Our Town Program - DIGITAL

ACT 1 Daily Life 10 minute intermission (Just kidding...smoking is prohibited on the Dominican Campus.)

ACT 2 Love and Marriage 10 minute intermission

ACT 3 Death and Eternity

CAST (in order of appearance) Stage Manager – Blake Birmingham Dr. Gibbs – Kemper Evans Joe Crowell – Eleanor Lampley Howie Newsome – Grace Bauer Mrs. Gibbs – Emma Wanucha Mrs. Webb – Anna Kate Talbot George Gibbs – Caleb Hendrick Rebecca Gibbs – Brooklyn Pike Wally Webb – Colette Barkley Emily Webb – Miller Logan Professor Willard – Alistair White

Mr. Webb – Noah Wieck Woman in the Balcony – Maria Placencia Man in the Auditorium – Taylor Harrison Lady in the Box – Grace Nelley Simon Stimson – Olivia Slocum Mrs. Soames – Claire Claverie Constable Warren – Maria Placencia Si Crowell – Cimbri Cotton Baseball Players – Grace Bauer, Cimbri Cotton, Eleanor Lampley Sam Craig – Grace Nelley Joe Stoddard – Taylor Harrison Farmer McCarty – Cimbri Cotton Man Among the Dead – Alistair White Woman Among the Dead – Sam Coplan, Ivy Treybig The Dead – Emma Ambarian, Mary Cecilia Meier

Understudies Performing on March 29 at 2:00 PM Mrs. Gibbs – Ivy Treybig Mrs. Webb – Emma Ambarian Emily – Sam Coplan Performing on March 29 at 7:00 PM Stage Manager – Mary Cecilia Meier

PRODUCTION TEAM AND CREW Director - Diane Meier Assistant Director – Izzy Kunde Production Managers – Izzy Kunde and Katie Zakkak Student Stage Manager – Mary Geist Rehearsal Assistants and Stage Hands – Mac Miller, Leo Millican, Ella Rollins, Mollie Kate Zimmerman Set Designers – Micah Smith, Izzy Kunde, Diane Meier Costume Designers – Porter Congdon, Charlotte Longmuir Lighting Designer and Operator – Saba Michael Lighting Assistants/Spotlight Operator – Taylor Ann Millican Sound Designer and Engineer – Sophia Roberts Hair and Makeup Design – Porter Congdon, Annabella Sergio, and Anna Kate Talbot Headshots – Amie Pike Publicity and Program Design – Maria Marchetti, Amelia Strobel, and Michael Ann Zinser Usherettes – SCA Theatre Guild

Thank you to all the amazing students and parent volunteers for helping to create our beautiful costumes, props, and sets.

MEET THE CAST Blake Birmingham (Stage Manager) a senior at St. Cecilia Academy, has been a dedicated member of the Theatre Guild for four years and is honored to serve as president. Theater has been her passion, and the stage has felt like home f rom the start. She has loved bringing characters to life at SCA, including Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Mrs. Hannigan in Annie, and Mrs. Who in A Wrinkle in Time. She has also performed with Act Too Players in Mean Girls, Into the Woods, and Urinetown. This year, she is excited to direct the 24-Hour Musical on May 3rd. Blake is incredibly grateful for the f riendships and memories theater has given her and is thrilled to continue her training at Loyola Chicago in the fall. She thanks her parents for f illing her life with musicals and her f riends and family especially CS for their constant love and support. She hopes you enjoy Our Town and looks forward to sharing this special last performance with you.

Mary Cecilia Meier (Stage Manager – Understudy, The Dead) is a sophomore and has been involved in six SCA productions including Our Town. Some of her roles include the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, Kate in Annie, and Student Costumer for Beauty and the Beast. She is so excited to be a part of this show and would like to thank the cast, crew, and production team for putting on this wonderful show.

Miller Logan (Emily) is a sophomore at St. Cecilia and very excited and grateful for this experience. This is her fourth show at St. Cecilia after being ensemble in Little Women, Red Queen (understudy) in Alice in Wonderland, and Babette (understudy) in Beauty and the Beast. She would like to thank her family for their encouragement and support as well as her f riends, who made every day a happy one.

Sam Coplan (Emily – Understudy, Woman Among the Dead) is a f reshmen at St. Cecilia Academy and has done theater there since 7th grade. Sam has been Annie (understudy) in Annie, Katherine in Newsies, Madame De La Grande Bouch in Beauty and the Beast, Eliza in Hamilton, and more! Sam plays violin and participates in Theatre Guild, Baking Club, and Spanish Club. She would like to thank her parents for supporting her in this amazing role! She is so grateful for this opportunity and has had so much fun putting on this incredible show!

Caleb Hendrick (George) is currently a sophomore at Montgomery Bell Academy.

This is his third show at SCA. He was Maurice in SCA’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

He was also Troy Bolton in the 24-hour musical production of High School Musical. Some of his roles outside of SCA include Joseph Hewes in 1776 and Ensemble in Mamma Mia!.

His passion for theater as granted him his membership into the International Thespian Society. He would like to thank his f riends, family, and directors who supported him during this show!

Emma Wanucha (Mrs. Gibbs) is a senior at St. Cecilia Academy. While you may have previously seen her as sassy Babette in SCA’s Beauty and the Beast or whimsical Alice in SCA’s Alice in Wonderland, in this production, she is returning as Mrs. Gibbs. This will be her eighth and last show in the St. Cecilia Theater, and she is so grateful for all the experiences and things she has learned in these years.

Other than theater, Emma is involved in Math Team, Spanish Club, the Frist’s Teen Art Board, and is President of the Philosophy Club. Emma would like to thank her inspirational f riends, loving family, and supportive teachers, and dedicates this show to all of her graduated SCA f riends.

Ivy Treybig (Mrs. Gibbs – Understudy, Woman Among the Dead) Our Town is Ivy’s fourth show with SCA. Some of her previous roles include Pepper f rom Annie, Frog Footman f rom Alice in Wonderland, and Lefou (understudy) in Beauty and the Beast. She is Treasurer of the Crochet Club and member of Theatre Guild, Speech & Debate, Writing, and Book Club. Ivy is excited to be in this SCA production and would like to thank her f riends and family for their support.

Kemper Evans (Mr. Gibbs) is a sophomore at Montgomery Bell Academy. He has performed on stage since his f irst role as Mayor of Munchkin Land at 9 years old. Through this work at Nashville Theatre School, Kemper has played such roles at Winthrop in Legally Blonde, Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray, and Wes in Footloose. Kemper played several comedic parts in the MBA junior school play How to

Survive Being in a Shakespeare Play. He has also contributed to productions through tech work, including spot lighting for Harpeth Hall’s Into the Woods and as floor crew for 1776 at MBA. At St. Cecilia Academy, Kemper has performed the role of Mr. Laurence in Little Women, Calvin in A Wrinkle in Time, and the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland. Most recently, Kemper was Elephant Small in MBA’s Treasure Island. Kemper is grateful for all of the opportunities to be a part of so many productions and for the people he has met through these experiences.

Anna Kate Talbot (Mrs. Webb) is a senior at St. Cecilia Academy. This is her sixth Theatre Guild production. Her past roles have included Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, White Queen in Alice in Wonderland, Mrs. Kirk in Little Women, Teacher/Camazotz Mom in A Wrinkle in Time, and Mrs. Greer in Annie. Anna Kate is Treasurer of the Class of 2025, the Vice President of Theatre Guild, an Ambassador for SCA, and loves helping teach young girls at SCA’s Dance Academy. She would like to thank her parents for their endless support, her brother Thomas, and the TG juniors!

Anna Kate hopes you enjoy your time in Grover’s Corners.

Emma Ambarian (Mrs. Webb – Understudy, The Dead) is a junior at SCA and has been in theater since Freshman year. She has had roles such as Humpty Dumpty, Silly Girl, and ensemble roles. She is Treasurer of Theatre Guild, member of Student Council, French Club, and the Ambassador Board. She is thrilled for you to see this performance and hopes you enjoy the show!

Noah Wieck (Mr. Webb) is an actor and student at Montgomery Bell Academy set on giving people things to think about when they leave a show. This is Noah’s 12th show ever and his 3rd working with SCA, two having been done in the junior school. Bringing unbridled passion and enthusiasm to theater, he hopes you leave today with a new outlook on life.

Brooklyn Pike (Rebecca Gibbs) is a junior at St. Cecilia Academy. She has done theater at St. Cecilia for three years, participating in A Wrinkle in Time, Annie, and Alice in Wonderland. Brooklyn is a member of Student Council, French Club, and Youth Legislature.

She is also the Secretary of Theatre Guild and President of Seasons Dance Company.

Brooklyn is so excited for everyone to see Our Town and all of the hard work the cast and crew have put into this show!

Colette Barkley (Wally Webb) is a sophomore at St. Cecilia Academy. She has been a part of many theater productions at SCA, including roles as Charles Wallace in A Wrinkle in Time, Molly in Annie, Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland, and Chip in Beauty and the Beast. She is part of Riflery and Mock Trial, as well as many other clubs at SCA. She is so excited to be a part of this wonderful theater community. She would like to thank her family and f riends, as well as Mrs. Meier and Ms. Kunde for being amazing directors and teachers.

Claire Claverie (Mrs. Soames) has been doing theater for six years. She is a co-founder of the Finance Club and also is a member of Theatre Guild and Latin Club. Claire has participated in Model UN, Youth In Government, and Mock Trial since f reshman year. Her favorite things to do are to spend time with f riends and to read.

Olivia Slocum (Simon Stimson) is a junior at St. Cecilia Academy and has previously participated in 12 productions, three of which were produced by SCA. Some of her prior roles include, but are not limited to, Tessie in Annie, White Queen (understudy) in Alice in Wonderland, and Cogsworth (understudy) in Beauty and the Beast. She is incredibly excited to put on this show and would like to thank her parents for always supporting her throughout her life.

Alistair White (Professor Willard, Man Among the Dead) is a sophomore at St. Cecilia Academy and has been doing theater for three years. Her f reshman year she played Carroll in Alice in Wonderland and did tech for Annie.

She also played the bookseller in Beauty and the Beast. Alistair is the Vice President of Speech and Debate, the Secretary of Minds in Motion, and a member of Theatre Guild. She would like to thank all her f riends for making every show and rehearsal an amazing time and her parents for always supporting her.

Taylor Harrison (Joe Stoddard, Man in the Auditorium) is a junior at St. Cecilia Academy.

Our Town is her sixth show at St. Cecilia. Some of her previous roles include Belle Understudy in Beauty and the Beast, Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, and her favorite role, a rug in A Wrinkle In Time, where she discovered her passion for playing inanimate objects. She is a member of the Ambassador Board, Student Council, and Theatre Guild. She would like to thank Noah Kahan since his music motivated her through every rehearsal.

Grace Nelley (Sam Craig, Lady in the Box) is a f reshman at St. Cecilia Academy and she is excited to be a part of Our Town. She has previously been in several shows at St. Cecilia Academy. Most recently she had the role of Chip (understudy) in Beauty and the Beast and the Dormouse in Alice and Wonderland.

She wants to thank Mrs. Meier, Mrs. Kunde, the cast and crew, her family, and her f riends for supporting her in acting.

Maria Placencia (Constable Warren, Woman in the Balcony) This is her second show with SCA. She is a member of Book Club, Latin Club, Philosophy Club, and co-founder of Crochet Club. She is very excited to be a part of this show and thanks her parents for all of their support for her.

Grace Bauer (Howie Newsome, Baseball Player) is a junior and this is her f irst time participating in an SCA theater performance.

She is so excited to be a part of Our Town with her f riends. She did theater at St. Henry in middle school and had roles as a townsperson in Frozen Jr. and as Saraf ina in Lion King Jr. She would like to thank her sister for supporting her in her decision to join and her parents for being flexible with the timing.

Cimbri Cotton (Si Crowell, Farmer McCarty) is a sophomore, and she started doing theater at SCA this year. Some of her best times with her f riends derive f rom these shows, and she’s had so much fun. She says the community is one of the greatest, and she’s excited to come back the next few years. She thanks her parents for letting her do this and her grandparents for being excited to see the show. She thanks her brother for driving her home f rom rehearsal, her f riends, and the directors.

Eleanor Lampley (Joe Crowell, Baseball Player) is a junior and has been involved in theater for several years and enjoys the community and connections with others it brings. Her favorite past roles include Banzai in The Lion King and Featured Newsie in Newsies. She is grateful for her f riends and family for always supporting her and making her laugh, and for the hard work of all the cast and crew.

SCA grams To: Grace Bauer, We love you, Grace Kathryn, and we are so proud to be your mom and dad. Congratulations on this incredible performance!

To: Anna Kate Talbot, Congrats AKT!! We can’t wait to see you shine in the show. So proud!

Love, Mom & Dad Watch One Piece (& break a leg)!

Love, Thomas

To: Blake Birmingham, Dear Blake, thank you for being such an amazing senior!

I love you so much and I’m gonna miss you!

Love, Sam

To: Sam Coplan, Dear Sam, We are inspired by your work ethic and dedication and grateful for this incredible opportunity you have fulf illed with earnestness and sincerity. Thank you for sharing such a profound role and character with your audience!

Love, Your Family

To: Mary Cecilia Meier, We are so incredibly proud of all you do, but especially your passion for theater. Congratulations on your challenging role in Our Town that has made you grow so much as an actress. We love you so much!

Love, Mom, Dad, Stephen, and Thomas

To Blake Birmingham: Blake, we are so proud of you. We have loved watching you on the stage over the last four years. It’s hard to believe this is your last production in high school. We

are so excited for your future. I can’t wait to see you soar!

We love you! -Mom & Dad

To Emma Wanucha: Emma! You are our shining star! What an amazing four years it has been watching you on the stage! You are so mesmerizing and a complete joy! We are so proud of you and so excited for the next four years! Break a leg!

With so much love, Mom, Dad, Grace, and Nathan

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR UNDERWRITERS Thank you for Supporting the Show!

Break-a-Leg Crew Lauren Coplan in memory of Robert Jackson “Bob Bob” Center Stage Patron Gift in honor of Olivia Slocum

FROM THE DIRECTOR Directing a St. Cecilia production has always been a dream of mine. Several decades ago, I had my f irst appearance on the SCA stage in the ensemble of Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. I never could have imagined over 30 years later I would be asked to take on a new role as director of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. I have enjoyed getting to work with such a talented group of students!

This play takes place in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire in the early 1900s. With its untraditional structure, the stage

manager not only acts as a character but also as an observer who most of the time speaks directly to the audience. His purpose is to draw them into the world of the Gibbs and Webb families and let them have a peek at their simple lives. With minimal sets and props the audience is asked to use their imagination to experience the journey of the life, love, and death of the residents of Grover’s Corners.

Thank you to our guest performers – Caleb, Kemper, and Noah – we are so lucky to have as part of the cast. To our seniors – Blake, Anna Kate, and Emma W. – thank you for your leadership and love of SCA theater. Your journey through this program has been rewarding for everyone you encounter. Many prayers and blessings on your next journey beyond SCA! Thank you to the faculty, staff, and sisters, especially our principal, Sister Josemaria, our vice principal of academics, Sister Elise, drama teacher and theater director, Katie Zakkak, and our f ine arts chair, Amie Pike, and my assistant director and producer, Izzy Kunde. Your support and guidance allowed me to direct this wonderful production. I am also grateful to my daughter, Mary Cecilia, for letting me share in this experience with her.

Finally, I dedicate this performance to the St. Cecilia girls who worked so hard to create this story of life, love, and death.

Your dedication to theater and your support of each other is truly inspiring and I feel so blessed to have been a part of this production with you.

In Christ,

Diane Meier

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