MTC_2025_Glass_Program_FINAL by mendocinotheatrecompany

The Glass Menagerie

Directed by JOHN CRAVEN

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

DIRECTED BY JOHN

Costume Design by Susan Collins

Lighting Design by Missy Weaver

CRAVEN

Scenic Design by Elizabeth Craven

Sound Composition by Karl Boelter

Stage Management by Steven Jordan

THE CAST

TOM WINGFIELD ........................................................................................... Vincent Keene

AMANDA WINGFIELD ................................................................................... Felicia Freitas

LAURA WINGFIELD ................................................................................... Carolyn Gondek

JIM O’CONNOR ......................................................................................................... Jimmy Lilly

TIME & PLACE

1937 and before St. Louis, Missouri

"In memory everything seems to happen to music." — Tom Wingfield

THE GLASS MENAGERIE is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Broadway Licensing

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. We acknowledge that the land on which we create theatre is the traditional territory of the Northern Pomo anda coast Yuki people.

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THE MISSION of the Mendocino Theatre Company is to produce plays of substance and excitement, from the classics to the cutting edge. MTC strives to address issues that speak to our world with plays that entertain, challenge and enrich our community and those who visit. With a commitment to excellence, MTC focuses on nurturing local talent by providing a collaborative, respectful and creative environment.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Jeff Rowlings

Vice President: Robert Cohen

Treasurer: Julie Ahrens

Secretary: Raven Deerwater

Member: Erina Reeves, Nancy Drooker

THEATRE STAFF

Producing Director: Elizabeth Craven

Assistant to Producing Director: Alexander Wright

Artistic Directors: Betty Abramson, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe

Operations Director: Jim Gibson

Box Office Manager: Caroline Bonfield

Technical Assistant: Brandon Roth

Assistant Box Office Manager: Alex Foreman

Director of Youth Productions: Lorry Lepaule

Resident Stage Manager: Patricia Price

Resident Scenic Designer: Diane Larson

Resident Costume Designer: Susan Collins

Custodial Services: Brandon Roth and Cody Hoch

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Light and Sound Board Operator: Steven Jordan

Carpentry: Jim Gibson, John Craven, Frank Iacuaniello

Scenic Consultant: Diane Larson

Sound Technician: Jasmine Diaz

Photography: Larry Wagner

Graphic Design: Lisa Garza-Hillman, inkfish

Program Ad Sales: Erina Reeves

Scenic Painter: Elizabeth Craven & Diane Larson

SPECIAL THANKS

Draftech, Diane Larson, Betty Abramson, Cally Dym and The Little River Inn, Alexander Frank, Orson McGuigan, Brendan McGuigan, Molly, Mendocino Art Center— Daphne, Katie, and Dav

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

The Glass Menagerie made its New York premiere in 1944. The response from critics and audiences alike instantly propelled Tennessee Williams into national prominence and the play has since become an American classic. Even after 80 years, the play continues to reverberate with modern audiences on a very personal level. We I hope it will for you as well.

The Glass Menagerie is a memory play in which the action is drawn from the memories of its narrator, the story’s hero, Tom Wingfield. It is Tom’s memory that shapes the characters’ perceptions and gives events their significance. The Glass Menagerie is also Tennessee Williams' most auto-biographical play. Tennessee’s given name was, in fact, Tom. Even in memory, however, the events and places referred to in this play are surprisingly accurate.”

Like the Wingfield’s, the Williams family resided in St. Louis in 1937, where and when the play takes place. Tennessee (still Tom then) also worked as a menial laborer in a warehouse play, a job which he loathed as much as Tom does. Williams also so had a disabled sister, Rose, who is lovingly reflected in the character of Laura. And finally, Amanda seems to be a composite of Tennessee’s father and mother, both of whom were born and raised among the fading Mississippi gentry, with their outwardly genteel customs and outdate ways of thinking.

My own memories of a Southern upbringing coincide with the play, as I reflect upon the family relations who shaped my perceptions and created the memories that influenced my interpretation of life’s events and my subsequent choices. Tom’s dreams of an altogether different future from the one contemplated by his parent rings painfully true as I more fully appreciate my own mother’s anxiety to secure a future for her nine children. Ultimately, however, it is The Glass Menagerie’s search for reconciliation with the past, its themes of abandonment, regret and the need for children to find an identity separate from their parents, that give the play its nostalgic timelessness and emotional impact. Indeed, as Tom observes, “in memory everything seems to happen to music.”

–John Craven, Director

BIOGRAPHIES

VINCENT KEENE (TOM WINGFIELD)

Vincent has been performing for Sacramento audiences for almost two decades. Recently, Vincent moved to the north coast to be closer to family and is thrilled to be a part of the Mendocino Theatre Company. He looks forward to many new adventures in the local theatre scene. Amonst his favorite roles: D.A. Rufus R. Buckley in A Time to Kill, Coach Vincent Lombardi in Lombardi, David O. Selznick in Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell, and as John Wilkes Booth in Curtain Call.

CAROLYN GONDEK (LAURA WINGFIELD)

Discounting junior high, Carolyn's acting debut was two years ago playing Margaret and the Sexton in Gloriana's Mucho Ado About Nothing. Strongly infected with the acting-bug she jumped at the chance to be Romeo in Gloriana Studio's splendid production of Romeo and Juliet last year. After pretending to have a scrotum for 7 weeks last summer and only speaking in iambic pentameter Carolyn is excited to explore 'the feminine', (Jung anyone?), in the ethereal, yet brutal world of Tennessee Williams' classic play. When not in the theatre you may find Carolyn loudly and verbosely explaining squat technique at the CV Starr. Special thanks to my Mother and Maggie for making my kids feel special while I am at the theatre; to David for kindly accommodating my insane new hobby; and especially to Fern and Oscar for letting Mama do another play.

FELICIA FREITAS (AMANDA WINGFIELD) -

Felicia is a Los Angeles-based theatremaker and arts administrator. She served as Producing Director of the Mendocino Theatre Company from 2012-2015 after beginning her work with the company as a production intern at age 14. She is thrilled and privileged to return to her home stage after 10 years in this breathtaking role.

Felicia has worked in a variety of roles on dozens of productions in California and Southern Oregon since 2003. Favorite projects include: (as director and designer) The Graduate (MTC), Bengal Tiger at The Baghdad Zoo (MTC), Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (MTC), The Mystery of Love and Sex (Left Edge Theatre); (as actor) Jessie Mae in The Trip to Bountiful (MTC), Yelena in Uncle Vanya (Rock The Ground Theater) Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird (Oregon Stage Works), Gloria in Duke (Ashland Community Theatre).

Felicia is studying Intimacy Coordination with the SAG-AFTRA accredited school, Cintima. She took a break from her studies in every respect to become Operations Manager of the iconoclastic Pacific Opera Project (POP) in 2024. She is currently completing her training as a Basi-certified Pilates instructor. Love to Orson and Alex, who both arrived just in time.

BIOGRAPHIES cont.

JIMMY LILLY (JIM O'CONNOR)

- The Glass Menagerie is Jimmy's second play with MTC. Last Summer Jimmy performed in A Thousand Clowns. He also performed in Stranger Sings presented by Gloriana Studios in the fall. Jimmy is very excited to be back with the privilege to play around on the stage again. And he hopes everyone will enjoy the show.

ELIZABETH CRAVEN (SCENIC DESIGNER)

Elizabeth “Beth” is a life-long theater artist, producer, teacher and administrator, who is currently Producing Director of Mendocino Theatre Company. She recently retired as Artistic Director of Main Stage West in Sebastopol, CA. (April 2010 until March 2020), where she produced and/or directed and/or designed over 70 productions. She was on the full-time Theatre Arts Department faculty at Sonoma State University and spent ten years as Head of the MFA Actor Training Program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she was also resident director at The Clarence Brown Theatre Company (LORT/AEA).

Although primarily a theatre director, Beth has occasionally designed sets for her own productions and those of theatre colleagues. In 2018 she was awarded a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for her scenic design of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time at Spreckels Theatre. Some of Elizabeth’s other recognitions include The Dean Goodman Award for Directing; SF Bay Area Theater Critics Awards for Outstanding Overall Production; and TBA awards for Overall Production, Direction, Ensemble Performance, and Set Design.

JOHN CRAVEN (DIRECTOR)

- Over the span of forty plus years, John has acted in and/or directed for most of the theaters in the SF North Bay and a few others in the SF Bay Area. He made his first appearance here at Mendocino Theatre Company as a set builder-helper on The Moors, then as a stage manager in Paradise and Born with Teeth, then as an actor in The Seafarer. The Glass Menagerie marks his first directorial role at MTC. This is such an honor.

Side note: for twenty-seven-plus years, John was the founder and co-director of the Art Quest Theater Arts program at Santa Rosa High School in Santa Rosa. That was the best.

SUSAN COLLINS (COSTUME DESIGNER)

Susan has been costuming for the Mendocino Theatre Company and Gloriana Music Theatre for over twenty years. In that time she has gotten to know many theatre people and learned about all aspect of theatre. Susan enjoys working with specific historical eras, her favorite being the 1040s. Some of her recent shows include Born with Teeth, Home, I’m Darling, Woody Guthrie’s American Song, and Born Yesterday for MTC and Anything Goes for Gloriana. In addition to designing, Susan helps manage and maintain the costume and properties storage facility known as PAPA in Ft. Bragg.

BIOGRAPHIES cont.

STEVE JORDAN (STAGE MANAGER) -

MISSY WEAVER (LIGHTING DESIGN) -

Steve has been appeared as a performer in several Mendocino Theatre Company (MTC) productions since 2013 beginning with The 39 Steps. The Glass Menagerie marks his second production as Stage Manager for MTC. While still in high school, Steve appeared in some of the first plays produced at the Mendocino Art Center. After graduating from Mendocino High School, he attended Chico State University where he participated in several university theatre and opera productions prior to graduation. His opera production experience led to stage direction and, eventually, to work as an assistant director and stage manager at the San Francisco Opera. This was followed by assignments at the Philadelphia Opera, San Diego Opera and Central City Opera. In addition, Steve has directed, stage managed and assisted in numerous opera productions in regional theatres including Nevada Opera, San Diego Opera Center, San Francisco Opera’s Adler’s Program and Marin Opera before retiring to the Mendocino area.

Weaver has enjoyed work with Main Stage West for 12 years, directing D’Arc, a woman on fire, Serial Murderess, Hand to Mouth, Swallow, Mary’s Wedding and Late: a cowboy song, and lighting many productions.

Co-Director of First Look Sonoma, Weaver has advocated the new and unusual in vocal performance arts for over four decades and directed the collaborative creation of more than forty original stage works. A recent project, Both Eyes Open, a chamber opera with composer Max Duykers and writer Philip Kan Gotanda about the Japanese American incarceration, premiered last June at San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre and last month at The Flea in New York.

Missy’s lighting design was last seen on the MTC Stage in the 2023 production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s, Ripcord.

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