Chasing Olives
Chasing Olives
Devised and Directed by Aidan Schultz
PRODUCTION TEAM
Aidan Schultz (Director, Deviser)(she/her) is a Senior Acting/DPP double major, with a minor in Songwriting. Aidan has performed in and worked on various UArts productions throughout the past four years, including Eat The Rich, Audrey (Ensemble), The Great Comet of 1812 (AD), and In The Green (AD). Aidan would like to thank her cast and crew for providing this process with endless laughter and care for the work. She is forever grateful.
Sabrina Liberatore (Assistant Director)(she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater & DPP double major, and she is absolutely honored to be working on Chasing Olives! This is her first experience with devising, and she could not be more excited! Endless thanks to Aidan Schultz for her mentorship and grace throughout this process.
Cori Strauss (Stage Manager, Props Designer) is so honored to be a part of this production. Past UArts credits include: This Beautiful City (Assistant Stage Manager) and …The Great Comet of 1812 (Associate Stage Manager). Special shoutout to all friends, family and the freshman who buy me food on their dining dollars :) Gracias a todos and בָּרוּךְ הַשֵׁם !
Aidan Yates (Assistant Stage Manager)(he/him) is a First-Year DPP/Acting double major and Musical Theater minor. UArts credits include The Doctor is Dead (Memory, Polyphone), Norma Jeane (Brain, Equinox), The First Year Event (Dir. "Good Morning Starshine"), Fun Home (ASM), and various School of Film projects. Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Story, and R+H's Cinderella (WPA). GO PLAY OUTSIDE!!! @theaidanyates
Holly Fasciano (Scenic Designer)
Toni Mitchelli (Lighting Designer)
Lily Castiglione(Assistant Lighting Designer)
Genevieve Teasley (Costume Coordinator)(she/her) is a Freshman DT major. Past UArts shows include her work on the Equinox Festival, Marisol, and Cabaret.The cast and crew has been amazing to work with and she is super grateful for the opportunity and support she has been given.
Cyrus Nasib (Sound Coordinator)(he/she/they) is a Freshman DPP major who's excited to be on his first design-oriented job! Past UArts productions include Sleepy Hallow Haunts (Operations Manager), Untitled JesusxJudas Lesbian Play (Stage Manager), and The Doctor is Dead (Script Supervisor).
Troy Martin-O'Shia (Production Electrician)
Joe Fasciano (Technical Director)
Anna Sorrentino (Costume Shop Manager)
V Perlah-Hard (Wardrobe Supervisor)
Alex Cordaro (Fight Coordinator)
Marissa Wheaton (Fight Coordinator)
CAST
Claudia Combet (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major. Credits include: Letters to Sala (Raizel), The Diviners (Norma), The Pliant Girls (Arianna), Fefu and Her Friends (ASM), Julius Caesar (Caesar, Cassius), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helena), JesusxJudas The Lesbian Play (Sophia). Claudia is very excited and grateful to be a part of this production!
Ally Covone (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Freshman Acting major. This is her first show at UArts, and she is so excited to begin this journey! As always, a huge thank you to all the friends and family that have supported her so far and made everything possible.
Luisa Gonzalez (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Freshmen year event.
Riley Irvine (Ensemble) is a Senior Musical Theater major. UArts credits include Urinetown, Eat the Rich, Audrey!, Norma Jeane (Equinox New Play Festival), and the Polyphone 10th Anniversary Concert. Regional: Mamma Mia (Stumptown Stages). @realrileyirvine.
Brogan Riley (Ensemble) Brogan is beyond excited to take part in their fully devised piece, They would like to thank their parents and their sister for always supporting them, propelling them forward and challenging them to take on new challenges. You might recognize Brogan from their previous roles in Hamlet, Woyzeck or Delivery Boy!
Sophie O'Hara (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Norton I (Margaret). She is thrilled to end her sophomore year performing with this brilliant cast, and would like to thank them as well as the crew and production team for all of their hard work and dedication to this project.
Marissa Wheaton (Ensemble)(they/she) is a Senior Acting major, and is so excited to be part of this beautiful exploration. UArts credits: Hamlet (Gertrude), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute/Thisbe), Everybody (ASM). Selected Regional credits: Steel Magnolias (Annelle), Carrie (Helen), Guys and Dolls (Mimi). Thank you to my friends and family for the continued support, and to Aidan for her trust. All my love. Instagram: @marissawheaton_
CREW
Ev Dowling
Felicity Mundy
Lizeth Lopez
Rocco Pugliese
About: Chasing Olives tells the tale of unjust treatment and empowerment. The piece aims to capture the emotional torment of being a person living in this patriarchal world. It finds the devastating reality of our humanity, through abstracted/exaggerated vocal and physical language. Chasing Olives hopes to give the voiceless a place to be seen.
Content Disclosures: Themes and hints of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, generational trauma, mental illness, death, abortion, sex trafficking, drug/alcohol use, prejudice, sexual activity, violence. Even though the themes are clear, they are abstracted and slightly removed from reality. There may be flashing lights and disorienting sounds.
University of the Arts
Kerry Walk, President
Kikau Alvaro, Interim Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Aanika Allen, Assistant Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Madison Claus, Senior Administrative Assistant
Krista Apple, Program Director, Acting
Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting and Production
Thom Weaver, Interim Program Director, Theater Design & Technology
Jacob Brent, Interim Program Director, Musical Theater
Quinn Bauriedel, Program Director, Pig Iron School MFA in Devised Performance
Nick Embree, Associate Professor
Sarah Sanford, Assistant Professor
Issac Byrne, Visiting Assistant Professor
Kyle Metzger, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lindsay Cram, Director of Production
Joe Fasciano, Technical Director
Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician
Anna Sorrentino, Costume Shop Manager
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Chris Haig, Technical Practicum Instructor
Rebecca Kanach, Costume Practicum Instructor
Juliana Luber, Audience Services Coordinator