FROM THE INTERIM DEPARTMENT HEADAND MANAGING DIRECTOR

as a music hall entertainment. And, of course, it is musical and not literary—a performance and not a book to be read. Not only that, Drood ignores the “fourth wall” as the traditional separation of actor, stage, and audience. This show wants us to remind us that we’re in a theatre—or two theatres, as it were. A true celebration of song and dance and theatrics, Drood delivers a show within a show, and leaves the ending up to us.

For NMSU Theatre Arts, The Mystery of Edwin Drood represents a significant step forward in our commitment to musical theatre training, performance, and production. Save for last year’s A Christmas Carol (itself a story by Dickens set to music and dance) this is the first large-scale musical to be produced in our new space at the CFTA. As such, it offers our students (many of whom have a musical theatre concen-tration within the major) the opportunity to show all of us what they are discovering in classes as well as in rehearsal and performance.

Charles Dickens was, of course, a great conjuror of names, and Edwin Drood is no exception. Dickensian names are like no other – where else can you find a Madame Therese Defarge, Nicholas Nickleby, Ebenezer Scrooge, Uncle Pumblechook, or Martin Chuzzlewit? Take a look at our cast list here, and the names will not disappoint: Reverend Crisparkle and Princess Puffer are monikers to conjure with, and what could be more Dickensian than a John Jasper or a Nick Cricker?

Welcome to the Victorian music hall and the world of Drood! We’ll see you again in the New Year for Other Desert Cities and Twelfth Night!

Dr. William StormInterim Department Head, NMSU Theatre ArtsManaging Director, American Southwest Theatre Company

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is wonderfully con-tradictory. It’s pure theatre, even though based on a literary work, in this case a Victorian novel. The story comes from Charles Dickens, but the show itself is by no means Dickensian in its lighter and comedic tones. Drood is based on the story of Dickens’s unfinished novel, but delivers the action

American Southwest Theatre Company

at NMSU Theatre Artspresents

DIRECTOR JOSH CHENARD MUSIC DIRECTOR MEGAN MCQUEENCHOREOGRAPHER KARLOS SAUCEDOSCENIC & LIGHTING DESIGNER JIM BILLINGSCOSTUME DESIGNER GUENEVERE MCMAHON SOUND DESIGNER MATT REYNOLDS PROPS DESIGNER DAVID L. HEREFORDSTAGE MANAGER MIKE WISE

Act One runs approximately 75 minutes and Act Two runs approximately 50 minutes.

The play will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

Audiences are reminded to please silence all electronic devices (cell phones and alarms) prior to the performance.

If you use your cell phone during the performance, you may be asked to leave. Thank you for your consideration.

ASTC at NMSU Theatre Arts invites you to our 2014 - 2015 Opening Night Celebrations, every opening night this season, sponsored by Dr. Christa Slaton, Dean of NMSU’s

College of Arts and Sciences. Thank you, Dean Slaton!

Place: The Music Hall RoyaleTime: 1892

Mr. William Cartwright (The Chairman) Tom Smith Mr. James Throttle (Stage Manager) Mario RagazzoneMr. Clive Paget (John Jasper) Aaron HernandezMiss Alice Nutting (Edwin Drood) Nicole Bartlett Miss Deirdre Peregrine (Rosa Bud) Parigrynne CoxMiss Isabel Yearsley (Wendy) Lila LeCuyerMiss Florence Gill (Beatrice) Jamie SmithMiss Janet Conover (Helena Landless) Caitlin ArtripMr. Victor Grinstead (Neville Landless) Joseph RodriguezMr. Cedric Moncrieffe (Reverand Crisparkle) Frank AlvaradoMiss Angela Prysock (Princess Puffer) Stephanie Vasquez FonsecaMr. James Hitchens (Mayor Sapsea) Jorge Epler-WineMr. Nick Cricker (Durdles) Cameron LangMaster Nick Cricker (Deputy) Robert SciortinoMr. Phillip Bax (Bazzard) Austin ParrishDick Datchery ? ? ?Miss Gwendolyn Pinn (Ensemble) Veronica BissellMiss Sarah Cook (Ensemble) Victoria CastilloMr. Larry Shubert (Ensemble) Daniel De La RosaMiss LeeAndra Garrick (Ensemble) Rachel EdwardsMiss Gennine Collins (Ensemble) Nichole HolguinMr. Alan Eliot (Ensemble) Josh HortonMiss Mary Ricke (Ensemble) Victoria HughesMiss Esther Richards (Ensemble) Danya LinaresMr. Christopher Lyon (Ensemble) Aidan ViscarraMiss Vivien Rigsby (Ensemble) Alex Wheeler

Originally produced by The New York Shakespeare Festival

Produced by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, http://www.tams-witmark.com

In order of appearance

CAST

ACT I THERE YOU ARE Chairman & Company A MAN COULD GO QUITE MAD JasperTWO KINSMEN Drood & Jasper MOONFALL RosaMOONFALL QUARTET Rosa, Helena, Wendy & BeatriceTHE WAGES OF SIN PufferJASPER'S VISION Jasper & DancersA BRITISH SUBJECT Helena, Neville, Drood, Rosa, Crisparkle & EnsembleBOTH SIDES OF THE COIN Jasper, Chairman & EnsemblePERFECT STRANGERS Drood & RosaNO GOOD CAN COME FROM BAD Neville, Drood, Rosa, Helena, Crisparkle, Jasper & WaiterNEVER THE LUCK Bazzard & Ensemble OFF TO THE RACES Chairman, Durdles, Deputy & Company

ACT II SETTLING UP THE SCORE Datchery, Puffer & Ensemble THE NAME OF LOVE Rosa & JasperDON'T QUIT WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD Puffer & CompanyPUFFER'S REVELATION PufferOUT ON A LIMERICK Helena, or Bazzard, or Neville,

or Crisparkle, or RosaJASPER’S CONFESSION Jasper MURDERER’S CONFESSION Helena, or Bazzard, or Neville, or

Crisparkle, or Rosa, or DurdlesPERFECT STRANGERS (REPRISE) Rosa, or Helena, or Puffer,

with Bazzard, or Neville, or Crisparkle, or Durdles, or Jasper, or Deputy

THE WRITING ON THE WALL Drood & Company DON'T QUIT WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD (REPRISE) Company

Ginny May -- PianoBrian Theodorson -- Percussion

Dominic Lowhar - Flute/Saxophone Aaron Barbara - Cello

MUSICIANSMegan McQueen - Conductor

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Frank Alvarado (Mr. Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverand Crisparkle) Frank is a senior Theatre Arts major. His previous roles include Pablo Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Earthworm in James and the Giant Peach, Ensemble in The Rocky Horror Show, Boy/Weisskopf in Once in a Lifetime, and Alex in the staged reading of Antarktikos.

Caitlin Artrip (Miss Janet Conover/Helena Landless) Caitlin is a freshman majoring in Theatre Arts, with a concentration in Musical Theatre. Her previous roles include Babette in Beauty and the Beast.

Nicole Bartlett (Miss Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood) Nicole is a senior majoring in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Vanda Jordan in Venus In Fur, Saphro-nella/Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Pam in The Full Monty, Ruby Rae in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, Blue Girl in Shout! The Mod Musical, Linda in The Wedding Singer, and Eulaile Shinn in The Music Man.

Veronica Bissell (Miss Gwendolyn Pinn/Ensemble) Veronica is a senior majoring in Theatre Arts and Business. Her previous acting experience includes Jane in West Highland Way, Little Nun in The House of Blue Leaves, Renata in Nine, Clovia/Rose (Fred’s Wife) in A Christmas Carol, Ginger in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Queen Victoria/Chorus in Annie Get Your Gun, Sister So-phia in The Sound of Music, Mrs. Trenkler in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Victoria Castillo (Miss Sarah Cook/Ensemble) Victoria is a senior at NMSU majoring in Theater Arts and Creative Media. Her previous roles include playing Ken in Red, Soccer Girl in MMRP, Congo Survivor in The Vagina Monologues, Little Nun in House of Blue Leaves, and Dorine in Tartuffe. She has also worked on the set of The Bridge, and the Two Should Know TV spot.

Parigrynne Cox (Miss Deirdre Peregrine/Rosa Bud) Pari is a freshman major-ing in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Becky in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Daniel De La Rosa (Mr. Larry Shubert/Ensemble) Daniel is a senior Theatre Arts major. His previous acting roles include Mr. Fezziwig/Topper in A Christmas Carol, Albert Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scarecrow/Hank in The Wizard of Oz, and Brian in The Day They Shot John Lennon.

Rachel Edwards (Miss LeeAndra Garrick/Ensemble) Rachel is a senior Theatre Arts major. Her previous roles include Head Nun in The House of Blue Leaves, Lydia in Night of One Acts and Pamela in hard 2 spel dad.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

CAST BIOGRAPHIESAaron Hernandez (Mr. Clive Paget/John Jasper) Aaron is a junior Theatre Arts major. His previous roles include Joel in Aunt Raini, Solicitor #2/Ebenezer in A Christmas Carol, Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men, Shelley Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross, Fortinbras in Hamlet, Player King in Hamlet, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, and Horatio in Hamlet.

Nichole Holguin (Miss Gennine Collins/Ensemble) Nichole is a junior majoring in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Sharpay Evans in High School Musi-cal, Old Lady/Chorus in Les Miserables, Chorus in Little Shop of Horrors and Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz.

Josh Horton (Mr. Alan Eliot/Ensemble) Josh is a junior majoring in Theater Arts. His previous roles include playing Alceste in The Misanthrope, The Direc-tor in Aunt Raini, Jack in the staged reading of For The Falls, Ghost of Jacob Marley/Butcher in A Christmas Carol, Stanley in One Man, Two Guvnors, Freddy in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Creon in Antigone.

Victoria Hughes (Miss Mary Ricke/Ensemble) Victoria is a freshman majoring in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Lennox in MacBeth, Helen in Carrie, and Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast.

Cameron Lang (Mr. Nick Cricker/Durdles) Cameron is a junior at NMSU. His previous roles include Old Joe in A Christmas Carol, Reg in The Full Monty, Aggie in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Albert in A Thousand Clowns, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Gavroche in Les Miserables, and Linus in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Lila LeCuyer (Miss Isabel Yearsley/Wendy) Lila is a senior majoring in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Bunny in The House of Blue Leaves, Kyrsti in Twitch, and Kitten in The Iris Incident.

Danya Linares (Miss Esther Richards/Ensemble) Danya is a senior major-ing in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Want/Party Guest in A Christmas Carol, Mary in Coward, Diana in Get Free, Wiskey in Woman/Burn and Fairy Godmother in Cindersmella.

Austin Parrish (Mr. Phillip Bax/Bazzard) Austin is a junior at NMSU majoring in Theatre Arts. His previous roles include Oronte in The Misanthrope, Ellard Simms in The Foreigner, James Trotter in James and the Giant Peach, Wally Webb in Our Town, Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show, Ensemble in Carousel, Keno in The Full Monty and Ronnie Shaughnessy in The House of Blue Leaves.

Mario Ragazzone (Mr. James Throttle/Stage Manager) Mario is a junior major-ing in Theatre Arts. His previous roles include Corey Palmer Sr. in Back to the 80’s, Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd, and Bayler in Glengarry Glen Ross.

Joseph Rodriguez (Mr. Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless) Joseph is a junior at NMSU, majoring in Education. His previous acting experience includes Solici-tor #1/Fishmonger in A Christmas Carol, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Corey Palmer in Back to the 80’s and Ensemble in Les Mis-erables.

Robert Sciortino (Master Nick Cricker/Deputy) Robert is a sophomore The-atre Arts major. His previous roles include Clitandre in The Misanthrope, Aunt Sponge/First Officer in James and the Giant Peach, Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music, and Douglas Aberdeen in Go Ask Alice.

Jamie Smith (Miss Florence Gill/Beatrice) Jamie is a senior majoring in The-atre Arts. Her previous roles include Ghost of Christmas Past/Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Suzanne/Countess/Female Admirer in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Dotty in Noises Off, Ophelia in Hamlet, Chorus in Sweeney Todd, Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland, and Chorus in Fiddler on the Roof.

Tom Smith (Mr. William Cartwright/Chairman) See Resident Company Biogra-phy page.

Stephanie Vasquez Fonseca (Miss Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer) Stepha-nie is a sophomore Theatre Arts major. Her previous roles include Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Spider in James and the Giant Peach, Basque/Guard/DuBois in The Misanthrope, Zombie in Land of the Dead, and Cookie in Rumors.

Aidan Viscarra (Mr. Christopher Lyon/Ensemble) Aidan is a sophomore major-ing in Theatre Arts. His previous roles include Husband in Moments of Past and Present, and John Williamson in CSTC’s Glengarry Glen Ross.

Alex Wheeler (Miss Vivien Rigsby/Ensemble) Alex is a junior majoring in Theatre Arts. Her previous roles include Jean in August: Osage County, Chorus in Annie, Get Your Gun, Annelle in Steel Magnolias, and Lauren in Circle, Mirror Transformation. Special thanks to Paul and her mom for everything.

ASTC at NMSU SPRING 2015 SHOWS

OTHER DESERT CITIESBy Jon Robin Baitz

Feb. 20 - March 8, 2015

TWELFTH NIGHTBy William ShakespeareApril 17 - May 3, 2015

Tickets: 646-4515 or www.nmsutheatre.com

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Charles Dickens did indeed die before completing his novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood…and writers and theatre artists have been imagining and reimagining murderous scenarios and possible end-ings ever since! Almost immediately after Dickens’ death in 1870, theatre companies began mounting different versions of Drood with varying degrees of success. There have been four screen adapta-tions of the novel, the first appearing as a silent film in 1909 and the most recent as a PBS mini-series in 2012. There have been doz-ens of novels, radio dramas, adaptations, recreations, and retellings of Dickens’ Victorian-era murder mystery, including Rupert Holmes’ musical comedy version, which is already coming to life around you…even as you finish this sentence. The idea of an audience as active participants in the theatrical experience is as old as ancient Greece and as new as American Idol. You are invited to fully partici-pate in this production! What does this mean for you? Other than assisting us in the picking out the murderer…please sing along, cheer, clap, boo, laugh, hiss, revel in, and as the Chairman states in his opening lines, “Kick off your boots, loosen your corsets…and enjoy yourselves!” -- Josh Chenard

Micheline Halloul (Assistant Costume Designer) Micheline is a senior Theatre Arts major, with an emphasis in costume design. She has been involved with costuming theatre since her junior year of high school and has worked on sev-eral shows since. She has been involved with James and the Giant Peach, Ham-let, Snow White and the Five Vertically Challenged People, and most recently Hermosos Huesos, an homage to Jose Guadalupe Posada project consisting of 13-installations inspired by Dia de los Muertos. After graduation, Micheline plans on moving to Austin, Texas, working as an independent artist, and the follow-ing year going to graduate school for an MFA in Costume Design and teaching design at a university.

Karlos Saucedo (Choreographer) Karlos has been on and off stage for various Las Cruces theatre productions. He taught dance as a high school student at Alma D’Arte and has continued to pursue his passion for dance ever since. Kar-los has been in such productions as Urinetown, Once Upon A Mattress, Songs For The New World, Man of La Mancha and The Full Monty. He has choreo-graphed for LCCT, Scaffolding Company, and ASTC at NMSU. He gives thanks to Megan McQueen, his family and partner Chauncey for all their continued sup-port and dedicates this work to his angel brother, Omar.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

STUDENT PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

PRODUCTION STAFFTechnical Director David L. HerefordProduction Coordinator Mike WiseTheater Manager Matt Reynolds Scene Shop Foreman James JaworskiCostume Shop Manager Guenevere McMahonAssistant Costume Designer Micheline Halloul Assistant Stage Managers Kia Ashley and Adolfo EnriquezMake-up Designer Guenevere McMahonHair Stylist Montaeya MooreWardrobe Supervisor Madison Miller Master Electrician Matt Reynolds Assistant Master Electricians Ashley Barrera, Cassidy Benson, Drew Kelley, Shay Harris Lighting Electricans THTR 347 studentsLight Board Operator Cassidy BensonFollow Spot Operators Dena Hurab, Isaac Lucero Microphone Operator Levi Morgan Stage Crew Head Kia AshleyStage Crew Ashley Barrera, Adolfo Enriquez, Taylor Reed, Ellie Schwartz, Arianna Swinson, Ashley VargasSet Construction Garrett Bensley, Rachel Edwards, Kelsey Gentile, Jarad Van Natta, and THTR 141L & THTR 346 studentsCostume Crew Charity Eye, Xavier Gonzales, Ricar- do Gonzalez, James Jeide, Carl Kelley, Juenice Robinson, Cruz Tal- amantes, Tiffany TysonCostume Construction Courtney Bishop,Ting Ting Laub, Micheline Halloul, Megan Thomp- son, Sara Pavia, Beka Rubalcava, Madison Miller, Paloma Pavao, Juenice Robinson, THTR 142L and THTR 345 studentsHouse Manager Marianna GallegosHouse Crew Fahad Alsebaie, Angela Johnson, Palma Tavenner, Richelle SinowitzPhotographer Michael Wise

Claudia Billings holds a B.S. in Theatre and Dance from the University of Wyoming and an M.A. in English Literature from NMSU. She currently teaches Introduction to Theatre and Acting. She also acts and directs for ASTC at NMSU.

Jim Billings received an M.F.A. in Scenic Design from the California Institute of the Arts. He has worked as a freelance designer around the country, and came to NMSU in 1985. Design credits include dance, theatre, opera, industrials and museums. Jim was awarded the Ralph B Crouch Award for “Outstanding contri-butions to the life of the NMSU community.”

Deborah Brunson received a B.F.A. in Costume Design from The University of Alabama in 1977, and an M.F.A. in Costume Design from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. She has been Resident Costume Designer at NMSU since 1988. She designs and fabricates for a variety of artistic areas.

Josh Chenard teaches Acting and Vocal Production. A Certified Instructor of the Michael Chekhov Technique and an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voice-work®, Josh teaches workshops and Master Classes all over the country, includ-ing in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. As a director, Josh has worked in a variety of educational and professional settings, most recently direct-ing Our Town for ASTC at NMSU and the Chicago premiere of Michael Lluberes’ Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers.

David L. Hereford received his B.F.A. in Theatre from UNM in 1978. He spent five summers at the Santa Fe Opera and a summer in the props shop at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, as well as being the Props Master at the Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg, and a scenic carpenter at the Denver Center Theatre Company.

James Jaworski comes from Buffalo, NY. Jim is a regionally-recognized artist and bowl maker and spends his “free time” making bowls and finding lumber.

Larissa Lury is a director, actor, acrobat, and teacher. At NMSU, in addition to teaching and directing, she heads the American Southwest Children’s Theatre Company. She directs and workshops plays in NYC and regionally, focusing primarily on the development of new works, two of which were nominated for (and one of which won) Best Play from the San Diego Critics Circle following the productions she directed. She was a Resident Director at Ensemble Studio Theatre from 2008-09, is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and an Affiliated Artist with New Georges. MFA, UC San Diego. BS, Northwest-ern University.

RESIDENT COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES

Guenevere McMahon has worked as an independent artist and craftsperson in the areas of fine art, art-to-wear garments for galleries and private clients, and has designed and produced her own line of handbags. She holds a B.A. in Gov-ernment and a Master of Public Administration, both from NMSU.

Megan McQueen is a proud graduate of NMSU, earning a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in theater and a Master of Arts in Education. During her undergraduate studies, she began professional work for various theater compa-nies and arts organizations as an actress, producer, director, stage manager, and arts administrator in New Mexico, Texas, and Pennsylvania. After graduating, she continued this work, largely in Massachusetts. Megan has been teaching music and theater in Las Cruces since 2004, notably at Alma d’arte Charter High School and Centennial High School.

Matt Reynolds designs lighting and sound for theatres around the country. In addition to his alma maters, Indiana University (B.A. ’08) and Michigan State University (M.F.A. ’12), his work has been enjoyed at Phoenix Theatre, Cardinal Theatre, and Brown County Playhouse, among others. He has taught theatrical practices for Indiana University, Michigan State University, Michigan Educational Theatre Association, Lansing Media Theatre Project, and Kennedy Center Ameri-can College Theatre Festival. Outside of teaching and design, Matt dedicates his time to his loving wife of twelve years, Mollie, his 6-year-old daughter, Lucy, and to his one year old son, Hugo.

Tom Smith received his B.A. from Whitman College and his M.F.A. from Univer-sity of Missouri-Kansas City. He is the author of numerous plays produced na-tionally and internationally, and has directed productions from New York to Walla Walla, Washington. He is a proud member of both Dramatist’s Guild and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

William Storm teaches theatre history, dramatic literature, and theory. He is the author of After Dionysus: A Theory of the Tragic and Irony and the Modern Theatre, along with plays and essays in literary criticism and drama theory. He is co-director and dramaturg for the High Desert Play Development Workshop and was literary manager of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Michael Wise received his B.A. from UC-Santa Barbara, and has been working professionally in theatre for the past 35 years. He has worked for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Bathhouse Theatre Company, A Contemporary The-atre, The Seattle Group Theatre, Intiman, lo-fi productions, The Las Cruces Com-munity Theater, The Empty Space Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Mt. Hood Repertory Theater, The Player’s Guild, New City Theater and the Seattle Childrens Theatre. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

RESIDENT COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES

Ovation ($999 - $500)Dean Christa Slaton

Spotlight ($499 - $250)Mike CookMarc and Gina EidelDeborah Storm

SPONSORS and DONORSGUILDSCenter Stage SocietyPhilip BensonChuck and Sally BisbeeJames Gerwels and Tiffini ReimannJanet and Mellow Honek of Sunspot Solar EnergyNMSU College of Arts and SciencesMary Rogan and Tony SwartDenise Welsh and Robert Pirtle

Marquee ClubDavid Arnoldy and Linda Lee Nancy BakerAl and Pat CooperRod and Bea GajewsiaRichard HoekstraTimothy and Diana LawtonMegan McQueenMary F. MorrisHeather Osterreich and Sarah FinkeBeth PrestonRichard Radick and Margaret SuzukidaTed RamirezBarbara and Irwin RossJim and Brenda Shannon

SPONSORS AND DONORS

Leading Players ($249 - 1)In Memory of Patricia L. AndrewIn Memory of Robert C. AndrewSamuel and Donna AldenBonnie and Bob BurnCheryl FallsteadGeorge Jr. and Kaye MillerEleni PhilippouIn Memory of Ronald K. SmithDenise Welsh

In Kind Donations Donna AldenBen BacaMike CookJames GerwelsAnn McCulloughTiffini ReimannRoanna St. ClairDeborah StormWilliam StormDenise Welsh

Impresario ($3,500+)NMSU College of Arts and Sciences/Dean Christa Slaton

Dean Christa Slaton

Director’s Circle ($3,499 - $2,000)

Show Stoppers ($1,999 - $1,000)

SPECIAL THANKS

From the ASTC Board PresidentThe American Southwest Theatre Company (ASTC) at NMSU Theatre Arts welcomes in the holiday season with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Drood is based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens and provides valuable musical theatre experience for NMSU students. It was the first Broadway musical with multiple endings and this NMSU Theatre Arts production offers the audience at each performance the chance to pick a different ending.

Throughout the season, ASTC sponsors a variety of fundraisers. Fund- raising activities are vital to the NMSU theatre program: they support bringing in guest artists to work side-by-side with theatre majors in main stage productions, to present workshops, and at times to participate in outreach programs in the community.

ASTC’s current fundraising activities include a raffle which starts on the opening night of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. We are raffling a quilt donated by the Los Colcheras Quilt Society. Our raffle will continue from November 21 through December 7th, with the drawing and announce-ment of the winner following the final performance of Drood. You do not need to be present at that show to win. So, be sure to check out the beautiful quilt in the lobby and buy your raffle tickets now!

On January 31, 2015, at 7 pm, ASTC will present another fundraiser in support of NMSU Theatre Arts – a 60's fashion show featuring clothes from the theatre department’s costume shop and including a musical performance directed by Megan McQueen. Come and see Theatre Arts students walk in the clothes and rock to the music of the 1960’s. The entire show – including the audience – will be on the stage of the Center for the Arts, so seating will be limited. Tickets are $15 and available at the Box Office soon. Please check the website www.nmsutheatre.com for more information.

We hope you enjoy the ASTC holiday seasonal presentation of The Mys-tery of Edwin Drood. We wish you a beautiful Holiday Season and a New Year of peace and happiness. On behalf of the entire ASTC Board of Trustees, I appreciate your support and am delighted that you have cho-sen to join us for outstanding theatre brought to you by NMSU and ASTC.

Barb Elliott Ross, President, ASTC Board of Trustees

ASTC Board of Trustees

Lila LeCuyer Megan McQueen

Deborah Storm

President:Barb Elliott Ross

Vice President: Denise Welsh

Managing Director/Treasurer: William Storm

Producing Director:Tiffini Reimann

Donna AldenCarol AyonBen Baca

Secretary: Gina Eidel

Nicole Bartlett Michael Dedmon James Gerwels

Dr. William Storm Interim Department Head/Managing Director/High Desert Co-Director

Claudia Billings College Associate ProfessorJim Billings Scenic and Lighting DesignerDeborah Brunson Costume DesignerJosh Chenard Assistant ProfessorCumy Gower Fiscal Assistant David Hereford Technical DirectorJim Jaworski Technical DirectorLarissa Lury Assistant Professor Guenevere McMahon Costume DesignerMegan McQueen College Assistant Professor Tiffini Reimann Administrative Assistant/Producing DirectorMatt Reynolds Theater Manager/Sound and Lighting DesignerTom Smith Professor/High Desert Co-DirectorMichael Wise Production Manager

ASTC RESIDENT COMPANY / NMSU THEATRE ARTS FACULTY / STAFF

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Caitlin ArtripVeronica BissellNicole Bartlett

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Shay Harris

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Josh HortonLila LeCuyer

Danya LinaresIsaac Lucero

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Austin Parrish

Stacey Ramirez Robert Sciortino

Jamie Smith Palma Tavenner

Tiffany TysonAshley Vargas

Stephanie Vasquez FonsecaAlex WheelerAylin White

THEATRE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

No Strings Theatre CompanyA Tuna ChristmasNov. 21 - Dec. 7

Thomas A. Erhard Scholarship

Sharon Beth Kallick Memorial Scholarship

Mark and Stephanie Medoff Endowed

Scholarship

Kimberly Ming Theatre Arts Scholarship

Sutherland-McManus Scholarship

Theatre Arts EndowedScholarship

Caroline L. and Frederic C. Thompson Endowed

Scholarship

Eve Yoquelet Scholarship for Theater Arts

OTHER LOCAL PRODUCTIONS

Las Cruces Community TheatreMeet Me In St. Louis

Dec. 5 - 21

Rio Grande TheatreThe Second City on Tour

Nov. 22

The Santaland Diaries (Fusion Theatre)Dec. 20 and 21

ASTC Fashion Show January 31, 2015 -- 7 P.M. -- $15

A Walk through the 60’s In Costume and Music

To support NMSU Theatre Arts

With a musical performance directed by Megan McQueen

Additional information at www.nmsutheatre.com