NOV–DEC 2016 SEASON 50, ISSUE 3 Untitled-2 1

SAN FRANCISCO’S PREMIER NONPROFIT THEATER COMPANY

©2016 City National Bank City National Personal Banking “ my financiallifeintune.” CityNational helpskeep City National is essence ofasuccessfulrelationship. ofwhatIdoandlove.being apart Thatisthe music toaudiencesallover theworld.Theyenjoy inhelpingmebringclassical and isinstrumental classical music.CityNational shares mypassion focus oncreating andsharingthe“adventures” of help keepmyfinanciallifeoncoursesoIcan ensemble. Ineedpeoplewhocancountonto city, adifferent pieceofmusic,adifferent So muchofmylifeisalwaysshifting;adifferent a personalbanker. Call (866)618-5242tospeakwith Findyour wayup. Findyourwayup.com/Tuned2SF Hear Michael’s at completestory Conductor, Educator andComposer TilsonMichael Thomas The way up The way ® for me. SM CNB MEMBER FDIC 8/10/16 12:13 PM B:8.625” T:8.375” S:7.375” B:11.125” T:10.875” S:9.875”

We care for the city that helped you start a new chapter.

Our kidney and transplant programs have higher than expected outcomes than any other hospital in the country. When you call this city home, you call CPMC your hospital.

cpmc2020.org

EAP full-page template.indd 1 10/7/16 4:47 PM

40775 Version:01 09-02-16 hr 40775_SFEncore_BStore 1 SF Ballet-Encore_Bookstore Saved at 09-02-2016 from by Printed At None

Job info Approvals Fonts & Images Job 40775 Art Director Fonts Client Sutter Health Copywriter Helvetica Neue LT Std (75 Bold, 45 Light), Media Type Magazine Account Mgr Helvetica Neue (Bold) Live 7.375” x 9.875” Studio Artist Trim 8.375” x 10.875” Proofreader Images Bleed 8.625” x 11.125” Pubs SF Ballet Notes Inks SF Encore Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black None November 2016 Volume 15, No. 3 RHODA GOLDMAN PLAZA Paul Heppner Publisher

Susan Peterson Design & Production Director

Ana Alvira, Robin Kessler, Shaun Swick, Stevie VanBronkhorst Production Artists and Graphic Design

Mike Hathaway Sales Director

Marilyn Kallins, Terri Reed, Rob Scott San Francisco/Bay Area Account Executives

Brieanna Bright, Joey Chapman, Ann Manning Seattle Area Account Executives

Jonathan Shipley Ad Services Coordinator

Carol Yip Sales Coordinator

Paul Heppner President

Mike Hathaway Vice President

Genay Genereux Accounting & Office Manager

Sara Keats Marketing Manager Ryan Devlin Business Development Manager

Corporate Office 425 North 85th Street Seattle, WA 98103 p 206.443.0445 f 206.443.1246 [email protected] Inspired. Engaged. Yours. 800.308.2898 x105 www.encoremediagroup.com Discover why older adults and their families prefer San Francisco’s unsurpassed assisted living and memory care community. For your personal visit, call Candiece at 415.345.5072 or email [email protected].

Encore Arts Programs is published monthly by Encore Media 2180 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 rgplaza.org Group to serve musical and theatrical events in the Puget Sound and San Francisco Bay Areas. All rights reserved. Founded by Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Mount Zion Health Fund RCFE# 385600125 ©2016 Encore Media Group. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited. 4 ACT-SF.ORG

CLIENT RGP PUB Encore REF NO RGP745-01bg - Helene & Ivy AD TYPE 2/3 page vertical, 4C SPECS 4.75” x 9.875” ISSUE December MAT’LS DUE 10.7.16 VERSION 2 AGENCY RESIN CONTACT Tim Paschke – 415 987 4274 SAN FRANCISCO'S THEATER COMPANY

American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco’s Tony Award– A.C.T.’s 50-year-old Conservatory, led by Melissa Smith, is at winning nonprofit theater, nurtures the art of live theater the center of our work. Our three-year, fully accredited Master through dynamic productions, intensive actor training, of Fine Arts Program is at the forefront of America’s actor and ongoing engagement with our community. Under the training programs. Meanwhile, our intensive Summer Training leadership of Artistic Director Carey Perloff, we embrace Congress attracts students from around the world, and the San our responsibility to conserve, renew, and reinvent our rich Francisco Semester offers a unique study-abroad opportunity theatrical traditions and literatures, while exploring new for undergraduates. Other programs include the world-famous artistic forms and new communities. Founded by William Ball, Young Conservatory for students ages 8 to 19, led by 28-year a pioneer of the regional theater movement, A.C.T. opened its veteran Craig Slaight; Studio A.C.T., our expansive course of first San Francisco season in 1967. We have since performed theater study for adults; and the Professional Development more than 350 productions to a combined audience of more Training Program, which offers actor training for companies than seven million people. Every year we reach more than seeking to elevate their employees’ business performance skills. 250,000 people through our productions and programs. Our alumni often grace our mainstage and perform around the Bay Area, as well as on stages and screens across the country. Rising from the wreckage of the earthquake and fire of 1906 and hailed as the “perfect playhouse,” the beautiful, historic A.C.T. also brings the benefits of theater-based arts education Geary Theater has been our home since the beginning. When to more than 12,000 Bay Area students and educators each the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake ripped the roof apart, San year. Central to our ACTsmart education programs, run by Franciscans rallied together to raise a record-breaking $30 Director of Education & Community Programs Elizabeth million to rebuild the theater. The Geary reopened in 1996 with Brodersen, is the longstanding Student Matinee (SMAT) a production of The Tempest directed by Perloff, who took over program, which has brought hundreds of thousands of young in 1992 after the retirement of A.C.T.’s second artistic director, people to A.C.T. performances since 1968. We also provide gentleman artist Ed Hastings. touring Will on Wheels Shakespeare productions, teaching- artist residencies, in-school workshops, and study materials to Perloff’s 24-season tenure has been marked by groundbreaking Bay Area schools and community-based organizations. productions of classical works and new translations creatively colliding with exceptional contemporary theater; cross- With our increased presence in the Central Market neighborhood disciplinary performances and international collaborations; marked by the renovation of The Strand Theater and the and theater made by, for, and about the Bay Area. Her fierce opening of The Costume Shop Theater, A.C.T. plays a leadership commitment to audience engagement ushered in a new era role in securing the future of theater for San Francisco and of InterACT events and dramaturgical publications, inviting the nation. everyone to explore what goes on behind the scenes.

American Conservatory Theater Board of Trustees (As of October 2016) The Board of Directors of the M.F.A. Program Nancy Livingston Ray Apple Carey Perloff Dagmar Dolby CHAIR Lesley Ann Clement Robina Riccitiello William Draper III Abby Sadin Schnair Kirke M. Hasson Richard T. Davis-Lowell Dan Rosenbaum John Goldman CHAIR PRESIDENT Jerome L. Dodson Sally Rosenblatt Kaatri Grigg Michael G. Dovey Abby Sadin Schnair James Haire Carlotta Dathe Celeste Ford VICE CHAIR Olympia Dukakis Jeff Spears Kent Harvey Frannie Fleishhacker Sarah M. Earley Robert Tandler Sue Yung Li Arnie Glassberg Priscilla Geeslin Frannie Fleishhacker Patrick S. Thompson Christine Mattison Christopher Hollenbeck VICE CHAIR Ken Fulk Joaquin Torres Joan McGrath Luba Kipnis David Riemer Dianne Hoge Jeff Ubben Deedee McMurtry Linda Kurtz VICE CHAIR Jo S. Hurley Adriana Lopez Vermut Mary S. Metz Jennifer Lindsay Steven L. Swig Jeri Lynn Johnson Nola Yee Toni Rembe Toni Miller VICE CHAIR Alan Jones Kay Yun Rusty Rueff Toni Rembe Linda Jo Fitz James H. Levy Joan Sadler Sally Rosenblatt TREASURER Heather Stallings Little EMERITUS Cherie Sorokin Anne Shonk Janet V. Lustgarten ADVISORY BOARD Alan L. Stein Melissa Smith Daniel E. Cohn SECRETARY Jeffrey S. Minick Barbara Bass Bakar Barry Lawson Williams Alan L. Stein Michael P. Nguyen Rena Bransten Carlie Wilmans Patrick S. Thompson Alan L. Stein Martim Oliveira Jack Cortis CHAIR EMERITUS Peter Pastreich Joan Danforth

American Conservatory Theater was founded in 1965 by William Ball. Edward Hastings, Artistic Director 1986–92

415.749.2228 5 CELEBRATE A.C.T.’S 50TH SEASON! TICKETS START AT $20. JOHN

FEB 1–26, 2017 FEB 22–APR 23, 2017 THE GEARY THEATER THE STRAND THEATER

MAR 30–APR 23, 2017 APR 26–MAY 21, 2017 BEGINS JUNE 2017 THE GEARY THEATER THE GEARY THEATER THE GEARY THEATER

act-sf.org/join | 415.749.2228

PHOTO CREDITS: Top Row: A Thousand Splendid Suns: Photography ©Shaul Schwarz/Getty Images News/Getty Images. Design by David Mann Calligraphy/Stephen Raw. Bottom Row: Needles and Opium: Wellesley Robertson III in Needles and Opium. Photo courtesy Ex Machina. Battlefield: Photo by Simon Annand. A Night with Janis Joplin: Artwork by Adam Larson ONLY@THE STRAND MARTIN MORAN OBIE Award winner Martin Moran brings his acclaimed solo shows to The Strand Theater, performing All The Rage and The Tricky Part in repertory. Growing up in 1970s Denver, Moran seemed like a poster boy for Catholic school—good grades, clean fingernails, and a smile for everyone on his paper route. Inside, however, Moran was grappling with the conflicting shame and thrill of his relationship with his 30-year-old male camp counselor. Whether experienced individually or as a pair of one-act events, you’ll be riveted by Moran’s heartfelt and often funny journey from teenage pain to human grace. NOV 29–DEC 11, 2016

“Emotion-stirring territory that you don’t often visit at the theater” The New York Times

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

THE SKIVVIES: HOLIDAY ROADKILL The Skivvies, Broadway’s Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, are the hottest act in NYC and anything but typical. Literally stripping to their skivvies, performing hilarious mash-ups of pop songs and classics such as “Blue Christmas” on an array of quirky instruments, The Skivvies take on holiday music with such creativity and originality that you’ll feel like you’re hearing old standards for the first time. DEC 22–23, 2016

“Undie rock, with a “The Skivvies leave soupçon of Broadway” it all on the floor” The New York Times The Wall Street Journal JACQUELINE PATTON PHOTOGRAPHY

ON BECKETT Master clown Bill Irwin returns to The Strand after his sold-out performances last December to present a limited engagement dedicated to the Irish playwright: poems, prose, and plays; his own reflections on Samuel Beckett after 50 years of performing the great playwright’s work; and of course a little soft-shoe shuffle. JAN 10–22, 2017

“Irwin knows his Beckett . . . and Beckett’s affinity for clowns is famous” San Francisco Chronicle PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL IRWIN GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT ACT-SF.ORG/ATTHESTRAND OR CALL 415.749.2228 UP NEXT

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS BY Ursula Rani Sarma

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY Khaled Hosseini

ORIGINAL MUSIC WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY David Coulter

DIRECTED BY Carey Perloff

A COPRODUCTION WITH THEATRE CALGARY

Recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award

BEGINS FEB 1 | THE GEARY THEATER 415.749.2228 BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY | 8 A.C.T. IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE “BRAVE, HONORABLE, world-premiere theatrical adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel A Thousand Splendid BIG-HEARTED . . . Suns. The epic story of three generations of Afghan powerfully moving!” women and their remarkable resilience, A Thousand The Washington Post Splendid Suns is set amidst the war-torn streets of Kabul. Strong-willed Laila, unmarried and pregnant, is forced to wed her older neighbor when her family and home are torn apart. “INSPIRATIONAL, After she forges an extraordinary and unlikely OUTSTANDING . . . friendship with Mariam, her husband’s first wife, the two women find the hope and strength to raise the a story of hope and of life” next generation. This stunning new production will The Guardian, London feature live music from renowned composer and saw player David Coulter. “Hosseini’s writing makes our hearts ache, our stomachs clench, and our emotions reel” (USA Today).

GROUPS OF 15+ ACT-SF.ORG | 415.749.2228 | CALL 415.439.2309 415.749.2228 BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY | 9 DEC 21–24 KIDS UNDER 18 HALF PRICE* A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! Dance and sing along to a live-action performance with animated backdrops on the big screen! The SF Symphony and Chorus will accompany your favorite Peanuts pals in this family-friendly holiday classic. © SNOWMAN ENTERPRISES LTD ENTERPRISES © SNOWMAN

DEC 7–8 DEC 16–18 KIDS UNDER 18 HALF PRICE* A Classic Christmas The Snowman with the SF Symphony Holiday film with the SF Symphony It’s the perfect Christmas concert, featuring selections from Take part in this extraordinary tale of friendship as the movie is Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and highlights from Humperdinck’s projected on the big screen and the SF Symphony performs the score storybook opera Hansel and Gretel (in English). Then, stay for favorite live. Also on the program, jazzy Christmas hits with the Symphony. carols played by the SF Symphony and sung by the Pacific Boychoir. ©Snowman Enterprises Limited “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs is published by Puffin

TICKETS sfsymphony.org/holiday 415-864-6000 START AT * SECOND CENTURY PARTNER SEASON PARTNERS $15 Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall. Programs,artists, and prices subject to change. *Subject to availability. Box Office Hours Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat noon–6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts Walk Up Grove Street between Van Ness and Franklin

Inaugural Partner Official Airline

Untitled-3 1 10/17/16 4:27 PM DON’T JUST SIT THERE . . .

At A.C.T.’s free InterACT events, you can mingle with cast members, join interactive workshops with theater artists, and meet fellow theatergoers at hosted celebrations in our lounges. Join us for our upcoming production of A Thousand Splendid Suns and InterACT with us!

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS AT THE GEARY THEATER

BIKE TO THE THEATER NIGHT FEB 1, 7 PM Ride your bike to A.C.T. and take advantage of secure bike parking, low-priced tickets, and happy-hour prices at our preshow mixer, presented in partnership with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

PROLOGUE FEB 7, 5:30 PM Go deeper with a fascinating preshow discussion with a member of the Thousand Splendid Suns artistic team.

WHAT’S INSIDE THEATER ON THE COUCH* FEB 10, 8 PM ABOUT THE PLAY INSIDE A.C.T. Take part in a lively discussion in our lower-level lounge with Dr. Mason Turner, 13 LETTER FROM THE 42 A SENSE OF SELF chief of psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR A.C.T.’s Residency with By Carey Perloff Downtown High School AUDIENCE EXCHANGE* By Shannon Stockwell FEB 14, 7 PM; FEB 19 & 22, 2 PM 20 A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Join us for an exciting Q&A with the cast PAST AND PRESENT 44 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? following the show. The Evolution of the Life after the A.C.T. Young Conservatory Holiday Classic at A.C.T. OUT WITH A.C.T.* By Simon Hodgson FEB 15, 8 PM By Michael Paller Mix and mingle at this hosted postshow LGBT party. 22 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Celebrating the A.C.T. Family with SYMPOSIUM* A Christmas Carol EDITOR FEB 18, 2 PM SIMON HODGSON By Elspeth Sweatman An expert on the themes of the play joins a member of the Thousand Splendid Suns ASSOCIATE EDITOR artistic team for a compelling postshow 24 THE MAN WHO SHANNON STOCKWELL INVENTED CHRISTMAS conversation. Dickens’s Effect on the Holiday Season CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL PALLER WENTE VINEYARDS WINE SERIES By Michael Paller CAREY PERLOFF FEB 21, 7 PM ELSPETH SWEATMAN Meet fellow theatergoers at this hosted wine-tasting event.

PLAYTIME FEB 25, 12:45 PM Get hands-on with theater at this CONNECT! VOLUNTEER! interactive preshow workshop.

A.C.T. volunteers provide an invaluable service with their time, enthusiasm, and love of theater. To learn more and order tickets Opportunities include helping out in our for InterACT events, ABOVE: JAMES CARPENTER (LEFT) AND ERIN performing-arts library and ushering in our theaters. visit act-sf.org/interact. MICHELLE WASHINGTON IN A.C.T.’S 2008 PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL. PHOTO FOR MORE INFORMATION: *Events take place immediately BY KEVIN BERNE. ACT-SF.ORG/VOLUNTEER following the performance

415.749.2228 11 WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY RANDY JOHNSON

STARRING MARY BRIDGET DAVIES LARSON ADAM BY ARTWORK

•

LIKE A COMET THAT BURNS FAR TOO BRIGHTLY TO LAST, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock ’n’ roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, THE EVENTS THAT MADE THE WOMAN. made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. THE WOMAN WHO MADE THE MUSIC. Now, you’re invited to share an evening with the woman and her influences in the new Broadway musicalA Night with Janis THE MUSIC THAT CHANGED HISTORY. Joplin. Fueled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby,” and “Summertime,” a remarkable cast, and breakout performances, A Night with Janis Joplin, written and directed BEGINS JUNE 2017 by Randy Johnson, is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—icons likeAretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone, and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock ’n’ roll’s greatest legends.

GROUPS OF 15+ THE GEARY THEATER | ACT-SF.ORG | 415.749.2228 | CALL 415.439.2309 FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

Big, openhearted holiday greetings to every one of you! Whether until his heart is reawakened and he begins his life anew. Now you’re here for the first time or because A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol more than ever, the themes of Dickens’s story of greed and is an indispensable part of your annual solstice celebration, we’re renewal resonate, as we continue to wrestle with ever more thrilled and honored to have you with us. pervasive income inequality and struggle to hold onto our empathy and imagination in an increasingly divided world. This version of Dickens’s beautiful story, which Paul Walsh and I created eleven seasons ago, grew out of the very depths of It is worth remembering that Dickens trusted the artistic A.C.T.’s being. We are, uniquely, an intergenerational theater in imagination to lift us out of the darkness and set us on a which children and adults, professionals and students, masters more inspiring path. It is also worth noting, for those of you and emerging artists train, create, and play together on a regular who are here with children, that it has been proved again basis. Because we house one of the most renowned master and again that when young people are exposed to the of fine arts programs in America, and because we are blessed transformative power of live theater, their scholastic work and with our truly one-of-a-kind Young Conservatory (YC), in which worldview open up in wonderful and surprising ways. With students ages 8–19 study and perform and grow, we made sure each passing year, A.C.T. becomes more and more deeply that A.C.T.’s Carol would feature an extraordinary range of artists engaged in arts education for young people throughout the of all ages, collaborating on this exquisite tale of redemption Bay Area, and student matinees of A Christmas Carol are and transformation. often the first experience that Bay Area children have of live theater. In the 24 years I have been at A.C.T., Dickens’s This year, our Carol is, as always, blessed by the presence of incredible story has been a remarkable constant and a way some of the Bay Area’s most beloved actors—including James for us to come together to reassess, to celebrate, to imagine. Carpenter and Anthony Fusco (our inimitable Scrooges), Ken Ruta, Sharon Lockwood, Nick Gabriel, Cindy Goldfield, and We hope you feel that you’ve given yourselves a gift by being many more. It also features 29 children from our YC and the here, and we wish you a fulfilling and empathetic year ahead. entire M.F.A. Program class of 2017. This is an incredible gift: a This coming year is a particularly exciting one for us, as 2017 chance for the larger A.C.T. family to work together and for you, will mark exactly 50 years of A.C.T. We hope you will return this our Carol audience, to see the breadth of A.C.T.’s commitment winter and spring to experience the artists and artistry of A.C.T.’s to artists of all ages. So from our family to yours, welcome! extraordinary 2016–17 season, both here at The Geary and at By supporting A Christmas Carol, you are also supporting our The Strand, where great adventures await you. scholarship fund for young people who want to make theater part of their lives, and for that we are deeply grateful. With best wishes,

Paul Walsh and I wanted this Carol to salute the power of the imagination to transform even the crustiest of souls. Dickens’s novella is exceptionally theatrical: much of it is written in dialogue, and it centers around the striking presence of four Carey Perloff ghosts who perform a series of “interventions” on Scrooge Artistic Director

13 CAREY PERLOFF, Artistic Director PETER PASTREICH, Interim Executive Director

PRESENTS

A UNIQUELY SAN FRANCISCO NUTCRACKER A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

DEC 10–29 A Christmas Carol will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

BY CHARLES DICKENS CHARITABLES CINDY GOLDFIELD HOWARD SWAIN ADAPTED BY CAREY PERLOFF AND PAUL WALSH TINY TIM CRATCHIT RUTH KEITH

MUSIC BY KARL LUNDEBERG SCROOGE’S HOME DIRECTED BY DOMENIQUE LOZANO MRS. DILBER SHARON LOCKWOOD

BASED ON THE GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY KEN RUTA ORIGINAL DIRECTION BY CAREY PERLOFF

CHOREOGRAPHY BY VAL CANIPAROLI CHRISTMAS PAST GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST EMILY BROWN MUSIC DIRECTION BY DANIEL FEYER DAVEY ORION KOLODNY SCENIC DESIGNER JOHN ARNONE EDWARD JOSHUA LIAM VON HOLDER COSTUME DESIGNER BEAVER BAUER BOY DICK OXFORD LEWIS LIGHTING DESIGNER NANCY SCHERTLER BOY SCROOGE DYLAN PALMER SOUND DESIGNER JAKE RODRIGUEZ LITTLE FAN ELLIE LAUTER DANCE RÉPÉTITEUR NANCY DICKSON

DRAMATURG MICHAEL PALLER FEZZIWIG’S WAREHOUSE MR. FEZZIWIG COLIN THOMSON CASTING JANET FOSTER, CSA MRS. FEZZIWIG SHARON LOCKWOOD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JESSICA KATZ BELLE DIANA GONZALEZ-MORETT

CAST YOUNG SCROOGE ALAN LITTLEHALES

// © Erik Tomasson Nutcracker San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s ACT I DICK WILKINS PATRICK ANDREW JONES SCROOGE’S OFFICE EBENEZER SCROOGE JAMES CARPENTER ERMENGARDE ALEXA ERBACH BUY TICKETS TODAY ANTHONY FUSCO (MATINEE: NOV. 26, 27 & 30; JIM ALBERT RUBIO sfballet.org DEC. 3, 4, 11, 17, 18, 21 & 23 EVENING: DEC. 7, 9, 10, 13, GILES THE FIDDLER THOMI GREEN 15 & 22) FELICITY AKILAH A. WALKER BOB CRATCHIT NICK GABRIEL LEAD SPONSORS SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS ALAN HOWARD SWAIN The Herbert Family Yurie and Carl Pascarella FRED ALBERT RUBIO RUTH The Swanson Foundation Kathleen Scutchfield CINDY GOLDFIELD The Smelick Family 415.749.2228 15

EAP full-page template.indd 1 10/18/16 4:16 PM CAREY PERLOFF, Artistic Director PETER PASTREICH, Interim Executive Director

PRESENTS

A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

A Christmas Carol will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

BY CHARLES DICKENS CHARITABLES CINDY GOLDFIELD HOWARD SWAIN ADAPTED BY CAREY PERLOFF AND PAUL WALSH TINY TIM CRATCHIT RUTH KEITH

MUSIC BY KARL LUNDEBERG SCROOGE’S HOME DIRECTED BY DOMENIQUE LOZANO MRS. DILBER SHARON LOCKWOOD

BASED ON THE GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY KEN RUTA ORIGINAL DIRECTION BY CAREY PERLOFF

DRAMATURG MICHAEL PALLER FEZZIWIG’S WAREHOUSE MR. FEZZIWIG COLIN THOMSON CASTING JANET FOSTER, CSA MRS. FEZZIWIG SHARON LOCKWOOD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JESSICA KATZ BELLE DIANA GONZALEZ-MORETT

CAST YOUNG SCROOGE ALAN LITTLEHALES

ACT I DICK WILKINS PATRICK ANDREW JONES SCROOGE’S OFFICE EBENEZER SCROOGE JAMES CARPENTER ERMENGARDE ALEXA ERBACH ANTHONY FUSCO (MATINEE: NOV. 26, 27 & 30; JIM ALBERT RUBIO DEC. 3, 4, 11, 17, 18, 21 & 23 EVENING: DEC. 7, 9, 10, 13, GILES THE FIDDLER THOMI GREEN 15 & 22) FELICITY AKILAH A. WALKER BOB CRATCHIT NICK GABRIEL ALAN HOWARD SWAIN FRED ALBERT RUBIO RUTH CINDY GOLDFIELD

415.749.2228 15 For inner peace, I practice yoga, eat healthfully,

and love where I live.

As a yoga instructor, Marilyn has always embraced a Northern California lifestyle. So she brought her yoga class on campus, along with her passion for fresh, healthful food to the table. What else adds to her inner peace? The central location, Life Care, and freedom from mundane chores. Looking for some inner peace of your own? To find out how and A Life Care Community sequoias-sf.org learn more about retirement living, call Alison at (415) 351-7900. 1400 Geary Boulevard

This not-for-profit community is part of Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services. License# 380500593 COA# 097

EAP full-page template.indd 1 Job # / Name: NCPHS-567 MAT SSF_Yoga_ACT_AdDec2016ME01 Date: 10/24/16 10/25/16 2:31 PM Publication: ACT Due at pub: 10/24/16 Issue date: Dec, 2016 Ad Size: Bleed: 8.625 x 11.125 in Trim: 8.375 x 10.875 in Live: 7.375 x 9.875 in Sign Off: AD: IL Proofer: AE: IJ CAREY PERLOFF, Artistic Director PETER PASTREICH, Interim Executive Director

CAST (CONTINUED) CHRISTMAS PRESENT TRAVELS CAROLERS HELENA CHUANG CHILDREN OF ALAN AND RUTH MATTEA FOUNTAIN DIANA GONZALEZ-MORETT CHRISTOPHE MITCHELL NAREA KANG PILAR RIVAS JOSHUA LIAM VON HOLDER

BURT STEPHEN WATTRUS THE PUB CHARLES GIBSON PATRICK ANDREW JONES DOROTHY NAREA KANG ALAN LITTLEHALES COLIN THOMSON ALFRED KABIR MCNEELY THE MINER FAMILY JULIE ADAMO RORY WILKINS CHRISTOPHE MITCHELL THOMI GREEN ROWAN F. HAMILTON SARAH WILKINS PILAR RIVAS ORION KOLODNY NOEMY RODRIGUEZ PRECIOUS WILKINS MATTEA FOUNTAIN SEA CAPTAIN AND CABIN BOY HOWARD SWAIN OXFORD LEWIS ACT II CHRISTMAS PRESENT BEGGAR CHILD BESS BLACKBURN GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT CATHERINE CASTELLANOS FRUIT SELLERS ELLIE LAUTER PRODUCE SELLERS CINDY GOLDFIELD CHRISTOPHE MITCHELL NAREA KANG PILAR RIVAS

SPANISH ONIONS KANA GEHRMAN EVELYN ONGPIN CHRISTMAS FUTURE GANG MEMBERS BESS BLACKBURN TURKISH FIGS ALEXANDRA VAN DE POEL ALEXA ERBACH ALEJANDRA ZAVALA MATTEA FOUNTAIN ELINOR KRY FRENCH PLUMS SKYLAR GOLDBERG KABIR MCNEELY GEMMA STRAUSS DYLAN PALMER STEPHEN WATTRUS

FRED’S PARTY IGNORANCE WILLIAM LIPTON FRED ALBERT RUBIO WANT ISABEL FOLKERS MARY AKILAH A. WALKER GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE CHARLES GIBSON THOMAS STEPHEN WATTRUS CINDY GOLDFIELD THOMI GREEN BETH JULIE ADAMO ALBERT RUBIO HOWARD SWAIN TOPPER THOMI GREEN BUSINESSMEN PATRICK ANDREW JONES ANNABELLE ALEXA ERBACH ALAN LITTLEHALES COLIN THOMSON

CRATCHIT HOME MRS. FILCHER NAREA KANG ANNE CRATCHIT DELIA MACDOUGALL MRS. DILBER SHARON LOCKWOOD PETER CRATCHIT SAMUEL SUTTON YOUNG HUSBAND STEPHEN WATTRUS BELINDA CRATCHIT TATIANA VON BOTHMER YOUNG WIFE JULIE ADAMO NED CRATCHIT MAXIMILIAN WIX

CHRISTMAS MORNING SALLY CRATCHIT CASSIDY HURABIELL TRADER TOWNSPEOPLE THE COMPANY MARTHA CRATCHIT ELLA RAMRAYKA ROGERS TURKEY GIRL ELINOR KRY BOB CRATCHIT NICK GABRIEL

TINY TIM CRATCHIT RUTH KEITH

415.749.2228 17 My wealth. My priorities. My partner.

You’ve spent your life accumulating wealth. And, no doubt, that wealth now takes many forms, sits in many places, and is managed by many advisors. Unfortunately, that kind of fragmentation creates gaps that can hold your wealth back from its full potential. The Private Bank can help.

The Private Bank uses a proprietary approach called the LIFE Wealth Cycle SM to ind those gaps—and help you achieve what is important to you.

To learn more, contact: Ralph Dickman Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor 4082797734 [email protected] or visit unionbank.com/theprivatebank

Wills, trusts, foundations, and wealth planning strategies have legal, tax, accounting, and other implications. Clients should consult a legal or tax advisor. ©2016 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

EAP full-page template.indd 1 9/6/16 11:24 AM CAREY PERLOFF, Artistic Director PETER PASTREICH, Interim Executive Director

STAGE MANAGEMENT

STAGE MANAGER KAREN SZPALLER PUB CHILD ORION KOLODNY

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER LESLIE M. RADIN SPANISH ONIONS ELINOR KRY

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT HAL DAY SALLY CRATCHIT ELLIE LAUTER

STAGE MANAGEMENT FELLOW CHARLOTTE MORRILL CHILD OF ALAN AND RUTH, RORY WILKINS OXFORD LEWIS

ADDITIONAL CREDITS PRODUCE SELLER, TOPPER, YOUNG HUSBAND ALAN LITTLEHALES FIGHT DIRECTOR JONATHAN RIDER RUTH, DOROTHY DELIA MACDOUGALL ASSISTANT FIGHT DIRECTOR DANIELLE O’DEA GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE KABIR MCNEELY FIGHT CAPTAIN ALBERT RUBIO EDWARD, BOY DICK CHRISTOPHE MITCHELL DANCE CAPTAIN CINDY GOLDFIELD GANG MEMBER EVELYN ONGPIN My wealth. My priorities. HEAD CHILD SUPERVISOR CELIA FOGEL NED CRATCHIT, ALFRED DYLAN PALMER ASSISTANT CHILD SUPERVISORS FRANZESCA MAYER JAMES MCGREGOR GANG MEMBER PILAR RIVAS My partner. GANG MEMBER THE CHILDREN PERFORMING IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL NOEMY RODRIGUEZ ARE STUDENTS IN THE A.C.T. YOUNG CONSERVATORY. YOUNG SCROOGE ALBERT RUBIO

UNDERSTUDIES MARTHA CRATCHIT GEMMA STRAUSS You’ve spent your life accumulating wealth. And, no doubt, that wealth GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST, ALAN, BURT SAMUEL SUTTON now takes many forms, sits in many places, and is managed by many advisors. ERMENGARDE, FELICITY JULIE ADAMO Unfortunately, that kind of fragmentation creates gaps that can hold your GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY, MR. FEZZIWIG wealth back from its full potential. The Private Bank can help. TURKEY GIRL BESS BLACKBURN HOWARD SWAIN MARY, ANNABELLE, CHILD OF ALAN AND RUTH, SM GANG MEMBER EMILY BROWN SARAH WILKINS CASSIDY HURABIELL TRADER The Private Bank uses a proprietary approach called the LIFE Wealth Cycle to ind those gaps—and help you achieve what is important to you. WANT HELENA CHUANG LITTLE FAN ALEXANDRA VAN DE POEL

MINER PARENT, MRS. FILCHER ALEXA ERBACH FRENCH PLUMS TATIANA VON BOTHMER To learn more, contact: Ralph Dickman TINY TIM CRATCHIT MATTEA FOUNTAIN MINER CHILDREN JOSHUA LIAM VON HOLDER Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor PETER CRATCHIT, IGNORANCE CHARLES GIBSON BELLE, YOUNG WIFE AKILAH A. WALKER 4082797734 BELINDA CRATCHIT SKYLAR GOLDBERG BOB CRATCHIT, BUSINESSMEN, [email protected] JIM, GILES THE FIDDLER, or visit unionbank.com/theprivatebank MRS. FEZZIWIG, MRS. DILBER CINDY GOLDFIELD MINER PARENT, SEA CAPTAIN STEPHEN WATTRUS

BETH, ANNE CRATCHIT, DAVEY, BOY SCROOGE MAXIMILIAN WIX GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE DIANA GONZALEZ-MORETT CHILD OF ALAN AND RUTH, DICK WILKINS THOMI GREEN PRECIOUS WILKINS ALEJANDRA ZAVALA

CABIN BOY ROWAN F. HAMILTON

FRED, THOMAS PATRICK ANDREW JONES

CHARITABLES, GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT NAREA KANG

TURKISH FIGS RUTH KEITH Wills, trusts, foundations, and wealth planning strategies have legal, tax, accounting, and other implications. Clients should consult a legal or tax advisor. ©2016 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 415.749.2228 19

EAP full-page template.indd 1 9/6/16 11:24 AM ABOUT THE PLAY PHOTO BY LARRY MERKEL LARRY BY PHOTO

Seeing Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol onstage has become such a holiday staple that it may be difficult to imagine this time A CHRISTMAS CAROL, of year without it. But the modern tradition of this classic tale on the stage actually begins in the mid-1970s, when regional theaters around the country discovered that audiences wanted PAST AND PRESENT a Christmas story at Christmastime. Adaptations of Dickens’s novella quickly appeared, starting with the Guthrie Theater THE EVOLUTION OF THE (1974) and Actors Theater of Louisville (1976). Following suit, HOLIDAY CLASSIC AT A.C.T. A.C.T. Artistic Director William Ball asked Company Director Laird Williamson to look at the handful of existing adaptations and BY MICHAEL PALLER choose one to direct for the 1976–77 season, but Williamson was dissatisfied with what he read. He found them all sentimental and clichéd. They were “sugar-coated Dickens,” he said. “Tiny Tim is not the leading character. Scrooge is the real story.”

Williamson was drawn to the original tale’s psychological and social realism, to its “comment on poverty and the inequality of the classes.” He suggested that he and Dennis Powers, the company’s literary jack-of-all-trades, create their own version. Ball agreed. Determined not to produce an animated Christmas card, Powers and Williamson created an adaptation that adhered to the story’s dark side, its brutal, painful realities.

20 ACT-SF.ORG Clockwise from far left: William Paterson as Scrooge; Adilah Barnes with members of the Young Conservatory, 1989; and Stefanée Martin as Belle, 2014.

Perloff thinking. Carol had more than served its purpose since 1976. Almost every year since, many Bay Area children had

PHOTO BY MARTY SOHL their first theater experience watching Paterson, Walker, Birk, or Ruta awake on Christmas morning a changed man. Although Perloff wanted Carol to continue serving that purpose, she had additional aspirations for the show. She wanted it to provide roles for all the actors in the Master of Fine Arts Program, who earn their Actors’ Equity Association union card in their third year. She also wanted to offer a Geary performance opportunity for members of the Young Conservatory.

Perloff went in search of an existing Carol that told the story effectively while accommodating a full class of young actors. But, like Williamson 28 years earlier, she failed to find one, so she wrote a new adaptation in collaboration with dramaturg Paul Walsh. The process started with Dickens’s original text;

PHOTO BY KEVIN BERNE Perloff read the novella aloud to her own children, and then, with the sound of the language in her ears, set about the new adaptation. This intergenerational version, alive with the energy of so many M.F.A. and YC actors, turned out to be exactly what Ball had dreamt of when he established A.C.T.: veteran actors instructing, mostly by example, the M.F.A. Program students, who in turn mentored the members of the YC, each generation learning from the more experienced ones.

Just as Williamson and Powers emphasized the darker nature of the story’s world in reaction to the sugary treatment of other adaptations, Perloff’s own tastes dictated significant elements of the new version. She was struck by what she saw as Dickens’s conviction that imagination can trigger empathy: Scrooge’s “Unless there’s a full articulation of the painful aspects,” change of heart from an alienated miser into a caring person Powers said, “the conversion of Scrooge has no meaning.” occurred because he was willing to believe in three ghosts (the last thing one would expect from a character like Scrooge). This, The set that Williamson and designer Robert Blackman devised she believed, was an emphatic endorsement of the power of art. for Carol provided a metaphor for Scrooge’s move from darkness into light: a tower of safes, money boxes, ledgers, John Arnone’s sets—alternating realistic windows and Victorian cases, and cupboards, representing the coffins in which Scrooge furniture with exteriors of houses in shimmering watercolors, has buried his feelings. As he regains the feelings that he has as if seen reflected in the Thames—lent the production a locked up, the objects on the tower fall away. All that is left on powerful sense of forward movement, and Beaver Bauer’s bold, Christmas morning is a bare framework on which Scrooge can bright costumes struck a playful note. The script, composed erect a new life based on love and warmth. of two acts of roughly 45 minutes each, is more attuned to contemporary attention spans and, mindful of the many children For years, the production provided a vehicle for actors William in the audience, includes an intermission, which the previous Paterson and Sydney Walker, who alternated as Scrooge, with version did not. later appearances in the role by Ken Ruta and Raye Birk. In 1976, Cyril Magnin, the company’s presiding financial angel and The new production quickly became an audience favorite; for principal cheerleader, predicted the play would be “another several years, virtually every performance has sold out. Indeed, Nutcracker”—and so it was, returning almost every year. both productions have been adored by Bay Area theatergoers— over the last four decades, more than a million people, young By 2004, A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol was 28 years old, and the and old, have seen A Christmas Carol at A.C.T. sets were showing their age. A significant investment would be required to refurbish them, which got Artistic Director Carey

415.749.2228 21 ABOUT THE PLAY PHOTO BY KEVIN BERNE

The cast of A.C.T.’s 2014 production of A Christmas Carol.

HOME FOR rehearsals for A Christmas Carol start. During this time, each YC actor is paired with an M.F.A. Program actor who guides them through the ins and outs of a professional rehearsal room, the THE HOLIDAYS excitement of backstage, and the bright lights of The Geary CELEBRATING THE A.C.T. FAMILY Theater. “The M.F.A. Program actors have taught me to always WITH A CHRISTMAS CAROL pay attention to everything onstage, to accept your notes and put them into your work as fast as you can, and to get along BY ELSPETH SWEATMAN with your cast mates,” says YC actor Mattea Fountain, who plays Precious Wilkins in this year’s production. The holidays bring families together, ours as well as yours. A Christmas Carol at A.C.T. unites actors from the Young The YC actors learn from the professionals too: “These Conservatory and the Master of Fine Arts Program to perform professional actors gave me courage and strength and alongside seasoned professionals on the Geary stage. It is truly opened my eyes to new experiences,” says YC actor Samuel a family affair. Sutton, who returns to A.C.T. for his fourth production of A Christmas Carol. “They have taught me techniques and skills This particular adaptation of the seasonal classic—developed that have made me a better actor. These are things I will take by A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff and Dramaturg Paul with me for the rest of my career.” Walsh in 2005—is specifically crafted to showcase this variety of experience. It has roles for actors from an elementary school A Christmas Carol is also an invaluable opportunity for the third- student to an A.C.T. veteran like Ken Ruta, who was part of year M.F.A. Program actors, who are nearing the completion A.C.T.’s original acting company in 1967. of their course of study and preparing to step into the acting world as professionals. “Working with actors who have been To make the familial bonds as strong as possible, the YC and in the business for years was absolutely wonderful. Having my M.F.A. Program actors spend a week working together before mentors right there for me if I needed them was one of my

22 ACT-SF.ORG favorite things about being on the mainstage in my third year,” The Power of A Christmas Carol: says M.F.A. Program alumna Lauren Hart, who played the Ghost Ken Ruta of Christmas Past in last year’s production. The first play that actor Ken Ruta saw when he And for the professionals, many of whom have appeared in was a child was A Christmas Carol. He had heard A Christmas Carol for several seasons, the new cohort of YC and it performed on the radio for years, with the iconic M.F.A. Program actors breathes new life into this timeless tale. For Lionel Barrymore playing Scrooge, and was each season’s production, all of the actors, from stage veterans anxious to see it onstage. When he finally did, to beginners, share secret handshakes and create small skits he was enthralled. together. Fountain says, “The experience of A Christmas Carol is more fun because the professionals remind us that we’re all here After being a part of A.C.T.’s first acting company in for the same purpose. Child or adult actor, we’re all equals. We 1967, Ruta returned to The Geary in 1989 to play the all have to work together. I think that camaraderie really shows curmudgeonly Scrooge himself. “Edward Hastings when we’re onstage.” [A.C.T. artistic director, 1986–92] asked me to play Scrooge in the adaptation by Dennis Powers and Laird Williamson,” he says. “I remember sitting on my bed and preparing to sign my contract when the building began to shake. All the books fell off the shelves. It was the Loma Prieta earthquake. I wondered if that was a sign!” If it was, it was a good one: Ruta played Scrooge until 1991.

PHOTO BY KEVIN BERNE In 2005, Ruta participated in the workshops for the new adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Artistic Director Carey Perloff and Dramaturg Paul Walsh. This time, Ruta played Scrooge’s deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, the role he continues to play today.

One of the things that brings Ruta back year after year is the Young Conservatory actors. “I have quite a collection of sketches of me done by the students, which is a great honor. It’s so wonderful to see those children growing up and developing as actors and human beings,” he says, placing his hands over his heart. “It is truly amazing. That’s the power of A Christmas Carol.” PHOTO BY KEVIN BERNE

Above: Lauren Hart as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Right: Ken Ruta as the Ghost of Jacob Marley.

415.749.2228 23 ABOUT THE PLAY

THE MAN WHO GALLERY AUCTION CHARLES DICKENS, CIRCA 1860S. HERITAGE INVENTED CHRISTMAS DICKENS’S EFFECT ON THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY MICHAEL PALLER

Imagine a Christmas without carols or cards. No day off to spend with the family. No festive dinner or presents under the tree on Christmas morning. No tree. This was Christmas in most places before A Christmas Carol was published on December 19, 1843. Charles Dickens has been called “the man who invented Christmas,” and while that’s an exaggeration, it’s only a slight one. He didn’t invent the modern holiday by himself, but for many people, his vision of Christmas is Christmas.

In Elizabethan days, Christmas was a raucous affair, reminiscent of opening their homes to their less well-off neighbors and of the frenzied pagan rituals celebrating the winter solstice from distributing food and drink to the poor. As a child, Dickens which it emerged. But the growing population of dour Puritans heard of these customs from his father, whose parents were was appalled by the uncontrolled public drinking and lewd servants at a country estate in northwest England. behavior. After seizing power in 1642, they attacked Christmas as nothing less than a pagan assault on Christ and banned Dickens also read about Christmas customs as described by it. They also outlawed another roguish activity—the theater— Washington Irving, one of his favorite authors, who published and tore down most of the existing playhouses (including a collection of tales and essays in 1820 called The Sketch Book Shakespeare’s Globe). Christmas and the theater disappeared in of Geoffrey Crayon, Gentleman. In addition to “Rip Van Winkle” England altogether, and neither returned until the Stuart kings and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the book contained three restored them in 1660. chapters devoted to Christmas at a British country estate called Bracebridge Hall. The place was fictional, but the accounts of By the time Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, the holiday had Christmas celebrations were based on what Irving had seen fallen into a bad way. Christmas was grim in England’s cities and heard during his years in Europe—sumptuous dinners, the during the Industrial Revolution. Factories and businesses were blazing Yule log, dances, games, and songs. open on December 25, and there was no day off for employees like Bob Cratchit. Still, while Christmas wasn’t much celebrated Dickens, then, had several sources of inspiration for a in London or other large cities, some of the old customs were Christmas that neither he nor thousands of others had ever observed in rural villages, with games, carols, and dances. really experienced. This kind of Christmas matched his own Garlands of evergreens and sprigs of mistletoe were hung in temperament and needs, which were forged in a childhood of manor houses, and the gentry retained the ancient traditions want and uncertainty.

24 ACT-SF.ORG From top: “The Prize Turkey,” “A Retrospect,” “The Spirit of Christmas Present.” All from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, illustrated by Soy Eytinge. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1869. Courtesy the British Library.

When Dickens was 12, his father was declared bankrupt. He and the entire family—except for Charles—were imprisoned for debt. The boy, suddenly alone in the world, was removed from school and put to work. It was the formative experience of his life. It’s not surprising, then, that in a series of pieces beginning in 1835 with an essay called “Christmas Festivities,” Dickens depicted a holiday centered on families, with children who were loved and surrounded by good cheer. Dickens eventually produced five short books and numerous articles on Christmas themes. But A Christmas Carol (1843) has always been the most popular, and the most successful in setting out what he came to call his “Carol philosophy,” which was an earthly one, concerned with the welfare of all in the here and now.

Dickens’s image of Christmas as a time that encouraged generosity struck an immediate chord with his readers, even if they’d never sung carols, kissed beneath mistletoe, or spent the holiday with their family. English poet Thomas Hood wrote in his review of A Christmas Carol, “If Christmas with its ancient and hospitable customs, its social and charitable observances, were in danger of decay, this is the book that would give them a new lease.” It did.

“Scrooge” entered the vocabulary to describe a miserly man, and by the end of 1844, at least 12 unauthorized theatrical adaptations had appeared in London. At the same time, other Christmas traditions emerged, and, together with A Christmas Carol, they created Christmas as we know it. In 1822, New York writer Clement Clarke Moore wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night before Christmas”), which was largely responsible for creating the image of a Santa Claus who delivers gifts to children via a reindeer-drawn sleigh. In 1841, Prince Albert, the German consort of Queen Victoria, brought a Christmas tree to Windsor Castle. A tradition from his homeland, it was decorated with hand-blown glass ornaments, candles, fruit, and gingerbread. By the end of the decade, Christmas trees had become ubiquitous.

It’s a sad irony that the profit-driven atmosphere of the early nineteenth century, which led Dickens to write Carol, has infected the holiday in our own time. Still, Carol is an antidote to what a contemporary critic referred to as “this money- seeking age and money-getting country.” Dickens’s vision of Christmas isn’t about money; it doesn’t divide rich from poor. It encompasses all, child and adult, the loved and the orphaned— summed up in a sentence that retains its revolutionary plea: “God bless us every one!”

415.749.2228 25 WHO’S WHO IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL JULIE ADAMO** the Bay Area Playwrights Festival and Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, is in her third year Symmetry Theatre Company. She including the 2007 Award for of the A.C.T. Master performed her original show, Girlhood, Excellence in the Arts and the 2013 of Fine Arts with FaultLine Theater in San Francisco, Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010, Program. She was where she also directed BedPlay in its he was named a Ten Chimneys most recently seen West Coast premiere. Roles at A.C.T. Foundation Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. on the Geary stage include Columbia in The Rocky Horror in Tom Stoppard’s Show, Giacinta in Crazy for the Country, CATHERINE The Hard Problem. Previous M.F.A. and Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew. CASTELLANOS* Program productions include Cardenio Last summer, Brown joined an appeared with (Susan), Macbeth (Malcolm), The Belle’s ensemble of graduate actors from A.C.T. last season as Stratagem (Miss Ogle/Kitty Willis), and around the country for A Guthrie the Church Lady in The Skin of Our Teeth (Mrs. Antrobus). Experience for Actors in Training, a Between Riverside Her regional credits include Carly in selective summer training program at and Crazy, for reasons to be pretty with the Workshop the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. which she received Theater Group. Adamo holds a BS in Other theaters at which she has recognition from San Francisco Bay theater performance from the University performed include Berkshire Theatre Area Theatre Critics Circle and Theatre of Evansville and is the recipient of Group, the Forestburgh Playhouse, the Bay Area. She was in the 2016 Oregon the Bert and Le Anne Steinberg American Shakespeare Center, and the Shakespeare Festival (OSF) company, Leadership Award. Texas Shakespeare Festival. where she appeared in Richard II and the premiere of Lisa Loomer’s Roe, with BESS JAMES which she will travel to Arena Stage (in BLACKBURN† CARPENTER* Washington, DC) and Berkeley joined the A.C.T. returns to A.C.T. Repertory Theatre this season. She has Young Conservatory for his eleventh been an associate artist with California in March and makes year as Scrooge. Shakespeare Theater for 15 years, last her A.C.T. debut A San Francisco appearing in The Tempest as Prospero with A Christmas Bay Area resident in Cal Shakes’s community tour Carol. A seventh- for 33 years, he is production. For 16 years, she has been grade student at Head-Royce School, an associate artist with California a company member with the San she developed a love of singing and Shakespeare Theater and a former Francisco–based theater Campo Santo, performing in youth conservatory associate artist with Berkeley collaborating on and performing in productions with Berkeley Playhouse and Repertory Theatre for 13 years. Other numerous premieres by critically Theatre Aspen. When she is not acting, A.C.T. credits include Rock ’n’ Roll, ’Tis acclaimed writers and artists. Her Bay she enjoys ice-skating, cross-country, Pity She’s a Whore, Cat on a Hot Tin Area credits include work at Magic reading, and obsessing over Hamilton. Roof, A Doll’s House, and Glengarry Theatre, Shotgun Players, and San Jose Glen Ross. Other credits include work Repertory Theatre. Her regional EMILY BROWN** at San Jose Repertory Theatre, Aurora appearances include work with OSF, is an actor, singer, Theatre Company, Magic Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, and theater maker Marin Theatre Company, Shotgun The Lensic, Cherry Lane Theatre, The in her third year of Players, The Old Globe, the Oregon Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, and JAW the A.C.T. Master of Shakespeare Festival, Yale Repertory at Portland Center Stage. She has Fine Arts Program. Theatre, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, the taught restorative justice through After earning her BA Huntington Theatre Company, and theater arts with formerly incarcerated in theater from Intiman Theatre. Screen credits include young women at Community Works Smith College, Brown spent two years the feature films The Rainmaker and West/Rising Voices and with the men at with The Bats, the award-winning Metro, the independent films Singing San Quentin State Prison. resident company at The Flea Theater in and For the Coyotes, and the series New York. During her time at A.C.T., Nash Bridges. Carpenter is the Brown has appeared in readings with recipient of many San Francisco Bay

ALEXA ERBACH** is in her third year of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program and makes her Geary stage debut with A Christmas Carol. She was most recently seen onstage as Bianca in the M.F.A. Program production of The Taming of the Shrew at The Strand Theater. Some of her favorite roles in the M.F.A. Program have been Cynthia in Cardenio, the Porter in Macbeth, and Mrs. All luxury condo mirrors reflect. Racket in The Belle’s Stratagem. Other OURS REFLECT favorite roles outside of A.C.T. include Jeannie Muldoon in Nice Work If You Can A HAPPIER YOU. Get It and Diane in The Little Dog Laughed at the Summer Repertory Theatre Festival. Erbach is from South Carolina and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors Full service condominiums for those 60 plus. College, as well as the Professional One Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, California. Semester at Broadway Dance Center in 650-579-5500 • PeninsulaRegent.com New York City.

ISABEL FOLKERS† has performed in Beauty and the Beast, Turn your retirement into a renaissance Legally Blonde Jr., and Grease at Manor Elementary School CA RCFE #410508359 COA #148 BRE# 01066367 and White Hill Middle School. Having sung in many choirs with both her school and the Marin Honor Choir, she was selected to sing with the All-State Honor Choir in 2016. Folkers studies acting in the A.C.T. Young Conservatory and voice

Name: PR-242 LuxCondo_Mirrors_ChristmasCarolProgramAd_Dec2016ME01 Date: 10/19/2016 415.749.2228 27 Publication: ChristmasCarolProgramDec2016 Due: 10/21/2016 Ad Size: 4.75 in x 7.375 in Bleed: NA Trim: 4.75 in x 7.375 in Live: Sign Off: AD: IL Proofer: AE: IJ bricks—but there are few things that Repertory Theater, the Brooklyn SKYLAR she enjoys more than being part of a Lyceum, Capital Repertory Theatre, GOLDBERG† stage production. California Shakespeare Theater, The makes her A.C.T. Town Hall in New York City, South Coast debut with this ANTHONY Repertory, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, La year’s production of FUSCO* was Jolla Playhouse, Saratoga Shakespeare A Christmas Carol. most recently Company, and the Guthrie Theater. He Goldberg is a seen on the Geary created the role of Warren in the West seventh-grade stage in The Hard Coast premiere of Ordinary Days, student at The Brandeis School of San Problem. An A.C.T. directed by Ethan McSweeny; was a Francisco. She is passionate about resident artist, he principal singer in the world premiere of dance and musical theater and has has performed in A Celebration of Leonard Bernstein; and performed in musicals at the Jewish 40-plus productions here, including played the soldier in The Soldier’s Tale, Community Center of San Francisco, Ah, Wilderness!; Arcadia; Clybourne featuring Elvis Costello and Malcolm including Guys and Dolls and Peter Pan. Park; The Homecoming; At Home at the McDowell, with the San Francisco She currently dances with the Dance Zoo; Dead Metaphor; Hedda Gabler; Symphony. He received his BFA in Training Center in San Francisco, where The Three Sisters; Race; November; musical theater from the University of she enjoys being part of their classical and Love and Information. Bay Area Michigan and was a Ten Chimneys ballet program. She has danced in credits include ten shows at California Foundation Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. productions at the Herbst Theatre and Shakespeare Theater, including You San Francisco Opera. She also loves Never Can Tell, Much Ado about KANA spending time at the beach, hiking, Nothing, Pygmalion, Candida, Arms and GEHRMAN† running, and biking. the Man, and King Lear; The Intelligent is ten years old. She Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and discovered she had a CINDY Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures passion for singing at GOLDFIELD* and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and age three, and she is an award-winning Spike at Berkeley Repertory Theatre; started piano lessons actor, director, and and Sister Play at Magic Theatre. He at age four. Gehrman choreographer. was in The Real Thing and The Real has performed in eight piano recitals and Regional acting Inspector Hound on Broadway; competitions, frequently receiving awards credits include It Cantorial, Cafe Crown, The Holy Terror, of merit. She was a ballet student for a Shoulda Been You Man and Superman, and A Life in the short time and has studied with the A.C.T. and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Center Theatre off Broadway; and many Young Conservatory. Gehrman is bilingual REPertory Company); Spring Awakening regional theater productions. Fusco and attends school in Japan for six weeks and Bill W. and Dr. Bob (San Jose trained at The Juilliard School and The each summer. She was the third-place Repertory Theatre); Another Midsummer Barrow Group School. winner in the 2015 Japanese Speech Night (TheatreWorks); Brimstone, Moon Contest sponsored by the Consulate Over Buffalo, and Merrily We Roll Along NICK GABRIEL* General of Japan in San Francisco. (Willows Theatre Company); Oliver! is a Sadler Award– (Broadway by the Bay); Moving Bodies winning graduate CHARLES (Marin Theatre Company); Crimes of the of the A.C.T. Master GIBSON† makes Heart (Playhouse West); OMFG! The of Fine Arts his A.C.T. debut with Internet Dating Musical (ODC); The Program, the A Christmas Carol. Texas Chainsaw Manicurist and Cowardly director of Studio He is currently in the Things (New Conservatory Theatre A.C.T., and a eighth grade at the Center); Mack & Mabel (42nd Street principal actor in the resident company Town School for Moon); Scalpel! (Brava! For Women in at A.C.T., where he has appeared in Boys. Theater the Arts); and Mr. Irresistible (Back It Up Scorched, Endgame (opposite Bill credits include amateur work at the Productions). New York credits include Irwin), Arcadia, Napoli!, The Orphan of Jewish Community Center of San D’Arcy Drollinger’s Project: Lohan and Zhao, Monstress, Once in a Lifetime, Francisco, in addition to playing Dorothy Mr. Irresistible at La MaMa Experimental and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. in his school’s performance of The Theatre Club. Goldfield also enjoys the Gabriel has also played principal roles Wizard of Oz. cabaret collaborations of Goldfield & in major productions at Milwaukee Koldewyn with the inimitable Scrumbly Koldewyn and One Night Stand with *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 2017 and an Equity Professional Theatre Intern. †Member of the A.C.T. Young Conservatory 28 ACT-SF.ORG David Aaron Brown. This is Goldfield’s thirteenth season appearing in A Christmas Carol at A.C.T. HOSPITALITY WITH A HERITAGE DIANA A REPUTATION FORGED BY FIRE GONZALEZ- MORETT** is in her third year of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program and makes her Geary debut with A Christmas Carol. Recent M.F.A. Program roles include Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, Sarafina in Black Orpheus: Una Historia de Amor, Lady Macduff in Macbeth, and Lady Frances in The Belle’s Stratagem. She is an alumna of A Guthrie Theater Experience for Actors in Training, where she devised and performed the play Intersections at the Guthrie Theater. Other professional credits include Iras in Antony and Cleopatra and Martha/Fred’s Wife in A Christmas Carol, both at A Noise Within, and Lady Lovelace in SAN MATEO | SAN FRANCISCO Eureka! with Chamber Theatre ESPETUS.COM Productions. Gonzalez-Morett received her BFA in acting from Marymount Manhattan College.

THOMI GREEN** COMING TO Z SPACE Feb 4-25, 2017 Z SPACE & piece by piece productions present is in his third year of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program. He earned his BA in theater from Temple University. His most recent M.F.A. Program appearance was as Baptista in William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Stephen Buescher. During his training at A.C.T., he’s portrayed such characters as Orpheus in Black Orpheus: Una Historia de Amor, Saville in The Belle’s Stratagem, and Banquo/Ross in Macbeth. During his second year of training, he wrote and “Never, until I saw Santangelo’s ensemble, their performed a one-man show entitled heels stamping, their arms cutting through the air, had I seen a chorus whose physical force could White Elephant. Since moving to the Bay support the fate-heavy songs that Sophocles wrote Area, he has performed in several for his plays. As for Barrio, though she spoke rarely, dancing seemed better than words: no rhetoric, no staged readings, including How to Catch explanations, but just passion, majesty, absorption.”

Creation for the A.C.T. New Strands — Joan Acocella, The New Yorker (July 27, 2015) Festival; Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) and runboyrun with WWW.ZSPACE.ORG the A.C.T. M.F.A. Program; Welcome to WWW.NOCHEFLAMENCA.COM

415.749.2228 29 Fear City with the Bay Area Playwrights RUTH KEITH† ODC Dance Commons and Menlo Park Festival; and 1980 (Or Why I’m Voting makes her A.C.T. Academy of Dance. Previously, she for John Anderson) with PlayGround. mainstage debut performed in productions at Civic Arts as Tiny Tim in A Stage Company productions, and she has ROWAN F. Christmas Carol. trained at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. HAMILTON† This is a departure Kry is a homeschooled seventh-grade is a third-grade from her previous student. In addition to theater, she enjoys student at Katherine roles as Cruella De music (listening to all genres, playing Delmar Burke Vil in 101 Dalmatians and Veruca Salt in piano, and songwriting), photography, School in San Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, both tennis, and biking all over town. Francisco. She at the Jewish Community Center of San joined the A.C.T. Francisco. Over the past two years, ELLIE LAUTER† Young Conservatory in the summer of Keith has worked with the A.C.T. Young is a seventh-grade 2016. This is Hamilton’s first year Conservatory in both acting and musical student at Hall performing in A Christmas Carol. She theater. A passionate singer and dancer, Middle School in loves books, music, art, math, trapeze, she studies contemporary and jazz Marin. She returns and singing in the choir at her church. dance at the Geary Dance Center. She is to A.C.T.’s A a fourth-grade student at New Christmas Carol PATRICK Traditions Elementary School in San after performing in ANDREW Francisco, where she enjoys reading and the production in 2014 as a Turkish Fig. JONES** is in his math puzzles. She enjoys singing with her school third year of the chorus and the Marin Girls Chorus. She A.C.T. Master of Fine ORION recently appeared as Shprintze in Arts Program and KOLODNY† Fiddler on the Roof with Stapleton makes his Geary makes his regional School of the Performing Arts and as debut with A theater debut with the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard Christmas Carol. Jones is the recipient of A.C.T.’s A Christmas of Oz with Katia & Company. Lauter has the 2015 M.F.A. Program “Hit Your Carol. Under the participated for many years in the Stride” Award. Some of his favorite tutelage of Master of musical theater summer camp at the credits with the M.F.A. Program have Fine Arts Program Jewish Community Center of San been KJ in The Aliens for the A.C.T. Sky actors and fellow Christmas Carol cast Francisco, most recently starring as Festival, Macbeth in Macbeth, and Tranio members, he has trained for the past Wendy in its production of Peter Pan. in The Taming of the Shrew. Credits two years in the Young Conservatory’s Lauter has attended classes in the A.C.T. outside of the M.F.A. Program include summer sessions. Kolodny also spent Young Conservatory and trained with Ferdinand in The Tempest and Charles several summers at the Summer Day the San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy Musgrove in Persuasion at the Livermore Camp for the performing arts at for six years. When Lauter isn’t Shakespeare Festival. Children’s Fairyland. Past acting credits performing onstage, she loves teaching include Bay Area Children’s Theatre her four-year-old sister, Abbie, the lyrics NAREA KANG** productions of The Aristocats (Mad Cat) to their favorite Broadway shows. is in her third year of and A Year with Frog and Toad (Mole). the A.C.T. Master of Last year he sang at the Freight & OXFORD LEWIS† Fine Arts Program. Salvage Coffeehouse with the Oakland joined the Young She was most Youth Chorus. Currently, Kolodny is a Conservatory in the recently seen on the fourth-grade student at Frank Otis spring of 2014. He Geary stage as Bo in Elementary School in Alameda. made his A.C.T. Tom Stoppard’s The debut in A Hard Problem. Recent M.F.A. Program ELINOR KRY† Christmas Carol that credits include Camila in Cardenio, Lady makes her Geary same year and Macbeth in Macbeth, and Lady Hardy in debut in A.C.T.’s A returns for this year’s production. Lewis The Belle’s Stratagem. Kang has worked Christmas Carol. She has also studied with the Bay Area as an actor, teaching artist, and is in her second year Children’s Theatre Youth Education producer in Seattle and San Francisco. in the A.C.T. Young Program since 2011, most recently Conservatory. She playing the role of John Darling in their also studies dance at production of Peter Pan. He is in 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 2017 and an Equity Professional Theater Intern †Member of the A.C.T. Young Conservatory 30 ACT-SF.ORG fifth grade at Nea Community Learning and he received his BFA in acting from Rose Tattoo; The Pope and the Witch; Center in Alameda, where he enjoys Santa Fe University of Art and Design in Saturday, Sunday and Monday; and studying the humanities, science, and New Mexico. eleven seasons of A Christmas Carol. technology. In addition to acting, he She also has a longtime association with loves reading, art, archery, writing, SHARON Berkeley Repertory Theatre; there, she rock-climbing, making videos with his LOCKWOOD* most recently played Emma in It Can’t friends, and using his imagination to has appeared in many Happen Here and Sonia in Vanya and build things. His heroes are Nikola Tesla, shows at A.C.T., Sonia and Masha and Spike, for which she Albert Einstein, Trenton Lee Stewart, including Napoli!; received a San Francisco Bay Area and Alton Brown. Dead Metaphor; ’Tis Theatre Critics Circle Award. Other Bay Pity She’s a Whore; Area credits include productions at WILLIAM Hedda Gabler; Juno California Shakespeare Theater, Santa LIPTON† is an and the Paycock; The Cherry Orchard; The Cruz Shakespeare, Marin Theatre eighth-grade student at Crocker Middle School. He was most recently seen in Broadway by the Years equal Bay’s Les Misérables as Gavroche and The Who’s Tommy as Wisdom; young Tommy, produced by “OMG, I Love Wisdom leads That Show!” Productions in Walnut Creek. Lipton also lights up the stage as the You Here. singer and bassist for the band WJM. They have been featured on Superkids on SAT.1 in Germany and on Little Big Shots Escape the everyday and with Steve Harvey on NBC. Lipton has discover Carmel Valley recently returned to the studio to start Manor. For retirees, it’s an work on the band’s third original EP. oasis of relaxation in a When Lipton is not performing, he enjoys world-class destination. running, playing guitar with his school The lifestyle at this not-for- jazz band, and spending time with his family and friends. profit Life Plan Community offers fabulous meals, lush ALAN grounds, limitless activities LITTLEHALES** and gorgeous views of our is a third-year actor scenic valley. Come and in the A.C.T. Master enjoy every moment, of Fine Arts Program knowing Life Care is there and will graduate in for you, too. Make the sage the spring of 2017. Recent M.F.A. decision to find out more, Program credits include Lucentio in call (800) 544-5546 or The Taming of the Shrew and Brad Majors visit cvmanor.com in The Rocky Horror Show, both at The Strand Theater, as well as Evan in The Aliens (A.C.T. Sky Festival) and Henry in The Skin of Our Teeth. Littlehales also played Touchstone in As You Like It at the Livermore Shakespeare Festival last summer. Recently, he taught acting classes for the A.C.T. Young Conservatory, 8545 Carmel Valley Road, and he has appeared in several readings Carmel, California 93923 in San Francisco with Theatre Rhinoceros. License #270700110 COA #082 He was born and raised in Salem, Oregon,

415.749.2228 31

Job # / Name: CVM-067 MAT_WisdomACT_Ad_Dec2016 ME01 Date: 10/17/16 Publication: ChristmasCarolProgram Due at pub: 10/18/16 Issue date: Dec 2016 Ad Size: Bleed: NA Trim: 4.75” x 7.375” Sign Off: AD: IL Proofer: AE: IJ Company, TheatreWorks, and the San KABIR DYLAN Francisco Mime Troupe. Regional credits MCNEELY† PALMER† makes include Houston’s Alley Theatre, La Jolla is 11 years old and a his A.C.T. debut with Playhouse (San Diego Theatre Critics sixth-grade student A Christmas Carol. Circle Award for Culture Clash’s Zorro in at San Francisco Day He is in the sixth Hell), San Diego Repertory Theatre, School, where he just grade and has been Arizona Theatre Company, Milwaukee started the school’s singing, acting, and Repertory Theater, Missouri Repertory first acting club. dancing with the Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Long McNeely has performed with the San Performing Arts Academy of Marin since Wharf Theatre, and The Old Globe. She Francisco Boys Chorus and the American 2012. Palmer first appeared as Avery in originated the role of Barbara in Nickel Choral Directors Association National Charlotte’s Web. He then went on to and Dimed, which she performed at the Honor Choir. He was also cast in a lead perform in Mary Poppins as Michael and Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles under role in the short film Ruth at UC Berkeley. in Shrek the Musical as Gingy. In 2016, the direction of Bartlett Sher. Film and He has been taking acting lessons with Palmer played the role of Young Peter in television credits include Mrs. Doubtfire, A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory for four the Bay Area premiere of The Boy from Long Road Home, and Vonnegut Stories. years. A Christmas Carol is McNeely’s Oz at The Great Star Theater in San Lockwood was honored with the 2016 Geary debut. Francisco. He most recently appeared as Ten Chimneys Foundation Lunt-Fontanne the Pilot in Throckmorton Theatre’s Fellowship and attended their retreat last CHRISTOPHE production of The Little Mermaid. summer in Wisconsin with master teacher MITCHELL† Palmer also enjoys skiing, yoga, and Jason Alexander. is nine years old and singing in his school’s chorus. a fourth-grade DELIA student at Bel Aire PILAR RIVAS† MACDOUGALL* Elementary School is a fourth-grade has been seen in Tiburon. He student at Creative at A.C.T. in Round makes his A.C.T. Arts Charter School and Round the debut in A Christmas Carol. He attended and started taking Garden, Rock ’n’ Roll, the A.C.T. Young Conservatory in the acting classes with The Government summers of 2015 and 2016. He played a the A.C.T. Young Inspector, A cub in the 2015 Bel Aire Elementary Conservatory in the Christmas Carol, The Learned Ladies, School play, The Lion King, and the baby summer of 2015. Rivas has performed in and the world premiere of Philip Kan Jesus in his church’s Christmas pageant. school dances and plays, and she made Gotanda’s After the War. She has Mitchell also enjoys soccer and sailing at her Geary stage debut as a Turkish Fig appeared at California Shakespeare the San Francisco Yacht Club. in A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol last year. Theater in Macbeth, Pericles, Man and Rivas also enjoys sewing, baking, and Superman, King Lear, As You Like It, The EVELYN spending time with her family. Merchant of Venice, The Merry Wives of ONGPIN† is a Windsor, The Life and Adventures of sixth-grade student NOEMY Nicholas Nickleby, and Arms and the Man, at St. Stephen RODRIGUEZ† among others. Local credits include Catholic School is ten years old and shows at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, in San Francisco. was born in San Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, She is a surfing Francisco. She is in Aurora Theatre Company, and San Jose and animal the fifth grade at Repertory Theatre. Other credits include enthusiast and has been taking classes Tenderloin productions at Intiman Theatre, with the Young Conservatory for a little Community School. Pittsburgh Public Theater, the Alley more than five years. This is Ongpin’s Rodriguez has many passions, including Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, fifth project with A.C.T.; her first photography, collage, painting, and and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. appearance onstage was in the 2011 soccer. She found acting when she was MacDougall is an actor, director, and production of A Christmas Carol. in the second grade at the Tenderloin company member with Word for Word Ongpin also appeared in The Magic Boys & Girls Club. The moment she Performing Arts Company. Flute, part of the 2015 fall season at walked into The Geary Theater last San Francisco Opera. Christmas, she knew that she wanted to be part of A Christmas Carol this year. During her free time, she enjoys being

*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 2017 and an Equity Professional Theater Intern †Member of the A.C.T. Young Conservatory 32 ACT-SF.ORG with her family. Some activities they Phineas Wingfield in Anatomy of Gray at enjoy doing together are cooking, the University of Evansville; and contests, and spending time in the park. Hortensio/Litio in The Taming of the Shrew, Leonardo in Crazy for the ELLA Country, Apollo in Black Orpheus: Una TOP RAMRAYKA Historia de Amor, Villers/Silvertongue ROGERS† is a in The Belle’s Stratagem, and Macbeth/ BILLING seventh-grade Witch in Macbeth, all for the A.C.T. AT THE MORTIMER student at Children’s M.F.A. Program. Rubio has a BFA in Come before or after your Day School. Born theater performance from the University and raised in of Evansville. A.C.T. show and enjoy England, she began hand crafted cocktails and acting in after-school programs run by KEN RUTA* delicious bites! the London-based theater skills group played Scrooge in Drama Queens. From 2010 to 2013, she A.C.T.’s original attended ACE: Arts Creatives in adaptation of A Show your Education in London, where she took Christmas Carol Show ticket and receive a London Academy of Music and Dramatic (1989–91), and in complimentary Art exam preparation classes and this production, he appeared in Dr. Fran Kenstein’s Potion, a returns to the role CHEF’S short film screened at Hampstead’s (Marley) he created in Carey Perloff and APPETIZER Everyman Cinema in July 2013. Upon Paul Walsh’s 2005 adaptation. Since with the purchase moving to San Francisco in 2013, A.C.T. made its 1967 debut at The Geary of one beverage. Ramrayka Rogers studied theater arts at Theater, Ruta has been part of more Marsh Youth Theater (FirstStage than 60 A.C.T. productions. A founding program) and appeared in One Grain of member of the Cincinnati Playhouse in Rice in January 2014. She has also been a the Park and Minneapolis’s Guthrie member of San Francisco Youth Theater (more than 40 productions as Theatre’s MadCap Players, appearing in actor/director/associate artistic The Gifts of Wali Dad in March 2015. From director), he has worked with most of 2007 to 2013, Ramrayka Rogers trained this country’s leading resident theaters. in Royal Academy of Dance–certified He is an associate artist of San Diego’s at Hotel Adagio classical ballet at the West Hampstead Old Globe and has enjoyed a quarter- 550 Geary Street, SF 94102 School of Dance, and appeared in century association with Arizona 415-775-5000 numerous performances, including The Theatre Company. He has appeared in hoteladagiosf.com Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. all kinds of media and in the Broadway ONE BLOCK FROM THE GEARY THEATER productions of Inherit the Wind, Ross, ALBERT Separate Tables, Duel of Angels, The RUBIO** is in his Three Sisters, and The Elephant Man, and third year of the he has extensive credits with Lyric A.C.T. Master of Opera of Chicago and the Minnesota Fine Arts Program Orchestra. His award-winning 60-year and makes his stage career has recently included A.C.T. mainstage A.C.T.’s Arcadia; Yale Repertory debut with A Theatre’s A Streetcar Named Desire; the Christmas Carol. Past roles include North Coast Repertory Theatre’s King Orgon in Tartuffe and Smee in Peter and Lear, No Man’s Land, Heroes, and A Song the Starcatcher at the Summer at Twilight; San Jose Repertory Repertory Theatre Festival; Sebastian/ Theatre’s The Dresser; and his debut Sir Andrew Aguecheek (understudy) in with the San Francisco Symphony in Twelfth Night and Ross in Macbeth Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle. Ruta (apprentice/intern production) at the celebrated The Strand’s opening with a Great River Shakespeare Festival; Shakespearean performance on May 16, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s 2015. He made his Theatre Rhinoceros Dream, Orpheus in Eurydice, and Pastor debut this past summer in The Bat.

415.749.2228 33 GEMMA Seagull. He has worked off Broadway at Company, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, STRAUSS† is 13 the New York Theatre Workshop and on the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, years old. She joined the national tours of Picasso at the Lapin PCPA Theaterfest, and American Musical the A.C.T. Young Agile and Love, Janis. Local credits Theatre of San Jose. Career favorites Conservatory in include work with Berkeley Repertory include Dirty Blonde with Portland 2014 and makes her Theatre, TheatreWorks, Aurora Theatre Center Stage, Company with Marin A.C.T. debut with Company, West Edge Opera, Word for Theatre Company, All My Sons with A Christmas Carol. Word Performing Arts Company, San TheatreWorks, Center REP’s All Shook Strauss is a seventh-grade student at Jose Stage Company, Magic Theatre, Up, and PCPA’s Yours, Anne. Hall Middle School. She began studying TheatreFIRST, San Francisco Playhouse, dance at the age of two and took up Center REPertory Company, Marin CASSIDY singing and acting at the age of six. Theatre Company, Intersection for the HURABIELL She studies tap and jazz at Happy Feet Arts, PlayGround, and Symmetry TRADER† returns Dance School. Strauss recently Theatre Company, as well as the Oregon to A.C.T. for a appeared in Throckmorton Theatre’s Shakespeare Festival, Colorado second season of Mary Poppins (Jane), The King and I Shakespeare Festival, Santa Cruz A Christmas Carol. (Royal Child), and 42nd Street (Dancer). Shakespeare, Marin Shakespeare She has also played Company, and California Shakespeare Emmy (as a voice- SAMUEL Theater. Television and film credits over) in A.C.T.’s 2013 Master of Fine Arts SUTTON† is 13 include Nash Bridges, Midnight Caller, Program production of A Doll’s House. years old and Partners in Crime, Kiss Shot, Bed of Lies, She has been acting with the Young attends Sinaloa Hill Street Blues, Cherry 2000, Miracle Conservatory since 2012 and has been Middle School as an Mile, Metro, Dog and the Dogma, performing onstage as an actor, singer, eighth-grade Bartleby, Golden Gate, Just One Night, or ballerina since 2009. Hurabiell Trader student. He has Teknolust, Frameup, Night of the is a sixth-grade student at The Hamlin been attending the Scarecrow, Valley of the Heart’s Delight, School, where she plays the flute and is A.C.T. Young Conservatory since the and Smoke and Mirrors. active in the drama program and the summer of 2012. Sutton performed in Gold Chorus. She has a passion for A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol in 2012, 2013, COLIN animals, volunteering, and comedy. and 2014. He was cast as Schroeder for THOMSON* She loves reading, writing, science, the 2015 San Francisco Symphony appeared at A.C.T. in social studies, and coding. Hurabiell holiday production of A Charlie Brown 1776, directed by Trader is a global traveler who has Christmas. Sutton has performed with Frank Galati. He also explored six continents. various local Marin theater groups since appeared in Happy he was four years old. These theater End and contributed ALEXANDRA groups include Broadway Bound Kids to the cast recording VAN DE POEL† and Marilyn Izdebski Productions, where of the production, which was also the is making her he played the role of Michael in Peter musical’s first English-language second Christmas Pan. He has also appeared in ensemble recording. Twenty years ago, he earned Carol appearance roles in productions of The Sound of his Actors’ Equity card understudying this season. Some of Music, Annie, Gypsy, and The Wizard of A.C.T.’s production of Shlemiel the First. her favorite Oz. Sutton also enjoys dance and studies Thomson recently performed at pastimes are singing, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and jazz. He hopes TheatreWorks in staged readings of dancing, and acting. She nurtures this to be a screenwriter someday and act in Something Wicked This Way Comes by passion by acting in productions at his own movie. Neil Bartram and Brian Hill. He has Town Hall Theatre Company and performed at Center REPertory Lamorinda Theatre Academy, HOWARD Company in Born Yesterday, Anything participating in Contra Costa Children’s SWAIN* returns Goes, Mirandolina! Mistress of a Tuscan Chorus, and performing with the dance to A.C.T., where his Inn, Deathtrap, Sweet Charity, Lucky Stiff, troupe Team Pink. Van De Poel was a credits include All in the Timing, and The Voice of the solo singing finalist in Lamorinda Idol in Curse of the Prairie. Film and television work includes 2015 and 2016. She appeared as Young Starving Class, Blue Jasmine and NBC’s Trauma. Cosette in Campolindo High School’s Taking Steps, A Lie Thomson has performed with San Jose production of Les Misérables. of the Mind, and The Repertory Theatre, San Jose Stage

JOSHUA LIAM STEPHEN VON HOLDER† WATTRUS** is in first stepped onstage his third year of the as a kindergartner at A.C.T. Master of Fine Proud to Canyon Elementary Arts Program. M.F.A. School, where he Program credits now attends sixth include Petruchio in Support grade. In addition The Taming of the to performing twice a year in school Shrew, Alfred in Cardenio, Jasper in The A.C.T. plays, von Holder attended summer Aliens (A.C.T. Sky Festival 2016), conservatories with A.C.T. and California Macbeth/Lennox in Macbeth, Doricourt Shakespeare Theater, performed in the in The Belle’s Stratagem, Paola in Crazy Children’s Fairyland production of Ozma for the Country, Gianni in A Town by the of Oz, has sung with the California Revels Sea (A.C.T. Sky Festival 2015), and Doc Personal attention Children’s Chorus for three years, and in Confessional. Credits at the thoughtful litigation understudied for the son of Macduff in Williamstown Theatre Festival include final resolution Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Macbeth. Thomas in The Model American, John in

When he is not acting, von Holder loves The First Immigrant, and Athel/Hennie in Our goal is to preserve our LAW FAMILY to mountain bike and climb trees, as well Utopia, MN. He also played multiple client’s dignity and humanity. as work, hike, and play in the great characters in Missed Connections at the outdoors. His most recent achievement Hollywood Fringe Festival. Wattrus was is learning to unicycle. the recipient of the A.C.T. M.F.A. FA M I LYLAW G R OUP, P. C . Program Sadler Award.

575 Market Street, Suite 4000 San Francisco, CA 94105 415.834.1120 www.sflg.com

415.749.2228 35 MAXIMILIAN PAUL WALSH (Co-Adaptor) is served as musical director for the WIX† returns for a professor of dramaturgy and dramatic Shakespeare repertory directed by Sir second season of A criticism at the Yale School of Drama. Peter Hall at the Ahmanson Theatre. Christmas Carol at For nine years (1996–2005), he was A.C.T. He is a dramaturg and director of humanities at DOMENIQUE LOZANO (Director) fifth-grade student A.C.T., where his translations of Henrik is a resident artist at A.C.T. She directs at Presidio Hill Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (2004) and and teaches in the A.C.T. Master of Fine School in San Hedda Gabler (2007) were produced. Arts and Young Conservatory programs. Francisco and a second-year student in In 2012, San Francisco’s Cutting Ball Recent M.F.A. Program directing the A.C.T. Young Conservatory. Wix is a Theater produced his translations of projects include The Skin of Our Teeth, soprano singer in the San Francisco August Strindberg’s five Chamber Plays, Sueño, Little d, Saved, the American Boys Chorus and studies tap dancing at which have been published by EXIT premiere of Happy to Stand, and the ODC. He enjoys drawing, antiques, Press. Walsh has worked as a dramaturg, Will on Wheels productions of The designing houses in Minecraft, and translator, and coauthor with theater Comedy of Errors, Othello, and Twelfth spending time with his dog, Starla. companies across the country, including Night. Directing work with the YC the Tony Award–winning Theatre de la includes Fields of Gold: The Music of ALEJANDRA Jeune Lune, with whom he collaborated Sting; I’m Still Standing: A Celebration of ZAVALA† is a on such notable productions as Children the Music of Elton John; the world fifth-grade student of Paradise: Shooting a Dream, Don premieres of Staying Wild, Homefront, at Tenderloin Juan Giovanni, and The Hunchback of Beautiful Child: The Music of Rufus Community School. Notre Dame. Walsh received his PhD Wainwright, Sarah Daniels’s Dust, and She developed an from the Graduate Centre for the Study Constance Congdon’s Nightingales; the interest in acting of Drama at the University of Toronto. American premiere of After Juliet; and after seeing her the West Coast premieres of Jeffrey older brother perform in a school play. KARL LUNDEBERG (Composer) Hatcher’s Korczak’s Children and Wendy Zavala was in the second grade when is a CBS/Sony recording artist and has MacLeod’s Schoolgirl Figure. Other she appeared in her first play at the recorded four albums with his jazz/ directing credits include Orlando, The Tenderloin Boys & Girls Club, where she world music group, Full Circle. He has Drawer Boy, and Welcome Home, Jenny played Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty. performed extensively throughout the Sutter with TheatreFIRST; The Countess This is her second season performing in United States, Canada, Scandinavia, with Center REPertory Company; Two A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol. Zavala also continental Europe, Japan, and Brazil. for the Seesaw with Marin Theatre plays on her school’s rugby team and His contemporary classical music Company; and The Norman Conquests, loves to read. compositions have been performed Holiday, The Real Thing, and She Loves by a variety of orchestras, including Me with Napa Valley Repertory Theatre, CHARLES DICKENS was born the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sinfa of which she was a founding member in 1812 in Portsmouth, England. His Nova, and the Swedish Radio Symphony and associate artistic director. Lozano literary success began in 1836 with Orchestra, and they have been featured also translated The Caucasian Chalk the publication of Sketches by Boz at the prestigious Mitsui, Perugia, Venice Circle, which premiered at A.C.T. in and The Pickwick Papers. These were Biennale, Teatro Español, Next Wave, 2010. Lozano is an associate artist followed by Oliver Twist (1837–39), Castle Hill, and San Sebastián festivals. with California Shakespeare Theater, Nicholas Nickleby (1839), Barnaby Theater and ballet music includes scores where she has performed in more than Rudge (1841), A Christmas Carol for the American Repertory Theatre, 20 productions. (1843), Martin Chuzzlewit (1844), Brooklyn Academy of Music, Seattle and David Copperfield (1850). In the Repertory Theatre, Center Stage in VAL CANIPAROLI (Choreographer) 1850s Dickens’s marriage to Catherine Baltimore, Arizona Theatre Company, is one of the most sought-after Hogarth dissolved, and his work Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, the choreographers in the United States began to tackle darker themes and Kennedy Center Theater, South Coast and abroad. Although San Francisco criticize industrial society. The novels Repertory, the Mark Taper Forum Ballet has been his artistic home for of this period include Bleak House (composer-in-residence, 1996–2001), more than 43 years, Caniparoli has (1853), Hard Times (1854), Little Dorrit and the Ahmanson Theatre. Film and also contributed to the repertories of (1857), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), and television scores include work for PBS, more than 45 companies, including Great Expectations (1860). He wrote NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, NRK (Norwegian Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, Scottish 15 novels, and all remain in print. Broadcasting Corporation), Imagine Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Hong Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Kong Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, and United Paramount Network. He Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the

†Member of the A.C.T. Young Conservatory 36 ACT-SF.ORG Make a gift. Create a star. To donate to A.C.T. today, contact Stephanie Swide at 415.439.2353 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFORMATION: act-sf.org/support Finnish National Ballet. Caniparoli has roles in ballets by Michael Smuin, the Weston Playhouse (including this also choreographed for Lyric Opera George Balanchine, Val Caniparoli, and year’s Man of La Mancha), Meadow of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and Jerome Robbins, among others. She Brook Theatre, Center Stage in the Metropolitan Opera. He has worked has appeared on television in several Baltimore, The Barnstormers Theatre, extensively with the San Francisco Dance in America productions for and Gateway Playhouse. New York Symphony, most memorably on the Great Performances, including “Live highlights include The Underclassman Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov opera-ballet from the San Francisco Opera House” (2006 Drama Desk Award nomination Mlada, conducted by Michael Tilson and “Live from Lincoln Center.” She for Outstanding Orchestrations), Evil Thomas. Caniparoli has received ten was the assistant to the director for Dead: The Musical, Illyria, With Glee, grants for choreography from the the Emmy Award–winning Canciones Yank! A WWII Love Story, Honor, Death National Endowment for the Arts, an de mi padre, starring Linda Ronstadt. for Five Voices, and the revival of artist fellowship from the California Dickson was featured in the award- Working. A San Francisco native and Arts Council, and two awards from winning documentary Balances. At Princeton University graduate, Feyer the Choo-San Goh & H. Robert Magee A.C.T. she has also served as the also works as a puzzle editor and writer Foundation. Previous work with A.C.T. répétiteur on The Tosca Project. and is a six-time winner of the American includes the staging and creation Crossword Puzzle Tournament. (with Carey Perloff) of Tosca Café and DANIEL FEYER (Music Director) is choreography for A Doll’s House, ’Tis the resident music director for the A.C.T. JOHN ARNONE (Scenic Designer) Pity She’s a Whore, and Arcadia. Master of Fine Arts Program, playing is a Tony Award winner who began his for classes, cabarets, fundraisers, and career designing critically acclaimed NANCY DICKSON (Dance the program’s production of The Rocky productions off Broadway, for which Répétiteur) danced with American Horror Show at The Strand Theater. he received two OBIE Awards. He has Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. He was assistant music director for designed more than 30 sets at theaters As a principal dancer, her repertoire A.C.T.’s production of A Little Night including Lion Theatre Company, included the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Music and the music consultant for Playwrights Horizons, Circle Repertory Nutcracker, Lise in La fille mal gardée, Ah, Wilderness! and Monstress. Feyer’s Theatre, and The Public Theater with the title role in Cinderella, and leading regional credits include 11 seasons at legendary producer Joseph Papp. He has worked with Garland Wright and Joe Dowling at the Guthrie Theater and with Des McAnuff at La Jolla Playhouse Chase away and the Stratford Festival. In 1993, The Who’s Tommy opened on Broadway, the winter blues for which Arnone received Tony, Dora Mavor Moore, Drama Desk, and Outer with Studio A.C.T. classes! Critics Circle awards. Other Broadway designs include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Sacrilege; Sex and Longing; Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?; Fortune’s Fool; The Full Monty; Marlene; The Deep Blue Sea; Lone Star & Pvt. Wars; Minnelli on Minnelli; The Best Man; The Ride Down Mt. Morgan; Lennon; and Tommy Tune’s productions of The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and Grease. His work has been seen in Whether you want to gain new skills or meet new people, Studio A.C.T. classes can help make 2017 Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, your best year yet. We offer classes in acting, Germany, Japan, and Australia. directing, improv, public speaking, voice, and more for adults of all experience levels. BEAVER BAUER (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for The winter 2017 session starts January 23—learn more and enroll today! numerous A.C.T. productions, including Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City; ACT-SF.ORG/STUDIO | 415.439.2444 Scapin; War Music; The Government Inspector; The Imaginary Invalid;

38 ACT-SF.ORG The Rivals; Edward Albee’s The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?; The Gamester; The PRESENTS Beard of Avon; The Misanthrope; Edward II; Tartuffe; and Insurrection: THEATER TOURS FOR 2017 Holding History. She is the resident costume designer at Teatro ZinZanni and has designed the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular for eight years. COSTA MESA’S She has also designed for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, the PACIFIC PLAYWRIGHTS Eureka Theatre, Shakespeare Santa FESTIVAL Cruz, Lamplighters Music Theatre, San APRIL 21–23, 2017 Jose Repertory Theatre, Magic Theatre, the Pickle Family Circus, Classic Stage IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THEATER AT THE PACIFIC PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL Company, Theatre of Yugen, and the Riviera and Desert Inn hotels in Las Vegas. From 1972 to 1984, she worked THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF for The Angels of Light, a troupe that specializes in cabaret and theater, and BROADWAY IN in 1995 she designed a circus that NEW YORK CITY traveled to Moscow and Japan. Bauer JULY 11–17, 2017 has won several San Francisco Bay

Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards. EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT OF HAMILTON ON BROADWAY

NANCY SCHERTLER (Lighting THE CHARMING Designer) has designed the Broadway productions of Bill Irwin’s Fool Moon OREGON SHAKESPEARE and Largely New York (Tony Award nomination) and off-Broadway FESTIVAL productions of Hilda (directed by Carey JULY 19–24, 2017 Perloff), Texts for Nothing, and The

Regard Evening (directed by Bill Irwin). EXPLORE ASHLAND AND THE OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL A.C.T. credits include Elektra, Scapin, Boleros for the Disenchanted, After the NEW COMBO TOUR War, The Colossus of Rhodes, and The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Schertler THE BEST OF BRITISH has worked extensively at regional theaters across the country, including AND IRISH THEATER a decades-long association with Arena OCTOBER 3–12, 2017 Stage in Washington, DC, where she has worked with directors Zelda Fichandler, RELISH THE LEGACY OF EUROPEAN DRAMA IN DUBLIN AND LONDON Liviu Ciulei, Kyle Donnelly, Garland Wright, Douglas C. Wager, and Molly All theater tours are led by A.C.T. artistic staff and include: Smith. Designs of original productions • Tickets to world-class productions include Sisters Matsumoto for Seattle • Luxury accommodations Repertory Theatre and Moby Dick for • Discussions with guest artists led by A.C.T. staff Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Opera credits include world premieres of • Welcome and farewell dinners Shadowboxer, Clara, and Later the Same • Lunches and cocktail hours Evening, an opera inspired by the work • Complimentary breakfast each morning in our hotel of Edward Hopper, all commissioned • Sightseeing excursions and/or walking tours by the University of Maryland Opera • Travel companions who love theater Studio and directed by Leon Major.

For more information, visit act-sf.org/theatertours or contact Helen Rigby at 415.239.2469 or [email protected].

415.749.2228 39 JAKE RODRIGUEZ (Sound Designer) JANET FOSTER, CSA (Casting Ragtime and She Loves Me at Foothill is a sound designer and composer based Director) joined A.C.T. as the casting Music Theatre. She is the production out of the San Francisco Bay Area and director in the 2011–12 season. On coordinator at TheatreWorks. works at regional theaters around the Broadway she cast The Light in the United States. Recent credits include Piazza (Artios Award nomination), LESLIE M. RADIN* (Assistant The Christians at Playwrights Horizons Lennon, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Stage Manager) returns to A.C.T. after and the Mark Taper Forum; Monstress Taking Sides (co-cast). Off-Broadway working on A Christmas Carol the last at A.C.T.; Girlfriend at the Kirk Douglas credits include Lucy, Brundibar, True three seasons and Napoli! in the 2013–14 Theatre; Mr. Burns, a post-electric Love, Endpapers, The Dying Gaul, The season. She has worked at Aurora play at A.C.T. and the Guthrie Theater; Maiden’s Prayer, The Trojan Women: Theatre Company, Berkeley Repertory Thieves at the El Portal Theatre; X’s A Love Story, Floyd Collins, The Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, and O’s (A Football Love Story) at Monogamist, A Cheever Evening, Later Center REPertory Company, and Santa Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Center Life, and many more at Playwrights Cruz Shakespeare. She has traveled Stage in Baltimore; Superheroes at the Horizons. Regionally, she has worked with Berkeley Rep productions to the Cutting Ball Theater; The Christians at Intiman Theatre, Seattle Repertory Hong Kong Arts Festival and The New and brownsville song (b-side for tray) Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Victory Theater in New York. Radin is at Actors Theatre of Louisville; and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Dallas also the production coordinator for Emotional Creature at Signature Theatre Theater Center, Yale Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theatre Company. Her favorite Company. Rodriguez is the recipient Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre past productions include Aubergine, of a 2004 Princess Grace Award. Company, The Old Globe, Center Wittenberg, Passing Strange, The Stage in Baltimore, Westport Country Lieutenant of Inishmore, and In the MICHAEL PALLER (Dramaturg) Playhouse, and the American Repertory Next Room, or the vibrator play. joined A.C.T. as resident dramaturg and Theater. Film, television, and radio director of humanities in August 2005, credits include Cosby (CBS), Tracey and since then he has dramaturged Takes On New York (HBO), Lewis Black’s more than 50 productions and The Deal, Advice from a Caterpillar, The workshops. He began his professional Day That Lehman Died (BBC World career as literary manager at Center Service and Blackhawk Productions; Repertory Theatre (Cleveland), then Peabody, Sony, and Wincott awards), worked as a play reader and script and “T” Is for Tom (Tom Stoppard consultant for Manhattan Theatre radio plays, WNYC and WQXR). Club, and has since been a dramaturg for George Street Playhouse, the KAREN SZPALLER* (Stage Berkshire Theatre Festival, Barrington Manager) has stage-managed many Stage Company, Long Wharf Theatre, shows at A.C.T., including A Christmas Roundabout Theatre Company, and Carol (2006–15) The Unfortunates, 1776, others. He dramaturged the Russian Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, premiere of Tennessee Williams’s Small Stuck Elevator, Maple and Vine, Brief Craft Warnings at the Sovremennik Encounter, and The Tosca Project. Most Theater in Moscow. Paller is the author recently she stage-managed The Life of Gentlemen Callers: Tennessee of the Party at TheatreWorks. Favorite Williams, Homosexuality, and Mid- past shows include Anne Patterson’s Twentieth Century Drama (Palgrave art and theatrical installation Seeing Macmillan), Williams in an Hour (Smith the Voice: State of Grace and Anna & Kraus), and A Five-Act Play: Fifty Deavere Smith’s On Grace, both at Years of A.C.T. (Chronicle Books). He Grace Cathedral; the national tour of has also written theater and book Spamalot in San Francisco; Tribes, The reviews for the Washington Post, the Wild Bride, Let Me Down Easy, The Village Voice, Newsday, and Mirabella Lieutenant of Inishmore, Eurydice, magazine. He recently adapted the Fêtes de la Nuit, Brundibar, Comedy text for the San Francisco Symphony’s on the Bridge, and One Man, Two multimedia presentation of Peer Gynt. Guvnors at Berkeley Repertory Theatre; Before his arrival at A.C.T., he taught Urinetown at San Jose Stage Company; at Columbia University and the State Wild with Happy, Wheelhouse, and University of New York at Purchase. Striking 12 at TheatreWorks; and

*Member of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States 40 ACT-SF.ORG LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE SAN FRANCISCO SPACE FOR YOUR UPCOMING EVENT? HOST YOUR GATHERING AT A.C.T.’S GEARY THEATER!

Whether you are planning a board meeting or a social mixer, a wedding or a product launch, we have an event space that is right for you! Centrally located in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square district, A.C.T.’s hundred-year-old Geary Theater is an exciting destination, rich with personality, versatility, and resources—without the catering restrictions that drive event planners crazy. With four venues to choose from—suited for intimate parties, thousand- The Main Theater person extravaganzas, and everything in between—we’re ready to make your upcoming event one to remember.

OUR SPACES INCLUDE:

THE GARRET ROOM THE SKY BAR This charming, private space The Sky Bar features a classy backlit tucked away on the top floor of the lounge and bar overlooking Geary The Sky Bar theater is ideal for dinner parties, Street, perfect for receptions at which cocktail receptions, and meetings. mingling is key. Capacity: 135 Capacity: 110

FRED’S COLUMBIA ROOM THE MAIN THEATER With a full bar, couches, and table Called the “perfect playhouse” when seating that can be configured for it opened its doors in 1910, The Fred’s Columbia Room any occasion, Fred’s is a comfortable Geary’s ornate and magnificent and elegant option with versatile theater will make any event possibilities. Capacity: 228 unforgettable. With three levels of seating, a large proscenium stage, and state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, the main theater has been impressing audiences for a hundred years. Capacity: 1,015

The Garret Room

Fully stocked bars, A/V equipment and production staff, onsite convection ovens, and ticketing services are just a few enhancements we can add to your event. For more information about any of our spaces or to schedule a tour, please contact A.C.T. Associate General Manager Amy Hand at [email protected]. INSIDE A.C.T.

Downtown High School students with A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program Citizen Artists (and guest artist trumpet player Sean Jones seated third from right). Photo by Jasmin Hoo.

Eunice Nuval and Robert Coverdell. Through the project-based program, students are introduced to the fundamentals of A SENSE OF SELF theater making—from acting to behind-the-scenes work, from playwriting to marketing—while covering academic curricular A.C.T.’S RESIDENCY WITH subjects necessary to graduate, including science, math, DOWNTOWN HIGH SCHOOL social studies, and English language arts. Every Wednesday, the students come to A.C.T.’s studios for an acting class with BY SHANNON STOCKWELL Community Artistic Director Tyrone Davis. They also enjoy master classes with local and visiting guest artists and attend It’s a Wednesday morning on the ninth floor of 30 Grant performances at A.C.T. and other local theaters throughout the Avenue, where many of A.C.T.’s classrooms are located. To school year. anyone outside the theater world, the scene might look a little strange: a room full of people milling about and muttering to The foundation of DHS’s project-based learning curriculum themselves. But to those of us at A.C.T., this is a familiar sight: centers on specific themes. Each semester culminates in a it’s the Downtown High School (DHS) students practicing for final exhibition in which the students perform scenes and auditions for their Acting for Critical Thought class’s end-of- monologues written by them (with tutoring from 826 Valencia) semester exhibition. on that semester’s theme. This fall, for example, the DHS students looked at the themes of gender and gender norms Since 2011, A.C.T. has partnered with DHS (one of San through a critical lens and attended the A.C.T. Master of Francisco’s continuation high schools for students who have Fine Arts Program’s October production of Shakespeare’s not experienced success in traditional public schools) for The Taming of the Shrew, while analyzing and studying the Acting for Critical Thought, a theater class led by teachers play in class.

42 ACT-SF.ORG Top: Students in class at 30 Grant Avenue studios. Photo by Jasmin Hoo. Bottom: Downtown High School students in Soulful Electric Blues. Photo by Jay Yamada.

schools and community-based organizations, including Ida B. Wells High School, Bessie Carmichael PreK–8 School/Filipino Education Center, Mission High School, Hilltop Special Services Center for pregnant and parenting teens, the Tenderloin Boys & Girls Club, and Access SFUSD: The Arc, a program for transition-age youth with disabilities.

A.C.T.’s residencies don’t just benefit the students of the organizations with which we partner. They also benefit A.C.T. as a whole, including the actors in the M.F.A. Program, who work in the residencies as a part of their Citizen Artist curriculum. “When I teach acting, it helps me realize what I actually do know and what I don’t,” says Diana Gonzalez-Morett, a third-year M.F.A. Program actor. “If I figure out how to clearly communicate what somebody else should be doing, it helps me with my own work.”

Teaching young people the joy of theater is also a way for the M.F.A. Program actors to pay it forward. “I got into acting through arts education,” says third-year M.F.A. Program actor Akilah A. Walker. “Working with the DHS students reminds me Although some of the students who opt to take this class are of why I started acting, which makes me want to be better for interested in acting (several have continued to pursue theater them. I want them to feel what I felt when I decided I wanted after graduation), not all of them want to become theater to pursue a career in theater.” artists. But theater education offers vital skills to all students, no matter their professional aspirations. Through acting, In order for A.C.T. to continue its work with DHS and our many students learn how to work together in an ensemble. They other in- and after-school programs, we rely on donations learn leadership and communication skills. They learn empathy from people like you who recognize the importance of arts and trust. “The class has really helped me be comfortable with education to the future generation of theatergoers. other people,” says DHS student Talia Matau. “It has helped me be more honest when talking to people about my personal life, and that’s encouraged me to be more open-minded.” Downtown High School’s fall exhibition is on December 9 at 9:30AM, 11AM, and 1PM in The Rueff at The Strand Theater The students also learn professionalism and the importance of and is free and open to the public. Come hear these powerful body language. DHS student Jocelyn Lainez says, “Through student voices. RSVP to [email protected]. A.C.T.’s acting classes, I’ve learned how to present myself. Believe it or not, doing these theater exercises will help you in real life.”

Most importantly, though, the students learn that their voices are important. Tyrone Davis says, “In the Acting for Critical SUPPORT ARTS Thought class, these students have the opportunity to look at EDUCATION AT A.C.T. the world around them, form their own opinions, and then tell their own stories through their work.”

“Being able to perform gives me a sense of power,” says Lainez. Help future generations discover “It gives me a sense of community, as well, because I’m able the power of theater. To make a to say what I want to say without being judged, without donation this holiday season, please being rejected.” visit act-sf.org/support. This partnership with DHS is just one of several A.C.T. residencies. The A.C.T. Education & Community Programs Department has long-term intensive collaborations with several

415.749.2228 43 INSIDE A.C.T.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? LIFE AFTER THE A.C.T. YOUNG CONSERVATORY MEER DEEN VAN BY PHOTO BY SIMON HODGSON

In the A.C.T. Young Conservatory, BETH BEHRS took classes in the YC for ADAM JACOBS studied in the YC from students develop skills not only three years during high school. She is 1996 to 1997. Currently starring in the for acting but also for life. YC now the co-star of 2 Broke Girls on CBS Broadway production of Aladdin, he (she’s currently working on the sixth counts among his credits roles in The graduates have gone on to work in season), with film and television Lion King, Les Misérables, and the careers from research to advocacy, credits including roles in Monster touring production of Cinderella. from television to the operating University, Chasing Eagle Rock, and room. As a fresh-faced crew of YC Adventures of Serial Buddies. “The YC was invaluable in my training as a young actor. As a participant in the actors takes the Geary stage for A “The YC taught me how to be a program, my growth was exponential, Christmas Carol, we caught up with professional. The caliber of directors, because I was challenged and taken a few YC alumni who have gone on teachers, and other actors that I had the out of my comfort zone.” to rewarding careers. opportunity to work with upped my game and definitely helped to prepare me for the rigorous schedule and lifestyle of filming 24 episodes a year.”

44 ACT-SF.ORG Left: YC alumnus Michael Gottlieb working with President Barack Obama. Photo courtesy Michael Gottlieb.

MICHAEL GOTTLIEB was involved in the YC between 1985 and 1992—he was in KEVIN BERNE BY PHOTO class on the day of the 1989 earthquake. Today he is a lawyer, a policy advocate, and a captain in the US Air Force Reserve. Between 2013 and 2015, he was associate White House counsel and special assistant to the President of the LUCIA GRAHAMJONES attended the DARREN CRISS was involved in the YC United States. YC from 2003 to 2004. She went on between the ages of 8 and 18. He is to study theater at New York University now a professional actor with Broadway “One of the things I bring to my work is Tisch School of the Arts and is now credits including How to Succeed in a high level of emotional intelligence, a human resources professional at Business Without Really Trying and and that was something I was able to Instacart, a grocery delivery start-up Hedwig and the Angry Inch (and tour). develop from doing character studies valued at $2 billion. She attributes His screen work includes the television in the YC. The ability to figure out her communication skills to assistant- show Glee on FOX and the movie Girl what’s going on beneath the surface directing for YC classes and productions. Most Likely. has served me in my career as an advocate, as a policy-maker, as a “The YC did a lot to prepare me for the “The Young Conservatory is the absolute lawyer, and as a person.” transition from college to professional best place for any hopeful young artist. life, particularly in learning how It instilled in me a sense of excitement to work with people and build and confidence, as well as the tools for relationships.” developing my professional career. I will forever be indebted to A.C.T. for the leaps it has allowed me to take as an actor, artist, and citizen.”

ACT OUT DREAM BIG

RACHEL RUBENSTEIN attended the YC from the age of ten and went on to major in sociology and American studies at Kenyon College. After pursing an acting career in Los Angeles and New York, she was hired to act in role-playing training scenarios for financial advisors at Morgan Stanley. The job inspired her to take up At our Tony Award–winning conservatory, students ages coaching, and she’s now an executive 8 to 19 develop their talents, perform in professional-caliber coach, teaching communication skills productions, and gain the confidence to succeed—all in a to a wide range of clients, including a comfortable, creative, and fun environment. From acting global financial services company, a film and musical theater to clowning and Shakespeare, Young producer, and a jazz musician. Conservatory classes are exciting, engaging, and challenging.

“I attribute my ability to navigate the world to my A.C.T. training. It was Winter classes start January 17. Register today! where I felt the most challenged, but ACT-SF.ORG/YC | 415.439.2444 it was also where I had the most fun.”

415.749.2228 45 FRANNIE FLEISHHACKER, CO-CHAIR • ROBINA RICCITIELLO, CO-CHAIR

Producers Circle members make annual contributions of $12,000 or more to A.C.T. We are privileged to recognize these members’ generosity during the October 1, 2015, to October 1, 2016, period. For information about Producers Circle membership, please contact Tiffany Redmon at 415.439.2482 or [email protected].

*Member of A.C.T. Next Stage Crew

COMPANY SPONSORS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Kathleen Scutchfield Linda Jo Fitz ($50,000+) ($25,000–$49,999) Mr. David G. Steele Rose Hagan and Mark Lemley Doug Tilden and Teresa Keller Dianne and Ron Hoge Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund Lesley Ann Clement Susan A. Van Wagner Don and Judy McCubbin Frannie Fleishhacker Mrs. Robyn Coles and Dr. Tony Coles Barbara and Stephan Vermut Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McQuown Priscilla and Keith Geeslin Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson Aaron Vermut and Drs. Michael and Jane Marmor Jeri Lynn and Jeffrey W. Johnson Michael G. Dovey Adriana Lopez Vermut Rodman and Ann Marymor Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, Bill and Phyllis Draper Nola Yee Mary and Gene Metz The Shenson Foundation Sarah and Tony Earley Kay Yun and Andre Neumann-Loreck* Mr. Byron R. Meyer Burt and Deedee McMurtry Kevin and Celeste Ford Tim Mott and Pegan Brooke Barbara Ravizza and John S. Osterweis* Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Getty PRODUCERS Paula and John Murphy Arthur Rock and Toni Rembe Kirke and Nancy Sawyer Hasson ($12,000–$24,999) Rich Rava and Elisa Neipp Mary and Steven Swig Chris and Holly Hollenbeck Anne and Michelle Shonk Jack and Susy Wadsworth Jo S. Hurley Anonymous Christopher and Leslie Johnson Paul Asente and Ron Jenks Cherie Sorokin John Little and Heather Stallings Little Clay Foundation - West Jeff and Maria Spears Janet V. Lustgarten Lloyd and Janet Cluff* Ruth and Alan L. Stein Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman Daniel E. Cohn and Lynn Brinton Bert and LeAnne Steinberg Kenneth and Gisele Miller Carlotta and Robert Dathe Barry Williams and Lalita Tademy Donald J. and Toni Ratner Miller Richard Davis-Lowell and Bill Lowell Robina Riccitiello Dr. Caroline Emmett and Sally and Toby Rosenblatt Dr. Russell Rydel Abby and Gene Schnair Concepción and Irwin Federman

DIANNE HOGE, CO-CHAIR • NOLA YEE, CO-CHAIR

Directors Circle members make annual contributions of $2,000 to $11,999 to A.C.T. We are privileged to recognize these members’ generosity during the October 1, 2015, to October 1, 2016, period. For information about Directors Circle membership, please contact Tiffany Redmon at 415.439.2482 or [email protected].

*Member of A.C.T. Next Stage Crew

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS Marcia and Jim Levy Minott and Ashley Wessinger Amanda and John Kirkwood ($6,000–$11,999) Jennifer S. Lindsay Beverly and Loring Wyllie Paola and Richard Kulp Paul Angelo Christine and Stan Mattison Mr. and Mrs. John P. Levin Valerie Barth and Peter Booth Wiley Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGrath PLAYWRIGHTS Melanie and Peter Maier - David V. Beery and Norman Abramson Mrs. Buffington Miller ($4,000–$5,999) John Brockway Huntington Kathleen Bennett and Tom Malloy Kenneth and Gisele Miller Anonymous Foundation Kenneth Berryman Milton Mosk and Thomas Foutch* Ray and Jackie Apple Mr. Daniel Murphy Dr. Barbara L. Bessey The New Ark Fund Mr. and Mrs. Gerson Bakar Pennie Needham Linda Joanne Brown Terry and Jan Opdendyk Roger and Helen Bohl Ms. Mary D. Niemiller Gayle and Steve Brugler Norman and Janet Pease Ms. Donna Bohling and Barbara O’Connor Drs. Devron Char and Elsa and Neil Pering Mr. Douglas Kalish LeRoy Ortopan Valerie Charlton-Char Mr. and Mrs. Tom Perkins Christopher and Debora Booth* Denise Orwin Mr. and Mrs. David Crane Marjorie Perloff Ben and Noel Bouck Peter Pastreich and Jamie Whittington James and Julia Davidson Ms. Carey Perloff and Mr. Anthony Giles Mr. Benjamin Bratt and Talisa Soto Mr. and Mrs. William Pitcher Joan Dea Ms. Saga Perry and Mr. Frederick Perry Leslie and Buzz Burlock Bill and Pamela Pshea Carol Dollinger Jon and Barbara Phillips Daryl Davis Joseph E. Ratner Barb and Gary Erickson Merrill Randol Sherwin Madeline and Myrkle Deaton Jeff and Karen Richardson* Mr. Rodney Ferguson and David and Carla Riemer Richard DeNatale and Craig Latker Gary and Joyce Rifkind Ms. Kathleen Egan Rick and Anne Riley Anne and Gerald Down Gary Rubenstein and Nancy Matthews Vicki and David Fleishhacker Dr. James Robinson and Emerald Gate Charitable Trust Sakana Foundation Myrna and Tom Frankel Ms. Kathy Kohrman Jacqueline and Christian Erdman* Thomas Schumacher Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Gallagher Matt and Yvonne Rogers Nancy and Jerry Falk Dr. F. Stanley Seifried Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Geist Susan Roos Dr. and Mrs. Fred N. Fritsch* The Somekh Family Foundation Arnie and Shelly Glassberg Rick and Cindy Simons Mrs. Susan Fuller Mr. Richard Spaete Dr. Allan P. Gold and Mr. Alan C. Ferrara Mr. Laurence L. Spitters Sameer Gandhi and Monica Lopez Pasha and Laney Thornton Marcia and John Goldman Emmett and Marion Stanton Marilee K. Gardner The Tournesol Project Marcia and Geoffrey Green Vera and Harold Stein Jason Goldman Larry and Robyn Varellas Mr. Bill Gregory Tara Sullivan and Jim Horan Barbara Grasseschi and Tony Crabb Joy and Ellis Wallenberg, Milton Betty Hoener Roselyne C. Swig Mark and Renee Greenstein* Meyer Foundation James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen Dr. Martin and Elizabeth Terplan* Mr. and Mrs. Henry Paul Hensley* Barbara and Chris Westover Alan and Cricket Jones John and Sandra Thompson Bannus & Cecily Hudson Mr. and Mrs. Bruce White Mr. Joel Krauska and Ms. Patricia Fox Patrick S. Thompson Jamieson Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Wiesenthal Linda Kurtz* Barbara Weiss Becky and Lorin Kaplan & Family Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wu Jennifer Langan Katherine Welch Joseph D. Keegan, PhD

46 ACT-SF.ORG DIRECTORS Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Flannery* Dr. Thane Kreiner and Mr. and Mrs. John Shankel ($2,000–$3,999) Jacques Fortier Dr. Steven Lovejoy* Mr. James Shay and Mr. Steven Correll Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fowler Patrick Machado Michelle Shonk Mr. Howard J. Adams Elizabeth and Paul Fraley Stephanie Marver Ms. Ruth A. Short Martha and Michael Adler Lynda Fu Ms. Jill Matichak Handelsman Mr. Earl G. Singer Bruce and Betty Alberts Ms. Kathleen Gallivan John B. McCallister Richard and Jerry Smallwood Lynn Altshuler and Stanley D. Herzstein Mr. Jon Garber and Ms. Bonnie Fought John G. McGehee Ms. Judith O. Smith Sharon L. Anderson* William Garland and Michael Mooney* Kathleen McIlwain Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Snow Mr. and Mrs. Harold P. Anderson Mr. Michael R. Genesereth Casey and Charlie McKibben* Lee and Carolyn Snowberg Whitney and Phillip Arnautou Susan and Dennis Gilardi Elisabeth and Daniel McKinnon Kristine Soorian and Bryce Ikeda Dick Barker Dr. A. Goldschlager Ms. Nancy Michel* Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Spears Jeanne and William Barulich Ms. Ann M. Griffiths Mr. and Mrs. Roger Miles Steven and Chris Spencer* Nancy and Joachim Bechtle Douglas W. and Kaatri Grigg J. Sanford Miller and Vinie Zhang Miller Mr. Paul Spiegel Donna L. Beres and Terry Dahl Raymond and Gale L. Grinsell Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Mouat Diana L. Starcher Barbara Berkeley and Wendy Storch Nadine Guffanti and Ed Medford Jeanne Newman Rick Stern and Nancy Ginsburg Stern Fred and Nancy Bjork James Haire and Timothy Cole Mr. and Mrs. Merrill E. Newman Lillis and Max Stern David and Rosalind Bloom Mr. and Mrs. Richard Halliday Ms. Lisa Nolan Vibeke Strand, MD and Jack Loftis, PhD John Boland and James Carroll Vera and David Hartford Mrs. Margaret O’Drain* Richard and Michele Stratton Mr. Mitchell Bolen and Mr. Greg Hartman* Ms. Mary Jo O’Drain J. Dietrich and Dawna Stroeh Mr. John Christner Ms. Kendra Hartnett Emilie and Douglas Ogden Ms. Lucy Sun Carol and Shelby Bonnie Mrs. Deirdre Henderson Margo and Roy Ogus Valli Benesch and Bob Tandler Brenda and Roger Borovoy Richard N. Hill and Nancy Lundeen Mr. Don O’Neal Ms. Norah Terrault Jamie Bowles Mr. and Mrs. Jerre Hitz Meredith Orthwein* Susan Terris Romana D. Bracco Gregory Holland Janet and Clyde Ostler Dr. Eric Test and Dr. Odelia Braun* Marilyn and George Bray Ms. Marcia Hooper Janine Paver and Eric Brown Nancy Thompson and Andy Kerr Robert Brunner Rob Hulteng Mark Pigott Ian and Olga Thomson Tom and Carol Burkhart Robert Humphrey & Diane Amend Ms. M. N. Plant John Todd Buchanan Traina and Mrs. Libi Cape Judy and Bob Huret Victoria and Dan Prendergast Katherine Bundy Orr Traina Ms. Sally Carlson Sarah and Jordan Hymowitz Steven Pressman Mr. and Mrs. John R. Upton Jr. Denis Carrade and Jeanne Fadelli Robert and Riki Intner Kenneth Preston Jane and Bernard von Bothmer Mr. Todd Chaffee Harold and Lyn Isbell Gordon Radley Arnie and Gail Wagner The Donald and Franklin Jackson & Maloos Anvarian* Mr. Brian Ramsey Mr. and Mrs. James Wagstaffe Carole Chaiken Foundation Stephanie and Owen Jensen Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ratinoff Ms. Marla M. Walcott Steven and Karin Chase Russell and Mary Johnson Shirley and Robert Raymer Mrs. Katherine G. Wallin and T. Z. and Irmgard Chu Kathy and Joe Jolson Mr. and Mrs. John A. Reitan Mr. Homer Wallin Mr. Byde Clawson and Barbara and Ron Kaufman Albert and Roxanne Richards Fund Ms. Margaret Warton and Dr. Patricia Conolly Sy Kaufman* Victoria and Daniel Rivas Mr. Steve Benting Susan and Ralph G. Coan, Jr. Ed and Peggy Kavounas Mr. Orrin W. Robinson, III* Ms. Carol Watts Rebecca Coleman Ms. Pamela L. Kershner Mrs. Marianne B. Robison Ms. Patricia Tomlinson and Jean and Mike Couch Miss Angèle Khachadour Barbara G. Rosenblum Mr. Bennet Weintraub Mr. and Mrs. Ricky J. Curotto Ms. Nancy L. Kittle Susan Rosin and Brian Bock Ms. Allie Weissman Tiffanie DeBartolo and Scott Schumaker Mr. R. Samuel Klatchko* Ms. Irene Rothschild Ms. Beth Weissman Robert and Judith DeFranco Mr. Brian Kliment Ms. Diane Rudden Irv Weissman and Family Ingrid M. Deiwiks Stephanie Hencir Lamey and Ms. Dace Rutland Marie and Daniel Welch Reid and Peggy Dennis Patrick Lamey Scott and Janis Sachtjen Mr. Keith Wetmore Mrs. Julie D. Dickson Mr. Richard Lee and Ms. Monica Salusky and Helen M. Marcus and Art and JoAnne Dlott Ms. Patricia Taylor Lee Mr. John Sutherland David J. Williamson* Bonnie and Rick Dlott Dr. Lois Levine Mundie* Betty and Jack Schafer Diane B. Wilsey Mr. Joseph W. Donner, III Ms. Helen S. Lewis Frances Schendle Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wilson Robert Eklund Sue Yung Li and Dale K. Ikeda Lori Schryer The Arthur and Charlotte Zitrin Philip and Judy Erdberg Herbert and Claire Lindenberger Ms. Jean Schulz Foundation Charles and Susan Fadley* Ron and Mary Loar Andrew and Marva Seidl Mr. Alexander L. Fetter and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Long Paul and Julie Seipp Ms. Lynn Bunim Ms. Gayla Lorthridge* Russ Selinger

415.749.2228 47 ALAN JONES, CHAIR Friends of A.C.T. make annual contributions of $125–$1,999 in support of A.C.T.’s operations and programs. We are privileged to recognize these members’ generosity during the October 1, 2015, to October 1, 2016, 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 Stephanie Swide at 415.439.2353 or [email protected].

*Member of A.C.T. Next Stage Crew

PATRONS Mr. John Blankenship and Mr. and Mrs. Jason McDonell Marilyn and Irvin Yalom ($1,200–$1,999) Ms. Linda Carter Mark and Gene McGranahan Elysa Yanowitz* Anonymous (1) Mr. Noel Blos Karen and John McGuinn Jacqueline Young Kat and Dave Anderson* Jeff and Cecil Bodington Dr. Margaret R. McLean* Mr. and Mrs. Philip Zimbardo Ms. Kay Auciello* Jaime Caban and Rob Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Casey McManemin Mr. David N. Barnard Zoe Catalano Jeffrey and Elizabeth Minick CONTRIBUTOR LEVEL Dorothy and Ervin Behrin Ms. Linda R. Clem Thomas and Lydia Moran NEXT STAGE CREW Mr. Thomas Benet Martha Conte John and Betsy Munz ($500–$749) Lauren Berman Ms. Shirley Cookston Dorotea C. Nathan Dr. Seth D. Ammerman* Mr. Nicholas Brathwaite Ms. Karen T. Crommie Adam Neeley David and Michele Benjamin* Stan and Stephanie Casper Mr. Copley E. Crosby Nancy and Bill Newmeyer Mr. Igor R. Blake* Ms. Cecily Cassel* James Cuthbertson Ms. Nancy F. Noe Mrs. Katie Budge* Ms. Donna Crabb and Mr. Gustav Laub Niccolo De Masi Alicia Nogales and Greg Little Ms. Buffy Cereske* Gregory Davis Ms. Roberta Denning Ms. Joanna Officier and Mr. Ralph Tiegel Craig E. Claussen* Ira and Jerry Dearing* Richard and Sheryl Donaldson Mr. Lester Olmstead-Rose* Mr. Edward Conger* William Dewey Ms. Joanne Dunn Mr. James O’Toole Lisa Conte* Ms. Kathleen Dumas Marilynne Elverson Barbara Paschke and Kristen and Charles Correll* Mr. Timothy C. Duran Ms. Susan English and Michael Kalkstein David Volpendesta Mr. Gregory Curatolo* Leif and Sharon Erickson Sue and Ed Fish* Mr. David J. Pasta Alan Entine* Ms. Susan Free M. Daniel and Carla Flamm Ms. Danielle Rebischung Dr. Marcus Feldman and Kathleen and Paul Goldman Darla and Patrick Flanagan Maryalice Reinmuller Mrs. S. Shirley Feldman* Mr. David C. Hale Mrs. Dorothy A. Flanagan Sheryl and Jim Reuben Karen and Stuart Gansky* Mr. John F. Heil Mr. Gregory Fung Mr. Philip Rich Bill and Nancy Grove* Adrienne Hirt and Jeffrey Rodman* Mr. John Garfinkle Marguerite Romanello Ms. Marlyne L. Hadley* Dr. and Mrs. Richard W. Horrigan Frederick and Leslie Gaylord Dan Rosenbaum and Suzanne L. Klein Mr. Mark Hall* Alex Ingersoll and Martin Tannenbaum Matthew G. Gloss Maureen and Paul Roskoph Dr. and Mrs. C. David Jensen Louise Karr Keith Goldstein Ms. Mary Ellen Rossi Karin and Gregory McClune* George and Janet King Marlys T. Green Patti and Rusty Rueff Jeff and Sue Mulvihill* Tori and David Kistler Prerna Gupta Paul Sack Richard and Donna Perkins* Thomas and Barbara Lasinski Kelly and Mike Halper Mrs. H. Harrison Sadler Jillian C. Robinson* Harriet Lawrie Julia Hardin Hansen Sonja Schmid Meline and Jirayr Roubinian* Julia Lobel Mr. Thomas Harkins Mr. Paul Schmidt Mr. Robert Scheid and Mr. Todd Charles* Ms. Evelyn Lockton Kim Harris and Bennet Marks David Schnur Jill Stanfield* Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Logan William Heavlin Dr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Schoen Kay Sternberger* Jeff and Susanne Lyons Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Heinrichs Mr. James J. Scillian The Toland-Yeh Family* Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm MacNaughton Brian and Patricia Herman Mr. Jim Sciuto Ms. Rosemary Welde* Joseph C. Najpaver and Deana Logan Leni and Doug Herst Mr. Jon Shantz Christy Wise and Bob Axelrod* Cindy Nicola* Dr. James and Suzette Hessler Ms. Patricia Sims Andrew Ferguson and Kay Wu* Robert and Marcia Popper Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hill Raven Sisco Ms. Nicole Zayac* Mr. and Mrs. Eric Protiva James and Helen Hobbs Christina Sonas Mark Zielazinski* Sandi and Mark Randall Edward L. Howes, MD Mr. Herbert Steierman Barbara and Saul Rockman* Leslie and George Hume Jeffrey Stern, MD Peter and Janice Scattini* Richard and Cheryl Jacobs Dr. and Mrs. G. Cook Story Jason Seifer and Brian Ayer Dr. and Mrs. John E. Jansheski Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Strickberger Dr. Gary Stein and Jana Stein Ms. Carolyn Jayne Mr. Jason Surles Ms. Jacqueline Stewart Allan and Rebecca Jergesen Denis Sutro Ian E. Stockdale and Ruth Leibig* Mr. and Mrs. Norman L. Johnson Marilyn E. Taghon Mr. Jay Streets Mrs. Zeeva Kardos Joe Tally and Dan Strauss Joseph Sturkey Jeffrey and Loretta Kaskey Marvin Tanigawa Mr. Dennis Kaump Maggie Thompson SUSTAINERS Ms. Josephine Kennedy Ms. Mary Topliff ($750–$1,199) Michael Kim Mrs. Helena Wasp Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Klotter Ms. Leslie Tyler Anonymous (4) Michael Kossman Leon Van Steen Susan Adamson and George Westfall Ms. Hamila Kownacki Mr. and Mrs. Ronald G. VandenBerghe Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Anderson Hal and Leslie Kruth Marsha Veit Mr. Paul Anderson Eileen Landauer and Mark Michael Mr. and Mrs. Ron Vitt* Ms. Patricia Wilde Anderson Edward and Miriam Landesman Mr. Douglass J. Warner Mr. William Barnard Mrs. Judith T. Leahy Joseph Watkins Ms. Pamela Barnes Mrs. Gary Letson Melissa and Jonathan Weinberg Robert H. Beadle* Barry and Ellen Levine Mr. William R. Weir Michele Bear Adlinna Liang Mr. Richard West Mr. Daniel R. Bedford Ms. Elise S. Liddle Mr. Robert Weston Mr. Ari Benbasat Ms. Carol H. Lokke Tim M. Whalen Mr. and Mrs. Paul Berg Mr. and Mrs. William Manheim Mr. David S. Winkler Richard and Katherine Berman* Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Marks Sally Woolsey Stuart and Helen Bessler Robert McCleskey Mr. and Mrs. Roy B. Woolsey

48 ACT-SF.ORG JO S. HURLEY, CHAIR A.C.T. gratefully acknowledges the Prospero Society members listed below, who have made an investment in the future of A.C.T. by providing for the theater in their estate plans.

**Deceased Providing a Legacy for A.C.T.

GIFTS DESIGNATED TO Alan and Susan Fritz John McGehee GIFTS RECEIVED BY AMERICAN CONSERVATORY Marilee K. Gardner Burt and Deedee McMurtry AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER Michele Garside Dr. Mary S. and F. Eugene Metz THEATER Anonymous (8) Dr. Allan P. Gold and J. Sanford Miller and The Estate of Barbara Beard Anthony J. Alfidi Mr. Alan C. Ferrara Vinie Zhang Miller The Estate of John Bissinger Judith and David Anderson Arnold and Nina Goldschlager Milton Mosk and Tom Foutch The Estate of Ronald Casassa Kay Auciello Carol Goodman and Anthony Gane Bill** and Pennie Needham The Estate of Rosemary Cozzo Ms. Nancy Axelrod JeNeal Granieri and Walter A. Nelson-Rees and The Estate of Nancy Croley M. L. Baird, in memory of Alfred F. McDonnell James Coran The Estate of Leonie Darwin Travis and Marion Baird William Gregory Michael Peter Nguyen The Estate of Mary Jane Detwiler Therese L. Baker-Degler James Haire and Timothy Cole Dante Noto The Estate of Olga Diora Ms. Teveia Rose Barnes and Richard and Lois Halliday Sheldeen Osborne The Estate of Mortimer Fleishhacker Mr. Alan Sankin Terilyn Hanko Marcia and Robert Popper The Estate of Mary Gamburg Eugene Barcone Mr. Richard H. Harding Kellie Yvonne Raines The Estate of Phillip E. Goddard Robert H. Beadle Kent Harvey Anne and Bertram Raphael The Estate of Mrs. Lester G. Hamilton Susan B. Beer Betty Hoener Jacob and Maria Elena Ratinoff The Estate of Sue Hamister David Beery and Norman Abramson Jo S. Hurley Mary L. Renner The Estate of Howard R. Hollinger J. Michael and Leon Berry-Lawhorn Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Karlinsky Ellen Richard The Estate of William S. Howe, Jr. Dr. Barbara L. Bessey and Nelda Kilguss Susan Roos The Estate of Thomas H. Maryanski Dr. Kevin J. Gilmartin** Ms. Heather M. Kitchen David Rovno, MD The Estate of Michael L. Mellor Lucia Brandon Mr. Jonathan Kitchen and Paul and Renae Sandberg The Estate of Bruce Tyson Mitchell Mr. Arthur H. Bredenbeck and Ms. Nina Hatvany Harold Segelstad The Estate of Gail Oakley Mr. Michael Kilpatrick John and Karen Kopac Reis F. Stanley Seifried The Estate of Dennis Edward Parker Linda K. Brewer Catherine Kuss and Danilo Purlia Ruth Short The Estate of Rose Penn Martin and Geraldine Brownstein Mr. Patrick Lamey Andrew Smith and Brian Savard The Estate of Shepard P. Pollack Gayle and Steve Brugler Philip C. Lang Cherie Sorokin The Estate of Margaret Purvine Bruce Carlton and Richard McCall** Mindy Lechman Alan L. and Ruth Stein The Estate of Gerald B. Rosenstein Florence Cepeda and Earl Frick Marcia Lowell Leonhardt Mr. and Mrs. Bert Steinberg The Estate of Charles Sassoon Paula Champagne and David Watson Marcia and Jim Levy Jane and Jay Taber The Estate of Olivia Thebus Mr. and Mrs. Steven B. Chase Ines R. Lewandowitz Mr. Marvin Tanigawa The Estate of Ayn and Brian Thorne Lesley Ann Clement Jennifer Lindsay Nancy Thompson and Andy Kerr The Estate of Sylvia Coe Tolk Lloyd and Janet Cluff Nancy Livingston and Fred M. Levin Michael E. Tully The Estate of Elizabeth Wallace Patricia Corrigan Dot Lofstrom and Robin C. Johnson Ms. Nadine Walas The Estate of Frances Webb Susan and Jack Cortis Ms. Paulette Long Marla Meridoyne Walcott The Estate of William Zoller Ms. Joan Danforth Dr. Steve Lovejoy and Katherine G. Wallin Richard T. Davis-Lowell Dr. Thane Kreiner David Weber and Ruth Goldstine Sharon Dickson Jim and Anne Magill Paul D. Weintraub and Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson Melanie and Peter Maier Raymond J. Szczesny Drs. Peter and Ludmila Eggleton Jasmine Stirling Malaga and Beth Weissman Linda Jo Fitz Michael William Malaga Tim M. Whalen Frannie Fleishhacker Mr. Jeffrey Malloy Mr. Barry Lawson Williams Kevin and Celeste Ford Michael and Sharon Marron Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Fowler Mr. John B. McCallister

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPERO SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

HELEN RIGBY, DIRECTOR OF LEGACY GIVING 415.439.2469 | [email protected]

415.749.2228 49 Memorial & Tribute Gifts

The following members of the A.C.T. community made gifts in memory and in honor of friends, colleagues, and family members during the October 1, 2015, to October 1, 2016, period.

Ms. Sandra Halladey In Honor of Ruth Asawa Ms. Jamie Ney In Memory of Ann Adams Mr. Loring Wyllie In Honor of Janet Cluff Mr. Mike Kim In Memory of Youngmee Baik Ms. Carey Perloff In Honor of our awesome development team Romana Bracco In Memory of John Bracco Mr. Frank Fischer In Honor of Marilee Gardner Mr. David Pasta In Memory of Gloria Guth Lucie Weissman In Honor of Prisca Geeslin In Memory of Mrs. Albert J. Moorman Renee Gholikely In Honor of Bethany Herron Gregory Davis In Memory of Orlando, Florida Mr. and Mrs. Robert Intner In Honor of Ruth Keith Ms. Carey Perloff In Memory of Liz Perle Ms. Helen Raiser In Honor of Nancy Livingston and Fred Levin Ms. Victoria Larson In Memory of Dennis Powers Lisa Fung In Honor of Anna Neumann-Loreck Anonymous In Memory of Eva Ramos Sarah Armstrong In Honor of Abby Pañares Diane Brett In Memory of Eva Ramos Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston In Honor of Carey Perloff Dr. Martin Brownstein In Memory of Eva Ramos Mrs. Priscilla Geeslin In Honor of Luz Perez and Amber Jo Manuel Mr. Richard Fowler In Memory of Eva Ramos Janet Armour In Honor of Jason Seifer Mr. Richard Grosboll In Memory of Eva Ramos Ms. Lisa Conte In Honor of Craig Slaight Ms. Peggy Kivel In Memory of Eva Ramos Bonnie Frank In Honor of Craig Slaight Cherie Sorokin In Memory of Eva Ramos Ms. Libby Tracy In Honor of Maria and Jeff Spears Dr. Daniel Weinstein In Memory of Eva Ramos Casey McManemin In Honor of Maria Spears Ms. Elizabeth Greenberg In Memory of Eva Ramos and Virginia Ingham Dr. Dick Hunter In Honor of Kathy Trontell Ms. Joy Eaton In Memory of Todd Wees Ms. Eve Niquette In Honor of Kay Yun

Corporate Partners Circle

The Corporate Partners Circle is comprised of businesses that support the artistic mission of A.C.T., including A.C.T.’s investment in the next generation of theater artists and audiences, and its vibrant educational and community outreach programs. Corporate Partners Circle members receive extraordinary entertainment and networking opportunities, unique access to renowned actors and artists, premium complimentary tickets, and targeted brand recognition. For information about how to become a Corporate Partner, please contact Bethany Herron at 415.439.2434 or [email protected].

LEAD EDUCATION PRESENTING PARTNERS PERFORMANCE STAGE PARTNERS OFFICIAL HOTEL 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR ($25,000–$49,999) PARTNERS ($5,000–$9,999) SPONSOR AIRLINE SPONSOR Bank of America Foundation ($10,000–$24,999) Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc. Hotel G United Airlines Theatre Forward BNY Mellon Wealth McGraw Hill Financial U.S. Bank/Ascent Management Schoenberg Family Bank of the West Law Group Deloitte LLP Farella Braun + Martel SEASON SPONSOR Perkins Coie LLP Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Foundations and Government Agencies

The following foundations and government agencies provide vital support for A.C.T. For more information, please contact Bethany Herron at 415.439.2434 or [email protected].

$100,000 AND ABOVE $50,000–$99,999 $25,000–$49,999 $10,000–$24,999 $5,000–$9,999 Doris Duke Charitable Department of Children, Anonymous The Kenneth Rainin Leonard and Sophie Foundation Youth & Their Families Walter and Elise Haas Fund Foundation Davis Fund Grants for the Arts/San The Edgerton Foundation The Kimball Foundation Laird Norton Family Edna M. Reichmuth Francisco Hotel Tax Fund National Endowment for Koret Foundation Foundation Educational Fund of The William and Flora the Arts The Harold and Mimi San Francisco Neighborhood The San Francisco Hewlett Foundation The Bernard Osher Steinberg Trust Arts Collaborative Foundation Jewels of Charity, Inc. Foundation MAP Fund The Stanley S. Langendorf Saint Francis Foundation Foundation The Virginia B. Toulmin The Valentine Foundation Foundation Wallis Foundation The Zellerbach Family Foundation

50 ACT-SF.ORG Theatre Forward Current Funders List as of October 2016

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

THEATRE EXECUTIVES PACESETTERS DONORS Kevin & Anne Driscoll *Theatre Forward Fund for ($50,000+) ($15,000‑$24,999) ($10,000‑$14,999) John R. Dutt*▴ New American Theatre AT&T▴ American Express* Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Bruce R. and Tracey Ewing*▴ †Includes in-kind support ▴ Bank of America* Bloomberg Epiq Systems* Jessica Farr* ▴Educating through Theatre Support James S. & Lynne Turley*▴ Cisco Systems, Inc.* Karen A. & Kevin W. Kennedy Mason & Kim Granger*▴ The Schloss Family The Estée Lauder Foundation Brian J. Harkins*▴ Theatre Forward supporters are former Foundation▴ Companies Inc. Lisa Orberg▴ Gregory S. Hurst*▴ supporters of National Corporate Theatre Fund and Impact Creativity. ▴ Howard and Janet Kagan▴ Wells Fargo* EY* Presidio* For a complete list of funders, visit Alan & Jennifer Freedman*▴ Thomas C. Quick* Joseph F. Kirk*▴ theatreforward.org. BENEFACTORS Frank & Bonnie Orlowski*▴ RBC Wealth Management▴ John R. Mathena*▴ ($25,000-$49,999) Marsh & McLennan Daniel A. Simkowitz*▴ Jonathan Maurer and Buford Alexander and Companies, Inc. S&P Global Gretchen Shugart*▴ Pamela Farr*▴ National Endowment for TD Charitable Foundation▴ Dina Merrill & Ted Hartley* BNY Mellon the Arts▴ Isabelle Winkles*▴ Newmark Holdings* Steven & Joy Bunson*▴ Pfizer, Inc. Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.* Citi Southwest Airlines▴† SUPPORTERS John Thomopoulos*▴ DeWitt Stern* Theatermania/Gretchen ($2,500‑$9,999) Evelyn Mack Truitt* Goldman, Sachs & Co. Shugart*▴ Mitchell J. Auslander*▴ Leslie C. & Regina Quick MetLife George S. Smith, Jr.*▴ Sue Ann Collins Charitable Trust Morgan Stanley UBS Disney/ABC Television Group* Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP* Paula A. Dominick*▴ Dorfman and Kaish Family Foundation, Inc.▴ Dramatists Play Service, Inc.*

Gifts in Kind

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

Clift Hotel Emergency BBQ Company Grace Street Catering The Marker Hotel 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 State Farm Companies Visa International Community Partnership The Gap Lockheed Martin Corporation Foundation John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

415.749.2228 51 A.C.T. STAFF

CAREY PERLOFF PETER PASTREICH MELISSA SMITH DON-SCOTT COOPER Artistic Director Interim Executive Director Conservatory Director General Manager

James Haire Maria Montoya, Head Stitcher Ticket Services Mark Jackson, Devised Theater Producing Director Emeritus Kelly Koehn, Accessories & Crafts Artisan Cheyenne Postell, Box Office Manager W. D. Keith, On-Camera Acting Chanterelle Grover, First Hand Mark C. Peters, Subscriptions Manager Philip Charles MacKenzie, ARTISTIC Megan LaFleur, Costume Administrator David Engelmann, Head Treasurer On-Camera Acting Andy Donald, Associate Artistic Director Victoria Mortimer, Alexandra Shier Perry, Gillian Eichenberger, Head Clerk Heidi Marshall, On-Camera Acting Michael Paller, Dramaturg Costume Fellows Scott Tignor, Stephanie Arora, Seana McKenna, Acting Subscriptions Coordinators Corrine Nagata, Dance Janet Foster, Director of Casting and Wig Shop Artistic Associate Andy Alabran, Hillary Bray, Peter Davey, Caymichael Patten, Audition Lindsay Saier, Wig Master Allie Moss, Artistic Administrator Elizabeth Halperin, Alex Mechanic, Jeanna Parham, Stage Makeup Melissa Kallstrom, Wig Supervisor Ken Savage, Assistant Producer Johnny Moreno, Treasurers Carey Perloff, Arts Leadership Jessica Katz, Artistic Fellow STAGE STAFF Front of House Kari Prindl, Alexander Technique Stacey Printz, Dance Resident Artists The Geary: Miguel Ongpin, Head Carpenter Randy Collins, Theater Manager Helen Rigby, Fundraising Anthony Fusco, Nick Gabriel, Domenique Suzanna Bailey, Head Sound Cara Chrisman, Assistant House Manager Lozano, Craig Slaight Mark Pugh, Head Properties Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Associate House Megan Q. Sada, Theater Professionalism Daniel Swalec, Head Electrian Manager Ken Savage, Director Associate Artists Colin Wade, Flyman Oliver Sutton, Security Elyse Shafarman, Alexander Technique Marco Barricelli, Olympia Dukakis, Susan Allen, Rodney Anderson, Danica Lisa Townsend, Director, Choreographer Giles Havergal, Bill Irwin, Steven Mary Montijo, Wardrobe Supervisor Burt, Margaret Cahill, Jose Camello, Becca Wolff, Director Anthony Jones, Andrew Polk, Diane Cornelius, Assistant Anthony Cantello, Barbara Casey, Kathy Wardrobe Supervisor Tom Stoppard, Gregory Wallace, Dere, Larry Emms, Doris Flamm, Gabriella Studio A.C.T. Timberlake Wertenbaker Joe Nelson, Stage Door Monitor Gonzalez, Lee Jewel, Blue Kesler, Ryszard Liz Anderson, Filmmaking The Strand: Patsy McCormack, Strand Koprowski, Sharon Lee, Leontyne Mbele- Heidi Carlsen, Voice Playwrights Master Technician Mbong, Sam Mesinger, Kathy Napoleone, Annie Baker; Mike Bartlett; Jean-Claude Matt Chapman, Movement Sarah Jacquez, Strand Sound Engineer Genevieve Pabon, Brandie Pilapil, Carriére, Peter Brook, and Marie-Hélène Tuesday Ray, Steven Salzman, Michael Julie Douglas, Mask, Clown, and Movement Estienne; Robert Lepage; Carey Perloff John Abele, Strand Head Carpenter Sousa, Melissa Stern, Lorraine Williams, Lauren English, Acting and and Paul Walsh; Ursula Rani Sarma; Ushers Audition Technique Tom Stoppard ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Shannon Amitan, Kim Anthony, Forrest Denys Baker, Administrative Choy, Holly Coley, Jake Freeman, Anthony Francie Epsen-Devlin, Musical Theater Directors Project Manager Hernandez, Brooke Jensen, Caleb Lewis, Paul Finocchiaro, Acting Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne; Coralyn Bond, Executive Assistant and Fiona McGovern, Michael Mittelbuscher, Nick Gabriel, Acting Robert Lepage; Domenique Lozano; Board Liaison Susan Monson, Pete Pickens, Jeremy Rice, W. D. Keith, On-Camera Acting David Muse; Carey Perloff; Ken Rus Miki Richmond, Tracey Sylvester, Leonard Amy Hand, Associate General Manager Drew Khalouf, Speech and Diction Schmoll Thomas, Cevie Toure, Bartenders Amy Dalba, Company Manager Choreographers Jessica Kitchens, Acting Joseph Reyes, General/Company Strand Cafe Kari Prindl, Alexander Technique Val Caniparoli Management Fellow Rafael Monge, Cafe Manager Mark Rafael, Acting Composers/Orchestrators Finance LaRina Hazel, Raj Paul Pannu, Baristas Patrick Russell, Acting, Movement, Mark Bennett; David Coulter; Karl Jason Seifer, Director of Finance and Clown Lundeberg, Nick Perloff-Giles and EDUCATION & community Brendan Aanes and Operations Rebecca Struch, Acting Sharon Boyce, Matt Jones, Linda Lauter, programs Laura Wayth, Acting Music Directors Finance Associates Elizabeth Brodersen, Director of Education Daniel Feyer & Community Programs YOUNG CONSERVATORY Information Technology Tyrone Davis, Community Artistic Director Craig Slaight, Young Conservatory Director Designers Thomas Morgan, Director Jasmin Hoo, Curriculum & Training Specialist Andy Alabran, Acting John Arnone, Andrew Boyce, Marsha Joone Pajar, Network Administrator Vincent Amelio, School & Community Cristina Anselmo, Acting Ginsberg, Ken MacDonald, Daniel Programs Coordinator Ostling, Scenic Operations Pierce Brandt, Musical Theater Stephanie Wilborn, Education & Community Jamie McGraw, Associate Manager, Facilities Nancy Gold, Physical Character, Acting Jessie Amoroso, Beaver Bauer, Linda Cho, Programs Fellow Alex Jaeger, Jennifer Moeller, Costumes Operation and Security Dan Griffith, Movement Elizabeth Halperin, Student Matinees Lap Chi Chu, Russell H. Champa, Robert Jeffrey Warren, Assistant Facilities Manager W. D. Keith, Director Joseph Givens, David McKneely, Raven Hand, Nancy Schertler, Robert Wierzel, Santiago Hutchins, Facilities Crew Deborah Leamy, Musical Theater Lighting Sisco, Apprentices Curtis Carr, Jr., Victor Newman, Domenique Lozano, Director, Acting Brendan Aanes, Mark Bennett, Jake Jesse Nightchase, Security CONSERVATORY Christine Mattison, Dance, Choreographer Rodriguez, Sound Jaime Morales, Geary Cleaning Foreman Nick Gabriel, Director of Studio A.C.T. Vivian Sam, Musical Theater, Dance Jamal Alsaidi, Jeaneth Alvarado, Coaches Christopher Herold, Director of Summer Dan Seda, Musical Theater Lidia Godinez, Geary Cleaning Crew Nancy Benjamin, Lisa Anne Porter, Training Congress Trish Tillman, Acting Voice, Text & Dialect Development Jack Sharrar, PhD, Director of Valerie Weak, Acting Jeffrey Crockett, Voice & Text Luz Perez, Director of Special Events Academic Affairs Krista Wigle, Musical Theater Stephen Buescher, Movement Helen Rigby, Director of Legacy Giving Jerry Lopez, Director of Financial Aid Conservatory Accompanists Jonathan Rider, Danielle O’Dea, Fights Bethany Herron, Associate Director of Dan Kolodny, Manager, Conservatory Daniel Feyer, Music Development, Institutional Partnerships Operations & Professional Development Training Thaddeus Pinkston, Naomi Sanchez, Lynden James Bair Tiffany Redmon, Associate Director of Emily Hanna, Conservatory Associate, Young PRODUCTION Conservatory & Studio A.C.T. Development, Individual Giving Library Staff Audrey Hoo, Production Manager Rose Oser, Grant Writer Matt Jones, Bursar/Payroll Administrator Joseph Tally, Head Librarian Robert Hand, Associate Renée Gholikely, Special Events Assistant Vanessa Flores, Conservatory Associate Production Manager Lena Mier, Marcella Toronto, G. David Anderson, Laurie Bernstein, Sarah Armstrong, Major Gifts and Helen Jean Bowie, Bruce Carlton, Michelle Symons, Assistant Conservatory Fellows Corporate Associate Barbara Cohrssen, James Daniel, Production Manager Peter Macfarlane, Development Associate M.F.A. Program Core Faculty William Goldstein, Pat Hunter, Connie , Conservatory Design and Maeve Morgan Stephanie Swide, Individual Ikert, Martha Kessler, Nelda Kilguss, Production Coordinator Nancy Benjamin, Co-Head of Voice and Giving Associate Dialects, Director Barbara Kornstein, Analise Leiva, Ines Production Fellow Marlena Schwartz, Julia Ludwig, Special Events Fellow Lewandowitz, Richard Maggi, Patricia Stephen Buescher, Head of O’Connell, Roy Ortopan, Maida Paxton, Stage Management Madelene Tetsch, Development Fellow Movement, Director Connie Pelkey, Christine Peterson, Dana Elisa Guthertz, Head Stage Manager Mary O’Neal, Development Assistant Jeffrey Crockett, Head of Voice Rees, Peter Schmid, Roger Silver, Jane Domenique Lozano, Acting, Director Taber, Susan Torres, Jean Wilcox, Marie Elisa Guthertz, Megan Q. Sada, Karen Marketing & Public Relations Szpaller, Stage Managers Michael Paller, Director of Humanities Wood, Library Volunteers Christine Miller, Associate Director of Christina Larson, Megan McClintock, Marketing Lisa Anne Porter, Co-Head of Voice Leslie M. Radin, Assistant Stage Managers and Dialects A.C.T. thanks the physicians and staff of Brad Amorosino, Senior Graphic Designer Hal Day, Production Assistant Jack Sharrar, PhD, Theater History the Centers for Sports Medicine, Saint Simon Hodgson, Publications Manager Francis Memorial Hospital, for their care Danielle Bae, Joelle Hagen, Charlotte Melissa Smith, Head of Acting, Director of the A.C.T. company: Dr. Victor Prieto, Morrill, Stage Management Fellows Kevin Kopjak/Charles Zukow Associates, Public Relations Counsel M.F.A. Program Adjunct Faculty Dr. Hoylond Hong, Dr. Susan Lewis, Don Kemp, P.A., and Chris Corpus, Prop Shop Ashley Gennarelli, Marketing Associate Mary Carbonara, Dance Clinic Supervisor. Ryan L. Parham, Supervisor Thomas Moore, Visual Designer Milissa Carey, Singing, Director Abo Greenwald, Assistant Sara Morales, Graphic Designer Tyrone Davis, Citizen Artistry Accreditation Shannon Stockwell, Publications Associate Costume Shop Andy Donald, Arts Leadership A.C.T. is accredited by the Accrediting Emilianne Lewis, Marketing Fellow Commission for Senior Colleges and Jessie Amoroso, Costume Director Julie Douglas, Improv Karen Loccisano, Graphic Design Fellow Daniel Feyer, Music Director, Accompanist Universities of the Western Association of Callie Floor, Rentals Manager Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Elspeth Sweatman, Publications Fellow Janet Foster, Audition, Showcase Keely Weiman, Build Manager/Draper Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, Jef Valentine, Inventory Manager Anthony Fusco, Acting 510.748.9001, an institutional accrediting Nick Gabriel, Acting, Director body recognized by the Council on Giles Havergal, Director Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Gregory Hoffman, Combat Department of Education. Jasmin Hoo, Citizen Artistry

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

CAREY PERLOFF (Artistic Director) ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, The Tosca Café, The Voysey is celebrating her 25th season as artistic Inheritance, Scorched, and Underneath the Lintel. director of A.C.T., where she has Perloff is also an award-winning playwright. Her recent overseen a huge growth in the quality play Kinship premiered at the Théâtre de Paris in 2014; and scope of A.C.T.’s work, helped to Higher won the 2011 Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation rebuild the earthquake-damaged Geary Theatre Visions Fund Award; and Luminescence Dating Theater and the new Strand Theater in premiered in New York at The Ensemble Studio Theatre. Central Market, and has forged Perloff’s book, Beautiful Chaos: A Life in the Theater collaborations between A.C.T. and theaters across the (City Lights Press), was selected as San Francisco country and in Canada. Known for innovative productions of Public Library’s One City One Book read for 2016. classics and championing new writing and new forms of Before joining A.C.T., Perloff was artistic director of theater, Perloff has directed classical plays from around the Classic Stage Company in New York, where she directed the world, ten plays by Tom Stoppard (including the American premiere of Ezra Pound’s Elektra, the American premiere premieres of The Invention of Love and Indian Ink, also at of Pinter’s Mountain Language, and many classic works. Roundabout Theatre Company, and two productions of Named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by Arcadia), and many productions by favorite contemporary the French government, Perloff received a BA Phi Beta writers such as Beckett, Pinter, José Rivera, and Philip Kan Kappa in classics and comparative literature from Stanford Gotanda. Favorite productions include Hecuba, Mary Stuart, University and was a Fulbright Fellow at Oxford.

PETER PASTREICH (Interim 6 years as managing director of the Mississippi River Executive Director) joins A.C.T. after a Festival. In addition, Pastreich has done management 50-year career in arts management. He consulting for the Berlin Philharmonic, South Bank Centre in spent 21 years as executive director of the London, Detroit Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Milwaukee San Francisco Symphony, a period that Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony included the tenures of music directors Orchestra in Australia. He has also served as mediator in Edo De Waart, Herbert Blomstedt, and orchestra and opera union negotiations in Detroit, Louisville, Michael Tilson Thomas, and during which Milwaukee, Phoenix, Sacramento, Seattle, and San Antonio. the orchestra increased its endowment from $12 million to $120 Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938, Pastreich received million. Pastreich was the chief administrator responsible for a BA in English literature from Yale University in 1959. In the construction of Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, 1999, he was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des and for its acoustical renovation. Lettres by the French government and was named an Before coming to San Francisco, he spent 12 years as honorary member of the International Alliance of Theatrical executive director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and Stage Employees by Local 16 of the Stagehands Union.

MELISSA SMITH (Conservatory landscape of the Bay Area. Prior to assuming leadership of the Director, Head of Acting) has served as Conservatory, Smith was the director of the Program in Conservatory director and head of acting Theater and Dance at Princeton University, where she also in the Master of Fine Arts Program at taught introductory, intermediate, and advanced acting. She A.C.T. since 1995. During that time, she has taught acting classes to students of all ages in various has overseen the expansion of the M.F.A. colleges, high schools, and studios around the continental Program from a two- to a three-year United States, at the Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii, New York course of study and the further University’s La Pietra campus in Florence, and the Teatro di integration of the M.F.A. Program faculty and student body Pisa in San Miniato, Italy. She is featured in Acting Teachers of with A.C.T.’s artistic wing, while also teaching and directing in America: A Vital Tradition. Also a professional actor, she has the M.F.A. Program, Summer Training Congress, and Studio performed regionally at the Hangar Theatre, A.C.T., the A.C.T. She also successfully launched the San Francisco California Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre; Semester, a semester-long intensive crafted to deepen the in New York at Primary Stages and Soho Rep.; and in England students’ well of acting experience, broaden their knowledge at the Barbican Theater in London and Birmingham Repertory of dramatic literature, and sharpen their technical skills—all the Theatre. Smith holds a BA from Yale College and an MFA while further immersing them in the multifaceted cultural in acting from Yale School of Drama.

415.749.2228 53 F.Y.I.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES REFRESHMENTS Full bar service, sweets, and savory items are AFFILIATIONS A.C.T.’s administrative and conservatory available one hour before the performance in offices are located at 30 Grant Avenue, San A.C.T. is a constituent of Theatre Fred’s Columbia Room on the lower level and Francisco, CA 94108, 415.834.3200. On the Communications Group, the national the Sky Bar on the third level. You can avoid web: act-sf.org. organization for the nonprofit professional the long lines at intermission by preordering theater. A.C.T. is a member of Theatre Bay food and beverages in the lower- and third- Area, the Union Square Association, the San BOX OFFICE INFORMATION level bars. Bar drinks are now permitted in the Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and the theater. San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. A.C.T. BOX OFFICE Visit us at 405 Geary Street at Mason, next to CELL PHONES the theater, one block west of Union Square; If you carry a pager, beeper, cell phone, or A.C.T. operates under an agreement or at 1127 Market Street at 7th Street, watch with an alarm, please make sure that between the League of Resident Theatres across from the UN Plaza. Walk-up hours it is set to the “off” position while you are and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of are Tuesday–Sunday (noon–curtain) on in the theater. Text messaging during the professional actors and stage managers in performance days, and Monday–Friday performance is very disruptive and not allowed. the United States. (noon–6 p.m.) and Saturday–Sunday The Director is a member of the STAGE (noon–4 p.m.) on nonperformance days. PERFUMES DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS (For Strand Box Office walk-up hours, please The chemicals found in perfumes, colognes, SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union. visit act-sf.org.) Phone hours are Tuesday– and scented aftershave lotions, even in Sunday (10 a.m.–curtain) on performance small amounts, can cause severe physical The scenic, costume, lighting, and days, and Monday–Friday (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) reactions in some individuals. As a courtesy to sound designers in LORT theaters are and Saturday–Sunday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) on fellow patrons, please avoid the use of these represented by United Scenic Artists, Local nonperformance days. Call 415.749.2228 and products when you attend the theater. USA-829 of the IATSE. use American Express, Visa, or MasterCard; or fax your ticket request with credit card EMERGENCY TELEPHONE The scenic shop, prop shop, and stage information to 415.749.2291. Tickets are also Leave your seat location with those who crew are represented by Local 16 of the available 24 hours a day on our website at may need to reach you and have them call IATSE. act-sf.org. All sales are final, and there are no 415.439.2317 in an emergency. refunds. Only current ticket subscribers and A.C.T. is supported in part by a grant from LATECOMERS those who purchase ticket insurance enjoy the Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Performances begin promptly, and late ticket exchange privileges. Packages are Hotel Tax Fund. seating is at the house manager’s discretion. available by calling 415.749.2250. A.C.T. gift Latecomers may have to watch the certificates can be purchased in any amount performance on a video monitor in the lobby online, by phone or fax, or in person. until intermission. Latecomers and those who GEARY THEATER EXITS SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION DISCOUNTS leave the theater during the performance may Full-time students, educators, and be seated in alternate seats (especially if they administrators save up to 50% off season were in the first few rows) and can take their subscriptions with valid ID. Visit act-sf.org/ assigned seats at intermission. educate for details. Seniors (65+) save $40 on LISTENING SYSTEMS 8 plays, $35 on 7 plays, $30 on 6 plays, $25 Headsets designed to provide clear, amplified ORCHESTRA on 5 plays, and $20 on 4 plays. sound anywhere in the auditorium are SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTS available free of charge in the lobby before Joining our eClub is the best—and sometimes performances. Please turn off your hearing aid only—way to find out about special ticket when using an A.C.T. headset, as it will react to offers. Visit act-sf.org/eclub for details. Find the sound system and make a disruptive noise. us on Facebook and Twitter for other great PHOTOGRAPHS AND RECORDINGS of A.C.T. deals. Beginning two hours before curtain, performances are strictly forbidden. a limited number of discounted tickets are available to seniors (65+), educators, RESTROOMS are located in Fred’s Columbia administrators, and full-time students. For Room on the lower lobby level, the Balcony matinee performances, all seats are just $20 Lobby, and the Garret on the uppermost for seniors (65+). Valid ID required—limit lobby level. one ticket per ID. Not valid for Premiere Wheelchair Seating is located MEZZANINE Orchestra seating. All rush tickets are subject in Fred’s Columbia Room on the to availability. lower lobby level, the Balcony Lobby, and the Garret on the GROUP DISCOUNTS uppermost lobby level. Groups of 15 or more save up to 35%! For more information visit www.act-sf.org/groups. A.C.T. is pleased to announce that an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is now available AT THE THEATER in the house management closet in the lobby A.C.T.’s Geary Theater is located at 415 Geary of The Geary. Street. The lobby opens one hour before curtain. Bar service and refreshments are LOST AND FOUND available one hour before curtain. The theater If you’ve misplaced an item while you’re opens 30 minutes before curtain. still at the theater, please look for it at our merchandise stand in the lobby. Any items ABOUT OUR PLAYS found by ushers or other patrons will be taken Copies of Words on Plays, A.C.T.’s in-depth there. If you’ve already left the theater, please BALCONY performance guide, are on sale in the main call 415.439.2471 and we’ll be happy to check lobby, at the theater bars, at the box office, our lost and found for you. Please be prepared and online at act-sf.org/wordsonplays. with the date you attended the performance and your seat location.

54 ACT-SF.ORG Berkeley Rep subscribers get the best SINGLE TICKETS NOW ON SALE, prices and the most flexibility. OR PICK 3 AND SAVE! Choose 3+ plays to access the perks. (photo by Steve Tanner) Steve by (photo Tips Adolphus of Story Amazing The 946: of cast The Director Mira Nair (photo by Ishaan Nair) Ishaan by (photo Nair Mira Director

KNEEHIGH IS BACK! WORLD PREMIERE 946: THE AMAZING STORY MUSICAL OF ADOLPHUS TIPS Adapted by Michael Morpurgo MONSOON WEDDING and Emma Rice Book by Sabrina Dhawan Directed by Emma Rice Music by Vishal Bhardwaj In association with Kneehigh and Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Birmingham Repertory Theatre Directed by Mira Nair Starts Dec 2 Starts May 5 Amy Newman and Sara Bruner in Roe in Bruner Sara and Newman Amy Ivers David Director BROADWAY SMASH HIT HAND TO GOD By Robert Askins Directed by David Ivers (photo by Jenny Graham/Oregon Shakespeare Festival) Shakespeare Graham/Oregon Jenny by (photo Starts Feb 3 LIMITED RUN!

MACARTHUR ROE AWARD By Lisa Loomer WINNER Directed by Bill Rauch A co-production with AN OCTOROON Oregon Shakespeare Festival By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Arena Stage Directed by Eric Ting Starts Mar 3 Starts Jun 23 Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (photo by Imogen Heath)

Call 510 647-2949 · Click berkeleyrep.org SEASON SPONSORS

EAP full-page template.indd 1 10/12/16 2:15 PM ARE YOU WEARING YOUR JEWELRY OR JUST INSURING IT? Bonhams international specialists are available to provide complimentary auction estimates for jewelry you wish to consign.

Please contact us to schedule a confidential appointment.

INQUIRIES AND APPOINTMENTS +1 (415) 503 3306 [email protected]

International Auctioneers and Appraisers – bonhams.com/jewelry

EAP full-page template.indd 1 10/11/16 3:27 PM