Proof Program
Basil Burwell Community Theater • March 8-17 • 2024
Originally produced by Manhattan Theatre Club on May 23, 2000.Subsequently produced on Broadway by Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer)Roger Berlind, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Jujamcyn Theatres, Ostar Enterprises, Daryl Roth and Stuart Thompson on October 24, 2000.
Original Music and Sound Design by John Gromada
Featuring:
Angelina Nichols as Catherine
Bart Shattuck as Robert
Tucker Atwood as Hal
Katie Glessner as Claire
Stage Manager: Greg Marsanskis
Lighting Designer: Zafra Whitcomb
Sound Designer: Jay Rosenberg
Running Crew: Alaina Zyhowski
Producers: Julia Olson, Cassidy Small
Light Operator: Greg Marsanskis
Sound Operator: Jay Rosenberg
Follow Spot Operator: Allaina Zyhowski
Box Office Manager: Cassidy Small
Posters, Programs & Publicist: Erik Perkins
Photographer: Gwyneth Sauvage
Social Media Manager: Abby Boucher
Video animations provided by Vecteezy.com
Special Thanks to:
Ben James Kelly Gubbels Scott Taylor
Latricia Saucier Brian Frus Chuck Quappe
A Note from the Director:
When I dove into this intricate piece by David Auburn—this play about human connections and the internal versus the external perspective—I knew I wanted to explore the improbable. Proof is a mathematical absolute; humans by nature are unpredictable. Math is a vehicle for the narrative of the script, yet this play is not only about the mathematics, but about the interaction of concepts. Heightened intellectual intelligence accompanied by lower emotional intelligence mixed with drug and alcohol abuse, untreated mental illness, and neurodivergances encompass Auburn’s players. The mind can be both a prison and a playground, so how do we access the compassion and patience we all possess to find a balance? The characters in this work explore if anything is ever really real, and how they fit together in this world.
With this production of Proof, allow yourself to be transported into the unreliable memories of Catherine as you get a small glimpse into her life, and how the outside effects her universe when unfortunate events collapse in on her. We watch how she picks herself up in the face of grief and misogyny induced emasculation. There are many wonderful nuances written into this script—a map of details and clues to guide the reader to their own conclusions—yet with no definitive absolutes.
I have made minimal attempt to hide the obvious that we are watching a theatrical production—and that gives us the privilege of witnessing the depth of work that is done to stay present. There is awareness that we are very tiny specks on a rock in space; the choices we make on how to spend our time are important. I am grateful to the talented cast and crew who made the choice to climb onto this porch in Chicago. Some people believe nothing is impossible, and this script is out to prove it. —Stephanie Natale Frus
Who's Who in the Cast and Crew:
Tucker Atwood (Hal) has performed with the Maskers in As You Like It and Dance Again, which were both written by himself and/or William Shakespeare. He also wrote A Dolphin Disguise from 2023’s One Act Festival and Triassic Park, another One Act which he is directing for next month’s festival.
Stephanie Natale Frus (Director) enjoys a variety of roles and theatrical adventures including directing, puppetry, improv, storytelling, musical theatre, choreography, theatre education, and drama therapy outreach. Origins working in theatre for the past 20 years in NYC-PA-FL, Stephanie has joyfully moved to Maine with her family and menagerie of pets and plants.
Katie Glessner (Claire) is a frequent performer on Midcoast stages, her latest Maskers role being Cass in “Wonder of the World.” Other recent performances include Rosalind in “But Why Bump Off Barnaby?”, The Woman in “The Vandal” (Maskers), Amy in “The Humans” (Midcoast Actors’ Studio), Hermia in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” (MAS), and Nurse Ratched in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (Maskers). Katie lives in Belfast, works in Human Resources at athenahealth, and loves being a part of live storytelling. Thank you for supporting local community theatre.
Greg Marsanskis (Stage Manager/ Light Operator) has been a part of the Waldo County theater community since the early 1980’s, as a member of the Waldo County Players, the Belfast Maskers, and Midcoast Actors’ Studio. He has been active on stage and behind the curtain, and totally enjoys creating the reality that you experience here.
Angelina Nichols (Catherine) is an actor, performance artist, and daycare teacher. Past favorite roles include Emilia in Othello (Perennial Players) and Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest (Ten Bucks Theatre Company). She studied theatre at Evergreen State College and is passionate about making quality performing arts accessible to rural communities.
Jay Rosenberg (Sound Designer / Operator) was the Sound designer for Arena Stage in Washington, DC. in the 70s and 80s. Locally, he designed lights and sound for The Midcoast Actors’ Studio’s production of Good People, August: Osage County, and others. His acting credits include various productions with MAS, including Hedda Gabler, Pygmalion, and A Servant of Two Masters.His recent credits were designing sound for the Maskers’ production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest while also playing the role of Turkle, and various productions in the 2023 Season.
Bart Shattuck (Robert) returns to the Maskers after a long hiatus. Previous Maskers roles include Father Jack in Dancing at Lughnasa and Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap. More recently Bart appeared as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express and Victor/Poche in A Flea in Her Ear, both at the Waterville Opera House.
Zafra Whitcomb (Lighting & Projections) is a recovering theater professional, with producing, managing, touring, acting, directing, designing, and technical production credits in Belfast, Portland (ME), Rochester (NY), NYC, DC, Charleston (SC), and Polverigi (Italy!). Fortunately, all that is behind him now and he has found that life is simply better in Moonbat City with family, friends, and (as penance for the sins of his youth) a teenage son.
Alaina Zyhowski (Running Crew) is enjoying helping Proof flow and learning from this talented cast and crew. Musical theater experience includes Deanna/Josephine (Starship/H.M.S. Pinafore) and Mary (Count Me In) at Watts Hall in Thomaston, Maine. She also was Dance Captain (9 to 5 The Musical) with Rocking Horse Productions in Lancaster, NY. Past experience with Lancaster Opera House includes: Geminae (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Laker Girl (Spamalot), Featured Ensemble (Singin’ in the Rain), Prancer (The Night Before Christmas), and Syliva Gilhooley (Promises, Promises). She is a science educator who connects people to the coast through programs like Tidepool Treks, Aquatots, and Sensational Seaweed. Her favorite marine animal is an octopus.