What the Constitution Mean to Me Digital Playbill

Masterful artists. Varied genres. Memorable performances.

It is our honor to support another year of captivating performances made possible by the area’s premier arts and entertainment organizations.

rmdavis.com

Stimulating conversation, strengthening connections, inviting contemplation.

Engaging and awakening community.

By design, our coffee is a catalyst for positive change and solidarity.

Giving voices to farmers, often unheard.

Telling stories, often untold.

Creating a union of unique experiences, cultures, and legacies.

Grounded in steadfast loyalty for our Maine beginning and our common future.

Responsibly. Collaboratively. Ethically.

Coffee

Sorting

Located at: Administrative Office: For Tickets: 120 Exchange Street (207) 773-3150 PortTIX

Portland, ME 04101

e-mail: info@portlandovations.org

Order online at: www.PortlandOvations.org

20 Myrtle Street

Portland, ME 04101 (207) 842-0800

TTY:(207) 842-0812

www.PortTIX.com

Located at: Administrative Office: For Tickets: 25A Forest Avenue (207) 774-1043 25A Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101 Portland, ME 04101 Fax: (207) 774-0576 (207) 774-0465

e-mail: boxoffice@portlandstage.org

Order online at: www.portlandstage.org

Located at: Administrative Office: For Tickets: 85 Exchange Street (207) 773-6128 PortTIX 4th Floor

20 Myrtle Street

Portland, ME 04101 Fax: (207) 773-6089 Portland, ME 04101 (207) 842-0800

e-mail: psobox@portlandsymphony.org

Order online at: www.PortlandSymphony.org

TTY:(207) 842-0812

www.PortTIX.com

Located at: Administrative Office: For Tickets: 20 Myrtle Street 212 Canco Road PortTIX

Portland, ME 04101 Portland, ME 04101

20 Myrtle Street (207) 808-5400 Portland, ME 04101 (207) 842-0800

Information: www.portlandevents.com

Program & Cover Design by Jennifer Roe, Wild Olive Multimedia

TTY:(207) 842-0812

www.PortTIX.com

Aimée M. Petrin, Executive Director

Anita Stewart, Executive & Artistic Director

Portland presents...

A cooperative effort by Portland Ovations, Portland Stage, Portland Symphony Orchestra and Merrill Auditorium Concert Events.

Welcome to Portland Presents.

The program book for Northern New England’s premier arts and entertainment organizations.

Portland Presents wishes to thank our advertisers for the 2023-24 season. Visit our website at www.portlandpresents.org for direct links to our advertiser’s websites.

Acadia Insurance

Bach Virtuosi Festival

Baker Newman Noyes

Bath Savings

Brann & Isaacson

Browne Trading Company

Chilton Furniture

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Coffee by Design

cPort Credit Union

Cross Insurance

Cuddledown

Davis Landscape Co., Inc

Dead River Company

Drummond Woodsum

Eyecare Medical Group

Fogg’s Water Taxi & Charters

Gnome Landscapes, Design, Masonry & Maintenance

Greenhut Galleries & Cove Street Arts.

Hammond Lumber Company

HarborChase

HeadInvest

Home Instead

Hopkinson & Abbondanza, P.A.

LandVest Inc.

LeBlanc & Young

M & T Bank and Wilmington Trust

Maine Coast Waldorf School

Maine Periodontics

Marden’s Surplus & Salvage Market Basket

MEMIC

New England Cancer Specialists

North Yarmouth Academy

Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Norway Savings Bank

OceanView at Falmouth

Perkins Thompson

Pierce Furniture

Piper Shores

Port Harbor Marine

R.M. Davis, Inc.

Reger Dasco Properties

Roux & Cyr Gallery

Rowe Westbrook

The Hill Arts

The Bennett Law Firm, P.A.

The Cedars

The Docent’s Collection

The Portland Harbor Group of Raymond James

Thos. Moser

Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth

Vitalius Real Estate Group

Waynflete

Wright Ryan Homes

If you or your business would like to advertise with Portland Presents, please contact any of the above organizations or check out our website at www.portlandpresents.org.

WHY LANDVEST?

WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE

If you are Selling

We understand the Maine market and can help you achieve the best value for your property

If you are Buying

We offer spectacular properties for sale throughout New England and beyond

INFORMED DECISIONS

If you invest in Timberland

We lead the nation in the marketing and sale of investment timberland properties

If you need Consulting

We provide land planning, appraisal, and project management for significant real estate assets

Portland Office: 36 Danforth Street, Portland • 207-774-8518

We’ve traveled the back roads, we’ve navigated the waters, and we know Maine.

Celebrating over 50 Years of knowledge, service, and results.

HQ: 888 Boylston Street | Suite 520 | Boston, MA 02199 | www.landvest.com

Additional Maine Offices: 23 Main Street, Camden | 4A Tracy Road, Northeast Harbor

Portland

FREEPORT, PORTLAND AND SCARBOROUGH | MAINE CHILTONS.COM

ABOUT US

Portland Ovations is a nonprofit cultural organization based in Southern Maine dedicated to gathering communities to share in the power of live performance. Ovations connects artists and audiences both onstage and off — making the arts an integral part of community life.

Our unique array of live performances for public and school audiences are curated to delight, inspire and educate. Venues used throughout greater Portland include historic and modern theaters, clubs, galleries, and classrooms — chosen carefully to ensure the best possible experience for both audiences and artists.

Join us for a season of performances that span the traditional to the contemporary, the intimate to the spectacular, the popular to the unexpected.

OUR VISION

To inspire a curious and imaginative community where the experience of the performing arts is a vital part of everyday life.

OUR MISSION

Portland Ovations propels the artistic, social, educational and economic wellbeing of communities through the power of the performing arts.

RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT

At Ovations, we recognize that promoting racial equity and anti-racism in the arts and culture sector is essential to showcasing the brilliance and artistry of diverse and multicultural communities from around the globe. Our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access extends to all aspects of our operations, including governance, programming and community engagement. We aim to include all voices, stories and perspectives in our programs and inspire similar efforts in the Portland, Maine area, resulting in a more just and equitable society where everyone’s contributions are valued.

Executive & Artistic Director

Aimée M. Petrin

Marketing Manager

Katie Day

Director of School & Family Programs

Liz Schildkret

Bookkeeper

Marlene Dye

STAFF

Associate Director

Casey Oakes

Production Manager

Eric Hager

Director of Community Programs & Partnerships

Katelyn Manfre

Office Administrator

Mary Campbell

Development Manager

Jamie Barilone

Finance & Operations Manager

Sam Dooley

Front-of-House Coordinator

Zoe Pancic

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Sayad Moudachirou

Treasurer

Michael F. Stillings

Michael A. Boyson

Genius Black

Maile Buker

Ken Grady

Nate Henry

Vice President

Peter Genova

Secretary

Rachael Alfond

Corey Hinton

James Isaacson

Mary Allen Lindemann

Jack Lufkin

Nyamuon Nguany Machar

FOUNDER’S COUNCIL

Judith W. Adam

Kimberly Block

Olivier te Boekhorst

Janet M. Bowne

Bruce Brown

Maria Chambers

Catherine H. Cloudman

Madeline G. Corson

Daniel N. Crewe

Charles W. Dibner

Francis A. Ferland

Robert H. Gardner

Phyllis Givertz

Philip H. Gleason

Judith Halpert

Heidi N. Hansen

Kendall Harnett

Tracy Hawkins

Elizabeth T. High

Carolyn Hughes

Daniel P. Hunter

J. Spencer Jones

Felicia Knight

Gary Koocher

Robert Ludwig

Jeff McKinnon

Elizabeth A. McLellan

Peter Milliken

Marcia G. Minter

James T. Morgan

Nicholas S. Nadzo

Thomas R. Newman

Bob Nielsen

Jean K. Nishiyama

Jane A. Parker

Stephen Poulos

Patti Roderick

Monroe Scharff

Susan Morris

Mary K. Noyes

Daniel Nuzzi

Tania Powers

Connor Smart

April Ylvisaker

Sigmund D. Schutz

Jaimie Schwartz

Lynn Shaffer

John D. Tewhey

Louise Thomas

June Vail

Alison Vanderhoof

Sarah A. Verville

Margaret A. Wilkis

STOMP

NOVEMBER 18 & 19, 2023 • 7PM & 1 PM

MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

CO-PRESENTED WITH STATE THEATRE DakhaBrakha

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • 7 PM

STATE THEATRE, PORTLAND

Zlata Chochieva, piano

FEBRUARY 17, 2024 • 3 PM

HANNAFORD HALL, PORTLAND

Sirocco: Manchester Collective & Abel Selaocoe

APRIL 5, 2024 • 7 PM

STATE THEATRE, PORTLAND

BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR

Mean Girls

MAY 16 & 17, 2024 • 7 PM

MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

CO-PRESENTED WITH STATE THEATRE

Sasha Velour’s The Big Reveal Live Show!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024 • 7 PM

STATE THEATRE, PORTLAND

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

APRIL 9, 2024 • 7 PM

MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

Bluey’s Big Play

MAY 22 & 23, 2024 • 6 PM

MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

CO-PRODUCED WITH STATE THEATRE Palaver Strings + little house dance: Noisefloor

DECEMBER 6 & 7, 2023 • 7 PM

STATE THEATRE, PORTLAND

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience

MARCH 8, 2024 • 7 PM MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR Jesus Christ Superstar

APRIL 12 & 13, 2024 • 8 PM, 1 PM & 7 PM

MERRILL AUDITORIUM, PORTLAND

MAY 11, 2024

ABYSSINIAN MEETING HOUSE, PORTLAND

Daniel Bernard Roumain

Ovations Offstage

Ovations Offstage (O2) creates interactive programming for audiences at all ages and stages of their performing arts exploration. From workshops, masterclasses and lectures with artists and scholars to community events and School-Time Performances, O2 is where artists and audiences connect, creating magical moments that last a lifetime.

Masterclasses

Work with masterful artists from around the world and learn something new at an O2 workshop, available throughout the season. Masterclasses with select artists can be booked by school and community groups.

Pre-Performance Lectures

Join us before Mainstage performances for a wide variety of events, including talks, screenings, book clubs and demonstrations that contextualize and bring new meaning to the art and its thematic ties to our community.

School-Time Performances

Energize and engage students with the performing arts through onstage school-time matinees, in-school workshops and professional development for educators. Experiences are aligned with Common Core standards and are supported by educator resources and learning guides.

Cultivating Curiosity

Bringing stories to life onstage and in students’ homes and classrooms by providing every young person who attends select School-Time Performances with a free book to take home, along with classroom activities and resources to encourage embodied literacy.

Community Events

Be on the lookout throughout the season for free events around the area. From walking tours to shared meals to pop-up performances, O2 hosts gatherings that bring visiting art and artists into our vibrant local community.

PORTLAND, MAINE

76 CONGRESS STREET

THEHILLARTS.ME (Formerly St. Lawrence Arts)

Support. We provide it to our patients every day.

And we’re proud to support another season of exceptional and wide-ranging cultural performances for the Greater Portland community.

Working in harmony with your needs.

Acadia Insurance is proud to support our local arts community.

And when the show’s over, we welcome the chance to help our local Maine neighbors tend to their real-world needs. That includes providing the coverage that can protect your business from all major exposures. Because we believe the best place for drama is on the stage.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT FOR A QUOTE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT US ONLINE: ACADIAINSURANCE.COM

✓ COMMERCIAL AUTO ✓ EQUIPMENT

✓ GENERAL LIABILITY ✓ PROPERTY

UMBRELLA ✓ WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Products and services are provided by one or more insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and the precise coverage afforded by any insurer is subject to applicable underwriting guidelines and the actual terms and conditions of the policies as issued.

Welcome  to  Merrill  Auditorium,  Portland’s  Premier  Performing Arts Venue

Welcome to Merrill Auditorium, Portland’s Premier Performing Arts Venue

Home  to  Prime  Tenants Portland  Symphony  Orchestra,  Portland  Ovations  and The Friends  of  the Kotzschmar  Organ.

Home to Prime Tenants - Portland Symphony Orchestra, Portland Ovations and The Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ.

Each  year  we  host a  variety  of  concerts,  dance  performances, children’s  programming,  comedy  shows, corporate  meetings and  non profit  events  with  over  150,000  patrons  in  attendance annually!

Thank  you  for  being  a  guest  at our  theater,  please  enjoy  the  show!

Each year we host a variety of concerts, dance performances, children’s programming, comedy shows, corporate meetings and non-profit events with over 150,000 patrons in attendance annually!

Merrill  Auditorium  is  managed  by  the  City  of  Portland  Pub lic  Assembly  Facilities  Division 212  Canco  Rd  Portland  Maine

Thank you for being a guest at our theater, please enjoy the show!

PHONE:  207.808.5400    WEB:    PortlandEvents.com

Merrill Auditorium is managed by the City of Portland Public Assembly Facilities Division Andrew J Downs, Director

- UPCOMING EVENTS -

Saturday January 20th @ 7:30 pm - BOARD TEACHERS COMEDY TOUR

Thursday Janurary 25th @ 7:30 pm - Graystone Promotions presents AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH RICK SPRINGFIELD & RICHARD MARX

Thursday February 8th @ 7:30 pm

Live Nations presents RANDY RAINBOW FOR PRESIDENT

Saturday February 10th - SHEN YUN

Thursday February 22nd @ 7:00 pm - Outback Presents SHANE GILLIS LIVE

March 1-2, 2024 - HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE™ IN CONCERT

March 3-4, 2024

Palladium Entertainment presents BRIT FLOYD - PULSE

Monday March 11th @ 7:30 pm Outback presents MICHAEL FLATLEY’S “LORD OF THE DANCE”

Tuesday March 12th @ 8:00 pm - SCOTT BRADLEE’S “POSTMODERN JUKEBOX”

Friday March 15th - JERRY SEINFELD

Thursday March 21st @ 7:00 pm - Live Nation presents ANTHONY JESELNIK

Friday March 22nd @ 7:00 pm

The Kotzschmar Organ presents BACH’S BIRTHDAY BASH

Saturday March 23rd @ 8:00 pm - Live Nation presents LEWIS BLACK

Sunday April 14th @ 7:00 pm - AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS

Tuesday April 16th @ 6:00 pm

Round Room presents SESAME STREET LIVE “SAY HELLO”

Thursday April 18th - Live Nation presents MATT RIFE

Friday April 26th @ 7:00 pm

Awakening FNDN presents ZACH WILLIAMS “A HUNDRED HIGHWAYS TOUR”

Friday June 28th @ 7:00 pm - PUPPY PALS LIVE!

July 25-28, 2024 - Opera Maine presents “AIDA”

For more information about these and all our performances or to purchase tickets please visit PortTix.com or Call 207-842-0800

PortTix is the Official Box Office for Merrill Auditorium. Please make sure when purchasing tickets, you are buying from PortTix.

Are you ready for your closeup? To keep your health in harmony, Northern Light Mercy Hospital offers a full range of care for our community. Join in the chorus of people who consider Mercy their place for care.

HOW ARE YOU?

Ŀilmin‹Ōon ľŐōőŌ ”nŅ 7&ľ ĭ”n— őō((oŐŌ Ō›ņ (ņo(lņ ”nŅ oŐ‹”niz”Ōionő w›oőņ miőőion iő Ōo im(Őovņ Ō›ņ (l”ňņő ”nŅ ő(”ňņő w›ņŐņ wņ livņ, woŐ—, ”nŅ (l”ǿ. ľo‹ņŌ›ņŐ, wņ offņŐ oōŐ Ōimņ ”nŅ ŐņőoōŐňņő ”nŅ ņnňoōŐ”‹ņ oŌ›ņŐő Ōo –oin ōő.

wi()in—tontrust.‹o)

Ŀilmin‹Ōon ľŐōőŌ ”nŅ 7&ľ ĭ”n— őō((oŐŌ Ō›ņ (ņo(lņ ”nŅ oŐ‹”niz”Ōionő w›oőņ miőőion iő Ōo im(Őovņ Ō›ņ (l”ňņő ”nŅ ő(”ňņő w›ņŐņ wņ livņ, woŐ—, ”nŅ (l”ǿ. ľo‹ņŌ›ņŐ, wņ offņŐ oōŐ Ōimņ ”nŅ ŐņőoōŐňņő ”nŅ ņnňoōŐ”‹ņ oŌ›ņŐő Ōo –oin ōő.

”i()in—ton Trust is a re—istere› servi‹e )ark use› in ‹onne‹tion with various –i›u‹iary an› non-–i›u‹iary servi‹es o––ere› by ‹ertain subsi›iaries o– :&T 2ank 3orporation.

����� :&T 2ank an› its a––i(iates an› subsi›iaries. 1(( ri—hts reserve›.

wi()in—tontrust.‹o)

”i()in—ton Trust is a re—istere› servi‹e )ark use› in ‹onne‹tion with various –i›u‹iary an› non-–i›u‹iary servi‹es o––ere› by ‹ertain subsi›iaries o– :&T 2ank 3orporation.

����� :&T 2ank an› its a––i(iates an› subsi›iaries. 1(( ri—hts reserve›.

President •••••••••••••••••••••

Colleen Khoury

Vice Presidents

•••••••••••••••••••••

Rick Abbondanza

Lucas Desmond

Vicki J. Gordan

Sally Bancroft, Chair

Jerry Angier

Jonathan W. Ayers

Ken Blaschke

Stephanie Bowe

Carole Case

Harper Lee Collins

Dan Crewe

Susan Dench

Board of Trustees

Gretchen Johnson

Michael Johnson

Mary B. Neal

Breda White Trustees

•••••••••••••••••••••

Sally Bancroft

Talya Edlund

Omar Hasan

Peter Haynes

Richard Kelly

Holly Sargent

Nate Stevens

Wendy Suehrstedt

John Tanzer

Olivier te Boekhorst

William Thornton

Seth Webber

Jen Segal

Tony Alaimo

Austin H. Farrar

Karen Foster

April Ylvisaker Tardiff

Lendall Smith

President’s Council

Vincent E. Furey, Jr.

Deborah Galarneau

Ed Gardner

Gordon Gayer

Janice P. Gerry

Phyllis Givertz

Jerome F. Goldberg

Linda L. Graffam

Peter Haynes

Jerry W. Johnston

Jeffrey D. Kane

James Karen

Gregory Link

Sally Ann Serunian

Ed Simensky

Senator George Mitchell

Robert Nanovic

Kenny Nelson

Leonard M. Nelson

Mary P. Nelson

Merle Nelson

Elisabeth (Ellie) Osborn

Herbert Paris

John I. Riddle

Distinguished Service Trustees

Peter S. Plumb

Ann E. Spaulding

Patricia Spock

Carlyle Voss

Kay Whitmore

Verrill, General Counsel

Administrative Staff

Senior Director

Carolyn Nishon, Executive Director Directors

McKenzie Blanchard, Director of Learning & Community Impact

Allison Page, Director of Marketing & Communications

Leah Robertson, Director of Development

Jennie Ryan, Director of Finance

Eva Tartaglia, Director of Artistic Operations

Staff

Kayla Adelman, Marketing Manager

Andrea Cole, Donor Relations & Database Manager

Lucas Goodman, Music Librarian

Sarah A. McCullough, Graphic Designer

Zoe Pancic, House Manager

Sara Hallie Richardson, Annual Fund Manager

Liz Shapiro, Production Manager

Alyson Spencer-Reed, Finance Coordinator

Martin Webster, Orchestra Personnel Manager & Grant Writer

Hillary Winslow, Special Events Manager & Board Liaison

Michelle Zichella, Major Gifts Officer

Tickets starting at $27

JAN 2024 BEETHOVEN’S 5TH:

FEB 2024

COMPOSITIONS OF RESISTANCE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 | 2:30 PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30 | 7:30 PM

Eckart Preu, Music Director

Camille Thomas, violoncello

Mykola LYSENKO: Overture to Taras Bulba

Valentin SILVESTROV: The Messenger

Fazil SAY: Never Give Up: Concerto for cello and orchestra

BEETHOVEN : Symphony No. 5 op. 67

AMERICAN BEATS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 | 2:30 PM

Marco Parisotto, guest conductor

Pei-Ching Wu, percussion

MAR 2024

BROADWAY BY REQUEST

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 | 7:30 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 10| 2:30 PM

Filippo Ciabatti, guest conductor

Teri Hansen, vocals

Destan Owens, vocals

Experience some of Broadway’s most beloved favorites as chosen by popular vote, including songs from Wicked, Mamma Mia, RENT, Phantom of the Opera, and more! Broadway performers Teri Hansen and Destan Owens are joined by guest conductor Filippo Ciabatti and the PSO in this musical revue of the Great White Way.

Leonard BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide

Leonard BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide

John CORIGLIANO: Conjurer: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra

Aaron COPLAND: Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes

George GERSHWIN: Catfish Row: Symphonic Suite from Porgy and Bess

Exceptional Musical Experiences

207.842.0800 | MONDAY—FRI DAY | 11 AM—3 PM *

THE MIGHTY KOTZSCHMAR

SUNDAY, APRIL 21 | 2:30 PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 23 | 7:30 PM

T his concert will be filmed for release on PSO TV.

Eckart Preu, Music Director

James Kennerley, organ

Franz SCHMIDT: Intermezzo from Notre Dame

APR 2024 MAY 2024 JUN 2024

César FRANCK: Le chasseur maudit (The Accursed Huntsman)

J.S. BACH (orch. Stokowski): Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565

Camille SAINT-SAËNS: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, op. 78 (“Organ Symphony”)

THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 | 7:30 PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 | 2:30 PM

Eckart Preu, Music Director

Music Director Eckart Preu and your PSO honor one of the most iconic film composers of all time—the great John Williams. Experience his critically acclaimed works live, including selections from Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and E.T.

PEPE ROMERO & MAHLER

TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 7:30 PM

Eckart Preu, Music Director

Pepe Romero, classical guitar

Joaquín RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez

Gustav MAHLER: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

RISE UP: AN EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY AND QUEER VOICES

TUESDAY, JUNE 18 | 7:30 PM

Eckart Preu, Music Director

Terrence Wilson, piano

Ethel SMYTH: Overture from The Wreckers

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op. 23

Leonard BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances, from West Side Story

*

FOR ONLY $10 A TICKET , treat your family to an unforgettable afternoon out with classical concerts conducted for children of all ages.

LISTEN LAUGH LEARN

These 50-minute performances are designed to ignite your kids’ lifelong interest in the magic of live symphony music.

Arrive 1-hour early for pre-concert opportunities to connect with the stars on the stage.

JOIN YOUR PSO FOR FOR UPCOMING DISCOVERY CONCERTS

SYMPHONIC SUPERHEROES

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s your PSO! Soar through the skies and defeat evil villains as you find the hero inside. This musical celebration serves as a reminder that we all have the power to change the world

UNDER THE SEA

F rom the crashing waves on a beach to the unexplored depths of the ocean, get ready to dive in and be immersed in music inspired by our most valuable resource.

CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS: REMIX

Take a journey around the world in this twist on Camille SaintSaëns Carnival of the Animals. Experience musical styles from all seven continents as you meet the different native animals.

Performances begin at 2:30 PM. Pre-Concert activites begin at 1 PM.

JANUARY

21

MARCH

24

MAY

12

A Different Way of Looking at Things

In business, you have a lot to keep your eye on. Sometimes it’s hard to see the opportunities and the risks clearly. That’s where Drummond Woodsum can help. We use a team approach – a small group of highly specialized attorneys focused on helping your business see what’s ahead before you take that next step.

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE HEART OF PORTLAND

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

Seated Subscription

Same seat, every show

Per

35 Pass Flexible tickets for ages 35 and under

Flex Pass Tickets that fit your schedule

$32 $44

Show Per Show Per

Standard Ticket Single-show purchase

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

ON STAGE • JUNE 5 - 16, 2024

FOSTERING EXPERIMENTATION & ARTISTIC RISK

NEW WORK

Portland Stage is known for its role in cultivating new voices in theater and for creating a significant body of theatrical work that has gone on to success beyond our stage. By incubating new work and supporting writers, Portland Stage has established Maine as a place to launch original and compelling plays.

Since its debut in 1990, the Little Festival of the Unexpected (LFU) has established a tradition of nurturing artists, invigorating audiences, and exploring new voices, visions, and forms of theater. Past LFU scripts include Almost, Maine (LFU 2003) and Papermaker (LFU 2014).

Playwright Benjamin Benne, 2022 Clauder Competition Grand Prize Winner for his play Manning, soon to be a Mainstage production.

Benjamin’s play was selected to be a part of the 2023 Little Festival of the Unexpected, where it was performed for audiences.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

INSPIRING LITERACY, CULTURAL AWARENESS, COLLABORATION, & CREATIVITY

EDUCATION

Education is central to Portland Stage’s mission. Vital education programs are offered in schools for students from pre-K through high school, and to children ages 4-18 through classes in our Susie Konkel Theater for Kids storefront space. Portland Stage’s Education Programs provide over 14,000 student experiences each year.

PLAY ME A STORY, presented by Portland Stage Theater for Kids, allows participants to enjoy dramatic readings of picture books, then participate in an interactive acting workshop with professional theater artists.

Top Feature: Elementary students enjoying an in-school workshop.

Above: Actor Nolan Ellsworth and students during an interactive theater experience at the Portland Stage Theater for Kids.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

HANDCRAFTED

THEATER MADE IN MAINE

MAINSTAGE

With a season of six Mainstage shows, Portland Stage brings a wide range of performances to Maine. Every Mainstage show is handcrafted in our historic building in the Portland Arts District. Over one season, Portland Stage creates over 200 live performances and serves 50,000 people from around the state and beyond.

Photos from the 2023 production of Saint Dad by Monica Wood

Top Feature: Emily Upton, Liam Craig*, Moira Driscoll*, Pilar Witherspoon*, & Jenny Woodward

Above: Liam Craig* & Jenny Woodward

Side: Patrick O’Brien* (* Member of AEA)

Photos by James A. Hadley

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

There is an art to living well.

INDEPENDENT LIVING AT THE ATRIUM is luxurious and carefree, focused on wellness and personal growth, and filled with culture, activities, and friends. From farm-to-table dining to the saltwater pool, we give you the time to truly enjoy all Portland, Maine offers.

Schedule your personal visit today!

640 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Maine (207) 221-7100 | thecedarsportland.org

What kind of school knows that learning should spark joy?

Hands-on learning personalized to each student’s passions and potential. Small class sizes filled with diverse perspectives. Trusted teachers and new friends.

At Waynflete, our students love to learn. The joy of painting their self-portrait as an astronaut and building Mars rovers from recyclables in Lower School becomes, as they grow, the thrill of working with NASA scientists to identify and name real asteroids in Upper School.

Visit waynflete.org to learn how a Waynflete education can unlock the world for your child.

“We are thrilled to welcome you back.”

Welcome home! As Portland Stage celebrates our 50th anniversary season, we are thrilled to share all that is new with you, our community.

Our building is transforming! From the new elevator and lobby space, to a marquee that will enliven the streetscape, we’re creating a whole new look and feel for our home this season. We are “Making an Entrance” to better serve you. Thank you in advance for helping us navigate the new.

We are celebrating this year with a blockbuster season. In keeping with Portland Stage’s own transformational journey, the characters in each of this season’s plays are moving through the process of change and discovery. We witness how life-altering events impact their futures in unexpected ways.

As always, each production is made right here in Maine by an incredible group of dedicated artists and technicians whose creativity and passion connect us all to the power of live theater.

We are thrilled to welcome you back.

Anita Stewart, Artistic Director

Portland Stage Mission

Portland Stage is committed to creating great art, passionate about using the theater to educate, and dedicated to enriching our community. WE:

• Engage, connect, inform: Through intimate, personal exchanges that can only happen in a live theater, we foster a shared empathy and sense of belonging.

• Build community: We create productions from the ground up, combining local talent with artists from away: Enriching both through lasting relationships and deeper understanding of each other and the world.

• Evolve to stay relevant: We innovate, cultivate, and incubate new ideas on our stages, in our classrooms, and with community partners.

Board of Trustees

Samantha Bowen

Sarah Campbell

Susan Carter

Peter Clough

Scott Cowger

Fredric Farber

Margaret Groban

Amanda Hannan

Edith Iyer-Hernandez

John F. Leonard IV

Theresa McCarthy

Alisa Conroy Morton

Sara Murphy

Carole Palmer

Tony San Antonio

Cathy Stankard

Jane Stevens

Robin Talbot

Courtney Thorpe

Nelson A. Toner

Daniel Tucker

Anne Wade

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING THEATER

Todd Nicholson, President

Pictured: Dustin Tucker* & Grace Bauer* from the 2023-24 Portland Stage production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (*Member AEA).

Portland Stage Team

LEADERSHIP

Artistic Director ................................................................................ Anita Stewart

Managing Director ........................................................................... Martin Lodish

ARTISTIC • PRODUCTION

Associate Production Manager • Sound Supervisor ............... Seth Asa Sengel

Associate Technical Director ......................................................... Jacob Coombs

Company Manager ..................................................................... Jennifer London

Costume Shop Manager................................................................. Susan Thomas

Literary Manager ..................................................................... Todd Brian Backus

Production Manager • Lighting Supervisor ............................... Mary Lana Rice

Props Manager .................................................................................. Emily St. John

Stage Managers ....................................................... Myles C. Hatch & Meg Lydon

Technical Director ................................................................................ Ted Gallant

ADMINISTRATION

Apprentice Coordinators ................................ Jennifer London & Julianne Shea

Audience Services Manager ............................................................ Donald Smith

Box Office Assistant Manager .....................................................Renee Myhaver

Business Manager .......................................................................... Paul Ainsworth

Campaign Assistant ................................................................................Allison Fry

Development Associate ................................................................Lindsey Higgins

Development Director ..................................................................... Covey Crolius

Education Administrator ................................................................. Julianne Shea

Education Assistant .............................................................................Isabel Bates

Education Director.................................................................Michael Dix Thomas

Front of House Associates .................................. Beka Bryer & Cassie Edincott Markis Larrivee & Madeleine St. Germain

Graphic Designer • Assistant Marketing Director ................... James A. Hadley

Group Sales Coordinator ............................................................... Myles C. Hatch

House & Concessions Manager ......................................................Chris DeFilipp

House Manager ........................................................................... Adam Thibodeau

Marketing & Communications Director ....................................... Erin Elizabeth

APPRENTICES

Company Management .................................................................... Lucie Green

Costumes .......................................................... Crow Traphagen & Elena Truman

Directing & Dramaturgy ...................... Julia Jennings, Alex Oleksy, & Jessi Stier

Education ................................................................... Ellis Collier & Ellery Kenyon

Lighting & Sound .................................................................................. Claire Lowe

Scenic Design ....................................................................................Isabel Martine

Stage Management ....................................... Katie Barnes & Elizabeth Sarsfield

Subscribers are the Backbone of Our Organization

Providing ongoing support for the theater both within our community as well as financially.

A full 6-show seated subscription, same days and seats throughout the season, plus the ability to exchange tickets if your plans change. Note: Previews are working performances before opening night.

All the benefits of a seated package, with the flexibility to choose your dates and make your reservations as the season progresses. Choose a package of 4 or 6 tickets, or combine packages to see more of the season.

Benefits Comparison

Choose the best plan for you!

1 Misplaced or forgotten tickets can be easily reprinted at the Box Office on the day of the show.

2 Per-ticket price is lower than average single ticket prices and you only pay a one-time handling fee for each subscription package in your purchase.

3 Get access to reservations, exchanges, and additional tickets before shows go on sale to the general public.

4 The first exchange for each show is at no extra charge for a performance of the same price (i.e., evening to evening).

Pictured: Ezra Barnes (AEA) from the 2022-23 Portland Stage production of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure written by Steven Dietz, based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

available at the Box Office beginning at 12 noon on the day of the performance. (1 ticket per Rush35 member, per performance; must show ID at pickup)

Your Support Matters

Because each contribution is an investment in the arts. Tax-deductible contributions keep Portland Stage a living, breathing, thriving theater, and ultimately ensure the fulfillment of our mission and the enrichment of our community. The generosity of individual donors, corporations, and foundations enables us to surround the work on our Mainstage with Education Programs, New Work Development Initiatives, and Community Engagement Events that deepen and broaden the impact of the shows themselves.

WAYS

TO GIVE

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

RECURRING GIFTS COMPANY MATCH PLANNED GIVING

TO LEARN MORE: PORTLANDSTAGE.ORG/SUPPORT-US

Pictured: JL Rey (AEA) from the 2022-23 Portland Stage production of Richard Blanco & Vanessa Garcia’s Sweet Goats & Blueberry Señoritas.

Pictured: Emily Upton, Patrick O’Brien*, Moira Driscoll*, Jenny Woodward, & Liam Craig* from the 2023-24 Portland Stage Production of Saint Dad by Monica Wood. (*Member AEA)

Photo by James A. Hadley.

Our week-long theater camps are fun, challenging, and enriching! Stories of all kinds fuel active, collaborative, and exciting programs for grades K - 12.

Camps immerse participants in all aspects of theater, culminating in a sharing with friends and family at the end of the week!

Every student is invited to think, move, speak, and act imaginitively, critically, and creatively in an environment of inclusivity and play.

For more information, scan the QR code or contact education@portlandstage.org|207.774.1043 x104

Theater for Kids is made possible by the support & vision of Susie Konkel.

Discussion Series

Page to Stage

Join us for a book club discussion of the plays in our 50th season at the Portland Public Library. Portland Stage Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus will lead discussions alongside assistant directors, dramaturgs, and special guests. Scripts are available at the Main Branch Reference Desk at the Portland Public Library and take place in the Rines Auditorium at the following dates and times.

What the Constitution Means to Me ..................... Tuesday, February 20 • 5 - 6pm

Clyde’s ............................................................................. Tuesday, March 19 • 5 - 6pm

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches ................Tuesday, April 16 • 5 - 6pm

Manning ............................................................................. Tuesday, May 21 • 5 - 6pm

The Artistic Perspective

Join us after the first Sunday Matinee of each production for a discussion with Artistic Director Anita Stewart, as well as artists and scholars related to the production. These discussions are always free and open to the public, and attendees can join even if they didn’t attend the matinee itself. Check in with the Box Office for runtimes and try to arrive at Portland Stage about five minutes before curtain to join the audience after bows.

Curtain Call

Join us

after the second Sunday Matinee of each production for a discussion with the cast of each show, moderated by Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus. These discussions are always free and open to the public, and attendees can join even if they didn’t attend the matinee itself. Check in with the Box Office for runtimes and try to arrive at Portland Stage about five minutes before curtain to join the audience after bows.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CREATING

Pictured: Lizz Mangan, Hannah Cordes, Sam Rosentrater*, John Cariani*, Kathy McCafferty*, & Raymond McAnally* During Almost, Maine discussion (2020) (* Member AEA).

Your Safety Matters

To address safety concerns, WH Demmons updated our HVAC system to utilize bipolar ionization technology to deactivate harmful substances like bacteria, mold, allergens, and viruses.

“So what does the Constitution mean to us? It seems that now, more than ever, it is essential that we work to make sure it reflects our beliefs. Here’s to the challenge…”

In What the Constitution Means to Me, we witness an old document come to life through the eyes of its playwright, Heidi Schreck. Her stories—personal, funny, and heartfelt—inspire us to think about our own experience of growing up and discovering our ever-shifting place in the world.

As Heidi looks back on her 15-year-old self, it is hard for us not to reflect on our own lives. What did we dream of becoming? What social norms did we take for granted? What rights did we believe

would always be there? As we sit here today, what became of those dreams? How did social norms change? And most importantly, how could rights so many Americans took for granted suddenly seem so fragile? As frustrating as the story can feel, Heidi offers us hope for the future. Hope that springs from acknowledging our past by candidly sharing the stories of struggle. Hope that springs from encouraging our future by listening to a young debater with a fresh perspective. And hope that springs from engaging with a centuries-old document.

Our Constitution allows us to examine, analyze, and debate the rules we live by as individuals and as a nation. How we collectively amend and interpret this Constitution can and should reflect the world we seek to create. So what does the Constitution mean to us? It seems that now, more than ever, it is essential that we work to make sure it reflects our beliefs. Here’s to the challenge…

Anita Stewart, Artistic Director

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

Written by Heidi Schreck

ON STAGE • MARCH 6 - MARCH 24

SETTING

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 American Legion Hall in Wenatchee, Washington, in 1989 and 2018

CAST

Heidi ................................................ Abigail Killeen*

The Legionnaire ........................ Matthew Delamater

The Debater(s) .......... Evangeline Cambria, Vagni Das ..........

and Sound Designers in LORT are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

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

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

Lily Marie Jessen, Lyra Legawiec, & Paige Scala

ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION

Director .......................................

Todd Brian Backus

Scenic Designer ................................

Anita Stewart**

Costume Designer ..............................Savannah Irish

Lighting Designer ..............................

Sound Designer................................

Mary Lana Rice

Seth Asa Sengel

Stage Manager .......................................

Meg Lydon*

Assistant Director & Dramaturg ............Julia Jennings

Production Assistant .............................

Lighting & Sound Operator .....................

Wardrobe ...........................................

Katie Barnes

Claire Lowe

Elena Truman

Original Broadway production produced by Diana DiMenna, Aaron Glick, Matt Ross, Madeleine Foster Bersin, Myla Lerner/Jon Bierman, Jenna Segal/Catherine Markowitz, Jana Shea/Maley-StolbunSussman, Rebecca Gold/Jose Antonio Vargas, Level Forward, Cornice Productions, Lassen Wyse Balsam, Nederlander Productions/Kate Lear. What the Constitution Means to Me was commissioned by True Love Productions. This production originated as part of Summerworks in June and July 2017, produced by Clubbed Thumb in partnership with True Love Productions. West Coast premiere produced by Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley, CA (Tony Taccone, Artistic Director; Susan Medak, Managing Director). What the Constitution Means to Me had its Off-Broadway premiere in New York City at New York Theatre Workshop (Jim Nicola, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director), 2018.

Special Thanks: American Legion Hall Post 17, Bowdoin College, Raminta Moore, The Portland Public Library, Krista Simonis, and Adam Thibodeau.

HEIDI SCHRECK, PLAYWRIGHT

Heidi Schreck is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn. Her critically acclaimed, award-winning play What the Constitution Means to Me played an extended, sold-out run on Broadway in 2019, and was nominated for two Tony Awards. It had subsequent sold-out runs at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, and will continue its national tour when safe to do so. Schreck’s other plays Grand Concourse, Creature, and There Are No More Big Secrets have been produced all over the country and she has worked as a stage actor in NYC for almost 20 years. Her screenwriting credits include I Love Dick, Billions, Nurse Jackie, and shows in development with Amazon Studios, Big Beach, Imagine Television, and A24. As both an actor and writer, she is the recipient of three Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and a Theatre World Award, as well as the Horton Foote Playwriting Award and the HullWarriner Award from the Dramatists Guild. She was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2019 and was featured on Variety’s 2019 Broadway Impact List. Schreck was awarded Smithsonian magazine’s 2019 American Ingenuity Award for her work in the Performing Arts.

TODD BRIAN BACKUS, DIRECTOR

Todd Brian Backus is Portland Stage’s Literary Manager. Additionally he’s a new works director, dramaturg, and illustrator. He likes to work on “weird theater,” by which he means: sci-fi plays about absentee voting, plays where sportscasters narrate Thanksgiving like the big game, spooky plays about not recognizing your children, and plays that combine poetry, swordplay, and ghosts. Last year, Todd made his Portland Stage directorial debut with The Cake. At the same time, he had a play in the Maine Playwrights Festival across the hall with Flirting with Disaster (a short romcom about finding love in unexpected places). His work focuses on showcasing stories that stretch the theatrical imagination as he did in his Too Strange to Live, Too Weird to Die reading series, showcasing work by Caridad Svich, Kevin R. Free, and Topher Payne. In 2021, Todd received grant funding to launch a second season of Too Strange to Live from the Maine Arts Commission. He used that funding to produce readings of plays by Madeleine George, Kate Benson, and Jiehae Park in 2022. Todd is a co-producer of Dungeons + Drama Nerds, a weekly podcast that explores the intersection of theater and tabletop roleplaying games (which just finished its third season with over 20,000 downloads). Todd’s thrilled to return to the Mainstage with this lovely and important piece. He’s grateful to his partner Steve for his knowledge of constitutional law, and his friend Beka who helped him crack this play.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR TODD BRIAN BACKUS

Edited for Clarity & Length by Julia Jennings

Julia Jennings (JJ): I know you’ve been a fan of What the Constitution Means to Me for a while. Could you tell me a bit about your history with this play and why it’s exciting to you?

Todd Brian Backus (TBB): I was really lucky to see the extension of this during its original New York run before it went to Broadway. And it really stuck with me, there’s something about how Heidi Schreck both makes and breaks rules in the piece that makes it a really exciting theatrical event to watch. In rehearsal, I had some worries that this play would (in some ways) be dated. This is a play warning us about the dangers of Roe being overturned, and we’re doing it in a post-Dobbs world. And yet, day after day, week after week, we’ve been getting all of these headlines about things that the Alabama Supreme Court is doing, things that are happening with voting rights, things that the Supreme Court is weighing in on or not weighing in on. Nine unelected people have that decision-making power over our lives in a way that is sometimes scary and can lead to despair. And I think this play offers a possibility of collective action, and the hope that we can really engage and support one another and create a system that works for the people better. I think that’s really important.

JJ: What does the Constitution mean to you? If you were to enter a speech in the American Legion Oratorical Contest, what might you talk about?

TBB: The first and perhaps worst idea I have is the argument that a 15- or 16-yearold me would have made, which is that I love that this Constitution protects my right to not love my country. I think it’s really important that we live in a place where I can be upset about the government and furious at the people who run our government, and I am not at risk of being locked up or jailed for that. I don’t think the American Legion in particular is going to award me any prize money for this, but I think that’s where I would go, and talk about the importance of protest, both in our history and in this current political moment. And how protest is perhaps the most patriotic thing you can do.

JJ: Is there anything else that you want to add about working on this show?

TBB: I hope that we are able to engage with people who might not feel how Heidi feels on this, and to present her stories and the story of her family in a way that people will have an open mind about and perhaps reconsider thoughts that they have about abortion and women’s rights in this country.

Abigail Killeen* (Heidi) is thrilled to be part of What the Constitution Means to Me. Other mainstage shows at PSC include The Clean House (Lane), Babette’s Feast (Martine), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Blanche), Love/Sick (Meg/Celia/ Sam), and A Christmas Carol twice (Ghosts/Mrs. Cratchit). For PSC’s Studio Series she co-produced and performed in the solo show The Amish Project and participated in numerous Little Fests. Other Portlandbased work: A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Nora, Broadway World Best Actress Nomination); The May Queen (Jennifer); Death by Design (Sorel); and Next Fall (Holly) at Good Theater; The Mother (The Mother Before) and Sofonisba (Sofonisba) at Dramatic Rep; Uncle Vanya (Yelena) and Nina (Helen) at The Theater Project; and Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) with Fenix. New York credits include King Lear (Goneril), The Merchant of Venice (Nerissa), and Everything That Rises Must Converge, all with Compagnia de’ Colombari; the Off-Broadway transfer of PSC’s Babette’s Feast; the NY International Fringe (Moritz von Stuelpnagel, dir.); and Naked Angels. Film: shorts, commercials, and limited series television, including America’s Hidden Stories and Invitation to a Bonfire. Abigail is a Professor of Theater at Bowdoin College. Huge thanks to Moira and Rhonda, you know why. Love to my dear ones: Brian, Oliver, and Henry.

Matthew Delamater (The Legionnaire)

is so excited to be making his PSC debut with such an incredible show and team. A lifelong Mainer, Matt saw his first professional show at this theater many years ago and is so excited to be a part of the magic of it all. Some of Matt’s favorite roles on other Maine stages include Austin in True West and Roland in Constellations with Sean Mewshaw and Space Gallery; Vladimir in Waiting For Godot with Fenix Theatre; and Fred & Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol with Lewiston’s The Public Theatre. Matt’s recent television and film roles include Joey D in the Amazon production The Tender Bar, directed by George Clooney; Lloyd in HBO/Max ‘s Julia; and Joseph in Season 10 of NBC’s Chicago PD. Look for Matt next as Jack in Liam Neeson’s new thriller Thug coming out later this year. When not on stage or set, Matt also is the current president of the Norway Opera House Nonprofit Corp, which is committed to renovating and revitalizing the beautiful Norway Opera House in downtown Norway, Maine, and CFO of Oxbow Brewing Company. Grateful for every role he gets to play in life, Matt spends as much of his time as possible with his daughter Rowan, son Leo, and best friend and wife Emily at their home in Bridgton. He is so grateful to them for the chance to be back on the stage and for their constant love and support.

Evangeline Cambria (Debater) is a teen actor, singer, and Greek mythology enthusiast. Evangeline began her acting journey at Tift Theatre in Georgia at the age of 7 when she was cast in Shrek the Musical, Jr. Since then, Evangeline has performed in numerous shows with local theaters, including Portland Stage’s recent production of A Christmas Carol. In her spare time, Evangeline enjoys embroidery, reading, stage combat, and piano. Evangeline is excited to return to the stage in What the Constitution Means to Me!

Vagni Das (Debater) is sophomore at Yarmouth High School, and this is her debut at Portland Stage! She has, however, done community theater, school shows, the oneacts festival last year, and been performing for many years. She’d like to thank her parents for always supporting her, and her friends for always hyping her up. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lily Marie Jessen (Debater) is in 10th grade and is thrilled to be part of What the Constitution Means to Me! She has been a regular face in Portland Stage’s Teen Shakespeare Group since 2020, and has also done productions with STAGES Youth Theater and Lyric Music Theater. Most recently, you may have seen her in Portland Stage’s 2023 production of A Christmas Carol. When she isn’t on stage, you can find her writing stories and poetry, curled up with a book, or singing with her chorus. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lyra Legawiec (Debater) is a sophomore at Mt. Ararat High School. She has performed 6+ seasons with the Camden Shakespeare Festival, three seasons with the Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble, eight shows with Portland Stage, as well as school theater ever since she can remember—with a favorite role being Centipede in James and the Giant Peach (Mt. Ararat Stage Company). At the end of March, Lyra will be playing Anna of Cleves in Six (Teen Edition) at her school. Additionally, for two years running, she’s been a Poetry Out Loud state finalist. Lyra hopes to pursue a career in the arts.

Paige Scala (Debater) is a senior at Casco Bay High School and is preparing for college, where she intends to continue her acting journey in her free time. Paige has been in numerous local and school productions including many Christmas shows at Portland Stage. Some of her favorite characters to play have been Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol and Demeter in Cats. She is thrilled to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!!

ABOUT THE AMERICAN LEGION & ORATORY CONTEST

By Jessi Stier

One of the American Legion’s most significant youth programs is the American Legion Oratorical Contest, which is the inspiration of What the Constitution Means to Me. The contest began in 1938 and exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the US Constitution among high school students under age 20. The program aims to present participants with an academic oration challenge to teach leadership, the history of US laws, and the ability to speak clearly, as well as an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.

Among its winners is Portland’s Oona Mackinnon-Hoban, who won the Maine state competition and also placed in the national contest in 2015. Oona had no prior experience with the American Legion; however, she was interested in American history and politics, and she had been acting since childhood and did theater in school, so she felt comfortable with aspects of public speaking and memorization. Given her interest in the United States government, Oona also participated in Mock Trial and Model UN, which had a similar format of memorizing and reading speeches in front of a group.

She argued that the Constitution is a living document that is meant to evolve as humans do, taking into account changing social sensibilities and the evolution of civil rights. The speech was structured around the phrase “We the people.” When asked to synthesize her speech’s thesis, Oona noted, “I argued that the Constitution is only as strong as we are, and therefore it’s our responsibility to continue to guard it while also updating it to reflect our modern world.”

Read more in the Portland Stage PlayNotes Available for free online, or to purchase in the Lobby or Box Office!

HISTORY OF SOLO & AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL THEATER

By Jessi Stier

Human beings have gathered to exchange stories for thousands of years. Before written history existed, oral storytelling was the main method people used to share information and pass on wisdom to future generations—making this storytelling perhaps the oldest form of solo performance. This was soon formalized through the convention of dramatic monologues within ancient Greek and Roman theater. In the 1800s, solo performance had more commonly become an outlet for playwrights to tell deeply personal stories that mattered to them. Edgar Allan Poe recited poetry publicly between 1843 and 1849. His performance tours were referred to as “lecture-recitals,” because he delivered a solo oration and afterwards offered lectures to the audience. Charles Dickens also performed in a similar manner. These tours drew large crowds, thus popularizing the genre of one-person storytelling. Though not every poem they performed was autobiographical, their performances established a sense of vulnerability that is shared with current autobiographical performance.

By the 20th century, many solo performances had been developed and performed professionally. According to playwright Kelley Van Dilla of the autobiographical solo show Let Go of Me, performing one’s own life experiences “magnifies the layers we build through the artifice and honesty of theatricality, slowly peeling back to reveal a directness, an openness, and a vulnerability.” Impactful autobiographical performers aren’t afraid to share their humanity in a way that evokes both empathy and critical thought—which can be witnessed in the writing of What the Constitution Means to Me as Heidi Schreck chronicles both the joys and trials of being a woman in the eyes of the United States government.

Read more in the Portland Stage PlayNotes Available for free online, or to purchase in the Lobby or Box Office!

Heidi Schreck (AEA) from the original 2019 Broadway production of What the Constitution Means to Me (Photo by Joan Marcus)

LAND & SLAVERY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We are creating theater on land that has been cared for by the Wabanaki. We honor their community and invite you to go to the Wabanaki Reach website to learn more about the Wabanaki culture, as well as about restorative justice and truth-telling that is necessary for healing.

We encourage you to learn more about the peoples who cared for the land that you now reside on whether you’re from here in Portland or are visiting from away. For more information about the Wabanaki Confederacy, visit mainewabanakireach.org, and to find out whose land you are on, visit native-land.ca.

We also want to acknowledge that the history of Maine is deeply connected to the institution of slavery in the United States, and that residents of Maine participated in both slavery and the transatlantic slave trade even after slavery was outlawed in the District of Maine. While it may be easy to think of Maine and more specifically Portland as a very White place, we recognize that this is simply not the case and we are working to dismantle these harmful ideas. We encourage our audiences to visit the Abyssinian Meeting House (learn more at abyssinianmeetinghouse.org) or the Eastern Cemetery here in Portland, and to explore scholarship on the subject, like Lives of Consequence by Patricia Q. Wall, to learn more about this oft-neglected part of Maine’s history.

We recognize that the American Theater has also exploited, misrepresented, and excluded communities of Latine, Asian, Indigenous, and Middle Eastern descent for centuries. Portland Stage is recommitting to telling authentic stories from diverse backgrounds that all of our audiences can experience and enjoy.

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION BIOS

Anita Stewart** (Scenic Designer) 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 as Artistic Director, a company for which she had previously done significant freelance design. Anita holds an MFA in Design from the Yale School of Drama.

Savannah Irish [She/Her] (Costume Designer) is extremely grateful to be a part of her first production with Portland Stage celebrating their 50th season! Irish is a Portland-based actor, costume designer, stage manager, and teaching artist. After earning her BA in Theatre with a Minor in Music from the University of Southern Maine, she began her theatrical career with Walt Disney World as an Entertainment Costumer. She professionally dressed characters in parades at Magic Kingdom and Finding Nemo: The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Previous costuming credits include: Portland Theater Festival (The Thin Place, Sanctuary City); Mad Horse (White, Straight White Men, Dying to Know, Appropriate, The Effect); the University of New England Players (Something Rotten!). As a teaching artist, she has taught with Maddy’s Theatre, Mayo Street Arts, The Theater Project, and The Telling Room. Select performing credits include: Mad Horse (Heroes of The Fourth Turning, POTUS, Dance Nation, When We Were Young and Unafraid), Maddy’s Theatre (Charlotte’s Web, Blueberries for Sal, The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus), The Theater Project (Do You Feel Anger?). Savannah Irish is a proud Mad Horse Theatre Company member since 2022. By day, she is the Theater Manager at The Theater Project in Brunswick.

Mary Lana Rice (Lighting Designer) is a recent transplant to Maine after several years working around the country as a Lighting Designer and Electrician. She is thrilled to have joined the Portland Stage family and grateful to all of her fellow collaborators! Her work was last seen at Portland Stage in The Cake. Some of her favorite design credits also include Sanctuary City (Portland Theater Festival); The Three Little Pigs (MSMT); Born Yesterday and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cortland Repertory Theatre, NY); Wait Until Dark, I Am My Own Wife, and Five Guys Named Moe (Fulton Theatre, PA). All my love to Seth, Logan, and Hazel!

Seth Asa Sengel (Sound Designer) (www.sethasa.com) has spent decades making theater with creative souls all over our United States. He is glad to be home in Maine, and at Portland Stage, where he has collaborated on dozens of wonderful productions. A few favorites include Saint Dad, The Cake, Where We Stand, The Savannah Disputation, Tribes, and I Am My Own Wife. Please be kind to others, and to yourself, and tell people you love them. Much Love to Mary Lana Saurus.

Meg Lydon* (Stage Manager) is very happy to be working with this passionate and brilliant team! Recent work has been at the Theater at Monmouth, Fenix Theatre Company, Dramatic Repertory Company, and Bowdoin College. She also loves to spend summers at Chester Theatre Company in the Berkshires. Meg is a proud member of AEA and is forever grateful to Darren. Many thanks to the cast and the entire production team – here’s to a great show!

(*Member of AEA)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PRATT ABBOTT: IN-KIND SEASON SUPPORTER MAINE’S MOST EXPERIENCED DRY CLEANER

, Pratt Abbott has been keeping Portland Stage performers looking sharp for over a decade. Pratt Abbott offers 100% eco-friendly dry cleaning, wash and fold laundry service, wedding garment care, and more. Thanks to the long-standing support of Pratt Abbott, Portland Stage is able to bring What the Constitution Means to Me to life on our Mainstage.

W.H. DEMMONS: TAKE A BREATH SPONSOR SUPPORTING AIR PURIFICATION AND AIR QUALITY

A very special thank-you to W.H. Demmons for supporting our public safety! The HVAC system installed by W.H. Demmons utilizes bipolar ionization technology, which releases charged atoms that attach to and deactivate harmful substances like bacteria, mold, allergens, and viruses by pulling the hydrogen atom away, causing the harmful substances to die. Testing of the building’s system for effectiveness against the COVID-19 virus by two different independent laboratories, Analytical Lab Group and Innovative Bioanalysis, revealed that the level of the virus would be cut by 90% within 60 minutes.

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 Covey Crolius, Development Director, at 207.774.1043 x109.

What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Generous support also provided by Maine Theater Fund/Maine Community Foundation, the Libra Foundation, the Fisher Charitable Foundation, and the Shubert Foundation.

2022-23 ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTERS

Executive Producer ($50,000+)

Edwin F. Gamble Bequest

The Shubert Foundation

Anna Marie & John E. Thron

Fund of the Maine Community Foundation

Producer ($25,000 - $49,999)

Tenney & Newell Augur

Brooks Family Foundation

Harold & Betty Cottle Family Fund

East Point Fund of the Maine Community Foundation

Maine Community Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Redmond Family Foundation

Executive Director ($15,000 - $24,999)

Libra Foundation

Migis Hotel Group

Moser Family Foundation

Onion Foundation

Sam L. Cohen Foundation

State of Maine: Maine Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Managing Director ($10,000 - $14,999)

Anonymous (3)

Wright-Ryan Homes

Director ($5,000 - $9,999)

Nancy J. Aldrich

Susan & James Carter

Fair Winds & Following Seas Fund

Fisher Charitable Foundation

Ed & Jan Gerry

George & Cheryl Higgins

Maine Arts Commission

Maine Theater Fund of the Maine Community Foundation

Moriah Moser & Dan Morgenstern, MD

Leonard & Nancy Nemon

Carole Ann Palmer

The Parsons Family Foundation

Roy A. Hunt Foundation

Maine Air Conditioning/W. H. Demmons, Inc.

Production Manager ($2,500 - $4,999)

Anonymous

Mauria Brough & Bryon Winn

Coffee By Design

Diversified Communications

Austin & Eileen Farrar

Ron & Donna Forest

Lissa Hunter & Kirby Pilcher

Jamie & Beth Kilbreth

Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust

Darrell Pardy & Carolyn Hughes

The Performing Arts Fund of the Maine Community Foundation

Pierce Atwood

John Ryan & Jenny Scheu

Louis F. & Prudence H. Ryan

Kenneth Spirer & Joan Leitzer

Ashley Wernher-Collins & Scott Collins

Backer ($1,000 - $2,499)

Anonymous (2)

Apple Lane Foundation

Mary G. Barthelman

Gunard Erik Bergman

Patricia A. Clark

Tim Cloudman & Lori Garon

Kris & Ken Conant

Debra L. Coyman

Beth De Tine

Helen Dickey & David G. Fitz

Gary E. Duford & Thomas L. Hinkle

Karen & Fred Farber

Mabel Gerquest

Douglas Green

Jebediah Foundation

Stephen & Carolyn Jenks

Douglas & Cheryl Jones

Nancy Kaye

Cornelia Kittredge

Kathleen Leslie

Maine Community College

Daniel Marra & Barbara Leonard

William A. McCue

Irv Meeker

Tom & Marti Meyers

Judy Miskell

Marta Morse

Sara Murphy & Peter Wetzel

Todd & Gloria Nicholson

Ann & Ted Noyes

Ralph T. Perry & Mary Louise Seldenfleur

Richard & Carolyn Peterson

Poole Group of Companies, Inc.

Harry & Anne Pringle

Hilary Rapkin & William Stiles

Jennifer Sarah & Joe O’Donnell

Maxine Sclar & Robert J. Yamartino

Stephen D. Sears & Cathy Sears

Spinnaker Trust

Anita Stewart & Ron Botting

Courtney Thorpe

Nelson & Lisa Toner

Anne Wade & Gil Hagan

Natalie West & Robert Sellin

Peregrine Whittlesey

Monica Wood & Daniel Abbott

Investor ($500 - $999)

A Friend

John & Judy Adelman

Diana & Tom Allen

Sally & Ron Bancroft

Thomas & Marjorie Berman

Jane V. & John F. Berry

Don & Diane Bessey

Brown Dog Carriers

Malcolm Burson & Eleanor Goldberg

Tracey Burton & Ken Moller

Donald & Patricia Carter

Nancy Crowell

Carol De Tine & Roger F.

2022-23 ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTERS

Woodman, Jr.

Barbara & Gil Dichter

Ken & Cheryl Freye

Richard Hanks & Virginia Mackey

Mary Jane Hanneld

Karen Herold & Mark Isaacson

Helaine & D. Brock Hornby

Charles Johnson & Jean Appleby

Johnson

Brigitte & Hal Kingsbury

Marilyn Lalumiere & Ed Reed

Greg Lanou & Tracy Skillin-Lanou

Harvey & Pamela Lodish

Martin Lodish & Kristin Schardt

Mark Love & Marcia Taylor

Emily & Dick MacKenzie

Jerry & Liz Mansfield

Rob McAfee

Theresa McCarthy

Stewart Newell

Sara & Michael Perfetti

Malcolm & Patti Poole

Carole A. Pope

Nancy & Frank Read

Dixon & Susan Myer Riley

Lee Robbins

Donald J. Rudalevige

Elena Schmidt

Curtis & Nina Scribner

Andre & Daniela Skalina

Joseph & Susan Spagnola

Anne & Jack Spiegel

Cathy Stankard & Gregg Palmer

Jane & Nate Stevens

Bud & Susan Stiker

Eric & Wendy Suehrstedt

Karen Sumner

Kari & Bob Suva

Louise Valati

Cheslye & John Ventimiglia

Wigeon Point Charitable Foundation

Sam & Tracy Zager

Supporter ($250 - $499)

Anonymous (2)

Peter & Lyn Ballou

Ben & Judy Bertram

Gregory & Mary Caron

Pamela Cleghorn

Peter H. Clough

Jacqueline Cohen

Scott Cowger

Carol & Dick Davis

Mary Ellms

David Ertz & Carol Ryan-Ertz

John Fay

Dr. & Mrs. David Flavin

Terry & Mandy Garmey

James Gertmenian & Susan King

Tom & Peggy Gilbert

Margaret Groban & Larry Fischman

Lisa Hangoc

Peter Haynes

Bob & Marge Healing

Roslyn & Steve Hershfield

Scott Horton & Leslie Richfield

Tom & Laurie Hyndman

Stephen & Suzanne Irish

Robin Ishmael

Herbert & Kathleen Janick

Bud & Wendy Kellett

Angus & Catherine King

Dennis & Sandra King

David Kling & Kathryn Sanders

Neil & Cathy Lamb

Sally Walker Madore

Alice Moisen

Rick & Debby Molander

Susan Morris

Jeremy Moser & Laura Kittle

Richard & Sandra Neiman

Lucretia & Michael Nelson

Catherine O’Connor & John Kelly

Janet O’Toole

Rebecca Oreskes & Brad Ray

James & Judith Parkhill

Dean & John Paterson

Charlene & Jerry Petruccelli

Hugh & Norma Phelps

Orrin & Linda Shane

Rick & Celeste Shinay

Mary Snell & Irwin Novak

Betty & Barry Stallman

Ernie Stanhope

Darwin & Kathleen Stanley

Frank & Carrie Strasburger

David & Kathleen Stuchiner

Deborah & Hall Thompson

Daniel Tucker

Lance & Gina Vardis

Meg Thompson Villarreal

Nancy R. Wade

Randall Weill & Catherine Coughlin

Friend ($100 - $249)

Anonymous (5)

Alice M. Abbott

Janice B. Adler

Paul Ainsworth

Jacqueline Alpert & Christopher Leighton

Robert & Linda Ayotte

Bob Bahm & Jan Baker

Joseph & Mary Louise Bates

Michael & Connie Beck

Craig & Abigail Belanger

Elizabeth Belliveau

Nancy Bogg & Mark Kiefner

Chris & Stephanie Bowe

Jim & Sarah Bowie

Nona & Doug Boyink

John Brandt

Emily & Norman Breitner

Betty Bricker-Small & David Small

Jane G. Briggs

Helen Brock & Doug Knight

Susan Bruce & Rick Hauck

Dan & Dale Bryant

Allie Byers

Priscilla Campbell-Wyman & Ross Wyman

Robin and William Carter

Paul & Stephanie Castle

Jennifer Caven

Rae Clark-McGrath

Andrew & Judith Coburn

Susan & James Cook

Ann Corbey

2022-23 ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTERS

Mary Anne & David Crawford

Bill Cullen

Dick & Margaret Curran

Richard & Judy Curtis

George & Lynn Davenport

Cara David

Jerry & Gretchen Davis

Donna Deletetsky

Mary Doherty

Mary C. Doughty

Moira Driscoll & David Pence

Mary Lou Dyer

Katherine Dyhrberg

John Edwards

Michael & Jill Epstein

Mr. & Mrs. James M. Farr

Rich Evans & Jean Foy

Herbert & Alice Ferran

Deborah Wathen Finn

Anne Fisher

David Fluharty & Linda Hjortland

Tom Ford & Mike Rodgers

Susan Garfield & Lynda Mullen

Leslie Gibbons

George & Martha Gilmore

Phyllis & Bernard Givertz

Richard & Anna Hamilton

Amanda Hannan

Ann Havener & Richard Estabrook

Marilyn & John Heise

Dr. David & Anna London

Robert & Kim Lydon

Janet Henry & Vernon Moore

Stephen & Debra Honey

Chris Hourcle

Elizabeth & Christopher Hunt

Al & Pauline Huntley

Vance Huntley & Jennifer Hitchcox

Catherine & Matthew Hyde

Jack & Kenneth Jackowitz

Sandra Jensen & Samuel Broaddus

Allen S. & Sarah S. Johnson

Patrick & Valerie Kelly

David & Linda Kirstein

Paul M. Knight

Dan & Stacey Koloski

Ken & Jean Kriedberg

Denise LaRue & Bob Furman

Calien Lewis & Martha Mickles

Christine Linnehan

Burke & Judith Long

Benjamin Lund

John & Jane Lunt

Chris & Carson Lutes

Karen Malm

Libby & David Margolis-Pineo

David & Jeanne Mason

John & June McClean

Sheila McGarr

Susan & Frank McGinty

Paula Gibbs McKenney

Mary Ann McLean

Sarah & Standish Meacham

Joseph & Gloria Melnick

Nate Meyer

Ellie & Charlie Miller

Bernard Mohr & Karin Wagner

Bruce Moore & Jan Chapman

Wendy Moore

Robert & Susan Nielsen

Erin & Jon Nitschke

Victoria Nolan & Clark Crolius

David & Carolyn Sue Nutty

John & Karen O’Brien

Richard O’Meara & Christine Bulsa-O’Meara

Jackie Oliveri

One4All Charitable Fund

Jonas Oppenheim

David & Jacqueline Orsmond

John & Denise Palmer

Richard & Carole Palmer

Larry Perkins

Norma Piper

Hope Putnam

Lenore Rapkin

Kathryn Reid & Hugh Tozer

John & Marsha Reynolds

Mathew Reynolds

Erika Richardson

Larry & Robin Rubinstein

Stephen Ryan & James Bishop

Helen Ryder

Paul & Penelope Sarvis

Mike & Pam Schwotzer

Ellen Seidman

Catherine Sengel

Peggy Shapiro

Linda Shary & Jeffrey Logan

Fred & Viola Sheehan

Sarah Smith

Patricia Stevens

Betta Stothart

Vicki Sullivan

Kristin G. Sweeney

Adam Thibodeau

David & Holly Travers

Patricia Vantuyl

Elizabeth Walsh

Deena Weinstein

Susan & Francis Whitten

David & Elise Wilson

Judy & Norman Wilson

David & Gail Witherill

Rick & Janet Wolf

Margo Wood & Wayne Barter

Laura Young

Elliot Zeisel PhD, DF-AGPA

Margaret & David Zellinger

Anne B. Zill

Bill & Patty Zimmerman

In Memory of ($1000+)

Wendy DesAutels in Memory of Wil Meacham

In Honor/Memory of ($250+)

Mathew Goldfarb in Memory of Lynn Goldfarb

Kathleen Silvia in Honor of Bud & Cheryl Higgins

In Memory of Morgan Wakelin

Benjamin Weiss in Honor of Julianne Shea