THEATRE
The Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication department presents:
SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Book by
Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpartrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Arrangements by Glen Kelly
Director
Peter Sampieri*
Scenic and Sound Designer
Topher Morris
Hair and Makeup Designer
Charlie Sullivan
Orchestrations by Larry Hochman
Musical Director
Elias Condakes
Costume Designer
Jerry L. Johnson
Props Designer
Isabella Perez
Voice and Text Director
Ginger Eckert
Choreographer
Melissa Poirier
Lighting Designer
Amanda Fallon
Stage Manager
Lily Barnes
Originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum
Broadway Global Ventures CMC Mastro/Goodman Jerry & Ronald Frankel
Morris Berchard
LAMS Productions
Kyodo Tokyo Inc.
Wendy Federman Barbara Freitag
Winkler/DeSimone Timothy Laczynski Dan Markley
Harris/Karmazin Jam Theatricals Robert Greenblatt and Jujamcyn Theatres
Developed in association with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director, and Bill Berry, Production Artistic Director
SOMETHING ROTTEN! s presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplies by MTI. www.mtishows.com
*
HONORING JERRY L. JOHNSON
May 9, 1976 – February 27, 2024
Professor Jerry L. Johnson's sudden passing in February of this year has left a profound void in the Salem State theatre family. Through his roles as a teacher, designer, director and department chair, he made an indelible mark on the theatre and speech communication department.
Professor Johnson’s impact lives on through the artifacts of his artistry and the countless lives he touched through his mentorship. As students continue to make their way through the theatre industry, his guidance and inspiration will be felt for years to come.
Please join us in celebrating Professor Johnson's legacy by making a gift to the theatre and speech communication department in his honor. Your generous financial support will help fulfill Professor Johnson's desire to enhance the physical spaces, like the rehearsal room, where current students learn and create. Together, we can ensure that Professor Johnson's passion for the arts and his dedication to nurturing young talent continue to thrive: participate.salemstate.edu/jerry-johnson.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping to ensure that his legacy endures.
Dear friends,
Thank you for taking the time to support live theatre. With all the other places you could be, we’re so grateful you’re here with us.
Something Rotten! is a contemporary musical comedy that first premiered on Broadway in 2015. Though set in “London in the 1590s”, the libretto and score is full of contemporary references, meta-theatrical puns, and anachronism. As a result, we aren’t attempting to present an historical London of the Renaissance. We worked on the material in a way we believed it invited us.
We see the play as an irreverent look backwards/forwards, more historical fantasy than historical fiction. Viewed this way, it has more in common with playwright Peter Barnes, British sketch comedy troupe Monty Python , and HBO series Our Flag Means Death, than any theatre history book or lecture on Elizabethan times. In fact, we feel it’s much more Renaissance Faire than Renaissance (more on that later). We also discovered that amidst all the sophomoric mockery, the play has a very tender heart.
The story focuses on two down-and-out-playwright brothers trying to make their mark at the height of Shakespeare’s popularity. It explores what it feels like to be invisible in the creative landscape, specifically when there’s a much louder, trendier (and often obnoxious) voice sucking up all the oxygen in the room. Faced with invisibility, Nick Bottom chooses to sacrifice everything for fame and fortune and discovers what really does and doesn’t matter in the process.
We found Nick’s journey touching and relevant, especially here in a theatre program that trains young artists, a place where we’re all desperately trying to find our voice. We believe everyone out there can relate to feelings of insecurity when drowned out by the fashionable artistic or social noise of the day.
Will Shakespeare was the son of a glove maker, a country bumpkin and inexperienced actor from rural Stratford who came to the big city to make his fortune. In his book Will in the World , author Stephen Greenblatt argues that those who question Shakespeare’s authorship do so from a classist perspective, assuming someone lacking formal education or wealth couldn’t possibly have access to the kinds of linguistic knowledge he had.1
What they fail to understand is that a writer like Will could have sat in any London pub for an hour in 1591, and heard a half-dozen languages and cultures mixing, digesting those sounds like food. Then and now, London
1 Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. Jonathan Cape, 2004.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
is one of the most diverse cities in the world, a melting pot of Europe, the “West Indies” and further beyond. Here in our show the sounds of eastern and western Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean blend in a delicious stew.
Embracing the richly unique identities of our cast, we created a global set of sounds. Dialect choices are based on character and event rather than an obsequious adherence to “logic.” Those in London sound British and global, those who end up in the new world sound like Americans. We do not sing in dialect intentionally, because vowel sounds change vocal production. Our aim with all of this was simply: fun.
Speaking of fun, the origins of the first Renaissance fair in America have a distinctly counter-cultural appeal. When a public-school teacher in California named Phyllis Patterson refused to sign an allegiance pledge about her class content in 1960, at the height of the Red Scare and McCarthyism, she quit her job and began to dream of something new. Drawing from her knowledge of literature, history, and theatre – in 1963 the first “pleasure faire” in San Francisco was born. We found these counter-cultural origins apt when taking our ren faire approach. 2
Rather than trying to represent Shakespeare’s Globe interior, we chose to look back to medieval morality plays and pageant wagons from the 1400s, and to look forward to the renaissance fairs of the 1960s and ‘70s. Given that history is already in a blender, these contradictions interested us. Our goal was to create an immersive world for the audience, one that heightens interaction, emphasizes nature, a little healthy anarchy, fertility rites of spring, and the open air.
While there are about half a dozen other productions of this show right now, we’re confident ours is uniquely ours, made with love and choices specific to us.
On February 27th, the SSU theatre department lost our department chairperson and dearest friend Professor Jerry L. Johnson, who was serving as our costume designer at the time. We’re very grateful to Professor Jane Hillier-Walkowiak who stepped in at this moment to help us complete Jerry’s vision. At every turn we’ve tried to honor his approach. This production is dedicated to his memory.
Jerry was a dreamer, who supported me in the development of a brandnew Bachelor of Arts, Musical Theatre concentration we’re launching this fall 2024. Once you see the talent, heart, and dedication of our incredible student cast and crew, we hope you’ll agree that making an academic space for more work of this kind is a worthy endeavor.
2 Magazine, Smithsonian. “The Surprisingly Radical Roots of the Renaissance Fair.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 28 Sept. 2023, www. smithsonianmag.com/history/the-surprisingly-radical-roots-of-therenaissance-fair-180982918/.
A recurring leitmotif of Something Rotten! is to welcome the audience into a space “where everything is new”. After a long and difficult journey through grief this year, our theatre community seeks to rebuild itself and embrace renewal. While flowers bloom outside on Lafayette Street, and we present the only comedy of the mainstage 23-24 season with a full heart, we’re ready for rebirth. We hope you feel it too.
See you in the lobby, Peter
TIME & PLACE
London, 1590s
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Act I
• Welcome to the Renaissance – Minstrel and Company
• God, I Hate Shakespeare – Nick, Nigel, and The Troupe
• Right Hand Man – Bea and Nick
• God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise) – Nick
• A Musical – Nostradamus, Nick, and Company
• The Black Death – Nick, Nigel, and The Troupe
• I Love the Way – Portia and Nigel
• Will Power – Shakespeare and Company
• Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top – Nick and Company
Act II
• Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise ) – Minstrel and Company
• Hard to be the Bard – Shakespeare and Company
• It’s Eggs! – Nick, Nigel, and The Troupe
• We See the Light – Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, and Company
• To Thine Own Self – Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare, and The Troupe
• Right Hand Man (Reprise) – Bea
• Something Rotten! / Make an Omelette – Nick and Company
• To Thine Own Self (Reprise) – Nick and Company
• Finale/Welcome to America – Company
RUNNING TIME
The production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There will be one 10-minute intermission.
ORCHESTRA
Elias Condakes – Conductor, Keyboard 1
Beth Munn Griffin – Keyboard 2
Sarah Del Dotto – Keyboard 3
Dan Pelletier – Drums/Percussion
Mark Napierkowski – Trumpet
Arthur Bakopolus – Reeds
Brooks Clarke – Guitar
Matt Pitts – Bass
CONTENT WARNING
Shakespearean ribaldry. This production is best enjoyed by those 13 years of age and older.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Out of courtesy to your fellow audience members and the actors onstage, please turn off all electronic devices and do not text or take photos during the performance. Please note that professional archival photos of this production will be available through the theatre and speech communication office.
No food or beverages are allowed in the theatre. Salem State is a tobacco free campus. Thank you.
SPECIAL THANKS
Salem State is grateful for the support provided by the Dembowski Family Theatre Endowment, Sophia and Bernard Gordon and the Gordon Foundation in making this production possible.
CAST
The Minstrel .............................................................................. Margaret Gould
Nick Bottom .................................................................................. Cameron Nye
Nigel Bottom Cameron Holmes
Will Shakespeare Lauren Abramson
Bea Faith Bockover
Portia Arianna Dones
Brother Jeremiah Ryan McCarthy
Nostradamus Caroline Forbes
Shylock* ....................................................................................... Ian Tomarakos
Lord Clapham ............................................................................... Djessy Kungu
Nick Bottom’s Theatre Troupe:
Tom Snout................................................................................... James Bridges
Peter Quince ............................................................................. Juan Sepulveda
Robin ...................................................................................... Marck-Hens Jules
Francis Flute...................................................................................... Brock Hoey
The Puritans ................................. Bridget Caya, Sara Gluck, and Ryan March
The Bard Boys ............................................James Bridges, Marck-Hens Jules, Juan Sepulveda, and Brock Hoey
Denizens of Soothsayer Alley:
Eyepatch Man .................................................................................. Ryan March
Astrologers ..........................................Samantha Masse and Beth Bonenfant
Psychic Woman/Herbalist ........................................................... Jaidyn Walter
Herbal Customers ........................................ James Bridges and Lola Cassino
Tattoo Man ........................................................................................ Brock Hoey
Tattoo Customer....................................................................... Juan Sepulveda
Welcome to the Renaissance:
Walter Raleigh ............................................................................ James Bridges
Francis Bacon ................................................................................... Brock Hoey
Thomas Dekker ...................................................................... Marck-Hens Jules
John Webster .............................................................................. Ian Tomarakos
Ben Johnson .................................................................................... Ryan March
Christopher Marlowe ............................................................... Juan Sepulveda
Foreman/Bea’s Boss ........................................................................ Brock Hoey
Shakespeare’s Show and After Party Tent:
Messenger/Valet Robin Provost
Announcer Ryan March
Doorman James Bridges
Man in Crowd ............................................................................... Djessy Kungu
Woman in Crowd............................................................................ Lola Cassino
Waitress ..................................................................................... Beth Bonenfant
Bea’s Friends:
Miranda ......................................................................................... Jaidyn Walter
Rosalind................................................................................... Samantha Masse
Helena................................................................................................. Sara Gluck
Something Rotten/Omelette:
Hoaratio ...................................................... Sophia Gordon audience member
Chefs ...................................... Brock Hoey, Marck-Hens Jules, James Bridges
Sad Little Egg ............................................................................ Beth Bonenfant
Dancing Eggs ......................... Beth Bonenfant, Lola Cassino, Arianna Dones, Ryan March, and Jaidyn Walter
The Trial/Shakespeare in Court:
Master of Justice ...................................................................... Juan Sepulveda
Clerk ................................................................................................... Brock Hoey
Executioner ................................................................................. James Bridges
Gallery .................................................................................................. Ensemble
*Please note: The role of Shylock will be played by Ryan March on April 22 and 26.
PRODUCTION PERSONNEL
Assistant Directors .............................. Sarah Jean D urning and Paige Steriti
Assistant Stage Managers ....................................... J’Von Allen, Carl Durham, and Jennifer O’Connell
Costume Coordinator Jane Hillier-Walkowiak
Assistant to the Costume Designer .Leon Glover
Props Master .................................................................... Stacey Horne Harper
Cast Mentors ..................................... Margaret Gould and Marck-Hens Jules
Dance Captain ................................................................................ Lola Cassino
Vocal Captains ..............................................James Bridges and Bridget Caya
Costume Shop Supervisor ........................................................ Ryan Goodwin
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor ............................................. Sen Barone
Costume Build Crew ...................... Lily Barnes, Anne Brower, Davianna Cora Cam Cottuli, Elias Woodard, and Raya Young, and THE202 Workshop class
Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup Run Crew Head Sen Barone
Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup Run Crew Melissa Alamo, Nia Franklin, Dylon Medeiros, and Eli Smith
Staff Technical Director Stu Grieve
Staff Assistant Technical Director Tim O’Toole
Carpenter Jacob Crosbie
Scenic Build Crew Lauren Abramson, Remus Borden, Starr Cousins, Lola Cassino, Carl Durham, Hannalise Gruda, Dylon Medeiros, Mez Mezzapelle, Cassandra Nappi, and THE201 Workshop class
Scenic Paint Charge ......................................................................... Sen Barone
Scenic Paint Crew ........................................... Anne Brower, Lauren Donahue, Millicent Koromah, Rebecca Gosiewski, Savannah Mitchell, Anya Saben, Hannah Speroni, and the THE201 Workshop
ClassScenic Run Crew .................................................................... Chris Raney
Props Build Crew ....................Griffin Frank, Felix Horelick, Cassandra Nappi, Eli Smith, Nova Sorenson-Holmes, and Elsa Vig
Props Run Crew ....................................................................... Lauren Donahue
Master Electrician ................................................................ Corey Whittemore
Programmer .................................................................................Maddie Dustin
Electrics Crew ....................................................... Alecia DiCicco, Max Dupuis, Gordon Gumuchian, and Connor Stamm
Light Board Operator ..................................................................... Griffin Frank
A1 Sound Technician Connor Stamm
A2 Sound Technician Alecia DiCicco
Microphone Technicans Remus Bordon and Zachary Graves
Spotlight Operators Andrea Hart and AJ Metherall
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Director of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts...... Karen Gahagan
Theatre Coordinator ................................................... Ashley Preston O’Toole
House Manager .......................................................................... .Jacob Crosbie
Assistant House Manager Cassandra Nappi
Box Office Manager Elias Woodard
Assistant Box Office Manager Andrea Hart
Ushers Starr Cousins, Calista Gumuchian, Zia Halawa, Cole Hastings, Millicent Koromah, Johnathon Pappas, Rachel Phillips, Hanah Speroni, and Marv Worrick
CAST
Lauren Abramson (Will Shakespeare) is a sophomore pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance. Previous credits at Salem State University include Chorus (Antigone), various roles (5th Annual Veterans Play Festival), and the theatre department's 2023 First Year Lab. Other credits include Velma (Chicago), Bird Seller (Sweeney Todd), and Katherine (Newsies) at Stage 284; Woman 2 (Songs for a New World) and Ilse (Spring Awakening) at Summer Institute for the Vocal Arts; Maureen (Rent) and Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables) at Broken Leg Productions.
Faith Bockover (Bea) is a senior transfer student at Salem State University pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance. Her past credits at SSU include Antigone/Messenger ( Antigone ), Bride (Blood Wedding), Jessie (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged )), Jack’s Mom (Into the Woods ), and Lulie Stanwick (Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche ).
Beth Bonenfant (Sad Little Egg/Waitress/Ensemble) is a freshman pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in English literature. This is her first role at Salem State University. Previous credits include Roxie (Chicago), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors ), Brooke Wyndham (Legally Blonde ), and Heather McNamara (Heathers: Teen Edition). She also received an award from The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild in acting for her role as Kai ( About Her).
James Bridges (Tom Snout/Bard Boy/Executioner/Ensemble/Vocal Captain) is a first year student pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. This is his first role at Salem State University. Previous credits include Tom Wingfield (The Glass Menagerie ), Jack Kelly (Newsies ), Dmitry ( Anastasia), Pippin (Pippin), and Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance).
Lola Cassino (Dance Captain/Woman in Crowd/Ensemble) is a first year student pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance. Some previous theatre credits include #14 (The Wolves ), Becca (Rabbit Hole) ; selected choreographic/dance credits include “Rhinestone Eyes” by Gorillaz, “Hades” (Hadestown) and “Ritual of Transfigured Time” by Bobby Krlic.
Bridget Caya (Puritan/Ensemble/Vocal Captain) is a first-year pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in theatre performance and Masters in elementary education. Previous credits include Dan/Ash (5th Annual Veterans Play Festival), Buddy (Elf The Musical JR.), Ginny/Moaning Myrtle/Bippy (Puffs), Mary Sunshine (Chicago: Teen Edition), Princess Fiona (Shrek The Musical JR), and Soprano Chorus Singer (MMEA Junior Districts).
Arianna Dones (Portia) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. This is her third role at Salem State University. Previous credits include Antigone/Messenger ( Antigone ), Eliante (The School for Lies ), Stoner Chick/Cheerleader (Heathers: The Musical ), Emily Webb (Our Town), and Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Millie ). Awards: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 Irene Ryan nominee (Spring 2023 and Fall 2023) and KCACTF Region 1 Irene Ryan finalist (2024).
Caroline Forbes (Nostradamus) is a junior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. This is her fifth role at Salem State University. Previous credits include Reggie Fluty/Rebecca Hilliker (The Laramie Project ), Sexton (Much Ado About Nothing), Head Nun (The House of Blue Leaves ), Kate (The Taming of The Shrew ), Woman/Kevin (Lovesick ), and Ursula (The Little Mermaid ). Awards: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 semi-finalist (2021) and KCACTF Region 1 1st Alternate (2024).
Sara Gluck (Puritan/Helena) is a first-year pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance. Some previous credits include Nina (Hearts Like Fists), The Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), Meg March (Little Women), and Tess Moffat (Blue Stockings).
Margaret Gould (The Minstrel) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance at Salem State University with a minor in criminology and paralegal certificate from Boston University. Previous credits include Veronica (Heathers: The Musical ), Paulette (Legally Blonde ), The Servant (Blood Wedding), Fritzie and the monkey (Cabaret ), and Lesbian #1 (The Thing They Love ). Awards: Kennedy Center
American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1 Nominee SemiFinalist 2023, Scene Partner to First Alternate at the KCACTF Region 1 Finalists 2024.
Brock Hoey (Francis Flute/Bard Boy/Ensemble) is a junior pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. This is his third mainstage role at Salem State University. Previous credits include Haimon (Antigone), Ensemble/Roderigo u/s (Othello). Yasha (The Cherry Orchard ), Jason Willette (Rabbit Hole), and Amos (Big Fish).
Cameron Holmes (Nigel Bottom) is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in playwrighting. Previous credits include Guard ( Antigone ), Daniel/A (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) ), Mark (Love/Sick ), and Billy (Play On! ).
Marck-Hens Jules (Robin/Bard Boy/Ensemble) is a senior pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre performance. This is his fourth mainstage role at Salem State University. Chosen credits include Papa Ge (Once on This Island ), Young Boy/Young Man/Jail Singer (Machinal ), Man/2nd Woodcutter (Blood Wedding), and Chorus Member ( Antigone ).
Djessy Kungu (Lord Clapham) is a senior graduating with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance at Salem State University. Previous credit includes Judge Moses/Theater Usher/Stage Carpenter (The Skin of Our Teeth), Musician/Man in Scene 2 (The Thing They Love ), The Teacher (Small Mouth Sounds ), Othello u/s (Othello), and Chorus Member ( Antigone ).
Ryan March (Ensemble/Shylock u/s) is a senior at Salem State University pursuing both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre and a Bachelor of Arts degree in European history. Previous credits include Brabantio (Othello), Jack (Into the Woods), Pinocchio (Shrek: The Musical), A-Rab (West Side Story), Ariel (The Tempest), and Nick Carraway (The Great Gatsby). Previous directing credits include Larry Shue’s The Nerd (2018) and Heathers: The Musical (Student Theatre Ensemble).
Samantha Masse (Ensemble) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a minor in math. This is her first mainstage role at Salem State University. Previous credits include JeanPaul Sartre/Joanne (Godspell ), Marty Maraschino (Grease ), Helen Keller (The Miracle Worker ), Donkey (Shrek the Musical ), Kate Keller (The Miracle Worker ), and Lily St. Regis ( Annie ).
Ryan McCarthy (Brother Jeremiah) is a senior pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance with a minor in dance. Recent Salem State mainstage credits include: Bengtsson (The Ghost Sonata), Gratiano (Othello), Jan (Small Mouth Sounds) and for a Directing Thesis Project: Peter Patrone (The Heidi Chronicles ). Recent Student Theatre Ensemble credits include Ms. Fleming (Heathers: The Musical ) and Derek (The Intersection of the Head and the Heart ).
Cameron Nye (Nick Bottom) is a freshman pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance at Salem State University. This is his first mainstage role at Salem State. Recent credits include Dmitry ( Anastasia), Heubner (Heubner the Reluctant ) and Luke (The Lighting Thief ).
Robin Provost (Messenger/Valet/Ensemble) is a first year student pursuing their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in costume design. This is their first acting role in a mainstage production at Salem State University. Previous credits include Donkey (Shrek the Musical ), Queen Aggravain (Once Upon a Mattress ), and Mina Harker (Dracula the Radio Play ).
Juan Sepulveda (Peter Quince/Bard Boy/Master of The Justice) is pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. Previous credits include Teiresias ( Antigone ), Cassio (Othello), Abbie (Love/Sick ), Clark/John (Queens ), Florian (Gods Dirty Deeds ), Corie (Barefoot in the Park ), Magnus Flanagan (The Thing They Love ), Captain Hoffman (Deuces Wild ), Marmaduke (Orlando), Jedediah Shultz/Jonas Slonaker/Moises Kaufman (The Laramie Project ), Dr. Rank ( A Doll’s House ), Fayette (Waiting for Lefty ), Mr. Collins (Memphis the Musical ), and Government Soldier (Ruined ). Awards: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 Irene Ryan finalist (2022 and 2023) and nominee (2024).
Ian Tomarakos (Shylock) is a junior pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance at Salem State University. Acting credits include Matt Galloway (The Laramie Project ), Evelyn Oakleigh ( Anything Goes ), Chuck Cranston (Footloose ), Patchy the Pirate (SpongeBob SquarePants ), Adam (The complete works of William Shakespeare (abridged) ), and Kreon ( Antigone ). Awards: National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Region 1 Finalist (2024)
Jaidyn Walter (Ensemble) is a first-year student pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance. This is her first role in a production at Salem State University. Previous credits include Morticia (The Addams Family ), Featured Dancer/Dance Captain (Fiddler on the Roof ), Laker Girl (Spamalot ), Maurice (Beauty and the Beast Jr ), and Ensemble (The Crucible and Secret in the Wings ). Directing and Assistant Directing credits include Yerma and a scene from The Exonerated (Peabody Veterans Memorial High School).
CREATIVE TEAM AND PRODUCTION STAFF
J’Von Allen (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in technical theater. Previous Salem State University technical credits include Assistant Stage Manager (The Ghost Sonata); scenic build crew (Othello, The School for Lies, Small Mouth Sounds, Blood Wedding, The Thing They Love , and Into the Woods ); scenic run crew (The Thing They Love and Into the Woods) ; Projection Operator (The Skin of Our Teeth and Blood Wedding); Sound Computer Operator (Small Mouth Sounds); and Light Board Operator (The School for Lies). Other credits include Lighting Designer/Operator for Frankie and the Gingerbread Boy (Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School).
Lily Barnes (Stage Manager) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in stage management. Previous stage management credits include Blood Wedding , The Thing They Love , The Skin of Our Teeth, Orlando, Machinal, and The Long Christmas Ride Home (Salem State University). Previous acting credits include Tipper/Police Officer (Hollow Bones: A Parrot Play ), and Bob (VFW Post #1209 ). Awards: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 Stage Management Nominee (Fall 2021 and Spring 2022), KCACTF Region 1 Stage Management Finalist for Excellence in Stage Management (2023), and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Stage Management Fellowship (Awarded via Kennedy Center, Spring 2023).
Elias Condakes (Music Director) is elated to be joining the team at Salem State University for Something Rotten! When he is not music directing around various parts of Massachusetts, he can be found at Randolph Community Middle School as a Chorus and General Music teacher, or as the choir organist and associate conductor at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA. Other music direction credits include The Producers (EMACT DASH Award nominee for Best Musical Direction 2017) (Concord Players); SpongeBob Squarepants , Godspell (Wayland High School); Trail to Oregon , 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (EMACT DASH Award Winner for Best Musical Direction 2021) (Yorick Ensemble); Big Fish, Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Billy Elliott, Pippin (Weston Drama Workshop); Once On This Island, Rent: School Edition (KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate); 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, Songs for a New World, Some Enchanted Evening, (Malden Community Theatre); Songs for a New World, A New Brain, Follies in Concert, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, Miscast: A Benefit Showcase (Boston University). Elias would like to thank Peter, Melissa, and Lily for being such fantastic collaborators, as well as all his friends and family for their unwavering and constant support in all his endeavors, and for an infinite amount of love. And finally, to Jillian Blevins, an amazing collaborator and playwright who was the only person at work to recognize a William Finn quote. Enjoy the show!
Carl Durham (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in performance. His previous acting credits include Beggar 3 (The Ghost Sonata) and Billy (Hollow Bones: A Parrot Play ). Other Salem State credits include Assistant Stage Manager ( Antigone ); Dramaturg (The Ghost Sonata); scenic build crew (Small Mouth Sounds ); usher (Small Mouth Sounds , Blood Wedding , American Hero, Roe , and Speed Date ); scenic run crew (The School for Lies ); and props run crew (Othello).
Sarah Jean Durning (Assistant Director) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in performance. While Sarah can usually be found gracing the stage in past SSU mainstage productions, she is delighted to have her assisting directing debut with Something Rotten . Previous credits include Young Lady (The Ghost Sonata), Stepmother (Into the Woods ), Nat (Rabbit Hole), Meredith (Five Women Wearing the Same Dress ), Marvalyn/Villian/Marci ( , Maine ) and Jean (Dead Man’s Cell Phone ). Awards: Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 1 Finalist (2020); KCACTF Region 1 Finalist: Second Alternate (2024); and KCACTF Region 1 Classical Acting Award (2024).
Ginger Eckert (Voice and Text Director) is in her first year as performance faculty, bringing her experience as a professional actor and vocal coach for stage and film to Salem State University. 15+ years as core faculty in professional actor-training programs: Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University, SUNY/Purchase BFA program, Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA, NYU/Tisch at Atlantic Acting School & Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, and Uta Hagen’s HB Studio. She has performed with The Public Theater, Kennedy Center, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theater Company, LaMama, Clubbed Thumb, in indie films, audiobooks, and more. Professional voice & dialect coaching includes two seasons at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Showtime’s Brotherhood series, New York Theater Workshop, Ripe Time, Making Books Sing, River Rep New York. Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and proud member of VASTA/ The Voice & Speech Trainers Association. MFA in Acting, Brown University/Trinity Rep. BA in Literature, American University. Ginger enters teaching as an actor and interrogator, who is also learning and creating. Her teaching features all the sounds and vocal dynamics of global languages, with the goal to arrive at communication that is honest, expansive, inclusive, and culturally sustaining for each person. Gratitude always to her supportive family and to her mentors, Thom Jones, Francine Zerfas, and Ronni Stewart.
Amanda Fallon (Lighting Designer, they/she) is a lighting designer, director, visual artist, and educator with love for new work and devising. Following the completion of an MFA in Lighting Design at Boston University, they’ve continued to design throughout New England for professional and educational institutions including Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Central Square Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Wheelock Family Theatre, and Brandeis University.
Leon Glover (Assistant to the Costume Designer) is a first year student pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre design.
Jane Hillier-Walkowiak (Costume Coordinator) received her degree from Trent University in Nottingham England and has been designing both in the U.K. and the U.S.A. since the early 1980’s. In the Boston area, Jane has designed for the Publick Theatre and the Lyric Stage Company and has also worked as a designer/sculptor and painter for VDA Productions and The Costume Works as well as stitching for The Boston Ballet and A.R.T. Jane also has a custom corsetry business called Jane’s Corsets her work has been featured in many magazines both in the U.S.A. and worldwide. Jane’s recently designed shows include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Twelfth Night, Cabaret, The Grapes of Wrath, The Seagull, Drowsy Chaperone, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Orlando, The Thing They Love, Othello, and The Ghost Sonata.
Stacey Horne-Harper (Faculty Props Manager) is a graduate of the University of Delaware Professional Theatre Training Program. She spent seven years as the properties carpenter at the American Repertory Theater. She would like to thank her family for all their incredible support.
Jerry L. Johnson (Costume Designer) served as the Chairperson and as an Associate Professor of Design for the Theatre and Speech Communication Department at Salem State University. He taught at Dillard University, Delgado Community College, and Florida A &M University. In the summer, he was a costume designer for the Contemporary Theatre Festival. In 2017, he was honored to design the national tour of Drumline Live . In New York City, he designed for: Harlem School of the Arts, Columbia University and Flux Theatre Ensemble. Jerry’s Broadway work includes: Disney’s Lion King , Disney’s Little Mermaid , Jersey Boys , Phantom of the Opera , Cinderella , and Rockette's Christmas Spectacular. While working in fashion, he was the Production Coordinator for: Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia, and Thakoon. His regional theatre credits include: The Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Papermill Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festive, Arkansas Rep and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Internationally, he worked for ETA Hoffman theatre in Bamberg Germany.
Karey Kirkpatrick (Composer and Lyricist) began his career as a screen and songwriter for Disney Animation where he penned The Rescuers Down Under and James and the Giant Peach . With more than a dozen feature films produced, screenplay credits include Chicken Run (Golden Globe nominee for Outstanding Comedy), Charlotte's Web, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Over the Hedge , which he also co-directed. He directed the Paramount Pictures film Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy and co-produced, wrote and performed on the film's soundtrack. He recently directed the Warner Brothers animated musical SMALLFOOT for which he also co-wrote the screenplay and the songs (with brother Wayne). He has won a number of Tony, Oscar and Grammy awards and that number is zero. Other credits: husband of Nada, father of Sami, Maia and Finn.
Wayne Kirkpatrick (Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter) is the Grammy Award-winning songwriter of “Change the World” by Eric Clapton (Song of the Year). Top 10 singles include “Every Heartbeat”, “Good for Me” (Amy Grant); “Wrapped Up in You” (Garth Brooks); “Boondocks”, “Bring It on Home”, “Little White Church” (Little Big Town); “Place in This World” (Michael W. Smith). He is a multi-formatted song writer with songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill, Joe Cocker, Gabe Dixon, Trisha Yearwood, Babyface and Peter Frampton, among others. His songs have been featured in TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, True Blood , Hart of Dixie ) as well as feature films ( Almost Famous , Phenomenon, Smallfoot ). Wayne lives in Nashville with his wife Fran and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for 2018. Favorite produc tions: Kourtney, Shelby and Carson.
Topher Morris (Scenic and Sound Designer) is a Professor at Salem State University in the Theatre and Speech Communication Department. During his time at Salem State, he has served as a Technical Director, Sound Designer, and Scenic Designer. He has worked for American Players Theatre, Santa Fe Opera and Tibbits Opera House. He earned his MFA in Technical Production for Theatre from the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) at The University of Delaware. He is an ETCP certified Theatrical Rigger and a proud Veteran of the Armed Services.
Jennifer O’Connell (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater with a concentration in stage management. Previous Salem State credits include Stage Manager (Roe, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), and Heathers: The Musical) ; Assistant Stage Manager (The Ghost Sonata, Blood Wedding, and First Year Lab); and Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe run crew (Antigone).
John O'Farrell (Bookwriter) is one of the UK's best known comic authors and script writers. Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get , May Contain Nuts and The Man Who Forgot His Wife . Non-fiction includes An Utterly Impartial History of Britain , the political memoir
Things Can Only Get Better and its recent sequel plus three collections of his satirical columns for The Guardian newspaper. O'Farrell's books have been translated into thirty languages and adapted for BBC Radio and television. Winner, British Comedy Award. Previously a writer (and later panelist) on BBC's Have I Got News For You and lead writer on ten series of ITV's Spitting Image . Currently writing the sequel to Chicken Run , and adapting one of his novels for Sony International Pictures.
Isabella Perez (Props Designer) is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in technical theatre. Design credits include Othello (Salem State University), Evita , and The Servant of Two Masters (Stagedoor Manor). Props Master credits include Blood Wedding and The Thing They Love (Salem State University).
Melissa Poirier (Choreographer) is a 23-year-old who attended Salem State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in theater with a minor in dance. Melissa began her dance training at the age of three, and her choreography career started at the age of sixteen. She choreographed various shows for Stage One Drama Club, eventually winning an All Star Award for choreography at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild in 2017. Previous choreography credits include Spamalot (2021), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling (2020), and Cabaret (2019).
Peter Sampieri (Director) is a director, playwright, musician, composer, puppeteer, and teaching artist. His professional directing credits include (Off-Broadway) the world premiere of On The Line at the Cherry Lane Theatre, The Sister Wall at Barrow St. Theatre, and The Three Same Guys at The Public. (Regional Theatre): Wit, A Christmas Carol, and The Taming of The Shrew at Trinity Rep, and the world premiere of Yemaya’s Belly at Portland Stage Company. Red Noses , Crime and Punishment , The Pillowman, Radio Free Emerson (Elliot Norton Award in 2008 for Outstanding New Play) at Gamm Theatre. This is his sixteenth year serving as a tenured Professor of Directing and Performance for the Theatre and Speech Communication Department at Salem State University where he’s directed Twelfth Night , Cabaret , Kafka in Tel Aviv, The Grapes of Wrath, The Master and Margarita, A Free Man of Color, Ragtime , The Long Christmas Ride Home , The Skin of Our Teeth, The School for Lies , and Something Rotten . Peter is the 2002 recipient of a Pell Award Scholarship for Artistic Excellence , and the 2014 recipient of
3 national awards from The Kennedy Center for his original play Kafka in Tel Aviv, including Outstanding Direction of a New Work , and The David Mark Cohen National Playwriting award. His multi-media production of The Long Christmas Ride Hom e in 2020 garnered 13 national awards from the Kennedy Center, including Special Achievement in Directing He was an O’Neill Playwriting Fellow in 2014, received Salem State’s first-ever Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015, a Whiting Fellowship in 2017, and became a guest resident artist and teacher at The National Theatre Academy in Helsinki, Finland in 2017. He’s a proud member of The Dramatists Guild, and SDC, the national labor union for directors and choreographers. Recent and upcoming: Directed Space Laser, in Space! at the Vineyard Theatre in NYC for the Sam French Off-Off Broadway play festival 2023, and indie-horror-comedy film MFA: The Terminal Degree this May 2024.
Paige Steriti (Assistant Director) is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in theatre performance at Salem State University. Previous credits include Assistant Director for the 5th Annual Veterans Play Festival . Awards: Theatre Art Award (Landmark High School); Scholarship Five Week Intensive (Berklee College of Music).
Charlie Sullivan (Hair and Makeup Designer) is a senior pursuing their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre performance. Recent Salem State University design credits include The Ghost Sonata , Blood Wedding , and The Heidi Chronicles
THEATRE AND SPEECH COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
FACULTY
Ginger Eckert
Michael M. Harvey
Jane Hillier-Walkowiak
Alex Jacobs
Jerry L. Johnson
Julie Kiernan
Christopher Morris, Interim Chairperson
Peter Sampieri STAFF
Ryan Goodwin
Stuart Grieve
Tim O’Toole
Ashley Preston O’Toole
VISITING LECTURERS
Esme Allen
Brianne Beatrice
Sarah Bedard
Sara Conlon
Sean Dixon-Gumm
Brad Goren-Wilson
Stacey Horne-Harper
Brendan O’Neill
Peyton Pugmire
Allen Vietzke
