The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
Music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma
Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems
We’re so glad you’re here!
Thank you for joining us underground in the world of Wilbur and his fellow naked mole rats.
This story is told with songs, silliness, and some fabulous costumes, but its message is important. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed reminds us that being different is something to celebrate. It takes courage to stand out, and whether you’re two or one hundred and two, there’s a little Wilbur in all of us.
To the young and young at heart, thank you for bringing your energy and imagination today.
To the grownups, I hope you’ll come back (maybe for a date night?) to experience more of the bold, funny, and unique plays that make SLAC such a special place. We’d love for you to join us as a mini-season subscriber. You’ll enjoy three exceptional performances. You can find more information about our season on page 6.
May this holiday season fill your heart with love and your new year with joyful expectations.
Now sit back, relax, and get ready to rock out!
With gratitude and excitement,
Cynthia Executive Artistic Director
Salt Lake Acting Company is proud to partner with Children’s Service Society of Utah .
Children’s Service Society of Utah is dedicated to ensuring children grow up in loving, nurturing environments by empowering families, parents, and caregivers .
During the run of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience we will be collecting the following items:
Diapers
New and gently used pajamas
Creative Team for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
Top Row: Erik Reichert, Gage Williams, Cynthia Fleming, Dennis Hassan Bottom Row: Erika Ahlin Bird, Bridgette Lehman, Penelope Caywood, Tahra Veasley
Sunny in the Dark
by Elaine Jarvik | World Premiere
Workshopped in SLAC’s 23/24
New Play Sounding Series
Feb. 4 - Mar 1, 2026
15-year-old Sunny wonders about the universe, God, and her own creation story. But when a DNA test reveals a complicated truth, her journey gets...well... complicated. Sunny in the Dark is a play about mysteries, yearnings, and lies. Oh, and astrophysics!
Murder Ballad
Conceived by and with Book and Lyrics by Julia Jordan
Music and Lyrics by Juliana Nash
Regional Premiere
Apr. 8 - May 3, 2026
A chamber rock musical about a love triangle that goes wrong. Sexy with a sharp wit and the driving force of a noir thriller, Murder Ballad, explores the complications of love, the compromises we make and the betrayals that can ultimately undo us.
SLAC’s Summer Show
World Premiere
June 24 - Aug. 16, 2026
The same Summer Show experience you’ve known and loved for decades. Pack up your food and drink and laugh at the quirky, peculiar, sometimes infuriating, always entertaining life and culture of the Beehive State, written every year by Utahns for Utahns.
NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE
Script and Lyrics By Mo Willems
Music By Deborah Wicks La Puma
Director/Choreographer/Music Director Penelope Caywood
Based on NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED book by Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com First commissioned and Produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre
Salt Lake Acting Company gratefully acknowledges the following foundations and government agencies for their very generous sponsorship . Their support is truly essential to SLAC’s vitality and success .
FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
SALT LAKE COUNTY ZOO, ARTS & PARKS PROGRAM
THE SHUBERT FOUNDATION
TERENCE KEARNS STEPHENS CHARITABLE FUND
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
UTAH DIVISION OF ARTS AND MUSEUMS
GEORGE S. & DOLORES DORÉ ECCLES FOUNDATION
MARRINER S. ECCLES FOUNDATION
MCCARTHEY FAMILY FOUNDATION
LAWRENCE T. & JANET T. DEE FOUNDATION
JOHN & MARCIA PRICE FAMILY FOUNDATION
JARVIS & CONSTANCE DOCTOROW FAMILY FOUNDATION
ANONYMOUS
B.W. BASTIAN FOUNDATION
SALT LAKE CITY ARTS COUNCIL
SORENSON LEGACY FOUNDATION
SEMNANI FAMILY FOUNDATION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER FOUNDATION
HERBERT I. & ELSA B. MICHAEL FOUNDATION
HENRY W. & LESLIE M. ESKUCHE FOUNDATION
S.J. & JESSIE E. QUINNEY FOUNDATION
Salt Lake Acting Company sincerely thanks the following Corporate Partners who make the 2025/2026 season possible:
1WIRE
AUTHOR ANGELA CORBETT
ALBION FINANCIAL GROUP
ASSIST INC. COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER
BEEHIVE CHEESE MAGICSPACE ENTERTAINMENT MAZZA
MILLS PUBLISHING, INC
ROHA BREWING PROJECT
SALT LAKE ROASTING COMPANY
SMITH’S FOOD & DRUG STORES
THIRD SUN PRODUCTIONS
VETERINARY ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES
If your business is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please visit the Box Office or contact Erika Ahlin Bird at Erika@SaltLakeActingCompany .Org
This project is supported in part by Salt Lake County’s Zoo, Arts and Parks program, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the Salt Lake City Arts Council.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
WILBUR ................................................................. Joseph Paul Branca
H&M SINGER 1, POTENTIAL CUSTOMER, SECRET SERVICE .... Sophie Jean White
JOSEPH PAUL BRANCA
JOSEPH PAUL BRANCA (He/Him) After appearing as The Pigeon in last year’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! Joey is thrilled to continue his lifelong journey through interpreting the works of Mo Willems in this year’s show, his 10th production here at SLAC. He would like to thank his hamsters Buddy (2000-2002) and Barbara (2002-2004), as well as Rufus from Kim Possible, for introducing him early in life to both the majesty of rodents and the indelible fortitude of Naked Mole Rats in particular, which have served as North Star markers of hope for his journey as a human both professionally and personally. He recalls a quote from his high school commencement speech, “Without Buddy, Barbara, and Rufus from Kim Possible, I could never dream to one day portray Wilbur in Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience by Mo Willems and Deborah Wicks La Puma, Directed by Penny Caywood, at Salt Lake Acting Company in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty-five, which my boyfriend will also be
in, which I’m sure will be just wonderful.” He is happy, and life is good. @JosephBranca | JosephBranca.com
SCOTTY FLETCHER (He/They) is extremely excited to return to the SLAC stage. Recent SLAC appearances include: Bat Boy: The Musical, Beloved King (NPSS reading), and You Will Get Sick. Other theaters Scotty has worked for include The Ruth, Hale Centre Theatre, West Valley Performing Arts Center, Good Company Theatre, and The Eccles. You can also find Scotty performing with the Hale Centre Theatre’s educational outreach program, The Story Weavers, for their third year. Scotty would like to thank their loving partner for all his support, their generous family for all their time, and their professors and mentors for their patience and goodwill. Lastly, Scotty would like to thank their father, Russell, who has always found time to sit through a show or coach a game.
KATIE LOBROT (She/Her) is beyond excited to be making her SLAC debut!
Matthew Tripp
Favorite credits include: Thea/Wendla u/s in Spring Awakening (University of Utah); Cinderella in Into the Woods (Sandy Arts Guild); and co-writer/player in 5^2: 25 Plays in 50 Minutes (Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival). Katie is a recent graduate of the University of Utah’s Musical Theatre Program, as well as a founding member of Running with Scissors Theatre Company. She’d like to thank her friends, family, and her dog, Piggy for their love and support!
ALEXA SHAHEEN (She/They) is thrilled to be making her return to the SLAC stage for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience! Her most recent Utah credits include: The Full Monty (The Grand Theatre), Xanadu (The University of Utah), Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! (Salt Lake Acting Company), Nightmare Cabaret (Lagoon), Close Encounters in The Beehive (Salt Lake Acting Company), and SpongeBob: The Musical (Kingsbury Hall, Youth Theatre at the U). Alexa is in their fourth year in the Musical Theatre Program at The University of Utah. Alexa would like to extend endless thanks to her family, friends, and professors for supporting her artistic endeavors.
MATTHEW TRIPP (He/They/She) is so so excited to be back for their 4th year with SLAC’s children’s show! They previously appeared in A Year With Frog and Toad (Toad) and Elephant and Piggie’s: “We Are in a Play!” (Squirrelle/Various Roles) as well as assistant directing for last year’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Other recent credits include Finding Neverland (Albert) at Hale Centre Theatre and The Lightning Thief (Mrs. Dodds) and The Play That Goes Wrong (“Stage Crew”/u.s. Max) at West Valley Arts. They’re also in their 4th year as part of Hale Centre Theatre’s traveling children’s theater troupe, the Story Weavers. They’d like to thank their partner Sofia for being the loveliest person in the world and their parents for being so incredibly supportive.
SOPHIE JEAN WHITE (She/They) is a proud graduate of the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program. Performing here marks the fulfillment of a longtime dream:
playing a rat on stage. No, she’s not kidding. Sophie sincerely thanks Penny for making that dream possible. Since graduating, she has spent her time luring friends into “nonoptional hangouts” under the clever guise of self-produced theatre. Favorite projects include Sender (self-produced), Radiant Vermin (Salt Lake Acting Company’s Making Space for Artists Program), Frenchez (short film), The Old Man and the Old Moon (University of Utah), New Work: Liminal (Flying Bobcat Theatre), and performing with Utah’s longestrunning improv team, Laughing Stock. She also wrote and directed her original musical A Night to Dismember!, which won Outstanding Original Script at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival. When not on stage or behind the scenes, Sophie can be found tumbling down creative rabbit holes, overcommitting to projects, or enjoying her favorite role yet: “favorite girl” to her threeyear-old niece—who she is especially excited to share this show with.
Creative
MO WILLEMS (Script & Lyrics) Mo Willems is all about letting imaginations run wild. He is the beloved artist and author behind #1 NYT bestselling and Caldecott Honorsawarded picture books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and the Knuffle Bunny series as well as his celebrated Elephant & Piggie early reader series, for which he’s won 2 Theodor Seuss Geisel Awards, 5 Geisel Honors and an Eisner Award. Mo’s title Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was the inaugural induction into the Picture Book Hall of Fame. Mo has published more than 70 children’s books — more than 50 of them NYT bestselling titles — with over 26 foreign language translations. In addition to his Caldecott Honors, he garnered 6 Emmy Awards for his writing on Sesame Street, where he began his remarkable career. Mo also has created 3 television specials, 6 animated series, 7 musical adaptations, 5 licensed theater productions and 3 touring exhibits. Mo loves playing in new sandboxes. He regularly collaborates with other globally renowned artists and organizations to
WHO’S WHO
create bright and innovative new works in the worlds of classical music, opera, comedy concerts, dance, painting, and digital content. Mo’s art has been exhibited around the world, including in major solo retrospectives at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and The New York Historical in NYC. Over the last decade, he has become the most produced playwright of Theatre for Young Audiences in the U.S., having written or co-written four musicals based on his books. In 2023, Mo co-founded the Hidden Pigeon Company to extend the reach of his beloved characters and stories across multiple platforms. Mo Willems is a former child.
DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA (Music) is a composer, music director, and orchestrator, and one of the most produced Theatre for Young Audiences artists working today. Some of her most popular musicals include Ella Enchanted (based on the book by Gail Carson Levine), Oliverio: A Brazilian Twist, and Einstein Is a Dummy with playwright Karen Zacarías, and the off-Broadway hit She Persisted (based on the book by Chelsea Clinton) with playwright Adam Tobin. Deborah has created three musicals with bestselling children’s author Mo Willems: Elephant and Piggie’s: “We Are in A Play!”; Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!. On the small screen, she has worked with Willems on the adaptation of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience (released in 2022 on HBO Max), and the upcoming animated series Unlimited Squirrels. As a music director and orchestrator, she has worked with major regional theatre companies across the country, including the Guthrie, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She received her MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. Her honors include an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Musical, the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, an NEA New American
Works Grant, two Parents’ Choice Awards, and a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation. A proud MexicanAmerican and “Navy brat” who grew up in Brazil, Portugal and California, La Puma is a member of TYA/USA, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. Mother to three daughters and Mimi the Cat, La Puma lives in Southern California with her PR agent and loving husband, Chris.
PENELOPE CAYWOOD
(She/Her) (Director, Choreographer, and Music Director) is excited to return to Salt Lake Acting Company for another children’s show! Recent directing credits include the Utah premiere of The Robertassey and Yoga Play (SLAC), the world premiere of Fremont Junior High is NOT Doing Oklahoma! (Good Company Theatre), and The Book Club Play (University of Utah). Her past SLAC Theatre for Young Audiences projects include Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Elephant and Piggie’s: “We Are in a Play!”, A Year with Frog and Toad, Pete the Cat, Pinkalicious, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, Art Dog, Cat in the Hat, Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type, How I Became a Pirate, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Penelope also serves as the Artistic Director of Youth Theatre at the U and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre Teaching, where she loves creating opportunities for young talent to shine. Special thanks to SLAC, Cynthia, Bridgette, Tahra, and the entire design team for their creativity, support, and dedication to bringing this production to life.
BRYCE ROMLESKI (He/Him) (Asst. Director/Asst. Choreographer) is thrilled to be making his assistant directorial debut at Salt Lake Acting Company with Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience! Previous SLAC credits include: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!; Elephant and Piggie’s: “We Are in a Play!”; and the SLAC Summer Shows: Close Encounters in the Beehive; A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood; and The Secret Lives of the Real Wives in the Salt Lake
Hive. Bryce has worked extensively with Youth Theatre at the U, teaching as part of their after-school and summer programs, teaching and creating original theatre pieces with students in 1st-12th grade. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Utah and is the Co-Founder of To The Moon Theatre Collective, dedicated to Theatre for the Very Young. Bryce would like to thank his family, partner, and friends for all of their love and support. BryceRomleski.com | @BryceRomleski
GAGE WILLIAMS (He/Him) (Set Designer) Previously at SLAC: Robertassey, Bald Sisters, Yoga Play, SLACabaret: Down the Rabbit Hole, Pete the Cat, Pinkalicious, Mercury, and Hand to God. Regional Theatre: Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Childsplay, Pioneer Theatre Company, and Utah Opera.
Television: Credits include ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO, MTV, VH-1, ESPN, and Disney. Recipient of a CableACE Award for Art Direction on the Showtime film Mastergate. His work has been exhibited internationally at the Prague Quadrennial Design Expositions (’95, ’99, ’19, ’23) and World Stage Design 2022. 2016 United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Conference in Salt Lake City, a retrospective of his theatrical design career. Gage is a Professor of Theatre at the University of Utah, where he served as Department Chair from 2009 to 2018.
JESSE PORTILLO** (He/Him) (Lighting Designer) is a Lighting Designer based in Los Angeles, and an Associate Professor of Theatre at Cal Poly Pomona. Previous SLAC credits include Passing Strange, Pete The Cat, Saturday’s Voyeur, Climbing with Tigers, and Harbur Gate among many others. Additional credits include
productions for South Coast Rep, Pioneer Theatre Company, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Ancram Opera House, LOOK Musicals, New Century Dance, Repertory Dance Theater, Samba Fogo, PURE Theatre, Mobile Opera and Plan-B Theatre Company. He holds an MFA from Indiana University, and has previously served on the faculty of the University of Utah and the College of Charleston. He is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, and an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, where he is the Co-Commissioner for Lighting Design and Technology. He is a founding member of La Gente: The Latinx Design Network, and works to make all aspects of live entertainment more diverse, equitable and inclusive by deploying anti-racist approaches in all aspects of his work.
DENNIS HASSAN (He/Him) (Costume Designer) Professor of Theatre Design at Utah State University. Dennis has designed over 300 productions for theatres from Hawaii to Maine. He designs sets, costumes, puppets, corporate events, and immersive experiences. Favorites include Fun Home (set), Egress (set), Frog and Toad (costumes), for Salt Lake Acting Company; Little Mermaid (“Under the Sea” puppets) for The Hale Center Theatre, Magic Flute (puppets) for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, August, Osage County (set) for the Fulton Theatre, Light in the Piazza (set) for Maine State Musical Theatre, and Sweeney Todd (set) for ACT Honolulu. He has an MFA in theatre design from The Ohio State University.
LEAH BROWN (She/Her) (Asst. Costume Designer) is very excited to be working at Salt Lake Acting Company as an assistant costume designer for a 2nd time after assisting for The Secret Lives of the Real Wives in the Salt Lake Hive this past summer!! She is currently a student at Utah State University majoring in Costume Design and Technology on track to graduate this spring. She is excited to continue her work in the costuming world and grateful to be a part of this production here at SLAC!
ERIKA AHLIN BIRD (She/Her) (Props Designer) is so excited to help bring another children’s show to life! Previous design credits at SLAC include: SLAC’s Summer Show: Secret Lives of the Real Wives in the Salt Lake Hive, Bat Boy: The Musical, You Will Get Sick, Co-Design for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, SLAC’s Summer Show: Close Encounters in the Beehive, Bald Sisters, SLAC’s Summer Show: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Assistant Props designer for Yoga Play She has been working administratively at SLAC since 2012, and is currently Director of Development. When not at the theatre, Erika plays bass in local band NADEZHDA.
BRIDGETTE LEHMAN
(She/Her) (Production Stage Manager) is happy to be back at Salt Lake Acting Company for another fun holiday show! She is half of the production management team and is also skilled in sound production. She loves supporting new works from NPSS to regional premiers! Favorite select stage management credits include: The Robertassey, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Close Encounter in the Beehive, You Will Get Sick, Hairy & Sherri, A Year with Frog and Toad (SLAC), The 25th Annual (Good Co. Theatre), Orpheus in the Underworld (Noorda Theatre). Favorite select assistant stage management credits include: The Secret Lives of The Real Wives in The Salt Lake Hive, Bat Boy, Whitelisted, Bald Sisters (SLAC).
CYNTHIA FLEMING
(She/Her) (Executive Artistic Director) has been an integral part of Salt Lake Acting Company since 1998 and was named Executive Artistic Director in 2015. Over the years, Cynthia has lovingly shaped Salt Lake Acting Company into what it is today–creating and implementing SLAC’s Arts Education Programs (Title I Arts Education Program, Professional Theatre Program), deepening SLAC’s commitment to New Play Development through the Playwrights’ Lab, establishing a culture of community through the Making Space for Artists Program, outreach, and partnerships with other organizations.
Under Cynthia’s leadership, SLAC has continually set the standard for accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion; in 2020, SLAC launched The Amberlee Fund, a capital campaign to make SLAC’s historic building wheelchair accessible. To date, Cynthia has produced over 100 plays.
SALT LAKE ACTING
COMPANY is celebrating its 54th Season and continuing its mission to engage and enrich community through brave contemporary theatre. Founded in 1970, SLAC is a not–for–profit 501(c)3 professional theatre dedicated to producing, commissioning, and developing new works and to supporting a community of professional artists. SLAC has been nationally recognized by the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Edgerton Foundation, among others. SLAC operates under an SPT Actors Equity Association contract and is a Constituent Member of Theatre Communications Group (a national organization for non–profit professional regional theatres), and the National New Play Network (a national alliance of non–profit professional theatres that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays).
**Represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
MILLS PUBLISHING, INC.
Dan Miller, President; Cynthia Bell Snow, Office Administrator; Jackie
Patrick Witmer, Graphic Design/Web Developer; Paula Bell, Dan
The Salt Lake Acting Company playbill is published by Mills Publishing, Inc.,772 East 3300 South, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 Phone: 801.467.8833 Email: advertising@millspub.com Website: millspub.com. Mills Publishing produces playbills for many performing arts groups. Advertisers do not necessarily agree or disagree with content or views expressed on stage. Please contact us for playbill advertising opportunities. Copyright 2025.
Medina, Art Director; Ken Magleby, Graphic Design;
Miller,
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE PROGRAM FOR EMERGING ARTISTS
Through the Professional Theatre Program for Emerging Artists (PTP), SLAC provides opportunities for students and early-career theatre artists to gain meaningful, fully paid experience. This production’s PTP participant are: LEAH BROWN (Assistant Costume Designer); KATIE LOBROT (Actor); BRYCE ROMLESKI (Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer)
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work on costumes at SLAC because the people here are very welcoming and encouraging which is important as I continue to learn and grow as a new costume designer.” – Leah Brown
“I am beyond excited to be a part of this production! Working with SLAC has been a long time dream of mine, especially after seeing many of my friends shine on this same stage. As someone born and raised in Utah, it’s so important to me that we have spaces like SLAC, which provides community, diversity, new works, and amazing opportunities for artists. I can’t wait to share this story with children in the community and hopefully show them that being your authentic and unique self is not only fun, it’s what the world needs most right now. And that our differences can bring us together rather than divide us.”
– Katie Lobrot
“Theatre for Young Audiences has transformed my view of theatre and inspired me to pursue a career in TYA. After performing in Elephant & Piggie’s: “We Are in a Play!” (2023) and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (2024), I’m thrilled to return as Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer! I am so grateful to Penny and SLAC for their commitment to TYA and for the invaluable experience to create work that educates and inspires young audiences.”
– Bryce Romleski
Our thanks to the following funders for their generous support of this program: Terence Kearns Stephens Charitable Trust The John and Marcia Price Family Foundation
B.W. Bastian Foundation
Bryce Romleski and Katie Lobrot
Leah Brown and Dennis Hassan
Back for the 14th year, we are proud to partner with the Visual Art Institute! Student artwork inspired by Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed will be displayed in SLAC’s Green Room Gallery.
Established in 1978, VAI encourages students to integrate their creativity into every aspect of their thinking, education and life, and provides exceptional visual art programs to elementary through high school students, including year-round classes and an intensive figurative workshop in the summer.
You’ll find literature about the Visual Art Institute in the Gallery. Please stop in to enjoy the Exhibit!
SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY’S TITLE I ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Through this program, SLAC welcomes over 2,000 underserved students to free field trip performances of our annual children’s show. In its 16th year, this program inspires a love for reading, ignites creativity, and explores life’s endless possibilities.
Thank you to the following funders for helping make this program possible:
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Sorenson Legacy Foundation
R. Harold Burton Foundation
Herbert I. & Elsa B. Michael Foundation
B.W. Bastian Foundation
John & Marcia Price Family Foundation
Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
Support the Title I Arts Education Program with the
Salt Lake Acting Company Giving Tree
Help SLAC share the joy of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience with children from low-income households . Your donations support SLAC’s Title I Arts Education Program, which provides free performances for our children’s show to underserved students who often lack access to arts education . Make Our Tree Shine!
Trade a paper ornament at the Box Office for a beautiful ornament with your name!
A Gift of $10 Allows ONE Title I student to see the play for FREE
A Gift of $20 Allows TWO Title I students to see the play for FREE
A Gift of $50 Allows FIVE Title I students to see the play for FREE
A Gift of $100 Allows TEN Title I students to see the play for FREE
A Gift of $200 Allows TWENTY Title I students to see the play for FREE
For information about SLAC’s Giving Program, or to correct any information below, please call Erika Ahlin at 801.363.7522 or email erika@saltlakeactingcompany.org.
$50,000 and above
Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks Program
Shubert Foundation
Terence Stephens | in memory of Shaun McCarthey
Terence Stephens | in memory of James D. Stephens
Utah Division Of Arts & Museums
$10,000-$49,999
Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Foundation
Marriner Eccles Foundation
McCarthey Family Foundation
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Grant Schettler
Dale Smith & Lynn Keough
$5,000-$9,999
Bryon Benevento
Jerome Bennett
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Anonymous
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Family Foundation
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Savage Scaffold & Equipment, Inc
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$500-$999
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Lieberman
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David Richardson
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$250-$499
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Beatlebrox
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Steinmann
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Ashton
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Beaty
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Robert Bevins III
Lydia Biegert
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Brooke
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SPONSORS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS
Kyle Andrew & Cody Christensen
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Hoffman | in memory of Lois
Swick
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Friends
Daniel Schelling & Hilary Jacobs
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Laura Lincoln | in honor of Dr. Sean
Cunningham
Terry & Wendee Long
Guru Prasad & Kent Losser
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Anonymous
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Sally McMinimee
Cynthia Mecklenburg
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Aunt Mel
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Petersen
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Mr. Jason Romero & Kristen Reber
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Rothacher
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Evan & Lorraine
Sanders
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Martin Scheier
Mark Schneider
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SPONSORS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS
Kenneth & Claudia Sperling
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$25-$99
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Debra & Eric Payne
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M Pike
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Carol Quilter
Mary Quinn
Rebecca Raybould | in memory of Nancy Parker
Karla Reading | in honor of Rodney Reading
Erik Reichert
Jeanette & Talia Ricci
Kandy Richards
Jenny Riffe
Janine Rivera
Dawn House & Paul Rolly
David Romleski
Amy Rood
Maire Rosol
Jen Sather
Megan Sather
Anthony Saunders
Joanne Sayre & Michele Backes
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Nia Sherar
Maureen Shields
Sarah Shippobotham
Joan Simard
Irene Simons
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Kristan Southwick
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Jason SteadmanEves
Frank & Vickie Steffey
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Caitlin Swan
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Tracey Watson & Herta Teitelbaum
Jessie Thompson
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Sara Wallace
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Evy & Donald Warmbier
Tricia Warnken
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Bonnie Warnock
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Susan Weyandt
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Cathleen Zick
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del Mar Gonzalez
William Zwiebel
SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY
Cynthia Fleming
Executive Artistic Director
Executive Staff
Erika Ahlin Bird Nick Fleming Adriana Lemke Director of Development Director of Ticketing Director of Audience Engagement Senior Staff
Joseph Paul Branca Latoya Cameron John Downing Marketing & Communications Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Accountant & Human Resources Specialist Dramaturg, & Audience Relationship
Bridgette Lehman Tahra Veasley Emily Sinclair Production Manager Production Manager Accessibility Coordinator, Audience Relationship, & Outreach
Front of House Staff
Noelani Brown, Presley (PJ) Caywood, Kallie Filanda, Jason Hackney, Karen-Christina (KC) Jones, Emily Kitterer, Maxwell Ricks, Bryce Romleski, McKenna Soderberg, Emily Tatum, Lucy Urquhart, Drea Waite, Nan Weber, Annette Wright, Akina Yamazaki, Ben Young
Erik Reichert
David Smith
Forrest Ethington Construction Supervisor House Electrician Head Electrician
Lynn Brisco, Aiden Carlson, Eli Ghaeini, Bridgette Lehman, Carter Lee, Amber Stafford, Val Tholen, Tahra Veasley Electricians
Light Board Operator Production & Publicity Photographer
Tahra Veasley
Susan Pohl, MD Wardrobe House Doctor
Zach Hansen
Rehearsal Pianist for NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE
54th Season promotional artwork created by Courtney Blair
Salt Lake Acting Company’s mission is to engage and enrich community through brave, contemporary theatre.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Lisa Killpack, President
Vice President of Business Performance, Nu Skin
Michaela Buccola, Vice President Head of Operations, Sundance Institute
Bruce Granath, Secretary MagicSpace Entertainment
Jerome Bennett, Treasurer Principal Broker, Realty Experts
Theresa Martinez, Board Member at Large University of Utah
Stephanie Steele, Board Member at Large
Meet Me on 33rd
Sara Urquhart, Board Member at Large Founder, The Divine Assembly, Founding Director of Psychedelics in the Beehive
TRUSTEES:
Byron Barkley
Wilson Davis & Co.
France Barral Solara, LLC
Bryon J. Benevento Litigation Partner, Dorsey & Whitney, LLC
Annie Fukushima University of Utah
Daniel Hill Owner, Omni Salon + Wellness
Chelsea Malouf
Salt Lake City School District
Bailee Nebeker
American Homestead Furniture, Wallaroo’s Furniture and Mattress
Christy Pickens Nordstrom
Dale Smith Veterinary Orthopedic Services
Douglas Tilton Vice President of Operations, Dorai Home
FOR OUR AUDIENCE
Your presence at Salt Lake Acting Company is met with sincere gratitude. You make everything possible.
Tickets:
For tickets call the SLAC Box Office at 801-363-7522 or visit us online at SaltLakeActingCompany.org. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 11am-5pm, with extended hours during the run of a show.
Ticket Exchanges:
Season Subscribers can always exchange their tickets, and it’s free! Just call 801-363-7522.
Group Sales:
Discounts are available to groups of 10 or more. Call 801-363-7522 to discuss seating availability or email Info@SaltLakeActingCompany.Org for your party. We’d love to take care of you and your friends.
Emergency Exits:
Please identify the exit closest to your seat in case of emergency.
Late Patrons:
Late patrons will be seated by the House Manager at the appropriate time.
Wheelchair Accessibility:
We offer various accessible accommodations including: ADA parking, ramped main and rear entry, automatic doors, elevator access.
Accessibility Considerations
• ASL-Interpreted Performances
• Open Captioned Performances
• Audio-Described Performances
• Sensory Friendly Performances
• Accessible Seating and Restroom
• Assistive Listening Devices
• Digital Programs
• Sensory Support Tools
• Support Animal Access
For a full overview of our accessibility offerings, please visit SaltLakeActingCompany.org
The use of film, video or audio recording equipment in the theatre during a performance is expressly prohibited.
