STEVEN-ADAM AGDEPPA (Ensemble, he/they). Angeleno native and multi-hyphenated artist Steven is excited to return to CTG and make their Mark Taper Forum debut. Favorite Credits: On This Side of the World, Mamma Mia (East West Players), Newsies, In the Heights (La Mirada). Featured original cast album of On This Side of the World, featured VO in games and dubbing. Special thanks to Go2Talent, Deaf West, the American Idiot creative team, my family, sisters, and Nicky. Don’t forget to REGISTER AND VOTE! IG: @stadam.agdeppa
WILL BRANNER (Favorite Son, Ensemble, he/him). Will Branner has chased this show since not booking it in college. Broadway/Tour: Back To The Future (Original Broadway Company), Mean Girls (1st National Tour), Bat Out Of Hell(New York City Center, Original North American Company). Regional: October Sky (The Old Globe), West Side Story (5th Avenue). Film/TV: Nerdy Prudes Must Die (Starkid/Youtube), Dave (FX/Hulu). Love to family, HCKR, Hyphenate, and my rockstar wife. BFA University of Michigan. IG: @lordbranner.
JERUSHA CAVAZOS (Voice of Extraordinary Girl, she/any). Broadway: The Prom. Off-Broadway: Between The Lines. Regional (select): Anita at The Muny in West Side Story, Esmeralda at Dr. Phillips Center in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Mistress at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival in Evita, Maid by the Fire at Chicago Lyric Opera in Jesus Christ Superstar, Consuelo at Barrington Stage Company in West Side Story, Chiffon at Gateway Playhouse in Little Shop of Horrors. TV: ATLANTA on FX and FBI on CBS. Her original music is streaming on all platforms. @jerushacavazos
LARK DETWEILER (Ensemble, Dance Captain; they/them). Lark Detweiler is a Deaf dancer, choreographer, and musician. They are a trained dancer in a variety of styles of dance including jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet. Well known in the Los Angeles goth scene for their dancing and choreography in music videos, you can see their work in Vision Video’s music video “Stay” and Mellowcode’s “Face It.” This is their first theatrical show!
DANIEL DURANT (Johnny, he/him). FEATURES: CODA (OSCAR, BEST PICTURE, SAG Award, Sundance Award, AFI Award, HCA Spotlight Award), Flash Before The Bang, Silent Notes. BROADWAY: Spring Awakening (Moritz). SUPERBOWL VIII National Anthem, Fidelio LA Philharmonic, Semi-finalist: Dancing With The Stars. TELEVISION: Switched at Birth (Recurring, ABC ), You (Recurring), Chicago Med, Florida Man. ADDITIONAL AWARDS: Theatre Award (Outstanding 2016 Broadway Debut Performance) and Broadway.com’s "Top 10 Show-Stopping Performances of the 2015-2016 Broadway Season."
KAIA T. FITZGERALD (Extraordinary Girl, she/they). Kaia Fitzgerald is a hard of hearing actress from St. Paul, Minnesota. She is thrilled to be making her CTG and Deaf West Debut in American Idiot. Recent Credits: Skylight Music Theatre, Spring Awakening (Martha); Southern Plains Productions, Silent Sky (Henrietta Leavitt); Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Metamorphosis. Grateful to God, family, and friends. Instagram: @kaiatfitzgerald; Website: Kaiatfitzgerald.com
BRADY FRITZ (Ensemble/Swing, he/him) is thrilled to make his Center Theatre Group debut!! Recent regional credits include Neil Sadaka/The Righteous Brothers in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at La Mirada Theatre, Doody in Grease for Lythgoe Family Productions, and Ren in Footloose: The Musical for the Colony Theater. He'd like to thank his supportive family, ATB Talent Agency, Rikki Dale Management, and his Benni Boo!! Shout out to Michael Donovan and Richie Ferris for their continued support!
LANDEN GONZALES (Tunny, he/him). Landen Gonzales is a Deaf actor from the Bay Area, California and is passionate about showcasing the beauty and richness of ASL and Deaf culture. His work spans fashion, music, ASL-English translation, modeling, and advocacy. Landen proudly makes his theatrical debut with CTG and Deaf West Theatre, marking a significant milestone in his journey and for his community. Landen is profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of his family, friends, and the Deaf community. @Lxnd4n
OTIS JONES IV (Will, he/him). Otis Jones is a Deaf influencer on social media. He has collaborated with big names like Disney and Netflix, using his platform to support Deaf individuals facing communication barriers. Otis discovered his love for theatre with his experience with Fidelio, adding to his passion for sign language and music. He teaches on his platform, raising awareness about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and advocating for better understanding and inclusivity.
MILO MANHEIM (Voice of Johnny, he/him). Milo Manheim is best known for leading Disney’s acclaimed musical franchise Zombies. In addition to four Zombies films, his recent credits include Paramount+'s School Spirits, Disney+’s Prom Pact, Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, and Journey To Bethlehem, amongst others. Off screen, Milo performed in 15 musicals with Liza Monjauze Productions, as well as New York Musical Festival’s Generation Me, for which he won the 2017 NYMF Award of Excellence for Best Leading Actor. He'd like to thank his mom for letting him blast Green Day in the car during his rebellious years.
JOSUÉ MARTINEZ (Ensemble, he/him). Josué Martinez is excited to make his Deaf West Theatre debut. He’s currently a senior at Gwinnett School of the Arts in Georgia, where he recently won Best Supporting Actor in the State One-Act Play competition for his role as Pythio in Head Over Heels. His additional credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Wedding Singer. He thanks everyone who has supported his journey as a Deaf artist.
GIOVANNI MAUCERE (Swing, he/him). Giovanni Maucere has worked as Director of ASL for Deaf West Theatre productions, collaborated with Disney Music, and contributed to projects like Calum Scott’s "Biblical" music video. As a social media content creator, he shares Deaf culture with a wide audience. Giovanni holds a Master’s in Linguistics and has served as a music deaf interpreter at concerts and festivals nationwide. He recently appeared as Pizarro in LA Philharmonic’s Fidelio and continues his acting journey with American Idiot.
MASON ALEXANDER PARK (St. Jimmy, they/she). Mason Alexander Park is a nonbinary artist who can currently be seen as 'Desire' in Netflix's adaptation of The Sandman and in Luke Gilford's National Anthem. Previous roles include ‘Ian’ in NBC’s Quantum Leap and 'Gren' on Netflix's Cowboy Bebop. Mason also has a very active theatre career, most notably the title role on the first Broadway National Tour of Hedwig And The Angry Inch and The Emcee in the West End production of Cabaret.
MONIKA PEÑA (Alysha, she/her). Monika Peña is a SoCal raised performer with a degree concentrated in Zoology. Recent Credits Include: Newsies (Katherine Plumber, Musical Theatre West), On Your Feet! (Riverside Theatre), Mystic Pizza (McCoy Rigby), Oliver! (Nancy, 5-Star Theatricals), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene, Moonlight Amphitheater), and Grease (Sandy, MTW & Patty, McCoy Rigby). Other Favorite Credits: Lizzie (Lizzie Borden, Chance Theater), Violet (Violet, Chance), and Man of La Mancha (Aldonza, Candlelight Pavilion). Always for Aaron. monikapena.com @singingvettech
JAMES OLIVAS (Voice of Will, he/him). James is honored to be with Deaf West and CTG on this adventure. Onscreen work includes American Horror Stories (FX), Encore! (Disney+), The Brink Of (Respect Films). Additionally, James is a voice actor for upcoming Netflix projects and Bad Kids of Crestview Academy. Select theatre credits include Destiny of Desire (Old Globe), The Secret Garden (CTG), Kinky Boots (Hollywood Bowl), Betty Boop (NYC Workshop). Thanks to his reps at Brave and Aperture, wonderful family, and Emilia.
MARS STORM RUCKER (Whatsername, they/them). Broadway: Alline in TINA — The Tina Turner Musical (OBC); Thought 1, 2, 3 (alt) in A Strange Loop (OBC). Off-Broadway: Dasia in Amani at National Black Theatre, Madame Sisseretta (alt) in Black No More at the Signature. Film: Rochelle in Major produced by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Kel in Dreams In Nightmares. Writing collaborator/performer in Dylan Mulvaney’s Day 365! and choreographer for Blue Print dance at NBT/Rattlestick. Sound Healing EP variationsingreen out now! Thank you to my ancestors/God. @mars_the_mantis
MIA SEMPERTEGUI (Ensemble/Swing, she/her) is honored to make her CTG debut in Green Day's American Idiot. Favorite credits: Spring Awakening (Wendla at East West Players),Esperanza Rising: The Musical (Esperanza at The Wallis). Mia got her BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA and was born and raised in Queens, NY. Huge thank you to her Mom, Dad, and her DDO family. @miasempertegui
ANGEL THEORY (Ensemble). Deaf West/CTG debut. Angel is an actor, dancer, and choreographer from New York -best known for their role as a crowd-favorite, Kelly on The Walking Dead. Film/TV Credits: Bloody Axe Wound (Izzy), Kinderfanger(Olivia), and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. As a choreographer, Angel created the dance company “Stay Sage’d” to integrate ASL with choreography, bringing the deaf and hearing world together through movement. Thanks to my family and team for all their love and support!
ALI FUMIKO WHITNEY (Heather) is thrilled to be returning to the stage and making her CTG debut with Deaf West! Most recently, Ali starred alongside Harry Connick Jr. in Netflix’s hit rom com, Find Me Falling. She also stars in All My Friends Are Dead, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Other Film Credits Include: The Road Dance, Cabin Girl, and Snow Valley. Previous Stage Credits Include: In The Heights; Marilyn! The New Musical; A Little Night Music; Carrie; and Bat Boy: The Musical. She is a proud graduate of the Ray Bolger Musical Theater program at UCLA! Love to my family, Kimberly and my team at CESD! @alifumikowhitney
SNEHAL DESAI (Director, Center Theatre Group Artistic Director; he/him) was appointed Center Theatre Group's third artistic director in 2023. As an artistic leader, Snehal has sought to raise awareness of social issues that affect Angelenos through impactful and empowering storytelling. Previously, he was the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. A Soros Fellow and the recipient of a Tanne Award, Snehal was the Inaugural Recipient of the Drama League’s Classical Directing Fellowship. He currently serves on the board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and was on the faculty of USC’s graduate program in Arts Leadership. Directing highlights include Assassins, Mamma Mia!, Grease, Allegiance, and The Who's Tommy.
JENNIFER WEBER (Choreographer, she/her). Broadway/ West End/International: & Juliet (Tony and Olivier Award nominations), KPOP (Tony Award nomination). Off-Broadway: KPOP (Ars Nova, Lortel nomination), Teenage Dick (The Public), Cruel Intentions (LPR/Tour). Regional: Take the Lead(Papermill Playhouse, 2025), Kane & Able (Theater Orb, Tokyo, 2025). Film: Disney’s Zombies 2, While You Were Gone (Emmy win). Weber is the co-creator, director, and choreographer of The Hip Hop Nutcracker (annual tour, Emmy-winning PBS Special, Disney+ film). @jenniferwebernyc
GREEN DAY (Music) - vocalist/guitarist BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, bassist MIKE DIRNT, and drummer TRÉ COOL - were kids from working-class backgrounds who came of age in the underground punk scene in Berkeley. Even though they had released two records prior (1039 / Smoothed Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk), they announced their arrival with 1994's Dookie, a dynamic blast of exuberant punk-pop that sold 15 million copies and earned the band its first Grammy® Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. Over the years, Green Day continued to top the charts with their subsequent studio albums Insomniac, Nimrod, and Warning, while entertaining millions of fans with their frenetic live shows. But it was their landmark 2004 album American Idiot that launched Green Day into the stratosphere. American Idiot debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, earned seven Grammy® nominations (winning two, including Best Rock Album), and raised the bar for modern rock and roll. In 2009, Green Day released 21st Century Breakdown, which won the 2010 Grammy® Award for Best Rock Album. It spawned two hit singles: the gold "Know Your Enemy," which was the first song ever to top Billboard's Rock, Alternative, and Mainstream Rock charts simultaneously; and the double-platinum "21 Guns," which earned them three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Rock Video. Green Day also took home an American Music Award for Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist. Later that year, Green Day collaborated with Tony Award winning director of Spring Awakening, Michael Mayer, for the stage musical of American Idiot. The play bowed at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and set attendance records during its limited engagement. The play went on to Broadway and ran for a year at the St. James Theatre and won two Tony Awards Green Day's highly anticipated album trilogy kicked off with the release of Green Day ¡Uno!, (September 25, 2012) followed by Green Day ¡Dos!(November 13th), and Green Day ¡Tré! (December 11th). The band recently completed the Soundwave Festival in Australia. For more info visit greenday.com.
BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG (Lyrics, Book) frontman of the rock band Green Day, came of age in the underground punk scene in Berkeley. Green Day's albums include 1039/Smooth Out Slappy Hours; Kerplunk; 1994's Dookie, which sold 15 million copies and garnered their first Grammy (and inspired a raft of imitators); Insomniac; Nimrod; Warning; 2004's landmark American Idiot, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, and earned seven Grammy nominations (winning two, including Best Rock Album); 21st Century Breakdown(Grammy Award, Best Rock Album); and 2012's consecutively released ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré! (as well as the behind the scenes DVD, ¡Cuatro!). Last year, Armstrong and Norah Jones released Foreverly, a tribute to the Everly Brothers' 1958 Songs Our Daddy Taught Us. The Tony and Grammy winning musical American Idiot, featuring lyrics by Armstrong, music by Green Day, and a book written by Armstrong and director Michael Mayer, opened on Broadway in 2010. Throughout its run, he made cameo appearances in the role of St. Jimmy. The recent documentary, Broadway Idiot, chronicles his road to the Great White Way. Armstrong also composed the music for These Paper Bullets currently being staged at the Yale Repertory Theatre. His other film and TV credits include This is 40; Nurse Jackie; and the upcoming feature film Like Sunday, Like Rain. greenday.com
MICHAEL MAYER (Book). Mr. Mayer made his Metropolitan Opera debut with a celebrated new production of Rigoletto. Broadway: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever; American Idiot (Drama Desk Award, Best Director); Everyday Rapture; Spring Awakening (Tony Award, Best Director/Best Musical); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award, Best Musical); Side Man(Tony Award, Best Play); A View From the Bridge (Tony Award, Best Revival); Uncle Vanya; night, Mother; After the Fall; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Triumph of Love. Off-Broadway: Spring Awakening, Everyday Rapture, The Illusion, Our House,10 Million Miles, Antigone in New York, Baby Anger, The Credeaux Canvas, Stupid Kids. Film: A Home at the End of the World, Flicka. Television: Do No Harm; director and consulting producer for the first season of Smash.
TAKESHI KATA (Scenic Designer, he/they) Broadway: Water for Elephants (Tony Nom.), Prayer for the French Republic, Clyde’s (Drama Desk), Derren Brown’s: Secret. Other recent projects include Until the Flood (FIND festival, Shaubühne, Berlin) and Bug (Steppenwolf). Kata is the recipient of the 2022 Michael Merrit Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration, and has received Drama Desk, Obie, and Jeff Awards. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts.
LENA SANDS (Costume Designer). CTG: CMPG’s Ameryka (Kirk Douglas). Deaf West: Orphée (Odyssey). Select Los Angeles: Pat Benetar’s Invincible: The Musical, Four Lark’s Frankenstein(The Wallis); SITI company’s Bacchae, Four Larks’ Hymns, CMPG’s After Iphigenia (Getty Villa); This Emancipation Thing, CMPG’s Untitled Communion (REDCAT); Menstruation: A Period Piece (LGBT Center); Next to Normal, Kentucky (EWP). New York: Bacchae, Everything Rises (BAM). Minneapolis: Bacchae (Guthrie), CMPG’s Mariology (Mixed Blood). 2021 CTG Sherwood Award finalist. MFA CalArts. lenasands.com
KARYN D. LAWRENCE (Lighting Designer, she/her). Karyn is thrilled to be working with Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre! Additional selected theatre credits include South Coast Repertory, La Mirada Theatre, East West Players, Boston Court Pasadena, The Pasadena Playhouse, and International City Theatre. She is the resident lighting designer for the New Swan Shakespeare Festival. In addition to lighting and teaching at Cal State LA, she is Radiance Lightworks’ lead lighting designer for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The following bio was inadvertently left out of the printed program. Cricket S. Myers has been with this production of American Idiot since day one, and has a long history working with Center Theatre Group.
CRICKET S. MYERS (Sound Designer, she/her). On Broadway, Cricket earned a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for her design of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Regional designs include La Jolla Playhouse, The Ahmanson, The Mark Taper Forum, The Kirk Douglas Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Denver Center and the Geffen Theater. She has earned 24 Ovation Nominations as well as winning The Ruth Morley Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women. Cricket is a proud member of Local USA 829. cricketsmyers.com
DAVID MURAKAMI (Projection Designer, he/him). Aida at Arizona Opera & Pacific Overtures at East West Players. Recent: The Shining at Atlanta Opera, Spotlight Bar aboard Princess Cruises. CTG Credits: Valley of the Heart and Zoot Suit. Others: Berkshire Theatre Festival, Boston Court, Calgary Opera, Dallas Opera, Des Moines Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, McCoy Rigby, Minnesota Opera, Opera Parallèle, Opéra de Montréal, Presidio Theatre, Riyadh Season, Seattle Opera, SFJazz, Skylight Theatre, South Coast Repertory, and Virginia Opera. davidmurakami.com
SHEILA DORN (Wig, Hair and Makeup Design) Theatre: Jelly’s Last Jam (Pasadena Playhouse), Twelfth Night (Actors Co Op), Three Sisters (LA, LGBT Theatre), Fat Ham, Black Cypress Bayou, Mountaintop (Geffen Playhouse), King Hedley II, The Bluest Eye, Radio Golf, Seven Guitars, All’s Well End’s Well, The Book of Will, Anna In the Tropics, Gem of the Ocean, (A Noise Within). The Great Jheri Curl Debate, (East West Players). Shelia, donates her talents to Amazing Grace Conservatory's, aspiring artists ages 7-18.
DAVID O (Music Supervisor, he/him). David’s long history of working with CTG includes music direction for the world premieres of 13 (Taper) and Soft Power (Ahmanson), and composition for The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip (Douglas), as well as many other productions since 1997. Additional selected credits—Music Director: Mr. Saturday Night (Nederlander Theatre, Broadway)—Composer: Bronies (documentary film), Helen and Hippolytos (Getty Villa)—Other Performance: “The Professor” in Summersounds at the Hollywood Bowl. More at davidomusic.net
TOM KITT (Music Arrangements & Orchestrations) is a two-time Tony, two-time Emmy, Pulitzer Prize, and Grammy Award winner. As a musical theatre composer, he has written the music for six Broadway shows: Next to Normal (Tony Award); If/Then (Tony Nomination); Almost Famous (Tony Nomination); Flying Over Sunset (Tony Nomination); High Fidelity; and Bring it On, The Musical. His work for the stage has also been seen Off-Broadway at Second Stage (Next to Normal, Superhero), The Public Theater (The Visitor, Shakespeare in the Park) and he has worked at some of the most prestigious regional theatres including The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Berkeley Rep, The Signature Theater, and ART. In addition, Tom’s Broadway credits as an orchestrator include: Next to Normal(Tony Award), The SpongeBob Musical (Tony Nomination), Jagged Little Pill (Tony Nomination), Almost Famous, Head Over Heels, Everyday Rapture, and American Idiot. Tom has also been active in the world of film and TV. As one of the vocal arrangers working on the Pitch Perfect films, Tom most notably helped create the classic “Riff-off.” Tom also served as music supervisor/arranger/orchestrator for Grease Live and contributed songs for Royal Pains and Penny Dreadful. He also provided music supervision for the NBC series, Rise and has written numerous songs for Sesame Street. And he is known for his two original opening numbers for The Tony Awards, “Live” in 2019, written with David Javerbaum for James Corden, and the Emmy Award winning “Bigger” in 2013, written with Lin-Manuel Miranda for Neil Patrick Harris. Tom is also proud that his musical adaptation of Freaky Friday, co-written with Bridget Carpenter and Brian Yorkey was turned into an original movie musical for Disney Channel. Most recently, Tom served as a Supervising Music Producer on the new Bobby Lopez/Kristen Anderson-Lopez/Steven Levenson/Thomas Kail musical television series Up Here.
BETH LIPARI (Casting Director, she/her). BETH LIPARI, CSA. Since 2006, Lipari has worked on scores of feature films, TV shows, and acclaimed theatre projects. She is the winner of 2 Artios Awards (Excellence in Casting), and a Media Access Award, for her casting of Deaf West Theatre’s LA and Broadway production of Spring Awakening. She has had the honor of working most recently for the stage, at The Geffen Playhouse (The Lonely Few), The Hollywood Bowl (Annie), and the Ahmanson Theatre (Grey Gardens) as well as numerous productions at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Lipari is a proud member of the Casting Society of America, BMI, and Teamsters Local Union 399.
DJ KURS (Deaf West Theatre Artistic Director, he/him). DJ Kurs has been a driving force in redefining the possibilities of theatre since becoming Artistic Director of Deaf West Theatre in 2012. Under his visionary leadership, Deaf West has produced a series of groundbreaking and award-winning productions, including the revival of Spring Awakening which he guided from an intimate 99-seat Los Angeles production to Broadway, where it captivated audiences and garnered multiple Tony Award nominations. Beyond his work on stage, Kurs is a passionate advocate and influential voice within the Deaf community. Love to Alice, Isabella, Milo, and Romy.
JEFF PERRI (Deaf West Theatre Managing Director, he/him). Jeff Perri has been the Managing Director of Deaf West since 2022, leveraging his extensive background in entertainment, PR, and brand development. As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), Jeff brings a unique perspective to foster connections between Deaf and hearing communities in entertainment. His prior experience in advertising and producing includes work with major corporations and Tony Award®-winning shows. Jeff holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from PACE University and is dedicated to driving meaningful change in the arts.
COLIN ANALCO (ASL Choreographer). Colin Analco is a versatile professional with extensive experience in the field of American Sign Language (ASL). With over a decade of expertise as a translator, Deaf interpreter, and actor, Colin has contributed to numerous successful and impactful productions as an ASL choreographer. He travels nationwide to perform, present, and teach ASL literature, translation, and theatre at schools and universities, sharing his passion and knowledge with diverse audiences.
AMELIA HENSLEY (Associate ASL Choreographer, she/her). Amelia Hensley, best known for her role in Deaf West's Spring Awakening on Broadway, has been in the theatre and film industry for nearly ten years. She has appeared in Station 19 (ABC/Hulu), Sesame Street (YouTube), Beethoven’s Fidelio with the LA Philharmonic, and Oedipus at Getty Villa with Deaf West. Amelia has also worked as an ASL coordinator for several shows, but this will be her first time for a musical.
DAVID S. FRANKLIN (Production Stage Manager, he/him). Center Theatre Group highlights: Bandido!, An Enemy of the People, Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, Art, Romance, The Cherry Orchard, Curtains, Nightingale, The History Boys, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Parade, The Subject Was Roses, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Randy Newman’s Harps and Angels, God of Carnage, Vigil, Waiting for Godot, Los Otros, Red, Seminar, Tribes, Humor Abuse, The Steward of Christendom, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Bent, The Christians, Disgraced, A View From The Bridge, Zoot Suit, Archduke, King of the Yees, Head of Passes, Valley of the Heart, Linda Vista, Lackawanna Blues, A Play Is a Poem, A Christmas Carol (Western Tour), King James, The Old Man and the Pool, 2:22 – A Ghost Story, The Secret Garden, A Transparent Musical. Other Los Angeles: Los Angeles Theatre Center in its heyday from 1985–1990, Pasadena Playhouse since 1989 and where he had the pleasure of Stage Managing their 2023/24 Season! Regional: Seattle Rep, Intiman Theatre. New York: Public Theater. Tours: Europe—Quotations from a Ruined City, Law of Remains (with Reza Abdoh’s Dar a Luz company).
MICHELLE BLAIR (Stage Manager, she/her) has enjoyed a long history of stage managing in Los Angeles and has worked extensively with Center Theatre Group on over forty productions at their three theaters. Most recently she served on the stage management team for the To Kill a Mockingbird National Tour. Other favorites include The Pee-wee Herman Show at Club Nokia, A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters with Cornerstone Theater Company, Henry IV with Shakespeare Center L.A., Jersey Boys in Las Vegas, and various productions with the L.A. Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Opera. Graduate of the University of Southern California and the University of Amsterdam. Mom to sixteen-year-old Liam and twelve-year-old Imogen. For Susie Walsh.
SUE KARUTZ (Stage Manager). Tours: the Robert Wilson/Tom Waits/William S. Burroughs project The Black Rider (London, San Francisco, Sydney, Los Angeles), Wicked (Chicago, L.A., San Francisco), Les Misérables (more than 100 cities across the U.S., Canada, China, and Korea), Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo (Russia and Belgium), and Miss Saigon. At CTG: The Black Rider, Pyrenees, and Permanent Collection. With Deaf West: Open Window, Cyrano, and Beyond Volume: Music and Deafness with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
DEAF WEST THEATRE Founded in Los Angeles in 1991,Tony Award®-winning Deaf West Theatre led by Artistic Director DJ Kurs and Managing Director Jeff Perri, engages artists and audiences in unparalleled theatre experiences inspired by Deaf culture and the expressive power of sign language, weaving ASL with spoken English to create a seamless ballet of movement and voice. Committed to innovation, collaboration, and training, DWT is the artistic bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds. Recent and past productions include the groundbreaking production of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio (2022) with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel; a new adaptation of Oedipus (2022) at the Getty Villa Museum directed and adapted by Jenny Koons; Our Town (2017), in a co-production with the Pasadena Playhouse; Spring Awakening (2015), which transferred from Inner-City Arts to the Wallis and then to Broadway (three Tony Award® nominations including Best Revival of a Musical); Big River The Musical (2004, Tony Award® nomination and four Drama Desk Awards on Broadway); Pippin (2009), produced at the Mark Taper Forum in a co-production with Center Theatre Group; Sleeping Beauty Wakes, also a co-production with Center Theatre Group, presented at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; Oliver! (2000, Ovation Award for Best Musical); and A Streetcar Named Desire (2000, Ovation Award for Best Play). DeafWest.org
ANN E. WAREHAM (Deaf West Theatre Consulting Producer, she/her) has had an association with Deaf West since their award-winning production of Big River transferred to the Mark Taper Forum. Recently Ann served as the Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse from 2010 to 2022. Prior to her tenure at Laguna Playhouse, Ann spent 30 years with Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum (producing the DWT/CTG production of Pippin), Ahmanson Theatre and Kirk Douglas Theatre (producing the DWT/CTG production of Sleeping Beauty Wakes). She was Associate Producer to Michael Richie for 5 years and Associate Producer to Gordon Davidson for 20 years.
CHRISTOPHER SEPULVEDA (Deaf West Theatre Producing Associate, he/him) is a film, theatre and XR producer. Proudly involved with Deaf West since serving as a lead producer on Spring Awakening, currently an executive board member. Select new work/premiere theatre credits: An American in Paris (BWY/London/Tour), Mozart Her Story (Carnegie Hall), Winter Lights (Discovery Cube), Accommodation (3Gems), Sleeping Giant (EdFringe), Mutt House (Kirk Douglas Theatre). Select Film: Followed, Manson Family Vacation, GBF, He's Way More Famous Than You, Somewhere Slow, Exquisite Corpse. More at csepulveda.com
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
MEGHAN PRESSMAN (Managing Director/CEO, she/her) joined Center Theatre Group in 2019. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (D.C.), Director of Development for Signature Theatre (N.Y.), and Associate Managing Director of Berkeley Rep. She is a graduate of Yale School of Drama/Yale School of Management and serves as a mentor in the Theater Management program. Meghan has served as the Vice-Chair for the Theatre Communications Group Board of Directors and is a member of the Broadway League.
DOUGLAS C. BAKER (Producing Director, he/him) joined Center Theatre Group in 1990. Doug is an active member of the Broadway League, the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), and is a proud member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM). In 2013, Doug received the Broadway League’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management Award.
GORDON DAVIDSON (Founding Artistic Director) led the Taper throughout its first 38 seasons, guiding over 300 productions to its stage and winning countless awards for himself and the theatre—including the Tony Award for theatrical excellence, Margo Jones Award, The Governor’s Award for the Arts, and a Guggenheim fellowship. The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America (Part One) won the Pulitzer in consecutive years and, in 1994, three of the four plays nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play were from the Taper (Angels in America won). In 1989, Gordon took over the Ahmanson and, in 2004, he produced the inaugural season in the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
NAUSICA STERGIOU (General Manager) has worked supporting artists in theatres of all shapes, sizes, and locales including Center Theatre Group as General Manager and, previously, as Audience Development Director. She oversees productions at the Taper and Douglas, as well as new play commissions and developmental productions. Nausica has taught Marketing and Management at USC’s School of Dramatic Arts and works with local nonprofits including Hollywood Orchard. BA, Cornell University. MFA, Yale School of Drama.
LINDSAY ALLBAUGH (Associate Artistic Director, she/her). Associate Artistic Director for Center Theatre Group and award-winning Los Angeles-based director and producer. Recent productions: Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler (Best Production: Ovation Award, LADCC Award, Stage Raw Award) at the Echo Theatre Company as well as Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties by Jen Silverman at the Boston Court Theatre. Lindsay was Co-Artistic Director of the Elephant Theatre Company from 2004 – 2014, where she directed and produced many productions including 100 Saints You Should Know by Kate Fodor, Revelation by Samuel Brett Williams, and Never Tell by James Christy. Selected CTG producing credits include—Mark Taper Forum: Slave Play, Archduke, Bent, Waiting for Godot; Kirk Douglas Theatre: Creative Producer behind Block Party, Tambo & Bones, Good Grief, Throw Me On the Burnpile and Light Me Up, Endgame, Women Laughing Alone With Salad, Chavez Ravine, different words for the same thing, The Nether.
CENTER THEATRE GROUP, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director / CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1,600 to 2,100-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group was led by Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson until 2005 when Michael Ritchie was the artistic director until his retirement in 2021; Snehal Desai was appointed the organization’s next artistic director in 2023. Center Theatre Group has produced more than 700 productions across its three stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America; The Kentucky Cycle; Biloxi Blues; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CenterTheatreGroup.org
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION STAFF LIST:
Assistant Director Sarah Tubert
Associate Choreographer Janelle Dote
Associate Music Director Christopher Lloyd Bratten
Intimacy Consultant Sasha Smith
Music American Sign Language Associate Daniela Maucere
Production Assistants Jihee Jenny Park, Abby Peterson
Production Interpreters Maria Cardoza, Brenna Povelite, Alonso Rivera
American Sign Language Assistant Alek Lev
Assistant Scenic Designers Maya Channer, Kate Schaaf
Assistant Costume Designer Danica Martino
Assistant Lighting Designer Diana Herrera
Assistant Sound Designer Amelia Anello
Assistant Wig and Hair Design Shaunte Williams
Keyboard Programmer Ben Covello
Animator Sam Clevenger
Video Programmer Zachary Titus
Substitute Rehearsal Pianist Ryan O’Connell
Guitar Coach Justin Smith
Vocal Coach Doug Peck
Physical Therapist Karen Moran, Fusion Arts Physical Therapy, Christopher Smalley, Sharae Tejada, Janice Ying
Additional Casting The Tesley Company / Destiny Lilly, CSA,
Additional Casting Michael Donovon, CSA, Richie Ferris, CSA
Carpenter Patty Squibb
Craft Artisan/Stitcher Marissa Soto
Stitchers Liza Dally, Peggy Stevenson, Pamela Walt
Hair and Makeup Supervisor Mary Borgia
Hair Stylist TBD
Loctition TBD
Barber TBD
Deaf West Theatre Marketing Director
Jason Zammit
Deaf West Theatre Consulting Producer
Ann Wareham
Deaf West Theatre Associate Producer
Christopher Sepulveda
Deaf West Theatre Consulting Press Representative
Boneau/Bryan-Brown: Adrian Bryan-Brown, Angela Yamarone
Deaf West Board
President/Founding Artistic Director
Ed Waterstreet
Vice President
Mark Freund
Secretary
Beverly Nero
Treasurer
Christopher Sepulveda
Board Members
MJ Beinvenu, PJ Mattiacci, Matt Randall, Patricia Shawn, Branton Stewart, Shue Her-Sturm, Ann Wareham
American Sign Language Training
The ASL Shop; Stephanie Zornoza, Breanna Haner, Hadel Somo, JLynn Marfino
Music Director Apprentice
Lexa Ornes
Costume Design Apprentice
Casey Padilla
Projection Design Apprentice
Ariya Selvakumar
CTG Observers
Joseph Saraceni, Sarah Showich, Jordan Tennison, Jasia Topete, Sammie Zenoz
ASL Lead
Lucy Roberts
ASL Representatives
Janie Kahan, Kat Kelly
Scenery provided by F&D Scene Changes,
All Access Staging and Production, Geffen Playhouse
Additional Automation Equipment provided by Creative Conners, Inc
Projection rentals by PXT Studio Audio rentals by DnB Design
Lighting rentals by Felix Lighting
Center Theatre Group is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the American Arts Alliance, the National Alliance for Musical Theatres (NAMT), the Broadway League, Independent Producers’ Network (IPN), and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG).
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