Polyphone A Festival of New and Emerging Musicals 2024
Polyphone
A Festival of New and Emerging Musicals
Presented by the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at University of the Arts
Kerry Walk, President, University of the Arts
Kikau Alvaro, Interim Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Maggie-Kate Coleman, Artistic Director, Polyphone Festival
Arts Bank Theater
April 18–21, 2024
Polyphone would not be possible without the generosity of Peter Haas and Doug Kreitzberg, as well as Suzanne Kreitzberg, whose memory the festival honors through its participants’ work.
Festival Lineup
The Doctor is Dead
Book, Music, & Lyrics by é boylan
Co-directed by é boylan and Rose Freeman
Music Direction by Luke McGinnis
Vocal Direction by Maya Kociba
The Doctor is Dead was originally produced as an audio drama by Musical Theatre Factory and made possible, in part, by generous support from The National Endowment for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the Howard Gilman Foundation, and Musical Theatre International.
Sweetwater
Book & Lyrics by Patricia Noonan
Music by Liz Filios and Sean Mahoney
Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien
Choreographed by Kat Borrelli
Music Direction by Garrick Vaughan
Sweetwater was developed as a part of the Goodspeed Writers' Grove and Festival of New Musicals presented by Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT.
Polyphone 10th Anniversary Concert
Directed by James Bruenger-Arreguin
Music Direction by Joey Rice
FESTIVAL PRODUCTION TEAM
Maggie-Kate Coleman (Artistic Director)
Finn Powers (Assistant to the Artistic Director)(they/them) is a Junior Directing, Playwriting and Production Major. Past UArts credits: Cherry Orchard, Crimson Lit, Fun Home, My Mother Once Read, Woyzeck, Ballyturk. Regional: Buyer and Cellar (Northern Stage), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Artistree), Bakkhai (Edinburgh Fringe).
Pam White (Assistant to the Artistic Director)(she/her) is a Freshman Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts credits include The Bullet in the Brain (ASM) and Norma Jeane (ASM). Many thanks to Finn Powers and Maggie-Kate Coleman for being an amazing team.
Joey Rice (Music Supervisor)
Anna Ryabova (Assistant Technical Director)
Zoe Nebraska Feldman (Intimacy Director)(she/they) is an actor, producer, & intimacy choreographer in Philly. In addition to several productions at UArts, Zoe has coordinated intimacy for the upcoming feature film, Eugene the Marine, as well as workshops of Untitled Raccoon Play (The Tank, Philly Theater Week). As a performer, they have previously worked with Azuka Theatre, Interact, Theater Ariel, The Wilma Theater, and Playwrights Horizons. Grateful to the UArts community & students for learning about this work alongside her.
Alice Poznyak (Set Designer)
Kelly Palmer (Festival Prop Head)
Olivia Tuno (Assistant Prop Head)(she/they), is a Sophomore Film Design major. Liv has extensive production experience but this is their debut Brind School production, and they’re excited to be transferring to the DPP program next fall!
Thom Weaver (Lighting Designer)
Ethan Paone (Assistant Lighting Designer)
Emmanuel "Manny" Garcia (Programmer)
Jillian Warner (Costume Designer, The Doctor is Dead)(she/her) is a Philadelphia-based costume designer. She is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s Costume Design program. Selected design credits include: Newsies (Merion Mercy Music Theater), Seussical (Wolf Performing Arts Center), Eat The Rich, Audrey! (UArts), and Delco: The Movie (Philagape Productions). Jillian would like to thank her partner and her parents for always believing in her!
Cybele Moon (Costume Designer, Sweetwater) is a costume designer, educator and visual artist. She has designed costumes for over 160 dance and theater productions, across the United States, at a variety of venues. Her visual art has been exhibited at galleries, a museum, and several outdoor events. More info here: cybelemoondesign.com
Fletcher Rabin (Assistant Costume Designer)
Taylor Jedlinski (Sound Designer)
Nat Merrill (A1)
Troy Martin-O'Shia (Production Electrician)
Joe Fasciano (Technical Director)
Anna Sorrentino (Costume Shop Manager)
V Perlah-Hard (Wardrobe Supervisor)
Holly Fasciano (Scenic Artist)
FESTIVAL CREW
Tayler Aprile is so thrilled to be achieving her 2nd crew credit here at the Brind School. Past crew credits include Deck Crew (Head Over Heels) Special thanks to her friends and family that have always supported her and her joy for crewing at UArts! #wereallfriendsnow
Carl Bright-Walck is acting. He's on the deck. He played Creon and Dolokhov and some other stuff. He's doing Ren Faire soon. He loves family and boyfriend. Love: It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. #wereallfriendsnow
Chloe Davies (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include the 2023 First Year Event. Endless thanks to her family, friends, and the Brind School for their constant love and support along the way!
Amelio Kirshon (he/him) is a Junior Musical Theater major, and is SO HYPE to be Polyphone’s Lighting Boy (trademarked). He is so grateful to get to watch these brilliant artists from the booth every night, whilst pressing buttons!
Delaney McKay (she/they) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. She was in the First Year Event at UArts last semester. This is her first time crewing a show, and she’s super excited!! She would like to thank her dogs:)
Chloe McNeese (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. She is so excited to be on crew for these amazing shows. She would like to thank the cast, production team, and fellow crew members as well as her family and friends for always supporting her dreams.
Ksenia Panchenko
Luke Perkins is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Egeus), Felipillo (Friar Vincente), and The Sweet Hereafter (Wendell Walker/Abbott Driscoll). Break legs to all!
Chris Picos (he/him)is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include (FYE) and (MOTRD) Endless thanks for the honor of being chair and ladder supervisor. #WereAllFriendsNow
Sierra Steinberg (she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major. She is OVER THE MOON to be receiving her first crew credit with the coveted role of Fly Systems Operator. All of her love to her hard working crew team who helped her achieve her fly operating dreams. Endless thanks to the cast and team. #We’reallfriendsnow
Adam Tornielli (he/him) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. He is overjoyed to be apart of his first college production and can't wait to do more! Love to the cast and production team! Crew, Crew, Crew!
The Doctor is Dead
Book, Music, & Lyrics by é boylan
Co-directed by é boylan and Rose Freeman
Music Direction by Luke McGinnis
Vocal Direction by Maya Kociba
The Doctor is Dead was originally produced as an audio drama by Musical Theatre Factory and made possible, in part, by generous support from The National Endowment for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the Howard Gilman Foundation, and Musical Theatre International.
PRODUCTION TEAM
é boylan (Creator/Co-Director)(they/them) is a New York City based director, creator, and composer developing new work towards trans liberation. Selected honors include: New Writer in Residence at Lincoln Center Theater, Musical Theatre Factory Makers Cohort II, 2022 Jonathan Larson Grant (Finalist), 2022 Relentless Award (Honorable mention), 2023 June Bingham New Playwright Commission (Finalist), 2023 NAMT Fall Conference (Finalist), 2023 SPACE on Ryder Farm Creative Resident, 2018 & 2021 O’Neill Resident Artist, 2019 Trans Lab Fellow, 2019-20 Manhattan Theatre Club Directing Fellow, 2021 Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriter, 2021 Prospect Theater Co. MT Lab, 2022 MTFxR Garage Artist, and 2020-22 Roundabout Theatre Co. Directors Group. Graduate of The University of Chicago and National Theater Institute.
Rose Freeman (Co-Director)
Aja Staten (Assistant Director)
Jessica Beaver (Stage Manager)(they/she) is a Philadelphia native, educator, and theatre artist. With a background in English Literature and Urban Studies, they were an English and Theatre Teacher for the School District of Philadelphia for seven years. Now, they are a Stage Manager, Director, Technical Director, and Teaching Artist at various theatres and arts education organizations across the city. Visit jessicarachelbeaver.com for more updates on performances, productions, and more.
Chase Catling (Assistant Stage Manager)(he/him) is a Freshman Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts credits include Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Samuel Smalls Jr. (Assistant Stage Manager)(he/she/they) recently seen as The Man with Ice Cream/Scar Tissue in Marisol is making their Polyphone & ASM debut in The Doctor is Dead and is extremely excited for people to see the phenomenal work the entire team has been doing to put on this super beautiful, super powerful and super queer show. She sends a special shoutout to Kai Cooper who taught her everything she knows and everything she didn’t retain. :) <3
Luke McGinnis (Music Director)(he/him) is a music director, teacher, multi-instrumentalist and arranger from Atlanta, GA. After studying voice and choral conducting at Berklee College of Music, Luke co-created Apartment Sessions, a New York-based artist collective which recorded original symphonic arrangements in a small Brooklyn apartment, featuring artists including Gabriel Kahane, Kishi Bashi, and Linqua Franqa. Luke recently relocated to Philadelphia, and has music directed at Quintessence Theatre, Drexel University, and UPenn, and is happy to be returning to UArts. Thank you to the creative team, cast, crew and band for your hard work. - contact at mcekul@gmail.com
Nico Montalvo (Assistant Music Director)(any pronouns) is a first-year MFA Candidate with Pig Iron’s Devised Performance program. Hailing from South Texas, they are still relatively new to the Philadelphia performing arts scene. They have experience in acting, directing, designing, and with this show, they can now add music direction to the list. Instagram: @montal.nic
Maya Kociba (Vocal Director)(she/they) is originally from Cincinnati, OH where she attended CCM. During her time there, she was privileged enough to be able to work with musicians in the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus, perform at Cincinnati Music Hall, and travel to Kecskemét, Hungary for a two-week intensive in music pedagogy at the Kodály Institute. Maya was the music director for Carousel in 2018. That same year she toured with Austin Lamewona for the Ohio tour of his musical Octets: A New Musical, where she was the music director, contractor, and conductor. In 2022, she worked with Austin again as a transcriber, engraver, and composer for his newest play with music, The Underground. She has joined him again as Music Director in Chicago, IL, as the production team preps the show for its debut performance in August of 2024. She has been a private piano teacher for over 10 years, and has since added voice and ukulele students to her studio. She now lives in Southern New Jersey, where she is an elementary general music teacher in the Cherry Hill Public Schools and sings in the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. This is her Polyphone debut, and she is immensely grateful for her time as Vocal Director of The Doctor is Dead, and all the inspiring queer artists she has had the privilege to work with and learn from. She would like to express profound gratitude for her endlessly supportive husband, and also the Polyphone office snack box.
Cyrus Nasib (Script Supervisor)(he/they/she) is a Freshman Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts production credits include Sleepy Hollow Haunts (Operations Manager), Eat The Rich, Audrey! (Crew), and Untitled JesusxJudas Lesbian Play (Stage Manager). Huge thanks to everyone who made this weird and beautiful queer show a reality!!!
Patrick Kelly (Copyist)
CAST
Noah Haren (Nightingale)(she/he) is so excited it be a part of this production! Past UArts credits include Things Left Unwritten (August) and Masque of the Red Death (Dying). Noah hopes to use her past experience as a horse in Horse Girls to do her best as a trans bird. Much love to all!
Mandie Nico Perez (Rook)(he/they) is a sophomore Musical Theater major. This is his second Polyphone show! Past credits include Fun Home (Christian Bechdel) and Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Ensemble). He is thankful to be apart of this show with all of the wonderful humans in it!
Daylin Ryer (Swallow)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major, Business minor, and occasional DPP. Past UArts credits include First Year Event 2024. Currently, she is Assistant Stage Managing the stage premiere of E Quinn's new musical, someone (else). Endless thanks to the wonderful production team I've gotten the pleasure to work with, my parents for their endless support, and my bestie bookie Samuel Smalls Jr. for sharing this new experience with me.
MK Prophett (Memory (The Grain))(they/she) is a Senior Musical Theater and DPP major. Past UArts credits: Fun Home (Director), Urinetown (Robby/Assistant Choreographer). Regional: Wizard Of Oz (MSMT), Something Rotten (R&R Prod.) Shoutout to the immaculate community of queer artists at UArts. Thanks to my family and Erin for the perpetual support.
Alexis Castro (Memory (The Grief))(he/him) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major! Past UArts credits include Fun Home (John Bechdel), Felipillo (Martinillo), and The Untitled Cherry Orchard (Firs). This is his second Polyphone show and is very happy to be back!
Cyanie Jones-Wims (Memory (The Growing 1))(she/her)is a Freshman in Musical Theater major.Thankful to be part of this beautiful show ,grateful to make new connections and overall big thanks to the production crew. Love all of you!! Sound of the day : Muah no barz
Miles Ellis Novotny (Memory (The Growing 2))(he/they) is a Sophomore Theater Design major and Musical Theater minor. His UArts credits include: Assistant Set/Props for Midsummer, Props Head for Equinox 2023 and The Bullet in the Brain, and they also are Props Head for the upcoming Spring Senior Project festival.
Aidan Yates (Memory (The Growing 3))(he/him) is a First-Year DPP/Acting double major. UArts credits include Norma Jeane (Brain, Equinox New Play Fest.), The First Year Event (Dir. "Good Morning Starshine"), Fun Home (ASM), and various School of Film projects. Upcoming: Chasing Olives. Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Story, and R+H's Cinderella (WPA). Go Birds!!! @theaidanyates
Sean Shackleford (Memory (The Growing 4)) Hi, I'm Sean Shack I play one part or memory in The Doctor Is Dead. Normally I just stick to instrumental performance but something about this school makes me want to branch out into different arts.
BAND
Luke McGinnis (Piano/Guitar)
Aaron Vaders-Collins (Guitar/Mandolin)
Alex Arron-Ginzburg (Bass)
Harry Bricklin (Drums)
About: A contemporary fantasy for queer imaginations, "The Doctor is Dead" follows a secret society of trans and neurodivergent outcasts living underground. Using their unique abilities to investigate a mysterious empty coffin, our outcasts sing a song of leaving, of grief that becomes giving, of what begins in the end.
Content Disclosures:
Themes of: Grief, Loss of home, and Organized religion.
Presence of a coffin onstage.
For photosensitive audience members, there will be sequences of moving lights, flashlights turning on and off, and scenes both in dim as well as very bright lighting.
Sweetwater
Book & Lyrics by Patricia Noonan
Music by Liz Filios and Sean Mahoney
Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien
Choreographed by Kat Borrelli
Music Direction by Garrick Vaughan
Sweetwater was developed as a part of the Goodspeed Writers' Grove and Festival of New Musicals presented by Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Liz Filios (Creator)
Patricia Noonan (Creator)(she/her) Book & Lyrics, Sweetwater
Patricia is a writer, actor, and educator. Her work includes book & lyrics for the musicals Sweetwater (developed/presented at Goodspeed and the Philadelphia Women’s Theater Festival), Learning How to Drown (developed/presented at Goodspeed, Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival, Boston College), The Adventures of Ara (developed for Bridge Arts Ensemble), and the upcoming game/RPG Defenders of the Wild for Outlandish Games. As an actor, she has appeared at the Roundabout, Lincoln Center, City Center, Arden, and theaters across the country and created roles in Maury Yeston's Death Takes a Holiday (Sophia), Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennet), The Brontes (Charlotte), Signs of Life (Lorelei), Baby Case (Betty Gow), and Neurosis (Abby). She’s a proud teaching artist with Arts Ignite, People’s Light & Theatre, and at schools throughout the northeast. www.patricianoonan.com
Megan Nicole O'Brien (Director)(she/her) Megan, a five-time Barrymore Nominee and a UArts Alum, is so grateful to be working with this amazing group of artists! For seventeen years, she was the Co-Founder and Resident Director of the award-winning 11th Hour Theatre Company. Some favorite directing credits include: the World Premieres of Big Red Sun by John Jiler & Georgia Stitt and Field Hockey Hot! by Michael Ogborn, Blues in the Night & The Bomb-itty of Errors (Milwaukee Rep.), Little Shop of Horrors (11th Hour/Theatre Horizon), The Great American Trailer Park Musical & Reefer Madness (11th Hour/Montgomery Theater), Rent (11th Hour/Drexel University), The Adding Machine Musical & High Fidelity (University of the Arts), Spring Awakening and Big Fish (Temple University), See What I Wanna See, City of Angels, Bonnie & Clyde, Dogfight, Altar Boyz, Rooms, Avenue X, The Wild Party, The Secret Garden, The Bomb-itty of Errors & tick, tick...BOOM! (11th Hour Theatre Company). Megan is currently pursuing her MFA in Musical Theater Collaboration at Temple University. In addition to directing, Megan has been a teaching artist for over twenty years, but her favorite job is being a mom to two awesome kids!
Kat Borrelli (Associate Director, Choreographer)
Fern Morehouse (Stage Manager)(he/they) is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts production credits include The Sweet Hereafter (ASM). Past UArts performance credits include Fun Home, Bullet in the Brain, Felipillo, Family Undone, and Ghost Town. This is his first time stage managing by himself (yay educational theatre)!
Gabriella Breza (Assistant Stage Manager)(she/they) is a Freshman Screenwriting major.
Garrick Vaughan (Music Director)
Christa Jones (Assistant Music Director)(she/her) is a Sophomore Piano Performance major with a focus in jazz. She is currently the pianist for the Rick Kerber Tribute ensemble as well as the Femme ensemble at UArts. Many thanks to Joey Rice for the opportunity to be a part of the pit for this show and to AJ Luca for being a splendid mentor in the process of growing as a musician.
Michael Pogudin (Copyist)
Finn Powers (Aviation Dramaturgy)(they/them) is a Junior Directing, Playwriting and Production Major. Past UArts credits: Cherry Orchard, Crimson Lit, Fun Home, My Mother Once Read, Woyzeck, Ballyturk. Regional: Buyer and Cellar (Northern Stage), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Artistree), Bakkhai (Edinburgh Fringe).
CAST
Lussi Salmela (Frankie)(they/she) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include This is Not a Play (The Girl) and The First Year Event. Other credits include The Prom (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres), Footloose (Duluth Playhouse), and Kinky Boots (Duluth Playhouse).
Hazel Foley (Beth)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include norma jeane: pop culture phenom, sex symbol, and sad, sad girl, Norton I, and Act One: A First Year Exhibition. Hazel sends her love and gratitude to the incredible cast and team of Sweetwater.
Lizeth Lopez (Eva)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past credits include The Untitled Cherry Orchard, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Norma Jeane. Thank you to everyone that has ever supported me in any way!
Zoe Hollander (Vivian)(she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major at UArts. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Zoe grew up performing in the Twin Cities. UArts: The Masque of the Red Death, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Horse Girls. Regional: Theatre Latté Da, MN History Theatre, and Stages Theatre Company. Honored to be a Girl Pilot!
Megan Kimiko Derbick (Lu)(she/her) is a Senior Musical Theater major and Music minor. She is so excited to be a part of her final production at UArts. Professional Credits: Rent (Ensemble/Alexi Darling) at Millbrook Playhouse, Head Over Heels (Ensemble, u/s Philoclea) at Theatre SilCo, Haul Out The Holly (Cast Member) at Theatre SilCo. Past UArts credits include Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 (Princess Mary), Everybody (Everybody/Somebody), Pippin (Player), Esther’s Play About Esther’s Play (Sally/Character 1). Past Polyphone Festival credits include: The Blazing World (Pyra), Dear Mr. C (The Writer’s Sister), and Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Anya). She is so grateful to share the stage with such a wonderful cast and be supported by an amazing creative team. Much love to her family, friends, and the entire cast and crew.
Giavanna Marino (Bea)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major and is humbled to be back performing with Polyphony festival! Past UArts credits include The First Year Event and (Delores) The Sweet Hereafter. she wants to thank the cast and crew for all the hard work, and sends love to her roommates her dog and her extremely supportive and loving family.
Abbie Jacobson (Leah)(she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Head Over Heels (Pamela u/s & Booth Singer). She was also recently seen as Rusty in Footloose (Big Deal Productions). So many thanks to her family, friends, and the UArts community!
Giovanna Johns (Bernice)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past production at UArts include WITS. She would love to thank all of her family and friends, who constantly believed in her and help her live her dreams. Thank you to her mom and dad for constantly making sacrifices for her. She couldn’t do anything without them.
Brenna Patzer (Jackie Cochran)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major at University of the Arts graduating in May with her BFA in Acting. Past UArts Credits include: Norma Jeane… (Gladys), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mustardseed), The Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Varya), Esther’s Play About Esther’s Play (June/July), Pippin (Player), and The Blazing World (Ensemble). Brenna sends all her love to her cast and crew - most specifically, all of the incredible women. Thanks to MK, Patricia, Liz, Megan, Kat, and all of the girl pilots both onstage in this production and those in history whose stories we honor. This one is for the women we were, the women we are, and the women we have yet to be. ig: @brenna.patzer
Delaney Ford (Thorburn)(she/her) is a Senior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Fun Home (u.s Medium Allison), and The Sweet Hereafter (Ensemble/u.s Dolores). She has an Associates of Science in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting from Suffolk County Community College. Thank you so much for welcoming her to this school with open arms and giving her the most fulfilling two years she could ask for!
Gio Coppola (Spokesman, Ensemble)(he/him) is a Junior Musical Theater major, and is pumped to be a part of this year’s Polyphone! Recent UArts credits include Fun Home (Bruce Bechdel), The Sweet Hereafter (Mitchell Stevens) and This Beautiful City (Ensemble). He would like to thank the team, his family and friends for their continued support. Shout out to my dad, you would have loved this one.
Guin Bortnicker Kiniry (O'Malleys)
Cate Goddard (O'Malleys) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Fun Home (ASM) and Norton 1 (Cicero/Backup Girl). She is thrilled to be involved in Polyphone for a second year!
Winnie Milisavljevic (O’Malleys)
Cassidy Summerville (O'Malleys)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include, First Year Event 2023.
Alex Farb (Hap Arnold, Ensemble)
Quintin Frey (Dickie Lawrence, Ensemble)(he/him) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include First Year Event. He would like to thank all of his friends and family for supporting him throughout this journey. Endless thanks to the entire Sweetwater team for always being so supportive.
Carter Harvey (Mr. Hayes, Ensemble)(he/him) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include First year Event. Regional: Guys and Dolls(MVHS), Big Fish(FAKC) . Thank you to my family and friends!
Ella MacLaren (Quinn, Ensemble)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include the First Year Event and JesusxJudas: The Untitled Lesbian Play.
Emma Price (Walker, Ensemble)
Rocco Pugliese (Sgt. James Ashe, Ensemble)(he/him) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include The Untitled Cherry Orchard Project and Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812. Many thanks to his family and friends who have supported him all the way!
Mark Simons (Ronan, Ensemble) is a Freshman Musical Theater major at University of the Arts. Past UArts credits include The Masque of the Red Death. They wish forever thanks to the creators of the show for their phenomenal work on the show and for allowing them to bring it to life.
Brooke Dusseau (Ensemble)(she/they) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Act One: First Year Exhibition and The Masque of The Red Death. She is so excited to be making her Polyphone debut! So much love and gratitude for everyone who has supported her.
Lainie Moniz (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Originally from California, she's made her way to the East Coast to continue her artistic training here at Uarts. Notable past roles include Fiona in Shrek the Musical and Vivienne in Legally Blonde (CMTSJ). Many thanks to her friends, family, and all who have supported her throughout this journey.
Meredith Trzaskawka (Ensemble)(she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include the First Year Event this past winter. She wants to thank the cast and crew for all their amazing work, and her friends and family for their love and support!
BAND
Christa Jones (Keys)
Bryana Crockett (Drums)
Otis Koller (Bass)
Leith Jehu (Guitar)
Music for bar scene performed by and created in collaboration with: Brooke Dusseau, Lainie Moniz, Meredith Trzaskawka, Mark Simons
About: As World War II shakes the nation, sisters Beth and Frankie journey to Sweetwater, Texas, where they join with women from across the country to fly for the US Army Air Forces. Though they master 77 types of planes and become among the first to test the new B-29 bomber, these pilots know all too well they risk their lives every day without the benefit of military status. Frankie, Beth, and the others must decide how to serve a country that needs their skills but refuses to fully acknowledge their sacrifice – and how to honor the sisters they have found in the process.
From the fringes of the history books, Sweetwater brings the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) center stage in a story of duty, love, sisterhood, and the joys and costs that come with being pioneers.
Content Disclosures: Sweetwater contains allusions to war, combat, violence, and the atrocities of WWII and the Holocaust as well as references to death, grief, physical risk, and danger.
The piece engages with and honors the struggles this group of pilots faced in the 1940s, including covert and overt forms of racism and misogyny.
Sweetwater is not intended to be a docu-drama. Historical events and stories have been interpreted and ellided to give us a glimpse into this group’s journey from 1938-1944. Though several of our characters (such as Jackie Cochran and Hap Arnold) were indeed real people, their stories have been distilled and filtered through the lens of time and story for this piece. The rest of our characters are fictional creations inspired by various combinations of the words, spirits, and lives of pilots who served as WASP and beyond – they are impressionistic paintings, not black and white photographs. We dedicate this piece to them, and recognize that we are a group of artists in 2024 channeling the whispers of a story from the margins of history 80 years ago. We are grateful to “sing” a version of their song for a moment – and we hope it inspires you to listen to the radio waves a little differently yourself – to “tune into” their story and explore it more on your own as well.
Additional Resources:
For more information on the WASP or to plan a trip to Sweetwater yourself, visit:
For more information on how you can support female pilots:
If you'd like to talk to us more about Sweetwater, please email us at sweetwatermusical@gmail.com
Polyphone 10th Anniversary Concert
Directed by James Bruenger-Arreguin
Music Direction by Joey Rice
PRODUCTION TEAM
James Bruenger-Arreguin (Director)
Carly Dagilis (Assistant Director)
Kereni Sanchez (Stage Manager)
Selena Luca (Assistant Stage Manager)
Joey Rice (Music Director)
Finn Powers (Assistant Curator & Scenic Coordinator)(they/them) is a Junior Directing, Playwriting and Production Major. Past UArts credits: Cherry Orchard, Crimson Lit, Fun Home, My Mother Once Read, Woyzeck, Ballyturk. Regional: Buyer and Cellar (Northern Stage), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Artistree), Bakkhai (Edinburgh Fringe).
Pam White (Dramaturg)(she/her) is a Freshman Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts credits include The Bullet in the Brain (ASM) and Norma Jeane (ASM). Many thanks to Finn Powers and Maggie-Kate Coleman for being an amazing team.
Emmanuel "Manny" Garcia (Lighting Designer)
Ethan Paone (Audio Engineer)
Alex Dembner (Spotlight Operator)
Camden Westfall (Spotlight Operator)
Asher Vaglica (Deck Crew)
CAST
Osyrus Brewer
Carly Dagilis (she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major and very excited to be a part of the Polyphone 10th Anniversary Concert! Past UArts credits include ...The Great Comet of 1812, Horse Girls, Esther's Play about Esther’s Play and the Director’s Workshop presentation of Dryland. WDWWR. For Grandpa.
Bryant Fleming
Julia Hancock (she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Ann Carswell (Norton I) in the 2023 Polyphone Festival. Much love to family and friends.
Eleanor Hannan is a Freshman Musical Theater major and is so excited to be a part of Polyphone 10th Anniversary Concert! Past credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla), Heathers (Heather Duke), 42nd Street (Dorothy), and Cinderella (Marie). Instagram: @eleanor.hannan
Riley Irvine is a Senior Musical Theater major. UArts credits include Urinetown, Eat the Rich, Audrey!, Norma Jeane (Equinox New Play Festival), and Chasing Olives (upcoming). Regional: Mamma Mia (Stumptown Stages). @realrileyirvine.
Wana St. Louis is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. Her past UArts Credit was the Black Excellence Showcase (University of the Arts Ballet Ensemble Member). Wana loves dancing and is apart of the following university's dance teams: Chaos, UBE & The New Era. Her Social is @superstar.w2a on Instagram. She's grateful for UArts.
Isabel Lucio Penn (they/them, he/him) is a Senior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Felipillo, My Mother Once Read, Great Comet. Much love to my family, boyfriend, dear friends, and anyone who's supported me and helped me thrive these past 3 years- you know who you are! That's all, folks <3
Luke Perkins is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Egeus), Felipillo (Friar Vincente), and The Sweet Hereafter (Wendell Walker/Abbott Driscoll). Break legs to all!
Stevie Reynolds is a Junior Acting major and Musical Theater minor. Previous credits include The Burial At Thebes (Haemon), Hamlet (Player King) and Equinox 2022’s A Little Death (Ensemble).
Isabella (Belle) Salvatore (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Polyphone again this year! Past UArts credits include A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Moth, u/s Hermia), Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Grisha), and Assistant Stage Managing In The Green. Other: June In A Parallel Universe: In Concert, Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and Scrooge The Musical. Instagram: @bellesalvatore_
Maddy Wendell
GUEST PERFORMERS
Truth Future Bachman
Arielle Faye Beane
Daniel Henri Emond
elle.morris
BAND
Joey Rice (Keyboard/Conductor)
John McDermott (Bass)
Mollie Schechter (Percussion)
Alec Charon (Guitar)
SELECTIONS IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE
“Don’t Stop Me” from Don’t Stop Me (2020)
Book by Krista Knight // Music by Dave Malloy // Lyrics by Krista Knight & Dave Malloy
“Why Do Female Characters Always Gotta Die?” from TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix (2020)
Book by EllaRose Chary // Music by Brandon James Gwinn // Lyrics by EllaRose Chary & Brandon James Gwinn
“The Whale” from Kill the Whale (2021)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Daniel Henri Emond
“All I Need” from Folk Wandering (2017)
Conceived by Jaclyn Backhaus & Andrew Neisler // Book & Lyrics byJaclyn Backhaus
Music & Additional Lyrics by Blake Allen, Mike Brun, Andrew R. Butler, Joel Esher, Alex Fast, Jo Lampert, & Annie Tippe
“Who Doesn’t Love a Baby” from The Material World (2016)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Dan Fishback
“Hardly Matters” from Red and Black (2020)
Concept & Book by Sheridan Merrick & Nick Hatcher // Music & Lyrics by Sheridan Merrick & David Thomas
With additional materials by Jared Chichester, Courtney Lynn Bird, & Hallie Nowicki
“Truth Trapped in My Throat” from Akira and the Merpeople (2020)
Book & Lyrics by Claire Tran // Music by Teresa Lotz
“Whatever” from Normativity (2017)
Book, Music & Lyrics by Jaime Jarrett
“Tactics for When the Panic Set In” from The Elementary Spacetime Show (2015)
Music & Lyrics by César Alvarez // Book by César Alvarez & Emily Orling
“Canyons” from Cowboy Bob (2018)
Created by Molly Beach Murphy, Jeanna Phillips & Annie Tippe // Music & Lyrics by Jeanna Phillips
Book & Additional Lyrics by Molly Beach Murphy // Additional Music by Alex Thrailkill
“9 Billion Spirits” and “Resist, Persist” from Shapeshifters (2021)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Truth Future Bachman
“I Can’t Stay” from Dr. Mr. C (2022)
Book, Music, & Additional Lyrics by Tidtaya Sinutoke // Lyrics by Lily Ali-Oshatz & Naomi Matlow
“Home No Good” from Annie Salem: An American Tale (2016)
Book by Rachel Chavkin // Music by Heather Christian // Lyrics by Heather Christian & Rachel Chavkin
“Home is Your Base” from Wits (2023)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by C&C Inniss
“Maybe (Worth a Shot)” from Retrograde (2018)
Book & Lyrics by Sav Souza // Music by Sarah Flaim
“Let’s Party” from White Girl in Danger (2018)
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson
“Firebomb” from The Total Bent (2015)
Book & Lyrics by Stew // Music by Heidi Rodewald & Stew
“Know My Name” from Marie in Tomorrow Land (2019)
Created by MK Coleman, Erato A. Kremmyda & Sam Pinkleton
Book & Lyrics by MK Coleman // Music by Erato A. Kremmyda
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