SPRING AWAKENING
BOOK AND LYRICS BY STEVEN SATER MUSIC BY DUCAN SHEIK
THE COMPANY THEATRE PRESENTS
DIRECTED BY SEAN BRITTON-MILLIGAN
JULY 27-30TH
THE TEMPLE THEATER
CONTENT WARNING: This production includes strong sexual content, mild nudity, abusive themes, suicide, strong language and may not be suitable to patrons under the age of 16.
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Anyone who needs suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or who has a loved one in crisis, can connect with a trained counselor by calling or texting 988 or clicking here.
CAST
WENDLA - ARIANA KIZU RIVERA
MELCHIOR - JIMMY STAHL
MORITZ - DARIUS FULLER
ILSE - SOPHIE HOUSEMAN
MARTHA - LILY AMAN
THEA - JOCELYN COBURN
ANNA - CASS DZIELSKI
HANSCHEN - IAN CANNIOTO
ERNST - CHARLIE COWAN
GEORG - CARTER EASLER
OTTO - EVAN MILLER WATELET
ADULT MAN - RON DUFORT
ADULT WOMAN - JACQUELINE MORRISON
CREW
DIRECTOR - SEAN BRITTON-MILLIGAN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - BRODIE MCPHERSON
MUSIC DIRECTOR - ALESSANDRO MARTELLERO
MUSIC SUPERVISOR - CONNOR DORAN
CHOREOGRAPHER - THOMAS MUNDELL
DANCE CAPTAIN - JOCELYN COBURN
PRODUCTION MANAGER - CHRISTOPHER C. CONWAY
PRODUCTION MANAGER - HECTOR MANUEL
STAGE MANAGER - ADAM URBANIC
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER - SHANNON TOOT
INTIMACY COORDINATOR - JILL RITTINGER
LIGHTING DESIGN - BRODIE MCPHERSON
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN - JAXON HICKEY
SOUND OPERATOR - JAXON HICKEY
COSTUME DESIGN - CATHY JOHNSON
PROPS DESIGNER - K.C. BOWLING
PUBLICITY - SUSAN MURAD AND EMILY PUTNAM
POSTER/GRAPHICS - SEAN BRITTON-MILLIGAN
PHOTOGRAPHY - MUNDELL MODERN PIXELS
ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTOR/PIANO - CONNOR DORAN
DRUMS - LOGAN FINGAR
VIOLIN - ISSAC SYLVERN
VIOLA/GUITAR - ALESSANDRO MARTELLARO
CELLO - JAY WOLLIN
BASS - LANE BIDDLE
ABOUT THE CAST
JIMMY STAHL (MELCHIOR) is ecstatic to be making his The Company Theatre debut as Melchior Gabor! A longtime fan of the musical, it has been an honor for him to work through the topical and oftentimes challenging subject matter in such a professional manner. Supported not only by an amazing production team, but his castmates as well, Jimmy hopes to continue theater around the city and with The Company in the future. Some previous credits include Jonathan Larson (Tick Tick Boom!) with director Sean Britton-Milligan, and Seymour Krelborn (Little Shop of Horrors). All his love to Grace, Kaylin, Bethany, Dad, and Grandma for always pushing him out of his comfortability, and to Mom, whose unrelenting encouragement always helps him find the way on.
ARIANA KIZU RIVERA (WENDLA) graduated from Montclair State University with her BFA in Musical Theatre in 2021. Recent credits include Erzulie in Once on this Island at Blackfriars, and The Duchess of Gloucester/Bishop of Carlisle in Richard II with The Company Theatre. She would like to thank The Company Theatre and everyone involved with this production for this opportunity and for their hard work, and her friends and family for their endless love and support. You can find more
at arianakizurivera.com.
DARIUS FULLER (MORITZ) is delighted to be making his Company Theatre debut alongside a tremendously talented cast and crew.
SOPHIE HOUSEMAN (ILSE) is thrilled to be making her debut with The Company Theatre and would like to thank Sean, Brodie, Adam, Connor, Alessandro, Jill and her fellow cast-friends for all of their support and hard work in creating a beautiful and powerful show and a wonderfully supportive environment. Some of Sophie’s favorite previous roles include The Witch in Into the Woods, Marta in Company, Rose in Gypsy, Rebecca Steinberg in It Shoulda Been You and, most recently, Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone.
LILY AMAN (MARTHA) is thrilled to be joining The Company Theatre family through Spring Awakening! She just completed her first year at Tisch School of the Arts, where she majors in drama. Some of her favorite roles include Margo (Bright Star), Rare Bird (The Ark), and Belle (Beauty and the Beast). She wants to thank the production team for all of the hard work that was poured into this show, and her friends and family for their ever-present support.
JOCELYN COBURN (THEA) is from Batavia, New York and recently graduated Genesee Community College with a
degree in Theatre Arts. She will be attending SUNY Cortland this fall for Musical Theatre. Jocelyn has been involved with theater for almost 15 years; Some of her credits include The
Drowsy Chaperone (Choreographer), Godspell (Turn Back O Man), Newsies (Romeo), Applause (Bonnie), Our Town (Emily Webb), and The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolyn
Fairfax). Jocelyn is thrilled to be a part of this cast and would like to thank the production staff for the opportunity and her friends and family who have always supported her in this dream!
CASS DZIELSKI (ANNA) - is very excited for their first show with The Company Theatre! Cass is currently studying Theater Arts at Genesee Community College and is hoping to go to a bigger theater school soon. Some of their credits include, Tartuffe as Dorine, Rock of Ages as Justice, Heathers as Martha Dunstock, and many more. They want to thank their family and friends for all of their support.
IAN CANNIOTO (HANSCHEN) is super thrilled to be debuting at the Company Theatre with one of his bucket list shows! Outside of rehearsal he is most likely getting into a bunch of different shenanigans which involve a lot of singing showtunes. Most recently he was in Blackfriars production of Once On This Island (Daniel). More favorite credits include TYKEs Llama Llama Red Pajama (Llama), Blackfriars Spamalot (Ensemble), Geneva Theatre Guilds Almost Maine (Steve) and MCCs A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder (D’Ysquith Family). He would like to thank his friends and family, but especially the besties being his mom, Kidane, Emily, Kira and Alvis (….. and Marianna) for all the love and support day in and day out. Enjoy the show!
CHARLIE COWAN (ERNST) is excited for their first production in Rochester and they are so excited to be a part of The Company Theatre’s premiere musical! Charlie is originally from Boise, Idaho, where they grew up participating in community theatre and choirs. Favorite past productions include Peter and the Starcatcher, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Theory of Relativity. Charlie moved to the Rochester area in 2021 and has loved exploring the city and dipping their toes into the local theatre scene. They are so grateful to Sean and the production team for welcoming them so graciously. Special shoutout and thanks to Charlie’s dear castmates, family, and friends - love to you all!
CARTER EASLER (GEORG) joins the Company Theatre from Brooklyn, New York. Carter grew up in Toronto, Canada and is a graduate of the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. Past Credits: Sleep No More - NYC (Man in Bar), Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief - Natl. Tour (Ares/Luke), Hair - LOT Theatre Toronto (Claude), Come From Away - Sheridan College - Original Workshop Cast, A Midsummer Night’s - Dream Natl. Tour(Lysander) , Legally Blonde Stage West (Warner), Spring Awakening - Toronto (Melchior) Thanks to Thomas Mundell and The Company Theatre for this opportunity!
EVAN J. MILLER (OTTO) is a singer/songwriter living in Rochester, NY. Some of his recent credits include Survivors (Henry Silberstern) with the JCC and Beauty and the Beast (Monsieur D’Arque) with Pittsford Musicals. This is his second show with the Company Theatre. Here’s to many more!
RON DUFORT (ADULT MAN) is making his Company Theatre debut with Spring Awakening. A Rochester transplant, originally from northeastern NY’s Champlain Valley, he has performed with various companies locally on stage and screen. Recent theater credits include Spamalot (Sir Bedevere et al) and 1984 (Winston Smith) with Blackfriars Theatre, and The Three Musketeers (Porthos) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Nick Bottom) with the Open Road Theatre. In April, he reprised his role as storyteller/ narrator in Daystar’s historical dance-drama No Home But the Heart, featured at Geva Theatre Center. He can also be seen in many independent feature films and shorts, including a few recent favorites: The Essentials, Fool, Aliens on Acid, and the newly-premiered musical film Cadenza, which will be making its festival rounds later in 2023.
JAQUELINE MORRISON (ADULT WOMAN) is over the moon to be involved in her first production with The Company Theatre. She would like to give a big thank you to castmates and the production team for making this show a dream come true. She would also like to thank her fiance, family, & friends for their consistent encouragement, love, and support. Originally from Northern Michigan, Jacqueline moved to Batavia, New York in 2018 after graduating with two BBAs from Grand Valley State University. Recent credits include Featured Vocalist in Opposites Attract: A Cabaret, Pompeii in Antony & Cleopatra, Villian/Rhonda in Almost, Maine, and Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
ABOUT THE CREW
SEAN BRITTON-MILLIGAN (DIRECTOR) - is one of the Founding Members and Co-Artistic Director of The Company Theatre. He is excited to be directing his first production in Rochester, having previously directed in Geneva, and in various other locations across New York State. His most recent directing credits include CABARET (GTG), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (GTG), Next to Normal (SUNY Fredonia), and BENT (SUNY Fredonia). He also most recent was awarded a TANYS Outstanding Direction and Production Concept for the Geneva Theatre Guild's production of CABARET in 2022. In addition to Directing, he has worked on over 50+ productions as an Actor, Set Designer, Lighting Designer and more. He would like to thank this stellar cast and crew for bringing this vision to life and for their care and compassion with the intimate nature of this script.
ALESSANDRO MARTELLERO (MUSIC DIRECTOR) -
CONNOR DORAN (MUSIC SUPERVISOR) - is a conductor, music director, clinician, vocal coach, and educator. He has music directed for community, educational, regional, and professional theaters around the country. Most notably has been his work as a music director with the Jimmy AwardsⓇ , the Pittsburgh CLO, The Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence In High School Musical Theater, Rochester Broadway Theater League, and The Company Theater in Rochester, NY. He holds a music education degree from Duquesne University, a conducting degree from the Eastman School of Music. Much love to Mom, Ryan, Sarah, Nana, Pap, WW, and to all the mentors and teachers that have guided his life and career. @Cdoranmusic
BRODIE MCPHERSON (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & LIGHTING DESIGNER) - is an instructor of theatre technology and serves as the technical director at Genesee Community College. A jack of all theatrical trades, Brodie’s creativity has a dynamic presence both on and off the stage. Born and raised in Canada, he immigrated to the US over a decade ago and has fallen in love with the Rochester community, which he now calls home! He earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Geneseo, where he studied Theatre with a strong emphasis on design, and recently received his Master of Arts in Theatre from Regent University. In addition to serving as scenic and lighting designer for countless productions, he has also stage managed and developed sound and costume solutions for others.
He is also no stranger to the other side of things, having directed for a number of productions including The Rocky Horror Show (GCC), Legally Blonde The Musical (Geneseo Community Players), and Bakkhai (GCC). As an avid lover of theatre and performance, he passionately brings excitement and wonder to his work with students in hopes they too will find the performing arts a compelling, life-long career!
THOMAS MUNDELL (CHOREOGRAPHER) - recently relocated to Rochester, NY by way of Dallas, Texas, as a professional performance, portrait, and event photographer for Broadway productions and performers (And The TONY Awards)... Additionally, he’s thrilled to be one of the newest members of The Company Theatre’s Board of Directors!
Theatrically, Thomas has been a dancer, singer, and actor for 24 years. Favorite performance credits include "Cirque Dreams: Coobrila," "Choices: Off Broadway" with KWC Theatre, Brad in "The Rocky Horror Show," Marius in "Les Miserables," Angel in "RENT," and Berger in "Hair".
As a choreographer, he most recently assisted Casa Manana's production of "Matilda," in addition to choreographing "Fosse" for Rhythm Nation Studios, and OhLook's award winning productions of "Cabaret" and "Hair." @MUNDELLMODERNPIXELS
JILL RITTINGER (INTIMACY DIRECTOR) -
Previous intimacy direction credits include Dead Man’s Cell Phone with hummingbird theatre co., and Ragtime with JCC Centerstage alongside friend and mentor, Sara Bickweat Penner. A partial list of acting credits include Arkadina, in The Seagull (The Company Theatre) Henrietta Swan Leavitt in Silent Sky, Orsino in Twelfth Night, Catherine in Proof, Laura in The Glass Menagerie, the title role in Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, Katharine Hepburn in the one-woman show: Tea at Five in both 2007, and 2011, Laura in The Glass Menagerie, (Blackfriars Theatre) Candy Starr in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, (JCC Centerstage) David Bowie in the staged reenactment of Bowie’s arrest in Rochester in 1976: Bowie Goes to Jail, (Eggwork Productions) Anna in Closer, Angel and Others in Angels in America: Millenium Approaches, Tallulah Bankhead, in Something Cloudy, Something Clear, (Method Machine) and Miss Fischer in A Picasso with John Hertzler (Geva Theatre Center Play Reading). Several commercial credits include: URMC, I Love New York Tourism, Planned Parenthood, Nick at Nite, and a campaign spot for Monroe County Executive, Adam Bello. Her voice may be heard in training and travel videos worldwide. Education: SUNY Fredonia-Theatre Arts, Circle in the Square Theatre School-Acting Intensive Program. A proud graduate of the Masters in Adolescent Inclusive Education program at Nazareth, she has taught in both Rochester and New York City. She is currently pursuing Consent-Forward Artist certification with IDC, specializing in Intimacy Direction for Stage and Film. She lends her time as the Victor Primary School Building Leader for The Spot, an organization providing free snacks, clothing and school supplies to students. www.thespotny.org
Everlasting purple summer to this inspiring cast and production team. The opportunity to work on this beloved and important musical is a dream come true.
ADAM URBANIC (STAGE MANAGER) - is a Rochester-based actor and stage manager who is thrilled to finish out the Company Theatre's inaugural season, having appeared in Richard II and contributed to The Seagull. Other recent credits include Twelfth Night with Rochester Community Players (Sir Toby Belch) and the past few seasons of A Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre Center (Gravedigger and understudy: Ghost of Christmas Present). As always, thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks to his family and friends for working around his periodic disappearances into rehearsals for months at a time, and to this incredible team of artists for their dedication and determination to make this show one for the ages.
THANKS TO OUR DONORS:
PREMIERE ($1000+):
THE DELAVAN FOUNDATION
SUSAN MURAD
SUPPORTING ($100+):
JIM JORDAN
LEADING ($500+):
DAVID MUNNELL
MAJOR ($250+):
JONATHAN ROSENFELD
CHRISTOPHER C. CONWAY
MEMBER ($50+):
JUDY MOLNER
PATRON ($5+):
CONNIE NEER
RICK STRAPOLI
MARY KITZEL
MARY HOFFMAN
LILIANA BRAUN
JANET PECK
JES SUTTON
JONATHAN JORDAN
CHRIS MCCORMACK
NIK BARON
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
BILLSBORO WINERY
THE TEMPLE THEATER
JCC CENTERSTAGE
EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DONORS AND PATRONS WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS FIRST SEASON AND THE MANY MORE TO COME, THANK YOU.
