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 Wild Party
Director's notes
The company of The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa welcomes you to the Playhouse Theatre, and thanks you for joining us as we bring musical theatre back to the Penn State Centre Stage. This jazz-flavored contemporary musical sets the stage for Queenie, a beautiful but damaged vaudeville dancer, to tell us her story. Once full of electricity amidst a life of jazz, booze, and lust, she finds herself tired, bruised, and bitter, trapped by her lover Burrs in a cycle of physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. After he commits yet another horrific assault against her, Queenie strikes out to change the status quo, determined to return the passion to their broken relationship. Her strategy? Bring back the chaos of how their relationship began – by throwing a party.
We watch as the events of this wild night unfold, their apartment filling with more characters from on or near the vaudeville stage, “crazy, crowded, drinking, stinking, worried, hurried.” Everything is going according to plan as Queenie sets up Burrs for humiliation after humiliation. But when an unexpected and unique guest arrives, Queenie is allowed for the first time to uncover her true feelings. As she wrestles with her passion, shame, and sadness, she discovers the possibility of another life; one with filled with honesty, equity, honor, and even love. By the time the night comes to a tragic end, she must find the courage to decide what kind of life she wants for herself.
I was drawn to Queenie’s story for its deep and complex exploration of a traditionally and dangerously private affair – the plight of women who experience intimate partner violence. With The Wild Party, we don’t ask “why doesn’t she just leave?” We center the experience of the survivor, honoring the full range of her conflicted emotions without judgment.
In tandem with the narrative of this story, my team and I looked carefully at how we could honor Queenie’s experience throughout our production process. We used trauma informed practices with every aspect of production from staging and choreography, to costume design, and engagement with scenic elements. In a theatrical industry that is still learning and unlearning harmful practices, especially when it comes to staging intimate events for performance, it is my sincere belief that here in a university setting is the necessary place to begin building new expectations for our practice. I am humbled and grateful by the work of the cast, crew, and design and creative teams that made this production as inclusive as we currently know how.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy Penn State Centre Stage’s production of The Wild Party.
– Alison Morooney, Director
M.F.A. Directing for Musical Theatre, ’22
Dramaturgy
“No limits, no boundaries, no compromises” – Queenie, The Wild Party
In 1926, American poet Joseph Moncure March published a narrative poem entitled “The Wild Party” only to have it widely banned for lewd content. Decades later, a film loosely based on March’s poem hit cinemas in 1975. Then, in the year 2000, not one, but two musical adaptations appeared in New York City. One, written by Michael John LaChiusa and directed by George C. Wolfe, made it to Broadway. The other, written by Andrew Lippa, continues to be produced by regional and university theaters today.
Lippa’s Wild Party focuses intently on the alluring story of Queenie, her lover Burrs, and the mysterious Mr. Black who finds himself entangled in their love affair. A cautionary tale, The Wild Party finds itself always relevant to the culture at large. Set in the late 1920s, The Wild Party rests on the edge of one era (the Roaring 20s) dangerously teetering to the next (the Great Depression).
A September 2021 essay published in The New York Times, days before Penn State Centre Stage’s production began rehearsals, interrogated society’s obsession with March’s writing. Reflecting on the publication of the poem nearly a century later, essayist Mark Harris questions “is it any wonder that [The Wild Party is] a work people tend to take personally […] at this very moment, when the question of whether we are the end, the beginning or the middle of something is literally a matter of life and death, it feels more contemporary than ever?”
Consider this: a year ago, Penn State University returned to (limited) in-person instruction, welcoming students back to State College. There was no vaccine and the COVID-19 pandemic continued to take lives; this, of course, did not stop the culture that earns Penn State its rank as a top party school. Parties raged on in off-campus settings, ordinances be damned. Cases numbers rose and with it, negligence and care for the consequences of one’s actions.
The characters of The Wild Party question consistently “who’s it gonna be […] the life of the party?” Just how far can the envelope be pushed? The Brechtian nature of the piece allows Queenie and company to invite the audience in on providing a possible answer. The theatre of Bertolt Brecht vowed to shake audiences of their complacency; Lippa’s Wild Party does the same. The constant switch in narration from first to third person reminds us that Queenie’s story is also our story. In the era of #MeToo, how can survivors stepping forward to share their stories in intimate settings not strike a chord?
Society is obsessed with The Wild Party because society is The Wild Party. A century later, March’s poetry rings true in its relevance to the issues continuing to plague us. The question remains: will we listen?
– Frederick D. Miller, Production Dramaturg
B.A. Theatre Studies ’22
Sources
- Harris, Mark. “A Cautionary Tale for the New Roaring Twenties”. The New York Times. 22 September 2021.
The Wild Party
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March
Directed by Alison Morooney
November 2–14, 2021
Playhouse Theatre
Please note: There will be haze atmospherics, strobe like lighting effects, and challenging themes including sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, and violence in this production.
Partially developed and received readings at the O’Neill Theater Center during the 1997 National Music Theater Conference. Originally produced in New York by the Manhattan Theatre Club
The Wild Party is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Susan H. Schulman, Dr. Elizabeth Bonjean, Sebastian Trainor, Sarah Flynn, Jennifer Delac, Emily Orr, and Dean B. Stephen Carpenter II.
We acknowledge that the Pennsylvania State University—the School of Theatre, the locations where we rehearse and produce theatre, and where our classrooms are located—is built upon the traditional lands of the Susquehannock (suh-skwuh-ha-naak) and Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-show-nee) peoples. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy—meaning “People of the long house”—unites the nations of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas in harmony to create peaceful decision making. The Confederacy was founded by Peacemaker, a prophet, with the aid of leader Hiawatha, also known as Aionwatha. The Susquehannock people lived on this land for generations. On this land, the late 17th century brought epidemics that reduced populations significantly, in addition to large-scale massacres at the hands of white people during the mid-18th century. Today, in the 21st century, the Susquehannock people number 400 people. We recognize the everlasting sovereignty of the indigenous people who have inhabited and cared for this land, and we pay respect to the Susquehannock and Haudenosaunee peoples of the past, present, and future.
Covid Policy
Penn State has issued rules and precautions that follow, or may in some cases exceed, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the Health and Safety Guidelines prior to attending a University event to ensure you are familiar with the rules and expectations.
Cast
| Roles | Actor |
|---|---|
| Queenie | Maryrose Brendel |
| Mr. Black | Malik Bilbrew |
| Burrs | Daniel Tracht |
| Kate | Keiona Nesbitt |
| Madeline True | Ayana François |
| Eddie | Jack Maloney |
| Mae | Kate Fahey |
| Oscar | Graham Hancock |
| Phil | Dan Texeira |
| Max | Jonah Schwartz |
| Nadine | Alyssa Stanford |
| Dolores | Melody Munitz |
| Sam | Alex Wind |
| Jackie | Mathew Fedorek |
| Dance Captains/Ensemble | Thea Celey, Jimin Moon |
| Ensemble | Tyler Hepler, Michelle Lee, Amirah Joy Lomax, Carmella Manapat |
| Swings | Sara Al-Bazali, Dylan Lugosi, Noi Maeshige |
Musical Numbers
Act I
- “Queenie was a Blonde” – Queenie, Burrs and Company
- “The Apartment” – Queenie, Burrs and Company
- “Out of the Blue” – Queenie and Burrs
- “What a Party” – Company
- “Raise the Roof” – Queenie and Company
- “Look at Me Now” – Kate
- “He Was Calm” – Company
- “Poor Child” – Black, Burrs, Kate and Queenie
- “An Old-Fashioned Love Story” – Madeline
- “By Now the Room Was Moving” – Company
- “The Juggernaut” – Queenie, Black, Kate, Burrs and Company
- “A Wild, Wild Party” – D’Armano Brothers, Queenie, Burrs and Company
- “Two of a Kind” – Eddie and Mae
- “Of All the Luck” – Black and Queenie
- “Maybe I Like It This Way” – Queenie
- “What Is It About Her?” – Burrs and Queenie
Act II
- “The Life of the Party” – Kate
- “Who Is This Man?” – Queenie
- “The Gal for Me” Queenie and Black
- “I’ll Be Here” – Black
- “Listen to Me” – Queenie, Burrs, Black and Kate
- “Let Me Drown” – Burrs, Kate and Company
- “The Fight” – Company
- “Tell Me Something” – Queenie and Black
- “Come with Me” – Black, Queenie and Company
- “Jackie’s Last Dance” – Instrumental
- “Make Me Happy” – Burrs, Black and Queenie
- “Poor Child [Reprise]” – Queenie and Black
- “How Did We Come to This?” / “Queenie was a Blonde” (Reprise) – Queenie and Ensemble
Acting company
Maryrose Brendel (Queenie) is a fourth-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major from Princeton, New Jersey. Some past Penn State credits include: Songs for A New World (Woman 1), To Kill a Mockingbird (Mayella), A Chorus Line (Kristine), and A Little Night Music (Malla/Swing). She is so grateful to Ali, Harry and Michele for the opportunity to tell this powerful story. Special thanks to the entire cast and crew, as well as the PSU MT faculty, Nathan, and my family for all of their endless support. @maryrosebrendel
Malik Bilbrew (Mr. Black) is a fourth-year Musical Theater major from Jacksonville, Flordia. Penn State credits include Hands on a Hardbody (Ronald McCowan); Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies (Officer Borzoi/Apollo); Kystern Child’s The Lucky Boy (Lucky boy); and A Chorus Line (Zach). Malik is also a proud member of the Presidential Leadership Academy at Penn State, working closely with President Baron. Abundantly grateful for the support from his family, and his peers and teachers, Malik is excited to return to live theatre. @cmbilb
Daniel Tracht (Burrs) is a fourth-year Musical Theatre major and Anthropology minor from Orlando, Florida. Some recent Penn State credits include A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus), A Chorus Line (Al), and Violet (Preacher). He looks forward to spending his last semester at Penn State working on his first album (so keep an eye out) and devoting the rest of his time to Eclipse, a THON organization on campus which has a large piece of his heart. He is infinitely grateful for the support of friends, family, and faculty in his journey at Penn State. Check out @danieltracht on any social media to follow his future endeavors.
Keiona Nesbitt (Kate) is ecstatic to be making her Penn State Centre Stage debut in her favorite role to date. Previous credits include The Lucky Boy, Cry-Baby (Pepper) and Heathers (Heather Chandler). She would like to thank the cast and team, her friends and family and most importantly her Mom. She would like to give a special shoutout to her Roots, Eclipse, and Kesem family. Point me to the mic! @keiona.nesbitt
Ayana François (Madelaine True) is a fourth-year musical theatre major. This is their Penn State Centre Stage debut and their first performance in a musical at Penn State. They can next be seen in Penn State shows next semester including the Cabaret of Many Colors, which they will be directing, and in various comedy performances around campus.
Jack Maloney (Eddie) is a fourth-year Musical Theatre major double minoring in Business and Creative Writing, as well as a proud Schreyers Honors student. Past Penn State credits include A Chorus Line (Bobby), Songs for a New World (Man 2), The Last Day (Marty), and Hands on a Hard Body (Swing). Jack is also a member of NitWits, an on-campus Sketch Comedy group, and spent this past summer studying screenwriting at the University of Southern California where he wrote his first feature film. Jack would like to thank Ali, Michele, Harry, the cast, and his parents for birthing him! @jackkmaloney
Kate Fahey (Mae) is a fourth-year Musical Theatre major from Philadelphia. Some Penn State credits include A Little Night Music (Anne Egerman) and Kirsten Child’s The Lucky Boy (Princess Vocal Fry). You can catch her next as Amelia in the short film Crystal Attractions. Thanks to the whole Wild Party team for a wonderful last Playhouse experience. So much love to her family and Kyle for their endless support. Kate has been so grateful for her journey here at Penn State and is ready to continue her acting adventures in Los Angeles once she graduates this spring! @katefahey4
Graham Hancock (Oscar) is a 2019 graduate of Penn State Musical Theatre and always loves an excuse to come back to State College. You may have seen him in several productions as an undergrad, including Hands On A Hardbody, American Idiot, and Be More Chill. Recently, he worked for Norwegian Creative Studios in their production of Footloose on the Norwegian Joy. A big thank you to the School of Theatre for the opportunity to return to campus and be a part of this production.
Dan Teixeira (Phil) is a proud PSUMT grad (‘20) and thankful to be back in Happy Valley! Some Penn State credits include Sweet Charity and The Lucky Boy. Recently: New London Barn Playhouse 2021 Summer Season. Upcoming: A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theatre). Thanks to the SOT community for welcoming him back and to his parents, Claudio and Gabriela, for their continued trust and support. www.danteixeira.com
Jonah Schwartz (Max) is a second-year musical theatre major from the Washington D.C. area. Jonah was most recently seen in the ensemble of Penn State’s ‘A Chorus Line,’ and other past credits include Huckleberry Finn in Big River (Helen Hayes Nomination), Claude in Hair, and Melchior in Spring Awakening. He is grateful for the support of his fantastic Jewish mother, his friends, and The Wild Party creative team, all of who which nothing would be possible without.
Alyssa Stanford (Nadine) is a third-year Musical Theatre major from the DelMarVa area. Some of her past credits inclue A Chorus Line (Judy) and The Cabaret of Many Colors. Alyssa is also the current president of the School of Theatre Student Diversity Committee and Community Outreach Coordinator of Broadway of Tomorrow; both strive to foster equity and inclusion within the theatre community. She is grateful for the support of the cast and team, her family and friends, and her Mom. @alyssa.enita
Melody Munitz (Dolores) is a fourth-year Musical Theatre and Psychology double-major from Cortlandt Manor, New York. Melody grew up performing Off-Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, and at Lincoln Center, and while at Penn State has been part of projects such as A Chorus Line (Maggie) and A Little Night Music (Mrs. Segstrom), as well as singing the alma mater in Penn State’s 2020 “We Are Here” national commercial. Upcoming projects include Melody’s directorial debut with the production of her original play, Lonely Together, this December 10-12, in Penn the State Downtown Theatre. @melody_munitz
Alex Wind (Sam) is a third-year Musical Theatre major coming all the way from South Florida! He is so excited to portraying Sam in this production and wants to thank the entire cast and crew. Alex has had the privilige of being in Penn State’s productions of The Lucky Boy (Henchman) and Harlem Queen (Dutch Schultz). Endless love to his family at home and school for all their support. @alexanderblakewind
Mathew Fedorek (Jackie) is a third-year Musical Theatre major from Pittsburgh. So far in his time at Penn State, he has assistant choreographed the productions of The Lucky Boy and A Chorus Line. He is thrilled to be performing with this world-class cast. Special thanks to Alison, Michele, Harry, and Sierra. Love to his family and Nick. @mathew.fedorek
Thea Celey (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is a third-year Musical Theater major making her Penn State Centre Stage debut. Previous credits include Annie! at the Muny and Will Rogers Follies at the Maltz Jupiter Theater. She wants give big thanks to the creative team and cast and send special love to her mom, grandma and cat Moonpie. @theaceley
Tyler Hepler (Ensemble) is a third-year Musical Theatre major from Pittsburgh. At Penn State he has been a Swing in the production of The Lucky Boy and Mark in A Chorus Line. He is so excited to be able to perform for the first time in front of a Penn State audience! He would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for all of the help along his journey. Without their support this wouldn’t be possible. @heplertyler
Michelle Lee (Ensemble) Is a second-year Musical Theatre major from Boulder, Colorado, and is thrilled to be in her first in-person Centre Stage production! During her first year, she performed in the Cabaret of Many Colors, as well as Moving Forward: Dance Concert. Michelle is beyond excited for the revival of live theatre and thanks the cast and crew for making this show possible.
Amirah Joy Lomax (Ensemble) is a second-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major from Columbus, Ohio. She is absolutely ecstatic to have been a part of this wonderful production! In Amirah Joy’s first year at Penn State, she sang in the Cabaret of Many Colors and danced in Moving Forward: Dance Concert. She would like to take this opportunity to express her gratitude for the amazing cast and crew of this production. @amirahjoylomax
Carmella Manapat (Ensemble) is a third-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major and is excited and honored to be in her third production at Penn State. Her previous roles include Connie Wong in The Chorus Line and Ensemble in Spamalot. Carmella is also affiliated with an on-campus dance organization, Volé, where she has performed and choreographed in their bi-annual showcases. She would like to give a huge thank you to the entire creative team of The Wild Party for the opportunity to perform and help bring to life an incredible message, as well as her friends and family for all their support. WE ARE! @carmella.manapat
Jimin Moon (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is a third-year Musical Theatre major from Davis, California, and is so excited for his first live, in-person performance at Penn State. You may have caught Jimin in the virutal productions of A Chorus Line (Mike) and The Cabaret of Many Colors. He extends a huge thank you to this inspiring creative team for leading us through this long-awaited return to live theatre. @jiminmmoon
Sara Al-Bazali (Swing) is a third-year Musical Theatre Major who is so excited to be part of The Wild Party team! Previous Penn State credits include Ensemble in A Chorus Line and The Cabaret of Many Colors. Special thanks to the entire Wild Party cast, creative team, and crew, her mom for her unconditional love and support, and her dog Kaci for being the light of her life. @sara.albazali
Dylan Lugosi (Swing) is a second-year Musical Theatre major from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is overjoyed to be a part of this amazing cast. Previously, you may have seen her in Moving Forward: Dance Concert at Penn State. Huge thanks to the entire Wild Party team for all of the love a support. WE ARE!
Noi Maeshige (Swing) is a second-year B.F.A. Musical Theatre major from Orange, California. She is excited for this show to be her first production at Penn State. She is thankful for the entire team.
Artistic Team
Alison Morooney (Director) is a third-year M.F.A. candidate in Directing for Musical Theatre. During her graduate studies she has directed Seawall by Simon Stephens for Penn State Centre Stage Virtual. College Light Opera Company: Gentleman’s Guide…, Pippin, Mary Poppins, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Bells Are Ringing. Favorite performance credits include: American Idiot National Tour, Nice Work if You Can Get It National Tour, Beehive at The Rev, and Ever After at Paper Mill Playhouse. She also received her B.F.A. in Musical theatre at Penn State in 2012.
Harry Collins (Music Director) is a second-year M.F.A. Music Direction candidate at Penn State. He has an undergraduate degree in classical voice, and a masters degree in orchestral conducting. For Penn State, Harry has worked on Songs for a New World (2020) as music director, and A Little Night Music (2019) as associate music director. Harry will be returning home to Australia later in the year to begin work as associate music director on the national tour of An American In Paris (GWB Entertainment/The Australian Ballet).
Michelle Dunleavy (Choreographer) is an educator, rhythm maker, and dance creator. She is beyond grateful for this amazing team of artists and designers, and especially for dance captains Thea Celey and Jimin Moon and their many contributions to this process. Thank you to director Alison Morooney for her unwavering trust, and to Sarah Flynn for lending her expertise to this production. Michele would also like to acknowledge the many talented dancers, musicians, and choreographers on whose shoulders she stands and whose sacrifices made this work possible; specifically Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and Ernest “Brownie” Brown whose steps are quoted in tonight’s choreography. No limits, no boundaries, no compromise!
Erik Raymond Johnson (Fight Choreographer/Intimacy Coach) 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.
Gwendolyn Walker (Intimacy Coach) (she/her) is an assistant professor of Voice and Alexander Technique in Penn State’s B.F.A. Musical Theatre program, and she is thrilled to be an intimacy coach in partnership with Erik Johnson on this production. Gwen a graduate of the Contemporary Alexander School and is a certified Alexander Technique teacher. Her unique approach to training young artists from a somatic perspective as well as from a contemporary commercial vocal perspective has made her a sought-after guest artist and private teacher around the world. Gwen’s areas of research all relate back to reducing mental and physical anxiety for today’s artists. A passionate antiracist and activist, her most recent articles and presentations have been about tools for educators to address the current mental health crisis on college campuses, training transgender and gender non-binary humans, and how to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the voice studio and in the greater theatre industry. Gwen is an Equity Actor who has performed in National Tours, major regional houses, and off-Broadway. She maintains an active Voice and Alexander Technique Studio in New York City and her students can be seen in most shows on Broadway today.
Steven Rimke (Vocal Coach) teaches Voice and Speech for the B.F.A. Acting and Musical Theatre programs in the School of Theatre at Penn State. Steven has coached theatrical productions in Canada, England, Malaysia and the United States. Steven also provides coaching to members of the transgender community, aiding in their ability to have their voice safely match their preferred identity. You may have recently Steven clowning with colleague Malena Ramirez at the Happy Valley Latin Festival.
Mia Irwin (Scenic Designer) is a second-year M.F.A. candidate in Scenic Design from Durango, Colorado. Mia received her B.A. in Theatre Arts and a minor in Art and Design from the University of Northern Colorado in May 2020. She is an experienced scenic artist, having worked for several companies, including The Rev Theatre Company, The Little Theatre of the Rockies, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, and continues to work as a scenic artist at Penn State. Her previous credits include the scenic design for Eurydice (2019, UNC), the associate scenic designs for Into the Woods (2019, Little Theatre of the Rockies), and The Drowsy Chaperone (2018, UNC). Upcoming projects include the scenic designs for Nostalgia Night (2022, Penn State Centre Stage), and Dry Land (Penn State). www.miairwindesign.com
Jeremy Eiben (Costume Designer) graduated from Point Park University in 2019 and earned a B.F.A. in Technical Theatre. He is currently a second-year graduate student in Costume Design. at Penn State. A native to Pittsburgh, Jeremy has worked as a costume designer, and costume craftsmen with clients such as Point Park University dance company, Hundred Acres Manor, Stage 62, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, The REP, Playhouse Jr., Resonance Works Opera, Carnegie Performing Arts Center, and the Pittsburgh Playhouse Main Stage. Past costume designs Include Vinegar Tom (Point Park University), Dogfight (Stage 62), and assisting the costume designer for Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Pittsburgh Musical Theatre). Jeremy Would like to put a big thanks out to Richard, Laura, Ella, and his Mom for being his biggest support system, and to all the graduate students in studio and the costume shop for helping him get here.
David Heguy (Lighting Designer) is a third-year B.F.A. Theatre Design and Technology major. At Penn State he has designed The Alexa Project, which won him the Oliver Scott Award for Lighting Design. For the past five years David has freelanced for various theater companies all over New Jersey and New York. Some credits include, Little Women, Into the Woods, Urinetown, Once Upon A Mattress, 9 to 5, Into the Woods, Something Rotten!, Addams Family, and Snow Queen. New works include, Color These Walls, Snowed In!, Talent Show, Stage Fright, and Glamping. David would like to thank his team William, Ken, Jonathan, and Mac, as well as Ali, for all their work and collaboration to make this show and his lighting design come alive. www.dhlighting.org
Austen Yim (Sound Designer) is a third-year BFA Theatre Design & Technology major from Philidelphia. Selected Credits include: Almost, Maine (Spectrum Theatre Company, 2019), Harlem Queen (Penn State Centre Stage, 2020), and Grease (Okoboji Summer Theatre, 2021). He thanks the design and production team for their hard work and his family and friends for supporting him throughout his collegate endevours.
Frederick D. Miller (Dramaturg) is a fourth-year B.A. Theatre Studies and Comparative Literature dual major from Mechanicsburg. Penn State: Headspace (Playwright), Outcasts (Playwright), The #HereToo Project (Project Associate), Doubt: A Parable (Director), Weekend Visit (Playwright), Angels in America (Dramaturg, Assistant Director), A Little Night Music (Dramaturg), To Kill a Mockingbird (Dramaturg), and Caroline, or Change (Dramaturg, Assistant Director). Miller was the 2021 Penn State nominee for the Beinecke Scholarship and the recipient of the 2020 Golumbic Scholarship for Humanistic Achievement. www.frederickdmiller.com
Sierra Lucas (Production Stage Manager) is a fourth-year B.F.A. Stage Management student from Tampa, Florida. Previous production assignments include assistant stage managing Angels in America and stage managing Seawall. Sierra would like to thank Claire Philips, Evelyn Murphy-Welconish, and Mackenzie Borine for being the best stage management team she could have ever asked for.
Sydney Smith (Technical Director), from Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, is going into his fourth and final year at Penn State as a B.F.A. Theatre Design and Technology candidate. He has had the opportunity to be a part of and design multiple shows like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 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.
Supporting Roles
Production Staff
Assistant Director
Elena Sgouros
Second Assistant Director
Alex LaMassa
Dance Captains
Thea Celey
Jimin Moon
Burlesque Consultant
Sarah Flynn aka Lady Grey
Assistant Dramaturg
Miriam Colvin
Asst. Stage Managers
Claire Phillips
Evelyn Murphy-Welconish
Production Assistant
Mackenzie Borine
Assoc. Technical Director
Stephen Frausto
Asst. Technical Director
Riley Allsop
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
Ella MacZura
Costume Technical Supervisor
Laura Kay Robinson
Costume Shop Manager
Diane Toyos
Drapers
Amanda Ferg
Taylor Green
Jessica Hill
Tyler Phillips
Laura Robinson
Keagan Styes
First Hands
Taylor Hufnagel
Skyler Sandner
Erin Stanek
Erin Stumm
Stichers
Lauren Bretl
Lauren Greenfield
Kat Griffith
Maddie Harnish
Audrey Lewis
Lindsay Long
Owain Milliken
Maddie Simpson
Beatrix Stickney
Megan Totz
Stacey Weiner
Stella Yang
Wardrobe Supervisor
Megan Totz
Wardrobe Run Crew
Lauren Bretl
Owain Milliken
Asst. Lighting Designer
Mac Miller
Production Electrician
Jonathan Langberg
Asst. Production Electrician
Conner Westhoff
Light Board Operator
LP Patterson
Followspot Operators
Andrew Palmieri
Vincent Pilone
Asst. Sound Designer
Lauren Petrocelli
Projection Technician
Michael Aboah
Projections Operator
Hannah Bank
A1
Ben Moore
A2s
Carlo Castoro
Madeline Glave
PA
Mackenzie Borine
Deck Crew
Boyao Chen
Chloe Evans
Kyra Muramoto
Charles Mrlack
Fly Operators
Kaydee Oliver
Ronald Spoto
Properties Manager
Jay Lasnik
Asst. Properties Manager
Jack Brigs
Properties Artisans
Andre Brando de Castro
Samantha Forrest
Maria Papadopoulos
Lorena Sandoval Pinto
Emily Simpson
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
- LP 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
Orchestra
Musical Director/Keyboard I
Harry Collins
Supervisor/Keyboard II
Richard Carsey
Drums
Kyle Haust
Bass
Justin Dorsey
Guitar
Tom Cody
Reed I
Geoffrey Schneider
Reed II
Gregory Glatzer
Reed III
Anton Fatula
Trumpet
Jessie Hamilton
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.
Ensuring the Future of Live Professional Theatre
2021–22 Season Donors
Donors, Grants, Sponsorships and In-Kind Contributions to the 2021–22 Season
Your loyalty and support have been the driving force behind our success. Thank you for your help in creating something truly special in this community. The list below includes donors to PSCS from June–October 20, 2021. Every effort was made to ensure its accuracy. We apologize in advance for any errors or omissions!
Producer ($10,000 & up)
- Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
- Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Director ($2,500–$4,999)
Performer ($1,000–$2,499)
- Blake & Linda Gall
- Ann & George Johnstone
- Pieter & Lida Ouwehand
- Mark & Anne Toniatti
Supporter($500–$999)
- Lou & Bernadette Barth
- Catherine A. Bresee
- Mimi Barash Coppersmith
- Steven Herb & Sara Willoughby-Herb
- John & Jackie Hook
- Theodore & Casey Hovick
- Kevin & Joy Roe
- Robert & Karen Shute
Benefactor ($100–$499)
- Lynn & Ellis Abramson
- Ned & Inga Book
- Alan Brown
- David & Ellen Cavanaugh
- Susan Del Ponte & Carole Pearce
- John & Connie DiNunzio
- Earl & Susan Graham
- Don & Mary Heller
- Vicki Wedler Herrie & Joseph Herrie
- Patricia & Jay Hummer
- Robyn Krause-Hale & Rick Roush
- Benson & Christine Lichtig
- Nittany Clothiers, Inc.
- Lawrence Lokman & Rhonda Seaton
- Barry & Judith Kur
- Harry Kropp & Edward Legutko<
- Kirk & Sandra Larter
- David & Sharon Lieb
- Harold & Priscilla McFerren
- Kathleen & David Rue
- Lou Silverman & Veronica Samborsky
- Cheri Sinclair
- Patricia & Michael Spicer
- William & Kimberly Townes
- Renaisssance Charitable Foundation
- Daniel & Linda Trevino
Friend ($5–$99)
- Janet Bergamaschi
- Richard & Heidi Biever
- Gay Fisher
- Barry & Debra Gallagher
- Joshua Gitelson & Hari Osofsky
- Alisha Hartley
- Linda & Robert Hendrickson
- Susan & George Henning
- Janis Jones
- Heather Low
- Stanley & Patricia Mayers
- Christopher & Kathryn Maxwell
- Richard & Sharleen Nichols
- Sayaka Ninomiya
- Kay & Ernest Salvino
- Nancy Wolf
School of Theatre Endowments
- Mona Shibley Bird Memorial Scholarship in Theatre
- Susan Browning Theatre Award
- Kenton H. Broyles Trustee Scholarship
- Irvin and Lois E. Cohen Fund for the School of Theatre (named annual fund)
- Margaret M. and George A. Downsbrough Endowment for Penn State Centre Stage
- Manuel Duque Award
- Mack Emmert Trustee Scholarship
- June H. Ford Memorial Award for Musical Theatre Dance Performance
- Frances Foster Award in Theatre
- French Undergraduate Award in Theatre
- Sid and Helen Friedman Endowment for Penn State Centre Stage
- Blake and Linda Gall Musical Theatre Excellence Fund (named annual fund)
- Blake and Linda Gall Scholarship in Musical Theatre
- Blake and Linda Gall Trustee Matching Scholarship
- Susan Jane Gaul Memorial Award
- Anne Gibson Award for Professional Development in Theatre Design and Technology
- John Lloyd Hanson Scholarship in Musical Theatre v
- John L. Hanson and Neil E. Hoff Trustee Matching Scholarship
- James E.Hess and Suzanne Scurfield Hess Endowment for the University Resident Theatre Company
- Arlene and E. Z. Jackson Scholarship in Musical Theatre
- Honey Jaffe Musical Theatre Program Excellence Fund
- Kissin’ Annie Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre
- Mabel Reed Knight Scholarship
- Robert E. Leonard Award
- Willie Leone Endowed Scholarship Fund in Music Theatre
- Wyllis Leonhard Endowment for Music and Dance
- Lethbridge-Jackson Awards
- Helen and Lowell Manfull Theatre Scholarship
- Mattie C. and A. Laura Mateer Theatre Artist-in-Residence Fund
- William E. McTurk Endowment for Musical Theatre
- Musical Theatre Endowment Fund
- Nagle Family Endowed Chair in Musical Theatre
- Dorothy Briant O’Connor Endowed Scholarship Fund in Musical Theatre
- Penn State Centre Stage Class of 1935 Endowment
- Irene Richards Memorial Scholarship
- School of Theatre Design and Technology Alumni Conference Scholarship (named annual fund)
- Todd Anthony Sloan Scholarship for Musical Theatre
- Oliver Smith American Design Award
- Graham B. and Sandra K. Spanier Student Development Fund for the Musical Theatre Program
- Henrietta Thomas Memorial Award for Musical Theatre Vocal Performance
- Peter G. and Ann C. Tombros Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre
- Zewan Trustee Scholarship
Atherton Society
Penn State’s Atherton Society recognizes individuals who have made a provision for a planned gift to benefit the University. To learn more about creating your legacy with the School of Theatre, contact Robyn Krause-Hale, director of arts advancement at rmk50@psu.edu or call 814-863-4079
- Michael R. Chapman
- Irvin and Lois Cohen
- Roger and Rosalie Dietz
- Charles D. Fasnacht
- Bill Jaffe
- Richard G. Johnston and Sarah Ann Gallagher
- Helen Manfull
- Carrie M. Robbins