2024 Ensemble Festival Program

About the Festival

Welcome to Miami University’s 2024 Ensemble Festival! Thank you taking the time to join us this evening

Everything you’re seeing tonight is completely studentdevised, student-led, and performed solely by students. With the support of faculty instruction, we have been able to cultivate our artistic visions and bring them life for you tonight.

This festival is the most recent iteration of the theatre department’s student-devised Independent Artist Series. However, this version of the festival is meant to teach ensemble-based theatrical practices and encourage students to work as a team across productions. So, when you look in this program, you will often see students with many roles across the festival. We’d like to give special thanks to our instructors Marly Wooster, Ashley Goos, and Lisa Martin-Stuart for all their help and support this semester. Without them, this festival wouldn’t have happened.

Enjoy the show!

Totality: With Nature We Are Whole

Totality is an immersive site-specific dance and theatrical experience that bridges our common reality and the magical world of Mother Nature. Through this storytelling path, awareness rises about environmental issues impacting this region of Ohio as well as the beautiful aspects of this particular landscape

This story and performance are intentionally locally focused to further our connection to the land we interact with daily Issues impacting our environment are daunting, but art can gently guide and educate viewers so they build awareness of how they can make impactful changes.

Totality is set in an unconventional theatrical space This form of art increases accessibility, integrates humans with nature for a deeper bond with the environment around them, and takes part in socially conscious, activist theatre This work combines elements of theatre and gamification allowing for the application of game mechanics to foster engagement and interactivity. In the case of Totality, a scavenger hunt and prompts are used to encourage audiences to engage more with the environment and give them an opportunity to “steer” part of their experience

On this journey, audience members become travelers and will learn about the dangers posed to the natural world while being transported to places beyond our imagination.

-Alexandra Leurck

Totality: With Nature We Are Whole Creative Lead

Crazy Ladies

When I was first figuring out what to research for my honors with distinction project, I knew I wanted to do something about women–preferably about queer women. Then I heard about the Ohio Lesbian Archives When I first visited last summer, the Archives was located in the basement of a small Cincinnati church. It was very moving for me to see this small space packed full of history and love and to see a woman so full of life, phebe beiser, taking care of the cramped space When she sat me down and told me the history of the Archives and Crazy Ladies Bookstore, I was moved. It stuck in my mind.

As a writer, celebrating and showcasing queer joy is very important to me. That is one of the key purposes of everything I create. I wanted to tell this story because so many of the incredible people who were involved in Crazy Ladies are now getting older, getting sick, or dying I want to do my part to carry on their story. Particularly, because they were so close to Oxford. It is important to recognize the LGBTQ+ community close to home

This play is made of a combination of historical materials found in the Ohio Lesbian Archives and interviews conducted by me with women who were involved with the Crazy Ladies Bookstore With their permission, many excerpts of dialogue have been taken directly from their interviews.

Literature helped me discover who I am today, as it did for many queer women in the past. Seeing myself reflected back in books was vital to my own personal understanding. I want to highlight the importance of media and literature in building community– and that community is still alive and thriving today.

-Chelsea Hoy

Crazy Ladies Playwright

ELEVATOR MUSIC

Elevator Music: A celebration of the art of musical theatre. Musical theatre, like all theatre, shows humanity for all that it is, at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. This song cycle show showcases a selection of songs dealing with struggle and triumph.

-Tod Fish

Elevator Music Co-Director

BeyondtheSurface

As the choreographer of “Beyond the Surface”, my inspiration for exploring the themes of identity and societal expectations stemmed from a deep desire to create an open and welcoming environment in the classroom for my future students. Through my own experiences, I have witnessed the importance of fostering a safe place for students to embrace their individuality. With my strong passion for dance, I wanted to bring this central theme to a broader scale, while intertwining emotional movement. Each dancer was invited to bring in their own moves and moments of improvisation throughout the piece, so their true and unique selves can shine through. At the heart of this piece, lies the beauty of collaboration. As the performers dance in synchronicity, they find strength in solidarity to empower one another to embrace their true selves. Overall, “Beyond the Surface” embodies the values of inclusivity and acceptance that I aspire to cultivate in my future classroom and in the end, through this dance piece, I hope to inspire individuals to stand strong in their identity and uniqueness, even in the face of adversity.

-Sara Zdrojewski

Beyond the Surface Creative Lead

Elizabeth Bauer, she/they

The Team

(Stage Manager for Beyond the Surface & Lighting/Costume Crew)

Elizabeth is a theatre major and musical theatre minor from St. Louis, Missouri She has been doing theatre for several years She was recently involved in the sound crew for Bright Star and is currently an Assistant Stage Manager for Antigone, presented by the girls of St. Catherine's.

Ren Betz, they/them

(Performer for and Co-Lightning Designer in Crazy Ladies & Props for Totality) Ren is a sophomore theatre major at Miami University Their most recent stage credits include Alison in Fun Home, Ariel in the Tempest, and Ensemble in Bright Star. They want to thank the cast and crew for making this process so much fun. They hope you enjoy the show!

Day Burns

(Performer in Crazy Ladies) Day is a MCE major with a focus in English and Science They are heavily involved in Miami's student-run theatre organization Stage Left, having written/directed and performed in many one-act plays as well as directing the recent production of The Addams Family They also enjoy drawing and writing comics in their free time

Anna Charbonneau, she/they

(Performer in Elevator Music, Co-Costume Designer for Totality & Lighting Designer for Beyond the Surface) Anna is a Freshman Theatre and Environmental Earth Science double major with a minor in French. So far she has worked in the costume and scene shops and is involved with Stage Left She's excited to continue doing theatre around campus and off.

Kerrigan Cindric, she/they

(Performer in Totality) Kerrigan is a junior biology major pursuing a minor in dance Kerrigan has been dancing since they were three years old, with a focus in contemporary movement. Kerrigan was a member of Miami Dance Corps for two years and performed in two showings.

Lauren Claxton, she/her

(Performer in Elevator Music) Lauren is a junior theatre and arts management/arts entrepreneurship major with minors in musical theatre and dance. When not doing theatre, she stays involved with her acapella group, the Miami University Treblemakers. You may have seen her most recently as Alice in “Bright Star”; she is thankful for all the opportunities the Department of Theatre offers her to grow and live her passion

Olivia Cotton, she/her

(Performer in Elevator Music & Dancer in Beyond the Surface) Olivia is a freshman Theatre and Vocal Performance double major. Olivia is involved in Miami’s Co-ed acapella group Just Duet. She recently was Taur in Miami Theatre departments With Two Wings and will be Susie Bones in Miami’s Puffs this spring

Tod Fish, he/him

(Co-Director of and Performer in Elevator Music & Ticketing for Festival) Tod is a junior theatre major with minors in musical theatre and dance. He is currently working on his sixth and seventh productions at Miami university He would like to thank his parents for not making him go to law school

Jillian Flinta , she/her

(Dancer in Beyond the Surface) Jillian is a second-year speech-language pathology and audiology major with minors in dance and neuroscience On campus, she is in Vision Dance Company as a dancer and a choreographer. Through the dance department, Jillian has had the opportunity to perform in Miami Moves, the Electric Root Festival, and the opera Seven Sisters.

Ryan Holdman, he/him

(Stage Manager for Totality & Elevator Music) Ryan is a senior chemistry major and paper science minor. He is an active member of Miami's student-run musical theatre organization Stage Left Ryan has participated in a variety of theatre productions through student organizations at Miami and through Miami's Theatre Department.

Chelsea Hoy, she/her

(Playwright of Crazy Ladies) Chelsea is a senior creative writing, literature, and women ' s, gender, and sexuality studies triple major. When it comes to theatre, she is heavily involved in Miami's student-run musical theatre organization Stage Left Within the theatre department, she's held a handful of roles including writing How To Write Her Autobiography for Miami's Independent Artist Series last year.

Mary Johnston-Medina, she/her

(Co-Lighting Designer and Lead Costumer for Crazy Ladies & Lighting Designer for Elevator Music) Mary is a freshman theater and international studies major hoping to use her knowledge of the world and communication skills to help better her community. She has been heavily involved in the theater scene at Miami including acting in Right On Time (a play written by fellow student Michael Slack, and produced by New Wave Theater Company), as well as running follow spot for Bright Star. She is extremely excited to see what these next three years have to offer, and hopes you enjoy the show(s)!!

Rose Kurutz, any

(Set Designer for Crazy Ladies, Performer in Beyond the Surface & Ensemble Marketing Team) Rose is a junior strategic communications and arts management major with a minor in theatre arts. She is heavily involved in dance and choreography on campus as a member of the contemporary organization Dance Theatre and having worked with Miami's student theatre organization Stage Left as a production team member. She also helps build sets for departmental shows.

Josette LaFramboise, she/her

(Performer in Beyond the Surface, Costume Designer for Totality, Ensemble Marketing Team) Josette is a freshman media and communications and film double major She is just getting started in Miami's theatre department and is so excited to be apart of her first project through Ensemble Festival.

Alexandra Leurck, she/her

(Director for Crazy Ladies & Artistic Team Lead, Choreographer, and Dancer for Totality) Alexandra Leurck is a senior theatre and arts management & arts entrepreneurship double major with minors in dance and women, gender, and sexuality studies from Cincinnati. Recent credits at Miami University include Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine's (choreographer), The Play That Goes Wrong (assistant movement director), Miami Moves (choreographer, dancer), and Head Over Heels (ensemble).

Elena Malott, she/her

(Performer in Crazy Ladies, Co-Dramaturg for Totality) Elena is a freshman studying zoology at Miami University She is regularly involved in theatre and is an active member of student organizations like Stage Left and New Wave Theater. Within Miami's theatre department, she has worked on the run crew for Bright Star last semester and will be working on Puffs

Caralynn Monroe, she/her

(Performer in Crazy Ladies) Cara is a freshman Literature and Education major She is involved in several clubs around the school such as Stage Left, Miami's student-run musical theater organization and Miami's Academic Quiz Team where she competes around the state!

Aisling Morse, she/her

(Performer in Crazy Ladies) Aisling is a Sophomore liberal arts and sustainability comajor, with a focus in zoology and anthropology She also has a theatre minor and has been involved in more than five productions in her time on campus.

Megan Picchioni, she/her

(Dancer in Totality) Megan is a junior social work major and dance minor. She has been dancing since the age of four and performed in Miami Moves during her sophomore year Megan currently teaches dance in Loveland, OH and plans on continuing this career in the future.

Chance Sayre, he/him

(Performer in Elevator Music, Narrator & Props for Totality) Chance Sayre is a freshman theatre major. Chance is very involved in glee club and acapella group the Cheezies. Chance is also working on set painting for the mainstage show “Puffs” this semester

Isaiah Serra, they/them

(Stage Manager for Crazy Ladies, Ensemble Run Crew) Isaiah is a first year theatre and creative writing major double major They are involved in the Walking Theatre Project as well as several other organizations on campus In the theatre department they have worked on With Two Wings in the wardrobe run crew as well as Antigone: Presented by The Girls of St. Catherine as a dramaturg.

Abby Sokol, she/her

(Co-Director of & Logistical Lead for Elevator Music, Ensemble House Manager)

Abby is a Senior Theatre and Psychology Double Major with a Minor in Education, Teaching, and Learning. She is in her second year as President of Stage Left, a student-run musical theatre organization that she loves dearly In the theatre department, Abby works in the office, is a research associate, and has been part of many productions, including These Shining Lives (Charlotte) and Bright Star (Edna/Ensemble). Abby would like to thank her family, friends, and educators for their support!

Michael Slack, he/him

(Sound Designer for Elevator Music, Composer for Beyond the Surface, Setup/Teardown Crew for Ensemble Festival) Michael is a 2nd year Games & Simulation major with Theater and Interdisciplinary Studies minors. He serves as Literary Manager for New Wave, one of the student theater organizations on campus He has enjoyed opportunities to engage with theater in many capacities, including as an actor, director, and playwright.

Lorelei Velazquez, she/her

(Dancer in and Costume Designer for Beyond the Surface, Ensemble Festival Marketing Team) Lorelei is a freshman Political science major with a dance minor When it comes to theatre, she is not heavily involved in the department and this class is an opportunity for her to branch out a bit.

Garland Weaver

(Co-Set Designer for Crazy Ladies, Narrative & Gamification Designer & Envoy for Totality) Garland is a freshman double majoring in Games and Simulation/Theatre with a focus on immersive narrative design and storytelling. Recent theatrical work includes "Right on Time" with New Wave Theatre and "The Bishop's Wife" with Richmond Radioworks, and recent game work includes "Greed of the Wyrm" and the upcoming "Tales of Italia".

Colton Wolf, they/he (any)

(Dramaturg for Crazy Ladies, Co-Dramaturg for Totality) Colton is junior Theatre, Creative Writing, and Literature triple major Colton has held a plethora of roles within the theatre department, from working as a Stage Manager for With Two Wings, Dramaturg for The Play That Goes Wrong, or their current position as an Assistant Director for Puffs Lastly, Colton is an Executive Board Member for Walking Theatre Project, which is an arts for social change student organization.

Sara Zdrojewski, she/her

(Creative Lead & Choreographer for Beyond the Surface, Choreographer for Totality) Sara is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, who is majoring in primary education and minoring in dance She enjoyed dancing in Miami Moves during her freshman year and she currently loves choreographing and dancing with Miami Dance Corps on campus.