TRANSLATION BY CARIDAD SVICH
ABOUTTHETHEATREPROGRAMAT FORDHAMUNIVERSITY
Rigorous conservatory training enriched by an expansive academic curriculum, Fordham University’s nationally renowned Theatre Program prepares students as theater practitioners and visionaries. In a creatively fertile, experential and artistically rigorous environment, the Theatre Program nurtures the individual, encouraging students to follow their passions and activism. As a program centered on the values of social justice and responsibility, we aim to serve our greater global community as citizen artists, using theatrical expression to create paths for empathy. understanding and dialogue.
The 2023 - 2024 Mainstage Season: Dreams Unknown was born out of a year - long collaborative process with our students during monthly meetings
filled with lively discussions and thoughtful commentary on who we are as a Program and a people.
We look forward to working together to realize our dream of racial justice and equity, all while being good stewards of the work, our city, and our world. As we continue to engage with our everchanging world and field, we could not be more excited to share these stories of the power of art and community with our audiences.
Learn about our mission, and dive into the experiential work we do, by persuing our training and curriculum, and recent production photo pages at theatre.blog.fordham.edu/
From Fordham Theatre’s 2023 Mainstage production of INDECENT by Paula Vogel Directed by Julie Kramer Choreography by Mandie Rapoza PHOTO: Cason Doyle
AMESSAGEFROM MAYADRALES
ARTISTICDIRECTOR,
FORDHAMTHEATRE
Welcome to Dreams Unknown - Fordham Theatre’s 2023-24 Season of plays presented on our Pope Auditorium Mainstage.
Our four shows this season celebrate joy, creative risk, and empowerment through art and communityvalues that reflect the Theatre Program itself In the Cambodian American playwright Vichet Chum’s New York premiere of HIGH SCHOOL PLAY, young artists dream of winning their high school drama competition and of a better future outside of the confines of their conservative Texas homes Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is transported to a glam rock, new wave, 1980s fever dream of the memory of young love. Lorca’s 20c. Spanish tragedy THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA explores the pain of dreams unrealized. Finally, in the New York premiere of Chisa Hutchinson’s THE WEDDING GIFT, an ordinary guy with an ordinary life suddenly finds himself in a dream-like world where he is extraordinary so why does he want to return home?
The plays in our 2023-24 season break open genre and expand the boundaries of what we think of theatre. These plays reinforce that the training and education Fordham Theatre students in is one of the most daring in the country. Not only because of our dedication to plays that examine relevant issues of our time, but also because our season reflects our belief that theatre is more than just entertainment It is a vehicle for examining our souls and bettering humanity
We invite you to be a part of our work! Your generous sponsorship will help us bring professional mentorship to our students, help us pay our guest artists, subsidize free tickets for low-income students and seniors, and more. Learn more about sponsorship at bit.ly/ft-sponsorships.
On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff at Fordham Theatre, thank you in advance for your sponsorship We can’t wait to see you at our Mainstage shows this season
From Fordham Theatre’s 2022 Mainstage production of
DANCE NATION by Clare Barron
Directed by Sanaz Ghajar. Choreography by Sylvie Tamar (Fordham ‘22).
PHOTO: Josef Moro
Pictured: Isabella Gallegos (Fordham ‘25)
FORDHAM THEATRE MAINSTAGE PRESENTS
Translation by Caridad Svich
Fordham Theatre Mainstage | Pope Auditorium
113 West 60th Street | New York, NY 10023
Thursday, February 22nd - Saturday, March 2nd 2024
RUN TIME
SETTING
1h, 35m with no intermission
A mourning period amidst the summer heat in an Andalusian village
CAST
Valeria Fernández
Kana Seiki
Yasemin Cem
Bernarda
Maria Josefa/Pepe
Adela
CREATIVE / PRODUCTION TEAM
Lisa V Felson
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Julia Walker
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Laney Schwantes
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Mark Wendland
SCENIC DESIGNER
Ian Rios
ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER
Mariko Ohigashi
COSTUME DESIGNER
Teri Salmon
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER
Zac Zwart
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Luke Willson
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
David van Tieghem
SOUND DESIGNER
Stanley Gagner
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER
Deb Gaouette
PROPS DESIGNER
Andrea Haring
VOCAL COACH
Giordana Simurdiak..............................................
Angustias
Yvanna Tassy.................................................................
Milagros Luis..........................................................
Amanda Sofia Rodriguez
McKenna Dixon
Riley Halpern
Anne Lois Bullington...................
Catherine Otero......
Alexandra Pupo......
Hannah Ponce
Malak Elghamrawi
Martirio
Magdalena
Amelia Poncia
Teresa (Servant)
Prudencia/Woman
Mourner #1/Ensemble
Woman Mourner #2/Ensemble
Woman Mourner #3/Ensemble
Woman Mourner #4/Ensemble
Young Girl/Ensemble
Tim Zay
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
Jess Siegel
LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER
Milagros Luis
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER
Kana Seiki
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER
Scott Yezzi
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Andrew Shapiro
MUSIC DIRECTOR
ABOUTTHEDIRECTOR
DAWNAKEMISAITO
Dawn Akemi Saito is an actress/performance artist, writer, movement artist, teacher, and director whose multi-disciplinary works include: INSECTS IN HEAT; SUNS ARE SUNS (toured in U S Cambodia, Singapore); KNOCK ON THE SKY (Walker Art Center, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts); A FACE OF OUR OWN (Orpheum Theater, Austria) in collaboration with composer Myra Melford and artist Michael Haberz; BLOOD CHERRIES directed by Jonathan Rosenberg and Sabrina Peck (Dance Theater Workshop); MUJYO with musician/composer Joseph Jarman; RED EYE (Whitney Museum); HALO (Highways); HA directed by Maria Mileaf (DTW, New York Theater Workshop); PASTIME (La MaMa); DREAMCATCHER (DTW).
Performances include: Haruna Lee’s SUICIDE FOREST and MEMORY RETROGRADE; John Jesurun’s STOPPED BRIDGE OF DREAMS; Dan Hurlin’s HIROSHIMA MAIDEN (St Ann’s Warehouse); Fiona Templeton’s MEDEAD; Fred Ho and Ruth Margraff’s SHE WOLF; Roman Paska’s ARDEN/ARDENNES (Théâtre du Rond-Point Paris); Bill T. Jones’ LAST SUPPER AT UNCLE TOM’S CABIN (BAM); Ping Chong’s DESHIMA and ELEPHANT MEMORIES; Charles Mee Jr.’s MY HOUSE WAS COLLAPSING TOWARD ONE SIDE; THE ROAD HOME directed by Larry Sacharow (Moscow Art Theatre); ‘MAID by Erik Ehn and directed by Maria Mileaf; and PHOTOGRAPHS AT S21 by Catherine Filloux
Saito has also collaborated with Robert Woodruff, JoAnne Akalaitis, Aya Ogawa, and Yusef Komunyakaa amongst many others. She is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Theatre Department at Fordham University/Lincoln Center where she has directed Suzan-Lori Parks’ FUCKING A, MACBETH, Jen Silverman’s PHOEBE IN WINTER, Eisa Davis’ BULRUSHER, and THE BACCHAE She is also a Physical Theatre Faculty/Director at Juilliard (Drama Division) She guest teaches at the National Theater Institute, Princeton University and has taught at CalArts, NYU Grad Acting, and Bard College. She is Co-Director of the Bard Summer Theatre Devising Intensive in Berlin. Dawn is the recipient of the ITI-UNESCO International Uchimura Prize and of a fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council to study Butoh in Japan Saito’s HA was published in TCG’s Extreme Exposure
OUTTHE SLATOR, DSVICH
Caridad Svich is a playwright, translator, lyricist, screenwriter, editor, and educator. Her works have been seen at venues across the US and abroad. Key works: 12 Ophelias, Iphigenia Crash Land Falls.., Red Bike and The House of the Spirits (based on Isabel Allende’s novel) Recipient of many honors, among them are The Dramatists Guild Flora Roberts Award, Obie for Lifetime Achievement, American Theatre Critics Association Primus Prize, two NNPN Rolling World Premieres, two National Latine Playwriting Awards and a Harvard/Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Screenwriter of the film Fugitive Dreams, based on her play, now streaming on Apple Tv and Amazon Prime, starring April Matthis, Robbie Tann, Scott Shepard, OLan Jones and David Patrick Kelly
They are Artistic Director of New Play Development at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City, Editor at Contemporary Theatre Review (Routledge, UK), Drama Editor at Asympote literary translation journal, and Associate Editor at Elements in Performance (Cambridge University Press). Newest book: Toward a Future Theatre (Methuen Drama)
W C A S E
2 0 2 4 S E N I O R S H O
Help the class of 2024 reach their $5,000 goal in support of their Spring Senior Showcase for theatre industry professionals.
Make a contribution through GiveCampus by scanning the code or visit bit.ly/ft-showcase-fund-24.
CAST
VALERIAFERNÁNDEZ | BERNARDA
Valeria Fernandez is an actor/musician from Caracas, Venezuela She’s currently a sophomore at Fordham University and last performed as Nelly Friedman in their MainStage production of Paula Vogel’s INDECENT Valeria would like to thank the cast, crew, and production team of THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA for such a touching and fulfilling opportunity Enjoy the show!
KANASEIKI (FORDHAM‘24) | MARIAJOSEFA/PEPE/ ASST.CHOREOGRAPHER
Kana Seiki is an actor, dancer, and choreographer from Japan She is a senior double majoring in Theatre and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Select acting credits: THE PILLOWMAN, WATER BY THE SPOONFUL and AULIS (Fordham), staged reading of 49 DAYS (Ma-Yi Theater Company), FREAK (Round House Theatre) Select choreography credits: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, NEXT TO NORMAL (Fordham) She also appeared in the short film Koi, which screened at Imagine This Women’s Film Festival Thank you to Dawn for supporting her throughout her time at Fordham, and to HOBA team for their empowering energy 家族に感謝☺ www kanaseiki com
YASEMINCEM | ADELA
Yasemin is a Turkish-Brazilian junior performance major with a minor in psychology Her recent credits include My Sweetest Baby Angel Princess (Dollie), When Birds Don’t Fly (Celia), Dance Nation (Sofia), Aulis (Polly)
GIORDANASIMURDIAK (FORDHAM‘24) | ANGUSTIAS
Giordana Simurdiak (Angustias) is a senior graduating with a major in Theatre Performance and a minor in Music Mainstage: CONTINUITY (Camera Asst ) Studio: MY SWEETEST BABY (Lex), BLOOD WEDDING (Bride), NIGHT AND DAEDALUS (Athena) Other: BURN, BABY, BURN (Abigail Williams), various staged readings at Fordham and the Tent Theater Company So much love to the incredible cast and crew, to Dawn, to her fellow seniors, and to her family who have flown out from all over! She is so, so grateful to be able to end her time performing at Fordham with another Lorca show (and be able to dance her heart out yet again)! She hopes you enjoy the show! IG: @oh lordy its jordi Website: giordanasim com
CAST
YVANNATASSY | MARTIRIO
Hailing from Asuncion, Paraguay, Yvanna Tassy is thrilled to make her MainStage debut with The House of Bernarda Alba! She is honored to have been part of a process that has been so uplifting, warm, and kind! She wants to thank her lovely mom, muñe, Tia Pichu and her bestfriend Leela for the endless support and love always
MILAGROSLUIS | MAGDALENA/ASST.CHOREOGRAPHER
Milagros Luis is a junior student from Argentinian concentrating in both performance and directing She is grateful for having the opportunity to perform two of her interests in this show; acting and choreographing Thank you Dawn for trusting my vision and talent as well as the cast that made the process so fun and nourishing! Other works include RHINOCEROS - Jean SCOUTS - Director BLOOD WEDDING - Assistant Director TWO BIRDS ONE STONE - Director at New York Theatre Festival 2023 Its an honor to share this experience with my close friends who have always supported me, and for those in London, I miss you Gracias a mi familia por el apoyo incondicional, aunque sea a la distancia, los tengo presente en cada paso de mi carrera
AMANDASOFIARODRIGUEZ | AMELIA
Amanda is overjoyed to be making her Mainstage debut! Fordham credits include: MY SWEETEST BABY ANGEL PRINCESS (Steph), MERRY GO ROUND (Assistant Director), and AMETHYST AND PERIDOT (Peridot) Other recent credits: THE PROM (Kaylee), GREASE (Marty) She would like to thank Dawn for this opportunity She also thanks the cast/crew and her friends for their love and support
MCKENNADIXON | PONCIA
McKenna Dixon is a third-year theatre and journalism major, honored to be making her MainStage debut! She is overjoyed to return to Fordham Theatre after studying classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art this past fall Recent stage credits include LAMDA’s AS YOU LIKE IT (Celia/Jaques), Fordham Studio’s BLOOD WEDDING (Mother), TWO BIRDS, ONE STONE (Poison) at the New York Theater Festival, and THE PROM (Angie/Sheldon) at Theater 555 McKenna extends a wholehearted thank-you to the entire HoBA team and to Lorca for the love and the duende that have made this experience special Immense gratitude towards her family and friends! mckenna g dixon@gmail com
CAST
RILEYHALPERN | TERESA(SERVANT)
Riley Halpern, a junior on the performance track, is thrilled to make her Mainstage debut with this incredible ensemble! Studio: RHINOCEROS (Daisy), THE MINOTAUR (Ariadne), WHEN BIRDS DON’T FLY (Mckenzie), SAVONAROLA: A PSEUDOHISTORY IN PUPPETS (Nick), CONSTRUCTED REALITIES (Devised) Thank you to Dawn, the cast, crew, and creative team, and, as always, my family
ANNELOISBULLINGTON | PRUDENCIA/WOMANMOURNER #1/ENSEMBLE
Anne Lois Bullington (Prudencia) is a second year performance major at Fordham University. Fordham Credits: THE MOORS (Emilie), BLOOD WEDDING (Leonardo), RHINOCEROS (The Logician / Mrs. Boeuf). Other Credits: The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (Phoebe’s Friend). She would like to thank her family for their continued support, as well as the cast and crew for an exceptional creative experience Instagram: @alo bullington Email: anneloisbullington@gmail com
CATHERINE OTERO | BEGGARWOMAN/WOMAN MOURNER#2/ENSEMBLE
Catherine Otero is delighted to be making her Fordham Theatre Mainstage debut
Recent credits include THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED with Fordham Studio Theatre She also has been in short films such as I Saved You a Seat and Supernova
Catherine would like to thank the cast and crew for such a wonderful experience and her family for always supporting her
ALEXANDRAPUPO | WOMANMOURNER#3/ENSEMBLE
Alexandra is a sophomore internal transfer for Costume Design and Performance
She has assisted in Costume Design for High School Play in the fall but now is so grateful to be performing in her first mainstage show at Fordham University She thanks her family, friends, and teachers who have supported her Alexandra is proud to represent her Cuban culture and the spirit of Duende through Lorca's words and Dawn Saito's vision in this production of La Casa de Bernarda Alba
CAST
HANNAHPONCE | WOMANMOURNER#4/ENSEMBLE
Hannah Ponce is a third-year Theatre student with a concentration in performance and a minor in Spanish Studies She is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Hudson County, New Jersey, and she is extremely grateful to be making her MainStage debut in the House of Bernarda Alba Her recent performance credits include: Interwoven student-directed piece (Ma) and The Dark Island studentdirected piece (Photographer) She records music under the artist name Esti Blue Recent song releases include: Waiting (Esti Blue), Like That (Esti Blue), and Blue Valentine (Esti Blue) Hannah would like to send a warm thank you to the amazing HOBA creative team, as well as her family and friends for their unwavering support!
MALAKELGHAMRAWI | YOUNGGIRL/ENSEMBLE
Malak Elghamrawi is a Junior concentrating in performance as a Theatre major at FCLC. She is an international actress from Egypt and is proud to be making her MainStage debut with Lorca’s THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA! She is excited to be returning to New York after a semester of classical training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, this past Fall (2023). Her recent performance credits include: LAMDA’s AS YOU LIKE IT (Touchstone & Phebe), Outlines student directed music video (She), and a production of DNA by Dennis Kelly (Leah). She also spent the summer of 2023 training at the Arab Film School of Cairo. Malak is extremely grateful to have worked with such an excellent team and cast. She is extending many thanks to the entire HoBA creative and directorial team, as well as all her friends and family! Personal Email: molica2003@gmail.com
CREATIVETEAM:CLASSOF2024
JULIAWALKER | PRODUCTIONSTAGEMANAGER
Julia Walker (Production Stage Manager) - Mainstage: INDECENT (ASM), THE DRAG (Wardrobe Crew Head), WATER BY THE SPOONFUL (OBS Operator) Studio: MY SWEETEST BABY ANGEL PRINCESS (PSM), DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE (SM), WHEN BIRDS DON'T FLY (PM), BLOOD WEDDING (PM), NEXT TO NORMAL (PSM), SPACE SHOW (PSM) SAVONAROLA (Costume Designer), HAND TO GOD (PSM), ACCIDENTAL MURDER MYSTERY (Co-Costume Designer) Other: PROM PLAY (PSM - upcoming), BROADWAY BARES (ASM), GIRLBOSS (PSM), THE JIMMY AWARDS (PA), YES I AM A FRESHMAN THEATER MAJOR (IN A PANDEMIC) (ASM), THE GIRLS (ASM) Thank you to everyone on this production, you all really are some of the most talented and best people, sending so much love! Also she wants to thank Laney for everything she has done for her on this show - you are the best @julia walker theater, www juliawalkertheater com
ZACZWART | LIGHTINGDESIGNER
Zac Zwart (Lighting Designer): Hello? Who is this? Hello!? Just kidding! You’ve reached the voicemail box of me, Zac Zwart (he/they) I am a senior lighting designer and production manager here at Fordham I hold a B A in theatre: design and production, American studies: diversity and difference, and a minor in Spanish from Fordham University My creative journey started when I was Seagull #3 in The Little Mermaid Jr more than a decade ago And as I have continued on this path, I increasingly look forward to having more opportunities for learning and finding new ways to lead with love If you want to create together, please leave your name and a message after the beep (or in my Instagram dm’s @zac zwart) and I look forward to connecting with you I am very grateful to everyone on this process, my peers who I’ve shared my college experience with, and my parents and other mentors who have supported me the whole way through BEEEEEEP
Off Broadway: RUSSIAN TROLL FARM (APM) at Vineyard Theater, MINORITY Reading (SM) and TNG 2023 GALA (SM) at The New Group, MAMA ROSE (Lighting Designer) and WITHOUT YOU (Lighting Designer) at Royal Family Theatre Mainstage: INDECENT (Lighting Designer), AULIS (Video Design)
SCOTTYEZZI | MUSICSUPERVISOR
Scott Yezzi is a senior at Fordham University focusing on stage management and music direction. Off Broadway: FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY (PSM), STRAIGHT FORWARD (ASM), ONASSIS (ASM). Fordham Mainstage: HIGH SCHOOL PLAY (PSM), INDECENT (MD), TARTUFFE (SM), FUCKING A (Assoc. Music Director), EVERYBODY (Assistant OBS Designer). Select Studio: THE PRACTICE ROOM (PSM), DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE (PSM), NEXT TO NORMAL (MD), EVEN SO: A RADICAL CELEBRATION OF JOY (Music Director), HAND TO GOD (SM).
Website: scottyezzi.com, Instagram: @scott.yezzi
CREATIVETEAM
MARKWENDLAND | SCENICDESIGNER
Broadway: Rose Tattoo, Six Degrees of Separation, Significant Other, Heisenberg, If/Then, Merchant of Venice (Tony Nomination), Next to Normal (Tony Nomination), Talk Radio, An Almost Holy Picture, Death of a Salesman. New York: Murder Ballad (MTC), The Mother, (Atlantic), Unknown Soldier (Playwright’s Horizons), Moscow Moscow Moscow..., Yen, Punk Rock (MCC), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, Hamlet (CSC), The Layover, (Second Stage), The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide , Satellites, Fucking A, Pericles, A Dybbuk, The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, Cymbeline, Timon of Athens, (Public Theatre), Angels in America (Signature) Faculty: Interim Head of Design and Production, (Fordham University Theater Program).
IANRIOS| ASSISTANTSCENICDESIGNER
IAN RIOS (Assistant Scenic Designer) is beyond excited and honoured to have been part of this beautiful production! He is a sophomore designer and manager in the Fordham Theatre program His Fordham Studio credits include A NUMBER (SM), WHEN BIRDS DON'T FLY (APM), BLOOD WEDDING (APM), AND THIS IS WHERE WE (SM & APM), MY SWEETEST BABY ANGEL PRINCESS (PM), and SAGITTARIUS PONDEROSA (SD & PM). He would like to thank everyone in the cast and production/creative team for simply being awesome and Mark Wendland for being an amazing mentor! He is forever grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the show and hopes you enjoy the show! If you'd like to see more of my work, please follow my Instagram! @irios designs
DEBGAOUETTE | PROPSDESIGNER
Deb is no stranger to the main stage; having prop coordinated too many main stage shows to list Recent credits include: Americano at New World Stages; Robin and Me at Theater Row for Abingdon Theater Company; Turtle on a Fencepost at Theater 555; Karpovsky Variations for Boomerang Theater; Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Stage 42; The Other Josh Cohen at Westside Theater; Desperate Measures at both New World Stages and The York Theater; On a Clear Day at Irish Repertory, The Big Ten-Oh, Last Stop on Market Street; and She Presisted for Atlantic Kids Theater
DAVIDVANTIGEHEM | SOUNDDESIGNER
Broadway: Burn This, How I Learned to Drive, Doubt, Heisenberg, The Gin Game, The Lyons, Romeo and Juliet, The Big Knife, Reckless, Arcadia, The Normal Heart, The Crucible, A Behanding in Spokane, A Man for All Seasons, Inherit the Wind. Off-Broadway: Wit, Incognito, Plenty, The Grey Zone. Dance: Twyla Tharp, STREB, Doug Varone, Pilobolus, Bill T. Jones. Film/TV: Working Girls, Penn & Teller. Percussionist: Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Steve Reich, Arthur Russell. Albums: “Thrown for a Loop,” “Strange Cargo,” “Safety in Numbers,” “These Things Happen ” www vantieghem com
CREATIVETEAM
STANLEY GAGNER | ASSISTANTSOUNDDESIGNER
Stanley is a sophomore studying sound design at Fordham. On Mainstage, he has been the Assistant Sound Designer for INDECENT and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Fordham studio credits include THE MOORS (ASD), MERRY-GO-ROUND (SD), SAGITTARIUS PONDEROSA (SD), THE PRACTICE ROOM (Props) and THE MEDEA THING (SD, upcoming) Outside of Fordham, he has designed sound for DANCING LESSONS and served as ASM and de-facto TD for CLUE, both at TLHD in Alexandria, Minnesota
MARIKO OHIGASHI | COSTUMEDESIGNER
A Costume Designer for stage and film, Mariko was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Her U.S. theater credits include SUMO (Ma-Yi/La Jolla Playhouse); Romeo and Juliet (NAATCO/Two River Theater, Lynn F. Angelson Theater); Migration (Bard College); Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B (Dorset Theatre Festival); A Little Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (Two River Theater); Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance (Connelly Theater); Out of Time (The Public); Veil Widow Conspiracy (New York Theater Workshop, Next Door); Vis-à-Vis (New York City Ballet, Choreographic Institute); Hanjo (SITI Company/SUNY Purchase, Japan Society); Williams College Dance Concerts. International theater credits in Japan include The Barber of Seville & The Marriage of Figaro (Rohm Theater Kyoto); Hansel and Gretel (Sony Music Foundation/Suntory Hall, Tokyo); The Count of Monte Cristo (Kinokuniya Hall); Lulu (Shinjuku Bunka) and Carmen (Kanagawa Kenmin Hall) with Tokyo Nikikai Opera MFA from NYU Tisch, BA from UNC Chapel Hill Web: marikoohigashi com Gratitude goes to the wonderfully collaborative costume shop, my design assistant Teri Salmon, and the students working in the shop and wardrobe.
TERI SALMON | ASSISTANTCOSTUMEDESIGNER
Teri Salmon (they/them) Assistant Costume Designer, They are a sophomore costume designer They are so excited to be assisting on the Mainstage for the first time! They've had so much fun in this process and really hope everyone enjoys the show! Also, in their free time they enjoy baking and watching fantasy movies. Past Studio credits: SAGITTARIUS PONDEROSA (Costume Designer), A NUMBER, NIGHT AND DAEDELUS, WHEN BIRDS DON'T FLY(Assistant Costume Designer), RHINOCEROS (Associate Costume Designer) Mainstage credit: LA COCINA (Wardrobe Crew) Other credits outside Fordham: Dorset Theater Festival 2023 Costume Shop Technician Upcoming credits are Costume Designing PAUL in studio!
LUKE WILLSON | ASSISTANTLIGHTINGDESIGNER
Luke Willson is a junior year lighting designer who is overjoyed to join Zac on this wonderful process. Credits Include: MY SWEETEST BABY ANGEL PRINCESS (LD), MERRY-GO-ROUND (LD), POOR YELLA REDNECKS AT MTC (LD and PROJECTIONS OBSERVERSHIP), EUGENE O'NEILL THEATRE CENTER (STAFF ELECTRICIAN) He would like to give a special thanks to his friends Rebecca and Katie, as well as his dog Bonnie
CREATIVETEAM
LISAV.FELSON | ASSISTANTDIRECTOR
Lisa V is in the class of '26 on the Directing Track During their time at Fordham they have worked on DEAD MAN'S CELLPHONE and SAGITTARIUS PONDEROSA as an Assistant Director and IS GOD IS as a Stage Manager He would like to thank Dawn for making this process such a wonderful learning experience, Julia and Laney for being the greatest ever, and the cast and designers for building this world with their outstanding talent. She hopes that you will all love this show just as much as she does!
JESSICASIEGEL | CHOREOGRAPHER
Jessica Siegel is a third-year New Media and Digital Design Major with a Theatre Minor She has been dancing for 17+ years She has trained competitively with L’amoré Dance Company and Hart Dance Team She is so excited to be working on a Fordham Mainstage Production! Previous Fordham Theatre Credits include: WE ARE ARTISTS (Asst. Director - Studio), MY SWEETEST BABY ANGEL PRINCESS (Asst. Producer - Studio), WHEN BIRDS DON’T FLY (Social Media Manager - Studio). TV Credits include: “Person, Place, or Thing” (Assoc. Producer), “You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno” (PA).
LANEYSCHWANTES | ASSISTANTSTAGEMANAGER
Laney is a third-year Theatre Design and Production major at Fordham Theatre. New York: Taylor: A New Era (PA, Covid Manager) at Lincoln Center David H. Koch Theater. Fordham Mainstage: LA COCINA (ASM), DANCE NATION (ASM) Fordham Studio: PAUL (PSM), MARISOL (PM), WHEN BIRDS DON'T FLY (SM), NIGHT AND DAEDALUS (SM), THE MOORS (APM) Regional: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (SM, Board Op) and THE 39 STEPS (ASM) at SPARC Theater Other: LITTLE WOMEN (Producer) and INTO THE WOODS (Producer) at The Athenian School. Laney would like to thank the entire production team for their dedicated collaboration during this process! Special thanks to Julia, Lisa, Dawn, the sweetest cast, and my run crew for helping me put away all 54 of these stools every night! IG: @laneycreative
ANDREWSHAPIRO | MUSICDIRECTOR
Andrew Shapiro, actor, musician, director, and teacher, is proud to be sharing the stage as music director with the cast of House of Bernarda Alba Musically trained in jazz, Andrew is a saxophonist who has worked with, performed, and studied under many prominent jazz musicians in the New York scene, including Walter Blanding, Gary Smulyan, Ted Nash, Melissa Aldana, Ron Carter, and many more. Andrew is also a member of the evening division at Julliard. Additionally, Andrew is a teaching assistant for the Jazz Arts Collective Summer intensive where he works with middle and high schoolers from all over the world at Lincoln Center His solo freelance career as a musician for over 6 years has made him a versatile musician, allowing him to work under his own name with the "Andrew Shapiro Quartet" and playing in many other styles such as musical theatre, pop, rock, funk, and now flamenco! Apart from music, he is also a performance concentration at Fordham, and is an ambassador for the theatre program. Credits include: Mainstage: Indecent (Otto) Studio: Next to Normal (piano 1/asst. sound), Night and Daedalus (Music Director), We are Artists (musician). Huge thanks to Scott, Dawn, his mom and sister, and to the wonderful cast of Bernarda Alba for all the love and support he's been given IG: @anjewwwww
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TIMZAY | FIGHTCHOREOGRAPHER/TECHNICALDIRECTOR
Tim Zay has worked as master carpenter for Pace University on the Modular Globe Theatre Project; as scene shop foreman for Brooklyn Scenic on their many projects, including Disney’s The Lion King; and productions for The Roundabout and American Place Theatres He has worked extensively in the New York Off-Broadway circuit as well as in film and television He is retiring this year after 23 years at Fordham University.
SPECIALTHANKSTO
Nelida Tirado and Gracie Fojtik
UPNEXTONTHEFORDHAMTHEATREMAINSTAGE
ASEEL SAWALHA
Acting Chair of Theatre and Visual Arts Departments
MAY ADRALES
Director of the Theatre Program / Head of Acting
FADI SKEIKER
Professor of Theatre
TERRENCE I MOSLEY
Interim Head of Directing
ELIZABETH MARGID
Associate Professor, Directing
DAWN AKEMI SAITO
Clinical Professor, Acting
TONY MENESES
Interim Head of Playwriting
MARK WENDLAND
Interim Head of Design & Production
CHAD MCARVER
Associate Professor, Design & Production
MICHAEL A ZAMPELLI, SJ
Associate Professor, Theatre
GEORGE DRANCE, SJ
Artist-in-Residence
JAMES BARTHOLOMEW
Business Manager
ANNE CLARK
Senior Executive Secretary, Theatre, Visual Arts, Art History, and Music, LC
SHAUN SUCHAN
Production Manager
TIM ZAY
Technical Director
JOSH STEVENSON
Assistant Technical Director
JESSICA SHAY
Costume Shop Supervisor
GAA-EN GRACE JEON
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor
DANIE L TAYLOR
Lighting & Sound Shop Supervisor
ASSISTANTS TO THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Adelene Farrell, Ivana Zamora, Caitlin Lambros
HOUSE MANAGERS: Matthew Green, Melissa Bautista
BOX OFFICE MANAGERS: Matthew Green, Melissa Bautista, Riley Halpern
FRONT OF HOUSE: Aiden Castillos, Yasemin Cem, Isabella Conklin, Andrew Defrin, McKenna Dixon, Katherine Fosmoen, Nina Polaris, Hannah Ponce, Amanda Rodriguez, Laney Schwantes, Andrew Shapiro, Jessica Siegel
WORK STUDY CARPENTERS: Sawyer Barth, Chamberlain Bauman, Sommer Bauman, Haley E Crawford, Nathaniel F Dallimore, Samuel W. Deetjen, Kori Dezena Andrade, Valeria Fernandez, Natalie Foo, Sam Glassman, Sara Hecht, Maia Kraskouskas, Manon McCollum, Jeremiah Onyango, Cade Parker, Caroline E Pastilha, Ian Rios, Bailey Smith, Boone T Sommers, Kei Sugae, Yvanna M Tassy, Brian Tong
LAB HOURS CARPENTERS: Vivi Aiello, Ryan Arocho, Zachariah Baumhardt, Elise K Benson, Matthew Bowen, Anne Lois Bullington, Amanda Burch, Eliza Byrnes, Julie Casamonti, Lynn Cheng, Trudy Cohen, Damon Diaz, Isabelle Diaz, Madalena DiPentima, Malak Elghamrawi, Kristine Feng, Carlos Fernandez-Bravo, Christopher Harrigan, Destiny Harris, Ada Holmes, Abdur Ibrahim, Leah John, Sonia Kukula, Julia Lapaj, Zoe Manarel, Aja Matthews, Fiona Nealis, Nhat Huy Nguyen, Samantha Ortiz, Catherine Otero-Canton, Arielle Schmid, John Stengel, Caroline Tanzer, Alex Vargas, Chandler Wheeler, Nicole Yagar
WORK STUDY COSTUME ARTISANS; Monge Ío Rosado, Eli Tapia, Katie Bartlett, Peter Chan, Salvatore Dilluvio, Rooke Lewis, Alexandra Pupo, Isabel Ramirez, Teri Salmon, Kana Seiki, Alexa K Smith, Jessica Stekloff, Evan Woodfill
COSTUME SHOP LAB STUDENTS: Sarah Antoinette Arata, Talaya Carter, Sophia D'Orio, Ella Hyde, Safa Kibria, Lily Lawrence, Margaret Needham, Eleanor O'Toole, Shreya Sharma, Savannah Stovall, Andy Suarez, Elizabeth Tarsky
WORK STUDY ELECTRICIANS: Ash Daniels, Zac Zwart, Lee Lillis, Elijah Warrington, Raina Williams, Shamia Rahman, Sabina Ali, Dylan Perez
LAB HOURS ELECTRICIANS: Stanley Gagner, Eliza Byrnes, Luke Willson, Ashia Islam, Julia Lapaj, Lizbeth Luciano, Chanbin Moon, Elian Rivera, Dailey Ward, Kal Larsen
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Yev Gelman, Laney Schwantes
LIGHTING BOARD OPERATOR: Daisuke Miyama
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR: Imani Carr
WARDROBE HEAD: Rooke Lewis
WARDROBE CREW: Adeline Blue, Sawyer Barth, Julie Casamonti, Isabel Ramirez
DECK CREW: Sophia Funicello, Ella Hyde, John Stengel
STUDENT PRODUCTION FACULTY
From Fordham Theatre’s 2023 Mainstage production of A Misummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Directed by Ryan Quinn
PHOTO: Cason Doyle (Fordham ‘22)
From Fordham Theatre’s 2022 Mainstage production of TARTUFFE by Molière
Directed by Terrence I. Mosely
PHOTO: Cason Doyle (Fordham ‘22)
Pictured: Leah Getz (‘23), Tyler Bey (’24)
