Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre presents Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre presents
FEFU & HER FRIENDS WRITTEN
NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025 NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025
Studio ONE College of Fine Arts
Studio ONE College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Ave.
855 Commonwealth Ave.
Welcome to BU’s SOT!
A NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE DIRECTOR
The School of Theatre is overjoyed to welcome you to our 2025-2026 season. This year all of our work explores the themes of Renew and Reuse, an invitation for all of our resident theatre practitioners here at SOT to present work that takes a story or theme that may seem somewhat familiar, use the storytelling power of theatre to examine those themes anew. For some of our projects such as Dream this entails adapting a play that has been mounted perpetually since its first incarnations and re-shaping it to push the boundaries of live performance through its exploration of technology on stage, or, not so perpetual, such as Islander and its exploration of sound. For our many instances of new work–The Eleanors, Thumbprint, Calf Scramble, Flowers for Mrs. Harris, Flight, and our Next Stage Workshops and Springboards– this re-envisioning takes the form of new and emerging artists re-considering essential queries of what it means to be human during our brief period of time on this earth together. For pieces such as Top Girls, Fefu and Her Friends, 12 Angry Jurors, and contemporary adaptations of Roméo and Juliette, Medea and The Oresteia, this can mean rediscovering work by playwrights who have demanded audiences contemplate the forces that bind, or otherwise threaten to tear us apart. We are also delighted to revisit offerings that appear each year in our season–namely our collaboration with Boston University's Dance Theatre Group Aurora Borealis and Director’s Project. We hope, however, that you will experience all of our pieces as a celebration of community and collaboration, forces that have proven time again, to instill meaning not only in our work, but the processes that we share to bring that work to life.
Kirsten Greenidge Director of the School of Theatre, Boston University
FEFU & HER FRIENDS
Written by
MARÍA IRENE FORNÉS
Directed by
GREGG WIGGANS & LIV KING
Scene Designer EZINNE EMEH
Lighting Designer JOE BORSCH
Stage Manager IASLYN LEWIS
Costume Designer SHIRLEY BRILL
Sound Designer JESSIE CHEN
Production Manager SAM NOTO
NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025
STUDIO ONE CFA106
Boston University College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA
The production is 2 hours with no intermission Caution
This production contains simulated gunfire, references to injury and death, and themes involving mental health, gendered oppression, and emotional distress.
Lillian Devlin
CINDY
Star Crane
Avery Russey
Charlotte Compo
Ava Cronin
Kennedi Young
Janie Mcrae
CECILIA
Rosalind Fore
SETTING
New England, Spring 1935
Part I - The Living Room
Part II - The Lawn, The Study, Kitchen, & Bedroom
Part III - The Living Room
TECHNICAL TEAM
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DESIGNERS
PROP DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
SOUND ENGINEER
PROGRAMMER
ASSISTANT SCENE DESIGNER
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER
Sean Sweeney
Sophia Nedick
Frankie Kraus
E Harris
Terry Ford
Dane Krusick
Qin Caldwell
Madeleine Guy
Erinn Grendahl
Alyssa Gonzalez
Joanne Tseng
PRODUCTION TEAM
STAGE MANAGER
ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION MANAGER
FACULTY PROJECT ADVISORS
Iaslyn Lewis
Crystal Smith
Michael Kaye
Diane Fargo
PRODUCTION CREW
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Katie Zaki
Linnea Rhodes
WARDROBE CREW
Serena Wong
Eva Cohen
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR
SOUND CREW
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
LIGHTING CREW/LEAD USHER
LEAD USHERS
Damien Logan
Kirra Bevilacqua
Samantha Grant
Asher Cohen
Ava Cole
Oren Alperin
Griffin Nedelka
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTORS
María Irene Fornés (PLAYWRIGHT)
María Irene Fornés, considered by many to be the mother of Latinx playwriting, was an influential and award-winning playwright, director, and teacher. Born in Havana, Cuba, Fornés immigrated to the United States in 1945 with her sister Margarita, and mother Carmen. Fornés wrote and directed more than fifty plays that were produced throughout the United States and internationally. Fefu & Her Friends is considered to be her seminal play that championed experimental theatre creation for years to come.
Gregg Wiggans (DIRECTOR)
Recent work: Hello Dolly! at Carnegie Hall. Mo(u)rning Song at TheatreAspen.Directing Associate at Transport Group Theater Company. Assistant Director/Ockrent Directing Fellow on Promises, Promises. Assistant Executive Producer How to Succeed In Business... REGIONAL: Six Season as Artistic Associate of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Additionally, Boston Playwrights Theater, Opera pa Skäret, StageWEST, Paper Mill Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Arena Stage, Writers Theater of New Jersey, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Roundabout Theater Company, Williamstown Theater Festival, The Lark, The Kennedy Center, The Goodman, Casa Mañana, Austin Lyric Opera. TELEVISION: Assistant Executive Producer, SMASH (NBC), 2nd Assistant Director, IT COULD BE WORSE (Hulu) and H.H.I. (HGTV).Gregg is a twotime National Directors Fellowship Finalist, Lincoln Center Directors Lab member, and graduate University of Texas at Austin and Boston University.
Liv King (DIRECTOR)
Liv King is a senior Theatre Arts major studying Directing and Scenic Design. Previous BU shows include: American Buffalo, Entry, and La Bête. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support, Gregg for being an impeccable collaborator, and María Irene Fornés for her fearless creativity. Long live the days of radical empathy!
MEET THE DESIGNERS
Ezinne Emeh (SCENE DESIGNER) is a first year set design graduate student. This is the first BU show she is a part of, and is excited to experience this journey with the dark sisters team.
Joe Borsch (LIGHTING DESIGNER) is an M.F.A. Lighting Design student in the School of Theatre at Boston University. His recent design credits at BU include Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica for the Opera Institute. Outside of graduate school, Joe worked as a freelance lighting designer and sound engineer for corporate events, theatre, and concerts in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA. He is passionate about the intersection of light, sound, text, movement, and live performance in both visual and auditory formats. He is deeply grateful to his family, friends, and mentors who have supported him throughout his artistic journey.
Shirley Brill (COSTUME DESIGNER) is a first year MFA Costume Design student and is thrilled to be involved in her first production at Boston University! Recently she was the Wardrobe Supervisor and Patchwork Costume Designer at Weathervane Theatre which includes the select credits of 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical', 'Peter Pan', along with the world premieres of 'Swiftly Chasing Dreams' and 'The Story Goes On: The Songs of Maltby & Shire'. Shirley would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continuous support.
Jessie Chen (SOUND DESIGNER) is a Taiwanese Sound Designer, a 2nd year grad majoring in sound design at BU. She just wants to say thank you and love you to those who always bring joy (and food) to her life. Life in Boston could be bitter sometimes but you guys could always find a way to make it sweet:).
MEET THE CAST
Lillian Devlin (FEFU) (she/her) is a senior acting major, concentrating in musical theatre and minoring in entrepreneurship. Past BU productions include, Ever in The Glades (Sticks/Reverend/Charity), Yerma (Laundress), and The Skriker(Skriker). Lillian is also a proud member of CFA’s resident improv troupe, SponCom and has studied comedy at The Second City and The Groundlings. Lillian went abroad last semester, studying classical text at LAMDA in London. She wants to thank her mom, dad and sister along with her extremely supportive faculty. She is so honored to be apart of such a wonderful cast and crew and she hopes you love the show!
Star Crane (CINDY) (she/her) is an acting major in the Boston University School of Theatre Class of 2027. Born and raised in Manhattan, she previously attended Interlochen Arts Academy and has had the pleasure of acting in numerous shows such as Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet, (Anon)ymous, The Seagull, Jesus Christ Superstar, and more. She looks forward to another wonderful season of productions and thanks her casts and crews for all they do!
Avery Russey (CHRISTINA) (she/her) is a senior Acting major at Boston University and thrilled to be returning to StudioONE as a part of Fefu and Her Friends. Recent credits include Macbeth (Standby Witch 2/Lady MacDuff) for Shakespeare on the Sound, Hamlet (Ophelia) at LAMDA, as well as Julius Caesar (Decius) and Sunday In The Park With George (Mrs./Harriet Pawling) at BU. She would like to thank the incredible cast and creative team for making this production possible as well as her family and friends for their never-ending love and support. IG: @avery.russey / www.averyrussey.com
‘Charlotte Compo (JULIA) is a New York City native and a Senior Acting Major, concentrating in Musical Theatre and minoring in Dance. This is her third BU production following "Angel Antonelli" in THE RINK and "The Old Lady" in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Past work: "Celia" in AS YOU LIKE IT at WCPA, singing backup for Kevin Gates at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver CO, and a performance with the New York Pops. She is an alumni of LaGuardia Arts High School, where she majored in Drama and Vocal Music as well as The Alvin Ailey School. Love to the cast & crew and the biggest thanks to her mom and dad who are her biggest cheerleaders and best friends. charlottecompo.com Spotify: @charlottecompo Letterboxd: @chachawatch
MEET THE CAST
Ava Cronin (EMMA) is a Senior Acting major with a concentration in Musical Theatre excited to return for another BU production! Past BU Productions include, THE RINK (Anna Antonelli), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Celeste #2). Ava has previously studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Atlantic Acting School, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. She is also an active member in the CFA’s resident improv troupe, SponCom. Love to Mom, Dad, and Papa. Special thanks to Gregg for putting up with me two shows in a row. And thanks to Liv, the cast, crew, and my professors for their endless support. avacroninactor com instagram: @avavcronin
Kennedi Young (PAULA) (she/her) is an Acting major at Boston University, who has worked on the crew of several BU shows such as Mankind and Little Rowboat. She is eager to become even more emmersed in Theatre at BU and would like to thank her family and friends for their support!
Janie Mcrae (SUE) (she/her) is a Senior Acting Major in the School of Theatre at BU. Her other BU acting credits include Julius Caesar, Museum, and The Hot L Baltimore, as well as several student New Works productions including Llorona or The Weeping Woman, Birds of Prey, and her own play, House Play. She recently completed a semester of Shakespeare training in London Janie's favorite soup is a nice warm bowl of Tomato.
Rosalind Fore (she/her) is an actor, director, and aspiring dialect coach from Bethesda, Maryland. BU: Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret / Verges), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Sylvia), Mauritius (Mary). Other: God of Carnage (Annette), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio) at Lumina Studio Theatre as well as Lucy/Becca/Four in a workshop of Tommy Vines’ Nine Lives with Prepare to Be Productions Thanks to her family, friends, the incredible cast and crew, and the poet Sappho. IG: @rosalindfore
MEET THE TECHNICAL TEAM
Sean Sweeney (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR)
is a Technical Director from Long Island, New York He is a Graduate student in the class of 2026. He previously attended SUNY New Paltz for a BA in Theatrical Design and Production.
Sophia Nedick (ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) is a first year Design, Production & Management student. She is excited to specialize in Stage Management next year. She has previously stage managed “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” in 2022, “Into the Woods” and “Shakespeare in Love” in 2023, and “Mean Girls” in 2024 at de Toledo High School. She has also worked on “Spring Awakening” and “Clue” as a head of backstage in 2021 and “Chicago” as lead assistant stage manager in 2022 at de Toledo High School.
Frankie Kraus (ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) is a Theatre Arts student concentrating in Lighting Design and Technical Production He is excited to contribute to this production at Boston University and proud of all the work this team has done for the show.
Terry Ford (PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN) is a Lighting Design student from Gainesville, Florida. He is grateful to work on this show with such an amazing team. He would like to thank his family and peers for their ongoing support.
Joanne Tsang (ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER) is a sound designer and songwriter from Taiwan, currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Sound Design at Boston University. Recent works include "It’s Never Enough" (theme song producer) and "Graduation Trip" (sound design). She thanks her family, friends, and mentors for their constant support and for bringing so much joy to her life.
Dane Krusick (SOUND ENGINEER) is a MFA Sound Design student originally from Minocqua, Wisconsin. He has earned his BFA in Theatre Technology and Design from Northern Michigan University. Most recent credits include, Jesus Christ Superstar (A1), Wizard of Oz (Sound Designer), Rocky Horror Show (Co-Sound Designer), and Cabaret (Sound Designer)
Erinn Grendahl (ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER) is so excited to be a part of this production. They’d like to thank Gg Martel, Michael Swartz-Flores, and Maddie Sebastian for being so awesome and writing a bio for them!
MEET THE TECHNICAL TEAM
Alyssa Gonzalez (ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER) (she/her), originally from Houston TX, is an MFA Lighting Design student. She earned a BFA in Theatre, with a concentration in Technical Production, from Texas State University. Outside of school, Alyssa has worked for companies such as Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, ZACH Theatre, and PCPA: Pacific Conservatory Theatre. She is so glad to have been granted this opportunity and wants to thank her sisters, parents, and friends or their never-ending support!
Qin Caldwell (PROGRAMMER) (He/Him) is a lighting designer and electrician from Wallingford, Connecticut. He is a student in the Boston University School of Theatre, Class of 2028
, Madeleine Guy (ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER) (she/her) is a scenic designer from Myrtle Beach, SC. Her previous experience includes scenic charge for Ohio Light Opera and scenic designer for Pendragon Theatre.
E Harris (PROP DIRECTOR) (they/them) is a Theatre Arts student studying Scenic and Lighting Design in the class of 2028. They’d like to thank their family and friends for providing them with the opportunity to grow as a theatre maker!
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Iaslyn Lewis (STAGE MANAGER) (she/they) is a Stage Manager from Connecticut who will be graduating this spring. She has worked at Tanglewood, The Cape Playhouse, and Majestic Theater. BU credits include "Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet," "The School for Lies," "Cendrillon," "Greek Fest," "Siren Song," and "Corpus Christi." They would like to thank their partner, friends, family, and the team for their unending support.
Sam Noto (PRODUCTION MANAGER) is a second year MFA Production Management student at Boston University, from Las Vegas, NV. She is currently working as the Live Events Coordinator for Boston Light & Sound while earning her Master's degree in Theatre Sam is thrilled to work with such an amazing team and can't wait to see what her future holds. Sam would like to thank her Miniature Yorkie, Boogie, for all the love and support he provides in this process.
, Crystal Smith (ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION MANAGER) is a first year MFA Production Management student here at Boston University. She is from Houston, TX where she worked as a SM at the Alley Theatre, Houston Grand Opera and taught high school theatre She would like to thank her family for their constant support and looking forward to the memories Boston will bring to her!!
FEFU & HER FRIENDS
One of Off-Broadway’s best-loved plays, originally directed by the author. The audience follows the lives of eight women. For this play, María Irene Fornés received one of her nine Obie awards. (Broadway Play Publishing Inc.)
The Boston University Fringe Festival is a collaboration between the College of Fine Arts School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. The festival’s mission is to produce new or rarely performed significant works in the opera & theatre repertoire, bringing performances and audiences together in unique theatrical settings. For over two decades, Fringe Festival at Boston University has celebrated and amplified new work, shown in spare and minimal productions.
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