Welcome to Photograph 51!
ABOUT THE FILIGREE THEATRE
"To filigree” means "to make by hand and with much skill.”
The Filigree Theatre is an independent theatre company committed to producing high-level, professional theatre and to creating thoughtful, innovative, challenging work for the stage. We embrace the dual roots of the word ‘Filigree’ (filum 'thread' and granum ‘seed’) in our mission, with an aim to serve both as a SEED by originating work in our home-base of Austin, TX and as a THREAD by collaborating with artists and engaging audiences in other theatre hubs such as New York & Los Angeles.
Connecting to the past...planting the seeds of the future
Each Filigree Season is structured to be comprised of three shows, connecting “Past” (honoring the theatre cannon) in the Fall; “Present” (playwrights living and working today) in the Winter; and “Future” (World Premieres/New Works) in the Spring, that are tied together with a common theme that runs throughout the season. The Filigree Theatre’s FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON themed “THE WOMAN IN THE STORY”, opens with “ANTIGONE” adapted by David Rush and is followed by the Winter 2024 production of “PHOTOGRAPH 51” by Anna Zieger and the Spring 2024 New Work “ABOVE THE FOLD” by Julie Zaffarano.
For more information, or to make a donation, please visit: FiligreeTheatre.com
Please join us after the show for complimentary cookies and champagne!
ABOUT PHOTOGRAPH 51
by Anna Ziegler
This play is the winner of the 2008 STAGE International Script Competition
and was developed, in part, through the University of California, Santa Barbara’s STAGE Project
by the Professional Artists Lab (Nancy Kawalek, Director)
and the California NanoSystems Institute.
PHOTOGRAPH 51 was developed by The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science and Technology
Project and received its New York premiere
at the Ensemble Studio Theatre on October 27, 2010.
Originally commissioned and produced by Active Cultures, the Vernacular Theatre of Maryland. Opening Night on
Sunday, February 10, 2008.
PHOTOGRAPH 51 was developed by the Cape Cod Theatre Project.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
CAST
Bailey Ellis (Don Caspar)
Bailey Ellis is delighted to return to the stage with The Filigree Theatre this season! A recent Austin transplant born and raised in Seattle, WA, Bailey is a multidisciplinary performing artist who received his B.A. in theatre from Western Washington University. Recent credits include Antigone (The Filigree Theatre), The Story of Bonnie and Clyde (Texas Comedies), (F)unfair (Dacha Theatre), and Behold the Dreamers (Book-It Repertory Theatre). Bailey is thankful for the unconditional love and support of his friends and family, near and far. Keep an eye out for Bailey on more Austin stages this year!
Scot Friedman (Francis Crick)
Scot Friedman is an Austin-based actor with credits in film, theater, commercial, and voice-over productions. He is making his debut with Filigree and last appeared on stage for the City Theatre production of It’s Only A Play (Peter Austin). Favorite stage productions include A Tuna Christmas, The Seafarer, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Odd Couple, Om Shanti: Once Upon A Time in Bollywood, Inherit The Wind, The Imaginary Invalid, and How the Other Half Loves. Feature films include Last Girl Standing and The Bystander Theory, short films: Labor + Justice and Zombie Jesus, and his voice may be heard in the anime series, Moeyo Ken (Burning Sword) and New Fist of the North Star. Scot is a founding member and on the board of directors of The Stage Austin theater company (TheStageAustin.com).
Cameron La Brie (James Watson)
Cameron La Brie is a performer who has spent the last year working in the Central TX theatre scene. Prior to his move to Austin, Cameron spent 5 years performing professionally in his home state of California. Texas credits include Dominque in The Baker’s Wife (The Alchemy Theatre Co.; B. Iden Payne Award Win), Jamie in The Last Five Years and Josh in 9 to 5 (TexArts), Todrick Hall Development Project, Box (Penfold Theatre Co.) and The Dragonfly Princess (The Vortex).
Laura Ray (Rosalind Franklin)
Laura Ray is very excited to be working with The Filigree Theatre again! Some of her favorite theatrical roles include Sarah in A Delicate Ship (The Filigree Theatre); MaryAnne in When We Were Young and Unafraid (The Filigree Theatre); Paula in Fefu and her Friends (The Filigree Theatre); Agnes in Agnes of God (City Theatre Company); Clio, Muse of History in Sing, Muse! (The Vortex); Puppeteer in Moby Dick (Trouble Puppet Theatre Company); and Frenchy in Grease (the Emily Ann Theatre). She’d like to say a big thank you to the wonderful director Elizabeth, and to her family, her husband Heath, and son Bastion for their continual love & support.
Fernando Rivera (Ray Gosling)
Fernando Rivera is thrilled to join the cast and crew for Season 5 at The Filigree Theatre. He recently made his Austin Theatre debut as Jerry in The Thin Place (Zach Theatre), his first live stage performance in over fifteen years. In that time, Fernando lived and worked in Los Angeles as a successful film, television, and commercial actor, earning credits on popular shows like Never Have I Ever, Walker, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Jane The Virgin, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, NCIS LA, Fantastic 4 (2015), and many more. While he still plays an active role in Hollywood, Fernando is eager to explore the theatre opportunities in Austin, and he is very excited to continue expanding his work in his home state.
J. Kevin Smith (Maurice Wilkins)
J. Kevin Smith is delighted to kick off 2024 by returning to Filigree Theatre, where he’s previously been seen in Betrayal and Lifted. Fun fact: this show marks the second time with Filigree that Kevin's dialogue has required a disclaimer in the program, a streak he looks forward to continuing in the future. In addition to acting in plays such as Glengarry Glen Ross, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Art, and Taming of the Shrew, Kevin has also dipped his toe into the pool of directing. He was nominated for a B. Iden Payne award for his production of Noises Off at City Theatre. He lost, but he’s not bitter.
DESIGNERS & PRODUCTION
Anna Ziegler (Playwright) Anna Ziegler’s plays include the widely produced Photograph 51 (West End, directed by Michael Grandage and starring Nicole Kidman; named the number one play of 2019 by the Chicago Tribune; winner of London’s WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play; available on Audible; published in Methuen Drama’s Modern Classics series), The Last Match (Roundabout; Old Globe; Writers Theatre), The Wanderers (Old Globe; Roundabout; City Theatre; GesherTheater (Israel); Ernst Deutsch Theater (Germany)), Actually (Geffen Playhouse; Williamstown; Manhattan Theatre Club; Trafalgar Studios in London and many more; L.A. Ovation Award winner for Playwriting for an Original Play). She holds commissions from Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage Theatre and Grove/Whitman Productions. Bloomsbury/Methuen Drama has published two collections of her work entitled “Anna Ziegler: Plays One” and “Anna Ziegler: Plays Two.”
Elizabeth V. Newman (Director) graduated from Yale University with dual B.A. degrees in History of Art and Theater Studies. She earned her M.F.A. degree in Film Production at Boston University. Her stage directing credits include: “LIFTED” by Charlie Thurston (World Premiere, Austin); “100 Planes” by Lila Rose Kaplan (World Premiere, Austin, West Coast Premiere, Los Angeles); "Fire in Dreamland" by Rinne Groff; “The Lady From The Sea” by Henrik Ibsen; “The Turn Of The Screw” by Jeffrey Hatcher (Austin); “Fefu And Her Friends” by Maria Irene Fornes (Austin); “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg (Austin); “A Delicate Ship” by Anna Ziegler (Austin Premiere),“Any Night” by Daniel Arnold and Medina Hahn (Los Angeles Premiere and Austin Premiere – nominated for four B. Iden Payne Awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Drama); “Body of Work” by Christine Hoang, (World Premiere, Austin); “Halfway to Death” by Christine Hoang, (World Premiere, Austin) “Mocha” by Eleanor Burgess (World Premiere, Austin). Newman’s film directing credits include the upcoming ‘PIZZA MY HEART” (comedy short) and feature film “Child of Light” as well as numerous short films. She has written several award-winning screenplays. She is a member of DIRECTOR’S LAB: NORTH and served as the Founding Co-President of Women in Film and Television: Austin. She has twice served as a panelist at The Austin Film Festival. To learn more, visit elizabethVnewman.com
Alison Lewis (Scenic & Lighting Design) is a freelance lighting and scenic designer based in Austin. She graduated from Baylor University with a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Previous work includes “The Children”, for which she received a B. Iden Payne nomination, and “Admissions” and “The Niceties” with Jarrott Productions, “The Butcher of Baraboo" with Street Corner Arts, “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” at ZACH Theatre and “All’s Well That Ends Well” for Past is Prologue Productions. She has previously worked with Filigree as the lighting designer/set designer for “The Turn of the Screw”, “Lifted” , "Fire in Dreamland” & "TIDE".
Maddy Lamb (Costume Design) is excited to be working on Photograph 51, her 5th show with The Filigree Theatre. Maddy is a freelance costume designer, stage manager, and wardrobe supervisor in Austin, Texas. She recently graduated from Southwestern University with a BA in Technical Theatre with a focus in Costume Design and Stage Management. Recent shows: Paquito y Abuelito (Scottish Rite Theatre), The Memo (The Vortex), We Will Rock You (Georgetown Palace Education), Tide (Filigree Theatre), Dragonfly Princess (The Vortex), Fire in Dreamland (Filigree Theatre), Sense and Sensibility (Austin Shakespeare), Lady from the Sea (Filigree Theatre). Maddy owns her own company for LARP and Renaissance Style wear called Gremlin Garb. Maddylamb.com, GremlinGarbDesigns (Etsy). Maddy is a company member of the Vortex Repertory theatre.
Johann Mahler (Johann Solo) (Sound Design) is an Austin Tx based sound designer and music producer. He has designed and composed shows in Austin, for the past 6 years. His favorite designs include, Undocuments, Más Cara, Annie Jump, RAPunzel, Blerd, Edit Annie and Estar Guars. He is also the founder of the Austin based music group YOSO Collective which aims to help new musicians find their music style and direction.
Liz Tyson (Property Design) is stoked to join the team at The Filigree Theatre for its Season 5 run. She is a production designer, set designer, and graphic designer working in film, television, and theater in Austin, TX. Some of her latest work was as production designer for the short film Pizza My Heart (also directed by Elizabeth V. Newman!) and as set designer for Desperately Seeking Comfortable Shoes (Trinity Street Payhouse). She’d like to thank her roommates for tolerating her constant creative messes (read: art) in the house.
Kit Brooks (Stage Manager) (they/them) is an educator who brings theatre and creative arts to youth with a focus on inclusive programming. Kit has served as a youth improv teacher with The Hideout Theatre and Excused Absence, and they currently work as an aerial dance instructor at Sky Candy. Kit has thoroughly enjoyed stage managing several productions with Filigree, most recently, Antigone.
Lilly Percifield (Scenic Charge) is a scenic designer, painter, and actor based in ATX. This is her second show with Filigree Theatre. Other scenic painting credits include: Antigone (The Filigree Theatre) A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labours Lost, Comedy of Errors (Austin Shakespeare); Edit Annie, Salvador Dali’s Naked Feast, The Muttcracker (SWEET!), Ride the Wave, i see you, you’re seen, The Dragonfly Princess, MotherTree (The VORTEX); Running Bear, Caught (Hyde Park Theatre); The Poetry Shift (Southwest Theatre). Lilly is a VORTEX company member and graduated last year with a BA in Theatre and English from Southwestern University.
Bernadette Nason (Dialect Coach)
Tori Rose (Front of House Manager) primarily works in film in the production and art department on commercials, television, music videos, and feature films around Austin, TX. She also enjoys volunteering for other film related organizations and works in social media/marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Southwestern University with a minor in Philosophy where she received the Laura Kuykendall Communication Student of the Year Award. In 2017, Tori achieved a Master of Arts from Texas State University in the same field with a focus on Qualitative and Rhetorical research in Critical Media Studies.
The Filigree Theatre is a proud affiliate of ATX Theatre, uniting Austin theatre makers and audiences to expand Austin’s economic and cultural vitality, cultivate access to live theatre, and foster community. For more info: ATXtheatre.org
The Filigree Theatre is a fiscally sponsored project of Austin Creative Alliance the mission of which is to advance, connect and advocate for Austin’s arts, cultural, and creative communities to strengthen and protect the character, quality of life, and economic prosperity of our region.
THE PRODUCTION WOULD LIKE TO THANK
ATX Theatre
Austin Cinemaker Space & Staff
Austin Creative Alliance
Howard & Maryam Newman
Maddie Scanlan
Isabelle Catalina Richter
Steve Rogers Photography
Patricia Vardin
WIFT Austin
The Yale Club of Austin
The Filigree Theatre Promotions Committee
KMFA
Soozie Selfridge
Juice Consulting
We Are Austin
Brough Hansen
Meredith O’Brien
Christine Hoang
Vanessa Hoang-Hughes
Kathleen Fletcher
Chiara McCarty
Factory on Fifth
RJ Armstrong & Family
Sergio Guerra
Still Austin Whiskey Co
Patrick W. Anthony
THE FILIGREE THEATRE WOULD LIKE TO THANK
Our Generous Contributors & Sponsors
Patrick W. Anthony; Becky Bellos; Linda Bradshaw; Lindsey Casey; Caroline Conway; Orianne Dutka; Alicia Eastes & Dustin Eastes; Paige Freeman; Deborah Haynes; Alan & Susan Holman; The Holland Family; Jack & Beth Isler; Matt McCarthy; Sarah McIntyre; Fred & Mary Newman; Howard & Maryam Newman; Erin Nurnberg; Zara Oakes; Dusty Olson; Patsy Phillips; Rachel Rehwinkel; Greg & Jessica Riels; Ed Ritvo & Marie von Elton; David Rush; Rachelle Siemes; J. Kevin Smith; David Stewart; Nicole Stone; Genevieve Thiers; Alex Timbers; Jessica Thomas; Patricia Vardin; Sheryl Draker; Christine Hoang; Art Amore; ATX Theatre; Austin Woman; Central Market; KMFA; Latisha’s Theory; Still Austin Whiskey Co.; WIFT-Austin; Uchi
Filigree Promotions Committee
Sallie Dietz, Janice Miller, Patricia Vardin
Filigree Gold & Silver Gala Committee
Becky Bellos, Caroline Conway, Sallie Dietz, Paige Freeman
Leah Haldeman, Debbie Haynes, Elizabeth Nunez,
Rachel Rehwinkel, Jessica Riels, Rachelle Siemes