TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Cheryl Strayed adapted by Nia Vardalos co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, & Nia Vardalos
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. – Helen Keller
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation proudly supports the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as it explores themes of tenacity and resilience.
D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS by CHERYL STRAYED adapted by NIA VARDALOS co-conceived by MARSHALL HEYMAN, THOMAS KAIL, & NIA VARDALOS Directed by D. LYNN MEYERS† May 28 – June 25, 2022 Costume Designer DANA REBECCA WOODS‡
Set & Lighting Designer BRIAN c . MEHRING
Wig Designer KELLY YURKO
Technical Director JACK MURPHY
Sound Designer MATT CALLAHAN
Properties Curator/Design Assistant SHANNON RAE LUTZ
Production Stage Manager MARGOT WHITNEY*
Assistant Stage Manager LEXI MULLER*
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION IS A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW AND AN ACTIONABLE FEDERAL OFFENSE.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. www.concordtheatricals.com Original New York Production by The Public Theater Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director Patrick Willingham, Executive Director.
*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. ‡ Production member belongs to United Scenic Artists, Local 829, a labor union representing designers and artists in the entertainment industry. It is a nationwide autonomous Local of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
†
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2021–2022 SPONSORS
Photo by Ryan Kurtz
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR
SEASON FUNDER
OPERATING SUPPORT
FAIRY GODMOTHER SPONSORS
SEASON SUPPORT City of Cincinnati Susan Friedlander Hamilton County Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Mitchell S. and Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation The Shubert Foundation IN-KIND SUPPORT Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Interpreter Training Program College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet LPK OMS Photography Suder’s Art Store
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2021–2022 sponsors
SEASON TICKET SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SPONSOR
EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, & INCLUSION SUPPORT Anonymous (2) William P. Anderson Foundation Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation In Honor of Marilyn F. Hill Emily Hodges & Charles Spencer Betty Huck Mr. & Mrs. David E. Moccia The Daniel & Susan Pfau Foundation Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation Jennifer Verkamp The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund
The arts reveal what matters most.
PNC is proud to support Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. Thank you for helping to make our community a beautiful place.
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2021–2022 sponsors
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CAST & CREW LIST CAST Letter Writer #1........................................................................................................ MICHAEL G. BATH* Letter Writer #2........................................................................ KEARSTON HAWKINS-JOHNSON* Letter Writer #3..................................................................................................TAHA MANDVIWALA* Sugar.....................................................................................................................CONNAN MORRISSEY*
RUNNING CREW Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................................... LEXI MULLER* 2nd Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................ RANDOLPH GEERS Assistant House Manager.........................................................ADRIAN DEVAUGHN SUMMERS Sound Operator..........................................................................................................MALYSSA QUINN Wardrobe Crew..................................................................................................RACHEL BARKALOW Running Crew...........................................CHRISTIAN HALL, BREAUNA MARIE JURKOWSKI
PRODUCTION TEAM Intimacy & Movement Coordinator................................................................................ ERIN CARR Scenic Charge Artist/Production Assistant.................................................................RAE KUHN Costume Supervisor.............................................................................................. BROOKE ARTHUR Lighting & Sound Supervisor..........................................................................LYSS CUNNINGHAM Sound Technician.......................................................................................................... NICK KOEHLKE DEIA Consultant........................................................................................... NICHOLAS TSANGARIS
UNDERSTUDIES Letter Writer #2.................................................................................................RACHEL BARKALOW Letter Writer #1.......................................................................................................... CHRISTIAN HALL Sugar...............................................................................................................................MALYSSA QUINN Letter Writer #3............................................................................ADRIAN DEVAUGHN SUMMERS
SETTING The play takes place over the course of one night, late evening into early morning.
*Member belongs to Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
This production will be performed in one act with NO intermission. Approximate running time is 1 hour, 20 minutes.
PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES. NO TEXTING. 6 |
cast & crew list
FOR MINDS OF ALL KINDS Materials inspired by Tiny Beautiful Things, courtesy of The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.
Visit CinLib.org/tiny-beautiful for more! BOOKS Tiny Beautiful Things Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
Already Enough A Path to Self-Acceptance
by Cheryl Strayed
by Lisa Olivera
Instant Mom
Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light Essays
by Nia Vardalos
Miss Me with That Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and A Few Hard Truths by Rachel Lindsay
Foreverland On the Divine Tedium of Marriage by Heather Havrilesky
by Helen Ellis
Women Rowing North Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing as We Age by Mary Bray Pipher
Borrow these materials online or at your nearest library branch.
For more content about
June 11–September 4, 2022
this production, including
GET TICKETS NOW:
behind-the-scenes photos,
taftmuseum.org/Austen
videos, interviews and more, visit our website at ensemblecincinnati.org
We are very grateful for our many generous funders of this exhibition. Presented by Exhibits Development Group, USA, in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, England.
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THE POWER OF THE ARTS IS IN OUR HANDS
Whatever happens in our world, the arts give us a place to recharge, connect and awaken. We need the arts — and they need us too. It takes a community to build the arts. One + one equals so much more. Are you in?
GIVE TODAY artswave.org
FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT The letters are real . . . I thought, as I read Cheryl Strayed’s incredibly moving book, Tiny Beautiful Things. People wrote these letters. A few years ago, author Cheryl Strayed gave advice as Sugar for the literary website, The Rumpus, and later collected the letters into a book. Journalist Marshall Heyman gave his friend, director Thomas Kail, the book, and Tommy gave it to me, suggesting it could become a play. As I read the letters exchanged, I wept, smiled, and was astonished by the raw and extraordinary candor. Sugar and the writers of the letters reveal themselves, and we find ourselves in their conundrums and sorrows, in their lives lived and roads traveled. I yearned to be as bold, audacious, and willful. As I adapted the book into a play, I found the words so illuminating that I grieved and moved on from certain events of my own. Still, if I had one letter to write, it would be: Dear Sugar, I hope to be as brave as the writers of the letters and as open as Cheryl Strayed. —Nia Vardalos
etc essentials A FREE conversation series with local scholars and community members that explores the themes and context of our productions.
REMEMBERING ALL THE THINGS | JUNE 5, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Join local writers for a conversation on memoir writing, taking inspiration from author Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things, and discover how to start chronicling your important memories: tiny, beautiful, and otherwise.
Admission is FREE, but reservations are required! Limited space | Reserve through the ETC Box Office | 9
ABOUT US OUR MISSION Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire our audiences. OUR HISTORY From its founding in 1986, ETC has focused on providing an artistic home for local theatre professionals, including serving as a training ground for young artists. Each season, ETC produces a lineup devoted to the newest in contemporary theatre that attracts a diverse audience of 30,000 to more than 220 performances. Our work also includes education and engagement programs centered on introducing the performing arts to students from under-resourced schools and children with disabilities. Combined, our productions and educational programs strive to fulfill ETC’s vision of creating an urban arts district that is accessible to all.
(513) 421–3555 1127 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 www.ensemblecincinnati.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Kathy DeLaura, Chair Jeffrey Schloemer, President Kathy Burklow, Vice President Dennis Geiger, Vice President Mike Schueler, Treasurer Meggan Thompson, Secretary DIRECTORS Holly Brians Ragusa Otto M. Budig, Jr. Tom Carothers Sue Friedlander Charles H. Gerhardt, III Linda Holthaus Stephen M. King Shekhar Mitra Nilesh Patel Darryl A. Peal Richard L. Postler Leah Quortrup Jackie Reau Alex Schutte Mary Stagaman DIRECTORS EMERITI Skip Hickenlooper Edward G. Marks FOUNDERS' CIRCLE Ruth D. & John Sawyer Ken & Mary "Murph" Mahler Dr. Charles O. Carothers Mitchell S. Meyers
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. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? Contact our team at Cincinnati Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
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Magazine for information: advertise@CincinnatiMagazine.com
ABOUT ETC
OUR STAFF LEADERSHIP
D. Lynn Meyers, The Ruth Dennis Sawyer/Mary Taft Mahler Producing Artistic Director
FINANCE
Michael R. Zimmer, CPA CGMA, Director of Fiscal Operations
ARTISTIC
Brian c. Mehring, Resident Set & Lighting Designer Shannon Rae Lutz, Properties Curator, Design Assistant, & Director of Apprentice Programming Rae Kuhn, Scenic Charge Artist & Production Assistant Professional Acting Apprentices: Rachel Barkalow • Randolph Geers • Christian Hall Breauna Marie Jurkowski • Malyssa Quinn Adrian Devaughn Summers
DEVELOPMENT
Josh Neumeyer, Finance & Grants Manager
EDUCATION
Victoria Aslanides, Director of Education Emily Bush, Education Associate Becca Howell, Education Associate Daniela Nenova, Education Associate
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Marketing & Communications Amy J. Barbian, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Kazee, Digital Marketing Coordinator Becca Schall, Creative Media Producer
OPERATIONS
Jared D. Doren, Programming & Events Manager Nick Ligon, Head of Security Anna Sheridan, Administrative Coordinator
PATRON SERVICES
Amy Weinstock, Box Office Manager Box Office Associates/House Managers: Sean Miller-Jones • Emmy Rice Kathleen Riemenschneider • Sharisse Santos
PRODUCTION
Jack Murphy, Technical Director Jacob Dowell, Associate Technical Director Brooke Arthur, Costume Supervisor Lyss Cunningham, Lighting & Sound Supervisor
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Margot Whitney, Production Stage Manager Lexi Muller, Assistant Stage Manager
Teaching Artists: Brianna Bernard • Zoe Davidson Julie Locker • Adrian Devaughn Summers
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati acknowledges that we gather on the unceded and stolen territories of the Hopewell, Adena, Myaamia (Miami), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), and Wazhazhe Ma'zha' (Osage) peoples. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it since time immemorial.
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SPACE IS LIMITED, REGISTER TODAY!
ETC SUMMEr camps 2022 Junior Summer Camp JULY 11–22 | Ages 7–15
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REGISTER: www.ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 COVID-19 safety: www.ensemblecincinnati.org/health-safety
Make art. Make a difference. MAJORS/AREAS OF STUDY
Design Illustration Painting & Drawing Sculpture Photography Print Media Film & Video* Digital Arts Animation Creative Writing *available as minors only Art History*
www.artacademy.edu/
The closest funeral home to our cemetery is at our cemetery.
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DIRECTOR'S NOTES Words seem to come easy for Cheryl Strayed. The way she offers heartfelt, smart, and strong assistance to those who have written to her is something beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking. In truth, I did not know her or her work when I picked up a copy of the play Tiny Beautiful Things. What a gift it has been in my life. In preparing to direct this show, her words guided me. She is fearless, honest, and speaks to that part of us that is often hidden, even from us. So, the approach to directing this show was to throw open the doors of thought, fact, emotion, and all that comes with it. These four actors have made this production. They have created this safe and daring space in which you now enter. While I have wanted to do this play for some time, now is the time when we need it the most. All the moments and months leading to it have given us the grace and endurance to see it go from the script to the stage. I have had some strong headaches over these past few weeks while directing this show but not from exhaustion. The headaches have come from holding back tears or holding back the desire to make an angry outburst at the material, at what happened to these people. Although they are called “letter writers,” these characters are actually showing how humanity is filled with as much confusion as pain, as much comfort as concern. They are us. And Sugar is us, too. When we listen, when remedies fail but our own lived experiences are the medicine we can offer, we are fully human. This play is indeed a tiny beautiful thing that has lifted my heart up from darkness and has allowed my true spirit to soar. I hope it does the same for you. Thank you for being here! —D. Lynn Meyers
LET’S THEATRE TOGETHER
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Director's Notes
1O TONY AWARDS
J U L Y
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INCLUDING
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BEST MUSICAL
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2 0 2 2
CincinnatiArts.org | 513.621.ARTS | Aronoff Center
The CSO presents the Inaugural FREE
SUN JUN 19 7 pm
WESTWOOD - MAPLE RIDGE LODGE
SUN JUN 26 7 pm
PRICE HILL - DUNHAM RECREATION CENTER
THU JUL 14 6:30 pm
BOND HILL - CORINTHIAN BAPTIST CHURCH
SAT JUL 16 7 pm
WEST END - LAUREL PARK
SAT AUG 9 7 pm
EVANSTON - OWL’S NEST PARK
in partnership with Westwood Works
in partnership with Cincinnati Recreation Commission
in partnership with Learning Through Art/Jazz Alive!
in partnership with Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses
in partnership with Evanston and E. Walnut Hills Community Councils
More details at: cincinnatisymphony.org/brady-series Neighborhood Concerts are made possible in part by American Rescue Plan funds from the City of Cincinnati, administered through ArtsWave.
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CAST BIOS MICHAEL G. BATH (Letter Writer #1) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre as King Frederick in Cinderella, as well as Crabble in Fly by Night, Eddie in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Ian Smithton in The Other Place, and Adam in Next Fall. Most recently he played Duke Salinus and Dr. Pinch in The Comedy of Errors at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Michael is a graduate of Wilmington College and a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. Much love to his wife Tricia and dog Misha. KEARSTON HAWKINS-JOHNSON (Letter Writer #2) is full of joy to be making their Ensemble Theatre debut! Some of their previous credits include The Snowy Day and Other Stories, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Macbeth, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Dragon Play and Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; and various films and audio dramas. Kearston is also a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes photography and filmmaking. They received a BFA in Acting from Northern Kentucky University with additional training at Howard University. All love and gratitude to family, friends, ancestors, and their sweet Divine Friend whose endless love and support helps them find the tiny beautiful things in life daily. @Khawkinsjohnson. Kearstonhawkinsjohnson.com TAHA MANDVIWALA (Letter Writer #3) is thrilled to be making his Ensemble Theatre debut! He is a 2016 graduate from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theatre, and he was a member of the 20162017 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. His recent regional credits include The Taming of the Shrew and Witness for the Prosecution, Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Romeo and Juliet and Love’s Labour’s Lost, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival; and Shakespeare in Love, Treasure Island, and multiple seasons of A Christmas Carol, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Taha enjoys his time as a parkour instructor and personal trainer at Swift Movement Studio and is actively involved in the Cincinnati movement community. He sends you the best wishes for health and happiness, and warmly welcomes you back to the joy of live theatre. CONNAN MORRISSEY (Sugar) is thrilled to be returning to Ensemble after playing Nora in A Doll's House, Part 2 and Laurie in Pipeline (2020 production). Connan has worked at other theatres around the country including Round House Theatre (Bethesda, MD), Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Olney Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, PlayMakers Repertory, North Carolina Stage Company, and the Asolo Theatre Center. She is also a professional coach who helps individuals express their ideas with authenticity and impact, as well as a registered nurse who helps people at challenging points in their lives. Many thanks to Lynn, Cheryl, Blake, Declan, Cal, and all the folks at HOC.
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Cast Bios
CINCINNATI OPERA SUMMER FESTIVAL
2022
TICKETS START AT $35
Puccini
La Bohème June 18-25
WORLD PREMIERE!
William Menefield/Sheila Williams
Fierce
July 6-10 Gilbert/Sullivan
The Pirates of Penzance July 7-10
WORLD PREMIERE!
Gregory Spears/Tracy K. Smith
Castor and Patience July 21-30 Verdi
Aida
July 22-31 Special Concert!
Morris and Friends July 27
cincinnatiopera.org Season Presenting Sponsor:
Season Funders:
Preferred Healthcare Provider:
Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust
Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation
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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS CHERYL STRAYED (Author) is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Wild, the New York Times bestsellers Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough, and the novel Torch. Wild was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her first selection for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0. Strayed’s books have been translated into nearly forty languages around the world and have been adapted for both the screen and the stage. The Oscar-nominated movie adaptation of Wild stars Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl and Laura Dern as Cheryl’s mother, Bobbi. Tiny Beautiful Things was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, who also starred in the role of Sugar/ Cheryl. The play was directed by Thomas Kail and debuted at The Public Theater in New York City. Strayed is the host of the New York Times hit podcast, Sugar Calling and also Dear Sugars, which she co-hosted with Steve Almond. Her essays have been published in The Best American Essays, the New York Times, the Washington Post Magazine, Vogue, Salon, The Sun, Tin House, The New York Times Book Review, and elsewhere. Strayed holds an MFA in fiction writing from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
NIA VARDALOS (Playwright & Co-Conceiver) wrote and starred in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, an Independent Spirit Award, and a People’s Choice Award. Stage credits include originating the role of Sugar in The Public Theater’s Tiny Beautiful Things, directed by Thomas Kail; Jennie in Theatre20’s Company, directed by Gary Griffin; and writer and actor of twelve The Second City’s revues (Chicago’s Jeff Award winner, Best Actress). Writing and acting film and television credits include Helicopter Mom, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Larry Crowne, Connie and Carla, I Hate Valentine’s Day, My Life in Ruins, Jane the Virgin, Law and Order: SVU, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Vardalos is the New York Times-bestselling author of Instant Mom, the story of adopting her daughter via foster care, and all proceeds are donated to adoption groups.
MARSHALL HEYMAN (Co-Conceiver) has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Vogue, InStyle, W, Harper’s Bazaar, New York, and many others. He also wrote for the AMC show Dietland.
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Creative Team Bios
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS THOMAS KAIL (Co-Conceiver) directed the Broadway productions of Hamilton (Tony Award), In the Heights (Tony nomination), Lombardi, and Magic/Bird. His selected credits include the world premieres of Hamilton, Dry Powder, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Kings (The Public Theater); the world premiere of In the Heights, Brokeology, and the world premiere of When I Come to Die (Lincoln Center Theater); and the world premiere of Daphne’s Dive (Signature Theatre Company). He is the co-creator and director of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme. Mr. Kail’s television credits include Fosse/Verdon, Grease Live! (two Emmy Awards), 2 Broke Girls, and The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special.
D. LYNN MEYERS (Director) is the Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre, where she has directed more than a hundred world and regional premieres, including Fun Home, The Wolves, Ripcord, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hands on a Hardbody, Detroit ’67, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, and The Dancing Princesses. She began her career as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, has directed offBroadway at the York Theatre, and has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada. As a member of the Casting Society of America, Lynn's recent feature credits include Carol, The Old Man & the Gun, and The Public in addition to serving as the Location Casting Director for The Shawshank Redemption. She was named a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011 and is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award, and recipient of the 2018 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize for her regional arts impact and leadership.
Creative Team Bios
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PRODUCTION BIOS BRIAN c. MEHRING (Set & Lighting Designer) has designed more than one hundred productions at Ensemble Theatre. His favorite productions include Thom Pain (based on nothing), Next to Normal, 33 Variations, Freud's Last Session, and I Am My Own Wife. Mr. Mehring’s regional favorites for set design include The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Cincinnati 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. DANA REBECCA WOODS (Costume Designer) is happy to work with the cast and creative team for this production. Her design credits include Try/Step/Trip, MCA Chicago; Pipeline, Alabama Shakespeare Festival; The Color Purple (directed by Jeffrey Polk), Greenway Court Theatre; Sheldon Epps’ Blues in the Night, Post Street Theater; Shout Sister Shout!, Stop Kiss, and Above the Fold, Pasadena Playhouse; and Jitney and Fence, South Coast Repertory, among others. Film/TV design credits include Go for Sisters and Watch Over Me. Dana taught costumes at the University of Central Florida and belongs to the costume unions Local 829, Local 892, and Local 705. She is a Labor Organizer and an IATSE delegate to the LA County Federation of Labor. MATT CALLAHAN (Sound Designer) was the Resident Sound Designer for Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons. Some of his most recent designs for Ensemble Theatre include Fortune, Fun Home, and Ripcord. He was also a co-creator/designer of Rock n’ Roll: The Reunion Tour. He spent two seasons as the Resident Sound Designer at The Eugene O’Neil Center for their National Playwrights Conference. He was formerly the sound engineer for Steppenwolf Theatre, the Assistant Engineer for Blue Man Chicago, and a member of the disbanded Defiant Theatre. He received a Jeff Citation for Red Dragon, a nomination for Fortinbras, and a Kevin Kline nomination for Sherlock Holmes. KELLY YURKO (Wig Designer) has been the head of the Wig and Makeup Design program at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music since 2001, where her designs have been seen in several productions including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Xanadu, and The Marriage of Figaro. She has worked on several productions at Ensemble Theatre, including Violet, (all of) The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Whipping Man, Mrs. Mannerly, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and many more. Her work has been seen at Phoenix Theatre, The Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Wright State University, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Denver Theatre Center, and Ford’s Theatre. SHANNON RAE LUTZ (Properties Curator/Design Assistant) earned her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music in 1996 and became Properties Master at Ensemble Theatre. Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1988-1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC internship. Now the Director of Apprentice Programming, she is honored to guide ETC’s Professional Acting Apprentice Company. Shannon would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit.
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Production Bios
PRODUCTION BIOS JACK MURPHY (Technical Director) is excited to be part of another season at Ensemble Theatre! He grew up in the Cincinnati area and studied technical theatre at Hanover College. While there, he spent his summers at several different summer stock theatres as a carpenter. After graduation, he moved to Bellport, NY, to work for The Gateway Playhouse as a carpenter and rigger and went on to work for Norwegian Cruise Line. After another summer at the Janiec Opera Company as the Assistant Technical Director, he came full circle and returned home to Cincinnati. In 2013, Jack joined the team at ETC, where his favorite productions include An Illiad, Grounded, and Fun Home. He is eager to continue to do the cutting edge work for which ETC is known.
MARGOT WHITNEY (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a part of the Ensemble Theatre family this season! Her previous credits include Sweat on Broadway and the first national tours of Mean Girls, Come From Away, Bright Star, The King & I, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and War Horse. She has worked with The Public Theatre, Signature Theatre Company, New York Stage and Film, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, La Jolla Playhouse, Virginia Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati during the 2012-2013 Season, and Cincinnati Ballet. Margot received her BFA from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. She would like to send her love and thanks to family and friends!
LEXI MULLER (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to be back at Ensemble Theatre, where some of her credits include Fun Home, The Wolves, Skeleton Crew, and Fly By Night. Other regional credits include Sex with Strangers, The House, and 26 Pebbles with The Human Race Theatre Company. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a graduate of Wright State University, where she received her BFA in Stage Management. Lexi would like to thank her friends, family, and her extraordinary mother for supporting her every step of the way.
RAE KUHN (Scenic Charge Artist/Production Assistant) is in their fifth season at Ensemble Theatre. Rae graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Multidisciplinary degree focusing on fine arts, creative writing, and neuropsychology; however, technical theatre has been a hobby since high school. Rae is a former scenic artist for 3DX, and has worked in stage management, sound engineering, and special effects makeup for organizations including New Edgecliff Theatre, Falcon Theatre, and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. Rae began painting backdrops for ETC's Education Department, which led to their current position at ETC, where their favorite credits are Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bloomsday, and When We Were Young and Unafraid.
Production Bios
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WAYS HEADER A TO GIVE From playwrights to apprentices, and every role in between, your tax-deductible gift to ETC enables us to enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire audiences, as well as create a thriving urban arts community accessible to all through our world and regional premiere productions and award-winning Education, Engagement, and Inclusion programs. Become a member of our Ensemble today!
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ways to give
THE PREMIERE SOCIETY The Premiere Society recognizes the extraordinary individuals, families, and organizations whose generosity makes it possible for ETC to present world-class new works and awardwinning education, engagement, and inclusion programming for our community. The following list includes donors whose gifts were received between May 16, 2021 and May 15, 2022.
PLAYWRIGHTS ($20,000+) Anonymous ArtsWave Gale & Dave Beckett The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Denise & Martin Chambers The City of Cincinnati Burton & Susan Closson The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. Friedlander Family Fund Greater Cincinnati Foundation The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation Hamilton County, Ohio LKC Foundation The Mitchell S. & Jacqueline P. Meyers Foundation Ohio Arts Council P&G Fund* Palmer/Graber Family Fund The Schueler Group The Sittenfeld Family The Shubert Foundation, Inc. State of Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission State of Ohio Development Services Agency US Small Business Administration PRODUCERS ($10,000-$19,999) Anonymous Dinsmore & Shohl LLP John & Gloria Goering Family Gift Fund The Donald C. & Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation* Betty Huck In Memory of James A. Markley, Jr. PNC Foundation Alis Rule Robinson Dudley S. Taft Foundation Dale Uetrecht DIRECTORS ($5,000-$9,999) William J. Baude - Maurice E. Oshry Fund* Tom & Annette Carothers Dan Collopy Corky & Rick Family Foundation Crosset Family Fund* Arleene Keller Kenneth T. & Molly M. Mahler Diane & Dave Moccia George & Caroll Roden Kate Spencer & Doug Morriss Mary Stagaman & Ron Kull DESIGNERS ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (3) Nicholas Apanius Marcia Banker & Jeff Schloemer† Bryson Family Charitable Fund Susan Cohen & Robert Schmuelling Marilyn P. & Joseph W. Hirschhorn Fund* Linda Holthaus & Richard Zinicola† Johnson Investment Counsel Messer Construction
David & Judith Morgan Fund* Overbeck Charitable Fund Caroline Richards Digi & Mike Schueler Sprout Insight LLC Jo Ann Wieghaus
STAGE MANAGERS ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous Gordon Allen & Linda Baas Americana Arts Foundation William P. Anderson Foundation Judith & Louis Belli Malcolm A. & Glenda Bernstein* Michael Berry & Melanie Garner Jeff & Gay Bullock Barbara Carr & Bren Blaine Cissell Family Fund* Philip Clayton Brian & Elizabeth Coley Kathy Collins & Joseph Giglia Meredythe G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund* Philip K. & Anne Lilly Cone Fund* Mark Dauner† Mr. & Mrs. John R. Edwards Ehrsam Family Fund* Fencl Family Fund* Bob & Mary Fitzpatrick In Memory of Kathy Fuller Rita & Dennis Geiger Gilman Family Fund* Dr. & Mrs. Richard Glaser Linda Greenberg Fund* Dr. Robert & Suzanne Hasl Fund Marilyn F. Hill Emily M. Hodges & Charles H. Spencer Florette Hoffheimer William & Mary Jane James Keith & Patti James Robert Keith & Kathleen Thornton Keith Ginny & Rick Kuertz Andrea Levenson Young Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation Chris Lewis & Alicia Bond-Lewis Jackie Mack & Ted Silberstein Sophia McAllister Jill & Bruce Mitchell Anu & Shekhar Mitra Molly North Pepper Family Fund* Richard Postler & Manuel Hernandez Steven & Carol Reubel Mr. & Mrs. Gates T. Richards Charles Scott Riley III Foundation Jessica Ruebusch Jane Ruwet Hopson & Larry Pytlinski Alex & Kim Schutte Marvin & Betsy Schwartz Fund* Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Elizabeth Stites & Kevin Randall Richard & Kathleen Strenk Meggan Thompson Sonia Wagener Woodward Family Charitable Foundation The Dennis B. & Patricia L. Worthen Fund
Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention by contacting Josh Neumeyer: jneumeyer@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x2104.
* A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation † Sustaining Donor
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CAST ($500-$999) Anonymous (3) Christine Adams Todd & Ann Bailey Bank of America Charitable Foundation Joe & Dianne Berger Walter Blair The Blatt Family Fund David Brashear Daniel Brown & Mark Haggard Dawn & Doug Bruestle† Carol Buschur Margaret & Joseph Conway Jennifer Cook David Crotty & Joan von Handorf Kelly M. Dehan Kathy DeLaura & Ron Steinhoff† Jan Denton Rachel & Bernard Foster Sandi Gans† Bob Gerding Jane & Chip Gerhardt Donn Goebel & Cathy McLeod† Gary & JoAnn Hagopian James & Robin Huizenga Daniel Hurley Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Matching Gifts Program Amy Katz & Robert Cohen Dick & Mona Kerstine Beverly Kinney & Edward Cloughessy Sandra Kohn Kroger Community Rewards Program Russell Lascelles & Janet Schultz Limestone Fund* Anna Lovekin Aymie Majerski Mark D. Manley & Annette J. Wick David L. Martin John & Deborah Moffatt Bill & Ruth Morley Patti Myers & Alan Flaherty Catherine Northcutt Stratman Charitable Foundation Neda & Bruce Nutley Tory Parlin Adam Parrish Neal Patel & Dr Avani Modi† Alice Perlman Thomas & Marianne Phillips Presidential Plaza Associates, LTD Irene & Daniel Randolph Donor Advised Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation Hera G. Reines Becky & Ted Richards Holly Riffe & Sue Roth† Stephen & Helen Rindsberg Moe & Jack Rouse Susan & Clint Schertzer Arnie & Ina Shayne Mary Lee & Louie Sirkin Kenneth & Kathleen Skau Alan & Margie Ullman Ellen & Ray van der Horst Jennifer Verkamp Charitable Fund Ann & Victor Warner Karen & Barry Webb Pann & Terry Webb† Wuerdeman Family Fund* Fred Yaeger & Lisa Staggenborg Dr. David & Cynthia Zink RUNNING CREW ($250-$499) Anonymous (5) AmazonSmile Foundation Bob Amott & Janice Flanagan Evelyn Banzhaf Henrietta Barlag Mary Ann Bender Jane & Larry Bennett Teresa & Gordon Benson Bill & Janet Berger Glenn Bitzenhofer
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Richard Block Mark Bowen† Cassandra Brissette Denny & Mindy Burger† Kathy Burklow & John Berlier James & Diane Byerly Rebecca Campbell Nancy Cisneros Elizabeth Clark Patricia & Robert Clary Barbara Cummins Steve & Daina Dennis Scott DeVenny Paul & Bev Diamond† Emilie & David Dressler Fund* Dennis & Catherine Dunwoodie† Richard & Deirdre Dyson Barbara Feldmann Bill & Carol Fisher Daniel & Lela Foley Laurel Frank Larry Freeman Mary Friel Fran Gafvert Joanne Glaser Nancy Goldberg Deborah R. Grayson William Groneman & Maureen Flanagan Charitable Fund The Gumbleton Family Bob & Judy Heaton Richard & Lauren Hess Lori Hiltenbeitel Margaret S. Hodges Teresa Hoelle & Scott Provancher Joseph Huber Laurel & Mel Humes Carl Kalota Doug & Marguerite Katchen Gerald Kelly Sharon Kerns Greg Kloos Geri & Andy Kolesar Carmen & Rich Kovarsky Diane Laake Don Lane Robert Lee Warren Leight Carol Leslie† David Logan & Dale Hodges John & Kathy Lorenz Richard & Barbara Males Tim & Leslie Maloney Charles & Jennifer Margolis The McCready-Shore Family Anil Menon Earl Messer Dr. Ralph R. Meyer Ric Mierenfeld & Kim Heimbrock Danute Miskinis Mort & Barb Nicholson Fund* Paul & Mary Ann Odegard Michelle Parsons Darryl Peal David M. Piatt Fund* The Reed Family Foundation Darlene Reifenberger Bartley Reitz Marlene Riess Al Roane† Luke & Rachel Robinson Marianne R. Rowe Ross Royce J.R. Rulon† R. Sapona Martha & Lee Schimberg Ronald & Ruth Schmiedeker P. Robert Schwetschenau Jane Bogart Sellers† Eli E. Shupe, Jr. & Toby Ruben† Michael Siegrist Linda Silvati William Slutz Fred & Anne Straus Charitable Fund
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! To join our family of contributors with a donation of any size, please contact Josh Neumeyer: (513) 421-3555 x2104 Jennifer Stucker & John Eck Glenda Suttman Linda Tache Thomas Thompson Paul & Marion Thoms Scott & Sally Tieke Marty C. Tomb Anne Trauten Valerie Trentman Margaret & Michael Valentine Rosalie P. van Nuis Barbara & Tom Waldron Priscilla S. Walford Scott & Vicki Walker Buzz Ward Larry Weber Jan Welsh & Bruce Fairbanks Jay & Kate Wilford Jane Wittke Kathryn Wright Jeff Wysel Nora Zorich & Thomas Filardo Family Fund* APPRENTICES ($125-$249) Anonymous (10) Jim & Janice Amatulli Robert & Janet Banks Wilma & Herbert Beigel Barbara & Wayne Beimesch Mike & Juliette Bezold The Bloch Family Fund Peter Boylan Mark Breitenstein Dee Anne Bryll & Ed Cohen Daniel Burr Edward F. Buyniski Michele & Kevin Cain† Enrique Cedeno Virginia Cheeseman Ann Cochran Strasser Carol C. Cole College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet John & Cynthia Cozad Lee Crooks & Bill Menrath Charles & Lois Deitschel Mary & Scott Donaldson Carole Donnelly Elaine Drakos Cheryl Durie Linda Erpelding PJ Fischesser David Flaspohler In Memory of Ardyth Flottman† Rose & Daniel Gahl Alana & Shelly Gerson Melinda Gilbert Julie Grady Heard Catherine Grieve Debbie Grossblatt Deborah Grove Irving Harris Gwen Heilbrun Teresa Henderson Karlee Hilliard Lyle & Jennifer Horvath Barbara A. Jennings Janice Kagermeier Judith Kenniston Marvin & Gerry Kraus Mary LaBolt
Madelyn Levy Michael W. Mason Shelly Maxwell Anne McAdams Sherry & Steve McCamley Dr. & Mrs. Richard A. Meyer Norah & Joe Mock Heide Moser Barbara Myers The Honorable Norbert & Linnea Nadel Shawn & Marilyn Nolan Ms. Kathleen O'Connell & Dr. H. Kenneth Peterson Charlotte Otto Charles Powers Joetta Prost & Kathy Shell Laura Proto Lucy Putnam George & Joan Rebeck Richard Ryan Maria Saldivar Sharisse & A. Paloma Santos-Maddox Lynne Schmitt Kathryn Seibert Barbara Seiver Tim & Michelle Selnick Robert & Eleanor Shott Philanthropic Fund Mark Silbersack & Ruth Schwallie Pat Smart Tim Smith & Penny Poirier Jacqueline & Richard Snyder Jean Stead Laurie & Robert Sternberg Sara & Gunter Storjohann† Robert P. Streicher Dennis & Helen Sullivan Ida & John Tergerson Beverly Thomas Tom & Torey Torre U.S. Bank Employee Matching Program Mary Vicario Sheryl Vice Dorothy Wakefield Mary Watkins Mary Ann Weiss Jane Whalen Michael Wheatley Michael & Susan Whitehead† Patricia Wilson Karen Wittenberg† David Steven Ziegler† Ensemble Theatre acknowledges the following Partner Companies, Foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the Annual ArtsWave Community Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Your support helps make our community vibrant and connects people all across our region through the arts. Thank you! P&G Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation GE Aviation Cincinnati Bell Western & Southern Financial Group Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies City of Cincinnati Enquirer Media Great American Insurance Group Ohio National Financial Services U.S. Bank The H.B., E.W., and F. R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees Macy's Cincinnati Business Courier The Kroger Co. PNC The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation Duke Energy HORAN Cincinnati Reds * A Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation † Sustaining Donor
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PATRON INFORMATION ETC BOX OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and 2 hours prior to curtain. Weekend hours vary. CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES Actors’ Equity Association strictly prohibits the use of cameras or recording devices (including camera phones) in the theatre. ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS ETC offers audio-described performances, ASL-interpreted performances, wheelchair accessible seating, large-print programs, assistive listening devices, and sensory sensitivity items such as noise-canceling headphones and fidgets. SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES Select performances offered for those with developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy the production with lighting and sound adjustments and other accommodations. SALE POLICY Single-ticket purchases are final sale with no refund. If a patron is a no-show for their reserved performance, ETC is under no obligation to reschedule their tickets. LATECOMERS & ADMITTANCE Latecomers are 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. TAX CREDITS If 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.
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patron information
1127 Vine Street circa 1927 Image courtesy of Fifth Third Bank archives.
PARKING Patrons may park at the Gateway Garage (accessible via 12th Street) or at the surface lot, both conveniently located at the corner of Vine and 12th Streets. Parking is also available at Washington Park Garage and Mercer Commons Garage. 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. GROUPS & DISCOUNTS Groups of 8 or more can save on single-ticket prices. Student rates, rush discounts, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, ArtsWave Pass, and educator and military member discounts are available for select shows (please consult your appropriate membership(s) for details and exclusions).
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