Strawdog Theatre Company - Great Expectations

STRAWDOG t h e a t r e

c o m p a n y

HANK BOLAND* Interim Artistic Director

MIKE MROCH* General Manager

by Charles Dickens adapted by Gale Childs Daly Directed by Jason Gerace Scenic Designer Joanna Iwanicka

Lighting Designer John Kelly

Costume Designer Brittany Dee Bodley

Props Designer Emily Guthrie

Fight Choreographer Sam Hubbard

Stage Manager Michelle Maier

Dialect Coach Kathy Logelin

Music Director Mike Przygoda*

Production Manager Mike Mroch*

*Denotes Strawdog Company Member

Great Expectations

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THE PL AY ****There will be one intermission****

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) Pip................................................................................................................................................................ Mike Tepeli Ensemble........................................................................................................................................ Amanda Drinkall Ensemble ...............................................................................................................................................John Ferrick* Ensemble .......................................................................................................................................... Kyle A. Gibson* Ensemble .................................................................................................................................................Megan Kohl Ensemble .................................................................................................................................................. John Taflan Musician............................................................................................................................................ Hilary Holbrook

A D D I T I O N A L P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Technical Director........................................................................................................................Gordon Granger Master Electrician.........................................................................................................................Smooch Medina Assistant Director/Dramaturg................................................................................................Rebecca Spooner Assitant Production/Stage Manager......................................................................................Danielle Whaley Assistant Lighting Designer.........................................................................................................Kate Hardiman Media Relations.............................................................................................................................. Shout! Chicago

SPECIAL THANKS Strawdog Theatre Company would like to thank the Saints for their time and talent.

I N T E R I M A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R N O T E Great Expectations is a familiar story to most, and a favorite piece of literature to so many; and as is true of so many great stories, our interpretation shifts as our lives bring us new perspective. In our youth, we are drawn by adventures of prisoners in marshes, love stories, and Pip leaving home, off to make his way in the big city. As we go on, the moments of our life begin to link together, coincidences create a synchronicity, and we see in the story how interconnected and tightly woven a lifetime, and the people in it, can be.

We are so excited to be working with Jason Gerace and the team he has assembled to tell this story. Jason had been looking for the right home for this script for years, and when he brought it to Strawdog we knew it was a perfect fit. This production allows us to share a classic story with you, in a highly theatrical manner, and together helps us all explore the values we hold so dear at Strawdog. The story’s themes of Genuine Connection and Community, partnered with the production’s Challenges and dedication to Ensemble storytelling embody those four values for us in dramatic, thematic, and practical ways.

This story hinges on a gift from a benefactor, and the impact that gift has on a lifetime. We want to thank all our benefactors throughout our twenty-six year history; we thank you for the lasting impact you have had on the lifetime of our theatre company. Our current list of donors can be found in this program, and will be updated for our production of Miss Marx in February.

We hope you will consider adding your name to that list for our next production. Every story we tell at Strawdog hinges on the gifts of benefactors such as you: we are honored, and know that together we can exceed all expectations.

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Strawdog Theatre Company

CAST BIOGR APHIES Amanda Drinkall (Ensemble) is an Ensemble member with Red Tape Theatre where she has been seen in: Lear, The Striker, and many others. Chicago credits: Measure for Measure (Goodman), Pride & Prejudice (Lifeline), Victory Gardens, About Face, and Back Room Shakespeare Project. Regional credits: Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s Comedy of Errors and Romeo & Juliet, and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival’s King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing. Amanda holds a BFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is represented by Paonessa Talent.

John Ferrick (Ensemble) An ensemble member since 2001, John last teamed with Jason Gerace for Redtwist’s Opus. He is also a company member of A Crew of Patches, an Artistic Associate of the DIVISION, SAGAFTRA, a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul, and represented by Paonessa Talent.

Up next: Miss Marx (Strawdog), Monstrous Regiment (Lifeline). Other Chicago theatres: Stage Left, The Hypocrites, Goodman, Court, Eclipse, About Face, and The Side Project. He would like to thank his incredible wife Chelsea for all of the adventures now and forevermore.

Kyle A. Gibson (Ensemble) Kyle is thrilled to be back at Strawdog where he is also a proud ensemble member and most recently appeared in last seasons hit, Big Love. A lifelong Chicagoan, Kyle trained at The Theatre School at DePaul where he graduated with a BFA in acting. He has had the pleasure of performing with Bailiwick Chicago, Adventure Stage, Oak Park Festival, Emerald City, Lifeline, Griffin Theatre, and more. Thanks to Maryann at ATG, R, and YOU for coming to support Chicago theatre.

Megan Kohl (Ensemble) Chicago credits: Homecoming 1972 (Darla, replacement), Chicago Dramatists, Proof (Claire) and Angels in America (Angel u/s, Hannah Pitt u/s, went on) Court Theatre, Or (Aphra Behn) Caffeine Theatre, Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Ford) Arc Theatre, Beautiful City (Dian Black) Theatre Mir, and Frindle Griffin Theatre. She is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul and is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent (paonessatalent.com).

John Taflan (Ensemble) a skilled writer of boring bios, John is happy to be returning to Strawdog after appearing in their production of The Duchess of Malfi. Other Chicago credits: 6 Characters in Search of an Author, No Exit, and The Threepenny Opera (The Hypocrites), The Beats (16th Street Theater), Pornography (Steep Theatre), Hideous Progeny (LiveWire Chicago Theatre), as well as work with Living Room Playmakers, The House Theatre of Chicago, and The Goodman Theatre. All the thanks in the world to my friends and family.

Mike Tepeli (Pip) Chicago credits: Burnt Part Boys (Griffin Theatre), The Original Grease (2011 Jeff Award Best Mid-size Musical) and It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (American Theatre Company), Big River and Elephant Man (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble), Tragedy: A Tragedy and Gingerbread House (Red Tape Theatre). Mike is a member of SAG-AFTRA and represented by Paonessa Talent LLC, and can be seen in commercials and industrial films regionally. Thanks to Strawdog and Jason for this amazing opportunity. For my cousin Stephanie. What Larks.

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CAST BIOGR APHIES

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Hilary Holbrook (Musician) is thrilled to be back at Strawdog where she’s previously played for Improbable Frequency, Old Town, Radio Theatre 7, and The

GameShow Show and Stuff. Previous credits: “Claire” in The Book of Spectres (Grey Ghost Theatre), “Didi” in In the Shadow of His Language (Department of Cultural Affairs), “Babe” in Crimes of the Heart, and others.

Cheers!

PRODUCTION TEA M BIOGR APHIES Jason W. Gerace (Director) is delighted to be directing at Strawdog Theatre for the first time. He has been the Artistic Associate of American Theater Company since 2008, where he directed It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play from 2009-2012, and also Associate Directed the World Premiere of The Big Meal (Dir. Dexter Bullard). He recently directed Profiles’ Midwest Premiere of Wrecks, featuring John Judd, and helmed last season’s Jeff Award winning production of Opus at RedTwist, remounted at Theatre on the Lake.

Regional directing credits include Hamlet (Oklahoma Shakespeare Chautauqua), A Christmas Carol (Oklahoma City Theatre Co). Jason originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska and holds an MFA in Directing from The University of Oklahoma, where he twice received the R.J. Jones Award for Excellence in Direction. When not directing plays he is happy to be a husband to Amy and a daddy to Ruby and Brooks. He is an associate member of SDC. Rebecca Spooner (Assistant Director and Dramaturg) has worked with Redtwist Theater, Victory Gardens, American Theater Company, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. She is a proud graduate of the BFA Directing program at the University of Michigan. Directing credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Man of La Mancha (MUSKET Productions), Frozen and Speech & Debate (UofM Basement Arts), and the US Premiere of The Diver by Colin Teevan and Hideki Noda.

Mike Mroch (Production Manager) is an ensemble member and the General Manager of Strawdog Theatre. He is a graduate of Columbia College with a BFA in Directing and Scenic Design. Recent design credits: Conversations on a Homecoming, Big Love (Strawdog), Terminus (Interrobang).

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Strawdog Theatre Company

Upcoming directing: At His Best (Cold Basement Dramatics) Upcoming designs: Miss Marx (Strawdog), Doll’s House (Interrobang) Danielle Whaley (Asst. Production Manager) Danielle moved to Chicago from California on Halloween of 2012 and is very excited to be working with Strawdog. She has a degree in Drama with an emphasis in Stage Management from the UC Irvine and most recently worked with Lookingglass as their Production Management intern and as the Company Manager for (re)discover theatre and Chicago Tap Theatre. Other recent credits: Hamlet Project: Chicago (SM), The Clean House (Crabapple Productions, PM), Jason and (Medea), ((re)discover theatre, PM).

Michelle Lauren Maier (Stage Manager) is a Chicago Native and a recent graduate of Valparaiso University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Chicago Credits: The Hunting of The Snark (Strawdog), The Gacy Play (Sideshow Theatre), Blagojevich Blagojevich! (Athenaeum Theatre) and was the Stage Management intern for Musical Mayhem and Cascabel (Lookingglass Theatre).

Michelle is thrilled to be working at Strawdog again.

Joanna Iwanicka (Scenic Designer) is a Chicago based theatre designer and she’s thrilled to be back at Strawdog, where she designed the set for Improbable Frequency.

Her designs have been featured at the Trap Door Theatre, Rivendell Theater Ensemble, Lifeline, Mercury and Chicago Children’s Theatres, to name a few. Upcoming projects: Three Little Pigs and Monstrous Regiment (Lifeline Theatre) and Pinkolandia (16th Street Theatre).

Brittany Dee Bodley (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be working on her second show

PRODUCTION TEA M BIOGR APHIES with Strawdog. Brittany currently serves as the Costume Designer and Shop Manager for Northbrook Theatre. Recent designs: The Dumb Waiter (Proud Kate Productions), Big Love (Strawdog Theatre), After (Profiles Theatre), Pinkalicious (Northbrook Theatre), and Frankenstein (Chicago Mammals). In 2012, she received her M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in Costume Design with a secondary in Painting. Brittany would like to say a huge thank you for the love and support of her family, friends, and Andres-I am always amazed and immensely grateful. Roll Tide!

John Kelly (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back at Strawdog. Previous credits: Improbable Frequency (Master Electrician/ Asst. lighting Designer) and Conversations on a Homecoming (Master Electrician) and will be the Master Electrician for Miss Marx.

Companies he has worked with: Victory Gardens, Sideshow Theatre, Eclipse Theatre, Redtwist, UrbanTheater, Red Tape, Emerald City, New Colony and Strange Tree. He will be designing Golden Dragon (Sideshow Theatre) and Absolute McBeth (Polarity Ensemble). johnkellydesigns.com Sam Hubbard (Fight Director) is thrilled to be back at Strawdog after appearing in Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom last season. Violence design credits: Uncle Bob (Mary-Arrchie Theatre), Mr. Marmalade (Dream Sequence), F*cking Men (Street Tempo Theatre), My Name is Mudd (Jackalope Theatre) and Thirst (Cold Basement Dramatics). Sam has also designed productions for Abbyfest, Chicago Fringe Festival, RhinoFest and Northwestern University Cherub’s program. Sam is a proud and active member of the Society of American Fight Directors.

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Gordon Granger (Technical Director) is a freelance technical director, scenic carpenter, and fabricator in the Chicago area. Recent TD credits: Pal Joey (Porchlight Music Theatre), Twisted (Starkid), Last Days of Judas of Iscariot (Stage 773), Lydia (National Past Time Theatre). Upcoming shows: Cuff Me (Club Castle/ Entertainment Events), Victoria Secret Spring 2014 (NYC). Gordon regularly works with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Ravenswood Studios.

He has also worked nationally for The Long Wharf Theatre (CT), Yale Repertory (CT), The Public (NY), and The Texas Shakespeare Festival (TX).

Emily Guthrie (Props Designer) is delighted to be working on her first production with Strawdog. She is an ensemble member and the Company Manager of Red Tape Theatre. Emily was the 2009-2010 Properties Apprentice and current properties overhire at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She has recently had to honor to work with Red Tape Theatre, Gift Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, A Red Orchid Theatre, and Redtwist Theatre.

Emily earned a BFA/Scene Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Kathy Logelin (Dialect Coach) is thrilled to be returning to Strawdog, having coached Improbable Frequency and Big Love last season. Recent coaching credits: The Spiritualist (TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR), Persuasion (Chamber Opera Chicago across the pond in Isle of Wight and Winchester, England,) Enchanted April (Idle Muse Theatre), and Guys and Dolls (Ball State University). Kathy holds a B.S. in Acting from Illinois State University and is a company member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.

CUSTOM EVENT MEDIA

VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY SOUND PROJECTIONS GRAPHICS

www.kbhmedia.com kyle@kbhmedia.com 773.960.4956 @kbhmedia

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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) 1995 Burn This A Mother, a Daughter, and a Gun + Crossing Boundaries II: The Tower of Babel Project ~ Mariposa ~ Cat’s-Paw 6

Strawdog Theatre Company

1996 Criminal Hearts Crossing Boundaries III: The Life of the Mind ~ Interrogating the Nude 1996–1997 It’s a Mediocre Life ~ Skeletons Crossing Boundaries IV: Leap of Faith ~ 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 2002-2003 Julius Caeser Knives in Hens Spring Awakening 2003-2004 Detective Story Merchant of Venice Fuddy Meers 2004-2005 Puntila, and His Man Matti Impossible Marriage The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings~ 2005-2006 Three Sisters The Tooth of Crime (Second Dance)

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 Red Noses (Remount) State of The Union The Master & Margarita Conquest of the South Pole 2011-2012 Old Times The Petrified Forest Duchess of Malfi 2012-2013 Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom Improbable Frequency+ Big Love 2013-2014 Conversations on a Homecoming + Midwest Premiere # U.S. Premiere ~ World Premiere

DONORS Strawdog Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of individuals, organizations, and businesses made between July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2013.

Challenge ($2,500+) – we strive to challenge the Strawdog audiences and actors by producing theater with teeth!

Alphawood Foundation Anonymous Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Lois and Jim Hobart Thomas Linguanti Denis and Martha Pierce Jack Rubin & Pat Yuzawa-Rubin Community ($1,000+) – we strive to build a community of patrons and artists to celebrate theater in all its forms AT&T Stephen Bennett Meaghan Clayton Romain Ichbiah Joyce McGreevy Seth Rickard The Saints Nora Stapleton Mark D. Warner Ensemble ($500+) – we strive to build an ensemble where artists can build and explore their craft Pabst Brewing Company Rogo Entertainment Inc. David R. Rickard and Margaret L. Rickard Susan Toonen Genuine Connection ($250) – we strive to build genuine connections and relationships among actors, patrons and the community Richard Clark George Darveris Matthew & Leah Haran Stephen Johnson David Aaron Katz & Eileen Carol Katman Martin Pryzgoda Nora Stapleton Joseph Valerio Robert and Sheila Wentland Donor (Up to $249) Basel Al-Aswad, MD Gregory Altman

Michael Altman Aaron Anderson Thomas Anderson Michael and Jean Ban David Baricos Bruce Beatus Richard Bergfeld Martin Bhatia James Bishop Blackman Kallick Heidi Bloom Ardyce M. Boland Karine Bravais-Slyman John and Marilyn Bruggink Allison Cain Adela Cerda Alice Chiu Libby Lai-Bun Chiu Judy Clifford Jonathan Cole Michael Coleman Barbara S. Cronin Kathleen S. Dailey Katherine Dailey Julie Daniels George Darveris Carla DeLio Judy DeMike Robert B Dorfman Jennifer Draffen Dr. Wolfgang Epstein Peter Eunch Allan & Mary Fenske Abigail M Ferrick John M Fife Len Fletcher Eric Fortner Jonathan Friedman Sherry Friedman Helen Garrahy Ruth Giles-Ott Tiffany Giammona Ronald and Susan Goeden Diane Gordon John Green Carm Grisolia Francis Guinan Gordon Hannon Lorraine Hart Joseph P. Hassel Reid Hickman Ernest and Harriet Hirsch Melvin Hirsch Ernest and Harriet Hirschfeld James Hobart & Mary Geraghty Rebecca Hoag Marianne Hobart Linda Hoffmann

Lillian D. Hohmann Jeremy Hornik Bernard Huerre Kermit O. King Bradley L. Kisner Ekaterina Klyachko Marge and Duke Kozak Michael Kuntz Barbara Lanctot Merle Levine Jennifer Loomis Marilyn Lux Kat Mackenzie Lynn Mackenzie Maureen McCarthy Shawn McCormick Nancy McDaniel Peter McDowell Camille McLeod Mary Claire McNaught Dorothy Milne Ann Murray Cathy Nathan Jennifer Nelson Renee Nelson Cathleen O’Farrell Matthew and Barb Owens Judith Palce Susan Pateros Patti Petro Christine Plautz Nancy and John Prangl John Roberts John J. Ronan Seth Rubin Sonja Schiller Kate Schriner Karen Serges Greg Sommers John Spoerer Jon L. and Cathy J. Stein John Taflan Deborah Thorpe Stef Tovar Jamie Vann Marlene Warren Megan Wildebour Katherine Willhoite Steven Winterstein Stephen R. Wise Sharon Wolfson and Jake Trussel Midori Yokoyama and Pascal Dumas Nancy Young Tim Zingelman Patrick Zubrod Jeanette Zuraitis Great Expectations

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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

Aly Renee Amidei Anderson Lawfer Anita Deely Carmine Grisolia Gregor Mortis Hank Boland

Jamie Vann Jennifer Avery Joanna Melville John Henry Roberts John Ferrick Jordan Kardasz

Justine Turner Kat McDonnell Kyle Hamman Kyle A. Gibson Michaela Petro Mike Dailey

Mike Mroch Paul Fagen Mike Przygoda Sarah Goeden Sean Mallary Shannon Hoag

Jack Rubin James Hobart Jennifer Nelson

Mark Warner Meaghan Clayton Pat Yuzawa-Rubin

Stephen Bennett Thomas V. Linguanti

board of directors

Seth Rickard: Board President Gregory Altman

artistic associates

Kimberly Senior

Matt Hawkins

Shade Murray

membership emeritus

Amy Dunlap Andre Pluess Bart Petty Carrie Hegdahl Chuck Harper Dan Apodaca David Meihaus David Warren Debbie Caruso Donald Cardiff Elea Crowther Elizabeth Laidlaw

Garrett Todd Jaime Denton James Anthony Zocolli Jess Hill Jo Ann Oliver Wooley Julie Stanton Karen Hough Katherine Laidlaw Kenny Williams Kevin Ritchey

Kristen Caskey Kristen Kelly Larry Novikoff Lindsay Jones Loretta Rezos Lynn Koscielniak Michael Dobbs Michelle Caplan Nancy Bishop Noah Simon Oona Kersey Paul Engelhardt

Richard Shavzin Sarah Stray Scott Cummins Sean Sheridan Stacy Parker Stephanie Manglaras Steve Savage Tim Curtis Tim Zingelman Chris Hainsworth

administrative and production staff

Hank Boland.......................................................................................................... Interim Artistic Director Kyle Hamman....................................................................................................Associate Artistic Director Mike Dailey........................................................................................................Associate Artistic Director Mike Mroch.........................................................................................................................General Manager Chelsea Wilson.....................................................................................................Development Associate Josh Sobel........................................................................................................................... Literary Manager Front of House staff................................................ Laura Barati, Natasha Dagama, Laura Lapidus, Theresa Masse, KC Matthews, David Mierke, Erin O’Brien, Nick Ostrem, Valerie Pohlhaus, Hannah Strickland Sarah Cubalchini..................................................................................................................................... Intern

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Strawdog Theatre Company