Various Polaroid pictures of groups of people, seemingly taken in a photo booth. There are small shiny confetti stars throughout, and an overall white to yellow to orange to red ombre. Three images say "Hot Spot". The bottom says "Caplan Studio Theater Nov. 18, 20, 2021 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 21, 2021 2 p.m."

Hot Spot

Various Polaroid pictures of groups of people, seemingly taken in a photo booth. There are small shiny confetti stars throughout, and an overall white to yellow to orange to red ombre. Three images say "Hot Spot". The bottom says "Caplan Studio Theater Nov. 18, 20, 2021 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 21, 2021 2 p.m."

Hot Spot

By Amir Gad 

Directed By Erin Renee Russo

 

Reserve Tickets Here.

 

Cast

Jordyn "Jordy" Young (Chevelle)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include In the Red Brown Water, INAMINIT, Triggered By My Flaws and MOI. Eternal thanks to my family and friends who have supported this journey since the beginning and have always believed in me I love you all!

Julian Perez (Sid)(he/they) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. This is Julian’s UArts debut, and he is more than excited to share this amazing project with you all. Regional credits include: Newsies (Jack Kelly), Spring Awakening (Moritz), and In the Heights (Usnavi), just to name a few. A huge thanks to the cast and crew of Hot Spot, as well as his loving family for all their support.

Ellie Linsz (The Ghost)(she/her) is a senior musical theatre major making her debut on a UArts Stage. Past credits include (Margot) Legally Blonde, (The Bearded Lady) Side Show, (Rona) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee & School Of Rock The Musical. She is eternally grateful for all the support and love from her parents, sisters, friends and especially this amazing cast and crew.

Khenadi Christmas (Nyomi)(she/they) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Men on Boats. Endless praise and thanks to Amir & Erin for their hard work and dedication to this process. To this wonderful cast & crew, thank you for everything!

Ezra Quinn (Milo)(he/him) is a Junior Acting major and Creative Writing minor. Past UArts credits include Shapeshifters (Social Media Crew), and I Want A Country (ASM).

 

Production Team

Erin Renee Russo (Director)(she/her) is a Senior Directing, Playwriting and Production major. Thank you to everyone involved with this process and for bringing this special work to life. Grateful beyond words! For Jack, always. www.erinreneerusso.com

Amir-Gabriel Gad (Playwright)(he/they) is a Senior Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. He is a playwright, dramaturg and multimedia visual artist focusing on nostalgia and the levity. Their past UArts credits include Myths and Hymns, In The Red and Brown Water, and Machinal. He is thankful to his production team, his family, and his boyfriend. For friends we've lost touch with.

Lindsey Silver (Stage Manager)(they/them) is a Senior Theater Design & Tech major. This is Lindsey's first time fully stage managing at UArts and they could not be more grateful to have been able to work with such an amazing team. Visit lindseysilver.com to view more of their work.

Ivory D'Francisca (Assistant Stage Manager)

Cali Wagner (Assistant Director)(she/her) is a Junior DPP major and the Assistant Director of Hot Spot. She has loved working on this project and wants to thank the amazing cast and crew for making this experience one of her favorite projects to work on.

Bella Capelli (Dramaturg)(she/her) is a Sophomore DPP & Creative Writing major at UArts. She is a playwright, dramaturg, and multidisciplinary writer. As a dramaturg, her work has a strong focus on fleshing out the room using the script. She is thankful to Amir for trusting her with their script, and to Erin for trusting her to help contextualize the world. For Matt, always.

Alex Cordaro (Fight Coordinator)(he/him) has spent the last 30 years studying, practicing, teaching, and directing theatrical violence in the US and Europe. He has Fight Directed over 100 Union shows including 13 Premieres with EQUITY and AGMA (World, United States, and Philadelphia.) Alex currently runs the stage combat progression at the University of the Arts. UArts 1997.

Cassie Allen (Costume Design) is a Senior Theater Design and Technology major. Past UArts credits include Fuente Ovejuna, the Myths and Hymns project, and I Want a Country.

Sarah Court (Set Design) is a senior Theater Design & Technology major focusing in scenic design & scenic painting. This is her first in-person set design as a lead designer, and she is very grateful to have had such a supportive, kind, and fun team to collaborate with. Sarah would like to thank everyone involved who made the project so enjoyable and would especially like to thank Erin & Lindsey. Check out more of Sarah's work on her website: sarahcourtdesign.com.

Calvin Anderson (Lighting Design)(he/they) is a lighting and projection designer. They move towards the devised, radical and risky, while leaning in with heart and trust. Career highlights include The Method Gun, Late Night Snacks, and Oscar at the Crown. Calvin is resident designer with FJK Dance, an educator, mentor and proud member of Wingspace Theatrical Design and United Scenic Artists Local 829.

Christopher Colucci (Sound Design) 2016 Pew Fellowship in the Arts. MA in Philosophy from Western Kentucky University. 8 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Original Music and Sound Design. Independence Fellowship in the Arts (2012, 2019). Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/cmsound) YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/yd89tm64) Instagram @cmcolucci

Mike Devito (Assistant Sound Design)

Michael Long (Projection Design)(he/him) is a filmmaker and projection designer working in the Philadelphia area. Projection design credits include: Tommy and Me (Theatre Exile), The 2019 Barrymore Awards, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Temple University), Eureka Day (InterAct Theatre), and The Rape of Lucretia (Curtis Institute). For more information, visit MichaelLongfilms.com

Phoenix Leigh (Props Head)

Allison Neiheiser (Assistant Props)(she/her) is a sophomore theater design major. Past UArts credits include assistant scenic designer for I Want a Country and assistant costume designer for the Equinox new play festival 2021.

Sophie Smyczek (Production Electrician)(she/her) is a Senior Design-Tech Major. She also has experience in stage management and programming. Sophie is interested in electrics work of any kind: theater, concerts, sports, etc. and would love to go on tour in the future. Check out sophiesmyczek.com to see more of her work.

Isa Payne (Marketing Image Artist)(she/they) is a Sophomore Film Design and Screenwriting double major. Photography and graphic design have been a means of artistic expression and exploration since high school. They feature much of their work on Instagram (@mister.pain).

 

University of the Arts

David Yager, President and CEO 

Kym Moore, Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts 

Aanika Allan, Assistant Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts 

Justin Luján, Program Director, Acting 

Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting, and Production 

Kikau Alvaro, Program Director, Musical Theater 

Natalie Robin, Program Director, Theater Design and Technology 

Quinn Bauriedel, Program Director, Pig Iron School MFA in Devised Performance 

 

Krista Apple, Assistant Professor 

Nick Embree, Associate Professor 

Sarah Sanford, Assistant Professor 

Fadi Skeiker, Associate Professor 

Rob Tucker, Visiting Assistant Professor 

Leah Walton, Visiting Assistant Professor 

Madison Claus, Senior Administrative Assistant 

Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer 

  

Matt Groeneveld, Technical Director 

Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician 

LeVonne Lindsay, Costume Shop Manager 

Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor

 

Content Disclosures: 

Strobe lights, Blood & gore, Violence, Mentions of death, Mentions of animal cruelty and death.