Hi. Welcome to this Gorgeous program. Before you start scrolling willy-nilly, take a sec to check out our other shows. Love you, mean it. xoxo

Welcome to the Renaissance!

Read a lil' about us.

A Note from Donald Rupe, Co-Founder of the Ren

Welcome to the Renaissance! And welcome to Gorgeous!

Renaissance Theatre Company was founded in 2021 with a mission to create new and original Theatre in Central Florida and beyond. We are focused on fair pay for artists, sustainability, supporting creators/playwrights with diverse voices, and we also want to grow a new audience for live Theatre in Orlando. In September, board member Chris Kampmeier purchased 415 East Princeton Street as a home for us, and we’ve already produced four wonderful and successful productions here: Nosferatu, The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show, La Medéa, and Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar. We are thrilled to make some announcements soon about what’s next, and we are so excited about Gorgeous.

If you're the type who likes to support Non-profit organizations, I hope you'll consider joining the Founders, the elite group of donors who are helping to get us started. We have a goal of raising $100,000 in our first year from 500 new donors, so any gift big or small is truly appreciated: rentheatre.com/giveusmoney. So far, we have already raised over $50,000 from more than 200 donors, so we are off to a good start but we have a ways to go!

Take care, y'all, and I hope you enjoy Gorgeous!

Donald Rupe

rupedon@gmail.com

Gorgeous

Setting: Present day in a mystical place called St. Crowd, Florida.

ACT 1

Small Town Beauty Queen...........Company

Svedka's Lullaby...............Svedka and Company

What If..........Bernice

Just A Metaphor.......Breanna

Feet To Fly.............Stacey Anne and Andrea Adams

Different Inside.......Bernice

Pretty Girl In An Ugly World........Becky, Breanna, Andrea, and Company

ACT II

St. Crowd Proud..........Company

To Boot.........Company

Your Own Side.......Andrea Adams

Svedka............Company

Pretty Girl In An Ugly World (Reprise)......Becky

Someone Else's Life......Becky and Bernice

Finale.........Bernice and Company

The Cast

Book/Music/Lyrics by Donald Rupe
Orchestrations and Arrangements by Jason M. Bailey

The Crew

Director … Sara Catherine Barnes

Music Director … Jason M. Bailey

Piano … Jason M. Bailey

Guitar … Alex Roberts

Violin … Joseph Quintana

Drums … Chris Kampmeier

Bass Guitar … Bryce Hayes
Bass Guitar … Aaron Iannitelli (March 4th, 11th, and 18th)
Bass Guitar … Sean Powell (April 1st)

Stage Manager … Jacob Lawhon

Choreographer … Adonus Mabry

Producer … Donald Rupe

Sound Design … Stephen Jones

Sound Engineering … Chris Kampmeier

Costume Design … J. Marie Bailey

Headpiece Design … Breanna Roberts

Scenic Design … Rachel Del Valle Lupo

Lighting Design … Philip Lupo

Assistant Lighting Design … Diego Ford

Lead Carpenter/Construction … Christopher Fahmie

Lead Carpenter/Construction … Jeff St. Charles

Casting … Kelsay + Morales Company

Scenic Painting Lead … Blake Schulte

Electrics Crew … Diego Ford, Danie Johnson, Kashime Joseph, Rachel Del Valle Lupo

Schedule 40 Pipe Division … Stephen Jones, Chris Kampmeier

Spot Op … Rebekah Lugo

Lighting Console Op … Jacob Lawhon

Crew (Scenic Construction/Scenic Painters) … Blake Schulte, Christopher Fahmie, Carlos Pereyo, Donna Coffee, Jeff St. Charles, Joey Coombs, John Rawlins, Luciana Nogueira

Social Media & Marketing Director/Graphic Design … Landon St. Gordon

Program Design … Landon St. Gordon

Publicity and Production Photos … Ashleigh Ann Gardner

Publicity Videos … Jake Teixeira

Additional Publicity Videos … Ali Coleman

Bartenders … Devin Skorupski, Adam Propser Ledo, Tyler Counts

Snack Administrator … Carlos Pereyo

Administration Manager … Rebekah Lugo

Murals Painted by Donna Coffee, Joey Coombs, and Blake Schulte

Additional contributions to the script were made by the cast and director during rehearsal. Specific shout outs go to Sara Catherine Barnes for her influence on many moments in the script and to Yan Diaz for writing Blessica's final monologue.

Renaissance Theatre Company Staff

(we don’t really do titles)

The One in Charge …… Donald Rupe

The One Who Does a Lot of Admin/Computer/Owner of the Building/Misc. …… Chris Kampmeier

The Admin Boss Lady …… Rebekah Lugo

The Bar Guy/Production Guy …… Christopher Fahmie

The Sound Guy …… Stephen Jones

The Music Guy …… Jason M. Bailey

The Marketing Guy …… Landon St. Gordon

Renaissance Theatre Company Board of Directors

Jason M. Bailey, Debbie Fahmie, Chris Kampmeier, Rebekah Lugo, Donald Rupe, Jake Teixeira, Madison Gomez Teixeira

A Very Special Thanks

(you know what you did for us, and so do we)

Meet the Cast

Blake Aburn (Svedka Stolichnaya) is so excited to be back with his Beauty Bitches! You may have last seen him last as Finnegan in The Office Holiday Party Extravaganza Show and previously to that as the sexy(?), nameless vampire emcee in Nosferatu or at Musical Mondays every Monday where he hosts. Side note, while we’re here… please come to musical Mondays, it’s really fun! You may also remember him from From Here the Musical at Orlando Fringe where he won the Watermark Splash award for Best LGBTQ Lead Performer and Orlando Sentinel’s Best of 2020 Critics Pick for his reprisal of the role. Blake sends his love to all his gals and pals, his tiny little baby kitties Stella and Peach, his sweet Devy, and his Momma. @blakegayburn

Lizzy Allen (Ethel Cromwell) is a singer, songwriter, and actress currently based in Orlando FL. A New Jersey native, she is an alumnus of Papermill’s award-winning Broadway Showchoir. Some favorite dramatic roles include Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (Orlando Shakes) and Tituba in The Crucible (Wildfire). On the musical theater stage, Lizzy Allen was most recently seen as Nansi in Bob Marley’s 3 Little Birds (Orlando Repertory Theater). Some other favorite roles include Snug in Midnight Madness, Ilona in She Loves Me, Annie in Evil Dead: The Musical, and Cookson in Wendy’s Shadow. @lizzyallens on Instagram.

Kaitlyn Batchelor (Ensemble/Swing) is beyond excited to be making her Renaissance Theatre Company debut in Gorgeous! Kaitlyn has been dancing for over 20 years, and decided to bring that passion for dance over to the musical theatre world at a very young age. She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Brenau University located in the North Georgia mountains. This Florida native returned to the Orlando performing scene this past fall, where she performed in Guys & Dolls with Theatre at St. Luke’s. Kaitlyn’s regional credits include Pasty in Crazy For You, Lisa in Mamma Mia, and Featured Dancer in Hello! Dolly, Newsies, My Fair Lady, and Shrek the Musical at Peach State Summer Theatre, where she also served as dance captain for all six shows. Kaitlyn would like to give a huge thanks to the Gorgeous cast and crew for welcoming her into the Ren family, as well as her parents for always supporting her, and God for blessing her with this incredible opportunity and community!

Isabel Bernal (Andrea Adams) is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Theatre Studies and a minor in Dance. Some of her favorite credits include In the Heights (Nina) with the Breakthrough Theatre Company, El Wiz (Brujitas Malas) with UCF Pegasus Playlab, and First Miss (Amy) at UCF Celebrates the Arts. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support.

Grace Boynton (Stacey Anne/Ashley Anne) is thrilled to be making her Ren Debut! Recent credits include 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly), Holiday Inn (Daphne), Crazy for You (Polly Baker), West Side Story (Velma), Wedding Singer (Julia Sullivan), Hair (Tribe) and La Cage a Folles (Colette). New York performances include showcases and cabarets at Symphony Space and Don’t Tell Mama's. She is an alumni of Harrison School for the Performing Arts and University of Central Florida. Grace is also a proud member of Broadway Artist Alliance in NYC. She would like to thank this incredible creative team for allowing her to be a part of something so special!

Yan Diaz (Blessica Williams) is very Excited to be making his Renaissance Theatre Debut! Favorite Central Florida credits: Hedwig in Hedwig And the angry inch (Henegar Center), Michael Wormwood in Matilda (Garden Theatre), Oscar D’Armano in The Wild Party (Titusville Playhouse) Regional/Professional Credits: Angel/Referee in Kinky Boots (Thomaston Opera House CT), Performer in the Broadway Easter Bonnet Competition (Minskoff Theatre NY), Houdini in Ragtime (Axelrod Theatre NJ), Bobby Strong/Hot Blades Harry us. (Studio Theatre Villages FL) . He wants to thank his family and Friends for their continual Support.

Kristie Geng (Becky Buckley) – Joyfully returning to The Ren after having the absolute best time in their production of The Office Party Musical Extravaganza Show! (Deborah). Other past Orlando credits - Theatre South Playhouse: Nunsense (Mary Leo), Celebration Theatre Co: RENT (Maureen), HEXED (Kristie), Sondheim on Sondheim (principal vocalist), Bonnie & Clyde (Blanche Barrow), Heathers (Heather Chandler). Garden Theatre: 1984 (Julia). Red Fish Theatre Co: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena). Long Island High School of the Arts – Musical Theatre Alumni. BFA: Five Towns College. Thank you Donald, SCB, everyone at The Ren for this wonderfully creative environment. Love to Dane and Steph.

Madison Gomez Teixeira (Cheryl Parker-Rodriguez) is so excited to be joining the incredible cast of Gorgeous especially under the direction of the fabulous SCB. She hopes you laugh, cry, and feel something during the show. She’d like to thank her family for their endless support, and dedicate the show to her best friend, Jake Teixeira.

Rebecca Jo Lightfoot (Breanna Buckley) is so excited to be a part of Gorgeous, her first production at the wonderful Renaissance Theatre! Being a part of the first production of this show during Orlando Fringe was just the beginning. Now, Rebecca Jo cannot wait to bring a new character to life. Gratitude and many thanks to the production team for letting her be a part of this amazing cast. Sending kisses and love to her two beautiful baby boys and family for all of their support.

Kendall Leamy (Bernice Buckley) is beyond excited to be making second appearance in a Renaissance Theatre production after debuting as Jan in the Holiday Office Party Musical Extravaganza Show. You may have previously seen her as Hope in the award winning short film "Anxieties Anonymous" during Winter Fringe or as Hannah in the critically acclaimed musical "From Here" by Donald Rupe. Other credits include, Rona (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Woman #4 (F*ckboys the Musical), and Martha Dunnstock (Heathers the Musical). Kendall would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support as well as Donald and the entire Renaissance team for their hard work and dedication. Instagram: kendall_leamy

Mikey Reichert (David Minelli) is very excited to be making his Renaissance Theatre debut with Gorgeous! Mikey is an EMC actor based here in Orlando and represented by 22Talent. Mikey holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Dance from the University of Central Florida. Featured roles include Albert (Newsies), Nurse (Romeo & Juliet), Solomon (Speech & Debate), and Short Who (Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular). Mikey is also known as a professional drag queen; when in the gig, she goes by Myki Meeks. Myki is the current reigning winner of the annual competition “Orlando Drag Race Live” and performs at The Ren each Wednesday for the iconic drag event “Off The Record”. Thank you to the cast and crew for such a GORGEOUS production! Keep up with Mikey & Myki on all socials: @myki.meeks

Samantha (Samm) Stonecipher (Ensemble/Swing) is a Chicagoland native who has been performing in the Orlando area since she moved here in 2019! She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rockford University. She is currently a performer at Universal Studios in the Mardi Gras parade! Recent Orlando credits include: The Siren in Sirens (IceHouse Theatre), Karen in Unnecessary Farce (IceHouse Theatre) and Panacea in A Funny Thing...Forum (Titusville Playhouse). Favorite roles include Ms. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Calliope in Xanadu, and Millie in Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Samm is overjoyed to be joining this talented cast/crew and to be making her debut at Renaissance Theatre. May the best pageant girl win!

The Crew

Donald Rupe (Writer/Producer) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company (with a lot of help from his friends). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, Donald has written a number of successful theatrical productions (mostly musicals with Jason M. Bailey), including: Bright Young Things; From Here (fromhere.com); Flying Lessons (featured in the New York Musical Festival in 2019); Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar; Once I Laughed; and others. Donald was also the founder of a community theatre program for Central Florida Community Arts, where for five years he ran a traditional season of productions with much success. Donald's numerous directing credits span the better part of twenty years and many wonderful companies throughout Central Florida. Rupe is also an accomplished educator, having served on the part-time faculty of Valencia College for over a decade and as an award-winning high school educator. Donald received his degrees in Theatre from New York University and Florida State University.

Jason M. Bailey (Music Director), aka The Bearded Maestro, is a Musician / Performer / Composer in Orlando. Jason teaches private voice, is an accompanist and music director for UCF and Rollins College, and works as a freelance musician. His original show credits include arranger/orchestrator/music director for Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Bright Young Things (winning Critics Choice for Music Direction), From Here, and Flying Lessons, which played Off-Broadway. Jason has music directed for many theatres and schools including Osceola Arts, CFCArts, Wayne Densch, WPHS, and Trinity Preparatory School. He has taught musical theatre for DPAC, Orlando Rep, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and CFCArts. Jason has also performed with theatres around the country including Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, American Family Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Salem Repertory Theatre, and CFCArts. www.thebeardedmaestro.com

Sara Catherine Barnes (Director) is an actor, singer, dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, and director in the Central Florida area, with credits that range from community, local, and regional theaters, as well as Broadway National Tours. Favorite roles include; The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Maria in The Sound of Music, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Judy in 9 to 5, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Woman 2 in Songs for a World, Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, and Wendy Jo in the Broadway National Tour of Footloose: The Musical. Sara has received numerous awards for her work as an actress. Most recently she received the Best Actress Award at both the Florida Theatre Conference, and South Eastern Theatre Conference for her role as Carol in The Amish Project. Sara has choreographed and directed various musicals, including Big Fish, Legally Blonde, Nuncrackers, Footloose: The Musical, Kinky Boots, The Addams Family, The Sound of Music, The Bodyguard, and upcoming productions of Suessical Jr., and Grease. 6 of VIII: The Six Wives of Henry the VIII, an original piece which she directed, and co-wrote with her sister, won best Musical at the 2019 Orlando Fringe Festival.

Adonus Mabry (Choreographer) is beyond excited to be returning to Renaissance Theatre Company as part of the creative team. Adonus was in his first Donald Rupe production as an Actor/Dancer in the show titled Brought Young Things that debuted fall of 2020. He made his debut at the REN in the production of Nosferatu as a dancer and associate choreographer this past October; he was Associate Choreographer for the Osceola Arts production of In the Heights, the Encore Performing Arts production of Cabaret, and Athens Theatre production of Ain't Misbehavin'. In 2021, Adonus made his Choreographer debut for The Frogpig and Friends Variety Hour at the Orlando Fringe Festival and for Head Over Heels for Encore Performing Arts which he was recently nominated for best choreography of the year. He’s very active in the Orlando community in acting and dancing productions that have helped and supported his continued growth. Adonus is also a principal dancer for Crawford Jazz Project (CJP) which is a professional jazz company under the direction of Carrie Crawford based out of Orlando. He’s a person who is constantly ready to connect and add a little joy to someone’s day, so he is grateful for the opportunity and warm welcome back to Donald's world.

Jacob Lawhon (Stage Manager)- Howdy Ya’ll! Jacob is thrilled to be back working with the Renaissance Theatre Company. Previous productions include: Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar (Orlando Fringe), Nosferatu, Bright Young Things, The Office Holiday Musical Extravaganza Show and Flying Lessons (Off-Broadway) Much Love to Donald and the hardworking staff of The Ren.

Chris Kampmeier (credits go here!) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company as well as a computer and sound engineer. He had the incredible fortune to be A Nearby Guitar Player in 2019 just as Donald and Jason began their songwriting relationship with From Here at the Orlando Fringe Festival and Flying Lessons at the New York Musical Festival in 2019 (drums and percussion). Then onto an expanded run of From Here and two versions of our favorite thing, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar. His very first weirdo punk rock theatre experience was seeing Donald’s original version of Gorgeous in 2018. ‘Time is a flat circle’ and so and so. Thank you so much for coming out to the Ren.

Rebekah Lugo (Ren Theatre Administrator) has been involved in the arts since elementary school and has always known she wanted to pursue her passion for the arts in one way or another. After working with Donald Rupe for the better part of 20 years on various projects and productions, Rebekah is super excited to be a part of the Renaissance Theatre Company as their “Admin God” and whatever else this exciting journey might bring. Rebekah hopes you enjoy your experience at the Renaissance.

Rachel Del Valle Lupo (Scenic Designer) has her degree in theatre from Stetson University and has spent the past twelve years working in Central Florida as a theatre manager, technical director, and theatre educator. Favorite scenic design credits include Legally Blonde, Odd Couple, and The Lion King; favorite directing credits include Edges, I Don’t Want To Talk About It, and Party Worth Crashing; and favorite performance credits include How The Other Half Loves (Mary Detweiler), Aida, and Spring Awakening (Marta Bessell); however her most favorite credit is her son, Elijah.

Blake Schulte (Lead Artist/Construction) is an artist originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a jack of all trades and the embodiment of the word "maker". His main focus is to constantly improve artistic conception and technique, acquire further knowledge, and to push the limits of his skills.

Jeff St. Charles (Lead Carpenter/Scenic Lead) began building at the age of seventeen and has worked in construction, project management and operations throughout this life. He is a certified Journeyman carpenter. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Rollins College, where he was introduced to theatre set design and building. After college, he taught at Valencia Community College and Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jeff began working in theater as the Technical Director at CFCArts for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He is now thrilled to be back with his old director, Donald Rupe, at the Ren. Jeff has been married to his high school sweetheart, Karen, for 38 years. They have a son, Jeffrey, who is the pride of their life. Jeff is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to help share art throughout the community.

Philip Lupo (Lighting Designer) is a regional Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer whose previous work at Renaissance includes Nosferatu and Office Holiday Party. Other design credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Orlando Shakes), Monster Stomp (SeaWorld Orlando), and Into the Woods (DreamCatcher Theatre). His non-theatrical lighting projects can be seen in television stations from Palm Beach to Las Vegas. Philip also serves as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Florida State Junior Thespians, helping develop the performers and designers of tomorrow. He could not be more excited to be working with Renaissance to bring this exciting work to Central Florida audiences. Get in touch at www.philiplupo.com.

Stephen Jones (Sound Designer) is a recent transplant to Orlando, having recently moved from Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he worked for four years at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre as a company actor, sound engineer/designer, and teaching artist. Some credits include Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit (not the musical); Lurvy in Charlotte's Web; and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (again, not the musical). Stephen has also been known to moonlight as a film, television, and theatre critic. Bylines include The Source; TheKnockturnal.com; the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; and a couple of websites that folded! He is excited to be a part of this production and to have been welcomed into the Orlando theatre community.