Redtwist Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization

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1 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL facebook.com/redtwisttheatre twitter.com/redtwisttheatre Redtwist Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization Please turn off your cell phones during performance. Out of respect for the actors, please do not access your cell phones for any reason during the show. This program/production is partially supported by grants from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

2 OUR MISSION To do white hot drama, in a tiny black box, with a little red twist About Redtwist Theatre Redtwist Theatre, formerly Actors Workshop Theatre, embarked upon its first production as an itinerant company in 1994 with Simon Gray s Otherwise Engaged. AWT incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation in May It produced five more plays before moving to its current home in the vibrant Bryn Mawr Historic District of the Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago in the fall of Redtwist s first show in Edgewater, Praying Small, opened in September It was designated as a Critic s Choice by the Chicago Reader and was extended two times by popular demand. Michael Colucci, the founder of Redtwist Theatre, is the Artistic Director. His producing partner and wife, Jan Ellen Graves, is the Managing Director. In addition to acting, she directed the critically-acclaimed The American Clock by Arthur Miller and the Jeff-nominated play Aura, by company member, Tommy Lee Johnston. Michael s direction of All My Sons, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Three Hotels, That Face, and Broken Glass was also critically-acclaimed and Jeff-recommended. During Redtwist s time at the Bryn Mawr location, its productions have received 34 Jeff nominations and won 9 Non-Equity Jeff Awards including one for Best Production for Man from Nebraska in As of March 1, 2008, AWT s corporate name officially changed to Redtwist Theatre. Please visit for current information on our events and productions. Josh Altman Olivia Leah Baker Christopher Burpee Michael Colucci Johnny Garcia Jacqueline Grandt THE COMPANY Jan Ellen Graves KC Karen Hill Tommy Lee Johnston Christopher Kriz E. Malcolm Martinez Daniel McNamara Peter Oyloe Brian Parry Allison Queen Mary Reynard Debra Rodkin Michael Sherwin Staff Michael Colucci, Artistic Director Jan Ellen Graves, Managing Director Johnny Garcia, Development Outreach Coordinator Kevin McDonald, Literary Manager Jessie Chappe, Casting Director Scott Woldman, Resident Playwright Charles Bonilla, Box Office Manager Vanessa Buenger, Marketing Associate Ross G. Hoppe, Resident Set Designer, Technical Director ( season) Jeff Shields, Resident Props Designer ( season) Eric Vigo, Resident Lighting Designer ( season) Board Susan Schwartzwald, Chair Jenéne Francis, Brandon Hollembeak, Carol Scheidenhelm, Pauline Taylor 2

3 More Redtwist! There are now more plays to love at Redtwist: not ONE, not TWO, but THREE plays will run in rotating rep. Check out our site for details about our new off-night (MORE RED) and late night (DARK RED) productions. There s no place like Redtwist anytime. Please indulge me if I use this space to say that Redtwist is my favorite theatre. That may seem obvious, but I especially like a few specific things about a Chicago storefront, and Redtwist in particular: (a) the intimacy of this space, and being right on top of the thrilling action of a great play (b) the flexibility of our black box whereby we can redesign the stage and audience into any configuration for each show (c) our cushioned chairs they are large, sturdy, and comfy (d) our clean restrooms, and so much more. There must be a reason why Chicago theatre has become iconic. And it might be because of the very experience you will be having here at Redtwist. Grab a beverage and a snack, bring it into the theatre, and settle in for the show. Thanks for coming! Michael Colucci, Artistic Director MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS Clybourne Park (2013) The Beautiful Dark (2013) Reverb (2013) A Body of Water (2013) Purple Heart (2013) Broken Glass (2012) The Glass Menagerie (2012) The Cripple of Inishmaan (2012) The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (2012) Opus ( ) Elling (2011) That Face (2011) Bug (2011) Man from Nebraska (2011) Shining City (2011) Lobby Hero (2010) A Delicate Balance (2010) Equus (2010) The Pillowman ( ) Lettice and Lovage (2009) Waiting for Godot (2009) The Ride Down Mount Morgan (2009) Aura (2009) The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? (2009) Marvin s Room (2009) Shadowlands (2008) Glengarry Glen Ross (2008) True West (2008) Doubt (2008) Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2008) Three Hotels (2007) A View from the Bridge (2007) Les Liaisons Dangereuses (2007) Equus (2007) Otherwise Engaged (2007) Proof (2006) Proving Mr. Jennings (2006) The Beauty Queen of Leenane (2006) Loose Knit (2006) Abandonment (2006) Life s Tremors (2005) All My Sons (2005) Praying Small (2005) The American Clock (2005) The Last Yankee (2004) Broken Glass (2004) Liars & Angels (2004) Praying Small (2003) 3

4 PRODUCTION STAFF Director... Steve Scott Assistant Director... Alicia Hynes Stage Manager... *Allison Queen Assistant Stage Manager...*Olivia Leah Baker Technical Director... Ross G. Hoppe Scenic Designer... Ross G. Hoppe Lighting Designer... *Christopher Burpee Costume Designer...* Olivia Leah Baker Sound Designer... * Christopher Kriz Properties Designer... Jeff Shields Set Construction...Alan Weusthoff Master Electrician... Eric Vigo Dramaturg... Kevin McDonald Casting Director... Jessie Chappe Graphics/Marketing/Programs/Photos... *Jan Ellen Graves Box Office Manager... Charles Bonilla Box Office Assistant...*E. Malcolm Martinez Associate Producer... *Johnny Garcia Producers... *Michael Colucci & *Jan Ellen Graves *Redtwist Company Member Member, United Scenic Artists 829 Resident Designer/Staff for season Special thanks to The Saints Grandt Industries Follow the Leader... Proudly Made in the USA Exotic Custom Fishing Rods Custom Golf Clubs Exotic Feather Weaves High Strain Graphite Shafts Machined Wood Handles Multi Flex and Kick Point Custom Winding &Weaving Hickory Look Graphite Shafts Grandt Graphite Rod Blanks Stiff, Standard, Senior Shaft Designs Specializing in Split Bamboo Filament Wound Extra Stiff Fresh & Saltwater Series Swing Speed Designed Shafts 24 years of dedicated service to the sportsman with Total Commitment To Quality Unconditional Lifetime Warranty 20% Discounts Applied to Redtwist Customers Mention Redtwist and Save Restaurant partner coupons for Edgewater establishments below are available at the box office window. This playbill or your reservation confirmation may also serve as a coupon. Francesca s Bryn Mawr, Little India, That Little Mexican Cafe, Zanzabar, and Apart Pizza 4

5 CAST in order of appearance Simone...Elizabeth Argus Devon...Carley Moseley Jos-B... *Johnny Garcia Michaela... *Jacqueline Grandt Ethan...*Michael Sherwin Michaela (after Jan 1, 2014)... Melonie Collmann *Redtwist company member Time: present day. Place: an estate on Martha s Vineyard. The total running time is approximately 1 hour, 35 min. There is no intermission Elemeno Pea is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. CAST PROFILES (in alphabetical order) Elizabeth Argus (Simone) is thrilled to be working at Redtwist again after appearing in the last two shows in the Late Night Series, DRUNK AND READY and PLEASE SAY YES. Before that, she was seen at the Artistic Home as Charlotte in NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, Sara in A TOUCH OF THE POET, and Heavenly in SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. Off stage, Elizabeth has appeared in commercials, television, print, and film. She relishes the opportunity to act on stage in a modern play about modern women. Deepest appreciation for the patrons of storefront theatre in Chicago your support is invaluable. Melonie Collmann (Michaela after Jan 1, 2014) is a proud graduate of Black Box Acting Studio s Academy program, Class of She performed the role of Shelly in the Academy s production of ASH- VILLE directed by Brad Akin. Melonie also has a master s degree from DePaul University. She has performed in many operas and musicals including a role in STREET SCENE at Lyric Opera of Chicago as well as in the award-winning production of the American premiere of JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA with Bailiwick Repertory. Her commercial work includes spots for Sears, Walmart, North Shore University Health Systems, and Jones Dairy Farm, to name a few. Johnny Garcia (Jos-B) is the Development Outreach Coordinator for Redtwist. Favorite Redtwist roles include, Ariel in THE PILLOWMAN, Austin in TRUE WEST, Marco in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and Raul in EXTREMITIES, among others. Elsewhere he played Lonigan/ Consul in MY SISTER EILEEN at Stage Center Theatre, Northeastern University, Escalus, Prince of Verona, in THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET, with Two Pence Shakespeare at The Evanston Arts Depot, Kenny, in THE ERPINGHAM CAMP at BoHo. continued... 5

6 CAST PROFILES (continued) Jacqueline Grandt (Michaela) is thrilled to be part of this wonderful project, to be working once again with the amazing Steve Scott, and to share the stage with such a talented cast! Jacqueline was most recently seen in Redtwist s world premier of THE BEAUTIFUL DARK. Other Redtwist credits include Agnes in BUG (Jeff Award, Best Actress), Sylvia in BROKEN GLASS, Amanda in THE GLASS MENAG- ERIE, Joy in SHADOWLANDS, Julia in A DELICATE BALANCE, Ricky Roma in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS and Maureen in THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, along with many other exciting roles. Carley Moseley (Devon) is thrilled to be working at Redtwist again, after performing in last spring s late night show, DATES FROM HELL and the most recent main stage production of CLYBOURNE PARK (Betsy/Lindsey). A graduate of Vassar College, the Second City s Conservatory and Writing Programs, and The io Theater s Training Center, Carley performs throughout the city with her sketch group GUNNER and is looking forward to her upcoming sets at CHICAGO SKETCHFEST and the NORTH CAROLINA COMEDY ARTS FESTIVAL. Michael Sherwin (Ethan) is delighted to portray Ethan in ELEMENO PEA and joined Redtwist as a company member this season. Previously, you may have seen him as Jim/ Tom (CLYBOURNE PARK), Patrick (TREATS), Elliot (OPUS), Frank Asli (ELLING), and Rev. Todd (MAN FROM NEBRASKA). Other Chicago credits include Patrick Swayze (CRAZY FOR SWAYZE FOR NEW MILLENNIUM), HENRY IV (Combined HENRY IV PARTS 1 & 2 Oak Park Festival Theatre). Originally from Glenview, Michael has a BFA (Acting) and a BS (Technical Theatre) from Eastern New Mexico University, and spent six years acting in Phoenix. Thank you for supporting the magic of theatre. STAFF/CREW PROFILES (in alphabetical order) Olivia Leah Baker (Assistant Stage Manager, Costume Designer) Recently received a BFA from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago for Fashion Design with her focus in costume design. She has been at Redtwist since 2010, becoming a company member in This will be her 24th show, including all mainstage, off-night, and latenight shows at Redtwist Theatre as either the ASM, costume designer, or both. She has also costumed for Redmoon Theatre, Project 891 Theatre and Fairlane Theatre Company. She has also worked with Anna G Costumes and The Stagedoor Johnnies. Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager) enjoys greeting everyone who checks in with him at Redtwist s front porch before continuing on to experience some of the best storefront theatre in the world. You can make it even better by remembering to turn off your cell phone. Christopher Burpee (Lighting Designer) Chris has been designing for Redtwist since late 2008, most recently for BODY OF WATER. This production of ELEMENO PEA is Chris 20th show with the company. Other recent productions include SPAMALOT for NightBlue at Stage773, and various productions at NEIU. Chris is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Chris can be found full time as the Technical Director at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). 6

7 Michael Colucci (Producer) Michael Colucci (Producer) is the founder and Artistic Director of Redtwist Theatre, and has directed many of the plays here, including BROKEN GLASS, THAT FACE, EQUUS (2010), WHO S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THREE HOTELS, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, LES LIAISONS DAN- GEREUSES, ALL MY SONS and PRAYING SMALL. He has also been seen on stage at Redtwist as Harry Hyman in BROKEN GLASS, Dr. Sweet in BUG, Martin in THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?, George in WHO S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, Eddie Carbone in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and Joe Keller in ALL MY SONS. In addition, Michael has worked at various theatres in Chicago, including Court, Victory Gardens, TimeLine, and American Blues. He is also a member of the Jeff Committee s Artistic and Technical Team. Jan Ellen Graves (Graphics, Marketing, Producer) most recently appeared on Redtwist s stage in CLYBOURNE PARK as Bev/Kathy. Some other Redtwist appearances include A BODY OF WATER, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER, MAN FROM NEBRASKA, A DELICATE BALANCE, THREE HOTELS, and EQUUS, DOUBT, WHO S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, and ALL MY SONS. Some favorite Chicagoland stage roles include M Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Ilona in SHE LOVES ME and Sister Robert Anne in NUNSENSE I and II. Jan is the theatre s Managing Director. Ross G. Hoppe (Scenic Designer) has a background in scenic design and technical direction. Originally from Richmond, VA, he has a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Ross has worked professionally assisting local and national designers, and with Urban Theater Company, Heritage Theatre Festival, and Next Theatre. He is also the Project Manager for Crosstown Scenic. His past credits with Redtwist include CLYBOURNE PARK and THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? Alicia Hynes (Assistant Director) has directed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM and ROMEO & JULIET with the Harborside Shakespeare Company (which she founded in 2012) of Bar Harbor, ME, where she will be directing HAMLET this coming summer. Alicia has worked with the American Shakespeare Center s resident & touring troupes, and with the Actor s Shakespeare Project of Boston, MA. Her original play, CONTRAPPOSTO was produced as a senior project at College of the Atlantic in 2011, where she also directed THE TEMPEST, MACBETH and HAMLET as an undergraduate. ELEMENO PEA is Alicia s first production with Redtwist, and her first show in Chicago. Christopher Kriz (Sound Design) works nationally as a composer and sound designer. Recent Redtwist designs include CLYBOURNE PARK, REVERB and THE BEAUTIFUL DARK. In Chicago, Chris has designed for companies including Goodman, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Remy Bumppo, The Gift and Timeline. Some recent credits include 4000 MILES (Northlight Theatre), THE GAME S AFOOT (Peninsula Players), HOMECOMING 1972 (Chicago Dramatists), THE RAINMAKER (First Folio), MINE (Gift Theatre) and MAHAL (Bailiwick). Chris has received 9 Joseph Jefferson nominations and 2 awards, most recently the Equity Jeff Award for Best Sound Design for TURN OF THE SCREW (First Folio). Upcoming productions include HEDDA GABLER (Writers Theatre), ROUGH CROSSING (First Folio), THE GREAT GOD PAN (Next Theatre) and CICADA (Route 66 Theatre). Chris is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. To hear more of his work, please visit 7 continued...

8 STAFF/CREW PROFILES (continued) Kevin McDonald (Dramaturg) Previous dramaturgy credits include THE GLASS MENAGERIE, PURPLE HEART, BODY OF WATER, REVERB, THE BEAUTIFUL DARK, and CLYBOURNE PARK (Redtwist Theatre), THE PAINS OF YOUTH (Oracle B*Sides). He has also worked in various capacities with Northlight Theater and the National High School Institute s Cherubs Program. He is currently an Artistic Fellow at American Theater Company where he produces and curates the off-night series Town Hall. Allison Queen (Stage Manager) has served as the stage manager for CLYBOURNE PARK, DRUNK & READY, REVERB, DATES FROM HELL, PURPLE HEART, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER, and OPUS. She was also assistant stage manager for A BODY OF WATER, and production assistant for THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN. She received her BFA in stage management from the University of Oklahoma in 2008 and moved to Chicago. She has worked with many Chicago theaters which she no longer has room to list. Steve Scott (Director) has directed five previous productions at Redtwist, including SHADOWLANDS, LETTICE AND LOVAGE, A DELICATE BALANCE, ELLING, and CLYBOURNE PARK. He is the Associate Producer at the Goodman Theatre and a member of the Goodman s Artistic Collective; his directing credits there include Horton Foote s BLIND DATE, RABBIT HOLE, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, WIT and the 2011 and 2012 productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He has also directed for a wide variety of Chicago theaters including Northlight, Silk Road Rising (where he is artistic advisor), Next Theatre Company, Shattered Globe, Porchlight, Theatre Wit, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Eclipse (where he is a company member) and the Lyric Opera Center. He is a faculty member at the Theatre Conservatory of the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, a board member of Season of Concern, and a member of the Jeff Committee s Artist and Technical Team. He has also served on advisory panels for Theatre Communications Group, United States Artists, the O Neill Center, National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Chicago Office of Fine Arts. He is the recipient of five Jeff nominations, an After Dark Award, the Illinois Theatre Association s Award of Honor, and the Eclipse Theatre s Corona Award. Jeff Shields (Props Designer) After directing and designing for nearly a decade, Jeff is excited to be working on his seventh Redtwist production. Jeff s work has primarily focused on props design since moving to Chicago from Iowa City in He has designed props for Cold Basement Dramatics, Hell in a Handbag, Mortar Theatre Company, Nothing Special Productions, Piven, Stage Left, Strawdog, and more. He currently serves as resident props designer at Redtwist. His most recent project was as co-director of Hell in a Handbag s critically acclaimed production of THE BIRDS. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in directing and design. Eric Vigo (Master Electrician) is a professional Lighting Designer living and working in the Chicago area. This is Eric s first season with Redtwist Theatre and he is thrilled to be part of the work happening here at Redtwist. Recent design credits include PLEASE SAY YES at Redtwist, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL with Circle Theatre s Emerging Young Artists and the World Premiere of LEFTIES with the St. Sebastian Players.