Les BlancsLorraine Hansberry

featuringAMIR ABDULLAH, BILL BROCHTRUP, ANNE GEE BYRD, ARIC FLOYD,

FIONA HARDINGHAM, JASON MCBETH, MATT ORDUÑA, JONATHAN P. SIMS, JOEL SWETOW AND DESEAN KEVIN TERRY

with TREVOR BERGMANN, ROXANN BLACKMAN, JAHANNA BLUNT, JELANI BLUNT,

TURNER FRANKOSKY, JOHN KNIGHT, MATTHEW LINDBERG, TRENTON LUCAS, ROSNEY MAUGER, NICK MOSS, TARINA POUNCY, PAUL STANKO, RAYVEN TAYLOR,

FRANÇOISE TIADEM AND JALEN WILLIAMS

Directed by Gregg T. Daniel

Rogue Machine at �e MET �eatre 1089 N. Oxford Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening Night May 27, 2017

by

PRESENTS THE LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF

PRODUCED BY JOHN PERRIN FLYNN & AMANDA BIERBAUER

ASSISTANT DIRECTORSSARAH SCOTT & INGER TUDOR

PRODUCTION MANAGER AMANDA BIERBAUER

ORIGINAL MUSIC & SOUND DESIGNJEFF GARDNER

CASTINGVICTORIA HOFFMAN

STAGE MANAGERRAMÓN VALDEZ

LIGHTING DESIGNDERRICK MCDANIEL

COSTUME DESIGNWENDELL C. CARMICHAEL

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR DAVID A. MAUER

SCENIC DESIGNSTEPHANIE KERLEY SCHWARTZ

ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER/PROPSJACQUELYN GUTIERREZ

DIALECT COACHANDREA ODINOV FULLER

CHOREOGRAPHERJOYCE GUY

FIGHT DIRECTOREDGAR LANDA

A Letter From the Artistic DirectorTsembe: I said racism is a device that, of itself explains nothing. It is simply a means. An invention to justify the rule of some men over others.Charlie: but I agree with you entirely! Race hasn’t a thing to do with it actually.Tsembe: (with pleased perversity.) Ah - but it has!Charlie: oh, come on, Matoseh. Stop playing games!Tsembe: I am not playing games! I am simply saying that a device is a device, but that it also has consequences: once invented it takes on a life, a reality of its own. So, in one century, men invoke the device of religion to cloak their conquests. In another, race. Now in both cases you and I may recognize the fraudulence of the device, but the fact remains that a man who has a sword run through him because he refuses to become a Muslim or a Christian - or who was shot in Zatembe or Mississippi because he is black - is su�ering the utter reality of the device. And it is pointless to pretend it doesn’t exist- merely because it is a lie!

Lorraine Hansberry – Les Blancs

When we began thinking about this season we asked the question: “Is the world broken?” It is very likely that everything we believe, who we think we are and what will be necessary for us to survive as a species, will be challenged in the coming years. We are in an easily recognized crisis – a greater crisis than we have ever faced. Each of the �ve plays in our 10th season examines an aspect of personal responsibility and personal ethics in our sharply divided world.Tshembe Matoseh has returned to Africa for his father’s funeral after a period travelling the world, during which he has married a white woman, fathered a baby son, and settled in London. He has consciously chosen personal happiness over idealism. His father was a tribal leader and a leader in the covert armed struggle for independence against colonial rule. Tsembe is a natural leader and the tribe expects and needs him to assume his father’s responsibilities. It is not an inheritance he desires. He says:It’s an old problem, really. Orestes…Hamlet…the rest of them. We’ve really got so many things we’d rather be doing.

What are we as individuals to do? Are we responsible to future generations for the consequences of our actions? Do we need to change? If we need to change, how can we change? Is compassion foolish? Is love possible? Is forgiveness weak? When is it acceptable to act against our conscience for what we are told is a better good? Is winning the only measure of a life? How do we each �nd our way in the world to what makes our own lives meaningful? How do we form communities and make a di�erence?

If you like what you see tonight, please tell your friends. Word-of-mouth is always the best advertising. We are a not-for-pro�t arts organization and your donations are tax-deductible. �ey allow us to keep theater a�ordable and to continue what we’re doing. �e world is changing. �e need for institutions like Rogue Machine has never been greater and our survival has never been more precarious. Please consider donating. Become part of this community. Help us make a di�erence.

– John Flynn

Rogue Machine Proudly AnnouncesThe Henry Murray Fund

�e Henry Murray Fund was created to honor our dear friend and Rogue Machine �eatre founding member Henry Murray, who passed away in December 2014. Henry was a talented playwright and gifted dramaturg. Rogue Machine produced three World Premieres by Henry including Treefall and �ree Views of the Same Object, both of which have had signi�cant subsequent productions. Henry was Rogue Machine’s �rst Literary Manager and he created the Dramaturg’s Table, Rogue Machine’s ongoing new play development program. �e Henry Murray Fund was created to nurture and support playwrights and new play development, two things Henry cared about deeply. If you wish to support this mission, we invite you to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund today.

TO DONATE ONLINE: Go to www.RogueMachine�eatre.com.Click SUPPORT US and indicate a donation amount.

In the NOTES section, add “For the HENRY MURRAY Fund.”

TO DONATE BY MAIL: Make check payable to ROGUE MACHINE THEATRE and add “For the HENRY MURRAY Fund” on the MEMO line and mail to:

Rogue Machine �eatre 12405 Venice Blvd. #153 Los Angeles, CA 90066

Emily Hertzberg Betsy Hall & Sandy Keaton Angelica Huston Martha Hertzberg Jennifer Howard & Robert Schwentke Susan Moss Homola Gary Ireland & Elizabeth Zarlengo Amber Ireland Linda Janger Manson Jones & Susan Fitzgerald Gary & Enid Freund Mark Freund & Trice Koopman Trevor King Laurie Lathem Martin Leon of Alisal Builders Corp Martin Le�er Brian Letscher John Lichter & Linda Stonerock David Linde & Felicia Rosenfeld Nancy Linehan Charles Lynn Lobban Allan Mayer & Renee Vogel Carol Meckler Brian Nolan & Kadee Appleton Dottie O’Carroll Penny Orlo� Nina Paskowitz Tony Pasqualini

AnonymousAmbrosia Knutson Associates Mary Appleton William Brady & Marni Ayers Lisa Beck Mitch & Danielle Bloch Alexandra Rebecca Borys Ann Buck Anne Gee Byrd K Callan Marcy Carsey Arline Chambers Chaspen Foundation Christopher Craig Jean Craig Michael Cohen Ry & Susan Cooder Hannah Cox Elina de Santos Je�rey & Kirsten Dermer Joan & Tom Dunsmuir AnnaLisa Erickson Je�rey Karo� & Nora Dvosin John Flynn & Ann Bronston Ben & Anna ForknerSte�en & Deborah Foster John Gray Jerry & Adi Greenberg

Gary & Fre Pokoik Bruce & Linda Porter �omas Proctor James Rasmussen & David Rinehart Stephanie Ramer Lee & Susan Wertheimer Gail Rogers Gary Rosen & Holly Goldberg Sloan Rita Rubin David A. & Karen Richards SachsTom Safran Whitney Sander Carol Schoen Nadine SemerPatricia Shanks Peggy Shinner Gabriel Simon Calvin J. Sloan Maxwell Sloan Sold Out Crowd Sherry Sonnett Ari & Martha Swiller Shane Valentino Lewin Wertheimer Mary Westerman Diane Williams & Je� Doryland Jack & Sandra Williams

HENRY MURRAY FUND CONTRIBUTORS

Cast and Charactersin order of appearance

Percussionist ............................................ Jelani Blunt Dancer ................................................... Shari Gardner Villagers ................. Roxann Blackman, John Knight,

Trenton Lucas, Rosney Mauger, Tarina Pouncy*, Rayven Taylor, Françoise Tiadem

Dr. Marta Gotterling ................. Fiona HardinghamPeter .................................................... Amir Abdullah* Charlie Morris .................................... Jason McBeth*Dr. Willy DeKoven ................................ Joel Swetow *Major George Rice .............................. Bill Brochtrup* Soldiers ............ Trevor Bergmann, Turner Frankosky,

Matthew Lindberg, Nick Moss, Paul Stanko Madame Neilsen ................................. Anne Gee Byrd*Eric .............................................................. Aric FloydTshembe Matoseh ....................... Desean Kevin Terry*Abioseh Matoseh ................................... Matt Orduña* Ngago ............................................... Jonathan P. Sims

Alternates/Understudies: Actors never substitute for the listed players unless a speci�c announcement is made at the time of the performance.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association,�e Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

�is Performance will run with a Ten-Minute Intermission

PRODUCTION STAFF

Publicity ...................................................... Judith BorneSocial Media ........................................ Corryn Cummins Key Art Design ................................ Michelle Hanzelova

�e action of the play is set in and about a Mission compound in Africa and the hut of a tribal elder.

�e time is yesterday, today, tomorrow-but not very long after that.

Understudy for Dancer is Jahanna BluntUnderstudy for Villager is Jalen Williams

Special �anks to Dr. Talia Landau Shorr

#LesBlancsPlay@RogueMachineLA

Lorraine Hansberry (Playwright) Hansberry was born in 1930, the youngest of four children, to successful real estate broker, Carl Augustus Hansberry, and school teacher Nannie Louise Hansberry. Her uncle, William Leo Hansberry, founded the African Civilization section at the history department of Howard University. Her cousin, Shauneille Perry, was one of the �rst African American women to direct O�-Broadway. When Hansberry was eight years old, her father moved the entire family to a whites-only area in Chicago and won a landmark case against furious locals in the Supreme Court.

Hansberry had a middle-class upbringing. Between graduating from high school in 1948 and enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hansberry campaigned on the presidential campaign of Progressive Party candidate Henry Wallace and studied painting at the University of Guadalajara. By 1950, she had moved to New York to study at the New School – another year later, she was writing for the black newspaper, Freedom.

Only two of her plays were ever performed during her lifetime. In 1959, Hansberry transformed her family’s struggles in a white Chicago neighborhood into A Raisin in the Sun, the �rst play written by a black woman to make it to Broadway. It also made her, at 29, the youngest American, the �fth woman and the only black playwright ever to win the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play of the Year (1959). A Raisin in the Sun was produced and published in some thirty countries, while her �lm adaptation was nominated for Best Screenplay and received a Cannes Film Festival Award.

Her second play, �e Sign in Sidney Brunstein’s Window, was inspired by her nine-year marriage to producer Robert Nemiro�. Like Raisin, it deals with the theme of race, but also encompasses gender and sexuality. �e play ran for 101 performances. It closed the day she died.

Les Blancs did not receive its Broadway premiere until �ve years later. In it, Hansberry explores identity, revolution and colonialism, looking at the individual, the family and the nation. It was not the only piece that Hansberry had left behind her – her ex-husband, Nemiro�, put the �nishing touches to a number of pieces, including �e Drinking Gourd, What Use Are Flowers? An adaptation of numerous works, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, is dramatic portrait of the playwright in her own words, and became the longest-running O�-Broadway drama of 1969.

�roughout her career, Hansberry was driven by her activism and desire for social justice. �e struggle pervaded her work up to and beyond her own death at a tragically young age. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1963, and died two years later, on 12 January 1965, aged 34.

Take away the violence and who will hear the man of peace? –Tshembe Matoseh–Les Blancs

Describing Les Blancs (�e Whites) as one of her most important works, playwright Lorraine Hansberry set out to explore the history of colonialism in Africa. �e playwright very deliberately uses Africa and Colonialism as a backdrop to examine racial issues in the United States during the turbulent era of the 60’s. �e theme of a racial group struggling to end their oppression and become fully enfranchised citizens within the land they help build has reverberations domestically and internationally. Hansberry was equally ambitious in integrating topics such as Pan-Africanism and gender equality into Les Blancs.

Ms. Hansberry never had a chance to complete the play, she died of cancer at the age of 34. �e Broadway production of the Les Blancs occurred �ve years after her death. It was her husband, Robert Nemiro� using the playwright’s notes, who compiled and edited the �nal draft of the script.

What attracted me to the play was the very real human story of two disparate racial groups who (rightly or wrongly) love and claim the land on which they live as their own. Two vastly di�erent cultural and ethnic groups who are inextricably tied together not only by a place but to each other. Is violent protest the only method to create a fair and just society? Hansberry was equally pulled and in�uenced during the 1960’s by the voices of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In Les Blancs, Ms. Hansberry was not seeking to demonize one side or the other but to examine the cost to us all of systemic bigotry, racial intolerance and discrimination.

– Gregg T. Daniel

A Note From the Director

Take a Seat!

Join us in our Seat Campaign and leave your mark in our theatre. A plaque will be placed prominently on the seat commemorating your love of theatre

or honoring a loved one. Please contact Co-Artistic Director, Elina de Santos, at elinadesantos@gmail.com for more information.

Whos Who‘

BILL BROCHTRUP

AMIR ABDULLAH

FIONA HARDINGHAM

ARIC FLOYD

ANNE GEEBYRD

MATT ORDUÑA

JASON MCBETH

DESEAN KEVIN TERRY

JOEL SWETOW

JONATHAN P. SIMS

Soldiers & Villagers

TREVOR BERGMANN

TURNERFRANKOSKY

ROXANN BLACKMAN

TRENTON LUCAS

MATTHEW LINDBERG

JOHNKNIGHT

ROSNEY MAUGER

TARINAPOUNCY

NICKMOSS

FRANÇOISE TIADEM

RAYVEN TAYLOR

PAUL STANKO

AMIR ABDULLAH (Peter) Amir is ecstatic to make his Rogue Machine debut. In LA, he has appeared at �e Skylight �eatre, �eatre Banshee, New American �eatre, VS �eatre, A Noise Within, and at �e Ge�en Playhouse. TV: �e Odd Couple, Tosh.0, Hollywood911 and Tabloid. Regional �eatre: Life is A Dream at California Shakespeare �eatre, Othello in Chicago Shakespeare �eatre’s Othello the Remix - Edinburgh, UK and Ctrl+Alt+Delete at Pennsylvania Centre Stage. Film: �e Untimely Concurrence; Boys, Booze and Brownies, Goliath, and Love: As you Like It. Amir would like to thank Allah, family and friends, Shaina, and the cast and crew for their support.BILL BROCHTRUP (Major Rice) Rogue Machine: Debut. Los Angeles �eatre: Antaeus (Cloud 9, Co-Artistic Director), Fountain �eatre (�e Normal Heart), South Coast Repertory (�e Real �ing), Odyssey (Go Back To Where You Are), Black Dahlia (Secrets of the Trade), LA �eatre Works (�e Caine Mutiny Court-Martial), Pasadena Playhouse (If Memory Serves). New York: Secrets of the Trade, Lost and Found, Snakebit. Film: Life As We Know It, He’s Just Not �at Into You, Ravenous. Television (series regular and recurring): NYPD Blue, Shameless, Public Morals, Total Security, Kendra, and currently police psychologist “Dr. Joe” on TNT’s Major Crimes. www.billbrochtrup.comANNE GEE BYRD (Madame Neilsen) Rogue Machine: Pocatello, A Permanent Image, �ree Views of the Same Object and Four Places (LADCC Award). As a member of �e Antaeus Company: Uncle Vanya, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Autumn Garden and Mother Courage (LA Weekly Award). Other work: Endgame at the KDT, �e Savannah Disputation at the Colony, All My Sons at the Matrix �eatre (LADCC Award), Breadcrumbs at �eater 150 in Ojai, and I Never Sang For My Father at �e New American �eatre. Other appearances include the Mark Taper Forum, Ge�en Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, LA �eatre Works, Odyssey, Andak Stage Co., South Coast Repertory, �e Old Globe, Seattle Rep, La Jolla, ACT San Francisco, and the McCarter, among others. ARIC FLOYD (Eric) Aric gives thanks to Gregg and the endlessly talented cast and crew for the honor of making his Rogue Machine debut with this production. He was last seen starring in Ammunition �eatre Company’s L.A. workshop of How to Raise a Freeman, but his theatrical roots are in his native Cleveland, where his regional theater credits include A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes �eater), Galileo (Cleveland Play House) and — his �rst play — Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (CPH/ATC). Film appearances include Criminal Activities and Underdogs, to which he also contributed original music. Aric is an undergraduate at Stanford University.FIONA HARDINGHAM (Dr. Marta Gotterling) Fiona is thrilled to be back at Rogue Machine for her second show with the company. Recent screen credits include the Duplass Brothers, Rainbow Time, �e DUFF (CBS Films), a recurring role in �e CW’s Dynasty reboot, Nashville (ABC) among others. Originally from the UK her theatre credits include Jekyll & Hyde (�e Pleasance �eatre, London), A Flea in Her Ear (Devonshire Park �eatre) and her critically praised one-woman show, �e Dark Show (Edinburgh Festival). Fiona trained in London, completing her degree at the acclaimed Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and is an award-winning voiceover artist.JASON MCBETH (Charlie Morris) Jason is thrilled to be making his Rogue Machine debut in Les Blancs. LA area audiences last saw him as King Richard in Kingsmen Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard III. Other performances include roles in King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, King Henry VI Part 1, and Richard III at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and on television on NBC’s Grimm.

MATT ORDUÑA (Abioseh Matoseh) Matt is very excited to be working with Rogue Machine, this wonderful cast and crew and is grateful to Gregg Daniel for this amazing opportunity. Special thanks to the two women in my life: my wife Tinia and my daughter Autumn. Shout out to the MW family for all their love, belief and support. MFA, 2001 – University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program.JONATHAN P. SIMS (Ngago) Jonathan is an LA native who received an MA in Acting: �e British Tradition from the Birmingham School of Acting in Birmingham, UK. Most recently, he appeared as Gerry Evans in Actors Co-op’s production of Dancing at Lughnasa and in Ebony Repertory �eatre’s Ovation Award-winning production of �e Gospel at Colonus. In addition to pursuing his acting career, he teaches acting at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, acts as the Vocal Coach for CTG’s August Wilson Monologue Competition, and teaches and directs high school theatre. Jonathan loves the story Lorraine Hansberry has crafted and hopes you all enjoy it too!JOEL SWETOW (Dr. Willy DeKoven) Joel has appeared in countless productions in NYC, Los Angeles, and regional theatre. Favorite roles include Ned Weeks (�e Normal Heart), Estragon (Waiting for Godot), the title role in Tartu�e, and Shylock (�e Merchant of Venice). He has recurred and guest starred on a ton of TV shows, including Seth MacFarlane’s upcoming, live-action Orville, had leading roles in many �lms, and been heard in lots of animation, and commercials. He is a member of Antaeus �eatre Company, a proud, new member of Rogue Machine, and a former long-time Resident Artist at A Noise Within. imdb.com/name/nm0842498/DESEAN KEVIN TERRY (Tshembe Matoseh) Desean is a graduate of the �e Juilliard School. In Los Angeles, he was last seen in Suzan Lori Parks’ Father Comes Home from the Wars where he took over the role of Hero, originated by Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown. Center �eatre Group: �e Royale (NAACP nomination) and Trip to Bountiful with Cecily Tyson. TV: Southland, Shameless, ER, Monk, Harry’s Law, �e Night Shift, Sleeper Cell, House, Grey’s Anatomy, Scorpion, NCIS: Los Angeles. Film: Post Grad, God’s Army, Somebody’s Mother, States of Grace, Bolden. Regional �eatre: �e Antigone Project (O�-Broadway), Slippery When Wet. For his love and support, this one is for Cris.TREVOR BERGMANN (Soldier) Trevor is an actor currently attending UCLA. Born in Maine, he spent his entire childhood moving from place to place all across the country. Frequent exposure to unfamiliar environments helps account for Trevor’s adaptable and creative nature, and he developed a strong empathy towards others, given the constant �ow of fresh people and perspectives in his life. Trevor is an actor fueled by his lifelong passion for �lm, as well as his desire to explore several di�erent avenues of life through the various characters he has the opportunity to portray.ROXANN BLACKMAN (Villager) Roxann is elated to make her stage debut with Rogue Machine and to have the opportunity to work with the phenomenal cast of Les Blancs. Past production credits (NYC) include: Africanus the King (Ewurabina), Ruthy (Ruthy), Daughters of Lee Roi Jones (Kalina), and A Mother’s Love (Jacqualine). She is currently working on �e Girl with �ree Legs, a real-life story of Somalian writer and activist Soraya Mire’. She hopes you enjoy the show.TURNER FRANKOSKY (Soldier) Turner is a model for art classes around Los Angeles. He studies at �e Idiot Workshop and is a USC alumnus. �is is his Rogue Machine debut!

JOHN KNIGHT (Villager) John is an actor from Hollywood, Florida by way of Jamaica. After graduating from Howard University in D.C., he decided to take his talents to Los Angeles to chase his acting dream. After being blessed with a few acting classes and roles to beef up his chops, he is still very much grinding away at the dream and is more than excited to be a part of a Lorraine Hansberry play. MATTHEW LINDBERG (Soldier) A recent graduate of Sonoma State University, Matthew traveled south to continue his career in acting. He is ecstatic to join the Les Blancs cast as it is his �rst production with Rogue Machine. Having recently closed Winter is Coming: A Game of �rones Parody as Jo�rey, Matthew is thrilled to hone his skills in a more dramatic role. For more information please visit his website at matthewlindberg.myefolio.com/HomeTRENTON LUCAS (Villager) Trenton is extremely proud to have joined the cast of Les Blancs. Trenton lives in LA with his family and belongs to LA Connection Improv and studies piano at Whitehall Arts Academy. He is in the sixth grade and his favorite subject is Science and favorite sport is swimming. Trenton �rst appeared on television at the age of �ve working as a background actor in shows like Haunted Hathaways, �e �undermans, Henry Danger and many more. His current projects in post-production are A Day With Day (short �lm), �e Layover (feature �lm) and Rebel (television series). Trenton would like to thank his mom, dad and his brother �ailer for their love and support.ROSNEY MAUGER (Villager) Rosney is honored to make his debut with Rogue Machine. He previously appeared in last season’s production of All the Way at South Coast Repertory as Rev. Ralph Abernathy, and is a recent Graduate at the American Academy Of Dramatic Arts. NICK MOSS (Soldier) Nick is an NYC transplant currently based in LA. Recent projects include: Lead in Google-Produced series, GodComplX, Lead in the TV series �e Cobblestone Corridor on PBS, recurring in award-winning comedic series, Gringolandia (now on Net�ix), and a co-starring role alongside James Franco in Making a Scene with James Franco. Growing up abroad in Pakistan, Belarus, Poland & Turkey, Nick speaks both Russian and Polish. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from GWU.TARINA POUNCY (Villager) Tarina is making her debut with Rogue Machine. Born in Detroit, she has appeared on stage in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, A Raisin in the Sun, Steel Magnolias and �e Old Settler, for which she won an NAACP �eatre Award. TV credits include �e Mindy Project, Jane the Virgin and Criminal Minds. You can catch her in an upcoming Denzel Washington �lm Inner City and recurring as Chandra on season 2 of Lopez on TVLand. She is thankful to God for all her blessings, past, present and future and to her Mom for her unending prayers and encouragement. PAUL STANKO (Soldier) Paul hails from the mountains of Colorado. He is ecstatic to be making his debut with Rogue Machine in Les Blancs. �is season he also can be seen as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at �eatricum Botanicum. Notable performances include Long in Steven Berko�’s rendition of �e Hairy Ape (Odyssey �eatre) and as Remus Lupin in Severus Snape and the Marauders (YouTube). In LA, Paul is an improviser, and has performed mainstage at ComedySportz, Second City, iO West, and regularly at �e Clubhouse. A thousand thanks to crew and company of Les Blancs and RMT. �ey are heroes.

RAYVEN TAYLOR (Villager)Rayven is excited to be in her � rst production with Rogue Machine. She was an early bird student at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and performed in the 2015 spring recital at Grand Arts HS. Since then Rayven has enjoyed gymnastics at All Olympia. Most recently she was part of an African American history program, Hidden Figures, performed at her school. She hopes you enjoy the show.FRANÇOISE TIADEM (Villager) Franny started acting at the age of nine at Adventure � eatre in Glen Echo, Maryland. After graduating from USC with a BA in � eatre, she has continued her work as an actor in Los Angeles and is excited to work with such a talented cast and crew in this relevant piece.SHARI GARDNER (Dancer) Shari was immersed in performing arts at the tender age of four. She began her formal dance training with Lula Washington Dance � eatre in 2003. Upon receiving her BA in African Studies from Howard University, she trained and performed in Washington, D.C. and completed dance summer intensives with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Deeply Rooted Dance � eatre. Currently, she is joyfully building her career in commercial/print modeling and dancing, while looking forward to using her passions and creativity as a catalyst to promote self-love and unity amongst youth.

JELANI BLUNT (Percussionist)

JAHANNA BLUNT (Understudy for Dancer)Jahanna began her dance career as a seven-year-old with Abalaye African Drum and Dance Ensemble. While majoring in acting, she continued to dance throughout her time at the LA County High School for the Arts and UCLA’s School of TFT. Jahanna has taught African Dance courses for the LAUSD and for the University of La Verne and has choreographed for USC’s theater department, the Lower Depth � eater Ensemble, and the renowned JazzAntiqua Music and Dance Ensemble. Her performance credits include Global Soul Night at the Hollywood Bowl, the BET Awards at the Kodak � eater, and various concerts at the Ford Amphitheater.

JALEN WILLIAMS (Understudy for Villager) Jalen is a Los Angeles-born actor who is very happy to be making his stage acting debut with Rogue Machine. While only taking up acting in the past few years he has been on a very fortunate path to end up where he is today

GREGG T. DANIEL (Director)Gregg is a recipient of the NAACP Best Director award for the International City � eatre’s production of Fences. � e production received nominations from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Ovation and StageScene LA awards. He directed the LA Premiere of Honky by Greg Kalleres for Rogue Machine (nominated - Best Director Comedy). Other work includes a revival of Alice Childress’ Wedding Band, A Love/Hate Story in Black and White for the Antaeus Company (Winner 2014 Stage Raw- Best Revival and Best Ensemble). Additional LA credits include Lee Blessing’s Cobb, Eric Simonson’s Lombardi, Frank McGuinness’s Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Broadway World nomination - Best Director) and the Tom Stoppard translation of Heroes for Group Repertory � eatre. For Lower Depth � eatre Ensemble, he directed the West Coast Premiere of Kwawe Kwei-Armah’s Elmina’s Kitchen (Winner, NAACP’s Best Ensemble) Regionally, he directed the New Jersey Premiere of Katori Hall’s � e Mountain Top for Cape May Stage and � e Whipping Man by Matthew

Lopez. Gregg is a Founding Member/Artistic Director of Lower Depth �eatre Ensemble and a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Gregg is an accomplished actor with appearances in over 100 television and feature �lms. He was a series regular on the HBO series True Blood. �anks to John Flynn, Amanda Bierbauer, David Mauer, Inger Tudor, Sarah Scott, Jahanna Blunt and Joyce Guy.

STEPHANIE KERLEY SCHWARTZ (Scenic Design) Stephanie is a Resident Designer at Rogue Machine where she has designed many productions - most recently �e Super Variety Match Bonus Round, Honky, and Pocatello. Other recent credits include scene design for Good Grief for CTG at Kirk Douglas �eatre, and costume design for Rules of Seconds by John Pollono at LATC with �e Temblors. Her designs have been seen all over Southern California, in theatres large and small, and her work has received multiple awards and nominations. WENDELL C. CARMICHAEL (Costume Design) Wendell has worked in the theatre for over three decades most recently for Actors Co- Op, Azusa Paci�c University, University of Southern California Dramatic Arts Program, �e Complex �eatre, �e Grove �eatre Center, Lounge �eatre, Zephyr �eatre, �e Kirk Douglas, Sacred Fools �eatre, �e Garage and �e Acme �eatre. Carmichael is the In-House Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor for the Ebony Repertory �eatre and Wardrobe sta� at LA Opera Local 768. Carmichael is a 2015 NAACP �eatre Award Winner and a two time Ovation nominee for his work. In addition Wendell has several Television and Film credits. Special thanks to Adleane Hunter and Mylette Nora, who have embraced my love and passion for the theatre. I am excited to be a part of Les Blancs. In giving we receive. DERRICK MCDANIEL (Lighting Design) From Romeo and Juliet to Guys and Dolls, Derrick has designed lighting for many plays over his 20-plus years in the business. A few of Derrick’s lighting credits include Luigi at the VS �eatre, Into the Woods at the Madrid �eatre, Dirt at Rogue Machine, Melissa Arctic at the Road �eatre on Magnolia. Derrick won the LA Weekly 2012 award for lighting Mercy Seat at the Inside the Ford �eatre. He was also nominated for a 2008 Ovation Award for lighting for �e Shelter at the Odyssey �eatre and for Lady at the Road. He was nominated for a 2008 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award for On An Average Day at the Elephant Lab. In 2016 Derrick was honored with an Artist Pro�le as a lighting designer in @�isStage Magazine.JEFF GARDNER (Original Music & Sound Design) Je� is excited to be back at Rogue Machine where he designed last year’s Honky. Other design credits include Dry Land (Echo �eater Company - Ovation Award for Best Production, 2016), Trevor (Circle X �eatre - Ovation Award for Best Production, 2015) and �e Recommendation (IAMA �eatre - Ovation Award for Best Production, 2014). He has designed and performed throughout the country including �e Shakespeare �eatre, DC, �e Studio �eatre, DC, A Noise Within, Sacred Fools, �e Colony �eatre, Odyssey �eatre, �e Kennedy Center, Williamstown �eatre Festival. He is a member of Antaeus where he recently designed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.JOYCE GUY (Choreographer) Joyce is an actress, dancer, playwright, director and choreographer. She was a “military brat” raised in various places in and outside of the U.S. Screen and television roles include Moneyball, �e Santa Clause, Startup, Animal Kingdom, Criminal Minds, Colony, How To Get Away With Murder, Parenthood, �e Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy to name a few and was a series regular on Monty starring Henry Winkler. Joyce has studied West African dance for over 25 years with master African dancers throughout the country. Joyce is director/producer of the documentary �lm Dancing Like Home, her quest to Casamance, Senegal West Africa to �nd the origins of the region’s dance.

EDGAR LANDA (Fight Director) Edgar is an actor/director and creates �ghts and violence for theatres large and small. Credits include: �e Model Apartment (Ge�en Playhouse); �at Pretty Pretty; or, �e Rape Play (Son of Semele); Hit �e Wall (Los Angeles LGBT Center), El Henry (San Diego Rep/La Jolla Playhouse); �e Reunion (South Coast Repertory); Parfumerie (�e Wallis); �e Nether (CTG/Kirk Douglas �eatre). Edgar serves on the faculty of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and is a long-time collaborator of Son of Semele Ensemble. He is an AEA member and Pro99 supporter of small theatre in LA.JACQUELYN GUTIERREZ (Assistant Scenic Designer/Props) Jacquelyn is a 2016 graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama where she earned her BFA in Scenic Design. LA credits include scenic art work on Center �eatre Group’s Good Grief and Block Party Series, and the Ge�en Playhouse’s �e Legend of Georgia McBride, properties assistant for A Noise Within’s Man of La Mancha, and scenic design for Jaxx �eatricals. Jacquelyn is very grateful for the opportunity to be creating many di�erent works with such wonderful artists in what she considers her new home. SARAH SCOTT (Assistant Director) A graduate of New York University and the Shakespeare Program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Sarah is a �lm, television, and stage actress. She became a proud member of Rogue Machine after originating the role of Angie in the World Premiere of Luka’s Room. New to the production side of theatre, a special thanks to Gregg and Inger for their guidance, to the amazing cast for telling this story, and to her loving husband for dealing with her pregnancy hormones during the process. INGER TUDOR (Assistant Director) A graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Inger is an actress and voice over artist who has directed or assisted on productions in New York and Los Angeles. Her favorite credits include Crawl, Fade to White (with Michael Michetti), Local Story (�eatre of NOTE), My Children! My Africa! (�e Actors Co-op), and her very �rst production, �e Colored Museum (HLS Drama Society—Best Director award). A special thanks to Sarah (her partner in crime) and to Gregg for being a collaborative director and tremendous artist.JOHN PERRIN FLYNN (Producer/Artistic Director) John is Rogue Machine’s founding Artistic Director and he has produced all of our mainstage productions. For RMT, he has directed the World Premieres of John Pollono’s Lost Girls and Henry Murray’s Treefall; Enda Walsh’s �e New Electric Ballroom and Penelope; Samuel D. Hunter’s Pocatello, A Permanent Image and A Bright New Boise; �e Sunset Limited; and our inaugural production, Compleat Female Stage Beauty. John was the Executive Producer and Director of Lifetime’s long-running series Strong Medicine and has produced two other series and 14 television movies or miniseries including the Emmy-nominated Burden of Proof. In 2012, he received the Career Achievement Award for �eatre from the LA Weekly. John is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation.AMANDA BIERBAUER (Producer/Production Manager) Amanda is Rogue Machine’s longstanding Production Manager and has worked, in some capacity, on every play in Rogue Machine’s ten-year history. She produced last year’s Honky and co-produced several O�-the-Clock shows, including Uploaded and Shorts & Sweets, for which she also wrote plays and baked countless tiny desserts. She also co-produces and art directs the “…Gone Rogue” fundraiser series. �is year’s o�ering, the “Grimm and Bare It” nude playing cards, are now available. DAVID A. MAUER (Resident Technical Director) For Rogue Machine: Scenic Design for Dutch Masters, Samuel D. Hunter’s A Permanent Image (also produced) and Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries, which he later

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produced at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival in August, 2015. David was awarded the 2013 LA Weekly Award for the scenic design of Rob Mersola’s Dirty Filthy Love Story at Rogue Machine. He also designed the sets for John Pollono’s Small Engine Repair and Lost Girls, and Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise. VICTORIA HOFFMAN (Casting) Victoria is a proud member of Rogue Machine, where she has been the resident Casting Director on Lost Girls, Falling, Penelope, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Cock, Nice �ings, A Permanent Image, Need to Know, Pocatello, Honky and more. Recent casting projects include Padua Playwrights’ Villon by Murray Mednick at the Odyssey and Beyond Sight for CRE Outreach. A veteran of commercial casting, she currently works as an associate and session director for Terry Berland Casting. As an actor, she has performed in two installments of Rant & Rave, and worked in Regional �eaters as varied as �e Kodak, South Coast Repertory, Kansas City Rep, and �eatricum Botanicum. RICK BERNSTEIN (Managing Director) Rick has worked in Los Angeles theatre for over 10 years in many management capacities. He has been the Managing Director at both �e Road �eatre Company and Elephant �eatre Company, and he has also been a sta� member at both �e Colony �eatre and �e �eatre @ Boston Court. He has served as a marketing consultant, grant writer and company manager for many companies and theatres throughout the area. Rick is also the Managing Director of Impro �eatre and is a graduate of Stanford University. He can be reached at rick.bernstein@roguemachinetheatre.com.ELINA de SANTOS (Co-Artistic Director)Directing credits include the World Premieres of Dirty Filthy Love Story, Yard Sale Signs, Razorback and Nice �ings, as well as Falling, Stop Kiss and Bhutan, all here at Rogue Machine. For West Coast Jewish �eatre: New Jerusalem and Broken Glass. For PRT: a workshop of Galileo, Death of a Salesman, Orpheus Descending (LADCC Award for Direction). At the Odyssey: Awake and Sing!, �e Blue Room and Misalliance. She has directed at the Pasadena Playhouse and regionally at theatres including the Berkshire �eatre Festival and the Pittsburgh Public. In 2013, Elina received the LADCC Award for Career Achievement in Directing.

The Show Cant Go On Without You! Dear Friends,

Whether this is your 41st play or your �rst at Rogue Machine, welcome to the family and our tenth season. By coming here today, you’ve joined a growing community of theatregoers in Southern California who are looking for new work – adult drama, the stories of today, and the voices of contemporary writers from the English-speaking world, perhaps from London, Dublin, New York, Chicago, or especially, Los Angeles.

�is is my fourth season as Board Chair, and as an architect, one of my primary long-term goals is a permanent

home, all our own, as exciting as the plays we produce.So bring your friends, talk about us, buy season tickets, endow a chair, join the Founder Circle. Hey, put your name on a building.

Lewin Wertheimer Chair, Rogue Machine �eatre Board of Directors

‘

Become a Founder Circle Member

We are establishing a group to advance our vision to create and produce the most relevant, engaging, and exceptional regional theatre today. For theatre to survive and thrive, we must develop and nurture the diverse voices of a new generation, who will speak to and for the emergent audience of the 21st century.

As a Founder, you will support the most remarkable theatre being produced today. �is work speaks to the lives we live now and makes the art of theatre vibrant and necessary. With a range of exclusive bene�ts at various giving levels, we invite you to participate, bringing enhanced stability to Rogue Machine and bringing you unparalleled advantages. By joining the Founder Circle, you have access to intimate and exclusive events year-round, as well as other special bene�ts for your �ve-year commitment. We enthusiastically look forward to your reply, and to welcoming you as a member of our Founder Circle.

To join the Founder Circle or learn more, please email Managing Director Rick Bernstein at rick.bernstein@roguemachinetheatre.com or call (855) 585-5185

Our Donors�ank You to Our Supporters!

Contributions from August 2015 - May 3, 2017

American �eatre Wing - National �eatre Company GrantAnnenberg Foundation

Attias Family FoundationBloomberg Philanthropies

Chaspen Foundation for the ArtsCity of Los Angeles Cultural A�airs Department

George Lichter Family FundHamilton Street FoundationRichard Munroe Foundation

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS

$5,000+Anonymous (2)Marcy CarseyJean CraigPeter DvorakJohn Flynn & Ann BronstonGeorge Lichter Family Fund(John Lichter & Linda Stonerock)Dr. Joanna LipariRichard Munroe FoundationBruce & Linda Porter�e Rosenthal Family Foundation(Rick Rosenthal & Nancy Stephens)Irving & Gail WeintraubLewin & Alexey Wertheimer/Nosov

$1,000 - $4,999Anonymous (4)Attias Family FoundationMarni Ayers & William BradyOrson Bean & Alley MillsAnne Gee ByrdCate CaplinAdrea CarenHannah CoxChris CraigMaureen Craig & Glenn GoldbergTerry DavisElina de SantosJe�rey & Kirsten DermerMichelle EskinPatricia GlaserLarry & Rosa GoldsteinJerry & Adi GreenbergPaula Holt

$1,000 - $4,999 continued Winnie Holzman & Paul DooleyRichard KatzEdgar LandaMeg LibermanJohn LichterDavid Morisaki & Callista CardJon NeustadterPenny Orlo�Michael PeretzianTony RasmussenPatricia C. RichardsonFelicia RosenfeldDavid A. & Karen Richards SachsTom SafranTucker SmallwoodSold Out CrowdNeely & Larry SwansonMark & Judy Taylor

$250 - $999Anonymous (4)Tammy Ader GreenMatthew & Kristin AldrichApril AlexanderEloise & Mark AppelDylan & Dean BaquetRick BernsteinAdam BesterMichael & Barbara BierbauerRon Bottitta & Holly Fulger Arvin BrownCapital Group Companies Charitable FoundationSteve ConnellChris Craig

$250 - $999 continued Ron De SalvoMatthew ElkinsBryan EllicksonBarry EngelmanKerry EnglishSte�en & Deborah Foster�omas Foster & Steven DahllofEllen FriedmanMarc GurvitzRobert LeventerKay LibermanMarsha LovettChristina LynchKareen MartinLillah McCarthyMyron MeiselMiriam Muscarolas & Grant AbramsonAnna NicholasBrian NorrisDan O’ShannonJoan Pearce Research AssociatesPenny PeyserJohn & Jennifer PollonoAnnie PottsMichael PressmanStephanie RamerLee RamerEdwin RobinsonJennifer RowlandMichael Schwartz & Stephanie Kerley SchwartzKristina SegesvaryJane Shimamoto

GRANT & FOUNDATION SUPPORTHenry Murray Fund for New Plays

Los Angeles County Arts CommissionNancy E. Barton Foundation

Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation�e Rosenthal Family Foundation

Sachs Family Fund�e Shapiro Foundation�e Shubert Foundation

U.S. Bank

FOUNDER CIRCLEPlatinum Circle ($5,000+ Annually)

Anonymous (2)Jean Craig

Irving & Gail Weintraub�e Rosenthal Family Foundation

(Rick Rosenthal & Nancy Stephens)

Silver Level ($1000+ Annually)Marni Ayers

Dr. Joanna Lipari

To �nd out how you can help or if you believe our records are inaccurate, please contact us at (855) 585-5185 or email managing.director@roguemachinetheatre.com.

$250 - $999 continued Ronald SlayenJoe SternAri SwillerJudith Vida-SpenceMary WestermanHarriet Zaretsky

$100 - $249 Anonymous (3)Tony AmendolaRachel AveryFrawley BeckerDavid & Nessa BernsteinJay BevanBlue Star DonutsHarriet BorsonTony BoydDavid Bronston & Patricia BrownMichelle BrooksAnn BuckBonnie CacavasK CallanScott CarterArline ChambersMichael CohenFrank CollisonDonna CorwinJed DannenbaumRon DiCostanzoValerie DillmanPaul DiVitoRob DoddPeter FinlaysonKate & William ForwardBenjamin & Anna ForknerJames FreedGary FreundLaura GardnerGary Rosen & Holly Goldberg SloanJohn GrayChoppy GuillotteJames HarperRobert HeiberRichard HirschKrista HustonStuart JacobsonTom JacobsonJane KallirJohn KallirMarvin Klein

$100 - $249 continued Steven Klein & Kristine Penner KleinJe�rey L. KoberBA KnutsonBrian LetscherNancy Linehan CharlesDennis MaddenMichael MantellPatrick & Eva MauerDoe MayerChristopher MongerJohn & Ann MooreMike NapoliArianne NeumarkDottie O’CarrollTravis & Julie Orlo�Alan PandoLisa PelikanPhilippe Perebinosso�S.E. & Rebecca PerryJulianne PhillipsBruce & Linda PorterDaniel RisiStephen RunningenWhitney SanderCarol SchoenBarbara SchufreiderArthur ScottiPatricia ShanksDaniel ShoenmanGabriel SimonPatrick Sta�ordVanessa StewartJanet Staples-EdwardsDoug StevensonPeter StoughtonKitty Swink & Armin ShimermanGayle TauberRichard �alerEileen T’KayeTyson & Angela TurrouDavid WarrenApril WebsterNorbert WeisserNicholas WellsLee & Susan WertheimerBruce Wright & Nathan ClumMark & Susan Yackley

$25 - 99Anonymous (1)April AlexanderJulie AndersonDana Lyn BaronBill BrochtrupChanning ChaseJoan ChodorowCathy Collo�Katherine CortezChristopher CurryMaia DanzigerSusan DexterSylvie DrakeDan DulingEdward EdwardsCynthia EttingerMona FieldJo FriedmanArlene GlazmanFiona HardinghamAndrew HawtreyDan HoskinsDon HullJe�rey Janger & Rachel DavidsonJane JonaitisAriana KaiserBarbara KallirSusan Kanowith-KleinDenise KautterJoel KimmelSharon LapidSusan LangSusan LefkowitzAdam LeipzigJeremy LelliottSimon LevyPaul Linke & Christine HealyMarylin MandelJudith MarlinNeil McGowanVince MelocchiMichael MichettiGail MyersMikey MyersLloyd NoonanScott PaulinMary PortserJody RogersTracey SilverRoger StewartMax TrumpowerInger TudorNicholas UllettSteven VanceDiane WilliamsShad WillinghamMichele Young

Coming Soon to Rogue Machine!

Board of DirectorsLewin Wertheimer, President/Chair

Jean Craig, Vice PresidentDavid Morisaki, SecretaryJe�rey Dermer, Treasurer

Callista CardKerry English

John Perrin FlynnPaula Holt

Penny Orlo� Bob Pinzler

Neely Swanson

Advisory Board Darrell BrownSheldon EppsHany Haddad

Annie PottsOz Scott

Production Team John Perrin Flynn+ .................. Artistic DirectorElina de Santos+ ................ Co-Artistic DirectorRick Bernstein ...................... Managing DirectorMatthew Elkins+ .................. Producing DirectorAmanda Bierbauer+ ............ Production ManagerDavid A. Mauer+ ................... Technical DirectorJen Pollono+ ... Off-the-Clock Producing Director Stephanie Kerley Schwartz+ ...... Resident Designer

John Pollono*+ ................ Rant & Rave ProducerSara Fenton ...................... Rant & Rave ProducerTracie Lockwood+ ... Around-the-Clock ProducerRamón Valdez................. Membership CoordinatorJudith Borne+ ........................................ PublicistJoshua Bitton ............. Dramaturg’s Table DirectorCorryn Cummins ......... Social Media CoordinatorDeirdre Shipstead ................ Development Director

For a complete list of our members, visit RogueMachineTheatre.com

Mission Statement Rogue Machine only produces world premieres of new plays, primarily by Los Angeles based playwrights, and plays new to Los Angeles, including American, West Coast, and Regional premieres of signi�cant contemporary theatrical works. Rogue Machine seeks to be a theatre of ideas and imagination, a theatre which mirrors and examines contemporary culture, a theatre which nurtures contemporary playwrights, and a theatre whose work continually engages the community and creates a dialogue which resonates after the curtain closes.

Rogue Machine also considers building an audience for the future to be an important part of its mission and seeks to attract and serve a younger, more diverse Los Angeles adult audience.

Visit us online at RogueMachine�eatre.com

Rant & Rave happens one Monday night a month and is a Standing-Room-Only Sensation – it’s always fresh, funny & powerfully moving.

Upcoming: June 19

* Playwright-in-Residence + Founding Member