SAN FRANCISCO’S PREMIER NONPROFIT THEATER JANUARY 2020 JANUARY

SEASON 53 ISSUE 4 January 2020 | Volume 18, No. 4

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2 ACT-SF.ORG SAN FRANCISCO'S THEATER COMPANY

American Conservatory Theater is a Tony Award–winning and performing on our mainstage and around the Bay Area, as theater and educational institution dedicated to cultivating well as on stages and screens nationwide. the art of live theater through our dynamic productions, A key part of A.C.T.’s dedication to lifelong learning is our intensive actor training in our Conservatory, and an ongoing Education & Community Programs team, led by Juan Manzo. engagement with our community. Under the leadership These programs include our Young Conservatory (students of Tony and –winning Artistic Director Pam ages 8–19), our Fellowship Program for emerging theater MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein, we professionals, and our ACTsmart school and community embrace our responsibility to refresh, renew, and reinvent programs, featuring the Student Matinee (SMAT) program, the rich theatrical traditions and literatures that are our our touring Will on Wheels Shakespeare productions, collective legacy, while exploring new artistic forms and teaching-artist residences, and workshops at schools and communities. Since opening our first San Francisco season community-based organizations. Every year, these programs in 1967, A.C.T. has presented more than 400 productions to a provide nearly 20,000 young people and educators from combined audience of more than seven million people. Today, around the Bay Area with opportunities to experience the A.C.T.’s performance, education, and outreach programs transformative potential of dramatic storytelling; develop reach almost 250,000 people in the Bay Area each year. creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative spirit; and A.C.T.’s Conservatory, led by Melissa Smith, is a three-year, foster the artists and audiences of the future. fully accredited Master of Fine Arts Program consistently Now in their second season at the helm, Pam MacKinnon rated as one of America’s top actor-training programs. Our and Jennifer Bielstein continue their commitment to the Summer Training Congress attracts students from around development of new work and new artists and the creation the world, the San Francisco Semester offers a unique, of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for our immersive training opportunity for undergraduates, and employees, students, audiences, and artists. Through this Studio A.C.T. helps adults get in touch with their inner artist commitment, we aim to impact lives, build community, and through part-time, professional-caliber classes. Our alumni train artists who will secure and change the future of theater are working theater-makers, writing, directing, producing, for San Francisco and the world.

American Conservatory Theater Board of Trustees (As of October 2019) The Board of Directors of the MFA Program David Riemer Jennifer Bielstein Lori Halverson Schryer Chair Ralph A. Clark Patrick S. Thompson Patrick S. Thompson Kay Yun Lesley Ann Clement Joaquin Torres Chair President Patrick Devlin Jeffrey W. Ubben Jerome L. Dodson Jay Yamada Kirke M. Hasson Norman Abramson Olympia Dukakis Nola Yee Immediate Past Chair Sara Barnes Jesse Lee Eller Carlotta Dathe Celeste Ford Rod Ferguson Emeritus Advisory Board Frannie Fleishhacker Vice Chair Frannie Fleishhacker Barbara Bass Bakar Dianne Hoge Priscilla Geeslin Ken Fulk Rena Bransten Christopher Hollenbeck Vice Chair Patti Hart Jack Cortis Luba Kipnis Robina Riccitiello Dianne Hoge Joan Danforth Linda Kurtz Vice Chair Jo S. Hurley Dagmar Dolby Jennifer Lindsay William Draper III Steven L. Swig David L. Jones Toni Ratner Miller John Goldman Vice Chair Jascha Kaykas-Wolff Mary Ann Munro James H. Levy Kaatri Grigg Linda Jo Fitz Joseph Ratner Heather Stallings Little James Haire Treasurer Toni Rembe Pam MacKinnon Kent Harvey Abby Sadin Schnair Adriana López Vermut Rodman Marymor Sue Yung Li Lori Halverson Schryer Secretary Katherine McGee Christine Mattison Anne Shonk Jeffrey S. Minick Joan McGrath In Memoriam Melissa Smith Gerine Ongkeko Deedee McMurtry Nancy Livingston Toni Rembe Mary S. Metz Chair Emerita Michael Richter Cherie Sorokin Rusty Rueff Barry Lawson Williams Abby Sadin Schnair Carlie Wilmans

American Conservatory Theater was founded in 1965 by William Ball. Edward Hastings, Artistic Director 1986–92. Carey Perloff,Artistic Director 1992–2018. @ACTSanFrancisco 3 2019/20 DON’T JUST SIT THERE . . . SEASON

BIKE TO THE THEATER NIGHT THURSDAY, FEB 13 AT 6:30 P.M. Have your bicycle valet parked by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition beginning one hour before curtain (please bring your own lock).

DRINKS + DRAMA FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEB 14 AT 6 P.M. An evening of drinks, popup food, and low-priced tickets to the performance. Admission ($15 advance purchase/$20 at the door) will include one drink voucher and an orchestra seat to see the show.

KDFC PROLOGUE TUESDAY, FEB 25 AT 5:30 P.M. Before the curtain goes up, get insight into the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff, sponsored by KDFC Radio.

THEATER ON THE COUCH* FRIDAY, FEB 28 AT 7:30 P.M. Join us after the show to discuss the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters with a psychiatrist from San Francisco’s Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

WINE NIGHT TUESDAY, MAR 3 AT 6:30 P.M. Meet fellow theatergoers at this hosted wine-tasting event.

PRIDE NIGHT WEDNESDAY, MAR 4 AT 6:30 P.M. Join us before the show for drinks and mingling with fellow theatergoers in the LGBTQ+ community. Then stick around after the show when the party really gets started, with specialty drinks, local DJs, pop-ups, special guests, photo ops, and more!

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE* TUESDAY, MAR 10 AT 7 P.M. SUNDAY, MAR 15 AT 2 P.M. WEDNESDAY, MAR 18 AT 2 P.M. Learn firsthand what goes into the Scalpel-sharp making of great theater. After the show, join us for a lively chat with the dark comedy from actors, designers, and artists who MacArthur “Genius” winner develop the work onstage. PLAYTIME Branden Jacobs-Jenkins SATURDAY, MAR 21 AT 12 P.M. Get hands-on with theater at this Pulitzer Prize Finalist interactive preshow workshop. *Events take place immediately followingthe performance.

To learn more about our InterACT events, This production contains strong language, loud noises, gunshots on and off stage, violence, and mature themes. For additional context about this production, visit act-sf.org/gloria. visit act-sf.org/interact. PHOTO BY CHESHIRE ISAACS. BY PHOTO

WHAT’S INSIDE Tony Hale in the Geary Theater.

ONSTAGE NOW A.C.T. TODAY EDITOR SIMON HODGSON 7 LETTERS FROM THE ARTISTIC 19 WE DEDICATE THE 2019–20 AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ASSOCIATE EDITOR SEASON IN HONOR OF LIVIAN YEH NANCY LIVINGSTON 10 GATHERING IN THE DARK CONTRIBUTORS An Interview with Playwright 20 LIVING LANGUAGE JENNIFER BIELSTEIN By Joy Meads MFA Program Actors Collaborate HANNAH CLAGUE on New Work PAM MACKINNON JOY MEADS 11 HUMOR AND VULNERABILITY By Claire L. Wong CLAIRE L. WONG An Interview with Two-Time Emmy Award Winner Tony Hale 21 A ROCKY GOOD TIME By Simon Hodgson A.C.T.’s Fall Gala Raises Roof VOLUNTEER! and $900,000 for Artistic and A.C.T. volunteers provide an invaluable service 12 FINDING JOY IN THE SHADOWS Education Programs with their time, enthusiasm, and love of theater. An Interview with Director By A.C.T. Publications Staff Opportunities include helping out in our performing Anne Kauffman arts library and ushering in our theaters. By Hannah Clague act-sf.org/volunteer

TAKE A CLASS WITH A.C.T.’S CONSERVATORY PROGRAMS

LEARNLearn MORE more AT at ACT-SF.ORG/CONSERVATORY act-sf.org/conservatory.

@ACTSanFrancisco 5 2019/20 DON’T JUST SIT THERE . . . SEASON

They said she couldn't, so she did

BIKE TO THE THEATER NIGHT THURSDAY, MAR 5 AT 6:30 P.M. Have your bicycle valet parked by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition beginning one hour before curtain (please bring your own lock).

DRINKS + DRAMA FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAR 6 AT 6 P.M. An evening of drinks, popup food, and low-priced tickets to the performance. Admission ($15 advance purchase/$20 at the door) will include one drink voucher and an orchestra seat to see the show.

KDFC PROLOGUE TUESDAY, MAR 10 AT 6:30 P.M. Before the curtain goes up, get insight into the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff, sponsored by KDFC Radio.

SF GIANTS DAY TUESDAY, MAR 10 AT 5:30 P.M. The San Francisco Giants will be on site with some fun activities and a look ahead to the upcoming MLB season.

THEATER ON THE COUCH* FRIDAY, MAR 13 AT 7:30 P.M. Join us after the show to discuss the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters with a psychiatrist from San Francisco’s Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE* TUESDAY, MAR 17 AT 7 P.M. SUNDAY, MAR 22 AT 2 P.M. WEDNESDAY, MAR 25 AT 2 P.M. Learn firsthand what goes into the making of great theater. After the show, join us for a lively chat with the actors, designers, and artists who develop the work onstage.

PRIDE NIGHT WEDNESDAY, MAR 18 AT 6:30 P.M. Join us before the show for drinks and mingling with fellow theatergoers in the LGBTQ+ community. Then stick around after the show when the party really gets started, with specialty drinks, local DJs, pop-ups, special guests, photo ops, and more!

WINE SERIES TUESDAY, MAR 24 AT 6:30 P.M. Meet fellow theatergoers at this hosted wine-tasting event.

“Best New Play of 2019”—The Wall Street Journal PLAYTIME SATURDAY, MAR 28 AT 12 P.M. Get hands-on with theater at this Additional support provided interactive preshow workshop. by the Biller Family Foundation. *Events take place immediately following the performance.

To learn more about our InterACT events, visit act-sf.org/interact. FROM THE ARTISTIC + EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

WELCOME TO A.C.T.—I AM SO HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS! YOU ARE HERE. I’ve been looking forward to Wakey, Wakey since we first Wakey, Wakey is experimental in the broadest sense of announced our season. Variety described the New York the term. Playwright Will Eno activates intimate personal production as “a work of humor, humanity, and grace that events in every audience member’s head and heart that can makes you want to hug your lover, your neighbor and maybe then be shared communally. The theater is the gathering an usher on the way out.” What can be better than that!? place; you are about to step onto a ride. You are the character This production promises to be especially stimulating Guy’s primary scene partner, not just because he talks to as playwright Will Eno poses big questions. Will has also the audience but because he lays himself bare, searches for written a companion play especially for A.C.T.’s production. joy, recounts significant moments, and asks you do the same. This is such a unique opportunity for you, our audience, The play is an act of imagining, reminiscing, and stepping to be the first to see a piece of theater that’s been created toward the unknown—together. specifically for this cast, this theater, and this city. It is as present-tense a play as I have ever encountered. Since today’s performance will give you much to think As I read Will’s play for the first time, I thought of Our Town about and discuss, we want to provide the space to do so. (and Emily’s third-act return), I remembered Who’s Afraid Please stick around for a bit after the show and join us for of Virginia Woolf? (and Martha’s final confession), I gasped, light refreshments in our lobby spaces. We love to spark laughed, and teared up. I also thought immediately of Tony conversation and to hear what you think! Afterwards, carry Hale to play the everyman part of Guy. I’d seen Tony onstage on the conversation on social media: you can tag us on a few times, most recently in a 2002 New York revival of a Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using @ACTSanFrancisco Tina Howe play called Museum, a large-cast play with 42 and #ACTWakeyWakey. characters. Tony stood out as an actor with brilliant timing If the opening piece piques your interest in our MFA and infinite depth. A true clown, like a Bert Lahr—more students who perform four of the roles, there are more Beckett than Cowardly Lion—inconsolable yet funny. After chances this spring to see our students in action onstage. disappearing on me for a spell, Tony showed up on two Check out Christopher Chen’s Passage, featuring our third- brilliant, hard-to-define TV shows,Arrested Development year MFA class, running February 20–29 at the Strand and Veep. We had never met, but I reached out to him last Theater. We also have three shows, featuring our first- and year with this play, and it stuck. I am very grateful that he second-year students, running in repertory in May: Roberto is on our stage. This is a tightrope-walking role. I hope you Aguirre-Sacasa’s Rough Magic, Jen Silverman’s The Moors, fall in love not only with him but where he takes you. and Madhuri Shekar’s In Love and Warcraft. Learn more Also, please join each other for refreshments after. We are about all the MFA performances in the Conservatory section following the script, giving spaces to convene and celebrate a of our website, www.act-sf.org. character’s journey as well as your own. Like I said, this is no Finally, I draw your attention to the tribute to Nancy ordinary play; it’s a slice of life—written, designed, rehearsed, Livingston on page 19. Nancy has been a force at A.C.T. and and produced—and you (unrehearsed, undesigned) have a I’ve loved learning from her, learning about her story, learning big part to play too. about A.C.T.’s history, successes, and challenges. To quote Enjoy! Guy in Wakey, Wakey, “I thought I had more time.” We miss you, Nancy. Please hug those you care about. Thank you for being with us at A.C.T.

Pam MacKinnon, Tony Award winner and Artistic Director

Jennifer Bielstein, Executive Director

JENNIFER BIELSTEIN AND PAM MACKINNON

@ACTSanFrancisco 7 See all the latest hits on Broadway, right before the :

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? STARRING LAURIE METCALF & RUPERT EVERETT

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY FEATURING THE MUSIC OF BOB DYLAN

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY A LIMITED-ENGAGEMENT BROADWAY RUN

AMERICAN BUFFALO STARRING LAURENCE FISHBURNE, New York City SAM ROCKWELL, & DARREN CRISS THEATER TOUR | June 3–9, 2020 And, your choice of either: Your 7-day Broadway adventure with A.C.T. includes: COMPANY • Six-night stay at the boutique 414 Hotel, offering a full STARRING PATTI LUPONE & KATRINA LENK breakfast and charming amenities • Tickets to five of Broadway’s hottest productions or • Exclusive talkbacks and meet-and-greets with members of the New York theater community HADESTOWN • Welcome and farewell dinners WINNER OF 8 TONY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL • Walking tours • Happy hours and discussions with guest artists led by A.C.T. leadership Want even more great theater? Add on one or both of these exciting Cost shows! Double Occupancy: $4,950* per person Single Occupancy: $5,895* per person MOULIN ROUGE STARRING KAREN OLIVO, AARON TVEIT, & Sign up now! Space is limited. DANNY BURSTEIN Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions about the trip, or would like to register, please contact Sasha Habash at [email protected] or 415.439.2415. PLAZA SUITE STARRING MATTHEW BRODERICK & Visit www.act-sf.org/tours for more information. SARAH JESSICA PARKER *Includes a $300 tax-deductible donation to A.C.T. (Does not include airfare or ground transportation.) PAM JENNIFER MACKINNON BIELSTEIN Artistic Director Executive Director

CAST

DINAH BERKELEY** LEROY S. GRAHAM III** PRESENTS Jennifer Bobby

WAKEY, WAKEY TONY HALE* KATHRYN SMITH-MCGLYNN* Guy Ms. Forester, Lisa by WILL ENO

Directed by EMMA VAN LARE** JEFF WITTEKIEND** ANNE KAUFFMAN Marisol Jimmy

UNDERSTUDIES

TODD CERVERIS* LEROY S. GRAHAM III** SAM JACKSON* Guy Jimmy Ms. Forester, Lisa; Bobby; Jennifer; Marisol

THIS PRODUCTION MADE POSSIBLE BY STAGE MANAGEMENT

Executive Producers MEGAN MCCLINTOCK* ELISA GUTHERTZ* (1/23–2/2) GABRIELLE HARPER Christopher and Leslie Johnson Stage Manager AMANDA MARSHALL* (1/28–end of run) Stage Management Fellow Assistant Stage Managers Producers Sara Eisner Richter and Michael Richter CREATIVE TEAM

KIMIE NISHIKAWA RUSSELL H. CHAMPA LEAH GELPE Scenic Designer and Lighting Designer Sound Designer and Costume Designer Projections Designer

JOE GOODE CHRISTINE ADAIRE Choreographer Voice Coach

OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER

DANYON DAVIS JOY MEADS JANET FOSTER, CSA Movement Coach Dramaturg Casting Director

A.C.T. PRODUCING TEAM

ANDY CHAN DONALD LOUISA BALCH MARTIN BARRON Associate Artistic Director General Manager Director of Production World premiere originally produced by Signature Theatre, New York City. Paige Evans, Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director; James Houghton, Founder

Wakey, Wakey is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States Concord Theatricals Company. **Member of A.C.T.’s Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2020, appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

9 ONSTAGE NOW

we operate. You get startled when your prediction doesn’t match what you’re seeing. I’m reading a great book at the moment about science: Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything. He does amazing things with visual PHOTO COURTESY WILL ENO. WILL COURTESY PHOTO analogies. A very basic yeast cell has the same number of components as a Boeing 777 but is only 20 microns across. He also talks about how rare it is to get fossilized. Take all 206 bones of the human body and multiply by 300 million GATHERING IN THE DARK Americans. All those bones only add up to about a quarter of a fossilized skeleton. That’s the ratio of bone to fossil. When AN INTERVIEW WITH PLAYWRIGHT WILL ENO you think about what we know about the BY JOY MEADS creatures who lived, it’s amazing. There is a strange alchemy in Will In Wakey, Wakey, one of the concepts Eno’s plays that draws us away from the you explore is time: how time can Why do we as humans tell stories? be both your friend or your enemy. anxious, racing world outside and into That’s one of the great mysteries a quiet communion with one another I don’t have anything super smart of theater: why we gather together and those solid, undeniable realities to say about time except that, at 54 to tell stories. It’s funny—the that connect us. Almost imperceptibly, years old, I love it. I understand it (a simpler a question, the harder it is he makes us more conscious of the bit), certainly more than I did when I to answer. “Safety” just popped into world and more connected to those was a kid. It’s what lets things happen. my head. And that makes me think of around us. We are grateful we have the I am constantly doing the math to danger. To safely participate in some opportunity to share this play with you. think, “What would be a good age for danger together with others seems my daughter to be when I die?” I’m evolutionarily beneficial. And also in a How does it feel to be back at the Geary? hoping I make it to 93 and she’d be in fun, Halloween-y way, it’s pleasurable It feels great. The Geary is two very her forties. I understand that’s plain to be at risk, either through identifying different things. There’s the grandness. greedy given the national average, with the character and the story you’re And there’s the part below the stage, but I had a grandmother who lived seeing, or by having some particular where I talked about minor league to 103. I certainly hope to live long drama that you’re in the middle of baseball with the guy who runs the enough that I’ll get back to raging rise up in you while you’re watching. stage door. When I think about Wakey, at time and seeing it as incredibly Researchers have found that people’s Wakey, it fits both sides of this space. unfair. Short answer: I’m all for it. heart rates synch as they watch

This play, I hope, makes spaces for Whether it’s time or how we talk, one of theater. It might just be a function us to sit with one another in the the things I love about your plays is they of being together. There’s a human experience of larger, maybe scary or take me out of my habits, my routine— to your right and a human to your sad things. This juxtaposition of the and invite me to see things afresh. left. The cues are alive and changing. human and truthful and grounded That’s something plays can do—disrupt Being in a theater feels like being with the Geary is kind of epic. the forecast and prediction on which out in the jungle in the dark. n

10 ACT-SF.ORG HUMOR AND VULNERABILITY AN INTERVIEW WITH TWO-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNER TONY HALE BY SIMON HODGSON

For Tony Hale, performing began with gratification. You can feel Wakey, Wakey brings up a lot of theater. Long before all the television something’s working, especially ideas about being present, about shows and the , before with comedy. There’s an intimacy contentment, about life. This play lobs Toy Story 4 or the new series on Netflix, with theater that you can’t get with those questions out to the audience, he was just a seventh-grade kid, newly TV and film. It’s very personal. and in those silent periods when arrived in Tallahassee, Florida. “I was they’re just watching or experiencing, not a sports kid and my parents didn’t Have you worked in the Bay Area before? gives them a space to think. Theater know what to do with me,” recalls Hale. I did a character on Toy Story 4 for naturally brings people together of “By the grace of God, there was this Pixar and we recorded in Emeryville. all different beliefs and backgrounds. children’s theater nearby, Young Actors Having lived in New York, there’s a And for all those people to experience Theater, and my parents signed me up. similar energy in San Francisco. My the same feelings and moments in the It was a space to be silly and stupid, to be wife and I love this city so much. same space is unique. To be in a large free to discover, and to find what I love group for an hour and a half—almost to do.” Thirty-some years later, Hale is What do you want the Geary audience like a Quaker church—is a communal back onstage. Before rehearsals kicked to take away from this? group experience, especially with the off at A.C.T., Hale spoke with us about What if I said, “Nothing”? [Chuckles] play Will has written. his excitement at returning to theater. No, seriously, I’m working on this Netflix cartoon series right now How important to you is community? What does theater give you that’s different from television and film? based on a children’s book I wrote, The way you treat people is Archibald’s Next Big Thing. Archibald everything. Granted, I’m a work in I hope it doesn’t give me a panic attack. is a very positive chicken who sees the progress. [Laughs] But when you [Laughs] I haven’t done theater in a best in everyone and every situation. give of yourself, when you really love really long time but I’m looking forward I hope that people who read that book people, man, the fruit that you get. to tapping into those butterflies. After a feel joy and feel encouraged. And I The influence that you can have in lot of therapy, I’ve learned to take those feel exactly the same with Wakey, people’s lives, people that feel unseen, feelings that used to be dread or anxiety, Wakey. I hope that Bay Area audiences people that feel unconnected. When and redefine them as excitement and walk away feeling encouraged. you can connect, that’s the biggest a part of the artistic process. So rather gift you can give somebody. n than being afraid, I’m going to embrace those jitters and use that energy.

What is it about this play and this playwright which attracts you? Gosh! There are a lot of things. One is the way that Will Eno both comedically and sincerely puts out incredible deep thoughts—things that everybody is thinking about but we’re afraid to voice—mixed in with humor and vulnerability. And it’s done in a really safe, funny, truthful way.

What does the audience give you as a performer? Oh, man. You can feel connected. There’s an energy that is immediate PHOTO BY CHESHIRE ISAACS.

@ACTSanFrancisco 11 ONSTAGE NOW PHOTO BY TESS MAYER.

FINDING JOY IN THE SHADOWS AN INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR ANNE KAUFFMAN

BY HANNAH CLAGUE

“The world is a complicated place,” says Anne Kauffman, “and directing theater is my way of facing that.” In two decades working in the American theater, the New York– based director has been unafraid to tackle weighty subjects. In addition to her work on and off Broadway, the Obie Award–winning Kauffman directedHundred Days at Z Space in 2014, another exploration of humanity. She is no stranger to A.C.T., leading an MFA Program production of Steve Gooch’s uncompromising drama Female Transport in 2005. During Kauffman’s fall visit to San Francisco for a workshop with Will Eno, we sat down with the director to learn more about her production of Wakey, Wakey.

12 ACT-SF.ORG What excites you about Wakey, Wakey? What elements did you work on You’ve worked all around the Bay together during the workshop? Area. How do you think Wakey, Wakey It’s so different from other plays I’ve will land with the Geary audience? directed. It is a great experiment—it’s We were testing tone. Will is tricky It’s hard to know how this play will not a play how we understand plays. tonally, so we were thinking, “What is land with audiences who are used to Growing up in the theater, we’re the touch that we want, how heavy- coming to A.C.T. to see your typical all taught the Aristotelian way of handed should we be?” It was fun theater plays, but that’s what I love looking at plays: there’s a beginning, to play with the actors and explore about Wakey, Wakey. What I really middle, and end. It’s this beautiful different approaches. Will’s style is no enjoy about Will as a writer is that arc and all the moments of the play frills. It’s the language, rather than the he’s using everyday things in ways add up to one thing. Real life is not design, which articulates the world. we’re not used to. He’s using a banana shaped that way, and neither is Directing this play is about getting out as a phone. He places objects next to Wakey, Wakey. It’s messing with the of the way of Eno’s language, rather each other that don’t seem to belong arc. I think of it as a conversation than prescribing what it means—you together, but then you realize they do with the audience. It really makes have to tread lightly on his words. For belong together. He’s an observer of you ask, “What is this piece?” That’s example, if I say “I’m sad,” and then the world in an uncanny way and he what I love about it. I predict that act like I’m sad at the same time, it helps us reach that understanding too. Wakey, Wakey is a play that will make sinks the line. It’s much more moving when there’s dissonance between me never want to leave the theater. What do you want people to take the language and the way it’s acted, away from Wakey, Wakey? You’ve known Will Eno for many when there’s an unknowingness. years. How are you both working to I want the audience to fall in love with prepare the audience for this new What do you think of the way in this character and to never want him kind of theatrical experience? which Will tackles the complexity to go away. I want them to be very Will had the desire to make a piece of the world in his plays? sad if something bad were to happen that came before the main event, and The darkness in Will’s plays to him. I want them to be comforted somehow got us into the mindset is so interesting because it’s by his lack of understanding of the for Wakey, Wakey. We were tossing without the cynicism of other world, because they feel that way too. I a few things around, and one thing playwrights like Samuel Beckett. want them to be able to laugh and feel that we were interested in was Even though there’s edge to Will’s superior to him, and then watch as he the woman who appears for a brief work, there is also curiosity. He’s subverts that superiority and pulls the moment of time in Wakey, Wakey. She truly interested in beauty. He’s rug out from underneath them. But appears at an important place in the interested in revealing the world what I really want is for them to hope piece, and so it felt significant that as irony rather than devastation. they never have to leave the theater. n we meet her in a different context. There’s some fun to be had with the From there, we developed this idea darkness, something optimistic. into the first part of the show, which He finds joy in the shadows. became the companion play. AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER 19/20 SEASON VOL. XXVI, NO. 3

WAKEY, WAKEY

Want to know more about Wakey, Wakey? Words on Plays is full of interviews and original articles that give you a behind-the-scenes look. Proceeds from sales of Words on Plays benefit A.C.T.’s education programs.

Available in the lobby and online at act-sf.org/wordsonplays.

@ACTSanFrancisco 13 WHO’S WHO IN WAKEY, WAKEY

DINAH TONY HALE* University, a BA in theater BERKELEY** (Guy) started his and drama from University of (Jennifer) is career playing Michigan, and an MPA in policy excited to be back Buster Bluth on the analysis from Baruch College. on the Geary stage groundbreaking kathrynsmithmcglynn.com for Wakey, series Arrested EMMA VAN Wakey. She was Development and LARE** most recently seen has since garnered (Marisol) in A Christmas Carol, directed by two Emmy Awards for his work playing is Peter J. Kuo and Pam MacKinnon. Gary Walsh on the HBO hit Veep. Some excited to return to Other works include: Elinor in Kate of his other credits include A Series of the Geary stage Hamill’s hilarious adaptation of Sense Unfortunate Events; The Informant!; after her debut in A and Sensibility, directed by Pirronne Stranger Than Fiction; Love, Simon; Christmas Carol. Yousefzadeh; Ti Jean and His The Heat; Happythankyoumoreplease; This summer she Brothers and A Midsummer Night’s and voicing Forky in the new movie made her professional debut as Dream, both directed by Dawn Toy Story 4. His children’s book, Hamida in the world premiere of Monique Williams; and the Archibald’s Next Big Thing, premiered Madhuri Shekar’s House of Joy at world premiere of The Providence of as an animated series on Netflix this California Shakespeare Theater, Neighboring Bodies with Dutch Kills past fall. directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. Theater Company at . She’ll She is a third-year student in A.C.T.’s be graduating from A.C.T.’s MFA KATHRYN MFA Program. Her Conservatory SMITH- Program this May. Love and gratitude credits include Ti Jean and His MCGLYNN* to the entire cast, crew, Will, and Brothers, Medea, A Midsummer (Ms. Forester, Anne for this experience. (she/her, Night’s Dream, and The School for Lisa) has they/them) dinahberkeley.com Scandal. emmavanlare.com performed on stages LEROY S. throughout the Bay JEFF GRAHAM III** Area, including B WITTEKIEND** (Jimmy) (Bobby) is a Street Theatre at The Sofia (Holmes is third-year Master and Watson), Capital Stage Company grateful to return of Fine Arts (Sweat), San Jose Stage Company to the Geary stage. student at A.C.T. (Disgraced), and Marin Shakespeare His regional and was most Company (A Midsummer Night’s credits include recently at the Dream, Pericles, Love’s Labours Lost, Who Am I This Geary in A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol as and Twelfth Night). Additional regional Time? and Hope and Gravity at Circle Fred. In addition to working with credits include The Trojan Women Theatre, The Heir Apparent and co-director Peter J. Kuo on A (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and Bedroom Farce at Stage West Theatre, Christmas Carol, Graham first worked The People’s Temple (Perseverance Susan and God at Theatre Three, The under Kuo’s direction playing Lennie Theatre Company). Film credits Heiress at ICT MainStage, and The Small in Of Mice and Men in A.C.T.’s include the upcoming feature filmThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer at Skyfest. Past MFA Program credits Surrogate (2020 release), Maze WaterTower Theatre (all Dallas/Fort include A Lyrical Hip Hop , Runner: The Scorch Trials, and The Worth). He previously appeared in directed by Ryan Nicole Peters, and Best Man. Her television credits A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol. the role of Gros Jean in Ti Jean and include the upcoming series Deputy Wittekiend received a BA from Baylor His Brothers, directed by Dawn (FOX), Better Call Saul (AMC), Grey’s University and is currently in his final Monique Williams. With the world at Anatomy (ABC), Friday Night Lights year of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts his fingertips, Graham is looking (NBC), Scoundrels (ABC), In Plain Program. He would like to thank forward to what the future holds after Sight (USA), The Deep End (ABC), Maria, Robbie, Effie, and Buddy for graduating from A.C.T.’s MFA Hysteria (Amazon), and The Lying always being in his corner. (he/him) Program. (he/him) Game (ABC). Smith-McGlynn holds an @le_roi_troisieme MFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon

14 ACT-SF.ORG TODD WILL ENO (Playwright) is a KIMIE NISHIKAWA (Scenic CERVERIS* theater-maker whose recent plays Designer and Costume (Understudy) is The Underlying Chris and The Plot Designer) is a Japanese scenic a new member of premiered in 2019 at Second Stage designer based in New York. This is the Bay Area Theater and Yale Repertory her A.C.T. debut. Recent New York, off- theater Theatre, respectively. The Realistic Broadway credits include Ain’t No Mo’ community. His Joneses (Broadway) won a 2014 Drama (The Public Theater), The Light (MCC recent television Desk Award and was named USA Theater), and Dr. Ride’s American credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Today’s “Best Play on Broadway.” Beach House (Ars Nova). Her work Maisel, Homeland, and Madam The French premiere, Juste Les has also been seen at the Playwrights Secretary. Stage credits include the Jones, will be directed for the Paris Realm, Clubbed Thumb, National Broadway productions of South Pacific stage by documentary filmmaker Asian-American Theater Company, and Twentieth Century; the world Frederick Wiseman. The Open Classic Stage Company, JACK, and premieres of Southern Comfort, The House (Signature Theater) won a Dixon Place. Regionally, her work Great Immensity, Yours Unfaithfully, 2014 Obie Award, the Lucille Lortel has been seen at McCarter Theatre and Almost, Maine; the national tours Award for Outstanding Play, and a Center, Kansas City Repertory of War Horse, Twelve Angry Men, and Drama Desk Award, and was one Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Spring Awakening; and productions at of Time Magazine’s Top 10 Plays of Long Wharf Theatre, Marin Theatre regional theaters across the country. the Year. He wrote the book for the Company, Portland Center Stage at He is also a writer; his solo play Let Me award-winning Skittles Commercial: The Armory, and Weston Playhouse Spell It Out For You was awarded Best The Broadway Musical. He lives in Theatre Company. Her upcoming Storytelling Play at the United Solo Brooklyn with his wife Maria Dizzia work includes The Headlands by Theatre Festival and The Booth and their daughter Albertine. Christopher Chen at LCT3 and Variations (co-author) was a Fringe Gnit by Will Eno at Theater for a New First nominee at the Edinburgh ANNE KAUFFMAN (Director) Audience. She holds an MFA from Festival Fringe. (he/him) is a New York–based freelance ’s Tisch School of director. She is the artistic director the Arts. kimienishikawa-design.com SAM JACKSON* of ’s Encores! (Understudy) is Off-Center. Her recent credits RUSSELL H. CHAMPA (Lighting a San Francisco– include Fire in my mouth (New Designer) previously designed at based actor, York Philharmonic), Hundred Days A.C.T. for The Hard Problem (2016), vocalist, and (New York Theatre Workshop, The The Unfortunates (2016), Let There Be teaching artist in Public Theater’s Under the Radar Love (2015), Maple and Vine (2012), her first run with Festival, ), The Blackbird (2007), and Waiting for A.C.T. Her most Lucky Ones (Ars Nova), Mary Jane Godot (2003). His current and recent recent acting credits include Shotgun (NYTW, ), and projects include Becky Nurse of Salem Players’ Vinegar Tom (Ellen), Aurora A Life (). She (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), About Theatre Company’s Exit Strategy is a resident director at Roundabout Alice (Theater for a New Audience), (Sadie), Shotgun’s Kings (Sydney Theatre Company, a founding Log Cabin (Playwrights Horizons), Millsap) and Kill the Debbie Downers! member of , a board Everest (Lyric Opera of Kansas Kill Them! Kill Them! Kill Them Off! member and associate artist with City), and Thresh|Hold (Pilobolus). (Olga), and San Francisco Playhouse’s Clubbed Thumb, a member of the Broadway credits include China Graveyard Shift (Janelle). She is also a Stage Directors and Choreographers Doll (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre), In proud company member of Nice Tan (SDC) Society Executive Board, and the Next Room, or the vibrator Comedy, a queer WOC–led sketch a trustee of SDC Foundation (SDFC). play (Lyceum Theatre/Lincoln Center comedy group based in San Francisco. Kauffman’s awards include three Theater) and Julia Sweeney’s God Said Jackson would like to send her deepest Obies, the Joan and Joseph Cullman “Ha!” (Lyceum Theatre). New York gratitude to her family (blood and Award for Exceptional Creativity work includes The Public Theater, chosen) for their love, support, and from Lincoln Center Theater, the , Manhattan moments of sanity in these trying Alan Schneider Director Award, two Theatre Club, and New York Stage times. (she/her) @little_miss_sj Barrymore Awards, a Lucille Lortel and Film. Regional work includes Award, and a Lilly Award. (she/her) Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States **Member of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2020 appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

@ACTSanFrancisco 15 Wilma Theater, Trinity Repertory Playwrights Horizons; Mary Jane Critics Circle Award, and was a Company, California Shakespeare and The Invisible Hand for New York recipient of the National Endowment Theater, the Mark Taper Forum, Theatre Workshop; The Harvest and for the Arts/Theatre Communications and The Kennedy Center. Thanks Slowgirl for LCT3; and Night Is a Group Career Development Program. J+J! PEACE. russellchampa.com Room for Signature Theatre. Gelpe leahgelpe.com has designed for the Guthrie Theater, LEAH GELPE (Sound Designer JOE GOODE (Choreographer) Long Wharf Theatre, Berkeley is and Projections Designer) is Repertory Theatre, American a choreographer, writer, and director a New York–based designer whose Repertory Theater, and Yale widely known as an innovator in the credits include Log Cabin, Antlia Repertory Theatre. She has won two field of contemporary performance for Pneumatica, Grand Concourse, and , a Connecticut his willingness to combine movement Circle Mirror Transformation at with spoken word, song, and visual imagery. Goode has twice been awarded the Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Choreography as well as receiving a New York Dance and music dance theater 2019/20 Performance Award (aka Bessie) for SEASON Cal Perform ances artistic achievement. He has also been UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY awarded the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship and the United States Cirque Eloize Artists Fellowship. His theater credits Hotel include Hundred Days at Z Space

This contemporary circus delivers and Girlfriend at Berkeley Repertory uproarious comedy through a mix Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, of acrobatics, aerial routines, and live music, in a show about the and Center Theatre Group. Goode is unexpected encounters that fuel the artistic director of the Joe Goode every memorable traveler’s tale. Performance Group and a professor at UC Berkeley in the department Feb 22 & 23 ZELLERBACH HALL of theater, dance, and performance studies, where he teaches John Cameron Mitchell interdisciplinary performance and The Origin of Love Tour choreography. (he/him) joegoode.org Featuring the songs of Hedwig CHRISTINE ADAIRE (Voice by Stephen Trask Coach) with special guest Amber Martin is head of voice at A.C.T. She is a Designated Master Linklater John Cameron Mitchell takes the stage for an evening of songs and stories Voice Teacher, trained by the world- from—and inspired by—the Tony- renowned voice teacher Kristin winning, groundbreaking cult-rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Linklater. She has worked as an actor, voice coach, and director in many Feb 29 ZELLERBACH HALL American regional theaters, including The Old Globe, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the Guthrie Theater, Laverne Cox Shakespeare, , The transgender actress and advocate, Lyric Opera, Oregon Shakespeare known for her role on Orange is the Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre New Black, shares her views on race, class, and gender equality, Company, Court Theatre, American communicating a powerful message of Players Theatre, Theatre for a inner strength and self-acceptance. New Audience (NYC), Santa Cruz Exclusive radio partner for the 2019–20 Speaker Series Shakespeare, La Jolla Playhouse, and Shakespeare & Company. Adaire has Mar 12 ZELLERBACH HALL taught at DePaul University, National

Season Theatre School of Canada, University calperformances.org/tickets Sponsor: *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States 16 ACT-SF.ORG of Massachusetts–Amherst, manager at Steppenwolf Theatre True Love, Floyd Collins, A Cheever University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Company and associate artistic Evening, The Monogamist, and Later and Roosevelt University. She’s taught director at California Shakespeare Life. Regionally, she has worked at workshops in Shanghai, Barcelona, Theater. Meads has also developed Intiman Theatre, Seattle Repertory London, Australia, and New Zealand. plays with Oregon Shakespeare Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Her current area of research and Festival, New York Theatre Yale Repertory Theatre, Goodman writing is transgender voice. She Workshop, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre works with transgender/gender- Theatre, Denver Center for the Company, and American Repertory diverse individuals so they can modify Performing Arts, the Eugene O’Neill Theater. Film, television, and radio their voice to more fully express Theater Center, Ojai Playwrights credits include Tracey Takes On New their gender identity. (she/her) Conference, Portland Center Stage, York, The Deal, The Day That Lehman , and Campo Died (Peabody, SONY, and Wincott DANYON DAVIS (Movement Santo, among others. Meads is a co- awards), and “T” Is for Tom (Tom Coach) is the head of movement founder of The Kilroys. (she/her) Stoppard radio plays, WNYC and at A.C.T. He formerly served as the WQXR). She also cast LifeAfter, a JANET FOSTER, CSA (Casting head of movement at Stella Adler GE Theater podcast, and the mystery- Director) Studio of Acting, and he’s also has cast for A.C.T. for eight thriller podcast Passenger List, a former faculty member at the seasons, including Top Girls, The featuring Patti LuPone. (she/her) Neighborhood Playhouse, Circle Great Leap, Her Portmanteau, Edward in the Square Theatre School, and Albee’s Seascape, Men on Boats, Sweat, MEGAN MCCLINTOCK* (Stage HB Studio’s Hagen Core Training A Thousand Splendid Suns, King Manager) returns to A.C.T. with program. Davis assisted Moni Yakim, Charles III, Arcadia, and The Orphan Wakey, Wakey. Past A.C.T. credits founding faculty member and head of Zhao. On Broadway, she cast The include A Walk on the Moon, Small of movement at the Juilliard Drama Light in the Piazza (Artios Award Mouth Sounds, King Charles III, Division, for many years. He also nomination), Lennon, Ma Rainey’s Between Riverside and Crazy, A Little performed, taught, and directed with Black Bottom, and Taking Sides (co- Night Music, and Indian Ink. Other the Guthrie Theater. He is a former cast). Off-Broadway credits include Bay Area credits include productions collaborator with the SITI Company and a former associate with Bill T. Jones. Davis has coached individuals and taught group workshops in a variety of settings, including school programs, correctional facilities, Middlebury College, the 52nd Street Project, and The Public Theater. (he/him/Black American)

JOY MEADS (Dramaturg), a native of Oakland, is director of dramaturgy and new works at American Conservatory Theater. A.C.T. credits include Testmatch, Sweat, Men on Boats, Edward Albee’s Seascape, Her Portmanteau, The Great Leap, and Rhinoceros. Prior to A.C.T., she was literary manager/artistic engagement strategist at Center Theatre Group. CTG credits include Archduke, an artisan chocolate gifting Good Grief, Appropriate, Forever, experience handmade in san francisco Marjorie Prime (2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist),A Parallelogram, The Royale, Recchiuti at the Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building and Sleep (also: Brooklyn Academy of Recchiuti at theLab, 801 22 nd Street Music and Yale Repertory Theatre). Previously, Meads was literary recchiuti.com | 800.500.3396

@ACTSanFrancisco 17 Globe, and Theatre Calgary. Her Chair in Diabetes Research at UCSF. numerous other productions for Leslie Johnson is the cofounder and A.C.T. include A Night with Janis president of Epic Transitions, a Bay Proud to Joplin, Love and Information, Area–based nonprofit dedicated to Testament, Major Barbara, providing transformational trek Support Underneath the Lintel, Arcadia, The experiences to young adults in need Normal Heart, The Scottsboro Boys, of support with life direction. A.C.T. Clybourne Park, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Rainmaker, A ADDITIONAL CREDITS Number, and Eve Ensler’s The Good Ciera Eis, Assistant Director Body, among others. She has also Yusuke Soi, Scenic Design Assistant stage-managed The Mystery of Sam Kusnetz, Associate Sound and Personal attention Irma Vep, Suddenly Last Summer, Projections Designer thoughtful litigation Big Love, Collected Stories, Jason Vaughan, Head Video and Cloud Tectonics (Berkeley Technician final resolution Repertory Theatre); The Good Body Our goal is to preserve our LAW FAMILY (Broadway); Big Love (Brooklyn client’s dignity and humanity. Academy of Music); and The Vagina SPECIAL THANKS Monologues (Alcazar Theatre). David Kessler AMANDA MARSHALL* Rita Trumbo FA M I LYLAW G R OUP, P. C . (Assistant Stage Manager) is Lori Goldwyn honored to return to A.C.T. for her 575 Market Street, Suite 4000 San Francisco, CA 94105 first production as an official member 415.834.1120 of Actor’s Equity Association. She www.sflg.com is based in San Francisco and has worked frequently at Magic Theatre, A.C.T., and Santa Cruz Shakespeare since graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2017 with a BA in theater at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, arts and psychology. Recent credits California Shakespeare Theater, The include production assistant on A Curran, Aurora Theatre Company, Christmas Carol at A.C.T., assistant Marin Theatre Company, and San stage manager on The Chinese Francisco Opera. Regionally she has Lady at Magic Theatre, and stage worked at St. Ann’s Warehouse, La manager on the legacy revival of PHOTOGRAPHS AND RECORDINGS Jolla Playhouse, and Arena Stage. Her Oedipus el Rey at Magic Theatre. favorite Berkeley Rep credits include Audience members may take photos CHRISTOPHER AND LESLIE in the theater before and after the Kiss My Aztec!, 946: The Amazing JOHNSON (Executive performance and during intermission. Story of Adolphus Tips, Girlfriend, The If you post photos on social media or Producers) were both born and elsewhere, you must credit the Arabian Nights, The White Snake, No production’s designers by including raised in the Bay Area and have the following names: Man’s Land, and Dear Elizabeth. She been supporting A.C.T. since 2002. Kimie Nishikawa (Scenic Designer and has a BA in theater and history from They were executive producers Costume Designer), Willamette University. (she/her) kimienishikawa-design.com on Rhinoceros, Hamlet, The Hard Russell H. Champa (Lighting Designer), ELISA GUTHERTZ* (Assistant Problem, The Realistic Joneses, A russellchampa.com Little Night Music, Napoli!, Rock ’n’ Leah Gelpe (Sound Designer and Stage Manager) has been a Projections Designer) Bay Area stage manager for over Roll, Round and Round the Garden, leahgelpe.com 25 years. Her most recent A.C.T. Blackbird, and Curse of the Starving Please note: Photos are strictly prohibited during the performance. credits are Testmatch, Rhinoceros, Class. Directors of the Hurlbut- Video recording is not permitted in the Edward Albee’s Seascape, and Sweat. Johnson Fund, the Johnsons support theater at any time. She stage-managed A Thousand many Bay Area organizations and @ACTSanFrancisco #ACTWakeyWakey Splendid Suns at A.C.T., The Old endowed the Hurlbut-Johnson

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States 18 ACT-SF.ORG A.C.T. TODAY WE DEDICATE THE 2019–20 SEASON IN HONOR OF NANCY LIVINGSTON

We mourn the loss of Nancy Livingston, who passed away on November 16. Nancy was A.C.T.’s board chair emerita and a tireless advocate for theater arts in the Bay Area. Born in Shaker Heights in 1947, Nancy moved west, where she built a successful career in the Bay Area as an advertising copywriter. She always had an interest in theater—Equus, starring Harry Hamlin, was an early favorite at the Geary—but her links with the arts deepened when Fred Levin, a clothing manufacturer with whom she’d worked as an advertising account executive, asked her to join him one night at the theater.

Nancy’s strong partnership with Fred drew her into Bay Area philanthropy, through their stewardship of the Shenson Foundation, a donor-advised fund that gives to the visual and performing arts, Jewish social services, and other educational organizations. After contributing to A.C.T. in the late 1990s, Nancy began getting involved with our Board of Trustees, writing copy for the gala and working on the marketing committee.

From the start, Nancy’s drive, grit, creativity, and collaborative skills were evident. She rose rapidly through the board ranks, from vice chair to associate chair and finally to chair of the Board of Trustees in 2010. She played a vital role in the endowment campaign to provide A.C.T. with a strong financial foundation. She followed that by spearheading the $35-million campaign to renovate the Strand Theater, which opened in 2015. “Nancy leaves behind a profound legacy with A.C.T., ” says Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein. “She was a driving force as board chair, in raising funds for our endowment, in our Strand campaign, and as chair of the Business Leadership Council. Her love of A.C.T.’s staff, artists, students, and trustees was immense.” “Nancy was my mentor,” says A.C.T. Board of Trustees President Kay Yun. “I’ve depended on her guidance, wisdom, and love. Nancy was one of the most generous, thoughtful, and insightful people. She loved A.C.T. and she will continue to be a beacon for me as we strive to make her proud.”

Despite her exceptional accomplishments on behalf of A.C.T. and her longstanding commitment to the theater, Nancy was modest about her own contribution. “A.C.T. has a compelling story,” she said, “and we’re all about storytelling in the end. We talk about who we are—it’s the oldest communal activity in the world.” “Nancy was part of the A.C.T. family and story for five decades,” says A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon. “Her

PHOTO BY DREW ALTIZER. passion, candor, and humanity were infectious. Her legacy is lasting and runs deep.” All of us at A.C.T. will miss Nancy, and we celebrate her family and her life. n

@ACTSanFrancisco 19 A.C.T. TODAY LIVING LANGUAGE MFA PROGRAM ACTORS COLLABORATE ON NEW WORK

BY CLAIRE L. WONG

“A.C.T. is a teaching hospital,” says A.C.T. Associate Artistic Director Andy Chan Donald. “We nurture new work here, which benefits both the training of our MFA Program actors and the work of theater-makers.” This fall saw the world premiere of Kate Attwell’s Testmatch at the Strand Theater. Now, audiences will experience the never-before-seen companion play preceding Wakey, Wakey, which playwright Will Eno wrote for A.C.T.’s MFA Program students.

PHOTOS BY ALESSANDRA MELLO. Every season, MFA actors are involved in the creation of new works at A.C.T. In 2018, Caleb Lewis and the class of 2019 worked with playwright Susan Soon He Stanton on the A.C.T. New Strands Commission, Both Your Houses. “It was exciting to see things we discussed incorporated into the play,” says Lewis. “It’s fulfilling to know that you’re contributing to the creation of a tangible work of art.” For the playwright, hearing actors embody their words helps fine-tune the work. “It was a rare pleasure to createBoth Your Houses with the A.C.T. MFA acting class,” says Stanton. “Each actor had a direct role in the creation of their character and I loved writing to their unique voices.”

MFA Program actors in the class of 2020 were in the room with Eno and director Anne Kauffman as they rehearsed the companion play. “It was incredibly fun and helpful to get together with Anne and Kathryn [Smith-McGlynn] and the MFA students,” says Eno. “It’s a really important part of the playwriting process to hear things alive and in time, so you can make adjustments to rhythm and diction and other aspects of language that might differ from person to person.”

As they worked on the companion play, the MFAs had the chance to invest in the process of creating the work and more deeply understand their characters. “It feels luxurious to have the playwright in the room and be able to ask clarifying questions about character arcs, intentions, and relationships,” says Dinah Berkeley. LeRoy S. Graham III agrees. “In digesting the work as a collective, we found areas for more playfulness within the text,” says Graham. “It’s a beautiful piece and bringing our full hearts in the room allowed for great creative development from all angles.” n

To learn more about supporting A.C.T.’s MFA Program, check out act-sf.org/mfa or contact Sasha Habash at [email protected] or The MFA Program class of 2019 appearing in Susan Soon He 415.439.2415 to donate. Stanton’s Both Your Houses at A.C.T.’s Strand Theater (2019).

20 ACT-SF.ORG A ROCKY GOOD TIME A.C.T.’S FALL GALA RAISES ROOF AND $900,000 FOR ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

BY A.C.T. PUBLICATIONS STAFF PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER.

What happens when you throw together Rocky Horror, Margaret Cho, and a crew of theater-loving San Franciscans in the same party? Answer: the theatrical dynamite of A.C.T.’s Fall Gala. Behind the classical 1892 façade of the Hibernia bank building on Jones Street, Broadway stars and A.C.T. supporters alike rocked the storied structure to the beats of DJ Star Amerasu, raising more than $900,000 for our artist training, education, and community programs.

Partygoers will not forget Cho’s typically irreverent set, the ABOVE FROM LEFT Ada Westfall, Sam Pinkleton, and Ani Taj. fantastic projection design that made the Hibernia pop, and A.C.T.’s MFA Program students enjoy the party. the flash mob rendition of “Let’s Do the Time Warp Again,” BELOW FROM LEFT Headliner Margaret Cho entertains the guests. staged by Sam Pinkleton, Ani Taj, and Ada Westfall—the A.C.T.’s Fall Gala co-chairs Catherine and Priscilla Geeslin. three extraordinary creative talents that will bring Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show to the Geary in April.

This spring, ten generous gala guests will get their own Rocky Horror experience—as Geary Theater walk-ons in a special performance of the show. Time Warp–sized thank-yous to Sam and his theatrical partners, to kickass mother-and- daughter gala co-chairs Priscilla and Catherine Geeslin, and to all our great guests who shared their party spirit so generously. See you all at the Spring Fling on May 2 at August Hall! n

For tickets and more information about our upcoming Spring Fling, contact Director of Special Events Jody Price at 415.439.2470 or [email protected].

@ACTSanFrancisco 21 FRANNIE FLEISHHACKER, CO-CHAIR • ROBINA RICCITIELLO, CO-CHAIR

We are privileged to recognize Producers Circle members’ generosity during the November 1, 2018 to November 1, 2019, period. For information about Producers Circle membership, please contact Tiffany Redmon at 415.439.2482 or [email protected].

 Lead Gala supporter *Leadership Circle Member †Spring Fling! supporters **Deceased

Season Presenters ($100,000+)

JEROME L. AND FRED M. LEVIN AND NANCY TONI REMBE AND JEFF AND LAURIE UBBEN THAO N. DODSON † LIVINGSTON**, THE SHENSON ARTHUR ROCK † Jeff is a founder of ValueAct Capital Jerry is president of Parnassus FOUNDATION † Past chair of A.C.T.’s Board of and a director of 21st Century Fox Inc. Investments and serves on the boards Nancy is the Chair Emerita of A.C.T.’s Trustees, Toni is a retired partner at and Willis Towers Watson PLC. He of San Francisco Opera and A.C.T. Thao Board of Trustees. She served on the Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. serves on the boards of Duke University, and Jerry have established scholarships boards at the College of Fine Arts at Arthur was one of America’s first , and the E.O. for music education at the San Francisco Boston University and the National venture capitalists. Along with other Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Laurie Symphony, undergraduate education at Council for the American Theater. community endeavors, they are founded San Francisco’s Bird School UC Berkeley, and high school education Fred serves on the boards of the San cofounders of the Arthur and Toni of Music. for 125 girls in Vietnam. Francisco Symphony, the Asian Art Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Museum, and the SF Film Society. Governance at Stanford Law School. KAY YUN AND ANDRE FRANNIE FLEISHHACKER† NEUMANN-LORECK †  Frannie has supported A.C.T. for more KENNETH AND ROBINA RICCITIELLO † President of A.C.T.’s Board of Trustees, than 21 years. She has chaired season GISELE MILLER Robina is communications director for Kay is a partner at private equity fund galas and serves on A.C.T.’s Board the Million Person Project, a company Health Evolution Partners. She is a of Trustees and several committees. JAMES C. HORMEL AND that helps people identify their core trustee of Parnassus Funds and a board She funded the Mort Fleishhacker MICHAEL P. HORMEL-NGUYEN values to tell their personal story. She member of San Francisco University MFA Scholarship and multiple capital James, the first openly gay US is involved with the UCLA Depression High School. Andre, the founder of On campaigns. She has held board positions ambassador, founded the James C. Grand Challenge, an effort to cure Tap Consulting, has held executive roles at the SF Junior League and the Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center at the depression by the end of this century, in startups and Fortune 500 companies. Francisca Club. San Francisco Public Library (SFPL). and with NARAL Pro-Choice America. Michael works alongside James on their  PRISCILLA AND charitable giving foundation, and has MARY AND STEVEN SWIG †  KEITH GEESLIN † served on the SFPL Commission for Steven has served on A.C.T.’s board Priscilla is a vice chair of A.C.T.’s two terms. A trustee of A.C.T., Michael since 1986 and is cofounder of Presidio Board of Trustees and Development is profoundly passionate about the arts Graduate School. Mary is on the Committee Chair. She is vice and humanities. Women’s Leadership Board of Harvard president and president elect of University’s John F. Kennedy School of the SF Symphony, a board member Government. They serve on the boards of Grace Cathedral, and a board of the Solar Electric Light Fund and the member and former chair of NARAL Americans for Cures Foundation. Pro-Choice America Foundation. Keith is president of SF Opera’s board and a board member of Episcopal Community Services.

Company Sponsors Executive Producers Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman Producers ($50,000–$99,999) ($25,000–$49,999) Donald J. and Toni Ratner Miller† ($15,000–$24,999) Marcy and Paul Nathan† Barbara Bass Bakar Ralph and Rebecca Clark Paul Asente and Ron Jenks Gerine Ongkeko† Lesley Ann Clement and Bill Draper Clay Foundation - West Barbara Ravizza and John S. Osterweis Karl Lukaszewicz Jesse Lee Eller Concepción and Irwin Federman Scott Patterson and Peyton Bradley Ray and Dagmar Dolby Fund Mr. Rodney Ferguson and Don and Judy McCubbin Norman and Janet Pease Kevin and Celeste Ford† Ms. Kathleen Egan† Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McQuown Elsa and Neil Pering Kirke and Nancy Sawyer Hasson† Linda Jo Fitz† Mary and Gene Metz Sara Eisner Richter and Michael Richter† Jeri Lynn and Jeffrey W. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Getty Rich Rava and Elisa Neipp Sally and Toby Rosenblatt† Burt and Deedee McMurtry The Milledge and Patti Hart Family† The New Ark Fund Sakana Foundation David and Carla Riemer† Jo S. Hurley† Merrill Randol Abby and Gene Schnair† Patti and Rusty Rueff† Christopher and Leslie Johnson Anne and Michelle Shonk† Lori Halverson Schryer† Aaron Vermut and John Little and Heather Stallings Little† Cherie Sorokin Matthew and Lisa Sonsini Adriana López Vermut† Janet V. Lustgarten Jay Yamada The Marymor Family Fund† Nola Yee†

Associate Producers Janet Cluff, in memory of Lloyd Cluff Chris and Holly Hollenbeck† Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGrath ($10,000–$14,999) Daniel E. Cohn and Lynn Brinton† Sy Kaufman and Kerstin Edgerton Mr. and Mrs. Tom Perkins† Harold Cranston Jascha and Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff† Joseph E. and Julie Ratner† Anonymous James and Julia Davidson Luba Kipnis and David Russel† Emmett and Marion Stanton Norman Abramson in celebration of Jill and Stephen Davis Linda Kurtz† Dr. Martin and Elizabeth Terplan David V. Beery† Scott Delman Ken Lamb Mrs. Katherine G. Wallin and Paul Angelo Dr. David Gaba and Deanna Mann Pamela D Lee Mr. Homer Wallin Sara and Wm. Anderson Barnes Fund Dr. Allan P. Gold and Mr. Alan C. Ferrara* Mr. and Mrs. John P. Levin Ms. Nonie Greene and Mr. Todd Werby Dr. Barbara L. Bessey Marcia and John Goldman Marcia and Jim Levy† Beverly and Loring Wyllie Linda K. Brewer Betty Hoener Marmor Foundation/Drs. Michael and Linda Joanne Brown Dianne and Ron Hoge† Jane Marmor

22 ACT-SF.ORG DIANNE HOGE, CO-CHAIR • NOLA YEE, CO-CHAIR

We are privileged to recognize these members’ generosity during the November 1, 2018 to November 1, 2019, period. For information about Directors Circle membership, please contact Sasha Habash at 415.439.2415 or [email protected].

 Lead Gala supporter *Leadership Circle Member †Spring Fling! supporters ** Deceased Benefactors Don and Sally O’Neal Ms. Roberta Denning Dr. Thane Kreiner ($7,500–$9,999) Mr. and Mrs. William Pitcher Mrs. Julie D. Dickson Elisabeth and Daniel McKinnon LSP Family Foundation Bonnie and Rick Dlott Mr. Byron R. Meyer Anonymous John Riccitiello Barb and Gary Erickson Ms. Nancy Michel Philip and Judy Erdberg Rick and Anne Riley Charles** and Susan Fadley Jeffrey and Elizabeth Minick† Tom Frankel Susan Roos Nancy and Jerry Falk Milton Mosk and Thomas Foutch Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Gallagher Ms. Dace Rutland Mr. Alexander L. Fetter and Ms. Mary D. Niemiller Christine and Stan Mattison† Scott and Janis Sachtjen Ms. Lynn Bunim Barbara O’Connor Terry and Jan Opdendyk Rick and Cindy Simons Mr. Robert Feyer and Ms. Marsha Cohen Mrs. Margaret O’Drain Dr. James Robinson and George and Camilla Smith Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Flannery Emilie and Douglas Ogden Ms. Kathy Kohrman Lee and Carolyn Snowberg Mrs. Susan Fuller Margo and Roy Ogus Matt and Yvonne Rogers Garen and Shari Staglin John L. Garfinkle Janet and Clyde Ostler Mr. Laurence L. Spitters Roselyne C. Swig William Garland and Michael Mooney Peter Pastreich and Jamie Whittington Patrick S. Thompson† The Somekh Family Foundation Mr. Michael R. Genesereth Barbara Phillips Kenneth and Sharon Wilson Diana L. Starcher Susan and Dennis Gilardi Gordon Radley Vera and Harold Stein Dr. A. Goldschlager Jeff and Karen Richardson Playwrights Mr. M. H. Suelzle Barbara Grasseschi and Tony Crabb Gary and Joyce Rifkind ($5,000–$7,499) Sandra and John W. Thompson Marcia and Geoffrey Green Mr. Orrin W. Robinson, III Anonymous (3) Mrs. Helena Troy Wasp Mr. Bill Gregory* Mrs. Marianne B. Robison Mr. Eugene Barcone Jack and Susy Wadsworth† Ms. Ann M. Griffiths Gary Rubenstein and Nancy Matthews The Tournesol Project Mr. and Mrs. James Wagstaffe Naren and Vinita Gupta Betty and Jack Schafer Roger and Helen Bohl Ms. Allie Weissman James Haire and Timothy Cole Kent and Nancy Clancy Christopher and Debora Booth Katherine Welch Mr. and Mrs. Richard Halliday Mr. and Mrs. John Shankel Ed Brakeman Barbara and Chris Westover Ms. Kendra Hartnett and Robert Santilli Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Spears Susan and Ralph G. Coan, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce White Lenore Heffernan Vibeke Strand, MD and Jack Loftis, PhD  Carlotta and Robert Dathe † Mrs. Deirdre Henderson Richard and Michele Stratton Madeline and Myrkle Deaton Directors ($2,500–$4,999) Richard N. Hill and Nancy Lundeen Mr. Jay Streets  Frances and Patrick Devlin Anonymous (2) Adrienne Hirt and Jeffrey Rodman Susan Terris  David and Natasha Dolby Fund Mr. Howard J. Adams Ms. Marcia Hooper Ian and Olga Thomson

William H. Donner Foundation Martha and Michael Adler Rob Hulteng Nancy Thompson and Andy Kerr

Tracy Ferron Bruce and Betty Alberts Robert Humphrey & Diane Amend Ms. Patricia Tomlinson and

Jules Fisher Lynn Altshuler and Stanley D. Herzstein Robert and Riki Intner Mr. Bennet Weintraub

Vicki and David Fleishhacker Sharon L. Anderson Harold and Lyn Isbell Susan A. Van Wagner

Sameer Gandhi and Monica Lopez Ray and Jackie Apple Franklin Jackson & Maloos Anvarian Kiran and Vino Verghese

Marilee K. Gardner Ms. Kay Auciello*† Anne Jamieson Arnie and Gail Wagner

Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Geist Donna L. Beres and Terry Dahl Ms. Carolyn Jayne Ms. Margaret Warton and

Glasser Family Fund David and Rosalind Bloom Phil and Edina Jennison Mr. Steve Benting Kaatri and Doug Grigg Mr. Mitchell Bolen and Stephanie and Owen Jensen Ms. Carol Watts

Kenneth Hitz Mr. John Christner Ms. Pamela L. Kershner Ms. Beth Weissman

David Jones and Joe D’Alessandro Benjamin Bratt and Talisa Soto Ms. Nancy L. Kittle Irv Weissman and Family

Mr. Joel Krauska and Ms. Patricia Fox Susan Breyer Mr. R. Samuel Klatchko Terry Weissman

Paola and Richard Kulp Mrs. Libi Cape Sue Kubly Andrew and Billie Wiesenthal

Sue Yung Li and Dale K. Ikeda Steven and Karin Chase Thomas and Barbara Lasinski Mr. and Mrs. David Wilcox  Melanie and Peter Maier - John Teresa Clark and Martin Lay Dr. Lois Levine Mundie Diane B. Wilsey †

Brockway Huntington Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David Crane Ms. Helen S. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Roy B. Woolsey

James D. Marver Joan T. Dea and Lionel F. Conacher Jennifer S. Lindsay† Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wu

Mr. Ronald Morrison Ira and Jerry Dearing Ron and Mary Loar

Tim Mott Robert and Judith DeFranco Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Logan † Mary Ann Munro Ingrid M. Deiwiks Ms. Gayla Lorthridge

Mr. Daniel Murphy Richard DeNatale and Craig Latker Dr. Steven Lovejoy and Paula and John Murphy

at Artists PL AY DID YOU KNOW? • Ticket sales cover only 40% of the costs to bring bold theatrical productions of artistic excellence to the Bay Area. • A.C.T. is one of the largest providers of arts education in the region, reaching over 20,000 young people each year. • Many Bay Area students experience their first live performance through A.C.T.’s diverse community outreach e orts. PleasePlease considerconsider makingmaking a atax-deductible tax-deductible donation donation today! today! Give Giveonline online at act-sf.org/support at act-sf.org/support or call or 415.438.2353call 415.439.2353 to todonate donate over over the thephone. phone. We are privileged to recognize Friends of A.C.T. members’ generosity during the November 1, 2018, to November 1, 2019, period. Space limitations prevent us from listing all those who have generously supported the Annual Fund. For information about Friends of A.C.T. membership, please contact Hillary Bray at 415.439.2353 or [email protected].

 Lead Gala supporter *Leadership Circle Member †Spring Fling! supporters ** Deceased

Patrons ($1,200–$2,499) Janine Paver and Eric Brown Mr. Albert M. Everitt Robert Tufts Ms. Diane Raile Dr. Marcus Feldman and Leon Van Steen Anonymous (3) Mrs. Maria Elena Ratinoff Mrs. S. Shirley Feldman Mr. and Mrs. Ron Vitt Mr. and Mrs. Harold P. Anderson Ms. Joyce Ratner† M. Daniel and Carla Flamm Ms. Meredith J. Watts Mr. Paul Anderson Ms. Danielle Rebischung Frederick and Leslie Gaylord Mr. Richard West Mr. Larry Bardoff and Ms. Lilli Alberga Mr. and Mrs. John A. Reitan Kathleen Goldman Susan Wojcicki Allen and Lynn Barr Albert and Roxanne Richards Fund Dr. Floyd Gonella and Ms. Mary Wolfe Jeanne and William Barulich Barbara and Saul Rockman Ms. Margaret Taylor* Mr. Michael Bassi and Ms. Christy Styer Marguerite Romanello Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Gregoratos Dr. Fowler A. Biggs Leadership Circle Ms. Mary Ellen Rossi Bill and Nancy Grove Peter Blume Donors Under $750 Michele and John Ruskin Ms. Margaret Handelman John Boland and James Carroll Gail Block* Ms. Karen Scussel and Mr. Curt Riffle Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hassett* Ben and Noel Bouck Ms. Denise Brosseau* Andrew and Marva Seidl Susana Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Butcher Mr. Thomas R. Chambers* Dr. Elliot and Mrs. Kathy Shubin Judy Hoeschler Jaime Caban and Rob Mitchell Linda Fraley* Mr. Earl G. Singer David ibnAle and Mollie Ricker Ms. Sally A. Carlson and The Freiberg Family* Mr. Mark Small Allan and Rebecca Jergesen Mr. Karl Keesling Jeffrey and Loretta Kaskey* Richard and Jerry Smallwood Ed and Peggy Kavounas Denis Carrade and Jeanne Fadelli Ms. Sally Lopez* Jacqueline Smith Bree Klotter Rebecca Coleman Jillian C. Robinson* Steven and Chris Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Klotter Mr. Edward Conger Steven and Barbara Segal* Dr. Gary Stein and Jana Stein Mrs. Judith T. Leahy Jean and Mike Couch Rachel Black* Joe Tally and Dan Strauss Barry and Ellen Levine Ms. Karen T. Crommie Ms. Margaret Fuson* Steven and Jacqueline Tulsky Harold and Diane Lunde Peggy Dennis Mr. Erwin Kelly* John R. Upton Jr. and Robert Lurie William Dewey Janet Sassoon-Upton Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm MacNaughton Ron Dickel Richard Votava* Helen M. Marcus, in memory of Maria Donat Mr. Douglass J. Warner David Williamson† Ms. Winn Ellis and Mr. David Mahoney Mr. Robert Weston Ms. R. Vernie Mast Sue and Ed Fish Mr. David S. Wood and Robert McCleskey Cary and Helen FitzGerald Ms. Kathleen Garrison Mr. and Mrs. Merrill E. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Philip Zimbardo Melodee and Lee Nobmann Elizabeth and Paul Fraley Ms. Nancy F. Noe Ms. Susan Free Ms. Joanna Officier and Mr. Ralph Tiegel Alan and Susan Fritz* Sustainers Ms. Barbara Oleksiw Mark and Renee Greenstein Anonymous (3) Mr. Lester Olmstead-Rose Ms. Margaret J. Grover Susan Adamson and George Westfall Mrs. Diane Paradiso Melanie Schilling Steve Hallock Donna and Dan Aykroyd Barbara Paschke and Mr. Kim Harris and Bennet Marks Mr. David N. Barnard David Volpendesta Kathy Hart* Mr. William Barnard Sandi and Mark Randall Greg Holland and Tracy Brown Ms. Pamela Barnes Karen and Bruce Rohde Michael Kim Mr. Daniel R. Bedford Mr. L. Kyle Rowley George and Janet King Fred and Nancy Bjork Ms. Monica Salusky and Harold and Leslie Kruth Mr. Noel Blos Mr. John Sutherland Harriet Lawrie Mr. Roland E. Brandel Elizabeth Salzer Julius Leiman-Carbia Ms. Angela Brunton Louise Adler Sampson Julia Lobel Cecily Cassel and Larry Cassel Mr. James J. Scillian Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Long Michael Charlson and Susan Austin* Mr. Jim Sciuto Jeff and Susanne Lyons Ceil Cirillo* Mr. Jon Shantz Ross MacKinnon Craig E. Claussen Kristine Soorian and Bryce Ikeda Karen and John McGuinn June and Michael Cohen Jeffrey Stern, M.D. Thomas and Lydia Moran Bart Connally Margaret Stewart and Sharon and Jeffrey Morris James Cuthbertson Severin Borenstein John and Betsy Munz Ms. Kathleen Damron Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Strickberger Joseph C. Najpaver and Deana Logan Ms. Pat Dwyer Mr. John E. Sweeney and Jane and Bill Neilson Robert Ellis Ms. Lana Basso Bill Newmeyer, in memory of Ms. Kirsty Ellis Jane and Jay Taber* Nancy Newmeyer Mr. and Mrs. John L. Elman Maggie Thompson Bruce Noble and Diane Elder Marilynne Elverson The Laney and Ms. Lisa Nolan Mrs. Samuel Engel Pasha Thornton Foundation Ms. Susan O’Brien Leif and Sharon Erickson

For a full list of member benefits or to make a donation, visit act-sf.org/memberships or contact A.C.T.’s Development Department at 415.439.2353.

24 ACT-SF.ORG For more information about Prospero Society JO S. HURLEY, CHAIR membership, please contact A.C.T. gratefully acknowledges the Prospero Society members listed below, Sasha Habash who have made an investment in the future of A.C.T. by providing for the theater in their estate plans. Associate Director of

**Deceased Individual Giving Providing a Legacy for A.C.T. 415.439.2415 [email protected] Gifts Designated to A.C.T. Marilee K. Gardner Dr. Margaret R. McLean Ms. Marla M. Walcott Anonymous (2) Michele Garside, PhD Burt** and Deedee McMurtry Mrs. Katherine G. Wallin and Mr. Anthony Alfidi Dr. Allan P. Gold and Mr. Alan C. Ferrara Mary and Gene Metz Mr. Homer Wallin Judith and David Anderson Dr. A. Goldschlager J. Sanford Miller Paul Weintraub and Raymond Szczesny Ms. Kay Auciello Ruth Goldstine and David Weber Milton Mosk and Thomas Foutch Ms. Beth Weissman Nancy Axelrod Ms. Carol A. Goodman and Pennie Needham Tim M. Whalen Ms. Mary Lou Baird Mr. Anthony Gane James C. Hormel and Barry Williams and Lalita Tademy Mr. Eugene Barcone Ms. JeNeal Granieri and Michael P. Nguyen-Hormel Kay Yun and Andre Neumann-Loreck Teveia Rose Barnes and Alan Sankin Alfred F. McDonnell Mr. Dante Noto Robert H. Beadle Mr. Bill Gregory Patricia Patton Gifts Received by A.C.T. Ms. Susan B. Beer James Haire and Timothy Cole Elsa and Neil Pering The Estate of Barbara Beard David V. Beery** and Norman Abramson Mr. and Mrs. Richard Halliday Barbara Phillips The Estate of John Bissinger Leo and J. Michael Berry-Lawhorn Ms. Terilyn Hanko Barbara Phillips The Estate of Ronald Casassa Dr. Barbara L. Bessey Richard H. Harding Robert and Marcia Popper The Estate of Rosemary Cozzo Mr. Arthur Bredenbeck and Kent Harvey Kellie Raines The Estate of Nancy Croley Mr. Michael Kilpatrick Betty Hoener Bert and Anne Raphael The Estate of Leonie Darwin Linda K. Brewer Dr. and Mrs. Richard W. Horrigan Mrs. Maria Elena Ratinoff The Estate of Mary Jane Detwiler Ms. Agnes Chen Brown Jo S. Hurley John and Karen Kopac Reis The Estate of Olga Diora Martin and Geri Brownstein Alex Ingersoll and Martin Tannenbaum Toni Rembe and Arthur Rock The Estate of Mortimer Fleishhacker Gayle and Steve Brugler Mr. Barry Johnson Mary L. Renner The Estate of Mary Gamburg Ms. Carol Buchser Ms. Robin Johnson and Ellen Richard The Estate of Rudolf Glauser Christine Bunn and William Risseeuw Ms. Dottie Lofstrom Jillian C. Robinson The Estate of Phillip E. Goddard Mr. Bruce Carlton Carol and Paul Kameny Susan Roos The Estate of Mrs. Lester G. Hamilton Florence Cepeda and Earl Frick Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Karlinsky Ms. Andrea Rouah The Estate of Sue Hamister Ms. Paula Champagne and Nelda Kilguss Dr. David Rovno The Estate of Howard R. Hollinger Mr. David Watson Heather M. Kitchen Ms. Pamela Royse The Estate of William S. Howe, Jr. Steven and Karin Chase Jonathan Kitchen and Nina Hatvany Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sandberg The Estate of Ines R. Lewandowitz Lesley Ann Clement and Karl Lukaszewicz Catherine Kuss and Danilo Purlia Brian Savard and Andrew Smith The Estate of Thomas H. Maryanski Janet Cluff in memory of Lloyd Cluff Stephanie Hencir Lamey and Sonja Schmid The Estate of Michael L. Mellor Mr. James L. Coran and Patrick Lamey Mr. Harold E. Segelstad The Estate of Bruce Tyson Mitchell Mr. Walter A. Nelson-Rees Mr. Philip C. Lang Dr. F. Stanley Seifried The Estate of Gail Oakley Patricia Corrigan Mindy Lechman Ms. Ruth A. Short The Estate of Shelly Osborne Jack and Susan Cortis Ms. Marcia Leonhardt Dr. Elliot and Mrs. Kathy Shubin The Estate of Dennis Edward Parker Ms. Joan Danforth Marcia and Jim Levy Cherie Sorokin The Estate of Rose Penn Richard Davis-Lowell and Bill Lowell Jennifer S. Lindsay Ruth and Alan L.** Stein The Estate of Shepard P. Pollack Mrs. Carl Degler Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston**, Bert and LeAnne Steinberg The Estate of Margaret Purvine Sharon Dickson The Shenson Foundation Jasmine Stirling The Estate of Gerald B. Rosenstein Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson Ms. Paulette Long Mr. John E. Sweeney and Ms. Lana Basso The Estate of Charles Sassoon Bill Draper Dr. Steven Lovejoy and Dr. Thane Kreiner Jane and Jay Taber The Estate of Olivia Thebus Drs. Peter and Ludmila Eggleton Melanie and Peter Maier - John Brockway Marilyn E. Taghon The Estate of Ayn and Brian Thorne Linda Jo Fitz Huntington Foundation Marvin Tanigawa The Estate of Sylvia Coe Tolk Frannie Fleishhacker Mr. Jeffrey P. Malloy Nancy Thompson and Andy Kerr The Estate of Elizabeth Wallace Kevin and Celeste Ford The Kenneth and Muriel Marks Living Trust Mr. Dayton E. Torrence The Estate of Frances Webb Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Marron Michael E. Tully The Estate of William R. Weir Alan and Susan Fritz John B. McCallister Herman Victor The Estate of William Zoller Mr. and Mrs. Russell Fudge John G. McGehee Ms. Nadine Walas

The following members of the A.C.T. community made gifts in memory and in honor of friends, Memorial & Tribute Gifts colleagues, and family members of $100 or more during the November 1, 2018, to November 1, 2019, period.

Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston**, The Shenson Eric and Susan Nitzberg In Honor of Craig Slaight Peter Kogan In Memory of Olga Mylan Foundation In Honor of Jennifer Bielstein Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Dean In Honor of Victor La Gamma and June Pieratti Susan Medak and Gregory S. Murphy In Honor of Adriana López Vermut In Memory of Olga Mylan Jennifer Bielstein Gracemarie Bricalli In Honor of Jeff Wittekiend John Lorden In Memory of Olga Mylan Edythe Chan In Honor of Andy Chan Donald Ronald Mayer In Memory of Olga Mylan Sandra Bragar and Jerome Rossen Ms. Jamie Ney In Memory of Anne Adams Dan Reiss In Memory of Olga Mylan In Honor of Linda Jo Fitz Anonymous In Memory of Ruth Asawa Rena Sydel In Memory of Olga Mylan Maris Meyerson In Honor of Linda Jo Fitz Michael Kim In Memory of Youngmee Baik Tracey and Mark Sydel In Memory of Olga Mylan Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fischer In Honor of Marilee Gardner Ms. Agnes Chen Brown In Memory of Robert Elliot Brown Richard and Victoria Larson In Memory of Dennis Powers Daniel Zielaski In Honor of Jascha Kaykas-Wolff Carol and Don Hardesty In Memory of Bart Cannon Joan W. Sadler Trust In Memory of Joan Sadler Dr. Sandra L. Lillie In Honor of Dakota Lillie Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston**, The Shenson Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston**, The Shenson Anne Jamieson In Honor of Nancy Livingston** Foundation In Memory of Lloyd Cluff Foundation In Memory of Ben and A. Jess Shenson and Fred Levin Maria Donat In Memory of Peter Donat Richard Gibson and Paul Porcher Mr. and Mrs. Gene D’Ovidio In Honor of Rod Marymor Mr. David J. Pasta In Memory of Gloria Guth In Memory of Robert Simpson Neil Cormia In Honor of Rod Marymor and Breezy Susan L. Kaplan In Memory of Richard M. Kaplan Sally-Ann and Ervin Epstein, Jr. In Memory of Alan Stein Jaime Caban and Rob Mitchell In Honor of Mark Peters Angela Billings In Memory of Olga Mylan Ms. Joy Eaton In Memory of Todd Wees Sandra and John W. Thompson In Honor of Robina Susan Brooks In Memory of Olga Mylan Helen M. Marcus In Memory of David J. Williamson Riccitiello and Rod Marymor Mr. Christopher Carter In Memory of Olga Mylan Peter Blume In Honor of Hannah Roth-Evans Jane Easterbrook In Memory of Olga Mylan Joan W. Sadler Trust In Honor of Joan Sadler Annette Insdorf in Memory of Olga Mylan 25 Corporate Membership Program

As the Bay Area’s leading theater, A.C.T. provides unique partnership opportunities to the business sector, including visibility before an affluent and influential audience, entrée to creative and dynamic spaces for client entertaining and business meetings, and exceptional artistic insiders’ experiences like backstage tours, meet-and-greets with artists, and so much more. Member companies support the artistic mission of A.C.T., including A.C.T.’s investment in helping to develop the next generation of the Bay Area’s creative and empathetic workforce through our vibrant artist training and education and community outreach programs serving over 20,000 young people each year. For more information, please contact Caitlin A. Quinn at [email protected] or 415.439.2436.

Business Leadership Council PRESENTING PRODUCING PARTNERS Patrick Devlin, Chair PARTNERS ($15,000–$24,999) Freedom Financial Network ($25,000–$49,999) Theatre Forward OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER Lesley Clement, Clement & Associates Jerome L. Dodson, Parnassus Investments DIRECTING PARTNERS Celeste Ford, Stellar Solutions ($10,000–$14,999) Kirke M. Hasson, Pillsbury Winthrop EXECUTIVE PARTNERS JP Morgan Chase & Co. Shaw Pittman LLP ($50,000 +) Perkins Coie LLP Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, Mozilla Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Janet V. Lustgarten, Kx Systems, Inc. Pittman LLP Jeffrey Minick, Bank of America David Riemer, UC Berkeley Dutta Satadip, Pinterest STAGE PARTNERS Steven L. Swig, Presidio World College ($5,000–$9,999) Patrick S. Thompson, Perkins Coie LLP PG&E Jeffrey W. Ubben, ValueAct Capital RBC Wealth Management Kay Yun, Health Evolution Partners Schoenberg Family Law Group

MEDIA PARTNER

Foundations and Government Agencies The following foundations and government agencies provide vital support for A.C.T. For more information, please contact Director of Grants and Foundation Relations Nicole Chalas at 415.439.2337 or [email protected].

$100,000 and above $50,000–$99,999 $25,000–$49,999 $10,000–$24,999 $5,000–$9,999 Department of Children, National Endowment for Anonymous Davis/Dauray Family Fund Anonymous Youth & Their Families the Arts California Arts Council The Stanley S. Langendorf The Bill Graham Memorial Doris Duke Charitable The Bernard Osher The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Marin Community Foundation Edna M. Reichmuth The William Randolph Hearst The Edgerton Foundation Laird Norton Family Educational Fund of Foundations Walter and Elise Haas Fund Foundation The San Francisco The William and Flora The Kimball Foundation San Francisco Arts Foundation Hewlett Foundation MAP Fund Commission Jewels of Charity, Inc. The Harold & Mimi The Sato Foundation Koret Foundation Steinberg Charitable Trust The Zellerbach Family San Francisco Grants The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation for the Arts Foundation The Shubert Foundation

26 ACT-SF.ORG Theatre Forward Current Funders List as of December 2019

Theatre Forward advances the American theater and its communities by providing funding and other resources to the country’s leading nonprofit theatres. Theatre Forward and its theaters are most grateful to the following funders:

$50,000 AND ABOVE Paula A. Dominick Lisa Orberg◆ Robin and Bob Paulson Daryl & Steven Roth AT&T◆ The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Presidio Charitable Fund Foundation◆ Bank of America• Bruce R. & Tracey Ewing Patti & Rusty Rueff Foundation Rando Santa Fe Foundation David Schwartz & Pamela Farr & Buford Alexander EY RBC Wealth Management Sanderson Donor Advised Fund Amy Langer* Citi Mr. Anthony C. Lembke & Raja Sengupta Donna & Jack Sennott* Stephanie Scott◆ The Schloss Family Foundation◆• Ms. Diane S. Lembke*◆ S&P Global John Thomopoulos Elliott Sernel & Larry Falconio* Wells Fargo◆ Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. James S. & Lynne P. Turley* Terrence P. Yanni George & Pamela Smith* Pfizer, Inc. Isabelle Winkles Alison Tam* $25,000–$49,999 Jonathan Maurer & $2,500–$4,999 Ten Chimneys Foundation The Augustine Foundation◆ Gretchen Shugart◆ $5,000–$9,999 Joe Baio & Anne Griffin* Michael A. Wall* BNY Mellon Daniel A. Simkowitz & Mari Nakachi AudienceView† Sheri and Les Biller Foundation Mary Beth Winslow & Cognizant Southwest Airlines◆† DLR◆ Christopher Campbell Bill Darby Dorsey & Whitney LLP TD Charitable Foundation◆ Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Nicole Clay Vicki & Carl Zeiger* Goldman, Sachs & Co. UBS Irwin & Rosalyn Engleman Dewitt Stern MetLife Alan & Jennifer Freedman*◆ Christ Economos* Morgan Stanley $10,000–$14,999 John Gore Organization Lucy Fato & Matt Detmer* *National Society Membership Aetna Floyd Green Steven & Donna Gartner*◆ †Includes in-kind support $15,000–$24,999 DELL Roe Green* Jessica Farr◆ ◆ Educating through Theatre Support American Express Fischer Jordan LLC Richard K. Greene Libshap Realty Corporation Mitchell J. Auslander/Willkie Farr KLDiscovery Nancy Hancock Griffith*◆ Louise Moriarty & •Advancing Strong Theatre Support  & Gallagher◆ Evelyn Mack Truitt* Joyce & Gregory Hurst Patrick Stack * Lead Gala supporter Bloomberg Philanthropies Maurer Family Foundation◆ Mary Kitchen & Jon Orszag* Frank & Bonnie Orlowski For a complete list of funders visit, Steven & Joy Bunson◆ Robert A. Rosenbaum theatreforward.org.

Gifts in Kind A.C.T. thanks the following donors for their generous contributions of goods and services.

ACORN Winery/Alegria Vineyard Joe Tally and Dan Strauss Blue Angel Vodka The Marker Hotel CyberTools for Libraries Premium Port Wines, Inc.

Corporations Matching Annual Fund Gifts As A.C.T. is both a cultural and an educational institution, many employers will match individual employee contributions to the theater. The following corporate matching gift programs honor their employees’ support of A.C.T., multiplying the impact of those contributions.

Acxiom Corporation BlackRock GE Foundation Macy’s, Inc. The Clorox Company Adobe Systems Inc. Charles Schwab Google Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation Apple, Inc. Chevron Hewlett-Packard Foundation, Inc. The James Irvine Foundation Applied Materials Chubb & Son IBM International Foundation Northwestern Mutual The Morrison & Foerster AT&T Foundation Dell Direct Giving Campaign JPMorgan Chase Foundation Foundation Bank of America Dodge & Cox Johnson & Johnson Family Pacific Gas and Electric TPG Capital, L.P. Bank of America Foundation Ericsson, Inc. of Companies Arthur Rock Verizon Bank of New York Mellon Federated Department Stores Levi Strauss Foundation Salesforce Visa International Community Partnership The Gap Lockheed Martin Corporation State Farm Companies John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Foundation

@ACTSanFrancisco 27 A.C.T. STAFF

PAM MACKINNON JENNIFER BIELSTEIN MELISSA SMITH Artistic Director Executive Director Conservatory Director

Artistic Director Emerita The Strand: Audience Services MFA Program Adjunct Faculty Carey Perloff Ana Gabriella Hernandez-McKig, Megan Murray, Audience Services Manager Milissa Carey, Singing, Director Head Electrician Kym Hawkins, Matt Chapman, Clowning Producing Director Emeritus Matthew Reynolds, Head Carpenter Assistant Audience Services Manager Richard Dent, Play Intensive James Haire Bert Hebbert-Castillo, Head Sound David Whitman, House Manager and Volunteer Andy Chan Donald, Arts Leadership Usher Coordinator Julie Douglas, Beginning Mask ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION Beatrice Lazar, Genevieve Pabon, Tuesday Lauren English, The Business of Acting Andy Chan Donald, Associate Artistic Director Coralyn Bond, Ray, Mark Saladino, Associate House Managers Daniel Feyer, Accompanist Janet Foster, Executive Assistant and Board Liaison Oliver Sutton, Security Janet Foster, Audition Director of Casting and Artistic Associate Mads Leigh-Faire, Front Desk Associate Ramsey Abouremeleh, Monica Amitin, Anthony Fusco, Acting Joy Meads, NJ Bice, Forrest Choy, Bernadette Director of Dramaturgy and New Works Human Resources Fons, Nailah Harper-Malveaux, Anthony Jasmin Hoo, Citizen Artistry Allie Moss, Amanda Williams, Human Resources Director Hernandez, Caleb Lewis, Svetlana Karasyova, Mark Jackson, Performance Making Literary Manager and Artistic Associate Amanda Roccuzzo, Susan Monson, Scott Phillips, Miki Richmond, Darryl Jones, Acting, Director Ken Savage, Associate Producer Human Resources Generalist Cevie Toure, Bartenders W. D. Keith, On-Camera Acting Gracie Brakeman, Artistic Fellow Philip Charles MacKenzie, On-Camera Acting Andrea van den Boogaard, Producing Fellow General Management Susan Allen, Rodney Anderson, Branden Heidi Marshall, On-Camera Acting Louisa Balch, General Manager Bowman, Bryan Bowman, Serena Broussard, Hope Mohr, Dance Danica Burt, Jose Camello, Philip Carbery, Coaches Amy Dalba, Associate General Manager Danielle O’Dea, Combat Wendy Chang, Niyjale Cummings, Kathy Christine Adaire, Lisa Anne Porter, Sabra Jaffe, Company Manager Dere, John Doll, Larry Emms, Mileta Foster, Kari Prindl, Alexander Technique Voice and Text Christina M. Sturken, Christina Ford, Claire Gerndt, Liz Githuka, Tiffany Redmon, Fundraising Danyon Davis, Movement Assistant Company Manager Carol Grace, Kayla Kaufman, Blue Kesler, Gabriel Romero, Latin Social Dance Dave Maier, Danielle O’Dea, Fights Freddie Baldonado, Ryszard Koprowski, Sharon Lee, Sadie Li, Joe Lindsay Saier, Stage Makeup General/Company Management Fellow Joel Chapman, Daniel Feyer, Music MacDonald, Maria Markoff, Kescha Mason, Virginia Scott, Clowning Val Mason, Sam Mesinger, Edvida Moore, Elyse Shafarman, Alexander Technique Commissioned Artists Finance Kathy Napoleone, Mary O’Connell, Brandie Lee Strawn, Singing Jeremy Cohen and Dipika Guha; Eisa Davis; Rob Fore, Chief Financial Officer Pilapil, Walter Schoonmaker, Melissa Stern, Lisa Townsend, Director, Choreographer Lorena Feijoo, Alfredo Rodriguez, Damaso Rebecca Reis, Senior Manager, Accounting Dale Whitmill, Lorraine Williams, June Yee, Brian Thorstenson, The Actor Writes Rodriguez, and Caridad Svich; Casey Lee Sharon Boyce, Accounting Manager Ushers Hurt; Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses; Susan Stephanie Wilborn, Citizen Artistry May Chin, Matt Jones, Ryan Jones, The Strand Cafe Soon He Stanton; Mfoniso Udofia; Anne Finance Associates Washburn Rafael Monge, Cafe Manager Studio A.C.T. Information Technology Jamin Jollo, Jarod LeCouve, Baristas Mark Jackson, Director of Studio A.C.T. PRODUCTION Thomas Morgan, Director Sophia Nguyen, Young Conservatory & Studio Martin Barron, Director of Production EDUCATION & COMMUNITY A.C.T. Associate Joone Pajar, Network Administrator Jack Horton, Production Manager PROGRAMS Liz Anderson, On-Camera Acting, Improv Aaron Curry, Operations Juan Manzo, Heidi Carlsen, Acting, Voice, Movement Design and Production Associate Eric Brizee, Operations and Facilities Manager Director of Education & Community Programs Eugenie Chan, Playwriting Marlena Schwartz, Jeffrey Warren, Assistant Facilities Manager Vincent Amelio, School & Community Programs Julie Douglas, Acting, Clown, Improv Associate Production Manager Leopoldo Benavente, Matt Stewart-Cohn, Operations Manager Francie Epsen-Devlin, Musical Theater Emma Penny, Production Office Coordinator Facilities Crew Members Stephanie Wilborn, Deb Fink, On-Camera Acting Michael Anderburg, Community Programs Manager Curtis Carr, Jr., Sol MacIan, Jesse Nightchase, Paul Finocchiaro, Acting Conservatory Production Manager Hannah Clague, Urban Alchemy, Ambassadors Margo Hall, Acting Ariana Johnson, ACTsmart Residencies Coordinator Jaime Morales, Geary Cleaning Foreman W. D. Keith, Acting, On-Camera Acting Conservatory Production Associate Elizabeth Halperin, Jamal Alsaidi, Jeaneth Alvarado, Lidia Drew Khalouf, Speech, Shakespeare Morgan Badillo, Conservatory Design and Student Matinee Coordinator Godinez, Geary Cleaning Crew Production Associate Dave Maier, Stage Combat YOUNG CONSERVATORY Michelle Maxon, Acting, On-Camera Acting Patrick Mahoney, Conservatory Design and Development Production Associate Jill MacLean, Carolina Morones, Acting Caitlin A. Quinn, Director of Development Miranda Erin Campbell, Conservatory Craig Slaight Director of the Young Conservatory Kari Prindl, Alexander Technique Tiffany Redmon, Production and Stage Management Coordinator Sophia Nguyen, Young Conservatory & Studio Mark Rafael, Acting Deputy Director of Development Annie Kao, Production Fellow A.C.T. Associate Radhika Rao, Improv Nicole Chalas, Director of Grants and Yohana Ansari-Thomas, Katie Rubin, Stand-Up Comedy, Acting Stage Management Foundation Relations Young Conservatory Assistant Jody Price, Director of Special Events Naomi Sanchez, Musical Theater Elisa Guthertz, Head Stage Manager Rotimi Agbabiaka, Physical Theater Sasha Habash, Caitlyn Tella, Movement Dick Daley, Samantha Greene, Elisa Guthertz, Andy Alabran, Acting, Voice Associate Director of Individual Giving Laura Wayth, Acting, Musical Theater Christina Hogan, Megan McClintock, Leslie M. Cristina Anselmo, Acting, On-Camera Stephanie Swide, Senior Manager of Valerie Weak, Acting Radin, Stage Managers Denise Blase, Musical Theater Development Operations Beth Wilmurt, Acting, Movement, Voice Dani Bae, Dick Daley, Christina Hogan, Kimberly Braun, Musical Theater Deirdre Rose Holland, Cheryle Honerlah, Hillary Bray, Nancy Gold, Physical Character, Acting Amanda Marshall, Chris Waters, Donor Relations and Membership Manager Professional Development Michael Mohammed, Musical Theater Assistant Stage Managers Derek Collard, Special Events Associate Ben Quinn, Mark Rafael, Katie Rubin, Patrick Andrew Mondello, Musical Theater Amanda Marshall, Production Assistant Arielle Markowitz, Development Assistant Russell, Radhika Rao, Dominique Salerno Thaddeus Pinkston, Gabrielle Harper, Mika Rubinfeld, Hannah Sarah Gray, Accompanist, Musical Arranger Conservatory Accompanists Rose-Jing Stoffer, Stage Management Fellows Development and Special Events Fellow Salim Razawi, Acting Daniel Feyer, Christopher Hewitt, Louis Prop Shop Marketing & Public Relations Corinna Rezzelle, Musical Theater Lagalante, Paul McCurdy, Thaddeus Pinkston, Naomi Sanchez, Katelyn Tan Abo Greenwald, Supervisor Joan Rosenberg, Director of Marketing Elena Ruggiero, Musical Theater and Communications Vivian Sam, Musical Theater, Dance Paul Velasquez, Assistant Library Staff Syche Phillips, Associate Director of Marketing Lauren Spencer, Acting Joseph Tally, Head Librarian Costume Shop Simon Hodgson, Publications Manager Katelyn Tan, Accompanist G. David Anderson, Theresa Bell, Laurie Jessie Amoroso, Costume Director Kevin Kopjak/Charles Zukow Associates, Valerie Weak, Acting Public Relations Counsel Bernstein, Helen Jean Bowie, Bruce Carlton, Callie Floor, Rentals Manager Krista Wigle, Musical Theater, Voice Barbara Cohrssen, William Goldstein, Pat Samantha Lomax, Digital Engagement Manager Keely Weiman, Build Manager/Draper Hunter, Connie Ikert, Ashok Katdare, Martha Laura Clatterbuck, Lead Visual Designer CONSERVATORY Jef Valentine, Inventory Manager Kessler, Nelda Kilguss, Barbara Kornstein, Dani Karonis, Graphic Designer Maria Montoya, Head Stitcher Melissa Smith, Conservatory Director Gail McGowan, Vineet Mishra, Lynnda Means, Beryl Baker, Digital Content Associate Kelly Koehn, Accessories & Crafts Artisan Peter J. Kuo, Associate Conservatory Director Maida Paxton, Connie Pelkey, Christine Samantha Wong, Chanterelle Grover, First Hand Christopher Herold, Peterson, Dana Rees, Roger Silver, Jane Conservatory Marketing Associate Director of Summer Training Congress Taber, Aileen Thong, Susan Torres, Joyce Victoria Mortimer, Costume Administrator Miranda Ashland, Jack Sharrar, PhD, Director of Academic Affairs Weisman, Jean Wilcox, Marie Wood, Kate Miller, Grace Robertson, Costume Fellows Digital Media and Marketing Associate Jerry Lopez, Director of Financial Aid Library Volunteers Livian Yeh, Publications Associate Charlotte Brockman, Wig Shop Conservatory Manager Accreditation Anne Bonino-Britsch, Marketing Fellow Matt Jones, Bursar/Payroll Administrator Lindsay Saier, Wig Master A.C.T. is accredited by the Accrediting Claire L. Wong, Publications Fellow Emily Rose Cooper, Sara Leonard, Wig Supervisor Conservatory Fellow Commission for Senior Colleges and (Studio A.C.T./YC) Rayna Weil, Wig Fellow Ticket Services Universities of the Western Association Alejandra Maria Rivas, Conservatory Fellow Jennifer Peterian, of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 STAGE STAFF (Academic) Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, Director of Ticketing and Sales Operations CA 94501, 510.748.9001, an institutional The Geary: Jorena de Pedro, Box Office Manager MFA Program Core Faculty accrediting body recognized by the Council Mark C. Peters, Subscriptions Manager Christine Adaire, Head of Voice Christopher Kristant, Head Carpenter on Postsecondary Accreditation and the US David Engelmann, Head Treasurer Danyon Davis, Head of Movement Department of Education. Suzanna Bailey, Head Sound Elizabeth Halperin, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Peter J. Kuo, Collaboration Building Amy Domjan, Head Electrician Assistant Head Treasurers Joy Meads, Character and Text Candace Drucelle Shankel, Head of Props Anthony Miller, Group Sales Lisa Anne Porter, Head of Text and Dialects Brandon Gage, Flyrail Operator Scott Tignor, Subscriptions Coordinator Jack Sharrar, PhD, Theater History Mary Montijo, Wardrobe Supervisor Andy Alabran, Liam Blaney, Richard Claar, Melissa Smith, Head of Acting Diane Cornelius, Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor Peter Davey, Treasurers Loren Lewis, Joe Nelson, Stage Door Monitors

28 ACT-SF.ORG A.C.T. PROFILES

PAM MACKINNON (Artistic Director) Lucille Lortel nominations). Her most recent credits include is celebrating her second season as Bruce Norris’s Downstate (Steppenwolf Theatre Company, A.C.T.’s fourth artistic director. She is a London’s National Theatre), Lydia R. Diamond’s Toni Stone Tony, Drama Desk, and Obie award– (Roundabout Theatre Company), and Edward Albee’s winning director, having directed Seascape (A.C.T.). She is an artistic associate of the upwards of 70 productions around the Roundabout Theatre Company, an advisory board member country, off Broadway, and on of Clubbed Thumb, and an alumna of the Drama League, Broadway. Her Broadway credits Women’s Project, and Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors’ include Beau Willimon’s The Parisian Woman (with Uma Labs. She just completed a three-year term as the executive Thurman), Amélie: A New Musical, David Mamet’s China board president of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Doll (with Al Pacino), Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Society (SDC), and continues to serve on the board. She Chronicles (with Elisabeth Moss), Edward Albee’s A Delicate grew up in Toronto, Canada, and Buffalo, New York, acted Balance (with and John Lithgow), Edward through her teens, but majored in economics and political Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Tony Award, Drama science at the University of Toronto and briefly pursued a Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle nomination), and PhD in political science at UC San Diego, before returning to Bruce Norris’s Clybourne Park (Obie Award, Tony and her true passion: theater. (she/her)

JENNIFER BIELSTEIN (Executive Steppenwolf Theatre Company, About Face Theatre, Director) joined A.C.T. in 2018 with Northlight Theatre, and Lincoln Park Zoo, as well as served more than 25 years of theater on the boards of the League of Chicago Theatres, the Arts management experience. She serves and Cultural Attractions Council, and other civic boards. on the board of Theatre Forward, is a She has received the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s member of the International Women’s Pyramid Award of Excellence in Leadership, has been Forum, and is president of the League recognized in Louisville’s Business First’s 40 Under 40, and of Resident Theatres (LORT)—an was named by Twin Cities Business as a Person to Know organization that represents 75 theaters nationwide— and a Real Power 50 member by Minnesota Business having previously served as LORT’s vice president; chair of magazine. Bielstein is a graduate of University of North its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee; secretary; Carolina at Chapel Hill, attended Stanford’s Graduate and on multiple union negotiating teams. Before relocating School of Business Executive Program for Nonprofit to the Bay Area, Bielstein was the managing director of the Leaders in the Arts, and earned an MBA from Bellarmine Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, managing director of University, where she received the MBA Faculty Merit Actors Theatre of Louisville, and executive director of Award and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the Writers Theatre in Chicago. She has also worked for honor society for business programs. (she/her)

MELISSA SMITH (Conservatory Conservatory, Smith was the director of the Program in Director, Head of Acting) has served as Theater and Dance at Princeton University. She has taught Conservatory director and head of acting classes to students of all ages in various colleges, acting in the Master of Fine Arts high schools, and studios around the continental United Program at A.C.T. since 1995. During States, at the Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii, New York that time, she has overseen the University’s La Pietra campus in Florence, and the Teatro expansion of the MFA Program from a di Pisa in San Miniato, Italy. She is featured in Acting two- to a three-year course of study Teachers of America: A Vital Tradition. Also a professional and the further integration of the MFA Program faculty and actor, she has performed regionally at the Hangar Theatre, student body with A.C.T.’s artistic wing, while also teaching A.C.T., the California Shakespeare Festival, and Berkeley and directing in the MFA Program, Summer Training Repertory Theatre; in New York at Primary Stages and Congress, and Studio A.C.T. In 2013, she launched the San Soho Rep.; and in England at the Barbican Centre in London Francisco Semester, a semester-long intensive that deepens and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Smith holds a BA from students’ acting. In 2016, she was honored by Theatre Bay Yale College and an MFA in acting from Yale School of Area as one of 40 individuals who have changed the face of Drama. (she/her) Bay Area theater. Prior to assuming leadership of the @ACTSanFrancisco 29 F.Y. I .

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES CELL PHONES RESTROOMS If you carry a pager, beeper, cell phone, or Gender diversity is welcome at A.C.T. We A.C.T.’s administrative and conservatory watch with alarm, please make sure that invite audiences to use the restroom that offices are located at 30 Grant Avenue, San it is set to the “off” position while you are best fits your gender identity or expression. Francisco, CA 94108, 415.834.3200. On the in the theater. Text messaging during the If preferred, a single-user restroom can be web: act-sf.org performance is very disruptive and not allowed. found on the 5th floor. Wheelchair Seating is located BOX OFFICE INFORMATION PERFUMES The chemicals found in perfumes, colognes, in Fred’s Columbia Room on the A.C.T. BOX OFFICE and scented aftershave lotions, even in lower lobby level, the Balcony Address: 405 Geary Street and small amounts, can cause severe physical Lobby, and the Garret on the 1127 Market Street reactions in some individuals. As a courtesy to uppermost lobby level. fellow patrons, please avoid the use of these Tel: 415.749.2228 A.C.T. is pleased to announce that an products when you attend the theater. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is Fax: 415.749.2291 now available in the house management EMERGENCY TELEPHONE closet in the lobby of The Geary. Online: act-sf.org Leave your seat location with those who Visit our website for hours of operation may need to reach you and have them call LOST AND FOUND 415.439.2397 in an emergency. If you’ve misplaced an item while you’re SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION DISCOUNTS still at the theater, please look for it at our LATECOMERS Seniors (65+) save $40 on 8 plays, $35 merchandise stand in the lobby. Any items A.C.T. performances begin on time. Latecomers on 7 plays, $30 on 6 plays, $25 on 5 plays, found by ushers will be taken there. If you’ve will be seated before the first intermission only and $20 on 4 plays. Full-time students, left the theater, please call 415.439.2471 and if there is an appropriate interval. educators, and administrators save up to we’ll be happy to check our lost and found 50% off season subscriptions with valid ID. LISTENING SYSTEMS for you. Please be prepared with the date Visit act-sf.org/educate for details. Headsets designed to provide clear, amplified you attended the performance and your seat location. SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTS sound anywhere in the auditorium are Joining our eClub is the best—and sometimes available free of charge in the lobby before only—way to find out about special ticket performances. Please turn off your hearing aid offers. Visit act-sf.org/eclub for details. Find when using an A.C.T. headset, as it will react to GEARY THEATER EXITS us on Facebook and Twitter for other great the sound system and make a disruptive noise. deals. Beginning two hours before curtain, a limited number of discounted tickets are available to seniors (65+), educators, AFFILIATIONS administrators, and full-time students. For A.C.T. is a constituent of Theatre Communications matinee performances, all seats are just $20 Group, the national organization for the nonprofit for seniors (65+). Valid ID required—limit professional theater. A.C.T. is a member ORCHESTRA one ticket per ID. Not valid for Premiere of Theatre Bay Area, the Union Square Orchestra seating. All rush tickets are subject Association, the San Francisco Chamber of to availability. Commerce, and the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups of 15 or more save up to 50%. For more information call Anthony Miller at 415.439.2424.

AT THE THEATER The Geary lobby opens one hour before A.C.T. operates under an agreement between curtain. Bar service and refreshments are the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ available one hour before curtain. The theater Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the opens 30 minutes before curtain. United States. REFRESHMENTS The Director is a member of the STAGE MEZZANINE Enjoy full bar service, Humphry Slocombe DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS ice cream, sweet treats and savory snacks SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union. in Fred’s Columbia Room on the lower level and in the Sky Bar on the third level. Avoid The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound the long lines at intermission by preordering designers in LORT theaters are represented bites and beverages. At intermission simply by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of go to your reserved space to find your the IATSE. preordered treats waiting for you—there’s The scenic shop, prop shop, and stage crew no extra charge. Beverages with lids or caps are represented by Local 16 of the IATSE. are permitted in the theater. Food may be A.C.T. is supported in part by an award from enjoyed only in the lobbies and bars. the National Endowment for the Arts.

A.C.T. is supported in part by a grant from Grants for the Arts.

Support for Open Captioning is provided in part by TDF. This project is supported in part BALCONY by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

30 ACT-SF.ORG “THE MOST REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATER NOT ONLY OF THIS YEAR BUT ALSO OF THIS DECADE.”

CREATED AND PERFORMED BY ELEVATOR REPAIR SERVICE TEXT: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD DIRECTED BY JOHN COLLINS SPECIAL PRESENTATION · RODA THEATRE · 8 PERFORMANCES ONLY! FEB 13–23

The ensemble of Gatz (photo by Paula Court)

THE MISSIONARIES OF MAYHEM RETURN!

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CALL 510 647-2949 JOIN US. BE A REP. CLICK BERKELEYREP.ORG SEASON SPONSORS

TWO NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCE LIVE THEATER FLEX PASS • Choose four or eight tickets • Pick your performances based on your availability • Contact the Box Office to reserve your tickets • Use them in any combination on any of our five remaining shows Four tickets: $180 ($45 per ticket) Eight tickets: $320 ($40 per ticket) For more information or to purchase, visit act-sf.org

MINI SUBSCRIPTION Choose any three plays from our 2019/20 season, any night, any section. Weekday $150 Weekend $180 Purchase either option and you’ll get access to all of our subscriber benefits for the rest of the 2019/20 season.

ADDED BENEFIT! 20/21 SEASON PREVIEW EVENT Choose either option by February 16 and you’ll be invited to our exclusive 2020/21 season preview event on March 16. Learn about the new season from Tony Award–winning Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein, amid special guests at this invite-only event.

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