Annual Theatre for Young Audiences Production: 

THIS GIRL LAUGHS,
THIS GIRL CRIES,
THIS GIRL DOES NOTHING

By Finegan Kruckemeyer

Directed by Pascale Florestal

Three young sisters are left in a forest by their woodcutter father and forced to find their own way in the world. From this fairytale beginning, three resolutions are made—one sister walks one way to find purpose, one the other to find adventure, and the third stays right where she is to create a home.

OCTOBER 7–9 and 16, 2021
Robert J. Orchard Stage (Paramount Center)

A note on COVID Safety: Please know that as an audience member for any of our performances, you will be required to wear a mask. 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.

On this page you'll find detailed programmatic information
as well as notes from directors, designers, and the cast
about how our production of THIS GIRL LAUGHS, THIS GIRL CRIES, THIS GIRL DOES NOTHING
took shape over the past few months.

A note from
Pascale Florestal, Director

Thank you so much for joining us on this epic journey! This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing takes us through the three different paths of Albienne, Beatrix, and Carmen. Left to fend for themselves at the age of 12, we watch these three sisters persevere as they find themselves and eventually each other. Fairy tales take us to a world full of color, magic, and hope, they remind us that even in the darkest of times hope lies on the other side, waiting for us to get there. Sometimes it takes a few years or sixteen years but the light is always there at the end.

One of the things I love so much about this play is its reminder that our path to finding ourselves is what we make of it. That the twists and turns we experience teach us how to be stronger in ways we never knew we could. In a world where we are constantly comparing ourselves on social media it's refreshing to remember that our paths are meant to be different.

The bonds of family and sisterhood are another important theme throughout the play. I think we all have a specific idea of what we want our relationships to be like with our family and siblings. It's not until we grow older that we realize those ideas of family and sisterhood can look different than what we thought. Relationships ebb and flow whether that's with parents, siblings, or friends. As we age we change; so do our needs, desires and values. Sometimes that means our relationships change because we need to protect ourselves or because our situations make it so.

Just like the sisters take their own path away from each other to find what they need, sometimes our paths must diverge in order for us to find our true selves. I hope this play will invite you to think about your journey and path, reminding you of all the treacherous battles you fought to get here and the continued hills you will climb to move forward. 

ABOUT PASCALE FLORESTAL

Pascale Florestal is a Director, Educator, Dramaturg, Writer, and Collaborator based in Boston, MA. Directing Credits; Seven Devils, SpeakEasy Stage, Opera Del West, Northeastern University, The Huntington, and others. New Play Development; R. Eric Thomas, Obehi Janice, Phaedra Michelle Scott, and others. As an Assistant to the Director she has worked with Timothy Douglas, Kimberly Senior, Liesl Tommy, Billy Porter, Paul Daigneault, and M. Bevin O'Gara. Dramaturgy; Witch by Jen Silverman with The Huntington, Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu’s with SpeakEasy Stage. Pascale also serves as the Education Director for The Front Porch Arts Collective and is an Assistant Professor of Theater at Boston Conservatory.

Notes from
the Dramaturgs

INTERVIEWS WITH THE CAST

What was your favorite fairy tale as a kid?
Alieyah Brown (Narrator): My favorite was The Princess and the Frog or the Tangerine Bear.
Shannon Booth (Lady): My favorite fairy tale was the story of Cinderella. I just really loved the idea of a fairy godmother and little animal friends who could make you some clothes.
Jonah Barricklo (Father/Old Man): One of my favorite fairy tales was a story called The Big Jump, about a boy who won a puppy from a King by jumping to the top of his castle.
Meaghan Robichaud (Woman 1/Girl): My favorite fairy tale was Ella Enchanted.

WHICH SISTER ARE YOU?

Take the BuzzFeed Quiz

This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing is a tale of bravery and discovering oneself alone, in the prime of youth. After the unexpected death of their mother, the three sisters, Albienne, Beatrix, and Carmen, are abruptly left in the woods by their grief-ridden father to “taste every experience in this world, to meet every person in this world, and to find your place in this world.” Albienne, the oldest, a lover of cakes, finds herself reborn as “A Woman of War.” Beatrix, “a child of the sun” heads off to the sea. Lastly, Carmen stays right where she was left in the woods to build a house. Over the course of ten years, the three girls embark there separate adventures covering wars, stardom, and loneliness all to ultimately search for the one aspect of themselves they have all been missing: home.

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This show opens at Emerson College arriving at a time, as the world begins to reopen, and everyone is trying to find their way back to where they belong. The journey of the three sisters reminds us that there is no one single path better than the other, as long as you’re doing what makes you happy. This show encompasses a reminder that everyone needs to hear: no matter where you go in life, no matter how long it takes, you will always find your way back home.

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Albienne, Beatrix, and Carmen, while all wildly different, show many similarities as well. They are each brave, loving, and sweet in their respective ways. They each process specific and admirable qualities, making them highly relatable to kids and adults alike. Before the show, take a moment to dive deeper into the forest to see which sister you are most like in the quiz below!

ABOUT THE DRAMATURGS

ELLA DISBENNETT, BFA '23 Theatre Ed and Performance

Emerson College Theatre Credits: Boo! (Ensemble) for Mercutio Troupe. Thanks to Emeline and Robert, could not have done it without you!

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EMELINE SHEPARD, BFA '23 Theatre

Emerson College Theatre Credits: RareWorks Theatre Company's Babel (Stage Manager) and Musical Theatre's Society La Cage Aux Folles (Associate Producer). Thanks to Ella and Robert!

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Resources from
the Education Coordinators

VIEW THE EDUCATION GUIDE

Compiled by Zoe Kamil and Michael Pisaturo, Education Coordinators

ABOUT THE EDUCATION COORDINATORS

ZOE KAMIL, MFA '22 Theatre Education

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Emerson Stage Debut! Zoe is a playwright, teaching artist and theatre educator who has worked extensively in NYC and Boston Public Schools + arts nonprofits. Her plays have been produced and developed with the SheNYC Theatre Festival, The Tank, FringeNYC and The Workshop Theatre among others. She is thrilled to have contributed to this special and poignant production. www.zoekamil.com

Meet the
Scenic Designer

MATT BAYNES, BFA '21 Theatre Design/Technology

Emerson Stage credits: NewFest: Going to California (Prop Lead), Good Breeding (Paint Charge), 10 Out of 12 (Scenic Designer), NewFest: The Devil on Your Shoulder (Scenic Designer), Lucky Stiff (Assistant Prop Lead), Bulrusher (Paint Charge), NewFest: Who Donut (Assistant Scenic Designer),Brazen (Assistant Scenic Designer), and assistant in the Emerson Stage paint shop. Emerson College credits: EVVY 37 and 38 (Paint Charge). Thank you to family, friends, and DT faculty. Mvbaynes.com

Meet the 
Costume Designer

DOM LETTERII, BFA '23 Theatre Design/Technology

Emerson Stage credits: Everybody (Somebodies u/s), Going to California (Wardrobe Supervisor), Men On Boats (Assist. Costume Designer), and Good Breeding (Assist. Wardrobe Supervisor). Emerson College credits: Kidding Around’s 13: The Musical (Richie/Dance Captain); Mercutio's ALL NIGHT: at a party in the suburbs (Costume Designer) and Musical Theatre Society’s La Cage Aux Folles (Jacob). Regional credits: Sharon Playhouse’s Crazy For You (Wardrobe Apprentice/Star Dresser). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Kyle, Claire, Gabby, and the rest of the people I love (you know who you are)

Meet the 
Lighting Designer

AMANDA RYAN, BFA '21 Theatre Design/Technology

Selected Emerson Stage credits: Men on Boats (Lighting Designer), Everybody (Production Electrician), Working: A Musical; and Stupid F##king Bird (Asst. Lighting Designer). Selected Regional: Bristol Valley Theatre’s The Roommate (Programmer) and Sherlock Holmes (Assistant Master Electrician); and JDP Theatre Company’s Something Rotten (Lighting Designer). Professional: Neopolitical Cowgirls’ Hysteria (Assistant Lighting Designer). Thank you to Mom, Dad, and Nick for being my biggest cheerleaders, and for the entire cast and crew for such a wonderful experience.

Meet the 
Sound Designer

ELIZABETH CAHILL

Sound Area Head and Resident Sound Designer for Emerson Stage. Select Emerson Stage design credits: Marisol, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Squeaky Fromme Love Song, Amanuensis, or The Miltons, Working: A Musical and Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth has sound designed for The Lyric Stage, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, New Rep, Gloucester Stage, SpeakEasy Stage, The A.R.T. Institute, The Yard, New England Conservatory, Hasty Pudding Theatricals at Harvard University, Fresh Ink Theatre, Bridge Rep, Central Square Theatre, Greater Boston Stage Company, Brownbox Theatre Project, Baldwin Wallace University, Moonbox Productions, and more. A/V Supervisor for operas with New England Conservatory, Boston Early Music Festival, and Boston University. elizabethsound.com

Meet the
Puppet Designer/Fabricator

VERONICA BARRON

Veronica Barron (Puppet Design) makes interdisciplinary theatre combining puppetry, dance, clown, and music. Creator/performer/puppeteer: Be Clean When We Die (Central Square Theater/workshop presentation,Casteliers Festival/creative research residency, Les Sages Fous’s Micro-Festival/performance); Sound Shadows (Dance Complex, Cambridge Arts Council grantee); Fox (AFO Solo Shorts; Drama League Award nominee). Puppeteer: Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall tour (Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, USA). Actor: Huntington Theatre Company’s Ether Dome (Ether Girl); Central Square Theater’s Arabian Nights (Marjanah); Liars & Believers’s ICARUS (Balladeer/Puppeteer). Composer: Central Square Theater’s Her Aching Heart; Whistler in the Dark’s Vinegar Tom; Opera House Arts’s I Have Seen Horizons. veronicabarron.com

Meet the
Props Lead

RYAN BATES

Emerson Stage credits: Corduroy, Everybody. Ryan is the Props Director for Emerson Stage and has worked as a props master 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

Meet the 
Stage Manager

HELEN KUHAR, BFA '21 Stage and Production Management

Emerson Stage credits: Good Breeding (1st ASM), Bulrusher (PA), NewFest Reading and Shorts (PA), Interior of the Artist Without Her Sister (Assoc. Production Supervisor), Stupid F##king Bird (Assoc. Production Supervisor). Helen spent this past summer as the Stage and Production Management Apprentice for The Brooks School. Helen wants to thank their parents and sister for their unending support and their partner for his love and encouragement. Helen also wants to thank the SM team, Pascale, and Deb for each of their support, wisdom, and leadership.

Meet the
Cast

JONAH BARRICKLO (Father/Old Man), BFA ’23 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: MTS’ Ordinary Days (Featured Dancer). Some of his favorite credits include the online concert premiere of Sticks and Stones and Generation Wrecks, a new film featured at Dances With Films LA 2021. He owes everything to his friends and family for their love and support. “Slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be”

OLIVIA BODLEY (Beatrix), BFA '22 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Musical Theatre Society’s Little Women and the Emerson Dance Company. Regional credits: Cinderella and Titanic with Jean's Playhouse.

SHANNON BOOTH (Lady), BFA ’22 Theatre Ed & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Other credits: Not Beauty and the Beast TM (Counselor), Arizona Rain (Crissy), Roller Coaster Road (Susie). Thank you to mom and dad for all of their support!

ALIEYAH BROWN (Narrator), BFA 23’ Acting. Emerson Stage credits: Men on Boats (Sumner) and Marisol (Angel). Emerson College credits Flawless Brown’s LOUD (Ensemble) and Stop Kiss (Mrs. Winsley/Nurse) Thank you to everybody who is still watching and supporting theatre artists and their work in this crazy time!

MAX CONNOR  (Narrator), BFA '24 Musical Theatre. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Mercutio Troupe's The Trial of Errors (Dexter). Other credits: Weston Drama Workshop's Merrily We Roll Along (Frank Shepard); Framingham High School's Les Miserables (Jean Valjean). Special thanks to family and friends for all the amazing support throughout the years!

SPENCER DANIEL (Man 2/Peter), BFA '24 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Emerson Shakespeare Company's [Enter Messenger] (Chorus) and Interior with Peder and Marie (Peder), Full Fathom Productions' Life, Death, Bowling (Daryl). Thanks to mom and dads for their constant love and support!

ANNAJEAN GIONTA (Understudy), BFA 24' Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Musical Theatre Society’s First Lady Suite (Eleanor Roosevelt); Musical Theatre Against the Grain’s Musical Match Game: Broadway Diva's Edition (Liza Minnelli). Thank you to the entire cast and crew for being so welcoming and to all family and friends for the endless support!

HANNAH NILSSON (Albienne), BFA '24 Theatre Education & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: Full Fathom Productions’ Repeat After Me (Just June/ May Montella). Regional Credits: Next Generation Theatre's Freaky Friday (Katherine Blake), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), and Little Women (Marmee). Thank you to all my family and friends for their endless love and support, as well as Valerie Madden and Cassandra Tunick for all that they have taught me in the past year.

CLARA LIVINGSTON (Carmen), BFA ‘23 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Emerson College credits: The Fog Around Us (Unknown/The Angel), Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato) with Emerson Shakespeare Society, Fox Hunt (Ex-Count), selections from Fatchley (Tilli), and Endgame (Hamm) for Directing Projects. She serves on the executive board of EmShakes and is a proud member of Mercutio Troupe. She is thrilled to be welcoming back live theatre with this phenomenal cast and crew.

MEAGHAN ROBICHAUD (Girl/1/Woman), BFA ‘22 Acting. Emerson Stage credits: Interior of an Artist Without Her Sister (Virginia) and Men on Boats (Powell). Emerson College credits: Babel (Renee) with Rareworks Theatre Company and The Taming of the Shrew (Katherine) with Emerson Shakespeare Society. Other Credits: The Handmaid's Tale (Ensemble) with Boston Lyric Opera and Hysteria (Dora) with the Neo-Political Cowgirls. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, and Vic love y'all so much!

CONALL SAHLER (Understudy), BFA ‘24 Theatre & Performance. Emerson Stage debut! Regional credits: Imagination Stage Performance Ensembles’ Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright), Pippin (Charlemagne), and Antigone (Eteocles, Senate Majority Leader). I am very excited to have worked on This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing as my first production with Emerson College! Thanks to all my friends and family who have helped me get to where I am today, could not have done any of this without you!

Meet the 
Artistic and Production Staff

Assistant Director KAREN ESKENAZI

Assistant Director VICTORIA ISOTTI

Vocal Coach VAL MADDEN

Associate Scenic Designer PIPER PHILLIPS
Assistant Scenic Designer GENEVA KLEIN

Scenic Artist ARIANA DOOKRHAN

Scenic Artist JULIA WONKKA
Assistant Costume Designer CAITLIN JOHNSON
Wardrobe Supervisor MOLLY SHAUGHNESSY
Associate Lighting Designer JUANMA SUAREZ
Assistant Lighting Designer HENRY KACIK
Production Electrician SHELBY MARSH
Lead Electrician SAM KISTHARDT
Assistant Lead Electrician MIA MOORE

Assistant Sound Designer MILLER KOPPANG
Production Sound Engineer JULIE BEAULIEU 
Assistant Production Sound Engineer SUSAN EYRING

Assistant Stage Manager OLIVIA TIGHE
2nd Assistant Stage Manager KAILEY PELLETIER
Production Assistant HANNAH FREEMAN

Production Assistant ALEX LEWIS
Production Supervisor CARLEIGH ALLEN
Associate Production Supervisor BLAKE BERGGREN

Assistant Production Supervisor GRACE DI NATALE
Company Manager MAIA TIVONY
Assistant Company Manager BLAKE BERGGREN

Run Crew

CASPER APODACA, LANDON BUTLER, KAYLA COPPING, TAJ DHARMADJI, AMAYA GONZALEZ-MOLLMANN, MOLLY HOWARD, ALLY MCLEAN, CAMERON MCLEAN, LUIS MENA, OLIVIA MILLER, BRENNA NOLAN, DYLAN NORRIS, SIMONE OCAHLEK, ISABEL POWELL, TIM SCALZO, BIANCA WESTON, GRIFFIN WILLNER, BLU XU, LINRAN ZHANG

Meet the

Emerson Stage Staff

STAFF

Artistic Director—Annie G. Levy
General Manager—David Colfer
Production Manager—Timothey 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 General Manager—Alix Bigley

Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor—Brian Choinski

Draper/Cutter—Laurie Bramhall

Assistant Properties Manager—Lauren Corcuera

ADVISORS

Stage and Production Management—Debra A. Acquavella
Scenic Design—Debra Booth

Scenic Painting—Joe Keener

Costume Design—Chelsea Kerl

Lighting Design—Scott Pinkney

Sound Design—​Elizabeth Cahill

Fight/Intimacy—Ted Hewlett

Dramaturgy—​Robert Duffley

STUDENT STAFF

Emerson Stage Office Assistants— Casper Apodaca, Shannon Horsey, Alex Tawid Di Maggio, Jake Tolentino
Production Management Assistants—Carleigh Allen and Anthony Feola

Videographers—Benjamin Bernard and Jacqueline Thom

Scene Shop Staff— Jonah Barricklo, Sean Dougherty, Marco Giacona, Emerson Hart, Sam Kisthardt, Baz Kouba, Dylan Norris

Paint Shop Assistants—Matthew Baynes and Leah Heath

Scenic Artists/Painters—Emily Curtis, Sofia Goldfarb, Serino Nakayama,
Kimberly Ndegwa, Fernando Rueda, Garrett Traer

Prop Shop Assistant—Delene Beauchamp, Evy Burch, Briana Figarella, Oliver Hawke, Mariel Richardson, Ava Scanlon, Mercedes Suarez

Stitchers—Tayla Dixon, David Estabrooks, Grace Fitzgerald, Emily Geldermann,

Caitlin Johnson, Lorence Jones-Perpich, Dominic Letterii, Justina MacNeil, Molly Shaughnessy, Munroe Shearer, Trixie Ward

Crafter/Dyer—Madeline Yazel

Laundry Assistants—Aleah Bloom and Angelina Parillo

Stock Attendants—Megan Decker, Jessica Immel, Lucile Lyon