Stage III Playbill

Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida.

BY JOHNNA ADAMS

Kate Hampton and Katherine Michelle Tanner. Photo by Matthew Holler.

GIDION’S KNOT

CAST

Directed byJason Cannon

Costume DesignerAdrienne Webber

Lighting DesignerChris Baldwin

Stage ManagerStephen M. Ray, Jr.*

Season UnderwritersGeorgia Court, Herald Tribune Media Group,

Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy, Anne H.S. Nethercott

By Johnna Adams

* Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

Originally produced at the Contemporary American Theater Festival, Shepherdstown, West Virginia,Producing Director, Ed Herendeen;

Associate Producing Director, Peggy McKowen; Managing Director, James McNeel.

Gidion’s Knot is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Scenic DesignerBruce Price

Corryn Fell....................Kate Hampton*Heather Clark................Katherine Michelle Tanner*

Co-Producer Cookie Boudreaux

SETTINGA 5th grade classroom in a suburban public school

Early April, Monday, 2:45 pm

KATE HAMPTON (Corryn Fell) Broadway: The Best Man, The Deep Blue Sea. First National Tour: Spring Awakening. More NYC: The Master Builder (BAM), All My Sons (Roundabout),

Over the River and Through the Woods. Regional: Stalking the Bogeyman (Florida Studio Theatre) Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Palm Beach Dramaworks), The Cocktail Hour, Social Security, Lend Me a Tenor (Florida Rep), The Ladies Man, Talley’s Folly, Absurd Person Singular (Peterborough Players), Fallen Angels, God of Carnage, Once in a Lifetime, Boeing Boeing, Pride and Prejudice, Expecting Isabel (Asolo Rep), Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Humana Festival), Hard Times (Williamstown). TV: Bones, The Law & Order trifecta, Sex and the City. Husband: David Breitbarth. www.katehampton.net

KATHERINE MICHELLE TANNER (Heather Clark) Off Broadway and US Tour of her award winning performance in the one woman play The Amish Project. Regional Favorite

Roles Include: Nora - A Doll’s House, Margaret in Charm, Catherine - Proof, Ivy - August: Osage County, Catharine - Suddenly, Last Summer, Myrrah - Metamorphoses, Ophelia - Hamlet, Molly/Carole Stalking the Bogeyman and Laura - The Glass Menagerie. Current Film she plays Mary in Waiting on Mary. Katherine has written

three new musicals and her acclaimed new play Shakespeare’s Lovers. BA-St. Olaf College, MFA Acting - Asolo Theatre Conservatory. She is Artistic Director of Tree Fort Productions. www.katherinemichelletanner.com

JASON CANNON (Director) is an Associate Artist at FST, where his responsibilities include directing, acting, New Play Development, supervising the Acting Apprentice Program, and Adult Education. Most recently he directed Stalking the Bogeyman, Deck the Halls, Million Dollar Quartet, The Velveteen Rabbit, Last Rights, Relativity, My Name is Asher Lev, and Butler, and his performance as Ever Montgomery in Dancing Lessons garnered him “Best Actor of 2015” awards from both Sarasota Magazine and the Herald-Tribune. He holds an MFA in Directing, an MA in Drama, and a BA in Theatre and English. Proud member SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA. jasoncannon.biz

STEPHEN M. RAY JR. (Stage Manager) Regional Stage Management: 4000 Miles, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Around the World in 80 Days, 7 Homeless Mammoths..., The Amish Project, and more (all at American Stage); Stalking the Bogeyman and Relativity (Florida Studio Theatre); The Amish Project, (Sheen Center, NYC); The Amish Project, The Whipping Man (Columbia Festival of the Arts). Assistant Stage Management: Assassins (freeFall Theatre). Stephen was also Assistant Production Manager for Stages Productions for 6 years.

BRUCE PRICE (Scenic Designer) joined the FST staff in 2002 as the Production Stage

ARTIST PROFILES

Manager. In 2004 Mr. Price was promoted to Production Manager. In the past 14 years Mr. Price has stage managed over 36 productions and over seen the technical aspects of over 100 productions here at FST. During his 30 years in theatre Mr. Price has designed sets, lights and costumes for dozens of productions. He designed the sets for FST’s productions of Stalking the Bogeyman, Deck The Halls!, The Velveteen Rabbit, Thurgood, My Name Is Asher Lev, and Relativity. In addition, Mr. Price has directed a number of Staged Readings and Children’s plays for FST. Mr. Price has a MFA in Directing from the University of Houston where he studied with Edward Albee, Jose Quintero, and Stewart Ostro. Mr. Price has worked regionally at The Alley Theatre and Stage Repertory Theatre both on stage and backstage. He has found his home here at FST.

ADRIENNE WEBBER (Costume Designer) is the current Florida Studio Theatre Costume Shop Manager. She has designed and coordinated costumes for The Barter Theatre, The Barter Players, Chautauqua Opera, FSU MFA film and video program, FSU MFA acting program, Asolo Children’s tour program, Sarasota Players and Anna Maria Island Players. Her most recent designs were The Hound of the Baskervilles and Lady in Black for The Barter Theatre. She is happy to be back in Sarasota with her new FST family.

CHRIS BALDWIN (Lighting Designer) is a Lighting Designer/Technician who’s been working throughout Tampa over the last four

years. Most recently designing Tartuffe and It’s a Wonderful Life at American Stage, Lillette Jenkins and Cash on Delivery at Ruth Eckerd Hall; he is a jack of all in lighting and has performed as Master Electrician, Programmer, or Lighting Grip on a multitude of productions and special events at venues such as Busch Gardens, The Home Shopping Network and Raymond James Stadium. This is Chris’ first show with Florida Studio Theatre and he is immensely excited for the opportunity to work with new artists and a fresh canvas to splash with color.

ARTIST PROFILES

SEASON UNDERWRITERSGEORGIA COURT I love great theater and FST delivers that. FST is among the best theater companies I have seen, but it is more than a theater company. It is an organization that recognizes it is part of the greater community - and it reaches out to that community in positive, productive ways. Having FST so accessible adds to the joy of living in the fabulous arts community that is Sarasota.

DENNIS & GRACI MCGILLICUDDY FST is important to us because we believe so strongly in the transformative power of the arts. For close to 30 years now, we have been so fortunate to experience first-hand how that transformative power works its magic in the hands of an organization that is not only experienced and dedicated but so highly skilled in their craft. The values of the theater and its leadership, as reflected in its mission, and as manifested in its work, whether it be on the main stage, in the cabaret, and in its education and community outreach programs,

are values that we so strongly believe in. As a consequence, it is a privilege for us to be a part of, and supportive of this great theater.

ANNE H.S. NETHERCOTT When asked to define giving, Anne said: “My mother used to say,” The best way to find you is to lose yourself, by focusing on the needs of others rather than on oneself. So, giving has always been an important family value, which in childhood was reinforced by the community experience of surviving The Depression. Anne is proud to be a supporter of FST.

The HERALD-TRIBUNE MEDIA GROUP enjoys a history in this community that spans more than 90 years. Partnering with organizations such as Florida Studio Theatre allows us to contribute to our region’s rich creative culture in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice providing an unparalleled media landscape through the newspaper, HeraldTribune.com.

COOKIE BOUDREAUX Most of us who are attending this play will never personally experience what these two women are dealing with. Yet, through this beautiful play, FST will transport us into their world. Possibly we will expand our view of ‘others’ and the conflicts, commitments and challenges that make up their lives – hopefully bringing us all closer together as fellow human beings.

CO-PRODUCER

FST FORUMSDialogues on DiversityGidion’s Knot is part of this year’s forum series, Dialogues on Diversity. This call to conscience includes panel discussions, post-show discussions, online discussions, community events, and more. This year the forum series has expanded to include six shows: brownsville song (b-side for tray), Older Than Dirt, Stalking The Bogeyman, Gidion’s Knot, Grounded, and The Exonerated. Check out out the website for more information: www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Join the online discussion at www.fst-blog.com

Grounded by George BrantAn unexpected pregnancy ends an ace fighter pilot’s career in the sky. Reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas, she hunts terrorists by day and returns to her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between

the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away.

The Exoneratedby Jessica Blank and Erik JensenImagine spending days, weeks or months in a space that is cold and unfamiliar, with concrete walls and floors, and bars that keep you from going where you want. Jails are not welcoming, nor are they meant to be. Imagine spending years in one, especially if

you are not guilty of the crime for which you’ve been convicted. The Exonerated reveals true stories of exonerated prisoners from interviews and court transcripts, some of whom spent as many as twenty-two years behind bars.

the next show in your series:

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Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at(941) 366-9000 or by visiting us online at floridastudiotheatre.org.

FST FORUMSJOHNNA ADAMS (Author) Johnna is a 2012 graduate of the Rita & Burton Goldburg MFA Program at Hunter College (led by Tine Howe), the 2011 recipient of the Princess Grace Award and a finalist for the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Award. Her play Gidion’s Knot was published in the December 2012 issue of TCG’s American Theatre Magazine and received an ATCA/Steinberg Citation. She is a past Reva Shiner Award winner, winner of the OC Weekly’s Best Original Play award (twice), finalist for the Christopher Brian Wolk Award, finalist for the William Saroyan Prize and a New York Innovative Theatre Award nominee. Her play Sans Merci was produced in New York by Flux Theatre Ensemble, and Boomerang Theatre

produced her rhyming verse comedy, Lickspittles, Buttonholers, and Damned Pernicious Go-Betweens.When asked about her inspirations for writing Gidion’s Knot, Adams recalls media coverage she saw in the aftermath of crimes committed by children. “There was a lot of press looking at artwork or writing that children had done in advance to committing crimes as indicators... and [I thought] that was probably an unfair focus and a little bit of a witch hunt.” Adams reflects on how this is a dangerous practice, as it could be used as excuse for limiting children’s imaginations. Adams also mentions that this piece was written for her father, who has always been very supportive of her work.

In a recent article of Playwright’s Playground by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins, Johnna speaks about the difficulty of writing Gidion’s Knot.“Writing Gidion’s story was the biggest challenge in the play. It was the hardest thing to give myself permission to do - remove all internal censors, erase all concern with consequence... A big challenge. And I face a constant battle not to soften the language every time I hear it. It is the only thing I have written than I refuse to let myself edit. I don’t trust myself not to censor it down to something less offensive. I knew I was done with the play when everything I changed started to make things worse. I wrote it very fast, over about three months.”

The full article can be found on the DC Metro Arts website: http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com

941.366.90001241 North Palm Avenue • Downtown Sarasota, FL 34236

www.floridastudiotheatre.org • info@floridastudiotheatre.org

FST COMPANYBOARD OF TRUSTEES

President.........................................Dennis McGillicuddyVice-President........................................Richard HopkinsSecretary/Treasurer..........................................Tom HayesTrustee........................................................Kate AlexanderTrustee...........................................Carol Poteat BuchananTrustee.........................................................Georgia CourtTrustee.....................................................Patricia CourtoisTrustee...........................................................Jeff HotchkissTrustee........................................................Barbara LupoffTrustee......................................................Jennifer Michell

EXECUTIVE STAFFProducing Artistic Director……..........Richard HopkinsAssociate Director.....................................Kate AlexanderManaging Director................................Rebecca Hopkins

ARTISTIC STAFFCasting/Hiring Coordinator.....................James AshfordResident Pianist...............................................Jim ProsserAssociate Artist...........................................Jason CannonAssociate Artist................................Catherine RandazzoAssistant to the Artistic Director................Doris IemoloDirector of Improvisation................................Will Luera

PRODUCTION STAFFProduction Manager….............................….Bruce PriceMainstage Stage Manager.................................Roy JohnsTechnical Director...................................Wil DeleguardiaScene Shop Supervisor.........................Stephen DunhamCostume Shop Manager......................Adrienne WebberSound Supervisor............................................Thom KorpProps/Paint Supervisor.........................Kristine Kreutzer

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFIT Manager....................................................Lee SchlosserBusiness Manager.................................Carmen GonzalezBookkeeper................................................Jennifer BerkeyAsst. to the Managing Dir....................Phyllis SilvermanOperations Manager.........................Mark QuackenbushFacilities Manager.................................Joseph Goepfrich General Manager........................................Jill ZakrzewskiCompany Manager......................................Luke JohnsonMarketing Director.......................................Audra LangePublic Relations Associate........................Nicole Clayton Marketing Associate....................................David MeiersEvents Coordinator/Gen Mgmt Asst..........Dana ErnestDirector of Indiv. Giving...........Melody Mora-ShihadehDevelopment Associate.................................Steve TurrisiDevelopment Associate............................Corriane OsterApplication Systems Manager.................Kathleen SmithBox Office Manager....................................Kelsey WehdeAsst. Box Office Manager.............................Gigi DelperoAsst. Box Office Manager..........................David WallaceAsst. Box Office Manager.........................Samus HaddadBox Office Assistant........................................Amy BeachRestaurant Manager.........................................Tom CurryRestaurant Manager....................................Karen KrasterRestaurant Manager.....................................Josh RodoskiAsst. Restaurant Manager................... Katelyn McKelleyReceptionist..................................................Joan O’Dowd

EDUCATION & TOURSDirector of Children’s Theatre................Caroline KaiserDirector of Education.........................Christine HopkinsEducation Administrator............................Pamela SmithTeaching Artist/YPF Coordinator.............Adam Ratner Education & Outreach Associate......Patrick A. Jackson

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP

AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT GROUP

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

House Counsel..........................................John PattersonFacility Custodian..............................Carlos De Oliveira.......................................Confidence Cleaning CompanyCaretaker..........................................................Doctor NikStitchers.............. Patrick J. Crimmings, Stephanie Gift,

Linda Pirozzi, Brenda TianoINTERN PROGRAM

Acting Apprentice....................................David AnthonyActing Apprentice.........................................Naomi AschActing Apprentice.....................................Alexa EldridgeActing Apprentice...............................Vanessa GuadianaActing Apprentice........................................Lydia HassellActing Apprentice...........................................Ethan LevyActing Apprentice..................................Dennis MullikinActing Apprentice.........................................Jacob PerkelActing Apprentice......................................Myles PhillipsActing Apprentice.............................Kihresha RedmondActing Apprentice.......................................Tanner SandsActing Apprentice.......................................Amber WiestArtistic/Co. Mgmt Intern.........................Robin MackeyCompany Management Intern...............Dianna BurgosDirecting Intern.......................................Michael GalvezEducation & Outreach Intern...........Brandon MancusoLiterary Intern...........................................Morgan GreenLiterary Intern........................................Thomas McPheeLiterary Intern...........................................Jordan NickelsLiterary Intern..............................................Joseph VaskeMarketing Intern.................................................Alex HillProd./Lighting Intern..............................Sarah McGrathProduction Intern.......................................Marco AcostaProduction Intern..................................LaZerrick TravisProd./Sound Intern..................................Jonathan BakerStage Management Intern............................Sally BurgosStage Management Intern...................Rebecca Li GradyStage Management Intern.............................Trixie HongStage Management Intern.....................Jennifer LondonStage Management Intern.......................Jynelly Rosario

Gaele BartholdJan ColemanLarry ColemanMaddy FreshwaterSy Goldblatt Sydney GoldsteinJim GoldmanSandy GoldmanRobert GradyWendy GradyRobert IsraeloffBonny Israeloff

Hon. Larry L. EgerMr. Trevor HarveyHarriet HendelInnocence Project of Florida The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-ManateeGilbert King

Dr. Eddy RegnierIna Schnell

Mayor Willie Charles Shaw

Mr. Howard TevlowitzChief Judge Charles

E. Williams

Valerie JoelsMarie Kropp

Frank MalicksonGraci McGillicuddy

Dick NimtzIna Schnell

Alan SchottensteinLois Schottenstein

Lois StulbergCharlie Ann Syprett

Martin Taffel