World Premiere, April 2024
Produced by Louisville Hivemind Artist Collective
An adventurer appears, offering a quest. Adopting the eager Nat, and the reluctant Jo, as “squires”, the adventurer leads the two best friends on an unexpected journey through their seemingly dull town. The call to battle is answered. A parakeet must be avenged. And it starts to become clear: the adventurer is hiding something.
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Directed by Jess De La Rosa Playwright, Fight & Intimacy Director, José Pérez IV Stage Manager, Katherine Krutsick Assistant Stage Manager, Caroline Cox Producers, Dara Jade Tiller, Jess De La Rosa Fight Assistant, Dara Jade Tiller Lighting Design, Lindsay Krupski Sound Design, Alex Biscardi Media Design, Jake Allen Miller Set Construction, Winston Blake Costume Construction, Annie Mayer Set Painting, Phoenix Gilmore |
The Cast
JO - Adama Abramson SQUALL - Vic Leon NAT - Dara Jade Tiller JESS - Hannah Pruitt PAT - Winston Blake RANDY - Zac Campbell-Hoogendyk BLITZ - Justin Jackson SHOOTER - Gracie Taylor ACE - José Pérez IV STICKS - Riley Anna STICKS - Amber L. Hurst LIBRARIAN- Annie Meyer LIBRARIAN - Darrin Mosley Jr. LIBRARIAN - Daniel Jordan Barret CONVENTIONER - Sydney H. Lofton |
Fight Choreography contributions: Shannon Donovan, Tonya Lynn, Callee Miles, José Pérez IV,
with primary assistance from Rachel Smith and Gina Stevensen, additional assistance from the PPT 2023 Ensemble.
Photos by J. Tyler Franklin, 2024
with primary assistance from Rachel Smith and Gina Stevensen, additional assistance from the PPT 2023 Ensemble.
Photos by J. Tyler Franklin, 2024
First Workshop Performance
Hosted & Supported by Pittsburgh Public Theater's Resident Artist Program, July 2023
Written & Directed by José Pérez IV
Stage Manager & Sound Design, Drea Brown
Fight Choreography: Shannon Donovan, Tonya Lynn, Callee Miles, José Pérez IV,
with primary assistance from Rachel Smith, additional assistance from the Ensemble.
The Cast
JO - José Pérez IV
SQUALL - Tonya Lynn
NAT - Shannon Donovan
JESS/BLITZ - Rachel Smith
PAT/SHOOTER/LIBRARIAN - Mason Dowd
RANDY/ACE - Callee Miles
LIBRARIAN/CONVENTIONER - Andy Hickly
CONVENTIONER - Annie Batista
CONVENTIONER - Drea Brown
Script Editor, Taylor Couch
Developed by Big Storm Performance Company
Pittsburgh Public Theater Residency Coordinators: Marya Sea Kaminski, Brian Pope, Meleana Felton
Video by E Forney
Stage Manager & Sound Design, Drea Brown
Fight Choreography: Shannon Donovan, Tonya Lynn, Callee Miles, José Pérez IV,
with primary assistance from Rachel Smith, additional assistance from the Ensemble.
The Cast
JO - José Pérez IV
SQUALL - Tonya Lynn
NAT - Shannon Donovan
JESS/BLITZ - Rachel Smith
PAT/SHOOTER/LIBRARIAN - Mason Dowd
RANDY/ACE - Callee Miles
LIBRARIAN/CONVENTIONER - Andy Hickly
CONVENTIONER - Annie Batista
CONVENTIONER - Drea Brown
Script Editor, Taylor Couch
Developed by Big Storm Performance Company
Pittsburgh Public Theater Residency Coordinators: Marya Sea Kaminski, Brian Pope, Meleana Felton
Video by E Forney
Cast Bios
JOSÉ PÉREZ IV (JO/Director/Playwright) is a playwright, fight director, and actor. His artistic focus is primarily creating original fight productions, and facilitating processes that support mental health. Artistic Director of Big Storm Performance Company (recent credits: OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theatre). Resident Fight Director of Pittsburgh Public Theater (recent credits: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM IN HARLEM, ROBIN HOOD). New York City performances at venues including Times Square Arts Center, HERE Arts Center, Joe’s Pub, The Ohio Theater, and Theater for the New City. BFA NYU Tisch Experimental Theatre Wing, MFA University of Pittsburgh. Member of the Society of American Fight Directors since 2009.
SHANNON DONOVAN (NAT) is a current MFA Acting student and teacher at the University of Illinois. She earned her BFA in Acting at Point Park University Conservatory of the Performing Arts. The Society of American Fight Directors awarded her the "David Boushey Award for Excellence in Unarmed Combat”. Most recently, she was Brutus/Assistant Fight Director for Illinois Theater’s production of CORIOLANUS, and Rosa in THE SUMMER WOMAN at the Tennessee Williams Festival in St. Louis. Her favorite experiences include ROMEO AND JULIET (Juliet/Fight Director), YOU ON THE MOORS NOW (Jo/Fight Captain), and SUBURBIA (Sooze/Fight Director).
TONYA LYNN (SQUALL) is a fight director, actor and Certified Teacher of stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors. Regional fight direction credits include: IL TROVATORE (Pittsburgh Opera), the world premiere of STORMING HEAVEN (West Virginia Public Theatre), the original production SWORD PLAY (Colonial Williamsburg), and the Pittsburgh premiere of SHE KILLS MONSTERS (August Wilson Cultural Center/University of Pittsburgh). Tonya has worked across the country as a stage combat instructor, including teaching at the 2022 National Stage Combat Workshop. Tonya is a frequent guest artist at Carnegie Mellon University, an adjunct professor at Point Park University, and will also be joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh full time as a Visiting Teaching Artist this fall.
RACHEL SMITH (JESS/BLITZ) (She/Her) is thrilled to be involved in another Big Storm production (previous roles include a thirteen year old boy and a garbage monster.) She is a graduate of the IUP Department of Theatre & Dance and when she’s not enjoying summer break she’s teaching and directing full time at Sewickley Academy.
MASON DOWD (PAT/SHOOTER/LIBRARIAN) is a recent graduate of Point Park University’s acting program and is very excited to be a part of this staged reading. Previous credits include THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, PERDITA at The New Hazlett Theatre, and The Young Playwright’s Festival at City Theatre Company. Mason would like to thank José, Tonya, and the entire TO BATTLE team!
CALLEE MILES (RANDY/ACE) is a Pittsburgh based actor-singer-fighter-dancer. Off Broadway/NYC: Horatio HAMLET (Hamlet Isn’t Dead), Dyanne MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (The Argyle Theatre), Amanda DAVID’S PLAY (NYFF), and performances at the world famous 54 Below. LA: Elmire TARTUFFE (Ghost Players). Pittsburgh: Mary Magdalene JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (PMT), Juliet AN IMPROBABLE FICTION (PICT), Annie/Shelly EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (PMT), and Anne Lovely A BOLD STROKE FOR A WIFE (PICT), for which she won Pittsburgh's Broadway World award for best actor in a play. Callee is also a passionate actor combatant with skills in all eight weapons recognized by the SAFD in addition to her training as a martial artist. Philippians 4:13.
ANDY HICKLY (LIBRARIAN/CONVENTIONER) (He/Him) is a Pittsburgh based actor and director. His previous onstage credits include IL TROVATORE (Fighting Supernumerary), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Jacob Marley), ROMEO & JULIET (Mercutio), and THE TEMPEST (Caliban). His previous directing credits include A MATTER OF HUSBANDS, THE GONDOLIERS, HONK!, and THE WOUNDED DO NOT CRY. As always, Andy would like to thank his wife, friends, family, and God, through whom all things are possible.
ANNIE BATISTA (CONVENTIONER) (She/Her) is thrilled to be a part of this fun & exciting play reading at Pittsburgh Public Theater. She is a graduate from Point Park University’s BFA Acting program. Her most recent theatrical credits include THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (u/s Annie and Fight Captain) at LPPAC, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Catherine) with Throughline Theatre Company, and THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (Amelia Tilford) at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She would like to thank this awesome cast, José, and PPT for providing such a safe and fun space to play and fight (safely of course!) To Battle! IG: annie_batista
DREA BROWN (Stage Manager/Sound Design/CONVENTIONER) (she/her) is a stage manager and designer with a vested interest in stage combat. She is pursuing her BA in Theatre at Saginaw Valley State University. Recent theatrical credits include FOOTLOOSE (Assistant Stage Manager) at Midland Center for the Arts, the world premiere of VERY BERRY DEAD (Stage Manager), and TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS (Stage Manager) at SVSU. She received a Certificate of Merit and a Meritorious Achievement for First-Time Stage Management from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for her work on VERY BERRY DEAD and TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, respectively.
The first reading of TO BATTLE was hosted by Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honors Society at Saginaw Valley State University, June 2023.
SHANNON DONOVAN (NAT) is a current MFA Acting student and teacher at the University of Illinois. She earned her BFA in Acting at Point Park University Conservatory of the Performing Arts. The Society of American Fight Directors awarded her the "David Boushey Award for Excellence in Unarmed Combat”. Most recently, she was Brutus/Assistant Fight Director for Illinois Theater’s production of CORIOLANUS, and Rosa in THE SUMMER WOMAN at the Tennessee Williams Festival in St. Louis. Her favorite experiences include ROMEO AND JULIET (Juliet/Fight Director), YOU ON THE MOORS NOW (Jo/Fight Captain), and SUBURBIA (Sooze/Fight Director).
TONYA LYNN (SQUALL) is a fight director, actor and Certified Teacher of stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors. Regional fight direction credits include: IL TROVATORE (Pittsburgh Opera), the world premiere of STORMING HEAVEN (West Virginia Public Theatre), the original production SWORD PLAY (Colonial Williamsburg), and the Pittsburgh premiere of SHE KILLS MONSTERS (August Wilson Cultural Center/University of Pittsburgh). Tonya has worked across the country as a stage combat instructor, including teaching at the 2022 National Stage Combat Workshop. Tonya is a frequent guest artist at Carnegie Mellon University, an adjunct professor at Point Park University, and will also be joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh full time as a Visiting Teaching Artist this fall.
RACHEL SMITH (JESS/BLITZ) (She/Her) is thrilled to be involved in another Big Storm production (previous roles include a thirteen year old boy and a garbage monster.) She is a graduate of the IUP Department of Theatre & Dance and when she’s not enjoying summer break she’s teaching and directing full time at Sewickley Academy.
MASON DOWD (PAT/SHOOTER/LIBRARIAN) is a recent graduate of Point Park University’s acting program and is very excited to be a part of this staged reading. Previous credits include THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, PERDITA at The New Hazlett Theatre, and The Young Playwright’s Festival at City Theatre Company. Mason would like to thank José, Tonya, and the entire TO BATTLE team!
CALLEE MILES (RANDY/ACE) is a Pittsburgh based actor-singer-fighter-dancer. Off Broadway/NYC: Horatio HAMLET (Hamlet Isn’t Dead), Dyanne MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (The Argyle Theatre), Amanda DAVID’S PLAY (NYFF), and performances at the world famous 54 Below. LA: Elmire TARTUFFE (Ghost Players). Pittsburgh: Mary Magdalene JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (PMT), Juliet AN IMPROBABLE FICTION (PICT), Annie/Shelly EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (PMT), and Anne Lovely A BOLD STROKE FOR A WIFE (PICT), for which she won Pittsburgh's Broadway World award for best actor in a play. Callee is also a passionate actor combatant with skills in all eight weapons recognized by the SAFD in addition to her training as a martial artist. Philippians 4:13.
ANDY HICKLY (LIBRARIAN/CONVENTIONER) (He/Him) is a Pittsburgh based actor and director. His previous onstage credits include IL TROVATORE (Fighting Supernumerary), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Jacob Marley), ROMEO & JULIET (Mercutio), and THE TEMPEST (Caliban). His previous directing credits include A MATTER OF HUSBANDS, THE GONDOLIERS, HONK!, and THE WOUNDED DO NOT CRY. As always, Andy would like to thank his wife, friends, family, and God, through whom all things are possible.
ANNIE BATISTA (CONVENTIONER) (She/Her) is thrilled to be a part of this fun & exciting play reading at Pittsburgh Public Theater. She is a graduate from Point Park University’s BFA Acting program. Her most recent theatrical credits include THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (u/s Annie and Fight Captain) at LPPAC, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Catherine) with Throughline Theatre Company, and THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (Amelia Tilford) at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She would like to thank this awesome cast, José, and PPT for providing such a safe and fun space to play and fight (safely of course!) To Battle! IG: annie_batista
DREA BROWN (Stage Manager/Sound Design/CONVENTIONER) (she/her) is a stage manager and designer with a vested interest in stage combat. She is pursuing her BA in Theatre at Saginaw Valley State University. Recent theatrical credits include FOOTLOOSE (Assistant Stage Manager) at Midland Center for the Arts, the world premiere of VERY BERRY DEAD (Stage Manager), and TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS (Stage Manager) at SVSU. She received a Certificate of Merit and a Meritorious Achievement for First-Time Stage Management from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for her work on VERY BERRY DEAD and TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, respectively.
The first reading of TO BATTLE was hosted by Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honors Society at Saginaw Valley State University, June 2023.