WELCOME TO THE SHOW!
Brad Brock Director, School of Theatre Florida State University
Kris Salata Chair, School of Theatre Florida State University
We are thrilled to welcome you back to the School of Theatre at Florida State and to our exciting 20252026 season of plays and musicals! Each year, we present performances that build on our rich past to reflect on the now, stimulate discussion among our community, and significantly enhance our students’ education.
For over 50 years, the School of Theatre has trained students not just for Broadway stages but as theatremakers, leaders, artists, and advocates for theatre across the world. None of this would be possible without our immensely dedicated faculty and staff and the generous and loyal support from members of our community. It is no wonder that with such shared effort the School of Theatre continues to be recognized as one of the top programs in the country.
We hope that you will join us for each and every production as we celebrate the incredibly talented students, faculty, and staff who have worked tirelessly to create what you see on stage. Thank you for supporting the arts and the School of Theatre at Florida State as we could not do it without you!
- Brad Brock & Kris Salata
THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AT FLORIDA STATE
As one of the top-tier theatre training programs in the nation, the School of Theatre at Florida State provides its students with a wide variety of theatrical and educational opportunities. The primary mission of the School of Theatre is to offer students a comprehensive education in theatre and to prepare emerging artists to enter the professional theatre industry. As a result, the School of Theatre provides both student artists and community audience members with a diverse array of productions that explore the spectrum of our shared humanity.
Founded in 1973 under the vision and leadership of then-Dean Richard G. Fallon, the School of Theatre enjoys a national reputation, in large part, because of the excellence of its undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a gifted faculty of nationally recognized professional artists and educators. The London Theatre Studies program, the chance to work side by side with guest artists and eminent scholars, as well as showcase opportunities in New York City are just a few of the many reasons why students are attracted to our various professional and academic degrees from all over the United States, many foreign countries, and every county in Florida.
Alumni of the program include Broadway stars Christiani Pitts, Montego Glover, and Leslie Flesner, television producer Steven Sears, Emmy Award-winners John Papsidera and John Brace, Broadway producers Heather Provost and Darren Bagert, Playwright and Professor Suzan Zeder, and a host of talented entertainment industry professionals. Through their creative work, research, publication, and service, School of Theatre alumni contribute to the commercial, educational, and cultural life of the citizens of Florida and the nation.
The School of Theatre at Florida State is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association, Inc. and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AT FLORIDA STATE PRESENTS
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler
From an Adaptation by Christopher Bond
Originally Directed On Broadway by Harold Prince
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos
Director
Chari Arespacochaga
Choreographer
Kari Twyman
Scenic Designer
Krista Franco
Sound Designer
Zach Cramer
Fight Director
Jason Armit
Music Director
Michael Norris
Technical Directors
Hunter Norris & Laura Copenhaver
Intimacy Director
Nick Maccarone
Calling Stage Manager
Danielle Prince
October 17 - October 26, 2025
The Richard G. Fallon Theatre
Costume Designer
Jen Gillette
Lighting Designer
Josh Hemmo
Dialect Coach
Dayle Towarnicky
Dramaturg
Aaron C. Thomas
SWEENEY TODD
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com
ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
THE CAST
(Order as listed in the script)
Sweeney Todd .........................................................
Christian J. Collins
Anthony Hope ................................................................ Noah Sprague
Beggar Woman ............................................................ Adia Sofía Cotto
Mrs. Lovett .................................................................. Kyra Paternoster
Judge Turpin ..................................................................... Elliott Kehoe
The Beadle ........................................................................... Nick Nasta
Johanna ........................................................................ Leah Holewyne
Tobias Ragg ........................................................................ Landen Kol
Pirelli ..................................................................................... Bo Bailey
Jonas Fogg....................................................Logan Hagedorn-Espinola
Ensemble ........................................
Ally Babincak, Elyana Barroqueiro, Frances Cruz Calo, Grantham Durham, Alana Hogan, Lucas Kirmsse, Clement Lee-Sursin, Alex Minarik, Rhylee Mirus, Brennan Moritz, Logan Hagedorn-Espinola, James Hart Nelson, Sophia Ocfemia, Ellie Papataros, Shaiden J. Tamim, Tin Tran, McKenna Wallace, Olivia Windley
THE UNDERSTUDIES AND SWINGS*
*Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of performance.
Sweeney Todd ..................................................................... Nick Nasta
Anthony Hope ................................................................. Alex Minarik
Beggar Woman ........................................................ Frances Cruz Calo
Mrs. Lovett .............................................................. McKenna Wallace
Judge Turpin .......................................................... Clement Lee-Sursin
The Beadle ...............................................................................Tin Tran
Johanna ........................................................................... Alana Hogan
Tobias Ragg .............................................................. Shaiden J. Tamim
Pirelli ........................................................................... Brennan Moritz
Female Swing ...................................................................... Lily Eyman
Male Swing ............................................................................ Cole Hall
SETTING
London: Fleet Street and environs, 19th Century
THE ORCHESTRA
Keyboard 1 .............................................................................................
Connor McKenna
Keyboard 2 ..................................................................................................... Daniel Farias
Drums ......................................................................................................... John Carpenter
Violin 1 .......................................................................................................... Emelia Ulrich
Violin 2 .......................................................................................................... Ajay Balkaran
Viola ......................................................................................................... Spencer Scheider
Cello ......................................................................................................... Abbey Fernandez
Bass ................................................................................................................ Pete Knowlton
Reed 1 (Flute / Piccolo / Recorder) ................................................................. Aidan May
Reed 2 (B flat Clarinet / E flat Clarinet / Bass Clarinet / Flute)........... Richard Wilson
Reed 3 (Oboe / English Horn) ............................................................... Patricia Crispino
Reed 4 (Bassoon) ....................................................................................... Benjamin Kiely
Trumpet 1 .................................................................................................... Noah Solomon
Trumpet 2 ..................................................................................................... Brian Ratledge
Horn ................................................................................................................ David Pinero
Trombone 1 .................................................................................................. Connor Casey
Trombone 2 ................................................................................................ Mateo Buitrago
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Act I
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd ........................................................................... Company
No Place Like London ..................... Anthony Hope, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman
The Barber and His Wife .......................................................................... Sweeney Todd
The Worst Pies in London ............................................................................Mrs. Lovett
Poor Thing ..................................................................................................... Mrs. Lovett
My Friends ............................................................................ Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett
Green Finch and Linnet Bird ............................................................................ Johanna
Ah, Miss ........................................................................ Anthony Hope, Beggar Woman
Johanna ..................................................................................................... Anthony Hope
Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir ................. Tobias Ragg, Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett, Company
The Contest .............................................................................................................. Pirelli
Wait ................................................................................................................. Mrs. Lovett
Kiss Me Part 1 .......................................................................... Johanna, Anthony Hope
Ladies in Their Sensitivities .......................................................................... The Beadle
Kiss Me Part 2 ............................ Johanna, Anthony Hope, The Beadle, Judge Turpin
Pretty Women ................................................................... Sweeney Todd, Judge Turpin
Epiphany ..................................................................................................... Sweeney Todd
A Little Priest ........................................................................ Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett
- There will be one fifteen-minute intermission -
Act II
God, That’s Good! .................................... Tobias Ragg, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman, Customers
Johanna ............................... Anthony Hope, Sweeney Todd, Johanna, Beggar Woman
By the Sea .............................................................................. Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett
Not While I’m Around ............................................................ Tobias Ragg, Mrs. Lovett
Parlor Songs .............................................................................. The Beadle, Mrs. Lovett
City on Fire! ............................................................. Lunatics, Johanna, Anthony Hope
Final Sequence .................................. Anthony Hope, Beggar Woman, Sweeney Todd, Judge Turpin, Mrs. Lovett, Johanna, Tobias Ragg
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd ............................................................................. Company
CAST HEADSHOTS
Bo Bailey
Ally Babincak
Elyana Barroqueiro Frances Cruz Calo
Adia Sofí a Cotto Grantham Durham Lily Eyman
Alana Hogan Leah Holewyne
Christian J. Collins
Logan Hagedorn-Espinola
Elliott Kehoe Landen Kol Clement Lee-Sursin Lucas Kirmsse
Cole Hall
CAST HEADSHOTS
James Hart Nelson
Sophia Ocfemia
Ellie Papataros Kyra Paternoster
Noah Sprague
Alex Minarik
Brennan Moritz
Nick Nasta Rhylee Mirus
Shaiden J. Tamim
Tin Tran McKenna Wallace
Olivia Windley
WHO’S WHO
Ally Babincak, she/her (Ensemble) is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Boca Raton, FL. Previous credits include Mean Girls (Karen Smith), SIX (Katherine Howard), Chicago (Lipschitz, Roxie u/s), and Catch Me If You Can (Featured Dancer, Ensemble). She would like to thank her amazing family, her vocal coach Paul Tine, and the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for the endless love and support. Enjoy the show!
Bo Bailey, he/him (Pirelli) is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Lakeland, FL. Previous professional credits include The Little Mermaid (Scuttle u/s), Escape to Margaritaville (Ensemble), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Apostle/Ensemble) at Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. Previous FSU credits include Once Upon a Mattress (Sir Harry), Show Me Eternity (Austin), and more. Special thanks to Chari, Alisa, Andre, Lauren, and his family for their support. @bobaileyyy
Elyana Barroqueiro, she/her (Ensemble) is a freshman BFA Music Theatre major from New Jersey. She is ecstatic to make her debut on the FSU stage! Previous high school credits include 42nd Street (Anytime Annie) and Urinetown (Little Becky Two-shoes). She would like to thank the cast and the wonderful faculty as well as her family back home for always supporting her.
Frances Cruz Calo, she/her (Ensemble, u/s Beggar Woman) is a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in BA Theatre and BS Psychology. This is her first FSU School of Theatre show! Her previous credits include High School Musical (Gabriela), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Babette), and Seussical (Jojo). She would like to thank her mom and dad for always believing in her.
Christian J. Collins, he/him (Sweeney Todd) is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from New Orleans, LA. Previous credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Dolokhov),
Something Rotten! (Robin), 9 to 5: The Musical (Bob Enright, Ensemble); A Chorus Line (Mike) at Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University; A Year with Frog and Toad at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Many thanks to Chari for this experience. Live Like Keith. Go NOLES! @christianjcollins_
Adia Sofía Cotto, she/her (Beggar Woman) is a senior BM Music Theatre major from Caguas, Puerto Rico. Past credits include: Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! (Bus Driver), Sweet Charity (Swing), Five Seconds Flat (Sadie), and Stigmata (Lucy). She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her. Les amo!
Grantham Durham, he/him (Ensemble) is a freshman Theatre major at Tallahassee State College from Tallahassee, FL. Previous credits include Reefer Madness (Jimmy), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), The Music Man (Harold Hill), and Little Women (Laurie). He would like to thank the production team, his family, and all of his incredible friends for their love and support.
Lily Eyman, she/her (Female Swing) is a junior BA Theatre major from Gainesville, FL. Previous credits include Alice by Heart (Tabatha, Cheshire Cat), Five Seconds Flat (Eden), and The Secrets We Keep (Astreta). She would like to thank her family, friends, professors, and the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for all of their support and encouragement.
Logan Hagedorn-Espinola, he/him (Jonas Fogg, Ensemble) is a sophomore BA Theatre and Hospitality double major from Lake Mary, FL. He is thrilled to be making his FSU debut in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ! Some previous credits include Alice By Heart (Alfred,White Rabbit, March Hare), Bonnie and Clyde (Clyde Barrow), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), and The Phantom of the Opera (Monsieur André). He hopes the audience enjoys the show!
WHO’S WHO
Cole Hall, he/him (Male Swing) is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Atlanta, GA. This will be his third performance at FSU with his previous roles including Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience! (Wilbur J. Mole Rat Jr.) and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Ensemble). He is very excited to take on the male swing role! He would like to thank his parents and sister for all their support and love; he couldn’t do it without them! He also would like to thank all his friends for their continuous support! He hopes you enjoy the show and he can’t wait for you to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street !
Alana Hogan, she/her (Ensemble, u/s Johanna) is a sophomore BM Music Theatre major from Palm Harbor, FL. Previous credits include Once Upon a Mattress (Princess No. 12, Ensemble) and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Ensemble). She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support, as well as this amazing cast and crew!
Leah Holewyne, she/her (Johanna) is a senior BFA Music Theatre major from Houston, TX. Previous credits include A Chorus Line (Diana) at Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Mary), and 9 to 5: The Musical (Maria). She would like to thank her roommates, friends, family, and the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for their endless love and support. @leahholewyne
Elliott Kehoe, he/him (Judge Turpin) is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from San Antonio, TX. Previous credits include Amelia & Me (Floyd Odlum), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Opera Dancer, Ensemble), 9 to 5: The Musical (Ensemble), and Once Upon a Mattress (Knight #3). He would like to congratulate the rest of the cast on a great show and thank everyone who has supported him on his journey!
Lucas Kirmsse, he/him (Ensemble) is a sophomore Music Theatre major from Moorestown, NJ. Previous credits include Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience! (Grand-Pah), Mamma Mia! (Sam Carmichael), Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Prince Christopher), and Honk! (Drake). He would like to thank his family, friends, and fellow cast and crew for their undying support!
Landen Kol, he/him (Tobias Ragg) is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from St. Augustine, FL. Previous credits at Florida State include Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble) and Preview@FSU New Works: Amelia & Me (Ensemble). He would like to thank his family for their endless support and the entire creative team for all that they do, and a special thanks to director Chari Arespacochaga for this opportunity.
Clement Lee-Sursin, he/him (Ensemble, u/s Judge Turpin) is a sophomore BM Voice Performance major from Tallahassee, FL. Previous credits include Cabaret (Cliff), The Rake’s Progress (Chorus), The Music Man (Olin Britt), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon), and Parade (Officer Ivey). He would like to thank his voice teacher, Dr. Rieger, for getting him into performance, and the caffeine for keeping him awake.
Alex Minarik, he/him (Ensemble, u/s Anthony Hope) is a sophomore BFA Music Theatre major from Naples, FL. Previous FSU credits include Once Upon a Mattress (1st Knight, Harold, Ensemble) and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (The Herald, Quartet, Ensemble). He would like to thank the full creative team and his wonderful classmates who he gets the honor of sharing the stage with. Enjoy the show!
WHO’S WHO
Rhylee Mirus, she/her (Ensemble) is a freshman BFA Music Theatre major from Lawrenceville, GA. Previous credits include Hadestown (Eurydice), Footloose (Dance Captain/Ensemble), Kiss Me Kate (Dance Captain/Ensemble), and The SpongeBob Musical (Pearl). She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.
Brennan Moritz, he/him (Ensemble, u/s Pirelli) is a sophomore BA Theatre and Professional Sales double major originally from Los Angeles, CA now living in Jacksonville, FL. Brennan has always had a passion for musical theatre and is so excited to be making his debut with the School of Theatre. Previous credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in concert with Tony award winner Cady Huffman (Hero), Desperate Measures (Johnny Blood), and The Addams Family (Gomez Addams). Brennan would like to thank his friends, family, and especially his parents, Andrew and Juliana, for their endless support.
Nick Nasta, he/him (The Beadle, u/s Sweeney Todd) is a senior BM Music Theatre major who was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Previous credits include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Wagon Wheel; A Year with Frog and Toad at the Asolo Rep; 9 to 5: The Musical , Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 , and Sweet Charity at Florida State University. He would like to thank his family and friends for their overwhelming support. Insta: @nicknastaaa
James Hart Nelson, he/him (Ensemble) is a freshman BM Music Theatre major from Nashville, TN. Previous credits include Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), Hadestown (Hades), and Into The Woods (Baker). James was also a semifinalist for the National High School Musical Theater Awards aka the Jimmy awards. James would like to thank his parents, family, and friends for their support.
Sophia Ocfemia, she/her (Ensemble) is a freshman BM Music Theatre major from Atlanta, GA. Previous credits at the Encore Gala include A Chorus Line (Ensemble), 9 to 5: The Musical Jr. (Margaret), and Freaky Friday (Ellie). She would like to give a special thanks to her mother, father, and sister for their constant love and support, and the entire cast and crew of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for this incredible experience.
Ellie Papataros, she/her (Ensemble) is a sophomore BA Theatre and BS Psychology double major from St. Petersburg, FL. Previous credits include The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Frau Blucher). She would like to give a special thanks to our fantastic director Chari Arespacochaga, our wonderful and talented cast and crew, and her mom and dad always.
Kyra Paternoster, she/her (Mrs. Lovett) is a senior BM Music Theatre student from Westfield, NJ. Previous FSU credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Natasha) and The Wolves (#25). She would like to thank her family back home for their love and support, and the FSU School of Theatre faculty, cast, and crew for their help in making her a better artist.
Noah Sprague, he/him (Anthony Hope) is a senior BM Music Theatre major from The Woodlands, TX. Previous credits include The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Victor Von Frankenstein), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble), and Footloose (Ren McCormack). He’d like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support. @noahsprague
Shaiden J. Tamim, he/him (Ensemble, u/s Tobias Ragg) is a sophomore BA Theatre and BS Biology double major from Boca Raton, FL. Recent credits include Amelia and Me (Ensemble) and The Mad Ones (Adam). He is grateful to the cast, crew, his family, and his
WHO’S WHO
friends for their support. Special thanks to Chari and Melissa for pushing him to make the strongest choices during this rehearsal process, and to Megan Taylor for reminding him he’s not famous (yet). Insta: @shaidentamim
Tin Tran, he/him (Ensemble, u/s The Beadle) is a junior BA Theatre and Creative Writing double major from Orlando, FL. Previous credits include Songs for a New World (Swing/ Ensemble), Alice by Heart (u/s Mad Hatter), and Once Upon a Mattress (Wizard). He would like to thank his parents, the cast, and crew for all their continued love and support.
McKenna Wallace, she/her (Ensemble, u/s Mrs. Lovett) is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Atlanta, GA. Previous FSU credits include Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble) and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble). She would like to thank her family, friends, and the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for their love and support.
Olivia Windley (Dance Captain, Ensemble, Lucy Memory) is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from Atlanta, GA. Previous FSU credits include The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Inga), Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Assistant Choreographer), and 9 to 5: The Musical (Ensemble). Regional credits include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Swing, Ensemble), CATS (Sillabub), and A Chorus Line (Judy Turner) at City Springs Theatre Company. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support!
Chari Arespacochaga (Director) is a director for theatre, film, special events and concerts, and Associate Professor at Florida State University where she heads the MFA Directing Program. She most recently directed a sold out run of Into the Woods starring Lea Salonga for Theatre Group Asia. One of Roundabout
Theatre Company’s Directors Group, her credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 , Kinky Boots, Rent, In The Heights, The Motherf**ker With The Hat, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among others. Chari has led the world premiere readings of Shame Bomb (29 Hour Ventures and New York Rep), Fumiko Enchi’s Restless Night in Late Spring, and A Hell of Her Own (Abingdon Theatre Company). She worked with Susan Stroman on Dot (Vineyard Theatre), and with Jeff Whiting on Single Wide (NYMF). She is next directing Primary Trust for the Asolo Repertory Theatre. chariarespacochaga.com
Jason Armit (Fight Director) is a Fight Director/Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and holds a BFA in Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Previous credits at FSU School of Theatre include The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein ; and The Sins of Sor Juana . Professional Theatre credits include Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA), Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Montgomery, AL), Utah Shakespeare Festival (Cedar City, UT), among others. Other university credits include University of Georgia (Athens, GA), University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC), Auburn University (Auburn, AL), among others.
Riley Bauer, she/her (Deck Stage Manager) is a junior BA Theatre major on a Stage Management/Design and Production focus track from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Previous FSU credits include The Mel Brooks Musical Young
Information in "Who's Who" is provided by members of this production.
Opinions expressed are those of the players, and not necessarily those of the School of Theatre or Florida State University.
WHO’S WHO
Frankenstein (Wig Artisan), Once Upon a Mattress (Deck Stage Manager), and Everybody (Deck and Props Crew). She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous love and support.
Anna Collins (Deck Stage Manager, Assistant Fight Director) is a junior BA Theatre major on a Stage Management/ Design and Production focus track from Fort Myers, FL. Previous FSU credits include Amelia & Me (Deck Stage Manager), The Wolves (Deck Stage Manager), and Scenic Artist Intern/Electrics Crew for a variety of productions. She would like to thank Casey Sammarco for helping her become confident in who she is today.
Zach Cramer (Sound & Projections Manager) is the Sound Designer for the School of Theatre at FSU. Over the past twenty-five years, he has designed over 100 productions including The Who’s Tommy, Peter Pan, Ragtime, Seussical the Musical, Nine (winner 2008 FTC, 2009 SETC and advanced to national AACT), The Titanic, The Producers, Spamalot, Hedda Gabler, The Addams Family, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, In The Heights, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein.
Krista Franco, she/her (Scenic Designer) is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Theatre Arts at Stetson University. She serves as the program’s production manager and resident scenic designer. On stage at the School of Theatre at Florida State University, Franco has served as the scenic designer for The Wolves , The Sins of Sor Juana , The Ruby Sunrise , Men on Boats , A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, and Cloud 9 . In addition to her creative pursuits, she is a professional member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).
Jen Gillette, she/her (Costume Designer) designs costumes nationally for musical theater, theater, and opera; notable design credits include The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein (Florida State University), Bud Not Buddy and Digging Up Dessa (Kennedy Center), The Cunning Little Vixen (Manhattan School of Music), Porgy and Bess (Hattiloo Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Ohio Light Opera), Our Black Death and Don Juan (Taffety Punk), Menagerie (Washington Ballet), Crimes of the Heart (Triad Stage), Cymbeline (New Orleans Shakespeare Festival), Olney National Players Tours 71 and 72. Additionally, she has worked in various costume positions with nationally renowned companies including The Glimmerglass Festival, Atlanta Opera, and Synetic Theatre. Jen is the author of Digital Painting and Rendering for Theatrical Design and a proud member of USA 829. Jen holds an MFA in costume design from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. IG @ jengillettedesign
Mattea Hayes, she/her (Production Assistant) is a sophomore BA Theatre and Digital Media Production double major from Orlando, FL. She is excited to join the team on her first production at FSU. Previous credits include Mean Girls (Ms. Norbury), The Addams Family (Calling Stage Manager), Seussical (Calling Stage Manager), Romeo & Juliette (Mrs. Montague, Costume Designer) and Almost Maine (Sandrine) with IMHS Theatre and Legally Blonde (Enid) with Young Star Musical Theatre. She would like to thank her family and her fellow stage managers for their support.
Josh Hemmo, he/him (Lighting Designer) is excited to be coming back for his 6th show with FSU. Previous FSU credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Cinderella, We Are Proud to Present ..., The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, and A New Brain . Josh is a NYC based lighting designer. Notable credits include Revelations: The
WHO’S WHO
Musical (off-broadway), Harry Potter: The Exhibition , and resident designer for Aspen Music Festival. jhemmolighting.com
Nick Maccarone, he/him (Intimacy Director) is an actor, writer, filmmaker, instructor, and the Co-Director of the BFA Acting Program in the School of Theatre. His acting credits include Scandal , Law & Order: SVU , Unforgettable , Eye Candy , Elementary , Girls Against Boys , and Americana . Nick has performed at the Guthrie Theatre, Ally Theatre, and La Mama. He was also a contributing writer for Backstage Magazine and a casting reader for Broadway. He has delivered two TEDx Talks, including one titled, “6 Ways Actors and Artists Can Empower Themselves”. Nick also recently completed his feature film, Sonny Boy , which is currently being submitted to film festivals worldwide. He is currently pursuing a masters degree in the School of International Affairs at FSU.
Michael Norris, he/him (Music Director) is delighted to return to FSU’s School of Theatre for this production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , having previously music directed Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Once Upon a Mattress, and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein. Mike earned the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees in piano, organ, and choral conducting. Recently retired from a multi-faceted career that included music education, church music, and higher education civic engagement, Mike loves music directing for the theatre, and works part-time on the music staff of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Mike is thrilled to join Chari, and the creative and stage management teams on this production; and gives special thanks to Connor McKenna for his exceptional help. Thanks to FSU for the opportunity to work with the most talented and fun group of students and theatre professionals anywhere. Favorite musical direction credits include A Chorus Line, Anything Goes,
Rent, Chicago, Urinetown, Catch Me if You Can, The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, Pippin, Spring Awakening, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 .
Hunter Norris (Technical Director) is a second-year MFA Technical Production student from Tulsa, OK. Previous FSU credits include Once Upon a Mattress and The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein . Professionally, he has contributed to Hello, Dolly!, The Odd Couple, The Wedding Singer, Murder for Two, and The Little Mermaid. Outside of the theatre, Hunter likes to spend his time in the gym training for the Strongman competition. He would like to thank God for guiding him on his career path, as well as his family and girlfriend for their continued love and support.
Danielle Prince, she/her (Calling Stage Manager) is a Florida State School of Theatre graduate from San Diego, CA. Her previous credits include The Wolves (Deck Stage Manager), Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! (Spot Operator), and The Secrets We Keep (Calling Stage Manager). She would like to thank her friends, family, and fiancé for their endless love and support. Go Noles!
Aaron C. Thomas (Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor in the School of Theatre. He most recently served as the dramaturg in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 . He is the author of the book Sondheim and Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd , published as part of Routledge’s Fourth Wall series. Other publications include the 2023 book Love Is Love Is Love: Broadway Musicals and LGBTQ Politics , 2010–2020 and The Violate Man: Male/Male Rape in the American Imagination , which will be published in October 2025. Before coming to FSU, he worked as the resident dramaturg and the literary manager of Endstation Theatre Company in Central Virginia.
WHO’S WHO
Dayle Towarnicky, she/her (Dialect Coach) is an Assistant Professor at the School of Theatre, specializing in voice, speech, and accent. She particularly enjoys coaching educational theatre, and has coached 40+ productions in post-secondary spaces. NYC coaching with Page 73, Hudson Stage Company, Theatre for the New City, Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre, and others. Before Coming to FSU, she taught at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, University of Central Florida, and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC.
Daelynn Trotman (Deck Stage Manager) is a junior BA Theatre and Psychology double major at Florida State University. Daelynn is delighted to join the stage management team for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street . Daelynn has recently been a Stage Manager for Twelth Night with Southern Shakespeare’s Bardlings, HadesTown at Lincoln High School, and is pleased to be a part of this show’s amazing stage management team. Additionally, a big thanks to all the friends, family, and the School of Theatre who helped make this happen!
Kari Twyman, she/her (Choreographer) is a Performer, Director and Choreographer. Some Performance credits: Dawn in Waitress (Aurora Theatre), Junie B. Jones in Junie B. Jones, The Musical (Georgia Ensemble), Judy in White Christmas (The Overture Series). Some Choreography credits: Waitress (Aurora Theatre), Hot Jambalaya (Dad’s Garage Theatre), The Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards: The Shuler Awards (20222025), Matilda The Musical, The Addams Family Musical (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Cabaret, Head Over Heels (Actor’s Express Theatre Company). Directing credits: Guys & Dolls , Footloose (TPGASH), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sister Act (Gainesville Theatre Alliance). BFA in Musical Theatre from Brenau University. www.karitwyman.com.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM (Composer and Lyricist) (1930-2021) wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In The Park With George (1984), Into The Woods (1987), Assassins (1991), Passion (1994), Road Show (2008) and HERE WE ARE (2023), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear A Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side By Side By Sondheim (1976), Marry Me A Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), Putting It Together (1993/99), Moving On (2001), Sondheim On Sondheim (2010) and Old Friends (2023) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the scores of “ Stavisky ” (1974), co-composed the score for “Reds” (1981), and wrote songs for “Dick Tracy” (1990). He wrote songs for the television production “Evening Primrose ” (1966), co-authored the film “ The Last of Sheila ” (1973) and the play Getting Away With Murder (1996) and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation To A March (1961), Twigs (1971) and The Enclave (1973). He won the Tony Award for Best Score for Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion , all of which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday In The Park With George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1985). Stephen Sondheim was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Williams College, winning the Hutchinson Prize for Music Composition, after which he studied theory and composition with Milton Babbitt. He served on the Council of the Dramatists Guild, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, and served as its president from 1973 to 1981. In
WHO’S WHO
1983 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1990 was appointed the first Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University. He was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993, the National Medal of Arts in 1996, the MacDowell Medal in 2013 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: “ Finishing the Hat ” (2010) and “ Look , I Made a Hat ” (2011). In 2010 the Broadway theater formerly known as Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed in his honor, and in 2019 he became the first living artist to have a theatre named in his honor on Shaftesbury Avenue when the refurbished Queen’s Theatre in London’s West End was renamed the Sondheim Theatre to commemorate his 90th birthday, by Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
HUGH WHEELER (Author) was a novelist, playwright and screen writer. He wrote more than thirty mystery novels under the pseudonyms Q. Patrick and Patrick Quentin, and four of his novels were transformed into films: Black Widow, Man in the Net, The Green-Eyed Monster, and The Man with Two Wives . For films he wrote the screenplays for Travels with My Aunt, Something for Everyone, A Little Night Music, and Nijinsky . His plays include Big Fish, Little Fish (1961), Look: We’ve Come Through (1961) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966, adapted from the Shirley Jackson novel), he co-authored with Joseph Stein the book for a new production of the 1919 musical Irene (1973), wrote the books for A Little Night Music (1973), a new production of Candide (1973), Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979, based on a version of the play by Christopher Bond), and Meet Me in St. Louis (adapted from the 1949 M-G-M musical), contributed additional material for the musical Pacific Overtures (1976), and wrote a new adaptation of the Kurt Weill Opera Silverlake , which was directed by Harold Prince at the
New York Opera. He received Tony and Drama Desk Awards for A Little Night Music, Candide and Sweeney Todd . Prior to his death in 1987 Mr. Wheeler was working on two new musicals, Bodo and Fu Manchu , and a new adaptation of The Merry Widow .
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Sweeney Todd is an operatic fable told through murder and meat pies and some of the most beautifully compelling music ever written. It is set in Victorian London — a time when industry was the priority, cruelty was systemic, injustice was routine and humanity was reserved only for the powerful while the powerless were left clawing for their survival. This is a time (still) known to us today. Centuries and thousands of miles away from the smog of Fleet Street, its darkness still hovers — in our world and in ourselves.
When one is ravaged by such unfathomable pain, how does one claw their way back to life, or even the tiniest glimmer of light? For Sweeney, revenge became the driving force that ultimately killed him too and unleashed a cycle of violence. For him, the way was annihilation. For some of us theatre folk, the only way back to life is creation. Creating this show has been a beautiful challenge and deep joy for all of us. To our wonderful company of actors, stage management, technicians, crew, ushers, musicians, designers, creatives, producers, faculty mentors, I say thank you. Thank you for your generosity and commitment and artistry that have made this show possible. And we all thank YOU for joining us.
We invite you to remember: this is a fable. The show underscores this in its opening. And as, Aaron C. Thomas highlights in his book on Sweeney Todd, it is a tale that has been told in various ways across generations. And as you ‘attend’ this tale, we exhort you to imagine: how in its next repetition this tale might be told differently. For us, this is the exhortation and the hope that compels this creation.
- Chari Arespacochaga (Director)
DRAMATURG’S NOTE
When Sweeney Todd first appeared in 1979, critics didn’t know what to make of it. Grasping for theatrical parallels, critics compared it to the horror theatre of the Grand Guignol in the late 19th and early 20th century in Paris. Others found the musical intensely Brechtian, referring to the avant-garde theorist of political theatre who was working in Nazi-controlled Germany but fled to the United States in the 1940s. A third frequent comparison for theatre critics were the bloody revenge tragedies of the Jacobean era in London. These plays were gruesome and bleak, and they got more and more gruesome as playwrights aimed for more thrilling murders, more perverse revenge plots, and different ways for characters to go mad. These plays have titles like The Duchess of Malfi, The White Devil, The Revenger’s Tragedy, and The Insatiate Countess. To this list we might add Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth, and—most relevant for Sweeney Todd if you know the plot—Titus Andronicus. All of these rack up an intense catalogue of murders, dismemberments, and perversities (including cannibalism). In Malfi, Ferdinand loses his mind and believes himself to be a werewolf; in Revenger’s the false pimp Piato kills the Duke by dressing up a skull as a sex-worker and poisoning its lipstick. In The Second Maiden’s Tragedy, the Tyrant preserves the corpse of a Lady in honey so that he can marry her against her will!
These revenge tragedies were not only tales of horror. Even in my brief list above, you can see the characters are tyrants and kings, countesses and duchesses: these were also deeply political plays that primarily considered the relationship between regular folks being exploited by those in positions of power. Take the first scene of The Duchess of Malfi, in which Bosola says that “places in the court are but like beds in the hospital, where this man’s head lies at that man’s foot, and so lower and lower.” This image is a rich one that resonates in key ways with Sweeney Todd. Sweeney will tell us that “there are two kinds of men and only two”: “There’s the one staying put / In his proper place / And the one with his foot / In the other one’s face.” Look for comparisons like these throughout Sweeney Todd. London is not a place where justice reigns, but one where those in power exploit everyone else. When Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett exult at the end of act one that “those up above” will for once “serve those down below,” this is a truly perverse (and delightful) reversal of the exploitative relationships already “pervading the air.” If “man devouring man” is the order of the day, Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett figure why not take that to its logical and gruesome extreme?
Sweeney Todd is hardly a playbook (or should I say recipe) for us to follow. But in its gruesomeness and horror it is a chilling and terrible portrait of a world gone mad, of injustice and exploitation and needless murder. When the chorus asks us, “isn’t that Sweeney there beside you,” it’s not trying to scare us by saying a serial killer might be out there in the audience—it’s warning us, instead, that Sweeney Todd might already be inside of us.
- Aaron C. Thomas (Dramaturg)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director Chari Arespacochaga
Associate Director ......................................................................................................... Melissa Tarduno
Choreographer Kari Twyman
Dance Captain ................................................................................................................ Olivia Windley
Music Director ................................................................................................................ Michael Norris
Assistant Music Director Connor McKenna
Rehearsal Pianists ...............................................................................Bianca Lupsha, Connor McKenna
Costume Designer Jen Gillette
Assistant Costume Designer .............................................. Ning Goff, Mar Hendricks, Clover Quintero
Sound Designer Zach Cramer
Assistant Sound Designer ......................................................................................... Ethan Noel-Rickert
Lighting Designer............................................................................................................... Josh Hemmo
Assistant Lighting Designer Lindsay Kramer
Scenic Designer .................................................................................................................. Krista Franco
Technical Directors Laura Copenhaver, Hunter Norris
Assistant Technical Director ............................................................................................. Estevan Rivera
Intimacy Director Nick Maccarone
Fight Director ...................................................................................................................... Jason Armit
Assistant Fight Director ...................................................................................................... Anna Collins
Fight Captain Cole Hall
Dialect Coach ............................................................................................................. Dayle Towarnicky
Calling Stage Manager Danielle Prince
Deck Stage Managers ........................................................ Riley Bauer, Anna Collins, Daelynn Trotman
Production Assistant .......................................................................................................... Mattea Hayes
Stage Management Advisor .......................................................................................... Casey Sammarco
Dramaturg .................................................................................................................. Aaron C. Thomas
Technical Director Advisors Laura Copenhaver, Jim Lile, Joshua Wickham
Production Manager..................................................................................................... Joshua Wickham
Associate Production Manager James Hodges
Assistant Production Managers ............ Alroy Harry, James Hodges, Ethan Noel-Rickert, Estevan Rivera
Safety Coordinator ............................................................................................................... Alroy Harry
Scene Shop Manager ......................................................................................................Colin Campbell
Assistant Scene Shop Manager............................................................................................. Angus Black
Primary Carpenter Alroy Harry
Carpenters ............................................... Angus Black, Piper Dearing, Cortelina Encalada, Cole Harris, Alroy Harry, James Hodges, Rachel McFadden, Hunter Norris, Ethan Noel-Rickert, Estevan Rivera
Paint Shop Manager Teddy Moore
Scenic Charge Artist ........................................................................................................... Teddy Moore
Scenic Artist Cole Harris
Properties Manager ...............................................................................................................Kevin Grab
Assistant Properties Manager ............................................................................................ Hunter Norris
Properties Intern Ashlie Charley
Properties Artisan ................................................................................................................. Cole Harris
Properties Volunteer Ezra Ingram
Scenic Prop Crew ......................................................... Vivian Cleveland, Victoria Garcia, Aspen Grady, James Waltemath Lewicki, Mason Taylor
Costume Technology Advisor ................................................................................................ Jacki Armit
Costume Shop Manager Brianna Gaffey
Wardrobe Supervisors .......................................................................... Nicholas Eichner, Sophia Fermin
Wig and Make-Up Artist ............................................................................... Madison McKenzie Weber
Wig, Makeup, and Costume Crew ........................ Lyla Baughn, Cate Calisch, Isabella Rivera Gandulla, Emmie Grabill, Owen Hibbs, Claudia Irausquin, Tye Jonas, Jocelyn Lowder, Zayda Martin, Rowan McCollum, Mariana Robayo, Makayla Whelchel
PRODUCTION TEAM
Wig and Makeup Shop Crew
Riley Bauer, Sierra Earnhardt, Vanessa Vega, Jadyn Yokie
Wig and Makeup Shop Interns.............................................................. Liana Rubero, Marlena Trudnak
Wig Crew Supervisors Liana Rubero, Marlena Trudnak
Wig Artisans ............................................................Riley Bauer, Sierra Earnhardt, Vanessa Vega, Jadyn Yokie
Drapers ...................................................................................................................... Emily Allen, Jacki Armit
First Hand Tanah Hislop
Stitchers ............................................
Sungwon An, Cypress Bowen, Amberly Calero, Nicholas Eichner, Eva Franceschini, Nicole Himes, Alessandra Mantovani, Sabrina Yager, Katie Zaragoza
Crafts Head ............................................................................................................... Makenzie Vaughan
Crafts Artisan Nicholas Eichner
Production Electrician .................................................................................................... Todd Teagarden
Assistant Production Electrician Naiomy Perez Del Valle
Electricians ........................... Kei Chance, Grace Coplin, Whitney Howard, Lily Johnson, Hailey Killin, Lindsay Kramer, Chase Martin, Kayli O’Brien, Naiomy Perez Del Valle, Josh Simon, Leah Skinner, Anna Tomlinson, Daelynn Trotman, Dylan Valdes
Deck Electrician .................................................................................................................. Logan Soper
Lighting Manager Todd Teagarden
Assistant Lighting Supervisor................................................................................................... Will Perry
Sound Automation Programmer Connor Jorgenson
Light Board Programmers ............................................................................. Ashlie Charley, Josh Simon
Light Board Operator .................................................................................................... Hinoru Hikoshi
Spotlight Operators ........................................................ Chase Martin, Paula Menacho, Shamari Oliver Sound Assistants .................................................................................................... Will Perry, Riley York Mic Captains Ava Davis, Jack Quarterman
Decks/Props Crew ........................................................ Vivian Cleveland, Victoria Garcia, Aspen Grady, Mason Taylor, James Waltemath Lewicki Crew Swing .................................................................................................................. Elisabeth Flowers
House Management Supervisor ............................................................................. Ayobami O. Aribisala
House Manager ............................................................................................................. Rebecca Hawkes
Associate Director of the Fine Arts Ticket Office ................................................... Ayobami O. Aribisala
Patron Services Manager Junaidu Alhassan
Patron Services Coordinators ............................................................... Andrew Philips, Rebecca Hawkes
Patron Service Assistants ..Ray Harper, Maria Rella Usher Crew .............................................. Grace Allen, Jazmyn Barber, Madison Chase, Rayan Guelida, Callie Huffman, Ezra Ingram, Sachate Kaul, Shane Lea, Scooter Liddle, Sadie Pair, Jordan Palma, Emma Pastula, MJ Rojas, Nathan Rothbard, Eliza Watts Fine Arts Ticket Office Staff Sage Aucremann-Moratalla, Ashlie Charley, Lily Eyman, Caitlin Hancock, Kaydence Montenegro, Youssef Mokhtar, Jackie Petichakis, Rachel Wynn Director of Marketing and Community Engagement ................................................... Jennifer Reichert
Associate Director of Marketing..................................................................................Collins E. Cudjoe
Marketing Communications Manager...............................................................................Victoria Tebet
Marketing Communications Coordinator............................................................................ Maria Rella
Marketing Communications Assistant........................................................................... Andrew Phillips
Marketing Interns............................................................................. KellyAnne Correale, Mattea Hayes
Associate Director of Community Engagement............................................................. Emily Lostracco
Community Engagement Coordinator ................................................................................. Ray Harper
Community Engagement Assistant................................................................................ Rebecca Hawkes
Community Engagement Intern Daniel Cuellar
PATRONS ASSOCIATION
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Laura Rogers
President
Lynn McWilliams
Vice President
Carol Weissert
Secretary
Carol Sunny Phillips
Treasurer
Elizabeth Boyle
April Bucher
Katherine Emrich
Roy Forman
Tanya Hollady
Debby Kearney
Howard Kessler
Annelise Leysieffer
KC McWilliams
Marion Merzer
Larry Pintacuda
Nancy-Stepina Robison
Dennis Williams
EMERITUS ADVISORY
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Jalma Baker
Ellen Berler
Rob Conteras
Howard Eisenman
Richard Henry
Mart Hill*
Ted* & Barbara* Judd
Lou Kellenberger*
William Moncrief*
Jay Newman
Brooks & Almena Pettit
Sara Rodrigue
Dawn Sharp*
Nancy Sheridan*
June Strauss*
ANGELS
Ellen Berler and Rob Contreras
Elizabeth Boyle
Sandy Brown, Magnolia Properties
Sandra Dafoe
Richard Dusenbury and Kathi Jaschke
Howard and Susan Eisenman
Jo Ann Fain
Debby Kearney
Annelise Leysieffer
KC and Bob McWilliams
Lynn and Todd McWilliams
Russ and Genie Morcom
Jay Newman
Laura and Sam Rogers
Emily Ruddell
Mark Seidenfeld
Brence A. Sell, M.D.
Michael H. and Judy W.
Sheridan
Michael K. Sheridan
Michael Stephens
David and Jane Watson
Carol and Bill Weissert
Dennis and Barbara Williams
DIRECTOR
Mary Elizabeth Auburn
Michael and Rachel Ciaccio
Katherine Emrich
Susan Fiorito
Jennifer Fitzwater and Geof Mansfield
Roy M. Forman and Vicki
McCrary
Janis and Robert Inzer
Bruce and Lynn Janasiewicz
Howard Kessler and Anne
Van Meter
John and Linda Kilgore
Patricia Killian
William and Susan Leseman
Randi and Chris New
Almena and Brooks Pettit
Nancy Stepina-Robison
Susan and Gerald Sternstein
BENEFACTOR
Francisco Alarcon and Kathleen Kearney
Susan Barnes and Kenneth Kranz
Steven and Ellen Bellenot
Bob Benton
Robert and Carmella Bugbee
Susan and Mark Canning
Glenn and Mary Cole
Carol Cooper
Dr. Paul Deitchman
Michele D. Diamonti and Michelle MacVicar
Mrs. Sara DuChêne
Barbara and Bryon Ehlmann
Jerry and Bobbi Hill
Dr. T. Lynn Hogan and Robin Fowler
Tanya Hollady
Warren Husband and Samantha Padgett
David and Sandi Jacobsen
Josh and Nicole Jordan
Jonathan Klepper and Jimmy Cole
Barbara and Tony Lombardo
Joanne Mallardi
Laurie and Bill McCort
Meredith and Elsa McKinney
Ms. Fran McLean
Dr. Marion and Martin Merzer
June Milligan
Mary Ann and Duncan Moore
Joel C. Padgett
Dr. and Mrs. Steve Perfect
Carol Sunny Phillips
Larry and Joanne Pintacuda
Rodney and Gabby Reams
Laurie and Jack Richardson
Lynda Roser and Marilyn Yon
Deborah Shepard
PATRONS ASSOCIATION
Patricia L. Smith
Blan Teagle and Lili
Quintiliani
Marjorie Turnbull
Mary Jane Vossler
Barbara and Gary Ware
Mike and Kathi Watters
Richard and Kathy Zorn
FRIEND
Lynn and Blythe Adreon
Jeannie B. and Tommy Barrett
Heather and Sonny Bishop
Bill and Nolia Brandt
Brent and Marti Chumbler
Juan and Jessica Comas
Sharon and Rick Fallon
Lynn Marie Firehammer
Eric Salvatore Giunta
Judy and Harvey Goldman
Dr. Artis Gray
Jaqui Griffith
Sara and Kurt Hamon
Jane Hayes
William Heebank
Terri Hogan
Roxanne Hughes
Mary Irvine
Dan and Nique Johnson
Pete and Terry Knowlton
Charles and Dian LaTour
Donna Legare and Jody
Walthall
Joni and Nick Macri
Ralph and Sue Mancuso
Edna Mann and Drew Evans
John Mayo
Kama and Blair Monroe
Ann and Don Morrow
Randy Murrell
Colleen Muscha
Susan and Michael O’Halloran
Ray and Donna Peterson
Henry and Sharon Pollock
Gloria Priest
Pat Ramsey
Beth and Lance Rodan
Barbara and Garry Roufa
Arlene Sandberg
Diann and Ron Schultz
Harold Singletary
David and Kiki Slaton
Karen Wensing
Barbara Wilson
In honor of Bob and Gloria Shuman
In honor of Thespians everywhere
Patrons Association Members listed as of October 3, 2025. All (*) following a donor’s name indicates the person has passed away.
PATRONS SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT:
Liz Van Dyke is a junior BA Theatre and Hospitality double major from Orlando, FL. Currently studying in London, Liz hopes to perform onstage as her career. Outside of theatre, Liz is involved in FSU’s only all-gender premier acapella group, All-Night Yahtzee, and is proud to have been a member since her first semester at FSU. Additionally, she has loved to work in the Fine Arts Ticket Office where she has met so many of the Patrons of the School of Theatre.
Liz said, “The support of the Patrons means the world to me, especially this semester being in London. Even within the first two weeks, I was fully immersed in the West End shows (Evita was breathtaking), improved my vocal abilities, danced more than I ever had before, and gained a new understanding of myself as a performer. None of this would have been possible without this scholarship. I hope my other two sisters see how blessed I am and are inspired to achieve their goals the same way I can. FSU has always been my home and feeling that love makes me more excited to return to campus and to the incredible school I am lucky to be a part of. I am so incredibly grateful to the Patrons Association for their support in my goals.”
2025-2026 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Angela Musette Russo Memorial Scholarship
Elliott Kehoe*, Londyn Kirol, Alex Minarik*, Olivia Windley*
Robert S. Barber Endowed Fund
Emma Zervas
Berler-Contreras Theatre Scholarship Fund
Linus O’Palick
Brooks and Almena Pettit Presidential Scholarship
Rhylee Mirus*
Davis Gaines Endowed Scholarship in Music Theatre
Bo Bailey*, Christian Collins*, Emma Kate Farlow, Cole Hall*, Leah Holewyne*
Dean Gil Lazier Student Scholarship in the School of Theatre
Lucas Kirmsse*, Zayda Martin
Ginger Earnest London Theatre Scholarship
Megan Cunningham
Richard G. Fallon Presidential Scholarship Fund
Garland Glasheen, Piper Greisl, Daniela Hernandez, Lauren Labrada, Erin Lamb
Frank and Jo Ann Fain Endowed Scholarship
Brooke Culp, Ellie Dobleske, Mba-Lisa Kolley, Gwyneth Parrish, Felipe Vargas Rojas, Darla Santana Aguilar, Angelo Zizza
Fred Chappell London Theatre Scholarship
Caleb Litten, Amelie Steffen
Hazel Sliger Presidential Scholarship
Kiara Artley
Howard Kessler & Anne Van Meter Scholarship
Maxwell Allen, Jason Alvarez, Victor Angel, Kyla Blake, Zira Brown, Tabor Buckland, Isabella Burgos, Savannah Burke
Leon and Jane Schmehl Endowed Theatre Scholarship
Anna Collins*, Mali Dennis, Jordan Kosanke
Mart and Louis Hill Presidential Scholarship
Caitlin Ostrowski
Michael Martin International Theatre Scholarship
John Ray Jr, Lila Knowlton, Aishat Lawal, Mikayla Martinez-Hobbs, Parker Matherne, Ira Woodfaulk, Robert Messingsch lager
Pat Simmons Memorial Scholarship Lily Johnson*
Robert S. Barber Endowed Scholarship
KellyAnne Correale*, William Perry IV
Steven L. Sears Scholarship in Theatre
Ashlie Charley*, Gabriela Cobos, Amelia Cooper, Gordon Cunningham, Julieta Flores, Adam Fuller, Mikaela Georgi, Tanner Griffin
Theatre Patrons Association Scholarship
Sardinia Callista, Casey MacLeod, David Marsh, Jack Mullin, Liam Neal, Ellie Papataros*, Christopher Rosario, Tin Tran*, Gabrielle Valdes, Kylee Worth
Theatre Patrons London Endowment
Elizabeth Van Dyke, Veronica Else, Grace Kicak, Taylor Moore, Grant Newcombe, Kayla Pawlik, Hannah Ripley, Jensen Seidl, Ryan Toussaint
Theodore and Barbara Judd Endowed Scholarship in Theatre
Margaret Giles, Owen Hibbs*, Zachary Martin, Shamari Oliver*
All (*) following students’ names indicate they are a part of this production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
CELEBRATING LIFETIME GIVING
Robert* and Cindy Barber
Fred Chappell
Robert J. Contreras and Ellen S. Berler
Ralph L. Cook*
Sandra J. and James L. Dafoe
John Degen*
Howard and Susan Eisenman
Jo Ann and Frank* Fain
Frank M. Flynn*
Davis Gaines
Steven and Blanche Gordon
Richard and Kathy Henry
Richard and Betty Higginbotham*
Mart P. Hill*
Donald Hinkle
Janet Bruce Hinkle
Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation
Tedd and Barbara A.
Judd*
Howard Kessler and Anne Van Meter
Michael T. Martin*
Russ and Genie Morcom
James W. Newman
George and Charlotte Palmer*
Brooks and Almena Pettit
Burton L. Reynolds*
Jim and Betty Ann Rodgers
Angela Musette Russo Foundation
Leon Schmehl*
Steven L. Sears
General Mike Sheridan
Frederick E. and June Turner
Dennis and Barbara Williams
Carol A. Woodward
Donors listed have given $25,000 or more in cumulative lifetime giving to the School of Theatre.
All (*) following a donor’s name indicates the person is deceased but not forgotten.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Welcome to the School of Theatre at Florida State University. Whether you are returning or visiting for the first time, we want you to feel comfortable and be familiar with our facilities and services. As a courtesy to the actors on stage and members of the audience, we expect that you…
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Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, consider wearing a mask or staying safely home until you recover.
Silence cellular phones and other noise-making devices during the show.
Do not record audio or video for any purpose during the show.
OUR OFFERINGS & POLICIES
For persons in need of hearing reinforcement, infrared headsets are offered free of charge in the Fallon Theatre. Headsets should be reserved through the Fine Arts Ticket Office. There is no charge for this service; however, a driver’s license, major credit card, or other comparable collateral is required in exchange for the duration of use.
Guests who use wheelchairs and similar assistive devices will find accessible parking available in the parking garages adjacent to the Fallon, Lab, and Studio Theatres. Wheelchair seating is available at all of our theatres and should be requested when ordering tickets. Patrons should seek the House Staff for assistance upon arrival.
Everyone must have a ticket for the event including infants and children in laps. If your child is causing a disturbance, please exit to the lobby. Please consult the School of Theatre website's production advisories to determine the appropriateness of a show for the young persons in your party.
Restrooms are conveniently located in the lobby area.
Smoking is not permitted on the Florida State University campus.
There are a variety of ticket packages and discounts available. Theatre parties with friends and business associates may be organized at substantial discounts for groups of ten or more. For group sales information, contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office Manager at 850-644-6500.
Hours of operation for the Fine Arts Ticket Office are Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Ticket Office will open 60 minutes prior to each performance.
Late arrivals will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to performance time to guarantee seating. Guests arriving 15-20 minutes after the start of the performance will not be seated until intermission.
Lost and Found articles should be turned in to the House Staff and may be claimed at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, located in the Fine Arts Building.
Printed playbills are a benefit of joining the Patrons Association. For more information, visit theatre.fsu.edu/participate/patrons-association/
