SPOTLIGHT€¦ · and 101 Dalmations Kids as Roger. He is also enjoying his second year in the Celebration Performance Troupe. AJ is a sophomore at Canyon View High School where he

SPOTLIGHTY O U T H T H E A T R E

10620 N. 43rd Avenue • Glendale, AZ 85304 • (602) 843-8318 • sytaz.org

Artwork by Bobby Sample

Spotlight Youth TheatreProudly Presents

Directed by Kenny Grossman & Bobby Sample

Assistant Director: Kyler Tunnell

Video Director: Josh Hontz

Costume Design: Naomi Jordon & Andi Marie Jordon

Scenic Design: Bobby Sample

Lighting & Sound Design: Josh Hontz

Hair & Makeup Design: Charlie Rabago

Properties Design: Vicki Grossman & Kenny Grossman

Projection Design: Bobby Sample & Josh Hontz

Written by Bobby Sample

Based on Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Original Score by Connor Sample

The Soul of FrankensteinProduction Team

Video Camera Operators �� Luke Bader, Kenny Grossman, & Bobby SampleLight Operator ��Tara FrooninckxSound Operator �� Zoey Waller

Electricians ��Trent Flores, Krystalynn Newbury, & Michaela Wooldridge Artistic Director for Spotlight Youth Theatre �� Kenny GrossmanManaging Director for Spotlight Youth Theatre �� Deb CzajkowskiMaster Carpenter ��Clancy DeGroodtGraphic Designer (Posters, Playbills, Advertisements, Cast Photos) �� Robert WallerSocial Media Specialist ��Amie Moller Webmaster ��Bobby SampleVolunteer Manager ��Vicki GrossmanRehearsal Photo Display & Volunteer Coordinator �� Kelly SwopeFundraising Committee �� Sara Bader, Shelly Boucher, Karen Dolyniuk,

Sabrina Hurley, Audra Little, Christa McCabe, Amie Moller, Amanda Newton, Lisa Poormon, Kelly Swope, Karen Turner-Domakeczna, & Tammy Waller

Special thanks to Luke Bader, Doug Novotny,Families of the Cast, & Phoenix Conservatory of Music

The Cast ofThe Soul of Frankenstein

Victoria Frankenstein �� Lyda ArmisteadCaptain Robert Walton �� Dean KelldorfThe Creature �� Christian BaderHenry Clerval �� Dominic CardenasElizabeth / Frau Dienerin �� Katelyn KarcherYakov / Prof� Waldman / Papa De Lacey / Blair �� Alec PursellProfessor Krempe �� Chloe PiersonCaroline �� Anna KothFelix / Constable Müller / Inspector Reid �� Evan CulbertsonJustine / Safie �� Sabina DartDimitri / Tavern Keeper / Cleric �� AJ KingAgatha �� Paige PresleyMagistrate / Sailor Vocals �� Ken Goodenberger

“This play is nothing like those old Boris Karloff movies,” I’ve been telling people. Well, that’s a lie. Classic film fans know that the winning stroke of The Bride of Frankenstein, the best of those Universal films from the 1930s, is its power to draw our sympathy (and even a tear or two) for the “Monster.” All he wants is a friend. If you also feel for the Creature in The Soul of Frankenstein, it’s no accident. That makes us human. My question is: does our sympathy make him human, too?

Mary Shelley wrote the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus while still a teenager, and she created main characters who generally share her own age and perspective. The title character (whom I found far easier to picture as a young woman than as a young man), and his inner circle, are teens who grow into young adults during the story. Shelley’s lesser-known main character and narrator, Robert Walton, is still in his mid-20s. And the Creature himself is the all-time epitome of the neglected, angsty, and misunderstood child.

So this is great source material for youth theatre, especially for older teens. Working on a historical drama has been an educational experience for us all. The old-school dialogue and occasional accents challenged the actors on a tight workshopping and rehearsal schedule. Yet, the deeper issues of the story and its characters have never appeared to exceed the actors and their experience. They’ve definitely got this.

As a playwright searching for threads to tie together Shelley’s episodic story, it wasn’t a stretch to turn the whole thing into a psychodrama about narcissism. The problems of Victoria, Robert, Elizabeth, and Henry, though dramatized in fantastic ways, should be recognizable. Honestly, I’m still not sure whether the Creature himself is human, or just a crafty reflection of humanity itself, a mere image in the mirror — but sometimes the soul of a narcissist is described the same way.

So much of the Frankenstein story has always been open to audience interpretation. I hope our take on it gives you plenty to talk about!


Lyda Armistead(Victoria Frankenstein)Lyda is so excited to be back at Spotlight for another show!

Previous credits include #11 in The Wolves, the Witch in Into the Woods Jr, Rory in Bare, Agnes in Gypsy, Molly in 13, and player in Pippin. She has also performed at Arizona Broadway Theater and The Phoenix Theatre Company.

Lyda would like to thank the creative team of the show, Bobby, Kenny, Deb, and the cast.

Have a bloody good time.

Christian Bader (The Creature)Christian is very excited to have this opportunity to be on the Spotlight stage once again!

Some of his recent appearances on the SYT stage include Rooster (Annie), Jason (Bare), and Black Fox / Henry Clay (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson).

Christian would like to thank the cast and crew, Kenny, Bobby, his family, and his friends for the support during this process.

No, he does not actually kill people.

Yes, he was created in a lab.


Dominic Cardenas(Henry Clerval)Dominic just graduated from Arizona School for the Arts with a focus on Musical Theatre.

Dominic is absolutely delighted to be a part of The Soul of Frankenstein and is so thankful for the opportunities Spotlight Youth Theatre has given him. He was most recently in Annie and Gypsy as Bert Healy and Tulsa respectively.

He hopes you enjoy the show!

Evan Culbertson(Felix / Constable Müller / Inspector Reid)Evan is a 17-year-old senior at Arizona School for the Arts. He is eager to be back on stage and is happy to be in his 10th performance at Spotlight.

Most recently he played Hans in Frozen Jr. (SYT). Other credits include: Maurice in Beauty and the Beast (Theaterworks), Alan in Bare, Peter in Romeo and Juliet, as well as Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka (SYT), Charlie Bates in Oliver! and Skut Farkus in A Christmas Story (ABT). In his spare time Evan loves to watch movies, TV, and to be environmentally conscious.

Finally, Evan would like to thank Bobby, Kenny and Spotlight for this opportunity!

@culby.evan


Sabina Dart(Justine / Safie)Sabina is 17 years old and a senior at ACAA (Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics).

Sabina is extremely grateful to bring life into the role of Safie/Justine and would like to thank Bobby, Kenny and all the techies!

“The cast is absolutely wonderful and incredibly kind.”

Sabina’s wish for the audience is to be safe during these times; and wants to thank you all for supporting our theatre!

Be safe, wear a mask, and enjoy the show!

Katelyn Karcher(Elizabeth / Frau Dienerin)Katelyn is very excited to be in her second production here at Spotlight Youth Theater.

She most recently appeared in Spotlight’s production of Dogfight, and is thrilled to be back on Spotlight’s stage.

Katelyn is a sophomore at Chaparral High School and is 16 years old.

After everything that has happened this year she is happy to be back on stage and is ready to make your skin crawl… ...regarding the production of course!


Dean Kelldorf (Captain Robert Walton)Dean is extremely excited to be back at Spotlight Youth Theatre to be performing as Captain Robert Walton in the original production of The Soul of Frankenstein. Dean was last on the Spotlight stage performing his Zoni award winning role as Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight. You may also recognize Dean from Desert Stages Theatres productions of Addams Family where he played Gomez Addams, Legally Blonde where he played Professor Callahan and Kyle The UPS Man or Chicago: High School Edition where he played Amos Hart.

Dean would like to thank Bobby Sample and Kenny Grossman for this incredible opportunity and thank his entire family and friends for their endless pride and support in what he loves to do.

AJ King(Dimitri /Tavern Keeper / Cleric)AJ is so excited to be a part of The Soul of Frankenstein! This will be his third time taking the stage at Spotlight. His previous productions were Annie where he played Perkins/Ensemble and 101 Dalmations Kids as Roger. He is also enjoying his second year in the Celebration Performance Troupe. AJ is a sophomore at Canyon View High School where he is the Education Director for the Jags Theatre Company, and he is an official thespian for the International Thespian Society. He is currently performing as the March Hare for the school production of Alice In Wonderland.

AJ would like to thank his parents, Laila and DJ, the cast and crew of this production, and the Spotlight peeps!


Anna Koth(Caroline)Anna is so excited to be a part of another show here at Spotlight!

She has previously been seen as Sister Mary Robert (Sister Act), Nora (A Doll’s House), Lady Larken (Once Upon a Mattress), and Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods Jr.)

Anna would like to thank her family for supporting her, and Kenny and Bobby for giving her this opportunity!

Enjoy the show!

Chloe Pierson(Professor Krempe)Chloe is thrilled to be back for her second show here at Spotlight- the first being Lily St. Regis in last season’s Annie!

Some of her past shows include Fraulein Kost in Cabaret (NYA nom.) and Logainne Shwartzy in Spelling Bee (NYA award) at Arizona School for the Arts, as well as Kitty in Chicago at DST.

Outside of performing, Chloe runs her own online Vintage clothing and jewelry shop on the Depop app.

Chloe would like to thank her pals and fam for all their love and support, as well as Kenny, Bobby, and everyone else who helped make this show happen!


Paige Presley(Agatha)Paige is 15 years old and a sophomore at Desert Mountain High School. Paige has been involved in many different theatres since she was five years old. Some of her favorite roles have been Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Roo in Winnie the Pooh, and a Storyteller in Shrek.

This is Paige’s first show at SYT and she is so excited to be cast in this fun production & to be a part of this amazing theatre community!

Alec Pursell(Yakov / Prof. Waldman / Papa De Lacey / Blair)Alec is a 17-year-old senior who attends Arizona School for the Arts where his major is musical theatre. This is his fifth show at Spotlight - the first being “Angie” in Gypsy, then “Lucas” (NYA Nom) in Bare, and “Oliver Warbucks” in Annie (NYA Nom).

Alec was most recently was seen on the Spotlight stage in his Zoni Award Winning role in Dogfight. Some of his past roles include Barfee in Spelling Bee at ASA (NYA award) and Herr Schultz in Cabaret at ASA (NYA Nom).

Alec would to thank his family for their endless support, and would like to thank Bobby and Kenny for this amazing opportunity!

The Soul of FrankensteinScene List

Setting: The Arctic Ocean and Flashbacks, late 1790s

Act One

Scene 1: Captain’s Cabin �� Robert, Yakov, Victoria

Scene 2: University of Ingolstadt, Bavaria �� Victoria, Krempe, Waldman

Scene 3: Victoria’s Apartment in Bavaria �� Victoria, Dienerin, Caroline,Elizabeth, Henry, Creature

Scene 4: Captain’s Cabin / Bavarian Tavern �� Victoria, Robert, Yakov,Tavern Keeper, Creature

Scene 5: University of Ingolstadt, Bavaria ��Victoria, Waldman, Krempe,Henry, Caroline

Scene 6: Frankenstein Home in Geneva / Retreat in the Swiss Alps ��Victoria, Henry,Caroline, Elizabeth, Justine, Cleric,

Constable, Magistrate, Creature

Act Two

Scene 1: De Lacey Family Cottage in Bavaria ��Creature, Papa, Agatha, Felix, Safie

Scene 2: Swiss Alps ��Creature, Victoria

Scene 3: Island Cottage, Scotland �� Victoria, Henry, Creature

Scene 4: Scottish Shore ��Henry, Creature, Reid, Blair, Victoria

Scene 5: Frankenstein Home in Geneva ��Elizabeth, Victoria

Scene 6: Captain’s Cabin ��Victoria, Robert, Yakov, Dimitri

Scene 7: Captain’s Cabin and Ship’s Deck �� Robert, Yakov, Creature

Who’s Who inThe Soul of Frankenstein

Ken Goodenberger (Magistrate / Sailor Vocals)Ken is an ariZoni and NYA nominated actor, with many credits in both Musical Theater and Opera. These include: Spring Awakening (Adult Men), The Pirate Queen (Tiernan), A Little Night Music (Frederick), Into the Woods (Narrator/Mysterious Man), Camelot (King Arthur), Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin), West Side Story (Tony), Faust (Faust), Tosca (Cavaradossi), La Boheme (Rodolfo), and Follies (Roscoe). Ken has been a featured soloist with the Oklahoma City Symphony, The West Valley Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony. He is an ariZoni and NYA winning musical director, and an Arizona District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Competiton. Ken is also the Artistic Director of West Valley Chorale and The Royal Renaissance Singers, and the Music Director at SHUMC. Love to Brenda and “The Plethora.”

Naomi Jordon & Andi Marie Jordon (Costume Designers)Naomi and Andi are proud to be working with Spotlight Youth Theatre once again. Some past credits include Aladdin Jr, Alice in Wonderland, Honk Jr, Spring Awakening, Beat Bugs, and most recently Bare. Thank you Spotlight family for your love and support for the last 12 seasons.

Vicki Grossman & Kenny Grossman (Properties Designers)Kenny and Vicki have been with Spotlight Youth Theatre from the very beginning and are excited to be a part of this amazing production. They are looking forward to a great new season. Kenny still loves eggs. To Jamie and Carly, “We love you and miss you.” Thank you to cast, crew, directors, designers, families, volunteers, and board members.

Josh Hontz (Lighting & Sound Design / Video Director / Projection Design)Josh is the Theatre Technology Coordinator at the Mesa Community College (MCC) Theatre and has worked as a sound and lighting designer in the Valley since 2014. This is his sixth season designing at Spotlight. Most recently, he designed sound for MCC’s production of Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter. He has received fifteen ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence for his sound, lighting, and media designs. Outside of the theatre, Josh enjoys exploring the outdoors with his friends, his lovely wife Katie, and his sweet dog Jelly.

Bobby Sample (Writing / Co-Direction / Scenic & Media Design / Projection Design)Bobby marks The Soul of Frankenstein as the 61st production he’s worked on at SYT. Bobby has contributed scenic design, props, masks, puppets, animation, video, poster art, web programming, scripts, direction, a few catchy tunes, and some award winning stuff to various theatres since 2007. He’s proud to call Spotlight home, and currently serves on its Board of Directors, maintains the web site, and will go get you a cup of coffee now and then. He thanks all the production team, families, and especially the cast for making this place awesome!

Who’s Who inThe Soul of Frankenstein

Charlie Rabago (Hair & Makeup Design)Charlie is excited to be working on another Spotlight show! Past design credits include: Into the Woods Jr., Bare, and Dogfight. He would like to thank his roommates, Kyle and Jesse, for their support as makeup guinea pigs.

Kyler Tunnell (Assistant Director)Kyler has been in multiple shows at Spotlight and always had the most amazing experiences, so he is very excited for the experiences that come with being on the other side of the curtain. Kyler is so thankful to everyone involved in the production for all being so patient and cooperative, given the strange circumstances that come with doing a social distant and safe play during COVID. And lastly, he wants to give a huge kudos to the entire cast for pulling together such a complex show so beautiful, in such a short amount of time. Enjoy the show!

Artwork by Bobby Sample

Help Keep Our Kids in the Spotlight!

A Word from Our Artistic Director…

What you don’t see (but might have been involved with in some way) is the incredible journey that the actors and their families take while getting onto the stage. The wonderful experiences are too long to list, and are always in progress.

That is what makes Spotlight unique: the sense of community and love off of the stage. Everything we do is for the families and kids that participate.

We have no adult theatre to follow, and no city or big corporation to support us. The reality of the business of theatre is that the odds are against us to survive, and we are continually struggling with finances. We have volunteers and board members working endlessly to keep the theatre solvent and open. Sometimes we need more help.

We are asking for 100 people to donate $100 (the price of one night out at Cheesecake Factory) to help us get through a very rough time. Whether your kids are grown up and moved on or you have future thespians, we hope that you can help and also spread the word.

If you need to talk with me please, do not hesitate to call, email or text me.

Thank You,

Kenny GrossmanArtistic Director

Spotlight Youth Theatre(623) 521-8093

[email protected]

PL

EA

SE

SU

PP

OR

T O

UR

SP

ON

SO

RS

PL

EA

SE

SU

PP

OR

T O

UR

SP

ON

SO

RS

Ticket sales and production fees cover only a fraction of Spotlight Youth � eatre’s overall operating costs. � e Board of Directors of Spotlight Youth � eatre is grateful for the generosity of our dedicated donors, whose support ensures our ongoing ability to provide youth and their families a safe, welcoming environment where the individual is supported, teamwork is embraced, and creativity is encouraged.

For information on how you can contribute to the ongoingsuccess of Spotlight Youth � eatre, please contact

Deb Czajkowski, SYT Managing Director,at [email protected] (623) 332-7201.

� ank Youto Spotlight’s Generous and Dedicated Donors!

Diamond-Level Support ($1000 or more)Richard DesmarteauKaren DolyniukKohl’s Cares

Tina Nunziato & Dr. Liz CruzMarvin & Gayle Simkin

Marie � earle

Jim & Judy Wolfe� e Wingardium Project

Steve & Debbie Zell

Amethyst-Level Support ($100-$299)Mark ArmisteadMichael & Leah ArmstrongSara BloomEd BriggsAngie BrumbaughNancy ChristiansenLisbeth ClinganGretchen & Jake CoreyRachelle CrouchJackie DeAngelisRobin De La OJudy DejongKelli DemskiJennifer DobbsJill DotterSandra Elkins

Trinity FeistFRY’s

Connie GiordanoEleanor Grossman

Kenny & Vicki GrossmanChristopher Hamby

Rachel HarrisSuzanne Hegarty

Gwendolyn HoisekAlyse JoswiakMatt Kie� er

Steve KimmelChristine Lawritson

Judy LebrunDavid Lelsz

Karen McCollesterMatthew & Jennifer McFall

Melinda McGuireAmie MollerJoann O’Dell

Eileen OssipinskySusan Pansing

Maribeth ReevesLori Reger

Melissa RexMarcus Schmidt

Rhonda SnyderMichael & Heather Walker

Robert & Tammy WallerDavid Watson

Jan WileyLindsay Williams

Kristin Wurr

Sapphire-Level Support ($300-$499)Tom & Caprice AmerineLuke & Sara BaderJacinda DawsonEileen DelamaterFuddrucker’s

Angela GassJ. Wayne Holden

HoneywellSharon KiepkeTom Nebrich

Helen NovotnyLenea SadlerGwen Schulz

Lee & Sandy Shedro� Stephanie Yampolsky

Ruby-Level Support ($500-$749)American ExpressRobert BasshamScot & Wendy ClausT. Wayne ColeAdam & Stacey Feldman

Craig FrooninckxJason KovacEric Labas

Montessori Kingdom of Learning

Joyce Lopez-PowellLillian MoskowitzAmanda Newton

Karen PuglieseSuzanne Treviño

Emerald-Level Support ($750-$999)Don BoucherShelly Boucher

Sabrina HurleyDai Jinn

Bobby Sample� e Torosian Foundation

Platinum-Level Support ($5000 or more)Clancy & Lisa DeGroodt

Helping HandBenefactors

Spotlight Youth Theatre would like to thank the following kind and generous benefactors for taking part in this season’s “Helping Hand” campaign.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children!

The Armstrong 4 • Sara & Luke Bader • Don Boucher • Ed BriggsDr. Liz Cruz & Tina Nunziato • Cindy & Rick Dawson

Eileen & Dennis Delamater • Karen Dolyniuk • J. Wayne Holden Brandon & Sabrina Hurley • The Kiepke Family

Eric Labas • Tom Nebrich • The Newton Family • Susan PansingPhoto Booth Films • The Raia Family • Marvin & Gayle Simkin

Suzanne & Omar Treviño • The Waller Family • Jim & Judy WolfeThe Yampolsky Family • Steve & Debbie Zell

SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATREHelping Hand Campaign

2020–2021For more information about this season’s “Helping Hand” campaign or to receive a Donation Packet,

please inquire at the SYT Box Office or email Deb Czajkowski at [email protected].

Coming Soon toSpotlight Youth Theatre

Coming Soon toSpotlight Youth Theatre

Spotlight Youth Theatre would very much like to thank our community partners and benefactors. Please support the kind and generous people who support SYT by patronizing our sponsors. To learn more about sponsoring or donating to Spotlight Youth Theatre and making a difference in the lives of today’s youth, please call (602) 843–8318.

Spotlight Youth Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non–profit Community Youth Theatre.

Spotlight Youth Theatre’s 2020–2021 season is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Spotlight Youth Theatre’s mission is to provide youth and their families a safe, welcoming environment where the individual is supported, teamwork is embraced, and creativity is encouraged through the high quality performing arts and educational programs which enrich and strengthen our community.

Spotlight Youth Theatre’s vision:

1. A program grounded in the belief that every child deserves a chance to shine, a place that is safe and free from negativity, and an environment where fun and hard work combine into amazing experiences, both on and off stage.

2. A theatre program that is as diverse as the community we serve and where all members of the family can join in the endeavor to produce high quality theatre productions that amaze and entertain.

3. A community theatre where the impossible becomes possible through the combined efforts of our families, our sponsors, and most of all, the children who shine on stage.

4. A place where a child can be their authentic self, exploring the creative arts without fear, and be embraced and encouraged to grow and flourish.

Spotlight Youth Theatre’sBoard of Directors

Clancy DeGroodt—PresidentSteve Zell—Vice President

Judy Wolfe—TreasurerVicki Grossman—MemberRobert Waller—Member

Kenny Grossman—Artistic DirectorDeb Czajkowski—Managing Director

Karen Dolyniuk—SecretarySabrina Hurley—MemberBobby Sample—Member

Help Keep Our Kids in the Spotlight!sytaz.org/100-from-100

Documents

SPOTLIGHT€¦ · and 101 Dalmations Kids as Roger. He is also enjoying his second year in the Celebration Performance Troupe. AJ is a sophomore at Canyon View High School where he