Director’s Notes

I grew up in Virginia with the most wonderful, liberal open-minded parents, who both were and still are Presbyterian
ministers. Although they worried that my brother and I would get an overwhelming dose of God, I can honestly say
that from where I stand now, they did alright. More than alright. They did fantastic. They allowed me to have an open,
self-chosen, and vivid connection to spirituality that was inherent in the love they raised me with and the beauty they
showed me that exists within the world. And they allowed me to grow into any sort of spiritual person I wanted to be –
to have discussions about faith and what it means to believe in a higher power. And I was able to come to it on my own.

All of us need to feel connected. But what drives the connection to God? To want to feel connected to something big-
ger – to spirituality, to divine and universal truths and powers? How do we move forward and define our modern beliefs,
in a world where Faith can seem pretty scarce? Why do we believe what we believe – and will we enlarge and change
our view as we step into the world? Do we change ourselves to adapt to what already exists or change the structure
itself? 11:11 takes us into a popular modern structure – the world of summer camp. Beyond the popularized visions
of jesus camps and ultra conservative tent revivals that the media loves to display, what do we see? What are young
people of faith really dealing with?

I did go to a Christian camp when I was younger, and I loved it. I have heard there is an unspoken lack of understand-
ing between those who have been to summer camp and those who have not – but at Camp Hanover in Virginia, it was
all the hype and then some. I have countless memories of the Mud Slide, the songs, the games, and the bonfires - but
it was challenging and questioning my young life and God that truly nurtured my love of the whole camp experience.
My hope is that inside of camp Methusalah Pines, you will be welcomed, be challenged, and be a part of this spiritual
dialogue that exists today.

I am a believer of artistic endeavors – in creation. I am so proud and happy to be actively working with one of the most
talented groups of weirdos I have even been lucky enough to call friends. It’s not easy – and probably shouldn’t be – to
push each other constantly to be better and extend further and stay just one more hour or write just one more page or
try the scene just one more time. We flip each other’s switches, we engage and disconnect, we tackle each other with
love and support. And we are always moving. We are always making choices and letting them
play out. We say YES more than we say NO and when it all shakes down at the end of
every day – whether it feels like a disaster or a masterpiece – it makes me want to keep
going. I am inspired and driven by my peers – not only within The New Colony – but
all around me. I’m all about exuding the joy chemical and helping people dis-
cover and embrace their inner self to share it with the world. In doing so, I truly
am able to discover myself, as well. Not only do I have a rockstar family that
loves me from afar, I have wonderful unique amazing friends – my bright
lights. And although it often gets passed off as naïve to try and remain so
damn positive in such a ridiculous world, it’s what I believe in.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you to people who helped me
so very much : Dandy Hobo for all of it, Hanklin Hankerstein for being
Hank, Julie Nichols for honesty and love, Matty Jillybean for being my
nonsexual life partner, Wendell for the cuddle parties, my love TK for
always making everything better, Tara Jayne (ladyfairy) and Evan for your
work and love, Thea Lux for the most amazing Jesus music ever made
by someone who dislikes the genre, Gary for being so solid, Mary Hol-
lis for being a beauty, all of TNC and Sam Snowden for the love, Casey
Adams for being on point, Shelby Wilson for being a goddess, the “Nicks”
for their awesome lighting and beautiful set design, Sean Kelly – who is
hands down the kindest, smartest, most wonderful AD I could have ever,
ever, ever been lucky enough to work with, and finally to this cast. YOU amaze
me, and I’m so honored and thankful for your zest. This show is full of your joy.
Pump it up, baby, pump it up.

Love
Meg Johns
Creative TEAM
Tara Sissom, Playwright, Dana
Tara Sissom was made Art Director, Marketing Director and a company
member of The New Colony after making her Chicago debut in TNC’s Frat and
Tupperware: An American Musical Fable. She graduated from Elon University
with BFA in Music Theatre and Digital Art and is a Company Member at B
Street Theatre in Sacramento, CA. Professional Theatre Credits: B Street
Theatre: Jack Goes Boating, Make Someone Happy, Seven Ten Split, The
Swan and Go, Dog. Go!; Flat Rock Playhouse: Beauty and the Beast, Chil-
dren of Eden, The Man Who Came To Dinner. TV/Film Credits: The Magical
World of Disney, ABC; You’re On! Nickelodeon; Gi-Ho-Lo, The Legacy of Rich-
ard Long, USA Winner of the International 48 Hour Film Festival. Tara is an
Indian Lakes Christian Camp Alumni (‘97 - ‘99), . Love to Mom, Dad & Connor.
“Indian Lakes, where the spiders and snakes get you before the grizzly bears
do. And though you run and inside you just can’t hide from those mosquitoes
that chew” - Billy Dale Sissom Jr.

Evan Linder, Playwright, Finn

Evan is unbelievably proud to be an ensemble member of The New Colony where
he also serves as Associate Artistic Director. A proud graduate of the Col-
lege of Charleston where he studied playwriting under
Dr. Franklin Ashley, Evan began his professional career
as an Associate Company member at Playhouse on the
Square in Memphis, TN. Upon moving to Chicago, Evan
has worked with About Face Theater, the side proj-
ect, Promethean Theater Ensemble, Bohemian Theater
Ensemble and Hubris Productions. In March 2009, TNC
premiered his play FRAT which was named as one of
the best shows of the year in the Chicago Tribune and
enjoyed an extended run and sold-out houses at the
DANK Haus in Lincoln Square. He last appeared as
Kirk in TNC’s “Calls to Blood” which enjoyed a critically-
acclaimed run at the Royal George Theater.
 Meg Johns Is a native Virginian who
moved to Chicago in 2003 to pursue an artistic
life of performance, writing, and comedy. She has trained
in improvisation at iO Chicago and the Annoyance Theater, per-
forming in a variety of sketch, improv, and scripted original shows. Some of her favorites have
been playing with her all-female comedy group Chewties!, and creating the show Love is Dead:
A Necromantic Musical Comedy, which ran in Chicago and went on to showcase at The Fringe
Festival in NYC in 2008. Meg began teaching improv at The Annoyance in early 2008 and there
directed her first full-length original show, Chasing Dumb, which she and the cast collab-
oratively wrote. It was chosen as part of Austin’s Comedy Festival in August of 2009. Meg is a
proud company member of The New Colony, having performed in 2 shows in the first season –
the party ensemble FRAT, and the musical Tupperware.
Currently, Meg can be seen in Burlesque is More at The
Annoyance, or teaching and directing improv troupes
around Chicago. Meg hopes to do more of everything
in the future—EVERYTHING!
 Casey Adams - Stage Manager
Casey is feeling very “Methusiastic” about working on 11:11,
the second show she’s gotten to stage manage for The
New Colony after last year’s FRAT. Armed with a B.A. in
theatre from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point,
she’s been SMing for some fantastically fun Chicago com-
panies during the last few years including The Plagiarists,
New Leaf Theatre, and Rubicon Theatre Project, and
spending her summers wrangling Elizabethans as the Pro-
duction Stage Manager for the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Sean Kelly - Assistant Director

Sean Kelly: received his BA in Acting and BA in Vocal Performance from UIC in 2008. He
launched The Artisan Theatre Project in 2008 to develop cross-media work with dancers,
painters, poets, musicians, sculptors, and actors (and others). Directing Credits include The
Fantasticks (Porchlight), Aesop and Icarus (Manhattan Repertory Theatre and The Artisan
Theatre Project in collaboration with The UIC Choirs), Personal Apocalypse (Tympanic),
Jack and the Giant (Steel Beam), Superlucky (XIII Pocket), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
are Dead (UIC Theatre), Under America (Artisan), Romeo and Juliet (Artisan). Upcoming:
A reading of Gilgamesh (New Leaf), a music/theatre/movement work with The UIC Choirs
(Artisan), and a city wide Mozart Requiem (Artisan). Assistant Directing Credtis include The
Tempest (Steppenwolf), The Snow Queen (Victory Gardens), Superior Donuts (Steppen-
wolf), Pacific Overtures (Porchlight), Old Times (Remy Bumppo) and A Streetcar Named
Desire (Polarity). Thank you to all at TNC for inviting me over to play.

Shelby Wilson - Production Manager

Shelby Wilson is just tickled pink to be working with The New Colony. She
graduated from Chadron State College in Nebraska (not the Lincoln/
Omaha side) where she stage managed 4 productions including Arms and
the Man & Cyrano. She also designed costumes at Chadron for 6 produc-
tions (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Beautiful Child, Reckless, Godspell, God of
Hell & Treasure Island). Shelby’s professional stage management credits
include working at the Post Playhouse located on Fort Robinson NE.
She would like to thank her friends for giving her a place to life, her fam-
ily for emotional/financial support and Old Navy for finally giving her a
job.
 Design Team
Nick Sieben - Scenic Design
Nick has worked behind the scenes for The Hypocrites, The House Theatre of Chicago, Pegasus
Players and, now, The New Colony. He hopes this production leaves you rolling in the aisles...
Enjoy.

Nicholas J. Carroll - Lighting Design

A newer addition to The New Colony’s team, Director of Films Nicholas J. Carroll recently ar-
rived in Chicago from Connecticut, where he had worked on independent films as a Production
Manager and Lighting Designer for Dunkirk Studios and a Producer and Technical Supervisor
for Refractory Films. In addition to developing TNC’s brand-spankin’-new film department, Nick,
or “Sunshine” as he is affectionately known, is excited about designing lights for 11:11.

Thea Lux - Original Songs & Incidental Music

Thea swamp-tromped through TNC’s first season in FRAT and Tupperware and now continues
to compose melodies this season for 11:11 and That Sordid Little Story. Musically she’s worked
with Red Moon Theater, written ditties for Blewt Productions and rocked out with the band,
Let’s Get Out of This Terrible Sandwich Shop. She’s currently recording with her new band,
The Nurse Novels. Many thanks to her family for giving her the gift of adding seven-part harmo-
nies to songs even if they don’t need it.

Gary Tiedemann - Sound Design

Gary Tiedemann is an ensemble member and Executive Director of The New Colony. He recently pro-
vided sound design and musical production services for The New Colony’s FRAT and Tupperware:
An American Musical Fable, and Hubris Productions’ Jeff Nominated Torch Song Trilogy. Recent
performances with The New Colony: FRAT, Calls To Blood and The New Colony’s recent collabora-
tion with Victory Gardens: Literally Sexy 2. Gary has trained in acting and improvisation at The
Second City, iO Chicago (Improvolympic), The Annoyance, Act One, ComedySportz, and Acting Studio
Chicago. He performed in The Annoyance’s Splatter Theater, Stop That Show,
and wrote, appeared in, and created sound design for KXVI: The Rock
Revolution. A proud member of SAG and AFTRA, Gary has appeared in
and voiced numerous television and radio commercials. Most recently, he
appeared in TV commercials for Budweiser and the Illinois Lottery
and voiced spots for Sears/Craftsman, Molson Canadian, Harris
Bank, and Kellogg’s Pop Tarts. Gary
is a graduate of Tulane University
in New Orleans, where he had
nothing to do with theatre but
did learn a lot about sound design
through his extensive study of the
local live music scene.
Julie B. Nichols - Additional Incidental
Music & Instrumentation
Julie studied jazz improvisation and composition at the
University of Iowa, Iowa City. Since then, she has toured
all over the world, performing with such esteemed com-
panies as the Second City National Touring Company as
its music director. The job entailed live improvisation as well
as composing music, much of which is still used on tour today.
She has also performed at and composed for renowned Chicago
theaters Improv
Olympic, GayCo,
the Apollo Theater,
and the Annoyance
Theater. In addition, she regularly writes music for
independent video projects, commercials and corpo-
rate videos.
Julie composed the scores and served as musical di-
rector for two acclaimed original musicals that were
produced by the Annoyance Theater: Stop That
Show and Love is Dead: A Necromantic Musical
Comedy. After breaking box office records at the An-
noyance, Love is Dead went on to win several awards,
including Best Music and Lyrics at the New York
International Film Festival. It also won 3 After Dark
awards for Best Pit Band, Best Comedic Perfor-
mance and Best Song Score.
In 2009, Julie was proud to do composition and musi-
cal direction for the world premier of Tupperware: An
American Musical Fable, the critically acclaimed musi-
cal that closed out The New Colony’s first season.
From 2007-2009, Julie was the associate music
director for the sketch comedy and improvisation
theater Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. In addition to performing five nights a week, she composed and
produced much of the music for their three most recent shows. Julie’s pet project is the hit podcast
“The Fraudkast” (www.fraudkast.org), for which she serves as producer, composer and editor.
.
Evan Jacover - Assistant Lighting Designer Evan learned
how to be an electrical engineer and then didn’t become one.
Helping out with lighting for 11:11 doesn’t really involve any
electrical engineering either, but he did get to wire up
some stuff, so that’s something. He even broke out
a voltmeter. Evan is a big fan of The New Colony
-- and a board member -- so he’s very happy
that you came to see the show.

Crew:
Pat Coakley Cole Orloff
Pat Fries Claire Paolini
 Jay Patton -
Trailer Design

Jaybones has had the

time of his life working
with The New Colony
to create some unique
and attention grabbing
theatrical trailers for the awe-
some shows they have been putting
on every season. Though stop-motion anima-
tion is his true passion, he spends lots of time shoot-
ing various video projects around Chicago, as well as play-
ing music with his band Chips and Dip. The New Colony
gives Jay the chance to pursue his artistic pursuits based off of the shows
the company puts on throughout the year, allowing for a collaboration be-
tween the writers, actors, directors, and his own vision, to come up with truly
unique pieces based off of the story and emotion that each show invokes. Jay
has been in Chicago for about 3 years, and has worked with The Black Eyed
Peas, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Johnny Dangerous, and Dr. Andrew Weil. He looks
forward to continuing his artistic journey with TNC as his main outlet for new
animation projects in the seasons to come.

The Ensemble TEAM

Caitlin Chuckta - Siobhan
Caitlin is a proud company member of The New
Colony. Chicago credits include: Frat with The New
Colony, The Castle of Otranto with First Folio Theatre,
Literally Sexy 2 with The Victory Gardens Theatre
“Fresh Squeezed” series, and understudy to Hermia
in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s SS! A Midsumer Night’s Dream. A
native of New England, regional credits include: The Shakespeare The-
atre of New Jersey, Connecticut Free Shakespeare, Connecticut Rep-
ertory Theatre, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and a coast to coast tour
with National Theatre for Arts and Education. Caitlin had the privilege to
Asst. Direct the much loved Tupperware: An American Musical Fable for
The New colony. She holds her BFA in Acting from Univ. of CT.
 Tim Cunningham - Kip
Tim is honored
to be part of 11:11,
his first production
with The New Colony. Tim’s
other Chicago theater credits
include “Lou” in The Food Chain,
a two man play by Chicago playwright,
Keith Huff with Appetite Theater,
Bob Cratchit in the staged reading of
Ebenezer, Return of the Scrooge, a new
musical at Chicago Dramatists. T.V. commercial credits include Marshall
Fields, Budweiser. A Screen Actors Guild member, Tim was featured in the male
lead role of William Watson in the award winning independent short film, An Open Door by
screenwriter / Director Sean J.S. Jourdan and Kelule Productions. An Open Door has
played in over 30 film festivals including the 2007 Chicago Intl. Film Festival, Toronto, L.A.
and has earned multiple awards including a CINE Award of Excellence. In addition to train-
ing as a lyric tenor, Tim has studied acting with Chicago’s Act One Studios and The Green
Room. Tim extends his sincere thanks with much love to Diane, Maura and Joe for indulging
his pursuit of this wonderful work!

Sarah Gitenstein - Anna

Sarah was most recently in New Colon’ys “Calls to Blood” by James
Asmus. Sarah is a graduate of Kenyon College and also a company
member at Collaboraction Theater. For Collaboraction, Sarah
has cast, assistant directed and produced numerous productions
including El Grito Del Bronx at the Goodman (a co-production with
Teatro Vista), Sketch-
books 6, 7, 8, and 9 and
The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow. She recently
performed in Sketchbook 9’s Beatrice and Beau
(Audience Choice Award winner). Sarah has also
performed with Curious Theater, Pavement Group,
Teatro Vista, and Timeline. Love to my family.
Wes Needham - Louis
Wes Needham got his start performing as a stand-up come-
dian in the great state of Delaware, and the bigger city of
Philadelphia. He then moved to Charleston, South Carolina
where he began to study and perform improvisation under
the tutelage of The Have Nots program. In 2004 he made
his move to Chicago where he graduated from the iO Train-
ing Center and the Second City Conservatory. Since moving
to Chicago he has taken on a diverse resume including plays,
musicals, sketch comedy, improvisation, stand-up comedy and
commercial work. He co-wrote, produced and starred in Be-
hind the Funny at the Second City’s Donny Skybox Theater.
He has also performed in numerous improvisation and sketch
comedy groups in the Chicago area, including The Beatbox,
The Needies, Alpha Dog Omega and BattleProv.
Wes got his start with The New Colony understudying the greatly
received Frat, where he filled in for the roles of “Dave” and “Ful-
ton” over the course of the run. He is now a company member of
The New Colony, and couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the
ride. When not performing with TNC, you can catch Wes perform-
ing improvisation with CLOAKA at The Playground Theater, and
ComedySportz Theater (with whom he is an ensemble member). Wes
wants to thank all of you, yes...even you, but especially Hannah.

Whit Nelson - Chance

Whit Nelson is an unlicensed comedian

and concert scientist with a recurring
dream in which he challenges his own
clone to a foot race. A programmer by
daylight, he enjoys fiddling with con-
traptions both old-tymey and new-fan-
gled. He has a bright nose of blackber-
ries and oak with strong finish. Try him
with the halibut.
 Kevin Stangler (Nate)
is in love with his New Colony brethren! Other TNC credits in-
clude Amelia Earhart Jungle Princess, FRAT, and Tupperware.
Other Chicago credits include A Christmas Carol (Marriott The-
atre), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Metropolis), Fresh Squeezed:
Literally Sexy 2 (Victory Gardens), Sketchbook 9 (Collaborac-
tion), Much Ado (First Folio), Hamlet (Polarity Ensemble), and
Romeo and Juliet (ArtsLanes). B.F.A. Musical Theatre graduate
from UW - Stevens Point. His next adventure is playing George in
Girls vs. Boys with The House Theatre.
(http://www.kevinstangler.com) Family, friends, Caitlin (wink).

Maari Suorsa (Jack)

Maari Suorsa is new to Chicago and is exstatic to
be a part of 11:11. This will be her first performance
with The New Colony. She recently graduated
from UMass Amherst with a degree in theater.
 SHOW PASS
Show Passes allow you to see the show for which the Show Pass was purchased as many times as you like
for no extra cost.

In order to redeem your Show Pass for another viewing, we will need to keep your name and contact
information on file. If you reserved tickets online, we already have your contact information. If someone else
purchased passes for you or you were a walk-in purchase, please provide your name and contact information
with tonight's box-office representative before you leave.

Returning pass holders are subject to space availability. To see Amelia again, e-mail a reservation request,
including your full name and desired show date/time to tickets@thenewcolony.org at least 48 hours prior to
your desired show time. Unfortunately, requests made within 48 hrs cannot be accepted. If space is available,
you will be emailed within 24 hours of your request.

Be prepared to show one form of government-issued photo ID at the performance. If you are bringing
first-time, paid guests with you, they must separately reserve and pay for their own passes. Please provide
us with the names of the first-time guests with whom you will be attending so that we may hold your space
with theirs.

A BIG THANKS to OUR DONORS:

Suzi Asmus, Michael Blair, Myrna Blair, Howard Blumenfeld, Chas Fries, Sophie Gatins, Sarah Giten-
stein, John Hanson, Donald Hart, Virginia or W.M. Henshaw, Matt Hoff, Matt Hoff, Inboden Broth-
ers, Michael and Angela Ingersoll, Evan Jacover, James Jensen, Mary Hutcheson Johns, Martin Ka-
menski, Philip and Jan Lewis, Rick and Jane Lux, Brianna Lux, Stephanie Lynn, Robert and Carolyn
Nichols, John and Allison Nichols, Steven Raglin, Elaine Ranz, William J Reagan, Abigail Riccards,
Caroline Rose, Gary Scheier, Donna and Wayne Shannon, Katrina Shields, Sam Snowden, Anthony
Vatterot, Anthony Vespoli, Deborah Wolfe