The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons

by Rachel Teagle

A World Premiere

September 4-19, 2021

“Stabile's energetic cast expertly inhabits comical cartoon-like characters with the absolute truthfulness of denizens of a Shakespearean classic.”
- Bill Hirschman

“Under director Matt Stabile’s guidance, the vivacious cast finds the right mix of child-like playfulness and seriousness. The cast members’ exuberance has the energizing effect of Red Bull.”
-Aaron Krause

Suddenly all childhood dreams have come true, and the world is full of astronauts, ballerinas, cowboys, and princesses. It's a brave and glorious new world for everyone but Jess, who wanted to be a mastodon when she grew up. With the help of her friendly vocational adviser and her super-spy boyfriend, Jess embarks on a journey to find her place in the world, and discover why it seems to be unraveling. An offbeat comedy about ambition, vocation, and restlessness.

Theatre Lab moved to the University Theatre for this production and worked with puppet designer, Jim Hammond, (former puppet-master for Broadway’s The Lion King) to design and build a 9’x12’ Mastodon puppet for this larger than life show! 

 

Director: Matt Stabile* 

Assistant Director: Joanna Orrego 

Stage Manager: Rose Figueroa 

Assistant Stage Manager: Amber Mandic 

Scenic Design: Michael McClain 

Lighting Design: Thomas Shorrock 

Sound Design: Matt Corey 

Costume Design: Dawn C. Shamburger 

Props Design/Scenic Painter: John Shamburger 

Puppet Designer: Jim Hammond 

Videographer: William Smyth 

Video Board Operator: Jazz Patterson 

 

CAST

Jess: Gaby Tortoledo 

Chorus 1 (Buster/Paula/Norma/Paleo 1/Narrator): Rachel Michelle Bryant 

Chorus 2 (Clarence/Jefferson): Daniel Llaca 

Chorus 3 (Delores/Lewis): Irene Adjan* 

Chorus 4 (Tracy/Inga/Comte de Buffon/Clark): Niki Fridh* 

Chorus 5 (Pat/Translator/Paleo 2/Peale): Carlos Alayeto 

Puppeteers: Djimon Armani+, Rachel Dawson+, Eric Fredrickson+, Alyssa Frewen+, 

Michael Focas+, Steven Harding+, John Dalton Logan+, Rebecca Lucatero+, Ashley Brooke Miller+, Caleb James Williams+ 

*Appears courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States
+ Denotes FAU MFA Candidate