Production Program

Written by Harold Pinter
Directed by Becca Howell
Season Sponsors: Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson
Production Sponsors: Douglas & Carol Burks

From The Producing Artistic Director

The past 2 years have been incredibly challenging for everyone and few industries have struggled more than the arts.  But here we are.  Many of us survived and found ways to stay creative.  There was a cost, without question, but to every other arts organization who is still here and still bringing passion and humanity to life through creative expression, Falcon lifts a glass in respect, honor and kinship.

Falcon’s unofficial theme for this season is “Fill the Space” and that has many meanings.  Falcon, as with many other theaters, is still seeing smaller audiences than we did in early 2020 so, yes, we want to make sure we’re filling seats in our theater.  But “Fill the Space” is a much broader goal.  We want to fill our space with the conversations, emotions and connections that audiences and artists share when we meet in a dark theater and travel to a different world for a short time.  Theatre unites people in a way nothing else can…it gives us a glimpse into the minds, hearts and lives of others.  And there has never been a time in history when that has been more important than it is today.

We also want to “Fill the Space” with new ideas.  Theatre is about creativity and Falcon has always been dedicated to encouraging creativity and originality.  Our season this year is what we always strive for…a unique collection of work that offers a vast universe of experiences for our artists and our audiences.

And, of course, we want to “Fill the Space” with you….our dedicated audience of fans who love what we do. So this year, when you come to Falcon, help us not only share with you, our life-long friends, but help us make new friends.  Bring someone with you…maybe even someone who has never experienced the transformative power of a live theatre production.  Together we will ensure that the arts thrive in Newport and that this region continues to grow as a home for working, professional artists.

Together we will fill this space with ideas, friends, innovation and joy.  Welcome to Falcon Theatre.

Sincerely,
Ted Weil
Producing Artistic Director

CAST (in order of appearance)


Emma — Samantha Joy Kuhn
Jerry — David Derringer
Robert — Aaron Whitehead
Waitress — Lisa Dirkes

PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Manager — Liz Apollonio
Scenic Design — Ted J. Weil, Tara Williams, Becca Howell
Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Tara Williams
Props Design — Holly Sauerbrunn
Sound Design — Becca Howell
Intimacy Coach — Torie Wiggins
Dialect Coach — Kate Glasheen
Lighting & Sound Execution — Liz Apollonio
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil
Set Decor — Tara Williams, Tracy M. Schoster
Graphic Design — Nikole Friend
Lobby Display — Tracy M. Schoster
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Production Coordinator — Tara Williams
Marketing Director — Lisa Dirkes
House Staff Coordination — Tracy M. Schoster
Photography — Kristy Rucker
Box Office — Holly Sauerbrunn

Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:

Cast Biographies

David Derringer (Jerry): David is thrilled to be making his Falcon Theatre debut as the role of Jerry in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. When not at the Falcon, he can be found leading the drama program at Milford High School, helping buyers and sellers in the real estate market as a realtor with Ken Perry Realty, or performing in his own touring productions and acting camps with his company, Giants Fall Theatre Co. (giantsfalltheatre.com). His favorite acting credits include the titular character in Macbeth, Mercutio and Lord Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, and almost every character other than Hermia and Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company). Recent directorial credits include The Little Mermaid, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Milford High School). Additionally, he directed the premiere of Preggers, or Parenthood for Virgins with Cincinnati Lab Theatre, and will be returning to direct the production again as it was chosen to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next fall. David would like to thank his family for their constant support, Becca Howell for this amazing opportunity, and all of his students that make this crazy life worth living. www.davidrderringer.com

Lisa Dirkes (Waitress): Lisa is thrilled to get to flex her acting muscles again after a bit of a hiatus. Some of her favorite roles have been in Frankenstein (Gretel/Clarice), The Cover of Life (Weetsie), The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (Dancer), The Elephant Man (Pinhead/Duchess) and Daisy (Louise Brown). When not appearing on stage Lisa is the Marketing Director for Falcon Theatre. Lisa would like to thank Becca, Liz, and the entire cast for making this such a great experience. She would also like to thank her wonderful family and friends for being so supportive and Emilie and Mason for always being able to put a smile on her face. Peace, love and happiness.

Samantha Joy Luhn (Emma): Samantha is thrilled to be returning to Falcon Theatre’s stage!–Last season, she was seen as Lisa in Well. Samantha performed at the 2022 Cincy Fringe Festival in Banned From Heaven, Barred from Hell. While residing in Portland, Oregon, she was seen in various productions with the Working Theatre Collective and performed on the Imago Theatre stage in the role of Sanae for the English world premier of Yukio Mishima’s The Black Lizard. Some of her other favorites include Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kitty in Kitty the Waitress, and Thalia, the Greek muse of comedy, in Peaking. Samantha holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Northern Illinois University. She went on to earn a B.S. in wildlife biology from the other OSU (Oregon). Samantha then spent several years in Hawaiʻi working in environmental conservation and continuing her education, earning her M.Ed from Clemson University. Reinvigorated with a recent move back to her beautiful hometown of Cincinnati, Samantha is loving being a part of the amazing theatre this city has to offer!  You can see her next as Gretchen in Boeing Boeing at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts. Samantha is a high school history and drama teacher. She lives in Covington with her dog-daughter, Nellie Bly. She is grateful to her family for always supporting her in her endeavors. It has been a gift to go on the journey of Betrayal with this beautiful script and brilliant cast and crew! Special thanks to Becca for her insightful direction.

Aaron Whitehead (Robert): Aaron Whitehead is thrilled to be making his first appearance at Falcon Theatre. Aaron has been active in many local theatres, recently appearing in Something Rotten (Robin) at Footlighters, The End of the Rainbow (Anthony) at The Carnegie, The Elephant Man (Merrick) at Center Stage Players, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Melvin P. Thorpe) at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre. Aaron is also active as a director, having directed The Last Night of Ballyhoo last year and directing Dearly Departed in 2023, both at Mariemont Players. Aaron would like to dedicate this show to his niece, Alice, and his brand new nephew, Samuel.

Production Team Biographies

Liz Apollonio (Stage Manager): Liz Apollonio is ecstatic to return to Falcon for a third show after stage managing Well last year and Bourbon at the Border this summer. Other recent stage management credits, through Xavier University Theatre, include A Doll’s House Part 2 (dir. Suann Pollock), Mamma Mia! (dir. Dee Anne Bryll), and Theory of Relativity (dir. Tiffany Nichole Greene). Liz is so grateful to this cast and to Becca for creating such a fun and supportive environment while rehearsing Betrayal; special thanks also to Liz’s family, Bree, and Jarrett.

Becca Howell (Director): Becca Howell is delighted to be back at Falcon Theatre, this time in the director’s seat. Previous directing highlights include All We Have Born (Cincinnati Fringe Festival), the one minute play festival, Happily (Know Theatre serials thunderdome), and most recently she was able to direct a showcase for the very talented students at the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati summer high school intensive. She has appeared on the Falcon stage in Yankee Tavern, Poor Behavior, Mystery Plays, and Prelude to a Kiss. Becca would like to thank everyone on the Falcon team for their support and trust in this process as well as her husband Scott for all of his love and support in life. Website www.becca-howell.com

Harold Pinter (Playwright): Harold Printer was born on 10 October 1930 in the London borough of Hackney, son of a Jewish dressmaker. Growing up, Pinter was met with the expressions of anti-Semitism, and has indicated its importance for his becoming a dramatist. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was evacuated from London at the age of nine, returning when twelve. He has said that the experience of wartime bombing has never lost its hold on him. In 1948 he was accepted at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1950, he published his first poems. In 1951 he was accepted at the Central School of Speech and Drama. That same year, he won a place in Anew McMaster’s famous Irish repertory company, renowned for its performances of Shakespeare. Pinter made his playwriting debut in 1957 with The Room, presented in Bristol. Other early plays were The Birthday Party (1957), at first a fiasco of legendary dimensions but later one of his most performed plays, and The Dumb Waiter (1957). His conclusive breakthrough came with The Caretaker (1959), followed by The Homecoming (1964) and other plays.

Harold Pinter is generally seen as the foremost representative of British drama in the second half of the 20th century. That he occupies a position as a modern classic is illustrated by his name entering the language as an adjective used to describe a particular atmosphere and environment in drama: “Pinteresque”.  In a typical Pinter play, we meet people defending themselves against intrusion or their own impulses by entrenching themselves in a reduced and controlled existence. Another principal theme is the volatility and elusiveness of the past. 

Since 1973, Pinter has won recognition as a fighter for human rights, alongside his writing. He has often taken stands seen as controversial. Pinter has also written radio plays and screenplays for film and television. Among his best-known screenplays are those for The Servant (1963), The Accident (1967), The Go-Between (1971) and The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981, based on the John Fowles novel). Pinter has also made a pioneering contribution as a director.

Falcon Theatre Management Board

Piper N. Davis – Diversity & Inclusion Director
Lisa Dirkes – Marketing Director
Terry Gosdin – Play Reading Chair
Clint Ibele – Falcon Takes Flight Director
Allen R. Middleton – Development Director, Copywriter
Holly Sauerbrunn – Grants Writer
Tracy M. Schoster – Patron Manager, Advisory Team
Ted J. Weil – Producing Artistic Director
Tara Williams – Production Coordinator, Grants Manager, Advisory Team

Patrons

ANGEL:
Doug & Carol Burks (Production Sponsors)
Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson (Season Sponsors)

BENEFACTOR:
Sophia McAllister
Allen Middleton & Gary Daniels
Terry Miller & Dale Hayes

PLAYWRIGHT:
Jay & Beth Benson
Tracy M. Schoster
Ted J. Weil
Michael & Susan Whitehead

DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Robert & Patricia Clary
David Derringer
Denise Dirkes
Clint Ibele
Greg Schaper

PRODUCER
Steve Bolia & Rob Dorgan
Joanne Glaser
Terry Gosdin
Sandra Grinkmeyer & Ernie Franz
Bill & Trish Harris
Patricia Hoffmann
Pam Matsko
Anne Moorman
Holly Sauerbrunn
Jennifer Warner

DESIGNER:
Crystal Kendrick
Rita Larkin
Tom Lawry
Judy Stober
Anne Wrider

STAGE MANAGER:
Joseph Collier
Piper N. Davis
Mary Ann Meyer

Your Support Makes It All Possible!

Falcon has been creating quality theater for our audiences since 1989 and we remain committed to our vision to lead our community through artistic expression and inclusive creativity.  Like all arts organizations, we can’t do it without you.  Your tax-deductible donation helps us continue to produce affordable theatre while offsetting the cost of creating professional productions. The generosity of patrons continues to allow Falcon Theatre the opportunity to expand its horizons, reaching new audiences, new markets and a new generation of theatre minds.  Your gift goes a long way in helping us grow, thrive and continue this success.
Click Here to visit our Patron Information page.

Falcon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

Patron Levels:

  • Angel   $5000+   (Includes 2 five-show Flex Passes)
  • Benefactor   $1000+   (Includes 1 five-show Flex Passes)
  • Playwright    $500+
  • Director    $250+ 
  • Producer    $100+
  • Designer    $50+
  • Stage Manager    $25+
  • Actor    Up to $25

Flex Passes

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