MAY 16, 2021IMPROV TROUPE

Welcome to the COCA Presents 2020–2021 Season! When I began planning my first season as Artistic Director of Theatre at COCA—I did not imagine it would look like this. I did not know I would learn about live-streaming or making films with masks or producing socially distanced performances. I did not know I would work with my team to create innovative ways of connecting during a time of isolation for so many. The past year and a half has challenged me both personally and artistically, as it has for so many in our industry and beyond. A mentor recently told me that artists are problem-solvers. This resonates with me now more than ever and I am proud of our COCA community and our ability to use our creativity to solve problems.

The 2020–2021 COCA Presents season opens a new chapter in the life of performing arts in St. Louis. With a focus on the next generation of theatre and dance, our season imagines where we’re going as an industry, by centering young artists in work for multi-generational audiences. As we face challenges as an arts community, a city, and a nation, we will collectively rise to meet this moment and dedicate ourselves to nurturing our entire creative community. With the Art Leads the Way initiative as a jumping off point, you will find a season that celebrates student work, new commissions and the professional artists from across the country that call COCA home.

Whether you are joining us from your home or in our beautiful, brand new Catherine B. Berges Theatre, COCA has a place for you. And so it is with a commitment to equitable access to the arts and a dedication to the growth of emerging artists, that I share our work. A season of art with depth and heart that asks us to consider the great challenges that we face as a society. A season that asks us to set the path forward with the voices of our young people at our side. A season that inspires our young artists to lead.

For they are the problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Onward,

Jennifer WintzerCOCA Artistic Director of Theatre

IMPROV TROUPE FULL COMPANY

Sarah BrownParker CollierAnna Drake

Jerron HigginsParis Jones

Taylor JonesMikayla Jordan

Amelie LockAbby Loiterstein

Thadius PageElla Sabic

Peyton WebsterLogan WhitleyLena Williams

CREATIVE TEAM

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THEATREJennifer Wintzer

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERDelaney Piggins

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION MANAGER/DANCE PROGRAM MANAGERKelly Ging

DIRECTOREd Reggi

LIGHTING DESIGNER/TECHNICAL DIRECTORJayson Lawshee

STAGE MANAGERMeg Plunkett

GUEST MUSICIANDarrell Barber

SOUND BOARD OPERATORJustin Foster

ED REGGI (Director) is a lifelong storyteller who has the stories to prove it. Growing up in the Big Apple, Ed first honed his acting career by sneaking into the NBC studios across his Brooklyn street home. He later earned his B.F.A. at Fontbonne University in Clayton, Missouri and moved to Chicago where he continued his study at The Second City and then with its’ founder Paul Sills. Ed currently teaches acting and improvisation at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in University City. He is a proud Wolf Trap Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Affiliate Springboard located in St. Louis, Missouri.Ed Reggi is a Certified Practitioner in Applied Improvisation and facilitates communication workshops all over the globe. His clients include SONY Playstation, Wells Fargo, Mastercard, Southwest Airlines, Nestle Purina, Monsanto / Bayer, The Saint Louis Zoo, HealthWorks, the St. Louis Jewish Federation’s Millstone Institute and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Ed Reggi ghostwrites for stand-up comedians, television hosts and internet personalities. You can watch Reggi (portraying himself) teaching improv on Oprah Winfrey’s nationally syndicated TV show, WELCOME TO SWEETIE PIE’S. Reggi has been fortunate to work side-by-side with some of the most respected actors including: Mike Rock, Keegan-Michael Key, Amy Poehler, Anna Deavere Smith, Valeria Harper, Bob Keeshan, George Clooney, Raven Symone and Avery Schreiber. Ed Reggi’s husband Scott is a social worker and they live in Downtown St. Louis with their charming dogs Oscar and Phoenix.

Introducing the NEW COCA Membership—a new way to create, engage, and connect.

With special perks for joining, you'll be a part of a unique community passionate about arts, education and creativity.

Become a COCA Member today at cocastl.org/membership!

Early access to register for classes and campsEarly access to purchase ticketsPreview events for exhibitionsDiscounts on COCA merchandiseBehind-the-scenes tours

See the full list at cocastl.org/membership

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTCOCA wishes to thank this generous group of donors.

Hope and Kirill AbramovRhonda and Carlton AdamsTina AndersonAnonymousBarbara and Steve ArcherCatherine Augustin and Michael MaskusNancy Barnes-Ault and Ken AultMaggie and AJ BartonChristy Beckmann and Jim VykopalLiz BeeksRenee and Andrew BellElizabeth Mannen Berges and James BergesCamille BiancoRuth and Les BlockLee BohmKatherine BordersRamsey and Mark BottermanErica and Ryan BouchardJoanne and Scot BoultonLisa and Greg BoyceTiffany and Bill BradleyHilary BrichClaudia Brodie and Kevin TwellmanMargret BrooksChrissy and Lee BroughtonBetsey and Hunter BrownBarbara BryantSharon Buchanan-McClure and Richard McClureJulie and Bob BurmeisterBarb and Steve BurrowsDavid Butler and Lance LichtLisa Caplan and Shane HieronymusLisa and Tom CarnahanDrs. Dedric and Ebony CarterJuliet Chayat and Peter CzajkowskiMary and Bob CiapciakRasheen ColemanMolly and Chris DanforthJessica and Daniel DavenportJohn DavisPamela DernHazel and Arnold DonaldKay DreyAmy Drummond and Bill CarsonDavid C. FarrellAlison and John FerringKristin FilevAnn and Keith FischerJessica and Robert FischerShereen and Michael FischerDebbie and Art FitzgeraldAshley and Andrew FoellGretta ForresterLotta and Jeffrey FoxMerle FoxSam and Marilyn Fox Foundation

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