November 18-20, 2021

SETTING: The Cloisters, Massachusetts, 1950

Act 1, Scene 1: Night

Act 1, Scene 2: The next morning

Act 2, Scene 1: That night, after dinner

10 minute INTERMISSION

Act 2, Scene 2: A few nights later

Act 3: A few minutes later

In consideration of the performers and the audience, use of LCD screens and noisemaking electronic devices is prohibited during the performance. No food or drink is allowed in the auditorium (water is acceptable).

Please silence this cell phone prior to the start of the show!

Note that all HCPSS COVID safety policies will be followed. Learn about them here.

The Crew

Sound
Maureen Addow
Melina Guth
Megan Martin*
Vy Tran
Sophia Tran*
Naima Wolfe*

Construction/Paint
Kaelyn Baggett
Sam Baldwin*
Crystal Bawi
Cal Harrison
Robin Liao
Gabrielle Lloyd
Jackson Mansolilo
Sarah Oyemade
Olivia Raley
Keiry Reyes
Maggie Vance*

Lights
Grant Bierce*
Jason Blanco*
Akil Brathwaite
Christian Gilbert*
Jakob Henchell*
Jasmine Laban*
Jacquie Somerville*

Costumes/Makeup
Jena Drabenstadt
Bella Kaguyatan
Ayla Kickhofel
Mikayla Powell

* Denotes Running Crew

Production Team

Director: Mrs. Lauren Tobiason
Technical Director: Mr. Donald Chiarella
Assistant to the Director: Mr. Pat Burns
Stage Manager: Carter Rakestraw
Assistant Directors: Matthew Dietrich, Julia Steinberg
Costume Design: Julia Steinberg, Rachel England
Publicity: Rachel England

Director's Notes

The Cloisters is a sanctuary from the harsh reality of the real world, and its guests live a protected, structured life. The Curious Savage is a sort of personal sanctuary for me. I was lucky enough to perform as Fairy May in high school, and I directed John Patrick’s comic gem in my second year at Hammond in 2005. It is comforting to be able to return to full production work after 19 months with this familiar, heartwarming story.

Mrs. Savage wants what everyone wants--to want nothing. She would like to give her late husband’s fortune away to spread goodwill, much to the chagrin of her three greedy step-children. She meets a variety of eccentric strangers when she is committed to The Cloisters, and they quickly become dear friends. She learns from their innocence and they learn from her courage. The world needs more people like Ethel P. Savage, people who are fearless in their commitment to kindness, with a wild sense of fashion, and a genuine appreciation of teddy bears.

The Curious Savage is 70 years old this year, but its themes of acceptance and gratitude are as relevant as ever...the more things change, the more they stay the same. One thing that won’t stay the same for Hammond Theatre, however, is this space. This is the last fall play that will be performed in this auditorium, as the final stage of the renovation starts in June 2022. We look forward to updating our space (fingers crossed for more comfortable seats in the house!) and continuing many of our traditions from the first 44 years of Hammond Theatre. I am immensely proud of this cast and crew for their dedication, creative problem solving and collaboration throughout this process. Acting in masks, building a set with no shop, and relearning the production process hasn’t been easy, but this group has risen to the challenge.

Laughter is good for the soul and shared laughter is pure magic. Thank you for being here so we can revive the magic that we have been missing. Oh, and when you leave, please ”take an umbrella, it’s raining.”

- Lauren Tobiason

“And if I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘tis that I may not weep.” -Lord Byron

Biographies

Farhan Aslam

Samuel

Farhan Aslam is a junior at Hammond. He's an Exchange Student from Pakistan who likes movies, music and philosophy.

Savannah de Leeuw

Special Guest

Savannah de Leeuw is a 6th grade student at Hammond MS. She has grown up attending and supporting Hammond HS theatre productions and is excited to be on stage this year.

Rachel England

Mrs. Savage

Rachel England is a senior and cannot believe that this is her final Hammond play. She has been involved with the Hammond Theatre Department since freshman year. She is so excited for everyone to see this wonderful and quirky play and has truly enjoyed working with every single member involved in the cast and production. Enjoy the show!

Kennedy Grant

Lily Belle

Kennedy Grant is thrilled to perform in The Curious Savage her junior year! This will be her fourth production in the Hammond Theatre Department.

Carter Jones

Hannibal

Carter Jones is a senior in high school this year. He has been in a total of 15 musicals, with The Curious Savage being his first play. Carter is the secretary for the Hammond’s International Thespian Society and a leader on the Improv Team. He is looking forward to participating in theatre after a long break.

Isabel Moskov

Dr. Emmett

Isabel Moskov is a senior and excited to be in her fifth show at Hammond! She has been a part of theatre since her freshman year and has grown so much during her time here. This will be her last fall play in high school and she hopes you enjoy it!

Julia Steinberg

Miss Willie, Assistant Director

Julia Steinberg is excited to be in her 4th Hammond production as a junior. She is so grateful to be onstage again and would like to thank everyone involved. You're all amazing!

Gertie Vance

Fairy May

Gertie Vance is a junior and this is her third production with Hammond. She is excited to be doing live theatre again, and would like to thank Mrs. Tobiason, the cast and crew, and her family.

Deborah Asomuyide

Lily Belle

Deborah Asomuyide is a freshman who is excited to be a part of her first production at Hammond. She is looking forward to acting in more plays to come.

Matthew Dietrich

Jeffrey, Assistant Director

Matthew Dietrich, a junior, is excited to be performing in his fourth performance at Hammond, and is so grateful to have worked with all involved, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Rin Goodlin

Florence

Rin Goodlin enjoys getting to work with other people and seeing others perspectives. They are a big science & psychology nerd and dumplings are their favorite food.

Sebastian Hurt

Titus

Sebastian Hurt is a sophomore and this is his first in-person production at Hammond High School. You can also find him in the Howard County All County Improv troupe.

Kayleigh MacLean

Florence

Kayleigh Maclean is so excited to be a part of The Curious Savage as her first Hammond Production, and to be involved in the theatre department, both in classes and extracurriculars.

Gabriel Porter

Dr. Emmett

Gabriel Porter is a junior at Hammond who loves to paint and read. He is involved with SAGA, marching band, and the tennis team. He hopes for the best out of everyone at Hammond!

Maya Stepp

Miss Willie

Maya Stepp is excited to work with such an amazing cast & crew and hopes you enjoy this hilarious performance.

Samantha Biggs

Mrs. Paddy

Samantha Biggs is a senior this year and has been with the theatre department since her freshman year. She has always done tech crew for the plays so this is her first time acting in the play. She loves everyone in the department and is super excited to be in the show this year!

Jenna Dodge

Mrs. Savage

Jenna Dodge is a freshman and is thrilled to be participating in her first Hammond production. She enjoys working with this fabulous cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show!

Gabriella Gordon

Mrs. Paddy

Gabriella Gordon is currently a sophomore at Hammond. She enjoys acting and this is her first play. She is very excited but also nervous!

Marshieh Johnson

Jeffrey

Marshieh Johnson is extremely excited to be in the show. He has been trying to study his lines and find some props to help bring in but unfortunately he can't.

Michael McDonald