Don't Speak

Directed by Anna Hanson

Written by Emily Stofan

TW: Flashing Lights, Auditory Sensory Overload

Director's Note

In this time of Covid, creating theatre has proven to be nearly impossible. When I first read this brilliant script by Emily Stofan I knew I needed to direct it. As one of the advanced directors in the theatre program, I wanted to make sure I got the opportunity to experience directing for the stage. So, that is exactly what I did. I directed this show as if I were having an audience, on a stage, in a theater. The medium in which you are intaking this piece is truly just theatre put on film. I ask you to keep this in mind when watching. In addition, there were some moments in the script that called for the breaking of the Pittsburgh Playhouse's Covid guidelines so adjustments to blocking had to be made. For example, there may be a moment where a character has to blow out a candle and they are wearing a mask. I ask you to suspend your disbelief and connect the dots that covid has blurred. Overall, this show created such a unique directing experience for me and I hope you all enjoy!

Creative Team

Anna Hanson

Director

(Video Designer/Sound Designer/Costume Designer)

Anna Hanson is a 1st semester senior Theatre Arts major with a directing concentration and a Technical Theatre minor. She is so excited to share this piece with everyone. Some Recent Credits include: Ordinary Days (Assistant Director), The Trail to Oregon! (Son), Push Me Away (Director), Letters of a Lifetime (Director/Playwright), Weenies in the Moonlight (Playwright), Dance Nation (Vanessa/Dance Moms). Anna would like to, first and foremost, thank the absolutely brilliant Emily Stofan for blessing her with this script. She would also like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work. In addition she would like to give thanks to her friends, family, and hermit crab, Taco, for always supporting her in all her artistic endeavors. Enjoy the show! @a.hanson1

Emily Stofan

Playwright

Emily Stofan is a Junior Performance and Practices major and can’t express how excited she is to see something she wrote brought to life for the first time. She couldn’t be more grateful to have such wonderfully talented and inspiring artists working on this project and would like to thank every single one of them for everything they’ve put into this piece and making it more than she ever thought it could be. She is virtually sending hugs to everyone and hopes that you enjoy this piece!

Emmy Masteller

Assistant Director/Rehearsal Stage Manager/ Dramaturg/Light Board Op

Emmy Masteller is a Junior Theatre Arts major with a directing concentration focusing on dramaturgy and a Technical Theatre minor from Vermont. She is wearing many hats on this piece and has loved every second of it. She is incredibly proud of the cast and crew for all of the work that they have done. Special thanks to Anna, Gabby, and everyone who worked so hard for this piece to be what it is today.

Charlie Thomson

Composer

Charlie Thomson is a Junior acting major at Point Park and has never composed a piece before this one. He hopes you enjoy it. He’d like to thank the incredibly talented cast and crew for their great work on this project.

Cast

Carissa Sanden

Shilo

Carissa Sanden is a freshman Acting major and is absolutely ecstatic to be in Don’t Speak playing the role of Shilo. This is her first One Act at Point Park University and she is so excited! She has previously been in numerous productions with her high school and community theatre such as Into the Woods (Witch), Once Upon A Mattress (The Queen), Emma (Harriet), Fefu and Her Friends (Paula), and How I Learned To Drive (Aunt Mary). Carissa would like to thank her director, production team, cast mates, family, and friends for pushing and believing in her.

Mason Dowd

Landon

Mason Dowd is a sophomore Acting major at Point Park University and is very excited to be a part of this production. He has most recently been seen in the Pittsburgh Playhouse's production of Water by the Spoonful and Pinnacle Production's How I Learned to Drive. He would like to thank the cast and crew for working so hard and creating something really special. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Madison Downing

Mother

Madison Downing (Mother) is a freshman theatre arts major. She has loved all things theatre since fifth grade and is extremely excited to perform her first role since coming to Point Park! She has had the pleasure of directing youth shows and acting in numerous productions throughout her years of practice and is looking forward to more collaboration, relationships, and creating as she continues her journey as a performer.

Jesse Chovanec

Seeker/Reporter #3/ Fight Choreographer

Jesse Chovanec is ecstatic to be back in the theatre! She is a junior Theatre Arts major with a self-directed concentration and a subfocus in Directing and Playwriting. You might’ve seen her work last semester in the One Acts Festival fittingly named, inextricable. She would like to thank everyone in the cast and crew who have so willingly jumped into a partially devised project, and especially Anna Hanson for her brilliant mind. Shoutout to her furry and not-so-furry roommates!

Maddy Cox

Seeker/Reporter #1

Madeline Cox is a Freshman Acting major at Point Park. She is ecstatic to be a part of her first college production! She would like to thank her family for their support and of course, Anna for being such an amazing director.

Brianna Dougherty

Seeker/Reporter #2

Brianna Dougherty is a sophomore Performance & Practices major at Point Park. She is so excited to be a part of her second One Acts festival. She wants to thank the cast and crew of “Don’t Speak” for the opportunity. She also wants to thank her cat Tigger. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Crew

Gabby Colwell

Production Stage Manager/ Lighting Designer

Gabby Colwell is a recent graduate of Point Park University for Stage Management. She is very excited for this opportunity to work on this production of “Don’t Speak”. Some of her past credits include “Ordinary Days”, One Acts, “Sunday in the Park with George”, and Spring Dance Concert.

Jaylin Minor

Video/Sound Board Operator

Jaylin is a sophomore stage management major at Point Park University. She has worked one shows like the One Acts Festival, Pippin, and Ordinary Days. She is excited to be able to work on this team. This is her first show as a board operator and is glad to have this opportunity to gain new experiences and skills. She would like to thank Anna for giving her this opportunity.

Patrick Mizzoni

Shadow Puppet Designer

Patrick Mizzoni is a sophomore Theatre Arts major from Philadelphia, PA. He is thrilled to collaborate on this project. Recent Credits: Blood at the Root (RLM One Acts), 35mm (PinnacleProductions), and an AD for Polaroid Stories (PGHPlayhouse). Patrick is grateful to continue creating in this new frontier of theatre. Thank you to Anna and everyone involved that made this project come to life. @patrickmizzoni on instagram!

Alexa Wildenberg

Shadow Puppet Designer

Alexa Wildenberg hails from Hawley, PA and is finishing up her sophomore year as a Theatre Arts Major. She was thrilled to work on this collaborative and creative piece with such a wonderful team. Upcoming projects include their original piece, The Angel, which they are also assistant directing.

Caitlin Mayernik

Shadow Puppeteer

Caitlin Mayernik (she/her), originally from Detroit, MI, is graduating this spring with her BFA in Theatre Arts. Point Park Credits: Dance Nation (Assistant Director), Through Broken Doors (Assistant Director), Bridges Theatre Co (Artistic Director), How I Learned to Drive with Pinnacle Productions (Director), Gloria with Pinnacle Productions (Actor), 15+ ppu films, The Pittsburgh Playhouse Accessibility and Inclusion Committee. Other Credits: Caitlin travelled to Greece in 2019 performing as Antigone in From Antigone to Medea, received awards in dramaturgy and acting at the 2021 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education, and currently is producing global arts events as project coordinator at Globally Curated. Thank you to Anna Hanson and the team for this wonderful experience back in the theatre. @caitlimay

Special Thanks to:

Jeff Sherman

Cat Wilson

Madelyn Miessmer

Katie Mikula

Buzz Miller

Michael Palumbo

Evelyn Shepherd

Maya Holmes

Shapi Shapiro

annacertificate.pdf

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