Southern Connecticut State University Department of ...

Southern Connecticut State University Department of Theatre

and

The Crescent Players Present

A Student Directed and Designed Festival of One Act Plays

With This Ring

By Kimberly Barger

Directed by Kori Ligon

Insufficiency

By Carl Djerassi

Directed by Ariana Harris

~Festival Production Team~

Directing Mentor.......................................................................................................Larry Nye

Stage Management Mentors.....................................Theresa Stark and Robyn Gostomski

Production Manager./Sound Design Mentor..................................................Mike Skinner

Scenic, Lighting, Production Design Mentor...............................................Douglas Macur

Technical Director............................................................................................Brandon Fuller

Costume Design Mentor...................................................................................Heidi Hanson

Costume Shop Supervisor............................................................................Richard Harding

Sound Board Operator.....................................................................................Janaya Bennett

Lighting Board Operator.................................................................................Justin Gendron

Video Mix Operator..........................................................................................Leah Coleman

Wardrobe Run Crew.........................................................................................Anasia Gordon

Deck Carp........................................................................................................Connor Shieldes

Props Runner...........................................................................................................Matt Lopes

Scenic Build Crew...............................Keegan Smith, Zach Johnson, Ryleigh Rivas, Leah

Herde, Connor Healey, Samhain Perez, Nick Moran

Paints Crew..............................Nicole Thomas, Tracy Nham, Sarah Kolaski, Joshua Cruz

Lighting Build Crew .......................................................................... Devin Lee, TJ Blotney

Sound Build Crew...................................................................... Nick Moran, Patricia Castle

Poster Design.....................................................................................................Barbara Kagan

Playbill Coordinator.............................................................................................Ryleigh Rivas

Southern Connecticut State University Department of Theatre

and

The Crescent Players Present

By Kimberly Barger

Directed by Kori Ligon

Performed with permission from Heartland Plays

With This Ring

Nate...........................................................................................................................Liam Welsh

Mario.....................................................................................................................Keegan Smith

Claire.........................................................................................................................Leah Herde

George..............................................................................................Daniel Santana-Gonzalez

Cast

Director.....................................................................................................................Kori Ligon

Scenic Designer....................................................................................................Ryleigh Rivas

Lighting Designer......................................................................................................Devin Lee

Costume Designer.................................................................................................Kat Duffner

Sound Designer......................................................................................................Nick Moran

Stage Manager................................................................................................Azaria Augustine

Assistant Stage Manager...................................................................................Rain Iaccorino

Associate Lighting Designer........................................................................Jocelyn Campbell

Artistic Team

Who’s On Screen– With This Ring

Liam Welsh (Nate)- is a Sophomore with a major in Communication with a minor in

Media Studies. He has done many plays and performances at SCSU including The Com-

plete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and An Enemy of the People. He has won two

Statewide Halo Awards including Best Supporting Actor in a Musical in 2018 and Best

Lead Actor in a Play in 2019. This is his fourth performance as a college student

and would like to thank his family and his friends from school and Incarnation Camp

for supporting him in his journey!

Keegan Smith (Mario)- is a junior Honors College student studying Psychology,

concentrating in Behavioral Neuroscience, with a minor in Theatre and is very excited

to be involved in the Student-Directed One-Acts at SCSU in With This Ring! His past

acting credits at SCSU include Songs For a New World (Man 1)(KCACTF Region 1

Richard Maltby Jr. Musical Theatre Award Candidate), Red Velvet (Henry Forrester)

(KCACTF Region 1 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Candidate), Pippin (Lewis), Lilies in

the Valley (Sam), The Sausage Eaters (Nilly), The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus (Dick/

Envy/Devil), and The Addams Family (Pugsley). In addition to acting, Keegan serves as

the Vice President to the Crescent Players and as the Construction Crew Head, in

which he would like to thank his mentor, Brandon Fuller, for all of his guidance and

teaching in the world of technical directing and scenic work. Furthermore, Keegan

would like to thank Kori Ligon for her fabulous directing and vision. After having just

shared the stage with her, seeing Kori on the other side of things has been a treat.

Keegan also would be nothing without his extremely talented castmates who push him

to be better every performance. Most of all, he would like to thank his parents, Smitty

and Kelly, for their continued love and support in every step of his theatrical journey.

Enjoy the shows everyone!

Leah Herde (Claire)- is a Senior Biology major with a Theatre minor. This is her

sixth show at SCSU, including: An Enemy of the People (Katherine Stockman), Red Velvet

(Halina), Pippin (Player), English Made Simple (Jill), and Sweat (Jessie). Some of her previ-

ous shows include: The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Pepita), and On the Twenty-First Century

(Anita Highland). She would like to thank her amazing cast, stage managers, crew and

director for making this production so special.

Daniel Santana-Gonzalez (George)- is a Secondary Education/History Major, and

this is his third performance with SCSU Theatre, his others being An Enemy of the Peo-

ple (Dr. Thomas Stockman), and Sweat (Chris).

Southern Connecticut State University Department of Theatre

and

The Crescent Players Present

By Carl Djerassi

Directed by Ariana Harris

Insufficiency

Jerzy Krzyz..........................................................................................................Samhain Perez

Leo Bramble................................................................................................Benjamin Jesulaitis

Stefania Novak.............................................................................................Tavonne Williams

Prosecutor............................................................................................................Natalie Colon

Cast

Director.................................................................................................................Ariana Harris

Scenic Designer....................................................................................................Ryleigh Rivas

Lighting Designer.....................................................................................................TJ Blotney

Projection Designer......................................................................................Jocelyn Campbell

Costume Designer.................................................................................................Kat Duffner

Sound Designer...................................................................................................Patricia Castle

Stage Manager....................................................................................................Rain Iaccorino

Assistant Stage Manager...............................................................................Azaria Augustine

Artistic Team

Who’s On Screen– Insufficiency

Samhain Perez (Jerzy Kryzyz)- is a freshman Theatre major and has been on the

stage through his entire high school career. He has starred through a wide variety of

plays and musicals including: Oklahoma! (Ike Skidmore), A Midsummer Night's

Dream (Lysander), High School Musical (Zeke), and was prepared for Les Miserables

(Javert). This will be his third time performing in an SCSU Theatre production as Jerzy

Krzyz/Jean de la Croix, having played in An Enemy of the People (Aslaksen), and

Songs for A New World (Ensemble/ Man 2 U/S).

Benjamin Jesulaitis (Leo Bramble)- is a third-year transfer student majoring in

Communication Disorders with a Minor in Theatre. This is his third show at SCSU

following Sweat (Stan) and Songs for a New World (Man 1 U/S). Other theatrical credits

include: Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Grease (Doody), Hairspray (Corny Collins),

Monty Python's Spamalot (Prince Herbert/Not-Dead-Fred), and Jesus Christ Superstar

(Priest). Benjamin was also featured on the original cast recording of Casual Fridays

featured as part of the Stony Brook University New Works Festival 2020. Benjamin

would like to thank his cast, production team, and family for their support.

Tavonne Williams (Stefania Novak)- is a freshman Theatre Major and a Creative

Writing Minor. She is honored to be in her first theatre production. She is very thank-

ful for her family for the ongoing support and the cast and crew for this amazing op-

portunity. It has been very inspiring and she can’t wait to grow from this experience.

Natalie Colon (Prosecutor)- is a Junior Film Production major at SCSU. This is her

third show at Southern. She is excited to be working with the amazing cast and crew.

Director’s Note

As a student of science and art, I understand how daunting each of these subjects can seem to someone steeped in the other. However, I also under-stand how interconnected these two seemingly unrelated fields can be. It is rare to find a show that tackles the field of chemistry head-on, but Djerassi has done just that. This play is a marriage of chemistry and theatre, and is widely relatable beyond those realms. There are themes of the desire for recognition and the strive to be taken seriously that are widely felt by the average person. It is this common ground that makes these characters so relatable. Yes, the story is about a chemistry professor seeking tenure, but I’d like to think that even audience members outside the realm of academ-ia can see themselves, their coworkers, and their friends and relatives in the characters. Everyone knows jerks like Jerzy and sweethearts like Steffy, even if they don’t know about bubble-induced aggregation.

Part of Djerassi’s goal in writing this and other plays about chemistry is to incorporate such a fascinating and diverse field in a manner other than the stereotypical nerd or “Frankenstein.” While the most captivating part of chemistry tends to happen at a molecular level—indeed, if something dra-matically stageworthy happens in a lab, it’s usually not a good thing—Djerassi has shown that there is entertainment to be had regardless, espe-cially when there’s more than one type of chemistry happening on stage.

Ariana Harris, Insufficiency director

Who’s Behind the Screen

Kori Y. Ligon (Director, With This Ring)- from West Haven, Connecticut, is a senior theatre major and veteran of the United States Army. Kori is excited to make her directing debut in Southern Connecticut State University and the Crescent Players’ Student Directed One Act pro-duction of “With This Ring”. A visual artist at heart, Kori has lent her time and talent behind the scenes in multiple productions as a sound board operator and video engineer. Her most recent acting credits include: Songs for a New World (Woman 2) and The Complete Works of William Shake-speare (Abridged) (Herself/Kori Ligon). Kori would like to thank her family and friends for their support and her extremely talented cast for the amazing experience. Ariana Harris (Director, Insufficiency)- is a Chemistry and Theatre double major in her fourth year at Southern. She has worked on every production since her freshman year in a range of roles from actor to designer, but this is her first time directing and she is thrilled to be tackling this new challenge. Her actors and designers have helped make the process fruitful and engaging, and she hopes that the audience is as excited about this production as she is.

Ryleigh Rivas (Scenic Designer)- is a junior Theatre major, with a minor in Studio Arts. Previ-ous technical credits include: Songs for a New World (Video Operator), Pippin (ASM), Student Directed One Acts '19 (Deck Carp), The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (Construction), and The Addams Fam-ily Musical (Construction). They also acted in Red Velvet (Terrance). Kat Duffner (Costume Designer)- is a junior Theatre major and Creative Writing minor who also works as Events Coordinator and Wardrobe Crew Head for the Crescent Players. Past SCSU Theatre acting credits include: Red Velvet (Ellen Tree), The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus (Chorus), and The Door (Justin). Her SCSU Theatre tech credits include: Songs For a New World (Costume Crew Head), Sweat (Costume Crew Head), An Enemy of the People (Dramaturg), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Deck Carpenter), Pippin (Costume Crew Head), and The Addams Family (Costume Crew). She is so thrilled for this year’s Student Directed One Act Festival and would like to congratulate the cast and crew on this production!

TJ Blotney (Lighting Designer, Insufficiency)- is also the electrics crew manager for the Cres-cent Players. He is a senior theatre major here at SCSU. TJ has designed the one acts at SCSU, as well as ran the light board for shows such as Lysistrata, and Dr, Faustus, and recently was the assis-tant Lighting designer for Songs for a New World. Other theatre works include Man of LaMancha as the barber, Godspell as lighting director, the Fantasticks as lighting director, Cabaret as ensemble, and playing FDR in Annie. He would like to thank his parents, the professors of the SCSU Theatre Dept, as well as his high school theater teachers Margi and Sean Maher, as well as many others for helping him pave he path for his theatre journey.

Nick Moran (Sound Designer, With This Ring)- is a sophomore Theatre major and Computer Science minor who works as Sound Crew Manager for the Crescent Players. His previous work on productions at SCSU includes Pippin (Light Board Operator), The Complete Works of William Shake-speare (Abridged) (Sound Board Operator), Red Velvet (Assistant Stage Manager), An Enemy of the People (Audio Production Engineer), and Songs For a New World (Audio Production Engineer). He would like to wish everyone involved with One Acts an amazing performance and is happy to have been part of such a wonderful production. Patricia Castle (Sound Designer, With This Ring)- Patricia Castle is happy to get the chance to get to work on the tech side of things for the first time at SCSU. She's previously been in SCSU's productions of Pippin, Red Velvet, Dr. Faustus, and The Addams Family. Patricia is excited to graduate in a few weeks! Michael Skinner (Production Manager)- Mike is an Associate Professor of Theatre here at SCSU and Chairperson for the Department of Theatre. Sound Design Credits include: Regional: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, Two Trains Running, Underneath the Lintel (Triad Stage); Mamma Mia, Cabaret, 1776, Sweeney Todd (CT Critics Circle Award Nomination 2019), Disaster! (broadwayworld.com Best Sound Design Nominee 2018), Jesus Christ Superstar, Noises Off!, Peter and The Starcatcher (broadwayworld.com Best Sound Design Nominee 2016), Newsies, How to Succeed…, Peter Pan, Xanadu, Les Miserables, Gypsy, The Sunshine Boys, A Chorus Line (Connecticut Repertory Theatre); Bossa Nova (Yale Rep); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost (Elm Shakespeare Company); Other designs for: W.H.A.T., H.E.R.E., N.Y.M.F.; University Faculty Designs for: Fordham, John Jay College, Quinnipiac, Southern CT State, The Actors Conservato-ry, Amherst College. Education: MFA, Yale School of Drama. Listen to some of Mike’s composi-tions at skinnerdesign.podbean.com . Larry Nye (Directing Mentor) Associate Professor of Children’s and Musical Theatre and Dance in the Department of Theatre at Southern Connecticut State University. While at SCSU he has directed and choreographed 15 musicals including Violet, Spring Awakening, Godspell and Bat Boy. He has also directed In One Basket, Foibled Fables and The Villain and The Toy Shop for the Thea-tre for Young People. Larry recently completed his 23rd season at Stagedoor Manor in New York and has collaborated with them on the opening number for the 85th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Pa-rade, the finale for the 2012 parade and with The New York Times on a Salute to Stephen Sond-heim with Lin-Manuel Miranda. He has also Directed and Choreographed for The Barn Theatre in Michigan and at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Connecticut and choreographs for Hopkins School. B.F.A. The University of Arizona. M.F.A. University of Oklahoma.

Brandon Fuller (Technical Director)- This is Brandon’s ninth production with SCSU (Dr. Faust-us, Student Directed One-Acts x 2, Pippin, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Red Vel-vet, An Enemy of the People, Sweat), and he’s pleased to be back! He has many credits within New Haven and Connecticut, including being a company member of A Broken Umbrella Theatre, and lecturing and production work at Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama, Elm Shake-speare, ShowMotion, Phoenix Entertainment, and the Goodspeed Opera House, among others. He also works nationally with Productions On Point, providing management, surveying, drafting and layout services for large events.

Azaria Augustine (Stage Manager, With This Ring)- is a freshman Biology Major from Hart-ford, CT. A graduate from Canton High School, she’s been apart of a few musicals put on by her high school band; Trapped in Prims, Season: ‘19, Episode: Prisms, and Prisms Through Time just to name a few. To add on, she also participated in her middle school’s drama club where she starred in Back to the 80’s as a dancer and singer. This is Azaria’s first production here at Southern and she thanks Michael Skinner, Theresa Stark, and Robyn Gostomski, along with the production team for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the Stage Management Team.

Rain Iaccarino (Stage Manager, Insufficiency)- is a freshman sociology major. This is her first theater experience at SCSU but she hopes to get involved in more productions in the future.

Justin Gendron (Light Board Operator)- after four years of traveling through the twilight zone, is back working in the theatre! This time as the lightboard operator. When not finding the hidden secrets of the unknown universe, Justin enjoys cooking and trying to communicate with the mad gods, both old and new. Justin hopes that this production will be a success.

Leah Coleman (Mix Operator)- is a freshman studying Communication with a concentration in Film, TV, & Digital Production. She has never participated in the theatre scene up until now, but is very excited to participate in this show for the first time. She would like to thank Mike Skinner and the production team for giving her this wonderful opportunity and helping learn along the way!

Connor Shieldes (Deck Carpenter) author of bestselling chapbook I Am So Happy I Am a Wake, is starting to enjoy helping enliven SCSU theatre as much as he prides himself on his writ-ing accomplishments! A senior at SCSU, its student-directed one-acts (2021) lists Mr. Connor Shieldes in his first position as deck carpenter— one-acts or otherwise. Finding fulfillment be-tween his efforts as an ever-learning, newly-converted-from-English-to-Theatre-major as well as with his experience in the English: Creative Writing Concentration minor program, Connor Shieldes notes that the importance of collaboration, timely communication, and production unity on Insufficiency and With This Ring is a lot like threading together words into a story— one that can be heard, and seen, and treasured beyond a proscenium just as much as through ink letters on a page. Having first contributed to the SCSU-produced version of Songs for a New World as costume- and scenic-run-crew member(s), SCSU Theatre features Connor Shieldes theatre crew member— the second time in Shieldes's young theatre career— in Mistrust & Mistrial.

Matthew Lopes (Props Runner)- is a Senior Theatre major at SCSU. Some of his Southern act-ing credits include: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Himself/Matthew Lopes), Pippin (Charles), The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (Pope/Lucifer), and The Addams Fami-ly (Gomez Addams). He would like to thank the Southern Theatre Department for all the oppor-tunities and experiences throughout the years and this cast/crew for the fun times during his final show here!

Alexina Cristante (Publicity)- is a sophomore Music major who is the Publicity Crew Manager for the Crescent Players. Her previous theatre credits include: Songs For A New World (Pit Singer for Woman 1 & Dance Captain), Red Velvet (Costume Run Crew), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Light Board Operator), Pippin (Player). She would like to thank her family and friends for always helping and being supportive. Enjoy the show

Special Thanks

SCSU Chemistry Department, Dale Djerassi, Andy Jordan, Larry Nye, Benjamin Curns, David

Starkey, AJ Bilotta, Vinnie Ferrie, Dean Kalk, Associate Dean Hlavac

Crescent Players 2020-21 Board

President/Properties Crew Manager, Leah Herde

Treasurer/Producer’s Representative, Patrick Ballard

Secretary, Robert Porter

Historian, Sebastian Cordero

Events Coordinator/Costume Crew Manager, Kat Duffner

Publicity Crew Manager, Alexina Cristante

Sound Crew Manager, Nick Moran

Electrics Crew Manager, TJ Blotney

Construction Crew Manager, Keegan Smith

Paint Crew Manager, Nicole Thomas

Front of House Crew Manager, Sarafina Kolaski

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Department of Theatre Faculty and Staff

Full Time Faculty

Michael Skinner Department Chairperson

Douglas Macur

Larry Nye

Carolyn Carrington Department Secretary

Adjunct Faculty

Sarah Bowles, Jill Brunelle, Benjamin Curns, Brandon Fuller, Rebecca Goodheart, Heidi Hanson, Nathan

Roberts, Theresa Stark, Robyn Gostomski , Gracy Keirstead, Michael Hinton

University Assistants

Richard Harding, Cailey Harwood-Smith, Amelia Pizzoferatto, Ryan Gardner, Molly Flanagan

Student Workers

TJ Blotney, Ryleigh Rivas