NewFest: New Play Workshop
THE LOYALS
A comedy about treason
By Allison Gregory
Directed by Courtney Sale
A divided young country in the midst of a Revolution. A bright, eighteen-year-old socialite who becomes the wife of infamous war-hero-turned-traitor Benedict Arnold. Together they set out to undo America.
MARCH 30-APRIL 2, 2022
Greene Theatre
All performances open to the public
Run Time: 2 hours 15 minutes, including one intermission
Content Advisory: This play dwells in satirical humor; as such it contains derogatory language and themes, some profanity, ableist speech, homophobic sexual references, and highly-stylized depictions of historic battle-related violence & suggested death, including a depiction of hanging.
Sensory Advisory: The production contains brief flashes of light with loud sounds to simulate gunfire, as well as other loud abrupt noises.
A note on COVID safety: Please know that as an audience member for any of our performances, you will be required to wear a well-fitted mask, and ensure that you are not experiencing any Covid symptoms nor have had close contact with someone diagnosed with Covid in the last 10 days, before entering the performance space. Additional safety requirements may be added at any time at the discretion of Emerson College, the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Any prospective ticket buyer with concerns about health safety protocols is encouraged to call our Box Office at 617-824-8400.
VIEW PRODUCTION MEDIA
Production Photos by Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo. View full album.
A note from the
DIRECTOR, Courtney Sale
Welcome to THE LOYALS, a comedy about treason. Allison Gregory's theatrical romp is meant to make you laugh, feel, and think. I hope you will do all three. You are here to witness a new play brought to the world to reflect the world. We couldn't do it without you. Thanks for showing up to what's new.
At the center of this collaboration are the extraordinary talents of Emerson students. What makes this evening shine is not only the virtuosic talents of these emerging art makers but their true admiration for this collaboration. To witness their journey (artists and artistans alike) over the past few weeks, grappling with big questions inspired by the play, has moved me like an earthquake. I thank these artists from the bottom of my heart for the generosity and adventure-eager leap into crafting what you will experience tonight.
We go to the past to examine the present. THE LOYALS is a powerful examination of a potent moment in American History. Bring your irreverence, humor, and wits with you. We are going to need to them to make what's ahead of us better.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Courtney Sale (she/her) is thrilled to be working with Allison Gregory and Emerson. She currently serves as the Executive Artistic Director at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Her past leadership experiences include Artistic Director of Seattle Children's Theatre and Associate AD at Indiana Repertory Theatre. Her directing work has been seen at Seattle Rep, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Denver Center, Dorset Theatre Festival, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, among others. Proud member SDC and National Theatre Conference.
A note from
the Dramaturg
Finding Yourself During the Revolution,
Or How Benedict and Peggy Arnold Doomed Their Fates
PEGGY: Major General Benedict Arnold, what most do you deserve?
BENEDICT: Respect. Honor. Position.
PEGGY: I will fight for nothing less. What action are you prepared to take?
BENEDICT: Anything. What are you willing to risk?
PEGGY: Everything.
The overarching theme for Emerson Stage’s 2022-2023 season is finding one’s place in the world. Within this theme, we ask: What happens when the world no longer looks like it once did? And how do we react to these changes?
Allison Gregory’s new play, The Loyals, dramatizes the American Revolution and Benedict Arnold’s infamous espionage. So how does the story of Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen fit this theme?
Benedict Arnold was one of eleven children. A major general during the Revolutionary War, Arnold strived for his name to be known and to garner the respect he felt he deserved. After injuring his leg multiple times, being underpaid by Congress, and then being accused of multiple crimes (which he did in fact commit), Arnold was becoming jaded when he met Peggy.
Peggy Shippen grew up in Pennsylvania. Peggy was the daughter of the well-known Judge Edward Shippen, and the family was very wealthy. Dubbed the “Princess of Philadelphia” due to her beauty, socialite status, and many Loyalist friends, she came of age right as the American Revolution was ramping up. Her father’s favorite of the Shippen children, Peggy was expected to marry well, have many children, and stay neutral about politics.
Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen Arnold find themselves in an era where the world is changing right before their eyes. Pressure to identify as Americans versus British colonial subjects, and tensions between each side, were growing at this time. Despite this, they both expected to be in places of glory for the rest of their lifetimes. What exactly happened that made their plans go wrong?
The Loyals explores the decisions the Arnolds made in reaction to the changes in America, and their downfall in American society. The show invites audiences to witness the events that took place, see both Benedict’s and Peggy’s points of view, and decide for themselves what the true catalyst was for Benedict and Peggy that altered their futures so dramatically.
I hope everyone enjoys the show!
A note from the
PLAYWRIGHT, Allison Gregory
Meet Peggy Shippen: young, bright, socially prominent, politically ambivalent. At eighteen she becomes Mrs. Benedict Arnold – but wait, is she a knowing partner in her infamous husband’s outrageous attempt to destroy a country fighting for its independence? Or is she a naïve spouse, betrayed along with George Washington and the rest of America? And how does she get her hair so high?
Why dust off a two-hundred & forty-year-old piece of the past? Based on historic people and events and set during the American Revolution, The Loyals is a satirical look at extreme nationalism in a painfully divided country. Sound familiar? Undressing rabid patriotism, constitutional provocation, espionage, and the greatest act of disloyalty our very young country had ever seen, this play is my imperative response to our current political dynamic; one which doesn’t seem to have particularly evolved since 1778. I could get depressed or I could get creative. Creative seemed like more fun.
When The Loyals was selected by Emerson for this workshop production, I admit I had concerns. Rehearsing a period piece is an effortful act of imagination and endurance, mentally and physically (those corsets!). Balance those twenty extra hours-a-week atop a full academic schedule and you generate seriously combustible conditions. I credit our inspiring and attentive director Courtney Sale and our fantastic creative teams -- artistic, production, management, and acting, for avidly taking on the challenge. I applaud them for fervently generating something singular and powerful and new: a never-before-seen play, presented for the first time right here at Emerson Stage.
And I thank every single person involved in this production, students all, for making it their mission to get it exactly, endlessly right. From the smallest prop to the loudest sound cue; from text elucidations to ‘Meschianza’ pronunciation; from gluing my broken shoe to being ‘on-book’ to hanging chandeliers, painting stars, lighting doric columns – this is how you grow the next crop of amazing theatre artists.
A play is people-powered. Human hands and hearts are its greatest resource and strength. If this process has been any kind of litmus test, Emerson understands that and has its priorities in the right place. For that, for those people and this raucous, rebellious, rigorous production, I’m very grateful.
Allison Gregory, Playwright
The Loyals
March 2023
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Allison Gregory’s work has been produced nationally and internationally for multi-generational audiences by a fusion of professional theatres, academic stages, and non-traditional spaces. She has received support and commissions/grants/development from Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Kennedy Center, South Coast Repertory, Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Playwright’s Center, the Skirball-Kenis Foundation, GEVA, Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, The National New Play Network (NNPN), Hedgebrook, the New Harmony Project, Banff Playwrights Lab, among others. Allison’s spirit of invention takes many forms. Her plays range from satires centering on under-represented historical figures, to contemporary interpretations of mythology, intimate dramas, and exuberant, innovative theatre for young people. Her work includes Not Medea and Wild Horses (multiple NNPN Rolling World Premieres); Motherland, a reimagining of Brecht’s Mother Courage for a diverse world; The Loyals; and Trent’s Last Case. Allison’s plays for young audiences are produced widely across the country and include Go Dog. Go!, adapted from the P.D. Eastman book and co-written with Steven Dietz; Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter, adapted from the Astrid Lindgren novel; Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!; Junie B. is Not A Crook; and Junie B., Toothless Wonder -- adapted from the beloved book series by Barbara Park; and a revved-up Red Riding Hood. Allison has been recognized by TYA USA as “One of the 10 Most Produced TYA Playwrights.” Her plays are published by Dramatic Publishing, Playscripts, Smith & Krauss, and Rain City Press. http://allisongregoryplays.com/
Meet the
Cast
Samantha Boutureira
General Henry Clinton / Barkeeper / Hannah Arnold / Mothers /
General Horatio Gates /
Continental Soldier
%20-%20Lara%20Brinkman.png)
Lara Brinkman
Margaret "Peggy" Shippen Arnold
Asa Dupras
Lawrence/Joseph Stansbury
Molly Howard
Peggy Chew / Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick / Continental Soldier
Jason Korn
John André
Carly Mentis
Benedict Arnold
Genevieve Howley
Understudy
Sarah Ritter
Understudy
Meet the
Artistic and Production Staff
Assistant Director JAKE TOLENTINO
Vocal Coach VAL MADDEN
Assistant Scenic & Props Designer CASPER APODACA
Assistant Scenic & Props Designer MJ FOX
Assistant Costume Designer ATHENA PARKMAN
Wardrobe Supervisor LIV MILLER
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor GEORGIE TEN EYCK
Assistant Lighting Designer ERI LACKEY
Production Electrician ELI GOLDBERG
Lead Electrician DYLAN NORRIS
Assistant Lead Electrician GRACE ELPHINSTONE
Production Sound Engineer JO WILLIAMS
Co-Technical Director KRISTIN KNUTSON
Co-Technical Director MERCY SUAREZ
Assistant Stage Manager MINA PAZ-LE DRAOULEC
2nd Assistant Stage Manager ETHAN WEST
Production Assistant OZZY MOLLOY
Production Supervisor ELISE TUCKWOOD
Assistant Production Supervisor GRACE DINATALE
Company Manager OLIVE RETTEW
Assistant Company Manager MADDIE THORPE
Assistant Company Manager YANG NING
Run Crew
ELIZABETH BECKER, SOFIA BORDNER, AN'NESHIA BROWN, IZZIE CLAUDIO, LIANG FANG, JENNY KATZEN, BRYN KUMMELL, LUCY LATORRE, ASHLEY LONG, NATALIE MILLS, NATE OAKS, OLUWATIMELEYIN OLADUNJOYE, TYLER REILLY, JORDAN ROCHNA, ISAAC SIMON, RYAN TSE
Cast Bios
SAMANTHA BOUTUREIRA (she/they)—General Gates, Elizabeth's Mother, Sarah’s Mother, Barkeeper, General Clinton, Hannah Arnold, Continental Soldier
BFA '24 Acting. Emerson Stage credit: The Wolves (#8). Emerson College theatre credits: Antigone (Antigone), All Night: at a party in the suburbs (Riley), and When Her Art is No Longer Her Own (C/The Woman). Thank you to all involved!
LARA BRINKMAN—Margaret "Peggy" Shippen
BFA '25 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage credits: RAGE (Props Lead) and Mary, Sweet Mary (Dramaturg, Observing AD). Emerson College Theatre credits: RareWorks Theatre Company's And She Dwelt Upon the Wall (Assistant Director); Story of Lilith (Director); and The First Woman (Playwright). Thanks to the Brinkmans for making the trip!
ASA DUPRAS—Lawrence/Joseph Stansbury
BFA '25 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: Musical Theatre Society’s La Cage Aux Folles (Albin), Heathers: The Musical (Heather Chandler), Urinetown (Senator Fipp) and the 2022 Emerson Fights AIDS Cabaret (Soloist); Musical Theatre Against the Grain’s Rock of Ages (Drew), Hot Dam! (Really Worried Citizen) and The Wild Party (Hair & Makeup Designer); RareWorks Theatre Company's To the End of The World (Travis); Kidding Around’s Seussical (Hair & Makeup Designer); and EVVY41 (Performer). Thank you to friends and family for their support! https://asadupras.weebly.com
MOLLY HOWARD (she/her)—Peggy Chew/Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick, Continental Soldier
BFA '25 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage credits: Are You Someone to Somebody? A New Devised Piece (Ensemble) and Paris (Maxine). Emerson College credits: Musical Theater Against the Grain’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Assistant Director) and Hot Dam! (Hair/Makeup Designer). Regional credits: Imagination Stage Performance Ensemble’s She Kills Monsters (Agnes), Mamma Mia! (Donna), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon), and Pippin (Berthe). Special thanks to her family and friends for all their support and to everyone who brought this piece to life. Enjoy the show!
GENEVIEVE HOWLEY (she/her)—Understudy
BFA '24 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage credits: The Wolves (#2) and NewFest Short Works: The Funeral (Anna). Emerson Theatre credits: RareWorks Theatre Company's Feeding the Moonfish (Moonfish/Co-Choreographer/Intimacy Director), emShake's A Midsummer Night's Dream! (Intimacy Director), Kidding Around's A Tail Of Socks the Street Cat (Melpomene). Other Credits: Emerson Independent Video's No Closing Time For Lovers (Waitress), Like Home (Lexi/Intimacy Coordinator), and Abducted Anonymous (Emma/SFX Makeup Artist). Thanks To: Mom, Dad, Luke, Jack, Lola, Remy, Evan, Liza, and Olivia.
JASON KORN (he/him)—John André
BFA '25 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage credit: The Spitfire Grill (Visitor). Emerson College theatre credit: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown). Thanks to my loving family and friends who have pushed me to strive at what I want to accomplish, thank you.
CARLY MENTIS (she/her)—Benedict Arnold
BFA '25 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Full Fathom’s Other Girls (Lilly), Musical Theatre Society's Heathers (Associate Producer) and The Summer I Turned Pretty (Associate Producer); and Gruesome Playground Injuries (Understudy, Kayleen). Thanks to mom and dad for the support and to Mae for always running my lines with me!
SARAH RITTER (she/her)—Understudy
BFA '23 Theatre Education and Performance. Emerson Stage credit: NewFest Short Works: That Feeling (Woman #2). Emerson College theatre credit: Kidding Around’s 10 Minute Play Festival (Monica). Regional credit: Lonny Chapman Theatre’s Hotel Paradiso (Paquerette). Thanks to my mom, dad, Gaby, grandma, and Bethany Nelson for all your support these past four years!
Creative Team Bios
RYAN BATES (he/him)—Scenic/Props Designer
Ryan is the Props Director for Emerson Stage, and has worked as a props lead and scenic designer throughout New England, including productions at New Repertory Theatre, Bridge Repertory Theatre, The Umbrella, Gloucester Stage Company, InMotion Theatre, Middlebury College, Longwood Players, Off the Grid, Fresh Ink, and many more. Ryan teaches Stagecraft at Emerson, and has served on the faculty at Boston University. MFA: Boston University. www.ryanbatesdesign.com
MEGAN DECKER (she/her)—Costume Designer
BFA '23 Theatre and Performance. Emerson Stage credit: Are You Someone to Somebody? A New Devised Piece (Assistant Costume Designer). Emerson College credits: emShake's A Midsummer Night’s Dream! (Costume Designer) and Humble Boy (Costume Designer); Kidding Around’s Seussical (Costume Designer) and Tuck Everlasting (Costume Designer). Thank you to my parents, Kayla, and Stella and Cali for their love and support!
LAUREN "SHODGE" HODGKINS (she/her)—Co-Lighting Designer
BFA '24 Theatre Design/Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Old Jake’s Skirts (Production Sound Engineer), The Wolves (Lead Electrician), Three Romances for the Unwell and Otherwise (Production Electrician), As You Like It (Assistant Lighting Designer), Next to Normal (A2), Everybody (VMix Operator), and Corduroy (VMix Operator). Emerson College Credits: RareWorks Theatre Company's Buck Woods is a Good Man (Co-Lighting Designer) and emShakes’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream! (2nd Assistant Stage Manager).
MIA MOORE—Co-Lighting Designer
BFA '24 Theatre Design/Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Are You Someone to Somebody? A New Devised Piece (Lead Electrician), Next to Normal (Assistant Lighting Designer), and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (Assistant Lead Electrician). Emerson College credits: Mercutio Troupe’s Wired (Lighting Designer/ Production Electrician) and RareWorks Theatre Company’s Buck Woods is a Good Man (Co-Lighting Designer). Other credits: The Cape Playhouse’s Summer 2022 Season (Electrician Apprentice/Spotlight Operator). Thank you to my parents, my love, and my friends for your continuous support, means the world!
KAI BOHLMAN (they/them)—Sound Designer, Composer & Music Director
Just a human with an affinity for sound and sound-adjacent things. Select Emerson Stage design and composition: As You Like It, The Late Wedding, Going to California. Other Credits: Central Square Theater’s The Chinese Lady and an upcoming production of Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. As a recent Emerson College graduate earning their BFA in Design & Technology, Kai is delighted at the opportunity of working with this team!
ELENA RING—Stage Manager
BFA '23 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: 10 out of 12 (Production Assistant), This Golden Day (Assistant Production Supervisor), As You Like It (Production Supervisor), NewFest Short Works (Stage Manager), BFA Showcase (Stage Manager), and The Spitfire Grill (1st Assistant Stage Manager). Thank you to the stars that have been with me along the way: Mina, Ethan, Ozzy, the entire cast and production team, my family, Keely, and my sweet sweet Molly.
VICTORIA ISOTTI (she/her)—Dramaturg
MFA '23 Theatre Education & Applied Theatre. Emerson Stage credits: Three Romances for the Unwell and Otherwise (Dramaturg), and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, and This Girl Does Nothing (Assistant Director). Victoria holds an MA in Theatre Education from Emerson, and a BA in Theatre from Suffolk University. Thanks to Alexandra Juckno for your guidance!
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
Interim Production Manager—Deb Sullivan
Technical Director—Kristin Knutson
Props Director—Ryan Bates
Costume Shop Supervisor—Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Resident Sound Designer—Elizabeth Cahill
Head Carpenter—Connor Thompson
Scenic Painter—Joe Keener
Sound Technician—Steven Deptula
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor—Becky Thorogood
Draper/Cutter—Laurie Bramhall
Assistant Properties Manager—Lauren Corcuera
ADVISORS
Stage and Production Management—Debra A. Acquavella
Scenic Design—Luciana Stecconi
Scenic Painting—Joe Keener
Costume Design—Tristan Raines
Lighting Design—Scott Pinkney
Sound Design—Elizabeth Cahill
Fight/Intimacy—Ted Hewlett
Dramaturgy—Marissa Friedman
Interim Dramaturgy—Alexandra Juckno
STUDENT STAFF
Emerson Stage Office Assistants— Alex Tawid Di Maggio, Jake Tolentino, Esther Chilson, Karli Fisher, Carly Mentis, Samantha Duggan
Production Management Assistants—Olivia Tighe, Blake Berggren
Videographers—Xiao Chen and Juanes Serrano
Scenic Technicians—Casper Apodaca, Jonah Barricklo, Sean Dougherty, Marco Giacona, Emerson Hart, Davis Kranchalk, Dylan Norris, Mercy Suarez, Elise Tuckwood
Scenic Artists/Painters—Sofia Goldfarb, Fernando Rueda, Elizabeth Fuire, David Staats, Katherine Kendrick, Elizabeth Nunnery, Nel Blinman
Paint Shop Assistant—Sophie Hartstein
Prop Shop Assistant—Delene Beauchamp, Amaya Gonzalez-Mollmann, Oliver Hawke, Mariel Richardson, Ava Scanlon, Mercy Suarez
Stitchers—Ava-Sofia Settoon, David Estabrooks, Austina Hand, Greta Morgan, Heidi Keithahn, Madeline Henry, Lorence Jones-Perpich, Trixie Ward
Dye/Crafts—Ariel Coleman
Costume Shop Office Assistant—Zhiyan Jin
Laundry Assistant—Angelina Parillo
Stock Attendants—Lucile Lyon, Megan Decker, Aleah Bloom
Light Lab Inventory Assistant—Piper Phillips