Spinning Into Butter

September 26-27 & October 1-4, 2009

Set on a small college campus in Vermont, “Spinning Into Butter” explores the dangers of both racism and political correctness in America today. When one of the few African American students at liberal Belmont College begins receiving hate mail, the campus erupts, first with shock, then with mutual recrimination as faculty and students alike try to prove their own tolerance by condemning one another. At the center of this malestrom is Sarah Daniels, the dean of students. As the administration sponsors public “race forums” and the students start their activist groups, Sarah is forced to explore her own feelings of racism. Her self-examination leads to some surprising discoveries and painful insights, the consequences of which even she can't predict.

Set on a small college campus in Vermont, “Spinning Into Butter” explores the dangers of both racism and political correctness in America today. When one of the few African American students at liberal Belmont College begins receiving hate mail, the campus erupts, first with shock, then with mutual recrimination as faculty and students alike try to prove their own tolerance by condemning one another. At the center of this malestrom is Sarah Daniels, the dean of students. As the administration sponsors public “race forums” and the students start their activist groups, Sarah is forced to explore her own feelings of racism. Her self-examination leads to some surprising discoveries and painful insights, the consequences of which even she can't predict.

Cast

Joshua Lee Ramos (Director) is a native of Hartford, CT and a graduate of University of Hartford where he received a BA in Drama and Film. While at University of Hartford, he performed in several productions including in The Adding Machine directed by Brian Jennings. In addition to performing, he worked closely with mentor Sally Porterfield studying Directing and Dramatic Literature, with a specific interest in Latin playwrights. While at University of Hartford, Joshua worked as an assistant director on several projects, including The Laramie Project and A Flea in Her Ear. He also ambitiously directed Maria Irene Fornes' powerful production The Conduct of Life as a senior workshop project. After college, he continued to work behind the scenes in theatre, working for five seasons at the critically acclaimed TheatreWorks in Hartford, CT. Joshua also worked behind the camera on several independent films with Spetrino Films and Lighthouse Productions. In 2008, he made his professional theatre directorial debut with Princebury Productions directing A. R. Gurney's Love Letters in Massachusetts. He also did the lighting design for that show that would express the changes in time and compliment the change in emotions. The show earned him critical praise for these elements as well as his direction. Joshua brought the revival of Maria Irene Fornes' "The Conduct of Life" to the Off-Broadway June Havoc Theatre as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival in summer of 2008 as the director, lighting designer and sound designer. Additional regional professional credits include working as a director for "New Works New Britain Theatre Festival", Playwright's Perspective in New Haven, CT, and "Finding Whitey B." with Rising Earth Productions in Boston, MA. He has also been a lighting designer for CONNetic Dance in Hartford and for their regional tour.

Lesley Billingslea (Mr. Meyers) is a full-time actor living and working in the tri-state area. He recently finished working on the new show for FX "Lights Out" as a boxer, "Z-Rock" for IFC channel as a featured extra, NBC's "30 Rock" as a background actor and NBC's new show "Kings" as a soldier. Lesley also recently finished working on "Ghost With Insomnia" a new play with the Prometheus Fire Theater Company. During the summer of 2008, he was cast in an Right Guard body-spray commercial featuring 50 Cent for their new scent Pure 50 and he also filmed three episodes of Watching the Detectives for A&E/Biography Channel. In April of 2007, Lesley finished production with New HD Films for Surviving the Streets in which he played the lead role, Michael Parsons. During the spring of 2007 he performed in Susan Lori Parks Pulitzer Prize-winning play, TopDog/UnderDog with the Cape Cod Rep Theater, and for his role, Lesley was voted one of the 10 Best Actors of 2007 by the Cape Cod Times. In December of 2008, Lesley returned to Massachusetts working with Cape Cod Rep to be in their final show of the season, Member of the Wedding, and in this show Lesley played the role Honey Camden Brown. Lesley is also a three-time spoken word slam champion at Housatonic Community College. He also graduated from Housatonic with a degree in Journalism. And in continuing with his performing as a slam poet in April of 2006, Lesley placed first at the Apollo Amateur Night in Harlem for spoken word. He also recently finished playing Hoke Colburn in Driving Miss Daisy" with the Winnipesaukee Playhouse.

Linda A. Conte* (Dean Catherine Kenney) is excited to be performing in her first production with the Emerson Theater Collaborative. Born in New York and raised in Rhode Island, Linda has studied and performed in both states. New York saw her performing in more classical pieces such as Shakespeare and Moliere, as well as completing all four class levels at Gotham City Improv. This then led her to interactive theater performances at the Sterling Renaissance Festival, Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant, and even as Judy, wife of the evil nemesis in the original radio play, Lance Proton and the Space Battalion of Justice. Rhode Island audiences have seen her in more contemporary and musical fare, as the Waitress in The Philadelphia, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and in cabarets she has co-written and produced with other Rhode Island performers. So please enjoy Linda s first foray into Connecticut theater, and while she sends much love to her supportive friends and family, especially Mom and the girls.

Ben Jacobs (Greg Smith) is originally from Warren, CT and lives in New York City. He graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina with a degree in History. He received his acting training at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in New York. He has appeared in numerous independent film projects including Rohit Gupta's "Another Day Another Life" that won best first time director in the U.K. and was accepted to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. He also appeared in Rick Gioello s film "The Restaurant" that won numerous awards at various film festivals. He is set to star in his first full-length independent feature "Least Likely" directed by J.R. Perez this fall. To see more of his work go to www.benaaronjacobs.com.

Edward D. Lowe* (Dean Burton Strauss) has appeared in several local theater productions in the Eastern Connecticut area and has held principal roles at the Donald Oat Theater, Windham Theater Guild, Majestic Rose Dinner Theater, CT Outdoor Historic Drama, Groton Regional Theater, The Mystic Seaport Museum, the CT Lyric Opera; and has enjoyed singing with many local musical groups. A current member of all three actors unions: Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Ed is now a full time actor and part time everything else. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in the field of Electrical Engineering. Ed is thrilled to be performing for the first time with the Emerson Theater Collaborative, and thanks Camilla and Joshua for this wonderful opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew. Ed lives on a small farm in Preston with his wife Cindy.

Jason Martinez (Patrick Chibas) is thrilled to be making his debut with the Emerson Theater Collaborative. He was most recently seen touring the country with the national tour of Peter Pan - The Musical. Favorite roles include Linus in You're a Goodman Charlie Brown and Tobias in Sweeney Todd with the Melodramatics Theatre Co. He earned a BA in Drama from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY and intends on applying for a Graduate Acting program in the coming year. Much thanks to Camilla, Joshua and Stephen for getting him involved with ETC.

Stephen Sherman* (Ross Collins) is extremely excited to return to Emerson Theatre Collaborative for his THIRD production!!! (Thank you Camilla, Lisa, & Emma!) Previous ETC productions: Picasso in Picasso At The Lapin Agile (July '09) directed by Aaron Arbiter and Father Flynn in Doubt (August '08) directed by Albert Cremin. Off-Broadway: Claymont (Emerging Artists) and Tony 'N Tina's Wedding (Corcoran Prods.). Off-Off: the premiere of Chicken Bone Beach (Mad Hatter Prods.) Tour: The Who's, Tommy (Dodger Prods.), Aladdin (AFT), Glaxo Mystery Theatre (Off The Cuff), Cheap Sunglasses (Plays For Living). Regional: Bye Bye Birdie, Little Shop Of Horrors (St. Louis Muny). Feature Film: Dawg's Eye View, Morning Glory, You Fit The Description. Currently in an AT&T commercial, which you can catch on your next visit to Alaska! Trained at AMDA, BADA, & Wash. Univ. in St. Louis. Much thanks to Camilla, Joe, & Smilin' Jack for putting him up, and to Josh, our fantastic director! And also, to his very supportive friends and family for coming out to see him! Dedicated to Ron Kenney.

Christine Thomson (Sarah Daniels) is a Connecticut native. She began her acting career at eight-years-old when she appeared in an independent film called Rose Ring about victims of a nuclear holocaust who find their world changed after hiding in a bomb shelter. She has worked as a freelance mosaic artist for a New York City-based company doing installations in restaurants and hotels including at Mohegan Sun. She is currently a student at the University of Connecticut in the Fine Arts Program with the aspiration of entering the University s Acting Conservatory. At UConn, Christine has studied acting with Karen Ryker, and has played the roles of Luellen in Final Placement and Martha in Who s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe. ETC s production of Spinning into Butter marks Christine s professional theatrical debut.

Jason Bolen (Set Designer) is a Native of Michigan and graduated with a BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts. Previous Set Design/Scenic Artist credits include Allenberry Playhouse, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Des Moines Playhouse, West Virginia Public Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, Weston Playhouse, Weathervane Playhouse (OH). In New York, Manhattan Theatre Source, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Center Stage Playhouse, Lehman College. www.jbolendesign.com

Zoë Hartman (Stage Manager) was the Assistant Stage Manager for Picasso at the Lapin Agile with Emerson Theater Collaborative and is very happy to be back as part of this production. This past summer, Zoë worked on the Happy Madison film Grown Ups and finished her first feature role on an independent film for Movifunda. She is also the VJ for CurlyGrrlz Skateboards CGzTV. Her past acting roles include Revolutionary Road, Profile and The Big Bad Swim as well as the miniseries The Bronx is Burning and the television show In Search Of. Zoë was the Set Dresser on the film Crippled Creek and has worked as a Production Assistant on two independent feature films. She is currently in her senior year at Saint Bernard High School. Zoë thanks Camilla, Joshua and Lisa for they are an inspiration to be around at each and every rehearsal. Thanks, also, to the amazing cast and crew of this production. Also, thanks to her parents, brother, family and friends for their support!

Chris Bell (Set Construction) has been involved with antiques, art and design since his high school summer job of 1967 when he worked in the display department of Hecht Co. department stores. That was followed by one year in art school and a series of jobs including assistant curator of a small museum, stone cutting (tombstones and architectural) furniture sales/interior design and a self employed antiques dealer for the last twenty three years. He is also an assemblage and collage artist. Acting has also consumed a large portion of his more recent years. In ETC.'s summer production of "Picasso At The Lapin Agile", Chris was cast as Freddy, owner of said cafe. Prior to this role he has performed about forty five others since Dec. 2000. In mid October you will be able to see Chris performing at the Eugene O'Neil Theatre's barn in the premiere of "Furniture" by New London playwright Peter Roberts.

*Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity