MIDWEST PREMIERE BY RICHARD MONTOYA DIRECTED BY RICHARD PEREZ JUNE 23 JULY 22, Water & Power i SEASON

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1 MIDWEST PREMIERE BY RICHARD MONTOYA DIRECTED BY RICHARD PEREZ JUNE 23 JULY 22, 2017 SEASON 11 Water & Power i

3 by Richard Montoya directed by Richard Perez

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT Born in San Diego, Richard Montoya grew up in a family involved in civil rights, especially the United Farm Workers Movement.

4 ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT Born in San Diego, Richard Montoya grew up in a family involved in civil rights, especially the United Farm Workers Movement. Montoya has pursued his social activism through art and performance exploring issues of culture, racism, and Chicano and Latino identity in the United States. Montoya attended California State University and the American Conservatory of Theater and worked with El Teatro Campesino, the Sundance Institute s Writers and Directors Lab. He was awarded two Annenberg Fellowships through the Sundance Institute. In San Francisco, he co-founded Culture Clash, a performance troupe dedicated to satire and to the exploration of immigration and multiculturalism. In addition to his work with Culture Clash, Montoya has written for Berkeley Rep, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the San Diego Repertory Theatre as well as written for and acted in film and television. Always busy, always writing, he wrote and performed Nogales for Campo Santo Theater Company is collaborating on the new project for Center Stage Group. In addition, you could probably find him buried under more paper and ink for film projects. The United Farm Workers (allusions to the movement are made many times during the play. A review of some important moments during these years should serve to remind us that there is work still to be done). 2 UrbanTheater Company

5 DIRECTOR S NOTE Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face The first time I read Water and Power, I found the relationship between the brothers Garcia incredibly compelling. Being an older brother myself, I have long understood the complexity of that bond. In addition to the complicated relationship shared by the characters Gilbert and Gabriel, I was also intrigued by the play s exploration of masculinity, loyalty and ambition. -St. Francis of Assisi Very few of us would turn down the opportunity to possess more influence in our lives, but as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. I believe it is especially hard to remember this when power becomes our only barometer for success. We learn that the siblings of our story chose politics and the police force because they wanted to do good in the world, and initially they do. But as our story progresses, we also learn that the lines between good and evil can sometimes become blurred, especially when complicated by familial responsibility. At times the world of Water and Power can look like a dark place, but I encourage you to also look for the light and hope in our story. At its core this is the tale of two brothers who are aware of each other s capacity for good and evil and who love each other in spite of it. Who doesn t desire to be both fully known and still loved? Thank you for supporting this evening s performance. Richard Perez Director, Water and Power Water & Power 3

6 SETTING Place: Chicago Performance runs 90 minutes without an intermission CAST Mike Cherry*...The Fixer Juan Delgado... Asuncion García/Ministro/Vendor Dennis García...Water Gabriel Elias Gonzalez...Deer Dancer/Gibby/Gabby Andrew Neftalí Perez*...Norte/Sur Ivan Vega*... Power PRODUCTION TEAM Liza Ann Acosta*...Dramaturg Antonio Bruno*... Co-Producer/Co-Production Manager Sara Carranza*...Props Designer/House Manager Kelsey Cox... Costume Designer Meghan Erxleben...Lighting Designer Karolyn M. Gil... Box Office Associate Brandon Gomez... Box Office Associate Miranda Gonzalez*... Co-producer Caswell James... Set/TD Perry Landes... Sound Designer Johnny Moran... Fight Choreography Richard Perez... Director Fredy Rocha*... Costume Designer *Denotes UTC company member MISSION UrbanTheater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. Preserving the Puerto Rican and Humboldt Park voice for 12 years on Paseo Boricua. SPECIAL THANKS National Museum of Mexican Arts, Center of Latino Research at DePaul, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance, The Miracle Center, Hope College Theatre Department, Holland Michigan, Eduardo Arocho, Joseph and Augustina Brennan, Veth Carroll, Melissa Gonzalez-Vega, Pam Landes, José López, Topher McCulloch, Anette Nieves, Jaime Rivera, Pete Rodriguez, Madrid St. Angelo, Jorge Santos, & Sophia Yost 4 UrbanTheater Company

CAST BIOGRAPHIES Mike Cherry (The Fixer) Mike Cherry is from Seattle and he s hella happy to be back working with the UTC family where is an ensemble member.

He was most recently seen in First Class at Theatre on the Lake with UTC, Blacula with Pegasus Players at Chicago Dramatists.

Big Thanks to Rich, Tony, Miranda and Ivan. Juan Delgado (Asuncion García/Ministro/Vendor) is a stand-up comedian from the south side of Chicago who s been making people laugh for about two years.

His comedy stems from his Early Adventures with this family and friends who continue to inspire him till this day.

Dennis García (Water) is proud and grateful to be making his UrbanTheater Company debut.

Los Angeles credits include: U Don t Know Me (CASA 0101), Always And Forever (Watts Village Theatre), A Christmas Carol (South Coast Repertory).

7 CAST BIOGRAPHIES Mike Cherry (The Fixer) Mike Cherry is from Seattle and he s hella happy to be back working with the UTC family where is an ensemble member. His first role with UTC was José Rivera s Sonnets for an Old Century at the Steppenwolf Garage Rep. He was most recently seen in First Class at Theatre on the Lake with UTC, Blacula with Pegasus Players at Chicago Dramatists. Other Chicago theatre credits include The Goodman/Teatro Vista, Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Sankofa Theatre Company, Chicago Fusion Theatre, Shapeshifters Theatre, Oracle Productions and Dramatis Personae. Big Thanks to Rich, Tony, Miranda and Ivan. Juan Delgado (Asuncion García/Ministro/Vendor) is a stand-up comedian from the south side of Chicago who s been making people laugh for about two years. He s performed at the Mikey O comedy show, the Tomfoolery group and Midwest entertainment. His comedy stems from his Early Adventures with this family and friends who continue to inspire him till this day. He got his start singing and dancing for a Latin show called Club Dell Niño and has recently hosted/performed and did stand up comedy in a play for Chicago Theater group. Dennis García (Water) is proud and grateful to be making his UrbanTheater Company debut. Chicago credits include: Bittersweet Ambrosia (Meter Feeders Production), My Manana Comes (Teatro Vista), Blacula (us) (Pegasus). Los Angeles credits include: U Don t Know Me (CASA 0101), Always And Forever (Watts Village Theatre), A Christmas Carol (South Coast Repertory). TV/ National Commercials: Chicago Justice, Esurance and Honda. Gabriel Elias Gonzalez (Deer Dancer/Gibby/Gabby) is a 14-year old resident of Humboldt Park. He will be attending The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) in their theater program, beginning in the fall of His acting experience includes playing the role of James in James and the Giant Peach. This is Gabriel s first professional role and he aspires to be an actor, director, or writer in the future. He enjoys playing video games, reading novels, and writing poetry. Andrew Neftalí Perez (Norte/Sur) is extremely thrilled to be apart of Water & Power directed by Richard Perez. Andrew is a Chicago based actor born and raised in Logan Square and is a current ensemble member with UrbanTheater Company (UTC). He is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Previous credits include Life s a Dream (UIC), The Secret in the Wings (UIC), Waiting for Godot (Tympanic Theatre Company U/S), Lolita De Lares (UrbanTheater), Adoration of the Old Woman (UTC), Young Playwrights Festival reading (Pegasus Theatre Chicago), The Oxcart reading (Court Theatre) and School of the Americas reading (UTC). Ivan Vega (Power) is an actor, producer and cofounding Artistic Director for UrbanTheater Company (UTC) and current Executive Director since His recent credits include: Julia de Burgos: Child of Water/UTC; First Class/UTC & Theater on the Lake; Cuba and His Teddy Bear/UTC; Broken Thread/UTC; Eulogy for a Small Time Thief at Batey Urbano/UTC (2007 After Dark Award for Water & Power 5

8 Outstanding Performance as David Dancer ) & Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams at Victory Gardens. Other credits include: Short Eyes at Aguijon Theater/UTC (Inaugural Production); References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot at Bailiwick; Perversiones at Aguijón Theater (2004 International Theater Festival in Arequipa/Cusco, Peru); Anna In The Tropics at Victory Gardens. TV credits include: The Line (CBS pilot) and Chicago P.D. (NBC). Ivan holds his Bachelor s in Fine Arts in acting from the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. A special thanks to Melissa for holding down the homefront during this process. Eliot and Ethan, love you. PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES Liza Ann Acosta (Dramaturg) Born in Brooklyn, raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, this Boricua migrated to study Literature, History and Chemistry in South Carolina. She loved the South so much she did not want to stray too far and went to North Carolina to pursue an MA in English Literature. She worked as a translator for Hemingway biographer Michael Reynolds translating letters from a Cuban fisherman and pamphlets on bullfighting from the 1930s. Her edited translation of the play Carnaval afuera, carnaval adentro by Rene Marques was the subject of her MA thesis. After completing her Master s, she read a thousand and one plays she earned her PhD in Comparative Literature at The Pennsylvania State University in Her dissertation explored the use of ritual in women s drama, focusing on the work of individual artists and collectives. North Park University was her next gig where she teaches courses in Race, Gender, and Postcolonial Literature as well as Writing Creative Nonfiction. She also became Chair of the English Department, became Division Director and Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, and now is University Dean. As you can tell, she is very tired. She is also an Ensemble Member of Teatro Luna and the Literary Manager for UrbanTheater Company. She loves writing about nuns, her family, and the peculiar. Antonio Bruno (Co-Producer/Production Manager) is dedicated to his community, working with UTC as Company Manager and he is also on the Board of Directors for Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC). He has worked as a sound designer for UTC s Cuba and his Teddy Bear, First Class, Devil Land, Julia De Burgos: Child of Water, Lolita de Lares and La Gringa. He also worked as Production Manager for the past three productions at UTC. He Is grateful to work alongside Miranda and Ivan in producing a highly relevant and important play for the community. Sara Carranza (House Manager/Props) is excited to work on her second production at UrbanTheater Company. She is a proud company member/manager at The Cuckoo s Theater Project. Previous credits include: La Gringa (UTC), The Heidi Chronicles (TCTP), Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls (TCTP), Crime Scene Chicago (Collaboraction) and more. She would like to thank her family and Bryan for all of their support. Meghan Erxleben (Lighting Designer) is Lighting Designer hailing from the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Her design credits include the lighting design of Prince Max and the Trewly Awful Trek to the Desolate Interior (Red Theatre), Golden Records Re-Release Party (A Host of People), Flavors (Joel Hall Youth Dance Company), Suite and Salty (Le Ballet Petit), Comedy of Errors (Commission Theatre Company), Sister Cities (Chimera Ensemble), and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (Loyola University Chicago). She has further experience as the Assistant Lighting Designer on Learning Curve (Albany Park Theater Project), The Cheats (Steep Theater Company) as well as for United Flight 232, Diamond Dogs (The House Theatre Company) and Barney the Elf (The Other Theatre Company). Her future projects include the Lighting Design for The Invisible Scarlett O Neil (Babes with Blades). Miranda Gonzalez (Artistic Director/Co-Producer) is a founding ensemble member of Chicago s Only All Latina Theater company Teatro Luna and 6 UrbanTheater Company

9 has devised and developed plays since After performing as an actress for 10 years she decided to turn her artistic endeavors towards directing. Previous directing and development credits include: La Gringa, GL 2010, Of Princes and Princessas at the 2010 Goodman Latino Theatre Festival, 10x10 Festival, Lullaby, The North/South Plays workshop at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Crossed, Crime Scene Chicago with Collaboraction and Melissa DuPrey s Sushi-Frito at Free Street Theater. Caswell James (Set Designer) is a Technical Director and designer on a national level. He is an artist, designer, and educator. He has worked with Black Ensemble Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, Pegasus Theater, and Redmoon Theater and now has made a new home here at UrbanTheater Company with his second production as designer and Technical Director. Caswell loves working with This amazing team at Chicago Theater company to expand his creative outlets. Perry Landes (Sound Designer) is Associate Professor and Resident Lighting and Sound Designer at Hope College in Holland, MI. He has designed lighting and/or sound for the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre Company, Aerial Dance Theatre, Contemporary Motions, The Montana Repertory Theatre in Missoula, Sumus Theatre in Portland, OR, the Western Stage in Salinas, CA, and Grosso Modo Dance Company in Queretaro, Mexico. Perry is also a composer for theatre with a preference for scoring Shakespeare s Plays. Jacqueline Marschke (Stage Manager/Co- Production Manager) is thrilled to be joining the UrbanTheater Company team for their production of Water & Power! Her other Chicago credits include Stage Management for Giggle, Giggle, Quack and Northanger Abbey (Lifeline Theatre), and The Citizens Anthology (The Inconvenience). She also served as Assistant Stage Manager for Pirandello s Henry IV and The Life of Galileo (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), No Wake (Route 66 Theatre Company), and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (No Stakes Theatre Project). Jacqueline is an alumna of Hope College (Holland, MI), where she received her B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Stage Management. Kelsey Cox (Costume Designer) became a college graduate this past May with a BA in Fashion Business from Columbia College Chicago. Mainly working on Television and Film, Kelsey is excited to make her professional theater debut with UTC. Some things she has designed from CCC is FreqOut Live 2016 & 2017, Love Is Blind, Empty Home, Agent 355, and Queen s Eternal. She also been a production assistant for ngage Productions, Soul Sessions, and for Sony Picture s Phillip K. Dick s Electric Dream. She hopes you all enjoy watching this amazing production as much as she enjoyed working on it! Johnny Moran (Fight Choreography) is pleased to returned to UrbanTheater after working on First Class. He s a Jeff-nominated fight choreographer, designing stage combat for A Red Orchid, Writer s Theater, ATC, The Factory, Bentlight, Lake Forest College and Lane Tech High School. Richard Perez (Director) is an award-winning actor, director and educator. He is the recipient of the Theatre Communications Group s New Generations/Future Leaders Fellowship, which took him to Chicago Dramatists as its first Associate Artistic Director in Prior to that, he was the Producing Artistic Director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project in Indiana for seven seasons. In that time he oversaw the production of over thirty new plays, with at least sixteen of those being world premieres. His directing credits include: Roustabout, Miss Julie, Urinetown, All My Sons, True West, Hurly Burly, The Mercy Swing (New York Fringe Festival) and Nocturnal (part of the Kennedy Center s New Visions/New Voices Festival). Chicago credits include: Fucking A for Urban Theatre and Invasion of Skokie for Chicago Dramatists. As an actor he has appeared as Councilman Ortiz on Boss, with Kelsey Grammer as well as roles on Chicago Fire and Chicago Med. He studied acting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and with Uta Hagen at HB Studios in New York City. He Water & Power 7

10 has an MFA in Performance from Arizona State University and is proud to serve on the Theatre Faculty of Hope College in Michigan. Fredy Rocha (Costume Designer) is a native of Chicago s Logan Square Humboldt Park Neighborhood of Colombian parents. UTC Costume Design credits include Brain People, First Class, Sonnets for an Old Century, Beauty of the Father, Fucking A, Devil Land, Adoration of the Old Woman, and Lolita de Lares. Other design credits include Side Project Theatre s Joan s Laughter, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater s Bolero & 2014 Mil Clavos, El Pozo Colectivo s El Incas. Film Costume Design credits include 2015 Buckle Up Punk and 2017 En Algun Lugar. Fredy holds a Bachelor s of Fine Arts from the Illinois Institute of Art and is pursuing a Master s of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. He is also an advocate of the LGBTQ health care community and serves on the Community Advisory Board for Howard Brown Health Center. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Juan Linares (President) Jerry Conner (Vice-President) Marty McCaffrey (Treasurer) Miranda González (Secretary) Iván Vega (Board Member) ADVISORY BOARD William Hayashi Elayne LeTraunik José E. López Marty McCaffrey Mike Oquendo Kamilah Rashied David Schmitz Cándido Tirado OUR FAMILY FOUNDERS Marilyn Camacho Madrid St. Angelo Ivan Vega STAFF Ivan Vega - Executive Director Miranda Gonzalez - Artistic Director Antonio Bruno - Company Manager Liza Ann Acosta - Literary Manager/ Resident Dramaturg Sara Carranza - House Manager ENSEMBLE Antonio Bruno Jasmin Cardenas Nydia Castillo Mike Cherry Melissa DuPrey Tamika Lecheé Morales Andrew Neftalí Perez Ivan Vega EMERITUS ENSEMBLE Marilyn Camacho Guadalís Del Carmen Esteban Andrés Cruz Hank Hilbert Matt Dreier RESIDENT DESIGNERS Anthony Aicardi Antonio Bruno Topher McCulloch Ivy Reid Fredy Rocha 8 UrbanTheater Company

12 on Paseo Boricua UrbanTheaterChicago.org Batey Urbano 2620 W. Division St. Chicago, IL FRIEND US ON /urbantheater /urbantheater /urbantheater 10 UrbanTheater Company

FROM A MOTEL ROOM IN EAST LOS ANGELES TO THE STREETS OF CHICAGO

Contact: Alejandro Riera 773.726.1833 alejandroriera64@gmail.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM A MOTEL ROOM IN EAST LOS ANGELES TO THE STREETS OF CHICAGO URBANTHEATER COMPANY PRESENTS THE MIDWEST PREMIERE