Blue Stockings

Artistic & Management Team Director: Dr. Jane Duncan Assistant Director: Zoe Snell Producer: Brent Maddox

Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Manager

Abbie McCurdy*

Grace Klimczyk

Technical Director

Set Design

Jerry Stratton

Paul Gatrell

Lighting Design

Sound Design

Jules Robinson

Amy Syverson*

Costume Design

Assistant Costume Design

Susie Konstans*

Conner Boggs

Properties Designer

Dramaturg

Caroline Million*

Nora Jones

*indicates member of APO

Cast Tess……………………………………………………………..… Victoria Herda* Celia………………………………….…………………………..……. Eve Helak* Carolyn…………………………………………….....… Mary Margaret Hughes* Maeve………………………………...……………………… Jaden Lily Branson* Will………………………………………………..…………..…... ….Evan Fenne

Lloyd/Billy……………………………………………..……..….... Hayden Jones* Ralph………………………………………………..…..………. Nick Galenkamp Edwards…………………………………………..……………………. Ben Yancy Holmes…………………………………..………………………… Finn McGinnis Miss Blake…………………………………..………………….… Anna Johnston* Mrs. Welsh…………………………………...……………………... Kelby Horne*

Mr. Banks………………………………………...……………… Shawn Knight** Minne……………………………………………………………..... Daniella Flom Miss Bott……………………………...………………………..…. Maddie Patoto* Maudsley/Anderson……………………………………………….….Clay Steakley Mrs. Lindley……………………………..…………………….. Gentry Ann Hollis Librarian/Radleigh/Waiter………………………..…………….…. Teige Brewer*

Collins/Peck………………………………………..……………. Jay Diestelkamp Swings Kat Davison, Molly Ryan, Christiana Allison*, Anna Radley, Paige Hardy, Daniella Flom, Gentry Anne Hollis, Catherine Moore, Chloe Coulter*

September 1896 - June 1897 *indicates member of APO **Actor appears courtesy of Equity, the Professional Union of Actors and Stage Managers.

Production Run Crew

Front of House Staff……………………………….…………………………………………..… Kalyn Dickey Katie Fraley* Emily Miller Hannah Weinman* Costume Shop Manager………………………………. ……………………………………….. Jessica Mueller Wardrobe Supervisor……………………………….................................................................... Belle Hipp* Wardrobe Crew………………………………………………………………………………….. Alaylah Akins Sofia Cross Light Board Op ……………………………………………………………………………….. Riley McConnell Sound Board Op ……………………………………………………………………………….. Rachel Phinney Deck Chief ……………………………………………………………………………………….… Elijah Bell* Laura Walker* Run Crew …………………………………………………………………………………….…. Delaney Duffy Jenna Gilmore Sadie Jensen Regan Lane Evan Needs Briana Nolan Luis Silva

*indicates member of APO

Production Staff Technical Crew Alexandra Anglim

Lydia Baker

Joshua Becker

Rue Bradfield

Alix Brown

Ceirra Burdyck

Summer Clark

Jenna Clarke

Marlena Collins

Kalyn Dickey

Michelle Easler

Maggie Feduccia

Greiner Gumerson

Amy Halloran

Anna Hoey

Laterika Johnson

Sam Johnson

Hope Kobus

Jared Koerner

Zachary Ligsan

Carla Lombardo

Nicolette Manrique

Keegan McCarthy

Kamaria McGinn

Tessa Melton

Elise Olson

Anna Radley

Savannah Raeder*

Mia Ridling

Fritz Sumter

Micah Waid

Patricia Weizpfennig

Alayna Wilburn

Ben Yancy

Costume Crew Logan Applin

Teige Brewer*

Brielle Cohen

Tegan Dye

Tori Herda*

Keira Maupin

Emily Miller

Charlie Nelson*

Anja Reimer

Molly Ryan

Marie Sheets

Caroline Silander

Hannah Smith

*indicates member of APO

Director’s Note About a year ago, Department of Theatre and Dance chair Brent Maddox sent me the Blue Stockings script and asked me to consider directing it for the 2023-2024 season. I was unfamiliar with the play, and he told me that a group of theatre students saw a production of it in Belfast during a study abroad trip in June 2022. The students responded very positively to the production and Brent thought that it would fit in nicely at Belmont. After an initial reading, it was evident to me that this play would be a great addition to our 20232024 season.

Despite being set more than 120 years ago, the themes explored (including equality for women, the emergence and subsequent challenging of scientific theories, biological vs. chosen family, and rapidly changing societal expectations for men and women) are still incredibly relevant today. The relationships between and among the characters are familiar: roommates, classmates, teacher/student, romantic partners, siblings, and colleagues.

A desire to learn supersedes almost every obstacle the characters confront; the acquisition of knowledge motivates the characters to risk jobs, reputations, and lifelong relationships.

Knowledge is power, but as Miss Blake reminds the Girton women, “The value of your lessons isn’t knowledge. It is the fact that you are learning to think.”

I can’t imagine a better message for a play produced at a university.

SPECIAL THANKS DR. STEPHEN EAVES FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AT BELMONT NASHVILLE REPETORY THEATRE CAPRI BIANGARDI

ARTISTIC AND MANAGEMENT TEAM JANE G. DUNCAN (Director) holds a PhD in Theatre Studies from Florida State University, an MFA in Acting from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a BA in Theatre from the University of Dayton. Jane has been at Belmont since 2018 as the Associate Dean in the College of Music and Performing Arts and an Associate Professor of Theatre.

NORA JONES (Dramaturg) Credits Include: Director, New York Stories (Belmont University); Assistant Stage Manager, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Director, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Curtains Up Belmont University); Director, Halloween Showcase (Curtains Up Belmont University); Director, Annie KIDS, (Greenwood Community Theatre); Assistant Director, Twelfth Night, (Greenwood Community Theatre); Music Director/Accompanist, Summer Vocal Intensive (Greenwood Community Theatre) SUSIE KONSTANS (Costume Design) Credits include: Costume Design, Love's Labor's Lost, The Diviners (Belmont University), Ordinary Days (Street Theatre Company); Lighting Design, A Wrinkle in Time, Moving Stories (Belmont University). Susie currently works as a costume technician and is pursuing her B.F.A. in Production Design.

ABIGAIL MCCURDY (Stage Manager) is a Sophomore BFA Theatre Directing major. Belmont credits include: Stage Manager, This is Not a Pipe Dream; Director, Act I of Dancing at Lughnasa (Staged Reading); Assistant Stage Manager, Lucky Stiff; Assistant Costume Design, The Play That Goes Wrong; Deck Chief, A Doll’s House. Other selected credits include: Stage Manager, The Crucible (Elite Studio Works); Costume Design, A Chorus Line (Spotlight Cast & Crew); Costume Design, Legally Blonde (Spotlight Cast & Crew).

CAROLINE MILLION (Properties Design) is a Junior BFA Theatre Production Design major.

Select Credits Include: Props Designer, A Wrinkle in Time, Mixed Bill XVIII (Belmont University); Costume Designer, Silent Sky, A Doll’s House (Belmont University), James and the Giant Peach (Millbrook Playhouse); Wardrobe Dresser, Jersey Boys, Rent (Millbrook Playhouse); Lighting Designer, Lucky Stiff (Belmont University); Assistant Lighting Designer, The Good Times are Killing Me (Belmont University).

JULES ROBINSON (Lighting Design) Credits include: Lighting Designer, Doll’s House (Belmont University); Costume Designer, Lucky Stiff (Belmont University); Assistant Stage Manager, Things I Know To Be True (Actors Bridge); Lighting Designer, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Assistant Set Designer, The Good Times Are Killing Me (Belmont University); Assistant Stage Manager, Kodachrome (Belmont University); Stagecraft Advisor (Camp Taconic); Lighting/Set Designer, Trojan Women (Belmont University); Stage Manager, The Last Five Years (Belmont University); Lighting/Props Designer, Bright Star (Belmont University).

ZOE SNELL (Assistant Director) is a Sophomore BFA Theatre Education major. Belmont credits: Stage Manager, A Wrinkle in Time; Swing, Lucky Stiff. Additional credits include: Hunyak/U/S Mary Sunshine/Dance Captain, Chicago (Orbit Theatrical); Ensemble, Mamma Mia (Orbit Theatrical). Zoe has worked with Nashville Children's Theatre, Orbit Arts Academy, and Forefront Arts, in addition to directing her own theatre camps.

AMY SYVERSON (Sound Design) Credits include: The Play That Goes Wrong, Assistant Stage Manager (Belmont University); Grease, Stage Manager (Emerald Coast Theatre Company); Broadway on the Boulevard, Stage Manager (Emerald Coast Theatre Company); Love’s Labor’s Lost, Assistant Director/Swing (Belmont University); The Aviator, Stage Manager (Belmont University).

CAST CHRISTIANA ALLISON (U/S Carolyn) is a Junior and is thrilled to be a part of this show! You may have seen her on the Belmont stage before in A Wrinkle in Time (Mrs. Whatsit) Love's Labour's Lost (Marcade) and The Aviator (Amelia Earhart).

JADEN LILY BRANSON (Maeve) Credits Include: Annie Cannon, Silent Sky (Belmont University), Anne Marie, A Doll’s House (Belmont University), Hawking Clam, Peter and the Starcatcher (Belmont University); Malcolm, Macbeth (Belmont University); Chorus; Fan, A Christmas Carol (Clarence Brown Theatre), Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray (Knoxville Children’s Theatre). She spent last spring training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and trained with the University of Tennessee Knoxville theatre department. She has also taught at Knoxville Children’s Theatre, where she was a veteran for over fifteen years.

TEIGE BREWER (Librarian/Radleigh/Waiter) has appeared in A Wrinkle in Time, Lucky Stiff, and Lorna Bea and Her ADHD while at Belmont. His play It Felt Like a Kiss premiered in a student production at Belmont this past October. Outside of Belmont, he appeared as Conrade in the Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s summer production of Much Ado About Nothing.

CHLOE COULTER (U/S Mrs. Lindley) Belmont credits include: Joyce, I’ll Leave it to You; Iona, The White Rose Pirates; Swing for Hardware Store Owner, Florist, Perfume Maker, Police Officer, Kodachrome; Tilly, The Melancholy Play; Delphine, Just Desserts; Edith, Stillfield. Chloe will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance.

KATHRYN DAVIDSON (U/S Tess Moffatt) Credits include: U/S Margaret Leavitt, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady (Darlington School); Sabrina Fairchild, Sabrina Fair (Darlington School); Mary Warren, The Crucible (Darlington School). She recently completed a Top-Up Musical Theatre course with the International College of Musical Theatre in London as well as a Summer Session with Broadway Artists Alliance in NYC. JAY DIESTELKAMP (Collins/Peck) is a sophomore BA with a minor in video production. His credits include: Uncle Don, The Good Times are Killing Me (Belmont University); understudy for Costard/Boyet, Love's Labour's Lost (Belmont University); Player 10, A Wrinkle In Time, (Belmont University).

EVAN FENNE (Will Bennett), a recent Belmont University graduate, is honored to be asked back to the Troutt Theater to help tell this inspiring story. Acting credits include: Young Ebenezer in A Christmas Carol (Nashville Repertory Theatre), King Ferdinand in Love’s Labour’s Lost (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), Torvald U/S in A Doll’s House (Belmont University), and Mr. Arkins in The Good Times Are Killing Me (Belmont University).

DANIELLA FLOM (Minnie, U/S Mrs. Welsh) Daniella is a freshman Theatre Education major, and this is her first show with Belmont University. She is from Naples, Florida, and she performed for many years with the community theatre, The Naples Players. Credits with TNP include Something Rotten! (Bea), Matilda Jr. (Matilda), The Sound of Music (Louisa), Descendants (Mal), The Wedding Singer, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

NICK GALENKAMP (Ralph Mayhew) is a freshman and is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance. Some of his past credits include: Clue, Colonel Mustard (Decatur High School), 9 to 5, Franklin Hart Jr. (Decatur High School), Matilda, Agatha Trunchbull (Decatur High School), and Guess the Musical Showcase, Ensemble/Robert (Belmont University).

PAIGE HARDY (U/S Miss Blake) is a freshman theater performance major this year. This is her second show at Belmont University. She recently was in The Play that Goes Wrong as a swing for Sandra/Annie.

Some of her past roles at Independence High School included Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Rose in a one act play adaptation of Badger.

EVE HELAK (Celia) is a Senior Theater Performance Major. Some of her credits include: Denise/Perkins, The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University), Christine, A Doll’s House (Belmont University), Lorna Bea, Lorna Bea and her ADHD (Belmont University), Witch, Macbeth (Belmont University), Elle Woods, Legally Blonde (Lubbock Community Theater), and Cinderella, Into the Woods (Moonlight Musicals). Not only is she an actress, but she has worked as an Assistant Director and Social Media Manager for Greenhouse Ensemble Theater in New York City.

VICTORIA HERDA (Tess Moffat) is a senior Theatre Performance Major. Some of her previous credits include: Sandra/Florence Collymore in The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University), Muriel Earhart in The Aviator (Belmont University), Ensemble in Living in the Light (Belmont University), Ali in Mamma Mia! (Buffalo Community Theatre), Sven Ferret in Lorna Bea and Her ADHD (Belmont University), Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web (Buffalo Community Theatre), and Captain Lane in The White Rose Pirates (Belmont University). Victoria also spent her previous spring semester in New York with Belmont East where she worked as the Stage Manager for the Greenhouse Ensemble Theater.

GENTRY ANNE HOLLIS (Mrs. Lindley, U/S Minnie) is a freshman Theatre Performance major from Nashville, Tennessee. Some of her previous roles include Reader #13/Female Swing in A Wrinkle in Time at Belmont University, Prospero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Lucy Stauncher in Stephen Gregg’s Ghostlight. She has training in various areas, including acting for the stage, classical and commercial voice, and musical theatre. Gentry Anne has performed with the Nashville Children’s Choir, Act Too Players, and Star Bright Players in Franklin, Tennessee.

KELBY HORNE (Mrs. Welsh) is a senior Theatre Performance major. Some of her previous credits include: Dale Arden/Dr.Watson, Old Time Radio Hour (Belmont University); Ensemble, Living in the Light (Belmont University); Young Amelia Earhart, The Aviator (Belmont University); Henrietta Leavitt U/S, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Mrs. Which/Reader 8//Intimacy Coordinator, A Wrinkle in Time (Belmont University).

MARY MARGARET HUGHES (Carolyn) is a senior Theatre Performance BFA with a minor in Design Communications. She has appeared in several productions at Belmont University, including Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky, Maggie Mundy in Act 1 of Dancing at Lughnasa, Devon Rex in Lorna Bea and Her ADHD, Arlin in Commencing, and Netta Snook in the Aviator. She played Banquo and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts during her time in their Classical Acting Short Course. She also made her screen debut in the short film Love Letters in the fall of 2023.

ANNA JOHNSTON (Miss Blake) is a Senior Theater Performance Major. Theater Credits include: Rosaline/ Fight Captain, Love's Labour's Lost (Nashville Shakespeare Festival); Mother/Reader 9/Fight Captain, A Wrinkle in Time (Belmont University); Ensemble, Aviator (Belmont University); Ensemble, Living in the Light (Belmont University); Moira, White Rose Pirates (Belmont University); The Marshal, The White Plague (Belmont University); Adult Wendy/Ensemble, Peter Pan (FAME Performing Arts); Julia Gibbs, Our Town (Wando Theater); Ensemble, Golden Age Revue (Interlochen); Bonnie, Bonnie and Clyde (Wando Theater); Ensemble, Les Misérables (FAME Performing Arts).

HAYDEN JONES (Lloyd/Billy) Credits Include: Chris Bean, The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University); Buddy Layman, The Diviners (Belmont University); Mark and Ben Price Swing, Things I Know to be True (Actors Bridge); Young Man, Kodachrome (Belmont University); Speaker Seth Walker, 36 (Belmont University); Willie Clark, The Sunshine Boys (Francis Parker Drama); Ulrin of Daemos, The Golden Kettle (Belmont University); Athos, The Three Musketeers (Trinity DOTA); O’Brien, 1984 (Trinity DOTA).

Hayden has also been involved as either an actor, director, or writer in 16 other productions. He is now a Senior at Belmont University, where he will receive his BFA in Theatre Performance.

SHAWN KNIGHT (Mr. Banks) Credits include: Amos Hart, Chicago (Nashville Repertory Theatre); Cogsworth, Beauty and the Beast (Studio Tenn); Charlie, The Whale (Verge Theatre); Mozart, Amadeus (Kentucky Repertory Theatre); Osric, Hamlet (Nashville Shakespeare Festival). An Equity actor and playwright, Shawn is also a theatre professor and director of the BFA Performance program at Belmont University. He holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Louisville, and an MA in English from Auburn University. He has written and performs eleven one-man shows.

FINN MCGINNIS (Holmes) is a BFA Theater Performance Major from Athens, Ga. Previous roles include (Robert/Thomas Colleymoore) in Belmont University's The Play that Goes Wrong (Luigi Gaudi) in Belmont University’s production of Lucky Stiff as well as (Nathan Detroit) in Prince Avenue Christian School’s production of Guys and Dolls. Finn would like to thank all the faculty and staff within the Department of Theatre and Dance for their guidance and continued support as well as his family and friends.

CATHERINE MOORE (U/S Miss Bott) Credits Include: Ensemble, The IT (Belmont University), Frieda, Sunday Act 1 (Belmont University), Emily, Finding A Chord (Belmont University), Alice, Bright Star (East Mecklenburg High School). She is a Sophomore pursuing a BA in Theatre with a Music minor and has worked on numerous student films through the University.

MADISON PATOTO (Miss Bott) is a BFA Theatre Performance major. Credits include: Williamia Fleming Understudy, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Sereny Harper, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Annie Moses Foundation); Freddie Filmore/Matilda/Mrs. Rose Bailer/Mrs. Hatch/Zuzu, It’s A Wonderful Life: Radio Drama (ManAlive Studios); Miss Dilber, Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge (Annie Moses Foundation). In addition to theatre, Madison has worked on camera as a narrator for the VBS 2022 and 2023 seasons and Belmont student film Hey, Lord! as Margo.

ANNA RADLEY (U/S Maeve) Credits include: Jack, Into the Woods (Boxcar Stage Company); Justice Charlier, Rock of Ages (Riverside Theatre Works); Eve/Mama Noah, Children of Eden (Riverside Theatre Works) Anna is currently a sophomore studying to get her BFA in Theatre Education. She is proud to be making her Belmont debut in such an amazing show.

MOLLY RYAN (Minnie Celia) is a freshman BFA performance major from Arlington Heights, Illinois. This is her first mainstage show at Belmont University, and she is beyond excited for this opportunity! She recently stage managed Curtains Up BU's production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Some of her recent roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia and Mercy Lewis in The Crucible.

CLAY STEAKLEY (Maudsley/Anderson) Credits include: Grant Yagel, Christmas Carol 1941 (Arena Stage); Maurice, Lord of the Flies (Roundhouse Theatre); F. Scott Fitzgerald, Outside Paradise (Actors Bridge Ensemble/Belmont University); Major Evans, Either Or (Theater J); Clint, The Glory of Living (Didactic Theatre Co.); Bob, Things I Know To Be True (Actors Bridge Ensemble); Letter Writer 1, Tiny Beautiful Things (Actors Bridge Ensemble). New Play Development: Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth, OZ Arts. Film/TV: Walk the Line (20th Cent. Fox); Deja Vu (Touchstone/Disney), The Wire (HBO). Clay trained with Steppenwolf West and earned his BA from Belmont University.

BENEDICT YANCEY (Edwards) is a new transfer student into the Theatre Performance B.F.A. Previously he was in Les Mis (Jean Valjean) at MVPAC, Bright Start (Jimmy) at MVPAC, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander) Vineyard Playhouse, and (Amos) Big Fish at MVPAC.

Upcoming Events in the Department of Theatre And Dance 2023 – 2024 Season HAMLET: Hold off the earth Awhile Directed By Dr. Jim Al-Shamma April 5th - April 7th & April 10th - April 13th Blackbox Theater

Mixed Bill xx Directed By Debbie Belue April 12th - April 13th Fisher Center of Performing Arts