Playbill - Running To Places

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SPRING SHOWCASE
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT ONE
“The Opening Number” (featuring Michael Peters’ original choreography) ................. Full Company
“Privilege to Pee” from Urinetown ..................................................................................... Allie Young
“There’s No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun ............... Sophie Potter with
Alissa Pure, Ally Mirin, Cecilia Yearsley, Chelsa Tifft,
Cora Moss, Elizabeth Yearsely, Emary Iacobucci, Emma Pure,
Lily Cowen, Loie Faulkner, Miriam Leo, Sirena Carpenter
“In His Eyes”from Jekyll and Hyde ..............................Lena Kornreich and Emily Berhmann-Fowler
“Diamonds Are a Girls’ Best Friend” ..................................... Caroline Sendek with male ensemble
“I Just Wanna Be a Star” from Nunsense ..................................................... Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson
“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar ..................................... Jewell Payne
“Forget About the Boy” from Thoroughly Modern Millie ........................................... Sari Koppel with
Ariana Rivera, Berkley Sawester, Bretana Turkon, Caroline Sendek,
Elaine Young, Elena Parkins, Elisheva Glaser, Ilana Wallenstein,
Keara Byron, Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson, Lisa Podulka,
“Sisters” from White Christmas ............................................................. Emma Pure and Alissa Pure
“By The Sea” from Sweeney Todd ................................................ Elaine Young with Anthony Nigro
“If Mama Was Married” from Gypsy ................................... Vanessa Anderson and Lena Kornreich
“Firework” by Katy Perry and others ............................................ Saia Meyerhoff with Full Company
~ There will be a fifteen minute intermission. ~
ACT TWO
“Take a Chance on Me” from Mama Mia .............................. AJ Newman, Alissa Pure, Allie Young,
Bretana Turkon, Caroline Sendek, Elaine Young, Emma Plotkin,
Emma Pure, Jewell Payne, Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson, Lena Kornreich,
Michael Sloan, Saia Meyerhoff, Sari Koppel, Sophie Potter, Vanessa Andersson
“I Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You .............................................. AJ Newman, Vanessa Andersson,
Lena Kornreich with Full Company
“Someone to Watch Over Me” from Crazy for You ...................................................Bretana Turkon
“Love Is Always Lovely” from The Drowsy Chaperone ........................ AJ Newman & Emma Plotkin
“I’m Not Afraid of Anything” from Songs for a New World............................................ Sophie Potter
“Move” from Dreamgirls .......................................... Allie Young, Elaine Young, Saia Meyerhoff with
Bretana Turkon, Caroline Sendek, Emily Behrmann-Fowler,
Emma Plotkin, Jenna Ledet, Jewell Payne, Lena Kornreich,
Rachel Harrington, Sari Koppel, Sophie Potter, Vanessa Andersson
“Seize The Day” from Newsies ........ AJ Newman, Anthony Nigro, Dekhari Stewart, James Palmer,
Joel Beckwith, Michael Sloan, St. John Faulkner, Vasili Avramis
“Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl ..................................................................... Sari Koppel
“Seasons of Love” from Rent ......... Ariana Rivera, Vasili Avramis, Jewell Payne with Full Company
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THE SHOWCASE COMPANY
AJ Newman
Alissa Pure
Allie Young
Ally Mirin
Anthony Nigro
Ariana Rivera
Berkley Sawester
Bretana Turkon
Caroline Sendek
Cecilia Yearsley
Chelsa Tifft
Cora Moss
Dekhari Stewart
Elaine Young
Elena Parkins
Elisheva Glaser
Elizabeth Yearsely
Emary Iacobucci
Emily Berhmann-Fowler
Emma Plotkin
Emma Pure
Ilana Wallenstein
James Palmer
Jenna Ledet
Jewell Payne
Joel Beckwith
Keara Byron
Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson
Lena Kornreich
Lily Cowen
Lisa Podulka
Loie Faulkner
Michael Sloan
Miriam Leo
Rachel Harrington
Saia Meyerhoff
Sari Koppel
Sirena Carpenter
Sophie Potter
St. John Faulkner
Vanessa Andersson
Vasili Avramis
ARTISTIC TEAM
Director ..................................................................................................................... Joey Steinhagen
Choreographer ............................................................................................................. Todd Peterson
Music Director .................................................................................................... Richard Montgomery
Producer ........................................................................................................................... Gail Belokur
Scenic and Lighting Design ............................................................................................Max Doolittle
Costume Design .............................................................................................................. Mary Young
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager .............................................................................................................. Gregg Houck
Technical Director ............................................................................................................Thom Upton
Sound Engineer ......................................................................................................... Brianna Hulbert
Master Carpenter ............................................................................................................... Norm Pure
Master Electrician .......................................................................................................... Matt Pumplin
Assistant Master Electrician...................................................................................... Adam Nickerson
Scenic Charge Artist .................................................................................................. Shauna Belokur
Assistant Charge Artist ....................................................................................................Daniel Moss
Props Master .................................................................................................................. Gregg Houck
Assistant Stage Manager ................................................................................................Noah Elman
Follow Spot Operators ....................................................................... Galen Gibian, Elizabeth Kaiser
Mic Dresser/Sound Crew ............................................................................................... Galen Gibian
Production Assistants/Run Crew .............................................................................. Elizabeth Kaiser
Carpentry Crew ........................................................................................................... David Faulkner
Paint Crew ........................................................................................................................ DD Stevens
MUSICIANS
Keyboard ............................................................................................................ Richard Montgomery
Drums ...........................................................................................................................Chris Armitage
RUNNING TO PLACES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kelly A. Damm
Bruce Grieshaber
Dick Furnas
Carolyn Koppel
Heidi Goldstein
Erica Steinhagen
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BIOGRAPHIES
Alissa Pure (Featured), a junior at IHS, is very excited to be in her 4th season of R2P! She has
previously been seen in Pirates of Penzance, Spring Showcase 2008, Once Upon a Mattress, and
Music Man with Running to Places. Alissa is also involved in the ICC Chorale, and spends most of
her time rowing on the crew team at the Cascadilla Boat Club. She would like to thank her family
and friends for their support and, of course, the amazing cast, crew, and directors for their
dedication. Hope you enjoy the show! Peace.
Allie Young (Featured) is a freshman at Dryden High School, and is very excited to be a part of
Spring Showcase. Allie also participates in theatre at school, and recently played the role of the Sour
Kangaroo in Seussical. Allie has had an amazing experience participating in this show, and would
like to thank the directors and production staff for all their hard work. She would also like to thank her
parents for all the driving, and finally, she would like to thank you for coming to see the show.
Ally Mirin is sooooo excited to be in her 4th Running to Places show. You may have seen her
before in R2P’s The Wind in the Willows (Mole), Honk! (Duckling) or Singin in the Rain. She has
also been in Once on this Island (Agwe), Guys and Dolls (Angie the Ox), Taming of the Shrew,
Oklahoma!, and 12th Night, all at DeWitt Middle School. Ally was also in the children’s chorus of the
Ithaca College opera, The Little Prince. When not on stage, Ally enjoys singing, dancing at Ithaca
Academy of Dance, and playing oboe and piano. Thanks to my parents for being so supportive.
Enjoy!
Ariana Rivera is thrilled to be in her third R2P production. She was last seen as the butler in R2P’s
production of Joseph. Favorite roles include Madame de la Grand Bouche, (the wardrobe), in
Beauty and the Beast, and Shule in Hangar Theatre’s production of School House Rock Live, Jr.
When not performing, or in rehearsal, Ariana enjoys hanging out with her friends. She would like to
thank her amazing friends and family for their support. Enjoy the show!
Berkley Sawester is really excited about being a part of Spring Showcase. This is her second
Running To Places show and it has been really fun. She is in sixth grade and goes to Trumansburg
middle school. She is also just finished her school play, Willy Wonka, where she played Charlie.
Some of the shows that Berkley has performed in are the Ithaca Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth
and Annie with the Trumansburg middle school. She would like to thank all the people who drove
her to practices. Hi mom!
Bretana Turkon (Featured) is very excited to be in her 6th R2P show! Some of her favorite previous
roles have been Portia in Cinderella and Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka. She would like to thank
everyone who has helped her through this and given her support. Break a leg everyone!
Caroline Sendek (Featured) is extremely excited to be participating in R2P’s Spring Showcase this
year! Caroline has performed in several other R2P shows, as well as in Dewitt Middle School and
Ithaca High School. Her favorite role to date was Meg March in "Little Women" at Dewitt. Caroline
would like to thank all of her friends, family, the Hangar, and Running to Places for being truly
amazing. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Cecilia Yearsley: This is Cecilia’s first Running to Places show. She is very exited to be a part of
the group and is looking forward to more R2P shows. Cecilia enjoys reading, horseback riding and
baking pastries.
Chelsa Tifft is pleased to be part of Running to Places. She has been previously seen at Dryden
High/Middle School in the productions High School Musical and Once on This Island Jr. When not
on stage Chelsa enjoys running track, playing in band and just hanging out with friends. I would like
to thank my parents for driving me to and from rehearsals and for all of the support. I hope you
enjoy the show!
Cora Moss is very excited to be in her first R2P production! Although she hasn’t done much acting
before, she’s done lots of small plays and musicals with her friends. Aside from performing, Cora
enjoys ballet, playing the piano and violin, reading and writing. She also enjoys baking, and tending
to her garden during the summer. Cora wants to thank her family for driving her to rehearsals, and
helping her practice.
Dekhari Stewart is very proud to be performing in his first Spring Showcase Production. He has
been cast in other R2P productions such as, Singin’ in the Rain (Diction Coach), and Music Man as
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the train conductor. Dekhari had so much fun appearing in the Singin’ in the Rain song, "Moses". In
his free time Dekhari likes to read, play violin, and participate in sports such as basketball, football
and track. Dekhari is proud to participate in Showcase and thanks Joey, Todd, and Gail for all the
fun times he has had. He sends his love and a special thank you to his family- Mom, Pop-pop (Ricky
Stewart, Sr.) and Grandma Jean (Jean Stewart).
Elaine Young (Featured) is a senior at Dryden High School. She is excited to be in her fourth
Showcase with R2P. Elaine also participates in the shows at DHS. Favorite past roles include: Mrs.
Harcourt, Anything Goes; The Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of Oz; ChaCha, Grease; and
Featured in Showcase ‘10. Elaine also is involved in stage management; she has either stage
managed, assistant stage managed, or helped out in some other way with seven R2P shows
including, Little Shop of Horrors and R2P2’s student directed production of The Last 5 Years. Elaine
also helps out with Shakespeare in the Basement. Elaine would like to thank her parents and friends
for all for their support, Gregg and the production team, and she gives a very special thanks to Gail,
Joey, and Todd for making the last four years full of adventure, growth, and love.
Elisheva Glaser is psyched to be in another R2P production. She has previously performed as
Amaryllis in Music Man, an All I Do girl in Singing in the Rain, and an Ishmaelite in Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She also recently played Babette in Boynton Middle School’s
Beauty and the Beast. Elisheva loves strawberries and being part of R2P. Enjoy the show!
Elizabeth Yearsley is delighted to be in her 3rd R2P show! She is in 7th grade at EAC Montessori
Middle School and enjoys playing the violin, hanging out with her friends, skiing, sailing and doing
crew. Thank you to all the cast and crew for making this such a great experience! Hope you enjoy
the show!
Emary Iacobucci is SO exited for her fifth R2P show! Emary loves to sing, act and TRY to dance,
as dancing is not her forte. Get it? "Forte"...? Ah.. eh-hem... well... Emary is now in her school
comedy/drama called "Little Red, Life in the Hood". She will be starring as "Redneck Red". She has
been in nine shows other than R2P shows. Emary has recently joined Chorale at CSMA and loves
it. Emary would like to thank Joey, Todd, Gail and especially Gregg for making this show possible!
Music is her life, and since it is, she puts a lot of effort into her shows to make all of you pleased and
happy when you walk away! ENJOY! P.S. Thanks to the parents who drove us to and from
EVERYwhere!
Emily Behrmann-Fowler, a junior at IHS, is thrilled to be in her fifth R2P production and is proud to
be one of the original members. Favorite past roles include Jennifer Owens (Babes in Arms), Mabel
(Pirates of Penzance) and Gertrude (Seussical the Musical). She is also looking forward to playing
Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie this summer. Emily’s life revolves around singing and
song-writing. She previously attended Interlochen Arts Camp for voice and was thrilled to have
participated in the 2011 National Women’s Honor Choir. She thanks her voice teacher, Janet
Galvan, her parents for all their chauffeuring, (they are very happy that she is getting her license
soon!), and, of course, the dedicated R2P team!
Emily Schweitzer is in 8th grade at Lansing Middle School. This is Emily’s 6th R2P production and
is extremely excited to take part in Spring Showcase 2011. Her most recent show was Joseph and
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the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Simeon. She has also been in Anything Goes as an ASM,
Cinderella as the chef and herald, Spring Showcase 2010, Singing in the Rain, Beauty and the
Beast, The Jungle Book, Honk!, Annie, Guys and Dolls, The Nutcracker, and Wind of a Thousand
Tales. Emily is in the chorus at her school and plays clarinet in band and jazz band. Emily is also in
Chorale at CSMA. Emily plays softball, volleyball, tennis, and swims. Emily would like to thank all the
Lansing parents for giving rides. She is glad to have so many of her Lansing friends participating in
Showcase and hopes that they had fun in the process. She hopes everyone loves R2P’s Spring
Showcase!
Emma Pure (Featured) is very excited to be in her 6th R2P show, having been apart of the
company since the very beginning! :) She has been in many other musicals, recently including "The
Wiz", and "Babes in Arms" at IHS, and "The Music Man" and "Spring Showcase 2010" with Running
to Places. When not participating in musicals, Emma enjoys singing with the ICC Chorale, playing
on the IHS soccer team, drawing, playing violin and piano, and cooking. She has had a great time in
this show and would like to give a HUGE thanks to all those who it made it possible and amazing.
(You know who you are!) Also, she would like to thank her parents for their constant support and
driving skills. "Enjoy the Show!"
Gregg Houck (Stage Manager) is happily returning for his 2nd show of the season with R2P having
been a part of the production team for Anything Goes. He also served as the stage manager for this
season’s auditions. Gregg has served in many roles on and off stage with Binghamton University’s
Summer Youth Musical Theatre Workshop, Finger Lakes Community College, Broome Community
College, Tompkins-Cortland Community College, Camp Seneca Lake, Candor Community Chorus,
CCS Dramatics, and Trumansburg School District. He is currently the Director of Theatre for the
Candor Central School District.
Jenna Ledet is "thrilled" to be in her fourth Running to Places production! Recently, she has been
seen teasing sailors as “Erma” in Anything Goes, singing out for Haiti, and easin’ down the road in
"The Wiz" at IHS. She would like to thank her parents for their never ending support, the members
of the company for being so funny, Sophie for shinsies, and Joey, Todd, and Gail for all of their hard
work and dedication. Enjoy the show!
Jewell Payne (Featured) is excited to be in her first Showcase with R2P! Most recently she played
Belle in Boynton Middle School’s Production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. She’s also been seen in
The Piano Lesson (Maretha) and Once on This Island (Little Ti Moune) at The Hangar Theatre,
Wind in the Willows (Polly Otter, Gypsy) with R2P, Children of Eden (Ensemble), Ithaca College,
and Annie Jr. (Annie) At Boynton MS. She’s also working on recording her first original song which
you’ll soon be able to hear on Ithaca’s own Z95.5 Radio Station! She is a member of Ithaca’s
Vitamin L; plays tenor saxophone and soccer. She’s had lots of fun in showcase, and wants to thank
Joey, Gail and Todd for all they do; and her Mom, for being her biggest fan and her taxi driver!
Keara Byron is thrilled to be in her 6th R2P show! Her favorite R2P roles include: Bullfrog in Honk!,
and Narrator in Joseph!Dreamcoat. She has also been seen in shows at Cornell University, Ithaca
College, and Boynton Middle School. Keara just completed Cornell’s production of Pillowman, as
the Little Green Girl. When not on stage, Keara takes dance, plays piano and oboe, and sings in the
Ithaca Children’s Choir’s Chorale and Vitamin L. "Thanks to all of my wonderful zombie cast mates,
my amazing directors, awesome technical crew, and my awesomely, amazingly, wonderful parents!
Enjoy the show! Ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Kelci Fargnoli-Peterson (Featured) has performed in over 20 shows in her life. She has been
active in shows with the Newfield Drama Club, R2P, and the Hangar Theatre. Some of her favorite
roles include Dorothy in Newfield High School’s "The Wiz", the Old Lady in R2P’s "Anything Goes",
Grandma Georgina in "Willy Wonka", Nerdy Girl in "Bye Bye Birdie", Isabel in "Pirates of Penzance",
Alice in "Alice in Wonderland", Stepmother in "Cinderella" Peter Pan in "Peter Pan and Wendy", and
more. She participated in National American Miss last summer where she was placed in the top ten,
won 1st place in the talent competition for her performance of "I Just Wanna Be a Star" and 3rd
place in the acting competition. In June she will participating in the Applause Rising Talent
Showcase where she will perform for talent agents and casting directors from around the country.
She wants to thank her friends and family for their constant, never ending support. Love to you all!
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Lily Cowen makes her Running to Places debut in this Spring Showcase. Constantly humming to
herself and never able to stand still, singing and dancing on stage are the perfect outlet for her
natural talents. Lily is a 6th grader at Boynton Middle School. She is an accomplished ski-racer,
trombone player and dog lover.
Lisa Podulka is 12, homeschooled, and ecstatic to be in her fourth show with R2P! Favorite roles
include Zebulun in Joseph (with R2P), Pippa in Spider’s Web at Cortland Repertory Theatre, and
Gabriella (High School Musical), Sea Witch (Little Mermaid), and Jasper (101 Dalmatians), at
Syracuse Children’s Theater. Off-stage, she enjoys singing in Vitamin L, dancing at the Cortland
Performing Arts Institute, exploring the wild plants in the woods and fields around her home, and
petting her four cats. Thanks to Joey, Todd, Gail, and Richard for being amazing, and to everyone
else who has helped make this production possible, and to Mom and Dad for driving to rehearsals.
Loie Faulkner is super duper excited to be in her second Running to Places production! You may
have recently seen her in the Ensemble of Joseph, or in Boyton Middle School’s Beauty and the
Beast Jr. as the Egg Seller. Her previous roles include Robin in Godspell, an Orphan in Annie Jr.,
and carious character over four years of Ithaca Ballet’s The Nutcracker. She would like to give a
huge shout out to all her friends for putting up with her singing show tunes and practicing dances in
the middle of lunch, to her amazing family for getting her places, and to the production team for all
their wonderful help and support. Hope you love the show!!!
Michael Sloan, a 12 year-old homeschooled sixth grader, is very excited to be in his second R2P
show. In his first R2P show, he was one of the Narrators in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. Michael’s Ithaca College credits include Children’s Choir in The Little Prince, and Young
Abel and Storyteller in Children of Eden. His Cornell University credits include Young Katurian in the
Pillowman and children’s choir member in Bernstein’s Mass. When not on stage, Michael enjoys
taking jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop dance lessons, playing the drums, singing in the Ithaca Children’s
Choir and with Vitamin L, and playing soccer. He would like to thank Gail, Joey, Todd, Richard and
Gregg for making this show so enjoyable, and his parents for driving him to rehearsals.
Miriam Leo is so happy to be in her fourth R2P show. With R2P Miriam has previously been in
HONK!, Singin’ in the Rain, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Miriam has also
been in Guys and Dolls Jr., Annie Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
Cinderella. Miriam is currently an eighth grader at Lansing Middle School, and when she’s not
singing she enjoys playing volleyball and being with friends. She would like to thank her family for
their unconditional support. Enjoy the show!
Noah Elman (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be in his first show as an ASM. This is his 5th
show with R2P. Most recently, he played Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. Other than acting, he enjoys reading, videogames, singing, and climbing. He would like
to thank his parents for driving him to rehearsals.
Rachel Harrington is a homeschooled (HOMESCHOOL REPRESENT!) senior, and is enjoying a
vast salmagundi of exuberant emotions as she thinks about partaking of this show. She loves R2P
with all her heart and urges you to help us kids out in anyway you can: by just attending the show
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and having a MARVELOUS time – you’re keepin’ us running! So easy, right? She’d like to thank
Dad for all the rides, Mum for the food and Harry Potter to keep her sane, and of course Joey, Todd,
and Gail. Thanks for working so hard to bring out the best in us kids. We may groan a lot, but it does
us good in the end. (Hey audience? Hold on to your toupees. You’re about to experience something
worthy of knocking it off!) ((Oh yeah, you’ll be seeing Rachel later in the season as Mrs. Meers in
Thoroughly Modern Millie...SO WATCH OUT!))
Richard Montgomery (Music Director) Mr. Montgomery received his Bachelor of Music in piano
and conducting from University of North Carolina-Greensboro and Masters of Music in Vocal
Coaching and Accompanying from the University of Illinois where he studied with renowned
accompanist John Wustman. He has performed as conductor, music director and stage director
with Greensboro Opera, Virginia Opera, Illinois Opera Theater, New York City Opera, and Ithaca
Opera and has toured extensively with the National Opera Company. In the world of musical
theater he has also served professionally as music director in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia,
North Carolina and locally with SUNY-Cortland, Kitchen Theater, Cornell Theater, Cornell
Savoyards, Running to Places and the Hangar Theatre. He is currently music director, vocal
coach/accompanist for the Musical Theater program at SUNY-Cortland.
Saia Meyerhoff (Featured) is currently a junior at Ithaca High School, and thrilled to be in her 7th
Running to Places show and second Spring Showcase! Previous roles include Pirate King in Pirates
of Penzance (R2P), Toad in Wind In the Willows (R2P), Bunny in Babes in Arms (IHS), and Glinda
in The Wiz (IHS). Along with being involved in R2P she participates in the IHS musicals, sings with
the ICC Chorale and plays piano. She would like to thank Gail, Todd and Joey for being amazing
and helping each of us become better performers, and her parents for driving her to all her
rehearsals! Enjoy the show!!!
Sari Koppel (Featured) is THRILLED to be a part of the 2011 Spring Showcase! It has been a
SEASON OF LOVE to work with this cast and production team. You may have seen her in Anything
Goes (Reno Sweeny), Guys and Dolls (Hotbox Girl), the 2010 Spring Showcase, or in The Music
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Man (Marian). Next year she will be MOVING to Michigan, not BY THE SEA but by the lake, where
she will be attending Interlochen Academy of the Arts as a theatre major because THERE’S NO
BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS. Thank you to the cast and production team for SEIZING THE
DAY and doing such a great job with this show. Also, thanks to my voice teachers Sharon Costianes
and Erica Steinhagen for being the PEOPLE TO WATCH OVER my voice. On a closing note I
would like to say 1) don’t ever RAIN ON MY PARADE 2) you don’t really have the PRIVILEGE TO
PEE during the show (go during intermission) 3) LOVE IS ALWAYS LOVELY IN THE END and 4) if
you didn’t get anything in this bio, check out the list of musical numbers and you may have an
epiphany.
Sophie Potter (Featured) is a junior at LACS and is thrilled to once again be a part of R2P’s Spring
Showcase. You may have seen Sophie in shows at the Kitchen Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Boynton
Middle School, Ithaca High School, and Running to Places. Besides theatre, Sophie enjoys sitting
on her couch and eating grapes. Sometimes she goes outside. She would like to thank her family
and friends, as well as the cast and crew. Showcase is by far her favorite part of the R2P year, and
hopes you enjoy the show!
St. John Faulkner is happy to be in the Spring Showcase, his fifth Running to Places show. He has
most recently been seen as the Scarecrow in the Ithaca High School production of The Wiz.
Favorite other roles include Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, Jesus in Godspell, the Press Agent in
Babes in Arms, and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. He has also appeared in other musicals
and dramas at Boynton Middle School as well as danced for the Ithaca Ballet. When not on stage,
he can be found singing or playing music. He would like to thank everybody in the cast, his family,
and his friends. Enjoy the show!
Vasilios Avramis is super excited to be in his second show with Running to Places. You may have
seen him as the Captain in "Anything Goes" or at Lansing High Schools production of "Fiddler on
the Roof" as Lazar Wolf. When he’s not doing shows, you might find him singing, throwing in track,
or just chillaxin’. He would like to thank his parents for their support, and for the rides to every
rehearsal. Enjoy the show!
RUNNING TO PLACES STAFF
Gail Belokur (Resident Producer and Co-Artistic Director) has worked professionally with
young people in the performing arts in Upstate New York for over 20 years. Her wide range of
credits include directing, stage managing, producing, and designing (scenic, costume and
lighting) for dozens of plays, musicals and dance recitals for middle and high school students.
As founder and artistic director of New Vine Productions, Gail also taught acting workshops
and developed arts programs for theatre, dance, music and the visual arts before leaving to
help launch Running to Places. She also enjoys mentoring college students, and enjoys
being able to do so through the R2P mentor program and the newly developed “R2P2”
program. Gail received her BA in Drama from Ithaca College. She thanks and sends love to
husband, George, and their children Kristen, Shauna and Michael.
Joey Steinhagen (Resident Director and Co-Artistic Director) has been teaching, acting in, and
directing theatre for young people throughout Tompkins County since 1993. He received his BFA in
Acting from Ithaca College. Over the years, he has directed musicals and plays at Ithaca and
Dryden High Schools, Dryden, Boynton, and Dewitt Middle Schools, for the Northern Lights
Learning Center, and the Hangar Theatre’s Kiddstuff series. Joey has taught acting at Ithaca
College, Cornell, SUNY Cortland, Hangar Theatre’s Next Generation program, and the Ithaca Youth
Bureau. As an actor, Joey is a familiar face on the stage of the Kitchen Theatre, having appeared in
many Mainstage and Family Fare shows. He lives in Newfield with Aram and his BFF Erica.
Linda Harris (Finance Manager) As an R2P parent she was, and continues to be, extremely
inspired by the dedication of the founders of R2P. She has observed their positive influence on our
sons and daughters and the enormous amount of personal time they give, all delivered with never
ending enthusiasm and a smile. When R2P reached the goal of obtaining their non-profit status (no
small feat in itself!) and needed to move forward to prepare to do business “officially” she gladly
volunteered her services to help them set up shop. She brings with her, (in addition to her
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enthusiasm and excitement!), over twenty years of finance and administrative experience. More
than ten of those years were in the non-profit sector such as The Chemical Dependencies Clinic of
Otsego County and most recently, several years as the Finance Manager at the Cayuga Nature
Center. Presently she is a Grant and Contract Officer for the College of Ag and Life Sciences at
Cornell. She is looking forward to working with the rest of the R2P staff “behind the scenes”, (where
Gail knows she is happiest!), and supporting their hard work and heartfelt efforts for our local youth.
Todd Peterson (Resident Choreographer) has been performing and instructing professionally for
over 20 years. A former Broadway performer, Todd was trained locally and in New York City. His
instructional and choreographic genre include ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and acrobatic forms
of dance. While training and performing in NYC Todd attended the Henry Le Tang and Broadway
Center for performing arts. Among his list of accomplishments, Todd is a previous Dance
Educators of America Performing Arts Champion, featured dancer for the Miss Black America
Pageant, Showcase performer for the Frank Hatchett, Gregory/Maurice Hines Dance Center in
Springfield Massachusetts, director/choreographer for The Peace Child Foundation’s production of
"City of Peace under the mentorship of Shakespeare in the Park creator Arthur Lithgow. Todd was
ranked 5th nationally in men’s solo baton twirling at Americas Youth on Parade in South Bend
Indiana. While attending America’s Youth on Parade he also was ranked #2 in the international
Drum Major Contest. Todd is an inductee in the Twirlers Hall of Fame. He also opened for the Bob
Hope thanks for the Memories tour in Utica New York. Locally he was the co-founder/director of
Ithaca’s Thunderbolt Parade and Show Corp, co-founder of the Boynton Theatre Project, Dance
instructor for CSMA, and SUNY Cortland. Todd has choreographed for SUNY Cortland, Cornell
University, Boynton and Dewitt Middle Schools, and Ithaca High School. Currently, Todd is an
Educator with the Ithaca City School District as well as the proud director of the Ithaca Youth
Bureau’s Stewart Park Day Camp. Todd and his family were recently featured in the National
Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) IndiVisible exhibit in Washington D.C.
Running to Places Theatre Company (R2P) is a nonprofit theatre company for teens that
rehearses and performs all over the Tompkins County area. We provide youth with
opportunities to participate in all aspects of theatre and the process allows them to create great
art, develop important life skills, and make deep connections with teens from every school
district in the county. Participation is open to all those in grades 6-12 or the home school
equivalent. Rather than impose a strict fee structure for participation, we depend on donations,
fundraising, ticket sales, business sponsorships, and grants. R2P was started in 2007 to meet
the demand for more theatre opportunities for the talented youth in this area, reduce barriers to
participation in the arts, and to build community across the county. After spending its inaugural
season under the nonprofit umbrella of Social Ventures, Running to Places Theatre Company
was incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 in September 2008. The founding members of
R2P are Gail Belokur, Ross Mizrahi, Todd Peterson, and Joey Steinhagen.
1
2
DONORS
Family Support
Alice Churchill and John Vandenberg
Alice Wu and Lewis Clark
Andy and Mary Young
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous in honor of Nora Littell
Anthony and Heather Damiani
Augustine Stagliano
Barbara Behrmann and Mark Fowler
Barbara Brenner and Jonathan Plotkin
Betsy Appleton
Bonnie and Lynn Rathbun
Brian Hall and Pamela Moss
Carol Bobertz
Cheryl Rigas
Christine Iacobucci and Joseph Woelfel
Christopher O'Connor
Colleen Mc Clenahan
Crista Shopis and Kendall Carpenter
David and Jody Feaveryear
David and Shari Olmstead
David Yearsley and Annette Richards
DD Stevens
Debbie Benzer and David Shuman
Debora Robertson-Leo
Debra and Alan Ledet
Diane and Paul Beckwith
Diane Nangeroni and David Parkins
Ed, Carolyn and Sari Koppel
Edward and Teresa Sawester
Elizabeth and Bob Wilson
Ellen Morris-Knower
Eric and Mihal Ronen-Clay
George and Jennifer Wildridge
George and Marcy Avramis
Gillian and Kristina Haines-Sharp
Heather Simkin
Inshik Lee, Leemer Design & Construction
Isabelle and Peter Schweitzer
J Ellen Gainor and David Faulkner
Jai and Jonathan Meyerhoff
Janice and Jan Nigro
Janice and Richard Geddes in Memory of Jenna
Grieshaber
Janusz and Teresa Sendek
John and Tina Mollenkamp
Jonathan Lynch and Amy Thompson
Joseph and Elishia Tifft
Judy and Alan Wagner
Judy Clay
Julie Hansen and Cyrus Umrigar
Karen and David Eldredge
Karen and Gary Sloan
Karen Purcell
Katherine Beissner and Harry Kaiser
Laura Petri
Laurel Hester
Lauren O'Connell
Lee and Leslie Byrn
Lesley Greene and Robbert van Renesse
Linda Glaser and Phil Kaiser
Linda, Bob and Caleb Harris
Lisa and David Newman
Lisa Marsella and Colleen Clune
Liz Brown and Stefan Senders
Liz Karns and Ted Brennan
Lori Yelensky and Richard Berg
Maria Fernandez
Marion Craig DaGrossa
Mark and Sheryl Goldberg
Marta and Greg Potter
Mary Pitti
Mary Sloand
Michael and Kelly Sturman
Michelle and Bruce Kornreich
Mike and Cathy Griggs
Myla and Robert Strawderman
Nancy Neumann
Norm and Sallie Pure
Pam and Mark Palmer
Paul Anderson and Randi Kepecs
Paula and David Turkon
Peggy McKernan
Rachel Harrington
Rose and Randy Blinn
Shirlee and Melanie Hardy
4
3
Shirley Samuels
Stephanie French
Stephen Hilgartner and Kathleen O'Neill
Steve Avery
Sue and Doug Caveney
Taniqua Stewart
The Fargnoli-Peterson Family
Timothy Foote
Todd Cowen and Lauren Comly
Valerie Miller
Wendy Tarlow and James Tantillo
Wendy Wolfe and Wash Wawrzynek
Zachary Nelson and Gopini Lama
Thank you, also, to our generous donors-atlarge and sponsors!
Sprinter ($1-$99)
Adrienne McNair
Allen Quirk
Coert Bonthius
Dave and Joanna Bock
David and Marilyn Lewis
Hinda and Kenneth Crewell, Jr.
In memory of Lillie Rathbun from the staff at CNF
Joanne and James Ambrose
Kuangtsau Hsueh and Tsungying Tsou
Maggie and Bill Goldsmith
Nigo Z Horiuchi
Ryoichi Oshiro
Susan Monagan
Runners ($100-$149)
Alan Rose
Gretchen Newman
Jean A. McCaffrey
Joel and Cathy Hutchings Zumoff
Leslie L. London and M. Robert Neulander
Martha Frommelt and David Feldshuh - In
appreciation for the work you do for youth
and the arts.
Nancy and George Schuler
Roger Farrell
Wayne and Pauline Cheveriea
Explorers ($150-$249)
Elizabeth Reed
Janet Lowe
Diane and David King
Adventurers ($250-$349)
Carol Hilgartner Schlank in honor of Erin, Kevin
and Nathan Hilgartner
Dick Furnas
Percy Browning
Pacesetters ($350-$499)
Steeplechasers ($500-$999)
Anonymous
David Cedarbaum and Barbara Mitchell
Ithaca Youth Bureau
The Robert G. and Jane V. Engel Foundation
Viva La Femme
Marathoners ($1,000-$2,999)
Bel Canto Farm
Kelly A. Damm, Attornery at Law
Overhead Door Company of Cortland
Savage Club of Ithaca
Triathlon Club ($3,000-$4,999)
Inn on Columbia
Percy Browning Fund of the Community
Foundation
Purity Ice Cream
Pentathlon Club ($5,000-$9,999)
Linda, Bob and Caleb Harris
Decathlon Club ($10,000 and above)
CSP Management
Cayuga Radio Group
Park Foundation
* Show Sponsor
+
Exclusive Show Sponsor
° Season Sponsor!
The donor list is current through April 9, 2011.
If we have made an error, please email finance@runningtoplaces.org and accept our sincere apologies!