About The Play In 1968, Don Freeman published a picture book about a small bear in green overalls who sits on a department store shelf, waiting. Corduroy became one of the most beloved children’s books of the twentieth century — a story read at bedsides for more than fifty years, translated into dozens of languages, and cherished for its gentle insistence that being imperfect and being lovable are not opposites. Freeman, a former jazz trumpeter and Broadway sketch artist, understood something essential about longing: that a missing button can stand for everything we believe keeps us from being chosen. Playwright Barry Kornhauser’s stage adaptation takes Freeman’s quiet story and fills it with theatrical life — a bumbling Night Watchman on the trail of a “criminal” he can never quite catch, a pair of Clowns who transform the stage before your eyes, and a nighttime department store that becomes a world of wonder and peril for one small, determined bear. Kornhauser, among America’s most honored writers for young audiences, received the American Alliance for Theatre & Education’s Distinguished Play Award for this adaptation. Lines drawn directly from Freeman’s original text are woven throughout the play — when you hear them, you are hearing words that have been read aloud to children for generations. At its heart, Corduroy is two parallel stories that find each other. While a bear searches a department store for the button he believes will make him worthy of a home, a little girl named Lisa works — and fails, spectacularly — to earn the money to bring him there. Both are really searching for the same thing, and neither finds it where they were looking. Our production draws on the traditions of commedia dell’arte, with its physical comedy, its direct delight in the audience, and its old wisdom: that laughter and tenderness are not opposites either, but partners. We are so glad you’re here.
Cast Rose State College Theatre presents
CORDUROY
by Barry Kornhauser Based on the book by Don Freeman Corduroy...................................................................................Aaron Rivas The Night Watchman.................................................................Eddie Gert Lisa...........................................................................................Maicy Patton Mother.....................................................................................Trinity Battle Clown..................................................................................Hayden Bentley also plays various Mannequins Clown .........................................................................Alessandra Courson also plays various Mannequins
Directed by Rick Nelson Asst. Director/SM Elliot Dorn Light Operator Rieley Ferrer Stage Crew Chris Jones Technical Director/Light Design Madison Kelly
Please silence all cell phones. Please refrain from texting during the performance. No photographs or recording equipment allowed due to copyright law. Thank you and enjoy the performance!
Who’s Who in the Cast TRINITY BATTLE (Mom) is excited to be back for this show here at Rose State, after playing Villian/Marci in Almost, Maine. She has enjoyed all the time she’s had with these wonderful people and hopes to continue working with them in the future. She’d like to thank her family and friends for their undying love and encouragement. She would especially like to thank her grandfather for always being so supportive throughout everything and plans to make him proud once again with yet another amazing performance. MAICY PATTON (Lisa) is a Senior at Midwest City High School with a passion for theatre and the performing arts. Her previous stage credits include The Crucible, Emma, and The Wiz through Midwest City High School. She is dedicated to developing her craft as an actor while continuing to grow as a performer both on and off the stage. Beyond theatre, Maicy is actively involved in pom, experiences that have strengthened her confidence, discipline, and collaborative skills. Maicy is grateful to her directors, castmates, family, and friends for their continued encouragement and support, and she is excited to be performing at Rose State College. ELLIOTT DORN (Stage Manager/Asst. Director) Elliott is excited to be assisting this production at Rose State! He has previously performed at Rose State in Alice in Wonderland as the White Rabbit and as Abraham/Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet. He would like to thank his friends, family, and Matteo.
AARON RIVAS (Corduroy) is a secondyear Theatre major at Rose State College, and is excited to be joining the cast of Corduroy, playing to best himself. This is his seventh show ever, with the previous being Mary Poppins (Von Hussler), Mama Mia (Ensemble), PUFFS (Cedric/ Voldy), Something Rotten (Shylock), and Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss). Overall, Aaron is so excited to be working with this amazing cast and crew full of amazing people. He would like to thank his friends and family for being so supportive of him and his passion. Last but not least, he’d like to thank you, the people who went out of their way to support the performing arts at Rose! EDDIE GERT (Nightwatchman) has performed in many productions at Rose State where he teaches Spanish. After taking several theatre classes throughout his time at Rose State, he has decided to finish an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts in Theatre. This summer, he has already appeared in Rose State’s production of Charlotte’s Webb (Arable, Lurvey). Other shows at Rose State include Big Fish (Doc Bennett, U/S Amos), Peter and the Starcatcher (Fighting Prawn), It Runs in the Family (Dr. Bonney), Our Town (Howie Newsome), Pippi Longstocking (Captain Longstocking), The Addams Family (Mal), 9 to 5 (Mr. Tinsworthy), Romeo and Juliet (Friar John), A Christmas Carol (Fezziwig, Christmas Present), Titanic (Etches), and Oliver! (Ensemble). He has also performed locally in Gaslight, A Perfect Arrangement, Hay Fever, Heartbreak
House, Oxtiern, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Odd Couple. Eddie also enjoys working behind the scenes designing sound. Eddie would like to thank his wife and son for supporting his theatrical endeavors. ALÉSSANDRA COURSON (Clown 2) is a first-year Theatre major at Rose State College. Aléssandra has been in many theater productions, beginning with an Italian version of Nativity Play (Baby Jesus), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Philip), Mama Mia! (Ensemble), One Act Country Gothic (Ensemble), Puffs (Moaning Myrtle, Hermione 1, Dementor, Frenchy, Draco Malfoy Son, Colin Creevey, and Ginny), Something Rotten (Bard Beauty), One Act This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (Village Girl and Ensemble) earning a medal for Spotlight Actress, Alice In Wonderland (Duchess), and Matilda (Acrobat and Revolting Children ensemble). She’s performed nine shows from the list at her previous High School Carl Albert. Now at Rose State, she’s performed in Alice In Wonderland playing Duchess, Lily Flower, and Alice’s Older Sister. She would love to thank her family and friends for believing in her and pushing her to a limit they know she can pass. Along with her past teacher Mrs. Orr-Addams, for introducing her to theatre. HAYDEN BENTLEY (Clown 1) is very happy to be in Corduroy. This is his ninth show. He was previously in A Christmas Carol (Topper, Fezziwig Guest, Undertakers Boy, and Horseboy), It Runs In The Family (Dr. Connoly), Peter and the Starcatcher (Hawking Clam), Alice in Wonderland (Tweedle Dum and King of Hearts), Almost, Maine (Phil), Big Fish (Over Excited Scout, Ensemble, Featured
Dancer), Romeo and Juliet (Balthasar, Tybalt US), Charlotte’s Web (Homer Zuckerman, Avery, Sheep, Spectator 1 and 2). He graduated from Macarthur High School in Lawton, Oklahoma and now attends Rose State College majoring in Film Studies and Digital Media. He would like to thank his family for being so supportive and his friends for being absolutely amazing. MADISON KELLY (Technical Director) Madison Kelly is the new Technical Director at Rose State College, where she oversees all aspects of production design and technical operations. With a background in set design and properties management/design, Madison brings 13 years of experience in theatre production, and has worked in Educational Theatre for most of her career. Before joining Rose State College, she worked with the University of Central Oklahoma, Inspired Theatre, Reclaiming Arts, and Red Carpet Community Theatre, supporting a wide range of performances from musicals, plays, and dance recitals. Passionate about collaboration and student development, Madison is grateful for the opportunity to foster an environment where creativity and technical excellence meet.
Join Theatre at Rose State • Five main stage productions each year — more stage time than at larger schools • Work alongside professional guest artists • Hands-on experience in acting, design, stage management, dramaturgy, and more • Builds teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills through real productions • Close faculty mentorship at every step • Pathways to professional internships and transfer to four-year theatre programs RSC Theatre. Learn theatre by doing theatre. For more information, contact Rick Nelson, Professor of Theatre, at 736-0364 or rnelson@rose.edu.
Special Thanks Rose State College President Travis Hurst Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Melissa Hayt Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Jeff Conkin Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dr. Elizabeth Boger Administrative Support Specialist Katy Sorenson Photographer Kenneth Beachler Social Media Coordinator & Internal Marketing Relations Kaitlyn Weldon Brenda Nelson Mass Communication Professor Darcy Delaney-Nelson