Little Women

Content Warnings: 

Depiction of death/description of the death of a child, use of alcohol, descriptions of sexism, physical violence

Director's Note

Back in December of 2022 I was searching for a play to direct. Since my sophomore year I knew that I wanted nothing more than to direct a show with PAC my senior year, and I wanted the show to have a message that meant something to me. The only question was: what show?

In November of 2022 I found myself at the Drama Book Shop in NYC browsing through the array of plays they had until the title of Little Women caught my eye, a story that I have actually never read through before. Though the play adaptation I first read was not bad, I was not in love with it. This led me to read over 10 different play adaptations before I finally came across the one you will be seeing today by the playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger, my amazing dramaturg Sof describes exactly why I fell in love with this adaptation in their note so I won’t go into it.

Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaptation of Little Women is what blossomed my love, passion, and drive to bring this story to the stage. It is one of the most brilliant films I have ever seen and I found that Greta put the story together in a way that truly connects you to every character and the stories they have, from her use of color to the way she put together the past and present timelines. I could go on and on about her film, but I think just watching it will speak for itself. 

A lot of the responses I’ve gotten from telling people that I am directing Little Women was a mix of pure excitement and confusion because the story is so old. When you really think about it, the topics of the story are still very prevalent today as they were back then. Little Women is about love, loss, sisterhood, and the pursuit of dreams - something that we all have experienced one time or another. This story celebrates strength in even the darkest times, and the challenges of growing up and finding your place and purpose in the world and keeping your truth and happiness in mind while doing so. 

As you sit here in this space that I found perfect for this play, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the lives of the March family and indulge in their joys of sisterhood, the warmth of family, and the discovery of relationships with self and others. This show is reliant on collaboration and connectivity - so feel free to fully let yourself settle into the world of Little Women. It will make you feel an array of emotions in a short amount of time - I encourage you to let yourself feel, it is a gift that we have the ability to do so. Little Women may be set in the mid-1800s but the themes are still universal and timeless. Take the time here to explore the complexity of family (chosen or not), identity, self-discovery, and the journey of finding the things that make you happiest while still being able to hold yourself up.

The beautiful thing about this timeless story is that you will be able to find a piece of yourself in at least one character. Meg is a girl that follows her heart's desire and will follow those wants even if they are “traditional” and sometimes have a weakness for life’s luxuries, Jo is always fighting for her dreams and her strong will sometimes gets the best of her, Amy is ambitious and learns to work with everything she has rather than against, Beth is compassionate and selfless especially when it comes to her family, Marmee will always fight for her family even in the hardest of times, Laurie is a charismatic boy that though to the eye his life seems perfect he is still dealing with more than anyone knows, and John is a smart and responsible man that always tries his best to do the right thing. Each person is so beautifully complex and I guarantee you will find a piece of yourself in this show.

To my cast, I cannot thank you enough for bringing these characters to life in so many beautiful ways and for bringing so many new and exciting things to them and making them your own even if they were created so long ago. 

To my team, I am constantly in awe of your minds and talent. From preliminary designs to bringing it all to the stage, you all have never failed to amaze me - thank you so much for bringing my thoughts to the stage in grander ways than I could have imagined. 

To my brilliant stage manager Olivia, I could not have done it without you. You have been a dream during this entire process and your leadership has led us to something so beautiful. 

To Gabby, you have dealt with all my insane thoughts and ideas and have been so amazing to work with, thank you for working so hard by my side - you have added so much that absolutely glues this show together. 

To Becca, your artistry never fails to amaze me, your pictures and videos are perfect and I am so grateful for all of the beautiful work you have put into this production - thank you for always going the extra mile when you didn't have to. 

To my parents & family, thank you for always allowing me to follow my dreams just as many do in this very show. I could not have done this without all of your support.

To my best friends in the STEPS house, Alexa, Andrew, Sivan and Matthew: I could not have done this without all of your love and support throughout every doubt in my abilities I had to every time I needed to get all my excitement out about this show to you. I love you and I am so happy to be spending my senior year living with you. 

And thank you to the PAC executive board for being a wonderful help with making sure this production runs as smoothly as possible.

Thank you so much for being here, I leave you with this quote and that you’re taking the show into your hands, now please:

“Close your eyes,take my hands, now feel” - Barbie (2023 - Greta Gerwig)

- Bowie Rivera, Director

Dramaturgy Note

Jacqueline Goldfinger’s Little Women is one of many adaptations of the renowned novel by Louisa May Alcott, but it is one of the only to give an equal light and humanization to each sister; because they are inspired by real women. It has been a gift to dive deeper into Louisa, Anna, Elizabeth, and May’s lives, and see how similar (or different) they were to their inspired characters - some more literal than others. Louisa’s writing style flipped gender roles on their heads throughout several of her works, often thanks to her progressive intellectual background and a household that didn’t adhere strictly to gender norms of the time. 

Her writings not only examined gender roles in the US, but also represented the country during and after the civil war; the destruction, the rebuilding, and the injustice. Her fierce commitment to the abolition, suffragette, and feminist movements can be noted through each of her works, and her dreams of progression have made their mark by influencing generation after generation of women and girls since the release of Little Womenin 1868. 

May you see a part of yourself in the March family, whether that be through the awkward John Brooke, the hopeful Laurie, Beth’s kindness, Meg’s desire for love, the ambition of Amy, Marmee’s wisdom, or the headstrong, dream-chasing Jo March. 

“I like adventures, and I’m going to find some.” - Jo March

- Sofia DiCarlo, Dramaturg

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Ashley Giaccio

Jo March

Ashley Giaccio (Jo March) (she/they) is a senior BFA Musical Theater major and Creative Writing minor from New Hartford New York. Her department credits include: Natasha Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Marya), Radium Girls (Mrs. Fryer/Madam Curie), and New Works Now (Flora Skora), as well as being the playwright of Mason Wright is Not A Mother. Her Professional credits include: HAPPILY: The Musical (Mattie), Peter & the Starcatcher (Lord Aster), as well as appearing in the feature film The Mountain, directed by Rick Alverson. Upcoming credits include: The Crucible (Judge Danforth) in April. Ashley could not be more excited to share this beautiful story of girlhood and growing up with all of you. Working with this cast and crew has been a joy, and she is so thankful to have become a family, if only for a little while, with each and every one of them. Enjoy!

Erin Houghtaling

Amy March

Erin Houghtaling (Amy March) (she/her) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major from Syracuse, NY and could not be more grateful to be a part of Little Women as her #fredlast PAC experience!! Fredonia credits include: This Random World, SLUT, The Dolls of New Albion, and Small Mouth Sounds with PAC, as well as Our Town, The Wild Party and this spring's Abigail 1702 on the MainStage. She is also a proud fourth year member of Fredonia's Improv team: Random Acts. Erin would like to thank Bowie and the team for allowing her the opportunity to tell this classic story as well as her family, team and friends for their support! This performance is dedicated to her grandmother, Patricia Sherlock. @erinmhoughtaling / erinhoughtaling.com

Julia Ferrara

Marmee

Julia Ferrara (Marmee) (she/her) is beyond honored to be making her PAC debut in PAC's production of Jacqueline Goldfinger's Little Women! Julia is a sophomore BFA Acting major with a double minor in Music and Dance from Long Island, NY. Previously, she was the ASM for PAC's production of SLUT: The Play, and currently serves on PAC's executive board as the Executive Assistant/SA Representative. She is also the Secretary/Treasurer of Dynamic Intonation, and a member of STEPS. Julia extends her love and appreciation to all those involved in Little Women.

Arden Brown

Beth March

Arden Brown (Beth March) (she/her) is honored to be a part of PAC’s production of Little Women for her last show at Fredonia. A senior Musical Theatre major with a minor in Athletic Coaching from New York City, her previous PAC credits include Ordinary Days (Warren) and The Lifespan of A Fact (Emily Penrose). Other favorite credits: The Great Comet of 1812 (Princess Mary), Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly), and Mamma Mia! (Sophie US/Swing). She thanks Beth for her selfless soul and the March Family for their endless love, grace, and strength. And as an only child, she cannot express how much of a gift this show has been for giving her three sisters.

Emma Christmann

Meg March

Emma Christmann (Meg March) (She/Her) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major from the Pocono Mountains, PA. Her previous department credits include Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Natasha), Romeo and Juliet (Lady Capulet), The Wild Party (Ensemble) and Songs for A New World (Swing). Emma is very excited to finally make her PAC debut, she serves as the Director of Performance and Outreach on the board. #FREDlast

Phineas Goodman

Laurie

Phineas Goodman (Laurie) (He/Him) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major from Saratoga Springs, NY.

Keaton Englund

John Brooke

Keaton Englund (John Brooke) (he/him) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Seattle, WA. His previous department credits include Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Mason Wright is Not a Mother. Later this spring, he will be playing Leaf Coneybear in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Rhiannon Craver

Jo March u/s

Rhiannon Craver (Jo Understudy) (She/Her) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Whitney Point, New York. Her previous PAC credits include SLUT: The Play (Grace), and The Dolls of New Albion (Narrator). Her department credits include Into the Woods (Jack's Mom Understudy) and Mason Wright is Not a Mother (Mason Understudy). This spring she will be in the department's production of The Crucible as Susanna Walcott. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support, and the cast and production team of Little Women for all their hard work!

Stephanie Reed

Amy March u/s

Stephanie Reed (Amy U/S) (she/her) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Northern Virginia. Her previous mainstage credits include Mary US/Ensemble in Fredonia's Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 as well as Balthazar in Fredonia's Romeo and Juliet. Her most recent PAC credit was a swing in A New Brain.

Sivan Adler

Beth March u/s

Sivan Adler (U/S Beth March) (she/her) is a sophomore Acting major from Albany, NY. She is thrilled to be involved in such a special production with so many of her favorite people. Previous Fredonia credits include Mason Wright is Not a Mother, SLUT, and Romeo and Juliet. She’d like to thank the entire team for such an incredible experience.

Holden Stevenson

Laurie/John Brooke Swing

Holden Stevenson (Laurie/John Swing) is a Junior BA Theatre Arts major, with a Creative Writing minor from Palmyra, NY. His previous department credits include ASM for Pipeline, Radium Girls and Lear, as well as an SM credit for Mason Wright is Not a Mother written by the amazing Ashley Giaccio. He would like to thank all those who helped and supported him stepping on stage. He could not be happier being one of the tiniest ladies.

Bowie Rivera

Director

Bowie Rivera (Director) is a senior BA Theatre Arts major with focuses in Directing & Acting from Long Island, NY. Her previous credits include assistant director for Mason Wright is Not a Mother & assistant director for Romeo and Juliet. Upcoming credits include assistant director for Crucible/Abigail 1702. Bowie is very excited to make their directorial debut with such a beautiful show with the best people involved.

Gabby Medeck

Assistant Director/Intimacy Coordinator

Gabby Medeck (Assistant Director/Intimacy Coordinator) (They/Them) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major from Long Island, NY. Recent department credits include PAC's Hamlet and last spring's Romeo and Juliet. They can next be seen in The Crucible. They are so proud to work on this production and to end their PAC career with this amazing show. #Fredlast

Olivia Kaye

Stage Manager

Olivia Kaye (Stage Manager) (she/her) is a junior BFA Theatre Production and Design major from Schenectady NY. Most recent stage management credits include Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Mason Wright is Not a Mother, and Lear. Olivia also spent her summer at the Santa Fe Opera as a Production Assistant and a Production and Music Services Apprentice.

Nini Rodriguez

Assistant Stage Manager

Nini Rodriguez (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore psychology and theatre arts double major. Her previous shows include Night Watch, Big, The Ladies Man, Newsies, It's a Wonderful Life, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Eurydice, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Die Fledermaus. This is her first show with PAC.

Lauren Shilansky

Assistant Stage Manager

Lauren Shilansky (Assistant to the Stage Manager) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theater Major from West Hartford, CT. Other production experiences include writing, directing, and producing multiple Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus skits for her fourth grade class, as well as doing hair and makeup for her brother's kindergarten tap recital. She is ecstatic to be on the team for this production, and can't wait to see what color roses you bought her! Enjoy the show! @thelaurenshilansky

Jamie Mattheus

Costume Designer

Jamie Mattheus (Costume Designer) is a sophomore BFA Theatrical Production & Design major with a concentration in costume design from Buffalo, NY. Her previous PAC credits include Hamlet (Costume Designer) and SLUT: The Play (Board Op).

Nick Cristoforo

Sound Designer

Nick Cristoforo (Sound Designer) is a junior Music Composition major from Patchogue, NY. He is super excited to be a part of this production! Since starting at Fredonia, Nick has written a variety of music for many ensembles, along with conducting and performing alongside the sharpest musicians at the school. He is currently the PR chair for Ethos New Music Society (@ethosnewmusic), and plays an active part in both the composition and trumpet studios. Nick’s past PAC experience includes writing the original score and doing sound design for Eurydice (directed by Aidan Heaney) along with doing sound design for Hamlet (directed by Matt Neary). Nick appreciates the opportunity to be a part of bringing this story to life!

Sofia DiCarlo

Dramaturg

Sofia DiCarlo (Dramaturg) (they/them) is a senior BA Theatre Arts major with minors in Dance and Music Industry from Rochester, NY. Their first dramaturgical project was with PAC's Hamlet in the fall, and will also be dramaturg for Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind with PAC this April! Additionally, their senior capstone, @SloanneDarkSource will premiere in April, a one-act play they wrote and directed themselves. They have learned so much from working on Little Women, and are so grateful to be part of such a special and beautiful production! IG: sofiaedicarlo

Dylan Janish

Lighting Designer

Dylan Janish (Lighting Designer) (He/Him) is a junior BFA Theatrical Production and Design major from Buffalo, NY. This is his first PAC Lighting Design credit, and his 4th Lighting Design credit at SUNY Fredonia. Previous credits include Edges (Lighting Designer), Mason Wright is NOT a Mother (Lighting and Projections Designer), Merrins Fall Chamber Concert (Lighting Designer), and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Head Electrician). This past summer he worked as the Head Electrician for Maine State Music Theatre, in Brunswick, Maine, and is returning for the 2024 summer season.

Becca Torncello

Photographer and Videographer

Becca Torncello (Photographer) (she/her) is a junior Photography major from Scotia, NY. She has been working with the Theatre & Dance Department as a Photographer/Videographer for the Mainstage Productions here at SUNY Fredonia. She is also Interning with the Athletic Department as a Photographer this semester. This is Becca's third PAC show as a Photographer/Videographer and is very grateful for the experiences that she gets to share with her friends!

Andrew Bausher

Fight Choreographer

Andrew Bausher (Fight Choreographer) (he/him) is a Senior BFA Acting Major from Reading, Pennsylvania. This is his first time Fight Directing a show! When not behind the scenes, Andrew can usually be found onstage. His department credits include: Great Comet (Ensemble), Romeo & Juliet (Paris), Eurydice (Father), among others. He would like to thank Bowie and PAC for this wonderful opportunity!

Leah Brahmer

Scenic Designer

Leah Brahmer (Scenic Designer) is a senior BFA Theatrical Production and Design major with a focus in scenic from Clarence, NY. She is honored to be a part of this production with so many talented people as this is her last design before graduating in the spring. Her previous scenic design experience includes This is Our Youth and Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jharrel Liam Bernardo

Technical Director

Jharrel Liam Bernardo (he/him) (Technical Director) is a 2nd year BFA Production and Design Major with a concentration in Scenic Design and Props from Long Island, NY. His previous PAC credits include This is Our Youth (TD), and Hamlet (Scenic Designer). Jharrel hopes you enjoy WIttle Tiny LIttle Woman!

Colton Baum

Assistant Lighting Designer

Colton Baum (Assistant Lighting Designer) (He/Him) is a Sophomore BFA Theatrical Production & Design major at SUNY Fredonia, and is so excited to be the Assistant Lighting Designer for Little Women! He is originally from Syracuse, NY. Previous credits include Evil Dead: The Musical (Lighting Designer, Stage Manager), Puffs (Lighting Designer), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Assistant Head Electrician), & Merrins Fall Chamber Concert (Assistant Lighting Designer).

Special Thanks To:

The PAC 2023/2024 Executive Board, Ben Sheedy, Phil McMullen, Main Street Studios, Isabella Giraldo, Jenna Reppenhagen, Molly Gibson, Emily Flores, Bryce McCandless, Hailey Roca, Isabella Albino,Bryce McCandless, Philip Marra III, Trevor Napoli, Andrew Janowski, Dan Lendzian, Czerton Lim

Fredonia Performing Arts Company Executive Board

Executive Producer: Alexa Adler

Assistant Executive Producer: Zach Liddick

Director of Finance: Bowie Rivera

Company Manager: Aidan Heaney

Associate Company Manager: Leilanis Sanchez

General Manager: Rhiannon Craver

Director of Performance and Outreach: Emma Christmann

Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Kayla Chung

Production Manager: Jharrel Liam Bernardo

Assistant Production Manager: Ronnie Swann

Director of Operations: Gabby Medeck

Executive Assistant: Julia Ferrara

Director of Development (Freshman Representative): Bailey Peckman