THT Rep presents Julius Caesar on the Worcester Common Oval | August 2021

presents

August MMXXI

TheHanoverTheatre.org/thtrep • #THTRep • #HanoverTheatre • #MyLocalMA • #WhenInWorcester

Assumption College is proud to sponsor the 2019 production of

A Christmas Carol A PROUD PARTNER AND PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THT REP’S JULIUS CAESAR

•Founded in 1904, Assumption is the fourth-oldest Catholic College in

•New Founded England.in 1904, Assumption is the fourth-oldest Catholic College in New England.

•35 majors and 49 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, and

•professional 33 majorsstudies. and 49 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business and professional studies.

•Named a top regional university by U.S. News & World Report.

• Named a top regional

by U.S. News Report.

•More than 60 student clubsuniversity and organizations and&24World top-performing •NCAA More than II60 student clubs and organizations and 24 topDivision athletic teams.

Division II athletic •Ourperforming Rome, ItalyNCAA campus is ranked one ofteams. the 10 best study abroad •programs Our Rome, Italy, campus is ranked one of the 10 best study in America. inemployed, America. pursuing additional education, or •91%abroad of 2020programs graduates •engaged 84 percent of 2018 graduates completed at least one internship in service within six months.

•81%orofservice-learning 2021 graduatesexperience. participated in research, internships, service •learning, 95 percent of 2018teaching graduates were employed, pursuing and/or student opportunities. additionalup education, engaged in community service within •Scholarships to $26,000or annually. six months of graduation.

•

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Scholarships up to $25,000 annually.

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Learn more at www.assumption.edu Learn more at www.assumption.edu

presents It is with humility, gratitude and joy that I welcome you to Julius Caesar and introduce you to The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep). Thanks for being here.

As a director, I must always answer the question, “Why this play, in this moment, for this audience?” In this instance, myriad answers range from the practical to the existential. After the long and lonely estrangement wrought by COVID-19, our team has the opportunity and means to bring people together for the shared experience of live theatre. Even as the pandemic subsides, however, safety remains paramount, making outdoor performance all-but-necessary. In the Worcester Common, with City Hall Plaza overlooking the oval, we find ourselves a grand, built-in stage in the heart of the heart of the Commonwealth. And with Julius Caesar, we have a story that holds up a much-needed mirror, as Shakespeare might say, to nature. Our nature, that is, as an American people.

Indeed, in the play, the Roman Republic unravels as politicians and common folks alike undermine democratic values and take matters into their own hands.

As I see it, our own democracy — nay, our very society — stands on that same knife’s edge. To revisit Julius Caesar in this moment, then, is to ask ourselves, with urgency: are we Rome?

Thanks again for joining us. I’ll see you on stage.

Livy Scanlon. Berlin Photography.

Yours,

Livy Scanlon Follow the making of Julius Caesar and summer events in downtown.

Listen to Behind the Scenes interviews about the show at TheHanoverTheatreblog.org #wheninworcester #thtrep #shakespeare #hanovertheatre #downtownworcester #mylocalma

Inside Made in Worcester......................................................5 Supporters of Julius Caesar.........................................6 Bringing Fresh, Live Theatre to Downtown................9 Audience Bill of Rights...............................................10 Seek and Ye Shall Find..............................................11 Seeking Truth and Authenticity................................12 A Community Effort....................................................14 Cast and Creative Team..........................................15 Scenes and Settings...................................................17 Who’s Who..................................................................18 Hard at Worc at Play.................................................23

Worcester Center for Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts and, on behalf of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, manages Worcester’s new BrickBox Theater at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

W o r c e s t e r ,

M a s s a c h u s e t t s

in the city Movies on the Lot

Food Truck Festival of America

July 22 & August 26, 2021 / McGrath

August 28, 2021 / Worcester Common

Library Lot

6th Annual Summer Gospel Fest

Freedom Jamboree

July 31, 2021 / Worcester Common

August 29, 2021 / Franklin and Main Streets

Julius Caesar

Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’

August 4-22, 2021 / Worcester Common

Jazz at Sunset

August 27, 2021 / Behind The Hanover

Market

August 12 & 19, 2021 (Rain date 8.26.21) / Worcester Common

Theatre

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Events as of

June 21, 2021

Made in Worcester

The THT Rep cast of Julius Caesar tour the Worcester Common and receive inspiration from Turtle Boy. Photo by UnityMike.

Offered free and open to the public, William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is our gift to the community, subsidized by our many generous sponsors and other community members.

Together, we want to recognize the extraordinary support we’ve received throughout the pandemic while offering a safe way for people to connect through the experience of the performing arts.

Thank you to our generous sponsors! ~ Presenting sponsors ~

Special thanks to: City Manager Edward Augustus Dr. Francesco Cesareo Evelyn Darling Daniel DiTullio Yaffa Fain Paula and John Fitzsimmons

Andrew McShane Monique Messier Erin Williams Veronica & Howard Wiseman Worcester Public Library

Communications Team

~ Supporting sponsors ~ Honda of Auburn

A family run business since 1964

~ Contributing sponsors ~

Julius Caesar is presented in partnership with the City of Worcester and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), which has received a generous grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) to promote local businesses’ special offers and draw tourists to the heart of the Commonwealth.

Restaurants and taprooms on The Common will be buzzing with deals and outdoor attractions all month long so be sure to visit Downtownworcester.org/shakespeare.

Check out the Smile City culture passport at visitsmilecity.com.

~ In partnership with ~

Families, explore these related Worcester Public Library summer activities at Mywpl.org/article/julius-caesar-wpl.

In addition, The Hanover Theatre’s Gourmet Partner Program provides our theatregoers special discounts and offers all year long. Find details at TheHanoverTheatre.org/gourmet-partners.

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Thank you to the donors who supported the THT Rep Ides of March Match.

A professional production on the scale of Julius Caesar is only possible with support from the community.

All donors listed below have contributed* to the return of live theatre in Worcester.

Individual Sponsors Mary C. DeFeudis • Marianne Felice, MD • Drs. Ivan & Noreen Green Lisa & Neil McDonough • Donald & Susan Pegg • Grace & Jack Roche Veronica & Howard Wiseman

Individual Donors

Mary & Carl Aframe Kristen Albright AlphaGraphics Esme Allen Matthew & Susan Allen Barry & Jean Alman Caroline & Eric Alper Cliff & Mary Ellen Anderson Mary Lou Anderson Mildred & David Anderson Mike & Marie Angelini Janice Babbitt Mr. James Bagaglio Dr. and Mrs. Stephen & Vivian Holland Veronica & Michael Bailey Edward Bambauer Laurian Banciulescu & Matthew Kamins Randall S. Barko & Marie Elissa Boisvert Brian & Janet Barlow Charlene Baron Robert & Connie Bartelson Jack & Susan Bassick Virginia Bates Norman Beisaw Carl & Frances Berger Debbie Bieri Paul Black Maggie & Ella Bland Betty & Bob Blute Patti & Reid Blute Dr. & Mrs. Robert Blute Jr. Michele & Charles D. Bowers Jeannie Brooks Dr. David C. Brown Michelle & Casey Brown D. Bunker-Swanstrom George & Alta-Mae Butler Sally Camara Henry & Pamela Camosse William Sigalis & Barbara Caparso Marie & Valerie Carbone Ann Card & Lois Ducharme Jeffrey & Ginni Cardoso page 8

Patricia Carignan Frank Carroll & Family Laura Caswell David & Karen Catallozzi Karen Ceppetelli Barbara & Richard Cerny Nancy Chabot Kelly Chick Nancy Childress & Ned Banta Eileen Codyer Nancy & Skip Colby Catherine Colinvaux & Phillip Zamore Jack & Nancy Collins Stephanie Collins Lisa K. Condit Shirley Conrad & Joe Petruccelli Mary & Hannah Cooper Richard & Charlotte Cote Mrs Dale Coulter Margot Crawford Michael Crawford Donna Crocker Jonah & Ronna Cuker Henry & Helen Culver Beth & Jim Cunningham George Curtis Eleanor D’Ambrosio & Tim O’Gorman Stephen & Annette D’Ambrosio Jill & Paul Dagilis Ms H M Daley Olivia & Rachel Scanlon David & Susan Daoust Linda Dattis Dr. Cheryl Davis Mary C. DeFeudis Melanie Demarais Justine & Kevin DeNorscia Ellen DiCerbo Ross & Lisa Dik Jennifer Dineen Gerard & Joan Dio John Doubleday & Cindy Powers Max & Marie Ebacher Monica Elefterion & Mark Wagner Richard & Deborah Emmons

Fred & Patty Eppinger Nikki Erskine A.J. Fedor Juliet Feibel Debbie Feingold Marianne Felice, MD John Ferdella & Elaine Simone Ferdella Leslie Fish & Jerry Gurwitz Paula Fitzsimmons Warner S. & Mary F. Fletcher Ann L. Flynn Thomas & Susan Flynn Carl & Susan Foley Joan & Michael Foley Joyce Ford Bruce Forman & Vicki Wallin Robert Frankel & Ann McCauley Marc Franklin Emma Freeman The Fresolo Family Simon Fricker Bernard Gagnon Joseph Gallagher Daisy G Cherylann Gengel Patricia George Patricia Gibb Susan Gibbons Patti & Harvey Gould Mona Grande Mr Wayne Grant Drs. Ivan & Noreen Green Shaun & Marcia Grimley Ruth & Richard Grobe Dr. Abraham & Linda Haddad Liz Haddad Bruce Hager Maryanne & Paul Hammond Kathleen Hancock Kel Haney & Michael Grew Don & Peg Harbert Maureen Hardy Henry & Lee Harrison Bridgette Hayes Judith Haynes

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James Healey Grace-Louise Hebert Richard & Janice Helle Laurel Hemmer Richard Henderson Charles Henneberry Sr. Seth Holmes Paula Howard & Craig Caruso Ted & Kathleen Hudson George Indyke Nancy & Eric Jeppson Harry & Jean Johnson Nan Johnson Grace Jordan Steve & Lee Joseph Jack & Cynthia Kadzik Michael Keating Bob & Deb Kelley Kevin Kelly Jaimie Kender Keith Kenez Jojo Kennedy Thomas & Dana Kennedy Kathleen & Michael Keohane Steve Kern Martha Kinback Bob & Jeanne Kissane Benjamin & Paula Korstvedt Helen P. Koskinas Marcia Krantz Sharon & Allen Krause Jennifer & Ted Kremer Otto & Karen Kunz The Laflamme Family June Laliberte Carol Lambert James & Anne Lang Frances Langille Jim Langley Kathleen Larocque Madelaine & Albert Latini Richard & Tracey Lavey Nel & Paul Lazour Katherine Leblanc Joseph & Dianne Leland Richard & Mary Ellen Letarte Kathi Lewando Mark & Carol Liasson Theresa Linnell Ann T. Lisi & Joel P. Greene Hanover Theatre Fans Ronald & Gail Liston Peter Lobdell Maureen & John Locke Sara Lohnes John & Susan LoVerso Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Lowe & Family Tricia Lupien Dorothy Lurier Helder & Maggie Machado, Machado Consulting Donna & Don MacLean Daniel & Valerie Manzaro Magdalena Margelony Christopher Marrion

LisaAnn & Matthew Martin Stephen Maxson Carolann McAdam Robert & Myra McAnulty Thomas Mcauliffe Mr. Robert McCallum Stephen & Joanne McCann Darcy McCarthy Eileen M. McCarthy James & Michele McDonald Lisa & Neil McDonough Brian & Pat McGrath John McNamara Robert & Jan Mecca Jacqueline Meehan Janice Melchiore James F. Messier Christine & John Meuse Cathryn Jerome Mezynski Martin Mitchell Colleen Molta Diane & Tim Mooney Carol Morocco Kenneth & Donna Mudie Dr. Joseph D. Musto Margaret Naylor & Robert Condon Philip & Judy Niddrie Judith Noar Bob & Martha Oakes Dr. William & Laureen O’Brien Cheri O’Connor Ruth Odgren Elizabeth O’Keefe Matthew Olds & Michael Berthiaume Carol Oliver Mr & Mrs Craig & Kimberly Ornell Lynette Paczkowski Susan & Chris Palatucci Kathy C. Parker Raymond & Sheila Pavlik Renee Peace Marjorie Peairs Dennis Pearce James Pease & Janice Hitzhusen Donald & Susan Pegg Arthur Pelletier Kathy & Dick Perry Susan Pett Diane & Ken Pieciak Maria Piscitelli-Durant Diane Place Ronald & Mary Plutnicki Rick & Joanne Powell Joe & Margaret Pridotkas Cindy Purcell Jonathan & Helen Quist Robin Rhodes Winifred Rice Jennifer Riley Dianne Robo Grace & Jack Roche Joseph Rodriguez Alice Rojko Arlene & Harvey Room Alonzo Ross

Ella & Maggie Ross Denise Ryan Eric Saczawa Victor Saffrin Beth Sannella Abigail Santos William Sarkisian Barbara Scanlon Kurt Schuetz Fred Schwartz Shakespeare Club of Worcester Genevieve Shappell Ann Marie Shea Cynthia Skowyra Carter Smith Eleanor Smith Kate Smith Roxanne & Nicholas Smyrnios Victor & Carolyn Somma Joyce Southworth Joyce St Germain Sandra & Jack Stankus Mark Steina Kimberly A. Stone & Patrick R. Jones William Stone H. Stanley Stoney Sullivan, Garrity & Donnelly Insurance Mary A. Sullivan Ronald & Barbara Sullivan Susan & Joseph Sullivan Tim & Linda Sullivan Tina & Bill Sullivan Nancy & Janina Swiacki Kenneth Takvorian Marshall Tate & Judy Rothbard Tate Steve & Rosemary Taylor Theatre Cafe Kellie Thibodeau The Thompson Family Francis J. & Karen Tighe Deborah Towns Raymond Trifone Huck & Jo Truesdell Rosie Turner Susan Upham Jody & Charlie Valade Robin VanLiew Kim & Adrian VanderSpek Virginia Vaughan Hank VonHellion William & Deborah Wall Patty & Daniel Walton Peter & Mary T. Ward James & Tracy V. Wells Lisa Wezowicz Jeffrey & Elizabeth Wheeler Diana & William Whitehead Margaret Wong Phillip & Patricia Woodman Sheyanne Woodward Worcester Fitness Walter Zydlewski * List current as of June 4, 2021

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Bravo!

“NO ONE IS SO BRAVE THAT HE IS NOT DISTURBED BY SOMETHING UNEXPECTED.”

Fallon Health is a proud supporter of The Hanover Theatre Repertory’s free production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on the Worcester Common.

– Julius Caesar

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Support theatre created in Worcester for Worcester.

- Classics with a contemporary perspective.

- A home for outstanding local, regional and national artists.

- Theatre that celebrates and elevates our community.

- Be part of a new voice in the downtown cultural scene.

Support THT Rep today.

Scan this code to make a secure contribution or visit our website at TheHanoverTheatre.org/THTRep.

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THT Rep actors, led by Livy Scanlon, artistic director, tour Downtown Worcester prior to the first rehearsal of Julius Caesar. Photo by UnityMike.

Bringing Fresh, Live Theatre to Downtown Currently, Worcester audiences must trek to either the Berkshires or Boston to see professional, dramatic plays, including productions of iconic works.

Given The Hanover Theatre’s mission to ignite and nurture a passion for the performing arts in audiences and artists of today and tomorrow, it seems only fitting that we would create The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep) to fill the void.

Specifically, THT Rep is committed to engaging, entertaining and energizing audiences with dynamic theatrical events made in and for Worcester, focusing on classics, modern classics and classics-inspired works.

While Julius Caesar will play outdoors on the common, THT Rep’s regular home is across the street in the new BrickBox Theater at the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC), which The Hanover Theatre manages in partnership with the Worcester Cultural Coalition. With its intimate seating and industrial aesthetic, the BrickBox is perfect for fresh, sophisticated stagings of classic texts written before 1900 (e.g. Julius Caesar), modern classics

written between 1900 to 2000 (e.g. A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry) and contemporary works that are somehow classics-inspired (e.g. Abigail/1702 by Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa, inspired by Arthur Miller’s The Crucible).

Some core principles at THT Rep include:

• Hiring theatre professionals who share a commitment to rigorous practice, have achieved a level of training commensurate with the demands of their role onstage or off and represent a wide range of ages, genders, skin colors, ethnicities and lived experiences.

• Creating professional development opportunities for

students from our conservatory and greater Worcester.

• Cultivating an audience diverse across all

demographics, including but not limited to age, gender, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic class.

Learn more at TheHanoverTheatre.org/THTRep and jmacworcester.org/brickbox.

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Audience Bill of Rights At THT Rep, watching a show should feel a bit like being at a ball game. As such, you have the right to:

• Laugh, cheer, clap, boo and gasp out loud. The more energy you give the performers, the more they give back!

• Use this program as a handy reference. If you are unsure of who a character is or have lost track of where we are in the story, check out Scenes and Settings on page 17.

• Zone out now and then.

• Close your eyes and listen to the language.

• Forget the language and enjoy the costumes, sound design and other elements of the production.

• Stand up to stretch your legs, refresh your drink or go to the bathroom, while being mindful of the folks behind you.

• Love the show, hate the show and everything in between!

Learn more about the show: Listen to Behind the Scenes interviews about the show at TheHanoverTheatreblog.org.

Meet the cast and creative team at TheHanoverTheatre.org/jccastandcreative.

Families, be sure to check out related library activities at Mywpl.org/article/julius-caesar-wpl.

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The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Seeking Truth and Authenticity

In England at the end of the 16th century, with an aging While Shakespeare based his play on historical events, queen on throne who had reigned for 41 years, political it is decidedly not a documentary. He does not worry change was imminent. Elizabeth was 66 and had not about historical accuracy. For example, his actors married, produced children, or named an heir. In 1599, would have worn a mix of togas and Elizabethan amidst anxiety about succession and the future of the clothing and he was not bothered by using the nation, including the threat of civil chiming of a mechanical clock, war, Shakespeare penned Julius which was not invented until the Caesar. middle ages. Shakespeare’s “Our adaption seeks primary source is Plutarch’s Lives truth and authenticity in Set in Rome in 44 BC, in a world of Noble Grecians and Romans, of political intrigue and domestic storytelling, togas with especially the biographies of tension, the play explores the rise of Caesar and Brutus, which had a modern twist Caesar—a popular, effective and been translated into English by powerful leader—and the moral and diverse casting Thomas North. While the main dilemma faced by Marcus Brutus. elements of the story are intact, that reflects our Should he stand by while Caesar’s Shakespeare adapts the material community and world, ambitions threaten the civic virtues freely, as he did in his history plays. of the Republic? Or, should he side as we draw new Notably, he compresses time. The with the conspirators? This group events of the two opening scenes significance from this is increasingly concerned about were separated by months but Caesar’s assault on civil liberties enduring story.”

Shakespeare has Caesar’s defeat and potential for authoritarianism of Pompey occur closer to the Ides and seeks to assassinate him. Brutus of March, making the events of that hesitates but is swayed by Cassius - Kathryn M. Moncrief, day a more direct consequence (Cassia in our production) who Associate Director + Dramaturg of Caesar’s actions. Additionally, appeals to both his patriotism and there were actually two battles vanity. Brutus makes his choice of Philippi twenty days apart, in Act 3 Scene 1 and the rest of Octavius did not reach Rome until the play explores the disastrous consequences of his six weeks after the death of Caesar, and Brutus and actions. Written right after Henry V, and immediately Cassius did not meet their demise until two years after before Hamlet, all three plays explore issues of the assassination. The effect is a play that is swift and leadership (who is fit to rule), personality, power, incisive, sharpening the focus to key events, issues and corruption and the fate of the nation. page 14

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people, while increasing the stakes of the action and the impact of the tragedy.

Shakespeare’s transformation of his source material is evident in an example: Plutarch mentions Brutus’s succinct rhetorical style and records only that Antony’s eulogy of Caesar “did greatly move [the people’s] hearts and affections.” Shakespeare, however, showcases the differences between Brutus and Antony to theatrical advantage, making their competing eulogies a turning point in the play. Brutus’s logical explanation gives way to Antony’s shrewd and memorable 130-line appeal to “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” that inspires the assembled crowd and has a calamitous effect on the events that follow.

At the same time that he explores significant political issues, Shakespeare is also concerned with character relationships and what they reveal not only Brutus’s uneasy alliance with Cassius and his disintegrating friendship with Caesar, but also the relationship each man has with his spouse. Structurally, the back-to-back domestic scenes contrast the military leaders in moments of spousal intimacy. When confronted with concern for their health and safety, Brutus is unwilling and withholding, while Caesar is initially affectionate and accommodating, thus complicating the audience’s view of each man, forcing a reconsideration of each. Even here the ground shifts and Caesar’s initial regard for his spouse’s prescient warning collapses when Decius mocks him for it.

While Shakespeare adapted Plutarch’s stories of Brutus and Caesar to comment on power and politics in early modern England, he seemed to anticipate, in Cassius’s lines, the play’s lasting impact: How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown (3.1.112-114)

As we present Shakespeare’s take on ancient Rome in downtown Worcester in 2021, our adaption seeks truth and authenticity in storytelling, togas with a modern twist and diverse casting that reflects our community and world, as we draw new significance from this enduring story.

By Kathryn M. Moncrief, Associate Director and Dramaturg.

Costume sketches by Lex Liang. The Soothsayer on left page and Octavius’ messenger above right. Lex is the founder and owner of LDC Design Associates, an experiential event design and production company in NYC.

A Community Effort

How the generosity of one couple inspired a grassroots fundraising campaign.

When Veronica and Howard Wiseman first heard about a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on the Worcester Common, they knew it was going to be something special.

“When [THT Rep Artistic Director] Olivia Scanlon told us about her vision for live outdoor theatre in the heart of downtown Worcester, free and open to the public, we were thrilled!

The isolation of the past year has reminded all of us of the vital role that the arts play in our lives, bringing us together to take part in civic life, to celebrate art and culture and to build community.”

As longtime theatre lovers and philanthropists, the Wisemans knew just how challenging it can be to bring such an ambitious project to life.

They wanted to make a significant contribution, but in a way that would underscore the idea of community that is central to this production.

“At its core, Julius Caesar is a play about civic life and community, and live theatre is a fundamentally communal event,” says Scanlon.

“We wanted the idea of community to inform every aspect of the event, not just what you will see onstage, and to make it accessible and fresh and exciting for every person in the audience, whether it’s their first live play or their hundredth.”

imagination and the desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves…we hoped that our support would encourage others to take part in bringing this wonderful celebration of live theatre to Worcester.”

Veronica and Howard Wiseman

“At its core, Julius Caesar is a play about civic life and community, and live theatre is a fundamentally communal event.

We wanted the idea of community to inform every aspect of the event” -Livy Scanlon, THT Rep Artistic Director

To the Wisemans, that sense of community, of the arts belonging to all of us, is what inspires them to give.

“Philanthropy has always been central to making art and culture possible, and maybe that’s why the arts bring out the best in all of us—our generosity, our page 16

With the help of a $30,000 challenge grant offered by the Wisemans, THT launched a grassroots funding campaign, the Ides of March Match.

THT Vice President of Advancement, Chris Marrion, saw this as more than just a fundraising opportunity. “The Ides of March Match was a way for us to reinforce that everyone is invited to participate in live theatre and to play a role in making it happen. We used all of the tools at our disposal to get our story in front of the most diverse audience possible... print, email, social media, radio and even an old school phoneathon. The response was tremendous.”

The campaign went live on March 15 (the Ides of March) with a goal of raising an additional $30k to match the Wiseman’s gift. In just two weeks, thanks to hundreds of generous donors, the campaign raised $60k, twice the original goal, with more than a quarter of the contributions coming from firsttime donors.

“This was an extraordinary way to kick off Julius Caesar” said THT President and CEO Troy Siebels. “Worcester is passionate about the arts, and there is no better way to celebrate the return of live theatre than with a production created especially for Worcester. We are so grateful to Veronica and Howard Wiseman and to everyone who helped to make this possible. This was truly a community effort.”

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presents

LIVY SCANLON ... Director

KATHRYN MONCRIEF ... Associate Director, Dramaturg and Intimacy Choreography LEX LIANG# ... Scenic and Costume Design STEPHEN PETRILLI# ... Lighting Design DEWEY DELLAY ... Sound Design ROBERT ISAACSON ... Fight Choreography Cast in order of appearance

JIHAN HADDAD ... Soothsayer DALE PLACE* ... Julius Caesar JOHN MORELLO... Calpurnius, Caesar's husband LIVY SCANLON* ... Antonia, Caesar's ally JADE ZIANE* ... Octavius Caesar, Caesar's heir CRISTIANO LOURENÇO, JR.^ ... Messenger of Octavius Caesar JOSHUA WOLF COLEMAN* ... Brutus, a Roman Senator and conspirator LIZZY BROOKS* ... Portia, Brutus's wife CLEW ... Lucius, servant to Brutus and Portia MERI STYPINSKI* ... Cassia, a Roman Senator and conspirator BRANDON GRIMES* ... Decius, a Roman Senator and conspirator STEVEN BARKHIMER* ... Cascus, a Roman Senator and conspirator LIA MADELINE ... Cinna, a Roman Senator and conspirator AMIE LYTLE ... Commoner PETER MANN ... Commoner LYNDSEY HAWKES^, YAHYA JINGO^, ELLEN LOKOS^, CRISTIANO LOURENÇO, JR.^ GIDEON MALUGGE^, MICHAEL SKRZEK^ ... Ensemble

Production

CHRIS BULLOCK, CVP ... Production Manager ELIZABETH YVETTE RAMIREZ* ... Production Stage Manager SARAH MACINTYRE* ... Assistant Stage Manager DOMÉNICA DILLON ... Production Assistant RACHAEL WEIR ... Production Assistant BRENDA SHEPARD ... Master Electrician DEVIN MCGOVERN ... Sound Engineer NATALIA DE LA TORRE ... Wardrobe Supervisor KENNETH RAINEY ... Draping and Costume Construction MARGARET GOLDRAINER ... Assistant Costume Designer and Crafts Artisan CHADYN CASE ... Covid-19 Safety Officer

* Member, Actors' Equity Association # Member, United Scenic Artists ^ Worc at Play Actor Trainee

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Scenes and Settings Rome, a public place.

As Romans celebrate Caesar’s military victory, the Soothsayer warns, “Beware the Ides of March.” Senators Brutus and Cassia watch from afar as Antonia offers Caesar a crown in an act of political theatre. Cassia hints at a plot against Caesar, who has an epileptic fit. After recovering, Caesar expresses concerns about Cassia with Antonia. Across the oval, a Senator named Cascus shares new details with Brutus and Cassia. Alone, Cassia plans to manipulate Brutus’s noble nature by forging letters imploring him to act on Rome’s behalf.

Rome, a street. Thunderstorm.

That night, Cassia recruits Cascus to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Cassia shares she has support from other Senators, including Cinna, who enters to retrieve the forged letters for Brutus.

Brutus’ orchard.

Meanwhile, a tormented Brutus concludes Caesar must be stopped. The conspirators arrive and Brutus agrees to join their cause. As they leave, Portia enters, imploring her husband to share his “cause of grief.”

Caesar’s house.

Like Brutus, Caesar is sleepless. His husband, Calpurnius, relates an ominous dream and persuades Caesar to stay home. Decius enters and reinterprets the dream. The conspirators arrive and escort Caesar to the capitol.

Rome, before Brutus’s house.

Brutus has told Portia about the conspiracy. She sees the Soothsayer and asks after Caesar, then wishes for Brutus that “the heavens speed thee in thine enterprise.”

Rome, the capitol.

Caesar calls the Senate to order. Under the pretense of seeking a repeal for Cinna’s banished brother, the conspirators crowd Caesar, stabbing him. Brutus strikes last. The betrayal shocks Caesar, who gasps, “Et tu, Brute?” Antonia returns aghast. Brutus promises to explain his motives at Caesar’s funeral. Antonia asks to speak as well. Though Cassia advises against it, Brutus agrees. Alone with Caesar’s body, Antonia weeps, vowing revenge and invoking civil war. A messenger arrives to report that Caesar’s nephew, Octavius, is headed to Rome.

Rome, Caesar’s funeral.

At Caesar’s funeral, the crowd demands an explanation for Caesar’s murder. Brutus argues that love of Rome made the assassination necessary. The crowd agrees. Brutus introduces Antonia, who enters with Caesar’s body. She walks a fine line, praising Caesar while also calling Brutus and the conspirators “honorable.”

Antonia argues so cleverly that the crowd, who had been cheering Brutus, turns in anger against the conspirators, who flee from the city. The messenger confirms Octavius Caesar has arrived in Rome.

Rome, a street.

Whipped into a frenzy, the people form an angry, chaotic mob. They attack an innocent poet named Cinna, simply because her name is the same as one of the conspirators.

Antonia’s camp.

Octavius and Antonia confirm who they intend to kill, and prepare to fight Brutus and Cassia.

Camp near Sardis, before Brutus’s tent.

The relationship between Cassia and Brutus deteriorates into a quarrel. After the argument settles, Brutus reveals that Portia has killed herself. Their soldiers enter, and together they devise a strategy for battle. Later that night, Caesar’s ghost visits Brutus, warning the two will meet again at the battlefield of Philippi.

Philippi, the field of battle.

Octavius and Antonia disagree over tactics. Brutus and Cassia enter, and the leaders exchange insults. We learn it is Cassia’s birthday. She and Brutus bid farewell and go into battle. Brutus sees an opening for attack.

However, Cassia misinterprets his movements and mistakenly concludes her legions are surrounded. Unwilling to endure defeat and dishonor, Cassia runs on her sword. Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus a second time. He too concludes he would rather take his own life than yield to Antonia and Octavius. Antonia acknowledges Brutus as “the noblest Roman of them all.” As such, she and Octavius plot to use Brutus’s death and funeral to their advantage.

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Who’s Who • Cast and Creative Team in alphabetical order Steven Barkhimer* (Cascus) has appeared on stage in King Lear and Richard III (Actors’ Shakespeare Project), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Gypsy (Lyric Stage of Boston), Twelfth Night and Morning After Grace (Shakespeare & Company) and in films such as “The Fighter” and “American Hustle”. His original play Windowmen garnered the Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for Best Play and Outstanding New Script of 2014. He is also a musician, director, and instructor. Relieved to be out of Zoomland, this live performance is dedicated to Elizabeth Packard.

Lizzy Brooks* (Portia/Assistant Fight Director) Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Lizzy is an actor, singer and screenwriter. Her highlights include Tartuffe (Moliere in the Park), Storming Heaven (Playwrights Horizons), Diablo Love (SummerStage - Shakespeare in the Park), Hostages (NBC) and Hairspray (RCL). In Jan 2022, she will appear in the upcoming production of Gem of the Ocean at Trinity Repertory. She’s currently a rising 4th year at the Brown/Trinity Repertory MFA program. Her highlights at B/T include Martha (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf), Banquo (Macbeth) and Undine (Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine). She is so excited to join this amazing team of Julius Caesar in one of her favorite Shakespeare plays! As always, thanks to her family, her constant support and inspiration. @lizzy__brooks Clew (Lucius) is excited to plunge into their first production with The Hanover Theatre Repertory. Regional credits include Mlima’s Tale (Second Thought Theatre); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Altered Shakespeare); Gruesome Playground Injuries (Flexible Grey); Doom McCoy & the Death Nugget (Ochre House Theater); An Octoroon (Stage West Theatre); She Kills Monsters (Theatre Three); and The Tempest (Winedale Rep). They are taking a stab at an MFA in Acting from Brown/Trinity Rep. Outside of theatre, they enjoy taking walks, rollerblading and smelling the flowers.

Welcome back and please enjoy the show. @clew.cifer Joshua Wolf Coleman* (Brutus) is glad to finally work with The Hanover Theatre Repertory after an attempt to perform in their pandemic-interrupted Romeo and Juliet. Coleman has over 30 television credits, 40 theatre credits (most recently in the title role of Thurgood on tour, and, as well, at Trinity Repertory Theatre).

He is a graduate of the UCSD MFA program.

He is deeply grateful for the sacrifices Annie Brown is making to allow him to work in this role, the sacrifices Faye Coleman has made forever, to Olivia for the faith and to Luna for all of his current inspiration.

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Brandon Grimes* (Decius) is thrilled to be making his debut with THT Rep. National Tours: Jekyll and Hyde, All is Calm; OffBroadway: Calamity Jane (Musicals Tonight); Regional: The Greenbrier Ghost (Greenbrier Valley Theatre), Man of La Mancha (New Rep), Laertes in Hamlet (Colonial Theatre); Anthony in Sweeney Todd (NextDoor Theatre); Bobby in Company (Texas Rep), Pirates of Penzance (Ordway Center), and 1776 (Cape Playhouse). Film: “Abominable” and “A Voice”. Brandon is also a proud teacher of singing.

He would like to thank his parents and Neil for their constant support and love. He is a graduate of University of Houston and University of Michigan. www.brandongrimes.com Jihan Haddad (Soothsayer) is excited to make her debut with The Hanover Theatre Repertory. Originally from Portland, OR, she is currently finishing her MFA in acting with the Brown/Trinity Acting and Directing Programs. Some of her credits there include Summer & Smoke, The Tempest and “Millenarians” , a student produced film.

Jihan is incredibly grateful to be back on the theatre stage with such an amazing cast and crew!

Lyndsey Hawkes ^ (Third Commoner) is thrilled to make her debut with The Hanover Theatre Repertory in Julius Caesar while studying Shakespearean acting in the Worc at Play program. When not directing or performing in local theatre, Lyndsey works as a manager at the Leicester Walmart.

She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Clark University, class of 2019. She thanks Aaron, her parents, and the COVID-19 vaccine for supporting her in this role.

Ellen Lokos ^ (Cinna the Poet) is thrilled to make her debut with The Hanover Theatre Repertory in Julius Caesar. Regional: Edith Stein (Fiat Productions), Nickel and Dimed (Factory Theater) and The Odd Couple (Lex Players). Her favorite roles include Edith Stein (Edith Stein), Sister Mary Ignatius (Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You) and Maggie (The Shadow Box).

Ellen is a founding member of the “Actors in Residence” program (Playwrights’ Platform) and a two–time winner of the Audience Choice Award for Best Actor at the Summer Festival, Boston Playwright’s Theater. Many thanks to Livy, my friends at Worc at Play and The Hanover Theatre team for this opportunity! Love you, Alex & Stef.

Cristiano Lourenço, Jr. ^ (Messenger) is a Brazilian actor who has been living in Worcester for the past five years. He is a student at The Hanover Theatre Conservatory and is very excited to be back on stage for Julius Caesar. Previous projects Cristiano has worked on include Em Azul Um Musical (In Blue, a Musical), Little Prince - The Musical, “Velorio a Brasileira”

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(Funeral in Brazilian), an adaptation of the popular tv show “Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum”, as well as multiple national tours and over 10 different productions. Cristiano is grateful to be a part of this show and wanted to thank his parents for always supporting his career, as well as every teacher, director and choreographer who believed in his potential.

Yahya Mafumu Jingo ^ (Titinius) is excited to participate in his first theatrical performance.

Yahya is originally from Uganda (East Africa) and currently resides in Charlton, MA. In 2008, Yahya earned his Bachelors in Business Computing from Kampala International University. In 2015, Yahya won the Spirit of Stonewall award for Human Rights Initiatives. He has his certificate from John Casablanca’s Modeling and Acting Agency. Yahya has found that through learning with Worc at Play, he has been able to free his mind and heart. He has learned that his doubts are traitors and fear has the ability effect one’s potential. Yahya’s performance is dedicated to his late mom Cissy Luwaga Nakisozi.

Amie Lytle (First Citizen) is delighted to make her official debut with The Hanover Theatre Repertory after performing in the reading of Romeo and Juliet last spring.

Regional credits include Cry It Out, Chelsea People (Apollinaire Theatre Company), The Kritik, Uncle Vanya, Church (Harbor Stage Company), Nevermore, Around the World in 80 Days, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (WHAT), She Did All That, The MOMologues (Birch Tree Productions), Finish Line (Boston Theater Company, Boch Center) and Not Jenny (Bridge Rep.) She sends her love and thanks to Olivia and her wonderful family. www.amielytle.com Lia Madeline (Cinna) is thrilled to perform again after this long intermission! Credits include Cicada (Luna Stage), Fatchley (She NYC Festival) and Pride and Prejudice (NH Theatre Project). She holds a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Lia is thankful to be a part of such an amazing production with The Hanover Theatre!

Gideon Malugge ^ (Fourth Commoner) A proactive team player with a solid work ethic, Gideon is a member of the first ever class of Worc at Play actor trainees at THT Rep, where he is studying the role of Romeo. Born in Kampala, Uganda to a family of actors, he now lives in Westford, MA and is a graduate of the John Casablanca School of Modelling and Acting in Connecticut.

John Morello (Calpurnius) Born in Detroit and raised in Massachusetts, John has been on stage for over 20 years as an actor, comedian, and poet. Local audiences last saw him as Dave Caro in Between Riverside and Crazy and as Moe Axelrod in the Clifford Odets classic Awake and Sing. He is most known for creating the one-man show Dirt. A coming of age tale praised by The New York Times, Dirt has toured the world and been seen by millions. John is thankful to be performing for live audiences again and is especially honored to be doing so with The Hanover Theatre Repertory.

Dale Place* (Julius Caesar) Broadway: Heisenberg (MTC). National Tour: The Humans. Other New York credits include King Lear (New York Shakespeare Festival), and Nikolai and the Others (Lincoln Center Theatre). Mr. Place played Scrooge in the Hanover Theatre’s first four years of A Christmas Carol. Other regional credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Romeo and Juliet, Our Town (Huntington Theatre) and Blood on the Snow (Boston Old State House). He has also appeared with the Cleveland Play House, Northern Stage, Public Theatre of Maine, New Repertory Theatre, Lyric Stage Company, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and (since 1981) The Barnstormers Theatre. Film credits: “The Fighter”, “The Proposal”, “Joy”, “Gone Baby Gone” and “What’s Your Number?”. Upcoming TV: “WeCrashed”, “Julia”.

Livy Scanlon* (Director, Antonia) is a Worcester-based actor, director, producer and teaching artist serving as Artistic Director of The Hanover Theatre Repertory and Managing Director of the BrickBox Theater in the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Prior to arriving in Worcester, Livy founded and helmed Bridge Repertory Theater, where she was recognized with a 2019 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director (World Premiere, Dark Room

by George Brant) and a 2018 IRNE Award for Outstanding Actress (Elizabeth Packard in Mrs. Packard by Emily Mann).

Other regional credits include Nora Theatre, New Rep, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Trinity Rep, Asolo Rep, Hartford Stage and Paper Mill Playhouse. Livy teaches acting at MIT, WPI and The Hanover Theatre Conservatory. She earned an MFA in Acting from Brown University / Trinity Rep, and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Amherst College (summa cum laude). Special thanks to Troy and the THT team for getting behind this project. Love and gratitude always to R and R. @_worcplaymaker__

Michael Skrzek ^ (Pindarus, Octavius US) could not be more proud and excited to be performing in his home city of Worcester Peter Mann (Second Commoner) is very once again. Regional credits include excited to join the cast of Julius Caesar!

Swan Lake in Blue (Greater Boston Stage Previously Peter performed in The Hanover Company), A Christmas Carol (The Hanover Theatre Conservatory’s Zoom production Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (Theatre By the of Romeo and Juliet, co-produced with Sea) and Mary Poppins (The Grove Theatre).

THT Rep. Other regional credits include A Michael has also sailed the seas performing Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage). A proud on the main stage with Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines graduate of The Hartt School’s BFA program, in their repertory companies. He was awarded the 2016 Los Peter is ecstatic to be performing once Angeles Scenie for Breakthrough Star of the Year. Having again! Huge thank you to Rachel, mom and dad and the a mostly musical theatre background, he is stoked to finally whole team at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory! train and work on a Shakespeare production. Here’s to Worcester! Cheers! page 21 The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

Who’s Who • Cast and Creative Team Meri Stypinski* (Cassia) is simply delighted to perform in one of her favourite places in the world, Worcester MA! Regional credits include: A Christmas Carol (The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts), Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Opera House Arts), The Wild Party (MoonBox Productions) and Dark Room (Bridge Repertory Theater). Favorite roles include: Maria (Twelfth Night), Dora Strang (Equus), Lysistrata (Lysistrata), Abby (The Musical of Musicals (The Musical)!) and Liz Morden (Our Country’s Good). Meri earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Jade Ziane* (Octavius Caesar) feels so grateful and excited to be stepping back on stage after a long year and a half. OffBroadway: Tennessee Williams 1982 (Walker Space), Queens Boulevard (Theatre Row), Big Love (Schimmel Center). Regional: Intimate Exchanges (Central Square Theatre), Julius Caesar (Access Theatre) and The Legend of Bonny Anne (La Jolla Playhouse).

Love to Livy, Moms, Pop, Dirsd and all the real ones out there.

You know who you are.

CREATIVE TEAM: Dewey Dellay (Sound Designer/Composer) Dewey is happy to be back in live theatre with The Hanover Theatre Repertory. Some of the shows he has designed for in the area are The Life Span of a Fact (Gloucester Stage); Cardboard Piano, The Bakelite Masterpiece (New Rep); The Little Foxes (Lyric Stage Company); Nat Turner in Jerusalem (Actor’s Shakespeare Company); Constellations (Underground Railway Theater); Admissions (SpeakEasy Stage): The Bacchae (Brandeis University). Dewey has received an Elliot Norton award for Outstanding Design and an IRNE for Best Sound Design. Some of his television credits include original music for Emmy nominated National Geographic’s “China’s Mystery Mummies” and he has composed music for five seasons of “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN Channel.) Dewey is presently composing music for digital children’s books produced by Live Oak Media.

Robert Isaacson (Fight Choreographer): Robert has staged violence for more than 50 shows thus far in his career and is thrilled to be working with The Hanover Theatre Repertory for the first time. Highlights of past work include Parade (Moonbox Productions), Wait Until Dark (The Footlight Club), Cinderella (Open Door Theater), The Miracle Worker (Worcester Foothills Theater), Macbeth, True West and She Kills Monsters (Merrimack College). Robert is also a member of SAG-AFTRA, a Taekwondo black belt, and proud owner of both a 270-year-old house and a 6-month-old Leonberger.

Lex Liang (Scenic & Costume Designer) This is their debut with The Hanover Theatre Repertory. NYC/Off-Broadway: 50+ productions. Recent work includes Antigone, Nine Circles, and The Bacchae. Regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alliance Theatre, The Asolo, Barrington Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Dallas Theatre Center, Denver Center, Geva Theatre, The Guthrie, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse,

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Pasadena Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Syracuse Stage, Woolly Mammoth and others. Lex is the founder and owner of LDC Design Associates, an experiential event design and production company in NYC. Recent projects include Ubuntu Pathways: Fight For Good, Operation Smile’s 35th Anniversary Gala, The Tony Awards Gala and BCBG’s 30 Year Retrospective, NYFW 2019. Member, United Scenic Artists-829. www.LexLiang.com Devin McGovern (Sound Engineer/ Sound System Designer) is so excited to be working with The Hanover Theatre Repertory.

Recent credits include Fun Home (SpeakEasy Stage Company), Poison of Choice (Salem State University Theatre Dept.) and Allegiance (SpeakEasy Stage Company). Devin holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design from Salem State University and is grateful for the opportunity to work on another of Shakespeare’s plays.

Dr. Kathryn Moncrief (Associate Director/Dramaturg/Intimacy Choreography) is Paris Fletcher Distinguished Professor and Head of Humanities and Arts at WPI. She is co-editor of Shakespeare Expressed: Page, Stage and Classroom in Early Modern Drama; Performing Pedagogy in Early Modern England: Gender, Instruction and Performance; and Performing Maternity in Early Modern England and author of articles published in Hamlet: The State of Play, Literary Cultures and the Child, Shaping Shakespeare for Performance, Metaliterary in Practice, Gender and Early Modern Constructions of Childhood, and Renaissance Quarterly. Dramaturgy/text coaching: Utah Shakespeare Festival (Twelfth Night, The Book of Will, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat); Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Prague Shakespeare (Love’s Labour’s Lost); Chesapeake Shakespeare (Wild Oats, Othello, She Stoops to Conquer, Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2, Hamlet).

Directing: WPI (Every Brilliant Thing).

Stephen Petrilli (Lighting Designer) is working with The Hanover Theatre Repertory for the first time. He has also designed for Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, Provincetown Theater, Gloucester Stage, Bridge Rep, Arlekin Players’ Theatre, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, The Pearl Theatre Company, NAATCo and The Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival in his hometown of Pittsburgh. In the dance community he has worked with Anikaya Dance Theatre, Doppelganger Dance Collective, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Prometheus Dance, Zoe Dance and Ailey II. He has an eighteen year old son, Liam. stephen-petrilli-lighting.com PRODUCTION TEAM: Chadyn Case (Covid-19 Safety Officer) is excited to join THT Rep in a unique role for a unique time. She has spent half a dozen recent holiday seasons working on A Christmas Carol (The Hanover Theatre) in stage management and props. She sends her love to the ones who are steady, wild and true.

Natalia de la Torre (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a freelance costume designer, draper and scenic painter based in Philadelphia. Prior to the pandemic, they served as Costume Supervisor for the Lantern Theater. Regional design work includes: Nina Simone (People’s Light and Theater Company), The Tempest (Lantern Theater Company), Snow White (Arden Theater), Shitheads (Azuka Theater Company),

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Coriolanus (Shakespeare in Clark Park), The Johnny Shortcake Show (Johnny Showcase). Regional non-union wardrobe for the Annenberg Center at UPenn, Walnut Theater, Lantern Theater, Pig Iron and Trisha Brown Dance Company. In 2019, Natalia received a Barrymore nomination for the costume design of Three Sisters Two (EgoPo Theater Company).

Training: MFA in Production Design, Ohio University. www.nataliadelatorre.com Doménica Dillon (Production Assistant) is an incoming senior at Clark University, where she majors in Theatre Arts and minors in Community, Youth and Education Studies. Doménica is very excited to be working as a production assistant on Julius Caesar this summer! She recently Stage Managed an outdoor production of The Wolves, as well as a Zoom production of Titus Andronicus, and a walking production of Macbeth in the Hadwen Arboretum. Doménica is thankful to The Hanover Theatre for this opportunity! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Isabella Ferrari (Assistant Wardrobe) is a rising senior at WPI and is very excited to be working as assistant wardrobe on Julius Caesar at The Hanover Theatre. They are grateful for Dr. Kathryn Moncrief for this opportunity and they hope that mom and Ruth enjoy the show!

Sarah MacIntyre* (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to debut with The Hanover Theatre. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, she is thrilled to be back on the stage. Recent credits include A Christmas Carol (Central Square Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Moonbox Productions) and Loot (The Company Theatre).

Much love to her family and friends.

Elizabeth Yvette Ramirez* (Stage Manager) is a Bostonbased stage manager and director. SM credits include: Front Porch @ Starlight, Vanity Fair, A Christmas Carol 2018 & 2019, and Journey to the West (Central Square Theater), Keyping, Lonely Planet and Statements After an Arrest… (New

Repertory Theatre) King Lear (Actors’ Shakespeare Project), Three Musketeers, The Salonnieres and Being Earnest (Greater Boston Stage Company), Caroline or Change (Moonbox Productions), Who is Eartha Mae (Bridge Repertory Theatre), The Music Man and Anything Goes (Reagle Music Theatre).

She was the Artistic Director of The Calliope Project and is now a company member and director at Flat Earth Theater. She is a proud member and elected delegate of Actors Equity Association.

Brenda Shepard (Production Electrician) Since 2008 Brenda has been the House Lighting Designer/ Head Electrician at The Hanover Theatre. Brenda’s role allows her to do what she loves: abuse electrons, bending them to do her will. In addition to this role, she teaches Lighting for The Hanover Theatre Conservatory, designs at TCAN in Natick and acts as a Head Electrician for the Mullins Center and Revelation Productions. Brenda holds a certification as an ETCP Entertainment Electrician. Her best gig, however, is wife to Steve and mom to Kat. Rachael Weir (Production Assistant) is a rising senior at Clark University double majoring in Computer Science and Theatre Arts with a concentration in Technical Theatre. She is very excited to be working as a production assistant on Julius Caesar this summer for her first professional theatrical production. She has a genuine love of theatre and is very gracious for this amazing opportunity. She wants to give a big thank you to the entire creative team at The Hanover Theatre and she hopes you all enjoy the show. * Member, Actors’ Equity Association # Member, United Scenic Artists ^ Worc at Play Actor Trainee

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Hard at Worc at Play The inaugural class of Worc at Play actors at the BrickBox Theatre. Photo by UnityMike.

2020 was a year of many things. Most of all, it was a year of growth. While the world shut down, we had the opportunity to step back, rethink our organizational priorities and consider how they fit into what we do each and every day.

First, we committed to strengthening our practice of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We take our role and responsibility as a cultural gathering place seriously, and know that for us to play that role effectively, we must reflect the community around us in all that we do. Indeed, nothing could be more vital as we strive to ignite and nurture a passion for the performing arts in audiences and artists of today and tomorrow.

At the same time, we looked for creative ways to keep audiences engaged while the mainstage was dark. In this crucible, we formed The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep), a new initiative dedicated to producing homegrown, professional theatre in and for Worcester.

THT Rep’s primary home is the new BrickBox Theater, where we produced The Edgar Allan Poe Double Header and A Christmas Carol Reimagined.

For both those productions, we prioritized cultivating equitable, diverse and inclusive creative teams, while

examining and dismantling artistic and production practices that perpetuate racism and other inequities.

In conjunction with this production of Julius Caesar, we also launched Worc at Play, a no-cost actor training program for greater Worcester residents ages 18+. Auditions for the program were open to all, including absolute beginners. More than 30 adults came out. From them, THT Rep’s artistic director Livy Scanlon selected just six, who meet weekly for class in preparation to play ensemble roles in Julius Caesar.

“One goal with Worc at Play,” Scanlon explains, “is to build a pool of local, skilled adult actors who represent a diverse cross section of age, gender, ethnicity, immigrant status, sexual orientation and lived experience, so our casting at THT Rep can quite literally reflect the members of our community.”

Listen to Behind the Scenes interviews with the cast and creative team of Julius Caesar at TheHanoverTheatreblog.org.

For more information on The Hanover Theatre Repertory and Worc at Play actor training program visit TheHanoverTheatre.org/thtrep.

The Hanover Theatre Repertory presents Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

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Julius Caesar presented by The Hanover Theatre