Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents

Good PeopleBy

David Lindsay-Abaire

DirectorConnie Canaday Howard +*

Scenic and Lighting Design Costume Design Ron Leaneagh Gretchen Woodley

Sound Design Properties Design Christopher Kriz ++ Anthony Leyva

Artistic Director Associate Artistic Director Connie Canaday Howard +* Amelia Barrett +*

Good People was originally commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer)

with funds provided by Bank of America and received its world premiere there on Feb. 8, 2011.

The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without a flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices, such as cell phones

and watches. The use of cell phones and texting is strictly prohibited.

Presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service

Feb. 2 – March 5, 2017McAninch Arts Center, Playhouse Theatre

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PRODUCTION STAFF

MARGARET ........................................................................................................ Amelia Barrett+*STEVIE ...........................................................................................................Benedict L. Slabik IIDOTTIE ..................................................................................................................Annie SlivinskiJEAN ......................................................................................................................... Kelli WalkerMIKE ..................................................................................................................... Bryan Burke+*KATE ........................................................................................................................... Raina Lynn

Place: South Boston’s Lower End and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

There will be a 15-minute intermission.

Stage Manager ................................................................................................... Scott Heckman*Temporary Replacement Stage Manager ...........................................................Danielle WisemanAssistant Stage Manager .......................................................................................... Ed Garzaro◊Technical Director ............................................................................................Michael W. Moon+Scenic and Lighting Technicians .................Mary Ahert, Mitch Allen, Jacob Coats, Charlie Dawes, Dan Sullivan, Scott Wagoner, Miles ZableRunning Crew ...........................................................................................................Dan SullivanCostume Shop Manager ...................................................................................Kimberly G. MorrisCostume Shop Assistants ....................................... Hannah Davis, Caroline Pelaez, Katya Pospisil Wardrobe Assistant ........................................................................Hannah Davis, Caroline Pelaez

+ Member of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers++ Member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 ◊ BTE Stage Management Scholarship Recipient

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Acting ShadowsThis is an invited opportunity for select students who are working at the level of at least Acting II and/or Directing to shadow a theatre professional and gain meaningful insight into developing a character.

Acting Shadows ...........................................................Jacob Coats, Cassie Collins, Clare Collins, Ryan Gentile, Alexandra Price, Tenleigh Wells

CAST (in order of appearance)

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DIRECTOR’S NOTEDavid Lindsay-Abaire grew up in Southie, won a scholarship to Milton Academy (a prep school south of Boston), went to Sarah Lawrence and then Juilliard, has won the Pulitzer for Rabbit Hole, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award (and others’) for Good People, as well as musicals (i.e. Shrek the Musical), and films. He lives in Brooklyn, but is very fond and proud of his background. And he has become a major contemporary voice in our world, and a favorite of BTE, having produced Fuddy Meers and Rabbit Hole, previously.

In reference to writing Good People, he said “… if I write about Southie, in any way, class will inevitably bubble up to the surface…,” but notes it wasn’t his intention to do that. Instead, “I wanted to write about the people that I knew. I didn’t know many criminals. I didn’t know many drug addicts. But I knew people who were just struggling to get by.”

This play is about several topics—all very valid and pertinent for our times. Perhaps most thought provoking is the idea of the struggle to be a good person, and, beyond niceties, what does that really mean? It is not an easy pursuit; it takes dedication, strength and even courage, at times, and is sometimes a lonely or even frightening journey.

In this play, every character is complex and struggles with relationships with others, as well as with trying to protect those they love and themselves; are they good people? It is because of their interactions with one another, that they must examine their values and beliefs, and consider those of each other. Human resilience and flexibility are exemplified and celebrated, really strong traits for our contemporary world.

~CCH

Amelia Barrett+* (Margaret) ensemble member and associate artistic director, has acted in numerous BTE productions over the years, most recently playing Eppie Lederer in Lady with All the Answers. She has appeared with regional

companies such as Idaho Repertory Theatre, internationally at the Edinburgh Festival and in Chicago venues such as City Lit and the Cactus Theatre. In addition, she directs for the company; her most recent project was The Underpants. Barrett is professor of Theater at College of DuPage. She is a proud member of both Actors’ Equity, and the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Film and Radio Artists. She holds a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis from Columbia College Chicago.

Bryan Burke+* (Mike) is a member of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre at College of DuPage. Burke’s acting credits include Red White and Blacklisted (Christopher Trumbo),

Leading Ladies (Leo), Moon Over Buffalo (George), Faith Healer (Frank), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Italian-American Reconciliation (Huey), Sleuth (Andrew Wyke), The Melville Boys (Lee), Noises Off (Fredrick Fellows/Phillip Brent) and Visiting Mr. Green. Other acting credits include The Trip to Bountiful, The Lonesome West, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Living, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Look Homeward Angel, Warrior and Hamlet. Burke also directed Frozen, Shining City, Love

Song, Stones in His Pockets, The Weir and Three Days of Rain for BTE. College of DuPage directing credits include Defying Gravity, Anton in Show Business, The Laramie Project, and The House of Ramon Iglesia. Burke was also a founding member of Chicago’s Cactus Theatre Company. Acting credits with The Cactus Theatre Company include Golden Boy, Fishing, Paradise Lost and Waiting for Lefty. He also directed their productions of Hurly Burly and Valentine’s Day. Burke holds a B.G.S. degree in theatre from the University of Kansas. He is also a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Raina Lynn (Kate) is so excited to join the cast in her BTE debut with such a timeless piece. She has performed in a variety of plays in the Chicagoland area including Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Triton College),

Rituals and Sunday on the Rocks (Theatre of Color), Seconds from Suicide and Two Rooms (Pandemonium Theater) and more. When not on stage, Lynn enjoys working on film both in front and behind the camera. She recently produced her first SAG short film, Take Out, and looks forward to more production opportunities in the future.

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PROFILES

Annie Slivinski (Dottie) is excited to be working with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble for the first time. She is a veteran actor throughout Chicago and the suburbs, having worked with Open Door Repertory

in Oak Park, Wheaton Drama, Steel Beam Theatre, Transcendent Theatre Ensemble, Collaboraction, Remy Bumppo, Infamous Commonwealth, and New Leaf Theatre, among many others. Favorite roles include Kate in All My Sons, Amanda in The Glass Menagerie, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Margie in Good People (Steel Beam Theatre). Also a director, Slivinski has directed Art and Emma’s Child for Open Door Repertory and multiple productions at Oak Park and River Forest High School, where she is advisor of the Studio 200 Student Directing Program and a Speech/Language pathologist.

Benedict L. Slabik II (Stevie) cannot begin to explain how thrilled he is to make his BTE debut with such “Good People.” Slabik has done some studying at College of DuPage, as well as the IO Theater in Chicago. Some of his recent productions

have been Proof (Albright Theater), Third (Elgin Independent Players), Yankee Tavern and Good People (Steel Beam Theater), and many more.

Kelli Walker (Jean) has appeared with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble in Love Song, Frozen, and The Underpants. She just understudied Roz and Ray (Victory Gardens Theater), Zombie Broads (The Factory Theater), Caught and

Stupid F#cking Bird (Sideshow Theatre). Other credits include R&J: The Vineyard (Red Theater Chicago); Angry F*gs (Steppenwolf Garage/Pride Films and Plays); The Tempest (BoHo Theatre); Black Comedy (Piccolo Theatre); The Women, A Perfect Wedding (Circle Theatre). Regional credits include Stuff Happens, Boston Marriage, Proof, The Vagina Monologues, and the one-woman show Callie’s Tally (Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis); Wit (Purdue University symposium with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Margaret Edson). Walker graduated from Butler University; she cheers loudly for the Bulldogs and for the return of BTE!

Connie Canaday Howard+* (Director) Artistic Director and Ensemble Member. Having directed numerous productions for BTE, some of Canaday Howard’s favorites include: Noises Off, Into the Woods, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Rabbit Hole, and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Most recently, she played Jacqueline in BTE’s fall ’16 production of Don’t Dress for Dinner, and other favorite acting roles with the company have been Annie in The Real Thing, Harper in Angels in America, and Ruella in Communicating Doors. Canaday Howard is a member of Actors’ Equity, and is on the Artistic Team of the Jeff Committee. In addition, she is Director of Theater at College of DuPage, with some favorite directing projects being Grease, Rumors, Taming of the Shrew, and The Three Musketeers. She holds a MFA in directing, and has worked regionally with Three Rivers

PROFILES

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Shakespeare Festival, City Theatre Company, Belvoir Terrace, Drama Workshop, Down River Dinner Theatre, Ingersoll Theatre, Charlie’s Showplace, and tours of both theatre and dance, as well as helping to create and perform several improvisational shows. She is the state-wide co-chair of the Theatre Panel for Illinois Articulation Initiative, and she was COD’s Outstanding Faculty for 2003–2004.

Scott Heckman* (Stage Manager) is happy to be returning from a short hiatus from theatre as stage manager for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. His career has been one of diversity. He does so in the capacity of stage manager, director, arts administrator, production manager and solo performer. He has worked in theatres all over the Chicagoland area and could be discovered in the stage manager’s booth all over the city. He holds an MFA in theatre and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Danielle Wiseman (Temporary Replacement Stage Manager) is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Theatre, specializing in stage management, scenic painting and props. She is also an alumna of College of DuPage. Her past credits include Don’t Dress for Dinner (Stage Manager), Noises Off (Properties Design), Anonymous (Scenic Charge Artist), Picnic (Stage Manager), A Flea in Her Ear (Assistant Stage Manager), Rock n’ Roll (Assistant Stage Manager), A Christmas Carol (Stage Manager) and Fools (Stage Manager).

Ed Garzaro◊ (Assistant Stage Manager) is a web developer and aspiring theatre student in the northwest suburbs. He is making his professional debut. Other stage management credits include: Rumors, Pride and Prejudice, and A Christmas Carol. Acting credits include: Grease (Vince Fontaine); The Man Who Came To Dinner (Wescott/Mr. Baker/Deputy); Carmilla (Martin, The Hunchback); The Skriker (Man With Cloth and Bucket); The Count of Monte Cristo (Fernand); The Dreams of Antigone (Alcebaides); The Three

Musketeers (D’Artagnan’s Father/Treville); Spoon River Anthology (Jonathon/Lucius/George/Lambert); A Christmas Carol (Topper) and The Death and Life of Sneaky Fitch (Company), all at College of DuPage.

Christopher Kriz++ (Original Music and Sound Design) is a composer and sound designer based in Chicago. Some recent and upcoming Chicago credits: The Magic Play, Carlyle (Goodman Theatre); Constellations, Monster (Steppenwolf); Roz and Ray, Hand To God, The House That Will Not Stand (Victory Gardens); Gem Of The Ocean (Court Theatre); Pygmalion, The Life Of Galileo (Remy Bumppo); Paradise Blue, Sunset Baby (Timeline Theatre); A Life Extra Ordinary, Good For Otto (The Gift Theatre) and The Columnist (American Blues Theatre). Kriz has been honored with 13 Jeff Nominations and 3 Jeff Awards, recently winning for The Grapes Of Wrath (The Gift Theatre). Recently, Lifeline Theatre produced his new musical, Soon I Will Be Invincible. Kriz is a proud member of United Scenic Artists 829. To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com.

Ron Leaneagh (Scenic and Lighting Design) is pleased to be back working with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. While a student at College Of DuPage, he designed lights for a student production of The Boys Next Door along with numerous concerts and dance shows. After graduating, he freelanced in Chicago and the western suburbs, working with groups including Pheasant Run, Candlelight Dinner Theatre, National Jewish Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare. While Auditorium Manager for Naperville North High School for 18 years, he designed sets, lights and sound for more than 75 productions. For Buffalo Theatre Ensemble he has designed lights for many shows, such as Look Homeward Angel, Nixon’s Nixon, Communicating Doors and The Drawer Boy.

Anthony Leyva (Properties Design) is working with the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble for the first time. Leyva is a College of DuPage alumnus.

PROFILES

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He holds a Bachelors in Theatre/Theatre Management from Illinois State University. Previous credits include: Anonymous (Mr. Zyclo) at Illinois State University. Other credits include: Of Mice and Men (Lennie); Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch); A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley); Aeschylus (The Frogs), all at College of DuPage.

Michael W. Moon+ (Technical Director) has been an ensemble member since coming to the MAC in 1993. He has designed more than 50 shows for BTE in that time. His memorable designs have included Noises Off (both times), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Fuddy Meers, Lies and Legends and The Underpants.

Gretchen Woodley (Costume Design) is so pleased to be working with Buffalo Theatre

Ensemble again, having most recently designed The Underpants. She has worked in Chicago theatre, where she designed the costumes for the original production of the musical Grease. While living in Los Angeles, she designed costumes for the Actors Studio, The LA Free Shakespeare Festival, industrial shows and several movies. Most recently, she designed costumes for many local productions including To Kill A Mockingbird, Twelve Angry Men, Broadway Bound, Blithe Spirit, I Hate Hamlet, A Few Good Men, Twentieth Century, Cabaret and Chicago. At College of DuPage, Woodley has designed Aladdin, Velveteen Rabbit and A Christmas Carol and was assistant costume designer for the DuPage Opera Theatre’s La Boheme, Otello, Tosca and The Beggar’s Opera, and costume designer for L’Elisir d’Amore.

PROFILES

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Acknowledgements

BTE would like to acknowledge the generous support of the College of DuPage Board of Trustees.

BTE would like to thank the DuPage Foundation for their generous support in the reinstatement and continued operation of

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble in its 30th anniversary season.

BTE would like to thank the Norm Woodel Inspiration Fund for its assistance in the rebirth and further development of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble.

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (“BTE”) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit, professional theatre company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on the campus of College of DuPage.

Ticket revenues only cover a portion of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s operating expenses. The rest must be raised through contributions, the majority of which come in the form of gifts from individuals like you.

It’s because of our close circle of friends that BTE is able to return and explore new ideas and provocative issues through the production of professional, high quality theater for the enjoyment of its audiences.

The resident ensemble brings professional theatre to DuPage County and at the same time enhances the training of students in Theatre at College of DuPage, providing opportunities for students to develop their talents alongside working theatre artists. We invite you to become a part of this family of supporters by joining the Friends of Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. Please pull this page out of the program and consider dropping it and a gift into the enclosed envelope and leaving it with an usher or mailing back to:

BTE15 Melrose Ave.

Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

First Name: ___________________________________ Phone:_____________________

Last Name:____________________________________ Email:_____________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is my gift of: $100_______ $250_______ $500_______ Other_________

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For more than 26 years, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) played a major role in the cultural community of College of DuPage and the surrounding area, through the marriage of committed permanent ensemble members, fine Chicagoland artists, and great theatrical works. We gratefully acknowledge the donors who have made it possible to return for our 30th anniversary season.

This list of donors reflects contributions made from May through August 2016. While we carefully prepared this listing, we recognize that errors may occur. Please accept our apology if you are not properly represented on this list and contact BTE at (630) 942-2100 so we may correct our records.

FRIENDS OF BUFFALO THEATRE ENSEMBLE

BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and up)John K. and Nancy Rutledge William “Sandy” SmillieDuPage Foundation

GOLD SPONSOR ($1,000 – $2,999)Robert Jordan BaileyV.C. Jr. & Rose L. Bailey Katherine A. BalekAmelia BarrettConnie Canaday HowardPeggy ConnollyJean M. HawkinsonPaul and Eileen LeFortCarol and Michael Moon Players Please TheatreThomas R. Scott Donald G. WestlakeNorm F. Woodel Inspiration Fund

SPONSOR ($500 – $999)Craig BergerKarin EvansDonald and Catherine FischerEdward and Evalynn JantosJoseph and Joan MorrisseyJessica G. LippmanJudith O’DellMerrill and Janet RajeckTerrence and Maureen TaylorBonnie Wheaton

PARTNER ($250 – $499)John E. and Suzanne R. Buntrock Ray and Melissa Cliff Kathleen M. Drennan Chester M. and The Honorable Gwendolyn HenryDennis R. JohnsonRandy Johnson and Lisa SavegnagoBrad Lawrence Mike and Maggie McCoyDonald and Mary Ellen Newsom

Alfred SchullerKristin and Peter Shulman James and Linda SmedinghoffHal TempleRobert WunderlichJo Anne Zipperer

PATRON ($50 – $249)Angela AbramiteTerry Actz and Rita PotterCarole and Thomas AhernPatrick A. Anderson, Jr. Ron and Judith AndersonRenato P. and Mary Bacci, Jr.Ewa and John BaconDaniel BarnettJoy BarrellKenneth and Annabel BergmanJohn and Deborah BorgeArthur and Marcia BurkeNancy BurkeMararget A. CanonAllison CohenTerrence, Mary and Cassie CollinsErin DienerJulia DiLibertiBernard and Jane DudekJames and Judy DunlapSally and William FairbanksTom and Carol FatePenny FineKenneth and Debra FulksPhil GleberIda HagmanGeorgia HamiltonRodney and Rebekah HarrisGary HarperBob and Sue HartmanLoretta HauserJames and Ann HeltJohn HerndonMary HobeinJohn C. and Stephanie B. IglehartAndrea ImesCarla Inwood

Richard JarmanJack JetmundAndrew and Cynthia Ann JohnsonCharles JonahRick and Kay KehoeEdward and Kay KendallMartin and Barbara KoziLarry LarsonVirginia LennonBelle LippmanJohn MategranoHarold and Karyl McAninchReinhard and Isola MetzChristine MonnierRyan O’HalloranCarolyn and Eric OesterleJane OldfieldBarbara Clark OliverLinda OsankaKaren OwenAlan ParksMerri PhilipsEdward and Bernadine PillarPamela S. PipkinSarah and Roger PoeppelCynthia and Thomas PowerAlice J. RamsayGail RobinsonRobert and Marlene RosecransBarbara RoosGus and Georgia RousonelosSusan SchurmeierKathy SchleicherPatricia and Richard SchwarzeDorothy SquiteriArnold and Susan StenbogKennan and Gloria SullivanNancy SvobodaHelen B. SzymanskiSean ThomasJoseph and Mary Beth TurekBarry and Linda TusinAlan L. and Linda K. VarneyRobert and Kay WahlgrenKelli Walker

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Peggy Connolly (President), Kathy Wessel (Vice President), Robert Jordan Bailey (Secretary), John K. Rutledge (Treasurer),

Connie Canaday Howard, Ida Hagman, Joan Morrissey, Kurt Naebig, Bonnie Wheaton.

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Kathy WesselRich and Kathy Wilders

Friend ($10 – $49)Acting Studio ChicagoAnita ConsabileAlyrenee’s Copious Spare TimePeggy AldworthJane A. JererskiDavid LorancaRichard OffhausVincent A. PazoneCraig and Lori Thompson

Donald and Jo Ann OlenecEmily SchmitzIsadora SemskerColleen Trinko

Business PartnersAlpha Graphics of WheatonAngelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets of Downers GroveBlackberry Market of Glen EllynBrett MathiesonMaggie McCoy Santa Fe Restaurant of Glen Ellyn

FRIENDS OF BUFFALO THEATRE ENSEMBLE

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BTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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MAC Administrative StaffDirector of the McAninch Arts Center ............................................................................. Diana MartinezMarketing and Donor Relations Coordinator ......................................................................Roland RaffelBusiness Manager .........................................................................................................Ellen McGowanCleve Carney Art Gallery Curator ......................................................................................... Justin WitteEducation and Community Engagement Coordinator ........................................................ Janey SartherDirector of Development for Cultural Arts ......................................................................... Janie OldfieldGroup and Rental Sales Coordinator ............................................................................ Melissa MercadoAdministrative Assistant ...................................................................................................Mandy RakowClerical Assistants ................................................. Tony Eyer, Molly Junokas, Andrea Lara, Erin Posavec

MAC Box Office and Front of House StaffBox Office Manager ..............................................................................................................Julie ElgesAssistant Box Office Manager .....................................................................................Mary Ellen ReedyBox Office Assistants ................................................ Jimmy Gosling, Rachel Krusec, Gretchen WoodleyPatron Service Manager ...................................................................................................... Tom MurrayFront of House Manager ...................................................................................................... Rob NardiniFront of House Assistant ....................................................................................................Jen Krouwer

MAC Resident Professional EnsembleBuffalo Theatre Ensemble, Artistic Director .......................................................Connie Canaday HowardBuffalo Theatre Ensemble, Associate Artistic Director ...................................................... Amelia BarrettFounding Artistic Director Emeritus .................................................................................... Craig Berger New Philharmonic, Conductor and Music Director .............................................................Kirk MusprattNew Philharmonic Manager .............................................................................................. Paula Cebula

MAC Design and Technical StaffTechnical Production Coordinator ............................................................................................Jon GanttTechnical Director ....................................................................................................... Michael W. MoonCostume and Make-up Design Coordinator ............................................................... Kimberly G. MorrisProduction Manager............................................................................................................ Joe HopperAssistant Production Managers ..........................................Ben Johnson, Elias Morales, Sabrina ZeidlerSound and Equipment Manager ..............................................................................................Bob Murr Stage Hands ......................................................................................... Bobby Bryan, Amanda Hantson

HOUSE NOTES• Mailing List: If this is your first visit to the McAninch

Arts Center, please stop by our Box Office to add your name to our mailing list or register your email at www.AtTheMAC.org.

• Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in the theater and are prohibited by our contracts with the artists.

• Smoking is not permitted in the theater or on campus.• For your comfort and security, all backpacks and

large bags must be checked.• Electronic pagers and patrons’ seat locations should

be given to the House Manager, who will notify you in the event of a call. Patrons wearing wristwatch alarms or carrying cellular phones are respectfully requested to turn them off while in the theater.

• Emergency phone number at College of DuPage Police Department for after-hour calls is (630) 942-2000.

• Latecomers seated at discretion of the House Manager.

• Groups of 10 or more may contact Melissa Mercado at (630) 942-3026 or meisch-mercadom@cod.edu to arrange for group discounts.

• If you notice a spill in the theater, please notify an usher.• McAninch Arts Center volunteers are people

who assist the house staff in areas of ticket taking, ushering and general management during performances. To get involved, call (630) 942-4000.

• For Americans With Disabilities Act accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD).

• Infrared Assistive Listening Devices: For audience members who desire audio amplification of performances, headsets with individual volume controls are now available. You may check out the headsets at the Ticket Office with a credit card or driver’s license. Underwritten by a generous gift from The Knowles Foundation.