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Written by

Anne WASHbUrn Score by

MICHAEL FRIEDMANLyricS by

Anne WASHbUrn

DirecteD by

JereMy SKiDMoreMUSicAL Direction by

MATTHEW DEAN MARSH

FebrUAry 17-25, 2017

LongStreet tHeAtre

Special thanks to our

DONORS!SUPPORTERS OF THEATRE SOUTH CAROLINA

THROUGH OUR DONOR GROUP

THE CIRCLEAND THROUGH ANNUAL GIVING

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SC

JOIN THE CIRCLE TODAY!VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

THEATRE.SC.EDU(CLICK ON “DONORS” LINK ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE)

List compiled from donations received at time of printing, February, 2017.

THANK YOU!

Rick and Rory AckermanJohn and Christine Almeida

Tom AlstonDr. Sally Boyd Ward Briggs

Matthew ClearyDavid L. Clegg

Pat and Roger CoateDave and Sandy Cowen

Jimmy DawkinsMax Dent

John and Alexandra DickersonGail and Les Dickert

Terri Fain and Douglas AndertonRobert and Judith FelixMatt and Kathy Frankel

Joan GabelEileen Greenbaum and Larry Mintz

Sallie GuessJohn F. Hamilton

Lucrecia HerrJanet Hudson and Lacy Ford

Elizabeth Joiner and Buford Norman

Alice Kasakoff and John AdamsNatalie Kaufman

Steven and Annette LynnDr. and Mrs. Robert E. Markland

Michael and Bonnie Martin Deanne K. Messias

Cheryl and Joseph MitchellHayes Mizell and Kate Swanson

Dr. Gail M. MorrisonLinda and Jeff MoultonNancy and Bob Mullen

President Harris Pastides and Mrs. Patricia Moore-Pastides

Teresa PayneJeff and Brigitte Persels

Barbara PierceDr. and Mrs. Hunter Rentz

Jean RhyneRobert RichmondJacquelyn Robey

Dr. and Mrs. Jaime L. Sanyer William Schmidt, Jr.

Elizabeth Simmons and Al Sadowski

Barbara and Wally StrongSteve Valder

Barbara and Dan VismorLaura Wedell and Mikita Patel

Dick WhiteRick Widdifield

Cornelia and Leland Williams

Assistant Director...........................................................................................Lindsay Rae Taylor Scenic Design.......................................................................................................................Tony Cisek†Lighting Design.....................................................................................................................Marc Hurst Costume Design...........................................................................................................April TraquinaHair/Wig/Makeup Design......................................................................................Valerie PruettSound Design..............................................................................................................Danielle WilsonDramaturg...........................................................................................................................Amy LehmanChoreographer .........................................................................................joHanna Pastorkovich Stage Manager........................................................................................................Lindsey SheehanProduction Stage Manager................................................................................Ashley Martin**

There will be two intermissions.

ADVISORY: This production utilizes theatrical fog

and live gunshots.

Playwrights Horizons, Inc. produced the New York City premiere of the play off-broadway in 2013.

Originally produced in June, 2012 by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC, Howard Shalwitz, Artistic Director; Jeffrey Herrmann, Managing Director

Mr. Burns was Commissioned by The Civilians, New York, NY, Steven Cosson, Artistic Director

For the language of the remembering of The Simpsons' episode, Cape Feare, the author would like to credit the Civilians actors involved in the inital workshop: Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Maria Dizzia,

Gibson Frazier, Matt Maher, Jennifer Morris, Colleen Werthmann and Sam Breslin Wright.

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play is presented by special arrangementwith SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

tHe UniverSity oF Sc DepArtMent oF tHeAtre AnD DAnce preSentS

*Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

†Member of United Scenic Artists

**Member of Actor's Equity and the Stage Managers Association. This theatre operates under an agreement between the University Resident Theatre management program and Actors Equity,

the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Written by

Anne WASHbUrn Score by

MICHAEL FRIEDMANLyricS by

Anne WASHbUrn

DirecteD by

JereMy SKiDMore*MUSicAL Direction by

MATTHEW DEAN MARSH

CAST

ACT 2Seven years later, somewhere in the Midwest

ACT 3Seventy-five years later

ACT 1Present day, somewhere in New Jersey

Gibson.............................................................................................................................Darrell JohnstonMatt .....................................................................................................................................John RomanskiSam .....................................................................................................................................Nicolas StewartColleen .................................................................................................................................Brooke SmithMaria ...................................................................................................................................Ashley GrahamJenny ...............................................................................................................................Gabriela Castillo

Gibson/Husband/Sideshow Bob/Dancer..........................................Darrell JohnstonMatt/Homer/Dancer..............................................................................................John RomanskiSam/Bart/Dancer....................................................................................................Nicolas StewartColleen/1st FBI Agent................................................................................................Brooke SmithMaria/Lisa/2nd FBI Agent/Dancer.............................................................Ashley GrahamJenny/Marge/Dancer.........................................................................................Gabriela CastilloQuincy/Wife/Dancer............................................................................................Kimberly Braun Mysterious Gunman........................................................................................Donavon St. AndreMysterious Gunman.......................................................................................................Jordan BeckMysterious Gunman..............................................................................................Corey RobinsonMysterious Gunman..........................................................................................................Ely Graham

Bart.......................................................................................................................................John RomanskiMr. Burns........................................................................................................................Darrell JohnstonItchy/Troy McClure.........................................................................................................Jordan BeckScratchy/Ned Flanders..................................................................................................Ely GrahamHomer...............................................................................................................................Nicolas StewartMarge..................................................................................................................................Ashley Graham Lisa.....................................................................................................................................Cassidy SpencerEdna Krabappel/Chorus Leader..................................................................Kimberly BraunNelson........................................................................................................................Donavon St. AndreApu.....................................................................................................................................Corey RobinsonWillie......................................................................................................................................Kelsie HensleySelma......................................................................................................................................Brooke SmithPiano......................................................................................................................Matthew Dean MarshGuitar/Drums/Ukulele..........................................................................................Freddie PowersViola........................................................................................................................................Sarah FabrizioMusician..........................................................................................................................Gabriela Castillo

Welcome to the first 2017 for Theatre South Carolina! All of us in the Theatre Program have been busy working on our upcoming productions, including: our next performance in Drayton, Animal Farm, opening in April; Balance, running from February 19-25 in the Center for Performance Experiment; and, our next showing of the Lab Theatre Season, Outlaw Song, running February 23-26.

Aside from our numerous ongoing productions, we have also been working to bring new initiatives to the department both inside and outside the classroom. We are proud to have been a part of the Ghostlight Project, an initiative to resist discrimination of any kind, regardless of race, class, religion, immigration status, disability, gender or sexual orientation. As a pledge and sign that Theatre South Carolina is a safe space and ally of those who would support diversity of opinions and courageous exchange, you can view our ghost light, which will shine day and night in the Longstreet lobby by the box office.

We have also been incredibly fortunate to work with a series of international guest artists. Our commitment to the guest artist program has been a part of our ongoing effort to not only raise the profile of the department, but also to embed professional standards into our students' training and to bring the highest caliber of theatre to Columbia and the region. We are honored to welcome and benefit from the experience of these professional artists for Mr. Burns. First and foremost, I would like to thank Jeremy Skidmore for the incredible work that he has done as the director of this production. We are truly grateful for his time, and the department has certainly benefited from his expertise and interaction with the students. I would also like to welcome two of our other guest artists, Tony Cisek and Marc Hurst (who we are proud to say is an alumnus of the MFA lighting design program). Both produced the understated, yet exceptionally well-crafted and alluring set and lighting designs for Mr. Burns. Tony and I will be continuing our collaboration on Timon of Athens at the Folger Theatre, which opens in May 2017. Last and certainly not least, I would like to thank Matthew Marsh for his work as the Musical Director for Mr. Burns. His compositions have been performed at such prominent venues as Madison Square Garden, the Lincoln Center and even the White House, and the production has greatly profited from his experience and profound patience.

As we move forward into the next season, we are committed to producing plays like Mr. Burns that are contemporary and thought-provoking and that ask questions about what it is to be alive, right here and now. Please support Theatre South Carolina in its mission to share ideas and encourage change in our world!

Robert RichmondChair, Department of Theatre and Dance Artistic Director, UofSC Theatre Program

FROM THE CHAIR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Robert Richmond

CAST

Jordan BeckMysterious Gunman/Itchy/Troy McClure

Jordan Beck is pursuing his Master of Arts in Teaching Theatre at University of South Carolina. Originally from Portland, OR he graduated with honors from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA where he studied theatre and music. Professionally, Jordan has worked with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, dog&ponyDC, Portland Center Stage, Thinking People’s Theatre, Curious Comedy, and Comedysportz Portland. 

Kimberly BraunQuincy/Wife/Dancer/Edna Krabappel/Chorus Leader

Kimberly Braun is an MFA Acting candidate from Minnesota.  She holds a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College and has performed professionally at Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre, Iowa Theatre Artists Company, Great Plains Theatre, St. Croix Festival Theatre, Wayside Theatre, Minnesota Fringe Festival, and Barter Theatre. Kimberly is grateful for the love and support of her family, especially her husband Darrell Johnston.

Gabriela CastilloJenny/Marge/Dancer/Musician

Gabriela Castillo is a first year MFA Acting

Candidate at the University of South Carolina. After pursuing her Bachelors in Music, she became interested in the film industry which temporarily took her to Los Angeles, CA where she landed supporting roles in the romantic comedy, “She’s With Me,” and the children’s film “Dude, Where’s My Dog?!” Her stage experience consists of La Fuga with El Delirio Producciones, Ludlow Quinn Presents: George and the Triumphant American Tour with Theatre 502 in her hometown, Louisville, KY as well as Away and Così at UofSC.

Sarah FabrizioViola

Sarah Fabrizio is a freshman biology major and music

minor at USC. This is her first production with USC theater and she could not be more excited to be playing music for such an interesting show. She would like to thank Matthew Marsh for his musical direction, Jeremy for his expert guidance, and her parents for accepting the rather random decision to get involved with the theater department. 

Ashley GrahamMaria/Lisa/2nd FBI Agent/Dancer/Marge

Ashley is a senior theatre major and

psychology/journalism double minor.   She was first seen in the Lab production of  The Trojan Women  as a member of the chorus.   Since then she has acted  in many productions within the department, including  Player King (Janus/Duchess of Northcomb),  Stop Kiss (Detective Cole),  Blithe Spirit (Violet Bradman), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Mindy) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania).   Ashley has also participated in USC Greenroom's Grindhouse over the years.  She would like to thank Jeremy, Matthew, and the rest of the cast for the amazing learning experience Mr. Burns has been! 

Ely GrahamMysterious Gunman/Scratchy/Ned Flanders

Ely Graham is from Williamston, SC. He is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He studies Voice with Metropolitan Opera "Diva" Janet Hopkins. He is part of the University Chorus, Men's Choir, and the University of South Carolina Musical Theatre Ensemble. Ely attended the Orfeo Music Festival

in Vipiteno, Italy in 2016 and the National Performing Arts Festival on Broadway in New York City, NY in 2011. Previous credits include Baloo, the bear, Disney's Jungle Book; Edna Turnblad, Hairspray; Stephan Ruso, Mad Forest; Soldier and Alex, Sunday in the Park with George.

Kelsie HensleyWillie

Kelsie Hensley is a senior theatre major. This is her third and

final show on the USC Mainstage. She  premiered with  USC theatre  as  Juno and in The Tempest ensemble  at Drayton Hall . This past fall, she appeared as Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, her favorite role to date. Kelsie was also Evil Tina in Green Room Productions' She Kills Monsters and has been a part of their Grindhouse series for the last two years. This spring, she will be seen in the Lab production of The Bald Soprano.  Kelsie would like to thank Jeremy Skidmore for this incredible opportunity, as well as Robert Richmond, Ryan Stevens and her professors for a dream undergraduate career.

Darrell JohnstonGibson/Husband/Sideshow Bob/Dancer/Mr. Burns

Darrell is an actor and guitarist originally from the

small town of Leon, IA. He has been performing across the country since 2010 at venues such as;  Festival Theatre (WI), Barter Theatre (VA), Great Plains Theatre (KS), Wayside Theatre (VA), SECCA (NC) and Alaska Cabin Nite (AK).  In 2011 he co-founded Highway Walkers Media, a documentary film team. His films can be seen on Public Television and the Oscar nominated websites ShortsTV and the Emmy nominated Dudes On Media. He is thrilled to be participating in the MFA program here at USC with his wife, Kimberly Braun! Follow on Twitter @DarrellJohnst0n.

Freddie PowersGuitar/Drums/Ukulele

Freddie Powers is a recent USC graduate, finishing

with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Theatre, and he's excited to be working on this production.   Previously, Freddie has worked as Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, George in  Scapin,  and  in the ensembles of Hamlet, The Tempest, and The Three Musketeers  on the USC main stage; as George in  Stop Kiss in the USC Lab Theater; and as Scattle in The Little Fishmaid in the Columbia Children's Theater. He'd like to thank his friends and family for their encouragement and support.

Corey RobinsonMysterious Gunman/Apu

Corey is a junior in the undergraduate theater

program at USC. He was born and raised here in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been involved in musical theater productions locally at Town Theatre since the early age of 9 and has loved acting and singing ever since. He is very grateful to be working in this production of Mr. Burns with Jeremy Skidmore and looks forward to involvement in other productions here at the university.

John RomanskiMatt/Homer/Dancer/Bart

John Romanski is a sophomore Broadcast

Journalism major and Theatre minor, born in Bohemia, New York but currently residing with his family in Fort Mill, South Carolina. His recent work with USC includes playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as roles in No Exit, The Tempest, Mad Forest, and The Threepenny Opera. John would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support and the cast and crew for allowing him to be a part of this production. He thanks you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!

Brooke SmithColleen/1st FBI Agent/Selma

Brooke Smith is a senior Theatre/

Political Science Honors student. Past credits on various University of South Carolina stages include Finding Richard: Richard III Workshop (Duchess of York), The Taming of the Shrew (Widow, Ensemble), Good Boys and True (Maddy), The Women of Lockerbie (Woman 2), The Trojan Women (Chorus), Player King (Charlotte), Herculine and Lola (Various), She Kills Monsters (Agnes), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Meredith), Grounded (The Pilot), and Così (Justine). She would like to thank the spectacular cast and crew and her friends and family.

Cassidy SpencerLisa

Cassidy Spencer is a freshman Journalism student from

Jacksonville, Florida. Some of her favorite previous theater credits include Godspell (Gilmer), She Kills Monsters (Tilly), Shrek the Musical (Young Fiona), Almost Maine (Marvalyn), 13 the Musical (Patrice), and Our Town (Rebecca Gibbs). She feels so lucky to have been welcomed into this production, and she would like to thank her friends and family, the incredible cast and crew, and her amazing boyfriend Andy for always supporting her.

Donavon St. AndreMysterious Gunman/Nelson

Donavon St. Andre is a first year MFA

acting candidate from Lafayette, Louisiana. He received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and is very excited to be part of the theatre program here in South Carolina. Previous theatre credits include LSU productions of The Electronic Nigger, Eiffel Tower: Revisited, La Pecera, The Dutchman, Stick Fly, Dionysus of the Holocaust, Outworks 2014, USC’s Away and Così. Donavon has also been involved in New Orleans productions of The Jungle Book and The Ugly Duckling, working with both Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre and Rivertown Theatre. He wants to thank all who have supported him through this journey as he continues to pursue his terminal degree in performance.

Nicolas StewartSam/Bart/Dancer/Homer/Dance Captain

Nicolas Stewart, originally from Buffalo,

NY, is currently a first year MFA Acting candidate. He graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and Studio Art. He most recently was cast as Nick and Doug in USC's Main Stage Production of  Così.  This

past summer he was cast in Reginald Hudlin’s  Marshall  as one of Chadwick Boseman’s stand-in’s and film extra.  For HWS Theatre he last appeared as Captain/Priest in  Twelfth Night Duck / March Hare / White Knight in Alice in Wonderland and as Mark in  DNA. Other favorite roles include Seaweed J. Stubbs in  Hairspray  (Nardin Academy Theatre).

ARTISTIC COMPANY

Jeremy SkidmoreDirector

Jeremy Skidmore is the former artistic director of Theater Alliance and

the Malibu Playhouse, the former Artistic Producer of the Source Festival, the former President and co-Founder of the Capital Talent Agency, and the former Associate Artistic Director of the Worldwide Art Collective (what is now the Macau International Fringe Festival). He has directed, taught or produced in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, London, Galway, Oslo, Kilimanjaro, Tokyo, Macau, and Tai Pei. His current projects as a producer include the Off-Broadway production of Occupied Territories,  Burying Yasmeen  (feature film in production),  From Hollywood to Rose  (feature film in post-

production),  International Falls  (feature film in development), and Mary Doria Russell’s  The Sparrow  (stage play in development). He  has a BFA in directing from the North Carolina School of the Arts and an MBA from American University.

Lindsey Rae TaylorAssistant Director

Lindsay is a first year MFA Directing Candidate at the

University of South Carolina. She was the Assistant Director for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at USC last fall and also for Peter and the Starcatcher at Trustus Theatre (March 2016). As an actor, Lindsay was an Associate Artist with the Aquila Theatre Company from 2000-2007. Other regional acting credits include: Lincoln Center Institute, New Victory Theater, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Globe Neuss, Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Edinburgh Fringe, and the Festival of the Aegean in Syros, Greece. She received a BFA with Honors in Theatre from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Matthew Dean MarshMusic Director

Matthew Dean Marsh

is honored to return to Longstreet for his second time music directing a USC Theater Production. A New York City based composer, writer, and performer, his compositions have been heard at Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Michigan Opera House, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), TriBeCa Film Festival, McKittrick Hotel (Sleep No More) and the White House in Washington, DC. Accompanying credits include Joseph Keckler (at Centre Pompidou in Paris), Ato Blankson-Wood (Total Bent), Todd Almond, Jo Lampert, Salty Brine, David Cale, Max Jenkins (from The Mysteries of Laura), Tom Hennes (of Brooklyn pop band Avan Lava), Erin Markey, Shaina Taub, and Sherie Rene Scott. He has worked on projects with directors Steve Cosson, Preston Martin, Shaun Peknic, Leigh Silvermann, and Alex Timbers. He music directs the band for Shred for Your Life's 2016 viral sensation champion, Mrs. Smith. His song and music video "Lost Boys" is a finalist at the Los Angeles 2016 Music Video Awards and a semi-finalist in the 2017 International MV Awards in Paris.  matthewdeanmarsh.com

Tony CisekScenic Designer

Tony Cisek is a scenic designer who has collaborated

with companies across the US including Roundabout Theatre,

Arena Stage, Guthrie Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, South Coast Rep, Milwaukee Rep, Portland Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Centerstage (Baltimore), Indiana Rep, Syracuse Stage, New York Theatre Workshop, Cleveland Play House, Folger Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Studio Theatre, GALA Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and Signature Theatre. For his work as a scenic designer he has received four Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, five Drammy Awards in Portland, a Barrymore Award nomination in Philadelphia, as well as numerous other citations for outstanding design. Tony has also designed for opera, TV and film. He was the principal theatre consultant for the Atlas Performing Arts Center, completed in Northeast Washington, DC in 2006. He has taught at Catholic University and George Mason University, is a member of United Scenic Artists, and holds an MFA in Design from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. For photos and a resume of his work, please visit www.tonycisek.com.

Marc HurstLighting Designer

Marc is excited to be designing his first production at USC

since graduating with his M.F.A

in 2015. After a few years based in DC, Marc has moved back to Columbia and has been designing for Columbia Classical Ballet and at Trustus Theatre on productions including Marie Antoinette and Peter and the Starcatcher. Previous designs include Once on this Island at Olney Theatre and Bedlam Theatre Company’s productions of Hamlet and Saint Joan. Marc spent a short time working under Al Crawford at Arc3 Design where he learned to design for events and installations. Marc would like to thank Robert Richmond for this opportunity to design again here at USC.

April TraquinaCostume Designer

April J. Brown-Traquina graduated in 2011 from the University of South

Carolina with her Masters of Fine Arts in Costume Design. She won Best Costume Design for a Narrative Short at the Los Angeles Movie Awards in January 2012 for her work on Civil. Before moving back to Columbia during the summer of 2016 to become Instructor of Costume Design at USC, April worked in film and television as a costumer and textile artist. She has worked on various productions, including Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay: Part 1 &2, Insurgent, Constantine; Season 1, and Sleepy Hollow, Season 3. April is thankful for the opportunity to design the costumes for USC's production of Mr. Burns: a post-electric play. She would like to thank everyone at USC

for this wonderful experience, her family for always believing in her, and her wonderful husband Samuel Traquina for always being by her side during all of life’s adventures.

Valerie Pruett Hair/Make-up/Wig Designer

Valerie has been working as a professional hair and

makeup artist for over fourteen years. Before returning to the University of South Carolina ten years ago, she free-lanced and designed for regional theatres across the country, including: Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, American Players Theatre, New American Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, American Folklore Theatre and the Madison Repertory Theatre. Valerie also worked as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI and the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition to teaching and designing at Theatre SC, Valerie maintains an active professional career as a Hair and Make-up artist in the tri-state areas with film and media productions. She firmly believes that a successful portrayal of any character must include the complete visual transformation of that character in order to have a true balance and silhouette.

Danielle WilsonSound Designer

Danielle is always pleased to return to Theater South Carolina.

She graduated from the MFA lighting design program at USC in 2003. She worked as the house lighting designer for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Spirit Square where she lit Derek Trucks, The Avett Brothers, Arlo Guthrie, and Eve Ensler, among others. She returned to USC and worked for four years as the Assistant Technical Director for lighting and sound. In recent years her focus has become sound design as she has designed a number of the mainstage productions at Theater South Carolina. Danielle is currently a freelance lighting and sound designer. She would like to thank her family.

joHanna PastorkovichChoreographer

This is joHanna’s first time choreographing for the USC Theater program,

and she has loved her journey with Mr. Burns. She grew up in Massachusetts with her family where she studied all kinds of dance at the Paula Meola Dance and Performing Arts school. She taught multiple dance classes for younger students there as well as being apart of their competition team. During her junior and senior year, she choreographed multiple dances for the team and won high awards including and an award for Young Choreographer of

the Year. She now studies Business Management and Finance at the University of South Carolina as well as pursuing a minor in dance. She is looking forward to many more choreographing opportunities in the future.

Amy Lehman Dramaturg

Dr. Amy Lehman is the Director of Graduate Studies and Head of the

MA program in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She is a Theatre Historian who has published and presented research on issues of 19th century performance and theatre. Her book titled Victorian Women and the Theatre of Trance: Mediums, Spiritualists and Mesmerists in Performance was published in 2009 by McFarland. Recent scholarship has included presentations on “Double Consciousness in Victorian Acting” and “Spiritualist Phenomena as Historical Evidence” for the annual conferences of the North American Victorian Studies Association conferences. Dr. Lehman is on the Board of Editors for Etudes, an online peer reviewed theatre journal. She teaches graduate and undergraduate level courses in Theatre History (from Greek to Post-Modern), Text Analysis, Periods and Styles, and Dramaturgy. She is currently researching and working as Dramaturg on a new play called Savage, about Ota Benga, an African pygmy brought to the United States for exhibition at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

Lindsey (Lou) SheehanStage Manager

Lou is a Junior theatre major and criminology

minor at USC.  She is thrilled to be working on the Mainstage again on the production of Mr. Burns!  This is her third show that she has stage managed.  At USC, Lou has played Edith in Blithe Spirit (2015), stage managed Scapin (2016), and stage managed No Exit  (2016).   She would like to thank Ashley Martin for guiding her throughout the production process, Caisa Sanburg for being patient and teaching her a whole new side to technical theatre, Jeremy Skidmore for directing the show and teaching her about directing, and Robert for trusting her to stage manage at USC.   Most importantly, she would like to thank her parents for flying in from Boston, MA to see her work, for supporting her in her dreams and ambitions, and helping her achieve her goals.

Ashley Martin Production Stage Manager

Ashley Martin is an instructor of stage

management for the UofSC Department of Theatre and Dance, and Production Stage Manager for the theatre program. Previous stage management credits include: Metamorphoses, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ella,

and Radio Golf with Pittsburgh Public Theatre; I’ll Never Be Hungry Again, Steel Magnolias, 42nd Street, and Glorious! with the Mountain Playhouse; An Ideal Husband, Pillowman, and Endgame with Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre; Missionary Position, Brother’s Size, 13th of Paris, and Flight with City Theatre Company; and calling the bilingual world premiere of the German/American collaboration Outside Inn with International Culture Lab. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Theatre Arts Program and proud member of the Actors’ and Equity Association, and the Stage Managers’ Association.

Allie AndersonAssistant Stage Manager

Allie Anderson is a Sophomore double Theatre and English major here at USC. This is her first time assistant stage managing, and she is thankful for the  opportunity to learn something new. She is actively involved in the department, previously acting in The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Almost, Maine. She would like to give a special thanks to Ashley Martin, Lindsay Rae Taylor, and Lindsey Sheehan for their continuous support. 

Sam GrossAssistant Technical Director

Sam Gross has overseen the

construction of USC Mainstage productions since 2005. In his position as Assistant Technical Director, Sam supervises graduate and undergraduate students in the construction of scenery and props. He also teaches several theatre technology subjects including: Stagecraft, Computer Aided Drafting, Mechanized Scenery, Theatre Technology, Electronics, Welding, and Theatrical Rigging. Mr. Gross received his Bachelor of Sciences Degree from the University of North Alabama where he also worked as a sound designer, lighting designer, sound engineer, carpenter, and actor. Sam attended Indiana University where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Technology.

Spencer HendersonCostume Shop Supervisor

M. Spencer Henderson is a graduate of the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received an MFA in Costume Shop Management and Costume Technology. He received his BA in Theatre from Florida State University. His costuming credits include Playmakers Repertory Company, The Utah

Shakespearean Festival, and Glimmerglass Opera. Recently, he spent the three summers (‘09-’11) at the Williamstown Theatre Festival as the Costume Shop Manager. Spencer supervises the USC costume shop, assists with the patternmaking and construction of costumes, and teaches costume construction classes.

Andy MillsTechnical Director/Props Master

Andy has designed professionally at

Shakespeare Theatre’s Young Company (Washington, DC), Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Carolina Opera, USC Opera, and Trustus. Andy currently teaches Intro to Theatre Design and Theatre Laboratory. He specializes in the area of properties, finding or building the most obscure of items. Andy is a Member of USITT.

Jacob NealAssistant Stage Manager

Jacob is in his first year at USC as a Biological

Sciences major, but this is not his first rodeo in the theatre world. Having participated in his Theatre organization while in high school and run sound and lighting for his church for two years, he’s been prepared to work technical theatre at USC. In addition, he’s also been behind the scenes for

the plays A Midsummer’s Night Dream (2016) and Così (2016) with the USC lighting crew. Now he’s ready to tackle the challenge that is Mr. Burns, both on the USC lighting crew and as an Assistant Stage Manager! He’d like to thank his family, both from home and his new family on Capstone Floor 12, along with all his friends. He wouldn’t, couldn’t be here without them!

Robert RichmondDepartment Chair/Artistic Director

Robert Richmond is originally from

Hastings, England, and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He is an Associate Professor in Theatre at the University of South Carolina, Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance, and Artistic Director of the Theatre Program. Prior to his academic career, Robert spent thirteen years as the Associate Artistic Director of the Aquila Theatre Company, and directed productions of Shakespeare that toured across the United States and Europe. Robert’s directing career continues to take him all over the nation. Most recently his credits at the Folger Theatre include: Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, Henry V, Othello, Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, and Richard III. Other companies Robert has directed for include Lost Colony, La Jolla Playhouse, and Denver

Center for the Performing Arts. His work is known for its ability to reinvigorate theatre with imagination, innovation, and relevance. His mission is to create theatre that will sustain and transform the twenty-first century, revitalize audiences, and reward them for their patronage.

Caisa SanburgAssistant Technical Director, Lighting and Sound

Caisa Sanburg is a graduate of Illinois State University, where she earned her MFA in Lighting Design. She received her B.S. in Mathematics from Colorado Mesa University in western Colorado, where she originally hails from. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a theatrical electrician at SeaWorld San Antonio. For the last four years, she has been the lighting designer for the Midwest Institute of Opera in Illinois, designing Falstaff, Carmen, and Dialogues of the Carmelites among many others. While at Illinois State, she discovered an additional passion for theatrical sound design, as well as experimented with audio design for animation. She is a proud alumna of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Foundation.

Sunday in the Park with George Nov. 4, 5, 6 - Drayton Hall Theater“My favorite musical of all time.”–Stephen Colbert

Later the Same Evening Feb. 24, 25, 26 - Drayton Hall Theater

“It’s a lullaby to New York, the music is that late night, New York...lamp-shining-in-a-dark-street...that kind of atmosphere.” -John Musto on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday

The Lanny and Sidney Palmer One Act Series presents:

Bon Appétit! and

The ImpresarioApril 15 & 16, 2017 School of Music Recital Hall Free

More info and tickets at sc.edu/music/opera or contact lsmith@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-5369

AT USC

$25 adults, $20 seniors/USC faculty & staff/military, $7 students with ID

Neda SpalajkovicAssistant Scenic Designer

Neda Spalajkovic is a third year MFA Scenic

Design Candidate at the University of South Carolina, Department of Theatre and Dance. She was born in Belgrade, Serbia where she graduated in 2013 from the Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Arts in Belgrade in Scenic and Production Design Department. During her studies she participated in many theatre and movie projects, and after she graduated she worked as an assistant in several professional theatres in Belgrade. Neda was also designer of many short movies and several exhibitions. In Fall 2015 she was

a scenic designer for Empty City, directed by Marko Manojlovic, and in summer 2016 she was a stand-by art director for the movie Tau, directed by Federico D’Alessandro in Belgrade, Serbia. Her USC design projects were: fall 2014 scenic design for Our Town, directed by Steven Pearson; Fall 2015 costume design for The Threepenny Opera, directed by Steven Person; spring 2016 scenic design for The Tempest, directed by Robert Richmond; fall 2016 scenic design for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Robert Richmond, and costume design for Così, directed by Steven Pearson.

THE PLAYWRIGHT, GREEK TRAGEDY, AND 9/11

It’s been said that Greek tragedy developed as a way for the ancient Athenians to deal with the terrors of the unknown. Playwright Anne Washburn, like the Greek tragedians with their mysterious vengeful gods and Furies, gives evil a name – and it is Mr. Burns. It’s fitting that Washburn uses Mr. Burns and The Simpsons as the key to imagining a story of how a new culture might emerge if – or when - 21st Century Western civilization is destroyed. In its nearly 30 year run, The Simpsons has touched on hundreds of shared cultural references, both high and low. The show has parodied, as well as celebrated, everything from politics to pop stars, showing us how the modern nuclear family survives ruthless corporate villains, economic hard times, and man-made disasters.

But Mr. Burns is not only post-modern meta theatre at its most vital. It is also a reminder of how the simplest act of story-telling – of remembrance – and the creation of theatre from that remembrance – can help re-create, re-define, and bind us together after a massive collapse.

The playwright was in New York City in September 2011. She was deeply influenced by the resilience and the new social conventions, interactions and etiquette that she saw emerging among ordinary people in the city as they struggled to cope with a “new normal.” Remembering and re-imagining move us forward. In Mr. Burns, characters keep lists of the names of lost loved ones, and in Act III the reading aloud of those names has become part of a theatrical ritual of remembrance. One can’t help being reminded of the ritual reading of names of those lost in our time – in the yearly ceremonies commemorating 9/11.

by Amy Lehman, Dramaturg

On January 19, 2017, the Department of Theatre and Dance joined in a nationwide movement of theatres standing against intolerance.

Initially organized by a group of prominent theatre artists in NYC, The Ghostlight Project was launched to encourage performance groups across the country to "stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone -- regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or secual orientation." Our department was one of hundreds of groups around the nation to host a gathering, and make the pledge, at 5:30pm, January 19.

During the ceremony, Department Chair Robert Richmond dedicated a brand new "ghostlight" to the cause. Ghostlights are lights that are traditionally left on in darkened theatres for safety. Our new light, which is located on the first floor of Longstreet Theatre, will remain permanently lit as a symbol of our department's dedication to being a "safe and brave" space for all. Attendees of the ceremony also wrote down their own personal commitments to creating a more inclusive society, which are on display in the fourth floor lobby of Longstreet Theatre.

Attendees at the Ghostlight Project ceremony, January 19, 2017.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Technical Director/Props Master Andy Mills Assistant Technical Director Sam Gross Asst.Tech. Director for Lighting & Sound Caisa Sanburg Assistant Stage Manager Allie Anderson Assistant Stage Manager Jacob Neal Assistant Scenic Designer Neda Spalajkovic

Scenic Artists/Scenic Grad. Students Neda Spalajkovic, Tamara Joksimovic Scenic Studio Undergraduate William Dial, Caroline Catoe, Assistants Leroy Kelly, Dodge Dixon, Salvador Cordova, Tristan Hector, and students of THEA 121

Lighting Studio Undergraduate Megan Branham, Jay Burt, Assistants Drake Dial, Amanda Ghent, Jacob Neal, Lindsey Sheehan, Charlotte Zuraw Light Board Operator Drake Dial Sound Board Operator Cody Phillips

Crew Zachary Bradley

Costume Undergraduate Assistants Kira Neighbors, Alexandra Patterson, Kayla Crumbley Staff Draper Kelly Renko-Clarkson Dressers Riley Lucas, Mackenzie Mahan Costume Studio Supervisor Spencer Henderson Dept. Chair/Artistic Director Robert Richmond Financial Manager Ray Jones Administrative Assistants Charlotte Denniston, Leigh Cowart Student Coordinator Lakesha Campbell

SPECIAL THANKSUSC Opera, Dave and Joyce Mills

UP NEXT ON THE MAIN STAGE

APRIL 14-22, 2017DRAYTON HALL THEATRE

adapted by PETER HALLlyrics by ADRIAN MITCHELLmusic by RICHARD PEASLEE

directed by STAN BROWN

Sir Peter Hall’s much-acclaimed musical adaptation brings George Orwell’s dystopian allegory of totalitarian society brilliantly to the stage. As in the classic novel, the animals

of Manor Farm band together to overthrow their two-legged masters, and create a world where “all animals are equal.” Their utopia is short-lived, however, as a group of

pigs conspire to prove that “some are more equal than others.”

“…filled with insights that remain sadly current… A tribute to the enduring power of a noble work.”

-- The New York Times

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