Been Bad

A Note From The Playwright

This show is a culmination of work I did alongside the brilliant Dan Lendzian over the past year and a half. Through Been Bad, I’ve been able to explore feelings of grief, and question the concept of sanity. We all have narratives we choose to believe. Many of us do this to protect ourselves, others do it to enliven themselves. You’ll likely find none of these characters to be likable (with the exception of Santa perhaps). None of them are the hero. They’re all deeply troubled and flawed. Act two serves as a purgatory for these characters, and Santa almost acts as God. It’s very easy to brush off the second act, and say that none of it is real. I invite you to take a more active approach. Everything in the second act is very real to these characters. It’s the physical representation of consequences and final goodbyes. I implore you to make any necessary goodbyes in your life. Thank you for delving into my brain for ninety minutes.

- Sarah Zweighaft

Director’s Note:

Been Bad is an incredibly timely show about navigating mental illness and relationships. The surrealism of the second act demonstrates that life doesn’t always make sense for those that are afflicted with severe mental health problems, and that clarity is a road with many twists and turns that often doesn’t have an end in sight. This is a beautiful story and it has been a privilege to help tell it. I hope the audience is able to walk away with a greater understanding and compassion for those around them, and an understanding that it’s okay to ask for help. 

- Jace Jacobs

Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, afib, death, mental illness, suicide, school shootings

Mental Health Resources:

Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline: 1-800-724-0461

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Song List

Act 1

Scene 1: Susan’s Apartment

Scene 2: Carl’s House

Scene 3: The Therapist’s Office

Scene 4: Rick’s Car

Scene 5: Carl’s House

Scene 6: Rick’s Car

Scene 7: Carl’s Front Porch

Act 2

Scene 1: An Eerie Mall

Scene 2: The Therapist’s Office

Scene 3: Deep Under Water

Scene 4: The Hospital

Scene 5: Rick’s House

Scene 6: Liminal Space Scene

7: The Mall From Before

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Brian Cecala

Carl

Brian Cecala is a senior BFA acting student and is excited to be making his first appearance in Pac. He would like to thank and congratulate Sarah for putting together an excellent piece.

Makenzie Claire Bush

Susan

Makenzie Claire Bush (She/Her), is honored to be playing the role of Susan. This will be her last production with PAC, and she is eternally grateful to PAC for all of the opportunities they’ve provided. Her previous credits include Into The Woods (Little Red Riding Hood), Small Mouth Sounds (Swing), The Wild Party (Swing), and various others. She would like to thank her family and her class. #Fredlast! makenzieclairebush.com

Sophia Wingfield

Annalise

Sophia is a BFA Acting major in her second year. She’s been involved in theater for many years, especially in high school. Earlier this school year she was part of the Trash Rats production of “Puffs”, her first role while being in college. Now she is very pleased to be part of PAC’s production of “Been Bad”. She hopes you will enjoy the show!

Nyles Emile

Rick

Nyles Emile(he/him) is a Sophomore Acting Major from Brooklyn, NY; he is excited to be a part of this piece as this being his PAC debut!! He was last seen in the Fall Production of Radium Girls. He’s glad to be back under the leadership of the Zweighaft/Jacobs duo, what a full circle moment!! He would like to thank all his friends and family for their love and support! “Live Life to The Fullest!!”

Becca Hammack

Bee

Becca Hammack is a senior BFA Musical Theatre Major. This is her third production with PAC others being The Dolls of New Albion(Elder) and The Persians(Treasury). Some of her other credits include Into The Woods(Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) and Our Town(Ensemble). She has also spent the past three summers working at Cedar Point as an Actor on Snake River, a Costume Character and a Dancer. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.

Nikos Konstans

Santa/Fight Captain

“Been Bad” is Nikos’ first PAC production at SUNY Fredonia. He is so excited to be a part of this process and has loved working on the production so far. Nikos has recently performed in the Main Street Studios production of “Peter and the Starcatcher”, and he will be performing in the main stage production of “Romeo and Juliet” as Lord Capulet in April.

Matthew Marc Baum

Carl/Santa Swing

Matthew Marc Baum(Swing- Carl and Santa) is thrilled for the chance to put this show on for you all! Prior works include Mince Pie of Doom(Papa Noel, Sid, Nick, Father Christmas), Into the Woods(Narrator/Mysterious Man), Sterling Renaissance Festival(Queen’s Guard), The Normal Heart(Mickey Marcus). So many thanks to my family, my friends, and the world of opportunity that I get the privilege to explore!

Asantewa Adigun-Bomani

Susan u/s

Asantewa is a freshman musical theater major from the Bronx, NY. This is her PAC debut and she is very excited. She expresses gratitude to everyone who got her here, including all her former instructors and teachers at the Harlem School of the Arts PREP theater program.

Marissa S. Rackwitz

Ensemble/ Annalise u/s

Marissa Rackwitz (she/her) is a senior music therapy major at Fredonia. This will be her first PAC show and she is extremely grateful to be able to be a part of this incredible process. Past theater credits include Tanya in Mamma Mia, Madame Giry in the Phantom of the Opera and Cosette in Les Miserables. She hopes you will enjoy “Been Bad” as much as she has!

Gavin Blake

Rick u/s

Gavin Blake (understudy Rick) is very proud to be a part of this production. He is a freshman pursuing a BA degree in Theatre Arts. This is his first performance since coming to Fredonia.

Dylan Burley

Beatrice/Understudy

Dylan is very excited to be a part of his first PAC production! Halfway through his freshman year here, Dylan just transferred into the BFA Musical Theatre and couldn't be more thrilled about these new opportunities. In his first semester here Dylan participated in the student film "Love's A Wash" and is current filming its sequel "Death's A Toast". He has also been in productions such as "Cabaret" with the Geneva Theatre Guild and "Singin' in the rain" his senior year of High school. Thank you to the cast and crew for their openness and acceptance of Dylan in this production!

Sarah Zweighaft

Writer/Director

Sarah Zweighaft (she/they) is the writer and co-director of “Been Bad.” As a senior musical theatre major (and creative writing minor), Sarah hopes to move to the mountains with her cat, Puddle. There, she hopes to continue living a creative life, with lots of performing and writing. Sarah is so proud of the cast and crew for helping make her project come to life! sarahzweighaft.com

Jace Jacobs

Co-Director

Jace Jacobs is a senior theatre arts major from Rochester, New York. This is his first production with PAC, and he is overjoyed to be working with Sarah Zwieghaft again on another original concept! Past credits include The Things We Know Now, director, Everything Feels Like The End of the World, AD, and The Normal Heart, dramaturg. Upcoming projects include ADing for Romeo & Juliet as part of the Walter Gloor MainStage season, and a secret project premiering in October! Jace would like to thank PAC and the cast and crew for all of their hard work and support!

Zach Liddick

Assistant Stage Manager

Zach Liddick (He/Him) is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre Major at SUNY Fredonia currently based in Buffalo, NY. Zach has also spent the year on the PAC board as Assistant Company Manager. This is his first time stage managing and is super hyped to learn more about the process! You can also catch him onstage in Fredonia Mainstage’s Romeo and Juliet (Romeo us./Chorus) this April.

Alison Nolan

Sound Designer and Board Op.

Alison Nolan (she/they) is a third year Theatrical Production and Design B.F.A. with a concentration in lighting design and a minor in dance. She is so excited to have this opportunity to work on a new piece of artwork written by one of her fellow students. Most recently she did sound design for the Suny Fredonia’s Fall 2022 production of Into The Woods. Other P.A.C. credits include Incognito (2019), Lifespan of a Fact (2021), & Small Mouth Sounds (2022).

Holden Stevenson

Stage Manager

Holden is thrilled to be making his PAC debut as Been Bad’s Stage Manager. He previously has Assistant Stage Managed SUNY Fredonia’s Pipeline, directed by Yao Kahlil, and Radium Girls, directed by Dan Lendzian. Holden is a sophomore BA Theatre Arts major. He would like to thank Sarah Zweighaft and Jace Jacobs for reaching out to him with this opportunity. He would also like to thank the cast and the rest of the production team for making this process such a wonderful experience, as well as his parents for their continuous support.

Abigail Conklin

Lighting Designer

Abigail (Abby) Conklin (she/her) is a Sophomore Music Education and History major at SUNY Fredonia. This is her second production with PAC, and she is excited to work with them once again. Her prior credits include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (pit member; 2022), “Peter and the StarCatcher” (Lighting Designer; 2022), “Eurydice” (Board Operator, PAC), and “Happily: The Musical (Stage Manager/ LD) She is excited to be a member of this production team and is incredibly grateful for this incredible opportunity!

Harlequinn Selegean

Props Master

Harlequinn Selegean is a sophomore acting and writing student from Rockland County, New York, and they are thrilled to have gotten to work on props for PAC's production of Sarah Zweighaft's original play, Been Bad. They have much admiration for all the work the cast and production team have done, and wish all those involved a great show.

Olivia Kaye

Technical Director

Olivia is based in Schenectady, NY, and is thrilled to be participating in this production. Past Fredonia and PAC credits include "The Wild Party", "Mr. Burns", "Into the Woods", "Eurydice", and "Radium Girls". This semester, she will serve as the stage manager for "Lear" under the direction of Daniel Lendzian, and next semester she will be serving as the stage manager for "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812." She thanks the whole "Been Bad" team and hopes you enjoy the show!

Paige Lincoln

Fight Choreographer

Paige is so excited to be working on this production! Last semester she was part of Radium Girls. This semester Paige can be seen as Nurse/Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and is the fight choreographer for This Is Our Youth and Beauty and the Beast. Paige would like to thank PAC for this opportunity!

Special Thanks
A massive thank you to Dan Lendzian and the writers’ group for meeting tirelessly on Fridays for the past year. Dan, you are my muse; your artistry never ceases to amaze me. Thank you to Ted Sharon, Jong Sang Rheu, and everyone else at Main Street Studios for graciously letting us use your space and other resources. Lastly, thank you to the cast and crew for making this show happen.

Performing Arts Company 2022-2023 Executive Board

Executive Producer (President)- Erin Grace Kelly

Associate Executive Producer (Vice President)- Alexa Adler

Director of Finance (Treasurer)- Bowie Rivera

Company Manager- Ashley Halm

Assistant Company Manager- Zach Liddick

Director of Performance and Outreach- Matt Neary

Production Manager- Nax Sidoni

Assistant Production Manager- Olivia Kaye

General Manager- Aidan Heaney

DEI Chair- Kayla Chung

Director of Operations- Erin Houghtaling

Executive Assistant- Rhiannon Craver

Director of Development (Freshman Representative)- Cassie Gillen