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Past recipients of the George Plautz Playwright Prize:
2024 - Elise Hanson, Craven
2023 - Lojo Simon, Freaks of the Cosmic Circus
All winners (thus far) have received a $500 cash tip and full production at the Regent Street Black Box at the Eccles, where Wasatch Theatre Company is a resident company. Will you be the 2026 recipient? Send your ideas to Jim Martin at [email protected].
2024 - Elise Hanson, Craven
2023 - Lojo Simon, Freaks of the Cosmic Circus
All winners (thus far) have received a $500 cash tip and full production at the Regent Street Black Box at the Eccles, where Wasatch Theatre Company is a resident company. Will you be the 2026 recipient? Send your ideas to Jim Martin at [email protected].
THE CAST
Svetlana - Annie Jones
Wesley - Caleb Ratelle
Olgivanna - Lisa Nicole Thurman
Joseph Stalin / Louis Fisher / Ensemble - Conner Kaiponui Webb
Yovanna/Ensemble - Julia Wihongi-Combs
Ensemble - Benjamin Salazar
Ensemble - Chelsea Dawn Francis
Ensemble - Alyssa Aramaki
Brandock/Ensemble - Angel Martinez
Ensemble - Isaiah Micah Stotesbery
Ensemble - Liz-Anne Wood
Brajesh - Karan Reddy
THE CREW
Production Company: Wasatch Theatre Company
Director - Remy Egan Talanoa
Music Director - Aioleoge Lesa
Assistant Director/Stage Manager - Lindsey Sampson
Choreographer - Lily Kocherhans
Costume Designer - Alicia Kondrick
Lighting Design: Riley Merrill
Sound Engineer: Emily Wayman
Prop Support: Spencer Ford
Lighting Board Operator: Jayden Martin
Special Thanks: Salt Lake City Arts Council, Salt Lake County Arts and Culture, the Zoo Arts and Parks Initiative
List of songs
Soviet Princess
Defect
Come to the Desert
Welcome (to Taliesin)
This Man
Son of the Architect
Intermission - 10 minutes
Matchmaker
Welcome (to the Family)
Communists
A Good Wife
This Gift
Welcome (to Wisonsin)
A Quiet Life
List of scenes
Act One
Scene 1 - The USSR
Scene 2 - Moscow
Scene 3 - A hotel room in India, 1967
Scene 4 - Svetlana's home in Princeton, New Jersey
Scene 5 - The airport in Phoenix, AZ
Scene 6 - Taliesin West
Scene 7 - Taliesin
Scene 8 - Che Louis, Scottsdale, AZ
Scene 9 - Taliesin
Scene 10 - Taliesin
Act Two
Scene 11 - Taliesin
Scene 12 - Taliesin, Svetlana's and Wes's room
Scene 13 - Taliesin, Svetlana's and Wes's room
Scene 14 - Taliesin East, Wisconsin
Scene 15 - Taliesin East, Wes's and Svetlana's room
Scene 16 - A hospital room in Wisconsin
Secen 17 - Taliesin East
Scene 18 - Taliesin East, Olgivanna's room
Scene 19 - Taliesin East, Svetlana's and Wes's room
Scene 20 - Svetlana's house/Taliesin West
Scene 21 - Taliesin, Wes's room
Scene 22 - Svetlana's home
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
“The performing arts have the power to open and change the hearts of those observing it. As audiences watch from the comfort of their seats they love, hate, and grow to understand the characters being portrayed. They begin to care about people they may have otherwise never met or had a conversation with. Because of this I believe the performing arts have the ability to bring together and heal communities in a way nothing else can. It’s our prerogative as audiences and artists to keep them alive and to present stories that soothe and challenge our beliefs. This story shows us a small insight into the effects of dictatorial rule on even one of the most privileged individuals during Joseph Stalin’s reign. It also shows us many human faults and yet among those the very human need for autonomy.”
Remy is excited for his directing debut after over 20 years performing on the stage. Remy has done many productions around Utah and the surrounding states. You may have seen him most recently as Ramses in Prince of Egypt at Hale Center Theater. Some other stages you may have seen him on include: West Valley Performing Arts, Hale Center Theater Orem, Centerpoint Legacy Theater, Pickleville Playhouse, The Grand Theater, and Playmill Jackson. Remy studied Musical Theater at Western Wyoming Community College, Modern Dance at the University of Utah, and Political Science at Utah State University. Remy has enjoyed getting to know Svetlana Alilluyeva’s story and hopes you enjoy getting to know her as well. Remy has always had a passion for what the performing arts can do for our world and communities, here are some of his thoughts:
A local actor and voice teacher, Aioleoge Lesa is thrilled to make his debut as a music director. His most recent local credits include Jethro in The Prince of Egypt and The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol with Hale Centre Theater where he will return to play Curtis in Sister Act and reprise his role in A Christmas Carol later this year. He studied at the University of Utah in the Vocal Performance program.
Spencer is a Utah-based writer for stage and screen. He seeks out stories that have never been told, taking inspiration from history, classic film, his own experiences, and the dark recesses of his mind. He firmly believes that, through story, human souls can connect with empathy and understanding, regardless of how different they seem.
Lindsey has been involved in Utah theater for 15 years and most recently designed the hair and makeup for Lehi Arts’ Matilda, Puffs, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When she’s not at rehearsal she enjoys working from home as a technology consultant and spending time with her delightful family. She’d like to thank Remy, Wes, and BJ for their support and love.
Emily has designed/run sound at Kensington Theatre, Draper Arts Council, Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, and now the Eccles Black box! She would like to thank Jon Kroff for teaching her all things sound.
Having grown up attending elite performing groups like Artistic Dance Project and SALT Contemporary Dance, Lily acquired her classical training for 14 years till she began to teach. She is nearing her fourth year instructing at Breakin Circles Dance Studio in Provo. Lily has won first place in the SHAPE choreography festival 3 consecutive times, and her pieces have been featured in the 4th of July parade 2 years in a row. Her most recent work was Little Women with Lehi Arts Center, which succeeded her choreography for Timpview High’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as their production of Little Women. Her love of theater has garnered her a career in choreography for the stage and she is thrilled to contribute her expertise and vision to Svetlana. Lily would like to thank her little brother, Rhone, for being her light and love.
Alicia is a resident designer at West Valley Performing Arts Center. Her recent designs include: Chorus line and The Play that Goes Wrong! She is happy to be working with such an amazing cast and directing team. Enjoy the show!
After a four-year hiatus—and a very generous invitation from this marvelous cast and crew—Caleb is thrilled (and only slightly out of breath) to be back on stage. He has performed with BYU’s Young Ambassadors and at Hale Center Theater Orem, and is humbled to now join the Wasatch Theatre Company family. Thanks for coming—enjoy the show!
Benjamin is thrilled to be performing with Wasatch Theatre Company. Benjamin has spent his time recently performing at Hale Centre Theatre in both The Addam’s Family and The Prince of Egypt. Other notable performing credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with Grand Performing Arts, Mary Poppins with Royal Theatre Academy, and Newsies with Draper Historic Theatre
Conner Kaiponui Webb is an polynesian Utah-based inspired playwright and performer! He is currently a Junior at Southern Utah University majoring in a BS Theatre Arts degree. Conner's favorite credits include Prince Of Egypt with Hale Centre Theatre, Christmas Story (The Old Man), The Spongebob Musical (Patrick Star) - Stansbury High School; Newsies (Finch/Darcy), The Wedding Singer, and Legally Blonde- The Empress Theatre; Cabaret (Victor), The Prom, Julius Caesar (Cobbler), and 219 (Playwright- His first produced show) - SUU; While at SUU, Conner has learned that sometimes in art you have to make your own opportunities. For example, he has made a Playwriting Club down at SUU with the help of his fellow student, Kira Wootton. And he is very proud of what they have been able to accomplish! He wants to thank his mother, his friends, and his found family for always supporting him.
Annie is excited to make her debut with Wasatch Theatre Company. Some of her recent performing credits include: A Chorus Line (Kristine/Judy) at West Valley Performing Arts and as an ensemble member in Jekyll and Hyde at West Valley Performing Arts, Kiss Me Kate at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, and Jekyll and Hyde at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre. When she is not performing you can find her on the climbing wall or watering her plants to sweet lullabies of progressive rock music.
Chelsea is thrilled to be a part of this world premiere production with Wasatch Theater Company! Some of her favorite credits include: Kira (Xanadu), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda), Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Kitty (The Drowsy Chaperone). Other credits include Walt Disney World Entertainment in Orlando, Florida, and Improvinators (Improv Troupe). When not performing, she works as a Corporate Event Specialist. She absolutely treasures every opportunity to tell stories onstage and is so grateful for the support from her friends and family!
Born and raised in Utah, Julia has always had a passion to perform. From 2022-2024 Julia appeared in multiple parades and shows across the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, including the re-opening production of Fantasmic. Some of Julia’s other favorite roles include Maria in West Side Story, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Ensemble in The Prince of Egypt. Julia would like to thank her husband for his limitless support and the wonderful team at Wasatch Theatre Company for this opportunity.
Alyssa studied acting and playwriting at Brigham Young University, where she also performed in the a cappella group Noteworthy. Favorite stage credits include An Ideal Husband (Gertrude Chiltern), Dancing at Lughnasa (Chris), and The Crucible (Rebecca Nurse). She has appeared in multiple new works and devised pieces, as well as several short films. Alyssa works as a voiceover artist, a vocal coach, and a mom of two toddlers.
Angel has been in the profession for over 10 years & would like to thank those who continue in supporting the arts. Aside from musicals, Martinez also spends much of his time as a Jazz singer for various retirement homes & finds it the most gratifying experience! If you would like to see about booking Angel for Jazz entertainment, visit(www.Linktr.ee/TheBoxiest)! "Thank you!"
Lisa (she/her) has a Theatre degree in Performing Arts from UVU. Favorite roles include Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off!, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Agnes in Dancing at Lughnasa, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.
Born and raised in Sandy, Utah, Isaiah is a senior acting student in the BFA program at Utah Valley University. After graduation, Isaiah plans on building a resume in local theater before moving out of state. Outside of performing, Isaiah enjoys computer programming, game development, and drawing.
Liz is so stoked to be able to work with Wasatch Theatre Company a second time! Her first time joining them was for the staged reading of Vivian, Sweet Vivian! Comprising the role of Clair turner. And now she has the pleasure to work with them in this production of Svetlana as part of the ensemble! Liz has been doing theatre since the age of 6, having been inspired by her parents and siblings. She has the most heartfelt gratitude for her amazing friends and wonderful family who has supported her, and helped her get to where she is today!
WTC Board of Directors
Sharon Daurelle
Hugh Hanson
Jim Martin
Katie Smith
Phillip Vernon
Sharon Daurelle
Hugh Hanson
Jim Martin
Katie Smith
Phillip Vernon
Coming next
Tickets on sale July 1:
August 11-16
plus readings from local playwrights about chosen and found family.
plus readings from local playwrights about chosen and found family.
August 29-September 6
Utah premiere! Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film release of JAWS!
Utah premiere! Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film release of JAWS!