BWW Stage Mag Electric Poe - The Coterie Theatre Stage Mag

The Coterie Theatre
in co-production with
Union Cemetery Historical Society
presents

ELECTRIC POE

 
by Edgar Allan Poe
Adapted by R.H. Wilhoit
Music composed & performed by Meredith McGrade    
Directed by Amanda Kibler

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Cast

R.H. Wilhoit*
The Actor
Meredith McGrade
The Musician

Creative Team

Amanda Kibler+

Director

Mackenzie Goodwin*

Production Stage Manager

David Kiehl+

Resident Sound Designer

Jarrett Bertoncin+

Resident Light Designer

Georgianna Londré

Costume Designer

Zan de Spelder

Associate Lighting Designer

Dorian Allen

Assistant Stage Manager

ABOUT THE SHOW

 

This year's production of ELECTRIC POE will include the following works by Edgar Allan Poe

Annabel Lee (written 1849)

Berenice (written 1835)

The Cask of Amantillado (written 1846)
 



SPECIAL THANKS

Kansas City Art Institute for original production designs by the Illustration Department’s student staffed agency, MICRO: Electric Poe design by Dani Mays.

Financial assistance for this project has been generously provided by Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, and Theater League.

 



The Coterie is a 501(c)3 nonprofit professional theatre, and a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and Theatre for Young Audiences/USA: The US chapter of ASSITEJ, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. Electric Poe is a professional production employing members of Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, representing more than 45,000 professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.

The video taping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Cell phones are to be put away during the performance.


+ Denotes Coterie resident artist


* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

 

ABOUT UNION CEMETERY

THE HISTORY OF THE UNION CEMETERY
OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Founded in 1857, Union Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City, MO, and is the final resting place of over 55,000 souls. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the land was originally claimed and plotted out to be the cemetery for both the town of Westport and the town of Kansas (now Kansas City). Many famous and historically significant individuals are buried in the Cemetery, without whom, Kansas City would not be what it is today. Veterans from every war from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War are also buried here, including those who fought for both sides during the Civil War. The Cemetery maintains a strong military identity, honoring those who served our country.

Union Cemetery is also a vital resource for the surrounding neighborhoods. The 27 acres are a Kansas City park meant for the enjoyment and recreation of all Kansas City residents as a refuge of natural beauty in the center of the city.

One of Kansas City’s hidden gems, Union Cemetery is the resting place of many of Kansas City’s founders. It is a place filled with rich history and stories of politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, war heroes, and every-day people making a difference within a changing society. The Historical Society is responsible for sharing these stories and caring for the memorials and grounds that celebrate some of Kansas City’s treasured lives.

The Union Cemetery Historical Society’s purpose is to preserve, protect and promote Kansas City’s historical Union Cemetery. In this effort the Society gives tours, provides learning experiences, assists with care and beautification, aids genealogical research, promotes the cemetery to the public and more.

By joining UCHS, you are supporting the preservation of Kansas City’s history and the community at large. Your membership donation will support various improvement projects as well as the day to day operation of the Society.
 

For more information visit www.uchskc.org/support

What got you into theatre? ...and other biographical notes from the cast, designers & production team

R.H. Wilhoit*

The Actor
R.H. Wilhoit* - The Actor R.H. Wilhoit discovered theatre his sophomore year of high school after performing for his family for years. R.H. once again brings the works of Edgar Allan Poe to life after critically-acclaimed performances of ELECTRIC POE in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Coterie audiences will recognize R.H. from the casts of PUFFS and A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and many Kansas City students will recognize him as a Coterie teaching artist who leads the Poe writing workshop Classroom Immersion touring to schools. Recently, R.H. performed in the one-person show EVERY BRILLIANT THING with Spinning Tree Theatre, MILKING CHRISTMAS with The Living Room, and THE LITTLE PRINCE with Mesner Puppet Theatre. When not acting, R.H. is currently working with and is a Founding Member of The Confluence Theatre Company.

Meredith McGrade

The Musician
Meredith McGrade - The Musician Meredith McGrade got started in theatre by helping with lighting, sound, and set design since they were a little kid. Eventually, they couldn't help but get up on stage. Since then, performing has enriched their life in countless ways - from making lifelong friends to helping them speak in front of others in professional settings. Meredith makes their Coterie debut by setting the hauntingly poetic atmosphere for ELECTRIC POE. As a senior art director at Signal Theory with a passion for graphic design, Meredith brings a unique creative sensibility to the stage. Their experience as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of local band, Emmaline Twist, has shaped a musical sensibility that, like the works of Edgar Allan Poe, thrives in the realm of the macabre. Meredith's accompaniment emphasizes the importance of sonic texture and the idea of creating a space in which Poe's timeless verses can come to life. Find out more about Meredith at www.meredithmcgrade.com

Amanda Kibler+

Director
Amanda Kibler grew up going to shows at local theatres in Omaha with her parents. As soon as they got home, she acted out her favorite scenes and created her own stories for the characters. When she finally stepped onstage at the age of 12, she was hooked! Amanda earned her MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida. She is currently the Education Director for The Coterie. She previously directed PUFFS and DEAR AMERICA: ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE for The Coterie's mainstage. Before joining The Coterie, she worked as an actor, director, and teaching artist at the Omaha Theater Company in Omaha, NE; Orlando Repertory Theatre in Orlando, FL; and Visible Fictions in Glasgow, Scotland. She loves creating theatre for and with youth of all ages.

Mackenzie Goodwin*

Production Stage Manager
Mackenzie Goodwin met the theatre through her parents, and she became an avid theatre goer. Both of her parents always worked in theatre, and her mom now teaches and directs theatre at a high school. Mackenzie returns to The Coterie after having worked recently on ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, and THE CAT IN THE HAT. Recent credits include stage managing THE PRICE at Kansas City Actors Theatre, serving as intimacy coordinator for the premiere of Prisca Jebet Kendagor’s THE HOLY TRINITY, directing ROLE PLAY by Emma Carter with Kansas City Public Theatre, stage managing for SHOWS FOR DAYS for Fishtank Theatre at the Black Box, and co-curator of THE BUFFALO ROOM with her husband Vi Tran. Mackenzie also works as a professional voice-over artist.

David Kiehl+

Resident Sound Designer
David Kiehl thanks his family for piquing his interest in theatre by being raised to value the arts in all forms and for supporting him. David has designed over 130 Coterie productions during the past 25 years including, most recently, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, and BECOMING MARTIN. Other local productions include THE GRAVE, MILKING CHRISTMAS, and NOCTURNE at The Living Room Theatre, CLYDE'S, THE SOUND INSIDE, and TONI STONE at Unicorn Theatre, and SMART PEOPLE, ‘NIGHT MOTHER, and A DOLL'S HOUSE at Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Jarrett Bertoncin+

Resident Light Designer
Jarrett Bertoncin worked backstage on his high school’s theatre productions, where his passion for designing sets and lights began. His most recent shows at The Coterie include DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, ELECTRIC POE, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM - THE MUSICAL, JACK AND THE BEAN MÁGICO!, TUCK EVERLASTING, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (2016 and 2018), and THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, as well as LUCKY DUCK, which performed Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theater (NYC). Other recent credits include serving as lighting designer on The Coterie’s co-production of Disney’s NEWSIES at White Theatre at The J, TE ATA for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian, and as scenic designer for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY for Oklahoma City University’s School of Theatre. To see more of Jarrett's designs visit www.jsbdesigns.org.

Georgianna Londré

Costume Designer
Georgianna Londré has been in the audience for live theatre for as long as she can remember, and always noticed how costumes collaborated in the production. Her most recent designs at The Coterie were ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022), ELECTRIC POE (2020, 2021, 2022), AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, TUCK EVERLASTING, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: THE STUDENT SIT-INS OF 1960, GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE, ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!", NO TALKING, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL, THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, and over 50 other designs since 2000. Other recent design credits include COME BLOW YOUR HORN and HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY with New Theater & Restaurant, THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and eight seasons with Quality Hill Playhouse. She has also designed for Late Night Theatre, The Living Room, Kansas City Actors Theatre, and What If Puppets. She always hopes her son likes the plays she’s working on at The Coterie, and he motivates her to do her best.

Zan de Spelder

Associate Lighting Designer
Zan de Spelder was first introduced to the world of theatre at the age of five helping her mother with quick changes backstage during a production of CINDERELLA. She knew from that moment that she loved the magic of storytelling. Zan returns to The Coterie after having worked as lighting designer on ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR and THE WHITE ROSE: WE DEFIED HITLER, associate lighting designer for TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, and assistant lighting designer for ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!" and SECRET SOLDIERS: HEROINES IN DISGUISE. Recently she has worked as resident lighting designer for Padgett Productions including ROCKY HORROR LIVE at The Black Box, SWEENEY TODD at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, CLUE at The Black Box, and WHO’S HOLIDAY at The Ruby Room, lighting designer for Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble’s 2022 season, MOSAIC with Tristian Griffin Dance Company, and HAIR: THEN AND NOW at Musical Theater Heritage. Zan has a MFA in Design with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For more designs visit www.zandespelder.com.

Dorian Allen

Assistant Stage Manager
Dorian Allen got started in live music before eventually migrating to working in the theatre. Over the last several months, Dorian feels The Coterie has become his home away from home since he has worked as house manager for JUSTICE AT WAR and DR. DOLITTLE, stage manager for DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, and production assistant for PETE THE CAT. Other recent credits include NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 for Fishtank Productions and serving as resident production assistant for The Black Box.

Contributors

The Coterie wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the many corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals that so generously support The Coterie.

The following list celebrates gifts received by February 3, 2023.


 

AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS  

Kansas City Athenaeum
KC MOlière: 400 in 2022
Missouri Arts Council
National Endowment for the Arts

 

 

FOUNDATIONS OF THE COTERIE  

$10,000+
AIDS Service Foundation
    of Greater Kansas City
Francis Family Foundation
Health Forward Foundation
    of Greater Kansas City
Menorah Heritage Foundation
Muriel McBrien Kauffman
    Family Foundation
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation
Victor E. & Caroline E. Schutte
    Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
Richard J. Stern Foundation for
    the Arts — Commerce Bank,
    Trustee
Theater League

$5,000 - $9,999
H & R Block Foundation
Henry E. Wurst Family
    Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999
John & Bernice Hamra   
    Foundation
The Ingram Family Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation

 

CORPORATE IMPACT  
$5,000+
American Century Investments
    Foundation
Crown Center Redevelopment
    Corp.
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
$1,000 - $4,999
Bluescope Foundation
Global Prairie Foundation
KPMG LLP
Ogletree Deakins
Polsinelli
Spencer Fane LLP
Turner Construction

 

INDIVIDUAL GIVING  

VISIONARIES ($5,000+)
Cathy & Steve Doyal
Susanne Shutz
Andrew Van Der Laan
     & Rebecca Schwietz
Gregor L. Vranicar (in loving memory)
 

 
DIRECTORS ($1,000 - $4,999)
Henry & Laura Antolak
Pam Bertoncin
Amy & Eric Graham
Donald J. Hall
David E. & Laura H. Hall
Suzanne & James Horner
Dr. Lloyd & Veronica Jackson
Fred & Sharon Kiehl
Felicia Londre
Gabriela Lucas
Karen & Rick Luchinsky
Solissa McKay

Sally and Lyman Ott
Lori & David Riddle
Ali & Nathan Saucier
Lisa & Charles Schellhorn
J. Michael Sigler & Greg Oborny
Christina Sill-Rogers & Charlie
    Rogers
Jeanne & Charlie Sosland
Theresa & Shaun Stoker
Tina and Claude Thau

SUSTAINERS ($500 - $999)
Sara Anthony
Joan & Bert Berkley Blue
     Heron Foundation
Bill & Maureen Berkley
Sally De Witt

 

Mike Roberts & Beverly Godwin
The Hingulas
Yvonne Jameson
Kansas City Mom Collective
Jeanne M. Rooney
Kristina Thompson

INNOVATORS ($100 - $499)
Rachel & Henry Avila
Carolyn Bowra
Lydia & Art Butler
John & Mary Calkins
Christine Copeland
Martha W. Crider
Russell Fries & Ruth Dickinson
Susan Greenburg
Jill & Don Hall
Ronald Harrington
Jennifer & Jason Ingraham
Kelda Jackson

 

Nicole Jacobs Silvey and Patrick
   Silvey
Brad Johnson
Linda & Topper Johntz
Deirdre Kelly Lavrakas & Kim Peter
   Kovac
Jina & Greg Lawhon
Bruce & Carole Lindgren
Felicia & Venne Londre
The Milligan Family
Avis Smith
The Veglahn Family
Ronald Williams

ENSEMBLE ($99 & Under)
Nicholas Abbruzzese
Pat Abts
Ellen Aisenbrey
Jay Allen
Vincent Anderson
Laura Antolak
Yuliya Antonets
Joan Arth
Jannetta Avelino
Miles Azzeh
Jeanne Barnes
Kristin Baugh
Logan Black
Brett Blakemore
Joe Bleymaier
Charles Borgmeyer
Tiffany Bradley
Rebecca Breit
Tom Brownback
Lisa Boyer
Carrie Capwell
Christi Clemons Hoffman
Jason Coats
Ingenue Cobbinah
John Collins
Katherine Cornell
Alison Coulson
Bruce Crane
Pip Cross
Alain Cuna
Dustin Dade
Brian Davis
Eric DeRoo
Connor Eastman
Nicole Ebersole
Krena Flournoy
Stephanie Fox Knappe
Nell French
Anne Gagel
Giovana Gallagher
Beth Gervais
Amanda Gibson
Gina Guthier
Christina Hager
Kevin Harvell
Michael L. Heffner
Richard Henderson
Michelle Higinbotham
Lauren Hoffman
Michelle Homan
Aniika Jackson-Smith
Molly Johnson
Heather Johntz
Aniya Jones
 
Erin Khouri
Jessica Kueker
Stephanie Laaker
Bernadette Lawson
Barbara Lunn
Amanda Mason
Meira McCasted
Ruth McGraw
Abbey Mecca
Andi Meyer
Jennifer Meyer
JoZach Miller
Victoria Nibarger
Annie Noonen
Keri Oedewaldt
Stacy Orr
Carl Owczarzak
Sallie Page-Goertz
Lisa Picasso
Ravi Rajanna
Adam Riddell
Bethany Riley
Chantal Roberts
Beatrice Roland
Shanta Russell
Sara Sarles
Kirstin Schlorff
Carlye Schroeder
Mary Schultis
Edward Sien
Marcy Smalley
Diane Snyder
Michelle Soper
Anne Steinhaus
Mary Stringer
Jessica Sumter
Nicole Tauheed
Michael Teague
Kurtis L. Thiel
Trudi Thorp
Erin Turner
Marilyn Vranicar
Dwayne Walker
Laura Wallner
Jessica Warlick
Susie Weis
Harry M. Wheeler
Dan Woodall
Janis Yarnevich
Jamie Young
Megan Zinn-Sanchez
Dierdra Zollar
Joette Pelster Visionary Fund
     Gifts In Memoriam

Susie Adamson & Kathi Krouch
Ellen & John Aisenbrey
Bruce & Sandy Allen
Andrea Allison-Putman
Joseph Appelt Jr.
Erika Bailey and Fausto Espinosa
Marcia Bailey
Daniel Baker
Deborah Banks
Cathy & Dan Barnett
Sarah & Jon Baum
Cheryl Benge
Lydia & Art Butler
Kay & John Callison
Children’s Theatre Foundation of
   America
Copaken Family Foundation
Walter & Teresa Coppage
Sarah Crawford
Steve & Martha Crider
Don & Pat Dagenais
Kathy & Jim Dunn
Charles & Mary Beth Edmonds
The Elliott Family
Ronni Favors & Bill Colavito
Barbara Fay
Annette Filippi & Jeff Jackson
Sally Firestone
Julia Flood
SuEllen & Harvey Fried
Shanara Gabrielle & Alec Wild
Sidonie Garrett
Brian Guehring & Michael Miller
Johyne Hamra
Sharon and John Hoffman
Jennifer & Jason Ingraham
Julie T. Kasper
Marianne & Terry Kilroy
The King Bunnelle Family
Jan Kohl
Vicky Lee & Judith Yeckel (in
   memoriam)
Linda & Daria LeGrand
Wendy Lement
Cynthia Levin
Robin Parks Lockwood
 
Felicia & Venne Londre
Peg & Bill Lyons
Patricia Macdonald
Sheryl Mackey
Nancy Marcy
Carolyn Rutherford Mayo
Anita Meehan
Ruth C. Mercado-Zizzo
Metro Theater Company
Brian Williams & Steve Metzler
Matthew Miller
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
John & Larie Nelson
Barb, Blair & Chris Nicely
Carla Noack
David Ollington
Chris Garcia Peak
Art & Susan Perry
Colleen Power
Quinn Ferguson Family
Patty Raun & Alan Weinstein
David & Lori Riddle
Jan Rogge
J.P. & Mary J. Sciabarra
Susanne Shutz
Myra Siegel
Laura & Peter Sloan
Jeanne & Charlie Sosland
Sarah Spearman
Stanley Stern & Deborah Hirsch
Theresa & Shaun Stoker
Donna Thomason
Kristina Thompson
Deb Turpin
Janet Vall
Karen Massman VanAsdale
The Veglahn Family
Evelyn Vernon
Marilyn Vranicar
Jennifer & Bryan Wampler
Keith Wiedenkeller
Penny & Randy Williams
Anonymous (4)

In Memory of Dan Veglahn
Veglahn Family, in support of Electric Poe Classroom Immersions
 

In Memory of Gregory Vranicar
Alan Cohen
Kevin Connor
Pat and Don Dagenais
Linnet Harlan
Bruce Hoffman
Lyn McMahon
Janet & Corey O’Neal
John and Errett Schmid
Ann & Robert Stein
 
Stanley Stern
Kirby Upjohn
Keith and Sharon Vickers
Julie Vranicar
Marilyn Vranicar
Mark & Qian Vranicar
Karen and Russell Weltner
Tara Wiley
Stacy Winkelbauer
Anonymous

In Honor of Jarrett Bertoncin
Anonymous
 

 
In Honor of Project Pride
Jennifer and Jason Ingraham
 
 
In Honor of Lori Riddle
Shannon Fuller
 

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