The Lesson - Playbill

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FSU School of Theatre presents…

Translated by Tina Howe

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Synopsis The Lesson, by Eugène Ionesco, is an absurdist tragicomedy that addresses the dangers inherent in indoctrination.

The plot concerns a professor who uses words to establish tyrannical dominance over an eager student.

Content Advisory Please be aware that this absurdist sinister comedy contains sensitive material including sexual innuendos, verbal abuse, acts of stage violence such as wrist grabbing, twisting and slapping, and acts of agression involving a dagger.

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CAST

Brian Warner (Professor) Brian Warner (He/Him) is a Senior BA Theater major from Orlando, FL. Previous credits include As You Like It (Duke Senior), It Oft Falls Out (The Duke), Marie Antoinette (Mr Sauce and Joseph Understudy), The Music Man (Marcelous), and The Adams Family ( Uncle Fester). Brian is grateful for the opportunity to share the art form he loves and would like to thank God, his family and his friends for their continuous love and support.

Rachel Laufer (Student) Rachel Laufer is a senior BA Theatre major from New Orleans, Louisiana. She studied abroad last fall with FSU's Theatre Academy of London program and is excited to be making her Lab Theatre debut! Previous theatre credits include Ophelia in FSU's Shakespeare Shortcuts: Hamlet and Louisa in the Whitemouse Production of Sitting Still. She'd like to thank the entire The Lesson team for being such a joy to work with in the rehearsal room as the absurd was brought to life.

She'd also like to thank her mom, dad, and Sam for always supporting her. Shoutout to Boo and Lola too!

Elena Brace (Maid) Elena Brace (The Maid) is a junior BFA Acting major from Indian Harbour Beach, FL. She is thrilled to be a part of such a unique and challenging piece of theatre. Some of her previous credits include As You Like It (Phebe) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania/Helena), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Germaine) and Phillip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread (Woman 1). Elena would like to thank her cast, crew, and director for their creative energy and unwavering support.

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Jake is very excited to venture into his first production at FSU! You may have seen him recently as Miles in She Kills Monsters or Baker in Into The Woods in the Tampa area! He would like to thank his mom, dad, sister, and all the rest of his friends and family for support, and he would like to dedicate this performance to his late grandmother.

Grace Guy (Student Understudy) Gracie Guy is a senior Theatre major from Jacksonville, Florida. She is thrilled to be back on stage in another FSU production! Previous credits include Sitting Still (Jessie), the 365 Women a Year Festival (Eliza), Letters to the Editors (Suzanne), and You Can’t Take It With You (Penny). Gracie would like to thank her friends, family, and the cast and crew of The Lesson for their love and support!

Madison Beehner (Maid Understudy)

Madison Beehner is a sophomore BA Theatre Major at Florida State University from Long Island, NY, and this is her first MFA show! Favorite credits include: She Kills Monsters (Lillith), A Chorus Line (Maggie), and Mia White in the regional premiere of Pierglass Park, which she co-wrote in 2021 with her best friend. Madison wants to thank her family, friends, and teachers for everything they have done for her, and also the cast and team of The Lesson for being so awesome and supportive!

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Creative Team and Crew Rouba Palmer (Director) Rouba Palmer is a Lebanese-born Australian who moved to Florida five years ago. She is currently in her final year of the MFA in Directing program. Rouba has written, directed, performed and produced theatre since 2007. During her time at FSU, she has taught Creative Improv and Commedia dell-Arte and will be teaching Directing 1 next semester.

Some of her directorial achievements at FSU include The Human Circus, a social issues piece about human trafficking, AMEND for the Shakespeare Shorts and next semester she will be directing The Secret in the Wings by Mary Zimmerman. Rouba is also the 2021 recipient of the SETC Leighton M. Ballew Directing Scholarship. She is very excited to be working on The Lesson with such an enthusiastic group of actors and stage managers and thanks them for all their hard work and commitment in bringing this absurdist piece to life.

Onwards and upwards!

Maryann Byram (Stage Manager) Maryann is a senior at FSU studying English and Theatre. Previous stage management credits under her belt are MFA directing project FREE BRITNEY as the lead SM and Men on Boats as a production assistant. This is her second show as a stage manager and she is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing and creative individuals. The process of bringing this absurd comedy to life has been extremely enlightening and enjoyable. This project will stick with her as a favorite memory at FSU for years to come.

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Fatima Beneby (Assistant Stage Manager) Beneby is an aspiring stage manager and theater actress who is currently enrolled as a junior at FSU. Between balancing her studies and writing sketches as part of the Friday Night Live comedy troupe on campus, she’s devoted herself to helping execute Rouba Palmer’s vision. In the past she’s ventured in her own one-woman performance art piece Ask A Mythical Creature! Although Beneby is still learning to traverse stage management, she is more than grateful for her compassionate creative team members!

Nia Alexander (Sound Board Operator)

Nia Alexander is a senior in the BFA Acting program. Previous credits include Marie Antionette (Sheep U/S), Marísol (Angel), and numerous Torchlight Productions at Florida State such as “Daze,” “Pretty Ugly,” “Quick Stop,” “Hits N Clips,” “I am My Sister’s Keeper,” “Dreamcity,” and more. This is her first time working on the technical theater team. She is thankful for this learning experience.

Special Thanks To… Jessica West, Directing Supervisor Casey Sammarco, Stage Management Supervisor Jason Armit, Fight Choreographer Joshua Wickham, Production Manager Zach Cramer, Sound Supervisor Todd Teagarden, Lighting Supervisor Kevin Grab, Properties Supervisor Jack Rizzo, Archive Photographer Sarah Goodson, Marketing Supervisor John Stark, House Manager