Virtual Playbill
 

When Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière, first presented Tartuffe in 1664, it ignited an immediate and ferocious controversy. Its satirical look at a religious charlatan who feigns piety and faith, so offended the Church and certain conservative court factions in France that it was banned after just one performance. It would take five years, three rewrites, and the support of King Louis XIV himself before Tartuffe was finally allowed a public staging in 1669.

Centuries later, Tartuffe remains uncannily relevant. In a world prevalent with con artists donning moral costumes to mask their greed and drive for power, in a world where so-called defenders of free speech advocate the banning of books, Tartuffe serves well as a mirror. With its depiction of self-righteous deception and willful gullibility, we are warned of what may come when zealotry overrides common sense.

Con artists and frauds want us to believe them and not the truth right in front of us. This deception is more easily achieved when the fraudster plays to preconceived ideas and beliefs already held. As in the world of Tartuffe, we too must remember that not all is as it seems, that packaging often hides the truth of what is packaged, and vigilance against blind trust is paramount.

In this production, we’ve chosen to underscore both the timelessness of Molière’s satire and its themes of deception. The world may look different from that of Louis XIV, but the dance between power, gullibility, and false virtue remains unchanged. We hope this Tartuffe entertains you, challenges you, and perhaps even unsettles you a little. After all, as Molière teaches us, the greatest threat isn’t always the con man at the door—it’s the belief that he can do no wrong.

Enjoy the show.

Desmond Gallant

Karen Cohen+ (Madame Pernelle)  is excited to be taking part in her fifth FAU production. Previous FAU credits:  Radium Girls, 1776, Rumors, Freaky Friday. Regional credits: Memphis, 42nd Street, and The Full Monty (LPAC); Sister Act (MNM); Cabaret (PPTOPA). Outside of the theater, Karen enjoys traveling with her husband and three children.

Paige Rogers+ (Elmire) holds a B.A. in Arts Administration & Theatre and trained at The Actors Conservatory. FAU Credits: Claire in Rumors, Ben Franklin in 1776, Kathryn in Radium Girls, Ms. Meyers in Freaky Friday. Previous Credits: Crimes of the Heart, Me...Jane, Girl in the Red Corner. 

Casey Venema+  (Dorine) is a graduate student in the MFA-Performance program. She hails from Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked as a freelance actor, director, and intimacy director after graduating with a Theatre/Film and Media Studies degree from Bucknell University. FAU credits: Freaky Friday (Danielle), Rumors (Chris Gorman), 1776 (Abigail Adams), Radium Girls (Mrs. Roeder/Madame Curie). Other acting credits: Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney); Sweeney Todd (Pirelli); Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate); Twelfth Night (Sebastian); White Christmas (Betty Haynes). Follow Casey on Instagram @caseyvenem8

Anna Fox (Mariane)  is a senior BFA in Musical Theatre. She is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of FAU's production of Tartuffe. Anna has also been seen in Firebringer (Tiblyn) and 1776 (George Read), and was understudy for all roles in One Man Two Guvnors. She will also appear in FAU's next show, Pirates of Penzance (Police Officer). Anna hopes you love the show as much as she loves performing it for you!

Claudia Hammes (Flipote, U/S Mariane & Madame Pernelle)) is currently a Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student with a Dance and a Digital Marketing minor. At FAU she performed with FAU Opera In Italy and Assistant Choreographed Firebringer. Other roles include: Little Sally/Urinetown, Ermengarde+Dance Captain/Hello Dolly!, Sarah/Company, and Sara/The Theory of Relativity. Next, Claudia will perform in The Possibilities and in Memento with the Jerusalem Ballet! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Gustavo Garcia+ (Orgon) is a South Florida based multidisciplinary theatre artist with experience in Acting, Directing, Lighting and Sound Design, and a 2nd Year MFA Performance Candidate. Select Credits: Eddie (Fool For Love) w/ Think Now Theatre Co., Fred/Present/Pat Williams (A Christmas Carol) w/ New City Players; the Porter/Malcolm (Macbeth) w/ COTU; recently seen here at FAU: Freaky Friday (Mike), Rumors (Officer Welch), The Frankenstein Project (Frank), 1776 (Thomson), Radium Girls (Markley/Sochocky).
Keep watching live Theatre!

Jonathan Leslie Palmer+ (Tartuffe) tba 

Raymond E.Adderly III (Valère) tba 

Jakari Dozié+ (Cléante) tba 

Jayden Terrell (Damis, U/S Valère)  is a sophmore BFA in Performance major and is honored to be apart of his First production at FAU. Jayden is excited to perform with such an amazing cast, and allow the audience to sit back and enjoy the ride of this awesome show. Jayden would like to thank his directors Des and Ana for giving him the opportunity to perform, and also thanks his family  for encouraging him all the way!!!!

R. Owen Alonso (Mr. Loyal, U/S Male))  is a Senior at FAU, double-majoring in Theater Studies and Film, Video & New Media. He performed in FAU’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, One Man Two Guvnors, Peter and the Starcatcher, Xanadu, Firebringer, and has been an Understudy in Rumors. He would like to thank his family, friends, and girlfriend for their continuous love and support throughout his life. 

Mikaylah O’Brien (The Policeman, U/S Elmire & Dorine)  is excited to be playing the role of A Police Officer in this production of Tartuffe. She is a junior pursuing her BFA in Musical Theater. Her recent credits at FAU include Freaky Friday (Ellie Blake), 1776 the Musical (Richard Henry Lee), and The Frankenstein Project (The Creature). She wants to thank the artistic staff for all their hard work and dedication to this production and especially her family and her brother Josh for their unending support. She hopes you love the show!

 

Stavroula Agrafiotis (Stage Crew) is a sophomore BA in Theatre and is extremely excited to be on her first crew position at FAU! She is currently Dance Captain of The Black Undergraduate Theatre Collective production 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 as well as cast. Throughout high school, she has been in numerous productions such as 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘔𝘦 𝘐𝘧 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘊𝘢𝘯 (Ensemble, Swing), 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘴 (Spot Conlon), and 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘯 (Tiger Lily's Posse). She hopes that when you see the show, you will fall in love with theatre as much as she has.

Nick Russo (Deck Supervisor) is a junior BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Although he is tracking as a tech major, he continues to explore his love of performing any chance he gets at FAU. Prior roles at FAU include Deck Supervisor (The Frankenstein Project) and Automation Technician (Freaky Friday). Additionally, he played Stephen Hopkins (1776) and will appear as a pirate in The Pirates of Penzance later this Fall. 

Alexys Fenning (Scenic Designer) is a senior BFA in Theatre Design and Technology major who is tracking scenic and costume design. She has been the assistant designer for 1776 and will be the assistant costume designer for By Any Other Name in Spring 2026. 

Jesa Hutson (Hair and Makeup) is excited to be working on her third production here at FAU! You may have seen her this summer as Wells/Caterer in Freaky Friday. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Hailey McDonough (Dresser) is a Junior BFA in Musical Theatre major. She is so excited to be crewing her third main stage show at FAU. She was most recently in Firebringer (Emberly) and 1776 (Dr. Lyman Hall). 

Neveah Metelus (Wardrobe Head) is a senior continuing to finishing her major in Theater and minor in Dance. She is excited to be crewing her 7th show! Her past shows she’s crewed in were Peter and the Star-catcher (Dresser), Xanadu (Follow Spot), Firebringer (Hair + Makeup/Dresser), Radium Girls (ASM), The Frankenstein Project (Props Crew), and Freaky Friday (Light Board Op). She has also experienced acting in short films and other productions. Follow along on Instagram: @v._on_tv. She hopes that you all will enjoy the show!!

Brandon Jerry (Electrician) is a freshman BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology major and is so excited to be a part of his first production at FAU! He wants to thank his professors, teachers, friends, and family for helping him get to college and this amazing program!

Stella Kahan (Costume Designer) is a BFA Theatre Design/Technology student focusing on Costume Technology. They have had the joy of being Assistant Costume Designer for past FAU Theatre Productions such as The Frankenstein Project, Firebringer, Xanadu, and Peter and the Starcatcher. They hope you enjoy the show! 

Fatima Lyda (First Hand) is a senior BFA in Theater with a focus in Design/Tech and is excited to be part of the fall production of Tartuffe at FAU. Her previous work includes Xanadu, Firebringer, Radium Girls, 1776 and The Frankenstein Project. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Erith Funes (Electrician) is a freshman BA in Theatre major and is thrilled to be a part of her first ever production at FAU. She has been doing lighting since high school and has been a part of shows such as Legally Blonde, Clue, and Beauty and the Beast. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lumi Ramos (Usher), proudly representing Port St. Lucie County, is a second-year transfer student majoring in Theatre at FAU and is thrilled to be ushering for Florida Atlantic’s 2025 Fall Season! Their acting credits include Legally Blonde (Pilar), The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Charon and Ensemble), Happiness Gym at TheatreLab (FAU), and BUTC’s Evermore High (Fairy Godmother). She's eager for you to see our work and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kerwin Cyriaque (Dresser) is a sophomore BA in Theatre is excited to be a dresser for this production of Tartuffe. He was seen in Firebringer (Clark) and Frankenstein Project (Percy). He hopes you enjoy this show !!