Apr. 12 – May 3
By Talene Monahon
Directed by Caitlin Sullivan
Orange County’s Tony Award-winning Theatre
FUEGUIA
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Lifting New Voices
Welcome to spring, South Coast Repertory’s new play season!
Our experienced teams work with diligence and compassion to support the very best new work by the very best writers in our field. Whether you take part in the five play readings during the Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF), May 1-3, (You've got to check it out. It's basically the Sundance Film Festival of new plays) or you're currently in your seat for one of our world premiere productions, you're in for a treat.
If you’re a new play fanatic, maybe you saw a reading of Eat Me by Talene Monahon at last year’s PPF or Fremont Ave. by Reggie D. White in 2024. I urge everyone to experience the magic of tracking a play from its PPF beginnings as it cycles through development in The Lab@SCR. The end result is the fully realized production you’re seeing today. (It’s also just the beginning for the play.) I’m committed to ensuring we keep this life cycle open and inclusive, so you can be a part of it.
For our PPF fans who saw the Eat Me and/ or Fremont Ave. readings, I’m curious: Do they match what you envisioned in your head? What has changed since the “beta” form? Does the set look different than you imagined? What about the costumes? Do any of the same actors appear? Maybe you were rooting for us to choose a different play! It is precisely this experience that separates SCR from other regional theatres.
I marvel that we opened in the fall with a record-breaking production of Million Dollar Quartet and now three world premieres are in full production. It’s an amazing slate which includes Hershey Felder’s rolling world premiere, The Piano & Me , which will head straight to a New York City debut after SCR. Talene Monahon and Reggie D. White are astonishing writers and exceptional humans. Eat Me and Fremont Ave. are gorgeous plays— deeply personal, often hilarious and beautifully transformative. Both intersect with buried truths, a search for connection and a yearning for context. The writing is so fine, I believe both are destined to become future classics. Hershey’s work endures with audiences in the same way—and this is his best work yet. I am grateful to Hershey, Talene and Reggie for bringing their immense gifts and generous hearts to South Coast Repertory.
I am also proud of our staff, our creative teams and our fearless supporters who know the value of risk and insist that SCR remains an incubator of new work. Now is the time to take stock, invest in cultural literacy and revel in gathering. Without the artists, where would we be? Without the “new,” how do we invite comparison to that which we already know? And most importantly, how do we lift new voices and new narratives to help us understand the questions for which we have no answers?
I love this time of year. I love that you’re here. Let’s invent and invest together.
Onward,
David Ivers Artistic Director ivers@scr.org
OUR MISSION: South Coast Repertory creates industry-leading productions with the unique power to illuminate the human condition. We offer a kaleidoscope of experiences for our many communities merging literature, design and performance to test the bounds of theatre’s artistic possibilities. Our service to Orange County extends beyond the stage to strengthen community, foster connection and nurture creativity through our Theatre Conservatory.
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Email: theatre@scr.org
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: South Coast Repertory respectfully acknowledges its presence on the traditional land of the Tongva People. With gratitude, we honor the land and the people, past and present, who have stewarded it through the generations.
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You Can Count on South Coast Repertory
Our subscribers have often asked Artistic Director David Ivers and me when South Coast Repertory would produce more shows again, as we did pre-COVID. Post-pandemic, SCR reduced offerings to adjust for a smaller audience and increased production costs—particularly labor and lumber which grew by 30%. Over the last year, there have been glimmers that Orange County deeply needs the human connection only great live storytelling can provide. Our audience in the 2024-25 season was 35% larger than our first season post-COVID, and this season is on track to expand that growth!
This January we completed a 2026-30 Strategic Plan, and we’re ready to bring you more theatre you’ll love. For the 2026-27 season and beyond you’ll see seven productions in our subscription season, up from six this season. We’ll also have up to four special events including A Christmas Carol , a Theatre for Young Audiences production and SCR Presents. To serve more families, as well as adults, we will offer more classics, modern masterpieces and musicals on the Segerstrom Stage. You’ll se e more opportunities for inspiration and innovation on the Julianne Argyros Stage and in the Nicholas Studio, from “break-out plays” making their regional debuts to the world premieres for which we are nationally known.
Thank you for investing in new plays by joining us for the world premiere you are seeing today!
You can read more about the SCR Strategic Plan in a separate story in this program. To get behind our vision, please consider subscribing to our 2026-27 season. If you find yourself renewed and inspired by the theatre, get theatre on your calendar with an SCR subscription, flex pass, or family membership. If you are visiting from out-of-town, please consider investing in your local professional theatre. You will leave feeling more human, less lonely and, with a little luck, more hopeful about the future.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Appel Managing Director
P.S.
I encourage parents and grandparents with kids ages 5-14 to check out our Conservatory students in their three annual productions, including The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical this August.
2025– 26 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Talya Nevo-Hacohen, President
Michael R. Hards, Vice President/Advancement
Timothy J. Kay, Vice President/Development
Bruce Wagner, Vice President/Finance
Giulia Newton, Vice President/ Community Relations
Suzanne Appel
Shauna Bradford
David Chase
A GIRLS’
NIGHT
OUT
Sophia Hall Cripe
Laura Cushing
David M. Emmes, PhD
Susan Hori
David Ivers
Lea Kong
Sarah McElroy
Tara Netherton
Regina Oswald
Mark Peterson
Susan Shieldkret
Tammy Tang
Ernesto M. Vasquez
Julia Voce
Nickie Williams
Felix Yan
PRESIDENTS CIRCLE
Wylie A. Aitken
N. Christian Anderson
Thomas W. Britton Jr.
Sophia Hall Cripe
Maury DeWald
J. Steven Duncan
J. Michael Hagan
Lawrence M. Higby
Mrs. Lawrence M. Higby
Damien M. Jordan
John P. Kensey
Ronald L. Merriman
Peter M. Ochs
Thomas D. Peckenpaugh
Thomas D. Phelps
Alan Slutzky
Geoffrey L. Stack
Thomas C. Sutton
Samuel Tang
Timothy Weiss
HONORARY TRUSTEES
Julianne Argyros
Timothy Weiss
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Barbara Glabman
Lydia Wang Himes
Betty Eu Huang
Olivia A. Johnson
Teri Kennady
Mrs. Ann L. Mound
Barbara Roberts
Laurie Smits Staude
Sue Stern
Mrs. Delane J. Thyen
Socorro Vasquez
Elaine J. Weinberg
Tod White
Photo by Fadil Berisha
A Roadmap to South Coast Repertory’s Future
Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel.
This past January, South Coast Repertory’s Board of Trustees approved a dynamic strategic plan that will serve as the theatre’s guide for artistic and financial growth through 2030. The plan focuses on vitality, programming, community and our facilities. We reached out to four key architects of the plan for an overview.
Q: Considerable thought, research and vision went into the plan. Can you tell us about the process?
offerings. To offer the highest quality of work while keeping our staff and production schedules aligned, we plan to stick with this model for the foreseeable future.
Q: Can you share the vision around programming and what audiences can expect?
Michael Hards, SCR Trustee and Co-Chair of Strategic Planning: The “pre-work” began in October 2024 with the identification of potential consulting partners followed by formal proposals, finalist interviews and a partner selection in January. A three-phase planning process began in February 2025 and was completed in January 2026. A workshop was conducted for the full Board of Trustees and another for the full staff. Community perspectives were gathered through interviews. Key players were Managing Director Suzanne Appel, Artistic Director David Ivers, the Board’s Long-Range Planning Committee and SCR’s executive staff.
Q: Post-COVID, SCR has produced fewer plays. Is there a plan to build back?
David Ivers, Artistic Director: We’ve received valuable audience feedback, with patrons expressing the desire for more plays. This season we were able to increase the subscription offerings to six plays. We’ll be adding another production in the 2026-27 season, bringing the total to seven. The additional subscription play will be a world premiere performed in the Nicholas Studio. Additionally, we are adding up to four off-subscription productions giving us a very robust array of
Ivers: We want to enrich the cultural life in Orange County through artistically excellent, innovative and inclusive theatre that engages diverse audiences. The programming on the Segerstrom Stage will focus on classics, modern masterpieces and an annual musical. On the Julianne Argyros Stage, we’ll offer world premieres and “breakout plays,” exciting hits fresh off successful runs in New York or elsewhere. Our most intimate stage, the Nicholas Studio, will also be home to one world premiere each season, providing more opportunities for innovation.
We’ll also expand what we’re calling “Beyond the 4th Wall” programming—event-driven, immersive storytelling that goes beyond the traditional theatre experience. This initiative may take on many forms, such as lobby displays to provide context, pre- and post-show music or events in dynamic formats, or productions where we bring the audience into the action to heighten the sensory experience.
Q: Do you see SCR’s connection with the community changing?
Suzanne Appel, Managing Director: We see our connection with Orange County growing and deepening as we build our audience base for the future. Our new purpose statement is “to inspire and deepen human connections—one extraordinary theatre performance at a time.” To that end, we’ll develop mutually beneficial ongoing partnerships with local organizations, establish life-long connections with the next generation of audiences, and expand our education programs to meet the needs of local public schools and address the epidemic of loneliness in our community. As you read this, a pilot course in storytelling is in
progress and we are measuring its impact on health outcomes with support from UC Irvine.
Q: How do SCR’s facilities factor into the plan?
Appel: We plan to assess and improve SCR’s facilities, both in the short and longer term. As we bring world premiere plays into the Nicholas Studio, we’ll be making some modest renovations to maintain the high quality our audiences expect. As we innovate in that space, we may discover that further investments are needed. We also plan to review our lobby and performance spaces with an aim to be as welcoming and inclusive as possible.
Q: Finally, why is a strategic plan important to SCR’s future?
Giulia
New -
ton, SCR Trustee and Co-Chair of Strategic Planning:
A strategic plan is essential to SCR’s future because it provides a clear roadmap for long-term organizational growth—strengthening governance, deepening community engagement, advancing artistry and programming, and investing in our people—while ensuring financial health. As Trustees, we are stewards of the theatre’s sustainability, including thoughtfully expanding and diversifying the Board. The plan fosters a culture of pride and entrepreneurial leadership across Board and staff, ensuring a vibrant South Coast Repertory our community will value and support.
SCR's Guiding Principles
Purpose
SCR’s purpose is to inspire and deepen human connections—one extraordinary theatre performance at a time.
Vision
South Coast Repertory is an essential Orange County experience: the center for engaging, world-class, live theatre produced locally with global impact.
Mission
South Coast Repertory creates industry-leading productions with the unique power to illuminate the human condition. We offer a kaleidoscope of experiences for our many communities merging literature, design and performance to test the bounds of theatre’s artistic possibilities. Our service to Orange County extends beyond the stage to strengthen community, foster connection and nurture creativity through our Theatre Conservatory.
62nd Season • 562th Production
JULIANNE ARGYROS STAGE /APRIL 12 - MAY 3, 2026
David Ivers ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Nicholas Ponting SCENIC DESIGN
Suzanne Appel MANAGING DIRECTOR
David Emmes & Martin Benson FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
presents the world premiere of
EAT ME
by Talene Monahon
Samantha C. Jones COSTUME DESIGN
Eric Shethar DRAMATURG
Isabella Byrd LIGHTING DESIGN
Joanne DeNaut, CSA CASTING
Lee Kinney COMPOSER
The Telsey Office Rose Bochner, CSA Brian Sutow, CSA ADDITIONAL CASTING
Directed by Caitlin Sullivan
Apriem Advisors SEASON PRODUCERS
Nickie & Mickey Williams
HONORARY PRODUCERS
The Playwrights Circle HONORARY PRODUCERS
evan cook SOUND DESIGN
Angela Lopes STAGE MANAGER
Eat Me is a world premiere production and was workshopped and developed at South Coast Repertory’s 2025 Pacific Playwrights Festival as part of The Lab@SCR.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
Cindy ............................................................... Anne Gee Byrd
Chris ............................................................. Sheldon D. Brown
Stevie .................................................................. Jake Borelli
The Gourmand ............................................... Jeorge Bennett Watson
Beatrice ............................................................... Kacie Rogers
Jen ................................................................ Carolyn Ratteray
SETTING
Somewhere in America. Bigger than a town. Smaller than a city.
LENGTH
Approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Assistant Stage Manager ............................................ Kyrsten Goodrich
Production Assistant ................................................. Taylor Squires
Associate Director .................................................... Kayla Amani
Intimacy Consultant .................................................... Talya Klein
Casting ................................ Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA; Josh Einsohn, CSA
Costume Design Assistant ........................................... Ayrika Johnson
Assistant Lighting Designer ............................................ Emily Schmit
L ight Board Operator .................................................... Andre Lee
A1 ................................................................ Jordan Buckelew
A2/Audio Support ............................................... Andie Niederecker
Automation Operator/Deck Crew ....................... Robbie Macey, Riley Wanner
Wardrobe Supervisor ................................................ Korinne Melvin
Wig, Hair and Makeup Technician ................................. Crystal Martinez
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.
Cellular phones, beepers and watch alarms should be turned off or set to non-audible mode during the performance. Please refrain from unwrapping candy or making other noises that may disturb surrounding patrons.
Photos may be taken before and after the show, and during intermission, but not during the performance itself. Smoking, including the use of vapes, is not permitted anywhere in the theatre.
Four Questions with Playwright Talene Monahon
Director of The Lab@SCR Andy Knight: As a playwright, you have a diverse body of work—from literary and historical re-imaginings, like The Good John Proctor and Jane Anger, to stirring social critique like Meet the Cartozians . Do you see any common threads in how inspiration finds you?
Talene Monahon: There’s definitely a common thread of history and finding inspiration in real historical narratives as a jumping off point for storytelling. Jane Anger takes place in plague-ridden Jacobean London, The Good John Proctor takes place in Salem in 1692 and the first act of Meet the Cartozians follows the lead up to a federal court case in 1924. Funnily enough, Eat Me diverges from this theme—it takes place entirely in the present day and includes internet engagement and cellphone communication in a pretty substantial way. That said, the process of inspiration for Eat Me was not terribly different from any of my other work. For the most part, when I decide I want to commit to writing a play, it’s because there’s a question that’s been nagging at me and I want to spend more time with it, looking at it from different angles. Often the historical component (if there is one) comes in later, when I inevitably grow curious about how people in other times have thought about this question. The question comes first, then the character, then plot. I also do a pretty pretentious thing where, before I begin writing, I find a quote that engages with the central question and place it at the top of the draft, so I can think about it while I’m writing. Sometimes the quote changes, but I always have one there, like a little compass for myself.
to have an impossibly rare disorder called “gourmand syndrome”—an obsession with gourmet food, which springs up after a brain injury. That sparked something in me and became the jumping off point for Eat Me. The quote I used for Eat Me is from Alice in Wonderland, which is also where the title of the play comes from. It has nothing to do with gourmand syndrome. But it does have to do with growing larger or smaller, and getting into the garden.
Was the dynamic and uncanny world of Eat Me clearly defined in your head from the start, or was it something you shaped gradually while writing the play?
The world was not clear in my head from the start! I first tried to write the play quite naturalistically and couldn’t make it work. For one thing, I found that I was really disinterested in pathologizing disordered food behavior—that actually, the naming of disorder itself felt like it took something away from the mystery and relative universality of what I was trying to capture. I also became really focused on trying to convey the internal feeling of obsession. I wanted the audience to feel with Chris as his mind zigzagged outside of the present moment, to uncover with him the slippery feeling of becoming an unreliable narrator to oneself. That’s when the character of the Gourmand entered the play, and he helped guide me towards that.
Eat Me’s director, Caitlin Sullivan, is a close collaborator of yours. What excites you about the artistic partnership and keeps you working together?
What was the impetus to write Eat Me?
I have been interested in examining how the practice of eating disorders/control around food defines the experience of being human. For various reasons, however, dramatizing a narrative about eating disorders felt like an extraordinary sort of booby-trap, and I sat with my questions about how to do it for a few years, trying to work out how I wanted to navigate it. About two years ago, a friend mentioned to me that he had encountered someone on a dating app claiming
Caitlin is such a treasured collaborator, and I have learned so much from our work together, beginning with The Good John Proctor in 2023. I have learned how to articulate better what I’m after in my work, how to think more rigorously about design and how to problem-solve on my feet. I think to be a great director means to embody a bevy of seemingly contradictory qualities: to be exacting but also nurturing, visionary but granular, decisive but flexible. Very few people can straddle these binaries with grace and humility, but Caitlin really can.
Talene Monahon
Artist Biographies
Stevie
is making his South Coast Repertory debut. Coming off an eight-year series regular stint on “Grey’s Anatomy,” playing the show’s first openly gay male doctor, Levi Schmitt, Borelli is excited to return to the stage. Some of his past theatre credits include the Antaeus Theatre Company’s production of Picnic and Paris Barclay’s production of The Normal Heart. He can also be seen starring in Freeform’s The Thing About Harry , Nickelodeon’s “The Thundermans” and Netflix’s #REALITYHIGH
Sheldon d. Brown
Chris Jake Borelli
(he/him) is delighted to make his South Coast Repertory debut. His credits include Goodman Theatre (Fat Ham), Steppenwolf Theatre Company ( Choir Boy , 1919 ), Court Theatre ( Othello , Oedipus , Man In The Ring) and Roundabout Theatre Company (A Soldier’s Play Broadway tour). Film and TV acting and writing credits include Cicada (Spirit nominated, Best First Screenplay) and “The Big Leap” (FOX), as well as appearances in music videos for emerging icons Sapphira Cristál of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Daniel Kyri. Brown received his BFA in Acting from Emerson College and is represented by Innovative Artists and Stewart Talent Chicago. IG: @sbterance
anne Gee Byrd
Cindy
previously appeared at SCR as Mrs. Higgins in Pygmalion and as the mother in The Beauty Queen of Leenane. She has performed locally at Mark Taper Forum, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, as well as across the country, including American Conservatory The-
ater in San Francisco, American Shakespeare Theatre in Connecticut, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center, The Old Globe in San Diego and Seattle Rep. She is a staunch member of the Antaeus Theatre Company. She has received four Drama Critics Circle Awards and numerous Ovation nominations. Her television credits include “Lucky Hank,” “911,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Shameless,” “Murder in the First” and “Rake.”
Carolyn raTTeray
Jen kaCie roGerS
Beatrice
is an actor, director and writer based in the Los Angeles area. She has appeared Off-Broadway and in regional theatres as well as in TV/ film and voice-overs. Credits include appearances at Mark Taper Forum, Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court Pasadena, A Noise Within, Antaeus Theatre Company, The Echo Theater Company and Garry Marshall Theatre. Regional theatres include The Old Globe and the Classical Theatre of Harlem. She has studied theatrical clown and her one-woman show, Both And (A Play About Laughing While Black) played at Boston Court, Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts and the International Black Theatre Festival, while her original comedy pilot, UnClaimed, had a successful film festival run. Some film and television credits include “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Riley Parra,” Season of Love, “Castle,” “NCIS,” “All My Children,” “Chemistry,” “The Young and the Restless” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Education/Training: M.F.A., The Old Globe/ University of San Diego; B.F.A., New York University. (she/her) is a two-time NAACP Award–winning actor, writer, producer and voice artist trained at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Her television credits include
“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Grace & Frankie,” “Grand Crew” and “Home Economics,” and she is currently recurring on season two of “The Pitt” on HBO Max. She has performed with several theatres across Los Angeles, including The Getty Villa (The Heal), Geffen Playhouse (Furlough’s Paradise), A Noise Within (The Bluest Eye, King Hedley II), The Echo Theater Company (Berta, Berta) and Boston Court Pasadena (Octopus’s Garden). Her solo show, I Sell Windows, was produced in Los Angeles with Outside In Theatre, co-produced by Bottle Tree Theatre Co., and l ater performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is the co-founder of Bottle Tree Theatre Co. and founder of Kacie Rogers Coaching. kacierogerscoaching.com | @kacie.rogers
BenneTT waTSon The Gourmand
(he/him/his/king) is making his SCR debut. He is a stage and screen actor whose career spans more than three decades across classical repertory, contemporary drama, and world premiere development. He most recently created the role of Johnny Pierce in the world premiere of Relentless , written by Rae Binstock, at Syracuse Stage. In 2025, he portrayed David, Henry, and Mike in Amina Henry’s world premiere Interstate Off-Off Broadway. Regional theatre credits include The Piano Lesson at Arena Stage, Two Trains Running at Hartford Stage, and repertory performances in Coriolanus and Timon of Athens at Utah Shakespeare Festival. He has also appeared at Williamstown Theatre Festival and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Television credits include HBO’s “The Wire,” CBS’s “Blue Bloods” and NBC’s “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” He studied at Atlantic Acting School. Instagram: @thejeorgebennettwatson
PlaywriGhT, direCTor and deSiGnerS
T alene M onahon ( Playwright ) is a Brooklyn-based playwright of Armenian descent. Her play Meet the Cartozians premiered at Second Stage Theater in October 2025, directed by David Cromer, and was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, as well as ranking on Vulture’s “Top 10 Best Plays of 2025” and TheaterMania’s “Top 5 Plays of 2025.” Other plays include: The Good John Proctor (dir. Caitlin Sullivan, The New Yorker’s “Top 10 Best Plays of 2023”), Jane Anger (dir. Jess Chayes, 2022 Off-Broadway Alliance Best New
Play Nominee) and How to Load a Musket (dir. Jaki Bradley, TheaterMania’s “The 10 Best Theater Productions of 2020”). Regional and international productions include Trinity Repertory Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company of D.C., Warehouse Theatre, Shakespeare in Detroit and London’s Jermyn Street Theatre. Monahon teaches Playwriting at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. Upcoming plays: Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret (dir. Aileen Wen McGroddy, Northern Stage, 2026). B.A. Dartmouth College.
CaiTlin Sullivan (Director) is a New York-based director and theatre maker. She previously collaborated with Talene Monahon on the world premiere of The Good John Proctor (Bedlam, The New Yorker’s Best Theatre of 2023). Other recent work includes the world premieres of Calf Scramble (Primary Stages); Ohio (Edinburgh Fringe, Bristol Old Vic, Fringe First Award); The Antiquities (Playwrights Horizons, Vineyard Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Director); The Keep Going Songs (LCT3, Obie Award); Find Me Here and WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY (Clubbed Thumb); Nova (The Lyceum Edinburgh, Pemberley) and Sanctuary City (New York Theatre Workshop). Sullivan was a founding member and the Artistic Director of Seattle’s critically acclaimed Satori Group. She is a graduate of Williams College, an alum of the Drama League Directors Project and Next Stage Artist Residency, a former Clubbed Thumb Directing Fellow and a New Georges Affiliate Artist. caitlinesullivan.com
niCholaS PonTinG (Scenic Design) is a set designer, installation and stained-glass artist based in San Diego. His work has been seen at TheaterWorks Hartford, La Jolla Playhouse, The 5th Avenue Theatre, IAMA Theatre Co., Boston Court Pasadena, L A Opera, Chautauqua Theater Company, Antaeus Theatre Company, Detroit Public Theatre and others. Ponting is the associate scenic designer and installation supervisor for Optika Moderna, creating immersive theatrical experiences. Recent Optika collaborators: La Jolla Playhouse, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and The New Children’s Museum of San Diego. He has also worked as a stained glass artist for over 15 years, creating contemporary stained glass and teaching at his studio. You can see two of his windows in the exhibition Space Makers at La Jolla Historical Society. He is the Interim Head of Scenic Design at San Diego State University. He earned his MFA at UC San Diego and his BA at Western Washington University. nicholasponting.com IG: @ nicholasponting
JeorGe
S a M an T ha C. J one S ( Costume Design ) (she/ her) is excited to join South Coast Repertory for this world premiere. She is a costume designer and educator with previous design credits at Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Peninsula Players Theatre and others. Her work can be viewed at samanthacjones.com.
iSaBella Byrd (Lighting Design) is a Lighting Designer for live performance. Broadway work includes Cabaret, Dog Day Afternoon, Romeo + Juliet and An Enemy of the People. Her 2024 Broadway debut season received double Tony Award nominations. Byrd is the recipient of a Drama Desk Special Award for her work in the 2023-24 season, on and Off-Broadway. Selected designs and world premieres include Caryl Churchill’s Glass. Kill. What If If Only. Imp. (The Public Theater), Infinite Life (Annie Baker), Primary Trust (Eboni Booth), Weather Girl and Epiphany (Brian Watkins), Sanctuary City (Martyna Majok), Jeremy O. Harris’ DADDY: A Melodrama and multiple by Will Arbery: Heroes of the Fourth Turning , Corsicana and Plano . Most recently, she designed You Got Older (Clare Barron) and Prince Faggot (Jordan Tannahill). International designs in London and Edinburgh and regionally across the U.S. Honors include three Lortel Awards, two Obies, a Henry Hewes, and has been featured in The New Yorker. She is a proud USA829 union member, supporting pay equity and sustainability. isabellabyrd. design
l ee k inney (Composer) is a music producer and sound designer based in New York City, working in theatre, events and film. His Broadway credits include Fear of 13 (starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson) and Is This A Room. His select Off-Broadway and regional credits include Prince Faggot (Studio Seaview, Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep); Meet the Cartozians, Walden (Second Stage Theatre); The Gig: After Moise (Williamstown Theatre Festival); The Good John Proctor (Bedlam), You Will Get Sick, Exception to the Rule (Roundabout Theatre Company); Selling Kabul (Playwrights Horizons); DADDY: A Melodrama (Vineyard Theatre, The New Group, Almeida
Theatre); Help (The Shed), Prayer For The French Republic , Morning Sun (Manhattan Theatre Club); and Virgin Voyages. He has won or been nominated for Sound Design awards from Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Henry Hewes and Joseph Jefferson awards. Thanks to Kris.
evan Cook (Sound Design) (he/him) is a New York City-based sound designer. He is honored to make his South Coast Repertory debut on Eat Me, thanks to the support of the SCR staff and the Eat Me creative team. Recent sound design: My First Nutcracker 2025 at New York City Children’s Theater and for imissmycafe.com. Find his website at evancook.audio.
eriC SheThar (Dramaturg) (he/him) is a dramaturg, creative producer and curator who is one of the Co-Directors of Brooklyn’s The Brick Theater. Some favorite past collaborators include Liza Birkenmeier, Vichet Chum, fake friends (Michael Breslin & Patrick Foley), Young Jean Lee, Erin Markey, Peter Mills Weiss & Julia Mounsey, River Ramirez, Mei Ann Teo, Else Went and Whitney White at institutions including Ars Nova, Chautauqua Theater Company, iHeartRadio, The Mercury Store, The Public Theater, Second Stage, South Coast Repertory (two seasons of the Pacific Playwrights Festival), the Williamstown Theatre Festival (two seasons) and WP Theater, where he is currently developing an original piece with magician Rachel Wax and Anne Kauffman. He currently teaches Dramaturgy at NYU’s Playwrights Horizons studio, and his writing on performance and nightlife has appeared in Culturebot, The Helix Queer Performance Network, and the 2024 and forthcoming 2025 Honcho Campout Zine.
J oanne d e n au T , CSa ( Casting ) is Casting Director for The LAB@SCR and served as SCR’s fulltime Casting Director for more than three decades, casting over 300 productions from classics to world premieres by the country’s leading playwrights. In addition, she has cast numerous workshops and readings, including the Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival. She has also consulted and cast for other theatres, including Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle Repertory, Center Theatre Group, and La Jolla Playhouse, as well as in collaborations with The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Baltimore Center Stage, and Berkeley Repertory. Film credits include work with Octavio Solis, the American Film Institute and as a casting associate on various film and television projects. She also served as the Casting Director for USC’s MFA New Works Festival as well as Ojai Playwrights Conference. DeNaut currently teaches the Audition class at Saddleback Community College
and additional classes at UCI, Cal State Fullerton and USC. She is a member of CSA.
T he T el S ey o ffi C e ( Additional Casting ) With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theatre, film, television, and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable, and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability, and advocacy. Please visit thetelseyoffice.com for our credits.
a n G ela l o P e S ( Stage Manager ) (she/they) is stage managing their first show at South Coast Repertory and they are so thankful to be here! Lopes g rew up in Santa Cruz, CA and is a proud graduate of Cabrillo College (AA Theatre Arts) and Ithaca College (BFA Stage Management). Work includes the Off-Broadway productions of Life and Trust, and Burnout Paradise . Some favorite New York and regional credits include El Mentiroso (Arts on Site), The Picher Project (Dixon Place), Sweeney Todd (Cabrillo Stage), Rusalka (Opera Ithaca), A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), and No Child… (Kitchen Theatre Company). Much love to family, friends, and mentors. Enjoy the show!
k yr ST en G oodri C h (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) was born and raised in California, where she earned her BA in Theatre from CSU Chico in 2016 and her MFA in Stage Management from UC Irvine in 2021. She focuses on implementing anti-racist and stage intimacy training across all her work and enjoys guest lecturing in Stage Management courses whenever possible. Her credits include Man of La Mancha (Musical Theatre West); The Incredible Book Eating Boy, The Heart Sellers (South Coast Repertory); The Inheritance: Part 1 & Part 2, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Geffen Playhouse); The Rocky Horror Show (Cygnet Theatre); Escape to Margaritaville, Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol, The Amish Project (Theatre SilCo); The SpongeBob Musical, Young Frankenstein, The Who’s Tommy, Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar and others (Clinton Area Showboat Theatre); Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Chicago (The Lexington Theatre Company). Cheers!
david iverS (Artistic Director) is responsible for the overall artistic operation of the theatre. The 201920 season was the first he programmed for SCR and during that season, he directed She Loves Me. In addition, he directed the 2024 production of Joan both the world premiere at SCR and the 2025 East Coast premiere at Barrington Stage Company—the 2021 Pacific Playwrights Festival reading of Coleman ’72 by Charlie Oh and the 2022 reading of Spenser
Honorary Producers
Honorary Producers are the essential supporters who bring South Coast Repertory’s productions to life. Their generosity, paired with our artists’ talent, ensures the world-class theatre for which SCR is renowned.
Apriem Advisors proudly serves as the 2025/26 Season Producer for all productions.
Since their first date at SCR in 2015, Nickie and Mickey Williams have become loyal supporters and Opening Night subscribers, with Nickie also serving on the SCR Board of Trustees. This marks their fifth production as Honorary Producers, reflecting a deep commitment to championing bold new stories.
The Playwrights Circle has underwritten a world-premiere production every season since 2002, debuting dozens of new works. A complete list of members is included on your program insert.
Scan the code to learn more about our Honorary Producers on the SCR blog.
Davis’ A Million Tiny Pieces. He spent August 2023 directing Guthrie Theater’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest. He was last seen onstage at SCR as John in Richard Greenberg’s world premiere of A Shot Rang Out and as part of his SCR tenure, created the theatre’s Outside SCR program in partnership with Mission San Juan Capistrano. Prior to his appointment as Artistic Director, he directed the SCR-Berkeley Repertory Theatre co-production of One Man, Two Guvnors. Before arriving to SCR in his current capacity, Ivers was artistic director for Arizona Theatre Company and, before that, served more than 20 years as an actor and director at Utah Shakespeare Festival, with the last six as artistic director. He was a resident artist at Denver Center for the Performing Arts for a decade, acting in and/or directing more than 40 plays, and has helmed productions at many of the nation’s leading regional theatres, including the Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and South Coast Repertory. Ivers’ early career included serving as associate artistic director of Portland Repertory Theatre and appearing in productions at some of the nation’s most prestigious theatres, including Portland Center Stage and the Oregon, Alabama and Idaho Shakespeare festivals. He has taught at the University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Southern Utah University and Southern Oregon University. He earned his BA
from Southern Oregon University and his MFA from the University of Minnesota.
S uzanne a PP el (Managing Director). For more than two decades, Appel has pursued a personal mission to bring people together through transformative experiences led by form-challenging artists. Working in partnership with Artistic Director David Ivers and reporting to the Board of Trustees, Appel is responsible for providing strategic leadership for SCR’s longterm sustainability and growth. She oversees SCR’s business operations, including fund-raising, marketing and community relations. Her accomplishments as Managing Director of Off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre (2017-2024) include expanding the revenue-generating capacity of the organization, bringing on seven new board members, negotiating a two-production, industry-first producing partnership with Audible (David Cale’s Harry Clarke and Ngozi Anyanwu’s Good Grief ), and transferring four Tony-nominated productions to Broadway. She is perhaps most proud of working with Artistic Director Sarah Stern to keep all Vineyard Theatre full-time staff employed during the COVID pandemic and developing a 2022-26 plan raising all arts worker wages. Appel joined The Vineyard after serving as Director of External Affairs for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Prior to her role at Hubbard Street, she served as Managing Director at Cutting Ball Theater in San Francisco, where she nearly dou bled the organization’s operating budget and built a two-plus-month operating reserve in four years. She was awarded the Alfred Drake Award from Brooklyn College, an honor given to an accomplished theatre professional who has made significant contributions to the American theatre. Her previous positions include roles with Dance Theater Workshop, Yale Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Wesleyan University. Her volunteer work includes serving on the Board for Arts Orange County and South Coast Metro Alliance. Previously, she served as Chair of the Wesleyan Fund (2020-24). She is a graduate of Wesleyan University, Yale School of Drama and Yale School of Management (MFA/MBA).
M arT in B en S on ( Founding Artistic Director ), (Mar. 15, 1937-Nov. 30, 2024) co-founder of SCR, directed nearly one-fifth of SCR’s productions, including the 2020 production of Outside Mullingar . In 2008, he and David Emmes received the Margo
Jones Award for their lifetime commitment to theatre excellence and fostering the art and craft of American playwriting. They also accepted SCR’s 1988 Tony Award for Outstanding Resident Professional Theatre and won the 1995 Theatre LA Ovation Award for Lifetime Achievement. Benson received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Achievement in Directing an unparalleled seven times for George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara , Misalliance and Heartbreak House; John Millington Synge’s Playboy of the Western World ; Arthur Miller’s The Crucible ; Sally Nemeth’s Holy Days ; and the world premiere of Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit, which he also directed at Seattle Repertory Theatre and Houston’s Alley Theatre. He directed American classics such as A Streetcar Named Desire , and distinguished himself in staging contemporary work, including the critically acclaimed California premiere of William Nicholson’s Shadowlands. He directed revivals of Beth Henley’s Abundance and Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful; and Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale and Rest (world premiere); The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez; and The Roommate by Jen Silverman (West Coast premiere). Benson received his BA in Theatre from San Francisco State University.
d avid e MM e S ( Founding Artistic Director ) is co-founder of South Coast Repertory. He received the Margo Jones Award for his lifetime commitment to theatre excellence and to fostering the art of American playwriting. In addition, he has received numerous awards for productions he has directed during his SCR career. He directed the world premieres of Amy Freed’s Safe in Hell, The Beard of Avon and Freedomland; Thomas Babe’s Great Day in the Morning; Keith Reddin’s Rum and Coke and But Not for Me ; and Neal Bell’s Cold Sweat ; the American premieres of Terry Johnson’s Unsuitable for Adults; and Joe Penhall’s Dumb Show; and the Southland premiere of Top Girls (at SCR and the Westwood Playhouse). Other productions he has directed include Red, New England, Arcadia , The Importance of Being Earnest , Woman in Mind and You Never Can Tell, which he restaged for the Singapore Festival of Arts. He has served as a theatre panelist and onsite evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as a panelist for the California Arts Council. After attending Orange Coast College, he received his BA and MA from San Francisco State University and his PhD from USC.
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
The theatre is a member of Arts Orange County, the official local arts agency.
Get to Know South Coast Repertory
Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964, is led by Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel. SCR is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. While its productions represent a balance of classics, modern plays and musicals, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program—The Lab@SCR— which includes one of the nation’s largest commissioning programs for emerging, mid-career and established writers. Of SCR’s more than 550 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres. SCR-developed works have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes and eight Pulitzer nominations, several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. SCR’s education programs foster the next generation of artists and audiences through a variety of ticketing and learning opportunities, including the award-winning Theatre Conservatory, which offers year-round acting and playwriting classes for kids, teens and adults.
Snap the code to learn more about SCR, its programs and initiatives.
clockwise from above: Brian Vaughn and Kim Martin-Cotten in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Narea Kang and Nicole Javier in The Heart Sellers; Brian Vaughn, Melinda Page Hamilton and Kim Martin-Cotten in God of Carnage; Wyatt Wireman, Armando Gutierrez, Rustin Cole Sailors and Ana Marcu in Million Dollar Quartet; Jessenia Michei Ingram, Joslynn Cortes and Adam Leiva in Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale; and Richard Doyle in A Christmas Carol.
Pictured
2025–26 A RTISTS & STAFF
David Ivers, Artistic Director • Suzanne Appel, Managing Director
David e mmes & Martin Benson, Founding Artistic Directors
Maisie Chan, Production Manager • Clare Kiklowicz, Director of Development
Andy Knight, Director of The Lab@SCRu • Lori Monnier, General Manageru
Bil Schroeder, Marketing & Communications Directoru
Hisa Takakuwa, Conservatory & Educational Programs Directoru
Artistic
Hattie Claire Andres, Artistic Producer
H. Adam Harris, Artistic/Audience Engagement Associate
Rob Salas, Producing Associate
Natalie Figaredo, Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director
Joanne DeNaut, Casting Director for The Lab@SCRu
Jerry Patch, Resident Dramaturgu
Business
Hugo Sanchez, Finance Director
Dean Lissner, Information Technology Manager
Jyll Christolini, Associate General & Human Resources Manager
Nancy Levy, Company Manageru
Kim Fleming, Assistant to the Managing Directoru
Cathi Moore, Lead Accountantu
Martha Ruiz, Payables Accountant
Kathie Kuehnu, Sheila Lane, Jack Millis, Front Office Assistants
Kate Sheehan, UCI Arts Launch Intern
Front oF House
Angela Watson, Front of House Manager
Beverly Crain, Ana Flücku , Zachary Goldsmith, Marita Navarrou, David Vien Nguyenu , House Managers
David Belowich, Marciano Ceballos, Angel Dumapias, Leon Fepuleai, Drew Hendricksonu, Denise Hughes, Troy Hughes, Katrina King, Eric Rodriguez, David Rusiecki, Stroller White, Bartenders conservAtory And educAtion
Holly Van Holt, Conservatory Manageru
Nick Slimmer, Conservatory and Educational Programs Associate
Awni Abdi-Bahri, Joe Alanesu , David Jayden Anthony, Greg Atkinsu , Jasmine O'Hea Bastian, Diana Burbanou , Julieta Garza, H. Adam Harris, Brenda Kenworthy, Kristina Leachu, Erin McNallyu , Martin Noyes, Erica Schaeffer, Jenny Schniepp, Tom Sheltonu , Richard Sotou, Christopher Sullivanu, Mercy Vasquezu , Conservatory Instructors
Rachel Bailey, Quinn Garcia, Finn Sullivan, Conservatory and Educational Programs Assistants
development
Fanny Abib-Rozenberg, Major Gifts Officer
Shianne Gray, Assistant Director of Development, Events
Steven Garry, Annual Fund Manager
Kari Venaas, Development Coordinator
Emily Theys, Grantwriter
FAcilities & operAtions
Benny Verdugo, Facilities & Operations Manager
Javier Estrada, Assistant Facilities & Operations Manageru
Jenelle Huck, Assistant Manager for Operations
Juan Molina, Facilities & Operations Associate
Duane Boyleu, Guillermo Molina, Liam Rose, Operations
Assistants
mArketing & communicAtions
Kat Alvarez, Assistant Director of Marketing
Jon White, Creative Director
Heather Van Holt, Digital Media & Publications Manageru
Nicholas Pilapil, Social Media & Video Manageru
Kristen Santos, Graphic Designer
Margaret Jordan, Marketing Coordinator ticket services
Ryan Main-Luu, Ticket Services Director
David Anis, Associate Ticket Services Director
Michael Cañas, Associate Ticket Services Director
Eileen Carrasco, Interim Associate Ticket Services Director
Angel Dumapias, Kevin Garcia, Elise Lindenau, Montse Romero, Ticket Services Supervisors
Christine Antaramian, Eileen Carrasco, Cristina MatadamaSoto, Yasmine Reid, Collette Rutherford, Ticket Services Representatives production
Karlee Perego, Associate Production Manager
Gloria Perez, Production Coordinator scenery
Leo Surach, Technical Director
John Gaddis IV, Assistant Technical Directoru
Kelden Downs, Draftsperson/ Scenic Technician
u 30 or more years of service u 20 or more years of service u 10 or more years of service. Full-time staff as of Sept. 1, 2025
Matthew Mullin, Head Carpenter
Caleb McKinney, Scenic Carpenter Paints
Angi Grow, Scenic Charge Artist
Lisa Erickson, Assistant Charge Artist
ProPs
Christopher R. Baab, Props Supervisor
Madi Joseph, Assistant Props Supervisor
Babs Radtke, Props Artisan costumes
Sean Castro, Costume Supervisor
Laurie Donati, Full Charge Costumeru
Isabella Weiand, Cutter/Draper
Jillian Pricco, Wardrobe Supervisor
Wigs
Jenni Gilbert, Wig, Hair, & Makeup Supervisor
Alex Guerra, Wig, Hair, & Makeup Technician electrics
Kara Ramlow, Lighting Supervisor
Hannah Gates-Ferla, Electrician/ Light Board Operator
Andre Lee, Electrician/Light Board Operator sound and video
John Favreau, Sound & Video Supervisor
Jordan Buckelew, Audio Engineer/ Board Op stage management
Jamie Berry, Lauren Buangan,
ARTISTS IN THE 2025-26 SEASON
directors
Marco Barricelli • Lili-Anne Brown • Wiley
DeWeese • Jennifer Chang • Sara Guerrero
• Kim Martin-Cotten • James Moye • Lisa Rothe • Caitlin Sullivan • Hisa Takakuwa •
Deborah Wicks La Puma • Joel Zwick
designers
Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz • Jos N. Banks • Isabella
Byrd • Thomas Buderwitz • Melanie Chen
Cole • evan cook • Drew Dalzell • Efren
Delgadillo, Jr. • Brandon PT Davis • Josh
Epstein • Melanie Falcón • Kish Finnegan • Elena Flores • Regina Garcia • Marissa Herrera
• Amy Hutto • Alex Jaeger • Samantha C. Jones • Lee Kinney • Tim Mackabee • Nita
Mendoza • Christopher Scott Murillo • David Nevell • Tanya Orellana • Kathy A. Perkins • Andre Pluess • Nicholas Ponting • Michael Polak • Jeff Polunas • Donna Ruzika • Tom Ruzika • Pablo Santiago • Anthony Tran
Actors
Caleb Cook, Kathryn Daviesu , Andrea Felix-Cervantes, Kyrsten Goodrich, Talia Krispelu, Angela Lopes, Jenny Ludwig, Darlene Miyakawa, Julian Olive
Production assistants
Christine Antaramian, Gia Battista, Raven Chatt, Lyla Flashman, Jenny Ludwig, Sammie D. Moore, Kiya Sakari, Taylor Squires
Brian Robin/BearTitan Publications, Media Representative
Haskell & White LLP, Auditors
Jones Day, Legal Services
Awni Abdi-Bahri • Tom Anawalt • Rachel Bailey • Sophia Barajas • Larry Bates • Tommy Beck • Jake Borelli • Doug Brown • Sheldon D. Brown • Diana Burbano • Anne Gee Byrd • Chris Clark • JP Coletta • Joslynn Cortes • Dan Donohue • Richard Doyle* • Eduardo Enrikez • Oscar Emmanuel Fabela • Gabriel Gaston • Bradley Gibson • Armando Gutierrez • Austin Gutierrez • Kaci Hamilton • Melinda Page Hamilton • Jerrika Hinton • Jessenia Michei Ingram • Doshima Iyorlu • Stanley Andrew Jackson • Nicole Javier • Narea Kang • Adam Leiva • Raven Lorraine • Louis Lotorto • Kevin Mambo • Derek Manson • Michael Manuel • Matthew MacNelly • Ana Marcu • Kim Martin-Cotten • William Francis McGuire • Ryan Nebreja • David Nevell • Sharon Omi • Jennifer Parsons • Wildlin Pierrevil • Esther Pielstick • Michael Polak • ShaYne Powell • Jeffrey Rashad • Carolyn Ratteray • Kacie Rogers • Elysia Roorbach • Rustin Cole Sailors • Erika Schindele • Michael Shepperd • Nick Slimmer • Richard Soto • Sam Saint Ours • Sharon Sharth • Jake Steil • Brian Vaughn • Jeorge Bennett Watson • Paige Lindsey White • Galen Williams • Wyatt Wireman *Founding Artist
PL AYWRIGHTS & COMPOSERS CURRENTLY UNDER COMMISSION
Since 1983, SCR has awarded 358 commissions to 245 playwrights, composers and lyricists. These are the theatre’s most effective means of supporting and developing long-term relationships with writers.
jose sebastian alberdi • Luis Alfaro • Aurora de Asua • Jane Bruce • Eleanor Burgess • Mathew Chong • Julia Cho • Mia Chung • Spenser Davis • Evelina Fernández • Lindsey Ferrentino • Selina Fillinger • Amy Freed • Daniel Goldstein • José Cruz González • Keiko Green • Dipika Guha • Adam Gwon • Ike Holter • Naomi Iizuka • Branden Jacobs-Jenkins • Xiaoyan Kang • Claire Kiechel • Michael John LaChiusa • Mike Lew • Shayan Lotfi • Martyna Majok • Molly Smith Metzler • Michael Mitnick • Charlie Oh • Liliana Padilla • Eliana Pipes • Kemp Powers • Ankita Raturi • Eliana Theologides Rodriguez • Valen-Marie Santos • Madhuri Shekar • Octavio Solis • Susan Soon He Stanton • Sanaz Toossi • Sarah Treem • Mfoniso Udofia • York Walker • Emma Watkins • Else Went • Habib Yazdi • Lauren Yee • Karen Zacarías
LEADERSHIP GIVING
South Coast Repertory is pleased to recognize and thank our generous major donors. The following includes donors who have contributed $10,000 or more cumulatively to SCR’s Annual Fund, including special event fundraisers in the past year. Many donors listed below have served as Season Sponsors, Honorary Producers, New Work Sponsors, Playwrights Circle members and Education Sponsors.
$100,000 AND ABOVE
Apriem Advisors*
Julianne & George Argyros/ Argyros Family Foundation*
The Nicholas Endowment
Michael Ray
The Segerstrom Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
$50,000 TO $99,999
Richard & Lisa Rawlins de Lorimier
Laurie & Steve Duncan
Elizabeth George Writers Foundation
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
Talya Nevo-Hacohen & Bill Schenker*
Stephen G. and Regina Oswald Foundation
Samueli Foundation
Elizabeth Segerstrom*
Susan Shieldkret & David Dull*
Samuel & Tammy Tang*
U.S. Bank
$25,000 TO $49,999
Anonymous
Leona Aronoff-Sadacca* Bank of America
David & Suzanne Chonette
Sophie & Larry Cripe*
James & Rhonda Ducote
Office of Orange County
Supervisor Katrina Foley
Elaine & Mike Gray
Adrian & Kristen Griggs
Haskell & White LLP*
Susan K. Hori
Kenneth and Chantelle Labowe / Labowe Family Foundation
Tim & Marianne Kay*
Laurents / Hatcher Foundation
Sarah J. McElroy*
Pacific Life Foundation
Sabra Health Care REIT
Peter & Joy Sloan
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
Julia Voce*
Jean & Tim Weiss
Judy & Wes Whitmore*
Nickie & Mickey Williams*
$15,000 TO $24,999
Anonymous
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation
Canterbury Consulting*
Capital Group
Michael & Janet Hards*
S. Leslie Jewett & Patrick Paddon*
Schalon & Giulia Newton*
OneRoot Foundation
Tom & Barbara Peckenpaugh
Kelly & Cor Ruiten
South Coast Plaza
$10,000 TO $14,999
Americans for the Arts
In Memory of Ira S. Carlin
David & Kimberly Chase
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels*
Margaret M. Gates
Patricia Houston*
Scott Jordan
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
The Kobrin Family
Soo Malchow
Jolene & Mark Peterson
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Rende
Joel & Judy Slutzky
John & Michelle Williams
Gregory Zaret
CORPORATE GIVING
CORPORATE HONORARY PRODUCERS
($15,000 AND OVER)
PARTNERS ($7,500-$14,999) Schweickert & Company
BENEFACTORS ($3,000-$5,499) Crowe LLP
Montauk TriGuard*
Synchrony Financial
SUSTAINER ($1,500-$2,999) DMV, Inc.
*Opening Nights subscriber
ANNUAL FUND
South Coast Repertory is honored and grateful to have more than 2,000 Friends of SCR who support our Annual Fund. Every year, the Friends contribute critical dollars to help us make up the difference between the income we receive from ticket revenue and the actual cost of producing plays, commissioning new works, bringing theatre to school children and all the other services that SCR provides to Orange County and beyond. Friends’ gifts range from $75 to more than $100,000. Each and every Friend of SCR plays a valuable role in the life of this theatre.
PLATINUM PARTNERS
($8,000 and over)
Apriem Advisors*
Nancy Handel
Michael & Janet Hards*
Patricia Houston*
S. Leslie Jewett & Patrick Paddon*
Tim & Marianne Kay*
John Louis Lafleur
Talya Nevo-Hacohen & Bill Schenker*
Peter & Gail Ochs*
Jolene & Mark Peterson
Anna Schlotzhauer & Jim Bergman
Susan Shieldkret & David Dull*
Nancy & Geoffrey Stack*
Richard & Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund
Judy & Wes Whitmore*
PLATINUM SPONSORS
($6,000 - $7,999)
Leona Aronoff-Sadacca*
The Frome Family Foundation
Keller/Anderle LLP
Soo Malchow
Kameel Renner
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
Elie Weaver & Hilton Weinberg
Marci Maietta Weinberg & William Weinberg
PLATINUM BENEFACTORS
($3,000 - $5,999)
Anonymous (2)
Fernando H. Austin MD*
Adrienne Brandriss
Greg & Antje Campbell*
David & Kimberly Chase
Ms. Kathryn Crown
Marjorie & Roger Davisson
Dr. Daniel P. Dennies
Karen & Gary Dickinson
The Dirk Family & Troy Group, Inc.
The D'Luna Family Foundation
James & Martha Freeman
Clay & Terri Friedman*
Mary Gilly & John Graham
Rita Goldberg
Mark & Janice Halikis
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Dr. & Mrs. Art Helliwell
Marilyn H. Hettick
Susan K. Hori
Jerry & Carol Jacoby
Joanne & Dennis Keith
Ms. Genni Klein
Lakeview Professional Services Inc.
Alan Lawson & Max Schmidl
Susan & Milton Legome
Goran Matijasevic
Mr. & Mrs. Scott McFarlane
John & Jackie Melbon
Carolyn Middlebrooks
Shaveen & Deepak Nanda
Robert & Christie Narver
Ginger Nelson*
Schalon & Giulia Newton*
Susan Oka
Diana Putz
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Rende
Ryna H. Rothberg
Lance & Debi Slimmer
Alan & Olivia Slutzky
Dr. Vina Spiehler
Tom & Marilyn Sutton
Samuel & Tammy Tang*
Toni Tartamella & John Castelli
Peter & Mary Tennyson
Terry Theologides & Deb Rodriguez*
Michael & Jean Toole
James Trolinger & Pauline Abbott
Bruce & Erin Wagner
John & Michelle Williams
Wayne Wolfe
Rich Wordes & Amy Hitchcock
Felix & Edna Yan
Dean & Esther Zipser*
GOLDEN CIRCLE
($1,500 - $2,999)
Anonymous (3)
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Abbott
Fred & Kathleen Allen
Elaine Archer
Bethany Ayala
Judith Barnes
Judy & Jim Bergman
Ellen Breitman & Brien Amspoker
Denise B. Chilcote
August & Suzanne Coniglio
David & Laura Cushing
Jerry & Bobbi Dauderman
Jerry & Kathy Dunlap
JC & D Falmagne
Jim Frank
Peter & Kitty Fyfe
Cecilia & Richard Goodman*
Andrew & Loreen Guilford
Pauliana C. Hall
Dr. & Mrs. Bernard R. Hannam
Gerald & Loretta Herter
Tina Huang
Becky Jones
Cherrill and Kyle Kawakami
Mariam Khosravani / IAW Foundation
Michael & Elaine Kleinman
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kobayashi
Kathy LeClair
Rachel Levin
Gael & Glenn Libby
Hugh & Caroline Logan*
Molly Lynch & Alan Andrews*
Sarah J. McElroy*
Nancy & Mike Meyer*
Franz & Shannon Miller
Drs. John Mooney &
Angela Tripoli
Ann Morris
John & Margi Murray
Evelyn Parrella
Heather & Joseph Re
Jay Rojo
Ronna & Marshall
Rowen MD
Ruth Ruther
Trina Schneider
Jeff & Linda Schulein
The Schultz Family*
Helen Schuster
Stephen & Kathy Smith
Laurie Smits Staude*
Sue & Ralph Stern*
Judy & Dave Threshie
DeLane & Catherine
Thyen
John C. Turmes
Julia Voce*
Steven & Carolyn Watanabe
Susan White
Geof Wickett & Norm Lessard
John Wierick
Nickie & Mickey Williams*
SILVER CIRCLE
($750 - $1,499)
Anonymous (4)
Olivia & Howard Abel
THE HERITAGE CIRCLE
Mr. & Mrs. Alan F. Airth
Chris & Roberta Amy
Barbara D. Baranski
Sharon Barrett
Dr. Lori & Mr. Harley
Bassman
John & Judy Bethe
Charles & Carol Betz
Chris Blank & Josie
Badeaux
Howard & Margery Brief
Twyla Briley
Gary & Wendy Bryan
K.M. Busch
J.C. Calder
In Memory of Ira S. Carlin
Linda & Robert Cassidy
Tom Clanin
Charlotte Costello
Sam Dawson
Peggy Day & Kip Knight
Michael G. Ermer
Johanna & Gene Felder
John & Myra Firth
William & Cindy Fisher
Glenn & Jane Fowler
Margaret M. Gates
Mr. & Mrs. Lionel Gayron
Jim & Bobbie George
Pam & Don Gilmour
Susan Glass
Dr. Sidney Glazer
Helene & David Gorevitz
Linda & Gary Greene
Eric & Terri Gritzmacher
Greg & Kathie Guth
Tim & Amy Guth
Kris Hagen
Sheri Hayes
Mike & Barbara Hiehle
The Heritage Circle comprises individuals who have included South Coast Repertory in their estate plans. Planned gifts from these visionary members are designated to SCR’s endowment*, providing financial stability and helping to ensure that SCR’s mission—onstage and in the community—is served at the highest level, now and into the future.
Members as of Dec. 31, 2025
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure
The Argyros Family Trust
Adrienne Brandriss
Laurie & Bart Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Carroll D. Bryant
Carolyn Nelson Clark
Sophia Hall Cripe & Lawrence Arden Cripe
Peggy Day
Linda deVries
Gail & Ernie Doe
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Doyle
Irving & Miriam Farber Exemption Trust
Mr. & Mrs. R. Pat Gilliam
Nat & Lotte Hoffman
Phyllis & Larry Hogle
The Hyde Family Trust
Jerry & Carol Jacoby
Mrs. Bertram W. Justus
Mitchell Katz & Linda Scott-Katz
John C. Kennady Family Trust
Mr. John P. Kensey
Richard & Gerrie Leeds
Hedda Marosi
Carol J. McDonnell
Nancy & Michael Meyer
Denise Caciagli Moon & Michael J. Moon
Tom & Beth Phelps
Marjorie Reday
Eduardo & Teri L. Rodriguez
Carlene F. Rona
Ryna H. Rothberg
Malcolm Schneer
Ms. Nola Schneer
Jackie Singer & John Pope
Peter & Joy Sloan
Sue & Ralph Stern
Samuel & Tammy Tang
Richard P. & Jane Taylor
The Tepper Family Trust
Judy Teverbaugh
Julia Voce
Jean & Tim Weiss
Harriette F. Witmer
Gifts received by South Coast Repertory
Kurt & Alice Bergel Trust
Estate of Edra Brophy
Dolores Browning
Wayne Browning
Dona Burrell
Cinda Shipman Colombana Trust
Estate of Margaret Sue Denniston
Estate of Erika E. Faust
The William J. Gillespie Trust
Harriett Grant Charitable Trust
Kenneth J. & Barbara Gordon
Revocable Inter Vivos Trust
Ms. Lois V. Hart
Estate of Robert Holcombe
Dr. Bertram W. Justus
Kershaw Family Trust
Leatherby Family Trust
Estate of Roberta Pearl Miller
Marjorie L. Phillips
J. and P. O'Donnell Revocable Trust
Randall Exemption Trust
Jerri Rosen
Elinor V. Schmidt Trust
Richard & Elizabeth Steele Trust
Sternberg Family Trust
Estate of A.Z. Taft
The Williams Family Trust
For more information on becoming a member, visit our website at scr.org or contact Clare Kiklowicz, Director of Development, at (714) 708-5521 or clare@scr.org.
*Unless otherwise instructed
In Loving Memory of Jan
Heistermann
Mike & Marti Hood
Cordelia Howard
Thomas & Janet
Hryniewicki
The Ivers Family
Charles & JoAnn Janneck
Douglas & Melissa Shaw
Jones
Joe & Linda Jones
Fran Jutzi & Keith Otsuka
Donald Karon
Mitchell Katz & Linda
Scott-Katz
Dr. Ellen R. Ketels
Clare & Doug Kiklowicz
Eugenia Tracy Kirchner
Ms. Carol Kiser
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lester
Jay & Gail Lieberman
Gregory Lincoln & Cindy Brown
Claudia J. Lovelette
Paul & Sherry Main
David & Kirsti McCleary
Patricia M. McIntyre
Carol & Tim McMahon
Joan McNerney
Ken & Gisela Meier
Dr. Elliott & Joanne
Mercer
Ellie Morison
Ann Levenstein Mound
Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Murray
Lianne R. Oakes
Michael Oppenheim
Robert & Jane Parker
Bill Pemberton
Joan Petty
Tom & Beth Phelps
Anita & Pablo Prietto
Mr. Aaron Ray & Ms.
Shelley Hayashi
Michelle Reinglass
Barbara U. Roberts
Rita & Bob Rubin
Michael Rudolph
Nanci & Stephen Schrieber-Smith
Susan Schwarz Berton
Peter & Carolyn Simmons
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Smith
Dr. & Mrs. Henry Sobel
The Sternshein Family
Dr. Linda Y. Stewart
Peter & Andria Strelow
Kathy & Bruce Stuart
Lucy Sun
Kathleen & Jerry Thode
Barbara Tingley
Patricia Tisone
Jim Toledano
Edith Van Huss
Megan & John Waldeck
Stephen & Glenda Wilson
Jane Fujishige Yada
Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Zevnik
GUARANTORS
($300 - $749)
Anonymous (10)
Marjorie C. Adams
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure
Margit & John Allen
Linda Barker
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Besley
Steve Bierlich
Sylvia & Mark Borovay
Mrs. Mary M. Bruce
Sondra Burgoyne
Cecily Burke & David Taussig
Daniel & Charlotta Butler
Constance Buzas
Mr. & Mrs. William D.
Campbell
Valerie Cantwell
Dr. Virgina G. Carson
Dr. Tim & Mary Chin
Brad & Melinda Chisick
Jeffrey Clark & Michael Thorstensen
Susanna Clemans
John & Denise Corcoran
Sue & Bob Crowson
Barbara Cunningham
Dr. David Davis & Dr.
Robin Mintzer
Lauren Deeb
Gwen & Ruel del Castillo
Jeanne Egasse & Boyd
Philpot
June & Jeff Elsten
Tim & Dina England
Walt Fidler
Michael Fox
Ms. Linda Galloway
Carolyn C. Garrett
Mark S. Gaughan
Karl Gerlach
Thomas & Carol Getz
Mark & Sharon Goldhamer
Johan Gout
Ursula Gries
Nancy Grossman-Samuel
Mark Guillod & Alan Miller
William & Bonnie Brittain Hall
Linda Nicole Hanson
Jim & Berri Harris
Patti Holiday & Bonni
Pomush
Hosek-Larsen Family
Charles Hunter
Wendy Isbell
In Memory of Mrs. Annie
R. Ivey
Mr. & Mrs. James Jackman
Beverly & Jake Jacobs
Kim Jansma
Olivia & A. Andrew
Johnson
Steven & Kathryn Keefer
Kathie Kelley
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kelly
Karen Kewell-Jacoby
Brian Koch
Judith Koch-Jones
Herbert J. Lane
Dale & Lynda Laurance
John & Shari Lawrence
Martin Le
Roni Lebauer & Michelle
Ryan
Michael & Robin Lingle
Jacqueline Lombardi
Tom & Cathy Madigan
Mr. & Mrs. John Maglione
In Memory of Cliff Maitlen
Amira Mansour
Carolyn & Bill Marr
Edward McCann
Susan L. McCormick
Dianne & John McGinnis
Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Sandy
McHolm
Juan & Barbara Mendoza
Paul & Nancy Mitchell
Susan Moore
Dr. Patricia Moulton
Ed & Betty Murphy
Donna Nelson
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas E.
Nelson
Mr. Mark Nelson
Donna G. O'Connell
Mr. Arthur Ong & Mrs.
Ginger Sun Ong
Guy & Linda Ormes
Robert Penney
Ann Peterson
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Philipps
Andrea Phillips
Bruce & Johni Pittenger
Brenda Poll
Ms. Karen Raab
Sally & Brian Rivera
John & Kristin Rowe
Deborah & Frank Rugani
Joan Rutledge
Wayne & Madonna Saxton
Jack & Katharine
Schoellerman
Marilyn P. Schroeder
Clint & Sonja Scott
P.A. Sefton
Linda Shepard
Karen Smits
Beatriz Garcia Soto
Ms. Gai Spickard
Sid & Carole Spinak
Vicky Staub
Barry D. & Carole A. Steele
Daniel & Jeannette Stokols
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Stone
E. T. Strauss-Thacker
J.T. & Barbara Strout
Tom & Pam Summerfield
James & Pamela Taylor
Tepper Family Trust
Nikki Tolt
Gary & Marjie Toops
William Tran
Cynthia Tregillis
Triggs Family Trust
Donald & Rose Etta Tyssee
Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Vickery
Benny Viloria
Ms. Barbara Voelkel
Bill & Evelyn Weisman
Ann & Dr. Donald E. Williams
Timothy Williams
Barbara Wilson
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Wing
Nancy & Dwight Yoder
Sherri & Mitchell Zack
Diana Zhang
We have made every effort to accurately list donors and sincerely regret any errors or omissions. If you have any questions or a correction, please contact Clare Kiklowicz at (714) 708-5521.
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GIFTS IN KIND
Avenue of the Arts Hotel
Boy Scouts of America Troop 639
Honey & Butter Macarons
Newport Rib Company
Sherry & Paul Main
Talya Nevo-Hacohen & Bill Schenker
The Park Club
Susan Shieldkret & David Dull
South Coast Plaza
Nickie & Mickey Williams
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