Dragon Mama Program

WELCOME TO

ARTISTIC

DIRECTOR

TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY

Welcome in and welcome back for Dragon Mama, the second installment of “The Dragon Cycle.” We’ve been so fortunate that Sara Porkalob and team have thought it not robbery to continue sharing this incredible story about three generations of her talented, brilliant, and powerfully witty family with us.

I’m deeply invested in bringing family stories to bear on our stages; families are our first community. And at this moment in which community is being reshaped in myriad ways, our longing to investigate who we are at home and in the world has never been more necessary. This powerful narrative asks us three fundamental questions: How do we change as individuals while staying together as a familial unit? How do we continue to love people who must ultimately bend to the chaos of change? And how, as we change, do we continue to love ourselves?

In guiding us through these questions, Sara, with her incredible range, keen eye for humor, and great pathos, also unearths—as writer, as performer, as daughter and granddaughter— some powerful discoveries. In Dragon Mama, she makes room for us and the loved ones in the story to grow, allowing some familiar voices to sing in a completely different key. Allowing silence to be as powerful as an aria. Reminding us that our voices together are our best way forward.

Welcome.

Tarell Alvin McCraney Artistic Director

Welcome to the Los Angeles premiere of Dragon Mama! It is a pleasure to write to you as the new Chair of the Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors. I want to start by thanking Adi Greenberg, Chair over the previous four seasons, for her leadership in supporting the Geffen. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with her and am the beneficiary of her ongoing support. I am thrilled with this opportunity to continue to build for the future.

I am a long serving supporter and board member of the Geffen. I am proud of all this superb theater brings to our community—delivering world class productions that are second to none, its commitment to bringing theater to the many varied audiences of the greater Los Angeles area, supporting education and our veterans, providing opportunities to aspiring playwrights. I feel such gratitude to this organization, repeatedly finding that I receive in return much more than I give.

It is truly an honor and a privilege to be the Geffen Playhouse Board Chair in our 30th year and as we look to and plan for the LA28 Olympics and beyond. Thank you for your support of the Geffen, and I am excited to be sharing many more years of plays, programming, and incredible storytelling with you. Enjoy the show!

Mary Ann Cloyd

Board Chair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Ann Cloyd CHAIR

Gil Cates, Jr.

Executive Director / CEO

Ellyce R. Cooper

Merle Dandridge

Dr. Brad Edgerton

Bonnie E. Eskenazi

Mark Fleischer

Susan Nahley Fleishman

Brenda Garcia

Patricia L. Glaser

Adi Greenberg Chair Emeritus

John Horn

Laura Kennedy

Carla Malden

Brian Mann

Tiffany Mayberry

Tarell Alvin McCraney

Artistic Director

Mary Osako

Danny Passman

Holly Rice

Linda Bernstein Rubin

Matt Shakman

Richard Sherman

Celine Parreñas Shimizu

Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus

Miranda Tollman Vice Chair

JaHan Wang

Marc Weinstock

FOUNDING TRUSTEES

Harold A. Brown

Gilbert Cates† Founder

Kirsten Combs

Robert A. Daly

David Geffen

Herbert M. Gelfand†

Marcia Israel-Curley†

Quincy Jones†

Jeffrey Katzenberg

Glorya Kaufman†

Audrey Skirball Kenis†

Charles Kenis†

Karl Malden†

Ginny Mancini†

Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus

Ron Meyer

Jerry Moss†

Jerry Perenchio†

Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chair

Victoria Mann Simms

Andy Spahn

Steven Spielberg

Steve Tisch

Edie Wasserman†

Lew Wasserman†

Dr. Charles E. Young† † In Memoriam

LEGAL COUNSEL

Venable LLP

THEATER IN EDUCATION HAS THE POWER TO IGNITE CHANGE

Geffen Playhouse is deeply committed to creating powerful and impactful arts education and engagement experiences that amplify, inspire, and encompass our diverse Los Angeles community. Our programs provide unique, in-depth access to theater and the arts for determined and ambitious youth and adults coming from historically excluded communities. We invite all Angelenos to come home here. When you support our education and community engagement programs, you create a world of greater understanding, increased expression, and deeper compassion while enjoying your home away from home at this historic playhouse.

DRAGON MAMA

PART II OF THE DRAGON CYCLE

WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY SARA PORKALOB

DIRECTED BY ANDREW RUSSELL

SCENIC DESIGNER RANDY WONG-WESTBROOKE

LIGHTING DESIGNER SPENSE MATUBANG

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER NICK CARVALHO

COSTUME DESIGNER SARAH LINDSLEY

SOUND DESIGNER ERIN BEDNARZ

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

OPENING NIGHT

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

2025/2026 SEASON SPONSOR

TIME/SETTING

This play covers Maria Porkalob Junior’s life from 1979-1994.

The primary action happens in three locations: Honolulu, Hawaii Bremerton, Washington Anchorage, Alaska

RUNNING TIME 2 hours, including one intermission.

PLEASE NOTE

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!

Dragon Mama premiered at American Repertory Theater in 2019.

Lighting Consultant

Cha See

Casting Consultant

Jamila Webb

Production Assistant

Angela Park

Directing Observer

Eric Swartz

Wardrobe Supervisor

Maya Channer

Light Board Operator

Ezra Muthiah

Scenery Built & Painted By F&D Scene Changes

Lighting Equipment Provided By PRG

Sound Equipment Provided By DnB Design

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A1

Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky

Carpenters

Claudia Peterson, Sam Sully

Scenic Painter

Chandish Nester

Properties Artisan & Carpenter

Sigourney Chin

Stitcher

Lucille Petty

Lighting Programmer

Spencer Doughtie

Electricians

Bianca Bishop, Daniel Fernandez, Ezra Fisher, Juan Lozano, Ezra Muthiah, James Tatsch, Sketkh Williams

Sound Technicians

Michael Svolos, Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky

PRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Production Photographer

Jeff Lorch

Media Filming

Ramon Garcia

Design + Art Direction

Base Design

Photography Corey Olsen

SPECIAL THANKS

UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume Shops; Intiman Theatre; American Repertory Theater; The Porkalob Family; Amy Benjamin

MUSIC CREDITS

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Written by Robert Hazard.

“Face A New Day” Written by Craig Brandwein, Mary Brandwein, Jeff Parrett, Jefrey Poppe, Michael Dunn.

“Set Yourself Free” Written by Andrew Kingslow.

“Love Takes Control” Written by Iain Harper.

“Oh Sheila” Written by Gerald Andre Valentine, Gordon Strozier, Melvin C Riley Jr.; Performed by Ready for the World.

“Up All Night” Written by Tarlton & Narbom.

“Hip Hop Hooray” Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Marvin Isley, Rudolph Isley, Vinnie Brown, Anthony Shawn Criss, Keir Gist and Chris Jasper; Performed by Naughty By Nature.

“Be My Lover” Written by Donald Lane McCray, Gerd Amir Saraf, Melanie Thorton; Performed by La Bouche.

“I Have Nothing” Written by David Foster, Linda Thompson Jenner.

“Set Me Free Again” Written by Richard John Cottle.

“Kiss of Life” Written by Helen Adu, Paul Denman, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman; Performed by Sade.

“Send for Me” Written by Phred Mosbey.

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.

SARA PORKALOB (she/they)

Playwright & Performer

Sara Porkalob is so excited to be back at the Geffen Playhouse! She is a writer, cultural worker, and creator behind The Dragon Cycle, a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipina-American gangster family; one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist. The first in the cycle, Dragon Lady, premiered at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre in 2017, with awards including three 2018 Gregory Awards for Outstanding Sound/Music Design, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and Outstanding Musical Production, and a 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Choice for Solo Performance. The second in the cycle, Dragon Mama, premiered at American Repertory Theatre in 2019, with awards including two Elliot Norton Awards for Outstanding New Script and Outstanding Solo Performance, and the 2023 Craig Noel’s Outstanding Lead Performance in San Diego. The final play, Dragon Baby, is currently under a Geffen Playhouse finishing commission. She is a 2021 recipient of the Princess Grace Award for Theater. Broadway:

“Edward Rutledge” in 1776. She’s also a Creative Consultant with the City of Seattle and their Creative Strategies Initiative (CSI), a new city effort that uses arts- and culture-based approaches to build racial and gender equity in nonarts policy areas like the environment, housing, workforce, and community development. She is currently writing her first feature film and hopes to adapt The Dragon Cycle for television one day. Socials: @sporkalob, www.saraporkalob.com

ANDREW RUSSELL (he/him) Director

Andrew Russell is a writer and director who creates new work often inspired by real-life events, including Stu for Silverton (Intiman Theatre); John Baxter is a Switch Hitter (Intiman Theatre); Full Gallop (The Old Globe); and Sara Porkalob’s The Dragon Cycle, featuring Dragon Lady (Intiman Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Geffen Playhouse), Dragon Mama (American Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival), and Dragon Baby (in development). As Producing Artistic Director of the Tony

Award–winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle from 2011-2017, Andrew played a critical role in reorganizing and reopening the theater after its closure in 2011. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. @heyheyandyk

RANDY WONG-WESTBROOKE (they/them) Scenic Designer

Randy Wong-Westbrooke is a Berkeley-born scenic and production designer based in NYC, LA, and SF. Driven by their mixed-Asian, trans, and non-binary identities, they seek opportunities to work with diverse creative teams to tell radical, provocative, and expansive stories that question and celebrate our collective histories. They are honored to be returning to the Geffen Playhouse with Part II of Sara Porkalob’s Dragon Cycle, Dragon Mama! Additional credits include: M. Butterfly (San Francisco Playhouse); Paranormal Inside (East West Players), Do You Feel Anger? (Marin Theatre); Thirty-Six, Man of God, The Flick (Shotgun Players); Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Stoop Stories (Aurora Theatre Company); Two Mile Hollow (Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company). They have also designed sets at IAMA Theatre Company, Crowded Fire Theater, TheatreFIRST, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Marin Shakespeare Company, and many other new and independent projects. They have been part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s FAIR

program and both a mentee and mentor in the USITT Gateway Program. B.F.A. Ithaca College. M.F.A. UCLA.

www.wongwestdesigns.com

SARAH LINDSLEY (she/they)

Costume Designer

Sarah is the resident Costume Shop Supervisor for the Geffen Playhouse and has been with the theater since 2019. Being a multi-media artist, Sarah has worn many different hats such as: Associate Costume Designer for The Brothers Size (Geffen Playhouse, The Shed), Head of Wigs/Assistant Costumes for the international tour of Finding Neverland: The Musical (2019-2020), and Watercolor Illustrator for the virtual opera Cindrillon (Pepperdine, 2021). However, her bread and butter has been working as a stitcher in the industry; making everything from jackets for Kanye West, to theme park uniforms, and most things between. When she’s not stitching, she performs locally in LA as the performance artist “Feral Fatale” where she lets her imagination run on the wild side. Special thanks to her great-grandmothers, Geneva and Margarita, who were both immigrants and worked tirelessly in the Los Angeles garment construction industry. It’s because they were determined to dream that she has this opportunity to share her art with you today. Enjoy the show and los amo.

SPENSE MATUBANG (they/he)

Lighting Designer Spense Matubang is a lighting and projections designer currently based in Oakland, California. They received their degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. Spense first joined The Dragon Cycle team with Marin Theatre’s 2023 production of Dragon Lady and are so happy to be bringing Dragon Mama to the Geffen Playhouse! Recent lighting credits include Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley); Sally & Tom (Marin Theatre); Indecent, The Roommate, FROGGY, and The Great Leap (Center REP); Yellow Face, Thirty-Six, Best Available, and The Triumph of Love (Shotgun Players); The Last of the Love Letters and Edit Annie (Crowded Fire Theater); Fellow Travelers and The Emissary (Opera Parallèle); and Dragon Lady (Center REP, Geffen Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Marin Theatre). Spense is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. www.spensematubang.com

ERIN BEDNARZ (she/her) Sound Designer

Erin Bednarz is a multidisciplinary theater artist whose work spans sound design, music, performance, production, and dramaturgy. She is known for creating immersive sonic landscapes that amplify the emotional core of theatrical storytelling. Erin holds the LA Drama Critics Circle, Bay Area Critics Circle, and Gregory

Awards for Outstanding Sound Design, and her designs have been seen both Off-Broadway and in numerous regional theaters across the U.S. In addition to her design work, Erin is a committed educator and mentor: she has taught at a variety of institutions including NYU, Cal Poly, Pomona College, Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, and is a current lecturer at UC Riverside. Beyond design and teaching, Erin was previously Producing Director at Washington Ensemble Theatre, a founding member of dramaturgical incubator Umbrella Project, and one quarter of Cheat Day Collective. Her sound and musical work have been featured in high-profile press outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Erin is currently enrolled at pointblank Music School as a We Are Moving The Needle scholar studying Music Production and Sound Design. @play__pranks

NICK CARVALHO (he/him) Production Stage Manager

Nick Carvalho is excited to return to work with Geffen Playhouse after previously stage managing Dragon Lady. Select regional: Nobody Loves You (American Conservatory Theater); A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley); The Cherry Orchard, Eureka Day, Torch Song, Bees & Honey, Dragon Lady, Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Justice, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, Dunsinane (Marin Theatre); Dragon Lady (Center REP); Monument, or

Four Sisters (A Sloth Play) (Magic Theatre); Twelfth Night (Marin Shakespeare Company); TheatreWorks Silicon Valley New Works Festival; The Ground Floor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Nick is also the Production Manager for El Campanil Theatre. Nick serves on the Technical Theatre Advisory Board at Diablo Valley College. Proud AEA member. He would like to thank his partner, Emma, for her continued love and support!

TARELL ALVIN M c CRANEY (he/him)

Artistic Director

Tarell Alvin McCraney is Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar–winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. McCraney created the critically acclaimed, Peabody Award–winning OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network drama David Makes Man, which was executive produced Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey. McCraney also wrote the film High Flying Bird which premiered on Netflix and was directed by Steven Soderbergh. McCraney’s plays include We Are Gathered, Ms. Blakk For

President (co-written with Tina Landau), The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy, Head of Passes, Wig Out!, and Choir Boy, which was nominated for four Tony Awards. McCraney is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant,” the Joyce Award, the Whiting Award, the Steinberg Playwright Award, the Evening Standard Theatre Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Windham Campbell Prize, and a USA Fellowship Award. He is a lecturer at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; an associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company, UK; an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago; and a member of Teo Castellanos/ D-Projects, Miami.

GIL CATES, JR. Executive Director / CEO

Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director / CEO of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible for managing the Geffen’s day-today operations; developing new, ongoing theater partnerships and leading its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber. Prior to being named Executive Director in

2015, Cates served as Geffen Playhouse Board Vice Chairman since 2012 and served as a producer and director in theater, film and television. His theater credits include the award-winning Names (Matrix Theatre Company) and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Cates’ film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret). In addition, Cates co-produced and co-directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which premiered on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning) and The Mesmerist (starring Jessica Capshaw and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Cates’ television directorial debut was an episode of the NBC comedy Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc. He recently directed Displaced, a documentary short chronicling the journey of one of the first refugee families to flee Ukraine and arrive in the U.S. after escaping the Russian invasion. He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.

THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft, and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.

We are proud to have the following artists under commission:

LUIS ALFARO

MICHAEL GOLAMCO

NAZARETH HASSAN

BETH HYLAND

MEGHAN KENNEDY

KATIE LINDSAY, TOVA KATZ & ALEXANDRA KALINOWSKI

MATTHEW LÓPEZ

MARTYNA MAJOK

Co-Commission with Atlantic Theater Company

TARELL ALVIN

M c CRANEY & YORK WALKER

QUI NGUYEN

Co-Commission with Manhattan Theatre Club

STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR

JIEHAE PARK

SARA PORKALOB & BRIAN QUIJADA

ESPERANZA ROSALES BALCÁRCEL

JEN SILVERMAN

N’YOMI ALLURE STEWART

Co-Commission with New York Theatre Workshop, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

DAVID WIENER

LAUREN YEE

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.

THE WRITERS’ ROOM

A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city. During this one-year residency, playwright members gather monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.

We are proud to have the following artists in the 2025/2026 Writers’ Room:

DIANA YIFEI DAI

LOUIS REYES

M c WILLIAMS

ZHARIA O'NEAL

FRANK PAIVA

RYN STAFFORD

HABIB YAZDI

The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.

GEFFEN AT A GLANCE

CONTACT

Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

310.208.6500

Monday–Friday, 10:00am–6:00pm

AUDIENCE SERVICES

310.208.2028

Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00pm–6:00pm

Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.

BOX OFFICE WINDOW

Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00pm–6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain.

Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges or future sales one hour prior to curtain time on performance days.

ACCESSIBILITY

Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/access or call Audience Services.

LATE SEATING

Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage. Some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating. To minimize disturbances to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.

UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION

Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.

THE DRAGON CYCLE

SARA PORKALOB (she/her/they) is an award-winning artist, activist, and creator of The Dragon Cycle, a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipina American gangster family, with one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist.

This trilogy honors her family—three generations of Filipino Americans descended from gangsters and karaoke fighting to survive, thrive, and love.

PART I: DRAGON LADY

Premiered at Intiman Theatre, 2017

Produced by Geffen Playhouse, 2024

Dragon Lady is a two-act cabaret musical with a threeperson band. On the eve of her 60th birthday, faced with her crumbling legacy and apathetic children, Grandma Maria decides to share the dark secrets of her fantastical life with one lucky grandchild. Intergenerational trauma and healing, lots of karaoke, and one murder: this is Dragon Lady

PART II: DRAGON MAMA

Premiered at American Repertory Theater, 2019

The most intimate play of the cycle, Dragon Mama focuses on Maria Porkalob Jr.’s story, examining lost dreams and a society that perpetually fails immigrant families. But, like her mother before her, Maria paves her own path. This journey is beautifully brought to life as Sara inhabits multiple characters, some familiar and some brand new, to tell this extraordinary story.

PART III: DRAGON BABY

Currently under commission by Geffen Playhouse Dragon Baby is a new musical and, in a departure from Parts I and II, Sara is joined by a cast of ten to bring to life the final piece in this cycle. The first of her family to attend art school, Sara Lee Porkalob has one more year of her B.F.A. before beginning her glamorous life as a professional actress. Faced with her parents’ ugly breakup and a sudden lack of funds for tuition, Sara Lee must scramble for work, juggle 18 credits, and create an original solo performance piece for a pesky elective class she has to take to graduate. But what story does she have to tell? What can she craft that hasn’t already been invented? Picking up where Dragon Mama left off, we follow Sara Lee’s journey as she discovers what part she is meant to play in the Porkalob story.

ANNUAL DONORS

Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund. Donors are listed at the Partner’s Circle level and higher for gifts made between November 1, 2024 and January 31, 2026. A full listing of our supporters can be found at geffenplayhouse.org/thankyou.

† Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors

^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees

* Backstage at the Geffen 2025 Supporter

In appreciation, Annual Fund donors enjoy a host of special benefits including concierge ticketing services, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more. For more information, please call Anika Waco at 310.208.6500 ext. 195.

PREMIERE CIRCLE

$100,000+

Anonymous

The Ahmanson Foundation

Jana & Trevor Bezdek

Edgerton Foundation

Louise & Dr. Brad† Edgerton

Patricia Glaser† & Sam Mudie*

The Adi† and Jerry Greenberg Foundation*

William Randolph Hearst Foundation

Jerry & Terri Kohl

Mellon Foundation

Linda Bernstein Rubin† & Tony Rubin*

Jayne Baron Sherman

Shubert Foundation

The Simms/Mann Family Foundation^

S. Mark Taper Foundation

Jodi & Howard† Tenenbaum

Miranda† & Brett Tollman*

UCLA

UCLA Health*

INNOVATOR CIRCLE

$50,000 – $99,999

Amblin Entertainment*

City National Bank*

Alan Hergott & Curt Shepard*

K Period Media*

Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture

Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation

Holly Rice† & Vince Gilligan*

Richard† & Barbara Sherman*

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE

$25,000 – $49,999

Anonymous

The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Allen Blue & Kira Snyder

Capital Group

Marcy Carsey*

City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

Disney*

Dwight Stuart Youth Fund

Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg

Bob & Diana Friedman

Carol & Paul Frimmer

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Kirsten Hansen & Allen Shay

Noble & Jacquelynn Hansen

Martha Henderson

Cindy & Alan Horn*

Marcia Israel-Curley Foundation^

Carol & Bill Ouchi

Paramount Pictures*

Judith & Bruce Stern

Shel & Cynthia Stone

Steve Tisch*

Wolfen Family Foundation

PLAYWRIGHTS’S CIRCLE

$10,000 – $24,999

Anonymous

Eva Aaronson— In Memory of Bucky Hazan

The Berlanti Family Foundation

Jenna Blake

Claudia & Kevin Bright*

Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza

CBS/CBS Studios*

California Arts Council

Cast Iron Entertainment

Mary Ann Cloyd†

Ellyce R. Cooper† & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP*

Cherie & Steve Crowe*

Bonnie Eskenazi†*

Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll*

Sue & Steve Glusker

Marcy Gross*

In Memory of Morris A. Hazan

Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation

Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark

David & Martha Kadue

Julie & David Kavner

Laura† & Jarred Kennedy*

Karen & Walter Loewenstern*

Carla Malden† & Norman Beil*

Mid-America Arts Alliance in Partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts

Cookie Miller

Soundis & Danny† Passman*

Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg*

Yvonne Randle

The Archer School for Girls*

Thomas L. Safran

Chris T. Schmidt*

Marcia & Robert Shuwarger*

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Deborah Tavlin

U.S. Bank

Waterman and Glicksteen Families*

Aurora & Marc† Weinstock

Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero

Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks*

Robert Wilson, Jr. / Select Equity Group Foundation

CREATOR’S CIRCLE

$5,000 – $9,999

Laura & Harvey Alpert

Margaret Campbell Arvey and The Arvey Foundation

Shelly & Libby Bergen

Laurie Bernhard

Susan Bloch-Kay & Stephen Kay

Dr. Adrienne Brandriss

Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff

Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert*

Dr. Fanya Carter, Ph.D.

Marissa Caudill & David Merrill

Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo

Donna & Steven Chisolm

Cindy Clark

Linda & John Coleman

Comcast NBCUniversal*

Ginger Conrad

Creative Artists Agency*

In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert

Marisa & Adam Davis

Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck

Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel

Anne Dougherty & David Dobrikin

Barbara & Ed Dreyfus

Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler

Fielding Edlow

Julia & Behdad Eghbali

Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation*

In Memory of Lucas Simon Foster

Lynn T. Franklin

Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family

G2 Graphic Service, Inc.

Dr. Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick

Carla Gardini*

Fariba Ghaffari

MaryAnn & Irwin Gold*

The Goldenberg Family

Ethel Greenbush

Roni & David Greenwalt

Jill Grey

Marc & Erica Hankin

Phyllis Horning & Larry Shafritz

Monique & Jonathan Kagan

Glorya Kaufman^

Kelton Fund

Leslie King & Robert Welther

Ann & Jonathan Kirsch

Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick

Karen Krull

Lena & Mark Labowe

David Lee Foundation

Jason & Yvonne Lee

Rena & Craig Leeds

Renee & Meyer Luskin

Mara W. Breech Foundation

Dale S. Miller

Regina & Wayne Miller*

Dan & Margie Mintz

Olympus Theatricals*

Ralph Page & Patty Lesh

Haley Pigman

Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer

Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman

Joyce Rey

Carol Risher

Susan Rogers

The Rosenthal Family Foundation*

The Ross Family

Cooper Roth

Dinah C. Ruch & Bill Birdsall

David A. & Karen Richards Sachs

Nancy & Ted Sanborn

Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt

Amy & Andy Schwartz

Dr. John Shustitzky & Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian

Anne C. Taubman

William & Karen Timberlake

Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela

Julie & Peter Weil

Joanne & Ken Weinman*

Gelena & Seth Weissman

Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg

Susan & Dan White

Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$2,500 – $4,999

Aversa Foundation

Robert E. & Maria H. Barron

Marsha & Philip Bartenetti

Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson

Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden

Paula Brand

Amanda Brown & Justin Chang— In Honor of Adi Greenberg

Diana Buckhantz and the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation

Joanne Cohen

Culture Machine

Kathryn Falberg & Monique Predovich

Lucy Farber & Jim Bright

Dennis & Jackie Fox

Deborah A Gero

Richard & Lori Goldman

In Memory of Jane F. Hall

Harris Family Foundation

Joseph & Kathy Hartley

Barbara Herman

Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston

Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson

Paula Holt / LA New Play Project

Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob

Linda Janger

Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith

Nancy Koven

Stephen & Cori Lable

Tim McNeal

Dr. Kristen Melnyk

Thaine & Elizabeth Morris

Susan Oka

Joyce & Harvey Reichard

Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer*

Snyder Family Foundation

Kirk & Mei-lan Stark

Andrew Stearn

Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis

Theodore H. Sweetser & Jane L. Valentine*

Leslie White & Al Limon

DESIGNER’S CIRCLE

$1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous (2)

Jan & David Altemus

Patti Amstutz

Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum*

William Baker

Randy & Michael Bayard

Paula & Bruce Bennett

Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey

Wendy & John Bergquist

Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly

John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey

Tatiana & Oleg Butenko

Laura & Jerry Callaway

Peter & Heidi Cartmell

Barbara Chiodo*

The Christal Family

Dan Clivner—In Honor of His Colleague Ellyce Cooper

Tim Curtis & Shandon Youngclaus

Steven & Linda Darling

Drs. Davis & Nitzberg

Michael De Luca

Jacki & Murray Drechsler

Jeff Eckerle & Marilyn Osborn

Colleen M. Ellis

Terri & David Elston

David & Joyce Evans

Bill Fagerbakke

Melanie Flamminio

Susan Nahley Fleishman†

In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce

Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman

Catherine A. Froloff*

Allen Grogan

Ellie Goodman

Deidre Hall

Pauliana Cheung Hall

Richard Hart

Scott Hartle— In Memory of Esther Hartle

Jackson Henry

Hella Hershson

Jean Himmelstein

Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox

Ashley & Scott Hunter

David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone

Gary T. Izumi

Brenda Marie Izzi

Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy

Nancy & Len Jacoby

Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig

Louis Kempinsky & Corrinne Mann Kempinsky

Sharon Kerson

Dr. Phyllis H. Klein

Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock

Delores Komar & Susan Wolford

Trice Koopman & Mark Freund

Thomas Kren & Bruce Robertson

Mindy Lauerlevin & Ed Levin

Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino

Trulee Lee

Carl Levinger & Karen Siscoe

Lawrin & Linda Lewin

Carol Lifland & Daniel Giesberg

Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder

Judith Locke

Fran & David Loew

Wendie Malick

Susan & Peter Mallory

Rand Marlis

Barbara Marshall

Kathy & Jim McCaffery

S. McQueen & D. Whalen

Norma & Larry Meyers

Hillary & Lance Milken

Andrew & Laura Mintzer

Thomas W. Mitchell

Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse

In Memory of Elliott Myron

Mark & Diane Neubauer

Julie Nichols

Louise Olin

Deborah & Stacey Olliff

Ornest Family Foundation

Regina Pally & James Korb

Brett Paul*

Phil & Agnes Peters

Ruth Popkin

Clark & Kathryn Porter

Lise Ransdell & Eric Augusztiny

Jeffrey S. Rapp & Neil S. Silverman

Dolores Rogers

Allison & Bennett Rosenthal

Oren Rosenthal & Craig Kwiatkowski

Linda Sandrich

Cliff & Linda Schaffer

Gary & Karen Schneider

Susan Schwarz

In Memory of Pippa Scott and In Honor of Miranda Rich Tollman

Sylvan & Sandra Seidenman

John Shaw

Janne Shirley

Lauren Shuler Donner*

Brian Siberell

Rita & Jose Sigal

Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross

Ronald Smith*

Diana & Steve Strandberg

The Tatasciore Family

William G. Tierney & Barry H. Weiss

Catherine & Leonard Unger

Leon & Stephanie Vahn

Greg & Michelle Suess*

Julia Wackenheim

Paula Wagner*

Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D

Alexx Wells

Westmount Asset Management

Herbert Wolas

Cherie Wrigley

Richard Yaffe

Arnold & Tricia Zane

Ellen & Arnold Zetcher

PARTNER’S CIRCLE

$500 – $999

Anonymous (10)

Toshka & Norman Abrams

Linda Adams & Ken Larson

Loren Adams

Robert C. Anderson

Elizabeth & Marc Axelrod

Jean & David Bishop

In Memory of Janet & William Birnkrant

Frances & Thomas Booth

Doug & Arlene Braun

George Clardy & Christine Gregory

Philip & Phyllis Colman

Shelly D.

Merle Dandridge†*

Dr. Van Anh & Nariman Dastur

Devine D’Amico*

Kristin Diehl

Curt Dittman

Sherise Dorf & Avi Kamienny

Linda Dozier

Jan & Thea Drayer

Kay & Larry Driscoll

Rich & Suzy Eisen*

Joan & Jerry Elledge

Terry Feuerborn & Connie Whitley

Geralyn Flood

Burt & Nanette Forester

Bruce Fortune & Elodie Keene

Elaine & Larry Friedman

Howard J. Fulfrost

Olga Garay-English

Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman

Debra Graham

Akilah Green

Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson

Roberta L. Haft

Jeff & Betty Haller

Barbara Eve Harris

Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough & Jeffrey Hartsough

Corinne Hayoun*

Murray & Gail Heltzer

Michael & Candie Herman

Winifred C. Hervey

Dr. Shelley Hill

Paul & Sue Hoffman

Adam Hunter Howard

Ana Hubner

Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro

Robert & Gail Israel

Nikolette Jacob*

Stephen A. Jones & Victoria A. Walker

Arnedra Jordan & Mason Rivera

Peter & Cinthia Joyce

Leana Kleinman & Jerald Johnson

Kerry Korf

Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta

Jalyn Lang

John & Sandra Langfitt

Rhonda K. Lawrence

Nancy & Michael Leb

Gina Maria Leonetti

Marla E. Levine

Littleton Road Productions

Leslie & Adam Lobel

Renee Lonner

Milli Low

Natalie Mahdesian

Deborah Marsten

Diane McCaustland

Maura McDonald

Christina Medigovich

Anne & Ronald Mellor

Cynthia Melville

In Memory of Gregory Millar

Joan & Phil Miller

Leslie Mitchner

John Moschitta

Steve Mueller

Lawrence Murphy

Bonnie Nash & Donald Wing

Chris D. Olsen & Pierre Ouillet

Marty & Jamie Ordman

Carol Parry & John Fox

Carol F. Phillips

Norman & Beverly Pine

Gary & Gail Rachelefsky

Roger Recupero & Kyle Gehrmann

Robert Rosania

Mary Ann Rosenfeld & Sheldon Kadish

Lorraine Ross—

In Memory of Dr. Martin Ross

Bennett & Val Roth

Dr. Robin Roy & Ms. Catherine Zoi

Tom Saporito Productions*

Joel & Sonia Schneider

Nancy & Steven Schneider

John Schunhoff

Tina & John Scott

Marc Seltzer

Susanne & Marty Shallon

Nancy & Bruce Silverman

Ken & Marinette Simon

Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz

Barbara Smith

Glenn & Linda Solomon

Frances & Sy Strasberg

Joanne Takahashi

Mr. & Mrs. David Tann

Barbara & Larry Tenan

David & Cathy Thomas

Maud & Tonis Tilk

Brigitta Troy

Barbara Tuchi

Linda & Rich Turco

Shirah & Jim Vollmer

William Wallace

Deborah & Glenn Weinberg

Michelle & Steven Windmueller

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

The Chairman’s Circle acknowledges the historical contributions of the following individuals, whose support of Geffen Playhouse made the original vision of our founder, Gil Cates, Sr., possible: Anonymous

Annenberg Foundation

Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block† City National Bank

Kirsten^ & Donald Combs

Marcia Israel-Curley & Jim Curley

Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.

The David Geffen Foundation

Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand

Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher

Audrey & Charles Kenis

Lincy Foundation

Fay & Frank^ Mancuso

Tina & Jerry^ Moss / The Moss Foundation

Perenchio Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

The Simms/Mann Family Foundation

Skirball Foundation

University of California, Los Angeles

Wasserman Foundation

Judy & Chancellor Charles^ E. Young

If your name has been misspelled or omitted from the list in error, please contact Anika Waco, Donor Relations Manager at 310.208.6500 ext. 195.

Tarell Alvin McCraney ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ARTISTIC

Amy Levinson

Associate Artistic Director

Daniel Ionazzi

Producer

Phyllis Schuringa

Artistic Associate / Casting Director

Bella Luna

Company Manager

Olivia O’Connor

Literary Manager & Dramaturg

Lexy McAvinchey

Associate Producer

Dionn Richardson

Assistant to the Artistic Director

PRODUCTION

Matt Sweeney

Director of Production

Liz Brohm Hanrahan

Associate Production Manager / Resident Production Stage Manager

Melissa Hartman

Technical Director

Philip Rossi

Lead Scenic Carpenter

Greg Mueller

Stage Operator

Rick Gilles

Properties Master

Sarah Lindsley

Costume Shop Supervisor

Michayla Van Treeck

Costume Shop Coordinator

Spencer Doughtie

Lighting & Projection Supervisor

Jesus Cambero-Elias

Assistant Lighting Supervisor

James Grabowski

House Sound Supervisor

Bob Gilmartin

Resident A1

ADMINISTRATION

Sarah Sturdivant

Chief Financial Officer

Erick R. López General Manager

Berenice Campos Director of Human Resources

Janice Gompers

Payroll Manager & HR Admin

Youra Kim

Accounting Manager

Jake Jones

Staff Accountant

Clay Dzygun

Office Coordinator

Chloe Shi

General Management Associate

DEVELOPMENT

Elizabeth Kegley

Director of Institutional Giving

Cody Metzger

Gil

Cates, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO

Grace Allen, Tori Eriavez, Peyton Fleming, Cat Hayes, Miranda Heath, Gabrielle Johnsen, Jeffrey Limoncelli, Kayla Page, Camila Robles Ruiz

Box Office Staff

Theater Direct

Outbound Sales

OPERATIONS

Advancement & Creative Partnerships

Anika Waco

Donor Relations Manager

Rachel Jacoby

Data Management Coordinator

Zoila Lopez

Development Assistant

EDUCATION

Brian Allman

Director of Education & Community Engagement

Mark J. Chaitin

Manager of Education & Community Engagement

Aja Houston

Education & Community Engagement Associate / Lead Teaching Artist

Sean Michael Boozer, Paris Crayton III, Sidney Edwards, Margot Fitzsimmons, Erròn Jay, BJ Lange, Tiffany Oglesby, Marta Portillo, Tara Ricasa, Ashley Denise Robinson, Gerry Tonella

Teaching Artists

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Patrick Brown

Director of Marketing

Zenon Dmytryk

Director of Communications

Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Audience Development

Brian Dunning

Director of Content & Creative

Zack Hamra

Director of Audience Services & Ticketing

Isaak Berliner

Social Media & Communications Manager

Alyssa Tyson

Audience Services Manager

Jacob Feller, Jon-Paul Schaut

Box Office Managers

Jeni Pearsons

Director of Operations

Mel Yonzon

Front of House Manager

Amy Farkas

Lead Concierge

Rob Mersola

Event Manager

Sarah Chute, Anya Pryjmak

Part Time House Managers

Vanessa Bradchulis, Marlon Campos, Jonathan McGill, Karl Perry, Carsen Schroeder

Guest Services

Savanna Chute, Ryan Foreman, Stephen Johnson, Dylan La Rocque, Shannon Noel, Alex Otto Concessions

Brynn Allen, Emma Cort, Lauren Curet, Enzo De Cunto, Tyler DeLoatch, Sydney Fleischman, Alejandro Hernandez, Ava Kitt, Tiffany Labarbera, James Lambert-Solano, Jalen McKoy, Austin Merrill, Luvina Navarro, Elena Scaringe-Peene, Cody Smith, Myles Williams

Ushers

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Abdelkrim Bouzzit

Cloud System Administrator

Dream Warrior Group

System Administrator

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Art Guillen

Facilities Manager

Felipe Ayala, Juan Santillan

Building Maintenance

Mario Santillan

Custodial Lead

Juan Carlos Umaña, Camerina Martinez

Cleaning Custodial