June 18-28, Alliance Theatre
This finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and well-known American classic explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape when sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script.
Stage Manager…Tyler Strong
Assistant Stage Manager…Ender Childs
Fight Director…AJ Neuschwander
Directing Observerships…Charlotte Gordon, Emily Kitterer
PR…Valentine PR
Poster Design…David Knoell
Performance Photographer…Doug Carter
Photography and Videography…Ensemble
Set and Props Design…Stephanie Stroud and David Knoell
Sound Design…Morag Shepherd
Lighting Design…David Knoell and Umbrella Theatre Company
Costume Design…Stephanie Stroud
Production Manager…Stephanie Stroud
Directed by Morag Shepherd
Lee…Jesse Nepivoda
Austin…David Knoell
Saul…Jacob Barnes
Mom…Teresa Sanderson
PERFORMANCES
June 18 @ 7:30 (Thursday)
June 20 @ 4pm (Saturday)
June 21 @ 2pm (Sunday)
June 22 @ 7:30pm (Monday)
June 25 @ 730pm (Thursday)
June 26 @ 7:30pm (Friday)
June 27 @ 4pm (Saturday)
June 28 @ 2pm (Sunday)
BIOGRAPHIES
JACOB BARNES (SAUL) “Esse est percipi: To be is to be perceived.”-George Berkely. Jacob is elated for his debut with Lil Poppet! Jacob has been acting for over 15 years with various companies including: Plan-B Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Good Company Theatre, Pygmalion Theatre Company, The Grand Theatre (UT), Sacred Fools, Rogue Artists Ensemble, Theatre Planners, and Inner-City Shakespeare (L.A.) Currently signed with McCarty Talent Agency. A great day for Jacob consists of: Music, Star Trek, wine, the woods, family and friends. Big hug and shoutout to his wife, Mindy, and Jacob’s family and friends for their endless love and support. “All I can do is be me, whoever that is.” -Bob Dylan
JESSE NEPIVODA (LEE) Jesse is an actor and playwright originally from Washington DC. He and his written work have appeared on stages throughout the United States and Canada. He currently serves as Executive Director of Sackerson, an independent theatre company based in Salt Lake City. Much love to Isabel.
DAVID KNOELL (AUSTIN) Great Salt Lake Fringe: One Man, One Guitar, Superstar, Small Box with a Revolver (Actor). SLAC: Close Encounters in the Beehive (Writer), Bald Sisters, Summer Show ’23, Hairy and Sherri (Actor). Plan-B Theatre: Dumbed Down, Just Add Water, Beatrix Potter Defense Society, Kilo-Wat, Full Color, Bitter Lemon, Balthazar (Scenic Construction), Balthazar, Mestiza or Mixed (Stage Manager). Chicago: The Goldilocks Zone, Any Other Name (Equity Library Theatre), Friends with an Asterisk, Jam Sandwich (The Second City), Claus and Effect (Stage 773), Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors (Oak Park Festival Theatre), various readings (Chicago Dramatists). Orlando: Amadeus, An Inspector Calls, Major Barbara, Bus Stop, Everyman (Mad Cow Theatre). Lincoln: Crimes of the Heart, The Little Prince, Proof (Nebraska Repertory Theatre). David serves as Assistant Professor of Theatre at Salt Lake Community College, Production and Stage Manager for Performing Arts Educators, and is a founding member of Improv Salt Lake.
TERESA SANDERSON (MOM) Teresa has been working in Theatre for 40 years. An Actor, Director, Producer and Playwright Teresa loves every aspect of working in the Arts. Favorite acting roles include Becky in BECKY NURSE OF SALEM. Eleanore in LION IN WINTER. And Vivian in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. Favorite directing projects include THE ROOMMATE. RED DEVIL and MOTHER OF THE MAID. Next season, POSTCARDS FROM MECCA will be produced. My first attempt at playwriting with my writing partner Debra Threedy.
Morag Shepherd (Director) is the Artistic Director of Sackerson, and is thrilled to be joining Lil Poppet Productions as their Resident Artist. Morag is a proud member of the Plan-B writers lab, where her play MY BROTHER WAS A VAMPIRE, and NOT ONE DROP (David Ross Fetzer grant recipient) have performed.
Recent writing credits include THE BIG QUIET, which performed to sold out audiences with Pygmalion Theatre Company; WORSHIP—with Immigrant’s Daughter Theatre and the Utah Arts Alliance (The Utah Review top moment of 2023); her play DO YOU WANT TO SEE ME NAKED (Critics Choice Award, and Best Solo Performance) has performed in Salt Lake City, Tucson, and The United Solo Festival in New York City. Morag’s site-specific play, CHERRY WINE IN PAPER CUPS performed outside the Salt Lake City library summer 2020, and her immersive play, A BRIEF WALTZ IN A LITTLE ROOM performed throughout 2019 in The Urban Arts Gallery (The Utah Review top ten moments of 2019). Favorite directing credits include MISERY (winner of the Hart Awards—Best Play, Best Director), THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE by Martin McDonagh, MELANCHOLY PLAY by Sarah Ruhl, BODY AWARENESS by Annie Baker, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN by Jack Thorne, and ROLE PLAY by Ariana Farber.
Check out her website: moragshepherd.com
Tyler Strong (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be joining Lil Poppet Productions for True West. A recent graduate of Salt Lake Community College, he will be attending Southern Utah University this fall to continue his studies in theatre. This production represents his fifteenth show, and he is grateful to everyone who has supported him throughout his theatrical journey. He hopes you enjoy the performance.
Ender Childs (Assistant Stage Manager) grew up performing in their school and local musical theatre programs (Ensemble - Thoroughly Modern Millie, Penny - Hairspray, Little Red - Into the Woods, etc). Most recently they appeared in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at SLCC as Olive’s Mom. Recently, they have begun transitioning from performing into stage management. They are very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to assistant stage manage for this production of True West.
AJ Neuschwander (Fight Director) is a professional actor, fight director, stunt performer, and theatre teacher based in the greater Salt Lake City area. With nearing on 10 years of experience in the industry, AJ's work has been featured is several productions throughout Utah, including Henry V (Westminster University), She Kills Monsters (Granger High School), and Rigoletto (Utah Opera), as well as on screen work such as Homestead, and Mondays Lasagna.
As an Associate Instructor through Dueling Arts International he has had the privilege of teaching stage combat across the Rocky Mountain West, from Weber State University to Metropolitan State University of Denver through their Mile High DAI workshop, and most recently joining Westminster University as an adjunct professor.
Stephanie Stroud (Production Manager) is the Artistic Director of Lil Poppet Productions, a member of Sackerson Co., and an Artist In Residence with Immigrant’s Daughter. She is a member of Actor’s Equity, an Associate Member of Stage Directors and Choreographer’s Society, and an alum of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. Website: stephaniestroud.com