Geva Guide 19/20 Season
(585) 232-4382 • www.GevaTheatre.org Christopher Mannelli and Mark Cuddy. Photo by Huth Photography.
Geva Theatre Center is many things to many people. To some, it’s an entertainment venue for a great night out. To others, it’s a place for learning and intellectual stimulation. For theatre artists, it’s a home to showcase craft and ambition. For staff, it’s a professional family of collaborators. For students, it’s a laboratory for creativity and identity. For subscribers, it’s a tradition. For donors, it’s a quality of life necessity.
For us, as non-profit CEOs, it’s a privilege to be entrusted with our region’s foremost professional theatre, the largest in New York State outside of Manhattan, and a fixture of our downtown community for 46 years. Inside the pages of this Geva Guide you’ll get a glimpse of some of the extraordinary people with whom we work. You’ll read about pacesetting programs that we have launched, and their impact on individuals. And you’ll take a look behind the scenes at the magical talents of our artisans and craftspeople.
We are also stewards of this historic building at the corner of Clinton and Woodbury, across from Washington Square Park. Our building has been a community gathering place for over 150 years. We embrace the responsibility to welcome all residents of our region to Geva in an effort to find common ground through artistic expression and civic discourse. Everyone is welcome.
In Geva productions you see yourself, your neighbor; our past and our future.
We choose and produce plays and musicals especially for you. Our staff makes them right here in Rochester (they are not on tour). You can rest assured that when you see a play on a Geva stage, it was created for the people of the Rochester region. And you also Proudly printing in the know that our mission to produce theatre of the highest professional standard means that when you see a show at Geva it will be United States of America as good - or better! - than anything you can see across the country. for over 124 years Thank you for your commitment. We are confident that you will enjoy this incredible 47th season, which we are so proud to share with you.
Welcome!
Mark Cuddy, Artistic Director Christopher Mannelli, Executive Director
Contents
01 Letter from Geva’s Leadership 12 Events Calendar 72 Marway Circle 02 Meet the Artists 15 Changing of the Guard Rochester, NY 14624 04 Did you know... 16 Coming Home phone: (585) 426.4150 06 The Life of a New Play 18 Can Theatre Save the World?
fax: (585) 426.4198 08 A New Stage of Engagement 20 New Words, New Worlds: New Plays on Stage | (585) 232-4382 www.GevaTheatre.org email: [email protected] 10 Artists' Top Ten 22 Who's Who in the Prop Shop www.conollyprinting.com 01
03 www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 (585) | www.GevaTheatre.org The Agony and the Ecstasy of Ecstasy and the Agony The Somebody's Daughter directed Butler, all at Geva. New York credits credits York Geva. New all at Butler, the NY with Mass Bernstein’s include Elkhanah by directed Philharmonic Pulitzer; Mike Stage; Second at Adrales May by Daisey’s The Theater; the Public Jobs at Steve Iskandar Ed by Mysteries the directed at Smith’s Tommy and Watts Reggie Flea; Kipby directed 122, PS at Play Radio Obie Award-winning Mac’s Taylor Fagan; HERE at Revenge production Lily’s of The Oregon include Arts.credits Regional Theatre Dallas Festival, Shakespeare River Theatre Two Company, Center, Repertory, Trinity Stage, Center Portland Berkeley Repertory, Seattle Repertory, Company, Theatre Center Denver The Mammoth, American RepertoryWoolly Repertory, and Playmakers Theatre, among others. with his wife, in Rochester Seth lives Marion children, two their and Mary, the at design He teaches Wyatt. and Theater in the of Rochester University departments. Dance He the and from Degree his Bachelor's received M.F.A. and University Wesleyan Ohio School of the Arts. NYU/Tisch from Geva back to be coming “I am thrilled to fifth, this production, my Vietgone for the globe but all over I work spring. a few working me for Geva is special to at such locally at Working huge reasons. a wonderful and distinctive institution with my work my share means I get to and in Rochester family and friends here out of town. possible when I’m isn’t that Geva keeps me connected at Designing in community here the theatre to me. means a lot to and that Rochester we of the work proud I am also really been thrilled Geva, I have at made have on worked the productions I’ve how at includes three turned out and that have not just working so I’m premieres, world Geva, I am also locally when I am at of proud I am really working a level at for Thanks company. great really a with “ me back! bringing SETH REISER, No More Sad Boise at More Things No Lighting Designer Where Did We Sit on the Sit In DidWhere We to addition We How include credits Bus?, regional Theatre Got On and Airness Actors at Beat Humana Festival; of Louisville's Merrimack at RepertoryGeneration Theatre; 3 seasons And Theatre; Contemporary National O'Neill Center's Eugene at TV he On Conference. Playwrights and in Blue Bloods (CBS) has appeared Story (ABC). Manhattan Love to up come to excited immensely am “I Sit on the Where Did We present Geva to only “Having Brian. Bus?,“ commented things about the theatre amazing heard a big fan of the and being company be part to season, I am honored of the I am very much lookinglineup. forward taking and to culture in the Rochester a of staff and patrons the meeting doing new and to committed company work.“ exciting Seth Reiser and set is a lighting opera, theatre, in works who designer in work Recent music. and dance Royale, includes The NY western Effect , and HeartlandLake directed and The Yousefzadeh, Pirronne by Shelley Daughter by directed Magician’s My Did We Sit Did We BRIAN QUIJADA, BRIAN QUIJADA, WriterActor & awakening of Scrooge, the audience the audience of Scrooge, awakening but the season, up with fed arrive may heart. lighter a with theatre the leave luckythe lead to gets who guy I’m And journey a week!” 10 times them on that playwright, BrianQuijadaactor, an is Chicago, from originally and composer Brian has York. based out of New now acting most of his career in new spent and regionally, Off-Broadway, plays is seen but occasionally internationally, TV acting acting on voice and heard and Spanish ad campaigns. shows Where DidBrian We in his play will star Sit on the Bus?, which he has performed the country across including theatres at Ensemble Studio runs at celebrated Vista/Victory Teatro and in NYC Theatre Where Chicago. in Gardens 2017 the On a nominee for the Bus? was OutstandingSolo Desk Award: Drama Performance. Briana playwright/composer As Seattle by has been commissioned Repertory Theatre and The Kennedy new musical plays. develop to Center Bobbie include credits Off-Broadway Roundabout, OedipusClearly at El Rey The at Theater/Sol Public Project, Realm. Playwrights at Mañana Comes Brian is a two-time Desk nominee Drama He is winner. Award and two-time Jeff Ensemble member of ensemble proud York. in New Theatre Studio The Sisters Sisters The Mary Stuart, Twelve Angry MaryMen, Stuart, Twelve . In addition to Geva, Mr. Paul Paul In. Geva,Mr. Rosensweig to addition Theatre, Ford’s at regionally has appeared Guthrie Theatre, Globe Goodspeed, Theatre seasons), Actor’s (three Theatre TV include credits others. of Louisville, “Black “Father Brown,” “Patrick Melrose,” “The Sopranos,” on Mars,” “Life Sails,” The Washington: “George & Order,” “Law the “Courage and of a Nation,” Forging include The credits Film Dog.” Cowardly Beasts and Fantastic Sense of an Ending, , and Estate Fifth The Them, Find Where to currently Paul on Hudson. Mr. Park Hyde actress with his wife, in London resides Harriet Walter. is one of the “I think A Christmas Carol meaningful to far more stories, great “Kids Guy. says than kids,” grown-ups the spirit of need reminding don’t think about they don’t of Christmas, for But or regrets. money or death can be a the holidays us grown-ups, everything we difficult time; us tells wonderful, feel and we feel to ought all use a little could We don’t. guilty if we that and a reminder a little joy laughter, if me, For is still possible. redemption more truly plumb the depths but, you re- the joyful the heights, importantly, in 2010. In London's in 2010. In London's A Christmas Carol in Boa and he appeared End, West credits Death of a Salesman. Broadway include The 1776, Love, of Invention The KingLear, Getting Married, Lives, King and I, Private Arms and Honey, Wild (LA, also), Rumors include credits Man. Off-Broadway the & Clarissa, Meet Stuff Happens, Septimus J.B., Custard, Cowardy John Doe, Candida, The Earls, of the Flight The Everafters, The . Frankenstein Underpants, Orestia, The include Tours National Actor GUY PAUL, GUY PAUL, By Dawn Kellogg, Communications Manager Communications Kellogg, By Dawn
Guy Paul returns to Geva Theatre Center Center Theatre Geva to returns Guy Paul Scrooge of role the originated he where production of of Geva's in the premiere . Her interest is in new plays, plays, new in is interest Her . Crew history interrogate that those especially of those who and amplify the narratives or misrepresented. been ignored have Theatre Geva Nicole be at is thrilled to to direct Elenor the first time this fall for . “With Niceties The play Burgess's Geva’s artistic to commitment excellence, rich and compelling programming and championing the stage, for stories a better not ask for I could new writers, “Mark commented. she work,” to place are Yousefzadeh and Pirronne Cuddy that excited team and I am so a terrific play. direct Eleanor’s me to they invited play provoking is a thought Niceties The the hearts will engage I believe that and audiences.” minds of Geva’s
Street Street nd
Director Artists
NICOLE A. WATSON, A. WATSON, NICOLE
Project. As an educator she has worked she has worked an educator As Project. of Maryland the University at College North School of the Carolina NYU, Park, Theater, River Two Arts, Smith College, ACT and in San Island University, Long include School credits Recent Francisco. A Mean Girls Play, African The Girls; Or, , and Skeleton Doll'sPartHouse Sweat 2, Nicole A. Watson is the associate artistic is the associate Watson Nicole A. as well Theatre Round at House director and educator. director as a freelance artistShe is an associate Cincinnati at a New Georges in the Park, Playhouse Women’s affiliated an alum of the artist, and League, Drama the Lab, Project and Directors a member of the Stage has she a director As Choreographers. Center, Theater the O’Neill at worked Rep, Playmakers Stage, Center Baltimore the New Rep, Da, Asolo Latte Theater Festival, Shakespeare Oregon Black Fest, the Lark, Theatre, Working New Georges, and the 52 New Dramatists,
Geva employs more than 200 visiting artists each season. They are actors, designers, and directors, and they directors, and designers, actors, are They visiting artists than 200 more Geva employs season. each artists of the this season! Meet enjoy will four you whose work the country. all over from come MEET THE MEET
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 02 or our Summer Academy theatre conservatory theatre or our Summer Academy ector’s Forum or Producer’s Circle and enjoy access to the Lipson Lounge and other benefits and Lipson Lounge the to access and enjoy Circle Producer’s or Forum ector’s
ake a gift of any size to the Geva Annual Fund Fund the Geva Annual to size ake a gift of any ttend Summer Curtain Call, the theatre's annual fundraising gala annual fundraising the theatre's Summer Curtainttend Call, dopt a seat in the Wilson Stage and have your name affixed to the seat to the seat name affixed your and have Stage Wilson in the dopt a seat ecome a member of the Legacy Society by including Geva in your estate planning a member of the Legacy estate Societyecome including Geva in your by o the theatre. There are many ways to support just a few: to are ways Geva. Here many are There o the theatre. f you are a Geva subscriber but are not yet a donor, we invite you to consider making consider to a charitable donation you invite we a donor, not yet a Geva subscriber but are are f you • A • M • Join the Dir f • Sponsor a scholarship • A • B I t
Did you know... you Did
Did you know... you Did Thank you for your patronage of your non-profit professional regional theatre and your consideration consideration your and regional theatre professional non-profit of your patronage your for you Thank of additional charitable support! For more information about how you can help to support can help to you learn about additional opportunities, about how Geva or to please contact information the more For Officeat (585) 420-2004. Advancement All donors of $250 or more annually or recognized in our playbills for all Wilson and Fielding Stage productions, and on signage in and on signage productions, Stage Fielding and Wilson all for in our playbills or recognized annually donors of $250 or more All year. an entire for vestibule the theatre In keeping with our production season, Geva’s fiscal year runs from August 1 to July 31. The earlier in our fiscal year the theatre year the theatre The earlier in our fiscal to July 31. August 1 year runs from fiscal In with our production keeping season, Geva’s of the season. the remainder plan for to are able we the better contributions, receives can use part an IRA, you from minimum distribution distribution age 70-1/2 or older and taking (RMD) of that If are a required you year's that apply it to to you 31 for Dec. by donation your Geva receive must Geva tax-free. to make a donation $100,000) to (up to tax return.
As a non-profit professional theatre, Geva Theatre Center relies on charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and foundations, individuals, from contributions on charitablerelies Center Theatre Geva theatre, professional a non-profit As of $2 million in excess raise in must The theatre and affordable. accessible theatre professional make live to us allow to businesses productions, Stage Fielding and Stage Wilson Geva’s through people of thousands of enrich lives the to order in annually donations new theatrical exciting and present develop Support us to donors also allows from programs. and engagement and education contemporary finest the playwrights. by works
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 04
07 www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 (585) | www.GevaTheatre.org as much now as ever. People who will People as ever. as much now and tough when it gets in the room stay Frederick People like carry on the fight. who Anthony, Douglass and Susan B. above and women put the rights of men rights everythingin the pursuit of ’equal thinkers who strategic were They all.’ for who And the long game. understood to those in power pushed and prodded acknowledge of their the righteousness about agree always didn’t They cause. on solid rock were they but means the In their deepest the times of the ends. the they remembered disagreements, human being on the other side of the issue.” timeliness of the script the Of and course, for fights of these historical the relevance particularlyequality Agitators make The And environment. in today’s attractive have premieres other Geva world yet, as well. successes great gone on to in hilarious Women MacLeod’s Wendy Geva’s example. is an excellent Jeopardy! transferred 2015 production of the play Massachusetts in Playhouse the Cape to Geva. And at right after closing here 38 had an incredible then, it’s since works the in more with six productions, season! this upcoming for in creating a role play to proud are We and the American theatre, for work new invite especially thrilled to always are be the very to to our audiences first the for stories new these experience Geva at here premiered plays As stage. around lives healthy long, go on to they’llthe country, carry this tag line every for production in the playbills Geva by Production Premiere “World we And NY.” Rochester, Center, Theatre being an for our community, thank you, incredible partintegral of every play’s readings their earliest first from journey, most polished closing nights. their to character turned him into a life-timecharacter turned him into powerful was stuff!” That voter. Seattle AJ production at The Epstein by spring directed this past was Presents Curtis-Newton, who also directed Valerie in Geva’s Agitators reading of The the first Returning Theatre. of New 2016 Festival after her first the script years two to Curtis-Newton with it, found encounter need agitators “We it just as relevant. Reginald Andre Jackson and Carol Roscoe in AJ Roscoe Jackson and Carol Andre Reginald . production Agitators of The Presents Epstein John Ulman. by Photos Madeleine LambertGeva in Mays and Cedric . Photos production Agitators of The Theatre's Media Entertainent. Goat Factory by costumes, provoking enthusiastic enthusiastic provoking costumes, about the conversations post-show of the most “One immediacy of history. continues, Pease moments,” profound post- during a school matinee “came discussion when the actorshow playing the students to confessed Frederick taking before he had not voted that because as a black man, on this role make to empowered feel he just didn’t with this experience His a difference. productions of more Emily Gunyou Halass and Mikell Sapp in Emily Gunyou production of The Theatre's Square Park Ytsma. J. Petronella by . Photos Agitators the play. Especially interesting to Geva to Especially interesting the play. be the production might audiences Festival, Shakespeare the Alabama at creative the of most feature will which director Geva, including from team and actors Mays Cedric Vaughn Logan and Madeleine Lambert. so successful? makes this play What because play the to drawn were “We of its intersectionality and relevance Michael- says moment,” the current to of Park director executive jon Pease, Minnesota. Paul, in St. Theatre Square too, there records broke Agitators The season attended most the becoming In history. 44-year their in show opening of their production, the final moments as became especially visceral, the play contemporarythe actors changed into Matter and Black Lives #MeToo agent, Leah Hamos, shared the play the play shared Hamos, Leah agent, the country. across with theatres seven were there in 2018-2019, And additional performances of the play, DC, Washington, in Massachusetts, South Florida, Minnesota, Idaho, next And year, Washington. and Carolina seven be will there y but it also performed exceptionally but it also performed exceptionally Geva's becoming office, the box at well our and one of new play fastest-selling Mat Smart’s all-time best selling dramas. simple on the deceptively was concept the how surface show to – he wanted friendship iconic these two between and changed as they grew figures help our countrystruggled to become actors play Two perfecta more union. the entire over Susan and Frederick their from of their friendship, course Frederick’s to first meeting in the 1840s the this is where in 1895. And death aspect in: comes simple” “deceptively an incredible all! It’s not simple at it’s actors – and an exciting challenge for portray – to these audiences for treat of American historygiants throughout of their lives. 45 years Geva’s Over 15,000 people attended . After production Agitators of The Mat and his closed here, the play la
The Agitators: The Story The Susan of Agitators: The at Geva. at Agitators of The Premiere World The B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Not Anthony and Frederick B. powerful the play only was and timely, Let’s highlight a recent Geva premiere, Geva premiere, a recent highlight Let’s one which is particularly worthy of after year a year, this celebration birththe celebrating Frederick of 100th the approach Douglass and as we anniversary Amendment 19th the of and vote the right to women giving the 150th anniversary of the 15th the denial which prohibits Amendment In the rights based on race. of voting the world Gevaproduced 2017, of fall production of Mat Smart’s premiere play And the answer is simply “everywhere.” “everywhere.” is simply the answer And over gone on to have 33 plays Those the around theatres 150 productions at same The country globe. the and across in Rochester see first here you that stories entertain, intrigue, and inspire go on to by interpreted cities, other in audiences actors and of directors, new companies designers. For over 25 years, Geva has been a 25 years, over For partner of committed creation the in 145 full-length Over time, new theatre. of short and hundreds plays plays supportedbeen or one through have our new play through workshops more Literary Geva’s by produced programs, Department. stages have our two And premieres the world been the home for 25 those in musicals and plays 33 of you go, does a play where But years. ask,might premiere after its world production in Rochester?
By Jenni Werner, By Jenni Werner, Literary Dramaturg Director/Resident
A NewA P The Life of of Life The
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 06 Owais Ahmed and Mari Vial-Golden in HeartlandOwais and Mari Ahmed , 2018. Media Entertainment. Goat Factory by Photo , 2019. Photo Royale and Jamal James in The Tharps Lisa Mogil. Teresa by The Lake Effect , Lake in The Lowe Neimah Djourabchi and Clinton Media Entertainment. Goat Factory by 2017. Photo engagement work is artistic work engagement and artistic is engagement. work “The of the future imparts, Pirronne depends on us American theatre thinking not as a of engagement accessory department,separate but the is at that ingredient as an essential regional relevant vibrant, nucleus of any in what’s for excited she’s And theatre.” Geva. at store By Amanda Serianni-Davis, Advancement By Serianni-Davis, Amanda Queen Heartland (2017-2018), Stage of Stage A New Engagement and the Kitchen Theatre Company’s Company’s Theatre and the Kitchen (2018-2019). Royale production of The directingis Pirronne season, This on and Vietgone Stage, on the Fielding She also approaches Stage. Wilson the like a director. work engagement is director “Myas a theatre job Pirronne. says conceptualization,” of view a point about developing “It’s a production. So when I look towards doing we’re the scriptsat of the plays looking it from at this season, and I’m of of the Director point the vantage trying do is to I’m what Engagement, engagement a larger conceptualize each production, and around approach serves that that programming specific mission.” another perspective offers Pirronne on whose experiences—playwrights’, and other artists’—will shape directors’, each and how on our stages, the worlds serve may work Rochester’s artist’s Geva’s Surrounding communities. production season, the Engagement special Department will coordinate and and initiatives—inside events are outside our building—that and our plays deeply connected to Geva, they serve. At the communities serve productions or them—through otherwise. also participates in season Pirronne hiringartists.and planning guest of this with experience to She comes has riveted Geva—herdirecting work at three for Stage on the Fielding audiences Effect Lake seasons: The consecutive (2016-2017), As a child of Iranian immigrants who a child of Iranian immigrants As in the early 1970’s, the U.S. came to for theatre to drawn was Pirronne she Today, its sense of community. into impulse initial that refined has bring people mission to a conscious In meeting theatre. through together communityRochester members, of leaders and communityleaders, Pirronne organizations, other non-profit deepen an eagerness to has found work the Geva.It’s with relationships Departmentof the Engagement to to ways their needs and find to listen “Theatre is certainly for a place entertainment and certainly to a place but it is also a evening, a fantastic have [and to] empathy, deepen one’s to place that experiences and ideas encounter Pirronne. says own,” one’s of outside are “The the wider our perspectives are, here, welcomed people who feel more space, civic a Gevabecomes more the a performing artsand not exclusively space.” As a non-profit theatre, Geva has public has Geva theatre, a non-profit As continually We’re service its core. at servestriving telling to by Rochester our communities speak to that stories and a welcoming fostering and by This our audiences. for space inclusive the Engagement introduce season, we Department—Geva staff dedicated nurturingto between relationships Geva and members of Rochester’s have not may or may who communities been served a Geva production.ever by is Pirronne Guiding us in this work & Engagement of Director Yousefzadeh, ArtisticAssociate Director.
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 08 Geva welcomes more than 200 visiting artists each season. For the first few weeks of their stay here, they spend most of their days in rehearsal, but once Artists'Artists' a show is up and running, they have more free time to explore our city. We asked them about their favorite places to visit, and here are the top ten TopTop TenTen Rochester landmarks visited by Geva artists:
Native Eatery Owl House KeyBank Rochester creative, vegan-friendly American and Bar Fringe Festival’s Which plates and craft beer served in a snug one of Rochester’s newest 1.
house with a bohemian vibe Silent Disco eateries featuring an eclectic of these a great way to unwind after menu and fabulous cocktails coming off stage artist 10. favorites Fuego Coffee will you Roasters visit low-key, minimalist coffee shop serving house roasts, next? tea, hot chocolate, and
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que baked goods. Excellent barbeque within 9. walking distance of the theatre John Schlia
Salinger’s a relaxed, local bar in the heart of 7. Rochester’s East End, it offers TVs, a small patio and bar games
6. www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 The Strong national Museum of Play Rochester First the ultimate play destination for all ages! The Playhouse/Swillburger set in an old church building in the South Wedge, this The cast from Geva's In the Heights trendy hangout offers burgers, cocktails and vintage at the Strong Museum arcade games Photo by Goat Factory Media Entertainment.
Cast members from Geva's Steel Magnolias visiting the Susan B. Anthony House
4.Susan B. Anthony House one of the great Parkleigh 10 historical sites of one of the best places in Rochester 3. town to find unique gifts
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 (585) | www.GevaTheatre.org 12 19-20 24 17 10 3 27 6 29 22 15 8 SEP 1 20 13 CAGE2pm QUEEN7pm QUEEN3pm NICE2pm NICE7pm QUEEN3pm NICE2pm NICE7pm NICE2pm NICE7pm NICE2pm CAGE2pm CAGE7pm CAGE2pm CAGE7pm CAGE2pm Fringe Performances CAGE7pm CAGE2pm CAGE7pm
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Producer's Dinner Circle
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E A Christmas Carol Christmas A Cry it Out it Cry D FONT7pm Once Slow Food Slow EN NES DAY DAR SEP-DEC 28 14 3 26 19 12 5 21 7 31 24 10 17 CAGE7:30pm CAGE7:30pm Fringe Performances CAGE7:30pm Fringe Performances CAGE7:30pm CAGE7:30pm QUEEN7pm NICE7:30pm QUEEN7pm Matinee NICEStudent NICE7:30pm QUEEN7pm NICE7:30pm Matinee NICEStudent NICE7:30pm T HUR S A FRIDAY DAY VIET | BUS | LOOK |
Where Did We Sit on the Bus? the on Sit We Did Where Vietgone Looks Like Pretty Like Looks 27 29 15 NOV 1 4 20 13 6 22 8 25 11 18 CAGE8pm CAGE8pm Fringe Performances CAGE8pm Fringe Performances CAGE8pm CAGE8pm ACC 7:30pm QUEEN7pm NICE8pm QUEEN7pm NICE8pm QUEEN7pm NICE8pm NICE8pm
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DEC -MAR MAR 1 16 12 5 15 DEC 1 9 2 26 29 22 8 23 19 ONCE7pm ONCE2pm ONCE7pm ONCE2pm FOOD7pm FOOD2pm FOOD2pm FOOD7pm FOOD2pm FOOD7pm FOOD2pm ACC 5pm ACC 12pm ACC 5pm ACC 12pm ACC 5pm ACC 12pm ACC 5pm ACC 12pm ACC 5pm ACC 12pm Sunday Salon Sunday Salon Sunday Salon S U N Audio Description A M DAY
2 24 17 10 3 27 intheMaking Magic 20 13 6 30 23 16 9 2 Hornets’ Nest 7pm House 4pm-7pm Open VIPTour Plays inProgress 7pm
ON DAY Open Captioned Open 3 25 18 11 28 14 7 31 24 17 10 3 21 4 ONCE6pm ONCE7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD6pm FOOD7:30pm ACC 7pm ACC Matinee Student ACC Matinee Student ACC Matinee Student T U ES A W DAY Sign Interpreted Sign 4 26 19 12 5 29 22 15 8 JAN 1 25 18 11 4 ONCE7:30pm CRY7pm ONCE7:30pm ONCE7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD2pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD7:30pm ACC 7pm ACC 7pm ACC Matinee Student ACC 7pm ACC Matinee Student ACC 7pm E D NES DAY Opening Night Opening 5 27 20 13 6 30 23 16 9 2 26 19 12 5 CRY7pm ONCE7:30pm ONCE7:30pm ONCE7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD7:30pm FOOD7:30 FOOD7:30pm ACC 7pm ACC Home for Holidays ACC 7pm ACC 7pm ACC 7pm ACC Matinee Student
T FREE HUR Free Event RequiredReservation S A FRIDAY DAY Visit www.GevaTheatre.org for themostupto date information. Dates, to change. subject times, shows andartists 6 28 21 14 7 31 24 17 10 3 27 20 13 6 CRY7pm ONCE8pm ONCE8pm ONCE8pm FOOD8pm FOOD8pm FOOD8pm FOOD8pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 7:30pm Donor ExclusiveDonor Discussion W F 15 FEB 1 11 4 7 29 22 8 25 18 28 21 14 7 ONCE8pm CRY7:30pm ONCE3pm CRY2:30pm ONCE8pm ONCE3pm ONCE8pm ONCE2pm FOOD8pm FOOD3pm FOOD8pm FOOD3pm FOOD8pm FOOD3pm FOOD8pm FOOD2pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 2pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 2pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 2pm ACC 7:30pm ACC 2pm Wilson Stage Performance Fielding Stage Performance S A T URDAY
13 www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 19-20 EVENTS CALENDAR MAR - JUN SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Changing of the Guard MAR 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ONCE 2pm CRY 7pm CRY 7pm CRY 7pm CRY 7pm CRY 2:30pm CRY 3pm ONCE 7:30pm ONCE 7:30pm ONCE 7:30pm ONCE 8pm ONCE 3pm ONCE 7pm CRY 7:30pm ONCE 8pm This season Scott Falkowski begins a new 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ONCE 2pm 20/21 Season CRY 7pm ONCE 2pm CRY 7pm CRY 7pm CRY 2:30pm role at Geva as Guest Services Manager. Sunday Salon Announcement 5pm ONCE 7:30pm CRY 7pm ONCE 7:30pm ONCE 8pm ONCE 3pm He takes over the role from Tom Clark, CRY 3pm ONCE 7:30pm CRY 7:30pm who retired in June from Geva after 25 ONCE 7pm ONCE 8pm years of service. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ONCE 2pm CRY 3pm A Buffalo native, Scott is a graduate of Lancaster Central School and SUNY 29 30 31 APR 1 2 3 4 Fredonia where he earned a B.A. in Arts LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 8pm LOOK 2pm Administration and Theatre. LOOK 8pm
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Prior to coming to Geva, Scott was LOOK 2pm LOOK 6pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 8pm LOOK 3pm employed by the Roundabout Theatre LOOK 7pm LOOK 8pm Company in New York first as a 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Subscription Services Associate, then LOOK 2pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK Student Matinee LOOK 8pm LOOK 3pm as a Treasurer in the Box Office of the Sunday Salon LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 8pm famed Studio 54 Theatre. From 2005- LOOK 7pm 2006 he took a leave of absence to work 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 at 101 Productions LLC as the House Seat LOOK 2pm LOOK Student Matinee LOOK 2pm BUS 7pm BUS 7pm BUS 2:30pm LOOK 7pm LOOK 7:30pm BUS 7pm LOOK 7:30pm LOOK 8pm LOOK 3pm Manager for Monty Python’s Spamalot on LOOK 7:30pm BUS 7:30pm Broadway as well as The History Boys. He LOOK 8pm returned to Studio 54 to resume work 26 27 28 29 30 MAY 1 2 as a Treasurer. In 2009 he was promoted LOOK 2pm BUS Student Matinee BUS 7pm BUS Student Matinee BUS 7pm BUS 2:30pm to Assistant Head Treasurer. In 2011 he Sunday Salon Regional Writers 7pm BUS 7pm BUS 7pm BUS 7:30pm moved to Rochester to close the gap of BUS 3pm a two year, long-distance relationship, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 eventually marrying his husband, Dan BUS 3pm BUS Student Matinee BUS 7pm BUS 7pm BUS 7pm BUS 2:30pm Howell (also a SUNY Fredonia graduate) Regional Writers 7pm BUS 7pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 8pm VIET 2pm in 2016. VIET 7:30pm BUS 7:30pm VIET 8pm Scott took a one-year break from the Guest Services Manager, Scott Falkowski with www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 theatre world to pursue his other passion, former Front of House Manager, Tom Clark VIET 2pm Director’s Forum Dinner VIET 6pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 8pm culinary arts, by working in the catering BUS 3pm Young Writers 3pm VIET 7pm VIET 3pm department at Wegmans, as well as VIET 8pm becoming a Chef II in the prepared food 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 department. This experience has been Now as Guest Services Manager, he The 2019-2020 season marks Scott’s VIET 2pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 8pm VIET 3pm invaluable to his work here at Geva where oversees Godot’s Bar, the Geva Kitchen, seventh season with Geva and he is Sunday Salon Hornets’ Nest 7pm VIET 8pm he was formerly in charge of events and the Lipson Lounge and our over 500+ already hard at work with his dedicated VIET 7pm where he is now working closely with the volunteer ushers. team to create another wonderful year of 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Geva Kitchen and Godot’s Bar on a daily memories for all who attend productions VIET 2pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 2pm VIET 7:30pm VIET 8pm VIET 3pm basis. Scott is thrilled to take on this new and events here throughout the year. VIET 7pm VIET7:30pm VIET 8pm role, combining his love of theatre with In 2012, Scott returned to his love of culinary arts and customer service. “I Scott lives in the South Wedge with his 31 JUN 1 2 3 4 5 6 theatre by working as the Subscriptions am excited to continue the wonderful husband, Dan, and their two Shih Tzu VIET 2pm Summer Curtain Call Sunday Salon Services Coordinator and co-managing work that has been put in place by my dogs, Albus and Percy Dumbledog. He the Box Office at Geva until October predecessor and friend, Tom Clark,” said is grateful that he made the decision to 2014 when he accepted the position of Scott. “I look forward to implementing move back upstate and create a home Events Manager in the Advancement some changes to help the theatre not here in Rochester and at Geva. www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 www.GevaTheatre.org Department, where he remained until only meet, but exceed the expectations
14 this most recent change in role. of our wonderful and loyal patrons.” 15 By Skip Greer, Director of My first experience of Geva was as an audience member me for a workshop of Women In Jeopardy!, a new Coming Home Education/Artist in Residence in the mid 90s. I was 14 and had been performing in comedy being presented as part of the Plays In Progress school and community theatre productions for a few series. The workshop went well and led to me being years, but had not experienced much professional offered the role of Trenner when the play was fully theatre. A friend had been cast in Geva's To Kill a produced in the following season. I never saw my hometown until I stayed away too long Mockingbird and I was very interested to see the show. It I never heard the melody until I needed the song was formative to say the least. I remember every detail The opportunity to return to Rochester and to Geva for a of that production distinctly, the lighting, the scenery, fully produced world premier production was incredibly - Tom Waits and especially the performances. I was hooked. meaningful. As a teenager, seeing and working with professional theatre makers on Geva's stages gave me The next year, I was accepted as part of Geva's recently a foundation of education and experience on which I Part of the education mission at Geva Theatre Center has always been to nurture young artists, give them a safe space to encourage created Summer Academy and received some of my first have built a career as a performer and an artist. But and stimulate creation, and make them feel at home in our building. From the beginning, our hope has always been that one day professional theatre training. That summer gave me it gave me something else as well. Productions like these artists would return as professionals and join us on our stages. With that in mind, I asked four young artists who’ve utilized many tools which have proved invaluable in my acting Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The One Eyed Man Is King, Geva’s educational offerings in the past, and then recently “returned home” to share their stories with us. Scott Rad career; my first insights into Shakespeare, the power of and Famous Orpheus gave me dreams of being one of a strong and responsive ensemble, and mentors who those actors on that stage. And coming back to the Here’s what they had to say… Brown continue to advise and guide me to this day. place where that all started, being invited to sit at the Scott is a graduate of Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, table, seeing my name on the dressing room door, and and was in the Geva Summer Academy class of 1998. He I kept up with Geva over the years, throughout school, joining the ranks of those same actors I admired was returned home to Geva as an actor in Wendy MacLeod’s travel and jobs in New York. Then a few seasons back, absolutely the fulfillment of those childhood dreams. red t-shirt and the slightly ill-fitting jeans I chose to to be married to fellow Rochesterian – Jennifer Cody Women in Jeopardy! Geva's Director of Education, Skip Greer, recommended wear. I was standing alone upstage, cursing my choice – and often directs local shows at Geva Theatre Center of outfit while holding my paper maché Hamlet-style and by chance needed an assistant director for The Other skull. I was entrusted with the opening monologue to Josh Cohen on the Wilson Stage and suddenly...I was our final showcase – a huge surprise and a significant back. By just following my heart and the connections responsibility. Notes from my new mentors were my passion had revealed to me, I was able to assistant music, exploring characters, mastering choreography, ricocheting around my head. I stared at my paper skull direct a show that graced the very same spot where I Gabby Perez and discovering all the technical elements from stage expecting it to laugh at me. If only I was so lucky. It uttered my first words as a burgeoning trained actor. Gabby is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and fog to costumes to sound cues. At the time, I knew it just stared blankly back, waiting for me to deliver my My educational lineage had extended so far and yet participated in the Geva Summer Academies of 2005 was a special moment for me; I was so thrilled to be lines so it could move on to its next feature with a more still found itself again. and 2006, and Geva’s Stage Door Project. In 2017, she learning from professional directors and actors. But it is confident scene partner. I was absolutely sure I had no returned home to Geva to be a full time Summer Academy with today’s hindsight that I can see how formative and idea what I was supposed to say. Then, with my next During tech for Josh Cohen, I saw a poster for the 2018 Movement instructor. inspiring those early days at Geva really were. breath, all those notes from my instructors settled and Summer Academy hanging in the lobby and smiled. fortified my thoughts, I opened my mouth and in that What if some of those young artists come to see the Having grown up in Brighton, I consider Geva to be the Over the next few years, my family and I saw countless instant felt a definitive shift – a whole new part of my show I’m helping to create now and dream of returning place where my love and knowledge of professional productions at Geva. My high school took several field Whitney artistic life began. back here just like I did, grasping hands with future theatre began. Each time I walk through its doors to trips to see student matinees. I heard about the Summer mentors who guide them forward with each new see a show or come to work, it feels like my artistic Academy program from friends in my school’s drama G-Bowley My training continued and intensified. I graduated connection they make through their art. Maybe they anchor. Geva first came into my life when I was in club, and auditioned in late middle school and early Whitney was a graduate of the Geva Summer Academy high school and then moved to New York City to will inspire yet another generation of local artists just working and auditioning. Some of the greatest “full www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 middle school. A friend of a friend had performed in the high school. I spent two summers working on my craft circle” moments I’ve had were walking into an audition 2000, and returned home to be the Assistant Director study musical theatre and dance. I began assisting by doing the work they love and following their hearts children’s ensemble of A Christmas Carol, and urged me at Geva’s Summer Academy. I had incredible faculty studio in midtown Manhattan and seeing Mark Cuddy, on Geva’s The Other Josh Cohen in 2018. This season, choreographers at a theatre intensive my last year at back to where their confidence was found as well...and to audition the following year. I did – singing “Happy mentors and made lifelong friends. In senior year of Skip Greer, Don Kot, or Melissa Rain Anderson behind she will be the Choreographer and Associate Director for college and then started off on my career. I always had if they are truly fortunate, they will wear better jeans Birthday” on the Fielding Stage – and was lucky enough high school, my drama club participated in the Stage the table. Seeing those faces that are responsible for my Once. dreams of returning to Rochester to perform. I had seen for their final showcase. to perform in two consecutive productions of the show Door Project, in which I was able to see Almost, Maine early training and initial love of theatre truly felt like a auditions for shows at Geva posted but for some reason on the Wilson Stage. It was in these rehearsals that I while working on the script myself. We met with other family reunion. I had never picked up a monologue before, much less always had a conflict or found a reason to skip it and first encountered a professional process in learning students from across the city and presented our scenes anything from Shakespeare. I had just started reading keep my eye out for the next one. Years passed and I on the Wilson Stage under the wonderful mentorship his plays in school a few years earlier. It had never found out suddenly my parents were moving out of of Skip Greer. Working with the professional directors In a completely surreal turn of events, I cam back occurred to me that I might have the ability to embody my childhood home. After they relocated, my dreams and actors on our own scene work was an opportunity to work with Mark, Skip and Don as the dance and a character that took hours of concentrated reading, to work at Geva as a professional started to disappear. that I had not been afforded (or even had imagined movement faculty for Geva’s 2018 Summer Academy. a dedicated English teacher’s guidance and a handy I felt my personal ties to Western New York began to possible) up until that point. It was incredible to me that 12-14 years after I first met index on every other page to even understand what fade as it brightened in other parts of the country. these generous teachers, I became their colleague. To they were saying. I graduated high school and left Rochester to pursue a say it was an honor is an understatement. I have learned But time goes on and I continued to make connections B.F.A. in Drama at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. There so much about myself and how to be a great teacher But there I was, standing on the stage I had stared at through my dancing and acting. Years after my time was no doubt in my mind that I needed to be an artist, from watching them work. Being back in Rochester, for years as a kid, mesmerized. The image had been working as a college assistant at that theatre intensive, actor, and informed, thoughtful human being after working at Geva, and seeing those friendly faces every flipped – the audience bending around me now, with I was still working with a choreographer I met there what I had been exposed to thus far artistically. Since day was a much anticipated homecoming. “Thank you” | (585) 232-4382 www.GevaTheatre.org heads tilted slightly, eyes fixed to fully take in me and – Christopher d’Amboise, who through a series of graduating college, I have been in and out of NYC is not enough for the gifts Geva has given me 16 my fellow ensemble members. I remember the bright connections led me to Hunter Foster – who happens 17 too difficult, complicated, or painful. Because of this, it can restore Can Theatre bonds between people even when that seems impossible.” Let’s take a look at what this really means. When psychologists talk about empathy, they’re referring to the many ways that we Save the respond to each other – sharing, thinking about, and caring about others’ feelings. When our own emotions shift to match the emotions of others – catching the infectious joy, sorrow, curiosity, World? etc. of another – we are “experience sharing.” Of this phenomenon, philosopher Adam Smith wrote, “by changing places in fancy By Jenni Werner, Literary Director/Resident Dramaturg with the sufferer…we come to either conceive or to be affected by what he feels.” Once we share those feelings, we can begin to contemplate what is happening internally, what the other person is “If art is a way of endowing the world thinking, what actions they might take next. And then, we express what psychologists call “empathetic concern,” or a motivation to D a z mann Still with meaning it is also a way of allowing improve the other person’s situation. These aspects of empathy DazMann is a recent graduate of SUNY Purchase, and was in Geva’s Summer the world to express itself.” are intertwined with as we process our relationships with other Academy in 2011. He returned home to Geva to play Fish in the 2019 production people. - Bert O. States. Great Reckonings in Little Rooms: of Marco Ramirez’s The Royale. He recently spent seven weeks in New Orleans On the Phenomenology of Theater filming Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure 3 with Keanu Reeves. What role does theatre play in all of this? Zaki posits that storytelling is a critical aspect of our humanity because it allows Geva is special to me. us to “untether” from our own lives and experience someone else’s. As we look out at the world today, it’s easy to get bogged down “Since people first cozied up around a fire together,” he says, “we’ve I live in NYC, one of the theatre hubs of the world, and I can tell you that there’s by the myriad challenges we face. There are indisputable crises told stories: first out loud, now on paper and screens. Surrounded a certain level of work that Geva does, and a feeling I get whenever I walk into all around us, and the ways in which we respond to each of these by real people, we spend much of our free time pretending Geva – I just get excited about the stories they tell here. The stories that I get crises are critically important – our solutions define who we are that people who never existed experienced things that never to tell here now. as a society, what our priorities are, how well we live up to the happened. Recently, psychologists have begun telling a new story aspirations of our ancestors. As a theatre artist, it can sometimes about stories. More than a diversion, narrative arts are an ancient Geva’s Summer Academy is remarkable. You have 5 weeks to learn, and I feel like an odd juxtaposition, something a little like: “This horrible technology: performance-enhancing drugs for untethering. learned so many things there, so many things. The Academy gave me an thing just happened, and instead of doing something about it, I Stories helped our ancestors imagine other lives, plan for possible abundance of confidence to take back to work at my high school (Brighton High am going to play-pretend.” Sometimes stories, the art of theatre, futures, and agree on cultural codes. In the modern world, they School). I left Geva well-trained and so much more confident. In retrospect, feels inconsequential. But is it? In these increasingly divided and help in a new way: flattening our empathic landscape, making being able to study at Geva with the Summer Academy, at one of the best often isolating times, can theatre actually offer a way forward? distant others feel less distant and caring for them less difficult.” regional theatres in the country is just, really, an obvious choice. Of course, I think that theatre has an important role to play in our Numerous studies have researched the impact of theatre training That’s why it meant so much to come home again. world today. But I have a vested interest – I’ve devoted my career on actors: one 2007 UK-based study of adults between the ages of to this art form. Thankfully, I’m not alone. One theory about the 60 and 86 indicated that participating in acting workshops, even When I got the call from my manager that I was coming home to Geva to do social importance of theatre is that, by allowing audiences to step for a short time, stimulates brain activity and wards off memory The Royale – I was blown away. I actually yelled in the streets. It’s so early in into a world other than their own, theatre and other narrative loss, and not just temporarily. And it’s not hard to understand my career. I’ve only been out of school for two years now – and to have my how acting might grow one’s empathy – actors read a script to www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 art forms encourage the growth of empathy. This is frightfully first professional experience be one that brings me back home, to such a good important today, as our ability to understand how other people understand what a character experiences, and in order to portray theatre? I feel like one of the luckiest actors. There were many things that drew feel seems to be on the decline. A 2010 University of Michigan that onstage, must understand how they feel, what drives them, me to The Royale but at its core, was its content. Boxing, like basketball, has study announced the shocking statistic that the average person and what they might do as a result – the process of creating a huge political importance – the intercommunity challenges between the black had become less empathetic than 75% of people thirty years character is in itself an exercise in building empathy. middle class and the black working class over which story would be spread to prior, with the biggest drop in empathy occurring in the years help define who the black man was in America in the early 1900’s. That story between 2000 and 2010. How big of a problem is that? According But few scientific studies explore the impact of theatre on our had to be told, and I had to be a part of it. to economic and social theorist Jeremy Rifkin, it’s critical. “The ability to build empathy. One notable exception was occurred in most important question facing humanity is this,” he wrote in his 2017, when the heartbeats of twelve audience members were I just love to be of use, and being a part of relating that story to the Rochester 2009 The Empathetic Civilization. “Can we reach global empathy in monitored at a performance of Dreamgirls on London’s West End. community made me feel useful. I always want to give back socially; help to time to avoid the collapse of civilization and save the Earth?” During the performance, the individuals’ pulses rose and fell in perpetuate change. Coming home to Geva has helped me to be useful as an unison, suggesting that the communal experience of theatergoing artist. Rifkin and others suggest that, in order to address any of the ills created a common physiological experience. The story onstage facing our world – social, economic, ecological, etc. – we need to created a relationship not only between the character and a encourage the growth of empathy so we value taking an action particular audience member, but between audience members We never know where it can start – a student matinee towards a communal goal or even a goal that primarily improves as well – it brought strangers closer together. Their pulses even of To Kill a Mockingbird, a class in our Summer Academy, the lives of others. In his new book, The War for Kindness, Jamil remained in tune even during intermission, suggesting a lasting a guest artist visit to a Rochester classroom – but we’re Zaki, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory, impact. If this is true, then each time we sit together in the dark, | (585) 232-4382 www.GevaTheatre.org thrilled about where it may lead. suggests that fiction – theatre, art, film, novels – is one way to sharing the experience of a story together, we move one step 18 build our stores of empathy. He writes, “Fiction is empathy’s closer to bridging the empathy gap, to working towards those 19 And we’re thrilled when they come home. gateway drug. It helps us feel for others when real-world caring is communal goals that will, ultimately, save us all. Interested in trying your hand at playwriting? New Words, Adult writers living in the Rochester area are invited to submit a play for this year’s Regional Writers Showcase, a collaboration between Geva and New Worlds: Writers and Books. Readings will be held on April 27 and May 4, 2020, and submissions are accepted between New Plays January 1 and January 31. And aspiring playwrights from the Greater Rochester area, ages 13-18, Universes Ensemble, clockwise from top left corner: Sophia Ramos, Steven Sapp, NSangou Njikam, are invited to submit short plays for on Stage Asia Marks, Mildred Ruiz and Nathan John Marks consideration for the Young Writers Showcase, with a reading to be held By Jenni Werner, era, yet when suffragists challenged the on May 16, 2020. We recommend Literary Director/Resident Dramaturg Plays in Progress fashion, few things generated greater submitting plays of no more than 10 outrage. This play will center around Seneca pages and with no more than eight Photo: Babak Tafti, Rocky Vega, Owais Ahamed, Feb. 17: Dangerous Dress* falls historic icons Amelia Bloomer and characters. Submissions must be and Eston Fung in a reading of On That Day in received by March 1. Amsterdam, FONT 2018. Photo by John Schlia. by Catherine Trieschmann Miller Elizabeth Cady Stanton as they challenge A return to that brief moment in the 1850s inequality by changing their wardrobes. when dangerous women dared to fight Fashion and politics collide, as encouraging For more information on either for equality while wearing pants! Very American women to adopt the new of these programs, visit https:// Consider this: How is a piece of art created? If we spend much time thinking few styles of dress impeded women's "bloomer" dress has significant political www.gevatheatre.org/artists/play- about what we experience in the theatre, what we hear on the radio or what we movements more than the tight corsets cost to the suffragist movement. submission/. see on the walls of a museum, we can probably imagine that there has been a Oct. 18: Lulu in Rochester* and large hoop skirts of the antebellum *Denotes Geva Commission certain amount of trial and error, of experimentation and exploration. Most of the by Allison Gregory time, that exploration has been done long before anyone other than the artist is Inspired by real life, Lulu in Rochester in the room to see it. But if you want to see creation in process, attend a reading follows the fascinating partnership of a new play. Throughout the year, Geva’s Literary Department hosts workshops between famously reclusive silent-film star of new plays, where playwrights, directors, dramaturgs and actors spend several Louise Brooks and acclaimed George Eastman days investigating, exploring and interpreting a new piece of writing for the Museum film curator James Card. When James stage. And on the final day, we invite an audience to join the experiment with us, persuades his irreverent idol to move to hear the play read aloud, and talk to the playwright about their work. Rochester and watch her celebrated films for the first time, Louise must confront the We are thrilled to invite you to the following readings of new plays in our 2019- myths and perceptions that have shaped 2020 season. Tickets are always free, but we do ask that you make reservations, her life, and shed light on the mystery of www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 because seating is limited. why ‘Lulu' inexplicably disappeared at the height of her fame.
Festival of New Theatre Oct. 20: Africantic by Universes* Oct. 12 and 13: Young Writers Showcase An immersive audiovisual theatrical Oct. 8: Solitude by Carolyn E. Kourofsky experience by UNIVERSES, one of the Solitude is inspired by the true story of Five short plays written by Rochester area teens, including Told You So by Jessi nation’s premiere theatre ensembles. Edith Bone, a doctor and journalist who Africantic identifies, maps, deconstructs is unjustly accused of being a British spy Opett; It’s Cold Here by Sophia Milazzo; Semifinals by Mina Stevens; Caprice and reconstructs the musical DNA chains in 1949 Hungary. In solitary confinement that bind us. From the complexities of for seven years, how will she survive? by Bella Callari; and Letters by Heather Hillman. spiritual ancestral rhythms and chant, across the middle passage into the Oct. 11: Rochester Bake-Off Americas (where African deities entangle, Now in its sixth year, a creative Oct. 16: The Sea and the Stars to this day, in a delicate and vicious dance experiment, the outcome of which can by Harrison David Rivers with Catholic Saints), from work songs AM never be predicted! Geva will present a Simon is a lifeguard. Finn is terrified of and field hollers all the way to today’s challenge to Rochester-area playwrights water. Both are adrift, with broken hearts, music, Africantic explores the importance to create a short piece in just three returning to the tiny beach town of of music and the social movements that 20 days, inspired by a uniquely Rochester Jupiter and to families who need them. have shaped us. Africantic roots run deep. experience. A play about love, karaoke, and the sea. Wake up with Tony,& Today’s Kristie, & NikkiSoft 5:30-10 Rock Theresa The 2019-2020 Season is the third season at Geva for Theresa Pierce. She is a graduate Who's Who in the Pierce of SUNY Fredonia where she received her B.F.A. in Theatre Production and Design with a concentration on Scenic Design. Theresa’s specialties include paper props, props that Properties/ need to be printed, upholstered props and items that need to be sewn. Her favorite Swing Carpenter things to make are fake food. In this season’s production of La Cage aux Folles, Theresa Some of the most comments most frequently-heard from Geva audiences regard the incredible detail featured on the theatre’s sets. was tasked with making the burned chicken appear to be smoking. For her every Much of that detail can be attributed to the creative efforts of Geva’s Props Department. (A prop is basically anything movable or day is different with problem solving and learning something new. One of her more portable that can be used to furnish space on stage.) The Props Department fulfills all of Geva’s needs for props for shows whether challenging tasks recently was to learn bookbinding when she was creating the diary the challenge is making a Midwestern tavern look like a fully-stocked and operational bar where anyone could order a drink (as used by Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank. in last season’s Hard Cell), or decorating a nightclub in St. Tropez (as in this season’s La Cage aux Folles). Let’s meet the members of Geva’s Props Department!
Mark Mark Bissonnette is beginning his 22nd season at Geva. A native of Michigan, he is a graduate of University of Michigan – Flint. Prior to Geva , he spent 11 seasons at Actors Bissonnette Theatre of Louisville. The first show that he worked on here was Picasso at the Lapin Agile. As the Props Shop Manager, his job is very detail-oriented. Geva’s sets are renowned Props Shop Manager for their detail and his favorite show is whatever show he happens to be working on at the time. A standout production was The Race of the Ark Tattoo (2004). Set in a yard The diary prop Theresa created for Anne Frank from start to finish. sale, the set was made up of hundreds of props. Mark gets to do a lot of shopping and is frequently visiting local antique and thrift shops. He keeps an eye out for things that Geva might be interested Food for Thought in having in its already huge store of props. In addition Yes, some of the food that you might see in a play is real (the stuff that is actually eaten), but much of it is created just to look real. to the smaller props that are Three of the photos below show props from La Cage aux Folles, and three show real food items. Can you tell the difference? stored and catalogued in Geva’s building, the props department maintains a large The disastrous dinner party in La As the six Cagelles are bonding Hors d'oeuvres are passed around warehouse of furniture. Cage aux Folles gets even worse backstage, Chantal is enjoying some when the Dindons come over to when the butler, Jacob, burns the takeout noodles. Which one is real meet Jean-Michel's family. Which The prop-covered set of The Race of the Ark Tattoo. chicken. Which is the prop chicken? take-out and which one is “fake-out?” mini quiches were used in the show?
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 The 2019-20 marks Butch Kane’s 20th season at Geva. Just prior to coming to Geva, Butch hand-made circuit boards for a local firm and worked for a company that did Butch Kane detailed interior paintwork. At Geva, he is responsible for some of the trickier props and Props Artisan special effects, such as the umbrella which closed by itself in last season’s production of The Magician’s Daughter. Sometimes props artisans must create extraordinary things – items that seem to be something that they are not. Butch’s favorite part of the job is trouble shooting and problem solving. Throughout his career at Geva, Butch has A A A worked on hundreds of shows. Some of his favorites include American Buffalo and Freud’s Last Session on which Butch worked on the countless number of artifacts and figurines which decorated Sigmund Freud’s study.
B B B www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382 www.GevaTheatre.org 22
23 Choice B is the chicken prop, Choice A is the fake take-out, Choice B is not real quiche real not is B Choice take-out, fake the is A Choice prop, chicken the is B Choice
Butch working on the chaise used in La Cage aux Folles. Answers: Celebrating Artistic Director Mark Cuddy’s 25th Season at Geva
Mark Cuddy as Georges in La Cage Entercom Rochester is Proud to aux Folles. Photo by Goat Factory Media Entertainment. Support Geva Theatre Center Many friends have provided generous support to help underwrite Mark’s artistic season.
Special Thanks to Nocon & Associates Nan & Tom Hildebrandt Dennis & Mary Bassett Norman Horton Barbara LaVerdi & Bryan Donnelly Patrick & Barbara Fulford Wolfgang Pfizenmaier Joanna & Michael Grosodonia Kelly & Kathleen Shea Carol & Nick Love Mimi & Sam Tilton Chuck Lundeen & John Williams Linda Cornell Weinstein & Michael & Frances Millard Sherwin Weinstein
Jack & Barbara Kraushaar Peter & Beth Messner
You too can help support this milestone season. 25For more information, contact Laura Sadowski at (585) 420-2041 or [email protected]. Geva Theatre Center Non - Profit 75 Woodbury Blvd. U.S. Postage Rochester, NY 14607 PAID Rochester, NY Permit #482
2019-2020
www.GevaTheatre.org | (585) 232-4382
19/20 SEASON W La Cage aux Folles SEP 3 - OCT 6 W Slow Food J an 14 - Feb 9 W Looks Like Pretty M ar 31 - Apr 26 W The Niceties Ot vc 22 - No 17 W Once F eb 19 - Mar 22 F Where Did We Sit on the Bus? Ar yp 22 - Ma 10 W Wilson Stage Series F Fielding Studio Series F Queen N ov 6 - Nov 24 F Cry it Out M ar 4 - Mar 22 W Vietgone My a 3 - Ma 31
Cover Photos: The cast of La cage aux Folles. Photos by Goat Factory Media Entertainment.