Mainstage Playbill

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

THE COTTAGE

Directed byJason Cannon

Stage ManagerRoy Johns*

by Sandy Rustin

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

Scenic DesignerAndrea Bechert

Sound DesignerThom Korp

Lighting DesignerThom Beaulieu

Costume DesignerAbby Parker

CASTBeau ..................................................................................Greg Balla*Clarke .......................................................................Drew Hirshfield*Marjorie .......................................................................... Tracie Lane*Richard ...................................................................... Casey Predovic*Sylvia .......................................................................... Hanley Smith*Dierdre ....................................................................... Anna Stefanic*

Setting | A quaint, family–owned cottage in the English Countryside, about 90 minutes outside of London.

Season UnderwritersPatricia Kordis, Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy, Patrick & Mary Mulva, Anne H.S. Nethercott

GREG BALLA (Beau) Off Broadway: Straight, Blue Man Group, You Can’t Kiss a Movie. Regional credits include: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Pioneer Theatre Co.); Only a Kingdom w/ Betty Buckley (John Drew Theatre at Guild

Hall); Ether Dome (La Jolla, Hartford, Huntington); Into the Woods; By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Lyric Stage Co.); Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Bad Habit Prod.); and Ragtime (Fiddlehead Theatre Co). Mr. Balla is a graduate of Fordham University Lincoln Center. imGregBalla.com. IG:imGregBalla.

DREW HIRSHFIELD (Clarke) FST: Cherry Docs, Hand to God. Regional credits include plays at Magic Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, Geva Theatre Center, Premiere Stages, American Conservatory Theater, New

Harmony Theatre, Alley Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, among others. New York credits include new plays with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Collaboration Town, New York Stage & Film, 59E59 Theaters. Broadway National Tour: The Lion King. He teaches acting at New York Film Academy. He earned his MFA from American Conservatory Theater.

TRACIE LANE (Marjorie)Juilliard: Pelagiya in Queens, Marlene in Top Girls, Dorine in Tartuffe. Shakespeare: Joan la Pucelle in Henry VI Part 1 (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Olivia in Twelfth Night (Tennessee Shakespeare Co.);

Rosalind in As You Like It, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well, Portia in Merchant of Venice (American Shakespeare Center); Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Viola in Twelfth Night (Houston Shakespeare Festival). Regional: Mrs. Givings in In the Next Room (Stages Repertory Theatre); Yelena in Uncle Vanya (Classical Theatre Company). IG:tracielane48.

CASEY PREDOVIC (Richard)Off-Broadway: Orwell In America (59E59); Lost and Found (Lucille Lortel); The Man Who Had All the Luck, The Magistrate (TACT). NYC: All Fall Down (NYMF), Violent Child (EST), Happy’s Funeral, Sybil’s

Last Show, Dawn, workshop – The Land Where the King is a Child (La MaMa). Regional: Our Town, Letting Go (Northern Stage); Just Like Us (Denver Center); The Foreigner (Repertory Theatre STL); Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Hartford Stage); Fly (ASF); Theory of Everything (Lake George), Monomoy Theatre 13 seasons. TV: Blue Bloods, Elementary, Person of Interest, Good Wife. BFA, UNCSA.

HANLEY SMITH (Sylvia) is thrilled to be making her FST debut! Credits include: The Last Five Years (Syracuse Stage, directed by Jason Alexander); In the Next Room (Gulfshore Playhouse); Venus In Fur and Les Mis (The

Fulton); Major Barbara (Portland Center Stage); She Loves Me (Gretna Theatre); and The Glass Menagerie (Pioneer Theatre). Hanley is also a proud member of the folk trio, A Band Called Honalee. hanleysmith.com. @backstagehanley.

ANNA STEFANIC (Dierdre) is thrilled to be back at FST after performing in Guitar Girls earlier this year! Other favorite credits include Once (Mad Cow Theatre), I And You (Kitchen Theatre Company), In Praise Of Elephants (Ancram Opera

House), The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini (Speakeasy Dollhouse), we are destroyed (New York Theatre Workshop reading), Beneath The Gavel (54 Below), A Marriage Contract (Metropolitan Playhouse). Her original singer-songwriter album “Warrior” and poetry collection “Flytrap” can both be found online.

ARTIST PROFILES

ARTIST PROFILESJASON CANNON (Director) is an Associate Artist at FST, where his responsibilities include directing, teaching, New Play Development, and the Acting Apprentice Program. Shows directed at FST include: Marvelous Wonderettes, Hand to God, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Snow White, Peter Pan, A Beary Big Adventure & Other Winning Plays, Other People’s Money, The Boy Who Liked Pulling Hair, Constellations, How to Use a Knife, Once, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Robin Hood, Doublewide, Burt & Me, The Dragon vs. the Hiccups, Gidion’s Knot, Stalking the Bogeyman, Million Dollar Quartet, The Velveteen Rabbit, Relativity, My Name is Asher Lev, and Butler (which earned Best Director nominations from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Creative Loafing). His performance as “Ever Montgomery” in Dancing Lessons garnered “Best Actor of 2015” awards from both Sarasota Magazine and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is a seven-time Kevin Kline Award nominee (and one-time winner for Outstanding Leading Actor). He appears regularly with FST Improv. Proud member SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA. jasoncannon.bizROY JOHNS (Stage Manager) is pleased to be back for another season at FST. He has had an exciting and varied career both on stage and behind the scenes from Tokyo Disneyland to the White House. Past credits at FST include: Ethel Waters: His Eye is on the Sparrow, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Wednesday’s Child, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Other People’s Mondey, Murder For Two; Always...Patsy Cline; Honor Killing; Native Gardens; Once; Doublewide; The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey; Burt & Me; Rich Girl; brownsville song (b-side for tray); Million Dollar Quartet; The God of Isaac; The Roommate; The Fabulous Lipitones; Alabama Story; Outside Mullingar; One Man, Two Guvnors; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Chapatti; Hairspray; and Taking Shakespeare.

ANDREA BECHERT (Scenic Designer) has designed over 350 productions and numerous world premieres across the country. Her designs have been included in the World Design Expo and Prague Quadrennial exhibit. Awards include

several Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards (most recently for Fun Home), a Denver Ovation Award, and international Falstaff Award nomination, and many others. Andrea teaches design for Theatre & Film at San Jose State University and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.ABBY PARKER (Costume Designer) returns to Sarasota for her second show, after designing Rich Girl back in 2017. She calls Atlanta her home and has designed for many theaters there, including Actor’s Express, Horizon, Georgia Ensemble, Dad’s Garage, Synchronicity, Serenbe Playhouse, and Aurora. She also creates custom ballet costumes and works as a costume technician for the Atlanta Ballet, where she is Company Shoe Manager. THOM BEAULIEU (Lighting Designer) is an award-winning lighting and sound designer. His work has been experienced throughout the eastern US including The Marvelous Wonderettes, Wednesday’s Child, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Unchained Melodies, Always...Patsy Cline, Honor Killing, Once, Blue Suede Shoes, Mack the Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook, Native Gardens, and Burt & Me (Florida Studio Theatre); The Waltz, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Carrie: the Musical, and The Lord of the Flies (The Winnipesaukee Playhouse); A Chorus Line, Floyd Collins, Sweet Charity, and Singin’ in the Rain (Aurora Theatre). He holds a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, and a MS in Physics.THOM KORP (Sound Designer) As FST’s Sound Supervisor, Thom does more than wrangle rogue microphones. Sound design credits include: Ethel Waters: His Eye is on the Sparrow, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Wednesday’s Child, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Wonder Years: The Music of the Baby Boomers, Straight White Men, Guitar Girls, Unchained Melodies, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Once, A Chorus Line, Spamalot, Native Gardens, How to Use a Knife, The Columnist, Talley’s Folley, and The West Side Waltz. Mixing Credits: Next to Normal, Smokey Joe’s Café, The World Goes Round, Tango: Buenos Aires, and We Will Rock You.

RICHARD HOPKINS is the Producing Artistic Director of Florida Studio Theatre. Mr. Hopkins has fostered the development of FST’s Mainstage and Cabaret productions. His many directing Mainstage credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Honor Killing, Inspired Lunacy, The Best of Enemies, Next to Normal, Race, Ruined, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Boleros for the Disenchanted, Permanent Collection, and Metamorphoses, among numerous other plays. Mr. Hopkins led the development of FST’s Cabaret productions of Guitar Girls, Mack the Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook, Older Than Dirt, Piano Men, and The Prima Donnettes. Mr. Hopkins also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Florida Studio Theatre. This includes overseeing the creation and implementation of all FST programming, including Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, New Play Development, Education, and Touring. Since his arrival at FST in 1980, Mr. Hopkins has guided the theatre from a small touring company to a nationally-recognized regional theatre, which impacts over 215,000 adults and children annually. He created the New Play Development Program, the Cabaret Series, FST’s award-winning WRITE A PLAY Program, and he has directed the design and renovation of all FST’s theatres. Mr. Hopkins is the recipient of numerous awards including the Arts Leadership Award from the Sarasota Arts Council, the Richard G. Fallon Award for Artistic Excellence from the Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the 2012 Cultural Champion Award from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. In 2016, Mr. Hopkins was awarded the Luminaire Award honoring excellence in creativity, philanthropy, advocacy, and all elements that are keys to future growth of the Arts in Sarasota. In 2017, Mr. Hopkins was awarded the Florida Theatre Conference Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing to the rich cultural fabric of the Sarasota community and the state of Florida, and his dedication to developing future artists, educators, and advocates.REBECCA HOPKINS serves as Managing Director for

Florida Studio Theatre, and as such, is the Chief Operations Officer. Mrs. Hopkins is responsible for oversight of FST’s Administration, including the Business Office, Development, Marketing, Box Office, Front of House, Restaurant, Budgeting, and maintaining the overall quality of FST’s internal management. Mrs. Hopkins serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Resident Theatres and for the Theatre Communications Group. She is the former President of the National New Play Network. Mrs. Hopkins has been actively involved in development of FST’s Cabaret productions since her arrival in 1998. In addition to being Lead Developer for Unchained Melodies and The Wonder Years: The Music of the Baby Boomers this season, she was also part of the development team for Guitar Girls. Previously, she was the Lead Developer on Blue Suede Shoes; Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves; Yesterday; American Pie; and Poems, Prayers, and Promises. She has been the head writer on all five Laughing Matters shows. Some of her favorite shows she helped develop include: Mack the Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook; The Prima Donnettes; That’s Life; The Wanderers; My One and Only Gershwin; Hot and Cole; The British Invasion; The Flip Side; and Outlaws and Angels. In addition, she is the founder and producer of FST Improv and the Sarasota Improv Festival. In 2012, the Arts & Cultural Alliance awarded Mrs. Hopkins the Cultural Champion Award in recognition of her many years of accomplishment and growth with Florida Studio Theatre. In 2016, Mrs. Hopkins was awarded the Luminaire Award, honoring excellence in creativity, philanthropy, advocacy, and all elements that are keys to future growth of the arts in Sarasota.

EXECUTIVE STAFF

SPECIAL THANKS to Audrey Bernardin for her work on the wigs for this production.

SEASON UNDERWRITERSPATRICIA KORDIS When my friends ask “Are you bored with nothing to do?” I say, “The theatrical community is thriving like nobody’s business!” Sarasota has embraced all forms of exciting artistic culture, and Florida Studio Theatre is leading the pack. I am so happy to be a part of this movement. Jump in – the water’s fine!

DENNIS & GRACI MCGILLICUDDY FST is important to us because we believe so strongly in the transformative power of the arts. For close to 30 years now, we have been so fortunate to experience first-hand how that transformative power works its magic in the hands of an organization that is not only experienced and dedicated, but so highly skilled in their craft. The values of the theater and its leadership, as reflected in its mission and as manifested in its work, whether it be on the Mainstage, in the Cabaret, in its Education and community outreach programs – these are values that we so strongly believe in. As a consequence, it is a privilege for us to be a part of, and be supportive of this great theatre.

PATRICK & MARY MULVA We discovered FST upon moving to Sarasota this past July and were so impressed with the role it plays in providing diverse quality theatre to the

@FloridaStudioTheatre #TheCottage

We encourage you to take photos of the set and share to social media! We just ask that you please recognize the scenic designer:

#AndreaBechert

community that we knew we wanted to be a part of this venture. We are delighted to be among the Underwriters for the 2018-2019 season and look forward to many new and different offerings in the years ahead.

ANNE H.S. NETHERCOTT (1926 - 2019) When asked to define giving, Anne said: “My mother used to say the best way to find you is to lose yourself, by focusing on the needs of others rather than on oneself.” So giving has always been an important family value, which in childhood was reinforced by the community experience of surviving The Depression. Anne was proud to be a supporter of FST, establishing an endowed fund for Underwriting.

PLANNED GIVING

MAKES A DIFFERENCEThe theatre relies on the support and thoughtful

planning of donors to guarantee success and sustainability of the forthcoming seasons.

Planned giving will ensure the programs you love and value will endure for future generations.

If your future plans include a gift to FST, let us know. Contact Melody Mora-Shihadeh at 941-366-9017 ext. 326 , or by email at mmora-shihadeh@floridastudiotheatre.org

Recognizes our Gold Circle Underwriters for their commitment to the Art of FST, establishing an endowed fund to support cherished programs for life.

FST FORUMS

While writing The Cottage, playwright Sandy Rustin was inspired by the work of Sir Noël Peirce Coward, one of the most influential drawing room playwrights of the 20th century, having written more than 50 plays over the span of 60 years alone. You might recognize the titles Hay Fever, Private Lives, and Design for Living, just to name a few.With delightful dialogue and silly circumstances, characters who act upon whims and emotions, and constant confusion and missed connections, it’s easy to see the legacy of Coward’s comedies in Rustin’s contemporary works.Coward was a jack of all trades in the arts and was someone who desired a life in the theatre no matter which path he took. He started as a child actor and eventually made it to the big screen.

His most notable role was Captain D in the British drama In Which We Serve, where he wrote, co-directed, and starred. This role earned him an Oscar nomination and critical acclaim.Coward became so well known for being multi-talented that Lord Mountbatten complimented him, saying, “There are probably greater painters than Noël, greater novelists than Noël, greater librettists, greater composers of music, greater singers, greater dancers, greater comedians, greater tragedians, greater stage producers, greater film directors, greater cabaret artists, greater TV stars. If there are, they are 14 different people. Only one man combined all 14 different labels – The Master.”Coward’s influence spread to the next generations. As an actress, Sandy Rustin performed in Coward’s play Hay Fever and instantly fell in love with his comedic stylings, which poked fun at the upper and middle English classes of early 20th century.Now a playwright herself, Rustin’s The Cottage pays homage to Coward’s signature style, bringing his drawing room comedy elements into the 21st century by writing female characters into roles of strength and power, while still carrying on the Noël Coward legacy of quick wit.

Spotlight on Sir Noël Peirce Coward - The Master by Jenna Tonsor

SANDY RUSTIN (Playwright) is an actress and award-winning playwright. Her comedy, The Cottage, was recently presented by Manhattan Theatre Club with Jason Alexander directing, and is in development for an upcoming commercial production in New York. Sandy is currently developing a stage version of the cult-hit film Clue for the Araca Group, Worklight Productions, and Lively McCabe Entertainment,

with director Casey Hushion, slated to begin a National Tour in November 2019. She is also working with Mills Entertainment, STX Entertainment, and a Tony-nominated director to develop a live Bad Moms musical, loosely based on the popular films. In addition, Sandy is writing the book & lyrics for Mattel and Mills Entertainment for a live American Girl musical that will launch a National Tour this December.

941.366.9000 | floridastudiotheatre.org

FST COMPANYEDUCATION & TOURS

Director of Children’s Theatre .....................Caroline KaiserDirector of Education ...............................Christine HopkinsEducation Administrator .................................Pamela SmithTeaching Artist/YPF Coordinator ...................Adam Ratner Education Group Sales Assoc ......................Hannah BagnallTeaching Artist .....................................................Denee LortzTeaching Artist ........................................... Katelyn McKelley

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP

AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT GROUP

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCEHouse Counsel ................................................. John PattersonFacility Custodian .....................................Carlos De Oliveira...............................................Confidence Cleaning CompanyCaretaker ................................................................ Doctor Nik

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMActing Apprentice ..................................Samantha Dempsey Acting Apprentice ................................... Anna Lee HawkinsActing Apprentice ...............................................Drew Norris Acting Apprentice ............................................Will StapletonActing/Improv Fellow .............................. Anna WeatherwaxArtistic Intern ..........................................Miguel MaldonadoCompany Management Intern ............Chelsea WhittemoreCostume Intern ............................................. Chelsea BannanDevelopment Intern ....................................Camryn MacIverEducation Fellow ............................................Austin HowethEducation Intern ....................................................... Bea KellyEducation Intern ..........................................Savanah KnechelEducation Intern ................................................ Grant LackeyEducation Intern ................................................Emma PattenEducation Intern ................................................Kiley TeixeiraEducation Intern ....................................................Kate WalshGeneral Management Intern ......................................JT PriarLighting Intern ....................................................Justen ZhangLiterary Intern ............................................... Michael NicholsLiterary Intern .................................................... Jenna TonsorLiterary Intern ..............................................Hannah ZwernerMarketing Intern ..............................................Alyssa ParrishPlaywriting Fellow ...........................................Sarah DurhamProduction Intern ....................................... Thomasa HagneyScenic Production Intern ............................ Joshua WilliamsSound & Stage Management Intern ............. David SabbaghStage Management Intern ................................... Tanner LiasStage Management Intern ................................... Emily MickStage Management Intern ............................. Shira Lebovich

Ina SchnellCommissioner Willie

Charles ShawHoward Tevlowitz

Chief Judge Charles E.WilliamsRose Chapman

Hon. Larry L. EgerTrevor HarveyThe Jewish Federation of Sarasota-ManateeGilbert KingMichéle D. RedwineDr. Eddy Regnier

Jan ColemanLarry ColemanShirley FeinMaddy FreshwaterCarol GilbertSy Goldblatt Jim GoldmanSandy GoldmanRobert GradyWendy GradyBonny IsraeloffValerie Joels

Patricia KordisMarie Kropp

Susan LandauFrank MalicksonMatty Matheson

Graci McGillicuddyIna Schnell

Alan SchottensteinLois Schottenstein

Lois StulbergCharlie Ann Syprett

Martin Taffel

BOARD OF TRUSTEES President ............................................... Dennis McGillicuddyVice-President ............................................. Richard HopkinsSecretary/Treasurer .......................................Jennifer MichellTrustee ..............................................................Gaele BartholdTrustee ...............................................................Georgia CourtTrustee .......................................................... Patricia CourtoisTrustee ................................................................Jeff HotchkissTrustee .............................................................Robert IsraeloffTrustee ..............................................................Barbara LupoffTrustee ................................................................Patrick MulvaTrustee ................................Chief Judge Charles E. Williams

EXECUTIVE STAFFProducing Artistic Director ....................... Richard HopkinsManaging Director ......................................Rebecca Hopkins

ARTISTIC STAFFAssociate Director At-Large .........................Kate AlexanderCasting/Hiring Coordinator ........................... Alexa Doggett Casting/Hiring Associate ............................... James Ashford Resident Pianist ..................................................... Jim ProsserAssociate Artist ................................................. Jason CannonAssociate Artist .......................................Catherine RandazzoDirector of Improvisation ......................................Will LueraAssistant to the Artistic Director .....................Doris IemoloLiterary Associate ................................................. Meg Gilbert

PRODUCTION STAFFProduction Manager ............................................. Bruce PriceAssistant Production Manager.............................Louis VetterMainstage Stage Manager ...................................... Roy JohnsTechnical Director ........................................... Mike SchwentCostume Shop Manager ...........................Adrienne WebberSound Supervisor .................................................Thom KorpProps/Paint Supervisor .............................. Kristine KreutzerLead Carpenter .................................................. Marco Acosta

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFGeneral Manager .............................................Jill ZakrzewskiDirector of IT .................................................... Clarke Weigle Business Manager .......................................Carmen GonzalezAssociate Business Manager ........................ Orville CorderoBusiness Office Associate. ...........................Reanna BourqueBusiness Office Associate ................................David WallaceAsst. to the Managing Dir ..........................Phyllis SilvermanFacilities Manager .......................................Joseph Goepfrich Facilities Technician .............................. Mark Quackenbush Company Manager ...........................................Luke JohnsonDirector of Marketing .....................................Becca JenningsPublic Relations Associate ................................. Lydia BaxterDigital Marketing Associate ............................. Emily Blazek Marketing Assistant ............................................. Sarah HaleyMarketing Assistant ..............................................Justin JonesDirector of Indiv. Giving ................ Melody Mora-ShihadehDevelopment Associate .................................Samus HaddadDevelopment Associate ..................................Melanie SlusarDevelopment Associate .............................. Kathryn WhalenPatron Services Manager ....................Kelsey Wehde Wilson Box Office Manager ......................................... Ryan SimpsonAsst. Box Office Manager ...................................Gigi DelperoAsst. Box Office Manager ...........................Noah ScheibmeirEvents Coordinator ........................................Matthew QuickRestaurant Manager .............................................. Tom CurryRestaurant Manager ..........................................Karen KrasterRestaurant Manager ........................................... Josh RodoskiAsst. Restaurant Manager .................................. Kristy PlumReceptionist/ Volunteer Coord ....................... Joan O’Dowd