The Mountaintop

Regional Premiere

ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI The 2013-2014 Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Season season sponsors:

www.EnsembleCincinnati.org

513 421 3555

Dr. & Mrs. Charles O. Carothers Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers FOundation Bill & Susan Friedlander ruth D. & John sawyer

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HEADING • iii

for living outside the box.

Inspiring. Thought Provoking. PNC is proud to sponsor the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Because we appreciate all that goes into your work.

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heading Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati The 2013-2014 Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Season D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director

Design Sponsor:

Show Partner:

the mountaintop

by Katori Hall

Directed by D. Lynn Meyers† March 19-April 6, 2014 Set & Lighting Designer Sound Designer Costume Designer Properties Master & Design Assistant Properties Master Production Coordinator & Master Electrician Production Stage Manager Technical Operations Director Dialect Coach

Brian c. Mehring Matthew Tibbs Chad Phillips Shannon Rae Lutz Michael Lenaghan Matthew Hollstegge Brandon T. Holmes* Aaron Clements Rocco Dal Vera

THE MOUNTAINTOP is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Original Broadway production produced by Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group, Raise the Roof 7, Ted Snowden, Alhadeff Productions/Lauren Doll, B Square + 4 Productions/Broadway Across America, Jacki Barlia Florin/Cooper Federman, Ronnie Planap/Moellenberg Taylor and Marla Rubin Productions/Blumenthal Performing Arts, in association with Scott Delman.

THE MOUNTAINTOP was developed at the Lark Play Development Center, New York City, and was first produced by Theatre 503 in June 2009 and further produced at Trafalgar Studio One in July 2009

by Sonia Friedman Productions and Jean Doumanian, Tali Pelman for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bob Bartner, Freddy DeMann, Jerry Frankel, Ted Snowden and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd. THE MOUNTAINTOP was developmed at the 2008 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, a program of the Playwrights Foundation (Amy L. Mueller, Artistic Director).

The photographing, video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. †

*Cast/production member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. This theatre operates under an agreement between Actors’ Equity Association, Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.

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2013-2014 season presenting sponsor:

season sponsors: Dr. & Mrs. Charles O. Carothers The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Ruth D. & John Sawyer Fairy Godmother program sponsors:

Education outreach programs sponsor:

Judith Postler

season ticket sponsor:

Additional support:

Season media partners:

Educational outreach supporters

William P. Anderson Foundation The Charles H. Dater Foundation The Andrew Jergens Foundation P&G Fund The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee The Ladislas & Vilma Segoe Family Foundation Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, N.A. and Karen B. Wachs, Co-Trustees Target Toyota The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

next stage supporters

Anonymous (2) The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation City of Cincinnati The Greater Cincinnati Foundation The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission P&G Fund Ruth D. & John Sawyer

4 • season sponsors

season Accommodations Sponsor Garfield Suites Hotel

in-kind contributors

Chet Cavaliere China Gourmet Cincinnati CityBeat Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Interpreter Training Program College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet Fresh Market iSpyCincy.com Lavomatic Café LPK Mecklenburg Gardens Suder’s Art Store Trader Joe's WGUC 90.9 FM WKRQ 101.9 FM WNKU 89.7 FM WVXU 91.7 FM Yelp Cincinnati

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WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY:

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that funds and supports quality

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Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

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6 •

castheading & crew CAST (in alphabetical order)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ...........................................................Gavin Lawrence* Camae.............................................................................................Torie Wiggins*

running crew

Assistant Director, Light Board Operator............................................. Ben Raanan 1st Assistant Stage Manager................................................................... Zach Wells 2nd Assistant Stage Manager.............................................................Jeremy Parker Sound Board Operator....................................................................... Linnea Bond Running Crew................................. Becca Howell, Jared Hudson, Hannah Sawicki Wardrobe...............................................................Sola Thompson, Zak Schneider Dramaturg...................................................................................... Sola Thompson

Understudies

Camae........................................................................................... Sola Thompson

setting

April 3, 1968.

Room 306, Lorraine Motel; Memphis, Tennessee.

The Mountaintop is performed without an intermission.

Approximate total running time is 90 minutes. special acknowledgments Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Cincinnati Opera City Theatre Pittsburgh Theaterworks Hartford Glenn Plott

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati PREFERRED RESTAURANTS We are pleased to partner with the following local restaurants this season in offering our subscribers exclusive dining discounts: 1220 vine st. cincinnati, oh 45202 (513) 246­0192 closed sunday + monday Tu­Th 5p­12a Fr­Sa 5p­2a

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Cast & crew • 7

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heading director's notes A true fascination of mine has been the stories behind the facts of those who make history and change the course of all of our lives. So, when a play about Martin Luther King, Jr. came to my attention, my interest was immediately piqued. His words have echoed across our country, been quoted in classrooms and courtrooms, on the floor of the senate and from church pulpits. His words made us listen, his sacrifice made us weep.

The Mountaintop is fiction based on fact. It is Katori Hall's vision of what could have happened the night before Dr. King's assassination. It's written out of respect and admiration and with a true desire for us to know the man, perhaps in a way to understand that this human being was just that: human. There is no proof of what happens to us when we leave this planet, but perhaps Ms. Hall was trying to give Dr. King a passage from this planet that is what she would have liked to have been able to do for him herself.

This is a play about accepting our destiny and considering our legacy. The last night of our lives is something we will all live, this play just shows us how one such night for one such man, could have gone. We truly will never know what happens as our lives cease and our eternity begins, but the wondering, the curiosity about it, is endless. It's the great mystery.

Casting this play was critical, casting any play is critical but this one called for actors with great capacity. Gavin Lawrence graced our stage as Thurgood Marshall a few years ago and proved to be a remarkable performer who knew how to give words wings, he was my only choice for this role. I felt so strongly about putting the words and the heart of Dr. King into the capable hands of someone I trust completely. Gavin is that person.

So how do you play a character that is not real? That was the dilemma in casting Camae. Let me just say, she is not your typical motel maid on a mission to deliver coffee. It takes a presence, perhaps a presence slightly bigger than life to capture this character and Torie Wiggins has proven on this stage that she has that capacity.

In Black Pearl Sings! last season she transformed before our eyes from inmate to inspiration. In this production she will guide Dr. King in a uniquely written character towards a destination we can not conceive.

My hope is that The Mountaintop will be cause for discussion and that it will be a gentle reminder of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life on this earth led generations to believe in The Promised Land.

-D. Lynn Meyers

Director's notes • 9

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10 •

heading

our story begins with you.

Myth: My ticket/subscription purchase covers the cost of the production. fact: Ticket and subscription sales account for only 40% of our total annual

budget; we depend on contributions for the remaining 60%. Your ticket price covers less than half of what you experience when you come to Ensemble Theatre.

If we had to survive on ticket sales alone, every seat to every performance would be at least $60.

Myth: The only thing Ensemble Theatre does is the shows I see on stage. fact: In addition to our productions, we provide free and heavily subsidized education and outreach programs to our local communities. Each year, these programs reach more than 4,000 individuals, most of whom are economically disadvantaged children who would otherwise have little or no access to the arts.

Myth: I can only donate a small amount, so it won't make a difference. fact: Every. Single. Dollar. Counts. Whether you can afford $5 or $50, your

contribution helps cover the cost of everything from nuts and bolts for the stage to hiring artists to paying for buses for our education programs. It takes hundreds of donors each year to support our programs. We do this one dollar at a time, so your gift—no matter the amount—is absolutely vital to our success.

Without your support, we couldn't tell the whole story.

❤

Please Give to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati today www.ensemblecincinnati.org/support or (513) 421-3555 • 11

the civil rights movement U.S. Supreme Court declares school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

1954 1955

Federal government uses military to uphold African Americans' civil rights as soldiers escort 9 black students to desegregate Little Rock High School.

At the Greensboro Sit-In, 4 black college students refuse to move from the lunch counter of a Greensboro, NC restaurant where black patrons are not served, launching sit-ins across the South.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his "I Have A Dream" Speech to hundreds of thousands of supporters during the March on Washington, the largest Civil Rights march in history.

Congress passes the Civil Rights Act, giving the federal government powers to prosecute discrimination based on race in employment, voting, and education.

A year after splitting with the Nation of Islam, Malcom X is assassinated in New York City.

Thurgood Marshall becomes the 1st African-American Supreme Court Justice.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated, sparking riots across the country.

1957

1960 1962

1963

1964 1965

Rosa Parks refuses to move to the back of a bus in Montgomery, AL, as required by city ordinance; the Montgomery Bus Boycott follows, and the bus segregation ordinance is eventually declared unconstitutional.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. helps found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to work for full equality for African Americans.

Malcolm X becomes National Minister of Nation of Islam. He rejects the non-violent Civil Rights Movement and preaches African-American separatism and securing equal rights through "any means necessary."

Arrested for a protest in Birmingham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writes the "Letter From a Birmingham Jail," a manifesto for the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. organizes a march from Selma to Montgomery, AL. Police beat and tear gas protesters; the images are shown on television across the country.

1965

The Voting Rights Act is passed, outlawing the practices used to disenfranchise African-American voters.

1966

Huey P. Newton & Bobby Seales found the Black Panther Party, a radical black power group.

1967 1968

12 • the civil rights movement

Poor People's March on Washington, a march against poverty planned by King before his death, goes on.

heading

Black garbage collectors in Memphis often rode this way to stay out of the rain. On February 1, 1968, two workers were killed when their truck malfunctioned and crushed them. Their deaths helped spark a strike by black sanitation workers in Memphis.

Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to a packed crowd at Mason Temple in Memphis on March 18, 1968. He encouraged the city's striking sanitation workers to "escalate" their protest with a general work stoppage.

Two days after the march King led turned violent, people continue to protest in Memphis. National Guardsmen block the entrance to Beale Street.

to the mountaintop, “ I haveandbeen I have seen the Promised Land.

—Martin Luther King Jr., April 3, 1968

Martin Luther King, Jr. confers with SCLC staff worker Jesse Jackson at Mason Temple before delivering the last speech of his life, April 3, 1968.

(Photo by Ken Ross)

Images courtesy of University of Memphis, Mississippi Valley Collection, Press Scimitar Morgue File. Memphis, TN. Images reprinted with permission.

Photos: king's last march • 13

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the cast gavin lawrence (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) was last seen on Ensemble Theatre's stage in the regional premiere of Thurgood. His recent credits include the Steppenwolf production of The Gospel of Franklin in the title role, the role of Langston Hughes in Are You Now… at the Guthrie, and in both roles of Theseus and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Ten Thousand Things Theatre. His regional credits include The Goodman, Arena Stage, Centerstage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Mixed Blood, Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, First Stage, Milwaukee Rep., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Kansas City Rep., and City Theatre, to name a few. He appeared off-­Broadway in Pure Confidence, and was recently named Best Actor by the Minneapolis City Pages Best of the Twin Cities 2013. His award­-winning play, Cut Flowers was recently presented at Karamu House in Cleveland to rave reviews. Other plays produced include Salt Fish And Bakes (Best New Script ­ Minneapolis Star Tribune), Bye, Bye Margarita, Lilies In The Valley, The Sound Of The Rain, B Is For Bully, Once Upon a Summertime, and N 2 The Mirror. He is the recipient of the Lorraine Hansberry Award for Best Writing Of A Play and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Howard University. torie wiggins (Camae), who recently appeared in Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's production of Around The World in 80 Days as Princess Aouda, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music with a B.F.A. in Dramatic Performance. She created three one-woman shows: Everywhere You Look, Everywhere Else You Look, and Torie on Ice. She co-adapted and performed another one-woman show, Your Negro Tour Guide, at various venues in Cincinnati and across the country. She has appeared on All My Children, the feature film Love Me Through It and her voice can be heard on numerous national television and radio commercials for H&M, Home Depot, and Burger King. She recently appeared in Know Theatre of Cincinnati's production of Pluto and was a Seasonal Resident Artist with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, appearing in Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party, Collapse, Afghan Women Writer's Project, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. She also appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird and The Crucible at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and performed the title role in Black Pearl Sings! at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. She feels blessed and honored to be able to return to ETC for a second season! you know: We offer 1/2 Price and $15 Student Rush Tickets for all shows * Did throughout the season, starting 2 hours prior to showtime (Tickets and seating subject to availability). Purchase by phone or in person.

14 • the cast

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about the director D. lynn meyers is in her sixteenth season as the Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati where she has directed over fifty world and regional premieres, including Other Desert Cities, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Next to Normal, and The Whipping Man. She directed The Pavilion at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Pride and Prejudice for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. She directed OffBroadway at the York Theatre with Marsha Norman’s Traveler in the Dark and James McClure’s Max and Maxie. Her several Canadian national tours included Mass Appeal with the late great Gale Gordon. As a producer for Dove Audio, she produced and directed dozens of audio books. She served as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse for several seasons where she cast over a hundred productions as well as directed. In addition to directing, she is a member of the Casting Society of America and has cast for Hallmark, PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, Paramount, and MGM. Her favorite feature credit is serving as Location Casting Director for the Academy Award-winning Shawshank Redemption.

She was named one of four finalists for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011, honoring directors whose work is making an impact on the art form and their community. She was honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement and given the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Continued Excellence. She is a proud graduate of Thomas More College and serves on the college’s Board of Trustees.

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about the director • 17

about the playwright katori hall (Playwright) is a playwright and performer hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. Her award-winning play Hoodoo Love premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2007.

It was developed under Lynn Nottage as part of the theatre’s 2006 Mentor Project. Hoodoo Love received three AUDELCO nominations (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, August Wilson Playwright Award). Her other plays include: Remembrance, Hurt Village, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, The Mountaintop, On The Chitlin’ Circuit, and Freedom Train (KCACTF ten-minute play national finalist). Her work has been developed and presented at the following venues: the American Repertory Theatre, Kennedy Center, Cherry Lane Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Schomburg Center, BRICLab, Women’s Project, World Financial Center, Lark Play Development Center, New Professional Theatre, The O’Neill, the Juilliard School, Stanford University, and Columbia University. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lecompte du Nouy Prize, North Manhattan Arts Alliance Fellowship, New York State Council on the Arts Commission Grant, New Professional Theatre’s Writers’ Festival award, Fellowship of Southern Writers Bryan Family Award in Drama, New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship in Playwriting and Screenwriting, Royal Court Theatre Residency, and the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award. She has also been a Kennedy Center Playwriting Fellow. As an actor, her credits include Law & Order: SVU, The President’s Puppets (The Public), Growing Up A Slave (American Place Theatre), Incidents In The Life of A Slave Girl (American Place Theatre), the world premiere of Amerika (Theatre de la Jeune Lune/American Repertory Theatre), Spring Awakening (Moscow Art Theatre School), Ain’t Supposed to Die A Natural Death (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Schooled (WOW Café Theatre), and Black Girl (Sande Shurin Theatre). As a journalist, her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Essence, Newsweek, and The Commercial Appeal. She graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a major in African-American Studies and Creative Writing.

She was awarded top departmental honors from the university’s Institute for Research in African-American Studies (IRAAS). In 2005, she graduated from the American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. She is now a student in the Juilliard School’s Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program. She is a proud member of the Women’s Project Playwrights’ Lab, the Lark Playwrights’ Workshop, and the Dramatists Guild.

18 • about the playwright

heading production team brandon T. holmes (Production Stage Manager) is currently in his second season with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Previous productions include Alice in Wonderland, Freud’s Last Session, and Black Pearl Sings!. He holds a BFA from Wichita State University in Technical Theatre and Design. This past summer, he served as Production Stage Manager for LOOK Musical Theatre in Tulsa, OK. There, he stage managed productions of Hello, Dolly, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Side

By Side By Sondheim. He has also worked with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Music Theatre of Wichita, Theatre in the Park, Kansas City Starlight, and Wichita Center for the Arts. Favorite productions include Thunder Knocking on the Door, Merrily We Roll Along (directed by John Doyle), Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Producers, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard.

Thank you to the cast and design staff for making this a fantastic experience. Love to MDRJMAT. Proud Actors' Equity Association member!

BRIAN c. MEHRING (Resident Set & Lighting Designer) has designed over seventy productions at ETC. His favorite productions include: Thom Pain (based on nothing), James and Annie, Copenhagen, Blue/Orange, and I Am My Own Wife. Mr. Mehring’s regional favorites for set design include: The Last 5 Years and The Laramie Project, Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre; and for video design, Hiding Behind Comets (Playhouse in the Park).

Mr. Mehring has also served as Charge Scenic Painter for the Cincinnati Opera.

Mr. Mehring spent a season assisting mentor Paul Shortt at Teatro de Lucca and three seasons assisting Broadway Designer Robert T. Williams at Artpark in New York.

SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Master/Design Assistant) earned her Master’s degree in 1996 and became Prop Master at ETC and since then she has “mastered” dozens of productions. Ms. Lutz would like to thank the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive and tenacious spirit.

Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC Internship. Now the Director of Intern Programming, she is honored to guide ETC’s essential ensemble: the Intern Company. ETC performance credits include: Fiction, Alice in Wonderland (1998, 2003, 2008, 2012), Poor Super Man, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Chronicles of Plague, A School for Scandal, Cinderella, Zorro, The Frog Princess, and Sleeping Beauty (2009, 2000). She would like to thank her family for their persistent love and support, Ruth for lessons in art, life, and integrity, and Lynn for her dedication to our dreams.

production team • 19

production team cont. michael lenaghan (Properties Master) has been the Production Manager at TheaterWorks Hartford since 2005; prior to that he served as the Technical Director from 2003-2005. Previously, he was the Head Carpenter, Westport Country Playhouse; and Technical Director, Downtown Cabaret Theatre and York Theatre. His Broadway Carpentry credits include: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Into the Woods, Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home, Our Town, and Fortune’s Fool. His other carpentry and stagehand credits include: Goodspeed Musicals, The Juilliard School Drama Department, Joyce Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Rich Forum. His set design credits include: Santaland Diaries, TheaterWorks; Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) Pledge Set; and Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Fandango 13 & 14.

aaron clements (Technical Operations Director) is now in his fourth year at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. He is a native of Charlotte, NC and received his B.F.A. in Theater with a design/technical emphasis at Greensboro College. Mr. Clements worked four seasons at Seaside Music Theater as a carpenter, master carpenter, metal shop foreman, and as the assistant technical director for a winter season.

He received his M.F.A. in Technical Direction from UC’s College-Conservatory of Music. He has also worked as a carpenter for ETC’s productions of Grey Gardens and Alice in Wonderland.

matthew tibbs (Sound Designer) is a sound designer working in advertising, film, and live performance, and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Ball State University. He received his M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and his B.A. from George Fox University. His recent work includes composition for Impulsion at Motion Dance Theatre in Asheville, North Carolina, sound design of Laughing Stock at Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and sound design of King Henry the Fifth and Twelfth Night at Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota. Mr. Tibbs was previously the Resident Sound Designer for Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, where he designed world premiere productions of Bess Wohl’s In and Wendy MacLeod’s Find and Sign in addition to numerous productions including Next to Normal, Clybourne Park, Les Misérables, and Of Mice and Men. His work in film has been has been seen at film festivals nationally and internationally including NewFilmmakers New York, Austin Film Festival, Toronto ReelHeArt Film Festival, Pennsylvania ArtsFest Film Festival, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

20 • production team cont.

production team heading cont.

Chad Phillips (Costume Designer) is very excited to be back for his fourth show with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been one of his idols/heroes. His other credits for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati include: Radio Golf, Gem of the Ocean, and The Whipping Man. He is employed with the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as the Costume Design Assistant. He resides in Covington, Kentucky. rocco dal vera (Dialect Coach) is a Professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Mr. Dal Vera is an internationally recognized specialist on voice and emotion and he co-authored Voice: Onstage and Off and Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course with Robert Barton. He is an editor for Standard Speech, The Voice in Violence and Film, and Television and e-Media Coaching. He is a certified Alba Emoting trainer with an interest in voice and emotional extremes, a faculty member at Xavier University’s Leadership Center, and assisted with the Clay Street Project. Mr. Dal Vera has served as a voice, dialect, and text coach for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Human Race Theatre, Indiana Rep., and St. Louis Rep. He has also coached shows on Brozadway and worked on over 500 films and television shows including L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, THIRTYsomething, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Gods Must Be Crazy.

production team cont. • 21

22 •

the premiere society The Premiere Society recognizes individuals who have made gifts totaling $1,000 or more within the past year.

The exceptional generosity of these donors enables ETC to present world class new works and works new to the region by having the resources to achieve the highest level of artistic quality possible. The following list was updated February 19, 2014 and includes the names of donors whose gifts total $1,000 + since November 15, 2012. For questions or corrections, please contact Ashley Johnson at (513) 421-3555, ext. 17. world circle ($10,000+): Anonymous (3) William P. Anderson Foundation ArtsWave The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Lucille K. & Charles O. Carothers The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. William A. Friedlander Fund* John & Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation LPK The H.B., E.W., & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank & Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Macy's Messer Construction Co. Mitchell S. Meyers & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Ohio Arts Council P&G Fund* PNC Foundation Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez John & Ruth Sawyer Fund* The John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee Ladislas & Vilma Segoe Family Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. The Estate of Andrew D. Smith The Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust, PNC Bank and Karen Wachs, Co-Trustees The Dudley S. Taft Charitable Foundation Marilyn & Martin Wade national circle ($5,000-$9,999): The Erma A. Bantz Foundation Clement & Ann Buenger Foundation CitiGroup Mr. & Mrs. A.B. Closson, Jr. Crosset Family Fund* Harry & Linda Fath Dennis & Rita Geiger Lynne Miller & Steve King Kroger Edward & Anita Marks David & Judith Morgan Fund* Judith Postler Jack & Moe Rouse Fund* Thompson Hine LLP Ed Trach Western & Southern Financial Fund The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation regional circle ($2,500-$4,999): Anonymous (2) Anatole Alper

Mary & William Bonansinga Charitable Family Fund* Mrs. Charlene Breidster Kenneth & Joan Campbell Thomas R. Dietz Gallagher SKS GBBN Architects Chip Gerhardt William & Mary Jane James Marcene & Jim Kinney Kroger Community Rewards Program MCF Advisors, LCC Paula Steiner Pete & Ginger Strange Family Fund* Judith B. Titchener Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Woodward cincinnati circle ($1,000-$2,499): Anonymous (4) Americana Arts Foundation Nicholas Apanius Malcolm A. & Glenda Bernstein Michael Berry & Melanie Garner David & Elaine Billmire Bob & Elaine Blatt Robert L. Bogenschutz Gene H. Bowling Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff Dee & David Dillon Fund* John & Jen DuBois Grace A. Epstein Mary & Bob Fitzpatrick Linda & Gary Greenberg Bob & Mary Hamilton Michael Haney & Amy Warner Suzanne & Dr. Bob Hasl Bob & Judy Heaton Daniel Hurley Lorrence T. & Barbara W. Kellar Fund* Cecilia & Tom Kloecker Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Nancy Lutz Judith B. Green & Thomas M. McDonough Mr. Ihor & Dr. Lisa Jo Melnyk Sharon & Graham Mitchell Diane & Dave Moccia Michael Nordlund & Lisa Lee Dr. Patricia O'Connor Kit & Jack Overbeck Pepper Family Fund* Joseph A. & Susan E. Pichler Fund* Sue & Jerry Ransohoff Fund* Hera Reines James & Sue Riley Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund*

* Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

premiere society • 23

our supporters ETC gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generous support makes it possible for us to present exceptional theatre and unique educational outreach programs for our community. The following list was updated February 19, 2014 and includes the names of donors whose gifts total $125+ since November 15, 2012. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. For questions or corrections, please contact Ashley Johnson at (513) 421-3555, ext. 17. cincinnati circle Cont.: Jane Bogart Sellers Shelly Shor Gerson Mary Stagaman Paul & Jill Staubitz The Corky & Rick Steiner Family Foundation Glenda Suttman Carol Talbot & John Battistone Target Stores U.S. Bank Larry Weber The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund Mike & Liz Zimmer Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund* Actors Column ($500-$999): Anonymous (4) Actors' Equity Foundation, Inc. Norita Aplin & Stanley Ragle Joan & Oliver Baily Neil E. Billman, In Memory of Taffy Billman dabby Blatt Rosemary H. & Frank Bloom Special Fund* Carter & Jo Ann Bobbitt, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Clay & Emily Bond Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Matching Gift Program Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard Gary & Jackie Bryson Brenda Carter Denise & Martin Chambers William & Catherine Cody Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund* Judith de Luce Kelly M. Dehan Darin Dugan Robert & Elizabeth Ehrsam Mary Pat England Terrell & Susan Finney Kenneth J. Furrier GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program Helen & John Habbert Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Betty Huck John Isador & Sandy Kaltman Keith & Patti James Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Arleene Keller Mark D. Manley & Annette Januzzi Wick Norah & joe Mock John & Deborah Moffatt * Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

24 • our supporters

Marilyn Z. Ott Barbara & Michael Porte Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD Becky & Ted Richards J. R. Rulon Digi & Mike Schueler Linda & Andy Smith John & Martha Spiess Elizabeth Stites & Kevin Randall Joe & Nancy Stratman Nellie Leaman Taft Charitable Foundation Jennifer Verkamp Irwin & Barbara Weinberg Joseph Wessling Barbara Wiedemann Jo Ann Wieghaus Dr. & Mrs. James & Ronna Willis Gene Wilson Jeffrey & Nadia Wuest stage managers Column ($250-$499): Anonymous (4) Albert & Lillian Andrews Richard & Susan Baum Len Berenfield Eileen & William Bishop Mark Bowen Dorota Burgess Kevin & Linda Chaney Anne E. Charles, in Memory of Richard Charles Sally Chatfield Dunn Jan & Gerald Checco Jean & Matt Chimsky Cincinnati Veterans' Affairs Medical Center Research Service, In Honor of Kathy DeLaura Larry & Janet Clements Rev. Dr. Robert W. Croskery & Beverly Croskery, Ph.D. Douglass L. Custis Susannah Davids & Steve Myer Charles K. Eckert Ray & Kay Edwards Richard & Carol Fencl Carol S. Friel Judith Harmony & Richard Jackson Sue Harris & Meredith Green Joe & Susan Harten Debra Hartsell & Michael James Hennekes CPA Services, LLC Ann E. Hicks Florette Hoffheimer Cindy & Bill Hopping Erin Houlihan & John Bostick James & Robin Huizenga

our supporters heading cont. stage managers Column cont.: Charles D. King Jean Kinmoth Kirkwood's Sweeper Shop, Inc. Carmen & Rich Kovarsky Dorothy K. Larsson Nada Latto, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Star Le Warren Leight Alfonso & Mary Lopez Jacqueline M. Mack & Dr. Edward B. Silberstein Len & Sherie Marek Dr. & Mrs. John E. McCall William M. & Karen P. McKim DeDe & Kevin McNeal Ryan Messer & James Musuraca Dr. Ralph Meyer Ronald & Nancy Mielech Drs. Steven & Jacqueline Miller Family Foundation William & Sibyl Miller Anu & Shekhar Mitra William & Sara Morgan, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Hon. Norbert & Linnea Nadel Roy Newman Morris & Patricia Passer Family Fund* Alice & Burton Perlman Barry L. Prince Tim & Mary Riordan George & Caroll Roden Richard Russell Catharine B. Saelinger Jude Samuel Carol Schaber Elizabeth & Blake Selnick Eleanor Shott Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben Ed & Anne Stern Elizabeth A. Stone Dennis & Helen Sullivan The Tarshis Family Fund at Schwab Charitable Fund J. Michael & Patricia Thierauf Lynn & Dan Ticotsky Sarah S. Timmons, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Dixie & Bill Utter Rosalie P. van Nuis Buzz Ward Steve F. Warkany Fund* Stuart Wheaton & Lenore Horner Kate & Jay Wilford Joseph D. Williams The Rev. Anne Wrider Zaring Family Foundation, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer

Larry & Debby Adams Anne Aiken Gail Barker, M.D. Henrietta Barlag John Batchelor Jane Bennett Bill & Janet Berger Hal & Sandi Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. Peter Bloch Neil Bortz John T. Bruggen Warren & Gail Cato Chester Cavaliere Angela Chong James Cissell Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling Dr. & Mrs. Alan Cordell Roger Cranos Lee Crooks Sonia Daoud Charlene Davis Mary & Clyde Dial Amy Diamond & Edward Wolf Emilie W. & David W. Dressler Family Fund* Jane & Igor Dumbadze Richard & Deirdre Dyson Peggy Eberhard Charles & Harriet Edwards

crew Column ($125-$249): Anonymous (7) Karen & Fred Abel Jean L. Abrahamson Christine O. Adams * Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

our supporters cont. • 25

our supporters cont. crew Cont.

Jerome & Jean Eichert Mr. & Mrs. Frederick A. Fink Deborah Friedman Joanne Glaser Eugenie & Edward Goggin Janice & Sidney Goldstein Diane & Stanley Goodman Mrs. Madeleine H. Gordon Cyndi Grammel, In Honor of Skylar Cherry Sean Gray Michael Gumbleton & Teddy Gumbleton JoAnn & Gary Hagopian Irving Harris Jacquelyn Hirt Dale Hodges & David Logan Emily M. Hodges Fund David & Karen Hoguet Marilyn Hurrell Kenneth Jordan James Jorden Iris Kelsen Tana Kirkbride & Amit Gupta Margaret W. Kite Tim & Mary Alice Koch Pinky & Sam Kocoshis Marvin & Gerry Kraus Susan Kruezmann Mr. & Mrs. Polk Laffoon, IV Patrick C. Larkin & Mary C. Henkel Lowell Latto, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer John Lin Dick & Barbara Males Jan & Marilyn Methlie John F. Metz Dr. Stephen F. Mielech Mary Sue Morrow Regine Moulton Nora Moushey Eunice H. Murphy

Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Fred & Leila Oliver Melissa & John Panzeca Sara H. Pritchard Irene & Daniel Randolph Family Barbara & Dave Reaman Margaret M. Reid Joyce Rich Barbara Robb, in Honor of Sara Mackie Dr. Raymond H. Rolwing Marianne & Snowden Rowe, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Rich and Barb Ruddy Patti & Mitchell Sacks Robert & Christine Scheadler Jeanie Schmidt Elizabeth Sherwood Elaine Shinkle Paul Shortt John & Linda Silvati Mrs. Barbara B. Simon Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Myfanwy & Robert Smith Jacqueline & Richard Snyder Keven Speece Jean Springer Howard & Nancy Starnbach Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund Tom Tepe Lynda A. Thomas, in Memory of Ruth D. Sawyer Tom Umfrid & Phil Tworek Carter Waide Dr. & Mrs. George Waissbluth Priscilla S. Walford Jane A. Walker Pann & Terry Webb Mike Wedig Jackie Weist Mark & Irene Zigoris

intern sponsors Anonymous William & Catherine Cody Patrick Cusick Norah & joe Mock Robert Streicher

Building Character: Discover our blog and go in-depth with our shows at www. ensemblecincy.wordpress.com

* Denotes a Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

26 • our supporters cont.

our heading staff Executive board John Sawyer Stephen M. King Chair President Marcene Kinney Vice President

Mitchell Meyers Treasurer

Jane Sellers Secretary

Administrative staff D. Lynn Meyers The Ruth Dennis Sawyer/ Mary Taft Mahler Producing Artistic Director Richard J. Diehl Managing Director Jocelyn Meyer Director of Marketing & Communications Jared D. Doren Director of Patron Services & Development Associate Ashley Johnson Producing Associate Financial Advisor Chet Cavaliere Box office staff John Diehl Seth Longland Sarah Nix Becca Schall House manager Amy Janowiecki head of security Officer Nick Ligon Administrative Interns Dori Branch, Producing Melissa Foster, Marketing

board of Trustees Nick Apanius Mary Bonansinga Otto M. Budig Dr. Charles O. Carothers Brenda A. Carter Kathy DeLaura Tom Dietz Dennis Geiger

Chip Gerhardt Skip Hickenlooper Dan Hurley Edward G. Marks Richard L. Postler Simón Sotelo Mary Stagaman Mike Zimmer

production staff Brian c. Mehring Resident Set & Lighting Designer Matthew Hollstegge Production Coordinator & Master Electrician Shannon Rae Lutz Property Master, Design Assistant & Director of Intern Programming Aaron Clements Technical Operations Director Jack Murphy Technical Assistant Brandon T. Holmes Production Stage Manager Starr Fish Costume Assistant stage management Interns Melissa Olberding Zach Wells directing Intern Ben Raanan Acting Intern company Linnea Bond, Becca Howell, Jared Hudson, Jeremy Parker, Hannah Sawicki, Zak Schneider, Sola Thompson

our staff • 27

patron services Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati 1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org (513) 421-3555 ETC Box Office Hours & Accepted payment Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 2 hours prior to curtain. Weekend hours vary. VISA, MC, Discover, and AmEx are accepted, as well as Downtown Gift Cards.

Ticket reservations & Sale policy Reservations can be made by calling the box office, in person, or online. Ticket reservations are not accepted via email. Single-ticket purchases are a final sale with no refund. Single tickets may, however, be exchanged for another performance during the run of a show for a fee, but may not be exchanged from one production to another. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule his or her tickets.

Tax credits If for any reason you cannot attend your performance and cannot reschedule for another date, tickets released prior to performances by calling the ETC box office are fully deductible as a charitable contribution.

No-shows or tickets released after curtain time do not qualify as tax credits.

Parking Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both are conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage, accessible via Elm or Race Street. Charges vary.

Children Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to productions unless otherwise advertised. Parents with disruptive children will be asked to leave the theatre.

Latecomers & admittance Latecomers will be seated at the House Manager’s discretion and may be denied admission depending upon the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, readmittance is not guaranteed. ETC reserves the right to deny admission and/or remove any disruptive patrons from the theatre at any time.

Restrooms Restrooms are located at the front of the lobby. Should you need to use the restroom during a performance, please exit the theatre the same way you came in. Readmittance will be at House Manager's discretion. accessibility Please notify the box office in advance if you require wheelchair-accessible seating or have special seating needs and our staff will be happy to accommodate you. Audio-enhancement and large-print playbills available. Generally, sign-interpreted performances are on the third Wednesday of every production.

Cameras, Cell phones & stage Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre. Kindly turn off any cell phones or pagers prior to the show starting. Text messaging during the show disturbs other audience members and actors and will not be tolerated. For safety reasons, audience members are strictly prohibited from standing, sitting or otherwise being or putting anything onstage at any time.

Groups & Discounts Groups of 10 or more can save over single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave ArtsPass, Enjoy the Arts, and educator and military member discounts available (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).

28 • patron services

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