Welcome to Signature Theatre for our reimagined production of the Tony Award-winning musical, Passing Strange. This semiautobiographical rock musical (or as writer Stew calls it “autobiographical fiction”) was written by Stew and Heidi Rodewald about a musician in search of “the real.” Stew and Heidi had long been collaborators as members of the punk band Stew & The Negro Program, but Passing Strange was their first foray into musical theater and it received critical acclaim. Spike Lee captured the final performance for release on film and the show won a Tony Award and three Drama Desk Awards. Cocreator and original director Annie Dorsen describes the piece as, “a concert out of which a play emerges.” It’s part rock concert and part musical theater, and the combination is original and thrilling.
Passing Strange is a coming-of-age story and celebration of Black art, music and joy. Rock music was invented by Black artists and pioneered by musicians such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix. However, these aren’t the stories that usually get told as Stew reflected on in an interview with the Folio in 2013, “When I was growing up, there were two experiences I wanted to know more about but never saw depicted: the Black, middle class experience and the making of an American artist of color. I wrote [the show] for my friends, family and all the people I played in bands with growing up, all the Black rock freaks who had to hide their David Bowie records when the gangbangers would get on the bus, so they wouldn’t get pummeled, all the kids who wanted more than what their church-going, two-car garage worlds were giving them."
We are thrilled to welcome Raymond O. Caldwell, the Artistic Director of Theater Alliance, for his Signature directorial debut, as well as popular DC musician Issac “Deacon Izzy” Bell, who marks his acting debut as the Narrator. You can learn more about them in an interview in the following pages.
Passing Strange marks the final show in the ARK Theatre this season. Our 2022/23 ARK Theatre Season has been about lifting up exciting contemporary voices. In the MAX Theatre, we’ve dedicated our entire season to celebrating the work of Stephen Sondheim. Soon, we will be announcing our 2023/24 season and it will be everything you have come to expect from Signature including large musicals with lush, gorgeous scores that are innovatively reimagined in our intimate spaces, along with several DC premieres that explore the richness of stories that make up our shared humanity. Whether it is a delightfully zany rollercoaster comedy ride, a touching story of fathers and sons, or an inventive world premiere musical inspired by an untold true story, there is something for everyone and we cannot wait to share it with you. Subscriptions will be available beginning with just three shows, and we hope you will join us.
Now, it is time to travel from the suburbs of Southern California to Europe to find “the real.” Enjoy the show.
Maggie Boland MANAGING DIRECTOR
Matthew Gardiner ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Director Raymond O. Caldwell and star Issac “Deacon Izzy” Bell discuss Passing Strange and how their backgrounds influenced the production.
Raymond: One of my favorite things about Passing Strange is the fact that it’s the fusion of both rock concert and musical. It’s the perfect vehicle to get folx into the theatre who assume this space isn’t for them. I’ve been thinking a lot about concerts as I’ve conceptualized this production, because I want these two forms to feel one in the same.
When we go to concerts, we’re going to see our favorite stars. I’ve cast seven of the most talented stars you will ever see! Every great concert also involves spectacle, so I’m hoping audiences are “gooped and gagged” by a few of the surprises we’ve built into the show. But the thing that I love most about every concert I’ve ever been to is the journey the band takes me on through the catalogue of their music. Everyone in the venue goes on a collective journey through music. Because that journey is intentional and built around a shared live experience, we each leave the space a little more whole. We’ve connected with our community. Our people. That’s the power of a good concert, and I’d venture to say, the power of a good musical. I hope to meld these two forms together seamlessly by honoring the shared goals of each.
Deacon Izzy: I love Rock ‘n’ Roll as well as many other forms of Black American Music within this musical. For those who may not know Black American Music is simply music originated by Black Americans. Like Rock, Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Gospel. I find it simply amazing that so many of these genres find themselves blended within the landscape of this show. Especially Rock and Gospel. Bringing a Rock show into a theater space is exciting and thrilling. I look forward to getting the crowd to participate in ways that in a traditional sense might be taboo for the theater. I hope everyone is ready for an exciting ride!
1. Passing Strange is part rock concert and part musical theater – how are you going to meld the two together?
2. This musical is semi-autobiographical about a young musician who travels to Europe. Raymond, you grew up in Germany, how does that affect your decisions with this piece?
Raymond: Growing up in Europe in the 80s as an African American/Filipino kid completely informs my direction of this piece! There are profound parallels in what Stew/Narrator experiences in Europe, and my own life. Black folx often experience a deep intellectual, emotional, and physical liberation living in Europe. Growing up in Germany gave me unique access to the depths of that experience. My direction of this production is, first, a love letter to African American culture. But it’s also a love letter to the Europe I grew up in – a Europe before the EU and before the fall of the Berlin wall.
3. Deacon Izzy, this marks your theatrical debut, but you have been a musician for your entire career. How are you using your experiences to approach this role?
Deacon Izzy: I believe I’m coming from a place of real authenticity. I know what it is like to leave home and go to a new environment in search of a dream and new skill sets. I have performed on thousands of stages since I was 16. I’ve been the front man of a bunch of amazing live bands including my current outfit DuPont Brass. It’s almost as if this story was written for people like me. I’m a young, adventurous, talented, man that was molded in the church and spread his roots on his many travels as a professional musician. So I truly believe I can relate to what it feels like to struggle, be successful, fail, and try again as a musician. However; the comparisons stop there as I do see his story as a cautionary one. Thankful that I’ve found a decent blend of family, friends, and career. Don’t get lost searching for the real because the real is wherever you are.
4. What has made both of you most excited about Passing Strange?
Raymond: Passing Strange has always been a show I dreamed of directing. So to be directing it with this cast, design team, and at Signature is an utter dream come true! I’m thrilled to share this unique story with audiences and hope it’s a reminder that the experiences of Black people are far from monolithic. I’m excited to celebrate Black culture, Black artistry, and Black aesthetics all through the lens of rock and roll. Because rock music is Black music!
Deacon Izzy: For me it’s my theatrical debut. I have been an admirer of the theater and a seasoned vet of high school theater (insert laughing emoji), but I’ve always yearned to step onto the professional musical theater stage. So that’s the first part. I’m really grateful and excited to take a new step in my career as an artist. I also anticipate growing close with my castmates as the story and process will definitely take a lot of hard work and emotion to get through. Also…Rock ‘n’ Roll musical – what is there not to be excited about?
5. Finally, what does the “real” mean to you?
Raymond: “The real” is a construct. “The real” is what you make it. And so perhaps, the quest for “the real” is what moves us through life. And when we finally get to “the real,” we check out. It’s over. It’s too late. Morbid, I know. But beautiful too in a way.
Deacon Izzy: The “real” to me is the moment. It is the sense of being present and amidst all that life throws at us remembering to love the ones who love you as best you can, while you can.
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Photo of Holly Twyford and A Little Night Music ensemble by Paul Tate Depoo III. Director Matthew Gardiner Artistic DirectorBOOK & LYRICS BY STEW
MUSIC BY STEW & HEIDI RODEWALD
CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH ANNIE DORSEN
WITH
ISAAC “DEACON IZZY” BELL IMANI BRANCH*
DEIMONI BREWINGTON
ALEX DE BARD*
JORDAN ESSEX
MICHAEL J. MAINWARING* KALEN ROBINSON* TYRELL STANLEY
KARA-TAMEIKA WATKINS*
TOBIAS A. YOUNG*
SCENIC DESIGN
JONATHAN DAHM ROBERTSON
VIDEO DESIGN
KELLY COLBURN
CASTING JORGE ACEVEDO
COSTUME DESIGN
DANIELLE PRESTON
DIALECT COACH MANDY FOX
LIGHTING DESIGN ALBERTO SEGARRA
SOUND DESIGN ERIC NORRIS
RESIDENT INTIMACY CONSULTANT & INTIMACY & FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER CHELSEA PACE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER TAYLOR KIECHLIN*
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ETHAN HEARD
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT AND PLANNING
CHRISTINE STANLEY
NEW YORK CASTING JZ CASTING
GENERAL MANAGER JIM GROSS
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING JENNIFER BUZZELL
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER JOHN KEITH HALL*
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER SIANI BECKETT
PRODUCTION MANAGER KYLE GRANT
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION VALERIE BUNNS
MUSIC SUPERVISION BY MARK G. MEADOWS
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DAVID ZOBELL
IT CONSULTANT ROBERT COHN
MUSIC DIRECTION BY MARIKA COUNTOURIS
CHOREOGRAPHY BY TIFFANY QUINN
DIRECTED BY RAYMOND O. CALDWELL
Passing Strange was originally commissioned, developed and produced by The Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Tony Taccone, Artistic Director; Susan Medak, Managing Director; and The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Mara Manus, Executive Director. Passing Strange was originally produced on Broadway in February 2008 by The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Bill Kenwright, Chase Mishkin, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Broadway Across America, Emily Fisher Landau, Peter May, Boyett Ostar, Elie Hirschfeld/Jed Bernstein, Wendy Federman/Jackie Barlia Florin, Spring Sirkin/Ruth Hendel, Vasi Laurence/Pat Flicker Adiss, Joey Parnes in association with The Public Theater and The Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)
Narrator
Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell
Mother Kara-Tameika Watkins*
Youth Deimoni Brewington
Hugo/Christophe/Terry Michael J. Mainwaring*
Sherry/Renata/Desi Imani Branch*
Mr. Franklin/Joop/Mr. Venus Tobias A. Young*
Edwina/Marianna/Sudabey
Dance Captain
Alex De Bard*
Alex De Bard*
Fight Captain Michael J. Mainwaring*
Narrator/Mr. Franklin/Joop/Mr. Venus: Jordan Essex; Mother/Sherry/Renata/Desi/Edwina/Marianna/Sudabey: Kalen Robinson*; Youth/Hugo/Christophe/Terry: Tyrell Stanley.
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Conductor/Keyboard
Marika Countouris
Guitar Alec Green
Bass
Drums
Musicians are members of DC Federation of Musicians.
Jason Wilson
Angel Bethea
Passing Strange runs approximately two hours and twenty minutes including one fifteen-minute intermission.
Prologue (We Might Play All Night)
Narrator & the Band
Baptist Fashion Show
Narrator & Ensemble
Blues Revelation/Freight Train
Narrator & Ensemble
Arlington Hill
Narrator
Sole Brother Youth, Terry & Sherry
Must’ve Been High
Narrator
Mom Song
Narrator, Mother & Ensemble
Merci Beaucoup, M. Godard
Narrator & Stewardesses
Amsterdam
Ensemble
Keys
Marianna, Youth & Narrator
We Just Had Sex
Youth, Marianna & Renata
Stoned Youth & Narrator
May Day
Narrator & Ensemble
Surface Mr. Venus
Damage
Narrator, Desi & Youth
Identity Youth
The Black One Narrator & Ensemble
Come Down Now Desi & Ensemble
Youth's Unfinished Song Youth
Work the Wound Youth & Narrator
Passing Phase Youth & Narrator
Love Like That Narrator & the Band
PLACE: Sherlington, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Berlin
TIME: 1976 – Present
Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell he/him (Narrator) OTHER: DuPont Brass, Deacon Izzy and The Congregation, Mark G. Meadows and The Movement, Chrysis Entertainment. AWARDS: The Wammies [Washington Area Music Award (7x recipient)]. EDUCATION: Howard University: Bachelor of Music. @deaconizzy dupontbrass.com
Imani Branch she/her (Sherry/Renata/Desi) SIGNATURE: RENT. DC AREA: Theater Alliance: The Blackest Battle (Dream), Blood at the Root (Helen Hayes Award for Best Ensemble in a play), Protest in 8; Round House Theatre: Sleep Deprivation Chamber (Nominated for a Drama League award for Outstanding Digital Theatre). TV/FILM: Words Finding Lyfe, Top 5, Stages. EDUCATION: Howard University: BFA in Musical Theatre. Imanibranch.com @imanibranch
Deimoni Brewington he/him (Youth) DC AREA: Faction of Fools: Missed Connections; Let’s Learn Lazzi; Love Like Tuesday (Understudy); Arts On The Horizon: Squeakers and Mr. Gumdrop; Constellation Theatre Company: Once On This Island; Arena Stage: Toni Stone; Round House Theatre: Sleep Deprivation Chamber; Theater Alliance: Protest in 8; Blood at the Root. REGIONAL: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company: Macbeth; Romeo and Juliet; The Adventures of Pericles; City Lights Theater Company: 61 Unused Pages. EDUCATION: Howard University: BFA in Musical Theatre. @creatlas
Alex De Bard she/her/hers (Edwina/Marianna/Sudabey) SIGNATURE: Into the Woods, RENT, Gun & Powder. DC AREA: Monumental Theatre Company: tick, tick…BOOM! (Helen Hayes Nominated- Outstanding Supporting Performer), 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche; Olney Theatre Center: Kinky Boots, A.D. 16; NextStop Theatre: Little Women, First Date; Bay Star Theatricals: The Condition of Ellen Mitchell; Museum of the Bible: Amazing Grace; Adventure Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas, Blueberries for Sal. EDUCATION: The Catholic University of America, BM. IG: @alexdebardmusic
Jordan Essex (Narrator/Mr. Franklin/Joop/Mr. Venus Understudy) DC AREA: Round House Theatre: The Tempest; Constellation Theatre: Once On This Island; Folger Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Faction of Fools: Love Like Tuesday; Rorschach Theatre: The Toxic Avenger; Artscentric: Little Shop of Horrors; Maryland Ensemble Theater: Bob Marley’s: Three Little Birds. TOUR: National Players: A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Raisin in the Sun. EDUCATION: Catholic University: BM in Musical Theatre; UPCOMING: PG Shakespeare in the Park: The Tempest. Instagram: @jc.essex
Michael J. Mainwaring (Hugo/Christophe/Terry) SIGNATURE: Jesus Christ Superstar, Dreamgirls, U.G.L.Y. (workshop). DC AREA: Mosaic Theater: In His Hands by Benjamin Benne (world premiere); Arena Stage: Smokey Joe’s Café; Olney Theatre Center: Godspell, Sweeney Todd, In The Heights; Kennedy Center: The Mortification of Fovea Munson, In Performance, Lost in the Stars; Ford’s Theatre: Shenandoah, Freedom Song, Ford’s Presidential Gala: An American Celebration, Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln Commemoration; Creative Cauldron: Thunder Knocking at the Door; Adventure Theatre: Three Little Birds (world premiere). REGIONAL: Harbor Lights Theatre Company: RENT. EDUCATION: Voice; Kristin Halliday.
Kalen Robinson she/her (Mother/Sherry/Renata/Desi/Edwina/ Marianna/Sudabey Understudy) DC AREA: Imagination Stage: The Hula Hoopin’ Queen (Kameeka); Constellation Theatre: Once on This Island (Ti Moune); Folger Theatre: Our Verse In Time to Come (Sprite); Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Elf: The Musical (Deb), Grease (Jan), Rocky: the Musical (Angie); Round House Theatre: Spring Awakening (Thea). REGIONAL: Fulton Theatre: Cinderella (Stepsister), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne S.). EDUCATION: BFA Howard University. IG: @k_nicole143
Tyrell Stanley he/him (Youth/Hugo/Christophe/Terry Understudy)
SIGNATURE: The Color Purple. DC AREA: Olney Theatre Center: Kinky Boots (Swing); Keegan Theatre: Memphis (Ensemble, Bobby u/s); The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company: Confessions of a Black Cowboy (Nat Love/Willie Kennard). REGIONAL: Baltimore Center Stage: Dreamgirls (C.C. White); ArtsCentric: The Wiz (Ensemble, Lion u/s, TinMan u/s), Aida (Ensemble), Snapshots (Ensemble), Memphis (Ensemble, Wailin’ Joe u/s); Cockpit in Court: Sister Act (TJ), Wedding Singer (Mookie), Gypsy (Yonkers); Phoenix Festival Theater: Legally Blonde (Grandmaster Chad).
TV/FILM: HBO: We Own This City; Paramount+: Lioness. AWARDS: 2021 BroadwayWorld.com Baltimore Regional Award for Lighting Design of the Decade. EDUCATION: Virginia Union University. @stagerightt.
Kara-Tameika Watkins she/her (Mother) SIGNATURE: Daphne’s Dive, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jelly's Last Jam, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. DC
AREA: Arena Stage: Crowns, Smokey Joe’s Café; Ford's Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors, Children of Eden; Studio Theatre: Caroline, or Change; Olney Theatre: Miss You Like Hell, Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Musical, Peter Pan, Camelot; Round House Theatre: Caroline, or Change; Once on this Island; Creative Cauldron: Caroline, or Change. REGIONAL: Arts
Center of North Carolina: Rock of Ages; PCLO: Hairspray; Northshore Music Theatre: Hairspray; Nevada: Hairspray, Smokey Joe’s Café. Proud Member AEA.
Tobias A. Young he/him (Mr. Franklin/Joop/Mr. Venus) SIGNATURE: The Color Purple. OFF-BROADWAY: Fabulous! The Queen Of New Musical Comedies. DC AREA: Ford's Theatre: Ragtime (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble), The Wiz; Olney Theatre Center: Guys & Dolls (Nicely Nicely), In The Heights (Piragua Guy, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical); Adventure Theatre: James and The Giant Peach (Earthworm, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble); Toby's Dinner Theatre: Dreamgirls, The Wiz (The Lion), In The Heights (Piragua Guy, Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor) Les Miserables, The Color Purple (Preacher/African Chief), Memphis (Bobby), Sister Act (Tj), Ain't Misbehavin (Fats Waller). PMA Agency. IG: @SimplyTobiasYoung, TikTok: @SimplyFoodByTy, YouTube: @TobiasYoung.
JUNE 27 – JULY 9
Tickets only $38
An all new set of unbelievable voices toasts luminaries from Aretha Franklin to Whitney Houston to Beyoncé and all the incredible divas in between.
Stew (Book, Lyrics & Music) Passing Strange, which Stew starred in and co-wrote with Heidi Rodewald, premiered at Berkeley Rep and the Public Theater (2006/2007) before transferring to Broadway in 2008. The show has been honored with the Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical and the 2008 Obie Award for Best New American Theater Piece, as well as a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. Stew also received Tony nominations for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Orchestrations. Stew is the critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, founder, and leader of The Negro Problem, a pop-rock combo from Los Angeles whose works include “Post Minstrel Syndrome” (1997), “Joys and Concerns” (1999), and “Welcome Black” (2002). Along with Heidi Rodewald, he cofounded the Afro-Baroque cabaret ensemble known as STEW. Their works include “Guest Host” (2000), “The Naked Dutch Painter” (2002), and “Something Deeper Than These Changes” (2003). He was an artist-in-residence at the California Institute of the Arts (20042005), Sundance Theater Lab (2004-2005), Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab (2005), and Sundance Director’s Lab (2005). Stew is also the composer of “Gary Come Home” for the “SpongeBob SquarePants” cartoon.
Heidi Rodewald (Music) has spent over a decade as a performer, arranger, producer, and composer for both The Negro Problem and the multi-disciplinary ensemble known as Stew. She cowrote the musical PASSING STRANGE, which premiered at Berkeley Rep/ The Public Theatre (2006-2007) and then transferred to Broadway in 2008, where it was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Orchestrations. The show has been honored with the Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical and the 2008 Obie Award for Best New American Theater Piece. She composed music for Karen Kandel’s PORTRAITS: NIGHT AND DAY (2004) and cowrote with Stew the screenplay “We Can See Today,” Sundance Screenwriters Lab/Director’s Lab (2005). She wrote and performed with seminal female punk band Wednesday Week.
Annie Dorsen (Co-Creator) is a theater director working at the intersection of algorithmic art and live performance. Her most recent project, Infinite Sun, is an algorithmic sound installation commissioned by the Sharjah Biennial 14 (2019). Previous performance projects include The Great Outdoors (2017), Yesterday Tomorrow (2015), A Piece of Work (2013), Spokaoke (2012), and Hello Hi There (2010). These pieces have been presented at numerous theatres and festivals worldwide, including at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (New York), Hebbel am Ufer (Berlin), the steirischer herbst festival (Graz), the Holland Festival (Amsterdam), and Festival d’Automne (Paris). In 2010, she collaborated with choreographer Anne Juren on Magical, presented at ImPulsTanz Festival Vienna, Lyon Biennale de la Danse, Théâtre de la Cité International Paris, Kampnagel Hamburg, and many others. In 2009 she created two music-theatre pieces, Ask Your Mama, a setting of Langston Hughes’ 1962 poem, composed by Laura Karpman and sung by Jessye Norman and The Roots (Carnegie Hall) and ETHEL’s Truckstop, seen at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival. In 2012 she worked again with Questlove, directing his concert performance Shuffle Culture at the BAM Opera House. She is the co-creator of the 2008 Broadway musical Passing Strange, which she also directed. Her pop-political performance project Democracy in America was presented at PS122 in spring 2008. The short film, I Miss, originally the centerpiece of Democracy in America, screened at American Film Institute Festival (AFI Fest), SXSW Film Festival, The New York Film Festival’s “Views From the Avant-Garde” and the Nantucket Film Festival. She has taught at University of Chicago and Bard College, and been a frequent guest lecturer at numerous universities and art schools in the US and abroad. Dorsen is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, the Spalding Gray Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grant to Artists Award, and the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts.
Raymond O. Caldwell he/him (Director)
LEADERSHIP: Theater Alliance: Producing Artistic Director. INTERNATIONAL: India:
Rainbow Stories Project, A Global I.D.E.A., I Rise, Peace Waves. NATIONAL TOUR: OTC/ National Players: The Diary of Anne Frank; B-FLY: All the Way Live!. DC AREA: Round House: Nollywood Dreams, Sleep Deprivation Chamber; Theater Alliance: Poetry for the People: The June Jordan Project, The Blackest Battle, City in Transition: The Quadrant Series, Strategize, Organize, Mobilize: A Protest in 8, Day of Absence, Blood at the Root; Kennedy Center: The Cartography Project, All the Way Live!; Olney: The Thanksgiving Play; Mosaic: Les Deux Noirs; Imagination Stage: Zomo the Rabbit; Solas Nua: The Frederick Douglass Project. AWARDS: Helen Hayes
Award Outstanding Direction of a Play, Blood at the Root. EDUCATION: The Ohio State University: MFA; University of Florida: BFA.
UPCOMING: Mosaic: 1 in 2; Theater Alliance/ Kennedy Center: Look Both Ways. www. raymondocaldwell.com
Tiffany Quinn (Choreographer) NATIONAL: National Players Tour/Olney Theatre Center: The Diary of Anne Frank. REGIONAL: (Assistant to Choreographer - Ronald K. Brown) Alvin Ailey American Theater: Dancing Spirit; Philadanco!: For Truth. DC AREA: Creative Cauldron: Diagnosed; The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences: Show Way The Musical, Beastgirl, Earthrise; Imagination Stage: Oyeme, Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip Hop Creation Myth; Theater Alliance: A Chorus Within Her, The Blackest Battle, Blood at the Root; Mosaic Theater: Les Deux Noirs; Solas Nua: The Frederick Douglass Project; Shakespeare Theater Company: (Restaged - Camille A. Brown, Choreographer) A Winter’s Tale; Howard University: Trojan Women, The Children’s Hour, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; University of Maryland Baltimore County: The Mail Order Bride; Montgomery Community College: In The Heights. PERFORMANCE: Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company, B.Moore Dance, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Francine E. Ott/The Walk. AWARDS: Helen Hayes. EDUCATION: Howard University. @queenquinn5678
Marika Countouris she/her (Music Director)
SIGNATURE: The Color Purple. DC AREA: Woolly Mammoth: A Strange Loop (preBroadway tryout); Arena Stage: Ride the
Cyclone; Ford's Theatre: Grace; Olney: AD16; Constellation: The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors, Aida; Flying V: We're Gonna Die; Monumental: tick, tick...BOOM!, Songs for a New World, Head Over Heels, Be More Chill, Daddy Long Legs, Brooklyn.
REGIONAL: Great Lakes Center for the Arts: Godspell. AWARDS: Helen Hayes
Nominee. EDUCATION: Catholic University: BM. UPCOMING: Monumental: Spring Awakening.
Mark G. Meadows he/him (Music Supervisor)
SIGNATURE: Director of Signature Cabarets; Music Direction: The Color Purple, RENT, After
Midnight, Spunk, Ain’t Misbehavin’; Jelly’s Last Jam. Apollo Productions: ELLA, An American Miracle. Kennedy Center: Acoustic Rooster REGIONAL: Oregon
Shakespeare Theatre: Once on this Island.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Choir Boy, Wildfire. ALBUMS: Be the Change, To the People, Somethin’ Good, A Child is Born.
CONCERTS: Jazz at the Lincoln Center, DC Jazz Festival, Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center, Smalls Jazz, The Strathmore.
INTERNATIONAL: Haiti, Russia, The Congo, Qatar, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, The Caribbean. APPEARED WITH: Cynthia Erivo, Usher, Bobby McFerrin, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Nicholas Payton, Kurt Elling, Ledisi. AWARDS: 2020 DC Wammies Jazz Artist of the Year, Washington City Paper’s Artist & Composer of the Year. TEACHING: American University, Shenandoah University: Jazz Instructor; Duke Ellington School of the Arts: The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. MarkGMeadows.com @MarkGMeadows
Jonathan Dahm Robertson he/him (Scenic Design) DC AREA: Round House Theatre: Nollywood Dreams; Theater J: Two Jews Walk into a War, The Christians; Mosaic Theater Co.: The Agitators, Oh God!; 1st Stage: The Mamalogues, Member of the Wedding, Broadway Bound; Theater Alliance: Day of Absence, Blood at the Root; Solas Nua: Coolatully, The Frederick Douglass Project. REGIONAL: Totem Pole Playhouse: Footloose, The Sound of Music, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Murder for Two, One Slight Hitch, Jesus Christ Superstar; The
Barnstormers Theatre: Into the Woods; Cape Fear Regional Theater: Wait Until Dark. OPERA: The Princeton Festival: Nixon in China, Fidelio, Peter Grimes; Opera in the Heights: Candide, Un Ballo En Maschera, Cosi Fan Tutte. AWARDS: Helen Hays Nominee; UPCOMING: Totem Pole Playhouse: Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. www.jdahmrobertson.com @jdahmrobertson
Danielle Preston (Costume Design) NEW YORK: Lincoln Center: Where Words Once Were. DC AREA: Studio Theatre: Clyde’s; Mosaic Theater Company: The Till Trilogy
REGIONAL: Children’s Theater Company: Locomotion; Hangar Theatre: Schoolgirls; Or The African Mean Girls Play, The Realness; Chicago Opera Theater: Quamino’s Map; Berkshire Theatre Group: B.R.O.K.E.N. Code
B.I.R.D. Switching. EDUCATION: University of North Carolina School of the Arts: M.F.A. in Costume Design. Proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. daniellepreston. com @danielleprestondesign
Alberto Segarra (Lighting Design) DC Area: The Keegan Theatre: Push The Button; Constellation Theatre: Incognito; Theater J: Two Jews Walk into a War; Mosaic Theatre: The Till Trilogy; Olney Theatre Center: Thanksgiving Play, The Joy that Carries You (Helen Hayes Nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design); The Kennedy Center TYA: Acoustic Rooster, Beastgirl, and Earthrise; Round House Theatre: Quixote Nuevo; GALA Theatre: La Revoltosa; Theater Alliance: Blood at the Root (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lighting Design). REGIONAL: The Hangar Theatre/Portland Stage: The Great Leap; Cleveland Play House: The Three Musketeers; New Repertory Theatre: 1776, The Gift Horse; Blue Barn Theatre: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. UPCOMING: 1st Stage: The Last Match; Imagination Stage: Nate the Great. albertosegarra.com
Eric Norris he/him (Resident Sound Designer)
SIGNATURE: Pacific Overtures, Into the Woods. REGIONAL: Casa Mañana: The Producers, Grease, Next to Normal, Hello Dolly!, Mamma Mia, Madagascar, Beauty and the Beast, T’was the Night Before Christmas, Neverland; North
Shore Music Theatre: A Christmas Carol ‘16/’17(Associate); Wheelock Family Theatre: Billy Elliot, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray; SpeakEasy Stage Company: In the Heights, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. AWARDS: 2013 Independent Reviewers of New England: Best Sound Design, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; 2013 Eliot Norton: Best Overall Design, Best Production, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. EDUCATION: New England Institute of Art: BS-Audio and Media Technology. @Cruel_Cinema
Kelly Colburn she/they/K (Video Design)
OFF-BROADWAY: New York Theatre Workshop, american (tele)visions. DC AREA: Roundhouse: Nollywood Dreams; Gala Hispanic: La Casa en la Laguna; Mosaic: Dear Mapel; Olney Theatre Center: The Thanksgiving Play. REGIONAL: Everyman: The Sound Inside, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. OTHER: CKM+A: Native Intelligence/Innate Intelligence; Artistic Lead of Theatre at Flying V; Digital Producer at Theater Alliance; Freelance Director, Producer, and Devised Theatre-Maker. AWARDS: 2020 Helen Hayes Recipient - Lighting/Media Design - Blood At The Root, 2022 Helen Hayes Award Nominee, 2017 NextLOOK Resident, 2018 Jim Henson Puppetry Grant. UPCOMING: FELA! EDUCATION: BFA NYU Tisch ’11; MFA UMD ’18. www.kellycolburn.com
Mandy Fox she/her (Dialect Coach) BROADWAY: The Last Night of Ballyhoo
INTERNATIONAL: UK: Hamlets Fool. NEW YORK: Soho Repertory: FNU LNU; Player Club: The Testimony of Selma Goldberg.
REGIONAL: Yale Repertory: Le Bourgeois Avant-Garde, The Beaux’ Stratagem; St. Louis Repertory: The Last Night of Ballyhoo; Pioneer Theatre: The Last Night of Ballyhoo.
AUDIOBOOKS: All the Moonlight on Earth; Viva the Revolution; One at a Time Boys; Totally Sunshine and Love; You Will Never Leave; Sin Titulo. EDUCATION: Yale School of Drama: MFA in Acting; Otterbein University: BFA Musical Theatre. MandyFoxVoice.com
Chelsea Pace she/her (Intimacy and Fight
Choreographer) SIGNATURE: The Color Purple, Daphne's Dive, RENT, Detroit '67,
Signature Resident Intimacy Consultant and Choreographer. BROADWAY: A Strange Loop, Leopoldstadt, K-POP. OFFBROADWAY: The Shed: HELP, INTAR: Bundle of Sticks. DC AREA:Woolly Mammoth: Incendiary (upcoming), A Strange Loop, Woolly Resident Intimacy Consultant; Studio Theatre: Fun Home (upcoming), John Proctor is the Villain, White Noise, Studio Resident Intimacy Consultant and Choreographer; Arena Stage: Seven Guitars, Folger: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. REGIONAL: La Jolla: SUMO (upcoming), As You Like It. Philadelphia Theatre Company: The Tattooed Lady, FILM/TV: Select: A League of Their Own, Harlem, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Tender Bar, Mother’s Instinct (upcoming), MASHED. Co-Founder, Theatrical Intimacy Education. AUTHOR: Staging Sex: Best Practices Tools and Techniques for Theatrical Intimacy (Routledge Publishing 2020).
AWARDS: Kennedy Center Gold Medallion. www.chelseapace.com @professorpace
Jorge Acevedo he/him (Casting Director)
SIGNATURE: Casting Director & Manager of Artistic Programs: RENT, Daphne’s Dive, She Loves Me, The Upstairs Department, The Color Purple, No Place to Go, Into the Woods, Which Way to the Stage, Selling Kabul, Pacific Overtures; Casting & Executive Coordinator: Simply Sondheim, Daniel J. Watts’ The Jam: Only Child, Midnight at The Never Get, After Midnight, Detroit 67; The Signature Show: Associate Producer. DC AREA: The Kennedy Center: The Mortification of Fovea Munson; Shakespeare Theatre Company: The Amen Corner; Working In DC: Working: A Musical. OTHER: Casting Directive –Broadway for Racial Justice: Inaugural Class. TEDxBroadway: Young Professionals Program, 2018. EDUCATION: Wagner College. UPCOMING: Signature Theatre: Sweeney Todd. @TheeJorgeAvocado.
JZ Casting (NY Casting) Geoff Josselson, CSA and Katja Zarolinski, CSA.
SIGNATURE: Selling Kabul, The Color Purple. SELECT NEW YORK: The Civilians, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Irish Repertory
Theatre. DC AREA: Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth. SELECT REGIONAL: Alley Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Cape Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Theaterworks Hartford, Weston Theater. www.jz-casting.com.
John Keith Hall he/him (Production Stage Manager)
SIGNATURE: Ain’t Misbehavin’, West Side Story, Soon. DC AREA: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: Ain’t No Mo’, Where We Belong, Shipwreck, The Peculiar Patriot, Gloria, Familiar, Hir, An Octoroon, The Nether; Olney Theatre Center: The Producers, Mary Poppins, Annie, The Crucible, On The Town, Matilda, Cabaret, Beauty and the Beast; Kennedy Center: Show Way, Club at Studio K; Studio Theatre: English, Bad Jews, Choir Boy, Water By The Spoonful, Tribes, The Habit of Art, Torch Song Trilogy, 4000 Miles, The History Boys, The Road to Mecca, and many others. REGIONAL: Contemporary American Theatre Festival; Shadowland Stages; Virginia Musical Theatre; Barter Theatre. EDUCATION: Longwood University.
Taylor Kiechlin (Assistant Stage Manager)
SIGNATURE: Into the Woods, La Cage aux Folles; DC AREA: Ford’s Theatre: Born Yesterday, A Christmas Carol, 12 Angry Men, Into the Woods, Fences, Silent Sky, Guys and Dolls, Come From Away: Concert at the Lincoln Memorial; Kennedy Center: Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie; Theater J: Nathan the Wise, Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story; REGIONAL: GLCFA: Godspell; Bristol Riverside Theatre: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Quartet, Times Stands Still, The Producers, Triumph of Love, The Producers; Williamstown Theatre Festival: Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow.
Siani Beckett she/her/hers (Assistant Choreographer) DC AREA: Theater Alliance: A Chorus Within Her; The Kennedy Center TYA: Show Way, Beastgirl. EDUCATION: Howard University, BFA Dance. @_sissone_
Maggie Boland she/her (Managing Director) has led tremendous organizational growth since joining Signature in 2008, more than doubling Signature’s annual revenue, increasing the annual audience by 50,000 patrons and expanding the full-time staff by 76%. Under her leadership, Signature generates more than $15 million in annual economic activity and employs more than 400 individuals each year, making it one of Arlington’s most important small businesses and Virginia’s largest non-profit professional theater. Prior to joining Signature, Boland spent 10 years at Arena Stage in increasingly senior positions, beginning as the Marketing Director and later assuming oversight of the Annual Fund and $125 million Next Stage Campaign as the Director of External Affairs. Her experience also includes six years in fundraising with Roundabout Theatre Company. Boland was a 2016 recipient of the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award. She is a member of the Board of Directors of TheatreWashington and serves as Vice President of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT).
Matthew Gardiner he/him (Artistic Director) has directed and/or choreographed more than 25 productions at Signature Theatre, including She Loves Me, RENT, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, La Cage aux Folles, Jelly’s Last Jam, The Threepenny Opera, and No Place to Go, as well as several world premieres including Really Really, Soon, and Midwestern Gothic. With Signature’s special commitment to producing the work of Stephen Sondheim, Matthew has directed and/or choreographed many Sondheim musicals including Into the Woods, Passion, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Sweeney Todd and the world premiere of Simply Sondheim. Prior to being named Signature’s Artistic Director in the summer of 2021, Matthew was Signature’s Associate Artistic Director for over a decade, helping to build several groundbreaking seasons, cultivating relationships with prominent and emerging artists, and overseeing several of Signature’s new work development initiatives. Outside of Signature, Matthew has directed and/or choreographed at the Washington, DC theaters Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre. Matthew has also worked abroad, choreographing Titanic and directing and choreographing Doctor Zhivago for OD Musical Company in Seoul, Korea. Matthew is the recipient of three Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Director of a Musical and has been honored with more than a dozen nominations.
Passing Strange Production Crew
Keyboard Programmer Alexander Greenberg
Associate Video Design Dylan Uremovich
Carpenter Inja Lin
Painters Jovi Hobson, Nadya Yaksich
Properties Artisans George Burgtorf, Jenn Callaghan
Deck Crew Hannah Allison
Dresser Olivia Viola
Stitchers Sam Eisentein-Bond, Alison Samantha Johnson, Jessica Utz
Video Technician Gamage
Video Operator Rodney Jackson, Jr.
Electricians Angela Armstrong, L Bruce, Jeff Campbell, Susannah Cai, Ian Claar, Stefanie DeHart, Mikayla French, Lillian Moki, Kristop Rosario
A1 Eliana Ransom
A2 Jeffrey Stanley
Physical Therapists VA Sportsmedicine Institute Physical Therapy. Dianne Robbins PTA, Alesa Deter PT, DPT, CMTPT
Special thanks to Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Signature Theatre is a member of the League of Resident Theatres. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers of Signature Theatre are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Signature’s 2022/23 season is supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Virginia Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner
Managing Director Maggie Boland
Executive Assistant Angelica Miguel
ARTISTIC
Associate Artistic Director Ethan Heard
Director of Artistic Development Anika Chapin
Casting Director/Manager of Artistic Programs
Jorge Acevedo
Resident Intimacy Consultant Chelsea Pace
Director of Signature Cabarets Mark G. Meadows
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
General Manager Jim Gross
Company Manager Laura Matey
Maintenance Associate Craig Townsend
Custodians Maria Carranza, Henry Pineda
PRODUCTION
Production Manager Kyle Grant
Assistant Production Manager Jonathan Maag
Resident Stage Manager Kerry Epstein
Technical Director Charles Cobb
Staff Carpenters Jack Coughlin
Deck Chief Tess Wagner
Scenic Charge Artist Leila Spolter
Costume Director Natalie Kurczewski
Associate Costume Director Jeffery Park
Wardrobe Supervisor Courtney Leigh Wood
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor Dominique Travers
Lighting Supervisor Dan Kimble
Master Electricians Tim Strickland, Chris Stull
Properties Master Kasey Hendricks
Associate Properties Master Pamela Weiner
Resident Sound Designer Eric Norris
Lead Sound Engineer Kendric Maxey
Deck Sound Engineer Danielle McBride
DEVELOPMENT
Director of Advancement and Planning Christine Stanley
Deputy Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Erin Harms
Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving
Dori L. Sophia
Associate Director, Capital Campaign & Special Projects
Morgan Tucker
Donor Services Manager Ashley Richardson
Development Communications Manager Sarah Chapin
Development Manager Julia Souza
Board of Directors
Chair Dottie Bennett
Vice Chair Cathy Bernard
Vice Chair Russ Schriefer
Secretary Patricia Payne
Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair Don Irwin
Governance Committee Chair Sue Cunningham
Anti-Racism Committee Chair Deborah Gandy
Past Chair Bonnie Feld
MARKETING
Director of Marketing Jennifer Buzzell
Deputy Director of Marketing, Publications Director
Katherine Tucker
Graphic Designer Anjali Nanda
Deputy Director of Marketing, Director of Creative
Content James Gardiner
Deputy Director of Marketing, Digital Media Sara Hoffman
Social Media Manager Caroline Tattersfield
Marketing Manager: Grassroots, Group Sales and Digital
Content Natalie Ridgley
Marketing Manager and Publicist Zachary Flick
Advertising Services Allied Global Marketing
BOX OFFICE
Box Office Manager John Porter
Assistant Box Office Manager Kirstin Calvert
Box Office Associates Anon Cadieux, Robert Grimm, Lilly Moki, Lizzie Nigro, Gabby Wilson
GUEST SERVICES
Guest Services Manager Micaela Lell
Guest Services Coordinator Mackenzie Gizard
Senior House Manager Rafael Bueno
House Managers Megan Bunn, Tara Clinton, Chris Courtney, Patty Kelleher, Julie Neuber, Kaihla Powell
Chef Lilian Gomez
INFORMATION SERVICES
Information Technology Consultant Robert Cohn
IT Associate Jess Lee
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Director of Finance and Administration Valerie Bunns
Human Resources Manager Christine Stroup
Assistant Business Manager Parker Nolan
Business Associate Bailey Howard
EDUCATION
Education Director David Zobell
Education Program Manager Matthew Taylor Strote
Board Members Barbara M. Angus, Sydney M. Avent, J. Max Barger, Jeff Bell, John Benton, Maggie Boland, Ashley Davis, Michael DeSantis, James W. Dyer, Matthew Gardiner, Robert T. Grimm, Jr., Frank Guzzetta, Brian Huseman, Lou Mazawey, Terrance McGowan, Peter Michel, David Ochsman, Wesley Pickard, Chuck Porvaznik, Rynthia Rost, Susan C. Schwab, Debbie Shrager, Merrill Shugoll, Carl Spatz, Peter Tanous, Sarah Valente,
Arthur A. Warren, Maya Weil
The Paul Wojcik Emeritus Board Members David W. Briggs, Mary G. Cadagin, Enrico Cecchi, Patricia Alper Cohn, Michael Danzansky, Marybeth Fraser, Thomas Gage, Mary Ann Gilleece, Tim Keating, Lisa Kountoupes, Tina Martin, Celie Niehaus, Bob Rosen, Steven M. Rosenberg, Kathleen T. Ross, Kathie Shank, Victor Shargai*, Patti Sowalsky, Chris Wailoo
Honorary Trustees Fred Ebb*, John Kander, Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim*
Signature Council Helen Lee Henderson*, Arlene and Robert Kogod, Gilbert and Jaylee Mead*, Ted and Mary Jo Shen
*In memoriam
Friends of Signature make it possible for us to produce innovative artistic and educational programming.
Together we’ll continue to impact, enrich and inspire our community. Thank you for being part of our Signature family!
$100,000 AND ABOVE
Amazon
Dottie Bennett and Richard Morton
Cathy Bernard/Bernard Family Foundation
Bonnie Feld
Arlene and Robert Kogod
Michelle S. Lee and STGi
Dan and Gloria Logan
The Shubert Foundation
$50,000 TO $99,999
Atavis Jet
John F. Benton and David W. Briggs
Mike Blank
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Bradley S. Frey/J. Watkins’ Fund for Arts and Education
Frank Guzzetta and Paul Manville
Lou Mazawey
The Jean T. Pelham and Heyward G. Pelham Foundation
Jenna and Paul Segal Share Fund
The Ted & Mary Jo Shen Charitable Gift Fund
Virginia Commission for the Arts
$25,000 TO $49,999
William S. Abell Foundation
Barbara M. Angus
Stacie and Michael Arpey
Stuart and Martha Bindeman Charitable Trust
The Boeing Company
Stephen and Nancy Brown
Deborah G. Gandy
Lois C. Greisman
Barron Hall
Ted and Michele* Leber
$10,000 TO $24,999
Anonymous (3)
Sydney M. Avent
Theodore H. Barth Foundation
J. Max Barger and Gary L. Phillips
John Bledsoe
Jean Cantrell
Chevy Chase Trust
Clark-Winchcole Foundation
Bruce A. Cohen*
The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts
Sue Cunningham and Howard Moore
Jim Davidson and Cheryl Williams
Ashley Davis
deLaski Family Foundation
Michael DeSantis and Patrick Baugh
Dorothy Dickman Trust
Dominion Energy
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.
Margia and Jim Dyer
Sharon Eddy, State Farm Agent
R. Michael Gadbaw and Sally Chandler
The Geary-O’Hara Family Foundation
GEICO
Mary Ann Gilleece
Dana A. Hearn and Kevin J. McCloskey
Don and Angela Irwin
Maxine Isaacs/The Max Productions LLC
Rick Kasten
The Meredith Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Celie and Tabitha Niehaus
Nirschl Orthopaedic Center
Micheal J. O’Connor
H. Mac and Michele-Anne Riley
Wesley Pickard and Jeanette Studley*
Susan Carroll Schwab
Susan Gage Caterers
Jeffrey Thurston and Charlie Berardesco
Jody Katz and Jeffrey Gibbs
Lisa Kountoupes and Jack Sava
Mark T. Lewellyn
Limelight Insights by Shugoll
Terrance and Sue McGowan
Christopher McMackin, M.D. and David Svatos
Peter and Mary Jay Michel
Ruth Moorman and Sheldon Simon
David Ochsman
In Memory of Janice Olmstead*
Patricia Payne and Nancy Firestone*
Craig Pascal and Victor Shargai*
Chris and Karen Peace
Beth Pile
Charles Porvaznik and Thomas Paese
James Pridgen and Arthur Warren
Debra and Dave Rose
Russ Schriefer and Nina Easton
David S. Shrager Foundation
Carl Spatz and Thomas Hesselbrock
Peter and Ann Tanous
Sarah Valente
Venable Foundation
Washington Forrest Foundation
Maya Weil
In memory of Brenda Wesner*
$5,000 TO $9,999
Greg Albright and Wes Combs
Patricia Alper Cohn and David I. Cohn
Alan and Barbara Anderson
Brenda K. Ashworth and Donald Welch
Jeff Bell
The John Bickford Foundation
Maggie Boland and John Hance
Penny Bonda
Katie and Mike Butler
Susan L. and Dixon M. Butler
Tim Carlton
Dennis Deloria and Suzanne Thouvenelle
Thomas B. DePriest
Diane Dubois and Elizabeth Rutherford
Dimick Foundation
DoPaNo Productions
Brian Feit in memory of Phil Melemed
Glen Fernald and Charles Rhode
Jay and Susan Finkelstein
Veronika J. Folz
Dave Fowler and Todd Metzler
Dianne Geiger
Susan and Tim Gibson
Benjamin A. Gitterman
$3,000 TO $4,999
Anonymous (3)
Dr. Stewart Aledort and Dr. Sheila Rogovin*
John Andelin and Virginia Geoffrey
Elfreda Baptist
Bonnie and Jere Broh-Kahn
Candice C. Bryant
Patricia Bryant
Blain and Peg Butner
The Charles Delmar Foundation
Roy Cooper and Bonnie Carroll
Ian DeWaal and Caroline Smith DeWaal
Debra N. Diener in memory of Naomi and Sol Diener
Barbara and Kevin Donnellan
Robert J. Eatinger, Jr., PLLC
Marietta Ethier
Donald and Cathy Fogel
Gary Fontaine and O'Shelia Brown
Marybeth and Zack Fraser
Matthew Gardiner
Jillian Clark Gibson
Hacken Charitable Fund
Alan and Bonnie Hammerschlag
Alan* and Hedda Gnaizda
Paul R. Gordon and John H. Price*
Graham Holdings
Robert and Laura Grimm
Lucia and Woolf Gross
Nancy E. Gwinn and John Y. Cole
Laurie Hand and Jonathan Gowdy
Meg and John Hauge
Marilyn and Michael Hausfeld
F. Lane Heard and Margaret Bauer
Kaye Ann Hellmich
Adam R. Henderson and Bruce C. Marshall
Don Hesse and Jerrilyn Andrews
Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/ Shirlington
Doug Holtz-Eakin and Beth Robinson
Brian Huseman
Juel Janis
Herschel Kanter
Andi Kasarsky
Richard M. Kellogg
Barry Kropf
Missy Kurek
Myron Lehtman
Leon Fund at Richmond Community Foundation
(Irene and Alan Wurtzel)
Carolyn and Jim* Harris
Robert E. Hebda
Sue Henry and Carter Phillips
Jill Herscot and Andrew Bartley
RC Howes
Andrew A. Isen
Henry D. Kahn and Laura Primakoff
Daniel Kaplan and Kay Richman
Peter Kimmel and Stephanie Jackson
Elise and Michael Kirby
Renee Klish
Judith Knee
Leslie S. Kogod, Lauren S. Kogod, and Stuart A. Kogod
Steven B. Kruse
Rob Liberatore and Debra Kraft
David and Diane Litman
Julianna Mahley
Tina M. Martin and Mita M. Schaffer
Emmy McArver
Ray and Nancy McKinley
Adele Mouzon and Mark Perry
James A. Mulligan
Beth Newburger
John Robert Porter
Joan Lynn/Galen Miller Fund
John and Mary Lee Malcolm
Mars Foundation
Nancy and Stephen McGuire
Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett
Jeffrey Menick
Dennis Milliron
Larry L. Mitchell
J.P. Morgan
National Constitution Center
Sylvia and Lloyd* Oliver
Ottilie Fund
Lola C. Reinsch
Steven M. Rosenberg and Stewart C. Low III
Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins
The Savada-Stevenson Family
Sheldon Seidel
Sally Seiler and Patrick Pellerin
Anne Smith
Linda Smith
Robert and Amy Stone
Richard Underwood
Kathleen and Victor Utgoff
Deborah and David Yaffe
Joseph and Linda Young
Judy and Leo Zickler
Michael and Jane Powell
Jane Power
Janis Reed
Michele K. Ross
Roberta Roumel
David A. Sayles
Diane and Peter Schaefer
Sally Simms
Antonia Browning Smiley
Carl W. Smith and Michael L. Burke
Martha and Horace Sneed
Mark and Lynn Spates
John Sporing Jr.
Paul and Crystal Stanley
Timothy and Jennifer Tomlinson
TTR Sotheby’s;
Ken Trotter, J.D., Realtor
VentureVest Foundation Fund
(Kenneth B. Ullman)
Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein
Weissberg Foundation
Gail and Jim Woolwine
Jeffrey and Kathleen Wright
$1,200 TO $2,999
Anonymous (6)
Catherine Abrahams
Nathan, Debbie, and Isaac Ainspan in memory of Martin, Phyllis, and Sara Ainspan
Angela and Jacob Anderson
Tony Anderson and Kevin Lorei
Susan Angell
James Asp and Perry Streidel
Victoria Avera and John Dick
Douglas Bates
Scott Douglas Bellard
Karen Berg
Darwin B. Bingham
Janet Boyd
Helen Brand
Linda Brooks
Marcus Brown
Jeanne M. Broyhill and Joe Ventrone
Karen Bruton
Beth B. Buehlmann
Harold and Louise Burghart
Jennifer and Jeremy Buzzell
David Cade
Fred Cantor
Carol Caparosa
Maureen Chelius Charitable Fund
George Christensen and Steven Kotrch
Heidi Christensen and Gene Kendall
Diane Clark and Peter Garcia
Bill and Sara Coleman
Frederick Corte and Christopher Ingram
Janice King Crawford
Matthew Crouch
John and Valerie Cuddy
Linda and Casey Cummings
James and Dorothy Dake
Steve Danielson and Kenneth Hoyle
Michael W. Danzansky and Cate Gaffney
Gail Davenport
Curt Decker
Patricia Dinndorf
Eric N. Dobson
Jim and Betsy Edmonds
Dr. Larry and Nancy Fishel
Denise Flanagan
Raymond Foote and Isamu Danura
Sallie H. Forman and Ines Garcia
Wes and Betty Foster
Virginia C. Gano
Michael Garet
Aaron Gibson
Robert L. Giron and Ken Schellenberg
William Giroux and Robert Lorenson
Amnon and Sue Golan
Ronnie Gold
Jinny and Michael Goldstein
Michael M. Goldstein
Mark Greenwald
Jane P. Guiliano
Dean J. Haas
Frona Hall
Sophia Hall
Richard Hardy
Hon. Jane Harman
Erin Harms and Marc Olano
Dale Hedding
Bert Helfinstein and Margaret Rodenberg
Robin Hettleman and Matthew Weinberg
Lucia and Fred Hill
Mark Hindin
Glen and Lauren Howard
Vicki Howard
Ira Ludwick Salon
Steve and Kelly Johnson
Alice and David Joseph
Jodie Kelley and Scott Sinder
Kyle Kerr
Peter Kester
Robert L. Kimmins
Gary and Vicki Kirkbride
Caroline Klemp
Sandy and Dick* Laeser
Steve and Maureen Landry
Chad Lash and Caryn Wagner
John LeBlanc and Haywood Torrence Jr.
Alan Levy
Kerry E.M. Liesveld
Nancy Limprecht and Rick Haines
John Henry Loomis
Wes MacAdam
Catherine MacNeil-Hollinger and Mark Hollinger
Tom Mannion* and Douglas Mearns
Pete and Karen Mattheis
Martha Matthews and Arthur Reiger
Russell Matthias and Dwight Horkheimer
Alan McAdams
John McCall and Daniel W. Hicks
Betsy McCluskey
Robert McDonald and David Insinga
Michael McHugh and David Wolfe
McCain McMurray and Cameron Smith
Robert F. Miailovich
Phillip Lee Milstead
George* and Nancy Miron
Thomas and Barbara Moore
Carl and Undine Nash
Michael Natrella
Dr. and Mrs. Stephan P. Nelson
Elizabeth Newell
William and Louisa Newlin
Khoa Nguyen
Jack Nix
Randy and Suzanne Nuckolls
Melanie and Larry Nussdorf
Judith and Mary O’Brien
Curtis Oja
Stan Peabody
John B. Pitchford and Lenny Stumpf
Robert and Elaine Porter
Joseph Radford Jr.
Abby and Stuart Raphael
Brian Reid and Brett Brenner
Alan and Terry Rettig
Julie Rios
Lynda J. Robb
Sam Roberson and Ted Buckley
Vince L. Rodriguez and Ted A. Culler
Bruce Rosenblum and Lori Laitman
Rynthia Rost
Monika Ruppert and Mary Layne
Thomas A. Sachs and William H. Moses
Jo Ella Samp
Terry Savela and Dean Amel
Amy E. Schaffer
Eric Schwartz
Eric H. Schwartz
Richard and Rosemary Schwartzbard
David Selden and Julie Wallick
Douglas Sellers
Richard and Jacqueline Sellers
Wayne S. Sellman
Marsha L. Semmel
Elaine and English Showalter
Jim Sirbaugh and Garry Hartsock
Ed and Andy Smith
Ms. Susan P. Snowdon
Mark and Lynn Spates
Larry and Arlene Spinelli
Robert Stacy
Thomas and Kathalina Stein
Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens, Jr.
Aileen and Jack Sullivan
Donna Sutton
Mei Su Teng
Peter E. Threadgill
Annette Totten
Transurban
Carol Trawick
Carolyn Van Dolson
Christopher and Alisa Wailoo
Walton Family Foundation
Karen Wax
Walter L. Wentz
Charles H. Willett
Cassie Williams
Dudley and Jennifer Winthrop
Christopher Wolf and James Beller
Jane Yanulis
Anonymous (7)
Dr. Stewart Aledort and Dr. Sheila Rogovin*
Allan Armus
Susan Barrett
Scott Douglas Bellard
Dottie Bennett
Monique Boulanger
David W. Briggs
Bonnie and Jere Broh-Kahn
Louise Budelis
Jean Cantrell
Tim Carlton
Diane L. Carroad
Bruce A. Cohen*
Estate of Sharon H. Dantzig*
Capt. Joan Darrah and Lynne Kennedy
Bob and Tracy Dattner
Martin A. Davis* and Belle N. Davis
L. William Derrow*
Barbara and Kevin Donnellan
Keith Eby
Eddie and Rachel Eitches
R. Glen Fernald, Charles Rhode
William Giroux
Ellen L. Goldstein
Paul R. Gordon
Jeff and Joan Greene
Lois C. Greisman
Judy Grill
Frank Guzzetta and Paul Manville
Signature recognizes the following members who have included the Theatre in their estate plans:
Carolyn Harris
Robert E. Hebda
Kristine Heine
Kaye Ann Hellmich
Barbara Hill and Carol Krueger
RC Howes
Gerald Hurwitz and Stephanie George
Jan Inscore-Boswell
Andrew A. Isen
James Johnson & Matthew Shepard
Pamela Kalinowski
Andi Kasarsky
Robert L. Kimmins
Renee Klish
Judith Knee
Seth Koch, V.M.D. and Barbara Bellman
Steven B. Kruse
Steven Arthur Landry and Maureen Oglivie Landry
Michele* and Ted Leber
Debra and Michael Linick
Julianna Mahley
Wells R. McCurdy
Robert J. McDonald and David J. Insinga
April McGuire
Jean R. McKean
Janice N. McLean
McCain McMurray and Cameron Griffith
Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett
Laura Ariane (Laurie) Miller*
Phillip Lee Milstead
William Moses and Thomas Sachs
Michael Mueller and Kristopher Zgorski
Micheal J. O’Connor
Wesley Pickard and Jeanette Studley*
Suzy Platt*
Richard and Wendy Rahm
Mike Rankin, M.D.
Eric Schaeffer
Henry J. Schalizki* and Robert D. Davis*
Richard* and Rochelle Schwab
Skip Seward
Victor Shargai*
Larry Shaw and Richard Freitag
Merrill and Mark Shugoll
Constance Sorrentino
Carl H. Spatz & Thomas D. Hesselbrock
Bill Vess*
Arthur A. Warren
Maya Weil
Paul Wojcik*
Janet Yandik
Cynthia Young*
Signature’s Board of Directors contributes to the Theatre’s mission with important advocacy and philanthropic partnership.
If you are interested in learning more about joining the Board or would like to suggest someone who could be a good fit for Board service, please reach out to boardnomination@sigtheatre.org.
May 4 from 1 – 2PM The Mead Lobby or Streaming Online FREE
Passing Strange director Raymond O. Caldwell makes his Signature Theatre debut but has directed all over the DMV and is the Producing Artistic Director at Theater Alliance. Now he discusses his globetrotting childhood, leading a theater company and his other upcoming projects.
This event will be available to stream live and replay after the event on Signature’s YouTube channel @sigtheatre
