VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Producers’ Note:
Welcome! Sky Performing Arts: after dark, in cooperation with Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts are so very happy to welcome you to this timely, touching and important fundraising event. After Dark’s aim is to produce art with a purpose. All our productions are designed to offer edgy, provocative and thoughtful content for progressive audiences.
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By being here today, not only are you supporting live theatre in our community, you’re helping to support meaningful causes. All profits from this production will support Marysville Pride and Monroe Equity Community.
Our show, Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays is a collection of nine 10-minute plays. Written before the Respect for Marriage Act was passed in 2015, this poignant and touching production will harken back to those times and remind us all that LOVE IS LOVE, and equality matters.
Standing on Ceremony is heart-warming, funny and entertaining, but contains material and language not suited for all ages.
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Thank you for being an active ally. We see you and appreciate you.
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THE PLAYS
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THE REVISION
by Jordan Harrison
Directed by: Kira Thorkildsen
Nate: Joel Sampaio
Wallace: Kendall Yoder
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THIS FLIGHT TONIGHT
by Wendy MacLoed
Directed by: Alexandra Clark
Announcer: Kelly S. Burrows
Hannah: Kira Thorkildsen
Allie: Karee Legend
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THE GAY AGENDA
by Paul Rudnick
Directed by: Karee Legend
Mary Abigail: Kelly S. Burrows
Stuart: Nigel Thorkildsen
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ON FACEBOOK
by Doug Wright
Directed by: Alexandra Clark
Bob: Kendall Yoder
Beverly: Kira Thorkildsen
Shane: Joel Sampaio
Fran: Cindy Ryden
Sheila: Karee Legend
Oliver: Nigel Thorkildsen
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STRANGE FRUIT
by Neil LaBute
Directed by: Kira Thorkildsen
Tom: Scott Randall
Jerry: Nigel Thorkildsen
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A TRADITIONAL WEDDING
by Mo Gaffney
Directed by: Karee Legend
Liz: Alexandra Clark
Cate: Cindy Ryden
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MY HUSBAND
by Paul Rudnick
Directed by: Karee Legend
Michael: Joel Sampaio
Gabrielle: Alexandra Clark
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LONDON MOSQUITOES
by Moisés Kaufman
Directed by: Kira Thorkildsen
Joe: Scott Randall
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PABLO & ANDREW AT THE ALTAR OF WORDS
by José Rivera
Directed by: Karee Legend
Pablo: Joel Sampaio
Andrew: Kendall Yoder​​​
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Honorable Mention: Ashlie Blaske
THE CAST
Alexandra Clark
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A second-generation actor and educated at California State University at Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Alexandra went on to be a working union actor in Los Angeles until 1994 upon moving to the Seattle area to pursue life and a more creative outlet for theatre. Becoming involved with two of the community theatre groups in Monroe (which later became Sky Performing Arts) Alexandra participated on-stage and backstage. In 1999 she co-founded a touring theatre company to provide quality theatre to underserved outlying communities in the region. Alexandra continues to be the treasurer for Sky and was President since 2013. When not working with the theatre she is the Wellness Programs Manager for a large up-scale retirement community in Redmond. Alexandra lives in Monroe with husband Glenn and has one adult child, plus numerous pets. Alexandra is a co-founder of Sky: after dark and a Member of the Board of the Monroe Arts Council.
Kelly S. Burrows
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A PNW native and life-long global nomad, she grew up dancing and performing. Recently taking the stage with Sky in Joseph as Mrs. Potiphar, in Hercules as Terpsichore (the Muse of Dance) and After Dark's inaugural show, Vagina Monologues. She loves performing and recently found a passion for production roles as Stage Mgr and Producer, bringing her business acumen to the business that is theatre. She is grateful to Alexandra for all that she has learned in the process. Kelly is a co-founder of Sky: after dark and a Member of the Board of the Monroe Arts Council. When she’s not immersed in theatre things, she enjoys yoga, her cats and spending quality time with her awesome friends & family. She thanks them for their support and constant love.
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Karee Legend
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Karee is excited to be working on another project with After Dark. She has been a member of the Sky Performing community for a number of years and is truly enjoying taking on more behind the scenes roles recently.
You may have seen her as Aunt March in Sky's production of Little Women.
Karee is a co-founder of Sky: after dark and is a member of the Monroe Arts Council.
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Scott Randall
Scott Randall is the founder and artistic director for the Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. He has been involved in local theatre for over 35 years as an actor, director, teacher and more.
He doesn't often find time to get on stage these days, so he is honored to be part of this production.
Scott sends love and thanks to his parents for their years of support, and to his boyfriend, Nik.
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Cindy Ryden
Recent Sky Performing Arts “artist” -- long time Thespian. Cindy has recently worked backstage with Sky Performing Arts in Hercules, Little Women, Puss N Boots, and recently performed onstage in After Dark’s pilot show The Vagina Monologues.
Her range of shows in the past include Lady Capulet in a period piece of Romeo & Juliet, a wooly mammoth in You Can’t Take It With You, various children’s theatre roles, many chorus opportunities, some dance ensemble, a whole lot of back stage work, management and assistant managing, lighting technician assistance, some brief sound experiences, a very brief directorial role, and many, many, many opportunities to dance, sing, and create stage pieces and images. The stage is her happy place --always has been, always will be!​​
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Joel Sampaio
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Joel is honored to be a part of this important production - especially now with everything happening in the world. Starting in theater within the last year, my roles so far include Samuel in Pirates Of Penzance, Edward Garbet in Suitcase, and an upcoming production of Once Upon A Mattress as Prince Dauntless.
When not rehearsing or memorizing lines in a panic, Joel enjoys volleyball, media of every sort, and pretending to have enough extra hours for a full-time dayjob. Endless thanks to the cast, crew, and anyone who has come to support us and the community.
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Kira Thorkildsen
Kira is excited to be a part of this production and the important message it conveys.
Favorite past rolls include Antigone in Antigone with WAPA, Abigail Williams in The Crucible with Off The Wall, Mrs. Hilton in Suitcase with Seattle Community Theater and Goneril in King Lear with Last Leaf Productions.
She is grateful for the love and support of her friends and family.
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Nigel Thorkildsen
Nigel is excited to join Sky: after dark for this unique show. He has previously been: Santa Claus in Elf, Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Jud in Oklahoma!. You can also find Nigel performing Shakespeare in the park with Last Leaf Productions.
Nigel wants to thank Sky: after dark for supporting LGBTQIA+ art. He is grateful for his friends and family's support.
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​Kendall Yoder
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Kendall Yoder is excited to be joining the Sky: after dark series, having previously played Judah in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat with the Sky Performing Arts mainstage. Kendall has also performed with Last Leaf Productions for the last three summers of Shakespeare in the Park. Other recent credits include Ambrosia Incorporated with LIT Immersive.
When not on stage (or working backstage), Kendall is a preschool teacher and afterschool arts supervisor for Illumination Learning Studios.
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Ashlie Blaske
Ashlie (she/her) is a local performer in King & Snohomish counties, she also volunteers with Lynden High Schools theatre productions as a consultant and choreographer and as the AD/SM for Variety Plus’ family theatre group. Thanks to all who gave so much to tell these important stories that remind us of how far we’ve come and how much we still have to fight for.
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When the After Dark team began planning this project, Ashlie was brought in to direct 5 of the plays in our production. Sadly, due to an unforeseen family matter, she had to step down from the director role. Although she wasn't able to continue with us, we appreciate her passion for this project and wish her and her family the best.