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AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM’S
STUDENT DIRECTED ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL
FEATURING:
December 7 and 9
FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS
and
THE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE
Written by Christopher Durang
Directed by Shannon Heldt
WAKING NIGHTMARE
Written by Megan Tripaldi
Directed by Katie Schneider-Thomas
December 8 and 10
ALL OF THIS
Written and Directed by Hannah Morey
ADVENTURERS ANONYMOUS
Written by Aly Kantor
Directed by Megan Schnipke
The PRODUCTIONS
AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM
PRESENTS:
FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS
and
THE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE
Written by Christopher Durang
Directed by Shannon Heldt
FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS
was originally produced by
The Ensemble Studio Theatre in June 1994
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM
PRESENTS:
WAKING NIGHTMARE
Written by Megan Tripaldi
Directed by Katie Schneider-Thomas
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM
PRESENTS:
ALL OF THIS
Written by Hannah Morey
Directed by Hannah Morey
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM
PRESENTS:
ADVENTURES ANONYMOUS
Written by Aly Kantor
Directed by Megan Schnipke
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Southern Belle / Actor’s NightmareShannon Heldt, Director To all my friends, family, designers, and producers, thank you so much for supporting
me in my directing debut! For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls and The Actor’s Nightmare have been a joy to produce. I’ve always had a deep love for the past and nostalgia. Though I didn’t grow up in
the 1980s, Durang’s one-act comedies have always felt like my childhood. He’s someone
I’ve grown up with - always hearing about in my theatrical studies. Everything has
now come full circle. My concept theme of dissonance runs through both of these mini-one
acts. Though they may have been made with different ingredients, each production tastes
very similarly, and I couldn’t be happier. My fellow students have been amazing to
work with, and I couldn’t be more grateful to them as I find my footing as a first-time
director. My nightmares and belles now belong to you! Enjoy the show :)
*Pause, smile, wrinkles nose. End of Play*
|
Waking NightmareKatie Schneider-Thomas, Director My relationship with Ancient Greek mythology is as long as my time in the theatre.
The first time I stepped foot on stage in middle school was in a Greek myth series
set at a circus, and a year ago I played Midas in Metamorphoses at Aquinas, another collection of myths. So, if you would have told me a year ago
that my last piece at Aquinas would be another Greek piece, I wouldn’t have believed
it. But, as I sat in my bedroom late one night reading Waking Nightmare, I knew that there was something different about Tripaldi’s retelling of Phaedra
compared to anything else I had done before. In a theatre history class in the Theatre Annex on campus, I distinctly remember
having a discussion about why we continue to produce stories like The Bacchae, Lysistrata, or (my personal favorite) Agamemnon. It is so easy to take a look at the old translations and brush them off as irrelevant
or disconnected from our modern lives, as I used to do. But, humanity is so much more
connected than I wanted to believe. The stories of love, hate, jealousy, friendship,
and more are all stories the Greeks were writing thousands of years ago that still
apply to us.
Waking Nightmare is a perfect reflection of this ideal. Between internal dialogues, twisted versions
of memories, and idealizing the future, there are truly relatable themes that Tripaldi
incorporated into this retelling of Phaedra’s story. As we have put this show together,
I consistently thought about these four characters and how they display the best and
worst of people around us and the parts of ourselves that we don’t always admit. While
the elements displayed here may not reflect exactly what our lives may look like in
a week, a month, or a year, I hope the love, anger, longing, and angst that these
four have put onstage speaks to the reality of life being a dream as often as it is
a nightmare.
|
All of ThisHannah Morey, Director All of This is a labor of love that I will continue to carry with me long after I graduate college.
Since I am close to the end of my college experience at Aquinas, I knew I wanted my
capstone to be as memorable as my time here has been. As a young girl who struggled
a lot during her teen years, Mia and Wild Mia are pieces of myself that I always wanted
to put to paper. Thanks to a simple idea, a good therapist of mine, and twelve months
of work, I am very excited to show off this piece.I dedicate All of This to my wonderful actors who brought this piece to life. A year ago, if you told me
that I would be directing a piece that I wrote, I would have probably cried. As of
writing this, I am still close to tearing up. To each of the people who helped me
bring this piece to life, know that I am so thankful for the work you have put into
this play. Know that, regardless of where you are at in your acting/stage managing/designing
career, you have given me the knowledge and courage to show this piece to the world.
Your talents will never go underappreciated, and I could not have done this without
all of the behind-the-scenes work from everyone on the design team.
I also thank Scott Harman for his guidance and ability to follow through with this
project to the end. Thank you for the support whenever I started to lose my confidence
on this project.
I am constantly inspired by the love that my friends and family show me, and I will
forever be grateful for that love. Thank you for your constant support and love for
me, especially on the hard days. I hope this piece is a reflection of the support
you have given me. To this, and many more projects in the works!
|
Adventurers AnonymousMegan Schnipke, Director Addiction affects many people, and Aly Kantor explores this theme through five distinct
experiences and characters. She explores religion and spirituality, not knowing who
you are, grief of a loved one, and pressure from others as possible reasons for feeling
numb. Through their relationships, each of the five girls learn to heal and move on
with healthier versions of their lives. |
CAST, STUDENT DIRECTOR, AND STAGE MANAGER BIOGRAPHIES
Southern Belle / Actor's Nightmare
 Michaela Faith (Ash) (she/her) is a freshman at Aquinas College who is currently undecided on her major. She has
been involved in many theatrical productions before college, including The Wizard of Oz, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Sound of Music, and more! Michaela hopes to continue pursuing theatre for many more years to come. |
 Kikka Go (she/her) (Carly) is currently a junior at Aquinas College. She is double majoring in International
Studies and Geography. All of This and The Actor's Nightmare will be her third experience with AQ Theatre. Her previous involvements include two
plays for her friends' directing class. Kikka works for the box office at the AQ Performing
Arts Center. |
| Shannon Heldt (she/her) (Director) is currently a senior at Aquinas College majoring in Theatre with minors in Music
(Voice) and Communication. She is so happy to be back on the AQ stage for her last
production as an actor before she graduates in December. Her most notable credits
include Eurydice/other in Metamorphoses (Aquinas College), Loud Stone in Eurydice (GRCC Players), Aramis in The Three Musketeers (Circle Theatre), and Poppy the Stagehand in The Play That Goes Wrong (Circle Theatre). Shannon hopes to continue her love for acting in community theatre
and working in the business side of it in the future! She gives a massive thank you
to her parents and friends for supporting her throughout the years - she couldn’t
have done it without you all! |
 Gabrielle Lee (she/her) (Sarah/Amanda) is a sophomore at Aquinas College studying Theatre with a love of musical performance,
coinciding with her minor in Music. Favorite credits include the Gramophone in Failure: A Love Story, Aphrodite in Metamorphoses, and Judy Bernly in 9 to 5. No stranger to working with the wonderful Shannon Heldt, Gabrielle has also participated
in scene-work for her in Stupid Fucking Bird as Emma, and Constellations as Marianne. Gabrielle thanks you for coming and hopes you enjoy the hilarious For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls and The Actor's Nightmare. |
 Jordan Malone (he/him) (Henry/Tom) recently graduated Aquinas College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liturgical Music.
Jordan has studied organ, piano, composition, conducting, and voice. He currently
serves as the Director of Sacred Music at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and
School. Recent past shows include Sweeney Todd (Circle Theatre), 9 to 5 the musical
and The Arkansas Bear (Aquinas College). Jordan also music directed and played for
The British Invasion concert at Circle Theatre. |
 Annah Stang (she/her) (Ginny) is excited for you to see this incredible production directed by an incredible student.
As both a Theatre minor and enthusiast, she is no stranger to the stage. Outside of
the Arts, Annah enjoys yoga, Colorguard, and as much coffee as possible. She thanks
her mother and partner for their continued support of her various endeavors. |
 Fiona Walsh (she/her) (Stage Manager) is currently a sophomore at Aquinas College. She is double majoring in Theatre and
Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing. This is Fiona’s fifth show
with Aquinas. Her previous credits include; Metamorphoses (ASM), The Thanksgiving Play (SM), 9 to 5 (ASM), and Failure: A Love Story (ASM). When Fiona is not doing something with the theatre program, she is the secretary
of Aquinas’ Student Senate. |
 Isaac Zittel (he/him) (George/Lawrence) is currently a junior at Grand Rapids Community College and has appeared in productions
of Les Misérables, It's a Wonderful Life, Get Smart, and more. "It's been an incredible experience to work with such talented individuals."
His favorite line in the play is "Oh, how ghastly!" |
Waking Nightmare
 Camille Bistrek (she/her) (Oenone) is a senior at Aquinas College studying Elementary Education with a minor in Theatre.
Some of her previous credits include: Fastrada in Pippin (Loy Norrix Theater), Toni
in One of Our Own, and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (AQ Theatre). In her
spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and listening to one of her many bops, such
as “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart. She thanks her Mother, Father, Stepmother,
and her loving boyfriend, Noah. |
 Madeline Campbell (she/her) (Phaedra) is excited to take the stage in her first Aquinas Theatre Production. She is currently
a senior at Aquinas College, studying Social Studies and Secondary Education to achieve
her dream of becoming a high school history teacher. She is a lover of history and
the arts and is thrilled to take part in Waking Nightmare as Phaedra. She thanks her family and friends, the living blessings in her life,
without whom she would not be here today, as well as the women of Meijer Hall and
all of its adjacents, who have filled her college years with laughter, late night
talks, and so much love. |
 Drew Huegli (he/him) (Hippolytus) is a junior at Aquinas College, majoring in Communication with Theatre Emphasis with
a minor in Biology. Drew has been doing theatre for as long as he can remember. He
has been a part of productions at Civic Theatre (School of Rock), Stage GR (Footloose, Frozen Jr.), East Grand Rapids High School (The Pirate Show, Mary Poppins) and the Aquinas College Theatre Program (Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, The Thanksgiving Play). He has always loved how magical theatre is, how it can transform a small dark space
and turn it into anything you can imagine. Theatre has given him a space to explore
new perspectives and ideas. He hopes you all enjoy the show! He is thankful to be
part of this show, as working with Katie and the rest of the cast has been the highlight
of his semester! |
 Jhaiell Kilgore (he/him) (Theseus) is a 2022 graduate of Public Museum High and in his sophomore year at Grand Rapids
Community College majoring in Theatre. He has acted in Kill Move Paradise (GRCC Players), Lobby Hero (GRCC Players), and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Circle Theatre). He thanks Katie, Annmarie, and the whole cast for giving him this
opportunity and helping him feel welcome in an unfamiliar environment. |
 Annmarie Puzio (she/her) (Stage Manager) is currently a senior at Aquinas College studying Child Life, with a minor in Theatre.
This is Annmarie's sixth time as a Stage Manager at Aquinas College, with previous
credits including Big Smoke, Metamorphoses, and Failure: A Love Story. This is Annmarie's first time stage managing a one-act play and is honored Katie
picked her for such an unique experience. Annmarie hopes to continue her journey in
theatre and one day become a professional stage manager. She gives a special thank
you and dedication to the late Doré Furstenberg who helped foster her deep love for
theatre. "Some of my favorite people" ~ Doré Furstenberg 2019 |
| Katie Schneider-Thomas (she/her) (Director) is so excited to be finishing out her time at Aquinas with Waking Nightmare! She is a senior at Aquinas with majors in Theatre and Communication and a minor
in German. In addition to directing, Katie is currently training in intimacy coordination
and served as the intimacy coordinator and assistant director for the Aquinas College
production Ada and the Engine. Her recent acting credits include Failure: A Love Story (Gerty), The Thanksgiving Play (Logan), Too Much Light (Herself) and Metamorphoses (Midas). Katie thanks her wonderful friends and family who have come to every show
and supported her endlessly throughout her time at Aquinas as well as the cast and
crew for making this show so special. |
All of This
| Kikka Go (she/her) (Carly) is currently a junior at Aquinas College. She is double majoring in International
Studies and Geography. All of This and The Actor's Nightmare will be her third experience with AQ Theatre. Her previous involvements include two
plays for her friends' directing class. Kikka works for the box office at the AQ Performing
Arts Center. |
 Ainslie Granzetto (she/her) (Wild Mia) hails from Holland Christian High School and usually lives in Holland, MI. She has
been doing theatre for over 8 years and loves it. |
 Eliana Hilliker (she/her) (Eloise) is attending Grand Rapids Community College for an Associates of Arts in Theater.
Past acting experience includes GRCC’s production of Tiger’s Be Still as Sherry Wickman and various high school and community theater shows, such as Hercules and Winnie the Pooh. In her free time between work and school, she enjoys writing, journaling, and discovering
new coffee shops. Eliana thanks Hannah, Rhodey, Scott Harman, and all the designers
for an amazing production crew as well as Ainslie, Abby, and Kikka for being amazing
cast members. She also thanks the Lord for giving her another production to experience.
She’s incredibly grateful for this opportunity! |
 Abby Kozal (she/her) (Mia) will be playing Mia in tonight's performance. She is from Kent City, MI. She is majoring
in English: Writing and minoring in Studio Arts. In her free time, she enjoys drawing,
reading comics, listening to David Bowie, and going on long-winded rants about her
favorite shows. This is Abby's first performance with AQ Theatre, and she hopes you
enjoy the show! |
| Rhodey Matzke (they/them) (Stage Manager) is a first-year student at Aquinas College and is thrilled to have everyone here for today's performance of All of This. They are incredibly happy to be working with the astounding cast and crew for this show, who have been kind and supportive as they step into the role of stage manager for the first time at AQ! Please, enjoy the show! |
| Hannah Morey (she/her) (Director) is very proud to be back for her final year at Aquinas College with her debut as
a director! After being in seven AQ Theatre productions, Hannah finally wanted to
try out her directing cap. Because she also wrote the piece she is directing, she
has a strong connection to the characters and subsequently, those playing said characters.
Hannah thanks everybody who made her play a reality. She also thanks her family for
their never-ending support and love, as it has gotten her through all of this. |
Adventurer's Anonymous
| Michaela Faith (Ash) (she/her) is a freshman at Aquinas College who is currently undecided on her major. She has
been involved in many theatrical productions before college, including The Wizard of Oz, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Sound of Music, and more! Michaela hopes to continue pursuing theatre for many more years to come. |
 Summer Hickok (Sylvie) (she/he) is in her fourth year at Aquinas College with an English with Literature Emphasis
major as well as minors in Communication, and English with Writing Emphasis. This
is Summer's third show at Aquinas with previous credits including ensemble in Head Over Heels (Aquinas), Borealis in Belonging Without Strings (Aquinas), Iago in Othello (Bard Book Club), and Liesl in The Sound of Music (City High Middle). When not onstage, Summer writes poetry, does queer readings of
classic literature, and collects rocks on the shores of Lake Michigan. She thanks
her friends and family, as well as the Greek gods of performance, Apollo and Dionysus. |
 Mia Meyer (she/her) (Sam) is a senior at Aquinas College, and after years of being too busy to even think about
theatre, she is delighted to return to the stage in Adventurers Anonymous. Previously,
she has been an ensemble member in The Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical, Titanic the Musical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Mia thanks all of her friends who encouraged her to audition, helped her with lines,
and supported her throughout this journey, reminding her that she’s beloved. |
 Delaney Pocevich (Justine) (she/her) is a freshman at Aquinas and Adventurers Anonymous is her first acting role in college. She has done theater in high school and is glad
to bring it forward into college. |
| Megan Schnipke (Director) (she/her) is a third-year student at Aquinas College, majoring in Communication with a Theatre
Emphasis and Secondary Education. Megan has been a part of multiple Aquinas College
productions, including The Thanksgiving Play as assistant stage manager, as well as Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Big Smoke, and Head Over Heels, all as ensemble members. Megan thanks her three sisters for always supporting her
interests, even if they like to annoy her. Megan also thanks her parents for being
there with her every step of the way. |
| Cristiana Worthams (she/her) (Stage Manager) is a freshman at AQ, and this is her first college production! She thanks Scott and Megan for giving her this opportunity as well as her friends and family for all the support. |
 Eileen Zielke (she/her) (Haley) is a senior studying English Literature with a passion for the arts. Her favorite
role is from Failure: A Love Story, playing a chorus member, Marietta Fail, the Dog, and Grandfather Clock! She appreciates
her family and friends for their encouragement. Extending her gratitude, she thanks
AQ Theatre for welcoming her with open arms, inspiring her as she grows as a performer.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou. |
PRODUCTION CREW
| Intimacy and Fight Coordinator | Katie Schneider-Thomas |
| Graphic Design | Shannon Heldt |
| Light Operator | Kerrigan Smedley |
| Sound Operator | Atlan Lasher |
| Scene Shop Assistant | Fiona Walsh |
| Theatre Office Assistant | Katie Schneider-Thomas |
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION TEAM
Penny Avery (she/her) (Theatre Program Director) joined the Aquinas College faculty in 1994 and currently serves as both the Communication Department Chairperson and the Theatre Program Director with a PhD in Communication from Michigan State University and a MA and BS from Central Michigan University in Secondary Education with certification in English and Speech/Theatre. She was a member of the facility planning team when the Performing Arts Center was designed and loves to see the space being utilized to share arts with diverse audiences through Aquinas College’s partnerships with Community Circle Theatre and the Grand Rapids Catholic Schools. In her early years at AQ, she taught Children’s Theatre (suitably renamed Theatre for Youth and Education) and directed several productions, including The Great Cross Country Race and Charlotte’s Web.
Kelsey Edwards (she/her) (Set Designer) is a graduate of Adrian College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre. She has been involved in many productions as a technical director and stage manager. Kelsey is very excited to be working as technical director for this season at Aquinas College. She also has experience in scenic design, costume design, and property master. As of recent, Kelsey has worked on The Moors (2021), Blithe Spirit (2021), Spitfire Grill (2021), and Abigail/1702 (2022) as a technical director.
Jason J Flannery (he/him) (Directing Advisor) is a Grand Rapids area theatre artist, and an adjunct professor of Acting, Directing, and Improvisation at Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Lindenwood University, where he studied directing, acting, and scenic art. He has recently worked in Grand Rapids as a director for productions which include Grand Concourse (GRCC, 2023), Bard to Go, Bardic Inspiration (GVSU, 2022), A Doll’s House, Part 2 (GRCC, 2022), Eurydice (GRCC, 2022), The Foreigner (AQ, 2019), Wilderness (GRCC, 2019), as well as Actors’ Theatre’s upcoming production of Paradise Lost (2024).
Scott Harman (he/him) (Director of Production) is Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of Theatre Production at Aquinas College. He is a PhD Candidate in Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds an MA in Theatre History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Alma College. He has taught at Grand Valley State University, Alma College, Parkland College, and he is a longtime summer faculty member at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has worked as an actor, director, technician, teacher, and playwright at various theatre companies and schools around the country. As a scholar and researcher, he works extensively on acting theory and pedagogy.
Jess Luiz (she/her) (Costume Designer) has been a member of the Grand Rapids theatre community for over a decade, participating as a costume designer, performer, props designer and audience member. She studied Theatre at Northern Michigan University. Her recent credits include 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Three Musketeers, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Sweeney Todd. Jess also serves as a teaching artist, sharing her love of storytelling and design through theatre arts with kids and adults of all abilities throughout the West Michigan area. She is grateful to her husband Jason for his support and their two kids for providing laughter, play, new ideas, and all the hugs.
Catherine Marlett-Dreher (she/her) (Lighting Designer) has designed lights for over 300 productions in the West Michigan area, including shows for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre, Actors’ Theatre, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Cornerstone University. Aquinas credits include: I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Distracted, Dracula, The Illusion, A Year With Frog and Toad, Love and Information, Enchanted April, Arabian Nights, Hotel Cassiopeia and many more. She works as the Production Manager and Resident Lighting Designer at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
Gabby Rane (she/her) (Props Designer) is so excited to be back as the prop designer for the Student Directed One Acts. As an alumnae of Aquinas College, she holds a B.A. in Theatre with a technical emphasis. As well as prop designing Failure: A Love Story, Gabby just finished Stage Managing Carrie The Musical with Betka-Pope Productions. This year’s credits also include Ensemble in 9 to 5 the musical at Aquinas College, Mother/Ensemble in Three Musketeers at Circle Theatre and working as a costume assistant to Jess Luiz for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Sweeney Todd. Gabby has previously worked behind the scenes with Pigeon Creek Shakespeare company, Ebony Road Players, and Civic Theatre. If she isn’t doing theatre, you can find Gabby at home cuddling her cat, making dinner or slinging drinks as a barista. She thanks her boyfriend Patrick for his unending support and her family and friends for their continuous encouragement.
Selene Rezmer (she/her) (Sound Designer) has been doing shows in Grand Rapids since 2009, learning to fall in love with audio while exploring the glorious worlds that only theatre can provide. Selene graduated from Aquinas College in 2013 and has since spent most of her free time in various theaters around town, from Civic and Circle to Forest Hills Central and Caledonia. Some of her favorite shows that she has worked on include Chicago, Fun Home, The Addams Family, Caroline or Change, Young Frankenstein, Little Shop of Horrors, Reckless, Book of Days, and Rent. She thanks Kels and Vanessa for their unending love, especially when forced to listen to sound effects, songs, and voiceovers on repeat while shows are being worked on.
UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
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Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble...
Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble...