The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Faith Alfieri (Ensemble, U/S Young Inna/Announcer/Sheet) is a first-year student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She has participated in UCF’s The Interference (U/S Michelle/Actor#2). Past favorites of hers include The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van De Graff), Chicago (Mona/Lipschitz) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck). @faith_alfieri

Dunstan Ashe (Tedd Rag, Bodyguard) is a Junior in the BFA Acting program. Previously involved in Project Spotlight’s The Lost Cosmonauts (Autumn) and Act Naturally (Director), this is Dunstan’s first show in the Theatre UCF season. She is often involved with the UCF Film program and has recently been seen in The Backrooms (Jean), Polar (Death), and Til Death Do Us Part (Mia McCabe). When not on stage, Dunstan is crocheting, playing rugby, and directing summers at Camp Pinecrest. dunstanashe.com

Ola Barakat (Gaffles, Judge, Priest) is a first-year in the MFA Acting program. This is her Theatre UCF debut, and she has been seen in the University of Texas at Arlington’s virtual production of Tragedians Anonymous (Lady Montague) and Love and Information.

Colby Bell (Butcher, Givola) is a first year in the MFA acting program. He recently graduated with his BA in Musical Theatre from Lagrange College, acting in shows such as A Few Good Men (Dan Kaffee) and Noises Off (Garry). Past Theatre UCF credits include The Interference (Karen’s boyfriend).

Ciara Elliott (Young Inna, Reporter 4, Cicero Vegetable Dealer 6, Film Crew) is a senior in the BFA Acting program. She has been on the Theatre UCF stage in Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Grandma/Ensemble). Her other credits include Surviving the Storm (Trina Kingsbury), Aida (Nubian Slave) and The Soul of a Woman (Vocalist). She plans to pursue theatre and film acting after graduation. @missciara_elliott

Jonathan Gardon (Young Dosgborough, Hook, U/S Bowl) is a third- year in the BFA Acting program. His previous UCF credits include The Interference (Actor 10),  Indecent (U/S Lemml, U/S Mendel),  Much Ado About Nothing (Messenger/U/S Verges), and Pegasus Playlab’s Race to Infinity (Samuel). His other favorite credits include All in the Timing (Bill/Milton/Philip Glass/Leon Trotsky) and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Edmund).

Mia Hammond (Defense Counsel/Ensemble, U/S Flake, U/S Actor, U/S Betty, U/S Woman) is a second-year in the BFA Acting program. Her previous UCF credits include Pegasus Playlab: Spells of the Sea (Queen/Doctor) and Project Spotlight: Poltergeist (Jacqueline/Kennedy). Some of her other previous credits include Black Comedy (Clea) and The Seagull (Nina). @themiahammond

Jaime Happel (Announcer, Reporter, Chicago Veg Dealer 1, Short Man, U/S Servant) is a third-year in the BFA Acting program with a Dance Minor. She has previously participated in Theatre UCF’s Shrek The Musical (Elf, Rat Tapper, U/S Dragon Puppeteer), Blood at the Root (U/S Asha), and UCF TYA’s production of Still Life with Iris (Iris). This summer, she had the opportunity to dance her heart out at Theater West End in their production of A Chorus Line (Lois, U/S Bebe, Maggie, Connie). @jaimehappel

Gabriella Headley (Woman, Cicero Vegetable Dealer) is a first-year student in the MFA Acting Program. Theatre credits include Wonder World (Guilia), Forum (Tintinabula), and Almost, Maine (Glory). She also loves to direct and has directed at American Stage, Stagedoor Manor, Patel Conservatory - Straz Center, Florida Southern College, CFCArts, & The First Academy. Gabriellaheadley.com

Ali Macaulay (Flake, Bodyguard, Second Ciceronian) is a senior in the BFA Acting Program. This is her Theatre UCF debut. Other credits include Side Story (Her Friend), Dear Abbi (Sonia), Something Borrowed Something Blue (Miranda), and Peter Pan (Narrator). She is involved in Project Spotlight and plans to further her acting training after graduation. Alimacaulay.com

Kyle Machande (Goodwill, Fish, Gunman 1) is a sophomore in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. He was last seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Affinity Lunch Minutes (Cal) as part of Pegasus PlayLab. Previous UCF credits include A Guide Through Hell (Hephaestion) and The Lost Cosmonauts (Dramaturg) with Project Spotlight.

Dominique Marshall (Emmanuele Giri) is a first-year in the MFA Acting Program. She was most recently (Reporter/ Marcie) in UCF’s production, The Interference. Prior to UCF she played (June) in HWS Colleges’ theatre production of Marisol and abroad at U.E.A., U.K. she played (Dirk Gently) in Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Some other HWS credits include: Isle of Slaves (Arlequin), (Older Quan/Woman) The Breach, (Sarah) Love/Sick and (assistant Stage Manager) for Aria De Capo and Servant of Two Masters.

Paige Mason (Flake/​​Prosecutor) is a first-year in the MFA Acting program. Theatre UCF: As You Like It (Rosalind) International Tour: The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). Regional: The King and I (Anna), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Shrek The Musical (Fiona), Steel Magnolias (Shelby).

Nathan Olmeda (Roma) is a first-year student in the MFA Acting program at the University of Central Florida. Previous roles include Al (A Chorus Line), Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Mr. Mushnik (Little Shop of Horrors), and Mr. Mayor (Seussical). He has also appeared in AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere and HBO’s Mare of Easttown. Prior to attending UCF, Olmeda was educated at the Thomas G. Waites Acting Studio in New York City.

Christian Polastry (Actor, Servant, U/S Givola) is a first-year student in the BFA Acting Program. So far, he’s been in UCF’s production of The Interference (Understudy). While attending Broward College, Christian was seen in Luz (Oliver), Check Please (Guy) and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Roger). In addition to Theatre, he plans to pursue a career in Film/TV and Voiceover.

Zachary Racine (Ol’ Dogsborough, Clark) is a first-year student in the MFA Acting Program. He earned his B.A. from Flagler College, St Augustine. Regional: Horn in the West (Samuel, Jack understudy). Theatre UCF: The Interference (Actor 11). Other: Once (Guy), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Old Man), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), Eurydice (Father).

Jacob Romeo (Ignatius Dullfeet & Ensemble, U/S Giri, Butcher, & Greenwool) is a first-year student in the MFA Acting program. He was last seen at UCF as Lance in Project Spotlight’s Fall ‘22 One-Act Series, but has performed throughout his undergraduate study at Berea College in some of his favorite roles, such as Bobby in Urinetown, Victor in Playing With Fire, and Chuck in She Kills Monsters.

Justin Joseph Rotolo (Mulberry, Vegetable Dealer, U/S Old Dogsborough, U/S Young Dogsborough, U/S Goodwill, U/S Fish) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. He is a former brother of the Fraternity Theta Chi. Other theatre credits include The Diary of Anne Frank (Peter Van Daan, Co-Sound Designer), Stop Kiss (Peter), Tom Jones (Blifil, Capt. Blifil, Susan) at Florida Southern College. @Justinrotolo

Hannah Schorr (Betty Dullfeet, Dramaturg) is a Junior in the BFA acting program. Her Theatre UCF credits include Indecent (U/S Vera), Spells of the Sea (Pirate Assistant), Scaramouch in Naxos (Bacchante ensemble), and As it’s Written (Stage Directions). Some other credits include The Addams Family (Uncle Fester) and The Miracle Worker (Kate Keller). Hannah also enjoys mentoring youth through educational theatre.  Website: hannahschorr.com

Lauren Schulke (Dockdaisy and Chicago Vegetable Dealer) is a first-year in the MFA program. She was recently seen in Theater UCF’s The Interference. She holds a BFA from University of Minnesota Duluth and was most recently seen in Silent Sky (Margaret), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Kayleen), In a Word (Fiona), and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Lana Sherwood). She also apprenticed with Commonweal Theatre Company, where she worked as an actor and in areas of scenic design and scenic painting.

Tyler Stevens (Caruther, Greenwool, U/S Prosecutor, Fight Captain) is a first-year MFA Acting Candidate. He graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance from VCU in 2016. He was most recently seen on the UCF stage as Orlando in As You Like It. He has worked professionally in Richmond, Virginia where he has won several awards. Some of his favorite credits include Everybody (Somebody/Everybody), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Eugene), Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (Rosencrantz), and Rabbit Hole (Jason).

Forrest Stringfellow (Arturo Ui) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Acting program at Theatre UCF. Previous roles at Theatre UCF include The Grumpiest Boy in the World (Dad/Grump 2), Indecent (Avram), Shrek The Musical (Shrek), and most recently, The Interference (Tom/Dad). A senior in the program, Forrest intends to graduate this spring.

Cory Sweat (Bowl, U/S Mulberry, U/S Caruther, U/S Dullfeet) is a third-year in the BFA Acting program. Cory most previously worked on Theatre UCF production of The Interference (U/S Jerry and others). He was also involved in the One Act Festival with Project Spotlight last year in The Lost Cosmonauts (U/S Autumn). Corysweat.com

Stevie Bleich (Lighting Designer) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Working (Lighting Designer, Programmer), Fabulation (Programmer), Welcome to the Moon (Production Electrician, Programmer), As It’s Written (Lighting Designer) and Songs of Inspiration (Co-Lighting Designer). Other credits include Lizbeth (Assistant Lighting Designer) and Bohemian Heat Repertory Concert (Programmer).

Gil Bloom (Fly Rail Operator) is a freshman in the BFA Design and Technology program. He has worked as a Sound Mixer for the Patel Conservatory, and an Entertainment Technician for Seaworld.

Audrey Casteris (Set Designer) is a senior in the BFA Design/Technology program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include The Interference (Set Designer), Shrek The Musical (Puppetry Artisan) Fabulation (Props Manager), and Welcome to the Moon (Asst. Production Electrician). @audreycasteris

Erin Greening (Deck Crew) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This is her first time on Backstage Crew! She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Working (Roberta Victor), The Wolves (U/S #14), and Songs of Inspiration (Vocalist). Other theatre credits include The Wedding Singer (Ensemble), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), and State Fair (Emily Arden). @eringreening

Michael Ghysels (Asst. Stage Manager) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management Program. Originally from CA, his previous UCF theatre credits include Welcome to the Moon (Production Assistant), UCF Celebrates the Arts, and The Body (Asst. Stage Manager) during Summer Theatre. Other credits include Clybourne Park (Stage Manager), Hand to God (Stage Manager), and A Christmas Story (Asst. Stage Manager).

Annalee Weydert (Asst. Stage Manager) is a 2nd year BFA Stage Management student. Her Theatre UCF credits include Shrek the Musical (Production Assistant) and Pegasus Playlab’s Race to Infinity (Asst. Stage Manager). Other theatre credits include Rock of Ages (Stage Manager), Mamma Mia! (Asst. Stage Manager) and Jerry’s Girls (Asst. Stage Manager) at the Athens Theatre in DeLand.

Cameron Wynne (Production Stage Manager) is a third-year in the BFA Stage Management Program. His previous Theatre UCF Credits include Indecent (Assistant Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2022 (Stage Manager) The Amphibians (Assistant Stage Manager) and A Knight of Dance (Production Assistant). Other favorite credits include White Christmas (Stage Manager) and Les Misérables (Stage Manager).

“Thus learn you how to see, and not just look”- The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Epilogue

The ‘Great Gangster Show’ you are about to experience takes place in a world eerily shrouded in political corruption, public manipulation, and distinctly morbid comedic undertones. Set against the backdrop of a vintage Hollywood film studio producing a 1930s style Chicago Gangster film, the language of this epic satire is magnificently infused with Shakespearean verse, as well as nods to the works of the Bard. While it may seem a bit complex (which it is), each unique aspect has been sewn together to create the incredibly multi-faceted theatrical journey you are about to embark upon.

This play was born out of playwright Bertolt Brecht’s recognition that human beings cyclically crave power, money, and a scapegoat to blame all misfortune upon. Brecht wrote The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui in 1941, eight years after fleeing Germany for fear of persecution due to his outspoken distaste for Adolf Hitler. While it is true that Brecht did take inspiration for certain characters, events, and settings from Nazi Germany, this play also depicts events familiar to us today. The themes explored in this show are not confined to history; rather, it serves as a commentary on the unjust tendencies that timelessly afflict humanity.

Brecht is known for developing the theatrical device known as the ‘Verfremdungseffekt’ or the ‘alienation effect.’ This was something he often utilized in  his works to distance the audience from the settings, characters, and stories on stage. Brecht’s overall goal was to ‘make the familiar strange’ by preventing the audience from empathizing with characters, or getting too comfortable within the worlds in which his plays are set. Essentially, he wanted the people who experienced his plays to think critically about the material. This means the story you’re about to witness may feel off-putting, discombobulating, or a little hard to follow at times. That, my friends, is the unique beauty of stepping into our Brechtian world.

While watching, I not only encourage, but challenge you to contemplate the moral grayness of humanity around which this play is centered. Each character stands by a distinct set of truths and values. Sometimes, their personal truths and values ebb and flow as the story progresses (such is life). It is not often as audience members or actors that we are given the opportunity to witness or play with material that is meant to alienate us rather than invite us inward. In an awfully strange way, this opportunity is truly a gift.

Brecht creates such vivid liminal spaces throughout this story, and within these carefully penned settings, we are given the opportunity to question what it means to be an inherently good or bad human, or whether such a thing even exists. For an actor's brain, his characters can sometimes feel so deeply unreachable and impossible to fully dissect.

Yet strangely, they are simultaneously the most real, raw, and honest representations of what it means to be a painfully messy and complex human being.

As an actor, the process of crafting a character in pursuit of the verfremdungseffekt has led me to question everything I thought I knew about acting.

I often found myself incredibly flustered. Every time I felt I had finally gained some leverage and understanding over my lines and objectives, our director would introduce a brilliant new perspective that entirely juxtaposed my original comprehension of the scene (a very necessary cycle to go through while rehearsing a Brecht piece. And it happened far more than once). It was maddening, yet oddly addicting to try and decipher. With every new discovery, I was pulled deeper into my character’s seemingly never-ending stream of consciousness.

To put it plainly, everything is not what it seems (and that’s the whole point).  I do hope you enjoy the ride. Think of it as a gift from your friends over at the Cauliflower Trust.

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Hannah Schorr