Production Program
Written by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Ted J. Weil
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)
Hertha Ayrton — Tracy M. Schoster
Marie Curie — Tara Williams
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager — Amy Enzweiler
Scenic/Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Beth Joos
Props Design — Clint Ibele
Sound Design — Ted J. Weil
Pianist — Linsey Rogers
Lighting & Sound Execution — Amy Enzweiler
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil, Tracy M. Schoster
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
Tracy M. Schoster (Hertha Ayrton): Tracy is no stranger to the stage having appeared in over 60 productions…and counting! A local award winning/nominated actress, Tracy was last seen briefly on stage in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner here at Falcon (she was the understudy for the part of Christina Drayton). Recent roles include Roberta Paul in the world premiere of Cincinnati King (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) a role which she originated, Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter (Falcon Theatre) and Arlene in Next Fall (Falcon Theatre). Favorite roles include the savvy and powerful Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Lion in Winter), overbearing harridan Mag Folan (The Beauty Queen of Lenane), religious spinster Emily Brent (And Then There Were None), and family matriarch Kate Jerome (Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound) in which she shared the boards with her current stage partner in crime, Tara Williams. When not appearing on stage, Tracy also directs. Directing credits include Yankee Tavern, Rabbit Hole, The Cover of Life, The Woman in Black and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama among others. Tracy will be directing Falcon’s fourth show of this season, Every Brilliant Thing in March of 2023. Thank you to everyone who has kept my theater dream alive! LSSJ and JKS…you are my heart and soul! PJJ…”you are the light of my life”… Blanche and Maude…thank you for your undying patience and love…and my Posse Girls…the very definition of resilience.
Tara Williams (Marie Curie): Tara is thrilled to be back on Falcon’s stage in another Lauren Gunderson power play following her appearance last season as Annie Cannon in Silent Sky. This show is made extra special because she gets to share the stage with her favorite scene partner and soul sister, Tracy Schoster. Previous roles at Falcon Theatre include Marjorie Prime, A Streetcar Named Desire, Rabbit Hole, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Cover of Life, Slasher and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Other Cincinnati credits include, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound (Covedale Center for the Performing Arts), Death of a Salesman (New Edgecliff Theatre), and multiple shows at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Other credits, Kimberly Duncan in Universal Studio’s Terminator II 3-D Attraction, Theatre Downtown, Orlando Fringe Festival, Civic Theatre and 19 comical characters at Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Theatre where she was a regular for 7 years. She is a proud member of both Falcon’s board and advisory team. Tara holds a BFA in acting from Northern Illinois University.
Production Team Biographies
Amy Enzweiler (Stage Manager): Amy Enzweiler is excited to kick off another season with Falcon Theatre. While studying at NKU, and since graduating in 2018 with her BFA in Stage Management, Amy has stage managed several productions for Falcon, including: The Pillowman, A Streetcar Named Desire, 39 Steps, Marjorie Prime, and Red Speedo.
Ted J. Weil (Director): Ted is the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Falcon Theatre. His directing credits include Master Harold…And the Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, A Small Fire, Striking 12, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel as well as several co-directing projects including The Woman In Black, To Kill A Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Diary of Anne Frank. He has also been seen onstage in productions including Rabbit Hole, Yankee Tavern, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Henry V and Hamlet. Ted would like to dedicate this production to his father…a history teacher with a passion for science. He would have loved this show.
Lauren Gunderson (Playwright): Lauren has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015 topping the list twice including 2019/20. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s Residency with Marin Theatre Company. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. She co-authored the Miss Bennet plays with Margot Melcon, and her play The Half-Life of Marie Curie is available on Audible.com. Her work is published at Playscripts (I and You; Exit Pursued By A Bear; The Taming and Toil And Trouble), Dramatists Play Service (The Revolutionists; The Book of Will; Silent Sky; Bauer, Natural Shocks, The Wickhams and Miss Bennet) and Samuel French (Emilie). Her picture book Dr Wonderful: Blast Off to the Moon is available from Two Lions/Amazon. She is currently developing musicals with Ari Afsar, Dave Stewart and Joss Stone. LaurenGunderson.com
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
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:
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
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.
Click Here For Flex Pass Information