History of PP

2024 Performance Project: Looking For A Certain Something…
February 15 – 17, 2024
Directors: Antora DeLong, Donna Osowski, Joanne Underwood
PLAYERS:
Mariam Benay, Rye Birnecker, Asher Brandeis, Brook Davenport, Kaylen Falcon, Iris Hopman, Anna Kuznetsova, Noella Lazar, Daniel Isaiah Malave, Rosie McNamara, Ehlery Petersen, Olive Rabinsky, Stella Schultz, Seven Scrimenti, Natalia Torres, Liam Webber, Charles White
Stage Manager: Anna Walker
Lighting Designer: Henry Muller
Scenic Designer: Zoë Snead
Vasalisa: A Russian Fairy Tale
Director: Joanne Underwood
Cast: Iris Hopman, Anna Kuznetsova, Ehlery Petersen, Seven Scrimenti, Natalia Torres
Jack and the Beanstalk: An English Fairy Tale
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Mariam Benay, Asher Brandeis, Kaylen Falcon, Noella Lazar, Daniel Isaiah Malave, Liam Webber
The Princess and the Pea By Hans Christian Andersen
Director: Antora DeLong
Cast: Rye Birnecker, Brook Davenport, Rosie McNamara, Olive Rabinsky, Stella Schultz, Charles White
After the stories
The Performance Project ensemble performs a variety of Piven theatre games showcasing their improvisation skills.

2023 Performance Project: Stories From Our 50 Year History
February 16 – 18 2023
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski
PLAYERS:
Mariam Benay, Rye Birnecker, Drake Bradshaw, Gigi DeSalvo, Iris Hopman, Ingrid Lindsay, Sally McEntee, Rosie McNamara, Bella Menard, Liam Webber, Charles White, Gabi Witkowski, Lauren Zilberstein
Stage Manager: Anna Walker
Lighting Designer: Emma Linnae
Scenic Designer: Anna Petersen
Rumplestiltskin: A Brothers Grimm Fairytale
Director: Joanne Underwood
Cast: Mariam Benay, Rye Birnecker, Drake Bradshaw, Bella Menard, Liam Webber, Gabi Witkowski
Elsa and the Evil Wizard: A Swedish Tale
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Gigi DeSalvo, Iris Hopman, Ingrid Lindsay, Sally McEntee, Rosie McNamara, Charles White, Lauren Zilberstein

2021 Performance Project: The Midsummer Project
May 08 – May 09 2021
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski
PLAYERS:
Samantha Abrams, Max Buchko, Mariel Flickinger, Annie Frankel, Clementine Frazer, Joshua Gordon, Maude Hovey-Bradshaw, Xander Mroczek, Maddy Schwendener, Tyler Torf, Sean Zielinski
Stage Manager: Claire Taylor
Helena
Hermia
Wall/Snout
Flute
Lysander
Demetrius
Puck
Robin Starveling
Prologue
Quince
Moonshine
Lion/Snug
Bottom
Pyramus

Fall 2020 Performance Project: As You Like It
Virtual Performance
December 12 – 13 2020
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski
PLAYERS:
Max Buchko, Clementine Frazer, Maude Hovey-Bradshaw, Joshua Gordon, Dylan Miller, Xander Mroczek, Maddy Schwendener, Tyler Torf, Sean Zielinski
STAGE MANAGER: Claire Taylor
ROSALIND
Cast: Clementine Frazer, Maude Hovey-Bradshaw, Dylan Miller, Maddy Schwendener
CELIA
Cast: Clementine Frazer, Maude Hovey-Bradshaw, Maddy Schwendener
OLIVER
Cast: Joshua Gordon
SILVIUS
Cast: Tyler Torf
GANYMEDE
Cast: Clementine Frazer, Dylan Miller
CORIN
Cast: Joshua Gordon
ORLANDO
Cast: Max Buchko, Xander Mroczek, Sean Zielinski
TOUCHSTONE
Cast: Xander Mroczek
DUKE FREDERICK
Cast: Sean Zielinski
PHOEBE
Cast: Clementine Frazer
ADAM
Cast: Tyler Torf

2020 Performance Project: On My Magic Keds
February 10 – 15, 2020
Directors: DONNA OSOWSKI, JOANNE UNDERWOOD
PLAYERS:
JULIA BARTNIK, TESSA BELFOR, IZAYAH CARR, ADELAIDE DAHLBERG, JONAS FORAN, MARIEL FLICKINGER, JOSHUA GORDON, ISA HARRISON, MACYN HOEVELER, CHRISTELLE ILMET, TYLER MANNELLY, XANDER MROCZEK, JOSIE O’BRIEN, SOFIA ROSSI
STAGE MANAGER: REBECCA J LISTER
LIGHTING DESIGNER: JONAH WHITE
SCENIC DESIGNER: EVAN FRANK
THE TESTING TREE: A POEM BY STANLEY KUNITZ
Cast:TESSA BELFOR, JONAS FORAN, ADELAIDE DAHLBERG, XANDER MROCZEK
A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY: AN EXCERPT FROM THE MEMOIR BY HAVEN KIMMEL
Cast: JULIA BARTNIK, IZAYAH CARR, MARIEL FLICKINGER, MACYN HOEVELER, CHRISTELLE ILMET, JOSIE O’BRIEN, SOFIA ROSSI
ZIPPY ROLLS WITH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN INDIANA, WHILE AVOIDING EDYTHE, THE EVIL OLD WOMAN FROM ACROSS THE STREET. HER DAY TO DAY SPUNK CARRIES HER THROUGH AS SHE GOES ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF BEING EIGHT YEARS OLD IN MOORELAND.
TOM SAWYER: AN EXCERPT FROM THE NOVEL BY MARK TWAIN
Cast: TESSA BELFOR, ADELAIDE DAHLBERG, JONAS FORAN, JOSHUA GORDON, ISA HARRISON, TYLER MANNELLY, XANDER MROCZEK
AFTER HE GETS CAUGHT PLAYING HOOKY TO GO SWIMMING, TOM IS ASSIGNED THE PUNISHMENT OF WHITEWASHING AUNT POLLY’S FENCE ON A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY AFTERNOON. EVER THE RESILIENT TRICKSTER, TOM DISCOVERS A VALUABLE LESSON ABOUT HUMAN NATURE.
2019 Performance Project: Who Will I Become?
February 11 – 16, 2019
Directors: Donna Osowski, Joanne Underwood, Gillian Hemme
Ensemble: Lily Aaron, Emma Barker, Casey Bond, Izayah Carr, Mordecai Evans, Molly Ferguson, Annie Frankel, Kathleen Kerr, Zoe Kaufman, Tyler Mannelly, Reese Mathews, Josie O’Brien, Willa Marie O’Donnell, Samantha Obel, Katy Scott Daria Volkova, Penny Lou Zimmerman
The Snow Maiden (Snegoruchka): A Russian Fairytale
Director: Donna Osowski
In this adaptation of the Russian folktale, a winter spirit watches the people of the village and finds herself longing to be human and experience the things that people do. She magically comes to life to bring joy to an old couple and experience the mystery of love. But it simply can’t last…spring will come….
Cast: Izayah Carr, Kathleen Kerr, Reese Mathews, Katy Scott, Daria Volkova, Penny Lou Zimmerman
After the Theatre
Author: Anton Chekhov
Director: Joanne Underwood
After Nadya returns home from a production of “Eugene Onegin”, she re-enacts the show casting herself in the role of the show’s heroine. In the privacy of her bedroom, Nadya explores a series of fantasies, memories, and associations on the themes of unrequited love, break ups, and being the center of attention.
Cast: Lily Aaron, Emma Barker, Zoe Kaufman, Willa Marie O’Donnell, Samantha Obel
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Director: Gillian Hemme
Ali Baba’s Tale originated in Syria and later appeared in One Thousand and One Nights. Ali Baba and Cassim, brothers with divergent attitudes toward material wealth, construct their worldviews after the loss of their mother. Ali Baba’s plans are tested when forty thieves unexpectedly lead him to a cave filled with unthinkable treasures….
Cast: Casey Bond, Mordecai Evans, Annie Frankel, Molly Ferguson, Tyler Mannelly, Josie O’Brien

2018 Performance Project: I Am My Neighborhood
February 12 – 17, 2018
Directors: Donna Osowski, Gillian Hemme, Liz Bell
Ensemble: Nora Hill, Laini Sharifi, Gwen Tucker, Molly Ferguson, Annie Frankel, Casey Bond, Daria Volkova, Kalman Slater, Lily Aaron, Emma Barker, Daniella Escobar, Isabella Escobar, Zoe Kaufman, Maggia Stutz, Eloisa Tirres,
Stage Manager: Andie Fitch
Lighting Designer: Jonah White
Scenic Designer: Evan Frank
A Village of Fools: A Jewish Folktale
Cast: Annie Frankel, Casey Bond, Daria Volkova, Kalman Slater, Lily Aaron
Our adaptation explores the unique characters that make up this village and how, time and time again, they come together to face challenges, inspire each other with new ideas, and celebrate their authentic community through play and imagination. One particular challenge leaves them stumped, but with the support of their village they refuse to give up.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Director: Gillian Hemme
Cast: Nora Hill, Laini Sharifi, Gwen Tucker, and Molly Ferguson
The House on Mango Street Four Vignettes: The House on Mango Street, Our Good Day, Four Skinny Trees , Mango Says Goodbye Sometime
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Emma Barker, Daniella Escobar, Isabella Escobar, Zoe Kaufman, Maggie Stutz, Eloisa Tirres
In selected vignettes from Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, Esperanza Cordero’s ideas of who she is and what she wants for herself are influenced by her experiences and the Latino Chicago neighborhood that she lives in. Stories filled with hope, disappointment, joy and determination for who she will become.
2017 Performance Project: The Princess Who Stood On Her Own Two Feet and Other Stories
February 6 – 11, 2017
Directors: Donna Osowski, Gillian Hemme, Abby Pierce and Joanne Underwood
Ensemble: Lily Aaron, Gabi Bellows, Ferdinand Centeno, Sara Collins, Abby Diamond, Rebecca Dubey, Natalee Hapaniewski, Tyler Knohl, John Osburn, Sean Perrine, Ella Sciortino, Laini Sharifi , Kalman Slater, Maggie Stutz, Amanda Thorsberg, Eloisa Tirres
Stage Manager: Brendan Stallings
Lighting Designer: RB “Mickie” Marie
Scenic Designer: Milo Bue
The Princess Who Stood on her Own Two Feet
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Sara Collins, Tyler Knohl, John Osburn, Sean Perrine, Ella Sciortino, and Maggie Stutz
A smart and beautiful Princess dreams of marrying a Prince. Instead she finds out what true friendship and love are from an unexpected source and she comes to know her own self-worth.
The Myth of Atalanta
Cast: Gabi Bellows, Ferdinand Centeno, Laini Sharifi, Kalman Slater, and Eloisa Tirres
Bright and swift Atalanta outruns the patriarchy.
The Moon Ribbon
Directors: Abby Pierce and Joanne Underwood
Cast: Lily Aaron, Abby Diamond, Rebecca Dubey, Natalee Hapaniewski, and Amanda Thorsberg
A magical ribbon weaves together generations of mothers and daughters to protect one young girl.
2016 Performance Project
A Stranger at the Table: Stories of Insiders and Outsiders
February 8-13, 2016
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski, and Gillian Hemme
Ensemble: Gabi Bellows, Sara Collins, Lili Daskais, Robin Eckensberger, Hannah Frazer, Natalee Hapaniewski, Ivan Harrington, Lily Michaud, Nayelli Reyna, Caden Robertson, Aliah Robinson, Ella Sciortino, Seamus Scott, Frankie Sobel, Maggie Stutz, Margaret Waldman, Jacob Wilson, Mary Xakellis
All Summer in a Day
Based on the short story ALL SUMMER IN A DAY by Ray Bradbury, (c)1954 by Ray Bradbury, renewed 1982 by Ray Bradbury. Performed by permission of Don Congdon Associates, Inc.
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Robin Eckensberger, Hannah Frazer, Natalee Hapaniewski, Lily Michaud, Aliah Robinson, Mary Xakellis
The Frog Prince
Cast: Nayelli Reyna, Ella Sciortino, Seamus Scott, Frankie Sobel, Maggie Stutz, Jacob Wilson
Hans My Hedgehog
Cast: Gabi Bellows, Sara Collins, Lili Daskais, Ivan Harrington, Caden Robertson, Margaret Waldman
2015 Performance Project
Into Something Rich and Strange
February 2-7, 2015
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski, Sarah Bendix
Ensemble: Annabella Bhote, Aidan Cahill, Sean Collins, Lili Daskais, Sarah Douglas, Robin Eckensberger, Chelsea Erickson, Talia Goerge-Karron, Ivan Harrington, Sally Kozminski, Bruno Nobile, Maya Parks, Rachel Santellano, Zosia Smal, Frankie Sobel, Julian Stankovic, Mattias Vanderwerf, Mary Xakellis
Many Moons
Copyright © 1943 by Rosemary A. Thurber. Reprinted by arrangement with Rosemary A. Thurber and The Barbara Hogenson Agency. All rights reserved. To learn more about James Thurber, go to www.ThurberHouse.org.
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Annabella Bhote, Robin Eckensberger, Ivan Harrington, Sally Kozminski, Zosia Smal, Mattias Vanderwerf, Mary Xakellis
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: William Shakespeare
Director: Joanne Underwood
Cast: Sean Collins, Talia Goerge-Karron, Rachel Santellano, Julian Stankovic
The 50 Yard Dash
Director: Sarah Bendix
Cast: Aidan Cahill, Lili Daskais, Sarah Douglas, Chelsea Erickson, Bruno Nobile, Maya Parks, Frankie Sobel
2014 Performance Project
A Glimpse of the Unseen: Wizards, Dragons, and the Beauty Beneath
November 18-23, 2014
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Morven Higgins, Donna Osowski
Ensemble: Hannah Andersen, Sarah Douglas, Mia Drelich, Joey Eovaldi, Vivienne Falls, Isabella Gartner, Talia George-Karron, Caroline Hughes, Sally Kozminski, Bailey Lawrence, Hannah Litchman, Jane Shea Mannard, Bruno Nobile, Nina Sachs, Paul Simmons, Isaac Slomski-Pritz, Julian Stankovic, Katie Uttal, Ethan Wilensky
Paperbag Princess
Director: Joanne Underwood
Cast: Vivienne Falls, Sally Kozminski, Bailey Lawrence, Paul Simmons, Julian Stankovic, Ethan Wilensky
Elsa and the Evil Wizard
Director: Morven Higgins
Cast: Hannah Andersen, Isabella Gartner, Caroline Hughes, Hannah Litchman, Jane Mannard, Bruno Nobile
The Ugly Duckling
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Sarah Douglas, Mia Drelich, Joey Eovaldi, Talia George-Karron, Nina Sachs, Isaac Slomski-Pritz, Katie Uttal
2013 Performance Project
Troublemakers:Stories of Mistakes & Consequences
March 11 – 16, 2013
Directors: Morven Higgins, Joanne Underwood, Donna Osowski,
Ensemble: Miles Allen, Bari Bloom, Audrey Brown, Celia Buckman, Maxine Costello, Mia Drelich, Joey Eovaldi, Jaiden Fallo Sauter, Isabella Gartner, Jamie Hendler, Isabel Isaacson, Sally Kozminski, Hannah Litchman, Jane Shea Mannard, Bruno Nobile, Nina Sachs, Paul Simmons, Katie Uttal
Stage Manager: Chad Duda
A Nice Old Fashioned Romance, with Love Lyrics and Everything
Used with permission of the Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University
Director: Morven Higgins
Asst. Director: Jamie Hendler
Cast: Miles Allen, Celia Buckman, Joey Eovaldi, Isabella Gartner, Jane Shea Mannard, Bruno Nobile
The Black Geese
Director:Joanne Underwood
Cast: Audrey Brown, Jaiden Fallo Sauter, Mia Drelich, Isabel Isaacson, Nina Sachs, Katie Uttal
Jill and the Beanstalk
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Bari Bloom, Maxine Costello, Sally Kozminski, Hannah Litchman, Paul Simmons
2012 Performance Project
Spinning Tales
March 12 – 17, 2012
Directors: Donna Osowski, Morven Higgins, Joanne Underwood
Ensemble: Livvie Avrick, Nathaniel Bernstein, Bari Bloom, Audrey Brown, Celia Buckman, Emma Chanen, Colleen Dougherty, Jaiden Fallo Sauter, Taris Hoffman, Isabel Isaacson, James Jin, Hannah Litchman, Drew McCauley, Richard Medina, Benjamin Medina, Jason Plotnik, Nina Sachs, Katie Uttal
Stage Manager: Chad Duda
Rumpelstiltskin
Director: Donna Osowski
Cast: Audrey Brown, Celia Buckman, Drew McCauley, Richard Medina, Benjamin Medina, Jason Plotnik
Briar Rose
Director: Morven Higgins
Cast: Livvie Avrick, Nathaniel Bernstein, Bari Bloom, Jaiden Fallo Sauter, James Jin, Nina Sachs
Bad Characters
Director: Joanne Underwood
Cast: Emma Chanen, Colleen Dougherty, Taris Hoffman, Isabel Isaacson, Hannah Litchman, Katie Uttal
2011 Performance Project
FROM MARS!
March 7 – 12, 2011
Directors: Joanne Underwood, Becky McNamara, Donna Osowski
Ensemble: Rania Adamczyk, Talia Adams, Sarah Aiken, Colleen Alonzi, Livvie Avrick, Nathaniel Bernstein, Emma Chanen, Colleen Dougherty, Jaiden Fallo Sauter, Angie Fierro, Rebecca Figlio, Lily Fiske, Grace Gaffney, Elisa Germond, Taris Hoffman, Fiona Maxwell, Adam Rothschild, Remy Spadaro
Stage Manager: Chad Duda
Production Designer: Rich Bryant
Production Manager: Jodi Gottberg
2010 Performance Project
Witches, Wolves & Puppy Stew – Whatever Will Our Heroines Do?
March 15th– 20th, 2010
Directors: Donna Osowski , Joanne Underwood, Becky McNamara
Ensemble: Rania Adamczyk, Emily Adams, Talia Adams, Gabrielle Aiden, Sarah Aiken, Livvie Avrick, Molly Bires, Chris Collins, JoJo Cottle, Rebecca Figlio, Lily Fiske, Ashleigh Jerkatis, Hannah Klaeser, Fiona Maxwell, Noor Qasim, Aly Sklare, Remy Spadaro
Stage Manager: Ethan Ucker
2009 Performance Project
In A Fairy Tale WorldLives A Melancholy Girl, A Princess Who Persists, & A Frog Who Won’t be Dissed!
February 9th– 14th, 2009
Directors: Donna Osowski, Joanne Underwood, Jessie Mills
Ensemble: Emily Adams,Talia Adams, Jonah Andrews, Keegan Atkin, Sam Baum, Samantha Dammeyer, Lily Fiske, Ashleigh Jerkatis, Hannah Klaeser, Olivia Landon, Liam Lundy, Noor Qasim, Marion Raud, Olivia Rowe, Alyson Sklare, Kaleb Sullivan, Warren Weber
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Grantner
2008 Performance Project
HEROES, LEGENDS AND STRONG MEN PRESENT: Happy Endings & Shark Bait
February 11th– 16th, 2008
Directors:Sarah Bendix, Donna Osowski, Emelia Zuckerman
Ensemble:Claire Aichholzer, Keegan Atkin, Grace Cable, Nathan Halman, Talia Jacobson, Jordan Kindle, Olivia Landon, Nadia Miecznikowski, Jack McCarthy, Olivia Rowe, Alyson Sklare, Anne Soler, Kaleb Sullivan, Marta Villalobos, Teddy Ward, Warren Weber
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Grantner
2007 Performance Project
Tall Tales
Febuary 11-16, 2007
Directors: Sarah Bendix, Tom Herman, Claire Byrnes
Ensemble: Aine Burke, Grace Cable, Aaron Gregory , Hanna Gregory, Sam Hersh, Jacqueline Kandsberger, Sophie LaCava, Kelsey Murphy-Miles, Isa Qasim, Marta Villalobos, Layne Drinkwater, Maeli Goren, Mitchel Hochberg, Alexandra Kariotis, Nadia Miecznikowski, Teddy Ward
Assistant Director: Lisa Wiznitzer
2005: Performance Project
Heroes…The Least Expected
Directors: Mikalina Majewski, Sarah Bendix, Tom Herman
Ensemble: Julian Allen, Alex Block, Sean Buckley, Aliya Charney, Emmanuel Egwu, Jordan Harris, Austen Hughes, Sammy Marks, Nik Mitseff, Clare Nelson-Johnson, Whitney Nudo, Ani Poladian, Eric Robb, Shizue Roche-Adachi, Ellery Ruben, Dina Soloveychik, Zeke Spector, Ian Wirth
2004 Performance Project
The Underdog!
Directors: Susan Applebaum, Mikalina Majewski, Sarah Bendix
Ensemble: Julian Allen, Emmanuel Egwu, Rose Leisner, Chelsea Link, Samantha Marks, Adam Michaels, Nina Pesavento, Matthew Schorsch, Abby Doyle, Jordan Harris, Nik Mitseff, Clare Nelson-Johnson, Randi Potekin, Anne Ruggirello, Olivia Wiley, Ian Wirth