SLUT: The Play

CONTENT WARNINGS

In depth description of rape and sexual assault

 Provocative language

Fatphobia

Emetaphobia

Mention of alcohol use 

Ableism

RESOURCES AND HOTLINES

24/7 Hotline for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence:

1-800-252-8748 (Anew Center in Jamestown, NY)

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

1-800-656-4673

P.A.W.S. (Prevention, Advocacy and Wellness Servies - SUNY Fredonia)

716-673-44424

Brooks Memorial Hospital:

529 Central Ave Dunkirk, NY 

716-366-1111

Counselor's Corner

Dawn Schwabish is a certified rape and sexual assault counselor who will be on call for the weekend of performances for SLUT: The Play for the cast, team and audience members. Dawn is available to talk to on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am-1:00pm. Calls are completely confidential. Callers may give a fake name if needed, phone numbers will be deleted after conversations are done. If the line is busy, please leave a voicemail message and she will get back to you, even if it is outside of the preset hours for the weekend.

Dawn has worked with the cast, and team throughout the rehearsal process of the show and we could not be more thankful to have her on call. Thank you, Dawn!

Dawn's phone number: (516)-297-9445

SCENE LIST

Setting: Stuyvesant, New York, New York; Present Day

Prologue: "PREGAMING"

Locker Room / Joey's Bedroom / A Party

Scene 1: "WHERE DO I START?"

Interrogation Room / Jane's Kitchen

Scene 2: "GAME OF THRONES"

Interrogation Room / Leila's Bedroom

Scene 3: "JOEY BLOW ME"

Interrogation Room / CVS

Scene 4: "SLUTTIN' IT UP"

Interrogation Room / Locker Room

Scene 5: "BROS BEFORE HOS"

Interrogation Room / Ann's Bedroom

Scene 6: "RAPE GIRLS"

Interrogation Room / Starbucks

Meet The Cast

Meet The Creative Team

Director's Note

I grew up in the city, bouncing between the boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. City life gave way to a lot of freedom, both physically and emotionally. My mother always pushed me to fight for what I believe in, to try my hardest to make changes, to make a difference. I was on the front lines of March for Our Lives, hosting protests and school walk-outs. I became very adamant about speaking out for those who can not speak for themselves.

Since coming to Fredonia, I have picked up a great interest in directing and knew that if I were to direct a show, I wanted to direct something personal to me and meant something. I could not have chosen a better show. SLUT focuses on the trials and errors of womanhood, it is a “call to action — a reminder” that slut shaming happens every day to women of every age, size, ethnicity, and gender identity. I wanted to make a difference with the story I tell, the events that unfolded with Joey are not an uncommon occurrence, this happens with girls who are 16, 14, 12, 10, and even younger. All girls have some sort of uncomfortable experience that they should never have gone through. It deserves to be heard.

 If you experience any discomfort during this play then I have done my job correctly. You are welcome to laugh, to cry, to gasp, to express whatever emotion this play may bring up, I encourage it. Please breathe in whatever emotions may arise. 

I wanted to do something important, not just direct so through this process we have focused on cast bonding. The purpose of this was to create a community of support for a show that has such a heavy topic. We played games, climbed trees, sang songs and more. We hosted and ran a Slut Walk where people from all over campus joined us in raising awareness against slutshaming and rape culture. I heard many people say “I have never felt so empowered in my life” and that’s the exact reason why I chose the show that I chose. I am so proud to have been a part of this experience. 

A couple of things to understand about the play before you watch it: 

• The Dancer 
  • This role was added in and means a lot to me (Thank you to the beautiful Riley Stanton for making my dreams come true and choreographing one of the most gorgeous dance solos I have ever witnessed). This is the exact vision I had when pitching the play, I wanted to let the audience in on what happened to Joey visually before she verbally described what happened to her. The struggle was finding a form of media that wasn’t too overwhelming for people to watch. The Dancer was the perfect solution for this. 
• The projection screen
  • The projection screen adds so much to this show and I ask the audience this question: How does the projection make you feel? Why have the projection? Why is it important to tell this story? 

While I have you here, I would like to shout out some thank yous to those who have supported me. 

To my mother, thank you for making me the woman I am today. Without you, I would not have had the courage to direct a show like this. You are my inspiration every day and when asked ‘What Femininity Means to Me’ my answer will always be you. I love you with all my might! Thank you for being my best friend. 

To PAC, thank you for trusting me to direct this show and for all of the support you have given me throughout this process. Special thanks to Alexa and  Jharrel, for going through every up and down, for every late-night talk, and for being there when I needed you 

To Jules, thank you for being my right-hand man in every circumstance. For every late-night conversation, for every FaceTime call, for every solution that we had come up with together. Thank you for agreeing to join this team.

Last, but not least, thank you to every single person who has helped with this production, who has expressed that they are excited to see the show, who has waved at me in the hallway and said good luck. Thank you, because a show is nothing without its team and audience. 

With that being said, please enjoy the show, I know that I will. 

  ~Kayla Chung, Director of SLUT

Dramaturg's Note

Will they believe her?

SLUT: The Play written by Katie Cappiello examines the plague of rape culture on our society, the oversexualization of women, and generally what it means to be a girl growing into her sexuality in a world of slut shaming and injust double standards. First premiered in September 2013 and presented by The Arts Effect All-Girl Theatre company, this ensemble of New York City teenage girls collaborated in sharing their personal experiences to create Slut: The Play. It has been performed by high schools and college campuses across the country and even as far as Mexico City and Sydney, Australia and now, very excitingly, presented by the Performing Arts Company in Fredonia, New York. As Katie Cappiello is a firm believer in the power of theatre as a tool for activism, may you listen loudly to these stories that are too often dismissed and allow the play to transform deep shared hurt into unified healing.

~Arden Brown, Dramaturg

Special Thanks To

Dawn Schwabish

Jaston Brooks

Teddy Van De Van

Adria Urbanowicz

Meet the Company

Micaela LaBarbera (She/Her)

JOEY

Micaela LaBarbera is a junior BFA Acting major from the Hudson Valley. She is extremely proud of herself, the cast, and the production team for the strength and courage to put on this production. She would like to thank KC, the director, for making the rehearsal room a comfortable, accepting and loving space. She previously understudied as Fay in Dolls of New Albion and Jessica in This is Our Youth through PAC. She was also ensemble in last years MainStage production of Romeo and Juliet, and will be performing as Elizabeth Proctor in the MainStage Production of The Crucible and Abigail in the upcoming Spring. Micaela studies various forms of stage combat through Fredonia but also through the Society of American Fight Directors. Micaela is currently Fight directing the MainStage show The Great Comet of 1812, and will be fight directing the next PAC production Hamlet. Micaela is also a slut.

Sydney Hall (She/Her)

THE DANCER

Sydney is very excited to be making her PAC debut in SLUT the play! Sydney is a sophomore acting bfa major from Wolcott NY. Sydney has done two senior dance capstone pieces, is apart of the Fredonia dance team and is also an active member of her sorority! Sydney would like to thank KC and the production team as well as her cast for helping to create a wonderful production aswell as her friends and family for pushing her to branch out and become the performer she is today!

Bridgette Turner (She/Her)

JANE

Bridgette Turner is so excited to be in PACs production of SLUT. Bridgette is a junior musical theater major from Binghamton, New York. She was previously in SUNY Fredonia’s production of Into The Woods as Sleeping Beauty and the Giant and also understudied the Stepsisters. She also played Agent M in PAC’s production of REDACTED. She’d like to thank her friends and family for their constant support. Enjoy the show!

Emily Friedrichsen (She/They)

ANNA

Emily Friedrichsen (Anna) is so excited to be making her PAC debut! Emily is a senior Musical Theatre major from Vermont. Walter Gloor MainStage credits include Radium Girls (Sob Sister) and Songs For A New World (Understudy). Upcoming credits include “Mason Wright Is Not A Mother” by Ashley Giaccio this Fall! Big thanks to their parents, friends, and fabulous director and roommate KC. <3

Harlequinn Selegean (They/Them)

SYLVIE

Harley (Sylvie) is a junior BFA Acting and BA Writing double major from West Haverstraw, NY. Their precious credits include Regan in Young Jean Lee’s Lear and Swing in PAC’s Small Mouth Sounds. They also assistant stage managed PAC’s A New Brain! They’d like to thank their cast for giving them the space to be authentically themself, whether than be feminine, masculine, or everything in between and opposite.

Faith Wankel (She/Her)

CHRISTINA

Faith (Christina) is so excited to be a part of SLUT. Faith is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre Major from Long Island, NY. Past PAC Credits include: The Dolls of New Albion. Past MainStage credits include Into the Woods, The Wild Party and this upcoming winter, Edges. Faith would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her. She would also like to thank the entire cast and crew of SLUT for making this production possible. @faithwankel

Bowie Rivera (She/They)

NATALIE / JOEY U.S

Bowie is a senior BA theatre arts major with a focus in acting & directing from Long Island, NY and is so grateful to be part of this production and to be telling such an important story alongside the most brilliant people! The next thing you can catch her doing is directing the play Little Women produced by PAC this coming February! They would like to thank the team, PAC and those closest to her for being the best supporters she could ask for. #fredlast

Rhiannon Craver (She/Her)

GRACE

Rhiannon (Grace) is very excited to be a part of the Fredonia Performing Arts Company’s production of SLUT! Rhiannon is a junior musical theater major from Whitney Point, New York. She was in PAC’s production The Dolls of New Albion her freshman year. Her Mainstage credits include Into the Woods as an understudy. This fall she will be in Mason Wright is Not a Mother and The Crucible in the spring. She was in Main Street Studios production of Much Ado About Nothing as Hero this summer. She would like to thank the incredible cast and crew as well as her family and friends for supporting her.

Alejandra Sutherland (She/Her)

DANIELLE

Alejandra Sutherland (Danielle) Is elated to be performing in PAC’s production of “SLUT.” Alejandra is a Sophomore Musical Theatre Major from Louisville Kentucky. You may see her in the upcoming production of “Mason Wright is Not a Mother” playing the role of “Girl” this fall. Alejandra would like to thank her professors who helped shape her as the performer she is, and her parents for always supporting her in whatever she chooses to do. Please enjoy the show!!

Olivia Tarquinio (She/Her)

LEILA

Olivia is in her freshman year at Fredonia majoring in Theatre Arts. She is from Williamson NY and this is her first production at Fredonia. Olivia would like to thank her friends for hyping her up throughout the entire process and her fellow cast members for being so friendly and supportive. She is inspired by this cast and crew and is excited to have been able to learn important and valuable life skills and lessons. Finally, she hopes this show inspires the audience as they take in the importance of the performance and apply these messages to their own lives.

Felixcia Yeboah (She/Her)

DOMINIQUE

Felixcia Yeboah is a Senior BFA Acting Major from Brooklyn, New York. She has previously worked on the Fall 2023’s production of Radium Girls, where she played Irene Rudolph. She would like to thank PAC for the getting opportunity to tell a story and bring light to something that is very important. She would also like to thank her friends and family for the inspiration and influence of culture, and creativity they brought to her life.

Sivan Adler (She/Her)

JULIE

Sivan is thrilled to be making her PAC debut in SLUT. Sivan is a sophomore Acting major from Albany, NY and can be seen in the upcoming production of Mason Wright is not a Mother as Doctor as well as the production of The Crucible as Sarah Good. She would like to thank her friends, family, and her BFF/dog Ophelia.

Asantewa Adigun Bomani (She/Her)

ENSEMBLE / THE DANCER U.S

Asantewa is very happy to be doing this production with so many amazing people and can’t wait for you to see the show. She made her PAC debut last semester as Susan in Been Bad. She has also done Romeo and Juliet, The Wiz, and Rent. She wants to thank the wonderful cast and crew for their hard work and dedication. She also wants to thank her friends and family for their support :)

Sofia DiCarlo (They/Them)

ENSEMBLE / SYLVIE, ANNA, JANE U.S

Sofia DiCarlo is a senior BA Theatre Arts Major with minors in Dance and Music Industry from Rochester, New York. Their most recent credits include Romeo & Juliet (Prince Understudy), Happily: The Musical (Ensemble/Mattie Understudy), and Peter and the Starcatcher (Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher). Club-wise, Sof is currently serving as a Social Chair for Alpha Psi Omega. They are so grateful to be a part of SLUT: The Play and would like to thank their parents, family, and friends for always supporting them in their passions! Special thanks to 51B for being the best around <3 #FredLast Instagram: @sofiaedicarlo

Grace Lynn Galipeau (She/Her)

ENSEMBLE / NATALIE, CHRISTINA U.S

Grace is very excited and grateful to be making her PAC debut in SLUT: The Play! Grace is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major from Buffalo, NY. Her recent credits include, The Music Man (Ensemble), and 42nd Street (Lorraine Fleming), each with the Historic Palace Theater, and A Chorus Line (Vicki) with O’Connell & Company. In October, Grace will also be starting rehearsals for Mason Wright is Not a Mother! Grace would like to thank PAC for this wonderful and impactful performance opportunity. @gracelynngalipeau

Emma Rask (She/Her)

ENSEMBLE / LEILA, JULIE U.S

Emma is unbelievably excited to be making her PAC debut in SLUT: the play. Emma is a junior Musical Theatre major from Ballston Spa, NY. You may have seen her last year in TADA’s Into the Woods, or in the student production You, Me and Us. Outside of the theatre department, Emma is the Vice President of the a capella group Some Like It Hot. She would like to thank her family for always believing in her, her best friends for running lines at midnight, and this amazing team for giving her the opportunity to help tell this story. Enjoy the show! @asemdemma

Lauren Shilansky (She/Her)

ENSEMBLE / GRACE, DANIELLE, DOMINIQUE U.S

Lauren Shilansky is hyped for her PAC debut in SLUT! Hailing from West Hartford, Connecticut, Shilansky is a sophomore BFA musical theater major with double minors in Dance and Music (though she is frequently mistaken for a Music Education major.) Her next TADA production will be in Mason Wright as Doctor u/s. She hopes you enjoy the show and cannot wait to receive the bouquet of roses you bought her! @thelaurenshilansky

Kayla Chung (She/Her)

DIRECTOR

Kayla Chung is a Senior BFA Musical Theatre major from The Bronx, NY. Her Walter Gloor Mainstage credits include: Lillith (understudy) in She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, Jasmine in Pipeline, and Katherine Wiley in Radium Girls. Upcoming credits include Mary Warren in The Crucible. Outside credits include: Rhoda in A New Brain. She is beyond grateful to make her directing debut with this wonderful cast! She would like to thank you to her cast, PAC, her friends, and her family for their countless love and support!

Juliet Pearson (She/Her)

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Juliet Pearson (She/Her) is a senior Musical Theatre major from Hyde Park, NY. This is her first time on a creative team with PAC! PAC credits include: Waitress/Nancy D. In “A New Brain” by William Finn and Eurydice in “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl. Fredonia Mainstage credits include: Ensemble in “The Wild Party,” and Juliet Capulet in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and Victoria U/S in “Mason Wright is Not A Mother.” Juliet most recently worked in an Artistic Residency with New York Stage and Film and was a company member in the staged reading of Beth Henley’s new play, “Downstairs Neighbor.” @Julietepearson. julietpearson.com

Riley Stanton (She/They)

CHOREOGRAPHER

Riley Stanton (She/They) is so excited to be making her PAC debut as the choreographer of SLUT: The Play! Riley is a Junior Psychology major and a Dance minor from Binghamton, NY. Riley is also involved with Orchesis Dance Company, where she has danced in several showcases as well as choreographed two pieces, titled “Get With It” and “Bittersweet”. Ri would like to thank KC for this amazing opportunity, the cast for being so wonderful, her family and friends for always encouraging her to do the things she loves, and her partner Syd for always being her #1 supporter.

Erin Houghtaling (She/Her)

STAGE MANAGER

Erin Houghtaling is beyond excited to be a part of SLUT: the play! Erin is a Senior Musical Theatre major from Syracuse, NY. Previous PAC credits include: Rhonda (This Random World), Music Director (The Dolls of New Albion) and Assistant Stage Manager (Small Mouth Sounds). Fredonia Credits include: Sam Craig (Our Town), Swing (The Wild Party), Annie/Shelly (Evil Dead) and Upcoming: Ann Foster (Abigail 1702). Erin is also a proud fourth year member and former captain of Random Acts Improv. She would like to thank the cast, team and PAC board for such a great opportunity and especially Julia Ferrara for helping her every step of the way! Enjoy the show!

Julia Ferrara (She/Her)

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Julia is so thrilled to be making her PAC production debut as the Assistant Stage Manager of Katie Cappiello’s SLUT: The Play! She is a sophomore BFA Acting major with a double minor in Music and Dance from Selden, Long Island. She is a member of the PAC executive board as the Executive Assistant/SA Representative, an alto in Fredonia’s only pop/jazz acapella group Dynamic Intonation, and is a member of STEPS. She will be making her Walter Gloor Mainstage debut as an understudy in The Crucible this spring. She wants to extend all her love and thanks to her family and friends #suitevan for always supporting her, and congratulates everyone involved in this beautiful show!

Arden Brown (She/Her)

DRAMATURG

Arden Brown (she/her) is a senior Musical Theatre major and is extremely excited to be making her Dramaturgy debut for Slut: The Play. Born and raised in New York City, the experiences of the character’s within the play, which are inspired by real stories of city teens, strongly resonate with Arden. It has been a joy researching a piece of work she feels so passionate about and she is so happy that the script is being brought to life by Fredonia’s Performing Arts Company. Arden is eternally grateful for all the young girls and women in her life who have shaped her into who she is.

Laila Crysler (She/Her)

COSTUME DESIGNER

Laila Crysler is a Junior Communications Video Production Major with a Minor in Film Studies from Baldwinsville NY. She was so excited when asked to participate in her second show with PAC. Her first being, This Is Our Youth, was terrific, and the process of working with all of the amazing people involved makes it all the better. She can't wait for future opportunities and wants to thank the Director KC for allowing her to be a part of such an empowering and important show!

Alison Nolan (She/They)

SOUND DESIGNER

Alison Nolan (She/They) is a senior Theatrical Production and Design B.F.A. with a concentration in lighting design and a minor in dance. Being from New York City, and growing up just four blocks from where this show takes place the story of SLUT hits close to home. She is so honored to work on such an important show with this talented creative team. Previous P.A.C. sound design credits include Incognito (2019), Lifespan of a Fact (2021), & Small Mouth Sounds (2022), Been Bad (2023) & This Is Our Youth (2023).

Emily Youtt (She/Her)

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Emily Youtt (She/Her) is a sophomore production and design BFA with a lighting concentration. She is ecstatic that her first PAC production is one with such an important message, such an incredible team, and hopes that you enjoy watching it just as much as she loved working on it.

Regan Haran (He/Him)

SET DESIGNER

Regan Haran (he/him) is a senior BFA Sculpture Major, graduating this semester. This is his first time working as a Scenic Designer and Technical Director; he is thrilled to have his debut with PAC. He is very proud of all the hard work and collaboration that went into the production of this play. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Produced in Collaboration with

Fredonia's Performing Arts Company

Executive Producer: Alexa Adler

Associate 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

Production Manager: Jharrel Liam Bernardo

Associate Production Manager: Ronnie Swann

DEI Chair: Kayla Chung

Director of Operations: Gabby Medeck

Executive Assistant: Julia Ferrara

Freshman Representative: Bailey Peckman