Into the Breeches! runs approximately two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission.
Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices. Texting and photography is prohibited during the performance.
Photo credit: Gianna Daiuto
THE ENSEMBLE
SOPHIA BUSH ‘26 (Celeste) is a Theater and Environmental Science double major from Media, PA. At Ursinus, Sophia has appeared in Execution of Justice (Rudy Nothenberg / others); 365 Days / Plays (Various Roles); Small Mouth Sounds (Judy); Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Duchess of Milan); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Shadow Cast: Riff Raff); Captain Darling (Peter Pan); Mircalla (Mlle / others); The Pragmatists (Plasfodor). Sophia interned this summer at Hedgerow Theatre and was acting stage manager for five official shows.
EVAN CHARTOCK ’25 (Stuart) is a Theater and Media & Communication Studies double major, and Legal Studies minor. Evan is from Lawrenceville, NJ. Ursinus College Theater credits include Everybody (Everybody / Somebody); Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine); Small Mouth Sounds (Teacher); Execution of Justice (Joseph Freitas/Carl Carlson/Cop); And Baby Makes Seven (Peter Levin). For Breakaway Student Productions, Evan played Eli in Ghost Light. Other favorite roles include Josh in Bang Bang You're Dead (Pirate Players); Dill Harris in To Kill a Mockingbird (Theater2Go); and William Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare '70). Evan is President of Breakaway Student Productions, President of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, Co-President of Hillel, a Writing Fellow and Production Technical Assistant. Evan dedicates this performance to Daniel Spalluto.
GIANNA DAIUTO ’26 (Maggie) is a Theater and Music dual-major from Chester Springs, PA. Ursinus College Theater: Captain Darling (Smee), Working (Freddy / others), Execution of Justice (various roles); UCDC Fall '23; Breakaway: The Trail to Oregon! (Mother). Gianna has appeared in many productions with Steel River Playhouse including The Wolves (#7) and The SpongeBob Musical (Pearl/Gary). Gianna is a Gold Ambassador and Vice President of Breakaway Student Productions.
KEELYNFITZGERALD ’27 (Winifred) is aPsychology andTheater double major from Bensalem, PA. Credits include Crab in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Whibbles in Captain Darling, Gendarme 2 in The Pragmatist, and stage crew for Breakaway’s Rocky Horror Picture Show. At Bensalem High School, Keelyn played Mrs. Potts in Beauty
and the Beast, Frenchy in Grease, Principal Dancer in Damn Yankees, Mary in Check, Please, and Principal Dancer in the high school’s cabaret. Keelyn is part of the Ursinus College Swing and Social Dance Club
LAUREN MacALLISTER ’27 (Grace) is an English and Creative Writing double major and a potential Theater minor. Lauren is from Pennsville, New Jersey. For Ursinus College Theater: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Outlaw) and Captain Darling (First Twin/Jack/Sea and Sky). For Breakaway: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Ensemble). Other roles include Florence Colleymoore/Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong and Countess Lily in Anastasia at St. Elizabeth Cedar Street Players. Lauren is the playwright of two original plays that won the Delaware Young Playwrights Festival twice (in 2020 and 2023).
AMELIA REAUME ’27 (June) is an English major, teaching certification, and Theater minor. Amelia is from Philadelphia. Amelia played an Outlaw in Ursinus College Theater’s Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twin 2 and the Fight Captain in Captain Darling, was in the ensemble in Breakaway’s Rocky Horror, and served on stage crew for UCDC’s Motion, Timber, and Rhythm. At Germantown Academy, Amelia appeared in A Winter’s Tale (Camilo), Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes, Soupy Sue,andFeatured Dancer), and Newsies (Specs and Featured Dancer).
LAISHA TORRES ’26 (Ida) has a triple major in Music, Theater and Spanish. Laishais fromPhiladelphia. Ursinus CollegeTheater credits: Everybody (Everybody / Friendship), Victims of Duty (Madeliene), Working (Maggie), Execution of Justice (Joanna Lu / Dr. Blinder). Laisha is President of Spiritual Life Leaders, Secretary of ALMA, and a Music Theory/Spanish tutor.
SPENCER TOTH ’25 (Ellsworth) is an Art & Theater double major from Spring Grove, PA. Ursinus College Theater credits: Execution of Justice (Milk’s Friend), Small Mouth Sounds (Jan), Everybody (Death), Victims of Duty (The Detective). For Breakaway: Trail to Oregon (CletusJones). ForSpringGroveAreaHighSchoolTheater: OurTown (Doc Gibbs), The Little Mermaid (King Triton). Spencer is a proud member of the Delta Pi Sigma fraternity at Ursinus.
PRODUCTION STAFF
KAI CIVELLO ‘28 (Assistant Stage Manager) is from Hummelstown PA. This is Kai’s first production at Ursinus. Elsewhere, Kai has been involved with acting and writing assistance for specific scenes from CASA Live and has worked on solo vocal performance through private lessons.
LANDON CONRAD ’28 (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Mathematics major with a possible Musical Theater self-initiated double major. Landon is from Pottstown, PA. This is Landon’s first Ursinus production. Most recently, Landon performed as Kyle the UPS Driver in Legally Blonde the Musical at Steel River Playhouse as well as Gomez in The Addams Family Musical at Pottsgrove High School.
LILY FOSSNER (Lighting Designer) Lily's work has included collaborations at/with theatres throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond, including Lantern, Quintessence, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, InterAct, Azuka, Theatre Horizon, 1812, People's Light, Delaware Theatre Company, Act II, Temple Institute on Disabilities, NYU/Grad Acting, Chautauqua Theater Company, Berkshire Theatre Group; Nichole Canuso, Doug Varone & Dancers, Monica Bill Barnes & Company; Juilliard Opera Theatre, Glimmerglass Festival. Adjunct, Bryn Mawr College. Training: MFA, NYU/Tisch. Member, United Scenic Artists Local 829. www.lilyfossner.com. Love to my wife Kate and daughter Charlotte.
MEGHAN JONES (Scenic Designer / Production Manager / Technical Director) is the Technical Director and Production Manager for Ursinus’s Theater and Dance Department. She is a professional scenic designer, her designs can be seen throughout the Philadelphia areawith InterActTheatre,Act IIPlayhouse,DelawareTheaterCo.and Lantern Theater Co. Meghan also designs for Drexel University. She teaches stagecraft for Ursinus College. Meghan holds an M.F.A. from Temple University. Much appreciation to Ursinus’s staff and faculty, cast, and crew for all their support.
DOMENICK SCUDERA (Producer / Director) is Professor of Theater at Ursinus College where he has been teaching acting, directing, and theater history since 1997. As a director, he has directed almost 50 plays at the college. Professionally, he has directed at
theaters such as the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater (where he was Resident Director), Delaware Theater Company, the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, and Historic Philadelphia Inc. As a playwright, Domenick has written full-lengths and one-acts that have been produced from Alberta to Tampa. His latest original full-length play, The Half of It, inspired by the life of Vaudeville drag pioneer Bert Savoy, received its world premiere at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, PA this past summer. His stage adaptation of Gilgamesh will be available from Gitelman & Good Publishers this fall.
BRIAN STRACHAN (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for many shows at Ursinus including Everybody, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Working, Sweat, Complete History of Ursinus College [Abridged], Clybourne Park, Hair, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark and The Picture of Dorian Gray. He teaches make-up design at Rowan University and Ursinus College. Brian has designedfornumerous theater and dance companies and colleges in the Philadelphia area including the University of the Arts, Rowan, Theater Exile, Lantern Theater, Delaware Theater Company, and the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater.
SOFIA WIEDEMANN ’28 (Stage Manager) is from Elkins Park, PA. Sofia has not yet declared a major. This is her first show at Ursinus.
THOUGHTS ON INTO THE BREECHES!
SOPHIA BUSH ‘26 (Celeste) “This play is a fun but real take on women and their place in the artistic world, as well as the importance of fostering creativity even in the face of hardship. I’ve loved the rehearsal process and can’t wait to see people’s reactions!”
EVAN CHARTOCK ’25 (Stuart) “This entire production process has been a humorous one for me to work on -- counting both the laughs onstage and offstage. I hope you enjoy the author's wit and my fellow students' portrayals of these endearing characters.”
KAI CIVELLO ‘28 (Assistant Stage Manager) “It's been fun to try out a new position in a production, considering this is my first role that doesn't involve acting. I have full confidence in the play, and in the people involved in bringing this production to life.”
LANDON CONRAD ’28 (Assistant Stage Manager) “Into the Breeches! is an incredibly touching play that will now hold an extraordinary place in my heart. The cast was such a joy to work with, and every one of them is outstanding on and off stage!”
GIANNA DAIUTO ’26 (Maggie) “This is quickly becoming one of my favorite productions I've worked on. Maggie already holds such a special place in my heart, especially as I myself am learning how to direct for the theater (also under the guidance of Prof. Scudera). To quote Maggie, Ihave no doubt that this play ‘will linger with those who are lucky enough to see our production for the rest of their lives.’”
KEELYN FITZGERALD ’27 (Winifred) “Getting to be a part of this play has meant so much to me. I’ve really connected with my character and love my fellow actors dearly.”
LAUREN MacALLISTER ’27 (Grace) “This production has been such a wonderful experience. I see a lot of myself in my character Grace. She is trying to find herself and be confident in her own capabilities, something that I strive for as well. Beyond that, the bond I’ve formed with this cast make the scenes, the dialogue and everything so much more meaningful. I couldn’t be more grateful to share the stage with such talented friends, telling a story of perseverance, taking risks and succeeding against all odds.”
AMELIA REAUME ’27 (June) “Being a part of Into the Breeches! has given me a much deeper appreciation for women's resilience and strength during WWII. I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to be in a play that highlights the power that women – especially young women such as June – have to create change, no matter how small it may seem.”
DOMENICK SCUDERA (Director) “This play reminds us all of the power of community in the face of adversity. As the characters overcome obstacles both big and small, we learn from them how to be better versions of ourselves and how to collaborate to build a better future. And, well … it is also really funny! This company has been an absolute delight to work with. Their passion and strong work ethic have fully brought this play to life in a short amount of time. I am so verylucky to havebeen ableto work with such a talentedand dedicated group.”
LAISHA TORRES ’26 (Ida) “From the first read through, I noticed the beauty of community that the play holds. the relationships that are formedin that theaterduring suchatrying timein historymaketheplay so special and heartwarming.”
SPENCER TOTH ’25 (Ellsworth) “I really, truly love Into The Breeches! It is a genuine, heartfelt love-letter to the theater itself, as wellastheactofdoingtheater,andbeyondthatisacharmingandfunny play that I’ve truly fallen in love with.”
SOFIA WIEDEMANN ’28 (Stage Manager) “Ever since the first readthrough, IknewtheUrsinus cast woulddoamazing things with this moving and hilarious script. I can’t wait for the audience to see all the hard work put into the first performance of the Ursinus ‘24-‘25 season, and hope they’ll enjoy the show.”
Join us for the rest of our 2024-2025 Season!
An Agatha Christie Double Bill: Afternoon at the Seaside & The Patient directed by Dr. Meghan Brodie October 31- November 3
UCDC presents Home is Here/Hear produced by Michael J. Love December 5-7
A Series of Meetings by Savannah Reich directed by guest director AZ Espinoza February 26- March 2
Fun Home by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron directed by Domenick Scudera, music directed by Dr. Holly Hubbs choreographed by Dr. Karen Clemente April 3-6
UCDC presents When I Think of Home produced by Dr. Karen Clemente April 24-26
Why Ursinus College Theater & Dance?
An Ursinus education is founded on leadership, innovation, and discernment.
Our rigorous liberal arts degree in Theater or Dance prepares students to live the questions that give their journeys meaning, giving them a competitive edge in their pursuit of professional work and graduate education in both the arts and other fields.
Not only do our students enjoy successful careers and earn graduate degrees in Theater and Dance, but they also use the self-knowledge and skills they have honed to pivot and thrive in other fields like Communications, Education, Politics, Library and Information Technology, Business Management, and Public Relations, among others.
A sampling of the graduate schools to which our alumni have been admitted include New York University, Cornell University, Brown University, Emerson College, the New School, and Monmouth University, to name just a few.
Our students have been accepted into professional training programs such as Atlantic Acting School, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
Come and chat with us about what you can do with a degree in Theater or Dance. For more information, please email Theater and Dance Coordinator Nicolette Adams (nadams@ursinus.edu).
