Theatre Fairfield presents the Ultimate Broadway Insider Musical:
[title of show] Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen Book by Hunter Bell April 14-17 @ 8pm April 17-18 @ 2pm Director: Martha S. LoMonaco Streamed live from Musical Director: Michael Ciavaglia the Wien Black Box Movement Director: Brad Roth Theatre! Scenic Designer: Lynne Porter Costume Designer: Julie Leavitt Technical Director: Anne Kendall WE ARE: the resident theatre company of Fair eld University; made up of students, faculty and guest artists. We are a community of learners. Our artistic home is the Wien Black Box at the Quick Center for the Arts.
OUR MISSION is: to educate students and audiences in all aspects of the art form, as we produce high quality productions relevant to our times, utilizing professional standards and compelling plays from all eras. Our aim is to harness the profound empathy-building power of theatre to celebrate human dignity and explore our common humanity.
OUR VISION is: performances that make the world a more thoughtful, more compassionate, more just place.
WE VALUE: respect for our artists and community; antiracism, inclusion, and diversity; and accessibility in all forms.
OUR ALUMNI: are versatile and engaged theatre artists, working in all aspects of the industry. Alumni also include business managers, lawyers, medical professionals, and educators. Our alumni are agents of positive change in their communities.
page 2 Producer’s Note Wow, the Covid pandemic has affected everything. When the Theatre Program faculty made the decision last summer to do the entire 20-21 season virtually, we had no idea what challenges we were facing. We just knew that we wanted to continue to offer live production experiences to our students and audiences.
Most theatre programs approached the problem differently than we did. Some simply stopped doing productions. Most others decided to record productions, by filming student actors, then editing the entire production together in a filmmaker’s process. However, we stayed committed to doing live performances, so our student actors and technicians could face the challenges of live theatre.
In our first two shows, Love & Imagination and Director’s Cut, we did Zoom performances. Actors were in separate spaces, interacting with Zoom cameras, using greenscreen technology. Our third show, the student-produced Woman and Scarecrow, was recorded in Zoom, then edited and mixed in post-production. While we thought all the productions looked okay, the actors were frustrated by the lack of in-person connection with their fellow actors. They never got to actually look at their scene partners, or hang out together during a rehearsal. They physically never met! Theatre is about community, and it works best when the ensemble members form strong bonds with one another. We lost that communal feeling, and that was rough. On top of that, the depressing isolation of the pandemic had a negative effect on everyone.
We knew that we had a musical on the books for this spring, and that raised another challenge: audio latency. If you’ve ever sung “Happy Birthday” on a Zoom call, you know the problem: it is physically impossible to synchronize audio in Zoom. How could we do a live musical without having to record the music beforehand? Would the actors have to lip-sync? That would be awful.
Our Technical Director, Prof. Anne Kendall, came up with the perfect solution: build Covid-safe greenscreen “pods” in the Wien Black Box, one for every actor. With huge plexiglass windows, the actors can see each other’s un-masked faces, and hear one another through the greenscreen fabric that allows us to control the “scenery.” We then capture the actor’s work with cameras and mics, creatively mix it with Open Broadcaster Software, and stream it through a YouTube link. In essence, each actor (as well as our pianist) is in a miniature live-television studio. Our Musical Director, Prof. Michael Ciavaglia, is the ringmaster on a platform in the middle of the theatre, conducting with a clear sightline to each actor, as well as the pianist. It’s a doozy of a set-up. And it looks nothing like what you see streamed in the performance. I urge you to check out more about our pod system on our website, theatre-fairfield.org.
Along with the rest of the campus community, the entire [title of show] company has engaged in weekly Covid tests. This got tricky following the Easter Break, when the University administration insisted on no in-person meetings while rigorous re-testing was happening across campus. We absolutely needed to work together that week--for tech and dress rehearsals--so we made a special arrangement with the Dean of Students and the campus medical professionals. It involved even more Covid testing than normal. We are deeply grateful for the administration’s flexibility and support for this production, as we definitely are pushing the boundaries, in many ways.
Everything is different. Every. Single. Thing. This has been a season of experimentation and creative problem solving. I think you’ll appreciate our labors. We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email us at [email protected].
Enjoy the show.
--Prof. Lynne Porter Producer and Scenic Designer
page 3 [title of show] Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen Book by Hunter Bell Cast Jeff...... Brady Hanney Hunter...... Carlin Fournier Susan...... Kiersten Bjork Heidi...... Tracy Ferguson Larry/Pianist ...... Kenneth Gartman*
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Flashing light effects are used during this performance. For our patrons with photosensitivities, please stay safe.
[TITLE OF SHOW] is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
[title of show] was originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Roy Miller, Laura Camien, Kris Stewart, Vineyard Theatre and LAMS Productions at the Lyceum Theatre, where it opened on July 17, 2008.
Originally produced by the Vineyard Theatre, New York City, February 2006. [title of show] was originally presented by Bridge Club Productions at the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival.
*Kenneth Gartman appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association page 4 Staff & Crew Director...... Dr. Martha Schmoyer LoMonaco Musical Director ...... Dr. Michael A. Ciavaglia Movement Director/Choreographer...... Brad Roth Pianist ...... Kenneth Gartman Producer...... Lynne Porter Technical Director...... Anne Kendall Scenic Designer...... Lynne Porter Costume Designer...... Julie Leavitt Learson Props Manager...... Julie Leavitt Learson Stage Manager...... Kierstin Jones ’21 Assistant Stage Manager...... Chloe Cofini ’24 Video Engineer ...... Park Lytle ’21 Sound Board Operator...... Amanda Bull ’22 Dance Captain...... Tracy Ferguson ’22 Master Carpenter...... Carlin Fournier ’22 Props Assistant...... Emily Sheridan ’24 Costume Work-Study...... Madison Ortiz ’22 Carpentry Crew...... THTR 1150 Class Feature Reporter...... Danielle Sondgeroth ’22 Front of House Staff. . . Chase O’Brien ’22 and Grace Kavulich ’22 On-Camera Acting Consultant ...... Tom Schwans sss © 2020-2021. This audio-visual presentation was produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp. All rights reserved. This audio-visual presentation is authorized for non-commercial use only. Further distribution of this presentation by download, streaming, reposting, broadcast, telecast, or in any other manner or medium, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights, and actionable under applicable copyright law. Warning: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted audio-visual materials. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five (5) years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists page 5 Musical Numbers Untitled Opening Number...... Full Company
Two Nobodies in New York ...... Hunter and Jeff
An Original Musical. . . . Hunter (Blank Paper) and Jeff
Monkeys and Playbills...... Full Company
The Tony Award Song ...... Hunter
Part Of It All...... Hunter and Jeff
I Am Playing Me...... Heidi and Jeff
What Kind Of Girl Is She?...... Susan and Heidi
Die Vampire, Die!...... Susan and Company
Filling Out The Form ...... Full Company
Montage Part 1: September Song ...... Full Company
Montage Part 2: Secondary Characters. . .Susan and Heidi
Montage Part 3: Development Medley. . . . Full Company
Change It, Don’t Change It ...... Full Company
Awkward Photo Shoot...... Full Company
A Way Back to Then...... Heidi
Nine People’s Favorite Thing...... Full Company
Finale...... Full Company page 6 Director’s Note If you had told me two years ago that I would be directing LIVE theatre as LIVE television, I would have laughed. Even one year ago, as we were reluctantly abandoning what promised to be a brilliant production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus as Covid shut us down, the thought of broadcasting theatre LIVE never crossed my mind. Last fall, with the pandemic still raging, we boldly decided to produce Theatre Fairfield’s season live on Zoom, with actors sequestered individually in separate faculty offices for our opening show, Love & Imagination, and in the privacy of their family homes scattered across several states for Director’s Cut in December. We had hoped that by spring 2021, we could produce our eagerly anticipated spring musical back in our home theatre, the Wien Black Box at the Quick Center, since singing on Zoom was out of the question. (Have you ever tried? Don’t.) As you know, theatres in the U.S. have yet to reopen with Broadway anticipating a fall 2021 return at the earliest. Needless to say, our production remains remote. How were we to produce musical theatre, with well-synced music, without resorting to shooting a film rather than enjoying a live stage experience? Necessity is the mother of invention and this is when our whacky, outside-the-box thinking kicked in. Musical Director Michael Ciavaglia and I discovered this quirky, four-person meta-musical play, [title of show], which seemed the perfect choice for a pandemic: a funny true story about four friends creating a brand new musical about four friends creating a musical against all odds, bringing it from a tiny downtown theatre to Broadway in just four years. [title of show] exudes hope, spunk, artistry, and love, celebrating what determined people can accomplish when they keep at it. Our technical director, Anne Kendall, caught the inspiration of the show and determined to make it happen LIVE in REAL TIME AND SPACE, by designing and building Covid-safe actor pods, where we could not only rehearse but perform and broadcast live—just like old-time live television. Park Lytle, ’21, who had experimented with OBS software to craft his production of Woman and Scarecrow, which Theatre Fairfield produced in January, joined the production team as Video Engineer. Movement Director Brad Roth embraced the challenge of choreographing actors largely dancing from the waist up while scenic designer, Lynne Porter, discovered great solutions to storytelling with green screens. Julie Learson contributed her artistry designing costumes and props while Anne Kendall took on the additional challenges of lighting, photography, and sound since each pod needed to be outfitted separately for the four actor-singer-dancers, with a fifth smaller pod for the pianist. Collectively, we fill the entire Black Box Theatre with the five pods, four special-built dressing rooms (a safe space for each actor), a central podium for Michael to conduct, and four tables with television monitors in each aisle between the pods for me, Brad, our stage managers, and Park’s video console. This is unorthodox theatre at its best and, we believe, it truly is one-of-a-kind; we have searched the internet and have yet to discover any other theatre company operating in quite this way. We are completing the production with you, our remote audience, tuning in. Although we are broadcasting via YouTube, we hope you will join us immediately after the show for the Post-Show Celebration on our special Zoom link so we can SEE, HEAR, and TALK to you. Please join us in “the Zoom lobby” with drinks, snacks, glee, and lots of questions and comments and help celebrate our marvelous production team: Brady, Carlin, Kiersten, Tracy, Kenneth, Kierstin, Chloe, Amanda, Emily, Park, Julie, Lynne, Anne, Brad, and Michael. Thanks for being here; we are thrilled you tuned in. Please share your reactions and thoughts and sign up for our virtual and snail mail lists by writing to me at [email protected].
--Dr. Martha S. LoMonaco, Director page 7 Notes on Choreography Placing each actor in their own 10’ x 10’ “pod,” in the interest of Covid safety, presents both a limitation and an invitation for the choreography of the musical numbers. For starters, as limitation, the actors cannot “partner” each other: touch, lift, lean on, and so forth. Also, the camera placed at the apex of each pod provides a limited range of visibility for the actors: only so far forward, right, left, up, and down. Backing up, the actors shrink dramatically and then disappear altogether. These spacial limitations made me think of TikTok dances, often filmed from the knees or the waist up, and performed in confined spaces such as a kitchen or hallway. TikTok dances are primarily gestural in nature: a tilt of the head, fast and fancy arm movements, an undulating torso, a flashing smile. In [title of show], the dances are also primarily gestural in nature. Those that have some footwork rely on the upper body to indicate the footwork going on below. The choreographic goal here is not to be flashy, but to underscore or amplify the lyrics of these marvelously inventive, rhythmic songs with their rich melodies and harmonies. Occasionally, the actors will also bring forth in movement snippets of the piano score as well. The emphasis here is primarily on what is sung, in an effort to playfully embody the lyrics through gesture, mime, or some combination of the two. Thus SEEING the song helps to hear it and comprehend its part in the development of the characters, and in the overall progression of the story. --Brad Roth, LMFT, MA, Certified Laban Movement Analyst
Brad Roth and Tracy Ferguson ’22 explore movement in rehearsal page 8 Notes on Music “A, D, D, D, D, F-sharp, A…” With that, Jeff spells out the first notes of [title of show] in unusual detail. With those letter-named notes, from the first moment of the musical, the characters pull back the curtain for the audience and introduce the layered premise: “A musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical.” This directness of presentation--treating the work on the stage as a work-in-progress--continues as the music and musical develop before our eyes: “It’s the opening song, it doesn’t have a title[...], but it’s the starting point of our musical.” As the musical moves on, Jeff, Hunter, Heidi, and Susan, each both character and creator, sing in moments of frank frustration, bliss, and inspiration. It’s clear from the outset that all four of them know musicals. We enter into their world of true immersion in Broadway of the past and present. Musicals that are little known (or even less known than that) are referenced with a true insider’s knowledge: from the disco version of the Cinderella story Got Tu Go Disco (1979) to Kern and Hammerstein’s Very Warm For May (1939), now chiefly remembered for its contribution to the book of standards, “All the Things You Are.” Jeff and Hunter (creators and characters) provide an almanac of inspiration through these works, and set up the idea of their scrappy “insider-y” musical being in the “history books of Broadway.” In the notes that accompany the score and script, the creators point out that, despite its behind-the-scenes concept and lexicon, “At its heart, [title of show] is a classically structured book musical.” I have been thinking about this throughout our process of bringing our [tos] to the stage that is your screen. Surely, there’s a lot that is not classical--the real-life dialogue, songs that are perhaps still-in- progress being included, even some cleverly slipped-in lyrics that were probably originally intended as placeholders. But, ultimately, the creators’ words ring true. For example, there is the standard “I want” song, sung early in the work by the main character(s) to motivate them towards their goals. Of course, here, before we get the “I want” song, Hunter begins a different song, which is then cut on the spot after just a few bars. This only heightens the impact of the real song that follows: for many reasons, both noble and vain, the characters want to create this work and see it on the stage. Likewise, there is a midpoint resolution, with a splashy ensemble musical number, followed by further, deeper conflict that is resolved through song later, more quietly, but still satisfyingly. This structure is the same as that of (for example) Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (1986), which is quoted in words and music at least four times throughout [title of show] in a clear sign of (the original) Jeff and Hunter’s affection for and inspiration from that work. Whether or not you’ve seen Sondheim lately or at all, though, your enjoyment of [title of show] will not be affected. As promised, it is a musical for all: artistic and earnest, enjoyable and moving. We have recognized the special privilege of making music in the same room during these times, and that has strengthened our personal bonds and artistic commitment. On behalf of the cast and creative team, especially my colleague Kenneth Gartman (at the piano in the role of Larry), I welcome you to our [title of show] from “the seed of an idea” at the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University, to your screens throughout the world. --Dr. Michael A. Ciavaglia, Musical Director page 9 Meet the Cast Kiersten Bjork (Susan) is a senior at Fairfield from Branford, Connecticut. She is a Theatre and English double major with a Creative Writing concentration and minors in Environmental Studies and Classical Studies. She is the President of the Fairfield University Glee Club, works as a Creative Director for Fairfield at Night (F@N), and is Theatre Fairfield’s Marketing Production Intern. Performing credits with TF include Percy in The Spitfire Grill, Alice in Authenticity, Laertes in Fortinbras, Demetrius in Titus Andronicus, and Auntie Ah in Woman and Scarecrow, among others. She worked as Scenic Designer for Rabbit Hole, and Master Carpenter for Silent Sky, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Fortinbras. She also recently directed Hot Wax as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut. Kiersten would like to thank her fellow TF students from the past 4 years for all of the memories, as well as the faculty for all that they have taught her. Break a leg to the entire company, and die vampire, die. “I’m so excited to be able to work on a musical again! [title of show] is an incredibly fun piece that has been a joy to work on, and I hope will be a joy to our audiences as well. There is so much heart to this show and these five human beings, and I’ve loved getting to be a part of bringing them to life. The way we are actually performing this piece is unlike anything Theatre Fairfield has ever done before, so it has also been a fascinating process as we work to figure out the technical side to the show. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the final product and come on this journey with us!” —Kiersten Bjork ’21
Tracy Ferguson (Heidi, Dance Captain) is a junior at Fairfield, currently from Miami, Florida. She is a Theatre major with a minor in Educational Studies. She is also a member of the Fairfield University Glee Club. Previous roles with Theatre Fairfield include Woman in Woman and Scarecrow, Betty/ Woman 2/Monologue in Love and Imagination, and Lavinia in Titus Andronicus. She also directed The Competent Heart as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut.
“I’m so excited to be in a musical again! I can’t wait for audiences to get to know these people and hear their story. [title of show] is all about dreams and perseverance, and I hope that this story will remind people that even though the road may be rocky, striving for your dreams is always worth it. This show is so unique and our process is so innovative - I feel so lucky to be a part of it!” —Tracy Ferguson ’22
page 10 Meet the Cast
Carlin Fournier (Hunter) is a junior at Fairfield from Rhode Island. He is a Marketing major with a minor in Theatre. He is Theatre Fairfield’s Tech Production Intern. Previous roles with Theatre Fairfield include Harold Dobbs in Proof, Peter Shaw in Silent Sky, Ed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and the title roles in Fortinbras and Titus Andronicus. He recently directed Talking About It as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production ofDirector’s Cut. He would like to thank anyone and everyone who worked on this project. “I’m very excited to be able to play Hunter in [title of show]! He has an amazing energy that is shown in every single line that he says or sings. This show will be completely different than anything I’ve been a part of due to the nature of the show itself. Our experimental cross between live and recorded theatre has already been fascinating to work with and I’m excited to continue to do so. I hope every audience member enjoys our take on [title of show] — how we are mounting the production itself — because I think they’re in for a wild ride!” —Carlin Fournier ’22
Brady Hanney (Jeff) is a freshman at Fairfield from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He is a Film and Television major with a minor in Music. He is a member of the Video Game Club, as well as Fairfield’s Big Band and Pep Band. This is his debut with Theatre Fairfield! Previous high school roles include Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man, Bottle Dancer in Fiddler on the Roof, Dean in All Shook Up, and Chuck in Footloose. “This show is a blast to work on. Working in the actor pods and developing the story in the safest way possible is great, and the best part is getting to work with my fellow stars during this uncertain time. I hope that the audience takes away a feeling of accomplishment from this show. If two theatre geeks can write a show in three weeks, and if we can perform that show in a pandemic, then you can do it, too.” —Brady Hanney ’24
page 11 Meet the Cast Kenneth Gartman (Larry) - (Singer/Actor) Broadway National Tour of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Live BBC Broadcast of Simply Sondheim. Kenneth has appeared as a soloist in several of the country’s finest concert halls including Carnegie Hall. Kenneth is a 2019 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs) Award Nominee for Duo/Group, Emcee and Comedy/Novelty Song; 2016 MAC Award Nominee for Best Duo; and a 2012 New York BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award Nominee for Best Male Debut. He released his debut album We Need a Little Christmas in 2020 to critical acclaim. (Music Director/Pianist) Inner Voices III: Arlington (Off-Broadway); Pippin, Kiss Me Kate, Singin’ in the Rain (Summer Theatre of New Canaan); The White City, Broadcast and The ToyMaker (Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference); Danny and the Rocket (NYU/ Tisch School of the Arts); Reading of Once Removed (music by Graham Russel of Air Supply); Zapata! The Musical, Show Choir! The Musical, and The ToyMaker (NYMF); Trouble in Shameland (FringeNYC); Numerous cast recordings, demos, readings, cabaret workshops, cabaret shows, benefits, awards presentations and concerts. Gartman is the producer and booking manager of BJ Ryan’s Magnolia Room in Norwalk, Connecticut which received the Best of Gold Coast Award for Live Music Spot 2020. Kenneth is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. KennethGartman.com
Members of the company at the first rehearsal of [title of show]. page 12 Meet the Team Dr. Marti LoMonaco (Director) is Professor and Director of the Theatre Program, Co-Producer of Theatre Fairfield, and Resident Theatre Director — recent productions include Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Anne Carson’s adaptation of Sophokles’s Antigone and Rachel Crothers’s A Man’s World. She is the author of two books, most recently Summer Stock: An American Theatrical Phenomenon (Palgrave), which was a Choice Outstanding Academic Title, and many articles; editor of “Theatre Exhibitions,” volume 33 of Performing Arts Resources; and, since 2010, editor of “New England Theatre in Review” for New England Theatre Journal. She curated Bravo! A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County, a theatre history exhibition for the Fairfield Museum and History Center (Fairfield, CT), and has curated two performance series for the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, 21st Century Women and Ancient Greek Tragedy and It’s A Woman’s World, and last year launched its new mobile bookstore for which she served as 2019-2020 curator. She teaches Directing, World Theatre courses (history, theory, criticism, literature), American Drama, American Women Playwrights, Acting, and Graduate American Studies courses. She is also a Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor, RYT-200, which is integral to actor training for her productions. She holds a doctorate in Performance Studies from New York University.
Dr. Michael A. Ciavaglia ’04 (Musical Director) DMA, conductor, vocal coach, and educator, is active at the professional, university, and community worlds of music- making. He has taught at Fairfield since 2006, both in the classroom and vocal studio. Dr. Ciavaglia has produced solo and group vocal recitals which have included a wide variety of repertoire. These performances of [title of show] mark his debut as music director with Theatre Fairfield. Previously, he has served as a musical consultant for Theatre Fairfield productions, and has maintained a long-time association with the Fairfield University Glee Club, conducting the ensemble at home, in the region, and abroad, and serving as a vocal technician. He has also given private instruction in conducting, choral methods, and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). In the professional sphere, Dr. Ciavaglia has served on the music/coaching staffs of companies including the Cincinnati Opera, the Asheville Lyric Opera, and On Site Opera in New York City. He is the artistic director of the Connecticut Chamber Choir. With the Asheville Lyric Opera, he conducted the premiere of When Adonis Calls, by New York composer Clint Borzoni, with words by John de los Santos. With On Site Opera, where he is chorus master, he has cast and prepared a chorus of individuals who have experienced homelessness for their annual productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen; and has expanded his work with these singers as the founding conductor of the Breaking Ground Ensemble. Dr. Ciavaglia’s degrees in conducting and vocal performance are from Temple University in Philadelphia, and the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Cincinnati. page 13 Meet the Team Brad Roth (Movement Director/Choreographer) LMFT, MA, taught dance at Fairfield University from 2000-2015. He has collaborated with Dr. LoMonaco on many plays over the years, including Aristophanes’ The Birds, Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and As You Like It, Anne Carson’s translation of Sophokles’ Antigone, and most recently, Stevens’ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Brad holds Masters degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy (SCSU), Dance and Movement Studies (Wesleyan University), and a B.A. in Economics (Cornell University). He has a performing and teaching background in ballet, modern dance, and dance improvisation, and founded Dancing Day, LLC, to offer dance experiences to teens and adults with disabilities. Thanks to the marvelous cast, and to the artistic team and crew, and a special thank you to my longtime friend and collaborator, Dr. LoMonaco, for yet another opportunity to find our way together to the heart of another great production.
Lynne Porter (Producer, Scenic Designer) is a Professor of Theatre and the Resident Designer in the Theatre Program. She serves as both Producer and Scenic Designer on [title of show]. Off campus, she frequently designs for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, the Guerrilla Shakespeare Project, and the Gamut Theatre, where her most recent work was designing the interior of their new second stage space. She has worked professionally in theatres across the United States and designed extensively for theatres from Maine to Georgia. She is the author of Unmasking Theatre Design, a book that examines the creative process that underpins the design process. Lynne holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in scenic design from Indiana University.
“[title of show] offers so many creative challenges, and when you couple that with Covid, you have a recipe for tons of innovation. It’s exhilarating and terrifying, making an in-person performance experience for our company members, while keeping our audience members safe through the virtual environment.” —Lynne Porter
Anne Kendall (Technical Director) joined Theatre Fairfield in January 2017. Previously she has worked at the Westport Country Playhouse and on the Off- Broadway premiere of Hadestown at the New York Theatre Workshop. In her spare time she enjoys sailing Long Island Sound. She received her MFA in Technical Production at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where PlayMakers Repertory is in residence. page 14 Meet the Team Julie Leavitt Learson (Costume Designer, Props Manager) is an MFA costume designer, theatre educator, and passionate fashion history buff. As Costumier for the Fairfield University Theatre Program, she designs and builds costumes for TF productions, manages the costume shop, and mentors student theatre artists and technicians. Her TF costume design credits include Silent Sky, The Taming of the Shrew, Dead Man’s Cellphone, The Arabian Nights, and The Rocky Horror Show, among many others. A theatre generalist, Julie teaches several Theatre courses. She also collaborated with Shakesperience Productions in Waterbury, CT, costuming Shakespeare from Comedy of Errors to King Lear, as well as The Sword in the Stone and Alice and Wonderland. She also created costumes for Shakesperience’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream collaboration with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and Angelus Choir. Before connecting with Theatre Fairfield, Julie was an Assistant Professor of English at Westfield State College, the Assistant Costume Designer at Chicago’s The Goodman Theatre, and a freelance costume designer at Organic Theatre Company (Mere Mortals), Pyewackett Theatre (The Belle of Amherst), and Emerald City Children’s Theatre (The Wizard of Oz). She holds an MFA in Costume Design from Northwestern University, and a BA in Theatre and English Literature from the University of New Hampshire.
Kierstin Jones (Stage Manager) is a senior at Fairfield from Connecticut. She is a Theatre major with a minor in Biochemistry, and she is Theatre Fairfield’s Dramaturgy Production Intern. Previous roles with Theatre Fairfield include Scarecrow in Woman and Scarecrow, She in Undress Me Clarence, Aaron in Titus Andronicus, and Denise in Short Term Affairs. She has also worked as the Stage Manager for Rabbit Hole and Fortinbras, and the Assistant Stage Manager for Proof, among other crew credits. “Working on my last TF show is bittersweet. I’m excited to have new people on board and I look forward to seeing the final production. My favorite part of working on this show is getting to hear the cast sing because the score is awesome!” —Kierstin Jones ’21
page 15 Meet the Team Chloe Cofini(Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman at Fairfield from Rockland County, New York. She is an International Business major. She played the role of Voice in Contact as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut, and she also worked on the crew of Love & Imagination. “I’m really excited for this show because it’s so different from any other show as it gives the audience a glimpse of the creative process and all the hard work of producing a show from scratch. It tells the heartwarming story of a group of friends on their journey to success and all of their ups and downs in a fun way that is full of laughs.” —Chloe Cofini ’24
Park Lytle (Video Engineer) is a senior at Fairfield from Seattle, Washington. He is an Economics major with a minor in Theatre, and he is Theatre Fairfield’s Audience Relations Production Intern. Previous roles with Theatre Fairfield include Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Saturninus in Titus Andronicus, Claudius in Fortinbras, and Teiresias in Antigone, among others. Park has worked as the Master Electrician for Silent Sky and The Spitfire Grill, and recently directed Contact as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut, as well as the 2021 Independent Project, Woman and Scarecrow. “This is going to be the most ambitious show Theatre Fairfield has done all year. I’m so jazzed to be creating such unique and innovative theatre with my peers. It’s going to be something else indeed.” —Park Lytle ’21
Amanda Bull (Sound Board Operator) is a junior from Stratford, CT. She is a chemistry major with minors in Math, Educational Studies, and WGSS. Amanda has worked previously as assistant stage manager on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the 2020 Director’s Cut. Amanda is very excited to be working on [title of show] as Sound Board Op and is proud of everyone’s hard work on this show.
“This production is unlike anything I’ve worked on before and I am so excited to be apart of this new way of creating theatre in the era of Covid.” -Amanda Bull ’22 page 16 Meet the Team Emily Sheridan (Props Assistant) is a freshman at Fairfield from Westchester, New York. She is currently an undecided major with a minor in Theatre. She has performed in the Iona Prep Player’s shows A Night of Noir/ DOA, The Twilight Zone One Acts, and The Addams Family. At Ursuline, she performed in Beauty and the Beast, The Man Who Came to Dinner, and A Night of Shakespeare as Hermione from A Winter’s Tale. Emily played the role of Astronaut in Contact as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut. “I’m extremely excited to help out in my second show at Theatre Fairfield and I sincerely hope you all enjoy the show!” —Emily Sheridan ’24 Danielle Sondgeroth (Feature Reporter) is a junior at Fairfield, and is a Digital Journalism and Art History double major with minors in French, Anthropology, and Professional Writing. She is involved in music ministry and the Glee Club, and she wrote for The Mirror for a number of years. She played the role of Annie in Hot Wax as part of Theatre Fairfield’s 2020 production of Director’s Cut. “I’m so excited to be involved in my second production at Theatre Fairfield! I can’t wait to see where the cast goes with this incredible musical and I hope to capture it in text and multimedia projects to spread the word!” — Danielle Sondgeroth ’22 Chase O’Brien (Front of House) is excited to return for his third stint as Front of House with Theatre Fairfield and is even more excited to share the duty with his good friend Grace Kavulich. He is a junior Communications major with minors in Economics and Theatre. He previously worked with TF as Assistant Stage Manager on Fortinbras. Love to the cast, crew, faculty, and everyone who made it possible for this show to go on during these tough times!
Grace Kavulich (Front of House) is excited to share her role with her friend Chase! She is excited to be a part of this special show. The world is in uncharted waters and she thinks that this show perfectly represents what it means to be outside your comfort zone and how to make the most of it! She is a junior from Pennington, NJ. She is a Communications major with a minor in Theatre. Previous performance credits with Theatre Fairfield include Edie in DUMBO as part of Director’s Cut in 2018, the monologue “OMG BFF” in Love & Imagination, and Tropie in Talking About It as part of the 2020 production of Director’s Cut.
page 17 Dramaturgy Part of it All: Behind the Scenes with [title of show] There’s a lot that goes into putting on a show. Lights, scenery, costumes, make-up and hair, sound….phew! Add to that, music and singing and choreography (oh my!), and you’ve got yourself a musical. Videographer and Video Engineer Park Lytle (’21) has documented each production aspect of our show with interviews from the designers and directors who are made our show possible. Part of it All on YouTube Come, watch, and be part of it all!
Episode 4 of “Part of it All” features Costume Designer Julie Leavitt Learson and the costume complications that arose due to green screens! Capstone Project on [title of show] Danielle Sondgeroth, a junior at Fairfield University, has decided to write her Capstone project piece on Theatre Fairfield’s production of [title of show]! She conducted interviews with the company and took videos and photographs during rehearsals. Stay tuned for her final piece!
Danielle documents the rehearsal process with a shot of our Video Engineer, Park Lytle ’21 page 18 Dramaturgy [title of show] show…show? After the original [title of show] ended its run at the festival, the real Hunter and Jeff began looking for ways to increase their exposure and land their chance to perform on Broadway. Thus, the [title of show] show was born. These 10-minute YouTube videos chronicle the show’s journey from festival medley to Broadway stardom and feature many well-known artists. [title of show] show on YouTube
The pilot episode of the [title of show] show. The cast here at Theatre Fairfield has decided to do their own[title of show] show in the form of short videos on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, to showcase their characters’ personalities and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we made [title of show]! [title of show] [show] show on YouTube
page 19 Dramaturgy The Pods So, we wanted to do a musical. In person. But how? Our answer: the pods. Our technical director and tech production intern worked together last year to design and build mini sound booths for each actor.
Each pod contains two microphones, a speaker so the actors can hear the piano and each other, and a monitor so they can see what’s happening on the live feed. The pods also have ventilation systems to ensure actors are breathing clean, fresh air and Poly Silk roofs so that the actors can be lit from above.
This way, actors can sing and move and be as loud and wild as they want, unmasked and uninhibited! For more information on the world of the play, go to theatre-fairfield.org. Please join us after the show on Zoom for a Post-Show Celebration! Zoom links can be found in the email containing your ticket to the show, as well as in the description of the YouTube livestream. page 20 Special Thanks Debbie Whalley Amy Mezoff Karl G. Ruling Dr. Michael A. Ciavaglia John Primavera ’05 John Learson Kenneth Gartman Ken, Christine, and Christian Bjork Shannon Whelan, Kierstin Jones, and Lauren Trebour Tom Schwans The Ferguson Family Danielle Sondgeroth and Bridget Morrissey Park Lytle Dan Mellitz Patrick Brooks and Dennis Donovan of FTM Dr. Erotopoulos Rodney Productions Maddie Dutilly Max Liebman Pastor Chris Files and Trinity Lutheran Church in Milford The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts; especially Peter van Heerden, Lori Jones, Russ Nagy, Kyle Russell, & RJ van Dusen Dr. Marice Rose Dr. Laura Nash Melissa Roberto Dr. Will Johnson, Dean of Students Dean Richard Greenwald, College of Arts and Sciences Provost Christine Siegel Associate Provost Mark Ligas Fairfield University Department of Public Safety Fairfield University Medical Staff Theatre Faculty Lynne Porter, Dr. Martha S. LoMonaco, Julie Leavitt-Learson Anne Kendall, Tom Schwans, Jackob G. Hofmann, Jan Mason Theatre Fairfield Production Interns Kiersten Bjork ’21 - Marketing Intern Park Lytle ’21 - Audience Relations Intern Carlin Fournier ’22 - Technical Intern Kierstin Jones ’21 - Dramaturgy Intern page 21 Kiersten Bjork Excerpts from her original play, A Shot in the Dark Park Lytle Presentation on the Theatricality of Professional Wrestling Kierstin Jones Excerpts from her original play, Gray
page 22 Theatre Fairfield Season 2020-2021 Love and Imagination Plays by David Ives and Monologues by Barrie Cole Directed by Jan Mason October 23-24 at 8pm October 25 at 1pm Performances live on Zoom Director’s Cut A Series of One-Act Plays Staged by Advanced Directing Students December 4-5 at 8pm December 6 at 2pm Performances live on Zoom Woman and Scarecrow by Marina Carr Produced, Directed, & Designed by Advanced Theatre Students Sponsored by the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation January 29-30, 8pm January 30-31, 2pm Performances streamed on YouTube [title of show] Book by Hunter Bell Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen April 14-17 at 8pm April 17-18 at 2pm Performances live on YouTube
Stay tuned for our exciting 2021-2022 season!
Be sure to check out Theatre Fairfield online: Instagram - @theatrefairfield Facebook - Theatre Fairfield YouTube - Theatre Fairfield Email - [email protected] Our website - theatre-fairfield.org For more information about the Theatre Program at Fairfield University https://www.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/academics/schools-and-colleges/college- of-arts-and-sciences/programs/visual-and-performing-arts/theatre/ page 23