Every production requires so many more individuals than those you see on the stage. These are the people who make sure that the show, indeed, does go on.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Director's notes
An interesting challenge exists in creating a production of this play by Simon Stephens, adapted from the popular award-winning novel by Mark Haddon. The central character in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone, is evidently neurodivergent based upon his own descriptions of how he encounters and senses the world. Yet, in neither the play nor the novel does anyone explicitly state that Christopher is on the spectrum. We are left with searching to understand the working of his mind based upon his own words in the book he writes that is central to this story, and the basis of the play we are all experiencing.
Additionally, the characters in the story who populate his school, like his primary support Siobhan, decide along the way to turn Christopher’s book about his attempt to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington into a school play. So – we are left with multiple questions and levels of reality. Are we seeing a play about Christopher’s detective story, or are we seeing a play about a school play based upon his book? This is never made explicit, and I think the point is to keep us slightly off-balance about what is truth and reality – much like it often is experienced by Christopher himself.
With this production we have attempted to use the tools of the theatre: light, sound, shape, etc., in innovative ways to help us understand something about how Christopher perceives the world. We are led by his own words as he describes his likes, dislikes, thinking, behavior, senses, and interactions with the others in the story. Christopher is our narrator, and it is through his own retelling of his journey that we understand how he navigates the world and people around him.
As we worked on the show I realized that Christopher’s journey is really a hero’s journey as we understand it in classical mythology. Much like Odysseus, he sets out upon a quest, and along the way learns much about himself, and the world, and changes the lives of others. While he initially sets out to solve a murder mystery, as it often happens in heroes’ stories, his journey becomes about so much more.
In telling this story about a neurodivergent character we have been helped along the way by various consultants and experts who helped our team deepen our understanding of various aspects of the experience of autistic people and their families. I want to deeply thank our resource team of Andrew Duff, Dr, Pamela Wolfe, Dr. Diane Williams, Daniel and Laura Robinson, and Bellamarie Bregar, who along the way and at various times have helped guide our team and brought resources to this process so we could explore Christopher’s story with greater understanding and empathy.
– Rick Lombardo
Dramaturgy
Simon Stephens (Playwright) grew up in Stockport in Greater Manchester, UK and graduated from York University. He taught high school for a year or so before being invited to be a resident dramatist at the Royal Court Theatre, the launchpad for such British writers as John Osbourne, Edward Bond and others in the lineage of the “Angry Young Men” movement of the 1950s and 60s. Born in 1971, Stephens follows what performance critic Aleks Siers termed “In-Yer-Face” playwrights like Sarah Kane, whose jarring, poetic work Stephens greatly admires. Before novelist Mark Haddon asked Stephens to adapt his 2003 novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time into a stage play, Stephens was best known for edgy plays like Pornography, Country Music, and Motortown. He is the most produced English language playwright in Germany “where they like that sort of thing,” Stephens has said. During the Broadway run of Curious, Stephens wrote in his journal: “I never envisaged it would be possible to earn upwards of fifteen grand a month from working in theatre, but for the last several months I have done so.
Collaborators, friends and interviewers invariably comment on Stephens’s larger than life demeanor – friendly, irreverent, and endlessly energetic. He lives in Manchester with his wife and three children. He is a professor at Manchester Metropolitan University and an Associate Playwright at the Royal Court. Most recently, Stephens adapted Jose Saramago’s novel, Blindness into a one-person performance. The production premiered at the National Theatre and moved to Broadway.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time premiered in the Cottesloe in August 2012 at the National Theatre, moving to the West End in March 2013. The show opened on Broadway on October 5, 2014, played for 799 performances, and closed on September 4, 2016. The production was (and continues to be) directed by Marianne Elliott. The designers are Bunny Christie, Paule Constable, and Finn Ross. The production has won numerous awards, especially Stephens who won the Olivier, Tony, and Drama Desk Awards for New Play. This November, the National Theatre will restage the show at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.
Sources
- “Curious on Stage.” www.curiousonstage.com. Accessed September 15, 2021.
- “Interview with Simon Stephens” Text and Presentation. 2018.
- Simon Stephens. A Working Diary. Methuen Bloomsbury. 2016.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
A Play by Simon Stephens
Based on the Novel by Mark Haddon
Directed by Rick Lombardo
September 28–October 9, 2021
Playhouse Theatre
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was first presented by the National Theatre, London, at the Cottesloe Theatre on August, 2, 2012, and transferred to the Gielgud Theatre, West End, London, on March 12, 2013. The play opened in the United States at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 5, 2014.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to our Autism Resource Team: Andrew Duff, Dr. Diane Williams, Dr. Pamela Wolfe, Daniel Robinson, Laura Robinson, and Bellamarie Bregar.
Special thanks to Chad Swires, Bryce Jordan Center, and CAST Software.
This play is presented by kind permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment, and through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Cast
Roles | Actor |
---|---|
Christopher | Noah Silverman |
Ed | Derrick Sanders III |
Judy | Carrie Zurliene |
Siobhan | Lauren McKee |
Ensemble/Mrs. Alexander/Posh woman/voice six | Catherine Bennis |
Ensemble/Mrs. Shears/ Mrs. Gascoyne/Posh Woman/Voice One | Riley Conrad |
Ensemble/Roger/Duty Sergeant/Voice Two/Mr. Wise/Man Behind Counter/Drunk One | Nick Brogan |
Ensemble/Policeman One/Mr. Thompson/Voice Three/Drunk Two/Man with Socks/London Policeman | Kris Carrasco |
Ensemble/Station Policeman/Lady in Street | Megan Irwin |
Ensemble/Woman on Train/ Station Policeman/No. 40/Voice Five/Information/Punk Girl | Chaney Belle Thornton |
Ensemble/Reverend Peters/Uncle Terry/Voice Four/Station Guard | Korey Grecek |
Ensemble/Woman on Train/Shopkeeper/Woman on Heath | Mads Winstead |
Roxy | Sandy |
Ensemble/Swings | Maddy King, Jacob Malizio |
Swings | Olivia Hungate, Flynn Nolen |

Acting company
Noah Silverman (Christopher) is thrilled to be telling this story on the Penn State Center Stage. He is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A Musical Theatre program from Tarrytown, New York. Noah’s credits include Spamalot (Patsy), A Chorus Line (Greg), and Pronoun (Mum). Noah has many personal connections to this impactful story and feels so grateful to be a part of this company. Graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Noah is grateful for the support of his friends and family and couldn’t be more excited to tell this beautiful story.
Derrick Sanders III (Ed) is a second-year B.F.A. Acting student from the Pocono Mountains. His previous roles include, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, John Proctor in The Crucible and Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone Derrick graduated from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for The Performing Arts and he is elated to be continuing his acting journey here at the Penn State.
Carrie Zurliene (Judy), originally from Virginia, is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A. Acting program. Previous roles include Meadow in Hooded: Or Being Black for Dummies. She is very excited for everyone to see this show!
Lauren McKee (Siobhan) is a fourth-year student B.F.A. actor. Previous Penn State credits include She Kills Monsters (Lilith/Lily), A Year with Frog and Toad (Bird/Turtle/Mother Frog), The Wolves (#46), Men on Boats (Goodman), and Juicy Drama the Musical (Megan). It is her hope that, through this show, someone will feel less alone.
Catherine Bennis (Ensemble, Mrs. Alexander, Posh Woman, Voice Six) is a fourth-year B.F.A. Acting student from the south shore of Boston. She last voiced Sister Laurence in Penn State’s radio play production of Romeo and Juliet. She can be seen in November portraying the role of Ester in Dryland at Penn State.
Riley Conrad (Ensemble, Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne, Voice One) is a fourth-year student in the B.F.A. Acting program. Some of her past roles include: Prairie in Hooded or Being Black for Dummies, Amy in Little Women, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, Rusty in Footloose, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Gertrude in Seussical the Musical.
Nick Brogan (Ensemble, Roger, Duty Sergeant, Voice Two, Mr. Wise, Man Behind Counter, Drunk One) is a second-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major and is ecstatic to make his Penn State Centre Stage debut, Nick is from Ellicott City, Maryland, and is excited to bring this important story to the stage. Enjoy the show!
Kris Carrasco (Ensemble, Policeman 1, Mr. Thompson, Voice Three, Drunk Two, Man with Socks, London Policeman) is a UNCSA Drama alumni who is now currently a third-year Musical Theatre major. Previous Penn State credits: The Lucky Boy (Galileo), A Chorus Line (Paul). Select Regional: Chasing Rainbows (world premiere), Gypsy, A Christmas Carol, The Music Man (directed by Chase Brock), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse; directed by Joe Barros). Huge thank you’s to chosen family both past and present. Listen to Kris’ debut single “Galaxy on Fire” on all streaming platforms. #DifferentNotLess @krisdcarrasco
Megan Irwin (Ensemble, Station Policeman, Lady in Street) is a third-year B.F.A. Acting major and is thrilled to be part of Curious Incident. This is her third performance with Centre Stage, but her first in-person performance. You may have seen her in Romeo and Juliet (Citizen, Petruchio, Watch 2) or The Osaze Project (DA Rep). Previous credits include A Doll’s House, Part II (Emmy), She Loves Me (Amalia Balash), and Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown). Megan would like to thank all of the amazing cast and crew for a wonderful experience.
Chaney Belle Thornton (Ensemble, No. 40, Voice Five, Information, Punk Girl) is currently a junior B.F.A. Acting major from Orlando, Florida. She has loving parents, two siblings, and a fluffy doggie. Some of her past credits in film have been Horrifically Mistaken, 227, and Picture Perfect. Some of her past credits in theatre have been Emily in Our Town, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, and Éponine in Les Misérable. She thanks all her professors, cast, and crew for growing her love of the craft of imagination. She also thanks her family and friends for all their love and uplifting encouragement! Oh my dayz! It’s about to start!
Korey Grecek (Ensemble, Reverend Peters, Uncle Terry, Voice Four, Station Guard) is a second-year B.F.A. Acting student from Pittsburgh. This is Korey’s second Centre Stage production, following last year’s Romeo and Juliet, the radio play, where he played Abraham.
Mads Winstead (Ensemble, Woman on Train, Woman on Heath, Shopkeeper) is a fourth-year B.F.A Musical Theatre student from Woking, United Kingdom. Some previous roles include Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, Female Swing in Violet, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Mads is deeply humbled to be working on a show so important to her and is so thankful to share this beautifully profound message with the world. We all have moments of Christopher within us, acknowledging this is just the beginning. Mads thanks her family and wonderful husband for all their support.
Maddy King (Ensemble, Swing) is a third-year B.F.A. Acting student from East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Her previous Penn State credits include The Osaze Project (Church Woman) and other credits include The Addams Family (Wednesday), Heathers (Heather Chandler), Legally Blonde (Serena), and The 2019 Youngarts Showcase (Featured Soloist – directed by Jeanine Tesori). She is grateful for her friends, family, and to finally be back in Happy Valley. @MaddyDKing
Jacob Malizio (Ensemble, Swing) is a second-year B.A. Theatre Studies Major from Pittsburgh. He is delighted to make his Centre Stage debut in this show! Favorite past roles include Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors, Rooster Hannigan and Max in The Sound of Music, and Sky in Mamma Mia! He would like to thank Jeanmarie Higgins and the School of Theatre faculty for this opportunity.
Olivia Hungate (Swing) is a second-year Theatre Studies student from Royersford. Curious Incident will be her introduction to Centre Stage mainstage productions, as well as being a part of the creative team on a production. She is thrilled for having received the opportunity to join this wonderful team of artists as they worked to tell Christopher’s story.
Flynn Nolen (Swing) is a first-year B.A. Theatre Studies student from Media. He is thrilled to be performing in his first Penn State School of Theatre production. He has played such roles as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Billy Flynn in Chicago, and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. He was a member of the Keystone State Boychoir for 8 years and performed in notable venues such as the Academy of Music and St. Mark’s Basilica. He would like to thank his family and friends that have helped him on his journey.

Artistic Team
Rick Lombardo (Director) is the producing artistic director of Centre Stage as well as the director of the School of Theatre. He last directed Angels in America, Millenium Approaches for Centre Stage. He is a three-time winner of the Elliot Norton Award from the Boston Theatre Critics Association for Outstanding Director, as well as the recipient of the Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence for his work as producing artistic director at New Repertory Theatre. He was the artistic director at the San Jose Repertory Theatre for seven years, where he was also a three-time nominee for Outstanding Director — Large Theatre by Theatre Bay Area. His Off-Broadway productions include the premieres of Bill W. and Dr. Bob at New World Stages, Albatross at 59E59, Ring Twice for Miranda at City Center, and his own co-written rock musical adaptation of The Snow Queen at the Signature Center. He has directed more than 100 plays and musicals that have been seen on stages across the country including the Arizona Theatre Company, The Kennedy Center, Opera Boston, WHAT, Actors Shakespeare Project, Porthouse Theater, Actors Express, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, The Gloucester Stage Company, New York’s Town Hall, and The Berkshire Theatre Festival, among others. www.ricklombardo.net
Michael Smedley (Composer) is a fourth-year B.F.A. Sound Design and Technology student from Bucks County. After nearly a year and a half of darkness and quiet, Michael is thrilled and honored to work as part of the production team to bring live theatre back to Penn State’s stages. Prior to his work on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Michael worked as the composer for Penn State’s radio drama production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and as the season sound designer and mix engineer at Ozark Actors Theatre (AEA) in Rolla, Missouri.
Jennifer Delac (Associate Director and Movement Choreographer) is a third-year M.F.A. Directing student from Houston, Texas. Previous roles include director/choreographer of The Last Five Years, conception and director of an original piece Take a Walk in My Shoes, director of Songs for a New World, and associate director/choreographer of Spamalot. Many thanks to Rick for bringing me on board and to my family, Ali, and Steve for their unconditional support.
Kris Danford (Voice/Dialect Coach) is associate professor of voice and speech at the School of Theatre. She has previously held appointments at the University of Michigan, Southern Oregon University, University of Iowa, and the University of West Florida. Kris’ professional work as a voice, text, and dialect coach includes coaching at theatres such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Stage, and Urbanite Theatre. As a professional actor, she has appeared at regional theatres around the country, including Asolo Repertory Theatre, Riverside Theatre, and Ashland New Plays Festival.
Erik Raymond Johnson (Fight Choreographer) is an instructor in the School of Theatre and a graduate of the M.F.A. in Acting program at Penn State. He has worked as an actor on-camera, and regionally and internationally on stage. Favorite past roles include Jack in Race, Chris in All My Sons, and Adam in Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged. As a fight choreographer and movement coach for theatre, Erik has choreographed multiple shows for professional, academic, and community theatres. Erik is certified SAFD, a certified martial arts instructor, a lifelong practitioner of multiple forms, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity, SAFD, and ATME.
Rosalind ‘Rozy’ Isquith (Scenic Designer) is a scenic designer and artist currently working towards her Masters in Fine Arts at Penn State. Following graduation from the University of Vermont in 2017, Rozy worked as a freelance designer and artist in New England. In design, Rozy worked for the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, University of Vermont’s Royall Tyler Theatre, and the Very Merry Theatre Company. As a scenic artist, she continues to work with Goodspeed Musicals, The Glimmerglass Festival, Scenic Art Studios, and the New London Barn Playhouse. Her design work can be viewed at https://rosalindisquith.com
Charlene Gross (Costume Designer) has worked for theatre, dance and opera and has been seen on- and off-Broadway, across the country, and London’s West End. Theatre Designs: Ohio Light Opera, Cleveland Playhouse, Florida Repertory, Merrimack Rep, Cleveland Museum of Art, The Royal Theatre, Sands Casino, The Public Theater and The Ingenuity Festival. Dance Designs: GroundWorks, The Yard, Juilliard School, Gibney Studios, Dance Space, & Kunningham Studios. Academic Designs: Eastman Opera Theatre, Baldwin Wallace, NYU, Columbia University, University of Memphis, and The College of Wooster. Charlene is an assistant professor in the School of Theatre and proud member of USA.
Kyle Shearer (Lighting Designer) (he/him) is a third-year Schreyer Honors Scholar and B.F.A. Design and Technology student from Cleveland, Ohio. This past summer he worked as an electrician at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Selected lighting design credits include Almost Maine (Spectrum Theatre) The Diary of Anne Frank (Weathervane Playhouse) Arsenic and Old Lace (Hudson Players) The War of The Worlds (Hudson Players) James and The Giant Peach Jr. (WYART). He would like to thank CAST Software and The Bryce Jordan Center for their generosity. // kyleshearerld.com // ig: @the.kyle.shearer
Sydney Smith (Sound Designer) is going into his fourth and final year at Penn State as a B.F.A. Theatre Design and Technology candidate from Cheltenham. He has had the opportunity to be a part of and design multiple shows like Hooded or Being Black for Dummies, the Dance Concert, and more. With his final show in the school he will show what he has learned throughout his time at Penn State.
Jonathan Langberg (Projection Designer) is a senior studying both lighting and sound design from Milford. He is the director of production for the Movin’ On 2022 Music Festival, and the vice president of the Penn State USITT Chapter. Later this semester he will be the sound designer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Previous Centre Stage credits: A Year with Frog and Toad (sound designer), Romeo and Juliet (sound designer), She Kills Monsters (sound designer), Angels in America (production audio), Spamalot (master electrician), Cabaret of Many Colors (video editor).
Victor Hernandez (Automation Engineer) is a second-year B.F.A. Theatre Design and Technology, Technical Direction and Scenic Design Student from Easton. Previous work includes building sets and performing and organizing scene changes as a tech crew member for Once Upon a Mattress, Big Fish, and Jekyll and Hyde for Wilson Area High School.
Kayla McConnell (Production Stage Manager) is a fourth-year B.F.A Stage Management and Disability Studies minor from Long Island, New York. She is very delighted to be making her Penn State Centre Stage debut with this extraordinary play. Her previous show credits include A Little Night Music (2nd ASM), The Lucky Boy (ASM), Cabaret of Many Colors (Asst. Prod. Coordinator) and Romeo and Juliet: Radio Play (PSM). She would like to express her gratitude to this wonderful cast and crew and to her amazing friends and family for their endless love and support.


Supporting Roles
Production Staff
Assistant Director
Samantha Sincavage
Assistant Choreographer
Mia Montero
Assistant Dialect Coach
Nina Gold
Dramaturg
Jeanmarie Higgins
Assistant Dramaturg
Will Adams
Asst. Stage Managers
Elizabeth Nugent
Georgia Wood
Assoc. Technical Director
Stephen Frausto
Asst. Technical Director
Cassidy Burke
Automation Engineer
Victor Hernandez
Head Carpenter
John Geisz
Staff Scenic Carpenters
Stephen Harris
Chris Shuey
Scenic Carpenters
Riley Allsop
Nicolas Baror
Jack Briggs
Cassidy Lyn Burke
Clare Cawley
Daniel Dembek
Maxwell Doherty
Victor Hernandez
Oliver Kaydee
Lauren Petrocelli
Raymond Reehill
Emily Simpson
Sydney Smith
Scenic Charge Artist
Stephanie Lynn Nimick
Scenic Artists
Rosalind Isquith
Mia Irwin
Beatriz Chung Ore
Asst.Costume Designer
Kat Griffith
Costume Technical Supervisor
Laura Kay Robinson
Costume Shop Manager
Diane Toyos
Drapers
Amanda Ferg
Taylor Green
Jessica Hill
Tyler Phillips
Keagan Styes
First Hands
Taylor Hufnagel
Skyler Sander
Erin Stanek
Erin Stumm
Stichers
Lauren Bretl
Lauren Greenfield
Kat Griffith
Maddie Harnish
Taylor Hufnagel
Audrey Lewis
Lindsay Long
Eleanor MacZura
Owain Milliken
Skyler Sander
Maddie Simpson
Zandra Siple
Beatrix Staickney
Megan Totz
Stacey Weiner
Yachao Stella Yang
Wardrobe Supervisor
Erin Stanek
Wardrobe Crew
Dante D’Antonio
Madelyn Harnish
Regine Torres
Stacey Wiener
Asst. Lighting Designer
James Gibney
Production Electrician
Riley Allsop
Asst. Production Electrician
Mason LoPiccolo
Deck Electrician
Michael Guastamachio
Light Board Operator
Matt Thompson
Asst. Sound Designer
Lauren Petrocelli
Projection Technician
Michael Aboah
Projections Operator
Hannah Bank
Sound Board Operator
Jovanni Aparicio
A2
Maggie Schlachter
Secondary Programmer
Valentine Regla
Run Crew
Hannah Flade
Trinity Jackson
Justin Roldan
Sylvan Vanstory
Dog Handler
Trinity Jackson
Fly Operators
Nicholas Baror
Gage Gardiner
Properties Dept. Supervisor
Jay Lasnik
Properties Manager
Maria Papadopoulous
Asst. Properties Head
Emily Simpson
Properties Artisans
Jack Briggs
Samantha Forrest
Valentine Regla Pesola
Beatriz Chung
Lorena Sandoval Pinto
Andre Brando de Castro
Social Media Coordinator
Megan Holtzman
Production Crew
The following students will support the costume, scenic, and electric crews this semester.
- Michael D Aboah
- Catharine Aboulhouda
- Wasila Abuhassan
- William Adams
- Mark Aguirre
- Leiyaan Alhadi
- Riley Allsop
- Lavanya Vishali Anantharaman
- Jovanni L Aparicio
- Alexander Aumen
- Hannah Bank
- Nicolas Baror
- Kenneth Baumann
- Mackenzie Borine
- Gabrielle Brady
- Andre Brandao de Castro
- Lauren Bretl
- Vesper Bretz
- Jack Briggs
- Cassidy Lyn Burke
- Anthony Cacchione
- John Carpino
- Carlo Castoro Jr.
- Adrian Castro
- Clare Cawley
- Carter Celgin
- Boyao Chen
- Beatriz Chung
- Gabrielle Ida Clark
- Jarem Cortez
- Ava Cronin
- Jack Cross
- Dante D’Antonio
- Drake Daboul
- Mahi Danda
- Daniel Dembek
- Isabella Dinallo
- Katherine Dinsmore
- Maxwell Doherty
- Helena Dougherty
- Jeremy Eiben
- Chloe Evans
- Breanna Fais
- Hannah Flade
- Samantha Forrest
- Jordan Frank
- Gage Gardiner
- Anna Garman
- James Gibney Jr.
- Madeline Glave
- Katie Goring
- Taylor Greene
- Lauren Greenfield
- Kathleen Griffith
- Michael Guastamachio
- Jayla Hamlin
- Madelyn Harnish
- Kathryn Hasenecz
- David Heguy
- Victor Hernandez
- Jessica L Hill
- Madelyn Grace Hindman
- Jiaqi Hu
- Taylor Hufnagel
- Mia Catherine Irwin
- Rosalind C Isquith
- Trinity Lyn Jackson
- Phalguni Karumuri
- Kleydis Kaya
- Abigail Kayani
- Olivia Kayani
- Alex LaMassa
- Jonathan Langberg
- Gailyn Lee
- Minju Lee
- Shang-Chun Lee
- Audrey Lewis
- Amirah Lomax
- Lindsay Long
- Karinne Loos
- Mason Kase LoPiccolo
- Dylan Lugosi
- Anna Lustig
- Eleonore L MacZura
- Noi Maeshige
- Stephen Maransky
- Caroline Marrone
- Lucy Frances Martin
- Quinn McDonald
- Nicole Lorrayne McFadden-Derer
- Aaliyah Michael
- Mackenzie Miller
- Owain Milliken
- Ben Moore
- Charles Mrlack
- Kyra Shizuka Muramoto
- Evelyn Murphy Welconish
- April Myers
- Flynn Radue Nolen
- Elizabeth Nugent
- Kaydee Oliver
- Andrew Palmieri
- Maria Papadopoulos
- Laura Patterson
- Jackson Pavlik
- Valentine Regla Pesola
- Ethan Peterson
- Lauren Petrocelli
- Claire Phillips
- Tyler Phillips
- Vincent Wolf Pilone
- Demanie Redhead
- Raymond Reehill
- Joel Rehn
- David Reingold
- Justin Roldan
- John Rosenblum
- Hailey Sanchez
- Skyler Sandner
- Lorena Sandoval Pinto
- Maggie Schlachter
- Jonah Schwartz
- Sarah Schwidel
- Jamie Semmer
- Kyle Shearer
- Emily Simpson
- Madeline Simpson
- Zandra Siple
- Michael Smedley Jr
- Emily Whitman Smith
- Sydney Smith
- Owen Ashbery Smith
- Colin Spanswick
- Ronald Odell Spoto
- Erin Stanek
- Beatrix Stickney
- Colson Stoltzfus
- Erin Stumm
- Keagan Styes
- Matthew Thompson
- Rafaela Torchia Carvalho Castro
- Regine Sophia Elarmo Torres
- Megan Totz
- Ethan Van Tran
- Abigail VandenBrul
- Sylvan Vanstory
- Anna Wagner
- Kylee Waller
- Jasmine Ward
- Connor Westhoff
- Stacey Wiener
- Georgia Wood
- Yachao Yang
- Austen Yim
- Michelle Zhang
- Rachel Zwerver
Penn State Centre Stage Administration
Producing Artistic Director
Rick Lombardo
Production Manager/Technical Director
Chris Swetcky
Associate Production Manager
Ronda Craig
Marketing Director
Cheri Sinclair
Business Manager
Janet Bergamaschi
Arts Ticket Center
Tracy Noll – Sales Director
Christine Igoe – Ticket Manager
Shannon Arney – Assistant Ticket Manager
Len Codispot-Anderson – Group Sales and Development Relations Manager
Joi McKenzie – Ticket Sales and Customer Service Manager
House Management
Gillian Miller
Jojo Sugg
School of Theatre Administration
Director of the School of Theatre
Rick Lombardo
Production Manager/Technical Director
Chris Swetcky
Associate Director for Instruction
Dan Robinson
Associate Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
A. Kikora Franklin
Graduate Officer
Dan Robinson
School of Theatre
Judy King – Administrative Coordinator
Carrianne Love – Academic Records
Mark Powell – Staff Assistant
Shannon Ritter – Admissions and Recruitment
School of Theatre Faculty + Staff
Directing
Rick Lombardo
Rich Biever
Susan H. Schulman
John Simpkins
Acting
Steve Broadnax III
A. Kikora Franklin
Erik Raymond Johnson
Rick Lombardo
Sam Osheoff
Steve Snyder
Musical Theatre Acting
John Simpkins, Nagle Family Endowed Chair in Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Singing
Raymond Sage
Wendy LeBorgne
Gabriella Sam
Gwen Walker
Music Direction
Richard Carsey
Melissa Yanchak
Dance/Choreography
Michele Dunleavy
Chaz Wolcott
A. Kikora Franklin
Linda Hildebrand
Rebecca Maciejczyk
Dramaturgy/History/Literature
Elizabeth Bonjean, Ph.D.
William Doan, Ph.D.
Jeanmarie Higgins, Ph.D.
Susan Russell, Ph.D.
Robert W. Schneider
Sebastian Trainor
Malcolm Wolmack, Ph.D.
Michael Schweikardt
Voice/Speech
Steven Rimke
Kris Danford
Movement
Steve Broadnax III
Elisha Clark Halpin
Erik Raymond Johnson
Megan Moore
Projections
Curtis Craig
Andrew Haag
Scenic Design
Dan Robinson
Milagros Ponce de León
Michael Schweikardt
Costume Design
Richard St. Clair
Charlene Gross
Costume Technology
Laura Robinson
Lighting Design
William Kenyon
Ken Friedhoff
Sound Design
Curtis Craig
Andrew Haag
Kyle Jensen
Stage Management
Geoff Boronda
Ronda Craig
Technical Direction
Chris Swetcky
Stephen Frausto
Scene Shop
John E Geisz
Stephen Harris
Chris Shuey
Properties Shop
Jay Lasnik – Supervisor
Paint Shop
Stephanie Nimick – Supervisor
Costume Shop
Diane Toyos – Supervisor
Amanda Ferg – Draper
- Member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
- Member of Actors’ Equity Association
- Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829
- Member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
- Member of The Dramatists Guild
- Member of National Writers Union
- Local 802 American Federation of Musicians
- ETCP Electrician
- Member of The Society of Professional Props Artisan Managers
School of Theatre Graduate Students
Graduate students fill a number of key positions in the School of Theatre. Common roles include assistant director, paint supervisor, charge artist, property master, first hand, draper, and musical director, to name a few.
Costume Design
Jeremy Eiben
Zandra Siple
Costume Production
Taylor Greene
Jessica Hill
Tyler Phillips
Erin Stanek
Keagan Styes
Erin Stumm
Musical Theatre Directing
Jennifer Delac
Alison Morooney
Music Directing
Harrison Collins
Emily Orr
Scenic Design
André Brandao
Beatriz Chung
Mia Irwin
Rosalind Isquith
Lorena Sandoval
Technical Direction
Raymond Reehill
Penn State Centre Stage Community Council 21–22
Council Members
Judith Albrecht
John Carder
Katie Dawes
Connie DiNunzio
Steven Herb
Kay Kustanbauter
Kevin Roe
Jerry Sawyer
Jeane Singer
Judith V. Swisher
Susan Werner
Barbara King-Wilson
Ex Officio Members
B. Stephen Carpenter II
Rick Lombardo
Janet Bergamaschi
Robyn Krause-Hale
John Simpkins
Cheri Sinclair
Professional Member Organizations
NAST – National Association of Schools of Theatre
SDC – The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
SPAM – The Society of Properties Artisan Managers
United Scenic Artists Local USA 829
U/RTA – University Resident Theatre Association
Member of U/RTA, the country’s oldest and largest consortium of professional theatre training graduate programs and associated professional theatre companies, and utilizes that association to facilitate and manage contracts with members of the various theatrical unions. These include Actors’ Equity Association, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreograhers, and United Scenic Artists.
USITT – United States Institute for Theatre Technology
Make a gift
We are able to do what we do because you believe in us.
Our students, faculty, and visiting professionals bring tremendous talent to the stage and you give them a stage to stand on. Our choreographers, costume and scenic designers, lighting technicians, and all of our artistic team envision new worlds and you give them the resources to realize these worlds. While Penn State provides a foundation for our theatrical productions, we rely on the generosity of our community to provide the additional resources needed to perform at the highest level. Your gifts provide financial assistance with show rights, costumes, technical equipment, set materials, music, marketing, and supporting visiting artists and educators who come to share their craft.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to Penn State Centre Stage online using the link below, or by phoning 888-800-9163. Specify “Centre Stage–XAFPS” when you make a credit card gift by phone or online. You can also mail a check to: PSCS/Penn State, 116 Theatre Building, University Park, PA 16802-1506.

Become a Donor. Penn State School of Theatre is home to one of the finest theatre training programs in the country. We invite you to have a richer theatre experience by becoming a donor to Penn State Centre Stage. Let our students know that you love the theatre and care about ensuring opportunity for artists.
Your patronage will also provide assistance for students with financial need to take advantage of extra-curricular opportunities such as master classes, regional theatre productions, and conference participation. By supporting Penn State Centre Stage, you support a home where young artists discover their gifts and you show them the impact that theatre has on everyone it touches.
We’re thankful for your partnership and philanthropy, and we applaud every person who joins us in our mission to make our theatre training program one of the top ranked in the country. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.