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TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 From the Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Very Like a Whale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Foundation and Government Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Corporate Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Cast of Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Who’s Who. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Green Room Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Salt Lake Acting Company’s 2026/2027 Season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Professional Theatre Program for Emerging Artists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sponsors, Friends, and Supporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Salt Lake Acting Company Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Board of Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 For Our Audience/Accessibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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WELCOME Here we are, Salt Lake Acting Company’s 55th Season! Fifty-five years of expanding our hearts, blowing our minds, and making theatre that matters here in Salt Lake City. A remarkable milestone, and a fantastic play to open this landmark season. I am thrilled to be reunited with playwright Troy, as well as Rob Scott and Andra of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Productions. The last time we created together was Climbing With Tigers in 2016, so coming back together after all these years feels particularly meaningful. At our first rehearsal, I looked around the room and realized just how much SLAC history was gathered together. Robert Scott Smith, Sarah Shippobotham, Alexandra Harbold, Yolanda Stange, Olivia Custodio, and Troy Deutsch represent a collective 116 years of SLAC history. Each of them has made essential and memorable contributions to this theatre. And for me, it feels like home to create with dear friends. Everything you see on SLAC’s stage is created with you in mind. If you are a subscriber, I hope you know what you mean to this theatre. You are our heartbeat. We are here because you show up, year after year, and believe in the power of this place. And if you are not yet a subscriber, I hope you’ll consider joining us for the rest of this extraordinary season. You’ll experience plays you likely wouldn’t see anywhere else, while supporting a theatre that is not only unique and special to our community, but also admired nationally. SLAC is recognized for its bravery, its distinctive voice, and the remarkable audiences it brings together. Thank you for being here. Thank you for giving us your time, your attention, your laughter, and your support. With love and gratitude, Cynthia Executive Artistic Director
SLAC & Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory: Cynthia Fleming, Troy Deutsch, Alexandra Harbold, Robert Scott Smith*
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Throughout the run of Very Like a Whale SLAC is proud to partner with: FRIENDS of the Great Salt Lake and The Great Salt Lake Hopeline FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake is a membership-based nonprofit founded in 1994 with the mission to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem through education, research, advocacy, and the arts. Over the last 32 years, FRIENDS has brought more than 40,000 Utah students to Great Salt Lake’s shores; provided scholarships for 29 graduate and undergraduate researchers expanding our knowledge of the ecosystem; protected the Lake’s water quantity, water quality, and habitat through legal challenges; and elevated the work of artists as a tool for advocacy. You can support this work by becoming a member for $30/year at fogsl.org/join
Join Today!
THE GREAT SALT LAKE HOPELINE is created by Han Calder, Nick Carpenter and Ben Doxey. As boys these three grew up on the same street in Sandy, UT. Long-time collaborators and multi-talented artists in their own right–together they’re passionate storytellers who care deeply about Great Salt Lake. dial in hotline: 979-gsl-hope Share your story of hope with the lake, or engage through listening to the sounds of her shoreline with the phone booth in our lobby.
Learn More!
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
O
f course Very Like a Whale has me thinking about the Great Salt Lake and having SLC as our home. When we first moved here, I remember wearing yak tracks on our winter dog walks. We haven’t needed them for years, and our summers keep getting hotter and drier -- wildfire season. I’ve been thinking about how much we are bearing witness to in the world right now. How heavy, unfathomable and intractable it feels. Researcher and storyteller Brené Brown writes about how we aren’t wired to selectively numb -- if we numb what’s painful, we numb joy, gratitude and happiness, too. (Sigh.) 24/7 news coverage and the barrage of social media require superhuman capacity (and survival humor) to not numb. I’m so thankful for Troy and our Whale Company’s humor and his heart in Very Like a Whale. Troy’s eccentric Sharp family and Bernie’s neighbors have reminded me to be here now and to try to make it better. As Brené Brown argues we need awe, wonder and joy now as our fuel for restoration and meaning, I’m thankful for the wonder tale and magic of this play, too. I’m trying to listen to that call. - Alexandra Harbold, Director of Very Like a Whale
SLAC’s Very Like a Whale Cast, Creative Team, and Staff
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life” Rabindranath Tagore
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
Presents
VERY LIKE A WHALE by Troy Deutsch Co-World Premiere with Cadence Theatre Company (Richmond, Virginia) Director Alexandra Harbold Set Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Erik Reichert
Timothy Swenson
Cynthia L. Kehr Rees**
Costume Designer
Props Designer
Fight/Intimacy Director
Niamh Helwig
Arika Schockmel
Adriana Lemke
Production Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Bridgette Lehman*
Lynn Brisco
Executive Artistic Director
Cynthia Fleming
In collaboration with Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory September 30th - October 25th, 2026
Professional Theatre Program Assistant Director Adriana Lemke
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. **Represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2026/27 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 LARRY H. AND GAIL MILLER 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
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2026/27 Salt Lake Acting Company sincerely thanks the following Corporate Partners who make the 2026/2027 season possible:
1WIRE ALBION FINANCIAL GROUP ASSIST INC. COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER BEEHIVE CHEESE ELIZABETH’S CATERING MAGICSPACE ENTERTAINMENT MAZZA MILLS PUBLISHING, INC ROHA BREWING PROJECT SMITH’S FOOD & DRUG STORES TEA ZAANTI 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.
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CAST OF CHARACTERS Sophia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mack Barr Megan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Custodio Max. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devoree Ellis* Chester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Scott McLean* Miss Penelope Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Shippobotham Greg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Scott Smith* Old Woman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yolanda Stange* Old Man. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Young Megan Understudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelsie Jepsen
Mack Barr
Olivia Custodio
Devoree Ellis*
M. Scott McLean*
Sarah Shippobotham
Robert Scott Smith*
Yolanda Stange*
Ben Young
MILLS PUBLISHING, INC. Dan Miller, President; Cynthia Bell Snow, Office Administrator; Jackie Medina, Art Director; Ken Magleby, Graphic Design; Patrick Witmer, Graphic Design/Web Developer; Paula Bell, Dan Miller, Advertising Representatives; Transcript Bulletin, Printer. Printed On “Recyclable” Paper. PLEASE RECYCLE.
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 2026.
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
WHO’S WHO MACK BARR (She/They) is elated to be a part of her first show at Salt Lake Acting Company. Since finishing her BFA in acting at the University of Utah, she has participated in local short films, including Axxixa, Indigo, and Pussy Gets Bit. Mack has also participated in multiple new play readings of Rachel Bublitz’s Hear Us Roar, and is excited to be working with Rob Scott and Andra once again! OLIVIA CUSTODIO (She/Her) is an actor, playwright, singer, and arts leader based in Salt Lake City. As a playwright, she has served as the head writer of Salt Lake Acting Company’s Summer Show for the past four years, including this summer’s hit, The Gaslight Zone. Her show with collaborator Kelsie Jepsen, Welcome to Fat School, won Best of Fringe (FFF) at the 2025 Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival. Olivia has been seen on Utah stages in numerous productions and staged readings, and has been lauded as “Utah’s Tina Fey” by Front Row Reviewers, praised for her natural comedic gifts. Favorite roles include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Domina in A Funny Thing Happened..., Eleanor in The Antipodes, and Sue Menger in I’ll Eat You Last. She has her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University in Vocal Performance and her Masters of Music from the University of Utah. OliviaCustodio.com DEVOREE ELLIS* (She/Her) is stoked to be joining the SLAC family and to be making her professional stage debut! A New York-based actor/writer, she is thrilled to be making progressive art here in Utah, where she spent so many of her formative years! BYU BFA Acting grad. Previous credits include: House of Desires (Doña Ana), Matilda (Matilda), The 39 Steps (Annabella/Pamela/Margaret), Wait Until Dark (Gloria), and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), among others. Devoree also trained with the Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio LA (Acting for Film & TV), and at the California State Summer School for the Arts LA (Acting for Stage). Proud bi girlie. She loves birding, crochet, and watching TV - her top four shows are Hacks, Ted Lasso, Gilmore Girls, and The Office - all of which inspired her love of acting & writing for the screen. This show is dedicated to all the people who provided a safe space for her while she lived in Utah. All hail the whale! Devoree.com | @devoree_ KELSIE JEPSEN (She/Her) is delighted to be back at Salt Lake Acting Company! SaltLakeActingCompany.org
Past SLAC credits include: Welcome to Fat School (2026 NPSS), SLACabaret 2022 (Debbie) and 2021 (Caren/Pioneer Lady), Saturday’s Voyeur 2012 (Mormella), 2011 (Carl Dwimmer), 2009 (Lollypopper/ Freebie Sister), Sam I Was (Death). Select Utah credits include: Welcome to Fat School (2025 Great Salt Lake Fringe Fest.), Coach Coach (Good Company Theatre), Saturday’s Voyeur Roadshow 2024 and 2021, Reefer Madness (Egyptian), School House Rock (The Grand), I Oughta Be in Pictures (Libby), My Big Fat Utah Wedding and Nutcracker Men in Tights (Desert Star Playhouse). Select NYC credits: Henry V and Titus Andronicus (The Shakespeare Forum), In a Tilted Place (IRT Theater), Undone (Alchemical Theatre). Arty Awards for Saturday’s Voyeur – Carl Dwimmer and Lollypopper. GSLF Awards – Best of FFF and Mx. Congeniality (most tix sold!). 2022 recipient Individual Artist Fellowship from Utah Arts and Museums. Best Actress Award – Deseret News for I Oughta Be in Pictures – Libby. BFA, University of Utah Actor Training Program. M. SCOTT MCLEAN* (He/Him) OffBroadway: New York Classical Theatre - ‘Angelo’ in Measure for Measure, ‘Macduff’ in Macbeth, and ‘Willmore’ in The Rover. Regional Theatre: Salt Lake Acting Company, SLC, UT - ‘Michael’ in Murder Ballad, Everyman Theatre, Baltimore, MD - ‘Gabe’ in Dinner With Friends, ‘Michel’ in Murder On The Orient Express; Denver Center Theatre Company, Denver, CO - ‘Fred’ in A Christmas Carol, ‘Happy’ in Death of a Salesman, ‘Mick’ in Grace Or The Art Of Climbing; Merry Go Round Playhouse in Auburn, NY - ‘Emmett’ in Legally Blonde the Musical. Graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NY (AOS Degree) and The National Theatre Conservatory, CO (MFA Degree). SARAH SHIPPOBOTHAM (She/They) is an actor, dialect coach, intimacy consultant, and Professor in Acting, and Dialects at the University of Utah. Sarah trained as an actor at The Welsh College of Music and Drama in Wales before gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Voice Studies from Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Acting credits in Utah include: Eleanor Duchess of Gloucester in Henry VI parts 2 and 3; The Duchess of York in Richard III; Lychorida and The Bawd in Pericles; and The Abbess
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WHO’S WHO in The Comedy of Errors for The Utah Shakespeare Festival; Beth in Tribes for Salt Lake Acting Company; Mrs. Shears/Mrs. Gascoyne in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Free Newspaper Woman/ Ensemble in King Charles III, Anne Putnam and Sarah Good in The Crucible for Pioneer Theatre Company; and The Syringa Tree, an award-winning one-woman show, playing 20 different characters. Dialect/Voice coaching credits include eighteen seasons with the Shaw Festival (Canada), over 25 shows for the Pioneer Theatre Company, and shows for Salt Lake Acting Company, including Passing Strange. 2011/12, Sarah spent 7 months in New Zealand working as a Dialect Coach on The Hobbit films. ROBERT SCOTT SMITH* (He/Him) is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory, Associate Professor and Area Head of the BFA Actor Training Program at the University of Utah. As a professional actor, NYC credits include Kreutzer Sonata (United Solo Festival), Keeping Ishmael (Workshop); Pericles (SLANT); SLC acting credits include Bat Boy, The Secret Lives.., Close Encounters In The Beehive, Sleeping Giant (World Premiere), Saturday’s Voyeur, Climbing with Tigers, Rapture Blister Burn, Good People, Charm (World Premiere) and Bat Boy, (Salt Lake Acting Company); Gold Mountain (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Murder On The Orient Express, Mary Stuart, The Crucible and Two Henrys (PTC); A Streetcar Named Desire, Our Town (The Grand Theatre); and Ice Front (World Premiere), Kreutzer Sonata (World Premiere) and Bash (Plan-B). Film credits include AESOP (Episodic Series), Kill The Babysitter (UK FrightFest 2020), Jewtah, Wildlife (Official Selection Cannes Métrage Selection 2015) Blessing, and Animae. YOLANDA STANGE* (She/Her) could not be more excited to return home to SLAC’s stage. At SLAC, she has previously appeared as Vera in Hairy & Sherri, Rosetta in Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet, and Bernadette in Surely Goodness and Mercy. Yolanda is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. BEN YOUNG (He/Him) is a graduate of the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program. Previous SLAC Credits include: You Will Get Sick, Climbing With Tigers (in collaboration with Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory),
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and a staged reading of The Great Salt (in collaboration with emily’s house and SLAC’s Making Space for Artists program). Other credits include: Gruesome Playground Injuries with Wasatch Theatre Company, King Charles III and Mary Stuart with Pioneer Theatre Company, RIVER.SWAMP.CAVE.MOUNTAIN, Presenting: Super Cat and Reptile Robot, Alli and #3, My Brother Was a Vampire, and Eb and Flo with Plan-B Theatre Company, with whom he is currently touring Snail Mail as a part of their statewide Free Elementary School Tour. He gives thanks to Flying Bobcat and SLAC for another invitation to step into weird and wonderful worlds, and to his mother for her continuous support. CREATIVE TEAM TROY DEUTSCH (He/Him) (Playwright) is a Brooklyn-based playwright and filmmaker from rural Minnesota. His play Bull Shark Attack received its world premiere at Salt Lake Acting Company and was part of SLAC’s New Play Sounding Series and SLAC’s Playwrights’ Lab. Troy’s play Climbing With Tigers also premiered at SLAC, in collaboration with Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory and Red Fred Project. He is currently in pre-production on his first feature film, Nasty. His short film Brown Fish played 15 festivals, winning the Most Original Film Award from Blackbird Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best Experimental Short from the Adirondack Film Festival. Troy’s plays have been developed Off-Broadway at The New Group and Rattlestick Theater. His one woman show about Trump’s mom, Orangutan, premiered at the Hollywood Fringe and won the Best of the Fringe Award. His plays In A Tilted Place and Lake Water premiered at IRT Theater in the West Village. His play Pussycat was produced by the University of Utah and was a regional finalist with Kennedy Center ACTF. Troy studied with Nicky Silver as part of The Vineyard Theatre’s Fall Playwriting Workshop. As an actor: Rabbit Hole (Broadway u/s, Manhattan Theatre Club). Training: BFA from the University of Utah Actor Training Program. ALEXANDRA HARBOLD (She/Her) (Director) Previous projects at Salt Lake Acting Company include directing Western Minerals & Their Origins (Footpath Theatre Company, SLAC’s Making Space for Arts program), Tribes, Climbing with Tigers (Flying Bobcat & SLAC), Death of a Driver, VERY LIKE A WHALE
WHO’S WHO (a man enters), The Persian Quarter and The Wolves, and acting in Sunny in the Dark, Hand to God, Circle Mirror Transformation, Two Stories, Six Years and Ice Glen. Harbold is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory, Resident Director for Footpath Theatre and an Associate Professor with the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre where she serves as the Theatre BA Area Head. She is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a member of Actors’ Equity Association and LMDA. Upcoming projects include directing Arcadia (Babcock Theatre, University of Utah). alexandraharbold.com ADRIANA LEMKE (She/Her) (Asst. Director & Fight/Intimacy Director) is thrilled to be creating with this brilliant team of artists and magic-makers. She is a Salt Lake City based theatre-artist and movement professional. Previous Salt Lake Acting Company productions as Fight/Intimacy Director include Murder Ballad, Bat Boy: The Musical, The Roommate, Whitelisted, Hairy & Sherri, Sleeping Giant, Surely Goodness & Mercy, and The Wolves. Other fight and/or intimacy direction credits include The Sweet Science of Bruising, As You Like It, and Julius Caesar (U Theatre). At the Bottom (Pinnacle Acting Company), Ion (The Classical Greek Theatre Festival), Head Over Heels (The Grand Theatre), Twelfth Night (Salt Lake Shakespeare), Man and the Moon (Good Company Theatre), and Hamlet (Sun Valley Shakespeare). Many thanks to Alexandra for welcoming her as Assistant Director, to Cynthia for saying yes to the chance to try on this “hat”, and to the cozy cottage family who kept her fed, grounded, and sane enough to do the work she loves. ERIK REICHERT (He/Him) (Set Designer) is a Set and Properties Designer based in Salt Lake City. Set Design includes Murder Ballad, SLAC’s Summer Show 23, 24, 25, and 26, Whitelisted, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Sankofa, This Journey: Go Back and Get It!, A Year With Frog and Toad, Stags Leap, The Wolves, The Dance and the Railroad, A Dolls House, Part 2. Asst. Set Designed form of a girl unknown. Props Design includes Hairy & Sherri, Sleeping Giant, SLAC Cabaret: Down the Rabbit Hole, Passing Strange, Egress, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Four Women Talking About The Man Under The Sheet. Erik holds a B.F.A. from Cal State SaltLakeActingCompany.org
Fullerton in Music Composition. He currently works as the Construction Supervisor at SLAC and Traveling Lead & Specialist for Trade Shows across America. TIMOTHY SWENSON (He/Him) (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be back with the company, where he previously worked as rehearsal room ASM and performance audio engineer on Saturday’s Voyeur (2016). Other lighting design credits include Waiting for Godot (Good Company Theatre), American Idiot, Comedy of Errors (The Grand Theatre). Since 2017, he has served as set, lighting, and production designer for Eclipse 6. Offstage, Timothy works full-time as a scenic draftsman and detailer for 360 Scenery. He thanks his collaborators, friends, and family for their continued support. Extra love to Kallie, Bandit, and Matilda. You can keep up with his current projects on Instagram: @TimSwensen.Creative
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WHO’S WHO CYNTHIA L. KEHR REES** (She/Her) (Sound Designer) feels very fortunate to be included on the production team for Very Like a Whale. Like so many in our valley she is concerned by our shrinking lake and has found collaborating on this project deeply rewarding. Ms. Rees’ previous collaborations with Salt Lake Acting Company include Sound Designs for their productions of Murder Ballad, You Will Get Sick, Sleeping Giant, Mercury, The Persian Quarter, Winter, Charm, Skin in Flames, and Madagascar. Other theatres where you may have heard Ms. Rees’ work locally include Utah Musical Theatre, Park City Egyptian Theatre Company, and The Grand Theatre. Her regional credits include designs for Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Arena Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and The National Theatre in Washington D.C.. Cynthia received a BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology from Otterbein College, and an MFA in Sound Design from the CollegeConservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Ms. Rees is a member of USA local 829 designers union. NIAMH HELWIG (She/They) (Costume Designer) is a Senior in the Performing Arts Design Program at the University of Utah. Most recently, Niamh’s work was last seen in the University of Utah’s 25-26 season, The Cherry Orchard and The School For Scandal. This is her first time designing for Salt Lake Acting Company. She has immensely enjoyed designing this show and hopes you have as much fun watching it as she did working on it! She is supremely grateful for her director Andra, Flying Bobcat, and SLAC, for giving her this opportunity, as well as everyone who has believed in her! ARIKA SCHOCKMEL (She/Her) (Props Designer) is a 2024 Utah Arts Fellowship awardee for Prop Design and has worked extensively in props and costume crafts for theatre, television, and film. She is the Prop Manager for the U of U Department of Theatre and teaches Prop Design and Construction. In her decades as a theatre artist, Arika has also designed locally for Plan B, USU, The Grand, U Opera, UFOMT, The Egyptian Theatre, Utah Contemporary, Dark Horse, Voodoo Productions, SLAC, and Lyric Rep, to name but a few. Proud member of S.P. M., the Society of Prop Managers. A lifelong theatre artist, other projects include
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blood effects consultant, stage management, music, emceeing, film acting, voiceovers, podcasting, television, and the occasional stage acting gig. BRIDGETTE LEHMAN* (She/Her) (Production Stage Manager/Production Manager) is excited to be back at SLAC for another season! Favorite select stage management credits include: A Year with Frog and Toad, SLAC’s Summer Shows ‘24 & ‘26, Naked Mole Rat, You Will Get Sick, Hairy and Sherri, R+J: Star-Cross’d Death Match (SLAC); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Good Company Theatre); Orpheus in the Underworld (Utah Vocal Arts Academy). Favorite select assistant stage management credits include: Murder Ballad, The Roommate, Bald Sisters, Whitelisted, Bat Boy, The Secret Lives of The Real Wives in The Salt Lake Hive (SLAC). She is also a sound designer, including credits: Five Carols for Christmas, Shrek! The Musical (Ogden Musical Theatre); and various Zoom projects. She has her B.A. in Theatre Arts and Sound Production/ Recording from Weber State University. LYNN BRISCO (He/They) (Asst. Stage Manager)is excited to make their backstage debut. A recent UofU graduate, this is their first professional contract! They would like to thank their fish, their friends, and their roommate. 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.
VERY LIKE A WHALE
WHO’S WHO SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY is celebrating its 55th 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).
THEATRE
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) Founded in 1913, represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers nationwide. 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, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Equity is a member of the AFL– CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. www.ActorsEquity. org #EquityWorks. * Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. **Represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
CA C A R R IE MUSIC BY MICHAEL GORE LYRICS BY DEAN PITCHFORD BOOK BY LAWRENCE D. COHEN BASED ON THE NOVEL BY STEPHEN KING
MELDRUM THEATRE OCTOBER 2–11 SaltLakeActingCompany.org
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GREEN ROOM ART GALLERY SLAC’s Green Room Gallery is a celebration of visual art. The Green Room Gallery is a space for conversation, enjoyment, and reflection, but most importantly, it is another way for SLAC to
support Utah artists. During the run of Very Like a Whale, we are excited to showcase the artwork of Nicholas Ioan Lazaroae. To purchase a piece of art visit the Box Office. Biography Nicholas Ioan Lazaroae (b.1999) is an award-winning, Romanian-American photographer based in Northern Utah. Lazaroae’s practice is centered on transcending the distance from subject to viewer in an atomized world by bearing witness to the range of human experience and a changing planet. Most recently, Lazaroae was a resident artist with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art at the Canyonlands Research Center. He is the 2026 recipient of the Alfred Lambourne Visual Arts Prize from Friends of Great Salt Lake for his piece Way Of Life, which documents ranching on Antelope Island. Lazaroae is represented by Gallery 25 in Ogden, Ogden Valley Art Gallery in Huntsville, and Weems Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is an Eagle Scout. Artist Statement For the past six years, my artistic practice has been deeply connected to photography, a medium that serves as a text for exploring and documenting the American experience by bearing witness. I see my bodies of work as profoundly rooted in compassion, dignity, and love for mankind and the planet. My own experiences as a first-generation American facing questions of belonging and identity directly informs my desire to document our society. My work serves as a starting point, sparking broader conversations to hopefully deepen connection and understanding in a time of manufactured polarization.
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
Salt Lake Acting Company’s 2026/2027 Season 55 Years of Keeping Salt Lake Interesting Treat yourself to extraordinary theatre and experience plays you won’t find anywhere else in Utah. Only at SLAC.
The Thin Place by Lucas Hnath Utah Premiere Feb. 3 - 28, 2027
SLAC’s Summer Show 2027
World Premiere June 23 - Aug. 15, 2027
What’s really going on in the space just behind and a little above your eyes? The thin place, that fragile boundary between our world and the next. This intimate and surprising séance will have you questioning what you hear and what your mind might be capable of.
Your favorite summer party is back. Grab your food, pour a drink, and get ready to laugh at the peculiar, the passionate, and the downright perplexing parts of life in the Beehive State. Created fresh each year by Utahns, for Utahns — because no one roasts us quite like we do.
Lizzie
Children’s Show Season Add-on
By Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt Utah Premiere Apr. 7 - May 2, 2027 You know the rhyme. Now hear her side. In the sweltering summer of 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife are found murdered in their house. The main suspect? Lizzie Borden. This electrifying all-woman rock musical rewrites the narrative. Lizzie cracks open a legend and lets it scream.
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!
Based on Books and Characters by Mo Willems Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems and Adam Tobin Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz Dec. 4 - 29, 2026 When Mo Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza ever! The Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls and Elephant and Piggie come ready to celebrate! But will The Pigeon join in the festivities, or will he run all the way to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever? Terrific tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics: it’s all in this brand-new musical party that sleighs!
How to Subscribe
Stop by the Box Office after the show. Call us at (801) 363-7522 Go online: www.SaltLakeActingCompany.org/Subscribe Great Benefits. Even better theatre. Subscribe to the rest of the season, starting at $98. Students & 30/Under discounts available.
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 is: Adriana Lemke - Assistant Director “I am so grateful for the opportunity to work as Assistant Director on Very Like a Whale with Andra. She was the first Director I ever worked with as a Fight Director, back in 2015 on a production of Twelfth Night. Andra has a wonderful way of making people feel capable of creating what they desire while also feeling safe to fail. What a gift to be offered that mindset as I began fight directing, and again now as I venture into directing! Very Like a Whale will be the 10th production (at least!) I’ve had the pleasure of working with Andra on, if my tracking is accurate. It feels fitting that as I take this first official step into directing, I get to do it alongside the person with whom I took my first steps into fight directing more than 10 years ago. Many thanks to Cynthia and SLAC for the opportunity to keep expanding my skills and growing as a theatre artist through the Professional Theatre Program.” - Adriana Lemke 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
Creative Team (Top Row): Adriana Lemke, Cynthia Fleming, Erik Reichert, Timothy Swenson. (Bottom Row): Alexandra Harbold, Troy Deutsch, Cynthia L. Kehr Rees**, Niamh Helwig, Arika Schockmel
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VERY LIKE A WHALE
SPONSORS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS Salt Lake Acting Company is a 501©3 non-profit professional theatre, and depends on the generosity of individuals, corporations, and public agencies who make the theatre’s work possible. Thank you for believing in the magic of theatre, and investing in SLAC. The giving tiers below are for donations received from September 16, 2025-September 15, 2026. For information about SLAC’s Giving Program, or to correct any information below, please call Erika Ahlin Bird at 801.363.7522 or email erika@saltlakeactingcompany.org. $50,000 and above Salt Lake County Zoo Arts & Parks Program Shubert Foundation Terence Stephens | in memory of Shaun McCarthey Utah Division Of Arts & Museums
$1,000-$2,499 Christine Allred Maurine Bachman Mr. Vahe Bandarian Beehive Cheese Bryon Benevento Mr Steve Boulay Kenneth & Karen Brewster Debra Buckway Sid Cowand $10,000-$49,999 Steven Davidson Lawrence T. & Janet T. Eggal Foundation Dee Foundation Eric & Shellie Messner George S & Dolores Eide Dore Eccles Chuck Norlin & Marcia Foundation Feldkamp McCarthey Family Cynthia Fleming | in Foundation memory of Jeff Larry H. & Gail Miller Fleming Family Foundation Dorothy & Quintin Foster John & Marcia Price Bruce & Erika Granath Family Foundation Mr. Cory & Tamra Gray Salt Lake City Arts John & Ilauna Gurr Council Robert & Marcia Harris Grant Schettler Dennis Hartley Dale Smith & Lynn Anonymous Keough Hurdle & McDannell Stephanie Steele Randall Huskinson Lisa Killpack & Jocelyn $5,000-$9,999 Kearl B.W. Bastian Foundation Kroger Byron & Deborah Billie G Larson Barkley Family Dan Kashmitter & Cindi Charitable Fund Louie Doctorow, Jarvis & Howard Mann Constance Family Theresa Martinez Foundation Lisa Nichols Wendy Hanson Marcia Feldkamp & John Henderson Chuck Norlin Anonymous Keith Olson Phil & Sandy McCarthey Stephanie Pappas & Randy Morris Kristen Dalzen Julian & Anna Ontiveros Dan Paskett & Richard Rocky Mountain Power Thurston Foundation John Rose & Carolyn Semnani Family Pedone Foundation Ms. Wanda Pillow Dale Smith | Veterinary Sarah Woolsey & Orthopedic Services Michael Rubin Sorenson Legacy Lule & Mike Saturnia Foundation Aquashantina Scheibe Anonymous Janet Silotti | State Farm Steve Yockey Insurance Cheryl Smith $2,500-$4,999 Alice Steiner Maryann Bauhs Shawn Talbot Jerome, Jewelee and Britain Bennett $500-$999 Pat Fleming & Larry Actors’ Equity Josie Foundation Tanya Flores Mary Navas & Bob Sue & Robert Frame Archibald Annie Fukushima R Larry & Alicia Ashton Tracy Jensen & Curtis Aubrey Banning Johnson Arleen M. Bedingfield Chelsea Malouf Deepika de Silva & Jeff R. Harold Burton Black Foundation Janis Boettinger S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney Maureen Giggey & Mark Foundation Boschert George Sumner & Tina Michaela Buccola & Hose Martin Eamon Smyth Cynthia Burrows Leslie Carey
SaltLakeActingCompany.org
Diane Gibson Barry & Deborrah Gomberg Jon Hansen Daniel Hill Julie Jensen Henry & Marilyn Lieberman John Mackey & Leslie Sieburth Maurice Malouf The Ninigret Foundation Mairin Mccarthey Michael Mcdonald Angela and Joe Micklos Dave Moppert Bryce Panzer and Pat Winmill Anonymous Anonymous Amy Wadsworth & David Richardson Meghan Schott Don & Colleen Sorensen Nancy Stoddard Third Sun Ray Thomason Ed Turner Jr. & Steve Baker Sara Urquhart Vickie Venne Mr. Gage Williams
Brenda Moore Adrianne & Marty Moore Deanna Neeley Christy & James Pickens Kenneth Roach & Cindy Powell Glenn Prestwich and Rhea Bouman Charitable Fund Grace Reitz John Robbins & Heather Ambrose Hal Robins Kris Robinson David Roh Greg Ruther & Michelle Pickering Alison Schlisman Dylan Schneider Janet Smith David & Kathy Sorensen Dr. Mary and Sean Steinmann Clent Trammell Tiffany & Spice Willis Tamara Yost Tod & Mary Young
$100-249 Carolyn Abravanel | in honor of Maurice Abravanel Debbie Amundsen $250-$499 Roberta Anderson Steven & Beverly Allnatt Barbara Armstrong Alan Anderson Ms. Nancy Arneson Joseph & Barbara Lois & Stephen Baar Andrade Stephanie Babalis Michele Ballantyne James Bach Scott Barker John Bahouth John Barrett France Barral Lola & Zafod Beatlebrox Scott & Alyssa Bartlett Sharlene Beck Dr. Larry & Amanda Todd Rushton & Barusch Christina Beckwith Margaret Battin Beehive Distilling Clisto & Suzanne Beaty Linda Bevins | in memory Robert Benda of William Brent Ann Bernstein Savage Leona Blackbird Steve Brinton Dotty & Rick Blair Susan Chilton Katherine Brown John Davis Paul & Michelle Bruno Jennifer Doolittle Kate & Bert Bunnell Cliff & Sharon Dutcher Ms. Kathleen Cahill Kroger Facilitator Ms. Nancy Cantor Scott Fechner Carolyn Carey John Francis Chris Krueger & Lisa Douglas & Daniel GaffinThompson Tilton Tyrene Christopulos Paige Gardiner Anonymous Andrea Globokar Dr. Phyllis Coley Christine Greenawald Mich Combs Anne Harper Katie Cox Richard Irons & Amy Jennifer Coyle Haselhorst Frank Cumberland Dr. John & Kathleen Rick Curtis Howarth Klancy De Nevers Melissa Jensen Anne Cullimore Decker Mark Johnson Greta DeJong Tresa Kehl | Dirty Jo Laurel Dokos Punsters Jack & Joyce Dolcourt Dorothee Kocks Ms. Sharon Donnelly Dudley McIlhenny Diane Dreux Dan McKnight Sonja & David Errick Dr. Michaela Mohr Debra Falvo
Joree Felker Lynda Fletcher Clint Ford Jolyn Fratto-Oyler John Funk & Tim McGargill Barbara Gelegotis Scott Fechner & Claudia Gerard Mohsen Ghaffari Jane Gorrell Buck Hall Maura Hanrahan Katreasha Hanselman Kelly J Hardesty & Bruce J Ellis Pete Harker Dennis Hassan Mindy Hill Matt & Wendy HobsonRohrer Jason Irvine Jean Irwin Daniel Schelling & Hilary Jacobs Shannon Huff Jacobs & E Paul Jacobs Elaine Jarvik Dawn Jensen Maxine & Bruce Johnson Richard Justice Angie Keeton | in honor of Rosie Shadwick Heather King KBKobe Trust Diane Krantz Lynne Kraus Doug Kruithof Spence Lambert Ms. Vicky Larsen Brenda Larsen Richard Larsen Carolyn & Tom Leitko Diana Banks and Richard Lemons Kameron Leon Terry & Wendee Long Guru Prasad & Kent Losser Judy Lund Miss Lesley Manley Shannon Markham Julia Massa Kellie May Sally McMinimee Lance McNees Michele & Mike McOmber Cynthia Mecklenburg Becky Menlove Denise Metcalf Heidi & Sarah Middleton Ann Miller Janet Miller Ruth Morgan Preston & Sandra Motes Karen Nash Bounta Nomichith Jennifer Norris Anonymous Rocky Olsen Blake Ostler William & Mary Ann Payne
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SPONSORS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS Michael Pheysey Zack Phifer Paula Pinkham Val R Antczak & Barbara K Polich Desiree Pritchett Karla Reading Kristy Reimer Liz Reiten Kandy Richards Chuck Richardson Martha Rieser Lynn Rohland Genevieve Rosol Brent Rushton Evan & Lorraine Sanders Osman Sanyer Paula Schauble Sybille Schmidt Anonymous Joan Sebastian Sally Sharp Nia Sherar Maureen Shields Roger, Darlene & Krista Springer Jason & Ryan Steadman-Eves Scott Stites C.L. Tansimore Anonymous Mark Thornton Irwin & Shirley Tobin Nancy Tripp Ms. Michelle Trush Wanda Updike Tricia van Hecke Victor Velivis Marc Ward Stephanie & Park Willis Sherri Wittwer Carl Wolfram Dr. Gloria Wurst Mr. Paul Young William Zwiebel $25-$99 Tiffini Adams Cynthia Alex Samantha Allison Ina Amber Judith Amsel Vicki Andersen James Anderson Joe Andrade Stephanie Antes Georganne Arrington Xenia Maritsas Jessica Arthurs Penny Atkins Marty Austin Paul Bailey Kira Bailey Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Baker Matt Balk Ken Barfield Mary Barnes Kara Barton Trisha Beals Ken Beamer Miss Jill Beckstead Elizabeth Bedell Liz Bell Ms. Selena Benson Sharon Bertelsen Neil Sarin & Heather Bertotti Mrs. Karol Berwald Rebecca Bingham Benjamin Bombard Shauna Bona Jennifer Bone Jason Bowcutt Patrick Boyer Aaron Breen
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Mr. John & Emily Brodie Rebecca Brown Bill Bruno Ms. Vickie Brunstetter Adrian Budhu Marianne Bullis Debra Burdett Mitchell & Annica Burns Sheri Burrell Timothy Butler Claudia Butter Shandré Call Edward Campbell Megan Carlisle Helen Carpenter Ms. Lisa Carricaburu Sheri Casto Ann Chalmers Charity On Top Craig Christensen Carole Clark Bonnie Clark MaryBeth Clark Kellie Clement Anonymous Susan Coble Carrie Cochran Teresa Cockayne Ann Coker Jonel Condra McKenzie Coughlan Jim Crotinger Whitney Crowther Barry Currah Jeffrey Curry Kelly Curtin Olivia Custodio Terraoynn Dagostino Anonymous Jim Dalrymple Rebecca & Chad Darling Nicholas Daskalas Kendra Delaney Julio Delgado Mary Denslow Susan Dillon Amy Donaldson-Brass Donna Drown Brittany Duclos Duffy Charitable Fund Ms Michele Dunker Mr. & Mrs. Roberta Dustin Gary Eagan MItchell Eddards Lani Eggertsen-Goff Anne Bratt Elliott Deborah Empey Cindi Evans Ryan Federspiel Anonymous Krista Flavin Cally Flox Jessica & Jim French Michael Fuller Jerome Gardiner Susan Gardner Wendy Garner Lynda Geddes Peter Moskowitz & Stephanie Gelman Shahpar Ghodsi Catherine Gillmor Steven & Linda Glad Matt Glover Vidya Gopinath Mr. Michel Goulet Naanue Gowan Pat Ronneburg & Jayne Guyse Gary Hadfield Alisha Hagey Kelli Hall Loralie Hanson Melani Harker
Stephanie & Tim Harpst Becky Harston Brad & Natalie Harvey Kathleen & Tom Heffron Peter & Chris Helfrich | in honor of Tony Larimer Mary Hepworth Monique Higginson Leah Hill Debbie Hill Nigel Hoffmann Sandra Hoggard Ms. Kim Holmes Joanne Hook Jennifer & Seth Horowitz Verna & Thomas Huiskamp Mr Bradley Hunsaker Jordan Hurd Alex Hurst Katie Irby Michelle Jean-Mary Jesse Jensen Ms. Leslie Jerominski David Johnson Katelyn Johnson Jamie Johnston Kathryn & Gary Jones Maddie Jones Ray & Nora Jordan Roxanne Kammerer Michelle Kastner Max Keate Safia & Lester Keller Spencer Kellogg | in honor of my son Casey Kelly Allison Kelsey Tammy Kilbourn Janice Kimball Lucinda Kindred Richard & Shirley Knickerbocker Mr. Charles Kowallis Karl Kronkow Dani Kucera Melody Lambert Melissa Larson Ms. Gail Laser Pamela Lawler Ann Leavitt James Lebo Linda Lee Casey Lee Mark Lehman Kathleen Lemieux Haley Lemon Marci Lemonnier David Winmill & Jeff Lensman Lisa Leonard Kathy Lewis Monika Liebergesell Katy Lillquist Cara Lingstuyl Susan & Robert Lollini Deborah Luker Marika Lyons Mindy MacDougall Kathy MacGregor Mark & Mira Machlis Kathryn Mackay Jeanne MacKenzie Mrs. Lisa Maddux Jeff Madison Mr. Gene Mahalko Beth Marcum Barbara Marsh Ms. Alli Martin Micki Martinez Christy Martinez Marva Match Karen McCreary Patrick McGill Elizabeth McKnight
Scott McLean Shelby McLean Kerry McPhail Patricia & Dennis Mead Laurie Mecham Emily Merrell Colleen Mewing Rose Ann Milano & Joe Dayney Therese Milard Nolan Mitchell Linda Moon Adrianne & Marty Moore Nicole Mouskondis Alice Mulder Aaron Murdock Tonya Myrup Bailee Nebeker Julie & Scott Neilson Dan Nelson Margaret Neville Dr John Newman Marc Nielson Paul & Landy Nipper Krista Noble Narda Nordell Mr. Kyle Norris Ron Oakley Kyena Oblad Shelly Oda Mary Ogan Mary Oland-Wong Mel Olney Sandi Olson Leslie Orgill Sarah Ormsby Elissa & William Oshinsky Mr. John Ott Mona Oversteg Dale Palmer Kristine Pankow Jeff Paris David Parkinson Debra & Eric Payne Terry & David Peak Melanie Peche Suzanne Perkins Gloria Pitt Kim Plautz Ericka Prechtel Joann Price Anna Purkey Mary Quinn Derek Ragner Virginia Rainey Daniel Rapp John & Gail Rapp Shauna Rasmussen Sheila Rathke Rebecca Raybould | in memory of Nancy Parker Eugene Raymond Anthony Reed Robert & Kristine Rees Mary Lou Reitz Miranda Rendell Jeanette & Talia Ricci Kerrie Roach Leslie Robinett Janet Robins Char Roetzel Suzanne Johnson Les Roka Ms. Deborah Rosenberg Ali Sabbah Cecily Sakrison Whitney M Sanchez Sarah Sandoval Karen Sawyer Joanne Sayre & Michele Backes Martin Scheier & Lisa Johnson
Roberta Schlicher Linda Schmidt E. William & Martha Scott Heidi Seaman Harold Sears Jeannette Shaffer Rita Sharshiner Kenneth Shelley Sarah Shippobotham Chris Simon Myka Smith Neill Smith Polina Smith Kristan Southwick Robbin Sowinski Livia Spencer Judy Steiger Julia Stepp Brandon Stotts Susan Strauss Kendra Strobel- Yost Stephanie Stroud Dr. Annie Strupp Bob Stuercke & Debra Frank Linda Sugimoto Caitlin Swan Karen Swicord J Sylvan Dawn Marie Tabery Arthur Talbot Davin Tayler Mr. Jon Taylor Mrs. Candace Taylor Amy Taylor Chris Thomas Susan Thomas Sue Tice Brandy Tilt Emma Tkachuck Kim Kelly & Tom Collier Sylvia Torti Louann Tyler Scott & Sue Ulbrich Anonymous Linda Venner Eve Mary Verde Suzanne Verhaal Justin Vigh Parker & Barbara Ward Mary Ware Tricia Warnken Alysia Watanabe Mr. & Mrs. Craig Watson Becky Webster Robyn Wedelich Janice Weinman Paul Weiss Betsy West Tom & Sherrie West Susan Weyandt Mrs. Linda Wheatley Martha Whitaker Wendy White Mr. John Wiegel Laural Wilcox Judy Wilkerson Jody Williams Dana Williams Steven & Nancy Winitzky & Challed Jessica WinitzkyStephens Susan & Larry Witkowski Monika Witucki Jo-Ann Wong Lorilyn Workman Brightyn Worley Karen Zangle Special Thanks: Good Company Theatre Hannah Keating
VERY LIKE A WHALE
SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY 2026/27 Cynthia Fleming Executive Artistic Director
Erika Ahlin Bird
Director of Development
Executive Staff Nick Fleming Director of Ticketing
Adriana Lemke
Director of Audience Engagement
Patron Services Joseph Paul Branca Arlo Belconger Public Relations & Social Media Coordinator
Latoya Cameron
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility Dramaturg & Patron Services
Patron Services Team Member
Akina Yamazaki
Patron Services Team Member
Front of House Staff Anna Blaes, Noelani Brown, L Canfield, Presley (PJ) Caywood, Sandy Detweiler, Kallie Filanda, Chance Johnson-Kildee, Karen-Christina (KC) Jones, McKenna Soderberg, Lucy Urquhart, Taylor Wallace, Nan Weber John Downing
Accountant & Human Resources
Erik Reichert
Construction Supervisor
Bridgette Lehman
David Smith House Electrician
Production Manager
Forest Ethington Head Electrician
Eli Ghaeini, Michael Larson, James Matlock, Madeleine Phann, Amber Stafford, Val Thoren, Calvin Vinson Electricians
Abish Noble, Forest Ethington, Andrew Earley Carpenters
Madeleine Phann
Michael Larson
Abish Noble, Amber Stafford
Nick Fleming
Sound Board Operator
Scenic Painter
Lynn Brisco Wardrobe
Light Board Operator
Production & Publicity Photographer
Susan Pohl, MD House Doctor
55th Season promotional artwork created by Trey Bird
Salt Lake Acting Company’s mission is to engage and enrich community through brave, contemporary theatre. SaltLakeActingCompany.org
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2026/27 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Michaela Buccola, President Director of Program & Guest Operations, Sundance Institute Bruce Granath, Vice President The Space Agency Douglas Tilton, Secretary Vice President of Operations, Dorai Home Jerome Bennett, Treasurer Principal Broker, Realty Experts Theresa Martinez, Board Member at Large University of Utah Stephanie Steele, Board Member at Large Owner, Meet Me on 33rd Sara Urquhart, Board Member at Large Founder, Shift Summit Lisa Killpack, Past President K2 Consulting TRUSTEES: Byron Barkley Wilson Davis & Co
Dr. Chelsea Malouf Salt Lake City School District
France Barral Solara LLC
Bailee Nebeker American Homestead Furniture
Bryon J. Benevento Litigation Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Christy Pickens Nordstrom
Dr. Annie Fukushima University of Utah
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Shana A. Schiebe SLAC Ride or Die Club Dr. Dale Smith Veterinary Orthopedic Services VERY LIKE A WHALE
FOR OUR AUDIENCE Your presence at Salt Lake Acting Company is met with sincere gratitude. You make everything possible.
Tickets:
Wheelchair Accessibility:
For tickets call the SLAC Box Office at 801-363-7522 or visit us online at SaltLakeActingCompany.org. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 11 AM – 5 PM, with extended hours during the run of a show.
We offer various accessible accommodations including: ADA parking, ramped main and rear entry, automatic doors, elevator access.
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.
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. Please turn off all cell phones.
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Post office Place
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Cultures Collide at Omakase Nights!
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PREPRINT 18 W Market St. • 385.519.9595 lunch
• dinner • cocktails