My Mother Once Read...
My Mother Once Read...
A Children's Theater Festival
Curated and Directed by Ava Kepple
PRODUCTION TEAM
Ava Kepple (Director)(Directing, Playwriting and Production '23)(she/her) Part UArts credits include A Little Death (Director), Cerebral (AD), and Pippin (Assistant Choreographer). Last fall she directed Philadelphia's premier of In Pieces. Endless thanks to my Parents who always supported me, Pat McKeown who always knew I would direct, and the cast and crew who made it possible! Also shout out to Scott and my partner! Love you! Follow @mymotheronceread on insta for upcoming projects. The journey has just begun!
Alani Rose (Assistant Director)(DPP '23)(she/they) is a Senior DPP major here at UArts. Past credits include Ballyturk (stage manager), Urinetown (company stage manager), A New Brain (assistant stage manager), The Rose Garden (Assistant director) and more! Many thanks to the best family and friends.
Asher Vaglica (Stage Manager)
Spencer Boyce (Assistant Stage Manager)(he/him) is a Freshman DPP major. He most recently Assistant Directed Delivery Boy as a part of the Equinox Play Festival. This summer, he’ll be directing multiple productions through Saratoga Children’s Theatre.
J. Bean Schwab (Designer)
Allison Freels (Designer)(she/they) is a Senior Theater Design + Technology major focusing in props and costumes. With nearly 40 productions in five years, UArts Credits include Overgrown, the Equinox Festivals, Cerebral, Everybody, and This Beautiful City. Additionally, she is the costumer at Creative Edge Center for the Arts, and loves working in the world of children’s theater.
Sara Mascelli (Playwright)(DPP '25)(she/they) is a Sophomore Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts credits include Family Undone (Director), Crimson Lit (Dramaturg), Head Over Heels (Assistant Director), and La Vida Luka (Stage Manager). Sara is beyond excited to bring these three topical children's theatre stories to kids across Philadelphia! Special thanks to Ava Kepple, for making this all possible. IG: @mascellisara
Jack Thornley (Playwright)(Film+Animation '23)(he/him/they) is a Film+Animation major and Screenwriting minor. Past UArts credits include Fuente and Getting By… Jack videographs Brind School performances such as Polyphone, Equinox, and Senior projects. He also works as a camera operator and editor for the Acting on Camera and Audition Techniques classes.
Tyler Econa (Playwright)
Rose Farrell (Playwright)(she/her) is a young playwright and director creating new work relying on extremes and contradictions, using comedy and horror tropes with a trans/queer lens. Writing credits include The Clownssacre (Gameplay Theater Lab), Seities (University of the Arts), and upcoming Hot Cold Shower (University of the Arts).
Olivia Berkson (Music Arrangement)(Musical Theater '23)(she/her) Past UArts credits include In The Green (Ensemble/ Understudy), Clusterpuck! (Divisor), Kill the Whale (Flask) and The Myths and Hymns Project (Divisor). Thank you so much to Ava and the rest of the team for being so wonderful!
CAST
Delaney Ziegman (Girl, Princess Cordelia, Starry Sky)(Film & Acting '24)(they/she) Delaney is a Junior Film and Acting double major. Past UArts credits Non-monogamy and Woyzeck.
Finn Powers (George + Gerry, Guard, Astronomer)(DPP '25)(they/them) is a Sophomore DPP major. Past UArts credits include Woyzeck, Cherry Orchard (Polyphone), Crimson Lit (Polyphone), and Ballyturk. Regional: Bakkhai (Edinburgh Fringe), Buyer and Cellar (Northern Stage) and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Artistree).
Charlie Nicolini (Joe, Prince Fallon, Papa Sun) is a recent UArts grad, and has been seen in a multitude of shows throughout their years in the UArts community. Not only have they been seen on the UArts stage, but he has also been a part of multiple School of Film projects. He would like to thank his family, Erin, and Suslow for their endless support.
Felicity Mundy (Barbie, Mama Moon)
Olivia Berkson (Luna, Mother Earth, Bard)(Musical Theater '23)(she/her) Past UArts credits include In The Green (Ensemble/ Understudy), Clusterpuck! (Divisor), Kill the Whale (Flask) and The Myths and Hymns Project (Divisor). Thank you so much to Ava and the rest of the team for being so wonderful!
Isabel Penn (Boy, Snapdragon, North Wind)(Musical Theater '24)(they/he) is a Junior Musical Theater major from Poughkeepsie, NY. Love to my friends and family for their support!
University of the Arts
David Yager, President and CEO
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, Interim Program Director, Acting
Fadi Skeiker, Interim 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
Amy Dugas Brown, Assistant Professor
Rob Tucker, Visiting Assistant Professor
Leah Walton, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer
Joe Fasciano, Technical Director
Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Chris Haig, Technical Practicum Instructor
Rebecca Kanach, Costume Practicum Instructor
Angela Jenkins, SM Mentor