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SETTING

ACT ONE

Present Time: An atypical Buffalo dive bar reminiscent of The Old Pink on Allen Street

--10 Minute Intermission--

ACT TWO

Scene One

Flashback to "Doug's Den" some 20 years ago

Scene Two

Same bar, 30 minutes later

Song List

"Canalside Summer" written by John Snodgrass

Vocalist:  Sarah Emmerling 

Cast

Creative Team

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Who doesn't like a Rock 'n' Roll story? Sure that term is reserved for the dusty shelf of nostalgia right next to the LP's only to be pulled out for those who harken back to the days of musician based music.  Although "Rust and Redemption" is a classic "Rock" story of missed opportunities, artistic differences driving the band apart, and prevailing drug use, this story is about the human elements of being in a band. 

If anyone knows the commitment made by a group of individuals when it comes to being part of a creative process (being in a band, theater production, collaborative art show, etc.), they understand the bond which comes from it. And the degrees of these bonds. There is love and there is hate, there is passion, and there is indifference. Name it and there is always two polar extremes that come from this commitment which is the nature of the collaborative beast. 

This is what makes "Rust and Redemption" so endearing. It's a story about friends who created together and now search the past for redemption. They're also looking for forgiveness from their fellow band-mates, but more importantly, from themselves, so they may close the proverbial chapter and chase away those cliche ghosts. That effort is real and wholly identifiable. This is what make this original work more than a "Rock n Roll" tale. It's a story that teaches us how we can lay the past to rest, chase away the ghosts, and happily embrace those memories which now make our present. 

Huge thanks to j Snodgrass for his willingness to listen to suggestions and embrace these edits and allowed for a collaborative group effort that made for a rewarding process. I want to also thank my cast for their patience in the process and their 100% commitment to bringing this piece to life. In particular, I want to thank Brooke Goergen for her coming in at last minute and showing complete professional dedication to the piece. 

Enjoy!

"Rust and Redemption" Director Matthew LaChiusa

PRODUCTION NOTE

American Repertory Theater of WNY wraps up another season featuring original works by 716 playwright with this production of j Snodgrass' "Rust and Redemption". Although highlighting regional works was a challenging season endeavor,  the creative rewards is enriching for the company. 

But the struggle continues to bring original works to the stage. Challenges include the creative stigma associated with new works, perceptions that it's a "deranged" idea producing original works in a complete season, patron uncomfortably with unfamiliar plays, and lack of interest in theater unless it's "Drunk Peter Pan" or "Hello Dolly". The fight is real and continuing.

However, ART/WNY will remain steadfast in premiering local playwrights and giving opportunities to those who may not find them at other Buffalo-based theaters. Because, as the company's mission statement and artistic vision maintains, in presenting works, diversity is the main goal. Not only with presentation, but with the audience base. This is achieved by affordable tickets that allows all community members to attend all ART/WNY shows. 

ART/WNY invites you to become part of a growing commitment to theater that serves a purpose. A purpose that is solely based on poignant, compelling, and diverse narratives. Proactive theater that opens community dialog. Despite opinion, this isn't deranged, unorthodox or poor business decisions. This is what will keep theater going through the digital age, Netflix narratives, and presentations relying on drunk actors or dusty ol' chestnut crowd pleasers.  

American Repertory Theater of WNY invites you to be part of this honest movement. Please join us through Facebook, Instagram, or visiting the company's website. 

Love the 716 in You! 

ART/WNY Special Thanks To:

John F Kennedy, Lara D. Haberberger, Justin Karcher, Michael Breen, Matthew Mogenson, Paul McQuillen, Catherine Burkhart, Suzanne & Michael Hibbard, Mark Humphrey, And all those who have generously their resources, time and energy to keeping ART/WNY moving forward. 

2022-23 ART/WNY Board of DIrectors

Suzanne Hibbard (Board President), Beth Geyer (Secretary), Mark Humphrey, Michael Breen, Robert Insana, Matthew LaChiusa (Treasurer), Susan King, Keith Wharton (Board Advisor), Justin Karcher (Board Advisor), Gina Schuster 

Meet the Company

Sarah Emmerling

Silvia

Sarah Emmerling (she/her/hers) is actor based in Buffalo, NY with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. Recent theatre credits include: Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap (HARP Productions), Catherine in Proof (Carriage House Players), Joan/Vicky in Fall from the Grace of God (ART of WNY), Friederike in All Through the Night (Brazen Faced Varlets) and Elissa in To the New Girl (First Look Buffalo Theatre Company). Some of her favorite college credits include Helen Hammon in Mother Hicks, George Young Bradley in Men on Boats, and Claudio in Much Ado about Nothing, which she performed while studying abroad in London with the Live Literature Company. In addition to performing on stage, Sarah enjoys working with children and is a character performer at Enchanting Birthdays of WNY. She is also currently studying aerial silks at the Bird's Nest Circus Arts.

Brooke Bartell Goergen

Angie

Brooke has been involved with live theatre in the Buffalo area for many years. She has been a part of productions with Actor's Anonymous Theatre Company, Aurora Players, Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, and Subversive Theatre Collective. This is her first show with American Repertory Theater of WNY and she is thrilled to be doing it is Angie in "Rust and Redemption" by J. Snodgrass. She was most recently seen playing Tina Vitale in "Tony N' Tina's Wedding" with Actors Anonymous Theatre Company and earlier this year as Myra Arundel in "Hay Fever" with Niagara Regional Theatre Guild. Brooke was also a part of the Artie Award winning ensemble of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" with Subversive Theatre Collective. She would like to thank all of her amazing family and friends especially the ones who have to put up with her crazy schedule and constantly changing plans.

Monish Bhattacharyya

Lou

After directing The Paradigm Bomb this Fall for ART, Monish is ecstatic to be back on stage with this wonderful cast and crew. Some of his other favorite productions include Speed of Dark (ART), End of The Road (RLTP), and Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare in Delaware Park). When not acting or directing, Monish enjoys long walks with his beautiful wife, Kim, and his furry, four-legged best friend Mac.

Charles McGregor

Russ

Charles McGregor is a Buffalo based actor and holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. He has toured with Missoula Children's Theatre across the United States and Canada. Buffalo credits include Something Wicked, The Paradigm Bomb (ART of WNY), The Secret Garden (Second Generation) Secret Soldiers (TOY) and Small Mouth Sounds (Bellissima Productions) He is also a director and teaching artist with Unique Theatre where they are dedicated to working with people of all abilities. Love to Kayla

Cameron Kogut

Nick

Cameron is excited to be working with ART for his second consecutive season! He took on the role of Lane in the Magic Hands one act piece within the production of Fall From Grace Of God. Cameron has also been a part of the ART crew in such productions as Jesus Christ Superstar, as a member of the ensemble; and helped run the sound board for their production of Heathers. His love of the theatre is equally met by his love of the family he has found within ART. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the cast and crew of this piece, and looks forward to future projects!

Matthew LaChiusa

Director

Matthew directorial resume with American Repertory Theater of WNY includes two Artie Award nominations for Direction of Musical ("American Idiot" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"). Other favorite directorial opportunities at ART/WNY include Tracy Letts' "Killer Joe", Martin McDonagh's "A Behanding in Spokane", and "The Guys" by Anne Nelson. A 716 playwright, he also received three nominations for the Manny Freid Artie Award for Original Plays ("Axeman's Jazz", "Shine", and "RED CLAY"), winning the award for "RED CLAY". As the Executive/Artistic Director for ART/WNY, Matthew built this scrappy blue-collar theater up from scratch, earning multiple company nominations and awards for theater excellence along the way, into a recognizable Buffalo theater uniquely specializing in producing regional playwrights. Matthew thanks all who've put their hard work and effort, both on and off-stage, into this production.

j. Snodgrass

Playwright

j. Snodgrass couldn't learn the guitar in high school, so started writing plays instead. His plays have been featured in A.R.T.'s Fall from the Grace of God (the one about the pick-pockets) and Mercy Seat (the carny adopting a teenaged serial killer), Alleyway's Buffalo Quickies, including the 2018 Maxim Mazumdar award-winning short play “Shout,” the BUA Takes 10: Stonewall Edition, Green Buffalo Productions' Spooky One-Acts and In Crazy Love, and the Buffalo Writers' Theater's upcoming show “Get In the Car.” He teaches at Canisius College and has written numerous books including "Supernatural Shakespeare: Magic and Ritual in Merry Old England," a sci-fi comedy novel called "Thirteenth Moon" and a mystery entitled "Murder & Miss Conception." His favorite recreational activity is shouting his head off at rock concerts which have included the Archers of Loaf, Elliott Smith, Patti Smith, Everclear, Our Lady Peace, Jimmy Eat World, the Psychedelic Furs, and Third Eye Blind (five times!). And now he's taken his teenaged children to see the Tea Party, Smashing Pumpkins, Blondie, Garbage and the Goo Goo Dolls. He lives in Buffalo, and also at j-snodgrass.com

Rebecca Mutchock

Costume Design

This marks Rebecca's second season as the full-time costumer for American Repertory Theater of WNY. Notable designs include "Mercy Seat" and "Something Wicked".

Matthew LaChiusa

Lighting/Set/Sound Design

Suzanne Hibbard

Movement Coordinator

Suzanne Hibbard — Suzanne received her B.F.A. in Theatre Studies from Niagara University and is currently Artistic Director of Unique Theatre Company and President of American Repertory Theatre of WNYS Board. Choreography credits include Unique Theatre's Movement and Dance Workshops, American Repertory Theatre's of WNY production of Mercy Seat, Assistant Choreographer for Niagara University’s Legally Blonde: The Musical (2019), Choreographer for Aurora Players Hair (2021), She Loves Me (2018), and Little Shop Of Horrors (2016).

Rebecca Mutchock

Costume designer

Rebecca is excited to be back for a second season here at ART as our costume designer. She studied acting and theatre locally at NCCC and Niagara University.

Charles McGregor

Fight Coordinator

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