CAST (in order of appearance)

Maid (Marianne)/ Emmy Helmer.......................................................Lily Jackson Maid (Helene)/Ivar Helmer................................................. Shanequa Hammock Nora Helmer.......................................................................................... Giulia Davis Torvald Helmer............................................................................. Daniele Manzin* Dr. Rank ......................................................................................Sean Embrey-Stine Kristine Linde..............................................................................Elizabeth Rodgers Nils Krogstadt ...................................................................................... Brian Robins Nanny Anne-Marie .............................................................................Megan Farber PRODUCTION STAFF Director ............................................................................................... Alan Freeman Costume Design.............................................................................. Serita Robinson Stage Manager...............................................................................David Sucherman Assistant Stage Manager ...............................................................Columbia Shafer Doll Construction ................................................................................. Krista Weiss Poster Design .................................................................................. Miriam Subbiah In this Studio Production, the actors use rehearsal furniture, wear rehearsal clothes, and use rehearsal props both visible and “invisible”. The action takes place in the Helmer’s apartment, in a provincial town on the southeast coast of Norway, during the first years of the Twentieth Century. ACT 1 – The day before Christmas A pleasant room, tastefully but not expensively furnished… Ten-minute Intermission – Complimentary coffee ACT 2 – Christmas afternoon The same room. Christmas tree is stripped of decorations and with burned candle stumps… Two-minute interval – Please remain in your seats. ACT 3 – The day after Christmas A lamp burns on the table. The door to the foyer is open. Dance music can be heard from the floor above…

PRODUCTION HISTORY The play was published and received its premiere in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1879. It was first staged in Norway, Sweden and Germany in 1880, England in 1889. The first American production was in Louisville, Kentucky in 1883, and on Broadway in 1889. This translation was commissioned by American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and first produced there in 2003. DIRECTOR’S NOTES When alum, Olivia Killingsworth, gave me a copy of Paul Walsh’s translation in 2004, I decided that some day I had to direct an intimate staging of it. I particularly like Walsh’s North American language which I find reminiscent of our literature at the turn of the last century. This is the play that some say gave birth to the modern drama. It is a joy to take it on. As critics have been saying ever since it was first published, “When Nora slammed the door, it was heard throughout Europe”. DIFFERING VIEWS ON THE DOLL HOUSE… [Ibsen stresses] “the need of every individual to find out the kind of person he or she really is and to strive to become that person.” – Michael Meyer, biographer, Ibsen, 1974 “When Nora closes behind her the door of her doll’s house, she opens wide the gate of life for woman, and proclaims the revolutionary message that only perfect freedom and communion make a true bond between man and woman, meeting in the open, without lies, without shame, free from the bondage of duty.” – Emma Goldman, The Social Significance of the Modern Drama, 1914 “What Ibsen insists on is that there is no golden rule – that conduct must justify itself by its effect upon happiness and not by its conformity to any rule or ideal.” – Bernard Shaw, The Quintessense of Ibsenism, 1891 “Although Ibsen’s play has come to stand for a philosophical tract, it is, in intent, a drama about self-worth, about a family in upheaval.” – Alvin Klein, THEATER REVIEW; Making It Clear Why Nora Slammed the Door, 1996 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The staff at Neighborhood Church: Rev. Dr. Jim Nelson, Senior Minister; Anna Cremerosa, Facilities Coordinator. The staff at Occidental College: John Bouchard, Brian Fitzmorris, Bruce Steele and Tom Slotten. PATRONS PLEASE NOTE 

*Guest Artist

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We request that patrons silence phones and other electronic devices.  Photography, audio and video recording are strictly prohibited.  Only authorized personnel will be admitted in the backstage area.  Food and drink are not allowed in the rehearsal studio.  Occidental  College  policy prohibits  smoking  in  any  building  or  within  thirty  feet  of  any college facility.  Ashtrays are located outside on the front plaza.

Co m i ng   S o on ! 

BIG LOVE  written by Charles Mee  directed by Jamie Angell  Opens  April  21, 20 12  in Keck Theater  Call (323) 25 9­2922  or email  [email protected]  for tickets and information.  Or purchase your tickets online at 

https://college.oxy.edu/theater/

DEPARTMENT OF THEATER  John Bouchard................................................................... Acting Chair/Professor Susan Gratch................................................................................... Chair/Professor Alan Freeman ............................................................................Professor Emeritus Brian Fitzmorris ........................Professor of the Practice/Production Manager Jamie Angell.................................................... Assistant Professor of the Practice Laural Meade ..............................................................Adjunct Assistant Professor Tom Slotten ................................................................Adjunct Assistant Professor Mark Knowles ............................................................................................Instructor Anindo Marshall.........................................................................................Instructor Jim Martin ...................................................................................................Instructor Francisco Martinez ....................................................................................Instructor Kimberly Mullen ........................................................................................Instructor Ezra Weisz ..................................................................................................Instructor Aubree Cedillo............................................................................ Technical Director Marie Scott ......................................................................................Stage Supervisor Jeremy Susel..........................................................................Lead Stage Technician Beatrice Gonzales ............................................................ Administrative Assistant