THE THEATER DEPTARTMENT ANDTHE THEATER DEPTARTMENT AND

CASTING HALL PRODUCTIONSCASTING HALL PRODUCTIONS

PRESENTSPRESENTS

3 LETTER FROM CHAIR

4 STAFF & FACULTY

5 CASTING HALL EBOARD

6 PRODUCTION TEAM

8 DIRECTOR NOTE

9 CAST LIST

11 CAST BIOS

14 CREW BIOS

15 SPECIAL THANKS

16 SUSTAINERS OF THE ARTS

HEATHER'S THEMUSICALTABLE OF CONTENTS

Performance at SUNY Buffalo State: Welcome Back!

Welcome back to Theater and Dance at Buffalo State, Fall 2021. We are thrilled to be back inperson and thank you for helping us celebrate the work of our students, faculty, staff, guestartists, alumni, and community partners.

We kicked off our season with a workshop offered by our Friday Night Live (comedy improv)team. Keep your eye out for performances and workshops throughout the semester. The ForYour Consideration play reading series presents three events this fall, featuring directorsfrom the Buffalo theater community. This is your opportunity to hear some of the pieces weare considering for future seasons, followed by Q&A session.

Our first mainstage production this season is the popular musical, HEATHERS, directed byJennifer Toohey; choreography by Robin Barker. Musical Director Lucas Colon (’19) conductsa live band consisting of Buffalo State music students. As part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration for Buffalo State, our dance company offersLegacy in Dance, a tribute to the creative works in dance over many decades. A videomontage will highlight choreographers and dancers, past and present, followed by a paneldiscussion with some of the faculty, guest choreographers, and dancers.

We are committed to the highest level of theater and dance education and yourcontribution as an audience member is invaluable. To get involved and for moreinformation about the Theater and Dance programs and Casting Hall Productions, pleasevisit https://theater.buffalostate.edu.

We hope you enjoy the show.

LETTER FROM THELETTER FROM THECHAIRCHAIR

ANN EMOANN EMO

THEATER DEPTARTMENT CHAIRTHEATER DEPTARTMENT CHAIR

THEATER FACULTY &THEATER FACULTY &STAFFSTAFF

Nai la Ansari

Carol Beckley

Raymond Boucher

Anthony Chase

Ann Emo

Er ica Fire

Adriano Gatto

Joy Guarino

Drew Kahn

Michael Lambert

Maureen Porter

Nicholas Quinn

Ronald Schwartz

Jonathan Seinen

Kenneth Shaw

Kimberly Taylor

Jennifer Toohey

Melissa VanOsch

CASTING HALL EBOARDCASTING HALL EBOARD

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

TREASURER

SECRETARY

PRODUCTION MANAGER

PR/MARKETING MANAGER

AUDIENCE SERVICES MANAGER

FACULTY CO-STAFF ADVISORS

Lissette DeJesus

Jada Tupper

Link Hagerty

Summer Harris

Mary Margret-Keenan Brown

Kendra Martin

Summer Harris

Jonathan Seinen

& Nicholas Quinn

PRODUCTION TEAMPRODUCTION TEAM

DIRECTOR

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

CHOREOGRAPHER

SCENIC DESIGNER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

COSTUME DESIGNER

COSTUME DIRECTOR

MAKEUP DESIGNER

LIGHTING/SOUND DESIGNER

Jennifer Toohey

Lucas Colon

Robin Barker

Ken Shaw

Ron Schwartz

Ann Emo

Erica Fire

Djuana Munn

Nicholas Quinn

PRODUCTION TEAMPRODUCTION TEAM

SOUND TECHNICIAN

PROPS DESIGNER

INTIMACY CHOREOGRAPHER

FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER

STAGE MANAGER

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

BAND

Andrew Borchik

Scott Borish

Lusie Cuskey

Adriano Gatto

Mary Margaret Keenan-Brown

Bobbi Clarkson &

Sierra Munt

Lucas Colón (Keyboard/Conductor)Yamilla Tate (Bass)

Aneris Rivera-Wagner (Drums)Michael Parrizzi (Guitar)

Grant Asklar (Reed)

DIRECTOR'S NOTEDIRECTOR'S NOTE

What makes Heathers: The Musical worth producing in a world where high school studentsparticipate in active shooter drills? This is the question that I’ve wrestled with and attempted toanswer throughout the design and rehearsal process of our production.Heathers, the 1989 cult classic movie on which the musical is based, tells the story of a teenage girlwho makes a deal with the devil(s) to survive the hell that is high school, then travels down a dark andviolent path with her “damaged” boyfriend. They murder their classmates, and they cover up thesemurders by making them look like suicides. When the Heathers movie was released, we were adecade before Columbine and the string of school shootings that have made the active shooter drill apart of childhood for a generation of students.

The school in Heathers: The Musical, Westerburg, stands in as a microcosm of our country at large. AsJD says at the end of Act 2, "People will look at the ashes of Westerburg and say, ‘Now there's a schoolthat self-destructed, not because society didn't care, but because the school was society.’I found thatwhat makes this musical worth producing, beyond the excellent score, witty satire and cult following,is the redemption and growth of the main character, Veronica.Through Veronica’s efforts to right thewrongs that she's perpetuated throughout the story, we see that our very flawed world is; worthy ofchange.

Heathers takes a frank and satirical look at the greed and materialism that rose in the 1980s - andwhich is still with us today and puts society on trial. The children are the ones suffering for theirparents’ lack of empathy, attention and interest, and it’s the children who have to save themselvesfrom the ever-tempting path to hell.

As Naomi Fry, wrote in The New Yorker“Heathers” is almost proto-grunge in its disdain for the Reaganite fantasy: by presenting Americanviolence side- by- side with American wholesomeness, the movie dismantles the flimsy alibi the latterso often provides for the former. To watch Heathers as a teen-ager was to understand, maybe for thefirst time, that the way things are isn’t the way things should be. To watch it now, as an adult, is toremember what it was like to grasp that lesson, and to want to learn it anew.”

This quote has been a navigation point for our production. And as we navigate our way through thisongoing pandemic, Heathers shines a light on this precious chance we now have to reimagine thesociety we’ve built. Not only are things not “what they should be”, they are not what they could be.And we can look to the next generation to lead the way.

JENNIFER TOOHEYJENNIFER TOOHEY

DIRECTORDIRECTOR

CAST OFCAST OF HEATHERS THE MUSICALHEATHERS THE MUSICAL

VERONICA SAWYER

JASON DEAN

HEATHER CHANDLER

HEATHER DUKE

HEATHER MACNAMARA

RAM SWEENEY

KURT KELLY

MARTHA DUNNSTOCK

MS FLEMING/VERONICA’S MOM

BILL SWEENEY/VERONICA’S DAD/PRINCIPAL GOWEN

Lexus Hale

Cordell Hopkins

Carolyn Freeman

Link Hagerty

Kathleen Dunne

Ezra Bedoya

Eddie Spaulding

Emma Tryon

Summer Harris

Jake Grear

CAST OFCAST OF HEATHERS THE MUSICALHEATHERS THE MUSICAL

PAUL KELLY/COACH RIPPER/BIG BUDDEAN

BELEAGUERED NERD/POLICE OFFICER

CHEERLEADER

REPUBLICAN

HIPSTER

PUNK ROCKER/POLICE OFFICER

CHEERLEADER

Azarias Matthews

Isaiah Hancock

Jaden Browne

Caitlyn Faddis

Kennedy Lee

Eddie Rodriguez

Angelina Santiago

CONTINUEDCONTINUED

CAST BIOSCAST BIOS

Lexus Hale (Veronica Sawyer) is a sophomore transfer student who is majoring in theatre with aneducation path at Buffalo State. This is not only her first semester but her first production at BuffaloState. She would like to thank the department and the cast for their hard work and dedication andalso her family and friends for the endless support.

Cordell Hopkins (JD) is a Freshman at Buffalo State, a graduate from Buffalo Academy For The VisualAnd Performing Arts, Some of his credits include Les Miserables ( Ensemble) A Mid-Summer NightDream (Francis Flute) and In The Heights ( Sonny) Cordell would love to thank his family and friendsfor believing in him as he follows his passion of being a Broadway performer

Carolyn Freeman (Heather Chandler) is a junior English Education (7-12) major and theater minor.Some of her credits at Buffalo State include An Open Letter to Race Hatred and A Brief History of 20thCentury Theatre. Carolyn would like to thank the cast and crew of Heathers for making this amemorable experience!

Link Hagerty (Heather Duke) is a sophomore theater major making their debut on the Buff Statestage. Some of their credits include: Monty Python’s Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Little Shop of Horrors(Ronette), and more. Katie would like to thank their friends and family for support and love

Kathleen Dunne (Heather McNamara) is a junior Music Education major with a Theater minor. Someof her credits include Beauty & the Beast (Belle), Guys & Dolls (Sarah Brown), and Bye Bye Birdie (Mrs.MacAffee). Kathleen would like to thank all of her professors, directors, family and friends for theirsupport.

Ezra Bedoya (Ram Sweeney) is a senior theater major at Buffalo State College. His credits include TheColor Purple (ensemble), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho).He is also working as a technical assistant at our local PAC theater. Ezra looks forward to finishing thissemester strong, and graduating in the winter

Eddie Spaulding (Kurt Kelly) is a Senior theater major at Buffalo State College. He has appeared inEveryman (Everyman 1, Goods, Five Wits) and The Drowsy Chaperone (George). He hopes to finish thesemester strong and get back on the rugby field. Go Maddogs and enjoy the show!

CAST BIOSCAST BIOS

Emma Tryon (Martha Dunnstock) is a junior Social Studies Education major. Some of her creditsinclude Footloose (Wendy Jo), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Almost Maine (Waitress/Rhonda), and Into theWoods (the Witch). She would like to thank her wonderful family for all of their support, as well as heramazing girlfriend for believing in her.

Summer Harris (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom): Summer is a junior double majoring in theater andtelevision film arts. Some favorite credits include The Mousetrap (Mollie Ralston), You Can’t Take itWith You (Alice Sycamore) with The Park Players, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena) with ITOWNY,and The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne Frank) with Raiders of Niagara.

Jake Grear (Principal Gowen/Veronica’s Dad/Bill Sweeney) is a junior theater major. Some creditsinclude The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), Footloose(Willard), Heathers (Ram), The Color Purple(Assistant Stage Manager). You can catch Jake in the ensemble of Kinky Boots at Musicalfare thisMarch!

Azarias Angel Matthews (Coach Ripper/Paul Kelly/Big Bud Dean) is a senior theater major. Some of hispast credits include Othello (Rodrigo), Blood At The Root (Justin) and The Color Purple (Ensemble).Azarias wants to use his last year at Buffalo State being a mentor to other theater majors, helpingthem guide their way through college

Isaiah Hancock (Ensemble/JD under study) is a sophomore theater major. His credits include Mother C(Soldier). He would like to thank his family and friends for giving him the opportunity to perform inthis show.

Jaden Browne (Ensemble) is a freshmen theater major. In the past she has been in The Sound of Music(Briggita), Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble), and Shrek: The Musical (Mad Hatter). Jaden would like tothank everyone who has been with her on this journey to where she is now.

Caitlyn Faddis (Ensemble) is a senior music major. This is her first show at SUNY Buffalo State, but hasbeen involved through the music department events. She would like to thank her friends at BuffaloState for always being in her corner, and her family.

CAST BIOSCAST BIOS

Kennedy Lee (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is a Junior theater major here at Buffalo State. Some of hercredits include Once On This Island (Mama Euralie), Fiddler On The Roof (Fruma-Sarah). Kennedywould like to thank her cast mates for this amazing experience and her family, friends and theproduction crew for their endless support.

Eddie Rodriguez (Ensemble) is a freshman future theater major here at Buffalo State College. Hegraduated from Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music with an advanced Regents Diploma withhonors. He would like to thank his former choir director for their instruction and support

Angelina Santiago (Ensemble) is a junior social work major. Some of her credits include AladdinJunior (Ensemble), Xtigone (Ensemble). Angelina would like to thank Robin Barker (Choreographer)for challenging her, and her family and friends for all their love and support.

CREATIVE TEAM BIOSCREATIVE TEAM BIOS

Jennifer Toohey (Director) is a dialect coach, actor and director. Directing credits at Buffalo Stateinclude The Color Purple, Cabaret, Othello, Noises Off and The 25th Annual Putnam County SpellingBee. Dialect coach at The Shaw Festival in Canada and the Road Less Traveled Productions in Buffalo.

Lucas Colón (Music Director/keyboard) is a recent Buff State Theater Department alumnus. Recentacting credits include Mercury Fur (Artie Nomination), The Outsiders, Company, and The Mystery ofEdwin Drood. He has accompanied for Green Buffalo Productions, NRTG, and numerous auditions andsmall cabarets. Much love! @lucasthecycolon

Robin Barker (Choreographer) formerly “Elmo” in Sesame Street live, and Dance Captain for the NJ TapEnsemble; performance and choreographic work includes Artie Award winning “Don’t Bother Me ICan’t Cope” (PRT), Stompin’ At the Savoy, Hair, Ain’t Mis’Behavin. She was recently the AssociateChoreographer for Drowsy Chaperone and choreographed the Musical Revival of “The Color Purple ''both here at BSC, in the Warren Enters Theater.

Mary Margaret Keenan-Brown (Stage Manager) is a theater major at Buffalo State. Favoriteproductions include: BSC’s Everyman (SM), NU’s Pirates of Penzance (ASM), SHA’s Cats (SM), TOY’sSecret Life of Girls (Abby), SDP’s The Merry Wives of Windsor (Servant), TOY’s A Little House Christmas(Mary), and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Beth). Mary Margaret would like to thank her family andinstructors for their patience and guidance.

Bobbi Clarkson (Asst. Stage Manager) is a freshman theater major. Some of their credits include Guys& Dolls, Our Town, Once Upon a Mattress and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He would like to thankColleen Law-Tefft for sparking his love for theater and their friends and family for their constantsupport.

SPECIAL THANKSSPECIAL THANKS

Students of Costume, Electric and Scenic Practicum

Dr. Holly Bewlay

Students of Intermediate Photography

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