Written by Boni B. Alvarez Directed by Randy Reinholz PRODUCED
Welcome to TTF’s production of “Bloodletting”. We are thrilled to have you all here with us to witness this thought-provoking and moving play.
“Bloodletting” is a powerful exploration of the human condition, delving into the depths of the human psyche to examine the complexities of love, loss, and the human spirit. Through its powerful dialogue, haunting music, and visually stunning design, this play will take you on a journey that will leave you breathless and emotionally moved. “Bloodletting” takes a hard look at some of the most complex and challenging issues of our time and presents them in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your continued support of the Performing Arts and for choosing to spend your evening with us. We promise that tonight’s performance will be an unforgettable experience. So, sit back, relax, and allow yourselves to be transported to another world as we delve into the depths of the human soul with “Bloodletting”. And again, thanks for your continued support of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.
‘Niyi
Enjoy the show!
Jr., Director School of Theatre, Television, and Film
Front Cover Poster Design by Ally Wood.
Coker,
BLOODLETTING
Written by Boni B. Alvarez
Directed by Randy Reinholz
Setting: Puerto Princesa, Palawan, The Philippines
Understudy, Male Roles......................................................... Phillips Nguyen
There will be no intermission.
Content warning:
There is graphic language in the show and some vivid descriptions of violence.
This production contains theatrical fog/haze and strobe lighting. Produced by Special Arrangement with the playwright Boni B. Alvarez.
+MA in Theatre Arts
*MFA in Musical Theatre
°MFA in Design and Technology for Theatre, Television, and Film
^Qualifying or Thesis/Capstone Production
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
It has been a pleasure directing this production of Bloodletting by Boni B. Alvarez. In the School of Theatre, Television, and Film, we have a talented population of Filipino theatre artists. And in Bloodletting, we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase this community in our production. Filipino artists are both on stage and working behind the scenes as well as a larger community of APIPA students.
When we chose the play, we didn’t know we would also have two Master’s students from the Philippines with us at SDSU to perform in the show. Wilfred Paloma spent his early years in the Philippines, before immigrating to the U.S. in the 90s. After earning his B.A. and M.A. here at SDSU, he is currently completing his M.F.A. in Musical Theatre, class of 2024.
Dey Ilagan is a first-year M.A. Theatre Arts student from Quezon City, Philippines. From a director’s point of view, her contributions have been a godsend. Dey speaks several languages, including English, Tagalog, and a variation of Bisaya from the Davao Region of the Philippines. Her language skills have been a vital attribute to all the artists associated with the production. Also critical is Dey’s cultural knowledge.
Dey knows so many details that have helped us round out the daily life portrayed on stage. Everything from childhood memories and games to profound spiritual insights into the world of the play. One of the most demanding aspects of putting a play on stage is the research to understand the nuances communicated in the script. Dey Ilagan is also the dramaturg for this production, grounding the show in cultural information. The dramaturg is a central figure in coordinating research in support of the production process.
It was been a joy-filled process to work in this ensemble to craft the characters, scenery, costumes, projections, and sounds that can communicate the beauty, wonder, and sometimes terror in this play. While many faculty and staff support this process, the work on stage is created by student artists. Both the things you see and how they are delivered to the stage result from the labor of a complex and large group of talented student artists and support staff.
Hope you enjoy the show!
—Randy Reinholz Director and Professor
PLAYWRIGHT
B ONI B. ALVAREZ is a Los Angeles-based playwright-actor. His plays include America Adjacent, Bloodletting, Fixed, Nicky, Dallas Non-Stop, Dusty de los Santos, Ruby, Tragically Rotund, The Special Education of Miss Lorna Cambonga, Marabella, Driven, The Debut of Georgia, Emmylu, and Refuge for a Purple Heart.
He is a resident playwright at New Dramatists through 2026. His plays have been produced at Center Theatre Group - Kirk Douglas Theatre, Echo Theater Company, Coeurage Theatre Company, Skylight Theatre Company, and Playwrights’ Arena. His plays have been developed/given readings at Chalk Rep, Moving Arts, Artists At Play, The Vagrancy, Los Angeles Theatre Center, EST/LA, The Blank, Pork Filled Players (Seattle), Theatre Rhinoceros (San Francisco), Second Generation (2g, NYC), InterAct Theatre (Philadelphia), and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He has been a Semifinalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and a Finalist for the PEN Center USA Literary Award, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Aurora Theatre’s Global Age Project, and Clubbed Thumb’s Biennial Commission. Alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, CTG Writers’ Workshop, Moving Arts’ MADlab, Echo Writer’s Lab, Skylight Theatre’s Play Lab, and the Humanitas Play LA Workshop. He holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA (Acting) from A.R.T./MXAT Institute at Harvard University, and an MFA (Dramatic Writing) from USC.
DIRECTOR
R ANDY REINHOLZ an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is co-founder and producing artistic director, emeritus of Native Voices at the Autry. The award-winning producer, director, actor, activist, and playwright, has produced more than 35 scripts and directed over 75 plays in the United States, Australia, England, Mexico, and Canada. Off the Rails, his bawdy and irreverent adaptation of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure had its World Premiere and a sold-out run at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He is a tenured professor at San Diego State University, where he served as Head of Acting (1997–2007), Director of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film (2007–2012), and director of Community Engagement and Innovation for the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (2012–2015). Reinholz has been honored with the Ellen Stewart Award for Career Achievement in Professional Theatre, Playwrights Arena’s Lee Melville Award, LA Drama Critics Circle Gordon Davidson Award, SDSU’s Outstanding Faculty Award, and the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission and City of Los Angeles Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Los Angeles Community.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
S HONTI LOPEZ attends San Diego State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Television, Film, and New Media: emphasis in Production. Her goals are to direct narratives in film, television, & theater that bring about social change and awareness from the viewpoint of underrepresented communities. Most recently, she was the assistant director to Jesca Prudencio for the SDSU’s Spring ‘22 theater production of The Wolves and Shelter, a one-woman show written by Renee Westbrook. She continues to pursue opportunities to grow and learn as a director.
COSTUME DESIGNER
H EATHER NUNN is a second year MFA candidate in Costume Design and is excited to be designina 1st year Costume Design MFA candidate. She discovered a passion for costume design at George Fox University where she graduated with a BA in Theatre Design and Technology and was fortunate to design A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Deus Ex Millennia, Falling, and Living Out. She has designed in Portland, Oregon, with various companies including Staged! (Spring Awakening), Broadway Rose (Aladdin), and Portland Actors Ensemble (The Winter’s Tale).
DRAMATURG
D EY ILAGAN is a first-year MA Theatre Arts international student who finished her undergraduate in the University of the Philippines Diliman. In the Philippines, she has worked in television and film with directors Joel Lamangan and Chito Roño, and has several theatre credits with the Tag-ani Performing Arts Society, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Concerned Artists of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines (from 2002 to 2020), and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (2019), among others. Dey’s first work as dramaturg was for SDSU’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last Fall 2022.
SOUND DESIGNER
J AVIER PIÑÓN is glad to provide sound design for Bloodletting! His previous design shows have been SDSU’s Long Christmas Ride Home and Love’s Labor’s Lost, but he has been around the school for several years now working on shows like Pippin and Miku and the Gods. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Recording from SDSU in 2021 and formed Calibrated Productions, a company dedicated to helping minorities reach their full potential as artists. Javier has devoted himself to utilizing his creativity and experience to guide artists through every step of the music production process, video content creation, and music distribution. He works to provide minority artists of any skill level with the resources they need to push their creative careers forward, whether it’s booking studio time in their Long Beach studio or organizing weekly events like their Smash Bros tournament The Pit in La Mesa. He’s happy to be a part of this production, and he hopes you enjoy tonight’s show!
SCENIC DESIGNER
I SABEL SIMOES DECARVALHO is a second year MFA graduate student studying Scenic, Projection, and Production Design for Theatre and Film. Isabel came to San Diego from undergraduate studies in DC, where she worked throughout the DC metro area and Annapolis, MD, at various theaters. This is Isabel’s third design for SDSU, including one projection design for the world premiere of Postcard American Town and a scenic design for Long Christmas Ride Home last fall. Isabel also works in the film studio on campus, and designs student films, exploring production design and art direction for film. You can check out more of Isabel’s work on her design website: isabelsimoes.design.
LIGHTING DESIGNER
S AMMY WEBSTER is a 1st Year Lighting Design M.F.A Candidate. Sammy recently moved to San Diego from Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his B.S. in Film and Television Production from Middle Tennessee State University. Sammy has been the lighting designer for productions such as Anonymous and The Busie Body, where he placed 1st in the undergraduate lighting design competition at the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He has worked as the Assistant Lighting designer for productions such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camelot, Fun Home, and Ragtime. Other credits include programming for NBC and Sweeny Todd. Sammy would like to thank his undergraduate mentor Darren E. Levin for his never-ending support and for pushing him to be the best artist and version of himself he can be.
PROJECTIONS DESIGNER
A LLY WOOD is in her third and final year at SDSU where she will receive her MFA in Design and Technology: emphasis in Lighting and Projections. She graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2018 with a BA in Theatre. Her most recent designs include The Children at the Moxie, Everyday Dances, Horizons, and Everyday Dances II at the Malashock Dance Company in San Diego; as well as Free Play Project and She Kills Monsters at SDSU. Ally would like to dedicate her work on this project to her newborn niece, Veronica Shannon Roddy!
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
S AMANTHA ESPINO (she/her) is a transfer Theatre Arts Major pursuing Entertainment Management Certification. San Diego State University: The Long Christmas Ride Home (ASM). The Old Globe: The Gardens of Anuncia (SM Intern), Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (SM Intern). Los Angeles Valley College: Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, The Dumbwaiter (Dir.), Lunchtime at Westfield High. Sam is happy to be stage managing her second show at SDSU. It is an honor to work on a production written by a Filipino playwright, especially in San Diego: the fifth largest home to Filipino Americans in the U.S., and my home. Salamat po, Manong Boni!
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Dey Ilagan (Farrah Legazpi)
Dey is a first-year MA Theatre Arts international student who finished her undergraduate in the University of the Philippines Diliman. In the Philippines, she has worked in television and film with directors Joel Lamangan and Chito Roño, and, has several theatre credits with the Tag-ani Performing Arts Society, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Concerned Artists of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines (from 2002 to 2020), and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (2019), among others. Bloodletting is Dey’s first main stage production at SDSU. She looks forward to bringing you all into the world of folklore and culture of the Philippines - para sa makabuluhan at makasaysayang sining mula sa lupang sinilangan. Maligayang panonood at maraming salamat po!
Nathan Moore (Bosley Legazpi)
Nathan (he/him) is a third-year student at San Diego State University majoring in Communication and Theatre (emphasis in Performance). This is his second main stage show at SDSU, after his performance in last semester’s The Long Christmas Ride Home. Apart from his work at State, some of his previous work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (OHS) and Peter Pan (OHS). Nathan’s involvement in Bloodletting has impacted him with a profound sense of growth as a performer and a great sense of honor to be able to bring this story to the SDSU main stage. Nathan would like to dedicate his performance to his family and friends for their continued support throughout his journey as an actor.
Sierra Goria (Leelee Flores)
Sierra is in her third-year here at SDSU pursuing her BA in Theatre Arts, Performance. Some of her favorite credits include Chicago (Velma), Heathers (Heather Duke), Spring Awakening (Wendla) and She (Senior Exhibitions: Selections from 35 mm). Sierra was also a nominee and participant in the 2019 Broadway San Diego Awards. She’s also worked at Legoland California for the past few summers during their 2019/2022 seasons (LEGO Friends), and fall 2022 season (Dancer). Sierra is so grateful to be working alongside such wonderful and talented peers, and has been able to learn more about her Filipino side through these collaborations! Sierra would love to firstly thank her family, as well as the entire creative team, and her friends for their constant love and support. Looking forward to a wonderful night! ig: @sierraaag
CAST: WHO’S WHO
Wilfred Grant Paloma (Jenry Flores)
Wilfred is an Actors’ Equity Association member with an M.A. in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Performance; graduate of the MCIT Acting Studio. San Diego State University Graduate Program in Musical Theatre candidate, 2024. Past acting credits include: Light Years Away (La Jolla Playhouse), Eighty-sixed (Diversionary Theatre), O Wondrous Night (SeaWorld) and A Semicolon is a Double (Scripps Ranch Theatre). Directing credits include: Kasama (Southwestern College), Potion (Moxie Theatre), and School of Rock (Junior Theatre). Choreographer highlights: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Junior Theatre), Lion King Jr. (Young Actors’ Theatre), Shrek (Our Lady of Peace Academy), and Hall Pass (Blindspot Collective). Wilfred is an Adjunct Professor at Grossmont College and Southwestern College. Wilfred also directs & facilitates Devised Theatre projects centering LGBTQIA+ issues, racial justice, and youth advocacy. Listen to Wilfred on Spotify featured in the original cast recording of The Things We Never Say written by Thomas Hodges. wilfredpaloma.com
Jelaine Maestas (Understudy, Female Roles)
Jelaine is excited to be an understudy for the show Bloodletting here at SDSU. She is a recent San Diego State graduate who feels fortunate to work on a theatrical production that involves Filipino culture. She is grateful for her family and friends and hopes to continue telling meaningful stories to her community for many years to come.
Phillips Nguyen (Understudy, Male Roles)
Phillips Nguyen is the child of immigrant parents. Growing up in an Asian American environment, Phillips was raised already under a unique set of circumstances and this led him to become quite the character. Inspired by the wit of late night host Conan O’Brien and the explosiveness of Asian action star Jackie Chan, Phillips set out on becoming an entertainer like no other. His first experience is as an understudy in this production of Bloodletting directed by Randy Reinholz. In this understudy position, he has learned new techniques in acting that he would later combine with his athletic abilities. Phillips’s work is all about passion and self expression reflected in his high energy stunts to his tear jerking dramatic work. His work can only be described as driven, motivated by his desire, partner, family, peers and mentors. There’s a chip on his shoulder and it’s big as a boulder.
PRODUCTION STAFF
MANAGEMENT & DIRECTION
Movement & Intimacy Coach ............................................ Jesca Prudencio
Associate Director ......................................................................... Shonti Lopez
Assistant Stage Manager ................................................ Madison Mercado
Production Manager .................................................................... Sarah Mosby
Stage Management Advisor ...................................................... Jay Sheehan
°MFA in Design and Technology for Theatre, Television, and Film ^Qualifying or Thesis Production
Acknowledgments & Special Thanks
• Caroline Andrew • Jon Lawrence Rivera • Playwrights’ Arena • • San Diego Theatres •
Feb. 17th-24th
7:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Sun., Feb. 19th
2023
Don Powell Stage
$20 General Admission
Mar. 17th-24th
Bloodletting
By Boni B. Alvarez
Directed by Randy Reinholz
Siblings Farrah and Bosley Legazpi are forced to make a journey back to the Motherland. Their father’s last wish was for his ashes to be sprinkled in the newly minted ‘natural wonder’ – the Underground River of Palawan in the Philippines. During the tension-filled journey, the two must sort out their father’s affairs as well as their own relationship. When they discover that one of them is an aswang (a Filipino witch), 30+ years of feelings come to a boil. Is it easier to accept a sibling’s cruel nature if it is steeped in the supernatural? - New Dramatists
The Weight of Dreams
7:30 p.m. By Velina Hasu Houston
2:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 19th
Prebys Stage
$20 General Admission
Directed by Peter James Cirino
In The Weight of Dreams, young Chencha Luna leaves behind her beloved Mexico to pursue a new life in the U.S., a journey of discovery and healing that illuminates the strength of ancestral ties and the power of hope. The play was devised from stories collected from SDSU students, alumni and the San Diego community that have lived the immigration experience.
Apr. 28th-May 4th Cabaret
7:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Sun., Apr. 30th
The Main Stage Theatre
$20 General Admission
May 9th-10th
Student Union Theatre
$10 General Admission
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed and Choreographed by Stephen Brotebeck
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome… to Cabaret, Kander and Ebb’s legendary musical about British nightclub singer Sally Bowles, American writer Cliff Bradshaw, and the decadence of 1929 Berlin. With mounting fear and uncertainty outside, the bawdy Emcee lures you into the world of the Kit Kat Club where your troubles are left at the door.
Emerging Filmmakers Showcase
Every semester, SDSU’s Program in Television, Film, and New Media showcases the best student work produced by undergraduates and MFA students in the program. Spread across two nights are two distinct lineups of short narrative and documentary films.
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!
Annual Funds and 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
R P Shields Scholarship Student Success Fund Theatre, Television and Film
Judy White Scholarship
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
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
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
MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship
Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship
Nella Feldman Gross Endowment
Paulette Wilson Endowment for Musical Theatre
Powell/SCE Design Endowed Chair
Robert Shields Memorial Endowment
Ron and Sue Heller Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship
Hayes Anderson, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Carroll Blue, Professor Emerita, Telecommunications and Film
Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Professor Emerita of Theatre
Michael Harvey, Professor Emeritus of Theatre
Elizabeth Heighten, Professor Emerita, Telecommunications and Film
Kaye Jameson, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Paula Kalustian, Professor Emerita, Head of MFA
Musical Theatre Program
Margaret Larlham, Professor Emerita
Peter Larlham, Professor Emeritus
Robert E. Lee, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Roy Madsen, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Donald R. Martin, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Margaret McKerrow, Professor Emerita of Theatre
Tom Meador, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Jack Ofield, Emeritus Professor of Film
Michael Real, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
Beeb Salzer, Professor Emeritus of Theatre
Loren Schreiber, Emeritus Professor, Director of Technology
Rick Simas, Lecturer Emeritus, Musical Theatre
Carolyn “C.J.” Keith, Lecturer Emerita
John Witherspoon, Professor Emeritus, Telecommunications and Film
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: $10 (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
