Middle School Play: Rosemallow House

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THURSDAY, N0VEMBER 21 | 7:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

Director’s Note During the spring and summer of 2023, I read over 200 scripts trying to find the perfect mix of challenging, fun, age-appropriate, and well…good. Thankfully, last April, Michael S. Robinson, Poly’s Head of Arts, approached me about commissioning a new play for Grades 7 and 8. Enter the amazing Monica Flory.

Monica, a prolific writer and former Poly Prep drama teacher, graciously took meeting after meeting and call after call with me in pursuit of a unique, fun, and engaging play for our Grades 7 and 8 students. Through our shared experiences as children of the ‘70s and ‘80s, we found inspiration in movies (E.T., WarGames, The Goonies, etc.) and various “after-school specials” where quirky kids conspire to overcome the highly misguided, if not nefarious, efforts of adults. Monica, in turn, gave us a story that combines horror, adventure, comedy, and generational conflict. The “grown-ups” in Rosemallow House have the best of intentions, but their intentions are clouded by their personal ambitions and a misguided sense of what their children really need.

Though a recent empty-nester, I still reflect on the decisions my wife and I made around our sons: “Did we do too much?” “Was this about them, or us?” The challenges of our current world magnify every action we take. We either fail to see gravity, or we see great significance where none actually exists. Such challenges, inevitably, will visit upon our kids and their kids. Thus, our ability to recall and reflect upon our childhood experiences is essential. It can hopefully allow us to draw the difference between what we actually experienced vs. what we truly needed.

I am grateful for the enthusiasm of our actors, the flexibility of our families, and the support of my department. Thank you for taking part in this premiere event!

Andrew Cooper-Leary Director

A Note from the Performing Arts Department Finding the sweet spot where fun and learning meet for twelve and thirteen year olds can be challenging, which is why I’m so grateful we were able to partner with former Poly faculty member, Monica Flory, for our fall Middle School play.

Monica uniquely understands that often adults prioritize practicality and logic, whereas kids embrace spontaneity and imagination, allowing them to explore and learn in ways that can inspire innovative thinking. Her writing showcases and helps students gain perspective while connecting with them in a really special way; it conveys the lived experience of our young people through their eyes.

This captivating story resonates with the challenges Middle School students face—balancing friendships, navigating pressures, and finding their voices in a world that often feels overwhelming. Through humor, adventure, and a dash of spookiness, this play encourages kids to confront their fears, work together, and embrace the past as they look toward the future.

We can’t wait to share this enchanting experience with you, filled with laughter and valuable life lessons! Please join me in congratulating the cast and crew on this wonderful production.

Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair

Cast THE NEIGHBORS Smith Glaser-Lin............................................................................................................... Phlox Alessandra Lisk................................................................................................................... Fern Dayreni Llano......................................................................................................................Aster Amina Diagne..................................................................................................................... Birch Lydia Colarusso................................................................................................................Indigo Liliana Ruiz........................................................................................................................ Sedge Drew Brandmeyer.......................................................................................................... Falcon THE P.I.T.S Kitty Unis ...........................................................................................................................Fascia Sameer Kalhans..................................................................................................................Joist Ella Shum............................................................................................................................. Plinth Mischa Stein.......................................................................................................................Gable Jackson Poindexter.......................................................................................................... Soffit THE GHOSTS Mikko Cabrera ................................................................................................................. Haunt Alex Arniotis...................................................................................................................Specter Liam Rodriquez-John....................................................................................................... Spirit James Glickman...............................................................................................................Wraith Julia Power..........................................................................................................................Sprite Joshua Lee.......................................................................................................................... Ghoul Georgia Krasner.............................................................................................................Visitant Azula Partee..................................................................................................................Fantasm Kiera Reddy & Adelaide Tilove............................................................................... Shadow Gavin Yuen & Abigail Vatel..............................Additional Ghost Ensemble Members THE PAST Gavin Yuen & Abigail Vatel, with Alex Arniotis.................................................. Mayor Julia Power........................................................................................................................... Petal James Glickman............................................................................................................. Ashton

Production Staff Andrew Cooper-Leary................................................................................................ Director Colby Christina........................................................................................Movement Director Kim Griffin..................................................................................................Costume Designer Daniel Patrick Hogan..................................................................................... Scenic Design Caitlin McMullen............................................................................................Sound Director David Higham............................................................ Lighting Design/Technical Director

Student Production Gabby Pipitone...........................................................................................Assistant Director

Meet the Production Staff Andy Cooper-Leary (Director) has directed over 40 plays and musicals with students ranging in grade from kindergarten through high school during his teaching career. Before coming to Poly Prep in 2022, Andy was the Performing Arts teacher at Leadership Prep Brownsville Elementary Academy. He has also taught/directed at New York area independent schools, including the Hackley School and Friends Academy. From 2009 to 2018, Andy was part of the Emmy Award-winning research team at MLB Network. He earned a degree in Drama & English from Tufts University and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. In between degrees, Andy trained professionally as an actor at Circle in the Square and Brandeis University.

Colby Christina (Movement Director) is an actress, dancer, creative director, and educator from New York City. She received the infamous AUDELCO “Rising Star” Award, and is a Two Time NAACP Winner. She holds her BFA in Theatre-Acting from Adelphi University and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. During her theater career, she grew a burning passion for education, which brought her to Poly Prep in 2022. Colby has been a professional performer at BAM, RestorationART, and the Museum of Natural History and serves as the Youth Celebrity Chair for the International Black Theatre Festival, where since 2016 she has mentored about 1,000 children interested in learning more about the arts. To her credit, Colby Christina has accomplished many “firsts” in the arts and academia and has received more than 150 awards, citations, proclamations, and honors. Colby was most recently seen in a staged reading of RESISTANCE 2024 alongside Golden Globe Award winning actress Regina Taylor.

Monica Flory (Playwright) is a playwright, director, and educator who loves collaborating with the artists of Poly Prep. She was the middle school drama teacher at Poly from 2003–2009, where she wrote and directed Last Summer.

Additional works for Poly include: Little Rose, Silence, The Outsiders, and Americans in Breshkistan (Upper School) and Liberty Middle, Lively: A Duckling, Goldiblox and the Three Worlds (Lower School). Other recent original works include The Wanting Forest (Silk Moth Stage), Bank of Violets (Wardlaw + Hartridge), One Last Ride (Ghostlight) and the film Made of Paper.

Recent directing projects include Alice by Heart, S P A C E, Lost Girl, Matilda, and Eurydice. She directs at Ghostlight Theater Camp and lives with her family in Philadelphia.

Meet the Production Staff (Cont.)

Kim Griffin (Costume Designer) has designed for theater, musicals, dance, and opera; collaboration with directors, the design team, and the actors is integral to her process from beginning to end. Kim has worked at theaters including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, New Jersey Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, The Ohio Light Opera, Stageworks Theatre, Boomerang Theatre Company, Opera in the Heights, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. She has toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Legends Blue Unit and has stitched for The Met Gala, Broadway shows, and national tours. She has also designed for Theatre for Young Audiences tours, along with university and high school productions. Kim is originally from Houston, Texas and earned her BFA in Theatre Design & Technology with a minor in Music from Baylor University and an MFA in Costume Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As part of the fulfillment of her master’s degree at MGSA, she studied at Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe, and The School of Historical Dress in London, England.

Daniel Patrick Hogan (Scenic/Set Designer) has designed scenery, props, hair, and makeup for numerous productions. As a scenic designer, his favorite projects include; Little Shop of Horrors, The Seafarer, The Pirates of Penzance, In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and A Doll’s House. Recently, Daniel designed scenery for The Wallace Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd.

He created an immersive, multi-levelled set that placed the audience in between different locations. His design utilized existing elements of the derelict Wallace Theatre and offered a unique viewing experience for each audience member.

Daniel thoroughly enjoys transforming found spaces and designing new works.

David Higham (Lighting Designer & Technical Director) is in his 33rd year at Poly, where he has been responsible for designing the lighting, sound, and scenery for over 180 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.

Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of: John Rankin Interim Head of School Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics Daniel Doughty Head of Middle School Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions 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 Grades 11/12 Play: She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen Friday, December 13, 2024 7:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE Saturday, December 14, 2024 2:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE Winter Arts Festival Thursday, December 19, 2024 VISUAL ART | 6:00 PM | TOWER GALLERY MUSIC CONCERT | 7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL Afternoon of Student Choreography Sunday, January 26, 2025 3:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!