Nov. 15–16, Nov. 19–23
Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses brings Ovid’s ancient Greek and Roman mythology to life. Centering around the idea of water and its restorative qualities, our production is set in and around a large pool of water onstage. Metamorphoses cautions the audience about the pursuit of the seven deadly sins through Greek and Roman tales, ultimately resulting in a metamorphosis for those characters. This warning is beautifully juxtaposed by Mary Zimmerman’s use of poetic language.
Metamorphoses has several content warnings:
Strobe lighting.
Staged physical violence.
Discussion of and staged self-harm.
Discussion of and staged incest.
Use of blood.
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Director Producer Production Stage Manager Scenic Design Costume Design Lighting Design Sound Design Hair & Makeup Design Fight Choreographer Intimacy Coordinator Dramaturg Assistant Director Assistant Stage Managers Assistant Dance Choreographer |
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Carter McEwan
Tyler McCabe
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Assistant Production Managers
Makelle Young Farnsworth
Rehearsal Production Assistant
Carly McBride
Performance Production Assistants
Emily Wennerholm, Griffin Belknap,
MJ Johnson, Sammy McFarland
Lighting Board Operator
Oliver Estrada-Brown
Spot Operator
Chloe McGown
Sound Board Operator
Madeline Welling
Stagehand
Setu Lealaogata
Wardrobe Supervisor
Haylie Davis
Dressers
Raquel Cipriani, Nathan Martineau, Morgan Miller
Makeup Supervisor
Madeline Cockrell
Makeup Technicians
Cole Hixson, Taylor Porcelli, Sydney Weight
Dear friends,
This incredibly challenging piece weaves ten Greek stories through a central theme of metamorphosis. As the director of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, I found myself drawn towards the concept of sin and virtue and how these classic Greek tales may be relevant to a contemporary American audience. Defining “what it means to be American” and how these characters either embody metamorphosis for good, or reject it, ultimately leading them to their demise. As an immigrant to the United States, I have an outside perspective on a show that aims to comment on the everchanging identity of America. I am thankful for all the American perspectives, both immigrant and American-born that contributed to this project.
Many of the topics revealed in this show are uncomfortable. The themes of greed, gluttony, anger (wrath), lust, pride, envy, and sloth are unfortunately very much prevalent today which makes this show that much more important to put on. Although we portray these themes on stage, we in no way condone these themes, but instead, emphasize that there is possibility to undergo metamorphosis.
As the professor of voice and speech for the school of theatre here at UVU, I am extremely proud of the voice work that is displayed on our stage. As one of the only teachers certifying in Vocal Combat Technique in the Western United States, you will get to hear growls, screams, calls, efforts, impacts, and actors embellishing the text with vigor, safely. Thank you actors for all your dedication, persistence, and joy on this project.
I would like to personally recognize the support of our incredible creative team that includes our stage manager, assistant director, lighting designers, costume designer, set designer, hair and makeup designer, and sound designer. More thanks go to the 159R students, the shop managers, our dance choreographer, our intimacy coordinator, our fight choreographer, the staff who help with ticketing, building sets, managing the house, and keep our buildings clean. Please know how much we value and appreciate all you do. Thank you!
This project would not be possible if it were not for my wife’s support. Jen, thank you for all our late-night conversations, for the meal prep, the hugs, and for looking after our beautiful daughter.
A special thank you to Mary Zimmerman, for the gift of this script and for her work with our cast and students.
With continued curiosity,
Stevie Rimke
Metamorphoses are produced by special arrangement with Bruce Ostler, BRET ADAMS, LTD., 448 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. www.bretadamsltd.net.
METAMORPHOSES was originally produced by
Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago, October 1998
Premiered in New York City, by
The Second Stage Theatre, New York, September 2001
Artistic Director: Carole Rothman
Managing Director: Carol Fishman
Executive Director: Alexander Fraser
OVID’S METAMORPHOSES translated by David Slavitt,
Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994
Rainer Maria Rilke’s Poem ORPHEUS, EURYDICE, HERMES.
Translated by Stephen Mitchell, 1995 Modern Library.
As we prepare to welcome the community to experience the wonder at The Noorda, I’d like to thank you for making it all possible.
The performing arts inspire us to engage with others, discover new ways of thinking and feeling, and provides us with hope—in short, we believe the arts transform you. As an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County, we produce hundreds of performances by talented students, faculty, and world-renowned visiting artists. We invite everyone to join in connecting through the arts.
As part of UVU’s inaugural EverGREEN fundraising campaign, I invite you to make a gift to UVU’s Noorda Center for the Performing Arts today.
Your gift impacts not only students, but everyone who comes to The Noorda by ensuring programming and exciting artistic creation continues.
Please make a gift today by clicking below. Thank you!
Sam Brockman
Sound Design
Sam is a senior in the BFA Stage Management program at UVU, so they usually do stage management, but sometimes they do sound design too! Recent credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Stage Manager, Timpanogos Community Theater), Newsies (Assistant Stage Manager, Sundance), and Machinal (Assistant Lighting Designer, UVU). After this show, you can find them stage managing Little Women in the spring. They love their two cats and picking up cool trash they find on the ground, and would like to thank their family and Patch Olsen for all their love and support.
Janice Chan
Scenic Design
Janice Chan is a scenic designer based in Utah; she explores unconventional storytelling through surreal and stylized art forms. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts: Scenic Design from Utah Valley University, where she earned the School of the Arts Outstanding Student Award. Her repertoire spans theatre, opera, and dance in Utah’s renowned entertainment scene: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Sundance Summer Theatre, The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, Utah Renaissance Faire, The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, and more. She is the resident scenic designer at Plan-B Theatre Company. See her work at janicechan.design
Makelle Young Farnsworth
Assistant Stage Manager
Makelle is a senior in the Theatre Studies BA at UVU. In her time here, Makelle has been on the stage management team for several shows, with favorites being Into the Woods and Lady M. You can find Makelle in the booth next semester for her final UVU show, The Whole Story. Makelle comes from St. George, Utah, where she worked at Tuacahn Amphitheatre for several seasons and realized she couldn’t live away from the stage. She would like to thank her sister for being in Metamorphoses 8 years ago, which sparked a love for theatre that brought Makelle to where she is today, and her partner in silly-goose-crimes for always supporting her through long weeks of rehearsal.
Grace Fillmore
Woman by the Water, Alcyone, Ceres, Persephone, Pomona, Baucis and Philemon 2nd Narrator
Grace is a senior in UVU’s Acting BFA and has loved her time here. You may have seen her recently as Amy in Gin Mummy, Margot in The Diary of Anne Frank, or #2 in The Wolves. After graduating, Grace hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Classical Acting where she can do Shakespeare to her heart’s content.
Elizabeth Golden
Intimacy Coordinator
Liz is an acting professor at Utah Valley University and holds an MFA in Classical Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Birmingham in the UK. Previous roles include Shannon in Relative Space (Creekside Theater Festival), Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing (Renaissance Now), Annie in Silent Sky (Pygmalion Productions). Her recent directing credits include Persuasion (UVU), Tigers be Still (Pygmalion Productions), and How I Learned to Drive (An Other Theater Company)
M. Chase Grant
Fight Choreographer
Chase received an M.F.A. from the University of Exeter in the UK, studying theatre performance and directing with an emphasis in staging Shakespeare. Chase consistently directs and performs in productions throughout Utah Valley and in the UK, including Macbeth and King John at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, A Midsummer Nights Dream at The Dell in Stratford-Upon-Avon at the invitation of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Wait Until Dark at the Sandy Hale Theater, and many Shakespeare productions for local theatre companies, including Utah Valley University, Creekside Theatre Festival, Grassroots Shakespeare Company, and Renaissance Now Theatre Company. Chase currently serves as a full time instructor at UVU as Lecturer of Directing. Chase's most recent projects include directing Gin Mummy, a new play by Melissa Leilani Larson, directing Stephen King's Misery with Dirty Birdy Theatre Company, originating the role of Ethan in the premier of Relative Space: An Atypical Musical which is being workshopped in London's West End, and adapting and directing Lady M at UVU, based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. Chase is currently performing the role of Henry Higgins at Orem Hale Theatre's production of My Fair Lady, and will direct The Whole Story for UVU's mainstage production in spring of 2025.
Paola Molina Guzmán
First Laundress, Sailor, Lucina, Bridesmaid, Pomona and Vertumnus Narrator, Baucis
Paola Molina Guzmán is a junior in the UVU Musical Theatre BFA program. Past roles at UVU include Cordelia in Falsettos, Mrs. Desnoyers in The Divine, Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, and Great Aunt Normandy in Gin Mummy. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she always dreamed of pursuing a career in the performing arts. Paola wants to thank everyone who worked on this production and made the experience so rewarding. She hopes you leave the show with an appreciation for the ways we can change people's lives. If you'd like to keep up with her, please follow her Instagram: @loladmar170.
Michaella Hales
Scientist, Second Laundress, Henchman, Mother of Erysichthon, Nursemaid
Michaella feels so honored to work on such an incredible script with such talented and hard working people. They're a breath of fresh air to work with and make working on Shakespeare and greek shows (something she's already passionate about) a transcendent experience. Her most recent work was as an interviewer/actor in In Good Faith. Her love and passion for theater is only possible with the support of her loving family.
Kaely Hope
Costume Design
Kaely is a student here at UVU studying theater studies and costume design. Her professional credits include designing Christmas Carol (youth edition) at the Hale Center Theater Orem and assistant designing on Jersey Boys this coming year at The Ruth. Her UVU credits include designing The Diary of Anne Frank and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. To see more of her work, visit her portfolio at kaelyhope.weebly.com.
Hyrum Housely
Sailor, Sleep, Orpheus and Eurydice 1st Narrator, Offstage Voice
Hyrum is very excited to be apart of his first production here at UVU. He recently became a sophomore in the Musical Theater BFA. He was most recently seen in his first show in 10 years as Hortensio in Renaissance Now’s Taming of The Shrew. “I’m grateful to be here and part of this production and I’m excited to continue my work here at UVU”
Shannon Hutchins
Hair and Makeup Design
Shannon earned her MFA in Theater Design & Production (Wig Making & Makeup) from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2017, and her BA in Theatre Arts from Brigham Young University in 2014. She has worked as a freelance hair/makeup designer and makeup artist at various companies spanning theater, film and television for the last 10 years. Recent credits include: Newsies (Sundance), Gin Mummy (UVU), The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, The Flying Dutchman (Utah Opera), Pride & Prejudice (BYU), The Winter's Tale (A Noise Within, CA). She currently is working as a Lecturer of Design and Production Manager for the Theater Department here at Utah Valley University.
Kolby Jenkins
Midas’s Servant, Ceyx, Buyer, A, Philemon, Sisyphean Character
Kolby is very excited to be in Metamorphoses. He is currently a Junior in the Acting BFA at UVU where he recently performed in Gin Mummy as Franklin Mint and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead as Hamlet. He’s so happy to have the opportunity to do what he loves and that he can share it with you.
Bethany Brynne Lamb
Dramaturg
Bethany Brynne Lamb is a senior in the Theatre Education program. Other dramaturgy credits include: Into The Woods (UVU 2024), Radium Girls (Snow College 2021), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Snow College 2020). She is incredibly grateful for this entire experience and sincerely hopes you enjoy the show!
Katilin Le Beau
Assistant Director
Kaitlin is thrilled to be working on Metamorphoses this semester! She kindly asks that you do not confuse it with Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis as she is terrified of cockroaches. At UVU, Kaitlin has gotten to work on a variety of shows including Into the Woods (Assistant Director), Romeo and Juliet (Assistant Director/ ASL Coach/ Swing), The Grown-Ups (Set Designer), Ghost Quartet (Props Designer), and Charlotte’s Web (Avery/ Sheep). She would like to thank all her professors for contributing to her own personal Metamorphosis.
Taytum Ligman
Daughter of Midas, Iris, Hunger, Assistant to Narcissus, Myrrha, Bacius and Philemon
3rd Narrator
Taytum Jane is so excited to be apart of this production of Metamorphoses. She has only done one other play before, so this show has really pushed her out of her comfort zone. Some recent roles Taytum have played include Holly in The Wedding Singer, Little Red in Into the Woods, Tina in Sister Act, and Trina in Falsettos. Taytum would like to thank all of her friends in this cast and crew and her director Stevie for helping her through this show and teaching her so much. Peace and love.
Tyler McCabe
Bacchus, Hermes, Vertumnus, Phaeton
Tyler McCabe (Bacchus, Hermes, Vertumnus, Phaeton) could not be more excited to be in Metamorphoses! Tyler is a junior in the acting program at UVU, and has performed on UVU's stages in The Divine: A Play for Sarah Bernhardt, Falsettos, Machinal, and Gin Mummy. Other credits include Haanschen in Spring Awakening (Hart Theater Co.), Max in Bright Star (SVST), and more. In his spare time, Tyler works to bring theater to the next generation, and has worked as an educator for CYT North Idaho, UVU TYE Center, and the St. Louis MUNY. Tyler would like to thank the entire cast and creative team for their work on this show, especially Daisy Wilcox for her organization, leadership, and Stevie Rimke for his vision, kindness, and mentorship. Enjoy the show!
Carter McEwan
Poseidon, Orpheus, Apollo, Eros
Carter is excited to be part of such a unique and compelling show as Metamorphoses! Carter is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Utah Valley University. Some of his previous credits include Matt in The Fantasticks (Skyridge High School), Bobby Strong in Urinetown: the Musical (Skyridge High School), Caroler in A Christmas Carol (HCTO), Cinderella’s Prince/The Wolf in Into the Woods (UVU), and Davey in Newsies (Sundance Summer Theatre). In his free time, Carter enjoys spending time outdoors, dabbling in graphic design, and finding good tunes to groove to. “I would like to give a huge thank you to my friends and family who have supported me in making my dreams come true. I love and appreciate each of you!” Instagram: @_cartermcewan_
Maura Monson
Henchman, Oread, Bridesmaid, Orpheus and Erydice 2nd Narrator, Psyche, Baucis and
Philemon 1st Narrator
Maura Monson is a sophomore in the Musical Theatre BFA here at UVU, and is so thrilled to be performing in her first play here! Her previous credits include Rosie/Dance Captain in Cabaret with Daydreamer Theatre Co., Jerusha in Daddy Long Legs at Empress Theatre, and Woman 1/Vocal Captain in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Hale Center Theatre Orem. Outside of theatre, Maura loves to hike, play piano, and pet puppies!
Charles Mosher
Midas, Henchman, Erysichthon Narrator, Orpheus and Eurydice Beginning Narrator
Charles Rigby Mosher is a sophomore at Utah Valley University studying English with a minor in Acting. He loves theatre and its power to tell stories that influence us to develop and change. Since he began performing over a decade ago, he has had significant roles in plays and musicals. Most recently he played Macbeth in Lady M (Great Salt Lake Fringe, The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts) adapted and directed by M. Chase Grant, and Claudius in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (TAG UVU, Chris Vlamakis). In the Spring, he will be directing Arthur Miller's The Crucible with Center Street Theatre. Charles is elated for you to see the show and experience the beauty of Mary Zimmerman's poetic language and her themes of repentance and change. Instagram: @charlesmosher1 @centerstreettheatre
Liam Owens
Zeus, Henchman, Erysichthon, Cinyras
Liam is so excited to be a part of his first full show at UVU, and what could be better than Metamorphoses? Some of his favorite roles in the past have been Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, and Mr Knightley in Emma. He gives thanks to friends and family for their continuous support. And thank YOU for coming to the show. Enjoy!
Steven Rimke
Director
Steven Rimke teaches accents, phonetics, Shakespeare, vocal combat, and voice for the stage here at UVU. His areas of research expand into accents and dialects, bridging actor training through the voice, and vocal extremes. He holds his MFA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, (London England) and a BFA in Acting with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies from the University of Calgary (Calgary Canada). Steven has worked across the United States, Europe, and Canada. A huge shout out to my incredible wife, Jen Delac, and our daughter, Evelyn, for all their support. I hope you enjoy the show!
Luciano Schroeder
Movement Choreographer
Luciano Schroeder (he/him) is a dance artist and choreographer dedicated to expressing and indulging his overwhelming inclination for creativity. Utilizing encouraging methods, Luciano uplifts humans through all aspects of his life whether that is from the moment he started dance with ICANDO - a Ballet West outreach program that encourages and motivates children to explore their artistic voices - or in his current days as a modern/contemporary dance student studying at Utah Valley University. He has performed for Synergy Dance Company, Hale Center Theater, Atlas Dance Collective, Vitacca Ballet, and WhirlWind Dance Corp. Luciano looks forward to countable bruises to mark the passage of time through countless years in his dance profession.
Carly Short
Co-Lighting Design
Hi, I'm Carly, and I'm one of the lighting designers for Metamorphoses. This is the first show I have done lighting for, and I've learned a lot of new skills. I'm grateful I could have this experience with such a great show, and have worked with such a great team. I am in my fourth year at UVU as a theatre education student, wishing with all my heart that graduation is near. Also, I can solve a Rubik's cube. Can you do that? Yeah, I didn't think so.
Danielle Tanner
Co-Lighting Design
This is Danielle's lighting debut. She is so excited to be a part of this team, helping bring this story to life! She wants to thank her friends and her family for always loving and supporting her. She wants to especially thank her dad, who helped her believe she could do anything she set her mind to.
Clara Thompson
Silenus, Sailor, Sleep Narrator, Hades, Narcissus, Baucis and Philemon 5th Narrator
Clara Thompson (she/her/he/him) has been part of the UVU Theater Department for just over two years, but wasn’t sure what area of theater she wanted to study until she was cast in UVU’s production of Lady M last fall. In this show Clara played his favorite role so far: an evil doctor who performed a transorbital lobotomy. But he also realized how strong his passion for acting is, and decided to pursue it. Clara is so excited to officially be a part of UVU’s BFA acting program and perform in her first mainstage production. She’d like to thank all of her friends and family for supporting her in pursuing her dreams. She lovingly dedicates this performance to her nephews and niece, Reed, Miles, and Lydia. He’d also like to give a special shoutout to Theo Beene, his best friend who everyone assumes he is dating.
Caleb Wallengren
Assistant Lighting Design
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Tabitha Whittekiend
Alcyone and Ceyx Narrator, Therapist, Baucis and Philemon 4th Narrator
Tabitha is a junior in the acting BFA and got into acting because of her immense love for attention! She enjoys sparkling water and pointless meandering and she can’t wait for you to see this show!
Daisy Wilcox
Production Stage Manager
Daisy is ecstatic to be a part of this production of Metamorphoses. She has always loved Greek mythology and is very excited to see this production that everyone has worked so hard on. Daisy is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education. Afterwards, she hopes to be a high school theatre teacher and inspire the lives of other theatre lovers as her teachers did for her. She has been lucky enough to work on a variety of shows in different roles including Newsies (Assistant Stage Manager, Sundance), Into the Woods (Assistant Choreographer, UVU), Machinal (Production Assistant, UVU) and The Pirates of Penzance (Deck Crew, UVU). She would like to thank all of her professors for taking part in her own metamorphosis.
Sasha Wilkinson
Third Laundress, Aphrodite, Spirit of the Tree, Eurydice, Q
Sasha has always been one to contemplate the human experience. Past roles include Cinderella (Into the Woods), Leanne/Helga/Frenchy/Ginny (Puffs…), Customer Service/Prosecution/Chaplain (Machinal), and “Day by Day” (Godspell). Sasha is in her senior year in the BFA Musical Theatre program and did a theatre study abroad in London and Stratford. She is also an avid singer/lyricist and has released six singles! She would like to thank the cast, crew, audience, and her invaluable community of supportive humans! IG: @sasha.haydn Spotify: Sasha Haydn
The arts possess the sublime power to inspire, engage, and transform. Just as a solitary note holds the ability to captivate, a single voice, gesture, or melody possesses the ineffable power to carry us away.
We invite you to embark upon a new journey with us this season at The Noorda Center—home to inspiring events and an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County. Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda Center.
Thank you for journeying with us this season to experience the profound and transformative power of the arts! —Courtney R. Davis, Dean, School of the Arts
Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts
Chair, Associate Professor
LA BEENE, MFA
Associate Chair, Associate Professor
JULIE HEATON, MFA
Administrative Assistant
CURTIS CLUFF, MFA
Associate Professor
AMANDA CRABB, MM
Assistant Professor
JENNIFER DELAC, MFA
Lecturer
ELIZABETH GOLDEN, MFA
Lecturer
M. CHASE GRANT, MFA
Professor
LISA HALL, PHD
Professor
LAURIE HARROP-PURSER, MFA
Lecturer
SHANNON HUTCHINS, MFA
Assistant Professor
RICHARD LORIG, MFA
Professor
JOHN NEWMAN, PHD
Assistant Professor
STEVEN RIMKE, MFA
Lecturer
GRAHAM WHIPPLE, MFA
