POTUS Program

S U T PO D EVERY N I H E B , OR T DUMBASS GREA N WOMEN E ARE SEVG TO KEEP TRYIN IM ALIVE H

WELCOME TO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

GIL CATES, JR.

Happy New Year! Welcome to the Los Angeles premiere of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. We’re thrilled to be kicking off 2024 in the Gil Cates Theater with this wickedly funny and irreverent farce, featuring beloved Geffen Playhouse alums and welcoming exciting new artistic voices to our theater.

new ticketing system, state-of-the-art backstage improvements, as well as enhancing the front-of-house experience for all our guests.

Alongside these efforts, we are also working to expand our programs within the community to broaden our relationships, as well as bring in new collaborators to Geffen Playhouse for the long term.

In the coming months, we’ll be announcing our 2024/2025 Season lineup, which marks the first from our new Artistic Director Tarell Alvin McCraney. Tarell and team have been deep in planning mode to curate a collection of plays that promise to innovate, inform, entertain, and inspire, true to our mission as a home for the performing arts.

None of the work we do, on stage or off, would be possible without your presence here today.

We are thankful for your support and being a part of the Geffen family.

We’ve also been busy this season making improvements and upgrades to our systems and infrastructure to provide you with the best experience possible. These include a seamless 2 P L AY B I L L

Enjoy the show!

Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director / CEO

BLACK CYPRESS BAYOU

The Broadway Production of

FAT HAM

03.27–04.28.2024

02.07–03.17.2024

Gil Cates Theater

Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater

TART S S T E K C I T 0!

AT JUST $3 3 10.2 0 8

GEFF .2 0 2 8 •

ENPL A

YHOUS

THE HOPE THEORY

TINY FATHER

Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater

Gil Cates Theater

04.25–06.09.2024

06.12–07.14.2024

E .O R G

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

AMY LEVINSON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adi Greenberg CHAIR

Dr. Gene D. Block

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director / CEO

Happy New Year and welcome to POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. We are so thrilled to bring you the Los Angeles premiere of Selina Fillinger’s raucous, raunchy play. Comedy is hard, and farce may be even harder. But in the hands of Selina and under the direction of Geffen alum Jennifer Chambers, this production serves as a shining example of what the genre can be when executed by extraordinary artists. In addition to being comedy gold, the truth that lurks beneath the madness of this story is as poignant and potent as ever.

In order to execute this comedy, Jennifer was charged with putting together an incredible ensemble of actors. And deliver she did! This cast has brought POTUS to life with such verve and hilarity. Together, they make the breakneck pace, precision logistics, and physical demands of the play look easy—or, more accurately, look like absolute chaos. In addition, we are thrilled to have a design team who have taken the formality of the White House and turned it into an obstacle course set for mayhem.

Though we first fell in love with POTUS in 2018, it took some time for the show to make it to our stage.

(The inner workings of a theater company may not be as complicated as the inner workings of the White House, but both require feats of timing, resources, and negotiation!) POTUS has been a long time coming, and I hope you’ll agree that it was well worth the wait.

I wish you and yours a meaningful 2024 and thank you for being here. Enjoy POTUS! Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director 4 P L AY B I L L

FOUNDING TRUSTEES Harold A. Brown Kirsten Combs

Mary Ann Cloyd Vice Chair

Robert A. Daly

Merle Dandridge

David Geffen

Dr. Brad Edgerton

Herbert M. Gelfand Chair Emeritus

Bonnie E. Eskenazi Mark Fleischer Susan Nahley Fleishman Brenda Garcia Patricia L. Glaser Eric Heer Carla Malden Brian Mann Tiffany Mayberry

Quincy Jones Jeffrey Katzenberg Glorya Kaufman Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus Ron Meyer Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chair Victoria Mann Simms

Tarell Alvin McCraney Artistic Director

Andy Spahn

Mary Osako

Steve Tisch

Danny Passman Holly Rice Linda Bernstein Rubin Matt Shakman Richard Sherman Cynthia P. Stafford

Steven Spielberg

IN MEMORIAM Gilbert Cates Founder Marcia Israel-Curley Audrey Skirball Kenis Charles Kenis Karl Malden

Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus

Ginny Mancini

JaHan Wang

Jerry Moss

Marc Weinstock

Jerry Perenchio Edie Wasserman Lew Wasserman Dr. Charles E. Young

LEGAL COUNSEL Nikki Kerman Venable LLP

NOW ON VIEW IN THE LOBBY

ART LIVES HERE

Geffen Playhouse celebrates the diversity in our audiences and our productions, and it is our mission to create, foster, and nourish an environment that is open and welcoming for all. We are a home for the arts, and we believe our physical space should also reflect and be representative of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do and the communities we support.

Four Los Angeles artists have been invited to create original art works to be displayed in our lobby welcoming audiences. Our 2023/2024 Season is curated by Terrell Tilford (Band of Vices), the Creative Director of Art Lives Here and Geffen Playhouse alumnus.

FEATURED WORK #10 Alma Mater ARTIST Pancho Cohen ON VIEW Jan. 17 – Feb. 18, 2024

Alma Mater is an exploration of Westwood Village. As a UCLA alumni myself, it’s been wild to be able to come back into the spaces I used to traffic 20 years ago. The same bus stop, the same coffee shop, the same burger stand. It’s no surprise to find Westwood Village occupied by the same kind of people that have always been here: students, university administrators, patients, bankers, and maintenance workers.

“Colleen Bruton, Administrator, Love and Kindness is Everything”

In my Alma Mater series I meet people on the

ABOUT THE ARTIST

sidewalk and ask: “What have you learned?

Pancho Cohen was raised in El Paso, TX. A

What do you still want to know?”

graduate of UCLA, he has attended both Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and the Grand Central Academy in New York, New York. He has been a featured artist at Luminaria Arts Festival in San Antonio, TX and a resident artist at Camera Obscura Art Lab in Santa Monica, CA. A recent recipient of the Joshua Tree Highland Arts Residency, he is a former fellow of the Hudson River Fellowship in Jackson, NH. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles running SEIS Gallery, which features up and coming young

“Ronia McFarland, Student, Discipline is the Heart of Self-Love“

artists alongside masters of their craft.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT VISIT GEFFENPLAYHOUSE.ORG/ARTLIVESHERE

THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION OF

POTUS

OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE WRITTEN BY

SELINA FILLINGER DIRECTED BY

JENNIFER CHAMBERS SET & VIDEO DESIGNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

BRETT J. BANAKIS

SAMANTHA C. JONES

LIGHTING DESIGNER

ORIGINAL MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY

ELIZABETH HARPER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

LINDSAY JONES

FIGHT DIRECTOR

EMILY MOLER

JULIE OUELLETTE

INTIMACY DIRECTOR

AMANDA ROSE VILLARREAL

DRAMATURG

OLIVIA O’CONNOR PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

DARLENE MIYAKAWA

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

COLLEEN DANAHER

CASTING DIRECTOR

PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA

OPENING NIGHT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 PRODUCTION SPONSOR

OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS

POTUS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Originally produced on Broadway by Seaview, 51 Entertainment, Glass Half Full, Level Forward; Salman Al-Rashid, Runyonland Productions, Sony Music Masterworks, One Community, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Jonathan Demar, Imagine Equal Entertainment, Lucas Katler, David J. Lynch, Leonid Makaron, Mark Gordon Pictures, Liz Slager, Ted Snowdon, Natalie Gorman/Tish Brennan Throop, and The Shubert Organization; Mark Shacket, Executive Producer 6 P L AY B I L L

POTUS

OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE CAST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Chris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ITO AGHAYERE † Margaret. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALEXANDRA BILLINGS Stephanie.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAUREN BLUMENFELD Harriet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHANNON COCHRAN Jean.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CELESTE DEN Dusty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JANE LEVY Bernadette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEIRDRE LOVEJOY †Fight Captain

UNDERSTUDIES

Margaret / Chris.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LORENE CHESLEY Stephanie / Dusty / Bernadette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOY DONZE Jean.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DESIRÉE MEE JUNG Harriet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELAINE RIVKIN Understudies never substitute for listed players unless specified.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

SETTING/TIME

PLEASE NOTE

The White House.

Not the current administration, necessarily—but broad strokes of past leaders, combined with stress dreams of future ones. And if we’re being honest, an amalgamation of them all...

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance.

Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!

RUNNING TIME

1 hour and 40 minutes, including one intermission.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 7

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRODUCTION STAFF FOR POTUS Assistant Set Designers Marissa Todd, Jiaying Zhang

Lead Scenic Carpenter Philip Rossi

Assistant Lighting Designer Erica Ammerman

Stage Supervisor Mady Krise

Associate Sound Designer Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky

Wardrobe Supervisor Michayla Van Treeck

Carpenters Oliver Brink, Ryan Fischer, Enrique Garcia, Mason Irwin, Shadow LaValley, Greg Mueller, Jacob Nava, Lyn Nguyen, Syd Shoell, Beth Scorzato, James Stanley, Eiden Weissblum

Lighting Programmer Nicole Jaja

Scenic Painter Vanessa Lara

Light Board Operator Ezra Muthiah

Dresser Kassidy Kleinsmith

Light Board Operator Swing Jesus Cambero Elias

Dresser Swing Kiko Cheyenne

A1 Bob Gilmartin

Stitchers Stephanie Castro, Kiko Cheyenne, Kassidy Klinesmith, Michayla Van Treeck

UCLA Directing Intern Yuval Zehavi Assistant Fight Director Collin Bressie Fight Assistant Mol Wilson Production Assistant Dani Jaramillo Dialect Coach Maha Afra Deck Crew Stephanie Castro, Sierra Haworth, Rebecca K. Hsia, Juliet Park Deck Crew Sub Erica Ammerman Filibuster Kassidy Klinesmith Automation Operator Enrique Garcia

A2 Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky

A2 Swing Michael Svolos

Electricians Erica Ammerman, Ezra Fisher, Justin Kelley-Cahill, Ezra Muthiah, Sydney Smith, James Tatsch, Benjamin Wendel

Properties Artisans & Carpenters J. Cody Andersen, Christopher R. Baab, Sigourney Chin, Danny Dolan, Aaron Lyons

Sound Technicians Sean Allinson, Guillermo Cervera, Ilana Elroi, Michael Svolos, Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky

A1 Swing Ilana Elroi

PRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Scenery Built & Painted By F&D Scene Changes Softgoods Provided By Rose Brand Lighting Equipment Provided By Kinetic Lighting

Sound Equipment Provided By DnB Design, Jon Sound Inc., Launch Production Photographer Jeff Lorch

Media Filming Ramon Garcia Design + Art Direction Base Design Photography Justin Bettman

SPECIAL THANKS UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume Shops

RECORDING NOTICE The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

8 P L AY B I L L

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

This project was also funded in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

I TO AG H AY E R E (she/her) Chris

ALEXANDRA BILLINGS (she/her) Margaret

L AU R E N B LU M E N F E L D (she/her) Stephanie

Alexandra Billings is an actress,

Lauren Blumenfeld is thrilled to

Her credits on Broadway in-

singer, author, teacher, and ac-

be making her Geffen Playhouse

clude: Junk (Ayad Akhtar); Bern-

tivist. Alex starred as “Madame

debut! Favorite theatre credits

hardt/Hamlet (Theresa Rebeck).

Morrible” in the Broadway pro-

include: The Assembled Parties

Off-Broadway: Mlima’s Tale (The

duction of Wicked, the first trans

(Broadway); We Are Proud to

Public Theater); Familiar (Play-

actor to portray the role. She

Present... (Soho Rep); Sailor Man

wrights Horizons); The Liquid

previously starred on Broadway

(NYC Fringe Festival Award);

Plain (Signature Theatre); Three

in Manhattan Theatre Club’s

and numerous productions at

Days to See (Transport Group/

The Nap. Alex starred in the

Ars Nova. Lauren has performed

NYTW); A Midsummer Night’s

Amazon television series The

abroad at The Old Vic (London)

Dream (The Classical Theatre

Peripheral, and the award-win-

and regionally at the William-

of Harlem); The Tempest, Much

ning Transparent. She has been

stown Theatre Festival, The Old

Ado About Nothing, and Mac-

a recurring guest star on The

Globe (San Diego), Pittsburgh

beth (Classic Stage Company).

Conners and Never Have I Ever,

Public Theater, and Virginia

among others. She stars in and

Stage Company. She was a

is the Executive Producer of the

series regular on the satirical

upcoming feature film release

comedy Nightcap, and has

Queen Tut and will Executive

played recurring roles on The

Produce and star in the A&E

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Kevin

limited series Liz, the story of

(Probably) Saves the World,

Elizabeth Carmichael, creator

Limitless, Unforgettable, Doubt,

of the ill­fated 3-wheeled car

Deadbeat, and Archibald’s Next

the Dale. Her autobiographical

Big Thing (Netflix). Lauren is

memoir This Time for Me is pub-

also a writer and filmmaker. Her

lished by Amazon Books. Alex is

shorts have played in festivals

a Professor of Theater at USC.

all over the world, including

pursuing her graduate studies at

She is a Viewpoints Associate

SXSW and SIFF. She is an NYU

Columbia University where she

at the Steppenwolf Theater

(Experimental Theatre Wing)

received her M.F.A. Ito is thrilled

Company.

graduate and a proud volunteer

Ito recently took on the role of “Guinan” in Star Trek: Picard.

Awards: Off-Broadway Lucille Lortel Award nomination for her role in Familiar. TV: Carol’s Second Act, The Blacklist, Instinct, Master of None, Elementary, 9-11: Lone Star. Film: Fear the Night (Neil LaBute), Logan Lucky (Steven Soderbergh). Ito graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Political Science and Theater Arts and later interned at the White House under the Obama Administration while

to be making her Geffen Play-

at The 52nd Street Project and

house debut! IG: @itoaghayere.

School on Wheels. Love and

AEA Member.

thanks to her family!

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 9

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

SHANNON COCHRAN Harriet

Shannon Cochran most recent-

Theater, Marriott Theatre, and

include American Born Chinese,

Cincinnati Playhouse in the

NCIS: Los Angeles, 9-1-1, The

Park. Film: Captive State, The

Blacklist, Shameless, Homeland,

Ring, Star Trek: Nemesis, The

Scandal, Criminal Minds, What/

Perfect Family, among others.

If, Larry Crowne, Music, and

Television: Modern Family,

Maxine. She earned her B.F.A.

Scandal, NCIS: Los Angeles,

from the University of Florida

Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order:

and her M.F.A. from California

SVU, The Office, among others.

Institute of the Arts. She was a 2018 recipient of the TCG/Fox

ly appeared in the “Voices of

Resident Actor Fellowship for

America” productions of The

Exceptional Merit.

Little Foxes and Appropriate at

www.celesteden.com

South Coast Repertory, as well as the West Coast premiere of Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in San Francisco.

Recent favorite credits include

C E L E S T E D E N (she/her) Jean

the role of “Nora” in the world

Geffen debut. Select theatre

premiere of A Doll’s House, Part

credits include Julie Taymor’s

2 at South Coast Repertory;

revival of M. Butterfly on

Buried Child and The Impor-

Broadway; the world premieres

JA N E L E V Y Dusty

tance of Being Earnest at Writ-

of Wild Swans at Young Vic

Jane Levy is thrilled to be

ers Theatre; and the Round-

(London), The King of Hell’s

making her theatre debut at

about Theatre Company’s

Palace at Hampstead Theatre

the Geffen Playhouse! Levy

National Tour of Cabaret. She

(London), and Trudy and Max in

previously starred as the titular

is an Obie and Theatre World

Love at South Coast Repertory;

character in NBC’s musical

Award winner for the role she

Chinglish at Berkeley Repertory

dramedy Zoey’s Extraordinary

created and performed in Bug

Theatre, South Coast Repertory,

Playlist for which she earned

(Gate Theatre/London, Barrow

and Hong Kong Arts Festival;

a Golden Globe nomination

Street Theatre) and was in the

Water by the Spoonful and The

in 2021 for Best Actress in a

first National Tour of August:

Two Gentlemen of Verona at

Television Series – Comedy for

Osage County. Other theatres

Oregon Shakespeare Festival;

her portrayal. Levy can next be

include Steppenwolf Theatre,

Wild Swans at A.R.T.; King of

seen starring in A Little Prayer,

Lookingglass Theatre Compa-

the Yees and As You Like It at

opposite David Strathairn,

ny, Goodman Theatre, The Old

Baltimore Center Stage; 11 Sep-

which premiered at the 2023

Globe, Long Wharf Theatre,

tember 2001, Peach Blossom

Sundance Film Festival and

Mark Taper Forum, Barbican

Fan, and King Lear with CalArts

was acquired by Sony Pictures

(London), Geffen Playhouse,

Center for New Performance.

Classics. Levy became well

Court Theatre, Victory Gardens

Select film and TV credits

known for her role as Tessa

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PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES Altman on ABC’s hit series

murderous moms, crooked

Theatre Company, Manhattan

Suburgatory, as well as Sam

cops, crackerjack lawyers,

Theatre Club, Williamstown

Raimi’s record-breaking remake

demented doctors, and serial

Theatre Festival, The Old

of Evil Dead and the thriller

killers on dozens of television

Globe, and Alley Theatre,

Don’t Breathe for Screen Gems.

shows including Raising Dion,

among others. She is currently

Other notable credits include

The West Wing, Girls, Orange

commissioned at Roundabout

Shameless, Fun Size, Castle

Is the New Black, Shameless,

and South Coast Repertory.

Rock, and What/If.

and Law & Order, to name a

She has developed TV with

few. Films include Step Up,

AMC, Freeform, Hunting Lane,

Steven Spielberg’s The Post, I

and Hulu, and a feature with

Am Elizabeth Smart, and the

Chernin/Netflix. She wrote for

upcoming biopic Lilly. B.F.A.

the third season of Apple TV+’s

University of Evansville, M.F.A.

The Morning Show. Fillinger

NYU. www.deirdrelovejoy.com

was named to the 2024 Forbes

@ddlovejoy

30 Under 30 list for Hollywood/Entertainment.

D E I R D R E LOV E J OY Bernadette

Broadway: Nora Ephron’s Lucky Guy starring Tom Hanks directed by George C. Wolfe, Six Degrees of Separation (original Broadway company), The Gathering, and Getting and Spending. Off-Broadway/

S E L I N A F I L L I N G E R (she/her) Playwright

Regional: Most recently POTUS

Selina Fillinger is an Oregon-

(“Harriet”) at Berkeley Reper-

based writer and performer.

tory Theatre. “Li’l Bit” in Paula

Her feminist farce, POTUS: Or,

Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize–winning

Behind Every Great Dumbass

How I Learned to Drive (original

are Seven Women Trying to

production and Arena Stage),

Keep Him Alive, garnered three

Macbeth at The Old Globe

Tony nominations and made

(as “Lady Macbeth”), and well

Fillinger, at 28, one of the

over one hundred productions

youngest female playwrights

spanning decades. Best known

ever produced on Broadway.

as “Rhonda Pearlman” from

Other plays include Baby,

the classic David Simon series

Under the Sill, The Collapse,

The Wire, “Cynthia Panabak-

Something Clean, Faceless,

er” on NBC’s The Blacklist,

and The Armor Plays: Cinched/

and “The Gravedigger” on

Strapped. Her work has been

Bones. Deirdre has played

developed at Roundabout

J E N N I F E R C H A M B E RS (she/her) Director

Jennifer is a Los Angeles based director. She developed and directed the world premiere of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter at Echo Theater Company with subsequent productions at Geffen Playhouse and Barrington Stage Company, The Enigmatist

by David Kwong (Geffen Playhouse, The Kennedy Center), If I Forget by Steven Levenson (Barrington Stage Company), A Kid Like Jake by Daniel Pearle (IAMA Theatre Company),

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 1

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES The Feast by Deborah Stein (CalArts), Sheila Callaghan’s Bed (Echo Theater Company), Jessica Goldberg’s Better (Echo Theater Company), the world premiere of Stephen Belber’s The Muscles in Our Toes (El Portal Forum Theatre), The Pain and the Itch by Bruce Norris (Zephyr Theatre), Playdates by Sam Wolfson (Theatre Asylum, Elephant Theatre Company), and the world premiere of Complete by Andrea Kuchlewska.

She has worked with acclaimed playwrights Paula Vogel and Bess Wohl and has directed workshops and readings for South Coast Repertory, The Old Globe, Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, and McCarter Theatre Center. She was associate artistic director at the Echo Theater Company and ran the playwrights lab for 3 years. She is a proud member of the new class of The Kilroys, an LA/NY based collective of playwrights, directors, and producers who fight to achieve equal representation on our American stages and gender balance in the American Theater. She is the co-founder of Girl Crush Films. www.jennifergchambers.com

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B R E T T J. B A N A K I S Set & Video Designer

Brett J. Banakis is a designer for theater, opera, film, and live performance based in Brooklyn, NY. In 2019, Brett made his Geffen Playhouse design debut with Mysterious Circumstances, which earned an Ovation nomination for Best Set Design. Other Geffen Playhouse designs: The Enigmatist, Inside the Box. As Assistant Set Designer: Wishful Drinking, A Picasso, You Can’t Take It With You, Paint Your Wagon, Speed-the-Plow, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Take Me Out. Broadway: The Outsiders (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre), The Notebook (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre), The Cher Show (Neil Simon Theare). Recent credits: Camp Siegfried (Second Stage Theater), Your Own Personal Exegesis (LCT3), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Transport Group), An Officer and a Gentleman (National Tour), Sunday (Atlantic Theater Company), Ghost Light (LCT3). Brett currently serves as

SA M A N T H A C. J O N E S (she/her) Costume Designer

Samantha C. Jones is excited to return to Geffen Playhouse as a part of this wonderful work.

She is a Costume Designer and educator with previous design credits at Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Peninsula Players Theater, and others.

Her work can be viewed at www.samanthacjones.com.

International Scenic Supervisor

E L IZ AB E T H HAR P E R (she/her) Lighting Designer

for all worldwide productions

Regional: Between Two Knees

of Harry Potter and the Cursed

(Oregon Shakespeare Festival,

Child (Broadway, West End,

Yale Repertory Theatre); The

Melbourne, San Francisco,

Cake (La Jolla Playhouse);

Hamburg, Toronto, Tokyo).

The Invisible Hand (KCRep);

Brett is a faculty member at

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,

NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Immediate Family, Blues for

www.brettjbanakis.com

an Alabama Sky (Mark Taper

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES Forum); Quack, Woman Laugh-

Theater, Lookingglass Theatre

the co-artistic director of Baby

ing Alone With Salad (Kirk

Company, and many others.

Teeth, an LA-based perfor-

Douglas Theatre); Who’s Afraid

Film/television scoring work:

mance ensemble dedicated to

of Virginia Woolf?, Wait Until

The Brass Teapot for Magnolia

new work and LA premieres.

Dark, Long Day’s Journey into

Pictures, A Note of Triumph:

She has developed new works

Night, and Play Dead directed

The Golden Age of Norman

with Ensemble Studio Theatre

by Teller (Geffen Playhouse);

Corwin (2006 Academy Award

LA, The Associates Theater

Rock of Ages (The 5th Avenue

winner, Best Documentary

Ensemble, Joe’s Pub, Chance

Theatre, Seattle); Office

Short Subject) for HBO Films.

Theater, IAMA Theatre Compa-

Hourstarring Sandra Oh, Little

Awards: two Tony Award nom-

ny, SITI Company, The Duplex,

Black Shadows (South Coast

inations (Best Score and Best

and Pipeline Theatre Company.

Repertory); Crescent City

Sound Design of a Play), seven

Her upcoming productions of

directed by Yuval Sharon (The

Joseph Jefferson Awards and

Bitch Boxer, The Winter Guard

Industry). Corporate events

24 nominations; two Ovation

Play, and The Grown-Ups will

include projects for Microsoft,

Awards and three nominations;

premiere in 2024. B.S.: Skid-

Under Armour, AirBnB, and

LA and SD Drama Critics

more College. M.F.A.: UCSD.

Universal Studios. Elizabeth is

Circle Awards; two ASCAP Plus

a professor of lighting design

Awards; multiple nominations

at the University of Southern

for Drama Desk, Barrymore,

California.

Helen Hayes and IRNE, among many others. Founding member

L I N D SAY J O N ES (he/him) Original Music & Sound Design

Broadway: Slave Play, The Nap, Bronx Bombers, A Time to Kill.

Off-Broadway: Privacy, Dry Powder (The Public Theater);

of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA) and The Collaborator Party. www.lindsayjones.com

J U L I E O U E L L E T T E (they/she) Fight Director

Julie Ouellette is an LA-based actor and fight director committed to building safer spaces for marginalized artists by fighting for authentic representation, radical accessibility, and systemic racial equity in the entertainment industry.

Mankind, Bootycandy (Play-

E M I LY M O L E R (she/her) Associate Director

wrights Horizons); Rx (Primary

Emily Moler is a theater, film,

(Center Theatre Group), The

Stages), and many others.

and VO director. Theatrical

Inheritance (Geffen Play-

International: Royal Shake-

credits include: Dance Nation,

house), Little Shop of Horrors

speare Company (England),

Uncle Vanya, As You Like It, End

(Pasadena Playhouse). Julie

Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Days, and Ironbound (University

is the Artistic Director of The

(Canada). Regional: Mark

of California San Diego); And

Commons and teaches a Queer

Taper Forum, Arena Stage,

We’re Live, and Coffee Break

Feminist Stage Combat class

Goodman Theatre, McCarter

(Actors Theatre of Louis-

in Los Angeles. Learn more:

Theatre Center, The Old Globe,

ville). She has self-produced

www.hellojulieo.com

Steppenwolf Theatre Compa-

productions of Chamber Music,

ny, Guthrie Theater, Hartford

Untitled American Flag Craft

Stage, Chicago Shakespeare

Project, and Good Cry. Emily is

Recent: A Transparent Musical

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 3

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES A M A N DA R O S E V I L L A R R E A L (she/they) Intimacy Director

Amanda Rose Villarreal is an intimacy choreographer and immersive artist committed to unleashing artists’ agency in collaborative processes. Associate Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education and Assistant Professor at Cal State Fullerton, Amanda Rose earned their Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder, where they researched and developed consent-based practices for

Roundabout Theatre Company

Broadway: Godspell, Wonder-

(Artistic Associate), as well as

land, South Pacific, Lend Me a

dramaturgy and selection com-

Tenor, Grease, Grey Gardens.

mittee work with City Theatre

Touring: 11 years with the 2nd

Company, Pittsburgh Public

National Company of Wicked.

Theater, Bricolage Production

Regional: Many productions

Company, Third Space Theatre,

at the Vineyard Playhouse on

The Flea Theater, the National

the beautiful island of Martha’s

Alliance for Musical Theatre,

Vineyard. Love to Michael and

and the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Gus. <3 to LBB

Outside of her institutional a script consultant, copywriter,

P H Y L L I S S C H U R I N G A , C SA (she/her) Casting Director

and playwright.

Phyllis is an Artistic Associate

www.oliviaannoconnor.com

and the Casting Director for

work, Olivia has experience as

immersive and gamified perfor-

DARLENE MIYAKAWA (she/her) Production Stage Manager

mance. Their artistic work and

Regional: The Old Globe, Getty

publications center anti-oppres-

Villa, Geffen Playhouse, South

sive practices rooted in queer

Coast Repertory, Geva Theatre

and feminist performance and

Center, Barrington Stage Com-

research methodologies. Recent

pany, Playwrights’ Arena, East

credits: Pasadena Playhouse

West Players, SITI Company,

(Uncle Vanya, Sanctuary City,

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.

A Little Night Music), Geffen

Dance: L.A. Dance Project (in

Playhouse (The Inheritance: Part

Qatar), The Watermill Center

1 & Part 2, Every Brilliant Thing);

Festival. Opera and Symphony:

Sinking Ship Productions (Proj-

Long Beach Opera, Piedmont

ect Ascension, Monstrosity, The

Opera, Opera San Jose, Cali-

Job Opportunity).

fornia Symphony, Fort Worth

O L I V I A O ’C O N N O R (she/her) Dramaturg

Olivia O’Connor joined the Geffen as Literary Manager & Dramaturg in 2022. Her previ-

Opera, Opera Memphis, Tri-Cities Opera, New York City Opera, OPERA San Antonio, LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Geffen Playhouse. She has received 9 Artios nominations: The Inheritance: Part 1 & Part 2, Power of Sail, Man of God, Witch, Significant Other, Actually, Barbecue, Barcelona, and The Country House. Before joining the Geffen, she was the Casting Director for Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse

C O L L E E N DA N A H E R (she/her) Assistant Stage Manager

and Briar Street Theater in

ous creative development experience includes staff positions

Colleen is thrilled to be back

include One Flew Over the Cuck-

at Pittsburgh CLO (Manager of

at the Geffen following this

oo’s Nest (Tony Award for Best

New Work Development) and

season’s Every Brilliant Thing.

Revival), The Song of Jacob Zulu,

1 4 P L AY B I L L

Chicago). Broadway transfers

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES and The Rise and Fall of Little

David Geffen School of Drama

ny) and Three Sisters and David

Voice. She is a member of the

at Yale. He received an honorary

Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre

Casting Society of America.

doctorate from the University

(both at Syracuse Stage).

of Warwick. He was recently

Cates’ film credits include

Co-Chair of Playwriting at the

The Surface (starring Sean

David Geffen School of Drama,

Astin and Geffen Playhouse

where he remains on faculty.

alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs

He is an associate at the Royal

(starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh

Shakespeare Company, London,

Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well

and a member of the Academy

as Geffen Playhouse alumni

TA R E L L A LV I N M c C R A N E Y

of Motion Picture Arts and

Matthew Modine and Ron El-

(he/him) Artistic Director

Sciences (Writers Branch).

dard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks,

Tarell Alvin McCraney is

Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret).

Artistic Director of Geffen

In addition, Cates co-produced

Playhouse. In this role, he is

and co-directed the critically

responsible for identifying,

acclaimed Life After Tomorrow,

developing, and programming

featuring Sarah Jessica Parker,

new works and re-envisioned classics. He sets the strategic

which premiered on Showtime.

G I L CAT E S, J R .

Executive Director / CEO

His other films include Deal

Gil Cates and Audrey Skirball

Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Direc-

Kenis Theaters.McCraney is an

Harrison and Charles Durning)

tor / CEO of Geffen Playhouse.

award-winning writer, producer,

and The Mesmerist (starring

In this role, he is responsible

and educator, best known

Jessica Capshaw and Geffen

for managing the Geffen’s day-

for his acclaimed trilogy, The

Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick

to-day operations; developing

Brother/Sister Plays. His script

Harris). Cates’ television direc-

new, ongoing theater partner-

In Moonlight Black Boys Look

torial debut was an episode of

ships and leading its mission

Blue is the basis for the Oscar–

the NBC comedy Joey, starring

to inform, entertain and inspire

winning film Moonlight directed

Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc.

diverse audiences with live

by Barry Jenkins, for which

He recently directed Displaced,

theater of the highest caliber.

McCraney and Jenkins also won

a documentary short chroni-

Prior to being named Executive

a Best Adapted Screenplay Os-

cling the journey of one of the

Director in 2015, Cates served

car. He is an ensemble member

first refugee families to flee

as Geffen Playhouse Board

at Steppenwolf Theatre and

Ukraine and arrive in the U.S.

Vice Chairman since 2012

a member of Teo Castellanos

after escaping the Russian

and served as a producer and

D-Projects in Miami, a graduate

invasion. He studied at the

director in theater, film and

of New World School of the

National Theatre Institute in

television. His theater credits

Arts, The Theatre School at

Waterford, Connecticut, and

include the award-winning

DePaul University, and the

holds a B.F.A. in Drama from

Names (Matrix Theatre Compa-

Syracuse University.

artistic course for the Geffen’s

(starring Burt Reynolds, Bret

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 5

THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft, and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.

The Geffen Playhouse’s New Play Development Program is made possible, in large part, through the leadership and generosity of donations from: The Edgerton Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Fay & Frank Mancuso, Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald, Hilary & Jack Angelo, and Mary Bianco, The MOCA Foundation.

We are proud to have the following artists under commission:

GEFFEN AT A GLANCE CONTACT Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

310.208.6500 Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm AUDIENCE SERVICES

310.208.2028 Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.

BOX OFFICE WINDOW Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain.

Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges or future sales one hour prior to curtain time on performance days.

LUIS ALFARO

STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR

JONATHAN CAREN

JIEHAE PARK

COLMAN DOMINGO

JOHN POLLONO

MICHAEL GOLAMCO

ROBERT SCHENKKAN

ACCESSIBILITY

MEGHAN KENNEDY

JEN SILVERMAN

MATTHEW LÓPEZ

DAVID WIENER

MARTYNA MAJOK

CRAIG WRIGHT

QUI NGUYEN

LAUREN YEE

Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/access or call Audience Services.

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.

LATE SEATING

THE WRITERS’ ROOM A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city.

Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage. Some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating. To minimize disturbances to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat.

During this one-year residency, playwright members gather

NO PHOTOGRAPHY

monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feed-

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance.

Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.

back from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.

We are proud to have the following artists in the 2023/2024 Writers’ Room: ASHLEY AUGUST

CHRISTINA HAM

JENNIFER CHANG & INARA GEORGE

PALOMA NOZICKA

PARIS CRAYTON III

ALEXIS ROBLAN

The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and Jerry & Terri Kohl.

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.

1 6 P L AY B I L L

UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production.

Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.

THEMES & TOPICS

NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT Selina Fillinger during rehearsals for POTUS. Photo by Jeff Lorch.

IN 2016, THE SOON-TO-BE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS heard bragging about grabbing women by their genitals. I, in turn, sat down to write a farce. I wrote the first act in two weeks. The second act took me a year. After Trump was elected and the data revealed how many white women had voted for him, what began as a screed coalesced into a contemplation on culpability: the ways in which we are complicit in our own subjugation and the subjugation of others. Many regional theatres felt that my crass play about femme rage was too provocative for their audiences, and it sat dormant for several years. But in 2022, well into Biden’s first term, POTUS premiered on Broadway.

Not long after we opened, Justice Alito’s draft opinion foretelling the end of Roe v. Wade was leaked to the press. Suddenly, I was inundated with people telling me my play was “newly relevant.” I had to fight the urge to scream in response. The erosion of bodily autonomy was neither new nor unpredictable. Countless poor women, queer people, trans people, and women of color were already facing and fighting for healthcare long before the Supreme Court ruling. Much has changed, domestically and globally, in the year since the Broadway production, but I continue to find myself in the same conversation: a political crisis ensues, a headline emerges, an election looms, and suddenly people hear an old line in a new light. “It hits differently!” they tell me, shaking their heads, as if the lines I wrote six years ago about white patriarchal governance were mere shots in the dark.

People love to say that we are living through unprecedented times. Unprecedented, perhaps—but surprising? Scientists and historians and artists have been telling us where things might lead for a very long time. I think it’s time that we stop being surprised. We cannot keep navigating our present crises with the well-worn methods that got us here. Unprecedented times require unprecedented courage. I started working on POTUS when I was a very scared, very sad 23-year-old woman who needed to laugh. I wrote this play to give myself joy and catharsis and courage. I hope it offers you the same.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 7

THEMES & TOPICS

FARCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE

A BRIEF SELECTION OF AS-STRANGE-AS-FICTION TALES FROM AMERICA’S TOP OFFICE IN AN ORAL HISTORY on her time serving as a White House staffer in John F. Kennedy’s administration, Barbara Gamarekian recalled a visit from a Paris Match reporter who was also a friend of Jaqueline Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy took the reporter on a tour through the White House, and as they passed Priscilla Wear [one of President Kennedy’s many alleged dalliances], Mrs. Kennedy turned to the reporter and said, in French, “This is the girl who supposedly is sleeping with my husband.”

“THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT” In 1919, Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke while serving his second term as President and was severely incapacitated. His wife, Edith Wilson, took the reins of his office for the remaining 17 months of his presidency, deciding which information and visitors reached him and communicating decisions on his behalf. Journalists and historians occasionally refer to Wilson as the “first female president.”

Left: President Woodrow Wilson’s first posed picture after his illness, June 1920. His wife, Edith Wilson, holds a document while the President adds his signature.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

BURN AFTER READING Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol that she had witnessed Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows burn documents in his West Wing office fireplace “maybe just over a dozen” times in the last weeks of the Trump administration, from December 2020–January 2021. She did not know what the documents contained.

ON HIGH ALERT In July 2023, a dime bag of cocaine was found in a vestibule near the West Executive Avenue entrance to the White House. Surveillance footage and fingerprint and DNA tests did not identify the bag’s owner; the Secret Service ultimately closed the investigation due to a lack of physical evidence.

1 8 P L AY B I L L

THEMES & TOPICS

THE FIRST FAMILY

AMONG THE MANY COLORFUL SIBLINGS OF PAST PRESIDENTS...

ROGER CLINTON, younger half-brother of Bill Clinton, was a singer, actor, and general troublemaker; the Secret Service nickname for him was “headache.” He spent roughly a year in prison after a 1985 drug conviction (for possession of and conspiracy to distribute cocaine) and was pardoned by President Clinton in 2001, on Clinton’s last day in office. Shortly after his pardon, he was arrested for a DUI; he was arrested for a second DUI in 2016, two days before the California Democratic Primary in which Hilary Clinton was a candidate.

NEIL BUSH, younger brother of George Bush and son of George H.W. Bush, was sued for “gross negligence” for his leadership of collapsed bank Silverado Savings and Loan during his father’s presidency. He came back under public scrutiny during his brother’s presidency, when his 2003 divorce deposition revealed questionable business deals and possible encounters with sex workers while traveling abroad. Bush insisted that he never paid anyone for sex; women just knocked on his hotel door and had sex with him: “Mr. Bush, you have to admit it’s a pretty remarkable thing for a man just to go to a hotel room door and open it and have a woman standing there and have sex with her,” Lawyer Marshall Davis Brown said. “It was very unusual,” Bush agreed.

BILLY CARTER, younger brother of Jimmy Carter, launched a short-lived beer brand (“Billy Beer”) and was the subject of a 1980 Senate investigation on his dealings with Libya. A 1979 article in the Nashua Telegraph reported that Carter received a “$25,000 silver-studded saddle, complete with a horse that he had to leave behind in the desert” while visiting the country. Though it was later revealed that Carter had accepted $220k from the Libyan government, at the time of the article, he insisted, “I ain’t a foreign agent in spite of this crap. We ain’t took a damned dime, babe.”

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

—BY OLIVIA O’CONNOR, DRAMATURG FOR POTUS G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 9

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG ADULTS MARCH 30–MAY 4, 2024 SATURDAYS, 10AM-12PM @ GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

A six-week in-person development series, the Geffen Playhouse Storytelling Workshop for Young Adults (ages 18-24) explores creative dramatic writing. Each session invites participants to expand their writing skills, discover their own unique style, and share their most authentic artistic voice. This workshop also explores the process of giving and receiving useful feedback and encourages artistic integrity.

N OW AC C E P T I N G A P P L I CAT I O N S A P P LY BY M A R C H 8, 2 02 4 —S PAC E I S L I M I T E D !

TO APPLY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

geffenplayhouse.org/storytelling

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

“

I’ve been working tirelessly to raise awareness about diabetes and its contributions to kidney disease, heart disease and more. It’s plagued my family for generations.

I am thrilled that UCLA Health is partnering with the Geffen because there is nothing like the arts to help address situations that need our attention, like health and wellness. The performing arts, like dance and theater, are transformative. I applaud UCLA Health and the Geffen Playhouse for coming together to help people.

—DEBBIE ALLEN

”

Award-winning actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, and Geffen Playhouse alum

ANNUAL DONORS Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund. Donors are listed at the Partner’s Circle level and higher for gifts made between November 1, 2022 and December 1, 2023. A full listing of our supporters can be found at geffenplayhouse.org/thankyou. † Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors

^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees

In appreciation, Annual Fund donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more.

For more information, please call Tracy Reich at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.

PREMIERE CIRCLE

Patty Glaser† & Sam Mudie

$100,000+

Samantha & Eric Heer†

Anonymous (2)

Martha Henderson

The Ahmanson Foundation

Cindy & Alan Horn

Jana & Trevor Bezdek

Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark

Eva Aaronson— In Memory of Bucky Hazan

Marcia Israel-Curley Foundation

Aversa Foundation

Los Angeles County Arts Commission

Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck

Carla Malden† & Norman Beil

Shelly & Libby Bergen

Matt Shakman† & Maggie Malone

SPARK Theatrical

California Arts Council City National Bank Edgerton Foundation The Adi† & Jerry Greenberg Foundation William Randolph Hearst Foundation Jerry & Terri Kohl Linda Bernstein Rubin† & Tony Rubin Shubert Foundation The Simms/Mann Family Foundation Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum† Miranda & Brett Tollman UCLA UCLA Health

INNOVATOR CIRCLE $50,000 – $99,999

The Berlanti Family Foundation Kevin & Claudia Bright

Paramount Pictures

Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert

Judith & Bruce Stern

Marissa Caudill & David Merrill

PLAYWRIGHTS’S CIRCLE $10,000 – $24,999 Anonymous Pat & Sandy Adams Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Holly Rice† & Vince Gilligan Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation

Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg Waterman and Glicksteen Families Alexander & Katie & Grey Grosvenor In Memory of Morris A. Hazan David & Martha Kadue Julie & David Kavner Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath Carol & Bill Ouchi

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE

Soundis & Danny Passman†

$25,000 – $49,999

Thomas L. Safran

Anonymous (2)

Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz

Marcy Carsey Capital Group City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

Mara W. Breech Foundation Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff

Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer

Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation

Anonymous

State of California, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Merle Dandridge†

John McCrite & Juan Lopez

$5,000 – $9,999

Allen Blue & Kira Snyder

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman

CREATOR’S CIRCLE

Marcia & Robert Shuwarger The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Glenn & Lynn Cardoso Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert In Honor of Virginia Field Lynn T. Franklin Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family The Freedman Fund Steve Freedman & Helen Sideris Bob & Diana Friedman G2 Graphic Service, Inc. The Goldenberg Family Jill Grey Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation Mannon Kaplan Kling Family Foundation / Allen & Jessica Kling Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald Karen & Walter Loewenstern Tania Lotia Renee & Meyer Luskin Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick Cookie Miller Bradley & Lisa Mindlin— In Memory of Sandra Tenenbaum

Deborah Tavlin

Dan & Margie Mintz

U.S. Bank Foundation

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The Walt Disney Company

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Dwight Stuart Youth Fund

Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy

Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer

Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle

Joanne & Ken Weinman

Judith Reichman, M.D.

Susan & Mark Fleischer†

Susan & Dan White

Susan Rogers

Carol & Paul Frimmer

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Nancy & Ted Sanborn

Mary Ann Cloyd†

2 2 P L AY B I L L

ANNUAL DONORS Amy & Andy Schwartz

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Margaret Campbell Arvey

Nancy & Len Jacoby

Jerome & Joan Snyder

Karen Bell & Robb Cox

Linda Kaplan

Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer

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Laurie Bernhard

Westmount Asset Management

Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly

Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor

Artie & Ellie Berrick

Johnese Spisso, MPA

John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey

Corrinne Mann Kempinsky & Louis Kempinsky

Gerry Szeman

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Sharon Kerson King Nutronics Corporation

Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block†

Ann & Jonathan Kirsch

Susan & Michael Bordy

Dr. Phyllis H. Klein

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DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman

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$2,500 – $4,999

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Peter & Heidi Cartmell Shelby & Lee Chaden Martha J. Chase Stephen Cook Honorable Candace Cooper Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff Susan Dashe Brock Dewey

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Douglas McAvoy, Jr.

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Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers

Dr. Kimberly Finney Burt & Nanette Forester In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce Carol & John Fox

Alice Greene McKinney and E. Kirk McKinney, Jr. Fund S. McQueen & D. Whalen

Joan & Charles Fox

Ali Meghdadi

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Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation

Lance & Hillary Milken Foundation

Catherine Froloff

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DESIGNER’S CIRCLE

Hella Hershson

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Anonymous (4)

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Iris Tuesday Productions

SDB Partners

Jan & David Altemus

Freya & Mark Ivener

Susan Schwarz & Stuart Berton

The Malins Family Foundation David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone Joan & Phil Miller Thaine & Elizabeth Morris Joyce & Harvey Reichard Carol Risher Allison & Bennett Rosenthal Leonard Sharzer Ellyce R. Cooper & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP Snyder Family Foundation Mitch & Sherry Stein Gelena & Seth Weissman

$1,000 – $2,499

Andrew & Laura Mintzer

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 3

ANNUAL DONORS Sylvan Seidenman John Shaw Rita & Jose Sigal Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis Patrick Summers Melora Sundt & Rob Kadota Mr. & Mrs. David Tann The Tatasciore Family Barbara & Larry Tenan Audri & Stan Tendler Marjorie Thomson Ricardo Torres Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela Ira & Laurie Waldman Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D Judith Leslie Waxman & Leo Stytle Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg Herbert Wolas Cherie Wrigley Richard Yaffe Arnold & Tricia Zane Ellen & Arnold Zetcher Bobbi & Walter Zifkin

PARTNER’S CIRCLE $500 – $999

Anonymous (3) Toshka & Norman Abrams Terry & Richard Abrams Charles & Annick Allen Robert C. Anderson Bonnie R. Arnold Don Bacigalupi Randy & Michael Bayard In Memory of Patricia Beals In Memory of Janet Birnkrant Marilyn R. Blacker Bodek Moss Family Charitable Fund Howard Brightman Marlene Bronson Janet & Mark Brown Laura D. Campbell Anthony Carbone Sandra Chan & Richard Pezner Mike Clements Pam Coats Steven & Linda Darling Kristin Diehl Jan & Thea Drayer Elizabeth A. Evans Katherine A. Evans Ron Rafay First Texas Bank Elaine & Larry Friedman Barbara & Jack Garrett Corinne B. Garson Bert & Benita Ginsberg Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman Roger Gordon Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson 24 P L AY B I L L

Roberta L. Haft In Memory of Jane Hall Steven & Sylvia Harrison Diane Haun Michael & Candie Herman Winifred C. Hervey Dr. Shelley Hill Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman Nancy Hytone Leb Todd Humphrey & Dr. Anne Ichiuji Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro Dr. Vito Imbasciani In Memory of Joseph Jacobs Elodie Keene Cynthia A. King Dr. & Mrs. Klausner Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock Sharon & Joel Koppelman Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta Sheila & Norman Lane Jill & Michael Lasky Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino Gina Maria Leonetti Lydia & Chuck Levy Lawrin & Linda Lewin Leslie & Adam Lobel Elizabeth Luster Wendie Malick Mark Mandel Barbara Marshall Kathy & Jim McCaffery Erin McKenzie Christina Medigovich Cynthia Melville Dr. Gail Devlin Moradi John Moschitta, Jr. On Shore Foundation Andrea & Patrick Murray Bonnie Nash Robert & Anita Nitta Colleen O’Beirne Brydon Susan Oka Janie & Allan Orenstein Edward Parker Carol F. Phillips Susan Poulson Lise Ransdell & Eric Augusztiny Gloria & Michael Rausch Julie Rogers Robert Rosania Mary Ann Rosenfeld & Sheldon Kadish Wil Rosser Valerie & Bennett Roth Lisa Rowley Jayne Santino Maxine Savitz Lorin Schiff John H. Scott Marc Seltzer Peggy & Robert Shapiro

Ken & Marinette Simon Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz Karen Smits Jill & Scott Spiwak Sandra Stewart Saundra & Craig Szabo Ms. Cathy Thomas Johnson Thurston Brigitta Troy Marsha & Steven Weiss Elizabeth Wheat Mr. & Mrs. Mark Whitman Albert Wolsky Marian & Ted Zachary

HOSPITALITY SPONSORS

Thank you to our year-round in-kind hospitality sponsors for their incredible generosity and support of the arts: Skylight Gardens STK | The ONE Group W Los Angeles — West Beverly Hills

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

The Chairman’s Circle acknowledges the historical contributions of the following individuals, whose support of Geffen Playhouse made the original vision of our founder, Gil Cates, Sr., possible: Anonymous Annenberg Foundation Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block† City National Bank Kirsten^ & Donald Combs Maria Israel-Curley & Jim Curley Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc. The David Geffen Foundation Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher Audrey & Charles Kenis Lincy Foundation Fay & Frank^ Mancuso Tina & Jerry^ Moss / The Moss Foundation Perenchio Foundation The Shubert Foundation The Simms/Mann Family Foundation Skirball Foundation University of California, Los Angeles Wasserman Foundation Judy & Chancellor Charles^ E. Young If your name has been misspelled or omitted from the list in error, please contact Tracy Reich, Director of Individual Giving at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.

Tarell Alvin McCraney

Gil Cates, Jr.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO

ARTISTIC Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director Daniel Ionazzi Producer Phyllis Schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting Director Bella Luna Company Manager Olivia O’Connor Literary Manager & Dramaturg Lexy McAvinchey Artistic Coordinator Dionn Richardson Assistant to the Artistic Director

PRODUCTION Renee Duron Director of Production Jill Barnes Artistic & Production Administrator Alyssa Escalante Production Coordinator / Resident Production Stage Manager Melissa Hartman Technical Director Patty Squibb Technical Director Alexandre Norkus Automation Supervisor Philip Rossi Lead Scenic Carpenter Rick Gilles Properties Master Daniel Lynn Associate Properties Supervisor Audrey Lastar Costume Supervisor Sarah Lindsley Costume Shop Supervisor Spencer Doughtie Lighting & Projection Supervisor Jesus Cambero-Elias Assistant Lighting Supervisor James Grabowski House Sound Supervisor Bob Gilmartin Resident A1 Chloe Shi Production Assistant

ADMINISTRATION Sarah Sturdivant Chief Financial Officer Erick R. López General Manager Berenice Campos Director of Human Resources

Janice Gompers Payroll Manager & HR Admin

Jacob Feller Box Office Manager

Youra Kim Accounting Manager

Rachel Jacoby, Anika Waco Donor Relations Ticketing Associates

Jake Jones Staff Accountant Clay Dzygun Office Coordinator

Brianna Barrett, Rachel Jacoby, Lauren Machain, Sara Turken, Anika Waco, Dennis Woullard Box Office Staff

Marguerite Harris Receptionist

Theater Direct Outbound Sales

DEVELOPMENT

OPERATIONS

Sarah Weinberg Chief Development Officer

Jeni Pearsons Director of Operations

Elizabeth Kegley Director of Institutional Giving

Mel Yonzon Front of House Manager

Tracy Reich Director of Individual Giving

Amy Farkas Lead Concierge

EDUCATION

Rob Mersola Event Manager

Brian Allman Director of Education & Community Engagement Mark J. Chaitin Manager of Education & Community Engagement Paloma Nozicka Education Associate Sean Michael Boozer, DeJuan Christopher Conner, Lyssa Deehan, Sidney Edwards, Ryan Hallahan, Aja Houston, Bethany Koulias, BJ Lange, Tara Ricasa, Kenzo Rice, Gerry Tonella, Maddy Wager Teaching Artists

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Patrick Brown Director of Marketing Zenon Dmytryk Director of Communications Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Audience Development Brian Dunning Director of Content & Creative Zack Hamra Director of Audience Services & Ticketing Isaak Berliner Social Media & Communications Manager Alyssa Tyson Audience Services Manager Janice Bernal Box Office Manager

Sarah Chute, Anya Pryjmak, Emir Yonzon Part Time House Managers Cristiana Barbatelli, Savanna Chute, Elizabeth Fritsch, Alia Mahboob, Shannon Noel, Autumn Oyemade, Adam Simers Guest Services Brynn Allen, Blaire Battle, Avery Brown, Marlon Campos, Matt Clark, Lauren Curet, Enzo De Cunto, Cecily Dowd, Camille Edwards, Blake Elder, Sydney Fleischman, Aja Hinds, Dylan La Rocque, Cassidy LeClair, Meredith McClure, Austin Merrill, Kenneth Sambula Jr., Elena Scaringe-Peene, Lanae Wilks Ushers

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Karim Bouzzit Cloud System Administrator Dream Warrior Group System Administrator

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Art Guillen Facilities Manager Martin Ayala, Felipe Ayala Building Maintenance Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial Juan Carlos Umaña, Camerina Martinez Cleaning Custodial G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 5