AMERICAN FAST BY KAREEM FAHMY DIRECTED BY JENNIFER CHANG APR 29–MAY 21, 2023
OUR 2023–2024 SEASON UP NEXT AT CITY THEATRE SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW PHONE 412-431-CITY (2489) WEB CITYTHEATRECOMPANY.ORG OR VISIT THE BOX OFFICE September 23 – October 15, 2023 SOMEWHERE OVER THE BORDER BY BRIAN QUIJADA DIRECTOR TBA A co-production with Pittsburgh CLO and People’s Light (Malvern, PA) November 25 – December 17, 2023 MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY BY LAUREN GUNDERSON AND MARGOT MELCON DIRECTED BY KYLE HADEN March 2 – 24, 2024 FAT HAM BY JAMES IJAMES DIRECTED BY MONTEZE FREELAND A co-production with TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR) January 13 – February 18, 2024 SOUTH SIDE STORIES REVISITED BY TAMI DIXON DIRECTED BY MATT M. MORROW April 20 – May 12, 2024 ANDY WARHOL IN IRAN BY BRENT ASKARI DIRECTED BY MARC MASTERSON BE PART OF THE ART. SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR A NEW SEASON OF INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND BOLD NEW PLAYS.
AMERICAN FAST 3 FROM THE CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS One of the joys of attending City Theatre is meeting fresh new talent who will be the future of the arts in America. Over our forty-eight seasons the list of writers, performers, directors, and designers that have premiered their work on our stages and moved on to have great impact and impressive careers is long. We can leave the name dropping to others, but the creative team for today’s production of Kareem Fahmy’s American Fast is one such group. We can’t wait to share their boundless talent with you. City Theatre signed on to be a leading producer of the rolling world premiere of this stellar play through the National New Play Network- a service organization for companies like City Theatre that encourages partnerships among theatres dedicated to doing new plays. In this case, we found synergy with Artist’s Repertory Theatre (Portland, OR) and InterAct Theatre (Philadelphia, PA). Each company will produce their own separate production, share resources, and document the collaboration; and Kareem will continue to refine and develop the play with these three companies. Already American Fast has generated interest from two additional theatres and, thus, the play is launched into the canon of contemporary plays with an exciting future. Of course, this performance lives here on our stage just for you. We thank you for sharing our interest in stories from and about our contemporary world and look forward to your response. We are proud of the role that we play in our communities both local and national. These partnerships strengthen our ability to bring you the best of what theatre has to offer and extend the benefits to audiences around the country. Marc Masterson Clare Drobot Monteze Freeland
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AMERICAN FAST 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS City Theatre is deeply grateful to the following community of volunteers who support City Theatre’s mission, programming, and artists by donating their time, wisdom, financial resources, and public advocacy. The work we do would not be possible without their ongoing leadership and support. PRESIDENT Caitlin Green † VICE PRESIDENTS Matthew J. Galando † Tamara Tunie † TREASURER Alex Condron † SECRETARY Kenneth A. Glick, MD † MEMBERS David Betts † Steve Carpenter Judy Cheteyan Tomé Cousin Betty Cruz Clare Drobot, ex-officio Holly Hatcher-Frazier † Michelle McCreery, Esq † James McNeel, ex-officio Delvina L. Morrow † Marcia Morton Cori Parise Barbara Rudiak, PhD † Susan B. Smerd, PhD Sandra Solomon Deepak Wadhwani Bria Walker-Rhoze Nancy D. Washington, PhD † Executive Committee Members In 2018, by resolution of the board of the directors, City Theatre created an Honorary Board to recognize the extraordinary service of previous volunteers and leaders who have been instrumental to the organization’s continued growth and success. HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Carol R. Brown Tacy Byham, Ph.D. Norbert J. Connors, Jr. Robert M. Frankel, in memoriam Ira H. Gordon, in memoriam Edward H. Harrell Thomas Hollander Clyde B. Jones, III Gerri Kay, in memoriam Roslyn Litman, in memoriam David E. Massaro Beth W. Newbold Dee Jay Oshry Leonard Perfido David L. Porges Jeffrey Solomon Iris Amper Walker Marjorie Walker
©2022 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106 The arts make us think, make us feel, and make us wonder. And being able to support the City Theatre Company today makes us proud. Let’s see where your imagination takes you today. pnc.com
April 29 through May 21, 2023 Performed without an intermission. Run Time: Approx 90 minutes * Member of Actors’ Equity Association ** Member of United Scenic Artists + Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society American Fast is produced at City Theatre as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other Partner Theaters are Artists Repertory Theatre (Portland, OR) and InterAct Theatre Company (Philadelphia, PA). For more information, please visit nnpn.org Supported, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. PRESENTS WRITTEN BY KAREEM FAHMY DIRECTED BY JENNIFER CHANG+ CAST Deena Aziz* Terry Bell* Tara Touzie* Hilary Ward* JAMES McNEEL Managing Director MARC MASTERSON, CLARE DROBOT, and MONTEZE FREELAND Co-Artistic Directors Britton Mauk Scenic Designer Damian E. Dominguez Costume Designer Minjoo Kim Lighting Designer Patti Kelly* Production Stage Manager Howard Patterson Sound Designer Alaa Mohamed Cultural Consultant Jason H. Thompson** & Kaitlyn Pietras ** Projection Designers Denmo Ibrahim Dialect Coach Clare Drobot Dramaturg
WHO'S WHO We are proud to support City Theatre and the mission of providing an artistic home of contemporary plays and the ideas that engage and challenge diverse audiences. Never underestimate the power of a great performance. BCD-SYS-16740_city_theater_print_5x8_bw.indd 1 9/8/22 2:10 PM
AMERICAN FAST 9 CHARACTERS CAST Suzan Deena Aziz* Gabe Terry Bell* Khady Tara Touzie* Coach Hilary Ward* KAREEM FAHMY (Playwright) is a Canadian-born playwright and director of Egyptian descent. He re-ceived the 2022 Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award (for American Fast), a NY-SCA/NYFA Playwriting Fellowship, a MacDowell Fellowship, the Janet Sloane Literature Residency at Yaddo, is a two-time finalist for the National Showcase of New Plays, and was named a Rising Leader of Color by TCG. American Fast is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere at Artists Repertory Theatre, City Theatre, and In-terAct Theatre. A Distinct Society received a co-world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Pioneer Theatre and will soon be seen at Writers Theatre. Dodi & Diana (O’Neill NPC Finalist) received a world premiere at Colt Coeur. Other plays include Pa-reidolia, The In-Between, and an adaptation of the acclaimed novel The Yacoubian Building. Kareem’s work has been seen at Atlantic Theatre Company, Denver Center, Northlight Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, New York Stage & Film, and more. Com-missions: Artists Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre/Sloan, Colt Coeur. Fel-lowships: The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Sundance Theatre Lab. Co-founder/Chair of the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab. MFA (Theatre Directing), Co-lumbia. www.kareemfahmy.com JENNIFER CHANG (Director) is a director, writer, actor, and educator who won the LADCC Award in direction for VIETGONE by Qui Nguyen. Recently she directed The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh (World Premiere) at Milwaukee Rep and On Gold Mountain by Lisa See and Nathan Wang with LA Opera. Her play The Devil is a Lie just premiered with Quantum Theatre. Upcoming: reading of Chapters of a Floating Life by Clarence Coo at Williamstown Theatre Festival, King of the Yees by Lauren Yee at Signature Theatre DC. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer’s Society (SDC), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). BFA NYU, MFA UCSD. Director’s Lab West, Drama League NY Fellow, Classical Directing Fellow (The Old Globe), Beatrice Terry Residency. APAFT Advisory Board. More info: changinator.com
10 AMERICAN FAST Playwright Kareem Fahmy in rehearsals BEHIND THE SCRIPT: An Interview with American Fast Playwright Kareem Fahmy What inspired American Fast? Growing up as the only Muslim kid in my community there were always a lot of questions about my faith, in particular about Ramadan. “So you don’t eat AT ALL? Wait, you can’t drink water?!?” When I became a theatremaker, I realized that it was commonplace to see the practice of other major religions on stage, but much less so with Islam. Putting faithful Muslims on stage is often associated with a lot of political baggage. In writing American Fast, I wanted to break that convention. This is a faith, after all, practiced by nearly two billion people all over the world. And when I started thinking about the word “practice” another form of practice came to mind: sports. The practice of sport and the practice of religion in the same play — that was a story that excited me! For each of the script’s characters, their identities are multifaceted, how does the intersectionality of gender, race, religion, and more inform their relationships and journeys? One of the things that was most important for me in writing this play was to show the various forms that the practice of Islam can take. There’s a tendency to think of Islam as a monolith and that the practice of it is quite circumscribed, but in this play, you meet three very different characters who identify as Muslim and who practice (or don’t practice) their faith in very individualized ways. Khady, Gabe, and Suzan
AMERICAN FAST 11 offer three very different Muslim perspectives, and I hope illuminate for audiences the wide range of ways Islam affects people’s lives. And more than that, their faith is only one part of who they are and doesn’t wholly define them. They are flawed, funny, complicated people who are trying to navigate a world that doesn’t always want them to win. In the writing and development process, were there any discoveries that surprised you? This play went through a huge number of iterations, more so than any of my other plays. It took me a long time to figure out who these characters were and what their stories were. The biggest surprise I encountered as I was rewriting was that this story was a deeply personal one. While I was never a competitive college athlete (let alone a female one), the more I dug into Khady the more I realized she was going through things I did as I came to terms with the fact that I would never exactly live the life my parents wanted me to. So many firstgeneration immigrant children face that challenge of wanting to find their own path, and Khady’s journey to find her own personalized expression of her faith and identity is very similar to my own. While you have had three world premiere productions this year, you’re also an accomplished director, how does your playwriting process differ from when you’re in the room as a director? I’ve been so fortunate to spend much of my career up to now working with playwrights on new play development and directing world premieres. This season is the first time I’ve ever been a playwright in the room on a world premiere and, wow, have I learned a lot! Because I am a director, I feel I write my plays with a sense of how they will live on stage—inviting a director, actors, and designers to bring the story to life with their craft. I’ve never really thought of theatre as a literary art form, a play isn’t a document or a script, it’s a living, breathing thing that’s only fully realized when it’s in front of an audience. What I’ve loved about having three world premieres this season is that I’ve been able to collaborate with so many gifted artists that have helped me more deeply understand these characters and stories.
WHO'S WHO
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 13 Deena Aziz (Suzan) (she/her) Based in Pittsburgh and Montreal, Deena has followed the work across Canada, in the US, and internationally. Stage credits feature companies like Alberta Theatre Projects, Canada’s National Arts Centre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and the Stratford Festival. Screen credits include a smattering of episodic sci-fi, and a chorus of variously ethnic docs and shrinks. Away from stage and camera, Deena works as a dramaturge, coordinator, and producer, and is an active champion for equity and justice in the performing arts. Terry Bell (Gabe) City Theatre debut. Broadway: The Skin of Our Teeth (Lincoln Center Theater). Additional Theatre: Sweat (Guthrie Theater); We are Proud to Present..., The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Steppenwolf); A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Routes, Howards End (Remy Bumppy Theatre). TV: “Elementary”, “Chicago Fire”, “The Chi”, “Utopia”. Training: Western Michigan University. Terry is an ensemble member at Remy Bummpy Theatre in Chicago and is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group and Blue Ridge Entertainment. @ Common_Terry (IG). Tara Touzie (Khady) is an actor and first-generation American of Iranian descent based in Los Angeles. She began performing in French productions of Molière at the Lycée International, later developing an interest in writing and directing she attended the Chapman University College of Film where she wrote and directed numerous short films. The stage called and she made her way to the Stella Adler Academy where she studied and performed in such productions as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Streetcar Named Desire. A seasoned comic, she studied improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre and appears regularly as a stand-up around LA. Tara is thrilled and honored to be making her City Theatre debut in American Fast. Hilary Ward (Coach) Theatre: City Theatre (debut), Ashland New Play Festival (Those Days are Over), Crescent City Stage (King Lear, Christmas at Pemberly, Fortinbras), South Coast Rep (Sense and Sensibility), Ojai Playwrights Conference (Ripe Frenzy), La Jolla Playhouse (Mother Courage), Classical Theatre of Harlem (Macbeth, King Lear, Madea), Chalk Rep (Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night). Television/ Film: Law & Order, Heart Shot, FIVE, Station 19, LAUNCHPAD, Bull, Sharp Objects, All the Way, NCIS, The Fosters, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, Other People, Like You Mean It. Hilary’s image and voice has been featured in over four dozen national commercials. She serves on the Organizing Committee for SAG-AFTRA, of which she is a proud member. She is also a member of the Television Academy and AEA. In 2008, she became a co-founder of the award-winning Chalk Repertory Theatre. Hilary is currently serving as Special Visiting Faculty in Acting at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. MFA: UCSD.
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 15 PATTI KELLY (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to City Theatre for her 35th season! Having been with the company for over half of its lifetime, some of Patti’s favorite shows at City Theatre include The Old Man and the Old Moon, The Royale, Hand to God, The 39 Steps, Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, Molly Sweeney, The Baltimore Waltz, and Our Country’s Good. Other credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Hartford Stage; Hysteria for Pittsburgh Public Theater; Richard II, The Tempest, Othello, As You Like It, Horse of a Different Color, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth for Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival; and over 30 plays for the Carnegie Mellon Showcase of New Plays. Patti is a recipient of the Fred Kelly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. BRITTON MAUK (Scenic Designer) has designed three world premieres— Untitled and The Burdens at City Theatre, and Old Man and the Sea at Pittsburgh Playhouse. Some of his other designs from these venues include The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey at City Theatre; Good Grief, and Wig Out! at Pittsburgh Playhouse. Regionally, Britton has designed for Portland Center Stage (Rent and Hedwig and the Angry Inch) in Portland, OR; Long Wharf Theatre (I am My Own Wife) in New Haven, CT; Gulfshore Playhouse (Steel Magnolias) in Naples, Florida; Cardinal Stage (Fun Home) in Bloomington, IN; and Mixed Blood (Mermaid Hour Remixed) in Minneapolis, MN. Closer to home, he has designed for Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Front Porch Theatricals, CLO Cabaret, Prime Stage, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, and Quantum Theatre. He is a member of the USITT IDEAS Committee and is the co-coordinator for the USITT Gateway Program. He is the owner and partner of Uncommon Craftsmen LLC, which is a fine carpentry business. DAMIAN E. DOMINGUEZ (Costume Designer) is a Mexican American costume designer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Past design credits include Cinderella (Pittsburgh Playhouse), Rapunzel (Byham Theatre), I am A Dreamer… (Resonance Works), The Cherry Orchard (Quantum Theatre), The Lavender Terrace (New Hazlett/ KST), and The Light in the Piazza, Marisol, and Dutchman (CMU). He was the associate costume designer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Harlem (Pittsburgh Public). Damian is one of five collaborating artists for the upcoming 2023 exhibit Billy Porter Presents: A Summer Flower Fashion Show at the Phipps Conservatory. Other upcoming projects include Macbeth (Resonance Works). Damian holds a double B.A in Music and Theater from the University of Georgia and an M.F.A. in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University. See more of his work at www.damianedominguez.com
WHO'S WHO Member FDIC. ⬢®, Huntington® and ⬢ Huntington. Welcome.® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2022 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. A round of applause for CityTheatre. And everyone in your audience. Theater illuminates the human experience. It connects us to each other, brings us closer, and reminds us of the incredible heights we’re capable of reaching. So from all of us at Huntington, a big thank you to City Theatre for reminding us how brightly we all can shine.
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 17 MINJOO KIM (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer who is on a never-ending quest of understanding the perpetually fascinating facets of light. Working as a theatrical lighting designer in Korea, China, and the United States, she developed a keen eye for lighting and honed her drafting skills. Her lighting design is dynamic and has diverse visual perspectives. Her collective lighting design credits include The Chief (Pittsburgh Public Theater), The Royale (KC Rep), English (Studio Theatre), The Great Leap (Round House Theatre), Twelfth Night (Synetic Theater), Henry V (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company), A Few Good Men (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Sh-Boom! Life Could Be A Dream (Sierra Rep), Life Sucks (Cygnet Theatre), One in Two (Diversionary Theatre), Bette Davis Ain't for Sissies (Mile Square Theatre), The Two (Space Owul), Quiet No More (San Diego Women's Chorus), Qulili (The Blindspot), IDEAS-Cetacea (Calit2 Theater, Atkinson Hall). International: South Korea - The Two (Space Owu), Crimson Girl (Dongsoong Art Center), Die or Not (Seoul Art Space Mullae), China - Mask on/off (Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre). Her work The Royale was selected for the National Exhibit at Prague Quadrennial in 2023. Website: minjoo-design.com HOWARD PATTERSON (Sound Designer) is a Sound Technician based in Pittsburgh who specializes in audio engineering and theatre sound design. Recent works include Paradise Blue, The Rivers Don't Know and Claws Out at City Theatre, along with Everybody, Children Hour and Good Grief at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Howard draws inspiration from real life events, movies and television, and his 'Intro to Sound Design' students at University of Pittsburgh. Not to mention, he's probably the only audio engineer in the area simultaneously training to become a Pro wrestler. JASON H. THOMPSON (Projection Designer) designs for opera, dance, theatre, theme parks, commercial, architecture and corporate events. He recently received two LA Drama Critics Circle Awards for Revenge Song and Vietgone. Jason has also been awarded The Kinetic Lighting Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Design. He has received two Ovation Awards for Chavez Ravine and Venice. Key Projects: Proximity (Lyric Opera), Lost Highway (Oper Frankfurt), Die Walküre (Karlsruhe, Germany), Tri Sestri (Vienna State Opera), Tarzan and Frozen Sing A-Long (Shanghai Disneyland), Twilight: Gods (Detroit Opera/ Chicago Lyric), A Trip to the Moon and Young Caesar (LA Phil), Hopscotch, Invisible Cities, Crescent City (The Industry), Cage Songbooks (SF Symphony, Carnegie Hall, New World Symphony), Cunning Little Vixen (Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna and Sweden). Broadway: Baby, It's You! Additionally, Jason has worked at a number of New York and regional theaters including: The Public Theatre, Center Theatre Group, The Geffen Playhouse, The Guthrie, KC Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Signature Theatre in DC, South Coast Repertory Theatre and many others. He’s also created four video installations for the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles. Jason is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 and a company member of The Industry, an independent artist-driven company creating experimental productions that expand the definition of opera.
WHO'S WHO
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 19 KAITLYN PIETRAS (Projection Designer) is a visual artist with a background in architecture and scenic design. She has received three LA Drama Critics Circle Awards for Revenge Song, Vietgone and RII. Kaitlyn’s design for Mojada was featured in the US Exhibit for the Prague Quadrennial in 2019. Her design work has been seen on stages and in unexpected places across the country as well as internationally. Key Projects: Proximity (Lyric Opera), The Valkyries (LA Phil, Detroit Opera), Twilight: Gods (Lyric Opera, Detroit Opera), Lost Highway (Oper Frankfurt), A Trip to the Moon, Young Caesar (LA Phil). Gun & Powder (Signature Theatre), unseen, How to Catch Creation, Mother Road, Unison, Mojada (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Revenge Song, Key Largo, Mysterious Circumstances (Geffen Playhouse). Kaitlyn’s work has also been seen at Pasadena Playhouse, Cherry Lane Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, South Coast Repertory, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, East West Players, Interborough Repertory Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and The Theatre @ Boston Court. Kaitlyn is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 ALAA MOHAMED (Cultural Consultant) is a multilingual and culturally aware advocate for the community. With a Masters of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, Alaa is a globally curious human who capitalizes on a positive attitude, natural leadership talents, and a strong work ethic. As a Senior Civic Innovation Specialist for the City of Pittsburgh, Alaa directs and executes projects to test innovative ideas within city government. She manages the City's urban business incubator program and works to prioritize support for minority and female entrepreneurs. Alaa is the Mayor's digital equity representative for the City of Pittsburgh and helps to lead the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition. DENMO IBRAHIM (Dialect Coach) is an American playwright, actor, and educator of Egyptian descent. Her plays include Arab Spring (Bay Area Playwrights Festival) Kal & Dija Save the World (Civilians’ R&D Group), Brilliant Mind (Marin Theatre Company), and Ecstasy / A Waterfable (Golden Thread). Regional acting credits include Berkeley Rep, American Conservatory Theater, The Old Globe, Seattle Rep, Marin Theatre Company, and Cal Shakes. Denmo received a Theatre Bay Area Award in “Outstanding Solo Performance” for BABA (Alter Theatre), for which she also received a San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle Award for “Best Original Script” currently in performance at Amphibian Stage. Teaching credits include workshops at Loyac Academy of Performing Arts (Kuwait), Arab American National Museum, California Institute of Integral Studies, and The University of Oregon. Denmo holds an MFA in Lecoq-based Actor Created Physical Theater (Naropa University) and a BFA in Acting (Boston University). www.denmoibrahim.com
WHO'S WHO Author photo: Kate Sweeney Author photo: Amanda Demme 2022/23
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 21 JZ Casting Geoff Josselson, CSA and Katja Zarolinski, CSA are New York-based casting directors, handling productions for theater, film and television. Theatre work includes Broadway, off-Broadway and regional productions at Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Cape Playhouse, Denver Center, The Irish Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, Theaterworks Hartford, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre. For more information, please visit www.jz-casting.com. National New Play Network is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. NNPN envisions a robust, equitable, and inclusive new play ecology that reflects a broad range of aesthetics, and strives to pioneer, implement, and disseminate ideas and programs that revolutionize the way theaters and audiences encounter new work. Since its founding in 1998, National New Play Network has grown into a vital force for new work in the American theater, serving over 130 Member Theaters as well as artists and audiences around the world. NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays, initially presented in 2002, was the Network’s first program aimed at creating a new play pipeline that spanned the US. In 2004, NNPN launched the pilot of what has become its paradigm-shifting Rolling World Premiere program. As NNPN’s membership, funding, and programmatic offerings have grown, innovations including season-long Residencies within Member Theaters for rising administrative leaders, two annual Commissions, and a dedicated fund for theater-makers working to develop new plays across institutions emerged. The New Play Exchange®, launched in 2015, is the world’s largest online library of scripts by living writers, and features unprecedented opportunities for direct connection among playwrights, readers, and producers. NNPN’s current Strategic Plan centers its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Network’s dedication to new plays remains the center of its work, but the future NNPN envisions is one that is robust, inclusive, and equitable for all theater-makers and audience members.
WHO'S WHO
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 23 JAMES McNEEL (Managing Director) joined City Theatre as its Managing Director in January 2015 and has overseen the organization through a period of extraordinary change and transformation, while becoming a trusted and recognized leader in the arts management field both locally and nationally. He came to Pittsburgh after four seasons in the same role at the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he was integral in the development and production of 20 new plays (including 10 world premieres and four commissions). Previously, he served as Literature Specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts, focusing on grants to nonprofit presses, magazines, and literary organizations, as well as awards to individual poets, writers, and literary translators. While at the NEA he also worked on the development of such national initiatives as Operation Homecoming, Shakespeare in American Communities, Poetry Out Loud, and the National Book Festival. In 2005, James moved to New York City where he was General Manager and project consultant for the arts management firm, The Center for Creative Resources. At the Center, he worked with numerous individual artists and arts organization in all facets of institutional development and was a team leader in the feasibility study, opening, and first year management and operation of The Times Center, owned by The New York Times Company and designed by Renzo Piano. In addition, he was Director of Development and Marketing at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre, located in Greenwich Village. James holds a B.A. degree from Shepherd University and studied Arts Management in the Master of Arts program at American University. He currently serves on the boards and/or committees of the South Side Chamber of Commerce; National New Play Network (finance); Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (advocacy); and the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), the largest association of its kind in the country. He chairs a consortium of over 25 different venues and organizations, organized by GPAC, that has met monthly in response to Covid-19. MONTEZE FREELAND (Co-Artistic Director) is a multidisciplinary artist and one of the three co-artistic directors of City Theatre Company. A graduate of Point Park University, Mr. Freeland has made a career as an actor, director, playwright, teaching artist and producer. Select directing credits include Clyde’s, The Garbologists, Santaland Diaries, and Claws Out: A Holiday Drag Musical (City Theatre), In the Heat of the Night, Miss Julie, Clarissa and John, Fences and King Hedley II (Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Prime Stage) and readings of Trouble in Mind and Mark Clayton Souther’s The Coffin Maker (Pittsburgh Public Theatre). Select acting credits include roles in Paradise Blue and Wild With Happy (City Theatre) Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, A Few Good Men, Sweat and Hamlet (Pittsburgh Public), King Lear (Quantum), Dreamgirls (PMT), A Christmas Story (Bricolage), Aida and South Pacific (CLO) East Texas Hot Links and The Piano Lesson (Pittsburgh Playwrights). In 2017 he was named the Post Gazette’s Performer of the Year and City Paper’s 2021 Person of the Year in Theatre.
WHO'S WHO AMERICAN FAST 25 CLARE DROBOT (Co-Artistic Director) currently serves as one of the Co-Artistic Directors of City Theatre along with Monteze Freeland and Marc Masterson. She joined the staff at City in 2015 as the Director of New Play Development moving to Associate Artistic Director in March 2020. A dramaturg, playwright, and producer Clare has worked in various capacities at Premiere Stages at Kean University, Laura Stanczyk Casting, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The McCarter Theatre, The BE Company, Play Penn, and New Dramatists. Her work as a writer has been seen in Ars Nova’s ANT FEST and the New Hazlett Theatre’s CSA Series among others. She serves on the boards of the National New Play Network and Brew House Association and is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh (Class XXXVIII). She holds a BA in Creative Writing and a BFA in Music Composition from Carnegie Mellon University and is a member of LMDA. MARC MASTERSON (Co-Artistic Director) returned to City Theatre in 2018 after serving in the same capacity at Actors Theatre of Louisville and at South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, CA. He previously served as City Theatre’s artistic director from 1981 to 2000. In over three decades as an artistic leader, he has produced the world premieres of some of the most produced plays in the American Theatre, along with innovative productions of the classics. He has championed pioneering work in community engagement, arts education, and diverse voices for the American stage. SAVE THE DATE Momentum Festival of New Plays May 18 - 21 at City Theatre
DONOR RECOGNITION 26 AMERICAN FAST City Theatre receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Allegheny Regional Asset District, a county agency created to support and finance regional assets, including libraries, parks, cultural groups, sports, and civic facilities, and to distribute tax relief to the 128 municipalities of Allegheny County. Actors marked with * and the Stage Manager in this production are members of 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 the United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE. The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Inc., an independent national labor union. City Theatre is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre. City 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. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Troy Mizer and facilities at Peterson Event Center for Pitt Basketball Pro Knitwear Farooq Al-Said Dan Gilman Josiah Gilliam and PUMP Derya Jacobs and Coach Charlie Buscaglia, Robert Morris University Celeste Welsh, Pitt Athletics Katy Keating UCLA School of Theater Film and Television Weeam Boumaza and Elyanna Sharbaji from the Middle Eastern North African Student Association (MENSA) at Pitt Luan Schooler from Artists Rep Seth Rozin, InterAct Nan Barnett, Anne G. Morgan, and Ryan-Patrick McLaughlin from NNPN Steve Tolin / Tolin FX The Scott K. Noxon Foundation SPECIAL THANKS The playwright would like to thank: Seth Glewen, Evan Morse, Risa Brainin, Hala Baki, Lynde Rosario, Luan Schooler and everyone at Artists Repertory Theatre, Reg Douglas, Capital Repertory Theatre, The New York Foundation for the Arts, Marti Lyons, Kimberly Colburn, Denver Center, Chip Miller, Chad Rabinovitz and everyone at Constellation Stage & Screen, Reena Dutt, and most importantly, John McManus.
DONOR RECOGNITION AMERICAN FAST 27 CITY THEATRE CIRCLE ($15,000+) Anonymous Arthur J. & Betty F. Diskin Family Cultural Endowment Fund Carol R. Brown Tonja & Alex Condron Norbert J. Connors, Jr. & Janet Rogala Charisse Lille Marcia Morton Kemp Powers Hayes & Patricia Stover PLAYWRIGHTS CIRCLE ($10,000 - $14,999) The Burke Family Judy & Michael Cheteyan Educational and Charitable Foundation Brian Jeffrey Gross Barbara A. Rudiak, PhD Frederick W. Steinberg Walter Limbach Family Fund DIRECTORS CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) Dr. Kerry Bron & Mr. Robert C. Levin Cooper-Siegel Family Foundation Catherine & Kenneth A. Glick, MD David Lesko Ann Black Masterson The Scott K. Noxon Foundation Celine & Paul O’Neill Sandra & Jeffrey Solomon Tamara Tunie Nancy D. Washington, PhD David Zeve NEW PLAY CIRCLE ($3,000-$4,999) Russell & Kathy Ayres Tacy M. Byham, PhD Dianne & Steve Carpenter Tomé Cousin Dianne & Ron Duursma Holly Hatcher Frazier & Evan Frazier Matthew J. Galando Thomas H. Hollander Dr. Richard Kasdan Michelle McCreery, Esq. James McNeel Dee Jay Oshry & Bart Rack K. Oliver Rea John C. Schlotterer Susan & Peter Smerd Catherine & Deepak Wadhwani CENTER STAGE ($1,000-$2,999) Sharon Achilles & Stuart Olmsted The Apter/Mates Family Fund Bahar Bazmi Dr. Andrew R. Blair Annette Calgaro & Terrence Lewis Nancy & Stanley Cieslak Family Foundation Edwin and Kathryn Clarke Family Foundation Jamini Vincent Davies Irving and Aaronel deRoy Gruber Foundation Clare Drobot & Scott Keating Tony & Annette Ferrieri Mark Flaherty & Mary McKinney Flaherty Joseph & Kathleen Fox Sharon & James Goldberg Caitlin Green & Drew Martorella Janice Harrison Rhoda & David Hartmann Linda & Brian Heery James & Jean Higgins Mary Ann Hobson Mark Kochvar & Vicki Helgeson Joseph Koscinski Lea Ann & Patrick Lope Mary C. McCormick Pam & Ken McCrory Karen & Richard Miller Susan & James Morris Laurie Moser & Stewart Barmen Gail K. Neustadt Eileen & John Olmsted Leondard & Ruth Perfido Mark T. Phillis The Thomas J. Phillis Family Richard Pietroski & Susan Stuart Mark R. Power Lauren & Daniel Resnick Kristi Rogers & Jody R. Schurman Chela Sanchez & Kyle Haden Mindy & Zal Sanjana Richard Scheines & Martha Harty Sue & Walter Schneider Patricia Schroder Dr. & Mrs. Gary Schurman Kristi Rogers & Jody R. Schurman Linda & Richard Shaw Preston & Annette Shimer Myrna & Lee Silverman Philip & Susan Smith Jean Snodgrass M. Ellen Tarpey & John Battaglia Francis M. Vitale Each season, we go on a journey. You take a chance on plays you’ve never seen before, often by playwrights you might not know. Our pledge to you is that we scour the country for the very best work possible—plays that speak truthfully, passionately, and urgently (and, of course, entertainingly) about the here and now. New plays are risky, but they’re filled with the excitement of the unknown, too. City Theatre is deeply grateful to our community for helping to sustain our theatre year after year. Every effort has been made to accurately record and acknowledge all donors. If your name is listed incorrectly, please contact Dianne Duursma at 412.431.4400 ext. 278 or dduursma@ citytheatrecompany.
DONOR RECOGNITION 28 AMERICAN FAST Janet & Chuck Vukotich Nancy F. & Michael Weissman Philanthropic Fund Bruce & Barbara Wiegand Patrick & Beth Winkler Woffington Pittsburgh Theaters Fund SPOTLIGHT ($250-$999) Anonymous Judith Adelson Katheryn Albers & Brian Davis J.R. Ambrose & Eliza Swann The Estate of Jane Callomon Arkus Ronna & C. Daniel Askin Tom & Erin Baker Elizabeth Barker Nancy & Sean Barrett Beth & Keith Battaline Raymond & Harriet Baum Edwin H. Beachler, III Beau Beard N. Beaumont Beard Vivan & Bill Benter Daniel Berger & Sandra El-Hachem Joyce Berman & Richard Spine James & Mary Pat Bernauer Robin J. Bernstein Bernadette Bishop-Pirollo Paul E. Block Pamela Bolkovac Kevin Brewer & Jose Antonio Licon Lynette Brooks Linda S. Brown Laurie & Frank Bruns Stephanie Bucklew Sandra Budd Thomas J. Burgunder Bahar Bazmi Campbell & Dean Campbell Debra L. Caplan Sheila & Alvin Catz Lynne & Alan Colker Estelle Comay & Bruce Rabin Betty Cruz Charles Culbertson & Nancy Simpronio Ellen & Gilbert DeBenedetti Barbara DeRiso & Don Newman Ruth Deutsch Jean Dexheimer Adrienne K. Dickos Joshua & Hallie Donner Dolly & Curt Ellenberg Robert Ferguson & Elizabeth Evans Melissa Evans & Nick Sfakianakis Mary & Henry Ewalt Dr. Michael & Janet Fazzini Thomas Ferguson & Susan Ryan Richard Ferro Paula & Bob Fey Laryn & Moses Finder Mark & Holly Fleischer Anne & Bob Follette Sarah & Peter Friedman Mary Frances Gargotta Ryan Geraghty Colleen Geyer William & Margaret Ghrist Keren Gilboa & Jeremy Holzer Michael & Cathy Ginsberg Paul Gitnik Shirley H. Golden Barbara Broff Goldman Candice Gonzalez Jake Goodman & Sean Shepherd Elizabeth C. Graf Elaine Gross Joyce Candi Grove George Lowenstein & Donna Harsch Nancy Heastings Dr. & Mrs. Fred P. Heidenreich Sandra LaPietra & Alan Helgerman Mary Ann Hobson Bettyanne & Jim Huntington Dr. Deborah Landen & Dr. Carl Johnson Janis & Jonas Johnson Mary Ellen Johnson Dr. Barbara Johnstone Jane & Bud Kahn Susan & Greg Kaminski Dolores Kara S&J Karas Fund Ralph Kemp & Donna Hansen Arthur J. Kerr, Jr. Brian Kerr Laurie Klatscher & Greg Lehane Elinor Nathanson & Peter Kogan Kathy Kohan Roberta & David Konefal-Shaer Dr. Larry Leahy & John Van de Grift Ellie & Shelly Levine Katherine & H. Lewis Lobdell Dr. Erin M. Lopata Charlotte & Randy Lott Janet Lunde Louise & Michael Malakoff Beth Marcello Caitlin Green & Drew Martorella Linda Mauro Jamie McMahon John McSorley, MD Nancy W. Merenstein Christina & David Michelmore Barbara Miller Sophia Monsour Gary Mosso Barb & Jim Moyer Shannon Musgrave Janice Myers-Newbury Sarah Nilson Terry O'Reilly Dr. William Otto Deval Paranjpe Cori & Dax Parise Richard Parsakian John Patzer & Mary DuQinn Jennifer Pesci-Kelly & Richard Kelly Laurie A. Phythyon Diane Pickle Courtney & Neil Rabi Mary & Chris Rawson David Reed Andrew M. Roman Sally & Ned Ruffin Kimberly Sachse & Joseph Grimes Marty Santalucia Karen L. Scansaroli Karen & George Schnakenberg Gerald Shoemaker Henry Snyder W. Henry & Mary Wynn Snider James & Mary Lou Southwood Helen Spalaris Thomas & Deborah Stackrow
DONOR RECOGNITION AMERICAN FAST 29 Mary Stanutz Mona & EJ Strassburger Sandra Block & John Suhrie Gene L. Svrcek Irene & David Tabish Jane & Ron Thompson Tom & Judy Thompson Dr. Edward T. Tomlinson & Dr. Carol Wooten Drs. Donna & Michael Tranovich Iris Amper Walker & Leslie Dukehart Bria Walker-Rhoze & Tim Rhoze Mark Weber Melanie & Steven Weisbord Judith & Willard White George & Patty Williams Stephen M. Wolfe Thomas Wyse & Robert Neft FRONT ROW ($100-$249) Sharon & Robert Abraham Dulcie Sylvia Affleck Jean & Michael Alexander Jenny Ewing Allen Joel D. Ambrose Linda Argote & Dennis Epple Wendy Arons & Michael Perdriel Lindsay Austin Dr. Carol E. Baker & Dr. Ian Campbell Lydia Balogh Tracy & Michael Barnett Ulrike & Guy Battestilli Alison Beam Dr. Marya Bednerik Sandi & Peter Behrens Dolly Bellhouse George Bentel Richard Berg Susan Beringer Rosemarie Berman Nancy Bernstein & Dr. Robert Schoen Betensky-Kraut Family Fund Ron Bianchetti Tsiona & Alan Blitstein Susan Bonello Donna Bour Barbra & Robert Bowman-Labbie Kelly Boyer Sharon Brady Bear Brandegee & Dr. Nir Kossovsky David Brockway Theresa Brown & Arthur Kosowsky Virginia A. Broz Michael & Sakina Brunk Jan F. Bruno Erica Brusselars Gail & John Buchanan Alice May Burger Allison Cahill Patricia Calabro Yvonne Campos Lauren Carlini Paula Casasent Christine & Peter Casillo Woody & Joanne Chetlin Jill Russell Dr. Vicky A. Clark Susan & William Cohen Janet & John Conomos Elizabeth Cooper Gabrielle Corson Amy & Michael Couch Dr. Charles Cullen Joyce Culbya Rebecca Culyba & Barry Ries Anthony DeCaria Nick & Judy DeGregorio Suzanne DeWalt Bethany DiLucente Prof. Sharon Dilworth & Dr. David Baker Ave Maria Dlubak Steven Doerfler John & LouAnne Dolphin Thomas W. Douglas Jeanne & Robert Drennan Adam & Lucy Drobot Paula Dworek John A. Dymun Tricia & Brian Eccher Barbara & Philip Ehrman Margaret Eichner Ami & Nurit Elis Marlene H. Ellis Rachael Ellis Frederique & Adam Ennis Paul Epstein & Rita Ray Emily Ernst Susan & William Evans Stephanie & Fred Fall Barb Feige Marian Finegold Ilene & Jay Fingeret Jeffrey & Andrea Fitting Stephanie Flom Katherine Flood, MD Nancy Frankel-Zacchero Erika Fricke Robert Friday Michael Friedrich Sarah Gaffen Suzanne & Edward Galando Dr. John & Therese Gallagher Charlotte George Kathryn L. Gigler Et Gillespie Carol & Robert Gomola Candice A. Gonzalez Gabriella Gonzalez Phyllis Moorman Goode Pamela Grabowski Arnie & Kathie Green Kathleen & Christopher Green Barbara & David Greenberg Arlene & Alfred Grubbs Norton Gusky Jo Ann Haller Joel Harris & Nancy Hoffman Lou & Roger Hasket Tracy Hawkins Mary Jo & Michael Hennessy Janine Hensler Judith & David Herzog Alice & Martin Hickey Janet Hilderbrand Rebecca Himberger Velma & Stuart Hirsch Harry Hochheiser Robert Hoehl Donna Hoffman & Richard Dum John D. Houston, II Bonnie Isacke, PhD & Robert Isacke, Jr. Daisy Jeffries Peter & Leslie Kaplan Peggi Kelley Patricia Ward Kelly Louise Ketchum & Eve Goodman James Kincaid & Nita Moots Kincaid Alex Kintz Konegger
DONOR RECOGNITION 30 AMERICAN FAST Stefi Kirschner & Gil Schneider John Kocur Lauren Kornick Carolyn & Randy Krakoff Betty & Bob Kripp Maureen Kroll Karen Dorey Kuhar Jane & Christopher Lacey Rick & Ann Landesberg Susan & David Laurent Dr. Judith R. Lave Peter & Sylvia Leo Prof. Hazel Carr Leroy Deborah Lewis Kristen Link & Andrew Mulkerin Brad & Leanne Lisien Prof. Diane Litman & Dr. Mark Kahrs Debra & David Longhini David & Cheryl Longstreet Annie Loub Mary Ann & John Lovasz Margaret MacCall Eric MacDonald Nanci Maguire Andrea & Glenn Mahone Robert & Dow Malnati Virginia Mance Jason & Beverly Manne Carolyn Mariano Elisa Recht Marlin Demetria & Brien Marsh Aretha E. Marshall Dane Marshall William Mason Linda A. Mates David D. Maxwell Kathleen McCann Susan McCoy Mark A. McDonald Gale McGloin Ann M. McHoes & Bob Kleinmann J. Kevin & Kristen McMahon Anne & Thomas Medsger Tracy & Karen Merrick Betty Minnotte Robert & Christine Misback Vickie & Chris Motz Torey Naylor & Richard Beuke Cynthia Nelson Julia Nesbitt Jeff Neubauer & Kitty Vagley Lourie & Eric Nyberg Denise O’Connor Andrew David Ostrowski Shelly Pagac Amy & Anthony Pardo Ronnie Parker & Melissa Saul Richard Pattis & Ellen Olshanksy Louise & John Pavia Brian Peiritsch Rodney Permigiani & Nancy Pulsifer Cynthia B. Picone Rita & Daniel Poljak Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq. Marilyn & David Posner Emily Price & Ryan O’Donnell Jessie Ramey & John Zimmerman Lynn & Joseph Ribar Jan Grimes Ripper & Doug Ripper Harriette & Ronald Roadman Deborah J. Robinson Stephen G. Robinson Judith Roscow Gerald Rosenfeld Susan J. Rossetti & Curtis Woodhead Cynthia Ross-Katz Stevo & Sal Caito Debra & Donald Salvin Merryl & Marc Samuels Devashish Saxena Dianne & Louis Scansaroli C. Scheftic Edward Scheid Robert Schurko Rose Scilla Janet & Martin Seltman Kari Shaffer Elizabeth Shannon Maureen Shannon Scott & Kerry Shiller Barbara & Larry Shuman Cotter Smith Ruth Snyder Dr. Thelma Snyder David Sogg & Lisa Parker Marcia & Mel Solomon Ernie Sota Elizabeth & Jonathan Spatz Sukanya Srinivasan & Henry Willis Shyrl Stange Hanna & Michael Steiner Richard & Lauren Stern Alison & Neil Styler Beverly Sullivan Harmony Sullivan & Justin Cummings Irene Surmik Peter & Daralynne Swartwout Mary Ann Stuart Templeton Kathleen & Louis Testoni Nancy & Gary Tuckfelt GiGi Tunie Kellee Van Aken & Saul Straussman Erik Wagner Jody Clarke Walter & Edward H. Walter Dorothy L. Washington Elizabeth & James Webster Barbara & Harry Wenkert Ken Werner & Lynn Swanson Ray Werner Judge R. Stanton Wettick, Jr. & Nancy Hazlett Peggy Whitehurst Mary Widom Marta & Phillip Wilkin Harton Wolf Jane Yanosick Sister Rita M. Yeasted Gregory Youman Lindsay & Jennifer Zaltman Nancy Zionts FRIENDS (UP TO $99) GRATITUDE is front and center for City Theatre and every donation makes an impact. We apologize for moving the “Friends” level of donations to the website only. With the rising cost of paper and printing, it is prudent and fiscally-responsible to make this change. Thank you for understanding. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Development, Dianne Duursma, by email at dduursma@citytheatrecompany. org or by telephone at 412.431.4400 ext. 278.
DONOR RECOGNITION AMERICAN FAST 31 American Fast Community Partners: PUMP’s mission is to make Pittsburgh the most dynamic and diverse place by engaging, educating, and mobilizing all young people to create change in our community. Each year, we serve nearly 30,000 individuals, primarily under the age of 40, through our advocacy, civic, social, and recreational programming. Our largest program is Pittsburgh Sports League (PSL). PSL’s sports and tournaments bring people together, with opportunities for everybody to join in — from casual recreational participant to the athlete looking for high-level competition. With more than 24,000 people participating each year, PSL is a premier sports league in Pittsburgh. PUMP has many signature events throughout the year including Kickball for a Cause, Steel City World Cup, and Pittsburgh 40 Under 40 in partnership with Pittsburgh Magazine. Literacy Pittsburgh offers free educational programs for adults and families in Allegheny County and Beaver County. Classes and tutoring allow students to earn a high school credential, prepare for college or job training, improve computer skills, boost reading and writing skills, brush up on math, learn the English language, and study for U.S. citizenship. Visit www.literacypittsburgh.org to find out more about learning and volunteering opportunities. Congratulations to Madison Michalko, for her dress design featured this summer at Phipps Conservatory Summer Flower Show, Flowers Meet Fashion …. Inspired by Billy Porter. Beginning May 6, a spectacular new show will feature brilliant horticultural displays and breathtaking fashion designs inspired by Billy Porter’s local roots and iconic array of accomplishments as an award-winning actor, singer, director, composer and playwright. With the help of six professional fashion designers, costumers, and students from Billy’s local alma maters, Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh CAPA High School, Phipps has created an unforgettable experience for all. Congratulations Madison Michalko, City Theatre Costume Manager – Madison’s design will be showcased in the Welcome Center upon your arrival at Phipps. Details at https://www.phipps.conservatory.org
DONOR RECOGNITION 32 AMERICAN FAST CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS Please check with your company’s personnel department to find out if your employer offers a matching gift program. If your donation and City Theatre (Arts and Culture) meet your company’s guidelines, the company cuts a check to City Theatre for the same amount as the your donation (and sometimes even two, three, or four times that amount!). The following is a sample list of corporations with an employer matching gifts program. Those in bold currently support City Theatre. American Eagle Outfitters American Express Apple Applied Test Systems Avon Axiall Corporation BNY Mellon Boeing BP (British Petroleum) Bristol-Myers Squibb Car Max Chevron Citizens Financial Group Coca-Cola Delta Disney Dominion Foundation Eaton Corporation ExxonMobil Federated Department Stores Ford Foundation GAP Corporation General Electric (GE) GlaxoSmithKline Google Hewlett-Packard (HP) Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield H.J. Heinz Company The Home Depot Houghton-Mifflin IBM Corporation John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company Johnson & Johnson JP Morgan MBIA McKesson Corporation Merck Microsoft PepsiCo Pfizer, Inc. Pittsburgh Valve & Fitting PNC PPG Industries, Inc. Soros Fund Management Starbucks State Farm Verizon Waste Management WAYS TO GIVE: Online: Visit CityTheatreCompany.org/donate to make a tax-deductible contribution anytime. Scan here: Grab your Smartphone and take a picture of the following code – you’ll be taken right to our donation page for credit card payment. By Mail: Mail a check or money order, payable to “City Theatre,” to: City Theatre, Attn: Development 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 By Phone: (or for donations of stock or estate gifts) Call Dianne Duursma, Director of Development, at (412) 431-4400 x278
DONOR RECOGNITION AMERICAN FAST 33 STEEL ($100,000 +) Allegheny Regional Asset District The Heinz Endowments The Hillman Foundation National Endowment for the Arts (American Rescue Play) Richard King Mellon Foundation The Shubert Foundation U.S. Small Business Administration (SVOG Program) DIAMOND ($50,000-$99,999) The Benter Foundation The Philip Chosky Charitable and Educational Foundation DDI The Grable Foundation Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development R3A Architecture Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation PLATINUM ($20,000-$49,999) Anonymous The Buhl Foundation The Jack Buncher Foundation Flyspace Productions The Huntington National Bank K&L Gates LLP National Endowment for the Arts (Grants for the Arts Project) Pennsylvania Department of Education PNC Charitable Trusts Remake Learning The Pittsburgh Foundation James M. and Lucy K. Schoonmaker Foundation UPMC/UPMC Health Plan GOLD ($10,000-$19,999) The Anne L. & George H. Clapp Charitable and Educational Trust The Fine Foundation Giant Eagle Corporate Foundation National New Play Network Opportunity Fund Pennsylvania Council on the Arts PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Tides Foundation (Venturous Theatre Fund) SILVER ($2,500-$9,999) Bob Carter Companies, LLC Fabled Table Catering Company Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Human Habits Landesberg Design Penn Brewery Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting WIGLE Whiskey W. I. Patterson Charitable Fund BRONZE (UP TO $2,499) 1 Hood Media Actors' Equity Foundation, Inc. Americans For The Arts DiGi Photo Booths Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (GPAC) LaPalapa Restaurant Levine Furniture McGee Maruca & Associates, P.C. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Pennsylvania on the Arts (American Rescue Plan) Queequeg Foundation Trust Streets on Carson Restaurant CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT City Theatre extends its sincere gratitude to the following businesses, foundations and public agencies for their leadership support. City Theatre’s Vision, Mission, Core Values Mission: To provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays that engage and challenge a diverse audience. Vision: To be the finest mid-sized theater in America. Core Values: Community | Collaboration | Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility | Creativity
DONOR RECOGNITION 34 AMERICAN FAST ’IN HONOR OF’ GIFTS Honor someone you love. Honor someone who loves theater. IN HONOR OF TACY M. BYHAM Given By Helen Spalaris IN HONOR OF TONY FERRIERI'S RETIREMENT Given By Carol R. Brown Adrienne Dickos Laurie Moser & Stewart Barmen IN HONOR OF THE STAFF OF CITY THEATRE Given By Cathy & Kenneth A. Glick, MD IN HONOR OF MATTHEW GALANDO, CITY THEATRE BOARD MEMBER Given By Suzanne & Edward Galando IN HONOR OF JANET WALSH, A LIFELONG LOVER OF THEATRE Given By Erin Walsh ’IN MEMORY OF’ GIFTS Memorial tributes honor special friends and family members. IN MEMORY OF THOMAS J. PHILLIS Given By The Thomas J. Phillis Family IN MEMORY OF JOANN SCHLOTTERER A SWEET LADY WHO ADORED THE THEATRE Given By Kathy Marks IN MEMORY OF DR. SAMUEL A. YOUSEM A DEAR FRIEND WHO ENJOYED AND LOVED CITY THEATRE Given By Elisa Recht Marlin IN MEMORY OF DAVID TRIMMER MY FAVORITE THEATRE BUDDY Given By Erin Walsh PLANNED GIVING AT CITY THEATRE In 2022, a group of longtime City Theatre supporters responded to a fellow donor’s challenge by joining an inaugural class of individuals and families who have remembered the organization in their estate planning. We are extraordinarily grateful to the following arts advocates and philanthropists for establishing a legacy contribution for City Theatre: Anonymous (at donor’s request) Carol R. Brown Tonja & Alex Condron Norbert J. Connors, III & Janet Rogala Catherine & Kenneth Asher Glick, MD Marc Masterson James McNeel Dee Jay Oshry & Barton Rack Leonard & Ruth Perfido Planned Giving is a way of ensuring support for City Theatre that will last generations. There are numerous ways of establishing a gift through your estate, including bequests, life insurance policies, charitable trusts, Donor Advised Funds, or property and stock. If interested in remembering City Theatre in your will – or if you have done so already and would like to be included in our records or to be publicly recognized – call or email Dianne Duursma, Director of Development, at (412) 431-4400 x278 or dduursma@ citytheatrecompany.org
DONOR RECOGNITION 36 AMERICAN FAST LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT City Theatre would like to acknowledge that our buildings reside in Dionde:gâ, the Seneca language name for the Pittsburgh region. We work and create art on the unceded, ancestral lands of many Indigenous peoples including the Seneca Nation, members of the Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) Confederacy (also referred to by the French as the Iroquois Confederacy). The Confederacy was comprised of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas and formed to unite the five nations and create a peaceful means of decision making. The Seneca’s jurisdiction over the area also saw the region as home to the Lenape (also referred to as the Delaware), the Shawnee, and others. As recently as the 1960s, one-third of the Seneca’s tribal lands were taken by the U.S. government to create the Kinzua Dam northeast of the city. The region’s history also stretches back further to the prehistoric cultures the Adena people, who were followed by the Hopewell, then the Monongahela and Osage. City Theatre also recognizes its participation in and benefit from the systemic exclusion of Black, Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern and all People of Color. We specifically recognize and acknowledge the treatment of the enslaved Africans and their descendants in the Pittsburgh community. We honor them by committing to creating an anti-racist space for the creation and enjoyment of theater. We are mindful that our work here is possible because the land and lives of people native to this place were stolen. Generation upon generation (past, present, and future) of indigenous people here and all over the world are respectful stewards of the earth and its resources. Through this acknowledgement, I invite you to join me in paying respect to the elders both past and present. We encourage you to visit the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center to learn more and support their work: http://www.cotraic.org/ FUNDER SPOTLIGHT: THE DONALD & SYLVIA ROBINSON FAMILY FOUNDATION Donald Robinson (1925 - 2017) Sylvia Robinson (1929 - 2018) The lives and legacy of Donald and Sylvia Robinson continue on through their namesake foundation, The Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation. Now led by their children and grandchildren, the Foundation has recently made a significant multi-year grant to City Theatre, making it the lead funder behind the organization’s education programming: the Young Playwrights Contest and Young Playwrights Festival. Married for 69 years, Sylvia and Donald shared a life-long interest in the arts, with Sylvia even appearing on stage in the City Theatre New Works Festival and Jewish Community productions, and the foundation supports a wide range of organizations in Pittsburgh as well as Israel. Over the next five years, City Theatre will continue to expand and grow its reach and impact in the lives of middle and high school students throughout Western Pennsylvania due to this extraordinary gift of support. Later this spring, we look forward to a permanent recognition of The Donald and Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation as we re-name our Main Stage theatre stairwell in Sylvia’s honor.
38 AMERICAN FAST For 48 years, City Theatre has remained one of the most beloved, impactful, and dynamic cultural organizations in Pittsburgh. From its nationallyrecognized programming of contemporary plays to its work in the schools and community, City Theatre continues to reinvent itself. The largest performing arts organization located outside of the Cultural District, City Theatre is notable for both the excellence of its artists and art as well as an audience and donor base inspired by thoughtful and thought-provoking new work. So why give? New plays exist without the safety net of tradition. New plays are risky by their nature, but essential for a vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving art-form. During these challenging times, your support helps ensure City Theatre’s recovery from the pandemic AND is a critical investment in preserving the future of the theater field and its artists. Julianne Avolio performs in An Untitled New Play by Justin Timberlake, created by Matt Schatz, which enjoyed its world premiere at City Theatre in a co-production with Pittsburgh CLO in 2021. This production, twice-delayed due to the pandemic, was a culmination of four years of development in partnership between two local legacy arts organizations which resulted in rave reviews and a national audience. WHY GIVE
PARTNERSHIP Celebrating what we both love. Design for the common good from Pittsburgh’s South Side. landesbergdesign.com Berni Bishop Pirollo REALTOR®, SRES (O) 412-521-5500 (C) 412-638-1988 [email protected] Specializing in High Expectations Is it time to make your move? Contact me for all of your real estate needs. City Regional Office • 5801 Forbes Avenue www.ThePreferredRealty.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 40 AMERICAN FAST AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE By walking through our doors, we invite you to join our community. You are welcome here. Part of our mission is to challenge and engage a diverse audience. Feel free to laugh. To cry. To react honestly. This is live theater. Our artists are living and breathing right in front of you — They need your reactions, not your distractions. Bring your full self, but please ensure your actions do not harm other audience members. Please be an audience member that joins with others, that has compassion for the experiences of others. We’re in the same space. At the same time. This Is community. 2020 taught us that community is a privilege. 2020 also reinforced that we need to do better. Historically, theater has a culture of exclusivity. Part of our anti-racism work at City Theatre is to break down barriers that limit access to art. We ask you to join us in this imperative work. We invite you to get to know our core values and to read our organizational code of conduct. We want to hold ourselves accountable. If you have a negative experience in our space, we want to know. There are multiple ways to call us in. You can: • Speak to a house manager • Or any employee present with a City Theatre name tag • Email the staff EDIA committee at [email protected] We’re here. We’re listening. Let’s build a better community together.
AMERICAN FAST 41 VISIT CITY City Theatre is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all patrons. Please identify any special seating needs to our Box Office staff when reserving your tickets in advance by calling 412.431.CITY (2489). Wheelchair accessible seating is available in both the Mainstage and Lillie Theatre. Selected performances of each production feature open captioning, audio description, and pre-show introductory workshops for those who are hearing impaired, blind, or have low vision. In addition, select productions will include an American Sign Language Interpreted performance. Performance dates are available online or by contacting the Box Office. Assistive listening devices are available. Please see the House Manager for details. Programs are available in both Braille and large print. Please see the House Manager for details. SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS Enhance your City Theatre experience and take advantage of discounted ticket prices by becoming a subscriber. Choose 3 and flex options are available to best fit your interests and schedule. To subscribe, visit the Box Office, call 412.431.2489, or order online at CityTheatreCompany.org. GROUP SALES Save when you bring friends! Groups of 10 or more are eligible for significant discounts. In addition, we are happy to help you plan your event or party. For more information, contact Audrey at 412.431.4400 x227. RUSH TICKETS Persons under 30 years of age may reserve $20 advance tickets, excluding Friday 8pm and Saturday 5:30pm performances. For these excluded show times, $20 student tickets may be purchased at the Box Office beginning two hours prior to show time. Seniors age 62 and older may also take advantage of rush tickets, $24 each. All discounted/rush tickets are subject to availability. TICKET VALUES Tickets prices vary by date and demand. In addition, pay-what-you-want performances are offered for each production. Call the box office for dates. PARKING City Theatre provides safe, convenient parking for $10 via lot access at 1317 Bingham St, across from the theatre entrance. Parking is subject to availability. On-street parking meters are monitored until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Visit www.pittsburghparking.com for more information. LATE SEATING POLICY Our theatres are very intimate. Out of respect for both the actors and audience, late arrivals will be seated only at the discretion of house management. Consider arriving early to enjoy a beverage in the Gordon Lounge or to visit South Side’s many eclectic shops and restaurants. ELECTRONIC DEVICES Please turn off all electronic devices. Ringing or vibrating cell phones, pagers, and watches disrupt the performance and interfere with the theatre’s sound equipment. No photography or video recording permitted during the performance.
42 AMERICAN FAST CITY THEATRE STAFF ARTISTIC Marc Masterson Co-Artistic Directors Clare Drobot Monteze Freeland Katie Trupiano Director of Education & Accessibility Melva Graham Artistic Assistant & Community Coordinator Alyssa Rivera Artistic Intern Mary Feliz Education Intern Colton Vazquez Education Intern Molly Twigg Education Intern Erin McAuley Teaching Artist Brooke Echnat Teaching Artist Ace Lowry Teaching Artist Melannie Taylor Teaching Artist Claire Sabatine Teaching Artist Britt Dorazio Teaching Artist Cassidy Adkins Teaching Artist Brenden Peifer Teaching Artist Robb Lewis Scott Teaching Artist Emily Stofan Teaching Artist Rita Dorsch Teaching Artist Monica Stephenson Teaching Artist ADMINISTRATIVE James McNeel Managing Director Jason Clark Operations & Revenue Manager Sara Green Williams Director of Finance Dianne Duursma, CFRE Director of Development Beth Geatches Institutional Giving Manager Nikki Battestilli Marketing Director Joel Ambrose Director of Ticketing & Patron Services Audrey Fennell Ticketing Manager Rachael Ellis Box Office Associate & Company Manager Tasha Matthews Box Office Associate Libby Nicolay Box Office Associate Amara Walls Box Office Associate Makaila Moulden Patron Services Manager Nell Blackford House Manager Amelia Heastings House Manager Hazy Jordan House Manager Maddie Kocur House Manager Emma Morganstein House Manager Burke Rhodes House Manager Noah Welter House Manager Dustin Medvid Facilities & Parking Manager JC Clark Parking Attendant PRODUCTION Rachel D’Amboise Production Manager Patti Kelly Resident Production Stage Manager Taylor K. Meszaros Resident Stage Manager John Brucker Technical Director Sam Karas Associate Technical Director Emma Cummings Shop Foreman Sydney Dobbs Carpenter Alexx Jacobs Properties Manager Leah Blackwood Lead Scenic Artist Madison Michalko Costume Manager Mars Delamater Costume Shop Assistant Jaime Ericson Costume Shop Assistant Brad Peterson Sound & Media Engineer Greg Messmer Lighting Manager FOR THIS PRODUCTION Lauren Connolly Production Assistant Mars Delamater Production Assistant Vince Borrelli Scenic Painter Nicole White Electrician Aaron Tarnow Electrician Gabriella Mizera Electrician Samuel Crowe Electrician Cassandra Canavan Electrician Ian Stoll Assistant to the Sound Designer Abigail Stone-Huchko Properties Assistant Mathias Brucker Carpenter CONSULTANTS Landesberg Design Graphic Design Clayton Slater Design Program Design Human Habits Website Development & Video Kristi Jan Hoover Photographer Fatima Bunafoor Talent & Equity Director Diaz Inclusion Consulting EDIA Consultants Kellee Van Aken Audio Describer
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