1044 W. Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL 60660 773-728-7529 www.redtwist.org Redtwist Theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization Redtwist is going green! Please help us recycle our programs. It saves money and trees. You can view or get your own pdf by visiting our website, www.redtwist.org, and clicking on Playbill on the left menu. Please return vinyl-encased program in designated boxes upon exiting. Restaurant partner coupons will be available at the box office during intermission and after the show. You can help the environment and reduce the cost of each show. If you wish to have a souvenir program, there are a few available by the box office. Please do not take the vinyl-encased copy. Thank you.
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 2001. 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 2002. The double-storefront was transformed from an office-like community center into an intimate and comfortable theatre and classroom space. Redtwist s first show in Edgewater, Praying Small, opened in September 2003. 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 Media Director. 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, and Three Hotels was also critically-acclaimed and Jeff-recommended. During Redtwist s time at the Bryn Mawr location, its productions have received 21 Jeff nominations and won 6 Non-Equity Jeff Awards including one for Best Production for Man from Nebraska in 2011. As of March 1, 2008, AWT s corporate name officially changed to Redtwist Theatre. Please visit www.redtwist.org for current information on our events and productions. Christopher Burpee Michael Colucci Johnny Garcia Jacqueline Grandt Our Mission To do white hot drama, in a tiny black box, with a little red twist The COMPANY Jan Ellen Graves Kate Guthrie K.c. Karen Hill Tommy Lee Johnston Christopher Kriz Staff Michael Colucci, Artistic Director Jan Ellen Graves, Managing Director Johnny Garcia, Development Outreach Coordinator Josh Altman, Literary Manager, Casting Director Justin Castellano, Technical Director Charles Bonilla, Box Office Manager Board Susan Schwartzwald, President Barbara Burgess Brandon Hollembeak Pauline Taylor 2 E. Malcolm Martinez Daniel McNamara Peter Oyloe Brian Parry Debra Rodkin
A Most Hearty Welcome to You! Thank you for coming. Grab a beverage or snack at the box office window, bring it into the theatre, and settle in for the show. The 2011-2012 Season is about NEW BEGINNINGS right here at Redtwist. What does it feel like to walk through a portal into another reality? How do we face the challenges, the opportunities, the setbacks, and the triumphs that await us? Redtwist is stepping through that portal to bring you five terrific dramas including three Chicago Premieres, along with some amazing sights and sounds that go beyond our signature red twist. Your seat is ready. Also, your feedback is appreciated. We always enjoy compliments, but your constructive criticism will allow us to keep getting better. Feel free to email me on any topic at michael@redtwist.org. Our goal is to have you consider Redtwist the best little theatre in Chicago. Michael Colucci, Artistic Director Please turn off your cell phones. Out of respect for the actors, please do not access your cell phones for any reason during the performance. MAINSTAGE productions Opus (2011-2012) 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 (2009-2010) 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) 3 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)
CAST in alphabetical order Playing various roles: Matt Babbs, Kurt Brocker, Devon Candura, Gene Cordon, *Jan Ellen Graves, Lisa Herceg, Eleanor Katz, Matthew Klingler Understudy: Kimberly Logan *Redtwist company member The staged reading of The Laramie Project Time: 1998-1999 The staged reading of The Laramie Project is performed with two short intermissions. The total running time including intermissions is approximately 2 1/2 hrs. The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Time: 2008-2009 The Laramie Project Ten Years Later is performed with one intermission. The total running time including intermission is approximately 110 minutes. Both plays are presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. 4
PRODUCTION STAFF Director... Greg Kolack Stage Manager... Allison Queen Asst. Stage Manager...Amanda Lautermilch Technical Director...Justin Castellano Set Designer...Andrei Onegin Set Assistants...Brandon Becker, Eleanor Katz, Josh Philips, Allison Queen, Frank Sjodin Lighting Designer... *Christopher Burpee Lighting Assistant...Tamar Daskin Sound Designer...Rachel Spear Costume Designer... kclare Kemock Vocal Coach... Mary Reynard Liss Graphic Design/Marketing/Programs... *Jan Ellen Graves Box Office Manager...Charles Bonilla Associate Producer... *Johnny Garcia Producers...*Michael Colucci, *Jan Ellen Graves Special thanks to *Redtwist Company Member Russ Tutterow, Greg Reiner, Rich Burk, Justin Olsen, Erin Olsen, Greg Greenhalge, Kelli Simpkins, Judge Jeffrey Donnell, Father Roger Schmit, Rulon Stacey, Dave O Malley, Zackie Salmon, Catherine Connolly, Jonas Slonaker, Jim Osborne, Reggie Fluty, Susan Cunningham Burk, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, Judy Shepard, United Church of Rogers Park, Jerry Miller, The Saints This program/production is partially supported by grants from The Alphawood Foundation The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation 5
CAST Profiles (in alphabetical order playing multiple roles) Matt Babbs is very pleased to make his return to both Redtwist and Laramie, having worked on Redtwist s That Face and The Laramie Project whilst in high school. Matt most recently appeared in Griffin Theatre s Spring Awakening, and also assistant directed their production of Punk Rock with Jon Berry. Matt attended Cornell College, graduating with a major in both Theatre and Psychology. He is a recent graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. Kurt Brocker is happy to be making his debut with Redtwist Theatre. His most recent excitement has been with an experimental collective called Yellow House, making DIY theatre. Kurt has worked traditionally in Chicago with Timeline, Theatre Mir, Running With Scissors, European Rep., Court Theatre, Famous Door Theatre Co., Rivendell Esnemble, Prop Thtr, [sic] and A Red Orchid Theatre. Kurt won an After Dark award for his performance in Pan and Boone. He has worked off-broadway in Beautiful Thing, and appeared in many shows in California where he grew up. In the 2012-13 season, Kurt will appear in Welcome Home Jenny Sutter with Next Theatre. Devon Candura is thrilled to return to Redtwist, where she previously appeared in Doubt. Devon has also had the pleasure of working with Promethean Theatre Ensemble (Kennedy s Children, Spring Awakening, The Fantasticks, The Illusion), Raven Theatre (Death of a Salesman, columbinus), Marriott Theatre, Stage Left, Wildclaw, and Lifeline, among others. Devon holds a BA in Theatre and English from the University of Notre Dame. Gene Cordon was last seen in Chicago Dramatist s production of Cadillac. Other notable productions include: Rosemary as Joseph P Kennedy Sr. with Prop; Sin - A Cardinal Deposed as Cardinal Bernard Law at Bailiwick; Rebecca Gilman s Crime of the Century at Circle, Judgment at Nuremberg with Shattered Globe, Let Me Live at the Goodman, Train is Coming with the Chicago Theatre Company, Macbeth at Next, Passion at Pegasus, Never the Sinner with Victory Gardens and Patient A with Far West Productions. In addition he has worked with Apple Tree, Victory Gardens, Lookingglass, Lifeline, Journeyman, Interplay, and Light Opera Works. Jan Ellen Graves recently appeared on Redtwist s stage in Man From Nebraska (Jeff Award for Best Production), and a few other Jeffnominated plays including A Delicate Balance, Three Hotels, and Equus. Other Redtwist performances include Marvin s Room, Doubt, Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, A View from the Bridge, and All My Sons. Other favorite stage roles in the Chicagoland area include M Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Ilona in She Loves Me and Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense. She directed Aura (Jeff-nominated) at Redtwist, is also the theatre s Managing Director, and has a graphic design business. 6
CAST Profiles (continued) Lisa Herceg most recently appeared as Blitzen in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at Stage Left Theatre, where she is a new ensemble member, and as Rosalind Rollins in The Double with Babes With Blades Theatre Company, where she has been an ensemble member since 2008. She is also an Artistic Associate with GayCo, and has worked with companies such as Curious Theatre Branch, the side project, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, and Premiere Theater and Performance (formerly The International Theater of Chicago). Eleanor Katz is ecstatic to be making her Retwist debut. Recent Chicago credits include Nurse in Babes With Blades Romeo and Juliet and Mae in Raven Theatre s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Regional credits include Lala in The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Seattle) and Ophelia in Hamlet (Southwest Shakespeare Festival). Voiceover credits include work with Microsoft, Hasbro, MSC Cruises, Graderesults.com and supermarkets in Oklahoma and Texas. Originally from New Jersey, Eleanor holds an MA in Acting from East15 Acting School in London, England and a BA in Theatre Arts from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Matthew Klingler is happy to be making his debut with Redtwist Theatre. Chicago theatre credits include: Wonders Never Cease (Provisions Theater Company); Trust (u/s*-lookingglass Theatre Company); Storybox (CIF Productions/Piven Theatre); The Grapes of Wrath (Infamous Commonwealth); columbinus (Raven Theatre Company-Jeff Nominated). Matt has also been seen in commercials such as Qdoba, Sears, Gordman s, and José Cuervo. Matt thanks Mike, Greg, the cast and crew, his wonderful wife Ali and their soon-to-arrive baby girl! Kimberly Logan (understudy) is working with Redtwist for the first time on this fantastic project. A member of Babes With Blades Theatre Company, she was recently seen in their productions of The Double and The Last Daughter of Oedipus. She s also worked with StageLeft Theatre, Circle Theatre, TimeLine, Raven Theatre, LiveWire and Oak Park Festival Theatre, where she can be seen this summer as E.K. Hornbeck in Inherit the Wind. Thanks for coming & enjoy the show! 7
STAFF/CREW Profiles Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager) enjoys donuts, sushi, and theatre, pretty much in that order. A long-time Edgewater resident, and community volunteer, Charles revels in the camaraderie of theater, believes in Redtwist s commitment to excellence on- and behind- stage, and delights in doing his small part to contribute to a complete theater-going experience for every patron, every time. Why not be a part of this? he asks rhetorically, I can walk to work! He has directed 0 plays anywhere. Christopher Burpee (Lighting Designer) Previous Redtwist credits include Opus, Man From Nebraska, Shining City, Lobby Hero, Dracula, A Delicate Balance, Equus, The Pillowman, Lettuce and Lovage, Waiting for Godot, The Ride Down Mt Morgan, Aura, The Goat, and Marvin s Room. Other recent designs include Marvin s Room at Chicago HS for the Arts, Christmas Carol at NEIU, and Pippin for BoHo at Theatre Wit. Chris is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, with a BFA in lighting design. Chris designs for theaters both professional and educational around the Chicagoland area, and works as an electrician for theatre and corporate events. Justin Castellano (Technical Director) is happy to be continuing his role as TD with Redtwist after working on Opus. A native Texan and graduate of Barat of DePaul University, Justin works full-time with Grand Stage Company. Additionally, he works around the Chicagoland area with Northlight Theatre, Art of Imagination and, most recently, with Raven Theatre as Master Electrician on their productions of Bus Stop and The Price. Other production credits include ASM for Raven s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Associate Producer for Black Gold and Assistant Camera for America s Toughest Jobs, both for TruTV. Michael Colucci (Producer) is the founder and Artistic Director of Redtwist Theatre, and has directed many of the plays here, including Equus (2010), Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Three Hotels, A View from the Bridge, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, All My Sons, Broken Glass, Praying Small, and most recently, That Face. He has also been seen on stage at Redtwist as 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. kclare Kemock (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be joining Redtwist again after her debut with the hilarious Elling this fall. She holds an MFA in Costume Design from Illinois State. Recent credits: I Am Saying This Right Now (The Plagiarists), House of Yes (20% Theatre), and Rock n Roll (ISU). Much love to Lou. Greg Kolack (Director) returns to Redtwist where directed Doubt in 2008. A 35- year veteran of Chicago theatre, he received his 3rd Jeff Award for Direction for his critically acclaimed production of columbinus at Raven Theatre, chosen by several critics as one of the best shows of the year. Other productions include The Exonerated (Raven), The Odd Couple (Drury Lane), Tim Robbins Embedded at Prop Thtr, Patient A (Far West), the world premieres of All Through The Night by Shirley Lauro (Chicago Jewish) and Hitman: The Hack Wilson Story (Bailiwick), and numerous musicals, children s shows, and university productions. For seven years he served as Co-Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, where he directed the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman s The Crime Of The Century (which he also 8
STAFF/CREW Profiles (continued) conceived), A Piece Of My Heart, The Credeaux Canvas, Salome, and Never In My Lifetime, among others. Greg has also been appearing on Chicago stages as an actor for almost three decades, most recently in The Sign Of The Four at City Lit. In another vein, he is the General Manager of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago. As always, his work is dedicated to the memory of his parents. Amanda Lautermilch (Assistant Stage Manager) is a graduate of Oklahoma City University s School of Theatre. Previous Chicagoland work includes assistant directing/stage managing the St. Sebastian Players production of Arms and the Man. She is also the Artistic Director of Adapt Theatre Productions, a new Chicago theatre company set to begin its inaugural season this fall. Mary Reynard Liss (Vocal Coach) The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later is Mary s 4th collaboration with Redtwist Theatre. The other shows she has worked on are: Opus, Elling, and That Face. Mary received her training from Norman Gulbrenson at Northwestern University, Gisela Goettling at The American Consevatory of Music, Geoffrey Connor, vocal coach to the National Theatre of Great Britain and reknowned Chicago Voice-Over talent and Drama Coach Ted Liss. Mary would like to thank Michael Collucci and Jan Ellen Graves for their devotion to the craft and commitment to excellence. Andrei Onegin (Set Designer) is happy to design the set for The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. His other work in Chicago has included designing sets for Clutter (MadKap Production), The Nativity, Colored Museum, and Brothers of the Dust (BTA Award nomination for best set design) at the Congo Square, Radio Golf, The Cherry Orchard, Death of a Salesman (Jeff Awards nomination for Outstanding production) and Hedda Gabler (Raven), Cat s Cradle (Lifeline), Princess Club, The Balloon Man, and The Golden Truffle (Redmoon), Unsung Stars (Moving Dock), The Day of Knowledge (Stage Left), Hamlet (Yamaworks), Flood and Rosmersholm. (Alchimia). He received his MFA in 1992 from The Moscow Art Theater School. Allison Queen (Stage Manager) is excited to be working on her second production with Redtwist. After receiving her BFA in Drama with an emphasis in Stage Management from The University of Oklahoma in 2008, she moved to Chicago to begin her career. Most recently, Allison helped make music with Opus here at Redtwist. She has also worked with many other Chicago companies including Oak Park Festival Theatre, Theatre-Hikes, Oracle, Raven Theatre, Theatre Wit, Factory Theatre, Emerald City Children s Theatre, Lincoln Square Theatre, and Collaboraction. Rachel Spear (Sound Designer) is a recent graduate of Ithaca College where she studied sound design and technology. Currently she is the sound apprentice at Steppenwolf Theatre. At Steppenwolf she has worked on Clybourne Park, Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Penelope, and Time Stands Still. Next she will be working as the assistant to the Sound Designer for Steppenwolf s production of The March. 9
Director s Note... The murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie in 1998 was a seminal event that forced humanity to personally examine hate, intolerance, and prejudice. Nowhere was this truer than in Laramie. Two forces have guaranteed this event will not be forgotten and that change will come from it. The first is Judy Shepard. Judy took this horrific personal experience and channeled it into a message of understanding and acceptance. The Matthew Shepard Foundation is a testament not only to Matthew but to her determination. The second force is Tectonic Theater. Traveling to Laramie when the events were first unfolding, they gained the trust of the community, and returned several times over the next year, allowing the residents to tell the story in their own words. The result was The Laramie Project. A decade later, they traveled back to Laramie and created The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. I first discovered The Laramie Project in the fall of 2000, long before most others. I instantly knew this was a unique work of remarkable power. For over a decade this show has been at the top of my list to direct, and after attending the world premiere reading of Ten Years Later in October of 2009, I knew these two important works needed to be presented together. Prior to rehearsals, I spent 2 days in Laramie. I was struck by how small and quiet the town was. The population is 1/5th of Downers Grove, the suburb I live in. Spending time there made me realize how the attention from this event wreaked havoc on Laramie. I talked to numerous individuals who were connected to the story and are portrayed in the script. Their candor and willingness to talk has been remarkable. And on a cold, overcast, windy morning, I hiked out to the location where Matthew was tied to the fence, beaten, and left to die. Spending an hour there on my own, it was impossible to not think of Matthew s 18 hours, alone and helpless. We have been lucky to have the assistance of Kelli Simpkins, one of the creators of The Laramie Project, who gave us tremendous insight into many of the characters. It has been an emotional, exhausting, and joyful journey for all of us, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to tell the story and deliver Judy s message of understanding and acceptance. Greg Kolack Exotic Custom Fishing Rods Custom Golf Clubs Exotic Feather Weaves High Strain Graphite Shafts Machined Wood Handles Grandt Industries Follow the Leader... Proudly Made in the USA 847-577-0848 www.grandtrods.com Multi Flex and Kick Point Custom Winding &Weaving Hickory Look Graphite Shafts Grandt Graphite Rod Blanks Stiff, Standard, Senior Shaft Designs 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 10 Specializing in Split Bamboo Filament Wound Extra Stiff Fresh & Saltwater Series Swing Speed Designed Shafts
THANK YOU to our valued supporters over the past year $10,000+ (Visionary) The Alphawood Foundation Barbara & Eric Burgess $5000+ (Sustainer) The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation $2500+ (Partner) Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation The Hattie A. & Marie V. Fatz Foundation Illinois Arts Council, a state agency Robert & Rose Wagner $250+ (Colleague) Sue Budinsky Gene Cordon Thomas Dunn Walter E. Bayer, Jr. Alden & Suzanne Cohen Charles Bonilla John D. Glover Jill Graham Jan Ellen Graves Cynthia Ho Karen & Brian E. Hurley Dede Kokolis Deb Rodkin Mark Saran Kit & Carol Scheidenhelm Frank & Karen Schneider Pauline Taylor Donna Tickman & MB McAvoy Mark Zajackowski $100+ (Friend) Anonymous Bruce Beatus John Bierbusse Carol Black Judith Carson Roger & Ann Cole Carole Davenport Sam & Marlene Dollahan Jim Farrell $100+ (cont.) Jenene Francis Denise Fiducia & Bruce Gerlach Margaret Fort Michael & Mona Heath Jim & Lois Hobart JBS Enterprises, Inc. Stephanie Jones Reginald King Pete & Joy Kottra Stanislav Liberman Paul Lindman Michael McCalley Henry Moya Nick Norris Maciek Nowak Brian Parry & Carol Wilson Carlos Perez Angela & Charles Platt Jan Rubenstein Vernon & Roberta Schultz Michael Sharpe Christine Slivon Mark & Peg Spencer Nancy Temple W.H. & T.J. Van Houten Robert Weiss & Nancy Weber Jill Wine-Banks Nancy & Bruce Woodruff 11 $1000+ (Supporter) Bernard J. Dowling Mary Louise Haddad & Sam Perry Grandt Industries John Mahoney Neal Robinson The Saints Susan Schwartzwald Morton Waskin $500+ (Contributor) Dunaway Design Vera Y. Kimmi Thomas Rothing The Rubber Consortium Karen & Frank Schneider Susan Souch John & Barbara Stasiw Deborah Williams World Events Forum, Inc Other donors & in-kind donations Judith Bond Pat Blumen Barbara Button Timothy Classen Jennifer Conrad David Cooper Leigh Daeuble Joel Derstine Alina Dizik Mary Fontaine Carl Foote Johnny Garcia Joyce Gauck Karen Hill Maxine Hill Andrew Jessop Frankie Keane Pete & Joy Kottra Barbara Lanctot Marssie Mencotti & Tom Lally Michael McCouch Jerry Miller Brian Parry/Carol Wilson Mark Pounovich Chryl Resnick Paul Rink Jane Nicholl Sahlins Carol Scheidenhelm Snadra Simonson Aaron Strauss Carol Trout Melissa Walker The Redtwist Board of Directors and Redtwist company members Special thanks to Public Health and Safety Inc. (Nicholas Peneff) for a van donation, to James A. Venskus for a car donation, and to Remodeling by J.R. for construction/rehab work.
Restaurant partner coupons are available at the box office during intermission and after the show. Please return and recycle your programs. Receive a 15% dining discount on show nights DRAFT Valet service available directly across the street Must present a show program or confirmation email to receive discount. One discount per table, not valid with any other promotion. Reservations recommended Visit Little India before or after the show for a DRAFT 20% dining discount (with this program or email confirmation) 1109 W Bryn Mawr 773-728-7012 (1 block west of Redtwist) Open daily 11am to 11pm, BYOB 15 % DRAFT Discount on show nights Across the street on SE corner at Winthrop Must present a show program or confirmation email to receive discount. Get a 10% Discount on show nights DRAFT Must present a show program or confirmation email to receive discount. 1036 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago (773) 334-8302 (just a few doors east) The best little sandwich and ice cream shop in the city, with wifi and fireplace Terrific paninis and deli sandwiches, dazzling desserts, fabulous ice cream sundaes, and gourmet coffee 12