by Christopher Durang

Laugh along with this dysfunctional family as they navigate sibling rivalry, personal reinvention and unexpected change. This bittersweet comedy is inspired by Anton Chekhov’s classic plays.

Theatre UCF Logo

Black Box Theatre

Michael Wainstein
Director of the School of Performing Arts

Julia Listengarten
Artistic Director

Bert Scott
Director of Production

Presents

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

 

by
Christopher Durang

 

With

 

 

Scenic Designers
Kate Jeffcott* and Tim Brown
Costume Designer
Sabrina Rizzo*
Sound Designer
Olivia Deiter

 

 Lighting Designer
Michael O’Brien*
Voice and Dialect
Rina Gjoka
Intimacy Coordinator
Michael D. Jablonski

 

Production Stage Manager
Marisa Figueras*
Production Manager
James Cleveland

Directed by
John Gardiner 

 

*Theatre UCF student


CAST

VANYA: Joey Fields*
SONIA: Lyndi Floyd-Sweet*
MASHA: Jane Sweeney*
SPIKE: Mason Materdomini*
NINA: Micah Brown*
CASSANDRA: Alessandra Almanza*
U/S VANYA: Charley Willoughby*
U/S SONIA:  Ellie Dolan*
U/S MASHA: Angelina DuBois*
U/S SPIKE: Eli Powell*
U/S NINA: Riley Woodall*
U/S CASSANDRA: Reymyah McGhee*

*Theatre UCF student

 


PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Managers: Savanah Schaller*, Hunter Clark*
Dramaturg: Kaylie Gingras*
Props Manager: Nicholas Salerno*, Jonas Winter*
Lighting Programmer: Lila McMorris*
Assistant Production Electrician: Melina Gonzales*
Light Board Operator: Victoria Elliott*
QLab Operator: Marcella Chambers*
Deck Crew: Finn Wilks*, Tyler Kennedy*, Kayla Watson*, Lea Hurd*, Samantha Lewis*
Wardrobe Supervisor: Zach Reinhardt*
Wardrobe Crew: Serenity Boffa*, Mia Freeman*, Marquis Stubbs*
Production Management PA: Caiden Talbert*
Tech PA: Candace Kinsel*
Production Assistants: Victoria Elliott*, Alex Battenfield*

Front of House

House Manager: Alexis Camina*
Ushers: Shelby Benson*, Arsheeya Garg*, Ashley Parks*, Ena Venturo*, Mallory Persons*, Victoria Vendryes*

Fall 25 BOX OFFICE

Box Office: Trinity Wortham*, Lara Martinez*, Jaxon Ryan*, Riley Woodall*, Charlie Vega-Franz*, Ella Zarrilli*, Tristen Mendoza*, Melodi Wheeler*, Frankie Benitez*, Reymyah McGhee*, Serenity Boffa*, Eli Powell*, Madison Rost*, Rio Elliot*, Luke Grzybowski*, Victoria Vendryes*, Jordyn Lockett*, Naje Gillespie*, Ava Buray*, Emma-Cate Davis*, Martina Cuarterola*, Alli Ayars*, Claire Shoemaker*, Shamara Tubbs*, Dimitri Ware*, Courtney Weeks*

Fall 25 SHOPS

Electrics Shop: May Gold*, Julia Borchers*, Brooke Ripley*, Kenneth Basulto*, Zachary Berman*, Elijah Scott*, Lyndi Floyd-Sweet*, Kristi Rivera*, Walker Mattson*, Owen Paugh*, Manny Rodriguez Mendoza*, Mickey Titus*, Samantha Mikolajczyk* , Harmony Conti*, Juliana Guida*, Allison Fowner*, Madeline Considine*, Lise Ruby*, Christian Perry*, Rhemyah McGhee*, Cruz Donovan*, Mara Acevedo*, Avery Boyer*, Isabella Commorato*, Phoenix Connick*, Sean Duggan*, Samuel Gomez*, Amira Green*, Ally Hagenbuch*, Jonane Jean-Marie*, Natalee Lupau*, Veronica McGrath*, Jordan Pescio*, Hannah Plemens*, Nyla Pollack*, Shelby Rice*, Vivian Riffe*, Riley Slater*, Robyn Tindall*, Aidan Ward* 

Scene Shop and Stagecraft Lab: Ivey Roberson*, Anna Varias*, Rex Maltby*, Jules Espinosa*, Rachel Goepferich*, Nuo Gjeloshaj*, Vincent Scallo*, Kathryn Mier*, Preetish Arjune*, Terrance Taylor*, Danielly Garcia*, Dani Garcia*, Baeta Mischker*, Avery Boyer*, Alyssa Catalano*, Marcella Chambers*, Gabriella Delgado*, Sean Duggan*, Allison Fowner*, Samuel Gomez*, Amira Green*, Xotchilth Gutierrez*, Jonanae Jean-Marie*, Natalee Lupau*, erica Moya*, Nyla Pollack*, Rehana Quadir*, Lucinda Robbins*, Riley Slater*, Robyn Tindall*, Aidan Ward*, Mara Acevedo*, Ella Amir*, Alex Battenfield*, Alaina Beaver*, Phoenix Connick*, Victoria Elliott*, Oliver Hadaway*, Abigail Ingram-Lawrence*, Candace Kinsel*, Dominick Mazzaro*, Sam Motley*, Laura O’Brien*, Jordan Pescio*, Hannah Plemens*, Abigail Reeves*, Vivian Riffe*, Mylka Rosado Ortiz*, Jonas Winter*, Hannah Silverstein*, Sevannah Clarington*

Sound Shop: Ivanamarie Roncevic*

Costume Shop: Sabrina Cervilla*, Nia Jenkins*, Veronica McGrath*, Aisha Bader-Ortega*, Sabrina Marks*, Andrea Morales*, Nora Rudmann*, Victoria Suarez*, Edward Casey*, Payton Zwierzchowski*, Lauren Cox*, Meghan Pierce*, Gabriela Mora*, Robyn Estrada-Bermudez*, Shayla Soto* , Aidan Ward*, AJ Morales*, Khalyah Liburd-Thompson*

Marketing and Department Student Assistants: Jasper Allen*, Ellen Dolan*, Mickey Titus*, Charlie Willoughby*, Jordan Stahler*

Audition Office and Audition/ Callback Managers: Addison Wood*, CJ Gray*, Aanya Holsinger*, Aurora Ulrich*, Renee Doty*, Jennifer Hardin*, Victoria Elliott*, Mara Acevedo*, Ella Amir*, Alex Battenfield*, Alaina Beaver*, Phoenix Connick*,  Abigail Ingram-Lawrence*, Candace Kinsel*, Laura O’Brien*, Jordan Pescio*, Hannah Plemens*, Abigail Reeves*, Vivian Riffe*, Mylka Rosado Ortiz*, Sydney Agliano-Brennick*, Taylor Appleford*, Elliott Bertrand*, Mia Boshoff*, Ethan Cabral*, Grace Caudill*, Hunter Clark*, Fredreka Cycholl*, Marisa Figueras*, Jazlyn Griffiths*, Ruby Hernandez*, Sara Jacobson*, Bella Llanes*, Odalys Lopez*, Elizabeth McDermott*, Mary McDermott*, Lila McMorris*, Chelsea Montes*, Matthew Patterson*, Zachary Reinhardt*, Vivianette Rivera-Rodriguez*, Lise Ruby*, Savanah Schaller*, Hannah Silverstein*, Caiden Talbert*, Chris Wilson*, Jonas Winter*

THEATRE UCF

Director of the School and Performing Arts: Michael Wainstein
Theatre UCF Artistic Director: Julia Listengarten
Director of Production: Bert Scott
Undergraduate Coordinator: Kristina Tollefson
Faculty Stage Management Advisor: Claudia Lynch
Faculty Designer/Advisor: Rob Siler, Vandy Wood, Tim Brown, Huaixiang Tan, Bert Scott
Faculty Dramaturg/Advisor: Dr. Tracey Brent-Chessum, Alyssa Barrack*
Faculty Music Director: Richard Crawley
Faculty Dialect/Speech: Rina H. Gjoka
Faculty Intimacy Choreographer: Michael D. Jablonski
Faculty Movement Advisor: Christopher Niess
Marketing Communications Manager: Jillian Sterritt
Marketing Coordinator: Katarina Monroe
Front of House/Box Office Manager: Imari Point-Du-Jour
Assistant Box Office Manager: River Banks
Production Manager: James Cleveland
Technical Director: Tramaine Berryhill
Assistant Technical Director: Tom Davis
Production Sound/Designer/ Design Advisor: Olivia Deiter
Production Electrician: Kevin Barkman
Costume Shop Manager: Allison Rexrode
Costume Workroom Supervisor: Cortnie Da Costa
Theatre UCF Artistic Associates: Leigh Green*, Ty Simons*

*Denotes Theatre UCF Student 


Joey Fields (Vanya) is a third-year BFA Acting major. He has been featured in Theatre UCF's Sweeney Todd (Beadle) and Rhinoceros (Old Gent). He was in MSU Summer Theatre's production of The Addams Family (Fester) and SpongeBob: The Musical (SpongeBob). He is the co-president of UCF's chapter of Alpha Psi Omega. He is a playwright, and his play, Murder at the Mirage Hotel, was staged at UCF Celebrates the Arts. @thejfields

Ellie Dolan (U/S Sonia) is a senior in the BFA Acting program, graduating in December. Her theatre credits include Theatre UCF’s Peter and the Starcatcher (U/S Molly), and Project Spotlight’s Irreverent! (Dinah), which performed at UCF Celebrates the Arts. After graduating, Ellie plans to work in theatre education as a drama teacher and drama coordinator for summer camps. www.elliedolan.com 

Riley Woodall (U/S Nina) is a third-year student in the BFA Acting program. She has been involved in Project Spotlight’s Murder at the Mirage Hotel (U/S Lisa Ann) and Project Spotlight’s Double Effect (The Angel). She is also the Secretary of Alpha Psi Omega’s Executive Board. Past theatre credits include Into the Woods (Florinda), Pride and Prejudice (Jane), and Fiddler on the Roof (Golde).

Alessandra Almanza (Cassandra) is currently a 2nd year MFA - Acting Candidate! Recently, she worked as an Assistant Director for Pegasus Playlab and worked on The Clean House (U/S Ana). She got her B.A. in Theatre Education University of Texas - RGV! Some of her show credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), As You Like It (Rosalind), She Stoops to Conquer (Kate Hardcastle), and Coriolanus (Sicinius)! Insta: @orlandomfaactors @alessandrasalmanza

Mason Materdominini (Spike) is a 3rd year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. You may have seen him in past Theatre UCF productions: Rent (Ensemble/ U.S. Benny) & Fiddler on the Roof (Bottle Dancer/ U.S Perchik). Professional Credits: SpongeBob the Musical (Slowburn Theatre Co.) Mary Poppins (New London Barn Playhouse), Sister Act (New London Barn /Playhouse), Hairspray (New London Barn Playhouse). Insta: masonmaterdomini

Micah Brown (Nina) is a fourth year Acting BFA. Her Theater UCF credits include La’Trice in Chicken and Biscuits as well as Kuroko and Spider in The Last Firefly. She has also worked as a stage manager on the Project Spotlight showing of Shaken, On the Rocks. After graduating, she plans to move to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue her acting opportunities. Insta: micah.celeste

Charley Willoughby (U/S Vanya) is third year BFA Acting major. His previous Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Ensemble/ U/S Kevin), Rhinoceros (Little Old Man), and The Last Firefly (U/S Boom) which also performed at the Dr. Phillips center.

Jane Sweeney (Masha) is a third year BFA acting student who is thrilled to be a part of the UCF Theatre Department! She has been in UCF productions such as The Clean House (Lane), The Prom (ensemble), The Last Firefly ( U/S Lightning) and Alpha Psi Omega’s production of Gruesome Playground Injuries (Kayleen). Instagram: janeksweeney

Angelina DuBois (U/S Masha) is a second year BFA Acting student. She has previously been seen in Murder at The Mirage Hotel (Lisa Ann) and Assistant Directed The Clean House. Instagram: angelinaadubois

Eli Powell (U/S Spike) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This is Eli’s theatre UCF debut. He has been a finalist for Minnesota’s Triple Threat program for the past two years. @eli.powell5678

Reymyah McGhee (U/S Cassandra) is a second year BFA Acting student at UCF. Some of her favorite previous roles include, Isabelle in Pocatello, Kayleen in Gruesome Playground Injuries, and Reymyah in Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. She would like to thank her family, friends and the people reading this for supporting the arts!

Lyndi Floyd-Sweet (Sonia) is a third-year transfer at UCF, majoring in Musical Theatre. Previous UCF credits include: Ensemble/ Fiddler on the Roof,  Lane US/ The Clean House, and Parent Ensemble/ The Prom. Lyndi is also the Artistic Director of Voicebox, a multi-award winning collegiate A Cappella group on campus. Thank you for supporting TheatreUCF artists! Instagram: @lyndifloyd

Marisa Figueras (Production Stage Manger) is a 4 year student in the BFA Stage Management Program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Imogen Says Nothing (Production Stage Manager), The Clean House (Lighting Programmer), and The Prom (Assistant Stage Manager). Professional credits include The Importance of Being Earnest and Steel Magnolias (Production Assistant) at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. https://mvf39742.wixsite.com/marisa-figueras

Hunter Clark (Stage Manager) is a 2nd Year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. He has been a PSM for Pegasus PlayLab’s Moments of Wonder, SM at UCF Celebrates the Arts, and a PA on Theatre UCF’s RENT. @orlandostagemanagers @huntergclark1418

Savanah Schaller (Stage Manager) is a 3rd year transfer in the BFA Stage Management program. Previous UCF credits include Imogen Says Nothing (Stage Manager), What’s In Store (Assistant Stage Manager), and UCF Celebrates the Arts 2024/25 (Stage Manager). Professional credits include at the Dr. Phillips Center Cinderella ( Stage Manager) with Park Maitland School and The Music Man: Concert (Stage Manager) with Central Florida Vocal Arts. 

Claudia Lynch (Stage Managers’ Advisor/ Show Crew Assignment Supervisor) Claudia is an Associate Professor and the Area Coordinator of the BFA in Stage Management. Claudia is the Theatre UCF Internship Coordinator, and Supervises the Theatre UCF Audition Office, and she is the Faculty Liaison for the Theatre UCF Professional Advisory Board. Credits include Broadway:  Rock of Ages, A Catered Affair, Company, Little Shop of Horrors; The Light in the Piazza, The Rivals, Dinner at Eight, Contact (at Lincoln Center Theater). Offbroadway:  Passion (at Classic Stage Company), Rock of Ages, and 9 Productions with NY City Center Encores! from 2013-2017; Regional:  Alley Theatre, The Old Globe Theatre, The Cleveland Playhouse, and Arena Stage. Graduate of SUNY Geneseo. Proud Member of Actor’s Equity Association.  Claudia is also the USITT Management Commissioner for Programming, an Actors’ Equity Outreach Presenter, and the Coordinator for the Connection Convention: College Edition; which helps students interested in studying Stage Management meet with Educators and programs around the country.  Claudia is the immediate past SM Coordinator for  KCACTF Region 4, and has served on the Board of The Stage Managers Association.  @OrlandoStageManagers

Michael O’Brien (Lighting Designer) is a fourth-year in the BFA Design Tech Program. Their previous credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Asst. Lighting Designer) and Rhinoceros (Programmer), their work on the latter also earned them an award at last year’s KCACTF Festival.

Alex Battenfield (Production Assistant) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management Program. This is his first Theatre UCF production and is excited to be an SM on UCF Celebrates the Arts in the spring. Professional Credits include Spelling Bee, Annie (Assistant Stage Manager) Five Guys Named Moe (Stage Manager), A Closer…Patsy Cline, Little Shop, and The Wizard of Oz (Production Stage Manager) at Peach State Summer Theatre.

Caiden Talbert (Production Manager PA) is a third year BFA Stage Management student at the University of Central Florida. Most recently, she was a Stage Manager on Rhinoceros. Additional UCF Credits: Pegasus Playlab’s What’s In Store (Production Stage Manager) The Prom (Production Assistant), UCF Celebrates the Arts (Stage Manager). Past credits include Kids Theatre Kamp’s Matilda Jr. (Stage Manager) and Calvary Theatre’s Cinderella (Stage Manager). @orlandostagemanagers

Candace Kinsel (Technical Production Assistant) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. This is her second show this semester with Theatre UCF! She was a Technical Production Assistant and Projectionist  for The River Bride. She has been a Stage Manager for productions of California Suite and Pocatello at Gulf Coast State College.

Through the genius of playwright Christopher Durang's writing, 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' is a play that is wonderfully self-aware.  Via the excellent usage of humor, the play openly plays with the faults and absurdities of the characters' situations to emphasize the important messages of family, nostalgia for the past, and hope for the future throughout the production.  The play incorporates call backs to and influences from the works of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, as well as Durang's own charmingly obscure references, absurdist twists, and worldly insights that allow the play to be a direct window into Durang's thoughts on humanity itself.  Though the characters may be flawed, they are all uniquely and beautifully human. We could all learn something from them, if we stop laughing long enough. So let us sit and watch for a while, and remember to always hope- both for their future and our own.
- Dramaturg, Kaylie Gingras