WRITTEN BY CONOR MCPHERSON D I R E C T E D B Y R YA N R I L E T T E
D O U B L E YO U R I M PAC T D U R I N G
THE SEASON OF GIVING
, and (Prospero) ic Hissom nand), Er uchman. S di tt er (F co S e by Ro Boddi Tempest Photo of da) in The ves (Miran Megan Gra
O N L I N E at RoundHouseTheatre.org/Donate B Y P H O N E at 240.641.5352 M A I L YO U R C H E C K T O Round House Theatre Attn: Development 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814
UNTIL DECEMBER 31, A L L G I F T S TO R O U N D H O U S E W I L L B E M ATC H E D D O L L A R - F O R - D O L L A R BY JAY A N D R O B I N H A M M E R — U P TO $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 ! Donate today and have 2X the impact on our mission to be a theatre for everyone. Gifts of $100 or more come with insider access to behind-the-scenes events, ticket discounts, and so much more!
R E C O M M E N D A G R A N T to Round House through your Donor Advised Fund. F O R G I F T S O F A P P R E C I AT E D S TO C K O R W I R E T R A N S F E R S , please contact the development department at Development@RoundHouseTheatre.org or call 240.641.5352. I R A Q U A L I F I E D C H A R I TA B L E D I S T R I B U T I O N ( Q C D ) If you are 70 ½ or older, a QCD can count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. As a result, your adjusted gross income, taxable income, and tax liability are all reduced—and you get credit for giving to the organization you care about, including Round House! STREET
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Make the most meaningful gift of all by including Round House in your estate plans. You’ll join our S T R E E T 7 0 L E G A C Y S O C I E T Y and ensure we can produce bold, outstanding theatre for generations to come. See page 22 for more information. Don’t forget to check out our new donation kiosk in the lobby!
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OUN From R
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LEADE USE’S
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E LCO M E B AC K TO R O U N D H O U S E F O R T H E T H I R D S H OW I N O U R
2023-2024 season, the Olivier- and Tony-Award winning The Seafarer, a modern classic by one of Ireland’s leading playwrights, Conor McPherson. As you may know, The Seafarer was a late addition to the season. We had planned to celebrate this holiday with a joyful, celebratory, world premiere musical comedy fit for the entire family, A Hanukkah Carol. But as we developed that musical, we realized that its scope was greater than the time we had allotted it, so we decided to postpone it until 2024. While we always hate to make changes after we announce something publicly, we also believe strongly that the added time we're giving this show next year will make it a truly stunning production, one that we’re sure will delight families throughout the DC area and beyond for many years to come. The Seafarer is a very different kind of holiday story. Set on Christmas Eve and Christmas day in a northern Dublin suburb, it centers on four down-on-their-luck friends, and a mysterious visitor that shakes up their evening in ways they could never expect. McPherson has taken the long-standing trope of “battling your demons” to a spiritual place here, contrasting the hell that is loneliness and self-loathing with the heaven-on-earth of companionship that we all too often overlook. To bring this stunning, award-winning play to life, we have assembled an all-star team of local actors, stage managers, crew and designers, including recent Resident Artists Ivania Stack (costumes) and Maboud Ebrahimzadeh (Nicky). We’re also thrilled to welcome back long-time Round House stalwart Marty Lodge (Richard), who was part of Round House’s acting company for more than a decade and has done more shows with Round House than any other actor. In this unprecedented time in the American theatre, the dedicated board, staff, and artists of Round House have worked tirelessly to avoid the perils so many of the nation’s most prestigious theatres have experienced. Many organizations have been forced to send out emergency fundraising campaigns, cut back on the number of shows they are producing, and lay off staff. While Round House has avoided the worst of this, we certainly aren’t immune to the pressures that have caused these changes elsewhere – audiences slow to return post-Covid; donor fatigue among those who kept us going through the pandemic; an exodus from our field, making it hard to find employees, especially for part-time positions; and many others. So as you think about your year-end giving this year, we ask that you please consider a gift to Round House. If you’re already a donor, please consider increasing your gift this year. If you’ve never donated before, please consider adding us to your giving plans. Thank you for joining us for The Seafarer this holiday season!
RYAN RILETTE
ED ZAKRESKI
A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R
M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R
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R O U N D H O U S E T H E AT R E E X T E N D S I T S D E E P G R AT I T U D E T O O U R
G E N E R O U S S P O N S O R S O F T H E S E A FA R E R The 2023-2024 Season is sponsored by L I N DA R AV D I N A N D D O N S H A P E R O
We are honored to sponsor the 2023-2024 Season at Round House. This season epitomizes what Round House does so well—telling engaging stories from new perspectives. It challenges us to question our assumptions, to see issues from different sides, and by doing so, to extend a little more grace to everyone we encounter, truly exemplifying Round House’s mission to inspire empathy and demand conversation.” — L I N D A R AV D I N A N D D O N S H A P E R O
It is a pleasure to sponsor Round House Theatre's production of The Seafarer. Ireland is known for its storytelling, and the rich characters in this play offer it in spades. The Seafarer is particularly compelling at this time of year, as this story of friendship and redemption reminds us of the importance of our relationships with all those we hold dear.” — J U DY A N D L E O Z I C K L E R To become a sponsor for an upcoming Round House Theatre production, please contact Veronica Kannan, Director of Development, at 240.670.8795 or VKannan@RoundHouseTheatre.org.
T E E N S and C O L L E G E S T U D E N T S
can see Round House productions
S U P P O R T T H E N E X T G E N E RAT I O N FO R FOR EE F T H E AT R E AU D I E N C E S through our F R E E P L AY program.
Each season, Round House Theatre gives away thousands of free tickets to students ages 13 through college. Any play, any time! This program is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donor community who underwrite the cost of student tickets. Will you help foster the next generation of theatregoers with a gift to Round House today? Just $35 provides a student the opportunity to experience the joy of live theatre in their community. Visit RoundHouseTheatre.org/FreePlay for tickets and information! RoundHouseTheatre.org/Donate
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R O U N D H O U S E T H E AT R E R YA N R I L E T T E , Artistic Director, and E D Z A K R E S K I , Managing Director
P R E S E N T
WRITTEN BY CONOR MCPHERSON D I R E C T E D B Y R YA N R I L E T T E
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C R E AT I V E T E A M Scenic Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A N D R E W R . C O H E N Costume Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I VA N I A S TAC K Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A X D O O L I T T L E Sound Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K E N N Y N E A L Fight Choreographer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C A S E Y K A L E B A Dialect Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R E X DA U G H E R T Y Cards Consultant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R YA N P H I L L I P S Accessibility Consultant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R AY B LO O M E R Properties Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A N D R E A “ D R E ” M O O R E Casting Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S A R A H C O O N E Y Dramaturg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N AYS A N M OJ G A N I Production Stage Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C H E W E R N S M A N *
*As indicated, Actors and Stage Managers appear courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The Seafarer is sponsored by Judy and Leo Zickler The 2023-2024 Season is sponsored by Linda Ravdin and Don Shapero
THE SEAFARER was first produced at The Royal National Theatre, London, in 2006 and then at The Booth Theatre, New York, in 2007, directed by Conor McPherson. THE SEAFARER is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service imprint. (www.dramatists.com)
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C A S T (in order of appearance) James “Sharky” Harkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C H R I S G E N E B AC H * Richard Harkin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A R T Y LO D G E * Ivan Curry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M I C H A E L G L E N N * Nicky Giblin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A B O U D E B R A H I M Z A D E H * Mr. Lockhart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A R C U S K Y D *
U N D E R S T U D I E S (in order of appearance)
Sharky and Mr. Lockhart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R YA N R I L E T T E * Richard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G R E G J O N E S E L L I S Ivan and Nicky. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S T E V E L E B E N S
*As indicated, Actors and Stage Managers appear courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRODUCTION Production Assistant. . . . . . . . . . C A R R I E E D I C K Deck / Wardrobe Crew. . . . . . . . K R I S TO P R O S A R I O Light Board Operator. . . . . . . . . C H R I S H A L L Sound Board Operator. . . . . . . . D E L A N E Y B R AY Wardrobe Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . H A N N A H K AT H E R I N E H E R O L D Light Board Programmer . . . . . . C A I T F O S T E R Carpenters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E L L E N M I TC H E L L , G E R A R D O S O R I A N O Painters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C A R O LY N H A M P TO N , DA N I E L L E H A R R I S , S H E R R I H OW E L L S , S A R A H P H I L L I P S , N A DYA YA K S I C H
Electricians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M A X A B R A M OV I T Z , Z AVA R B L AC K L E D G E , I S A AC D E M A R C H I , K R I S T O P R O S A R I O Costume Shop Assistant. . . . . . . A M A N DA G E Y E R Ager / Dyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A L E X A C A S S A N D R A D U I M S T R A
The Seafarer runs approximately 2 H O U R S plus one intermission.
F U LL S TA F F LI S TI N G S on page 33
The Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Designer of this production are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE. The Actors and Stage Manager appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”). Founded in 1913, Equity is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks The Director and Fight Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.
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BIOS CAST M A B O U D E B R A H I M Z A D E H (Nicky) is delighted to return to Round House Theatre with The Seafarer, after being one of the inaugural Resident Artists. Previous Round House credits include Ink, Oslo, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Small Mouth Sounds, The Book of Will, and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. DC credits include Tectonic Theater Project's Here There Are Blueberries at Shakespeare Theatre Company; English, People, Places, and Things, Water by the Spoonful, and Edgar & Annabel at Studio Theatre; The Price at Arena Stage; Oil and The Invisible Hand at Olney Theatre Center; Nathan the Wise and Tale of the Allergist’s Wife at Theater J; 1 Henry IV, King John, and Timon of Athens at Folger Theatre. Regional credits include Murder on the Orient Express at Hartford Stage; Disgraced and Murder on the Orient Express at McCarter Theatre; Disgraced at Milwaukee Rep; and The Invisible Hand (Barrymore Award for Outstanding Lead Actor) at Theatre Exile. Film and television credits include Jessica Jones, Imperium,Sally Pacholok, and Homebound. Website: www.maboudebrahimzadeh.com | @mindthechasm |
C H R I S G E N E B A C H (Sharky) is thrilled to return to Round House Theatre, after previously performing in Ink. DC area credits include Kinky Boots, Singin’ in the Rain, The Royale, Mary Stuart, Oil, The Crucible, My Fair Lady, Carousel, and Awake & Sing! at Olney Theatre Center; The Till Trilogy; A Human Being Died that Night and Ulysses on Bottles at Mosaic Theater Company; Billy Elliot at Signature Theatre; Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2, Measure for Measure, Two Gentleman of Verona, Julius Caesar (FFA), Cymbeline, King Lear, and Titus Andronicus at Shakespeare Theatre Company; Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play at Woolly Mammoth Theatre; Davenant’s Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, Twelfth Night, Henry V, Othello, Cyrano, and Orestes: A Tragic Romp at Folger Theatre; The Big Meal, Superior Donuts, and Shining City at Studio Theatre. Broadway credits include Shining City at Manhattan Theatre Club; Off-Broadway credits include Rose Rage: Henry VI Parts 1, 2, 3 at The Duke; The Other Side at Manhattan Theatre Club. Regional credits include Death of a Salesman, A Streetcar Named Desire, and An Inspector Calls at Everyman Theatre; King Lear at Goodman Theatre; Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, Rose Rage, King John, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
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M I C H A E L G L E N N (Ivan) is very happy to be returning to Round House, where he was previously seen in Ink, Gem of the Ocean, Small Mouth Sounds, Stage Kiss, and THIS. Some past Washington-area productions include Red Velvet and The School for Lies at Shakespeare Theatre Company; Junk, Baskerville, and Good People at Arena Stage; Tiger Style! and Marjorie Prime at Olney Theatre Center; Jumpers for Goalposts at Studio Theatre; Brighton Beach Memoirs at Theater J; Nell Gwynn and Sense & Sensibility at Folger Theatre; and Cat's Cradle at Longacre Lea. Michael also does voice over work, primarily with Graphic Audio, portraying literally thousands of superheroes, outlaws, mutants, and wizards in their audiobook projects. Most recently, Michael was heard as Curran in their adaptations of Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels series. M A R C U S K Y D (Mr. Lockhart) is delighted to return to Round House Theatre, where he has performed in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Sleeping Country, The Chairs, Alice, and The Lyons. Other performing credits include Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Theater J, Center Stage, Olney Theatre Center, The Baltimore Symphony, Happenstance Theater, Anti-Social Music/WPAS, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Constellation Theatre Company, and many more. He played guitar and sang for The Most Secret Method. Marcus is a Taffety Punk. M A R T Y L O D G E (Richard) has appeared in 46 shows at Round House Theatre, including The Drawer Boy, Our Town, and Uncle Vanya. On Broadway, he stood by for Bill Pullman in Oleanna. Locally, he has done many plays at Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Woolly Mammoth, Ford’s Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center, among others. Regionally, he has appeared at the American Repertory Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum, The Geffen Playhouse, The Milwaukee Rep, The Rubicon Theatre, and the Drury Lane Theatre, to name a few. Film and television credits include Madmen, Grey’s Anatomy, Zodiac, Boston Legal, Chicago Justice, Private Practice, Gilmore Girls, and many more.
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G R E G J O N E S E L L I S (Richard Understudy) Greg’s most recent live appearances include Ellis Island: The Dream of America with the Annapolis Symphony, in which he portrayed various immigrants. He was also seen in the Classic Theatre of Maryland’s Oliver! (Mr. Bumble); Compass Rose Theatre’s Brigadoon (Mr. Lundie); and Live Arts Annapolis’s
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Guys and Dolls (Arvide). In 2022, he revived his one-man show in New York entitled I Opened for Barry Manilow’s Mother and Other Tales from the Fringes of Show Business. He has supplied his voice-over talents to the Washington Stage Guild, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, and the Metropolitan Washington Ear service for the visually impaired. A prolific playwright as well, Greg’s awardwinning comedy-drama All Save One had its world premiere at the Washington Stage Guild. www.gregjonesellis.com
S T E V E L E B E N S (Ivan and Nicky Understudy) is thrilled to make his Round House Theatre debut. DC credits include Exclusion at Arena Stage; Amazing Grace at The Museum of the Bible; Passion and Cabaret at Signature Theatre, Playing Juliet; Casting Othello, The Merchant of Venice and Sherlock Holmes and the Purloined Patience at Folger Theatre; Hot Fudge, The Virgin Molly, Muzeeka and A Clockwork Orange at Studio Theatre; 12 Angry Men at American Century Theater, and most recently Scorched at ExPats Theatre. Regional credits include The Entertainer at The Guthrie Theater and True West at the Ibero-American Theater Festival in Bogota. Film and television credits include VEEP, Law and Order: CI, House of Cards, and Field of Lost Shoes. R YA N R I L E T T E (Sharky and Mr. Lockhart Understudy) see leadership/ director bio
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C O N O R M C P H E R S O N (Playwright) attended University College Dublin, where he began to write and direct. Plays include Girl from the North Country with Bob Dylan, (Old Vic, West End & Broadway); The Weir (Royal Court, West End & Broadway); The Seafarer (National Theatre & Broadway); Shining City (Royal Court & Broadway); The Night Alive (Donmar & Off Broadway); Port Authority (West End & Off Broadway); St Nicholas (Bush theatre & Off Broadway); and This Lime Tree Bower (Bush Theatre & Off Broadway). His West End adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya for Sonia Friedman Productions was filmed for the BBC and broadcast by PBS in the United States. Awards for Conor’s work include the Laurence Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award, London Critics’ Circle Award, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, New York Outer Critics Circle Award, George Devine Award, five Tony Award nominations, four Irish Film and Television Academy Best Screenplay Awards, and the South Bank Show Sky Arts Theatre Award.
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R Y A N R I L E T T E (Director) is in his twelfth season as Artistic Director of Round House Theatre. For Round House, he has directed “We declare you a terrorist...”, Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up, Homebound, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Oslo, Small Mouth Sounds, “Master Harold”...and the Boys, The Book of Will, Angels in America: Perestroika, The Night Alive, Fool for Love, This, and How to Write a New Book for the Bible. He also acted in Ink and Uncle Vanya at Round House, has directed at theaters throughout the country, and has acted in a handful of TV shows and films. During his tenure at Round House, he has produced six of the highest grossing seasons in the theatre’s history. His productions have received 81 Helen Hayes Awards nominations and 21 Helen Hayes Awards. Ryan created the theatre’s Equal Play Commissioning program, Resident Artist program, Fair Play pay scale for artists, and Free Play ticketing program. Prior to joining Round House, Ryan served as Producing Director of Marin Theatre Company, Producing Artistic Director of Southern Rep Theatre, and co-founder and Artistic Director of Rude Mechanicals Theatre Company. He is the former Board President of the National New Play Network. A N D R E W R . C O H E N (Scenic Designer) is thrilled to return to Round House Theatre, after previously working on The Tempest. Select DC credits include Murder Ballad (Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Outstanding Set Design) at Studio Theatre; King John at Folger Theatre; The Crucible at Olney Theater Center; The Chameleon and The Wanderers at Theater J; Monumental Travesties and The Till Trilogy at Mosaic Theater Company; Earthrise at the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences; and Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage. Regional credits include Flyin’ West at Everyman Theatre; Red Riding Hood at Arden Theatre; It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play at Studio Tenn; The Piano Lesson at Le Petit Theatre. Andrew received his MFA in Scenic Design from University of Maryland and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. AndrewCohenDesigns.com I V A N I A S T A C K (Costume Designer) has previously designed several shows for Round House Theatre, including, Jennifer Who Is Leaving, it’s not a trip it’s a journey and “We declare you a terrorist...” Her work has also been seen at many regional and DC area theatres such as: Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (Company Member), Seattle Repertory Theatre, Asolo Rep, Gulf Shore Playhouse, Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Center Stage, Everyman Theatre, The Second City, The Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Theatre J, Pointless Theatre, Synetic Theatre, The Karski Project, and Gala Hispanic Theatre. She has an MFA in design from the University of Maryland, College Park.
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M A X D O O L I T T L E (Lighting Designer) DC area credits include productions at Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Woolly Mammoth, Folger Theatre, Signature Theatre, Mosaic Theatre Company, Theatre Alliance,Theatre J, Rep Stage, Kennedy Center/Second City, Imagination Stage, Forum Theatre, Adventure Theatre, Constellation Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Academy for Classical Acting, Pointless Theatre Co, and NextStop Theatre. NYC credits include Ars Nova, Juilliard School, New Ohio Theatre, and New World Stages. Regional credits include Geffen Playhouse, Kitchen Theatre Company, Santa Fe Playhouse, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Fulton Theatre. Lighting direction for television includes Anderson Cooper 360, and Piers Morgan Live. Aboard Cruise Ships: Wine Lovers, The Musical. BFA: Ithaca College. MFA: University of Maryland. K E N N Y N E A L (Sound Designer) is a Helen Hayes Award-winning sound designer, composer, and arranger. DC credits include: She a Gem and Digging Up Dessa at The Kennedy Center; The Upstairs Department, Daphne’s Dive, Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes, Heisenberg, John, and The Gulf at Signature Theatre; English, Straight White Men, Jumpers for Goalposts, and Choir Boy at Studio Theatre; A Nice Indian Boy, Dance Nation, The Royale, and Oil at Olney Theatre Center; Becoming Dr. Ruth at Theatre J; The Last Match, Airness, columbinus, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Well, Floyd Collins, Old Wicked Songs, and Bat Boy at 1st Stage. Regional credits include Becoming Dr. Ruth at Cleveland Playhouse and English at Barrington Stage. C A S E Y K A L E B A (Fight Choreographer) returns to Round House Theatre for The Seafarer, where he has staged more than a dozen shows including Girlhood (Teen Performance Company), Nine Night, Quixote Nuevo, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America, and The Night Alive. DC credits include Fences, Ragtime, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Ford’s Theatre; Il Trovatore and Elektra with the Washington National Opera; Into the Woods, Blackbeard, and Billy Elliot with Signature Theatre; and Singing in the Rain, Mary Stuart, and Sweeney Todd with Olney Theatre Center. Recent work includes the national tour of An Officer and a Gentleman. Casey is a three-time Helen Hayes nominee for Choreography and coordinates the stage combat training program through Round House Theatre’s education wing. ToothandClawCombat.com R E X D A U G H E R T Y (Dialect Coach) is a DC-based theatre artist and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Theatre at Solas Nua, Washington’s premier Irish arts organization. Previous credits with Round House Theatre include Ohio State Murders, Sleep Deprivation Chamber, and Becky Shaw. His work has also been seen at Solas Nua, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The National Theatre, Warner Theatre, Ford's Theatre, Signature Theatre, Folger Theatre, Theatre Alliance, Off Broadway at 59E59 and 1st Irish Theatre Festival, Oklahoma Shakespeare, Edinburgh Fringe, and Dublin Theatre Festival. Rex’s productions have been internationally featured in The New York
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Times, The Washington Post, on the cover of American Theatre Magazine, The Irish Times, The Scotsman, Edinburgh Guide, British Theatre Guide, The Telegraph Nigeria, and The Guardian - Nigeria. Website: Rex-Daugherty.com
R Y A N P H I L L I P S (Cards Consultant) is a magician, actor, and magic consultant serving the DC area. Ryan is excited to return to Round House Theatre as the Cards Consultant for The Seafarer. Other Round House credits include Magic Coordinator and Ariel Understudy for The Tempest, Magic Coordinator for The Mountaintop, and Effects Consultant for the world premiere of it’s not a trip it’s a journey. Select DC credits include Illusion Consultant for Fat Ham at Studio Theatre and Magic Consultant for The Consul at Washington National Opera. Ryan is also a perennial performer at DC’s Capital Pride Festival and the Resident Magician at The Mayflower Hotel performing weekly public shows in The Magic Duel. He is a proud member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians. ryanphillipsmagic.com R A Y B L O O M E R (Accessibility Consultant) is a blind person who was sighted for many years before losing sight. For almost 48 years, he has worked for the National Park Service as an Accessibility Specialist, along with consulting with entities such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and corporate entities in the travel and tourist industry. During this period, he presented several hundred sessions on awareness and understanding the characteristics of people who are blind and those with low vision, as well as knowing the differences between people who are congenitally blind and those who are adventitiously blind (after having had sight and visual memory). A N D R E A “ D R E ” M O O R E (Properties Coordinator) is a properties and puppet designer/fabricator in the Maryland/DC area and is excited to be back at Round House. Previous Round House credits include properties coordination for Jennifer Who Is Leaving, The Tempest, and the first annual National Capital New Play Festival (it's not a trip, it's a journey and “We declare you a terrorist…”). Current productions include Puppet Design for The Snowy Day at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, as well as production construction work for Sleeping Beauty at the Puppet Co. Upcoming productions include Properties and Puppet Designs for Nate The Great at Imagination Stage and production construction work for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Puppet Co. Dre's properties and puppet designs have also graced the stages of Adventure Theatre MTC, Baltimore Center Stage, Discovery Theatre, Flying V Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, and Theatre J. Several of Dre's properties and puppet pieces are on rotating display at DoodleHATCH, an immersive art museum, where she is also on the Board of Directors. DoodleHatch.com S A R A H C O O N E Y (Casting Director) is Round House Theatre’s Casting Director & Associate Producer. In the DC area, Sarah has cast for The Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage series, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre
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Company, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, and Rep Stage. As a Casting Director with NYC’s Binder Casting, Sarah cast for The Lion King Broadway and National Touring productions and the Encores! series at New York City Center. Other Regional casting credits include Hartford Stage, Seattle Rep, Drury Lane Theatre, Weston Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, ACT of Connecticut, and others. Film and TV casting credits include Crashing (HBO), The Big Sick (Apatow Productions), Kevin Can Wait (CBS), and Clipped (HGTV). Sarah taught at West Virginia University and is a New York University alum.
N A Y S A N M O J G A N I (Dramaturg) is Round House Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, in which capacity he serves as in-house dramaturg and leads Round House Theatre’s new work program. As a theatre scholar, director, and dramaturg, Naysan has worked on new and classic work with theatres around the country, including Arena Stage (where he served as Literary Manager), La Jolla Playhouse, MOXIE, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Theatre Squared, Malashock Dance, and Signature Theatre, and has taught at UC San Diego and George Mason University. Naysan holds a PhD in Theatre & Drama from UC San Diego, and a BA from Carleton College. C H E W E R N S M A N (Production Stage Manager) is elated for her eighth season as Resident Stage Manager at Round House! Some of her favorite RHT credits include: Ink, Radio Golf, On the Far End, The Tempest, Nine Night, “We declare you a terrorist…”, A Boy and His Soul, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Handbagged (Off-Broadway - 59E59, Bethesda), Oslo, Gem of the Ocean, Small Mouth Sounds, The Book of Will, and A Prayer for Owen Meany. Che has worked as an AEA Stage Manager in the DC/Baltimore region for over two decades, with shows at The Kennedy Center, Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, The National, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Theatre J, Studio, Everyman, Rep Stage, Center Stage, and Olney Theatre Center. Che has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech.
An aerial view of the setting of the play, Baldoyle, Ireland
Photo credit: René Bruun
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CONOR MCPHERSON: ALCOHO L
&
SECO ND
CHANCES
B Y N A Y S A N M O J G A N I | D R A M AT U R G
P
L AYW R I G H T CO N O R M C P H E R S O N WA S 2 9 Y E A R S O L D when his play Port Authority opened on London’s West End, in a production that he directed himself. However, on opening night, instead of going to the New Ambassadors Theatre, he went to the hospital with severe stomach pains—McPherson had pancreatitis, a nearly fatal inflammation of the pancreas brought on by years of heavy drinking. Although he wrote his first play in 1992 (Rum and Vodka), McPherson’s career really took off with the smash success of The Weir in 1997. And with that success came pressure and expectations and doubt, all of which led him to a mounting dependency on alcohol: “I was drunk every fucken day,” McPherson told Jasper Rees of The Arts Desk in 2014. “I’d happily drink on my own. Didn’t bother me. I was just looking to stop all the fucken self-judgement. It’s like you wake up in the morning and a voice goes, ‘Oh here he is. Here he fucken comes. Here’s the fucken arsehole.’ You get into the shower you think, ‘Look at this fucken idiot.’ I mean that’s who you are. It’s frightening. The only thing that will stop it is drink.” And so, he drank. Then the same alcohol that allowed him to turn off those critical inner voices almost killed him. This is a very familiar story for the characters of The Seafarer. This is a group of men bound together by alcohol. Like McPherson—like many of us—they lean on alcohol to numb themselves, to blind themselves to their own failures, many of which were caused by alcohol in the first place. They ruin their lives by drinking, and then they drink because their lives are ruined. After ten weeks in the hospital, McPherson was released, and his doctors told him that if he didn’t stop drinking, he would die. Looking back on this sequence of events in 2013, McPherson told The Irish Post, “It was the best thing that happened in my life.” He considers himself very lucky to have gotten that second chance, and he made good use of it: getting sober, getting married, becoming a father, and learning that he doesn’t need alcohol to write. Each of the characters in The Seafarer drinks for one reason or another (often at least in part out of loneliness), but much like their creator, they all have doubts and regrets. But on Christmas Eve, playing a game of poker, they may have a shot at a second chance. The question becomes: When confronted with that second chance, do they recognize it for what it is? And do they—like their creator—seize it and fight for redemption? Or do they shut their eyes and take another drink?
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”
I ’ D H A P P I LY D R I N K O N M Y OW N . D I D N ’ T B O T H E R M E . I WA S J U S T LO O K I N G TO STO P A L L T H E F U C K E N S E L F - J U D G E M E N T.
The holidays especially can be a challenging time for mental health in general and substance abuse more particularly. We hope that The Seafarer helps lighten that burden, not add to it, but if you or a loved one are struggling, please know you need not do so alone. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a collection of resources, including guides on finding medical treatment and local or online support groups, at samhsa.gov. They also have a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-4357, and a suicide/crisis lifeline that can be called or texted at 988 or reached online at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, SMART Recovery runs many addiction support groups throughout the DMV as well as online; please check SMARTRecovery.org for more information.
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R E N T S PA C E AT ROUND HOUSE F O R YO U R S P E C I A L E V E N T
For more information, email Rental@RoundHouseTheatre.org
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G I V E T H E G I F T O F G R E AT T H E AT R E
3-SHOW
PAC K
TA R T AGES S
AT $ 1 0
5
RoundHouseTheatre.org/Subscribe2023 240.644.1100
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POKER FOR G O B A LO O N S BY N A Y S A N
M O J G A N I | D R A M AT U R G
The men in The Seafarer are playing five-card draw, what is often considered to be the “basic” or “introductory” variant of poker—many home games use these rules, although it’s less common in casinos or tournaments. If you need a basic refresher, here you go!
O R D E R
O F
P L AY
Before dealing, all players will typically put a small amount of money into the pot, simply to buy entry to the hand. All players then receive five cards. Based on these initial hands, players make a first round of bets. If a player wishes to continue playing the hand, they must at least match whatever money previous players have already bet; if nobody has yet made a bet, a player may CHECK , or refrain from betting for the time being but reserving the ability to match a subsequent bet and stay in the game. They may also RAISE by betting additional funds beyond the existing bet. If the bet is too high, or the player does not have confidence in their cards, they may FOLD or withdraw from play, sacrificing any money they have already bet. After the first round of betting, players may then discard a portion of their hand and receive new cards in exchange. Additional betting ensues, following the same pattern as the first round. When betting concludes, all players still in the game reveal their hands and the highest-scoring five card hand wins.
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W I N N I N G #1
#2
#3
#4
#5
H A N D S ROYAL FLUSH
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all in the same suit (the best hand possible)
STRAIGHT FLUSH Any five cards in sequential value of the same suit
FOUR OF A KIND
Four cards of the same value
FULL HOUSE
Three cards of one value, and two of another
FLUSH
Any five cards of a single suit
STRAIGHT #6
#7
Any five cards in sequential value of any combination of suits
THREE OF A KIND
Any three cards of one value
TWO PAIR #8
#9
Any two cards of one value and another two cards of one value
ONE PAIR
Any two cards of one value If no player has any of the above hands, then the highest value card wins.
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THE
NAMESAKE
OF
T H E S E A FA R E R B Y N A Y S A N M O J G A N I | D R A M AT U R G
C
O N O R M C P H E R S O N D R E W I N S P I R AT I O N A N D A T I T L E from “The Seafarer,” an Old English poem by an unknown author, first recorded in the tenth century. The poem is 124 lines long, written from the perspective of an elderly sailor reflecting back on the hardships of his sea-faring life. The poem captures the loneliness and isolation of being out at sea for an extended period of time, but over the course of the poem, that despair expands— it is not simply being at sea that is isolating, but the human condition itself. That, for McPherson, is the connection. For Sartre, hell is famously “other people;” in The Seafarer, hell is lonely and frozen. And the hope of salvation for these characters—both from hell and from mortal despair—is in each other, in human connection. Below is an excerpt from Richard Hamer’s 1970 translation of the poem, which McPherson quotes as an epigraph at the beginning of his script.
I sing my own true story, tell my travels, How I have often suffered times of hardship In days of toil, and have experienced Bitter anxiety, my troubled home On many a ship has been the heaving ways, Where grim night-watch has often been my lot At the ship’s prow as it beat past the cliffs.
‘The Seafarer’ in its original Old English, from the Exeter Book
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Oppressed by cold my feet were bound by frost In icy bonds, while worries simmered hot About my heart, and hunger from within Tore the sea-weary spirit. He knows not, Who lives most easily on land, how I Have spent my winter on the ice-cold sea, Wretched and anxious, in the paths of exile, Lacking dear friends, hung round by icicles, While hail flew past in showers. There heard I nothing But the resounding sea, the ice-cold waves. Sometimes I made the song of the wild swan My pleasure, or the gannet’s call, the cries Of curlews for the missing mirth of men, The singing gull instead of the mead in hall. Storms beat the rocky cliffs, and icy-winged The tern replied, the horn-beaked eagle shrieked. No patron had I there who might have soothed My desolate spirit. He can little know Who, proud and flushed with wine, has spent his time With all the joys of life among the cities, Safe from such fearful venturing, how I Have often suffered weary on the seas. Night shadows darkened, snow came from the north, Frost bound the earth and hail fell on the ground, Coldest of corns. And yet the heart’s desires Incite me now that I myself should go On towering seas, among salt waves’ play; And constantly the heartfelt wishes urge The spirit to venture, that i should go forth To see the lands of strangers far away. Yet no man in the world’s so proud of heart, So generous of gifts, so bold in youth, In deeds so brave, or with so loyal lord, That he can ever venture on the sea Without great fears of what the Lord may bring. His mind dwells not on the harp, On ring-receiving, or the joy of woman, Or worldly hopes, or anything at all But the relentless rolling of the waves; But he who goes to sea must ever yearn.
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WHAT WILL YOUR L E G AC Y BE? The S T R E E T 7 0 L E G A C Y S O C I E T Y commemorates Round House Theatre’s original name as part of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation and recognizes those who have generously chosen to include Round House in their estate plans. This can be as simple as making a gift to Round House in a will or naming us as a beneficiary in a qualified retirement plan or life insurance policy. If you’re interested in joining the Street 70 Legacy Society, or if Round House is already a part of your estate plans, please contact Veronica Kannan, Director of Development, at 240.670.8795 or VKannan@RoundHouseTheatre.org.
Thank you to the following S T R E E T 7 0 L E G A C Y S O C I E T Y members who have generously included Round House Theatre in their estate plans. R AC H E L H . M . A B R A H A M
E L A I N E E . J O O ST
NAN BECKLEY
C H E RY L C . KAG A N
D O N A N D JA N B OA R D M A N
RENEE KLISH
DIANE BOEHR
DA N A A N D R AY KO C H
JA M E S B U R K S A N D B E T T E PA P PA S
S E T H A N D B A R B A R A KO C H
M A R T Y * A N D B E L L E N E G R I N DAV I S
BRUCE AND ANN LANE
KENNETH B. DREYFUSS L AU R A F O R M A N A N D RICHARD BENDER
DA R R E L L L E M K E A N D M A RY E L L E N T R AU T M A N S COT T A N D PAU L A M O O R E
HELENE FREEMAN
GERI OLSON
ST E V E N G A R R O N
SA L LY J. PAT T E R S O N
ANN AND FRANK* GILBERT
L I N DA R AV D I N A N D D O N S H A P E R O
S U SA N G I L B E R T A N D RON SCHECHTER
H E N RY S C H A L I Z K I *
JAY A N D R O B I N H A M M E R
PA M E L A A N D J O H N S P E A R S
R O B E R T E . H E B DA
VA L E R I E A N D J O H N W H E E L E R
MARK AND MERRILL SHUGOLL
L I N DA LU R I E H I R S C H
For more information on making a legacy gift to Round House, please visit RoundHouseTheatre.org/PlannedGiving
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*in memoriam
CAMPS AND CLASSES F O R G R A D E S 1 -1 2
R U O Y P O L E V E DE C I O V C I T S I T AR WITH R
OUND
HOU
AT R E SE THE
EDUCA
TION
Learn more at RoundHouseTheatre.org/Education
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4 8 07 S T. E L M O AV E N U E S E CO N D F LO O R B E T H E S DA , M D 2 0 8 1 4 M S T U D I O B E T H E S DA .CO M ( 3 0 1 ) 70 3 - 9 3 2 7 M STUDIO SALON IS PROUD TO SUPPORT ROUND HOUSE THEATRE
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T H E AT R E
F O R
E V E R YO N E
HOUSE RULES At Round House, “Theatre For Everyone” isn’t just a statement. It’s our mission and an organizational value. It means that everyone—patrons, artists, staff, students, trustees, and volunteers—is invited to fully participate and deserves to be treated with respect. This is our promise to you…and we ask you to help us uphold these values and expectations in all of your interactions with Round House.
We believe that… • All are welcome here, and each person is empowered and encouraged to fully engage with our work. • Everyone is a human being, equally deserving of respect. • Theatre is an “empathy gym,” and building that muscle is what each of us is here to do. • Anti-racism—the intentional and conscious effort to combat racial prejudice and systemic and structural racism—is an ongoing and active practice, and we must all stand against oppression and marginalization of all kinds. • Discomfort is often productive, but cruelty never is.
We invite you to… • Assume positive intent and expect the same assumption in return. • Enjoy our art with your whole self—laugh, clap, cry, have reactions!—and embrace your fellow audience members’ reactions in turn. Remember that your experience is shared with the rest of the audience. • Make a deliberate effort to confront your own biases, and partner with us to help make Round House a welcoming space for everyone. We’re all learning! • Help us create a positive community and a culture of collaboration.
We will not tolerate… • Insulting or discriminatory speech towards anyone. • Unwanted invasion of another person’s physical space. • Abusive or harassing behavior. • Ignoring or talking over staff who are trying to assist you. • Creating a hostile environment for fellow audience members, students, artists, or staff. • Disrespect of or damage to our theatre or other facilities. W E A R E G L A D Y O U ’ R E H E R E ! Thank you for being a part of the Round
House community as we work together to truly be a Theatre For Everyone. If you witness or experience behavior that violates the values and expectations outlined above, please alert our staff. Round House will take action to protect our community, with consequences up to and including removal from Round House activities.
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TIV EXECU
E LEAD
ERSHIP
R Y A N R I L E T T E (Artistic Director) is in his twelfth season as Artistic Director of Round House Theatre. During his tenure, he has produced six of the highest grossing seasons in the theatre’s history. His productions have received 81 Helen Hayes Awards nominations and 21 Helen Hayes Awards. Ryan created the theatre’s Equal Play commissioning program, Resident Artist program, Fair Play pay scale for artists, and Free Play ticketing program. For Round House, he has acted in Ink and Uncle Vanya and directed “We declare you a terrorist...”, Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up, Homebound, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Oslo, Small Mouth Sounds, “Master Harold”...and the Boys, The Book of Will, Angels in America: Perestroika, The Night Alive, Fool for Love, This, and How to Write a New Book for the Bible. He has also acted and directed at theaters in New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans, and has acted in a handful of TV shows and films, including In The Electric Mist and Elvis. Prior to joining Round House, Ryan served as Producing Director of Marin Theatre Company, Producing Artistic Director of Southern Rep Theatre, and co-founder and Artistic Director of Rude Mechanicals Theatre Company. He is the former Board President of the National New Play Network. E D Z A K R E S K I (Managing Director) is in his eighth season as Managing Director of Round House Theatre. He has produced the five best-selling shows in Round House history, led the theatre’s $12+ million Full Circle campaign, and oversaw the complete renovation of its Bethesda theatre. He has been an executive leader and fundraiser in DC area nonprofit arts organizations for more than 25 years, raising more than $120 million. Prior to joining Round House, Ed spent 12 years as Chief Development Officer at Shakespeare Theatre Company where he completed the $75 million capital campaign to build Sidney Harman Hall and produced its $3 million opening gala. From 1998-2005, Ed worked in Development at the Kennedy Center, ultimately overseeing a 22-member team raising more than $11 million annually. Ed holds a degree in Arts Management from American University and frequently presents and leads workshops about management and fundraising for nonprofit arts organizations.
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R O U N D H O U S E T H E AT R E
L A N D AC K N OW L E D G M E N T In our ongoing efforts to learn more and strengthen our relationships with members of our local community, and to work towards dismantling the harmful effects of white supremacy and colonization, Round House acknowledges that our theatre, administrative offices, education center, and production shop are located on unceded land cared for by native tribes including the Piscataway peoples. We pay our respects to the Piscataway community and their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We also acknowledge that, as the world experiences the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are using the internet and other technologies that are not as readily available or accessible in present day indigenous communities. We pledge to do the work necessary to build relationships with sovereign tribal nations, to ensure that Round House becomes a more inclusive space, and to never cease ongoing learning. Learn more about the Piscataway tribe: PiscatawayConoyTribe.com Support indigenous rights organizations on a national or global level: Native American Rights Fund: NARF.org Cultural Survival: CulturalSurvival.org Indigenous Environmental Network: IENEarth.org
WHAT IS A LAND ACK NOWLE DGME NT? A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as the traditional stewards of a given geographic area. We share ours as part of Round House’s ongoing efforts toward equity and anti-racism.
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ROUND HOUSE A N N UA L D O N O R S List is current as of October 31, 2023.
W E G RAT E F U L LY AC K N OW L E D G E the following donors who support the work of Round House Theatre through Annual Fund, Gala, and Theatre for Everyone contributions. These gifts help Round House continue to be a theatre for everyone and enrich our community through bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences that inspire empathy and demand conversation. To learn more about the ways to support Round House, donor benefits, or to make a gift, visit RoundHouseTheatre.org/Support or call the Development Department at 240.641.5352.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
DIAMOND CIRCLE
Arronson Foundation
Leslie Grizzard and Joe Hale
Lorraine and Doug Bibby
Daniel Kaplan and Kay Richman
Clare Evans
The Sheldon and Audrey Katz
Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag
Foundation
Mindy A. Hecker Maureen and Michael McMurphy and the Patrick Michael McMurphy Memorial Foundation Linda Ravdin and Don Shapero David and Sherry Smith Judy and Leo Zickler
Susan and Bill Reinsch Jay Sushelsky and Noreen Marcus
SILVER CIRCLE +
GOLD CIRCLE SHARE FUND Heidi and Mitch Dupler Jay and Robin Hammer Montgomery County Government
PL ATINUM CIRCLE
+ Nan Beckley Michael Beriss and Jean Carlson Cathy S. Bernard Elaine Kotell Binder and Richard Binder The GPS Fund
James Burks and Bette Pappas Pam and Richard Feinstein Susan and Timothy Gibson John and Meg Hauge Jeff and Rose Heintz Ann and Neil Kerwin Janice McCall
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Alan and Amy Meltzer
Patti and Jerry Sowalsky
Richard Bender
The Rowny Foundation
Michael and Andrea Steele
Ann and Frank* Gilbert
Linda Ryan
The Sulica Fund
Susan and Peter Greif
Dian and Steve Seidel
Nina Weisbroth and
Edward Grossman and
Larry Culleen
BRONZE CIRCLE + +
Rochelle Stanfield
Richard and Susan Westin
Nicole and Nolan Guagenti
WorkSource Montgomery
Robert E. Hebda
Anne* and Robert Yerman
Adam and Erin Heintz
Bernard and Ellen Young
Paul Henderson Linda Lurie Hirsch
COPPER CIRCLE
John Horman Reba and Mark Immergut Clifford Johnson and
Anonymous
Margaret Roper
+
+
Elaine Economides Joost Renee Klish
+
Veena Kutler and
+
James Cannistra Kathleen Knepper Dana and Ray Koch
+
Ellen Kohn Barry Kropf
+
Celia and Keith Arnaud
Ann and Bruce Lane Malcolm Lewis Russell-Einhorn
Don and Nancy Bliss
B. Thomas Mansbach
Walter A. Bloedorn Foundation
+
Don and Jan Boardman
Scott and Paula Moore
Dallas Morse Coors Foundation
Carl and Undine Nash
for the Performing Arts
+
Stephanie deSibour and Richard and Ginger Dietrich
+
The Dimick Foundation in honor of Timothy Douglas
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Marla and Bobby Baker, BakerMerine Family Foundation
Robbins and Giles Hopkins
Ellen Berman
Sari Hornstein
Wendy and Eben Block
Michele Jawando
Ellen and Jon Bortz
Rick Kasten
Jane* and Fred Cantor
Nancy and Robert Kopp
Hope Eastman and Allen Childs
Carol Jean Light
Lynn and Bill Choquette
Joy A. Lewis
City of Rockville
Chris and Kathleen Matthews
William Davis and Jane Hodges
Susan Freeman McGee
Jean and Paul Dudek
John and Marie McKeon
Susan Dweck
Don McMinn and Harv Lester
Bunny R. Dwin
Alan Miller and Susan O'Hara
Victoria Heisler Edouard
The Morgan Fund at Seattle
Jim Eisner
Foundation
Elissa and Bill Oshinsky Michael and Penelope Pollard
Marc Miller
Susan Gilbert & Ron Schechter
Ed Starr and Marilyn Marcosson
Burton and Anne Fishman
Barbara Selter
Carole and Robert Fontenrose
Mark and Merrill Shugoll
Laura Forman and
Margaret Ann Ross Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Amy Selco and Kevin Keeley Robin Sherman Elaine and English Showalter Linda and Steve Skalet Michael L. Burke and Carl W. Smith Pamela and John Spears Leslie and Howard Stein Riley Temple William Tompkins, Jr. John and Val Wheeler Lynda and Joseph Zengerle
INNER CIRCLE
SUSTAINERS Guido Adelfio and Maryanne Fiorita Clement and Sandra Alpert Designated Endowment Fund Daniel and Nancy Balz Marian Block Irene and Joseph Bromberg Susan and Dixon Butler Christopher and Carol Sue Fromboluti Ellen G. Miles in honor of Neil Richard Greene Lana Halpern Connie Heller Rafael Hernandez and Laura Roulet-Hernandez Jane Holmes Howard and Ella Iams Fleishhacker Foundation - in honor of Mitch and Heidi Dupler Margaret Kenny Isiah and Catherine Leggett Darrell Lemke and Maryellen Trautman Marion Ein Lewin and Stuart Eizenstat MetroBethesda Rotary Foundation Inc. Joann Moser and Nicholas Berkoff Robert K. Musil and Caryn McTighe Musil Martha Newman Richard and Meka Parker Denise and Craig Pernick Anne & Henry Reich Family Foundation, Lee G. Rubenstein, co-President William and Eveline Roberts Lee and Deborah Rogers William and Ellen Sandler Victor Shargai* and Craig Pascal Laurie Sloss and Peter Lowet Kathy and Bob Wenger
BENEFACTOR Rachel H.M. Abraham David and Satoko Ackerman Anonymous Kate and Stephen Baldwin Pamela and Barry Bass Jeff Bauman and Linda Feinberg/ Beech Street Foundation Harvey Maisel and Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel
Belle Davis Sarah and Josh Eastright Adaeze Enekwechi Daryl Flatté and Richard David Janet Garber and Kris Keydel Karen Garnett and Dan Hudson Susan Gordon Margaret Hennessey Jill Herscot Michael Kampen and Rachael Schroeder Chaz and Jane Kerschner John and Rachel King Megan Klose and Frank Burdette Mimi Kress Lerch, Early, & Brewer Lipstein Family Foundation Kathi Loughlin Joseph Lowell* and Veronica Fellerath-Lowell Larry and Linda Matlack Barbara and Alan* McConagha Doug and Mary Beth McDaniel Philip & Lynn Metzger Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Patricia Payne Geraldine Fogel Pilzer Mark and Teresa Plotkin David and Gayle Roehm Jay P. Siegel and Mona Sarfaty Page and Amy Stull Susan and John Sturc Mr. Leslie C. Taylor Grant P. and Sharon R. Thompson Marna Tucker and Lawrence Baskir Ms. Carolyn L. Wheeler Roger Williams and Ginger Macomber Mier and Cathy Wolf Ed and Judy Zakreski Ellie Zartman Margot Lurie Zimmerman, in memory of Paul Zimmerman
ADVOCATES Donald Adams and Ellen Maland Fred and Helen Altman Naomi and David Balto Amy Bogdon and Robert Kornfeld Sharon Brown Joan Bullmer Hugh Camitta Rosemary Chalk and Michael Stoto Eric Colchamiro and Shoshana Hecker
John and Valerie Cuddy Richard Dagen Karen Deasy Katherine DeWitt John Driscoll Bill and Donna Eacho Dr. Helene Freeman Lisa Gappa-Norris Nancy Garrison Judith Geller Donna and Bruce Genderson Jack Giraudo and Christine Colby Giraudo Alan* and Hedda Gnaizda Ellen and Michael Gold Jane and Jeff Griffith Brigid Haragan James Heegeman Mitchell and Patti Herman Fred and Lucia Hill Larry Hothem Melissa & Paul Huey-Burns William and Jennifer Jacob Rachel Jaffe Larry* and Sue Jeweler Elizabeth B. Jones Michael and Jean Kaliner Veronica Kannan John Keator and Virginia Sullivan Shelley Klein and Cathy Bendor Daniel Korengold and Martha Dippell Debra Kraft and Rob Liberatore Laura and Matt Labovich Willis T. Lansford Maura and Eric Lightfoot Sharon and Jim Lowe Bruce MacLaury Judy and Brian Madden Mary Maguire Rick McUmber and Melanie Folstad Carol Mermey and Erik Lichtenberg Jane Molloy Jill Nelson Jim and Joan Palmer P. David Pappert Stan Peabody Beverly Purdue Barbara Rapaport Barbara Rhoden Michelle and KenYatta Rogers Steven M. Rosenberg and Stewart C. Low III Marilyn and Barry Scheiner Suzanne Shapiro Daniel* and Sybil Silver Judith Sparrow
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Luanne and Marc Stanley Rochelle S. Steinberg Richard Steiner David Stevens Tom Strikwerda Stephanie and Johnny Shuchart Lucinda and Stephen Swartz Debby Vivari Richard Waugaman Amy Weinberg Lyric Winik Kathryn Winsberg and King Stablein
ASSOCIATES Actors' Equity Foundation, Inc. John Allnutt Anonymous Dr. Robert Angerer and Dr. Pamela McInnes Kenneth Berman Linda Blumberg and Stephen Turow Richard and Bea Blumstein Lucinda Calahan Carol Chelemer Edward Cowan Frith Crandall
Janet Mitchell Jonathan Golub and Shari Davidson Janice Mitnick Yumiko Decarli Audrey Morris Peggy Dugan Ibironke Oduyebo Eddie and Rachel Eitches Aloysius Ordu Eric Glantz and Jessica Nassau James and Cheryl Painter Larrie and Joyce Greenberg Judy Racoosin Ivette and Michael Hayes Everett Redmond Judy and Peter Jablow Sharon Rennert Mark* and Tato Joelson Naomi Robin and Gerald Gleason Henry Kahn and Laura Primakoff Mary Schellinger Belinda Kane Cora Simpson Susan Katz Catherine Stocker Gail Kern Paster Sara Sonet Alan King Jacquelyn Thompson Roger and Gail Klein Jacqui Watson The Koff Family Trisha Wells Sara and Stephen Kraskin George and Patti White Beverly Lehrer William and Charlene Zellmer Sharon Light and Gidon van Emden Marc Zwillinger Ann Hutchison Lung Anna McGowan Jack Melamed and Robert Baker Ryan Merkel Bruce Miller Joanna Miller and Lachlan Bell Nancy Mills *In memoriam Tish Mills +Denotes Business Council Member
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES Bank of America Eli Lilly and Company Synchrony Financial Truist Financial Corporation
IN KIND DONORS Doyle Printing & Offset Co. Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Limelight Insights by Shugoll M Studio Salon Bethesda Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Provisions Catering Susan Gage Caterers Zeke’s Coffee
We make every effort to provide accurate acknowledgment for our contributors. If your name is misspelled or omitted, please accept
Round House Theatre is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County government, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and the Maryland State Arts Council.
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our apologies and contact the Development Department at 240.641.5352 or Development@ RoundHouseTheatre.org.
D I R E C TO RY O B OA R D
TEES
F TRUS
Jay Hammer, President
Ginger Dietrich
Meka Parker
Amy Selco, Vice President
Mitchell S. Dupler ‣
Ryan Rilette*
Joy Lewis, Secretary
Clare Evans
Mark Shugoll
Michele Jawando,
Susan Gibson
Michael Steele
Rafael Hernandez
Nina Weisbroth
Leslie Grizzard, Treasurer
Daniel Kaplan
Ed Zakreski*
Michael Heintz,
Neil Kerwin
Judy Zickler
Nancy Kopp
*Ex-officio
Assistant Secretary
Assistant Treasurer Douglas Bibby
Veena Kutler
Ro Boddie
Kathleen Matthews
Stephanie deSibour
Mary Kathryn Nagle
EM
TRUS ERITUS
TEES C
Life Trustee
OUNCIL
Linda Ravdin, Chair
Maboud Ebrahimzadeh
Sasha Olinick
Laura Forman, Vice Chair
Ann Gilbert
David Smith
Michael Beriss
Susan D. Gilbert
Rochelle S. Steinberg
Cathy S. Bernard
Bonnie Hammerschlag
Riley K. Temple
Elaine Binder
Reba Immergut
Kathy Wenger
Donald Boardman
Peter Jablow
Mier Wolf
Mitch S. Dupler
Bruce Lane
Judy Zickler
Bunny Dwin
Susan F. McGee
S TA F F LEADERSHIP Artistic Director: Ryan Rilette Managing Director: Ed Zakreski
ADMINISTRATION General Manager: Tim Conley
Executive Assistant & Board Liaison: Amy Benson
ARTISTIC Associate Artistic DIrector: Naysan Mojgani Casting Director & Associate Producer: Sarah Cooney*
Director of EDIA and Community Engagement:
AUDIENCE SERVICES
Israel Jiménez*
Associate Director of Sales
Associate General Manager: Carter Rice* Facilities Manager: Liz Sena
& Audience Services: Brian Andrade
Audience Services Manager: Mason Catharini Patron Experience and Rentals Manager: Maureen McNary* Box Office Associates & House Managers: Oscar Adema Nessa Amherst KT Aylesworth Mercedes Blankenship Rachel Borczuch Autumn Delahoussaye Marquita Dill
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Carrie Edick
Njeri Mungai
Dani Stoller
Steven Franco
Associate Director
Elle Sullivan
Caitlin Frazier
of Development:
Xander Toti
Rose Hahn
Katelyn Maurer
Jacob Traver
Colin Hauck
Development Operations
Bailey Howard
Manager: Patrick Joy
Bella Lerch Tabitha Littlefield Nicolas Lopez Olivia Martin Siena Maxwell Tamisha Ottley Dylan Parham Denisse Peñaflor Jessica Rampulla Nashira Rawls Jayme Rodriguez DeDe Smith Phillippos Sourvinos Lacey Talero
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Education:
Director of Marketing &
Danisha Crosby
Communications:
Education Program Manager: Kathleen Mason* Education Patrons Services Manager: Dillon Mitcham Lead Teaching Artists: Ian Anthony Coleman Kelsey Hall Faculty: Sean Baldwin Madlynn Bard
FOURTH WALL BAR & CAFÉ
Lila Cooper
Food & Beverage Manager:
Anna DiGiovanni
Ian Anthony Coleman Kevin Corbett
David DeVita
Emi Erickson
Bar/Café Staff:
Jordan Essex
Jason Berry
Scean Flowers
Avraham Chittum
Deven Ferrer
Ayana Graham
Dominique Fuller
Colin Hauck
Rose Hahn
Kurt Kreisher
Kelsey Hall
Chloe Lateulere
Darren Jenkins-Johnston
Schekyrra Little
Emma Lou Joy
Mark Lyons
Casey Kaleba
Jen McClendon
Victoria Keith
Ellen Mitchell
Sean Laraway
Rush Morgan
Emily Lettau
Jayme Rodriguez
Gracie Luna
Kara Sparling
JJ Kaczynski
Dyana Svoboda
Mary Rose Madan
Samantha Williams
Diana Metzger
Director of Development: Veronica Kannan Development Officer:
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EDUCATION
Wesley Waterton
DEVELOPMENT
Che Wernsman
Benjamin Pallansch Julie Pesak Erin Pipes Julia Rudgers David Singleton
Hannah Grove-DeJarnett Associate Director of Marketing & Communications: Megan Behm Public Relations Manager: Alexandria Moreland* Graphic Designer: Kent Kondo
PRODUCTION Production Manager: Jesse Aasheim Assistant Production Manager/Company Manager: Sara Patterson Technical Director: Matt Saxton Assistant Technical Director: Jose Abraham* Lighting Supervisor: Chris Hall Audio/Visual Supervisor: Delaney Bray Costume Shop Manager: Taylor S. Payne Scenic Charge: Jenny Cockerham Lead Carpenter: Shaun Bartlow Staff Carpenter: Colin Maher Resident Stage Manager: Che Wernsman
RESIDENT ARTISTS Ro Boddie
OUR MISSION
Megan Rahm
EQUAL PLAY COMMISSIONED PLAYWRIGHTS Mainstage Commissions: Margot Bordelon & Jiehae Park Inda Craig Galván Lauren Gunderson Naomi Iizuka
Round House is a theatre for everyone. We enrich our community through bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences that inspire empathy and demand conversation. R E A D M O R E AT RoundHouseTheatre.org/MissionValues
James Ijames Mary Kathryn Nagle The TEAM
O U R VA LU E S
Mfoniso Udofia Teen Performance Company Commissions: Agyweiwaa Asante
T H E AT R E F O R E V E R Y O N E ARTISTIC AMBITION
Caleen Sinette Jennings
COMMUNITY
Stefani Kuo
E M P AT H Y
Diana Metzger
INTEGRITY
Megan McCafferty Dani Stoller
*Member of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Staff Workgroup
R O U N D H O U S E T H E A T R E is one of the leading professional theatres in the Washington, DC, area, producing a season of new plays, modern classics, and musicals for more than 55,000 patrons each year at our 352-seat theatre in Bethesda. Round House has been nominated for more than 213 Helen Hayes Awards and has won more than 42, including four “Outstanding Resident Play” Awards, the “Outstanding Resident Musical Award,” and the Charles MacArthur Award for Original New Play in 2016. Round House’s lifelong learning and education programs serve more than 5,000 students each year at its Education Center in Silver Spring and in schools throughout Montgomery County. Cornerstone programs include Free Play, which provides free tickets to teens and college students; the year-round Teen Performance Company, which culminates in the student-produced Sarah Metzger Memorial Play; Summer Camp for students in grades K-12; and a full slate of classes for adults and youth.
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B O O K A N D LY R I C S B Y B R I A N YO R K E Y MUSIC BY TOM KITT D I R E C T E D BY A L A N PAU L
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