Hipp Unplugged: The Report

The Hipp unplugged:

A Staged Reading Series

Oct. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m.

THE REPORT written and directed by Charlie Mitchell

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

The Hipp unplugged:

A Staged Reading Series

THE REPORT

by Charlie Mitchell^ Directed by Charlie Mitchell^ Stage Manager Julia Schack Actors’ Equity Association Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers. Equity seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks

Hippodrome programs are sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture; Visit Gainesville Alachua County, and by the City of Gainesville, Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. Playbill by Deanna Natour.

Please do not use the entrances and exits during the performance.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

THE REPORT

by Charlie Mitchell^ Directed by Charlie Mitchell^

The cast

Emma Friedman-----------------------Susan/Voice 3 Trevor Spence-----------------------Michael Bryan Mercer^-----------Professor Diettrich/ The President of the University/Voice 1 Kelly Atkins Morgan*^---------------------Mrs. Fisher Gregg Jones*^---------------------------Charley Johns Gregory Mallios--------------------------------------Jim Zachary Gropper---------------------------------Kenny Mathew Lindsay*^-----------------Man/Investigator Noah Bennett--------Officer/Law Student/Voice 2

*Appearing through an Agreement between the Hippodrome Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. ^ Member of the Hippodrome Theatre’s company of actors.

WHO’S WHO AT THE HIPP Stephanie Lynge (Artistic Director) is an accomplished

actor, director, producer, teacher and coach. Stephanie has enjoyed a career of more than 27 years in professional theater and education. Since 2013 she has worked on more than 40 productions at the Hippodrome either as an actor, director, choreographer, or dramaturg. She was seen on stage this season in The Wolves and Let The Right One In. Her other acting credits include performances in New York City on Broadway and Off Broadway at Lincoln Center, BAM, Jean Cocteau Rep, and the York Theater Workshop. Regional theaters include Freefall, Goodspeed Opera House, Sacramento Music Circus, Pasadena Playhouse, Rep Theater of St. Louis, Flat Rock Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Seaside Music Theater, as well as several National Tours. Directing credits include the Hippodrome’s Every Christmas Story Ever Told, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and The Ultimate Christmas Show as well as plays at the 45th Street Theater (NYC), New York Musical Theater Festival, and the University of Florida. Stephanie has served as a Visiting professor at Indiana University, and an Adjunct professor at New Jersey City University and University of Florida.

After receiving her BA in Musical Theater from Indiana University, Stephanie lived and worked as an actor in New York City for over 20 years. Stephanie holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from University of Florida and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association since 1996.

Nicole Daenzer (Managing Director) is excited to be leading the Hippodrome’s administrative team, after spending six years as the director of finance and operations. Prior to her time at the Hippodrome, she lived in San Francisco, where she worked in financial planning and earned her degree in classical languages and literatures. aut inveniam viam aut faciam.

ABOUT THE REPORT The Report is about The Johns Committee, an insidious 1958 Florida initiative to root out homosexuality from its universities.

Based on real events, this exciting mix of documentary theatre and fiction personalizes the political events that led to a witch hunt that expelled over 400 students and 100 professors and staff. Jim, an ambitious lawyer, tries to elevate himself by joining state senator Charlie Johns but ends up selling his soul to a ruthless moral crusader. At the same time, Michael, a college student with a troubled past, is subjected to surveillance and a cruel interrogation in a seedy hotel room by an investigator what wants him to implicate himself and others.

Playwright Charlie Mitchell found the subject too important and dramatic to pass up. “I was amazed that more people didn’t know this fascinating story and how relevant is was to the current political hostility to gay rights.

You have an opportunist who craves power, hates the media, intellectual discourse, and uses fear to trample on human rights. The 50’s don’t seem that far away.

WHO’S WHO IN THE REPORT Charlie Mitchell* (Director) Charlie Mitchell is an associate professor of theatre at the University of Florida where he has directed Luna Gale, Sketchy People, Metamorphoses, Hobson’s Choice, Urinetown, A Piece of My Heart, You Can’t Take It With You, The Grapes of Wrath, and In the Blood. For three years, he was an artistic associate with the award-winning Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and has worked as an actor for a variety of theatres in New York City, Chicago, and Baltimore. As a Hippodrome company member, he co-directed Avenue Q, wrote and directed The Snow Queen, and performed in Let the Right One In (Avila/Halmburg), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Eddie), The Tempest (Gonzalo), Mr. Burns (Sam/Homer), Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf), Hand to God (Pastor Greg), and Hamlet (Polonius/ Gravedigger).

Emma Friedman(Susan/Voice 3) is a sophomore BFA Acting major at the University of Florida. She is thrilled to be playing “Susan/Voice 3” in the Hippodrome’s staged reading of The Report. Enjoy!!

Trevor Spence(Michael) is a 3rd year BFA Acting student at the University of Florida. Recent UF credits include We Are Proud... (Actor 3/Another White Man), Biloxi Blues (Arnold), and Rough Magic (Shylock). Trevor would like to thank the cast for this wonderful experience and his family for love and support.

WHO’S WHO IN THE REPORT Gregory Mallios(Jim) Gregory Mallios is so excited to be working with such a talented group of artists in his new home of Gainsville. Greg was previously seen at the Hippodrome in a staged reading of James Ijames’ WHITE. Previous Regional Credits Include: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Shakspeare Theatre of New Jersey, People’s Light and Theatre Company, The Human Race Theatre Company, and Know Theatre of Cincinnati to name a few. Gregory is a current MFA Acting candidate at The University of Florida, and a proud graduate of Wright State University’s Professional Actor Training Program.

Bryan Mercer^ (Professor Diettrich/ The President of the University/ Voice 1) returns to the HIPP since musical directing Million Dollar Quartet, playing the candyman in Let the Right One In, Horatio in Hamlet, Steve in Becky’s New Car, Jane in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher, Gibson in MR. BURNS, a post electric play. He was musical director for Million Dollar Quartet, Toxic Avenger, Honky Tonk Angels, Winter Wonderettes, Avenue Q, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Trailer Park, Trailer Park Christmas,College: The Musical, and SHOUT! He has been known to Atlanta audiences for over thirty five years as an actor, singer, director, designer, painter, and served as puppeteer, composer, musician and musical director for 15 years at the internationally acclaimed CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS. Kelly Atkins Morgan*^ (Mrs. Fisher) most recently starred in Mamma Mia at the Alhambra Theatre. She has been seen in numerous productions at the Hippodrome since 2005, some favorites include Hand to God, The Toxic Avenger, Alice in Wonderland, Suds, and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. She is a member of the Hippodrome’s Acting Company and a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association for the past 22 years.

WHO’S WHO IN THE REPORT Gregg Jones (Charley Johns) Gregg returns to the Hipp for his twenty-first run of A Christmas Carol.

Before playing Scrooge, he had the infinite pleasure of playing Jacob Marley opposite Hippodrome legend Rusty Salling for 16 years. Mr. Jones has appeared on the Hippodrome stage since the 1978-79 season when he first appeared in They Shoot Horses Don’t They?.

Since then, he has played various roles in more than 50 productions at the theatre including: (Tom) Dinner With Friends, (Salvador Dali) Hysteria, (Adrian) Private Eyes, (Leslie, Phyllis and Tom) Sylvia, and (Sid Caesar) Laughter on the 23rd Floor, (Det. Nick Rosetti) Shear Madness (2 Runs), (Adrian) Stage Kiss, (Walter Flood) Becky’s New Car. Film and television: Waterways, Miami Vice, A Flash of Green and Coastlines (Victor Nunez).

Since 2004 he has been the director of Leading Edge, a business theatre ensemble that works with major corporate clients as part of Exec. Ed./UF. Gregg is a former Santa Fe College theatre faculty where he taught for 28 years, retiring in 2015, and is a proud member of Actors Equity (1974) and SAG-AFTRA (1985).

Matt Lindsay (Man/Investigator) Matthew is thrilled to be a part of this staged reading of The Report.

Originally from California, Matthew came to Florida to study theater, and is a graduate of the University of Florida with an MFA in acting (2012). He has appeared in over 30 productions at the Hippodrome Theater since 2007, among many others in many places. He currently teaches acting and theater history at Santa Fe College, where he recently appeared as Preysing in the Spring production of the musical Grand Hotel.

Past Hippodrome credits include: Lord Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher, Matt/Mr. Burns in Mr. Burns, Karl Lindner in Clybourne Park, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Trip in Other Desert Cities, Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, Chaplain White in Defiance, and Robert in Don’t Dress For Dinner. Matthew is a proud member of Actor’s Equity, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Thanks to all the Hipp for the many creative, fruitful years of theater and fellowship, friendship and inspiration.

Please consider donating to help keep Gainesville Hipp! .

WHO’S WHO IN THE REPORT Zachary Gropper (Kenny) is a third year acting major at the University of Florida. He’s very proud to be supporting a new work, and thrilled to be back in the Hippodrome space. Thanks to family and friends, as always!

Noah Bennett (Officer/Law Student/Voice 2) is honored to make his Hippodrome debut for the lovely Charlie Mitchell. Previous FSCJ stage credits include, Drazen (A patch of earth), Henry Lee Lucas (Stalking Ottis Toole), Centipede (James and The Giant Peach) , and Martin (Fool for Love). Noah is also the playwright of the published play, The Waiting Room (Pioneer Drama). He would like to thank Charlie and Stephanie Lynge for making this possible.