The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

Of all the names that have been associated with the word traitor, Benedict Arnold, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Alger Hiss et al., none has been so synonymously linked as Judas Iscariot. Even his payoff, 30 pieces of silver, shares demeaning connotations in our lexicon. Is this Judas, the most notorious traitor, the most damnable soul, the most hated human in the Bible worthy of our bitter condemnation? Or did Judas get a bad rap. Enter Stephen Adly Guirgis, a brilliant, witty, former seminarian student to stir the proverbial pot.

The Epicurean Paradox is a trilemma attributed to the philosopher Epicurus, that explores evil in the world. Simply put, it states if God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnibenevolent (all-loving), why is there suffering in the world? Thus, if God is willing to prevent evil, but is not able to, then He is not omnipotent. If He is able, but not willing, then He is malevolent. If He is both able and willing, then why is there evil?

Judas becomes the pawn in this argument and given a chance at redemption in Guirgis’ drama. Was he the most vile man to walk the Earth, or was he the victim of circumstances far beyond his control. You be the judge!

On another note, I want to dedicate my work on this play to a mentor, a colleague and a seminal figure in the American/World theater…. Douglas Turner Ward. Doug was a writer, actor, director, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Negro Ensemble Company. NEC was my first NYC theater home and nurtured and helped hone the skills of countless craftspersons who have populated our industry for the past half century. From his groundbreaking plays “DAY OF ABSENCE” and “HAPPY ENDING”, his directing of “A SOLDIER’S PLAY” and “THE RIVER NIGER” in which he also starred, to his wealth of productions produced under the Negro Ensemble Company banner, he has earned a special seat in Pantheon of the theater masters.

You taught me well Sir. Rest in Power, you mighty warrior!

-ADI

The Cast (in alphabetical order)

Devyn Akers is a second year actor, in company 47, from Washington DC. Credits include Rimers of Eldridge (Robert), The Laramie Project (Jonas, Matt, Bill, News Reporter), A Raisin in the Sun ( Walter Lee), and Den of Thieves (Flaco). He would like to thank the entire cast and the stage management team for being so driven and getting theatre back to how it should be!

Tatiyana Alvarez is a third year student in the Purchase Acting Conservatory, from NE Washington, DC. Her past credits include Rimers of Eldritch, Our Town, Crowns, The Bluest Eye, and Tabula Rasa. She believes art is freedom and to explore and play within that freedom is one hell of ride that everyone should hop on. She would like to thank her amazing mother, family, talented ass company members, and few friends for helping her mold into the person she is today and a special shoutout to all her haters. 

Raphael Berglas

Abby Burris is a third year BFA actor from Greensboro, North Carolina. Purchase rep credits include: Marisol (Homeless ensemble and Young Woman), The Laramie Project (Reggie Fluty, Rebecca Hilliker, Waitress), and Civic Duty (The Sister-in-law). She would like to thank her friends, family, and especially the members of Company 46 for being constant sources of joy and inspiration.

Alyssa Carter is a third year BFA actor from Trinidad. Purchase Rep credits include: The Laramie Project. Her heart is filled with love and gratitude for those who continue to support and encourage her.

Noel Cifuentes is a third year BFA actor from The Boogie down Bronx, NY Purchase rep credits include Andy Paris in The Laramie Project, and Napkin in Amelia Bande’s original production of Eclipse. Their pastimes include gaming, photography, dancing, voice acting, and engaging conversation. Special thanks to all my mentors, peers, and family who have gotten me this far and above all else to god.

Nate Entz is a third year student in the BFA Acting Conservatory and has acted throughout his life in a variety of productions and is honored to be doing what he loves with such a wonderful company full of talented and devoted people. He would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers–though words fall short in expressing his love for them, or his gratitude for all they have given him.

Tatiana G. Graves-Kochuthara is a third year BFA actor from Queens, New York. Purchase Rep credits include Marisol (Voices/Homeless People) and Everything You Love (Panacea Touch). She sends all of her love to her mom, grandparents and friends for all of the love and support they give her. A very special shoutout to her grandfather, Milford Graves: I love and miss you endlessly, and I will continue to make you proud.

Megan Greco

Sean Kaufman (he/him) is a current third year student attending the Conservatory of Purchase for acting. He will be playing the role of Jesus in this production of Last Days Of Judas Iscariot. Prior credits include Manifest (NBC), Law and Order SVU (NBC), and Fen (Purchase Rep). He would like to thank his friends, family and cohort for endless support and inspiration.

Grace McCulloch is a third year BFA actor from Madison, New Jersey. Past Credits include Merry Wives of Windsor (Bardolph), Richard II (Lord Willoughby), and The Laramie Project. Grace wants to thank her family and friends for their constant support and love.

Corinne McLoughlin is a third year BFA acting major from Buffalo, NY. Past Purchase credits include: The Laramie Project (Doc) and Everything You Love (Cassie). Other credits include: Far Away (Joan) at Torn Space Theater, Rhinoceros (Waitress) at Subversive Theater, and Number the Stars (Kirstie) at Theatre of Youth. She would like to thank her loving company for being so consistent through this scary year and the amazing design tech team for holding it down.

Jaylon Jamal Mobley is a proud member of Acting Company 46 (Class of 2022). His most recent credits include Moises Kaufman’s The Laramie Project (Ensemble) and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights (Sonny). Now a rising senior, he has been fortunate enough to work directly with elder companies in recent years as well, being featured in Henry VI (Soldier). Anxious to shake off the last year and, naturally thereafter, the last four: Jamal is excited to work again with this beloved company of actor-artists in Stephen Adly Guirgis’ masterpiece play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

Darian Negron-Ortiz is a third year BFA Actor coming from Central Florida. Purchase Rep. Credits: the original devised work Eclipse (Skylight), as well as having performed in The Laramie Project (Rulon Stacey, Father Roger Schmidt). Other credits include In The Heights (Usnavi) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander). He would like to thank his family, friends and all the members of Company 46 for motivating him every step of the way. A special thank you to everyone who has ever supported him, even if they are no longer here to do so. Rest In Peace Daniel Mills, forever loved and missed.

Francis Pace-Nuñez is an actor from Sleepy Hollow, NY. His past credits include “Bambi” in Amelia Bande’s original production of Eclipse and “Homeless Ensemble” in Purchase Rep’s production of Marisol. Francis would like to thank his family, friends, and peers for always supporting him throughout the years, and the Purchase College Theatre Conservatory for pulling together as a team and creating a beautiful piece of theater during a pandemic. Lastly, he loves his Mama. If you would like to reach Francis, you can email fpacenunez@gmail.com or direct message him on Instagram at @frankyloverboii. Enjoy the Show!

Maklin Ramirez is a third year BFA actor at Purchase who was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador and raised in Houston, Texas. He was in Purchase’s virtual production of Eclipse as Sunset, in collaboration with Universidad Mayor in Chile. He’s grateful to perform as part of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and for his family, mentors, and everyone that has helped him be where he is today.

Vincent Szutenbach

Nikol Tsvetanova is a third year BFA actor from Dallas, TX. Purchase Rep credits include: Everything You Love (Jillian Mee) and The Laramie Project (Baptist Minister, Trish Steger, Shannon, Zackie Salmon). Other credits include As You Like It (Rosalind), Anna Karenina (Anna), and Cancelled/Postponed (Jenna). Much love and gratitude to her family, friends, and amazing fellow company members.

The Creative Team

Hannah Abramo (Scenic Designer) is a fourth year scenic designer from Dracut, MA. Her past credits include Right Behind You (SD), Bibles and Candy (SD), and Dialogues of the Carmelites (ASD). She would like to thank Andrew Bellomo for being such a great partner throughout this entire production!​

Andrew Bellomo (Scenic Designer) is a fourth year Scenic Designer from Victor, NY. His past credits include A People’s History of Looting (SD), Bastille Day (SD), The Wolves (ASD), The Brothers Size (ASD), Dialogues of the Carmelites (SA), and Mr. Burns (Props). He would like to thank his family, Austin, and close friends for all the love and support!

Jeanna DiPaolo (Costume Designer) is a fourth year costume designer from Averill Park, New York. She previously designed Bastille Day, was a Costume Design Assistant on A Bright Room Called Day and Earthquakes in London, and was the Wardrobe Supervisor for Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicci Opera. She would like to thank her family and friends for being an incredible support system this past year. Lastly she would like to dedicate this show to Ariel Bourke who continues to inspire her in everything she does.

Otto Martinian (Lighting Designer) is a fourth year theater design/technology BFA lighting designer from Elmont, New York. Design credits include: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Lighting Designer) and Bastille Day (Co-Sound Designer). Other credits include Fen (Assistant Lighting Designer). He would like to thank his parents for their continued love and support.

Preston Shelsta (Sound Designer) is a fourth year Lighting Designer from South Dakota. Some of his Purchase credits include Blood Wedding (Sound Designer) and Dance Nation (Lighting Designer). Preston would like to dedicate his work on this show to the memory of his friend Ariel Bourke.

Tiffanie Lane (Production Stage Manager) is a fourth year stage manager from Syracuse, NY. Her past credits include: Dialogues of the Carmelites (SM), Bastille Day (SM), Earthquakes in London (ASM), and Into The Woods (SM Intern) with Barrington Stage Company. She would like to thank her Mom and Dad for their love and support; this is all for them. Much love to the DT class of ’21.

Hannah Eckert (Technical Director) is a fourth year BFA theatre design/technology student from Ellenville, NY. Past SUNY credits include: Marisol (Production Flyman), A Bright Room Called Day (Production Flyman), The Wolves (Lead Technical Draftsman), and Earthquakes in London (Master Carpenter). She would love to thank her family for always supporting her through all of her endeavors.

Massimiliano DiMartino (Projection Designer)

A. Dean Irby is a New York City–based director, actor, and educator. In his distinguished career, which spans more than three decades, he has acted and directed on Broadway and Off Broadway, for the New York Shakespeare Festival, Negro Ensemble Company, Arena Stage, New Federal Theatre, and Crossroads Theatre, and at numerous regional and university theatres. He is the recipient of two Audelco Awards for his direction of the original production of Home for the Negro Ensemble Company and Boogie Woogie and Booker T. for the New Federal Theatre. Irby is also the former acting coach for The Cosby Show and has appeared in more than 30 television commercials.

In our teaching and art, the Conservatory values inclusiveness, equality, and excellence. Upholding all of our training is our aim to train and graduate citizen artists: multifaceted people with a strong sense of purpose in approaching an arts education.

What is a citizen artist? Citizen artists seek to discover how their unique voices can contribute to our world. They understand what it means to be an artist, and what they are here on earth to say and do and make.

The Conservatory trains future citizen artists in three degree programs:

+ BFA Actor Training. The BFA is an intensive professional training program offered to a highly select and diverse group of students. The professional training is anchored in four years of study in acting, voice, speech, and movement, complemented by offerings in dramatic literature and analysis, history of the theatre, stage combat, improvisation, mask work, acting for the camera, and the business of acting. As one of five schools in the Consortium of Professional Theatre Training Programs, Purchase is one of a handful of colleges in the world capable of training artists at this level—and of drawing a faculty from the ranks of professional theatre

+ BFA in Theatre Design/Technology. Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions

+ BA program in Theatre and Performance. From traditional theatre to cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, the theatre and performance major encourages creativity, intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and critical thinking. The core requirements combine scholarship and practice to provide students with a strong foundation in theatre history and dramatic literature, with mandatory stagecraft/production courses. Theatre and Performance majors are encouraged to expand the scope of their education by studying abroad, as well as pursuing coursework in other programs of study within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Purchase College