Production Program
Written by Laura Wade
Directed by Becca Howell
Production Sponsors: Douglas & Carol Burks
From The Producing Artistic Director
The past several years have been a blur of changes, adaptations and challenges for all arts organizations but as we look toward our 2023-24 season, it feels like all our energies can once again be turned toward doing what we do best…producing great live theater. This season includes some fantastic shows that will challenge us as artists and, we believe, engage our audiences in new and exciting ways.
We rarely have “themed seasons” at Falcon and that wasn’t an initial goal for this coming year, but as I look at the titles we’ve chosen, a theme keeps cropping up…one that is incredibly timely and important: Identity. All our shows explore the concept of identity…from what it actually means to be human to the ways gender roles have changed to an individual’s inner search for their true self.
We all go through crises of identity and we all have our own views on identity challenged at times in our lives. Look at the news on any given day and you will find story after story about the triumph or devastating disappointment associated with an individual or identity group. Given the landscape we find ourselves in, these plays (some brand new and some well established) have never been more relevant or more important.
As a theatre company, we believe that the arts have an essential purpose in society and that is to challenge people to think…to question…to open themselves into the worlds of others. We hope you enjoy every minute you spend at Falcon Theatre and that those minutes lead to hours of later conversation and exploration. Welcome to our 2023-24 season: The season of Identity.
Sincerely,
Ted Weil
Producing Artistic Director
CAST (in order of appearance)
Judy — Rachel Mock
Johnny — Austin Michael Fidler
Fran — Samantha Joy Luhn
Sylvia — Cathy Roesener
Alex — Zoë Peterson
Marcus – Aaron Whitehead
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager — Jake Schaub
Scenic Design — Ted Weil
Lighting Design — Ted Weil
Costume Design — Rachel Scardina
Props Design — Katherine Cohoon
Sound Design — Becca Howell, Ted Weil
Intimacy Coach — Erin Carr
Dialect Coach — Kate Glasheen
Lighting & Sound Execution — Jacob Schaub
Set Construction — Ted Weil, Clint Ibele, Katherine Cohoon
Set Decor — Katherine Cohoon, Ted Weil, Becca Howell
Graphic Design — Nikole Friend
Lobby Display — Ted Weil
Dramaturg — Julie Carpenter
Marketing — Kara Ann Scullin, Lisa DeRoberts
House Staff Coordination — Clint Ibele
Photography — Claudia Herschner
Box Office — Kathleen Luhn
Falcon thanks these organizations for their support:
Special Thanks
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati
LPK
Allison Evans
Newport Pizza
Wooden Cask Brewery
Beards & Bellies Barbecue
Cast Biographies
Austin Michael Fidler (Johnny): Austin’s is a recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University and has appeared in their productions of Twelfth Night (Duke Orsino), Peter and the Starcatcher (Smee), and Noises Off (Lloyd Dallas). He has also been in The Henry Konstantinow productions of The Good Doctor (The Narrator) and Clown Bar (Twinkles) and directed their production of The Elephant Man. Austin has also worked with CASA in Vanya, Sonya, Masha and Spike (Spike). He as worked with Southbank Shakespeare in the production of Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio) and took part in Cincinnati Fringe Festival in Far Away From Home: The Travel Plays (Cam). He is very excited to be working with the Falcon for the first time.
Samantha Joy Luhn (Fran): Samantha was seen last season as Emma in Betrayal and is thrilled to be returning to Falcon’s stage again under the brilliant direction of Becca Howell (and portraying another dysfunctional British marriage with Aaron Whitehead) this season in Home, I’m Darling! Samantha holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Northern Illinois University. Samantha spent several years working as an actor in Oregon, and then several more as a wildlife biologist in Hawaiʻi. Reinvigorated with a move back to her beautiful hometown, she is loving being a part of Cincinnati theatre! It’s hard to believe it was just two years ago that Sam made her Falcon debut as Lisa in Well. Since then, Samantha has performed with Cincy Landmark as Gretchen in Boeing Boeing and at the 2022 & 2023 Cincy Fringe Festivals. 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 premiere of Yukio Mishima’s The Black Lizard. 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 endeavors and thankful for Ted who makes every day brighter.
Rachel Mock (Judy): Rachel is thrilled to be making her Falcon debut! After spending 6 years in Chicago, Rachel is delighted to be working again in the Cincinnati area. Recent acting credits include: Cry It Out (Jessie) with Mariemont Players, Language of Angels (Kendra) with Three Crows Theatre, Othello (Roderigo) and Henry V (Mountjoy/Nym/Michael Williams Understudy) with Babes with Blades Theatre Company, very still and hard to see (Betty/Kami/Violet) with Exit 63, Tight End (Darla) with 20% Theatre, and Anna Karenina (Betsy Understudy) with Lifeline Theatre. Rachel is a proud MFA graduate of Ohio University
Zoë Peterson (Alex): Zoë Peterson is an actor and playwright from Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to recently earning her BFA in Acting from CCM, she also earned a Minor in English and Screenwriting Certificate. At CCM, Zoë’s favorite roles credits include Calonice in Lysistrata, Chorus Leader in The Trojan Women, and Mrs. Souder/Zoe Lucas in The Burials. In 2023 she helped to produce the Transmigration Festival of student devised plays. Outside of CCM, Zoë premiered her shows Sally Salem and the Spooktacular Birthday Extravaganza and To Spite One’s Face at the 2022 and 2023 Cincy Fringe Festivals. In Louisville, Zoë is the youngest member of Derby City Playwrights and has performed with or had work produced by multiple companies. A character-driven artist with a particular interest in new works, horror and classical theatre, she often finds herself looking for genre bending or absurdist projects.
Cathy Roesener (Sylvia): Cathy is back for her fourth production with Falcon Theatre. She previously appeared as Sr. Aloysius in Doubt, Nat in Rabbit Hole, and most recently as Christina in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. She has also appeared on the Mariemont Players stage as Juror #7 in Twelve Angry Jurors, and Connie in the World Premier production of The Blue Moon, Dancing. She has performed with Middletown Lyric Theatre in Andre’s Mother/Mothers and Sons, The Children, and Everybody. Cathy has directed, produced, and appeared in numerous production with Beechmont Players in her 45 years as a member. She is retired and, when not volunteering, spends time with her husband enjoying golf, travel, theater and fine box wine. Cathy is the proud mother of three children and enjoys spending time with them and her three (soon to be four) grandchildren. Many thanks to Becca for trusting her with this amazing role, and to Jacob for keeping her in line and on time.
Aaron Whitehead (Marcus): Aaron is thrilled to be back working at Falcon Theatre. Falcon audiences may remember his portrayal of Robert in Betrayal in 2022. Aaron is very active as an actor in local theatre, having recently appeared in August: Osage County (Little Charles) at Mariemont Players, Something Rotten (Robin) at Footlighters, and The End of the Rainbow (Anthony) at the Carnegie. Aaron is also active as a director, having directed The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Dearly Departed at Mariemont Players in recent years. Aaron would like to dedicate this show to his angel, Anne.
Production Team Biographies
Jake Schaub (Stage Manager): Jake Schaub has been involved in theater for as long as he can remember; from elementary school through his 3 semesters as a Theatre Major at Thomas More University, stagecraft had fascinated him. A few of his past credits include Henry in Next to Normal at The Footlighters Inc., Lewis in Pippin at The Footlighters Inc., and Jason Dean in Heathers: The Musical at Centerstage Players. He also previously stage managed Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Falcon, and is ecstatic to be back for Home, I’m Darling! Enjoy the show!
Becca Howell (Director): Becca Howell is delighted to be directing at Falcon once again. Previous directing highlights include Betrayal (Falcon Theatre) All we have born (Cincinnati fringe festival), The one minute play festival, Happily (Know Theatre serials thunderdome),. She has appeared on the Falcon stage in Yankee Tavern, Poor Behavior, 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
Laura Wade (Playwright): Laura Wade is a playwright and screenwriter. Her recent plays include The Watsons (Chichester Festival Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory), and Home, I’m Darling (National Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and the Duke of York’s Theatre) which won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Film work includes The Riot Club, adapted from her play Posh (Royal Court Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre). Laura’s playwriting career began at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and developed at the Royal Court Theatre Young Writers Programme and Soho Theatre’s Writer Attachment scheme.
Laura’s plays have been performed in many countries including the USA, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Slovenia and France. She is currently developing a feature film with support from the BFI Film Fund, and recently made her broadcasting debut in February 2020 as presenter of the new BBC Radio 4 narrative history series, Equal As We Are.
Falcon Theatre Management Board
Piper N. Davis – Diversity & Inclusion Director
Clint Ibele – Falcon Takes Flight Director, Volunteer Coordinator
Tom Lawry – Management/Operations Consultant
Ted J. Weil – Producing Artistic Director
Patrons
ANGEL:
Doug & Carol Burks (Production Sponsors)
PLAYWRIGHT:
David Derringer
Greg Schaper
Ted J. Weil
Michael & Susan Whitehead
DIRECTOR:
Robert Arlinghaus & Christina Kelley
Clint Ibele
Lynn Krabacher
PRODUCER
Patricia Hoffmann
STAGE MANAGER:
Gail Ginther
ACTOR:
Susan Tyler
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.
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