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Concordia Players Presents A Raisin in the Sun Directed by Prof. Lori Woodall April 27, 28, 29 at 7:30pm April 29 and 30 at 1:30pm Todd Wehr Auditorium Concordia University Wisconsin 12800 N. Lake Shore Dr. Mequon WI 53073 *Please note there is era-appropriate race language used in the play. Not suitable for children under 13. Instagram Social Icon Use #footlights on Instagram share’n is care’n @mrkylemac A Raisin in the Sun 1 LAN RT OF A E TH DSCAPING LANDSCAPE RENOVATION We work with you and for you to create a new look for your property. PLANTING & COLORSCAPING From trees and shrubs to spring bulbs, summer and fall annuals, we can design a program for you. CUSTOMIZED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS Each program is designed to meet your specific property needs and budget. ad, 6565 N. Industrial Ro 2 W kee, u a Milw 8-1800 I • 414-35 www.stanolandscaping.com Concordia University Wisconsin A R AISIN IN THE SUN, BY LORR AINE HANSBERRY What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a soreAnd then run? Does it stink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar overLike a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? -from Harlem, by Langston Hughes S H OW I N F O R M AT I O N Time: 1959 Setting: Chicago’s Southside Act I Scene One: Friday morning Scene Two: The following morning Act II Scene One: Later, the same day Scene Two: Friday night, a few weeks later Scene Three: Moving day, one week later Act III An hour later D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Concordia University Theatre is very proud to present A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. This play marked the first play written by an African-American woman produced on Broadway, and Ms. Hansberry became the first African-American playwright and the youngest American to win the New York Critics’ Circle Award. The play continued on to great success in film versions, the first of which is the classic 1961 film, starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee, which won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Hansberry was the granddaughter of a freed slave, and, in her short life, in addition to writing, a lifelong Civil Rights activist. Her life was cut short by pancreatic cancer in 1965, at the age of 35. After her death, her ex-husband Robert Nemiroff adapted a collection of her writing and interviews in To Be Young, Gifted and Black, which opened off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre and ran for eight months. A Raisin in the Sun is considered one of the hallmarks of the American stage and has found continued success throughout the decades, including Emmy-nominated television productions from both 1989 and 2008. The play has earned accolades from Broadway as well, winning Tony Awards in 2004 and 2014, including Best Revival of a Play. A Raisin in the Sun 3 D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S c o n t. The CUW Players’ version will feature live music from Negro Spirituals and the Civil Rights era, celebrating the rich culture and versatility of African-Americans, which is something the play does itself. Arguably, no other play has captured the dynamics of every day African American life and cultural expression as A Raisin in the Sun, and the play succeeds in expressing the very souls of Black folk, as expressed by W.E.B. DuBois: “After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,—a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro... two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife, — this longing to attain selfconscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self.” —W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk Enjoy the show! -Director/Producer, Prof. Lori Woodall-Schaufler N O T E S F R O M T H E D R A M AT U R G What happens to a dream deferred? This is the central question of Lorraine Hansberry’s Pulitzer prize-winning play, A Raisin in the Sun. The dream is, at its core, the American Dream, one that is as universal to Hansberry’s audiences as she could have chosen. Yet it still a dream that manifests itself differently for each character in the play. For Mama, it is dream of a better life for her children. For Walter Lee, monetary success that would establish his identity as a man, a provider and leader, somebody important. For Beneatha it is a dream to heal the brokenness of her people and to find herself. All of the many facets of this American Dream are viewed through the lenses of multiple generations. Mama shows us a glimpse of what has been. She is a picture of the way the African American community dealt with their struggles in her youth, holding her family together with her strong faith and a determination to make the best of things. Her daughter in law, Ruth, is also focused on her family, but she is restless, tired, and desperate for change, a picture of the weariness and desperation of the African Americans of 1959. Beneatha- young, independent, determined, and actively fighting to forge her own path in the world- represents the future. Her aspirations are counter cultural and expressed violently at times. She, like the last line of the poem Harlem, foreshadows the explosion that was to erupt in the 1960s during the height of the Civil Rights movement. 4 This leads to the play’s other theme, that of change. Changing attitudes towards a woman’s role in the world, God, family, status, money, and the rights of an oppressed people are woven throughout its narrative. Many of these are issues that the playwright Concordia University Wisconsin N O T E S F R O M T H E D R A M AT U R G c o n t. encountered sharply in her early experiences. Her father, Carl Hansberry, had been instrumental in fighting the racially restrictive covenants that excluded African Americans from living outside of segregated areas of Chicago, moving his family to what the playwright later described as, “a hellishly hostile “white neighborhood” in which, literally, howling mobs surrounded our house.” The violence, opposition, and hatred, as well as the great sacrifice made by her family during this time left a deep impression on the young Hansberry. It is through tying together elements of her own life, and the realities of the African American experience through a story with universal themes of struggle and hope for a better life that Lorraine Hansberry was able to communicate the play’s powerful message of change to her audiences of all races and ethnicities. She opened her world to those who might not otherwise ever take the time to understand it, and in doing so demonstrated the need for understanding, respect, and a coming together of different perspectives on each of the play’s central issues, a unity that has the potential to impact the trajectory of a family, and, ultimately, a nation, for better. -by Lianna Brice CAST LIST Walter Lee Younger.................................................................................................................Marcel Alston Ruth Younger.................................................................................................................. Courtney Richards Beneatha Younger.............................................................................................................. Carrie Robinson Lena Younger.............................................................................................................................. Lori Woodall Travis Younger.........................................................................................................................Sam Davidson Joseph Asagai..................................................................................................................... DiAngelo Wragg George Murchison................................................................................................................Derrion Brown Karl Lindner.................................................................................................................................... Aidan Mills Mrs. Johnson.....................................................................................................................Renetta Robinson Saxophone.......................................................................................................................George Ballesteros Drums...................................................................................................................................Jonathon Gideon Dancers............................................................Stephanie Bongard, Angela Penterman, Noah Voigt Chorus (Singing)................................................ Ethan Karshnik, Owen Kannenberg, Lianna Brice, Rachel Bartsch, Leah Wilde, Noah Voigt, Iesha Golden Jonathon Gideon, Sarah Schmeiser, Alexis Smith R COLO ALE END OOL H SCH HIG ATRE THE TS SEN PRE GRE COLOR CH MAR 5 201 E TO THE ARY END LEG BUT A TRI MAN CK IN BLA RING OF Check out our NEW Program Archives! C per Ex ie © Disney RG NTER.O URECE S URG ARB G ART R E CED MIN T FOR PER E N C ©The Kubala The R COLO s, Inc. o Architect Washatk Search by Season or by Theatre Company. Only on UR ARB CED MIN E R T FOR PER E N ALE END OOL H SCH HIG ATRE THE TS SEN PRE GRE ents pres CH MAR 5 201 ber tem Sep er 6 emb IO Nov STUD 28 – STIEMKE irez sey o Ram Ram Marc Kevin BY BY CTED DIRE A Raisin in the Sun 5 Lion King | OVERT 1 continues Support for the arts with a move to Milwaukee Catholic Home Milwaukee Catholic Home’s exciting schedule of performing arts events has included performances by Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer, the Radio Rosies, and many others. Visit our website’s “Community Life” page to learn more. 2462 N. Prospect Avenue • Milwaukee, WI 53211 414.224.9700 milwaukeecatholichome.com 6 Concordia University Wisconsin PRODUCTION TEA M Director/Producer........................................................................................................... Prof. Lori Woodall Asst. Director..................................................................................................................................Erin Eggers Stage Manager............................................................................................................ Melinda Rhodebeck Asst. Stage Managers..........................................................................Kaitlyn Pellettiere, Tom Forshee Dramaturge..................................................................................................................................Lianna Brice Set Design................................................................................................................................... Alan Atwood Costume Design.........................................................................................................................Candy Polka Lighting Design.........................................................................................................................Dan Hummel Sound Design................................................................................................................... Prof. Lori Woodall Sound Engineering...........................................................................................................Bradley Dunigan Music Instructor..................................................................................................................... Helene Pickett Acting Coach...........................................................................................................................Ryan Schaufler Lighting Tech.............................................................................................................................Emma Kordik Sound Tech......................................................................................................................Alexandra Pakalski Wardrobe Assistants..................................................................................... Laura Snyder, Sarah Denke Set Construction.............................Michael Landers, Brian Harries, Dan Hummel, Jim Iaquinta, Alan Atwood, Abhishek Aynala, Kuladeep Reddy V, Neela Perla, Pradeep Ramayanam, Sai Avadhanam, Naga Vardhineei House Manager/Box Manager.................................................................................Savannah Boisseau Box Office Staff...............................................................................Alexis Rolenc, Sarah Bremer, Josiah Reyes, Steven Beloin Marketing/Publicity.....................................................................Jeff Bandurski, Courtney Omernick, Chris Halper, Andrew Zajak Graphic Design......................................................................................................................... Rachel Morris Lobby Photography....................................................................................................Terry Clark-Bauman Lobby Art Display....................................................................................................................Hannaan Bilal S P E C I A L T H A N K S TO CUW Marketing, CUW Business Office, Boomers Magazine, CUW Duplication Center, Sunset Playhouse, Miller and Campbell, Inc., Hannaan Bilal, Theatre Student Workers, Footlights, KCACTF, Bob MacPherson and Terry Ronsman, and anyone else we have missed due to deadline! CAST BIOGR APHIES MARCEL ALSTON (Walter Lee) Marcel Alston is very excited to make Raisin his sixth CUW show. Previously, he has appeared in 12 Angry Jurors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Hairspray, and Macbeth, to name a few. He is very excited to play Walter Lee. A favorite Bible verse of his is Psalms 3. COURTNEY RICHARDS (Ruth) Courtney is pleased to be on acting one last time in her final role on the CUW stage. She last was seen as Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka. She is thankful to have started and ended her Concordia Theatre career alongside Sarah Schmeiser. She is grateful for all the amazing friendships A Raisin in the Sun 7 CAST BIOGR APHIES c o n t. and relationships that developed off stage because of the magic on stage. She thanks her family for always supporting her acting and artistic endeavors and thanks God for giving her a love of the arts. 2 Tim 1:7 at (Holy Communion Lutheran Church and Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church) in the production Dance of Death. With more than 30 years’ experience as a seamstress, Renetta has taught sewing to both adults and children. This is Renetta’s first time with CUW. She is grateful to be part of her fourth stage production where she explores the role of Mrs. Johnson in the production of A Raisin in the Sun. She would like to thank her husband, family and friends for their support and genuine love. She would also like to thank Lori for this tremendous and wonderful opportunity. “l laboured, yet not I. By the grace of God, I am what I am, and do what I do. (1 Corinthians 15:10) CARRIE ROBINSON (Beneatha) Carrie Robinson is currently a freshman studying Political Science with a minor in Social Sciences. This is her second production at Concordia, her first being Willy Wonka- Depp Cast, where she was Grandma Josephine, Philea Trout, and an Oompa Loompa. She is excited to perform as Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in The Sun. She would like to thank her DIANGELO WRAGG Mom and all of her friends for being so (Joseph Asagai) supportive, and always her biggest fans! Di Angelo is She would also like to thank Lori Woodall encouraged to debut for giving her this amazing opportunity to in his first play here continue theatre endeavors! “I can do all at CUW. He is a junior things through Christ who strengthens me” majoring in Biblical Philippians 4:13 Languages with a minor in Christian Thought. I would like to thank the Lord SAM DAVIDSON Jesus Christ who is head of my life. I also (Travis) would like to thank Lori Woodall for this Sam is in 8th grade opportunity and the dynamic cast, crew and is so excited to and production team for allowing me to be in a college play! broaden my learning experience amongst He has performed in excellence. He also thanks his family and numerous plays with Cousin Francesca … All audience thanks Morning Star Productions: Rag Doll’s Dance, for sharing your time with us remember The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Glory Rising Matthew 6:33 and Be Encouraged. and The Paper Bag Christmas. AIDAN MILLS RENETTA ROBINSON (Mr. Lindner) (Mrs. Johnson) Aidan Mills is a Renetta Robinson is sophomore and this is his fourth show at CUW. a Milwaukee native and a wife, mother He enjoys making and grandmother. A people laugh, but he relative newcomer also enjoys more serious roles. He would to the theatrical stage, she is currently a like to thank his friends, who got him student at John Casablanca’s modeling interested in acting at CUW. His favorite training center and was last seen on stage bible verse is Romans 8:38-39 8 Concordia University Wisconsin CAST BIOGR APHIES c o n t. WILL TURNER (Bobo) Will is very excited for his third play with CUW. He is a senior studying criminal justice. He last was seen in Willy Wonka playing a number of different roles. He would like to thank God for blessing him with many talents. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. DERRION BROWN (George Murchison) Derrion is grateful to being making a guest appearance in Concordia production of A Raisin in the Sun. It has been a pleasure for him to watch these students find their way in this journey and he is inspired by their progression. He would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work and director for this opportunity and guidance. NOAH VOIGT (Chorus/Dancer) Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Noah is a senior majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Theater Marketing. He is thrilled to be acting alongside such a talented cast and crew, and is excited to see the amount of interest in Theatre among the freshman class this year. He has been in several of Concordia’s productions, with the most recent being Willy Wonka and 12 Angry Men. He also enjoys doing tech and design work for Acacia Theatre. STEPHANIE BONGARD (Dancer) Stephanie is excited to be back on stage with the Concordia Players! She was previously Olive in The Women of Lockerbie. She thanks her friends and family for always supporting her passions. Psalm 91. LIANNA BRICE (Chorus) Lianna Brice is a junior studying Choral Music Education and Theatre. This is her ninth show at Concordia, and she appeared onstage earlier this year as Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Woman 1 in The Women of Lockerbie. Lianna is grateful for the hard work of the cast and crew, for the love and support of family and friends, and for her Savior, Jesus Christ. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 ALEXIS SMITH (Chorus) Alexis is very excited to be a part of another theatre production at CUW!! She is a senior studying Special Education, Early Childhood Education and Theater (minor). Her past favorite shows she has been in at CUW include Hairspray, Macbeth, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Three Genius Cabaret, and the title role as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web. She would like to thank the cast, crew, director, and production team for all of their hard work on the show, and her family always for their love and support. She would also like to thank God for giving her this opportunity to make new friends and use her gifts. Psalms 57:3 A Raisin in the Sun 9 CAST BIOGR APHIES c o n t. RACHEL BARTSCH (Chorus) Rachel is an accounting major from Cameron, WI. She is proud to join this talented cast and crew on stage once again at CUW. She gives special thanks to her family, friends, and fellow thespians for their constant encouragement. Colossians 3:23 ETHAN KARSCHNIK (Chorus) Ethan is a freshman at CUW with a Mass Communications major and Theatre minor. Having previously worked on Willy Wonka at CUW, he is excited to perform a new show and further advance his skills in this theatre department. OWEN KANNENBERG (Chorus) Owen is a freshman with aspirations to major in Business Management. He is also very excited to have a role in the chorus for this play. In addition, this is his first production with Concordia Theatre. GEORGE BALLESTEROS (Saxophone) George Ballesteros has found a saxy home in the CUW Drama department. Outside the theater department George is a freelance bassist who has performed with bands all across the greater Milwaukee area. This is George’s first show at CUW and certainly will not be his last. JONATHON GIDEON (Musician/Chorus) Jonathon is a sophomore music major from Plymouth, Wisconsin. This is his fourth show with the Concordia Players. He most recently appeared as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 1 Corinthians 13:1 10 Concordia University Wisconsin LEAH WILDE (Chorus) Leah Wilde is a Chorus Member in the play A Raisin in the Sun. This is her second Concordia University production and is very excited to be in it! Leah hopes you enjoy this classic production. SARAH SCHMEISER (Chorus) Sarah Schmeiser is a senior Illustration major and English minor, graduating this May. She has participated in several shows, both on stage and behind the scenes. The friends made through these experiences have made the work well worthwhile. She is especially thankful to have both started and ended her theatre career at Concordia alongside Courtney Richards. She is thankful to all the hard work the cast and crew put into these shows, and to our Lord who grants us talent so that we can show His love to others. Isaiah 30:21 IESHA GOLDEN (Chorus) This would make Iesha’s second show at Concordia University. She has been in many musicals in high school, from Jesus Christ Superstar to Dream Girls and even Hamilton. Iesha is a freshmen, she majors in Psychology and minors in Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for being an awesome support team, and she gives thanks to the cast and crew for making this production run well. She would like to thank God for making everything possible. ANGELA PENTERMAN (CHORUS) Angela is a nineteen-year-old freshman currently studying Graphic Design. Although this is her first time in Theatre, she has been dancing since she was four years old, with her experience including competitive dance and the CUW Dance Team. PRODUCTION TEA M BIOGR APHIES PROF. LORI WOODALL (Director/Producer/ Mama) Lori is a CUW Theatre Professor, and this labor of love, Raisin, puts her just shy of her 20th directed play at CUW. Past favorites at CUW are The Women of Lockerbie, Hairspray, Sense and Sensibility, and Waiting for the Parade. She is a 25 + year professional Theatre artist with an MFA from Cal Arts, and as an actress last appeared a few weeks ago playing Ann Atwater in Best of Enemies with Acacia Theatre, opposite her husband, Ryan Schaufler. Though she was not planning to play Mama, she thanks God for the opportunity to play alongside her CUW students and work, learn, and grow with them and from them. She is so excited to work with veteran CUW actors, new students, and community actors with such talent, depth, and dedication. Lori has had nearly a lifetime attachment to this play, having played Ruth in college, and Beneatha professionally with Hansberry Sands back in 1999, one of her all-time favorite roles. She has enjoyed being a “Mama” to her beloved students. In her spare time, she is a wife and mother of two little ones, and enjoys Drama Ministry. She recommends all Theatre artists try acting in a show they are directing, just for the insanity of it (wink). All glory and praise be to God, for carrying our burdens and being our Strength. Isaiah 40:28-31 ERIN EGGERS (Assistant Director) Erin Nicole Eggers recently returned to the U.S. after directing David Mamet’s AMERICAN BUFFALO with TheatreX at the Gerhart Theatre in Cairo. Favorite Milwaukee directing credits include BEST OF ENEMIES with Acacia Theatre, Harold Pinter’s THE DUMB WAITER, Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST, and David Mamet’s OLEANNA at The Alchemist Theatre and the world premiere of STARLINGS by her favorite playwright, Ben Parman, at Soulstice Theatre. Thank you to Lori for this opportunity. Love and gratitude to Janet & Randy, Aaron & Erica, Ben, Jason, David, Claudio, and Lorca. For Aaron and DJ. MELINDA RHODEBECK (Stage Manager) Melinda is happy to return to Concordia. She has been working in theatres around Milwaukee for 10 years. Shows include SLEEPWALKING (Morning Star), THE GREAT DIVORCE (Acacia Theatre), and GODSPELL (Concordia). Thanks to Lori and the ASMs and crew for making everything so enjoyable. Ps. 40:5 TOM FORSHEE (Assistant Stage Manager) Tom is very excited to be in his eleventh production on the CUW stage. Tom is an English major and has minors in Spanish and Theatre. He would like to thank everybody involved in the production, as well as his family and friends, for their unwavering support on his journey to becoming a professional actor. He would also like to thank God for giving him this wonderful opportunity to use the talents given to him. Joshua 1:9 KATIE PELLETTIERE (Assistant Stage Manager) Katie is a freshman here at CUW, she is a Secondary Ed and English major with a Theatre minor. She is from Lake Villa, IL. She is a freshman here and feels blessed for the theater because it has encouraged her to make friends. This is her third show that she has Assistant Stage Managed. Katie would like to thank her parents for always encouraging her to follow her dreams. ALAN ATWOOD (Set Design) Alan is currently on loan from Morning Star Productions where he serves as Artistic Director. This is his third set design for A Raisin in the Sun 11 PRODUCTION TEA M BIOGR APHIES CUW, having designed for Macbeth and 12 Angry Jurors, and Always a Bridesmaid. When not producing shows at MSP or performing his one-man plays in prisons across Wisconsin, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary Ellen, his four kids, and three grandchildren. DAN HUMMEL (Lighting Design) Professor Hummel teaches Stagecraft 1 and 2 at CUW, and designs lighting and sets for some of the productions, like lighting for The Women of Lockerbie,12 Angry Jurors, Always a Bridesmaid, and sets for Godspell, The Importance of Being Earnest, Charlotte’s Web, and Willy Wonka. He also designs for the Acacia Theatre Company on this stage and his lighting and projection technology were last seen 12 Concordia University Wisconsin c o n t. in Best of Enemies a month ago. Dan is glad to work on this important and iconic production with such talented staff and students, and hopes we will all be changed by the depths Ms. Hansberry makes us feel. CANDY POLKA (Costume Design) Candy is pleased to return as Costume Designer for Raisin, as she has enjoyed working with the CUW students for over 25 years. Past shows include Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Women of Lockerbie, Hairspray, and The Importance of Being Earnest, to name only a few. Thanks to Lori and the team for the opportunity to work with them again. Candy also does design work for Heritage Designs, and enjoys time with her family and grandkids, and helping out at church. God bless!