The Smartest Girl in the World

DIRECTED BY ROXANNE SCHROEDER-ARCE

NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 2 AT 5:30 P.M. DECEMBER 1 AT 7:00 P.M. DECEMBER 2-3 AT 1:00 P.M.

OSCAR G. BROCKETT THEATRE F. LOREN WINSHIP DRAMA BUILDING

THEATREDANCE.UTEXAS.EDU

Arash Baqipur – Assistant Projection Designer • Meagan Beattie – Costume Designer Faith Bouchelle – Education Team • Dylan Martinez Figuero – Education Team Ana Ayala Gasca – Education Team Mateo Hernandez – Dramaturg, Education Outreach Coordinator • AJ Hurtado – Projection Designer Ishu – Assistant Director • Justin Eben “J.E.” Johnson – Production Manager Austin Luchak – Assistant Stage Manager • Ashton Bennett Murphy – Technical Director Tenzing Ortega – Scenic Designer • Leila Rabah – Stage Manager • Zackary Read – Lighting Designer Bryce Riggle – Composer, Music Director • Roxanne Schroeder-Arce – Director Xinyue Zhang – Tour Manager

The Department of Theatre and Dance is a world-class educational environment that serves as the ultimate creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre and performance.

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) Aunt Kid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosy Esquenazi Alkabes Mami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faith Bouchelle, Ana Ayala Gasca Papi/Crockett Contestant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jose Calvillo Quiz Show Host. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coby Hughes Cheryl/Pierce Contestant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celeste Izaguirre Lizzy Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katya Lopez Hector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nathan Ramos Leo Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriel Gomez Reyes Foley Artist/Announcer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryce Riggle

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

The videotaping, photographing or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

IN REMEMBERANCE Tenzing Ortega December 20, 1983 - July 12, 2023 Scenic designer for The Smartest Girl in the Word Thank you for creating this world for us to play in.

We miss you, por siempre.

We know that this loss has affected many in our Theatre and Dance community and we want to encourage you to reach out and support each other during this difficult time. Please know that UT’s Counseling and Mental Health Center is an excellent resource available to all UT students, and they offer a crisis line that is open 24 hours, seven days a week. cmhc.utexas.edu

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR Sitting with young people as they experience live theatre (often for the first time) is better than anything—even better than eating Pixie Stix and drinking Big Red! Today, we are excited to watch this production with an audience of families after sharing it with over 2,000 young people in schools throughout Central Texas.

Before I invest in any piece of literature for young audiences, I ask three critical questions: Will it resonate with the youth who will witness it? Will they see themselves reflected in it? Will they take something away to chew on and talk about? The Smartest Girl in the World invites audiences to consider big questions about what matters most in life. At a time when schools are more focused on testing than ever and artificial intelligence is raising critical questions about the nature of creativity and accessibility, we must consider what it means to think for ourselves and hold true to core values. At a time when competition and getting ahead seems to matter most, we must be reminded to center family and those we love.

Of course, this play is not only relevant to young audiences; it is also for teachers, parents, friends and all the “Aunt Kids” here. Those involved in creating this production—UT students, staff and faculty, both onstage and backstage—have also learned a lot about theatre, about touring a production and about ourselves, through deep reflection on how we connect to the play. The Smartest Girl in the World has helped us to realize that being the smartest is not getting all the answers right and winning, but recognizing the intricacies in the questions, taking care of relationships, listening to others’ needs and believing in others’ dreams. Lizzy and Leo have a lot to teach all of us. Let’s lean in and listen to them!

NOTE FROM THE DRAMATURG More than 50 years have passed since the historic walkouts of Mexican American students in Crystal City, Uvalde, San Antonio and across Texas which fought for equitable public education for Latine/ Hispanic students in this state. But, in the 2019-2020 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reported that the racial/ethnic group with the largest enrollment in K-12 education in Texas was Hispanic students at 52.8% while in the fall of 2022, The University of Texas at Austin (shortly after just becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution) reported that only 24.8% of its students were identified as Hispanic – merely providing a glimpse into the continued disparity of education for Latine students in this state. As these statistics may rouse feelings of inadequacy for Latine youth, in contrast this play offers them a reflection of their own intelligence as well as that of their families and communities. While the Texas public education system, governed by the Texas Legislature, may be insufficiently serving its Latine students, this play reminds those students of the wide variety of ways that knowledge is learned and how to stay connected to those different modes of learning. Our main characters Lizzy and Leo are motivated by their curiosity for learning as well as their deep aspiration to financially assist their hard-working immigrant parents. Also in 2019-2020, the TEA reported that an overwhelming 75.7% of Hispanic students enrolled in K-12 schools were economically disadvantaged. While heart wrenching, this statistic sheds light on the way that Latine students are often pursuing education as a means of social mobility that is rooted in survival for themselves and their families. The Smartest Girl in the World speaks to the realities of Latine students in this state in these many ways, and we are excited for how it will also speak to you today.

CREATIVE Arash Baqipur (Assistant Projection Designer) is a first-year M.F.A. in Theatre (integrated media for live performance) candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. He holds a B.Arch. and a M.A. in Film from the University of Tehran, College of Fine Arts. He is a storyteller interested in experiencing various fields of visual arts, including video art and experimental films. He has collaborated on several short and feature films as a production, set and costume designer. (he/him) Meagan Beattie (Costume Designer) is a thirdyear M.F.A. in Theatre (costume design) candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play (2022), Tiny Fingerprints (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2022) and Cositas (Fall For Dance, 2021).

Faith Bouchelle (Education Team, Mami) is a second-year UTeach Theatre major. She has an extensive background in acting and singing and is an active member in Alpha Phi Omega. This is her first performance with Texas Theatre and Dance.

including Goodman Theatre, Filament Theatre, UrbanTheater Company, Teatro Vivo and Chicago Children’s Theatre, among others.

Hernandez is also a company member with FYI (For Youth Inquiry), a performance company in Chicago, Illinois making participatory theatre around issues of reproductive justice.

AJ Hurtado (Projection Designer) is a M.F.A. in Theatre (integrated media for live performance) candidate at The University of Texas at Austin, where he also received a B.S. in Arts and Entertainment Technologies. Projection design credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include two pieces in Fall For Dance (2022) and one dance piece and one interactive installation for The Cohen New Works Festival (2023).

He aspires to combine digital fabrication and new media technologies to create a new wave of production and design. (he/him)

Dylan Martinez Figueroa (Education Team) is a second-year UTeach Theatre student at The University of Texas at Austin. Although Martinez Figueroa has been a part of multiple shows in the past, The Smartest Girl in the World is his first production with Texas Theatre and Dance.

Ishu (Assistant Director) is a trained actor with a Masters in Performing Arts from University of Hyderabad, India. In the last decade, he has worked with some of the most renowned theatre directors from India and abroad. Ishu has worked with ASSITEJ International, the International Association of Theatre & Performing Arts for Children & Young People. Currently, he is pursuing a M.F.A. in Theatre with a specialization in drama and theatre for youth and communities from The University of Texas at Austin.

Ana Ayala Gasca (Education Team, Mami) is a UTeach Theatre major at The University of Texas at Austin. Although they have been a part of many shows in the past, The Smartest Girl in the World is their first production with Texas Theatre and Dance.

Justin Eben “J.E.” Johnson (Production Manager) is an Associate Director of Fabrication at Texas Performing Arts at The University of Texas at Austin, where he also serves as an assistant professor of practice in the College of Fine Arts.

Mateo Hernandez (Dramaturg, Education Outreach Coordinator) is an applied theatre practitioner, pedagogue and scholar currently in his second year as a M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in drama and theatre for youth and communities.

They have worked with various companies,

Austin Luchak (Assistant Stage Manager) is a fourth-year student assistant at the Texas Performing Arts Fabrication Studio and a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology. After graduation, he intends to travel as a stagehand and work for different touring companies around the world.

CREATIVE Ashton Bennett Murphy (Technical Director), a theatrical designer and technician, calls Austin, Texas her creative home. In 2018, she earned her B.A. in Theatre and Dance from The University of Texas at Austin. Since then, she has been dedicated to her role as Project Specialist in the Texas Performing Arts Fabrication Studio. Murphy also serves as a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She has had the honor to work on many projects around Austin, but this one will always hold a cherished and significant place in her heart.

Tenzing Ortega (Scenic Designer) was born and raised in Mexico City, where he was a scenographer for over 10 years. He earned a B.F.A. in Escenografía from the National School of Theatrical Arts (ENAT) in Mexico City. He was a valued member of the Department of Theatre and Dance from 2022 to 2023 as a M.F.A. in Theatre (scenic design) candidate, creative collaborator and friend to many.

Leila Rabah (Stage Manager) is a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in stage management. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include ZAZ: The Big Easy (The Cohen New Festival, 2023), Address the Body! (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2023) and …but you could’ve held my hand (2022).

Zackary Read (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer and technician based in Austin, Texas. He is currently studying at The University of Texas at Austin where he is working to hone his skills in stagecraft and stage lighting.

As a technician, he has worked with various theatres including Texas Performing Arts, The Long Center and other outdoor venues. As a designer, he has worked with The Alchemy Theatre on productions of The Baker's Wife and Pipeline. zackread.wixsite.com/theatre

Bryce Riggle (Composer, Music Director, Foley Artist, Announcer) is a B.S. in Arts and Entertainment Technologies major at The University of Texas at Austin. He has a background in sound design, live sound engineering and contemporary music production. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Fishing for Stars (The Cohen New Works Festival, 2023); In Sisters We Trust, or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play (2022) and Fall For Dance (2021).

Roxanne Schroeder-Arce (Director) is Associate Dean of UTeach Fine Arts and Associate Professor of Theatre Education. As well as an administrator and teacher, Schroeder-Arce is an artist, scholar and arts advocate. Her scholarly publications include a chapter about this play, entitled “The Smartest Girl in the World: Normalizing Intellectuals through Representations of Smart Latin@ Youth on Stage.” She also directed The Smartest Girl in the World previously with Austin Playhouse. She has published several plays with Dramatic Publishing. roxannearce.com Xinyue Zhang (Tour Manager) is a M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in drama and theatre for youth and communities at The University of Texas at Austin. She holds a M.A. in Theatre and Performance (Queen Mary University of London). As a deviser and educator, Zhang has worked with theatres, art museums and research institutions in the United States, China and the United Kingdom. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Fishing for Stars (The Cohen New Works Festival, 2023).

CAST 9/12/23, 5:08 AM

Rosy Esquenazi Alkabes

Faith Bouchelle

Ana Ayala Gasca

Coby Hughes

Celeste Izaguirre

Katya Lopez

Gabriel Gomez Reyes

Bryce Riggle

Foto - Google Fotos

Jose Calvillo https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNjNyICrbJMO6YUBrU2jCr6jBAx08QJtO4PorNe

Nathan Ramos

1/1

CAST Rosy Esquenazi Alkabes (Aunt Kid) is a UTeach Theatre major also pursuing a minor in arts management and administration at The University of Texas at Austin. She is originally from Panama City, Panama. Her recent credits include The Greeks Don't Know Sh*t About Love (Take the Wheel Short Play Festival), 9/10 Beds (director’s studio, 2022), The Scholarship or Almost is Never Enough (The Cohen New Works Festival, 2023) and ⊆ (Take the Wheel Short Play Festival).

Katya Lopez (Lizzy Martinez) is a fourth-year B.F.A. in Acting major at The University of Texas at Austin. Her previous work includes Sonnets for an Old Century (Texas Theatre and Dance, 2021), The Jungle Book (The Magik Theatre) and Hamlet (ZACH Theatre). Lopez currently serves as Miss San Antonio 2024, where she advocates using her service initiative, Hearts for Art, to provide school programs and teaching resources to communities with underfunded arts programs around South Texas.

Jose Calvillo (Papi/Crockett Contestant) is a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in performer's process at The University of Texas at Austin. He has a background in performance on stage and in film. He aspires to make a positive impact on people through his work in theatre, film, television and video games.

Nathan Ramos (Hector) is a second-year UTeach Theatre major at The University of Texas at Austin. This will be his first on-stage performance with Texas Theatre and Dance.

Recent credits include voiceover work for The Cohen New Works Festival (2023) as well as the KEYS theatre for young audiences musical workshop with Austin Playhouse and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce. (he/they)

Coby Hughes (Quiz Show Host) is a third-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in performer’s process. His recent credits include “Father” in Psalm (Take the Wheel Productions) and lighting design for The Scholarship or Almost is Never Enough as part of The Cohen New Works Festival (Texas Theatre and Dance, 2023). He has a passion for music and playing the guitar.

Celeste Izaguirre (Cheryl/Pierce Contestant) is a second-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in performer’s process at The University of Texas at Austin. She has a background in acting for the stage. Recent credits include various projects as part of The Cohen New Works Festival (2023).

Gabriel Gomez Reyes (Leo Martinez) is a second-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology at The University of Texas at Austin. He has an extensive background in acting and visual art. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include various projects as part of The Cohen New Works Festival (2023).

Additional credits include Papakō: The Journey and el bailador as part of the Austin Latinx New Play Festival (Teatro Vivo, 2023).

CREW TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS FABRICATION STUDIO ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS J.E. JOHNSON KAREN MANESS PROJECT MANAGER DAVID TOLIN OPERATIONS MANAGER JASON LEE HUERTA PROPERTIES MANAGER CAROLYN HARDIN LEAD FABRICATOR HANK SCHWEMMER PROJECT SPECIALIST ASHTON BENNETT MURPHY SENIOR TECHNICAL DIRECTOR SCOTT BUSSEY GRADUATE PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS DANIEL RUIZ BUSTOS JOSH MARTIN TERE GUERRERO C. ZACH YOUNG ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS MADISON JACKSON LYRIC VILLAREAL RYLEE VINES PRODUCTION LEADS LEAH AUSTIN DANIEL GELD ELLYSE JEFFERSON AUSTIN LUCHAK JONAH MAUGHAN PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS ELIZABETH BANDA NAHLA BELTRAN BRIDGETTE CLIFFORD AUSTIN LIVINGSTON KRISTA MCLEOD GABRIEL GOMEZ REYES CASSIDY WEN JULIA YELVINGTON 324P FABRICATION PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS MADYSEN CRISS CODIE LIGHTFOOT HARPER WELLS

THEATRE AND DANCE COSTUME PRODUCTION AND FABRICATION STUDIO COSTUME PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NANETTE ACOSTA PRODUCTION ASSOCIATES DESIREÉ HUMPHRIES JONATHAN WATERS LEAD DRAPERS SARAH BARBOUR POUA YANG STAFF FIRST HAND JENNIFER BALL GRADUATE FIRST HANDS KAITLYN COMFORT MATTHEW SMITH COSTUME CRAFTS ARTISAN TANYA OLALDE COSTUME CRAFTS ASSISTANTS JACOB BENIAM LUCIA CALLENDAR WIG HAIR AND MAKEUP SPECIALIST TARA COOPER STUDIO CREW SUPERVISORS MARISA LAWRENCE ALEX ROCKEY STUDIO CREW LAYLA ISAAC CELESTE IZAGUIRRE ARIA MORGAN NOLAN MEYERS JADEN WEST WARDROBE SUPERVISOR DESIREE TOWNES WARDROBE CREW CELESTE IZAGUIRRE KATYA LOPEZ COSTUME STOCK SUPERVISOR DESIREE HUMPHRIES COSTUME STOCK ASSISTANTS MEAGAN BEATTIE MEGGIE HUNT EMORY KENNEMORE

PROPS

AUDIO

PROP STOCK MANAGERS KATELYN NGYUEN LEILA RABAH

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS AUDIO SUPERVISOR DREW MILLAY

SCENERY/PROPS CREW JOSÉ CALVILLO ROSY ESQUENAZI ANA AYALA GASCA GABRIEL GOMEZ REYES MATEO HERNANDEZ COBY HUGHES ISHU AUSTIN LUCHAK NATHAN RAMOS BRYCE RIGGLE XINYUE ZHANG

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS ASSISTANT AUDIO/VIDEO SUPERVISOR CHRIS PAYEUR

LIGHTING

MEDIA

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS LIGHTING SUPERVISOR SARAH CANTU

INTEGRATED MEDIA SHOP SUPERVISOR EARNEST MAZIQUE

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS ASSISTANT LIGHTING SUPERVISOR MICHAEL SHANKS

MEDIA GRADUATE ASSISTANTS ARASH BAQIPUR NITSAN SCHARF SYDNEY SOUSA

SUPERVISING ELECTRICIAN MICHAEL SHANKS ASSISTANT SUPERVISING ELECTRICIAN GILBERT “GIBBY” MARTINEZ SENIOR LIGHTING TECHNICIANS SARAH JEAN ELLIOTT GAVIN STRAWNATO ZACH YOUNG KALLIE “KP” PIERCE 324P LIGHTING FACULTY SUPERVISOR SEB BOONE 324P THEATRE AND DANCE LIGHTING CREW JONATHAN AMEZCUA CATHERINE DISHINGTON GABRIELA MACHADO ELYSE ROSARIO JOSE CALVILLO SALINAS JULIA VEIGA TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS LIGHTING CREW ADAM CORONADO CARLA GARCIA LEIJA GILBERT MARTINEZ ZACKARY READ MATTHEW E. SMITH SHELLY UPHAM JACOB ZAMARRIPA LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR EMMA FLORES

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS AUDIO CREW GEORGIA BECKHAM BRYCE RIGGLE AUDIO BOARD OPERATOR EMILIO MEJIA

MEDIA SHOP CREW KATRINA ESPINOZA ANDREW LIMAS HUNTER SIMON MACKENZIE THORNTON REBEKAH URBAN CHLOE WHITEHEAD

PRODUCTION ADVISORS STAGE MANAGEMENT RUSTY CLOYES DIRECTING KJ SANCHEZ ALEXANDRA BASSIAKOU SHAW COSTUME DESIGN RAQUEL BARRETO COSTUME TECHNOLOGY DAVID AREVALO LIGHTING DESIGN MICHELLE HABECK INTEGRATED MEDIA FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE KATE FREER

CREW

SCENIC DESIGN JOSAFATH REYNOSO SOUND DESIGN PHILLIP OWEN DRAMATURGY MADGE DARLINGTON CREW SUPERVISOR AUSTIN SHIRLEY

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION RUSTY CLOYES TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR OF FABRICATION AND ACADEMIC PRODUCTION JEFF GRAPKO FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGEMENT AND TICKETING DANA MCLAUGHLIN PR/MARKETING MEGAN BOMMARITO SYDNEY PATTILLO PHOTOGRAPHER THOMAS ALLISON GRAPHIC DESIGNER JEFF GRAY

SPECIAL THANKS Anthony Runfola, Magik Theatre Karma Chavez, Mexican American and Latina/o Studies at The University of Texas at Austin The support systems of the entire team. We love and appreciate you!

BECOME A SEASON SUBSCRIBER

WHAT’S ON STAGE

LOCATION, DIRECTIONS, PARKING