FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Linda Lombardi June 9, 2015 [email protected]

PHOTO EDITORS: For high-resolution pre-production publicity images, email [email protected].

FULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS BY JENNIFER FALETTO DIRECTED BY LINDA LOMBARDI

IN 10th ANNIVERSAY OF FRINGE FESTIVAL JULY 9 – AUGUST 2, 2015

(Washington, DC) A powerful look at love, family, trauma and healing, Jennifer Faletto’s (Bathroom Hate, Reindeer Cupcakes) play explores the impact of war for the loved ones on the homefront. Magical and heartfelt, Domestic Animals wakes our primal instincts and dares us to find our true pack. Directed and produced by Linda Lombardi (Perfect , The White Devil), Domestic Animals runs July 11-25, 2015, as part of the Capital Fringe Festival, in the Upstairs—Logan Fringe Arts Space.

The cast of Domestic Animals includes Christine Callsen (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Taming of the Shrew), Jeremy Hunter (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Elephant’s Graveyard), and Andrew Keller (, The Taming of the Shrew).

The creative team for Domestic Animals also includes scenic design by Christopher Annas-Lee, costume design by Candice Newton, lighting design by Mary Keegan, sound design by Jess Hoover, and stage manager Amanda Schultz.

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On Domestic Animals: “The loss of a loved one is something we all share in common. When the reason for that loss is war, the feelings of hopelessness and futility are all the more powerful. At the time of the Vietnam War, the emotions and trauma being dealt with by our soldiers’ families was not given the attention it deserved. Domestic Animals draws the curtain back and allows us a look into one woman’s struggle to survive on the homefront.” –Director Linda Lombardi

“Domestic Animals was inspired by my early childhood in Alaska. For me, Alaska has always been a magical place—a place where it’s light all summer, where moose wander through the yard, where the sky in winter can move and change colors. I wanted to communicate an awareness of a space so immense in scale it can hold multiple realities, the big life questions, the power of nature and a hero’s journey.” –Playwright Jennifer Faletto

Jennifer Faletto (Playwright) Plays include Bathroom Hate, Domestic Animals, and Reindeer Cupcakes. Jennifer’s works have been developed at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Crash Test Drama and produced at the Short + Sweet Festival in Sydney, Australia. Jennifer holds a BFA in theatre performance from TCU and also trained at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago where she began writing and performing sketch comedy. Writing credits at Second City include Sexy/Awkward… and Glass of Pie. Jennifer also attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, Australia, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

Linda Lombardi (Director/Producer) is a director/dramaturg whose work includes Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; Henry V; a new adaptation of Sophocles’ Ajax; The White Devil; Blackened Windows and, in 2013, she directed Osborn New Play Award winner, Perfect Arrangement, in DC’s Source Festival, which became the first play in Festival history to extend. Linda is also the Literary Manager at Arena Stage where she provides dramaturgical support for all productions and workshops.

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Cast Biographies (in alphabetical order)

Christine Callsen (Lori) DC credits include The Taming of the Shrew, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, As You Like It, Swing Time, Full Bloom, Much Ado About Nothing, and season two of House of Cards. Additional credits include Chicago, The Spitfire Grill, The Guys, The Sound of Music, Tintypes, Ernest in Love, and Side by Side by Sondheim. She has performed with Pallas Theatre Collective, the Wild Root Company, Arcturus Theater Company, St. Mark's Players, and Capital Fringe. Christine holds a B.A. in Acting and a Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Jeremy Hunter (Lance/Matt) Recent credits include Good Hope Road and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Jeremy made his DC theatre debut in She Stoops to Conquer. Other credits include Camp Logan, Fences, A Raisin in the Sun, Urinetown, and Elephant's Graveyard. Jeremy is also a professional graphic designer and web developer (he did the artwork for this show!). His clientele includes a diverse array of businesses and organizations as well as musicians, artists, and more.

Andrew Keller (Lee/Josh) A DC-based theatre artist and teacher, Andrew’s recent credits include The Taming of the Shrew, Perfect Arrangement, and Glassheart. He has worked as an actor with Pallas Theatre Collective, Rorschach Theatre, the Source Festival, the Wild Root Company, the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, Metro Theater Company, New Line Theatre, and St. Louis Shakespeare, among others. Recently, Andrew made his DC directorial debut with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at St. Mark’s Players. Andrew holds a Master's degree in Acting from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Production Information: Domestic Animals By Jennifer Faletto Directed by Linda Lombardi In the Capital Fringe Festival / July 11- 25, 2015

ABOUT: At the height of the Vietnam War, Lori’s brother dodges the draft and her boyfriend enlists. Left alone, she disappears into her imagination. Seduced by the comfort of her hallucinations, Lori risks giving over to her fantasy forever. A powerful look at love, family, trauma and healing, Jennifer Faletto’s play explores the impact of war for the loved ones on the homefront. Magical and heartfelt, Domestic Animals wakes our primal instincts and dares us to find our true pack.

— continued — CAST: Lori: Christine Callsen Lance/Matt: Jeremy Hunter Lee/Josh: Andrew Keller

CREATIVE TEAM: Playwright: Jennifer Faletto Director: Linda Lombardi Set Designer: Christopher Annas-Lee Costume Designer: Candice Newton Lighting Designer: Mary Keegan Sound Designer: Jess Hoover Stage Manager: Amanda Schultz

Plan Your Visit TICKETS: Tickets for Domestic Animals are $17 and Passes start at 30, plus applicable fees. Fringe buttons are $5- $7. Tickets go on sale online and by phone on June 22. Festival Box Office opens July 7.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.capitalfringe.org or by phone at 866.811.4111 after June 22, or in person at 1300 H Street NE Washington, DC 20002 after July 7.

For additional information, visit https://www.capitalfringe.org/festival-10-2015/boxoffice-10.

PERFORMANCE DATES: Saturday, July 11 at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.

VENUE & DIRECTIONS Domestic Animals performs at the Logan Fringe Arts Space at 1358 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. Metro: Noma-Gallaudet U/New York Ave, Union Station Metro Bus: X1, X2, X3, X8, X9, B2, D3, D4, D8 Bikeshare: Neal St & Trinidad Ave NE, 13th & H St NE, Bladensburg Rd & Benning Rd NE

Connect with us: Facebook: facebook.com/DomesticAnimalsCapitalFringe Twitter: @AnimalsDCFringe, @CapitalFringe mention Domestic Animals with #DomesticAnimals Pinterest: pinterest.com/llombardi99/domestic-animals Indiegogo: igg.me/at/domesticanimals/x/652728

About Capital Fringe Capital Fringe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the summer of 2005 with the purpose of infusing energy into performing arts in the Washington, DC region through our annual Fringe Festival and year-round Fringe Training Factory. Capital Fringe’s vigorous programs ensure the growth and continued health of the local and regional performing arts community by helping artists become independent producers while stimulating the vibrant cultural landscape in our city. ###