CONTENTWARNINGS GUNSHOTS
LOUD STARTLING NOISES
SIMULATED VIOLENCE
SIMULATED VOMITTING
PROFANE AND DEROGATORY LANGUAGE
DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING RELIGION, POLITICS, RACISM, SEXUALITY, ABORTION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, VIOLENCE, & WAR
A NOTE FROMTHE DIRECTOR
“You think I’m horrible.” “No, I thinkyou’resuffering. Ain’t we all.”
Theatre demands that we bear witness to the suffering of others. Socrates supported the development of oral storytelling in part because he believed that, on its own, writing would trap ideas, freezing them in time and preventing the development of deeper understanding. Instead, he argued, we should “try to remember from the inside.”
Heroes of the Fourth Turning challenges us to engage with the suffering of these characters, their personal and particular suffering. We are confronted with their pain and asked to look at it more closely, even when we want to look away, even when we think they are “horrible.” This kind of confrontation is one of the most fundamental and phenomenal triumphs of the theatre. Where else are we called to such radical compassion? We spend time with a cast of characters, and in doing so, we are invited to examine their wounds, to t attempts at healing. To make sense of what the and so vigorously push aside. That ende formidable as it may be, is essential. Otherwis “We will imagine that we have come to know m part we will know nothing.”
Thank you for bearing witness.
FINTAN MCNAMARA (Justin) is proud to be delivering a great contemporary American play to Philadelphia this season Finn recently appeared in a regional production of Hercule Poirot and the Ghosts of Marsden Manor, as well as several starring roles on the Drexel Mainstage including Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and Prof Plum in Clue! Thank you to my family for giving me the courage I needed to bring this play to life.
JIA WEINGARD (Emily) is a Psychology major at Drexel University Recent credits: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hedgerow), Urinetown, Curious Incident, Clue, and The Lightning Thief (Drexel). Jia is thankful to be a part ofthis production Love to Mom and Dad!
BEN ROBARE (Kevin) is a Mechanical Engineering Major and Theater Minor at Drexel University. Most recently, he played Senator Fipp in Urinetown and Roger in Curious Incident, both at Drexel University Ben is the President of the Drexel Players, and loves to provide opportunities for people who are new to theater to get involved in this incredible art form. In his free time, Ben enjoys reading, playing video games, 3D printing, and rock climbing Ben is so excited to feature as Kevin in Heroes and have a big conversation!
MIKEY SIEDELL (Teresa) is a Philly based musician and artist. Check out @mikeymarss and @vaguepositivityfor more content.
LOIS DIVOLL (Gina, Asst. Dir. , Asst. SM) is honored to be a part of this important production Most recently she was in Curious Incident at Drexel University as Mrs. Alexander/Ensemble. In her time outside of the theatre, Lois enjoys riding her bike and eating frozen yogurt Thank you to her friends, family, and everyone involved in this production. Lois hopes that this play will be as impactful to you as it was to her. Enjoy!
FRANKIE LABELLE (Stage Manager, Technical Director, Producer ) is a theatre production student at Drexel University They are always looking for ways to expand their experience in the world of production and have taken on roles in many facets of the industry. In this production Frankie completed work as a Stage Manager, Sound Designer, Lighting Designer, and Carpenter. Frankie is excited to see this production fully come to life with its performance.
ESTHER M. COHEN (Mentor, Asst. Dir.) is a Philadelphia-based director and adjunct theatre professor at Drexel University, where she recently taught new play development and Viewpoints and directed THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME She has assisted at The O’Neill Center, The Drama League, and Yale Rep, and worked offBroadway at Signature and Second Stage. She is currently Artist-in-Residence with Theatre Ariel and an alumna of NTI, Penn, and Roundabout Directors Group She is extremely proud of all the work her beloved students put into this production.
MAYA SEIPEL (Director, Producer) is a Drexel student who is exceedingly passionate about the performing arts For much of the past three years, she has been an actress in multiple Drexel Mainstage productions and new work developments, alongside many of the wonderful artists involved in this production This summer Maya decided to take on her first major experience being on the other side of the curtain and she could not have asked for a better team by her side. A special thanks to Mom and Dad; I am immeasurably blessed to have you
These words fervently inspired me a couple of months ago, so I’ll leave you with them in the hopes that they inspireyou too. - Maya
“Do not assume that you have to have some prescribed conditions to do your best work. Do not wait. Do not wait for enough time or money to accomplish what you think you have in mind. Work with what you have right now. Work with the people around you right now. Do not wait for maturity or insight or wisdom. Do not wait until you are sure that you know what you are doing.”
- Anne Bogart