HOW WE GOT ON
Theatre for Intergenerational Audiences
By Idris Goodwin
Directed by Summer l. williams
Hank, Julian, and Luann are talented, determined suburban teens coming of age in the 1980s. Dreaming of fame and fortune in the new Hip-Hop music scene, they must overcome cultural isolation, familial dysfunction, and ruthless rivalries to make the music that defines their lives.
October 12-14, 2023
Robert J. orchard stage
Paramount Center
October 12 and 13 student matinees are reserved for school groups
October 13 at 8 PM open to the public
October 14 at 4 PM and 8 PM are presented as part of Family Weekend
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
Run Time: 90 minutes, no intermission
Content Advisory: This play includes discussions of racial prejudice and moments of physical violence.
Sensory Advisory: TBA
HOW WE GOT ON
Creative Team
Scenic Design
Ariana Dookhran
Costume Design
Jez Insalaco
Lighting Design
Hannah Forsberg
Sound Design
Aubrey Dube
Props Lead
Amaya Gonzalez-Mollmann
STAGE MANAGER
Delene Beauchamp
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Blake Berggren
Dramaturg &
Education director
Amanda Boldt
A note from the
Director
Coming Soon
A note from the
Dramaturg
Coming Soon
Meet the
Cast
Selector — SKY FORTES
Julian — JAMES BROOKS
Hank — SEAN MYERS
Luann — SYDNEY RICE
Julian’s Dad / Ensemble — CRUZ PLASENCIA
Luann’s Dad / Ensemble — ELI SILER
Hank’s Dad / Ensemble — TYLER COOPER
Ensemble — ARIEL COLEMAN
Ensemble — DEVESH MIRPURI
Ensemble — SOFIA CARDONA
Ensemble — RUOCHEN HU
Ensemble — MAH CAMARA
Understudies
Julian — ELI SILER
Hank, Luann’s Dad — TYLER COOPER
Luann, Selector — ARIEL COLEMAN
Hank’s Dad — DEVESH MIRPURI
Julian’s Dad — SOFIA CARDONA
Meet the
Artistic and Production Staff
Observing Director — CAROLINE DOMBOSKI
Assistant Scenic Designer — ANTON SANTIAGO
Assistant Costume Designer — NINA TUROVSKIY
Wardrobe Supervisor — ANNA TEN EYCK
Assistant Lighting Designer — JO WILLIAMS
Production Electrician — HENRY KACIK
Production Electrician — OAK WALKER
Assistant Lead Electrician — CHIRON SPEIDEL
Assistant Sound Designer — LORENZO SOSA LOPEZ
Production Sound Engineer — LAUREN HODGKINS
Assistant Production Sound Engineer — RYAN TSE
Assistant Props Lead —ECHO LU
Assistant Technical Director — CASPER APODACA
Assistant Stage Manager — FIBY DICHTER
2nd Assistant Stage Manager — KYLAH NEE
Production Assistant — SYDNEY WILLIAMS
Associate Production Supervisor — JANIE HILLMAN
Assistant Production Supervisor — JENNA THOMAS
Company Manager — SUSAN WEINHARDT
Assistant Company Manager — NONA FERNEY
Assistant Company Manager — OLIVER WORNER
Run Crew
MICK CASEY, TORIN COX, SKYLAR D’AMORE, HALEY DEMELLO, NATHAN HERNANDEZ, NATHAN HORWITZ, LILY HOURIN, CAL KENNEDY, ELODIE LAMBERT, CHLOE LIAO, AMANDA LI, EMILY MALKAN, FRANKIE MENDEZ, SEANALEI NISHIMURA, SOFYA SOBOLEVSKAYA, LILY VENTURA, EVELYN WALYUS, JADE WEIN
Cast Bios

JAMES BROOKS (he/him) — Julian
BFA ‘25 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage Credits: The Spitfire Grill (Visitor u/s), Emerson College credits: Jelly’s Last Jam (Ensemble/Crowd).

MAH CAMARA (she/her) — Ensemble
BFA ‘2X Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Film credits: EIV’s Elixir (Coven #3). Thank you to everyone who believed in my potential and talent, even when I didn’t believe in myself, I appreciate it. Instagram: getlike_jewel (https://www.instagram.com/getlike_jewel/)

SOFIA CARDONA (she/her) — Ensemble, U/S Julian’s Dad
BFA ‘24 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Film credits: Mad Women BFA (Julia), Holy Lie Raiz (Sofi), 87 Myrtle St (Aidan), and TWENTY (Tess). Sofia is also currently interning at Central Square Theater as the assistant to the Creative Director. Thank you to mi Papi y Mami, Emilia, and my friends for all your love and support! <3

ARIEL COLEMAN — Ensemble, U/S Selector, U/S Luann
BFA ‘26 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage credits: King Arthur’s Socks (Guinevere). Thanks to my loving family for always supporting me!

TYLER COOPER (he/him) — Hank’s Dad, Ensemble, U/S Hank, U/S Luann’s Dad
BS ‘24 Health & Social Change. Emerson Stage Debut! Thanks to my parents for pushing me to get back into theatre!

SKY FORTES (pronouns) — Selector
BFA ’24 Theatre & Performance. Bio coming soon!

RUOCHEN HU — Ensemble
BFA ‘25 Acting. Emerson Stage credits: Mary, Sweet Mary (Assistant Director). Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Moksha (Rodha); ChuangLab’s Secret Love For the Peach Blossom Spring (Yun Zhifan), The Orphan of Zhao (ChengYing, ChengBo), Sputnik tnick, LaiKa (Playwright & Director); and EmShakes’ Romeo & Juliet (Montague). Other credits: 300 Migratory Birds Section’s Crack (Yingying, Chuanfu) at Aranya Theatre Festival.

DEVESH MIRPURI — Ensemble, U/S Hank’s Dad
BFA ‘25 Theatre & Performance & BS ‘25 Marketing Communications. Emerson Stage Debut! Thanks to my family and friends for all their support! @deveshmirpuri

SEAN MYERS (he/him) — Hank
BFA ‘24 Theatre Education & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: RAGE (Ballzindorf). Emerson College credits: Mercutio Troupe’s When Her Art Is No Longer Her Own (Deviser/Writer), and A Trial of Errors (Eddison). Upcoming: Kidding Around’s Barry and The Bear (Playwright and Director). He is also a member of long-form improv troupe This is Pathetic. Thank you to mom and dad for your love, care, and support. I love y’all bunches.

CRUZ PLASENCIA (pronouns) — Julian’s Dad, Ensemble
BFA ’24 Theatre & Performance. Bio coming soon!

SYDNEY RICE — Luann
BFA ‘24 Theatre Education & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Teach In On Race 2023 (Keynote Performer), Juliana Perez’s Killing Calories (Acting Coach), and Peng Black Girls (Director). Thanks to my family and friends who came to support me, and those who are supporting me from afar!

ELI SILER (he/him) — Luann’s Dad, Ensemble, U/S Julian
BFA ‘26 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Seussical TYA (Yertle the Turtle); MTS’s Heathers (Big Bud Dean/Ram’s Dad); and MTAG’s The Wild Party (Mr. Black). Thanks to the cast and crew for their dedication and support!
Creative Team Bios
SUMMER L. WILLIAMS (she/her) — Director
Summer L. Williams (she/her/hers) is an award-winning director and Co-Founder/Associate Artistic Director of Company One Theatre in Boston. Her most recent directing credits include Boy Who Kissed The Sky by Idris Goodwin at Company One Theatre in Boston, Jump by Charly Evon Simpson at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD, can i touch it? A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Francisca Da Silvera at Company One Theatre, sandblasted by Charly Evon Simpson with Vineyard Theatre and WP Theater, Off-Broadway. In Boston with Company One, she has directed more than 25 productions, including the world-premieres of Downtown Crossing and Leftovers; Wolf Play; Miss You LIke Hell (with OBERON at American Repertory Theatre); Wig Out! (with OBERON at A.R.T.); Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again; and An Octoroon and Colossal (2016 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director for both productions).
ARIANA DOOKHRAN (she/any) — Scenic Designer
BFA ‘24 Theatre Design and Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Everybody (2nd Assistant Scenic Designer), Next to Normal (Assistant Scenic Designer), The Wolves (Scenic Designer), Into the Woods (2nd Assistant Costume Designer), Old Jake’s Skirts (Assistant Costume Designer), and Paris (Costume Designer). Emerson College credits: EmShake’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream! (Scenic Designer); and EVVY42 (Scenic Designer). Big thanks to my mentor and the scene shop for supporting my work!
JEZ INSALACO (she/her) — Costume Designer
Jez Insalaco (she/hers) – is a proud member of United Scenic Artists 829 in the Costume Design category & Local 481 Studio Mechanics in the costume craft. Costume Design Credits include: The Light at Lyric Stage Company, This is Treatment at Northeastern University, The Samuel Slater Experience in Webster, MA produced by Boston Productions Inc, I Loved, I Lost, I Ate Spaghetti at Greater Boston Stage Company, and Anne Frank at Boston Children’s Theatre. Film & Television credits include Good Burger 2 (Set Costumer), Instigators (Boston Unit BG Set Costumer), Invitation to a Bonfire (BG Set Costumer), Spirited (BG Set Costumer), Don’t Look Up (Costume Fitter). She is a Boston-based Japanese-American artist who is passionate about creating with color and designing work that is for & by people of color. She hopes to create images through her design that are diverse and expansive and to empower those who see themselves in her work. jezdes.com
HANNAH FORSBERG (she/they) — Lighting Designer
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage Credits: This Golden Day (Sound Board Operator), Spring Awakening (Assistant Lead Electrician), The Late Wedding (Assistant Lighting Designer), Next to Normal (Lead Electrician), Old Jake’s Skirt (Lead Electrician), and Cabaret (Co-Lighting Designer). Thanks to my family, friends, and advisors for their ongoing support.
AUBREY DUBE (pronouns) — Sound Designer
Bio coming soon!
AMAYA GONZALEZ-MOLLMANN (she/they) — Props Lead
BFA ’25 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Cabaret (Assistant Costume Designer), The Secret In The Wings (Assistant Props Lead), and The Wolves (Assistant Costume Designer). Other credits: MTS’ Heathers (Costume Designer). Thanks to my incredible parents, amazing friends and coworkers, and lovely boyfriend. amayabugbee.wixsite.com/amaya
DELENE BEAUCHAMP (he/him) — Stage Manager
BFA ’24 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: Cabaret (Associate Production Supervisor) Mary, Sweet Mary (First Assistant Stage Manager), The Wolves (Associate Production Supervisor), Three Romances (Assistant Production Supervisor), Next To Normal (Second Assistant Stage Manager), Baltimore (Assistant Production Supervisor), Going to California (Second Assistant Stage Manager). Emerson College theatre credits: emShakes’ Antigone (Producer). Thanks to friends, family, and my partner Aaron. delenebeauchamp.com
BLAKE BERGGREN (he/him) — Production Supervisor
BFA ’24 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage Credits: Cabaret (Assistant Stage Manager), The Secret in the Wings (Production Supervisor), The Spitfire Grill (Company Manager), The Wolves (Company Manager), RAGE (Assistant Stage Manager), This Girl… (Associate Production Supervisor & Assistant Company Manager), The Late Wedding (Assistant Company Manager), Everybody (Assistant Production Supervisor), Men on Boats (Production Assistant). Emerson College Credits: EVVY42, EVVY43 (Production Manager), Full Fathom’s Mr. Burns… (Assistant Stage Manager). Regional Credits: Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Stage Management Intern), Contemporary American Theatre Festival 2023 (Production Management Intern) and CATF 2022 Sheepdog (Production Assistant).
AMANDA BOLDT (she/her) — Dramaturg & Education Director
MFA ‘25 Theatre Education & Applied Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Amanda holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. Other work/experience around Boston includes: Director of First Year Arts Initiatives Grad Assistantship at Harvard, Play Reading Book Club Teaching Artist (ArtsEmerson), NEMPAC Teaching Artist. Thanks to Trey for the endless support.
Meet the
Emerson Stage Staff
Staff
Artistic Director — Annie G. Levy
General Manager — David Colfer
Assistant General Manager — Joshua M. Feder
Production Manager — Timothey Sullivan
Technical Director — Kristin Knutson
Head Carpenter — Connor Thompson
Scenic Painter — Joe Keener
Props Director — Ryan Bates
Assistant Properties Manager — Lauren Corcuera
Costume Shop Supervisor — Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor — Becky Thorogood
Draper/Cutter — Laurie Bramhall
Electrics Advisor — Nicole Cerra
Resident Sound Designer — Elizabeth Cahill
Sound Technician —
Advisors FOR THIS PRODUCTION
Stage and Production Management — Debra A. Acquavella
Scenic Design — Luciana Stecconi
Lighting Design — Scott Pinkney
Fight & Intimacy — Ted Hewlett
Dramaturgy — Marissa Friedman
Education & Engagement — Josh Streeter
Vocal Coach — Indira Pensado
Student Staff
Emerson Stage Office Assistants — Jake Tolentino, Kayla Copping, Alayna Domboski, Samantha Duggan, Karli Fisher, Carly Mentis
Production Management Assistants — Blake Berggren, Esther Chilson
Videographers — Xiao Chen, Ethan West
Scenic Technicians — Casper Apodaca, Cora Glazer, Davis Kranchalk, Bee LaClair, Oscar McQuilkin, Harley Novy, Mercedes Suarez, Elise Tuckwood
Scenic Artists/Painters — Rayan Afif, Nel Blinman, Paige Boyon, Elizabeth Fuire, Sophia Inez Bulbulia, Katherine Kendrick, Elizabeth Nunnery, Leo Servetar, David Staats, Charlize Tabrizi
Paint Shop Assistant — Maggie Stewart
Prop Shop Assistant — Delene Beauchamp, Amaya Gonzalez-Mollmann, Oliver Hawke, Mariel Richardson, Ava Scanlon, Mercy Suarez
Stitchers — Izzy Bacallao, David Estabrooks, Madeline Henry, Amanda Jacobsen, Lorence Jones-Perpich, Heidi Keithahn, Alexa Peterson-Ismail, David Schell, Ava-Sofia Settoon, Anna Ten Eyck, Nina Turovsky
Laundry Assistants — Angelina Parillo
Stock Attendants — Sierra Bivins, Isabella Fortebuono, Ashleigh Jones, Lucille Lyon
Crafts — Wei Zhao
Light Lab Inventory Assistant — Eli Goldberg