NEW CITY PLAYERS presents
e u tr st we y by a pla ard hep sam s
Special Thanks To Our 2017
SEASON SPONSORS
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NEW CITY PLAYERS presents at
THE VANGUARD SANCTUARY FOR THE ARTS ANDREW PAUL DAVIS TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS JOHN HOLLEY LORY REYES in
Sam Shepard’s
TRUE WEST Director
MARY ELIZABETH GUNDLACH Stage Manager
Scenic Design
RACHEL SMOKER COX
RYAN MALONEY
Lighting Design
Sound Design
JOEL DE SOUSA
RACHEL SMOKER COX
Original Score
JOSH DIAZ
New City Players is proud to be partnering with the following organizations!
A note from the Director,
MARY ELIZABETH GUNDLACH “I wanted to write a play about double nature… one that wouldn’t be symbolic or metaphorical or any of that stuff. I just wanted to give a taste of what it feels like to be two-sided. It’s a real thing, double nature. I think we’re split in a much more devastating way than psychology can ever reveal. It’s not so cute. Not some little thing we can get over. It’s something we’ve got to live with.” SAM SHEPARD We face double nature throughout our lives. It is the deepest possible contemplation of identity, that we could have two people living within us, each waiting to win out. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question asked before we can read or write, before our frontal lobes are fully developed, before our bodies are grown. The postulation that we are in control of who we will become, or at least who we desire to be, is opened up to us at our earliest memories. But perhaps even more instinctual is who we resist becoming. “I will not become my parents”, “I don’t want to end up like my deadbeat brother”, who we become could be considered a reaction to what we’ve seen growing up, a response to our family life. Is this fate something we can truly escape? Are we our families? LEE: You were just tellin’ me it’d change my whole life around. Why wouldn’t it change his? AUSTIN: He’s different. LEE: Oh, he’s of a different ilk huh? AUSTIN: He’s not gonna’ change. Let’s leave the old man out of it. LEE: That’s right. He’s not gonna’ change but I will. I’ll just turn myself right inside out. I could be just like you then huh? Sittin’ around dreamin’ stuff up. Getting’ paid to dream. Ridin’ back and forth on the freeway just dreamin’ my fool head off. The question of whether or not we can change and what we are truly capable of is crux of this play. The fear of whether or not we actually know ourselves is palpable as Shepard uses what has been referred to as “comedy of menace” to gently help us into the disenchanted world of this estranged family. Though unnervingly recognizable as reality, True West contains severe moments of surrealism and the absurd, where we find the action of the play inescapable as we are faced with a haunting truth about what it means to be human. With that said, we humbly attempt to communicate the heart of Shepard’s masterwork. It is our hope that we honor this great contemporary American playwright’s boundless contribution to literature and to the stage. We thank you for joining us in this exploration of identity.
True West
CAST (in order of appearance) Austin ....................................... ANDREW PAUL DAVIS Lee ............................................ TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS Saul Kimmer ........................................... JOHN HOLLEY Mom ........................................................... LORY REYES
SETTING The kitchen of Mom’s Southern California home, 40 miles east of Los Angeles, 1980.
ACT I Scene 1: Night Scene 2: The next morning Scene 3: Afternoon Scene 4: Night
ACT II Scene 5: The next morning Scene 6: Afternoon Scene 7: Night Scene 8: Very early morning Scene 9: Mid-day
There will be one 15 minute intermission in between acts. Herbal cigarettes will be used during this production.
Please join us for one of our talkbacks to hear from the actors and creative team about the play and the process. Immediately following the performances on Sunday, August 13, 20, & 27.
Partner with New City Players,
DONATE TO ALS RESEARCH In honor of playwright Sam Shepard, New City Players is raising money for the ongoing research of ALS. ALS is a devastating disease that causes progressive weakness of the arms and legs, as well as the muscles that control speech, swallowing and breathing. Death ensues within an average of 3-5 years of symptom onset, typically because of an inability to breathe. There is currently no effective treatment, and the disease is invariably fatal. The only real hope for patients with ALS lies in research. The ALS Research Collaboration (ARC) at the University of Miami, led by Dr. Michael Benatar and Joanne Wuu, is a highly collaborative group focused on understanding the cause of the disease and how best to develop an effective therapy, or even a cure. Areas of particular interest in the research program includes the role of genetics and of environmental factors in ALS; biomarker development; drug discovery using stem cell models of disease; and innovative clinical trials. To learn more about ALS or to make a donation toward continuing research, please visit: als-research.org.
True West
CAST ANDREW PAUL DAVIS, Austin Andrew is a writer and filmmaker currently splitting his time between South Florida and Indiana. He’s studying Film at Taylor University with minors in Theatre Arts, English, & Philosophy. After completing his degree this winter, he’ll be directing his first feature-length independent film. In the past he’s directed No Exit (NCP), Red (NCP), & Agnes of God. Acting credits at Taylor University include The Cherry Orchard (Trofimov), Rabbit Hole (Jason), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), Antigone (Messenger), God of Carnage (Michael), and A Piece of my Heart. This is his debut performance with New City Players. andrewpauldavis.com
TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS, Lee Tim serves as Producing Artistic Director for New City Players and holds an M.A. in Theatre Studies. Some previous acting credits include: NCP’s Red (Rothko), NCP’s Godspell (Disciple), Noises Off (Freddie), A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch), and The Boys Next Door (Norman). He would like to thank his wife Samantha and daughter Summer for being such bright lights in his life. For PSH. timothymarkdavis.com
JOHN HOLLEY, Saul Kimmer John is excited to be part of the New City Players’ 2017 Season! Originally from Tampa, John received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida State University and worked professionally for roughly 12 years based out of New York City. The last time he performed in a play it was Sam Shepard’s Simpatico in which he played Vinnie. Most recently he has enjoyed Directing and Assistant Directing Middle School Productions at Bethany Christian School. John has had the privilege of working with many talented people during his career but the biggest “Stars” in his life are his beloved wife Melanie and his precious daughter Cora. Thanks God, NCP and Mary for allowing me to come out and play!
Special Thanks To Our 2017
SEASON SPONSORS
CityChurch is one Church, with congregrations in Fort Lauderdale & Pompano, seeking to be the very presence of Christ in South Florida by cultivating communities of Faith, Hope + Love. CityChurchFTL.com CityChurchPB.com
True West
CAST
LORY REYES, Mom Performing locally for almost 20 years, Lory is excited to make her debut with New City Players. A professional voice talent, commercial actor and former dancer/ choreographer, a few favorite roles are Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias), Sister Aloysius (Doubt), Lola (Damn Yankees), Polly (Other Desert Cities) and Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, the Musical. Hugs all around to this wonderful cast and crew and thank you to everyone involved with NCP for making me feel a part of the family. As always, my heart belongs to my husband, Richard, for his constant love and support.
Special Thanks To Our 2017
SEASON SPONSORS
True West
PRODUCTION TEAM Director ....................................... MARY ELIZABETH GUNDLACH Stage Manager ......................................... RACHEL SMOKER COX Assistant Stage Manager ........................................... JESSE VELIZ+ Dramaturg ...................................................... JESSICA SCHULTE Scenic Designer ................................................ RYAN MALONEY Assistant Scenic Designer .............................. CONNER REAGAN Lighting Designer ................................................ JOEL DE SOUSA Sound Designer ......................................... RACHEL SMOKER COX Original Score ............................................................. JOSH DIAZ Costume Managers ................... MARY ELIZABETH GUNDLACH & TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS Properties Master .................................... TIMOTHY MARK DAVIS Technical Director ...................... ALYIECE MORETTO-WATKINS Master Carpenter ................................................... AARON MILLS Light Board Operator ................................................ CAREY HART Running Crew ......................................................... STEVEN DAY+ Promotional Designer ................................... MICHELLE HOPPER
A very special “Thank You!” to the following individuals and organizations whose generous support has made this production of True West possible! Rev. & Mrs. Brad & Laine Schmidt Mr. & Mrs. Dave & Barbara Mahoney Ms. Celeste de St. Aubin, Palm Beach Dramaworks Nova Southeastern University’s Performing & Visual Arts Deptartment Rio Vista Community Church Calvary Christian Academy’s Fine Arts Department +
denotes 2017 Season Intern
To find out more about New City Players’ internship program, please visit newcityplayers.org/internship.
Special Thanks To Our 2017
SEASON SPONSORS
True West
PRODUCTION TEAM MARY ELIZABETH GUNDLACH, Director Mary Gundlach is a teaching artist from Ft. Lauderdale. She earned her B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University and is currently the Fine Arts Director at Bethany Christian School. Favorite credits: Rabbit Hole (Becca/ New City Players), Into the Woods (Witch/Slow Burn), and Chicago (Director/Muse Theatre Company). Mary was proud to serve as the Program Director for Muse Children’s Theatre from 2010-2016 and is honored to be an ensemble member at New City Players. She is thankful for the dedication of this cast and crew, the support of her friends and family, and the opportunity to direct the great work of the Sam Shepard.
RACHEL SMOKER COX, Stage Manager Rache is a proud FSU theatre graduate. There she performed, directed, and stage managed in several plays and short films and was part of the improv comedy troupe, Slow Children Playing. Rachel is starting her 5th year as the drama director and teacher at Westminster Academy. She has worked with several south Florida theatre companies as an actor, director, or stage manager including Muse Center for the Arts, Fort Lauderdale Children’s theatre, and the City of Pembroke Pines. Rachel first joined NCP during their first season and played the role of Nat in their production of Rabbit Hole. She is very excited to join them again as their SM and cannot wait to see what NCP will do next!
RYAN MALONEY, Scenic Designer Ryan is the Production Manager & Resident Scenic Designer for New City Players where credits include: Twelfth Night, Proof, The Glass Menagerie and No Exit. Other notable credits include Gianni Schicchi, Working, and Amahl and the Night Visitors (Taylor Lyric Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Curious Savage (Calvary Christian Academy). Ryan holds a BA in Art from Taylor University. “From the bottom of my heart and with all my love, thank you Jess, for always being willing to ‘pursue that flighty temptress—adventure’ with me.” ryanamaloney.com
True West
PRODUCTION TEAM
JOEL DE SOUSA, Lighting Designer Joel is a freelance videographer and Audio/Visual & Lighting Specialist based in Fort Lauderdale. Lighting credits for New City Players include Twelfth Night, Proof, Rabbit Hole, No Exit, and The Glass Menagerie. Other notable credits include Flowers for Algernon, Into the Woods, and The Curious Savage. He would like to thank his mother for forcing him into theater during high school. His full body of work can be viewed at joeldesousa.com.
JOSH DIAZ, Originial Score Composer Josh is a singer/songwriter/composer/producer. When not in his studio, he can be found writing and performing music with his bandmates in KIDS, leading the music team at CityChurch Fort Lauderdale, or sailing around the Biscayne Bay on his 26’ Irwin named the Bangerang. “Music is my life, second to that is going on adventures that inspire me to write more music.”
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New City Players
COMING UP NEXT
Thursday, August 31 Switchbox Coffee Roasters Oakland Park, FL City Speaks is New City Players’ monthly gathering where people from our city share stories, speak truth, and listen to one another. The project’s aim is to give individuals an opportunity to share personal stories of humor, beauty, pain, & change, provide a platform where individuals can speak truth to power, and create a space where our community can practice public civility and empathy through active listening.
New City Players is continuing its work with new plays written by local playwrights. Stay tuned as we will be announcing our show and dates in the coming weeks!
More information at newcityplayers.org
About the Playwright,
SAM SHEPARD, 1943-2017 Lauded the Cowboy-Poet of American Dramatists, Sam Shepard’s exhaustive career in theatre, film and literature spanned more than half a century. Inspiration for his work derived from a vision of American society contingent on his vision of family, particularly the contrast between the mythological American ideal and his lived experience. Born to a teacher and a military pilot in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, Samuel Shepard Rogers III spent much of his childhood relocating to different military bases before his family of five settled on a farm in Southern California. Shepard described his first permanent home as “a weird accumulation of things, a strange kind of melting pot -- Spanish, Okie, black, Midwestern elements all jumbled together.People on the move who couldn’t move anymore, who wound up in trailer parks.” (Rolling Stone 1986). During this time, Shepard’s father succumbed to alcoholism and his family began to disintegrate. The restlessness and transiency present in much of Shepard’s later work derive from his experiences in the “melting pot,” especially his tempestuous, often violent relationship with his father. In 1961 Shepard graduated from high school and pursued a degree in agriculture from Mount San Antonio Junior College. Less than a year later, the theatre came knocking. A travelling company, the Bishop’s Company Repertory Players, rolled through town, and Shepard joined them. In 1963 he settled in New York. In addition to writing plays, Shepard joined the rock band Holy Modal Rounders on the drums. Whether he was writing or making music, Shepard’s rhythm found resonance with the pulse of American counterculture. Initially crude and absurdist, his style evolved into an inventive, resonant voice, incorporating poetic language, surrealistic imagery and stark, naturalistic characters. His most successful plays, Buried Child (1978), True West (1980) and Fool For Love (1983) throb with the restlessness and disillusionment that characterized the late 20th century. Shepard wrote 44 plays in 50 years, directed, and acted for film, earning numerous awards for writing, directing and acting, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (Buried Child, 1979), an Academy Award Nomination (Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff, 1983), Tony Award Nominations, and a record-busting 10 Obie awards. His works are produced widely and frequently in the US, London, and Ireland. Towards the end of his life, Shepard struggled with alcoholism, then later with ALS. On July 27th, 2017, surrounded by his 3 children and partner, Jessica Lange, Sam Shepard passed away in his Kentucky home from complications of the disease. So soon after his passing, it is an honor to remember a man who did so much to enliven the arts in America, reminding us that while family and disappointment may be two sides of the same coin, the former is worth fighting for - and with.
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A note from the play,
THE COYOTE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The Coyote of Southern California has a distinct yapping, dog-like bark, similar to a Hyena. This yapping grows more intense and maniacal as the pack grows in numbers, which is usually the case when they lure and kill pets from suburban yards. This is the sense of growing frenzy you will hear in the background as the show progresses. They are unlike the Hollywood stereotype of coyotes as they never make the long, mournful solitary howl we typically associate them with.
New City Players
PROJECTS 1. CITY SPEAKS WHEN: The last Thursday of every month WHERE: Switchbox Coffee, Oakland Park Where people from our city share stories, speak truth, and listen to one another. Aiming to give individuals an opportunity to share personal stories of humor, beauty, pain, & change, provide a platform where individuals can speak truth to power, and create a space where our community can practice public civility and empathy through active listening.
2. NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT Giving local playwrights a place for their work to be
fleshed out by actors & directors, and providing a stage where their work can be engaged with and critiqued by the public.
3. ACTING COACHING For emerging actors looking for ongoing training,
as well as seasoned actors in need of repertoire refinement and/or audition preparation. Your first session is free!
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE “PROJECTS” TAB AT NEWCITYPLAYERS.ORG.
SWITCHBOXCOFFEE.COM
“Act before you think - your instincts are more honest than your thoughts.” SANFORD MEISNER
American Actor & Acting Teacher 1905-1997
New City Players
2017 DONORS *To view Patron level donors ($25-$99) as well as tiered benefits please visit newcityplayers.org/donorsandsponsors BRONZE DONOR | $100-$499 KYLE & ALLY APPLEGATE ARTHUR BAILEY JUAN PABLO & HEATHER CAMARGO ANTHONY CONTINI ELIZABETH CONTINI KATHLEEN CONTINI WILLY & LESLIE COOK EDWIN & SARA COPELAND LAURA CREEL JORDAN DODD EVAN DOYLE MARITA DUPRE JAMES GAINEY BRAD & MANDI JONES KINSLEY KOONS SCOTT & PATTY LANCASTER PHIL & JENNY LETIZIA
RYAN & JESS MALONEY BOB & PAM MCKINNON RICK & TAMMY NEGRON MARSHA NORMAN DAVID & LAURA QUINN GERALD SCHER PAULETTE SANDS BRAD & LAINE SCHMIDT DAVE & DARLENE SMITH MARK SNOW THE SODERQUIST FAMILY FOUNDATION TOM & WENDY SWEETING BRENT & MEGAN WELLS ASHLEY WEBER ANONYMOUS
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GOLD DONOR | $1,000-$2,499 BASS UNDERWRITERS RICK & DEDE HUNTER ANONYMOUS
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New City Players
THE BOARDS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TIM DAVIS, Producing Artistic Director, New City Players RICK HUNTER, Executive Director, RENEW South Florida RYAN MALONEY, Production Manager, New City Players TRACY MANNING, Managing & Artistic Director, Taylor Theatre LAURA QUINN, Assistant Principal, Calvary Christian Academy DAVE SMITH, Managing Director, New City Players MATTHEW WEISSMAN, CPA, Rodriguez, Kinzbrunner & Company, LLP BRENT WELLS, Communications Specialist & CEO of Make Wells
THE ADVISORY BOARD WILLIAM HAYES, Producing Artistic Director, Palm Beach Dramaworks RICHARD JAY SIMON, Former Exec. Artistic Director, Mosaic Theatre LAINE SCHMIDT, Personal & Professional Development Coach
New City Players
SUPPORT
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WHO WE ARE New City Players is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, ensemble theatre company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
OUR MISSION We exist to stage exceptional classic and contemporary theatre that provides an emotional and transformative experience for every audience member.
OUR VISION To see the people in our city experience renewal through live theatre.
THE STAFF Producing Artistic Director .......................................... TIM DAVIS* Managing Director ...................................................... DAVE SMITH Development Manager .................................... JOHNNY CONTINI* Company Manager .......................................... KRYSTAL VALDES* Production Manager ......................................... RYAN MALONEY* Event Manager ................................................. MEGAN DEGRAAF Graphic Designer ........................................... MICHELLE HOPPER Social Media Intern ............................................ ASHLEY BURKLIN *denotes Founding Member
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