Welcome to our Virtual Play Reading Series. I am excited to be able to share theatre with all of you in this new way. As you may know we announced our fifth season at The Studio recently, it will include: Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck, Pipeline by Dominique Morriseau, 9 to 5 The Musical by Dolly Parton and Ada and the Engine by Lauren Gunderson. We chose those stories to highlight seminal moments in herstory so we can celebrate how far women have come and keep an eye on how far women have yet to go. We have selected those stories around the theme: “Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History.” Now as we embark on this new chapter in our global history, I wanted to find a way to continue to bring theatre to our patrons in a way that will support the work we will be doing in the future. We started the series with George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, and now we will continue to bring you stories that highlight the struggles women have faced through out history. This week’s installment is Accommodation, a high school science teacher is accused of not honoring the state and federal-mandated modifications required for a student's different learning style, she loses her cool in an explosive tirade, provoking a high-stakes lawsuit against the school district. Enjoy The Show, Whitney Morse, Artistic Director
Has been cancelled; no longer postponed. All ticket holders will be receiving a gift certificate for the full amount of their purchase. As a special thank you for being a supporter of The Studio Theatre, we have also added an additional 5% onto your gift certificate. We will begin sending these to your primary email address that we have on file. Thank you for your support.
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ACCOMMODATION By Greg Burdick
Producer Jason Goedken Artistic Director Whitney Morse Director Nathaniel Niemi
Production Manager Danielle Paccione
Company Manager Ryan Loeckel
Stage Manager Amber Sacks
Assistant Production Manager Layna Hoopfer
Assistant Production Manager Leslie Munson
Anne Roteman Patti McGuire
Mrs. Newsome Brittney M. Caldwell
Celeste Dawkins Heather Currie
Ruth Lopez Vallea E. Woodbury
Michael Newsome Malakai Green
Stage Directions Nathaniel Niemi
Stay tuned after the show for a talk back with the actors and director. You can ask questions about the play, its history and the performance! TheStudioTheatre
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ACCOMMODATION By Greg Burdick Streaming: JUNE 19 | 1PM EDT The apple doesn’t fall far from the teacher A concerned parent, whose son is in danger of failing one of his classes, schedules a conference with Celeste Dawkins, her son's high school science teacher. When accused of not honoring the state and federal-mandated modifications required for her son's different learning style, Dawkins loses her cool in an explosive tirade, provoking a high-stakes lawsuit against the school district. With her job on the line, Dawkins raises questions about the inherent risks of making special considerations for students claiming to have unique needs in her classroom, when the real world outside its walls doesn't seem to care. Accommodation was a finalist in the 2019 Scripts from Scratch staged readings at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Join us now as we revisit this thought-provoking play using this new virtual platform.
THE SQUIRREL PLAYS By Mia McCullough Streaming: JUNE 26 | 1PM EDT Infestation, Compensation, and Eradication The Squirrel Plays is a trilogy of one-acts by Mia McCullough. It’s a metaphorical depiction of relevant social issues in America today. The plays broach many sensitive subjects including unwanted pregnancies, the use of public funds for termination, gun violence, and racism all under the guise of squirrels and the suburban community’s plans to control the small animals. These absurdist comedies about squirrel problems are a hilarious metaphor for social issues presented in a timely dark comedy about middle class liberal hypocrisy.
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COMING SOON
TARTUFFE By Moliére Adapted by Bobbie Bell Streaming: JULY 3 | 1PM EDT A sap, a shyster, and a slew of sinful shenanigans Tartuffe is a classic comedy by Moliére adapted by The Studio favorite Bobbie Bell (Lysistrata) and is set in the roaring 20’s Jazz Age. This screwball comedy follows the influential Parnell family as the patriarch is duped by Tartuffe. Reverend Tartuffe is a sanctimonious scoundrel who, professing extreme piety, insinuates himself into the household and slowly strips the Parnell family of their wealth. With many of the men duped, the women of the house rebuff Tartuffe’s sexual advances and see through his guise. It’s up to the ladies to expose the Reverend’s hypocrisy and save the estate. Join us this week for this modern twist on a 17th century classic comedy. It sure to be the bee’s knees.
COMING SOON
EAT YOUR HEART OUT By Nicole Zimmerer Streaming: JULY 10 | 1PM EDT Thirsty for blood, hungry for love In a world where mythological creatures and humans try to coexist in society, Eat Your Heart Out is a play about three sexy siren sisters. After a young man mysteriously goes missing, they flee to Virginia. They try to pass as humans to evade the detective who has hunted them for years. Ilione, the youngest of the sisters, suffered a horrific attack and now uses a wheelchair. Upon their arrival she bonds with their neighbor, Ty. The illusion ends when Ty discovers their secret. Stuck between two worlds, Ilione must choose between the boy she’s fallen for and her sisters. Will Illione find true love or will there be deadly consequences?
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ElegAieSosng Cycle
by William Finn
ON SALE NOW ELEGIES A SONG CYCLE By William Finn Preview: AUG 13 Opening: AUG 14 | Closing: AUG 22
“Elegies: A Song Cycle� is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
$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 Award-winning 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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SEASON 5 | Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History 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. We are proud to present season five at The Studio: "Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History".
SPIKE SPIKE HEELS S HEEL
PIPELINE LINE PIPE
ADA & THE ENGINE
BY DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
BY THERESA REBECK
BY LAUREN GUNDERSON MUSIC & LYRICS BY DOLLY PARTON
BOOK BY PATRICIA RESNICK
BASED ON THE 20TH CENTURY FOX PICTURE ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY ROBERT GREENBLATT, APRIL 2009
“Pipeline” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
“Spike Heels” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
9/22/20-10/24/20
11/17/20-12/19/20
9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
1/26/21-3/13/21
4/6/21-5/8/21
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
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BRITTNEY M. CALDWELL (Mrs. Newsome) is from San Diego, CA. She received her Masters of Fine arts in Acting from The University of Florida. She recently performed in the play she wrote and co-directed, From Colored To Black. Other shows include Building the Wall (Civic Media Center), The Virgin Trial (Cygnet Theatre), It Shoulda Been You (The Studio Theatre), Wakey, Wakey (Urbanite Theatre), This is War (ART), and Stage Kiss (The Hippodrome). Some of her favorite roles have been in The Colored Museum, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, and The Gnadiges Fraulein. HEATHER CURRIE (Celeste Dawkins) is thrilled to work with The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol again after having recently played Sarah Jane Moore in Assassins. Ms. Currie’s artistic home is Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, where she has worked as an actor, director and playwright for the last twelve years. Favorite acting credits include: One Came Home, Duck for President, Mrs. Popper’s Penguins (Lifeline Theatre); Godspell (Circle Theatre); Nunsense (Foundation Theatre). Most recently, she played the Wicked Witch in WOZ: A Rock Cabaret featuring Andre De Shields (Victory Gardens Theater). Ms. Currie holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and teaches in the department of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago. MALAKAI GREEN (Michael Newsome) is thrilled to make his debut at The Studio Theatre. He's an Orlando native. He attended Rollins College and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts in 2018. After graduation, he spent the following three months training at the William Esper Studio in NYC. Some of his favorite theatrical roles include John Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility, Bill Livingston in The Women of Lockerbie, Alan in God of Carnage, and Victor Index in Church of Saint Bearer. He can also be spotted in multiple commercials, streaming on Hulu and ESPN. When he's not working on stage or in front of the camera he enjoys sports, video games, and interviewing young adults on his interview series/podcast, “Too Young To be Tired.”
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PATTI MCGUIRE (Anne Roteman) first appearance with The Studio Theatre was in A Doll’s House playing the role of AnneMarie. 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. VALLEA E. WOODBURY (Ruth Lopez) is delighted to return to The Studio and collaborate to create art in these trying times. You may have seen her in the 2018 production of Company. Other favorite credits include Caroline or Change (Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe), Ain't Misbehavin' (Stage Door Players), La Cage aux Folles (Out Front Theatre), Bob's Marley's Three Little Birds (Synchronicity), The Crucible (Actors Express), Singles in Agriculture (Aurora), Tell Me My Dream (Alliance Theatre), The Color Purple, The Musical and A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and The Second City Chicago. Vallea trained at the School at Steppenwolf and The Second City Chicago Improv Conservatory, and holds degrees from the University of Georgia (MFA) and Northwestern www.vallea.com
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NATHANIEL NIEMI (Director) is thrilled to be directing Accommodation! He previously directed The Studio's virtual play reading of Lysistrata and A Woman of No Importance. Recent credits include Sparkle at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Hawaii: Thumbelina, Ouch!, Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play (Honolulu Theatre for Youth), Noodle Doodle Box (Hawaii Theatre). Chicago: How to Survive a Fairy Tale, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Musical, Dooby Dooby Moo, Duck for President, Click Clack Boo (Lifeline Theatre), The Baker's Wife (Circle Theatre), Into the Woods (Quest), Hey Dancin'! Hey Musical! (Factory Theatre). TV: "Hawaii 5-O". Nathaniel holds an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Hawaii at MÄ noa and is a recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Directing Award. Nathaniel is currently the Resident Director at The Studio Theatre and the Director of Education at The Sharon. GREG BURDICK (Playwright) is thrilled to return to The Studio Theatre with Accommodation after it took part in the 2019 Scripts from Scratch Series. Theatre Arts educator and director originally from Pittsburgh, PA, his plays have been produced by BoxFest Detroit, Rhino Theatre, the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, Radio Theatre Project of Studio@620, and developed in Baltimore, New York City, Oklahoma City, Lake Charles, Boca Raton, Miami, and most recently in Houston, TX and Tottori, Japan. This past summer, his play Monessen Falls made its U.S. Premiere at Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company in Reno, NV. Proud member and West Coast Florida Ambassador for the Dramatists Guild, he lives in Lakeland, FL. To learn more, visit gregburdickplaywright.com
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CAST Anne Roteman.............................................................................Patti McGuire Mrs. Newsome.................................................................. Brittney M. Caldwell Celeste Dawkins......................................................................... Heather Currie Ruth Lopez.........................................................................Vallea E. Woodbury Michael Newsome....................................................................... Malakai Green Stage Directions.......................................................................Nathaniel Niemi
PRODUCTION TEAM Director...................................................................................Nathaniel Niemi Stage Manager................................................................................ Amber Sacks Production Manager............................................................... Danielle Paccione Assistant Production Manager.....................................................Layna Hoopfer Assistant Production Manager..................................................... Leslie Munson Company Manager/Editor............................................................ Ryan Loeckel Reading Graphics..................................................................... Kenny Constant Sound Design...............................................................................Nick Erickson
SPECIAL THANKS The VillagesÂŽ Marketing
Stay safe & enjoy the show!
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