Thank you for joining us as we present our second mainstage production of the 2022/2023 season!
A month ago, we opened our season with a modern folktale about a man whose job it was to fill the moon with light. In The Old Man and The Old Moon, The Old Man traveled to the ends of the earth to find his wife, who had left home in search of memories they'd shared and lost. Featuring puppets, live music, and ingenious stagecraft, it was a rollicking adventure on the high seas, as well as a tribute to the persistence of love and memory.
Our season continues in Studio 115 with Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days: a provocative, timely fable about our impact on the environment and its impact on us. This new play by Marisela Treviño Orta brings together a host of unexpected ingredients — Mexican folklore, Greek mythology, mathematics, entomology, mycology, philosophy — to cast its spell. Buoyed by magical realism and grounded in science, Somewhere reminds us that evolution can be both unpredictable and unavoidable.
In November, we present In Pieces: A New Musical by Joey Contreras, a contemporary song cycle that chronicles the tragedies and triumphs of eight people searching for connection in present-day New York. After the winter break, we return to the Babcock in February, where playwright Jo Wilkinson will lead us into the little-known, but very real, world of 19th-century women’s boxing. In The Sweet Science of Bruising, four women form a unique bond as they square off against social mores — and one another — in Victorian London.
Next, Shakespeare’s As You Like It comes to Studio 115 in March, offering an alternate vision of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy about the roles we play in life and love. We close our mainstage season in the Babcock with the 1998 revival edition of Cabaret. Based on the critically acclaimed West End production by Sam Mendes, this version draws story elements and songs from the 1972 film (including the smash hit “Maybe This Time”). The resulting adaptation is a lean, ferocious reimagining of the Kander and Ebb classic.
Thank you once again for joining us. We are truly proud to present this remarkable season of plays and musicals, and we hope you share our enthusiasm. Please visit us online at our website, theatre.utah.edu, or email us at info@theatre. utah.edu with any feedback or questions. We’ll see you at the theatre!
Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell, PhD Chair, Department of Theatre
Callum
each other,
each other.
ISACC MARTINEZ-TRINIDAD (Alexander) is a freshman in the ATP. Recent credits include Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Danforth in The Crucible (Granger High School). In 2020 Isacc received a 2nd place award for Monologues in his region. Isacc is a proud Latino actor of Hispanic & Mexican descent. He is thankful to his family for their continued support of his artistic path.
ELEANOR BOULEY (Puppeteer, U/S Cassandra & Sybil) is a senior in the Actor Training Program, and she is delighted to perform in Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days—her first mainstage production at the U. Previously, Eleanor was the dramaturg for the U's physical and virtual productions of Tartuffe, a contemporary interpretation of the Molière play based on a translation by Ranjit Bolt (Studio 115/U of U Virtual).
SERENA COLLINS (Sybil) is a senior in the ATP originally from Iowa. Her work was last seen in The Odyssey (Babcock Theatre) and Steel Magnolias (HCT). In addition to Serena’s onstage credits, her play Sympathizer premiered at The Box last December. Serena would like to thank her parents for always supporting her academic and artistic endeavors.
KIRSTEN HENRIQUEZ (Cassandra) was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and is a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Theatre (ATP). Kirsten is proud to perform in her first theatre production with the University of Utah Department of Theatre. At a young age she developed an interest in acting and became heavily involved with the film community around Salt Lake City. She would like to thank her family for their continued support of her endeavors. Fine Arts Utah Flagship Scholarship and Fine Arts Advisory Board Scholarship recipient.
DEBORA INGABILE (Puppeteer, U/S Diana) is 22 years old and a junior in the ATP. Although she recently transferred to the program (this is her first mainstage production), Debora has been performing for years and has been featured in several short films. Her dance specialties include breaking, hip-hop, and house. In her free time, Debora loves to create music and can spend hours playing around with her keyboard and guitar.
TRUE LEAVITT (Puppeteer, U/S Alexander & Corin) is a sophomore in the Actor Training Program. Raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, True has been heavily involved in theatre most of his life, with favorite roles including Thenardier in Les Misérables (Orpheum Theatre) and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bruin High Players). He is proud to be performing in his first production at the University of Utah. True is a Libby Hunter Scholarship recipient.
TOBY OKHIMAMHE (Eph) is a junior in the ATP who was born and raised In West Africa (Nigeria). His recent performances include roles in A Sharp and Infectious Silence (SLCC Black Box Theatre) and Liminal (Studio 115). He would like to give thanks to his family and to God for His support and guidance throughout Toby’s acting program and career. Toby is a recipient of the Libby S. Hunter Scholarship and the Robert Hyde Wilson Scholarship.
NOAH OMELCHUK (Corin) is excited about his junior year in the ATP. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, he's been performing since he was eight years old. His first U Theatre performance was Darcy in 2021’s You on the Moors Now (Studio 115). Noah has previously performed on campus as part of Youth Theatre at the U’s Summer Camp and Conservatory. 3rd place winner for Scenes at the USHAA Regional Theatre Competition (2018) and the Utah Shakespeare Festival (2019). Upon graduation, Noah hopes to apply his education and experience to the world of film.
ISABELLE SIEBENECK (Diana) was born and raised in Sandy, Utah, and is currently in their third year of the Actor Training Program at the U. Last year, they were seen onstage as Martha in the Studio 115 production of Liminal. They would like to thank their parents and their sister Katie for always supporting them in every way.
projects since debuting in August 2021. Following Method: Legends, the company’s summer project with the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, Michael is looking forward to developing the company’s first original prepared-spontaneous experiment, Method: Wildflowers. Previous U Theatre credits include working as Production Assistant for Liminal (Studio 115) and as ASM for Nine (Studio 115).
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION
EMMA ASHTON (Scenic Designer) is a junior in the Performing Arts Design Program at the University of Utah. She is honored to be designing her first-ever set. Previously, she has been Costume Designer for Matilda Jr. (Youth Theatre at the U), Costume Coordinator for Shrek Jr. (On Pitch Performing Arts), as well as Hair and Makeup crew for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Babcock). Emma would like to thank her family and friends for their support.
SPENCER BARBER (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore in the Stage Management Program here at the U. Most recently, Spencer was the Production Assistant for Illyria (Babcock). Last season they worked as Assistant Stage Manager on the department’s production of You On the Moors Now (Studio 115). Prior to attending the U, Spencer worked with R3 Theatre, performing as Vlad in Anastasia and directing Radium Girls. They would like to thank their mom and Graham for all their support.
MICHAEL DAVIES (Assistant Director) is a junior in the Stage Management Program. As Founder and Creative Director of Method: Theatre Company, he runs theatre, performance, and team-building workshops with groups throughout the Salt Lake valley. The company has produced 6 unique
JAYDEN DUDLEY (Stage Manager) is a junior in the Stage Management Program. Jayden recently finished working on her first opera in Italy for La Boheme (SM, Traveling Venues). She has worked with the Department of Theatre on multiple shows including Liminal (1st ASM, Studio 115), Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (2nd ASM, Babcock Theatre), and Henry V (Production Assistant, U of U Virtual). Outside credits include Fate? (SM, Alliance Theatre) and Sweeney Todd (ASM, Kingsbury Hall) with the School of Music. Jayden has also worked as a dresser for Hello Dolly, Something Rotten, and Elf: the Musical at Pioneer Theatre Company (21/22 Season). She would like to thank everyone for supporting her so far throughout this journey in theatre.
AILISH HARRIS (Puppet Designer) is pursuing a double major in stage management and performing arts design. U Theatre credits include Stage Manager for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Babcock), Scenic Charge Artist for Storm Still (Babcock), Sound Designer for Henry V (U of U Virtual), and ASM for The Odyssey (Babcock Theatre). Previously this season, her puppet designs appeared in U Theatre's production of The Old Man and The Old Moon (Babcock). Ailish would like to thank her family for their continuous support, her boyfriend for his patience and heart, and all of her mentors at the U for their wisdom and generosity.
PAIGE LINFORD (2nd Asst. Stage Manager) is a sophomore in the Stage Management Program at the University of Utah. This is her second time working on a stage management team; the first was for U Theatre’s production of The Book Club Play (Babcock). Paige is enthusiastic about what the future brings within the University of Utah’s Theatre department, and she would like to thank her family for their continued support on her journey.
MARCI PIÑA (Asst. Production Manager) is a senior in the Stage Management Program. Marci has previously worked as the Stage Manager for Ícaro Compañía Teatral, a professional theatre company in Mexico City; on Urinetown (Teatro Milán); The Pillowman (Foro Lucerna); and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Foro Lucerna). She was recently the Stage Manager for The Emily Dickinson Musical (Studio 115, Open Door) at the University of Utah.
JANELL ROGERS (Production Assistant) is a sophomore at the University of Utah working on her BA in Theatre Studies. She has directed region/state theatre pieces for high school drama competitions, Gay Girls with Umbrella Theatre Company in The New Works Mentorship Project, and Near Mint—a new production from the Department of Theatre’s New Play Workshop. This is her first production as a part of the stage management team, and she is excited about this show. She would like to thank her family, su familia, for giving her support and love.
ARIKA SCHOCKMEL (Prop Designer) has worked extensively in props and costume crafts for theatre, television, and film. She is the Properties Manager for the Department of Theatre and works as a prop and costume designer for Plan-B Theatre. Regional credits include productions at The Egyptian
Theatre, UFOCMT, Grand Teton, Dark Horse, SLAC, Utah Contemporary, and Lyric Rep. USU alumnus. Member of S.P.A.M., the Society of Prop Artisan Managers. Past and future projects include stage management, music, event hosting/emceeing, creating props for film and television, and the occasional acting gig.
JASON SNOW (Media Designer) is currently pursuing a double major in Theatre (Performing Arts Design) and Film and Media Arts (Film Production). Previously, Jason worked as Media Programmer for Henry V (U of U Virtual), Lighting Designer/ Camera Designer/Streaming Video Editor for Tartuffe (Studio 115, U of U Virtual), and Lighting Designer for It Doesn’t Rain Enough (Open Door Productions).
MATTHEW SORENSEN (Puppetry Mentor) is a puppeteer, theater artist, filmmaker, educator, and museum exhibition designer based in Connecticut and New York. Matt is currently serving as Interim Co-Director of the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut. He is also an adjunct faculty member for the Dramatic Arts program at UConn and the Performing Arts Design Program at the University of Utah. Matt is delighted to return to SLC after having worked as the Puppet Designer/Fabricator on the U's 2019 production of She Kills Monsters (Kingsbury Hall). While finishing his studies for his MFA in Puppet Arts from UConn, Matt formed Puppet Bucket Productions and has designed and built puppets for theater and film around the world. Matt would like to thank Jamie, Brenda, and his student mentees for bringing him back to the U.
ELIZABETH WEBB (Costume Designer) is a junior in the PADP (Costume Design Emphasis). Previously, Elizabeth designed the costumes for The Book Club Play
(Babcock), and she currently works as a Production Assistant for the Properties department. Other credits include Crafts Artisan for The Utah Shakespeare Festival (2022 Season) and Puppet Fabricator for the Tuacahn Amphitheater production of Wonderland. Elizabeth would like to thank her parents, mentors, and professors for their confidence, support, and endless assistance as she pursues her dreams. Elizabeth is a proud recipient of the Utah Flagship Scholarship and the Lee and Audrey Hollaar Scholarship.
PENELOPE CAYWOOD (Director) is delighted to be directing again for U Theatre after last season’s production of The Book Club Play (Babcock). Upcoming projects include A Year With Frog and Toad and the Utah premiere of Yoga Play at Salt Lake Acting Company, as well as Seussical for Youth Theatre at the U. Past directing projects at SLAC include Elephant and Piggie: We are in a Play, Pete the Cat, Pinkalicious, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, Art Dog, The Cat in the Hat, Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, How I Became a Pirate, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Penelope is an adjunct assistant professor for Theatre Teaching and the Artistic Director for Youth Theatre at the U. Youth
Theatre provides in- and out-of-school programs for youth aged 5 to 18, as well as multiple residencies and professional development workshops for classroom teachers. In collaboration with YTU’s internationally recognized and nationally award-winning high school Conservatory, Penelope devises and creates new work every year. Penelope is a board member for both the Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
SYDNEY CHEEK-O’DONNELL (Producer) is the chair of the Department of Theatre and associate dean for research in the College of Fine Arts. In the Department of Theatre, Dr. Cheek-O’Donnell has taught History of Theatre, New Plays Workshop, Dramaturgy, and a variety of dramatic literature courses; she was also the head of Theatre Studies from 2005 to 2016. Recent projects include the creation of a video series intended to support families of children with Down Syndrome, as well as writing the handbook Arts for Health: Theatre (Emerald Publishing). Dr. CheekO’Donnell earned a PhD in Theatre History and Dramatic Criticism from the University of Washington’s School of Drama, and received her undergraduate degree from Carleton College in Minnesota.
Department Chair
Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell Chair, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Research
Faculty
Jamie Rocha Allan Adjunct Assistant Professor
Margo Andrews Associate Professor Lecturer
Karen Azenberg Adjunct Instructor
Kyle Becker Professor Clinical
Jacque Bell Adjunct Associate Professor
Amber Bielinski Associate Professor Clinical, Head of Stage Management
Nathan Brian Adjunct Instructor
Ty Burrell Adjunct Assistant Professor
Lynn Deboeck Adjunct Associate Professor
Nicholas Dunn Adjunct Assistant Professor
Christopher DuVal Professor
David Eggers Assistant Professor
Jane England Adjunct Assistant Professor
Jennifer Erickson Adjunct Assistant Professor
Stephen Faulk Adjunct Instructor
Mark Fossen Adjunct Assistant Professor
Jerry Gardner Associate Professor
Ellie Hanagarne Adjunct Assistant Professor
Hugh Hanson Associate Professor Lecturer
Alexandra Harbold Assistant Professor
Greg Hatch Adjunct Associate Professor, Theatre Librarian
Michael J. Horejsi Associate Professor Clinical, Director of Lighting/Media Design
Jennifer Jackson Associate Professor Clinical, Director of Sound Design
Stacey Jenson Adjunct Assistant Professor
Kimberly Jew Associate Professor, Head of Theatre Teaching
Xan Johnson Professor
Carolyn Leone Adjunct Instructor
Brian Manternach Associate Professor Clinical
Penelope Marantz-Caywood Adjunct Assistant Professor, Artistic Director: Youth Theatre
Kelby McIntyre-Martinez Adjunct Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Arts Education and Community Engagement
Christine Moore Adjunct Assistant Professor
Robert Nelson Professor Emeritus
Jamie Baer Peterson Adjunct Assistant Professor
Megan Richards Adjunct Assistant Professor
Jonas Sappington Adjunct Instructor
Richard Scharine Professor Emeritus
David Schmidt Associate Professor Clinical, Head of Musical Theatre
Eric Sciotto Visiting Assistant Professor Sarah Shippobotham Professor
Tim Slover Professor, Head of Theatre Studies
Barbara Smith Associate Professor Lecturer
Lindsey Smith Associate Instructor
Robert Scott Smith Assistant Professor, Head of Actor Training, Associate Chair
Brenda Van der Wiel Associate Professor, Head of Performing Arts Design Matthew Whittaker Adjunct Assistant Professor
Gage Williams Professor
Marilee Wilson Adjunct Assistant Professor
Staff
Jessica Dudley-Rodriguez Program Manager
Colleen Hirst Accountant
Aaron Hoenig Sound/Lighting Lead Technician
Alex Marshall Music Director
Heather Poulsen Scene Shop Supervisor
Halee Rasmussen Assistant Technical Director Arika Schockmel Properties Manager
Wendy Schow-Massine Costume Shop Manager Aaron Swenson Marketing and Communications Coordinator