Production Program
Written by Kyle John Schmidt
Directed by Claire LaNicca
From The Producing Artistic Director
One of my favorite things about my job as Artistic Director is developing new seasons. We have a great team of dedicated artists on our play reading committee who read dozens of plays every year to help me pare the list down to a manageable level. I can’t possibly thank them enough for their hard work. But ultimately, both the pressure and privilege of finalizing each season rests with me.
We try to come up with better seasons every year…which keeps getting harder. But here we are…our 2024-25 season is ready to launch and it’s one of the most exciting slates of plays we’ve ever put together. Each one will be brand new to the Greater Cincinnati area…fresh, new, powerful and provocative!
Last year’s season was focused on Identity…this year’s scripts all play on the theme of chaos! From the chaos of dark minds, to the changes that alter our lives irrevocably, to the outrageous (and farcical) inner workings of the White House, this season offers drama, mystery, comedy and pathos. You won’t want to miss a single show! I am honored by the hard work and artistry of the wonderful people who choose to share their talents and passion with us at Falcon Theatre. And I’m thrilled have this wonderful season to offer these artists and you, our amazing and supportive audience. Now, please sit back, relax and enjoy…our 2024-2025 season.
Sincerely,
Ted Weil
Producing Artistic Director
CAST
(in order of appearance):
Ruby — Raia Jane Hirsch
April — Kaya Marie Roll
Janelle — Emma McGee
Lorrie Burnham — Angela Alexander Nalley
Shirley — Becca Eaton
Brandy — Christine Gallagher
PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Stage Manager — Katie Ruwe
Scenic Design — Claire LaNicca, Ted Weil
Lighting Design — Chad Brinkman
Sound Design — Samantha Joy Weil, Ted Weil
Video Production — Dillon Goettke
Costume Design — Averie Shutters
Props Design — Ted Weil, Katie Ruwe, Claire LaNicca
Lighting & Sound Execution — Katie Ruwe
Fight Choreographer — Ted Weil
Set Construction — Ted Weil, Clint Ibele, Katie Ruwe
Graphic Design — Steve Luhn
Lobby Display — Samantha Joy Luhn
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Marketing — Kara Ann Scullin
Social Media Marketing — Rachel Mock
House Staff Coordination — Clint Ibele
Photography — Claudia Herschner
Box Office — Kathleen Luhn, Clint Ibele
VIDEO ACTORS
Melody LaNicca, Pam Schultz, Elizabeth Vande Water, Leslie Hagen, Andrea Dobrozsi, Aubrey Ball, Samantha Joy Weil, Ted Weil, Claire LaNicca, Dillon Goettke
Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:
Special Thanks
Highlands High School Theater & Audio/Video Department
Wooden Cask Brewery
Urban Chick Bar & Bottle Shop
Bonnie Sweeney
Cast Biographies
Bekka Eaton (Shirley): Bekka is a retired Associate Professor of Theatre at Miami University where she created and ran a theatre production program on Miami’s regional campuses for 23 years. Bekka is also a professional actor (AEA/SAG,AFTRA). She received her undergraduate degree in theatre from Northwestern University and her MFA in acting from Indiana University. As an actor, Bekka began her professional stage acting career as a resident company member in Chicago’s The Second City. Her SAG credits include Sixteen Candles, Dayo, and various independent projects including an MTV music video. On stage regionally, Bekka has worked with The Caroline Scott Players for whom she played Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Anna in Our Mother’s Brief Affair. Bekka was nominated for Best Actress by the League of Cincinnati Theatres for her portrayal of Edna Miles in The Mad Anthony Theatre Company’s production of Light Sensitive.
Christine Gallagher (Brandy): Christine (she/they) is excited to be making her Falcon Theatre debut! Recent credits include Charles/Corin in As You Like It (Southbank Shakespeare), CB’s Sister in Dog Sees God (Center Stage Players), and Charlotte Corday in the Revolutionists (Lumos Players), and Sicinia in Coriolanus (Southbank Shakespeare). When not on stage performing, she can be found teaching 9th grade English! Christine wants to thank Frank, Lanette, and Xavier for their unending support.
Raia Jane Hirsch (Ruby): Raia is over the moon to be making her debut on the Falcon stage with such an amazingly talented group of women (and Ted!). A Cincinnati native, Raia grew up performing with Mariemont and Beechmont Players, as well as Playhouse in the Park and Showboat Theatre. Favorite past roles include Elizabeth in last year’s production of Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde at Mariemont, Antonia in Aethereal Jest’s The Tempest, and Carol Cutrere in Orpheus Descending. Having attended Tisch School of the Arts and training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Raia switched stages to become a trial attorney, which she is now “performing” with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s. She wants to thank Claire for the opportunity to bring to life this broken but beautiful character alongside some of the most talented actors she has encountered during her long theatre “career.” Love to her family, especially her Bubbas, for their never-ending and unconditional support.
Emma McGee (Janelle): Emma is a local Dramaturg/Actor who is very excited to be making her Falcon Theatre debut in The Secretary. Before this production, she played Marie Antoinette in The Revolutionists with Lumos Players. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BFA in Theatre, where she spent most of her time collecting and maintaining her egregious play script collection. She loves film and writing and would love to win a Tony/Oscar for writing her own work one day. She wants to thank everyone who has supported this crazy dream from day one, and everyone who has jumped on board since.
Angela Alexander Nalley (Lorrie Burnham): Angela trained in opera at CCM and is no stranger to Cincinnati area stages. You may have seen her as Cassie in last season’s Mr. Parker. She was delighted to play the Nurse in One Off Productions’ (OOPs) inaugural production of Romeo and Juliet : A Fool’s Paradise, sharing the stage with her son, her husband, and some of those closest to her. In addition to Falcon, Angela has performed with The Carnegie, The Know, Cincinnati LAB Theatre, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the Covedale, and the Incline Theater. Some other favorite roles include Ann Kron (Well), Matron Mama Morton (CHICAGO), The Fairy Godmother (Disney’s Cinderella Jr), Mother Abbess (The Sound of Music), and Berthe (Pippin). Thank you so much for supporting live theater! When the world is uncertain, remember that theater is a constant source of joy and inspiration.
Kayamarie Roll (April): Kayamarie (she/they) is thrilled to make her Falcon Theatre debut! She is an Ohio University alum where she received an Acting BFA. Some of her previous credits include: Cordelia Falsettos and Kate Monster Avenue Q (Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy) Kayamarie is thankful to be apart of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Production Team Biographies
Claire LaNicca (Director): Claire is thrilled to be returning to Falcon Theatre, this time in the Director’s seat. Claire is a graduate of Indiana University, where she received her BA in Theater and Drama, as well as Xavier University, where she received her Masters in Education. Some of Claire’s most recent on stage credits include: POTUS (Bernadette) & Well (Various) with Falcon, Proof with MCP (Claire) and MLT (Catherine). Claire has been teaching high school theater for 11 years and is currently the theater Director at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas. She would like to thank her friends and family who are always her biggest cheerleaders.
Katie Ruwe (Stage Manager): Katie is pleased to be joining this production of The Secretary. Born and raised in Cincinnati and a graduate of NKU, she has worked throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. At The Falcon Theatre, she has also managed The Shark is Broken, Mr. Parker, POTUS, The Other Place, Breaking the Code, Vincent, Lifespan of a Fact, Silent Sky, Ben Butler, The Agitators, and Yankee Tavern. She has also stage managed with Queen City Opera on productions of Cenerentotla, Iolanta, Der Freischütz, Die Valkyrie, and the world premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Undina Eco-Opera. She has also managed Spinning Into Butter with American Legacy Theater, 100 Days with the KNOW Theater of Cincinnati, Steel Magnolias with The Story Collective, as well as several Fringe Festival shows with many different and wonderful creative minds. She would like to thank her partner for his outstanding support and the staff at Falcon for their continued trust in her. She sincerely hopes you enjoy this show as much as she has enjoyed working on it!
Chad Brinkman (Lighting Designer): Chad’s career spans more than a hundred productions including work in theatre, film, dance, and music. Some of Chad’s representative credits include WHITE ELEPHANT, a new work brought to life through puppetry, movement, mask, super 8 film and live music at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and has included work at the Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons, and the Atlantic Theater Company. Chad has also served as a guest teaching artist at NYU, directing and designing for the BFA and MFA playwriting programs. Locally, Chad has directed and designed numerous productions with Locally, Chad has acted in, directed, produced, and designed numerous productions for several organizations. Chad is excited to work again with this incredible team at Falcon Theatre. He gives love to Amanda, Calloway, and the rest.
Averie Shutters (Costume Designer): This is Averie’s first show with Falcon Theater! Averie is a senior at Milford High School where she has designed costumes for many shows in the past including Little Shop of Horrors, Harry Potter and the cursed child, and currently SIX: Teen Edition. She wants to say thank you to David Derringer for opening doors to allow her to have this amazing opportunity! she hopes you enjoy the show!
Kyle John Schmidt (Playwright): Kyle writes comedies about love, money, and rural America. Kyle’s plays have been produced by Actors Theatre of Louisville (Take 10 Apprentice Showcase and the Humana Festival), Curious Theatre, Main Street Theatre (Houston), Theatre en Bloc, and Crashbox Theatre, among others. I’ve enjoyed development experiences at Seven Devils, Hyde Park Theatre, Capital Stage, Stage West, Coe College, Wordsmyth Theater, and Nashville Repertory Theatre. I’ve been a finalist for the Humana Festival, PlayPenn, the Lark’s Playwrights’ Week, and the Princess Grace Award. I was co-winner of the 2010 Heideman Award and am a former member of the Ingram New Play Lab. And I received my MFA from the Michener Center for Writers.
Falcon Theatre Management Board
Piper N. Davis – Diversity & Inclusion Director
Clint Ibele – Falcon Takes Flight Director, Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Ruwe – Resident Stage Manger
Samantha Joy Weil – Company Coordinator
Ted J. Weil – Producing Artistic Director
Patrons for our 2025-26 Season
ANGEL:
Douglas & Carol Burks
BENEFACTOR:
David Derringer
Elden Golden
Lynn Krabacher
Kathleen & Steve Luhn
Michael & Susan Whitehead
PLAYWRIGHT:
Tom & Angela Ogonek
Greg Schaper
Ted & Samantha Joy Weil
DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus
Robert Clary
Rob Dorgan & Steve Bolia
Clint Ibele
Joe & Nora Mock
PRODUCER:
Rita Larkin
Allison Rapp
DESIGNER:
Toni Carman
Shannon Rae Lutz
Douglas Ignatius
Tim & Sylvia Smith
STAGE MANAGER:
Bridgit Chayt
Susan Frank
Gail Ginther
David Lazarus
ACTOR:
Charles Massarella
John Martinson
Ross Royce
Julie Walls
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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