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2016 - 2017 Season

Elephant’s Graveyard

By George Brant
Directed by Talya Klein
November 3rd – 7th, 2016

Elephant’s Graveyard is the true tale of the tragic collision of a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee, which resulted in the only known lynching of an elephant. Set in September of 1916, the play combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence, and revenge.

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Talya Klein is a Durham-based director, producer, playwright and visual artist. Local directing credits include: Grounded by George Brant (Manbites Dog Theater), Enron (Duke Department of Theater Studies), Failure: A Love Story (UNC Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Arts.) In addition to directing work in NYC, Los Angeles, Vermont and London, Talya has worked on staff or assisted directors at The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Pasadena Playhouse, Trinity Repertory Company, The Culture Project, Manhattan Theatre Club, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Weston Playhouse, The Civilians and the Public Theater. Talya received her BA in Theatre and Social Struggle from Duke University, and her MFA in Directing in the Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Program. She is the Producing Artistic Director of The Here & Now, a company which produces one-off, site-specific theatrical events. She was the 2014 Lillian Chason Directing Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill.


Director Website

Rodney Walker (Ringmaster) is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Performance Studies. He is also a Cadet contracted with the Tar Heel Battalion Army ROTC program. This is his second KTC performance following Kenan’s last semester production of The Cherry Orchard.

Camille Oswald (Tour Manager) is a senior Dramatic Arts and Women’s and Gender Studies major and has performed with KTC and Lab! Theatre during her time at Carolina. She has also performed with the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York and the Samuel Beckett Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Past roles include Stuart Little in Stuart Little, Lenora in God’s Ear, Cassandra in Trojan Women, and Jaques in As You Like It, among others. In her free time, Camille enjoys practicing the veloboe. Camille would like to thank Talya, the cast, and the crew for their creativity, compassion, and commitment – it has been an absolute pleasure and for that she is deeply grateful. Enjoy the show!

Bellamy Harden (Ballet Girl) is a sophomore majoring in Dramatic Art and is ecstatic to be a part of her first KTC show!! Recent shows include Playmaker’s Repertory Company’s production of Guys and Dolls, and Spring Awakening with UNC Pauper Players. When not on stage, Bellamy can be found sipping iced tea and probably watching a documentary of some kind. Shout out to Tayla, the cast, and the crew for breathing life into such an important and stunning show.

Claire Koenig (Clown) is on the final lap of her undergraduate experience. She’s glad to have this last show to bid farewell to her time as a Dramatic Art major at Carolina before she heads off to wrestle with the world of professional acting. Past performances at UNC include The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls (KTC), Lungs (LAB!), and Failure: A Love Story (KTC). Praise and thanks to Talya for the honesty and humor she brings to her work and her teaching, and all this best to this lovely group of artists — don’t forget to turn up the fiiiiction.

Will Leitch (Strongman) is from Mooresville, NC and is a Sophomore majoring in Political Science and Global Studies with a Dramatic Art minor. This is Will’s first show with KTC, but he has worked previously with student organizations like the UNC Pauper Players. Will hopes to continue working with KTC and be a part of future productions as both an actor and production staff.

Kate Jones (Trainer) is a junior studying Dramatic Arts in addition to Performance Studies within the Communications Department. This is her second production with KTC and her seventh production at UNC, including both onstage and offstage escapades. She thanks her incredibly loving parents and family, supportive cast, and the bottomless cup of coffee in her hand.

Carson Zone (Marshal) is a junior studying Economics and Dramatic Art. Elephant’s Graveyard is Carson’s first production at UNC and with Kenan Theatre Company. Carson would like to thank Talya and the cast for making his first UNC performance an awesome experience. Carson would also like to thank his friends and family for their unwavering love and support.

Liz Kent (Muddy Townsperson) is a senior studying for a BM in Vocal Performance and a BA in Dramatic Art. This is her second show as an actor with KTC, and her second year as a producing director for the company as well. Past favorite credits include Sweeney Todd (PlayMakers Rep), Johnny Johnson (KTC), and Company (Company Carolina). She is so grateful for the Kenan Theatre Company and all it has taught her as a technician, an actor, and as a person. Thanks to her friends, family, and dog for their consistent support.

Francesca ‘Frankie’ Lipscomb-Cobbs (Hungry Townsperson) is a first-year student studying Dramatic Art at UNC. Elephant’s Graveyard is Frankie’s first production with the Kenan Theatre Company. They have greatly enjoyed working with the show’s cast and crew and they hope to work with KTC again. Frankie would like to thank everyone involved with the show for being so welcoming as well as their friends and family for their never-ending love and support.

Gabriela Pickett (Young Townsperson) is a junior pursuing a major in Dramatic Arts and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Among her favorite acting credits are Romeo and Juliet, Clue, Me Too Monologues, and Columbinus. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with and learn from Talya again.

Peyton Chance (Preacher) is a junior from Millington, Maryland studying Dramatic Art & Global Studies with a minor in Visual Communication. This is his first performance with KTC! This summer, he performed in My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, and The Pirates of Penzance with Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre in Winchester, Virginia. He has also music directed two on-campus musicals – Love’s Labour’s Lost and Violet – and is the music director of Tar Heel Voices, UNC’s oldest co-ed a cappella group. He would like to thank his parents for their radically unconditional love and support, Bryce for being the greatest, and this fantastic cast for keeping the glow alive – keep testifyin’.

Rob Piscitelli (Steam Shovel Operator) is a first year Dramatic Art major at UNC. This is his first show as an actor with KTC and his second production at UNC. Past credits include working as the Assistant Director for The Sower (LAB! Theatre). He would like to thank all the people who have helped bring this show to life and his friends, parents and brother for all their support. He is looking forward to the next four years at UNC.

Carter Guensler (Engineer) is a sophomore who regularly makes the 2:00am walk of shame from Davis to the UL as he struggles toward a double major in saving-the-polar-bears and preparing-for-broadway (a.k.a. waiting tables). For all the times this cast has made him feel vulnerable, present, truthful, and rob – he is eternally grateful… and Talya, there aren’t words to properly thank you for the many invaluable chunklets of wisdom.

Juan David Roa (Guitarist) is in his last year at UNC, where he studies Anthropology and History. He’s played various instruments for various pit orchestras in various shows on campus, like Hair, Hairspray, and The Last Five Years.

Ebenezer Edema-Sillo (Drummer) is a sophomore from Raleigh, North Carolina studying Psychology with a minor in Music. His performance with KTC is his second performance at UNC with his other performance as Flick in the Company Carolina production of Violet. He would like to give a special thanks to his marching band director Jeff Fuchs and his sisters from Tau Beta Sigma for giving him the time and support to perform with KTC. He would also like to give a special thanks to all of his friends and family who gave him love and support following the news of his grandfather’s death last week.

Kaitlyn Ave’Lallemant (Producer) is a Junior Dramatic Arts and Environmental Sciences double major. She has been involved as an actor in various theatre companies on campus, including KTC, but this is the first semester she has been off the stage as a producer. Kaitlyn is tremendously proud of the talented cast and crew for the spectacular show they have created.

Caroline Collins (Producer) is thrilled to be working with the Kenan Theatre Company as a Producing Director. She will be working on Elephant’s Graveyard as well as Rooms: A Dance Drama in the Spring Semester. She is a senior pursuing a BA in Dramatic Art with minors in Music and Studio Art as well as a BS in Computer Animation.

Caroline Evans (Stage Manager) is a first-year at UNC planning to study Dramatic Art. This is her first show with KTC and she would like to thank the cast for making the experience a truly amazing one. She would also like to thank Talya for being the best director a stage manager could hope for, Natalie for being the best ASM she’s ever had, and her parents for supporting her always, no matter what crazy challenges she tries to take on.

Natalie Daumen (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year at UNC planning to study Chemistry and Dramatic Art. She is thrilled to be a part of her first production at UNC and with Kenan Theatre Company. Natalie would like to thank Talya and the cast for making her first big experience at Chapel Hill an amazing one, and Caroline for working on shows with her for the last 6 years.

Dalia Blevins (Scenic Design/Props Master) is a sophomore from Winston Salem, NC studying Dramatic Art and Political Science with a minor in Latino Studies. This is her third show with KTC and her sixth show at UNC. She is absolutely thrilled to design her first set! Dalia would like to thank her family at Carolina and back at home (including her dog Fluffy), as well as, most importantly, the cast and crew for their limitless guidance and support.

Karmen Black (Costume Designer/Make-Up/Wardrobe) is from Asheboro, NC and is a freshman planning to major in Dramatic Arts and Psychology. This is her first time designing for KTC and has enjoyed learning the ropes, bringing the show to life, and is thankful for the cooperation of the fantastic and talented actors. Karmen would like to thank her family, friends, Playmakers costume team, and KTC Staff for their incredible help and support and God and her fish for keeping her grounded during her first show.

Anthony Cacchione (Lighting Designer) is a senior studying Chemistry and Dramatic Art who is pleased to be designing for his final season with Kenan Theatre Company. One must paint the stage with light like an artist would with paint on a canvas. Recent design credits include The Sower (Lab! Theatre) and The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls (KTC).