DalekoArts Season 2014 Program

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Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 2
DIRECTOR’S note
The lead character in The Philadelphia
Story, Tracy Lord, is based upon a real
socialite: Helen Hope Montgomery Scott.
She married a friend of Philip Barry,
the playwright. Barry wrote this play in
1939 specifically for Katherine Hepburn,
who played Tracy both on Broadway and
in the film. At the time, Hepburn was
considered “box office poison” after a
string of flops; she backed this show in
the hope that it would revive her career.
It did.
Hepburn knew what she wanted and she
went out to get it—not unlike our Tracy
Lord. It just takes a while for Tracy to
figure out what she wants. Enjoy this
comic play full of “innundo,” “illikit”
affairs, and words… lots of great words.
Joshua Campbell
SPECIAL THANKS
to the following for their
generosity, help and support:
•
Daryl & Addamaine Thietje
•
Dennis & Judith White
•
Toby & Nicole Thietje
•
Joshua & Alecia Scharback
•
Jason & Kacey Hamlin
•
Mixed Blood Theatre Company
•
Mixed Blood staff
•
Gremlin Theatre
•
Target Props
•
Jack Reuler
•
Jacie Knight and Youth
Performance Company
•
Family of Steph Mueller
•
Sara Schoenbauer
•
Tony Towner
•
Wendy Ruyle
•
Rod & Shelly Tietz
•
Tom & Christine Karki
•
Bobby Gardner
•
Lizzie Gernes
•
Patrick Kozicky
•
Josh Campbell
•
Bonnie & Mike Fullerton
•
Hannah Joyce-Hoven
•
The Playwrights’ Center
•
Adam Oster & Park High School
•
Willis & Kim Cooan
•
Larry & Carol Pint
•
Shelley Gunn
•
Lyric Arts Company of Anoka
•
New Prague Floral
•
Matt Earley
•
Brent Anderson
•
Rebecca Gebhardt
•
Theatre L’Homme Dieu
•
The Iron Horse Group
•
Abbee Warmboe &
the Warmboe Family
•
New Prague Middle School
•
Tartan High School
•
DeLaSalle High School
•
Mike Lagerquist
•
Katrina Knutson
•
History Theatre
•
Genoveva Castaneda
•
Tim Jennings and
Children’s Theatre Company
BY PHILIP BARRY
Directed by Joshua James Campbell
This broadway classic tells the story of Tracy Lord, of the Philadelphia
Lords, a headstrong and spirited heir on the verge of marrying again ...
but not if her ex-hubby and smitten reporter can help it! It’s the
perfect romantic comedy to open Season Two!
SETTING
1939, the country house of the Lord Family, near Philadelphia.
CAST
Tracy Lord Amanda White
Dinah Lord Sulia Altenberg
Margaret Lord Jennifer Kirkeby
Sandy Lord Patrick Kozicky
Uncle Willie Anthony Zadra
Liz Imbrie Anna Weggel
Macaulay (Mike) Connor Stephen Frethem
George Kittredge Josh Scharback
C.K. Dexter Haven Adam Hummel
Seth Lord Corey Okonek
PRODUCTION
STAFF
Stage Manager Sami Martin
Costume Designer Stephanie Mueller
Lighting Designer Carl Schoenborn
Sound Designer Peter Morrow
Set Designer Gabriel Gomez
Props Designer Abbee Warmboe
Running Crew Joshua Schoeneman
Sara Schoenbauer
Alex Wagner
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
This play will be performed with one intermission.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 3
I find it interesting how far people will go to prove
their success. We withhold information, manipulate
situations, and lie to our loved ones. We surround
ourselves with material objects to impress our
friends and neighbors. We wear designer shoes
and clothes that hurt our feet and bodies. We buy
expensive cars, eat overpriced food and drink $100
bottles of wine because we believe it to be the best. We
will literally gate ourselves into an exclusive community to prove that we are
worth more than others. Once rooted in the ideal that we are all created equal,
our ethos of The American Dream meant that we all have the opportunity to
succeed. Somewhere along the line that dream has turned into a mirage. At
some point we lost track of what success really looks like. Does your neighbor
with the new car, three perfect kids, and a summer home really have it all?
“Keeping up with the Joneses” has been a popular American idiom, dating
back to the early 1900s. But if you take away all of their things, what do the
Joneses stand for? Are they happy? Who are they keeping up with? Rancho
Mirage explores a world where the Joneses are your best friends.
This play is about many things. It is dark, funny and full of heart. It forces
us look at our own lives and our own priorities. At the center of all the
chaos, I hope you will find what I have found: a group of friends who need
each other. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, life isn’t about
what you have accomplished or what you have left unfinished. It’s about
the people you chose to share your life with.
“The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything
that you’re free to do anything.” – Chuck Palahniuk
Patrick Kozicky
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 4
DIRECTOR’S note
BY STEVEN DIETZ
Directed by Patrick Kozicky
In this sharp and surprising sojourn into the psyche of 2012 America —
where affl uence is perhaps our greatest mirage — three couples, long-time
friends, find themselves at a dinner party where everyone finally decides
to tell the truth. What remains between us when our youth, our dreams,
and our last bottle of wine is gone? From one of America’s most widely-
produced playwrights comes a bitingly funny black comedy about what
happens when the fiction that hold our lives together are exposed.
SETTING
The present, a gated community in an American city
CAST
Diane Dahner Hannah Joyce-Hoven
Nick Dahner Michael Lee
Louise Parker (Neese) Christine Karki
Trevor Neese Ben Thietje
Pam Caldwell Amanda White
Charlie Caldwell Tom Karki
Julie Aubry Eggers
PRODUCTION
STAFF
Stage Manager Sami Martin
Assistant Stage Manager Mark Tietz
Costume Designer Chris Loose
Costume Associate Nancy Musil
Lighting Designer Carl Schoenborn
Sound Designer Peter Morrow
Set Designer Gabriel Gomez
Props Designer Abbee Warmboe
Running Crew Emma Deihl
Emily Schoenbauer
RANCHO MIRAGE IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH STEVEN DIETZ.
This play will be performed with one intermission.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 5
I might be biased, but I think Little Shop of Horrors is
the best kind of musical: it has a rockin’ score, it’s full
of great characters, it isn’t overly saccharine, and it
tells a weird and fun story that’s just one click too
magical to be real. It also owns something I’d call
another hallmark of a good musical—it just might, if
you listen closely, have something to say.
Arguably, we are living in one of the most divisive times
in US history—a time that might be compared to the roiling turmoil and seismic
cultural shifts of the 1960s, the era in which our rock musical was originally
placed.  Little Shop was written in 1982 (based on a 1960s film of a similar title) by
the musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and it is chock-full of the
1960s sounds of doowop and Motown. A show about a nerdy and innocent flower
shop clerk who abandons his integrity to gain fame and fortune with the bizarre plant
in his care, there was much speculation about the show’s intentions when it opened
off-Broadway: is it a sociopolitical commentary on fears around segregation? Is it a
warning about the dangers of Nixon’s administration? Is it a retelling of the story of
Faust, urging Americans not to “sell their souls” to capitalism? I don’t know about
all that. I’m just puttin’ on a show, y’all. And yet—there’s something in the first lines
of the opening number that is unsettling, something that makes my senses prickle a
bit: “On the twenty-first day of the month of September, in the early year of a decade not
too long before our own, the human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very
existence. And this terrifying enemy surfaced--as such enemies often do--in the seemingly
most innocent and unlikely of places.”
I feel like the stage is set for a parable. A really wild, weird, dark, funny, shred-
some-vocal-chords parable…one that has puppets. There will be many opinions
in the audience tonight about who or what the real enemy of our musical is, and
how we can stop it. I hope we’ll all meet at Prairie Pond after the show and talk it
over….that is, if there’s still a way out of the theatre….
Enjoy it!
Amanda White
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 6
DIRECTOR’S note
BY ALAN MENKEN & HOWARD ASHMAN
Directed by Amanda White
Music Direction by Anthony J. Sofie
A down-and-out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when
he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon
“Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore
who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite,
finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!
SETTING
The present, Mushnik’s flower shop on Skid Row
CAST
Seymour Krelborn Ben Thietje
Audrey Christine Karki
Mr. Mushnik Grif Sadow
Ronnette Brandon Jackson
Chiffon Rebecca Gebhart
Crystal Mary Palazzolo-Rudquist
Audrey II (voice)/
Ensemble Tom Karki
PRODUCTION
STAFF
Stage Manager Mark Tietz
Sound Designer Peter Morrow
Set Designer Gabriel Gomez
Props Designer Abbee Warmboe
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI).
This play will be performed with one intermission.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 7
SULIA ALTENBERG
is super excited to join
DalekoArts for the first
time in The Philadelphia
Story. Sulia has been
doing theater in the Twin
Cities since she was 11,
starting off at Youth Performance Company.
More recently, however, she has been seen in
Graceland (Theatre Unbound), The Harty Boys
and The Mystery of the Mall of America… of
Death! (Comedy Suitcase), One Hit Thunder
(Mainly Me Productions), and played the title
role in Sweet Charity at her high school, South
High in Minneapolis. Last year she was a Park
Square Theatre Ambassador and was on the
Young Artist’s Council of Youth Performance
Company. This fall she will be focusing on
her junior year in the Cultural Studies and
Comparative Literature major at the University
of Minnesota—and on becoming more like
Mary Tyler Moore.
JOSHUA JAMES
CAMPBELL is quite
excited to be working with
DalekoArts for the first
time. Select Directing cred-
its: Deal!- the Musical- Ritz
Theater, Edith Stein- Open
Window Theatre, The Could Be Project-Hell’s
Kitchen, S.M.E.- Avant Guard Theater Festival
(NYC), The Shoe Tree Reading-Theater Latté
Da, Where’s My Tony- Hennepin Theater (also
co-writer), and for various cabarets, concerts,
and high schools. As an Assistant Director:
Violet- Theater Latté Da (Peter Rothstein-
Director), Charlotte’s Web- Children’s Theatre
Company (Greg Banks-Director), and The
Chiselers- Emerging Artists Theatre, NYC
(Melissa Attebery-Director). As an actor:
performed in the 1st National Tour of Legally
Blonde, Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia,
locally at the Jungle Theater, Theater Latté
Da, Park Square Theatre, Old Log Theater,
Ordway, and Children’s Theatre Company,
and many other shows around the U.S. Josh
graduated from Loyola University Chicago.
www.joshuajamescampbell.com
AUBRY EGGERS
can’t explain why she
does what she does, but
says if everyone did what
everyone else does life
would be pretty boring.
Aubry was recently in the
first ever Twin Cities 24 Hour Project at the
Southern Theatre in Breathing Blue, as well as
the DayTrippers Dinner Theatre production of
Sorry! Wrong Chimney!, and is very excited to
have the opportunity to work with DalekoArts
on Rancho Mirage. She encourages the climbing
of trees, blowing bubbles in milk, and laughing
whenever possible. A special thanks to her family
for putting up with her and her theatrical ways.
Also to the owner of a red KIA your lights are
on. Enjoy the show!!!
STEPHEN FRETHEM is
returning to the stage after a
two-year hiatus to live that
crazy thing called life. Having
been dragged onto it since
the early age of six, he has
appeared with many theatres
in countless productions across the Twin Cities.
A native resident of Saint Paul, Stephen was a
founding member of the now defunct Starting
Gate Productions, which produced professional
theatre in the capitol city for almost a decade.
Stephen now works for a UK-based software
company to earn his keep. For fun he enjoys
curling, volleyball, spending copious amounts of
time with his wife and daughter, and languishing
in the constant sorrow that is the Vikings.
REBECCA GEBHART
is thrilled to be a part of
DalekoArts’ second season.
A Drake University and
Perpich Center for the Arts
graduate, her previous credits
include: Bloody Bloody
Andrew Jackson, Carrie: The Musical, Sunset
Boulevard, Reefer Madness, Gilligan’s Island,
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Bare (Minneapolis
Musical Theatre), Rocky Horror Live (Cardinal
Theatricals), The Gifted Program (Freshwater
Theatre), Chemical Imbalance, Quilters
(Theatre Unbound), Thoroughly Modern Millie
(Bloomington Civic Theatre), and Halfway
Home (Urban Samurai). Enjoy the show!
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 8
THE artists
GABRIEL GOMEZ is a freelance scenic designer
new to the cities. He holds an MFA in scenic
design from the University of South Dakota. He is
excited to be working with DalekoArts, where he is
resident scenic designer for this, his frst season.
DARREN HENSEL is ecstatic to be returning
this season as DalekoArts’ Technical Director.
Darren works all around Minnesota as a theatre
technician. He is the Technical Director at Tartan
& DeLaSalle High School and has also been a
Scenic Designer for Minneapolis Musical Teatre.
Darren also performs around the midwest with
his band, Iron Horse. He thanks Ben and Amanda
for making him a part of the DalekoArts family for
a second season.
ADAM HUMMEL is thrilled
to be a part of DalekoArts’ sec-
ond season. He graduated from
the University of Minnesota
Duluth with a B.F.A. in
Acting, where he performed in
several mainstage produc-
tions as well as in two seasons with Minnesota
Repertory Teatre. Adam is also an award-winning
playwright. Tanks to Amanda, Ben, and Josh for
giving him this fantastic opportunity.
BRANDON JACKSON,
a native of Ore City, TX, is
the Director of Junior Teams
for the United States Tennis
Association Northern Section.
He attended the University
of Minnesota, where he
earned a B.S.B. in Marketing and Entrepreneurial
Management, before going on to earn a M.Ed. in
Sport Management. Brandon started singing in
the church choir at an early age, and continued
singing throughout college with the University
of Minnesota Gospel Choir as a lead vocalist.
His credits include Cowboy Bob in Te Play’s
the Ting’s production of Footloose: Te Musical
(2014), Mr. Bumble in Minnetonka Teatre’s
production of Oliver! (2013), Joseph in the
Bridgewood Church’s production of Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2013), choir
ensemble in Penumbra Teatre Company’s produc-
tion of Te Amen Corner at the Guthrie Teater
(2012). Brandon would like to thank his parents,
Bruce and Winifred, sister Passion, extended
family members, friends, and co-workers for their
continued encouragement, love and support.
HANNAH JOYCE-
HOVEN is so excited to
be making her DalekoArts
debut and working on the
new play, Rancho Mirage
by Steven Dietz. Hannah is
Membership Manager at the
Playwrights’ Center and also a freelance yoga
instructor. Prior to coming to the Twin Cities,
she worked for the William Inge Center for
the Arts in Independence, KS, the boyhood
home of playwright, William Inge. Originally
from St. Louis, MO, she worked there with a
number of theatre companies including the
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. She wants
to thank her husband Matt, and daughters,
Dorienne and Dierdre for making life richer
and sweeter and encouraging her to follow her
bliss every day.
CHRISTINE KARKI
couldn’t be more thrilled to
be returning to DalekoArts
after appearing in The
Odd Couple and directing
Forever Plaid last summer.
A graduate of Gustavus
Adolphus College, Chris has performed in
theatres all over Minnesota including Park
Square Theatre, The Great American History
Theatre, Commonweal Theatre Company,
Actors Theater of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Musical Theatre, Troupe America, Hey City
Theater, The Mechanical Division, The
Minnesota Festival Theatre, St. Croix Festival
Theatre and others. Chris has also performed
across the country in regional and national
tours. As an on-camera and voiceover actress,
Chris has been featured in local and national
commercials, and in 2010, she won a regional
Emmy® for her work. Without question,
Christine’s favorite roles are wife to Tom and
mom to Deven, both of whom inspire her
every day.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 9
THE artists
MICHAEL LEE is
thrilled to be joining
DalekoArts this season!
He has acted profession-
ally in the Twin Cities
for over 20 years, with his
favorite roles being Buddy
in The Diviners and Peter in The Pavilion. A
veteran of the Children’s Theatre Company
in Minneapolis, Michael was last seen in New
Prague as part of the CTC National Tours
of Lyle the Crocodile and Grimm Tales in
2000 and 2001. Recent credits include Yellow
Tree Theatre: The Pavilion, On Golden Pond;
Old Log Theatre: Leaving Iowa, Rancho
Mirage; Urban Samurai: Slasher; Walking
Shadow Theatre: Mr. Marmalade; Pioneer
Place on Fifth Theatre: Arsenic and Old
Lace, The Foreigner, Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s
MacBeth; Jon Hassler Theater: Don’t Hug
Me, A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol, A
Don’t Hug Me County Fair, Don’t Hug Me
I’m Pregnant; Paul Bunyan Playhouse: Boeing
Boeing, The Full Monty, Guys and Dolls, The
Rainmaker, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The
Wizard of Oz; Jungle Theater: MacBeth,
Guthrie Theater: As You Like It; Children’s
Theatre Company: The Diviners, Once Upon
a Forest, Grimm Tales, Lyle the Crocodile, Alice
in Wonderland, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow;
Theatre de la Jeune Lune: The Kitchen; Park
Square Theatre: St. Joan, Equus, Fashion; Brave
New Workshop: Flanagan’s Wake.
CHRIS LOOSE is pleased as punch to be
working on her third DalekoArts production
with Rancho Mirage. Having previously worked
on both Forever Plaid and Almost, Maine, she
knew this would be an awesome and positive
experience, which it has been. Christine has
worked on community theater shows for
Generations Theatre Company as well as New
Prague High School and New Prague Middle
School. “A shout out to all the ladies of the
costume consortium for their support, as well
as my partner in crime, Nancy Musil!” Last but
not least, thanks to the Loose Family Team for
continuing to deal with no trunk space due to
baskets of costumes.
TOM KARKI is thrilled to
be returning for his second
season with DalekoArts. A
graduate of the University of
Minnesota–Duluth, he has
performed numerous theatre
and opera roles across the
country. His favorites include: Norbert in The
Great American Trailer Park Musical, Baker
in Into the Woods, Don Quixote in Man of La
Mancha, Anatoly in Chess and Tad in Bright
Lights, Big City. Tom would like to thank his
family and friends for their constant love and
support; especially his wife, Chris, and his
awesome son, Deven!
JENNIFER KIRKEBY
is thrilled to be doing her
first show with DalekoArts.
She lived most of her
life in California. Well,
maybe about half. Math
really isn’t her thing, so...
Minnesota is nice too. Except this winter.
Don’t you think it’s been an exceptionally long
winter? Jennifer’s done theatre at Yellow Tree
Theatre, Stages Theatre Company, Park Square
Theatre, and a bunch of other places. She’s a
published playwright with Dramatic Publishing
Company, Samuel French and more. She has
two Schnoodles (that’s a mix of Schnauzer and
Poodle. They are so darn cute, but they bark
too much). If you want, pop on over to her
blog: jenniferkirkeby.blogspot.com
PATRICK KOZICKY
is thrilled to be working
with DalekoArts again.
Previously, Patrick has per-
formed with the Children’s
Theatre Company, Walking
Shadow Theatre Company,
Park Square Theatre, Theatre Unbound, The
Mechanical Division, Theatre in the Round
Players, Blooming Civic Theatre, Youth
Performance Company, and The New Theatre
Group. He is also the co-founder and Artistic
Director of BOOM! Theater. Patrick would like
to thank DalekoArts for inviting him to play. He
also thanks everyone who supported the arts by
purchasing a ticket to this show. And chocolate
chip cookies for being so delicious. Thank
you, cookies.
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 10
THE artists
SAMI MARTIN is jazzed
to be managing the stages of
DalekoArts! Most recently
in theater world, she had
a magical time working
with Forgotten Goddess
Productions on Last Days of
Judas Iscariot. When she’s not stage managing,
she can be found at Minneapolis’ Brave New
Workshop, either on stage, behind a light board, or
serving up funky drinks. Occasionally you can even
catch a glimpse of her at local music venues selling
t-shirts and stuf. Feel more than free to add on
social media for info on her upcoming shows! She
sends a humongous thank you hug to DalekoArts
and anyone else who strives to do what they do.
PETER MORROW is a composer, sound
designer, musician and teaching artist from
Dublin, Ireland, where he worked in theatre, flm,
performance and arts education afer fnishing his
M.A. in Music and Media Technology in 2006.
Peter has been in the Twin Cities since September
2012 and has worked with theatre companies
including Bedlam Teatre, New Native Teatre,
Mixed Blood Teatre, Workhaus Collective,
Minneapolis Musical Teatre and as a teaching
artist with the Children’s Teatre Company,
Steppingstone Teatre and East Side Arts Council.
Tis is his second season working with DalekoArts.
STEPHANIE MUELLER recently moved to
the Twin Cities from Eau Claire, WI, where she
worked as the costume design assistant for Eau
Claire Children’s Theatre. Little Women and
Hello, Dolly! are among her favorite design cred-
its. This is her first show with DalekoArts. She’d
like to thank Ann Behrens for the wealth of
experience shared over the years and continued
friendship and the friends made in the theater
community who supported her move to the area.
NANCY MUSIL is happy to be working on
her third DalekoArts production along with
Christine Loose. She is looking forward to
working in the new performance space as well
as working with a whole new crew of actors and
production crew. Nancy has worked on several
shows for Generations Teatre Company, most
memorably, Te Wizard of Oz. Nancy is also
known for her magic with American Girl doll
clothes. Check it out on etsy. Nancy would like
to thank her supportive husband, Roger.
COREY OKONEK moved
to the Minneapolis area
in 1979 with his wonder-
ful wife, now of 35 years.
Together they raised two
awesome children and are
now the proud grandparents
of three fantastic grandchildren. He’s worked
at a local electronics manufacturer in the Twin
Cities for the past 35 years as a metrologist. He
first performed on stage 10 years ago as Merlyn
in a production of Camelot and caught the
theater bug. He’s had the pleasure and privilege
of playing many roles including Tevye, Caiaphas
in Jesus Christ Superstar, both Officer Lockstock
and Caldwell B. Cladwell in productions of
Urinetown. The project he is most proud of is
being in the ensemble of The Laramie Project.
In his spare time he enjoys camping, backpack-
ing, listening and playing music and trying to
remember the lessons that he’s learned from the
wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth:
a gentle giant of a man, his Dad Command
Sargent Major Charles N. Okonek (I miss you,
Dad, say “hi” to Mom for me).
MARY PALAZZOLO-
RUDQUIST is delighted
to be making her debut
with DalekoArts as Crystal.
Mary has been featured as
Widow Corney in Oliver
(Minnetonka Theatre),
Star-to-Be in Annie (Lyrics Arts), Marcellina in
The Marriage of Figaro (UMD Opera) as well
as a member of the ensemble in Les Miserables
(Mounds View Community Theatre). Mary was
also a featured soloist for a master class taught
by the late Marvin Hamlisch. In 2007, Mary
received her degree in Vocal Music Education
from the University of Minnesota–Duluth. She
currently teaches choir at Centennial Middle
School in Lino Lakes, MN, and studies voice
with Dr. Gary Wilson.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 11
THE artists
ANTHONY J. SOFIE
is thrilled to be returning
to DalekoArts, where he
previously music directed
Forever Plaid. Anthony is
an active performer in the
Twin Cities metro area with
over 20 years of performing experience. He has
assumed the roles of music director, accom-
panist, vocal coach, conductor and dialect
coach for numerous opera and musical theater
productions in the Twin Cities, Duluth and
Northern Michigan. Credits include West Side
Story and The Barber of Seville at the Bay View
Music Festival, Cosi fan tutte and Marriage
of Figaro with UMD Opera, and Songs for a
New World, Cabaret and Pippin for UMD
Theater and Minnesota Repertory Theatre,
as well as various vocal and instrumental
recitals. As a vocalist and actor, Anthony has
performed with the Dale Warland Singers, The
Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, St. Paul
Chamber Orchestra Chorale, Minneapolis
Musical Theatre, Chameleon Theatre Circle
and Minnesota Opera. He currently serves as
music director at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
and music director and accompanist for Park
Center High School in Brooklyn Park.
BEN THIETJE has been
working as a professional
theatre artist and teacher
in the Twin Cities for over
ten years. He’s appeared on
stage with local companies
like The Old Log Theater,
Park Square Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre
Company, Troupe America and the National
Theatre for Children. He’s written/produced
several top-selling shows at the Minnesota
Fringe Festival with The Mechanical Division,
a company he co-founded in 2005. Ben directs
theatre at New Prague High School and holds
a degree in Theatre Arts from Minnesota
State University – Mankato. In addition to
being DalekoArts’ Co-Artistic Director, he
performed in the company’s inaugural season
productions of The Odd Couple, Forever Plaid
and Almost, Maine.
GRIF SADOW is in
his first production with
DalekoArts with Little Shop
of Horrors. He has been a
theatre artist and educator
for over 25 years and is
thrilled to perform with
such a gifted and talented group! Grif was
the Drama Director for PCHS and Artistic
Director for Ensemble Productions. He
recently performed in The Laramie Project and
Click Clack Moo for Lyric Arts, is an improv’er
at HUGE Theater and does commercial work.
Grif wishes to thank his family and friends for
their constant love and support.
JOSH SCHARBACK is
thrilled to be making his
DalekoArts debut. A new
arrival to the Twin Cities,
Josh is trying to thaw from
the shock and awe of a
Minnesota winter. Work
with previous theaters includes: Portland Stage,
Merrimack Repertory, American Shakespeare
Center, Philadelphia Shakespeare, Fairbanks
Shakespeare, Penobscot Theatre, Seacoast
Repertory, and seven seasons as an actor,
director, and fight director with the Theater
at Monmouth–The Shakespearean Theater of
Maine. His best work includes his son, Noah,
daughter, Flora, and upcoming production of
New Baby, arriving in September with producer
and wife, Alecia. Josh trained at the London
Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
CARL SCHOENBORN is happy to be work-
ing with DalekoArts as lighting designer. He’s
the resident designer, technical director, and
an actor with Gremlin Theatre, where he has
lit almost every production. He spends days as
Staff Electrician at the Children’s Theatre
Company, and too much other time designing
around town with professional theaters, as well
as colleges and high schools.
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 12
THE artists
AMANDA WHITE
is thrilled to join this com-
pany of artists for the 2014
season. Last season, Amanda
directed The Odd Couple on
the DalekoArts stage, and
played Catherine in Amy
Rummenie’s Proof. Offstage, she has worked
at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in
Play Development for Broadway producer The
Araca Group and as Associate Artistic Director
at the William Inge Center for the Arts.
With an M.F.A. in Performance from MSU–
Mankato, a Master’s degree from Columbia
University’s Program in Arts Administration
and training at The School at Steppenwolf
Theatre Company, she has been honored to
work as actor, director and producer for theatre
companies throughout the United States. In
addition to serving as DalekoArts’ Co-Artistic
Director, Amanda is very proud to be the
Managing Director at Mixed Blood Theatre
Company in Minneapolis. She dedicates this
season to Alaine: a force of nature both on-
stage and off.
ANTHONY ZADRA
has just ended a three-year
run of Deer Camp: The
Musical national tour. His
career is both wild and
wonderful. He has been
a spokesmodel for 3M, a
Radio DJ in Japan, a fugitive for Red Robin,
a screenwriter on several projects, a featured
player in a Swahili language film, a high
school teacher and an acting instructor.
He is waging a private war against circus
peanuts and florescent light bulbs.
MARK TIETZ is thrilled
to be back in New Prague
working with DalekoArts
for their second season.
He recently finished a run
in Osseo at the Yellow
Three Theatre serving as
Stage Manager for Fair Game and Miracle
on Christmas Lake. Last year Mark had the
privilege of stage managing for DalekoArts’
inaugural season working on The Odd Couple,
Forever Plaid, Almost, Maine and Proof. He has
also had the opportunity to work on produc-
tion teams at the Jungle Theater and Mixed
Blood Theatre.
ABBEE WARMBOE is a freelance theatre
artist working in and around the Twin Cities.
Her main focus is in the areas of properties
design, scenic design and painting. Besides
designing she also enjoys working in an
educational setting. She teaches a technical
conservatory class with the FAIR Schools
and is also the technical director at
Wayzata High School.
ANNA WEGGEL is
likely to be found, on any
given night, bouncing
around the stage of one of
the local improv theaters
(ComedySportz, Brave
New Workshop, HUGE
Theater), in a bar or stand-up venue performing
with her comedy bluegrass lady-band Courtney
McClean and the Dirty Curls, or rehearsing
for a scripted play or musical with a wonder-
ful company like DalekoArts filled with tal-
ented, fun people. This is her first DalekoArts
show, and she’s very excited to be playing a
sarcastic 28-year-old photographer, a role that
is practically tailor-made for her sassiness!
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 13
THE artists
Dal ekoAr ts
•
SUMMER 2014 14
OUR donors
owes a debt of gratitude to its 2014 season donors.
Thank you for your awesome generosity
and faith in our work!
Anonymous
Daisy Babione
Jean Bartusek
Korrin Dvorak
Anna Glanzer
Mark Goodman
Robert & Barbara Gullickson
Terri & Mike Jacobson
The Jirik Family
Tom & Christine Karki
Dawn & Bri Meyer
Joan Michel
Tammy Murphy
Kathy O’Neill
Ebonie Pittman
Chuck & Lana Puffer
Tom Reed
Major (Ret.) Phillip &
Leanne Scheiber
Ann Schoenbauer
Jeffrey & Traci Schoenbauer
Robert & Lynn Schoenbauer
The Scrivener Family
Joy Seema
Joe & Patsy Shuster
Ann Marie Simon
Ronald & Kathleen Sofie
Barbara & Crosby Sommers
Family of Ken & Marge Sticha
Pat & Margaret Sullivan
Ben Thietje & Amanda White
Daryl & Addamaine Thietje
Joan Walter
Nancy Webb
Richard & Cathy Wornson
Drs. Dennis & Judith White
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Wilcox
Thomas & Beth Vander Heiden
Brad & Deb Yopp
(CURRENT AS OF 4/28/14)
OUR VISION
DalekoArts will be a
known destination for
quality performing arts and
education in New Prague
and the surrounding southern
metropolitan communities.
OUR STORY
DalekoArts was founded in 2012 by theatre artists Ben Thietje
and Amanda White as a way to help decentralize professional
theatre in Minnesota.
New Prague was chosen as the company’s home due to the
community’s extraordinary interest in theatre, the regional growth
and development it has experienced in the last decade, its relative
proximity to the Twin Cities, and its close ties to the founders.
“Daleko” — a Czech word meaning “far away” — reflects New
Prague’s strong bohemian roots, its spatial relationship to the
cultural hub that is the Twin Cities, and the ensemble’s desire to
step back and examine the world from a new point of view.
OUR MISSION
DalekoArts (pronounced DELL-
uh-koh) works with professional
artists to create ensemble-
based live performance
centered in and around New
Prague, Minnesota. We
are committed to being a
positive force for high-quality
theatrical performance and
arts education. We train
and work under a great and
spirited legacy: the rich artistic
heritage of the Midwest.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
•
RANCHO MIRAGE
•
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 15
ABOUT us
extends i ts grati tude to Prai ri e Pond Vi neyard &
Wi nery for thei r generous season sponsorshi p.
Prairie Pond invites the attendees of DalekoArts
performances to have a beverage — on us!
Simply bring your DalekoArts program or proof of ticket purchase and
enjoy ‘BOGO’ (buy one, get one) drinks before and/or after the show.
105 EAST MAI N STREET, NEW PRAGUE
PRAI RI EPONDWI NERY.COM • 952.758.7850