Actors Theatre of Indiana invites you the 2021-22 season wrap-up with the production of Working. From the book by Studs Terkel, adapted by Stephen Schwartz, Working is the examination of 26 people from all walks of life, proving that it’s more than just a job for the average working American.
Based on Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted: The schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the millworker, the mason and the housewife, just to name a few. Nominated for six Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age, featuring new songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia and James Taylor.
Meet the Cast
Adam Tran says he is excited to be back working with ATI. You may have caught him previously in Million Dollar Quartet or in Million Dollar Quartet, AGAIN! You may have also seen him in IRT’s You Can’t Take It With You, Summit Performance’s Silent Sky, or a myriad of productions in Cincinnati (including but not limited to his one-man show Mongrel, developed and produced at Know Theatre of Cincinnati). He’d like to thank Kelsey Leigh, who navigates this wonderfully strange existence with him with all the patience and wisdom of the Buddha. Cheers!
Allen Sledge brings years of training and performing with him to this production. Among these are his works in theatre, including The Wild Party and Ragtime with Footlite Musicals and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat with Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. His concerts include performing with Heather Headley: “Coming Home” Concert – Unity Choir in Fort Wayne. His training includes a BFA in Musical Theatre Chicago College of Performing Arts ’07.
Aviva Pressman is an actor, singer, clown, comedian, calligrapher, and medical educator. Her favorite credits include National Tour and Madison Square Garden productions of Rudolph the Musical, Amos & Boris at South Coast Repertory and, The Composer is Dead at Disney Concert Hall. She has an LADCC Award for Astro Boy and the God of Comics and an LA Weekly Award for Best Ensemble for Absolutely Filthy. Her solo show, DEADLIFT, has been produced in LA and Philadelphia to rave reviews. Aviva toured internationally with Amazon Prime as a singer/improviser for the show Good Omens. Her voice can be heard in anime, Netflix dubs, podcasts, commercials, and even toys.
Cynthia Collins has been a proud member of Actors Equity Association for over 30 years. Her credits include Off-Broadway, National & International Tours, Regional, Summer Stock, Dinner Theatre, Cruise Lines, Cabaret, film and TV. She is one of the Co-founders of ATI and now makes Carmel her home with her partner, Judy Fitzgerald. For more information on Collins, go atistage.org.
Don Farrell has more than 33 years under his belt working as a professional performer, with credits including Off-Broadway, Las Vegas, and Regional productions and guest soloist concerts with major national symphonies. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1992, Don’s credits include five world premieres and over 90 different productions. His Frank Sinatra cabaret All the Way has enjoyed sold out performances at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, and he and collaborator Terry Woods are creating their new Barry Manilow tribute show, One Voice. He is co-founder and Artistic Director of ATI, CEO of Crossroads Entertainment, and is a proud father of his wonderful daughter Elizabeth. He currently resides in Westfield.
Lillie Eliza Thomas says she is incredibly excited to make her ATI debut. Some Florida productions she has been a part of include Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls and as Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She received the Orlando Sentinel Critic’s Choice for Best Lead Actress in a Musical and for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and was noted as Orlando’s Theater Best of 2021 Leading Actress in a Musical. She is an Environmental Engineer in the Central Florida area and enjoys gardening and collecting plants. She expresses many thanks to her family and friends for the endless love and support, especially her mother and late father. For more information, visit LillieElizaThomas.com or follow her on Instagram @sillylillie1127.
Meet the Artistic Team
Director: Lysa Fox says she is excited to be with ATI for the first time. She is currently the Head of Musical Theatre at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and has an MFA in Acting and Directing from California State University, Long Beach. She is a native of Montana and has performed, directed, and choreographed extensively in that part of the country. She is a founding member of Venture Theatre in Billings, Mont., where she served as both the Education Director and Artistic Director before leaving the area in 2008.
Music Director: Paul Rigano is a Pianist, Musical Director, Composer and Arranger. He is currently working on Broadway on Funny Girl. He has also worked on The Music Man and West Side Story revivals. Regional works included Mamma Mia!, Dear Evan Hansen (Toronto), Legally Blonde, Forever Plaid and A Little More Alive. He was part of A Christmas Affair and was a pianist for Marvin Hamlisch’s 65th Birthday Celebration.
Choreographer: Carol Worcel has played in the National Broadway Tours of 42nd Street and Anything Goes. Regional credits include A Chorus Line, Annie and Godspell. She co-owns WorcelShepardProductions.com with directing/choreography credits including Sandi Patty’s Le Voyage, the NBA Pacer’s Pacemates, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Circle of Lights, IndyFringe, Beef and Boards, The Indy 500, as well as regional theatres, tours and opening ceremonies for national clients.
Production Stage Manager: This is Kevin Casey’s seventh season with ATI, his 46th year working in the professional theatre, and his 37th year as a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Out of almost 200 productions for which he has served as Production Stage Manager, some favorite shows include: A Chorus Line, 1776, Buddy, South Pacific, Sweeney Todd, Murder for Two and Cats. Kevin served as a member of the Executive Board of the National Stage Managers’ Association from 2013 to 2015.
Designers for Working include: P. Bernard Killian, Scenic Designer; Quinten James, Lighting Designer; Terri Moore, Costume Designer; Brianne Chalfant, Props Designer; and Barry Funderburg, Sound Designer.
*Please note: This show does contain mature themes. Also remember the policy at The Studio Theater is that masks are welcome but no longer required to attend events. Proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test result is no longer required.
Please go to ATIstage.org to order tickets or call the Center for the Performing Arts box office at (317) 843-3800.