August Wilson's MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Program

AUGUST WILSON’S

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM DIRECTED BY

LILI-ANNE BROWN

Welcome to

ROUND HOUSE

W

elcome back to Round House for the start of our 50th Anniversary Season! We’re thrilled to kick off this celebratory year with a return to the great August Wilson and to co-producing with our Montgomery County colleagues at Olney Theatre Center.

In recent years, we have produced acclaimed productions of three plays from Wilson’s American Century Cycle: Two Trains Running, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf. We also produced How I Learned What I Learned, which uses Wilson’s own words to tell his life story. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the third play chronologically in the American Century Cycle, but it was Wilson’s first play to reach Broadway and is widely considered a masterpiece. It is also the only play in the cycle not set in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

To direct Wilson’s only Chicago-set play, we’ve brought in a Chicago-based artist who has made a big name for herself in the DC theatre scene over the last few years: Lili-Anne Brown.

The winner of multiple Helen Hayes Awards, Lili-Anne was first introduced to Round House audiences through our award-winning co-production of Fela! at Olney. She has assembled an incredible team of artists to bring this show to life, including former Round House resident artists Craig Wallace and Ro Boddie, as well as Round House regulars Yao Dogbe, Michael Glenn, Chris Genebach, and Kanysha Williams, all of whom have appeared in numerous productions here in recent years.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the fifth show we have co-produced with Olney. Our previous collaborations were Angels in America and Ink at Round House, and In the Heights and Fela! at Olney. This unique model of co-producing with a theatre in the same market allows us to tackle larger shows than we would normally be able to produce and to introduce our audiences to one another. It has become a model of collaboration that theatres throughout the country are now exploring. And while we’re not ready to announce it yet, we will be co-producing a very exciting musical together at Olney next season!

Along with the start of the season, we’re also kicking off 50 for 50, our year-long celebration of Round House’s 50th anniversary. Featuring 50 free theatrical experiences, it is both a celebration of where we have been and an expression of our belief that theatre belongs to everyone.

Many of you may have already joined us for our Inside Look or Tech Rehearsal Look-In for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. If you missed those events, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our first Round House Rewind reading, Wedding Band by Alice Childress, which we produced during our 1993–1994 season. You can find more information about all the events we’re offering and how you can participate on page 21 of this program and at RoundHouseTheatre.org/50for50.

It’s an exciting year at Round House, with so many ways to participate. We hope you’ll join us for as much of it as possible as we celebrate 50 years of bringing world-class theatre and theatre education to Montgomery County.

RYAN RILETTE Artistic Director

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ED ZAKRESKI Executive Director

From OLNEY

THEATRE CENTER LEADERSHIP

D

ear Friends, Welcome! August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom marks the fifth collaboration between Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre.

Back in 2016, our theatres joined forces to launch a unique co-production model that has brought immense value to our community of artists, patrons, and supporters. Each partnership strengthens our shared artistic vision and deepens our community connection.

We learn from one another and our respective audiences, allowing us to produce ambitious shows we couldn't undertake alone. By sharing resources and expanding our impact, both theatres benefit artistically and financially.

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom launches both of our 2026–27 seasons. We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off Olney's 88th season than alongside our trusted friends at Round House—and with all of YOU! We are incredibly fortunate to have such a vibrant theatre ecosystem in our region, particularly here in Montgomery County. We say it often, but it bears repeating: there is no better place in America to make theatre than Montgomery County. Thanks to our local government leaders and dedicated supporters like you, we have the privilege of sharing powerful stories like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom with our community.

Looking ahead, stay tuned for the announcement of the sixth Round House/Olney collaboration, presented at Olney Theatre Center in the 2027–2028 season!

We look forward to seeing you at the theatre—in Bethesda and in Olney. If you haven’t visited Olney Theatre recently, we invite you to stop by this season and check out our newly renovated space! With four stages and vibrant new community spaces, there’s something happening nearly every day of the week.

We’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback at Jason@OlneyTheatre.org or Debbie@OlneyTheatre.org.

Enjoy the show!

Onward, and with gratitude,

JASON LOEWITH Artistic Director

DEBBIE ELLINGHAUS Executive Director

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Thank you to our Golden Anniversary Sponsors We are grateful for these amazing friends of Round House who have made significant gifts above and beyond their usual support to ensure that our 50th Anniversary Season is filled with free events, opening our doors to the community and building audiences for the next fifty years.

Nan Beckley Heidi and Mitch Dupler Gil and Rona* Eisner Jay and Robin Hammer

Manfred M Hein* and Florence H Hein* Linda Ravdin and Don Shapero David and Sherry Smith Judy and Leo Zickler

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is sponsored by Judy and Leo Zickler. *in memoriam To become a sponsor for an upcoming Round House Theatre production, please contact Michael Barret Jones, Director of Development, at 240.670.8795 orb MJones@RoundHouseTheatre.org.

Special Thanks to Olney Theatre Center Season Sponsors Premiere Season Sponsor Opening Night Partner and the Trusted Medical Team of Olney Theatre Educational Outreach Partner Mainstage Series Sponsors Margaret T. Roper and Clifford L. Johnson

Hotel Partner Residence Inn Gaithersburg by Marriott

Lab Series Sponsors James Beckers & Donna Mertens

Sign Language Interpreting Services Sponsor Steve Phan and Rick Poster

Olney Outdoors Sponsor Linda August Wine Partner Axios Napa Valley

LED Provider Refresh LED

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities at Olney Theatre Center, please contact Dina Goldman at 301.924.4485 X103 or DGoldman@OlneyTheatre.org.

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ROUND HOUSE THEATRE

and

OLNEY THEATRE CENTER

Round House Theatre Artistic Director

Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director

Round House Theatre Executive Director

Olney Theatre Center Executive Director

RYAN RILETTE

JASON LOEWITH

ED ZAKRESKI

DEBBIE ELLINGHAUS

Present

AUGUST WILSON’S

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Directed By

LILI-ANNE BROWN Featuring

RO BODDIE* CHRIS GENEBACH* JAYLEN HENDERSON KANYSHA WILLIAMS*

ZACH BREWSTER-GEISZ MICHAEL GLENN* DERRICK TRUBY*

YAO DOGBE* NICOLE MICHELLE HASKINS* CRAIG WALLACE*

Music Director

Scenic Designer

Costume Designer

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer

Wig and Makeup Designer

Casting Director

Dramaturg

NAYSAN MOJGANI

Associate Director & Intimacy/Fight Director

Associate Sound Designer

Stage Manager

CEDRIC D. LYLES MINJOO KIM

SARAH COONEY Associate Scenic Designer

LILY TOMASIC

ARNEL SANCIANCO KEVIN LEE ALEXANDER

DELANEY BRAY

SAMANTHA JONES LASHAWN MELTON GREG GEFFRARD

CHE WERNSMAN*

Assistant Stage Manager

JUANCARLOS CONTRERAS* This production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards, Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai, Managing Director) Initially presented at the 1982 National Playwrights’ Conference by The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com *As indicated, Actors and Stage Managers appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

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CAST (in order of appearance)

Sturdyvant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHRIS GENEBACH* Irvin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL GLENN* Cutler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CRAIG WALLACE* Toledo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RO BODDIE* Slow Drag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DERRICK TRUBY* Levee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YAO DOGBE* Ma Rainey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NICOLE MICHELLE HASKINS* Dussie Mae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KANYSHA WILLIAMS* Sylvester. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAYLEN HENDERSON Policeman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ZACH BREWSTER-GEISZ

UNDERSTUDIES (in alphabetical order)

Irvin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ZACH BREWSTER-GEISZ Dussie Mae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TZIAH COLI Ma Rainey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANGELA FAITH Levee/Sylvester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DOMINIQUE GRAY Culter/Toldedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEJEANETTE HORNE Slow Drag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRE'MON MILLS Policeman/Sturdyvant. . . . . . . . . . BRENDAN MURRAY

The Scenic, Costume, Lighting, and Sound Designer of this production are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE. Founded in 1913, Equity is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions, and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks The Director is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, Inc., an independent national theatrical labor union

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BIOS CAST

RO BODDIE (Toledo) is thrilled to be returning to Round House. Previous Round House credits include Sally & Tom, Topdog/Underdog, The Mountaintop, August Wilson's Radio Golf, The Tempest, A Boy and His Soul, and Master Harold…and the Boys. DC credits include The World to Come at Woolly Mammoth; The American Five at Ford's Theatre; Paradise Blue, Pipeline, Three Sisters, No Sisters, and Dirt at Studio Theatre; Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare Theatre Company; Tempestuous Elements at Arena Stage; and The Agitators at Mosaic Theater Company. Off-Broadway credits include Socrates at The Public and Seize The King at Classical Theatre of Harlem. Select TV credits include Godfather of Harlem, Run the World, and The Good Wife. Ro is a proud alum of UNCSA. Co-Founder of Imminent Theatre Company. On social media @roboddieart ZACH BREWSTER-GEISZ (Policeman) is excited to make his Round House debut. DC work includes: The Outsider (Helen Hayes nomination: Outstanding Lead Performer) and The Minutes at Keegan Theatre; Indecent and The Chosen at 1st Stage; The Scenarios and If I Forget at Studio Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Avant Bard; Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven at Rorschach Theatre; East of Eden and Richard III at NextStop Theatre; and Grand Concourse and The Explorers Club at Prologue Theatre. Television work includes We Own This City (HBO) and Lady in the Lake (Apple TV). He is on the faculty at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. www.ZachBG.com YAO DOGBE (Levee) is excited to be returning to Round House! Previous Round House credits include Booth in Topdog/Underdog, Gbenga in Nollywood Dreams, David/Val in Ohio State Murders, and Kwame in Homebound. DC credits include The American Five at Ford’s Theatre; Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Arena Stage; and King Lear at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include The Doctor at Park Avenue Armory; Nollywood Dreams at MCC Theatre; Richard III, Twelfth Night, and Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Fences at American Players Theatre; Cymbeline at Utah Shakespeare Festival; Intimate Apparel at Northlight Theatre; and Fly at Capital Repertory Theatre. Helen Hayes Award for Leading role in a play: Topdog/Underdog. TV/Film: Dark Matter (Apple TV) and Law and Order (NBC). MFA: University of Houston; BA in Fine Arts: Norfolk State University. Instagram: @yaonation CHRIS GENEBACH (Sturdyvant) is ecstatic to return to Round House Theatre where he previously appeared in The Seafarer and Ink. DC area credits include several shows at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, 1st Stage, Theatre Alliance, Mosaic Theater Company, Studio Theatre, and Everyman Theatre. Chris’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include Shining City and The Other Side at Manhattan Theatre Club; and Rose Rage: Henry VI Parts 1 2

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& 3 at The Duke on 42nd. His regional credits include King Lear at The Goodman and several shows at Chicago Shakespeare Theater including the North American premiere of Rose Rage: Henry VI Parts 1 2 & 3. BFA: DePaul University.

MICHAEL GLENN (Irvin) is honored to be returning to Round House Theatre for this co-production with Olney Theatre Center. His previous work with Round House includes Rules for Living (serving as Assistant Director), What the Constitution Means to Me, The Seafarer, Ink (another Olney co-production), Gem of the Ocean, Small Mouth Sounds, Stage Kiss, and This. Previous productions at the Olney Theatre Center include; Tiger Style!, Marjorie Prime, and Neville's Island. Other favorite past credits in the DMV area include Red Velvet with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Junk at Arena Stage, Jumpers for Goalposts at Studio Theatre, Brighton Beach Memoirs at Theatre J, Sense & Sensibility at Folger Theatre, Clybourne Park with Woolly Mammoth, and The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Signature Theatre.

NICOLE MICHELLE HASKINS (Ma Rainey) is so excited to be making her Round House Theatre debut. Off-Broadway credits include Cell at Keen Company. Regional theatre credits include productions of The Color Purple at Goodman Theatre (Jeff Award Nomination), The Muny (St. Louis Theatre Circle Winner), and Drury Lane Theatre (Jeff Award Winner); the U.S. premiere of Hopelessly Devoted at Piven Theatre; Caroline, or Change at Firebrand Theatre (Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination); Spitfire Grill at Refuge Theatre Project (Jeff Award Nomination); The Wiz at Kokandy Productions (Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination, Jeff Award Nomination, and TimeOut Chicago Theatre Award Nomination); The Music Man, Father Comes Home from the Wars Parts 1, 2, & 3, and How to Catch Creation at Goodman Theatre; and the world premiere of HeLa at Sideshow Theatre. Nicole is a former Steppenwolf Acting Fellow and MOSAIC Youth Theatre of Detroit alum.

JAYLEN HENDERSON (Sylvester) is thrilled to be making his Round House Theatre debut! Recent DC area credits include Othello in Othello at Port Tobacco Players; Dontrell Jones III in Dontrell, who Kissed the Sea at Sisters Freehold; and Arcadia and The Brothers Size at The Theatre Lab. Jaylen is a graduate of The Theatre Lab Honors Acting Conservatory.

DERRICK TRUBY (Slow Drag) has appeared locally in 1776, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors, and A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre; Play On! at Signature Theatre; The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Folger Theatre; A.D. 16 at Olney Theatre Center; Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play! and Winnie the Pooh at Adventure Theatre; Be More Chill at Monumental Theatre Company; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Imagination Stage; and Smokey Joe's Café and Memphis the Musical at ArtsCentric, where he is a company member.

Regional credits include Godspell at Great Lakes Center for the Arts.

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CRAIG WALLACE (Cutler) returns to Round House after being seen in August Wilson’s Radio Golf, Ink, Stage Kiss, “Master Harold”…and the Boys, Little Prince, Table Top, Permanent Collection, The Misanthrope.

Other DC area credits include numerous productions at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Ford’s Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, and Arena Stage. Regional credits include Berkeley Rep, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz.

MFA: Pennsylvania State University and Royal National Theatre, London; BFA: Howard University.

KANYSHA WILLIAMS (Dussie Mae) is so excited to be returning to Round House! Previous Round House Credits include The Tempest and FELA! DC area credits include Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors, and 1776 at Ford’s Theatre; Play On, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Gun and Powder at Signature Theatre; and Macbeth In Stride at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Regional credits include The Color Purple at Riverside Center and Sister Act at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Kanysha is the co-host of the podcast Downstage Center, and a recording artist under the name KANYSHA. Her original music is now available on all streaming platforms.

Education: The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington National Opera Institute, The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, George Mason University. Instagram: @StrawberrySings, TikTok and YouTube: @StrawberrySingsMusic.

UNDERSTUDIES ZACH BREWSTER-GEISZ (Irvin Understudy) See bio for Policeman TZIAH COLI (Dussie Mae Understudy) is thrilled to be making her (official) Round House debut! Previous Round House/Olney Theatre Center credits include FELA! (Performed at Olney Theatre Center, Helen Hayes Outstanding Ensemble). Regional credits include Midiculous at Keegan Theatre; Young Americans at 1st Stage; and The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical at Signature Theatre (Helen Hayes Outstanding Ensemble). Educational theatre credits include The House That Will Not Stand and Rhyme Deferred at Howard University. BFA: Howard University Class of 2025; British American Drama Academy: Midsummer in Oxford; Signature Theatre's Overtures. Instagram: @tziahcoli.

ANGELA FAITH (Ma Rainey Understudy) is excited to make her debut at Round House Theatre! She has performed nationwide alongside artists such as Patti LaBelle, Sting, Paul Simon, and Kelly Price. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Spotify, NPR, and NBC. Local credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company; A Raisin in the Sun at Sterling Playmakers; The Color Purple at St. Mark's Players; School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play at NextStop Theatre Company; Save My Black Soul at Laurel Mill Playhouse; and Intimate Apparel at Compass Rose Theater. She has also served as an Assistant Director on Romeo and Juliet at Laurel Mill Playhouse; Tartuffe at Silver Spring Stage; and The Colored Museum at Silver Spring Stage. BA: Berklee College of Music. Instagram: @angelafaithlive.

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DOMINIQUE GRAY (Levee/Sylvester Understudy) was most recently an understudy at Arena Stage for Fremont Ave. Other credits include The Minutes and Hand to God at Keegan Theatre; Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (understudy) at Constellation Theatre Company; 10 Seconds and The Last Martyr at Imagination Stage; and DC, I Love You at Folger Theatre.

Dominique is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.

DEJEANETTE HORNE (Cutler/Toledo Understudy) is a Washington, DC area actor whose theatre credits include Fences, Metamorphoses, Sunset Baby, The Brothers Paranormal, Sweat, Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Outsider with companies including Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Folger Theatre, Anacostia Playhouse, Olney Theatre Center, and Keegan Theatre. His work has earned multiple Helen Hayes Award nominations and two Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Ensemble, including This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing and The Outsider. Screen credits include Bust, Made in America, Harlot’s Webb, and Last Call, the musical. DeJeanette is also an accomplished voice-over artist, with credits for GraphicAudio and WILL Interactive.

TRE'MON MILLS (Slow Drag Understudy) is thrilled to make his Round House Theatre debut. DC area credits include Look Both Ways at Theatre Alliance/Kennedy Center TYA Tour; The Bluest Eye at Theatre Alliance; Push The Button at Keegan Theatre; 10 Seconds, Aquarium, Wake Up, Brother Bear, and P. Nokio at Imagination Stage; Roll On at THEARC; and A Raisin in the Sun, Mamma Mia!, and The Great Society at Lyric Repertory Company. Tre'mon received the Distinguished Chairman's Award from Howard University's Department of Theatre Arts, where he earned his BFA in Acting. Additional training includes the British American Drama Academy's Midsummer in Oxford Program.

BRENDAN MURRAY (Sturdyvant/Policeman Understudy) previously understudied for Round House’s production of Caroline or Change, but he really credits his love of acting to Round House’s 1970s precursor, the children’s performance troupe "Street 70." He is currently a company member and teaching artist with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Baltimore, where he has performed in Persuasion, It’s the Comedy of Errors Hon, A Christmas Carol, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2), and She Stoops to Conquer. Other regional productions include Rabbit Hole (Peter’s Alley), Tangles (New Theater of Medicine), and The Mollusc (Quotidian Theatre Company).

CREATIVE TEAM AUGUST WILSON (Playwright) (April 27, 1945–October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. His plays have been produced at regional theaters across the

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country and all over the world, as well as on Broadway. In 2003, Mr. Wilson made his professional stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned. Mr. Wilson’s works garnered many awards including Pulitzer Prizes for Fences (1987) and for The Piano Lesson (1990); a Tony Award for Fences; Great Britain’s Olivier Award for Jitney; as well as eight New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, Jitney, and Radio Golf. Additionally, the cast recording of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom received a 1985 Grammy Award, and Mr. Wilson received a 1995 Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay adaptation of The Piano Lesson. Mr. Wilson’s early works included the one-act plays The Janitor, Recycle, The Coldest Day of the Year, Malcolm X, The Homecoming, and the musical satire Black Bart and the Sacred Hills. Mr. Wilson received many fellowships and awards, including Rockefeller and Guggenheim Fellowships in Playwrighting, the Whiting Writers Award, 2003 Heinz Award, was awarded a 1999 National Humanities Medal by the President of the United States, and received numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities, as well as the only high school diploma ever issued by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. He was an alumnus of New Dramatists, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a 1995 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and on October 16, 2005, Broadway renamed the theater located at 245 West 52nd Street - The August Wilson Theatre. Additionally, Mr. Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2007. Mr. Wilson was born and raised in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived in Seattle, Washington at the time of his death. He is immediately survived by his two daughters, Sakina Ansari and Azula Carmen Wilson, and his wife, costume designer Constanza Romero.

LILI-ANNE BROWN (Director), a Chicago South Side native, works as a director, actor, and educator, and has performed in, directed, and produced many award-winning shows in Chicago and nationally. Recent directing credits include: Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me at Olney Theatre Center; The Wild Party at New York City Center ENCORES!; Fremont Ave (world premiere) at Arena Stage and South Coast Rep; Eureka Day at TimeLine Theatre; Play On! at Signature Theatre; The Color Purple, The Nacirema Society…, School Girls, and the world premieres of Ike Holter’s I Hate It Here and Lottery Day at Goodman Theatre; Two Trains Running at The Acting Company, Nat’l Tour; Dreamgirls at McCarter Theater and Goodspeed Musicals; FELA! at Olney Theatre Center/Round House Theatre; Joe Turner's Come and Gone at Huntington Theatre; and Ain’t No Mo’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre and Baltimore Center Stage.

She is the former Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, where she focused programming on new play development with resident playwrights and Chicago-premiere musicals. She has received three Helen Hayes Awards, five Jeff Awards, two BTA awards, and one African American Arts Alliance Award for excellence in directing. Lili-Anne was an inaugural recipient of the Walder Foundation’s Platform Award and a 2021 recipient of the 3Arts Award for Theatre. She is a member of SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and a graduate of Northwestern University.

CEDRIC D. LYLES (Music Director) is a Washington, D.C. native, multifaceted artist and advocate, and founder of ArtsCentric, Inc. in Baltimore. Highlights and recent credits include serving as rehearsal pianist and assistant conductor of Crazy Sexy Cool at Arena Stage as well as being music director for Crowns (upcoming) and Long Way Down at Olney Theater Center; Our Town at Baltimore Center Stage; and Ruined! at Everyman Theater. Cedric wrote 7:32 the Musical which was featured at the New York Musical Theater Festival and awarded Best Musical at The Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival as well as A Book of Judges: Delilah's Story.

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ARNEL SANCIANCO (Scenic Designer) is an award-winning scenic designer whose work has been seen on stages across the country. His work has been featured at New York City Center’s Encores!, Center Theatre Group, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Huntington, The Muny, The Goodman Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Writers Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, American Players Theatre, and Milwaukee Rep, among many others. Arnel currently serves as Lecturer of Scenic Design at the University of California, Berkeley. For more information and a portfolio of his work, visit ArnelDesigns.com.

SAMANTHA C. JONES (Costume Designer) is excited to be making her Round House debut with this stirring production. She is a costume designer, educator and a graduate of Howard University. Previous design credits include Signature Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children's Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, First Stage Theatre, and others. Her work can be viewed at www.samanthacjones.com. (She/her) MINJOO KIM (Lighting Designer) is excited to return to Round House Theatre, where her previous credits include What the Constitution Means to Me, Ink, and The Great Leap. Her Washington, DC credits include productions with Olney Theatre Center, Mosaic Theater Company, Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Theater Alliance, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Off-Broadway credits include The Public Theater and The Bushwick Starr. Regional credits include Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She serves as an assistant professor in the School of Theater at George Mason University. Website: minjoo-design.com.

KEVIN LEE ALEXANDER (Sound Designer) is thrilled to return to Round House after previously designing King James. His recent regional credits include Little Miss Perfect, Kim’s Convenience, and Long Way Down at Olney Theatre Center; Head Over Heels, Once on This Island, and Desperate Measures at Constellation Theatre Company; Bright Star at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma; The Raid and Day of Absence at Theatre Alliance; In the Heights at NextStop Theatre; Quilters at 1st Stage; Hair and Oliver at New Repertory Theatre; and Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds at First Stage Milwaukee. In addition to his theatrical work, Kevin is a Billboard #1–charting recording and mixing engineer with credits on Jesus! (feat. Le’Andria Johnson) and Nobody But God by Faith City Music. He holds an M.S. in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University and a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Maryland. Kevin is a proud member of IATSE Local USA 829. www.KevinLeeAlexander.com LASHAWN MELTON (Wig and Makeup Designer) previously designed wigs for Round House’s production of Sally & Tom and School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Other DC area credits include Little Miss Perfect (Wig Design), Senior Class (Wig Design), and Comedy of Tenors at Olney Theatre Center; Julius X (Wig Design) and The Winter’s Tale (Wig Design) at Folger Theatre; The Great Privation (Wig Design) and The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes (Wig Design) at Woolly Mammoth; Play On! (Wig Design) at Signature Theatre; Mother Play (Wig Design) and Paradise

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Blue (Wig Design) at Studio Theatre; Fremont Ave. (Wig Design), Death on the Nile (Hair and Wig Design), The Other Americans (Hair Design), and Tempestuous Elements (Wig Design) at Arena Stage; On Your Feet! (Wig Design) at GALA Hispanic Theatre; and The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 (Wig Design) at The Kennedy Center. Film/TV credits include Lioness (Hairstylist), White House Plumber (Hairstylist), Rustin (Hairstylist), and Fellow Travelers (Hairstylist). Education: BA in Art, The University of the District of Columbia.

NAYSAN MOJGANI (Dramaturg) is the Artistic & Dramaturgical Advisor at Round House, serving as a member of the artistic team and guiding the new work program. As a theatre scholar, director, and dramaturg, Naysan has worked on new and classic work with theatres around the country, including Arena Stage (where he served as Literary Manager), La Jolla Playhouse, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Theatre Squared, and Signature Theatre, and has taught at UC San Diego, George Mason University, and Loyola University New Orleans. Naysan holds a PhD in Theatre & Drama from UC San Diego, and a BA from Carleton College.

SARAH COONEY (Casting Director) is Round House Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director of Casting and Artist Management. In the DC area, Sarah has cast for The Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage series, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Rep Stage. As a Casting Director with NYC’s Binder Casting, Sarah cast for The Lion King Broadway and National Touring productions and the Encores! series at New York City Center. Other Regional casting credits include Barrington Stage, Hartford Stage, TheaterWorks Hartford, Seattle Rep, Drury Lane Theatre, Weston Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, ACT of Connecticut, and others. Film and TV casting credits include Crashing (HBO), The Big Sick (Apatow Productions), Kevin Can Wait (CBS), and Clipped (HGTV). Sarah taught at West Virginia University, and is a New York University alum.

GREG GEFFRARD (Associate Director and Intimacy/Fight Director) is an Intimacy and Violence Director based out of Chicago and is elated to be having his Round House debut. DC credits include: Fremont Avenue at Arena Stage; The Color Purple at Signature Theatre; and White Noise (Studio Theatre). Other credits include Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Revolution(s), The Color Purple, The Nacirema Society at Goodman Theatre; Sanctuary City and Choir Boy at Steppenwolf Theatre; Two Sisters & A Piano, Hot Wing King, and The Band's Visit at Writer’s Theatre; Eureka Day at Timeline; BOTH at Teatro Vista; The Factotum at Lyric Opera; Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare; Confederates at Redtwist Theatre; The Mountaintop at Beverly Arts Center; Fen at Court Theatre; Strange Loop, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, and Joe Turner's Come and Gone at Huntington Theatre; The Piano Lesson and And Then There Were None at Milwaukee Rep; and Treemonisha at Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

LILY TOMASIC (Associate Scenic Designer) is thrilled to join the team at Round House! Recent Broadway assistant scenic designer credits include Waiting for Godot at Hudson Theater and Two Strangers at Longacre Theater. Off Broadway credits include A Walk on the Moon at Roundabout Theatre, The Wild Party at Encores!, and SUMO at The Public. Regional credits include Ain’t Too Proud and Something Rotten at Muny; The Counter at Theaterworks Hartford; and Billie Jean at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Instagram: @stagetomato

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DELANEY BRAY (Associate Sound Designer) is a sound and projections designer/engineer, happily lending both skill sets to this production. Previous work at Round House includes Sally & Tom (Projections Designer); Rules for Living and What the Constitution Means to Me (Sound Designer); The Mountaintop and August Wilson's Radio Golf (Associate Sound Designer); A Hanukkah Carol or Gelt Trip! The Musical, Next to Normal, and The Tempest (front of house mixer); and Quixote Nuevo (A2). Additional credits include Cinderella: A Salsa Fairytale at Imagination Stage; Hurricane Diane at Avant Bard; Beastgirl, Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, and Spells of the Sea at The Kennedy Center; as well as audio engineering credits at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Constellation Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre.

CHE WERNSMAN (Stage Manager) is in her eleventh season as Resident Stage Manager at Round House Theatre. Some of her favorite Round House credits include: The Inheritance, Parts One and Two; Nothing Up My Sleeve; Bad Books; What the Constitution Means to Me; Topdog/ Underdog; Ink; On the Far End; The Tempest; Nine Night; "We declare you a terrorist…"; A Boy and His Soul; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Handbagged (Off-Broadway - 59E59, Bethesda); Oslo; Gem of the Ocean; Small Mouth Sounds; The Book of Will; and A Prayer for Owen Meany. Che has worked as an AEA Stage Manager in the DC/Baltimore region for over two decades, with shows at Everyman Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, The National, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Theatre J, Studio, Rep Stage, Center Stage, and Olney Theatre Center. Che has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech.

JUANCARLOS CONTRERAS (Assistant Stage Manager) is grateful to return to Round House after being the assistant stage manager on The Inheritance, Parts One and Two. Other local DMV area credits include: Akira Kurosawa Explains his Movies and Yougurt (with Live and Active Cultures!) at Woolly Mammoth Theatre; And Then There Were None at Everyman Theatre; and Kunene and the King at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Regional credits include: Production Stage Manager for the 2026 National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center; Furlough's Paradise at Geva Theatre; three seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival with Lizard Boy and Romeo & Juliet being some highlights; Spring Awakening at Northern Stage; Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at the Fulton Theatre; and two summer seasons at Creede Repertory Theatre with highlights being An Iliad and Little Shop of Horrors.

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PRODUCTION TEAM

Production Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SYDNEY GARICK Assistant Production Manager and Company Manager . . . . . . . . . . . CHASSI SLAPPY Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MATT SAXTON Costume Shop Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALISON SAMANTHA JOHNSON Assistant Technical Director. . . . . . . . . . JOSE ABRAHAM Scenic Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JENNY COCKERHAM Props Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL MCKOWEN Sound and Projections Supervisor . . . . . DELANEY BRAY Lighting Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STEVEN BURRALL Lead Carpenter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DYLAN RUTEMILLER Production Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KENNEDI HENDRIX Rehearsal Production Assistant . . . . . . . PERI WALKER Wardrobe Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANYA PEREGRINO Wig Supervisor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G WEISS Deck Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELLEN MITCHELL Light Board Programmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . CODY WHITFIELD Light Board Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAYE OVERTON A1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIA MARTINEZ Electricians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SYDNEY BRONAUGH ZAVAR BLACKLEDGE SARAH MACKOWSKI ISA PELEGERO KRISTOP ROSARIO Carpenters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RAMSEY KNAB JAMES MCDONALD ELLEN MITCHELL JACOB SILVER Scenic Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SARAH PHILLIPS-HOOLEY Costume Shop Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . REGAN MCKAY Draper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DENNIS KITMORE Stitcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAM EISENSTEIN-BOND Props Artisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAMES MCDONALD

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AUGUST WILSON AND THE GREAT MIGRATION

Set of Fences, designed by Daniel Conway.

Ricardo Frederick Evans and KenYatta Rogers in Two Trains Running. Photo by Danisha Crosby.

BY NAYSAN MOJGANI, DRAMATURG

A

ugust Wilson is most known for his American Century Cycle, a series of ten plays spanning the twentieth century and the Black American experience therein. Between Round House and Olney Theatre Center, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the 6th Cycle play we’ve produced after Fences (Round House, 2004), Two Trains Running (Round House, 2014), The Piano Lesson (Olney, 2014), Gem of the Ocean (Round House, 2018), and Radio Golf (Round House, 2023). Additionally, in recent years, DMV audiences have seen productions of King Hedley II (Arena Stage, 2015), Jitney (Arena Stage, 2019), and Seven Guitars (Arena Stage, 2021), leaving only Joe Turner’s Come and Gone unproduced in the area in recent years (although it has been produced multiple times in Baltimore).

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Jessica Frances Dukes and JaBen Early in The Piano Lesson. Photo by Stan Barouh.

Stephanie Berry, Justin Weaks, Alfred Wilson, Jefferson A. Russell, and Stori Ayers in Gem of the Ocean. Photo by Kaley Etzkorn.

Ro Boddie and JaBen Early in Radio Golf. Photo by Margot Schulman.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is unlike the other plays in the Cycle. Most obviously, it is set in Chicago, rather than in Wilson’s native Pittsburgh’s Hill District, where the rest of the Cycle takes place. It is also the only play to feature a historical figure on stage, albeit still within a fictional narrative. Much of this difference can be attributed to its status

as the first play of the Cycle, as Wilson was still figuring out his parameters. Ma Rainey was actually what launched Wilson’s career, after it was accepted to the prestigious National Playwrights Conference in 1982 (opening on Broadway in 1984).

Despite its differences, Ma Rainey is united thematically with the rest of Wilson’s work.

With Ma Rainey and her band, Wilson is exploring themes of Black self-determination and ownership in the musical milieu in the same way he explores those themes in other plays and in other decades through (for instance) politics in Radio Golf, or neighborhood businesses in Jitney and Two Trains Running. And if there is a singular thesis of the American Century Cycle uniting all 10 plays, it might be that the Great Migration—the movement of millions of African Americans out of the South over the course of decades, first into the Northeast and Midwest and later out West—severed Black Americans from their roots and from each other and that something critical was lost with that move.

very difficult to understand who we are. In all my plays, I always point toward making that connection, toward reconnecting with the past.

You have to know who you are, and understand your history in America over more than 300 years, in order to know what your relation is to your society.”

And for Wilson, one of the most primal components of that broken connection for African Americans is music. In the preface to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, he talks about Black Chicagoans and their music: “it is music that breathes and touches. That connects. That is in itself a way of being, separate and distinct from any other. This music is called blues. Whether this music came from Alabama or Mississippi or other parts of the South doesn’t matter anymore. The men and women who make this music have learned it from the narrow crooked streets of East St. Louis, or the streets of the city’s Southside, and the Alabama or Mississippi roots have been strangled by the northern manners and customs of free men of definite and sincere worth, men for whom this music often lies at the forefront of their conscience and concerns. Thus they are laid open to be consumed by it; its warmth and redress, its braggadocio and roughly poignant comments, its vision and prayer, which would instruct and allow them to reconnect, to reassemble and gird up for the next battle in which they would be both victim and the ten thousand slain."

Whether you can quote from all ten plays or this is your first experience with August Wilson, as you watch the story of Ma and “We were land-based agrarian people from Cutler and Toledo and Slow Drag and Levee, Africa. We were uprooted from Africa, and and as you see them gird up and do battle, we spent over 200 years developing our cul- consider the roots—of them, of their music, ture as black Americans. And then we left the and of that very battle in which they may South. We uprooted ourselves and attempted give their lives. ■ to transplant this culture to the pavements of the industrialized North. And it was a transplant that did not take. I think if we had stayed in the South, we would have been a stronger people.

And because the connection between the South of the 20's, 30's and 40's has been broken, it's

In a 1990 New York Times interview, Wilson articulated this idea directly:

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“THEY MUST HAVE BEEN WOMEN, ‘CAUSE I DON’T LIKE NO MEN”: MA RAINEY AND THE BLUESWOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW “I think the blues is the best literature that the blacks have. It’s certainly at the bedrock of everything I do, because it’s the world and the people. The music comes out of black life as created by black people.”

—August Wilson, 1996

MA RAINEY was a real woman, born Gertrude

Pridgett in 1886. She started performing as a young teenager before touring with her husband (Pa Rainey) and various groups. She was part of a wave of early female blues singers who proved the commercial viability of the genre, prompting the burgeoning record industry to invest in “race records,” ultimately leading to jazz, rock and roll, R&B, and so much of our contemporary musical scene.

Many of these women had their roots in vaudeville and touring tent shows. Their performances were highly theatrical, with elaborate costumes and choreography. For instance, Ma Rainey herself is reported to have performed “Moonshine Blues” while emerging from a giant mock phonograph. Additionally, both on and offstage, these women forcefully asserted their autonomy: at a time when both their race and gender exerted pressure on them to be small and quiet, these women established their financial independence as businesswomen and sang openly about their lives and struggles, including about their sexual liberation. Ma, for example, sang openly about her same-sex attraction.

MA RAIN

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EY

Despite (or perhaps because of) their trailblazing, the importance of these women has historically been diminished while blues is typically framed as a primarily masculine genre. Here are just a few of these significant artists that you should know about. We’ve got them playing in the lobby, and we encourage you to listen to their music at home!

BESSIE SMITH,

aka The Empress of the Blues, began her career as a dancer for Ma Rainey, before setting out on MITH BESSIE S her own. In the 1920s, she became the highest-paid Black entertainer of any kind, touring with her band and dancers in a private custom train car. Her 1923 “Down-Hearted Blues” sold 2 million copies in its first year, saving the struggling Columbia Records from bankruptcy.

LUCILLE BOGAN

was one of the first blueswomen to be recorded, both under her own name and later under the name BOGAN LUCILLE Bessie Jackson.

She was one of the leading performers of her day, and was particularly known for her lascivious songs, performances, and personal life, regularly singing about drinking, sex, and prostitution, such as in her songs “Sloppy Drunk Blues” or “Groceries on the Shelf.”

MEMPHIS MINNIE began

her career playing on Beale Street in Memphis, before touring with Ringling Brothers Circus. A pioMINNIE MEMPHIS neer of Southern country blues, Minnie (along with Bessie Smith) was one of the only two women included in the Blues Hall of Fame’s 1980 inaugural induction; notably, many artists of the latter half of the twentieth century have called out her influence, including covers of her songs by both Jefferson Airplane (“Me and My Chauffeur Blues”) and Led Zeppelin (“When the Levee Breaks”).

MAMIE SMITH

(no relation) was the first Black blues singer to be recorded, when Okeh Records put out “That MITH MAMIE S Thing Called Love” and “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” in 1920. Although the label received boycott threats in both the North and the South, the record was a commercial success, establishing the viability of the genre.

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THEATRE FOR EVERYONE

HOUSE RULES

At Round House, “Theatre For Everyone” isn’t just a statement. It’s our mission and an organizational value. It means that everyone— patrons, artists, staff, students, trustees, and volunteers—is invited to fully participate and deserves to be treated with respect.

This is our promise to you…and we ask you to join us in upholding these values and expectations in all of your interactions with Round House.

For more information, please visit the House Rules page on our website.

ROUND HOUSE THEATRE

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In our ongoing efforts to learn more and strengthen our relationships with members of our local community, and to work towards dismantling the harmful effects of white supremacy and colonization, Round House acknowledges that our theatre, administrative offices, education center, and production shop are located on unceded land cared for by native tribes including the Piscataway peoples. We pay our respects to the Piscataway community and their elders both past and present, as well as future generations.

We pledge to do the work necessary to build relationships with sovereign tribal nations, to ensure that Round House becomes a more inclusive space, and to never cease ongoing learning.

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FOR

5050 Celebrate our 50th anniversary season with free events, all season long! 50 For 50 events include readings, tech rehearsal look-ins, backstage tours, lobby events, open classes, and much more!

To view the full lineup of events and to register for upcoming events, visit RoundHouseTheatre.org/50for50 or scan the QR code to sign up for our mailing list!

2026–2027 A SEASON OF “MORE” August Wilson’s

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM SEP 9–OCT 11, 2026

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

NOV 27–DEC 27, 2026

APRIL 29–JUNE 6, 2027

ARTSCENTRIC’S PRODUCTION OF

DOUBT: A PARABLE

SOME LIKE IT HOT

CROWNS

SEP 18–NOV 8, 2026

JAN 28–MARCH 7, 2027

SYNETIC THEATER’S

CHURCHILL

SLEEPY HOLLOW OCT 7–NOV 1, 2026

LES MISÉRABLES

OCT 30, 2026–JAN 31, 2027

JAN 28–MARCH 21, 2027

JUNE 2–JULY 11, 2027

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

JUNE 30–AUG 22, 2027

KIMBERLY AKIMBO

MARCH 18–APRIL 25, 2027

BECOME A MEMBER AND GET YOUR SEATS TODAY

OlneyTheatre.org/Join

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DONORS

We gratefully acknowledge the following donors who support the work of Round House Theatre through Annual Fund and Gala contributions. These gifts help Round House continue to be a theatre for everyone and enrich our community through bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences that inspire empathy and demand conversation.

To learn more about the ways to support Round House, donor benefits, or to make a gift, visit RoundHouseTheatre.org/Donate or call the Development Department at 240.641.5352.

List is current as of July 26, 2026

Artist Housing at Round House Theatre is provided by major contributions from the Melissa Blake Rowny Fund for Artistic Development and the State of Maryland.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Diamond Circle

Cathy S. Bernard Heidi and Mitch Dupler Gilbert and Rona* Eisner Jay and Robin Hammer Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Manfred M. Hein* and Florence H. Hein* State of Maryland Montgomery County Government Linda J. Ravdin and Don Shapero Judy and Leo Zickler

Platinum Circle

THE SHARE FUND

Nan Beckley Michael Beriss and Jean Carlson Judy Duberrier Clare Evans Susan and Timothy Gibson John and Rachel King Janice McCall Maureen and Michael McMurphy and the Patrick Michael McMurphy Memorial Foundation Sherman Fairchild Foundation David and Sherry Smith Nina Weisbroth and Larry Culleen

Gold Circle

Association for Death Education and Counseling James R. Beckers and Donna Mertens Walter A. Bloedorn Foundation Pam and Richard Feinstein The GPS Fund Susan Gilbert and Ron Schechter in honor of Kimberly G. and Maboud E. Michael and Ilana Heintz Robert E. Hebda Paul Henderson Rafael Hernandez and Laura Roulet-Hernandez Daniel Kaplan and Kay Richman Rick Kasten The Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation Maryland State Department of Education The Morgan Fund at Seattle Foundation

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Martha Newman and Brian Sutton Susan and Bill Reinsch Dian and Steve Seidel Catherine Michelle and Clifford E. Shedd (Listing as of FebruaryMiller 11, 2024) Still Point Fund

Silver Circle +

Ann and Neil Kerwin Kathleen Knepper Joy A. Rhoden Margaret Ann Ross Malcolm and Michele Russell-Einhorn Linda Schwartz Amy Selco and Kevin Keeley Ruchi Sharma and Apoorva Gandhi Michael and Andrea Steele Robert Yerman and Britta Lindberg

Copper Circle +

Americans for the Arts Anonymous (2) Arronson Foundation Jane Brody Lynn and Bill Choquette Jim Eisner Lisa Gappa-Norris Leslie Grizzard and Joe Hale Linda Lurie Hirsch Sari Hornstein Elaine Economides Joost Jan and Carole Ann Klein Jeffrey* and Carolyn Leonard Don McMinn and Harv Lester Philip* and Lynn Metzger Linda Ryan Linda and Steve Skalet John and Val Wheeler

Bronze Circle + +

+ Keith and Celia Arnaud Lorraine and Doug Bibby Elaine Kotell Binder and Richard Binder Don and Nancy Bliss James Burks and Bette Pappas Jane* and Fred Cantor The Dimick Foundation Laura Forman and Richard Bender John and Meg Hauge Mindy A. Hecker Donald Hesse and Jerrilyn Andrews John Horman Mary L. Kenzie Foundation

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Anonymous Halcy Bohen Ellen and Jon Bortz Michael L. Burke and Carl W. Smith Barry and Phyllis Caldwell John and Valerie Cuddy Donna Dana Stephanie deSibour and Marc Miller Jean and Paul Dudek Susan Dweck Victoria Heisler Edouard Joan Farragher Dr. Julie M. Feinsilver Nancy and Cary Feldman Carole and Robert Fontenrose Helene Freeman Susie and Michael Gelman Ann and Frank* Gilbert Michael Gottlieb and J. Joseph Hart The Greene-Milstein Family Foundation Susan and Peter Greif Edward Grossman and Rochelle Stanfield Connie Heller Jane Holmes Robbins and Giles Hopkins Howard and Ella Iams Reba and Mark Immergut Michele Jawando Clifford Johnson and Margaret Roper Renee Klish Dana and Ray Koch Nancy and Robert Kopp Daniel Korengold and Martha Dippell Barry Kropf Michael and Judy Mael Ed Starr* and Marilyn Marcosson Maryland Department of Transportation/ Purple Line Susan Freeman McGee

John and Marie McKeon Arthur and Sallie Melvin Carol Mermey and Erik Lichtenberg MetroBethesda Rotary Foundation Inc. Ellen G. Miles in honor of Neil Richard Greene George Montague and Nan Dreher Scott and Paula Moore Scott Hunt and Pamela Nash Carl and Undine Nash Richard and Meka Parker Craig Pascal Michael and Penelope Pollard Nora Roberts Foundation William and Eveline Roberts Jerry and Sara Robinson

The Rowny Foundation Steve and Rebecca Schaefer Barbara Selter Suzanne Shapiro David and Peggy Shiffrin Elaine and English Showalter Mark and Merrill Shugoll Leslie and Howard Stein William Tompkins, Jr. and Dana Brewington Janet and Jerome White Bernard and Ellen Young Lynda and Joseph Zengerle + Denotes Business Council Member

INNER CIRCLE Sustainers

Clement and Sandra Alpert Designated Endowment Fund Anonymous Nancy and Dan Balz Wendy and Eben Block Don and Jan Boardman Irene and Joseph Bromberg Susan and Dixon Butler Bonnie C. Carroll Richard Cleva Belle Davis David Drasin The Eacho Family Foundation Ensurise Burton and Anne Fishman Lois Fishman Daryl Flatté and Richard David Fleishhacker Foundation - in honor of Mitch and Heidi Dupler Kathy Freeman Lana Halpern Jennifer Hauge and Steven Berk The Heintz Family Michele and Will Jawando Henry Kahn and Laura Primakoff John Keator and Virginia Sullivan Margaret Kenny Kyle Kerr and Stephen Bique Chaz and Jane Kerschner Ellen Kohn Debra Kraft and Rob Liberatore Sharon Light and Gidon van Emden Mary Lynne Martin

Alan Miller and Susan O'Hara Joann Moser and Nicholas Berkoff William and Paula Phillips Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Robert and Robin Sherman Pamela and John Spears Kathy and Bob Wenger Richard and Susan Westin Carolyn L. Wheeler Stacy and Julian Yochum

Benefactors

Nora Abramson and David Nathan Marla and Bobby Baker, BakerMerine Family Foundation Jane Beard and Jeff Davis Ellen L. Berman Gary and Linda Bittner Sharon Brown Yolanda Bruno Jeff and Joan Butvinik Kenneth Coon The Eacho Family Foundation Laura Malone Elliott Dan Hudson and Karen Garnett Ellen and Dr. Michael Gold Margaret Hennessey Daniel Hicks and John McCall Shelley Klein and Cathy Bendor Rebecca J. Klemm Michael W. Kolakowski Barbara Kurshan Isiah and Catherine Leggett Sharon and Jim Lowe

Anne McGuirk Rick McUmber and Melanie Folstad Diane R. Meyers Jane W. Molloy Robert K. Musil and Caryn McTighe Musil Mark and Teresa Plotkin William J. Reynolds Steve Roberts Deborah and Lee Rogers Janet Rosenbaum Fran Rothstein and Stephen Wolk Jay P. Siegel and Mona Sarfaty Sarah Sloan David Stevens and Linda A. Wymbs Susan and John Sturc Ruth Tate Mr. Leslie C. Taylor Walter Wentz Madeline and Gary Wilks Jessica K. Wootton

Advocates

Yasmin Abadian and James McWhorter Dave and Toko Ackerman Actors' Equity Foundation, Inc. Boris Allan and Kathleen Pomroy Anonymous Lee T. Arevian Kate and Stephen Baldwin Lynn Barclay Ruthann Bates Leslie and Joe Bauer

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Jeff Bauman and Linda Feinberg/ Beech Street Foundation Leonard and Gabriela Bebchick Craig Benson Marilynn E. Bianco Edie and David Blitzstein Diane Boehr Amy Bogdon and Robert Kornfeld Brigid Haragan Ian Cameron Hugh Camitta Vanessa Chernick Louis and Bonnie Cohen Robert A. Davis and Patricia Brannan Karen Deasy David and Linda DeBord Cyril Draffin Beth Dresing John Driscoll Sally Dunkelberger and David Daniel Thomas R. Edgar Sally A. Fasman Janet Garber and Kris Keydel Nicole and Christopher Gardner Nikki Gettinger Susan Gordon Wilbur and Rita Hadden Nicole Halmos Susan Harding James Heegeman Alan Helgerman and Sandra Lapietra Jill Herscot Rachel R. Jaffe Larry* and Sue Jeweler Michael Joy and Deborah Fischer Michael and Jean Kaliner Veronica Kannan James Kanski Scott and Janine Kaufmann Michele Kelemen Erna and Michael Kerst Katha Kissman Carole Klein and Brad Chesivoir Sara and Stephen Kraskin Stephen H. Leppla Robert and Abby Levin Richard Lieberman and Helene Weisz Harvey Maisel and Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel David and Karen Marcellas Winton Matthews, Jr. Chris and Kathleen Matthews Joy P. McConnell Doug and Mary Beth McDaniel Robert Baker and Jacob Melamed

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Jeffrey Menick Kathleen Meskill Margaret A. Metzger Carol Migdalovitz Mike and Mary Morse Bonnie Nannenga-Combs Joe M. Norton Geri Olson Heidi and David Onkst John and Margie Orrick Ellen Parker Gail Kern Paster Stan Peabody Denise and Craig Pernick Andrew Pierre and Joan Root Ann and Christian Plaza Henry M. Polmer Gail J. Povar Judy Racoosin Janice Redish Everett Redmond and Valerie Schneider Peter S. Reichertz Dennis W. Renner and Michael T. Krone Naomi Robin and Gerald Gleason David and Gayle Roehm Cynthia Rohrbeck and Philip Wirtz Mark Rothman Elias and Andrea Savada Denise Schleckser Joaquin Sena Donald M. Spero and Nancy Chasen Richard Steiner Charlotte Stewart Lucinda Swartz Sheila Taube The Beech Street Foundation Joanne Tucker Marna Tucker and Lawrence Baskir Patrick and Betsy Turley Jack Vanderryn and Margrit Venderryn Debby Vivari Richard and Elisabeth Waugaman Stanley Wei and Abigail Hankin-Wei Christopher Wolf and James L. Beller Ed and Judy Zakreski Ellie Zartman Beryl Zbar Mike Zephir

Associates

Carlene Ackerman Donald Adams and Ellen Maland Janet Airis Betsy and Robb Anderson Anonymous (2) Alan and Susan Apter Michaela and David Barnes Marty Bell and Sheryl Rosenthal Linda Blumberg and Stephen Turow Elizabeth Boe Judith and L. Thompson Bowles David E. Bradley CityBridge Foundation Stephen Brushett Ronald and Lori Bubes Lucinda Calahan Leslie Calman and Jane Gruenebaum Linda Cancellieri Bernadette U. Chan Carol Chelemer James Christian Franklin C Coleman Bruce and Lisa Cort Edward Cowan Katheryn L. Cranford Cahn Curtis Jack Davies and Kay Kendall Mr. Louis Delair Jr. Katherine DeWitt Andi Drimmer Judy Duberrier Peggy Dugan Norma Dugger Sarah and Josh Eastright Judy Edstrom Paul Ehrenreich and Ellen Riker Barbara Elkus Marjorie and Anthony Elson Carrie and Evan Ewachiw Fred and Starr Ezra Arlene Ferretti and Albert Fornace Michael and Regine Feuer Michael and Deborah Fink Lisa Forrest and Herb Golden Ronna L. Foster Sara H. Franks and Michael O. Moore Jay W. Freedman George Freeland Richard Friedman Sandra R. Fucigna Barbara Fugate and Kazuo Yaginuma Kristen Gilley

Jack Giraudo and Christine Colby Giraudo Leslie Goldberg Al and Maxine Golub Amy K. Goott Stuart and Beverly Greenfeig Jane and Jeff Griffith Jack E. Hairston Jr. Susan and Allen Hanenbaum Judith and Bruce Hartung Eric and Susan Hatch Colleen and Edward Healy Bob and Suzanne Henig Jon Hiatt and Barbara Shepp Barbara Hoover Larry Hothem Thomas and Ann Humphrey Susan and Paul Hyman Madeleine S. Jacobs Liz Jones Robyn Joseffer Michael Kampen and Rachael Schroeder Aaron Kaufman Michelle M. Kaufman David and Helen Kenney Eugene Kenney Marjorie S. Klein and David Doar Kenneth A. Kopp Mimi and Michael Brodsky Kress Lerch, Early, and Brewer Thomas Letnes Sonya Levine Felice Li Maura and Eric Lightfoot Geralyn Lobel Joyce Lowenstein Ann Hutchison Lung Dorothea Lyas Claire Maklan Kerry Malawista and Alan Heilbron Lory Manning

John and Liza Marshall Leslie Z. Martin Virginia A. McArthur Anna McGowan Ryan Merkel John and Donna Meyer Larry and Beth Meyer Lenore Meyers Susan Milligan and Philip McGuire Edward and Nancy Mills Laurie and Walter Minerbi Daniel G. Mintz and Ellen Elow-Mintz Tom and Cathy Monheim William W. Mullins and Pat Petrick John Murphy Tony Nam Winkle W. Nemeth Sam Olchyk Jim and Joan Palmer Jan Pappalardo Judy Perry James Petrick Joram and Lona Piatigorsky Deborah Potter Bo and Andrea Razak Sharon Rennert Catherine Ribnick Jane Rice Judy Riggs Judith A. Ritz Constance R. Robey Martha P. Rogers and Daniel E. Toomey KenYatta and Michelle Rogers Catherine Roha Barbara B. Rosenbaum M.D. and Robert Feldhuhn Steven M. Rosenberg and Stewart C. Low III Florence and Daniel Rosenblum Jane Rostov Joanne and Marty Severe

Marnie S. Shaul Erin A. Shelton James and Ann Sherman Stephanie and Johnny Shuchart Delia Shugrue Hannah Siegel Shaheena and Marco Simons Cora Simpson Stuart Sirkin and Arlene Farber Sirkin Stephen Skinner Robert Smart and Christine Belson Jared S. Solomon Randall Speck and Samantha Nolan Lisa Stark Rochelle S. Steinberg Holly and George Stone Tom Strikwerda and Donna Stienstra Emily Strulson Jay Sushelsky and Noreen Marcus Sally Tedrow James and Elizabeth Thetford Grant P. and Sharon R. Thompson Travis Memorial Endowment Judith Travis The VAC Fund Marianne Van Pelt Arthur Warren Jill Waterman David Wentworth Christine Westbrook Jerry* and Jean Whiddon Sheila and Oliver Wilcox Eric and Lalah Williams Robert E. Wilson Susan Winslow Mier and Cathy Wolf Raymond M. Wolfe Nate Wong Joanne and James Zucchetto

* in memoriam

We make every effort to provide accurate acknowledgment for our contributors. If your name is misspelled or omitted, please accept our apologies and contact the Development Department at 240.641.5352 or Development@RoundHouseTheatre.org.

In Kind Donors Doyle Printing & Offset Co. Mayorga Coffee Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Provisions Catering Barbara Rapaport Susan Gage Caterers

Round House Theatre is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County government, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Artist Housing at Round House Theatre is provided by major contributions from the Melissa Blake Rowny Fund for Artistic Development and the State of Maryland.

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OLNEY THEATRE CENTER INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT This list consists of annual, gala, and endowment contributions and pledges of $250 or more for the fiscal year 2026 or 2027, whichever is greater. Olney Theatre’s fiscal year runs from August 1 to July 31:

Eugene B. Casey Foundation

$250,000+

$100,000+

$50,000+

The Kenneth S. Battye Charitable Trust

$25,000+

Anonymous

$10,000+

Axios Napa Valley

EskewDumezRipple

Green Fund

Provisions Catering

The Share Fund

Dimick Foundation

$5,000+

Montgomery County– Mid County Regional Service Office Pettit Family Charitable Foundation

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The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.

My Enchanted Florist

$2,500+

Truman Wealth Management Group-Wells Fargo Advisors

The Giving Back Fund

$1,000+

Lions Club of Olney

National Alliance for Musical

Theatre’s Writers Residency Grant

The Pearl Foundation, Inc.

Marla & Bobby Baker, Baker-Merine Family Foundation

Adeptus

$250+

Design Workshop

Kitchen Saver Lions Club of Olney

Mamma Lucia

Red Carpet Remodeling

William & Karen Tell Foundation

Olney Theatre Center for the Arts is supported in part by funding from Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County. Olney Theatre Center is also supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).

Olney Theatre’s Apprentice Training Program in 2025-26 was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Olney Theatre also thanks Arts Midwest and the Shakespeare in American Communities grant program.

INDIVIDUAL GIFTS This list represents gifts made to the Annual Fund received from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026.

Visionary Circle Bob and Eveline Roberts

Virtuoso

Anonymous Merle Haberman Mr. Vernon L. Skinner Jr.

Luminary

Linda August James Beckers & Donna Mertens Barron P. Hall, DVM

David Harris Margaret T. Roper and Clifford L. Johnson Elissa and Ben Wolf

Trailblazer

Anonymous Barbara Cronin Susan and Jay Finkelstein Barry and Marie Fleishman Kathy and John Lyons Alice Barrett Mack

Karen and Phil Rabin Amy Rosselle and Rob Kallman Linda Ravdin and Don Shapero Bernard Seneway Katherine and Craig Thornton John R. and Andrea Z. Urciolo Irene and Steven White Ray and Ellen Youstra

Innovator

Anonymous Sanford and Bettye Ames

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Deanne Ayers-Howard and LeRoy Howard Sandy Bieber and Linda Rosenzweig George and Kristie Bradford Emily and Zach Briton Kathy and Brian Chappell Heather Dlhopolsky Joan Elise Dubinsky and Craig N. Packard Pat Fauver Bob and Carole Fontenrose Michial A. Gill Suzanne and Bruce Glassman Meg and John Hauge Robert E. Hebda Roger & Deborah Henry Nettie Horne Gus and Lynne Kalaris Ike & Catherine Leggett Margarete D. Levy Jacqueline and Tom Manger Linda T. Myers and Charles N. Myers Melanie Nussdorf Craig Pascal Steve Phan & Rick Poster Kiati Plooksawasdi and Natalie Sukontasup Cynthia Raposo and Joseph Furey Jillian Rose Margaret Ann Ross Mr. and Mrs. Steven Schupak Roger and Barbara Schwarz Tilcia Toledo Helene Weisz and Richard Lieberman Lowell and Debbra Yoder Mr. Thomas Zutic and Mr. William L. Mitchell

Leader

Anonymous Connie and Larry* Aaronson Deborah and Bruce Berman Joy and John Binford James and Ellen Callahan Glen and Robin Cameron

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Richard and Joan Curtis Stephen and Maryann Dembek Maura Dollymore David Drasin The Ellinghaus Family Gary Fontaine and O'Shelya Brown Hal and Karen Gordon Nicole Alfandre Halbreiner Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Z. Kaufman Jason Loewith Elizabeth and Kenneth Lundeen Lisa McKillop in honor of the National Players Neil and Betty Noble Ryan and Jessica Noble Norma Percy Bill and Paula Phillips Stephen R. and Erin M. Prest Pamela E. Queen Tracey Reeder Alda and Jerry Simpson Carl W. Smith and Michael L. Burke John and Pamela Spears Lois Taylor and Stephen Simpson Mr. Paul L. Tilley Thomas and Tara Watts Wilson Roman Family Charitable Fund Tom and Bobbie Wolf Susan and Larry Zimmerman

Advocate

Anonymous Anonymous – in memory of Kate Gibson William Allen Greg and Patty Argyros Susan and Robert Bailey Richard and Sunny Banvard Lynne Barnes Adrienne & Geoff Burroughs Glen and Robin Cameron Paul and Kathleen Casey Ed* and Leslie Cronin Francis and Phyllis Donovan

M. Charlene Dorrian Heidi and Mitch Dupler Colleen Fitzpatrick and Family Howard Forman The Galen Miller Fund at the Cleveland Foundation Haard/Hoffmann Family Paul Henderson Ms. Winifred E. Herrmann David C. Humm Sean and Laura Klein Tom Lansford Yaminah Leggett-Wells and Alex Wells Robert E. Liles John and Lynn Mahoney Maggie and Tico McCready William McDonald Maureen McNeill Carol Migdalovitz Ms. Helaine S. Morss Ron Murch and Natanya Nobel Leonard and Anna Pfeiffer Mita M Schaffer and Tina M. Martin* Scott and Evelyn Schreiber Ruth M. Tate The Tontalas Debby Vivari Sandy and Alan Wade Mr. and Ms. Leo Zickler

Benefactor

Anonymous Dean and Jo Aulick Linda Barrett & Emily Harris Barbara Baumann & Michael Conrad Harvey & Fran Berger Ethan and Suzanne Blank Donald and Nancy Bliss Diane Boehr Susan Boyd David Briggs and John Benton* Yolanda Bruno Stephen and Maria-Rose Cain Bruce Caviness Carol Chelemer

Irving Cohen Kaye Craft Frank and Joan Dicostanzo Gana Dunlop David Dunn Bunny Dwin Doug and Jane Ellinghaus Maureen and Tom Estrin Dr. and Mrs. Leroy C. Evans Barbara B. Fowler Rhonda B. Friedman Rev. Denise M. Giacomozzi and Mr. Jan Allen May Linda Grabel Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Rob and Shar Hellie Richard and Debra Hughes Lane Jennings Jonathan Jerison Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jourdenais Stephen Kelly Paulette Kessler Mary and Stephen Klein Everett and Nancy Korman Robert and Linda Krauss Diane Ward Lett and Paul Lett The Lewanda Family Carol Loewith Eric and Dawn Luedtke Cathy MacNeil-Hollinger and Mark Hollinger Deborah M. Mass Monica T. May Anna Therese McGowan R. Wesley Meekins David Mendick & Naomi Yadin-Mendick Cathy and Dan Milano Michael Miller Susan and William Morris Kesh Narayanan & Ms. Annelie Wilde Mr. and Ms. Clyde W. Northrop Mr. Fred T. Paul Stan Peabody Susan Penn William and Connie Perry Jeanne and Burnie Peters

George and Loretta Pleasant-Jones Vicken Poochikian and Irene Roth Jerome Powell and Elissa Leonard Paul D. Radecki Steve Roberts Ms. Mary K. Robitaille Elie and Lesley Rogers Ms. Lois Romeo Rufus Giving Fund Martin Safer and Carolyn Lichtenstein Edward and Norma Salem Nancy Sanders Raymond Scalettar Beth Schroeder T.J. and Lindsay Senker Frances Shellenberger Betty Smallwood Leslie F. Smith and Stacy P. Smith Vanessa Stiffler-Claus Rusty Suter in Loving memory of Dick and Nancy Thomas Carolyn and James Terry Sarah and Marc Tischler Louis and Diana Ulman Aaron and Hilary Vernon Michael and Beth Whiteford George A. and Katherine C. Whitehouse Richard and Susan Wilby Laurie and Paul Wilner Karen Winegardner Olga and Eldon Yoder

Promoter

Anonymous Lori Anderson Richard Alperstein & Lenny Seliger Alan and Susan Apter Stanley and Linda Berman Mr. Kenneth Burgdorf & Ms. Norma Williams William and Anna-Marie Butler Jeff and Joan Butvinik

Libby and Walt Davis Karen M. Deasy Rosemary and Barry Eigen Eddie and Rachel Eitches Warren Eng Robert Enzel Gregory Flowers Bonnie Fogel Jeanne Marie Ford Laura Forman & Richard Bender Nancy Fortna Paul and Marguerite Frampton Jill and Mark Freedman David Friedman & Donna Potemken Kenneth and Janet Friedman Leonard Friedman and Randi Passamaneck Noreen and Michael Friedman Barbara Fugate & Kazuo Yaginuma Drs. Michael Gaynon and Susan Ryu Tony Geisler Richard Gervase & Stuart Delery Mark and Ellen Goldberg Michael Goodman Jonah Green and Lori Rothfeld Ed Grossman & Rochelle Stanfield Norene Guilford Marcia and Lee Haller Lorna and Dick Harold Reverend Linda Harrison Elizabeth Hiner Karen Horrocks Laura and Corrie Jaynes Estelle D. Jean, MD Jo Anne Johnson Yolka Kagan James and Maria Klimchuk Nancy Kochuk/Carl Luty Robert Kopera Mr & Mrs Stephen Kovarcik Leslie and Michael Krainak Jeffrey Laizure Andrea Lamphier

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Wendy Lance Daryl Leach Carol and Tim Leydig Carolyn Lincoln Paul and Susan Linz Mary Long Daniel and Amy Matathias Elizabeth Mattingly Duncan & Linda McNabb Claire and Curtis Menyuk Richard and Maureen Mercier Alice Metrick Terri Meyer Ellen and Leonard Milstone Daniel Mintz and Ellen Elow-Mintz Frederick and Elizabeth Montgomery William and Catherine Mooney Dr. Sara Moran Sanil Nath Tim and Emily O'Keefe Sasha Olinick Berverly Ornberg, PhD John and Margaret Orrick D. Pathmanathan Heather Pierce and Mark Schofield Cynthia and John Prucha Daniel Ricci Sarah Richards Anita and Howard Rosen Barbara Rosenbaum and Bob Feldhuhn Amin, Tracy, And Sofia Salaam Mr. Dan Savin & Ms. Patricia A. Murphy Elizabeth Sawyerr Kenneth Scales Susan and Steven Schaffer Roger and Diane Schmidt Julia and Peter Shawhan Sue Jenkins Shawhan Ferne Smith Thomas and Bonnie Sneeringer Roger and Carolyn Sorensen Allison Stockman Dennis Stylc

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Frank and Rosemary Sullivan Marion Thompson Vija Udenans Paul and Deborah Vale Kelly Vielmo Kendra and John Wells John and Ann Wylie *Deceased

1938 Legacy Society

Diane Boehr Scott and Athena Dalrymple The Estate of Bob Davis and Henry Schalizki Edith L.Embrey The Estate of Bennett and Marilyn Elisberg Gary Fontaine and O’Shelya Brown Richard Haas Robert E. Hebda Paul Henderson The Estate of Naomi Horowitz The Estate of Carol Jordan The Estate of Karen Kosian The Estate of Lillian & Albert Litowsky Charles S. Mack and Alice Barrett Mack The Estate of Marilyn Mead Steve C. Phan and Richard J. Poster The Estate of Shirley Susan Platt The Estate of Lillian Roehl The Estate of Maggi Root The Estate of Dorothy Soffer Pamela and John Spears The Estate of Peter Violante Sandy and Alan Wade

We thank these individuals for including Olney Theatre Center in their estate plans. Remembering Olney Theatre Center in your estate plans allows you to have a significant impact on our ability to serve future generations of theatre-makers and audiences.

To notify us of your planned gift of for information on how you can be a part of our Legacy Society, contact Dina Goldman 301-924-4485 x103 or DGoldman@OlneyTheatre.org

SEPTEMBER 22– NOVEMBER 1

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY PSALMAYENE 24

GET TICKETS AT FOLGER.EDU/MFM ILLUSTRATION BY MIKE MCQUADE

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ROUND HOUSE THEATRE

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP RYAN RILETTE (Artistic Director) is in his fifteenth season as Artistic Director of Round House Theatre. During his tenure, he has produced seven of the 10 highest grossing seasons and 18 of the top 20 highest grossing productions in the theatre’s history. His productions have received 120 Helen Hayes Awards nominations and 36 Helen Hayes Awards. Ryan created the theatre’s Equal Play commissioning program, Resident Artist program, Fair Play pay scale for artists, and Free Play ticketing program. For Round House, he will direct Cult of Love this season, and has previously directed Rules for Living, Bad Books (world premiere), The Seafarer, “We declare you a terrorist...” (world premiere), Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up, Homebound, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Oslo, Small Mouth Sounds, “Master Harold”...and the Boys, The Book of Will, Angels in America: Perestroika, The Night Alive, Fool for Love, This, and How to Write a New Book for the Bible. He has also acted in Round House's productions of Ink and Uncle Vanya. Prior to joining Round House, Ryan served as Producing Director of Marin Theatre Company, Producing Artistic Director of Southern Rep Theatre, and co-founder and Artistic Director of Rude Mechanicals Theatre Company. He is the former Board President of the National New Play Network, and formerly served on the boards of theatreWashington and Maryland Citizens for the Arts.

ED ZAKRESKI (Executive Director) is in his eleventh season leading Round House Theatre, overseeing management, finance, marketing, and fundraising. Under his leadership, Round House doubled earned income and increased contributed income by 150%, growing the annual operating budget from $4 million to $10 million, and the theatre has been named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Bethesda Magazine multiple times. Over more than 30 years as a DC arts executive leader and fundraiser, Ed has raised more than $150 million. At Round House, he led the $14 million Full Circle Capital Campaign and theatre renovation, and produced the twelve highest-grossing productions in the company’s history. Before joining Round House in 2016, Ed spent 12 years as Chief Development Officer at Shakespeare Theatre Company, where he completed the $75 million capital campaign for Sidney Harman Hall and produced the $3 million opening gala—called “the most buzzed-about gala” by Washington Life. He also doubled the annual fund and built STC’s Annual Gala and Will on the Hill into two of BizBash’s Top 10 Washington events. From 1998–2005, he held increasingly senior roles at the Kennedy Center, culminating as Director of Individual Campaigns, leading a 22-member team that raised $11+ million annually. At the Kennedy Center, he significantly expanded engagement and fundraising of the Center’s auxiliary boards and led unique experiential arts meetings across the United States and in Beijing, Budapest, Copenhagen, London, Paris, Prague, and St. Petersburg. Ed holds a degree in arts management from American University and is a frequent presenter on nonprofit arts management and fundraising.

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OLNEY THEATRE CENTER

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP JASON LOEWITH (Artistic Director) has directed several dozen plays and musicals, written a handful, managed hundreds, and done just about every other job there is to do in a theatre across the country...all of which taught him the value of a dollar, the importance of honesty, and the fact that you do not put a silk suit in the washing machine OR the dryer. He was appointed Artistic Director of the Olney Theatre Center in 2013, and since then has directed more than a dozen shows for the company, including the world premiere of The Joy That Carries You, his own adaptation of Schiller’s Mary Stuart, Tony Kushner’s Angels in America Part I, Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime, Duncan MacMillan’s Every Brilliant Thing, James Graham’s Ink, as well as the musicals Kinky Boots, How to Succeed..., On the Town, Sweeney Todd, Carousel, and Avenue Q. As a playwright, Jason won Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and Jeff Awards for Best New Musical for Adding Machine: A Musical, which he co-wrote with composer Joshua Schmidt (off-Broadway, 2008–09). His theatre career has taken him from Los Angeles (Odyssey Theatre Ensemble) to New York (Classic Stage Company) to Chicago (Court and Next Theatre Companies), and finally, the DMV. On days off, Jason loves to cook, hang out with his twelve nieces and nephews and their families, hit tennis balls, vacation in faraway places, and listen to music written between 1930 and 1990. After four years as Chair of the Board of TheatreWashington, Jason has just returned to chairing the Taking Care Committee. Jason lives in Carderock Springs with his husband, Ned, and their dogs Eliza and Luigi.

DEBBIE ELLINGHAUS (Executive Director) is celebrating her twelfth season at Olney Theatre Center where she partners with Artistic Director Jason Loewith to lead initiatives that advance Olney Theatre’s artistic, educational and community-centered mission and expand its local, regional, and national impact. Prior to Olney, she held positions at the University of Maryland, College of Arts and Humanities; Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama; Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre; and The Guggenheim Museum (New York). She is a founding board member, past chair and secretary, and current emeritus board member of Merriweather Arts and Culture Center. She is honored to be vice-chair of the board for Medstar Montgomery Medical Center, where she has been a board member since 2016. She also serves as an ex-officio member of Olney Theatre’s Board of Directors. Debbie is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Montgomery and a 2022 graduate of Leadership Howard. In 2018, Debbie was recognized with the “Emerging Arts Leader Award” from then Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Debbie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Certificate in Acting from the New Actors Workshop. Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Columbia, MD, she now calls Laurel, MD, home. She and her husband, Andrew, have two children: Madeline (a Drama major at Carnegie Mellon University) and Griffin (senior in high school). Her favorite pastime is supporting her family and their passions.

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DIRECTORY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jay Hammer, Chair Amy Selco, Vice Chair Joy Rhoden, Secretary Michele Jawando, Assistant Secretary Leslie Grizzard, Treasurer Michael Heintz, Assistant Treasurer Ro Boddie Stephanie deSibour Marjuan Canady Lauri Cleary Mitchell S. Dupler 

Clare Evans Susan Gibson Morgan Gould David Hantman Rafael Hernandez Abigail Hopper Scott Kaufmann Neil Kerwin John King Nancy Kopp Michael Mael Michael McMurphy George Montague

EMERITUS TRUSTEES COUNCIL Linda Ravdin, Chair Laura Forman, Vice Chair Michael Beriss Cathy S. Bernard Doug Bibby Elaine Binder Donald Boardman Mitch S. Dupler Bunny Dwin

STAFF

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Artistic Director: Ryan Rilette Executive Director: Ed Zakreski

ADMINISTRATION General Manager: Tim Conley

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Mary Kathryn Nagle Ndidi Obichere Meka Parker Ryan Rilette* KenYatta Rogers Ruchi Sharma Michael Steele Bill Tompkins Nina Weisbroth Ed Zakreski* Judy Zickler  *Ex-officio | Life Trustee

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh Ann Gilbert Susan D. Gilbert Bonnie Hammerschlag Reba Immergut Peter Jablow Bruce Lane Susan F. McGee Sasha Olinick

David Smith Rochelle S. Steinberg Patti Sowalsky Riley K. Temple Kathy Wenger Mier Wolf Judy Zickler

Facilities Manager: Liz Sena Associate General Manager: Carter Rice Artistic & Executive Associate: Amy Benson* Legal Counsel:

ARTISTIC

Lauri Cleary (Lerch Early) and Burt Fishman (Fortney Scott)

Associate Artistic Director—Casting & Artist Management: Sarah Cooney Artistic & Dramaturgical Advisor: Naysan Mojgani

DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development: Michael Barret Jones* Associate Director of Development: Katelyn Maurer Associate Director of Development for Operations & Analysis: Patrick Joy Development Associate: Natalie Cumming*

EDUCATION

Director of Education: Danisha Crosby* Education Program Manager: Emily Lettau Lead Teaching Artist: Kelsey Hall

Faculty: Sean Baldwin, Mercedes Blankenship, Ro Boddie, Atiah Can Ozturk, Kay Capsso, Gabriela Cohen, Sage CohenRider, Kevin Corbett, Fabiolla da Silva, Fin Davis, Carrie Edick, Raine Ensign, Jordan Essex, Lark Jeffers, Darren Jenkins-Johnston, Claire Jones, Emma Lou Joy, JJ Kaczynski, Casey Kaleba, Hannah Kelly, Kit Krull, Shana Laski, Olivia Luzquinos, Mary Rose Madan, Kiyana McManus, Langston Muller, Mark Mumm, Benjamin Pallansch, Solomon Parker, Georgia Parry, Kelsey Powell, Mia Rilette, Nate Rimalovski, Daniel Schorr, Aedan Shiffman, Elle Sullivan, Kara Turner, Doug Ullman, Che Wernsman, Rick Westerkamp

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Director of Marketing & Communications: Hannah Grove-DeJarnett

Associate Director of Sales & Audience Services: Brian Andrade Associate Director of Marketing & Communications: Megan Behm Audience Services Manager: Mason Catharini Public Relations & Partnerships Manager: Amy Killion Graphic Designer: Kent Kondo Patron Experience & Rentals Manager: Julie Pesak Food & Beverage Manager: Jenna Buzard* Bar/Café Staff: Mercedes Blankenship, John Crawford, Kayla Earl, Ayana Graham, Jen McClendon, Ellen Mitchell, Thalia Peters, Jess Rampulla

Box Office Associates & House Managers: Helen Aberger, Nessa Amherst, Mercedes Blankenship, Rachel Borczuch, Erin Cleary, Alexus Crockett, Autumn Delahoussaye, Laura DeMarco, Marquita Dill, Carrie Edick, Allison Farrall, Jae Gee, Kennedi Hendrix, Bailey Howard, Nicolas Lopez, Olivia Luzquinos, Ava McGee, Artemis Montague, Tamisha Ottley, Dylan Parham, Denisse Peñaflor, Sam Powers, Lauren Queen, Jessica Rampulla, Daniel Ricci, DeDe Smith, Lacey Talero, Charlotte Van Schaack, Wesley Waterton

PRODUCTION

Assistant Production Manager/Company Manager: Chassi Slappy Technical Director: Matt Saxton Costume Shop Manager: Alison Samantha Johnson Assistant Technical Director: Jose Abraham Scenic Charge: Jenny Cockerham Props Supervisor: Michael McKowen Sound & Projections Supervisor: Delaney Bray* Lighting Supervisor: Steven Burrall Lead Carpenter: Dylan Rutemiller Resident Stage Manager: Che Wernsman

EQUAL PLAY COMMISSIONED PLAYWRIGHTS

Mainstage Commissions: Margot Bordelon, Jiehae Park, Inda Craig-Galván, Lauren Gunderson, Naomi Iizuka, James Ijames, Mary Kathryn Nagle, The TEAM, Mfoniso Udofia

Teen Performance Company Commissions: Agyeiwaa Asante, Fin Davis, Morgan Gould, Caleen Sinette Jennings, Stefani Kuo, Diana Metzger, Megan McCafferty, Naysan Mojgani, Dani Stoller *Member of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Staff Workgroup

Production Manager: Sydney Garick

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DIRECTORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Linda E. Rosenzweig, Chair Sanford Ames, Vice-Chair Brian Chappell, Vice-Chair Steven Schupak, Vice Chair

DIRECTORS

Deanne Ayers-Howard George Bradford Emily Briton Heather Dlhopolsky Debbie Ellinghaus Bonnie Fogel Dr. Michial Gill Suzanne Glassman

Ben Wolf, Vice Chair Merle Haberman, Treasurer Barry Fleishman, Secretary Susan Finkelstein, Immediate Past Chair

David Harris Roger Henry Nettie Horne Clifford Johnson Gus Kalaris Rob Kallman Catherine Leggett Jason Loewith

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Phyllis Bottegal Robert E. Hebda Stephen Kaufman Stephen Klein

STAFF

ARTISTIC

Artistic Director: Jason Loewith Senior Associate Artistic Director: Hallie Gordon Associate Artistic Director of Music Theatre: Christopher Youstra Director of Curated Programs and Artist Advocacy: Kevin McAllister

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Eric Luedtke Kathy Lyons Kiati Plooksawasdi Mita M. Schaffer Sanjay M. Shirodkar Andrea Urciolo Irene White Lowell Yoder

Jennifer Kneeland Helen Marshall Alan Wade Patricia Woodbury

William H. Graham, Sr.* Anthony Morella*

Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director: Irene Martinko Community Engagement Coordinator: Barb Giniger Cooper

Resident Stage Manager: Ben Walsh^ Technical Director: Kevin Maresca Associate Technical Director: Klyph Stanford Stage Operations Manager: Phillip Snider† Costume Shop Supervisor: Julie Cray Leong Wardrobe Supervisor/ Costume Shop Associate: Carissa Gilson^

PRODUCTION

Director of Production: Jerid Fox Production Manager: Kirsten Parker

*in memoriam

Associate Costume Shop Supervisor: Julianna Fielding^ Lighting Supervisor: Morgan Lessman Associate Lighting Supervisor: Rachael Ponticiello Sound and Projections Supervisor: Matt Rowe Props Supervisor: Anna Cable Props Artisan: Jason Dearing^ Scene Shop Foreperson: Sarah Stepanik Lead Scenic Carpenter: Willie Schack^ Scenic Charge Artist: Yaritza Pacheco^ Scenic Carpenter: Trevor Winter

EDUCATION

Director of Education and Training: Rebecca Dzida Education Programs Manager: Derrick Buie^ Summer Administrative Assistant: Harley Craun Summer Program Teaching Artists:

Terrell Chambers, Lila Cooper, Caro Dubberly, Jackson Elkins, Rakell Foye, Jay Frisby, Lydia Gifford, Madonnina Gullo, Daniella Ignacio, Youri Kim, Ariel Kraje, Paige Rammelkamp, Bryan Stopak, Jordyn Taylor

ADMINISTRATION

Executive Director: Debbie Ellinghaus Chief Financial Officer: Eric Colton Director of Finance: Chyeslan Buso

General Manager: Dannielle Hutchinson Facilities Manager: Bill Garton Owner’s Representative: Dennis Blackledge Company Manager: Benjamin Ismail Finance Assistant: Bess Livioco

ADVANCEMENT

Director of Advancement: Dina Goldman Deputy Director of Advancement: Michael Mercier Associate Director of Advancement; Operations and Events: Jennifer Kiefer Thomas Advancement Special Events Manager: Cora Denny^

COMMUNICATIONS

Director of Marketing and Communications: Joshua Ford Associate Director of Marketing: Sarah Straub Digital Media Manager: El Strickland Videography: Hand Me Down Films Season Key Art: Jason Dearing^

AUDIENCE AND GUEST SERVICES

Director of Audience and Guest Services: Patrick Serrano Sales Director: Weldon C. Brown Patron Services Manager: Joshua Olujide

Rentals Manager: Erin Kopit Box Office Supervisors:

Saran Dioubate, Phillip Hickey, Scott Kaplowitz

Front of House Managers: Kate Amburgey, Eileen Hockaday, Nicolas Lopez, John Lumpkin, Ellen Powers, Natalie Pudim, Khris-Ann Small, Lacey Talero

Box Office Associates: Ava

Adelaja, Aurora del Vecchio, Jupiter Hubbard, Paul Pelletier Jr, Josh Rose, Markell Saunders, Kirsten Wheeler

25–26 APPRENTICES

Props: Ella Dietzel Stage Management: Sydney Enthoven Stage Management: Darcy Golla Artistic Producing: Kam Henderson Wardrobe & Costumes: Zycara Jones Carpentry: Anna Jungkeit Company Management: Shannon Lankford Carpentry: Xystéria Legacy Electrics: Ray Long Production Management: Katie Rodeghiero Education & Engagement: Jamie Steinman Wardrobe & Costumes: Claire Stemmer Sound & Projections: Noah Wagner ^Apprentice Alumni

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OUR MISSION

Round House is a theatre for everyone.

We enrich our community through bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences that inspire empathy and demand conversation.

Read more at RoundHouseTheatre.org/MissionValues

OUR VALUES •

THEATRE FOR EVERYONE

•

ARTISTIC AMBITION

•

COMMUNITY

•

EMPATHY

•

INTEGRITY

Round House Theatre is one of the leading professional theatres in the Washington, DC, area, producing a season of new plays, modern classics, and musicals for more than 50,000 patrons each year at our 350-seat theatre in Bethesda. Round House has been nominated for more than 253 Helen Hayes Awards and has won more than 60. Round House’s lifelong learning and education programs serve more than 5,000 students each year at its Education Center in Silver Spring and in schools throughout Montgomery County. Cornerstone programs include Free Play, which provides free tickets to teens and college students; the year-round Teen Performance Company, which culminates in the student-produced Sarah Metzger Memorial Play; Summer Camp for students in grades K-12; and a full slate of classes for adults and youth. Round House is a member of the League of Resident Theatres, the Professional Non-Profit Theatre Coalition, the National New Play Network, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Theatre Communications Group.

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has brought impactful theatre performance and education to our community, helping to grow the vibrancy and vitality of our home in central Maryland. Over the years, some of the biggest names in theatre and film have appeared on our stages, including Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Bob Fosse, Phillip Bosco, Eve Arden, Eva Gabor, Burl Ives, Jose Ferrer, Carol Channing, Olivia d’Havilland, Tony Randall, Paulette Goddard, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Jane Seymour, Anne Revere, Frances Sternhagen, Arthur Treacher, James Broderick, Olympia Dukakis, Sir Ian McKellen, Marica Gay Harden, John Colicos, Uzo Aduba, Alan Cumming, Cheyenne Jackson, Robin de Olney Theatre Center for the Arts produces Jesus, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, among and curates theatrical performance for many, many others. Olney Theatre is now the diverse audiences in our community, the cultural anchor of a rapidly changing and educates, learns from, supports and region and serves one of the most diverse, inspires a more inclusive generation of best educated, and wealthiest counties in theatre-makers. the country. Situated on the unceded land of the Picataway-Conoy people, the Olney area was once a rural farming community with a unique Quaker heritage. Now the area is occupied by every kind of famWe strive to become an arts and culture ily that makes up 21st Century America, powerhouse, redefining the American along with major corporations, shopping regional theatre movement by cultivating districts, civic associations, non profit and sharing the creativity of our community. organizations and a diverse collection of houses of worship. Montgomery County’s 1 million residents play a dynamic role in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, and are a driving force behind the region’s creative Founded in 1938 as a summer playhouse, economy. Olney Theatre Center employs Olney Theatre Center now produces yearmore than 40 full-time staff, 20 part-time round world and American premieres of positions, 13 early career apprentices, and plays and musicals, and reimaginations of more than 400 professional artists each familiar titles; presents the work of leading year. See a timeline of major events from companies; tours nationally and locally; our past at OlneyTheatre.org/History teaches students of all ages; and mentors the next generation of theatremakers. For more than 8 decades, Olney Theatre Center

MISSION

VISION

HISTORY

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UP NEXT AT ROUND HOUSE

CULT

“STORMY, COMPASSIONATE, [AND] CUTTINGLY OBSERVANT” –TIMEOUT NY

OF

LOVE

BY LESLYE HEADLAND

DIRECTED BY RYAN RILETTE

NOVEMBER 18 – DECEMBER 27, 2026