EastLine Theatre
in association with the
Babylon Citizens Council
on the Arts presents
Trouble in Mind
by Alice Childress
April 6-21, 2024
BACCA Arts Center,
Lindenhurst
There will be one fifteen minute intermission.
Please be aware this performance deals with racism, misogyny, racist language, and outdated stereotypes.
Wiletta Mayer Sheilah Barksdale
Henry Howard Heller
John Nevins Isaiah Joseph
Millie Davis Genesis Rosado
Judy Sears Kate Jergensen
Al Manners Harrison Vogel
Eddie Fenton James Santora
Bill O’Wray Brad Hamler
due to a medical emergency,
Van Whitaker has graciously stepped
into the role of Sheldon Forrester
Director Nicole Savin
Costume Design Lynn Adler-Ciorciari
Costume Assistant Wendy Pollak Grimm
Stage Manager Michelle Savin
Lighting Design Remi Watts
Production Photography Anthony Noto
Wiletta Mayer Sheilah Barksdale
Henry Howard Heller
John Nevins Isaiah Joseph
Millie Davis Genesis Rosado
Judy Sears Kate Jergensen
Al Manners Harrison Vogel
Eddie Fenton James Santora
Bill O’Wray Brad Hamler
due to a medical emergency,
Van Whitaker has graciously stepped
into the role of Sheldon Forrester
Director Nicole Savin
Costume Design Lynn Adler-Ciorciari
Costume Assistant Wendy Pollak Grimm
Stage Manager Michelle Savin
Lighting Design Remi Watts
Production Photography Anthony Noto
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This performance is taking place on unceded Native land. Long Island has been and still is home to Indigenous communities including the Lenape, the Shinnecock, the Unkechaug, the Montauketts, and the Matinecock, amongst others. You can find out more about Native American history and culture on Long Island at On This Site.
EastLine Theatre
Nicole Savin,
Artistic Director
Paul DeFilippo,
Associate Artistic Director
EastLine Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our programming is made possible through your donations. Donations can be made fee-free via Facebook or with a small fee via BookTix. All donations are tax-deductible.
The EastLine Theatre Board of Directors is: Larry Meneses (Vice President), Matt Rosenberg (Treasurer), Nicole Savin, and Danny Higgins (President)
The EastLine Theatre Creative Associates are: Abi Alam, Anna Stacy, Aly Kantor, Anjor Khadilkar, Anthony Noto, Bryan Bowie, David Bullen, Deanna Ibrahim, Jill Linden, Joe Boccia Jr., John Brautigam, Julianna Frasca, Lynn Ciorciari, Matt Rosenberg, Melanie Lipton, Nicole Savin, Paul DeFilippo, Sheilah Barksdale, and Remi Watts.
If you’re enjoying today’s performance and want to hear more from us, sign up for our mailing list!
Your donations keep our programming free and low-cost, while maintaining the level of quality, innovation, and experimentation we strive to make our hallmark. Every dime is spent on artist pay, production supplies, and theatrical magic. EastLine Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our programming is made possible through your donations. Donations can be made fee-free via Facebook or with a small fee via Square. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you always for your kindness and generosity.
Sheilah Barksdale, Brad Hamler, Howard Heller, Kate Jergensen, Isaiah Joseph, Genesis Rosado, James Santora, Harrison Vogel, and Van Whitaker
Sheilah Barksdale (she/her) is happy to be back at BACCA for EastLine Theatre! Her last performance here was as Ms. Mueller in one of her favorite plays, Doubt. Other memorable roles include Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray. A big Thank You to my wonderful family and friends who have always supported me on my creative journey, the very talented cast who shared this stage with me, the AMAZING EastLine crew, and to our brilliant Director, Nicole, for trusting me with Wiletta!
Brad Hamler (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to stage acting with Trouble In Mind for EastLine Theatre. He began his acting career in college at Findlay University in Ohio, where he is originally from. Came to New York in 1986 as a working actor in musical theatre. Deciding to concentrate more on film & TV, Brad landed his first feature film Jacob’s Ladder in 1989 and achieved his SAG status. But he chose to leave show business entirely to focus on faamily and raising his daughter Katja. Returning now in this post-pandemic era he is enjoying the process of restarting his acting career and is very grateful and appreciates all the opportunities to be working at this stage in life. He wishes to say thank you to his amazing wife and beautiful daughter for all their love and support, as well as to his family and friends.
Howard Heller (he/him) A few years ago I retired to Manhattan and reinvented my life. I became an actor. I have done stand-up comedy at the Comic Strip and background in many movies, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Mr.& Mrs. Smith. I have modeled and appeared in New York magazine, commercials and a short film, The Photo Booth. This is my first play in many years, and I am very excited to join a great cast. A big shout out to my family and friends that have been supportive of everything I have done over these past 80+ years.
Kate Jergensen (she/her) is a New York-based actor with a BFA in Acting from Ball State University. She recently made her off-off-Broadway debut playing Lucetta in Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the American Theatre of Actors. Select collegiate stage credits include Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night–Time (Judy Boone), and Roe (Mary, various). Kate would like to thank Nicole for this opportunity and her family for their unwavering love and support. www.katejergensen.com Instagram: @katejergensen
Isaiah Joseph (he/him) is an actor and model local to New York City. He has been acting for four years now and has been truly blessed to have appeared on TV, in movies, commercials, and on many stages. If you trust GOD, he will take care of you. Follow Isaiah on Instagram @nba_zay
Genesis Rosado (she/her) is a New York native delighted to be a part of EastLine Theatre’s rendition of Trouble in Mind. She graduated with her Bachelor in Fine Arts from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio in December 2020. Since graduating, Genesis has worked as a guest choreographer at her alma mater and has participated regularly in NYFW for several seasons. Genesis would like to extend her deepest gratitude to the cast for their fantastic work. To our stage manager, Michelle, for always lending a helping hand. Lastly, she’d like to thank Nicole for giving us a safe space to create. This production is her reintroduction to the acting world after some years. She is excited to grace the stage as Ms. Millie Davis and hopes you enjoy the show!
James Santora (he/him) this is Jimmy’s first performance with EastLine Theatre. Jimmy has appeared in acting roles from Derby, CT to NYC. Recently, Jimmy appeared in a festival in Queens, NY, and this June will appear in Pride & Prejudice. Some of his favorite roles are: Bob Ewell in To Kill A Mockingbird, Jesse Kiplinger in Plaza Suite, Dr. Sanderson in Harvey, and Officer O’Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace.
Harrison Vogel (he/him) a versatile actor hailing from New Jersey, recently captivated audiences as a stern prison guard on the hit show Gladiator. Now, seamlessly transitioning into the role of director Al Manners, he brings depth and charisma to the stage, promising an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Van Whitaker (he/him) is elated to perform again with EastLine Theater after directing last year’s production of The Mountaintop. Some of Van’s notable credits include A Few Good Men (Lt. Matthew Markinson), Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker/Booker T. Washington), The Full Monty (Noah T. ‘Horse’ Simmons), Dreamgirls (Marty), Parade (Newt Lee), Showboat (Joe). Other favorite roles include Flick in Violet, Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim in Big River, Reginald Tasker in The Bad Seed, and Queeqeg in Moby Dick Rehearsed. With thanks to this talented and generous cast.
Lyn Adler-Ciorciari (she/her) being a fashion-plate punk rocker in the early 80s was only possible on a teenager’s budget by learning how to sew. Thus began a lifelong passion for all things fabric, thread, needles and pins. Costuming actors from NYC to Idaho to Atlanta and now, at EastLine, is a privilege. Big thanks to an ultra-creative mom who handed over the keys to her trusty Singer way back when.
Nicole Savin (she/her) is EastLine’s Artistic Director and has directed productions of God of Vengeance, Men on Boats, The Truth, Treasure Island, and Pride & Prejudice. She holds a BA (Hons) from Royal Holloway, University of London in Drama and Theatre Studies. She is an Associate Director with By Jove Theatre, and on the literary team at The Playwrights Realm.
Michelle Savin (she/her) is a Long Island-based visual artist. Previous scenic painting and prop design credits at EastLine include Our Leading Lady, Amadeus, Intimate Apparel, and Indecent. Other previous production credits include work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as well as Into the Woods, I Remember Mama, and Noises Off. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Michelle is a handler with Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, where she is teamed with her loyal pup, Sadie. With gratitude to Caitlin, for everything.
Remi Watts (she/they) is EastLine’s Technical Director. Remi is the Lead Carpenter at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Fisher Center. Remi strives to create new and unique worlds through her use of lights and sound. Some of their favorite credits include Peter and the Starcatcher, Treasure Island, and Indecent.
Paint generously provided by Bak & Vogel of Lindenhurst
Trouble in Mind is presented by arrangement
with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Pastries generously donated by Cieslak’s Modern Bakery of Lindenhurst
EastLine Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company that BroadwayWorld calls ‘Long Island’s best kept secret’. EastLine aims to create theatre in unlikely spaces while re-examining the canon, exploring modern plays, and bringing original works to the attention of the community. EastLine is committed to creating opportunities for women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ people.
EastLine Theatre is a proud member of the Huntington Arts Council and the Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York.
With thanks to
Caitlin Dunham, Maryann Weckerle, Cieslak’s Modern Bakery,
Liz Mirarchi, Shawn Cullinane, Jason Jenkins, and everyone at BACCA