Megan Monaghan Rivas is a new play dramaturg and teacher. She joined the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University in 2013 as Associate Professor of Dramaturgy. Previously she served as literary manager of South Coast Repertory Theatre, the Alliance Theatre, and Frontera @ Hyde Park Theatre. She also oversaw the artistic programming at the Lark Play Development Center in New York City and The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis.

She has freelanced with the New Harmony Project, the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, TheatreSquared, Cleveland Public Theatre/Teatro Publico de Cleveland, Quantum Theatre, and Actors Express Theatre. Her professional affiliations include LMDA where she served a term on the Board, TCG, ATHE, and NoPassport. In 2002 Megan was the recipient of the Elliott Hayes Prize in Dramaturgy.

Kenny Raskin returns for a third year as a resource artist for the SLAC Playwrights’ Lab, and also served in that capacity for David Kranes at the Sundance Playwrights Lab in 1996. For the past forty years, Kenny has made a name for himself as a leading physical comedian both in the United States and, delighting audiences with a unique blend of theatrical pieces and clown characters. He starred as the lead clown Everyman in Cirque du Soleil's  NOUVELLE EXPERIENCE, and originated the role of Lefou, the comic sidekick of the villain Gaston, in the Broadway production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Kenny was also featured in Cirque du Soleil's 3D IMAX film entitled JOURNEY OF MAN, and appeared as well as the Vaudeville Comedian in director Barry Levinson's film, LIBERTY HEIGHTS. This past year, Kenny won a Suzi award as best actor for his portrayal of Nat Moyer in Herb Gardener's I'M NOT RAPPAPORT.

Before joining Cirque du Soleil, Kenny performed his one-man show, THE AUDITION, for over ten years in theaters, universities, and festivals throughout the United States, as well as on television shows in Europe and South America. He has also been a frequent player in the European Variete circuit, playing in theaters such as the WINTERGARTEN VARIETE in Berlin and the APOLLO VARIETE in Dusseldorf. Kenny also teaches workshops in clowning and physical comedy.

Kareem is a Canadian-born director of Egyptian descent who focuses on new play development. He is a 2017-2018 National Directors Fellow with The O’Neill/NNPN/The Kennedy Center/SDC. He has directed and co-conceived a number of world premiere productions including Sevan K. Greene’s THIS TIME (Rising Circle, New York Times Critics’ Pick), James Scruggs’s 3/FIFTHS (3LD, New York Times 5 Must-See Shows), Victor Lesniewski’s Couriers and Contrabands (TBG Theatre), and Nikkole Salter’s INDIAN HEAD (Luna Stage). Other work: Rohina Malik’s THE MECCA TALES (New York and New Jersey premieres, Voyage Theater Company/Crossroads Theatre Company), Adam Kraar’s ALTERNATING CURRENTS (world premiere, Working Theater). Kareem has developed plays with New York Theatre Workshop (where he is a Usual Suspect), MCC, Second Stage, Soho Rep, New Dramatists, The Lark, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Sundance Institute Theatre, Partial Comfort Productions, The Civilians, Noor Theatre, Silk Road Rising, and Berkeley Rep. Kareem is currently a Resident Director at The Flea Theater, and is an alumnus of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, the Van Lier Directing Fellowship, and NTYW’s Emerging Artist Fellowship. He is also a founder of Maia Directors, a consulting group for organizations and artists engaging with Middle Eastern stories. MFA: Columbia University. www.KareemFahmy.com

Adam Booth's storytelling blends traditional folklore, music, and an awareness of contemporary Appalachia. His original voice, both humorous and touching, is influenced by generations of diverse storytellers from West Virginia. His telling appearances have included Teller-In-Residence at the International Storytelling Center, New Voice at the National Storytelling Festival, resident at the Banff (Alberta) Spoken Word program, multiple events in seventeen states, and collaborations with the West Virginia Dance Company, Goose Route Dance Company, Frederick Chorale, and Hagerstown Choral Arts Society. Equally at home as a teller and educator, his research and presentations have included the Berea Appalachian Sound Archives Fellowship, the National Academy of Medicine, Ghost Ranch, the National Storytelling Conference, the Appalachian Studies Association Conference, and the National Endowment for the Humanities Voices from the Misty Mountains summer seminars and institute. He is a member of the Recording Academy and his stories and recordings have been honored with two Parents' Choice Silver Honors, four Storytelling World Awards and Honors, the NSN's J.J. Reneaux Mentorship Grant, and four West Virginia Liars’ Contest wins. He teaches Appalachian studies at Shepherd University and is the founding director of the Speak Story Series. Adam is most at home sharing stories and music with the next generation of listeners and tellers throughout Appalachia.

Utah Theatre Bloggers Association | Julia Shumway | January 23, 2018

In the wake of her divorce, Sharon Olds wrote poetry to reflect on the dissolution of a 30- year marriage. The resultant book, Stag’s Leap, combs through all that has to be put back into place after a once-organized life is set in disarray. In recognition of her poignant work, Olds was awarded the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and was the first American woman to receive the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry in 2012.

Nancy Borgenicht conceived and directed Salt Lake Acting Company’s current adaptation of Stag’s Life, which sets the poetry’s moving narrative on stage. The production features Olds’s poems in chronological order, starting with the first excruciating months after the divorce and proceeding through more subdued seasons until the calm that settles years later.

Stag’s Leap is staged in the Chapel Theatre at Salt Lake Acting Company, where the audience is welcomed into an intimate space with the 5-member cast. In turn, cast members Teri Cowan, Meg Gibson, Tamara Howell, Valerie Kittel, and Shannon Musgrave deliver the poems to an audience who are seated around two sides of the stage, close enough that each woman can be heard without microphone. Rather than simply casting one woman as Sharon Olds, Borgenicht’s decision to use five women allows each to bring her own interpretation to the poems, showing how shifting feelings might cascade upon a life in upheaval. This choice changed the production from a reading or recitation into more of a tour of emotions and reflections.

The stage is set with furniture under drop cloths and cardboard boxes stacked as you might see in a house under renovation. The mood of each season is reflected by lighting (designed by William Peterson) and set (designed by Erik Reichert) that change as time passes. Just like each woman remains on stage at all times, so does each prop and set piece, though they might not all be featured at once. In this way, the setting itself feels like a character in the quiet drama: one woman might call the audience’s attention and then allow another to take focus, and a prop that is featured in one poem may later be set to the side, still present, but no longer the subject of immediate emotional significance.

Salt Lake Acting Company’s production of Stag’s Leap brings poetry to life in a way that will touch anyone who has had to find peace in unanticipated circumstances. As a special engagement outside of the theatre’s featured calendar, all proceeds go toward Salt Lake Acting Company’s new play development program.

Richard Scott (Arnold) has worked as an actor, director, producer and instructor in the Utah theatre community for more than 30 years. He has worked with Pioneer Theatre Company, Grand Theatre, Park City’s Egyptian Theatre, Utah Opera and SLAC. Richard ‘s history as an actor with SLAC goes back to the 1990’s with THE GHOSTMAN, VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE, GUN SHY and RIDE DOWN MOUNT MORGAN. He directed THE MAN FROM NEBRASKA at SLAC. He was awarded the Salt Lake City Artist Mayor’s Award in 2010 and is a member of Actors Equity.  Richard is currently Dean of the School of Arts, Communications & Media at Salt Lake Community College’s South City campus.

Liggera Edmonds-Allen (Max) is so excited to be performing on the SLAC stage! They have just returned to Utah from New York, where they worked as a theatrical consultant for Parity, designing youth theatre workshops for transgender teens. Their prior work includes the role of “Cassidy” in Good Company Theatre’s production of APPROPRIATE. They are also an Ogden based potter, playwright and poet. They would like to thank their moms, Alicia Washington, and Nicholas Maughan for their love and support.

Christy Summerhays (Paige) is so happy to be back at SLAC!  Her previous roles with the company include “Annette” in GOD OF CARNAGE  and “Harper” in ANGELS IN AMERICA. Most recently Christy was seen in two world premier plays at Plan B Theatre Company –  as “Hildeguard von Bingen” in Tim Slover’s VIRTUE, and as “Astrid” in Eric Samuelson’s THE ICE FRONT. Christy is also an active member of the Utah film community and will be seen in the movie Hereditary starring Toni Collette and Gabrielle Byrne, filmed in Utah this year! Christy received her training at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

AUSTIN ARCHER (Blue) has performed with SLAC in 13 different productions since 2008, most recently as Legs Diamond in SILENT DANCER, and Isaac in HIR. He has performed locally with PLAN-B Theatre in GOOD STANDING for which he made City Weekly's "Best of" list for his portrayal of 16 different characters. He has also been seen locally at Pioneer Theatre company in various productions, most recently as Crutchie in NEWSIES! Film & TV credits include: Mindhunter (Netflix), The Night Clerk (Saban Films), and Alien Country (upcoming!). He has collaborated several times with Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory in the form of a devised piece called LOVE, a co-production of his play JUMP with PLAN-B, and of course this lovely show! Thanks to Nathan and Dallas for this beautiful story, to Troy for his incredibly imaginative adaptation, and to Scott and Andra for their inspiring and fearless artistry. Enjoy the show!

Betsy West (Prudence, Pig #1) is thrilled to be returning to SLAC.  She last performed here as Constance Ledbelly in GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA (GOOD MORNING JULIET).  Most recently, Betsy played Leandra in THE WEYWARD SISTERS for Pygmalian Theatre Company.  She has been seen at Pinnacle Acting Co. as Miss Prism in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, M’Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and Marcus Andronicus in TITUS ANDRONICUS.  She has performed at Hale Center Theatre as Maudie Atkinson in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Mother Superior in SISTER ACT, and Miriam Goldman in BEAU JEST.  Favorite roles include Mrs. Potts in PICNIC, Jesse Mae in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, and Agnes in I DO!  I DO! at The Grand Theatre.  She has also had the privilege of working with Plan B Theatre Company, PTC, and Sundance Summer Theatre.