RIVER STAGE & COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE ARTS

proudly present

PLAY IT STRAIGHT

STAGED READING

Richard Winters, Gary Wright and Kerri Yund

at the Black Box Theatre

2024-25 #THETIMEISNOW Season

Featuring

ANDREW BENNER

AUDREY DI PAOLO

CHLOE ESPINOZA

COOPER HINSHAW

ELFIE MARCEWICZ

EMILY BENNER

ERIC CHARLTON

FAYE CROOK

IAN CAMPBELL

JARIUS KENNEDY

JERRY WEBSTER, JR.

MICHAEL VAUGHN

PURJON BICKHAM

SUMMER PHEMISTER

Creative Team

Costume & Lighting Designer MARI CARSON

Music Curator AUDREY DI PAOLO

Production Stage Manager MACIE UTILE

Assistant Stage Manager GIANNA LEWKOWITZ

Assistant Directors ELFIE MARCEWICZ & JARED SHIH

Director ANTONY D'JUAN

OCTOBER 15-19, 2024

Performances

Tuessday, October 15 @ 1:30 pm

Thursday, October 17 @ 1:30 pm

Friday, October 18 @ 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 19 @ 7:30 pm

Tickets

PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Get PLAY IT STRAIGHT Tickets

SHOW INFORMATION

Setting & Time

The time is now in a very red state.

Run Time

105 minutes including one intermission

Electronic Devices

Please be courteous to your fellow audience members and to the cast & crew by turning off all electronic devices - phones, tablets, smart watches, etc. - so that you don't interrupt the show. Don't be that person!

Photography & Recording

Please take selfies and pictures before the show - and don't forget to tag our Instagram account @seeaplayatCRC! During the show, there is no photography or recording of any kind.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We acknowledge the land currently occupied by Cosumnes River College as the traditional home of the Miwok and Nisenan people. These sovereign people have been caretakers of the area since time immemorial. The state of California is home to more than 110 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, representing the most diverse set of tribal nations anywhere in the United States. Despite centuries of genocide and occupation, the Miwok and Nisenan people continue as vibrant and resilient federally recognized tribes, bands, and rancherias. The waters of the Sacramento, American, and Cosumnes Rivers have nourished Miwok and Nisenan tribal communities with cultural and dietary sustenance throughout time. ‘Cosumnes’ of Cosumnes River derives from the Plains Miwok language. Stemming from the words "kosumu," meaning salmon and "umne," meaning the place of, it translates as "The Place of the Salmon." Today, we celebrate our Miwok and Nisenan tribal neighbors as the ancestral stewards of this land and honor their sustained existence. It is with their blessing and continued guidance that Cosumnes River College seeks to provide an accessible, equitable, and principled institution of learning.

Support Indigenous Communities

nativegov.org

Native Governance Center: Supporting Indigenous Changemakers & Nations.

native-land.ca

Native Land: Learn more about the Indigenous communities in your area.

Find Campus Resources

CRC Honors the Miwok and Nisenan People

CRC Native American Higher Education Resources (NAHER)

SPECIAL THANKS

Julie Zalasky, Cosumnes River College Business Services Office

CONTENT ADVISORY

This reading contains the following:

Theatrical weapons
A simulated school emergency alarm
References to forced outings of LGBTQ+ people

Cast

ANDREW BENNER

Gabe

AUDREY DI PAOLO

Principal Beacher

CHLOE ESPINOZA

Jenny

COOPER HINSHAW

Robin

ELFIE MARCEWICZ

Ms. Hewitt

EMILY BENNER

Hope Stern

ERIC CHARLTON

Alex

FAYE CROOK

Morgan, Hodge

IAN CAMPBELL

Ross

JARIUS KENNEDY

Ensemble

JERRY WEBSTER, JR.

CJ Stern

MICHAEL VAUGHN

Ivan Sobcik

PURJON BICKHAM

Stern

SUMMER PHEMISTER

Kim

Creative Team

ANTHONY D'JUAN

Director, Faculty

MARI CARSON

Costume & Lighting Designer

MACIE UTILE

Production Stage Manager

GIANNA LEWKOWITZ

Assistant Stage Manager

ELFIE MARCEWICZ

Assistant Director

JARED SHIH

Assistant Director

AUDREY DI PAOLO

Music Curator

MARTIN FLYNN

Technical Director, Faculty

MIKE RUIZ

Theatre Technician

RYAN PEREZ ADAME

Box Office & Promotions Manager, Faculty

Meet the Company

ANDREW BENNER

Gabe

Andrew is currently a barista from Stockton who has been performing in theater for a couple of years. Their previous roles include Oliver Rivers in PUFFS, Pinky Atwood in THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and various roles in THE VIDEO GAMAPALOOZA, all through Changing Faces Theater in Lodi. They are grateful that the students and staff at Cosumnes River College have been so welcoming throughout this reading.

AUDREY DI PAOLO

Principal Beacher

Audrey is a Theater student here at Cosumnes River College, and is very excited to join this production of PLAY IT STRAIGHT. Her previous roles include: Clemencia in ELECTRICIDAD, Cecily in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and Mother Superior in NUNSENSE. Audrey is also proud to be a part of CRC’s upcoming production of URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL as well as joining the CRC playwriting class’s Student Playfest, where students will have their written works performed onstage.

CHLOE ESPINOZA

Jenny

Chloe is an actor and aspiring costumer who has been with CRC for two years. She has been in (and assisted in costuming) THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST as MISS PRISM and ASSASSINS as EMMA GOLDMAN and a member of the ensemble. She was formerly a student at University of California Riverside and was an assistant director for 2020 VISION, and the NARRATOR in AT THE PASS. She wants to transfer to a university in the next few years and get her BFA with an emphasis in musical theatre and is excited to be working with CRC until she is able to achieve that goal.

COOPER HINSHAW

Robin

Cooper is so excited to be in the read through play of play it straight. After he first read the script he realize that it goes into depth with how real Highschoolers act and how in this generation things are now different and how some teachers can help you and some teachers can be detrimental. that’s what instantly grabbed Cooper’s attention and he is so excited that he could be a part of play it straight and do it with this amazing cast.

ELFIE MARCEWICZ

Ms. Hewitt

Elfie is a mortuary science major with lifelong passion for acting who has renewed her love for acting by participating in productions at CRC. Her most recent credits include Sara Jane Moore in ASSASSINS, La Connie in ELECTRICIDAD, Messenger/Chorus in ANTIGONE, as well as Assistant Director for THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at CRC's River Stage.

EMILY BENNER

Hope Stern

Emily grew up in the performing arts. It wasn't until high school that she was able to finally be part of a theater program. She has been part of productions such as A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, PUFFS, and 12 ANGRY JURORS. She has also had the pleasure of being in a handful of other productions. Being introduced to the CRC theater program has helped her continue being part of productions after high school. PLAY IT STRAIGHT has been a new experience and challenge for her. But she is glad to be part of the cast and surrounded by such awesome people. Emily can't wait to see what other productions she can be part of in the future.

ERIC CHARLTON

Alex

Eric is excited to perform here at River Stage in one of the first staged productions of PLAY IT STRAIGHT. This is his second stage reading and he has grown fond of performing this way. When he is not on stage Eric likes to play video games, read fantasy novels, and sing.

FAYE CROOK

Morgan, Hodge

Faye is excited to perform in another show at River Stage at Cosumnes River College in PLAY IT STRAIGHT! She is honored to be able to tell a part of this story along with her cast mates. Faye recently performed as Chrysothemis in ELECTRA and Ifigenia in ELECTRICIDAD. She would like thank the crew of this show for making it so memorable, and for all of the hard work they've done.

IAN CAMPBELL

Ross

Ian is a theater enthusiast excited to be returning to the world of the stage. Ian is primarily interested in backstage work but is always open to being on stage, either helping build sets, crew, or on stage he is interested in the theater world more and more each day. Helped build sets for ASSASSINS and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST while at CRC and continues to work towards a Associates of Arts degree.

JARIUS KENNEDY

Ensemble

Jarius is a singer and actor with experience in technical theatre, excited to be appearing in this reading of PLAY IT STRAIGHT. In the past, he has played roles such as Jack Kelly in NEWSIES and Sam Carmichael in MAMMA MIA. He looks forward to contributing to this production and collaborating with the talented cast and creative team.

JERRY WEBSTER, JR.

CJ Stern

Jerry Webster Jr is an Actor/Voice Actor with 4 years of experience. His passion lies in showcasing his talents, while helping others bring their stories to life. Graduated from Monterey Trail High School, currently enrolled in Consumnes River College. Has history working on and being in Original Audiobooks, Comic Dubs and Indie Animated Series on YouTube! Performing the Role of CJ Stern in the Stage Play, “Play It Straight.”

MICHAEL VAUGHN

Ivan Sobcik

Michael is excited to be involved in the Sacramento Premiere of PLAY IT STRAIGHT. This is Michael’s third year in the Consumnes River College theatre program and has performed in ASSASSINS and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST in the last year. Hope you enjoy the show!

PURJON BICKHAM

Stern

Purjon Bickham (Stern) is a current student at Consumnes River College where he formerly appeared as Dr. Chausible in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Additional past performances include THE BREAKFAST CLUB, THE OUTSIDERS, CLUE, and SURE THING at the Lenaea Festival with Valley High School. He is thankful and thrilled to be a part of the show!

SUMMER PHEMISTER

Kim

Summer has a lifelong love of Theatre. It is this love that has inspired her to study theatre arts at Cosumnus River College. She has no previous performances to speak of but won’t let that stop her from giving it her all.