March 4 - 13, 2022 Streaming March 14 27 - New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts - New Hazlett Theater
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March 4 - 13, 2022 New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts Streaming March 14 - 27
Dear Patrons,
Welcome to Prime Stage Theatre. We are pleased to have you join us for
A Wrinkle in Time, in person at the theatre or by a recorded streaming
Link in your home or in the classroom.
We continue our commitment to making theater experiences more than
seeing plays. Each production is designed to entertain, engage, and
enrich you as we bring works of literature and stories to life along with
special guest. This is the 60th Anniversary of the Book A Wrinkle in Time
being published, and we are honored to welcome Charlotte Jones Voiklis,
the granddaughter of Madeleine L’Engle for a special virtual post-show
discussion on March 11th.
Through our Accessibility Programs, we make theater accessible and enjoyable for all audiences with Audio
Described, Signed Interpreted and Sensory Inclusive performances.
We are grateful for those who support our programs. Their generosity helps Prime Stage continue being a
cultural and educational asset of the region. Your individual support that includes letting others know about
Prime Stage, keeping our ticket prices affordable, programs accessible, and productions at the highest quality.
Thank you for being an important patron of Prime Stage Theatre. We look forward to seeing you at the
theatre or online.
Sincerely,
Martha Trombold, President
Prime Stage Board of Directors
The mission of Prime Stage is to entertain, inspire and enrich
through professional theatre by bringing literature to life.
Our vision is enriching lives through theatre and literacy with programs
that delivers quantifiable results and benefits to the region.
Prime Stage Theatre
Presents
A Wrinkle in Time
Adapted from the Novel by Madeleine L’Engle
Written by Brian Wongchaowart
and Wayne Brinda, Ed.D.
Directed by Sunny Disney Fitchett
Chelsea Bartel
Colin Bozick
Piper Bozick
John Dolphin
Jayden Greening
Heather Irwin
Ponny Conomos Jahn
Mary Meyer
Joyce Miller
Choreographed by Shana Simmons
Devan Cochell
Mairead Roddy
Sami Roth
Production Manager Technical Director Scenic Designer
Kate Pieratt-Webb Alex Barnhart M.K. Hughes
Lighting Designer Sound Designer & Composer Costume Designer
J.R. Shaw Mark Whitehead Kimberly Brown
Properties Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager
Carly Trimble-Long Brittany Joseph Britt Kolek
A Wrinkle in Time is produced by special arrangement with Crosswicks, Ltd.
and Stage Partners. (www.yourstagepartners.com)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle © 1962 Crosswicks, Ltd. All rights Reserved.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L’Engle’s fantastical journey that blends science fiction with family themes and spiritual
growth has been re-imagined for our day. Join three youngsters as they experience a riveting
adventure through space and time to rescue their father and help Good triumph over Evil.
THE CAST
In Alphabetical Order
Aunt Beast & Happy Medium ........................................................................ Chelsea Bartel
Charles Wallace Murry....................................................................................... Colin Bozick
Meg Murry .........................................................................................................Piper Bozick
Mr Murry & Man with the Red Eye ................................................................. John Dolphin
Calvin O’Keefe ............................................................................................ Jayden Greening
Mrs Murry ....................................................................................................... Heather Irwin
Mrs Which ...........................................................................................Ponny Conomos Jahn
Mrs Whatsit ...................................................................................................... Mary Meyer
Mrs Who ............................................................................................................ Joyce Miller
Dancer ............................................................................................................ Devan Cochell
Dancer .......................................................................................................... Mairead Roddy
Dancer ................................................................................................................... Sami Roth
Setting: 1962, a small town on Earth and the vast Universe
Run Time: Approximately 2 hours with one intermission
ARTISTIC AND DESIGN STAFF
Director .............................................................................................. Sunny Disney Fitchett
Choreographer .............................................................................................Shana Simmons
Production Manager ............................................................................... Kate Pieratt-Webb
Technical Director ........................................................................................... Alex Barnhart
Scenic Designer ................................................................................................. M.K. Hughes
Lighting Designer ................................................................................................... J.R. Shaw
Sound Designer & Composer ..................................................................... Mark Whitehead
Costume Designer ....................................................................................... Kimberly Brown
Properties Designer ................................................................................ Carly Trimble-Long
Scenic Painter & Master Carpenter .............................................................. Michael Boone
Stage Manager ............................................................................................. Brittany Joseph
Assistant Stage Manager/Wardrobe ................................................................... Britt Kolek
Master Carpenter & Scenic Painter .............................................................. Michael Boone
Master Electrician and Light Board Operator ........................................... Madeline Barber
Sound Board Operator ................................................. Staff from the New Hazlett Theater
Audio Describer ........................................................................................... Nathan Ruggles
Signed Interpreters .......................................................... Jennifer Flaggs and Heather Gray
Box Office Manager ............................................................................................Phoebe Orr
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs,
either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices
such as cellular phone, beepers, and watches.
PRIME STAGE THEATRE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
Carnegie Mellon Theatre Department
University of Pittsburgh Theatre Department
Stage 62
Spotlight Costumes and Staff
Techniques by Toni
Charlotte Jones Voiklis
The New Hazlett Staff & Ushers
Prime Stage Staff and Volunteer
ACCESSIBILITY
AUDIO DESCRIPTION PERFORMANCE
Second Fridays of each production with On-Stage Pre-Show, Actor Voice ID, and/or Touch Tour at
7:00PM, Audio Pre-Show at 7:45PM, and Performance at 8:00PM
Audio Description (or AD) helps to make visual imagery accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Visual elements can include costumes, sets, and character appearances, along with action, gestures, facial
expressions, and other visually important images. It’s used to enhance understanding and enjoyment of live
performance.
This equipment was made available to the community thanks to the
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council through a grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
ASL SIGNED INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
Second Saturday of each production at 8:00 PM. We are pleased to offer American Sign Language
interpreted performances with two certified interpreters, Heather Gray and Jennifer Flaggs. We also
encourage students studying sign language to attend for observation.
CLOSED CAPTION PERFORMANCE
Recorded Streaming, our closed captions are a text version of the spoken part of a of the
production and is used to aid hearing-impaired people and is useful when audio cannot be heard.
SENSORY INCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE
Recorded Streaming during Covid Restrictions. Our Sensory Inclusive Performance is a family
experience. We provide a social story with pre-theater preparatory activities for the person with
a sensory, social, or learning disability so the person begins to understand and anticipate what
might happen at a performing arts experience.
For all in-person performances our patrons have access to Sensory bags that are designed to assist the needs of
both adults and children. The bags are filled with items that may help lessen sensory overload and engage. The
bag items are also easily cleaned and sterilized for multiple uses.
Prime Stage Theatre staff is certified for Sensory Inclusive with KultureCity
THE AUTHOR
Madeleine was born on November 29th, 1918. She was the only child of artistic
parents. Her mother, Madeleine Bennett Camp, was a pianist, and her father,
Charles Wadsworth Camp, was a critic, writer and foreign correspondent.
Madeleine spent her formative years in New York City. Instead of her school work,
she found that she would much rather be writing stories, poems and journals for
herself, which was reflected in her grades (not the best). She was, infact, branded
as stupid by some of her teachers. However, she was not discouraged.
At age 12, she moved to the French Alps with her parents and went to an English
boarding school where her passion for writing continued to grow. She flourished
during her high school years back in the United States at Ashley Hallin Charleston,
South Carolina. She went to Smith College and studied English with some
wonderful teachers as she read the classics and continued her own creative writing.
She graduated with honors and moved into a Greenwich Village apartment in New York.
She worked in the theater as an understudy and performed small parts on Broadway. Equity union pay and a
flexible schedule afforded her the time to write! She published her first two novels during these years, A Small
Rain and Ilsa, before meeting Hugh Franklin, her future husband. They eventually moved to Connecticut to raise
their children away from the city. They lived in a small dairy farm village with more cows than people. They
bought a drab general store and brought it to life for 9 years before returning to the city in 1959.
There was a period throughout her 30s when L’Engle wasn’t being published. Fearing more rejection, she vowed
to give up writing by her 40th birthday. Then, during a family road trip, she dreamed up the idea for her most
famous work, A Wrinkle in Time, and kept writing.
Since its publication in 1962, A Wrinkle in Time has sold more than 10 million copies and has inspired at least
two movies: a made-for-television version in 2003 and a big-screen adaptation directed by Ava DuVernay in 2018.
After Hugh’s death in 1986, it was her writing and lecturing that kept her going. She wrote over 60 books before
passing away on September 6, 2007.
She won many awards for writing, including several Newbery Metal honors, the Smith College Award "for service
to community or college which exemplifies the purposes of liberal arts education", the Sophia Award for
distinction in her field, the ALAN Award for outstanding contribution to adolescent literature and the National
Humanities Medal. In 1985 she was a guest speaker at the Library of Congress, giving a speech entitled "Dare to
be Creative!" In 1997 she was recognized for Lifetime Achievement from the World Fantasy Awards.
Information sourced from http://www.madeleinelengle.com/ madeleine-lengle/
https://www.smith.edu/news/14-facts-madeleine-lengle
SPECIAL GUEST
Charlotte Jones Voiklis (Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter) Charlotte is the
executor of her estate. She is the co-author with Jennifer Adams of A Book, Too, Can
Be a Star (October 2022), a picture book biography illustrated by Adelina Lirius; and,
with her sister, Léna Roy, of Becoming Madeleine (2018), a biography for middle
grade readers. She wrote the afterword to the 50th Anniversary edition of A Wrinkle
in Time, and the introduction to The Moment of Tenderness (2020), a collection of
short stories. Charlotte has also written and spoken of her grandmother’s work to a
variety of audiences. With a PhD in Comparative Literature, Charlotte’s work
experience includes teaching, fundraising, communications, and grant making. She
has been a volunteer mediator in the New York City court system. Charlotte lives in
New York and Connecticut with her husband and has two grown children.
Photo Credit: Amy DruckerDIRECTOR
Sunny Disney Fitchett (Director) Sunny is delighted and grateful to have been
invited to participate in this collaboration of such remarkable designers, actors,
leadership and crew for her first time with Prime Stage Theatre. Sunny is a
director, teacher and playwright, and served as the Artistic Director of Little
Lake Theatre Company for 23 years, accumulating directing, acting or
playwriting credits for 134 mainstage and 65 plays for young audiences.
Favorite directing credits include Our Town; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and
Spike; Mauritius; The Cat in the Hat; God of Carnage; Chesapeake; The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever; Children of a Lesser God; The Syringa Tree; The Trip to
Bountiful; Morning's at Seven; Eleemosynary; The Heiress; and The Subject Was
Roses. Sunny is the recipient of the Stanier Arts Award for her original work for
young audiences, My Lunch Table, for the Pittsburgh International Children's
Theatre Festival and had several original works commissioned by Gateway to
the Arts for educational touring. For this 60th anniversary of A Wrinkle in Time,
Sunny sends a heartfelt, heavenly shout-out to Madeleine L'Engle for her gift of this everlasting story of family,
hope and, above all, the power of love--and a shout-out to Rob and Ben, coincidently, for the power of their
love.
DIRECTOR NOTES
I have a confession. I am not a reader of sci-fi or fantasy. I can’t name
many superheroes. Please, Universe, don’t scold me but I’ve read, only,
the first Harry Potter. So, when I was approached to direct this play, I knew
I would be stepping into a genre I knew little about.
Would I connect with this girl who would be tessering through wrinkles of
time and space to rescue her father from IT and the powers of the
Darkness? Would a novel, published 50 years ago, have something
relevant to say to me today? The reader in me wanted to respect it. After
all, it won the prestigious Newbery Medal. But when I picked up
Madeleine L’Engle’s novel for the first time, I sighed and thought, “Well,
okay. Here goes.”
“It was a dark and stormy night.” Wait! What??? This is the story that line
comes from?!
That was only the first discovery.
I fell in love with Meg, and Charles Wallace, and Calvin, and the Murrys. They are real, with flaws and
eccentricities and powerful, true love for one another. And Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which?! Are there
stronger, wiser, bolder, quirkier, more forthright characters ever written? Wouldn’t you want one of them to
tumble into your life to be your guardian angel?!
The journeys that Meg resists, not just the one that tessers her through the universe but, especially, the one
that reveals authentic self-discovery were familiar and compelling. I felt safe with these characters and, from
deep within my heart, rooted for them on the edge of my seat in the face of evil and danger.
In the context of confronting the Darkness of this pandemic, a climate of contentious politics, and such looming
environmental threats, it is a deep breath of fresh air for me, hopeful and life-affirming, to celebrate this victory
with Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin. Their story—I-ate-it-up! I hope you will too.CHOREOGRAPHER
Shana Simmons (Choreographer) Shana is from Point Park University with
a BA in Dance in 2003 and MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban
Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London, England. Simmons lived in New
York City and performed with choreographers such as Noemie Lafrance
"Agora", Alexandra Beller, Tomé Cousin, bigGRITS dance co, Debra
Wanner/Amy Larimer, Amanda Drozer, and was a company member of
white road dance media. Whilst in New York, Simmons was chosen to
present work at the HATCH Series twice, through Jennifer Muller Works.
Simmons also taught for the Internationally acclaimed National Dance
Institute, founded by Jacques D’Amboise, for three years.
Simmons has presented work in Belgium, London, New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Pittsburgh. SHANA
SIMMONS DANCE (SSD), founded in 2009, has presented at APAP, pearlPRESENTS Dance Festival, the Next Stage
Residency, SpringUP Dance Festival, New Moves Festival, The Three Rivers Arts Festival, Revêrie Festival, and
Evolve Productions. Simmons has been commissioned by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Texture
Contemporary Ballet, the VALEES Educational Conference, the Leadership Illinois Conference, and Point Park
University for both choreographic and full-length productions. SSD has been producing works in Pittsburgh since
2012: Relative Positions (2012), a multi- disciplinary building take over featuring over 12 commissioned artists,
PASSENGER (2014), performed at the National Aviary highlighting themes of extinction and environmental
concerns, Objective I (2015), a collaboration with The Moving Architects (NYC) experimenting with editing in
dance, The Missing Peace (2018), a full length work featuring three choreographers and grappling with social
issues such as Alzheimer’s Disease, suicide prevention, and struggles with self-identity, and ELEVATE (2019), a
triple bill three-city tour featuring three female run dance companies and highlighting themes of female
empowerment. SSD has received support from the Heinz Small Arts Initiative, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and
PACE Capacity Building.
Most recently, the company received a grant award through the Arts. Equity. Reimagined. application for a
collaborative project to discuss race and age diversity in dance, generating discussions related to the Pittsburgh
dance scene and ways of creating sustainable futures for dancers here in Pittsburgh. The companies (SSD, Bianca
Johnson & Dancers, Chrisala Brown, and XRconnectED) filmed three works in 360-degree format, creating a new
virtual work blending different dance styles, with community at its core center. Simmons has been a nominee
for the Carol R Brown Award (2016), received Pittsburgh’s Best Dance award (2014, 2015, 2018) and
independently teaches within the community as well as Adjunct Faculty at Point Park University and Seton Hill
University. Simmons is excited to work with her first production of Prime Stage Theatre.
www.shanasimmonsdance.comCAST MEMBERS HEADSHOTS Chelsea Bartel Colin Bozick Piper Bozick John Dolphin Jayden Greening Heather Irwin Ponny Conomos Jahn Mary Meyer Joyce Miller Devan Cochell Mairead Roddy Sami Roth
ACTOR BIOGRAPHIES
Chelsea Bartel (Aunt Beast/Happy Medium/Ensemble) Chelsea is delighted to finally be back on stage again with
Prime Stage Theatre! You may have seen her on the New Hazlett stage before in The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs.
Van Daan), All Quiet on the Western Front (Joseph Behm/Recruit), To Kill a Mockingbird (Stephanie Crawford),
and Animal Farm (Clover). She is also thrilled to be working with director, Sunny Fitchett, again after Morning’s
at Seven (Myrtle) with South Park Theatre. She has worked with many other theatre companies around the
Pittsburgh area over the years, like The Theatre Factory, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, and more! Favorite
credits: Next to Normal (Diana Goodman), American Idiot (Whatsername), Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson)
(Suzy), Legally Blonde (Vivienne), Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), The Addams Family (Alice Beineke). Chelsea is
a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and performed in many shows with Scotch‘n’Soda Theatre,
including Moon Over Buffalo (Charlotte Hay). Chelsea wishes to thank everyone who has given her a chance to
shine, and like the late Mary Tyler Moore, “she’s gonna make it after all”. chelseabartel.com
Colin Bozick (Charles Wallace Murry) Colin is a ten-year-old fifth grade student at Markham Elementary School
in Mt. Lebanon. He started acting in 2020 and is a regular performer at South Park Children’s Theatre having
performed in Jingle Bell Jukebox (Nicholas), My Sister the Dragon (Prince Marcus), and The Lights of Jingle Bell
Hill (Mayor). Colin is currently studying American Sign Language for his upcoming performance in Captain Louie,
Jr. at Little Lake Theatre in conjunction with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. He is excited to make
his debut with Prime Stage Theatre playing the little brother, Charles Wallace, alongside his real big sister, Piper.
His hobbies outside of acting include baseball, football, chess, and any game someone will play with him. He’d
like to thank his family for all of their love and support!
Piper Bozick (Meg Murry) Piper is a fourteen-year-old freshman at Mt. Lebanon High School. She started acting
in 2019 and is thrilled to be playing Meg in A Wrinkle in Time - her first production with Prime Stage Theatre!
Her past productions include Madeline’s Christmas (Regine), Pan! (Smee), The Princess and the Ogre (Nurse
Josepine), Jingle Bell Jukebox (Ruby), My Sister, The Dragon (Quenton), and Puss in Boots (Gabrielle). She loves
everything about performing and especially enjoys it when she is able to act with her brother and sister onstage!
A regular at South Park Theatre and Little Lake Theatre, she is currently working on a project partnering with the
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Little Lake’s production of Captain Louie, Jr. When not acting, Piper
enjoys spending time with her family, reading, singing, and skiing. She would like to thank her family for all of
their love and support and the cast and crew for this amazing opportunity!
John Dolphin (Mr Murry, Man with the Red Eyes, Ensemble) John’s acting career has come full circle in recent
months. He spent the first half of his life working as an actor before taking a 23-year stint as a high school English
teacher and is now back in front of the lights with Wrinkle. Most recently, John appeared in the Young Playwrights
Festival at City Theatre where he was seen as The Old Man in Bird Without a Nest and Tom in A Boring Street in
the Middle of Nowhere. Prior to that he was seen at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival where he performed the
role of Warren in Warren and the Polar Bear. Previous credits include productions at the Studio Arena Theatre in
Buffalo, where he also worked as a teaching artist, as well as productions at the Off-Center Theatre, The New
Theatre, and the American Folk Theatre in NYC. He would like to thank Prime Stage for this exciting opportunity.
Jayden Greening (Calvin O’Keefe) Jayden is an 8th-grade Theatre major at Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing
Arts Middle School. Jayden is also a student at Pittsburgh Musical Theater where he has performed in multiple
productions including Bye Bye Birdie, Footloose, Fiddler on the Roof, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and
more. He is thrilled to be joining the cast of A Wrinkle in Time for his first Prime Stage production.
“I don't understand it any more than you do, but one thing I've learned
is that you don't have to understand things for them to be.”
― Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in TimeACTOR BIOGRAPHIES
Heather Irwin (Ms Murry) Heather is delighted to be working with Prime Stage Theatre and this collection of
talented artists for A Wrinkle in Time. This is her fourth Prime Stage production after Mockingbird (Mrs.
Johnson), Scarlet Letter (Goodwife 1) and The Diary of Anne Frank (Meip Gies). Recent Pittsburgh credits include
Myra in Hiawatha Project’s My Traveling Song, City Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival and 12
Peer’s Mythburgh. Chicago credits include Heddatron and Strangerland (Sideshow Theatre Co), The Lady’s Not
For Burning and Private Eyes (NEIU Center Stage) and Night Caps (Lincoln Square Theater). She has performed
in two national tours with The Hampstead Stage Company (Barnstead NH). Heather is the Associate Artistic
Producer for Hiawatha Project and was part of the creative production team for My Traveling Song at Carnegie
Stage in 2019 and JH: Mechanics of a Legend at the August Wilson Center 2017. You can also catch her recent
film and commercial work with Red Slate's Straight & Narrow, UPMC, MedExpress, and GetGo. Heather is a
graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and mom of three.
Ponny Conomos Jahn (Mrs Which) is a proud Pittsburgh native who has worked professionally as an actor,
instructor, and stage director for 26 years. She is thrilled to make her Prime Stage debut with one of her favorite
stories from childhood. Ponny has had many theatre adventures tessering all over the globe – including
performing with Prague Ensemble Theatre (which she co-founded as Producing Director), Buffalo Theatre
Ensemble in Chicago, Player’s Theatre Columbus, and Pittsburgh Public Theater. Television credits include ABC’s
Emmy-Award winning ANNE FRANK – THE WHOLE STORY. She is a passionate teacher and director who has been
commissioned as a theatre artist-in-residence for schools both in the US and Eastern Europe. Locally, she has
taught for Act One Theatre School, CCAC, Center for Theatre Arts, and for Little Lake Theatre. Ponny holds a
Master’s Degree in Theatre Performance and Dramatic Literature from Northwestern University and further
trained at Circle in the Square in NYC. She was also fortunate enough to study with her professional idol during
the summer of 1997: the magnificent Uta Hagen. Love and thanks to Arne, Chris, Kella & Sofia. Break legs to this
wonderful cast and crew!
Mary Meyer (Mrs Whatsit) Mary is delighted to be performing with Prime Stage! In addition to Mrs Whatsit,
some of her favorite roles in the area have been Sonia in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike; Sarah Goodwin
in Time Stands Still; and Claire in Proof, at Little Lake Theatre. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Mary performed in
several theatres in Chicago and Michigan. She has a BA in Theatre Performance and is also a graduate of The
Second City Conservatory Program in Chicago. Mary is thankful to David, Will and Ben for their love and support!
Joyce Miller (Mrs Who/Ensemble) Joyce is grateful to be returning for her fifth production with Prime Stage
having appeared previously as Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap, Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible, Mrs. Dubose in To
Kill a Mockingbird, and Goodwife #5 in The Scarlet Letter. She enjoys working with a number of local theater
companies including Little Lake Theatre, South Park Theater, Old Schoolhouse Players, Thoughline Theater
Company, and Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Favorite roles include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda Wingfield),
Arsenic & Old Lace (Martha Brewster), Love, Loss & What I wore (Gingy), Romeo & Juliet (the Nurse), and A
Comedy of Tenors (Maria). She'd like to thank our gifted director, Sunny Disney Fitchett, for the opportunity to
work with our exceptional cast and crew
“The most memorable books from our childhoods
are those that make us feel less alone, convince us
that our own foibles and quirks are both as individual
as a finger-print and as universal as an open hand.”
― Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in TimeDANCE ENSEMBLE BIOGRAPHIES Devan Cochell (Dancer) Devan grew up dancing in the Pacific Northwest at Dance Fusion Northwest, located in Vancouver, WA. She studied contemporary, jazz, tap, ballet, and modern for 11 years under the direction of Carla Kendall-Bray. She has been a part of over 20 original productions with Dance Fusion and her favorite role was the lead guardian angel in their winter show. Devan graduated from high school while earning an Associate of Arts degree at Clark College and is currently attending the Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts as a dance major with a concentration in modern. She also teaches contemporary and ballet classes at Academy of Dance by Lori. In the future, Devan hopes to be in a contemporary or modern-based company. When she’s not dancing or working, she likes to spend time with her dogs, friends, and family. Mairead Roddy (Dancer) Mairead is delighted to be making her Prime Stage Theatre debut and to be working alongside many old friends and new. A ‘burgh native, Mairead grew up in Mt. Lebanon and graduated from Point Park University in 2019 with a BA in Theatre Arts. Some of her favorite performances include Arcadia, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Cabaret with Little Lake Theatre, Coram Boy with Point Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company, and The Island with The Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Mairead would like to thank Sunny Disney Fitchett and Shana Simmons for a wonderful opportunity to help bring a timeless and magical story to life. She sends extra love and gratitude to her Mom and Dad for their boundless patience and support. Sami Roth (Dancer) Sami is a Senior BFA in Acting Major with a Minor in Dance at Point Park University, She is thrilled to be making her Prime Stage debut. She has previously focused on film work through Point Park University and SCAD, and teaching dance. This summer, she will be working as a choreographer for the French Woods Theatre Festival in New York. Outside of film, she is frequently seen in theatre productions in Pittsburgh, including Everybody at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, her self-written and directed production Timmy...you're muted, and Gloria through Pinnacle Productions. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her and hopes you enjoy the show! @sami.roth
ARTISTIC AND DESIGN STAFF BIOGRAPHIES Madeline Barber (Master Electrician/Light Board Operator) Madeline is happy to be back with Prime Stage Theatre! Recent credits as Master Electrician include Karloff, The Outsiders, and The Scarlet Letter. Madeline currently works at Point Park University, where she is the Technical Coordinator for the George Rowland White Dance Complex, as well as an adjunct Dance faculty member teaching technical production. When she’s not teaching the next generation of creators and doers, Madeline is at home cooking with her fur kid Ginger. Kimberly Brown (Costume Designer) Kim holds Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Kim has been designing costumes for Prime Stage since 2014 and “Wrinkle In Time” marks her 21st production with the company. An award-winning costume designer and makeup artist, Kim is the president of Spotlight Costumes LLC located in Pittsburgh’s West End. Kim’s industry experience includes local and national professional and amateur theatres, opera, theme parks and touring productions. Thank you for supporting Prime Stage as it brings “literature to life” through live and video productions! Jennifer Flaggs (Signed Interpreter) Jennifer has been an interpreter for twenty-five years and currently teaches for and coordinates the ASL-English Interpreting Program at the Community College of Allegheny County. She earned her Master's in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh where she received her ASL training. She received her theater training at the Theater Development Fund's Interpreting for the Theater Program at Juilliard. She is very excited to be a part of live theater again and among the company of her beloved peers. Heather Gray (Signed Interpreter) Heather is a certified ASL Interpreter, working with the Deaf community for nearly 25 years. She earned her BA from The University of Pittsburgh, where she was the 1997 Homecoming Queen, a Herald Trumpet, and studied ASL under the late Karen Walkney Mrdjenovich. She holds an MA from Duquesne University. Heather is an award-winning actor, published and award-winning writer, and her photography has been seen online and in printed publications. M.K. Hughes Scenic Designer M.K. is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a MFA in Scenic Design for the Theater. She is currently a visiting artist in scenic properties and design at the University of Pittsburgh. For the past 7 years she has been working as a freelance scenic designer, props artisan, and scenic painter at various locations, including: Point Park University in Pittsburgh (Design), Prime Stage in Pittsburgh (Props & Design), The New Hazlett Center for Performing Art in Pittsburgh (Design), the Alabama and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals (Painting), McLeod Summer Playhouse in Carbondale, IL (Props & Design), and Kansas State University (Design). www.mkhughesdesign.com Brittany Joseph (Stage Manager) Brittany is a recent graduate of Allegheny College, where they majored in Theatre and served as the Playshop Theatre’s Assistant Production Manager. In addition to their freelance work in theatre, they work part-time as an early childhood teacher. This is their first time working with Prime Stage, and they are very excited to be working with such a talented group of artists! Britt Kolek (Assistant Stage Manager) Britt is a recent graduate of the University of Mount Union (OH) where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in theatre and English. This is her first production with Prime Stage Theatre, and she is incredibly thrilled to work with a company that brings her loves of literature and theatre together. Thank you to my family and friends for the unconditional support. Kate Pieratt-Webb (Production Manager) Kate holds a degree in Dramatic Arts and History from Centre College and a MBA in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management from Point Park University. She has worked with various theatre companies in Pittsburgh and around the country including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, Front Porch Theatricals, Playhouse on the Square (Memphis, TN), and Actors Guild of Lexington (Lexington, KY). A few of her most memorable productions include Seussical the Musical, The Curious Savage, and The Wild Party. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Iron Horse Theatre Company in Ambridge, PA.
ARTISTIC AND DESIGN STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
Nathan Ruggles (Audio Describer) Nathan has served as Audio Describer (AD) for blind and visually impaired
patrons at Prime Stage since 2017. He has provided AD for production at numerous theater companies and
venues, such as Don Pasquale for The Cincinnati Opera, Nomad Hotel at City Theater, and The Lion King and
Hamilton for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Broadway Series. In addition, working with groups such as Film
Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and
the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, he has voiced, written, recorded, consulted, and
given technical support in addition to live AD. He has trained through Audio Description Access, the Audio
Description Coalition, VSA Pennsylvania, and the Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability
(LEAD). He brings to this work a unique background of professional stage acting, voice over, broadcast radio,
podcasting, arts administration, and years of experience in radio reading services for the blind and visually
impaired.
J.R. Shaw (Lighting Designer) J.R. is excited to return to Prime Stage Theater. Starting in 2009 with 12 Angry Men,
he has designed many shows for the company with highlights including The Perks of being a Wallflower, All Quiet
n the Western Front, A Lesson Before Dying, and Fahrenheit 451. He has also designed for many local theaters,
including City Theater, Opera Theater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Co. Other professional
credits include founding Phase 3 Productions, Technical Direction at The Oaks Theater, Production Manager for
the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. He recently began working for the Kelly Strayhorn Theater as Production
Manager.
Carly Trimble-Long (Properties Designer) Carly is a local Pittsburgh based freelance artist and the Technical
Director & Production Manager at Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater (PICT). Her notable credits include Properties
Designer for Prime Stage Theatre for past productions such as Karloff, The Outsiders, and The Scarlet Letter.
Other roles besides properties work are Technical Director for the summer season at Footlight Players, a Scenic
Technician at Carnegie Mellon University, and Staff Carpenter at Utah Shakespeare Festival. Carly is an Alumni
of the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University and holds a BFA: in Technical Direction &
Management.
Mark Whitehead (Sound Designer/Composer) is the founder of Saints & Poets Theater, for which he produced
and directed the world premiere of Christiane D’s Saffronia, and the Pittsburgh premieres of Sam Shepard’s The
Late Henry Moss and Donald Freed’s Secret Honor: The Last Testament of Richard M. Nixon. He was a member
of timespace, for which he produced hamletmachine, and directed 4-H Club and Insignificance. Additional
directing credits include Comfort Zone and The Revenants for Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater (PPTCO), Cry
Havoc, Taking Sides, True West and Fool for Love. Mark is Resident Sound Designer for PPTCO, a post he has also
held for The Unseam’d Shakespeare Company and The Jewish Theater of Pittsburgh, and has designed for Short
North Stage in Columbus, OH, The Ensemble Theatre in Houston, TX, The St. Louis Black Repertory, and
numerous Pittsburgh theaters. Mark’s sound was heard internationally in PPTCO’s production of Miss Julie,
Clarissa and John at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Mark has won AACTA/Onyx awards for best sound design
three years in a row for his work on PPTCO’s annual August Wilson productions. He was named best sound
designer and listed among the best directors in Pittsburgh City Paper’s 2001 theater roundup, and was named
best sound designer of 2000 by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Mark was a founding producer of The Dark Night
Cabaret performance series and has produced and directed music videos for several Pittsburgh bands. He looks
forward to producing and designing the European premiere of August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned at
the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“It seemed to travel with her, to sweep her aloft in the power of song, so that she was
moving in glory among the stars, and for a moment she, too, felt that the words
Darkness and Light had no meaning, and only this melody was real.”
― Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in TimeUGGESTED READING LIST FROM SHALER NORTH HILLS LIBRARY
If this play has piqued your interest, why not check out a book or movie
and explore more? Your public libraries have many online resources you
can access from home through online services Libby, Hoopla, or Flipster!
Check your library’s website for help in getting started.
The Wrinkle in Time Quintet (which follows the Murry Family)
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
Many Waters
An Acceptable Time (published much later but referring to the Murry Family)
Read-Alike Fiction for Young Adults
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart (series)
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (series)
The Secret Explorers and the Comet Collision by S.J. King (series)
Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit (National Geographic series)
Nonfiction for Young People
Solar System by the Numbers by Steve Jenkins
Super Space Encyclopedia (Smithsonian)
Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer by Heather Alexander (biography)
Read-Alike Fiction For Adults
Dooms-day Book by Connie Willis
The Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Nonfiction For Adults
The Future of Humanity: Our Destiny in the Universe by Michio Kaku
Hidden Figures: the Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race by
Margot Shetterly
The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos by Christian
Davenport
Shaler North Hills Library | 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd | Glenshaw PA 15116 | shalerlibrary.org | 412-486-0211WE OFFER OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS WHO
SUPPORT OUR MISSION WITH THEIR GENEROSITY
Advanced Integration Group, Inc.
Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD)
American Eagle Outfitters
Brooks Education Fund of the PNC Charitable Trust
Philip Chosky foundation
Jack Buncher Foundation
Fine Foundation
Henry C. Frick Education Fund of the Buhl Foundation
The Grable Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Laurel Foundation
Massey Charitable Trust
Northwest Mutual Foundation
PACE Building Capacity Building Community
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Peoples
State Farm
TEPCO Trombold Equipment Company
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS
Bonnie Anderson Linda Haston Eric Pipitone IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Sandy Asher Kenneth Henderson Katherine Puhala Donna Burkholder Threatt
Lisa Bansavage Emily Honhart Denise Pullen Elinor Greenway
Brandy Bailey Peggy Hool Krestin Radonovich Dale & Bettie Gilliland
Enrique Bazán -Arias Linda Hurwitz Michael Rucker Daniel Styche
Paul E. Block Lonnie Jantsch Nathan Ruggles
Wayne & Connie Brinda Dennis Jerz Lynda Schuster
Kimberly Brown Karen Johnson Alan Scheller-Wolf IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
Melissa Bytner Curtis Kaminsk Debra & David Sciranka Johln Clark
Allison M. Cahill Karey Kluesne John Seidensticker Spotlight Costumes
Gladys Casasnovas Carl Krasik Vivienne Selia Techniques by Toni
Christina Cerny & family Cheryl Kubelick Morton Sellma TEPCO
Bob & Donna Chappel Kristen Kurland Christina Selover
Frances Chao Sharon Lang Heather & Tim Sendera
Kim Coles Hazel Carr Leroy Jean Slater
Mary Connolly Julie Leslie Patty Smith
Lawrence Connolly Nancy Levner Cathie & Mike Skoog
René Conrad Kelly Loeffler David Soden
Kathy & Jerry Coyne Tricia Lonughran Kayden Stockwell
David Crawford Ken & Sharon Lutz Danielle Stonehirsch
Judy & Bob Cunningham Dorothy Mrek Dan Styche
John & LouAnn Dolphin Kathy Maron-Wood Clarissa Supermam
Cindy Duch Jackie Martin Stephen Theiss
Mary Lou Ellena Eric Mathews Roxana Torres
Lisa Erb Lawerence McCullough Martha & Paul Trombold
Kathryn Erskin Susan McGrego-Laine Amber & Michael Vala
Robert Fitchett Graham McIntosh Shane Valenzi
Sunny Disney Fitchett Jenna & James Mersereau Deborah Walker
Lynne Franks Joyce & Jim Miller Dawn Walters
Mark Freeman RuthAnn Molloy Lynne Weber & Doug Sterling
Richard Garland Cara & Justin Nagel Katherine Wight
Mary Gibson Drylin Nagy Deb Wirth
Suzanne Gilliland Anne Marie Nelson Ilana Yergin
Leslie Goldstein Dimitra Papagianni Dawn Zachow
Lauren Grasser Mike Perry Nancy Zionts
Joyce Hanchulak Matt Peterson Julia Zorrato
Olivia Hartle Kate Piertt-Webb Sueanne & Enzo Zorrato
YOU CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION!
Online at www.primestage.com | By mail to Prime Stage Theatre, PO Box 99446, Pittsburgh, PA 15233PRIME STAGE THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Martha Trombold ...................................................................................................................President
Mary Lou Ellena .............................................................................................................. Vice President
Suzanne Gilliland .................................................................................................................... Secretary
Connie Brinda ........................................................................................................................ Treasurer
Enrique Bazán Wayne Brinda, Ed.D. John Dolphin
Richard Garland, MSW Mary E. Gibson, Esq. Lawrence McCullough, Ph.D.
Cara Nagel Amber Vala, Esq. Shane Valenzi, Esq.
Deborah Wirth Sueanne Zoratto
IN MEMORY OF DANIEL A. STYCHE
served on the Prime Stage Board since 2012
and was our Vice Present from 2015 – 2022
PRIME STAGE THEATRE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Wayne Brinda, Ed.D.................................................................................... Producing Artistic Director
Tina Marie Cerny ..................................................................................................... Managing Director
Linda Haston ............................................................................................................Education Director
Connie Brinda ............................................................................................................. Finance Director
Debra Sciranka......................................................................................... PR and Accessibility Director
John Dolphin .......................................................................Education Consultant & Global Classroom
Monica Stephenson .......................................................................................... Education Coordinator
Heather Sendera................................................................................... Education Box Office Manager
Kate Pieratt-Webb ................................................................................................Production Manager
Nathan Ruggles............................................................................................................ Audio Describer
John Clark ....................................................................................................................... Web Designer
Matt Henderson ................................................................................................. Social Media Director
Veda Laine ............................................................................................................. Data Base Manager
TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
The Teen Advisory Board is committed to enhance the appeal and success of Prime Stage Theatre by aiding in
the development of productions and promotions that will attract teens to experience literature through live
theatre, and to give back to the community by engaging in-service projects that benefit area youth.
Mary Dalesio ............................................................................................................................. Advisor
Sueanne Zoratto ........................................................................................................ Assistant Advisor
Madeline Dalesio Simon Nigam Grace Vensel
AMBASSADORS
Sueanne Zoratto ....................................................................................................................... Director
Brian Ceponis Dale Dalesio Mary Dalesio
Anna Fritz Mary Quinlan Bonnie WeisOUR EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
Literacy in ACTion Program (LACT)
Global Classroom Program
Student Matinees
Act 48 Workshops
Master Classes
Educational Resource Guides
High School Drama Awards
Technical Theatre Internships
The Jasmine Nyree Theatre Project
Students Together Organizing Prevention (STOP) Program
TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL
Linda Haston................................................................................................................ Education Director
Wayne Brinda, Ed.D........................................................................................ Producing Artistic Director
John Dolphin Ken Lutz Lawrence McCullough, Ph.D.
Kerry McGrath Ryan Ponzloff Heather Sendera
We believe that literacy and the theatre can lift people up, inspire opportunities, and present new ways of
seeing the world in positive ways. Effective teachers help students connect literature to their own world.
Students discover literature, enjoy reading and vicariously "live in" the literature. Talented artists bring stories
from the pages to life by providing multi-sensory experiences. Our adaptations of literature and historical figures
and programs are selected and produced to meet those goals. Prime Stage, where literature comes to life.You can also read
