Salt Lake Acting Company - 50th Season

After providing laughs to audiences both in-person and online in 2021, SLACabaret returns for another “fresh take on the Beehive State”—with an all-new writing team for the 2022 production. This summer’s edition of the show dedicated to celebrating and satirizing Utah will be written by Olivia Custodio, Emilio Casillas, and Michael Leavitt.

Olivia Custodio is no stranger to SLAC audiences—or even SLACabaret—having appeared (quite notably) in last year’s inaugural production as Caren, as well as in SLAC's Art Dog and multiple iterations of Saturday’s Voyeur. Custodio’s writing credits include the SLAC Digital Short “If It’s Good Enough for Costco” and the one-act play Driver’s License, Please, which was produced at Plan-B Theatre in 2019. She serves as Head Writer for SLACabaret: Down the Rabbit Hole.

Joining Custodio on the writing team is multidisciplinary theatre artist Emilio Casillas. As a director, he has helmed Larry West’s Punxsutawney, The Christians with Good Company Theatre, Perdida at the Grand Theatre, and Prometheus Bound at the Classical Greek Theatre Festival (where he also serves as Artistic Director). As a scenic designer, his credits include La Bohème, L’elisir d’amore, and A Little Night Music for Westminster Opera Studio as well as The Christians and Eurydice at Good Company Theatre. #SLACabaret 2022 marks Casillas’ SLAC debut.

Michael Leavitt is also a SLACabaret alum, having served as the production’s Music Director last summer. He spent multiple years working on SLACabaret’s predecessor, Saturday’s Voyeur. Leavitt’s writing credits include a new one-act opera of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which received a first place honor at the National Opera Association Opera Production Competition. Additionally, he worked with six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald for Hale Center Theater Orem’s 110 In the Shade. Leavitt has also been the pianist, music director, and conductor for many musical theatre and opera productions, including Die Fledermaus, Le Nozze de Figaro, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Oklahoma, Aida, and Guys and Dolls—to name but a few.

Photography by Cat Palmer

The 2022 production builds on the momentum generated by the 2021 world premiere, which was written by Martine Kei Green-Rogers, Aaron Swenson, and Amy Wolk. That production led to Salt Lake Acting Company being honored as Utah’s Best Theater Company in the 2021 City Weekly Best of Utah Awards, for which the publication raved: 

You were missed, SLAC! Salt Lake Acting Co. was back in the saddle performing to live audience this past summer with a new and improved musical parody, #SLACabaret. In the tradition of Saturday's Voyeur, which ended its run in 2019, the updated production gleefully skewers Utah culture in a variety-show format. The cast took the audience on a musical tour of the newly renovated airport that incorporated all things Utah, from the 2002 Winter Olympics to a hilarious rendition of the world-class complainer, "Caren" aka Karen. The performance concluded with a musical number featuring the new SLC "housewives." After the past two years, never has a celebration of Utah's quirks been more appreciated. 

“#SLACabaret has breathed new life into Salt Lake Acting Company. We’re so grateful to the 2021 writing team for propelling us into a new, more equitable era of musical parody,” says Executive Artistic Director Cynthia Fleming. “We’re also excited to continue to usher in exciting new voices with an all-new team for 2022, who are sure to keep our audiences entertained.”

SLACabaret: Down the Rabbit Hole will play SLAC’s Upstairs Theatre from July 13 through August 21.Tickets are now available here:

Buy Tickets

Salt Lake Acting Company is pleased to unveil its cast for the upcoming Utah premiere of Egress by Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwick. The new work, which received a virtual New Play Sounding Series Festival reading last year, will play SLAC’s Upstairs Theatre from February 2—20, 2022. The production will also stream on SLAC Digital February 21 through March 6. 

Reanne Acasio* returns to Salt Lake Acting Company, having led the cast of Alabaster last season. Acasio plays the role of You in Egress. J.C. Ernst* joins the cast as Man, and was last seen onstage at SLAC in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. Vee Vargas makes their SLAC debut as Woman.

Serving as understudies for Egress are Wendy Dang (You/Woman) and Topher Rasmussen* (Man). Dang makes her SLAC debut, while Rasmussen has appeared at SLAC in several productions including Harbur Gate and Fun Home.Wendy Dang and Topher Rasmussen

Colette Robert, who directed the NPSS Festival reading of Egress, returns for the fully-realized production. Robert is joined on the creative team by Dennis Hassan (set design), Dominique Fawn-Hill (costume design), Jessica Greenberg** (lighting design), Jennifer Jackson (sound design), and Erik Reichert (props design). Jennie Sant* serves as Production Stage Manager. Kenny Riches will once again direct and edit the filmed version of Egress, through SLAC’s partnership with The David Ross Fetzer Foundation for Emerging Artists (aka The Davey Foundation).

Crespo and Saltwick’s play, which recently received its world premiere at Amphibian Stage in Dallas, is described as follows:

You are an expert on safety, but you no longer feel safe. You have just moved to a small college town to teach architecture, but you realize that your nightmares have followed you. And now, uncertainty lies around every corner. Egress is a provocative psychological thriller that draws us into the mind of a woman struggling to face her fears.

Buy Tickets Here

Tickets for Egress are now on sale at SaltLakeActingCompany.org (via the link above). Egress is also part of SLAC’s 50th Season subscription package—subscriptions are available by calling SLAC’s Audience Relationship Team at 801-363-7522.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States 
**The Lighting Designer for Egress is represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.

Egress artwork by Courtney Blair

Salt Lake Acting Company proudly presents the much-anticipated (and much-postponed) world premiere of Elaine Jarvik's meta semi-historical drama, Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet in the Chapel Theatre from September 29th through October 31st. Originally slated to open in March 2020, the production was halted after only one dress rehearsal due to the global pandemic. Following that fated dress rehearsal, the cast, creative team, and theatre staff gathered for a production photo session, which is included below.

Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet was named as part of the 2020 Kilroys List, an annual naming of new and under-produced work by female, transgender, and nonbinary playwrights in the American theatre. Jarvik describes the play as follows:

On the morning of February 21, 1895, the day after the great Frederick Douglass died, Susan B. Anthony arrives on his widow's doorstep. She is there to grieve - but is she also feeling guilty? Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet is a funny, entertaining exploration of feminism and race, asking "what compromises should you make in pursuit of a cause?"

Today, we're proud to announce the in-person offerings of Salt Lake Acting Company's 50th Season, dedicated to its patrons and supporters with the theme, “Community Over Everything.” The 21/22 season opens with the long-awaited world premiere of Elaine Jarvik’s Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet. A 2020 Kilroys Honoree, the meta, semi-historical piece was originally set to open March 13, 2020, but instead shut down on March 12th due to the pandemic. Original cast members Colleen Baum, Latoya Cameron, Susanna Florence, Tamara Howell, and Yolanda Stange are all set to return when the production resumes September 29 through October 31, 2021.

From December 3 through 30, 2021, the Utah premiere of Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” by Mo Willems and Deborah Wicks La Puma will mark SLAC’s return to in-person children’s theatre. The family-friendly musical, a season subscription add-on, will once again be presented through SLAC’s Title I Arts Education Program both in-person and virtually to Kindergarten through second graders across the state and country.

SLAC’s subscription season will next include the Utah premiere of Egress, by Melissa Crespo and Sarah Saltwick. The new work received a virtual reading as part of SLAC’s New Play Sounding Series Festival this past March, and will have receive a fully-staged production in SLAC’s Upstairs Theatre from February 2 through March 6, 2022.

Spring 2022 will bring SLAC audiences a Utah premiere fifteen years in the making with the musical odyssey Passing Strange by Stew, Heidi Rodewald, and Annie Dorsen. The rarely-produced theatrical gem transcends theatrical genres and follows a Black artist simply referred to as “The Youth” around the world on a bohemian journey of self-discovery. Passing Strange was also nominated for 7 Tony Awards.

Wrapping up Salt Lake Acting Company’s 50th Season is the second iteration of #SLACabaret. The production will once again serve up fresh takes on timely Utah in a lively, community-focused atmosphere. 

Current season subscribers will receive renewal information in the beginning of August. They are invited to renew starting August 11th by phone or in-person at #SLACabaret. SLAC’s Audience Relationship Team is available remotely Monday-Friday 11am-5pm at 801-363-7522 or . In-person support and extended hours are available during showtimes of #SLACabaret, which runs from August 11 through September 12, 2021.

Season Statement from SLAC's Executive Artistic Director, Cynthia Fleming

Welcome to Salt Lake Acting Company’s 50th Season, a time to celebrate—now, more than ever— “Community Over Everything.” I may have run out of ways to describe what we’ve collectively lived through this past year-and-a-half, but I will never stop expressing gratitude on behalf of SLAC to the community that kept us thriving during 2020 and 2021. 

SLAC’s 50th Season. Of course, it’s significant because its the 50th, but it’s also the start of something new. As you will see upon arrival to our beloved Marmalade Hills home, we’ve stayed busy during our temporary closure. Thanks to our partners at Third Sun, ASSIST Community Design Center, Maddox Construction, and of course cityhomeCOLLECTIVE for their partnership in making SLAC a more beautiful—and most importantly—a more accessible place.

You will also see, from our work onstage, that the heart of Salt Lake Acting Company still beats the same, but that heart is stronger. We’re stronger for the resilience shown by SLAC’s community: its board, staff, artists, and patrons alike. We’re stronger because the world is changing and we as a theatre company are embracing those changes with open arms. 

We’re honored to bring you the long-awaited and much-rescheduled Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet, as well as the long-overdue Utah premiere of 7-time Tony nominee Passing Strange. Both of these productions need and deserve a Utah audience.

We’re honored to continue to nurture new works into full productions with Egress, which many of you experienced virtually during our New Play Sounding Series Festival. We’re also honored to return to bringing K-2nd graders and Utah families professional children’s theatre with Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” 

Finally, we’re honored to have YOU in our audience. What lessons will come out of these past 18 months? I don’t think we fully understand, and won’t for a long time. But I do know that we will all look back on this time and our upcoming season as landmark moments in our lives. May our shared experiences forever hold a place in our hearts and provide a better way forward as as community. 

With love and gratitude,

Cynthia Fleming
Executive Artistic Director

As we prepare to reopen our doors to a lovingly familiar (yet new-and-improved) theatre space, we have one final set of changes to announce in regard to our summer and fall programming. Also, we’re delighted to announce the incredible WORLD PREMIERE cast of our new summer satire, #SLACabaret.

Cast & Creative Team

The cast of the world premiere of #SLACabaret includes Salt Lake Acting Company alumni Olivia Custodio* (STREETLIGHT WOODPECKER), Tito Livas* (MERCURY), Mina Sadoon* (SLAC DIGITAL SHORTS), Matthew Tripp (SATURDAY’S VOYEUR), and Jae Weit* (PETE THE CAT). Making their SLAC debuts are Mack, Niki Rahimi, and Aathaven Tharmarajah. Pedro Flores and Wendy Joseph also make their respective SLAC debuts as production understudies. 

Clockwise from upper left: Aathaven Tharmarajah, Jae Weit, Mack, Matthew Tripp, Mina Sadoon, Wendy Josephs, Tito Livas, Pedro Flores, Olivia Custodio, and Niki Rahimi

As previously announced, #SLACabaret will be written by multidisciplinary theatre artist Martine Kei Green-Rogers, beloved Utah theatre veteran Aaron Swenson, and multi-Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award-winner Amy Wolk.

#SLACabaret authors Amy Wolk, Aaron Swenson, and Martine Kei Green-Rogers

SLAC’s Executive Artistic Director Cynthia Fleming helms the production. She is joined on the creative team by Mike Leavitt (Music Director), Jordan Benton (Assistant Director & Choreographer), Michael Horejsi (Set Designer), SLAC’s Producing Director Justin Ivie (Prop Design), Heidi Ortega (Costume Designer), Jesse Portillo** (Lighting Designer), Emily Chung (Sound Designer), and Jacob Hunt (Projection Designer). Jennie Sant* once again serves as Production Stage Manager and is assisted by Sam Allen*. 

Kenny Riches joins the team as Film Director (for the production’s virtual capture) through a special partnership with the David Ross Fetzer Foundation for Emerging Artists (aka The Davey Foundation).

New Dates: #SLACabaret

Due to the construction timeline for renovations associated with The Amberlee Fund (SLAC’s $1M capital project designed to enhance accessibility at the theatre), #SLACabaret will now run July 28th through August 29th. In addition to marking the return of live audiences to SLAC after nearly a year and a half of digital-only offerings, the production will also be filmed, to be streamed on-demand on SLAC Digital. Current season ticket holders needn’t take any action. SLAC’s Audience Relationship Team will be in contact in the coming weeks with seating/date assignments. 

Please note, single tickets are not currently on sale and Subscribers will be given first priority for tickets to #SLACabaret. If we find it’s possible to sell single tickets after accommodating our Subscribers in a manner that also reinforces a safe environment for our artists and audiences, we’ll announce a single ticket option.

New Dates: FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET

SLAC wishes to thank its patrons for their continued support and patience as we plan our reopening. In examining logistics in moving forward with in-person theatre this summer/fall, it became apparent that an overlap of productions in our Upstairs and Chapel Theatres would not be feasible. Elaine Jarvik’s FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET will now kick off our 50th Season and will be presented September 29th through October 24th, 2021. No action is required by current ticket holders at this time. Current FOUR WOMEN... ticket holders will have the cost of their tickets prorated to their 50th Season subscription. Our full 50th Season lineup will be announced later this summer.

SLAC’s Audience Relationship Team can be reached Monday through Friday from 11am to 5pm by calling 801-363-7522 or by emailing .

Colleen Baum and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography

• Colleen Baum and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Colleen Baum and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Colleen Baum, Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Colleen Baum, Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Yolanda Stange, Latoya Cameron, Colleen Baum, Susanna Florence, and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Yolanda Stange, Latoya Cameron, Colleen Baum, Susanna Florence, and Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Latoya Cameron and Yolanda Stange in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Latoya Cameron and Yolanda Stange in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Susanna Florence, Yolanda Stange, and Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Yolanda Stange, Colleen Baum, and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Yolanda Stange, Colleen Baum, and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Yolanda Stange, Colleen Baum, and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Yolanda Stange, Colleen Baum, and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Yolanda Stange in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Yolanda Stange in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Tamara Howell in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Colleen Baum and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Colleen Baum and Susanna Florence in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
• Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography Colleen Baum in FOUR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT THE MAN UNDER THE SHEET by Elaine Jarvik. Photo: McKenna Frandsen Photography
•  

Salt Lake Acting Company is made possible, in part, by the generous support of Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP), the Utah State Legislature, and Utah Division of Arts and Museums. 

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

**The lighting designer for #SLACabaret is represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.

Salt Lake Acting Company's historic building, nestled in the Marmalade Hill neighborhood of Salt Lake City, is charming and part of the SLAC experience. However, that experience is not the same for everyone. For patrons who use wheelchairs or accommodations to get upstairs, participating in our work can be a considerable challenge. For years we have watched patrons struggle to get into our Upstairs Theatre. Yet, despite these challenges, patrons keep coming back. One of our subscribers said on the way to the Upstairs Theatre in the chair lift, "Take me to heaven, that's what I call SLAC, heaven."  Since 2015, we have made strides towards becoming more accessible. We updated our old chair lift, which removed barriers for some of our audience. However, the lift still falls short for accommodating those who cannot transfer from their wheelchair. 

As part of Salt Lake Acting Company's accessibility initiative, we are pleased to announce the Amberlee Accessibility Fund.

Amberlee Hatton-Ward (right) and friends enjoying a SLAC productionCreated in honor of Amberlee Hatton-Ward, this campaign will raise funds to make SLAC's Upstairs Theatre fully-accessible by installing an elevator in the lobby. Amberlee and her "little buddies" began attending our children's production in 2014. Amberlee used a wheelchair and an alternate method of communication. Because of the limitations of our building, Amberlee was carried into the theatre by her friends and family. Our production of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD left a smile on Amberlee's face and had such an impact on her that attending became an annual tradition, despite the added barrier of the production being in the Upstairs Theatre. 

In December of 2019, Amberlee's mother, Shauna, held a celebration of life in Amberlee's memory at Salt Lake Acting Company's production of PETE THE CAT. We are honored that our work touches our audience so profoundly that patrons attend despite the extra challenges our historic building presents. 

Generous support is also being lent to the project by ASSIST, a non-profit community design center that leverages architecture, planning, and construction to provide equitable housing and transportation choices for all communities. 

All of us at Salt Lake Acting Company are deeply committed to sharing our art with all audiences. It is our goal to install an elevator in our lobby by September of 2020, removing barriers for those who use wheelchairs from being active participants in our work.  If you'd like to contribute, you may visit our donation page or call 801-363-7522.

A Tribute to Amberlee by Her Mother, Shauna Rasmussen Hatton-Ward

My sweet daughter, Amberlee, and her friends LOVED attending Salt Lake Acting Company’s annual professional children’s productions. For nearly 10 years, our family and friends celebrated the holidays with SLAC and it was the one and only public event that we attended each year. It was our "gift" to everyone to enjoy food and the theatre as we kicked off the holiday season

When Amberlee was born in 1982, she wasn’t expected to live through the night. She was severely and multiply impacted at birth due to oxygen deprivation; asphyxiated by the very umbilical cord that gave her life. She seized, and was ultimately Life-Flighted to a trauma center, where she continued to tenaciously fight for her life.

Amberlee was a hero of sorts. She lived for 38 years in a body that would not move for her. She was dependent on others for her total care. As her mom, her caretaker, and her voice in this life, I was privileged to have the opportunity to grow with her and to experience her. I was a new, first time, young mom and determined to make her life all that I could. And together...we did. 

One of the most beautiful experiences we encountered was attending a SLAC production. It was truly an expression of love. However, it wasn't until the last 10 years of Amberlee's life that we were so fortunate to have this theatre experience as our annual "Holiday Tradition." Attending SLAC’s children’s productions was an experience that made Amberlee laugh out loud and she was always so loved by theatre staff, stage crew, and actors. She was nearly "on stage" with her wheelchair and was accommodated by SLAC. Always assuring a wonderful time for all. 

Amberlee was an ambassador and forged the way for so many.  SLAC was the conduit that brought many children and their families to the theater; some for the very first time. It was the highlight of December and we were privileged to share this experience with many families that loved and cherished Amberlee.  What a treat it was to see the faces of both children and adults as they enjoyed the play. Always wanting to ask questions at the end and so mesmerized by the performances! The stage and performances captivated us and let us forget for just a moment, the difficulties of life.  SLAC will always be one of our favorite memories. Amberlee loved music and the theatre. It was by far the most precious way she could express herself, in her limited condition of confinement, and it will always be one of the fondest memories we have. Forever. 

Amberlee died in my arms at home on October 5, 2019, shortly before all of the Covid-19 restrictions were in place. She was 38 years old. Her death was a way for her to leave this life on her terms and in her way. She brought so much love to so many and will always remain a steadfast reminder of grace, fortitude and tenacity. Our love and gratitude will always shine upon SLAC for embracing all individuals with various hardships and difficulties and providing a temporary shelter of love and joy during every performance.