western Ramona & Ben White * deceased
staff ARTISTIC Jennings Hertz Artistic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan V. Booth Producer & Casting Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jody Feldman Distinguished Artist in Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pearl Cleage BOLD Associate Artistic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tinashe Kajese-Bolden Associate Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Watkins BOLD Producing Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay Nilest Spelman Leadership Fellows . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raiyon Hunter, Alexis Woodard Spelman Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christina James, A’Shiah N Rachel Kenny Leon Intern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vincent Pendarvis II Resident Artist & Allyship Program Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maya Lawrence Director of Community Partnerships & Engagement . . . . . Rita Kompelmakher Reiser Lab Artists Round 6 . . . . . . . . . . Jake Krakovsky, Jane Foley, Ibi Owolabi, Hannah Church, Julia Appleton, Sarah Newby Halicks, Jaclyn Hoffman, Lee Osorio, Angela Farr Schiller, Rachel Parish Round 7 . . . . . .Skye Passmore, Michelle Pokopac, Amee Vyas, Denise Arribas, Michael Haverty, Jeffrey Zwartjes Production Management Director of Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence Bennett Associate Production Managers . . . . . . . . . . . .Phil Baranski, Courtney O’Neill COVID Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haylee Scott Costumes Costume Shop Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laury Conley Design Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayli Warner Drapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonja Petersen, Cindy Lou Who Craftsmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana L. Thomas 1st Hands/Stitchers . . . . . . . . Lyudmila Fesenko, Brett Parker, Mary Cruz Torres Wardrobe Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hauzia Conyers Wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zachary Morrison Wig Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Ewing Electrics Associate Director of Lighting and Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joy Diaz Interim Staff Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Anderson Lighting Design Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ernesto Gomez Staff Electricians . . . . . . . . Steve Jordan, Gabrielle Drum, Benjamin Strickland Properties Props Department Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne Cooper Morris Props Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathryn Andries Props Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skylar Burks Props Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce Butkovich Props Artisan/Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Townsend Scenery Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Richardson Shop Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Conley Buyer/Lead Welder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rigel Powell Auto Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Seifert Carpenters . . . . Amy Jackson, Marlon Wilson, Charles Bedell , William Davenport Charge Scenic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kat Conley Scenic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brianna Bass Sound Resident Sound Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clay Benning Production Sound Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle Jarvis Sound Engineers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Mouledoux, Graham Schwartz Stage Management Resident Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Campbell Stage Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayson T. Waddell, Rodney Williams Stage Management Fellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaina Pierce Stage Management Production Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Perez Stage Operations Stage Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Bowne Assistant Stage Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Lucibella Flyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie Palmer Parks Automation Stagehand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Victor Mouledoux Jr. Crew Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryan Perez Properties Stagehand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skylar Burks
EDUCATION Dan Reardon Director of Education & Associate Artistic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Moses Naserian Foundation Head of Early Childhood Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hallie Angelella Head of Youth & Family Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Aston Bosworth Administration & Education Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elecia Crowley Head of Secondary Curriculum & Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Davis Education Administration & Finance Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dacey Geary
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Administrative & Adult Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Hindsman Head of Strategic Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aierelle Jacob Alliance@Work Creative Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Noble Head of Elementary School Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Pogue Artist in Residence & Teen Programs Manager . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Provenzano Head of Education Advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristen Silton Youth Programs Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jasmine Thomas Teaching Artists Jae Ahn, Jimez Alexander, Will Amato, Chase Anderson, Jasmine Anthony, Ricardo Aponte, Imani Banks, Kim Bowers-Rheay Baran, Olivia Aston Bosworth, Jared Brodie, Chelsea Brown, Lon Bumgarner, Sara Burris, Dan Caffrey, April Andrew Carswell, Katie Causey, Lina Chambers, Hannah Lake Chatham, Hannah Church, Megan Cramer, Kelly Criss, Nakeisha Daniel, Peyton McDaniel Davis, Theresa Davis, Shelli Delgado, Sarah Donnell, John Doyle, Laurin Dunleavy, Suehyla El-Attar, Amitria Fanae, Shelby Folks, Sharon Foote, Spencer Ford, Daryl Funn, Allison Gardner, Neeley Gossett, Ilasiea Gray, Meg Grey, Amber Hamilton, Meg Harkins, Robert Hindsman, Julissa Sabino Hobbs, Deja Holmes, Renita James, Meg Johns, Kendra Johnson, Carole Kaboya, Ashe Kazanjian, Chris Lane, Maya Lawrence, Antonia LeChe, Anja Lee, Kathleen Link, Amy Lucas, Ansley Lynn, Christian Magby, Barry Stewart Mann, Cara Mantella, Gloria Martin, Mari Martinez, Dalyla McGee, Candy McLellan, Karin Mervis, Erika Miranda, Mary Moccia, Courtney Moors-Hornick, Amanda Wansa Morgan, Jenna Jackson Morris, Kevin Moxley, Audrey Myers, JD Myers, Patrick Myers, Amor Owens, Mary Michael Patterson, Tafee Patterson, Sydney Patton, Zuri Petteway, Rebecca Pogue, Michelle Pokopac, Samantha Provenzano, V Reibel, Morgan Rysdon, Daniela Santiago, Riley Schatz, Erin Schaut, Avery Sharpe, Caitlin Slotnick, Alexandria Joy Smith, Lucy Smith, Taryn Spires, Destiny Stancil, Autumn Stephens, LeeAnna Lambert Sweatt, Megan Tabaque, Jasmine Thomas, Callie Timme, Sariel Toribio, Ebony Tucker, Julia VanderVeen, Jeremy Varner, José Miguel Vasquez, Rachel Wansker, Megan Wartell, Andrea Washington, Davia Weatherill, Ayana Williams, Jay Williams, Vallea Woodbury, Melissa Word Teen Ensemble Members Zariyah Allen, Ugo Anyanwutaku, Nathan Bell, Caroline Brown, Isabella Cavienss, Da’Quan Cooney, Nicole Cortes, Xavier Doyle, Nick Fargar, Emma Kate Farlow, Khala Flemister, Zariya Hargett, Jude Harris, Kai Hornbeck, Samyukta Iyer, Varun Kashyap, LaNiyah Kelly, Abigail Kirk, Chloe Lomax, Alexander Lopez, Naia Morgan, Cady Wells
MANAGEMENT Managing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Schleifer Company Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Thruston Assistant Company Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas D. Powell Administration & Finance Director of Finance & Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Shively Accounting Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Hall Accounts Payable Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenterill Boden Senior Data Analyst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Dresser Management Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Savannah Cathers Management Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Charlton Development Director of Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Anderson Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving . . . . . . . . . . Caitlin Way Associate Director, Strategic Institutional Advancement . . . . . Collins Desselle Manager, Annual Fund & Donor Relations . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Ridgeway-Baierl Manager, Donor Experience & Community Engagement . . . . . . . . . . Jo Lopez Development Coordinator for Board Relations & Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kailan Daugherty Coordinator, Development Operations & Institutional Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanesha Ferguson Sales Director of Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle Hicks Membership Services Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corey L. Smith Hertz Stage Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James G. Smith Box Office Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Posada Season Ticket Concierge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken McNeil Season Tickets Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethan Padgett Membership Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quintara Johnson Group Sales Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jocelyn Rick Marketing Director of Marketing & Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathleen Covington Associate Creative Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Talia Bromstad Marketing Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ashley Elliott Social Media Manager & Content Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aniska Tonge Marketing & Public Relations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mashaun D. Simon Manager of Web & Digital Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Birtles Lead Front of House Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brittany Mangham House Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robyn E. Sutton-Fernandez Part Time House Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryshan White
C4 | encore THE WOODRUFF CIRCLE Woodruff Circle members have contributed more than $250,000 annually to support the arts and education work of the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art. We are deeply grateful to these partners who lead our efforts to help create opportunities for enhanced access to the work.
$1MILLION+
A Friend of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
$500,000+ A Friend of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra A Friend of the Woodruff Arts Center Bank of America The John W. and Rosemary K. Brown Family Foundation Chick-fil-A Foundation | Rhonda & Dan Cathy The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. The Douglas J. Hertz Family The Home Depot Foundation Sarah and Jim Kennedy SunTrust Trusteed Foundations: Walter H. and Marjory M. Rich Memorial Fund Thomas Guy Woolford Charitable Trust
alliancetheatre.org | @alliancetheatre
$250,000+ A Friend of the Woodruff Arts Center Farideh & Al Azadi Foundation The Molly Blank Fund Helen Gurley Brown Foundation Cathy Cousins Foundation The Estate of Catherine Warren Dukehart The Estate of Dr. John W. Gamwell The Goizueta Foundation Estate of Burton M. Gold Mr. and Mrs. James S. Grien Invesco The Marcus Foundation, Inc. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation PNC The Rich Foundation, Inc. UPS WarnerMedia and AT&T Foundation The Zeist Foundation, Inc.