January 20 & 21

Written by
Tracy Letts

directed by
Paula O. Lockhart

Performance INFO

Dates: Friday January 20th & Saturday January 21st

Time: 7:30pm

Tickets: $10

Ticket purchase for January 21st includes entry to Community Conversation Reception at 6:00pm preceding the show. Lite snacks and beverages are served as patrons get the opportunity to meet and chat with the productions cast and creative teams. Held in CTC lobby.

Late Seating Policy

Due to the nature of the production, there will be no late seating.

Trigger/Content Warning

This show is not suitable for individuals under the age of 13. This show is centered around a family but is not family friendly. August: Osage County contains the following subject matter that some patrons may find uncomfortable: Substance abuse • Strong profanity • Suicide • Mild physical violence • Incest • Sexual violence • Terminal Illness.

Note from the Director

While I want everyone to come and witness the powerful storytelling of Tracy Letts through the voices of our phenomenal cast, it is more important that you take care of yourself before, during, and after the show. If you find yourself overwhelmed, please quietly exit the theatre and head to the lobby. –POL

About the Play

A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major play that unflinchingly—and uproariously—exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

About IDEAS

Lead Facilitator: Paula O. Lockhart      Co-Facilitator: Zach Stone

The Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Awareness Society or IDEAS at CTC is a group where students can learn from and engage with diverse communities through theatre. Created out of the need to broaden our ideas about the collective theatre experience, IDEAS will help students reimagine the way we see theatre from classical to contemporary using our own individual experiences for markers of success.

Cast

Charlie Sexton (BEVERLY)

Charlie has proudly carried on the theatrical traditions and values of Walden Theatre founder Nancy Niles Sexton, his mother, since her retirement in 1999. He was among the first class of Conservatory students, and he performed in, directed, and wrote numerous Walden Theatre productions before receiving his B.F.A. from Southern Methodist University. Prior to returning to Walden, Charlie was the Education Director for Wheelock Theatre in Boston. During his tenure as Artistic Director, Charlie has created the largest performing arts summer training program in Louisville as well as the Young American Shakespeare Festival, which was the first of its kind in the nation. He has also expanded professional opportunities for Conservatory alumni through alumni and staff productions, touring shows, and Outreach Education programs. Charlie’s resume includes many artistic accomplishments as an actor, director, and playwright, but his proudest achievement is the professional training and mentoring of thousands of students through the Conservatory program. His students have been accepted into the nation’s best college theatre programs, including Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, New York University, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater. Notable students include Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games), Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Jess Weixler (The Good Wife), Wes Ramsey (Charmed), Tom Graves (The Rude Mechanicals), Gisela Chipe (Asolo Rep’s Hamlet, Prince of Cuba), and Adam Wesley Brown (Once on Broadway). Charlie and his wife, costume designer Laura Patterson, have two sons: Aaron & Ian

Laurene Scalf (Violet)

Laurene is pleased to be working with CTC on reading this brilliant play. Elsewhere, she has appeared in TALKING WITH (Scraps), THE FASTEST CLOCK IN THE UNIVERSE (Cheetah Bee), HAPPY DAYS (Winnie), ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (Countess), MACBETH (First Witch), THE BELLE OF AMHERST (Emily), KIMBERLY AKIMBO (Kimberly), SEASCAPE (Nancy), and ALL THE WHOS IN WHOVILLE (Betty Boo Who), among others. She directed SPIKE HEELS; AUTOBAHN; BY THE SEA BY THE SEA BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA; and THE TRICKY PART for Necessary Theatre.

Kathryn Pryor (MATTIE FAE)

Kathryn is thrilled to be in her first CTC production by joining this talented cast! After seven years of not being a part of her true love (theatre) she is finally able to jump back into it and feels at home again. Some of her past favorite roles include, Mrs. Meers from Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Queen from Once Upon a Mattress, and Ms. Pennywise from Urinetown and most recently, she got the true pleasure of playing dead on stage whilst being tossed around and about as the cook in Clue! She can’t wait for more exposure to the Louisville theatre scene and to continue to grow as a performer.

Jessica De La Rosa (BARBARA)

Jess holds a BA in Theatre and an MFA in Acting, both from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In the Summer of 2018, Louisville became Jess’ home after living in New York City, where she developed a studio practice in devising Shakespeare – coaching a range of ages from preschool students to Broadway performers. As an actor, regional theatre credits include Great River Shakespeare Festival, Chautauqua Theater Company, Clarence Brown Theatre, Reign Or Shine, Rogue and Peasant Players, and Kentucky Shakespeare, among others. As an educator and behavioral therapist, Jess has taught all ages and abilities, using art as a bridge to unite neurodiverse demographics.

Arran Campbell (SHERRIFF)

Arran is honored to be making his CTC debut in IDEAS August: Osage County.  Returning to the theater after an almost 20-year hiatus to pursue careers in the United States Marine Corps and mechanical engineering, Arran has studied playwriting at the NYU-Tisch Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing and acting at Sewanee: The University of the South and HB Studio in New York.  Most important, Arran has been rekindling his passion for acting in CTC’s Adult Acting Program since spring 2021.

Nyazia Martin (KAREN)

Nyazia is an actress, dancer, teacher, and current 2nd Year MFA candidate at the University of Louisville. Her most recent professional stage credits include: Matthew McLachlan’s The Murder Play with Jack & Melissa, Lauren Gunderson’s THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Adam Szymkowicz’s Kodachrome, Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, and Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale. Nyazia is a native of West Philadelphia, PA. She graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University in 2016 where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Performance. This is her debut performance with Commonwealth Theatre and is overjoyed and humbled for the opportunity!

Jerry Ross (Charlie Aiken)

Jerry is excited to be making his CTC debut in a full production. In 2020, Jerry began his journey with CTC to focus on crafting himself into an experienced actor. He has completed eight adult acting classes at CTC. Jerry holds a BA in Music from Western Kentucky University. He studied film for 2 years at the same school, and held a part in several short films and projects. Jerry would like to thank the entire CTC community for this amazing opportunity!

Adama Abramson (IVY)

Adama is excited about her performance in August: Osage County. Adama is a Boston native living in Louisville. Their previous performances include: The Moth and the Masked Man (The Wanderer) , Enter Ghost ( Ophelia), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Jo), The Cake (Macy), Common Threads (Ensemble). Gloria: A Life (Dorothy/ Ensemble). and Note (Sam).

Dara Jade Tiller (Little Charles)

Dara is excited to make her CTC debut! Born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Dara was born to be a storyteller. After studying Theatre at the University of Kentucky, she was part of the Actors Theatre of Louisville Professional Training Company.  Dara then worked in professional theatre and film in Chicago, New York and across the United States. Most recently, she appeared in Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Some of her favorite roles have been Mina in Dracula, Titus in Titus Andronicus, and Babe in Crimes of the Heart. She played Jamie Bell’s wife in the award-winning film, Donnybrook and stars in Midway to Love on The Hallmark Channel.  Love to Phoenix and Atlas. Read more at darajadetiller.com.

Nicholas Hulstine

Nicholas Hulstine is a Louisville, Kentucky based theatre artist. On stage he’s appeared in Tuesday Night Poker (Theatre Row, NYC), Foreign Gothic (FringeNYC), The Dazzle (John Cullum Theater, NYC), The Flick (The Alley Theater), Nobody Bunny and the Golden Age of Animation (Theatre 502), and Tales of the 4th Grade Nothing (StageOne). On film, he’s appeared in My Friend Dahmer, Above Suspicion, Runner, The Art of Self Defense, The River and Great Light. He’s directed productions of Abramovic (Richmond Shepard Theater, NYC), The Principles of Dramatic Writing (Slant Culture Theatre Festival) A Dramatic Work Signifying Nothing (The Bard Theatre) and A Permanent Image (The Bard Theatre). As a playwright his plays include Happyouth (Gene Frankel Theatre, NYC), The Track N’ Hole (Prologue Theatre Company, Chicago), Blue Scatters Most (Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New American Plays, The Secret Theatre, NYC) and The Geography of Nowhere (Chain Theatre, NYC). He’s the Founder/Associate Artistic Director of the Louisville Fringe Festival. He was educated at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, earned his BA from The New School and an MFA from Spalding University.

Sophia Retone (Jean)

Sophia is a senior at Atherton High School and has been attending classes at CTC for five years. Her most recent performances at CTC were in The Selkie Wife (Muriel, a selkie / Ensemble), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), and The Children’s Hour (Mary Tilford). She is a KYGSA 21 Drama alumni and was a part of 2022 KY Shakespeare Globe Player’s Much Ado About Nothing (Don John). She is so thankful for her time at CTC and for everyone that has driven her there!

Lachlan Apple (STEVE)

Lachlan has been a student at CTC since he was 12 and acting since he was 8. He’s delighted to get to be a part of this production which differs significantly from some of his recent roles such as Our Town (DR. GIBBS); The Curious Savage (TITUS); Love’s Labour’s Lost (FERDINAND); and The Liar (ALCIPPE).

Bonita Elery (JOHNNA)

Bonita knew from an early age that she wanted a career in the arts. After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, She worked as a graphic designer for Fox5 News in Atlanta, Georgia. After a successful experience in the corporate world, her dreaming expanded to new heights. She sold her house, stepped out on faith, and moved to New York City to fulfill her dreams of being an actor.  She can be seen in TV shows like Queen Sugar, Stargirl, Hive and countless others. She just wrapped on the film Desperation Road with Mel Gibson. Her pilot One Star Chef based on her life as a designer trying to be a caterer made it to round 2 of The Sundance Labs Workshop in L.A. She also has written comedic monologues on the website monologuestogo.com Her one act comedic play Hot Potato was performed through Small Plates with the NY Actors Guild and it was a winner in The Fade to Black Festival where it was performed live in Houston. When she’s not up late at night playing Fallout 4 or having a nervous breakdown because she ate too many chocolate chip cookies, you can listen to her podcast I am not a Robot or catch her teaching improv at The Actors Center for Training. She also coaches actors for auditions and performs standup in different cities.

Atticus Haden (Stage Directions)

Atticus is thrilled to be returning to IDEAS at CTC! Favorite credits include: Eurydice (Nasty Interesting Man); Airness (D Vicious); and Fairview (Mack) which he performed last year with IDEAS. He would like to thank his teachers, and especially his family for their love and support.

Nate Brantley (Stage Directions)

Nate is an actor, director and student in the Louisville area. He’s been featured in shows such as Loves Labour’s Lost (Don Adriano De Armando), The Selkie Wife (Ridley, the fisherman), and various others. Nate is a student and Francis Parker School of Louisville.

Creative Team

Director: Paula O. Lockhart

Assistant Director: Zach Stone

Production Manager: Jake Allen Miller

Set and Lighting Design: Gerry Kean

Props and Costume Support: Hannah Greene & Lindsay Chamberlin

Stage Manager: Laura Gibson

© 2023 Commonwealth Theatre Center. All Rights Reserved. CTC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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