ZIGGY, STARDUST & ME Playbill

PLAYBILL

A free panel conversation will follow every performance

Illustration and graphic design by Sarah Glick

WELCOME!

It is with immense enthusiasm that we welcome you to the 2023/2024 season of The School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University. Today, we find ourselves on the cusp of a transformative moment in our school’s history, made possible by the construction of our state-of-the-art Theatre facilities. These facilities not only signify a milestone for our institution but also mark the genesis of a cultural capital that will resonate far beyond our university. San Diego, prepare to witness a burgeoning hub of creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence.

The journey to this point has not been without hurdles. We have weathered days, weeks, months, and years of challenges in the realm of production operations. Yet, through it all, our students and colleagues have displayed unwavering determination, harnessing their creativity and inner strength to forge ahead, and pushing boundaries.

To our audience and generous donors, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your unflinching support has been the bedrock of our success. As we welcome you to our new home, we do so with full appreciation and understanding that without your support, this would not be possible.

Together, let us embark on a new chapter in the world of theatre, television, and film. We invite you to witness the remarkable talents of our students as they surpass their potential, bringing stories to life and igniting imaginations.

Welcome to this exciting journey, and we wholeheartedly count on your unwavering support as we build a legacy that will resonate for generations to come. Please sit back and enjoy our production of Ziggy, Stardust & Me.

Coker, Jr., Director School of Theatre, Television, and Film

There will be a panel discussion following each performance. Topics will range from the adaptation process of this musical to the discussion of Native American and LGBTQ+ identity and history. Panels will feature members of the cast and crew of the production as well as different guest speakers, artists and educators. ++Guest Artist +MA in Theatre Arts *MFA in Musical Theatre °MFA

‘Niyi

ZIGGY, STARDUST & ME

Adapted from the novel by James Brandon++

Book and Lyrics by Jessie Field++ and James Martinez Salem++

Music by James Martinez Salem++

Director: Dani Bedau

Dramaturg: Courtney Elkin Mohler++

Associate Director/Choreography: Wilfred Paloma*

Music Direction: Van Angelo*

Setting: 1973, Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Co-Scenic Design ............................................................... Atria Pirouzmand°

Co-Scenic Design ........................................................................... Ali Roustaei°

Costume Design .....................................................................Heather Nunn°^

Lighting Design..........................................................................Nayeli Bailey°^

Sound Design ................................................................................ Paul Peterson

Projection Design ....................................................................................... Sierra°

Stage Manager .............................................................................. Aden Carlson

CAST

Jonathan ........................................................................................Danny Holmes

Web ............................................................................................... Kenny Ramos++

Starla ........................................................................................ Jordan Davenport

Ziggy Stardust ........................................................................ Cheyenne Parker

Mr. Collins ............................................................................................ Justin Brill*

Scott ............................................................................................................. JJ Eccles

Dr. Evelyn.................................................................................... Catelyn Thomas

Ms. Dulick .................................................................................Charlotte Bridant

Spider From Mars #1 ............................................................... Morgan Sayles

Spider From Mars #2 ............................................................. Olivia Gonzales

This show will be performed without intermission.

This production contains theatrical fog/haze and flashing/strobe lighting. This is a commissioned adaptation of the young adult novel Ziggy, Stardust & Me.

LIST OF SONGS

(I Don’t) Belong Down There (Web, Jonathan & Company)

Ziggy, Stardust, & Me (Starla, Web, Jonathan, Ziggy & The Spiders from Mars)

Another Version of Me (Web)

Who Would I Be? (Jonathan)

I Would Be (Web & Jonathan)

Something Better (Ms. Dulick)

Outro: Something Better (Ms. Dulick)

Navigate the Negative (Starla, Jonathan & Web)

Ziggy’s Words (Therapy Pre-prise) (Ziggy)

Therapy (Mr. Collins, Dr. Evelyn, Jonathan, Ziggy & The Spiders from Mars)

Getting Closer (Starla & Company)

Your Broken Heart (Jonathan & Web)

Supernova (Web, Ziggy & The Spiders from Mars)

Outro: Supernova (Scott)

Astronauts (Web & Jonathan)

Final Treatment (Jonathan, Dr. Evelyn, Mr. Collins, Scott, Ziggy & The Spiders from Mars)

Reprise: Navigate the Negative (Web & Starla)

Jonny (Mr. Collins)

Reprise: Something Better (Web, Jonathan, Scott, Ms. Dulick, Starla, Ziggy & The Spiders from Mars)

Finale: (We Can) Belong Down There (Web, Jonathan, Starla & Company)

POST SHOW DISCUSSONS*

*Check out our Starguide study guide with more information about the show and the topics involved: https://dbedau.wixsite.com/zsmstarguide.

DRAMATURGS NOTE

How Ziggy Can Help Us Grow

Ziggy, Stardust & Me revolves around characters from marginalized backgrounds whose stories have been pushed to the margins as well. This musical seeks to learn from and lift up those voices who all too often are silenced. Accordingly, the process of adapting Ziggy, Stardust & Me focused on making the issues in the story clear, urgent, and personal. The artistic team hopes that the audience is moved by the story, but also inspired to learn more about themselves, the world, or both.

In order to bring to life the reality of our main characters, Jonathan, Starla, and Web, our cast and crew studied the context of their struggles within the political and social climate of the 1970s. Two subjects in particular were discussed in rehearsals: The Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 and the Wounded Knee Occupation organized by the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1973, and the history of aversion therapy to “cure” homosexuality as well as the early civil rights efforts for LGBTQ people in the United States. To facilitate the discussion of Native American activism, Dramaturg Courtney Elkin Mohler presented a lecture about the repeated theft of native lands (and other exploitative and violent practices) that drove Native Americans into cities where they were able to form political groups such as AIM, as well as the history of Wounded Knee. The importance of the presentation was immediately apparent, as many folks in attendance agreed that too little time had been dedicated to this subject at all stages of their education.

Other essential information was provided to the company by the author of Ziggy, Stardust & Me, James Brandon, who joined rehearsal to detail the often undiscussed horror of aversion therapy. Our character Jonathan is subjected to shock therapy to “fix” his sexual orientation, and begins our story mired by shame and self-loathing. In the 70s, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder in the DSM II (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which resulted in mental health providers trying to “cure” homosexuality, typically by showing homoerotic images while administering shocks to various sensitive parts of the body.

These subjects are not easy to address, and we are lucky to have had time and space built into our rehearsals to wrap our heads around the difficult realities of the world we are creating. We would like to offer you the same time and space to engage further with these vital, under-addressed topics by attending our post-show discussions. Dates and subjects for each post-show discussion can be found on page 4 of this playbill.

ROBYN WILKINSON, ASSISTANT DRAMATURG

DIRECTORS NOTE

When your dear friend of nearly thirty years writes a novel, you read it. You hope you will like it and have some good things to say about it. What you don’t expect is to LOVE it and to have it scream off the page at you, “Make me into a musical!” This is what happened for me with James Brandon’s Ziggy, Stardust & Me. I am drawn to the 1973 setting, the era of my own early childhood, and all of Brandon’s magical pop culture references (especially Bowie). I appreciate Brandon’s willingness to take on difficult issues such as the psychological community’s consideration (at that time) of homosexuality as a mental illness and the mistreatment and bullying of queer teens. I value the way the book centers Black and Native American characters and includes references to important historical moments relevant to both of those communities. But most of all, I am struck by the tenderness and depth of the love story between two young boys who find each other unexpectedly in the middle of America; the way they come to support and care for one another. I was hooked!

In Brandon’s life before becoming a writer, he was an actor and theatre maker. “Once a theatre artist, always a theatre artist” gave me the courage to ask for the rights to the story. And Brandon gave me a resounding YES! We’ve been on a journey together for nearly two years co-producing this musical adaptation of his beautiful book. The journey included commissioning the writer/composer team of Jessie Field and James Martinez Salem. This New York-based duo has a commitment to telling queer stories, and they do so with the ideal combination of rigor and care. Their collaborative spirits and open hearts have made the process of developing this piece pure joy. The creative development team is rounded out by Courtney Elkin Mohler, the dramaturg on the project. Courtney provides guidance on the development of the script, with keen attention paid to the way that the Native American character, Web, is represented. Her knowledge of the history of the American Indian Movement and the range of political actions taken in the 1970s (including the occupation at Wounded Knee and other important events) provided important context and depth to both the play development and production processes.

It is an honor and a thrill to offer the world premiere of this musical adaptation on the brand new Prebys Stage. The space is dynamic and inviting: a new theatre for a new play and a powerful project with which to inaugurate the Performing Arts District. School districts across the country are banning books and plays with queer content and attempting to dictate which version of “history” is taught in classrooms. Making art like Ziggy, Stardust & Me is vital, now more than ever. As Web and Jonathan, the co-protagonists of the story who fall so sweetly in love proclaim, “We belong down here!” They mean on Earth. And they do belong down here. On Earth, in America, in our schools, in our classrooms, in our books, on our stages. Everywhere. LGBTQ+ folks belong everywhere. They belong, they are welcome, they are celebrated and we must continue to shout it from every corner. If you are a part of the community and you are reading this, know that you matter and you are loved!

Thank you all for being a part of our audience tonight and thank you for supporting Ziggy, Stardust & Me. We hope you will enjoy the show and stay for the post-show panel discussion following each performance.

DANI BEDAU, DIRECTOR AND CO -PRODUCER

DIRECTOR

DANI BEDAU (she/her/hers) is a theatre artist and educator. She is Associate Professor in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at SDSU where she also heads up the Youth Theatre area. Dani has directed a lot of plays and written or devised a few. She has also co-authored several articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Dani has over 25 years of experience creating theatre programs that facilitate conversations across areas of social distance such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity and social class. She created the Coming Up Taller Award-winning Will Power to Youth program in Los Angeles and has engaged in work that uses theatre to forge alliances with the Arab-speaking world. Dani is committed to creating brave spaces for learning and growing, to providing leadership opportunities for student artists and to imperfectly doing her part in the struggle to dismantle hierarchy and end white supremacy.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/ CHOREOGRAPHER WILFRED PALOMA

is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist & is the Director of Arts Education & Community Engagement at Diversionary Theatre. He is an Actor’s Equity member with an MA in Theatre Arts and a BA in Theatre, Performance: Acting and Musical Theatre. Wilfred is also a graduate of the Meisner and Chekhov Integrated Acting Studio (MCIT). He is currently in the final year of the MFA Musical Theatre program at San Diego State University. For over the last 10 years, Wilfred has been a teaching artist working in residency in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse, Arts Education Connection, Imagine Brave Spaces, Coronado Junior Arts League, Young Actors Theater, San Diego Junior Theatre, and Blindspot Collective. Apart from SDSU, Wilfred is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, Southwestern College and Grossmont College. Wilfred’s artistic work includes directing and choreographing as well as developing new works. His favorite work fuses social activism and community engagement to his wide array of theatre and dance performance experience. His artistic practice spans Opera, Dance Theatre, Musical Theatre, dramatic works to Theatre for Social Change. Wilfred has directed over 30 productions. wilfredpaloma.com

MUSIC DIRECTOR VAN ANGELO (they/ them) MFA in Musical Theatre Candidate at San Diego State University, Director of Education for San Diego Musical Theatre, and proud graduate of Westminster Choir College. Select Regional Credits: Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical as Wickersham #1 (Candlelight Pavilion), West Side Story, Tarzan, Hairspray as Seaweed (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs as Wes (Desert Rose Playhouse). Select Music Directing Credits: Matilda Jr. (Project Performer) Urinetown, Anything Goes (SDMT), Leonard Bernstein’s New York (NVA), Moana Jr. (MYT).

Performances with New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Zelda Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra including the recording of Bernstein’s MASS with conductor Yannick NézetSéguin. Van is a two-time Inland Theatre League Award winner, and a recipient of the Desert Theatre League Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. “Till there’s no one left. Who has ever known us apart.” IG:

@vanangelo

CO-SCENIC DESIGNER ATRIA PIROUZMAND is an MFA student in her second year, majoring in Design and Technology with a focus on scenic and production design. She earned her BA in Drama and Film and Media Studies from the University of California, Irvine in 2022. Throughout her experience in the theater industry, she has held roles as a scenic designer, scenic assistant, prop master/artisan, and scenic artist. Some of her design works include Love’s Labor’s Lost (SDSU), Into The Woods (UCI), and I and You (UCI). She is honored to be a part of the production of Ziggy, Stardust & Me and to collaborate with a talented team of colleagues.

CO-SCENIC DESIGNER ALI ROUSTAEI is currently in his second year of MFA at SDSU majoring in Design and Technology. He received his BA in Drama and Film and Media Studies from the University of California, Irvine. This is his second collaboration with Danielle Bedau, and he is thrilled to be working on Ziggy, Stardust & Me. He has been working as a scenic designer and assistant for several productions. Some of his previous scenic design credits include: Love’s Labor’s Lost (SDSU), Into The Woods (UCI), and Future Tripping (LOFT Ensemble).

COSTUME

DESIGNER HEATHER NUNN is a second year

Costume Design MFA student originally from Oregon. Among her previous designs are Bloodletting at SDSU, Spring Awakening at Staged!, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at George Fox University. She is incredibly thankful to her community of friends and family (and cats) for their support and encouragement.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

NAYELI BAILEY is currently pursuing an MFA in Lighting Design here at San Diego State University. She received her undergraduate degree from California State University, Los Angeles and worked as a theatrical technician before returning to education. While at SDSU she has been the lighting designer for The Weight of Dreams, assistant lighting designer for A Long Christmas Ride Home, and was the head electrician for Bloodletting. Along with her courses, she is working as an instructor for undergraduate students. She is pursuing her graduate degree to continue her work in design and support future first-generation students. She would like to thank the talented team that made this design possible, her spouse and her family. ¡Gracias!

PROJECTION DESIGNER

SIERRA is thrilled to be working alongside so many remarkable creators on Ziggy, Stardust & Me. This is their debut as a projection designer, coming from a background in lighting design for theatre, dance, and events. They are in their final semester at SDSU in pursuit of an MFA in Design and Technology and their work will also be featured later this season as lighting designer for Children of Eden. They are excited for the next stages of their career upon graduating in December. Sierra hopes you enjoy Ziggy, Stardust & Me.

SOUND DESIGNER PAUL PETERSON San Diego State MFA

Musical Theatre Program: Bee, Postcard American Town

Taming of the Shrew, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Brothers Size, Nobody Loves You, Kingdom, Hold Please, Restoration Comedy, Pig Farm, Moonlight and Magnolias, Lucky Duck, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, Blue/Orange, Time Flies, Pentecost, Compleat Female Stage Beauty more. Regional: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Center Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, Sledgehammer Theatre (Associate Artist), San Diego Repertory Theatre. Radio Plays: Round, Cocktails with the Canon. Film: Krapp’s Last Tape with an emphasis in Technical Design from San Diego State University. Paul is a Lecturer with San Diego State University’s School of Theatre, Television, and Film.

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL BY JAMES

BRANDON is an author, actor, producer and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate. Among his many theatrical credits, he recently produced and played the central role of Joshua in Terrence McNally’s play Corpus Christi, touring to international acclaim for ten years, and subsequently co-directed the documentary based on their journey, Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. He is the co-founder of the I AM Love Campaign—an arts-based initiative bridging the queer and faith-based communities—and currently serves on the Board of the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirit organization in San Francisco. Brandon’s critically-acclaimed debut novel, Ziggy, Stardust & Me, was an indie-bestseller and named one of the best YA Books of the Year in 2019 by Entertainment Weekly, Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, Barnes and Noble, and Seventeen Magazine, among others. His second YA novel, The Edge of Being, was equally lauded by critics and released in October 2022. Visit his website for more: www.justbejb.com

PLAYWRIGHT

JESSIE FIELD (she/her) is an award-winning queer NYC playwright and director. Jessie’s short play, Too Much Lesbian Drama: One Star was a winner of the 47th Annual Samuel French OOB Short Play Festival and was published in collection in 2023. Jessie and collaborator James Martinez Salem are both current members of Theatre Now New York’s musical writers lab and the Julia de Burgos Cohort, developing new musical Fat Girl Starving. Additional selected writing credits include Charlotte Lucas is 27 and Not Dead (with James Martinez Salem; 2023 Top 20 NAMT Finalist; Winner: 2022 Musicals Now Competition [awarded sold-out workshop production]; O’Neill NMTC Semi-Finalist; SDSU NMI Semi-Finalist), Madam President (New Musicals Lab at Ferguson Center), and La Maupin (Winner: 2018 International MUT Competition, Winner: Audience Favorite – 2017 Fresh Fruit Festival). Jessie earned her MFA at NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. jessiefield.com

PLAYWRIGHT/COMPOSER JAMES MARTINEZ SALEM

(he/him) is a Puerto Rican/Syrian-Jewish queer bookwriter, composer, lyricist, and screenwriter based in NYC. Recent projects include Charlotte Lucas is 27 and Not Dead (with Jessie Field; 2023 Top 20 NAMT Finalist; Winner: 2022 Musicals Now Competition [awarded sold-out workshop production]; O’Neill NMTC Semi-Finalist; SDSU NMI Semi-finalist) and #Masc4Masc:A Totally Masculine Musical (music by Josh Ben-Ami; Latiné Musical Theatre Lab’s 2022 Table Reading Series). James and collaborator Jessie Field are part of the 2023 Julia de Burgos Cohort and Theatre Now New York’s musical writers lab (www.tnny.org), developing new musical Fat Girl Starving. In 2021, James was a finalist for the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Award for emerging musical theatre artists. James is a practicing attorney, board game enthusiast, and dog lover. www.jamessalemmusicals.com

DRAMATURG COURTNEY ELKIN MOHLER, as a stage director and dramaturg, concentrates on new works that push aesthetic and political boundaries and is dedicated to supporting new work by Native American playwrights. Some recent dramaturgy credits include Desert Stories for Lost Girls by Lily Rushing at Latino Theatre Company/Native Voices at the Autry (NVA) in Los Angeles, The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota) at Virginia Stage Company and Yu-Che-Wah-Kehn (Bitter) by Vickie Ramirez (Tuscarora), recipient of the National New Play Network’s Smith Prize for Political Theatre. In addition to her professional theatre work, Dr. Mohler is Associate Professor of Theatre at Boston College where she teaches directing, dramaturgy, and BIPOC theatre. Mohler has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in Indigenous theatre, and coauthored Critical Companion to Native American and First Nations Theatre and Performance: Indigenous Spaces which was published in 2020 by BloomsburyMetheun Press.

STAGE MANAGER

ADEN CARLSON (He/Him) is a second year student at SDSU, pursuing a BA in Theatre Arts, Design and Technology, with an emphasis in Stage Management. Aden attended Crater Renaissance Academy in Central Point, Oregon, where he stage managed many productions, notably: Seussical, Cinderella, Almost Maine, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, Romeo & Juliet. Additionally, during high school, Aden worked for the Studio Roxander Academy of Ballet, Assistant Stage Managing 3 productions of the Nutcracker, and 3 productions of the contemporary Ballet Surealia. This is his first show at San Diego State University, and he couldn’t be more honored and excited to not only work on this powerful and important piece, but to begin his collegiate theatre career and work to be his biggest, fullest, and brightest during his time at this great institution.

CAST: WHO’S WHO

Kenny Ramos (Web)

Kenny Ramos is from the Barona Band of Mission Indians/ Kumeyaay Nation and he grew up on the Barona Indian Reservation. He is an ensemble member at Cornerstone Theatre Company in Los Angeles, and Artist-in-Residence at La Jolla Playhouse. Kenny’s theater credits include productions, workshops, and readings with Starlight, Moonlight, Cornerstone Theater Company, The Rose/Omaha Theater Company, Native Voices at the Autry, Perseverance Theatre, Krannert Center/ Illinois Theatre, Passage Theatre Company, Playwrights’ Center, Woolly Mammoth, South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center, Seattle Rep, Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, and The Kennedy Center. TV: Spirit Rangers (Netflix). Awards: 2019 Theatre Communications Group (TCG) Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellow; 2019 First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Fellow; Yale Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration 2021 Mellon Artist Fellow; Center for Cultural Innovation 2022 CALI Catalyst Grantee. Education: BA in American Indian Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Danny Holmes (Jonathan)

Danny Holmes (he/him) is a third year Theatre, Performance major with a minor in Leadership Studies. He has appeared Little Shop of Horrors), Jamie (The ), Victor (Cabaret), and ). He was a part of the original reading of this new musical and is absolutely thrilled to be returning in the role of Jonathan. Being a part of the process of building this new exciting project from the start has been such an honor and reminds him of how important the representation and telling of queer stories in media is, especially nowadays. We can choose to grow and be better as soon as tomorrow. So, who will

Theatre productions, film events, and TV programming are made possible by the generous support of our donors. To make a contribution to our outstanding programs,

CAST: WHO’S WHO

Jordan Davenport (Starla)

Jordan Davenport is a second year Theatre, Performance major and she is very excited to be a part of this production after being in the original workshop last semester. She started committing to theatre at the start of high school, and has loved doing it ever since; her favorite high school performances: Addams Family (Bride Ancestor), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Maggie Cutler), and Matilda (Miss Trunchbull). You may have also seen her at SDSU in Phantoms (Maneater) and Cabaret (Frenchie). She thanks her parents, her brothers, her friends, and everyone who came to support her! Hope you enjoy the show! <3

Cheyenne Parker (Ziggy)

Cheyenne (she/her) is in her final year here at SDSU, and she’s thrilled to make her mainstage debut in this production. A native of Southern California, she transferred to SDSU from Grossmont College, where she embarked on her journey in theatre. Cheyenne has graced the stage in Grossmont’s past productions, including memorable roles such as Little Red in Into the Woods and James in James and the Giant Peach. After graduation, she plans to continue her theatrical pursuits throughout the San Diego area, so you may have the pleasure of seeing her again soon! In her free time, Cheyenne enjoys mastering K-Pop choreography and immersing herself in video games. She extends her deepest gratitude to her mentors, professors, and friends for their guidance and support in realizing her dreams, even during challenging times. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! Connect with her on Instagram: @cheyenneleeparker

Justin Brill (Mr. Collins)

Justin (he/him/his) is currently in year two of the Musical Theatre MFA program at SDSU. He’s extremely grateful to be a part of this process and is thankful for the collaboration that this creative team has facilitated. Justin is a director, educator and performer that came to SDSU after serving four years on the musical theater faculty of Columbia College Chicago. Some favorite projects from his 24-year career as a professional performer include Rent & All Shook Up (original Broadway cast) on Broadway, over 1200 performances as Boq on the first National Tour of Wicked, and a production of Singin’ In the Rain in 2016 where he played Cosmo and his wife, Shanna VanDerwerker, was the choreographer and the Lady in Green. As an educator and director Justin strives to facilitate an atmosphere of joy where all participants feel a foundational sense of belonging and are welcomed to bring their full selves into the work.

CAST: WHO’S WHO

JJ Eccles (Scott/Mr. Collins & Jonathan understudy)

JJ Eccles (he/him) is a 4th year at SDSU with a double major in Theatre, Performance and TFM Production and a minor in Cultural Proficiency. Recent credits include Arnold in The Magic Hummingbird (CEART Tijuana), Max (Ernst u/s) in Cabaret (SDSU), and Sir Nathaniel in Love’s Labors Lost (SDSU). He would like to thank the writer of the novel, James Brandon, the writers and composers of the musical, Jesse Field and James Martinez Salem, as well as the wonderful cast and crew that make each long day enjoyable and worth it. He would also like to thank his mother for all her support and love, and for also introducing him to the arts and artists like David Bowie. He is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new production and wishes for the audience to enjoy the show! May the force be with you.

Catelyn Thomas (Dr. Evelyn/Ms. Dulick understudy)

Catelyn Thomas (she/her) is a performer based in southern California and is thrilled to be a part of such an impactful show! She is a fourth year transfer student studying Theatre, Performance here at San Diego State University. Catelyn received her Musical Theatre Certificate from Fullerton Community college and is so grateful to be a student continuing to grow and better her knowledge in theatre. Some of her favorite credits include Urinetown (Little Sally), Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larkin), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Ensemble), and Hello, Dolly (Ernestina). Catelyn sends a special thanks to her mentors, family and friends for all their love and support! Enjoy the show!

Charlotte Bridant (Ms. Dulick/Dr. Evelyn understudy)

Charlotte Bridant is a second year Youth Theatre major who is thrilled to be working on this totally far out, fully realized version of this production after being a part of the workshop last semester. She gained her love for theater at 5 years old after seeing a production of Seussical the Musical and has been doing theater ever since. She has been a part of many shows with Roustabout Theater in Santa Rosa, CA. Some of her credits include Gypsy (Mama Rose), White Christmas (Martha), Mamma Mia (Rosie), and Spongebob (Sandy). You may recognize her from SDSU’s mainstage production of Cabaret (Helga) or the K-pop dance team KASA Ignite. Special thanks to her family and friends for always supporting her! Enjoy the show!

CAST: WHO’S WHO

Morgan Sayles (Spider From Mars/Starla understudy)

This is Morgan Sayles’s third main stage show at San Diego State University, She’s had the privilege to perform since her career at SDSU started. She would like to first thank the author of Ziggy, Stardust & Me for allowing the story to be retold in such a new convention. She would also like to give a big thank you to the entire team that was responsible for putting this production up. It has been a privilege and an honor to work with such beautiful, amazing souls, and Morgan hopes that you all enjoy the story, and can boogie down to the grooves with the rest of the cast. Lastly, she sends her love and hugs to her family and support system which continues to carry her throughout her journey. She thanks you for supporting her and hopes you enjoy the show!

Olivia Gonzales (Spider From Mars/Ziggy understudy)

Olivia is a second year Theatre, Performance major at SDSU and is thrilled to be in her second production Ziggy, Stardust & Me. Olivia was seen as the Were-Jaguar Woman in the Weight of Dreams last spring as her first production here. Olivia has been acting on television and film since she was five years old and is currently a SAG actor. In addition to several musical productions, Olivia has also been a competitive Hip-hop dancer and competed all throughout San Diego, including Hip-Hop International and World of Dance. Olivia would like to thank the cast and crew for making this such a joyful experience, and to the creative team for this amazing opportunity and for bringing this beautiful story to life. Olivia would also like to thank her friends and family for their continued support. @Livvgonzales on instagram!

PRODUCTION STAFF

MANAGEMENT & CREATIVE

Assistant Stage Manager .................. Lauryn Chapman, Kameron Grant

Stage Management Advisor ...................................................... Jay Sheehan

Production Facilitator...................................................................TaiReikca L.A.

Intimacy Coach ........................................................................ Jesca Prudencio

Dramaturgy Advisor ......................................................................... Shelley Orr

Assistant Dramaturg .......................................................... Robyn Wilkinson+

SCENIC

Scenic Design Advisor ............................................................ Ralph Funicello

Technical Director...................................................................Brian J. McVicker

Scenic Charge Artists and Prop Master...........................Kristen E. Flores

Scenic Artists and Prop Artisans ....................................... Heather Larsen°

Deck Crew ......................................................................... Randy Jean Francois

Props Crew............................................................................... Camelina Cedillo

COSTUME

Costume Design Advisor................................................ Denitsa Bliznakova

Costume Design Advisor...........................................................Brooke Kesler

Costume Shop Manager ............................................................... Teri Tavares

Costume/Wig Technician ......................................................... Peter Herman

Assistant Costume Designer ................................... Anastasiia Sennikova°

Assistant Costume Shop Manager .......................... Laura “Lars” Sladich°

Drapers ............................................ Katie Paulsen°, Anastasiia Sennikova°, ...............................................................................................Laura “Lars” Sladich°

First Hands ........................... Linda Letchy-Cervantes, Arianna Quintero°

Costume Construction..........................................................THEA 442B class

Costume Crafts .............................................Mayte Martinez°, Kelan Yang°

Costume Run Crew ...................................................................... Nancy Xiong, ........................................................ Kendall Kraft, Milo Mee, Audrey Deubig

Costume Laundry Crew ..................................... Ian Aros, Billy Baumeister facebook.com/SDSUTTF/

PRODUCTION STAFF

LIGHTING & SOUND

Lighting Advisor.......................................................................Anne E. McMills

Lighting Shop Supervisor..................................................... Kat Makarushka

Assistant Lighting Designer ........................................Mary Ashley Fulton°

Head Electrician .............................................................................Mia Nuciforo

Assistant Head Electrician(s) .......................... Juliet Shires, Abril Olivares

Electricians.................................................................THEA240, Team Lighting

Programmer ................................................................................ Reid Semmens

Light Board Operator .................................................................... Tiffany Arita

Sound Design ................................................................................ Paul Peterson

Audio Shop Supervisor ......................................................... Kat Makarushka

A2 .........................................................................................................Kevin Sakrek

PROJECTION

Projection Design Advisor ................... Nicholas Ponting, Daniel Hobbs

Projection Shop Supervisor................................................. Kat Makarushka

Assistant Projection Designer ...................................... Barbara Two Stars°

Projections Operator ................................................................. Phoebe Appel

PUBLIC RELATIONS & FRONT OF HOUSE

Box Office Manager ..................................................................... Bryan Martin

Marketing and Publicity Assistants ..... Bekah Blackburn, Julia Dimson

House Managers ...................................................................... Emerson Clarke

Box Office Staff ............................................................................ Kristie Arenas, ......................................... Alana Marshall, Bianca Jimenez, Amanda Mann

Concessions............................................................................ Skull and Dagger +MA in Theatre Arts *MFA in Musical Theatre

°MFA in Design and Technology for Theatre, Television, and Film

^Qualifying or Thesis Production

SDSU SCHOOL OF THEATRE, TELEVISION, AND FILM DONORS

We are pleased to thank our generous supporters, as all that we accomplish would not be possible without the generous support of alumni and community members, who make significant contributions to support our students and programs at SDSU. Thank you!

Endowed Funds

Established with a commitment of $50,000 or more

Ages of Drama - Live! Endowment • Allison Rossett Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre • Bellinghiere Endowed Scholarship • Bolles Family Musical Theater Endowed Scholarship • Brita C. Davis and Richard R. Davis Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship • Carol Vassiliadis Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre • Chad Shelton Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Theatre Design and Technology • Chuck and Robin Luby Endowment for Musical Theatre •

Clarence and Catherine Stephenson Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

•

Clayton Brace Awards Endowment • Darlene and Donald Shiley Endowment for Student Excellence in Musical Theatre • Deborah M. Dexter Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre • Denis Sanders Memorial Endowment • Denise Madruga

Endowed Scholarship in Theatre

• Don Powell Interface Program Endowment

• Drama Circle Endowment • Gordon J. Lusk Endowment • Hayes Anderson

Student Excellence Endowment

• Henry Edward and Gail Johnson McAdams

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

• Henry Stanton Endowment • Hunton D. Sellman Endowment • James Chris Nichols Memorial Endowment • Judith and Jack White Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

• Julia R. Brown Musical Theatre

Endowed Scholarship • Maggi McKerrow Endowed Scholarship for Theatre • Maggi McKerrow Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad • Mangan/Christensen

Endowed Scholarship for Musical Theatre

• Marion Ross Endowed Scholarship

• Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship • Nella Feldman Gross Endowment

• MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship

• Paulette Wilson Endowment for Musical Theatre

• Powell/SCE Design Endowed Chair

• Robert Shields Memorial Endowment • Ron and Sue Heller Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship •

• Ruth Anna, Louis F., Dorothy Cable Endowed Scholarship

Roscoe-Tiffany MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

• Sybil E. Jones Endowment • The McCabe Family Endowed Scholarship • Theatre Endowment

Annual Funds & Scholarships

Up to $50,000

Aztecs to Hollywood • Bellinghiere Scholarship • Clayton Brace Awards

Scholarship Fund • Drama Circle • Nella Feldman Gross Scholarship Endowment •

Michael and Anne-Charlotte “A.C.” Harvey Scholarship • Ron and Sue Heller Fund for Musical Theatre • Gale Anne Hurd TFM Program Love Letters Production Fund

• Los Lobos Documentaries Film Fund • Denise Madruga Scholarship • John J. Martin and Katherine Fitzhugh • MFA Musical Theatre Scholarship • Gail Johnson

McAdams Memorial Scholarship • Musical Theatre Musical Theatre Archive

Operations • Musical Theatre Production Fund • Dan Prentice Memorial Musical Theatre Fund • Dennis Sanders Scholarship • San Diego Theatre Arts Research

Lab • Michele Schlecht MFA Musical Theatre Scholarship • Hunton Sellman

Scholarship • Chad Shelton Memorial Scholarship • R P Shields Scholarship

Student Success Fund Theatre, Television and Film • Judy White Scholarship

SDSU SCHOOL OF THEATRE, TELEVISION, AND FILM DONORS

Generous Supporters

$500+ in the Last 5 Years thru August, 2022

Hayes L. and Marilyn J. Anderson

Emmet G. Barton

Vince Bertoni and Damon Hein

Louis and Elisa Betancourt-Ruvalcaba

Thomas Bollard and Holly Martin-Bollard

Ron K. and Reina Bolles

James S. and Marilyn C. Brown

Julia R. Brown

Stephanie Brownyard

Dorothy Ann Cable

Stephen and Robin L. Ching

Ben and Nikki Clay

Sarah Coombs

Jeff Cotta and Pamela Cotta

Michael J. and Judith M. Darweesh

Adela de la Torre, Ph.D. and Stephen Bartlett

Karen H. DeLaurier

Alice and Doug Diamond

Gregory C. Durbin

David and Marilyn Eisenman

John Ellison

Roselyn E. and Chukuka S. Enwemeka, Ph.D.

Daniel and Phyllis Epstein

Esther Fischer

Sylvia J. Fitch

Katherine L. Fitzhugh and John Martin

Joyce M. Gattas, Ph.D.

Sherman George

David Arthur Glass

Michael S. Gregory

Justin Samuel Halpern

Hal Lawrence and Sheila Harrison

Michael and Anne-Charlotte “A.C.” Harvey

Ronald and Susan Heller MFA Fund

Bruce A. and Jane W. Hopkins

Margaret A. Howard

Osborn and Dea Hurston

Blair G. Irwin

Jay W. Jeffcoat

Paul H. Jozwicki

Paula Kalustian

Koji C. K and Susan F. Kasuyama

Georgette M. Katz

Dennis G. Keith

Brett Karl Kelly and Chad Stewart Birmingham

Gary A. and Maxine A. Kreitzer

Michelle Anne LaGrandeur

Dr. William and Evelyn M. Lamden

Jeremy Lane

Kathleen M. Lemieux

Charles S. Luby and Robin B. Luby

Denise Madruga and Michael Lesniak

Mort Marcus and Deborah Klein

Jim A. and Deborah D. Marshall

John Andrew Mateja

Stewart Scott Mc Donald

Timothy Mccalister

McCulloch Family Charitable Fund

Oliver R. McElroy

Paul S. Mcintyre and Cynthia McIntyre

Colin Mckearnan

Randi and Thomas L. McKenzie, Ph.D.

Margaret McKerrow, Ph.D.

Martin McKerrow

Toni B. McKerrow

Kevin J. O’Connor and Katherine D. O’Connor

Terry Lee O’Donnell

Mike and Chris Pack

Adam Parrocha

Michael James Perkins

Paula Perry

James P. and Gale S. Petrie

Richard Sellers and Ellen Porter

Marshall A. Lewis and Judy M. Price-Lewis

Linda J. Rankin and Rodney T. Whitlow

Jon Carl Ringbom

Dr. Patti Roscoe and James Tiffany

Allison Rossett, Ed.D.

Michele Schlecht and Richard Alan Covey

The Shelton Family

John A. Shelton

Mike Shelton

Karen and Christopher (Kit) Sickels

Fred and Sonia Silverstein

Jeffrey H. and Malka Silverstein

Emily Norine Smith

Jane K. Smith

Nancy A. and Alan Richard Spector, M.D., Ph.D.

Clarence E. and Catherine Ann Stephenson

Charles J. and Nancy M. Stewart

James J. Tarbox

Ronald T. Thornton

Seth and Cynthia L. Trostler

C. Anne Turhollow

Kenneth G. and Joyce Ulrich

Edward Law Underwood

Carol Vassiliadis

Richard and Patricia Wagner

Carey Gail Wall

Debra Wanger

Judith and Jack White

Rodney T. Whitlow

Carole Wilson

Joshua A. Young

The Conrad Prebys Foundation

SDSU SCHOOL OF THEATRE, TELEVISION, AND FILM FACULTY & STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

‘Niyi Coker Jr., Professor & TTF Director

Ashlee Vizcaino, School Coordinator

Bryan Martin, Box Office & Social Media Coordinator

TELEVISION, FILM, AND NEW MEDIA FACULTY/STAFF

Marwa Abdalla, Lecturer

Abraham Amkpa, Lecturer

Uri Bar-On, Lecturer

Ralph Blanchard, Lecturer

Jose De Matos, Tech Engineer

Krystal Dawkins, Lecturer

Jeff Deverett, Lecturer

Greg Durbin, Professor

Alex Farnsley, Lecturer

Michael Feinstein, Lecturer

Lizzette Flores, Equipment Supervisor

Mark Freeman, Professor

Ángel Granados, Lecturer

Glenn Heath, Lecturer/Undergraduate Adviser

Brian Hu, Associate Professor

Brie Iatarola, Lecturer

Donn Johnson, Lecturer

Brendan Julian, Lecturer

Martha M. Lauzen, Professor, Executive DirectorCenter for the Study of Women in Television/Film

Stephanie Lee, TFM Shop Foreman

Jessica McGaugh, Assistant Professor

David Morong, Professor, Graduate Advisor

Vernon Mortensen, Lecturer

Ron Najor, Lecturer

Greg Penetrante, TV/Film Studio Engineer

Dane Picard, Lecturer

Mary Posatko, Assistant Professor

Timothy A. Powell, Professor, Area Head

Sam Shpigelman, Lecturer, Area Head of New Media Production

Genadi Radiul, Lecturer

David Steinberg, Lecturer

Rich Underwood, Lecturer

Stuart Voytilla, Lecturer, Undergrad Advisor

THEATRE FACULTY/STAFF

Adrian Alita, Associate Professor, Head of Acting

Caroline Andrew, Lecturer

Dani Bedau, Associate Professor

Denitsa Bliznakova, Professor, Head of Costume Design & Technology

Cynthia Bloodgood, Lecturer

Stephen Brotebeck, Professor

Peter Cirino, Associate Professor

Ronald Councell, Staff Accompanist/Vocal Coach

Kristen Flores, Scenic Charge Artist/Prop Master

Ralph Funicello, Don Powell Chair, Scene Design

TaiReikca Glover, Production Facilitator

Peter Herman, Wig Making, Make-up Costume Construction

D.J. Hopkins, Professor

Brooke Kesler, Lecturer

Noah Lange, Scene Shop Foreman

Kat Makarushka, Theatrical Lighting, Projection, & Sound Lead

Randi McKenzie, Emerita Assistant Dean

Anne McMills, Associate Professor, Design/Technology MFA Graduate Advisor

Brian McVicker, Technical Director

Robert Meffe, Professor, Graduate Advisor, Head of Musical Theatre

Charles Murdock Lucas, Associate Professor, Head of Scenic Design & Integrated Media

Laurinda Nikkel, Lecturer

Shelley Orr, Associate Professor, Graduate Advisor for MA Theatre Arts

Paul Peterson, Lecturer

Nicholas Ponting, Lecturer

Jesca Prudencio, Associate Professor

Randy Reinholz, Professor

Jill Rovatsos, Lecturer

Jay Sheehan, Faculty Production Manager, Stage Management Advisor

Teri McConnell Tavares, Costume Shop Manager

Katie (Laura) Turner, Lecturer, Undergraduate Advisor

Alison Urban, Lecturer/Internship Adviser

Christopher Warren, Associate Professor

Andrew Young, Scene Shop Foreman

EMERITUS FACULTY

Hayes Anderson, Professor Emeritus

Carroll Blue, Professor Emerita

Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Professor Emerita

Michael Harvey, Professor Emeritus

Elizabeth Heighten, Professor Emerita

Kaye Jameson, Professor Emeritus

Paula Kalustian, Professor Emerita

Margaret Larlham, Professor Emerita

Peter Larlham, Professor Emeritus

Robert E. Lee, Professor Emeritus

Roy Madsen, Professor Emeritus

Donald R. Martin, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

Margaret McKerrow, Professor Emerita

Tom Meador, Professor Emeritus

Jack Ofield, Professor Emeritus

Michael Real, Professor Emeritus

Beeb Salzer, Professor Emeritus

Loren Schreiber, Emeritus Professor

Rick Simas, Lecturer Emeritus

Carolyn “C.J.” Keith, Lecturer Emerita

John Witherspoon, Professor Emeritus

Craig Wolf, Professor Emeritus

GENERAL INFORMATION

CELL PHONES

As a courtesy to those around you, please turn off or silence cell phones while in the theatre.

CAMERAS & RECORDING DEVICES

The use of any cameras and/or recording devices is strictly prohibited without advance written permission from The School of Theatre, Television, and Film.

LATE ARRIVALS & NO-SHOWS

Please arrive on-time and do not be a no-show. Latecomers may be asked until an intermission to be seated; and, seats not claimed will be re-sold.

BOX OFFICE

Hours of Operation: One-hour before Curtain The Box Office is closed for all school holidays as well as during the summer vacation period.

Purchase Tickets Online: ttf.sdsu.edu

General Admission Tickets: $20 (Prices may vary for special events/productions)

Email: ttf.boxoffice@mail.sdsu.edu Phone: 619-594-6884

Administrative Office Phone: 619-594-5091

Theatre productions, film events, and TV programming are made possible by the generous support of our donors.

To make a contribution to our outstanding programs, please call 619.594.4548 or visit psfa.sdsu.edu

Take a Seat!

SDSU performing arts invites you to take part in an exciting opportunity to support its new Performing Arts District in a meaningful way by participating in the Take A Seat campaign.

You have the opportunity to Take A Seat in the spotlight and enjoy having your name, a sentiment, anniversary date, or the name of another person you wish to honor laser-engraved on an elegant nameplate placed on one of the theater seats. Your sponsorship will support performances, students, faculty, and the greatest needs of the SDSU performing arts program.

The engraving you select promises that you or your loved one will be a visible part of this dynamic Performing Arts District for years to come.

Interested in reserving a seat?

Scan the QR Code above for more information, or visit psfa.sdsu.edu/takeaseat