September 24 – 27
Hello, and Welcome to the Performance.
This is the first time I’ve written a message to you knowing that you’ll be attending the dance performance or theatrical production virtually. You might be in your living room. You might not be in Mississippi. I will miss seeing you in a live audience, so I remind myself that this is all temporary. So until we return to live performances, let us take advantage of this moment. You will see new approaches to presenting live theatre tonight. You will see new venues for dance performances. You will see students who took risks, trusted their training, and recalibrated their artistic compasses.
I heard recently that while it’s easy to approach this moment in the performing arts as a low and insurmountable one, that is not the whole story. We are living a historical moment in the performing arts. We are making theatre and dance in a profound context. We have been asked to reinvent what we do, to connect to what we love in new ways, and dare I say, to take stock of who we are as individual artists. This is our moment. I cannot say this moment has seemed like a gift every step of the way. In fact, it’s often felt like an impossible problem that faculty, staffs and students were required to solve—and to do it with the deadline of an opening night. And this brings us to tonight.
I hope you enjoy the performance. It is nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve learned so much about my colleagues since last spring. I’ve learned the unfathomable degree to which they will reinvent their processes in new mediums and through new methods. I learned the astronomical amount of work they were willing to put in over the summer to be ready for students. I learned more than I ever thought I would know about new technology. And all of it was done for one reason: for our students. And our students do all of this for you: our audiences.
I imagine the excitement of a premiere transcends a virtual platform. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing what has happened not in our studios and rehearsal hall, but in apartments and outdoors. I am thrilled to know I will see dancers dancing and actors acting. And when we get to the other side of this, I will be curious to see what remains—what becomes permanent—even though all of this is temporary.
Stacy Reischman Fletcher
Director, School of Performing and Visual Arts
Date //
September 24 – 7:30 p.m.
September 25 – 7:30 p.m.
September 26 – 7:30 p.m.
September 27 – 2:00 p.m.
Broadcast Live!
Tickets //
$5 General Admission
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Program Navigation
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Cast //
Olympe de Gouges
Courtney Jones
Courtney Jones is a senior from Brandon, MS, and will graduate in 2020 with a BFA in Performance. She played the role of patron/guest in USM’s production of Cabaret, and her role as Olympe De Gouges in this production of The Revolutionists is her first lead role at USM.
Marianne Angelle
Makallen Kelley
Makallen Kelley is a junior BA theatre major from Jackson, Mississippi. She was Lily Miller in last year’s production of Ah, Wilderness! She has also been involved in several other projects including Alice in Wonderland as the White Rabbit, God as Bursitis, and The Flying Doctor as Sabine. She is delighted to have the experience to work with such a talented group of artists.
Marie Antoinette
Ellie Boykin
Ellie Boykin is a second-year MFA in Performance candidate from Ft. Walton Beach, FL. She recently played Essie Miller in the department’s production of Ah, Wilderness!, and #11 in The Wolves. She received her BA in Theater Arts from LaGrange College where she enjoyed the roles of Annette in God of Carnage, Millie in Scenes and Revelations, and Karen in August: Osage County.
Charlotte Corday
Tessa Anderson
Tessa Anderson is a second year MFA in Performance Candidate at USM. She has played such roles as Louise in Gypsy, #7 and #14 in The Wolves, and Milady in The Three Musketeers. She is very excited to see what other roles she will bring to life.
Understudies //
Olympe de Gouges
Katie Borum
Katie Borum is a junior BFA Performance major. She is a member of USM’s fight club and a member of Alpha Psi Omega. Katie has been a part of multiple showcases at USM including the Freshman Sophomore Transfer showcase and the Director’s Qualifying Project, The Insanity of Mary Girard. Katie is proud of the department for persevering and continuing to make art during these uncertain times.
Marianne Angelle
Brietta Goodman
Brietta Goodman is a transferring junior and this is her debut production at USM. She would like to thank everyone involved.
Marie Antoinette
Gracyn Taylor
Gracyn Taylor is a Junior from Long Beach, Mississippi. She is currently pursuing her BFA in Theatre. She is delighted to be joining the cast of The Revolutionists, which will be her second main-stage production here at the University of Southern Mississippi. A few other productions she has had the honor of working on include Much Ado About Nothing(Hero), Radio Gals (America), Peace Like A River (Sally and Others) and many more.
Charlotte Corday
Camila Salas Navarez
Camila Salas is an international student from Quito, Ecuador. Camila is a Senior BFA in performance. The Revolutionists is her third main stage production. Before this, she was in The Emerging Artist Series and Oresteia. Camila has also been a Costume Assistant in the productions of Guys and Dolls, Much Ado About Nothing and You Can’t Take It With You at USM. In her home country she was part of three musical theater productions as Éponine in Les Misérables, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, and Forever Young.
Creative Team //
Director
Monica Hayes
Monica Hayes (Director) is a member of Actors Equity Association and a former member of British Actors Equity – Foreign Entertainers Unit.
Read MoreScenic
Jennifer Glass
This is Jennifer Glass’s second year in USM’s graduate program for scenic design. She previously graduated with her bachelor’s from the University of West Alabama in the Spring of 2019.
Costume
Mason Baria
Mason is a junior undergrad at USM, pursuing a BFA Theatre (Design and Tech) with an emphasis on costume design as well as a certificate in Apparel Construction and Design.
Read MoreHair and Makeup Design
Bethany Hartfield
Bethany Hartfield is a sophomore BA in Theatre. She is from Atlanta, GA. She has performed in several showcases throughout her time at USM. She is also a part of Skip the Script: Improv Troupe and Prism. She is extremely excited for this opportunity and wishes for an amazing production.
Lighting
Allison Bucher
Allison Bucher is a Junior pursuing a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Revolutionists is her first production as a Lighting Designer. She has previously been the Sound Designer for USM’s production of The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe.
Sound
Tristan King
Tristan King (sound designer) is a first year Lighting and Sound Design MFA candidate. As an undergraduate, he worked on USM’s productions of The Wolves as the lighting designer and The Oresteia as the sound designer (show was cancelled due to COVID-19).
Production Stage Manager
Kathryn Quarterman
Kathryn Quarterman (Stage Manager) is a Junior at the University of Southern Mississippi and is working towards a BA in Theatre. She has previously stage-managed for Oresteia at USM and could not be more excited for the challenge of streaming live theatre.
Production Credits //
Production Manager
Craig Dettman
Voice and Dialect Coach
Robin Aronson
Robin Aronson (Vocal Coach) is a Professor of Voice and Acting in Theatre at Southern Miss and has served as the vocal dialect coach for the past eighteen years for the Southern Miss Theatre main stage productions.
Read MoreProducer
David Coley
David Coley, Ph.D. is excited to join the faculty of USM Theatre this season as producer and Assistant Professor of Theatre. He graduated from LSU in 2012 and was Assistant Professor of Theatre at St. Gregory’s University. As a scholar, his work focuses on the intersection of live performance and film projection, and he is also a playwright. His highlights as a director include: The Tempest, The Firebugs, Electra, Wit, The Glass Menagerie, The 39 Steps, and Three Sisters.
Technical Director
Jay Morris
This is Jay Morris’ second year as Technical Director and Assistant Professor at USM. Previously he has worked as the Technical Director for University of Memphis Opera Department, The Honeywell Foundation in Wabash, Indiana, and Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN. He has also been the Assistant Technical Director for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera and Butler University. MFA ’19 University of Memphis, BA ’99 Indiana University.
Costume Shop Supervisor
Kelly James-Penot
Scene Shop Supervisor
Wes Hanson
Production Staff and Preparation Crews //
Assistant Stage Manager
Grace Brauner
Assistant Stage Manager
Hagan Harkins
Assistant Stage Manager
Rachael Tucker
I am a Theatre major with an interest in Design and Technology BFA.
Assistant Producer
Travis Ascione
Travis Ascione is a Second Year Acting MFA candidate. He is from New Castle, Pennsylvania and has worked extensively in the Pittsburgh-Youngstown area. He received his BA in Theatre from Westminster College. USM credits include Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Aramis (Three Musketeers), and Cliff (Cabaret). Other credits: Harry MacAfee (Bye, Bye, Birdie), Escalus (Romeo and Juliet), Oberon (Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Trip (Other Desert Cities).
Assistant Voice and Dialect Coach
Bryan Peyton
Bryan Peyton is a 3rd year MFA Acting candidate from Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga with a BA in Theatre and minor in Music Performance. While attending USM, he has played Frau Farhenkopf in The Night of the Iguana, Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing, and Big Jule in Guys and Dolls.
Vocal Captain
Julia Smith
Julia Smith is a junior BA Theatre major here at USM. She has been involved in a number of shows at USM as a Wardrobe Supervisor, including Guys and Dolls and Ah, Wilderness!
Costume Design Assistant
Taylor Busch
Julia Smith is a junior BA Theatre major here at USM. She has been involved in a number of shows at USM as a Wardrobe Supervisor, including Guys and Dolls and Ah, Wilderness!
Costume Crew
Rebecca Earehart
Madison Queen
Taylor Busch
Dramaturg
Jamie Harkin
Props Supervisor
Aline Toloto
Carpentry Supervisor
Jennifer Glass
Publicity
Alexander Billmayer
Shakiah Johnson
Painting Supervisor
Jax Wright
Faculty and Staff //
Theatre
Robin Aronson – Professor of Voice and Acting
Theresa Bush– Assistant Professor of Costume Design
David Coley- Assistant Professor of Theatre, Producer
Craig Dettman– Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound Design, Production Manager
Wes Hanson– Scene Shop Supervisor
Monica Hayes– Professor of Acting, Head of Performance
Caitlyn Herzlinger– Assistant Professor of Movement and Acting
Leketha Hughes– Administrative Specialist
Kelly James-Penot– Costume Shop Supervisor; Adjunct Faculty, Costumes
Stephen Judd– Professor of Scenic Design, Head of Design and Technology
Jay Morris– Assistant Professor and Technical Director
Louis Rackoff– Professor of Directing, Head of Directing
Sandra Whittington– Administrative Specialist
School of Performing and Visual Arts
Stacy Reischman Fletcher- Director
Dramaturgical Information //
Character Biographical Information
Costume and Set Inspiration
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 50th, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David and Alice Rubenstein.
Special thanks The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Additional support is provided by The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein; The Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; and Beatrice and Anthony Welters and the AnBryce Foundation.
KCACTF is part of JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy, inspired by five enduring ideals often ascribed to JFK: Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude. Support for JKFC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy is provided by Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Chevron, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and Target.
Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The aims of this national theatre education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theatre production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.
Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the KCACTF, involving more than 200,000 students nationwide. By entering this production, our Theatre department is sharing in the KCACTF goals to recognize, reward and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation.
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It was conceptually, absolutely, and brilliantly to the point, and abreast of the wit of the time, then and now. Men, although, be wary for there some brief anxiety; for, there will be knives, blood, and the occasional mentioning of little princes. Hilariously theatrical and actively funny. Cannot wait to see it in person.
incredible performance. Superb work by all involved.