NOTES FROM THE PRODUCTION TEAM

DIRECTOR NOTE Welcome to the second show of the 2022-2023 season at UCSB and thank you so much for coming. There are a number of reasons to choose a play like The Government Inspector. One is that Gogol was a writer from Ukraine using humor to mock the corruption of the Russian government. Another is that there seems to be no shortage of politicians and businessmen here at home who will say or do anything to line their pockets in order to gain (or keep) power (giving little to no thought to the people who suffer the most). A third might be the feeling among many that, if they don’t have enough money they have no way to make their voices heard. Those are all good reasons but honestly, we chose this play because it is funny. There is no shortage of strife, anger, and disagreement in our world… and sometimes you need a laugh. If that laugh can come at the expense of those who somedays seem to resemble clowns more than politicians or business men, well that seems okay too.

COMMUNITY NOTE Recent global events surrounding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine leaves the Department of Theater and Dance gutted with feelings of devastation. Though the season was selected months before any of these events came to light, we believe it is crucial to enlighten the manner in which performance interweaves with politics and social change. The author of The Government Inspector, Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was born in Velyki Sorochyntsi, Ukraine, though throughout his life the country remained under the control of the Russian empire. His story reminds us of the discontent that millions of citizens felt during the Russian regime. Through this and countless stories and histories we continue to witness the dignity held by those facing devastation on all sides of conflict. As a department, we believe art and performance provides a space to reflect on our realities to unpack deep rooted emotions and heal by creating resilience and comfort. We encourage you to learn the histories behind the entertainment you consume in an effort to be knowledgeable and empathetic to those afflicted by unfortunate conditions.

DRAMATURGICAL NOTE The Government Inspector takes place in 1836 in an unnamed provincial town in Russia. The play revolves around the Mayor, alongside a group of small-town officers and their attempt to hide the traces of their crooked leadership from an undercover inspector. Inspired by the tsarist regime that lasted until the early 20th century, the famous Ukrainian-born author Nikolai Gogol wrote the piece as a comedic satire of the corruption occurring within Russian provinces. The large Russia at this time was divided into 117 provinces, allowing the often low-paid and empty-headed officials of these regions to enforce the all-powerful tsar’s laws. Because of the large size of the nation, these administrators were ultimately given autonomy to rule as they pleased and as a result, were susceptible to corruption and bribery. The Government Inspector provides insight to the struggles of corruption faced by the millions of provincial citizens during the tsarist regime. All the while, the satirical comedy provides an audience the opportunity to rally and laugh at the bad guys. Altogether, Gogol alongside adapter Jeffrey Hatcher come together to share a timeless story full of outrageous antics as a result of bureaucratic deception.

MICHAEL BERNARD

HE/HIM Ten years as Associate Artistic Director for The 52nd Street Project (a Nationally recognized company that creates theater with professionals and kids from Hell’s Kitchen NYC). Since moving to Santa Barbara; Stephano in The Tempest (Santa Barbara, Butrint Albania, and Bitola Macedonia) Gayev in The Cherry Orchard, (Santa Barbara and Bitola Macedonia) and Cassius in Julius Caesar (Santa Barbara, Yerevan Armenia, and Tbilisi Georgia) with the LitMoon Theater Company. King Charles/William Scott/Lady Davenant in Or, Richard Nixon in, Nixon’s Nixon, and Sorn in Stupid F-ing Bird with Elements Theater Collective. Francis in One Man Two Guvnors with The Theater Group at SBCC. Member of Immediate Theater improv company in LA. Michael teaches in the Theater Programs at UCSB and SBCC, The Young Playwrights Festival ETC, and Improvisation at the Creative Arts Workshop. BFA Acting, Boston University. MA Educational Theater, New York University.

ANDREW DEVINE

HE/HIM This is Andrew

Devine’s 33rd show, but 1st at UCSB since transferring this past summer. A directing and economics double major, he is excited to be diving right into the arts scene in Santa Barbara. With the ultimate goal of becoming a professional TV, movie, and theatre director, he is thankful to UCSB theatre and Michael Bernard for the opportunity to assistant direct. He would like to remind everyone to live, laugh, love, and enjoy the show.

KATHRYN WILSON (COSTUME DESIGNER) SHE/HER is full time Faculty at Cal State University of Fullerton and works as a freelance costume designer and craft artist and is excited to be designing at UCSB. She has designed for dance, opera, theater and photography across the nation and internationally. Her recent works include design projects for Pacific Symphony’s (Otello), New Swan Shakespeare Festival (Comedy of Errors), South Coast Repertory (Our Town), Chapman University dance, drama and opera departments, UC Irvine dance and opera department, The Chance Theater (The Other Place). Wilson teaches Costume Design, Costume Crafts and Theatrical Makeup at CSUF. In addition to design, she works as an accomplished dye/painter and crafts artist for the performing arts.

is the production manager for UCSB’s Department of Theater and Dance. When not in his office, Daniel is often found mentoring new up and coming stage managers for the department. His love for theater hasn’t stopped at just stage management though; Daniel’s credits also include directing, acting, producing, and costume design. Although he has contributed to the sound design for his own produced pieces, this is his first time as a sound designer. Enjoy the show!

SEAN O’SHEA (FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER)HE/HIM Sean’s latest fight choreography work was seen in last summer’s Naked Shakes production of Romeo and Juliet. In his 39 years in theater Sean has been an actor, director, producer, fight choreographer, instructor, and academic advisor. He is the Founder and former Artistic Director of the Santa Barbara Shakespeare Festival having produced 26 of SBSF’s 29 productions. Locally he’s been seen on stage at the Garvin and Jurkowitz (SBCC), Circle Bar B, Ensemble Theater’s New Vick, the Lobero andCenter Stage. In San Diego he’s worked at the Old Globe, Black Friars, North Coast Repertory Theater, and Balboa Theater. Sean worked several seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, in Boise, ID, and was also part of their traveling repertory group. He studied at San Diego State University, and was in the MFA acting program at the University of San Diego in affiliation with the Old Globe.

MAYRA GOMEZ-LABRADA (DRAMATURG) SHE/HER is a first year graduate student in the MA/PhD program in Theater, Dance and Performance Studies. Coming from UC Riverside, Mayra is excited to continue her work as a dramaturg and theater historian. This is her first production (of many) at UCSB!

JAELLA HARDAWAY (STAGE MANAGER) SHE/HER is a fourth year

Sociology and Theater double major from Boulder, Colorado. She has been involved backstage in many performances at UCSB including Seagull, What Martha Did and Hookman. She would like to thank her family for their 40 minute “quick phone calls”, everyone at 6767 for their much-needed wine nights, and her mom for always hanging around.

INDIGO RUNGE (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) SHE/HER is a secondyear in the BFA Acting Program. She is from Tucson, AZ, and enjoys all aspects of theatre, onstage and offstage. Indigo is very excited to be working on her first production at UCSB, hopefully, the first of many. She hopes you enjoy the show!

KAILEE DEPEW (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) SHE/HER is a third year theater major working as an assistant stage manager for this show. She has worked backstage as a stage manager, wardrobe crew, and run crew and has enjoyed her new position as an ASM. She’s excited to work on this and other shows in the future and hopes you enjoy the show!