HORSE HEAD THEATRE CO. PRESENTS THE REGIONAL PREMIERE OF
LIDLESS
BY FRANCES YA-CHU COWHIG
JUNE 2 - 18, 2016
THURSDAYS - SATURDAYS @ 8PM + INDUSTRY NIGHT: MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 @ 8PM
@ Fresh Arts Gallery, Winter Street Studios
THE CAST:
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TANITH ALBRIGHT (Rhiannon) is a Musical Theatre Major at Sam Houston State University where she has portrayed Dunyazade in The Arabian Nights, Dora in The Storytelling Ability of a Boy, and Maro in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Tanith has also performed with the Crighton Theatre, The Purple Box Theatre, and Houston Grand Opera.
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DEEBA ASHRAF (Riva/Zakiyah) born in Houston, Deeba began her theatre career at University of St. Thomas (Company and Talking With...), Fort Bend Community Theater (The Glass Slipper) and Houston Community College (The Good Doctor). Deeba then worked with Push Push Theatre in Atlanta, GA (Inspector General (Re-Imagined) and The Good Person of Setzuan). Upon her return to Houston, she participated in John Dunn's MADCAP 24 and joined Shunya Theatre in 2007 (The Merchant of Venice, A Nice Indian Boy, A Widow of No Importance, and Bhopal). In addition, Deeba has performed with Invisible Lines (A Pale-Faced Moon, an original work), C.A.P.T.A.I.N., Next Actor Studios, and Dailies Film and Video (Pseudoie, Pseudo IIe, and The Third Ballad). Her most recent project was the Intercultural Play Series with Next Iteration Theater Company, where she performed in Ayad Akhtar's The Who and the What.
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RICK EVANS (Lucas) Originally from San Antonio, Rick began his theatrical training in adulthood in Houston, which he now calls home. In the 16 years since, Rick has played multiple roles on stages all around Houston. Favorite past shows include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee) at Music Box Musicals, The Three Musketeers (Athos) and Happy Days – The Musical (Fonzie) at UpStage Theatre, Oklahoma! (Curly) and 1776 (Edward Rutledge) at Art Park Players, and Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Butler) at Ft. Bend Theatre.
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HERMAN GAMBHIR (Bashir) brings an International flavor to the table: born and raised in Houston, Herman grew up in Amsterdam, NL; acquired a BA (with honors) in Acting from Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts; and was nominated as one of the UK’s top 22 graduates for the annual Spotlight Prize Awards. Film/TV credits include: “Harry” in the indie feature BE NOT AFRAID directed by Taylor Gahm; series regular “Johnny” in British soap opera CLOUD 9 for Sky and Virgin Media; “Diego Rodrigues” in VAULT directed by Brett De Vos; CAPTAIN PHILLIPS directed by Paul Greengrass, GATECRASHER directed by Paul Cockcroft, LOS JACK MACHINE directed by Francis Techene. Theatre Credits: DIALOGUES ON GRACE (14 Pews), THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY (Stages Repertory Theatre), BOLLOCKS (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), TORCH SONG TRILOGY (Tour of Eastern Europe), Cole Porter’s JUBILEE (Tabard Theatre London), KARMA & KISMET (De Balie Amsterdam), THEY SHOOT HORSES DON’T THEY? A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT’S DREAM (Paul McCartney Auditorium). In addition, Herman has performed with some of the world’s best improvisers in over ten Improvathons worldwide produced by Extempore Theatre in association with Die-Nasty. His Improvathon highlights include: the annual London 50 Hour Improvathons, the 26 Hour Improvaton in Cork, Ireland, and performing at the Bristol Old Vic, among others. Herman is currently filming the feature film UNSOLICITED produced by Misanta Productions LLC, and will perform at the 2016 Houston Shakespeare Festival in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Don John) and HENRY V (Nym, Bourbon and Williams). Herman is also a creative associate for design studio ¿ReallyStudio?www.reallystuido.com and a founding member of CRAFT Theatre www.craft-theatre.com, both London based companies.
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MISCHA HUTCHINGS (Alice) Recent roles include: Mary in Detroit (Catastrophic Theatre), Stacy in Spaghetti Code* (Horse Head Theatre), Meg in Leighza Walker's Fishing (Cone Man Running Productions), Elizabeth Keel’s Rainbowlands (14 Pews), Margaret in Leading Ladies (Texas Repertory Theatre), Karen in Speed the Plow (Country Playhouse), and Catherine in Elizabeth Keel's Notions of Right and Wrong (Mildred's Umbrella). Other favorite roles include: Catherine in Proof, Carol in Oleanna, Mary in It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, Sylvia in Sylvia, and three years tour of duty at Main Street Youth Theater. Mischa holds a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and is a company member of Horse Head Theatre Co.
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about the playwright:
Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's plays have received the Yale Drama Series Award, an Edinburgh Fringe First Award, the Keene Prize for Literature, the Wasserstein Prize, and the David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize. She has been a finalist for the Blackburn Prize, received residencies at Yaddo, MacDowell, Ragdale, and the Santa Fe Art Institute, and is under commission from South Coast Rep and Seattle Rep. Her plays have been produced by Trafalagar Studios 2 on the West End, Page 73 Productions in New York, Interact Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in West Virginia. They have been developed at the Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival, Seattle Rep, PlayPenn, the Alley Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Ojai Playwrights Conference, the Playwrights Foundation and Yale Rep. Frances received an MFA in Writing from the James A. Michener Center for Writers at UT Austin, a BA in Sociology from Brown University, and a certificate in Ensemble Created Physical Theatre from the DellArte International School of Physical Theatre. Her work has been published by Glimmer Train, Methuen Drama, and Yale University Press. Frances was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Northern Virginia, Okinawa, Taipei and Beijing.
Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's plays have received the Yale Drama Series Award, an Edinburgh Fringe First Award, the Keene Prize for Literature, the Wasserstein Prize, and the David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize. She has been a finalist for the Blackburn Prize, received residencies at Yaddo, MacDowell, Ragdale, and the Santa Fe Art Institute, and is under commission from South Coast Rep and Seattle Rep. Her plays have been produced by Trafalagar Studios 2 on the West End, Page 73 Productions in New York, Interact Theatre in Philadelphia, and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in West Virginia. They have been developed at the Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival, Seattle Rep, PlayPenn, the Alley Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Ojai Playwrights Conference, the Playwrights Foundation and Yale Rep. Frances received an MFA in Writing from the James A. Michener Center for Writers at UT Austin, a BA in Sociology from Brown University, and a certificate in Ensemble Created Physical Theatre from the DellArte International School of Physical Theatre. Her work has been published by Glimmer Train, Methuen Drama, and Yale University Press. Frances was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Northern Virginia, Okinawa, Taipei and Beijing.
THE ARTISTIC TEAM:
ALISON CHRISTY (Director, Dramaturg, and Engagement Programming Lead) Alison Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Theatre at the University of Kansas. Alison has served as a Dramaturgy Fellow at the Alley Theatre, an Assistant Dramaturg at the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and has worked for Wordsmyth Theatre, The Landing Theatre Company, and WordBridge Playwrights Laboratory. Alison has also served a Co-Managing Editor for the Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism. She holds a M.A. in Theatre Studies from the University of Houston, and a B.F.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in Slavic Studies from Wayne State University. She is currently writing her dissertation about the intersections of dramaturgy and the performance of national trauma. Alison works as a freelance dramaturg and director in Houston.
JOHN DUNN (Costume Design) John mostly costumes himself for gala appearances, but has costumed shows such as Rosencratnz and Guildenstern are Dead and Little Women: The Musical. John has performed in several Houston productions including numerous Tamarie Cooper shows and The Pine (One Sock) at Catastrophic Theatre; Mac Wellman's Dracula (Jonathan Harker) and Carnival 'Round the Central Figure (Preacher) at Mildred's Umbrella; Chinglish (Peter) at Black Lab Theatre; Sixty Miles to Silver Lake(Ky), See Rock City (Niagara Guide), The Story of My Life (Alvin), Gone Missing (Ensemble), and Reefer Madness (Jack/Jesus) at Theatre LaB; A Man of No Importance (Alfie) at Lone Star CyFair; Assassins (Ensemble) at MJR Musicals; and The Adding Machine (Shrdlu) at Ornery Theatre.
ROB KIMBRO (Co-Lighting Designer) has worked as a director, designer, educator, technician, and dramaturg for theatres all over the country. His original adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Odd and the Frost Giants debuted at Stages Repertory Theatre in 2011. Other directing credits include Rabbit Hole, Romeo and Juliet, Rough Crossing, and Much Ado about Nothing at Rice University; Ravenscroft and Dead Man's Cell Phone for Mildred's Umbrella; Deborah at 14 Pews; and Four Henry V’s and Gate of Heaven for Nova Arts Project. Rob was the founder of the Madison Young Playwrights Festival in Madison, WI, and has worked with young playwrights through McCarter Theatre’s YouthInk! Program and the Houston Young Playwrights Exchange at the Alley. He was the assistant director for the world premiere of Regina Taylor’s Crowns at the McCarter Theatre Center and an SSDC Observer for Brian Kulick’s production of Twelfth Night in Central Park. He is a graduate of Rice University and the University of Houston and currently teaches theatre at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston.
JACEY LITTLE (Artistic Director) is the AD of Horse Head Theatre Co., a freelance theatre director and dramaturg, and Production Manager at the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO). Under Jacey’s leadership, HH was recognized as a 2016 Houston Press MASTERMIND. In addition, Jacey commissioned, developed and directed Horse Head’s The Whale; or, Moby-Dick* by Timothy N. Evers, Philip Hays & Herman Melville (Houston Press 2015 “Best New Play” Winner) and Spaghetti Code* by Abby Koenig (BroadwayWorld Houston 2014 “Best New Play or Musical” Winner). Jacey’s 2016 projects include the development, direction and dramaturgy of Dialogues on Grace* by Cressandra Thibodeaux at 14 Pews; Dollface* by Katharine Sherman with Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Company; and Ten Ways on a Gun** by Dylan Lamb with The Landing Theatre Company. Jacey is the former Literary Manager and Dramaturg for the Alley Theatre and her Alley dramaturgy credits include Warrior Class* (Kenneth Lin), The Elephant Man (Bernard Pomerance), The Mountaintop** (Katroi Hall; Arena Stage co-pro), Red (John Logan), The Seafarer (Conor McPherson) and What We’re Up Against* (Theresa Rebeck). Also at the Alley, she assistant directed and dramaturged The Seagull* (Adapted by Gregory Boyd) and Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller). As a freelance dramaturg, Jacey has worked with The Landing Theatre Company, Houston Shakespeare Company, Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company, Wordsmyth Theatre Company, and Obsidian Art Space. Jacey received her MFA in Dramaturgy and Theatre Historiography from University of Houston under Mark Bly and Dr. Rob Shimko and her BFA in Dramaturgy and Acting from University of Oklahoma. *Indicates a world premiere and ** a regional premiere.
THOMAS MURPHY (Co-Lighting Designer) is a professional lighting and scenic designer based in Houston, TX and third year graduate fellow in lighting and scenic design at the University of Houston. Recent credits include 39 Steps at Queensbury Theatre, How I Learned To Drive at Obsidian Theater/Landing Theatre Company, The Altruists at The Rice Players, Intimate Apparel, Fuente Ovejuna, Bus Stop, Playboy of the Western World, Philadelphia Story, and Blood Wedding at the University of Houston. He has designed for a number of dance companies in Houston and has been a regular fixture designing and consulting for Diverseworks. Thomas has assisted on productions at The Palazzo Theater in Las Vegas, Cincinnati Playhouse, and the Alley Theatre and a number of other theatre companies in the Houston and Austin areas. Thomas is dedicated to the creation of great art and collaboration with is colleagues. He also spends his time writing and creating visual art.
JOHN PEEPLES (Sound Designer) is currently attending the University of Houston expecting to graduate in June of 2017 with a BFA in theatre production. Recent sound design work includes Fool For Love (2016, The Landing Theatre Co.), Becky’s New Car (2016, Mildred’s Umbrella), The 39 Steps (2016, Queensbury Theatre), A Comedy of Errors (2015, HCC-SW Campus), The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore (2015, Actors Equity Showcase), Fuente Ovejuna (2015, U of H), The Miser (2015, U of H), The Hunchback Variations (2015, Catastrophic Theatre) – one of three designs nominated by the Houston Press for best sound design in 2015. Other recent work includes What Shall We Do Next? (2016, Diverse Works @ Mid-Town Arts Center), a summer audio internship at Miller Outdoor Theatre (2015), working as the audio editor and sound engineer for the Houston Shakespeare Festival (2015) and working as sound engineer for The Alley All New festival (2016). John is a member of USITT.
LEAH SHORT (Dramaturg) holds a B.F.A. from University of the Ozarks in Theatre and Sociology and an M.A. in Theatre Historiography from University of Houston. Professional credits include dramaturgy at the Alley Theatre, Catastrophic Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Horse Head Theatre Company, and Black Lab Theatre, with directing and design credits at Clarksville Children's Company in Clarksville, AR, and stage management credits with Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA and Horse Head Theatre Co. Leah is Company Manager of Horse Head Theatre Co. and a lead teacher and director in Alvin ISD.
Additional Artists & team members: Philip Hays (HH Company, Artistic and Marketing), Kevin Holden (HH Company, Artistic), Abby Koenig (HH Company, PR and Communications), Avery Padilla (Front of House Manager), Frank Vela (HH founding member and guest Technical Director) and Bruce Wind (Tech Crew).
JOHN DUNN (Costume Design) John mostly costumes himself for gala appearances, but has costumed shows such as Rosencratnz and Guildenstern are Dead and Little Women: The Musical. John has performed in several Houston productions including numerous Tamarie Cooper shows and The Pine (One Sock) at Catastrophic Theatre; Mac Wellman's Dracula (Jonathan Harker) and Carnival 'Round the Central Figure (Preacher) at Mildred's Umbrella; Chinglish (Peter) at Black Lab Theatre; Sixty Miles to Silver Lake(Ky), See Rock City (Niagara Guide), The Story of My Life (Alvin), Gone Missing (Ensemble), and Reefer Madness (Jack/Jesus) at Theatre LaB; A Man of No Importance (Alfie) at Lone Star CyFair; Assassins (Ensemble) at MJR Musicals; and The Adding Machine (Shrdlu) at Ornery Theatre.
ROB KIMBRO (Co-Lighting Designer) has worked as a director, designer, educator, technician, and dramaturg for theatres all over the country. His original adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Odd and the Frost Giants debuted at Stages Repertory Theatre in 2011. Other directing credits include Rabbit Hole, Romeo and Juliet, Rough Crossing, and Much Ado about Nothing at Rice University; Ravenscroft and Dead Man's Cell Phone for Mildred's Umbrella; Deborah at 14 Pews; and Four Henry V’s and Gate of Heaven for Nova Arts Project. Rob was the founder of the Madison Young Playwrights Festival in Madison, WI, and has worked with young playwrights through McCarter Theatre’s YouthInk! Program and the Houston Young Playwrights Exchange at the Alley. He was the assistant director for the world premiere of Regina Taylor’s Crowns at the McCarter Theatre Center and an SSDC Observer for Brian Kulick’s production of Twelfth Night in Central Park. He is a graduate of Rice University and the University of Houston and currently teaches theatre at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston.
JACEY LITTLE (Artistic Director) is the AD of Horse Head Theatre Co., a freelance theatre director and dramaturg, and Production Manager at the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO). Under Jacey’s leadership, HH was recognized as a 2016 Houston Press MASTERMIND. In addition, Jacey commissioned, developed and directed Horse Head’s The Whale; or, Moby-Dick* by Timothy N. Evers, Philip Hays & Herman Melville (Houston Press 2015 “Best New Play” Winner) and Spaghetti Code* by Abby Koenig (BroadwayWorld Houston 2014 “Best New Play or Musical” Winner). Jacey’s 2016 projects include the development, direction and dramaturgy of Dialogues on Grace* by Cressandra Thibodeaux at 14 Pews; Dollface* by Katharine Sherman with Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Company; and Ten Ways on a Gun** by Dylan Lamb with The Landing Theatre Company. Jacey is the former Literary Manager and Dramaturg for the Alley Theatre and her Alley dramaturgy credits include Warrior Class* (Kenneth Lin), The Elephant Man (Bernard Pomerance), The Mountaintop** (Katroi Hall; Arena Stage co-pro), Red (John Logan), The Seafarer (Conor McPherson) and What We’re Up Against* (Theresa Rebeck). Also at the Alley, she assistant directed and dramaturged The Seagull* (Adapted by Gregory Boyd) and Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller). As a freelance dramaturg, Jacey has worked with The Landing Theatre Company, Houston Shakespeare Company, Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company, Wordsmyth Theatre Company, and Obsidian Art Space. Jacey received her MFA in Dramaturgy and Theatre Historiography from University of Houston under Mark Bly and Dr. Rob Shimko and her BFA in Dramaturgy and Acting from University of Oklahoma. *Indicates a world premiere and ** a regional premiere.
THOMAS MURPHY (Co-Lighting Designer) is a professional lighting and scenic designer based in Houston, TX and third year graduate fellow in lighting and scenic design at the University of Houston. Recent credits include 39 Steps at Queensbury Theatre, How I Learned To Drive at Obsidian Theater/Landing Theatre Company, The Altruists at The Rice Players, Intimate Apparel, Fuente Ovejuna, Bus Stop, Playboy of the Western World, Philadelphia Story, and Blood Wedding at the University of Houston. He has designed for a number of dance companies in Houston and has been a regular fixture designing and consulting for Diverseworks. Thomas has assisted on productions at The Palazzo Theater in Las Vegas, Cincinnati Playhouse, and the Alley Theatre and a number of other theatre companies in the Houston and Austin areas. Thomas is dedicated to the creation of great art and collaboration with is colleagues. He also spends his time writing and creating visual art.
JOHN PEEPLES (Sound Designer) is currently attending the University of Houston expecting to graduate in June of 2017 with a BFA in theatre production. Recent sound design work includes Fool For Love (2016, The Landing Theatre Co.), Becky’s New Car (2016, Mildred’s Umbrella), The 39 Steps (2016, Queensbury Theatre), A Comedy of Errors (2015, HCC-SW Campus), The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore (2015, Actors Equity Showcase), Fuente Ovejuna (2015, U of H), The Miser (2015, U of H), The Hunchback Variations (2015, Catastrophic Theatre) – one of three designs nominated by the Houston Press for best sound design in 2015. Other recent work includes What Shall We Do Next? (2016, Diverse Works @ Mid-Town Arts Center), a summer audio internship at Miller Outdoor Theatre (2015), working as the audio editor and sound engineer for the Houston Shakespeare Festival (2015) and working as sound engineer for The Alley All New festival (2016). John is a member of USITT.
LEAH SHORT (Dramaturg) holds a B.F.A. from University of the Ozarks in Theatre and Sociology and an M.A. in Theatre Historiography from University of Houston. Professional credits include dramaturgy at the Alley Theatre, Catastrophic Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Horse Head Theatre Company, and Black Lab Theatre, with directing and design credits at Clarksville Children's Company in Clarksville, AR, and stage management credits with Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA and Horse Head Theatre Co. Leah is Company Manager of Horse Head Theatre Co. and a lead teacher and director in Alvin ISD.
Additional Artists & team members: Philip Hays (HH Company, Artistic and Marketing), Kevin Holden (HH Company, Artistic), Abby Koenig (HH Company, PR and Communications), Avery Padilla (Front of House Manager), Frank Vela (HH founding member and guest Technical Director) and Bruce Wind (Tech Crew).
ABOUT HORSE HEAD THEATRE CO: Horse Head seeks to re-energize Houston audiences and artists with theatrically designed experiences using local talent and non-traditional methods. Horse Head is committed to producing regional and world premieres using Houston talent. Recently, Horse Head was honored with the 2016 Houston Press Mastermind Award and in 2015, Horse Head’s World Premiere of THE WHALE; OR, MOBY-DICK by Timothy N. Evers, Philip Hays and Herman Melville was honored as the Best New Play of 2015 by Houston Press.
This project is made possible in part due to a generous sponsorship by Fresh Arts.
Lidless by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig is presented with special arrangement by Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Performed at the High Tide Festival in Suffolk, England, in 2010. The New York premiere was produced by Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones & Asher Richelli, Executive Directors).
Special Thanks to our Community Partners Amnesty International Houston Group 23, Grace After Fire and the Houston Peace and Justice Center.
This project is made possible in part due to a generous sponsorship by Fresh Arts.
Lidless by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig is presented with special arrangement by Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Performed at the High Tide Festival in Suffolk, England, in 2010. The New York premiere was produced by Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones & Asher Richelli, Executive Directors).
Special Thanks to our Community Partners Amnesty International Houston Group 23, Grace After Fire and the Houston Peace and Justice Center.
