UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC'S CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE presents
A HAND OF BRIDGE & The Medium
The performance is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
Content Disclosure:
The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti contains mature themes including grief, death, psychological distress, and deception within staged séances. The work features moments of tension, loud sounds, manipulation, and an onstage act of violence.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
PRODUCING STAGE DIRECTOR
James Haffner
MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR
Eric Dudley
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR/ REHEARSAL PIANIST
Margaret Perry
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ASM
Siry Smith
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Andrew Mell
STAGE AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Flavio Araujo
STAGE MANAGER
Miranda Duarte
COSTUME/SCENIC DESIGNER
Jonathan Singer
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Kevin Bautch
LIGHTING DESIGN
Tristan Fabiunke
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
Benedict Ventura
MAKEUP/HAIR DESIGN
Denise Powell-Kelley
WARDROBE
Renata Zapara
PROPERTIES
George Spelvin
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
San Joaquin Delta College Drama Department Crew: Michael Gonzalez, Neal Chohan, and Jesus Valdovinos
Monica Adams and Jason Millner, photographers
THE COMPANY: A HAND OF BRIDGE
Composed by Samuel Barber
Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
Presented under license from G. Schirmer, Inc., copyright owners
David ................................................................................... Landon Horstman
Geraldine (double-cast) ........................ Margaret Lomova (March 20 and 22) Shannon Shepherd (March 19 and 21)
Bill ...................................................................................... Joshua Cabardo '22*
Sally (double-cast) ........................................ Rose Krueger (March 19 and 21)
Sara Wolfe (March 20 and 22)
*Guest artist
Synopses:
Two unhappily married couples gather for a seemingly ordinary game of bridge, but beneath the surface, unspoken longings and private dissatisfactions simmer. As the game unfolds, each character reveals their true desires in intimate ariettas, exposing the emotional complexities hidden within their relationships.
Composed by Gian Carlo Menotti
Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
Presented under license from G. Schirmer, Inc., copyright owners
Monica ....................................................................................... Katie Pelletier
Voice/Monica cover ............................................................. Margaret Lomova
Toby ........................................................................................ Daniel Campbell
Madame Flora (Baba) ....................................................... Elizabeth Neumeyer
Mrs. Gobineau .................................................................... Magdalena Bowen
Mr. Gobineau ................................................................. Jordan Reece Guitang
Mrs. Nolan .............................................................................. Elleanor Cooper
Synopses:
In a dim apartment, Madame Flora (“Baba”) conducts fraudulent séances with the help of her daughter Monica and the mute servant Toby, deceiving grieving clients with carefully staged illusions. During one séance, however, Baba experiences a terrifying and unexplained sensation that shakes her to the core.
In the days that follow, her fear festers into paranoia as she questions her own sanity and turns on those around her—especially Toby. Unable to distinguish reality from illusion, Baba’s unraveling culminates in a tragic act that leaves the truth of what she experienced hauntingly unresolved.
Eric Dudley, conductor
Violin 1
Hrabba Atladottir**
Violin 2
Lizzie Mendoza
Viola
Erick Sariles
Cello
Nicholas Trobaugh
Double Bass
Kathryn Schulmeister*
Flute
Ethan Williams
Oboe
Adrienne Burg**
Clarinet
Audrey Ewing
Bassoon
Justin Silva
Horn
Jason Whitney**
Trumpet
Parker Deems
Percussion
Casey Kim
Piano (four hands)
Natsuki Fukasawa*
Sofie Tai
*Faculty artist
**Professional mentor
James Haffner (Stage Director) is a professor of opera at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing and an artist's diploma in opera stage directing. He is also a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique and an Artistic Associate with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium.
His production of Rossini's La Cenerentola took first place in the 2001 National Opera Association Production Competition and was a finalist both at the regional and national levels in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. La Cenerentola holds the distinction of being the first opera to be invited to be performed in the KC-ACTF national festival. Haffner's work has been further recognized by the KC-ACTF with encore productions of his reworking of Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill and the West Coast premiere of Glen Roven's musical Heart's Desire. Recognition from the National Opera Association includes Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Additional significant credits include the German premiere of Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day; Das Mahagonny Songspiel, which was presented as part of the premiere Brecht Fest at the Berliner Ensemble; and Dido and Aeneas with the first annual Museumsinsel Fest, Berlin, Germany.
Haffner has served as a producing artistic director of the Stockton Opera Association since 2007 and has worked with both the Bay View Festival and Bear Valley Music Festival. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors' Lab-West and has served as an adjudicator for the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition (Opera San Jose). A Fulbright Scholar, he has taught at the Technische Universität, Berlin, as well as the University of KentuckyLexington, Miami University (OH), Webster University and the California State University, Fullerton. At Pacific's Conservatory of Music, Haffner teaches Opera Theatre Workshop (beginning and advanced sections), Introduction to Lyric Diction, Opera Literature and Opera Production. He also produces and directs the Pacific Opera Theatre productions.
Eric Dudley (Music Director) joined University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in 2019, following prior appointments at Mannes College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A conductor, composer, vocalist and pianist, he is a two-time Grammy Award–winner as an original member of the vocal group Roomful of Teeth.
Dudley is currently artistic director and conductor of the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, and has performed and conducted with leading ensembles worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Adelaide Symphony, and most recently the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Margaret Perry (Assistant Music Director/Rehearsal Pianist) has performed throughout the United States and Italy as a soloist and collaborative pianist. She has worked with numerous vocal and instrumental artists and has been a rehearsal pianist for the Utah Opera Chorus and the Utah Symphony Chorus.
Perry is the group piano and piano pedagogy coordinator and teacher for the Conservatory of Music. She is also a rehearsal pianist for the Pacific Opera Theatre.
Siry Smith (Assistant Director) is a first-year student at University of the Pacific. Prior to joining Pacific, Smith has directed Radium Girls at Lincoln High School and Peter Pan Jr. at Brookside Elementary, Stockton. Other than directing, Smith has played Morticia in The Addams Family, Lucy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly.
Andrew Mell (Directions of Operations) joined University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in 2023 as director of operations and assistant professor of practice in jazz and music industry studies. As a bassist, Mell has performed across the country at renowned venues with jazz, Latin, classical, and popular music groups. He has shared the stage with celebrated artists such as Emilio Solla, Marcus Lewis, Jeffery Jenkins, and Mitch Towne. Mell has also worked in many areas of the music industry. He has held the position of artistic operations coordinator for the Eugene Symphony, stage manager for the Stanford Jazz Festival, and recording engineer for the University of Oregon. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette
University, a master’s degree from the University of Oregon, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has also held the position of bass instructor at Willamette University and taught in the jazz and music technology departments at University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Flavio Araujo (Stage and Technical Director) has more than 20 years of experience in live sound engineering, theatrical production, A/V systems and event management. At University of the Pacific, he oversees all technical operations for the Conservatory’s concert halls, theaters and studios managing audio, video and lighting infrastructure while mentoring students and supporting faculty and guest artists.
Over the years, Araujo has taken on multiple leadership roles as production manager, stage manager, FOH and monitor engineer, and tour manager. His live production experience includes collaborations with organizations such as Beehive Touring in Los Angeles and projects at prestigious venues such as UCLA’s Royce Hall, One Colorado Pasadena and Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles.
Miranda Duarte (Stage Manager), while wrapping up her final semester at Pacific as a music composition major, she took up yet another new role: stage management.
Before Pacific, Duare performed on stage in shows such as Seussical Jr. (Gertrude) and Into the Woods (Rapunzel). She is excited to be up in the sound booth for the Pacific Opera Theatre's spring production. She is grateful to work with such a talented group of artists and hopes to continue participating in the arts after graduation.
Jonathan Singer (Costume Designer) is a Stockton native who returned to his roots at San Joaquin Delta College in 2017. His journey with the theatre program began years earlier as a student in Delta College’s Actor’s Training Program, where he earned his AA before completing a Bachelor of Arts at CSU Stanislaus. Singer holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design and technology from the University of Minnesota.
Since returning to the Central Valley and Bay Area, Singer's prolific design credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest (Livermore Shakespeare Festival); Treasure Island, Frankenstein, and King Lear (Delta Drama, Stockton); as well as Into the Woods, Alcina, and Carousel (University of the Pacific).
Kevin Bautch (Technical Director) is happy to join the Pacific Opera Theatre for this production. He is a professor of stagecraft at San Joaquin Delta College, where he teaches scenery, lighting, and sound. He has also served as the scenic designer, lighting designer and/or technical director for over 75 Delta Drama productions. In addition to teaching and designing at Delta College, he occasionally designs scenery and lighting at Stockton Civic Theater.
Prior to joining the faculty at Delta, Bautch taught at the University of Northern Colorado and worked as a designer and/or technical director for Livermore Valley Opera, The Little Theatre of the Rockies, the University of Northern Colorado, Paragon Theatre Company, Festival 56, The Little Theatre on the Square, Timber Lake Playhouse, Illinois State University, Dorian Opera Theatre, and Simpson College.
Tristan Fabiunke (Lighting Designer) is a San Francisco-based lighting designer and recent graduate from San Francisco State University. Most recently, he worked as an associate lighting designer for San Francisco Playhouse's production of Madame Butterfly and a lighting designer for Circus Bella's production of Starlight.
Jonathan Latta (Program Director, Ensembles) ) is a performer, teacher, conductor and collaborative artist with an active career as a percussionist. At Pacific, he is associate professor of practice in percussion for the Conservatory of Music.
Latta has performed with ensembles including the Stockton Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic and San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. He previously served as principal timpani of the San Juan Symphony and was former member of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. He is currently active as a music director, conductor and percussionist with Stockton Civic Theatre and continues to perform as both a soloist and chamber musician with his new group, the Perpetuum Duo.
Denise Powell Kelley is excited to be part of the production staff. This is her first show with the Pacific Opera Theatre. She has been involved with St. Mary's High School theater program for the last 11 years as the prop mistress, as well as helping with hair styling. In the Pacifc production, she will share 35 years of cosmetology skills by doing wigs, hair, and make up.
MEET
Joshua Cabardo (Bill) is a Stockton native and a 2022 graduate of University of the Pacific. Since his graduation, he has assisted the Pacific Opera Theatre on multiple occasions as assistant director and stage manager. Joshua returns to Pacific as Bill in A Hand of Bridge and is eager to perform alongside a bright and talented new cohort.
Landon Horstman (David) is a junior music education major studying voice with Professor Daniel Ebbers at Pacific. Recently, Landon has performed with the Pacific Opera Theatre in Lerner and Loewe's Camelot (Lancelot), Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel (Billy), and Handel's Alcina (Melisso). Landon also won first place overall in the NATS California Capital Chapter Student Auditions in 2025. Upon graduating, Landon plans to teach music in public schools locally.
Rose Krueger (Sally) is a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music management at University of the Pacific. Her primary instrument is voice which she studies with Professor Daniel Ebbers. Rose has performed with the Pacific Singers choir since 2024. As part of the Pacific Opera Theatre Program, she has appeared as Julie Jordan in Carousel (2025) and Guenevere in Camelot (2025). Rose also recently performed as Juliet in scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with the Stockton Symphony, featuring pieces from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (2026).
In 2025, Rose won first place in the Upper College Musical Theater Treble Voices category for the NATS California Capital Chapter Student Auditions, and second place overall. Outside of school, she has performed the National Anthem at Stockton Ports and Stockton Kings games, as well as for the Sacramento (Oakland) Athletics and Sacramento Kings.
Margaret Lomova (Geraldine, The Voice/Monica Cover) is a first-year student at University of the Pacific pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music performance and studying voice under Professor Heidi Moss-Erickson. A Russian-American soprano from Sacramento, she has performed in both musical theatre and classical settings, at multiple charity galas, and for The Sacramento Metro Fire. She placed first in the NATS Lower Treble MezzoSoprano division. Margaret is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as a performer and to share her love of music and storytelling with her audiences.
MEET
Shannon Shepherd (Geraldine) is a second-year transfer music education student with an emphasis in vocal music. At Pacific, she is a student of Professor Heidi Moss-Erickson. Shannon is from Stockton and is very excited for the opportunity to perform with the Pacific Opera Theatre. She enjoys writing music, singing in the shower, and teaching both privately and at public schools in the area.
Sara Wolfe (Sally) is a first-year music performance major at University of the Pacific, where she studies voice with Professor Heidi Moss-Erickson. Sara is a recent graduate of the Vocal Performance Program at The Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA). She is also a Powell Scholar and a recent graduate of the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC). Sara is thrilled to be part of A Hand of Bridge and grateful for the opportunity to share the stage with such a talented cast.
Magdalena Bowen (Mrs. Gobineau) is in a third-year student at University of Pacific, where she studies voice with Professor Heidi Moss-Erickson. She is also a member of Pacific Singers choir. Her performances with the Pacific Operas theatre include Handel’s Alcina as an ensemble member, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel as Arminy, and Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot as Lady Sybil.
Prior to Pacific, Magdalena has competed in various singing competitions including the Sacramento Master Singers (placed in 2019, 2020, and 2022) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (placed in 2018). She has also performed in school choirs and as a soloist.
Daniel Campbell (Toby) is a second-year music performance major at University of the Pacific, where he studies classical voice with Professor Daniel Ebbers. Previously he was Willie Conklin in Stockton Civic Theater’s production of Ragtime, Jigger Cragin in Pacific Opera Theatre's production of Carousel and Sir Dindidan in their production of Camelot. Daniloe has been performing in theater since the age of six. He is excited to be a part of another wonderful show with Pacific.
Mezzo-soprano Elleanor Cooper (Mrs. Nolan) is thrilled to be a part of her second ever stage production with The Medium. She earned an Associate of the Arts degree in music from Sierra College in Rocklin, California, where she developed her passion for vocal performance in both solo and choral settings. Elleanor is now a first-year student at University of the Pacific pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music performance and studying voice with Professor Eric Dudley.
Baritone Jordan Reece Guitang (Mr. Gobineau) is in his final year at University of the Pacific pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music performance, concentration in voice. He made his stage debut in the 2024 production of Handel’s Alcina as an ensemble soloist and later performed the lead role of King Arthur in the fall 2025 production of Camelot and the role of Billy Bigelow in the spring 2025 production of Carousel. Outside of Pacific, Jordan has been featured as a soloist with Choral Audacity, and has also performed with San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and with Seattle Men’s Chorus.
Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Neumeyer (Baba, Madame Flora) has most recently sung the roles of Bradamante in Händel’s Alcina, La Badessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Dritte Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. In addition to her operatic endeavors, Elizabeth has musical theatre experience, most recently portraying the role of Nettie in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. She is currently a third-year student at University of the Pacific where she studies voice with Professor Daniel Ebbers. She also receives secondary instruction from soprano Christine Goerke.
Soprano Katie Mae Pelletier (Monica) may be recognized for her portrayal of Carrie in the spring 2025 production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel: A Concert, or from performances with Pacific Singers ensemble at University of the Pacific.
Katie will graduate in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Music in music performance and a minor in music industry studies. She studies voice with Professor Heidi Moss Erickson and is currently preparing her senior recital. With strong interests in vocal pedagogy, performance, and storytelling, Katie aspires to teach, perform, and produce music. When she is not acting, she enjoys songwriting and collaborating with composers and other performers.
AND GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Icelandic violinist Hrabba Atladottir studied in Berlin, Germany, and she performs regularly with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Deutsche Oper. In 2004, Hrabba moved to New York, where she performed with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. She moved to California in 2008 and has been performing mostly as a soloist and chamber musician.
Hrabba is a member of the San Francisco Contemporary Players, the Empyrean Ensemble, the Eco Ensemble and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and is Concertmaster of Opera Parallele. She performs on a regular basis with the New Century Chamber Orchestra and teaches violin at University of California Berkeley and University of California Davis.
Adrienne Burg is an active oboe and English horn player in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently holds the positions of principal oboe at Opera San Jose and English horn at the Oakland Symphony. As an orchestral musician, she appears frequently with the Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Modesto, Stockton and California Symphonies, as well as Symphony San Jose and One Found Sound. An avid teacher, Burg enjoys teaching private students and working with students at public schools in Pleasanton and Oakland. As a soloist, she performed Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Oboe Concerto with the Mostly Modern Festival Orchestra in 2023.
Burg began her oboe studies as a student of Jesse Barrett, before continuing on to study with Robert Walters at Oberlin Conservatory (Bachelor of Music, ‘23) and Robert Atherholdt at Rice University Shepherd School of Music.
Steinway Artist Natsuki Fukasawa is a lecturer at Pacific Conservatory of Music. She has performed globally including Australia, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan, Israel, Switzerland, Scandinavia and the U.S. She is a recipient of the Best Chamber Music Recording of the Year from the Danish Music Awards, and has been featured in Sacramento’s CapRadio program Women’s History Month.
Fukasawa has appeared as a concerto soloist touring in Italy with California Youth Symphony with Maestro Leo Eylar as well as a guest soloist with many orchestras in Northern California and New Jersey. This past summer, she played in a trio concert with Igor Veligan and Mike Dahlberg raising over 12,000 dollars to help with children who have lost their fathers in Ukraine.
In addition to serving on Pacific's conservatory faculty, Fukasawa serves on the artist faculty for the Talis Festival and Academy in Sarajevo. She
ORCHESTRA
AND GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
enjoys nurturing young people in her own private studio, where her students’ accomplishments include appearances in the NPR show From the Top, winning top prizes in Chopin National Competition, MTAC Young Artist Guild, and Philadelphia International Competition, as well as pursuing music in college.
Hawaiʻi-born bassist Kathryn Schulmeister joined the faculty at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music as assistant professor of practice in string bass in fall 2023. She enjoys a creative musical practice ranging from classical to experimental.
Schulmeister is a member of several contemporary music ensembles including the ELISION Ensemble (Australia), Fonema Consort (Chicago/ NYC), and the Echoi Ensemble (LA). She has performed as a guest artist with various international ensembles including Klangforum Wien, Ensemble MusikFabrik, Wild Up!, Delirium Musicum, Ensemble Dal Niente, and Ensemble Vertixe Sonora. She has been featured as a soloist at venues and festivals around the world including the Los Angeles Grammy Museum, ECLAT Festival Neue Musik Stuttgart, Museum of Making Music Carlsbad, soundSCAPE Festival Italy, and the Vértice Festival Mexico City.
Jason Whitney is a Bay Area–born horn player and graduate of Sonoma State University, where he studied with Alicia Mastromonaco. An active freelance musician, he performs regularly with the Santa Rosa Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, and Marin Symphony. In addition to orchestral work, he enjoys performing chamber music and solo repertoire with a variety of ensembles throughout Northern California.
Voice Faculty
Daniel Ebbers, program director
Brett Epperson, choir director
Eric Dudley, applied voice instructor
James Haffner, opera theatre director
Heidi Moss Erickson, applied voice instructor
Instrumental Faculty
Ann Miller, violin/viola
Megan Chartier, cello
Kathryn Schulmeister, double bass
Brittany Trotter, flute
Kyle Bruckmann, oboe
Patricia Shands, clarinet
Nicolasa Kuster, bassoon
Sadie Glass, horn
Alia Kuhnert, trumpet
Jonathan Latta, percussion
Natsuki Fukasawa, piano
Breanna Daley, ensemble librarian
Jonathan Latta, ensembles program director
THOMAS J. LONG THEATRE
Thomas J. Long Theatre, aka Long Theatre, is part of University of the Pacific's South Stockton Campus, which was initially Stockton (Junior) College. It was built in 1960, designed by architects Frank V. Mayo and Eric W. Johnson, and served as the Speech Arts Building for the college.
When Stockton College moved up the road and became San Joaquin Delta College in 1963, Pacific purchased the property. In 1976, the Speech Arts Building was renovated and transformed into a theatre building. It was dedicated for donors and former regents Thomas J. Long and Robert M. Long of Walnut Creek, founders of Longs Drug Stores.
—From Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives, University of the Pacific Archives,
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