JANUARY 13TH UPDATE: Due to the recent spike in positive COVID tests and the high contagion factor associated with the Omicron variant, we are no longer selling concessions during the run of our current production. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and understand the frustrations associated with this decision but we must remain diligent to protect everyone walking into our facility which includes our patrons, artists, staff and volunteers. Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, please email info@benchmarktheatre.com and we’ll be sure to return your communication as soon as possible.

OUR AMERICAN COUSIN: a nation divided

A World Premiere Work

Developed by Benchmark Theatre

Directed by Neil Truglio
Assistant Directed by Marc Stith

This bold new play looks at the divisions in America brought to the forefront on January 6, 2021, when an angry mob overtook the US Capitol. Using theatre as the medium, six artists breakdown how this country found itself on the precipice of the destruction of democracy as we know it, and look to find a road out.

January 6 - January 29, 2022
Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with additional Sunday matinees at 2pm.

Industry Night Performance on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8pm
(No performance on Friday, Jan. 7th due to the First Friday Art Celebration in 40West Arts District)

Please Note: This production contains adult language, staged violence,
strobe lights and gunshots.

With generous support from Calahan Construction Services
(click the name to visit their website)

OUR AMERICAN COUSIN: a nation divided

Developed by Benchmark Theatre
Directed by Neil Truglio
Assistant Directed by Marc Stith


CAST

Shannon Altner

Shannon is thrilled to make her Benchmark Theatre debut. Local past credits include Annelle in Steel Magnolias (Cherry Creek Theatre), Janie in The Lucky Ones (Misfits Theatre Company), Lydia in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (BETC), Sonya in Uncle Vanya (DCPA, Education), and Vern in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Avenue Theater). A Lewis Myers Scholar alumni, she has grown her craft in the DCPA Education community and is ecstatic to join the Shakespeare In The Parking Lot cast this season. Shannon is a multi-passionate creative; actor, host, producer, director, and photographer. This performance is dedicated to her father, Martin Altner. Thank you for instilling in me the power of knowledge, political engagement, and community, dad. To life!

Chris Kendall

Chris Kendall is delighted to be back on stage with Benchmark Theater where he appeared in 1984 (2019) and Smokefall (2017). Other recent appearances: at Cherry Creek Theatre, Jest a Second (2021) and Tuesdays With Morrie (2019; Henry Award, Supporting Actor); with The Catamounts, Land of Milk and Honey (2021); at Telluride Theater Co., The Tempest (2019), and for Miners Alley Playhouse, playing Shylock in District Merchants (2018; Henry Award, Lead Actor). He is an ensemble company member with Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado. Recent shows for BETC include Birds of North America, An Iliad (True West Award), Outside Mullingar, Hysteria, and Annapurna. He has also worked with The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, The Denver Center Theater Company, Local Theatre Company, and others.

Bruce Laks

Bruce is thrilled to be making his Benchmark Theatre debut after recently performing in Miner’s Alley’s The Crucible. Bruce, his wife Lisa and their cats, moved to Denver from Phoenix in 2018. He holds a BA in Theatre from FSU, is a member of SAG/AFTRA and is represented by Wilhelmina Denver. He’d taught drama for 14 years and, since moving to Colorado, has directed two children’s shows, appeared in eight stage productions, three films for the Colorado Film School, and an industrial video. Bruce has performed in well over 100 theatrical productions - comedies, dramas, musicals, Shakespeare, modern and has directed 27 plays. He appears in numerous industrial/training videos, commercials and the feature films Flight of the Navigator and Wish Man. He has taught/choreographed stage combat since 1980. Bruce thanks his beloved wife, Lisa, for the adventures accomplished, those to come and her unending love and support.

Suzanne Nepi

Suzanne is once again so stoked to be back with The Benchmark team, having previously been seen here in the iconic production of 1984, and directed again by the brilliant Neil Truglio and Marc Stith. Most recently she was seen as M’YLNN in Cherry Creek Theatre’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS in October. Suzanne’s credits at many theatre companies around town include Arvada Center’s Black Box, Aurora Fox, Miner’s Alley, Town Hall, Vintage, PACE Center, Firehouse, Edge, and And Toto Too. She is most excited to be a resident artist for Benchmark’s season of AFTERMATH. Suzanne will be debuting as playwright for Benchmark with an autobiographical work titled THE COVID WIFE, which tells the powerful story of her husband’s near death experience with critical Covid thru her lens, premiering summer of 2022. Please come see! Thank you so much, for supporting live theatre.

Josiah Peters

Josiah is a Denverite from Park Hill and continues to explore the art of theatre by telling stories that need to be shared with the community. Josiah has attended North Carolina A&T and Metropolitan State University of Denver as a Theater major. He has performed in the musicals The Scottsboro Boys and Five Guys Named Moe at Vintage Theatre and most recently performed in Winter Tales with Factory Five Five. He is absolutely thrilled to put on his first show at Benchmark Theatre and bring awareness to the actions in our nation during COVID. Josiah would like to give big shout outs and love to his family, friends, the art collective Blvck Kosher, and The Crowley Foundation for supporting him throughout his career.

Ryan Omar Stack

Ryan is making his 4th appearance at Benchmark Theatre. Local credits include D-Vicious in Airness (Benchmark Theatre), Martin in 1984 (Benchmark Theatre), Horvath in Parfumerie (Benchmark Theatre), and Dr. Rosen in Jest A Second! (Cherry Creek Theatre). Ryan is a teaching artist touring in repertory for Shakespeare In The Parking Lot (DCPA Education), which includes roles as Macbeth, Romeo, Mercutio, and more. Upcoming credits include understudy for Dorante, Alcippe, and Philiste in The Liar (Arvada Center). Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Theatre, is a volunteer CASA, and a resident artist at Benchmark Theatre.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director - Neil Truglio

Neil has been directing locally for over 20 years. Recent credits include Elephant and 1984 (Benchmark Theatre), The Trojan War, Sons & Daughters, and Romeo & Juliet (Modest Arts). As a writer, Neil has seen ten of his original plays and adaptations on the stage and his work has been seen by tens-of-thousands as his original productions, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and his feature film We Are the Sea, have been lauded and enjoyed by audiences across the globe. Recently, Neil became the Artistic Director for Benchmark Theatre and his vision is being realized in this inaugural production of the 2021/2022 season. Outside of theatre, Neil is an avid filmmaker and works with youth through film-engagement programs as the Education Director at SeriesFest.

Assistant Director - Marc Stith

Marc Stith is one of the founding members of Benchmark Theatre and a proud member of the leadership team. In addition to appearing in a handful of Benchmark shows (The Nether, The Quality of Life), Marc has appeared on several local stages around the Denver area, he was the Sound Designer for Benchmark’s production of Elephant and most recently (well… pre-Covid) made his directing debut with Airness, a Benchmark Theatre production. Love to Jenni for her enduring patience.

Scenic Design - Benchmark Theatre with support from Calahan Construction Services

Costume Design - Chantelle Frazier with support from Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry

Chantelle has been Costume Designing for theatre and film for the last 15 years. Recent productions include Elephant and 1984 (Benchmark Theatre), The Trojan War, Sons & Daughters, and Romeo & Juliet (Modest Arts) and the feature film We Are the Sea. With over 30 shows as Costume Designer and Production Designer, Chantelle’s work has been seen by audiences across the Front Range, including her design for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which performed at the Bellco Theatre for over 4,000 people. Chantelle is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver’s Department of Theatre, Film and Video.

Light Design - Brett Maughan

Sound Design - Neil Truglio

Video Design - Nicolas Horn

Nicolas is a returning artist at Benchmark after previously working on Elephant. Nicolas has a degree in digital film production from Grand Canyon University and has been working as a videographer and film educator in the years since his graduation.



PRODUCTION TEAM

Stage Manager - Andrew Horn

After receiving his BFA from SMU in 2019, Andrew worked as a stage manager in Dallas for two years, most notably with Lone Star Circus. Andrew stage managed Benchmark’s production of Elephant which was first show he has worked on since moving back to Denver last year. He is very grateful to Benchmark Theatre for letting him work on yet another exciting new play.

Scenic Build - Andrew Horn, Marc Stith & Neil Truglio

Master Electrician - Brett Maughan

Program Design - Marc Stith

Production Photography - Green Lion Images

Rehearsal Photography - Ryan Omar Stack

Front of House Management - Abby Apple Boes & Haley Johnson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Joseph Black

Secretary: Abby Apple Boes

Treasurer: Gloria Shanstrom

Board Member: Melanie Mayner

Member At Large: Rachel Clark

Executive Director: Haley Johnson

BENCHMARK EXECUTIVE TEAM

Executive Director - Haley Johnson

Artistic Director - Neil Truglio

Managing Director - Abby Apple Boes

Strategic & Marketing Director - Marc Stith

SPECIAL THANKS

40West Arts, ABC Framing, Calahan Construction Services, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Theatre Guild, The E Project Board of Directors, Firehouse Theater Company, Lakewood BID, Opera Colorado, Redline Contemporary Art Center, The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, Vintage Theatre; Liz Black, Don Calahan, Helen Hand, Betty Hart, Scotty Holcomb, Parker Jenkins, Jack Johnson, Josh Levy, Andrew MacLean, Marcus & Mason, Bill Marino, Louise Martorano, Alison Milan, Rich Munoz, Caleb O’Brien, Shawn O’Brien, Ann Piano, Joseph & Mary Pirozzoli, Tom Quinn, Andy Ray, Biz Schaugaard, Jennifer Stith, Glenn & Kathy Truglio, Jason Valenzuela, Julie Kaye Wolf, Lisa Young