BRIEF CHRONICLE, BOOKS 6-8
BY AGNES BORINSKY
Directed by Blake Harris*
CAST (in order of appearance)
Stage Directions- Marcus Patrick Ellsworth
Julian- Cody Keown
Mom/Mia- Kashun Parks
DT- Jake Cash
Marching Band- Katey Dailey*
Choreographer: Mattie Waters of The Pop-Up Project
Technical Director & Lighting Designer: Alex Miller-Long*
Scenic Designer: Eli Smith
Costume Designer: Blake Harris
Sound Designer: Robert Noah Seaman
Prop Designer: Jessie Wright*
Stage Manager: Caitlin Grammer
Assistant Director: Helia Quhite*
Associate Costume Designer: Madelaine Burgess
Front of House Manager & Social Media: Lauren Mund**
Public Relations: Jake Cash
Promotional Videos: Jacob Cagle
Promotional Photos: William Johnson
Associate Artistic Director: Grace Holtz*
Volunteer Coordinator: Anna Taylor*
Technical Assistants: Ella Harris, Zayda DeJong, Logan Jaques
Board Operator: Ella Harris
Costume Assistant: Courtney McKenzie
SEASON TWO PRODUCERS
Marcia Noe, Anonymous, Cumberland County Playhouse, Kevin Faragher, Ashley Jones & Dylan Alexander, Johnathan Lewis, Coltyn Parks, Alice Smith, Sally & Randy Taylor, Alexander Walker, and Claudia Wit
UTC STUDENT VOLUNTEERS**
Jackie Box, Sadie Collins, Dyna DeMerritt*, Sebastian Gallanto, Noah Fernandez, Samantha Goe, Lauren Hamaker, Lauren Mund, Kat Wilcox-Chelimsky
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
Caroline Gikas, Sam Fort, Megan Foster, Rebecca Morrison
SPECIAL THANKS
Dean Pamela Riggs-Gelasco, Steve Ray, Larry Brick, Jacob Cagle, Kimberly Rawlston
SPECIAL FUNDING
This production is partially funded by the ArtsBuild’s Community Cultural Connections Grant. The grant program “strives to make arts and culture more accessible to underserved populations in Hamilton County, Tennessee: geographic, ethnic, age, and individuals with disabilities.”
We are thrilled to be recognized and supported by ArtsBuild. Thank you!
PLEASE NOTE
There is no intermission for this performance; the show runs for approximately 90 minutes.
Please silence your cell phones.
No photography or recording of any kind is allowed inside the theater.
WARNING: This show utilizes FLASHING LIGHTS. Please be aware if you are sensitive to lights and speak to an Obvious Dad rep if you have any questions or concerns.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Soft Animal, Maria Alexander, Jessica Barker, Jackie Box, Dan Buck, Amalia Butler, Debbie Byrd, Cynthia Cagle, Tony Camilleri, Halle Camilleri, Caitlin Case, Courtenay Cholovich, Deanna Director, Noah Fernandez, David Ferrier, Sam Fort, Robbin Friedman, Lisa George, Caroline Gikas, Caitlin Grammer, Tom & Miffer & Justine Griffin, Kat Harrison, Adam Haskew, Karen Henderson, Vivian Hershey, Stephanie Hirsh, Jennifer Holder, Jim Holtz, Brooke Howard, Sarah Jackson, Beverly Johnson, Brianna Jones, Miranda Kahn, Gretchen Kolderup, Emma Korstanje, Patty Lanious, Kathryn Love, Catherine Mantooth, Andrew McCarthy-Clark, Sandra Miller, Angela Milliken, Elyse Newland, Amanda Norris, Yonit Olshan, Suzanne Overbeck, Rebecca Owens, Lindsey Pelton, Laura Peter, Kiyoko Puca, Jaimi & Corey Remillard, Audrey Roetman, Marylin Sage, Rachel Shannon, Nicholas Smerkanich, Kayla Stampfli, Ashley Streichert, Lesa Tap, Cooper Tidwell, Thomas Wiegand, Katie Williams, Jonathan Wilson, Casey Woods, and Pam Wright
BIOGRAPHIES
Jake Cash, DT (he/him) is thrilled to be working with Obvious Dad for the first time. Originally from Chattanooga, Jake graduated from Lee University in 2020 where he completed a theatre minor and performed in five productions including Cyrano De Bergerac, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and A Doll's House Project - a modern take on Ibsen's classic work. He has also participated in dozens of student films and independent projects and he loves improv.
Katey Dailey, Marching Band (she/her) graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a master’s in public administration (MPA) and a bachelor’s in Theatre. In undergrad, she performed in shows like The Wolves, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and The Laramie Project. Theatre was Katey's first and only passion, and it began at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN through internships, performances, and backstage work. During her time living in Chattanooga, she has been lucky to work with and meet other nonprofit advocates in the community. She currently works at Girls Inc., previously working at ArtsBuild and the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Her work in the nonprofit sector has taught her how crucial nonprofits are to Chattanooga; nonprofits' educational, charitable, and collaborative functions are necessary to developing a strong community. She strives to keep theatre relevant, bold, and interesting for everyone who would like to witness it. She feels happy to be able to combine the two things she loves most for Obvious Dad.
Cody Keown, Julian (he/him) is so excited to be working with Obvious Dad! He is a proud graduate of the Professional Actors Training Program at Chattanooga State and has gotten to travel and perform with various theatres, theme parks, and cruiselines throughout the years. Cody has been a part of various productions around the Chattanooga area in the past and hopes you keep an eye out for him in the near future.
Marcus Patrick Ellsworth, Stage Directions (he/they) is a New Orleans native Marcus Ellsworth who first came to Chattanooga in 2001 to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has been organizing events behind the scenes and in the spotlight for over a decade. They are currently a Program Manager with River City Company. Prior to joining the River City Company team, he was the Artistic Managing Director for Barking Legs Theater, and before that, he was a journalist for MTV News. He served as President of Tennessee Valley Pride for several years, worked in Haiti to help arts communities there after the 2010 earthquake, and has been a host and contributor for several podcasts as a journalist and poet/voice artist. His eclectic background and the connections he has made over the years inform his ongoing work to make meaningful experiences that bring people together.
Kashun Parks, Mom/Mia (She/her) is making her debut on the Obvious Dad stage. Kashun has earned her MBA in HR Management and BS in Theatre. Her most recent work has been with Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, where she appeared as Sugar in Precious Little Things, and with Scenic City Shakespeare, where she appeared as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing presented fully online. She directed 5 shows as part of Ensemble theatre’s 10x10x10 play festival online. Some of her favorite past characters include Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Lauren in The Regifters, Tituba in The Crucible, and Senator Fipp in Urinetown. She is forever grateful to Marvin, Mikel, Imari, and Makori for supporting her dreams.
Agnes Borinsky, Playwright (she/they) is a writer and artist who has collaborated on all sorts of projects in basements, backyards, gardens, circus tents, classrooms, bars, and theaters. Selected plays include A Song of Songs (Bushwick Starr & El Puente), Ding Dong It’s the Ocean (Rady&Bloom), Brief Chronicle, Books 6-8 (i am a slow tide), and Of Government (Clubbed Thumb). She lives in Los Angeles.
Blake Harris, Director (he/him) is a theatre director and instructor, focusing in directing, devising, analysis, and gender + theatre. He is currently the Artistic Director of Obvious Dad and an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Salisbury University. He previously taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles, CA, and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is interested in dismantling systemic social nonsense through his work. His recent shows include Mamma Mia! (SU), The Hairy Ape (OD), the Chattanooga premiere of Clare Barron’s You Got Older (OD), the virtual/live production of The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel (SU, performed at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival), the regional premiere of Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. by Alice Birch (UTC), No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre (Lee Strasberg Institute), Tartuffe by Molière (UTC), When We Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem (The Sixty-Six Theater). He received his MFA from CalArts in Theatre Directing and BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from UTC. See his work and upcoming projects at www.tbharris.com or his Instagram @blakedoesplays.
Mattie Waters, Choreographer (she/her) Mattie Waters is a life-long performer and producer. She has studied and performed in the theatre since the age of seven and has worked professionally as a dancer and actor since 2006. She was contracted as an in-house actor for Mill Mountain’s equity theatre in Virginia in 2006-07. In 2008, She received her BA Honors in Theatre Arts from the University of Manchester London, England. After which, she moved to New York City where she was a company member with Chicago City Limits and a resident producer at a speakeasy in the East Village. After moving back to her hometown of Chattanooga, TN, Mattie co-founded the performing arts production non-profit, The Pop-up Project, in Chattanooga, TN. Since its inception, she has co-produced and directed over 30 performance art productions and 12 short films that provided fair wage opportunities for over 150 artists. In 2020, she co-wrote and directed the full-length feature, “The Light We Share.”
Alex Miller-Long, Technical Director and Lighting Designer (she/her) is a freelance designer, assistant, and technician currently based out of Chattanooga, TN. She graduated with her MFA in lighting design from the University of California at San Diego, and graduated summa cum laude from UTC in 2013 with her BA in Theatre. In recent years, Alex has worked in both design and production for various companies, including: The Public Theater (NYC, New York), The White Heron Theatre Company (Nantucket, MA), Chautauqua Theatre Company (Chautauqua, NY), La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, CA), Williamstown Theatre Festival (Williamstown, MA), and the La Jolla Symphony (San Diego, CA). She currently teaches in the Humanities Department at Chattanooga State. Her work can be seen at: www.alexmillerlong.com.
Eli Smith, Scenic Designer (they/them) is a visual artist and scenic designer from Long Island, New York. They received their bachelor’s degree in Physics from the State University of New York at Geneseo and MFAs from CalArts in Collaborative Performance and Art & Technology. Eli’s current work explores the psychology of precarity through transformative landscapes of potential violence. Past collaborative projects include Lew Klahr's experimental film Hearse, Edgar Arcenaux's performance art piece Until, Until Until…, and Nataki Garrett's devised work, The Carolyn Bryant Project. Their ongoing, interactive installation performance Talent Show, recently appeared at The REEF as part of Hannah Varamini and Brd’s curational project “Love’s Remedies.” They were an artist in residence at CultureHub LA from 2019 to 2020 and their in-progress, multi-media installation Elevator Music was conceived and developed during that time. Eli’s immersive environment, “Today Is Your Birthday,” appeared at ArtCenter’s DTLA and is still available for online viewing.
Robert Noah Seaman, Sound Designer (he/him) is a full-time student double-majoring in Theatre and Psychology with minors in Studio Art and Deaf Studies. This is his first production working with Obvious Dad. This past year, Noah served as President of Alpha Psi Omega at his university where he has also Sound Designed for productions such as Last Train to Nibroc and When She Had Wings, the latter of which earned him a top-five placement in the South-Eastern Theatre Conference's annual design competition. Noah also recently produced, directed, and starred in his own one-man, queered adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper. During his time in college, he has worked on 14 different productions, filling roles from cast, crew, stage management, directing, and writing. Noah hopes to eventually pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Directing.
Jessie Wright, Props Designer (she/her) made her theatrical debut with a lip-synced, ASL-interpreted performance of "I Believe I Can Fly" sometime in the mid-90s, on a small stage at a Jackson, TN, summer camp. Years later, she graduated from UTC in 2012 with a B.A. in Communication and minor in Theatre. She then worked at ArtsBuild, a private, non-profit united arts fund in Chattanooga, and returned to her alma mater in late 2015 to work in university development and fundraising. Throughout this time, she served as Company Manager for Theater for the New South and has remained active in Chattanooga's creative scene (mostly as a fan but occasionally as a participant). Most recently, Jessie was the Office Manager for the Department of Performing Arts at UTC. She loves bold statements in both art and life, humor in all forms, and making theatre with her friends. Jessie and her very cute dog Biscuit live in North Chattanooga.
Caitlin Grammer, Stage Manager (she/her) is a first-time stage manager for Obvious Dad. Caitlin’s credits include associate directing The Magic Flute at Covenant College, directing Gruesome Playground Injuries and Permanent Collection at Lamar University and The Boor at Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as stage managing La Lunette d’Approche for Aimed Dance Company and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Vertical Hour, and The Importance of Being Earnest at Lamar University. Caitlin loves theatre that causes you to think differently about something you previously thought you understood. When she isn’t at work, she can usually be found reading a book.
Helia Quhite, Assistant Director (she/they) is a returning volunteer from two previous Obvious Dad shows, You Got Older and Gruesome Playground Injuries, as stage manager. She is very excited to step into the role of assistant director for Brief Chronicle Books 6-8. Helia graduated from UTC in 2020 where she assistant directed Antigone and The Wolves, and stage managed Art. She also assistant directed while stage managing a locally written and produced play, Steel Toes and Hired Hands by Peggy Douglas. Recently she was stage manager for Little Women at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Helia also spends her time working with the Tivoli Theatre Foundation and UTC’s Arts-Based Collaborative. Plus she is thrilled to be a recent addition to the Obvious Dad team!
Madelaine Burgess, Associate Costume Designer (she/they) is excited to be working with Obvious Dad and looks forward to joining in more productions in the future. Madelaine has a diverse theatre background doing everything from props to costumes to directing. They graduated from Lee University in 2020 where she directed Brilliant Traces, worked as a student prop master, and was a carpentry T.A. Most recently she worked as the Props and Paint Supervisor at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida.
Grace Holtz, Associate Artistic Director (she/her) has been involved in performance for the last thirteen years. She has worked alongside Blake Harris, Jessie Wright, and Alex Miller-Long during the Theatre for the New South days, and picked it up in 2018 with Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. She was last seen in Obvious Dad’s Gruesome Playground Injuries as Kayleen. Other OD shows include performing in You Got Older as Mae and costume designing Ghosts and The Hairy Ape. Grace was co-producer for Chattanooga’s first all-female comedy show, Once a Month, and collaborated with Chattanooga Girls Rock for two years teaching young people the tricks and trades of stand-up comedy. She has also been involved with a local advertising agency, Humanaut, fulfilling art assistant freelance and accomplishing two voice-over jobs, West Elm and Suja Juice. Grace is the Associate Artistic Director of Obvious Dad.
Anna Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator (she/her) grew up in the theatre but was raised by books. After being absent from the stage for over a decade, Anna is delighted to step back into the theatre with Obvious Dad. She stage managed OD’s production of The Hairy Ape and recently performed in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s production of Little Women. She received her BA in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago with focuses in voice, dresser, and children's musical theatre. Favorite roles include LITTLE WOMEN (Beth); MEET ME IN ST LOUIS (Esther); and YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Snoopy). After undergrad, Anna moved to Manhattan to work for the New York Public Library while also finishing her Masters in Library Science at San Jose State University. Now a professional public librarian, Anna's wide range of accomplishments include serving on multiple national library committees, book reviewing for professional journals, consulting for children's publishers, and has been a conference presenter and college guest lecturer.
**UTC Student