Fucking A

This production of Fucking A contains blood and gore effects, gun violence, and a scene of sexual assault. It also contains discussion of abortion. Recommended for mature audiences.

Suzan-Lori Parks has written a truly arresting story which serves as both a mirror and a warning to what may happen to our society if we continue to support and tolerate systems and industries which devalue human life and human love. The message that the power of shame and fear may only be conquered with love and vulnerability, is subtly interwoven into every fiber of this play. F*ing A is a poignant reminder of the beauty of softness and our innate need for life, liberty, and happiness. So, I invite you to open your heart; be here, now; fully present and engaged. Because it is not too late for Freedom to be Free.

Thank you to my loving wife for her unwavering support and to my cast, crew, and the entire team for being awesome!

-Cezar Williams, Director 

CAST:

​Micah Abrams is a fourth year BFA actor from Montclair, New Jersey. Past Purchase Credits include Orestes (Apollo) Orpheus Descending (Sheriff Talbott) Our Town (Professor Willard/Man Among the Dead) and Road (Prof & Curt). He thanks the people in his life that have helped him grow, family, teachers, and friends. Follow the IG @themabrams #trusttheprocess.

Josh Boyce

Daniel Bravo is a Mexican-Dominican fourth year BFA actor from NYC. His credits include but are not limited to Stage Manager (Our Town), Val Xavier (Orpheus Descending), and Menelaus (Orestes). He wants to give a huge thanks to purchase alumni Brian D. Hills, Clara Bello, his parents, and stage management.

Jacquernst F. Filias is a fourth year Haitian born BFA Actor. His past credits include, Stacey in “Good Goods”, Eddie in “Road”, Dr Gibbs in “Our Town”. He thanks Cesar for the opportunity to play this role, he also thanks his amazing SM team and DT crew. He also thanks everyone involved in this production.

Daniel Madigan is a fourth year BFA actor from Bulgaria. Purchase Rep credits include: Road (Scullery), Orpheus Descending (Jabe), Orestes (Pylades) @manieldad.

Jamie McQuagge is a fourth year BFA actor from Miami, Florida. Her past credits at SUNY Purchase include Emily in Our Town, Claire in Road, Dolly in Orpheus Descending, and Hermione in Orestes. She thanks her family, friends, and Director, Caesar, for the support in this show. 

Isabella Rodriguez is a fourth year BFA actress from Buffalo NY purchase credits include: Our Town (Mrs.Webb), Road (Louise), Orpheus Descending (Lady Torrence), and Orestes (Tyndareus). Much love to her family and everyone who believed in her she’s eternally grateful.

Steven Rutledge (he/him) is a fourth year BFA actor from Brooklyn, New York. Purchase Rep credits include: Sweat (Evan), Our Town (Wally Webb/Constable Warren), Road (Jerry/Barry), and Good Goods (Waymon as Hunter Priestess. Other credits include A Few Good Men (Kendrick), Peter and The Starcatcher (Ted), and Legally Blonde (Emmett Forrest). He’s eternally grateful for this opportunity, and huge thanks to his friends, family, and everyone else who supports him!

Ryley St.Rose-Finear is a fourth year acting student and is so proud to start her last year off with Fucking A. Past credits include Our Town, Road, Orpheus Descending and Good Goods. Special thanks to my two moms for their constant love and support, and my sister she’s cool too.

CREATIVE & PRODUCTION:

Charrie Burke is a fourth year BFA dance major from Brooklyn, New York. 

Johnny Calabrese is a fourth year studio composition major from Utica, New York. Music directing credits include a Purchase original musical, Crystal Clear, and Fun Home through Brick 2 Theater Company. Some acting credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Rabbi), Legally Blonde (Carlos), and High School Musical (Troy Bolton). Many thanks to the cast/crew, his friends, and family!

Symone Denwood

Zach Dulny is a NYC based lighting designer. He loves collaborating on new work, having designed many new plays and musicals. Some of his recent credits include: An Axemas Story, DUAF, Transformation, Alt-Hamlet, Keeping Cozy with Kitten Solloway, Bringer Of Doom, Choices a Rock Opera, and many others. He works most frequently on Off and Off-Off Broadway, along with regional works. He thanks his friends, family, and teachers for helping him along his way.

David Fitzpatrick is a fourth year D/T lighting and sound designer from NYC. Purchase credits include Twelfth Night (Sound Designer & Composer) and The Attic (Assistant Lighting Designer). Endless thanks to the entire sound team for their incredible work and tenacity.

Sofia is a fourth year technical director/production manager. She was the production carpenter on Fefu and Her Friends, and the production flyman for Cyrano. She would like to thank her parents, especially her mother, for their endless support, and all her friends. Thank you to her love infinity repeating. 

Jeison Lenis-Lopez

Claire Linden-Dionne is a fourth year BFA stage manager. Purchase Rep credits include: Back County Crimes (PSM), Orpheus Descending (SM), Barbecue, Life is a Dream, Sweat, and Everybody (ASM). Many thanks to her family for all their love and support.

Luca Plitz is a third year theatre design and technology major with a concentration in scenic design from Chandler, Arizona. Purchase Rep credits include: Fucking A (props charge), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (props charge), Good Goods (assistant props charge), Orestes (assistant props charge), and Orpheus Descending (assistant paint charge). He thanks his family, friends, and wonderful partner who have been incredibly kind and supportive throughout his time here.

Michele Rohr is a fourth year costume designer/technician from St. Louis, MO. Purchase Rep credits include Good Goods (Costume Designer), Orpheus Descending (Costume Designer, Everybody (Assistant Costume Designer) and Henry IV Part I (Wardrobe Supervisor). A special thanks to her husband and children and the Purchase faculty who have supported her on this phenomenal career change journey.

Matilyn Tamplin is a fourth year theatre d/t student, with a concentration in scenic design. Purchase credits include Proud to Present (Asst. Scenic Designer), Henry IV (Asst. Prop Charge), Cyrano de Bergerac (Scenic Designer), and Twelfth Night (Asst. Scenic Designer). Many thanks to her family, friends, and cat, Anya! 

Cezar Williams is an award-winning director. Recent credits include the Off-Broadway premiere of Dancing on Eggshells (Billie Holiday Theatre), Till: A Musical (American Theater Group), Mitchelville (Lean Ensemble Theatre), Sweat (Purchase Repertory Theater), The October Storm (Hudson Stage Company), Crowndation (National Black Theatre and CTG Digital Stage), The Hunting Season (Planet Connections Festivity, Award for Best Direction), You Wouldn’t Expect (American Bard Theater), How To Be Safe (The Dirty Blondes Theater), Lunchtime in Heaven (48 hours in Harlem), Nightfall, Slow Gin Fits, Ain’t No Mo’ (The Fire This Time Festival 2013, 2014, 2016). He is the Artistic Director of the Obie Award winning Fire This Time Festival, a New York University graduate and an Adjunct Professor of Acting at SUNY Purchase College. Cezar Williams is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

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.