Production Program
Written by Pearl Cleage
Directed by Piper N. Davis
Season Sponsors: Richard L. & Mary A. Johnson
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)
Sophie Washington — Bryana Bentley
Miss Leah — Burgess Byrd*
Fannie Dove — Shantel Routt
Wil Parish — Alfred Gover
Minnie Dove Charles — Kenny Rayburn
Frank Charles — Jazz McMullen
* Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager — Katie Ruwe
Assistant to the Director — Elizabeth Leigh Taylor
Scenic Design — Ted J. Weil
Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Beth Joos
Wigs/Hair Design — Lisa Dirkes
Props Design — Tara Williams
Sound Design — Ted J. Weil & Piper N. Davis
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil, Clint Ibele, Tara Williams
Scenic Painting — Rae Kuhn, Becca Howell
Set Decor — Tara Williams
Lighting & Sound Execution — Katie Ruwe
Intimacy Coordinator — Erin Carr
Stage Combat Choreographer — Ted J. Weil
Graphic Design — Nikole Friend
Lobby Display — Ted J. Weil
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Production Coordinator — Tara Williams
Marketing Director — Lisa Dirkes
House Staff Coordination — Ted J. Weil
Photography — Kristy Rucker
Box Office — Holly Sauerbrunn
SPECIAL THANKS
Northern Kentucky University
Cincinnati Landmark Productions
Brogan-Hesketh Formalwear
Holly Sauerbrunn
Samantha Luhn
Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:
Cast Biographies
Bryana Bentley (Sophie Washington): Bryana is so happy to be back to grace the Falcon theatre stage again. Some may remember her from her 2020 performance of Blues For An Alabama Sky playing the role of Angel at Falcon. She is excited to be a part of an awesome cast and production. She’s been in various plays, musicals and films over the years and plans to continue her acting career in the future.
Burgess Byrd (Miss Leah): Burgess is delighted to be back at Falcon Theatre where she was last seen in Silence The Musical (Ardelia). Recently here at Falcon, she had the pleasure of Directing Well in 2021-2022 season. Recent acting credits include: Barbeque (Lilli Anne)- Human Race Theate; Fences (Rose)- Guest Artist at University of Madison Wisconsin; Living Dead (Nana)- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Sweat (Cynthia)-Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Headmistress Francis); On film you can catch her in Bones and All starring Timothee Chamalet and upcoming Challengers with Zendaya (2023). Thank you to Piper Davis and the wonderful folks here at Falcon for always being fearless and giving a platform to tell do compelling theatre.
Alfred Gover (Wil Parish): Alfred is a Cincinnati, OH native. He began performing at the age of 5 and eventually got accepted into The School for Creative and Performing Arts, majoring in Drama and Vocal Music. At SCPA, he appeared in many plays with leading roles like John Proctor in The Crucible, and Louie in Lost in Yonkers. He also was a part of Chorale, Drama Ensemble, Musical Theater, and Tremolo. More recently, Alfred was in Ragtime the Musical, and was last seen as Flow, in Fabulation or the Re-Education of Undine.
Jazz McMullen (Frank Charles): Jazz is a Cincinnati native and 2006 graduate of The School for Creative and Performing Arts. He is thrilled to be making his Falcon Theatre debut! Jazz is no stranger to the stage, having recently originated roles in Hot Chocolate: Live and I Dream of Me with Revolution Dance Theater and The Philosophy of Cavemen (Edinburgh Fringe).
Kenny Rayborn (Minnie Dove Charles): Kenny is very excited to participate in Flyin’ West. Kendal is from Louisville, Kentucky and attended Youth Performing Arts School. She now resides in Cincinnati and attends UC/ College Conservatory of Music and is pursuing her BFA in Acting. She has recently appeared in Frankenstein as Agatha at CCM, and in (Anon)myous as Naja at YPAS. She also participated in This Random World as an understudy for Bernadette and Rhonda. Kendal gives thanks to her director, Piper for the opportunity and her cast members for a wonderful experience and to her family for encouraging her to pursue her dream of acting.
Shantel Routt (Fannie Dove): Shantel is a native of Cincinnati and got her start acting in church as a young girl with productions such as The Glory Train. Her passion for theater and film continue to grow and she has entertained audiences as Brooklyn, the first female president, in Brooklyn, Real Time for Change written by Greg Stallworth (performed at The Aronoff’s Jarson Kaplan Theater) Doctor Marcus in Holiness or Hell written by Trina Best and Jordan in Curtis Shepherd’s Get Off of Me. Shantel is currently certified as a “competent communicator” through Toastmaster’s International. She sits on the board of “Mortar Headquarters”. Professionally, she is a manager and owns her own event planning company. She recently received her accreditation as a Professional Event Designer. She also spends a lot of time volunteering, most recently at “The Brighton House” assembling groceries for residents in need. Shantel wants to thank her husband, children, and family for their endless support. She would also like to thank her cast, director, and theater staff for being great to work with.
Production Team Biographies
Katie Ruwe (Stage Manager): Katie Ruwe is pleased to be at Falcon for this production of Flyin’ West. Born and raised in Cincinnati and a graduate of NKU’s School of the Arts, she has worked throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. At Falcon, she has managed Lifespan of a Fact, Silent Sky, Ben Butler, The Agitators, and Yankee Tavern. She has stage managed with Queen City Opera on productions of Cenerentotla, Iolanta, Der Freischütz, and Die Valkyrie. She has also managed Spinning Into Butter with American Legacy Theater, 100 Days with the KNOW Theater of Cincinnati, as well as several Fringe Festival shows. She would like to thank her partner for his outstanding support and she hopes you enjoy this show as much as she has enjoyed working on it.
Piper N. Davis (Director): Piper is thrilled to return to Falcon Theatre! Her other directing credits here include Bourbon at the Border; Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner; and Ben Butler. She is a Cincinnati native, and an Emmy Award-winning actress, director, cultural director and singer who has performed and toured productions throughout the United States. She has worked with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music (CCM) and Know Theatre. Some of her directorial and performance credits include Origin Story; Shades; Nate the Great; The Little Prince; School Girls, Or, the African Mean Girls; Aladdin, Jr; The Edge of Town; The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats; Richie and Blanche; Kill. Move. Paradise.; Harry and the Thief; Bare; Caroline, or Change; In the Blood and Open the Sky. Piper is the Diversity and Inclusion Director for Falcon Theatre, a member of the WCPO 9 Community Advisory Board, a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC) and has a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. She is blessed to have a phenomenal mom, Lydia J. Davis, wonderful family, friends and doggy, Izzy. Piper dedicates this show to her sisters LeQuita Myles-Greer and Camille Robinson
Falcon Theatre Management Board
Piper N. Davis – Diversity & Inclusion Director
Lisa Dirkes – Marketing Director
Clint Ibele – Falcon Takes Flight Director
Holly Sauerbrunn – Grant Writer, Box Office Manager
Ted J. Weil – Producing Artistic Director
Tara Williams – Production Coordinator, Grants Manager
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:
Judy & Lou Belli
Jay & Beth Benson
Ron Cropper
David Derringer
Tracy M. Schoster
Ted J. Weil
Michael & Susan Whitehead
DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Robert & Patricia Clary
Denise Dirkes
Clint Ibele
Phil & Marjorie Paradis
Greg Schaper
PRODUCER
In honor of Renee Alper
In memory of Ginny Weil
Steve Bolia & Rob Dorgan
Reg Dyck
Joanne Glaser
Terry Gosdin
Sandra Grinkmeyer & Ernie Franz
Bill & Trish Harris
Patricia Hoffmann
Pam Matsko
Anne Moorman
Holly Sauerbrunn
Mary Ann Smith
Jennifer Warner
DESIGNER:
Rilla Foster
Crystal Kendrick
Rita Larkin
Tom Lawry
Jane MacKnight
Judy Stober
Anne Wrider
STAGE MANAGER:
In memory of Tom Story
Joseph Collier
Piper N. Davis
Mary Ann Meyer
ACTOR:
Robert & Paula Breslin
Barbara Reaman
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.
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
Want To See A Show For Free?
We have Flex Passes on sale to save you money and help you see only the shows you want. A Flex pass is a block of tickets you can use whenever you want at Falcon and it’s a great way to save money and see some great theater.
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