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October 3 – 18, 2014

THE PILLOWMAN

By Martin McDonagh

With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka, and the Brothers Grimm, The Pillowman, centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art. Photos by Michael Brunk | NWlens.com

THE PILLOWMAN

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

Andrew Shanks (Ariel) is a Northwest actor and playwright, currently residing in the Seattle area. Receiving his BFA in performance theatre from Central Washington University, Shanks has performed and written original works for various fringe festivals and competitions across the region. He’d like to thank his family for their support, his coworkers for freeing up his nights, and Abby for being there for him every step of the way. This is Shanks’ first production with SSR

Jalyn Green (Michal) is getting paid to do this show and can't believe it. This is Jalyn's sixth show with SecondStory having previously appeared in two productions of A Christmas Carol, Much Ado about Nothing, Born Yesterday, and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He has also worked with Book it Rep, Theatre Schmeater, Greenstage, Ghost Light Theatricals, Burien Actors Theatre, and Shakespeare Northwest among others. Thanks to Mark, Jen, Alicia, and The Cheat.

Adam St. John (Katurian) is thrilled to be making his SecondStory Rep debut as Katurian. He's spent the last three years earning his MFA in Acting at Indiana University, where he taught, directed, and performed in multiple shows, including Les Liaisons Dangereuses, King Lear, Cloud 9, and The Miracle Worker. He's also performed internationally at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and locally at the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham. Adam would like to thank Alicia and Mark for trusting him with such an important role and Melissa and Stella for their constant love and support.

Brian Lange (Tupolski) is returning to SecondStory Rep after last appearing here just out of college 9 years ago in Man of La Mancha. In the last year Brian has worked with Village Theater (WATT?!?, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes) StageRIGHT (Floyd Collins, The Elephant Man) and Balagan Theater (Carrie, ThanksKilling, and Jerry Springer: The Opera). Thanks to Mark, Jen, and Alicia for letting me do a play! And love to Christine for letting me do anything and everything.

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Alicia Mendez (Director) is incredibly thankful to be directing The Pillowman. This show is a dark and twisted dream come true, and she is excited to bring her vision to the stage. Alicia would like to thank the amazing cast that made her job so enjoyable. Alicia is not stranger to the SSR stage, this show will the 7th show she has worked either on stage as a performer or in a production role. When Alicia is not indulging her artistic side you can find her molding the minds of middle schoolers. A very special thanks goes out to Mark and Jen for giving her this opportunity.

Catrina Lee-Vroman (Stage Manager) is excited to be back with SecondStory Rep for Pillowman, one of her favorite plays. She last worked on The Mystery of Irma Vep here at SSR and on Trust Me and Little Mermaid Jr. over at Village Kidstage. She sends her love to Jon, and their “babies” Sophie and Nyx.

Carmen Olmedo (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be costuming for SecondStory Rep once more. She'd like to thank her cast, fellow production team, friends, family, and absolutely stupendous boyfriend for all their support throughout this process. Previous credits include Alice's Anthem, 14/48: The World's Quickest Theater Festival, Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Jerry Springer the Opera.

Jen Chenovick (Light Design) Jen's theatrical career began in 2002 when she was asked to assistant stage manage The Importance of Being Ernest right here at SSR. Following her passion for theater Jen moved to Hollywood in 2005 where she stage managed for The Blank Theatre including the oddly satisfying Lobster Alice starring Noah Wylie and Nicholas Brendon. While in California, she also worked with Syzygy Theatre Group and the World Premiere of Tender, Abi Morgan’s trenchant drama of the human hunger for connection. Jen moved back to Redmond in 2007 and jumped right back into her work with SSR. During her eighteen plus years at SSR Jen has worn many hats, from stage manager to production manager to managing director and now light design. Special thanks to my parents, they’re pretty cool.

Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director) has been designing, building, and painting sets since the mid-eighties. Having the fortune to begin his theatrical career under the tutelage of Don McLaughlin in his hometown of Helena Montana, Mark continued his training at the University of Washington where he was accepted into the Graduate Design Seminar his sophomore year. With subsequent degrees in Art History and Drama, Mark went on to serve as technical director/designer for multiple organizations including: Virginia Musical Theatre, Fort Peck Summer Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Little Theater of the Rockies, and the Norfolk Governor’s School for the Arts. As Technical Director/Production Manager of the national tour of Anything Goes (starring Gloria Loring) Mark travelled around the United States and Canada realizing that there is no place quite as wonderful as the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, and following a brief stint as a carpenter at The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C., he moved back to Seattle. Locally he has worked behind the scenes for the Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Redwood Theatre, and, of course, SecondStory Repertory.


Mark Chenovick (Sound Design) I began my sound design journey splicing reel-to-reel tape together in the basement of the original Penthouse Theater on the University of Washington campus but it was my brief time in the MFA program at Utah State University, where I learned the joys of digital sound design, and subsequently, became hooked on sound design for life. Having provided composed and curated underscoring and soundscaping, original and sourced sound effects, and performance amplification services for multiple theaters across the US, I have felt the most at home at SSR. Special thanks to Squolfie, ‘lil Squolf, and my extended family. You are the music of my life. #bandistoohot #sorrynotsorry

Mark Chenovick (Projection Design) has designed projections for over 100 shows in the last ten years. Prior to that he worked with CJS design, a website design and hosting company, developing custom websites for clients ranging from Draper Valley Farms to Seattle Film Group. He also co-created and ran the now defunct SeattleActor.com, a website focused on Seattle area theater, featuring audition listings, helpful articles, and show reviews. In addition to projections, Mark also designs all of the marketing materials you see at SSR including; posters, show graphics, and website. All my love to Jen. Enjoy the show!

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