Friends University presents the classic american musical WORKING: A Musical FEB. 4-7, 2021

From the book by STUDS TERKEL Adapted by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and NINA FASO With additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg

Songs by CRAIG CARNELIA, MICKI GRANT, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, MARY RODGERS & SUSAN BIRKENHEAD, STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and JAMES TAYLOR.

WORKING

From the book by STUDS TERKEL Adapted by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and NINA FASO Songs by CRAIG CARNELIA, MICKI GRANT, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, MARY RODGERS & SUSAN BIRKENHEAD, STEPHEN SCHWARTZ and JAMES TAYLOR

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Welcome to Friends University's Department of Fine Art's virtual production of WORKING the musical! I am honored you have chosen to experience this fantastic show from the comfort of your home.

I am Sheldon Mba, the program director of Friends University's new Music Theatre Program. I'm thrilled to be here in Wichita, KS. While only being here for a couple of months, I have found that this community has a rich reservoir of abundant talent, love and support involving the arts. I'm excited to be a part of this community and to help grow the program.

I'm tremendously proud of how the students have persevered in these tumultuous times to put together a show that uplifts the essential workers who are on the frontlines right now. When you watch this show, I hope you begin to express immense gratitude towards the workers who are keeping our communities afloat during this challenging season of our lives. We want to communicate that their lives are not just stuck in what they do; that they're more than their job. We all have dreams and aspirations, and we should be supportive and encouraging of them. Looking at the characters in this show, light is shed on the person behind the job. We see that they do what they have to do to survive, protect and provide for their families. Or they are caught in the search for their life's purpose - providing a well-needed service to their community and the common man. This production acknowledges that some dreams go unrealized, some dreams are ignored, and some dreams are achieved.

I hope that after seeing this show, you are inspired to go after your dreams with vigor and determination, regardless of how silly or insignificant it may seem. You have to find your niche, your spark, your purpose. That takes time, and life will throw a lot of obstacles and distractions your way. Never let go of your edge, or hunger for your dreams. Do not allow your personal circumstances to be why you don't give your dreams an honest shot. Continue to strive towards your destiny, because that's how you'll truly impact the world in the most effective of ways.

To my cast and crew, thank you for your hard work. To my artistic team, thank you for your guidance. May all our voices be heard to make a symphony that will echo through the skies.

Peace, Love, and Blessings Sheldon Mba, MFA Assistant Professor of Music Theatre and Dance PROGRAM

All The Livelong Day Company

Delivery Joshua Kelley and Company

Nobody Tells Me How Caitlyn Fox

Brother Trucker Clayton Reitz and Company

Just A Housewife Gretchen Otter, Abigail Hale, Kallie McNutt

Millwork Elizabeth Fulcher, Rebeccah Hale and Women

If I Could've Been Abigail Hale, Kallie McNutt, Caitlyn Fox, Lorenz Looney, Brandon Rose, Clayton Reitz

The Mason Chenille Hawkins

It's an Art Olena Brown and Company

Joe Jonathan Lee

A Very Good Day Salma Pena, Asael Gonzalez Castillo

Cleanin' Women Sam Scantlin and Women

Fathers & Sons Lorenz Looney, Tucker Tasker, Brandon Rose

Something to Point To Company

WORKING-2012 REVISED VERSION is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com CAST PRODUCTION

Mike Dillard Joseph Fisher Stage Director & Choreographer | Sheldon Mba Joe Zutty, Johnathan Lee Music Director | Dr. Matthew Schloneger Rex Winship Scenic Design & Construction, Lighting Design & Programming | Kurt Priebe Frank Decker Clayton Reitz Costumer | Emily Baldridge Freddy Rodriguez Joshua Kelley Technical Director, Sound Design, Video Editor | Robert Hett Utkarsh Trajillo Asael Gonzalez Castillo Production Stage Manager | Taryn Sweat Theresa Liu Salma Peña Assistant Stage Manager | Skylar Nicholas Delores Dante Olena Brown Assistant Stage Manager | Gemma Watts Grace Clements Elizabeth Fulcher Videography | David Maher Allen Epstein Rebecca Hale Jesse Warkentin | Rehearsal Pianist Terry Mason, Abigail Hale Sarah Durant | Rehearsal Pianist Candy Cottingham Followspot Operator | Tristan Sprague Mason Soloist Chenille Hawkins Followspot Operator | Andrea Powers Kate Rushton Gretchen Otter Running Crew | Faith Cox Maggie Holmes Samantha Scantlin Seamstress | Emily Kreis Rose Hoffman Caitlyn Fox Scenic Painting | THEA 150 & 487 & Cast Raj Chadha Lorenz Looney Program Design, Publicity | Alyssa Whalen Charlie Blossom Brandon Rose Ralph Werner Cameron Casida Stage Manager, Nathan Reimer Conrad Sweibel DONATIONS Tom Patrick Noah Townson Without ticket revenue this year, we ask that you Sharon Atkins Kallie McNutt consider donating to keep the arts at the quality we Eddie Jaffe Tucker Tasker proudly maintain. Donations are accepted via: Amanda McKenny Emily Kreis PayPal: friends.edu/paypal Anthony Coelho, Sydney Wilson Text GIVE to 316-323-1699 Roberta Victor Joining Friends of Fine Arts: friends.edu/givefinearts Mail: Friends University Fine Arts BAND 2100 W. University Ave. Conductor | Gabriel Karst Wichita, KS 67213 Piano | Jesse Warkentin Guitar | Alex Nordine Bass | John Patton THANKS Drums | Adam Tillberg City of Wichita Fire Department Percussion | Jonathan Salinas GraceMed Health Clinic Dr. Amy Carey Dr. Joan Griffing Robyn Mabe CAST BIOS Joseph Fisher | Mike Dillard Salma Peña | Theresa Liu Joseph Fisher is a junior at Friends Salma Peña is a sophomore vocal music University. He is involved in the education major from Ulysses, KS. She is Concert Band, University Jazz Band 1 a member of the Singing Quakers, and 2, Singing Quakers, Jazz Vocal University Band, Jazz Vocal Ensemble Ensemble, and leads the Student-Lead and Latino Leaders. She is also proud to Brass Quintet. He has been involved in be the president of the university’s theater in high school and has been collegiate chapter of KCDA. She is involved with the theater program excited to to apart of her 3rd production since his freshman year of college. here at Friends and put in the work! Shows he has been involved with include Watson, Fools,Bright Star, Radium Girls, and his most recent roll as "Dad" in Leaving Iowa. He would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this process and hopes everyone enjoys the show. Olena Brown | Delores Dante Olena Brown is a Junior from Chandler, Johnathan Lee | Joe Zutty, Rex Winship OK studying Religion and Philosophy. Jonathan Lee is a senior at Friends She’s thankful for the opportunity to University, majoring in music, and perform with friends. minoring in Accounting. He is a transfer from Cowley College and has been involved as an ensemble member in their production of Mama Mia!, and also played Daddy Cane in Friends University’s production of Bright Star, and Frosch in the Friends production of Die Fledermaus. He is extremely excited to be performing in Working! and would like to thank his family and his colleagues for the monumental Elizabeth Fulcher | Grace Clements support they have given him. . Elizabeth Fulcher, a senior musical theater major, is super excited to be a part of the show Working. Elizabeth Clayton Reitz | Frank Decker has been actively involved in fine arts Clayton is a junior majoring in Music all throughout her college career. Theatre with plans to pursue a career in Along with fine arts, Elizabeth is highly that field. He has been involved in the arts active on campus between working for from a young age, starting with church Residence Life, serving as a First Year plays and choirs, and then moving on to Mentor, and being a social media community theatre before joining ambassador. When she isn’t on stage Christian Youth Theatre Wichita (CYT) or around campus, you can find her when he was ten, where he performed in teaching dance, or drinking coffee. fourteen musicals over the course of eight years. He is excited to be a part of this story under such excellent direction by Rebecca Hale | Allen Epstein Sheldon Mba and Dr. Matthew Schloneger and can’t wait to see Rebeccah is currently a junior where they take the program in the future. studying Music Education. This is her first theatre performance at Friends, Asael Gonzalez Castillo | Utkarsh Trajillo but she has been performing for Asael Gonzalez Castillo is excited to years! Her favorite roles thus far have Les Miserables be in the production of Working been Eponine in and Oklahoma playing Utkarsh. He is a double major Ado Annie in . She is very in Voice and Music Education. His excited to continue her career in both previous roles at Friends University performing and teaching others include: Oronte in Alcina, Mr. Angel in music. She is thankful to the directors The Impresario, Daryl in Bright Star, for their perseverance and Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, and Fakir helpfulness during this show! in The Secret Garden. Asael will be preparing for his Senior Recital coming up in the Fall, and would like to thank his voice teacher, Dr. Schloneger, his friends, his family, and his coffee maker for making this all possible. Abigail Hale | Terry Mason, Candy Cottingham Lorenz Looney | Raj Chadha Abigail is a senior at Friends University Lorenz Looney is a sophomore and is and is studying Vocal Performance and going to be majoring in Music Music Theatre! She has been performing Theatre. He has participated in other since she could talk and can’t imagine shows like Radium Girls and Bright her life without it. Her favorite roles Star and hopes that you enjoy this have been Eliza Doolittle in My Fair show as much as he does! Lady, and Laurey Williams in Oklahoma. Last year, she portrayed Adele in Friends University’s production of Die Fledermaus. She would like to thank her parents, six younger siblings, and her many wonderful friends for encouraging her to pursue performing for God’s glory. She hopes you enjoy the show! Brandon Rose | Charlie Blossom Brandon is a junior this semester as a 2nd year student! He is a Music Gretchen Otter | Kate Rushton Theatre major here at Friends! You Gretchen Otter is a freshman here at may have seen Brandon as Dr. Friends University, and is planning to Norquist last year in Bright Star, major in Music Theatre. While Kate is Raymond Berry and Dr. Flinn in her first role at Friends, Otter is no Radium Girls, the rocking waiter in stranger to the stage. She is so Leaving Iowa, and his biggest role as grateful for the opportunity to Leon Tolchinsky in Fools! Brandon is perform again, and hopes you enjoy also a pole vaulter on the University Working as much as she does! Track team! Brandon is very excited about this show because he loves the music and gets to sing in small groups with his friends! He says we have been Working hard, so enjoy the show!

Samantha Scantlin | Maggie Holmes Cameron Casida | Ralph Werner Samantha Scantlin is thankful to be Cameron Casida, who plays the role of playing such a powerhouse role as Ralph Warner, was born in Aurora, Maggie Holmes. Originally from Colorado and is twenty-two years of Riverton, Kansas, she has performed in age. Casida has played prominent roles many theatrical productions at Friends in Bright Star, Die Fledermaus and sung University including the roles of in the Chorus of MTW’s South Pacific. Martha in The Secret Garden, Mama Casida is in the process of receiving his Murphy in Bright Star, and Prince B.A. in Music with a minor in Music Orlofsky in the operetta Die Fleder- Theatre from Friends University. Casida’s maus. Most recently, she played the goal with this degree is to provide title role in Friends University’s private voice lessons, but to also teach production of Handel’s Alcina. In addition, she has the students how to dance and act. Casida hopes to continue performed with Opera Kansas. Samantha would like to to perform on stage with opera and music theatre to widen thank her friends and family for their support, and the his understanding of his art form. directors for their creativity in finding a safe way to make this performance possible. Nathan Reimer | Stage Manager, Conrad Sweibel Nathan Reimer is a freshman majoring Caitlyn Fox | Rose Hoffman in Music Theatre. He has been in 3 Caitlyn Fox is very impressed that she is musicals in high school prior to joining having the ability to perform during this the cast of Working. Grease (2019)- era of COVID. Though performing this Doody, Music Man (2019)- Marcellus, way is very unconventional she is Aladdin (2020)- Iago/Cave of hopeful for the return of live theatre in Wonders. I am now in Working (2021)- the future. In the meantime she is Conrad (UPS)/Ensemble. thankful to be able to sing and act under the wonderful direction of Sheldon Mba and Dr. Schloneger. Enjoy the show! Noah Townson | Tom Patrick Emily Kreis | Amanda McKenny Emily Kreis is a freshman at Friends Noah Townson is a Senior this year. He is University and a Music Education and pursuing a degree in Psychology with Vocal Performance major. She had the minors in Christian Spiritual Formation opportunity to perform in Friends’ and Business Administration. He was a production of Alcina in the fall. She has part of Friends productions of The managed, costumed, and styled hair for Mikado, The Secret Garden, and Bright several shows, and is excited to try her Star. He is also a member of the Singing hand at the stage itself! Quakers. Noah wants to thank his Dad, Mom, and Fiancé Jenna. Without their support he wouldn’t be where he is today and is so glad to have them in his life. He also wants to thank you for being here, supporting us. Gabriel Karst | Conductor Gabriel Karst is a junior at Friends Kallie McNutt | Sharon Atkins University and is working towards his Kallie McNutt is a sophomore Visual Music degree. He has participated with Communications major and Music many different groups in the Fine Arts Theatre minor. Kallie plans to pursue a department including Concert Band, career in photography and design and Swinging Quakers Jazz Ensemble, is excited to be able to continue to Conjunto Latino, Singing Quakers, JVE, perform through the pandemic! Brass Quintet, and Jazz Combos. While primarily an instrumental performer, he has also been involved with Music Theater and Opera at Friends University. Gabriel is the student music director for this show and is excited to debut for the first time as the pit conductor.

Tucker Tasker | Eddie Jaffe Tucker Tasker is a senior Music Education major. He has been in multiple productions here at Friends University including: Alcina, Die Fledermaus, The Impressario, The Secret Garden, Frankenstein, and The Mikado. He wants to thanks his parents for the support they've shown for his performing throughout the years.

Sydney Wilson | Anthony Coelho, Roberta Victor Sydney Wilson is a Theatre major with a minor in Spanish. This is her second year here at Friends University. She is also on the women's soccer team. Sydney has been in two previous productions at Friends but this will be the first musical she has participated in for the school. She is excited for audiences to see her and her castmates in Working.

Joshua Kelley | Freddy Rodriguez Chenille Hawkins | Mason Soloist