Reserve your Ticket(s) by clicking HERE
October, 7-16 2022
Please Note: THE PLAY DEALS WITH ADULT SITUATIONS, BAWDY HUMOR, AND SEXUAL INTIMACY AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE
The Prestige Project
Bard Fest's "Prestige Project" returns again this year to the wonderful Cat Theatre in Carmel. In this project we explore classical theatre with top directors and local talent.
In 411 BC, Greek playwright Aristophanes wrote his biting satire Lysistrata. The premise: the men are at war. They are always at war, and the women have had enough of it. So Lysistrata poses a provocative question: Would the men stop the fighting if the women denied them sex?
With themes that are hauntingly still relevant today, our Lysistrata places us 2,400 years after the original - in October 2020, where we are still fighting, mostly among ourselves. Again Lysistrata proposes the solution with results both hilarious and thought-provoking, exploring overlapping themes of power, conflict, peace, sex, gender, and civil disobedience through biting comedy and social observation.
The play is directed by local theatre favorite
Ms Holly Hathaway-Thompson
Ms Hathaway-Thompson was last seen at Bard Fest in the critically acclaimed Elizabeth Rex in her stunning turn as Queen Elizabeth I.
The Cat Theatre
is near the Carmel Art's District at
254 Veterans Way, Carmel, IN 46032
Lysistrata Bios
Eric Bryant (Magistrate) is making his third BardFest appearance. Eric was last seen
onstage as Will Shakespeare in ELIZABETH REX and previous to that as Claudius in
HAMLET. His fight choreography has been seen on many of the stages in Indianapolis.
Prior to returning to Indiana in 2004, Eric lived in New York and toured the country in
different productions of THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Athos, Aramis, Duke of
Buckingham). He studied at HB Studio with Sandy Dennis, Carol Rosenfeld, and Joe
Daly, his long-time friend, mentor, and fencing instructor, and at Circle Rep Lab with
Michael Warren Powell, Peg Denithorn, and Lanford Wilson. Prior to moving to New
York, Eric was a student of J. Edgar and Dorothy Webb at IUPUI. Favorite roles include
Barrymore in I HATE HAMLET, Eddie in FOOL FOR LOVE, Ken in FIFTH OF JULY,
Billy in STREAMERS, Hoss in TOOTH OF CRIME, and Judas in COLD JOURNEY IN
THE DARK. Eric is a board member with Southbank Theatre Company and recently
directed a staged reading of Marcia Eppich-Harris’ THE PROFESSION as part of the
script development process. Eric is excited to be partnering with Arts for Lawrence to
teach acting classes for adults this fall. In the spring, Eric will be directing TRUE WEST
at Carmel Community Players.
ANDY BURNETT (Atticus) Andy enjoys all aspects of community theater, and when he is not building sets or producing shows for First Folio Productions, he enjoys forays in front of the curtain as well. Favorite roles include John Bates in Henry V, Edgar in The Murder Room, and the “ghost” of Hamlet’s late father in Hamlet.
Gene Burnett (Gatticus) is joining the Lysistrata cast in this relevant story about overcoming bias and outdated beliefs . His Favorite roles include Colonel Nathan R Jessup in A Few Good Men and any role that evokes deeply held feelings . Gene enjoys running, biking, and traveling. His favorite thing about theater is working with others who put heart and soul into living. Thanks to Holly Hathaway Thompson for her vision and support.
MELODY BURNETT (Stage Manager) “Mel” as she is affectionately known, greatly enjoys the opportunity to perform with and support the many talented men and women who make community theater a success both in front of and behind the curtain. Her most recent projects include Elizabeth Rex, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Henry V, and Romeo and Juliet.
C. Leroy Delph is thrilled to be cast as the Athenian Ambassador in this production. The chance to create a character and then portray that on stage is indescribable. Previous favorite roles include J. B. Biggley in How To Succeed In Business at The Belfrey Theatre; Snoring Man/Ezekiel in White Christmas at Footlite Musicals; and Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker at Buck Creek. Leroy wishes to thank Holly, Justina, and the rest of the crew, and especially his wife Lynn for letting him come out and "play."
LUCY FIELDS (Lampito) (she/her) is thrilled to make her BardFest debut in this hilarious (and scarily relevant!) adaptation of Lysistrata. Having recently obtained her bachelor's in theatre, Lucy was last seen at the University of Indianapolis in a staged reading of her original play The Divine Alchemists (Aerith) and The Taming of the Shrew (Katherine). Lucy has also graced the Footlite Musicals stage in productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Benjamin), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Gargoyle), and Into the Woods (Jack). Lucy wants to thank the entire cast, staff, and crew for their ceaseless dedication in putting this show together. When she is not involved in a show or serving up coffee at her day job, Lucy enjoys writing, drag, and spending time with her family, friends, and girlfriend.
SCOTT A. FLESHOOD (XANDER) has been involved in numerous productions with local theaters over the past 30 years including Old National Road Players, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Footlite Musicals, Ball State University Opera, Buck Creek Players, and as vocalist with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Scott co-directed Riley Children’s Theatre for two seasons, is a past Encore winner and Emmy nominee, and has appeared in various commercials for radio and television. Scott is an Eagle Scout, former co-host of the PBS magazine television series Indiana Outdoors, and previously served on the Board of Directors for Buck Creek Players.
Holly Hathaway Thompson (Director/Writer) has been directing theatre across Indiana for thirty years, and this is something like #48. Holly has spent 32 years in education and currently works as an instructional coach at Arlington Middle School while also coaching Myanmar teachers. Holly has performed, spoken, and sung in theaters and churches from coast to coast and enjoys travel, photography, and being a DIY diva (HollyWould Design on FB). In addition to television and film credits, recent onstage roles include Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Mud Creek, Marmee in Little Women, the Broadway Musical at Myers Dinner Theatre, and Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth Rex at last year’s Bardfest. Favorite stage roles include Mame in Mame (Footlite), Barbara in August: Osage County (CCP), Mme. Thenardier in Les Miserables (Richmond Civic), Aldonza in Man of La Mancha (Richmond Civic), Sr. Amnesia in Nunsense (Rush County Players), and Joan Crawford in Dearest, the Mommie Musical (TOTS), among others. Favorite shows to direct: Footloose, Little Women, the Broadway Musical, and now LYSISTRATA. She studied theatre at the University of Evansville, received her Bachelor’s from IU and Master’s of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary. She enjoys her many roles in life: teacher, actress, director, but especially loves being YiaYia to twin grandbabies, Mubby to daughter Bethany, and Lovie to hubby Bill. Thank you to Bardfest for the opportunity, much love to family and friends, and thanks to God for the many blessings. Ps. 89:1
JESSICA (CRUM) HAWKINS is elated to be part of her first Bardfest! Some favorite roles include Bea Bottom in Something Rotten (Footlite), Jackie Noelle in Disaster: The Musical (BCP), Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion (TOTS), Frida Kahlo in Gregory Hancock’s World Premiere La Casa Azul (GHDT), Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde the Musical (Footlite), and Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Footlite). Jessica is an auditor at Tangoe and enjoys being a vocalist in the Bigger is Better Band. She resides in Fishers with her amazing husband, JP, and their derpy dog, Loki. Jessica is grateful to be part of this spectacular cast and share this still relevant and (she thinks) hilarious story with you!
Samantha Kelly (Medora) is massively excited to be a part of Lysistrata. This is her second BardFest production and was recently seen in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare At The Fort. Some of her favorite roles include Moth (MSND), Daisy (Student Body), Ursula (Much Ado About Nothing), Joyce (Top Girls), and Goodman/Mr. Asa (Men on Boats). She spends most of her time binging reality TV and making sure her 7th graders don’t get into trouble. She’d like to thank Holly, her fantastic director for giving her this opportunity to be a part of something truly special. She’d also like to thank her mom, sister and boyfriend for being super supportive while she returns to theatre. She’d also like to thank the audience for coming along on this ride - buckle up cause it’s gonna be fun. “Be Curious, Not Judgemental” -Ted Lasso
Nikki Lynch is thrilled to be invited to be part of Bardfest again. Last season, she made her Bardfest premier in Elizabeth Rex playing servant to Queen Elizabeth performed by Miss Holly Hathaway. Her most recent role was Judy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time with Carmel Community Players right here at The Cat. Other performances have been in Macbeth, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Father of The Bride, The Crucible, To Kill A Mockingbord, Les Miserables, Beauty and The Beast, and many, many more. This spring, Nikki will be donning her director’s hat as the Assistant Director for The Great Gatsby with The Belfry Theatre, and in the summer she will be directing The Somewhat True Tales of Robinhood at The Westfield Playhouse. When not onstage, Nikki works as an underwriter for Freedom Mortgage. She also works as a trivia jockey with her homebase being Primeval Brewery in Noblesville. Nikki’s love for live music inspired her to work at Ruoff Music Theatre this summer where she got paid to see over 30 concerts. She would like to thank her boyfriend, Brock, for his love and support and her dog, Charlie, for just being himself.
MaryAnne Mathews (Leader of the Women) is a writer, actor, and singer who performs her original play Mrs. President: A Visit With Mary Lincoln regionally. Area stage appearances include Indiana: The Musical and Ten Pin Alli with Nickel Plate Players, Mother Ireland (co-written with Kate Duffy Sim) at IndyFringe’s DivaFest, It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Show at Carmel Theatre Company, and The Civil War, Harold and Maude (as Maude), and The Homecoming with Main Street Players in Westfield. She has appeared in or directed several Fringe plays, including Kill the Column and Barking Signals (badly) During Goldwater. She has been nominated twice for Encore awards. She plays hammered dulcimer and guitar with the group Crossing Bridges and is a costumed historic interpreter at Conner Prairie. A retired teacher, she was theater sponsor at New Tech High School in Evansville for three years. She is delighted to again be working with Holly Hathaway Thompson and to be a part of Bardfest.
Miki Mathioudakis (Calonike)
With her roots going back to the island of Crete, it’s no surprise that Miki loves Greek theatre.
45 years ago she played Lysistrata at Ball State; 30 years ago she played Calonike at Theatre
on the Square and is thrilled to do it again! She has also appeared in four different productions of Antigone. One of her proudest accomplishments was to take a troupe of students from Marian University to open a new stage for the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Greece in 1992, performing the play Antigone by Sophocles. The themes of the Greek comedies and tragedies are timeless, and Miki hopes to mount a production of the comedy Wealth before the next election. She’s newly retired as a hospital chaplain from Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital and now works part-time as a chaplain at Ortho Indy and teaches Intro to Theatre at Uindy. May peace rule in our hearts, our relationships and around the globe.
Tracy Nakigozi (Andromeda) is beyond thrilled to be a part of her BardFest debut in Lysistrata. She previously studied at the University of Indianapolis and is currently attending online school. She began performing in high school as Les in Newsies and The Narrator in Into the Woods. She gives her thanks to the director, Holly, for believing in her and providing her with this opportunity. She would also like to thank Lucy for her generous support. Last but not least, she would like to thank her mother and father for their support and encouragement to fulfill her passion.
Carrie Reiberg is honored to be playing the title role of Lysistrata alongside such a talented and supportive cast. Carrie is an Indianapolis native and graduate of Indiana University where she received her B.A. in theatre and drama. She went on to study theatre at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. and The Atlantic Theatre Company in Manhattan. Carrie obtained her Masters in Effective Teaching and Leadership from Butler University in May of 2018. Favorite acting roles include: Kitty in Six Degrees of Separation, Adam in As You Like It, Desdemona in Othello, Nan in Three Days of Rain, Nancy in Recent Tragic Events, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Kristine in A Chorus Line. Carrie’s directing credits include but are not limited to: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Still Life with Iris, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, The Diviners, Bang-Bang You’re Dead, Romeo and Juliet, Servant of Two Masters, Hairspray, The Wiz, Godpsell, The Katrina Project: Hell in High Water, All in the Timing, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged, Once on This Island, and Hush: An Interview with America. Carrie is the recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters scholarship for outstanding dramatic performance as well as an Encore Award for best supporting comedic actress in House of Yes. In addition to acting and directing, she has received multiple teacher of the year nominations and awards as well as being selected as a teacher of the year finalist for IPS in 2017. Carrie is an unapologetically proud mother to her two boys Lucas and Leo and is constantly in awe of her own badass momma, Nancy, without whom she would not be the woman that she is today. She would like to give love and special thanks to her community of teachers and badass queens that lift her up and support her ambitions, and of course to Bee, for being her rock.
Justina Savage (Assistant Director) is very excited to make their (assistant) directing debut with this wonderful production. Justina is very proud of this cast and the story they are all telling. Justina was most previously seen on stage as Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Mote in Love’s Labour’s Lost at last year’s Bardfest. Justina has also stage managed several productions around Indianapolis including Puffs and Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes. Justina currently works as a program assistant at the Regenstrief Institute and has degrees in both English and political science. When they are not on stage, Justina can be found reading, playing games on their Switch, or spending time with their cat. Justina is very grateful to be working with Holly, this amazing cast, and Bardfest as a whole. Justina would also like to thank their partner Jordan and their friends for their patience and support throughout this process.
Abdul Hakim Shabazz (Philonomos) may be a relative newcomer to BardFest, but he is not new to the stage, having also played in Henry IV and Elizabeth Rex. Prior to that he was also in a ton of plays and musicals, including Godspell, The Wizard of Oz, Inherit the Wind, and Dial M for Murder, just to name a few. When he is not on stage performing, you can find him in court as he is a licensed attorney in Indiana and Illinois. He is also a radio talk show host for WIBC, a political commentator for Fox 59, RTV 6, and WISH-TV, and is on the adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech and the University of Indianapolis, Just for good measure, he is also a stand-up comedian. He is married to his lovely wife, Cheron, and has one son, Gene.
Matthew Socey (Cinesias) has appeared on RSF stage as Luddy (Elizabeth Rex), Falstaff (Henry IV, Part One) and King Edward/Lord Mayor (Richard III). He’s also directed the RSF productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Matthew is one of the voices at WFYI 90.1 FM. Love to Lynne and Emm.
Missy Waaland (she/her) attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts- NY. After graduating, she appeared in national commercials and independent films. She made the move to Indy after the birth of her daughter, Arya. As a newbie to the Indy theatre scene, she has been working the past few years with Bill Simmons and Jolene Mentink Moffat in the Meisner class at The Phoenix Theatre. She would love to thank her fabulous parents, the best daughter in the whole world, her partner who supports from afar, her teachers and friends. She has quite the support system and she can never thank them all enough.