The Mad Ones |
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| by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk | ||
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| at Austin Community College Drama Department | ||
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Ana Flores-Salas |
Eva McQuade Faith Trapane |
Katie Svatek |
Follow Us:
Letter from the Director
We continue the long slog back from The Great Lockdown and wrestle with all the things that changed. What was once the purview of dystopian fiction became a reality for the entire planet. And while the restrictions to our ability to assemble may have receded, our ability to anticipate and plan for the future remains irrevocably shaken. This is true for our fields in the performing arts, but it is also true for an entire generation. As a parent, I’ve watched my own children prepare to step into a terribly uncertain world. It is not something unique for those coming of age during the COVID crisis, but to see it unfold first hand… it’s something else.
The Mad Ones explores this question of uncertainty, centering on a young woman who is about to move on into “The World.” Written well before our world fell in on itself, the play instead frames the question between two commonplace coming of age events—learning to drive and graduating high school. These two lenses magnify just how terrifyingly exciting the leap into adulting can be.
To contextualize, The Mad Ones is not another tale of the apocalypse. Rather, it is couched in normal, everyday suburban life. It is funny, poignant, musically audacious at times (whew those key shifts!), simple and clear-eye at others. In discovering the piece, I found the author’s note at the very beginning of the script an incredibly generative entry point:
THE .MAD ONES takes place in a flash - within the seconds it would take to turn the key in the ignition of a car.
In a flash. A spark. The ignition of a car. The firing of a neuron. The birth of a universe in a sea of uncertain, undefined possibilities. I mean, think of how bright the smallest spark is when you are sitting in the dark. Now add music. Roll the windows down. Let the wind whip and sing at the top of your lungs. That dark and unknowable future brightens; you might need your sunglasses at this point… And find joy in the fact that while the road in the rearview gave you a starting point, it does not dictate where you go from there.
It has been such a joy to work with this cast and production team. We climbed into this car together and the road trip has been incredible. I am equally excited to know that the trip will not end when this show closes. The Mad Ones is a lovely jumping off point for a new Musical Theatre degree coming online in the 2023-24 academic year. For decades, the Music and Dance Departments at ACC have set a high bar for instruction in the performing arts, and each continues to produce shows of the highest caliber. I am excited to partner with them for this new offering. It seems fitting for the College’s 50th and the Drama Department’s 40th birthdays that we launch something new and bold. After all, if the future is uncertain, why not approach it with a little song and dance to make things more interesting?
We deeply appreciate your patronage for the performance. Please consider making a donation to our ACC Drama Department Scholarship fund at the link below. Your contribution will help ACC Drama students pay for their tuition, books and course materials.
https://secure.touchnet.com/C20395_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=673&SINGLESTORE=true
Cast
Faith Trapane
Sam (Team Wildcats)
Sarah Ferguson
Kelly (Team Wildcats)
Meredith Brand
Bev (Team Wildcats)
Ana Flores Salas
Sam (Team Golden Eagle)
Katie Svatek
Kelly (Team Golden Eagle)
Eva McQuade
Bev (Team Golden Eagle)
David Dech
Adam (Team Golden Wild Eaglecat)
Creative Team
Marcus McQuirter
Director
Blythe Cates
Vocal Coach
Adam Sornat
Stage Manager
Cynthia Gage
Assistant Stage Manager
Jamie Rogers
Production Manager
Channing Schreyer
Scenic Designer/Master Electrician
Desiree Humphries
Costume Designer
Rachel Atkinson
Lighting Designer
K. Eliot Haynes
Sound Designer
Joe Kelley
Props Designer/Scenic Artist
Tomas Salas
Technical Director
Christina Montgomery
Costume Shop Head
Deyanira Macias
Wardrobe Head/Costume Shop Assistant
Shane Anderson
Piano Accompanist
Meet the Company
Faith Trapane
Sam (Team Wildcats)
Faith Trapane is from Marble Falls, TX and is a Drama major here at ACC. She has been working in theater for 6 years and is currently pursuing professional theater, streaming , assistant stage managing, and affording rent through her job. This is her third show at ACC. She recently played Narrator 2 in The Snow and her first being The Glass Menagerie where she played Laura. Recent credits include, The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), Into the Woods (The Bakers Wife), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Traveller/Grandmother Pellegrina/Guitar), Bright Star (Lucy Grant). Special Thanks to her Mom, for letting her call her everyday while she drives.
Sarah Ferguson
Kelly (Team Wildcats)
Sarah Ferguson is an 18 year old drama major at Austin Community College. She is excited to be performing in her second production with ACC. Sarah is a former member of the Georgetown Palace Performance Company and a recent graduate from Round Rock High School, where she played The Wicked Witch of the West and received a HAYA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Favorite roles include Theo in The Snow (Austin Community College), Violet in August: Osage County (Round Rock High School), Viola in Shakespeare In Love (Georgetown Palace Theatre), Lorraine in A Lie of the Mind (Round Rock High School), and of course, The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (Round Rock High School).
Meredith Brand
Bev (Team Wildcats)
Meredith Brand (Bev) is grateful for the opportunity to play in the Blackbox with this talented group of students. Way before they were born she went to a small liberal arts college in the Midwest called Augustana. A fellowship from UT Austin, brought her back to her Texas roots where she received her M.A. in speech language pathology. Even in her 20’s Meredith loved playing mother roles on stage but she took a two decade break from theater to focus on raising her six children in real life. Until a few years ago when the universe nudged her to audition at the Georgetown Palace Theater. Immediately, her passion for theater came roaring back, opening up new levels of self discovery and creating life long friendships. She’s enjoyed every role in the ensemble as well as her favorites like Clairee (Steel Magnolias), Mother (A Christmas Story) and Violet Newstead (9 to 5 the Musical). Meredith would like to thank her theater family for helping her find her voice and her children for putting up with her dramatics!
Ana Flores Salas
Sam (Team Golden Eagle)
Ana Flores Salas is from Georgetown, TX. Her last 3 roles have been Mrs. Todd in The Old Maid and The Thief (ACC Highland), Diana in A Chorus Line
(The Character Company) and Jean in Dead Man's Cellphone (East View Highschool). She plans to transfer to an university out of state in hopes of pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater. She'd like to thank her family for their endless love and support in everything she does.
Katie Svatek
Kelly (Team Golden Eagle)
Katie Svatek holds a BFA in Performance and Production with a focus in Dramatic Writing from Texas State University. Primarily a playwright, her work has been produced with Flexible Grey and The Guinea Pig in Dallas as well as Fronterafest, Less Than Three, and New Manifest in Austin. Her play “Dear, Home” received the National Partners of American Theatre award through the Kennedy Center, and was further developed through their 2019 Playwriting Workshop. She is thankful for the continued support of Luke, the Clyde to her Bonnie, and her best friend, Amanda.
Eva McQuade
Bev (Team Golden Eagle)
Eva McQuade has appeared in recent Austin, Texas productions including: A Christmas Carol (Penfold Theatre Co); Sunflower, The Musical (Austin Scottish Rite Theatre) Miracle on 34th Street (Penfold Theatre Co); Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven (Vortex); good friday (New Manifest Theatre Company/Vortex); MÁS CARA (Vortex/Teatro Vivo, received a B. Iden Payne nomination); Lady Macbeth & Her Pal Megan (Shrewd Productions, BIP award recipient); LAST: An Extinction Comedy (Vortex Rep, BIP nomination); If Wishes Were Fishes (Pollyanna Theatre Company); My Big Fat Bahookie (Renaissance Austin/Vortex, BIP nomination); The Panza Monologues (Teatro Vivo); Aye, NO! (Teatro Vivo, BIP nomination); and The Language Archive (Different Stages, BIP award recipient). Eva is also the host for the New Manifest Theatre Podcast, and you may just find her and her comadre, Tía Chancla, hurling chanclas at desgraciadas y sin vergüenzas around Austin. Amor y un montón de gracias to Adrian Lopez, friends y familia for so much support.
David Dech
Adam (Team Golden Wild Eaglecat)
David Dech is from Hurricane, West Virginia and is currently ACC Drama Major (who may major in Musical Theater here at ACC in the fall). Recent roles include Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret and Spike in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (both at the Georgetown Palace Theater). He is hoping to audition for the the Texas State Musical Theater program and pray. Special thanks to friends, family and Marcus for their continued support.
Marcus McQuirter
Director
Marcus McQuirter (Director) is a faculty member in the Drama Department at ACC where he teaches Voice, Acting, and Introduction to Theater. He would like to thank the cast & production team for their work on this production.
Blythe Cates
Vocal Coach
Adam Sornat
Stage Manager
Adam Sornat (Stage Manager) has recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Stage Management. His recent management credits include Find Your Happiness (First Street Studio), Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The McCullough Theater), Wish You Were Here (The Dougherty Arts Center), Proving Up (The McCullough Theater), and The Nutcracker (Century II Performing Arts Center). He is incredibly grateful for the existence of the ACC Drama department, and is honored to work within its community again!
adamsornat.com
Cynthia Gage
Assistant Stage Manager
Cynthia Gage is the administrative assistant for the Drama, Dance, and Creative Writing departments at Austin Community College. Cynthia received a BA in Radio/Television/Film Production and a BA in History from the University of North Texas. They also hold a MA in History from Baylor University. She loves being a part of bringing the arts and education together. She is always grateful for opportunities to help create!
Jamie Rogers
Production Manager
Jamie Rogers (Production Manager) holds an MFA in Arts Administration from Texas Tech University, and an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School. He has worked as an actor and director in New York City, Los Angeles, and the Chicagoland area. Jamie has taught acting to students of all levels from young children to adults, and teaches Theater Practicum, Acting, Professional Image Management and Stage Management courses in the Drama Department at Austin Community College, where he also serves as Associate Professor (TEH). As an administrator, his primary areas of focus have been in production management, fundraising, grant writing, and marketing.
Channing Schreyer
Scenic Designer/Master Electrician
Channing Schreyer is a faculty and staff member at Austin Community College and is grateful to be a member of both the Dance and Drama departments. Channing received their BA in Production Design and Studio Art from Pepperdine University. They are thrilled to have been asked to be a part of the design team for The Mad Ones as this musical holds a special place in her heart.
Desiree Humphries
Costume Designer
Desireé Humphries is an Austin native costume designer who’s recent credits include Annie Jump and The Library of Heaven (The Vortex) and RapUnzle (Scottish Rite Theatre) She is a former ACC student who holds a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology from Texas State University and works at the University of Texas at Austin as the costume stock supervisor and costume production manager. She is excited to be part of the return of live theatre and would like to thank ACC for inviting her to create!
Rachel Atkinson
Lighting Designer
Rachel Atkinson (Lighting Designer) ACC: The Glass Menagerie, Everybody, Iphigenia at Aulis, Lonely Planet, The Sightless, Harry and the Thief, Much Ado About Nothing, Well, From This Day Forward, Eurydice, Tape, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Water By the Spoonful, All My Sons, Gloria, Farragut North Austin: The Ballad of Klook and Vinette, Notes From the Field, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, and Heisenberg (Zach Theatre), TWENTYEIGHT, Salomé (GALE Theatre), Divine Narcissus, Catalina de Erauso (Paper Chairs), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Middletown (Mary Moody Northen Theatre), con flama (Salvage Vanguard Theatre), The Secretary and Dance Nation (Theatre En Bloc). Rachel received an Austin Critics Table Award for the 2017-2018 season and a B. Iden Payne award for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
K. Eliot Haynes
Sound Designer
K. Eliot Haynes is an award winning designer based in Austin,TX. He is happy to be returning to ACC after working on both Sightless and Lonely Planet. Recent designs include: The Call of The Wild and Gretel! The Musical (Theatre Heroes), Marisol, Rhinoceros, Anon(ymous),The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and These Shining Lives (St. Edward’s University).The Orchid Flotilla, Once There Were Six Seasons, Don Quixote de La Redo and Yamel Cucuey (Glass Half Full Theatre). Frankenstein, Riddley Walker, The Crapstall Street Boys, The Jungle, American Blood Song (Trouble Puppet Theater). This Wonderful Life, The Santaland Diaries and Red Hot Patriot (ZACH Theatre). Eliot is also the Assistant Technical Director of The Mary Moody Northen Theater at St. Edward’s University. Eliot very much enjoys working with the immensely talented faculty, staff and students of ACC.
Joe Kelley
Props Designer/Scenic Artist
Joe Kelley is an Austin resident with a passion for collaboration and storytelling. Whether it’s the set, props, paints, plants, or puppets he’s so excited and grateful to work with Jamie, Rachel, Miguel and the entire production team to bring life and love to every show. Joe has been active in the Austin theatre community on and off of the stage in many different productions with many wonderful groups such as: The Archive Theatre, Pollyanna Theatre Co., Summer Stock Austin, Penfold Theatre Co., Expatriate Theatre, and his home: ACC Drama. As always, much love to Remy and Tomas for their patience and support during the whole process.
Tomas Salas
Technical Director
Tomas Salas has more than thirty years working as a professional theatre technician. He is a master scenic carpenter and lighting tech. His experience includes working in California as; the technical director for Luis Valdez’ El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista, Master Electrician for the Mark Taper Forum and Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles. In Austin Tomas has worked as a freelance tech with just about every local theatre and dance company and in most performance spaces including the Paramount Theatre, State Theatre, ESB Mexican American Cultural Center, Carver Cultural Center, Zach Scott, Planet/Vortex, and others. He is very happy to be a part of the ACC Drama Dept. Team.
Christina Montgomery
Costume Shop Head
Christina Montgomery received a BFA in Technical Theatre, Theatre Design, and Technology from the University of Kansas and has over 15 years of experience working in professional theatre. Her costume designs for (The Odyssey) were sent to represent KU in the RITU 24 International Theatre Festival in Liege, Belgium. After graduation, Christina worked with the Kansas City Ballet and Opera (Kansas City, MO) and the Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 810. She moved to Austin, Texas, in 2013, where she was Wardrobe Supervisor at Zach Theatre for seven years. Costume Designs (Zach Theatre, Austin TX) include: (Every Brilliant Thing, Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch, Notes from the Field, Goodnight Moon, Elephant and Piggie, Winnie the Pooh, and Frog and Toad). She is excited to be part of the ACC Drama Department and would like to thank everyone for their hard work and support.
Deyanira Macias
Wardrobe Head/Costume Shop Assistant
Deya Macias graduated from ACC in fall 2016 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film, and began working with the Drama Department right away. Deya’s primary job is costume construction and alterations, as well as helping backstage with wardrobe crew. They have helped realise the costume designer’s vision since All My Sons in the fall of 2016 and up until Harry & the Thief (spring 2020). After a break due to COVID, Deya’s thrilled to join the ACC family again and continue helping with costume visions through Fade (fall 2022), The Snow (spring 2023), and now The Mad Ones. Thanks again to everyone for being so lovely and making each show an incredibly fun experience.
Shane Anderson
Piano Accompanist
Shane Anderson is chair of the Music Department At ACC where he teaches piano. He holds the Master’s and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Anderson is in demand as an accompanist throughout Central Texas and has performed with the Victoria and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Blythe Cates
Shane Anderson
Theater Practicum Students:
Hector Armendariz, Anastasia Dilworth, Brendan Gean, & Hannah Leao
Efrain Torres
Khalia Sacko
ACC Campus Security
ACC Campus Management
Cynthia Gage
Samantha Wells
ADM Staff (Perry, Nicole, Tori)