GTCC Theatre Presents "Greater Tuna"

The Center for Creative and Performing Arts Theatre

GTCC High Point Campus 901 S. Main Street, High Point, N.C.

GREATER TUNA GREATER TUNA was originally produced in 1981 in Austin, Texas by authors Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. Williams and Sears played all 20 characters and Howard directed. One year after its premiere, GREATER TUNA was presented off-Broadway at Circle in the Square, garnering rave reviews. “The audience all but exploded the theatre with laughter…”

(The New York Post). The play subsequently toured theatres in the U.S. and overseas and a GREATER TUNA special aired on HBO in 1984. One of the most produced comedies in American theatre history, GREATER TUNA continues to delight audiences with its fast-paced dialogue, eccentric characters and droll view of life in the fictional small town of Tuna, Texas.

CAST OF CHARACTERS (Actors play multiple characters) Thurston Wheelis, Chad Hartford................................................. Linda McMillian* Arles Struvie, Stanley Bumiller, ...................................................Jason McMasters** Charlene Bumiller, Hank Bumiller Ronnie, Jody Bumiller, Leonard Childers.........................................Abigail Fisher** Didi Snavely, Petey Fisk,Vera Carp, Sheriff...................................Kristal L. Taylor** Harold Dean, Bertha Bumiller,Yippy, ...............................................Michael Carter Phinas Blye, Pearl Burras, Coach

ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION STAFF Director........................................................................................ Wm. Perry Morgan* Producer................................................................................................June Guralnick* Set and Light Designer.......................................................................Jody LS Tidwell* Costume Designer.....................................................................Gwendolyn Poole*** Technical Director..............................................................................Jody LS Tidwell* Stage Manager........................................................A. Colt-DeWayne Champagne** Production Advisor............................................................................ Dan A. R. Kelly* Technical Assistant......................................................................... Corbet J. Wright** Props Director/Asst. Stage Manager........................................Kristian Gonzalez** Props Assistants.................................................................................... Alex Mitchell**

Codey Adams** Light Assistant/Board Operator.......................................................David Walters** Costume Assistants.......................................... Alyson Waller,** Kristal L. Taylor**

Abigail Fisher,** Rosalyn Marhatta Backstage Crew.......................................................................................... Liz Elovitz** Publicity Assistant............................................................................Linda Woodham** Graphic Design....................................................................................Cheryl Hemric* Set Construction/Paint Crew........... Billy Walters,** Valeria Gonzalez-Toledo**

Alyson Waller,**Porsha Tay**

Corbet J. Wright,**Alex Mitchell**

A. Colt-DeWayne Champagne**

*GTCC faculty/staff **GTCC students ***GTCC graduates

There will be no intermission.

(The play runs approximately one hour.)

No food or beverages are permitted in the theatre.

The use of camera or other recording devices is prohibited in the theatre.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES (in alphabetical order) Michael Carter (Harold, Bertha, Phinas, Pearl, Coach) is pleased to be making his debut with GTCC Theatre. He has acted in many professional and community theatre productions throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Some of his favorite roles in the past few years include Jack in THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, Paul in MOON OVER BUFFALO, Cliff in CABARET, and Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (productions at Little Theatre of Danville).

Abigail Fisher (Ronnie, Jody, Leonard) is a GTCC freshman pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts degree with a concentration in drama, with the goal to work professionally as an actress after graduating college. Originally from High Point, she has previously acted in musicals and plays at Western Guilford High School including YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN: THE MUSICAL and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. She’s also directed MURDER BY THE BOOK. She is delighted to be acting in her first GTCC Theatre Program production!

Jason McMasters (Arles, Stanley, Charlene, Hank) is a GTCC sophomore studying communications. Upon completion of his degree, he plans on becoming a newscaster. Jason is a relative newbie to the theatre world and previously appeared in THE DAY THE CHURCH FLOORS FELL IN. Linda McMillian (Thurston, Chad) is a native of Cherryville, N.C. and is delighted to be performing in her first theatre production! She graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a master’s degree in nurse education. Linda currently teaches nursing at GTCC and her goal in life is to touch the lives of others.

Kristal L. Taylor (Didi, Petey,Vera, Sheriff) was born in Sophia, N.C. A single mom, she is currently a GTCC sophomore pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts degree with a concentration in drama. This is Kristal’s first college performance. Previously, she took a leading role in a Trinity High School production, COMPETITION PIECE, receiving the Best Actress Award at the regional competition. Kristal is excited to be working with faculty and students in the Theatre Program’s spring production.

ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION STAFF BIOGRAPHIES Wm. Perry Morgan (Director) is a drama faculty member at GTCC and also teaches at Greensboro College. Earning a bachelor’s degree in music theatre from Long Island University and a master’s degree in theatre from Naropa University, his directing career has taken him all over the U.S. working at professional theatres. Perry spent five seasons as the Resident Music Director and a member of the Resident Acting Company of the historic Barter Theatre. He also has collaborated with artists at Summerblue Arts, Cane River Rep, Arkansas Rep, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Texas Shakespeare Festival, and The Traveling Theatre of New York. New Jersey’s theatre awards are named “The Perry Awards” in his honor. Perry is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. “There is a lot of excellent theatre in this area. I encourage you all to go out, see it, support it, and get involved!”

June Guralnick (Producer) is the author of 11 full-length dramas and has directed classic and new works for the past 30 years. She has been serving as Theatre Program Director at GTCC since 2011. Her plays have been performed at venues including the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Abrons Arts Center/New Federal Theatre (N.Y.), Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (N.C.), Burning Coal Theatre (Raleigh), and the North Carolina Museum of Art. Awards and grants include the Silver Medal-Pinter Drama Review Prize, North Carolina Arts Council Literature Fellowship, Arts Administration Fellows-National Endowment for the Arts, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre New Plays Winner, Writing Fellows at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Tennessee Williams Scholar at the University of the South Sewanee Writers’ Conference. June received a bachelor’s degree in theatre and political science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master’s degree in theatre from City College of New York. She is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild of America and the Playwrights Center (Minneapolis). Past positions include Theatre Arts Director of the North Carolina Arts Council and Executive Director of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission. Most recently, June has been awarded a Writer’s Residency at Hambidge Center for summer 2015.

Jody LS Tidwell (Technical Director/Lighting Designer/Set Designer) earned a master’s in design and technology from the University of South Dakota. A new resident of North Carolina, Jody previously served as Technical Director/Lighting Designer at College of Wooster in Ohio. Lighting designs for productions include IPHIGENIA,THE GLASS MENAGERIE, EQUUS, CHORUS LINE,WILLY WONKA, and most recently, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at GTCC. A member of IATSE 631, Jody and husband Dave recently celebrated their 33rd anniversary with children Aaron and Melissa from New York.

Gwendolyn Poole (Costumer) is pleased to return to GTCC and be part of the spring production. With an associate degree in drama from GTCC and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Guilford College, she has worked both onstage as an actress and backstage. Gwen has directed for the “Evening of Shorts” at City Arts Drama Center. Additionally, her play, BUS STATION, was performed at the Drama Center as well as by the Plaid Players Company in Burlington, N.C. Most recently, Gwen was seen as Mama in the Community Theatre of Greensboro’s (CTG) production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN. She is currently developing her Drama for Living business which includes one-woman presentations, drama coaching, workshops, directing services and more.

Dan A. R. Kelly (Production Advisor) teaches in the Theatre Program at GTCC. He earned a bachelor’s degree in film directing from University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a master’s degree in screenwriting from Hollins University. Dan served recently as a screenwriter and producer on the film SUSIE’S HOPE. Dan has directed and designed more than 30 stage productions throughout the Southeast, and spends his spare time with his awesome wife, Xoey, and three children, Eris, Fauna and Gwydian.

A. Colt-DeWayne Champagne (Stage Manager) is a GTCC sophomore pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts degree with a drama concentration. Colt has been off stage since middle school, where he appeared in productions of CINDERELLA and THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. Currently, Colt works as an actor and makeup artist at the Woods of Terror in Greensboro.

Kristian Gonzalez (Props Director/Assistant Stage Manager) is a GTCC freshman pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts degree with a drama concentration.

He has been involved in theatre since attending Southeast Guilford High School, where he appeared in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Additionally, Kristian has been involved with the Greensboro City Arts Drama Center, acting in RICHARD III and THE THREE MUSKETEERS. Most recently, he appeared in GTCC’s fall production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. Kristian’s career goal is to make his living performing Shakespeare around the world!

SPECIAL THANKS GTCC Theatre Program offers our gratitude to Mary Skrabec (Dean, Business, Creative and Performing Arts Division); GTCC staff Carla Kucinski, Maritza Mandarino, Mary McFarland, Kathy King, and Wesley Koonts; Richard Tremmel and the Entertainment Technology Program; and all the student and community volunteers. Special thanks also to the following individuals and organizations: Dave Briggs, Kacy Woody and the High Point Theatre; Rosina Whitfield and Greensboro City Arts Drama Center; Greensboro College; Jonathan Broder; Colt Champagne; Jo Hall; Jim Morgan; and Press Quackenbush.

GTCC THEATRE Your Stage Door Opens Here!

Over the past 25 years, the GTCC Theatre Program has presented plays ranging from tragedies such as the classic Greek play OEDIPUS THE KING to modern comedies such as THE ODD COUPLE. Courses offered range from acting and vocal training classes to production-oriented courses such as stagecraft and makeup. Graduates have gone on to careers in every aspect of the theatre profession.

Part of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts, one of the key goals of the Theatre Program is to engage and inspire students to become active participants in the theatre arts, integrating the following core values into our educational endeavors: • Creativity and artistic integrity • Inclusivity and diversity • Collaboration and ensemble teamwork • Production of plays of all types and historical periods • Positive theatre-going experiences for our audiences • Stewardship of campus theatre facilities and resources • Drama as an integral part of a healthy college community.

For more information, contact June Guralnick, Director, GTCC Theatre Program, jmguralnick@gtcc.edu or visit www.gtcc.edu.

About the GTCC Center for Creative and Performing Arts Theatre Welcome to the new GTCC Center for Creative and Performing Arts Theatre. Located on the High Point Campus, this arts and entertainment venue will serve as an additional teaching lab and performance space for students enrolled in GTCC’s Creative and Performing Arts programs, comprised of entertainment technology, theatre and music.

The two-story 11,705 square-foot-facility features a modified black box stage and theater seating for 82.

The Center for Creative and Performing Arts Theatre is the final piece in a longtime vision to create one centralized location for all of the Creative and Performing Arts programs and stimulate further collaboration between students on cross-departmental projects and performances.

In addition to the new theatre, the college also offers two performance venues: a major production studio with seating for an audience of 225; and an outdoor amphitheater accommodating 550.

GTCC is committed to developing students and the communities in which those students reside and study. The Center for Creative and Performing Arts is an integral part of that mission. The opening of the new Center for Creative and Performing Arts Theatre will allow GTCC to partner closely with the High Point Theatre, High Point Area Arts Council, High Point Community Theatre and other arts partners in the City of High Point to revitalize and rebrand the south side of High Point.