Issuu

by Karen Zacarías Director Jade King Carroll*** Scenic Designer Anita Stewart** Lighting Designer Cat Wilson** Costume Designer Kenisha Kelly Sound Designer Seth Asa Sengel

March 3—29 Cast: Pablo Del Valle.......................... Jose-Maria Aguila* Tania Del Valle.............Octavia Chavez-Richmond* Virginia Butley...................................... Laura Houck* Frank Butley.............................................Mitch Tebo* Place: Potomac, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., 2015.

This show will be performed without an intermission.

Stage Manager Myles C. Hatch* This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

*Members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

**The Scenic, Costume, Lighting, and Sound Designers in LORT are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE

***The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States.

Support for Open Captioning is provided in part by the Theatre Development Fund. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Native Gardens was commissioned and first produced by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park under Blake Robison (Artistic Director) and Buzz Ward (Managing Director). Native Gardens is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The video and/or audio recording of this production by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited.

Thank You to Our Supporters Portland Stage extends our heartfelt thanks to Pratt Abbott Garment Care for their longstanding in-kind support of our productions. Pratt Abbott has been taking care of Southern Maine’s dry cleaning and laundry since 1944, and we are grateful for their excellent care of our one-of-akind costume pieces. With top-quality, eco-friendly dry cleaning, Pratt Abbott keeps our costumes ready for the spotlight!

Our corporate partners help us to enrich our community, while positioning their companies as cultural leaders. Want to learn more about how a corporate partnership can benefit both your business and the theater you love? Contact Beth Given, Development Director, at 207.774.1043 x109.

Portland Stage would also like to recognize the following foundations for their support of Native Gardens and our 2019-20 Mainstage Season:

Education Partner:

Media Sponsors:

From the Artistic Director

Each play in this season is about the transformative change that can happen when we take time to listen to another person’s perspective rather than doggedly follow our own. In Karen Zacarias’ Native Gardens, four well intentioned neighbors find themselves battling over weeds, gardening styles, and property lines. Their escalating conflict mirrors the partisan divide that seems ever present in our world today. As the feud spirals to comic heights, the depths to which the four sink seems limitless until the future abruptly forces the neighbors to think in a different way. One man’s flower will always be another person’s weed. If we can imagine our shared future and let that future be a catalyst to propel positive change, perhaps we can find ways to make the world better for us all. As the days get longer, and we pine for spring, it has been a challenge bringing Native Gardens to life on our stage. We’ve had much support for this endeavor: from The Coast of Maine who donated Quoddy Blend Lobster Composter, to Ron Forest & Sons Fence Company who donated custom-made wood fencing and posts, to the wholesale growers who had plants in bloom, to Lowe’s in Portland who helped round out our foliage, it has taken a village to build this garden. Here’s to the world we can create together if we choose to plant seeds together.

Anita Stewart, Executive & Artistic Director 3

A Warm Thank You to Our Donors Executive Producer ($50,000 +) Edwin F. Gamble Charitable Lead Trust Susie Konkel The Shubert Foundation Producer ($25,000 - $49,999) George & Cheryl Higgins Harry W. Konkel Portland Education Foundation Gordon Russell, via the East Point Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Executive Director ($15,000 - $24,999) Brooks Family Foundation Davis Family Foundation Libra Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Sam L. Cohen Foundation WEX Inc. Managing Director ($10,000 - $14,999) Anonymous (2) Efficiency Maine L.L. Bean Maine Arts Commission Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Moser Family Foundation The Onion Foundation Anna Marie & John E. Thron Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Director ($5,000 - $9,999) Anonymous (2) Jane G. Briggs Susan & James Carter The Cedars Fisher Charitable Foundation Ed & Jan Gerry The F.B. Heron Foundation Migis Hotel Group Judy Miskell Moriah Moser & Dan Morgenstern, MD Darrell Pardy & Carolyn Hughes Roy A. Hunt Foundation Wright-Ryan Homes Production Manager ($2,500 - $4,999) Ellen Alderman & William Harwood Bangor Savings Bank Chadwick-Loher Foundation Debra L. Coyman Diversified Communications Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund Karen & Fredric Farber

Austin & Eileen Farrar Ron & Donna Forest Helen & George Ladd Charitable Corporation Steve & Carolyn Jenks Mr. & Mrs. James D. Konkel Kenneth Spirer & Joan Leitzer Peter & Kathleen Leslie Maine Theater Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust Sara Murphy & Peter Wetzel Leonard & Nancy Nemon Carole Ann Palmer Pierce Atwood Hilary Rapkin & William Stiles Nelson & Lisa Toner Anne Wade & Gil Hagan Ashley Wernher-Collins & Scott Collins Mauria Brough & Bryon Winn Wireless Partners Backer ($1,000 - $2,499) Anonymous (2) Tom & Diana Allen Audio ‘D’ & Finetone Tenney & Newell Augur Bernstein Shur Law Firm Ben & Judy Bertram Angie Bryan Lindsey & Andrew Cadot Patricia A. Clark Coffee By Design Kris & Ken Conant Doug & Carolyn Davis Dr. & Mrs. Joseph R.D. DeKay Apple Lane Foundation Helen Dickey & David G. Fitz Gary E. Duford & Thomas L. Hinkle Lisa Gorman Bob & Marge Healing Guy & Stella Hernandez Alison & Horace Hildreth James G. & Carolyn Birmingham Foundation David & Lynn Jourdan Peter & Nancy Kaye Jamie & Beth Kilbreth Sara Kingdon & Dmitry Opolinsky Cornelia Kittredge The Kresge Foundation Greg Lanou & Tracy Skillin-Lanou Elizabeth & David Margolis-Pineo Irv Meeker Ann & Ted Noyes Phillips-Green Foundation Malcolm & Patti Poole Harry & Anne Pringle Redmond Family Foundation

The Robert & Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation Elaine Rosen Louis F. & Prudence H. Ryan John Ryan & Jenny Scheu Maxine Sclar & Robert J. Yamartino Ralph T. Perry & Mary Louise Seldenfleur Michael & Venita Simcock Mary & Scott Steidl Anita Stewart & Ron Botting Robin Talbot Gaynor Tucker Seth Rigoletti Jane Wellehan Gretchen Wetzel & Cindy Halliday Robert Wetzel Peregrine Whittlesey Sue Yandell Investor ($500 - $999) Anonymous (3) A Friend Acadia Insurance Company Sally & Ron Bancroft Mary G. Barthelman Don & Diane Bessey Brann & Isaacson Drs. Pat & Carl Bredenberg Bull Moose Jessica & Sabato Cassese Karen Day Beth De Tine Carol De Tine & Roger F. Woodman, Jr. John & Lynne Erkkinen Jim & Betsy Fitzgerald Ken & Cheryl Freye Tim Cloudman & Lori Garon Dorothy & David Glendinning Judith & Peter Haynes Kristen Jacobson Jebediah Foundation Sheila & Philip Jordan Brigitte & Hal Kingsbury Lincoln & Gloria Ladd Daniel Marra & Barbara Leonard Benjamin Lund Maine Humanities Council Rob & Doris McAfee Jan McCormick Jeffrey & Rowan Morse Michael Nash & Janice Gregg Leonard & Merle Nelson Larry Nicks Ann Peterson James Puiia Charles W. & Melissa G. Redman Dixon & Susan Myer Riley Cornelia Robinson Bill & Mary Earl Rogers

Rachel & Joe Rosenfield Jennifer Sarah & Joe O’Donnell Tracy Schroeder & Ken Rotner Sandra Lipsey & William Shain Joseph & Susan Spagnola Spinnaker Trust Cathy Stankard & Gregg Palmer Eric & Wendy Suehrstedt Jennifer Tipton Nina & Robert Trowbridge Natalie West & Robert Sellin Supporter ($250 - $499) Gregory & Louise Kandel Alice H. Thompson Alice M. Abbott John & Judy Adelman Janice B. Adler Jonathan & Nancy Aldrich Richard & Bonnie Anderson Elizabeth Astor Jane V. & John Berry Lucas Blom Dr. Francis & Kelley Boero Norman & Emily Breitner Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Jacqueline Cohen Susanne Colson Lucy Conroy Nancy E. Crowell Charles & Mary Lee Dodge Barbey & Ned Dougherty Mary C. Doughty Susi Eggenberger & Doug Rogers Elizabeth Ehrenfeld Michael & Jill Epstein David Ertz & Carol Ryan-Ertz John Fay Kathryn & James Flannery Judith Gass Jane Glass Bill & Lindsay Hancock Peter & Janice Hanson Karen Herold & Mark Isaacson Mr. Stefan & Mrs. Roslyn Hershfield Kathy Heye Barry Hilton William Holtzman Rebecca Hunt & John Monroe Elizabeth & Christopher Hunt Stephen & Suzanne Irish Dick & Anne Jackson Phyllis Jalbert Charles & Jean Johnson C. David Keith & Stephen Simpson Bud & Wendy Kellett Dennis & Sandra King Laura Kittle & Jeremy Moser Edward Reed & Marilyn Lalumiere

Richard & Nancy Lemieux Martin Lodish & Kristin Schardt Burke & Judith Long Richard & Emily MacKenzie Bill & Paige Mangum Latie McLean Frederick & Deborah Molander Susan V. Morris & Chip Newell Richard & Sandra Neiman Janet O’Toole Mr. & Mrs. J. Samuel Parkhill Peaks Island Health Center Board Robert J. & Joanne Perry Richard Peterson, Jr. & Carolyn Peterson Hugh & Norma Phelps Jed & Landace Porta Lloyd & Nancy Porter Allen & Margaret Pusch Norman & Lenore Rapkin Frank & Nancy Read Scott Horton & Leslie Richfield Chris & Merriam Roberts Leonard Rudin Arlie Schardt & Bonnie Nelson Schwartz Curtis & Cornelia Scribner Elizabeth Scully Peter L. Sheldon Richard & Celeste Shinay Dennis Stepro & Charlene Wolfe-Stepro Richard & Penny Stevens Frank & Carrie Strasburger David & Kathleen Stuchiner Karen & Robert Suva Deborah & Hall Thompson Brit & Yasmin Vitalius Nancy Wade Randall Weill, Esq. & Catherine M. Coughlin Monica Wood & Daniel Abbott Thomas & Willo Wright Friend ($100 - $249) Anonymous (5) Paul Ainsworth Christenia Alden-Kinne Martha Arterberry Robert & Linda Ayotte Ann Babbitt Steve & Brenda Babirak Bob Bahm & Jan Baker Lynn Bailets Baeverly Baker Elizabeth & Ted Baker Peter & Lyn Ballou Barbara Barrall Daun Baumer & Rosie Hartzler Marjorie Belanger Thomas & Marjorie Berman Dave & Nancy Berrang

Stephen Ryan & James Bishop Judith & Eric Blanchard Dorothy Blanchette Samantha Bowen Jim & Sarah Bowie Nona & Doug Boyink Jamie Hogan & Marty Braun Susan Bruce & Rick Hauck Dan & Dale Bryant Deborah Buccina Nan L. Butterfield Julia Calder & Nick Pondelis Richard & Linda Carmon Robin & William Carter Paul & Stephanie Castle Dianne Chilmonczyk Rae Clark-McGrath Andrew & Judith Coburn John Codman, Jr. Richard & Claire Corbin Pamela Cox & Richard Kessler Ed & Barbara Daggett George Davenport Endicott & Nanette Davison Barbara & Gil Dichter Jonathan & Bonnie Dietz Jane Doyle Mary Lou Dyer Donna Faith Eldredge & Bernice S. Duckrow Marvin Ellison & Frank Brooks Richard C. Engels James & Diana Fallon Mr. & Mrs. James M. Farr Molly Felton Sara Fenlason Herbert & Alice Ferran David N. Fisher Dr. & Mrs. David Flavin Rich Evans & Jean Foy Susan Garfield & Lynda Mullen Terry & Mandy Garmey Rand & Susan Gesing Sam & Elissa Gifford George & Martha Gilmore Peter E. Green Claudette Greene Catherine Gribble-Beautyman & William Beautyman Richard & Anna Hamilton Gordon & Judy Hamlin Deborah F. Hammond Carl & Jeannie Hamrin Janet Henry & Vernon Moore Willard Hertz Sharyn Howell Peg & Dave Hughes Susan E. Hunter Sue & Bob Isler

OUR FARMERS THANK YOU Since 1919, the farm families of Cabot Co-op have been passionate about making the world’s best cheese. We use only the purest ingredients to craft our creamy, delicious classics. Just maybe, that’s why we’ve won every major award for taste.

BROOK FARM

One of the 78 Maine farmer-owners

Learn more at

cabotcheese.coop

A Warm Thank You to Our Donors David & Lisanne James Sandra Jensen & Samuel Broaddus Allen S. & Sarah S. Johnson Eric H. Kawamoto Cole & Margie Kelly Judith & Daniel Kennedy David & Linda Kirstein Paul M. Knight Ken & Jean Kriedberg Neil & Cathy Lamb Denise LaRue & Bob Furman Stephen Legawiec & Dana Wieluns Legawiec Sara Lennon John F. Leonard IV Susan A. Leonard Mike & Meg LePage Calien Lewis & Martha Mickles Laurianne Listo Jane & John Lunt Chris & Carson Lutes Jerry & Liz Mansfield Susan Margonelli Amy & Zac McBee John & June McClean Susan & Frank Mc Ginty Tom Anderson & Cristine McMurdo-Wallis Elizabeth McPherson & Paul Kando Wil & Marty Meacham Joseph & Gloria Melnick Ellie & Charlie Miller Jim Millinger Alice Moisen

In Honor of... Barry Holmes given by Anonymous Judy Fenlason given by Sara Fenlason Nancy Wade given by Anne L. Peterson The Portland Stage Education Team given by a Friend

Richard G. & Risa Moon Bruce Moore & Jan Chapman Conner & Wendy Moore Dr. & Mrs. Donald L. Murray Todd & Gloria Nicholson Robert & Susan Nielsen John & Karen O’Brien Shawn P. O’Neil & Scott Bloom Tonda L. Olson John & Denise Palmer Richard & Carole Palmer Richard & Patricia Parker James & Diane Paterson Charlene & Jerry Petruccelli Randy & Katharine Pike Carole A. Pope Hope Putnam Heidi Reidman Janice M. Rey Jan Roberson Joan G. Rogers Donald & Constance Rose Larry & Robin Rubinstein Helen Ryder Jeff & Susan Saffer Greg & Kara Salvadore Glenn & Sonnhilde Saunders Mike & Pam Schwotzer Sandra Scully Ellen Seidman Orrin & Linda Shane Peggy Shapiro Linda Shary & Jeffrey Logan

Julie Shelton-Grimshaw Diana Sholtz & Sandra Basgall Peggy Siegle Richard & Lynne Silkman Robert & Linell Slaktowicz David Small & Betty Bricker-Small Hugh & Mary Smith Carole & Dick Snyder Carol & Alan Sockloff Alan & Jonell Solander T. Douglas & Shirley Stenberg Byron & Hester Stuhlman Judith Sullivan Kristin G. Sweeney Adam Thibodeau Carolyn H. Thomas Louise Tuski Cheslye & John Ventimiglia Peter & Elizabeth Ventre Patty & Lyle Voss Mary B. Whittemore Robert Whitten The Wigobels David & Elise Wilson Judy & Norman Wilson Sam & Fran Wilson Lois Winter & Val Healey Rick & Janet Wolf Daniel & Frances Zilkha Anne B. Zill Bill & Patty Zimmerman

Dillon Kahana Jenkins & Elana Kai Jenkins given by Donna Faith Eldredge & Bernice S. Duckrow Cheryl Higgins given by Cole & Margie Kelly Daniel Heinrich & Alex Kimmel given by Rabbi Carolyn Braun

In Loving Memory of Portland Stage Trustee Barry Holmes

Interview with Director Jade King Carroll Directing and Dramaturgy Intern Meredith G. Healy sat down with director Jade King Carroll to discuss Native Gardens. Meredith G. Healy (MGH): Welcome back to Portland Stage (PS)! This is your fourth time directing for the Mainstage. What do you enjoy about working at PS? Jade King Carroll (JKC): I love the stories that PS tells. I’ve fallen in love with the community. One of the things that I love about continuing to work at PS is not just the community that we’re telling the stories to, but the community that we’re telling the stories with. It is rare that you go to a theater and feel that everyone wants to be working there, but I think that people love what they do at PS. It’s truly a great place to be an artist and it is a delight to come back, but it all really does start with the plays. MGH: How do you think Native Gardens will resonate with audiences in 2020, given that times have changed since it was written in 2015? JKC: We are definitely in a different place in this country. This play grapples with current themes head-on. Native Gardens discusses these issues in a clever and intimate way. My hope is that in witnessing this play we can sit next to a stranger, share a moment, and a laugh: have a simple shared exchange with someone who doesn’t necessarily agree with which side of the fence we’re on. The play allows us to bear witness to the other side. MGH: In watching the play you find yourself going back and forth between the two different couples. They are in a gray area, neither is in the right and neither is in the wrong. There is a change in your alliances that you could experience as an audience member. JKC: There is! Who is on the right side of the fence? Who is on the right side of the law? Who is on the wrong side? Nobody in the play is completely right, and nobody in the play is completely wrong. All of the characters are educated, passionate, talented, and likable. Their redeeming or not so redeeming qualities balance each other out.

To read the full interview, go to portlandstage.org/PlayNotes.

About the Playwright Karen Zacarías Karen Zacarías was born in Mexico and moved to Boston, MA, with her family when she was 10 years old. She originally started writing plays to help her cope after being bullied by a classmate, “I started writing a backstory for him...So, as a 10-year-old, playwriting was my understanding and humanizing of my immigration experience.” Zacarías majored in international relations at Stanford University, and after graduation she worked in Nicaragua and Guatemala on issues like voting rights. She continued writing and received her MFA in creative writing from Boston University. Blake Robison, the Artistic Director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, which commissioned Zacarías to write Native Gardens, stated that, “If you go to a Karen Zacarías play, your blinders on the world open a little more. I see that happening with her audiences of all backgrounds.” Her scripts often feature Latinx characters, and discuss issues like race, class, and gender. Zacarías has been inspired and influenced by playwrights including María Ines Fornés, Caryl Churchill, Sarah Ruhl, Lisa Loomer, Lisa Kron, and Julia Cho. Zacarías currently lives in Washington, D.C., with her family, and is very committed to working in her community. After receiving her MFA, she founded the Young Playwrights’ Theater with the goal of working to empower underserved students by helping them share their stories through playwriting classes. In 2012, she founded Latinx Theatre Commons (LTC) with seven other Latinx theater practitioners. The goal of LTC is “to transform the narrative of the American theater, to amplify the visibility of Latinx performance-making, and to champion equity through advocacy, art making, convening, and scholarship.” Zacarías was a member of the first group of playwrights-in-residence at Arena Stage as part of the theater’s American Voices New Play Institute. In 2018, she was named as a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine for her arts advocacy work in the community. Last year, Zacarías was the inaugural artist fellow at The Sine Institute at American University in Washington, D.C. In this role she taught four seminars on a range of topics including how to find inspiration as a playwright and the importance of the Latinx narrative in the arts. Zacarías’s plays include The Book Club Play, Destiny of Desire, Just Like Us, Legacy of Light, Mariela in the Desert, and The Sins of Sor Juana. She has also collaborated with composer Debbie Wicks La Puma on musicals for young audiences. These shows include Jane of the Jungle, Einstein is a Dummy, and Ferdinand the Bull. In 2018-2019, she was included on American Theatre Magazine’s list of the Top 20 Most-Produced Playwrights. Last year she received the Lee Reynolds Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women, which is given to a woman in theater who has helped to illuminate the possibilities for social, cultural, or political change.

Who’s Who Jose-Maria Aguila is an actor, writer, and fight choreographer based in New York City. Credits include: Theater: A Legendary Romance (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Pulse (Guthrie Theater), Tom Sawyer (Denver Center), Free Man of Color (NYU, Grad Acting). Film: Fifth of July (Four Fish Films). Television: Pose (FX), Blue Bloods (CBS), Madam Secretary (CBS). V/O: Red Dead Redemption II (Rock Star Studios). Jose-Maria teaches stage combat at NYU and has choreographed productions for The Graduate Acting Program at NYU, Stella Adler, NYU Tisch Undergraduate Program, The 52nd St. Project, The Dalton School, Hamilton College, New York Theatre Workshop, Smith Street Stage. Education: MFA New York University Graduate Acting; BADA Oxford University. ”Para mi mamá. Enséñales quien eres...” Laura Houck last appeared at Portland Stage as Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa. She has performed at the New York International Fringe Festival, County Fair Playhouse, SummerFun at WSU, the American Theatre for Actors, New York Performance Works, the Abingdon Theatre, the Gallery Players, Trumpet in the Land, the Drama Workshop, Acadia Repertory, the Penobscot Theatre Company, Saco River Theatre, Good Theater and Snowlion Repertory, among others. Portland appearances include Becky’s New Car, Regrets Only, A Child’s Guide to Innocence, The Freaks Club, An Act of God, Shear Madness, three years of Broadway at Good Theater, The May Queen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, A Cherry Orchard in Maine, and Admissions. She hosts her own program on WYAR-98.3 FM, Tuesday Afternoon with Laura, and is a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Her training is varied and includes studying with George Grizzard, Vasek Simek, Richard Scanlon, New York Performance Works and the HB Studio. She has a BFA in Acting from the Professional Actors’ Training Program at Wright State University. Laura lives in Falmouth with her family and is grateful for their support.

Octavia Chavez-Richmond is an actor, writer, and storyteller who uses theater and film to explore women’s relationships to their bodies. She is particularly interested in women of color and their sexual agency. Her work disrupts hierarchy, racism, and misogyny and challenges conventional beauty standards. Select Theater: Pride and Prejudice, Marisol, A Christmas Carol, Fuente Ovejuna, Between Riverside and Crazy (IRNE nomination and Elliot Norton Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress), Airness, As You Like It, Othello, Neva, This Wide Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Winter’s Tale. Film: Lolita Express (2020) (Writer/Director), Free Guy (2020), A Ring For Christmas (2019), Knives Out (2019), Who We Are Now (2018), From Nowhere (2016). Brown/ Trinity Repertory MFA ’18; NYC Fringe Excellence in Ensemble Award; David Wickham Writing Prize 2018; Margo Skinner Memorial Fellowship 2018. Mitch Tebo most recently portrayed Andrew Carnes in the Tony Award winning revival of Oklahoma! on Broadway. Additional credits include Oklahoma! (St. Ann’s Warehouse), Passion of Dracula (Cherry Lane), Revenger’s Tragedy (Classic Stage Company), Big Bad Burlesque (Orpheum Theatre), Windy City (Paper Mill Playhouse), All The Way (New Stage and TheatreSquared), Three Musketeers (Syracuse Stage-SALT Awards nomination, Supporting Actor in a Play), The Christians (Riverside Theatre), Oklahoma! (Bard Summerscape), Henry V (Arkansas Rep), Christmas Carol (Palace Theatre), Macbeth (Arkansas Rep), The Importance of Being Earnest (George St. Playhouse), The Great Society (York Shakespeare), Fix Me Jesus (Abingdon Theatre), Plaza Suite (Gallery PlayersNYIT Awards nomination, Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role), The Tempest (Inwood Shakespeare), Moses The Author (NY Fringe Festival), The Detour (Metropolitan Playhouse), Moby Dick Rehearsed (Brave New World Rep), Richard III (HB Ensemble), and Waiting For Godot (New Rude). TV: Divorce, ABC’s 20/20.

Who’s Who Jade King Carroll (Director) Credits include: alondra was here (The Wild Project); From the Author Of (Delaware Rep); Sex on Sunday (BE Company @ Urban Stages); Detroit ’67, Intimate Apparel, The Piano Lesson (McCarter Theatre & Hartford Stage); Having Our Say (Hartford Stage & Long Wharf Theatre); Autumn’s Harvest (Lincoln Center Institute); A Trouble in Mind (Two River Theater & Playmaker’s Rep); Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Whipping Man, Skeleton Crew (Portland Stage); The Revolutionists, Sunset Baby (City Theatre); A Raisin in the Sun (Juilliard & Perseverance); The Tempest (Chatauqua); King Hedley II (Portland Playhouse); Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money (Atlantic Theater); Janice Underwater (Premiere Stages); The Etymology of Bird (CitiParks Summer Stages); Cherry Smoke (Theatre Row); Skeleton Crew (Dorset Theatre Festival, TheatreWorks—Palo Alto, & Marin Theatre); The Basset Table (Adelphi); Topdog/Underdog (WVU); Marisol (NYCDA); Black Girl You’ve Been Gentrified, The Pussy Grabber Plays (Joe’s Pub); Radio Golf (Penn State); The History of Light, Samuel J&K, The Summer House (Passage Theatre); Seven Guitars, The Persians, Splittin’ the Raft (People’s Light & Theatre); Spit (Intar); A Member of the Wedding (Tennessee Williams Theater Festival); Hello, From the Children of Planet Earth (Playwright’s Realm); Associate Director for A Streetcar Named Desire and The Gin Game (Broadway); The Children’s Monologues (Carnegie Hall). Anita Stewart (Scenic Design) has worked as a set and costume designer at leading theaters across the country, including the Guthrie, Seattle Rep, Canadian Opera Company, Minnesota Opera, A.R.T., Steppenwolf, Hartford Stage, Dallas Theater Center, Long Wharf Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Boise Contemporary Theater, New Jersey Shakespeare, and Portland Stage. Anita’s desire to play a meaningful role as an artist in a specific community brought her to Portland Stage in Maine as Artistic Director, a company for which she had previously done significant freelance design. Cat Wilson (Lighting Designer) was a Chicago-based designer who recently relocated to Pittsburgh, and is the new Assistant Professor of Lighting Design at Point Park University. She has worked for companies such as Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Drury Lane Theatre, Firebrand Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Sideshow Theatre, Hell in a Handbag Productions, Emerald City Theatre, A&A Ballet, The Joffrey Academy, and many others. She is an active member of USA 829 and USITT, and received her MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon University. www.catwilsondesigns.com Kenisha Kelly (Costume Designer) is both a costume designer and lecturer. She has worked for such companies as the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Shakespeare Festival. Kenisha has also designed for multiple venues in the Houston area, including Stages Repertory Theater. Her other design collaborations include: One Year Lease, Hangar Theatre, NJPAC, and Portland Stage, as well as holding the position of Guest Artist for Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. In addition to her design work, Ms. Kelly presently holds the position of Lecturer of Costume Design at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. 12

Seth Asa Sengel (Sound Designer) is a lifelong listener from South Parsonsfield, and a graduate of Waynflete School (‘93). He is always excited to return to Portland Stage, where his sound designs include The Last Five Years, The Half-Light, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sex and Other Disturbances, The Haunting Hour, Buyer & Cellar, Dancing at Lughnasa, Souvenir, The Savannah Disputation, Tribes, Words By, Wittenberg, A Song at Twilight, Heroes, and Collected Stories. Seth has collaborated with many great arts and education organizations across the USA (for more info, visit www.sethasa.com). Art fosters infinite imagination, boundless and borderless, recording, expressing, and sharing humanity’s triumphs, challenges, and wonders. Much love to Mary Lana and to Bebe Awa Gita. Myles C. Hatch (Stage Manager) is enjoying his 20th consecutive season with Portland Stage. Most recently, Myles stage-managed It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play here at Portland Stage. He has worked with such diverse theaters as the Hangar Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, The Freeport Shakespeare Festival, Maine State Music Theatre, The Theater at Monmouth, Arden Theatre Company, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, Everyman Theatre, Rep Stage, Horse Cave Theatre, New Stage Theatre, Round House Theatre, Source Theatre Company, Washington Stage Guild, Washington Jewish Theatre, Asolo Theatre Company, Westport Country Playhouse, and the YALE Summer Cabaret. Myles is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. Jenn Haltman (Casting Director) is a freelance theater, film, and new media casting director and thrilled to be working on another season at Portland Stage. Recent theater projects include Babette’s Feast, Red Herring, The Niceties (Portland Stage); A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage); The Music Man, Far Away (Sharon Playhouse); and The Wedge Horse (Fault Line). Films include Then There Was (dir. Louis Mandylor), Boy Meets Girl (dir. Eric Schaeffer), the award-winning short Behind the Wall (dir. Bat-Sheva Guez), and the 2018 Sundance selection Madeline’s Madeline (Josephine Decker). As coproducing Artistic Director of Between Two Boroughs Productions, Jenn has cast and directed Cannibal Galaxy: a love story, Summertime, and The Understudy. Other directing credits include the recurring CastAndLoose Live! at Joe’s Pub and Maybe Never Fell for Axial Theatre Company. Previously, Jenn was the Casting Associate at New York Theatre Workshop (shows include Peter and the Starcatcher, Little Foxes, Aftermath, The Seven) and worked with Page 73 Productions, Pig Iron Theatre Company, and Soho Rep. She is a proud graduate of Muhlenberg College. www.betweentwoboroughs.com

EDUCATION PROGRAMS 2020 Play Me a Story

Ages 4-10 | $15 per session | Saturdays at 10:30 AM | Jan. 11 – Mar. 28 Participants enjoy a dramatic reading of picture books, then participate in an acting workshop with professional theater artists. New books featured each week! Sign up for the month & save!

April Vacation Camp: Camp Hogwarts

Grades 4-6 | $295 | Mon, Apr. 20 – Fri, Apr. 24 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Spend a week in the Wizarding World! Campers explore the world of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as actors and artists. Invited open studio on the final day of camp.

Shakespeare Teen Company Grades 7-11 | $350 | Tues, Wed, & Thurs, Apr. 14 – May 21 | 3:30 PM-6:30 PM Performances May 22 & 23 Students come together as actors, designers, and company members to create a fully staged production of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. *No Class April Vacation Week

Summer Camps Rising Grades K-12 | Mondays - Fridays | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Stories of all kinds are used to fuel active, collaborative, and process-based summer programs for grades K–12. Every participant is invited to think, speak, and act imaginatively, critically, and creatively in an environment of inclusivity and safe play. Theater for Kids is made possible by the support and vision of Susie Konkel.

207.774.1043 x104 www.portlandstage.org 25A Forest Ave, Portland Maine 14

Production Staff Assistant Director & Dramaturg.............................................................................. Meredith G. Healy Production Assistant............................................................................................................Olivia Tellier Wardrobe................................................................................................................. Savanna Genskow Sound & Light Board Operator..........................................................................Madison Worthington Deck Crew..........................................................................................................................Lizz Mangan Fight Choreographer................................................................................................Jose-Maria Aguila

Special Thanks

illustration by Jamie Hogan

Paul Ainsworth, Corey Anderson, Cheryl Berg, Coast of Maine: Cameron Bonsey & Staff, Cozy Acres Greenhouses: Jeff and Marianne Marstaller & Staff, Doane & Melissa Dorchester, East & Eye Cannabis: Ryan Henderson, Ron Forest, Ted Gallant, Beth Given, Myles C. Hatch, Emily Kenny, Greg Lanou & Wright Ryan, Lowe’s Portland, Merrill Memorial Library & Staff, Teagan Moon, Adam Thibodeau, Dustin Tucker, Cheslye Ventimiglia, Shannon Wade, Sue Yandell

Royal Court in London. Broadway. Now, Portland Stage. Located at 25A Forest Ave | Get tickets at

PORTLANDSTAGE.ORG or CALL 207.774.0465 15

About Native Gardening by Madison Worthington In Native Gardens, Tania has plans to plant a native garden in her yard, which sharply contrasts with the garden that her neighbor Frank has manicured in preparation for a gardening competition. What exactly is a native garden? A true native garden is essentially a plot of land left untouched. Any plants and landscaping found in the garden exist naturally and are not disturbed, manicured, or tended. Since Tania and Pablo speak of “planting a native garden,” and are actively doing construction on their property during the course of the play, they are creating a “cultivated native garden.” Unlike a true

native garden, cultivated native gardens use native plants, but are intentionally designed, planted, and maintained. To grow and thrive, native plants do not need pesticides or additional water, and require little maintenance (just some trimming if desired). These plants contribute to the native wildlife, including insects, birds, fish, and animals. There are certain insects and wildlife that depend on native plants, which provide them food, shelter, a place to nest, or to lay eggs. By planting a native garden, one provides space for this local ecosystem to thrive. A native garden does not include invasive and non-native species, which could take over the native plants and threaten the natural habitat.

To find out more, check out our PlayNotes Resource Guide in 16

Understanding Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession By: Meredith G. Healy In Native Gardens, the root of the conflict revolves around an improperly placed fence. When Pablo and Tania Del Valle move in and decide to build a new wooden fence to replace the old chain link fence that separates their yard from the Butleys’, they discover that their property actually extends two feet beyond the existing fence. Frank and Virginia become determined to try and maintain the current property line, which would save Frank’s flower beds before his garden is judged by the Potomac Horticultural Society. Virginia consults with a lawyer to see if there is any way to keep the property line where it is, and her lawyer suggests that the Butleys’ might have a case for squatters rights. In the US, each state has different laws regarding squatters rights, or adverse possession. There are, however, five

aspects that one must meet to legally obtain a title in this manner. First, the person hoping to invoke squatters rights must have maintained continuous possession of the property for a certain number of years. This number varies from state to state. The person must also be hostile, which in this context means that he is occupying the space without the permission of the true owner. The possession must be both open and notorious. In other words, the person must be using the property in a way that is obvious to a passerby. The fourth aspect that must be met is that the person must actually be in possession of the true owner’s property, and that he must use and care for the land as the property owner would. Simply walking on the property is not sufficient; the person must change the state of the land by mowing, planting, or constructing. The final piece of squatters rights is that the person must have exclusive control of the property. He must disallow others from using the space, as if he were the actual owner.

"The Pollinator" by Jakob Nilsson-Ehle is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

in the lobby or online at www.portlandstage.org/playnotes. 17

Maine’s Greenest Cleaner We use the GreenEarth® Cleaning process for all your dry cleaning. This innovative method is non-toxic and odor-free. The result is cleaner, softer clothes that feel fresh off the line.

Experience the difference.

Community Engagement Synopsis Translations Portland Stage is working with House of Languages to offer a synopsis of each play in the following languages: French, Arabic, and Portuguese. We do this so that those who speak English as a second language can follow along with the production. This effort is aimed at making Portland Stage accessible to everyone in our community. For a synopsis of the play in English, Arabic, French, or Portuguese please visit the Box Office or Concessions in the lobby. Pour un synopsis de la pièce en anglais, arabe, français ou portugais, veuillez vous rendre à la billetterie ou aux présentoirs dans le foyer. Para ter acesso a uma sinopse da peça em Inglês, Árabe, Francês ou Português, por favor vá até a bilheteria ou lanchonete no saguão.

For a synopsis of the play in English, Arabic, French, or Portuguese please visit the Box Office or Concessions in the Lobby.

‫ يرجى زيارة شباك‬، ‫للحصول على ملخص المسرحية باللغات اإلنجليزية أو العربية أو الفرنسية أو البرتغالية‬ .‫التذاكر أو مكان بيع الوجبات الخفيفة في الرواق‬ Pour un synopsis de la pièce en anglais, arabe, français ou portugais, veuillez vous rendre à la billetterie ou aux présentoirs dans le foyer. Para ter acesso a uma sinopse da peça em Inglês, Árabe, Francês ou Português, por favor vá até a bilheteria ou lanchonete no saguão.

We speak your language. We speak your language. 151 Newbury Street, Portland, ME | 207-423-9962 | houseoflanguages.com 19

PORTLAND

WESTBROOK

(207) 774-5946 | harmonsbartons.com 584 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 21

PStage’17

51 York St. Portland, ME (207) 772-1231

$5 OFF

$25 OR MORE NEW Online Ordering! www.portlandpie.com

@portlandpieco 22

2020 SEASON

JUNE 3 - 20

JUNE 24 - JULY 11

JULY 15 - AUGUST 1

AUGUST 5 - 22

Save up to 40% as a Season Subscriber

Subscriptions on sale now. Single tickets on sale April 1, 2020.

207-725-8769

MSMT.ORG BRUNSWICK, ME 24

FINE DINING l TAKE OUT l DELIVERY CATERING l VEGETARIAN MENU l GLUTEN FREE

THE LOCAL FAVORITE SINCE 2002 REVIEW

202 US Route 1 Falmouth, ME 04105 (207)747.5262

From Maine Sunday Telegram

435 Cottage Road Portland, ME 04106 (207)767.3599

209 Western Avenue South Portland, ME 04106 (207)347.3000

Show your Portland Stage ticket and get 10 % off your meal today* * Dine In Only. Same date discount. Not valid on First Friday. Excludes 3-Course Meal, Alcohol, Bento Box. Cannot be combined with other offers.

www.thaitastemaine.com

571 Congress Street Portland, ME 04101 | (207)772.7999 | Fax:(207)772.6999 25

th e

arts

Let us...

an s ft o r g non-p

Su pp ortin

help you…

Annual Reports • Booklets • Brochures Business Cards • Engineering Prints Envelopes • Flyers • Invitations • Labels Letterhead • Manuals • Menus Newsletters • Post Cards • Posters Programs • Presentations

look great!

775-2444 • www.xcopy.com 17 Westfield Street-Portland 26

Serving you since 1978

Stay in step with what’s going on in your community and around the world. 50% OFF DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS with offer code YOUKNOW pressherald.com/subscribe

September 20 - October 6, 2019

November 29 - December 15, 2019

January 24 - February 9, 2020

Maine’s oldest community theater

2019 - 2020 Season

March 20 - April 5, 2020

L AT E N I G H T P I Z Z A 773-7099 | 576 CONGRESS ST

Proudly Supporting

PORTLAND STAGE

WEX is one of the industry’s most innovative providers of financial technology services across a spectrum of sectors, including fleet, travel and healthcare. Maine-based and community involved since 1983, employing more than 1,300 people locally.