Azuka Theatre presents

Overwinter

Written By MACKENZIE RAINE KIRKMAN
Starring FRANK JIMENEZ & MICHAEL A. STAHLER
Scenic Designer ANDREW ROBINSON
Lighting Designer LILY FOSSNER
Costume Designer LIV HERSHEY
Sound Designer LARRY D. FOWLER, JR.
Properties AVISTA CUSTOM THEATRICAL, LLC
Production Manager LAUREN TRACY
Production Stage Manager MARGAUX CATTELONA

Directed by REVA STOVER

World Premiere FEBRUARY 29 - MARCH 17, 2024

CAST

Frank Jimenez.………………………Brady
Michael A. Stahler………………….Logan

Time & Location:
A little into the future, in a lab not too far from here.

There will be NO intermission.
We may be unable to re-seat patrons who leave the theater during the performance.
Please turn OFF all electronic devices prior to the performance.
We welcome you to take photos before and after the performance, however photography or recording during this production is strictly prohibited. For social media: @AzukaTheatre #Overwinter

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

– We thank the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation for sharing this statement.

The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape are still here! Get to know them and show your support at www.nlltribe.com.

OUR NAME

Azuka Theatre Founder, Raelle Myrick-Hodges named the company after her niece, Jane Azuka, and to honor the strong community in which she was raised. The name Azuka is from the Nigerian word meaning “strength of foundation.”

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Overwinter by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman explores a world not unlike our own. The relationships between Brady, Logan, the Bee and the institutions that keep them all circling around what marginalized communities may see as an obvious solution feels dystopian and omnipresent. As the current moment grows more and more similar to the world of Overwinter, we must grapple with our values and weigh them against the consequences of actions.

Much of humanity is blessed with the gift of choice while others see their ability to choose systemically stripped away. In our lives, more than bees are being eradicated at the hands of human greed. Overwinter asks us to consider the value of life, autonomy, freedom of movement, and our relationship to land and community. I know where I stand. I hope you choose to stand with community, from the river to sea.

Reva Stover

CAST

Click on the headshots to read artist bios

CREATIVE TEAM

STAFF & CREDITS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lee Porter - President
Dustin Dove - Vice-President
Rosie McNamara-Jones - Treasurer
Kimberly Engel
Kate Meredith Esposito
Larry D. Fowler, Jr.
Steven Wright

We’re looking to grow our Board! Want to know more?

AZUKA THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS

Artistic Director - New Play Production - Rebecca May Flowers
Artistic Director- New Play Development - Reva Stover
Community Engagement Director - Ryir Norris
Marketing & Patron Services Director - Mark H. Andrews
Resident Dramaturg - Autumn Blalock
Marketing Assistant - Cheyenne Parks
PR Representation - Kory Aversa / Aversa PR & Events, LLC

FRONT OF HOUSE

House Manager - Cheyenne Parks
Box Office Staff - Kassidy Karlese, Victoria Crenshaw, Caroline, Juelke, Asher Lentz, Lucas McLean, Jessica Merkins, Brittany Onukwugha, Talia Speak, Abby Toll, Sam Volosky

PRODUCTION CREW & CREDITS

Additional Recorded Voice - Cheyenne Parks
Technical Director - Joe Daniels
Assistant Production Manager - Jackie Tracy-Cowles
Master Electrician - Andrew Cowles
Audio Engineer - John Kolbinski
Carpenters - Dylan Bickhart, Cait Foster, Noah Mannix, Sam Roff, Zoe Seida
Scenic Charge - Annemarie Branco, Kayce Dygert
Electricians - Cait Foster, Noah Mannix, Zoe Seida
Production Photographer - Johanna Austin
Video Archive - Janelle McGovern
Graphic Design - Mark H. Andrews & Derek Carnegie
Printing - Quaker Printing, ARC Document Solutions

Special Thanks - InterAct Theatre Company, Scrub Pro Uniforms for the lab coats, Chris Totura & Drexel University, Doug Smullens

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and kindly notify us by contacting Mark Andrews at 215.563.1100

Thanks to the following funders for their generous organizational and programmatic support:
∞ RAD, Recurring Azuka Donor

FOUNDATION SUPPORT

National Endowment for the Arts • William Penn Foundation • Independence Foundation • The Philadelphia Foundation - Jay & Deen Kogan Fund, Virginia Brown Martin Fund • MKM Foundation • Philadelphia Cultural Fund • PA Council on the Arts • The Shubert Foundation • Lida Foundation • Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation • Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation • CHG Foundation • Charlotte Cushman Foundation • The Wyncote Foundation

CORPORATE SUPPORT

Harmelin Media • PECO Charitable Giving Program • National Philanthropic Trust • MAC Capital Partners, Inc. • Raymond James - Bushnell/Pelkey Fund • Two Roads Brewing • Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar • Castellino’s • The Lab Worlds Group • Intergal Molecular • Scrub Pro Uniforms

PRODUCERS CIRCLE

NEW PLAY PRODUCTION HONORARY PRODUCER ($5,000+)
Dr. Joel & Mrs. Roberta Porter

ARTISTIC PRODUCER ($1,000 - $2,499)
John & Fern Culhane • Cyana La Divertida • David Fedor • Rosie McNamara-Jones • Paulette Singleton • Robin & Patrick Tracy

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS ($500 - $999)
Robert & Mary Anne Andrews • ∞Mark H. Andrews & Derek Carnegie • ∞Kimberly Engel • ∞Kate Esposito • Elizabeth H. Gemmill • Drs. Ken & Julie Kendall • Lyndsey & Kevin McCormick • Michael Norris & Matt Varrato • Lee Porter • ∞David J. Wierz

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

IDEALIST ($100 - $499)
∞Patreshettarlini Adams • Ann Cohen • ∞Danielle Dilks • ∞Edward Dilks • ∞Rebekah Doyle • Jonathan V. Edmondson • ∞Heather E. Evans • ∞Rebecca May Flowers • ∞Ellen Foley • Larry Fowler • Dan Gannon • Greg Gephart • ∞Laura R. Hamilton • The Hankenson Family • Margaret Harris • Bob & Esther Hornik • Caren & Stuart Hosansky • Donna Hunt & Chris Deephouse • David Ingram & Melanye Finister • Anne & Craig Jorgensen • ∞Kissy Lazo & Andrew Guyon • Tim Martin • Bernard Mason • Daniel & Janelle McGovern • ∞Lisa & Chris McLean • Brian Moore • ∞Andrea Nardello • ∞Charlotte Northeast • Sally Pankaj • Dan & Stacey Ramsey • Carol Rothery • ∞Heather Smalley • ∞John Walber & Julie Slavet • Brian & Alan • Philly Home Girls • Robert Wickline • Anonymous (4)

REALIST (up to $99)
Robert & Stephanie Andrews • Johanna Austin • Sara Blumenthal & John Rawles • Linnea Bond • Helen Burke • Timothy P. Carey • John Paul Christy • ∞Rob & MB Dalonzo • Stephanie Dockery • Pat Donoghue • Leesha Fagan • L. Falk • Julie Fialkow • ∞Robin Fieler • Patricia & Narinder Garg • Nan Gilbert • ∞Austin Ginsberg • Paul & Terry Guerin • Jandayi Harmon • Jean Haskell • David Hodges • Michael Hollinger & Megan Bellwoar • Mira Jackson • Sanda & Hugh Janney • ∞Lisa Johnson • Kim Jordan • Rhonda Kinard • Sharon Kling • Margaret Lonzetta • Barry & Debby Lurie • Krista Mar • Bernadette McCottry • Shawna McMenamin • KC MacMillan • Brian & Becky Papendick • Teresa Peterson • Kirsten Quinn • Nora Quinn • ∞Kathleen R. • ∞Mercedes Ruiz • ∞Brittany Schmitke • Stephanie Shepard • Evan Sleppy • Thomas Taylor • Trina Tjersland • Patricia Toy • Stephanie Waters • Alec Williams • Carl Young • Sheila Young • Anonymous (12)