Dreaming of a Dark Christmas |
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| By Martin W. Prevost | ||
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| Original Concept By Martin W. Prevost & Aj Robinson | ||
| at Robert Lee Brault Playhouse | ||
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Sponsors
Cast
Creative Team
Mike Eserkaln
Maggie Dernehl
Raechal Wozniak-Sanford
Vesper Stanford
Regina Clark
Martin Prevost
Kit Honkanen
Director's Note
Thank you for coming to the World Premier of “Dreaming of a Dark Christmas”. Who knows? You may have stumbled on a new yearly tradition for generations to come to enjoy. You’re like someone in 1949 hearing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the first time. New traditions are born every year. If you’re familiar with Martin's writing, you’ll know why I was so excited to be a part of bringing his creation to life on stage. Martin has a dark and twisted sense of humor, but it is firmly set in solid realistic characters, relatable relationships, and meticulously plotted out storylines. With a sure and steady hand he leads you into his bizarre, sometimes terrifying, world and once you’re there you can’t get out. If you’re not familiar with Martin’s writing… buckle up. My background is in improvisation and collaborative creation. Working with a new play allows for so much invention. The cast, crew and writer were all involved in the creative process. It’s the beauty of writing a new play. If first belongs to just the writer, then to the cast and director, then it belongs to the world. It’s yours now, stuck in your head for the rest of your life… you’re welcome. (psst…. If you like the painting up on stage, I made that…. You can buy it if you want. And you can support my other arts endeavors www.eserkaln.com and www.patreon.com/eserkaln )
Writer's Note
Writer’s Note:
“Dreaming of a Dark Christmas” started out its life while I was sitting in my living room with my roommate at the time, Aj Robinson, and we began to talk about Christmas anthology horror movies and how much we both kinda enjoyed them. This evolved into a discussion about what kind of segments we would want to put into an anthology film. Soon, we had a five-foot-tall demon destroying a town, a group of Christmas carolers on a killing spree, Krampus dealing out Santa’s justice for not being left his milk and cookies, and a will-reading-turned-massacre at the wealthiest man in town's mansion. And, in the middle of it all, was a well-meaning family who just moved to town with a holiday tradition of their own. This idea sat with me for over a year and a half; I never did anything with it, but I kept coming back to it as an idea worth looking at.
Then, while attending a Halloween radio play at ComedyCity Theater, directed by our Assistant Director Maggie Dernehl, I got into a conversation with Eric Westphal (yes, the one who is in this show) about how much fun Christmas shows are to do, but there’s not enough adult Christmas shows. Well, I took this as a challenge and began contemplating that idea. The anthology story Aj and I were talking about popped into my head, and I started reformatting the idea into a stage play, allowing the segments to exist in different forms. Soon, I had the first act – and, by soon, I mean less than a week later. And, once I had the first act, the second came quickly. By December of 2023, I was having a public reading of the show at ComedyCity to see if it worked. And it did. With a few tweaks over the following year, I had the show that you’re about to watch.
I hope you enjoy your time with the Murphy family and seeing how I got the stories to fit into this fun little stage play. I’d also like to thank everyone who allowed this show to become a reality: Aj Robinson who helped create the original concept, Eric Westphal for priming the idea, Katie Schroeder, Maggie Monte-Knappen, Mike Eserkaln, Raechal Wozniak-Sanford, Carlyon Silverberg, Phoebe Avila-Olderman, Grave Sergott, Will Knaapen, and Bill Sergott for being in the table read last year, and, of course, the cast and crew who are taking part in the show today. I couldn’t achieve anything without so many wonderful people in my life.
-Martin W. Prevost
Playwright
What Is PACT
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Performing Artists Collaborating to Thrive (PACT), a new not-for-profit organization dedicated to uplifting performing artists and the arts community in the Greater Green Bay area. At PACT, we believe in fostering a culture of dignity, innovation, and collaboration—where artists are empowered, voices are heard, and creativity knows no bounds. Through resources, mentorship, and opportunities, we aim to create an inclusive, supportive space where artists can connect, grow, and bring transformative performances to life. Join us as we work together to build a thriving arts community that inspires and celebrates the power of creativity.
Mission
PACT is a not-for-profit organization striving to encourage the advancement of Performing Arts and Artists throughout the Greater Green Bay area, prioritizing dignity, innovation, and collaboration.
Pillars, Goals, and Initiatives
Dignity
“Dignity” represents the foundation of a respectful and equitable environment where all artists and contributors are valued. It ensures that everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to express their creative talents. Dignity fosters trust, which is essential for collaboration, particularly in environments requiring a significant amount of vulnerability. By prioritizing dignity, PACT aims to build a culture of trust, empathy, and open communication.
Innovation
Innovation, within PACT's mission, embodies the pursuit of creativity and transformation in the performing arts. It represents the courage to explore new perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and embrace the evolving spirit of artistry. Innovation ensures the arts remain vibrant, relevant, and inclusive, offering opportunities for underrepresented voices to be heard and celebrated. By fostering a culture of experimentation and growth, PACT empowers artists to push boundaries, discover fresh approaches, and feed their creative drive, preventing cultural stagnation and promoting continual evolution in the arts.
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of PACT's mission, fostering a supportive and interconnected arts community where individuals and organizations come together to grow and thrive. It encourages mutual inspiration, shared learning, and the creation of new opportunities through collective effort. Collaboration strengthens the bonds among artists, enriches perspectives, and builds a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient performing arts ecosystem in the Greater Green Bay area. By emphasizing collaboration, PACT empowers artists to achieve more together than they could alone, creating a dynamic environment for creativity and community.
Contact
- Email: pactgreenbay@gmail.com
- Facebook Page: Performing Artists Collaborating to Thrive - PACT
- Facebook Group: PACT Artist Group
Boilerplate
Performing Artists Collaborating to Thrive (PACT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing performing arts and artists in the Greater Green Bay area. Rooted in the principles of dignity, innovation, and collaboration, PACT provides connections to resources, opportunities, and support to empower artists and enrich the community. Through safe, equitable spaces, groundbreaking projects, and collective growth, PACT strives to amplify diverse voices, challenge conventional thinking, and build a vibrant, interconnected arts ecosystem where creativity and talent can thrive.
Meet the Company
Eric D. Westphal
Eric is a veteran performer who has been acting for over 40 years and has been seen on stage all over Wisconsin. He has called Green Bay home for the last decade and has worked with just about every theater group in the area. He was most recently seen as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Play-by-Play Theater's production of Twelfth Night.
When not working or acting, Eric is spending time with his girlfriend Katie and their 3 cats. He also enjoys craft beers, good food, and the Packers. He hopes you are as excited for this world premiere event as much as he is excited to be a part of it!
Michelle Gauthier
Michelle has been involved in community theater for many years, but this is her first Christmas show since age 7 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Aniwa Wi, as 2nd angel from right. And though she will not be singing Little Drummer Boy tonight, she is honored to be part of the cast. She would like to thank friends and family who always encourage her and of course her dearest love Bryan who accepts her schedule changes with the grace of the 3rd angel from right.
Gus Kroenke
Gus is excited to be a part of this world premiere production of “Dreaming of a Dark Christmas”. Gus is a local actor who has been in shows with Birder Players, Green Bay Community Theater and Evergreen Theater. Previous roles include Brad Majors (The Rocky Horror Show), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Lewis (Pippin) and John Proctor (The Crucible). Gus would like to thank his friends, family, and his cat Grumbella for their continued support in his theatrical pursuits!
Ali Weaver
Ali is honored to be a part of this cast. Ali has been in To Gillian on her 36th Birthday, All Together now, The Gentleman Clothier, Spreading It Around and Captain Wallaby’s Neighborhood. Ali would like to thank her family, fiancée and cat, Ellie, for being patient with her during this show.
Katie Schroeder
Katie Schroeder has performed with numerous theater groups from Door County to Manitowoc, and was most recently seen in The Black Cat radio play (PlaybyPlay Theatre) and Mr. Nibbles the Amazing Talking Cat (The Green Bay Fringe Festival). She would like to thank the talented cast and crew for all the laughs, the cats for all the snuggles, and you the audience, for supporting independent theater.
Maggie Monte-Knaapen
Maggie Monte-Knaapen is a frequent participant in multiple community theater programs throughout the area, including Play-by-Play, Abrams Spotlight Productions, and Comedycity's Cardboard Theater. A couple of her favorite roles have been a witch in Macbeth, and Gretchen in Boeing Boeing. She was a part of the initial staged reading of Dreaming of a Dark Christmas, and is very excited to be playing Suzy in the world premiere of the show. Maggie would like to thank her wonderful husband, Will, for always being supportive and encouraging in whatever she wants to do.
Mary Spencer
Mary is thrilled to help bring this darkly entertaining comedy to life, finding local theatre to be a festive part of her holiday season! Mary’s previous roles include Valentine/2nd Officer in PlaybyPlay Theatre’s Twelfth Night and Lisa in Population 485 with Evergreen Theater. Mary’s “2nd act” as a thespian began in 2022 with Evergreen’s “Fly Babies,” and includes recent roles in local films and dinner theatre. Mary thanks friends, family, and all of you for your support of original theatre, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Will Knappen
Will Knaapen has worked with local theater groups on such wonderful shows as A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Lincoln and Liberty, Too, and Spamalot. Most recently, he performed in Play-By-Play Theater’s production of Macbeth. And most recently was in Martin W. Prevost's last performance of Captain Wallaby's Neighborhood playing the role of Captain Wallaby.
Mike Eserkaln
Maggie Dernehl
Raechal Wozniak-Sanford
Vesper Stanford
Regina Clark
Martin Prevost
Kit Honkanen
Sponsors
