July 25-August 11
Master abstract expressionist Mark Rothko has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant. In the two fascinating years that follow, Rothko works feverishly with his young assistant, Ken, in his studio on the Bowery. But when Ken gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. Raw and provocative, RED is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability as he tries to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.
Actors
Christopher Harris (Rothko) – is an actor and performance artist who has appeared on film, television, radio and stage throughout the United States. He is honored to appear again at The New Jewish Theatre. His last appearance at NJT was in Life Sucks from the 2018 season. His St. Louis credits include in his eighth Upstream production, which include Helver’s Night, A Human Being Died That Night, Julius Caesar, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night, The Hairy Ape, and Diary of a Madman among many others. He holds an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG-AFTRA Unions. A native of the Nebraska Sandhills, he lives in St. Louis with his wife and son.
Dustin Lane Petrillo (Ken) – is ecstatic to return to NJT after previously playing Haskell Harelik in last years’ The Immigrant. He has worked in St. Louis/Missouri theatre for the last five years, performing for The Black Rep, COCA, Fly North Theatricals, OAT, Bluff City Theatre, and the Westport Playhouse, among others. He’d like to thank his partner Avery for her continual love and support – and hopes you indulge in this beautiful play about the ins-and-outs of artistry.
Production Team
Alan Knoll (Director) – was most recently seen on the New Jewish Theatre stage as Saul in We All Fall Down. Prior to that he directed Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. He is thrilled to direct John Logan’s brilliant play Red, with this incredible team of theatre artists. He thanks them all, and an especial thanks his wonderful wife Laurie McConnell.
Margery & Peter Spack (Scenic Designers) – are scenery and video designers. Recently they designed scenery for the New Jewish Theatre productions of Broadway Bound, Brighton Beach Memoirs (2020 Theatre Circle Award Winner) and Intimate Apparel (2018 Theatre Circle Award Winner) Other recent works include Zelda In The Backyard at Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Seedfolks, Last Stop on Market Street, Spells of the Sea and Go, Dog. Go! at Metro Theater Company; Skeleton Crew, Behind the Sheet, Home and Two Trains Running at The Black Rep; The Play that Goes Wrong, Dial M for Murder (upcoming fall ’24) at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Dress the Part with the Q Brothers; Circus Flora from 2018-2024. As Studio Spack, Margery and Peter also design corporate theater, product reveals, broadcast news, trade show environments, and private events. They both have Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and reside in their hometown of St. Louis.
Michele Friedman Siler (Costume Designer) – has been designing costumes for NJT since 2001, productions including Red, We All Fall Down, All My Sons, Into the Woods, The Immigrant, Broadway Bound, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Brighton Beach Memoirs (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) and The Whipping Man. Recent credits include The Rose Tattoo, The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire for the Tennessee Williams Festival (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee), The Sound Inside, The Nerd, Barefoot in the Park, (Moonstone Theatre), Hamlet, The Tempest, The Heir Apparent (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) for St. Louis Shakespeare, Into the Breeches (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) Shakespeare in the Streets: Winds of Change for the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Waiting for the Marlboro Man, Bitter Fruit, A Human Being Died That Night, The Death of Atahualpa (Kevin Kline Award Nominee) for Upstream Theater, Blithe Spirit (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) and Waiting for Godot for St. Louis Actors’ Studio. Michele was named “Best St. Louis Costume Designer” in the 2016 Post- Dispatch GO! List and was named a 2022 “Unsung Hero” by the St. Louis Jewish Light.
Jayson Lawshee (Lighting Designer) – is a Saint Louis-based Production Manager & Designer whose experience includes Musical Theater, Opera, New Work and Dance. An Alumni of the Sargent Coversavory of Theater Arts at Webster University, Jayson holds a BFA in Lighting Design. Jayson’s experience includes Production Manager at the Repertory Theater of Saint Louis and Technical Director at the Center of Creative Arts. As well as, Lighting Designer at The New Jewish Theatre, Balletmet, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, and Metro Theater Company. Some design credits include Into the Woods (NJT), A Celebration of New Works (Balletmet), and Escape to Margaritaville (Arrowrock). He additionally serves as an adjunct faculty member for Webster University and is an alum of the apprentice program at Wolf Trap Opera. Jayson often refers to the tech table as his “home” and is passionate about making theater in all forms accessible to all people.
Justin Smith (Sound Designer) – is a native to Saint Louis who loves strengthening community bonds through live performance and theater arts. Supported by his wife Brinkley, and their two Schipperkes Reilly and Rocket, Justin is thrilled to provide Sound Design for NJT’s production of Red!
Katie Orr (Props Supervisor) – is a designer, painter, theatre-marketing aficionado, and graduate from Stephens College. As a theatre advocate and native St. Louisan, it’s her passion to highlight local theatre. There are so many incredible unsung companies, and that is why she stays in STL–to further her mission as a committed designer, artist, and advocate in the St. Louis community. Some design credits include: Into the Woods (New Jewish Theatre Company), Eddie & Vinnie (Metro Theatre Company), Proof (Moonstone Theater Company), Forgottonia (Fly North Theatricals), 12 Angry Jurors (Missouri Baptist University). www.katiemicorr.com