Strawdog-Master and Margarita

STRAWDOG t h e a t r e

c o m p a n y

NIC DIMOND Artistic Director

HANK BOLAND Managing Director

From the Novel by Mikhail Bulgakov Adapted by Edward Kemp Directed by Louis Contey Scenic Design Joe Schermoly

Costume Design Joanna Melville

Lighting Design Sean Mallary*

Hair & Makeup Design Aly Renee Amidei*

Sound Design Mikhail Fiskel*, USA

Properties Design D.J. Reed

Choreography Eilleen Mallary

Magic Design Brett Schneider

Dramaturgy Maren Robinson

Production Manager Cortney Hurley*

Stage Manager Ellen Willett

Casting Director Michael Caloia*

*Denotes Strawdog Company Member Strawdog Theatre Co. and their production of The Master and Margarita is sponsored by a grant from the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation. Strawdog is also supported in part by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency),Chase Community Giving Grant and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

Strawdog Theatre Company is a member of The NortHalsted Area Merchants Association, Theatre Communications Group and the League of Chicago Theatres.

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CAST The Master....................................................................................................................................Dennis Grimes Margarita......................................................................................................................................Justine Turner* Woland...............................................................................................................................................Tom Hickey* Fagott................................................................................................................................................ Danny Taylor Behemoth..............................................................................................................................Anderson Lawfer* Azazello..............................................................................................................................................Anita Deely* Hella/Signora Tofana/Magic Hand......................................................................................... Loretta Rezos Trepan/Caligula/Madame Archibaldikova/Magic Hand...................................................Dan Granata Rimsky/Lucrezia Borgia/Frieda/Magic Hand................................................................ Christy Arington Varukha/Maitre Jacques/Magic Hand..................................................................................... John Stokvis Andrei/Kaifa/Magic Hand............................................................................................... Alejandro Cordoba Pilate/Stravinsky.............................................................................................................................. Ian Maxwell Ratslayer/Glumov/Jack the Ripper/Magic Hand...................................................................Jude Roche Aloysius/Secretary/Nurse/Magic Hand.................................................................................. Shane Brady Berlioz/Archibaldovich/Marquis de Sade/Magic Hand.................................................... Ron Thomas Ivan...................................................................................................................................................Kyle A. Gibson Pagoda/Robert Dudley/Magic Hand........................................................................................John Wilson Natasha/Messalina/Ariman/Magic Hand............................................................................Sarah Goeden

A D D I T I O N A L P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Assistant Lighting Designer..................................................................................................Jordan Kardasz Running Crew................................................................................................................................... Kerry O’Neil Technical Director......................................................................................................................Joe Schermoly Master Electrician......................................................................................................................Jonathan Nook Flight Designer................................................................................................................................ John Stokvis Media Relations..........................................................................................................................Shout! Chicago

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D R A M AT U R G I C A L N O T E S Mikhail Bulgakov was born May 15, 1891. He was the son of a Kiev theologian and his grandfathers were Russian Orthodox priests. He served as a medic in World War I where he was badly injured. His wounds would bother him throughout his life. He gave up medicine to pursue writing. After the Civil war his brothers emigrated. He was married three times: first to Tatiana Lappa, then Lybov Belozerskaya and finally Yelena Shilovskaya.

In the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, a series of so called purges of members of the Communist party, red army officials, artists, writers and anyone deemed enemies of the state were taken, convicted and tortured. The purges were characterized by widespread surveillance by the secret police and disappearance of those who were deemed enemies. Somewhere between 20 and 60 million Russians were taken from their homes, tortured or interrogated until they confessed to crimes and then they were either killed or sent to harsh work camps where many died.

Bulgakov was published in a number of smaller publications until his work was criticized for being anti-Soviet. The play The White Guard was his entré into the Moscow literary scene, but the journal which it was published in shut down and the Central Repertory Committee insisted on changes to the play including changing the title to Days of the Turbins. In 1929, a public letter from Stalin denounced his plays Flight and The Crimson Island. That same year, Bulgakov wrote a letter to the government asking to leave the country or be given a job; he was given a post at the Moscow Art Theatre. His time at the theater was fraught. He wrote numerous plays only to see many of them shelved for political reasons. He wrangled artistically with the directors Konstantin Stanislavsky and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko. He parodied his time at the Moscow Art Theatre in the novel Black Snow.

The Master and Margarita is considered Bulgakov’s masterpiece, he wrote the novel in secret, burnt the full manuscript in 1930, started rewriting it in 1932 or 1933 and revised it until his death in 1940. When it was published in 1966 in the Soviet Union, in a highly edited form, it instantly became a classic of Russian literature. The novel is many things, a darkly comedic satire of Stalinist Russia, a critique of fellow writers and critics and a magical realist fable.

BIOGR APHIES Christy Arington (Rimsky/Lucrezia Borgia/Frieda/Magic Hand) - Originally from Arkansas, Christy earned her BA in Theatre from UALR and went on to earn her MFA in Performance from UGA. She’s been fortunate to have worked with some amazing people and theatre companies. Some being Seanachai, The Factory, Lakeside Shakespeare (of which she is a company member) and, of course, Strawdog. Favorite roles include Cassie in Bold Girls, Regan in King Lear, Bunny Flingus in The House of Blue Leaves and Captain Ahab in Moby Dick

Rehearsed. Thanks to her gaggle of dogs, her HLP and to all the people who rock her world.

Shane Brady (Aloysius/Secretary/ Nurse/Magic Hand) is elated to be making his debut at Strawdog!

He just celebrated his first year in Chicago, having performed in The Love Of The Nightingale at Red Tape Theatre, and Loves Labours Lost at Oak Park Festival Theatre. Shane is a proud graduate of Florida State University. This one’s for Dr. Aron Schlau, who without I would have no idea how to play a female medical professional.

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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Alejandro Cordoba (Andrei/Kaifa/Magic Hand) is thrilled to make his first appearance on the Strawdog stage. He last appeared onstage in Chicago in TimeLine Theatre’s When She Danced, as well as Othello and Edward II at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. He attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he earned his B.F.A. Anita Deely* (Azazello) last appeared in Louis Slotin Sonata with A Red Orchid Theatre, Aunt Dan and Lemon with BackStage Theatre Company, and before that in Memory of Water, also BackStage. As a Strawdog ensemble member, her favorite acting credits include: Lie of the Mind, Aristocrats, Marathon ‘33, Three Sisters, Detective Story, Fuddy Meers, and Julius Caesar. She directed Gone Home (Jeff nomination, Best New Work) for WaxLips Theatre Company and Disco Pigs at Strawdog. Her most recent adventures as a dialect coach include: New Electric Ballroom and Pumpgirl at A Red Orchid Theatre and Ghosts of Treasure Island at Adventure Stage.

She’s also worked with Apple Tree, Next, and Noble Fool, among others.

Kyle A. Gibson (Ivan) is pumped to be back at Strawdog after working on both productions of Red Noses and The Good Soul of Szechuan. A lifelong Chicagoan, Kyle is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. He has since worked with Lifeline, Griffin, Adventure Stage Chicago, Oak Park Festival, and numerous other theatres. Kyle can be seen later this year in the film The Last Rites of Joe May from Steppenwolf Films. For Nani. tbtG.

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Sarah Goeden (Natasha/Messalina/ Ariman/Magic Hand) is thrilled to return to Strawdog after having previously performed as Master Bells in their production of Red Noses (Jeff nomination, Best Ensemble). Her recent Chicago credits include Mariette in Ecstasy (Jeff nomination, Best Ensemble) and Wuthering Heights, both with Lifeline Theatre; It’s a Wonderful Life with the tour cast of American Theatre Company; I Alone Escaped to Tell Thee of Moby Dick and Cabaret of Desire, both with Blair Thomas and Company; The Mime Show in the Picked Up series at with The Neofuturists; Dustbowl Gothic, Moby Dick, and Noir, all with The Building Stage; and 13 Dead Husbands with Sansculottes Theatre (New City’s Top 5 Female Performances of 2008).

Sarah is also a proud company member of Barrel of Monkeys.

Dan Granata (Trepan/Caligula/ Madame Archibaldikova/Magic Hand) is glad to finally be making his Strawdog debut, after years of unrequited love. He most recently appeared in K. with the Hypocrites, The League of Awesome with the Factory Theater, and Mrs. Caliban and Neverwhere at Lifeline. Other Chicago credits include The Man Who Was Thursday and Touch with New Leaf, Under Milk Wood with Caffeine, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Hedda Gabler with Raven. He is co-founder of the Chicago Theater Database (chicagotheaterdb.com) and blogs about Chicago theatre at blog.dangranata.com.

Dennis Grimes (The Master) is so honored to work and debut at Strawdog on the Master & Margarita. Now in his eighth year in Chicago, he has had the privilege to work at The Goodman,

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Next, Northlight, TimeLine, Walkabout, and Provision Theatres, as well as Uma Productions and Theatre Hikes. In the region he has worked with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Oak Park Festival Theatre, where he will be seen next summer as Prince Hal in Henry IV Parts 1&2 and King Henry in Henry V. He is represented by the awesome folk at Gray Talent, and thanks them and his family for their support.

Tom Hickey* (Woland) was most recently seen in The North Plan as part of Steppenwolf’s First Look series, Thieves Like Us at the House Theatre and The Pillowman at RedTwist. He’s been a Strawdog ensemble member since 2000 and some of the productions he has appeared in here include Uncle Vanya, St. Crispin’s Day, Cherry Orchard, Aristocrats, Puntila and Matti, and Julius Caesar. This spring at Strawdog he can be seen in The Conquest of the South Pole. Other credits include: The Marriage of Figaro (Remy Bumppo), The Mark of Zorro (Lifeline), Scenes from the Big Picture (Seanachai), The Great God Pan (WildClaw), Back of the Throat (Silk Road), Valentine Victorious (The House), Paramount Girl (Live Bait), (The) Violent Sex and The Devil’s Sonata (Visions & Voices) and Book of Days (Steep). This is the second time he has played the man downstairs. It’s strangely rewarding.

Anderson Lawfer* (Behemoth) is excited to perform at Strawdog where he is an ensemble member and was recently seen as Spike McManus in last fall’s production of State of the Union. Favorite Chicago credits include Factory Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Open Eye, Steep, Bailiwick, and Mary Arrchie. You can also see him at The Chopin as the host and creator of the late night smash hit The Game Show Show and Stuff!

Ian Maxwell (Pilate/ Stravinsky) was recently seen in TimeLine Theatre Company’s Frost/ Nixon. Other credits include Girl in the Goldfish Bowl at New Leaf Theatre, Sound of a Yellow Flower at Strangeloop Theatre, and After Ashley at Stage Left Theatre where he is an ensemble member. He has an MFA in Acting from the Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support, particularly Mathilda and Charlie.

Loretta Rezos (Hella/ Signora Tofana/ Magic Hand), a Strawdog emeritus Ensemble member, is happy to be performing with the company again. She was seen here in Impossible Marriage, The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings, Detective Story (Jeff award for Ensemble), and Julius Caesar. Other Chicago credits include work with Appletree Theatre, About Face Theatre and Greasy Joan and Co. Internationally she was seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Fest in All the Happy People with American Myth Theatre Co. Regional credits include Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre in Michigan, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park. She costarred, co-wrote and directed the Cabaret The Lee and Lo Show in NYC. She holds an MFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and a BA in Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University.

Jude Roche (Ratslayer/Glumov/ Jack the Ripper/Magic Hand) is rather new to the professional acting world. He recently graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. His most recent production was Strawdog Theatre 5

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Jude is excited to make his debut at Strawdog Theatre as the Roman Centurion Ratslayer.

John Stokvis (Varukha/Maitre Jacques/Magic Hand) most recently appeared in Macbeth at the Lyric Opera. He has also worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Next, Trap Door, Lookingglass, the Actors’ Gym, and the Midnight Circus. He also teaches circus arts and writes haiku.

Danny Taylor (Fagott) is thrilled to join Strawdog again, having formerly played Ted Minor in Old Town and the Unemployed Man in The Good Soul of Schezuan. Danny is a proud New Colonist, credits include assistant directing Frat, choreographing and performing as Lilah Johnsonton in Tupperware, An American Musical Fable and performing as Leslie Graden in That Sordid Little Story. Additional Chicago Credits: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, BuschFest, Signal Ensemble, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Halcyon Theatre and Theatre Bam. Regional Credits: St. Croix Festival Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Hope Summer Repertory and the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

Ron Thomas (Berlioz/ Archibaldovich/ Marquis de Sade/ Magic Hand) is thrilled to be making his Strawdog debut! He’s recently worked at Steppenwolf, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Ron earned his MFA in Theatre Arts from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. www.ronthomas.info 6 Strawdog Theatre

Justine C. Turner* (Margarita) is happy to be performing in this magical play at the theatre company she calls home. She was last seen in the Jeff Award winning production of The Farnsworth Invention at TimeLine Theatre. Justine is a proud company member of Strawdog and a proud founding member of The Plagiairists. She is thankful to have worked in the past at the Goodman, Writers’ Theatre, Factory Theatre, Famous Door, Defiant Theatre, Rivendell, Noble Fool Theatricals, A Crew of Patches, and Journeymen Theatre Company. She would like to thank her family, friends, and Mike for all their support and love.

John Wilson (Pagoda/Robert Dudley/Magic Hand) is thrilled to be working at Strawdog for the first time.

Recent Chicago credits include: To Kill a Mocking Bird (Steppenwolf) 200 Funny Things, Sketchbook 10, El Grito Del Bronx (Collarboraction); Household Spirits/SR (Goodman); It’s A Wonderful Life (American Theatre Company); Mountain Language (Slimtack). John is a company member of Collarboraction, a storyteller with 2nd Story and a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. Thanks to this talented cast and crew and Katy for her support.

Aly Renee Amidei (Hair and Makeup Designer) is pleased to be making fake heads roll at her Strawdog stomping grounds. An ensemble member since 2003, Aly’s favorite costume designs include Red Noses, Cherry Orchard, Detective Story, and Marathon ‘33. She is also a member of Wildclaw Theatre where she recently adapted J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla which opened at the DCA Storefront in January. Up next, she is designing the costumes for Lifeline’s Watership Down. Aly teaches and designs at the College of DuPage in her copious spare time.

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Hank Boland* (Managing Director) collaborated with the ensemble as a playwright in the creation of The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings (2005), contributed to WirelessFour (2005), and wrote Radio Theater Six (2007). In 2006 he was asked to create a writing initiative for the Strawdog Ensemble, now known as THE HIT FACTORY! Hank was asked to join the ensemble in 2008, and is proud to be a member of this artistic family. Hank began his relationship with Strawdog in 2000 as an audience member. (Just like you!) Want to get more involved with Strawdog? Let’s talk! Get in touch at hankboland@strawdog.org.

Lou Contey (Director) is a twelve-time Jeff nominee and has received seven Jeff Citations, as well as an After Dark Award. He is an Associate Artist at TimeLine Theatre where he most recently directed Frost/Nixon. He has also worked at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Shattered Globe Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Provision Theatre, Eclipse Theatre & American

Thanks to all the teams who joined us for our STATE OF THE UNION

THEATRE

WARS

Theatre Company. He has directed over seventy plays, among them Awake and Sing!; The General From America; Lillian; A View From the Bridge; The Manchurian Candidate; A Streetcar Named Desire; All My Sons; Rocket to the Moon; Stalag 17; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Judgment at Nuremberg; Meet John Doe; It’s All True; Pravda; Boys Next Door; Marriage Play; Copenhagen & Requiem for a Heavyweight.

He received his M.F.A. in directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

And it is his pleasure to be working with Strawdog for the first time.

Nic Dimond* (Artistic Director) has been a company member since 1995. He has directed almost 20 productions at Strawdog during that time. Other directing diversions include various projects with the Bohemian Theatre Company, the Vittum Theater, the Next Theatre, Victory Gardens, Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre, Collaboraction, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Titan Productions, question?mark productions, the Shawnee Playhouse, and Chicago Dramatists Workshop. Nic is a na-

THE WINNERS Mortar Theatre Company www.mortartheatrecompany.org Check Out Their Next Two Shows at The Anthenaeum Theatre

I Am Montana Chicago Premiere April 8 – May 1, 2011

by Samuel D. Hunter Director by Rachel Edwards Harvith followed by:

Mother Bear World Premiere May 27 – June 19, 2011

by Jayme McGhan Director by Jason Boat More Theatre Wars Fun on March 4 and April 8 at 11 pm in Strawdog’s Hugen Hall Strawdog Theatre 7

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) tive Chicagoan (he grew up in Park Forest, for you sticklers for geographic detail) and a proud graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and Rich East High School.

Mikhail Fiskel*, USA (Sound Designer) has been a Strawdog ensemble member since 2004 and most recently worked on The Good Soul of Szechuan, Uncle Vanya, Cherry Orchard, R.U.R., Old Town and A Lie of The Mind. In addition, he is a member of 2nd Story, and an Artistic Associate with Collaboraction, Teatro Vista and Redmoon Theatre and teaches Sound Design at Loyola University. Other Chicago credits include Carmilla, Legion, The Revenants (Wildclaw); Pirates of Penzance, Frankenstein, Oedipus (The Hypocrites); Travels with My Aunt (Writers Theater); last 3 installments of The Winter Pageant, Last of My Species, The Cabinet (Redmoon Theater); 26 Miles, Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Blindmouth Singing (Teatro Vista); 1001, Jon, El Grito del Bronx and Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (Collaboraction); A War with the Newts, The U.N. Inspector (Next); Living Green, A Park in Our House, (Victory Gardens); Awake & Sing (Northlight); Feast (Albany Park Theatre Project); Neverwhere, Last of the Dragons (Lifeline); Massacre (The Goodman Theatre). Regional: In The Next Room (St. Louis Repertory Theatre); Mauritius (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre); Off-Broadway: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (2nd Stage), International: Festival FILO (Londrina, Brazil), The Fool (Arnhem, Holland). He has received 4 Joseph Jefferson Awards, an AfterDark Award and an Orgie Award for Original Music, and has been nominated for the 2010 Henry Hewes Design Award for Sound Design.

When he is not busy fighting crime, he is performing or recording with his band Seeking Wonderland or the dynamic dj duo The Ordeal.

Cortney Hurley* (Production Manager/ General Manager) is delighted to be in the midst of her fifth season at Strawdog Theatre, where last year she thought it might also be fun to become the General Manager as well. Previous and current production management positions include Ellen Under Glass with the House Theatre of Chicago and One False Note with Plasticene, as well as serving as the production manager at Lifeline Theatre 8 Strawdog Theatre

since the fall of 2006 on such productions as The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Mark of Zorro and Neverwhere. She has also served as the Assistant Production Manager at Theater on the Lake since 2004.

Jordan Kardasz (Asst. Lighting Designer) is super excited to be working on another show with Lou and the great folks at Strawdog! She has always wanted to work on this show since reading the book in college. Other assistant credits include: Madagascar (Next); Neverwhere (Lifeline); Uncle Vanya, Cherry Orchard, St. Crispins Day (Strawdog Theater); Macbeth (City Lit); The Pirates of Penzance, Oedipus, Frankenstein (The Hypocrites) and Gossamer (Adventure Stage). Design credits include: Heddatron, Sonnets for an Old Century, The 3 Faces of Dr. Crippen (Steppenwolf Garage Rep); Jenny and Jenni (Factory); Theories of the Sun (Sideshow); Oh Boy! (City Lit); The Cottonpatch Gospel, A Christmas Memory & The Thanksgiving Visitor (Provision Theater Company). As always, big thanks to Sean and Cortney. And love to Matt.

Eilleen Mallary (Choreographer) is currently a dancer and Executive Director/ Board President with Culture Shock Chicago and the Ballet Director at Lisa’s School of Dance. In addition, she is the codirector/choreographer for The NutcrackerAll Jazzed Up and her choreography for the Dance FX performing company was recently voted in the top 15 for Best Choreography at Dance Chicago 2010-Dance Slam. She is a former dancer with Clear Lake Metropolitan Ballet and her choreography has been featured in Impossible Marriage, Marathon 33, Old Town and Cherry Orchard (Strawdog Theatre Company).

Much love to her favorite lighting designer for always illuminating her dancing, inside and out of the theater.

Sean Mallary* (Lighting Designer) loves this script and is excited to work with Lou on their maiden voyage together. By day, he is the assistant electrics supervisor at the Goodman. By night, he claims to be the resident LD here at Strawdog and peddles his designs to companies around town as his time allows. Sean’s most recent credits include The Iliad at A Red Orchid Theatre, and Madagascar up at Next.

He’d like to thank Lou for this challenging

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) opportunity, as well as the company for deciding to do this play. What were we thinking? Finally he’d, (as always) like to thank his beautiful bride Eilleen for all her support and for opting to jump into yet another crazy show at the Strawdog.

Joanna Melville (Costume Designer) is back for her 3rd (2.5th?) costume design at Strawdog. Previous credits include St. Crispin’s Day (Jeff Award) and The Good Soul of Szechuan (co-design with ensemble member Aly Amidei). Other Chicago design credits include work at Lifeline, Quest, Backstage Theatre, Lakeside Shakespeare, and Shattered Globe. She is an alumna of Illinois State University (BA), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her M.F.A. in Theatre, specializing in Costume Design. Joanna also works as a freelance seamstress and costumer joanna.melville@gmail.com D.J. Reed (Properties Designer) is happy to be back at Strawdog designing props for The Master and Margarita. Previous Strawdog shows include St. Crispin’s Day, Uncle Vanya, and The Good Soul of Szechuan. Props by D.J. can also be seen at Emerald City Children’s. D.J. is an artistic associate with Strangeloop Theatre, where he will be designing costumes for The Maid of Orleans this spring. Favorite prop designs include: Sweet Charity, Chad Deity, Good Soul, and Pinkalicious. He hopes that one day he can have his own craft show and dedicates this and every show to Mrs. Campbell and Everidge. ABRA-CADABRA! Maren Robinson (Dramaturg) is delighted to be working with Strawdog for the very first time. She is also dramaturg for the current productions of The Moonstone at Lifeline Theatre and In Darfur at TimeLine Theatre where, as an Associate Artist, she has worked on thirteen productions.

Maren was an artistic intern at Steppenwolf Theatre. She also has worked with Eclipse, Caffeine, Greasy Joan & Co., Camenae, and CityLit theaters and performed with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.

She holds a master’s degree in humanities from the University of Chicago. She has taught or lectured at the Newberry Library, the Chicago Public Library, and various Chicago universities. Maren is a member

of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.

Joe Schermoly (Scenic Designer) is happy at the chance to return to Strawdog having recently returned to Chicago after two years in London, UK designing and building sets. London design credits include UK premieres of Suzan Lori-Parks’ In the Blood and Bekah Brunstetter’s You May Go Now. Chicago credits include Port, The Constant Wife, How I Spent My Last Night on Earth (Griffin), Richard III (Strawdog) and Sweet Confinement (Sinnerman). Joe received his BA from Northwestern University.

Brett Schneider (Magic Designer) is thrilled to be working with the Strawdog team on such an imaginative production! Brett is a professional magician and actor in Chicago, and has served as a magic consultant for Lookingglass Theatre, The Strange Tree Group, Provision Theater, and Northwestern University. Most recently, Brett performed as the narrator and magic designer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Peter and the Wolf, developed in conjunction with Lookingglass Theatre.

Brett is a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, and his magic has earned numerous awards and distinctions, including San Francisco Stage Magician of the Year, World Magic Seminar Finalist, and Dwyane Wade’s Chicago Has Talent Finalist.

As an actor, Brett has worked with the SiNNERMAN Ensemble, Provision Theater, the House Theatre, Redmoon Theater, the side project theatre, and Chicago Dramatists.

Brett is a recent graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. More information about Brett’s magic can be found at www.brettschneidermagic.com Ellen Willett (Stage Manager) is happy to be back at Strawdog after a great time stage managing Uncle Vanya last season.

Previously, she has stage managed with Lifeline Theatre, Steep Theatre Company, Eclipse Theatre Company, Jonny Stax Productions, Adventure Stage Chicago, National Pastime Theatre, and many more. She also serves on the board of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), a unique and vibrant ensemble dedicated to advancing the music of our time.

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P R O D U C T I O N H I S TO R Y 1988-1990 Five of Us + The House of Correction + Temptation + A Family Affair + Dearest Father ~ Back Bog Beast Bait 1991 Muzeeka Play with Repeats # Titanic Icarus’ Mother Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down # The House of Yes + 1992 Etta Jenks + A Circle of People: Four by Chekov ~ Gertrude Stein and a Companion + Lux in Tenbris + Sure Thing + Hot Fudge + Speed-the-Play Ancient History + Light Up the Sky 1993 Absent Friends Gertrude Stein and a Companion The Revenger Relationship Hell The Big Funk + Lunch Search and Destroy + Crossing Boundaries: Women’s Roles and Realities 1994 Race ~ New Anatomies Wilhelm Reich in Hell Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)

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1995 Burn This A Mother, a Daughter, and a Gun + Crossing Boundaries II: The Tower of Babel Project ~ Mariposa ~ Cat’s-Paw

2002-2003 Julius Caeser Knives in Hens Spring Awakening

1996 Criminal Hearts Crossing Boundaries III: The Life of the Mind ~ Interrogating the Nude

2004-2005 Puntila, and His Man Matti Impossible Marriage The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings~

1996–1997 It’s a Mediocre Life ~ Skeletons Crossing Boundaries IV: Leap of Faith ~

2005-2006 Three Sisters The Tooth of Crime (Second Dance)

1997–1998 Dark Rapture +, Imagine Drowning Waltz Invention 1998–1999 HurlyBurly Owners 1999–2000 Manufracture + Measure for Measure Return to the Howard Bowl ~ 2000–2001 Disco Pigs # Our Country’s Good The Ball of Justice ~ 2001–2002 Ivona, Princess of Burgundia Toasting George ~ The Green Bird

2003-2004 Detective Story Merchant of Venice Fuddy Meers

2006-2007 Marathon ‘33 A Lie of The Mind 2007-2008 Aristocrats Richard III Old Town 2008-2009 R.U.R. Cherry Orchard Red Noses 2009- 2010 St. Crispin’s Day Uncle Vanya Good Soul of Szechuan 2010-2011 State of The Union The Master & Margarita Conquest of the South Pole + Midwest Premiere # U.S. Premiere ~ World Premiere

DONORS Strawdog Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of individuals, organizations, and businesses made between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2011, these gifts allow us to continue to champion our core values of Genuine Connections, Ensemble, Community, and Challenge.

CHALLENGE: $2500 and above Alphawood Foundation Charles Bullock David G. Herro Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Foundation Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Illinois Arts Council James Hobart Jack Rubin JPMorgan Chase & Co. Mark David Warner Nora Stapleton Patricia Yuzawa-Rubin The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Seth Rickard Stephen Bennett Tim Zingelman COMMUNITY: $1000 to $2499 Betty Moorehead Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs ENSEMBLE: $500 to $999 Hewlett-Packard HP Company Foundation Lorraine & Brian Arbetter Sheila Deely Susan Toonen Trudene Giesel GENUINE CONNECTION: $250 to $499 Erik & Phyllis E. Zingelman Garrett & Carrie Todd George Darveris

Kirkland & Ellis Foundation Raymond & Esther Paice Rebecca Piper And the generous contributions of all our donors: Abbie Johnson Abigail H. Boucher Alisha Bannister Allan & Mary Fenske Allison Cain Allison Renee Greaves Anne Deely Anonymous B F Helman Barbara Lanctot Becky Hoag Boland Insurance Agency, Inc. Bruce & Nancy Woodruff Carmine & Linda Grisolia Cathy Berni Christina Calvit Christopher Hainsworth David & Kristen Conroy Dorothy L. Milne Dwight & Laurie Luetscher Elizabeth L. Dowling Elizabeth Laidlaw Ellen Deely Enid Myers Ernest & Harriet Hirschfeld Geoffrey Goldberg Gloria Nardini Harriet Hobart Hirschfeld Janet Sayre Jann V. Dragovich Jean B. Galan Jennifer Avery Jerome Dinell John Llewellyn John M. Moran Joyce S. Greenberg Judith Paice

Julie & Noah Fleischmann June Eubanks Karen A. Callaway Kate Grossman Kenneth & Sandra Fagen Krista Bryski Richard Lawrence & Marlene Kosova Leroy Blommaert Lillian Frances Linda Caloia Linda R. Gillum Linda Sperer Lisa Grisolia Lucie MacDonald Madeline Dreifus Marilyn Turner Mark R. Boland Marsha & Jon Baker Mary A. Hickey Matthew & Leah Haran Megan Wildebour Melinda Russo Melvin Hirsch Merle Levine Michael J. Petro Mike & Julie Nussbaum Monica Reida Nancy & Joseph Crowther Patrick Brennan Patti Petro Rae & Chris Serafini Renzi & Associates, Inc. Robert Alpaugh & Robert W. Waters Roy & Linda Dunlap Ruth Ott Sarah Goeden Sarah Zematis Stacy Joyce Stanley D. Price Susan Stahl Theatermania.com, Inc. Timothy M. Bambara Vicki Mallary

Strawdog Theatre Co. and their production of The Master and Margarita is sponsored by a grant from the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation. Strawdog is also supported in part by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency),Chase Community Giving Grant and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

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S T R AW D O G T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y Strawdog Theatre Company 3829 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60613 Box Office 773.528.9696 Administration 773.528.9889 Fax 773.528.7238 www.strawdog.org

ensemble

Jennifer Avery Hank Boland Abigail Boucher Mike Dailey Anita Deely Amy Dunlap

Paul Fagen John Ferrick Misha Fiksel Allison Greaves Carmine Grisolia Chris Hainsworth

Kyle Hamman Tom Hickey Shannon Hoag Anderson Lawfer Sean Mallary Gregor Mortis

Michaela Petro Mike Przygoda John Henry Roberts Justine Turner Jamie Vann

board of directors Gregory Altman Stephen Bennett Jim Hobart Thomas V. Linguanti

Joyce McGreevy Jennifer Nelson Seth Rickard Jack Rubin

Nora Stapleton Mark D. Warner Tim Zingleman

artistic associates Matt Hawkins Shade Murray

Kimberly Senior Scott Zematis

membership emeritus Nancy Bishop Michelle Caplan Donald Cardiff Erin Carlson Debbie Caruso Kristen Caskey Elea Crowther Scott Cummins Tim Curtis Jaime Denton Michael Dobbs Paul Engelhardt

Lynne Hall Chuck Harper Carrie Hegdahl Erik Hellman Jess Hill Karen Hough Lindsay Jones Kristen Kelly Oona Kersey Lynn Koscielniak Elizabeth Laidlaw Katherine Laidlaw

Stephanie Manglaras Kat McDonnell David Meihaus Larry Novikoff Jo Ann Oliver Wooley Stacy Parker Bart Petty Loretta Rezos Steve Savage Richard Shavzin

Sean Sheridan Noah Simon Julie Stanton Sarah Stray Garrett Todd David Warren Kenny Williams James Anthony Zoccoli

staff General Manager........................................................................................................................Cortney Hurley Box Office and Bar Staff......................Timothy Bambara, Adam Gilgour, Kaity Licina, Glenn Potter Production Manager................................................................................................................. Cortney Hurley Internship Coordinators........................................................................Hank Boland and Cortney Hurley Rental Coordinator....................................................................................................................Cortney Hurley Casting Director........................................................................................................................... Michael Caloia Board Development............................................................................................... Hank Boland, Paul Fagen Finance............................................................................... Hank Boland, Cortney Hurley, Nora Stapleton Fundraising and Development................................................................... Jenny Avery, Michaela Petro, Michael Dailey, Amy Dunlap Special Events.......................................................................Hank Boland, Kyle Hamman, Gregor Mortis, Anderson Lawfer, Jamie Vann, Seth Rickard Facilities.......................................................................... Nic Dimond, Gregory Altman, Carmine Grisolia, Courtney Hurley, Justine Turner Marketing and Communications....................................................... Tom Hickey, John Henry Roberts, Shannon Hoag, Anita Deely PR.............................................................................................................. Shannon Hoag and Shout Chicago Production.......................................................................................................... Nic Dimond, Cortney Hurley, Sean Mallary, Aly Greaves, Mikhail Fiksel, Mike Przygoda Webmaster...........................................................................................................................John Henry Roberts Literary Committee...................................................................Nic Dimond, Jenny Avery, Gregor Mortis, Tom Hickey, Amy Dunlap, Anita Deely, Jamie Vann Hit Factory...................................................................... Hank Boland, Nic Dimond, John Henry Roberts, Carmine Grisolia, Sean Mallary Ensemble Fortification.............................................................Nic Dimond, Micheala Petro, Paul Fagen Late Night...............................................................................Hank Boland, Kyle Hamman, Gregor Mortis, Anderson Lawfer, Justine Turner, Mike Przygoda 12 Strawdog Theatre