Step Up Productions - The BenchMark

Artistic Director & Founder Elizabeth Antonucci Presents

The BenchMark

By Richard A. Roberts cast AJ FROEBER.......................................................................................................................Chicago/Passerby AMY GEIST ..........................................................................................................................................Bag Lady DANIEL HOULE.......................................................................................................................................... Mark RAYMOND JACQUET..........................................................................................Punk/Chicago/Passerby HEATHER L. JENCKS........................................................................................................Chicago/Passerby JERRY MAHER ....................................................................................................................Mark understudy ANNIE NEAL.......................................................................................................................Chicago/Passerby TRICIA RODRIGUEZ.........................................................................................................Chicago/Passerby ANDREW SELLER..............................................................................................................Chicago/Passerby ROB WILSON................................................................................................................................................. Cop This show will be performed without an intermission. production tea m Tara Branham........................................................................................................................................Director Adrienne Bader......................................................................................................................Stage Manager Shaun Renfro...........................................................................................................................Scenic Design Mike Durst...............................................................................................................................Lighting Design Raquel Adorno.....................................................................................................................Costume Design Dorthea Walstrom...............................................................................................................Make Up Design Haley Borodine........................................................................................................................... Props Design Steve Baldwin............................................................................................................................Sound Design David Rosenberg................................................................................................................................Publicity Rich Hein......................................................................................................................................Photography Leslie Ann Sheppard................................................................................................. Fight Choreographer Tamara Todres.................................................................................................................... Assistant Director Bridgette Baggio....................................................................................................................Graphic Design Elizabeth Antonucci........................................................................................Artistic Director & Founder Margaret Lebron..........................................................................................................................Dramaturg

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A l e t t e r f r o m a r t i s t i c d i r e c to r & f o u n d e r Welcome to the start of Step Up Productions’ 2013/2014 Season, beginning with Richard A. Roberts, The BenchMark.

The success of last year’s show The Sweetest Swing In Baseball by Rebecca Gilman made me really step back and think about the type of company I want to present to the community. After months of hard work, sweat, tears, and guidance I am pleased you are here to witness our new, re-vamped version of Step Up Productions.

Step Up’s mission is to communicate stories authentically, inspiring audiences to identify and embrace their own personal truths. So what does that really mean? I truly believe The BenchMark is the perfect example of our mission.

Let all judgment of yourself and others go for a second… ready? Be honest… what do you do when you encounter a homeless person on the streets of Chicago? Do you always give money? Do you walk on the other side of the street? Do you pretend to be on your phone? Do you simply put your head down and ignore? Well I can tell you, I have done all these things. Homeless people scare me. I am afraid to look into their eyes and see their deepest truths. I am afraid of what I will feel, think, say, not say, and for all these reasons I realized that The BenchMark was just the play to open our season with.

Getting to work on this play for an extended period of time has allowed me to challenge my perceptions of the homeless. It has really made me step back and take a look at the human being sitting on the street. To be honest, I think I forgot that aspect… every homeless person is a human being. Everybody has a story.

I knew I had to find a director that could really help me bring my vision for this show to fruition. When I approached Tara Branham with this show she sent me a 3-page proposal with pictures and songs that left me with chills, tears, and screeches of excitement. It was a hands-down no brainer that Tara’s Meisner training at Black Box Acting Studio, her huge compassionate heart, and her ability to make the audience both comfortable & uncomfortable at the same time was exactly what this production needed.

After reading this show multiple times I wanted to donate to every homeless person on the street. After I realized this was not a logical thing for me to do. This is one of the reasons I am honored to be partnering with the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness.

The work they consistently do allows for many of the homeless in Chicago to receive aid & relief.

My hope for you, the audience, is that you watch this show with an open heart and mind.

My hope is the next time you pass a homeless person, you try your best to not avoid and deflect. My hope is that you see the person and send them strength and compassion.

I look forward to meeting you throughout the run of The BenchMark and seeing you again at our HoliDaze production in December. Thank you again for believing in Step Up Productions.

Your Artistic Director, Elizabeth Antonucci 2

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t h e c o m pa n y Step Up Productions is a non-profit theater company with a mission to communicate stories authentically, inspiring audiences to identify and embrace their own personal truths. Step Up Productions became a nonprofit company to better serve other great nonprofit organizations in and around Chicago that are also committed to helping people get to a better place. We are committed to supporting those organizations that help others become self-sufficient.

One of Step Up Productions’ core values is generosity. We are committed to doing our part to help others get to a better place by finding organizations that support themes in our stories, donating dollars and dedicating ourselves to something bigger. A portion of proceeds from The BenchMark, will be dedicated to the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness.

If you are interested in supporting Step Up Productions beyond the price of admission, donations are tax-deductible and can be made anytime you choose. You can call our office at 312-316-8355 or you can find us through our website: www.stepupproductions.org.

You can send a check payable to: Step Up Productions 40 E Chicago Ave, Suite 121 Chicago, IL 60611 a m e s s ag e f r o m p l a y w r i g h t r i c k r o b e r t s The BenchMark was conceived when I was producing and hosting The Long Way Home, an Award-winning documentary on homelessness that aired on WTTW channel 11.

Toward the end of filming our director and co-producer, Hope Kavoosi, asked me to close the program by sitting on a bench that my late father once called home in an area that is now part of Millennium Park. I hesitated at first, uncomfortable about intruding my personal background into the film.

Kavoosi, a national Emmy-winner who has worked on Nightline, the NBC & CBS News, along with numerous documentaries, convinced me it would add legitimacy to The Long Way Home. Trusting her instincts, I sat down, and was immediately inspired by the idea for The BenchMark.

Based on three homeless and alcohol abusing individuals I personally knew, one of which was my late father, Mark’s composite character and adventures are predicated on many of their true experiences.

My plan is to turn this play into an independent film at some point, as well as make it available for licensed productions that high schools, universities, religious institutions and independent theatre companies can stage.

My hope is that as you leave the theatre tonight, you will now look differently at what makes a space unique or even sacred; whether it be a work site, home, a church, a synagogue, or even a bench. And you might think differently about what makes a person homeless.

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cast Biogr aphies AJ Froeber (Chicago/ Passerby) is honored to be working for the first time with Step Up Productions. He would like to thank his parents, Tara Branham, Elizabeth Antonucci, and Black Box Acting Studios.

Amy Geist (Bag Lady) has her BFA in Acting from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Since coming to Chicago she has worked with Beast Woman Cabaret Spring Series 2013, Pride Films and Productions All American Gender Fuck Cabaret, Prologue Theater Tatjana in Color & Overtones, City Lit Art of Adaptation Festival 2011 & 2012, New Millennium Theater We are Wyld Stallyns, and most recently her own budding company Black Ribbon Theater Cowboy Mouth. She is extremely grateful to work with Tara again, as well as meet so many new amazing artists!

Daniel Houle (Mark) is excited to be working with Step Up Productions. He received his BFA in acting from the University of Rhode Island in 2001. After graduation Daniel toured for a year with The National Players, where he appeared as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing.

Daniel moved to Chicago in 2002 and has since worked with Teatro Vista, Speaking Ring Theater Company, American Theater Company, Timeline Theater, Bohemian Theater Ensemble, Prop Theater and most recently Oak Park Festival Theater. Daniel would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

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Raymond Jacquet (Punk/ Chicago/ Passerby) is honored to be apart of Step Productions’ The Benchmark. He is from the Washington, D.C area. Raymond also graduated from the Act One Conservatory.

Theatre credits include: So What Are We Fighting For? (Be A Lion Productions); Zero (Oracle Theatre); Autumn Garden (Eclipse Theatre); Yellow and SketchBook 8 (Collaboraction). He received his BFA from the University of Maryland-College Park.

Heather L. Jencks (Chicago/Passerby) Heather is excited to be part of Step Up Productions’ The Benchmark. She is a proud alumnus of Black Box Acting Studio’s core Studio program and has completed the improv training programs at The Second City Training Center, The Annoyance Theatre, and iO Chicago. Most recently, Heather played the role of ‘Maria’ in Prologue Theatre’s world premiere of Patria Libre. Much thanks and appreciation to Tara Branham and Step Up Productions for this opportunity!

Jerry Maher (Mark Understudy) is thrilled to be working with Step Up Productions, and being part of a theater company that puts on such bold and provocative original works! He is also very proud to be associated with a non-profit theater company that supports organizations that help people become self sufficient.

Originally from Chicago, Jerry studied acting at The State Theatre School in Austin, Texas. In 2012 he studied at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England.

He also completed a Shakespeare First

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Folio Masterclass taught by Rodney Cottier, Head of Drama School at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). Jerry assistant directed a production of Julius Caesar for Austin Shakespeare’s Young Shakespeare program. He has appeared in independent film productions, most recently ‘The Bystander Theory’ which is due for theatrical release on September 17th. Jerry is currently training at Second City and has been seen performing around town at No Shame Theatre and Smush! at Stage 773.

He would like to thank Babs George, Gabriel Folse, MJ Vandivier, Paula Russell, Ann Ciccolella, and the cast and crew of The BenchMark, and most of all-You-the theater patrons supporting this production!

Annie Neal (Chicago/ Passerby) after committing to her passion for acting, Annie has since moved to Chicago to peruse such career. Leaving behind a promising future in Biology at the University of North Texas, she is now best known for her notso-fictional role as the Crazy Cat Lady in the webseries, Humor Me. Cooking, singing and pretending to be a professional dancer are one of her many hobbies, as well as reading, sewing, and laughing at her own jokes Tricia Rodriguez (Chicago/Passerby) is delighted to join Step up Productions with The BenchMark. Some of her favorite roles have included Leopard Girl in WAFF’s production of The Train Play, Gretel in Gretel and Hansel and Hesther in Equus. Tricia is a teacher at Curie High School, where she teaches English Literature. She would like to thank the dedicated teachers in the English department where everyday is a

Fun Friday. She would also like to thank those at Black Box Acting Studio for their infectious passion. And with a tug on her ear, she would like to thank her family for the late night texts, supportive hugs and good eats. Thank you for always, always showing up. This is for you.

Andrew Seller (Chicago/Passerby) is excited to make his professional theater debut with The BenchMark. He is a graduate of the Academy at Black Box Acting Studio, and previous roles include Silvius in As You Like It and Two Bitt in The Outsiders. Andrew would like to thank his family for their love and support.

Rob Wilson (Cop) is excited to make his Chicago theater debut with Step Up Production’s The BenchMark. He has most recently been seen in fringe festivals around the country in a DreamPlay or closing the Virginia Stage Company’s season with the world premiere of The New Pink (Gary) with Tandy Cronyn as well as A Christmas Carol ( Christmas Present).

Classically trained, he has received high praise for his portrayals of McDuff in Macbeth and Renfield in Dracula. Rob has hit the ground running upon arriving in Chicago. He can be seen improvising at ComedySportz with his team New Favorite or around the city with his 2-person improv group Driving Miss Crazy. You can also see Rob hosting his monthly stand-up showcase Live at the Double Door. He would like to thank his family and friends for love and support. He would also ilk to thank all patrons on the arts because without you he would just be playing pretend.

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production tea m Biogr aphies Raquel Adorno (Costume Design) is pleased to be working with Step Up Productions for The BenchMark. Raquel is resident costume designer at Profiles Theatre having designed costumes for their productions of In the Company of Men, The Dream of the Burning Boy and the 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab. Raquel’s previous credits include Cowboy Mouth with Black Ribbon Theater, Patria Libre for Prologue Theatre Company, The AllAmerican Genderf*ck Cabaret for Pride Films and Plays and Starting Here, Starting Now for Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater. Raquel is a designer and stylist living in Chicago.

Adrienne Bader (Stage Manager) is a proud graduate of Northwestern University. Since then she has worked as a freelance stage manager with numerous theaters in the Chicago area, including Writers’ Theatre, New Suit Theatre Co., Pegasus Players, The Music Theatre Company, Metropolis Performing Arts Center and Chicago Folks Operetta. She would like to thank her family for their love and support.

Steve Baldwin (Sound Design) has been a recording engineer/sound designer for 15 years, give or take. He is extremely pleased to be collaborating with Step Up Productions for a second time. His sound design credits include Step Up Productions’ the Sweetest Swing in Baseball, Halcyon Theatre’s The Runner Stumbles, Steep Theatre’s Coronado and Speaking Ring’s The Diviners. Recently he has finished the final sound mix of the film “Scary Normal” by Hot Diggity Productions. His production company, Toxic Bag Productions, has also created sound designs and scores for animated shorts, independent films, and the gaming industry.

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Haley Borodine (Props Design) Haley Borodine is excited to be making her Chicago debut with Step Up Productions!

She recently earned her B.S. in Theatrical Design and Technology from Ball State Step Up Productions

University, and during her time there, she has won three separate awards for her prop artistry. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of the support they have shown her over the years, and a special thank you to her mentor, John Sadler: “If it wasn’t for you, I would have taken a much different, and longer, road to discovering my love for properties. Thank you!”

Tara Branham (Director) Tara Branham is so grateful to be working with Elizabeth and an awesome cast and crew with Step Up Productions. She recently directed One Week In Spring with Alycone Festival and the world premiere of Patria Libre by Zoe Miller-Lee with Prologue Theatre Company. Tara also directed The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret by Mariah MacCarthy with Pride Films and Plays and the world premiere of The Last Daughter of Oedipus by Jennifer Mickelson with Babes With Blades. Tara came to Chicago with an internship at the School at Steppenwolf and has gone on to assistant direct for Tina Landau, Amy Morton and Lisa Portes at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She has also assisted Kimberly Senior, Meghan Beals-McCarthy and Sean Graney at Theatre Wit, Chicago Dramatists and Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Tara’s work has been seen in festivals with LiveWire Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Alcyone Theatre, Cabaret Vagabond, Caffeine Theatre, Chicago Opera Vanguard and 20% Theatre Company. Previously, Tara was the Producer of InchWorm Playreading Series, a series committed to producing readings of first drafts for underexplored playwrights. Plays featured by InchWorm have gone on to receive full productions with LiveWire Theatre, Victory Gardens and Azuka Theatre. Tara has trained in Meisner at the Black Box Acting Studio and has undying support for what they do. Thank you to S for strength and support.

Mike Durst (Lighting Design) Chicago designs include Lookingglass Theatre’s Still Alice and The Great Fire, A Red Orchid Theatre’s The Opponet and Simpatico

production tea m Biogr aphies (starring Michael Shannon), About Face Theater, Theater Wit, Pegasus Players, Adventure Stages, Profiles, and others.

Mike is also the resident designer for the Black Dahlia Theater and Red Dog Squadron in Los Angeles. Other work includes Better Angels (Eli Broad PAC, Santa Monica) starring Dustin Hoffman, James Cromwell and Amy Ryan. Pete Townshend in concert at La Jolla Playhouse. X, Live in Los Angeles at The House of Blues.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia The Nightman Cometh National Tour. NYC: Splitting Infinity (Summer Play Festival), Stock Home at NYC Fringe. Off-Broadway: Extinction at Cherry Lane (Red Dog Squadron), Secrets of the Trade Primary Stages at 59e59.

Mike has received Chicago’s Jeff Award (Equity Wing), Los Angeles’s Ovation Award, and San Diego’s Craig Noel Award.

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Margaret Lebron (Dramaturg) is a PhD candidate in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. She has a BA in English and Theater and Performance Studies from University of Chicago and an MA in Performance Studies from New York University, where she was awarded the Leigh George Odom Memorial Award for Distinguished Masters Student. She has been a dramaturg and researcher with Steppenwolf Theater Company, Court Theatre, Collaboraction, and Prologue Theater Company. As a performer she has trained in Viewponts, Suzuki, clown, and improv.

Leslie Ann Sheppard (Fight Choreographer) is excited to join the Benchmark Team! Previous Chicago credits include fight choreography for Patria Libre (Prologue Theatre Co.), Raw,

Our annual costs are as follows: Performance Space Rental: $18,000 Director Fee: $6,000 Set Build: $6,000

Programs: $3,000 Actors Salaries: $7,000 Designer Fees: $8,000

Please consider becoming a corporate sponsor for Step Up Productions 2013/2014 season.

With a sponsorship of $2500 or more you will receive the following: • Your company logo on Step Up Productions’ website.

• Logo & Name recognition in our program.

• Name mention during our curtain speech before each show.

• Four (4) tickets to all three opening night performances. o The BenchMark- Tuesday, September 17, 2013 o HoliDAZE- Tuesday, December 3, 2013 o Darlin’- Tuesday, March 11, 2014 • Four (4) tickets to all three opening night party with cast & crew.

• Exclusive invitation to sit in on rehearsals throughout the process.

• VIP at our annual fundraiser • Your company will be showcased at our fundraisers.

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production tea m Biogr aphies I Will be Waiting (Jermaine Productions), and Marisol (stunt consultant, Artistic Home Theatre). Regional credits include the Bristol Renaissance Faire (team choreography and fight cast performer) and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival (asst. fight choreographer). She is also the Artistic Director and Producer of the Suitcase Shakespeare Company, is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA as well as a proud advocate for the League of Chicago Theatres. Above all, faith, family, respect and the love of creating and sharing art are driving her to strive for excellence.

Tamara Todres (Assistant Director) Tamara is delighted to be working with Step Up Productions. Chicago acting credits include Through the Middle Ground and Have you seen my son? (the side project), Mouse in a Jar (Red Tape Theatre), The Book of Liz (Chemically Imbalanced Comedy Theatre), Hello Human Female (Bootstraps Theatre), Zoology (20% Theatre), Absolution (Polarity Theatre).

Colorado credits include Boy Gets Girl, Italian-American Reconciliation, Dinner With Friends, The Elephant Man, Rag and Bone, and The Harvey Project (OpenStage Theatre); Denver and The Fireman’s Play(Denver Rep Theatre). She has also performed at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Indiana, where she will return this fall. Tamara is a graduate of the acting program at Illinois State University and has trained at Black Box Studio. She is a cofounding member of The Deluge Theatre Collective.

Shaun Renfro (Set Design) is an awardwinning set designer and storyteller.

Shaun has had the privilege of being mentored by Todd Rosenthal, Kevin Depinet and many others. Under their guidance and encouragement he has had the pleasure of working on a wide range of projects: Broadway productions of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Tony winner best revival) and The Motherf**ker 10

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With the Hat (Tony nominee best scenic design of a play); touring museum exhibits of Sherlock Holmes: The Science of Deduction and Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition. He has worked at many regional theatres including Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Guthrie Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Arena Stage, The Alliance Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse. Shaun lives and works in Chicago with companies such as Profiles Theatre, State Theatre, Pavement Group, and many others. He currently works as assistant to Todd Rosenthal at XL Scenic and will begin the MFA Program in Stage Design at Northwestern University this fall.

Dorthea Walstrom (Makeup Design) is a Chicago based MakeUp Artist. In 2007 she moved to LA to attend makeup school at MakeUp Designory. For 40 a week she worked on technique, skill, and creativity, learning from some of the leading makeup artists and photographers in the industry.

After completing school she returned to Chicago. For the last 6 and half years she has been freelancing, working with over 100 brides, local filmmakers, and Photographers. Dori has also reached, MAC, Smashbox Cosmetics, and TEMPTU Professional Status. She is a published Makeup Artist in, “Passion International Hair Magazine - Hair+ Volume2”. She can’t thank her friends and family enough for the amount of love an support they have given her, and she is incredibly honored to be working with Step Up Productions again.

Elizabeth Antonucci (Artistic Director & Founder of Step Up Productions) Elizabeth recently emerged as the Founder & Artistic Director of the Chicago based nonprofit Step Up Productions. The 20132014 season marks her second year at the helm of the theater company, where powerful original and published works are produced in alignment with a mission focused on the revelation of truth. She has

production tea m Biogr aphies created a company that explores relevant topics in an honest and thought-provoking manner, providing unique insight for theater audiences to experience. Guided by her personal core values, Antonucci has created a safe, open and trusting space for her production team, allowing them to work collaboratively and share their true passion for theater.

Elizabeth is a recent graduate of The ACADEMY class of 2013 at Black Box Acting Studio. She enjoys performing and was last seen as the determined and beautiful Maggie in Jason Gerace’s Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and played an artist named Dana in The Sweetest Swing In Baseball.

Antonucci wishes to thank the theater patrons and investors, “You are helping us sustain a business so that we can continue to fund other organizations and help people through theater.” Step Up Productions continues to donate a portion of their proceeds to organizations that support issues often highlighted in the stories they produce.

Richard A. (Rick) Roberts (Playwright) Roberts is a White House Point of Light Award recipient, Emmy Winner & former Sun-Times Chicagoan of the Year. He has developed and created numerous TV and film projects, including The Corner Pub and The Long Way Home, both Emmynominated documentaries written and produced for PBS in Chicago. Among his most celebrated projects are the nationally

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acclaimed and Gracie Award-winning The Hunger Heroes, a look at the insidious problem of hunger in America during once august economic times, and Service Above Self, a one-hour documentary on the history and programs of Rotary International.

Throughout combined careers as a human service consultant, writer and filmmaker, Roberts has been instrumental in bringing national attention to complex socioeconomic issues. Roberts has served on a White House/HUD Sub-Committee on homelessness and social entrepreneurism, and continues to be a highly respected source for non-profit professionals.

His Art of Pain project was featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning and subsequently nominated for a national Emmy Award. In his role as a social commentator, he has been featured in national media including CNN, the ABC & CBS Evening News. His expertise led to a nationally televised debate on current social policy, which was moderated by Paula Zahn for The CBS Morning News, and he has also appeared as a resource guest on Oprah.

Roberts’ body of work and lifetime experiences led to him receiving the American Theater Company’s American Dream Award in 2009. He is also working on 2 Feature Film Projects along with another stage play Thee Trinity. He wishes to thank Elizabeth Antonucci and Step Up Productions for their vision for and commitment to The BenchMark.

special thanks David Rosenberg, Bridgette Baggio, Greg Antonucci, Jenine Antonucci, Cristina Antonucci, Jenna Antonucci, Joseph Antonucci, Diane Testa, Stephen Starr, Audrey Francis, Laura Hooper, The Black Box Community, Michelle Companik, Darlene Roberts, Matthew Barnes, ProMed Supply, Steve Mazza, Print Management Group, BaggioGraphics, Brian Haag, The ACADEMY class of 2013, Samara Anderson, Baggio Studios, Green Element Resale, Profiles Theatre, Joe Jahraus, Lookingglass Theatre

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Our annual costs are as follows: Performance Space Rental: $18,000 Director Fee: $6,000 Set Build: $6,000

Programs: $3,000 Actors Salaries: $7,000 Designer Fees: $8,000

Please consider making a donation to help cover our cost for our winter show, HoliDaze A portion of our proceeds from this production will go to benefit The Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness.

Level I: Rehearsal Process: $75-$150

o Two (2) tickets to any performance of HoliDaze excluding opening weekend. o Mention in our program o Listed on our website

Level II: Tech Week: $151-$250

o Two (2) tickets to any performance of HoliDaze, excluding opening night (November 30th- December 2nd or December 5th – December 22nd ) o Chance to sit in on one of our final dress rehearsals o Mention in our program o Listed on our website

Level III: Opening Night: $251+

o Four (4) tickets to our opening night performance of HoliDaze (Tuesday, December 3rd @8pm) o Four (4) tickets to our opening night party with cast & crew o Chance to sit in on one of our final dress rehearsals o Mention in our program o Listed on our website

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