NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
NEW WORKS FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND!
8:00PM on Friday, 3/31 (CU at Night Official Event, limited public seating available)
2:00PM on Saturday, 4/1
Estimated run-time is 2h 30m including a 10-minute intermission.
Tickets are free and open to the Carroll community and the public.
Seating is limited in the Otteson Theatre, and is first come, first-served.
House will open 30 minutes prior to each curtain.
Questions? Reach out to esage@carrollu.edu.
Note that the Festival is rated R for content and language.
8:00PM on Friday, 3/31 (CU at Night Official Event, limited public seating available)
2:00PM on Saturday, 4/1
Estimated run-time is 2h 30m including a 10-minute intermission.
Tickets are free and open to the Carroll community and the public.
Seating is limited in the Otteson Theatre, and is first come, first-served.
House will open 30 minutes prior to each curtain.
Questions? Reach out to esage@carrollu.edu.
Note that the Festival is rated R for content and language.
The New Works Festival is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running March 1 – June 30, 2023, presented by the Ten Chimneys Foundation. Sign-up for WPWs FREE digital passport to see everything WPW has to offer! Check-in for this production on the passport using the following code: [2380]. See more plays, earn more points, and be entered into exclusive giveaways! Get your passport, view our interactive calendar, and learn more by visiting www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.
Digital Program
Cast List
WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS - by Lizzie Sage
Director......................................................... Phillip Steenbekkers
Kristine .................................................................. Erica Pubentz
Bruce ....................................................................... Kaitlyn Berry
Chorus .................................................................... Michael Flynn
MRS. MOVING ON - by Libby Miller
Director.................................................................... Elena Donley
Mae ..................................................... Anna-Christina Starszak
Riely ............................................................................ Una Fortier
Danielle ............................................................... Grace Stormer
Liam ........................................................................... James Heal
COME, SIT, SPEAK - by Isabella Salefski
Director........................................................................ Jay Nolan
Sharon ................................................................... Kaitlyn Berry
Fluffy .................................................................. George Wager
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - by Bekah Sprouse
Director............................................................ Isabella Salefski
Shaun .................................................................. Michael Flynn
Herman ................................................... Mark Thompson '22
SEVEN - by Ryan Rehak '16
Director................................................... Phillip Steenbekkers
Girls 1-7 ................................................................... Una Fortier
Harper ................................................................. Sergio Flores
10-Minute Intermission
ESTO TAMBIEN PASARA - by Jessica Mayer
Director......................................................... Ruth-Joy Tuttle '22
Charli ................................................. Anna-Christina Starszak
Frankie ................................................................... Sergio Flores
FUCKIN' UMBRELLA - by Skylar Campbell '21
Director......................................................... .........Jessica Mayer
Oliver ................................................................... Michael Flynn
Xavier ...................................................... Brandon Kocorowski
LIGHT SWITCH - by Anna-Christina Starszak
Director.............................................................. Grace Stormer
Missy ..................................................................... Kyra Hietpas
Jack ....................................................................... Sergio Flores
STICKY - by Grace Stormer
Director.............................................................. Josh Zielke '22
Kipp ...................................................................... Elena Donley
Intrusive ................................................................ Ashley Gray
Obsession .......................................................... Sage Shemak
Compulsion ....................................................... Avery EJ Hess
ADULTS IN SPACE - by Phillip Steenbekkers
Director.................................................................... Lizzie Sage
Captain Diaz .................................................. Gavin Steele '21
Commander Tarock ............................. Mark Thompson '22
Lieutenant Williams ..................... Anna-Christina Starszak
Ensign Patel ........................................ Kylie Larson-Blodgett
Director......................................................... Phillip Steenbekkers
Kristine .................................................................. Erica Pubentz
Bruce ....................................................................... Kaitlyn Berry
Chorus .................................................................... Michael Flynn
MRS. MOVING ON - by Libby Miller
Director.................................................................... Elena Donley
Mae ..................................................... Anna-Christina Starszak
Riely ............................................................................ Una Fortier
Danielle ............................................................... Grace Stormer
Liam ........................................................................... James Heal
COME, SIT, SPEAK - by Isabella Salefski
Director........................................................................ Jay Nolan
Sharon ................................................................... Kaitlyn Berry
Fluffy .................................................................. George Wager
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - by Bekah Sprouse
Director............................................................ Isabella Salefski
Shaun .................................................................. Michael Flynn
Herman ................................................... Mark Thompson '22
SEVEN - by Ryan Rehak '16
Director................................................... Phillip Steenbekkers
Girls 1-7 ................................................................... Una Fortier
Harper ................................................................. Sergio Flores
10-Minute Intermission
ESTO TAMBIEN PASARA - by Jessica Mayer
Director......................................................... Ruth-Joy Tuttle '22
Charli ................................................. Anna-Christina Starszak
Frankie ................................................................... Sergio Flores
FUCKIN' UMBRELLA - by Skylar Campbell '21
Director......................................................... .........Jessica Mayer
Oliver ................................................................... Michael Flynn
Xavier ...................................................... Brandon Kocorowski
LIGHT SWITCH - by Anna-Christina Starszak
Director.............................................................. Grace Stormer
Missy ..................................................................... Kyra Hietpas
Jack ....................................................................... Sergio Flores
STICKY - by Grace Stormer
Director.............................................................. Josh Zielke '22
Kipp ...................................................................... Elena Donley
Intrusive ................................................................ Ashley Gray
Obsession .......................................................... Sage Shemak
Compulsion ....................................................... Avery EJ Hess
ADULTS IN SPACE - by Phillip Steenbekkers
Director.................................................................... Lizzie Sage
Captain Diaz .................................................. Gavin Steele '21
Commander Tarock ............................. Mark Thompson '22
Lieutenant Williams ..................... Anna-Christina Starszak
Ensign Patel ........................................ Kylie Larson-Blodgett
Production TeamProducer ................................................................... Lizzie Sage
Stage Manager and Lighting Designer........ Isabella Salefski Assistant Stage Manager and Sound Coordinator .... Emely Gonzalez Videograpghers ................ MJ Saussol, Michaelz Czech, Grace Stormer |
Theatre Program Student PR TeamLizzie Sage ............................ PR Fellow, Graphic Designer
Avery EJ Hess ............ Graphic Designer, Publications Designer Kyra Hietpas .................................................. Social Media Team Una Fortier ................. Social Media Team, TikTok Manager Elena Donley ...Theater Program Fellow, Social Media Manager Anna-Christina Starszak ............................................. PR Team |
Production Managers (THE291)Mara Barczak
Olivia Cypcar Micheala Czech Peter Garza Bailey Leonard Jessica Mayer Jay Nolan Lizzie Sage Anna-Christina Starszak Grace Stormer |
LitERARY MANAGEMENT TeamJessica Mayer
Libby Miller Lizzie Sage Isabella Salefski Phillip Steenbekkers |
Cast and Crew
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Mara Barczak (Production Manager, MRS. MOVING ON) is a freshman at Carroll with a Theater Arts major and a double minor in French and Film/TV. This is her second production with the Carroll Players, she was last seen as a colony member in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Some of her other favorite past roles include Sophie in MAMMA MIA and Brooke in LEGALLY BLONDE. She is excited to be taking on a new kind of role with her involvement in this show and hopes you enjoy all the hard work the students have put into this production! Enjoy the show!
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Kaitlyn Berry (Bruce and Sharon) is a first year student at Carroll University double majoring in Animal Behavior and Biology and this is her first show here at Carroll.
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Elena Donley (Director of MRS. MOVING ON) is a 2nd year student at Carroll with a double major in Animal Behavior and Theatre Arts. She has been involved in many theatre productions here at Carroll both on and off the stage--most recently as an Assistant Director for THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. A special thanks to her amazing cast and to Lizzie for giving her the opportunity to direct!
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Sergio Flores (Frankie, Harper, Jack) is a 2nd year student at Carroll with a major in Musical Theatre and a minor in Educational Studies. This is Sergio's 6th production at Carroll with previous roles including St. Jimmy in AMERICAN IDIOT and Jaxton in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. He would like to thank his amazing friends at Carroll and his family for the support from all the way back home!
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Michael Flynn (Oliver, Chorus, Shaun) is a 3rd-year student at Carroll majoring in Exercise Science with a Minor in Theatre. This is his second production with the Carroll Players, with his previous role being in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. He would like to thank everyone involved in the production, and hopes you enjoy the show!
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Una Fortier (Girls 1-7, Riley) is a 2nd-year Carroll Nursing student with a minor in Theatre Arts. This is her 6th production with the Carroll Players, having previously been Alicia in AMERICAN IDIOT and John the Baptist in GODSPELL. She would like to thank her friends and wonderful production team for their constant support. Enjoy the show!
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Emely Gonzalez (ASM, Sound Designer) is a 2nd-year student at Carroll with a Psychology Major and minors in Theater Arts and Biochemistry. This is the 4th Carroll production that she has participated in, most recent having been THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. She hopes you enjoy the show!
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Ashley Gray (Intrusive) is a 3rd-year student at Carroll with a Music Therapy major, and this is her first role in a production with the Carroll Players. In high school, Ashley had the opportunity to play the roles of Chip in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Pilar in LEGALLY BLONDE, and Babe in THE PAJAMA GAME. Currently, Ashley is also the music director of Carroll University’s acapella organization, PIOnissimo. She would like to thank her family, friends, teachers, and peers for encouraging her to push herself in everything she does.
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James Heal (Liam) is a second year student at Carroll with a communications major. He is playing Liam in MRS. MOVING ON. This is James' 4th show at Carroll University, most recently playing Caden in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. He would like to thank his parents, family, cast, and crew for their support.
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Avery EJ Hess (Complusion) is a 2nd year at Carroll and is majoring in Graphic Design with minors in Theatre and Photography. This is Avery's 5th show with the Carroll Players, having done graphic design and photography for THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, AMERICAN IDIOT and sound mixing for GODSPELL, and most recently acted in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. She would like to thank her friends and family for the endless support!
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Kyra Hietpas (Missy) is a 4th-year student at Carroll with a Musical Theater Major and Educational Studies Minor. This is their 8th production with Carroll Players, with some of their favorite past roles being Heather in AMERICAN IDIOT and Jesus in GODSPELL. They would like to thank their family for supporting all of their collegiate theater endeavors, their best friends for being so awesome, and their girlfriend, Una, for encouraging their growth and success. Enjoy the show!
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Bailey Leonard (Production Manager, FUCKIN' UMBRELLA) is a senior at Carroll University with a Psychology major and Theater Arts minor. This is her 2nd show with her first being the 2021 10-Minute Play Festival where she played Mildred in EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE. She would like to thank both the actors and director of the play she managed, as well as everyone else who has a part in this production and she hopes you enjoy the show!
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Jessica Mayer (Director of FUCKIN' UMBRELLA, Playwright of ESTO TAMBIEN PASARA) is a 2nd year student at Carroll with majors in Elementary Education and Theatre Arts and a minor in Psychology. This is her 2nd production with the Carroll Players after THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. She would like to thank her family for always encouraging her writing. Enjoy the festival!
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Libby Miller (Playwright of MRS.MOVING ON) is a 4th-year student at Carroll with a double major in Secondary Education and English and Writing with a minor in Theatre Arts. Libby is so happy to share her 10-Minute Play with you and she hopes you enjoy! She would like to thank all the people who came to support her work and wants to shout out the amazing team who brought her play to life.
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Jay Nolan (Production Manager, ESTO TAMBIEN PASARA) is a senior at Carroll with an Animal Behavior and Theater Arts Major and a minor in Psychology. This is their first time directing a play, but has been a member of the theater for many years. They would like to thank their cat (MoMo), family, boyfriend, boyfriend's family's, and their amazing actors.
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Erica Pubentz (Christine) is a 1st-year student at Carroll going for a Major in Applied Physics with Minors in Education and Business. This is her first production here at Carroll but is very excited to be play the role of Christine in WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS. She would like to thank her new friends at Carroll for helping her branch out and try new things, and hopes you enjoy the show!
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Lizzie Sage (Producer) is a 4th-year Psychology and Theatre Arts major. She is super excited to be producing this festival and would like to thank everyone for their support. Lizzie is the playwright of WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS, director of ADULTS IN SPACE, and production manager of STICKY. Her most recent work was as the assistant director of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and support of new works and theatre across the state! Enjoy the show!
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Isabella Salefski (Stage Manager, Light Designer, Director of UNFINISHED BUSINESS) is a fourth-year double majoring in Animal Behavior and Theatre Arts. She has done tech for the FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and AMERICAN IDIOT as well as performing onstage in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY at Carroll. She wants to thank family and friends and hopes you enjoy all of these fantastic shows!
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Sage Shemak (Obsession) is a third-year Music Therapy major with a double minor in Theatre Arts and Psychology. Previous roles at Carroll include Anna in SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, Declan in MERICAN IDIOT, and Uzo in GODSPELL. She is very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the 10-minute play festival and is grateful to work with an amazing cast and crew!
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Bekah Sprouse (Playwright of UNFINSIHED BUSINESS) is a 3rd year Psychology and Theatre major at Carroll. She has been involved in multiple productions at Carroll, favorites being THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and AMERICAN IDIOT. Bekah is currently spending her time making magic at Walt Disney World and is sending warm thoughts to all of her friends back home.
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Anna-Christina Starszak (Lieutenant Williams, Charli, Mae) is a junior double majoring in Musical Theatre and Theatre Arts and Management. Her most recent role with Carroll was Logan in THE THANKSGIVING PLAY and has been in recent shows like GODSPELL and AMERICAN IDIOT. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her.
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Gavin Steele '21 (Captain Diaz) is a Carroll University Alum. This is his 8th production with Carroll, with some of his favorite roles being Johnny in American Idiot and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet A Cover! He would like to thank his friends and family and the amazing playwrights, directors and crew who put together this production! He hopes that you enjoy the show!
Phillip Steenbekkers (Director of SEVEN, Director of WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS, Playwright of ADULTS IN SPACE) is a senior English and Musical Theater major with a minor in Educational Studies. He has been in eight productions at Carroll, beginning with JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT and most recently AMERICAN IDIOT. Coming up this summer, he will be directing a production of ROMEO AND JULIET with Voices Found Repertory. He would like to thank all of his friends and mentors who have made his time in Carroll arts so spectacular.
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Grace Stormer (Danielle, Director of LIGHT SWITCH, Playwright of STICKY) is a third year student at Carroll with a major in Theatre Arts and minors in Film & Television and Graphic Design. Her previous theatre involvement at Carroll includes THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, AMERICAN IDIOT, and GODSPELL. She hopes you enjoy the festival!
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Mark Thompson '22 (Herman, Cmdr. Tarok) is ready to perform his first play as an alum of Carroll! His most recent stage roles were Dennis in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Waukesha Civic Theater and Dr. Chasuable in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST here at Carroll. Funnily enough, Mark is performing the role of Cmdr. Tarok for the 3rd time! Once in the inaugural reading of the play once in 2021 and finally now!
Ruth Joy Tuttle '22 (Director of ESTO TAMBIEN PASARA) graduated Carroll with a major in Music Therapy and a double minor in Psychology and Theatre Arts in 2022. Her favorite role she played at Carroll was Lady Bracknell in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. This is her first time directing a show that involves more than just her sister and will be seen by more than just her parents. She'd like to thank her family for their unconditional support and she hopes you enjoy the show!
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George Wager (Fluffy) is a second year student at Carroll with an Art major and a Spanish minor. This is their second show at Carroll. Some of his previous musical roles include The Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ, Pugsley Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and Mr. Brooks / Braxton in LITTLE WOMEN.
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Josh Zielke '22 (Director of STICKY) is an alumnus of Carroll University. This is his second-and-a-half time directing a 10-minute play at Carroll, he most recently directed A PARTY TO DIE FOR this past September, and STUCK in December of 2021. He would like to thank the cast of STICKY for making the show come to life, Lizzie Sage for making this production happen, and his girlfriend Grace her unyielding support (and for driving him here).
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The NEW WORKS FESTIVAL is performed in honor of
Shirley J. (Weekes) '56 and James "Kai" C. Kaltenborn '54
Thank you to donors who helped make this festival possible!
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The Theatre Arts Program recently received TWO gifts that helped make the New Works Festival happen - one gift from a generous Anonymous Donor, and one gift from the the estate of Shirley J. (Weekes) ’56 & James “Kai” C. Kaltenborn '54.
James was a business administration and sociology major and Shirley studied history with a minor in theatre arts and sociology. They were living in San Diego at the time of their death; James passing away in February 2021 and Shirley in February 2022. They directed their gift to Carroll with this note:
“Shirley J. Weekes met her husband, James "Kai" Kaltenborn at Carroll College in Waukesha, WI where they were both members of the Carroll College A Capella Choir under the direction of Lewis E. Whikehart. Kai was a senior and Shirley was a freshman. He was the booming bass voice behind her messo-soprano and she "caught" him. He graduated in 1954 and started his officer's career in the Navy, and she wasn't going to be left behind. Committed to completing her degree, she told her academic counselor that she wanted to complete her studies and graduate in three years. They said it couldn't be done, but she proved them wrong. After completing all her required courses and needing one last credit, she negotiated with her Drama instructor ... if she would cast, plan and direct the next Carroll Players production, she could earn that last credit. SHE DID IT! Three-days after her graduation, Kai and Shirley were married on June 9, 1956. Carroll received an estate gift of $10,000 in March 2023 in their name directed through their family trust administered by their daughter, Linda Isley, to be applied to the Theater Arts Production account to support the Theatre Arts Program.”
Naturally, the Theatre Program requested Sue Riehl's help (the Theatre Librarian at Carroll), and we were able to uncover the cast list, student newspaper blurbs, AND a photo from the play that Shirley directed while she was a student at Carroll in 1956 - all from the Archives! We thought it was so fitting to acknowledge this incredible history and gift during our own Student-Produced play festival this Spring.
We're so grateful to both our Anonymous Donor and to the estate of Shirley J. (Weekes) ’56 & James “Kai” C. Kaltenborn '54 for helping us make all of our Theatre work possible this year.
James was a business administration and sociology major and Shirley studied history with a minor in theatre arts and sociology. They were living in San Diego at the time of their death; James passing away in February 2021 and Shirley in February 2022. They directed their gift to Carroll with this note:
“Shirley J. Weekes met her husband, James "Kai" Kaltenborn at Carroll College in Waukesha, WI where they were both members of the Carroll College A Capella Choir under the direction of Lewis E. Whikehart. Kai was a senior and Shirley was a freshman. He was the booming bass voice behind her messo-soprano and she "caught" him. He graduated in 1954 and started his officer's career in the Navy, and she wasn't going to be left behind. Committed to completing her degree, she told her academic counselor that she wanted to complete her studies and graduate in three years. They said it couldn't be done, but she proved them wrong. After completing all her required courses and needing one last credit, she negotiated with her Drama instructor ... if she would cast, plan and direct the next Carroll Players production, she could earn that last credit. SHE DID IT! Three-days after her graduation, Kai and Shirley were married on June 9, 1956. Carroll received an estate gift of $10,000 in March 2023 in their name directed through their family trust administered by their daughter, Linda Isley, to be applied to the Theater Arts Production account to support the Theatre Arts Program.”
Naturally, the Theatre Program requested Sue Riehl's help (the Theatre Librarian at Carroll), and we were able to uncover the cast list, student newspaper blurbs, AND a photo from the play that Shirley directed while she was a student at Carroll in 1956 - all from the Archives! We thought it was so fitting to acknowledge this incredible history and gift during our own Student-Produced play festival this Spring.
We're so grateful to both our Anonymous Donor and to the estate of Shirley J. (Weekes) ’56 & James “Kai” C. Kaltenborn '54 for helping us make all of our Theatre work possible this year.
Coming up THIS SUMMER: Heathers the musical!
Click Here for Audition and Callback information!
Questions?
Contact Prof. Dobby at jdobby@carrollu.edu, or stop by the Theatre Office and ask one of our workers!
Contact Prof. Dobby at jdobby@carrollu.edu, or stop by the Theatre Office and ask one of our workers!