|
April 8 to April 23, 2022
In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) BY SARAH RUHL Director: Victoria Shepherd Co-Producers: Barbara Larose and Ellen Green In the Mainstage Theatre In late 19th century America, an enterprising physician takes advantage of the dawn of electricity to employ a new mechanism to ease female “hysteria.” Meanwhile, his devoted but desperately unhappy wife takes charge of her own fulfillment and awakening. This daring play explores the subjugated world of women of the time with humour, compassion, and enlightenment. |
- Albertine in Five Times - Fireworks Festival/Nested - In the Next Room (The Vibrator Play) More news to come! |
VICTORIA SHEPHERD/
DIRECTOR |
Victoria Shepherd enters her fourth decade of directing a proud member of the ATC since 2004. Victoria has directed several productions for the company’s mainstage (Summer and Smoke, August: Osage County), New Ideas Festival (2005, 2007, 2008), Big Ideas (Oedipus Wrecks, Jegger and Malone) Next Stage (In The Chocolate Boxes, Ribbons, A Little Happiness) and its Cyber Reads Series (12 Angry Women, The Vic; Hedda Gabler). Outside the ATC, Victoria has helmed productions at the Village Players, Amicus Productions, and the Toronto Fringe Festival as well as the premiere productions of Chloe Whitehorn’s The Pigeon and Waltzing With Puppets and Andrew Batten’s The Sad Blisters.
Victoria is eternally grateful to her master carpenter husband, Brent, who completes all of her worlds, her triple-threat daughter Viv, who lends her glorious voice to her soundtracks, and this innovative, committed and courageous company who has brought this exciting production to life. |
ELLEN GREEN/
CO-PRODUCER |
Many roles including producing, directing, assistant stage managing, and coordinating Alumnae’s Training and Development program have kept Ellen happily busy over the years she has been a member of the Alum. Ellen has very much enjoyed her return to co-producing for In the Next Room after our enforced two-year hiatus. How lucky that so many of the wonderful original cast and crew of In the Next Room in 2020 could return. And how lucky we are that the new talented folks we welcomed have seamlessly joined this renewed 2022 production. It has been a pleasure working again with Barbara Larose and being a part of the creative team led by the indomitable Victoria Shepherd.
It’s been a long separation. Too long. Welcome, everyone, back to live theatre, and welcome to what's behind the door of In the Next Room. |
BARBARA LAROSE/
CO-PRODUCER |
Barbara studied theatre at Concordia University in her hometown of Montreal. In addition to producing theatre, she is an experienced director, actor, dramaturge, and acting coach. Her previous producing credits at the Alumnae Theatre include August Osage County, The Lady’s not For Burning, Cosi and Closer.
|
THE CAST
RACHELLE MAZZILLI/
MRS. CATHERINE GIVINGS |
Rachelle Mazzilli is an actor, writer, and comedian with a [BA] Dramatic Arts Degree from the University of Windsor and a Diploma in Acting from The Toronto Film School. She produced, wrote, and performed in the award-winning short film Hard Proof (2018). She most recently produced, wrote, and performed the sketch comedy show Our Exes Are Dead: Vol. 1 under the Toronto Digital Fringe Festival (2021). With various TV, film, and commercial credits, and a history of performing stand-up comedy (Comedy Bar, Second City, Yuk Yuk’s, etc.), Rachelle Mazzilli’s first love was the theatre, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her passion for performance with a live audience again. She may not be able to cry on demand, but this show has taught her how to climax on demand – which we can all agree is more advantageous.
|
TREVOR CARTLIDGE/
DR. GIVINGS |
Trevor is thrilled to be involved with In the Next Room. Trevor was last seen on stage with Alumnae in the production of February by Lisa Moore. Since then, Trevor has performed in many shows, including Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew and Malvolio in Twelfth Night, both with the Rose Theatre. Trevor would like to thank his family for their continued love and support.
|
MONIQUE DANIELLE/
ANNIE |
Monique is a Toronto-based, Mad, queer artist and is thrilled The Vibrator Play is back on at Alumnae after its 2020 cancelation. Alumnae Theatre credits include Dahlia in Speed Dating Night at the Bull and Bell (NIF 2020), assistant director to Ilana Linden for The Heidi Chronicles, director of a staged reading of Harbor (NIF 2019), and ASM for The Importance of Being Earnest. She is a graduate of York University, and her additional select acting credits include Saint Catherine in Joan/Jehanne, Sweet Annie Black in The Ashes of Forgotten Rain (NAGs Theatre), and Andrea as Alice in The Last Thing I Did (Drama Insidiis). Monique is also a dynamic voiceover actor for commercials, corporate videos, and eLearning, with credits including TSC, The Inclusive Workplace, Cadí, AW Media and Pathwise Solutions. www.MoniqueDanielleVO.com
|
KIM CROSCUP/
MRS. SABINA DALDRY |
Kim is an actor who writes, directs, and produces if she has to! Kim is a graduate of both the 3 Year Conservatory Program at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Neighborhood Playhouse Summer Conservatory in New York City. Highlights include playing Margery in Vinegar Tom, Gertrude in Hamlet, and The Friar in Romeo & Juliet. She was last seen on the Alumnae Stage as Jessie Mae in Trip to Bountiful in February 2020. Fresh from a few hectic years of Zoom performing, Kim is thrilled to be making her post-lockdown stage debut with such a dedicated cast and crew. To see what mischief she is cooking up next, follow Kim on The Internets @kimcroscup.
|
TED POWERS/
MR. DICK DALDRY |
A graduate of the Circle In The Square Professional Workshop in New York, Ted's last NYC credit was the musical JP Morgan Saves The Nation (En Garde Arts) by the late composer Jonathan Larson of Rent. Recent GTA stage credits include Twelfth Night (Mariposa Arts Festival), Anne of Green Gables (The LOT), Unravelled and Ghosted (Toronto Fringe Festival 2019), Impressionism (Alumnae Theatre Company), The Land Grabber (Toronto Irish Players), and Mamma Mia (Scugog Choral Society). Film & Digital Media: The Night The Kids Found Out (Homeroom Productions), Empty Nest and Dredge (Start The Picture), Inside (DeLightly Productions), Coda and Deathbed (Toronto Film School), Starfinder and Papered Walls (Sheridan College), Sorting It Out (Burl Oak Theatre Group), All’s Well That Ends Well (Lake County Theatre Company), and The Winter’s Tale (Tennessee Stage Company). Next project: The Fantasticks in May with Scarborough Music Theatre.
|
RÉE ANDREWS/
ELIZABETH |
Rée Andrews is an extremely gifted and unique professional singer/actor. She has studied with schools in Toronto, New York, Vancouver, and Los Angeles. and, most recently, Second City. She has worked on shows for CBC, NBC, and HBO. Her current credits include a number of independent films. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this show and is looking forward to this her triumphant return to stage.
*Appearing with the permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association |
CHRIS PETERSON/
LEO IRVING |
Chris is thrilled to be part of actual live theatre again (thank you for coming out!) and especially to be back under the direction of Victoria, after last being on the Alumnae Mainstage in August: Osage County. Other recent credits include Proof (Theatre UnBlocked), Four Hours (Alumnae New Ideas Festival), His Girl Friday (Bygone Theatre), The Program Audio Series (Podcast), The Theory of Accelerated Hotness (Glass Hammer Productions), Operation 24/Cut-Outs (Unit 102/The Assembly Theatre), and Sorry, Wrong Number/The Hitchhiker (Plain Stage). Wishing my biggest supporter - my mom - could be here, but I know she’s watching. Love you.
|
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
VICTORIA STARK/
STAGE MANAGER |
Although Victoria has been an ASM with various productions in Toronto, ON, her university town of Victoria, BC, and her hometown of Calgary, AB, The Vibrator Play marks her official debut as Stage Manager. Along with In the Next Room, Victoria has worked on Nested (2022), The Trip to Bountiful (2020), The Pigeon (2018), and Queen Marie (2018) with Alumnae Theatre. She was also a familiar face during the Alumnae’s Zoom readings during the pandemic, where she was able to stretch her acting muscles a little further. When she is not stage managing, she is an actress and hopes to return to her improv crew, The Belleville-Villes, where she portrays the eccentric cinephile, Mona Cazale. She will even return to stage managing with her first Fringe production this summer. She would like to thank her electrifying team for bringing good vibrations and immense joy to her SM debut.
|
POLINA ZLOCHEVSKAIA/
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER |
Art has always been a big part of Polina’s life in the form of music, painting, and design, but theatre and film have a special place in her heart. She currently studies theatre and film in university and only became an Alumnae Theatre member at the end of last year. At Alumnae, Polina participated in a few Cyber Reads, and when ATC announced the return of live shows, she jumped on board as an assistant stage manager for In The Next Room. Polina feels very lucky to be a part of this experience and looks forward to the show!
|
LIVIA PRAVATO/
COSTUME DESIGNER |
Livia first met Victoria Shepard when Victoria directed the play Real Estate with the Village Players in 2011 and was entrusted with the costume design for that show. She later worked with Victoria on the show Tainted Justice for the Village Players and was nominated for a THEA/ACT-CO Award for best Costume Design (2018). Later, Livia was asked to do the costumes once again with Victoria on The Glass Menagerie (2019) with the Village Players.
Ever since then, Livia has been a steady part of the “Dream Team” and is happy to be working with Victoria once again and this remarkable crew of talented people. This is Livia’s debut with the Alumnae Theatre, and she is excited to work on this play! Special thanks to her mother for showing her the ropes on how to sew and planting the costume design seed. Enjoy the show! |
ALEXIS CHUBB/
SET DESIGNER |
Alexis is pleased to be working with the Alumnae again. Alexis has previously worked with Victoria on the production of The Pigeon at Alumnae's Fireworks Festival and has designed for August: Osage County at Alumnae Theatre. She has also designed Sabrina Fair, Scotland Road, Moonlight and Magnolias, and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife with Amicus Productions and Tainted Justice, Queen Milli of Galt, and Real Estate at the Village Playhouse.
Enjoy the show. |
JOHN STUART CAMPBELL/
SOUND DESIGNCOMPOSER |
John Stuart Campbell has been designing theatrical sound for thirty years. In 2018, John had the honour of winning the Thea award for sound design. He is always proud to work with Victoria Shepherd.
|
LESLIE MCBAY/
INTIMACY COORDINATOR |
Leslie McBay (she/her) is a performer, producer, and intimacy director based in Tkaronto (Toronto). As a certified intimacy director with IDC, Leslie works for theatre companies across southern Ontario, as well as for student productions at the University of Toronto. She has also adapted her intimacy practice to work in virtual rehearsal rooms.
Leslie is invested in creating a culture of consent in our rehearsal spaces by teaching workshops, advocating for actors, and building empowering choreography. She wants every actor to know how to communicate and receive boundaries, and to have a nuanced understanding of consent, so they can dive fully into the daring work of storytelling. “No, but” is the new “Yes, and” — pass it on! For more, visit lesliemcbay.ca. |
LIAM STEWART/
LIGHTING DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
BRENT SHEPHERD/
MASTER CARPENTER
MASTER CARPENTER
TAMSINE ALI/
PROPERTIES COORDINATOR
PROPERTIES COORDINATOR
|
Accessibility
Alumnae Theatre’s Berkeley Street entrance and the Mainstage Theatre are wheelchair accessible. There is a wheelchair accessible restroom on the ground floor. |
Background ·
In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play)
"Sarah Ruhl's play "was inspired by The Technology of Orgasm: Hysteria, the Vibrator, and Women’s Sexual Satisfaction by Rachel P. Maines. Ruhl cites Maines's book, AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War (Tom McNichol) and A Social History of Wet Nursing in America (Janet Golden) as books she was reading or which influenced her when she wrote the play."
The Broadway production of In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play) was nominated for three Tony Awards.
"Sarah Ruhl (born January 24, 1974) is an American playwright, professor, and essayist. Among her most popular plays are Eurydice (2003), The Clean House (2004), and In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) (2009). She has been the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award for a distinguished American playwright in mid-career. Two of her plays have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and she received a nomination for Tony Award for Best Play."
"In 2015, she published a collection of essays, 100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write. Her most recent play, For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday (2017), premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. She currently serves on the faculty of the Yale School of Drama. In 2018 Letters from Max: A Book of Friendship, co-authored by Max Ritvo, was published by Milkweed Editions."
Wikipedia
In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play)
"Sarah Ruhl's play "was inspired by The Technology of Orgasm: Hysteria, the Vibrator, and Women’s Sexual Satisfaction by Rachel P. Maines. Ruhl cites Maines's book, AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War (Tom McNichol) and A Social History of Wet Nursing in America (Janet Golden) as books she was reading or which influenced her when she wrote the play."
The Broadway production of In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play) was nominated for three Tony Awards.
"Sarah Ruhl (born January 24, 1974) is an American playwright, professor, and essayist. Among her most popular plays are Eurydice (2003), The Clean House (2004), and In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) (2009). She has been the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award for a distinguished American playwright in mid-career. Two of her plays have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and she received a nomination for Tony Award for Best Play."
"In 2015, she published a collection of essays, 100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write. Her most recent play, For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday (2017), premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. She currently serves on the faculty of the Yale School of Drama. In 2018 Letters from Max: A Book of Friendship, co-authored by Max Ritvo, was published by Milkweed Editions."
Wikipedia
