Bourbon At The Border program

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)

May Thompson — Torie Wiggins*
Rosa St. John — Kyndra Dyanne Jefferies
Tyrone Washington — James Christian, Jr.
Charlie Thompson — Dathan Hooper*
* appearing courtesy of Actors Equity

PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Manager — Liz Apollonio
Scenic/Lighting Design — Ted J. Weil
Costume Design — Tara Williams
Props Design — Tara Williams
Sound Design — Piper N. Davis, Ted J. Weil
Wig Styling — Lisa Dirkes, Nigel C. Mask
Intimacy Choreographer — Erin Carr
Lighting & Sound Execution — Liz Apollonio
Set Construction — Ted J. Weil, Clint Ibele, Tracy M. Schoster, Terry Gosdin, Tara L. Williams
Set Decor — Tara Williams, Tracy M. Schoster, Piper N. Davis
Graphic Design — Naima Diop West
Lobby Display — Tracy M. Schoster
Dramaturg — Tatiana Godfrey
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

Dathan Hooper (Charlie Thompson): Dathan is happy to be debuting with the Falcon Theatre family in the role of Charlie Thompson. His additional regional credits include King LearMacbethFencesGem of the Ocean, and Much ado about Nothing. Dathan has also appeared in some regional commercials and has some film and television credits listed on IMDb.

James Christian, Jr (Tyrone Washington): James is an actor that has worked with several theaters within the Cincinnati area and is honored to work with Falcon Theater. “Acting is an art that allows me to feel a sense of freedom. Being a part of this cast and production has been the most challenging, rewarding, thought provoking and awakening experience.” Thank you to all involved for the opportunity.

Kyndra Dyanne Jefferies (Rosa St. John): Kyndra is a Cincinnati native and is excited to join Falcon Theatre for the first time.  Most recently she was seen as Medda Larkin in Newsies at the Incline Theater.  You may have also seen her on stage at Taft Theater as Addaperle in The Wiz Jr. and Ms. Cory in Mary Poppins Jr. with The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati.  Favorite character played is Felicia Farrell in the musical Memphis. Her performance work also features film and T.V. commercials.  Movie credits include The Old Man and the Gun and Dark Waters. The School for Creative and Performing Arts Alum. For MOM!

Torie Wiggins (May Thompson): Torie is a multi-hyphenate artist and ecstatic to be back on stage this summer! Her Cincinnati theatre credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Harry and the Thief at Know Theatre of Cincinnati; MameCrowns and The Revolutionists at Human Race Theatre Co.; To Kill a Mockingbird at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; To Kill a Mockingbird, Oliver TwistA Raisin in the SunFences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 by Anna Deveare Smith, and The MountaintopViolet, Alice in Wonderland, Around the World in 80 Days, Cinderella and Cinderella Ever After, and His Eye is on The Sparrow at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her directing credits include We Are Proud to Present… and Good Kids at Miami University Department of Theatre, Dreamgirls and Proof at The Carnegie Theater, and Blues for an Alabama Sky at Falcon Theatre. She thanks her amazing husband, Aaron, whose support knows no end.

Production Team Biographies

Liz Apollonio. (Stage Manager): Liz is thrilled to return to Falcon for their second show with the company and first show post-graduation. Fresh out of Xavier University with a BA in theatre, Liz has stage managed 12 shows, including a devised piece directed by Regina Pugh; the world premiere of Krista Knight’s Shooter!, directed by Aaron Rossini; and most recently, A Doll’s House Part 2, directed by Suann Pollock. Over the pandemic, Liz directed and designed for two shows in Xavier Theatre’s Virtual New Play Festival and stage managed Xavier’s production of Theory of Relativity, directed remotely by Tiffany Nichole Greene. Liz is grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from this cast and is so excited to present Bourbon to an audience. Special thanks to her family and the Last Day Celebration crew.

Erin Carr (Intimacy Choreographer): Erin Carr is currently working as a physical theatre practitioner, intimacy choreographer, and movement/kinesics consultant out of Cincinnati, OH. She is a proud graduate from NYU-Tisch where she studied at the Experimental Theatre Wing. She also recently received her MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship and is currently working on her neuro-linguistic programming certification. In addition, she is the Co-Artistic Director of the feminist-centric theatre company, ReVamp Collective, based in Philadelphia, PA, as well as the Co-Founder of Solasta Theatre Lab in Cincinnati, OH. Additional information: www.erincarr.com

Piper N. Davis (Director): Piper is honored to present this show with this talented cast! She is an Emmy Award-winning actress, director, cultural director and singer who has performed and toured productions throughout the United States. She has had several stage and screen roles and loves doing voice-over work. Some of her directorial and performance credits include School Girls: Or, The African Mean Girls Play; Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner; Ben ButlerTo Be Black; The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack KeatsKill. Move. Paradise.Harry and the ThiefBareCaroline, or Change; In the Blood and Open the Sky. Piper is the Diversity and Inclusion Director for Falcon Theater, on the WCPO 9 Community Advisory Board, a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC) and works at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is very proud to be a native resident of Cincinnati, where she can both work and play in the city’s vibrant arts scene, surrounded by artists, storytellers and makers of all kinds. Piper is grateful to God for her gifts, and she sends much love and joy to Lydia J. Davis (Mommie), her family, friends, and her doggy, Izzy (Grizabella). 

Pearl Cleage (Playwright): Pearl Cleage is an accomplished playwright, journalist, poet, and novelist. She probes issues of race, sex, and love in a growing body of literary work while she reveals poignant truths about brave black women. 

Since the early 1980s, Cleage has drawn national attention with her dramatic works, which include Flyin’ West, an extraordinary play about pioneer black women at the turn of the century which will be produced at Falcon Theatre in the upcoming season, and Blues for an Alabama Sky, the last show on Falcon’s stage before Covid paused live theater. Her first novel What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day, was an Oprah’s Book Club selection, a New York Times bestseller, and a BCALA Literary Award winner. She is also the author of I Wish I Had a Red DressMad at Miles, and Deals with the Devil. A contributing editor to Essence magazine, Pearl Cleage frequently performs her work on college campuses. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Zaron W. Burnett, Jr.

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)
Patrick Thernes (Production Sponsor)

BENEFACTOR:
Keith Siereveld
John Morrow & Julie Ann Smith-Morrow

PLAYWRIGHT:
Ron Cropper
Allen Middleton & Gary Daniels
Tom & Angela Ogonek
Tracy M. Schoster
Ted J. Weil
Tara Williams

DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Rebecca Campbell
Robert & Patricia Clary
Bill & Trish Harris
Clint Ibele
Pam Matsko
Terry Miller & Dale Hayes
Greg Schaper
Michael & Susan Whitehead

PRODUCER
Anonymous
Anonymous
In Memory of Renee Alper
David & Janet Arno
Scott & Ann Beck
Lou & Judy Belli
Steve Bolia & Rob Dorgan
Lisa Dirkes
Sandra Grinkmeyer & Ernie Franz
Bill Hartnett
Jocelynne Jason

DESIGNER:
Cathy Collopy
Rilla Foster
Pat Hoffmann
Rita Larkin
Jill Morenz
Anne Wrider

STAGE MANAGER:
Danny Davies
Carolyn Leicht
Sherry McCamley
Michele-Marie Merritt

ACTOR:
David Levy
Ben Raanan
George & Nancy Whitton

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