The Antipodes

World Premiere produced by Signature Theatre, New York City.

Paige Evans, Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director; James Houghton, Founder

“The Antipodes” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Director’s Note

Like most of Annie Baker’s plays, The Antipodes captures everyday life in all its detail and complexity. However, as the play progresses, the familiar begins to reach out in order to touch the unknown. To navigate this journey, our ensemble of creators has focused on three questions—three lights that have guided us through the forest of this play during the rehearsal process.

1. What is the point of telling stories when the world is crumbling around you? In the Hollywood writers’ room that is the setting of The Antipodes our characters try to keep the outside world at bay and concentrate on creating. However, the outside world—most acutely in the form of natural disaster—inevitably encroaches. It’s hard to separate global concerns from local, daily life. Likewise, particularly for those in the creative industries, it has become increasingly important in the 21st century to question the relationship between artmaking and the world. Faced with violence on a national and international scale, is the best use of our time to tell a story? Faced with a climate crisis that threatens human extinction, can we justify rehearsing another play? What if the answer to these questions were “yes”?

2. Can we resist overemployment? Due to the privilege of their excellent liberal-arts education, most of our graduates will not struggle with unemployment when they leave our campus. They will, however, struggle with overemployment. Our graduates will work at jobs in which they will be expected to be working or on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The access to information labor that computers and cellphones enable means we are never “off the clock” in today’s world. There are always emails to answer, texts to send, content to create. And those in the creative industries may feel more sharply the pressure of overemployment because they are regularly told (and usually deeply feel) how lucky they are to be doing this work.

3. Who gets to tell whose story? The writers’ room in The Antipodes, like most writers’ rooms in Hollywood today, are still dominated by white men. Considering this lack of diversity, Baker is concerned about whether such rooms are qualified to speak for everyone. When telling stories, is everything/everyone’s story up for grabs? Are the myths and legends from other cultures material we should feel comfortable using? In addition, how much of our own lives are we willing to turn into “content” for the public. If offered the opportunity, would you be willing to turn your life story into a salable commodity? Late in the play, Sandy, the man in charge of this writers’ room, asks his writers to think back to their childhoods and remember a story that changed their life. In that moment, I encourage you to do so as well and to consider, How much is that story worth to you?

These are some of the themes we’ve found in The Antipodes. I’m excited to hear what you find. I hope you enjoy this strange, mysterious (yet familiar), beautiful play.

Special Thanks

Connie Book, Rebecca Kohn, Gabie Smith, Fred Rubeck, Natalie Hart, Kimberly Rippy, Chris Fields, David McGraw, Kevin Otos, Kim Shively, English Department, Seabrook Brown, Cary Worthy, Carpet One (Shannon, Angie & Paul), Brian Faucette from Graham Recreation & Parks, Hotel Liquidation Store, and Kirby Wahl for voicing the character Max

Bios

Susanne Shawyer

Matthew Bobzien

Keri Anderson

Katie Kapp

Kayla McBratney

Kayla Jordan

Sara LiBrandi

Sean Mikesh

Jasmine Smith

Alec Wilson

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret

Gavin Blayne

Kelly Donovan

Owen Parker

Parker Bowen

Dylan Levison

Graham Boggess

Conrad Hall

Niklas Salah

Lillian Chen

Caroline Moore

MJ Schaeffer

Makenzie Pridgen

Scott Proudfit

Susanne Shawyer

Susanne Shawyer is a dramaturg, theatre historian, and Associate Professor of Theatre at Elon University. Her research on dramaturgies of protest and theatre pedagogy has been published in such journals as Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, Research in Drama Education, Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, Performance Matters, as well as multiple anthologies. She is Affiliate Faculty—Dramaturgy Specialist with Theatrical Intimacy Education, an organization dedicated to training students and theatre professionals in theatrical intimacy best practices. She is currently Editor of the journal Theatre Topics. Education: PhD in Theatre, University of Texas at Austin.

Matthew Bobzien

Matthew Bobzien is a Senior from Raleigh, NC double majoring in Drama & Theatre Studies and Arts Administration. Matthew’s credits include Movement Unscripted (Lighting Designer), The Matriarchy (Lighting Designer), The Antipodes (Stage Manager), Semicolon (Lighting Designer), John Proctor is the Villain (Dramaturg), Game Over (Lighting Designer), Alone Together (Director), She Loves Me (Technical Supervisor), Concord Floral (Assistant Director), Antigone (Technical Supervisor). He is a member of Elon Performing Arts’ improv troupe, Instant Laughter, and the President of and Lead Producer for Elon NewWorks. They were also the Production Manager and Lead Lighting Designer for the 2024 Elon Queer Arts Festival.

Keri Anderson

Keri Anderson is a junior BFA Acting and BA Arts Administration double major with a minor in Business Administration. Past Elon credits include: Clue (Assistant Director), Concord Floral (#5 (Rosa Mundi)) and Sense and Sensibility (Ms. Dashwood u/s & Margaret u/s). Professional credits include: Macbeth -  Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (Witch #2, Ensemble)

Katie Kapp

Katie Kapp is a Junior BFA Acting major. She is thrilled to be a part of The Antipodes. Her previous roles at Elon include Madeleine in The Inferior Sex and Fanny/Lucy Understudy in Sense and Sensibility. She is incredibly thankful to all who have helped me grow!

Kayla McBratney

Kayla is a senior Arts Administration major with a minor in Theatrical Design and Technology. As the designated "hair and makeup friend" she is so excited to make her Hair & Makeup Design debut! Previous Elon credits include Costume Designer (John Proctor is the Villain) and Assistant Stage Manager (Sense and Sensibility). She would like to thank ALL of the TDT faculty for their support and mentorship throughout her time at Elon.

Kayla Jordan

Kayla Jordan is a junior DTS and TDT major from Nashville, Tennessee. Recent Elon credits include The Bridges of Madison County (Assistant Stage Manager) and Spring Awakening (Props Artisan). Other credits include Steel Magnolias (Stage Manager) and Murder on the Orient Express (Stage Manager) at Weathervane Playhouse. Kayla is thrilled to now be a dramaturg for The Antipodes! She’d like to give special thanks to both Dr. Shawyer and Scott Proudfit for their support.

Sara LiBrandi

Sara is both so excited and so sad to be performing in her last Grand Night. Grand Night is such a special tradition and Sara is so excited to be sharing it with all of you. During their four years at Elon Sara has been in four main stage shows - most recently the The Antipodes this winter and Spring Awakening this past fall. Thank you for being here, enjoy the show!

Sean Mikesh

Sean Mikesh is a Junior BFA Acting major at Elon University who is very excited to return to the McCrary Stage! At Elon, Sean has performed in the department’s most recent play The Antipodes (Adam) and Elon’s 2022 spring show The Cherry Orchard (Trofimov). Also, Sean understudied for the other plays from the 2022 season including: Heart of Shrapnel (Y) and Sense and Sensibility (Edward/Col. Brandon). Sean is also a member of the Improv troupe Instant Laughter! @seanryannm

Jasmine Smith

Jasmine Smith (she/her) is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in Theatrical Design & Technology. Her previous sound credit includes John Proctor is the Villain (Elon, 2023). She would like to thank the design team and the faculty advisors for all their support during this process.

Alec Wilson

Alec is a Senior Acting and Computer Science double major at Elon University. His previous works at Elon include Heart of Shrapnel (X and Y), Clue (Mr. Boddy, Motorists, Chief of Police), and Macbeth (Macbeth U/S). He would like to thank all of his friends and family for supporting him throughout college and continuing to support him as he gets ready to graduate.

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret

Anabelle Sumera-Decoret (she/her) is a Sophomore BFA Acting Major from Seattle, Washington. Elon credits include: Concord Floral (8 (Fox) U/S), Clue (Cook, Telegram, Cop, & Auxiliary Scarlet U/S), John Proctor is the Villain (Student Chorus, Beth U/S), and As You Like It (Celia), as well as dramaturgy for The Antipodes. Instagram: @reality.asd

Gavin Blayne

Gavin is a Senior Acting Major in his 4th production at Elon. Earlier this year Gavin was in The Antipodes and is excited to take the stage one more time before graduating. He is extremely thankful for everyone who has helped him get to this point and allowed him make mistakes, grow, and have fun.

Kelly Donovan

Kelly Donovan is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is majoring in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Geography. Her previous credit at Elon includes Antigone (Renegade, 2022). Kelly is also a Music Director for Elon Muses Show Choir, an Elon College Fellow, and is a member of Elon Women in STEM. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support.

Owen Parker

Owen is a first year Arts Administration major and is thrilled to be making his dramaturg debut for The Antipodes! Recent credits include: Legally Blonde, Ragtime, Mamma Mia!, Grease, and more. Owen is also a current intern for the first national tour of The Cher Show, where he creates social media content. He would love to thank Dr. Shawyer and Scott for their support and effort. @owenhparker

Parker Bowen

Parker is a first year BFA Acting major and is thrilled to make his mainstage debut at Elon! He recently worked as an understudy in The Antipodes, and now he’s a zombie. Boom. Parker would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Dylan Levison

Dylan Levison is a first-year BFA Acting major from Short Hills, New Jersey and is very excited to be performing in his first Elon production! Some of Dylan’s favorite past credits include Millburn High School: Clue: On Stage (Mr. Green) and Paper Mill Playhouse Children's Theatre on Tour: Into The Woods (The Baker). He wants to give a special thanks to the entire cast and crew of The Antipodes for making his first show at Elon an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the show! Instagram: @dyllev

Graham Boggess

Graham Boggess is a first-year BFA acting major, and this is the first time he has ever done tech for a show. Last fall, he starred in NewWorks' production of Cardboard Boxes, and in the winter, he performed in his first mainstage show, The Antipodes. When he's not acting, he's performing with the a cappella group, Twisted Measure, or the improv troupe, Instant Laughter. He is allegedly as strong as a juvenile bear.

Conrad Hall

Conrad is a Senior Acting Major here at Elon. Some of his past performances include The Anitpodes (Sandy), John Proctor is the Villain (Davis, u/s Carter Smith), and The Cherry Orchard (Postal Clerk u/s Lopakhin). Conrad had also appeared in other student led productions and films. For his final show here at Elon, he sincerely hopes you enjoy As You Like It!

Niklas Salah

Nik is a junior acting major at Elon University and is thrilled to be making his Shakespeare debut in As You Like It! past credits at Elon include The Antipodes, Clue, and The Cherry Orchard. "Thank you to my sibling, Estlin. The joy of knowing and loving you has made me a better person every day."

Lillian Chen

Lillian is a first-year student from New Jersey and is so excited to be taking part in As You Like It as the light board operator! She is double majoring in Theatrical Design & Technology and Strategic Communications and when not taking part in shows, she also works as a house manager for the performing arts productions. Recent Elon credits include: The Antipodes (ASM), Abusua - Black History Month Dance Concert (Stage Manager), and Spring Dance Concert (ASM). She hopes you enjoy the performance!

Caroline Moore

Caroline Moore is a first-year BFA Acting major from Raleigh, NC. Her love of performing began when her grandma introduced her to the world of theatre at age 9. She recently performed in The Antipodes as U/S Eleanor. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support! Instagram: @Carolinegmoore ...GO PACK!

MJ Schaeffer

MJ is from Memphis, TN and has been doing theatre since 2018. They graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy and performed in two plays in their year there: King Riel in Sun in Ya Hands and Stage Manager in It’s Our Town, Too.

Makenzie Pridgen

Makenzie Pridgen is a first year BFA Acting major from Baltimore Maryland and is excited to be a part of her first play at Elon! She has been performing since middle school and has been featured in productions such as Roland Park Country School: Once on This Island (Storyteller), Descendants the Musical (Evie), and Gilman School: Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Mother, Granny, Giant, and Sleeping Beauty).

Scott Proudfit

Scott Proudfit is an Associate Professor of English and Coordinator of the Drama & Theatre Studies program at Elon University. He has co-edited three volumes on collective creation and devised theatre for Palgrave. Recent scholarship includes an essay on Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate in Theatre History Studies and a book chapter on Annie Baker’s John in the upcoming volume The Figure of the Monster in Global Theatre and Performance (Routledge, 2024). Before obtaining his PhD from Northwestern University, he worked with the Actors’ Gang and the Factory Theater in Los Angeles and with Irondale Ensemble Project in New York, often on devised plays. In addition, for almost a decade he worked as an editor for the newspapers Back Stage and Back Stage West. This is his directorial debut at Elon.