A Woman Is... at the Toronto Fringe Festival!
Performed by
Kiki Moritsugu*
*By arrangement with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
Directed by
Francisco Torres and Emily Morrison Weeks
Written by
Danielle Dresden and Kiki Moritsugu
Music direction by
Lizzie Haller
Choreography by
Lyn Pilch
Stage Manager and Lighting Design by
Lisa Van Oorschot
Accompanist
Athena So
Based on a concept by Donna Peckett
Produced by Kiki Moritsugu
Kiki Moritsugu*
*By arrangement with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
Directed by
Francisco Torres and Emily Morrison Weeks
Written by
Danielle Dresden and Kiki Moritsugu
Music direction by
Lizzie Haller
Choreography by
Lyn Pilch
Stage Manager and Lighting Design by
Lisa Van Oorschot
Accompanist
Athena So
Based on a concept by Donna Peckett
Produced by Kiki Moritsugu
Featured Songs
The Glamorous Life – by Stephen Sondheim, from A Little Night Music
Some Day I’ll Find You – by Noel Coward, from Private Lives
Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington – by Noel Coward
A Little Brains, A Little Talent – by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, from Damn Yankees
The Boston Beguine – by Sheldon Harnick, from New Faces of 1952
Sayonara – by Hy Gilbert and George Fischoff, from Sayonara
Losing My Mind – by Stephen Sondheim, from Follies
But Alive – by Charles Strouse, from Applause
Maybe This Time – by John Kander and Fred Ebb, from Cabaret
Some Day I’ll Find You – by Noel Coward, from Private Lives
Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington – by Noel Coward
A Little Brains, A Little Talent – by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, from Damn Yankees
The Boston Beguine – by Sheldon Harnick, from New Faces of 1952
Sayonara – by Hy Gilbert and George Fischoff, from Sayonara
Losing My Mind – by Stephen Sondheim, from Follies
But Alive – by Charles Strouse, from Applause
Maybe This Time – by John Kander and Fred Ebb, from Cabaret
Who's Who
DANIELLE DRESDEN (co-author, original co-producer) is co-founder and co-producing artistic director of TNW Ensemble Theater. An award-winning and published playwright, Danielle has written 39 plays performed across the United States and in Canada, Scotland, and Mexico. She was Guest Artist for the Blaine Quarnstrom Playwright Series at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2016 and has been a featured artist at Alaska's Last Frontier Theater Conference since 2002. A Kennedy Center-trained teaching artist, Danielle has worked as a professional actor in theatre, radio, and video and is a member and one of two Ambassadors for Wisconsin for the Dramatists Guild. She serves on the Barrymore Theater Board of Directors and the Bolz Center for Arts Administration Advisory Board at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
LIZZIE HALLER (original music director) is a music director based in Madison, WI. She has been involved in community, educational, and professional theater for over ten years. Recent music directing credits include Shrek (Mercury Players), Once (Platteville Summer Arts Festival), Something Rotten (UW Platteville), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Palace Theater). She has taken much joy in helping this show go from the balcony to the stage and feels honored to be part of the A Woman Is team on this adventure in perseverance and creativity. She also owes a debt of gratitude to her incredible wife, Renee, for her unending and enthusiastic support through all of Lizzie's theatrical endeavors. After this project wraps, Lizzie looks forward to starting work on Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 with the Platteville Summer Arts Festival (opening July 2023).
KIKI MORITSUGU (performer, co-author, producer) is a dancer, actor, singer, and performer from Toronto. She studied in Canada, performed extensively in NYC, is a musical theater artist, and trained in Japanese martial arts. Kiki Moritsugu appears through arrangement with Canadian Actors Equity Association.
Her career has encompassed theatre, television, film, and music videos, as well as industrial shows, even circus! in both Canada and the United States. She has performed on Broadway (Shogun-The Musical), Off-Broadway (Tokyo Can Can), and way off-Broadway in Toronto (Cats at Massey Hall & 2nd Nat'l Tour) and in regional theatres across North America such as the Centaur Theatre (Montreal), The Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis), Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, National Theatre (Washington, DC), Theatre Under the Stars (Houston & Seattle), and the Huntington Theatre (Boston). Film/TV credits include Delight in the Mountain (Frozen Stage Films), Chicago PD (NBC), The Ethical Slut (independent), Sing (Tristar). Recent theatre credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Stage Q/ OUT!Cast Theatre), Wit and Wisdom (TAPIT/newworks), Legally Blonde, and Crazy for You (Middleton Players Theatre); Rock of Ages (MTG/OUT! Cast); 42nd St and Avenue Q (Middleton Players Theatre). This is Kiki's first foray into producing and she would like to thank TNW Ensemble Theater for their creativity, support, and humour!
EMILY MORRISON WEEKS (director) earned her theatre degree from Edgewood College. She has directed and acted for TNW Ensemble Theater and Kathie Rasmussen Women's Theatre as well as other Madison-area companies. In addition to directing and acting, she has taught theatre classes for preschool through teenaged actors. She is beyond excited for Kiki to share her stories with audiences at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
DONNA PECKETT (original co-producer) is co-founder and co-producing artistic director of TNW Ensemble Theater. She is the administrator of RoseDot, under the auspices of TNW.
LYN PILCH (choreographer) is very excited to work with Kiki and TNW Ensemble Theater, to help bring this fascinating story to the stage. Lyn's past shows include Cabaret, Rock of Ages, Working, The Rocky Horror Show, Christmas with the Crawfords, and Xanadu. She continues to teach dance —virtually and in-person—through Dance Fabulous.
ATHENA SO (accompanist) is a Chinese-Canadian music director and pianist who is well-versed in all musical theatre genres, with a fascination for collaboration and the art of storytelling through music.
Athena holds degrees in Bachelor of Fine Arts (Spec. Hon. Music) and Bachelor of Education from York University. During her post-secondary years, she began exploring a career in music direction, beginning as a rehearsal pianist and pit musician, and moving up to music directing positions soon after. Since then, Athena continues to lead theatre programs at college institutions, as well as workshop new musical works including Statistics (Shreya Jha), For Show (Carrie Caffrey & Earl Marrows) and Milo's World (Sean Yauk). Athena is also a pianist who plays in various orchestra pits and stages. Her most recent performance credits include Keys 1 Sub on Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Shaw Festival) and Understudy MD for shows at The Second City Touring Company.
FRANCISCO C. TORRES (director) would like to thank this fantastic cast of one, designers and crew for their hard work in the studio as well as on Zoom, balconies, and beyond. He is thrilled to be able to direct the wonderfully talented Kiki Moritsugu again, after their first meeting when he directed her as a tough city judge in the feature film Delight in the Mountain for Frozen Stage Films. Francisco has recently completed a study abroad program in London for in-depth technical sound and lighting design where he had the opportunity to do sound design and lighting design for several musical performances in the UK. He has partnered with Emily Morrison Weeks, to create a mystery podcast. You can follow that adventure at frozenstage.org and by following Frozen Stage Films.
LISA VAN OORSCHOT (stage manager & lighting designer) is a designer and theatre creator based in Toronto. Recent credits include set & lighting design for Mojada (Phoenix Theatre, 2023), stage management & lighting design for not yr angel bby harpist (Inter Arts Matrix/Open Ears, 2022), and lighting design for 20 Grains of Rice (Inter Arts Matrix, 2022). She recently completed her MFA in Theatre Design at the University of Victoria, and has also studied at York University's Glendon College and Humber College. She is thrilled to be returning to the Fringe with this wonderful team.
TNW ENSEMBLE THEATER (original producer) was founded in 1985 by Danielle Dresden and Donna Peckett, an award-winning playwright and choreographer respectively. TNW Ensemble Theater creates, produces, performs, and presents original works of art and cultural practice. To date, the Company has created and performed 41 new theater works for general audiences, 11 works for young audiences, 15 tap dance and musical performances, with 13 productions touring nationally and abroad. TNW was honored to receive the Lynn Watrous Eich Vision and Innovation Award from Dane Arts in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Company has conducted more than 30 arts education residencies, reaching school age youth to older adults. TNW collaborates with artists and scholars working in the disciplines of theater, social justice, visual arts, tap dance, and music; brings arts and culture to audiences of all ages and backgrounds; and encourages participation in arts and cultural activities. TNW promotes the understanding of diverse cultures while striving to enrich the lives of individuals and communities. The organization prioritizes working with artists of all genders, abilities, and races.
TNW Ensemble Theater produced the premiere and multiple performances of A Woman Is... from April 2021 - May 14, 2023.
LIZZIE HALLER (original music director) is a music director based in Madison, WI. She has been involved in community, educational, and professional theater for over ten years. Recent music directing credits include Shrek (Mercury Players), Once (Platteville Summer Arts Festival), Something Rotten (UW Platteville), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Palace Theater). She has taken much joy in helping this show go from the balcony to the stage and feels honored to be part of the A Woman Is team on this adventure in perseverance and creativity. She also owes a debt of gratitude to her incredible wife, Renee, for her unending and enthusiastic support through all of Lizzie's theatrical endeavors. After this project wraps, Lizzie looks forward to starting work on Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 with the Platteville Summer Arts Festival (opening July 2023).
KIKI MORITSUGU (performer, co-author, producer) is a dancer, actor, singer, and performer from Toronto. She studied in Canada, performed extensively in NYC, is a musical theater artist, and trained in Japanese martial arts. Kiki Moritsugu appears through arrangement with Canadian Actors Equity Association.
Her career has encompassed theatre, television, film, and music videos, as well as industrial shows, even circus! in both Canada and the United States. She has performed on Broadway (Shogun-The Musical), Off-Broadway (Tokyo Can Can), and way off-Broadway in Toronto (Cats at Massey Hall & 2nd Nat'l Tour) and in regional theatres across North America such as the Centaur Theatre (Montreal), The Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis), Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, National Theatre (Washington, DC), Theatre Under the Stars (Houston & Seattle), and the Huntington Theatre (Boston). Film/TV credits include Delight in the Mountain (Frozen Stage Films), Chicago PD (NBC), The Ethical Slut (independent), Sing (Tristar). Recent theatre credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Stage Q/ OUT!Cast Theatre), Wit and Wisdom (TAPIT/newworks), Legally Blonde, and Crazy for You (Middleton Players Theatre); Rock of Ages (MTG/OUT! Cast); 42nd St and Avenue Q (Middleton Players Theatre). This is Kiki's first foray into producing and she would like to thank TNW Ensemble Theater for their creativity, support, and humour!
EMILY MORRISON WEEKS (director) earned her theatre degree from Edgewood College. She has directed and acted for TNW Ensemble Theater and Kathie Rasmussen Women's Theatre as well as other Madison-area companies. In addition to directing and acting, she has taught theatre classes for preschool through teenaged actors. She is beyond excited for Kiki to share her stories with audiences at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
DONNA PECKETT (original co-producer) is co-founder and co-producing artistic director of TNW Ensemble Theater. She is the administrator of RoseDot, under the auspices of TNW.
LYN PILCH (choreographer) is very excited to work with Kiki and TNW Ensemble Theater, to help bring this fascinating story to the stage. Lyn's past shows include Cabaret, Rock of Ages, Working, The Rocky Horror Show, Christmas with the Crawfords, and Xanadu. She continues to teach dance —virtually and in-person—through Dance Fabulous.
ATHENA SO (accompanist) is a Chinese-Canadian music director and pianist who is well-versed in all musical theatre genres, with a fascination for collaboration and the art of storytelling through music.
Athena holds degrees in Bachelor of Fine Arts (Spec. Hon. Music) and Bachelor of Education from York University. During her post-secondary years, she began exploring a career in music direction, beginning as a rehearsal pianist and pit musician, and moving up to music directing positions soon after. Since then, Athena continues to lead theatre programs at college institutions, as well as workshop new musical works including Statistics (Shreya Jha), For Show (Carrie Caffrey & Earl Marrows) and Milo's World (Sean Yauk). Athena is also a pianist who plays in various orchestra pits and stages. Her most recent performance credits include Keys 1 Sub on Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Shaw Festival) and Understudy MD for shows at The Second City Touring Company.
FRANCISCO C. TORRES (director) would like to thank this fantastic cast of one, designers and crew for their hard work in the studio as well as on Zoom, balconies, and beyond. He is thrilled to be able to direct the wonderfully talented Kiki Moritsugu again, after their first meeting when he directed her as a tough city judge in the feature film Delight in the Mountain for Frozen Stage Films. Francisco has recently completed a study abroad program in London for in-depth technical sound and lighting design where he had the opportunity to do sound design and lighting design for several musical performances in the UK. He has partnered with Emily Morrison Weeks, to create a mystery podcast. You can follow that adventure at frozenstage.org and by following Frozen Stage Films.
LISA VAN OORSCHOT (stage manager & lighting designer) is a designer and theatre creator based in Toronto. Recent credits include set & lighting design for Mojada (Phoenix Theatre, 2023), stage management & lighting design for not yr angel bby harpist (Inter Arts Matrix/Open Ears, 2022), and lighting design for 20 Grains of Rice (Inter Arts Matrix, 2022). She recently completed her MFA in Theatre Design at the University of Victoria, and has also studied at York University's Glendon College and Humber College. She is thrilled to be returning to the Fringe with this wonderful team.
TNW ENSEMBLE THEATER (original producer) was founded in 1985 by Danielle Dresden and Donna Peckett, an award-winning playwright and choreographer respectively. TNW Ensemble Theater creates, produces, performs, and presents original works of art and cultural practice. To date, the Company has created and performed 41 new theater works for general audiences, 11 works for young audiences, 15 tap dance and musical performances, with 13 productions touring nationally and abroad. TNW was honored to receive the Lynn Watrous Eich Vision and Innovation Award from Dane Arts in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Company has conducted more than 30 arts education residencies, reaching school age youth to older adults. TNW collaborates with artists and scholars working in the disciplines of theater, social justice, visual arts, tap dance, and music; brings arts and culture to audiences of all ages and backgrounds; and encourages participation in arts and cultural activities. TNW promotes the understanding of diverse cultures while striving to enrich the lives of individuals and communities. The organization prioritizes working with artists of all genders, abilities, and races.
TNW Ensemble Theater produced the premiere and multiple performances of A Woman Is... from April 2021 - May 14, 2023.
| AWI Toronto Fringe Program |
|
Don't stop to measure the pain or the pleasure.
|
|