Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director

presented as part of the SARASOTA FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS

Dane Becker, Richie McCall, William Selby, and Emily Mikesell. Photo by Matthew Holler.

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida OLDER THAN DIRT developed by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins with arrangements by Jim Prosser Original parody material by Rebecca Hopkins, Stephan DeGelder, Nick Santa Maria, Jim Prosser and Phyllis Silverman CAST Dane Becker Richie McCall Emily Mikesell William Selby with Jim Prosser on Piano

Music Director Choreographer Darren Server Kathryn Gasper

Costume Designer Lighting Designer Sound Designer Susan Angermann Thom Beaulieu Toby Algya

Sound and Light Board Operator Jennifer London Directed by Richard Hopkins

Season Underwriters Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy, Anne H.S. Nethercott, The Woman’s Exchange, Inc. Co-Producer Jan & Larry Coleman, Thomas B. Wilson & Patrick J Crimmings, Joan & Jim Zawacki, SRQ Media

Older Than Dirt will be performed The taking of photographs and in two acts with one 15-minute the use of recording devices is intermission. strictly prohibited.

Florida Studio Theatre is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre. ARTIST PROFILES DANE BECKER is overjoyed co-written by Emily and director Michael Barakiva.) to be back home at Florida WILLIAM SELBY FST 2016: Studio Theatre. Now based in Laughing Matters (vol. 5). Los Angeles, Dane appeared Starred as ‘Bernadette’ in the in The Boy From Oz at the Gateway/Ogunquit Playhouse Celebration Theatre (Winner co-productions of Priscilla, of 6 Ovation Awards- Queen of the Desert (Broadway Including Best Musical and World Award nominee, Best Acting Ensemble) as well as Grease: Live on THE Best Actor). Off-Broadway: FOX NETWORK. Dane has spent the last year working Forbidden Broadway, The Daring Duo, Nerds, Forbidden for The Walt Disney Company in Disneyland. Favorite Hollywood, Juba, The Apple Tree. NY Workshop: credits include: Hairspray, Chess, Civil War, Showbiz Finding Nemo, Disney (Mr. Ray, Gill). Regional: Tonight!, Band Geeks!, and Into The Woods. Proud Forbidden Broadway in Boston, Detroit, Salt Lake graduate of CCM at The University of Cincinnati. City, San Diego and Washington DC, South Pacific RICHIE MCCALL from New (Billis) at the Ivoryton Playhouse (Broadway World & York City is thrilled to return CT Critics Circle Award nominations for ‘Outstanding to the cabaret stage of FST. Supporting Actor’), Barrymore, The Presidents (with He was seen in the original Rich Little), Hot n’ Cole, The All Night Strut. Overseas: Broadway, Toronto, and FB (Japan and Singapore), and several Cruise Line National touring company productions. Director:18 productions of FB, including of Hal Prince’s production Denver, Sacramento, New Orleans, Long Beach CA companies of Showboat. The (OVATION Award winner, Best Musical), Chicago, Broadway touring company of Tommy Tune’s Grand Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Hotel. He has appeared in Film, and numerous Detroit. commercials. TV credits include Shades of Blue, Blue JIM PROSSER (Pianist/Arranger) This season marks bloods, Fallen Waters to name a few. His one man Jim’s 22nd season as resident pianist in FST’s Cabaret, show, which he wrote and starred in, Me and Stepin where he has arranged and co-developed many was nominated at the Midtown Festival in NYC. Was shows including Dancing In The Street, By Gershwin, seen last fall in the Web Series, Everything’s OK. European Cabaret, That’s Life Again, British Invasion, EMILY MIKESELL FST: Kings Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits, Harry Who?, Too Darn of Country, Urban Cowboys, Hot, last season’s production of Laughing Matters, Guitar Girls, Pump Boys and this season’s productions of Gypsies, Tramps, and Dinettes. Off-Boadway: and Thieves and Piano Men. He has also served Lone Star Love (Original as composer/music director for FST’s Education Cast Recording), Radio Gals department, writing numerous songs and scores (Original Cast Recording), for children’s shows such as Androcles and the Lion, Swingtime Canteen. Select RAP-Punzel, The Velveteen Rabbit, and the WRITE-A- Regional: St. Louis Rep, Barter Theatre, Goodspeed, PLAY elementary tours. Jim is also a music director Actors Theatre of Louisville, Pasadena Playhouse, for FST Improv, for which he has played many shows Capital Rep, Arkansas Rep, Milwaukee Rep. Next up: including the improvised musical When X Meets Y. Plan B - 2016 winner, Capital Rep/Proctors Next Act RICHARD HOPKINS (Director/Developer) is the New Play Summit - at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, Producing Artistic Director of Florida Studio Theatre. NY. (Music and lyrics by FST alum Michael Hicks, book Mr. Hopkins has fostered the development ARTIST PROFILES of FST’s Mainstage and Cabaret productions. His the film:Atlas Shrugged-Part II, the role of ‘Richard many directing Mainstage credits include: Inspired Halley’ and follow him on his family’s website:www. Lunacy, The Best of Enemies, Next to Normal, Race, thegrandstooges.com. Ruined, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling KATHRYN GASPER (Choreographer) is pleased, Bee, Boleros for the Disenchanted, Permanent for the first time, to choreograph here at FST. She Collection, and Metamorphoses among numerous brings with her a vast background in classical ballet, other plays. Mr. Hopkins led the development of Broadway, television, cabarets, regional theatres, FST’s Cabaret productions of Piano Men, The Prima and summer stock, both as choreographer and Donnettes, Too Darn Hot, and By Gershwin. Mr. past performer. Kathryn has been a soloist and Hopkins also serves as the Chief Executive Officer principal dancer with the Milwaukee, Wiesbaden, of Florida Studio Theatre. This includes overseeing and Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet Companies. Guest the creation and implementation of all FST artist residencies in universities, master classes and programming, including Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage choreographic opportunities keep Kathy in and out III, New Play Development, Education, and Touring. of the Sarasota area. Since his arrival at FST in 1980, Mr. Hopkins has guided the theatre from a small touring company JENNIFER LONDON (Sound and Light Board to a nationally recognized regional theatre which Operator) recently graduated from Flagler College impacts over 200,000 adults and children annually. in St. Augustine, Florida, with a BA in Theatre Arts, He created the New Play Development Program, a BA in Philosophy and Religion, and a minor in The Cabaret Series, FST’s award winning WRITE-A- Honorable Entrepreneurship. She has been involved PLAY Program, and he has directed the design and in Theatre since she was a child, and discovered renovation of all FST’s theatres. Mr. Hopkins is the her passion for Stage Management in high school. recipient of numerous awards including the Arts Jennifer has been a part of numerous shows since Leadership Award from the Sarasota Arts Council, she started with FST including Last Rights, The the Richard G. Fallon Award for Artistic Excellence Roommate, Relativity, and Gypsies, Tramps, and from the Florida Professional Theatres Association, Thieves. and the 2012 Cultural Champion Award from the SUSAN ANGERMANN (Costume Designer) Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. started her career in costuming in New York DARREN SERVER (Musical Director) is thrilled to designing and constructing costumes for various be back at FST for his second season. He recently productions in theatre, opera, film, and television. music directed Piano Men, Million Dollar Quartet, In 1993 she moved to Sarasota, and designed and Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves for the FST stage. several productions at FST. She returned to FST Last season, he music directed One Man, Two as Costume Shop Manager from 2009 to 2016. Guvnors, and Laughing Matters. Also last season, Recent designs include Piano Men; Gypsies, Tramps, he music directed and arranged the vocals for Ah, and Thieves; Yesterday; Soul Mates: A Journey to Wilderness! at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. This Hitsville; American Pie; Chapatti; Becoming Dr. Ruth; season at the Asolo, Darren composed the music for Pump Boys and Dinettes; Too Darn Hot; Freud’s Last The Drunken City. For the past twelve summers, he Session; Poems, Prayers and Promises; The Prima has been the resident musical director at Totem Pole Donnettes; By Gershwin; That’s Life Again; Night Train Playhouse in Fayetteville, PA. Here’s an interesting to Memphis; Shake, Rattle and Roll; Urban Cowboys; fact about Darren, his grandfather is “Curly” Howard and Let’s Twist Again: with the Wanderers. of The Three Stooges and his great-uncles are Moe THOM BEAULIEU (Lighting Designer) is happy and Shemp Howard. This has always been a source to be back at Florida Studio Theatre, now in the of pride and inspiration for Darren. See Darren in capacity of lighting designer. Thom is an award ARTIST PROFILES winning lighting and sound designer out of New Executive Board for the League of Resident Theatres, Hampshire where he frequently designs in both areas and on the Board of Theatre Communications Group. at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse. Thom’s design In 2012, the Arts & Cultural Alliance awarded Mrs. career has been in the professional and educational Hopkins the Cultural Champion Award in recognition realms in both New Hampshire and Georgia over the of her many years of accomplishment and growth last 20 years. with Florida Studio Theatre. In 2016, Mrs. Hopkins TOBY ALGYA (Sound Designer) NYC: In The Room, was awarded the Luminaire Award honoring Widower’s Houses, Dark Vanilla Jungle/Tonight With excellence in creativity, philanthropy, advocacy, and Donny Stixx, H2O, Hard Love, Abundance, Natural all elements that are keys to future growth of the Affection, Lost In Yonkers, Awake and Sing!, Philip Arts in Sarasota. Goes Forth, Tender Napalm, Whida Peru, Mosaic, STEPHAN DEGHELDER (Developer) As a Rosmersholm, Ringmaster, Human Variations, professional performer/director/choreographer and Pratfalls, Where’s My Money, The Invested, Hamlet, playwright, Stephan’s credits include Broadway, Fantasy Football: The Musical?. Regional: Hartford Off-Broadway, national tours, summer stock, Stage, Barrington Stage Company, Northern Stage, regional theatres, TV, commercials and film in the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Lyric Theatre of US and abroad. His satirical shows, Prime Ribbing Oklahoma, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, City Theatre and License to Bash have won several “Best Cabaret” - Pittsburgh, Portland Stage, People’s Light and awards and he is a contributing writer to the comedy Theatre, WHAT, Asolo Rep., South Coast Rep., La Jolla show Laughing Matters. He has been in professional Playhouse. MFA UC San Diego. theatre so long, he feels like the title of the show you REBECCA HOPKINS (Lead Developer) has been are seeing. actively involved in development of FST’s Cabaret NICK SANTA MARIA (Developer) was born in exotic productions since Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits in Brooklyn, NY. He has appeared on Broadway (Grease, 1999. This season she was the lead developer on ), and in national tours of both those Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves and Older Than Dirt shows. He’s done TV, films, radio, and everything and co-developer of Piano Men. Previously she was else except ballet and circus. He has appeared at the lead developer on Yesterday, American Pie, and FST in Over The River And Through The Woods (best Poems, Prayers, and Promises. She has been the head actor winner, Sarasota Magazine), I Love You, You’re writer on all fiveLaughing Matters shows. Some Perfect, Now Change (Best actor nominee, Sarasota of her favorite shows she helped develop include: Magazine). Nick has also written the off-Broadway The Prima Donnettes, That’s Life; The Wanderers; My hit, Real Men, the Musical, which ran at New York’s One and Only Gershwin; Hot and Cole; Shakespeare’s New World Stages in 2016. He now lives in Los Greatest Hits; The British Invasion; The Flip Side; and Angeles. Outlaws and Angels. In addition, she is the founder and producer of FST Improv and the Sarasota Improv Festival. Mrs. Hopkins serves as Managing Director for Florida Studio Theatre, and as such, is the Chief Operations Officer. Mrs. Hopkins is responsible for oversight of FST’s Administration, including the Business Office, Development, Marketing, Box Office, Front of House, Restaurant, budgeting, and maintaining the overall quality of FST’s internal management. Nationally, Mrs. Hopkins is President of the National New Play Network and serves on the SEASON UNDERWRITERS GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION stage, in the cabaret, and in its education and Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community community outreach programs, are values that Foundation transforms our region through bold and we so strongly believe in. As a consequence, it is a proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity privilege for us to be a part of, and supportive of this that was created in 1995 through the sale of the great theater. Venice Hospital. Since then, we have become the ANNE H.S. NETHERCOTT When asked to define philanthropic home of more than 600 families who giving, Anne said: “My mother used to say, ‘The best have established charitable funds here, and we have way to find you is to lose yourself, by focusing on the invested over $227 million in grants in the areas of needs of others rather than on oneself.’ So, giving health and human services, civic and economic has always been an important family value, which development, education, arts and culture, and the in childhood was reinforced by the community environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org experience of surviving The Depression.” Anne is DENNIS & GRACI MCGILLICUDDY FST is proud to be a supporter of FST. important to us because we believe so strongly in THE WOMAN’S EXCHANGE, INC. Since 1962, the transformative power of the arts. For close to 30 the Woman’s Exchange has awarded more than years now, we have been so fortunate to experience $7 million in grants and scholarships in support first-hand how that transformative power works of the arts of Sarasota and Manatee counties. “A its magic in the hands of an organization that is proud supporter of Florida Studio Theatre for more not only experienced and dedicated but so highly than 30 years, The Woman’s Exchange is proud to skilled in their craft. The values of the theater and continue the legacy of supporting an organization its leadership, as reflected in its mission, and as that is as artistically diverse as FST.” - Karen Koblenz, manifested in its work, whether it be on the main Executive Director/CEO, Woman’s Exchange CO-PRODUCERS JAN & LARRY COLEMAN Florida Studio Theatre is Studio Theatre for many years and are pleased with a professionally run organization bringing excellent the professionalism of the actors and supporting theatre to Sarasota. Any actor or actress lucky enough staff. The enjoyment received from attending FST to be in a Florida Studio Theatre production will find was the driving force to become a Co-Producer this all their needs fulfilled. Even more wonderful is the season; and we’ll continue to Co-Produce in the commitment Florida Studio Theatre does to give future. children a chance to write a play! Bravo to a well run SRQ MEDIA Publishes hyper-local print and digital organization! publications SRQ Magazine: Live Local. Thrive THOMAS B WILSON & PATRICK J CRIMMINGS Local Sarasota | Bradenton, the monthly regional Sarasota’s vibrant arts scene was a big factor in magazine influencing 60,000+ affluent, multi- choosing to retire here. Prominent in that scene generational residents and visitors in Sarasota and is FST and it’s five stages offering a wide variety Bradenton. The SRQ MEDIA portfolio also includes of theater experiences at very affordable prices. targeted niche publications: SRQ ACCESS: The And, the children’s WRITE-A-PLAY and education Sarasota Bradenton Visitors and Newcomers Guide, programs produce amazing results. We’re hooked on LUX Living Magazine: Gulfcoast Luxury Homes FST! and Living, Modern Home Magazine and the buzz worthy online e-newspaper SRQ DAILY. JOAN & JIM ZAWACKI Have been attending Florida A consignment store like no other! 12,000-square-feet fi lled to the brim with hidden yet affordable treasures like Baccarat Crystal, Tiffany Silver, Gucci, Prada, Chicos, The ART of Giving... 14k-22k Gold Jewelry, high-end furniture, handmade Simplify things for you Persian rugs and great and your loved ones. household items. Experience the Volunteer, Donate, ROYAL TREATMENT! Consign, Shop and Not only will the Woman’s Exchange sim- Now Save! Handling plify the process by coming into your home, Off-site packing and removing everything you wish to donate but we’ll also provide you with an itemized list detailing your gift. There’s no charge for this service and you’ll have the ESTATES added satisfaction of knowing your donation will be put to good use, benefi ting the arts for generations to come.

An itemized tax donation slip will be provided.

www.sarasotawex.com 539 S. ORANGE AVE | 941-955-7859 *Unfortunately,*Un*U*UnUnforfof tunately,y,y theretht eree maymaay bebe a timestitimesme whenwwhenen anan estateesteess atateatete doesdodoees notno qualifyquq aliaalliifyy forfof theththee“ “Royal“RoyRoRoyyala Treatment”TreT eatmattmmentn ”p” programprogoggramraamm dueduduete totouo unsaleableunnsanssasalealleeaeabblebllee merchanmemerchrcchhana dise.disd e.e MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | 1st FRIDAYS TIL 5PM MORE THAN $7.8 MILLION AWARDED IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FST COMPANY BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP President...... Dennis McGillicuddy Gaele Barthold Valerie Joels Vice-President...... Richard Hopkins Jan Coleman Marie Kropp Secretary/Treasurer...... Tom Hayes Larry Coleman Frank Malickson Trustee...... Kate Alexander Maddy Freshwater Graci McGillicuddy Trustee...... Carol Poteat Buchanan Sy Goldblatt Dick Nimtz Trustee...... Georgia Court Sydney Goldstein Ina Schnell Trustee...... Patricia Courtois Jim Goldman Alan Schottenstein Trustee...... Jeff Hotchkiss Trustee...... Barbara Lupoff Sandy Goldman Lois Schottenstein Trustee...... Jennifer Michell­ Robert Grady Lois Stulberg ­ Wendy Grady Charlie Ann Syprett EXECUTIVE STAFF Producing Artistic Director……...... Richard Hopkins Robert Israeloff Martin Taffel Associate Director...... Kate Alexander Bonny Israeloff Managing Director...... Rebecca Hopkins ARTISTIC STAFF AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT GROUP Casting/Hiring Coordinator...... James Ashford Hon. Larry L. Eger Dr. Eddy Regnier Resident Pianist...... Jim Prosser Mr. Trevor Harvey Ina Schnell Associate Artist...... Jason Cannon Harriet Hendel Mayor Willie Associate Artist...... Catherine Randazzo Innocence Project Charles Shaw Assistant to the Artistic Director...... Doris Iemolo of Florida Mr. Howard Tevlowitz Director of Improvisation...... Will Luera The Jewish Federation Chief Judge Charles

PRODUCTION STAFF of Sarasota-Manatee E. Williams Production Manager…...... ….Bruce Price Gilbert King Mainstage Stage Manager...... Roy Johns OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE Technical Director...... Wil Deleguardia House Counsel...... John Patterson Scene Shop Supervisor...... Stephen Dunham Costume Shop Manager...... Adrienne Webber Facility Custodian...... Carlos De Oliveira Sound Supervisor...... Thom Korp ...... Confidence Cleaning Company Props/Paint Supervisor...... Kristine Kreutzer Caretaker...... Doctor Nik Stitchers...... Patrick J. Crimmings, Stephanie Gift, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Linda Pirozzi, Brenda Tiano IT Manager...... Lee Schlosser Wigs...... Chamaine Henninger Business Manager...... Carmen Gonzalez Bookkeeper...... Jennifer Berkey INTERN PROGRAM Asst. to the Managing Dir...... Phyllis Silverman Acting Apprentice...... David Anthony Operations Manager...... Mark Quackenbush Acting Apprentice...... Naomi Asch Facilities Manager...... Joseph Goepfrich Acting Apprentice...... Alexa Eldridge General Manager...... Jill Zakrzewski Acting Apprentice...... Vanessa Guadiana Company Manager...... Luke Johnson Acting Apprentice...... Lydia Hassell Marketing Director...... Audra Lange Acting Apprentice...... Ethan Levy Public Relations Associate...... Nicole Clayton Acting Apprentice...... Dennis Mullikin Marketing Associate...... David Meiers Acting Apprentice...... Jacob Perkel Events Coordinator/Gen Mgmt Asst...... Dana Ernest Acting Apprentice...... Myles Phillips Director of Indiv. Giving...... Melody Mora-Shihadeh Acting Apprentice...... Kihresha Redmond Development Associate...... Steve Turrisi Acting Apprentice...... Tanner Sands Development Associate...... Corriane Oster Acting Apprentice...... Amber Wiest Application Systems Manager...... Kathleen Smith Artistic/Co. Mgmt Intern...... Robin Mackey Box Office Manager...... Kelsey Wehde Company Management Intern...... Dianna Burgos Asst. Box Office Manager...... Gigi Delpero Directing Intern...... Michael Galvez Asst. Box Office Manager...... David Wallace Education & Outreach Intern...... Brandon Mancuso Asst. Box Office Manager...... Samus Haddad Literary Intern...... Morgan Green Box Office Assistant...... Amy Beach Literary Intern...... Thomas McPhee Restaurant Manager...... Tom Curry Literary Intern...... Jordan Nickels Restaurant Manager...... Karen Kraster Literary Intern...... Joseph Vaske Restaurant Manager...... Josh Rodoski Marketing Intern...... Alex Hill Asst. Restaurant Manager...... Katelyn McKelley Prod./Lighting Intern...... Sarah McGrath Receptionist...... Joan O’Dowd Production Intern...... Marco Acosta Production Intern...... LaZerrick Travis EDUCATION & TOURS Prod./Sound Intern...... Jonathan Baker Director of Children’s Theatre...... Caroline Kaiser Stage Management Intern...... Sally Burgos Director of Education...... Christine Hopkins Stage Management Intern...... Rebecca Li Grady Education Administrator...... Pamela Smith Stage Management Intern...... Trixie Hong Teaching Artist/YPF Coordinator...... Adam Ratner Stage Management Intern...... Jennifer London Education & Outreach Associate...... Patrick A. Jackson Stage Management Intern...... Jynelly Rosario 941.366.9000 1241 North Palm Avenue • Downtown Sarasota, FL 34236 www.floridastudiotheatre.org • [email protected]