ISSUE thirty-One November 2010

1 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Table of Contents Dear Friends...... 3 “I HAVE NEVER Ot n S age:

Travels With My Aunt ...... 5

Graham Greene: Literary Legend ...... 6 PLANNED ANYTHING

Introducing Stuart Carden ...... 10

Funny Families ...... 14

Why Here? Why Now?...... 16

B ackstage:

Garden Party Event Wrap Up ...... 20 She Loves Me Opening Night ...... 22 ILLEGAL Footlights and Candlelight ...... 24 Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events ...... 25

Meet the Writers' Theatre Teaching Artists ...... 26

Welcome to Writers’ Theatre! ...... 28 Performance Calendar ...... 29 IN MY LIFE. HOW COULD I WHEN I HAVE NEVER READ ANY OF THE LAWS AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE?”

-n Au t Augusta, Travels with my aunt

2 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 1 Michael Halberstam THE BRIEF CHRONICLE Artistic Director th e offiCIal Newsmagazine of writers’ theatre Kathryn M. Lipuma Executive Director issue THIRTY-one November 2010

Michael Halberstam Kathryn M. Lipuma Artistic Director Executive Director EDITOR Eleanor Berman Director of Marketing & Communications the brief chronicle team Dear Friends, Amber Bel'cher Nicole Gilman Development Manager Director of Education It's always such an adventure to return to Books on Vernon. As the flagship Jaron Bernstein Bobby Kennedy performance space for much of the company's history, we're delighted to Development Assistant Producing Assistant/Literary Associate bring new life to our 50-seat theatre year after year, and this season brings a Stuart Carden Sara M. Poorman particularly exciting project. Our very own Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden Associate Artistic Director Marketing Manager helms his first production at Writers' Theatre, directing Giles Havergal's brilliant Jon Faris adaptation of Travels With My Aunt. The marriage of the bookstore space to this General Manager fascinating and witty literary gem will provide you with a quintessential Writers' Theatre experience. DESIGN In this issue of The Brief Chronicle we look at the prolific author , LOWERCASE, INC. from whose novel Travels With My Aunt was adapted. As a major literary voice in the 20th century, we examine Greene's work as it has been presented across a THE WRITERS’ theatre BOARD OF TRUSTEES variety of mediums from stage to screen. It also gives us enormous pleasure to Officers introduce you to Stuart.

Elaine Tinberg, President It's always a privilege to honor our generous supporters as we did at the Director's Gillian Goodman, Vice President David McGranahan, Vice President Society 2010 Garden Party. Bringing the 2009/10 Season to a close, the Garden Barbara Melcher, Vice President Party was a beautiful and perfect way to celebrate another remarkable season. Thomas Hodges, Treasurer In the meantime, the current season got off to a romantic start with a terrific Joseph G. Dillon, Secretary opening night of She Loves Me. Also in this issue, we get to know the Writers' Theatre Teaching Artists. These four educators take the principals of the 'word Trustees and the artist' into classrooms throughout Chicago and the suburbs, nurturing Lawrence M. Adelman Christopher N. Knight future artists and integrating arts education into everyday curriculum. Arthur Anderson, Jr. Beth L. Kronfeld Janice Beck Nelson Levy, Ph.D, M.D. Susan Belgrad Kathryn Lipuma Thank you again for your continued support. Each season we look forward to Lorry Borowitz Jennifer Litowitz taking you on new and adventurous journey, and Travels With My Aunt will certainly Amy Pope Brock Thomas Mann be a lively stop along the way. Deborah Cogan Lorel McMillan Sara Cohan Christine Pompizzi Sincerely, Howard Conant, Jr. Mary Pat Studdert Michael Halberstam Yelena Vayner Linda Havlin Pam Phillips Weston Avril Klaff

Kate Michael

2 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 3 Travels With My Aunt

byr G aham Greene Adapted for the stage by Giles Havergal Directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden

November 9, 2010 – March 27, 2011 | Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue

Henry Pulling, a mild-mannered retired banker, leads a quiet life tending his beloved dahlias and never strays too far from his Southwood, England home. But when his eccentric and outrageous Aunt Augusta suddenly appears in his life with mysterious information about his past, Henry is drawn from the safety of his flower beds into a series of exotic international adventures. Henry, Aunt Augusta and more than 25 of the characters they meet along the way are brilliantly and inventively portrayed by just four actors who switch identities, nationalities, ages and genders in this exciting theatrical escapade. Adapted from the celebrated novel by Graham Greene, Travels With My Aunt takes you on an irreverent, often hilarious and absolutely unforgettable adventure.

The Cast: LaShawn Banks, Sean Fortunato, John Hoogenakker and Jeremy Sher

Scenic Design: Brian Sidney Bembridge Lighting Design: Jesse Klug Costume Design: Jacqueline Firkins Sound Design: Mikhail Fiksel property design: Nick Heggestad Stage Management: Rebecca Pechter

Corporate Production Sponsor This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

4 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 5 G rAHAM GrEENE: L iTERARY Legend

By Bobby Kennedy, Producing Assistant/Literary Associate

Graham Greene was the greatest and school. Ruthlessly bullied and perpetually most popular English novelist of his an outcast, his experience was so generation. His rich oeuvre, fondly traumatic that he attempted suicide referred to by fans as “Greeneland,” numerous times. At age 16 his parents immaculately captures mid-20th sent him to a psychoanalyst who century life and continues to thrill opened Greene up to his emotions and readers with its impeccably incisive yet kindled his love of literature. humbly heartfelt character portrayals, all topped off by a boundless sense of adventure. Inn here tly cinematic, Henry Graham Greene was born October 2, 1904 in Berkhamsted, his stories have England. His father was Headmaster been continuously at Berkhamsted School and at the adapted into films age of 13, Greene would leave his sheltered home for the boarding

6 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 7 Greene excelled upon returning to gems—1948’s with Catherine Walston—a beautiful school and went on to attend Balliol and 1951’s The End of the Affair— the wealthy married woman who converted Grenee was College at Oxford University. In books prominently feature Catholic to Catholicism because of the author’s a prolific addition to publishing a volume of themes and characters, even though books, even going so far as to ask him poetry (Babbling April, which sold Greene insisted he was not a Catholic to be her godfather—would ultimately philanderer, poorly), he founded the Mantichorean writer; rather, he merely considered lead to his separation from Vivien. Society, whose secretive antics around himself a writer who happened to be Despite the many affairs perpetuated bu t never campus would live on in the espionage Catholic. A testament to their lasting throughout his lifetime, Greene never plots of his future novels. After impact, TIME magazine included both divorced his wife or remarried. without graduating, he worked as a trainee and The Heart with the Nottingham Journal before of the Matter on its 2005 list of “The Second only to his love for writing remorse becoming a sub-editor for The Times 100 Best English-language Novels was Greene’s penchant for travel. classification suggests that Greene in London. The monotony of journalism From 1923 to the Present.” Beginning with an expedition to Sierra had finally come to accept that his Leone and Liberia in 1935, the novelist entertainments were just as significant Inherently cinematic, his stories have traversed the globe over the course of Travels With My Aunt as his novels. Never again would he been continuously adapted into films, his life. He often documented his trips, release a book labeled an entertainment, is unique in that including (with a as he did with West Africa in Journey and in the Collected Edition of Greene’s Greene labeled it a 1959 film adaptation starring Alec Without Maps and Mexico in The works all are referred to as novels. novel, rather than Guinness) and Lawless Roads. Later travels took him (first adapted in 1958 and again in to West Africa again (for the British Greene died in 1991 at the age of 86 an entertainment, 2002, the latter earning actor Michael Secret Intelligence Service during after his life spanned almost the entire Caine an Oscar nomination). Greene’s World War II), Anacapri, Italy (where despite its lighter 20th century. The legacy he left behind own foray into screenwriting, 1949’s he wrote many of his later books), is stunning, with almost all of his tone and similarity starring Orson Welles, America, Vietnam (where he collected work still in print and nearly half to earlier works. remains one of the most highly-regarded experiences for The Quiet American), considered both masterpieces and film noirs, with the British Film Cuba and Paraguay. essential documentations of their time. propelled Greene to continue writing Institute lauding it the best British film His writing style was so recognizable creatively. His third finished novel of the 20th century. Greene had the quirk of dividing his and popular that newspapers often finally attracted a publisher and books into novels and entertainments. held contests asking for parodies— arrived in 1929 to Raised Anglican, Greene converted to Thrillers such as Our Man in Havana which Greene often entered under a critical acclaim and great success. Catholicism for Vivien Dayrell-Browning. were deemed entertainments, while pseudonym, although he never won (published in America The novelist fell for the 19 year old in more serious efforts such as The first prize. Queen Elizabeth II awarded as Orient Express) was an even bigger 1925, writing her almost 2,000 letters Power and the Glory were classified as him the Companion of Honor in 1966 triumph in 1932. in 30 months. They married in 1927 novels. Travels With My Aunt is unique and the very prestigious Order of Merit and would have two children before in that Greene labeled it a novel, in 1986 for his esteemed contributions In addition to solidifying Greene’s separating in 1947. Greene was a rather than an entertainment, despite to our language’s illustrious literary stature as a member of the English prolific philanderer, but never without its lighter tone and similarity to earlier tradition. literary elite, his two early masterpieces, remorse; his Catholic faith heaped works in the entertainment vein. In ■ 1938’s and 1940’s The tremendous amounts of guilt on the fact, he began the novel more for his Power and the Glory, were the first of writer’s conscience and irrevocably own amusement, confessing he had what are referred to as his “Catholic bound him to both his current and former “no notion of what might happen [in works.” Along with two other absolute loves. Greene’s lengthy romance the story] the next day.” However, its

8 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 9 Itroducingn S CtUART aRDEN

By Bobby Kennedy, Producing Assistant/Literary Associate

Since joining the Writers’ Theatre staff on farms and near deep woods, we in August 2009, Associate Artistic spent as much of our time outside Director Stuart Carden has been a vital exploring. This freedom fed our and beloved addition to the company, imaginations and allowed us to culti- providing a fresh perspective and vate our own distinct, curious person- seamlessly integrating into the culture alities and pursue our own passions.” of the organization. As he directs Travels With My Aunt, Writers’ finally welcomes the accomplished director to T he energy and Books on Vernon. experience [Stuart] brings has Carden was born outside of Louisville, Kentucky in 1973, where his Welsh invigorated the and Scottish ancestors were some of artistic life at the the earliest settlers. His parents and theatre company. their siblings were the first generation in the family not to farm the land; instead his mother spent 25 years His passions led him to Hanover as a grade-school teacher before College in Indiana where the future transitioning into a literacy specialist, director started as a biology major while his father’s interests led him to with a focus on animal behavior and jobs in real estate, banking, insurance, evolutionary theory. However, his priorities a stint as a gelato maker and now he changed after he took an acting class currently works as an organic farmer. with theater department head, Dr. Tom Speaking about his upbringing, Carden Evans. Carden recalls, “it activated recalls, “my brother, sister and I had my imagination in exciting new ways.” an ideal kind of childhood. At home our The new found theatre enthusiast’s mother gave us a passion for books focus changed from acting to directing and ideas, but because we grew up after he helmed his first play,L ine, an

10 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 11 absurdist piece by Israel Horovitz. IasSeeped w t in producing new work) was impressed Michael Halberstam described his “I immediately found the process incredibly divergent by these productions and hired Carden vision for the future of new work at so thrilling and infuriating that I knew to direct their Young Playwright’s Writers’ and the opportunity to take a approaches to theatre I could spend the rest of my life as a Festival, later graduating to regional leading role in the Literary Development director.” at an early part of premieres on the main stage. In 2007, Initiative. Carden remembers thinking, my career—one Carden was offered the Associate “I’ve found my new home.” While at Hanover, Carden received two psychological and Artistic Director position at City awards that cemented his desire for rigorously text based Theatre and moved to Pittsburgh Carden continues to direct at some of a life in the theatre: a grant to study full-time. This was just six months the most established regional theatres and the other highly directing at The Mossoviet Theatre after he married his wife, Neysa Page- in the country, including The Repertory in Moscow and a post-graduation physical Lieberman, Director of Exhibition and Theatre of St. Louis, where he has honor (from actor Woody Harrelson, a Performance Spaces at Columbia directed Martin McDonagh’s blistering Hanover grad) to serve as the “theatre National Theatre. After graduation, College Chicago—who did not make and bloody satire The Lieutenant of lackey” and stay at the college for he relocated to Chicago to pursue a the move, instead staying with her job. Inishmore, Marilyn Campbell and Curt another year—acting, directing and freelance directing career and quickly In his own words, “what the hell were Columbus’s adaptation of Dostoevsky’s designing for the theatre department. developed a relationship with Silk we thinking?!” Crime and Punishment (which had its The experience led to an internship Road Theatre Project, directing multiple world premiere at Writers’ Theatre in at Actors Theatre of Louisville under Midwest and world premieres for the “Immi i ed ately 2003) and he has also returned to legendary Artistic Director Jon Jory, company. His production of Shishir City Theatre to direct David Harrower’s an early mentor of his. He also met Kurup’s Bollywood-inspired Merchant found the process Blackbird. Next season, he will return another mentor at ATL with a wildly on Venice (an updated South Asian a third time to St. Louis to helm Sarah different directing aesthetic than adaptation of Shakespeare’s The so thrilling and Ruhl’s recent Broadway debut, In the Jory’s: the avant-garde theatre Merchant of Venice) made numerous infuriating that I Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play). director Anne Bogart. After his intern- citywide top ten lists in 2007. The suc- ship, Carden followed Bogart to New cessful director moved up the ranks at knew I could spend In addition to directing Travels With My York and assisted her SITI Co. on a Silk Road, eventually becoming Associate the rest of my life Aunt, Carden has taken the lead in both number of new and devised pieces. Artistic Director of the company. casting the entire 2010/11 Season and Carden remembers, “I was steeped as a director.” stewarding the development of new in incredibly divergent approaches to For seven years after graduate school, work at Writers’ Theatre, which in the theatre at an early part of my career, Carden worked “bi-coastally” (Lake After a stellar but lonely two years at coming year will include two world one psychological and rigorously text Michigan and the Allegheny River), City Theatre—directing on the main premieres, several play readings and based and the other highly physical, directing freelance in Chicago for most stage and producing both the Momentum workshops of exciting original musicals. which have provided a compelling of the year and teaching summer Festival of New American Plays and the The energy and experience he brings tension in the way that I think about courses at Carnegie Mellon. Right after Young Playwrights’ Festival—Carden has invigorated the artistic life at the directing.” graduate school, he started directing returned to Chicago last summer to be theatre company. Writers' Theatre is in Pittsburgh for Pittsburgh Irish and with his wife, where he planned to proud to have such an accomplished In 1999, Carden moved to Pittsburgh Classical Theatre, tackling productions resume freelance directing and teaching. and sought after director as part to attend the Masters of Fine Arts such as Marivaux’s The False Ser- The return perfectly coincided with a of our staff and looks forward to program in Directing at Carnegie vant and Marie Jones’s Stones in His vacancy at Writers’ Theatre, and at the sharing with audiences his take on Mellon University where he studied Pockets. Tracy Brigden, Artistic Director urging of friends in the industry, he Travels With My Aunt. ■ under another mentor, Mladen Kiesolov, of City Theatre (a Pittsburgh theatre applied for the Associate Artistic Director resident director of the Bulgarian company dedicated to developing and position in Glencoe. During the interview process Artistic Director

12 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 13 Jeremy Sher

My dad’s brothers, Uncles Julius and Stanley, were bachelors and lived together in a dumpy apartment until they died, in their 80's. Fnnymiliesu a Julius used to take me out in his silver Chevette with the nub of a pillow he’d always be rubbing like a binky. “Magasaki!” he’d yell At the center of Travels With My Aunt is the flamboyant and outrageousA unt Augusta when we’d slowly pull away on the green light. When someone who enters and up-ends the life of her straight-laced nephew Henry. The Brief Chronicle would pass him doing 30 he’d holler, “slow down, you hamburger!” asks the cast if they have any unconventional relatives, family friends or mentors that Stanley was a military attaché during World War II, and spoke sev- have changed their view of the world. eral languages. He used to tell me, “go get yourself a ‘diccionaire couchant’—you know, a lady friend. Best way to learn languages.” LaShawn Banks He’d wink at me and pour more cheap gin into his plastic cup. They argued with each other incessantly. They hated each other. Mrs. Matthews was our pastor's wife who saw a spark in And they absolutely needed one another. me that she thought should be nurtured. I was enrolled in our church's afterschool program, where we read, studied and took music lessons. It was a very formative time for John Hoogenakker me because in other areas of my life I was painfully shy. When I was three, my family moved into a condominium complex Thanks to her I was reading at a high school level and in an underdeveloped swath of land in the southern portion of dancing Irish lilts by the fourth grade. I understand now Charlotte, North Carolina. As I grew up, I had ample opportunity what was of fundamental importance to her; it was help- to explore the constantly developing environs we now called ing children to find their voices and become productive home, and it was on one of those occasions that I first met members of society. A path was forged and a journey John Levin, who was probably in his late 60's. I was testing a begun, and I am still on that journey and proud to be so. parachute, constructed of plastic shopping bags, which would I like to think she would be proud of me as well. assist me with braking when biking at a high speed.

Sean Fortunato John lived at the top of a hill and had a great vantage point to observe the start of each run on my bike. I noticed him watching My high school acting teacher was a bit like a crazy me and said, "hello." He said, "hello" back, and offered some aunt to me. She was a fearless comedian—never technical advice. John was a Major in World War II (he would later afraid of looking silly. She would certainly do and say give me one of his insignias) and had parachuted before. He outrageous things, but it was the absolute could clearly relate to what I was attempting. John offered the seriousness with which she'd handle a funny situation novel idea of ditching the bag and starting out with the parachute that made her unique. She also brought her improvisa- spread out behind me, since the feel of the parachute catching tion teachings into her real life. In improv she would the wind was what I was really going for after all. He was right. tell us, you should never say “no.” "Accept, accept, accept," was her mantra. This strategy helped me John was one of the best friends I have ever had. He provided, for deal with some of the potentially awful situations I me, an inimitable model of how a grown man could be humorous faced early in high school. Rather than quietly taking and human in a single breath. He gave me the gift of humor as the verbal abuse of my peers, I had new tools to deal a means of expressing one’s love for another and I would not be with them, and through her example I realized that it who I am this day if I hadn’t met him that day, with my parachute. didn't really matter what they were saying anyway.

14 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Travels with my aunt: On Stage 15 RE H MH: You touched a little bit on the idea spin on this tradition. While he of actors taking on multiple roles in employs a similar convention, asking e the production. Can you tell us more four actors to play multiple roles, about that? Havergal also cleverly has each of these actors play the same role, the SC: It is a fairly common convention rather mild-mannered retired banker, in contemporary plays for an actor Henry Pulling. Beyond it being quite to perform multiple roles. Think I Am fun to see four interpretations of My Own Wife, Stones in his Pockets the same character, I have a theory ? or Passion Play. This tradition goes that Havergal employs this shared back to the theater’s roots when the approach to heighten our interest in first Greek actor stepped out of the Henry and bind us to his journey. Wy h chorus and gave voice to multiple The Brief Chronicle series continues with of the adaptation that asked four male characters. Shakespeare may have MH: The play is an adaptation of a Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael actors to play more than 25 roles played with this idea too, as some 1960’s British novel. How will the Halberstam in conversation with Travels with a dizzying array of personalities, scholars have theorized that in his material speak to our audiences? With My Aunt director and Writers' Theatre ethnicities, races, ages and accents. original production of King Lear, the Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden, In addition, those characters travel actor playing Lear’s daughter Cordelia SC: I asked Giles Havergal a version of who shares his insights into the wild from London to Paris to Istanbul to also played The Fool. Whether this this question when we spoke by phone. adventure that audiences can expect at Paraguay by taxi, train, plane, boat and was an economic or thematic decision I wanted his impressions on how Books on Vernon. foot. Finally I laughed—with one part is up for debate. Part of the pleasure audiences at the premieres of Travels fear and one part thrill—at the idea of seeing a play like this is watching in Edinburgh and New York reacted Mch i ael Halberstam: This is the that all of this will be taking place in an actor completely transform in an differently given the key characters first show you are directing here at our intimate bookstore space. instant from one character to another. are British. Very enthusiastically Writers' Theatre. What about Travels For me the thrill is not only marveling he said, “no, audiences responded With My Aunt captivated you? The play has great resonance and in an actor’s technical skill but also almost identically.” Certain British complexity too of course. It is after the inherent implications of this references or colloquialisms landed Stuart Carden: Lately, I’ve directed all based on a Graham Greene novel transformation. more piquantly in London but American a spate of dark, emotionally taxing and even though he set out to write a audiences “got” the subtle satire of plays. In fact I was directing Crime and “comic” novel, his incredibly perceptive In Travels With My Aunt, adaptor the American characters much more Punishment and delving into the psyche and somewhat cynical world-view Giles Havergal puts a fascinating fully than British audiences. of one of the most tortured characters couldn’t help but find its way into the in all of literature when you suggested story. This is one of the pleasures of I read Travels With My Aunt. When I the piece—the contrast between the read it I laughed. At first I laughed story as a lark and the thematic knots at the characters; at the outrageous that begin to form. One of those knots flamboyance of Aunt Augusta, the that I find particularly captivating in priggishness of her nephew Henry, and the play is the tension between the the worldview of a 16 year old pot- comforts of home versus the freedom

smoking American girl, oddly named of travel and change. h Tooley. Then I laughed at the audacity W y 16 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Nwo Travels with my aun?t: On Stage 17 Why Here? Why Now? Continued what’s backstage

happeningat writers’ theatre But more than the humor translating actor utilizes every time they change successfully, what audiences really into that character. For example, let’s connect to in the story is something say every time an actor crosses his quite universal: the clash of legs in a certain way and lowers his generations. Admittedly, the 1960’s vocal placement; the audience takes revolution of free-love and free- this as a cue that he has switched expression that completely overturned to a new character. This approach the more conservative values of the provides a clear short hand that post-war generation was a particularly indicates character shifts. Due to the fierce and contentious clash, but exceptional intimacy of the bookstore, every generation in its own way however, we are both challenged and collides, reacts and defines itself in given permission to work with more relation to the previous one. Havergal nuance. While signifiers will definitely cleverly pointed out during our chat be a part of our approach as we define that “the intriguing thing that Graham the physicality, vocal pattern, tempo Greene does is introduce Henry (who and gestural life of each character, is a product of a more conservative the proximity of the audience to the generation) to the 1960’s and the new actors asks for much more specificity, world not by a young person as you subtlety and ultimately, truth. The arch might expect but rather by an older of an eyebrow, a hitch in the rhythm person.” This is a marvelous conceit of speech, a pursing of the lips, a and a powerful image that universally tremble in the voice or a shift in weight resonates with audiences. from the heels to the toes is all you need for a character transformation to MH: How will the intimacy of Books on register with the audience. We’ve cast Vernon influence your production? four inventive and fascinating actors and I look forward to seeing what SC: The intimacy of the Books on insights and character detail they bring Vernon stage puts an exquisite kind to each of their many characters. ■ of pressure on the way we develop each character. In a larger space you might create a “character signifier” that is specific to each role that an

18 Travels with my aunt: On Stage Aen Gard Party with th e Director's Society

On July 25, 2010, 100 of Writers’ Theatre’s closest friends gathered at the home of Trustee and Board President Elaine Tinberg for the 2010 Director’s Society Garden Party, a thank you and celebration of the 2009/10 Season. Upon arrival, 2 3 guests were immersed in the spirit of New Orleans; sipping hurricanes and sampling succulent Cajun-style hors d’oeuvres, they were serenaded by the lively notes of the Paradise Jazz Band while enjoying the beautiful weather. The afternoon culminated in the premiere of a suite of new songs written for A Streetcar Named Desire by Writers’ Theatre Artistic Associate Joshua Schmidt, the composer of 2009’s A Minister’s Wife. The magnificent occasion was generously sponsored by Credit Suisse.

Events like these are among the many benefits offered to members of theDirector’s Society, a group of Writers’ Theatre’s most generous supporters. Director’s Society members provide a secure financial foundation for the theatre through annual contributions of $1,000 or more. 4 5 For information on becoming a Director’s Society member, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement Carol Dawley at 847-242-6005. 1. Illinois State Senator Susan Garrett with Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kate Lipuma 2. Trustee Christopher Knight and his wife Emily 3. Trustee Beth Kronfeld and husband Matt Means with Director of Institutional Advancement Carol Dawley 4. Trustee Pam Phillips Weston and her husband Roger 5. Director’s Society members Mike and Jill Schield with Director of Education Nicole Gilman 6. Director’s Society members Amalia and Bill Mahoney with Trustee Christine Pompizzi and her husband Michael 7. Development Manager Amber Bel’cher with Director’s Society Member Ann Cole and Executive Director Kate Lipuma 8. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam with Trustee 6 Mary Pat Studdert, Artists’ Council member Mary Green and Executive Director Kate Lipuma

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20 Travels with my aunt: Backstage Travels with my aunt: Backstage 21 S he loves me Opening Night

The Writers' Theatre 2010/11 Season began September 23, 2010 with the opening of our first large-scale musical, She Loves Me. Writers' Theatre's most loyal friends and supporters were present to enjoy this delightful love story from the creators of Fiddler on the Roof. Afterwards, they joined Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and the cast for a celebratory reception featuring delicious morsels and miniature ice cream cones provided by Hel's Kitchen. In good cheer, everyone raised a glass of champagne (provided by Good Grapes of Glencoe) 1 and toasted the beginning of yet another season of world-class theatre.

A special thanks to our sponsors for She Loves Me: 2

Production Sponsor MARY PAT STUDDERT Corporate Production Sponsor 3

Opening Night Sponsors

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1. Executive Director Kate Lipuma and Oh Coward! director Jim Corti 2. Director's Society members Laura Kracum, Sara Pfaff, Bianca Juarez with her husband Rick Carpenter 3. Director's Society members Lloyd and Jan Culbertson, Mark Dawley and Chris Pfaff 4. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, She Loves Me actress Jessie Mueller and guest with Production Sponsor Mary Pat Studdert 5. Director's Society member Sonia Marschak and Mary Bridges 6. Elizabeth Geraghty of the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and Artistic Director Michael Halberstam 7. Writers’ Theatre Trustee Joe Dillon (Corporate Production Sponsor from Harris Bank) with his wife Kristin

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22 Travels with my aunt: Backstage Travels with my aunt: Backstage 23 F ootlights & Candlelight Mark Your Calendars Don'i t m ss these exciting upcoming events: An exclusive entertainment package sold at Writers' Theatre’s annual WordPlay Gala, Footlights and Candlelight provides a unique experience in addition to an evening of superb theatre. On June 6, 2010, Irene and Liesel Pritzker invited T he Making Of… series 14 guests to join them at a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire. During the intermissions, the group enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and champagne in a private A i ser es just for you, our subscribers, members salon. Following the performance they were treated with an opportunity to raise and supporters! a toast on the intricate set with Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, Executive Monday, December 13 - 6:30 pm Director Kate Lipuma and Streetcar cast members Matt Hawkins and Stacy Stoltz. The party adjourned to the parlor for a delicious three course Cajun-inspired meal Join us for the second event in The Making Of… series on Monday, December provided by Restaurant Michael of Winnetka. 13, 2010 at 6:30-7:30pm, at Books on Vernon. Don’t miss what promises to be an interesting and fun look behind the scenes of Writers’ Theatre. Sound Designer and Composer Mikhail Fiksel will join Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden to discuss the intricacies of live foley work (sound effects) and the creation of sound and music for Travels With My Aunt.

All The Making Of… events are free, but space is limited; please RSVP to [email protected] or by calling 847-441-8194.

Biheh nd-t e-Scenes Brunch Sn u day, February 13, 2011

Director’s Society members should mark their calendars for Sunday, February 13, 2011 for the second annual Behind-the-Scenes Brunch. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and William Brown, director of Do The Hustle will discuss the nuances of collaborating with a playwright on a new script as compared to reinvigorating a classic text like Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw, which Brown will direct later this season. It is sure to be a culinary delight with fare provided by Restaurant Michael of Winnetka to compliment an enlightening look into the Director’s Society Members Irene and Liesel Pritzker with Judd Holzman, Dr. J. Larry and Michelle Jameson, Leah creative process. We hope you will join us! Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, Executive Director Karpel, Dr. Jayesh Meta and Dr. Seema Singhal, Kate Lipuma, A Streetcar Named Desire cast members Jeff Nearhoof, Robert and Alison Sierens, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Hawkins and Stacy Stoltz, and guests (in alphabetical Timothy Sheehan, and Dr. Christopher Strauss order): Lindsay Baran, Stella and Terry Boyle,

24 Travels with my aunt: Backstage Travels with my aunt: Backstage 25 Meeh t t e Writers' Theatre Teahi c ng Artists!

Jennifer Avery, Lara Dossett, Amanda Jane Dunne and Nicole Ripley are Writers' Theatre teaching artists who work in schools throughout Chicagoland. Here, they share Teaching Artist Nicole Ripley practices a scene with Teaching Artist Amanda Jane Dunne introduces a student some particularly special teaching moments: students. performance.

Jennifer Avery is a professional actor who Lara Dossett is a theatre artist in N icole Ripley serves as a Teaching Artist In addition to working with Writers' has performed across Chicago for the Chicago who has worked with Northlight as well as Writers’ Education Liaision Theatre, Amanda Jane Dunne has taught past 15 years. Avery uses theatre games Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, coordinating The MLK Project: The Fight for for Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight and writing exercises to teach the art of Dream Big Performing Arts, Steppenwolf Civil Rights, the annual touring outreach Theatre, American Theatre Company, storytelling. Along with Writers’ Theatre, Theatre and Writers’ Theatre to develop production. She has also taught for Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop and Jennifer teaches for After School Matters, education programming, create curriculum Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre Redmoon, as well as with the Los Ange- ChiArts and Timeline Theatre Company and and teach in-school and after school resi- Company and is currently the resident les based Fringe Benefits since 2006. leads a performance/poetry workshop dencies. Her goal is to empower every K-3 theatre teacher at Evanston’s Dewey She is a founding member of Genesis at Senn High School. Avery was recently student to live more presently as citizens Elementary School. She is co-creator of Ensemble, with whom she is a performer named the Artistic Director of Evanston's and to be active participants in their lives Project US: a participatory theatre and director creating ensemble-devised Next Theatre Company. and their communities. program that tours to schools promoting performances. conversations around sexual health. “ Since we started the Novel Series Study Plan, “Teaching for Writers' Theatre is a wonderful Ripley has worked in Northern Thailand “When I was teaching at Kilmer Elementary, it has become a profound and exciting challenge because every residency is created with Gabfai Theatre and Sojourn Theatre I worked with an 8th grade class on an experience to teach for Writers' Theatre. This specifically for each classroom, ensuring an adaptation of The Giver, where they wrote in Oregon on a community-engaged de- curriculum has made so many kids love to experience that will have a lasting impact and inserted their own memories into the vised production focusing on area issues read and express themselves through their on the students. At Rogers Park Elementary piece. The wrote about saying goodbye to a experiences with literature. Last year I got we studied a novel that is written in poems. and bringing communities together in relative going to jail, remembering a baby to teach To Kill a Mockingbird (one of my Each student wrote a poem relating to the conversation. sibling being born, looking forward to seeing favorite books) to an 8th grade class at Alcott essential question of the novel: "What makes mom waiting on the stoop after school and Elementary School. The students created a a family?" One fifth grader wrote about her “I have the honor of touring with The MLK wanting to be a scientist to name a few. The play which presented a series of mock trials unborn little brother and how she would take Project: The Fight for Civil Rights, which memories and aspirations of these students using the characters from the novel. Their care of him for his entire life and couldn't follows a young Chicago student as she and the beautiful way in which they play was funny and touching and delved into wait to meet him. It was incredibly beautiful studies the Movement. After the performance articulated themselves was inspiring.” many of the themes and issues of the book.” and insightful for a child who is only eleven I facilitate conversations around race and years old." racism as they exist today and our contin- ued fight for social justice. I am continually humbled by students' willingness to ask difficult questions and to deeply investigate Bring a Teaching Artist our social and societal fabric. It is moving to your school! to be a part of interracial, intergenerational, interfaith conversations that are getting deep Go to into issues. I am continuously inspired by writerstheatre.org/education young people who, often against odds, are for more information. changing themselves and each other with the responsibility to continue to work for the legacy of tolerance and equality.”

Teaching Artist Jennifer Avery leads students in a small Teaching Artist Lara Dossett watches as students rehearse group discussion. their introduction. 26 SHE LOVES ME: Backstage Travels with my aunt: Backstage 27 Travels With My Aunt

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27 28 Dee cemb r 2:00/6:00 sun mon tue wed thu fri sat 1 2 3 4 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 MCHAR Writers' Theatre Executive Director with Board of Trustee President Elaine Tinberg sun mon tue wed thu fri sat 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 1 2 3 4 5 7:30 2:00/7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 Ann ou ci g Writers’ new 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2:00/6:00 7:30 2:00/7:30 8:00 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 President of the Board of 26 27 28 29 30 31 2:00/6:00 7:30 2:00/7:30 8:00 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Trustees, Elaine Tinberg 2:00/6:00 7:30 2:00/7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 J YAnuaR 27 28 29 30 31

sun mon tue wed thu fri sat 2:00 Writers’ Theatre is pleased to announce the election of Elaine Tinberg as the 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 new President of the Board of Trustees. Tinberg joined the Board in 2009 and 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 has consistently shown an extraordinary level of dedication, enthusiasm and 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 leadership. In addition to serving as a member of the Finance Committee, she 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 recently hosted the 2010 Director’s Society Garden Party at her home in Win- 2:00/6:00 7:30 7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 netka. Please join the entire Writers’ Theatre family in welcoming Elaine Tinberg 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 into her new role! 2:00/6:00 7:30 2:00/7:30 8:00 8:00 4:00/8:00 30 31 2:00 A former CPA, Tinberg is retired from the business sector and is now an active community leader. She served on the Winnetka District #36 Board of Education and the Board of Governors (Treasurer) of the Winnetka Community House. She W riters’ Wednesdays – Post-Show Discussion after evening performances only. was also a founding member and Co-President of the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation and President of Winnetka Public School Nursery. Tinberg is currently a Director and the Treasurer of Erika’s Lighthouse, a Winnetka based organization which is dedicated to educating the community about childhood and adolescent depression. She also volunteers for the Plants of Concern program run by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Tinberg lives in Winnetka with her husband, Rich and has two grown children.

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