THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE
Annual Theatre for Young Audiences Production
By Dwayne Hartford
From the book by Kate DiCamillo
Directed by Joshua Rashon Streeter
Edward Tulane is a beloved toy rabbit who has no interest in anyone other than himself. When he is accidentally thrown overboard while on an ocean voyage, Edward begins his miraculous journey; he learns what it is to love, what it is to lose that love, and how to find the courage to love again.
november 6-9, 2024
Semel theater
All performances open to the public
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was originally commissioned, developed, and produced at Childsplay in Tempe, Ariz. David P. Saar, artistic director; Steve Martin, managing director. Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois
Run Time: TBA
Content Advisory: TBA
THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE
Creative Team
Scenic Design
Amaya Gonzalez-Møllmann
Costume Design
Anna Ten Eyck
Lighting Design
Stel Stein
Sound Design
Kai Bohlman
Props Lead
Lauren Corcuera
STAGE MANAGER
Alayna Domboski
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Janie Hillman
Dramaturg
Anna Ricciuti
Education & engagement director
Michaela Barczak
education & engagement director
Joye Prince
A note from the
Director, Joshua Rashon Streeter
Coming Soon
A note from the
Dramaturg, Anna Ricciuti
“The rabbit listened to every name, to every story… And his heart opened wide and then wider still.”
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is based on the beloved book by the same name, written by Kate DiCamillo and adapted for the stage by Dwayne Hartford. The play was commissioned by Childsplay in Tempe, Arizona and premiered there in 2013. The company of Emerson Stage’s production was fortunate enough to speak with Dwayne about his experience adapting the play. He expressed to us that, from the moment he began reading DiCamillo’s novel, he knew that he wanted to adapt it. In speaking about his interpretation, Dwayne emphasized the transformative power of love. Love is a powerful force – not just for Edward, but for the many people he meets along his journey.
Edward’s journey is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking. Kate DiCamillo is known for writing books for young people that deal honestly and intimately with the complexities of life. In an interview from 2022, she referenced an exchange she had with a fellow writer, in an attempt to answer the question, “how do we tell the truth and make that truth bearable?” The answer that she came to is “love.” Ultimately, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a truthful story because it is not just a story about a rabbit who learns to love, but about a rabbit who learns to love through some much harder lessons about loneliness, loss, and the harshness of the world. Still, the characters find light – and love – in the darkness.
Both the book and the play contend with class disparities and the realities of the Great Depression, during which millions of Americans lost their homes and were forced outside the traditional housing market or onto the streets. Many, including teenagers, began “riding the rails,” using railroad travel as a means of finding work. The play gives us a glimpse into the perilous reality of being a migrant laborer, while also centering the vibrant, resilient communities formed amongst homeless travelers. In this production, great attention has been paid by director Josh Streeter – and the entire company – to the innate humanity that transcends our socioeconomic circumstances. It is crucial to acknowledge the violence done to marginalized communities and simultaneously lift up stories of joy and love. In holding love alongside sorrow and pain, we can hope both to make the truth of the world bearable and strive to transform it.
Resources from the
Education & Engagement Team
This resource guide for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is designed for teachers, facilitators, or families who may want to dive deeper into the story before or after seeing the production.
Relaxed Performance
On Saturday, Nov. 9th at 12 PM, there will be a special relaxed performance of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This performance is open
to all audience members and includes select accommodations for those who could benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere at the theatre. These accommodations will include: adjustments to the severity of sound and lighting cues, leaving house lights on at a low level through the show, permission to move around or make sound during the performance, and a quiet area in the lobby for anyone who needs a sensory break. These accommodations are intended to provide a more relaxed and inclusive theatre-going experience and do not change or alter the content of the production. We also have created a social story document and video to help people prepare for the show and help them navigate the theatre going experience. These can be found below.
Meet the
Cast
Track 1 (Traveller) — JAMES BROOKS
Track 2 (Edward Tulane) — MAX RIPLEY
Track 3 (Pellegrina, Hobo, Crow, Star) — RORY HIGGS
Track 4 (Abilene, Marjory, Old Lady, Shopper, Hobo, Star) — MADEE KLINE
Track 5 (Lawrence, Jack, Bryce’s Father, Hobo, Star) — CONNOR ROSSI
Track 6 (Amos, Bull, Neal, Crow, Star) — LANDON BUTLER
Track 7 (Martin, Watchman, Bryce, Star) –– DAVID SCHELL
Track 8 (Society Lady, Nellie, Marlene, Doll, Hobo, Crow, Star) –– ELIZABETH NUNNERY
Track 9 (Father, Lucy, Lucious Clarke, Crow, Star) –– FREDDIE THORNLEY IV
Track 10 (Lollie, Sarah Ruth, Older Doll, Hobo, Crow, Star) –– LIZZIE BECKER
Understudies
Track 1 & 2 — NATSU HYDEN
Track 3 & 10 — NATALIE KECKLER
Track 4 & 8 — JENNIFER NAAR
Track 5 & 6 –– ADAM KAMER
Track 7 & 9 –– AVERY STALLINGS
Meet the
Artistic and Production Staff
Assistant Director — PAIGE BOYON
Assistant Director –– THALIA WOLFF
Vocal Coach –– TOM GIORDANO
Assistant Scenic Designer — LUA AZANCOT GARCIA
Assistant Costume Designer — IZZY BACALLAO
Wardrobe Supervisor — HEIDI KEITHAHN
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor — ALEXA PETERSON-ISMAIL
Assistant Lighting Designer — CALLIE HERZOG
Production Electrician — MATT DANDINO
Lead Electrician — LENA SCHMITT
Assistant Lead Electrician — LIZZIE LAMB
Assistant Sound Designer — CATALINA MAYORAL
Assistant Sound Designer — BASIL IACAMPO
Production Sound Engineer — RYAN TSE
Assistant Production Sound Engineer — SKYLAR D’AMORE
Assistant Props Lead — BEE LACLAIR
Props Artisan –– ECHO LU
Assistant Technical Director — ANTON SANTIAGO
Assistant Stage Manager — JENNA THOMAS
2nd Assistant Stage Manager — SASHA SALINS
Production Assistant — AMELIA LAUREN
Associate Production Supervisor — ELIZABETH TIPPENS
Assistant Production Supervisor — BROOKLYN WILLIAMS
Company Manager — MATTHEW GUERBER
Assistant Company Manager — ALYSSA SCHLAIFER
Assistant Company Manager — MADDIE WRIGHT
Run Crew
Coming soon
Cast Bios
LIZZIE BECKER (she/her) — Track 10
BFA ‘26 Theatre Education & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: BlueWorks’ Escape (The Piña Colada Play) (Lorelai). EmShakes’ King Arthur’s Socks (Guenevere). MTAG’s Tanner Maverick’s Book of Sound (Assistant Stage Manager). Independent Film credits: Two Girls (Ella). Thank you to my family and friends for all the love and support!
JAMES BROOKS (he/him) — Track 1
BFA ‘25 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage credits: The Spitfire Grill (U/S Visitor), How We Got On (Julian), 16 Winters… (Pol). Emerson College credits: Cabaret of Color (Singer), Jelly’s Last Jam (Ensemble).
LANDON BUTLER (he/him) — Track 6
BFA ’25 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: 16 Winters (Shep). Emerson College credits: Bluejay’s Significant Other (Jordan Berman), A Party at Anna’s Transparency (Ben Kind), emShakes’ Death of a Salesman (Co-Director), Kidding Around’s June July August (Co-Director). Other credits: Rhythm Wizard BA Film (Wes/Wizard), Third Bird (Benecio), emShakes Theatre Co (Treasurer) and Mercutio Troupe (Artistic Director). Thanks to my awesome friends, you guys rock. @landonbutlerr
RORY HIGGS — Track 3
BFA ‘27 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Chicago (Fogarty) Metamorphosis (Asst. Director, Asst. Movement Coordinator) To my family, I thank you for everything; my love for you shines bright like the stars on a moonless night. @thats_so_rory
NATSU HYDEN (any pronouns) — U/S Track 1 & 2
BFA ’26 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder (U/S Prudence), Newfest Short Works: Cat’s Out of the Bag (Chelsea). Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Moksha (Fairy), Emerson’s Grad Directing Showcase’s If Only We Knew (He). A huge thank you to my family and friends for always letting me follow my north star. @myosotis.bouquet.
ADAM KAMER (he/him) — U/S Track 5 & 6
BFA ’26 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: Second Star to the Right (Blaze). Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Snow Angel (Gus). Regional credits: Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute) at Kentucky Shakespeare. Thanks to friends and family for the love and support. @adamkamer_
NATALIE KECKLER (she/her) — U/S Track 3 & 10
BFA ’26 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: NewFest ShortWorks PAYPHONE (Woman #3). Emerson College credits: RareWorks’ Stains (Miriam); BlueJay Theater Collective’s Dog Sees God (Van’s Sister). Swomo (President). Emerson Urban Dance Theater (Hip Hop Company). Thank you to my friends and family for their love and support!
MADEE KLINE (she/her) — Track 4
MA ‘25 Theatre Education & Applied Theatre. Acting credits: Twelfth Night (Olivia), Cinderella! Cinderella! (Cinderella) and Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (Bart Simpson) at Howard Community College; The Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Ephesus). Directing credits: Annie, The Prom, and Moana Jr. at Drama Learning Center; Beauty and the Beast at Camp Viva. My performance is dedicated to my grandmother. I love you more, Nana!
JENNIFER NAAR (she/her) — U/S Track 4 & 8
BFA ‘26 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Barry and the Bear (Willow) Prior credits: Radium Girls (Grace Fryer); Eurydice (Eurydice) at Denver Academy! I’d like to thank my friends and family for supporting me as I work towards my dreams <3 Instagram: @jennifernaar
ELIZABETH NUNNERY (she/her) — Track 8
BFA ‘26 Acting. Emerson Stage credits: Second Star to the Right (Hook), Little Women (U/S Marmee, Mrs. Mingott, Hannah). Emerson College credits: MTAG’s Tanner Maverick… (Lauren), Kidding Around’s Seussical (ensemble, DC). Thank you to everyone who has made this show and journey possible. A special thank you to my mom for reading this story to me and my siblings as little kids.
MAX RIPLEY (he/him) — Track 2
BFA ’27 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: MTS’s Dogfight (Bernstein, U/S Birdlace), Kidding Around’s Alice by Heart (Alfred/White Rabbit). Thank you so much to my incredible parents for getting me here and for all my other wonderful support systems who keep me on track!
CONNOR ROSSI (he/him) — Track 5
BFA ‘26 Acting. Emerson Stage credits: Little Women (Mr. Dashwood), A Doll’s House (U/S Nils Krogstad), Second Star to the Right (Smee). Emerson College credits: RareWorks Theatre Company’s Feeding The Moonfish (Martin); Kidding Around’s A Wrinkle in Time (Calvin), Snow Angel (Benny), Alice by Heart (Mad Hatter); Bluejay Theatre Collective’s Dog Sees God (Matt). Thank you to my incredible family and friends for the support. @therealrossi / connorrossi.com
DAVID SCHELL — Track 7
BFA ’24 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage credits: Second Star to the Right (Theodore/Michael), Cabaret (Victor), 16 Winters (Assistant Costume Designer), Bat Boy (Wig/Makeup Supervisor). Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s Alice by Heart (Dodgy/Duchess), Bluejay Theatre Collective’s Dog Sees God (U/S CB/Swing); Musical Theatre Society’s La Cage Aux Folles (Hanna), Big Fish (Young Will/Zacky), Urinetown (Officer Barrell), 2021 Emerson Fights Aids Cabaret (Soloist), and The Secret Garden (Costume Designer); Musical Theatre Against The Grain’s A Chorus Line (Costume Designer), and Dream Cabaret (Soloist). Boston Theatre credits: The Lemurian Experience (Hugo) at Boston Center for the Arts. Proud Vice President of Emerson Acapellics <3. @d_schell186
AVERY STALLINGS (they/them) — U/S Track 7 & 9
BFA ‘26 Theatre Education & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Musical Theatre Society’s EFA Cabaret, Kidding Around’s A Wrinkle in Time (Charles Wallace), Emerson College Treble Makers. Regional credits: New Stage Theatre’s Matilda the Musical (Ensemble) and A Christmas Carol (Martha Cratchit). Thanks to my friends and family for keeping me afloat and happy throughout this entire process!
FREDDIE THORNLEY IV (he/him) — Track 9
BFA ‘27 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Emerson Urban Dance: R.E.M. Emerson Urban Dance: Sincerely, EUDT. Outside credits: The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Yale Reparatory Theater), The Who’s Tommy (Maine State Music Theater), A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage), Titanic (UHart), Our Town (Long Wharf Theater), The Death of Trotsky (Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts), The Love of Three Oranges (Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts). Thank you to my loving family and friends. Find me @freddie.thornley on Instagram!
Creative Team Bios
JOSHUA RASHON STREETER (he/him) — Director
Joshua Rashon Streeter is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Education at Emerson College. His teaching focuses on critical pedagogy, K-16 pre-service and in-service education, drama and theatre education, Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), musical theatre, and arts integration. Joshua was named the 2015 Winifred Ward Scholar (AATE), received the 2021 Ann Flagg Multicultural Award (AATE), the 2021 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Inclusivity (JMU), was a national finalist for the Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement for Early Career Faculty, and was honored as the 2023 recipient of the Education Theatre Association’s Founder’s Award, presented to an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of theatre education, research, and practice. As a theatre-maker, Joshua loves to make work that is aesthetically and narratively driven – playing with light, objects, movement, and music. He was a 2021 finalist in the Reimagine: New Plays in TYA initiative and in 2022 was commissioned to write a new play for Arts on the Horizon (a professional Theatre for the Very Young company in the D.C. metro area). This season, Joshua is directing for Wheelock Family Theatre; and next season, will be developing a new Theatre for the Very Young play for the Kennedy Center.
AMAYA GONZALEZ-MØLLMANN — Scenic Designer
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Selected Emerson Stage credits: A Doll’s House (costume designer), and How We Got On (props lead). Emerson College credits: FPS’ Episode 51: The Dead Road Pt.2 (costume designer), and MTS’ Heathers (costume designer). As always, love to Mom, Dad, Booker, Paula, and Valentina. To my grandmothers, who are my inspiration always. To Clark, who makes me better, and all my friends who’ve been with me through it all. And especially for my stuffed rabbit Ninkaninus, whose journey was only ever watching me grow up.
ANNA TEN EYCK — Costume Designer
BFA ‘26 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (Asst. Costume Designer); How We Got On (Wardrobe Supervisor); Mary, Sweet Mary (Asst. Wardrobe Supervisor). Emerson College credits: emShakes’ Hamlet (Costume Designer), Metamorphosis (Costume Designer), and Lord of the Flies (Co-Costume Designer).
STEL STEIN (they/them) — Lighting Designer
BFA ’26 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage Credits: Second Star to the Right (Lead Electrician), Little Women (Assistant Lighting Designer), The Secret in the Wings (Assistant Lead Electrician), Old Jake’s Skirts (Spotlight Operator). Emerson College Credits: EmShakes’ Hamlet (Lighting Designer), EmShakes’ Metamorphosis (Lighting Designer), Mercutio Troupe’s Trail to Oregon (Lighting Designer).
KAI BOHLMAN (they/them) — Sound Designer
Boston-based Queer Audio Baddie; Kai is just a human with an affinity for sound and sound adjacent things. As an Emerson alum, Kai is always happy to be back as a guest designer for Emerson Stage after having earned their BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Sound Design and Composition credits from the greater Boston area include: Moonbox Productions’ The Mermaid Hour and The Manic Monologues, Wolf Play with the Brandeis Department of Theater Arts, Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches and Part 2: Perestroika (Co-produced with Bedlam & Elliot Norton nominated), and The Chinese Lady (in partnership with Chuang Stage & Elliot Norton nominated) at Central Square Theater, and Emerson Stage’s NewFest: New Play Workshop production of The Loyals.
LAUREN CORCUERA (she/they) — Props Lead
Lauren Corcuera is a Boston-area theater technician/designer and an Emerson alum who enjoys working with props, paint, and wardrobe. Emerson Stage prop credits include: Stupid Fucking Bird, Next to Normal, Into the Woods, Old Jake’s Skirts, Cabaret, BONNETS: How Ladies of Good Breeding Are Induced to Murder, and The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. Other select prop credits: A Winter’s Tale (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company); Little Shop of Horrors, The Cake, The Treasurer, Be Here Now, The Last Five Years, Mr. Parent, The Light, Fabulation, or… of Undine, Preludes, Assassins, Urinetown (Lyric Stage Company); Barefoot in the Park, Tiny Beautiful Things, Seared, Think of Me Tuesday, Grand Horizons (Gloucester Stage Company); Pippin, Oklahoma! (Reagle Music Theater); Chicken & Biscuits (Front Porch Arts Collective); Next to Normal (Front Porch Arts Collective / Central Square Theater); Sweeney Todd (Moonbox Productions). Lauren is also currently the Assistant Prop Director for Emerson Stage and wants to thank all of the great students in the shop and on the various productions.
ALAYNA DOMBOSKI (she/they) — Stage Manager
BFA ‘25 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (asst. PSupe), The Impracticality of Modern Day Mastodons (assoc. PSupe), Little Women (1st ASM), Are You Someone to Somebody? (2nd ASM), The Spitfire Grill (asst. PSupe), Into the Woods (PA). Emerson College credits: RareWorks’ Escape (Producer), Jake Tolentino’s Antony & Cleopatra! (SM). Other credits: Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s As You Like It (ASM) and Spotlight Series: Henry V (SM). Much love to the SM team, family, friends, and Nor & Matt.
JANIE HILLMAN (she/her) — Production Supervisor
BFA ‘25 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: How We Got On (Assoc. Production Supervisor), Second Star To The Right (Stage Manager), Short Works 2023 (1st Assistant Stage Manager), The Secret In The Wings (2nd ASM), Short Works 2022 (2nd ASM), Next To Normal (Production Assistant). Regional credits: Gatsby (PA, Child Minder, Stage Operator) at American Repertory Theatre, Becoming A Man (PA) at A.R.T, Evita (Child Minder), at A.R.T. Thank you so much to my Associate and Assistant Tippens and Brooklyn! Your hard work and friendship will always be appreciated and loved!
ANNA RICCIUTI (she/her) — Dramaturg
MA ’25 Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Anna is a theatre artist and educator with a background in directing and devising. She holds a BA in Theatre from Muhlenberg College and has most recently taught at both Wheelock Family Theatre and Playhouse Theatre Academy. Favorite youth directing credits include Pippin (Simsbury High School, 2022), and Storyville (AHM and Playhouse on Park, 2023). She is grateful for this opportunity to grow as an artist, and for the continued support of her friends, family, and her partner, Brad.
MICHAELA BARCZAK (she/her) –– Education & Engagement Director
MA ’25 Theatre Education and Applied Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Michaela holds a BA in Theatre and Music from Muhlenberg College. She is the Musical Theatre Program Director at North End Music & Performing Arts Center and the Youth Choir Director at South Church in Andover. She also works as a freelance teaching artist and coaches private voice lessons with a focus on gender-affirming practices for trans and non-binary students. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this production!
JOYE PRINCE –– Education & Engagement Director
Bio coming soon!
Meet the
Emerson Stage Staff
Staff
Artistic Director — Kate Cherry
Production Manager — Timothey Sullivan
Technical Director — Kristin Knutson
Head Carpenter — Connor Thompson
Scenic Area Advisor –– Luciana Stecconi
Scenic Painter — Joe Keener
Props Director — Ryan Bates
Assistant Properties Manager — Lauren Corcuera
Costume Area Advisor –– Tristan Raines
Costume Shop Supervisor — Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor — Becky Pieroth
Draper/Cutter — Laurie Bramhall
Lighting Area Advisor –– Jason Lyons
Electrics Advisor — Nicole Cerra
Advisors FOR THIS PRODUCTION
Stage and Production Management — Debra A. Acquavella
Scenic Design — Ryan Bates
Scenic Painting — Joe Keener
Costume Design — Chloe Moore
HMU Design –– Rachel Paula-Shufelt
Costume Production –– Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Lighting Design — Anshu Bathia
Electrics — Nicole Cerra
Sound Design — Aubrey Dube
Dramaturgy — Marissa Friedman
Vocal Coach — Tom Giordano
Student Staff
Emerson Stage Office Assistants — Kayla Copping, Alayna Domboski, Karli Fisher, Carly Mentis, JJ Moore, Liliana Ravins
Production Management Assistants — Esther Chilson, Oliver Worner
Videographers — Vincent Chen, Ethan West
Scenic Technicians — Lúa Azancot, Nel Blinman, Kieran Graeff, Davis Kranchalk, Bee LaClair, Elodie Lambert, Aiden Lank, Echo Lu, Oscar McQuilkin, Zoe Mills, Brooklyn Williams
Volunteer Scenic Technicians –– Mack MacIntyre, Kiana McCully
Scenic Artists/Painters — Yara (Rayan) Afif, Nel Blinman, Paige Boyon, Lily Hourin, Elodie Lambert, Sienna Leone, Liz Nunnery, Leo Servetar, David Staats, Charlize Tabrizi
Paint Shop Assistant — Maggie Stewart
Prop Shop Assistants — Amaya Gonzalez-Mollmann, Ava Scanlon
Prop Technicians –– Eri Lackey, Bee LaClair, Georgie Ten Eyck, Sydney Williams
Stitchers — Anna Ten Eyck, Zee Cowan, Amanda Jacobson, Izzy Bacallo, Nina Turovskiy, Madeline Henry, Alexa Peterson-Ismail, David Schell, Heidi Keithahn
Stock Attendants — Sierra Bivins, Isabella Fortebuono
Light Lab Inventory Assistant — Eli Goldberg