BWW Stage Mag American Fast - Capital Stage Stage Mag
 

Artistic Director Michael Stevenson &
Managing Director Keith Riedell Present


AMERICAN FAST

by Kareem Fahmy

Directed by Benjamin T. Ismail

January 24 - February 25, 2024

PERFORMANCE LENGTH:  90 Minutes, No Intermission
ADVISORY:  Strobe Effects Used During Performance

 

FEATURING:

Victoria Nassif*      Rula Gardenier*

Vernon Lewis      Atim Udoffia*

 
Scenic & Projections Designer
Jerid Fox
Costume Designer
Rebecca A. Valentino
Lighting Designer 
Isaiah Leeper
 

Associate Lighting Designer
Shae Mercer

Sound Designer
Ed Lee

Properties Designer
Christa Kinch

 
Hair & Make-Up Designer 
Logan Jacob Germano-Heller
 

Stage Manager
Suzanne Tyler*

  Assistant Stage Manager
Erika Placencia
 

 

SEASON WINE SPONSOR:

 

AMERICAN FAST was commissioned and originally produced by Artists Repertory Theatre, Dámaso Rodriguez, Executive Artistic Director – J.S. May, Executive Director – Kisha Jarrett, Managing Director, Portland, Oregon

AMERICAN FAST was developed through the LAUNCH PAD BIPOC Reading Series Festival at the University of California, Santa Barbara – Department of Theater and Dance in 2021, Risa Brainin, Artistic Director

 
*Member Actors' Equity Association 
 

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OUR MISSION

Capital Stage’s mission is to entertain, engage and challenge our audience with bold, thought provoking theatre.

 


 

THINGS TO KNOW

HEALTH & SAFETY:

Visit our COVID-19 Safety Protocols & Procedures Page to stay up to date on our Health & Safety requirements and recommendations. 

 

VIDEO/PHOTOS:

Recording and photography during the performance are prohibited at Capital Stage by copyright law and union regulations.

 

CELL PHONES:

Patrons are asked to turn any noise making devices off upon entering the theatre.

 

LATE SEATING & RE-SEATING:

Due to the design of our theatre, we cannot guarantee seating for late arrivals or for patrons who leave the theatre during the performance. As a courtesy to our artists and our audiences, late arrivals will be seated in a suitable location by our staff if possible and at the appropriate intervals.

 

REFRESHMENTS:

Only concession items purchased in the Wine & Dessert Bar are allowed in the theatre, patio and lobby areas. Yes, you can bring your drinks and snacks into the theatre!

 

CHILDREN:

Capital Stage is noted for bringing intimate bold productions to our region and we encourage young adults to experience a live performance. Children age sixteen and up are welcome at Capital Stage unless specifically noted in the production’s description.

 

WHEELCHAIR SEATING:

Seating locations at Capital Stage for patrons using wheelchairs or with limited mobility are located in the first row. Tickets for these seats may be purchased in person or by calling the Box Office at 916-995-5464. Please call ahead to notify the staff if you required these seats.

 

RESTROOMS:

Restroom facilities are located in the lounge behind the Wine & Dessert Bar.

 

INFORMATION:

Brochures and information about upcoming Capital Stage productions and events are available in the box office or by visiting capstage.org.

 


 

 

Capital Stage is a member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

 

 

Capital Stage is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.

 

Capital Stage is a member of the National New Play Network, the country’s alliance of leading nonprofit theaters that champion the development, production and continued life of new plays.

 

 

Capital Stage is a member of Blue Star Theatres, offering discounts to Military personnel, Military family members, and Veterans.

 

 

 

SDC is the theatrical union that unites, empowers, and protects professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States.

Sponsors

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Cast

Victoria Nassif*
Khady
Rula Gardenier*
Suzan
Vernon Lewis
Gabe
Atim Udoffia*
Coach

Creative Team

Kareem Fahmy

Playwright

Benjamin T. Ismail

Director

Michael Stevenson

Artistic Director

Keith Riedell

Managing Director

Tony Gabrielson

Production Manager

Caleb Jones

Technical Director

Suzanne Tyler*

Stage Manager

Erika Placencia

Assistant Stage Manager

Jerid Fox

Scenic & Projections Designer

Isaiah Leeper

Lighting Designer

Shae Mercer

Associate Lighting Designer

Rebecca A. Valentino

Costume Designer

Logan Jacob Germano-Heller

Hair & Makeup Designer

Ed Lee

Sound Designer/Engineer

Christa Kinch

Properties Designer

Chloe King

Movement Director

Samantha McLean Haas

Scenic Charge Artist

K. Kevyne Baar

Resident Dramaturg

Nicole C. Limón

Intimacy Coordinator

Special Thanks

Joe Bertolucci, Affordable Heating & Air, Inc.

Kate Bossenmaier

Donna Chipps

Di Arie Vineyard & Winery

Jim Hensley, President Abbey Flooring, Inc.

Dean & Sandi Karagianes

Oak Park Brewing Company

Brian Rickel, Consumes River College

Shirlee Tully

Michele & Robert VanEyken

Ian Wallace & Cameron Hoyt, Folsom Lake College

Alan Ware


The Panthers Cheering Section:

Jim Callaghan
Lynda Cassady
Jana Cortez
Charr Crail
Fred Deneke
Jim Eastman
Mae Ferral
Andrew Fridae
Linda Hayward
Patt Hull
Alan LaFaso
Roberta Madeira
Patricia Quinn
Anne Rewell
Scott Taylor


 

Production Staff

Artistic Director - MICHAEL STEVENSON

Production & Company Manager - TONY GABRIELSON

Technical Director - CALEB JONES

Lead Carpenter - CONOR WOODS

Carpenter, Technician & Marketing Assistant - ANDREW FRIDAE

Carpenter, Painter - SUNNY MACKEY

Scenic & Projections Designer - JERID FOX

Scenic Charge Artist - SAMANTHA McLEAN HAAS

Sound Designer & Engineer - ED LEE

Lighting Designer - ISAIAH LEEPER

Associate Lighting Designer, Lead Electrician - SHAE MERCER

Electricians - ISAIAH LEEPER, SHAE MERCER

Stage Manager - SUZANNE TYLER*

Assistant Stage Manager - ERIKA PLACENCIA

Sub Stage Manager - MELISSA JERNIGAN*

Properties Designer - CHRISTA KINCH

Costume Designer - REBECCA A. VALENTINO

Hair & Makeup Designer - LOGAN JACOB GERMANO-HELLER

Movement Director - CHLOE KING

Build Crew - SUNNY MACKEY, CONOR WOODS 

Painters - SAMANTHA McLEAN HAAS, CALEB JONES, SUNNY MACKEY, CONOR WOODS

Wardrobe/Ensemble/Run Crew - FATEMEH MEHRABAN^, SHELBY SAUMIER^

Sub Wardrobe/Ensemble/Run Crew - MADDIE JUDD^, OSCAR QUEZADA^

Production Associate/Run Crew - YASMINE SALMERON

BIAPOC Liaison - NICOLE ANNE SALLE

Resident Dramaturg - K. KEVYNE BAAR 

Intimacy Coordinator - NICOLE C. LIMÓN

Infection Control Manager - ELIJAH PETERS

Graphic Designer, Webmaster - MISTY MCDOWELL

Photographer - CHARR CRAIL

 

^ Capital Stage Apprentice  |  * Member Actors' Equity Association


 

About The Play

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

 

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of fasting [from sunrise to sunset], spiritual growth, and is one of the five 'pillars of Islam' - the others being the declaration of faith, daily prayer, almsgiving, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

 

Is AMERICAN FAST, as those who have seen it opine, a “riveting new sports drama?” A play about Islam and the practice of Ramadan? Maybe it is an examination of female power? Or even simply “basketball celebrity?” Perhaps it’s asking us to look at a daughter’s relationship with her mother where their religion plays a major role? What of the other people in her life? Ambition? The answer is yes, and perhaps even more as the complications of social media in today’s world makes all of it so very public.

Sport drama/basketball: from the outset (prologue) we meet Khady Salama, 21 years-old, a female basketball phenom about to face the NCAA championship games. This is made clear as the scenes are not so subtly named Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, and the always hoped for Championship game which, depending on the results, which I won’t give away here, just might lead to that elusive “basketball celebrity.” The playwright also does not let us forget the challenges women continue to face in the world of sports while navigating the mores of what it means to be female in various cultures. 

What makes this play different from other sports stories is that these games are being played during the month of Ramadan, the holiest month on the Muslim calendar. Khady is a Middle Eastern American woman with a mother who is devoutly Muslim even though she does not wear a headscarf. Khady is also given a Muslim boyfriend, and an ambitious female coach which allows the audience to explore any number of relationships. Khady longs to be known as an athlete, not just as a “Muslim” athlete, but the questions remain: will Khady fast and still play; can Khady fast and still play? 

In an interview given for the program of an earlier production the playwright discussed what was for him, the central imperative for this play, “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) 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.”

Kareem Fahmy has created a play with perhaps more questions than answers; one that brings art and sport and family to our stage. He asks us to see the final scene as “the ultimate amalgam of theatre and sport; exhilarating and transcendent.” We at Capital Stage want nothing less than that for our audiences.

 


 

About The Playwright

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

 

“When I became a theatremaker, I realized 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.” – Kareem Fahmy

 

Canadian-born, New York-based theatre director, playwright, and screenwriter of Egyptian descent, Kareem Fahmy has been receiving fellowships at a breakneck pace in the last number of years. Included in this list are fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, Sundance Theatre Lab, the Hermitage Retreat, Stratford Festival, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Phil Killian Fellowship), New York Theatre Workshop, Second Stage, and The O'Neill (National Directors Fellowship). In 2020, he was named a Theatre Communications Group "Rising Leader of Color.” Two years later he was awarded the Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award for American Fast, the play you are seeing at today’s performance. 

Fahmy had been working as a director and writer in Montreal Canada, when he was encouraged to get his MFA in Directing which he did at Columbia University in 2007. But it was in 2012 that he returned to writing: “I realized that there are just a lot of stories about Middle Eastern life and experience and Muslim life and experience that haven’t been told yet. And I really wanted to contribute to building up the canon of Middle Eastern American work.” 

It is this work that is defining Fahmy today. He is the co-founder of the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab at The Lark and of Maia Directors, a consulting group that works with theater companies and writers across the country on producing authentic Middle Eastern and Muslim stories. “It feels like there’s a different urgency now, a more specific need for a cohort of leaders of color to step forward and try to create a new conversation for what our industry needs to do to represent communities of color.”

Much has been written about this need for more diversity in the arts. Fahmy reminds us that while strides have been made, plays about Muslims or those of Middle Eastern descent seem to be few and far between. There have only been a handful of widely produced plays that tells those stories. As Kareen Fahmy works to change that, Capital Stage and its audiences are excited to participate in this continuing conversation. 


 

Meet the Company

Victoria Nassif*

Khady
Victoria Nassif* - Khady Victoria (she/her) lives on the hyphen - between Lebanese, Palestinian, and American, between performer, intimacy director, and narrator, between her many hobbies and her personal commitments to family, to growth, and to hope. Her work has been seen across the globe at places like The New Victory Theater, The Kennedy Center, American Players Theatre, Writer's Theater, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Constellation Stage & Screen, TheatreSquared, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Playhouse Square, Arts Center at NYUAD, FringeArts, and many more.

Rula Gardenier*

Suzan
Rula Gardenier* - Suzan Rula is thrilled to make her Capital Stage Theatre debut and for the opportunity to work with this amazing team of artists. Now based in Los Angeles, Rula was most recently seen in the Chicago stage production of MOSQUE4MOSQUE at About Face Theatre. Rula is the recipient of the Jury Award for best performance in a supporting role (OUT International film festival) for “Breaking Fast” now streaming on Amazon. She can also be seen in the upcoming feature film FIRST GENS.

Vernon Lewis

Gabe
Vernon Lewis - Gabe Vernon is very excited to be working with Capital Stage again (this time on stage!). For the past 15 years, Vernon has been able to be a part of many thrilling productions such as a list of British Pantos, multiple Shakespeare Festivals at Sacramento City Theatre, and assortment of supporting and lead roles in BOOTYCANDY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and CANNERY ROW. Recently, Vernon has been gaining experience Directing and Assistant Directing with shows such as THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, THE MAGIC LAMP, and PASS OVER.

Atim Udoffia*

Coach
Atim Udoffia* - Coach Atim Udoffia keeps busy as an actor, director, health and wellness consultant, and mother of two working in theatre and film/video in the Sacramento and Bay Area. Favorite stage roles include Emilie in EMILIE LA MARQUISE DU CHATELET DEFENDS HER LIFE TONIGHT (The Stage @ Burke Junction), Lady Macbeth (STC), Nina in THE ROYALE (Aurora Theatre Company), Angela in ZENITH (SF Playhouse), and Jory in DISGRACED (Capital Stage). Her film credits include the feature films "No Address", "Fairyland", and "Where Sleeping Dogs Lie". She recently directed DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA at Big Idea Theatre, as well as OTHELLO, NAP TIME, and CHARLIE AND NELL, for which she received a Best Director Award. Udoffia earned a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University before pursuing acting training in London and Los Angeles. Udoffia is quite pleased to be back at Capital Stage where she performed in her first professional show, CLYBOURNE PARK, 10 years ago!

Kareem Fahmy

Playwright
Kareem Fahmy is a Canadian-born director, playwright, and screenwriter of Egyptian descent. ​ He has directed and developed plays at theatres nationwide, including MCC, The Atlantic, The New Group, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New Dramatists, The Civilians, Writers Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, The Magic, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Berkeley Rep, and more. Kareem's plays include "Dodi & Diana" (O'Neill NPC finalist, world premiere at Colt Coeur), "American Fast" (Woodward/Newman Award Winner, NNPN Rolling World Premiere: Artists Repertory Theatre, City Theatre, InterAct), "A Distinct Society" (Co-World Premiere: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley/Pioneer Theatre, Writers Theatre), "The Triumphant" (Target Margin), "Pareidolia", "The In-Between" (Noor Theatre), and an adaptation of the bestselling novel "The Yacoubian Building". His work has been developed at Atlantic Theater Company, Denver Center, Northlight Theatre, New York Stage & Film, Citadel Theatre, and more. Kareem has been a fellow or resident artist at the Sundance Theatre Lab, MacDowell, Yaddo, New Harmony Project, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Phil Killian Directing Fellow),The Old Globe (Classical Directing Fellow), Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center (National Directors Fellow), TCG (Rising Leaders of Color), Second Stage (Van Lier Directing Fellow), Soho Rep (Writer/Director Lab), Lincoln Center (Directors Lab), The New Museum (Artist-in-Residence), Stratford Festival, and New York Theater Workshop (Emerging Artist Fellow & Usual Suspect). He is a NYSCA/NYFA Playwriting Fellow. MFA (Directing): Columbia University. ​ Kareem lives in New York City with his husband, acclaimed fiction writer John McManus, and their dog Kip.

Benjamin T. Ismail

Director
Benjamin T. Ismail - Director Benjamin T. Ismail has worked from coast to coast both as an actor and a director, and is back at Capital Stage after almost 7 years! Some previous Capital Stage credits include directing AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and LOVE & INFORMATION as well as performing in THE SANTALAND DIARIES (Crumpet), DISGRACED (Abe), TRIBES (Billy), and SPEECH & DEBATE (Howie). Other recent local credits include directing THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME and DOROTHEA PUENTE TELLS ALL for STC last year. While serving as the former Artistic Director of Big Idea Theatre, he directed several productions including ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, ARCADIA, 33 VARIATIONS, and NO EXIT to name just a few. Other favorite credits include playing Louis in ANGELS IN AMERICA (Berkeley Rep), Bashir in THE INVISIBLE HAND (American Stage) and directing BETWEEN RIVERSIDE & CRAZY (American Stage). Love to Jerid. For Sally & Kal.

Michael Stevenson

Artistic Director
For Capital Stage, Michael has directed ARCHDUKE, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, GLORIA, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, ADMISSIONS, THE HUMANS, THE OTHER PLACE, SWEAT, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, LUNA GALE, STUPID F##KING BIRD, HOW TO USE A KNIFE, DISGRACED, MR. BURNS, IDEATION, CLYBOURNE PARK, MAURITIUS, ERRATICA (World Premiere), and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. He has directed at regional theaters including: B Street Theater, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Shakespeare Company, Perseverance Theater Company, and Sacramento Theater Company. As an actor he has appeared at many regional theaters including: 42nd Street Moon, American Conservatory Theater, The Aurora Theater, Bailiwick Repertory Theater, Capital Stage, B Street Theater, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theater. He holds an M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theater.

Keith Riedell

Managing Director
Keith celebrates his 17th year at Capital Stage, joining the company early in the second season. He brings to Capital Stage his varied experiences in the theatre, management, team building, counseling, training and corporate improvement. In his role as Managing Director he hopes to make Capital Stage a world class place to work, while playing an important role in the social justice efforts in our region.

Tony Gabrielson

Production Manager
Tony has worked with many theaters and dance companies locally and around the country over the last 15 years as a stage manager, carpenter, painter, and technician. Favorite productions include: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA, ON BORROWED TIME at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, and developmental workshops of BOTTLESHOCK! THE MUSICAL. He is blessed and beyond grateful to continue working as an artist in our community. Love and thanks to Jessa and Piper - his favorite people.

Caleb Jones

Technical Director
Caleb is proud to be joining Capital Stage as Technical Director for the 23/24 season. He is new to Sacramento but has worked at the San Diego REPertory theater and with several theaters within Fresno county. This year serves as his 10th year in the field, and he hopes you enjoy our shows. Lots of love to Clarissa and all of his loved ones.

Suzanne Tyler*

Stage Manager
Suzy is a native Sacramentan. Some of the many shows she has stage managed include BRIGHT STAR, THE RIVER BRIDE, OKLAHOMA!, NOISES OFF, HAMLET, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, CANDIDA, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Regional theatre credits include Pacific Conservatory Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Music Circus, Geva Theatre Center, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Foothill Theatre Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and B Street Theatre. Suzanne received her MFA in Stage Management from the California Institute of the Arts.

Erika Placencia

Assistant Stage Manager
Erika Placencia is glad to be part of Capital Stage as the Assistant Stage Manager. She was also Assistant Stage Manager for THE HOMBRES at Capital Stage. She is a graduate of Jessup University with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. She was the Stage Manager for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Jessup Theatre. She is also an actress that played The Wicked Witch in THE WIZARD OF OZ and the role of Steele in A PIECE OF MY HEART at Jessup University Theatre. She is a proud military veteran and whether on stage or backstage she thrives in the theater!

Jerid Fox

Scenic & Projections Designer

Isaiah Leeper

Lighting Designer
Isaiah Leeper is very excited to be lighting up Capital Stage again after working on previous productions that included PASS OVER and SMART PEOPLE, THE ROYALE and HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING. He also brought light to the world of CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at Sacramento Theatre Company as well as ANTIGONE at Folsom Lake College. He would like to take the time to thank the cast, crew, and entire company for their support and wonderful energy.

Shae Mercer

Associate Lighting Designer

Rebecca A. Valentino

Costume Designer
Rebecca is delighted to return to Capital Stage where previous productions include HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, GLORIA, THE WOLVES and THE GREAT LEAP! Rebecca has worked with many local companies including, The Aurora Theatre Company, 42nd Street Moon, Center REPertory Theatre and Solano College Theatre where she also served as the Costume Shop Supervisor from 2005-2012 and Adjunct professor of Costume and Theatre from 2007-2020. In addition she designed costumes for the Short Film GENERATIONS directed by Kourosh Ahari (THE NIGHT). She earned a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MFA from the University of Michigan. Rebecca is currently the Costume Director for the Theatre and Dance Department at UC Davis.

Logan Jacob Germano-Heller

Hair & Makeup Designer
Logan is thrilled to be doing the hair and makeup design again for Capital Stage. He has been working as a professional freelance artist for over ten years, he has also been published in various publications as well. His focus is editoral and stage, he loves that he can combine his passion for makeup and theatre. He wants to leave you with a quote from his favorite makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin "Perfection is boring.”

Ed Lee

Sound Designer/Engineer
Ed is delighted to be part of another season at Capital Stage. He has been involved in almost every production since the company’s aquatic days at the Delta King, from artwork for SPEECH AND DEBATE to appearing in FIRST PERSON SHOOTER. Favorite sound design credits include: MASTER CLASS; SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME; 4000 MILES; MISTAKES WERE MADE; RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN; and UNCANNY VALLEY.

Christa Kinch

Properties Designer

Chloe King

Movement Director
Chloe is thrilled to be returning to Capital Stage! She holds an M.F.A. in directing from the University of California, Irvine. She specializes in devised and movement based theatre. Favorite credits include Lucy Prebble’s THE EFFECT, OUT OF THE VOID (devised), and Sophocles’ ANTIGONE.

Samantha McLean Haas

Scenic Charge Artist
Samantha has been painting sets for over a decade in the greater Sacramento area. She's worked at Sacramento City College, Sierra College, University of California Davis, Sacramento Theatre Company, B Street, and Broadway at Music Circus. This is her fourth season with Capital Stage.

K. Kevyne Baar

Resident Dramaturg
Kevyne is thrilled to be a member of the Capital Stage family as the Resident Dramaturg. Productions include GLORIA, HEROES of the FOURTH TURNING, PREDICTOR, and most recently, ARCHDUKE. A member of Viola Spolin’s Young Actors’ Company who became an Equity Stage Manager, and then the Field Representative for Actors’ Equity’s Western Regional Office, she returned to school in 2001 to work on a PhD. This led to her being Equity’s archivist at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University. Kevyne moved from Brooklyn, NY to Davis, CA in 2015, and in 2019 her book, Broadway and the Blacklist was published.

Nicole C. Limón

Intimacy Coordinator
Nicole is a multidisciplinary theatre artist: an actor/director/dramaturg, and theatre faculty at California State University, Sacramento. She most recently directed: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK (Celebration Arts,) JUST A PINCH: A UTERUS PLAY (Matriarchy,) EVERYBODY; and DANCE NATION (CSUS,) and FADE (Teatro Espejo.) She is also a Theatrical Intimacy Director committed to creating consent-forward spaces for artists and is honored to be working with Capital Stage in this capacity. Locally, she has consulted with and staged intimacy for Capital Stage, B Street Theatre, CSUS, Teatro Espejo, Celebration Arts and Sacramento Theatre Company. She is founder of Matriarchy Theatre and local collective Sacramento Theatres of Color, an associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and holds an MFA in Acting from UC Davis. Follow her work @matriarchytheatre

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA)

Founded in 1913, this union represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence.

Capital Stage Staff

MICHAEL STEVENSON - Artistic Director

KEITH RIEDELL - Managing Director

KIRK BLACKINTON - Development Manager

TONY GABRIELSON - Production & Company Manager

MISTY MCDOWELL - Marketing Manager

LOGAN JACOB GERMANO-HELLER – Education & Box Office Manager

THEODORE ALEXANDER - House Manager

CALEB JONES - Technical Director

CONOR WOODS - Lead Carpenter

SUNNY MACKEY - Carpenter, Painter

ED LEE - Resident Sound Designer & Engineer

ISAIAH LEEPER - Lighting Supervisor

SHAE MERCER - Lead Electrician

ANDREW FRIDAE - Carpenter, Technician & Marketing Assistant

CECILIA CASTILLO JUAREZ - Concessions & Box Office Associate 

YASMINE SALMERON - Production Associate

K. KEVYNE BAAR - Resident Dramaturg

JAMIE JONES, PETER MOHRMANN, GAIL RUSSELL, JANIS STEVENS – Associate Artists

ELIJAH PETERS - Infection Control Manager, Payroll & Administrative Assistant

FAYE CROOK - Marketing Intern

2023/24 SEASON APPRENTICE COMPANY - Maddie Judd, Fatemeh Mehraban, Oscar Quezada, Shelby Saumier


 

Capital Stage Board Members

Chastity E. Benson
California State Association of Counties

Dan Brunner, Treasurer
Arts Patron

Melissa Conner
Seed Communications Design

Kathryn E. Doi, Board President
Feldesman Leifer LLP

Sherry Hartel Haus
Downey Brand

Leili Khalessi
California Dept. of Human Resources

Steve Koonce
Arts Patron

Dena Martinez
Talen Agent, Director, Actor

Kristi Quesada Mathisen
Sacramento Country Day School

Lori Abbott Moreland
Arts Patron

Brian Rickel
Dean of Arts, Media & Entertainment at Cosumnes River College

Vince Sales
Everyday Impact Consulting

Mike Tentis
University of the Pacific

Peggy Wheeler
California Hospital Association


Board Emeritus:

Stephanie Gularte, Founding Artistic Director
Capital Stage

Peter Mohrmann, Co-founder
Capital Stage

Jonathan Williams, Co-Founder
Capital Stage

Clif McFarland
Mitchell Chadwick

Arlen Orchard
SMUD

Julie Stark
Arts Patron


 

Donors

Special Thanks to our Donors

Donation Totals from 1/18/23 to 1/18/24

Please alert us to any errors or omissions by contacting Development Manager, Kirk Blackinton at kblackinton@capstage.org.


 

Founder's Circle: $20,000+

Kathryn Doi
Lesley & Steve Koonce
The Shubert Foundation

Executive Producer: $10,000+

Donna Chipps
Gloriette C. Fong
Kris Martin
Anita Scuri & James Simon
 

Producer: $6,000+

Susie & Jim Burton
Jeffrey Farley & Mike Tentis
Bob Mandelson
Sacramento City Office of Arts and Culture
 

Director: $3,000+

John Abbott & Lori Abbott Moreland
Chastity Benson
Melissa Conner & Theodore Harris
Theresa Corrigan
Drs. John & Lois Crowe
Steven Debry
Downey Brand
Susan Edling
Foundation for California Community Colleges
Deborah Franklin & Douglas Mitten
Tuan Hoang
Scott & Linda Lasher
Linda McAtee & Steve Sphar
Keetha Mills & Phil Nanni
Leonard Vincent Sales
Art & Sue Scotland
Kim Silvers & Sheila Cardno
Ed Telfeyan & Jeri Paik
Patricia Wall & David Stavarek
Gloria & Don Yost
 

Lead Actor: $1,200+

Jacob Appelsmith
Peggy Beasley
David Bell & Katherine Newman
Linda Brandenburger
Dr. William Bronston & Lisa Levering
John & Randi Brooklier
Margaret L Buss
Kathleen Collins
Timothy Corcoran
Kathy Davenport & Ken Weiss
Gayle Dax-Conroy
Donald Fraulob & Melissa Brown
Patty French
Carole Fritz
Curtis Fritz
Patty Garcia & Jim Mattesich
Catherine Globus
Adrienne Graham
Mary Hargrave
Eileen Heaser
Larry Hendrick
Josh Horowitz & Patti Baggett
Brian & Dorothy Landsberg
Janet Lial
Kristi Quesada Mathisen & Josh Mathisen
Clara McCoy
Peter Mohrmann & David Harris
Katherine Muris
Gretchen Peralta
Gail Pereira
Christopher Price
Laurie Nelson Randlett & Jim Randlett
Marshall & Maureen Rice
Ken Rothaus
Chuck & Nancy Shulock
Roger & Barbara Smith
Barbara Sommer
Julie Stark
Marty & Janet Steiner
Rae-Nani Stokes & Griff Field
Shirlee Tully
Susan Wheeler
John Wilson & Susie Monary-Wilson

 

Designer: $600+

Chris Abare
John Angell
Stephen & Melva Arditti
David & Marsha Baskins
Karen Broido
Dan Brunner
Donna Campbell
Les & Peggy Chisholm
Ted Cobb
Michael Cohen
Annabel Cooper
Ellen Covairt & Bernard Kalscheuer
Jim & Kathleen Deeringer
Fred Deneke & Jim Eastman
Stuart Eldridge
Ellen Ferguson
Carol & Steven Goldberg
Alex Gonzalez
Patricia & James Grieshop
Ed Hall & Warren Lindeleaf
James R Hargrove
Stephanie & David Hunt
Gary & Eva Incaudo
Janet Jensen
Dawn & Dave King
Charles & Elizabeth Kuehner
Dr. John & Rosemary Lamb
Doron Levitan
Shannon Mahoney & Kirk Blackinton
James McElroy & Ann Gerhardt
Shelley Mydans & John Griffing
Sara Nichols
Richard Pearson & Jean Hart
David Pitman & Rani Pettis
James Queirolo
Glenn Rondeau
Bob & Shirley Rosenberg
Lori Saper
Michael Scheible
Diane Schertz
Susan & Ross Siragusa
Harold Smith
Peggy Stare
John Stefanki
Harold & Ilah Turner
Kim Varner
Marian Ver Wey
Denise Verbeck
Chris Wagner
James Watkins
Tim Whalen
Claudia Wrazel & Frank Horowitz

 

Ensemble: $300+

Candace & Doug Adams
Merle Axelrad
Janet Berman-Brooks
Barbara Black
Sandra Briggs-Howell
Margaret & Stephen Brush
Carin & Bob Bryans
Celia Buckley
Janet Burger
Sharon Cammisa & Joseph Orr
Susan & Richard Carlsen
Kathryn & Jim Carlson
Melissa Cirone
Edward Condon
James Crouch
Daniel DeFoe
Katherine Downey
Cindy Dunning
Anne & Hal Eisenberg
Nancy Erman
David Felderstein & Dan Hoody
Tracie & Richard Fike
Gail Finney
Mary Helen Fischer
Sara Floor
Muffy & Terry Francke
David Fulk & Keith Riedell
Mary Graziose
Stephanie Gularte
Suzanne Hanrahan
Team Hanseth
Dalinda Harman
Sherry Haus
Brian & Tiffany Heacox
Charlotte Hegle
Zheyla Henriksen
Suzanne Houlton
Kim Hunter
Linda Iseri
Barbara Jeffus
Anne Jennings
Lial Jones
Margaret Kane & Richard Frey
Dean & Sandi Karagianes
Jolanta Kieturakis
Jane Kirkland
Pamela Kisor
Beverly & Ronald Lamb
Susie LaPointe
Daniel Leahy
Sandy Lee
David & Ruth Lindgren
Spencer Lockson
Olga Mandrussow
Dennis Mangers & Michael Sestak
John Marinko
Dena Martinez
Elizabeth McClatchy
Carol McCormick
Steve & Cheryl Meyer
Mr. Colin A. Miller
Shirley Nelson
Allison Noren
Tracey O'Reilly
Frank Pajerski
Steve Patwell
Sarah Phelan
Ron Robie
Allan Robin
Donald Rubin
Elaine Silver
Howard Slyter
Robert Snider
Susanne Sommer & George Ramsey
Michael Stevenson
Patrica Symkowick
Carrie Thomsen
Jelena Tiemann
Stephanie Tucker
Elaine Verbarg
Bryan Weare
LeRose Weikert
Martha West
Peggy Wheeler
Richard Williams
Karen Willstatter
Claudia & Olin Woods
Robert Young
Karen Ziskind
Wendy & Mark Zlotlow
 

Patron: $150+

John & Kathleen Agnew
David Alois & Jacquie Embs
Rebecca Armstrong
John Atwood
Jose Barbosa
Walter Barnes
Robert & Jean Bonar
Peter Botto
Bruce Bowers
Carol Buck & Dennis Beaty
Russell Burgess (Marie Smith)
Margaret Burns & Roy Bellhorn
Allison Cagley & Farel Brosio
Steven Chase
Allison Claire
Idelle & Dan Claypool
David A Combies
Mary Jo Compton
Kelly Coplin
Jennifer Cummings
Gretchen Cypin
Gail & Tom Devitt
Martha & Jim Dickson
Lily Douglas
Anne Duffey
James Evans-Brown
Stephanie Finelli
James Flynn
Daphna Fram
Marc Gabrys
Jan Geiger
Anne Geraghty
Cynthia Gerber
Wayne & Mary Ginsburg
Barbara Greenwood
Linda Gregory
Shirley Hazlett
Alexandra Hewitt
Hirst Law Group, P.C.
Mike & Doris Horton
Marlys Huez
Lydia Inghram
Don Johnson & Elizabeth Miller
Iris Johnson
Myrna Johnston
John Katonah
Jacquelyn M. Kelly
Mimi Khan
Kellie Kilgore
Anne Knuut
Paul & Jane Lammerding
Patricia Levin
Margaret McCarthy Household
Shelley & James McFarland
Hallie Morrow
Karen Neuwald
Becky & Bob Norris
Ann OConnell
Douglas Patton
Catherinie Pierini
Enid Pritikin
Richard Rawson & Cynthia Neuman
Raymond Reis
Lowell Richardson & Paula Sugarman
Myrna Rodriguez
Carol Rogers & Jon Courtway
Sunny Romer
Laura Rosenthal
Linda Roth
Nai Saechao
Lisa Sargent
Peter Saucerman
Seasons Coffee Roasters Inc.
Walter Sherwood
Chris & Julia Smith
Susan Sonoyama
Daniel G. Stone
Michael Storey
Harry & Linda Struthers
Patricia Sturdevant
Janet Summers
Penelope Taylor
Susan & Ken Taylor
Rachel Tooker
Patty Torbert & Ken Graber
Michael & Barbara Ullman
Peter & Karen Von Elten
Debra Waltz
Steven Winlock
Arnold Wolf & Fern Tablin
Megan Wygant
Timothy Zindel
 

"The Crew" - Recurring Donors

Chris Abare
John Abbott & Lori Abbott Moreland
Candace & Doug Adams
John Angell
Merle Axelrad
Jose Barbosa
Peggy Beasley
Bill Bronston & Lisa Levering
Margaret & Stephen Brush
Celia Buckley
Margaret L Buss
Ann Byfield
Kathryn & Jim Carlson
Bernice Chin
Les & Peggy Chisholm
Kathleen Collins
Kaoru Cruz
Jennifer Cummings
Daniel DeFoe
Gail & Tom Devitt
Martha & Jim Dickson
Lily Douglas
Katherine Downey
Stuart Eldridge
Ellen Ferguson
Mary Helen Fischer
Sara Floor
Muffy & Terry Francke
Deborah Franklin & Douglas Mitten
David Fulk & Keith Riedell
Mary Graziose
Kathryn Grey
Stephanie Gularte
Suzanne Hanrahan
Courtney & Nate Hans
Dalinda Harman
Josh Horowitz & Patti Baggett
Suzanne Houlton
Stephanie & David Hunt
Kim Hunter & Sherry Reser
Linda Iseri
Eillen Jacobowitz
Anne Jennings
Iris Johnson
Maria Jurado
Dean & Sandi Karagianes
Pamela Kisor
Dr. John & Rosemary Lamb
Sandy Lee
Doron Levitan
Shannon Mahoney & Kirk Blackinton
John Marinko
Kristi & Josh Mathisen
Linda McAtee & Steve Sphar
Carol McCormick
Shelley & James McFarland
Peter Mohrmann & David Harris
Diane & Lisa Moore
Suzanne Ness
Ann OConnell
David Pitman & Rani Pettis
Laurie Nelson Randlett & Jim Randlett
Carol Rogers & Jon Courtway
Sunny Romer
Linda Roth
Donald Rubin
Leonard Vincent Sales
Peter Saucerman
Diane Schertz
Susan Scott
Chris & Julia Smith
Jennifer Sommer
Peggy Stare
Michael Stevenson
Michael Storey
Linda & Scott Taylor
Martha West
John Wilson & Susie Monary-Wilson
Claudia Wrazel & Frank Horowitz

 

Learn more about "The Crew": capstage.org/play-a-part/donate/ 

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