The Game's Afoot

Program:

• About the Play
• Director's Note
• Cast (listed in order of appearance)
• Production Staff
• Run Crew
• Cast Bios
• Creative Team Bios
• Photo Gallery

About the Play

When one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turns dangerous. Breathtaking mystery and high hilarity in equal parts.

Playwright: Ken Ludwig

Director: Josh Aaron McCabe

Time and Place: The living room of the mansion of William Gillette, on the Connecticut River near East Haddam, Connecticut, December 1936

Intermission Duration: 15 minutes

Special Circumstances: Gunshot blanks firing and sound effects, haze (i.e. smoking, strobe lights, etc.)

Please silence all cell phones, pagers, and any other electronic devices. Texting during productions will result in removal from the theater.

The use of any recording device (photo, sound, or video) by audience members is not permitted.
 

Director's Note

Every fall, as the weather grows a little crisper and the leaves start changing colors, I often find myself craving shows or films that are mysterious and spooky. (Maybe it’s the nostalgia of knowing that Halloween is in the air?) So, I thought: “What if we share a spooky mystery with our audience this fall?” But then, to be honest, I have also been finding myself at times weighed down with any number of events involving our country and our world lately. So, I thought: “What if we do something fun and silly to escape with our audience this fall?” Then I read Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) and realized: “Why do we have to choose? Let’s do both!”

Ludwig’s story is a loving homage to the classic “Whodunit?” murder mystery. He brilliantly pulls from this beloved genre (including one of the most famous detectives: Sherlock Holmes) and masterfully layers in clever, witty dialogue and surprising (often ridiculous) events to keep us laughing while we are guessing. And, of course, it all takes place on Christmas Eve. (Wait… what…?)

Try to guess who the murderer is! Enjoy the buzz in the lobby during intermission as everyone’s “inner detective” comes out and theories are shared about Who you all think Dunit. Maybe you will solve the case! (But I can nearly guarantee that you will not be able to solve how not to laugh the entire way through it.)

My hope for each of you—and all of us collectively—is that our story provides us with a wonderful escape for a couple of hours. Now, grab your deerstalker hat and your magnifying glass (sorry, no pipe smoking in the Festival Theatre), and prepare to laugh: The Game’s Afoot!

Cast (listed in order of appearance)

Character Name	Principal Actor	Understudy
William Gillette (Sherlock)	Joshua Ziegler	Anthony Luisi
Martha Gillette	Lilly Buck	Olive Cooper
Felix Geisel (Moriarty)	Jacob Sawtelle	Henry Coyner
Madge Geisel (Marian)	Nia Buchannon	Payton Lutz
Simon Bright (Count Zerlinsky)	Ethan Cain	Edward Boackle
Aggie Wheeler (Alice)	Katie Baldwin	Elly Sims
Daria Chase	Sophia Stiles	Elizabeth Froedge
Inspector Goring	Madysen Ashley	Ainsley Smith

Production Staff

Technical Productions Manager: Kevin Nedberg

Assistant Stage Manager:  Mary Carlson, William Schneider

Assistant Director: Kayleigh Gleeson

Production Electrician: Levi T. Fravel

Assistant Production Electrician: Keb Stevens

Electricians: Jackson Boone, Robbie Crissman, Dylan Serrano, Raya Smith, Pham Bao Uyen, Jaheem Fisher, Kayla Theiss, Connor Veal, Hunter Davis, Mary Beverley

Sound Engineer/Audio Coordinator: James Dunlap

Sound Technician: Jackson Boone, Hunter Davis

Technical Director:   Kevin Nedberg

Carpenters: Maggie Slauenwhite, James Hendricks, Eli Baader, Megan Todd, Hanna Baker, Vex Sargent,, Kaydence Mullins, Adesola Moshood, Kenna Sang, Miracle Bennett, Elena Kallenburg, Devin Perlow, Kat Walkup

Scenic Artist Supervisor: Brian Seckfort

Charge Artist: Cassie Dranschak

Scenic Artist: Callie Lippincott, Julliette Trumbull, Isa Castillon, Lilly Buck, Mary Carlson, Rachel Maloney, Scout Smith

Properties Master: John Lavarnway

Properties Artisan: Lauren Crane, Keaton Messmer, Hanna Baker, Loralie Morrison

Costume Shop Manager: Carly Kimmins

Costume Shop Assistant: Ori Gifford

Stitchers: Charlie Cute, Ona Ford, Arthur Billups, Gillian Jenkins

Wigs: Naomi Reisner

Dance Choreographer/ Dance Captain: Lilly Buck

Run Crew

Head Deck Crew: Maggie Slauenwhite

Deck Crew: Keaton Messmer, Kenna Seng, Connor Veal, Jaeden Ramsey, Kenzie Rees

Light Board Operator:  Keb Stevens

Sound Board Operator / A1: Hunter Davis

A2: Vex Sargent

Properties Crew Head: Adesola Moshood

Properties Crew:  Mia Zink, Carley Payton

Spot Operators: Kenna Seng, Connor Veal

Fly Operator: Vex Sargent

Wardrobe Head: Ona Ford

Wardrobe: Ryder Donaldson, Lauren Crane, Kate Hahn, Claire Spychalski
 

Cast Bios

Madysen Ashley is ecstatic to be involved with her second show at Wright State, with The Game’s Afoot being her first time performing on the Festival Stage. Previous credits include Much Ado About Nothing as the understudy for Seacoal and Friar Francis. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Katie Baldwin is a junior acting major and is very excited to be sharing this show! Her recent credits include Matilda (Miss Honey), DNA (Lou), Everybody (Usher u/s), and Our Town (ensemble, Emily u/s). She would like to give a shoutout to her mom, her stepdad, and her kitty.

Edward Boackle is a sophomore musical theatre major, and he is so excited for this to be his first ever Wright State festival theatre show. Edward has been in other productions such as Newsies as Jack Kelly, Into the Woods as The Baker, and Ordinary Days as Jason. Edward is so glad to be a part of this Wright State family, and he hopes you will love watching the show just as much as he has loved being a part of it.

Nia Buchannon (she/her) (Madge Geisel) feels so lucky to be a part of this extraordinary show in the festival, The Game’s Afoot. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she is a junior musical theatre major here and couldn’t be more grateful for her mentors and family who have helped get her to where she is today. Previous credits here include: By The Bog of Cats, The Apple Tree, and Everybody. Regional theatre: The Color Purple at The Carnegie, Columbinus at Casa Studios, and a number of shows at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Special thanks to the cast and crew for being the best team in the world. “The Game’s Afoot, follow your spirit!” Thank you for the laughs and here’s to many more!

Lilly Buck is a senior musical theater major and dance minor. Credits include Passionella in The Apple Tree, Nurse/Ensemble in South Pacific, Maggie/Val/Cassie cover in A Chorus Line, and Go to Hell Kitty in Chicago. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors. Raider up!

Ethan Cain (Simon/Count Zerlinsky) (he/him) is a junior acting major from Cincinnati. He has played Constable Warren/ George Gibbs u/s in the Wright State production of Our Town, as well as Claudio u/s in last year’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. He would like to thank Josh for giving him the chance to play with so many of his close friends in such a fantastic show. Please enjoy!

Olive Cooper (she/her) (Martha u/s) is so excited to be back in the Festival Playhouse as she enters her sophomore year! She was previously part of Much Ado About Nothing last Spring (Dogberry u/s). Huge thank you to the cast and crew, her amazing friends, and her superstar mom!

Henry Coyner This is Henry's first production here at Wright State University. Henry is a sophomore acting major from Bel-Air, Maryland. Past theatrical credits include Professor Callahan (Legally Blonde), Reverend Shaw Moore (Footloose), and Captain Von Trapp (The Sound of Music). Henry thanks his family and fellow cast and crew for everything.

Elizabeth Froedge is a junior acting major and is excited to be a part of her second show at Wright State. Last semester she worked as an understudy in Everybody as well as being a part of various D-Lab projects. She wants to thank her support system and hopes you enjoy the show!

Anthony Luisi is a sophomore acting major and business minor at Wright State. He is excited to appear in The Game’s Afoot understudying Sherlock Holmes (a.k.a. William Gillette). Previous shows at Wright State include Much Ado About Nothing in the festival playhouse, and DNA in the D-Lab. Instagram: @anthonyluisi_127

Payton Lutz is so excited to be making her Wright State Theatre debut! Payton recently finished up her summer contract with Gretna Theater in Pennsylvania, where she worked as an apprentice. She performed in the Family Series and the Apprentice Cabaret! She wants to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support.

Jacob Sawtelle is a sophomore acting major who is excited to be in his first major role on the festival stage. Previously working on Alice By Heart last fall (Pit Singer, U/s Mad Hatter). I love my family :) #ProtectTransYouth

Elly Sims is a sophomore acting major, and is thrilled to make her MainStage debut! Previous roles include Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Desiree (A Little Night Music), and Patty Simcox (Grease). She appears as a recurring guest star, in Sony’s Going Home on PureFlix. She thanks her family, friends, and mentors! Instagram: @elly_simss

Ainsley Smith (Inspector U/S) is a sophomore musical theatre major from Texas. She is very excited to be a part of her first production at Wright State! She’d like to thank the entire cast and crew for their hard work and commitment to this high energy show!

Sophia Stiles is thrilled to be back on the festival stage! You may have recently seen Sophia as The Queen of Diamonds in Alice By Heart or Deb in Ordinary Days. Sophia would like to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for all their support on this journey to her senior year.

Joshua Ziegler is a junior musical theater major and is thrilled to return to the festival playhouse stage! Joshua could previously be seen in Wright State’s production of Carrie: The Musical, and as an understudy in Everybody. Thank you to mentors, friends, and family for their love and support. And a special thanks to Joshua’s partner, Cassidy for always being there to cheer them on. To the cast and crew, break a leg and let’s solve this mystery!!
 

Creative Team Bios

Josh Aaron McCabe (Director) is an associate professor at wright state and serves as head of acting. Previous directing credits at Wright State include: Much Ado About Nothing, The Liar, The Laramie Project, Circle Mirror Transformation, Hamlet: Unloaded and Memory of Water. Most recently played the leading role of Terry in the short film Thickly Settled to be released next year. Locally, Josh played Commander Harbison in The Dayton Opera’s production of South Pacific, with The Human Race Theatre in Barbecue, Deadline and Everything That’s Beautiful. A member of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA since 2006, Josh has performed in over 25 of their productions and served as Director of their nationally recognized Shakespeare in the Courts Program. Off-Broadway: Peep Show (Actor’s Playhouse). Regional: Berkshire Theatre Group, Oldcastle Theatre, Connecticut Rep, Madison Rep, Forward Theater, Milwaukee’s Chamber Theatre, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Milwaukee’s Renaissance Theaterworks. Josh has appeared in national commercials, daytime serials and Saturday Night Live. AEA & SAG-AFTRA. joshaaronmccabe.com

Kayleigh Gleeson (she/her) is a senior acting major this year! She is excited to make her directing debut as the assistant director of The Game’s Afoot. She can’t wait to see the beautiful work this cast, and crew create throughout the run. You may have seen her in past seasons here at Wright State in Much Ado About Nothing, A Doll’s House, and Our Town. She is incredibly thankful to Josh Aaron McCabe for the opportunity to work alongside him on this production!

James Dunlap

George Sarofeen (Costume Designer) has been a professional costume designer for 48 years as well as a Design Consultant for the manufacturing industry. A member of New York Local 829 costume design union he has produced over 3000 designs for Theme Parks, Cruise Ships, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Shell Oil Meetings, as well as Traditional Theater, Musical Theater, Ballet, Opera and film. From 1978-1999, he served as the Costume Designer for Kings Productions, the corporate design division of Kings Island and her six sister parks designing projects including, wardrobes for Star Trek, The Experience, at the Las Vegas Hilton, and for Titanic, The Movie on Tour. George has designed numerous shows for Wright State Theatre Department over the past 35 years including Alice by Heart, A Chorus Line, Gypsy, Philadelphia Story, and The Heidi Chronicles. For The University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, he designed productions of Hair, Nine, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Reflect Up?, Grease, Romance Romance, Pippin, Once Upon a Mattress, Sweeney Todd, Godspell, Albert Herring, and The Wonder Years. For Xavier University he designed costumes for The Sound of Music and The Prom. He also designed costumes for Northern Kentucky University productions of Little Shop of Horrors and A Day in Hollywood, A Night in Ukraine. For the Dayton Opera, he served as the Head Costumer from 2006-2008 creating and/or coordinating designs for La Boheme, Samson and Delilah, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, Tosca, Pirates of Penzance, Carmen, and CenerentolaGeorge. George served as Design Director for Horsman, LTD, 2013-2017, designing and creating miniature fashions for the wardrobe for the Urban Vintage Vita Collection. He also was a member of the Ashton-Drake “Gene Team” designing outfits for the Gene Marshall Collection from 2000-2005. He was honored by his peers and his fans, when his design, Presidential Ball, was voted the winner of both Industry Choice and People’s Choice “2003 Fashion Doll of the Year.” Currently, George is enjoying his retirement freelancing as a costume designer while also serving as an associate professor of Practice, Emeritus, in the Fashion Design Program at The Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati, where he also served as the curator of the DAAP-SOD Student Fashion Study Collection.

Callie Lippincott (Scenic Designer) (They/She) is a senior scenic design major. Shows they have previously worked on are Our Town as the scenic designer, Much Ado About Nothing as assistant scenic designer, and Carrie: The Musical as a scenic artist. They have also worked for a summer as a painter at Interlochen Center for the Arts on the Shakespeare in Love and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Jennifer E Dillard (Lighting Designer) is a junior theatre design and technology major concentrating in Lighting. She is very excited to be designing the lighting for The Game’s Afoot as her first Festival Playhouse show! Over the summer Jennifer was the spotlight operator for Kings Island’s Country Crossroads and a float driver for Carnivale. She has previously designed for Wright State’s Dance Concerts, The Apple Tree, and was the Production Electrician for Much Ado About Nothing. Jennifer is very thankful to all her professors for always supporting her in her work and her family for adjusting to her crazy theatre schedule. She hopes you enjoy The Games’s Afoot!

Megan Todd (Stage Manager) (she/her) is going into her junior year in stage management. She is thankful to be able to stage manage her first mainstage show, The Game’s Afoot. Previous credits include Aida with the Dayton Opera (production assistant), Everybody (stage manager), The Apple Tree (stage manager), and By the Bog of Cats (assistant stage manager).

Mary Carlson (assistant stage manager) has stage managed multiple Dayton-area free Shakespeare in the Park productions, most recently Much Ado About Nothing and The Merry Wives of Windsor.  She has also been a member of stage management teams at Wright State University and at the Dayton Theater Guild. She is grateful to the Wright State Theater Department faculty and staff, to a great cast, and a generous stage manager.  Enjoy the show!

William Schneider (Assistant Stage Manager) (he/him) is a freshman acting major and is immensely grateful to be a part of his first show at Wright State University. Most recently he spent the summer at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company playing the Duke in Measure for Measure. He is excited to jump into the school year being involved in this show!