THE FIRE
Written by C. Ryanne Domingues and
Students from Rider University’s School of Communication, Media, and Performing Arts
C. Ryanne Domingues, director
Friday, April 4th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 2 p. m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 6th, 2025 at 2 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center Theater
Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road Lawrenceville, N.J.
Rider University gratefully acknowledges the generous support of: The Martinson Family Foundation for its support of theater technology equipment & Richard and Heather Frye-Ginsberg for their support of our Rider Friend of the Arts patron program.
Production History
THE FIRE is a devised production, co-created by Rider University students and Faculty. The project began with the need to bring a small piece to the Meeting of European Theatre Association Conference in Florence, Italy in July of 2024. During this time, Professor Yoshinori Tanokura, Dr. Sean McCarther, and Professor Ryanne Domingues decided to create a piece of devised theatre based on the idea of "differing perspectives." Domingues, who has a background in developing work through Tectonic Theatre's technique of Moment Work, taught the technique to the 16 students signed up for the trip, and the show began to take shape. In seeking out an environment where differing perspectives could easily form, the chaotic location of an abandoned school was discovered, and the story continued to grow. Inspired by stories of our students' high school experiences, research on topics of educational policy, news reports on recent events, and our first interview with Rev. Paul Jeanes, our characters began to form. In the end, the students performed a one-hour, character-driven piece in Italy that was the jumping-off point for the show you will see today.
After the show was presented in Italy, it was brought into Domingues' Devised Theatre class, where it continued to get workshopped and expanded. Mostly new to the project, the 15 students in the class were given the assignment of interviewing individuals from the community who had personal experiences with the topics addressed in the show. These interviews, when folded together with additional research and Moment Work, helped to flesh out the plot for The Fire. The characters were now given an obstacle course to navigate. Through research and conversations, the class found that the early 2000s marked a very clear shift in educational policy and the flashpoint of several issues that would deeply impact young people in the United States for years to come.
Left with dozens and dozens of interviews, folders of research, improvised scenes, personal writing, and Moments devised in class, Domigues began the task of pulling it all together into a cohesive script. Students from class expanded on the scenes, made edits, and helped to stitch together character arches. The script was sent to a few community members and professional playwrights for feedback. Editing continued. Auditions were held. An ensemble was cast. Editing continued. Rehearsals began. Editing continued....
The play you will see today is a culmination of the work of over 40 Rider University students and a number of Faculty members over the timespan of
just one year. Every single student who worked on the piece is represented in some way. It is a piece about students, created by students. We hope you enjoy!
Click HERE for additional dramaturgy details on the production.
Director’s Note
As referenced in the play, in 2001, George W. Bush created the No Child Left Behind Act, which was a federal law that, "aimed to improve the academic performance of all students by holding schools accountable for the achievement of every student through standardized testing, requiring states to set high standards, and providing additional funding for schools with high numbers of disadvantaged students." In my research about this policy, I found many differing perspectives on whether or not this policy ultimately worked to improve the United States Education system. It certainly addressed how teachers prepare lesson plans and what learning outcomes are expected. But looking back on those years and what has transpired since, I couldn't shake the idea that there is more than one way to "leave a child behind." An educational policy doesn't even scratch the surface.
Set a few years later, in 2004, this play attempts to touch on many of the issues that were affecting American high school students at that time. We now know that low test scores are the result of so many factors that lay far beyond the reach of any teacher or principal. After 20 years, we are still grappling with school shootings, countries at war, the effects of social media and celebrity culture, and more. Like the characters in our play, we are still desperately trying to make sense of the tragedy of the world, and to find the humor needed to muddle through. The people in our fictional world of Elmwood Springs are trying their best to help in small ways and to grab onto light however they can. They tutor each other, help each other learn to jump rope, loan each other books, buy each other french fries, and seek out connection in a world that pulls them apart. They search to find connection and to see each other's perspectives, even when the world makes it incredibly difficult.
However, no matter how hard they try, no matter how many new rules or systems are put into place, and no matter how much folks try to pay attention, not all of the characters in this play are truly seen. That's the hard truth about the world we live in. The systems we put into place often fail. And so, wars continue to rage on, fires continue to burn, and children are still left incredibly far behind. When this happens, how can we move on? How can we
function within a system that we now know is flawed, and has very little hope of changing before it fails again? How do we not surrender to the sheer mountain of issues presented or completely disengage and pull into ourselves?
Perhaps, as the play suggests, we find a way to shift perspective. We zoom in on one student, one issue, one act of love at a time. We get off the proverbial treadmill, and we stay present as much as we can. As the character Sam Reynolds says, we have to believe that, "It does mean something. It changes things for people, in the smallest way. And if we’re not here to do that, what’s the point?"
I am sincerely grateful for all of the love that has been poured into this play. The students at Rider continue to teach me an incredible amount, and I look forward to seeing how they shape our world for the better.
~ C. Ryanne Domingues
~ WARNING ~
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited.
Content Warning: This show contains fog, haze, strobe lights, smoking, alcohol, bullying, reference to the death of a minor, mention of school shootings, and mention of inappropriate grooming of a minor.
Scenes
THE FIRE runs approximately 110 minutes without an intermission.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2004
PROLOGUE Elmwood Springs, PA
SCENE 1 A Local Gym; Roosevelt High
SCENE 2 The Chemistry Classroom; The Guidance Office Emma’s Room
SCENE 3
St. Michael’s Catholic School; The English Classroom
SCENE 4 Roosevelt High; King’s Diner
SCENE 5 Outside Roosevelt High
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2004
SCENE 6 Rachel’s House; Alan’s House
SCENE 6.5 Sydney’s House; Aubrey’s House; King’s Diner
SCENE 7 Roosevelt Teacher’s Lounge
SCENE 8 The Chemistry Classroom
SCENE 9 Emma’s Room, King’s Diner, A Mall Recruitment Office
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2004
SCENE 10 A Local Gym; Roosevelt Locker Room
SCENE 11 Emma’s Room; The Principal’s Office
SCENE 12 Rachel’s House; A Mall Recruitment Office
SCENE 13 The Principal’s Office; A Bookstore
SCENE 14 The Chemistry Classroom
SCENE 15 Sydney’s House; A Parking Lot
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16TH AND SUNDAY OCTOBER 17TH, 2004
SCENE 16 The Scottsdale Community Center; St. Michael’s Church
SCENE 17 King’s Diner
SCENE 18 A Parking Lot
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, 2004
SCENE 19 The Guidance Office
SCENE 20 St Michael’s Catholic School
SCENE 21 Tower Records
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 2004
SCENE 22 Outside a Local Gym; The Football Field
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2004
SCENE 23 The Bleachers, The Abandoned School
SCENE 24 King’s Diner
MONDAY, MARCH 22ND, 2005
SCENE 25 Elmwood Springs, PA
The Cast
Rachel Kelly Menjivar
Jack Nick Franki
Jamie Olivia Dostal
Richy Henry Breit
Emma Avery Nurzia
Aubrey Ava Hojnowski
Sydney Catherine Quirico
Alan Nate Fleischer
Sam Reynolds Bianca D’Anton
Maria Block Aileen Pujols
Alex Daniels Skyler O’Kelley
Emily Bernstein Joei Vita
Father Andy Brandon Semmel
LA Jones / Student Cassidy Sweetland
Isaac / Brian Ryan Kudless
Jo / Student / Security Guard Grace Mandel
Recruiter / Student / Security Guard Eamonn McLoughlin
Maddie / Detective Marks Jaiden Shaw
Troy / Fire Chief Alex Theis
Taylor / Neighbor / Grandma Cassidy Hagan
Jim Jason Ramoth
Understudies
Rachel Grace Mandel
Jack Eamonn McLoughlin
Jamie Cassidy Hagan
Richy Eamonn McLoughlin
Emma Cassidy Hagan
Aubrey Grace Mandel
Sydney Jaiden Shaw
Alan Alex Theis
Sam Reynolds Jaiden Shaw
Maria Block Jaiden Shaw
Alex Daniels Grace Mandel
Emily Bernstein Cassidy Hagan
Father Andy Alex Theis
Artistic Staff and Crew
Director C. Ryanne Domingues
Assistant Directors Lane Lavonne Ellie Conover
Movement Dr. Sean McCarther
Dramaturg Matt Angelaccio
Script Supervisor Cassidy Hagan
Production Stage Manager Rylee Berger
Stage Manager Ella Rybczynski
Assistant Stage Managers Annabel Jones
Sophia Ramos Nancy Roig
Technical Director Brandon Rush
Scenic Designer Yoshi Tanokura
Assistant Scenic Designer Matt Cirola
Lighting Designer Todd Loyd
Assistant Lighting Designer Juliette Belke
Light Board Operator Jaden Blanco
Follow Spot Operators Alexander Schmidt Libby Phillips
Costume Designer Robin I. Shane
Assistant Costume Designer Giorgia Dallasta
Wardrobe Supervisor Mica Swingholm
Wardrobe Runners Jade Cox
Kiyomi Okazaki
Carolinda Silva
Hair and Makeup Designer Madeline Burroughs
Hair and Makeup Supervisor Vibel Nakande
Sound Designer Darren Sussman
Assistant Sound Designer Alyssa Gil-Pujols
Sound Engineer Craig Pincus
Sound Mixer Hailey Tedesco
Sound Operator Sarah Hyman
Sound Runner Alexa Fillalan
Props Designer Clare Hanrahan
Props Supervisor Diego Dominguez
Props Runners Danny Hanna Saniyya McCloud
Lead Stagehand Hunter Quinn
Lead Fly Operator Lucas Brown
Projection/Video Designers Reylan Alexis Brianna Bradley
Jason Ramoth Ryann Reich
Projection/Video Operator Toby Trish
Production Documentarian Marissa Dingess
Stage Management Mentor Jamel Baker
Stage Carpenter Nick Franki
Administrative Staff
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Kelly Bidle
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Jason Vodicka
Director of Production Management Buck Linton
Director of Performance Management Kristen Rodgers
Associate Director of Performance Management Leandra Acosta
Coordinator of Performance Management Samuel Stephenson
Artistic Producer C. Ryanne Domingues
Original Divisors and Italy Cast:
Henry Breit
Bianca D'Anton
Sarah Defrates
Olivia Dostal
Rachel Favetta
Bella Frost
Haley Heartline
Ava Hojnowski
Sean McDonald
Avery Nurzia
Sophia Porter
Jenni Profera
Fall 2024 Devised Theatre Class:
Liberty Ashe
Kelly Chavez-Menjivar
Bianca D'Anton
Lydia Diekmann
Kylie Flite
Kate Harbison
Special Thanks:
Sam Hernandez
Ava Hojnowski
Avery Hubert
Grace McKenna
Avery Nurzia
Emily Paruk
Carolyn, Michael, and Abigail Brenna
Catherine Quirico
Cassidy Sweetland
Brandon Semmel
Emily Porter Siege
Aileen Pujols
Brandon Semmel
Joei Vita
Maddy Winkler
Rasheda Riddick-Brown, Jimir Brown, and Maya, Lorenzo, and Raegan Brown
Anthony Domingues
Dr. Ivan Fuller
Dr. Adrienne Hill and Hedgepeth Williams Middle School of the Arts
Emily Mattock and Manni and Mela Inyang
Dr. Shawn Kildea
Alicia, Sean, Ian, and Lily McCarther
Dr. Jay Stern
Trenton Board of Education
David Lee White
We would also like to thank the following individuals who were interviewed for the project:
Andrea Ahuja
Dan Anderson
Felicia Brown
Purcell Carson
Bianca D'Anton
Connie Heffner
Carlye Homan
Rev. Paul Jeanes
Gary Lewis
Derek Long
Bryan McKenna
Ericka Pressely
Michael Tucker
Melissa Tringali
John Vita
Dr. Reggie Walker
Caroline Wylie
About Rider University and The Department of Performing Arts
Located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Rider University is a private co-educational, student-centered university that emphasizes purposeful connections between academic study and real-world learning experience. Rider prepares graduates to thrive professionally, to be lifelong independent learners, and to be responsible citizens who embrace diversity, support the common good, and contribute meaningfully to the changing world in which they live and work.
The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to educating students for engaged citizenship, career success, and personal growth in a diverse and complex world. The college cultivates intellectual reflection, artistic creativity, and academic maturity by promoting both broad academic inquiry and in-depth disciplinary study, while nurturing effective and ethical applications of transferable critical skills. The College consists of four schools: the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Communication, Media, and Performing Arts, the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, and Westminster Choir College.
Through its dynamic mix of academic programs, The Department of Performing Arts helps aspiring professional performers, producers, managers, designers, technicians and entrepreneurs find their unique path in an ever-evolving industry. Acknowledged as innovative and contemporary, the Department of Performing Arts aspires to build a more equitable, engaging and sustainable future for the performing arts while exploring the many diverse historical, cultural, social and creative threads that add to our rich tapestry.
Upcoming Performances
SPRING OPERA: THE MEDIUM
Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
Spitz Theater
RIDER UNIVERSITY CHORALE: THE WILDERNESS OF YOU
Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Gill Chapel
WESTMINSTER CONCERT BELL CHOIR: AT WATER’S EDGE
Sunday, April 13, 4:00 p.m.
Gill Chapel
WESTMINSTER JUBILEE SINGERS: PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS
Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Gill Chapel
WESTMINSTER CHAPEL CHOIR SPRING CONCERT
Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m.
Gill Chapel
ARTBEAST
Friday, May 2, 3 p.m.
Rider University
SENIOR DANCE CAPSTONE SHOWCASE
Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center Theater
