DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA
SCENIC DESIGNER Evan Hoover
WIG DESIGNER
Dylinn Andrew
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY Louisa May Alcott
DIRECTED BY
David Lowenstein
MUSIC DIRECTOR Melissa Yanchak
COSTUME DESIGNER Lillian Benge
STAGE COMBAT Hannah “Rock” Roccisano
CHOREOGRAPHER E.A.Hobbs
LIGHTING DESIGNER Brooklyn Green
DIALECT COACH Blake Segal
CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA Ralph Zito
SOUND DESIGNER Jacqueline R. Herter
DRAMATURG Molly Evert
STAGE MANAGER Hope Allen
Little Women 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.
SEASON SPONSOR
BOOK BY
Allan Knee
MUSIC BY
Jason Howland
LYRICS BY Mindi Dickstein
CAST
Jo March................................................................................Dani Saril
Professor Bhaer.........................................................Nathan Ayotte
Amy March................................................................Victoria Rivard
Meg March..................................................................Carolyn Burch
Beth March......................................................Hannah Danielowski
Marmee March.................................................Delaney Thompson
Mr. Laurence..........................................................Carsten Kjaerulff
Laurie Laurence....................................................Christian Ellwood
Aunt March........................................................Clarq Benét Bishop
Mr. John Brooke.........................................................Teddy Brendel
Mrs. Kirk.............................................................Clarq Benét Bishop
Clarissa.........................................................................Carolyn Burch
Braxton.........................................................................Teddy Brendel
Rodrigo..................................................................Christian Ellwood
Knight......................................................................Carsten Kjaerulff
Hag.......................................................................Delaney Thompson
Troll..............................................................................Victoria Rivard
UNDERSTUDIES
For Jo March, Amy March, Beth March - Gabby Samuels
For Meg March, Marmee March, Aunt March - Cate Gould
For Mr. John Brooke, Laurie Laurence - Matthew Dodaro
For Mr. Laurence, Professor Bhaer - Evan Leone
ADDITIONAL CREDITS
Dance Captain: Nathan Ayotte
Intimacy Captain: Amelia Mindlin-Leitner
Fight Captain: Victoria Rivard
Orchestra Coordinator: Brian Cimmet
Assistant Director: Mia Font-Lorie
Assistant Scenic Designer: Natalie Steinberg
Assistant Costume Designer: Abby Thurmon
Assistant Lighting Designer: Reyna Sanchez
Assistant Stage Managers: Amelia Dayton, Amelia Mindlin-Leitner
PRODUCTION STAFF & RUN CREW
Faculty Advisor to Student Designers: Carmen Martinez
Faculty Advisor to Stage Managers: Don Buschmann
Light Board Operator: Tess Feldman
Sound Board Operator: Felix Martinez
Spotlight Operators: Mia Spallina, Chase Brown
Deck (Run Crew): Emily Anagnos, Paige Reidy, Emma Henry
Dressers (Run Crew): Ari Jaffe, Chloe Van De Graaf, Kierah Streather, Royal Crosbie
Costume Maintenance: Robbie Mosley, Makaela Meeks
Production Assistants: Reed Grayner
INTERMISSION
There will be one fifteen-minute intermission
LITTLE WOMEN ORCHESTRA
Melissa Yanchak.........................................................................................Conductor/Piano
AC Muench..........................................................................................................................Bass
Josh Dekaney......................................................................................Drums and Percussion
Nancy Boone-Bahr........Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet)
Jake Gunnar Walsh..............................................................Reed 2 (Oboe, English Horn)
Pat Carney.....................................................................................................................Trumpet
Dave DiGennaro.......................................................................Trombone and Euphonium
Claire Tuxill McKenney....................................................................................................Horn
Meghan O’Keefe..........................................................................................................Violin 1
Ben Mygatt.....................................................................................................................Violin 2
Amy Cirmo..........................................................................................................................Viola
Heidi Hoffman....................................................................................................................Cello
SONGS
ACT ONE
Overture...............................................................................................Orchestra
An Operatic Tragedy…….......................……Jo, Clarissa, Braxton, Rodrigo Better………………………………...................................................................……Jo
Our Finest Dreams……………...............................………Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy Here Alone…………………….................................................……………Marmee
Could You…………………………...................................…………Aunt March, Jo
Delighted……………………………….................………Marmee, Meg, Jo, Beth
Take a Chance On Me……………………….....................................…......Laurie Off to Massachusetts……………………............................Beth, Mr.Laurence Five Forever………………………………….............Jo, Laurie, Meg, Beth, Amy More Than I Am………………………………............................Mr.Brooke, Meg Astonishing……………………………………….....................................................Jo
ACT TWO
Entr’acte...............................................................................................Orchestra
The Weekly Volcano Press......Jo, Clarissa, Braxton, Rodrigo, Hag, Troll, Knight, Rodrigo 2, Prof. Bhaer, Mrs. Kirk Off to Massachusetts - Reprise….................................Mr. Laurence, Beth, Marmee, Meg, Mr. Brooke How I Am……………………………………...........................……Professor Bhaer
Some Things Are Meant To Be……………..….................................…Jo, Beth
The Most Amazing Thing…………………………...........................Amy, Laurie Days of Plenty…………………………………………….............................Marmee
The Fire Within Me…………………………………...........................……...........Jo Small Umbrella In The Rain………………..…….....………Professor Bhaer, Jo Volcano Reprise…………………………………………........................……….......Jo
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
"I am not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship"
– Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
"Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts... I like to help women help themselves."
– Louisa May Alcott
"I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy"
– Jo March, Little Women
"He liked Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suited him, and she seemed to understand the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself"
– Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
"I'd rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe"
– Louisa May Alcott
"I don't care much for girl's things... People think I am wild and queer"
– Louisa May Alcott, from her childhood journal
"I am more than half persuaded that I am a man's soul put by some freak of nature into a woman's body... Because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man"
– Louisa May Alcott, from an interview done in the 1890s
CAST
Nathan Ayotte (Professor Bhaer, Dance Captain) is a junior musical theater major from Trumbull, CT. Previous credits include John Wilkes Booth in Assassins (Black Box Players), Thomas Dread Rosey in The Droll (Syracuse University Department of Drama), Mary Poppins (Summer Theatre of New Canaan), A Christmas Carol (Syracuse Stage/Department of Drama co-production), and Anything Goes (Black Rock Theatre). You can see him this summer as a company member at Cortland Repertory Theatre. Endless thanks to his friends, mentors, professors, and most importantly, his family, for their constant love and support. @nathan.aron.ayotte
Clarq Benét Bishop (she/her) (Aunt March, Mrs. Kirk) is a junior musical theater major from Houston, TX. This is her second show with the Syracuse University Department of Drama. She previously appeared in Ghost Ship (mainstage) She is so grateful to her family and friends for all their support of her dreams.
Teddy Brendel (he/him) (Mr. John Brooke, Braxton) is a junior musical theater major from Cranbury, NJ. His previous Department of Drama credits include: Swing in Head Over Heels (mainstage) and Balladeer in Assassins (Black Box Players). This summer, he will also be performing at the Cortland Repertory Theatre. He would like to thank his family, friends, professors, and the entire company for their immense and unwavering support. @teddybrendel
Carolyn Burch (she/her) (Meg March, Clarissa) is a junior musical theater major from San Mateo, CA. She is thrilled to be making her Syracuse University Department of Drama mainstage debut! Previous credits include Marcy in The 25th Annual P.C. Spelling Bee (Black Box Players) and Lake in Lighthouse (New Works New Voices). She will be making her professional debut this summer at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. Carolyn would like to thank her family, friends, instructors, and the entire cast and crew of Little Women for their constant support!
CAST
Hannah Danielowski (she/her) (Beth March) is a rising senior musical theater major from Scranton, PA. Previous credits include: Prosecutor Solly-Flood in Ghost Ship (mainstage), Molly/Lulu in In Sisters We Trust (studio project), and Alice Murphy in Bright Star. She would like to extend gratitude to her friends, family, peers, and instructors (especially Abel Searor). Check out her art on instagram: @hd_draws!
Matthew Dodaro (u/s: Mr. John Brooke, Laurie Laurence) is excited to be a part of his first production of Little Women! You may have seen him last performing as cover for Prince Christopher in the Syracuse Stage/Department of Drama coproduction of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella In addition, Matthew has spent the past year studying new works and musicals as a part of pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre! Thank you to DLo and the creative team as well as friends, teachers, and family! @mattyd3464
Christian Ellwood (he/him) (Laurie Laurence, Rodrigo) is a sophomore musical theater major from Princeton Junction, NJ. Prior credits include Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night (Department of Drama mainstage), and Charles Clarke in Titanic: The Musical (Surflight Theatre). He is so grateful to work alongside such a brilliant company, and for all the support from his family and friends to make it here.
Cate Gould ( u/s: Meg March, Marmee March, Aunt March) is a sophomore musical theater student at Syracuse University. A Dallas native, she has pursued her passion of theater her whole life and is excited to participate in her second Syracuse University Department of Drama production. Cate would like to thank her professors, friends, and family for their longtime support and love. @cate_gould
Carsten Kjaerulff (he/him) (Mr. Laurence, Knight) is a musical theater major from Palm Beach, FL, and he is delighted to share his first mainstage production with such an amazing cast and crew. Previous credits here include the Syracuse Stage/Department of Drama co-production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ensemble) and two studio proj-
CAST
ects, Hedda Gabler (George Tesman) and the world is hours (Arlo), with the Department of Drama. Find him anywhere on social media as @carstenkjae.
Evan Leone ( u/s: Mr. Laurence, Professor Bhaer ) is a sophomore musical theater major from New Jersey. Recent credits include Hedda Gabler and Pippin at the Syracuse University Department of Drama, The Sound of Music at Redhouse Arts Center, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Classic Theatre of Maryland. He would like to thank all of his friends, Mom, Dad, Jack, Laura, and Dallas for their love and support.
Victoria Rivard (she/her) (Amy March, Troll, Fight Captain) is a junior musical theater major from Boston, MA. Prior Department of Drama credits include: Judge Hatch in Ghost Ship (mainstage) and u/s Cheese Curd in Lighthouse (New Works, New Voices). Victoria would like to thank her family, friends, teachers, and the entire Little Women team for their love and support. Website: www.victoriarivard.com
Gabby Samuels ( u/s: Jo March, Amy March, Beth March) is a sophomore actor/singer from Houston, TX. She is thrilled to be working in her first Syracuse University Department of Drama production. Most recently she was Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Black Box Players). She is so proud of this cast and crew for their work on this show and would like to thank her professors, family, and friends for their continuous support. @gabriellevsa
Dani Saril (she/her) (Jo March) is a senior musical theater major from New Rochelle, NY, and is honored to close out her chapter as a third-generation Syracuse University student with such an incredible cast and creative team. Previous Department of Drama credits include the mainstage production of Melancholy Play: A Chamber Musical (Frances) and Lighthouse: A New Pop-Country Musical (Church) as part of the New Works, New Voices program. Film & TV: The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo, Law and Order: SVU, Saturday Night Live. She extends many thanks to her family, friends, Marina De Ratmiroff, David Lowenstein, and the Syracuse University Department of Drama class of 2025! She dedicates this performance to Rachel, Abby, and Bella, her very own March Sisters. IG: @danisaril
CAST
Delaney Thompson (she/her) (Marmee March, Hag) is a junior musical theater major from Baltimore, MD. Her previous Syracuse University Department of Drama credits include ensemble in The Skriker (small-scale) and Lighthouse (New Works New Voices). She would like to express gratitude to her village and her friends
ARTISTIC STAFF
Evan Hoover (Scenic Designer) is a senior theater design and technology major from Potsdam, NY. Evan had his Department of Drama scenic design depute with Ghost Ship (mainstage). Assistant scenic design credits include Department of Drama mainstage productions of The Droll, Dance Nation, and Failure: A Love Story. Other credits include assistant costume/lighting designer for the Department of Drama production of A Walrus in the Body of a Crocodile (mainstage), and various works in film.
Lillian Benge (she/her) (Costume Designer) is a senior theater design and technology major with a concentration in costume and scenic design from Poulsbo, WA. Other credits include the Syracuse University Department of Drama mainstage production of Head Over Heels (co-costume designer) and studio project, The World is Hours (scenic designer).
Brooklyn Green (she/her) (Lighting Designer) is a senior theater design and technology major with a concentration in costume and lighting from San Diego, CA. Other Syracuse credits include co-costume designer on Head Over Heels (Department of Drama mainstage), costume designer on Walrus in the Body of a Crocodile (Department of Drama mainstage), and scenic/costume design for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Black Box Players).
Jacqueline R. Herter (Sound Designer) has served as resident sound designer at Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University Department of Drama since 1997. She shifted and combined theatrical design with video/film design for the 20/21 season. Herter has designed for Indiana Repertory Theatre, Studio Arena, the Wilma, Geva, Round House, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Virginia Stage, and the Hangar Theater as well as other theatres across the nation. Some favorite designs have been: Annapurna, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Next to Normal, Mary Poppins, Nine, Hairspray, The Overwhelming, Caroline, or Change, The Miracle Worker, The Wolves, The Day Room, The Christians,
ARTISTIC STAFF
Radio Golf, Parade, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Red Noses, The Real Thing, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, M. Butterfly, A Raisin in the Sun, A Lesson Before Dying, Copenhagen, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Inherit the Wind, and Big River.
Dylinn Andrew (Wig Designer) is the resident Wig and Wardrobe Supervisor for Syracuse Stage as well as an adjunct professor for Syracuse University. Drawing on years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist and makeup artist, she has designed shows like Clyde’s (Syracuse Stage), Little Women, What the Moon Saw, Pippin, Guys and Dolls (Syracuse University Department of Drama), Mary Poppins, and 9 to 5 (Jamesville-Dewitt High School). Styling work includes Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, and A Christmas Carol (Syracuse Stage). As a jack of all trades type, she has worked alongside many community, regional, and touring theater companies in a variety of skill areas, including costume design/stitching, directing, choreography, music directing, education and Stars of Tomorrow adjudication. Her experience also extends on the stage through professional opera, acting, and as a multi-instrumentalist.
Hannah “Rock” Roccisano (she/they) (Stage Combat) is a New York City based fight and intimacy director, director, educator and Shakespeare nerd. Her work has been seen off-Broadway including Wolf Play, A Bright New Boise, and Montag. She has intimacy directed Melancholy Play: A Chamber Musical (Department of Drama mainstage), Sweet Charity (Department of Drama mainstage), Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, and Lungs (studio projects). Rock has choreographed regionally and at universities such as Columbia University, and the Hartt School. She is a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and holds two masters degrees, an M.F.A. and Master of Letters in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University. Hannah is the chair of development for the SAFD and the founder of Expand, Educate, Empower, an initiative bringing free stage combat training to students in underserved communities across the U.S.
Blake Segal (Dialect Coach) is an actor, teacher, and dialect coach. Coaching credits include NYC: Ensemble Studio Theatre, New Georges, The Araca Project, Fault Line Theatre; Regional: Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre Center, Berkshire Theatre Group, Two River Theater, PlayMakers Rep, Cleveland Musical Theatre, Luna Stage, Passages Theatre, and Walkerspace at SoHo Rep; Educational: Yale, Fordham, Columbia, Syracuse, Kean, and Stella Adler. Blake cur-
ARTISTIC STAFF
rently serves on the Voice/Verse faculty of Syracuse University’s Department of Drama. As an actor, he has performed on film and television, off-Broadway, in major regional theaters across the country, and on the national tour of Mary Poppins. MFA in Acting: Yale School of Drama.
Molly Evert (she/her) (Dramaturg) is a sophomore theater management major focusing in finance and data analytics from Media, PA. Other Syracuse University Department of Drama credits include dramaturg of Pippin (mainstage) and assistant stage manager of Juliet Letters (studio project).
Hope Allen (she/they) (Stage Manager) is a senior stage management major from York, PA. Other Department of Drama credits include: The Moors (studio project), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Black Box Players), Sender (mainstage), h*llo k*tty syndrome (studio project). Hope is exceptionally grateful for the love and support from their family, friends, peers, and instructors.
DIRECTOR
David Lowenstein is the co-creator/choreographer of Shout!, The Mod Musical, which ran in London, Off-Broadway, on the Norwegian Cruise Lines, and plays in regional theaters across the country. Off-Broadway, David’s choreography has been featured in the Drama Desk award-winning Howard Crabtree’s Whoop-Dee-Doo!, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Anything Cole, and Sing For Your Supper. Regionally David directed Damn Yankees, directed/ choreographed The Great American Trailer Park Musical and My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, for The Rev Theater Company, (formerly FLMTF/Merry-Go-Round Playhouse). He staged The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Gateway Playhouse, The Merchant of Venice at Syracuse Stage, as well as numerous productions in summer stock. On television he staged Vanessa Williams’ “Christmas Special” for ABC. Last Fall, David conceived, directed, and choreographed The Juliet Letters: A Sad Burlesque, an original review based on the Elvis Costello and The Brodsky Quartet’s album The Juliet Letters for the Syracuse University Department of Drama. Also for the Department of Drama, David directed Sweet Charity, Into The Woods, Berlin to Broadway, Seussical!, Kiss Me Kate, and Oklahoma!, and choreographed Lucky Stiff and I Love You Because. David was the Artist in Residence at Cazenovia College for 17 years where he directed/choreographed The 25Th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Rent, Sweet Charity, Once Upon A Mattress, Oliver, Seussical, A Christmas Carol, Bye, Bye
DIRECTOR
Birdie, Grease, The Laramie Project, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Sound Of Music (SALT Award – Director of the Year), Dead Man Walking, Chicago, Godspell, and Our Town. As a performer he has been part of seven original Broadway casts and several off-Broadway, national touring, and regional productions. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater from Syracuse University.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Melissa Yanchak (she/her/hers) is currently serving as the Resident Music Director for the Department of Theatre at Binghamton University and pursuing an M.F.A. Theatre Arts at the University of Idaho. Prior to joining faculty at Binghamton, Melissa served as a music director, vocal coach, and pianist for the School of Theatre at The Pennsylvania State University, the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures at Wright State University, and the Conservatory of Performing Arts and Playhouse at Point Park University. National tours: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus (Blue Unit, Key 1/SFX) on Legends and Out of This World. Regional credits include productions with Music Theatre Wichita, Pittsburgh CLO, Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Human Race Theatre, and Florida Studio Theatre. Melissa can also be seen on PBS’s Broadway or Bust series as a member of the creative and production team for the Jimmy Awards (NHSMTA) in NYC.
CHOREOGRAPHER
E.A. Hobbs is delighted to have choreographed the Syracuse University Department of Drama production of Little Women. She is very grateful for this opportunity to choreograph a mainstage production and work alongside such talented people. Recent choreography credits include assistant choreographer for Head Over Heels (Department of Drama mainstage) and choreographer for The Addams Family (El Dorado Musical Theater). Hobbs gives a huge thank you to the cast and crew for their endless support and making this dream a reality.
AUTHORS
Allan Knee (Book) is the author of the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, which was the source for the film Finding Neverland (starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet), which received an Academy Award nomination for best picture, and the subsequent musical, currently touring the US. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical Little Women which premiered in Tokyo, and will had a national tour in England. Among his other works are the four-part adaptation of The Scarlet Letter for the PBS, the dance drama, Syncopation, about the passion of two workers to become ballroom champions in 1914, which was awarded for best regional play, and The Jazz Age, which currently placed at the Playground Theatre in London. His latest work, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit (music by Andre Catrini) premiered at the Hope Theatre in Manchester, England. Allan is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
Jason Howland (Music) an honors graduate of Williams College (1993), is a Grammy Award winning producer, Emmy Award winning arranger, and Tony nominated producer. He is the composer of Broadway’s 2005 TONY nominated Little Women - The Musical. Howland was nominated for a Tony Award in 1999 for co- producing the The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh, and won an Emmy Award in 2007 for creating and composing the Christmas special Handel’s Messiah Rocks for the Boston Pops. He is the Arranger and Music Supervisor for the smash hit Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Broadway, West End, US National Tour, Tokyo, Australian National Tour, UK National Tour) for which he won a Grammy Award; Bonnie and Clyde, Wonderland, Jekyll & Hyde,The Civil War, The Scarlet Pimpernel, in addition to music directing the mega-hit Les Miserables, and Boy George’s Taboo. International projects as an arranger and orchestrator include Frank Wildhorn’s stage adaptation of the Japanese Anime sensation Death Note for HoriPro, and two new shows Mata Hari and The Man Who Laughs. Recent theater projects include composing and orchestrating the original score for Ikiru, a new musical based on the Kurosawa film, that premiered in Tokyo, Oct 2018, Last Days of Summer (Kansas City rep), and Paradise Square at Berkeley Repertory Theater.
Mindi Dickstein (Lyrics) is an award-winning lyricist, librettist, and playwright. She wrote lyrics for the Broadway musical Little Women, which has had productions across the USA and around the world including Tokyo, Japan, and Manchester, England. She is the lyricist for Benny and Joon, a new musical based on the MGM film, which had its world premiere at The Old Globe, San Diego, and east coast premiere at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Benny and Joon was developed at NAMT, Transport Group, Running Deer Musical Theater Lab, Goodspeed Johnny Mercer Colony, Theatreworks Silicon
AUTHORS
Valley, and the Rhinebeck Retreat. Among her other works are TRIP (book and lyrics), commissioned by Playwrights Horizons; Toy Story - The Musical (book), Disney Creative Entertainment; Starving to Death in Midtown (a short play), Climate Change Theater Action; Beasts and Saints (book and lyrics), Boston Music Theater Project; The Existential Gourmet, Jane Chambers Award; and Guadeloupe, Westbeth Theater Center. Mindi’s songs have been performed widely, most notably as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook (“Hear and Now: Contemporary Lyricists”) and at the Kennedy Center. Awards and honors include: a Jonathan Larson Grant, Massachusetts Artists and New York Foundation for the Arts playwriting fellowships, ASCAP Workshop Bernice Cohen Award, Second Stage Constance Klinsky Award, and a PEN International New Playwright Award (selected by Wendy Wasserstein). She received her MFA from New York University’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, where she was an Oscar Hammerstein Fellow.
Louisa May Alcott (Novel) A prolific author of books for American girls, Louisa May Alcott is best remembered for Little Women, one of the 270 published works by the Pennsylvania-born woman. This endearing novel captured forever the period’s ideals and values of middle class domestic life. The book has appeared continuously in print since its first serial publication in 1868-70. The popular novel drew largely upon her personal experiences. The second of four daughters, Alcott began her writing to support her perpetually impoverished family. Her strong and loving mother was a significant force in her life. “I think she is a very brave, good woman,” Alcott wrote of her mother. “And my dream is to have a lovely, quiet home for her, with no debts or troubles to burden her.” Beginning with the publication of the poem Sunlight under a pseudonym in 1851, Alcott poured forth a variety of thrillers, poems, potboilers and an occasional juvenile tale. In 1867, she became editor of a children’s magazine, Merry’s Museum. At the urging of her publisher there, Alcott undertook the writing of Little Women. The novel, like her other works, was formed largely in her mind before she took pen to paper. The entire novel was written in two six-weeks periods. In 1879, Alcott was the first woman to register in Concord when Massachusetts gave women school, tax and bond suffrage. Eventually she persuaded her publisher to publish Harriett Hanson Robinson’s Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement in 1881. In her final novel, Jo’s Boys (1886), Alcott made arguments for women’s rights and other reforms. She said, “I can remember when anti-slavery was in just the same state that suffrage is now, and take more pride in the very small help we Alcotts could give than in all the books I ever wrote…” –National Women’s Hall of Fame
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
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).
ASSISTANTS AND ASSOCIATES
Amelia Dayton (she/her) (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman stage management major from Branchburg, NJ.
Mia Font-Lorié (she/her) (Assistant Director) is a junior theater management major from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
Reed Grayner (Production Assistant) is a freshman musical theater major from Parker, CO.
Amelia Mindlin-Leitner (she/her) (Assistant Stage Manager, Intimacy Captain) is a sophomore stage management major from Greenwood Village, CO.
Reyna Sanchez (she/they) (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a sophomore theater design and technology major with a concentration in lighting design from Salinas, CA.
Natalie Steinberg (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a sophomore theater design and technology major from Westchester, NY.
Abby Thurmon (she/her) (Assistant Costume Designer) is a sophomore theater design and technology major from American Canyon, CA.
CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA
Ralph Zito (he, him) is in his fifteenth year as chair of the Department of Drama. He came to Syracuse University from the Juilliard School Drama Division, where he had been a teacher and director from 1992 to 2010 and chair of the Voice and Speech Department since 1999. He was a director and adjunct lecturer in the Barnard College Theater Department from 2006 until 2010 and has been a guest artist at training programs across the country, including the Old Globe in San Diego, The University of Texas at Austin, and the Academy for Classical Acting in Washington, DC. Directing credits for the Department of Drama include: The Spitfire Grill, As You Like It, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and The Aliens. He has served as a voice, text or dialect consultant for numerous professional productions both on and off-Broadway, including: The Light in the Piazza; Awake and Sing!; The Herbal Bed; Mrs. Klein; The Fiery Furnace; The Time of the Cuckoo (Lincoln Center Theatre); Tongue of a Bird; The Merchant of Venice (New York Shakespeare Festival); The Pitchfork Disney (Blue Light Theatre Company); Birdy (The Women’s Project); The Model Apartment (Primary Stages); the New York premiere of Tony Kushner’s SLAVS! (New York Theatre Workshop); and The African Company Presents Richard III (The Acting Company). His regional theater credits include numerous productions at The Shakespeare Theatre and Arena Stage in Washington, DC; Syracuse Stage; Baltimore CENTERSTAGE; Hartford Stage; and the McCarter Theatre, among others. A former touring member of The Acting Company, he served as artistic associate of The Chautauqua Theatre Company for seven years and was a member of the Board of Directors of The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) for six years. He is a graduate of Harvard University, The Juilliard School, and the American Center for the Alexander Technique. He was recently awarded the prestigious Juilliard President’s Medal in recognition of his contributions to both Juilliard and to the broader performing arts community.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA
Part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Syracuse University Department of Drama offers degree programs in acting, musical theater, theater design and technology, stage management, and theater management utilizing conservatory-style training in a university setting and in collaboration with Syracuse Stage. With much appreciation, the Department of Drama wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Syracuse Stage staff.
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA
Chair.......................................................................................................................................Ralph Zito
Business Manager.................................................................................................................Lisa Tucci
Administrative Specialist..................................................................................................Jen Ballard
Director, Tepper Semester in NYC...............................................................................Erica Jensen
Academic Operations Manager, Tepper Semester NYC.....................................Casey O’Neil
Production Manager..............................................................................................Stuart Plymesser
Dean, VPA...................................................................................................................Michael S. Tick
FULL-TIME FACULTY
Christine Albright-Tufts
Robert Andrusko
Kiira Schmidt Carper
Brian Cimmet
James A. Clark
Danyon Davis
Izmir Ickbal
Alec Barbour
Kathleen Baum
Bradley Beckman
Kerry Bereza
Don Buschmann
Matthew Chiorini
Diane Coloton
Gretchen Darrow-Crotty
Marina de Ratmiroff
Whit Emerson
Danita Emma
Kathryn Fathers
Marcus Herndon
Alex Jainchill
Rebecca Karpoff
David Lowenstein
Celia Madeoy
Carmen Martínez
Katherine McGerr
Thom Miller
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Jacqueline R. Herter
Emily Holm
Robert Hupp
Sandra Knapp
Richard Koons
Nicholas Kowerko
Barbara LaNeve
Zizi Majid
Michael McCurdy
Aldo Katton Santiago Mendez
Kathryn Miranda
Amanda Moore
Leslie Noble
Erica Murphy
Ricky Pak
Felipe Panamá
Bradley Stone
Holly Thuma
Kathleen Wrinn
Ralph Zito
Krystal Osborne
Whitney Pak
Stuart Plymesser
Mara Rich
Rebecca Schuetz
Hanni Schwarzlander
Abel Searor
Blake Segal
Randy Steffen
Joseph Whelan
Dan Williams
Matthew Winning
ACCOMPANISTS
Kerry Bereza, Abel Searor, Dan Williams
SYRACUSE STAGE STAFF
Artistic Director.............................................................................................................Robert Hupp
Managing Director.............................................................................................Carly DiFulvio Allen
Associate Artistic Director............................................................................................Melissa Crespo
Resident Playwright..............................................................................................................Kyle Bass
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director of Production Operations...........................................................................Don Buschmann
Associate Director of Production Operations.......................................................Stuart Plymesser
Production Management Intern.............................................................................Kit Verweij†
Company Manager and Production Management Associate......................................Brian Crotty
Assistant Company Manager.....................................................................................Sarai Ford
Technical Director..................................................................................................Randall Steffen
Assistant Technical Director............................................................................Rebecca Schuetz
Scene Shop Foreman...........................................................................................Michael King
Technical Assistant...................................................................................................Liz Daurio
Carpenters...............................................................................John Gamble, Brian McBurney
Student Employee..............................................................................................Emma Thoms†
Scenic Charge Artist...................................................................................................Emily Holm
Lead Scenic Artist................................................................................................Laurel Arnold
Scenic Painter....................................................................................................Jessica Culligan
Props Supervisor............................................................................................................Mara Rich
Associate Props Supervisor...................................................................................Andrew Babb
Craftpersons....................................................................................Alexis Frizzell, Nora Galley
Student Employees................................................................Maddy Clark†, Natalie Steinberg†
Costume Shop Manager..........................................................................Gretchen Darrow-Crotty
Assistant Costume Shop Manager.....................................................................Amanda Moore
Cutter-Drapers..............................................................................Emily King, Kathryn Rauch
First Hand.......................................................................................................Katelyn Yonkers
Stitchers.................................................................................Sidney Barmoha, Sophie Shahan
Craftsperson/Shopper.........................................................................................Sandra Knapp
Wardrobe Supervisor.........................................................................................Dylinn Andrew
Electrics and Projection Supervisor...............................................................................Jed Daniels
Associate Electrics and Projection Supervisor......................................................Andy LiDestri
Electricians/Board Operators..............................................................Kat Larrabee, Alex Malli
Resident Sound Designer/Audio Engineer.....................................................Jacqueline R. Herter
Audio Engineer...............................................................................................Kevin O’Connor
Sound Engineer/Board Operator..........................................................................Garrett Frink
Stage Management Production Assistants.............................................Katie Barnes, Erin C Brett
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
General Manager....................................................................................................Michael McCurdy
Comptroller..............................................................................................Mary Kennett Morreale
Associate General Manager...................................................................................Jacob G. Ellison
Director of Information Management & Technology...................................Garrett Diaz-Wheeler
Director of Development.............................................................................................Ana Díaz-Diez
Development Associate.....................................................................................Candice Bermudez
Development Assistant/Executive Assistant..................................................................Julia Rakus
Development Interns......................................................................Yushan Deng†, Polly Gilmore†
Director of Community Engagement..................................................................Joann Maria Yarrow
Director of Education.......................................................................................................Kate Laissle
Community Engagement and Education Coordinator.....................................................Zizi Majid
Education Interns.........................................................................Phineas Roy†, Lauren Schweers†
Director of Marketing and Communications..............................................................Joanna Penalva
Audience Development Manager..............................................................................Tracey White
Creative Director, Marketing..................................................................................Brenna Merritt
Marketing Content and Publications Manager.....................................................Matthew Nerber
Graphic Designer.................................................................................................Jonathan Hudak
Marketing Associate...............................................................................Talia Gabriel-Shenandoah
Marketing Intern....................................................................................................Amelia Brown†
Box Office Manager.....................................................................................Courtney Richardson
Box Office Show Supervisor.................................................................................Trevor Miller
Box Office Assistants.................Clari Atherlay, Nathan Ayotte†, Molly Evert†, Gracie Whaley†
Audience Services Manager............................................................................Meghan Rose Dillon
House Managers.................Pat Condello, Gabrielle Moran, Alyssa Otoski-Keim, Adam Secor
Front of House Associate.........................Khayman Clancy, Bianca Stevenson, Donna Stuccio
Assistant House Manager.......................................................................................Kevin Sene†
Bartenders...............................Rueban Benedict, Michelle Cannizzo, Meg Pusey, Dani Tanner
Audience Services Interns.....................................................................Ginger Bai†, Youran Li†
Front of House Work Study Staff...........................Hope Allen†, Emilee Asa†, GB Bellamy†, Lilly Colter Berget†, Carolyn Burch†, Olivia Busche†, Josie Diodato†, Sami English†, Skye Faison†, Violet Lanciloti†, Nathaly Juarez Meza†, Annabelle Mistretta†, Lily Nelson†, Reyna Sanchez†, Esme Schaus†, Isbella Tokarz†, Gracie Whaley†, Logan Wilbanks-Davidson†, Maya Zepeda†
Sign Language Interpreters.....................................................................Brenda Brown, Sue Freeman
Open Captioning........................................................................Jacob G. Ellison, Michael McCurdy
Audio Description........................................Kate Laissle, Talia Gabriel-Shenandoah, Joseph Whelan
Community Services Officers...........................................................Stacey Emmons, Martha Farmer
Custodians........................................................................Tony Rogers, Ron Taylor, Candace Velario
†Student, Syracuse University Department of Drama.
Monday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm Syracuse Stage 820 E. Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13210
BERNARDA ALBA
WORDS AND MUSIC BY MICHAEL JOHN LACHIUSA | BASED ON THE PLAY THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA BY FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA | DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM CARLOS ANGULO | ASSOCIATE DIRECTION BY DIEGO ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ AND FELIPE PANAMÁ
MUSIC DIRECTION BY JACOB KERZNER
OCTOBER 10 - 19 | OPENING NIGHT: OCTOBER 11
ANTIGONICK
BY SOPHOKLES | A NEW VERSION BY ANNE CARSON
DIRECTED BY MATTHEW WINNING AND ERICA MURPHY
NOVEMBER 14 - 22 | OPENING NIGHT: NOVEMBER 15
PICNIC
BY WILLIAM INGE | DIRECTED BY RALPH ZITO
FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 1 | OPENING NIGHT: FEBRUARY 21
A REBEL PRAYER
MUSIC BY ALEKSANDRA WEILL | BOOK AND LYRICS BY ELOISE T. GOVEDARE | DIRECTED BY KATHLEEN WRINN MUSIC DIRECTION BY BRIAN CIMMET
MARCH 27 - APRIL 5 | OPENING NIGHT: MARCH 28
BALTIMORE
BY KIRSTEN GREENIDGE | DIRECTED BY MICHELLE CHAN
APRIL 24 - MAY 3 | OPENING NIGHT: APRIL 25
DISNEY’S FROZEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY KRISTEN ANDERSON LOPEZ AND ROBERT LOPEZ | BOOK BY JENNIFER LEE | BASED ON THE DISNEY FILM WRITTEN BY JENNIFER LEE | AND DIRECTED BY CHRIS BUCK AND JENNIFER LEE | ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS DIRECTED BY AMY ANDERS CORCORAN | MUSIC DIRECTION BY BRIAN CIMMET | CHOREOGRAPHED BY MARJORIE FAILONI | CO-PRODUCED WITH SYRACUSE STAGE MAY 13 – JUNE 21, 2026 | OPENING NIGHT: MAY 15
* Please Note: Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical is not included in the Department of Drama subscription package. However, discounts are available to Department of Drama subscribers.
* Bernarda Alba is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com Antigonick is presented by special arrangement with Paradigm Talent Agency | Picnic is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com) | Baltimore is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www. playscripts.com) | Frozen is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com