Grades 11 and 12 Play: Museum

MUS EUM GRADES 11 & 12 PLAY

BY TINA HOWE

DIRECTED BY MICHAEL S. ROBINSON

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

FRI, NOV 19 7:00 PM

2021 RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

SAT, NOV 20 2:00 PM

P O LY P R E P P E R F O R M I N G A R T S D E PA R T M E N T P R E S E N T S:

Museum

By Tina Howe Play Setting: The last day of a group show of three contemporary artists entitled, “The Broken Silence.” It is held on the second floor of a major American art museum.

The play ends with two characters, the parents of one of the artists, in dialogue using American Sign Language: Mrs. Moe: Remember the drawings he used to make as a child?

Mr. Moe: The sketches he did of all his toys in his nursery...

Mrs. Moe: How wonderful they were, bursting with life...

Mr. Moe: Noisy with life!

Mrs. Moe: Remember how he’d make the walls shake when he wanted something?

Mr. Moe: And how they shook! He shouted with the voice of a thousand men!

Thank you to Dr. Angela Gittens for working with our cast members in this important character development work.

Cast

I N O R D E R O F A PPE A R A N C E o n s tag e

Soph Cimmino*.........................................................................................................The Guard Jennifer Lavagnino-Sisk*..................................................................................Michael Wall Adrianna Neal*.................................................................... Jean-Claude, Barbara Zimmer Mariama Diallo*....................................................................................... Francoise, Kate Siv Keelin Walsh............................ Annette Froebel, 2nd Person in Passing, Gilda Norris Mia Gordon.............................................................................................. Carol, Julie Jenkins Chaliya Holder......................................................................... Liz, Ada Bilditsky, Mrs. Moe Fiona Stephenson*..................................................... Blakey, 1st Person in Passing, Zoe Brandon Jackson*......................... Mr. Hollingsford, Bob Lamb, First Guard, Mr. Moe Hannah Smith*..............................................................Elizabeth Sorrow, Barbara Castle Leo Yihan Wang*........................................................Peter Ziff, Bill Plaid, Steve Williams Samantha Rodino.............................................................. Mr. Salt, Lillian, Second Guard Penelope Elgort............................................................................................Mrs. Salt, Harriet Lizzie Torigian-Gini........................................................Maggie Snow, Mr. Gregory, May Cooper Flinn-Beane*............................................................................ Will Willard, Giorgio Max Prutsalis............................................................................................................ Fred Izumi Beatrice McMurray.......................................................................Mira Zadal, Chloe Trapp Katie Lopez*.......................................................................................................... Tink Solheim

Production Staff Michael S. Robinson................................................................................................... Director Hannah Chalman.....................................................................................Costume Designer Andrew Murdock......................................................................................... Scenic Designer David Higham.......................................................... Lighting Design / Technical Director Owen Samra.......................................................................................................Running Crew Kimberly Mark................................................................................................. Costume Crew Tasha Fonstein*................................................................................ Sound Board Operator Anne Vasquez*................................................................................................ Stage Manager

Director’s Note Tina Howe’s Museum takes place on the last day of a contemporary art exhibition featuring the work of three fictional artists. The first artist, Zachery Moe, was raised by deaf parents, and his four large all-white paintings elicit intense and varied responses from the viewers on stage. Agnes Vaag, the second artist, has four sculptural assemblages made of bones and found objects, and, on the last day of the exhibition, two of her close friends make a final return visit. Finally, the conceptual artist, Steve Williams, created a sculptural installation featuring a clothesline with figurative elements hanging on the line; this artist makes a special appearance toward the end of the play. Including the museum guards, more than 40 different characters will enter and exit this exhibition as the day progresses with comic antics.

For this production, I prioritized producing a contemporary female playwright with a deliberately healthier, reduced rehearsal schedule to better support our Grades 11 and 12 students during their high-pressure college application season.

Many of the students involved are in our inaugural first year of the Excellence in the Arts Certificate program as noted in their cast and crew bios.

This is the first play I’ve directed since returning to Poly as Head of Arts, and many thanks to the fantastic cast, crew, and production team for working with me on this sophisticated comedy that brings together so many of my own interests to the stage with such playful mischief!

With care, Michael S. Robinson Director

A Note from the Performing Arts Department The journey to welcoming audiences back to our theater has been both incredible and emotional. Throughout almost two years of great upheaval, our students continued to find ways to create, persevere, and strive toward their goals. Similarly, our design team continued to challenge themselves personally through their own arts work while reimagining opportunities to showcase our community. I feel so fortunate to be a small piece of our return to live performances and to be able to bear witness to the grit and artistry of our students and production team this season, knowing they are all balancing so much.

Additionally, I would like to recognize the many performers and crew members who are part of our new Excellence in the Arts Certificate program. Their dedication to course studies and complimentary programming make us continuously proud. Our talented design team is fully immersed this season, getting the chance to flex their creative muscles, with our own Michael Robinson, Head of Arts and the Director, at the helm; a distinguished representative of the impact art can have on us all. My appreciation and inspiration, fueled by Poly Arts, grows daily.

I warmly welcome you back to our theater and hope you enjoy the show!

Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Meet the Cast and Crew Soph Cimmino* (Cast: Grade 12) is thrilled to be performing in their seventh show at Poly. During last year’s autumn production of Love, Shakespeare, they performed as Nurse in Romeo & Juliet and Claudio in Measure for Measure.

During their sophomore year, they had the privilege of playing Stage Manager in Our Town and Roger in Grease! Soph is so thankful for all of the people in the cast and crew who made this production happen, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Mariama Diallo* (Cast: Grade 12) is thrilled to be back on the stage after being fully virtual last year. This is her eleventh production at Poly and she is excited to perform under the guidance of Mr. Robinson and her wonderful castmates.

She would like to give a special shout-out to her mom for being her number 1 supporter and always being there for her.

Meet the Cast and Crew (Cont.)

Penelope Elgort (Cast: Grade 11) is thrilled to be a part of the fall play Museum this year. At her previous school, she was featured in Loserville and Princess and the Pea. She hopes you enjoy her first Poly production!

Cooper Flinn-Beane* (Cast: Grade 11) ​​is enrolled in the Excellence in the Arts program here at Poly Prep. He has been in two previous Poly Prep productions: Our Town, the play–Thornton Wilder (Mr. Webb) and Grease, the musical–Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

Tasha Fonstein* (Crew: Grade 12) has been involved in Poly’s theatre program for four years. She has helped build sets, done lights, and operated the sound board. Tasha has been a part of various shows at Poly and outside. Her favorite thing to do is provide sound and mics to the musical.

Mia Gordon (Cast: Grade 11) Last year was her first year at Poly, and she participated in the fall play, which was virtual due to COVID. Additionally Mia is an active member of the Poly Arts community and is in Advanced Concert Choir and the A Capella club. In this year’s fall play, Museum, she will be playing the role of Carol and Julie Jenkins. She is excited to be back on the stage, because last year it was virtual. Thank you.

Chaliya Holder (Cast: Grade 12) is so excited to be back on stage in the roles of Liz, Ada Bilditsky, and Mrs. Moe. She has always enjoyed participating in theater and this is her second Poly Prep theater production. Thank you so much to Mr. Robinson and the cast and crew for putting on such an amazing production.

Brandon Jackson* (Cast: Grade 12) is happy to continue his journey in Poly Theater by performing in Museum. He performed in Love, Shakespeare and Songs for a New World last year, so he’s definitely a familiar face on stage. This is going to be Brandon’s last play at Poly, so he is going to make it a good one!

Brandon would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him through his endeavors in Poly Theater, even during the pandemic. He would also like to thank Poly for giving him the opportunity to perform on stage again.

Jennifer Lavagnino-Sisk* (Cast: Grade 11) is thrilled to be a part of this year’s production of Museum! She’s been performing in Poly productions since the sixth grade, appearing in shows like Our Town and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Outside of theatre, Jen can be found playing alto sax in Poly’s concert and advanced band ensembles. She wants to thank her parents for supporting her as an actor and her sister Lucie for always being there to run lines with her.

She hopes you enjoy the show!

Katie Lopez* (Cast: Grade 11) is in grade 11 and is psyched to be a part of Museum, which will be her ninth show at Poly! Her previous Poly productions include Footloose, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Songs for a New World, among others. She is so excited to be a part of this incredible cast and crew, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kimberly Mark (Cast: Grade 12) is a member of the Poly Prep Theatre Department Costume Team. She truly enjoys being able to work with the cast and assist in any way possible both on and backstage.

Beatrice McMurray (Cast: Grade 12) is so excited to get back on the stage for the first time since her eighth grade play Last Summer. She played Desdemona and Katherine in last year’s virtual production of Love, Shakespeare. Beatrice would like to thank her parents for all their love and support as well as her fellow cast members for their contagious laughs.

Adrianna Neal* ​​(Cast: Grade 11) is a very active member of the arts community at Poly. She is a member of Poly’s Arts Excellence program as well as Advanced Dance and Advanced Choir. Adrianna is also involved in arts clubs such as Dance Team and Harmonics. Since freshman year she has partaken in the school plays and musicals and plans to continue pursuing theatre in college. She is very grateful to have had this opportunity to work with Mr. Robinson and this amazing cast this year, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Max Prutsalis ​​(Cast: Grade 11) is returning to theater for the first time since the pandemic and is excited for the challenge of taking on a new type of role.

His past productions include Our Town, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Footloose. Max hopes you all enjoy the show!

Samantha Rodino ​​(Cast: Grade 12) is excited to be a part of her sixth production at Poly. She has participated in Poly plays and musicals, such as Love, Shakespeare, Songs for a New World, and Grease. Outside of Poly, she has been in many productions, including The Wizard of Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West at the Rockaway Theatre Company. She thanks Mr. Robinson and the entire Poly Prep Arts Department for the opportunity to be a part of this year’s 11/12th grade play.

Owen Samra (Crew: Grade 10) has been doing tech crew at Poly for four years.

The first show I did crew for was A Midsummer Night’s Dream in sixth grade.

My favorite part of the tech crew is running crew, who move the props in between scenes, but I have also really enjoyed staying late after school to help build props for upcoming shows.

Meet the Cast and Crew (Cont.)

Hannah Smith* ​​(Cast: Grade 12) is thrilled to be a part of this year’s production of Museum! She has been a dedicated member of the Poly Performing Arts community since middle school, and you may recognize her from her most recent performance in last year’s spring musical, Songs for a New World. This play is a bittersweet experience, as it will be her last fall play at Poly, and she would like to thank Mr. Robinson and the entire cast and crew of the show for making it so special! She hopes you love the show!

Fiona Stephenson* ​​(Cast: Grade 11) is thrilled to be a part of this year’s fall play. She has participated in many Poly productions including Footloose, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Grease, Ghost Story, and Our Town. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lizzie Torigian-Gini ​​(Cast: Grade 11) is thrilled to be a part of Museum. This is her first play, but her third Poly production, as she previously was in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Grease. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Anne Vasquez* ​​(Stage Manager: Grade 12) is excited to be working on Museum this fall. This is her sixth Poly production, having been an assistant stage manager for Grease and The Laramie Project in her sophomore year and Urinetown in her freshman year. She has also been stage manager of Poly’s productions of Our Town and End Days, and Songs for a New World last year.

She would like to thank Mr. Robinson and the Poly Arts Department for working to bring in-person theater back to Poly. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Keelin Walsh ​​(Cast: Grade 11) is thrilled to be a part of the fall play. She has appeared in multiple Poly productions including Our Town and Ghost Story.

She has also completed 10 grades in the Leinster School of Music and Drama, Ireland. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Leo Yihan Wang* ​​(Cast and Crew: Grade 11) This is his 4th performance at Poly.

His previous productions include Ghost Story, Grease, and Songs for a New World. Besides performing on stage, Leo is also fascinated by working behind the scenes as a set design assistant, and he worked as a member of the running crew for The Laramie Project. Leo is thrilled to be back to real theater after a virtual year, and he hopes everyone will enjoy the show! *indicates a student is a member of the Excellence in the Arts Certificate program

Meet the Production Staff Michael S. Robinson (Director) is an internationally exhibited fiber artist, activist, and arts educator. Robinson began his teaching career in 1990 at the Poly Lower School when it was still The Woodward Park School, and later taught both visual and performing arts on both campuses including designing costumes for the Middle and Upper School productions. After eighteen years at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Robinson returned to Poly four years ago to be the Head of Arts supervising all of arts programs Nursery through twelve grades in dance, drama, visual arts, instrumental and vocal music, speech and debate. Their 2D and 3D contemporary fiber art has been shown in museums and galleries including Rome Art Week 2019 and 2021, “Remnants” at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts (Spring, 2021), and featured in Vogue Germany. This fall, Robinson was commissioned to design a fashion art garment for theater producer Jordan Roth to wear at the Met Gala 2021, and their collaboration was featured in an article in Vogue magazine.

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 season. 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 masked and socially distanced while rehearsing and unmasked for the two weeks before curtain and for performances, while students maintained safe distance and use of masks while offstage.

• The first two rows of theatre seating were blocked off and students were asked to sit in the theatre or be backstage while unmasked.

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 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 Upper School Deans.

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POWERED BY ANNUAL GIVING

Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events Winter Arts Festival (Concert) Thursday, December 9, 2021 7:00 PM | memorial chapel Middle School Play: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Stage Adaptation by Jill Bolstridge Thursday, December 16, 2021 7:00 PM | richard perry theatre 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

Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!