W. HERE. THIS.
Book by Hunter Bell & Susan Blackwell Music & Lyrics By Jeff Bowen
At some point in all of our lives we have felt like an outsider, like no one will ever accept us for who we are. We have all experienced that constant struggle between conforming to societal norms and the desire to fully express oneself. This year at The Studio Theatre™ we will look closely at all the wonderful things that make us different. But I hope that what we’ll find is that those differences are the very thing that bind us all together as human beings. We have selected four stories that share a common theme of searching for your true individuality. These stories will delve deeply into the experiences of those who feel that who they truly are will not be accepted by society. In Season Three we are having a party, a party of differences. Announcing The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s Third Season: “Individuality: Take the leap and celebrate the difference.”
—Whitney Morse, Artistic Director
ABOUT THE STUDIO THEATRE™:
Tierra del Sol was formerly a Country Club with performances as a backdrop to the outstanding food and impeccable golf course views. It has since transitioned, bringing the performances to the forefront by evolving into a new Black Box Theatre. The Studio Theatre™ is now a flexible theatre with one 120 seats and options for Thrust, Round, or Proscenium style seating. The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol's season runs from late September through April each year with four productions running approximately 130 total performances.
The Studio Theatre is an extension of The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center, located in The Spanish Springs Town Square®, in The Villages® community. The Sharon is primarily a touring house hosting a variety of artistic disciplines ranging from concerts and comedians to dance, musicals, and operas. The Sharon seats just over 1,000 guests in a multi-level theater offering state of the art audio, visual, and theatrical rigging systems to create an entertainment experience second to none.
The Studio Theatre is led by Producer Jason Goedken and Artistic Director Whitney Morse. Resident Directer, Nathaniel Niemi; Resident Musical Director, Gary Powell; Scenic Designer, Kenneth Constant; Lighting Designer, Eric Van Tassell; Sound/AV Designer, Nick Erickson; Production Manager, Danielle Paccione; Technical Director, Clayton Becker; Stage Manager, Grace Zottig and House Manager, Grace Petty.
#TheStudioTheatreTDS #NowHereThis
Now. Here. This.
Book By Hunter Bell & Susan Blackwell
Music & Lyrics By Jeff Bowen
Based on the Collaboration by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susuan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove
Now. Here. This. was originally produced by the VINEYARD THEATRE, Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Executive Producer, New York City, 2012.
Development of Now. Here. This. was supported by the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center during a residency at the Cabaret and Performance Conference of 2009.
NOW. HERE. THIS. is presented through special arrangement with R& H Theatricals: www.rnh.com
Producer Jason Goedken
Artistic Director Whitney Morse Director Nathaniel Niemi
Musical Director Gary Powell
Scenic Designer Kenneth Constant Costume Coordinator Stephanie Horn
Lighting Designer Lindsey Young
Sound/AV Designer Nick Erickson Production Manager Danielle Paccione
Technical Director Clayton Becker
Stage Manager Grace Zottig
House Manager Grace Petty
Company Manager Autumn Encarnación
NOW. HERE. THIS.
Get more life.
Amoebas, amino acids, and a giant-ass rock. Journey with us through time and space in this cosmic comedy as we join four friends in the Natural History Museum. They explore their personal history and its microscopic place in the great chasm of the universe. Between exhibits on turtles, space, birds, and the bees these four find themselves contemplating how we got here. Step out of the museum and directly into the present moment, to experience the adventure of your own life. Now - not the past or the future. Here - exactly where you are. This - whatever it is you're doing… if you can get to the intersection of these three things… you will be free to truly appreciate your life.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
What Are The Odds (All)
More Life (All)
Dazzle Camouflage (Man 1 & Others)
Give Me Your Attention (Woman 2)
Members Only (All)
I Rarely Schedule Nothing (Woman 1)
Cacophony (All)
Archer (Man 2)
That'll Never Be Me (Woman 1 & Woman 2)
Kick Me (Man 1 )
That Makes Me Hot (All)
Then Comes You (All)
Golden Palace (Woman 1 & Others)
Get Into It (All)
This Time (Woman 2 & Others)
~ There will be one 15 minute intermission ~
CAST
WHITNEY MORSE (Woman 1) won Broadway World's award for Best Supporting Actress for Proof in the Inaugural Season at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Morse kicked off the first season in Next To Normal, The Last Five Years, Proof, and Songs for a New World. In The Studio Theatre's second season, Morse starred in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune as Frankie, and in Company as Amy. Over this past summer at The Studio Theatre, Morse accomplished a once-in-a-lifetime acting experience in White Rabbit Red Rabbit. She also performed a onewoman run of fourteen sold-out performances for Tell Me On a Sunday. Audiences have most recently seen her play the iconic role of Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. Her Central Florida Theatre credits include The Secret Garden, 1776 and Big River (Mad Cow Theatre). Chicago: Next To Normal (Skokie Theatre), Other Desert Cities (Citadel Theatre), The Children's Hour (Pride Films and Plays), Spike Heels (Brown Paper Box), Down Range (Genesis Theatricals), Trafford Tanzi and I Carry Your Heart (Prologue Theatre Company), Accomplice (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center), The Turn of the Screw, Jeeves at Sea, Unnecessary Farce and The Merchant of Venice (First Folio Theater). Whitney is the Artistic Director of The Sharon and The Studio Theatre. MFA Acting - Columbia University School of the Arts. www.whitneymorse.com
CHANTELLE COGNEVICH (Woman 2) was last seen at The Studio Theatre as Jenny Steinberg in It Shoulda Been You and also as Susan in Company and is stoked to be back! Gollum Owned a Tropical Smoothie (Sound Bites 6.0), See What I Wanna See; Shining Lives: the musical (PenArts,Inc), Hairspray (Mac-Haydn), South Pacific, Peter Pan, Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping (Jenny Wiley Theatre). Favorite roles: Romeo and Juliet (Nurse), On the Verge (Alex), Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). Chantelle is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has her BFA in musical theatre. Many thanks to the team at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol and to her family. www.chantellecognevich.com
NICK SHODA (Man 1) is thrilled to be working with The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol for the first time! He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, and has appeared in many Chicagobased productions, including Pacific Overtures (Porchlight Music Theatre), Now. Here. This., A New Brain, Godspell, and Reefer Madness (Brown Paper Box Co.), Next to Normal (MadKap Productions), Recurring John (Underscore Theatre Company), Homefront (Project 891 Theatre Company), and Evolution/ Creation (Quest Theatre Ensemble). TV credits include Chicago Fire. Nick is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent and can be found on Twitter @NickShoda
DAVID PAUL ROWAN (Man 2) is excited to be back with The Studio this summer for Now. Here. This. David attended the University of North Florida where he received his Bachelors of Music Education concentrating in violin and voice. He served as the choir and theatre director for The Villages High School for three years. David has had the opportunity of performing for Star Wars in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic and sang on stage with Patti Lupone at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Previous roles include Jonah in Bad Jews, David in Company, Lt. Cable in South Pacific, Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden and Marty in It Shoulda Been You. David would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support.
IG - @davidpaulrowan
DIRECTORS
NATHANIEL NIEMI (Director) is thrilled to be working with The Studio Theatre. Credits include H2O: The Story of Water and Hawaii (tour), You and Me and the Space Between, Ordinary Ohana (Honolulu Theatre for Youth) A Murder of Crows, The Thin Man on the Ladder (University of Hawaii at Manoa), and Rose and the Rime (Chaminade University Collegiate Theatre Festival). Nathaniel is a graduate of the MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences (Directing Concentration) program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is a recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Directing Award through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Nathaniel is a former Artistic Associate at Honolulu Theatre for Youth and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
GARY POWELL (Music Director) has been musically directing and staging shows for over 30 years in Texas, Chicago, New York City, and now Central Florida. Gary currently serves as the Resident Music Director for both The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol Gary is proud to have been the Music Director since the inaugural season of The Studio Theatre and has worked with such talented actors and musicians for Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Songs For a New World. Select standouts of Gary's career include Into The Woods, Sound of Music, Godspell, Brigadoon, South Pacific, and Next to Normal. He has worked on several world premiere productions including: Tomorrow Morning and Scotch Verdict. While directing in Chicago, Gary was nominated for several Jeff Awards for the following productions: American Premier of Jerry Springer-The Opera, Thrill Me, Addam's Family, Opus 1861, The Baker's Wife, Kiss of The Spider Woman, Evolution/Creation, and Cats among several others. Gary has recently been nominated for Best Music Direction by Broadway World for Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Songs for a New World.
CAST
Woman 1 ............................................................ Whitney Morse
Woman 2 .................................................... Chantelle Cognevich
Man 1 ....................................................................... Nick Shoda
Man 2 ............................................................ David Paul Rowan
Male Voiceover .................................................... Eric Van Tassell
Female Voiceover ........................................ Autumn Encarnación
PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager ......................................... Danielle Paccione
Technical Director ................................................Clayton Becker
Scenic Designer ............................................... Kenneth Constant
Costume Coordinator ......................................... Stephanie Horn
Lighting Designer..................................................Lindsey Young
Assistant Lighting Designer ................................. Eric Van Tassell
Sound/AV Designer Nick Erickson
Prop Master............................................................. Amber Sacks
Stage Manager ..........................................................Grace Zottig
Assistant Stage Manager/Audio Operator Amber Sacks
Master Carpenter ................................................ Preston Speaker
Scenic Carpenter ................................................... Tony Fairchild
SPECIAL
THANKS
The Villages® Marketing Tierra del Sol Bar & Grill
City Furniture for providing The Studio Theatre with all the furniture for this season’s productions. The Villages Movie Theaters
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