SPRING AWAKENING

Book and Lyrics by

STEVEN SATER

Music by

DUNCAN SHEIK

Based on the play by

FRANK WEDEKIND

Directed by

BRAD WILLCUTS

Music Directed by

ADAM YANKOWY

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Brad Willcuts
Music Director:  Adam Yankowy
Choreographer:  Abby McCarty
Production Stage Manager: Rachel Kramer
Associate Director: Laura MacDonald
Scenic Design: Gabriela Castillo*
Costume Design: Cailee Bywater*
Sound Design: Ryan Scott Long*
Lighting Design: Lilian Meyers*
Props Design: Ray Louise Sunshine
Video Coordinator: Lisa Whiting-Dobson
Video Engineer: Brian Kusch
Media Engineer: Lauren Spiegel
Intimacy and Fight Director: Alexis Black
Assistant Fight Director: Sebastian Barnett
Assistant Director: Katherin ‘KAT’ Poon
Assistant Stage Manager: Kyle Angiolino
Assistant Stage Manager: Ally Doederlein
Assistant Stage Manager: Abby Mullen
Assistant Costume Designer:
Emily Rosowloski
Assistant Sound Designer: Bunni Gutierrez
Assistant Lighting Designer: Matty Peterson
Assistant Charge Artist: David Meagher

*Denotes Master of Fine Arts Candidate

CAST

Wendla:
Olivia Bath

Melchoir:
Matt Antalek
Moritz:
Andrew Brown
Fräulein Grossebüstenhalter, Frau Gabor, Frau Bessel, Doctor Von Brausepulver:
Nicole Jenosky
Headmaster Knochenbruch, Father Kaulbach, Herr Gabor, Schmidt:
Sebastian Barnett
Herr Sonnenstich, Herr Stiefel, Herr Neumann, Herr Rilow:
Henry J
Frau Bergman, Fraulein Knuppeldick:
Chloe Kirchmeier
Hanschen:
Zach Deande
Thea:
Joie Culligan
Georg:
Preston Lyford
Ernst:
Mohamad Mohammad
Ilse:
Bella Siego
Martha
Jordan Ivezaj
Otto
Michael Bolanos
Anna
Cayla Hadaway
Ensemble:
Teanna Barnes, Gavin Bow, Riley Crabtree, Lilly Kent, Audrey Lolli Reese Martin, Christina Pilch
Swing:
Nicole Merchant

Musical Numbers

Act One

  1. Mama Who Bore Me
  2. Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)
  3. All That’s Known
  4. The Bitch of Living
  5. My Junk
  6. Touch Me
  7. The Word of Your Body
  8. The Dark I Know Well
  9. The Word of Your Body (Reprise 1)
  10. And Then There Were None
  11. The Mirror Blue Light
  12. I Believe

Act Two

  1. The Guilty Ones
  2. Don’t Do Sadness
  3. Blue Wind
  4. Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind
  5. Left Behind
  6. Totally Fucked
  7. The Word of your Body (Reprise 2)
  8. Whispering
  9. Those You’ve Known
  10. The Song of Purple Summer

The Band

Conductor/Keyboard 2:
Dave Wendelberger
Guitars:
Yoshi Fukagawa
Bass:
Elyse Gray
Drums:
Lorena Navarro
Keyboard 1:
John Dillingham
Cello:
Mary Fukagawa
Violin:
Hilary Lauver
Viola:
Kate Dickinson

DIRECTOR’S NOTE and SPECIAL THANKS

I am so glad you are here to witness a renewed version of Spring Awakening in the Pasant Theater at Wharton Center.  I was living as a working actor in New York when this show exploded on the Broadway scene and was privileged to be there for multiple performances and watch this show sweep the Tony Awards in 2006.  I still have a strong visual in my mind of leaping to my feet during the bows so many years ago.  I feel lucky to get the opportunity to create a new partnership with our colleagues in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Without their support and interest in more collaboration with the theatre, we would not have gotten to this point.  Cheers for many new and exciting things to come!

This show means a lot to me and I hope it will find those caverns in your brain that expose you to thoughts of being a parent, a child, a someone who has experienced similar trauma or ecstasy or simply as an onlooker into uncomfortable moments that occur throughout our lives.  We have all been someone’s child at one point in time.  Some of us have children now.  The dichotomy between the parent and child is significant and as a parent myself, this show helps me remember how important truth, communication and empathy are.  I have benefited from working on this show because it makes me mindful of the relationship and inherent power balance between adults and children.  If I can “turn the dial down” on my ego and spend more time being honest and caring and curious with my children, then the trauma depicted in this show could possibly be mitigated. 

This show represents a group of passionate people willing to take a risk, work hard and pursue the challenge of doing something new.  Be curious with us! Be curious and without fear.  Be present and enjoy our experiment. We love that you are here and truly hope that you will leave with something that resonates for some time.  If you are impacted by the show (in a positive or negative or any other way) please email me to discuss at willcuts@msu.edu.  As artists, we look forward always.

Special thanks are given to Lisa Whiting-Dobson and the CAS team, Brian Kusch, Alison Dobbins, Tina Newhauser, our faculty in THR, the students and faculty from CAS who decided to take a risk with us, Stephen Di Benedetto, Chris Long, Eric Olmscheid, our new musical theatre faculty member and music director Adam Yankowy, to our faculty design mentors, to Wharton Center, to our graduating seniors, to their parents/guardians who supported their artistic pursuits, to our swings in Audrey Lolli and Nicole Merchant, to our intimacy team in Alexis Black and Katie Clemons, and a significant mention to my Associate Director Laura MacDonald and Assistant Director Kat Poon.  But importantly, to the courage of our whole team to dive into this type of content with aplomb and diligence.  You honor those before you both actor and non-actor alike by treating this material with intensity and respect.

-Brad Willcuts

RUNNING TIME

The show runs two hours and 15 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.

Content Notice

This production contains:
Theatrical Haze and Fog
Strobing light effects
Loud music
Explicit language
Mature themes and content
Brief nudity
A prop firearm
Depictions of, or references to sexual acts, violence, self-harm, suicide, sexual and physical abuse.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Department of Theatre Chairperson
Stephen Di Benedetto
Production Manager
Abbie Tykocki
Director
Brad Willcuts
Music Director
Adam Yankowy
Technical Director
DJ Selmeyer
Scene Shop Manager
Levi Galloway
Head Carpenter
Marc White
Costume Shop Manager
Angie Wendelberger
Fiscal Officer
Sara Allison
Office Operations
Kath Clark
Lighting Board Op
Jackson Cosme-Brooks
Sound Board Op
Cristian Estrada
Deck Crew Head
Shirell Clark
Costume Crew Head
Alex Spevetz
Mic Tech/QLab Op
Alexis/Leroy Misiak
Automation Op
Nathan Zarkowsky
Follow Spot Op
Tessa Littleworth
Follow Spot Op
August Garrett
Follow Spot Op
Kyle Belkowski
Follow Spot Swing
Ritu Singhal
Publicity
Anna Yarnal (Lead), Cayla Hadaway, Shelby Ginsburg, Ava Ballagh
Promotional Photography
Harley Cook
Production Photography
Raymond L. Black Photography
Scene Shop Employees and Students:
Thalia Lara, Gabriela Castillo, B Beethem, Erin Riley, Nicole Merchant, Christophe Straub, Kyle Konopaska, Julie Clampitt, Emma Jestila, Matty Peterson, Marcus Pennington, and Mandy Marsili
Scenic Painters
Thalia Lara, Gabriela Castillo, B Beethem, Erin Riley, Nicole Merchant, Julie Clampitt, Emma Jestila, Matthew Peterson, Marcus Pennington, Mandy Marsili, and Toby Sanders
Stage Crew
THR 111 Students

Faculty

Stage Management
Tina M. Newhauser
Costume Design
Karen Kangas-Preston
Scenic Design
Ranae Selmeyer
Scenic Art
Ranae Selmeyer
Sound Design
Lucas Nunn
Lighting Design
Shannon Schweitzer
Media Design
Alison Dobbins
Dramaturgy
Dan Smith 
Intimacy Direction
Alexis Black
House Management
Abbie Tykocki
Publicity
Abbie Tykocki

CAST & CREW BIOS

KYLE ANGIOLINO (Assistant Stage Manager) Ridgewood, NJ; Sophomore, BFA Stage Management & Minor in Arts & Cultural Management. Kyle is super excited to work on another musical, especially Spring Awakening. Some of his recent credits include Orchesis Apricus Showcase (Assistant Production Manager), Second Stage Productions Spelling Bee (Assistant Lighting Designer), Second Stage Production: Rocky Horror (Assistant Stage Manager). He would like to thank his close friends and family for supporting him every step of the way during this crazy adventure.

MATT ANTALEK (Melchior Gabor) Adrian, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting in Stage, Screen, & New Media. Matt is over the moon to be performing in his first mainstage musical at MSU, and ESPECIALLY this particular show, which has such a special place in his heart! You might have seen him previously in MSU Unscripted (Improvisor), and Rocky Mountain High (Ensemble). He would like to thank The Croswell Opera House for being the catalyst for his passion for acting, and for all the incredible staff at MSU that has helped ignite that fire even further. Lastly he would like to thank his family for helping him grow into the person he is today, and his friends for being his inspiration and his safety net. He hopes you enjoy the show in more ways than one! 😉

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TEANNA BARNES (Ensemble) Farmington Hills, MI; Senior, Broadcast Journalism Major, Musical Theatre Minor.  Teanna is excited but saddened to be performing in her last production with MSU.  You may have previously enjoyed her performances in the ensemble of Head Over Heels or most recently as Marcy Park in Second Stage’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She would like to thank everyone she has worked with in and outside of the cast and crew of Spring Awakening and can’t imagine finishing out her college career with more amazing people!

SEBASTIAN BARNETT (Headmaster Knochenbruch, Father Kaulbach, Herr Gabor, Schmidt) Muskegon, MI: Senior BFA in Acting for the Stage, Screen, and New Media; Dual Major in Psychology; Musical Theater Minor. Back in the Passant once more, Sebastian is incredibly excited to help bring Spring Awakening to the stage. Most recently seen in MSU’s productions of Love is the Greater Labyrinth (Tuna) and Bright Star (Jimmy Ray), Seabass is ecstatic to be working with this tremendous cast and crew for his final MSU Mainstage. He would like to thank his friends, mentors, and most importantly his wonderful Mom and Dad for supporting his endeavors, and he hopes you remember: the world is kinder with you in it. For you, G+H.

OLIVIA BATH (Wendla) Berkley, MI: Junior, BFA Acting, BA Communications, Musical Theatre Minor. Olivia has been seen in In Emily’s Words (Anne), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Eddie), Schoolhouse Rock Live! (Shulie), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), Much Ado About Nothing (Balthazar/Verges), and Charlotte’s Web (Lamb). This is Olivia’s first mainstage musical here at MSU, and she is overjoyed that you can finally enjoy the show. Overwhelming thanks to the entire team for allowing her to feel safe and empowered in this process, and to her friends and family for listening to her talk about this show constantly.

MICHAEL BOLAÑOS (Otto) Holland, MI; Junior, BFA Acting in Stage, Screen, & New Media, Musical Theatre minor, Spanish minor. Michael is incredibly overjoyed and honored to be performing in his first mainstage musical at MSU. His previous acting credits include Sweat (Oscar), What If Wilhelmina (Papa), and In Emily’s Words (Ensemble). He’d like to thank his mother, sister, and every one of his friends for always being there for him and for helping him to be his best self.

GAVIN BOW (Ensemble) Clarkston, MI; Freshman, BFA Acting in Stage, Screen & New Media, Musical Theatre Minor. This is Gavin’s first mainstage production at MSU. He took part in MSU Unscripted in the fall and he’s very excited to take part in his first musical here. He would like to thank his family, friends and the staff of the Theater Department and he hopes you enjoy the show!

ANDREW BROWN (Moritz) Casper, WY; Senior, BFA Acting in Stage, Screen & New Media, Musical Theatre & Dance Minors. This is a bittersweet moment as this is Andrew’s last production here at MSU. Previous credits include Love is the Greater Labyrinth (Baco), Schoolhouse Rock Live! (George), In Emily’s Words (Edgar), and Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur). He is elated to share this important piece of art with you. He would like to thank this team and his friends for always making him feel safe and supported, his family for nurturing his passion to study theatre here, and Zach for being by his side in every (yes… every) show here at MSU and in life. @andrew_brown817

*GABRIELA CASTILLO (Scenic Design) Columbia, MD; Third-year MFA Design candidate with a focus in scenic design. Previously at MSU she designed Much ado about Nothing(scenery), Sweat(scenery), Corktown(costumes), and Head over Heels(scenery), and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill(scenery) and Figaro(scenery) at Hope Rep Theatre, in Holland, MI where she also held the position of Properties Supervisor in 2022. Prior to seeking her MFA she worked as a deck chief and run crew for Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, MD for five years while designing and working overhire in the DMV area.

RILEY CRABTREE (Ensemble) Rochester Hills, MI; Freshman, Majors in BFA Acting in Stage, Screen, & New Media and Psychology with a Minor in Musical Theatre. This is Riley’s first main stage production at MSU! She recently was in MSU’s Unscripted in the fall. She would like to thank her family and friends for giving her incredible love and support through this process!

@rileyc_5181

JOIE CULLIGAN (Thea/Dance Captain) Hermosa Beach, CA; Senior BFA Acting with Minors in Dance, Musical Theatre, and Entrepreneurship. This is Joie’s eighth and final project here at MSU! Credits include Clue (Yvette), For The Love Of (Diaz De Los Muertos), and The Strange and Inexplicable Happenings at the Village Inn (Mel). She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support and love, and can’t wait to continue pursuing acting after graduation! See ya on the big screen 🙂 @joieculligan <3

ZACH DEANDE (Hanschen) Dallas, TX; Senior BFA Acting for Stage, Screen, and New Media with Minors in Musical Theatre and Dance. This is Zach’s final production here at MSU and he couldn’t be more grateful for everything and everyone that has crossed his path! Previous credits include Pippin (Pippin), School House Rock Live! (Joe), Head Over Heels (Musidorus), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Nick Bottom), and Charlotte’s Web (Templeton). He would like to thank all his friends, family, and faculty for their constant support through his years at MSU! And of course, he’d like to thank Andrew for being by his side through every show he has ever done here at MSU. He couldn’t have done it without you! @zacharydeande

KATE DICKINSON (Viola) Kate is thrilled to be playing at MSU. She is the VP Administration on Riverwalk Theatre’s Board of Directors and comes from a theatre family in the Detroit area. Enjoy the show!

JOHN DILLINGHAM (Keyboard) John is an accomplished musician, having played piano for over 30 years. He is a graduate from Michigan State University with a B.A. in music education (’12) and Walsh College of Business, MBA (‘18). He is thrilled to be in the Lansing area with the immense amount of talent and opportunities there is to offer! Most recent credits include music directing Anastasia (Lebowsky), All Is Calm (Peppermint Creek), The Prom (Peppermint Creek).

ALLY DOEDERLEIN (Assistant Stage Manager) Gaylord, MI; Sophomore, BFA Stage Management, BA (Business) Management, & Minor in Arts & Cultural Management. Ally is super excited to work on another musical! Some of her recent credits include MSU Unscripted (Stage Manager), Seasons of Love (Production Stage Manager), Rocky Mountain High (Assistant to Composer), and Bright Star (Assistant Music Director). She would like to thank her besties, Kate, Matty, and Kyle, for their constant support <3 @allydoeds

MARY FUKAGAWA (Cello) Lansing, MI; GVSU graduate, Bachelor of Arts in Music (voice and cello). Mary began playing cello at age nine and later studied with Dr. Pablo Mahave-Veglia at Grand Valley State University. She was most recently heard in Peppermint Creek Theatre’s 2023 production of Daddy Long Legs. MSU Department of Theatre musical credits include: Carrie, Come See Rock City, Oklahoma!, American Idiot, and In Emily’s Words. Follow her and guitarist Yoshi @deepriverstringduo.

YOSHI FUKAGAWA (Guitars)  Lansing, MI; Since 2012, Yoshi has been a familiar face in the live theatre scene of the greater Lansing area, frequently collaborating with MSU DoT, Peppermint Creek Theatre Co., and Riverwalk Theatre to name a few. His favorite musical credits include but not limited to: Carrie, Mamma Mia, Xanadu, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, American Idiot, Rocky Horror Show. Find Yoshi @deepriverstringduo (with Mary), @yoshi.hero.music, @right_and_wrong_music

Accordion Content

ELYSE GRAY (Bass) 

CAYLA HADAWAY (Anna) St. Joseph, MI; Junior BFA Acting. She is excited to be a part of her first mainstage musical at MSU and gives her love and thanks to the cast and crew. Past productions with the MSU THR include Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), Charlotte’s Web (Fern), Corktown (Cop 3), and Second Stage Production’s Solace (Emma). She has also been seen in the Young Playwrights Festival (2022-23) at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Cayla would love to thank her best friends and family for all their love and never-ending support.

JORDAN IVEZAJ (Martha) Rochester, MI; Junior BA Communication, Musical Theatre Minor. Jordan is grateful to be part of her 2nd Main-stage musical at MSU! Previous credits include Bright Star (ensemble), and Rocky Mountain High (ensemble). She is super excited to be working on a show with her childhood best friend and roommate, choreographer Abby! She thanks her family, friends, and the wonderful cast and crew for their unwavering support and love throughout telling this powerful story. An extra thanks to her roommates, Gabby and Maddie, for putting up with all the constant singing, learning of lines and the nonstop chatter about the show! @JordanIvezaj

HENRY J (Herr Sonnenstich, Herr Stiefel, Herr Neumann, Herr Rilow) Brighton, MI; Senior BFA Acting. This is Henry’s first musical here at MSU and he is very excited for this to be his final production here. You may have otherwise seen him on stage recently in Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick) or perhaps in the short film True Love Waits (Cameron). Henry thanks his parents for supporting him on this path, his wonderful partner who is always there to keep his head up, and his amazing teachers for their guidance and their knowledge these past 4 years.

NICOLE JENOSKY (Fräulein Grossebüstenhalter, Frau Gabor, Frau Bessel, Doctor Von Brausepulver) South Lyon, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Dance Minor, Musical Theatre Minor. Nicole is incredibly excited to be performing in her first mainstage musical at MSU. Her previous work at MSU includes Rocky Mountain High (Ensemble), MSU Dance Showcase (Dancer), and Orchesis Dance Company: Apricus (Lighting Designer). She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and encouragement, and her fellow cast members for their dedication and commitment to telling this story. @nicole_jenosky

LILLY KENT (Ensemble) LaGrange Park,IL; Freshman BFA Acting in Stage, Screen, And New Media, Musical Theatre Minor. Lilly is beyond excited to be in her first main stage production at MSU! She was recently in MSU’s Unscripted this fall. She would like to thank her family and friends for being amazing supporters and the wonderful production team and cast for making this first experience so wonderful! @lillyk620

CHLOE KIRCHMEIER (Frau Bergman, Fraulein Knuppledick) Jackson, MI; Senior BS Anthropology, Minors in Sexuality Studies & Musical Theater. In the past, you may have spotted Chloe in In Emily’s Words (ensemble), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Trixie), Bright Star (ensemble), and Rocky Mountain High (ensemble). She is incredibly grateful for every opportunity she has had working on a show and is over the moon excited to end her time at MSU with Spring Awakening! Chloe would like to thank all the DOT professors for their dedication to the students and their craft. She also wants to shout out her biggest support and #1 fan, her sister Cassie 🙂 @chloe.kirch

RACHEL KRAMER (Production Stage Manager) San Diego, CA; Senior BFA Stage Management & Minor in Arts & Cultural Management. This will be Rachel’s 6th and final production with the department. Past credits at MSU include Bright Star (SM), Charlotte’s Web (replacement PSM), and Corktown (PSM). Outside of the department, Rachel is the Social Media Marketing intern at Wharton Center and a Crew Member for B1G+ /Spartan Vision. She thanks her family, friends, and partner for their love & support. GO GREEN!! @rachelkramer

HILARY LAUVER (Violin) Lansing, MI. CMU Bachelor of Music Education, MSU Master of Music Performance, MSU College of Law Juris Doctorate. While Hilary’s music degrees were achieved as a trombonist, she began violin around age 10 and attributes her love playing to her orchestra and lesson instructor Mary Miller which has transcended throughout her life in musical pits, string work premieres, community orchestras and church performances. Musical Theatre credits: Your’e a Good Man Charlie Brown, Seussical, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, and Chicago.

AUDREY LOLLI (Ensemble) Chicago, Illinois; Junior Interdisciplinary Humanities Major with Minors in Musical Theater and Dance. Audrey is excited to be in her first MainStage musical at MSU!

*RYAN SCOTT LONG (Sound Designer) San Marcos, TX; First-year MFA Design Candidate with a focus in sound design. This is his first production at MSU. He is a graduate of Texas State University. Previous TXST credits include: TXST sound design credits include: Into the Woods, HAIR, Gloria, and Mala Hierba. Ryan would like to thank Lucas for his mentorship, the Spring Awakening team for this experience, and his parents for their love and support. To keep up with Ryan, follow @ryanscolong on Instagram and check out his album, catharsis, on all streaming platforms!

PRESTON LYFORD (Georg Zirschnitz) Kalamazoo, MI; 2nd year BFA Actor with a double minor in Musical Theatre and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Past Productions at MIchigan State University include Much Ado About Nothing (Conrade, U/S Claudio) and Bright Star (EM1). Outside of MSU you may have seen him in Guilty Escape (Jake), Just Sally (Brad), or the filmed musical Robin Hood: The Golden Arrow (Much). Preston would like to thank Brad Willcuts, Adam Yankowy, and the rest of the cast and crew. Along with his family, friends, and partner for their continued support. @PrestonLyford

REESE MARTIN (Ensemble) Manhattan Beach, CA; Junior BFA Acting with minor in Musical Theatre. Reese is so excited to be in her first main stage musical at Michigan State! You may have last seen her in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky) with Second Stage Productions or in Rocky Mountain High (MJ) in the Fall! She wants to thank the production team for an incredible experience and her incredible friends: Zach, Andrew, Chloe, Olivia, and Jordan for always making her feel supported and loved through this whole process. Enjoy the show! 🙂

*LILIAN MEYERS (Lighting Design) Indianapolis, IN; Third-year MFA Design candidate in lighting. Lilian is elated to be showcasing her final design at Michigan State University. Previous works include Bright Star (MSU), For the Love Of (MSU), and Wait Unti Dark (Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts). Lilian will be heading to New York following graduation to further her career in design. She would like to thank everyone who helped her to get where she is, and Tayor Swift’s discography for getting her through the highs and lows of grad school.

ABBY MCCARTY (Choreographer) Rochester Hills, MI; Junior Special Education, Elementary Education & Minor in Dance. Abby is overjoyed to be a part of her first mainstage musical at MSU and feels so lucky to be a part of this incredible production. She is super excited to be working on a show with her childhood best friend, roommate and the wonderful Martha, Jordan! Some of her recent choreography was seen in the Orchesis fall showcase Apricus and in Second Stage Productions’ 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continuous support and her incredible mentor Brad Wilcuts for encouraging her every step of the way! Another big thank you goes to her roommates, Gabby and Maddie, for listening to every idea! Enjoy the show! @abbymccartyyy <3

MOHAMAD MOHAMMAD (Ernst) Dearborn Heights, MI; Junior, Secondary English Education. With just recently playing Leaf Coneybear in his first college production, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Second Stage Productions, Mohamad (Momo) is so excited and grateful to now be in his first main stage production at MSU! He wants to thank his friends and family for their endless encouragement, the entire production team, and his loving and supportive cast mates that have made this entire year’s experiences incomparable and unforgettable! @mohamadmohamma.d

NICOLE MERCHANT (Swing) Bloomfield Hills, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Creative Advertising major with a minor in Musical Theatre.  Nicole Is thrilled to be a part of her first Mainstage Musical at MSU! Some Previous credits include the world premiere of Love is The Greater Labyrinth, (Ariadna) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Clarisse), and A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella Kowalski). Nicole also loves performing in various cabaret productions, having previously been seen in They’re So Dramatics’ Seasons of Love and a frequent member of SSMT. Nicole would like to thank her parents, her loyal dog Daisy, her friends and castmates for their support and love through this process.

ABBY MULLEN (Stage Manager/Sub-Showcaller) Dearborn, MI; Senior, BFA Stage Management. When not in rehearsal you can find her working with MSU Football. Go Green! Recent Credits include Stevie and The Real World (Production Stage Manager), and SSP’s: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Production Stage Manager), This is Abby’s final production with MSU. Special thanks to Pepsi, Amy, Abbie, Tina, her friends & family. Finally, she’d like to thank her Mom (and cats) for the nightly facetime calls and always encouraging her to live out her dreams. After graduation she hopes to always keep pursuing what she loves to do. @abby.mullen <3

LORENA NAVARRO (Drums) Elko, NV; DMA, Percussion Performance. Lorena began playing percussion at the age of eleven. She earned her Master of Music in Percussion Performance at Michigan State University and her Bachelor of Music Education at Utah Valley University. You can find Lorena performing in MSU Music ensembles and community orchestras and choirs. This show is Lorena’s first performance in a musical. @lorenaannn

KATHERIN ‘KAT’ POON (Assistant Director) Sacramento, CA; Junior BFA Theatre Design with a focus in Costume, BA Psychology. Cheers to new experiences! Many thanks to Brad and all the actors for welcoming this designer into the rehearsal space. Previous costume credits include Stevie and the Real World for MSU DoT, The Rocky Horror Show, and Seeds Of Corruption for Second Stage. Here’s to whatever random position Kat will throw herself into next year!

MATTY PETERSON (Assistant Lighting Designer) San Antonio, TX; Sophomore BFA Theatre Design, Minor Educational Studies. Matty is so excited for his first opportunity to design on the mainstage. Some of his past credits include Stevie and the Real World (Production Electrician) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Scenic Design) He would also like to shout out his family for their endless support!

CHRISTINA PILCH (Ensemble) Novi, Mi; Sophomore, Majoring in Political Science with Minors in Musical Theater, Business, & Law. This is her first THR production at MSU, and she is grateful it is with such a talented cast, crew and directors. When she isn’t singing onstage, she is a member of Orchesis Dance Company! Her favorite part of being on ensemble is for the chance to execute Abby’s fabulous choreography onstage. She wants to thank all of her friends and family that have been supportive of her continuing theatre in college, everyone who knows her knows she is happiest when she is doing a show! @christinapilch

EMILY ROSOLOWSKI (Assistant Costume Designer) Chelsea, MI; Senior BFA Design in Costume Design. Her most recent designs include Much Ado About Nothing (Costume Designer) and SOLACE (Costume Designer). Emily plans on attending Purdue University to pursue her Master of Fine Arts Fall 2024. She wants to thank her family for all of their support and letting Emily be Emily.

RAY LOUISE SUNSHINE (Props Designer) South Lyon, MI; Junior, BFA Theatre Design and Technology. Ray is so happy to be working on a Mainstage musical, and can’t wait for everyone to see this wonderful show! At MSU they have previously worked on Charlotte’s Web (Props Designer) and The Glass Menagerie (Costume Designer). This past summer they were the Props Designer for Tibbits Opera House’s summer season, working on shows including The Little Mermaid and Grease. Thank you to Kat for always being a friend, and Patty for being the mama who bore me and a much better mother than the ones in this show.

Michigan State University Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. In particular, the University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold Michigan State University more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.

friends of theatre logo

Friends of Theatre is a membership organization promoting, encouraging and enhancing activities of the MSU Department of Theatre. We organize events and programs that expand the community experience of theatre. We also create fund-raising opportunities and promote improvements in the programs and facilities of the MSU Department of Theatre. How can you join?  Make a donation to the Michigan State University Department of Theatre and you will become a most welcome member. Click here to learn more.

We would like to express our gratitude to the following friends who have generously supported the MSU Department of Theatre during the past year. If we have inadvertently left your name off this list, please accept our apologies and contact us so that we may make the correction. This list is current as of 12/31/23.

Named Summer Circle Courtyard Donors
Sam and Mary Austin
Selma Hollander
Linda Nelson
Gretel Geist Rutledge
Jane K. Vieth and Alan P. Suits

Diamond ($2,500+, Season Sponsors)
Ms. Barbara B. Free
Mr. Craig J. Gunn
Dr. Lauren J. Harris
Ms. Hari E. Kern
Mr. Richard Kief and Ms. Andrea S. Rutledge
Mr. Robert W. Matson
Patricia R. Paulsell, Ph.D. and Mr. C. D. Paulsell
Mrs. Rosmarie I. Peters
Ms. Diana G. Somerton
Linda C. Stone, M.D.
Prof. Blake J. Williams
Richard J. Williams, Jr. and Karen B. Williams

Gold ($500-$1,000)
Mrs. Margaret W. Bird
Bruce F. Brown and Derrick A. Carter
Mr. Greg W. Checketts
Mr. George B. Conger, IV
Prof. Kirk A. Domer
Mrs. Dolores K. Fitzgerald and
Hiram E. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
Kami Frankel
Mr. David A. Gift and Mrs. Debra R. Gift
Prof. Paul S. Kotula
Ms. Jean Lyle Lepard
Mark R. Skibbe
Robert L. Stephenson
Ralph E. Taggart, Ph.D.
Mr. Mark E. Van Faussien and
Mrs. Patricia Storen Van Faussien
Mr. James L. Zacks and Rose T. Zacks, Ph.D.

Silver ($250 – $500)
Mr. Robert M. Andrews
Mrs. Marilyn A. Baird
Charlotte Barvinok
Mr. John F. Baumgart
Christine R. Birdwell, Ph.D.
Mrs. Dana E. Brazil
Michael G. Burry, D.O. and Mrs. Tina M. Burry
Mrs. Barbara L. Bursian and
Dr. Steven J. Bursian
Mr. Lee E. Henry
Dr. David D. Horner
Dr. Gerald A. Jennings and
Ms. Karen A. Jennings
Mrs. Karen N. Moellenberg and
Mr. Charles H. Moellenberg, Jr.
Ms. Patricia K. Munshaw
Mr. Mark S. Sobieski and Ms. Joanne Sobieski
Ms. Barbara S. Wepman
Mr. David W. Wolski and Jean K. Wolski, Ph.D.

Bronze ($100-$250)
Etta C. Abrahams, Ph.D. and
Herbert S. Greenberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Thomas G. Berding and
Dr. Alisa R. Henriquez
Joseph G. Bonsall, J.D. and Ms. Beth A. Bonsall
Mr. Adam Chau
Ms. Lisa A. Corbin
Mrs. Karen E. Couf-Cohen and
Mr. Gerald I. Cohen
Mr. Robert J. DeWaal and
Ms. Christine A. Aiello
Manisha Dostert
Mrs. Karen T. Gilluly
Steven M. Godfrey
Prof. Jacquelynn C. Gould and
Mr. Samuel Gould
Kimberly E. Greene
Mrs. Leonore C. Helder
Mrs. Linda D. Howard and Mr. Ross Howard
Mrs. Katherine L. King and Dr. Larry M. King
Mr. William M. King and Mrs. Susan E. King
Mr. John L. Lepard and
Ms. Emily C. Sutton-Smith
Mr. Thomas L. Lynch
Ms. Lois P. Lynch-Blosser
Ms. Julie M. Matway
Mr. Michael B. McKenney and
Mrs. Rebekah J. McKenney
Ms. Monica M. McMurtry
Mrs. Janice L. Mernitz
Wolfgang J. Mittig, Ph.D. and
Mrs. Odile B. Mittig
Jennifer S. Ortwein
Edward A. Oxer, Ph.D. and Mrs. Tina S. Oxer
Mrs. Frana K. Potter
Kimberly Price
Ms. Cathy S. Roth
Prof. Kelly S. Salchow MacArthur
Karen F. Sheridan
Ms. Rosanne Singer and Mr. Steve Mencher
Mrs. Beth A. Smith and Mr. Thomas M. Smith
Mrs. Sylvia S. Stevens and
Mr. Robert A. Stevens
Ms. Mary L. Terrien
Mrs. Katja S. Thomakos and
Mr. Jeffrey D. Thomakos
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Thomas
Mr. Richard K. Thomas
Dr. Ewen C. Todd and Mrs. Zora I. Todd
Mr. Donald K. Topliff
Mrs. Lisa S. Truax
Ms. Dorothy R. Van Looy
Prof. Ann E. White and Mr. Marc White

Pewter ($50-$100)
Mr. Dennis P. Allen, III and
Mrs. Michelle K. Allen
Ms. Barbara E. Atkinson
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Baker Newell and
Mr. Robert H. Newell
Norman J. Beauchamp, Jr., M.D. and
Ms. Kristina L. Beauchamp
Mrs. Laura J. DeGuire and Mr. Peter J. DeGuire
Mr. Thomas J. Ferris and Mrs. Carol A. Ferris
Mr. William H. Foster and Mrs. Connie J. Foster
Ms. Malinda L. Funk
Mr. Dean O. Haney and Mrs. Nancy E. Haney
Brian Harper
Mrs. Stacey T. Ingram and
Mr. Daniel P. Ingram
Dr. Stan A. Kaplowitz and Mrs. Toba Kaplowitz
Mrs. Amy G. Kilbridge and
Mr. Robert E. Kilbridge
Mr. Geoffrey C. Kimmerly
Debbie Kupinsky
Mr. Jeff S. Lambert
Mrs. Marla K. Lambert and Mr. Dale Lambert
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Lepak
Ms. Mary T. Meierfrankenfeld and
Dr. Ulrich Meierfrankenfeld
Ms. Susan M. Pierson
Prof. Jaideep T. Singh and
Mrs. Elisabeth R. Singh
Mr. Alexander J. Talsma
Mr. Joseph S. Tuchinsky and
Mrs. Cele F. Tuchinsky
Ms. Mary Kay Wolfe
Mr. Frederick P. Zirm and
Mrs. Robinwyn D. Lewis

Distinguished Department of Theatre Scholarship Donors

Dixie Durr
The Dixie Durr Scholarship Fund

Virginia E. Albright
The Virginia Albright Acting Scholarship Fund

Gretel Greist Rutledge
The Frank C. Rutledge Scholarship in Theatre
The Gretel Geist Rutledge Annual Student Awards for Design Excellence in Theatre Production

Selma Hollander
The Stanley and Selma Hollander Endowed Graduate Fellowship In Theatre

Mary Culpepper
The Barbara Hacker Baldwin Theatre Scholarship

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