the muhlenberg college muhlenberg college department of theatre & dance presents scenic and...

The Muhlenberg CollegeDeparTMenT of TheaTre & DanCe

p r e s e n t s

S C e n i C an d Co ST u M e D e S i g n e r

Curtis Dretsch l i g h T i n g D e S i g n e r D i a l eCT Co a C h

Zachary heffner Jarrod Yuskauskasp r o D u CT i o n STa g e M a n a g e r

Sean Watkins

October 28 – November 6, 2016

or… The Slave of Duty M u S i C l i b r eT To

arthur Sullivan W.S. gilbertD i r eCTo r

Charles richterM u S i C a l D i r eCTo r

an d Co n D u CTo r

ed bara

C h o r eo g r a p h e r

Samuelantonio reyes

fall 2016 T h e p i r aT e S o f p e n Z a n C e 32 T h e p i r aT e S o f p e n Z a n C e fall 2016

The team of Gilbert and Sullivan was riding a wave of success in 1879. Their nautical operetta, HMS Pinafore, had opened to wild acclaim in both england

and america. unfortunately for the authors, however, there was no international copyright regulation in effect at the time, and the numerous american productions

were all produced by “pirate” managers who did not return a cent of royalty money to the talented pair. gilbert and Sullivan were determined that their next creation would not suffer the same fate. They decided that The Pirates of Penzance would have its premiere performance in the united States so that it would be protected under u.S. copyright law.

The two arrived in new York early in november and set to work mounting an “official” production of Pinafore and writ-ing and producing the new piece. it was a hectic two months for the pair. Sullivan had forgotten his sketches for the second act and had to reconstruct the music from memory. To make matters worse, the orchestra that had been contracted for Pirates went on strike two days before the opening, claiming that they were being paid too little to perform a work that was more like grand opera than operetta, for in those days musicians were paid according to the type of music they had to play rather than the number of hours they worked. on top

of it all, Sullivan became ill at the height of the rehearsal period. but the problems were resolved and on Dec. 31, 1879, The Pirates of Penzance opened at the fifth avenue Theatre. Two days later, Sullivan wrote the following to his “Dearest Mum”:

at last i am out of my penal servitude and find a little breathing time to look around me, and write home… The whole opera was finished at last — even the overture, and brought out the night before last with a success unparalleled in new York, as our telegram will have told you. We had long and wearisome re-hearsals, but fortunately our Company and all the Chorus are charming people and devoted to us, except the Tenor who is an idiot — vain and empty-headed. he very nearly upset the piece on the first night, and he didn’t know his words, and forgot his music. We shall, i think, have to get rid of him.

… The laughter and applause continued through the whole piece until the very end, and then there were thunder calls for gilbert and myself after every act. its success was undoubted and instantaneous, and the next day (yester-day) both performances (being new Year’s there was a Matinee as well) were crowded, and the booking was already a fortnight ahead.

baily, leslie. The Gilbert and Sullivan Book. london: Cassell & Company ltd., 1952.

On 'The Pirates of Penzance '


The Cast

Jake haven parisse . . . . . . . . . . Major-general Stanley . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nicky rosolino

alan Mendez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The pirate King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alan Mendez

Sean C. fowley . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel, his lieutenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caden fraser

Kyle Watkins . . . . . . . . . . . . frederic, the pirate apprentice. . . .noah Sunday-lefkowitz

Michael Schatz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sergeant of police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Kehler

felice amsellem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mabel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . elissa Wells

Kelly Shannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ruth, a pirate Maid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Shannon

ally Merrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . edith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rebecca phillips

Samantha Tropper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nicole esposito

Jessica Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . isabel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .laine flores

general Stanley’s Daughters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor beckman, Candice belina, Maire Callahan, rebecca Canziani, Tori Ciccone,

Theresa Corrine, Carly Dove, nicole esposito, Katie fletcher, laine flores, Jessica Jones,

harper Joseph, Christa Maxwell, ally Merrill, Jessica orelus, anna phillips, rebecca phillips,

Kristen Scheuermann, hannah Schmitt, Samantha Tropper

pirates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris barron, Daniel Kyle bolbirer, Jacob botelho, Sean Cheney, Michael Civitano, aran abilock Clemmons,

ryan Connelly, anthony de Marte, Jonathan fleming, Sean C. fowley, Caden fraser, alex guenette,

Charles Kehler, Jesse Kinstler, griffin o’Connor, evan plaza, nick reit, nathaniel rosario,

nicholas gregg rubingh, Michael Schatz, John Tahsuda, Tommy Walters, Josh Young

policemen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Kyle bolbirer, Jacob botelho, Michael Civitano, Jonathan fleming, Charles Kehler, Jesse Kinstler,

griffin o’Connor, nicholas gregg rubingh, Michael Schatz, John Tahsuda, Josh Young

Wind EnsEmblE ConCErtsat, nov. 12 8:00 p.m.Empie theatrebaker Center for the Arts

studEnt ComposErs& pErCussion EnsEmblE/drum CirClE ConCErtWed, nov. 16 7:00 p.m.Empie theatrebaker Center for the Arts

Coming Soon

Admission to performances is free and open to the public.

Questions about Music Department events may be directed

to 484-664-3363 or [email protected].

JAzzimprov ConCErts

tEd ConnEr–dirECtor

tuEsdAy, Nov. 1 • 7 pm

recital Hallbaker Center for the Arts

tom KoziC & GAry rissmillEr

–dirECtorsWEdnEsdAy,

Nov. 2 • 8 pmrecital Hall

baker Center for the Arts

muHlEnbErG CollEGE musiC dEpArtmEnt prEsEnts

Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. • Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. • Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. • Oct. 30 at 2 pm. Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. • Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.


Musical ProgrammeAct 1:

A Rocky Seashore on the Coast of Cornwalloverture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . orchestra

pour, o pour the pirate Sherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Samuel and pirates

When frederic Was a little lad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ruth

oh, better far to live and Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pirate King and pirates

oh, false one, You have Deceived Me! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . frederic and ruth

Climbing over rocky Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Women, Kate, and edith

oh, is There not one Maiden breast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . frederic, Mabel, and Women

poor Wandering one! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mabel and Women

how beautifully blue the Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Women, Mabel, and frederic

i am the Very Model of a Modern Major-general . . . . . . . . . . Major-general Stanley

oh, Men of Dark and Dismal fate (finale). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ensemble

Act 2: A Ruined Chapel by Moonlight

oh, Dry the glist’ning Tear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mabel and Women

When the foeman bares his Steel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sergeant, Mabel, edith, Major-general, police, and Women

now for the pirate lair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . frederic, pirate, King, and ruth

When You had left our pirate fold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ruth, frederic, and pirate King

away, away! My heart's on fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ruth, pirate King, and frederic

Stay, frederic, Stay! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mabel and frederic

When a felon's not engaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sergeant and police

With Cat-like Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pirates and police

Sighing Softly to the river . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Major-general and ensemble

finale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ensemble


The OrchestraConductor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ed barafirst Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stephani bell, Takeshi horochiSecond Violin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . robert Kuntz, bruce gastonViola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . barbara KautzmanCello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . andrew JurkiewiczDouble bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas herr*flute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .elaine Martinflute/piccolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .anna Turner*oboe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gregory hulseClarinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . anthony Simons, elizabeth brodtbassoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Seifertfrench horn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek foster, Mark SysloCornet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Donald hughes, Keith beyer Trombone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ralph brodt iii, Clair SocciTimpani and percussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . richard groller

* Muhlenberg College student


general Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jessica bienTechnical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Damon gelbTheatre Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . paul e. Theisen, Jr.Costume Shop Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caroline Cookassistant Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eric Covellassistants to the Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Megan evans gartley, lex gurstprops Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Soper Christensenassistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lior Shenhav algrablyassistant Musical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michaela barczakassistant to the Choreographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vivian Cruz-riveraassistant Stage Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melinda graber, Katie Spina, Jacob Wahbalight board operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristen paigeSound board operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mallory lewisScenic run Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . patrick braue, Kathleen gallardo, neil isack, evan perrottafollow Spot operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . noah firth, ashley hiesterrehearsal accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rebekah ruthWardrobe head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bailey fulginitiWardrobe Crew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .alex goshert, Jessica hayward, Makenna Masenheimer, lucy MassadStaff Stitcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . erin Miller-ToddStudent Costume Shop Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . florence arnold, Jane bertelsen, Sophia Castell, Sean Cheney,

Theresa Corinne, lydia DeKok, nicole esposito, Meghan garvey, Jessica hayward, Tatiana lovera, ally Merrill,

Miriam oderberg Moss, Maris Quagliata, grace WarnickStudent Stagecraft Stitchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amanda Capasso, Kyra Kramer, Carly latta, allie Mcloughlin,

nicholas gregg rubingh, annie Stevensonprofessional Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . adam burkeMaster Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . andy burnsCarpenters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesus acosta, Samantha battle, rachel brudner, becca Canziani,

peter Carroll, emily forster, asherde gill, ashley hiester, heather lash, ben lefkowitz, lauren MacCready, abby Martz,

Julian Mone, Jessica orelus, becca pettinaro, Steph pilavin, Sam Thompson

Scenic artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat badger, Katrina Miller, Shayna parkerStudent electricians & programmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonah adamcik, benjamin applegate, andy burns, arianna Caiola,

harrison Callahan, andrew Carey, emily Donegan, Sean fowley, ron gerschel, Connor gibbons, becky goodman, Zach heffner,

Yuka Miyanomae, brendan o’hara, Kristen paige, Kevin pugh, Diego rojo, Cassandra rosin, Jordan Segrave, ian Simon, Marina Stumpf, alex Womer

box office Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor beckman, Claire pokopac, Jonathan Smith, David Triplett, alex Womerbox office associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenna adamek, Sarah bedwell, Michelle Capobianco, ann Corrao,

Demi Demetriades, gabriella fischetti, becky goodman, Sara goodman, Jonathan Smith

house Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenna adamek, becky goodman, Cody Johnson, Claire pokopac, Kate Wetzeloffice assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nicollette amico, Matthew beaune, erin bradford, gabriella fischetti,

Sara goodman, Caitlyn Kraemer, Claire pokopacMarketing & Development Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott Snyderpresidential assistant for Marketing & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vivian Cruz-riveraKey art Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christa Maxwellpublicity & Marketing associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan fleming, Taylor hunsberger, anne Kitz,

Sarah Jae leiber, Jason leonhard, evan plaza, Melinda Troyka

Production Staff


W.S. Gilbert (Librettist; 1836–1911) — William Schwenck gilbert made a huge contribu-tion to making the Savoy operas what they are —

witty, dry, romantic, subversive, non-sensical and very funny. he directed the first productions and often contributed towards the costume and set designs. he also achieved much else — writing some of the funniest and most scandalous comedies of his day, writing and illustrating those gro-tesque masterpieces the bob ballads, and building london's garrick Theatre, amongst other things. he was knighted in 1907.

Arthur Sullivan (Composer; 1842–1900) — W.S. gilbert once described arthur Sullivan as "incompara-bly the greatest english musi-cian of his age."

besides contributing witty operatic parodies and a string of effervescent melodies to the Savoy operas, Sullivan wrote, amongst other works, cantatas, oratorios, concert overtures, incidental

music to plays, numerous songs and a grand opera. he was the conductor of the leeds festival for almost 20 years, a friend of royalty, and a keen follower of the turf. he was knighted in 1883.

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company — richard D'oyly Carte (1844–1901) was a man of extraordinary vision who, by the age of 25, had started his own theatrical and concert agency. by 1975, gilbert (age 39) had progressed from being the author of cartoons and comic verse in fun to a position of some eminence as a playwright. Sullivan (33) was destined for a career in serious music, having composed a symphony, several overtures, a number of oratorios and much ecclesiastical work.

When Carte brought them together to create Trial by Jury, it was such a great success that the two men became the foundation of Carte’s dream of creating a legacy of english comic operas. gilbert and Sullivan responded with The Sorcerer, which opened in november 1877, and HMS Pinafore, which opened in May 1878. Carte ultimately formed a partnership with his author and composer, and the D'oyly Carte opera Company was introduced to the world. gilbert and Sullivan collaborated on 14 operas in the 25-year period from 1871 to 1896. These 14 operas constitute the most frequently performed series of operas in history.

Gilbert & Sullivan's Legacy

Gilbert and Sullivan Archive,


A 'Pirates' GlossaryCaravanserai: eastern inn with a large courtyard, where caravans are put up.Marathon: a greek city. Scene of a victory by the athenians over the persians, 490

b.C.animalculous: of the family animalcules, small or microscopic animals, mice, etc.Sir Caradoc: a knight of King arthur’s round Table.elegiacs: appropriate to elegies, mournful; consisting of dactylic hexameter and

pentameter.Heliogabalus: proclaimed emperor of rome in 218 a.D. and assassinated four

years later. famed for his licentiousness, he left the running of government to his wife and in-laws.

Gerald Dow: anglicization of Dou, Dutch painter (1613-75), student of rembrandt.

Zoffanie: pseudonym for Johann Zauffely (1733-1810), bohemian painter, who came to england in 1758.

cuneiform: Wedge shape; composed of wedge-shaped or arrow-headed marks used in ancient inscriptions of assyria, persia, etc.

Caractacus: british King under roman rule, (50 a.D.).mamelon: Small round hill or mound.ravelin: outwork of fortifications, with two faces forming salient angle outside

main ditch before the curtain.dimity: Cotton fabric woven with raised stripes, frequently printed and used for

hangings.escutcheon: Shield with armorial bearings.


Charles Richter (Director) is the director of theatre at Muhlenberg College, where he has taught and directed for the past 38 years. his productions of The Good Woman of Setzuan, The School for Scandal, and Spring Awakening were selected for presentation at american College Theatre festival regional festivals; he has also directed, among others, Life’s a Dream, Cabaret, The Pirates of Penzance, Wonderful Town, The Mikado, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Hamlet, and On the Town. he is a founding artistic director of the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, former artistic director of the pennsylvania Stage Company, and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Charles directed the world premiere of On the Sporatic by Muhlenberg alum Jim ryan at the ensemble Studio Theatre in new York City in May 2006. his produc-tions for the summer stage also include Candide, Annie Get Your Gun, Hairspray, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, and Hello, Dolly!, among others. he has also directed for the new York City opera education Department, Cincinnati playhouse in the park, and Theatre Three in Dallas. he holds an Mfa in directing from Southern Methodist university, and a Certificate in Drama from the university of bristol, england. Charles is a fellow of the Society for Values in higher education, a fulbright Scholar, and a Danforth fellow.

Ed Bara (Musical Director, Conductor) has performed with

numerous ensembles as a soloist, conductor, and recording artist. he has been heard in 14 countries and some of the world’s most beautiful venues, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna; The national Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; Carnegie hall and radio City Music hall, new York; and the basilica of Saints peter and paul, The academy of Music, and The Kimmel Center, philadelphia. in all, he has performed over 100 feature roles of opera, oratorio, theatre, and musical theater. he is also a featured soloist on over a dozen orchestral recordings for Sony-Vox Classics, Time-Warner, and lyrichord records. Pirates of Penzance marks ed’s twelfth production at Muhlenberg College as musical direc-tor, following Avenue Q, On the Town, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Crazy for You, and last summer’s In the Heights among others. as an actor, Mr. bara has appeared at Muhlenberg most recently in the roles of King arthur in Spamalot, and frank Maurrant in Street Scene.

Cheryl Soper Christensen (props Coordinator) has worked with the Department since spring 2001. Mainstage productions began with The Crucible in spring of 2001, and work with Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre began with You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! in the summer of 2001. previously, Cheryl was prop coordinator, then production manager, for The Whole Theatre in Montclair, n.J., where, alongside artistic director olympia Dukakis, she worked with

Faculty & Guest Artist Profiles


renowned talents including director Susan Strohman, playwright romulus linney, and many others. She then served as production manager at her alma mater, upsala College. The pro-ductions Cheryl is most proud of are her sons, Kramer, alex, and ethan.

Curtis Dretsch (Scenic & Costume Designer) is currently professor of theatre arts and director of design and technical theatre for the Department of Theatre & Dance. in addition to his more than 110 designs for Muhlenberg College Theatre and Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre over the past 37 years, Mr. Dretsch’s work has been seen in new York City, philadelphia, Washington D.C., baltimore, Dallas, edinburgh, and london. he has designed for the Dallas Shakespeare festival, Terry beck Dance Troupe, and pennsylvania Stage Company (lorT), where he did scenery and/or lights 41 times over 12 years. During the 1990s he served Muhlenberg as dean of the College for faculty and vice president for academic affairs. in april 2002, Curtis received a lifetime achievement henry award for his role in the Muhlenberg Community, and in June of 2009, he received a Muhlenberg College alumni achievement award for distin-guished contributions to the College. he received his bachelor of arts degree from Montana State university and his Master of fine arts degree from Southern Methodist university.

Samuel Antonio Reyes (Choreographer) – bfa university of arts. professor of hip-hop, Drexel

university, Temple university, university of the arts, Muhlenberg College, rosemont College, Koresh Dance Company. Choreographic credits include the radio Disney raven-Symoné This Is My Time Tour, That’s So Raven Too!, raven tour; Walnut Street Theatre, 11th hour Theatre Company, and Sanbrooka productions; alex’s lemonade Stand, forman Mills, philadelphia film and Video.

Jarrod Yuksauskas (Dialect Coach) currently serves as director of theatre arts for Moravian academy, where he has directed Big Fish, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and My Favorite Year, and where he teaches a variety of theatre courses. as an actor, he has performed with the pennsylvania Shakespeare festival, philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, bRAT productions, bucks County playhouse, Media Theatre, and the alabama Shakespeare festival. locally, he has been seen onstage at Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre in Gypsy (herbie), Hello, Dolly! (horace Vandergelder), Spamalot (Sir robin) and HMS Pinafore (Sir Joseph porter), and at Civic Theatre, where he will next appear in the December production of The Santaland Diaries. additionally, he has served as a combat choreographer for Civic and dialect coach for both Civic and Muhlenberg College. Jarrod is a graduate of the Mfa professional actor Training program at the alabama Shakespeare festival / university of alabama, and received his bachelor of arts degree from DeSales university.


Lior Shenhav Algrably (assistant Director), a sophomore, is a declared theatre and business administration double-major with concentrations in directing and arts administration. other credits include Three Bedroom (assistant di-rector) and The Last Yankee (director). lior is also an active member of the Muhlenberg Theatre association.

Felice Amsellem (Mabel) is a senior performing in her fourth Mainstage production. previous Mainstage cred-its include The Exception and the Rule (policeman/Colleague), Street Scene (Mrs. fiorentino), and Agamemnon (Chorus). felice spent last fall’s semester in arezzo, italy, studying commedia dell’arte. She is a music and theatre double-major and is a member of the Muhlenberg Dynamics. She dedicates this performance to her late grandfather, phillip: thank you for always watching over, especially now to watch me perform your favorite show.

Michaela Barczak (assistant Musical Director) is a sophomore pursuing a double-major in music and theatre with a concentration in directing. last year she had the opportunity to assistant direct the Mainstage production of Chicago and the Music Department’s opera produc-tion, Hansel and Gretel. She also directed a one-act play for the red Door play festival. This past summer she worked as the educa-tion intern for The naples players theatre company in naples, florida.

Chris Barron (pirate) was last seen on the Muhlenberg stage in the company of

Anyone Can Whistle. past credits include Don lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain, albert peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, enjolras in Les Misérables (West Deptford high School), and fender in Hairspray (broadway Theatre of pitman). Chris is a junior theatre major. he is also a writer for The Muhlenberg Weekly and a member of noteWorthy, Muhlenberg’s musical theatre a cappella group.

Taylor Beckman (Daughter) is making her Mainstage debut. She is a senior majoring in theatre and psychology with concentra-tions in acting and directing. Taylor's past directorial works include The Ladybirds, and Sorry, Wrong Number in the red Door play festival and the Studio production Autobiographer. her campus involvement includes psi Chi honor society, omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity, tutoring, and she is the head resident of brown hall. Taylor studied physical theatre last fall at the accademia Dell’arte in arezzo, italy.

Candice Belina (Daughter) is a sopho-more pursuing a double-major in theatre and psychology, and she is making her Mainstage debut. last year, she appeared in Sure Thing (betty) as part of the fall red Door play festival, as well as Hansel and Gretel, the opera presented by the Music Department. on campus, Candice is a member and business manager of inacchord, Muhlenberg’s r&b/soul a cappella group, and she also sings in the Women’s ensemble.

Daniel Kyle Bolbirer (pirate/policeman) is making his first appearance on the

Company Profiles


Muhlenberg Mainstage. past roles include Mark in Rent (Staten island academy) and puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Staten island academy). Daniel is an intended theatre and chemistry double-major and a member of the Muhlenberg Dynamics.

Jacob Botelho (pirate/policeman) makes his Muhlenberg and Mainstage debut in Pirates of Penzance. other credits include Bye Bye Birdie (albert), Oklahoma!, Working, Aladdin ( Jafar), directing and producing Anastasia (essex high School), and an internship with the Vermont Stage Company’s production of Winter Tales. Jake is a first-year theatre major and a member of the College Choir.

Maire Callahan (Daughter) is a sopho-more, majoring in music and theatre. This is her Mainstage debut, and she has performed in the red Door play festival, playing Desdemona in When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet, as well as participating in the new play reading Series. in addition to being a member of the Muhlenberg Theatre association, Maire is an active member of Muhlenberg’s environmental action Team (enacT), is the enacT representative to the president’s Sustainability Committee, and performs with College Choir and Wind ensemble.

Rebecca Canziani (Daughter) is a senior theatre major and film studies minor. She is a four-year member and current music director of The girls next Door, Muhlenberg’s all-female a cappella group. She studied physical theatre at the accademia dell’ arte in arezzo, italy. previous credits include: Then Athena (understudy) in the philadelphia fringe festival, and on the Muhlenberg stage: Autobiographer (flora 3), Arabian Nights (interpreter), Playwriting 101 ( Jumper), and Spotlight (Karen hedges).

Sean Cheney (pirate) is a freshman making his Muhlenberg Mainstage debut in Pirates of Penzance. previous cred-its include The Mystery of Edwin Drood ( Jasper), Grease (Doody), Les Misérables (grantaire), and Seussical (the Cat in the hat). he is also a member of uip and fun With Science. he’s hoping to major in theatre and finance.

Tori Ciccone (Daughter) appeared in The Man Who Couldn’t Dance (gale) in the red Door play festival. other credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla), West Side Story (Maria), and Rent (Maureen) at the Marjorie S. Dean little Theatre in lincoln Center. Tori is a theatre major with a minor in dance and sociology and is a member


of Muhlenberg’s r&b a cappella group, inacchord.

Michael Civitano (pirate/policeman) – Michael’s favorite roles include: Legally Blonde (emmett), Les Miserables (Marius), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Once on This Island (Daniel), Macbeth (Malcolm), and Beauty and the Beast (lefou). Michael is a freshman theatre and business double-major.

Aran Abilock Clemmons (pirate) is excited to return to the Mainstage for a swashchuckling good time. previous Muhlenberg credits include Mainstages The Exception and the Rule (first Colleague/Second policeman), Street Scene (Daniel buchanan), and Anyone Can Whistle (ensemble), red Door play festival productions Scuba Lessons and Spotlight, and The Library. he also appeared in the most recent Sedehi Diversity project. aran is a senior theatre and english double-major who studied abroad at Queen Mary university of london during the fall of his junior year. he is also member of the Chaimonics a cappella group and the Muhlenberg Trans advocacy Coalition.

Ryan Connelly (pirate) is making his Mainstage debut in the ensemble of Pirates

of Penzance. This summer, ryan made his Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre debut in Gypsy as Yonkers. as a sophomore theatre and music double-major, ryan has been in two red Door play festival fpro-ductions, Vocal Work and The Last Yankee. ryan is a member of the Muhlenberg acafellas and the Chamber Singers.

Theresa Corinne (Daughter) is a sopho-more transfer from California lutheran university. her stage credits include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, aviatrix in Chamber Music, Mistress ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Theresa has also headed hair and makeup crew for a production of The Drowsy Chaperone and currently works in the Muhlenberg costume shop. This summer Theresa worked professionally as a demo singer for a new musical.

Vivian Cruz-Rivera (assistant to the Choreographer) is a senior double-major in dance and media & communication. She is the presidential assistant for the Theatre & Dance Department. She has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, Master Choreographers, and the Muhlenberg Circus. This past summer she performed in and was dance captain for the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre production of In


the Heights. She is also captain of Mint* hip-hop team, a member of the Muhlenberg improv association, a member of phi Sigma Sigma, and a Soap committee member.

Anthony de Marte (pirate, Dance Captain) is a junior pursuing a double-major in theatre and dance. he has been seen on the Muhlenberg Mainstage in Anyone Can Whistle, Chicago, Master Choreographers ’14 and ’15, Dance Emerge ’14 and ’15, and VOD. Most recently, he played angie in Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre’s Gypsy. on campus, anthony is a resident advisor, a student editor for the on-Camera acting class, a choreographer for live in Color, and a member of the Muhlenberg Dance association. next semester, he will be studying physical theatre at the accademia dell’arte in arezzo, italy.

Carly Dove (Daughter), a third-year music major, is thrilled to be making her Mainstage debut. past roles include The Music Man (Zaneeta) with our gang players Community Theatre, Hansel and Gretel (ensemble) at Muhlenberg College, and Les Misérables (Cosette) and Beauty and the Beast (belle) at Donovan Catholic high School. Carly is a member of the Chamber Singers, Women’s ensemble, and Collegium Musicum at Muhlenberg and sings with the egner Chapel Catholic music ministry.

Nicole Esposito (Kate/Daughter) last ap-peared in the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre production of Gypsy. She also appeared in Hello, Dolly! and Street Scene here at Muhlenberg. other favorite regional credits have included lou ann in Hairspray (fulton Theater) and Connie in South Pacific (Dutch apple Dinner Theatre).

nicole hails from lititz, pennsylvania. She's a theatre major and dance minor and the secretary of the Muhlenberg Dynamics. She is also the social coordinator of the MTa. last fall, nicole studied physical theatre at the accademia dell’arte in arezzo, italy.

Jonathan Fleming (pirate/policeman) is making his Muhlenberg debut. Some previous credits include angel in Rent and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Solebury School). he is a first-year student and a member of noteWorthy a cappella.

Katie Fletcher (Daughter) – as a junior theatre major, Katie is excited to be in her third Muhlenberg Mainstage produc-tion. She was previously in Anyone Can Whistle (Velma, ensemble) and Street Scene (Third graduation girl). other credits at Muhlenberg include the opera workshop of Hansel and Gretel (angel) and the reading of The Learned Ladies opera (ensemble).

Laine Flores (isabel/Daughter) is making her Muhlenberg Mainstage debut in The Pirates of Penzance. recent credits include helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (novato Theater Co.), West Side Story (The Mountain play), and The Ladies of the Camellias (ross Valley players). laine is a freshman from California, with an intended double-major in theatre and neurosci-ence. She is also a member of the bag and baggage Shakespeare project.

Sean C. Fowley (Samuel/pirate) is a senior theatre and music double-major most recently seen on the mainstage last spring as one third of leopold bloom in Ulysses in Nighttown. other Muhlenberg credits include the 2015 Sedehi Diversity project, Hello, Dolly! (Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre), Romeo and Juliet


(Mainstage), Face Forward, and The Viper’s Circus (Studio production), as well as Desire Desire Desire and Cages (red Door play festival). he is also a member of live in Color show choir, pep band, and histo-rian/brother of Kappa Kappa psi.

Caden Fraser (Samuel/pirate) is a fresh-man performing in his first Mainstage production. previous roles include emmett forest in Legally Blonde, Marius in Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, and Cliff bradshaw in Cabaret at braver players Theater Company in Costa Mesa, California. Caden is plan-ning on double-majoring in theatre and communication.

Melinda Graber (assistant Stage Manager) is a senior media & communi-cation major and french minor. She has previously directed one play for the red Door play festival and acted in three. This is her first Mainstage production. last fall Melinda served as performance ensemble coordinator on the MTa board. Melinda is a proud member of artCo, the devised the-atre performance ensemble. She spent this past spring semester studying at Dublin City university in Dublin, ireland.

Alex Guenette (pirate) is making his Muhlenberg and Mainstage debut in The Pirates of Penzance. previous acting roles in-clude Spamalot and Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, among others. alex is planning on pursuing a political science and theatre double-major here at Muhlenberg.

Zachary Heffner (lighting Designer) is in his senior year at Muhlenberg and will soon be graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre with a concentra-tion in production and design. he has been the lighting designer for several past Muhlenberg productions, including the fall 2016 and spring 2016 editions of the New Visions Directors' festial, the Muhlenberg Circus Workshop’s VOD and Atlas, and Gruff! for Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, as well as various Studio productions. other recent lighting design credits include: The Rimers of Eldritch (off-off broadway), and SUPER (off-broadway). in the summer of 2015 he was an electrics intern at the Williamstown Theatre festival. following graduation he plans to start working as a lighting designer in nYC. To see his prior work, go to: zacharyheffnerdesign.com


Jessica Jones (isabel/Daughter) hails from philadelphia. She is a senior the-atre and english double-major. previous Muhlenberg credits include the Mainstage Chicago (Matron Mama Morton) and the Studio production American Dream (Mrs. barker). Jessica also serves as a campus tour guide and is a proud member of the female comedy troupe Damsels in excess, the Muhlenberg improv association, and The girls next Door a cappella.

Harper Joseph (Daughter) returns to the stage in her third Mainstage produc-tion. She is an emerging leader and a double-major in theatre and media & com-munication. She was also seen in Terrible Beautiful Bodies and My Short Shitty Life at Muhlenberg. elsewhere she has appeared in As You Like It, Urinetown, and Twilight Los Angeles.

Charles Kehler (Sergeant of police/policeman) previously appeared in Street Scene on the Mainstage. other credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Manhattan School of Music), Once on This Island (Manhattan School of Music), and Guys and Dolls (birch Wathen lenox high School). Charles is a theatre major with a directing concentration.

Jesse Kinstler (pirate/policeman) is making his debut on the Muhlenberg stage. he is a transfer sophomore from Marymount Manhattan College and is majoring in theatre with a concentra-tion in acting. he hails from ellicott City, Maryland. previous credits include Main boy in the national association of realtors national television commercial run, Tom Sawyer in Big River (Silhouette Stages) and hot blades harry in Urinetown (Centennial high School).

Christa Maxwell (Daughter) was most recently seen on stage at the Civic Theatre in The Addams Family and Follies: In Concert. She has also performed and directed in the red Door play festival. She is a double-major in theatre and media & communication, and is the public-ity manager for Muses literary magazine. last spring, Christa studied abroad at the accademia dell ’arte in arezzo, italy, and is now elated to begin her senior year making her Mainstage debut.

Alan Mendez (pirate King) is a senior pursuing a dual major in theatre and physics. Muhlenberg Mainstage and Summer Music Theatre credits: Passion Play (german officer, Music Dramaturg, Musical Director), Grimm! ( Jacob grimm, Dad), Agamemnon (agamemnon), A Chorus Line (Tom, Zach u/s), Mad Forest (radu, Choral Coach), and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (neville landless). Muhlenberg Circus Workshop: Atlas (Magician). Studio productions: The Other Woman (Music). a Dana Scholar and alumnus of the accademia dell’arte in arezzo, italy, alan is co-musical director of Muhlenberg’s all-male a cappella group, the acafellas, and a member of the Muhlenberg Circus and uip, Muhlenberg’s long-form improv comedy group.

Ally Merrill (edith/Daughter) is making her Mainstage debut. She has previ-ously appeared in last year’s Muhlenberg Theatre association fundraiser Cabaret and in War at Home (red Door play festival). other credits include helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (lead players Co.), irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! (Mayfield Conservatory) and Martha in Spring Awakening (hudson Theatre hollywood). ally is a senior theatre major and business minor who recently spent a


semester abroad in arezzo, italy. She is also a Dana Scholar and the musical director of the Muhlenberg Dynamics, the campus’s oldest co-ed a cappella group. ally serves on the boards of the Muhlenberg Theatre association and a Cappella Council.

Griffin O’Connor (pirate/policemen) previously appeared in last year’s produc-tion of Passion Play (the Machinist/the Visiting englishman/ronald reagan) and in Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre’s Gypsy (Mr. Weber/boucheron-Cochon/ensemble). When not on stage, griffin is an english and theatre double-major, and a campus tour guide.

Jessica Orelus (Daughter) is making her Mainstage debut. This summer she appeared in the ensemble of Coriolanus (Shakespeare Theatre of new Jersey), and last spring appeared as hansel in Muhlenberg’s spring opera workshop of Hansel and Gretel. She is a member of The girls next Door, an all female a cappella group on campus, and is a part of the gospel Choir.

Jake Haven Parisse (Major-general Stanley) has appeared in Passion Play, Romeo and Juliet, This Is a Chair, Mad Forest, and The Winter’s Tale on the Muhlenberg Mainstage. Jake is a double-major in theatre and sociology as well as a Dana Scholar. he is also a member of the Muhlenberg improv association, the underground improv project, and the sketch comedy team fun with Science. Pirates of Penzance marks Jake's return to singing after a four-year hiatus. Jake would like to dedicate his performance to his great uncle, al fields, who passed away this october. al's favorite musical was Pirates, and he also played Major-general Stanley while in college.

Anna Phillips (Daughter) is making her Mainstage debut in Pirates of Penzance. anna spent this past summer working for historic philadelphia as a free historical storyteller, and spent quite a lot of time interacting with strangers on the street. recent experiences include Muhlenberg Music Department’s opera Hansel and Gretel (gretel), The Events (new York Theatre Workshop), Mary, Mary (Cape May Stage), The Brief Story of Meeting Shelby (allentown), and The Better Strangers Webseries (allentown). anna is a theatre major and will be spending the spring of her junior year studying abroad in arezzo, italy.

Rebecca Phillips (edith/Daughter, Dance Captain) has previously performed in Chicago and Anyone Can Whistle on the Mainstage as well as Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and Dance Emerge. other credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Miranda in The Tempest, and emily Webb in Our Town ( Jp Stevens Theatre Co.) as well as dance captain/ensemble roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Bye Bye Birdie, Xanadu, Grease, Hairspray, and High School Musical (plays-in-the-park, new Jersey). rebecca is a theatre and media & communication double-major and will be appearing in Master Choreographers this spring.

Evan Plaza (pirate) is a sophomore theatre and business double-major. he is a member of inacchord a cappella group. This summer, evan interned at paper Mill playhouse as a public relations intern, and he is currently interning in the Theatre & Dance Department as a marketing intern. evan is also the merchandise and conces-sions coordinator of the Muhlenberg Theatre association. he was a student advi-sor this summer.


Nick Reit (pirate) returns to the Muhlenberg Mainstage after appearing in Chicago and directing Coming Through the Rye in the red Door play festival last year. other recent credits include Anything Goes at Sunset playhouse and Assassins (Charles J. guiteau) at lake Country playhouse. nick is a sophomore theatre major from Menomonee falls, Wisconson, and a proud member of SongSycle, artCo, and SiT.

Nathaniel Rosario (pirate), a sophomore, will appear in the ensemble of pirates. other credits include In the Heights this past summer for Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. nathaniel is a theatre and dance major with concentrations in acting, education, and choreography. he is also part of the emerging leaders and the Muhlenberg fashion Society.

Nicky Rosolino (Major-general Stanley), Class of 2018, returns to the Muhlenberg stage, having recently taken a semester off from performing in order to self-design his own major in classical civilization, to double with theatre (acting concentration). nicky will be spending the upcoming spring semester in arezzo, italy, to study commedia dell’arte and mask performance. a proud member of Muhlenberg’s Chamber Singers, nicky’s horizons extend from the lion’s gate of ancient Mycenae to the neon lights, bright on broadway.

Nicholas Gregg Rubingh (pirate/policeman) is making his Mainstage and Muhlenberg debut. Credits from theatres back in his home state of California include The Giver (The giver), Our Town (george gibbs), Footloose (Willard) and The Wizard of Oz (Tree #1). nicholas is double-major-ing in theatre and undecided, is a member

of off the Cuff, bag and baggage, and is serving on Student government.

Michael Schatz (Sergeant of police/policeman) has appeared in Chicago on the Mainstage. other credits include King arthur in Spamalot, petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, and pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. he also made his off-broadway debut this past summer as Cajón in Furniture! and as Xander in Pleading the First. Michael is a theatre and music double-major and a member of the Muhlenberg Dynamics.

Kristen Scheuermann (Daughter) is making her Mainstage debut. in the spring Kristen appeared in a staged reading of a new opera based on The Learned Ladies, performed at Muhlenberg and The new School. favorite credits include Blood Brothers (Mrs. Johnston), Oliver (nancy), and Legally Blonde (Vivienne) at Sabrina’s encore productions, and Hairspray (Velma) at newbury Musical Theatre. She is a senior theatre major and a student in the elementary education certification program. Kristen is the executive secretary of the panhellenic Council, has held leader-ship positions in phi Mu sorority, and sings in College Choir.

Hannah Schmitt (Daughter) is making her Muhlenberg debut in Pirates of Penzance. past roles include reno Sweeney (Anything Goes) and grusha (Caucasian Chalk Circle). hannah is an intended theatre major and a member of Damsels in excess.

Kelly Shannon (ruth) returns to the Muhlenberg Mainstage. Muhlenberg credits include Street Scene, Face Forward (Marian), and Traces of Memory. Kelly is a


LV educate .5

theatre and english double-major. This past summer, she studied irish drama and cre-ative writing abroad as part of the ireland Mila program. She is a writing assistant, a student advisor, and a proud member of Muhlenberg’s oldest a cappella group, the Dynamics.

Katie Spina (assistant Stage Manager) has worked on crew for Chicago and New Visions and acted in one red Door play festival production. She has also done wardrobe crew for several productions in high school. Katie is still undeclared about her major but is leaning towards a double-major in political science with either theatre or media & communication. She is also the public relations coordinator for Word Weavers poetry Club and a member of the Muhlenberg Quidditch Team and the Muhlenberg Women’s ensemble.

Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz (frederic) is a junior music and theatre double-major, and is happy to be returning to the Mainstage this season. performance credits include pippin in Pippin and finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wyoming Seminary), as well as ensemble in Street Scene here at Muhlenberg. noah is also an avid composer, and is currently writing an original, full-length musical. next semester he will be flying to florida to take part in the Disney College program.

John Tahsuda (pirate/policeman) is a freshman making his Muhlenberg Mainstage debut.

Samantha Tropper (Kate/Daughter) is a junior theatre major with a double-minor in music and creative writing. Muhlenberg Mainstage: Terrible Beautiful Bodies. elsewhere: ado annie in Oklahoma!

(The bickford and algonquin arts), first lady in The Magic Flute (pineda lyric opera), Washington national opera (opera institute). in addition to perform-ing, Samantha has had the opportunity to develop her plays in the Muhlenberg new play reading Series and at the hangar Theatre as a playwright/dramaturg in the 2016 lab Company. She is also a proud member of Muhlenberg’s SongSycle.

Jacob Wahba (assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman hoping to major in theatre and communication. his past performances include The Plough and the Stars and The Tempest (ranney School). he has also stage managed Thoroughly Modern Millie and Fiddler on the Roof (both at the ranney School). he assistant directed Disney’s Little Mermaid and The Little Princess at the ranney School. During his junior year he interned at the Two river Theater.

Tommy Walters (pirate) has appeared in The Servant of Two Masters, Street Scene, and This Is a Chair on the Mainstage. he has performed regionally in Spring Awakening (Civic) and Footloose (pines Dinner Theatre). Tommy is a self-design major, focusing on intersections of media and performance.

Kyle Watkins (frederic) appeared in the Mainstage production of My Short Shitty Life as a part of New Voices as well as the Studio production of The Other Woman and the red Door play festival production of The Monkey’s Paw. other credits include Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (Sabrina’s encore productions) and Stine in City of Angels (newtown high School). he is a theatre and psychology double-major and is a member the Muhlenberg acafellas and the performance ensemble SongSycle.


Sean Watkins (production Stage Manager) is a senior double-majoring in theatre and business. at the college, he has worked on Ulysses in Nighttown, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, This Is a Chair, and A Blessed Unrest. This past summer, he was one of the pSM’s for MSMT’s Gypsy. he has also stage managed and designed many productions with the Muhlenberg Theatre association, of which he is cur-rently vice president. outside of theatre, Sean is a Dana Scholar as well as a learning assistant for the academic resource Center.

Elissa Wells (Mabel) is a senior theatre major from los angeles. Muhlenberg credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (principle dancer), Anyone Can Whistle, and Muhelnberg Summer Music Theatre's Hello, Dolly! (ermengarde). among her

favorite roles are reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, for which she was nominated for a John raitt award for best female Vocalist. in the spring of 2016, elissa spent a se-mester studying classical music in Vienna, austria. She is a member of noteWorthy a cappella and Women’s ensemble on campus.

Josh Young (pirate/policeman) is making his Mainstage debut in Pirates of Penzance. he previously appeared in the Studio production of Rivers Under the Earth, and also in Coming Through the Rye in the red Door play festival. he also played lumière in Beauty and the Beast and Victor frankenstein in Frankenstein (livingston high School). Josh is a theatre and ac-counting double-major and will be vice president of the Muhlenberg Chaimonics this spring.


Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance Department

Theatre Facultybeth Schachter – Department Chair; professor:

acting, Directing, history & Theory

Charles richter – Director of Theatre; professor: Directing, Theatre history, Theory

Curtis Dretsch – Director of Design and Technical Theatre; professor: Scenic, Costume, and lighting Design

Timothy averill – professor: Scenography Jessica bien – adjunct: Stage Management, arts

accessibilityholly Cate – associate professor: acting Michael g. Chin – adjunct: acting,

Stage Combat Joe Dulude ii – baker artist-in-residence, stage

makeup Troy Dwyer – associate professor:

acting, Voice & Speechora fruchter – adjunct: actingSharrell D. luckett – assistant professor:

Theatre history, performance StudiesMark McKenna – adjunct: actingCareena Melia – Visiting asst. professor: actingMatt Moore – asst. professor: Directing,

performance Studies, Theatre history & Theory

James peck – professor: Directing, performance Studies, Theatre history

leticia robles-Moreno – Visiting lecturer: performance Studies

francine roussel – professor: actingChristopher Scheer – adjunct: actinglarry Singer – Visiting assistant professor:

Directing, acting

Dance FacultyKaren Dearborn – Dance program Chair;

professor: ballet, Composition, Dance history

pattie bostick – adjunct: Jazz, balletlisa bottitta-busfield – adjunct: ModernSusan Creitz – adjunct: improvisation,

Movement for actors and Dancers

heidi Cruz-austin – adjunct: balletMegan flynn – assistant professor: ballet,

Modern, pilates, Dance history, Dance education

gayanne grossman – Dance Clinic Director; adjunct: anatomy and Kinesiology, Dance Science

Madeline hoak – adjunct: aerial acrobaticsMarcie Mamura - Visiting lecturer:

Modern, Jazzellen Troy Mulcahy – adjunct: pilates, ballet Shelley oliver – lecturer: Tap;

Director, Muhlenberg Tap ensembleJeffrey peterson – asst. professor: Modern, Jazz,

partnering, laban Movement analysisTara repsher – adjunct: JazzSamuel antonio reyes – adjunct: hip hoprandall anthony Smith – asst. professor:

Modern, Jazz, african Dances and CulturesTeresa VanDenend Sorge – lecturer: Modern,

Dance education, Dance & Society; Director,``` DanceMax Moving Company

Meredith Stapleton – adjunct: ballet, Modernlynn Schiff Wiener – adjunct: ballet, Jazz,

horton Technique

Professional StaffJessica bien – general ManagerDamon gelb – Technical DirectorCaroline Cook – Costume Shop Manager Scott Snyder – Marketing and Development

Managerpaul e. Theisen, Jr. – Theatre Technicianeric Covell – assistant Technical DirectorMegan evans gartley – Staff Stitcher lex gurst – Staff StitcherTracy C. Kline – Department Secretary Vivian Cruz-rivera – presidential assistant for

Marketing & Developmentpaul fejko & rebekah ruth – Dance MusiciansTheatre & Dance Department offices: Trexler pavilion for Theatre & Dance484-664-3335 box office: 484-664-3333


M u h l e n b e r g T h e aT r e a S S o C i aT i o n- executive board -

president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky goodmanVice president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean Watkinsbusiness Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rachael horunSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becca MacKillop

- advisory board -Studio productions Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .avary Donred Door play festival Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michaela barczakStudent Master electricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zach heffnerStudent Master Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . peter Carroll, erin Tiffanyperformance Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . liv amundsenQuickie / Workshop Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia bakerperformance ensemble Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joseph rorem fundraising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine phelanSocial Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nicole espositoMerchandise/Concessions Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . evan plazapublicity Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . erin bradfordadvertising Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor hunsbergerSocial Media / Website Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nick reitCommunity engagement Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ashley MalafronteCommunity engagement Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah bedwellarts Marathon/relay Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . anna ricciutiperformance ensemble Community engagement Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mariah rubenMTa/aCC liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ally MerrillMTa/MDa liaison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlyn KraemerMTa/Multicultural liason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan page

M u h l e n b e r g D a n C e a S S o C i aT i o n- executive board -

president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Megan lawrenceVice president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .loren SassSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .amanda CapassoTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary rollins Mathews

- advisory board -public relations officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maddie riccaalumni relations officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaileigh underwoodCommunity engagement officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cat WardMDa/MTa liaison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlyn KraemerClass representative 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ann CorraoClass representatives 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacqueline D’amico & lauren McgintyClass representative 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nadia ureñaClass representative 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . liv garcia

Muhlenberg Theatre Association & Muhlenberg Dance Association are supported by funds provided by Student Government and the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Muhlenberg College experience offers a direct learning partnership among faculty and students in the classroom, laboratory, and performance studio. Muhlenberg offers students opportunities to foster the most important goal of the liberal arts education—education of the whole person.

in Theatre and Dance, faculty and staff have developed a multi-faceted approach to education that combines exciting creative experience with rigorous professional standards. The production program reinforces the belief that as academic disciplines, theatre and dance must be intellectual and practical. Serious training and intense interaction between faculty and students provide a collaborative rather than competitive atmosphere in the department.

Students are challenged as artists in the studio and classroom, working closely with distinguished faculty and nationally recognized guest artists to achieve a conceptual understanding and a practical working knowledge of the arts and the profession. Stage experience is considered one of the most important elements in the training process for actors and dancers, directors and choreographers, production stage managers, designers and technicians. Students provide considerable talent and leadership in the staging of both main stage and studio projects.

performing arts graduates of Muhlenberg College are prepared for study at the graduate level, pursue lives as professional artists, and contribute creative leadership in many other careers. The blend of academic work in the liberal arts with a professional level of training in theatre and dance has prepared them to work as actors, directors, designers and stage managers, choreographers, dancers, and dance educators, and production assistants and arts administrators on broadway, in film and television, and in major regional and educational theatres across the nation.

Muhlenberg’s production program has been ranked no. 1 in the country by The Princeton Review for 2017, and has been ranked in the top ten in the country for seven years running, including another no. 1 ranking in 2012. The Fiske Guide to Colleges ranks Muhlenberg among the top 20 small college programs in the nation in both theatre and dance—one of only eight schools in the country to appear on both lists.

For more information, visit our website at muhlenberg.edu/theatre&dance

46 T h e p i r aT e S o f p e n Z a n C e fall 2016

the muhlenberg college muhlenberg college department of theatre & dance presents scenic and...

Documents