The Department of Performing and Media arts presents:

The Family Copoli: a post-apocalyptic burlesque and repopulation play

Written by:
Andy Colpitts (book/lyrics) and Michael Wookey (music)

Directed by: Andy Colpitts

Co-Music Directors: Michael Wookey, Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Assistant Director: Melanie Acosta
Scenic Designer: Jason Simms
Costume Designer: Sarah Eckert Bernstein
Lighting Designer: AK Cox
Sound Designer: Warren Cross
Stage Manager: Sarah Bauch
Assistant Stage Manager: Bella Peters

The Kiplinger Theater, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
430 College Avenue

Friday, April 28th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 29th, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 5th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6th, 7:30 p.m.

Act One:
Old Gold – Frolino & Company
What Happened to the Lights? – Ferdinand
The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree – Ferdinand, Frolino, Pickin
Life Atomic – Olizia, Cantora, Grassaline, Martula
Alone Together – Rolano
Two of a Kind – Grassaline, Pickin
Make it up to Mother Nature – Cantora, Martula
The Great Flood Dream Ballet – Company

Act Two:
Too Fast– Cantora
Honest Trade – Frolino & Martula
Triangles in Outer Space – Frolino
Olizia Striptease – Olizia
Two of a Kind (Instrumental) – Grassaline, Pickin
Desperate Times – Ferdinand, Frolino, Pickin, Rolano
What Happened to the Lights? Reprise – Rolano
We Can’t Go On (If We Have No We) – Full Company

Cast
Zoe Buddie: Olizia
Oscar Llodra: Frolino
Tess Lovell: Cantora
Raahi Menon: Ferdinand
Lain Nelson: Pickin
Emily Rubinstein: Rolano
Caroline Ryan: Grassaline
Liv Licursi: Martula

Band
Michael Wookey: Music Director, Glockenspiel & Assorted Instruments
Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez: Co-Music Director, Piano
Ethan Drake: Double Bass
Davis Ouriel: Mouth Trumpet
Elliot Overholt: Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Kyle Wolf: Percussion

Crew
Ashley Alexander: Mic Dresser, Dresser 
Adam Alnasser: Light Board Operator 
Sarah Bewley: Stage Crew 
Jack Dobosh: Sound Board Operator & Mixer 
Davis Ouriel: Dresser, Theatrical Intimacy Assistant  
Bella Peters: Assistant Stage Manager 
Sharyn Schweitzer: Dresser

The vision of the Department of Performing and Media Arts is to nurture and mentor artists, performers, writers, and thinkers through the process of event programming. We recognize that all people should see their stories represented, and envision their stories as valuable. 

We commit ourselves to creating spaces that actively seek to break down systems of oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and place of origin and empower all to be involved. We seek to stimulate thoughtful discussion and enact social change within our productions and our audiences. It is our goal to make our events accessible to the wider Cornell and Ithaca community, to strengthen bonds and engage inquiry, dialogue, and impact around social and cultural change. 

In the 2022-2023 academic year we will help realize a wide range of students' creative projects, from original plays, to readings, to choreographies, to acting, directorial, and curatorial projects. We are particularly happy that in addition to supporting live performances, we are now also supporting the production of student films. Enjoy the shows!  

Entertain (v.): to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse. From the French, entretenir: to maintain, to stick together, to carry on. 

Can entertainment save the world? This is the question that set Michael and I down the long road of writing The Family Copoli. When we wrote and mounted a home-grown production in Vermont in December 2019, the world was a very different place– live theatre was taken for granted. When theatres closed their doors a few months later, our question took on a new resonance. Though theatres are back in full swing, the role of live performance in our world remains fraught as we turn increasingly toward our screens for personalized enjoyment and escape. Yet, as we navigate a world flirting with apocalypse, sharing physical and emotional space to laugh, clap, and cry with one another is one of the most radical and healthy things we can do for ourselves. The Family Copoli meditates on the very precarious state of the human race: What do we owe to one another and to our Earth? How do we make both life and a life worth living? At what cost do we carry on? 

- Andy Colpitts

Zoe Buddie: Olizia
Zoe Buddie is a freshman in the School of Arts and Sciences from West Point, NY. She was raised with a love for theatre and has been involved with it her whole life. She is absolutely thrilled to begin exploring the performing arts at Cornell alongside the wonderful cast and crew of The Family Copoli.

Oscar Llodra: Frolino
Meet Oscar Llodra, who plays Frolino in the production. Oscar is a third-year Bachelor of Architecture major. Off the stage, you'll find Oscar leading prospective students around campus as a tour guide, teaching students how to shred the trails at Shindagin Forest on bike, and directing and assistant directing student films. Although home is four hours away in New York City, he appreciates that family is also right beside him: The Family Copoli.

Tess Lovell: Cantora
Tess Lovell is a sophomore majoring in PMA and English. Her training includes The Performing Arts Project, UC Irvine Music Theatre, and the Drama program at LaGuardia High School. You can also catch her doing improv comedy twice a semester with the Whistling Shrimp. She is endlessly grateful to be a part of this loving, dedicated, and wild Family.

Raahi Menon: Ferdinand
Raahi is a senior, excited to be spending his last semester working on the show! He loves dogs, and sometimes dog sits for guide dogs in training. He also loves baking, though the results are questionable at best.

Lain Nelson: Pickin
Lain (they/them) is a first-year student majoring in computer science. At Cornell they have performed this year with the Chorale, in Risley's production of Rocky Horror Picture Show and in shows with Cornell Ballroom and Drag. Before college, they were a member of the Stuyvesant High School Choruses, a performer with the Concert Choir of Every Voice Choirs and a member of Broadway Bound Kids. Lain is excited to be part of the show!

Emily Rubinstein: Rolano
Emily is a sophomore studying biology and performing media arts. She is so excited to dance and sing with the Family Copoli. She would like to thank her friends, family and most importantly her dogs.

Caroline Ryan: Grassaline
Caroline is a junior in CALS studying Biology and Society minoring in Astrophysics; she aspires to work in Women's and LGBTQ+ Health. She has loved theatre since she was a child on an island southeast of Ithaca. Caroline would like to thank all her close friends for being incredible people and for supporting her through the semester.

Liv Licursi: Martula
Liv is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production and is so excited to share it with a live audience! Her recent credits include Mimi Marquez in Rent, Kate Monster in Avenue Q, and Naomi Rodriguez in 21 Chump Street. She feels so grateful to have had the opportunity to grow as an artist alongside such wonderful people, and cannot wait to see what is next for The Family Copoli. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Andy Colpitts: Book & Lyrics, Director, Choreographer
Andy Colpitts is PhD student in PMA. His scholarly research focuses on rural theatre, popular performance and political action. As theatre artist, Andy is a puppeteer, director, playwright and burlesque dancer (stage name La-Di-Da). He received his Bachelors in Theatre at Brown University and trained at the École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France. He has toured with the Bread & Puppet Theatre and the Vermont PuppeTree. The Family Copoli is his first musical.

Michael Wookey: Composer, Music Director, Glockenspiel & Assorted Instruments
Michael Wookey is an English/French musician and multi-instrumentalist. To date he has released 6 albums and numerous soundtracks for television and film. He can often be found on stage with his toy orchestra, which combines children’s instruments with orchestral instruments. He has played concerts on various stages throughout the world (France, England, Germany, Poland, Israel, Iceland, America and Canada).  As well as making albums and performing live, Michael has composed music and designed sound for the theatre, television and film.  He also composes for other musicians which have toured the world with his pieces, as well as collaborating as a producer and mixer with various musicians. 

Melanie Acosta: Assistant Director
Melanie Acosta is a second-year Economics major with intended minors in Business and FGSS. She has previously worked as an assistant stage manager in Baby Rock and she is so excited to step into the role of assistant director for the first time. She would like to thank Andy for taking a chance on her and she cannot wait for the audience to experience the wonder that is The Family Copoli!

Ashely Alexander: Mic Dresser, Dresser

Adam Alnasser: Light Board Operator

Sarah Bauch: Production Stage Manager & House Management Supervisor
Sarah is the resident Production Stage Manager and House Management Supervisor at the Schwartz Center. She is 2022 Recipient of the national USITT Stage Management Award, and two-time winner of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Stage Management Award. She received her MFA in Stage and Production Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and has worked at companies such as Paper Mill Playhouse, Interlakes Summer Theater, Resonance Works Pittsburgh, and Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre. She has given workshops on Theatrical Intimacy Choreography at the Collegiate level, and has served on over 30 stage management teams. She has stage managed opera, musicals, plays, and dance concerts.

Fritz Bernstein: Technical Director

Sarah Eckert-Bernstein: Costume Designer
Sarah Eckert Bernstein is the Resident Costume Designer at the Schwartz Center and Senior Lecturer in costume design, costume history, and character design. Some of her recent projects at Cornell include: HumaNatures, Haunted Natures/Hidden Environments, Locally Grown Dance 2022, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, LGD 2021, Pipeline/Townhall, LGD 2020, The Next Storm, The Wolves, Spill, LGD 2019, Awakening of Spring, Mr. Burns, LGD 2018, Hamlet Wakes Up Late, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Baltimore. Sarah is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University and the Yale School of Drama. 

Sarah Bewley: Stage Crew

Steven Blasberg: Master Electrician

Lisa Boquist: Costume Shop Manager

AK Cox: Lighting Designer
AK Cox is an American lighting designer and graduate of Ithaca College class of 2023. Originally from Seattle, Washington in the US and now living in London, she brings her fresh perspective on storytelling through light to the stage. She lights all kinds of theatre and live performance having designed such titles as The Other Shore by Gao Xingjian, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, and Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. Outside of theatre, AK enjoys photography and spending time with her orange tabby cat, Pickles.  

Warren Cross: Sound Designer
Warren Cross is the Resident Sound Designer for the Department of Performing and Media Arts at Cornell University, joining the department in 1990. In addition to designing sound for department productions, Warren teaches courses in Sound Design, Post Production, and Interactive Performance Technology. He attended Five Towns College for Music Technology, Manhattan School of Music for Composition, and SUNY Stony Brook for Technical Theatre.  

Jack Dobosh: Sound Board Operator & Mixer

Ethan Drake: Double Bass, Electric Bass
Ethan Drake is a sophomore studying Fiber Science. He played in a jazz band, as well as pit bands in high school. He has continued playing bass recreationally, and hopes you enjoy the show

Kate James: Scenic Creative Apprentice

Pamela Lillard: Director of Production & Events
During the past 36 years, Pam has been with the department as Production Stage Manager, Production Manager, and now as Director of Production & Events, participating in some capacity on over 250 productions, films, and dances.  The Family Copoli is Pam’s final show with PMA.  She bids everyone a fond farewell as she embarks on the next adventure known as “retirement!” 

Tim Ostrander: Props Designer & Coordinator/Scenic Paint Coordinator

Elliot Overholt: Clarinet & Saxophone Player
Elliot Overholt is a Senior in the College of Engineering studying Computer Science. They are very excited to be playing the clarinet and the alto saxophone in the pit for The Family Copoli. This is their first time playing in the pit for a musical, but they have been involved in theatre since middle school. You might recognize them from Haunted Natures, Hidden Environments last spring where they played a variety of characters including a hooded figure leading a seance. They hope you enjoy the show!

Davis Ouriel: Theatrical Intimacy Assistant, Dresser
Davis is a sophomore from Huntsville, AL studying Performing & Media Arts and Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. The loving marriage of her majors begets her practical and research interest in Intimacy Choreography. This is her first show in that role!

Bella Peters: Assistant Stage Manager
Bella is a Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Performing and Media arts and Psychology. Some of her previous work involves Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, HumaNatures, and Festival 24.

Savannah Relos: Assistant Technical Director

Jessica Ritchie: Props & Scenic Paint Assistant

Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez: Assistant Music Director, Piano
Daniela is a graduating senior, with a double major in Math and Environment & Sustainability. Other credits include Heathers, First Date, Now. Here. This., and Avenue Q. She has previously served as the music director, band director, and primary keyboardist for the Melodramatics Theatre Company since 2019. After graduating, she will be attending UC Berkeley's doctoral program in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management and hopes to continue music directing in the Bay Area. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Sharyn Schweitzer: Dresser

Jason Simms: Scenic Designer
Jason Simms (he/him) is an award-winning scenographer for Theater, Opera, and Musicals and has designed over 150 productions. Born and Raised in Carson City, NV, Simms started designing for theatre at the age of fifteen. He designs in New York City as well as at regional theaters all across the United States. 

Amanda Warriner: Scenic Artist

Kyle Wolf: Percussion

1610 Technical Production Lab: Arlette Arroyo, Isabella Benenati, Alexia Carey, Adela  Colorado, Jennifer Herrera, Ashley Herrera, Kate James, Joseph Lang, Yue Lin, Shuqian Lyu, Adaora Nwosu, Ke Wu

Scene Shop Work-Study: David Bascom, Arianna Louise Marie Josue, Julianna Lee,  Charlie Wright

Electrics Work-Study:  Jesse McDonald

Prop & Paint Work-Study: Jessica Ritchie

Scenic Artist:  Amanda Warriner 

Costume First Hands: Bella Peters, Jillian Parrino, Isabel Berkenblit, Ana Mockler, Jas Khan, Jacob Duffles  

House/Building Managers: Idey Abdi, Cierra Baptiste, Kenneth Choi, Mari-Christina Clark, Safiyyah Franklin, Jack McManus, Jessica Pedro-Pascual, Nia Reid-Vicars, Ethan Sarpong, Matthew Saylor

PRODUCTION STAFF
Director of Productions and Events: Pamela Lillard
Technical Director: Fritz Bernstein
Assistant Technical Director: Savannah Relos
Props Coordinator: Tim Ostrander
Costume Shop Supervisor: Lisa Boquist
Master Electrician: Steven Blasberg
Sound Engineer: Warren Dennis Cross
Computer Support: Chris Christensen
Communications Manager: Gary Gabisan
Performance & Events Coordinator: Youngsun Palmer

Deepest gratitude to David Feldshuh and Beth Milles for their stalwart guidance; to Guillaume Pirard and the Cornell Music Department for the double bass; to the Colpitts Family for providing space, sustenance, and endless support during the writing process; to Genevieve Cohn for letting us borrow her poetic wisdom; and, of course, to the 2019 Vermont cast of The Family Copoli without whom this show would not exist.

Please note that The Family Copoli has the following Content Warnings: Strong Language; Partial Nudity; Flashing & Flickering Lights; Discussion of incest, sexual assault, and rape; and depictions of verbal and physical abuse.