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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, October 7, 2011 CONTACT: Patrick Finlon, Marketing Director 315-443-2636 or [email protected]

Syracuse Stage’s The Boys Next Door Finds Comedy and Compassion in a Group Home for People with Developmental Disabilities

(Syracuse, NY)—Meet Arnold Wiggins. He’s basically a nervous person. He lives with Lucien P. Smith who fancies very big books, and Norman who works in the doughnut shop, and Barry who has schizophrenia and has convinced himself that he is a golf pro. In addition to an apartment, these guys share a caseworker named Jack who, despite his genuine concern for his clients, is on the verge of total burn-out. The Boys Next Door is a gentle comedy from the late 80s set in a group home for people who are developmentally disabled. As playwright Tom Griffin reveals the daily struggles of his characters to make sense of their world and their places in it, he reminds us to consider how much we take for granted every day. The Boys Next Door is very funny and very touching.

Running October 19 through November 6, The Boys Next Door will be performed in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee Street. Tickets range $18-$50 and are available at the Syracuse Stage Box Office, 315-443-3275 or www.SyracuseStage.org. The presenting sponsor for The Boys Next Door is The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation. Sponsors are Syracuse University Humanities Center, POMCO Group, Burton Blatt Institute, and Arc of Onondaga (celebrating their 60th anniversary). The media sponsor is WRVO. Syracuse Stage’s 2011-2012 season sponsor is The Post-Standard.

After a successful 1987 Off-Broadway run, The Boys Next Door was produced at hundreds of theatres around the country and the world, and in 1996 it was made into a movie featuring .

“It’s a fun, funny, and very moving rollercoaster ride of a play that stands the test of time,” said Timothy Bond, Director and Syracuse Stage Producing Artistic Director.

Set clearly in the 1980s, the play sheds light on the progress that has been made for people with developmental disabilities.

“Part of our mission as the region’s premier professional theatre is to tell the stories of people who have been underrepresented in the American culture,” said Bond. “Stories about people with developmental disabilities are rarely ever seen or explored on stage, though they are vital to our community and to so many of our audiences’ lives.”

During the rehearsal period, members of the cast visited and shadowed with local organizations that provide services to people with disabilities. “The cast has done amazing 1 research in understanding these characters, and they are incredibly skilled, physically and comedically,” said Bond. “Many of the actors are from , where you can find a lot of physical style theatre, a big plus for this production.”

The ensemble cast is comprised of professional actors from Chicago, New York City, and Central New York. Cast members include Timothy Davis-Reed (SU Drama Professor, best known for his role as White House Press Reporter Mark O’Donnell on The West Wing), Carey Eidel (Executive Director and founding member of Auburn Public Theatre, as Mr. Klemper), Sean Patrick Fawcett (as Norman), Ellis Foster (Black Alliance Theatre Award for Best Actor, as Lucien), Marie Kemp (SU Drama Professor, last seen at Syracuse Stage as Marmee in Little Women), Michael Joseph Mitchell (Artistic Associate at , as Arnold), Alanna Rogers (a recent graduate of SU Drama, as Sheila), Samuel Taylor (last seen at Syracuse Stage in Lookingglass Alice, as Barry), and Demetrios Troy (as Jack, the caseworker).

One hour before each performance, except the Wednesday matinee, an actor from the play will lead a 20-minute discussion that’s free and open to all patrons, as part of Stage’s Prologue program. Actors will answer questions and share stories about the process of developing The Boys Next Door at Syracuse Stage.

Throughout the run, a number of community partnerships will highlight the work of local organizations that provide services to people who are disabled:

 Special post-show talk after the 2 p.m. matinee on Oct 30. Speakers:

- Peter Blanck, Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University, an international organization for advancing the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities.

- Brian McLane, Strategic Advisor to Syracuse University’s Inclusive Campus Initiative, which involves all aspects of SU’s operations, every school and college, and 10 campuses across four continents.

- Stanfort J. Perry, Executive Director of Arc of Onondaga, the largest provider of services to people with developmental disabilities in Onondaga County.

- A representative from ARISE, an Independent Living Center (ILC) that promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.

 Stanfort J. Perry, Executive Director of Arc of Onondaga, will speak at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26 in Syracuse Stage’s Sutton Pavilion, as part of Stage’s longstanding Wednesday @ 1 Lecture Series that takes place before Wednesday matinee performances.

 Onondaga Historical Association, in conjunction with Arc of Onondaga, will offer a panel exhibit in the Coyne Lobby at Syracuse Stage. It will explore the history of Arc on its 60th anniversary plus offer historical background on Syracuse's pioneering role in the mid-19th century directed toward the education of youth with developmental

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disabilities. The New York State Asylum opened in 1855 on the city's west side and was the first facility built in the United States with that purpose in mind.

 An art exhibit by UNIQUE, a magazine published by ARISE, will feature work by individuals with disabilities. The exhibit will appear throughout the run of The Boys Next Door at Syracuse Stage in the Sutton Pavilion and Upper Lobby.

ONGOING SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS

M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Can Series: Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. to watch the final dress rehearsal. $9 suggested donation, tickets available at the door 2 hours prior to curtain.

LIVE in the Sutton Series: Friday, October 21 following the 8:00 p.m. press opening night. Live music by Merit.

Wednesday @ 1 Lecture Series: Wednesday, October 26 at 1 p.m., before the 2 p.m. matinee. Speaker: Stanfort J. Perry, Executive Director at Arc of Onondaga.

Open Captioned Series: Wednesday, October 26 at 2 p.m. & Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m.

Welch Allyn Sign Interpreted Performance Series In Memory of Susan Thompson: Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m.

Happy Hour: Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. Half-price drinks and live music by Soho Trio, before the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Actor Talkback Series: Sunday, October 30 following the 7:00 p.m. performance.

Audio-Described Series: Saturday, November 5 at 3 p.m. Patrons who are blind or visually impaired may pick up an infrared audio receiver upon arriving at the theatre, and during the performance a live narrator will verbalize visual details about the actors and scenic elements. Due to limited availability, audio receivers must be reserved in advance at our Box Office, 315-443-3275.

SYRACUSE STAGE

Syracuse Stage is Central New York’s premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 235 plays in 38 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 90,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays and bold interpretations of classics and musicals featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves over 30,000 students from 24 counties. A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.

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Info Sheet & Bios

BASIC INFO

The Boys Next Door By Tom Griffin Directed by Timothy Bond

October 19—November 6, 2011 Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage 820 East Genesee Street; Syracuse, NY 13210

SPONSORS

Season Sponsor: The Post-Standard

Presenting Sponsor: The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation

Show Sponsors: Syracuse University Humanities Center POMCO Group Burton Blatt Institute Arc of Onondaga

Media Sponsor: WRVO

TICKETS

Adults: $28-$50 18 & Under: $18 40 & Under: $28

*Senior discounts available all performances except Friday and Saturday evenings.

*Rush tickets day of performance only: $20-$25 general public and $18 with valid student ID, subject to availability.

Online: www.SyracuseStage.org Call: 315-443-3275 In person: 820 East Genesee Street Groups (10 or more): 315-443-9844

CAST

Timothy Davis-Reed (Mr. Hedges/Mr. Corbin/Senator Clarke) Carey Eidel (Mr. Klemper) Sean Patrick Fawcett (Norman) Ellis Foster (Lucien) Marie Kemp (Mrs. Fremus/Mrs. Warren/Clara) Michael Joseph Mitchell (Arnold) Alanna Rogers (Sheila)

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Samuel Taylor (Barry) Demetrios Troy (Jack)

DESIGNERS

Michael Vaughn Sims (Scenic Design) Jessica Ford (Costume Designer) Dawn Chiang (Lighting Design) Jeremy Lee (Sound Designer)

STAGE MANAGER

Laura Jane Collins

ADDITIONAL CREDITS

Kyle Bass (Dramaturg) Claire Simon Casting

SHOW CALENDAR (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

18 19 20 21 22

7:30 7:30 P 7:30 P 8:00 O 3:00 PWYC 8:00

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

2:00 2:00 7:30 8:00 3:00 S W, OC 8:00 7:30

30 31 1 2 3 4 5

2:00 7:30 7:30 7:30 8:00 3:00 AD

7:00 D 8:00

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2:00 OC

PWYC=Pay What You Can Night (Final Dress Rehearsal) P=Preview O=Press Opening, LIVE in the Sutton S=Sign Interpreted AD=Audio Described OC = Open Captioned D=Actor Talkback W=Wednesday @ 1 Lecture

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BIO – PLAYWRIGHT

Tom Griffin’s plays include The Boys Next Door, Amateurs, The Taking Away of Little Willie, Mrs. Sedgewick’s Head, Pasta, Will the Gentlemen in Cabin Six Please Rise to the Occasion, Workers, and Einstein and the Polar Bear. His work has been produced on Broadway, Off- Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, on ’s West End, in scores of regional theatres, and in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The Boys Next Door has been seen in over 3,500 productions in the United States and Canada, and has had openings in Paris, Tokyo, , Berlin, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Sydney, Johannesburg, et al. His work has been premiered at The Mark Taper Forum in L.A., The McCarter Theatre at Princeton, Trinity Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, The Alley Theatre in Houston, and Hartford Stage Company. He has received a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a CBS/Dramatists’ Guild Award, a McCarter Commission, a “Playboy” editorial award, an Edinburgh “Fringe First,” and an O’Neill fellowship. His short fiction has been published here and in Europe, and he has written sixteen screenplays. From 1974 to 1987, he was a member of the Tony Award-winning resident acting company at Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.

BIO - DIRECTOR

Timothy Bond is in his fourth season as Producing Artistic Director of Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama. For Syracuse Stage he has directed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Price, Fences, No Child... and Radio Golf. He has 25 years of experience in leading regional theatres throughout the country. Previously, he served for 11 years as associate artistic director of the famed Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he directed 12 productions, including works by Shakespeare, August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks, Edward Albee, Lorraine Hansberry, Lynn Nottage, Octavio Soliz and Pearl Cleage. Prior to that, Bond spent 13 years with the Seattle Group Theatre, serving as Artistic Director from 1991 – 1996. While there he directed more than 20 plays and oversaw the largest capital campaign in the company’s history, culminating in the completion of a new theatre complex in the Seattle Center. Bond has also directed at such prestigious theatres as The Guthrie, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Repertory Theatre, The Cleveland Play House, A Contemporary Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Geva Theatre, and Arena Stage. Bond received a Theatre Communications Group/National Endowment for the Arts Directing Fellowship Award and has twice won Backstage West’s Garland Award for Outstanding Direction for Les Blancs (1998) and Blues for an Alabama Sky (1997). He served on the board of directors of the Theatre Communications Group from 1993 to 1997. Bond holds a BFA from Howard University and an MFA (magna cum laude) from the University of Washington.

BIOS – CAST

Timothy Davis-Reed (Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clarke) played Ralph in last season’s holiday show A Christmas Story. He made his professional debut in Syracuse Stage’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac with John Cullum, which later went on National Tour. He’s played leading roles with Riverside Shakespeare, Manhattan Stage, Theatre at Monmouth in Maine, The New York Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, Playwright’s Theatre of New Jersey, The Alliance Theatre in and several productions for Syracuse Stage. He is a veteran of over 150 episodes of network television, including two seasons as a Series Regular on Sports Night and 6 seasons as White House Press Reporter Mark O’Donnell on The West Wing. Other television appearances include Harry’s Law, Big Love, Studio 60, Monk, Desperate Housewives, 24, Scrubs, Arrested Development, 7th Heaven, The Drew Carey Show,

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Still Standing, Will and Grace, Star Trek: Voyager and the Pilot Chestnut Hill. As always, for Chris, J.J. and Evie.

Carey Eidel (Mr. Klemper) studied acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse with Sanford Meisner and then with Wynn Handman of the American Place Theatre. BA in Theater and Economics from Bucknell University. Off-Broadway: Wild Oats (premiere), Home Movies, Twelfth Night. National Tour: The Wizard of Oz. Company member: Neighborhood Group Theatre. LA: As You Like It, Channels (premiere). Recently Sir Edward Ramsey in The King and I at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Television credits include Everybody Loves Raymond, The Amanda Show, 7th Heaven, General Hospital, Diagnosis Murder, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Yes Dear, Strong Medicine, Melrose Place, LA Law and Fox’s Daddy Dearest (Series Regular). Film credits include Lost World: Jurassic Park, Evolution, For the Boys, The Marrying Man, And the Band Played On and CHUD. One of LA’s busiest acting coach and teachers, Carey currently teaches acting, screenwriting, film production and acting for film at Cayuga Community College and is the Executive Director and founding member of Auburn Public Theatre, a non- profit arts center in downtown Auburn. In addition to his 25 year acting career, Carey has directed numerous stage productions in NYC and , most recently Oleanna by David Mamet which garnered him a LA Weekly Nomination for Best Director. As a writer, Carey wrote scripts for CBS, Brillstein/Gray and Sherman Helmsley. As a well-known acting coach and teacher in Los Angeles, his former students include Halle Berry, Pam Stone (Coach), Diane Farr (Rescue Me) and Enrique Iglesias.

Sean Patrick Fawcett (Norman) is thrilled to be making his Syracuse Stage debut. Most recently he was seen in Around the World in 80 Days with Fox Valley Repertory where he was previously seen in Leaving Iowa. Other favorite productions include Woyzeck and “K”, both with The Hypocrites Theatre, The Farnsworth Invention at Timeline Theatre, The Man Who Was Thursday and Six Years, both with New Leaf Theatre, The Food Chain with Mason Street Warehouse, The Pull Toy (And His Paisan) with Collaboraction, Hunger and Thirst with , and American Rock Anthem with Sans Culottes Theatre. For the first time, Sean can now say he is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. For all time, he can say he is the proud husband of Christine.

Ellis Foster (Lucien) is proud to make his Syracuse Stage debut. He was last seen in Virginia Stage Company’s production of Radio Golf. His theatre credits include Sanctified with Congo Square Theatre for which he received the Black Alliance Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and Sanctified with Theatre. Regional theatre credits include The Piano Lesson with New American Theatre; Good Black with E.T.A. Theatre (Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actor); Cry the Beloved Country, A Christmas Carol, Let Me Live (Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actor), Unjustifiable Acts, I Am A Man, (Jeff Award for Best Actor in a Revue), all at ; and I Am A Man with Goodman Theatre and Arena Stage. His film and television work includes 187, You’re Going to Prison, Quake, Early Edition, Bahama Hustle, Hoodlum, Poker House. Ellis attended Wayne State University.

Marie Kemp (Mrs. Fremus/Mrs. Warren/Clara) returns to Syracuse Stage having last been seen as Marmee in the holiday production of Little Women. Other Stage shows include Inherit the Wind, Peter Pan and My Fair Lady. A performer, director and teacher, Marie has worked regionally and locally. She is in her 20th year as a Professor with Syracuse University’s Department of Drama, teaching in the area of Musical Theatre.

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Michael Joseph Mitchell (Arnold) is an Artistic Associate at Chicago Dramatists, where he has performed in Voyeurs De Venus and The Invasion of Skokie. Also in Chicago: The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia? (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company); The Real Thing (Illinois Theatre Center); Underneath the Lintel (City Lit Theatre, Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Best Solo Performance); Slaphappy (Beat the Jester Productions); In The Bubble (American Music Theatre Project, directed by Michael Greif); Don’t Drink The Water (Noble Fool Theatre); A Christmas Carol, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, and On Golden Pond (Drury Lane Oakbrook). Regional credits include The Life Of Galileo, The Perfume Shop (American premiere), and Hearts (Asolo Repertory Theatre); Permanent Collection, Doubt, and Underneath the Lintel (BoarsHead Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Notre Dame Shakespeare); Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It (Blackfriars Shakespeare); Waiting For Lefty (Shades of Grey); Man in a Case (Actors Alliance Theatre); True West, American Buffalo (Theatre Three). He trained at Drake University, the National Theatre Institute, and the Theatre des Amandiers (France).

Alanna Rogers (Sheila) is a recent graduate of Syracuse University’s Department of Drama with a BFA in Acting. Favorite roles performed on SU Drama's mainstage include Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret and Ella Tate in Curse of the Starving Class. She is making her professional debut at Syracuse Stage in The Boys Next Door and would like to thank Tim Bond, the cast, and SU Drama for their unwavering support.

Samuel Taylor (Barry). Credits include: Lookingglass Alice at Syracuse Stage; Hot L Baltimore at Steppenwolf; Romeo and Juliet, Henry V, Proclivities at Guthrie Theatre; Hunchback at Redmoon Theatre and the New Victory Theatre; Peter Pan: A Play at Lookingglass Theatre Company; The Acting Company’s 2008/2009 national tour; Secret Lives of Losers at The Playwrights' Center; and Macbeth at Tricklock Company; As You Like It at Shakespeare on the Cape, Romeo and Juliet at Albuquerque Little Theatre. Training: BFA from Guthrie Theatre/University of Minnesota. TV: Boardwalk Empire.

Demetrios Troy (Jack) Demetrios is proud to make his Syracuse Stage debut. His Chicago credits include Working by Studs Terkel at the Broadway Playhouse; Welcome Yule with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the ; The Seagull and The Good Negro at the Goodman Theatre; Awake and Sing at Northlight; Richard III and Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Mr. Troy has also appeared in Julius Caesar at The Utah Shakespearean Festival; King Lear and The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Riverside Shakepearean Festival; and King Lear at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. He holds a BA from DePaul University/Barat College and an MFA from the University of South Carolina. This spring, Demetrios will appear in Timon of Athens, featuring Ian McDiarmid, at Chicago Shakespeare.

BIOS – DESIGNERS

Michael Vaughn Sims (Scenic Design) returns to Syracuse Stage where he designed the set for The Miracle Worker directed by Paul Mason Barnes, and Up directed by Penny Metropulos. Past collaborations with Timothy Bond include Venice (Juilliard School Drama Division). Other credits: Guthrie Theatre, The Old Globe, South Coast Repertory, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Florida Stage, Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, George Street Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare, New Jersey Shakespeare, California Shakespeare, Pennsylvania Shakespeare, Chautauqua Theatre Company, TheatreWorks/USA, Drama Dept, The Acting Company, Blue Light Theatre, Curtis Institute of Music, Skylight Opera. Teaching

8 credits: Ohio University and Princeton University. Michael holds his MFA from Yale School of Drama and is a member of United Scenic Artists (IATSE) in the set and costume design categories. Awards: 1995 Drama-Logue Award for West Coast Premiere of Nicky Silver’s Pterodactyls (South Coast Repertory); 2006 Craig Noel Award for Lee Blessing’s A Body of Water (Old Globe).

Jessica Ford (Costume Designer). Previous Syracuse Stage credits include , Fiddler on the Roof, , Big River (co-design), and The Santaland Diaries (Set and Costumes). At the Long Wharf Theatre: A Doll's House, The Fantasticks, the world premiere of Athol Fugard’s Coming Home, The Price, and The Santaland Diaries (Set Design) and this season’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play. Select regional credits: Arena Stage, Baltimore CenterStage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Folger Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, Two River Theatre Company, People's Light and Theatre Company, and Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Select New York credits: The Play Company, Second Stage, Rattlestick Playwright's Theatre, Pearl Theatre. MFA: Yale School of Drama. Awards: 2007-09 Recipient of the NEA/TCG Fellowship for Designers.

Dawn Chiang (Lighting Design) designed lighting for the Syracuse Stage productions of Rent, Little Women, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Carol, , M. Butterfly and The Dybbuk. She has designed the lighting at numerous regional theatres including Denver Center Theatre Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Guthrie Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre and Geva Theatre Center. On Broadway, Dawn designed the lighting for Zoot Suit, was co- designer for Tango Pasion, and Associate Lighting Designer for , The Life and the original production of La Cage Aux Folles. Off-Broadway, she has designed for the Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and co-designed the first two seasons of the Encores! musical series at City Center. Dawn was resident lighting designer for New York City Opera, where she designed for A Little Night Music and Fanciulla del West. She is the Lighting Designer for the award winning FDNY Fire Zone at Rockefeller Center. For the Whitney Museum of American Art, Dawn created a lighting performance piece, “delights: Art on 5 Outlets”. She designed the lighting for a large touring show for Disney, Disney Fair, and has worked on concert tours for Paul Anka, The Carpenters, Diana Ross, and Loggins and Messina. Awards include two Dramalogue awards, a THEA Award (Themed Entertainment Association) and nominations for the American Theatre Wing, Los Angeles Drama Critics’ and San Francisco Bay Area Critics’ Award.

Jeremy J. Lee (Sound Designer). International: Designer for Continental Divide (London, Birmingham), Associate Designer for Bridge Project 2010 World Tour (NYC, Asia, Europe). Off- Broadway designs: The Ohmies, Into the Hazard, Dance Dance Revolution, The Thugs, Song for New York, All The Wrong Reasons, Thinner Than Water. Regional: Old Globe, ACT (San Francisco), Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Rep, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Signature Theatre (DC), , The Sundance Institute. Awards: Bay Area Theatre Critics Award, Austin Critics’ Table Award, Helen Hayes Award Nomination. Jeremy also teaches Sound Design at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

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Syracuse Stage I Producing Artistic Director: Timothy Bond I Managing Director: Jeffrey Woodward 820 E. Genesee St. I Main: 315-443-4008 I Box Office: 315-443-3275 I www.syracusestage.org

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