PLAY READING
LUCRECE
Saturday, November 18 at 7 PM
Voices Studio, 1585 Central Ave., Dubuque
Director’s notes
When one person is obsessed with another person, how far will they go to possess their obsession? In Venus, we saw a goddess pursue a mortal. In Lucrece, it is a powerful man setting his sights on a subordinate’s wife. The gender dynamics and power dynamics feel more threatening, the results more ominous. Shakespeare ups the ante by not allowing Lucrece a voice until rape is inevitable; but once Lucrece starts speaking, it is an astonishing journey through all the emotions and arriving at a cold calculation about the path in front of her. It is thrilling to see Lucrece claim agency on her own life in a martial society that puts everyone in rigid boxes.
I treated the adaptation more like opera than straight theatre, where passages don’t always advance the plot, but rather explore emotional terrain. I feel privileged to stay with Lucrece as she works through her choices, and hope the audience will stay with her on the journey.
CAST
Lucrece .................................Megan Gloss
Narrator/Brutus ...............Doug Donald
Tarquin/Messenger............Dakota Vaassen
Collatinus ............................Michael Storm
Lucretius ...............................Gary Arms
Lady Servant...............Stephanie Bussan*
* no lines
BIOS
Sunil Malapati (Director, Adapter) is a confirmed Bardophile having seen every single Shakespeare play on stage! He currently organizes the ambitious Dubuque Shakespeare Project (https://shakespeare.carnegiestout.org/) at the Carnegie Stout Library. Sunil is the recipient of a City of Dubuque NEA-ARPA grant to adapt ‘Shakespeare’s Shrew through Brecht’. Sunil was previously seen on stage in The Tempest (Prospero), Romeo and Juliet, Mothers and Sons (which he also directed) Miss Witherspoon, and The Laramie Project among others. He has worked in numerous roles off stage, notably directing (most recently Ten Chimneys) and sound design. He is a FBNP Board member and oversees the staged play readings.
Megan Gloss (Lucrece) frequently can be seen performing in music and theater throughout the tri-states. When not doing that, she is marking her 20th year at the Telegraph Herald, where she serves as the Features Editor, covering arts and culture, as well as editing Her magazine and BizTimes.biz. Additionally, she is a voice and yoga instructor with Centrally Rooted and B1 Yoga in Dubuque, as well as serving on multiple boards and committees.
Doug Donald (Brutus/ Narrator) Doug received his degree in theatre from Truman University and his MFA in Directing for Theatre from the University of Iowa. After working professionally for The Ice House Theatre, Old Creamery Theatre and Timber Lake Playhouse, among others; he came to Dubuque to direct for the Five Flags Theatre Company, where he met his wife, Lenore. In 1982 they formed Fly-By-Night Productions with Doug serving as Artistic Director for 18 years. From 2000-2018 he served as Director of Theatre at Loras College. Upon retirement, he has directed and acted for FBNP, the Grand Opera House and will direct for the Bell Tower Theater’s upcoming season. Over the last 2 years he has created short videos based on the writings of Mark Twain; over 30 videos to date. He currently serves on the cities Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission. He thanks his wife and his daughter, Caitlin, for indulging his eccentricities and our audience for supporting the Arts.
Dakota Vasssen (Tarquin, Messenger) is honored to perform in this captive reimagining of Shakespear’s most heartbreaking poem. Most recently Dakota played Chrysalde in Fly-By-Night’s production of The School for Wives. Dakota graduated from UW-Platteville in 2016 with a BA in theater and double minors in English and creative writing. Opening December 1st Dakota will be in Bell Tower Theater’s Christmas play A Doublewide, Texas Christmas, and is set to direct Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor for the Platteville Community Theater with performances in March. “I want to thank you all for coming out to support your local arts. Enjoy the show!”
Michael Storm (Collatine) is excited to be working with Fly By Night again after playing Benjamin in The New Sincerity earlier this year. When he’s not on stage, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and gardening. He also provides voices and sound effects for Dick Rogers: Space Detective, a comedy podcast that spoofs classic radio detective serials. He hopes everyone comes out to see him in Baggage and Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at the Bell Tower Theater in early 2024. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!
Gary Arms (Lucretius) Born long ago. Married his true love, Susie. Two kids. Taught literature classes at a small college for many years. Retired. Wrote some books and plays and poems. Lazy. Likes to read. Fond of bourbon.
Stephanie Bussan (Maid) caught the acting bug in 7th grade and has been hooked ever since. After college she took an eight-year hiatus from the stage, but was pulled back in with a FBNP production of Waiting for the Parade. She has performed in several full length FBNP shows since, the most recent being Georgette in School for Wives. She was most recent role was Venus in the sister play-reading to Lucrece, as part of the Obsession/Possession two-part play reading. Stephanie is also a member of FBNP Script Reading Committee, which allows her to contribute to the theater community even when she’s not in a show.
