THE LAST BROADCAST: A HOLIDAY RADIO PLAY
THE CAST AND CREW
(In order of appearance)
CHARLOTTE TILDEN................................... Olivia Gregg
WALTER WILHELM...................................... Nicholas Egan
EDDIE BERSTEIN ......................................... Torin Tracy
ROSEMARY WILHELM .............................. Maria G. Urbina
MARGARET WILLIAMS .............................. Bree Abbott
LINDA MOORE ............................................... Kara Ashby
MELVIN THOMPSON .................................. James Mayer
SHIRLEY SMITH ............................................. Anna Smith
BEVERLY SMITH ............................................ Siobhan Boyle
JANET STEWART ........................................... Anja Schwartzbauer
FRANKIE HERNANDEZ ............................. Sean Orenstein
JIMMY WILLIAMS ......................................... Colton Root
MS. KESSLER .................................................. Maegan Durinzi
Written and Directed by Lacey Knispel
Technical Director: Norbert Serres
Student Director: Maegan Durinzi
Stage Manager: Mia Scneider
Assistant Stage Manager: Rupie Keil
Hair and Costume Design: Dana Zolla
Hair and Makeup Assistant: Natalia Aguirre
Properties Manager: Alexandria Maulfair
Sound: Tyler Isaacson
Lights: Riley Jenkins
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Anja Schwarzbauer is a sophomore at Sarasota High School. You may have seen her as Susan in SHS Theatre’s production of White Christmas in 2019. She is thrilled to be back on the stage and feels overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to enjoy something she missed dearly over quarantine! Anja would like to thank her wonderful family and the fantastic cast and crew, as well as Ms. Knispel, who pulled this show together and has directed everyone with so much love and care. Enjoy the show!
Anna Smith is a sophomore at Sarasota High School and this is her second year in the SHS Theatre Program. She is very excited to be a part of this show and would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her.
Bree Abbott is a senior at Sarasota High School and is proud to say this is her 4th year in theatre. You may have seen her in other productions such as Annie, Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, and White Christmas, and she is thrilled to be a part of this production of The Last Broadcast. She would like to thank her cast mates, crew mates, and Ms.K for all the hard work each and every single one of them have put into this show, and for the love and support that they have shown her.
Colton Root is a senior at SHS and he is ecstatic to be returning to the stage for the first time this year. He was last seen playing General Waverly in White Christmas. He would like to thank his friends, teachers, and family for their amazing support!
James Mayer is a freshman at SHS. This is his first show with the SHS theatre program. He was last seen as George Bank’s in Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences production of Mary Poppins.
Kara Ashby cannot be more excited to be performing in The Last Broadcast. This is Kara's third year in the SHS Theatre department, and she has previously been seen in, Radium Girls and Disney's Beauty and the Beast as ensemble and Irving Berlin's White Christmas as Rhoda. Kara would like to thank her family for being there for every moment, her cast and crew for being amazing and wonderful people, and Ms. K for writing an amazing show that she can be a part of.
Maegan Durinzi is a Senior at Sarasota High and has been performing with the Sarasota High Theatre department for four years. She has been on stage for the following shows: Safe Keeping, Annie, Radium Girls (Mrs. Fryer), Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and if not for the pandemic, Mamma Mia! (Rosie Mulligan). She is thankful for this wonderful and hard-working cast, crew, and, director, as well as her family, friends, and her trusted viola and water bottle!
Maria Urbina is a senior at SHS and has spent 3 years in the SHS theater program. This is Maria’s first on stage performance. She has done crew for Beauty and The Beast and White Christmas. She would like to thank her family, friends and Ms. k for all their support!
Nicholas Egan is a junior who has performed with the SHS Theatre Department for the past three years, with notable roles including Bob Wallace in White Christmas and Maurice in Beauty and the Beast. Nicholas would like to thank his family, his castmates, and his director, Ms. Knispel.
Olivia Gregg is a freshman at Sarasota High School. This her first performance at SHS. She was last seen as The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Olivia would like to thank her amazing family and friends for supporting her.
Sean Orenstein is a sophomore at SHS. He was last seen in Mamma Mia (Eddie) and West Side Story (Big Deal). he would like to thank Ms. K, for supporting him since he started theatre at SHS.
Siobhan Boyle is a senior this year who has been a part of Sarasota High School's theater program for all four years. Siobhan has also been involved in other productions at the Player's Centre for the Performing Arts like Will Rogers Follies and Singin' in the Rain. She is grateful to be able to do theatre again and make more memories with her theater family. Siobhan would like to thank her supportive parents and the amazing Lacey Knispel for all the love they have given throughout the years!
Torin Tracy is a junior at Sarasota High School. He was last in the cast of Mamma Mia! and is happy to be part of this production.
THANK YOUS
The cast and crew of "The Last Broadcast" would like to thank their peers who worked tirelessly the past few months to clean and organize the backstage areas. Thank you to the the stagecraft class and others who helped with the set, and Mr. Kolowith and Mr. Boyle for building it. Thank you to the boosters for all of the support. We would never be able to do this without Mrs. Graham and her never ending devotion to this program- thank you for everything!
"The Last Broadcast" will be recorded for livestreaming on Thursday, December 17, thanks to Melissa Dweck and Brad Scully, and the talented TV production students. Please check out Knack for That Productions on YouTube and at http://knackforthatproductions.com/.
A Note From the Director:
"What is a radio play?"
It's a question I've received many times over the past few months. To simplify, a radio play is a play that takes place within the context of a radio show. You, our patrons, will be taking on the role of "studio audience", but you also have the unique privilege of witnessing the radio show performers arrive to work, the chaos that ensues, and the beautiful moments that always happen once a show is closed. We invite you to suspend your disbelief for the next hour and ten minutes, and give in to this idea.
Allow me to set the stage for you.
Our show tonight is set in 1950... something... at the end of the Golden Age of Radio and the beginning of a new Golden Age- Television. Our characters are simple people, really. A group of performers who are dedicated to their craft, but find themselves at a turning point in history. How do they pivot and continue to grow and be successful as a new artform is taking over? For many of them, they have navigated this change just fine. For poor Walter, the owner of WEVN, it's a little more complicated.
Tonight is that last show for this small little station in East Village NYC. Tomorrow, the doors will be closed, and the dials will be turned off forever. What on earth will Walter do now? His entire life has been dedicated to his art, and now, it's just... gone.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Back to reality (unfortunately). Broadway has been dark for almost ten months. An American institution that was alive and living, and wouldn't close even for a blizzard. Dark.
Beloved local theatre houses have also been dark. Some are on the brink of closing forever as well.
It feels hopeless.
And this is where we were inspired to write this play. In this moment right now. With you, our families and friends, sitting spread out throughout a quiet auditorium, or in your living rooms, trying your best to support the future of student performance, in a time where all hope feels lost.
Here's the thing, though- we know our history. Well, theatre history, at least. And what it's taught us is that this institution has lived on through great trial and despair, throughout time, and with great tenacity and perseverance. We know what poor Walter does not- this has not been in vain. Performance, art, music, theatre, dance- it is never a waste of time. We will continue creating art.
Thank you for being here and supporting us. We hope you enjoy this story we've created. Please continue to support the arts in our school and our community as much as you can.
Sincerely Grateful,
Lacey Knispel
(In order of appearance)
CHARLOTTE TILDEN................................... Olivia Gregg
WALTER WILHELM...................................... Nicholas Egan
EDDIE BERSTEIN ......................................... Torin Tracy
ROSEMARY WILHELM .............................. Maria G. Urbina
MARGARET WILLIAMS .............................. Bree Abbott
LINDA MOORE ............................................... Kara Ashby
MELVIN THOMPSON .................................. James Mayer
SHIRLEY SMITH ............................................. Anna Smith
BEVERLY SMITH ............................................ Siobhan Boyle
JANET STEWART ........................................... Anja Schwartzbauer
FRANKIE HERNANDEZ ............................. Sean Orenstein
JIMMY WILLIAMS ......................................... Colton Root
MS. KESSLER .................................................. Maegan Durinzi
Written and Directed by Lacey Knispel
Technical Director: Norbert Serres
Student Director: Maegan Durinzi
Stage Manager: Mia Scneider
Assistant Stage Manager: Rupie Keil
Hair and Costume Design: Dana Zolla
Hair and Makeup Assistant: Natalia Aguirre
Properties Manager: Alexandria Maulfair
Sound: Tyler Isaacson
Lights: Riley Jenkins
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Anja Schwarzbauer is a sophomore at Sarasota High School. You may have seen her as Susan in SHS Theatre’s production of White Christmas in 2019. She is thrilled to be back on the stage and feels overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to enjoy something she missed dearly over quarantine! Anja would like to thank her wonderful family and the fantastic cast and crew, as well as Ms. Knispel, who pulled this show together and has directed everyone with so much love and care. Enjoy the show!
Anna Smith is a sophomore at Sarasota High School and this is her second year in the SHS Theatre Program. She is very excited to be a part of this show and would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her.
Bree Abbott is a senior at Sarasota High School and is proud to say this is her 4th year in theatre. You may have seen her in other productions such as Annie, Radium Girls, Beauty and the Beast, and White Christmas, and she is thrilled to be a part of this production of The Last Broadcast. She would like to thank her cast mates, crew mates, and Ms.K for all the hard work each and every single one of them have put into this show, and for the love and support that they have shown her.
Colton Root is a senior at SHS and he is ecstatic to be returning to the stage for the first time this year. He was last seen playing General Waverly in White Christmas. He would like to thank his friends, teachers, and family for their amazing support!
James Mayer is a freshman at SHS. This is his first show with the SHS theatre program. He was last seen as George Bank’s in Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences production of Mary Poppins.
Kara Ashby cannot be more excited to be performing in The Last Broadcast. This is Kara's third year in the SHS Theatre department, and she has previously been seen in, Radium Girls and Disney's Beauty and the Beast as ensemble and Irving Berlin's White Christmas as Rhoda. Kara would like to thank her family for being there for every moment, her cast and crew for being amazing and wonderful people, and Ms. K for writing an amazing show that she can be a part of.
Maegan Durinzi is a Senior at Sarasota High and has been performing with the Sarasota High Theatre department for four years. She has been on stage for the following shows: Safe Keeping, Annie, Radium Girls (Mrs. Fryer), Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, and if not for the pandemic, Mamma Mia! (Rosie Mulligan). She is thankful for this wonderful and hard-working cast, crew, and, director, as well as her family, friends, and her trusted viola and water bottle!
Maria Urbina is a senior at SHS and has spent 3 years in the SHS theater program. This is Maria’s first on stage performance. She has done crew for Beauty and The Beast and White Christmas. She would like to thank her family, friends and Ms. k for all their support!
Nicholas Egan is a junior who has performed with the SHS Theatre Department for the past three years, with notable roles including Bob Wallace in White Christmas and Maurice in Beauty and the Beast. Nicholas would like to thank his family, his castmates, and his director, Ms. Knispel.
Olivia Gregg is a freshman at Sarasota High School. This her first performance at SHS. She was last seen as The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Olivia would like to thank her amazing family and friends for supporting her.
Sean Orenstein is a sophomore at SHS. He was last seen in Mamma Mia (Eddie) and West Side Story (Big Deal). he would like to thank Ms. K, for supporting him since he started theatre at SHS.
Siobhan Boyle is a senior this year who has been a part of Sarasota High School's theater program for all four years. Siobhan has also been involved in other productions at the Player's Centre for the Performing Arts like Will Rogers Follies and Singin' in the Rain. She is grateful to be able to do theatre again and make more memories with her theater family. Siobhan would like to thank her supportive parents and the amazing Lacey Knispel for all the love they have given throughout the years!
Torin Tracy is a junior at Sarasota High School. He was last in the cast of Mamma Mia! and is happy to be part of this production.
THANK YOUS
The cast and crew of "The Last Broadcast" would like to thank their peers who worked tirelessly the past few months to clean and organize the backstage areas. Thank you to the the stagecraft class and others who helped with the set, and Mr. Kolowith and Mr. Boyle for building it. Thank you to the boosters for all of the support. We would never be able to do this without Mrs. Graham and her never ending devotion to this program- thank you for everything!
"The Last Broadcast" will be recorded for livestreaming on Thursday, December 17, thanks to Melissa Dweck and Brad Scully, and the talented TV production students. Please check out Knack for That Productions on YouTube and at http://knackforthatproductions.com/.
A Note From the Director:
"What is a radio play?"
It's a question I've received many times over the past few months. To simplify, a radio play is a play that takes place within the context of a radio show. You, our patrons, will be taking on the role of "studio audience", but you also have the unique privilege of witnessing the radio show performers arrive to work, the chaos that ensues, and the beautiful moments that always happen once a show is closed. We invite you to suspend your disbelief for the next hour and ten minutes, and give in to this idea.
Allow me to set the stage for you.
Our show tonight is set in 1950... something... at the end of the Golden Age of Radio and the beginning of a new Golden Age- Television. Our characters are simple people, really. A group of performers who are dedicated to their craft, but find themselves at a turning point in history. How do they pivot and continue to grow and be successful as a new artform is taking over? For many of them, they have navigated this change just fine. For poor Walter, the owner of WEVN, it's a little more complicated.
Tonight is that last show for this small little station in East Village NYC. Tomorrow, the doors will be closed, and the dials will be turned off forever. What on earth will Walter do now? His entire life has been dedicated to his art, and now, it's just... gone.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Back to reality (unfortunately). Broadway has been dark for almost ten months. An American institution that was alive and living, and wouldn't close even for a blizzard. Dark.
Beloved local theatre houses have also been dark. Some are on the brink of closing forever as well.
It feels hopeless.
And this is where we were inspired to write this play. In this moment right now. With you, our families and friends, sitting spread out throughout a quiet auditorium, or in your living rooms, trying your best to support the future of student performance, in a time where all hope feels lost.
Here's the thing, though- we know our history. Well, theatre history, at least. And what it's taught us is that this institution has lived on through great trial and despair, throughout time, and with great tenacity and perseverance. We know what poor Walter does not- this has not been in vain. Performance, art, music, theatre, dance- it is never a waste of time. We will continue creating art.
Thank you for being here and supporting us. We hope you enjoy this story we've created. Please continue to support the arts in our school and our community as much as you can.
Sincerely Grateful,
Lacey Knispel