IN THE CANYON
By Calamity West
directed by jaimelyn gray
Assistant Director
Set Design
Assistant Set Design
Set Construction
Co-Lighting Design
Co-Lighting Design
Costume Design
Sound Composer
Sound Design
Properties Design
Intimacy Choreography
Violence Choreography
Violence Choreography Follow
Stage Management
Rebekah Farr
Sarah Harris
Timothy J. Barnes
Les Zarzecki
ellie
Joseph Alberth
Vee Delgado
Ekene Ikegwuani
Martilia Marechal
Ky Peters
Laura Sturm
Nicole Magnusson
Ben Compton
Mia Palmer
This production runs approximately 130 minutes. There is one 15 minute intermission
the constructivists are
Founder & Artistic Director: Jaimelyn Gray | Resident Stage Craftsman: Les Zarzecki |
Resident Scenic Designer: Sarah Harris | Resident Lighting Designer: ellie | Company Members: Maya Danks, Liz Ehrler, Rebekah Farr,
Ekene Ikeguwani, and Matthew Scales
Advisory Board | Amanda Bowen, Dave Knox, J.R. Sullivan, and James Pickering
Artistic Associate Artists: Vee Delgado, Andrea Ewald, Nicole McCarty, Logan Milway, Clayton Mortl, Ky Peters, Laura Sturm, and Kellie Wambold
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.”
― Bertolt Brecht
I know I’m supposed to say something filled with wit and wisdom in this space, but to be perfectly honest, the way the world is right now I have no idea what that could even be.
I came across IN THE CANYON when I asked two colleagues of mine, Andrew Hobgood and Joe Lino, if they knew any good political plays. This was one of the first that came to mind for both of them. They had seen an excellent production in Chicago a few years back, and thought it might fit right in The Constructivists vein.
So I read it. I read the first 10 pages and knew it was just the thing we
needed to start Season Seven (in a Presidential election year). Because although we’re not going to tell you what to do, we’ll certainly show you a possible path we may be on right now.
But just like the Marvel Universe, there are many paths that could be taken. Many Universes. All I hope is that one of those paths you take is to the voting booth. That you participate in this fragile democracy we live in. That you value art, and the freedom it takes to make it.
I am so grateful for these artists. I am so grateful for my amazing artist colleagues. I am so grateful for the freedom to make dark art.
Please vote.
Jaimelyn Gray, Artistic Director
A.J. Magoon (Actor Three) –A.J. (he/him) is a Milwaukee-based actor and arts administrator and is thrilled to be making his Constructivists debut! Favorite local roles have included Thom Pain in THOM PAIN: BASED ON NOTHING (Theatre Nervosa), Jason/ Tyrone in HAND TO GOD (Voices Found Repertory) and Raleigh in LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC (Acacia Theatre Company). He has also appeared with First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Theatre Gigante, Sunstone Studios, Summit Players Theatre, The Boulevard Theater, Kith & Kin Theatre Collective, Brigata Theater, Quasimondo Physical Theatre, Windfall Theatre, Bard & Bourbon and Cooperative Performance. A.J. is the Marketing Director at Next Act Theatre and a founding member of Summit Players Theatre, which he served administratively for nine years, including four as Executive Director. Coming up, see him AT THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE with Seat of Our Pants Readers Theatre. www.ajmagoon.com
Autumn Nicole Green (Actor One) –Autumn (she/her) is a 2024 graduate of Beloit College, where she studied Sociology and Theatre. She is also a 2020 alumna of Milwaukee High School of the Arts. IN THE CANYON is Autumn’s first professional production, and she is thrilled to be launching her theatre career in her hometown with The Constructivists. Prior theatre credits include: Erzulie in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Milwaukee HS of the Arts), Olympe de Gouges in THE REVOLUTIONISTS (Beloit College), The Young Woman in MACHINAL (Beloit College), Rachelle in BLACKADEMICS (Beloit College), Mrs. Tenney in MRS. PACKARD (Beloit College), Joan Watson
in MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON - APT. #2B (Beloit College), and Bella Lamb in REHEARSAL FOR MURDER (Beloit College). Autumn would like to thank both her high school theatre teacher, Tricia LaCroix, and her theatre professor, Dr. Amy Sarno, for imparting their knowledge upon her and helping her become the actress she is today. She would be remiss without dedicating her performance to her parents, who have always encouraged her to follow her dreams and reach for the stars!
Ben Compton (Violence
Choreography
Follow) – Ben (he/ they) is an actor, director, and fight director based in the Milwaukee area. Ben holds a Bachelor's in Arts from the University of Wisconsin Parkside with a focus in acting, directing, costume design, and stage combat. He has been a stage combatant for the past eight years and has been staging violence for six of those years. Some of his favorite fight direction credits include THE TEMPEST with Voices Found Repertory, COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ABRIGED at the College of Lake County, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with Summit Players, and THE PENELOPIAD, at UW-Parkside.
Caroline Norton (Actor Four) –Caroline (she/her) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist from Alabama who has made her home here in Milwaukee. She has worked as an actor, director and arts administrator throughout the city with companies such as Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Summit Players Theatre, First Stage, Sunstone Studios, Voices Found Repertory, Skylight Music Theatre and Forte Theatre Company. Please vote: www. myvote.wi.gov/Register-To-Vote
biographies continued
Ekene Ikegwuani (Sound Composer) –Ekene (they/them) loves telling stories through multiple mediums. A musician and writer, as well as an actor, they have been in a variety of productions around Milwaukee, most recently in Whirligig of Time at Sunstone Studios, and The Totalitarians with the Constructivists. They're currently also hard at work on their debut EP.
ellie (Co-Lighting Designer) – Ellie (gender fluid) enjoys a multiplicity of lighting applications: from dance (6 seasons with UWM's Department of Dance), to theater (SOUVENIR at Milwaukee Rep, THE WAY SHE SPOKE, THE ISLAND, HOOPS, and THE MOUNTAINTOP at Milwaukee Chamber Theater), ART (Emily Mast at LACMA), stop-motion (Robot Chicken season 6 & Lizzy Klein’s Dust), & music (Indradevi, Henry Wolfe's Asilomar release), as well as teaching lighting design. These days she’s more likely to be found herding cats as one of Wisconsin’s three regional contacts for Burning Man.
Emma Romeo Moyer (Actor Two) –Emma (she/her) is an actor-musician hailing from Delaware, and she’s thrilled to be making her Milwaukee area debut! Some favorite recent credits include Off-Broadway: A THERAPY SESSION WITH MYSELF (Kelly) Off-Off-Broadway: DAUGHTERS OF TROY (Helen) and Regional: LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL (Lizzie), GREAT COMET OF 1812, ASSASSINS (Squeaky Fromme), ONCE (Bank Manager), and ART (Yvan). As always, she'd like to thank her husband for his emphatic and never-ending support.
Jaimelyn Gray (Director) –Jaimelyn (she/her) is an Actor, Director, Producer, Theatre Advocate, and is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Constructivists (Best New Theatre 2018, Milwaukee Magazine). She has thus far directed all productions since its inception in 2017. Jaimelyn is also the co-founder and current President of the Milwaukee Theatre Alliance (MKETA), a theatre arts advocacy organization founded in 2019, and the Chief Representative for the Milwaukee Chapter of the Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL). Acting credits include the Utah Shakespeare Festival (THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Educational Tour), Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (YPF), Riverfront Theatre (Rockford), Eclipse Theatre (Chicago), TUTA (Chicago) (favorites: The Cow in MARIA’S FIELD, Brecht’s THE WEDDING (Joseph Jefferson Award Nomination for Best Ensemble), and a deviser of, and performer in, FULTON STREET SESSIONS), and many other powerful Chicago storefront theatres. She collaborated with Luda Lopatina Solomon to form Chicago's only EnglishRussian cross-cultural theatre company, Bluebird Arts (favorites: Maureen Folan in THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE and Hester in HELLO AND GOODBYE) and is a Marketing Collaborator for Chicago’s Facility Theatre. She is a graduate of the University of WisconsinOshkosh, with additional training from Southern Utah University, in Cedar City, Utah. She is whole-heartedly grateful for the love and support of Les and Aurora, and whole-heartedly thanks them both for their patience with her artist heart and brain. “Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” ― Bertolt Brecht jaimelyngray.com
Joe Lino (Actor Eight) – Joe (he/him) is a Chicago and Milwaukee based actor and playwright. He's worked with companies in Chicago such as Goodman, Steppenwolf, and Victory
biographies
Gardens and produced multiple works with The New Colony. In Milwaukee, he was an actor and writer for A CAPPOCALPSE! and is excited to be working with the Constructivists again.
Joseph Alberth (Co-Lighting Designer) – Joe (he/him) is a senior at UWM going into his last semester. He will be graduating with a BFA in Theatre Production, with a focus on Lighting Design.
Ky Peters (Properties Designer) – Ky
Peters (they/them) is a Milwaukee based artist focused primarily on stage management and props design. Ky has worked with The Constructivists on BABEL, ACAPOCALYPSE, and A VERY DEADLY HOLIDAY. Additional credits include include BALLET BEAT (Milwaukee Ballet), TIN WOMAN (NEXT ACT THEATRE), THE CAKE (Renaissance Theaterworks), LOVE COMES SOFTLY (Round Barn Theatre) and Kohl’s Wild Theatre. They also work in arts education teaching theatre production classes during the school year. Enjoy IN THE CANYON and please, register to vote on the car ride home.
Laura Sturm (Intimacy Choreographer) –Laura (she/her) is a professional movement/acting/ intimacy coach, actor, director and instructor. Laura has been involved as an acting/movement coach and/or intimacy
director in all of The Constructivists’ shows to date. She studied intimacy and consent-based practices with Theatrical Intimacy Education and Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Laura is an adjunct faculty member at Columbia College Chicago, where she teaches acting, movement and intimacy, and has taught at Northern Illinois University and other colleges in the area, after many years teaching at professional studios in Chicago, including Act One. She received her MFA from NIU and has been acting, directing and coaching in Chicagoland for over 20 years. Info about classes and coaching: www. laurasturm.com. Your boundaries are perfect exactly where they are!
Les Zarzecki (Stagecraftsman) –
Originally from just outside of Białystok, Poland, Les (he/him) is a carpenter and home exterior engineer by trade. He has constructed the sets alongside Sarah Harris for every Constructivists production.
Martilia Marechal (Sound Designer) –Martilia (she/her) is thrilled to be the Sound Designer for IN THE CANYON! She graduated from Marquette University in 2023 with a degree in Theatre Arts and Psychology. She is from Milwaukee, WI, and has previously done sound for JEEVES SAVES THE DAY at Third Avenue Playworks, associate desgined for SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN, THE MOUSETRAP, and THE TREASURER in last year’s season at Next Act Theatre, and for Marquette’s THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and CALIFORNIA SUITE. She also acts and was seen as Frances in MUD ROW, Chelle in DETROIT ‘67, Lady Bracknell in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and Genesis in THE
biographies
LIGHT at Marquette as well as appearing in BLACK NATIVITY with Black Arts MKE in 2021. She would like to thank you for supporting live theatre and hopes you enjoy the show!
Matt Specht (Actor Seven) –
Matt (he/him) is ecstatic to be returning to work with The Constructivists after appearing in last season’s A VERY DEADLY CONSTRUCTIVISTS HOLIDAY. He has previously worked with The Boulevard Theatre, Voices Found Repertory, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Theatre Gigante, Forte Theatre, Over Our Head Players, and many others. He is also a songwriter, poet, visual artist, pianist, guitarist, Bigfoot enthusiast, sailor, voter, and eater of greasy cheeseburgers. He hates lists, but he loves you!
Mia Palmer (Stage Manager) – Mia (she/her) is a Milwaukee-born stage manager who is very excited to be working with The Constructivists for the fourth time. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies. She has previously stage-managed productions such as HAMLET (Bard and Bourbon Theatre Co), THE TOTALITARIANS, I’M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD, and A CAPPOCALYPSE! OR.. .OCONOMOWOCAPPELLA'S A CAPPELLA PRACTICE HAS BEEN CANCELED (The Constructivists), THE WHIRLIGIG OF TIME (Sunstone Studios), and BLACK NATIVITY (Black Arts MKE). In her free time, she is almost always taking a nap with her dog.
Nicole Magnusson (Violence Choreography) –Nicole (she/her) is an actor, director, teaching artist, and fight director originally from the suburbs of Chicago. She holds a Bachelors in Theatre Arts: Directing from Illinois State University. Nicole has been studying the art of staged violence with the Society of American Fight Directors and Dueling Arts International since 2008 and has had the great honor of assisting instructors Paul Dennhardt and John Tovar at the university level, along with many other world-class instructors at a workshop level. Nicole spent several summers directing “By the Sword”, an award-winning environmental theater fight troupe with Renaissance Entertainment Productions. Recent fight projects include SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN at Next Act Theater, ROMEO ET JULIETTE with the Florentine Opera, and remounting the comedy swordfighting Shakespeare show THEY FIGHT with To the Point, where she is a founding member. Favorite previous works include GOODBYE DICK, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, MACBETH, AND THEN IT FASTER ROCK’D, and LES LIASONS DANGERUSES. Currently, Nicole is living in Milwaukee where she fight directs for all levels of theater and teaches stage combat. Nicole is focused on bringing accessible development and training opportunities to Southeastern WI and the Greater MKE area."
Rebekah Farr (Assistant Director) –Rebekah (she/they) has been working in Milwaukee as an actor, educator, and director since 2018. Past Constructivists credits include Iris in THE NETHER, Sofie in WINK, Assistant Directing for THE TOTALITARIANS, and
biographies continued
Ella in I‘M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD. They are honored to be a Constructivists Associate Artist and love contributing to the presence of dark catharsis in Milwaukee. When not working with the constructivists, they are proud to represent Pink Umbrella Theater Company as a director, teacher, and program coordinator. Special thanks to Jaimelyn for including them in this wonderful production, and love to her ever support friends and family always.
Sarah Harris (Set Designer) –
Sarah (she/her) is a Scenic, Costume, and Projection Designer who has relocated to Minneapolis after 3 years in Phoenix, AZ where she was the Properties Master for The Phoenix Theatre Company. Before that, she spent 8 years in NYC. As a Milwaukee native, she is thrilled to be a Resident Designer for The Constructivists. She has designed Scenery for all of their shows as well as Costumes for several. Other designs include: CONSTELLATIONS and THE LAST 5 YEARS (The Phoenix Theatre Company); THE PIANO LESSON, JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE, and BARBEQUE (The Black Theatre Troupe of Phoenix); PENNY CANDY and THE WOLVES (Dallas Theater Center); Wizard of OZ, MAMMA MIA, ANNIE, and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (Cape Fear Regional Theatre). Sarah received her BA from UW-Oshkosh and her MFA from Southern Methodist University where designs included SPRING AWAKENING, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, IN THE BLOOD, EURYDICE, and ALCINA. Much love to Rich and her parents, Ken and Sharleen, for all their support. Thank you, Jaime, for including me in this adventure. www.sharrisdesigns.com
Sarah Zapiain (Actor Six) –Sarah (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Constructivists debut after having worked with various theatres in the Milwaukee area, including First Stage (EMILY SONG) Skylight Music Theatre
(EVITA, SUPERYOU), Summit Players Theatre (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Next Act Theatre (LAUNDRY AND BOURBON) and Forte Theatre (SOUND OF MUSIC, LITTLE WOMEN).
When not on stage, you can find Sarah at the Milwaukee County Zoo managing Kohl’s Wild Theater or camping in the state parks with Summit Players Theatre.
stacymadson (Actor Five) –stacymadson's ultimate destiny in this life is to bring out the best in the people around her and directing and acting have allowed her the space to use this gift by humbly meeting people and collecting their individual stories about this grand human experience. Having delivered her first National convention presentation this year, she's now moved her directing skills off-stage to help businesses, academics and individuals become the shape they desire to be through course work and free public lectures. Stacy is the proud matriarch of the Madson family at The GreenHouse in Milwaukee where artists and intellectuals meet to ponder the wonders of the world with her best friends and incredible children; Alexis, Leo, Vivian, Blue and Gwen. www. stacymadson.com
Timothy J. Barnes (Assistant Set Designer) – Tim (he/him) is a Theatre Artist and Carpenter based in the Milwaukee Area.
Vee Delgado (Costume Designer) –Vee (she/her) is a costumer based in Milwaukee.
the constructivists mission
It is a vast understatement now to say the human connection live theatre provides is needed more than ever. The Constructivists are committed to creating viscerally-driven theatre, exposing and exploring the complexity of human nature and the perils it creates in an effort to challenge, enlighten, educate, and entertain a diverse mature audience. The Constructivists believe passionate theatre is the necessary catalyst for change and a public good.
production history
GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
Rajiv Joseph
February 1 – 4 & April 26– May 5, 2018
The Underground Collaborative
– SEASON ONE –
THE PILLOWMAN
Martin McDonagh
October 26 – November 10, 2018
The Underground Collaborative
TO FALL IN LOVE
Jennifer Lane
March 29 –April 13, 2019
The Underground Collaborative
– SEASON TWO –
THE GOD OF HELL
Sam Shepard
September 27 – October 12, 2019
The Underground Collaborative
THE NETHER
Jennifer Haley
March 6 – 21, 2020*
53212 Presents
*forced to close on March 16, 2020 due to Pandemic
– SEASON THREE –
WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD
Sheila Callaghan
September 30 –October 4, 2020
Virtual Only
– SEASON FOUR –WINK
Jen Silverman
October 23 – November 6, 2021
Broadway Theatre Center
BABEL**
By Jacqueline Goldfinger
March 19 –April 2, 2022
Broadway Theatre Center
– SEASON FIVE –THE TOTALITARIANS
Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
October 15 – 29, 2022
The Interchange Theater Co-Operative
I’M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD
Halley Feiffer
April 15 – 29, 2023
The Interchange Theater Co-Operative
– SEASON SIX –
A VERY DEADLY CONSTRUCTIVISTS HOLIDAY**
Conceived and Directed by Jaimelyn Gray
December 6-9, 2023
Zao MKE Church
A CAPPOCALYPSE!
Or…Oconomowocappella’s A Cappella Practice Has Been Canceled**
Created by Andrew Hobgood and Joe Lino
March 23 -April 6, 2024
Zao MKE Church
our donors
We would not be here without the monetary support of our community. We need you to know, however, that this list does not fully reflect the totality of donations in the amount of hard work and donated time from all of the artists involved with all of our productions. We hope to someday be part of the change that artists will be recognized as valuable assets to our community and should be paid a living wage accordingly, not only through private donations, but also through public funding because theatre is a public good. But until that time we must continue the good fight and make art with the help of those who have a little bit extra to spare.
Small Arts and Culture Cohort Milwaukee (SMAC) by way of Create Wisconsin
Lesco Windows and Doors
Anonymous
Aaron Busse
Aggie Hale
Amanda Hull
Amanda Schlicher
Amber Regan
Amy Sherman
Andrew Hobgood
Andrew Robinson
Armon Sample
Barry & Luda Solomon
Beth Mortl
Blia Xiong
Brandon Lauretic
Breanne Brennan
Brent Hazelton
Carri Dahl
Catherine Miller
Christal Wagner
Christopher McAttee
Cindy Tegtmeyer
Clayton Mortl
Craig Nickels
Jeff Jordan
Daniel Luglio
Daniel McHugh
Daniel Murray
David Flores
David Lee
David Ferrie
David Tresemer
David Nevin
Donna Bise
Dori Steigman
Elizabeth Lauretic
Ellie Rabinowitz
Eric Strelitzer
Evelyn Ewald
George Affeldt
Gretchen Berg
Jaime Jastrab
James Berg
James Pickering
J.R. Sullivan
Jarrod Langwinski
Jason Fassl
Jeanne Kornkven
Jeff Kuchenbecker
Jennifer Delaporte
Jennifer Rupp
Jim Mallmann
Joanna Starnawski
Joel Dresang
Johanna Mattern Allen
John Russell
Joseph Luehring
Josepha Lanters
Josh Pohja
Judith Martel
Julia Teeguarden
Julien Johnson
Kathleen Donnelly
Kathryn Perry
Katie Cummings
Katie Krueger
Kellie Wambold
Kelly Kunz
Kelsey Austin
Ken Harris
Kendra Krouth
Kenneth Miller
Kevin Stangler
Kristen Jobe
Laura Hirano
Lee Marquardt
Linda Kietzer
Lineve Redlin
Logan Milway
Logan Capizzi
Lori Konitzer
MacArthur Antigua
Maria Fitzsimmons
Mark Leitner
Matthew Oswald
Matthew Kemple
Matthew Specht
Maxwell Bender
Mercedes Killeen
Mia Palmer
Michael Stebbins
Michael Unger
Michael Fleischman
Mindy Sue Beaumont
Mitchell Beaudry
Nate Press
Nick Petersson
Patrick Sepnieski
Paula Garcia
Pete Adams
Phyllis Wax
Rachel Frank
Rebecca Davies
Renata Danks
Rhonda Kolka
Richard Chudnow
Rick Bingen
Rob Schreiner
Robert Gardenier
Robyn Bayland
Ronni Nivala
Posy Knight
Russel Evans
Samantha Meneau-Holly
Sarah Koffi-Kutodzo
HUMANITY
Sarah Acker
Scott Sorensen
Scott Wendlandt
Sean Marquardt
Seth Hale
Shannon Mann
Sharon Milway
Ian Emerson
Sundus Jaber
Terri Hart-Ellis
Timothy Lonsdale
Victoria Watson
William Molitor
Wyatt Meyer
We are such a tiny, infinitesimal part of this big, big, big planet. We believe that Black Lives MATTER, as a matter of fact. Trans Lives Matter. We believe we all must do our part to stop AAPI Hate. We believe in Disability visibility. We believe our LGBTQIA+ friends and family SHOULD have pride. We are grateful for the ability to make art, but are humbled by the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples who once occupied this land around us and were subjected to forced removal and genocide. For more information about treaties and tribal nations visit nativeland.ca. Learn more how you can support the good fight through organizations like Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC) by visiting www.blocbybloc. org.
Think outside of yourself. Empathize. Don’t be an asshole.
special thanks
We would like to first thank you, Patron, for taking the chance on us. We hope you will visit us again. Jaimelyn Gray and The Constructivists would also like to extend a very passionate thank you to the following for being especially helpful and supportive to this production and theatre company:
Breanne Brennan
Jake Badovski
Naomi Soldon
Will LaDuke and Active Culture
Eric Tallmadge and Wisconsin Public Radio
Pastor Cameron Malakai Overton and Zao MKE Church
Skylight Music Theatre and the whole Team
Broadway Theatre Center
Our Board, Advisors, and our Donors
JOIN US FOR HOLIDAY FUN!
