SSU Theatre and Speech Communication Dept.

Mad Forest

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Mad Forest

By Caryl Churchill
Directed by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin

PERFORMANCES:
Friday, November 21 at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 23 at 2:00pm
Friday, December 5 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 7 at 2:00pm

VENUE:
Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Perfomring Arts
Mainstage Theatre
356 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01970

TICKETS:
Admission is FREE for current Salem State students, faculty and staff with university ID.
$15 general/$10 seniors/free for all students with student ID and under 18.

“Mad Forest” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Cast List

Lauren Abramson

Florina/ Flower Seller

Pandora Benedito

Rodica/ Angel

Logan Broadway

Securitate/ Wayne/ Ghost

Lola Cassino

Lucia/ Student Doctor

Lauren Donahue

Soldier/ Dog/ Aunt

Dylan Fort

Swing for Bogdan et al, Mihai et al, Priest / Vampire et al, and Ianos et al

Brianna Gambill

Swing for Florina et al, Flavia et al, and Rodica et al

Calista Gumuchian

Irina/ Grandmother/ Girl Student

Cameron Holmes

Gabriel/ Boy Student 2

Christina Izaguirre

Flavia/ Grandmother/ House Painter

Rayniel Lara

Soldier/ Toma/ Waiter

Dylon Medeiros

Ianos/ Painter

Mez Mezzapelle

Priest/ Vampire/ Sore Throat/ Bulldozer Driver

Savannah Mitchell

Swing for Doctor et al, Securitate/ Wayne/ Ghost/ Soldier/ Toma/ Waiter/ Soldier/ Dog/ Aunt

Max Ocampo

Radu/ Securitate Officer

Christopher Poe

Bogdan/ Boy Student 1

Christopher Raney

Mihai/ Translator

Jaidyn Walter

Doctor/ Patient/ Grandfather

Christa Washburn

Swing for Lucia et al, Irina et al, Gabriel et al, and Radu et al

About the Play

“This timely drama resulted from a trip to Romania. Developed with students from London's Central School of Drama, this is an incisive portrait of society in turmoil that focuses on two families to reveal what life is like under a totalitarian regime and what results when the regime collapses. The play's brief scenes are almost cinematic in their presentation of events as seen by ordinary people trying to live in peace."

Important Dates and Meetings

Important Dates:

MAD FOREST

Rehearsals: To Be Determined
What to Expect in a Fitting Meeting: September 11
Designer Run: October 29
Program Information Deadline: October 29
Set In/All-Day Build Call: November 1
Lighting Hang: November 3-7
Focus: November 8
Board Op/Run Crew Training Meeting: November 10
Crew View: November 12
Q2Q/Tech Rehearsals: November 15-17
Dress Rehearsals: November 18-20
Front of House Training Meeting: November 20
Photocalls: November 20 & December 4
Performances: November 21-23 & December 5-7
Brush Up Rehearsal: December 4
Strike: December 7
Post-Production Meeting: December 8

“What to Expect in a Fitting” Fall Meeting

Thursday, September 11, 2025
5:00pm-6:00pm
Callan Studio Theatre

Join the Costume Shop Supervisor to learn what to expect in a costume fitting. This event is mandatory for all actors cast in EVERYBODY and MAD FOREST, but all current Theatre majors are welcome to attend!

Mad Forest Board Op/Run Crew Training Meeting

Monday, November 10, 2025
5:00pm
Mainstage Theatre

Required for all MAD FOREST Board Ops, Props Run Crew, Scenic Run Crew, and Wardrobe Run Crew members. Learn about your position and the production needs before tech!

Mad Forest Crew View

Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:00pm
Mainstage Theatre

Required for all Mad Forest Board Ops, Props Run Crew, Scenic Run Crew, and Wardrobe Run Crew members. This is your opportunity to see the show before tech!

Mad Forest Post-Production Meeting

Mad Forest Post-Production Meeting
Monday, November 10, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm
Cynthia McGurren Conference Room

An opportunity for production representatives to discuss the educational values of the Mad Forest production experience, led by Department Chairperson Prof. Topher Morris.

The student Assistant Directors, Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Managers, Designers, Assistant Designers, Wardrobe Run Crew Head, and Cast Mentors from each production are invited to attend the Post-Production Meeting as representatives of those shows, along with the faculty, staff, and guest artists/designers who also worked on the production.