by Lorraine Hansberry
directed by Dennis Johnson
GOLDEN
CHILD
by David Henry Hwang
directed by Joshua Pohja
PRESENTS
A RAISIN IN THE SUN
by Lorraine Hansberry
March 10-12, 2017
Directed by Dennis Johnson
Assistant Direction by
Pilar Sharp
Technical Direction by
Kaitlyn Martin
Costumes by
Andrea Loss
A RAISIN IN THE SUN is presented by special arrangement
with Samuel French, Inc.
AND
Golden Child
by David Henry Hwang
March 9-12, 2017
Directed by Joshua Pohja
Assistant Direction by
Tony Cui
Technical Direction by
Kaitlyn Martin
Costumes by
Andrea Loss
GOLDEN CHILD is presented through special arrangement
with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
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Pius XI Catholic High School
ABOUT PIUS XI PERFOR MING ARTS
The mission of the Pius XI Arts Program is to present outstanding performing arts, visual
arts and arts education programs reflective of Milwaukee’s diverse communities and
the mission of Pius XI Catholic High School. A central part of the mission is to introduce
young people to the performing arts and visual arts, enhance their creativity and expose
them to new experiences and ideas. Our Performing Arts Academy currently serves over
160 students from 9 area grade schools, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
In addition to these productions, our performing arts program produces high quality
concerts, plays and performance events throughout the school year. Highlights of our
upcoming events include: Vocal Jazz Solo Project (4/11), String Orchestra/Tallymore
Concert (4/19), GREASE (4/28-4/30), Pius Film Festival (5/6).
PROGR A M NOTES
This year, Pius Performing Arts is exploring the distinctive yet diverse sounds of American
Voices. In these two plays, Lorraine Hansberry’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN and David Henry
Hwang’s GOLDEN CHILD, we hear the voices of challenge and change. These powerful
plays both explore the clash of cultures – and the hopes, fears and dreams that emerge
from the collision.
SPECIAL THANKS
Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Bonnie Scholz, Rick Carpenter
A R AISIN IN THE SUN BY LORR AINE HANSBERRY
Ruth Younger..........................................................................................................................Arianna Balton
Travis Younger....................................................................................................................Jackson Williams
Walter Lee Younger.......................................................................................................................Cole Hines
Beneatha Younger........................................................................................................................ Jayla Nimo
Lena Younger............................................................................................................................Laura Wagner
Joseph Asagai...................................................................................................................Jonathan Hudson
George Murchison.................................................................................................................Anthony Todd
Bobo..............................................................................................................................................Jeffrey Hardy
Karl Lindner...............................................................................................................................Jacob Ludwig
Mrs. Johnson......................................................................................................................... Rhea Goodwyn
Two Moving Men.................................................................................... Robert Bennett, Jeffrey Hardy
SUNDAY 3/12 MATINEE ALTERNATES
Ruth Younger..............................................................................................................................Taraja Echols
Lena Younger................................................................................................................................Nyla Mathis
Bobo..........................................................................................................................................Robert Bennett
Mrs. Johnson...............................................................................................................................Jaaliyah Rios
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
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S H OW I N F O R M AT I O N
PLACE
The Younger’s apartment on Chicago’s Southside
TIME
The early 1950’s
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a soreAnd then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar overLike a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
– Langston Hughes
A R AISIN IN THE SUN CAST BIOGR APHIES
ARIANNA BALTON
(Freshman) Ruth
Arianna is from
Milwaukee and her
favorite class at
Pius is Accelerated
Composition. This
is Arianna’s first play at Pius. “I’m truly
honored to be portraying a role in a play
that deals with race relations and the too
often plight of the American black family. I
hope that our putting on this play will shed
light on issues that may have never even
crossed many people’s minds. Everything
in this play is just as pertinent now as it was
then, certain things have just been hidden
better.”
ROBERT BENNETT
(Sophomore)
Bobo, alternate
This is Robert’s first
play. He’s a member
of the Pius Stage Crew
and loves being in a
cast that gets along so well. Robert is from
Milwaukee.
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Pius XI Catholic High School
TARAJA ECHOLS
(Junior) Ruth, alternate
Taraja is from
Milwaukee and has
performed in several
plays at Pius including
WEST SIDE STORY and
THE WIZARD OF OZ. Taraja is also active
in the Dance Program and has enjoyed
working as part of such a small group of
actors.
RHEA GOODWYN
(Freshman)
Mrs. Johnson
Rhea loves hearing
the history behind this
play and discussing
its themes. Social
Science is her favorite class this year. She’s
appeared in THE THREE LITTLE PIGS and
THE SNOW at First Stage. She also loves
working with her amazing peers on this
production.
A R AISIN IN THE SUN CAST BIOGR APHIES
JEFFREY HARDY
(Sophomore) Bobo
Jeffrey is from
Milwaukee and is a
member of the Pius
Stage Crew. He’s
appeared in Pius
productions PARALLEL SOLDIERS, ROMEO
JULIET, and TWELFTH NIGHT. Jeffrey’s
favorite class is World Myth and he
appreciates the freedom that his director
has given him as an actor.
COLE HINES (Senior)
Walter
Cole is excited to be
able to work with new
people and experience
their creative side. He’s
performed in WEST
SIDE STORY, VIOLET and WIZARD OF OZ
at Pius and RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED
REINDEER at First Stage. His favorite class
this year is AP Psych.
JONATHAN HUDSON
(Junior) Joseph Asagai
Jonathan is from
Milwaukee and this is
his first play. He’s active
in Forensics and loves
Mr. Claasen’s Human
Rights and Diversity class. He enjoys the
power of the emotions in the scenes in the
play.
JACOB LUDWIG
(Senior) Mr. Lindner
Jacob has performed
in productions
of ELYSSIUM
ACADEMY, LOVE AND
INFORMATION, GOING
DARK-WORKS OF SAMUEL BECKETT,
PARALLEL SOLDIERS, MADRIGAL DINNER
c o n t.
and ROMEO AND JULIET. He’s from
Milwaukee and he likes being in a play he
knows so much about and that pushes him
out of his comfort zone.
NYLA MATHIS
(Senior) Lena, alternate
This is Nyla’s first play.
She’s really enjoyed
watching this the cast
of the show has come
together like a family.
Nyla plans to attend UW-Madison and
major in Biology.
JAYLA NIMO
(Freshman) Beneatha
Jayla has performed
in THE MUSIC MAN,
GREASE and SHREK and
has enjoyed working
on her character and
learning about the culture of the 1950’s.
Her favorite class this semester is Acting
1A.
JAALIYAH RIOS
(Freshman)
Mrs. Johnson, alternate
This is Jaaliyah’s first
play and she’s very
excited to be working
on this show. Her
favorite class is Biology.
ANTHONY TODD
(Junior) George
Murchison
Anthony is from
Milwaukee and this is
his first play at Pius. His
previous productions
include WE ARE THE DRUM, THE BOY WHO
CRIED WOLF and PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN.
Anthony’s favorite class this semester is
Lifetime Sports.
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
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A R AISIN IN THE SUN CAST BIOGR APHIES
LAURA WAGNER
(Junior) Lena
Laura has loved this
play since her freshman
english class! She is
moved by the honesty
of the story. Laura
is from Milwaukee and has been seen in
VIOLET, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE WIZARD OF
OZ and THE TROJAN WOMEN. Her favorite
Pius class is Mr. McCauley’s AP Euro.
c o n t.
JACKSON A.J. WILLIAMS (3rd Grade)
Travis
Jackson enjoys singing, playing soccer
and playing video games. He’s a member
of the Children’s Choir at school and has
performed in the Christmas Nativity play in
2015 and 2016.
D I R E C TO R B I O G R A P H Y
DENNIS F. JOHNSON is thrilled to be back at Pius, working on such an amazing piece
of theatre. As a Pius graduate, he is especially glad to be back. Dennis was a founding
member of UPROOTED theatre. Outside of UPROOTED, Dennis has served as Director
and/or Assistant Director at Renaissance Theaterworks, Chamber Theatre, First Stage,
Bunny Gumbo, and American Players Theater. Favorite projects include Crumbs From the
Table of Joy, Beauty’s Daughter, and Major Barbara. Next he will be directing Mother of
Good Counsel’s James and the Giant Peach, which will be performed right here in the Pius
Black Box Theater April 6th-9th.
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F
Director................................................................................................................................. Dennis Johnson
Costume Designer.................................................................................................................... Andrea Loss
Properties.................................................................................................................................. Kaitlyn Martin
Assistant to Director.................................................................................................................... Pilar Sharp
Technical Director.................................................................................................................. Kaitlyn Martin
Theater Manager.....................................................................................................................Patrick Schley
Photography................................................................................................................. Terry Clark Bauman
PIUS XI UPCOMING EVENTS
PIUS FILM FESTIVAL
May 6, @ 7:00
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
SPRING CHORAL CONCERT “OPERA GALA”
May 13 @ 7:00
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
DANCE SHOW
May 19-20 @ 7:00
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
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Pius XI Catholic High School
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
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G O L D E N C H I L D B Y DAV I D H E N R Y H WA N G
Andrew Kwong/Eng Tieng-Bin................................................................................................Henvy Xiao
Eng Ahn, daughter of Tieng-Bin and Siu Young................................................................ Shirley Mei
Eng Siu-Young, first wife........................................................................................................Wendy Weng
Eng Luan, second wife............................................................................................................. Emma Dong
Eng Eling, third wife................................................................................................................. Shelley Jiang
Reverend Baines.........................................................................................Markia Silverman-Rodrigues
Musician........................................................................................................................................Grace Zhang
Servant.................................................................................................................................................. Tony Cui
Singers........................................................................ Staring Qian, Linda Weng, Phoebe Pei, Lisa Liu
S H OW I N F O R M AT I O N
PLACE
Manhattan and Eng Tieng-Bin’s home village near Amoy, in Southeast China.
TIME
ACT ONE: The present and winter 1918
ACT TWO: Spring 1919 and the present
MUSIC
1. When Will the Scholartree Blossom?
Text: In the high mountain, there is a scholartree
The girl leaning against the fence is looking for her boyfriend
Her mother asks, “What are you looking into?”
“I look forward to the blossom of the scholartree.”
2. A Ma Lei A Ho
Text: There are many stars in the sky
Only the Plough is the brightest
There are many friends and relatives,
Only the parents are the dearest
3. Gathering in the Naked Oats
Text: The man is gathering in the naked oats on top of the hill,
His girlfriend is digging the taro everywhere in the mountain.
Note: “Si Lou” is the sound of cutting the naked oats with a sickle. “Ge Beng” is the sound of digging
the taro with a shovel.
4. Mt. Wuzhi
Text: nonsense syllables
Note: “Shan” means mountain
5. Ga Da Mei Lin
Text: The wild geese from the Yangtze River are flying in the sky,
Ga Da Mei Lin fought against the feudal authorities
For his people and their land
Note: Ga Da Mei Lin is the name of a Mongolian national hero
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Pius XI Catholic High School
GOLDEN CHILD CAST BIOGR APHIES
EMMA DONG (Senior)
Luan
Emma is from
Guangzhou, China
and this is her first
play. She’ll be going to
college in the U.S. next
year but has not made her final choice.
Emma has enjoyed learning about acting
techniques and having fun playing with
the lines with different expression and
tone.
SHELLY JIANG (Junior)
Eling/Elizabeth
GOLDEN CHILD is
Shelly’s first play
performance. Her
favorite class at Pius
is U.S. History. She’s
enjoyed working with everyone in the cast.
SHIRLEY MEI
(Sophomore)
Grandmother/Ahn
Shirley is from
Shenzhen and this is
her first experience
as an actor. She loves
to sing and lists Choir as her favorite Pius
class. She appreciates the opportunity to
try being in a production.
HENVY XIAO (Senior)
Andrew Kwong/Eng
Tien-Bin
Henvy has been
is several Pius
productions including
ALL MY SONS,
STUDENT PLAY FESTIVAL 2016 and
PARALLEL SOLDIERS. Henvy was born
in Yunnan and is currently undecided
about his college plans. “For me, this play
carries meanings beyond a normal theater
production because it is tightly connected
to my culture and my experience. When
cultures collide, we learn to acknowledge
the beautiful blend within the struggle
and, in doing so, we learn to respect
and value diversity. As an actor and as a
world citizen, I hope to demonstrate the
beauty in finding one’s identity in clashing
cultures.”
WENDY WENG
(Freshman) Siu-Young
Wendy is from
Shanghai and lists
Figure Drawing as her
favorite class. “This is
the first time I’ve been
performing in a play. The story is very
attractive. And I really enjoy and appreciate
this experience.”
MARKIA SILVERMANRODRIGUEZ (Senior)
Reverend Baines
Markia will be going
to UW-Milwaukee
next year but is
undecided on her
major. She could see herself as being an
English professor at a university, or the
administrator of a nonprofit organization,
or even a doctor at a children’s hospital.
Markia has appeared in STUDENT PLAY
FESTIVAL, MADRIGAL DINNER and
PARALLEL SOLDIERS. “While being in
Golden Child, I have learned so much
about the Chinese culture. I have also
made some really great friends with people
whom I had never met before. Golden
Child has been a wonderful experience,
and I will certainly remember it for years
to come
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
9
GOLDEN CHILD CAST BIOGR APHIES
GRACE ZHANG
Guzheng
c o n t.
TONY CUI
Assistant Director
D I R E C TO R B I O G R A P H Y
JOSHUA (JP) POHJA is an actor, educator, director and playwright thrilled to be directing
GOLDEN CHILD. As an actor he has worked, most notably, with The Acting Company,
Guthrie Theater, Alley Theatre and The Old Globe. He has taught Acting, Movement
for the Actor and Acting Shakespeare at the Guthrie Theater, The Acting Company,
First Stage, Pius XI, Milwaukee Rep and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. As a director, he
most recently, staged ANTIGONE for First Stage Children’s Theater’s Young Company.
Next up, he will be Assistant Directing GREAT EXPECTATIONS at Milwaukee Chamber
Theatre. Previous Training: Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Carnegie Mellon
University School of Drama (B.F.A. Acting), Saratoga International Theatre Institute (SITI)
under the guidance of Anne Bogart and the SITI Company.
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F
Director........................................................................................................................................Joshua Pohja
Musical Director......................................................................................................................Bonnie Scholz
Costume Designer.................................................................................................................... Andrea Loss
Properties.................................................................................................................................. Kaitlyn Martin
Assistant to Director......................................................................................................................... Tony Cui
Costumes.......................................................................................................................................Andrea Loss
Technical Director.................................................................................................................. Kaitlyn Martin
Theater Manager.....................................................................................................................Patrick Schley
Photography.................................................................................................………..Terry Clark Bauman
PIUS XI UPCOMING EVENTS
PIUS XI STRING ORCHESTRA WITH “TALLYMOORE”
Wednesday, April 19- 7:00 PM
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
GREASE
Student Matinee: Thursday, April 27- 9:00 AM
Friday-Sunday, April 28-30- 7:00 and 2:00 PM
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
PIUS XI BAND WITH THE MILWAUKEE FESTIVAL BRASS
Thursday, May 11- 7:00 PM
Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center
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Pius XI Catholic High School
A RAISIN IN THE SUN & GOLDEN CHILD
11
PIUS XI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Performing Arts Donor Spotlight
We proudly welcome the members of the Pius XI Catholic High School
Performing Arts Donor Spotlight
Donations from July1, 2016-July 1, 2017
SHOW SPONSOR ($1,000 AND UP)
Kimberly-Clark Foundation
Mr. Michael Buckholdt and Mrs. Karin
Buckholdt
Dr. Daniel J. Scholz and Mrs. Bonnie Scholz
Mr. John C. Haertel ’76 and Mrs. Dawn Haertel
Mr. Thomas E. Hoye ’62 and Mrs. Letitia Hoye
Mr. Steve Thomas and Mrs. Kristen Thomas
Mr. Jeffrey J. Scheele and Mrs. Susan T.
Scheele
Mrs. Barbara Nemoir
Mr. Andreas Klotz and Mrs. Michelle Klotz
Mr. Chad Chrisbaum and
Mrs. Cindy Chrisbaum
PRODUCER ($500-$999)
Wells Fargo Foundation
Mrs. Ruth Messnick and Ms. Rebecca Messnick
Mr. Michael Nelson and Ms. Sheila Finnegan
Mr. Robert C. Schrimpf
Wells Fargo Foundation
DIRECTOR ($250-$499)
Mr. William F. Drimel and Mrs. Tricia Drimel
Mr. Todd J. Koeppel and Mrs. Melissa K. Koeppel
STAGE MANAGER ($100-$249)
Mr. Mark S. Dudenhoefer and Mrs. Donna J.
Dudenhoefer
Mr. Christopher G. Tabat ’72 and Mrs. Carolyn
G. Tabat
Mrs. Karen Parks ’89 and Mr. Peter Parks
Mrs. Susan Craft and Mr. Tim Craft
Mr. Joseph Zettel and Mrs. Janice Zettel
Mr. Michael Coffey and Ms. Maggie Broeren
Mr. Thomas Heinen and Mrs. Catherine
Heinen
Ms. Judy Sporka
Mr. Dennis M. Girard and Mrs. Jennifer H.
Girard
Mrs. Nancy M. Radke ’70
Dr. Cynthia A. Bauer ’66 and Dr. Mark A. Bauer
Zumstein Chiropractic Clinic, LLC
Mr. Robert Dittus and Mrs. Lois Dittus
CREW (UP TO $99)
Mrs. Gloria Skwierawski ’60 and Judge
Michael Skwierawski
Dr. Angela C. Niemann ’90 and Mr. David
Niemann
Mrs. Kathleen Pousha
Mrs. Megan Ann B. Maze ‘89
Mr. Steve Girman and Ms. Susan Girman
Mrs. Donna Roy and Mr. Terry Hudson
Mr. Daniel Krueger ’93 and
Mrs. Leandra Krueger
Mr. Dale T. Schunk and Mrs. Maria A. Schunk
in memory of Ms. Viola Meyers
Mr. Chris Lucas and Mrs. Carrie Lucas
Mr. David W. Stokes and Mrs. Sarah A. Stokes
Mr. Kurt Young-Binter and Mrs. Rachel YoungBinter
Mr. John Blinkhorn and Mrs. Mary Blinkhorn
Ms. Francesca Kempfer
Ms. Eunice Hoffman
Ms. Zora Allison
Mrs. Mary M. Burks and Mr. Diallo Burks
Mrs. Judith Mowry, ’74 and Mr. James Mowry
Mrs. Joanne Kraetz and Mr. Joseph Kraetz
Mr. Walt Mayer and Mrs. Ginny Mayer
in memory of Eleuterio de Guzman
Mr. John White
Mrs. Jaclyn Browne and Mr. Terence Browne
For more information on how you can become a member of the
Performing Arts Donor Spotlight, visit www.piuspac.org/donate/