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
CAST
ACTOR 1 (EILIDH & OTHERS)
ACTOR 2 (ARRAN & OTHERS)
Ellen Terzino Avis Russey
DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM
MUSIC DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER
STAGE MANAGER
SCENIC DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
COSTUME DESIGNER
Harry Castle
Sebastian Sachs
Annabel Ji
Tommaso Rotella
Ivy Comery
Blythe DeWitt
TECHNICAL TEAM
SOUND ENGINEER
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
PROGRAMMER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
FACULTY ADVISORS
Dane Krusick
Frankie Kraus
Zara Ophelia Warburton
Qin Caldwell
Jordyn Raville
Riley Higgins
Taylor M. Olson
Elisa Longhini Xavier
Katie Ireland
Isabella Furtado
Harry Castle
Renee Yancey
MEET THE WRITERS
Amy Draper (CONCEPT)
Draper is based in Somerset, UK. She has directed projects at venues ranging from community halls to the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her passion is creating musical theater. Recent shows include Islander (OffBroadway, Southwark Playhouse, Summerhall, Scotland tour, Radio 4 and Dundee Rep film), Day of the Living (RSC) and These Trees are Made of Blood (Southwark Playhouse, Arcola).
MEET THE WRITERS
Stewart Melton (PLAYWRIGHT)
Stewart Melton is an internationally performed playwright, theatremaker and creative facilitator. His person-centred approach is rooted in curiosity and privileges the ideas and artistic personality of each of his workshop participants.
He has written eight full-length plays and stage adaptations, several of which are specifically for young audiences. His play Seesaw was staged at Unicorn Theatre and subsequently revived at the National Theatre of Greece. He scripted the musical Islander, which was selected for the 2019 Made In Scotland showcase, restaged in Australia, Poland and South Korea and toured the USA and Off-Broadway. Stewart also adapted it for broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and for streaming with Dundee Rep Studios.
He has collaborated with students, migrants, elders and people in recovery to create large-scale community performances at venues including the Young Vic and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Stewart has written short plays for Southwark Playhouse, Almeida Projects and Boundless and supported the script development for projects at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Bristol Old Vic, Live Theatre, Arc Stockton and Hull Truck.
Stewart has shared his work and practice as a Guest Writer at Arvon’s Totleigh Barton writing house and is a Mentor Playwright for New Views, National Theatre’s flagship playwriting programme for schools. As a facilitator, Stewart has delivered creative learning and participation projects for companies including Donmar Warehouse, Polka, Half Moon Theatre and Rich Mix. He has taught theatre making and facilitation at universities across the UK and Japan.
MEET THE WRITERS
Finn Anderson (MUSIC & LYRICS)
Based in the East Neuk of Fife on Scotland’s east coast, Finn has released two solo albums and co-created four award-nominated musicals, taking him from Highland town halls to New York’s Off-Broadway. He is currently an Associate Artist at Lowry and on attachment at the National Theatre in London, alongside working on his third album of solo songwriting.
As a writer and composer, Finn co-created the award-winning musical Islander, which has taken him from rural community halls in the Highlands to Off-Broadway in New York, with a US Tour stopping off at Chicago Shakespeare and Seattle Rep, and international productions in Poland, Australia, South Korea, Mexico. Finn’s new folk musical Ballad Lines—co-created with director Tania Azevedo—was listed as one of The Stage’s Top 50 Shows of 2023. A studio cast album was released in September 2025, with its London premiere running January-March 2026.
Finn’s music has been featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Scotland. He was nominated for a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland for his work as composer of Sunset Song (Dundee Rep/The Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh). Other music theatre work includes Call to Adventure (BBC Scotland/National Theatre of Scotland, Scenes For Survival) Come Hell or High Water (Citizens Theatre/Sky Arts) Streets (Hackney Empire/The Cockpit/The Vaults, ‘Best New Musical’ nominee, Off West End Awards), The Snow Queen (The Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh). In 2024, Finn was one of 3 UK musical theatre writers invited to Tokyo for Toho’s first international showcase.
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Shalee Cole Mauleón (DIRECTOR)
Shalee Cole Mauleón (she/her) is a director, writer, and dramaturg specializing in new play development. Before moving to Boston, she directed with 20% Theatre Company, Uprising, and Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, MN. Since moving to Boston she has directed with Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Moonbox Productions, The Rockwell, and assisted Tasia A. Jones on Front Porch Arts Collective's and Central Square Theatre’s production of Her Portmanteau, a part of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Cycle. Boston University credits include: MERCUTIO LOVES ROMEO LOVES JULIET LOVES, Calf Scramble, and the upcoming Booth production of Ellen McLaughlin's The Oresteia. She wants to thank this incredible team for their determination, laughter, and creativity. shaleedirects.com
Harry Castle (MUSIC DIRECTOR)
Harry Castle is excited to be working on this gorgeous little Scottish show with such a lovely team. He is Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at BU, and hopes you enjoy all the looping!
MEET THE CAST
Ellen Terzino (EILIDH & OTHERS) (she/her) is a sophomore acting major from Kalamazoo, MI and is thrilled to be making her BU debut in Islander. Recently Ellen was in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Peter Quince) at BADA, and worked as a production assistant on BU's productions of The Goat and Much Ado About Nothing. She would love to thank her mother and father, her best friend Catie, the fabulous Islander creative team, and would especially like to thank her grandmother, LUMI!
Avis Russey (ARRAN & OTHERS) (she/her) is a Senior Acting Major with a Musical Theatre Concentration at BU and is beyond thrilled to be a part of this brilliant production. Other recent credits include Lady Macbeth (MACBETH FOR KIDS! TYA REGIONAL TOUR - Shakespeare on The Sound), Ophelia (HAMLET - LAMDA), Christina (FEFU AND HER FRIENDS - BU), and Mrs./Harriet Pawling (SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - BU). She would like to thank every member of the cast and crew for all their hard work and her family and friends for their endless love and support. IG: @avisrussey, www.avisrussey.com
MEET THE DESIGN TEAM
Sebastian Sachs (PRODUCTION MANAGER) (they/them) is a DP&M Theatre Arts student with concentrations in Production Management and Audio Engineering. Past BU Management credits include Julius Caesar (APM), 2024 Next Stage Workshops in Booth (PM), One Penny Down (APM), & Art House (PA). Sebastian would like to thank this amazing group of collaborators for all their hard work on this project!
Annabel Ji (STAGE MANAGER) is a Stage Management major (Class of ’28) from NYC Recent work includes SheNYC Summer Theater Festival (Associate Production Manager), The Oscar Micheaux Project (Stage Management Intern), Corpus Christi (PA), and various dance shows at BU FitRec’s Dance Theater (PA) She'd like to thank her family, who will probably be upset if she doesn't thank them, and her friends, who are probably too busy to come to this show.
Tommaso Rotella (SCENIC DESIGNER) (he/him) is a Scenic Design Grad Student from Long Island, New York; Expecting to complete his MFA in Spring of 2026. He previously was the Scenic Designer on BU productions The Skriker, Gianni Schicchi/Suor Angelica, and Calf Scramble. He would love to thank his parents, brother, pets, and wonderful girlfriend Chayanne for their continued support, as well as all of his friends from NY to Boston. Enjoy the show!
Ivy Comery (LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a Lighting Design Major ('26) from Atlanta, Georgia She has previously enjoyed working on productions such as The Eleanor’s, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Gianni Schicci/Suor Angelica, Julius Caesar, and Entry (or, you think you know me). She would like to extend a huge thank you to her family for supporting her love for the arts, and a big shoutout to Charlotte for keeping her sane!
Blythe DeWitt (COSTUME DESIGNER) (she/her) is a multi-focused theatre artist, specializing in Costuming and Stage Management through the Theatre Arts degree ('26). She is proud to have "Islander" be her costume design debut, and is grateful for all the support from the production team on this lab process as well as her family and friends Blythe's previous credits include Craft Artisan for "Cendrillon", "Entry [...]", and "The Rink" (Boston University), Stage Manager for "Always Plenty [...]", "Clue: The Musical" (Spokane Falls Community College), and "Emilia" (assistant, BU) https://tinyurl.com/bdewitt-portfolio
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
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)
Frankie Kraus (ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER) 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.
Zara Ophelia Warburton (ASSISTANT COSTUMER DESIGNER) is so excited to be part of this production! They’d like to thank Maddie Sebastian, Gg Martel, Michael Swartz-Flores, & Kirsten Greenidge for being so awesome and writing a bio for them!
Qin Caldwell (PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN) (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.
Jordyn Raville (ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN) (she/her) is a Design, Production, and Management student in the class of 2029 from Rochester, New York who is excited to major in Lighting Design. She is beyond thrilled for the opportunity to work on Islander as her first BULX credit and would like to thank her friends, family, and mentors who have given her endless support. Enjoy the show!
Riley Higgins (PROGRAMMER) is a lighting design major in the class of 2027 from Cape Cod, MA. Previous credits include The Eleanor's as Production Electrician, Thumbprint as Production Electrician, and Aurora Borealis 2025 as too many jobs. They would love to thank the entire team for all of their patience, kindness, support, and hard work put into this production!
Taylor M. Olson (GRAPHIC DESIGNER) (she/her) is a graphic designer in her senior year at BU. She wants to profusely thank Lucy Leahy for connecting her with this super cool opportunity and Shalee for letting her work on it!
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
In interviews and personal statements, the creators of Islander united around a drive to disrupt notions of borders. Finn Anderson (Music & Lyrics) describes his work as "playing in the borderlands between the mythic and every day.” Stewart Melton (Book) has “collaborated with students, migrants, elders, and people in recovery to devise and write community plays.” Amy Draper (Conceiver and Premiere Director) speaks in interviews about Islander exploring isolationism, and learning from someone outside of one’s cultural experience. While Brexit didn’t inspire or directly influence,Amy explains, it loomed large over the creation of Islander. Understanding these artists’ practice and commitment of breaking down borders between genre, age, and country is the key to the creation of Islander.
In Islander, conflict exists at the border. It’s in the lines we draw between the young and the old, between home and foreign, between mythic and present, between technology and tradition. Islander invites us to reevaluate how definitive these borders actually are. Take technology and tradition as an example. In order to tell this story the actors have learned a new instrument, the RC 505, or the looping machine (and RC 500 pedal). They will live loop harmonies and vocal percussion to create full theatrical numbers without the use of a band. It is a feat of concentration, skill, and technological practice to watch them perform and troubleshoot in real time. While a live looping machine was not at the conception of traditional communal story-telling, it does engage in that practice. An ancestor sings a historical ballad, an older sibling spooks us with a ghost story. Those songs and stories echo in time through their retelling. Stories cycling like water, the way the machine replays the actors’ voices from just moments ago. That clear border between traditional methods of storytelling and a live looping machine might seem more blended now. That blend much more rich, nuanced and full of possibility than the border ever could be. The way Islander constantly iterates on the blending of borders made it such an exciting and challenging piece for this team to tackle.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE (CONT’D)
I spent a portion of my winter break in my home before Boston, Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, despite the Trump administration’s assertions, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to occupy, terrorize and enforce the “US border.” There I watched my neighborhood come together, highly organized and brave to keep our neighbors safe. My husband and I blew whistles to warn our neighbors of a raid on a gas station two doors down. We documented and reported ICE vehicles, and checked in with neighbors. Minneapolis is refusing the border enforcement of this administration. This community actively demonstrates the hypocrisy of a colonizing nation detaining indigenous people in the name of a border. This may seem like digression, but themes, histories, and stories are cycles. The violence happening to migrants, citizens, and indigenous people in Minnesota has been front of mind the entire process of working on Islander. In the moments of deep desire to be in Minnesota fighting with my family and friends, I have understood the yearning for home and for family that these characters feel when they are also forced to abide by the borders. And just when I feel homesick, I remember the borders between home and here are much much more blended than I give credit for.
Islander is as much an escape to the island of Kinnan as it is an offering to blend the borders that may be limiting you. Borders that may be keeping you from community, from action, from expression. In that way, Islander is a gift. A myth and history of joy and grief blended. I hope you laugh, rock out, find energy and enchantment, and leave the room excited to creatively and communally disrupt your own borders.
- Shalee Cole Mauleón, Director
DRAMATURGICAL OFFERINGS
Have some time before the show? Here are some quick reads to get some deeper insight into Islander.
Isle of St. Kilda
RC-505 Looping Station
Whales of Scotland
ABOUTBOSTONUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEOFFINEARTSSCHOOLOFTHEATRE
TheSchoolofTheatreatBostonUniversityCollegeofFineArtsofferseducationforthestudyofacting,stage management,design,production,andallaspectsofthetheatreprofessionwithinthesettingofamajorresearch university TheSchoolofTheatreseekstoprovidestudentswithopportunitiesforartisticgrowththrough rigorouscurriculum,professionalconnections,andanemphasisoncollaborationandnewwork.Learnmore aboutthecurrentBUSchoolofTheatreproductionseasonatbu.edu/cfa/theatre/season.
Learnmoreatbuedu/cfa/theatre Andfindusonsocialmedia@buarts,@bu schooloftheatre