MFA Acting The Seagull The Servant Blood Match Spring Repertory By Anton Chekhov of Two Masters By Oliver Mayer Scene Dock Translated by By Carlo Goldoni Inspired by the play Theatre Paul Schmidt Translated by Bodas de Sangre by Feb 7 – Mar 8, 2015 Directed by Sylvie Drake Federico García Lorca Kate Burton Directed by Directed by Andy Robinson David Bridel The MFA Acting Repertory Experience Welcome by Andy Robinson Your presence at this performance is invaluable to us, to the and we trust you will enjoy watching our graduating THIS REP SERVES two purposes in actor- Until relatively recently, actors coming out of training: one, it brings a group of student- drama school had more opportunity to secure 2015 MFA MFA acting students in any and all of the plays actors together into a working ensemble; an apprenticeship with one of a number that comprise this “rep” — Anton Chekhov’s The and two, it gives them an intense repertory of resident repertory companies located Acting Seagull, Carlo Goldoni’s A Servant of Two Masters, experience that allows them to practically throughout the country. The intensity of the and Blood Match, written by Oliver Mayer, a new apply all aspects of their training. What the rep experience (rehearsing one play during Spring actor learns from being a working member the day, playing another at night) allowed play inspired by Bodas de Sangre by Federico García of an ensemble is every bit as important as the apprentice to put recent drama school repertory. Lorca. This multi-play repertory is the equivalent of learning the nuts and bolts of the craft. To training to the test of practical application. the students’ Master’s thesis, and it culminates the be a true ensemble player, one develops a Unfortunately, these resident rep companies ensemble performance aspect of the USC School vital connection and a responsibility to the have dwindled down to a precious few. of Dramatic Arts’ MFA actor-training program. For other players. Individual talents are brought together into a coherent and responsive Today, the vast majority of students coming more on the extraordinary challenges and rewards of ensemble that creates the potential for out of drama school are immediately thrown the repertory experience, please read the following extraordinary theatre. into a “freelance” situation where the work words, penned by the MFA Acting’s Founding Director comes sporadically with a lot of “down Andy Robinson, which perfectly capture the essence Michael Chekhov, the great Russian actor, time” in-between. The formative practical director and teacher, believed “the purpose experience that professional rep companies of this remarkable experience. of all training is to create character.” After used to provide has now, to a large extent, more than two years of classes, workshops fallen to academy-styled university or —­­ David Bridel, Director of MFA Acting and performance situations, each one of private actor-training programs. And if the these actors has now created three or more repertory experience is not even offered in characters from three very different plays. these programs, then chances are slim that And because they are a small group taking on the graduated actor will ever find it in the this enormous challenge, they are sometimes professional world. playing roles that commercial theatres would be reluctant to hire them to play. Dean Multi-play rep is not for the faint of heart. Madeline Puzo has remarked that “repertory It requires stamina, patience and true theatre is the triumph of miscasting.” Nothing belief in the creative imagination. Every stretches an actor more than to struggle with bit of intellectual, emotional and physical a character that’s 180 degrees removed from resource the actor possesses is put into her or his “type.” It’s this kind of “miscasting” play. It’s an experience that strengthens and that often allows for revelatory performance. expands presence, the actor’s most valuable asset, and I am deeply grateful to Dean Puzo and the School of Dramatic Arts for keeping the experience alive here at USC.

REPERTORY The Seagull The Servant Blood Match PERFORMANCE of Two Masters SCHEDULE Sat Feb 7 at 2:30 p.m. Sat Feb 7 at 8 p.m. Sat Feb 14 at 8 p.m. Sun Feb 8 at 8 p.m. Sun Feb 8 at 2:30 p.m. Sun Feb 15 at 2:30 p.m. Wed Feb 18 at 7 p.m. Fri Feb 20 at 7 p.m. Sat Feb 21 at 8 p.m. Thur Feb 19 at 7 p.m. Sat Feb 21 at 2:30 p.m. Sun Feb 22 at 2:30 p.m. Sat Feb 28 at 8 p.m. Wed Feb 25 at 7 p.m. Fri Feb 27 at 7 p.m. Sun Mar 1 at 2:30 p.m. Thur Feb 26 at 7 p.m. Sat Feb 28 at 2:30 p.m. THE MFA ACTING CLASS OF 2015 (L TO R:) Kimberli Alexis Flores, Danielle Larson, Sedale Threatt Jr., Fri Mar 6 at 7 p.m. Sat Mar 7 at 8 p.m. Wed Mar 4 at 7 p.m. Alejandro Buceta Parrón, Elmira Rahim, Patrick Pote, Brent Ingram, Amador Plascencia Jr., Amaka Izuchi Sat Mar 7 at 2:30 p.m. Sun Mar 8 at 2:30 p.m. Thur Mar 5 at 7 p.m. PRESENTS THE The Seagull

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance) MFA Acting Spring Repertory Semyón Semyónovich Medvedénko . . . . Brent Ingram Másha ...... Amaka Izuchi The Company Pyótr Nikoláyevich Sórin ...... Randle Mell Kimberli Alexis Flores Brent Ingram Amaka Izuchi Konstantín Gavrílovich Tréplev ...... Patrick Pote Danielle Larson Alejandro Buceta Parrón Amador Plascencia Jr. Yákov ...... Andrew Glavan Nína Mikháilovna Zaréchnaya ...... Danielle Larson Patrick Pote Elmira Rahim Sedale Threatt Jr. Paulína Andréyevna ...... Elmira Rahim Yevgény Sergéyevich Dorn . . . . Alejandro Buceta Parrón The Seagull The Servant Blood Match Ilyá Afanásyevich Shamráyev . . . Amador Plascencia Jr. Irína Nikoláyevna Arkádina . . . . . Kimberli Alexis Flores By Anton Chekhov of Two Masters By Oliver Mayer Borís Alexéyevich Trigórin ...... Sedale Threatt Jr. By Carlo Goldini Inspired by the play Tatiana, the Maid ...... Maria Eliades SCENIC DESIGN Bodas de Sangre by Gennady, the Cook ...... Brandon Wong Takeshi Kata TRANSLATED BY Federico García Lorca COSTUME DESIGN Sylvie Drake Time and Place Howard Schmitt SCENIC DESIGN The action takes place in Russia at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. SCENIC DESIGN Takeshi Kata Acts One, Two, and Three take place over three weeks in the summer. LIGHTING DESIGN Takeshi Kata Between Acts Three and Four, two years have passed. COSTUME DESIGN Leigh Allen COSTUME DESIGN Tina Haatainen-Jones There will be one 15-minute intermission. SOUND DESIGN Howard Schmitt Alma Reyes-Thomas LIGHTING DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN Leigh Allen STAGE MANAGER Leigh Allen DIRECTOR’S BIO Kate Burton has previously directed The Cherry Orchard and Three Sisters Molly McGraw SOUND DESIGN SOUND DESIGN Alma Reyes-Thomas for the MFA Rep. She has also twice directed Shakespeare/Tchaikovsky Alma Reyes-Thomas with Gustavo Dudamel at the LA Philharmonic and The Other Woman at the Berkeley Rep. She is currently appearing in The Price at The Mark Taper DIRECTED BY CHOREOGRAPHY Forum and was most recently nominated for the Emmy for playing Sally Kate Burton STAGE MANAGER Kimberli Alexis Flores Molly McGraw Langston in Scandal and Ellis Grey in Grey’s Anatomy. She would like to STAGE MANAGER thank Maria Aitken and Nicholas Martin for directing her in The Seagull at Boston’s Huntington Theater last season and Randle Mell and Jennifer Zahlit DIRECTED BY Molly McGraw for their invaluable help on this production. She received her BA in Russian Andy Robinson Studies from Brown University and her MFA from The Yale School of Drama. DIRECTED BY DIRECTOR’S NOTE David Bridel The Seagull is the first of Anton Chekov’s four masterpieces...the others being Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard. Never before had Scene Dock Theatre audiences encountered such a theatrical humanist and the play changed the face of theatre. To this day the emblem of the Moscow Art Theatre is a February 7 – March 8, 2015 seagull and the play continues to have profound relevance. Blood Match

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance) The Servant of Two Masters Maid/Mother-in-Law ...... Danielle Larson Father ...... Amador Plascencia Jr. Cast of Characters (in order of appearance) Mother/Beggar Woman ...... Amaka Izuchi Silvio ...... Alejandro Buceta Parrón Bridegroom ...... Sedale Threatt Jr. Pantalone ...... Patrick Pote Neighbor/Circus Singer/Cartel #1 ...... Patrick Pote Clarice/2nd Waiter ...... Danielle Larson Wife ...... Elmira Rahim Il Dottore Lombardi/1st Porter/1st Waiter . . . Sedale Threatt Jr. Leonardo ...... Alejandro Buceta Parrón Smeraldina ...... Amaka Izuchi Sales Girl/Elderly Clown/Priest ...... Brent Ingram Brighella/2nd Porter ...... Kimberli Alexis Flores Cartel #2/Malverde Truffaldino ...... Amador Plascencia Jr. Bride-to-Be ...... Kimberli Alexis Flores Beatrice ...... Elmira Rahim Florindo ...... Brent Ingram Time Present Day Place Time and Place Sinaloa, Mexico Somewhere in an imagined Present in a town called Venezia. There will be no intermission. There will be one 15-minute intermission.

WARNING Please be advised that this production contains theatrical fog and haze, smoking of herbal cigarettes and tobacco products.

DIRECTOR’S BIO DIRECTOR’S BIO Andy Robinson is a Professor of Theatre Practice for the USC School David Bridel is the Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and the Director of Dramatic Arts. He has worked as an actor and director all over of the MFA in Acting at the School of Dramatic Arts. He is a director, the country in theatre, film and TV. The Servant of Two Masters is writer, performer, choreographer and teacher whose work has been the seventh production he has directed for the annual MFA Spring seen in theatres and opera houses around the world. Repertory. He has just completed a theatre memoir, Leaving Hartford: Sources of An Actor’s Craft. DIRECTOR’S NOTE Oliver Mayer’s Blood Match is inspired by the work of Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca. Updating the themes of Lorca’s DIRECTOR’S NOTE The Servant of Two Masters comes from a great tradition, commedia classic Blood Wedding, this new play situates a passionate love story dell’arte, which lives in every aspect and form of our theatrical in a village in contemporary Mexico. The resulting combination of myth practice today. and modernity makes for a tantalizing and mysterious theatrical event.

SPECIAL THANKS Amanda Squitieri Production Staff

For The Seagull DEAN Vocal Coaches Natsuko Ohama, Lauren Murphy Madeline Puzo Scenic Artist Vika Teplinskaya ASSOCIATE DEANS Assistant Stage Managers Maddie Felgentreff, Lexi Hettick Associate Professor of Theatre Practice David Bridel (Director of MFA in Acting) Scenic PA Jean Hyon Professor Sharon Marie Carnicke Assistant Lighting Design Haley Miller Professor Velina Hasu Houston (Director of Dramatic Writing) Crew Shelby Cobb, Julian Conde, Kimberly Morris, Micah Steinke, Philippa Zulnnhausen ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS For The Servant of Two Masters Meiling Cheng (Director of Critical Studies) Vocal Coaches Natsuko Ohama, Lauren Murphy Oliver Mayer Scenic Artist Vika Teplinskaya ASSISTANT PROFESSORS Assistant Stage Managers Lexi Hettick, Maddie Felgentreff Luis Alfaro Scenic PA Zachary Blumner Takeshi Kata Assistant Lighting Design Haley Miller Tom Ontiveros Crew Courtney Lloyd, Selina Scott-Bennin, Katie Snyder, Madeleine Vogel Sibyl Wickersheimer

For Blood Match PROFESSORS OF THEATRE PRACTICE Andrei Belgrader Vocal Coaches Natsuko Ohama, Lauren Murphy Natsuko Ohama Scenic Artist Vika Teplinskaya Andrew J. Robinson Assistant Stage Managers Lexi Hettick, Maddie Felgentreff Scenic PA Kaitlin Chang ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS OF THEATRE PRACTICE Crew James French, Kristina Hanna, Ryan Holmes, Yilin Ma, Mehrnaz Mohammadi, Charles Stern Philip G. Allen Paul Backer (Director of Undergraduate Voice and Movement) Brent Blair (Director of MA in Applied Theatre Arts) Elsbeth M. Collins (Director of Production) Anita Dashiell-Sparks Christina Haatainen-Jones (Director of Design) Joseph Hacker Duncan Mahoney (Technical Director) Mary-Joan Negro (Director of BA Acting Courses) Jack Rowe (Artistic Director, Director of BFA Acting Courses) Stephanie Shroyer (Associate Artistic Director) Eric Trules ASSISTANT PROFESSORS OF THEATRE PRACTICE Randle Mell As You John DeMita David Warshofsky ADJUNCT/PART-TIME FACULTY OF THEATRE PRACTICE Tony Abatemarco, Rob Adler, Patricia Bahia, Robert Bailey, Joe Bays, Andrew Borba, Jason Robert Brown, Tom Buderwitz, Anne Burk, Frank Catalano, Paula Cizmar, Rob Clare, Shannon Cochran, Anatasia Coon, Debra DeLiso, Kathleen Dunn-Muzingo, By William Shakespeare Frank Dwyer, Dan Fishbach, Laura Flanagan, Jeff Flowers, David Franklin, Parmer Fuller, Like It Caitlin Gannon, Terry Gordon, Andrew J. Henkes, Elizabeth Hogan, Michael Keenan, Directed by Michael Arabian Mary K Klinger, Shishir Kurup, Edgar Landa, Vicki Lewis, Helene Lorenz, Heather Lyle, Bing Theatre March 5–8, 2015 Marjo-Riikka Makela, Babette Markus, Kevin McCorkle, Debbie McMahon, Laurel Meade, Lauren Murphy, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Patrick Pankhurst, Leah Piehl, John Rubinstein, Mady Schutzman, Virginia Scott, Janet Shulman, Colin Sieburgh, Zachary Steel, Jason Thompson, Ella Turenne, Laura Vena, Matt Walker, Julie Welch For tickets and information, visit dramaticarts.usc.edu Courtesy Joint Appointments: Thomas G. Cummings, Larry E. Greiner (Emeritus), Bruce Smith Emeriti Faculty: Don Llewellyn, Eve Roberts, Robert R. Scales, James Wilson BOARD OF COUNCILORS STAFF SUPPORTERS OF DRAMATIC ARTS Patrick J. Adams DEAN’S OFFICE The USC School of Dramatic Arts would like to recognize the generosity of the following individuals and Lisa Barkett Executive Assistant to the Dean Karita Pablik organizations who have supported the School with a gift of $1,000 or more over the past year towards core Todd Black Administrative Assistants Michele Medina, Miranda Scheffel annual programs such as production, guest artists, scholarship and the Dean’s Strategic Fund. We recognize Tim Curry Information Technology Director Prakash Shirke at the visionary level those donors whose tremendous generosity has reached the cumulative giving level of $1 Tate Donovan million+ and whose foresight and extraordinary commitment has helped secure our role as one of the leading Michele Dedeaux Engemann ACADEMIC & STUDENT AFFAIRS dramatic arts programs in the country and laid the foundation for our continued prominence and future (Founding Chair) Assistant Dean Lori Ray Fisher achievements. Michael Felix Director of Academic & Student Services Sergio Ramirez Greg Foster VISIONARY CIRCLE DIRECTORS ANGELS (continued) Academic Advisors Daniel Leyva, Isaac Vigilla Michael Gilligan Internship & Special Programs Coordinator Meghan Laughlin Dr. & Mrs. Peter Bing and the Todd Black & Ruth Graham Black The Bridges Larson Foundation Robert Greenblatt Admissions Counselor Ramón Valdez Anna H. Bing Living Trust Dr. Verna B. Dauterive David & Debra Little Donna Isaacson George N. Burns Trust Ken & Kim Farinksy Steve & Cynthia Lynch Scheduling Coordinator Helga Matthews Mark Kogan Katherine B. Loker Gregory & Marci Foster Marguerite E. Maclntyre Office Manager Mabel Lopez Gary Lask Robert & Elizabeth Plumleigh Marvin & Cookie Friedman Scott S. Mullet & Sheila Lipinsky BUSINESS AFFAIRS in memory of George & Dyan Getz Jenelle Anne Marsh-Mullet Karen Plumleigh Cortney* Anne Helgen & Michael Gilligan Robert & Debbie Myman Jimmy Miller Assistant Dean Virginia Ross Susan A. Grode Sylvia Neil in honor of Madeline Puzo Business Administrator & HR/Payroll Coordinator Crystal Balthrop SEASON SPONSORS Tom & Noelle Hicks Richard Weinberg & Thomas Schumacher Donna Isaacson Diane Stilwell The Ahmanson Foundation James D. Stern COMMUNICATIONS Jimmy & Cheryl Miller Sherri Nelson Steve & Abbey Braverman* Andy Tennant Christine Marie Ofiesh Elizabeth C. Noble Assistant Dean Delphine Vasko Barnett Charitable Foundation* Rik Toulon Robert R. Scales in memory of Dr. Willa Olsen Director of Print and Digital Media Stacey Wang Rizzo Richard & Lori Berke* Suzanne Grossmann Scales Mark Paluch Eric T. Kalkhurst & Nora K. Hui* Graphic Designer Christopher Komuro David & Rebecca Scaramucci Joseph & Catherine Phoenix Seth & Vicki Kogan* Carole Shammas & Darryl Holter Dean Madeline Puzo PARENT AMBASSADORS DEVELOPMENT Steve & Jerri Nagelberg* Thomas Schumacher Andrew J. & Irene Robinson Sally & Howard Oxley James D. Stern Meredith & Drew Rowley Steve & Abbey Braverman Assistant Dean Sara Fousekis in honor of Dean Madeline Puzo* Rik Toulon John & Cyndy Scotti Suzanne Bruce, MD Director of Major Gifts Billie Ortiz Susie & Alex Pilmer* & Malcolm Waddell Nancy & Peter Tuz Rick & Jeanne Silverman Director of Individual Giving Kimberly Muhlbach Teri & Byron Pollitt* Nancy Sinatra, Sr. Suzanne Bruce, MD Anne Helgen & Michael Gilligan Director of Special Events Marissa Gonzalez PATRONS in honor of my niece Dean Puzo & Malcolm Waddell* Ernest & Raphael Morgan Development Research Assistant Maggie Abrego-Bellis Abe & Annika Somer Teri & Byron Pollitt Richard & Diane Weinberg Patrick J. Adams Jeff & Cathie Thermond Development Assistant Kathy Morgan Craig & Jennifer Zobelein The Emanuel Bachmann Lauren & David Rush Ruth Tuomala & Ernest Cravalho Foundation PRODUCTION Gloria A. Vogt-Nilsen EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Barbara Cotler Carol & Grover Wilson Assistant Technical Directors Michael Etzrodt, Michael Wiskow George & Barbara Farinsky Anonymous in honor of Meg Farinsky Theatre Manager CB Borger DONATIONS IN KIND Alexander & Megan LoCasale* Teri & Gary Paul Asst . Theatre Managers Fionnegan Justus Murphy, Christopher Paci Ernest & Raphael Morgan* Costume Shop Manager Howard Schmitt Eddie & Julia Pinchasi Jean A. Black Brian & Dianne Morton J.W. Woodruff and Els Collins Costume Technicians Charlotte Stratton, JoEllen Skinner Oscar & Mary Pallares* Scenic Charge Artist Vika Teplinskaya Ethel I. Woodruff Foundation Jeffrey de Caen Jim & Leslie Visnic* Rosemary Gabledon Properties Manager Hannah Burnham ANGELS Mark Malan PRODUCERS Judith Parker Jonathan & Adrienne Anderle Tamara Ruppart & Kevin Zvargulis Anonymous Mohammed & Elizabeth Anis Randolph & Ellen Beatty Anonymous ABOUT THE SCHOOL MaryLou Boone Susan & David Berck Located in Los Angeles, a city synonymous with In memory of John R . Bukowiec Amir & Angela Bozorgmir Tate Donovan artistic innovation and excellence, the top-ranked Sara Bancroft-Clair & Pierson Clair Gail & Jim Ellis USC School of Dramatic Arts is a leader in dramatic Linda Chester & Kenneth Rind in honor of Madeline Puzo in honor of Howard & Sally Oxley arts education. The School uniquely blends artistic Roger & Michele training in a conservatory environment with world- Caroline Jin Choi Dedeaux Engemann The Del Conte Family class faculty artists and the full academic experience Margaret Eagle & Eli Rapaport Scott & Deborah DeVries found only within a major research university. Michael & Debbie Felix Richard Frankosky & This close-knit, supportive environment offers Brad & Ally Fuller Elaine Eliopoulos Mark J. & Elizabeth L. Kogan students the freedom to explore their artistic Molly & David Helfet Philanthropic Fund Jeffrey P. McKee Foundation passions. Through programs of the highest caliber, as Gary & Karen Lask well as initiatives that provide access to professional David & Debra Jensen Sheila & Jeff Lipinsky James & Margaret Kelly experience, students are prepared for leadership in Aileen & James Reilly *Represents multi-year pledge every facet of dramatic arts. For more information, please visit http://dramaticarts.usc.edu. We hope you will consider becoming a member. For more information about giving to the School of Dramatic Arts, please contact Sara Fousekis at 213.821.4047 or [email protected]. For tickets andinformation, visit November 2014 20–23, Theatre McClintock Blasor Denise by Directed Cruz Nilo By Tropics the in Anna November 2014 6–9, Bing Theatre by MichaelDirected Keenan Mortimer John by Translated Feydeau By Georges Pigeons the Among Cat October 2, 30–November 2014 Theatre McClintock Bailey Robert by Directed Inge William By Brave Summer 2014 23–26, October Scene Dock Theatre Directed by Edward Edwards Read West David By Boy Burning the of Dream The 9–12, 2014 October Bing Theatre Directed by John DeMita and William Berney By Howard Richardson Moon ofthe Dark 2014 2–5, October Theatre McClintock Backer Paul by Directed Kane By Sarah 4.48 Psychosis 2014 2–5, October Scene Dock Theatre Watson Cameron by Directed Brady Michael By Birthday 37th Her on To Gillian A place place dramaticarts.usc.edu possibilities February 7–March 8, 2015 8, 7–March February Scene Dock Theatre Repertory* Spring MFA Acting November 2014 20–23, Scene Dock Theatre Watson Cameron by Directed Miller Arthur By Clock American The April 2015 2–5, Scene Dock Theatre Directed by John DeMita By William Congreve the The of Way World 5–8, 2015 March Bing Theatre by MichaelDirected Arabian By William Shakespeare You It As Like 1, 2015 26–March February Theatre McClintock Shroyer Stephanie by Directed By Peter Barnes Noses Red of Directed byDirected David Bridel by Federico García Lorca Sangre de Bodas play the by Inspired Mayer Oliver By Blood Match Andy Robinson Directed by Translated by Sylvie Drake Goldoni Carlo By Masters Two of Servant The Burton Kate by Directed By Anton Chekhov Seagull The

May 26–30, 2015 26–30, May Playhouse The Pasadena at Hamilton Theatre Carrie The Play Project Writing Dramatic in Arts Fine of Master The Year 3 Works Festival New 2015 23–26, April Scene Dock Theatre T. Daniel Gregg by Directed Nottage Lynn By Tablethe ofJoy from Crumbs 2015 23–26, April Theatre McClintock by Jack RoweDirected Rebeck By Theresa Up Against Were We What 2015 10–26, April Theatre Massman Workshop Playwrights in Dramatic Writing Arts Fine of Master The Year 2 Works Festival New 9–12, 2015 April Theatre McClintock Kokernot byDirected Larissa By Lisa Loomer Room The Waiting April 2–12, 2015 Bing Theatre Maynard Jeff by Directed Casey Warren and Jacobs Jim by Lyrics and Music Book, Grease

2014/15