Digital Playbill: A Hand Full of Change

 

A Hand Full of Change
A Collection of Short Plays

A British Theater Experience Production

Please click for Index!

a

Performance A

Five Signs You're in Love with a Narcissist by Bryan Willis
Directed by Nick Hailer

  • Sam – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Haley –  Eny’ssence Blair

A New Life in a Lifeless World by Dan Erickson
Directed by Eny’essence Blair

  • Dr. Lamoticella – Nick Hailer
  • Simon – Joe Koppy
  • Dr. Redd – Amber Beeks
  • Dr Yelloh – Branna Sundy
  • Dr. Farschman – Jrei Ramirez

Wild River by John Longenbaugh 
Directed by Nick Hailer

  • Peter – Nick Hailer
  • Paul – Jrei Ramirez
  • Grace – Amber Beeks

The Man Who Fell Off His Bicycle by Glen Hergenhahn-Zhao
Directed by Sydney Gannon

  • Lanford – Joe Koppy
  • Constance – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Frederick Nietzsche– Branna Sundy

Me and You, Together in Cancún by Mia Teirney
Directed by Joe Koppy

  • Tree 1 – Mollie Goldberg
  • Tree 2 – Taylor Andreas
  • Leaf – Sydney Gannon

Fork in the Road by Y York
Directed by Joe Koppy

  • Ian – Jrei Ramirez
  • Desie – Sydney Gannon

a play about fish  - Kamarie Chapman
Directed by Gregory Pulver

  • Fred: goldfish – Taylor Andreas
  • Serendipity: goldfish – Mollie Goldberg
  • Phineas: goldfish – Nick Hailer
  • Riley: snail – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Mutt: other fish -  Eny’ssence Blair
  • Jeff: other fish -  Branna Sundy
  • Cuttlefish: disguised as a rock - Amber Beeks

b

Performance B

The Temperature on Mercury by Bryan Willis
Directed by Eny’essence Blair

  • Maitre d’ – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Waitress – Sydney Gannon
  • Cold Mercury – Mollie Goldberg
  • Hot Mercury – Branna Sundy

Grieving For Dummies by Am Blank
Directed by Branna Sundy

  • Elle – Taylor Andreas
  • Kalo  - Sydney Gannon
  • Cody – Eny’ssence Blair

The Man Who Fell Off His Bicycle by Glen Hergenhahn-Zhao
Directed by Sydney Gannon

  • Lanford – Joe Koppy
  • Constance – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Frederick Nietzsche– Branna Sundy

Me and You, Together in Cancún by Mia Teirney
Directed by Joe Koppy

  • Tree 1 – Mollie Goldberg
  • Tree 2 – Taylor Andreas
  • Leaf – Sydney Gannon

Wild River by John Longenbaugh 
Directed by Nick Hailer

  • Peter – Nick Hailer
  • Paul – Jrei Ramirez
  • Grace – Amber Beeks

The Final Testimony of Henry Samson by Y York
Directed by Eny’essence Blair

  • Peter – Joe Koppy
  • Alice – Taylor Andreas
  • Henry – Nick Hailer
  • The Kid – Amber Beeks

a play about fish  - Kamarie Chapman
Directed by Gregory Pulver

  • Fred: goldfish – Taylor Andreas
  • Serendipity: goldfish – Mollie Goldberg
  • Phineas: goldfish – Nick Hailer
  • Riley: snail – Makenzie Binsacca
  • Mutt: other fish -  Eny’ssence Blair
  • Jeff: other fish -  Branna Sundy
  • Cuttlefish: disguised as a rock - Amber Beeks

Biographies

Headshot of Taylor Andreas

Taylor Andreas

Taylor Andreas, (they/she), is a junior Theater major from Portland, OR. Their recent roles with the UP Theater program include April in Company, Assistant Costume Designer and Hair and Makeup Designer for Twelfth Night, Costume Coordinator for TBA, and Hair and Makeup and Dresser for Peter and the Starcatcher. She would like to thank her parents, partner, and family for all of the support during this rehearsal process and throughout her studies in theater. 
Headshot of Amber Beeks

Amber Rose Beeks

Amber Rose Beeks, (she/her), is a junior Sociology and Theater Performance double major from Issaquah, WA.  She has participated in How Can I Keep From Singing as Shannon O’Conner, The Wolves as #00, Peter and the Starcatcher as Lord Leonard Aster, and her most recent production These Shining Lives as Pearl Payne. 
Headshot of Makenzie Binsacca

Makenzie Binsacca

Makenzie Binsacca, (she/her), is a senior Theater major from Sammamish, WA. She has been involved in many productions at UP both on and off stage. Makenzie would like to thank her mom, for always being there for her, her dad for his constant belief in her, her brother Riley for his support and her puppy dog Bailey for her cuddles and emotional support.
Headshot of Eny'ssence Blair

Eny'ssence Blair

Eny'ssence Blair, (she/her). Originally from Albuquerque, NM, I was raised in Durango, CO. I am a Marketing Major and a Fine Arts minor. Theatre is still new to me, and I've worked previously as a dresser, hair and makeup artist on shows. I am also a director. My last show I directed was Imminent Disastrous. This is my last semester at UP and I hope to put on a wonderful show and I'm excited to join this experience! I hope to put on a great show for everyone! Thank you to eeryone in this wonderful community!
A photo of Sydney Gannon

Sydney Gannon

Sydney Gannon, (they/them), is a senior Communication Studies major with a Theater minor from Santa Cruz, CA. Some of their previous roles at UP Theater include Mrs. Greene in The Prom, Ensemble in Bends, Lana in The Last Train, and Hernando in House of Desires. They are also a student filmmaker and currently work as a production assistant at ZP Productions.
A photo of Mollie Goldberg

Mollie Goldberg

Mollie Goldberg, (she/her), is a junior Theater major from Kalaheo, HI. Her recent roles include a queer student in The Prom, a narrator in Peter and the Starcatcher, and the Lady in Twelfth Night. She has also been a part of the Theater club and participated in the 24 hour play festival, the SWSRs, and Imminent and Disastrous. Mollie would like to thank her family and friends for their support, as well as Professor Gregory for giving her this opportunity to do theater abroad. This is her very first time traveling to Europe, and she is ecstatic to spend this trip doing what she loves.
A photo of Nick Hailer

Nick Hailer

Nick Hailer, (they/she), is a senior theater major from Kailua, HI. Nick has had a lot of fun working on her final show at UP and is overjoyed about the effort that her fellow castmates have put into the show. You may have seen them in other UP shows recently, as roles such as Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher, and Sebastian in Twelfth Night. She'd like to thank her family, housemates, and friends, and just general loved ones in her life for being much appreciated sources of encouragement, and for not laughing in her face when finding out that she wanted to be an actor. 
A photo of Joe Koppy

Joe Koppy

Joe Koppy, (he/him), is a senior Theater and English major from Portland, OR. He has appeared both on- and off-stage at UP, working as Wardrobe Manager for Peter and the Starcatcher and Assistant Stage Manager for The Wolves as well as portraying Antonio/ Captain in Twelfth Night and Peter in Company. He hopes you enjoy the show. 
A photo of Jrei Ramirez

Jrei Ramirez

Jrei Ramirez, (he/him), is originally from Wainae, HI. Raised mostly in Seattle, WA, finished high school and where parents currently reside in, Prineville, OR. Finance Major, as the only non-theatre major apart of the ensemble. I'm excited to step outside my comfort zone and be apart of the experience. I hope to put on a great show for all!
A photo of Branna Sundy

Branna Sundy

Branna Sundy (she/they), is a Theater and English double major from the Bay Area, CA. She recently played Molly/Ensemble in Peter in the Starcatcher, Viola/Cesario in Twelfth Night, and #11 in The Wolves. They’re beyond excited to be doing theatre with this lovely group of people.

Theater Faculty and Staff

Eric Adams, Scene Shop Manager

Eric Adams (class of '12) has had the pleasure of working here at his alma mater since 2015. Favorite UP credits include crafting sound designs for Good Kids and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and scenic designs for 1959 Pink Thunderbird.  He has worked as a director, designer, and technician at various theatres across Portland including Third Rail Repertory, Portland Opera, Northwest Theatre Workshop, and Artists Rep.

 

Susan Bonde, Costume Shop Manager

Sue Bonde is the costume shop manager for the University of Portland. She worked in Chicago as a freelance costume designer and technician for the Goodman Theater and Light Opera Works prior to moving to Portland. She has designed for A.R.T., New Rose Theatre, and Portland Repertory Theatre, and the Wee Sing children’s videos before joining Michael Curry Design and working on The Lion King on Broadway. Bonde has designed costumes for Portland Opera’s The Return of Ulysses, Albert Herring, La Calisto, Il Ballo delle Ingrate/Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda/Trouble in Tahiti, Galileo, Postcards from Morocco, L’heure Espanogle / L’enfant et les Sortileges, and La Cenerentola. She is the recipient of two Willamette Week Excellence in Theater Awards and two Portland Drammy Awards. Mock’s Crest Opera costume design credits include Iolanthe, Ruddigore, The Pirates of Penzance, Light in the Piazza, and Yeoman of the Guard. Past designs for UP include Tartuffe, Pippin,The Moors, and Twelfth Night

 

Andy Christensen, Instructor, Directing and Acting

Andy Christensen is a fiercely curious artist-educator who specializes in emergent forms of immersive and site-informed theatre that explore the intersection of place and time. In his practice, he builds egalitarian ensembles that create interdisciplinary, research-driven, and process-shaped performances that put audiences at the center of artistic experiences and contextualize performance within community. After receiving his M.F.A. in theatre directing from the Lir Academy of Trinity College in Dublin and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Andy returned to the United States to invest in emerging artists in the Pacific Northwest. He is a founder of Cascadia Art Project and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He has mentored artists in many regional high schools, George Fox University, Pacific University, and most recently at Whitworth University where he was recognized for outstanding integration of vocation in the classroom.

 

Lezlie C. Cross, PhD, Associate Professor, Theatre History and Dramaturgy

Dr. Cross’s directing credits at UP include Twelfth Night, House of DesiresWhere is Home: a Digital Living Newspaper, and As You Like It. At UP, she teaches courses in theatre history, dramaturgy, and playwriting. She is also a professional dramaturg who has worked at regional theatres across America including the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Classic Stage Company, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Oregon Shakespeare Festival where she was the Literary Assistant for five years, and Nevada Conservatory Theatre where she was the Associate Artistic Director. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington, her M.A. from the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, and her B.A. from Whitman College. See more at lezliecross.com

 

Larry Larsen, M.F.A., Professor, Lighting and Scenic Design

This is Larry’s 30th year of teaching at the University.  He has been involved with theater since 5th grade when he played Schroder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He teaches courses in Scenic and Lighting Design, Scenic Painting, Film Studies and Visual Art.  He has served the department as theater program director and chair, and just completed 6 years of service as an Academic Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences.  Recent shows he has designed at the University include last year’s productions of Everybody, The Wolves and Twelfth Night. He has designed over 100 shows in his time at UP.  Larry also works as a professional designer for many local theaters.  Recent shows include Arsenic and Old Lace and Blithe Spirit for Lakewood Theatre Company, Snapshots and Don’t Hug Me for Broadway Rose Theatre Company.  He is the resident scenic designer for the Portland Revels a post he has held since 2001.  He has also designed shows for Artists Repertory Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Northwest Children’s Theatre, Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Portland State’s Opera Program, and Summer Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa CA.  He served as the producer for Mock’s Crest Productions which presented a summer operetta on campus every June until 2020. Prior to his work at the University he was the design associate for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival – Portland.  He has an MFA in Theater Design from University of Washington, and  when not at UP he is hanging with his wife Caren, his son Mac and his puppy Milo in lovely Northeast Portland.

 

Mindi Logan, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Acting Instructor

Mindi is beginning her 24th year teaching for the University of Portland. Her artistic work at the University includes acting and dialect coaching for productions. Mindi received her MFA from the Professional Actors Training Program at Rutgers University and then worked professionally as an actor in New York and Los Angeles, appearing off-Broadway, in soap operas, sitcoms, and film. Continuing her professional acting career, Mindi has appeared locally with Artists Repertory Theatre, Theater Vertigo, Willamette Shakespeare, Quintessence Theater, Stark Raving Theatre, in commercials, industrials, and voiceovers. Mindi was awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for her service as the Regional Chair of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. Mindi’s husband Hal is a professional musician and composer who also works locally and teaches at the University of Portland.   

 

Gregory Pulver, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Costume and Makeup Design

Professor Gregory Pulver, Theater Program Director, teaches courses in The Creative Process in Visual Arts, Intro to the Art of Theater, Beginning Costume Development and Analysis, Advanced Costume Design and Research, Theater Makeup Techniques. He is also a director and choreographer for plays and musicals for the UP Theater season annually. Gregory holds an MFA in costume design and choreography from Humboldt State University, CA. He is the 1993 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) National Costume Design Winner for his work on Three Penny Opera at Humboldt State. Gregory is currently a Resident Artist at Artist Repertory Theater in Portland where his favorite of many designs include: The Hombres, Broomstick, Cuba Libre, and Foxfinder. He has been a member of the international board of advisors for The Valdez Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK for 15 years and participates as a featured artist mentoring new American playwrights by participating on response panels, providing workshops in design and writing, and by individual mentorship during each festival. In Portland, Gregory has designed both sets and costumes for Bag and Baggage Theatre in Hillsboro, and costumes for Broadway Rose Theatre in Portland.