The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please silence all cell phones during the performance.
Directors Note...
My best friend was diagnosed with manic-depressive bi-polar disorder when I was fifteen
and temporarily checked into a psychiatric institute on my sixteenth birthday. Another
close friend cut long lines into his arms and lied for months saying, “a tree fell
on him.” A third friend struggled with serious grief surrounding the loss of a loved
one and finding some sort of hope to continue living. For a while I began to consider
that I’ve known too many people who have struggled with mental illness, and that maybe
it was something about me. But then I began to realize that it wasn’t about me. This
is something that affects an enormous range of people. Everyone knows someone that
suffers from depression, mania, bi-polar disorder, delusional episodes, feelings of
worthlessness and apathy. They are not rare things, and yet its so rare that we openly
talk about them.
That’s why Next to Normal is such an important show. It depicts real people struggling
with real issues, real disabilities, real tragedies, and real life. I have an enormously
personal relationship with this show and it has been one of my favorites since it
premiered in 2009. This relationship is part of why I sought to direct it. I wanted
to share this story with as many people as I could, because it is so important that
we talk about mental illness, grief, love, and hope. People shouldn’t feel afraid
or alone when they find themselves confronting challenges similar to those found in
this story. Next to Normal provides a light in the dark for everyone in the world
that feels lost. No matter what you feel today, “There will be light.” -Skylar Grieco
Artistic Staff...
Director….Skylar Grieco*
Music Director….Mesa Shubeck
Lighting Designer….Mark Marchan*
Scenic Designer….Angela Forte
Costume Designer….Dakota Bryn
Projection Designer...Courtney Coppa*
Choreographer….Megan Castleberry*
Properties Master….Brianna Smart*
Assistant Director….Cody Hartman
Assistant Lighting Designer….Parker Chase
Assistant Scenic Designer….Megan Inmon*
Cast...
Diana….Regan Holmberg
Dan….Paul Gary*
Natalie….Dallas Boudreaux*
Son….Aaron Johnson*
Henry….Donovan Hughes*
Dr. Fine/Madden….Gerold Oliver
Production Staff:
Production Manager….Justin Reed
Technical Director….Jay Mullens*
Stage Manager….Justin Dixon*
Assistant Stage Manager….Christian Potts
Master Electrician….Sydney Smith*
Sound Board Operator….Elijah Whitney
Orchestra...
Piano….Mesa Schubeck
Guitar….Michael Tsaltas*
Bass….Tom D’Angelo
Percussion….Jason Chafatelli
Musical Numbers...
ACT I
Prelude.....................................................Orchestra
Just Another Day……………………….....Company
Everything Else……………………………Natalie
Who’s Crazy/My Psychopharmacologist and I……….Company
Perfect For You………………………..Henry, Natalie
I Miss the Mountains………………..Diana
It’s Gonna be Good…………………..Company
He’s Not Here………………………….Dan
You Don’t Know……………………….Diana
I Am The One………………………….Diana, Dan, Son
Superboy and the Invisible Girl………Natalie, Diana, Son
I’m Alive……………......................Son
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I’m Falling……..Company
I Dreamed a Dance………………Diana, Son
There’s a World………………..Son
I’ve Been………………………….Dan, Son
Didn’t I See This Movie……..Diana
A Light In the Dark………….Diana, Dan
Just Another Day……………………….....Company
Everything Else……………………………Natalie
Who’s Crazy/My Psychopharmacologist and I……….Company
Perfect For You………………………..Henry, Natalie
I Miss the Mountains………………..Diana
It’s Gonna be Good…………………..Company
He’s Not Here………………………….Dan
You Don’t Know……………………….Diana
I Am The One………………………….Diana, Dan, Son
Superboy and the Invisible Girl………Natalie, Diana, Son
I’m Alive……………......................Son
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I’m Falling……..Company
I Dreamed a Dance………………Diana, Son
There’s a World………………..Son
I’ve Been………………………….Dan, Son
Didn’t I See This Movie……..Diana
A Light In the Dark………….Diana, Dan
ACT II
Wish I Were Here…………………………Company
Song of Forgetting…………………………Diana, Dan, Natalie
Hey #1…………………………………………Natalie, Henry
Seconds and Years…………………………Diana, Dan, Doctor
Better Than Before……………………….Diana, Dan, Natalie, Doctor
Aftershocks…………………………………Son
Hey #2…………………………………………Natalie, Henry
You Don’t Know (Reprise)…………Diana, Doctor
How Could I Ever Forget…………..Diana, Dan
It's Gonna Be Good (Reprise)……………Diana, Dan
Why Stay……………………………………Diana, Natalie
A Promise…………………………………Dan, Henry
I’m Alive (Reprise)……………………Son
The Break………………………………..Diana
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I’m Falling (Reprise)….Diana, Dr. Madden, Son
Maybe………………………………….Diana, Natalie
Hey #3………………………………..Henry, Natalie
So Anyway……………….........…………….Diana
I Am the One (Reprise)…...........……Dan, Son
Light………………………………..Company
Song of Forgetting…………………………Diana, Dan, Natalie
Hey #1…………………………………………Natalie, Henry
Seconds and Years…………………………Diana, Dan, Doctor
Better Than Before……………………….Diana, Dan, Natalie, Doctor
Aftershocks…………………………………Son
Hey #2…………………………………………Natalie, Henry
You Don’t Know (Reprise)…………Diana, Doctor
How Could I Ever Forget…………..Diana, Dan
It's Gonna Be Good (Reprise)……………Diana, Dan
Why Stay……………………………………Diana, Natalie
A Promise…………………………………Dan, Henry
I’m Alive (Reprise)……………………Son
The Break………………………………..Diana
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I’m Falling (Reprise)….Diana, Dr. Madden, Son
Maybe………………………………….Diana, Natalie
Hey #3………………………………..Henry, Natalie
So Anyway……………….........…………….Diana
I Am the One (Reprise)…...........……Dan, Son
Light………………………………..Company
Student Bios…
Regan Holmberg (Diana)
is thrilled to be making her debut with the MTSU Theater Department in such a powerful
show as Next to Normal. Regan is a freshman at MTSU. She has been blessed to have participated in the Nashville
Shakespeare Festival over the summer. She would like to thank and express deep love
to everyone who has been so kind and accepting her freshman year of college, and to
her family. Enjoy the show!
Paul Gary (Dan)
is a senior studying Theatre and Dance, and is proud to call this production his last
at MTSU. He feels it necessary to mention that no final product in this business is
complete without total collaboration, and he must extend endless thanks to everyone,
students and staff alike, who has so graciously spent time working in this building.
You're all champs. Special thanks go to the family and the Jackass Brigade. Enjoy
the show, listen, learn, and make something new.
Dallas Boudreaux (Natalie)
is so incredibly excited to be in her third main stage production! She has previously
been on the MTSU stages portraying Heidi in [Title of Show] and Colette in La Cage Aux Folles. She hopes you come out of this experience with, if nothing else, the notion that
even throughout the times of utter darkness, there will always be light.
Aaron Johnson (Son)
is a Sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University studying Theatre and Graphic Design.
This is his fourth MTSU production. He has enjoyed his roles in This is Our Youth, West Side Story, Peter Pan, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He sends love to his family and friends for whom this wouldn't have been possible
without and hopes you enjoy the show!
Donovan Hughes (Henry)
is extremely proud to be working with such a talented group of performers. Previous
credits include Dog Sees God, Almost, Maine, and Peter Pan. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Gerold Oliver (Dr. Fine/ Madden)
is excited to be a part of his second show at MTSU. He feels quite lucky to be a part
of a show where you’re completely mesmerized by every single one of the people you
share the stage with. He has learned a lot doing this show and hopes this show ends
up meaning to you what it does to him and all of his beautiful, talented and hard-working
cast mates!
Justin Dixon (Stage Manager)
has thoroughly enjoyed working on this show. He couldn’t have asked for a better cast
for his first show stage managing! He would like to thank his parents for everything
they’ve done for him. He hopes this show leaves you with good questions and hope.
Skylar Grieco (Director)
is a senior Theatre major at MTSU. After having spent four years here working on countless
productions in countless positions, he is at a loss. There are no words strong enough
to express his gratitude towards Jeff Gibson, Justin Reed, and all MTSU Theatre Faculty
and Staff. This opportunity is one among many that Skylar has been fortunate enough
to receive and he will never be able to say thank you enough. He would also be nowhere
without the incredible support of his family, The Brigade, and Sarah. He loves them
all dearly. “The price of love is loss. But still we pay. We love anyway.”
Christian Potts (Assistant Stage Manager)
is only a freshman at MTSU, yet this is his third production with the Theatre and
Dance Department. He feels incredibly lucky to have been offered so much opportunity,
and would like to thank all those in the department for being welcoming and incredibly
friendly since day one. Enjoy the show!
Angela Forte (Scenic Design)
is excited to be part of the design team for Next to Normal. This is her first scenic
design to be realized on stage and she could not be happier that it’s for this incredible
production. She is grateful for the chance to be part of such a talented and supportive
team and for the opportunity to produce work that explores the themes behind this
show.
Megan Castleberry (Choreography)
feels very fortunate to have worked with this amazing cast. While this show is not
focused on dance, she hopes that her work adds something small to the feel of the
show. This show has such an incredible impact on people of all demographics, and she
hopes it reaches you in a place you most need it.
Dakota Byrn (Costume Design)
is really excited to be working on Next to Normal as one of his first shows to costume.
He would like to give a VERY special thank you to Amy Hipp for all of her help throughout
this processand a thanks to the cast, crew, and our director.
APO
The 2016-2017 Lambda Gamma Cast Executive Board...
Director….Skylar Grieco*
Assistant Director….Jay Mullens*
Business Manager….Sydney Smith*
Stage Manager….Courtney Coppa*
Casting Director….Paul Gary*
Dramaturg….Megan Castleberry*
* Members of Alpha Psi Omega
