1Studio BE

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

By: Howard Ashman & Alan Menken

DirectorTamara Drew

Musical DirectorAimee Radics

Assistant DirectorKate Masiak

ChoreographyAlex Jados

Stage ManagerEric Van Tassell

Scenic DesignKatie Minix & Robert-Eric West

Costume & Makeup DesignRobert-Eric West

Sound Design Amanda Hosking

Lighting DesignDan Howe

Property DesignJeffery Shields

Puppet ChoreographyTaylor Bibat

Puppet AestheticsKate Laissle

Production ManagerMac Vaughey

Producer & Executive DirectorAaron Shapiro

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MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I“Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors)” ......................................................Chiffon, Ronnette, Crystal“Skid Row (Downtown)” .........................................................................................................Company“Da-Doo” .......................................................................................................Chiffon, Ronnette, Crystal“Grow for Me” .............................................................................................................................. Seymour“Ya Never Know” ................................................. Chiffon, Ronnette, Crystal, Mushnik, Seymour“Somewhere That’s Green” .........................................................................................................Audrey“Closed for Renovations” .......................................................................Musknik, Audrey, Seymour“Dentist!” .............................................................................................Orin, Chiffon, Ronnette, Crystal“Mushnik & Son” ...................................................................................................... Mushnik, Seymour“Feed Me (Git It)” ................................................................................................. Audrey II & Seymour“Now (It’s Just the Gas)” ..............................................................................................Orin & Seymour

INTERMISSION 15 Minutes

ACT II“Call Back in the Morning” ...................................................................................Seymour & Audrey“Suddenly, Seymour” .............................................................................................Seymour & Audrey“Suppertime” ............................................................................................................................... Audrey II“The Meek Shall Inherit” .........................................................................................................Company“Finale (Don’t Feed the Plants)” ...........................................................................................Company

CAST POD

Chiffon ......................................................................................................................Veronica FernandezCrystal ............................................................................................................................... Harper LeanderRonnette .................................................................................................................................... Ana LovricMushnik ............................................................................................................................Brandon WallerAudrey ................................................................................................................................. Serena RayneSeymour.................................................................................................................................... Jojo BrownOrin ............................................................................................................................... Raymond GoodallBernstein, Green Extra, Dentist Dancer ........................................................................Dagny TracySkip Snip, Dentist Dancer ...........................................................................................Nicky CameronMrs. Luce, Green Extra, Dentist Dancer ..................................................................... Emily BeckertAudrey II, Tango, Dentist Dancer ....................................................................... Wes Francois KleinSkid Row Solo, Dentist Waiting Room ......................................................................Mary MaloneyPatricia Martin, Interviewer, Dentist Waiting Room ............................................... Kristen DunnCustomer #1, Dentist Waiting Room .................................................................. Wyatt H. LeanderOpening Voice .....................................................................................................................Time BrickeyGreen Extra, Tango, Dentist Waiting Room .................................................. McKenna BattersonSwing ........................................................................................................................................ Leo Allen III

CAST SNAP TR AP

Chiffon ................................................................................................................................. Maddy TurnerCrystal ........................................................................................................................ Lyla Ann WhedbeeRonnette ............................................................................................................................ Kiah McKirnanMushnik ................................................................................................................................Peter KattnerAudrey ...........................................................................................................................Madison PullmanSeymour............................................................................................................................. Michael WallerOrin ..........................................................................................................................................Time BrickeyBernstein, Green Extra, Dentist Dancer, Tango ....................................................... China BrickeyOpening Voice, Dentist Dancer ....................................................................................... Jacob ReyesMrs. Luce, Green Extra, Dentist Waiting Room.....................................Noa Gordon-GutermanAudrey II, Tango, Dentist Dancer ....................................................................... Wes Francois KleinSkid Row Solo, Green Extra, Dentist Waiting Room .....................................................Amy SoriaPatricia Martin, Dentist Dancer ...................................................................................Kristin KattnerCustomer #1, Dentist Waiting Room ............................................................. William StegemannSwing ........................................................................................................................................ Leo Allen III

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CAST B IOGR APHIES

Jacob Reyes (Voice) Is thrilled to be joining the Studio Be family, he’s a senior at Mather High School who has performed in Dreamgirls, High

School Musical 2, and performed in Scenes for Life at the Illinois High School Theatre Fest. Shout Out to Family for their love and support.

Time Brickey (Orin, Plant Puppeteer, Opening voice, Cool guy): Time has plagued Studio BE with his presence for over a year now, and doesn’t seem to

want to leave. He is proud of his fellow cast and hopes to work with them in the future.

Kristen Dunn (Interviewer and Patricia Martin) Is excited to be in her third Studio BE show. She is a junior in high school and is happy to be in such a

wonderful show!

Kristin Kattner (Patricia Martin): Is excited to be in another show at Studio BE. She attends St. Benedict High school. And she wishes her cast

mates the best of luck!

Wyatt H. Leander (Customer #1, Puppeteer) is very happy to be in his first show at Studio BE! He loves being a awesome actor ! He loves movies of all

kinds, NCAA football ( ROLL TIDE ) comic books , Stan lee and Studio BE :) :) :) :) love to parents and cast! PS I AM THE HULK roar

Wes Francois Klein (Audrey II) is excited be in his 4th show at The Hive (AKA Studio BE) and would like to thank all of the staff for their continuous support and also his

fellow cast for being “so freakishly awesome!” Other than enjoying a couple of delectable humans, Wes also loves strawberry Pop-Tarts and chocolate covered GummyBears! “Mmmm Feed Me!!”

Mary Maloney (Skid Row Soloist) is super excited to be in her 5th show with Studio Be, and is super happy to have this awesome solo! :) Much love to the cast

who made my last show here fantastic! I’ll be back; no amount of distance can separate the bond of family!

Harper Leander (Crystal) attends Chi-Arts for Musical Theatre. She has been working with most the cast members/employees

THE BAND

Danny Howard & Eric Engleson ..................................................................................................DrumsJames Wenzel ..........................................................................................................................................BassKyle McCullough ................................................................................................................................GuitarGina Rickhoff .......................................................................................................................................GuitarNathan Urdangen ................................................................................................................................ KeysAimee Radics ...................................................................................................................Conductor/Keys

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B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)

of Studio Be for about 5 years. She is very grateful that she has had that time with them. She would not be who she was today if it wasn’t for them. Lots of Love! <3

Raymond Goodall (Orin/Puppeteer) is glad to have join Studio Be once again in a fabulous show, after a great time during Ragtime. He currently attends

Chi-Arts (Chicago High School for The Arts) as a Musical Theater major. He would like to thank first God, his parents, Harper for introducing him to this wonderful group of people, and most DEFIENTLY Studio Be for this great opportunity.

Michael Waller (Seymour)is truly elated to be a part of this AWESOME show. He would like to thank the Studio Be staff, his fellow cast members, his family,

and Queen Latifah for being the bananas to his monkey and for inspiring him to be who he wants to be!

McKenna Batterson (Interviewer/Puppeteer) attends Chi-Arts for Musical Theatre and is excited to be participating in her first Studio Be

production. She wants to thank everyone at Studio Be for being so welcoming and making her first show here amazing!!!

Madison Pullman (Audrey) attends Taft Academics Center and is having a blast working with both casts! She would like to thank the BE for yet another fantabu-

lous show experience. She thanks her friends and family for their support. She sends her love to the cast and crew :)

Maddy Turner (Chiffon) attends Franklin Fine Arts Center and is having a fantabulous time working on her first show at Studio Be. She would like to

thank everyone at Studio Be for helping to make her first show such a fun and beneficial experience :)

Noa Gordon-Guterman (Mrs. Luce) is ecstatic for her debut at studio be, she has had an amaz-ing experience, and she hopes every one

enjoys the show

Lyla Ann Whedbee (Crystal) I’d just like to thank the director and production team for giving me the role of “Crystal”. It’s the biggest role I’ve had, and I hope I live

up to all expectations.

Jojo Brown (Seymour)- Jojo is very excited to be performing in this production. He would like to thank his family, friends, and Miss Tamara, for

supporting him.

Peter Kattner (Mushnik) is very happy that he is a part of the Studio BE community. He would like to thank his loved ones for their support.

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B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)

Ana Lovric (Ronnette) is a junior at Lane Tech. This is her third show at Studio-BE and she’s super excited to be playing Ronette. Git it!

Veronica Fernandez (Chiffon) is 16 years old and loves to be a part of such a great cast. Studio-BE is the place to BE!

Dagny Tracy (Bernstein, Green Extra, Dentist Dancer) is a freshman and this is her second show at Studio-BE. She is so excited to be a part of Little Shop.

Nick Cameron (Skip Snip, Dentist Dancer) is a freshman at Lane Tech. He loves thinking about what life would be like if he were taller,

playing piano, and Studio-BE.

Brandon Waller (Mushnik) is an 8th grader at Sacred Heart. He is grateful to everyone involved in this show for making it as amazing as it is.

Amy Soria (Skid Row Solo)Little Shop is Amy’s second show working with Studio-BE. She was the Meechemi understudy in The Jungle Book. She

hopes to one day perform on Broadway.

Leo Allen III (Swing) Leo is a senior at Mather High School and is honored to be a part of this “horrific” cast in his fourth show at Studio-BE

Serena Rayne (Audrey)is a second year mu-sical theatre major and elated to be per-forming in her first show with such an amazing, supportive

cast and director.

Emily Beckert (Mrs. Luce) is an 8th grader at Newberry Academy. She is ecstatic to be participating in her thrid show here at studio be! She is also

aspiring to be a world-famous juggler.

Kiah McKirnan (Ronnette) is pleased to be in another Studio BE Production after playing the role of Sarah’s Friend in Last Summer’s

production of RAGTIME.

WilliamSteggemann (Customer #1) is so pleased to be proud of this production at Studio BE. He was introduced to acting with a stage combat

in Studio BE’s production of Romeo and Juliet two seasons ago and hasn’t stopped since.

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STUDIO BE STAFF

Katie Minix (Scenic Design) gradu-ated from Loyola University with a B.A. in Theatre emphasizing in set and lighting design. Her past productions include set designer for Lonesome West and The Diviners as well as the lighting designer for Wit and Savage in Limbo. She was also the set designer and as-sistant stage manager for Rent here at Studio BE. Katie gives a special thanks to Studio BE for this opportunity; the cast and crew have been fantastic!

Dan Howe (Lighting Design) is happy to be working with Studio BE for the first time. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts school of theatre, some of his other credits include: Con-go Squares production of The Colored Museum, SHIFT and DIVE brought to you by The Open Space Project, Forgot-ten World directed by Laurie Carlos, Co Designer on Strapped produced by The Inconvenience, and was recently the associate lighting designer for The King and I at Stage 773

Amanda Hosking (Sound Design) is a recent graduate from Wright State University with a bachelors degree in light and sound design. When she is not busy designing sound for the fabulous shows at Studio BE she works for Writ-ers theater as the sound board op and technician. She would like to thank the great design team for putting up with her absence, and hopes the cast and crew break a leg.

Jeff Sheilds (Prop Design) recently moved to Chicago from Iowa City. He has worked on stage and off through the midwest from directing to acting. He attended the University of Iowa studying theatre with an emphasis on directing. www.jeffshields.net

Kate Laissle (Props Aesthetics) is a recent graduate of Ohio University. She has previously worked at a number of Shake-speare festivals throughout the country. She is excited to be a part of Studio BE!

Kate Masiak (Assistant Director) graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in directing. After having so much fun with Rent, Kate has returned for Romeo and Juliet. Her directing credits include Rabbit, Closer, Bleed Like Me, Still Life with Iris, True Man; A Musical and The Problem. Kate would like to thank her mom (of course) and Studio BE, everyone here is fantastic!

Lauren Rankin (Assistant Music Director) is thrilled to be a part of Studio Be! She is an actor and singer, as well as the voice of national Walgreens TV and radio commercials. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Music Theatre from Northwestern University. More than anything, she loves to sing and generally be a kook.

Taylor Bibat (Puppet Choreography), a graduate of Oberlin College, is a loyal member of the Studio BE teaching staff, Associate Artistic Director of The State Theater of Chicago, a member of the band ElvisBride, and works with Elephant and Worm Educational Theater Company. She also pursues independent artistic projects. She is a performer, director, designer, teaching artist, and producer interested primarily in physical, visual, and object based theater. She has worked with Redmoon Theater, Blair Thomas and Company, Collaboraction, Victory Gardens, The Building Stage, Silent Theatre, Thresh-olds Theater Arts Project, and The Brick-layers Theatre Company and trained with Paola Coletto (clown), The Actor’s Gymnasium (circus/aerial), and The Eu-gene O’Neill National Theater Institute. Puppetry is her love and she is happy to be able to share it with the Studio BE family. www.taylorbibat.com

Alex Jados (Choreography) graduated from Western Illinois University in 2008. While earning her bachelor’s degree in communications, Alex served as the Vice President and Head Chore-

 

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ographer of the GBCC Dance Troupe. She was also involved with University Dance Theatre. Upon graduating from WIU, Alex became the Communications Director for Dance Chicago, one of the world’s largest dance festivals. Alex cur-rently continues to take dance classes and is a member of Matter Dance Company in Chicago.

Aimee Radics (Music Director) Aimee is so proud of all learners for their hard work on one of her favorite musicals. You can catch her music directing and teaching at Studio BE and performing around town with Catalyst Cabaret. Many thanks to the rockin’ musicians!

Robert-Eric West (Costume Design, Make-up Design) Mr. West is a gradu-ate of Butler University with a BA in musical theatre including concen-trations in vocal performance and pedagogy as well costume, hair and make-up design. He began his career at the age of six as a member of a youth theatre studying with the acclaimed children’s theatre director and author Nora MacAlvay, returning later in life as the company’s artistic director. Robert-Eric spent 13 years as a vocal coach and musical theatre history instructor at Indiana University where he also founded the Monroe County Children’s Theatre. Although his talents do not include accompaniment he has worked for over 20 years with special concen-tration in Broadway repertoire, safe belt techniques, and decoration and improvisation. His mentors and vocal instructors have included Eileen Farrell, Giorgio Tozzi and James Mullholland. As a Classically trained singer he has sung on the concert stage as well as the commercial stage using both classical and contemporary technique.

Tamara Drew (Director, Artistic Direc-tor of Youth Programming) is also the Secretary of Studio BE’s Executive Board as well as co-founder of the company as a whole. A graduate of

Millikin University with a BA in Theatre and Sociology, Tamara has competed, performed, taught, and studied across the country, from the Bay area to the Atlantic Coast. She is a performer, social activist, educator, model, mom, and Shakespeare enthusiast! The Studio BE community is her greatest accomplish-ment, and she is thrilled and anxious to see it grow and evolve. Ms. Tamara dedicates this show to everyone who has ever been in hate, and her son, Drew, who, like Romeo, Juliet, and every actor on this stage, has the power to change the world …enjoy~

Mac Vaughey (Production Manager), Studio BE Executive Board Vice Presi-dent, is a graduate of Brown Univer-sity and recipient of the University’s Weston Prize for Theatrical Design. He is the resident Lighting Designer at the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, recently named the Chicago Reader’s “Best Emerging Theatre Company.” Mac is also an Artistic associate for Teatro Luna, and Premiere Theatre & Perfor-mance, and a company member at Walkabout Theatre. Additionally, Mac’s work has been seen at the American Theatre Company, Redmoon Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Col-laboraction and Climax Nightclub. Mac has also worked with Infamous Com-monwealth, The Sinnerman Ensemble, Open Eye Productions and many other theatre companies. Mac also serves as head of the lighting department for the Next Theatre in Evanston, Light Opera Works, Timeline Theatre Company, and the American Theatre Company.

Aaron Shapiro (Producer, Executive Director and co-founder of Studio BE) graduated from Barat College of DePaul University where he received Departmental Honors in both Econom-ics and Acting & Directing. As a child he performed with the L.A. Opera Com-pany, the Los Angeles Children Chorus, and regularly worked as an extra in TV shows, commercials, movies, and music

STUDIO BE STAFF (c o n t.)

9Studio BE

STUDIO BE STAFF (c o n t.)

*Studio BE is seeking active members for our Board of Directors. If this sounds like you… BE in touch with a Studio BE Staff Member!

*Studio BE is a 501©(3) charity. Your donations are not only tax deductable… but are also vital to our continued success!

MISS ION STATEMENT

Studio BE is an ambitious, non-profit, performing-arts training and development facility available to the public. Our in-house programs and classes are designed to be high-energy, transformative experiences all culminating in a series of final performance opportunities. By connecting imagination with both discipline and integrity, we open doors for both excellence and self discovery that transcend the classroom. Our commitment to proper technique, discipline, and individual attention cultivates an environment that will foster creativity, self esteem, ambi-tion, and ultimately excellence in the performing arts.

Incorporated in February of 2009,Studio BE, NFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza-tion. We recently opened the doors to our brand new 3000 square foot perform-ing arts venue. Founded by company directors Aaron Shapiro (Executive Direc-tor) and Tamara Drew (Artistic Director of Youth Programming) our facility was designed for versatility. Located conveniently by the Belmont El stop, Studio BE is able to both accommodate our extensive Youth Programming and function as a 99 seat storefront theater.

At its inception, the founders of Studio BE shared some basic goals:To provide a quality product while cultivating integrity, expression, and success in the performing arts. Arts education is precisely like other ventures in its need for efficiency of management, fiscal accountability, stringent planning, the ‘manufac-ture’ of a quality product, and financial growth. Our blend of business, education, and creation is totally absolutely the only of its kind. Sweet.

To be a reliable resource for families who strive to succeed in all avenues of life.Studio BE’s greatest asset is the quality of our product for the price we offer. For less than the average cost of a babysitter,Studio BEoffers a curriculum that will positively affect the quality of life for your child. The enthusiastic and educated instructors employed byStudio BE all possess hands-on experience working with children and the drive to fulfill our mission. Students will recognize that they are a part of something greater than them

videos. After college Aaron founded Oracle Productions and opened their 40-seat black box theatre in Wrigleyville where he served 4 years as Artistic Director. He has worked professionally since college in Chicago as a director, stage manager, producer, actor, produc-tion manager, electrician, carpenter, sound technician, technical director, scenic designer and lighting designer for such companies as Collaboraction,

American theatre Company, The House Theatre, The Lincolnshire Mariott, Shat-tered Globe, Theatre Wit, Devonshire Players, Downers Grove Players, Pegasus Players, Victory Gardens Greenhouse and Biograph, Teatro Luna, Teatro Vista, Timeline, Next, About Face, The Enter-tainment Project, T.U.T.A., Light Opera Works, Albany Park Theatre Project, and Pinebox Theatre.

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and are encouraged to grow. Everyone will have a chance to see the results at performances and showcases throughout the year!

Our in-house youth programs and classes are all designed to be high-energy, transformative experiences culminating into a series of final performance opportunities. Our commitment to proper technique, discipline, and individual attention cultivates an environment that fosters creativity, self esteem, ambi-tion, self discovery and excellence.

To be accessible. We understand in great depth the needs and concerns of parents. For this reason, the scheduling of our programs is designed from the onset to correlate with school calendars, both public and private, and to be convenient for parental schedules. Also, our location is near a large residential area, public transportation, and a public parking lot, for your transportation convenience.

Our satellite programming is focused on connecting your organization with one of our Chicago-based professional instructors. Whether you are looking to create an after-school dance troupe, produce a play, or a movement work-shop for seniors, Studio BE can provide the solution for your administrative and staffing needs.

*Studio BE is seeking active members for our Board of Directors. If this sounds like you… BE in touch with a Studio BE Staff Member!

*Studio BE is a 501©(3) charity. Your donations are not only tax deductable… but are also vital to our continued success!

MISS ION STATEMENT (c o n t.)

A NOTE FROM THE D IRECTOR

Of course, we are excited to have you here! That’s part of the reason we are doing this. So that YOU could come to see it, have a new and exhilarating experience of a story you may already know, and be provoked to think. Actually, it’s the whole concept of thought provocation that has us in this business. We strive to inspire our Studio BE learners to thoughts of identity, responsibility, and creativity. We make a conscious effort to immerse them in material that makes them aware of the people and situations that exist around them so that they may make informed choices for their present and their future real-life situations. We work to challenge them as overall performers to work their hardest, PLAY!, always present their best, and help them to become well-rounded in the performance arts. How does Studio BE’s Little Shop of Horrors fulfill this mission? Multi-person puppetry, intricate har-monies, meticulous ensemble movement, fantastic character creation, comedy!; relationship abuse, temptation, envy, right and wrong, greed, poverty, love, loyalty, betrayal, and a talking plant…let’s just say, it works. Studio BE’s talented team of designers and colorful cast of learners has cooked up something delightful for you to marinate on. Enjoy~

Ms. Tamara

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STUDIO BE PRODUCTION STAFF

Executive Director .................................................................................................Aaron ShapiroArtistic Director of Youth Programming ......................................................... Tamara DrewDevelopment Director ...........................................................................................Mac VaugheyMusic Directors .....................................................................Aimee Radics, Robert-Eric WestAssistant Music Director .....................................................................................Lauren RankinTechnical Director .................................................................................................Aaron ShapiroScenic Crew .......................................................................................Katie Minix, Matt Dinning, Aaron Shapiro, Mac VaugheyElectricians ....................................................Mac Vaughey, Eric Van Tassell, Aaron ShapiroWardrobe/Make-Up .....................................................................Meris Peretti, Carolyn Tracy, Sandra Leander, Liz Wilson, Manny Ortiz, Barb CameronRun Crew ...............................................................................................Kate Masiak, Jeff ShieldsFollowspot Ops ..............................Gilbert Roman, Collin Monanhan, Charlotte AdamsSound Engineer .....................................................................................................Aaron Shapiro

This Production Would Not Be Possible Without the Financial Support Of:The Boulin Family, The Pullman Family, The McKirnan Family, The Waller Family, Cindy

Chisholm, Alex Aixala, Dan Lurie, Elizabeth Auman, and the MissioDei Ministry

SPEC IAL THANKS

Dr. Jan Hart, Ruslan Trusewych, Sandra Leander, The Chisholms, The Pullmans, Bri Dean, Handwritten, Chelsea Meyers & Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Rosemary & John McDonnell, Our Neighbors in the 3110 Sheffield Building, Jeff Orluck (jeffor-luck.com), Richard D. Riggleman, Jeremy Shapiro, Jay Shapiro, Jason Geis, Ian Gat-man, American Theatre Company, Strawdog Theatre Company, Bennett Lawson in Ald. Tunney’s Office, Light Opera Works, pH Productions, Chicago Spotlight, & Friends and Family of Studio BE Staff, Cast, and crew… who have supported us in numerous ways throughout this project.

 

Involved!

Upcoming events for the Studio BE Community!

• May 15, 12:00pm @ THE BE Studio BE Voice Recital – See your friends showcase their work during the semester during their private lessons!

• May 15, 2:30pm @ THE BE – LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: Staff Version – Have you ever wondered what Mr. Aaron sounds like when he sings in the shower? Come see the Studio BE Staff perform a one-night benefit performance of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Tickets on sale at www.studio-be.org

• May 15, 6:00pm @ THE BE – Kommunity Karaoke Night! - Bring your friends and family and your favorite sing-along tracks. This event is TOTALLY FREE!

• May 21, Noon @ WEISSMAN PARK – Watch the Studio BE Ensemble wow the crowd at the ribbon cutting ceremo-ny for the renovated park located walking distance from THE BE. (We helped raise some money for the park and now they’re letting us perform!)

• June 11, 12 1:30PM @RIBFEST (Lincoln, Damen , Irving)– The Studio BE Ensemble will perform! There may also be RIBS!