Elephant's Graveyard

College of the Arts

Daniel Gurskis | Dean

Ronald L. Sharps | Associate Dean

Christine Lemesianou | Associate Dean

Linda D. Davidson | Assistant Dean

Zacrah S. Battle | College Administrator

Christopher Kaczmarek | Chairperson, Department of Art and Design

Anthony Mazzocchi | Director, John J. Cali School of Music

Keith Strudler | Director, School of Communication and Media

Randy Mugleston | Chairperson, Department of Theatre and Dance

Wiley Hausam | Director, Arts + Cultural Programming

Hillery Makatura | Director, Performance Operations

Patricia Piroh | Director, Broadcast and Media Operations

Megan C. Austin | Director, University Galleries

College of the Arts Performance Operations

Hillery Makatura | Director

Andrew Dickerson | Production Manager

Colin Van Horn | Technical Director

Kevin Johnson | Senior Production Engineer

Gene Lotito | CART Facilities Director

Laurel Brolly | Business Administrator

Jason Flamos | Lighting Supervisor

Stephanie Benjamin Flores | Wardrobe Supervisor

Robert Hermida | Audience Services Director

William Collins, Maureen Grimaldi | House Managers

Jeff Lambert Wingfield | Box Office Manager

Yazeed Alomar, Jabob Batory, Reyna Cortes, Susanne Oyedeji, Eliezer Ramirez, Rajvir Sidhu | Box Office Leads

Susan R. Case | Program Copy Editor

Bart Solenthaler | Program Layout Design

Production Staf

Heather Benton | Coordinator of Acting

Mysti Stay | CoordInator of Design, Technology, and Management

Peter J. Davis | Production Manager

Cara Scalera | Assistant Production Manager

Cyndi Kumor | Production Associate

Jordan Conklin-Yousef | Production Office Assistant

Lisa Grimes | Social Media and Promotion Manager

Rick Sordelet | Intimacy/Fight Director

Donna Scro Samori | Mental Health Consultant

Erhard Rom | Scenic Design Mentor

Benjamin Merrick | Technical Director

Daniel Haussler | Head Carpenter

Robert Dietze | Stage Carpenter Mentor

Jeanette Meises | Scenic Charge Artist

Alison Merrick | Props Supervisor

Adam Rigg | Costume Design Mentor

Kaitie Adams | Hair/Makeup Design Mentor

Judith Evans | Costume Shop Supervisor

Jeanette Aultz | Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor

Amanda Phillips Balingit, Arden Donnelly,

Katie Pippin | Drapers

Marlene Olson Hamm | Wardrobe Supervisor

Nick Kolin | Lighting Design Mentor

Osman M. Morales | Head Electrician

Zachary Brienza | Electrician

Kimberly O’Loughlin | Head Sound Technician/

Sound Design Mentor

Steven Brown | Sound Technician

Mysti Stay | Stage Management Mentor

Staf for Elephant’s Graveyard

Skylar LeRose | Assistant Director

Rebecca O’Neill | Assistant Scenic Designer

Sofia Dietze | Assistant Costume Designer

Levi Morici | Assistant Lighting Designer

Glory De La Cruz | Props Head

Ren Krieger | Assistant Props

Vinny Scantlebury | Wardrobe Head

Aidan Havens, Kathleen Lawlor, Elizabeth Legg | Wardrobe Crew

Ashantah Kerr | Assistant Hair/Makeup

Sydney Cheplic | Head Electrician

Ryan Randazzo | Assistant Electrician

Jack Eisenman | Assistant Sound Designer

Jack Wyrsch | Associate Sound Design

Anastasia Swan | A1

Jenny Asuzano, Zoey Gromadyzn | A2

Anastasia Swan | Sound Board Operator

Alondra Uriarte | Light Board Operator

Bronx Bailey | Production Assistant

AJ Kelem | Fly Operator

Brianna Guillen, Samara Lee | Assistant Stage Managers

Daniel

Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts

Department of Theatre and Dance

Randy Mugleston, Chair

Elephant’s Graveyard

By George Brant

Director Sonoko Kawahara

Music Director/Composer Joe Jung

Scenic Designers Michael Brinskele, Frank Scarnaty Jr.

Costume Designer Lillian Schweikert

Lighting Designer Samuel Bloch

Sound Designer Kimberly S. O’Loughlin

Hair/Makeup Designer Rachel Sandbeck

Fight/Intimacy Director Rick Sordelet

Vocal Coach Becca Landis McLarty

Dramaturg Lana Kurimoto

Production Stage Manager Karly Amato

Cast

THE CIRCUS

Ringmaster........................................................................................................Louis Bose

Trainer ...................................................................................................... Trent Greenwell

Ballet Girl ...............................................................................................

Tour Manager ......................................................................................

Strongman

Time and Place

Present/Tennessee railroad 1916

Program Notes

If you search the internet for the history of Mary the elephant, you will immediately find out about it, along with a shocking photo of Mary hanging from a crane. It’s one of the saddest and ugliest parts of human history. The beginning of this project was the question of why we should tackle this fact.

Even though everyone feels disgusted, sad, and angry at how others were treated in the past, the same thing continues today in a different form. Believing the younger generation, which will change the future, we had many conversations during the process. It was a complex subject and at times everyone was exhausted during rehearsals. At the same time, it was dense and rich.

I commend all the students involved, and I am genuinely grateful to have been able to spend time with them and to be involved in this production.

—Sonoko Kawahara, Director

Heather Alzapiedi

Jessica Sconfienza

Anthony Piccininni

Clown .................................................................................................... Diana Maldonado

Drummer ....................................................................................................... Jake Declan

THE TOWN

Hungry Townsperson

Desmond Jackson

Marshal......................................................................................................... Donovan Lee

Muddy Townsperson

Preacher ...................................................................................................

The 1916 incident that is Mary’s death is one that I was not familiar with in the beginning of this production. However, upon reading Elephant’s Graveyard and researching Mary’s history, it is clear that this is a dilemma that haunts till this day. Many questions come into the spotlight when considering the facts: Who is in the wrong? Did they handle the situation the best they could? Who are they to decide the fate of Mary?

Natalie Yost

Khalil Louigene

Steam Shovel Operator .................................................................................

Young Townsperson

THE RAILROAD

But the real elephant in the room is how incidents like these are sensationalized for onlookers and then eventually dissipate as if they never happened. What stories are we ogling today that will become yesterday’s news? Or are we breaking this habit and reporting stories yet untold? This is a generation that is aware of its faults—socially, economically, and politically—and it is a generation that can take the proper steps to find solutions we’ve been searching for all this time.

Sofia Pastena

Julia Ciesielski

Engineer........................................................................................................

Mary Joey Anderson, Cassee Commoreto, Noga

................................................

Jace Pastras

Danai, Elijah Davis, Ja’ Vonni Gibson, Samantha Morales, Dennis J Velasco

Understudies Cassee Commoreto, Elijah Davis, Stone Russell, Ava Walsh

Elephant’s Graveyard (Full Length Version) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Duration: One hour and 30 minutes, no intermission.

In consideration of both audiences and performers, please turn off all electronic devices. The taking of photographs or videos and the use of recording equipment are not permitted. No food or drink is permitted in the theater.

Lana Kurimoto, Dramaturg

Production Biographies

Sonoko Kawahara (Director), originally from Japan, is a New York–based theater director. Her works have been presented in notable performance spaces such as New York Theater Workshop, Dance Theater Workshop, HERE Arts Center, P.S.122, Women’s Project, Music Theatre Group, La MaMa E.T.C., Japan Society, etc. Her work has been supported by Rockefeller’s MAP, NEA, Japan Foundation, the Jim Henson Foundation, Asian Cultural Council, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and others. She is a Drama League directing fellow and a member of “Usual Suspects” at NYTW, Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. She is also a guest artist/teacher at Fordham University, NYU, Boston University, and Princeton University and was a resident artist of Mabou Mines. She holds an MFA in Directing from Columbia University School of Arts. Kawahara is the cofounder and artistic director of Crossing Jamaica Avenue.

Joe Jung (Music Director/Composer), when he is not building instruments from spare parts, playing in his jug band, building dominos with his son, or listening to podcasts about World War I, acts, teaches, composes, and explores new ways for actors to integrate music into their training. He designed and performed live-sound effects for Steven King and John Mellencamp’s Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (The Alliance/National Tours) and was awarded a New York Innovative Theatre Award for his live sound design in Project: Theater’s Unity (1918). He has utilized his actor-musician skills in many shows, including Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson (Broadway/The Public), and most recently understudying Steve Earle in Coal Country (Cherry Lane/The Public). Jung is a founding member of Project: Theater and teaches Suzuki Method of Actor Training to the junior BFA Acting students at MSU. He has led movement workshops designed to awaken the actor’s body in schools and theater programs around the country and is proud to be collaborating on this production with his students and colleagues.

Michael Brinskele (Scenic Designer) is a junior BFA Theatre Design, Technology, and Management major. He is excited to be co-designing his first show. Previous credits include assistant scenic design and prop head for Into the Woods, assistant scenic design for The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and assistant costume design for Pippin.

Frank Scarnaty Jr (Scenic Designer) is a junior in MSU’s Theatre BFA: Design, Technology, and Management program with a concentration in scenic design and

properties. Past credentials include props head in As You Like It (2021), assistant scenic designer in Pippin (2022), and assistant scenic painter at 13th Hour Haunted House (2022).

Lillian Schweikert (Costume Designer) is a senior at MSU studying Theatre Production and Design, focusing in costume design and stage management. She is excited to be ending her academic designing with Elephant’s Graveyard. Previous design credits at MSU include Jump, Jive, & Wail (2022), Into the Woods (2022), and A Measure of Quarantine (2020).

Samuel Bloch (Lighting Designer) is a senior in the lighting department at MSU excited to be designing his final show. His previous credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and select dance pieces as well as assisting on shows such as Pippin and Head Over Heels.

Kimberly S. O’Loughlin (Sound Designer) is a Queer Transfeminine New York City–based sound designer and composer. Selected Off-Broadway/NYC credits include Two by Synge (Irish Rep), While You Were Partying (SoHo Rep), Leaving Eden and Overture (NYMF’19), Drama League Director Fest 2022 (A.R.T./NY), Ogygia (The Tank), What’s Your Wish (NYMF’18), and Caroline, or Change (Astoria PAC) Selected Regional credits include I Am My Own Wife (Long Wharf), The October Storm (Hudson Stage), Till (ATG), Into the Woods, Lucky Stiff, and Popcorn Falls (The Barnstormers Theatre) IG:kimomakessounds

Rachel Sandbeck (Hair/Makeup Designer) is an aspiring SFX makeup artist for the film and TV industry. She is currently a student at MSU majoring in Theatre with a concentration in production and design and a focus in hair and makeup design. She has worked on previous productions at Montclair State including hair and makeup design for Rent, Into the Woods, and Pippin.

Rick Sordelet (Fight/Intimacy Director) has served as this country’s most prolific fight director for over 28 years. He and his son, Christian, created Sordelet Inc., an action-based company providing stunt coordination, fight direction, and intimacy consulting for film, television, and theater. He has worked on over 80 shows on Broadway, from Beauty and the Beast and Lion King all the way to Tina. Sordelet recently returned from the UK, where he revived the fight direction on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, coming to Broadway next season. The Sordelets are the resident fight

directors for the Santa Fe Opera, where they staged the fights for As You Like It and Eugene Onegin. They are also stunt coordinators for television and film: 12 years with Guiding Light, four years with One Life to Live, both seasons with Kevin Can Wait and The Crew, both starring Kevin James. Their most recent film is Ben Is Back starring Julia Roberts. Sordelet taught at Yale School of Drama for 22 years as well as at Kean University, Montclair State, and the William Esper Studio. From fight direction and teaching, Sordelet developed into a writer as well, selling several screenplays and a television series. He and his partner, David Blixt, run an E-publishing company called Sordelet INK.

Becca Landis McLarty (Vocal Coach) is a Miller Voice Method–certified teacher and a graduate of MFA Acting at Brooklyn College. She has been teaching voice and speech for the past 11 years at various institutions in New York City and New Jersey and has been working with the amazing students at Montclair State since 2017. Breath, collaboration, curiosity, and a sense of humor are central to McLarty’s practice as both an instructor and a performer. She has performed as an actor, singer, and improviser at theaters across the country and now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two kids, and scruffy rescue dog. McLarty is thrilled to be able to work with the talented cast and crew of Elephant’s Graveyard.

Lana Kurimoto (Dramaturg) is a graduate student at Montclair State University. Elephant’s Graveyard will be her third and final production as a dramaturg at MSU. She has previously worked on Top Girls (spring 2021) and Into the Woods (spring 2022). She is grateful to be a part of the team and wishes all the best for the cast and crew.

Karly Amato (Production Stage Manager) is a first-semester senior in MSU’s Design, Technology, and Management program with a concentration in stage management. Recent credits include SM of In the Mix, written and directed by Mikaela Koran in the New York Winterfest. Previous MSU credits include Head Over Heels (PSM) and Pippin, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Brooklyn’s Bridge, and The Ultimate Cahoots (ASM).

Cast Biographies

Heather Alzapiedi (Ballet Girl) is thrilled to be appearing in her fourth and final production at MSU. This is her first time taking the Alexander Kasser stage, and

she could not ask for a better show to be her sendoff into the professional world. She has previously appeared as Amina in Dance Nation, Hymen in As You Like It, and Petra in An Enemy of the People.

Joey Anderson (Mary) is in his sophomore year in the BFA Acting program and is excited to be playing Mary in this production.

Louis Bose (Ringmaster) is a senior BFA actor. He has been a part of multiple productions at MSU including department shows such as As You Like It and We Are Proud… as well as F.A.S.T. productions including Paradise Lost and The Atriedie.

Julia Ciesielski (Young Townsperson) is a junior BFA Acting major and is excited to perform in her first mainstage production at MSU.

Cassee Commoreto (Mary/Understudy) is a sophomore BFA Acting major and is excited to be in their first MSU mainstage production. Past roles include George Young Bradley in Men on Boats, Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Chrissy in Hair.

Noga Danai (Mary) is a freshman in the BFA Acting program. Elephant’s Graveyard is her first mainstage production at MSU. You might have seen her in the F.A.S.T. production of Dr. Rides American Beach House.

Elijah Davis (Mary/Understudy) is a current sophomore in the BFA Acting program. You may have previously seen him in MSU’s As You Like It, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and Black Snow.

Jake Declan (Drummer) is a senior at MSU and ecstatic to be in his sixth and final MSU production. You may have seen him previously in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Black Snow, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and We Are Proud to Present….

Ja’Vonni Gibson (Mary) is a freshman in the BFA Acting program and thrilled to be in their first mainstage production. A previous credit of theirs at MSU includes The Thin Place directed by Trent Greenwell.

Trent Greenwell (Trainer) is a senior BFA Acting major at MSU. This is his third mainstage production; others include Strizh in Black Snow and Touchstone in As You Like It. He also recently directed his first full-length play, The Thin Place, for F.A.S.T. last semester.

Desmond Jackson (Hungry Townsperson) is a senior BFA Acting major. This is his third and final show at MSU following his performances as Bondarevsky in Black Snow and Jesus in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Some of his most notable previous roles include Monsieur Jordan in The Bourgeoisie Gentleman and Cliff from Cabaret.

Joe Jung (Guitarist) is a founding member of Project: Theater and teaches Suzuki Method of Actor Training to the junior BFA Acting students at MSU. He has led movement workshops designed to awaken the actor’s body in schools and theater programs around the country and is proud to be collaborating on this production with his students and colleagues.

Donovan Lee (Marshal) is a junior in MSU’s Theatre program and is excited to be in his third performance with the school.

Khalil Louigene (Preacher) is a junior in the BFA Theatre program and is excited and blessed to be able to perform this semester.

Diana Maldonado (Clown) is a senior BFA Acting major. Previous credits at MSU include Black Snow, Top Girls, and Paradise Lost (F.A.S.T.).

Samantha Morales (Mary) is a freshman in the Acting program. She is a transfer student from Broward College in Florida, and Elephant’s Graveyard is her first production at MSU.

Sofia Pastena (Steam Shovel Operator) is a junior BFA Acting major and excited to be making her debut performance in a mainstage production. She has been involved with MILF, MSU’s improv group, and was a part of Skylar LeRose’s original play Feminazi as Joanne.

Jace Pastras (Engineer) is a sophomore BFA Acting major, and Elephant’s Graveyard is his third mainstage show as an actor. This fall he was the assistant director of Dance Nation. He was also director of F.A.S.T.’s production of Eurydice.

@jaceeepastras

Anthony Piccininni (Strongman) is thrilled to be in his fourth production at MSU. Past productions include Brooklyn’s Bridge (Tweed/Low); Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Charles/ Corin), and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Reverend Peters/Man #4/Man on phone/Drunk man).

Stone Russell (Understudy) is a senior in the BA/MA Theatre Studies program. Russell has been heavily involved with MSU’s F.A.S.T. over his time at MSU, including performing in The Dinner Party and operating as the costume/props manager on the production team. You can also see Russell as part of the programming board of the SGA, MSU Players, where he has written, directed, and performed original plays.

Jessica Sconfienza (Tour Manager) is a junior BFA acting major at MSU. Her recent work in the general season at the University includes The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and Black Snow. She also recently appeared in The Thin Place through MSU’s F.A.S.T.

Dennis J Velasco (Mary) is a junior BFA Acting major. Elephant’s Graveyard is his second stage performance at MSU and his first performance in Alexander Kasser Theater.

Ava Walsh (Understudy) is a BFA Acting freshman who is extremely grateful to be working on her first main-stage production. Previous MSU credits include Sylvia in The Thin Place, directed by Trent Greenwell.

Natalie Yost (Muddy Townsperson) is a senior BFA Acting major at MSU. Previously she has appeared in roles such as Pluto in In the Mix (New York Theater Festival), Ashlee in Dance Nation (MSU), and Phoebe in As You Like It.

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