BWW Stage Mag Eureka Day - Capital Stage Stage Mag
 

Artistic Director Michael Stevenson &
Managing Director Liz Gray Present


EUREKA DAY

by Jonathan Spector

Directed by Amy Resnick

October 15-November 16, 2025

PERFORMANCE LENGTH:  1 Hour, 40 Minutes, with 1 Intermission


FEATURING:

Kurt Johnson*      Shannon Mahoney*      Atim Udoffia*

Mayette McDonald      Chris Sharpe      Lydia Crist^
     
Scenic Designer
Eric Broadwater
 
Lighting Designer
Patrick O’Reilly
Associate Lighting Designers
Naomi Saraceno Wiemken, Ryan McKinney
Projections Designer
Ethan Hollinger
  Assistant Projections Designer
EJ Agata
Sound Designer
Ed Lee
Assistant Sound Designer
Hailey Bowland^
 
Costume Designer
Rebecca A. Valentino

Properties Designer
Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal

Intimacy Coordinator
Nicole Limón
  Dramaturg
K. Kevyne Baar, PhD
 

 

 

 

Stage Manager
Melissa Jernigan*
 
     
Assistant Stage Manager
Maddie Hardiman

 

 
SPONSORED BY:
 
JIM HARGROVE 
 

 

 

SEASON WINE SPONSOR:

 

“Eureka Day” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service imprint. (www.dramatists.com)

Originally commissioned and produced by Aurora Theatre Company
(Tom Ross, Artistic Director; Julie Saltzman Kellner, Managing Director),
Berkeley, CA

 
*Member Actors' Equity Association | ^Capital Stage Apprentice
 

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OUR MISSION

Capital Stage is dedicated to creating transformative, thought-provoking theater experiences that challenge, inspire, and connect.

 


 

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.

 

The Representative Voice of Designers and Scenic Artists

Sponsors

Cast

Kurt Johnson*
Don
Shannon Mahoney*
Suzanne
Atim Udoffia*
Carina
Mayette McDonald
Meiko
Chris Sharpe
Eli
Lydia Crist^
Winter
Michael Cross
U/S Don
Taylor Burris
U/S Suzanne
Taylor Vaughan
U/S Carina
Lily Young
U/S Meiko

Creative Team

Jonathan Spector

Playwright

Amy Resnick

Director

Michael Stevenson

Artistic Director

Liz Gray

Managing Director

Tony Gabrielson

Production & Company Manager

Caleb Jones

Technical Director

Melissa Jernigan*

Stage Manager

Maddie Hardiman

Assistant Stage Manager

Eric Broadwater

Scenic Designer

Patrick O'Reilly

Lighting Designer

Naomi Saraceno Wiemken

Associate Lighting Designer

Ryan McKinney

Associate Lighting Designer

Ethan Hollinger

Projections Designer

EJ Agata

Assistant Projections Designer

Rebecca A. Valentino

Costume Designer

Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal

Properties Designer

Ed Lee

Sound Designer

Hailey Bowland^

Assistant Sound Designer

Samantha McLean Haas

Scenic Charge Artist

Nicole C. Limón

Intimacy Coordinator

K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

Resident Dramaturg

Special Thanks

Joe Bertolucci, Affordable Heating & Air, Inc.

Sonia Carrillo

CapRadio

Di Arie Vineyard & Winery 

Jim Hargrove

Marin Theatre Company

Oak Park Brewing Company

Darcia Tipton

UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance


 

 

Production Staff

Artistic Director - MICHAEL STEVENSON

Director - AMY RESNICK

Production & Company Manager - TONY GABRIELSON

Stage Manager - MELISSA JERNIGAN*

Assistant Stage Manager - MADDIE HARDIMAN

Technical Director - CALEB JONES

Lead Carpenter - CONOR WOODS

Carpenter, Painter - SUNNY MACKEY

Lighting Designer - PATRICK O'REILLY

Associate Lighting Designers - NAOMI SARACENO WIEMKEN, RYAN MCKINNEY

Scenic Designer - ERIC BROADWATER

Costume Designer - REBECCA A. VALENTINO

Projections Designer - ETHAN HOLLINGER

Assistant Projections Designer - EJ AGATA

Lead Electrician - SHAE MERCER

Scenic Charge Artist - SAMANTHA McLEAN HAAS

Sound Designer & Engineer - ED LEE

Assistant Sound Designer - HAILEY BOWLAND^

Properties Designer - RILEY CISNEROS-GRUENTHAL

Build Crew - SUNNY MACKEY, CONOR WOODS, CALEB JONES

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

Wardrobe/Run Crew - STEPHEN BYRUM^, JAMES SIMPSON^ 

Resident Dramaturg - K. KEVYNE BAAR, PHD

Intimacy Coordinator - NICOLE C. LIMÓN

Infection Control Manager/Admin. & Payroll Assistant - ELIJAH PETERS

Graphic Designer, Marketing Manager, Webmaster - MISTY MCDOWELL

Photographer - CHARR CRAIL

 

^ Capital Stage Apprentice  |  * Member Actors' Equity Association 


 

About The Play

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

 

“The people in this play are struggling toward something beautiful—for a place where everybody’s okay. Yet the question that keeps getting begged is, who gets to decide what everybody being okay is?”

– Anna D. Shapiro

 

“At forward-thinking Eureka Day School, all decisions are made by consensus, and everyone’s opinion is valued. But when a crisis puts their children in danger, it turns out that Eureka Day parents have different definitions of safety.”

In numerous interviews about researching his play, our playwright Jonathan Spector, spoke of something he had not expected. “I’d had the experience a few times in the Bay Area of talking with people who I know are super smart, highly educated people with whom I agree on 99% of issues and then being shocked to discover that on this one thing we existed in different realities. So that was interesting to me. 

Also, unlike gun control or abortion or climate change, beliefs around vaccines don’t track closely with political beliefs. There are vaccine skeptics on both the left and the right (although they get there different ways).”

In this play that was the first commission from Aurora’s Originate+Generate program, you will more than likely find that the debate over vaccinations, which is actually more intense now then when this play premiered in 2018 (and remains set at that date), hits home as the school community confronts the central question of our era: how do you find consensus when you can’t agree on the facts?  

In an interview a few months after the Broadway production had closed and the play was beginning to be performed far and wide, Spector was asked, “Did you ever think in 2017 that Eureka Day would fare as well as it has, or that it would be so on point in 2025?”

He replied, “ I certainly never imagined that it would have so much life beyond Berkeley. You know, it was commissioned for a theater in Berkeley – and I was living in Berkeley – and really I was just trying to write something that would be the most Berkeley thing I could for that audience and that theater. And people responded really positively to it in that first production in Berkeley, but you know, I didn’t really know if that was just because people like seeing themselves reflected on stage. Would it actually resonate with anybody outside of Berkeley? So it was really exciting to see how much people connected to it I guess in that classic universality through specificity kind of thing.”

He goes on to say, “Any time you write a play, at least when I write a play but I think most people, you become very obsessed with something to the degree that you’re much more obsessed with it than everybody else and they get annoyed hearing you talk about it. So it was very strange that what felt like a private obsession of mine became sort of a global obsession. We all had to wrestle with these ideas and these terms and these realities and these choices.”

Isn’t the opportunity to wrestle with ideas like these, these realities and choices, one of the reasons we come to Capital Stage?

 


 

About The Playwright

by K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

 

“Whenever you’re writing anything that has any kind of political valence, the danger is always that you’re gonna offer up some neat answer on a platter to an audience—which leaves no space for the audience, and it feels false, because we know life is messier than that.” 

–Jonathan Spector

 

Jonathan Spector, an award-winning playwright based in Northern California, found himself majorly feted in 2025 when his play, EUREKA DAY, won the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Drama League Award, for Best Revival of a play. His other award-winning works have been produced on and off Broadway, regionally, and internationally, including his plays THIS MUCH I KNOW (Edgerton Award); BIRTHRIGHT; BEST AVAILABLE (Elizabeth George Commission); and SIESTA KEY.

His plays have been produced at theaters across the United States and a few across the various oceans from his former home theatre, the Aurora in Berkeley (the birthplace of EUREKA DAY), to the Burgtheater, The National Theater of Austria. To this list, one can add the Manhattan Theater Club, The Old Vic/Sonia Friedman Productions, Hampstead Theater, Theater J, Miami New Drama, Asolo Rep, Syracuse Stage, InterAct, Shotgun Players, Mosaic Theater, Colt Coeur, Just Theater, and the State Theater of South Australia.

On his website, Spector likes to describe himself as “a graduate of the much-besieged New College of Florida and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State. In his misspent youth as an aspiring director, he was a member of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, a frequent collaborator with The Civilians, and a dealer at New York's largest underground poker club.”

In spite of or perhaps because of that seemingly checkered past, Spector’s honors list includes two Glickman Awards for Best Play to premiere in the San Francisco Bay Area, two Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards, the Rella Lossy Award, Theater Bay Area Award, and a WhatsOnStage Award Nomination. He has been a Playwrights Center Core Writer, as well as a TheatreWorks Core Writer, and MacDowell Fellow. Spector’s numerous residencies have included SPACE at Ryder Farm Resident, and Playwrights Foundation Resident Playwright. He is currently working on commissions from the Roundabout Theater Company, La Jolla Playhouse and Manhattan Theater Club with his work being published by Dramatists Play Service/Broadway Licensing.

Spector cares deeply about the audience, and their reaction to a play. In an interview/discussion shortly before the Broadway production went into rehearsal Spector spoke about what would become a notable scene in the play, and I have no doubt you will know when you see it. “The most out-of-body experience I’ve ever had in the theatre was during the first preview of this play. I really did not understand how that live-stream scene works, and none of us working on the production had any idea that the audience was going to respond in the way they did...You just cannot understand what a play is until you have an audience.”

 


 

Meet the Company

Kurt Johnson*

Don
Kurt Johnson* - Don Kurt returns to Capital Stage with EUREKA DAY. An active member of the Sacramento theatre scene since 1994, he has performed in or directed over one hundred productions. Favorites include THE CHRISTIANS, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF?, and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT (B Street Theatre); THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Sacramento Theatre Company); CABARET (Sacramento Music Circus); and his last appearance at Capital Stage, MAURITIUS (2010, on the Delta King riverboat). Kurt is semi-retired from acting and works as a computer programmer at UC Davis. He thanks his wife, Hilary, for her love and tolerance, and his kids, Cameron, Jake, and Kate, for enduring the bad dad jokes and "unique" dance moves.

Shannon Mahoney*

Suzanne
Shannon Mahoney* - Suzanne Shannon Mahoney is thrilled to be back at Capital Stage! She is a Sacramento-based actor, director, and choreographer. Acting credits include FAIRVIEW, GLORIA, MAPLE AND VINE, CLYBOURNE PARK, and ENRON at Capital Stage; THE LADIES FOURSOME and THE SOUND OF FREEDOM at B Street Theatre; Sacramento Theatre Company’s production of THE CRUCIBLE; KILLER JOE and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Big Idea Theatre. Some recent choreography credits include: VIETGONE, MR. BURNS, ANNA KARENINA at Capital Stage; MR. BURNS, CABARET, RENT at Falcon’s Eye Theatre. She holds an MFA from CSU Fullerton and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Atim Udoffia*

Carina
Atim Udoffia* - Carina Atim Udoffia is an actor, director, and mother of two working in theatre and film in the Sacramento and Bay Area. Udoffia recently produced and adapted her first grass-roots theatre project at the CLARA Auditorium, Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT, playing the role of Rosalind. She has appeared at Capital Stage (AMERICAN FAST, DISGRACED, CLYBOURNE PARK), STC (MACBETH, THE TEMPEST), Aurora Theatre Company (THE ROYALE), and other Bay Area and L.A. stages. Udoffia has directed multiple shows at Big Idea Theatre, where she received two theatre-festival Best Director awards. Udoffia earned a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University before pursuing acting training in London and Los Angeles. She thanks Michael Stevenson and Amy Resnick for this beautiful ride in EUREKA DAY.

Mayette McDonald

Meiko
Mayette McDonald - Meiko Mayette McDonald is a local Filipina-American actor and voiceover artist. She holds a BA in Theatre from California State University, Sacramento. Previous credits include POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE (Big Idea Theatre), AFTER THE BLAST (Big Idea Theatre), GLORIA (Capital Stage), THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW (B Street Theatre), and several seasons of B Street Theatre’s School Tour throughout Northern California and the Bay Area. She has won several acting awards from the Sacramento Film and Music Festival.

Chris Sharpe

Eli
Chris Sharpe - Eli Chris Sharpe is excited to be returning to the Capital Stage Family with EUREKA DAY, he has been previously seen as Trifko Grabez in ARCHDUKE, Sam Hendrix in WAIT UNTIL DARK, Gaston in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Tommy in A DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW, and Officer Tierney in CLARA. He would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sacramento community for always supporting the arts. You can find him displaying and selling his artwork at the Midtown Farmers Market and at www.renegadecompass.com

Lydia Crist^

Winter
Lydia Crist^ - Winter Lydia is so happy to be making her debut at Capital Stage! She has her degree in acting and directing from George Fox University, and is currently part of the Capital Stage Apprenticeship Program. She has previously played Annelle in STEEL MAGNOLIAS and Nellie in JEKYLL AND HYDE at Convergence Theatre Company. Enjoy the show!

Michael Cross

U/S Don

Taylor Burris

U/S Suzanne

Taylor Vaughan

U/S Carina
Taylor Vaughan - U/S Carina Taylor Vaughan’s productions include: Maria in TWELFTH NIGHT at Sacramento Theatre Company, Dido in AN OCTOROON at CapStage, Regan in BACHELORETTE at Big Idea Theatre, Tituba in THE CRUCIBLE, and Rosencrantz in HAMLET at STC. During the pandemic, she performed THE M(O)THERS on Zoom, exploring police violence in the Bay Area. She also played Eugene in *DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW: SCOTTSBORO BOYS in 2023 at Celebration Arts and most recently was in TINY TRAILBLAZERS: KIDS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD at B Street Theatre. Taylor made her feature film debut in WHIRLPOOL (Amazon Prime) and starred in the short film I REMEMBER YESTERDAY (YouTube) both with Imani Mitchell. She’s thrilled to be back at CapStage!

Lily Young

U/S Meiko

Jonathan Spector

Playwright
Jonathan Spector - Playwright Jonathan Spector is Tony Award-winning playwright based in Northern California, whose work has been produced on and off Broadway, regionally, and internationally. His plays include EUREKA DAY (2025 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award, for Best Revival); THIS MUCH I KNOW (Edgerton Award); BIRTHRIGHT; BEST AVAILABLE (Elizabeth George Commission); and SIESTA KEY. Spector’s plays have been produced at theaters including Manhattan Theater Club, The Old Vic/Sonia Friedman Productions, Aurora Theater, Hampstead Theater, Theater J, Miami New Drama, Asolo Rep, Syracuse Stage, InterAct, Shotgun Players, Mosaic Theater, Colt Coeur, Just Theater, the State Theater of South Australia and Burg Theater (The National Theater of Austria). Honors include two Glickman Awards for Best Play to premiere in the San Francisco Bay Area, two Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards, Rella Lossy Award, Theater Bay Area Award, and a WhatsOnStage Award Nomination. He has been a Playwrights Center Core Writer, TheatreWorks Core Writer, MacDowell Fellow, SPACE at Ryder Farm Resident, Playwrights Foundation Resident Playwright and is currently working on commissions from Roundabout Theater Company, La Jolla Playhouse and Manhattan Theater Club, His work is published by Dramatists Play Service/Broadway Licensing. Jonathan is a graduate of the much-besieged New College of Florida and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State. In his misspent youth as an aspiring director, he was a member of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, a frequent collaborator with The Civilians, and a dealer at New York's largest underground poker club. He is represented by CAA and Kaplan/Perrone entertainment.

Amy Resnick

Director
Amy Resnick - Director Amy Resnick is happy to be back in the director's chair at Capital Stage. Directing credits include: BAD JEWS, Capital Stage, BAD JEWS: American Stage, BELOW THE BELT: B St Theatre, WHY WE HAVE A BODY: B Street Theatre, THE AFFECTIONS OF MAY: B Street Theatre, THE AGENT: New Georges (Off Broadway), THIS IS OUR YOUTH: B Street Theatre, COWS, CARS AND CAFFEINE: Theatre Rhinoceros. Amy is a proud member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab. She is also an actor of stage, tv and film and has appeared in many shows at Capital Stage.

Michael Stevenson

Artistic Director
Michael Stevenson - Artistic Director For Capital Stage, Michael has directed THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, KING JAMES, 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.

Liz Gray

Managing Director
Liz Gray holds an MFA in Arts Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management (Virginia Tech); a BFA (NYU, Tisch); and certifications from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London) and the Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC). Previously, Liz worked as a strategic planner, capital campaign designer, arts marketer, accessibility auditor, community engagement coordinator, and fundraiser; and has taught accessible communications and theatre arts courses collegiately. Liz presented research on nonprofit fiscal embeddedness within city-entities at the League of Historic American Theatres’ Conference, and facilitated communications workshops at Rutgers University and the Society for In Vitro Biology.

Tony Gabrielson

Production & Company Manager
Tony has worked with many theaters and dance companies locally and around the country over the last 20 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 Capital Stage's Technical Director since 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 11th year in the field, and he hopes you enjoy our shows. Lots of love to Clarissa and all of his loved ones.

Melissa Jernigan*

Stage Manager
Melissa Jernigan* - Stage Manager Melissa most recently worked at Capital Stage on UNSEEN and the world premiere of EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT. She has been stage managing at Capital Stage since 2016. Some of her favorites include VIETGONE, THE NETHER, STUPID F##KING BIRD, CLYDE’S and THE HOMBRES. Other credits include being a PA on Broadway’s LENNON, Off-Broadway: FELA! the Lagos Tour, David Cromer’s OUR TOWN, John Leguizamo: A WORK IN PROGRESS, BEAUTY OF THE FATHER at Manhattan Theatre Club, BREATH & IMAGINATION at Hartford Stage, OUR TOWN starring Helen Hunt at The Broad Theatre in Santa Monica. She was a sub stage manager on HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD in SF and this past holiday season returned to her roots as an ASM on ELF: THE MUSICAL at Broadway at Music Circus. She is a proud Equity Member. When she’s not inside the stage management booth with her good friend Ed Lee, Melissa enjoys spending time with her Husband and two sons.

Maddie Hardiman

Assistant Stage Manager

Eric Broadwater

Scenic Designer
Eric Broadwater is currently the Professor of Scene Design and Chair of the Theater Department at California State University Stanislaus where he has designed and supervised over 30 productions. His professional work includes scenic designs and set painting in regional and local theaters all over the country. Recent credits include GEORGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, THE ROYALE, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, and THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Capital Stage, KINKY BOOTS with Ray of Light Theatre, 9 TO 5 at 6th St Playhouse, and THE LOST CLAUSE at B St. Theatre. He also works as a freelance 3D digital artist with a focus on Interactive Environments. www.BroadwaterScenic.com

Patrick O'Reilly

Lighting Designer
Patrick O'Reilly - Lighting Designer Patrick O’Reilly is delighted to be working with the talented folks at Capital Stage again. Previous designs include THE HOMBRES, GEORGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY and THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Capital Stage, DEATH & HARRY HOUDINI and RANKED at UC Davis, IN LOVE & WARCRAFT and THE WIZ at American River College. He is the Head Electrician with the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance. He holds AAs in Technical Theatre and Acting from American River College and a BS in Computer Engineering from UC Santa Barbara.

Naomi Saraceno Wiemken

Associate Lighting Designer
Naomi is excited to be working as an Associate Lighting Designer for EUREKA DAY! She's designed lighting for productions such as SMOOTH CRIMINAL performed at the UC Davis Wyatt Pavilion stage and SHE KILLS MONSTERS at the UC Davis Main Stage. Outside of UC Davis, she has done stage managing for well known productions such as ANIMAL FARM and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. She's had the opportunity to work on intimate and immersive performances and art installations such as REFUGE and TAMING THE LIGHTNING. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Ryan McKinney

Associate Lighting Designer
Ryan McKinney is a UC Davis theatre student returning for their second show at Capital Stage. They previously worked on THE LEHMAN TRILOGY. Ryan would like to thank the rest of the lighting design team, Patrick O’Reilly and Naomi Wiemken, for the opportunity to work on EUREKA DAY, as well as all of the people at Capital Stage for another great show.

Ethan Hollinger

Projections Designer
Ethan Hollinger returns for his sixth Capital Stage production, designing the projections for EUREKA DAY — where buffering screens, livestreams, and well-meaning chaos collide. When he’s not animating the internet’s collective meltdown, he serves as Head of Theatrical Design at UC Davis, helping students embrace the strange and rewire the grid—sometimes literally. A writer, artist, musician, and advocate, his lighting, sound, and media designs span theatre, dance, opera, art installations, and concerts across the country. Recent work includes THE LEHMAN TRILOGY (Capital Stage), SHE KILLS MONSTERS (UC Davis), DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS (B Street Theatre), STUPID FUCKING BIRD (UMD), and ONCE (Duluth Playhouse).

EJ Agata

Assistant Projections Designer
EJ Agata (he/they/she), 22, is a recent graduate of UC Davis, having double majored in English and Theatre. This is his first time working with Capital Stage and he’s grateful for the opportunity to do so! He's also happy to work with Ethan Hollinger yet again. When they aren't working in theatrical design, EJ is a teaching artist in Davis and the Bay Area, educating the theatre makers of the future. EJ’s recent works include: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (SPARC), GROUNDHOG DAY (Studio 301), and SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS (UC Davis). EJ also writes, reads fiction, and bakes in his free time.

Rebecca A. Valentino

Costume Designer
Rebecca is delighted to return to Capital Stage where previous productions include EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT, FAIRVIEW, CRY IT OUT, AMERICAN FAST, 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.

Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal

Properties Designer
Riley Cisneros-Gruenthal is thrilled to be part of the team for THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, her 11th show with Capital Stage (their work was previously seen in KING JAMES, UNSEEN, EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT, ENGLISH, GEORIGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, THE HEART SELLERS, CLYDES, ARCHDUKE, & CRY IT OUT). Riley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Oregon University in 2020 with a degree in Theatre Arts. Previous credits include props designer for CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, WAIT UNTIL DARK, and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Sacramento Theatre Company.

Ed Lee

Sound Designer
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.

Hailey Bowland^

Assistant Sound Designer
Hailey Bowland has recently been brought into the Capital Stage family as an aspiring apprentice and is delighted to be working as the assistant sound designer for EUREKA DAY. As a recent graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Theater and Design, Hailey is thrilled to be diving into the professional world of theater. She would like to thank the amazing people at Capital Stage for the opportunity as well as the family, friends, and professors who have continued in their support of Hailey's passion for storytelling and the arts. For her family- Love you Most!

Samantha McLean Haas

Scenic Charge Artist
Samantha has been painting sets for over 15 years in the greater Sacramento area. She’s absolutely thrilled to be joining Capital Stage for her sixth season as Scenic Charge Artist. In addition to Capital Stage, she’s worked at Sacramento City College, Sierra College, California State University Sacramento, University of California Davis, Sacramento Theatre Company, B Street, and Broadway at Music Circus.

Nicole C. Limón

Intimacy Coordinator
Nicole C. Limón is a director/actor/dramaturg and theatre faculty at California State University, Sacramento. She is founder of Matriarchy Theatre and Associate Artistic Director of Teatro Espejo. She most recently served as Intimacy Coordinator for UNSEEN and EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT (Capital Stage,) THE ART OF WAR and NOSOTROS LA GENTE: WE THE PEOPLE (B Street Theatre), HAIR (Broadway Music Circus) and BEFORE IT HITS HOME (Celebration Arts,) She also served as dramaturg on the Capital Stage productions of ENGLISH, FAIRVIEW, FADE, THE HEARTSELLERS and CLYDES’S, among others. Recent directing: EVERYBODY; DANCE NATION, HOUSE OF DESIRES (CSUS,) QUANTUM, JUST A PINCH (Matriarchy Theatre,) FADE, SANCTUARY CITY (Teatro Espejo,) BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK (Celebration Arts.). Associate Member, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

K. Kevyne Baar, PhD

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, ARCHDUKE, NOW CIRCA THEN, EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT and KING JAMES. Kevyne also serves as Literary Manager for Capital Stage’s popular new play festival, Playwrights' Revolution. 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.

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

LIZ GRAY - 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

SHAE MERCER - Lead Electrician

CECILIA CASTILLO JUAREZ - Concessions & Box Office Associate 

YASMINE SALMERON - Production Associate

K. KEVYNE BAAR, PhD - Resident Dramaturg

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

ELIJAH PETERS - Infection Control Manager, Payroll & Administrative Assistant

2025/26 SEASON APPRENTICE COMPANY - Hailey Bowland, Stephen Byrum, Lydia Crist, James Simpson


 

Capital Stage Board Members

Lori Abbott Moreland
Arts Patron

Chastity E. Benson
California State Association of Counties

Dan Brunner, Treasurer
Arts Patron

Kathryn E. Doi, Board President
Feldesman Leifer LLP

Beth Hassett
CEO, WEAVE

Stephen C. Jones
Professor and Vice Chair of the CSUS Dept of Theatre and Dance

Steve Koonce
Arts Patron

Elena Lopez-Gusman, Chair of Governance
Executive Director, California Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians

Dena Martinez
Talen Agent, Director, Actor

Kristi Quesada Mathisen, Board Vice President
Sacramento Country Day School

Clif McFarland
Attorney

Robert Medina
Director of Policy & Advocacy, Sobrato Philanthropies

Stephanie Rowe, Board Secretary
Professor, Sacramento City College

Vince Sales
Everyday Impact Consulting

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

Arlen Orchard
SMUD

Julie Stark
Arts Patron


 

Donors

Special Thanks to our Donors

Donation Totals from 10/14/24 to 10/15/25

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


 

Founder's Circle: $20,000+

Dan Brunner
Donna Chipps
Drs. John & Lois Crowe
Kathryn Doi
Golden 1 Credit Union
Lesley & Steve Koonce
Sacramento City Office of Arts and Culture
The Shubert Foundation
Chuck & Nancy Shulock

 

Executive Producer: $10,000+

John Abbott & Lori Abbott Moreland
Chastity Benson
Rebecca Boyd
Kathryn Doi
Gloriette C. Fong
James McElroy & Ann Gerhardt
Anita Scuri & James Simon
Julie Stark
Patricia Wall & David Stavarek
Ruth Werner

 

Producer: $6,000+

Walter & Linda Barnes
Marcy Barnett
Steven Debry
Gail Finney
Deborah Franklin & Douglas Mitten
Linda McAtee & Steve Sphar
Gretchen Peralta
Leonard Vincent Sales
Art & Sue Scotland
Howard Slyter & Marge Ginsburg
Barbara Sommer
Ed Telfeyan & Jeri Paik

 

Director: $3,000+

Susie & Jim Burton
Ted Cobb
Theresa Corrigan
Kathy Davenport & Ken Weiss
Lisa Foster
James R Hargrove
Beth Hassett
Diane Holt
Dean & Sandi Karagianes
Robert Klass & Katy Globus
Michael Koltnow & Kathleen Stack
Scott & Linda Lasher
Dennis Link
Bob Mandelson
Clif McFarland
Rani Pettis
Stephanie Rowe
Peter Saucerman & Susan Twining
Diane Schertz
Tom & Hedda Smithson
Marty & Janet Steiner
Shirlee Tully
Susan Wheeler
Joan Williams
Gloria & Don Yost

 

Lead Actor: $1,200+

Jacob & Beth Appelsmith
Peggy Beasley
David Bell & Katherine Newman
Linda Brandenburger
Carol Buck & Dennis Beaty
Margaret L Buss
Kathleen Collins
Gayle Dax-Conroy
Cindy Dunning
Susan Edling
Jeffrey Farley & Mike Tentis
Patty French
Carole Fritz
Curtis Fritz
Helen & Glenn Hakanson
Matt Hart
Jane Hing
Lisa & Garen Horst
Stephanie & David Hunt
Laura Jackson
Barbara Jeffus
Janet Jensen
Dawn & Dave King
Marion Leff
Claire Lipschultz
Tiffany Little Canfield
Elena Lopez-Gusman
Dena Martinez & Paul Verke
Eugene Masuda
Kristi Quesada Mathisen & Josh Mathisen
Robert Medina
Peter Mohrmann & David Harris
Karen Neuwald
Christopher Price
Laurie Nelson Randlett & Jim Randlett
Jim Rolewicz & Tim Curfman
Glenn & Rose Rondeau
Ken Rothaus
Lori Saper
Kim Silvers & Sheila Cardno
Owen Smith
Roger & Barbara Smith
Rae-Nani Stokes
Robert Suskind & Leslie Lewinter-Suskind
Robert & Michele Van Eyken
Diane Van Maren
Denise Verbeck
Megan Van Voorhis
Peggy Wheeler
Carol Wolff Barnes
Claudia Wrazel & Frank Horowitz

 

Designer: $600+

Chris Abare
Wendell Alderson & Ken Nather
Kathleen Anderson
Stephen & Melva Arditti
David & Marsha Baskins
Karen Broido
Dr. William Bronston & Lisa Levering
Les & Peggy Chisholm
Annabel Cooper
Ellen Covairt & Bernard Kalscheuer
Jim & Kathleen Deeringer
Fred Deneke & Jim Eastman
Matt Donaldson & Steve Kyriakis
Nancy Erman
Richard & Barbara Falcon
Griff Field
Pamela Fitch
Wiley Fowler
Muffy & Terry Francke
David Fulk & Keith Riedell
Brian Galacio
Randy Getz
Carol & Steven Goldberg
Mary Graziose
Linda Gregory
Ed Hall & Warren Lindeleaf
Team Hanseth
Eileen Heaser
Zheyla Henriksen
Mary Herbert
Hirst Law Group, P.C.
Josh Horowitz & Patti Baggett
Laura Kee & Daryl Browne
Sayuri Kuo Sharper
Beverly & Ronald Lamb
Dr. John & Rosemary Lamb
Sandy Lee
Shannon Mahoney & Kirk Blackinton
John Marinko
Steven Meinrath & Helen Nusbaum
Ed Mills
Keetha Mills & Phil Nanni
Julie Morandi
Amanda Nelson
Danielle & Dean Newberry
Sara Nichols
Catherine O'Brien
Richard Pearson & Jean Hart
John Peirce
Gail Pereira
Lowell Richardson & Paula Sugarman
Brian Rickel
Ron Robie
Judy & Mike Scheible
Ann Siprelle
Sara Slocum
Patricia Symkowick
Robert Thompson
Shirley Toy & Dwight Crocker
Stephanie Tucker
Harold & Ilah Turner
Catherine Van Aken
Kim Varner
Chris Wagner
Buzz Wiesenfeld
Karen Willstatter
John Wilson & Susie Monary-Wilson

 

Ensemble: $300+

Candace & Doug Adams
John & Kathleen Agnew
Jean Alford
David Alois & Jacquie Embs
John Angell
Karen Auwaerter
Robert & Laura Jane Young
Eloise & James Barter
Don Beckham
Ruthann Biel & Bill Claypool
Barbara Black
Robert & Jean Bonar
Peter Botto
Margaret & Stephen Brush
Carin & Bob Bryans
Celia Buckley
Lyndsay Burch
Steve Buri
Marilyn Champa
Greg & Marlene Cook
Timothy Corcoran
Gail Dartez & Don McGillivray
Jim Dodds
Katherine Downey
Tracie & Richard Fike
Niva Flor
Patty Garcia & Jim Mattesich
Anne Geraghty
Cynthia Gerber
Adrienne Graham
William & Margaret Gray
Dennis Gunvalson & Richard Bay
Chris Huber & S. B. Hadley Wilson
Linda & Simon Haines
Linda Hansen
Polly Hasemann
Sherry Haus
Robert Herne
Theresa Holden
Mike & Doris Horton
Gary & Eva Incaudo
Lawrence Jacobs
Don Johnson & Elizabeth Miller
David & Kathy Kahn
Leili Khalessi
Jolanta Kieturakis
Allyce Kimerling
Jane Kirkland
Pamela Kisor
Derry Knight
Brian & Dorothy Landsberg
Dan & Stephanie Leahy
Jonathan C Lewis
Dennis Mangers & Michael Sestak
Terry McLean
George Meyer
Steve & Cheryl Meyer
Mr. Colin A. Miller
Becky & Bob Norris
Erin O'neil
Tracey O'Reilly
Steve Patwell
Enid Pritikin
James Queirolo
Patti Roberts
Bob & Shirley Rosenberg
Randy Sater
Fred & Polly Schack
Gerald Sharp
Joe Shea
Janet S Shibamoto-Smith
Elaine Silver
Karen Smith
Susanne Sommer & George Ramsey
Susan & Ken Taylor
Nina Thomson
Rachel Tooker & Randy Roberts
Michael & Barbara Ullman
Irene Velasquez
Elaine Verbarg
James O Walker Jr
Bryan Weare
LeRose Weikert
Jonathan Williams
Richard & Kathy Williams
Wendy & Mark Zlotlow

 

Patron: $150+

Meredith Abby
Elaine Alexander
Susan Andrews
Anonymous
Terri Auwaerter
Kristine Backus
Maria Balakshin
Debra Baldwin
Heidi Ballard
Kim Barragan
Susan Benson
Ricki Bergado
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Karen Bleuel
Lydia Bourne
Bruce Bowers
Todd Boyd
Daniel Braunstein
Janis Briggs
Constance Brown
Terry Brown
Ted Calvert
Henry Chambers
Bernice Chin
Allison Claire
Idelle & Dan Claypool
Marilyn Cooper
Lyn & Jim Crouch
Marcus Crowder & Laura Compton
Prietto Cueto Fund
Anthony & Margie Deriggi
Kelly Dodge
Kathy Dona
Deirdre Downes
Anne Duffey
Kathryn Dunker
Elizabeth Edwards
Stuart Eldridge
Linda Esten
Clint Fleener
Carolyn Foland
Leah E Frey
Kelli Frostad
Carol Goodman & Tony Gane
Lisa Goodwill
Patricia Gregory
Marina Gunst
J Paul & Judy Guyer
Ann & Charles Halsted
Suzanne Hanrahan
Dan Harlan
Linda Huang
Marlys Huez
Kim Hunter
Lydia Inghram
Jean Jackman
Samuel Jenkins
Anne Jennings
Lial Jones
Jason Jong
Jonel Jorgensen & Dennis Lloyd
Jo Ann Joye
Cat Karell
John Katonah
Jamie Khan
Mimi Khan
Kay Michelle Khayat
Anne Knuut
Nancy LaCasse
Paul & Jane Lammerding
Susie LaPointe
John Leonard
Janice Levin
Janet Lial
Joanne Matsui & Arthur Lai
Geoff Maxey
Nancy McDevitt & David Wolffs
Lynne Meredith
Connor Mickiewicz
Diane & Lisa Moore
Karen Morrison
Hallie Morrow
Scott Moyer
Kimberly Mueller
Carly Narlesky
Mary O'Byrne
Michael Paparian
David Paul
Barbara Payne
Larry Pearson
Jeff & Karin Pelz
Sarah Phelan
Karyn Quan
David L. Reed
Nancy Roberts
Rachel Roberts
Christine Rodrigues
Carol Rogers & Jon Courtway
Patrick Romano
Kurt Rosen
Ruth Rosenberg
Linda Roth
Ann Samuelson
Deborah Seiler
Adrienne Shapiro
Shonna Shearson
Adrienne Sher
Jean & David Shiomoto
Michael Sicilia
Nancy Silva
Susan & Ross Siragusa
Chris & Julia Smith
Robert Snider
James E Soller
Neill SooHoo
Pamela Stewart
David Stolcenberg
Harry & Linda Struthers
Patricia Sturdevant
Dan & Karen Tajbl
Adele Taylor
Penelope Taylor
Sharon Taylor
Patty Torbert & Ken Graber
Mildred Torrance
Devin Valdez
Dennis Valentine
Rebecca Valentino
Christi Van Eyken
Kristina Vandershaf
Peter & Karen Von Elten
Robin Wallace
Kevin Walsh
Martha West
John & Carole Whitelaw
Steven Winlock
Arnold Wolf & Fern Tablin
Mary Worthington

 

"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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