IPELINE PPIPELINE BY DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
“Pipeline” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Anne Richards once famously remarked, "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels." This quote clearly illustrates the awkward balancing act women have been performing for years. Do I nurture my career or my children? Do I support my spouse or my own goals? Do I forego family life all together and focus on myself? This season at The Studio we are going to take a deep dive into the struggles women have faced finding their footing over the last two and a half centuries as homage to the centennial anniversary of women's suffrage this year. Women no longer need to wear heels, or even be the partner that follows. Instead, we can take the lead in footwear of our own choosing! We chose these four stories to highlight seminal moments in herstory so we can celebrate how far women have come and keep an eye on how far we have yet to go. I am proud to present season five at The Studio: "Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History". —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 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 Director, Nathaniel Niemi; Resident Musical Director, Gary Powell; Scenic Designer, Kenneth Constant; Lighting Director, David Krupla; Assistant Lighting Director, Lindsey Young; Sound Designer, Nick Erickson; Production Manager, Danielle Paccione; Technical Director, Clayton Becker; Production Stage Manager, Grace Zottig; Company Manager, Ryan Loeckel; Literary Manager, Rachel Whittington; Assistant Production Manager, Leslie Munson and Assistant Stage Manager, Stephanie Horn. #TheStudioTheatreTDS #Pipeline
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PIPELINE by Dominique Morisseau "Pipeline" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Originally Produced by Lincoln Center Theater in 2017, New York City 'PIPELINE' was commissioned by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago; Martha Lavey, Artistic Director, David Hawkanson, Executive Director. "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks. Used by Consent of Brooks Permissions
Producer Jason Goedken Director Roberta Emerson Costume Designer Annie Trombo
Artistic Director Whitney Morse
Cultural Coordinator Tavia Rivée Jefferson Lighting Designer Dave Krupla
Scenic Designer Kenneth Constant Sound/AV Designer Nick Erickson
Properties Designer Eric Desnoyers
Production Manager Danielle Paccione
Technical Director Clayton Becker
Company Manager Ryan Loeckel
Literary Manager Rachel Whittington
Production Stage Manager Grace Zottig
House Manager Heather Ard
Assistant Production Manager Leslie Munson
Assistant Stage Manager Stephanie Horn
Assistant House Manager Sierra Baggins
Assistant House Manager Doug Montgomery
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)'S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists (352) 751-7799
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DIRECTOR’S NOTE Pipeline is a story of a mother who is desperately trying to save her son from unnecessary harm. In Arthur Miller’s All My Sons Joe Keller similarly exclaims, “they were all my sons” referring to unnecessary loss of life in World War II. Why is this relevant as an opening thought for Pipeline you might ask? The answer is that our society does not apply this sentiment to everyone. This inequality is the reason the “pipeline” exists at all. Pipeline comes from the term “school-to-prison pipeline” whereby underprivileged and disadvantaged students are funneled out of public education into juvenile and criminal justice systems. But, they were ALL my sons... 51% White Black
31%
42%
16% Public School Enrollment
Multiple Suspensions
Zero-tolerance discipline has resulted in Black students facing disproportionately harsher punishment than white students in public schools.1 This is coupled with a school disciplinary system that disproportionately identifies black students as problematic, advancing them at an accelerated rate through a biased criminal system. According to the American Psychological Association, black boys as young as 10 may not be viewed in the same light of childhood innocence as their white peers - instead they are more likely to be mistaken as older, perceived as guilty, and face police violence if accused of a crime. But, they were ALL my sons... BLACK STUDENTS REPRESENT
OF SCHOOL-RELATED ARRESTS2
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We then look to the young mothers, survivors of this same system, simply wanting what’s best for their child, but with little or no hope of breaking out of the almost inevitable path to the pipeline. Knowing that every passing day their child faces a greater likelihood of discipline, punishment, wrongful accusation, stereotyping, violence, and perhaps death. But, they were ALL my sons... BLACK STUDENTS ARE SUSPENDED & EXPELLED
MORE THAN WHITE STUDENTS.3 I say all of this as a reminder that “Pipeline” isn’t just a play, it is a reality.
Students suspended or expelled for a discretionary violation are nearly three times more likely to be in contact with the juvenile justice system the following year.4 Please be advised that this production contains actual media footage capturing the mistreatment of Black and brown bodies that may trigger an emotional response. As you lean into this artistic experience, we challenge you to see beyond our stage, to acknowledge and explore how these systems exist, and how they continue to obstruct the future of marginalized communities. Even more, we invite you to create and contribute to a system where all are loved, all are educated, all are cared for, all are treated justly, and all our children have access to a bright future. Because in the end...
THEY ARE ALL OUR SONS. Thank you, Roberta Emerson For more resources please visit: www.TheSharonStudio.com/Pipeline
1 Data Snapshot: http://ocrdata.ed.gov/Downloads/CRDC-School-Discipline-Snapshot.pdf 2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Breaking School Rules http://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Breaking_Schools_Rules_Report_Final.pdf
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PIPELINE Go to school. Get suspended. Get expelled. Go to prison. Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities her pupils will never have. When Omari is involved in a controversial incident at his upstate private school, her hopes for her son clash with an educational system rigged against him. Now, Nya must confront his rage and her own choices as a parent without turning her back on the community that shaped him. Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau draws its name from the unfortunate social phenomenon of the school-to-prison pipeline that affects young black men. Gwendolyn Brooks' prophetic poem, "We Real Cool" is the backdrop of this passionate play about educators who see the humanity in their students and a family struggling to outrun social prophecy. Runtime: 90 minutes
PIPELINE Q&A WITH DIRECTOR ROBERTA EMERSON
JULY 20 • 3PM | ON SALE NOW! Robert Emerson holds a BFA in Acting and Theatre Management and a MFA in Acting. With these she has worked for many regional theaters around the country, has done extensive voice over and file work, in addition to teaching stateside and in Europe. With her experience and knowledge, this event is open to patrons who have any interest in theatre and acting and will delve into the content in Pipeline. Patrons do not need to have a Pipeline ticket in order to attend. Looking for a dialogue with the audience, Roberta would love to discuss the content matter of Pipeline with her audience.
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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES: NOW APPEARING ON THE SHARON STAGE! | ON SALE NOW
Preview: AUG 19 Opening: AUG 20 Closing: AUG 28
ElegAieSonsg Cycle by William Finn
“Elegies: A Song Cycle” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
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$15 Preview Performance $25 Performances "The living was the prize, the ending's not the story" -Goodbye lyrics from Elegies The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol presents their annual summer song cycle, Elegies by Tony Awardwinning composer, William Finn. This 5-person show is inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Elegies is a heartfelt collection of songs about the deaths of various people Finn has known, including some of his closest friends and family members. This work is a commentary on the rewards and woes of being part of a family, a group of friends, and a society in good times and bad. Although the show is all about death and dying, it's no sad trip down memory lane. Never morbid, Elegies is touching, funny, and ultimately buoyant; floating on the spirits of those who inhabit its songs.
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JADE L. JONES (Nya) is a singer, actress, and whole hearted performer. With a passion for entertainment, Jade jumped back into theatre with Cultural Fusion's production of Crowns. From there, she has successfully portrayed Celestina Warbeck in Universal Studio's Diagon Alley. Jade debuted her first lead role with Athens Theater in Deland as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. This UCF graduate is a native Floridian with a passion for the arts, and seeks to make a positive impact in the entertainment community. MATTHEW ZENON (Omari) Matthew Zenon has recently been seen in A Raisin in the Sun at the Garden Theatre in the role of Joseph Asagai. He’s a student at the University of Central Florida majoring in Theatre Studies with a minor in Mass Media. Zenon is grateful to be making his debut at The Studio Theatre in such a topical and meaningful play. Zenon would like to thank Roberta Emerson for trusting him once again, as his friends and family for always supporting him. IG: @mattzenon PATTI MCGUIRE (Laurie) Patti’s first appearance with The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol was in A Doll’s House playing the role of Anne-Marie. She also appeared in 5 of The Studio’s Virtual Readings this past summer. Patti moved to Orlando when cast as the original Iowa Housewife in Menopause, The Musical. She has appeared in Central Florida productions with Mad Cow, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Winter Park Playhouse, SeaWorld, and Fringe Festival. Before moving to Florida, Patti appeared in many productions in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Patti earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She recently retired from teaching and enjoys having more time to act, travel, and ride her Harleys. TROYELAN RICHARDSON (Jasmine) is an actress/comedian. Recently relocated to Atlanta from NYC, she is excited to perform with The Studio Theatre in her first regional production. Her recent theatre credits include Cowboy Face (Dixon Place), bloodymessysurprised (The New Ohio), Far Away (Playwrights Downtown), and Ruined (Atlantic Acting School). She is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts (2019) where she studied at the Atlantic Acting School, The Experimental Theatre Wing, and The International Theatre Workshop in Amsterdam. She gives all of her thanks to God, her family, and friends who support her endlessly. www.troyelan.com, IG: @the_real_te
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DAMANY OMAR RILEY (Dun) is happy to return to The Studio Theatre. He was last seen in The Studio's stage production of Spike Heels and streaming productions of Deborah and Round Table: A Sort of LARP. He was George in (The Studio Theatre’s) Stop Kiss. Other credits include; Pride and Prejudice, Fences, Big River (Mad Cow Theatre) Shakespeare’s Terminator the Second (Hardly Working Productions) The Life, Once on this Island (Breakthrough Theatre) Les Miserables (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre) Much Ado About Nothing (Bridgeport Shakespeare). Damany studied Musical Theatre at Catawba College. He is pleased to create with this wonderful cast and would like to thank you for supporting live theatre! Many thanks to Mo whos love and support continues to make this journey possible. ESDRAS TOUSSAINT (Xavier) is a Haitian born, American actor, director, producer, and teacher with a passion for community outreach. He earned his MFA in Theatre from Columbia University. Esdras now works and lives in the Los Angeles area where he continues his work in community engagement. His directing credits include: Timon of Athens, Antony and Cleopatra, Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, Clybourne Park, and the internationally renowned play Outspoken by the great Blaire Baron Larsen. Among his most cherished roles on the stage are: Christopher Sly from Taming of the Shrew and George Milton from Of Mice and Men. He is forever grateful to the theatre audience, and his acting coach James Brill of The Neighborhood Playhouse. AMBRIA M. BENJAMIN (U/S for Jasmine) is 2021 graduate of the Theatre Conservatory at Montverde Academy headed to Boston University this Fall to further pursue her passion. Whether collaborating with a cast on stage, or a creative team behind the scenes, Ambria treasures the opportunity to engage in theatre anyway she can. Of the many roles she’s played, her favorites are: the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone, Jovie in Elf: The Musical, Francine/Lena in Clybourne Park, Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly!, and, most recently, Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun at the Garden Theatre. IG: @ambriambenjamin
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ALYSON JOHNSON (U/S Laurie) has performed for nearly 20 years in Central Florida regional and community theatres. Some favorites include 9 to 5, Ada and the Engine, Neighbors: A Fair Trade Agreement, A Doll’s House, Stop Kiss, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Next to Normal (The Studio Theatre); Bonnie & Clyde (Garden Theatre); Young Frankenstein, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha (Moonlight Players, Clermont FL); Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Noises Off, (Bay Street Players, Eustis FL). Graduate of University of Central Florida, 2001 and 2019. She is thrilled to be returning to The Studio Theatre, and thanks her family for their love, support, and encouragement – and all of you for supporting socially distanced theatre! ROBERTA EMERSON (Director) is a Director, Actor and Producer, and teacher among many other hats she proudly wears. She is a graduate of both the University of Minnesota with BFA in Acting and Theatre Management and New York University with an MFA in Acting. She has worked as and actor and director in many regional theaters around the country, has done extensive voice over commercial and film work, and has been a teaching artist both state side and in Europe. She is currently the Director of Theatre for Montverde Academy's Theatre Conservatory, Associate Artistic Director for Garden Theatre and is repped by Lock Talent. DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU (Author) is the author of The Detroit Project (A 3-Play Cycle), which includes the following plays: Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre), and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays include: Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre), Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre); Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre) and Follow Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages). She is also the Tony-nominated book writer on the new Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial Theatre). Dominique is alumna of The Public Theater Emerging Writer’s Group, Women’s Project Lab and Lark Playwrights Workshop, and has developed work at Sundance Lab, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference. She most recently served as Co-Producer on the Showtime series Shameless (3 seasons). Additional awards include: Spirit of Detroit Award, PoNY Fellowship, Sky-Cooper Prize, TEER Trailblazer Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, Obie Award (2), Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, Variety’s Women of Impact for 2017-18, and a recent MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow.
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CAST Nya.......................................................................... Jade L. Jones Omari................................................................. Matthew Zenon Laurie..................................................................... Patti McGuire Jasmine........................................................TroyElan Richardson Dun.............................................................Damany Omar Riley Xavier..................................................................Esdras Toussaint U/S Jasmine................................................ Ambria M. Benjamin U/S Nya............................................................ Roberta Emerson U/S Laurie........................................................... Alyson Johnson DIRECTION Producer................................................................ Jason Goedken Artistic Director................................................... Whitney Morse Show Director................................................... Roberta Emerson Cultural Coordinator................................... Tavia Rivée Jefferson PRODUCTION Production Manager..........................................Danielle Paccione Assistant Production Manager................................Leslie Munson Technical Director.................................................Clayton Becker Literary Manager........................................... Rachel Whittington Company Manager...................................................Ryan Loeckel Production Stage Manager........................................Grace Zottig Assistant Stage Manager.......................................Stephanie Horn SCENIC Scenic Designer................................................Kenneth Constant Master Carpenter.................................................Preston Speaker Scenic Carpenters.............................Tony Fairchaild, David Bost, Chad Pavlovich, Luke Bezio Scenic Artists................................ Leslie Munson, Layna Hoopfer
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COSTUMES Costume Designer..................................................Annie Trombo Costume Assistant.................................................. Analise Cutter
LIGHTING Lighting Director/Designer..................................... David Krupla Master Electrician/Light Board Operator...............Lindsey Young
AUDIO VISUAL Sound/AV Designer............................................... Nick Erickson Audio Engineer........................................................... Luke Bezio
PROPERTIES Properties Designer/Master................................... Eric Desnoyers Properties Assistant.................................................... Heather Ard
HOUSE MANAGEMENT House Manager......................................................... Heather Ard Assistant House Manager........................................Sierra Baggins Assistant House Manager............................... Doug Montgomery Read more about our production team and designers at www.TheSharonStudio.com
SPECIAL THANKS The Villages® Marketing Tierra del Sol Bar & Grill
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ANNOUNCING SEASON 6 Tiny Revolutions,Big Changes.
BROADBEND, ARKANSAS
THE CAKE By Bekah Brunstetter
11/22/21-12/18/21
9/28/21-10/30/21
BACK ON THE STUDIO STAGE THIS FALL!
Act 1 (“Just One Q”) book & lyrics by
Ellen Fitzhugh, with music by Ted Shen
Act 2 (“Ruby”) book & lyrics by Harrison David Rivers, with music & additional lyrics by Ted Shen
URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL
“The Cake” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
No. 6 By T.J. Young
Music & lyrics by Mark Hollmann Book & lyrics by Greg Kotis
URINETOWN was produced on Broadway in September, 2001 by the Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals in association with TheaterDreams, Inc., and Lauren Mitchell
3/29/22-4/30/22
1/25/22-2/26/22
Presented by special arrangement with Stage Rights (www.stagerights.com)
“No. 6” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
New subscriptions & individual tickets ON SALE NOW Visit our website to review seating charts.
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“AUTHENTIC & EXCITING” THE STAGE
“FOR ONCE YOU CAN BELIEVE THE HYPE” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
Taylor Bloom as
PAUL SIMON S I O N L E X M P C O
STAR A
DUST
DAV TE TO TR IB U
W ID B O
IE
Benjamin Cooley as
ART GARFUNKEL
NOV 10 2PM & 7:30PM $40 - $75
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