NONE: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY
Book, Music and Lyrics by HEATHER CHRISTIAN
Design by JEANETTE YEW
Musical Direction by JANE CARDONA
Movement Coordination by IRVIN MASON JR.
Featuring 17 voices from the Marist Choir
Friday, August 1 at 7pm
Saturday, August 2 at 7pm
Marist University, Poughkeepsie NY
None: A Practical Breviary is the 4th mass in Heather Christian's Practical Breviary series, and is a wildly imagined adaptation of the medieval monastic 3pm service. Rather than a linear narrative, NONE is adapted from the traditional Psalms of the 3 PM monastic masses paired with ancient mystic Sufi texts, planetary treatises by Carl Sagan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson, as well as Meister Eckhart sermons—we walk out into space to confront God in the “heavens” and sing our questions to the seeming void. The music is lush, an infusion of gospel, classical, neo-soul and rock, played by a teacup orchestra alongside NASA field recordings from our solar system. As with Christian’s other breviary masses, NONE is a secular riff on a mass for atheists and agnostics and amateur physicists and devouts of all religions in this specific time of social injustice, political rage, environmental catastrophe and pervading anxiety that hopes to shine enough light on the wound to treat it.
NONE is produced with permission by and support from the Manhattan Theatre Club.
NONE is commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club.
Supported in partnership with Dean and Denise Vanech, with additional support provided by Jean-Luc Sinniger.
HEATHER CHRISTIAN (Book, Music, and Lyrics) is a Drama Desk and 2 time Obie Award winning composer/librettist/ performer making music centered shows and rituals. Recent shows include A WRINKLE IN TIME (Arena Stages) TERCE: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY (Prototype/ HERE Arts Center), ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Ars Nova), PRIME: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY (Playwrights Horizons Soundstage), I AM SENDING YOU THE SACRED FACE (Theater in Quarantine) ) ANIMAL WISDOM ( The Bushwick Starr, ACT, Wooly Mammoth). She was named one of TimeOut NY's Downtown Innovators To Watch, given a New York Drama Critics Circle Citation for musical innovation and has been awarded the Richard Rogers, Stephen Schwartz and Jonathan Larson Prizes. She’s released 11 records, has taught at NYU and Princeton, operates her own recording studio in Beacon, NY, and can be seen in concert as Heather Christian & the Arbornauts. www.heatherchristian.bandcamp.com
JANE CARDONA (Musical Director & Transcriber) (they/them) is so happy to be back at NYSAF. Broadway: CABARET (Accordion Sub), SIX (Rehearsal Pianist, Sub-Conductor), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Pump Organ), HEAD OVER HEELS (Associate Music Director, Music Director (Replacement)), MOULIN ROUGE (Sub Conductor, Transcriptionist), JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Sub Conductor, Music Assistant), BEETLEJUICE (Keyboard 1 Sub). Off-Broadway: ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Ars Nova - Lucille Lortel Award). Pre-Broadway: OUTSIDERS (Transcriptionist). A huge thanks to my mentors, to Heather, and to my Mom.
JEANETTE OI-SUK YEW (Designer) is a multi-disciplinary designer for theater, dance, opera, musicals, music performances, art installation, immersive experiences and digital productions and received an Obie for Sustained Achievement in lighting design. As a designer, Jeanette aims to create a visual environment that is organically integrated into the landscape and language of the production. NY Times described her designs as “clever” and “inventive”. This is her fourth collaboration with Heather Christian and is always excited to be challenged by her ideas! Recent: KIMBERLY AKIMBO (Broadway), THE THANKSGIVING PLAY (Broadway), AN AMERICAN SOLIDER (PAC), Big Dance Group’s THE MARCH (PAC), THE CONNECTOR (Drama Desk Nomination, MCC), ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Lortel Nomination, Ars Nova), MANAHATTA (The Public), THE NOSEBLEED (LCT3), YOUR OWN PERSONAL EXEGESIS (LCT3), and GOLDEN SHIELD (MTC). Immersive experiences: Nevermore Park: HOME OF FLYBOY with artist Hebru Brantley, David Byrne’s THEATER OF THE MIND and Emersive’s LIFE & TRUST. Jeanette is an Arts Professor with NYU Tisch Drama. Instagram: @jeanette_yew | JeanetteYew.com
IRVIN MASON JR. (Movement Coordination) (he/him), a St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands native, is a director, actor, poet, and teaching artist. His work combines expressive movement, live music, emerging technology, and Afro-Caribbean traditions to revitalize live storytelling. Irvin aims to create work that leaves residue — unapologetic theater that dismantles traditional foundations and opens space for new voices to tell their stories. He’s the current 2024-2026 Drama League Stage Directing Fellow. He recently assisted in developing new plays and musicals at the Playwrights’ Center, NYSAF, and Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor. His recent directing credits include: NONE: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY (NYSAF); MARCUS, or THE SECRET OF SWEET (Brooklyn College); THE POSTMAN’S DAUGHTER (Forager Theater), Short New Play Festival (Red Bull Theater) AIN'T MISBHEVAIN, PIPELINE STUCK (Chain Theatre) Associate/Assistant Directing: MEXODUS (Audible Theater); CO-FOUNDERS (ACT); AMERIKIN (Primary Stages); TWO TRAINS RUNNING (The Acting Company); GIN GAME (Park Square Theater); GOSPEL ACCORDING TO HEATHER (AMAS); PUP! A CHEW STORY (NAMT). Directing Observer: THE WIZ (Broadway); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, RENT (MUNY, SDCF). @iirvinmason | irvinmasonjr.com
NICK KASSOY (Music Assistant) (he/they) is a New York-based music director, actor, copyist, composer, and court jester, excited to spend his third summer with NYSAF! They’ve served as the associate music director for PRELUDE TO A KISS: THE MUSICAL (South Coast Rep, Milwaukee Rep) as well as the music assistant for SEX VARIANTS OF 1941 (The Civilians) and A TRANSPARENT MUSICAL (Mark Taper Forum). He’s also worked extensively as a music assistant for developmental workshops including A WRINKLE IN TIME (NYSAF), TERCE: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY (HERE Arts), TEETH (Playwrights Horizons), DR. SILVER (South Coast Repertory), and LIKE FATHER. BA Theatre: University of Southern California. Endless thanks to Heather and Jane.
JESSICA FORELLA (Stage Manager)* (she/her) is delighted to be joining NYSAF for this season. Favorite past credits include: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, TWELFTH NIGHT, MALVOLIO (The Classical Theatre of Harlem); TWELFTH NIGHT, RICHARD III (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); FUN HOME, MIES JULIE (Victory Gardens Theater); THE POLAR EXPRESS (Rail Events Productions); THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (Theatre-Hikes); NUMBERS NERDS (CPA Theatricals), MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (Barter Theatre); BURN THE FLOOR (Norwegian Cruise Lines), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (RWCMD), A SMALL OAK TREE RUNS RED (Congo Square Theatre), and SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM (Porchlight Music Theatre).
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SIENA YUSI (Assistant Stage Manager) is an NYC-based stage manager and theatre maker who specializes in the development of new works. Siena has had the pleasure of collaborating with theaters and companies such as Playwrights Horizons, The Bushwick Starr, Clubbed Thumb, The Play Company, Waterwell, Page 73, Vineyard Theatre, The Drama League, KGM Theatricals, Parallel Exit, Noor Theatre, The Hearth, and Detroit Public Theatre, among others. Proud AEA member. BFA: NYU Tisch. www.sienayusi.com
GENEVIEVE BELLAVANCE (Production Assistant) is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley pursuing stage and general management. They are ecstatic to join the team at NYSAF after interning at RCI Theatricals in the spring! Stage management credits include NONE: A PRACTICAL BREVIARY (NYSAF), MOTHER ROAD (Berkeley Rep), and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Santa Cruz Shakespeare). They have also served as a Catering Manager and Production Assistant for The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep. Genevieve is a proud member of Baseline Theatrical’s Beyond the Stage Door and the Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program’s 2024 cohorts.
CAST
KIRSTYN CAE BALLARD (Singer/ Performer)* (she/her) is a theatre performer and singer-songwriter currently based in Brooklyn, NY. She is thrilled to be a part of Heather Christian’s ‘Practical Breviary’ series! Recent credits include: Off-Broadway - ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (ensemble, Ars Nova); Workshop - THE FEMALE POPE (Ensemble, The New Group). Kirstyn Cae’s original music can be found on all streaming platforms. Follow her on Instagram @kirstyn.cae for announcements about live performances!
CARLA DUREN (Singer/ Performer) is thrilled and grateful to be back at NYSAF as she has many fond memories here. Former NYSAF projects include FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE and HEAD OVER HEELS Broadway: HAIRSPRAY; 110 IN THE SHADE Off-Broadway: Heather Christian’s ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Lucille Lortel Award); HIGH BUTTON SHOES (Encores! at City Center); CHICK FLICK; FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE; BROOKLYNITE Regional Theater: MARGINAL LOSS; THE BLUEST EYE; IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, RUINED (SFBATCC Award); AMÉLIE, PARABLE OF THE SOWER, Robert Wilson’s Zinnias: THE LIFE OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER; PARABLE OF THE SOWER Film: BETTER NATE THAN NEVER; KNUCKLEHEAD, MAID IN MANHATTAN, DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY TV: BULL, GOTHAM, THE JIM GAFFIGAN SHOW, MYSTERIES OF LAURA, Albums: BlackFolkRockStar and her most recent release Golden released under her artist name “saint cecilia” is the first single off her upcoming Butterfly Project: Songs of Transformation. @carladuren
AIDAN JOYCE (Singer/ Performer) is a New York based theater artist originally from Montclair, NJ. CREDITS: (as a performer) A WRINKLE IN TIME, Arena Stage; SPRING AWAKENING, Monumental Theatre Company (Helen Hayes Award Nomination, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical); RENT, Southern Plains Productions; NEXT TO NORMAL, New City Music Theater; (as a director) RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CAROUSEL, Hypnos Theatre & Performance; GODSPELL, Hornet’s Nest Theater; THE 25th ANNUAL... SPELLING BEE, Self-Produced. Education: BFA in Musical Theater from Shenandoah University (Class of 2023). Thanks and to Mom, Dad, Cameron, and Maya! #lgm @aidanjoyyce
DANIEL MARCONI (Singer/ Performer) is thrilled to be joining the NYSAF cohort this summer to work on this singularly stunning piece. He is an actor/musician based in New York City, where he has appeared in Broadway's SWEENEY TODD and MARY POPPINS, Off-Broadway's GARSIDE’S CAREER and THE BUTCHER BOY, and many other projects over the years. This fall, he will be performing in the NY Premiere of THE HONEY TRAP at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Other favorite venues include Paper Mill Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre NJ, and Stages St. Louis. His passion is developing new works, and he's had the privilege of helping build shows like THE OUTSIDERS, BAD NEWS BEARS, THE BLASTER’S HANDBOOK, and THE KARATE KID. On-screen credits include BOARDWALK EMPIRE, THE BLACKLIST, BULL, LAW AND ORDER, and others.
BARRIE LOBO MCLAIN (Singer/ Performer)* (she/they) Selected credits: ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE (Broadway), ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Ars Nova; Lortel award), LAURA BENANTI: NOBODY CARES (Minetta Lane), WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE SEA (MTC), HUNDRED DAYS (NYTW, LJP, US Tour), Kansas City Choir Boy (HERE, US Tour), SLEEP NO MORE (McKittrick), Bernstein’s MASS (PBS Great Performances, Ravinia). Singer with Sherie Rene Scott, Liz Swados, Andrew Rannells, Salty Brine, Todd Almond, Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez and Selena tribute band Cinco12. Solo album “Ether" produced by Willie Green available everywhere. barrielobomclain.com
ADRIANA SCALICE (Singer/ Performer) (she/her) is thrilled to be making her New York Stage and Film debut! She was most recently seen as Vanessa in the record-breaking production of IN THE HEIGHTS at Signature Theatre. Adriana’s national tour credits include SIX (Catherine Parr) and the 1st National Tour of Mean Girls, where she performed as the standby for Cady, Regina, and Janis. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University. Adriana is deeply grateful to Jane Cardona, the entire NONE team, CGF Talent, and her incredible family for their unwavering support. Follow her journey: Instagram: @adrianascalice TikTok: @adrianascalice
JOHN MURCHISON (Bassist/ Quanist) is a Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, known for spanning the worlds of jazz and avant-garde, pop and theater, and music from the Middle East and Africa.
MARIANA RAMÍREZ (Percussionist) was born and raised in Mexico City. She started her music studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico and finished her undergraduate degree at Mason Gross School of Arts, at Rutgers University.
Mariana currently has the percussionist chair of the Hit Broadway show SIX . She also hold the drums/percussion chair at the first National Broadway Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND from 2019-2020 and has subbed on Broadway shows since 2017
Mariana is also the founder of the first all female percussion quartet in NYC called Excelsis. They just won a grant by Chamber Music America.
“Living in such a diverse city, NYC, has enabled me to continue embracing my identity and culture, as well as immerse in other cultures. My projects blend genres, cultures, and tell stories which promote equality and empower individuals of various backgrounds.”
Stay in touch! @mariana_drums