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October 12 - 22, 2022 , The Helen

CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

Everybody

written by BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS
directed by TONY F. SIAS

Run time: Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes, no intermission

YOLO! You Only Live Once. And everybody has to die. But what really happens when we pass on? And how do we prepare? Riffing off the 15th century morality play Everyman, Obie Award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins shares a dark comedic look at the inevitability of death and the meaning of life in his acclaimed Pulitzer-Prize finalist, Everybody. When the character Everybody is told that their time is up, they attempt to bargain with Death on what or who they might bring on their final journey. Featuring the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program Class of 2024, Everybody is a wildly funny and heartfelt ride through our humanity.

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Artists

Josh Bates

Josh Bates

(Everybody, 4th Somebody) is a Southern California native who received his BFA in Acting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sic ‘Em Bears. He was recently seen in CWRU/CPH’s The Liar, Everybody and Passage and has spent time working as a professional musician in the New York area. He’d more(Everybody, 4th Somebody) is a Southern California native who received his BFA in Acting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sic ‘Em Bears. He was recently seen in CWRU/CPH’s The Liar, Everybody and Passage and has spent time working as a professional musician in the New York area. He’d like to thank his family and friends for putting up with this ridiculous life of his. Glory to God! Instagram: @joshbaetes

Madeline Calais-King

Madeline Calais-King

(Kinship, 5th Somebody, Mind, A) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (summa cum laude) in Acting from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance. Madeline had the immense pleasure of appearing in two world premieres this past summer which include 10CHILDREN’s Watching Butterflies (written by Eric more(Kinship, 5th Somebody, Mind, A) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (summa cum laude) in Acting from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance. Madeline had the immense pleasure of appearing in two world premieres this past summer which include 10CHILDREN’s Watching Butterflies (written by Eric Schmiedl) and Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival’s Hamlet 50/50 (adapted by Vanessa Morosco & Peter Simon Hilton). Other notable companies Madeline has worked with include the American Shakespeare Center, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Red Bull Theater in New York City

Ellen Grace Diehl

Ellen Grace Diehl

(Love) is an actor, teacher, and choreographer. Previous MFA credits: Cliton (The Liar), Love (Everybody). Other credits: Louise (Gypsy), Gigi (Gigi), Sophie (Mamma Mia), Sandy (Grease), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid). Much love always to family our wonderful cohort! @ellengracediehl www.ellengracediehl.com more(Love) is an actor, teacher, and choreographer. Previous MFA credits: Cliton (The Liar), Love (Everybody). Other credits: Louise (Gypsy), Gigi (Gigi), Sophie (Mamma Mia), Sandy (Grease), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid). Much love always to family our wonderful cohort! @ellengracediehl www.ellengracediehl.com

Victoria Alev Duffy

Victoria Alev Duffy

(Friendship, 1st Somebody, Senses, B) (she/her) is elated to be a part of Mary Shelley's Frakenstein at the Cleveland Play House. Past CPH credits: The Tempest, Watching Butterflies, The Liar, Everybody and Passage. Fordham Theatre credits include The Most Massive Woman Wins, Machinal, DIMES: A New Musical, and more. more(Friendship, 1st Somebody, Senses, B) (she/her) is elated to be a part of Mary Shelley's Frakenstein at the Cleveland Play House. Past CPH credits: The Tempest, Watching Butterflies, The Liar, Everybody and Passage. Fordham Theatre credits include The Most Massive Woman Wins, Machinal, DIMES: A New Musical, and more. Victoria has a passion for exploring theatre through a non-American lens, and has spent her past summers intensively studying devising techniques and experimental theatre in Berlin and Shakespeare in London. Thank you to everyone involved with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Instagram: @vickduff/ www.victoriaalevduffy.com??'

Olivia Hovis

Olivia Hovis

(Girl, Time) is excited to join Everybody for her first time performing in Cleveland. A few of her favorite past roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Angela in The Fun Story. Olivia completed her undergraduate training in theatre performance at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy more(Girl, Time) is excited to join Everybody for her first time performing in Cleveland. A few of her favorite past roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Angela in The Fun Story. Olivia completed her undergraduate training in theatre performance at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and The New School. She is currently pursuing her master’s in dramatic writing at Case Western Reserve University.

Dylan Ireland

Dylan Ireland

(2nd Somebody, Cousin, Strength, D) is 24 years old, coming from High Point, North Carolina. Ireland is excited to enter his third and final year of graduate school. Before acting, Ireland was a musician, and football player. Those communities instilled foundational qualities of self-improvement, and discipline that blend seamlessly more(2nd Somebody, Cousin, Strength, D) is 24 years old, coming from High Point, North Carolina. Ireland is excited to enter his third and final year of graduate school. Before acting, Ireland was a musician, and football player. Those communities instilled foundational qualities of self-improvement, and discipline that blend seamlessly with his new journey as an actor. Ireland has plans to move to New York City post-graduation to continue his acting career. In his spare time, he plays the saxophone and is an avid comic reader. Ireland gives glory to God, his family, and his friends both here in Cleveland and back home.

Shunté Lofton

Shunté Lofton

(Death) is a graduate of the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance and is thrilled to be on this next journey. Her previous Cleveland credits include: F (Passage), Death (Everybody), Lucrece (The Liar), and Prospera (The Tempest). She’s had the privilege of growing up all over the more(Death) is a graduate of the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance and is thrilled to be on this next journey. Her previous Cleveland credits include: F (Passage), Death (Everybody), Lucrece (The Liar), and Prospera (The Tempest). She’s had the privilege of growing up all over the world and comes to Cleveland from Houston. She is thankful to God and to her family for their continued support. A lover of the classics, she has performed her way through over half of Shakespeare’s canon. Some of her favorite credits include: Ophelia (Hamlet) and Princess of France (Love’s Labour’s Lost) with the American Shakespeare Center and Constance (King John) with Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Gavin Michaels

Gavin Michaels

(3rd Somebody, Stuff, C, Beauty) is from wonderfully rainy Seattle, Washington. His stage credits include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Orlando in As You Like It (BPA), Ferdinand in The Tempest, Hamlet in Hamlet (Kentwood Players), and Dorante in The Liar (CWRU). He has also worked with John Leguizamo more(3rd Somebody, Stuff, C, Beauty) is from wonderfully rainy Seattle, Washington. His stage credits include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Orlando in As You Like It (BPA), Ferdinand in The Tempest, Hamlet in Hamlet (Kentwood Players), and Dorante in The Liar (CWRU). He has also worked with John Leguizamo at the Guthrie Theatre to workshop his new play, Our Hood, as well as play Borrachio in a workshop of Tanta Bulla, y pa que? a bilingual adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. His film credits include the school-shooter Derek in the short film Diabolos, Carl in the sci-fi drama The House, and Danny in the quirky comedy Danny Doom (Amazon Prime). He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Communication and Rhetoric from the University of Washington. When he’s not on stage you can listen to him playing his signature flavor of pop-punk/emo at local music venues or on your favorite music streaming platform. @_gavinmichaels / gavinmichaels.com

Alfredo Ruiz

Alfredo Ruiz

(Usher, God, Understanding) has CPH credits in Passage and The Liar, is from Miami, and currently a 3rd year grad actor at the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Alfredo recently starred in the award winning short film, ‘Til Death. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Indie Short Fest more(Usher, God, Understanding) has CPH credits in Passage and The Liar, is from Miami, and currently a 3rd year grad actor at the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Alfredo recently starred in the award winning short film, ‘Til Death. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Indie Short Fest in LA. He spent the majority of his time in Miami working in immersive regional theatre and releasing critically acclaimed works of indie film. Regional credits include: 7 Deadly Sins (Miami New Drama/Winner of the Drama League Award), Wynwood Stories (Juggerknot Theatre Co.). alfredojruiz.com

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

(Playwright) is based in Brooklyn. His plays include Everybody (Signature Theatre; Pulitzer Prize Finalist), War (world premiere, Yale Rep; LCT3), Gloria (Vineyard Theatre; Pulitzer Prize finalist), Appropriate (Signature Theatre; OBIE Award), An Octoroon (Soho Rep; OBIE Award), and Neighbors (The Public Theater). A Residency Five playwright at Signature Theatre, more(Playwright) is based in Brooklyn. His plays include Everybody (Signature Theatre; Pulitzer Prize Finalist), War (world premiere, Yale Rep; LCT3), Gloria (Vineyard Theatre; Pulitzer Prize finalist), Appropriate (Signature Theatre; OBIE Award), An Octoroon (Soho Rep; OBIE Award), and Neighbors (The Public Theater). A Residency Five playwright at Signature Theatre, his most recent honors include the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright from London’s Evening Standard, a London Critic’s Circle Award for Most Promising Playwriting, a MacArthur Fellowship, the Windham-Campbell Prize for Drama, the Benjamin H. Danks Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Steinberg Playwriting Award, and the inaugural Tennessee Williams Award. Having taught at NYU, Juilliard, and Hunter College, where he was director of the M.F.A. Playwriting program, he now serves on the faculty at Yale.

Tony F. Sias

Tony F. Sias

(Director) is the President + CEO of Karamu House, Inc., America’s oldest Black producing theatre. Under Sias, Karamu stabilized finances, raised over $10 million for restoration, and increased attendance. Prior to Karamu, Sias served in roles for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District including Director of Arts Education and Artistic more(Director) is the President + CEO of Karamu House, Inc., America’s oldest Black producing theatre. Under Sias, Karamu stabilized finances, raised over $10 million for restoration, and increased attendance. Prior to Karamu, Sias served in roles for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District including Director of Arts Education and Artistic Director of Cleveland School of the Arts. He received critical acclaim for directing Karamu’s production of Freedom on Juneteenth, and in October 2021 Sias performed narration with The Cleveland Orchestra in Sinfonia No. 5 “Visions” by George Walker. His work has been highlighted in The New York Times, American Theatre Magazine, on NBC’s Today Show with Al Roker. Sias served as a delegate from the U.S. Department of State in Istanbul, Turkey, representing the Council of International Programs in the Youth Arts for Peace Project. In 2018, he was inducted into The HistoryMakers, the largest African American oral history archive collection in the U.S. In 2019, Sias was named the Cleveland Arts Prize, Barbara S. Robinson award winner. In 2021, Sias received the Community Leader Award from Cleveland Magazine. He is a Fellow of the National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program through Harvard Business School. Sias serves as a National Board Member for the League of Historic American Theatres. He is a Boards Member of Cleveland School of the Arts and the Assembly for the Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dramatic art from Jackson State University and a Master of Fine Arts in acting from The Ohio University.

Laura Carlson Tarantowski

(Scenic Designer) is the resident Scenic Designer and Lecturer at Oberlin College. Recent work at Oberlin includes Stonewallin, Or, and The Moors. Other local design work includes Everybody for the Case Western Reserve - Cleveland Playhouse MFA Acting Program, Stew, Kill Move Paradise, and Stupid F*cking Bird for more(Scenic Designer) is the resident Scenic Designer and Lecturer at Oberlin College. Recent work at Oberlin includes Stonewallin, Or, and The Moors. Other local design work includes Everybody for the Case Western Reserve - Cleveland Playhouse MFA Acting Program, Stew, Kill Move Paradise, and Stupid F*cking Bird for Dobama Theater, and Rent for Cain Park. She holds an MFA in Scene Design from the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

Suwatana Rockland

(Costume Designer) is delighted to join Cleveland Play House for Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. She is currently the resident costume designer, professor, and costume shop supervisor at The College of Wooster. Suwatana is originally from Thailand. In addition to her full-time employment, she finds time to freelance as a more(Costume Designer) is delighted to join Cleveland Play House for Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. She is currently the resident costume designer, professor, and costume shop supervisor at The College of Wooster. Suwatana is originally from Thailand. In addition to her full-time employment, she finds time to freelance as a costume designer and guest lecturer for universities and theatres in the US and Thailand. Her credits include Emilie La Marquise Du Chatelet, (2019 costume design winner of the Regional Awards for Broadway World), All Shook Up (Kent State); The Nerd (Kent State - Stark Campus); Shrek the Musical, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rock of Ages, and A Christmas Carol (The Players Guild Theatre); BKLYN the Musical (Porthouse Theatre); The Member of the Wedding and The Legend of Georgia McBride (Beck Center of The Arts); and Cinderella (The Ohio Light Opera).

Jakyung C. Seo

(Lighting Designer) (she/her) has designed more than 100 productions. Seo has presented work at Steppenwolf, Congo Square Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Contemporary American Theatre Company in Ohio (CATCO), HEAR theatre, and Lodestone Theatre. Her international credits include Face at Edinburgh, BINARI at Avignon Off Festival, Theatre Laboratory Elizabeth Czerczuk, more(Lighting Designer) (she/her) has designed more than 100 productions. Seo has presented work at Steppenwolf, Congo Square Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Contemporary American Theatre Company in Ohio (CATCO), HEAR theatre, and Lodestone Theatre. Her international credits include Face at Edinburgh, BINARI at Avignon Off Festival, Theatre Laboratory Elizabeth Czerczuk, Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Busan International Performing Arts Festival, and What We Want Is for Thrust Dance Company, which she was awarded for at the International Dance Festival in Saitama, Japan. Seo is co-artistic director of Global Women Performing Arts Festival, which focuses on female artists and their voices. She has taught lighting design workshops in Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea. Seo is a Professor of Lighting Design and a Coordinator of BFA and MFA design, Technology and Production at Kent State University. Seo has presented more than 23 sessions at PQ Scenofest in Prague, United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) since 2004.

Jeff Polunas

(Sound Designer) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Cleveland Play House design debut after growing up in Northeastern Ohio. He is the Assistant Professor of Sound and Projection Design at Kent State University. Recent credits include Million Dollar Quartet, She Loves Me, Shakespeare in Love, The more(Sound Designer) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Cleveland Play House design debut after growing up in Northeastern Ohio. He is the Assistant Professor of Sound and Projection Design at Kent State University. Recent credits include Million Dollar Quartet, She Loves Me, Shakespeare in Love, The Sisters Rosensweig (South Coast Repertory); A Doll’s House Part 2, Silent Sky, Fences, Uncanny Valley, Abigail/1702 (International City Theatre); Cost of Living (Fountain Theatre). He is a graduate of the Claire Trevor School of Theatre with a MFA in Sound Design from the University of California-Irvine.

Kenya Woods

(Choreographer) a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 30 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University and is certified in Lester Horton Pedagogy, the official technique taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Her more(Choreographer) a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 30 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University and is certified in Lester Horton Pedagogy, the official technique taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Her additional dance credits include Dance New Amsterdam and North Coast Ballet Theater. Madame Darvash, Dr. Diane McIntyre and Lynn Simonson have influenced her teaching style as well. She has worked nationally and internationally at regional dance companies, universities and school systems as an educator, performer, and choreographer. She continues to teach dance to students of all ages and lead programs that help cultivate technique, artistry, body awareness and empowerment and appreciation for dance. Ms. Woods is the recipient of the Hildegarde and Elbert Baker Visiting Scholar in the Humanities at CWRU where she is also currently serving as faculty teaching dance in the MFA Theater of Arts Program

Beth McGee

(Vocal Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She was the on-set dialect more(Vocal Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She was the on-set dialect coach for Cinemax’s 2016 television series Quarry, directed by Greg Yaitanes. She has acted as dialect coach for many Cleveland area theaters and dialect coached the 2002 film Welcome to Collinwood starring George Clooney, and directed by the Russo Brothers. She has coached and/or acted in productions at numerous Cleveland area theaters. She is a Professor of Voice and Acting at CWRU. Devotees of folk music can find her 1980 Folkways album Love is Teasing housed in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution. McGee is an active member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Jeffrey Ullom

(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a more(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a dramaturg, he worked with notable playwrights including Tony Kushner, David Henry Hwang, John Patrick Shanley and others at the Humana Festival of New American Plays, and he has served as a dramaturg for several Cleveland Play House productions. He is currently working on two books—a broad history of regional theatre and a murder mystery involving theatre history.

Tyree J. Franklin

(Stage Manager) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits include: Everybody (CWRU/CPH), Passage (CWRU/CPH), Irma Bombeck (CPH), The Tempest (CWRU/CPH), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Karamu House), Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Here Chameleon Skin more(Stage Manager) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits include: Everybody (CWRU/CPH), Passage (CWRU/CPH), Irma Bombeck (CPH), The Tempest (CWRU/CPH), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Karamu House), Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Here Chameleon Skin (Karamu House) and this will be his fifth season working on Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House). He is also a new playwright with his show Tales of a Fat Man, which was featured at CPT’s Pandemonium ’23. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!

CPH Donor Generosity is Worthy of a Curtain Call!

CPH Donor Generosity is Worthy of a Curtain Call!

CPH Donor Generosity is Worthy of a Curtain Call! We have been honored by the outpouring of support we have received from you in reaction to this cri...

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The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
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