Department of Theatre & Dance

Collaborative production of adored operetta Die Fledermaus to be performed by College of Charleston and Charleston Symphony

College of Charleston Opera and the College’s Department of Theatre and Dance (CofC Stages) will stage Die Fledermaus. Known as one of the world’s most beloved operettas, Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus tells the story of a practical joke with unintended consequences. Rife with mistaken identities, flirtation, seduction, and champagne, this farcical comedy has a captivating score sure to delight and enchant audiences of all ages.

Directed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre and 2015 alumnus Peter Spearman, College of Charleston’s production of Die Fledermaus “promises a good time for its characters, performers, and audience all at once,” comments Spearman.

With the task of choosing an opera to perform, Director of the College of Charleston Opera program Saundra DeAthos-Meers must consider many aspects of the production to decide which will be the perfect choice for the College. “…I make the difficult decision of choosing a mainstage opera every year to share the stage with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. This opera needs to be accessible, well-known, and singable for 18-to-23-year-old singers, not to mention you need to have the voices available to sing these challenging roles. Die Fledermaus is the perfect choice for this cohort,” she states.

This mischievous opera is a collaboration between the College’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Department of Music and is presented alongside musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. DeAthos-Meers is the production’s associate director and Wojciech Milewski is the orchestra conductor. Under Spearman’s overall production direction, the College of Charleston will bring the jovial spirit of Die Fledermaus to the stage in February. 

DETAILS:  Performances of Die Fledermaus will take place at the Sottile Theatre (44 George St.), February 24 and 25 at 7:00p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $50, and includes discounts for CofC students, military/ veterans, seniors (60+), and youth (18 and under). Tickets can be purchased at George Street Box Office online at go.cofc.edu/opera, by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu, or by calling (843) 953-4726. Please note the earlier curtain time for evening performances of 7:00pm, as opposed to our conventional evening curtain time of 7:30pm.

Purchase tickets online by using one of the following links:

General audience

CofC student tickets

CofC faculty/staff tickets

CofC Stages proudly presents

The Pages Festival

The Department of Theatre and Dance has a long-standing tradition of encouraging, training, and highlighting student playwrights. The Pages Festival will present new monologues and ten-minute scenes written by student playwrights, performed by a cast of student actors.

Director Michael Smallwood
Stage Manager Grace Albertson

February 2-5, 2024
Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun Street

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Jump to: Acknowledgments | Director’s Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies

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Cast

Beau Dolan
Lauren Evans
Kaleigh Montgomery
Emma Piazza
Alexandria Prioleau
Joy Sabet
Eva Voros
Chris Warzynski 

Playwrights

Noah Anderson
William Caretto
Cheyenne Comitz
Amber Dunton
Madelein Hanson
Jaelin LaVanway
Olivia Maness
Jacob Rye
Riley Taylor

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Production Team

Director: Michael Smallwood
Stage Manager: Grace Albertson

CofC Stages Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Technical Director: JD Stallings
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: Tippy Trombly
Publicity: Kaylee Phillips, Tippy Trombly, Jake Cisson
Box Office: George Street Box Office

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Highlighted Works

Never Ever Try to Summon an Ancient Greek Deity in Your Apartment

Playwright: Noah Anderson

Setting: Theo’s Apartment

Kass – Kaleigh Montgomery

Theo – Beau Dolan

Eros – Lauren Evans

Philia – Emma Piazza

Stage Directions – Eva Voros

 

Baggage

Playwright: Jaelin LaVanway

Setting: Dr. Wendy’s office. There is a coat rack by the entrance, a couch and a chair facing each other, and the walls are decorated with cheesy, inspirational posters.

Jules – Joy Sabet

Dr. W – Alexandria Prioleau

Stage Directions – Chris Warzynski

 

Warmly Lit Box

Playwright: Riley Taylor

Setting: Olive’s childhood bedroom.

Olive – Lauren Evans

Love – Eva Voros

Stage Directions – Emma Piazza

 

Ataxia, Aphasia, and Other Signs of Impending Ruin

Playwright: Madelein Hanson

Setting: A convenience store at the end of the world.

Man – Chris Warzynski

Stage Directions – Beau Dolan

 

Overturned

Playwright: Amber Dunton

Setting: A waiting room inside a women’s health clinic in Washington, DC.

Emily – Alexandria Prioleau

Madison – Emma Piazza

Ashley – Eva Voros

Nurse/TV voice – Kaleigh Montgomery

Stage Directions – Lauren Evans

 

Appointment Unknown

Playwright: Jacob Rye

Setting: A waiting room.

Set – Chris Warzynski

Aminah – Joy Sabet

Mia – Lauren Evans

Stage Directions – Beau Dolan

 

Homesick

Playwright: Cheyenne Comitz

Setting: Modern day, summertime. Inside and outside of a hospital room.

Mia – Eva Voros

Mason – Chris Warzynski

Emmett – Beau Dolan

Shelly – Joy Sabet

Nurse – Alexandria Prioleau

Stage Directions – Kaleigh Montgomery

 

Morning Dew

Playwright: William Caretto

Setting: In nature, and near a body of water.

Wanda – Kaleigh Montgomery

Staccato – Chris Warzynski

Stage Directions – Alexandria Prioleau

 

Where to Look for a Friend

Playwright: Olivia Maness

Setting: The Triangulum Galaxy, 2.723 million light years away.

Findre – Beau Dolan

Defrin – Emma Piazza

TikTok voices – Lauren Evans, Kaleigh Montgomery, Alexandria Prioleau, Chris Warzynski

Computer – Eva Voros

Stage Directions – Joy Sabet

 

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Thank you to all of our donors!

Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.

Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!

GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (3)

Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift

Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!

Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams

ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Susan Kattwinkel
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford

STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master

DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice & Jay Messeroff
Laura Turner
Jonathan & Janine Wentz

FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander
Rebecca Boone
Glenda Byars
Todd McNerney
Elena & Ted Mitchell
Sam Rhodes
Emma Simmons
Jillian & Michael Smallwood

PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens

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Director’s Note

The development of new plays and, perhaps more importantly, new playwrights is some of the most vital work we could possibly be doing in our department. As a former student playwright, I know just how foundational a skill it can be to a long and successful career in the theatre. It has been my great privilege, then, to help shepherd this incredible room of insightful, creative, visionary student playwrights. The work they have created in this process would be remarkable if they were all veteran writers. The fact that they are still learning, some of them even presenting words in front of an audience for the first time, makes their accomplishments here truly inspiring.

—Michael Smallwood, Director

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Cast, Playwrights and Production Team Biographies

Actors

Chris Warzynski is a Junior Theatre Major at the College with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic/Lighting. Chris was last seen at the College in CofC Stages’ In Love and Warcraft (Ryan), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Launce), and Center Stage’s Firebringer (Molag). During the summer, Chris traveled abroad in Japan and created a new interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the Yokohama Theatre Group. Back home, their play A Conversation was read during Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights event. Chris is currently working on a new play and was the Lighting Designer for CofC Stages’ production of Pippin. Chris would like to thank their grandparents for not evicting them.

Lauren Evans is a Junior Theatre Major at the College with a concentration in performance. She has been acting since 2008, getting her start in the metro-Atlanta area. Most recently, at the College, she was seen performing in “The 27 Club”, and acting/understudying in “Men on Boats”. Over the summer she gave ghost tours around Charleston with “Bulldog Tours”. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her dreams, everyone involved in “The Pages Festival” for giving her the opportunity to return to the stage, and the audience, without whom none of this would happen!

Kaleigh Montgomery is a Senior Theatre Major at the College with a concentration in performance and minor in communication. She was last seen on stage in CofCs Unbeatable: A Musical Theatre Showcase. She would like to thank her family for their continuous love and support and everyone involved in the pages festival for the opportunity. 

Joy Sabet is a Junior at the College, majoring in Psychology and Spanish with a minor in linguistics. She was last seen on stage in the College’s production of Men On Boats, and The Late Wedding as well as the Director Showcase Piece Singular of Die. She praises the writers for the life they have brought to our stage. 

Emma Piazza is a Freshman Theatre (with a concentration in performance) and Arts Management Major at the College. Last seen on stage, Emma was in Director’s Showcase 2023 as an actor in both Noah Anderson’s The Merchant of Venice and Ren Mummert’s Babe. She has also branched out and is currently assistant directing this Spring’s opera, Die Fledermaus. Emma would like to say thank you to everyone who has made this show come to life and for supporting it. She is incredibly honored to help present the talent of these amazing writers and their outstanding works. 

Alexandria Prioleau is a Junior Theatre Major with a concentration in performance at the college. She was last seen on stage as an actor in Director’s Showcase in Brandi Smalls’ All Our Yesterdays. She was also the stage manager for the College’s fall 2023 dance concert, After The Rain. Alexandria would like to thank both her parents for the unconditional support throughout the years.

Beau Dolan is a Freshman chemistry major at the College. He began acting in 2011, and this is first show with the theater department. Beau would like to extend his thanks to the writers and his fellow performers for their dedication and commitment to their craft. He is honored to have the opportunity to be a part of these beautiful stories.

Eva Cecilia Voros is a Senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Performance, and minors in both Italian and Religious Studies. Eva’s work as a makeup artist (another professional passion) was last seen on the CofC stage during the fall 2023 production of Pippin! as she worked on both makeup design and application. Eva has traveled to many different countries during the course of her life, and most recently spent an academic year in Bologna, Italy learning Italian language. The more people Eva meets, the more experiences she has, the more she realizes the importance of artistic expression, specifically acting as a necessary means of celebrating the breadth and beauty of humanity. Eva would like to thank all the immensely talented actors and writers, to Grace Alberston for being such a wonderful stage manager and to Michael Smallwood for involving her in the Pages Festival 2024!

Playwrights

Olivia Maness (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre with concentrations in Scenic/Lighting Design and Technology and Theatre Studies. Since starting at the College, Olivia has participated in many capacities: assistant stage manager for Violet and Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet, stage manager for Proof and Men on Boats, performed in The Late Wedding (Raya/Captain), light designer for various CofC clubs and showcases as well as Center Stage’s upcoming production of Deathtrap. She is very excited to see her first piece spoken into existence. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support, as well as Michael Smallwood and Grace Albertson for their hard work on the Pages Festival. 

Cheyenne Comitz (she/her) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre and English concentrating in theatre studies and creative writing. She was last seen off stage as the assistant stage manager for CofC’s production of Men On Boats and recently directed Ahead of the Trauma by Zack Christensen for Director’s Showcase in December. Her next project is with Center Stage and their production of Deathtrap as the stage manager. She would like to thank the people who keep her sane: her friends and the strongest woman she knows, her mom. She dedicates Homesick to her Aunt Pat, her cat, and the beautiful souls lost to cancer. 

Madelein Hanson (she/her) is a junior at CofC majoring in Theatre Studies and French & Francophone Studies with a minor in Linguistics. She was last seen in the College’s staged reading of In Love and Warcraft (Evie) and as the dramaturg for Center Stage’s As I Was, Not As I Am by August Hakvaag. She will have her directorial debut along with Ky Daisey in Center Stage’s Deathtrap this February.  Madelein is grateful to Michael Smallwood for his continued support here at the College, and she would also like to thank Dr. Ricard Viñas de Puig for introducing her to the linguistic concepts behind her piece. 

Jacob Rye (he/him/his) is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in performance, and a minor in Biology. He has been a part of several CenterStage productions, such as The Bacchae, Firebringer, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (2022 and 2023). He also has credits for carpentry (Men on Boats) and dramaturgy (The Bacchae). Jacob is very excited to share his work, and is very thankful for Michael Smallwood, Grace Albertson, our terrific cast, and all that influenced the process along the way.   

Amber Dunton is a freshman majoring in theatre with a performance concentration, an arts management minor, and she is a musical theatre certificate for actors certificate student. Previously she performed in Directors’ Showcase in Setting Places, directed by Mia Brady. She is so excited to make her mainstage debut as a writer at the Pages Festival. Catch her next in the chorus of this year’s mainstage opera, Die Fledermaus, and on run crew for The Importance of Being Earnest. She would like to thank Michael Smallwood and the wonderful writing, designing, and acting team for helping her grow as a writer and creative.

Riley Taylor (She/Her) is a junior double majoring in Theatre and Arts Management with a minor in finance. She was last seen in Center Stages Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the 2023 Directors Showcase in both The Merchant of Venice (Directed by Noah Anderson) and The Game (Directed by Nora Gore), and working as a stage manager for In Love and Warcraft. She is proud to announce that she will be Co-Artistic Director for the upcoming Center Stage Festival, and will be part of Importance of Being Earnest this April. This will be the first time her writing has been on a stage, she would like to thank Michael Smallwood, Grace Albertson, all of the other writers, and her roommates for their help during this process. 

Noah Anderson (He/Him) is a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and History. He has also been seen in Cabaret as Cliff Bradshaw, Two Gentlemen of Verona as Sir Eglamour, Grunt in Firebringer,  The Messengers in The Bacchae and Lewis in  Pippin.  He would like to Thank everyone who made this show possible especially Michael Smallwood for guiding him through the writing process. 

William Caretto (He/Him) is a recent graduate of the Theatre program with a minor in Japanese Studies. He has worked with the College as an actor in Everybody, as well as in past Directors Showcase pieces including The Devil In The Details, Beheading Columbus, and Boy Gets Girl. He has also worked closely with professor Evan Parry in stage combat, looking to pursue his certification and become a Fight Director. He would like to extend a huge thank you to his fellow writers and Michael Smallwood for assisting in his piece, as well as all of the students working behind the scenes to make the Pages Festival run smoothly.

Jaelin LaVanway (She/ Her) is a Junior majoring in Theatre (performance) with a minor in Film. Previously, she has written Conversations With a Stranger, featured in Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights, as well as written and performed in Scatterbrained, a finalist in the Palmetto Drama Association Festival. She was last seen on stage at the College of Charleston’s Directors Showcase in Kaleigh Montgomtery’s production of The Actress, and is currently working on writing and directing her next short film. Jaelin would like to thank her sister Blaise, as well as everyone involved in The Pages Festival!  

Production Team

Grace Albertson is in her freshman year as an Arts Management major at The College. She most recently worked with Main Stage as an assistant stage manager for Men On Boats (Directed by Sharon Gracie), and with Center Stage as the stage manager for As I Was, Not As I Am (Directed by Aidan Wunderley). They would like to thank the wonderful girls of 406 for support through this process, the writers for trusting her with their pages and especially Michael Smallwood and Susan Kattwinkel for their guidance. 

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Up next:

The Department of Theatre and Dance and CofC Stages present Die Fledermaus!

Learn more and buy tickets here

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Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians). We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations. 

We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina. On this campus and in our spaces, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.

CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance commences the second half of its 2023-2024 season on February 2nd, 2024 with The Pages Festival, an evening of staged readings of new work written and performed by students.

Organized by adjunct faculty member of acting and playwriting Michael Smallwood, The Pages Festival features monologues and scenes written, developed, and performed by a group of seventeen students, comprised of Theatre majors along with students studying in other programs. Mr. Smallwood serves as the festival’s director and coordinator, loaning his talents as a playwright and director to the group of student writers and actors.

“The development of new plays and, perhaps more importantly, new playwrights, is some of the most vital work we could possibly be doing in our department,” shares Smallwood. “As a former student playwright, I know just how foundational a skill it can be to a long and successful career in the theatre.”

Readings of The Pages Festival will take place in the Chapel Theatre, beginning Friday, February 2^nd at 7:00pm and concluding Monday, February 5^th at 7pm. A reading will also occur Saturday, February 3^rd at 7:00pm and the series offers a matinee on Sunday, February 4^th at 4:00pm. The reading on Monday, February 5^th will also feature a talkback with the writers and performers after the performance.

Smallwood continues, “it’s been my great privilege to help shepherd this incredible room of insightful, creative, visionary student playwrights. The work they have created in this process would be remarkable if they were all veteran writers.”

The Department is pleased to announce that select works from The Pages Festival will be presented as part of the Department’s Stelle di Domani series, its annual contribution to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Certain works developed as part of the festival will return to Stelle di Domani 2024 as part of Under the Lights, a reading series highlighting work written and presented by College of Charleston students.

“The fact that they are still learning, some of them even presenting words in front of an audience for the first time, makes their accomplishments here truly inspiring,” says Smallwood.

The cast is comprised of Theatre majors as well as non-majors and includes Beau Dolan, Lauren Evans, Kaleigh Montgomery, Emma Piazza, Alexandria Prioleau, Joy Sabet, Eva Voros, and Chris Warzynski. The festival will feature new work written primarily by Theatre majors, including Noah Anderson, William Caretto, Cheyenne Comitz, Amber Dunton, Madelein Hanson, Jaelin LaVanway, Olivia Maness, Jacob Rye, and Riley Taylor. The festival is stage managed by Arts Management major Grace Albertson.

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DETAILS: Staged readings of The Pages Festival at the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) are Friday, February 2^nd through Monday, February 5^th. Curtain times are at 7:00pm on Friday, February 2^nd, Saturday, February 3^rd, and Monday, February 5^th, with a 4:00pm matinee on Sunday, February 4^th. Please note the earlier curtain time for evening performances of 7:00pm, as opposed to our conventional evening curtain time of 7:30pm.

Individual tickets for The Pages Festival are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (60+), military/veteran, and youth under 18; and free for CofC students, faculty, and staff. Individual ticket prices for other shows in the CofC Stages season vary by show. Contact the George Street Box Office (gsbo@cofc.edu or by calling 843.953.4726) or purchase your tickets online:

General audience

CofC student tickets

CofC faculty/staff tickets

 

CofC Stages proudly presents

Pippin

Book by Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Directed by Nakeisha Daniel

	Music Director Laura Turner	Choreographer Laurel van Beusecum
Scenic Designer Bristol Barnes	Costume Designer Molly Belle	Lighting Designer Chris Warzynski	Sound Designer Caleb S. Garner
Technical Director JD Stallings	Costume Shop Manager Ellen Swick	Stage Manager Mollie Davis	Dramaturg Randy Howell

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November 17-19, 2023
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street

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Jump to: Musical Numbers | Production Team | Acknowledgments | Dramaturgical Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies

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          Cast

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Drake Carney | Pippin	Sam Rhodes | Ensemble (Pippin understudy)
Ngaa Magombedze | Leading Player	Brasia Jones | Ensemble (Leading Player understudy)
Ben Hudd | Charles	Spencer Vinzani | Ensemble (Charles understudy)
Lexi Willbrand | Theo	Abby Scruggs | Ensemble (Berthe understudy)
Bri Fabian | Berthe	Jaden Jenkins | Ensemble (Lewis understudy)
Noah Anderson| Lewis	Abby Frier | Ensemble (Catherine understudy)
Kate Yarbray | Catherine	Jenna Bush | Ensemble (Fastrada understudy)
Gianna Trimboli | Fastrada	Aidan Baumann, Whitney Green, Cam Gulledge, Ren Mummert | Ensemble

Musical Numbers

Act I:	Act II:
Magic to Do	On the Right Track
Corner of the Sky	Kind of Woman
War is a Science	Extraordinary
Glory	Prayer for a Duck
Simple Joys	Love Song
No Time at All	I Guess I’ll Miss the Man
With You	Finale
Spread a Little Sunshine
Morning Glow

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Production Team

CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Production Coordinators: Miles Boinest, Ellen Swick
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel
Assistant Directors: Mekhi Gaither, Sophie Weiss
Assistant Stage Managers: Madelyn Labarge, Rose Goblet
Dramaturg: Randy Howell

Associate Scenic Designer/Scenic Design Advisor: Jonathan Wentz
Projection Designer: Madison Berry
Scenic Charges: Bristol Barnes, Jonathan Wentz
Scenic Artists: Kelsey Beckett, Lillie Bostrom, Alexandria Foster, Madelein Hanson, Lindsay Ward
Carpenters: Brandon Alston, Arsalan Baig, Cheyenne Comitz, Jacob Rye, Aidan Wunderley, and students of Stagecraft class
Properties Designer: Kelsey Beckett
Properties Room Manager: Riley Taylor
Scene Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bristol Barnes, Madison Berry, Isabella Gardner, Eli Salas

Costume Design Advisors: Janine McCabe, Ellen Swick
Costume Research Assistant: Mattison Gaillard
Make-up Designer and Artist: Eva Voros
Hair and Wig Artist: Molly Belle
Pattern Makers: Students of Patterning & Draping
Sewing & Alterations: Zoe Barber, Ava Woods, and the students of Intro to Costuming
Wardrobe Supervisor: Savannah Blake
Wardrobe Crew: Mattison Gaillard, Kaleigh Montgomery, Natalia Ramirez, LG Wylie
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Stef Amezcua Barrientos, Zoe Barber, Savannah Blake, Ashlyn Denham, Mattison Gaillard

Lighting Design Advisor: Lauren Duffie
Head Electricians: Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones
Apprentice Electrician: Olivia Maness
Light Board Programmer and Operator: Alex Jones
Follow Spot Operators: Adam Barham, Mira Zimmerman
Electric Shop Staff (students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski
Sound Engineer: Dustin Brause
A2: Evie Palmisano
Sound Board Operator: Shannon Korel
Audio Support: Students of Intro to Live Sound
Run Crew: Emma Bennett, Hannah Moore
Fly Rail: Sam Miere

Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel, Madison Berry
Publicity: Madison Berry, Bristol Barnes, Kaylee Phillips
Office Assistant: Ngaa Magombedze
Box Office: George Street Box Office

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Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow.
Originally directed on the Broadway staged by Bob Fosse. 2013 Broadway revival directed by Diane Paulus.
Theo Ending Originally Conceived in 1998 by Mitch Sebastian.

Pippin is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David and Alice Rubenstein.

Additional support is provided by the Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation, The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein, and the National Committee for the Performing Arts.

This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).

The aims of this national theater education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.

Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the KCACTF regional festival and may also be considered for national awards recognizing outstanding achievement in production, design, direction and performance.

By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation.

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Special Thanks:

PURE Theatre, Richard Heffner, Sottile Theatre staff, CofC Fire Marshal’s office, Ashli Arnold and the Flat Rock Playhouse, SOTA Council, Carolyna Ramirez and the George Street Box Office staff

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Thank you to all of our donors!

Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.

Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!

GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Sam & Nancy Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (5)

Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift

Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!

Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Jenny Hane & Julian Wiles
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams

ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Justin & Laurel van Beusecum
Jonathan & Janine Wentz

STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master

DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice and Jay Messeroff
Stellar Stitches Fashion Show
Laura Turner

FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander, Stacey Alston, Rebecca Boone, Glenda Byars, Todd McNerney, Elena & Ted Mitchell, Sam Rhodes, Emma Simmons, Jillian & Michael Smallwood

PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens, Andrew Whitehead

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Dramaturgical Note

Pippin first premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theater on October 23, 1972, making the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance production fall shortly after its 51st anniversary. The show has toured the United States four times with the most recent tour happening in 2014, and it was revived on Broadway once back in 2013. Shortly after opening in the United States there was a West End production that ran for 85 performances during the 1970’s.

Although the musical is completely fictitious some characters hold historical relevance. The character Pippin is a part of history, only he was known as Pepin, and was the oldest son of Charlemagne (Charles the Great). Pepin was a family name and Charlemagne’s father was known as Pepin the Short. Our Pepin was Charlemagne’s first child and was born with a birth defect causing him to have a humped back (a feature that is left out of the musical). Another of Charlemagne’s sons was Louis the Pious, who became emperor after Charlemagne’s death. Charlemagne’s third wife was named Fastrada, with whom he had a daughter named Theodrada (who can be viewed as Catherine’s son Theo in the musical).

The musical itself plays with history in a witty way by telling a story that is completely original while referencing historical figures. The variations in names and known characteristics signal that these individuals are not those found in history books but a reimagining from the minds of Roger O. Hirson, Stephan Schwartz, and Bob Fosse and come together to create a coming-of-age story that is as much unorthodox as it is comical. Through Pippin one can learn that life is not a one-stop journey, but a path filled with obstacles and pitstops.

—Randy Howell
   Dramaturg

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Cast and Production Team Bios

Roger O. Hirson (Book) Writer. Father of David Hirson. Awards and nominations: 1973 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical Pippin [nominee] 1967 Tony Award® Best Musical Walking Happy [nominee] Productions: PIPPIN Book [Original, Musical, Comedy] (Oct 23, 1972 – Jun 12, 1977). WALKING HAPPY Book [Original, Musical] (Nov 26, 1966 – Apr 22, 1967)

Stephen Schwartz (Music and Lyrics) wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit WICKED, and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING (which he also adapted and directed), RAGS, and CHILDREN OF EDEN. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s MASS and wrote the title song for the play and movie BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, CAPTAIN LOUIE and MY SON PINOCCHIO. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s ENCHANTED as well as the animated features POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. His first opera, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. A book about his career, “Defying Gravity,” has been released by Applause Books. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a tiny handful of tennis trophies.

Guest Artists

Molly Belle (Costume Designer) is thrilled to return as a guest artist this season after graduating from the College last spring. She has been serving as resident designer for the Footlight Players at Queen Street Playhouse this season including recent designs for The Wild Party and POTUS. Other recent work includes co-designing Two Gentlemen of Verona for CofC Stages last Spring and serving as Assistant Costume Designer for Charleston Stage’s A Christmas Carol. Molly is also developing her own fashion brand, Molly Belle Design, which she will expand into online retail spaces in the near future. She’s grateful to be part of this production and so thankful for all of the love and support from her family and friends.

Bri Fabian (Berthe) is a graduate of the College of Charleston Class of 2023. She has previously been seen in the College’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona as Antonio, as well as the staged reading of The Late Wedding as Han and Innkeeper. She is absolutely thrilled to be included in telling this story and would like to thank Nakeisha, Laura, and Laurel for the opportunity to be a part of this production, along with the entire cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience! She would also like to thank her family for their patience, support, and encouragement in this and every endeavor.

Mekhi Gaither-Burris (Assistant Director) is a Graduate Student in his first semester of the MAT Program (Masters of Arts in Teaching in Performing Arts) here at The College. He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the directing team, and he’s loved getting to work with this amazing cast and crew. He has previously been seen in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Violet, Pipeline, Everybody and The Arts under the Oaks Festival. He knows you’re going to love this production!

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Noah Anderson (Lewis) [he/him] is a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and History. He has also been seen in Cabaret as Cliff Bradshaw, Two Gentlemen of Verona as Sir Eglamour, Grunt in Firebringer, and the Messengers in The Bacchae. He would like to thank everyone who made this show possible especially the Director Nakeisha Daniel and Assistant Director (and degree holder) Mekhi Gather for always dealing with his tomfoolery, allowing him to try new wacky things throughout the rehearsal process and letting him get up to shenanigans on stage. 

Bristol Barnes (Scenic Designer) [she/they] is a senior majoring in Theatre (Performance and Scenic Design) with a minor in Film Studies. She has been a multi-talented theatrical and film artist over her years here. This is her second mainstage scenic design, having also designed Two Gentlemen of Verona last semester. She has also done lots of work with Center Stage having been the sound designer on The Bacchae and scenic designer on Firebringer. Outside of the theatre, she has helped produce many student short films over her time here. She recently directed Crash [Cymbal], a short film which premiered at the CofC Student Film Festival in April. She will be serving as assistant director for The Importance of Being Earnest, the last show in this year’s season. Check out her website, www.bristolbarnes.com, for more info about what she’s been up to! 

Aidan Baumann (Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston double majoring in Dance and Hospitality & Tourism Management with a minor in Business Administration. She has most recently been featured in After the Rain, the fall dance concert. This is her sixth mainstage show and only her second musical as she was last seen as “Frenchie” in Cabaret. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel and Laurel van Beusecum for constantly pushing her to be the best performer she could possibly be. 

Kelsey Beckett (Properties Designer) is a junior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Scenic Design and a minor in Arts Management. This is her mainstage debut as properties designer for Pippin, and she will be the Assistant Scenic Designer for the spring opera Die Fledermaus.  She is excited to share her creativity and talent with you tonight. She would like to thank her mentor, Jonathan Wentz, and director, Nakeisha Daniel, for their support and guidance throughout this process.

Madison Berry (Projection Designer) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic Design. Recent design work for the mainstage includes Men on Boats (Scenic Designer), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Assistant Scenic Designer) and Violet (Properties Designer). She has been awarded the 2023 Randy Lutz Allied Design & Tech National Finalist for her properties design (Violet) by The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Her work has also been seen in the community in Daniel and the Kings (Assistant Properties Designer) and Spoleto’s Stelle di Domani 2023 production of There’s Always Tomorrow (Director). Keep an eye out for her next scenic design in the upcoming mainstage production of The Importance of Being Earnest this April!

Jenna Bush (Ensemble/Fastrada understudy) is a sophomore at the College and is majoring in Biology with a minor in Theatre. She was last seen as Kitty in CofC’s staged reading, In Love and Warcraft, as well as Zazzalil in Center Stage’s production of Firebringer. Jenna is very excited to be part of this dazzling production and would like to thank the entire cast and creative team behind this production. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Drake Carney (Pippin) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance), double minoring in Japanese and French & Francophone Studies. This is his mainstage debut! He was a member of Broadway Ensemble in the fall 2022 semester. He would like to thank his family for the endless support, Nakeisha, Laura, and Laurel for this extraordinary opportunity, and lastly his voice teacher Megan. In addition, he’ll be seen in next semester’s mainstage production of Die Fledermaus.

Mollie Davis (Stage Manager) is a senior at the College majoring in Psychology and Theatre. Her work as a stage manager has been seen previously in the mainstage productions of Everybody, Violet, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. She would first like to thank the cast for being so great to work with! She would also like to thank her mother for being supportive of her every endeavor. Mollie is extremely grateful to Susan Kattwinkel for being an amazing mentor and support system throughout her time at CofC. 

Abby Frier (Ensemble/Catherine understudy) is a sophomore at the College majoring in Sociology and minoring in Spanish. This is her first show at the college and is ever so grateful for the opportunity to perform with her fellow new found castmates and friends. She wants to give thanks to Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for allowing her to perform. She would also like to give a shoutout to Laura for the genuine serendipity of finding her in the restroom and asking her to come audition for this magical show. 

Whitney Green (Ensemble) is a senior at the College majoring in Arts Management and minoring in Dance, Psychology, and Marketing. She has most recently been seen in After the Rain. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for this opportunity!

Cameron Gulledge (Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a performance concentration. She has been seen in productions like Director’s Showcase as Agnes from Agnes of God and in last season’s staged reading The Late Wedding as Caysen and Patron 2. This is her first musical at the college and she is incredibly grateful to her director Nakeisha Daniel for giving her the opportunity. She would also like to thank Laura Turner for her musical direction and the amazing orchestra! 

Randolph James Howell Jr. (Dramaturg) [they/them] is a sophomore majoring in Theatre. They were last seen as Oshoosi Size in the department’s production of Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet.

Ben Hudd (Charles) is a junior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Performance. He was last seen in the mainstage production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley as Arthur de Bourgh, and in CofC Opera’s Tales of Hoffmann as Schlémil. He is very grateful for the chance to be a part of this show and would like to thank the cast and crew for a fantastic experience.

Jaden Jenkins (Ensemble/Lewis understudy) is a Theatre major with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. He’s been seen in many productions including Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet (Ogun Size), Violet (Flick), Cabaret (Victor/Emcee understudy). You can catch him at the Footlight Players’ production of Urinetown in April as Hot Blades Harry.

Brasia Jones (Ensemble/Leading Player understudy) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Performance. She has previously been in Cabaret as Fraulein Kost and in Violet as Landlady/Ensemble. She is so elated to be apart of this production and is very grateful for all the opportunities given. Specifically she would  like to thank Laura Turner, Nakeisha Daniel and Laurel van Beusecum for all the great guidance and constant support throughout the whole process. 

Ngaa Magombedze (Leading Player) is a sophomore at the College double majoring in Theatre and International Studies. This is her debut mainstage performance. Under the mentorship of Peter Spearman, she previously served as assistant director for The Late Wedding. She would like to thank Nakeisha Daniel, Laurel van Beusecum, and Laura Turner for trusting her with the honor of telling this story. She would also like to thank the incredibly charismatic cast, crew, designers, and you—the audience—for allowing us the chance to truly create magic on stage!

Ren Mummert (Ensemble) [they/them] is a junior Theatre Performance major at the College of Charleston. Ren was recently seen on stage in The Late Wedding and as Janet in the Rocky Horror Picture Show last year! Ren is a circus trained artist who plans on pursuing a career in aerial arts after they graduate. They would like to thank everyone involved in the production for helping us make the magic happen. They also want to thank their family for always supporting them and we can’t forget Percy of course.

Sam Rhodes (Ensemble/Pippin understudy) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre. He has previously been looked at in other mainstage productions including Violet as Billy Deane/Virgil/Radio Trio, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley  as understudy (and tree), and will appear in the spring’s production of The Importance of being Earnest as Cecily Cardew. He is very appreciative of the opportunity Nakeisha Daniel and Laura Turner has given him. He would also like to deeply thank the fight coordinator, Evan Parry, for tolerating him and hearing his jokes through this process.

Abby Scruggs (Ensemble/Berthe understudy) is a junior majoring in Political Science and Theatre with a concentration in Performance and minor in Music. She was last seen in the Main Stage production of Violet (Old Lady) and Center Stage’s Firebringer (Jemilla). She would like to thank her family for their continued support, and Buren Martin for giving her a love of Theatre!

Gianna Trimboli (Fastrada) is a senior at the College and is majoring in Theatre and Dance. She has been seen previously in Cabaret as Fritze, Living Dead in Denmark as Titania, as well as many dance concerts done here at the College of Charleston. She would like to thank the professors working on this production for giving her this opportunity and would also like to thank her voice teacher Diana for helping her specifically with this show! 

Spencer Vinzani (Ensemble/Charles understudy) is a senior studying Theatre. He is thrilled to celebrate his final curtain call with the department in Pippin. Recent credits include Preacher in Violet and Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret. He would like to thank the CofC Theatre and Dance department for this opportunity to use his stage combat skills and his voice. 

Eva Voros (Make-up Designer) is a junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with minors in Italian and Religious Studies. Prior to studying at CofC, Eva received her Makeup Artistry Certificate from Industry Makeup Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Eva would like to extend extra gratitude towards Molly Belle for her brilliant costume design, Janine McCabe, and to Susan Kattwinkel for encouraging her to apply for the position of makeup artist for Pippin.

Chris Warzynski (Lighting Designer) is a junior Theatre Major at the College with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic/Lighting Design as well as a minor in Japanese Studies. Chris was last seen at the College in CofC Stages’ staged reading of In Love and Warcraft (Ryan) and in Center Stage’s Firebringer (Molag). During the summer, they traveled abroad in Japan and created a new interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the Yokohama Theatre Group. Back home, their play A Conversation was read during the Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights event. Chris is currently working on a new play. Chris would like to thank their grandparents for not evicting them.

Lexi Willbrand (Theo) is a senior at the College of Charleston who is double majoring in Arts Management and Marketing who is graduating in May. This is her first and only show at the College of Charleston after performing in several high school and community shows. She is so grateful for this opportunity and wants to thank all her friends and family for their support! 

Kate Yarbray (Catherine) [she/her] is a junior at the College majoring in Theatre with a double concentration in performance and lighting design. She was last seen in Center Stage’s production of Firebringer as Chorn and the Main Stage’s production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley as Lydia. She gives special thanks to her family for never missing a show and to her roommate for encouraging her like no other. Above all else, she’d like to thank this brilliant cast for always being there to catch her when she fell.

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Land Acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians). 

We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations. 

We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina. 

On this campus and in this space, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.

CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance continues its season with its next production, Pippin, this season’s musical offering. This season features eight compelling productions that each highlight the theme of “Expectations and Explorations”—challenging what we think we know as we discover the world around us, as well as ourselves.

Pippin tells the story of the son of Charlemagne, king of the Holy Roman Empire in the 8th Century. However, the plot is entirely a work of fiction and makes no claims of historical accuracy.

The story revolves around a traveling performance troupe who is telling Pippin’s story. The Leading Player of this troupe directs the story for the audience and often breaks the fourth wall to address the audience directly. This particular production of Pippin takes place within an Old Hollywood Film Studio. The Leading Player serves as the director of a 1930s film, attempting to tell Pippin’s story on the silver screen, while Pippin proves a difficult lead actor, constantly changing the film because of his dissatisfaction with the story being told. The production’s designers were inspired by various films that were produced throughout the 1920s and 1930s while creating the concept.

Pippin has achieved classic status as a musical having premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theater in 1972. Featuring music and lyrics written by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson, the original production was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, otherwise best known for Sweet Charity and Chicago. Pippin has grown into a highly conceptual show since then, with the 2014 Broadway Revival featuring a concept based around a circus theme. CofC Stages is pleased to celebrate this fantastic show during the celebration of its 50th anniversary.

The production is directed by Assistant Professor of Performance Nakeisha Daniel, whose previous directorial work was seen last season in the musical Violet. The music direction is helmed by Professor Laura Turner, and adjunct faculty member Laurel Van Beusecum provides choreography. Master of Arts in Teaching student Mekhi Gaither serves as assistant director.

The cast consists entirely of undergraduate students and is led by Drake Carney in the role of Pippin, Ngaa Magombedze as the Leading Player, Ben Hudd as Charles, and Kate Yarbray as Catherine. The show’s designers include senior Theatre major Bristol Barnes (scenic design), junior Theatre major Chris Warzynski (lighting design), recent alumna Molly Belle (costume design), and adjunct faculty member Caleb Garner (sound design). Junior Theatre and Psychology major Mollie Davis serves as stage manager.

DETAILS: Performances of Pippin at the Sottile Theatre (44 George St.) are November 17-19. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17th and 18th with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Nov. 19th. Individual tickets are $30 adults; $25 seniors (60+), military/veteran, and youth under 18; and $15 for CofC students, faculty, and staff. Contact the George Street Box Office (gsbo@cofc.edu or by calling 843.953.4726) or purchase your tickets online:

General audience

CofC student tickets

CofC faculty/staff tickets

Access The Pages Festival program by clicking here.

 

 

CofC Stages proudly presents

In Love and Warcraft

by Madhuri Shekar

A Staged Reading

Directed by Peter Spearman

Stage Manager Riley Taylor	Assistant Director Bea Lemaster
Interaction Designer Bootsie Baldwin

November 3-6, 2023
Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun Street

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Jump to: Acknowledgments | Director’s Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies

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Cast

Madelein Hanson | Evie
Jenna Bush | Kitty
Brandon Alston | Raul
Chris Warzynski | Ryan
Phoenix Brown | Ensemble
Delaney Faile | Ensemble

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Production Team

Director: Peter Spearman
Assistant Director: Bea Lemaster
Stage Manager: Riley Taylor
Lighting Stewards: Bootsie Baldwin and Chris Warzynski

Interactive Design Team
Project Coordinator: Dr. Bill Manaris
Lead Programmer: Drew Smuniewski
Concept Designer: Bootsie Baldwin
Head Animator: Reed Reed
Assistant Colorist: Autumn Rose Lloyd
Graphic Designer: Taj Ballinger

CofC Stages Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Technical Director: JD Stallings
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: Madison Berry
Publicity: Madison Berry, Bristol Barnes, Kaylee Phillips
Box Office: George Street Box Office

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Special Thanks

School of the Arts Interim Dean Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Ellen Swick, Susan Kattwinkel, Addi Spearman, the students of THTR 315, the Department of Computer Science, Carolyna Ramirez, and the George Street Box Office Staff

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Thank you to all of our donors!

Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.

Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!

GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (3)

Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift

Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!

Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams

ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Susan Kattwinkel
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford

STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master

DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice & Jay Messeroff
Laura Turner
Jonathan & Janine Wentz

FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander
Rebecca Boone
Glenda Byars
Todd McNerney
Elena & Ted Mitchell
Sam Rhodes
Emma Simmons
Jillian & Michael Smallwood

PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens

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Director’s Note

For me, this is a play about vulnerability and how it can be hard to let people see all of us. However, there are situations and people for which being physically and emotionally vulnerable is not only worth it, but can be transformative.

I want to thank the cast, crew, department, and Dr. Manaris’s research team for making this experience truly memorable.

—Peter Spearman, Director

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Cast and Production Team Biographies

 

Brandon Alston (Raul) is a senior Theatre major with a concentration in Costume Design and Technology. He has appeared in the CofC Stages productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Pipeline, and Living Dead in Denmark. 

Phoenix Brown (Ensemble) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a concentration in performance. They most recently appeared in October’s mainstage production of Men on Boats. They would like to thank the wonderful cast, crew, and directors for such a fun and exciting experience. 

Jenna Bush (Kitty) is extremely excited to be making her mainstage debut in In Love and Warcraft. Jenna is a sophomore Biology major with a minor in Theatre. She was last seen in Center Stage’s production of Firebringer as Zazzalil. She is currently rehearsing for CofC’s production of Pippin which opens on November 17th! Jenna would like to thank the lovely cast, crew, and amazing director Dr. Spearman for this wonderful opportunity and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Delaney Faile (Ensemble) is a senior majoring in Arts Management with a minor in Theatre. Previous credits at the college include Agave in The Bacchae (Center Stage), Ensemble in Violet (Department of Theatre and Dance), Andres/Cochenille in The Tales of Hoffman (CofC Opera), and Jen in The Cake (Center Stage). Delaney will also be playing Prince Orlofsky in CofC’s upcoming production of Die Fledermaus. Local credits with Footlight Players include Nadine in The Wild Party, Gloria in Wait Until Dark, and Ensemble in Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. She also works as a stage manager at Footlight Players and in the box office at PURE Theatre. Much love to the cast and crew, the gals of 308, her family, and Jonathan.

Madelein Hanson (Evie) is a junior majoring in Theatre (Theatre Studies) and French Studies with a minor in Linguistics. She was last seen in the mainstage production of Two Gentlemen of Verona and most recently as Brad Majors in Center Stage’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast. Madelein is currently working as the dramaturg for Center Stage’s upcoming play As I Was, Not As I Am.  She would like to thank Dr. Peter Spearman for all of his support, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Bea Lemaster (Assistant Director) is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Studies and was last seen as Hall in Men on Boats, directed by Sharon Graci. They want to thank Peter Spearman and the rest of the In Love and Warcraft team for all the fun they’ve had this week! 

Riley Taylor (Stage Manager) is a junior majoring in Arts Management and Theatre. This is her first time stage managing a production and she wants to thank Peter Spearman, Bootsie Baldwin, and the cast for such a welcoming environment.

Chris Warzynski (Ryan) is a junior Theatre Major at the College with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic/Lighting Design as well as a minor in Japanese Studies. Chris was last seen at the College in Center Stage’s Firebringer (Molag) and on the mainstage in Two Gentlemen of Verona (Launce). During the summer, they traveled abroad in Japan and created a new interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with the Yokohama Theatre Group. Back home, their play A Conversation was read during the Piccolo Spoleto’s Under The Lights event. Chris is currently working on a new play and is the Lighting Designer for CofC Stages’ upcoming production of Pippin. Chris would like to thank their grandparents for not evicting them.

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Up next:

The Department of Theatre and Dance and CofC Stages present Pippin!

Learn more and buy tickets here.

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Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians). We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations. 

We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina. On this campus and in our spaces, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.

CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance continues its season with its first November offering: a staged reading of In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar. This season features eight compelling productions that each highlight the theme of “Expectations and Explorations”—challenging what we think we know as we discover the world around us, as well as ourselves.

In Love and Warcraft tells the story of Evie Malone – gamer girl, college senior, and confirmed virgin – who has it all figured out. Not only does she command a top-ranked guild in Warcraft with her online boyfriend; she also makes a little cash on the side writing love letters for people who’ve screwed up their relationships. Love is like a video game, after all: it’s all about strategies, game plans, and not taking stupid risks. Well, that’s what she thinks… until she actually falls for a guy. In real life. No amount of gaming expertise will help her out when she finds herself with a non-virtual, totally real and incredibly cute boyfriend, who wants more from her than she’s willing to give.

Written by Madhuri Shekur, In Love and Warcraft premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in 2014 and won the 2013-2014 Alliance/Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Award. An award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Madhuri Shekar was born in California and grew up in India, and is currently based in Jersey City, New Jersey. She is an alumna of the Juilliard Playwriting program, a fellow at New Dramatists, and the 2020 winner of the Lanford Wilson Playwriting award. Her other works include the audio play Evil Eye, which debuted on the Audible bestseller list in May 2019, and won the 2020 Audie Award for Best Original Work. Her play House of Joy received its world premiere at Cal Shakes in August 2019.

The staged reading is directed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Peter Spearman, whose previous directorial work includes last season’s staged reading of The Late Wedding. Later this season, Dr. Spearman will also direct the department’s co-production with CofC Opera, Die Fledermaus. Senior theatre major Bea Lemaster serves as the Assistant Director. The cast, comprised of theatre majors and minors, includes Madelein Hanson as Evie, Jenna Bush as Kitty, Brandon Alston as Raul, Chris Warzynski as Ryan, and Phoenix Brown and Delaney Faile portraying a variety of ensemble characters.

DETAILS: Performances of In Love and Warcraft at the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) are November 3-6. Curtain times are 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 3rd, 4th, and 6th, with a 4:00 p.m. matinee on Nov. 5th. Discounted season ticket packages are available for all eight CofC Stages productions. Individual tickets are $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military/veteran, and youth under 18; tickets are free for CofC students, faculty, and staff.

Purchase individual tickets online or contact the George Street Box Office by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu or calling (843) 953-4726.

2023-2024 CofC Stages Season
Visit go.cofc.edu/cofcstages to learn about all eight productions that center on the theme “Expectations and Explorations” :

Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus
After the Rain (faculty-choreographed dance concert)
In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar (staged reading)
Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson
The Pages Festival: Staged Readings of Student-Written Works
Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II (co-production with Department of Music/CofC Opera)
Pathways (student-choreographed dance concert)
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

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After the Rain

Artistic Director  Kristin Alexander
Quattlebaum Artist-in-Residence Herman Ramos
Lighting Designer Sara Whitehead	Technical Directors JD Stallings Evie Palmisano	Costume Shop Manager Ellen Swick	Stage Manager Lexi Prioleau

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October 28-29, 2023
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street

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Jump to: Production Team | Acknowledgements | Cast and Production Team Biographies

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Dance Pieces and Program Notes

CRUST
Choreographer: Charlie Maybee
Costume Designer: Mira Turkewitz
Music: Charlie Maybee
Dancers: Skylar Carroll, Whitney Green, Dylan Horwitz, Emily Monahan*, Abby Percy

After the rain falls
The mud soaks into my skin
A crust I call home

Lost & Found
Choreographer: Emily Falcone
Music: Patrick Watson, edited by Emily Falcone
Dancers: Emily Acome, Amara Alexander*, Eliza Farley, Lindsey Ferguson, Sophia Ford, Sophie Ketchum, Lily Mueller*, Cheyanne Stankiewicz

“There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain.” —Rick Warren

Pas de Square
Choreographer: Gretchen McLaine
Costume Designer: Mira Turkewitz
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven
Dancers: Ella Downs, Emmie Kiser, Maria Stewart*, Mackenzie Walker, Olivia Wilkinson

Alf Leyla Wa Leyla — One Thousand and One Nights
Choreographer: Beena Austin
Costume Design: Stef Amezcua
Music: Baligh Hamdi, edited by Beena Austin
Dancers: Amara Alexander (Sunday), Avé-Ella Blanchette, Alejandra Casco, Mackenzie Cassidy (Saturday), Emily Falcone, Madison Fisher (soloist), Emily Monahan (Sunday), Gabby Perales (Saturday), Sophia Wirta (soloist), Ava Woods (soloist)

This piece is in honor of Egyptian artists, especially the most honored woman of the Arab world, Oum Kalthoum. Much of my career has been working with students of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to learn and perform Arabic Dance. The students dancing in Alf Leyla Wa Leyla now have an appreciation for this cultural art form that is rooted in feeling the movement. The student costume designer researched to better understand the traditional dress, and the dancers are wearing some of my own costumes. A special thank you to Izdihar and Esabeau for costume inspirations, knowledge, and loans.

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10 MINUTE INTERMISSION

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Broken Crayons Still Color
Choreographer: Kristin Alexander
Costume Design: Lily Lombardi
Music: Greenwood/Greenwood/O’Brien/Selway/Yorke, Wieniawski, Carey; edited by Rob Alexander
Dancers: Hailey Commodore, Leila Crane, Lexi DeBo, Maya Everett-Wilson, Ayushi Gaur, Alyssa Guardino*, Jen Griffaton*, Hayden Horton, Mia Moran*, Irina Moul, Ana Plucar, Tabitha Rapp, Chloe Stankiewicz, Cheyanne Stankiewicz, Lauren Summerville, Madison Vaughan, Katelyn Ventura, Mackenzie Walker, Chloe Whitley

Even at our lowest, we still have gifts to give. Dedicated to LSE and JDC.

Excerpts from Le Corsaire
Choreographer: after Marius Petipa
Restaged by Olga Wise and Pamela O’Briant
Costume Design: Mattison Gaillard
Music: Adolphe Adam
Soloists: Jillian Epstein, Kailee Rafalko and Maria Stewart
Corps de Ballet: Aidan Baumann, Corrina Castillo, Katie Mullins

Originally premiered in 1856, Le Corsaire is a swashbuckling, romantic tale of pirates, beautiful women in distress, and intrigue that is typical of the ballets created during that era. Loosely based on the 1814 poem by Lord Byron, this ballet tells the story of the passionate pirate Conrad who falls in love with the beautiful Medora. Le Corsaire has become one of the most popular ballets in the world, with excerpts performed independently as an essential part of classical ballet training.

Bohemian Rap City
Choreographer: Herman Ramos
Rehearsal Director: Gretchen McLaine
Rehearsal Assistants: Avé-Ella Blanchette, Ally Keschinger
Costume Designer: Ashlyn Denham
Music: F. Mercury, original introduction by text-to-speech AI
Dancers: Avé-Ella Blanchette, Alejandra Casco, Lindsey Ferguson, Madison Fisher*, Sophia Ford*, Lauryn Gadson, Alyssa Guardino, Hayden Horton, Dylan Horwitz*, Ally Keschinger, Libbie Krey, Abby Percy, Gianna Trimboli, Madison Vaughan, Mackenzie Walker, Halle White

*indicates understudies

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Production Team

CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Director of Dance: Gretchen McLaine
Production Coordinator: Ellen Swick
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel

Costume Design Advisor: Janine McCabe
Sewing & Alterations: Zoe Barber, Ava Woods, and students of Intro to Costume
Wardrobe Crew: Cadence Brown, Maya Everett-Wilson, Lila Knull
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Stef Amezcua, Zoe Barber, Savannah Blake, Ashlyn Denham, Mattison Gaillard

Electric Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski
Light Board Programmer and Operator: Jacob Reiss
Sound Board Operator: Amelia Tebalt
Fly Rail Operator: Sam Meier

Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel, Max Myers, Madison Berry
Publicity: Madison Berry, Bristol Barnes, Kaylee Phillips
Box Office: George Street Box Office

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Special Thanks

The Quattlebaum Family
Robert Ivey Ballet
Beena Austin, Izdihar and Esabeau
SOTA Interim Dean Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein
Carolyna Ramirez and the George Street Box Office staff

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Thank you to all of our donors!

Become an Impact Sponsor
Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.

Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!

GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Sam & Nancy Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Laurel and Justin Van Beusecum
Anonymous (3)

Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift

With its origin dating back to 1985, the College’s Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment has helped connect students and the community to renowned artists such as visual artists Christo and Htein Lin, pianist Leon Fleisher, photographer Duane Michaels, former NEA Chariman and actor Jane Alexander, among many others.

Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!

Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams

ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Susan Kattwinkel
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Mindy Seltzer & Bob Lovinger
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Laurel and Justin Van Beusecum

STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master

DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice & Jay Messeroff
Laura Turner
Jonathan & Janine Wentz

FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander
Rebecca Boone
Glenda Byars
Todd McNerney
Elena & Ted Mitchell
Sam Rhodes
Emma Simmons
Jillian & Michael Smallwood

PATRON up to $99
Mary Berry, Laura C. Bayless, Stephen & Allegra Litvin, James Rozier, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens, Laura Turner

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Cast and Production Team Biographies

Quattlebaum Artist-in-Residence: Herman Ramos (Guest Choreographer)

Herman Ramos is a native of Northern Virginia. His initial training came from local Hip Hop crews of the DC metro area where he specialized in breakdance and Hip Hop choreography. He remained active in the culture and battled in the North Florida areas until 2010. Upon beginning his classical training in Florida he simultaneously toured regionally with Apocalypse Dance Crew and worked locally with the Danscompany of Gainesville where he has frequently returned as a guest artist.

Herman received his MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Florida State University in 2016; shifting some focus to improving his pedagogy with various teaching opportunities at the University of Florida, the South Eastern Regional American College Dance Association and the annual American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina. Recently, Herman has worked with dance departments at University of Tampa and Texas A&M to set new works and provide additional lectures in African Diasporic practices of Jazz and Hip Hop. In recent years, his studies in Jazz dance practices has led him on a journey to receive dance certification in Giordano technique.

As of 2023, Herman will hold an intermediate level certification in Giordano dance technique. As a guest teacher, Herman has taught various contemporary styles at many local dance studios and high schools across the state of Florida; appearing as a guest artist for the Volusia County Performance Dance Assessment All-County squad.

As a dance performer/choreographer, he is currently immersed in the Orlando contemporary dance scene and is a contributing artist with Non-Profit Company: Emergence Dance. Other notable choreographic project interactions from Herman’s career include work with members of Florida State University dance faculty, the Red Project (NYC), Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre (Miami), and T Lang Dance (ATL). Herman holds adjunct dance faculty positions at Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

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Guest Artist: Sara Whitehead (Lighting Designer)

Sara Whitehead is a 2023 graduate of the College of Charleston with a degree in Theatre (Lighting Design and Technology), and she is excited to be back for this concert. Previously she has designed as a student for many dance concerts at the College including Wanderlust, Becoming We, and Shifting Perspectives, as well as for theatre productions Two Gentlemen of Verona and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. She is happy to be returning as a professional to shed light on the show!

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Emily Acome is a freshman majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Dance from Richmond, Virginia. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Amara Alexander is a freshman double majoring in Biology and Dance, from Potomac, Maryland. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Kristin Alexander is an Associate Professor of Dance at the College of Charleston. She is the Artistic Director of Annex Dance Company and serves on the City of Charleston’s Commission on the Arts. Last spring Kristin served as the Artistic Director of the student dance concert Becoming We, and looks forward to taking on that role again next semester for Pathways.

Beena Austin is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She has studied, performed, and presented cultural dances of the Arab world, folkloric and modern dances from Egypt to the Gulf countries, and from the Levant region to North African Maghreb region. She teaches non-Western dance at the College of Charleston as well as private lessons and group classes in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley.

Aidan Baumann is a senior double majoring in Dance and Hospitality & Tourism Management from Philadelphia, PA. This is her seventh mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Avé-Ella Blanchette is a junior from Nashua, New Hampshire. She is double majoring in Dance and Special Education. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Skylar Carroll is a sophomore majoring in Dance, from Lexington, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Alejandra Casco is a senior from Summerville, SC. She is majoring in Dance with a concentration in performance and choreography, and minoring in Arts Management. This is her fourth mainstage performance at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.

Mackenzie Cassidy is a freshman from Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She is double-majoring in Psychology and Theatre and minoring in Dance. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Corrina Castillo is a sophomore from East Hampton, NY. She is majoring in Communications with a double minor in Dance and Spanish. This is her second show with the college, and was last seen as an understudy in Becoming We.

Hailey Commodore is a sophomore double majoring in Exercise Science and Dance, from Tinton Falls, New Jersey.  She is also on the CofC dance team, as well as a teacher at Tapio School of Dance in Mt. Pleasant. This is her second show with the college, and she is so excited to continue her dance career with CofC.

Leila Crane is a junior double majoring in Dance and English on the Pre-Law track from Habersham, Georgia. This is her fourth performance with the college, last seen in Becoming We.

Lexi DeBo is a freshman double majoring in Dance and Communication from Greenville,SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Ashlyn Denham is a junior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design from Morgantown, West Virginia. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston

Ella Downs is a freshman majoring in Dance from Kennett Square, PA. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Jillian Epstein is a freshman double majoring in Dance and History, from Asheville, NC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston

Maya Everett-Wilson is a senior dance major from Natick, Massachusetts. This is their fifth main stage show at the College of Charleston. They were last seen in Becoming We.

Emily Falcone is a junior double majoring in Psychology and Dance from Smithfield, Rhode Island. This is her fourth main stage show at College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Eliza Farley is a freshman majoring in Communications from Hingham, MA. This is her 1st mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Lindsey Ferguson is a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Dance from Greenville, SC. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Madison Fisher is a junior majoring in Dance and minoring in Finance from Ocean, New Jersey. This is her fifth mainstage show. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Sophia Ford is a freshman majoring in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Bedminster NJ. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Lauryn Gadson is a senior majoring in Theatre with a Concentration in Performance from Charleston SC. This is her fifth main-stage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Violet.

Mattison Gaillard is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design from Greenville, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Ayushi Gaur is a sophomore double majoring in Marine Biology and Dance from Memphis, Tennessee. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Whitney Green is a senior majoring in Arts Management from Annapolis, Maryland. This is her third MainStage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.

Jen Griffaton is a freshman double majoring in Dance and Music from Columbus, Ohio. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Alyssa Guardino is a senior double majoring in Dance and Elementary Education from Newburgh New York. This is her fifth main stage show at the college of Charleston. She was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.

Hayden Horton is a freshman from Barnwell, South Carolina. She is a double major in Business Administration and Dance. This is also her first mainstage performance with the College of Charleston.

Dylan Horwitz is a junior majoring in Dance with a minor in Jewish Studies, from Fairfield, Connecticut. This is her third mainstage production with the college and she was last seen in Becoming We.

Ally Keschinger is a junior majoring in Dance and Psychology and minoring in Crime, Law, and Society from Irmo, South Carolina. This is her third mainstage production with the college and she was last seen in Becoming We.

Sophie Ketchum is a sophomore majoring in Dance and minoring in Studio Art from Nashville, Tennessee. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Libbie Krey is a sophomore currently undecided from Richmond, VA. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston and she was last seen in Becoming We.

Lily Lombardi is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration of Costume Design. She is from Greenwich, Connecticut and this is her first time designing for a main stage production. She served as co-costume designer for Center Stage’s Firebringer.

Charlie Maybee is a choreographer, musician, educator, and writer currently based in Charleston, South Carolina where he is adjunct faculty member of dance at the College of Charleston. He holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois with a certificate in Criticism and Interpretive Theory and is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble (MYTE). He has worked consistently in higher education since 2015, specializing in tap and modern dance technique classes, overseeing dance research projects, and providing musical accompaniment for dance classes on drums, guitar, and piano. In 2014, he founded Polymath Performance Project through which he creates interdisciplinary performances with tap dance as its artistic center. His current research explores hybridity, literary archetypes, punk aesthetics, and techno-cultures through a tap dancer’s perspective and works to make tap dance more pronounced in higher education.

Gretchen McLaine is an Associate Professor and the Dance Program Director at the College of Charleston, where she also researches Labanotation and dance reconstruction. Dr. McLaine is also Assistant Editor for the Journal of Dance Education and Southeast Regional Director for the American College Dance Association.

Emily Monahan is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Dance from Landrum, South Carolina. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Irina Moul is a senior majoring in Dance with a performance and choreography concentration and a minor in Russian studies. She is from both Asheville, NC and Columbia, SC. This is her seventh mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Becoming We.

Lily Mueller is a Freshman from New Hampshire double majoring in Dance and International Business. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Katie Mullins is a sophomore majoring in Public Health and minoring in Healthcare and Medical Services Management from Summerville, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston

Pamela O’Briant is in her twelfth year as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Dance.  In addition to teaching Ballet technique and Dance Appreciation, Pamela is a certified Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor.

Gabby Perales is a junior majoring in Psychology from Sumter, South Carolina. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Abby Percy is a freshman majoring in dance and political science from Madison, AL. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Ana Plucar is a freshman majoring in Dance with a Concentration in Performance/Choreography from Plymouth, Minnesota. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Kailee Rafalko is a junior double majoring in Dance and Communications from Hackettstown, NJ. This is her fifth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We. 

Tabitha Rapp is a freshman double majoring in Dance and Exercise Science from Wilmington, NC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Cheyanne Stankiewicz is a junior majoring in Marketing and minoring in Arts Management from Greenville, SC. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Chloe Stankiewicz is a freshman majoring in Exercise Science from Greenville, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Maria Stewart is a sophomore majoring in Dance with a concentration in performance and choreography from Clemson, SC. This is her third mainstage show and was last seen in Once More.

Lauren Summerville is a sophomore majoring in English and minoring in Dance from Raleigh, North Carolina.  This is her second mainstage performance at the College of Charleston.  She was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.

Gianna Trimboli is a senior double majoring in Theatre and Dance from Rochester, NY. This is her seventh mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in Becoming We.

Mira Turkewitz is a senior majoring in Theatre with  concentration in Costume Design and a minor in Film Studies. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She hopes to further do costume design and work in film and television after she graduates in May.

Katelyn Ventura is a freshman majoring in Exercise Science from Aiken, South Carolina. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Mackenzie Walker is a freshman Dance major with a concentration in performance and choreography from Columbia, South Carolina. This is her first performance with the department.

Olivia Wilkinson is a Freshman majoring in dance. She is originally from Austin Texas. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Chloe Whitley is a freshman majoring in Exercise Science from Charleston, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.

Halle White is a junior double majoring in Arts Management and Dance with a concentration in Performance/Choreography. This will be her fourth dance concert at the College including presenting her own choreography for the previous spring semester dance concert Becoming We. They were last seen onstage in Center Stage’s The Bacchae.

Olga Wise is a graduate of the Bolshoi Choreographic Institute in Moscow, Russia. This is her sixth year as a faculty member at the College of Charleston where she teaches ballet and pointe technique courses. In addition to teaching at the college, Olga and her husband are Co-Artistic Directors of the Robert Ivey Ballet.

Ava Woods is a junior dance major with a concentration in performance and choreography from Parkville, Maryland. This is her fifth performance with the department, and was last seen in the spring production Becoming We.

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CofC Stages at the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents its fall dance concert, After the Rain. Choreographed by faculty and guest artists, this collection of dances portrays the department’s 2023-24 season theme, “Expectations and Explorations” – challenging what we think we know as we discover the world around us, as well as ourselves.

After the Rain highlights contemporary and classical dance works inspired by the strength we have to move forward when the clouds lift. The concert will premiere the work created by the 2023 School of the Arts Quattlebaum Artist-in-Residence, Herman Ramos, a dance stemming from his choreographic voice of Hip-Hop and western classical dance. Additional choreography featured in the concert include a restaging of the Pas de Trios des Odalisques from Le Corsaire, an Egyptian dance choreographed by adjunct faculty member Beena Austin, and a contemporary work by junior dance major Emily Falcone.

“The breadth of work in this concert reflects the fact that the emphasis of our dance major has shifted from a euro-centric curriculum. Including styles beyond ballet and modern has opened the door not only to a wider range of movement experience for our majors, but more importantly the historical and cultural conversations about the roots of dance,” says Kristin Alexander, Associate Professor of Dance and Artistic Director of the concert. Alexander continues, “The theme of the concert lends itself to choreographic investigation of the rebuilding from devastation or new beginnings that occur in the aftermath of a storm. We’ve seen resilience from our students in many ways over the past few years, and for that reason, they have connected deeply with the works.”

DETAILS: Performances of After the Rain will take place at Sottile Theatre (44 George St.) on Saturday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m. Contact the George Street Box Office (gsbo@cofc.edu or calling (843) 953-4726). Or buy tickets online:

General audience

CofC student tickets

CofC faculty/staff tickets

Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment:
With its origin dating back to 1985, the College’s Quattlebaum Artists-in-Residence Endowment has helped connect students and the community to renowned artists, such as visual artist Christo, pianist Leon Fleisher, photographer Duane Michaels, former NEA Chairman and actor Jane Alexander, and visual artist Htein Lin, among many others.

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2023-2024 CofC Stages Season

Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus
After the Rain (faculty-choreographed dance concert)
In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar (staged reading)
Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson
The Pages Festival: Staged Readings of Student-Written Works
Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II (co-production with Department of Music/CofC Opera)
Pathways (student-choreographed dance concert)
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Visit go.cofc.edu/cofcstages to learn about all eight productions that center on the theme “Expectations and Explorations.”

 

CofC Stages proudly presents

Men on Boats

by Jaclyn Backhaus

Directed by Sharon Graci

Scenic Designer Madison Berry	Costume Designer Savannah Blake	Lighting Designer Alex Jones	Sound Designer Miles Boinest
Technical Director JD Stallings	Costume Shop Manager Ellen Swick		Stage Manager Olivia Maness

October 4-13, 2023
Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun Street

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Jump to: Production Team | Acknowledgments | Director’s and Dramaturgical Note | Cast and Production Team Biographies

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Cast

Isabella Gardner | Powell
Natalie Montserrat | Dunn
LG Wylie | Sumner
Brandi Smalls | Old Shady
Natalia Ramirez | Bradley
Trinity Griffin | O.G.
Tippy Trombly | Seneca
Katie Burns | Goodman
Bea Lemaster | Hall
Aidan Wunderley | Hawkins
Phoenix Brown | Johnson/Understudy
Joy Sabet | Just Jim/Understudy
Lauren Evans | Mr. Asa/Understudy

 

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Production Team

CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Production Supervisor: Miles Boinest
Assistant Director: Kylie Daisey
Dramaturg: Nora Gore
Assistant Stage Managers: Cheyenne Comitz, Grace Albertson
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel

Scenic Design Advisor: Jonathan Wentz
Properties Lead: Madison Berry
Scenic Charge: Jonathan Wentz
Assistant Scenic Charge: Madison Berry
Carpenters: Brandon Alston, Arsalan Baig, Cheyenne Comitz, Jacob Rye, Aidan Wunderley, students of Stagecraft
Properties Room Managers: Isabella Gardner, Riley Taylor
Scene Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bristol Barnes, Madison Berry, Isabella Gardner, Eli Salas

Costume Design Advisors: Janine McCabe, Ellen Swick
Hair and Make-Up Design: Savannah Blake
Sewing & Alterations: Zoe Barber, Ava Woods and students of Intro to Costuming
Wardrobe Crew: Brandon Alston, Lindsay Ward
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Stef Amezcua Barrientos, Zoe Barber, Savannah Blake, Ashlyn Denham, Mattison Gaillard

Lighting Design Advisor: Lauren Duffie
Head Electrician: Bootsie Baldwin
Apprentice Electrician: Abby Israel
Light Board Programmer: Ngaa Magombedze
Light Board Operator: Sam Rhodes
Electricians: Emma Bennett, Caroline Drinnon, Abby Israel, Ngaa Magombedze, Hannah Moore, Reed, Chris Warzynski
Electric Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski

Assistant Sound Designer: Bea Lemaster
Sound Engineer: Caleb Garner

CofC Stages Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel, Max Myers
Publicity: Madison Berry, Bristol Barnes, Kaylee Phillips
Office Assistant: Ngaa Magombedze
Box Office: George Street Box Office
House Manager: Alejandra Casco, Michael Davenport, Kaycee Dial, Reagan Neilson, Rosey Pelicano

 

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Special Thanks

School of the Arts Interim Dean Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Meagan McMahon, Rodney Lee Rogers, Carolyna Ramirez, and the George Street Box Office Staff

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Thank you to all of our donors!

Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.

Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!

GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (2)

Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift

Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!

Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Anthony Laneve
Chester & Arlene Williams

ADVOCATE $750-999
Tap & Jean Johnson
Janine McCabe
Valerie Morris
Evelynn Putnam
Nancy & Sam Stafford

STAR $500-749
Leslie Dyke
Michael & Susan Master

DIRECTOR $250-499
Sandra Garner
Janice & Jay Messeroff
Laura Turner
Jonathan & Janine Wentz

FAN $100-249
Kristin Alexander
Rebecca Boone
Glenda Byars
Todd McNerney
Elena & Ted Mitchell
Sam Rhodes
Emma Simmons
Jillian & Michael Smallwood

PATRON up to $99
Caroline Baker, Mary Beth Berry, Shelby North, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens

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Director’s Note

Men on Boats has been a joy to work on with a group of fine actors who have demonstrated again and again their commitment to craft, to this play and process, and most importantly, to one another. What strikes me most about the script is the gift it gives to engage in true ensemble work. Complex characters in heightened situations, forward energy, pace, anticipating what’s next while remaining present in the moment, listening HARD, responding, and bringing it at the Spinal Tap “11” while still finding nuance—all are strong components of this piece and of which this ensemble has a solid command. The designers, assistant director, stage managers, and crew are all exceptional collaborators who have built a cohesive, lush world that stands on its own artistic merits while seamlessly aggregating into an engaging, entertaining, and provocative piece of theatre. Please enjoy the wild and wonderful ride of Men on Boats!

—Sharon Graci, Director

Dramaturgical Note

On May 24th, John Wesley Powell, famous geologist and explorer, and his crew of Civil War veterans, hunters, trappers, and mostly inexperienced explorers of all ages and backgrounds, set out to do the impossible: navigate the Colorado River and become the “first” men to sail through the uncharted Grand Canyon. This journey would prove to be challenging and burdensome but would bring together a group of unlikely characters on a voyage through uncharted territory.

Throughout Jaclyn Backhaus’ play, we can immerse ourselves in the camaraderie and the challenges of this crew, like running rocky rapids and saving themselves from life-threatening situations. We can see ourselves in their varied personalities, their desires to make history, and even their flaws of selfishness and fear that overtake them in pivotal moments of the expedition.

Going into this story, it is important to remember that despite their success, the men on this expedition were not actually the first to navigate this land. Due to the collective “Manifest Destiny” ideal in the 19th century, white Americans were eager to discover the uncharted West and often disregarded the millions of indigenous communities that had inhabited it for centuries. The most prominent is the Ute Tribe that are the longest inhabitants of the Colorado region. Throughout the show, the explorers acknowledge that they are not the first ones to discover these lands. These subtle but necessary details inserted throughout the show are Backhaus’ way of recognizing Native Americans’ role in the exploration of the West.

Men on Boats is a wonderfully unique show, not just because there are no men on stage, but because the playwright, an indigenous woman, takes a historical narrative of adventure and survival and creates a space for people of color and noncisgendered men to tell the stories that they have been left out of for centuries. She is not focused on the historical accuracy of the story and asks audiences to set aside their preconceived notions about casting and history to engage in this wild, stressful, and hilarious journey through the American West. She hopes that it will inspire you to seek out other hidden figures in history, whose stories have been untold so that they too can obtain a lasting legacy.

—Nora Gore, Dramaturg

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Cast and Production Team Biographies

Guest Artist:
Sharon Graci is the co-founder and artistic director of PURE Theatre. Under her leadership, PURE Theatre has developed into one of the premier theatre companies in the Southeast. She is responsible for programming and producing more than 90 Southeast Regional Premiere productions, 27 World Premiere productions and for developing multiple PURE programs that heighten PURE’s impact and amplify PURE’s position as a “community building theatre” (Charleston City Paper). Notable initiatives include PURE Lab, the division of PURE responsible for developing new work, and PURE Youth Companies, PURE’s education arm serving students in SC’s Title 1 Schools. She is also responsible for implementing PURE’s industry-leading streaming program, which scales PURE’s work and serves audiences and students locally and throughout SC, the US, and abroad. Under her leadership, PURE was awarded the SC Theatre Association’s 2020 Theatre of Distinction Award.

Sharon is the recipient of the South Carolina Arts Commission Fellowship for Acting. She is an alumnus of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and is a SC Liberty Fellow, and a member of the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She has a degree in acting from Augusta State University and studied acting at Point Park University and the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Theatre. Selected Directing Credits: World Premieres – Atwater, Septima, Folly Beach, A Sudden Spontaneous Event, Sheep’s Clothing. Regional Premieres – Compulsion, Mlima’s Tale, Choir Boy (MOJA Festival), Sweat (MOJA Festival, Piccolo Spoleto Festival), The Royale, This Random World, Father Comes Home from the Wars: Parts 1, 2, and 3, Slowgirl, Marie Antoinette, Penelope, The Birds, The Mountaintop, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. Selected Stage Acting Credits: The Testament of Mary, The Lifespan of a Fact, Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike, Time Stands Still, Hogs, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (PURE Theatre); King Lear, Twelfth Night (Actors Theatre of SC); Dancing at Lughnasa (Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte). Television/Film: Mr. Mercedes (On Demand), Reckless (CBS), Homeland (Showtime), One Tree Hill (WB), Army Wives (Lifetime), The Inspectors (CBS) and Surface (NBC). Film: The Wise Kids, Warrior Road, Downturn, Destiny Road.

Madison Berry (Scenic Designer) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre with a double concentration in Performance and Scenic Design. Recent design work for the mainstage includes Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Assistant Scenic Designer) and Violet (Properties Lead). She has been awarded the 2023 Randy Lutz Allied Design & Tech National Finalist for her properties design (Violet) by The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Her work has also been seen in the community in Daniel and the Kings (Assistant Properties Designer) and Spoleto’s Stelle di Domani 2023 production of There’s Always Tomorrow (Director). She would like to thank Jonathan Wentz and JD Stallings for being amazing mentors.

Savannah Blake (Costume Designer) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre (Costume Design). Her design credits include Pipeline, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, and The Tales of Hoffmann at the college as well as Little Gem, Compulsion, or the House Behind (co-design) and The Chinese Lady at PURE Theatre.

Phoenix Brown (Johnson/Understudy) is a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre (Performance). They were last seen in last season’s Two Gentlemen of Verona. They are very excited to once again be performing for the mainstage! They would like to thank the director, their castmates, and the crew for this amazing show!

Katie Burns (Goodman) is a sophomore majoring in both Theatre (Theatre Studies) and Marine Biology. She is thrilled to be acting in her first fully-produced mainstage show after being a part of the department’s staged reading of The Late Wedding last season.

Kylie Daisey (Assistant Director) is a junior at the college majoring in Theatre (Performance). Men on Boats is their first assistant directing position in the department after serving in technical roles for Center Stage and the mainstage.

Lauren Evans (Mr. Asa/Understudy) is a junior at CofC majoring in Theater (Performance). Most recently you may have seen her in last season’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona. She also guided you through a spooky excursion through last fall’s haunted house and she is excited for her third appearance in the Chapel Theatre. She wants to thank her family for their support of her dreams, and her fellow cast and crew members for making this such a great experience! She also wants to thank you, without your support this wouldn’t be possible. Enjoy the show!

Isabella Gardner (John Wesley Powell) is a junior double majoring in Theatre and Arts Management. She has spent plenty of time in the Chapel Theatre this year, having appearing onstage in The Two Gentlemen of Verona in March, Firebringer in April, and as the stage manager for There’s Always Tomorrow during the Stelle di Domani series (directed by Madison Berry). She is grateful to lead her crew into opening the CofC Stages 2023-2024 mainstage season!

Nora Gore (Dramaturg) is a senior majoring in Theatre (Performance), and this is the third show for which she has served as a dramaturg, following Cabaret and Violet.

Trinity Griffin (O.G. Howland) is a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and Communication. You may have previously seen her in the College of Charleston mainstage productions Last Night and The Night Before and Pipeline. Trinity would like to thank her family, friends, cast & crew and director for their support and guidance for her last CofC production!

Alex Jones (Lighting Designer) is a Junior majoring in Theatre (Lighting Design and Technology). They are also the Technical Director for Center Stage (the student run theatre organization). Alex is thrilled to be designing their first mainstage show! Recent technical credits at the college include Two Gentlemen of Verona (Head Electrician), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Associate Lighting Designer), and Shifting Perspectives (Lighting Designer). Alex wants to thank their mentor Lauren Duffie for everything she does.

Bea Lemaster (Hall) is a senior studying Theatre with a focus on producing and directing for the stage. Last seen in Violet, directed by Nakeisha Daniel, Bea is excited to return to the stage! A special thank you to the wonderful cast and crew, and Bea hopes you enjoy…Men in Boots!

Olivia Maness (Stage Manager) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre (Design and Technology/Theatre Studies). She is very excited to be stage managing her first mainstage show. Recent credits include Violet (Assistant Stage Manager), Proof (Stage Manager), Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet (Assistant Stage Manager), and The Late Wedding. Olivia wants to thank her family, mentor Dr. Susan Kattwinkel, and the faculty and staff of the Department of Theatre and Dance for their continuous help and support!

Natalie Montserrat (William Dunn) is a sophomore Theater major and double minor studying French and Linguistics. She appeared in The Late Wedding last spring and has done local work with Charleston Stage, PURE Theatre’s youth company, and Charleston County School of the Arts prior to College of Charleston. For those of you who may know her as Natalie Holland, she uses the surname Montserrat for artistic endeavors as it is a beloved family member’s name who she’s inspired by creatively.

Natalia Ramirez (George Young Bradley) is a Junior at the College of Charleston majoring in Theater (Performance). She is very excited to be a part of the Men on Boats cast as her first mainstage show.

Joy Sabet (Just Jim/Understudy) is a Junior double majoring in Psychology and Spanish and minoring in linguistics. She is stoked to be in her first mainstage show! She has previously been in The Late Wedding. 

Brandi Smalls (Old Shady) is a Junior majoring in Theatre (Performance). She’s so excited to be a part of this show and has been seen previously in Pipeline, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet.

Tippy Trombly (Seneca Howland) is a junior majoring in Theatre and Arts Management. She was last seen in Center Stage’s production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and PURE Theatre’s Compulsion. She is thrilled to be in her first mainstage show & to work with an incredible cast, crew, and director.

Aidan Wunderley (Hawkins) is a junior majoring in Theatre (Performance). Aidan’s previous shows with the College of Charleston mainstage include A Sudden Spontaneous Event, Everybody, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Aidan is also involved as an actor, stage manager, director, and student representative with the student theatre organization Center Stage. Aidan wants to thank you for supporting the arts and hopes you enjoy the wild ride that is Men on Boats.

LG Wylie (John Colton Sumner) is a junior majoring Theatre (Performance). This is her first mainstage production at the college! She has previously been seen in Center Stage’s The Bacchae and Firebringer. She hopes you have a rootin’, tootin’, and boot-scootin’ good time watching Men on Boats!

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Up next:

Center Stage presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Charleston Music Hall!

Learn more and buy tickets here.

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CofC Stages’ fall shows:

After the Rain: a dance concert — October 28-29 • Sottile Theatre
The aftermath of a storm can bring growth, rebuilding from devastation, or new beginnings. Featuring choreography by faculty and guest artists, After the Rain is a concert of contemporary and classical dance works inspired by the strength we have to move forward when the clouds lift. Recommended for all ages.

In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar (staged reading) — November 3-6 • Chapel Theatre
Madhuri Shekar’s gamer girl Evie Malone has it all figured out. Not only does she command a top-ranked guild in Warcraft with her online boyfriend; she also makes a little cash on the side writing love letters for people who’ve screwed up their relationships. Love is like Warcraft, after all. It’s all about strategies, game plans, and not taking stupid risks. In Love and Warcraft is the first offering in our new Staged Reading Series.

Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson — November 17-19 • Sottile Theatre
There’s magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love, and war in Stephen Schwartz’s iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece. In search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.

Learn more and buy tickets here.

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Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians). We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations. 

We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina. On this campus and in our spaces, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.