Mementos Mori Costume designbyMiekavanderPloeg Music andsounddesignbyKyleVegter

LOCATION: RUN TIME: DATES: #BAMNextWave Choreography bySarahFornace Manual Cinema Puppet designbyDrewDir Directed byJuliaMiller Created by Approx Ihr, 25mins BAM Fisher (Fishman Space) OCT 20at10pm OCT 18—21at7:30pm

Executive Producer Joseph V. Melillo, President Katy Clark, Vice ChairmanoftheBoard William I.Campbell, Chairman oftheBoard Adam E.Max, Brooklyn AcademyofMusic Season Sponsor: the JimHensonFoundation. Additional Supportprovidedby Foundation,The Shubert Inc. The SHSFoundation Foundation Trust The Francena T. Harrison provided by: fortheater atBAM Major support BAM Fisher Mementos Mori

Written by CAST Manual Cinema Artistic Directors: Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Julia Miller, Puppeteers Kyle Vegter, Ben Kauffman Lizi Breit (Laura), Linsey Falls (Mel), Diane Maire (Anna Francesca), Director Sara Sawicki (Lady), Julia Miller Sharaina Latrice Turnage (Marie)

Puppet Designer Musicians Drew Dir Deidre Huckabay (Flute, Vocals), Michael Hilger (Synthesizer, Guitar, Associate Puppet Designer Vocals), Alex Ellsworth (Cello), Lizi Breit Maren Celest (Vocals)

Original Music & Sound Designer Live SFX Kyle Vegter Maren Celest

Costume Designer MUSIC CREDITS Mieka van der Ploeg Make Yourself Comfortable Mask Designer Written by Bob Merrill Julia Miller Produced by Kyle Vegter Arranged and Performed by Choreographer Maren Celest, Michael Hilger, Sarah Fornace Alex Ellsworth, Deidre Huckabay

Stage Manager and Live Video Editor The Stars Will Lead Me to You Mariana Green Written by Ben Kauffman Produced by Kyle Vegter Production Manager Performed by Ben Kauffman, Mike Usrey Kyle Vegter, Michael Hilger, Deidre Huckabay, Alex Ellsworth Company Manager Shelby Glasgow

Sound Engineer Jonathan Schenke ABOUT Mementos Mori

Since 2010, Manual Cinema has been Creating any Manual Cinema show is creating works of live performance a complex process, and the scope of that combine handmade shadow Mementos Mori’s story posed particular puppetry, cinematic techniques, and challenges. Mementos Mori uses close innovative sound and music to tell to 500 different shadow puppets and immersive stories. Using vintage slides over the course of the show. overhead projectors, multiple screens, Since there is little to no dialogue, puppets, actors, live feed cameras, nearly every second of the performance multi-channel sound design, and a live is sound designed and scored with music ensemble, Manual Cinema seeks original music. In the beginning stages, to transform the experience of attending Manual Cinema’s creation process looks the cinema, imbuing it with aliveness, similar to that of an animated film—the ingenuity, and theatricality. story is rendered into storyboards, and simple animatics are created for the The story of Mementos Mori was composers to begin scoring. A “demo” written collaboratively by the five version of the show is cut together artistic directors of Manual Cinema, like the first cut of a film. Once actors, who were interested in creating a piece puppeteers, and musicians are added responding to how modern technology— to the mix, the process transforms into particularly smartphones and social a theatrical production, as the artists media—has shifted our relationship explore how to execute the complex with presence and absence, death choreography and intricate sound world and dying. The idea was for the piece in a live context. to follow multiple characters whose stories would unfold this theme in Screens are ubiquitous in our everyday different ways, and that one of these lives, but in Manual Cinema the characters would be Death herself. imagery of the screen is the product After development workshops at the of live humans executing physical tasks University of and the Almanack with virtuosity in real time in the same Arts Colony, Mementos Mori received space as the audience. The aim of any its world premiere at the Museum of Manual Cinema show is to take the Contemporary Art Chicago in 2015. visual and sonic vocabulary of film and Since then, it has toured nationally television—a vocabulary that, growing and internationally, including at the up saturated by media, we all share— Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival in and use it to explore themes and stories the Netherlands. As Manual Cinema that are weird, powerful, human, frequently does, it returned to the piece and theatrical. in 2017 to revise, refine, and update the storytelling. Opera (Brussels), Hubbard Street Dance (Chicago), Pop-Up Magazine (SF), Nu Deco Ensemble (Miami), New York Times best-selling author Reif Larsen Who’s (NYC), and three-time Grammy Award- winning eighth blackbird (Chicago).

In 2017, the company will have debuts Who in Australia, France, and Germany, and will return to the Edinburgh Fringe with Manual Cinema Lula del Ray.

Manual Cinema is a performance collective, design studio, and film/ video production company founded in Puppeteers 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter. LIZI BREIT Manual Cinema combines handmade Laura, Associate Designer shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to Lizi Breit is a Chicago-based artist create immersive stories for stage working primarily in illustration, and screen. Using vintage overhead animation, sculpture, and performance. projectors, multiple screens, puppets, She has been working with Manual actors, live feed cameras, multi- Cinema since 2011 and is currently channel sound design, and a live music serving as associate designer. She is an ensemble, Manual Cinema transforms artistic associate with the Neo-Futurists the experience of attending the cinema and a former member of Blair Thomas and imbues it with aliveness, ingenuity, & Co. lizibreit.com. and theatricality.

Manual Cinema has been presented LINSEY FALLS by, worked in collaboration with, or Mel brought its work to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), BAM, Museum Linsey Falls is pleased as punch to be of Contemporary Art Chicago, Kennedy mixing it up with Manual Cinema again! Center (DC), Under the Radar Festival His past Chicago productions include (NYC), La Monnaie-DeMunt (Brussels), Manual Cinema’s The Magic City; the Noorderzon Festival (Netherlands), weekly show That’s Weird, Grandma Kimmel Center (DC) The O, Miami (Barrel of Monkeys); Lyle Finds His Poetry Festival, Tehran International Mother and The One and Only Ivan Puppet Festival (Iran), Davies (); Fight City, Hotel Aph- Symphony Hall (SF), Ace Hotel Theater rodite, and Namosaur (The Factory The- (LA), and elsewhere around the world. ater); Slaughter City, Drumming in the They have collaborated with StoryCorps Night, and Debris of the Prophet (Prop (NYC), Erratica (London), Belgian Royal Thtr); A Summer’s Day and Blue Planet Photo: Marc Perlish (Akvavit Theatre); The Sign of the Four credits include H20 (Off Broadway with and Frankenstein (City Lit Theatre); Ground Up Productions and regionally Ghosts of Treasure Island (Adventure with the Contemporary American Stages Chicago); Henry V (Promethean Theatre Festival); Sense and Sensibility Theatre Ensemble); Lolita de Lares (Repertory Theatre St. Louis, Actors (Urban Theater); and The Black Slot Theatre of Louisville, and Chicago’s (AstonRep Theater Company). Northlight Theatre); as well as work with the Long Wharf, Michigan Opera Theater, and . KASEY FOSTER Chicago credits include productions Lady (understudy) with First Folio Shakespeare, The Gift, Remy Bumppo, Dog & Pony, Redmoon, Kasey Foster has been performing, The Actors’ Gymnasium, Light Opera producing, and directing in Chicago Works, and TASK Clown Theatre. She is since 2004. She recently returned a graduate of Northwestern University from a tour with Lookingglass Theatre and a proud member of Actors’ Equity. (Moby Dick), where she is now an artistic associate. Foster has appeared regionally at South Coast Rep (CA), SARA SAWICKI Arena Stage (DC), The Alliance (GA), Lady Berkeley Rep (CA), and most recently in Chicago with Lookingglass’ Treasure Sara Sawicki is a Chicago-based Island and Manual Cinema’s Mementos theater artist. In addition to touring with Mori. Foster is represented by Gray Manual Cinema, she works nationally Talent Group. She sings with the with the Center for Performance and Chicago bands Grood, Babe-alon 5, Old Civic Practice. Other recent projects Timey, and This Must Be the Band. She include work with NetherRealm Studios has directed/choreographed over 30 (Harley Quinn & Cheetah, cinematic original works, and produces an annual performance capture on Injustice 2); series called Dance Tribute. Thanks to Actors Gymnasium (youth circus co- you for supporting the arts. They make director and writer); one step at a time everything better. like this in collaboration with Chicago Shakespeare Theater (performer); For Youth Inquiry (company member, DIANE MAIR director, performer, teaching artist); Anna Francesca and Sojourn Theatre (associate artist, performer, director). Diane Mair is a Chicago-based actress, circus artist, and puppeteer. Her past productions with Manual Cinema SHARAINA LATRICE TURNAGE include Mementos Mori, My Soul’s Marie Shadow, Radio Cinema (in collaboration with Third Coast Audio Festival), and Sharaina Latrice Turnage is from the Monday or Tuesday (performed with the southside of Chicago. She is making her Chicago Symphony Orchestra). Other debut at Manual Cinema and couldn’t be more thrilled to work with such an amazing company. Turnage received ALEX ELLSWORTH her BA from Southern University Cello Edwardsville where past credits include Mayme (Intimate Apparel), LaWanda/ Alex Ellsworth is active in a wide range Topsy Washington/Normal Jean (The of genres including contemporary and Colored Museum), and Bernice (Servy traditional classical, rock, and chamber N Bernice 4ever). Other recent credits pop, experimental performance art, include Los Milagros (Free Street The- and anything else he can get his hands ater) and Grey Area (FYI). Turnage has on. His eclectic musical experience researched and performed the histori- has included performances at the cal theatrical work originally done by Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, slaves Du Theater in Suriname, South Symphony Center in Chicago, and America, and was one of the first actors at the International Musikinstitut in to perform Du Theater in the US. She Darmstadt, Germany. Ellsworth is a thanks her family and close friends for cellist with Civic Orchestra of Chicago, their constant support. “The greatest music director of the children’s pleasure in life is DOING what people orchestral program M.U.S.I.C. Inc., and say you CANNOT do.” a founding member of the contemporary performance ensemble Mocrep.

Musicians MICHAEL HILGER Guitar, Synthesizer, Vocals, Company MAREN CELEST Member SFX, Vocals, Company Member Michael Hilger is a composer, sound Maren Celest is a multimedia artist, designer, and multi-instrumentalist burrito lover, and vagabond collaborator. based in Chicago. His sound design and Originally from middle-of-nowhere, composition credits include Redmoon Michigan, she attended school in Theater’s 2012 Youth Spectacle, London, has lived in Oakland, CA and Manual Cinema’s Show & Tell, the short Chicago, IL, released two full-length filmKEPT by Kacey Meyer, Amygdala albums and a 7” EP. She has had her Rest by Erasing the Distance, and photographs published internationally Mariko’s Magical Mix, a collaboration (Levi’s, CZE Magazine, Hope & between Hubbard Street Dance and Anchor’s Paris Exhibit, Firehouse Manual Cinema. He has produced Collective Exhibit, among others), two EPs with THIN HYMNS, a group nurtures an ongoing solo project, and he founded and fronts. He is currently is working towards combining her working on new music and performing passions in motion pictures. solo under the name Michael Albert.

DEIDRE HUCKABAY SARAH FORNACE Flute, Vocals Co-Artistic Director, Choreographer

Deidre Huckabay is a Chicago-based Sarah Fornace is a director, puppeteer, performer, writer, photographer, and choreographer, and narrative designer event producer. She is a flutist and based in Chicago. She is a co-artistic has toured Europe, Latin America, director of Manual Cinema. Outside of and the US. She performs with the Manual Cinema, Fornace has worked Eastman BroadBand and Manual as a performer or choreographer with Cinema, and has recorded for Urtext Redmoon Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre and Bridge Records. Huckabay is Company, , Steppenwolf co-owner of the classical cassette tape Garage, and Blair Thomas and Co. Most label Parlour Tapes+. Originally from recently, she wrote the story mode for west Texas, she holds degrees from the video game Rivals of Aether. In the Eastman School of Music and 2017, she directed and edited the first Duquesne University. episode of the web series, The Doula is IN. In 2016, she directed and devised an “animotion” production of Shake- Creative Team & Staff speare’s Hamlet with Rokoko Studios for HamletScen at Kromborg Castle in DREW DIR Elsinore, Denmark. Co-Artistic Director, Puppet Designer

Drew Dir has worked as a puppeteer, MARIANA GREEN playwright, dramaturg, and director in Stage Manager, Live Video Editor Chicago and London. Most recently, his short play The Lurker Radio Hour was Mariana Green is a Chicago-based voted best production at Collaborac- teaching artist and freelance stage tion’s Sketchbook 8 at the Steppenwolf and production manager. She works Garage; his Sketchbook plays have been with performance companies For called “daring” by the Youth Inquiry (FYI) and Erasing the and “ballsy” by Time Out Chicago. He Distance (where she is also a company holds an MA in text and performance member), that provide access to studies from King’s College London and mental and sexual health. She is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. also company member of Barrel of Currently, Dir is resident dramaturg at Monkeys, where she performs and Court Theatre and a lecturer in theater teaches writing and performance to and performance studies at the Univer- young people throughout the Chicago sity of Chicago. public schools. A founding member of the performance collective FEMelanin and proud bi-racial queer person, she also devises theatrical experiences that lift up and spark dialogue among the voices of the oppressed.

BEN KAUFFMAN MIKE USREY Co-Artistic Director Production Manager

Ben Kauffman is a composer, director, Mike Usrey has mixed sound in around interactive media artist, and co-artistic a hundred venues worldwide, from director of Manual Cinema. His work large outdoor festivals to theaters and has been shown at the Jay Pritzker clubs. He toured internationally for Pavilion (Chicago), Peggy Notebaert three years with the band Dark Dark Nature Museum (Chicago), and Dark (Minneapolis, MN) as front of CUNY’s Baruch College (NYC). He house engineer. He has also toured has lectured and given workshops at with the bands Pillars and Tongues the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New (Chicago, IL), A Hawk and a Hacksaw York University, and Parsons The New (Albuquerque, NM), Royal Canoe School of Design. His past composer/ (Winnipeg, MB Canada), and Pattern is sound designer credits with Manual Movement (Philadelphia, PA). He has Cinema include Lula del Ray, Ada/Ava, been the front of house sound engineer and The New York Times documentary for Manual Cinema since 2014 The Forger. He holds a master’s degree from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP). MIEKA VAN DER PLOEG Costume Designer JULIA MILLER Co-Artistic Director, Director Mieka van der Ploeg has designed costumes for many Chicago theaters, Julia Miller specializes in the tactile including Lookingglass Theatre, Chicago and movement arts. She is a direc- Shakespeare Theater, The Hypocrites, tor, puppeteer, and puppet designer. Chicago Children’s Theatre, About Face Manual Cinema provides her with Theatre, The House Theatre, Next The- an outlet for many artistic impulses, atre, Griffin Theatre, The Building Stage, including but not limited to breathing Albany Park Theater Project, Dog and life into the inanimate, making delicate Pony Theatre, and Manual Cinema. She small things, and telling stories without is proud to be an artistic associate at words. She holds a BFA in theater arts About Face Theatre. She has received from Boston University and has studied two Jeff Award nominations for Golden mask, clown, and devised theater under Boy (Griffin Theater) andMr. Burns Teatro Punto, Familie Flöz, and Double (co-designed with Mara Blumenfeld, Edge Theatre. Theater Wit).

KYLE VEGTER Additional Credits & MEMBER Co-Artistic Director, Original Music & Special Thanks Sound Designer Mementos Mori was developed in Kyle Vegter is a composer, sound 1 2 3 4 5 part at the Almanack Arts Colony on designer, theater artist, and managing Nantucket, MA, the Summer Inc. Resi- artistic director of Manual Cinema. As 3 dencies with Theater and Performance a composer he’s been commissioned Studies at The University of Chicago, by such groups as TIGUE, The Chicago and the National Museum of Health and Symphony Orchestra’s MusicNOW Medicine Chicago. series, the Chicago Composer’s Orchestra, and Homeroom Chicago. Manual Cinema would like to thank: His music production credits span The Almanack Arts Colony, The Atlantic genres, and include recent releases Foundation, The National Museum of by Thin Hymns, Spektral Quartet, Tim Health and Medicine Chicago, Caitlin Munro (of eighth blackbird), and Color Doughty, The University of Chicago, Card. His past composer/sound designer Laura Colby, and the entire Elsie Man- credits with Manual Cinema include agement team. Lula del Ray, Ada/Ava, FJORDS, Memenots Mori, My Soul’s Shadow, and various other performance and video projects. He has been an artist in residence at High Concept Laboratories and co-founded Chicago’s only contemporary classical music cassette label Parlour Tapes+. Your Be first license to with advance access to tickets

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