CREW
Britannia Howe
Director
Britannia Howe is a stage director and teaching artist, who after graduating with dual degrees in Classical Acting and Theatre Education has worked with companies such as Nomad Theatre Company, the Cabaret Theatre, Willow Wind Players, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Britannia is a co-founder of Women of Will, an organization dedicated to providing artistic opportunities for women* through classic texts. She just recently directed the Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s traveling production of ROMEO & JULIET in which she served as director and tour manager. Currently, she is pursuing her MFA in Directing at Illinois State University. Her next project is CYMBELINE at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in summer 2021. Britannia resides in Normal, Illinois with her family. As a storyteller, Britannia enjoys hearing and telling stories, especially those told by her children.
Alysa Chandler
Assistant Director
A Sophomore at ISU, Alysa Chandler is focusing her studies on stage direction under the Theatre Studies major, as well as minoring in English. She is so very thankful that Roe is her first collegiate directing-related placement as she has had the privilege to expand her craft working on such a meaningful show under Britannia's valuable mentorship. She would like to thank everyone who encouraged her in this process and pushed her to be a more thoughtful and diligent artist. You can find some of her work on her website, alysachandler.com.
Connor Kubil
Stage Manager
Connor is the Stage Manager for Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Payton Scudieri
Dramaturg
Payton is a Junior Theatre Studies major here at Illinois State University. She is a transfer student from Joliet Junior College, and this is both her first show at ISU and first time working as a Dramaturg. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to work on Roe, and has especially been honored to help present such an important and influential story.
Stefanie Henkel
Assistant Stage Manager
Stefanie is a sophomore here at Illinois State University and she is originally from McHenry, IL. She is a Theatre Education and Design Production major focusing in Stage Management and Hair and Makeup Design. Previously at ISU she has been the production assistant for Guys and Dolls and the Assistant Stage Manager for Pipeline. She is so honored to be Assistant Stage Managing this show and cannot wait for the audience to see it and be able to hear about this case that has had such an impact on history.
Henry Tran
Media Design
Henry Tran is a lighting and projection designer. He received his BA in Drama at the University of California, Irvine, and is now pursuing his MFA in Lighting Design as well as an MS in Creative Technology at Illinois State University.
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Jess Fleeman
Media Design
Jess is the Media Designer for Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
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Joe Chambers
Lighting Engineer
Joe is the Lighting Engineer for Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Bryan Clark
Sound Design
A first year transfer from College of DuPage, Bryan came to the SOTD as a Junior. This is only his second show here, but his first show as the sound designer. Bryan is working towards his degree in Theatre Design and Production, with an emphasis in both sound and lighting. He is looking forward to yet another amazing performance!
Tony Reimer
Music Composition
Tony did the Music Composition for Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Jacob McGee
Assistant Sound Design
Jacob McGee is a Design/Production Undergraduate focusing on Scenic Construction and Technical Direction. He is a Junior Transfer Student from Joliet Junior College. He worked in the theatre department for 2 years working scenic, lights, sound, and more. His acting credits include Sir Bedevere/ Knight of Ni in Spamalot, Hair, Elephant Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Barnum, 12 Angry Jurors, and, Arsenic and Old Lace. Jacob is an Eagle Scout and in his free time enjoys hiking and learning about Ecology-Conservation practices for the future welfare of the planet.
Lauren Lowell
Katherine Dohogne
Assistant Costume Design
Katherine L. Dohogne is a sophomore Production Design major with a focus in Costume Design. She became involved in theatre at a young age but discovered her passion for design just last year. This is her first time working as an Assistant Costume Designer, and the experience has been wonderful! Last semester she had the opportunity to work as the Assistant Hair & Makeup Designer on Pipeline and the Assistant Props Master on Top Girls. She would like to thank Lauren Lowell, Stephen Menard, and the entire ROE team for making this experience so meaningful and enjoyable.
Costume/Hair & Makeup Design
Lauren M. Lowell is the Head of Production Design & Technology in the Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance, where she teaches all things Costume Design. Recent ISU Productions include costumes for THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA, COSI FAN TUTTI, CABARET, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and the scenic design for EURYDICE. Lauren is a frequent designer for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival as well. Recent ISF productions include THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR NORMAL, PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER, ELIZABETH REX, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and FAILURE-A LOVE STORY. Much thanks to the ROE costume team for all of their work on this production of ROE. It is great to be working towards leaving the "Upside Down." Lauren resides in Bloomington, IL with her two children and life partner.
Stephen Menard
Assistant Costume Design
Stephen is a Sophomore Theatre Design and Production student with a focus in Scenic and Costume Design. He has previously worked on Guys and Dolls as well as Richard III here at Illinois State. Most recently, Stephen designed his first outdoor production of The Outsiders at Coal City High School and is currently working on scenic designs for Songs for a New World at Kankakee High School and Oklahoma! which will be performed at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School this Spring.
“I am so thankful for such a supportive and hardworking team this semester. Lauren, Katherine, and I had so much fun transporting the audience to this important and empowering story.”
Michael Mason
Prop Master
Michael Mason is a first year MFA candidate in scenic design, originally from Nashville, Tennessee. He studied Theatre Design and Studio Art at Austin Peay State University where he graduated in 2015. Michael has had the pleasure of working with a variety of theatres including Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Ash Lawn Opera, Studio Tenn, Lexington Children's Theatre, and The Little Theatre on the Square.
Delaney Kosar
Assistant Prop Master
Delaney Kosar is Sophomore this year. She is a Design and Production Major with a goal of focusing on Costumes and Props. She is looking forward to seeing people's reactions to ROE. And she wants to thank everyone for being such a wonderful team.
CAST
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Andie Anderson
Aileen/Barbara/Uma
Andie Anderson is a Freshman Acting student here at ISU, and ROE will be her very first performance as a Redbird. Even through navigating the new realm of online theatre, she is thrilled to be a part of such an important show! Finally, she sends a huge thank you to her parents for all the support through such an unconventional first year.
Markos Carmona
Fred Friendly/Gilmour/Pro-Life Man/Justice
Markos is a Freshman Theatre Teacher Major, and is double majoring in Acting. Markos is so excited to start his SOTD journey with ROE, especially with it being his first show since the pandemic started.
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"I am so grateful and thankful for getting this opportunity, and everyone in the SOTD has been so welcoming and kind to me."
Myles Daughtery
Justice Blackmun/Wade
Myles Daugherty is a Junior Acting and Design/Production double major with a focus in Scenic Design here at ISU. Bore the pandemic, he was an actor in ISU’s production of 1984. He is excited to be a part of such an amazing team and to be a part of this story. He would like to thank his professors and fellow students for constantly inspiring him.
Sami Casten
Sarah Weddington
Sami Casten is a junior acting major here at Illinois State University. She is also one half of the marketing team of ISTOP (Illinois State Theatre Outreach Program) at ISU. Sami is thrilled to be a part of such a groundbreaking show that deals with women's rights, feminism, and choice! When she's not on the stage you can usually find Sami in the kitchen baking up a storm! She wants to thank the entire cast and crew of Roe for making this such a wonderful and educational experience that she will carry with her forever.
Riley Doerner
Emily/Mariah
Riley is a sophomore acting major and this is her second main stage production at ISU, where she previously played Kit and Shona in Top Girls. She is so excited to share this piece with everyone and would like to thank her family and friends that have helped her get here. She would also like to thank the wonderful creative team for their dedication to telling this story.
Eve Doyle
Helen/Peggy/Christian Woman 1/Justice
Eve Doyle is ecstatic to be a part of Roe, this is her second production at ISU, where she is pursuing her bachelor's degree in acting. Some of her previous roles include Marlene in Top Girls (Illinois State University), Marylin in A Behanding in Spokane (Wilbur Wright College), and Emma in Curse of the Starving Class (Wilbur Wright College). She has also performed in Fury Theater’s productions of Hamlet, Henry V, The Winter’s Tale, and Twelfth Night. Eve would like to thank the cast and crew of Roe for making this production at Illinois State University so memorable!
Joseph Hansen
McCluskey/Christian Man/Justice
Joseph Hansen is playing McCluskey/Christian Man/Justice in Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Alex Jorn
Molly/Pregnant Woman 3/Christian Woman 2/Justice
Alex Jorn is a senior Acting major. Previous roles include: Isabella/Mrs.Kidd/Joyce in Top Girls, #46 in The Wolves, Jessica in Hand to God, and Plumber in Yellow Inn. She is also the co-president of The Improv Mafia and loves being silly with her pals. She would like to thank everyone she knows, and also all the people she doesn't know yet.
Miki Meyers
Mary/Mary Gilmore/Justice/Kate Michelman
Miki Meyers is a Junior acting major. She made her main stage debut in 2019 as Tracy in Lynn Nottage’s Sweat. During her time at ISU, she has also appeared in Vinegar Tom as one of the Condemned, Brooklyn’s Bridge as Emily, Really Really as Leigh,What It Means To Be a RedBird as an player, and Cabaret Stage as a singer. This will be her first ever zoom production.
Marissa Patten
Roxanne/Justice
Marissa Patten is playing Roxanne/Justice in Roe, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Roberto Soares
Beau/Micheal Manheim/Abortion Doctor/Justice
Roberto Soares is an international student from Brazil. He is a Sophomore Acting Major. This is his first time acting in a play at ISU. He is excited and looking forward to what is going to happen next at Illinois State. He wants to thank everyone for the support and encouragement that he has received this semester.
Paige Terch
Gloria Allred/Waitress/Bartender
Paige Terch is a Junior Acting Major. She is super excited to be playing Gloria Allred as well as Bartender/Waitress! Terch has been in multiple productions at ISU including Light in the Piazza (Franca), Richard the Third (Elizabeth) and Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Girl). You can access her website and social media thru this link:
Lawrence Yap
TV Reporter/Robert Flowers
Lawrence Yap is a freshman at Illinois State University majoring in acting. Lawrence has enjoyed his time on the stage throughout middle school and high school and is thrilled to experience his first college production. Roe is an incredible show that he hopes audiences enjoy!
Bri Golden
Ronda/Pregnant Woman 2/Holly Hunter
Bri is a Senior here at ISU majoring in Acting! She also studies Theatre Management and Stage Combat. She is so excited to be a part of this incredible team and to get a final chance to showcase her work here at Illinois State. Previously, Bri has been seen in The Wolves as #25, The House of Bernarda Alba as Adela, Richard III as Rivers, and Vinegar Tom as Susan. She wants to thank the rest of their team for their enthusiastic involvement in this show and wishes everyone involved to break a leg!
Amanda Hoople
Linda/Pro-Choice Woman 2/Gloria's Assistant
Amanda is a sophomore at Illinois State University, and is originally from Algonquin, IL. She is an Acting major with a Communications minor. Previously, she has been on the stage here at ISU as the Mom, as well as the cast understudy, in The Wolves and as the Duchess of York in Richard III. She is incredibly excited to perform this production for the school and the community, and is honored to portray Linda Coffee for this show.
Mia Marks
Judy/Pregnant Woman 1/Eleanor Smeal/Justice
Mia is a junior acting major and is from the Chicagoland Area. Some of her roles at ISU include Actor 5/Sarah in We Are Proud to Present, Maria in Twelfth Night, and Young York in Richard III. She first got into acting when she was 7 during summer camp, when her counselors suggested she audition for the musical. She is super excited to be apart of this wonderful group of artists telling such an important story that is still relevant today.
Jeremy Miller
Jay Floyd/Doctor
Jeremy is a senior acting major graduating in December. In his time at ISU, Jeremy has also appeared as Catesby in Richard III and played in the musical ensemble as Curio in Twelfth Night. Additionally, Jeremy was a member of ISF’s Bard in a Box, touring around middle and high schools in Central Illinois as Tybalt and Friar Laurence in Romeo & Juliet before the recent pandemic. Jeremy anticipates starting his career in Chicago in the not too distant future.
Derek Ray
Flip/Ron
Derek Ray is a Senior at Illinois State University graduating in May with a B.S. in Acting. During his time here, Derek played Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Irene Ryan Nomination), Buckingham in Richard III, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, and Newbie in Hit the Wall, as well as Karlmann in The Ugly One. His film work consists of a lead role in the short film The Pumpkin, which can be found on YouTube.
Ashley Soto
Connie/Ofelia
Ashley is a Sophomore acting major and Psychology minor and this is her first show at ISU. She hopes to incorporate her skills learned from Psychology to further deepen the characters she plays. The most recent production she was in was Blueberry Hill Accord, playing as Hannah. She feels honored to be playing Connie, telling the story of a very monumental moment in history.
Leela Wolgemuth
Norma McCorvey
Leela Wolgemuth is a sophomore acting major at ISU. This is her third mainstage production, her most recent being Top Girls, in which she played Griselda/Nell/Jeanine. Recent roles also include #2 in The Wolves, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Martha Jefferson in 1776. She is also a cast member of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival's touring company- Bard in a Box. She considers it a great honor to portray Norma in Roe, and is thrilled to tell such a monumental, important story in our polarized world.
