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POLYARTS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

BY CHARLES DICKENS

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE & DIRECTED BY

JILL BOLSTRIDGE

Production Staff Jill Bolstridge................................................................................................................ Director Ashley Hacker................................................................................................. Choreographer Mariko Watt....................................................Choral Music Arrangement and Direction Hannah Chalman.....................................................................................Costume Designer Andrew Murdock............................................................................................. Scenic Design David Higham............................................................ Lighting Design/Technical Director Georgina Spelvin........................................................................................... Stage Manager Loch Baird.............................................................................................. Light Board Operator Naomi Bobbitt.................................................................................. Sound Board Operator Runa Bhandari.....................................................................................Follow Spot Operator Oliver Balikci, Abigail Jean, Kai Fraser,........................................................... Run Crew Parke McDonald, Ryan Rosenberg Madeline Gross, Charlotte Kessler, Ava Taylor.................................. Costume Crew

Cast Louis Garbe................................................................................................ Ebenezer Scrooge Jesse Rogers.......................................................................................................... Bob Cratchit Maggie Cochran.................................................................... The Ghost of Christmas Past Annie Lopez......................................................................The Ghost of Christmas Present Kiera Kinnane..........................................................The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Rose Filippazzo......................................................................... The Ghost of Jacob Marley Kiera Goodman............................................................................................................. Narrator Julian Miravete.................................................................................................................... Fred Sam Harris.......................................................Young Adult Scrooge/Peter Cratchit/Sam Spencer Udin.............................................................................. Child Scrooge/School Boy Lauren Pauls..........................................................................................................Mrs. Cratchit Sasha Londoner............................................................................................. Martha Cratchit Adelaide Swartz............................................................................................ Belinda Cratchit Brianna Sylvain....................................................................................... Belle/Party Guest 1 Soleil Pena..........................Belle’s Husband/Party Guest 3/Townsperson 3/Tiny Tim Tea Sabbagh.......................................................................Fran/Charity Worker 1/Caroline Kailynn Hernandez............. Beth/Charity Worker #2/Townsperson 1/Party Guest 2 Michael Menegatos.......................................................Fezziwig/Butcher/Party Guest 3 Annabelle Thompson...................................................................... Party Guest 4/Old Joe Chioma Stanley......................................................Dick/Townsperson #2/Party Guest 2 Sydney McFarlane.......................................................................................Mrs. Dilber/Want Livy Chu...............................................................................................Charwoman/Ignorance

Carolers Kiera Goodman.................................................................................... The First Noel soloist Maggie Cochrane............................................................................... The First Noel soloist Sasha Londoner................................................We Wish You a Merry Christmas soloist Annie Lopez......................................................................................... Deck the Halls soloist Kailynn Hernandez................................................................................. Silent Night soloist Soleil Pena......................................................................................... Joy to the World soloist

Director’s Note Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was first published in London by Chapman and Hall and was released to the public for the first time on December 19, 1843.

The red cloth-bound novellas cost 5 shillings a piece, and were completely sold out

by Christmas Eve of that year. The tale has since been adapted into film and for the stage countless times. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in the wake of the British government’s passing of “The Poor Laws,” which offered assistance to Britain’s impoverished through, what many would argue, were inhumane means, including forcing welfare recipients to work on a “treadmill.” While the tale has been famous for spreading Christmas merriment for more than a century and a half, it has also been regarded as one of the most scathing indictments of nineteenth century industrial capitalism to ever take on a narrative form. Today, with extremes of wealth and poverty still a prevalent ill in our society, we proudly present a new adaptation of this timeless classic in the spirit of Dickens’ original vision.

Jill Bolstridge Director

A Note from the Performing Arts Department The holiday season brings feelings of anticipation, especially for our students as we race toward Winter Break. The weeks after Thanksgiving consistently hold a different energy as we prepare for exams, celebrations and events—each one drawing us closer to a well-deserved vacation. The students in this production feel it, too, and they have eagerly awaited their moment to share their work with you.

Although we tend to speed through this time of year at a hectic pace, I hope you take the time to reflect on the holidays and the traditions you hold close to your heart. The Middle School play is a celebrated part of our fall arts offerings and a wonderful tradition that closes out the season. This year, I hope our production helps to buoy your festive mood; reminds you of the love, light, and joy of the holiday; and allows you to cherish those near and dear to you.

Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production team on their dedication, drive, and sincerity in sharing with us this time-honored classic. I hope you enjoy this evening’s production and are reminded of how special you are to our community.

With love and light during this holiday season, Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Meet the Production Staff Jill Bolstridge (Director) is thrilled to be back live in her natural habitat after directing last year’s streaming productions of Godspell, Jr. and All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The year 2021 marks Jill’s twentieth in the field of theater education, and over these past two decades, she has taught literally tens of thousands of students and directed hundreds of shows at dozens of schools, theater companies, camps, and arts enrichment programs.

She has been teaching Middle School drama and directing the Middle School productions here at Poly Prep since 2009, while also doing freelance directing work in New York City, as well as in Los Angeles, Boston, and Honolulu, among other cities. Jill’s most recent professional directing credits include Lend Me a Tenor and The Addams Family. She has also been performing since she was six years old. Most recent acting credits include Deb in Elf, April Green in The Hot L Baltimore, Barbara Pitts in The Laramie Project, and Patricia Fodor in Crazy for You. Jill holds an MA in Theatre from C.W. Post, Long Island University and a BA in Theatre and English Literature from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Hannah Chalman (Costume Designer) is a costume designer, costume technician, and makeup artist from Tennessee. Ms. Chalman received her MFA in Costume Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and her BA in Theatre from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Before joining Poly Prep, Ms. Chalman worked as the Costume Design Assistant for Long Wharf Theatre’s 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons. Other credits include working as Assistant Costume Designer for Othello (The Public Theatre—Shakespeare in the Park), Assistant Costume Designer for Admissions (Lincoln Center Theatre), and as a Personal Assistant to Toni-Leslie James for Come from Away (Broadway).

Andrew Murdock (Scenic Designer) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator.

He has worked at Puppetry in Practice and Marquis Studios teaching classes in video, puppetry, and stop motion animation (K–12 in NYC public schools).

His personal work often bridges the tangible and digital by utilizing techniques in video, physical theatre, and puppetry. He holds a customized BFA dual major in Sculpture and Film, Animation, Video (FAV) from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College focusing on collaborative theatre-making and the integration of technology. Recent credits include: Video Designer and Livestream Technician for 36.5/PROCESS by Sarah Cameron Sunde (Socrates Sculpture Park/Hallett’s Cove, NYC), commissioned video project Amass (ArtYard, Frenchtown, NJ), and Co-director/Co-creator of Be(ings) (Center at West Park, NYC). This is Mr. Murdock’s second year at Poly Prep and he is very excited to help highlight the students’ work and contribute to the space live and onstage.

Meet the Production Staff (Cont.)

David Higham (Lighting Designer & Technical Director) is in his thirtieth year at Poly, where he has been responsible for designing the lighting, sound, and scenery for over 170 productions. In addition to his work at Poly, Mr. Higham has designed lighting for productions at The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center, the Irish Arts Center, The Women’s Project, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, and The National Shakespeare Company, among others. Mr. Higham also has worked as a lighting designer for several New York City architectural and landscape design firms.

A Note About Our Rehearsal Process and Safety Protocols: Due to current health and safety protocols, we made several adjustments to our rehearsal process, which are outlined below.

In preparation for our auditions, rehearsals, and productions, we worked closely with Sarah Zuercher, Director of Health and Well-being, and Renae Beauchman, COVID Safety Coordinator, to create these protocols: • Students were rapid-tested on the day of their performance.

• Students were masked and socially distanced during rehearsals. Two weeks prior to opening night students were allowed to rehearse unmasked.

• Staging and choreography adhered to state and national guidelines for social distancing: 3–6 feet apart for dancing and singing.

Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of: Audrius Barzdukas P’20 Head of School Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics Sarah Bates Head of Upper School Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts Daniel Doughty Director of Music Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the Middle School Deans.

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POWERED BY ANNUAL GIVING

Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events Afternoon of Student Choreography Sunday, January 30, 2022 3:00 PM | richard perry theatre Upper School Musical: Curtains, School Edition Book, Additional Lyrics by Rupert Holmes, Music, Additional Lyrics by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Original Book and Concept by Peter Stone Friday & Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2022 7:00 PM | richard perry theatre Sunday, March 6, 2022 2:00 PM | richard perry theatre Spring Dance Concert Friday & Saturday, April 8 & 9, 2022 7:00 PM | richard perry theatre

Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!