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Continuing & Professional Studies usiouxfalls.edu • 605-331-6600 From the Director: The USF Theatre department is a place that encourages students to create their own work. An artist ought not wait for someone to tell them to make great art, they ought to just make it! That is why our Senior Show Series is so exciting. Our extremely talented students have taken on the responsibility of creating their own work and we are so proud of what they have achieved. From cabarets, to original work, to time tested scripts by professional playwrights, our students have indeed selected projects that will showcase their talents and reflect their experiences during their time at USF.

Thank you for supporting our student artists!

Peace and Blessings, Joe

Joe Obermueller, M.F.A. Associate Professor of Theatre, Theatre Program Director

Behind the Scenes: Music Director...... Cathy Britton Accompanist...... Katie Thompson Costume Design...... Kendra Dexter Light Design...... Matt Cook Scene Design...... Brad Lind Scene Shop Foreman ...... Jeff McDonald Fine Arts Coordinator...... Hailey Schmidt

As a courtesy to other patrons and our performers, please turn off all cellular phones, pagers and alarms, and refrain from food or drink inside the theater. Photography and recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited.

All production elements were constructed by the USF Theatre Arts Program. University of Sioux Falls Theatre www.usiouxfalls.edu/theatre Box Office (605) 331-6787 University of Sioux Falls Theatre Presents Kick it Up a Notch April 9 and 10

A BY LAUREL HOLCOMB

Director ...... Laurel Holcomb Stage Manager...... Amber Allyn Assistant Stage Manager...... Cayden Weaver Assistant Stage Manager...... Andrew Taylor Featuring...... Ashley Fink, Dominique Kooiker, Madeline Schuelke, Mo Plastow, Court Anderson, Devin Wolthuizen, Marqus McDonnell, Spencer Carstensen

A recurring theme throughout my life has been musical theatre. When I was little, we had a music box in our living room that would play Memory from Cats when you opened it. In the closet under the stairs, we kept crates full of original Broadway cast recordings on CD that I would pick from and listen to in my Hello Kitty shaped CD player on long car rides. I had to piece together the plots of the shows through the songs alone. I almost never got the plot right this way, but it stretched my imagination, like a ballet dancer stretches their legs to perform the splits. While I am sorry to say that I cannot physically do the splits, I do think my mental gymnastics are on point!

Kick It Up A Notch is a finely curated mixtape of songs that I like to think I would burn onto a CD for long car trips. At first glance it’s a mixed bag, but the one thing they all have in common is their distinct stories. This may be a senior's vocal performance showcase, but it is also a show about the power of storytelling through song.

Sit back, relax, and even close your eyes if you need to, I won't judge. Just let your imagination run wild for a little bit, and enjoy.

"-Laurel Holcomb " University of Sioux Falls Theatre Presents Proof by David Auburn April 15-17

A PLAY STARRING BRENDA WIPF

Director...... Joe Hiatt Assistant Director/Stage Manager...... Apolonia Davalos Assistant Stage Manager...... Josh Werre Light Board Operator...... Neveah Schreiber Projections...... Cayden Weaver Stage Crew...... Jack Lundblad, Jackson Andersen

CAST Catherine...... Brenda Wipf Hal...... Devin Wolthuizen Claire...... Greta Smith Robert...... Will Grisham

Brenda is from Huron, SD, and is graduating in May with a degree in Communication Studies and Theatre. After graduation, she will begin her position in the financial aid office as a Financial Aid Counselor at USF. She recently performed in USF's production of The Shakers Of Mount Lebanon Will Hold A Peace Conference This Month and previously performed in Heaven to Heaven and . Brenda also served as assistant stage manager for She Loves Me. In her free time, she enjoys creating art with her friends as well as a good yarn project.

University of Sioux Falls Theatre Presents

A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing April 22-24

A PLAY DIRECTED BY TORI FRAHM

Director...... Tori Frahm Stage Manager...... Elise VerHey Assistant Stage Manager...... Carly Wohlers CAST John Honeyman...... Elliot Dallmann Andrey Botvinnik...... Cale Engelkes

Tori Frahm is a Senior Communication Studies and Theatre Major with Minors in Spanish and English. Originally from Wakefield, Nebraska, Tori Frahm came to the University of Sioux Falls as a freshman in the fall of 2017. Since then, she has been a part of several USF productions, fulfilling several roles in the process. Beginning with her USF debut as Dotty Otley in Noises Off, followed by a job as the makeup artist for Into the Woods. She then pulled double duty for USF’s production of Life is a Dream playing both a lady and a rebel and handling makeup for the show as well. In the spring of 2019, she played the ridiculous, bumbling Head Waitress in She Loves Me. Later that fall, she acted in USF’s world premiere of Heaven to Heaven and again reprised her role of makeup artist. She then continued her theatrical career by stage managing Loving Arms, a world premier written by one of USF’s most beloved professors. She was cast in USF’s production of Singin’ in the Rain in the spring of 2020 as the goofy reporter, Dora Bailey. Unfortunately, like many things in March of 2020, that experience was cut short by the Coronavirus Pandemic. More recently, she stage managed USF's production of The Shakers of Mount Lebanon Will Hold a Peace Conference this Month and she stage managed It's a Wonderful Life for Sioux Empire Community Theatre. Tori says that she loves and adores USF Theatre and it has been the pleasure of her life to work with such wonderful and talented people over the past four years. Tori has plans to continue her education following graduation pursuing an M.A in Theatre at Regent University, in hopes of one day teaching Theatre at the Higher Education level. University of Sioux Falls Theatre Presents Flight April 29-May 1

BY EZRA HUNTER

Director...... Ezra Hunter Stage Manager...... Raelee Voss Assistant Stage Manager...... Rachel Holien

CAST Gemma...... Abigail Holmes Dr. Williams...... Kylen Olsen Rylee...... Paris Whalen Dr. Anderson...... Haley Wharton

Growing up in a small town, theatre was always an escape from the repetitive lifestyle those towns could give. The University of Sioux Falls Theatre Department not only unlocked a deeper love for the arts, but it allowed me to evolve as an artist. USF’s Theatre Department has paved a path for storytelling that I never thought could ever be doable for me. Flight is the first script I have ever wrote, so it has a deeper, intimate feeling to me unlike anything else I have written to this point. The play allows the audience member to enter into the mind of depression, the struggles of the battles, and ultimately the light that comes from winning such battles. "- Ezra Hunter " University of Sioux Falls Theatre Presents Go the Distance May 5, 6 and 8

ABY CABARET BRADY BOEREMABY BRADY BOEREMA

Director...... Brady Boerema Stage Manager...... Erin Cheney Assistant Stage Manager...... Madeline Fremarek, Assistant Stage Manager...... Kaylie Jucht Featuring...... Spencer Carstenson, Devin Wolthuizen, Court Anderson, Riley Robinson, Ben Wollmuth, Tristan Taylor, Cale Engelkes, Bria Braniff, Paris Whalen, AbbyRose Miller, Kiana Johnson, Greta Smith

I am so thrilled to be sharing my senior show Go The Distance with you all! When creating a senior project, I knew I wanted musical and performance elements to it. I have not had a performance on the USF stage for about two years. Like many other artists, the pandemic has made it difficult to show any kind of theatre on stage without some kind of hindrance. But I will not let that stop me from delivering a tour de France of musical theatre! I have had many musical influences in my life, some of which date back to when I was a child and was exposed to the classic musical theatre shows my grandparents loved. I am so thankful to be showcasing to you some of my favorite pieces of music from some of the shows that have influenced me one way or another. I have met many people on my journey to go the distance that have given me opportunities and molded me into the performer and the man I am today. My cast has worked hard to help me tell my story and I am so incredibly thankful for the help the USF Theatre Department, and USF in general, has given me. Special thanks to Joe Obermueller, Cathy Britton, Katie Thompson, Hailey Schmidt, Kendra Dexter, Jeff McDonald and David DeHoogh-Kliewer. “It’s gonna be fun people!” --Randal Hanzen "-Brady Boerema " BEHIND THE SCENES

Joe Obermueller Associate Professor of Communication Studies & Theatre Director of Theatre Joe serves the University of Sioux Falls as Associate Professor and Director of Theatre. He earned his M.F.A. in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA., where he served as an adjunct professor of acting and speech. He earned his B.A. in Theatre Arts from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Now in his 8th year at USF, Joe has produced nearly twenty-five productions and has also directed for Pepperdine University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Circle Theatre in Orlando, FL. Currently, Joe is a part of the Big Bridge Theatre Consortium, a group of colleges and universities developing a new play exploring interfaith issues. Other theatre departments participating in the consortium include Notre Dame, Gonzaga University, and George Fox University. While Joe spends most of his professional time at USF he still enjoys performing and has had the opportunity to do so at the annual Christmas at the Cathedral event in Sioux Falls, a production for which he also serves on the production team. Joe recently joined the Board of Directors for the Sioux Empire Community Theatre and is eager to help the organization continue to provide quality, affordable live theatre to our community.

Kendra Dexter, Costume Design Kendra owns the business "Designs by Dexter" located in Sioux Falls. She makes bridal and pageant gowns, synchronized swimsuits and costumes of all kinds. She has costumed more than 50 shows over the past 13 years at USF, O’Gorman High School, Brandon Valley High School and the Sioux Empire Community Theatre. She most recently costumed USF’s Shakers, Loving Arms, Heaven to Heaven, She Loves Me, Life is a Dream, Necessary Targets, and Much Ado About Nothing.. Outside of work she has an amazing family to keep her busy.

Matt Cook, Light Design Matt Cook has lit several productions in the area including Heaven to Heaven (University of Sioux Falls), Mamma Mia (Sioux Empire Community Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Good Night Theatre Collective), and Treasure Island (Dakota Academy of Performing Arts). When not in the theater, Matt loves to travel, ride his bike, and visit friends and family, whose support is amazing. Brad Lind, Scenic Charge Artist Brad is the Director of Creative Services at First PREMIER Bank. The Linds moved here from Colorado four years ago, but you may have unknowingly seen Lind’s marketing work the last 18 years in things like billboard and ad campaigns around town or in logo designs such as the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. When not wearing his marketing hat, his addiction to creativity plays out on ‘stage’. Brad has enjoyed designing and painting sets for everything from children’s and high school productions to church and community theater.

Jeff McDonald, Scene Shop Foreman Jeff works as the Assistant Director of Campus Safety and Security at USF but his real home is in the scene shop. He most recently worked on Shakers, Heaven to Heaven, Into the Woods, and many more. Before moving to Sioux Falls, Jeff worked in California, building sets for the Universal Studios Theme Park, working for ABC TV on a daily talk show and Nickelodeon TV on their game show Wild and Crazy Kids. He was also an assistant set designer for plays at the Cannon Theatre in Beverly Hills, Long Beach Civic Light Opera, Los Angeles Theatre Center and Occidental College.

Hailey Schmidt, Fine Arts Coordinator Hailey is a 2017 USF graduate and Sioux Falls native. In addition to her earning her BA in Media Studies, Hailey was heavily involved in vocal music and theatre, holding various leadership positions as a student. This combination has led her to become USF’s newest Fine Arts Coordinator. Outside of work, Hailey enjoys performing with Sioux Falls’ Good Night Theatre Collective, all things Taylor Swift, taking care of her many houseplants, marble races, and digging for her favorite animal, the earthworm.

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