FREDRIC MARCH PLAY CIRCLE THEATER APRIL 12th at 5pm and 8pm

APRIL 13th at 8pm

Presented by the Jewish Theater Project Adaptation by Eric Coble Directed by Leah Cowen

Director’sNote:MemoryandTheGiver

Humans have attempted to chronicle memories since the beginnings of recorded time. As Moses stood on Mount Sinai, he issued the last commandment— that Jews gather to read the history of their people in the Old Testament once every seven years.

“The Giver” tells the story of a community without a collective memory of the past. The memories of the whole world are placed in the mind of one person, the Receiver. Without memories of the time before sameness, the people in the community have nothing with which to compare their present experience, and they lack the historical insight to question the choices of their leaders.

They lack the choice to question their leaders. In fact, the system lacks any opportunity for choice. The leaders assign spouses and jobs, regulate climate and geography, and choose who lives and who does not. The leaders protect their people from the consequences that come from making wrong choices, like broken bones, unhappy careers, divorce and poverty. In exchange for this utopia, however, the society sacrifices the one thing that allows humans to distinguish themselves as individuals, choice.

But, the purpose of “The Giver” is not to deem this system as “good” or “bad.” When Jonas finally does make a choice, even he questions whether he made the right one. Choices still put lives in danger. Every day we make these choices. People choose the food they put in their bodies, the animals to live in their homes, and the presidents to run their countries.

Though the scenario in “The Giver” seems farfetched, we see signs of sameness every day. In older times, people made their own clothes. Now, stores supply the clothing, and people only pick between the different uniforms that they offer. Very few conglomerates own the majority of our media outlets, so certain types of music, alternative news and low budget films are rarely seen. With all the 24 news channels, people receive history instantaneously. Newspapers preserve words. You can tuck them away and read them later. Web sites and TV change by the second.

The message here is to be aware of what your leaders are doing, so they don’t… you know… pull a fast one and make us forget the past existed. For now, live life different—stirrings and all.

TheGiverismadepossiblewithhelpfromASMandtheMilwaukeeJewishFoundation.

Cast biographies

Caresse Janel Rios (Li ly ) , commonly known as C.J., is a freshman from Los Angeles, California. Her favorite role was playing Mary Warren from Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible. Lois Lowry's The Giver is her debut into UW-Madison's drama society. She is currently studying Zoology in hopes of pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Behavior. C.J. would like to thank her supportive parents, loving family, fabulous friends, and the Posse program for always encouraging her to be the best she could be. Jon Ross (The Giver) is a 3rd year undergraduate student majoring in French and Linguistics. At UW, you may have seen him in various roles for Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens last year. He is an Assistant Director for the Titanic Players long-form improv group and performs frequently with his own team, The Founders. He also hosts The Titanic Players Radio Hour on WSUM 91.7FM on Saturdays at 1pm. Alex Richetta (Father) is a recent graduate of UW Madison with a degree in physics. When not working or participating in theater, Alex enjoys gaming, playing guitar and being a layabout (and long walks on the beach). Ben Hampson (Jonas) is a sophomore exchange student, on a study abroad year from the University of Warwick, in England. While he has been in a number of plays in the UK, this is his first performance in the United States. He is studying History and Politics. Alice Smith (Asher) is a senior studying German and other impractical things. She built a bookcase for this show, and her father is very proud. Once, she pet a porcupine. Alice had a concussion at the time of this writing, and so hopes you will forgive her this nonsense. Kate Wallner (Mother/chie f Elder) is a first-year student from Ashland, WI leaning towards a major in Art History and/or Philosophy. This show marks her first experience with college theatre. She was active in community and high school productions, including "The Music Man" (Marian), "The Beverly Hill-Billies"

(Granny), and the adaptation of Spoon River Anthology. Kate loves Miles Davis, rain, and colors. She is very happy she does not live in the world of The Giver. Leah Cowen, (d ire c tor ) from Chicago, is a senior majoring in Journalism, but her passion is really in performance. She is the founder, executive producer and an ensemble member of the Titanic Players, a long-form improv group. Last fall, she wrote and performed an original piece as part of artist-in-residence Fred Ho’s concert, “revolutionary earth music: people and the planet before profit!” She was last seen in a play as Die Alte in Tony Kushner’s, “A Bright Room Called Day.” She would like to thank all the actors and producers, without you we wouldn’t have a show. David Gumbiner, ( sound des igner) from Los Angeles, California, is currently a senior pursuing his degree in Communications and English. He is also studying sound design and production for the performance arts. David’s contribution to The Giver is multifaceted. He composed the musical score, designed the visual projections, and is performing the sound FX live during the performance. He would like to thank the director, Leah Cowen, for the opportunity to participate in this play and for pushing him to create and innovate at such a high standard. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their guidance and motivation. Oliver Hunt (sound des ign) is a third year Biochemistry major here at UW-Madison, and is extremely passionate about sound design and computer music composition. When he isn’t studying science, he is locked in his home studio. Looking to explore creative applications for sound design, he seized the opportunity to partner up with David Gumbiner in this endeavor to supplement The Giver with sound effects. Having learned a great deal from this experience, Oliver is eager to further pursue audio design – perhaps professionally. Leah Braverman (producer ) is a senior from Minneapolis graduating with a degree in communications. She has picked up a lot of varied theater experience through the years. Some of her favorites include performing in numerous professional shows, creating the Kenyon College Musical Theater Company, running the Young Artists Council in Minneapolis, and working in the Kenyon College scene shop for two years.