THE REVOLUTIONISTS Digital Program

MARCH 18 - APRIL 3 Directed by Dee Dee Batteast

Lisa Abbott

Devon Hayakawa

Arizsia Staton

Megan Tiller

Olympe De Gouges Marianne Angelle

Charlotte Corday

Marie-Antoinette

“You don’t write what you know, you write what you want.”

“It might be fiction, but it’s not fake.”

Lauren Gunderson, The Revolutionists

If you’re like me, and the fact that you’re reading this in any capacity probably means you’re at least a little like me, then you truly know and appreciate the power of live theatre and its importance in our society. I am so proud to be the Managing Artistic Director of Farmers Alley Theatre, an arts organization that strives to embrace the power of theatre as it reflects the diverse human experience. To put on a play such as Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists and to see it succeed on this level is of great import to me, as well as our entire executive staff and our Board of Directors.

What Ms. Gunderson has done in giving voices to these women, voices which too often are brushed aside (and in some cases erased entirely), is nothing short of astounding.

There’s a reason why she is America’s most popular playwright. Not most popular female playwright, but simply playwright. Strong, smart women have always been there throughout history, and documenting and educating ourselves about their achievements and struggles have been kept in the wings for far too long. I’m happy to give them center stage.

These women have shaped me to be the human being I am today: My mother Mel – who first taught me about peace, love, music, and empathy; my wife Denene – who is smart, strong and resilient and an amazing mom and life partner; my second mother Kathy – who has mentored me as a producer and artist and given me tremendous support; and my daughter Carly – who is as kind and compassionate as she is independent and resourceful.

I see shades of all of these important women in my life reflected onstage in the brilliant characters that these four actors have brought to life here in Kalamazoo. And leading the charge has been our fierce and fabulous director, Dee Dee Batteast. It has been one of the privileges of my professional life to see these women, work, laugh, cry and just exist as they are. Thank you.

If after tonight you still want to be wowed by the artistry of insanely talented women, I suggest you get a ticket to our next production, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill – about the final days of legendary singer, Billie Holiday. It’s an honor to collaborate once more with the Gilmore Piano Festival as we did with such other thrilling works like Liberace!, Murder for Two and Old Wicked Songs. Tickets are available online or at our box office after the show.

Thank you for coming out to the theatre, for supporting a new, unknown show like The Revolutionists, and for recognizing how vital the theatrical arts are to our community and the world. Art truly has the power to change minds and inspire mankind.

With gratitude and appreciation,

@farmersalleytheatre

@farmersalleytheatre

Jeremy Koch

Jeremy Koch Artistic Director

@farmersalley

@farmersalleytheatre

a note from the Director The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.

-Zora Neale Hurston When Americans think of revolution we tend to think of a gathering of men. They are strong and noble and they all look alike. They of course look like the men who wrote the history of revolutions. When we read the history of the event, we trust the “facts”. Handsome men with noble ideas took up arms, discussed a location and fought to change the world. We don’t ask questions.

We don’t ask who’s missing from the narrative. Which is a kind of trick that history plays on us.

We all collectively know that women did not disappear during times of civil and political upheaval. We all know that revolution is less like a scheduled event and more like a wave.

When it comes it sweeps through everyone’s lives and re-orders everyone’s work regardless of gender.

We know they don’t start in the streets. Revolutions start as ideas, hopes, and dreams that spill out over kitchen tables and writing desks. They flutter across hot fields and crowded factories from worker to worker, and women were there. Women were organizing, and recording events. Some were held aloft as figure heads. Some were set apart and made examples of and others took up arms and spilled the blood of their enemies.

The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson reclaims the narrative of women who have been purposefully revised out of the story. Their absence isn’t a mistake. These women were revised and erased with great intention and it is with great intention and artistic liberty that Gunderson reclaims them.

As we as a nation continue to evolve so too does our understanding of the living narrative we call history. More importantly, we are beginning to understand that who writes it down is just as important as what happened. Because if the author is good enough they transform narrative into legacy. Legacy is a story so powerful that it immortalizes the characters at the center of the story preserving them forever in memory.

The women at the center of The Revolutionists are worthy of this re-write. They are hoping to stay with you. They are hoping to stick. Lord knows they’ve waited long enough.

Dee Dee Batteast

Dee Dee Batteast

presents

March 18 - April 3, 2022 Director…………………….............Dee Dee Batteast (she/her) Technical Director…...........…….Mike Borzkowski (he/him) Scenic Design……………...............Samantha Snow (she/her) Lighting Design……..............................Jason Frink (he/him) Sound Design……...................……Austin Donovan (he/him) Prop Design ………....................Savannah Draper (she/her) Costume Design……………..........Kathryn Wagner (she/her) Wig/Hair Design…………………..........Steve Hodges (he/him) Stage Manager…….................Roger W. Burleigh* (he/him) Asst. Stage Manager…….....................Julie Minar (she/her) Asst. Director……….............….Chloe Marie Davis (she/her) Master Electrician……...................Maggie Jonker (she/her) Scenic Artist……....................…Savannah Draper (she/her) Dramturg………................................Devon Hayakawa (any) Wardrobe……...................................Marcia Smith (she/her) House Manager…...........................…Becky Klose (she/her) Artistic Director…........................…..Jeremy Koch (he/him) *Proud Member of Actors’ Equity Association

The joy of live theatre. Together. farmers alley theatre | 221 farmers alley | kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 269.343.2727 | www.farmersalleytheatre.com

the cast Olympe De Gouges…….....................Lisa Abbott (she/her) Charlotte Corday……....................Devon Hayakawa* (any) Marianne Angelle……….................Arizsia Staton (she/her) Marie-Antoinette………...................Megan Tiller* (she/her) *proud member of Actors’ Equity Association

the crew Light Board Operator Roger W. Burleigh (he/him) Floor Manager Julie Minar (she/her) Floor Crew Steve Hodges (he/him) Sound Board Operator Roger W. Burleigh (he/him) Assistant Carpenter Michael Bruno (he/him) Isaac Middleton (he/him)

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS

Lisa Abbott (Olympe De Gouges) is thrilled to be on stage again at Farmers Alley where she was last seen as Elizabeth in 2018’s The Christians. She has performed on community and professional stages throughout southwest Michigan, but FAT is her favorite home. Noted past roles include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Katherine in Taming of the Shrew, and the Player Queen in Hamlet. She also served as adjunct faculty and guest artist at GVSU during their 2017 Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival where she played Gonzala in The Tempest. “Story is the heartbeat of humanity; thank you for coming out tonight to say ‘Hi, Story!’ And thanks to my partner Atis for loving an often furious woman.”

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS Devon Hayakawa (Charlotte Corday) is

See arizsia.com, and follow @arizsia

a theatre artist based in Chicago,

and @ucimfaactors2022 on Instagram

Illinois. Favorite performance credits

to keep up with upcoming projects.

include: DREAM (Chicago Shakespeare

Some of her credits include: Wherein I

Theater), Baked! The Musical (Kasey,

see

Underscore

Cleopatra

Theatre),

Twilight:

Los

Myself

(Jaques), (Antony),

Antony Dream

(ensemble).

Others, Ball State University), and Julius

Monsters (Narrator/Farrah), The Wiz

Caesar (Brutus, Braving the Bard).

(Addapearle), Dancing Granny (Granny

Favorite new works credits include: The

Anika), Waiting to Invited (Louise),

Bushwick

Almost Maine (Marci/Rhonda), Wolves

(Director,

Wayward

Sisters), 9066 (Playwright, American Lives Theatre), Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Dramaturg, Ball State), American Idiot (Dramaturg, Ball State), Dry Land (Dramaturg, Ball State), Emily/Emily (Playwright, Women's Theatre Festival), and Blood of My Mother's (Assistant Director, Wayward Sisters). Ball State Musical

Theatre

BFA,

2019.

devonhayakawa.com.

Arizsia Staton (Marianne Angelle) is delighted to be back on the Farmers Alley Stage where she had previously been in seen in our production of A Doll’s House, Part 2 as Emmy. She is an actor, director, and teacher. She was born

and

graduated

raised from

in

Saginaw,

Western

MI,

Michigan

University with her BFA in acting, and is graduating

from

the

University

of

California, Irvine with her MFA in acting in June of 2022.

(Narrator).

She

Girls

Angeles, 1992 (Mrs. Young-Soon Han &

Girls

Educational:

and Kills

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS Megan

Tiller

(Marie-Antoinette)

is

After

the

completion

of

her

thrilled and honored to be making her

undergraduate career, Ms. Batteast

debut

at

Farmers

Alley

Theatre!

relocated to New York where she lived

Indiana,

Megan

and worked as an actress, social

graduated from Ball State University

activist, and youth advocate. While in

with her BFA in Musical Theatre and is

the city she volunteered at Girl Be

now living in New York City. Some of

Heard,

her recent credits include Charlotte in

company dedicated to social justice and

A Little Night Music, Anna Fickle in

issues affecting young women. During

Finding the Fickle Fortune, Lizzy in

her time as a tenure track faculty

Pride & Prejudice, and Terry in Stage

member at Ball State, Dee Dee was the

Door. With gratitude for the support

faculty advisor of The Ethnic Theatre

from Mary Anne and Donald Carey and

Alliance (ETA), a multi-cultural alliance

the team at C-19 Safety First, NYC. She

group formed by Ball State’s theatre

would like to thank the production and

students, dedicated to providing all

creative team for this opportunity, and

students, regardless of race, gender, or

her loved ones for always supporting

sexual orientation, with the opportunity

her. Soli Deo Gloria.

to connect their art with their activism.

Originally

Dee

from

Dee

Batteast

(Director)

is

currently adjunct acting faculty for Ball State’s

BFA

program,

where

she

teaches courses in beginning acting, audition,

one-person

show,

and

Shakespeare, as well as coaching Ball State’s

professional

showcases

in

Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.

Dee Dee is a proud alumnus of Ball State’s undergraduate program (07’).

a

not-for-profit

theatre

Ms. Batteast is also a writer. Her selfproduced one-woman show, NO AIDS, NO MAIDS, enjoyed a successful run at the Washington DC Fringe Festival, where it received the Capital Fringe Honors, Favorite

Favorite Solo

Show

of

Performance,

Fringe, and

Favorite Performance(s). She is looking forward to touring the performance again next summer.

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS Dee Dee received her MFA in acting

Specializing in taking things apart, but

from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she

not necessarily putting them back

spent 3 years as a company member

together, Mike is excited to take the

of

reins

PlayMakers

Some

of

Repertory

her

favorite

Theatre. roles

at

as

Farmers

Alley’s

Technical

Director for the 2021-22 season.

PlayMakers include 'Elizabeth' in IN THE NEXT ROOM, 'Ruth Younger in A

Samantha Snow (Scenic Design) is a

RAISIN IN THE SUN, and Montjoy in

Kalamazoo native who graduated from

HENRY VI". She has a great love of

Western Michigan University in 2016

storytelling, and teaching other to tell

with

stories. She is a writer and activist who

Production and Design, focusing in

believes in the power of art to change

scenic design. Samantha has been

the

the

working in the Kalamazoo community

conversations that shape the world.

since graduating as a scenic designer,

May every artist in the room approach

lighting designer and technical director

the work with empathy, gratitude and

for many organizations including The

generosity.

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo,

world,

and

to

change

Mike Borzkowski (Technical Director) is in his first season as Farmers Alley Theatre’s full-time technical director.

Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mike has spent the last decade bouncing around various tech and production roles at many theatres in the area including Miller Auditorium, Chenery Auditorium, Farmers Alley Theatre and more.

a

BFA

in

Technical

Theatre

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, Gull Lake Community Schools and Portage Public

Schools,

most

recently

completing Anastasia:The Musical at Portage Central High School. In 2017 and 2018 Snow was the scenic designer and scenic artist at The Barn Theatre including Rent, Bullets Over Broadway, The Lion in Winter and Hairspray. Over the years Snow has been nominated for multiple Wilde Awards in scenic and lighting design.

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS In 2019 Snow won the Sutton Foster

Million

Ovation Award for best scenic design for

Forever Plaid, And the World Goes

Big Fish at Portage Central High School.

'Round, [title of show], I Love a Piano,

Samantha’s first show at Farmers Alley

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank

was as the projection designer for

Sinatra and several of our Spotlight

Dogfight. Snow was also the lighting

Series. Originally from Pittsburgh, Jason

designer for Buyer and Cellar, scenic

has been a professional designer for 30

artist for Bridges of Madison County

years and is currently the Assistant

and

Principal

most

recently

the

projections

assistant for Songs For a New World.

Dollar

at

Quartet,

Portage

Spamalot,

Central

High

School.

Snow would like to thank everyone at Farmers Alley for working hard to

Austin Donovan (Sound Design) is a

provide professional live theatre to

senior at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo

and

earning

community

for

to

those

in

supporting

the these

productions.

Jason

Frink

Design)

has

designed throughout West Michigan including Portage Central High School, WMU, The Kalamazoo Civic, and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Some of his favorite lighting credits include Les Miserables,

Tommy,

and

Blood

Brothers. He was recently awarded the Sutton Foster Ovation Award for his lighting design of Big Fish and was

bachelor

degree

in

Multimedia Arts Technology with a focus

(Lighting

his

in

audio

engineering.

As

a

freelance audio engineer in the west Michigan region, he has been able to work on a wide range of productions and is thrilled to be joining Farmers Alley Theatre once again as a sound designer for this production of The Revolutionists. One of his favorite parts about sound design is being able to combine technical skill with artistic expression.

nominated for a Wilde Award for his

Kathryn Wagner (Costume Design) is

work on The Curious Incident of the Dog

an Associate Professor at Western

in the Nighttime. Jason has previously

Michigan University. She previously lent

lent his talents to Farmers Alley for our

her considerable design talents to our

productions of Marvelous Wonderettes:

productions of It’s A Wonderful Life: A

Dream

Live Radio Play, A Doll’s House, Part 2,

On,

Liberace,

Honky

Angels, The Andrews Brothers,

Tonk

The Diary of Anne Frank,

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS Peter and the Starcatcher, Disgraced,

Savannah is thrilled to be able to call

Forever Plaid, Little Shop of Horrors,

Farmers Alley her forever theatre home

Dogfight, The Glass Menagerie, Vanya

and is grateful to all who have helped

and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and

her along her theatrical journey.

Clybourne Park. Ms. Wagner has also designed for Hope Summer Repertory

Roger W. Burleigh (Stage Manager) is

Theatre, Michigan Shakespeare Festival,

excited to be in his 9th season as

West Virginia Public Theatre, Peninsula

Farmers Alley Theatre's Equity Stage

Players, McLeod Summer Playhouse,

Manager. Roger started his theatre

Meadow Brook Theatre, Sullivan’s Little

journey in second grade and has been

Theater on the Square, AMAS Musical

traveling that road ever since. Both as

Theatre,

Shakespeare

an actor and technician, Roger has

Festival, McCarter Theatre, and the

graced many stages throughout the

Lamb’s Theatre Company. Ms. Wagner

area, and has been at Farmers Alley

holds a BFA from DePaul University; an

since season two. Some of his favorites

MFA from Rutgers University and is a

in recent years are Next to Normal, The

member of United Scenic Artists, Local

Producers,

829.

Wonderettes, Pete and the Starcatcher,

New

Jersey

Dogfight,

Marvelous

Phantom of the Opera, Murder for Two Savannah

F.

Draper

(Prop

(looking

forward

to

revisiting

this

Design/Scenic Artist) previously served

season) and The Curious Incident of the

as Prop Designer for It’s A Wonderful

Dog in the Night-Time. Roger would like

Life, Avenue Q, Curious Incident, A Doll's

to thank his family and educators who

House, Part 2, The Producers, Liberace!,

got him hooked on live theatre. There is

It’s Only a Play, The Diary of Anne Frank

nothing quite like experiencing a live

and Honky Tonk Angels. as spent the

production with a live audience. Proud

last few years working as a freelance

member of Actors Equity Association.

designer, stage manager and technician throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. A Kalamazoo native, Savannah hPrior to her travels she was the Stage Management Associate for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Props Designer for Millbrook Playhouse.

meet the company of

THE REVOLUTIONISTS Special Thanks

Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union

Kat Mumma Julie Nemitz Becky Klose Paul Stroili – Touchstone Graphic Design Steve Brubaker Bryan Zocher (EFA) Stamped Robin Cameron Taylor Stacy Bartell Steve Hodges

that represents more than 51,000 professional

Actors

and

Stage

Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members

by

negotiating

improving

working

wages,

conditions

and

providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans.

Actors' Equity is a member of the AFLCIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international

organization

of

performing arts unions. #EquityWorks

SHOP LOCAL KALAMAZOO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS

Thank you to our 21-22 season presenter:

board of directors

Joshua T. Weiner, Chair Kathy Mulay, Vice Chair Dan Guyette Patti Huiskamp Alice Kemerling Julie Nemitz Charles Ofstein Lanford J. Potts Bianca Washington Ciungan

on stage next Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill April 29-May 15

By Lainie Robertson Directed by Malkia Stampley, Music Direction by Abdul Hamid Royal, and starring Alexis J Roston as Billie Holiday.

Farmers Alley Theatre is honored to once again partner with the Gilmore Piano Festival for a moving production about the last days of Billie Holiday – LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL, running concurrently with the festival April 29th thru May 15th. The time is 1959. The place is a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, given four months before her death.

More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty, often humorous reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

COVID-19 safety plan is excited to welcome artists, staff, and audiences back to West Michigan’s only year-round professional equity theatre.

We are committed to providing an unforgettable experience for all guests, staff, and artists in a safe and healthy environment. To ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, we have developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan, which follows the most current guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan State Department of Health and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related to COVID-19.

Please note that all guidelines and policies are subject to change in accordance with government mandates and recommendations.

Below are some of the basic safety measures we will be implementing: Vaccinations We require all those entering the theatre to provide proof of vaccination at the door. Proof of vaccination can be your actual card, a photo of your card, or proof provided by a foreign government.

If you are unable to receive the vaccine for a medical reason, we understand your disappointment, but at this time, we feel this is the best policy to keep our audiences and everyone who walks thru the Farmers Alley doors as safe as possible.

Mask Policy Due to the recent change in CDC guidelines, we require that guests wear their masks when inside Farmers Alley Theatre. You may lower your mask while taking a drink. Staff members will remain masked at all times. Artists will be permitted to remove their masks on stage during the performance.

Complimentary masks will be made available at the door as needed.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning In consultation with our Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) experts, we have worked to find the best solution for our space to meet government requirements for indoor gatherings.

Hand Sanitizing Stations Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at our entrance, in restrooms, and in several other locations on our premises. These will be maintained by the sanitation attendant on duty.

COVID-19 safety plan Restrooms Signs have been posted inside the restrooms reminding guests of proper handwashing procedures.

Arriving for a Show Guests can arrive at the theatre up to one hour before the showtime though we suggest guests arrive within 30 minutes to showtime. Once at the theatre, guests will be guided to their seats in the theatre or should wait outside on Farmers Alley.

The lobby will be used as a “flow of traffic” area, not a waiting area. House Management will make special accommodations for guests with disabilities who may need more time to enter the theatre. If possible, we request that guests notify the box office of any such need for special assistance at the time of ticket purchase by calling 269-343-2727. Guests who have exhibited any of the symptoms of COVID19 within seventy-two hours of their reservation must call our box office at 269-3432727 for help rescheduling tickets.

Programs Farmers Alley Theatre encourages all guests to download a digital copy of the program to their personal electronic devices/phones. The program will be easily accessible from the Farmers Alley Theatre website. A link to the program will be emailed to guests included in the reminder sent twenty-four hours prior to their visit. This link will also be posted at the theatre entrance, in addition to a QR code.

Personal Belongings Guests are discouraged from bringing large personal items or bags with them to the theatre.

MARCH 18 - APRIL 3 Directed by Dee Dee Batteast

Lisa Abbott

Devon Hayakawa

Arizsia Staton

Megan Tiller

Olympe De Gouges Marianne Angelle

Charlotte Corday

Marie-Antoinette