An Unlikely Refuge

Tim Chevral is an anthropologist who studies both past and present societies, focusing on the relationships between people and their environments, governments and their citizens and rural collectives and the global economies of which they are part.  He also comes from three generations of performing artists on both sides of his family.

Dr. Susan Spierre Clark is an Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo. She is also the Director of the Master’s in Sustainability Leadership and the Edward J. Kikta Jr. Innovation Professor of Experiential Learning. Dr. Clark's expertise and experience span the topics of sustainability education, climate change policy, sustainable development and community resilience. Clark’s research focuses on quantifying the social burden of power outages due to natural disasters and extreme events. She also serves as Chair of the Erie County Community Climate Change Task Force that recently completed its Community Climate Action Plan. Dr. Clark holds a PhD in Sustainability from Arizona State University, an M.S. in Earth System Science from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Albany.

Lynne M. Koscielniak is a Professor of Scenography in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University at Buffalo. She has been teaching set and lighting design at UB since 2002, serving as Director of Design and Technology from 2005-2014 and Department Chair and Producing Director from 2013-2019.  Prior, she was a guest artist at the University of Pittsburgh and an adjunct instructor at Northwestern University, from which she received her MFA in Stage Design. Committed to experiential learning, Lynne has mentored over 100 full-length productions of theatre, music theatre, and dance, designed by undergraduate students.

Catherine F. Norgren. Almost 40 years at UB, including ten as senior associate dean in CAS. BA cum laude from Mount Holyoke College and MFA from Carnegie Mellon; member of the professional design union, United Scenic Artists 829. Costume design credits include Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, Studio Arena Theatre Buffalo, and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. Also: 20 years with The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival as regional chair, national chair, co-creator (with Gary Garrison) of the National 10-Minute Play Festival, and associate producer of The Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensives.

Jennifer Lynn Carter, or “Jenn with Two Ns,” is a Scenic Artist and passionate advocate for local theatre. Jenn has a Masters Degree (MFA) in Scenic & Lighting Design from The University of Iowa and a BFA from the University at Buffalo. In 2020, Jenn, eight months pregnant, moved back to Buffalo and is currently working as a freelance designer and scenic charge artist. Jenn has had the pleasure of scenic painting with UB Department of Theatre and Dance, including the College of Arts and Sciences research project An Unlikely Refuge, also with local theatre Road Less Traveled (The Light Fantastic, Shipwrecked, Our Lady of 121st Street, Burn This), Finger Lakes Opera (Two Corners & Gianni Schicchi), and City Circle Theatre Company in Iowa. 

Ally Hasselback is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. She is excited to continue this important work and facilitate the conversation surrounding sustainability in our society, serving as the Stage Manager for An Unlikely Refuge. Over the course of her 15-year career, Ally has Stage Managed across the country, in theatre, dance, opera, live concerts, corporate and live events. All of her love always to her family and friends, of course including Louie & Penny.

“Hope is not passive. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.” ~ Greta Thunberg. GO VOTE.

Rick Haug is the Production Manager for the Department of Theatre and Dance at UB. He has a BFA in Theatrical Production and Design (SUNY Fredonia) and an MA in Theatre and Performance (UB). Before coming to UB Rick started his Higher Ed work experience at Niagara County Community College (Technical Director) and SUNY Fredonia (Scene Shop Manager). In addition to working in Western NY, Rick traveled across the world with "The Wizard of Oz, Shrek the Musical, Spring Awakening," and "The Gazillion Bubbles Show," stopping in 49 US states, Canada, China, and Malaysia. Rick is also a proud union member in IATSE local 10 Buffalo and UUP. Lastly Please VOTE!

Jonathan Shimon is an Associate Professor of Theatre Technology in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University at Buffalo. His specialties include industrial hygiene for theatre, scenic automation, structural design and analysis, rigging, material labor estimation and management. He is a certified theatrical rigger and recognized trainer through the Entertainment Technician Certification Program. Jon was selected to be the Technical Director for the US entries in the 2019 Prague Quadrennial. An Associate Trainer for The Chicago Flyhouse, Jon travels internationally training technicians and performers in rigging, performer flying, and automation safety for the cruise ship industry. His previous professional credits include various positions at Neglia Ballet (Buffalo, NY), Shakespeare in Delaware Park (Buffalo, NY), Art Park (Lewiston, NY), Asolo Repertory (Sarasota, FL), Glimmerglass Opera (Cooperstown, NY), Weston Playhouse Theatre Company (Weston, VT), Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM) and Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at University of Maryland (College Park, MD). Jon earned a MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University.

Cindy Darling has been a theatrical costume technician at UB for over two decades. Costume design credits include Kavinoky Theatre’s The Grand Manor, SJCI’s Once On This Island, LehrerDance (company designer), and sections of ZODIAQUE 50. In Buffalo, she has worked as wardrobe head for Shakespeare in Delaware Park, The Irish Classical Theatre, and The Alleyway Theatre.

Being a writer, Cindy currently has a novel available on Amazon, Anders Gate.

She would like to thank her greatest creations, Crit and Drew, for being a constant source of support and inspiration. LOVES!

Hannah Wolland is a lighting and projection designer specializing in theatre and dance. A New York native, Hannah holds a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology from the University at Buffalo and an MFA in Entertainment Design from Southern Methodist University. Past designs include "Fauci and Kramer "(First Look Buffalo, 2024 Artie nomination), "The Impossible Dream, Dragons Love Tacos, and Antigonick" (Hangar Theatre Company), "Titanic" (Starring Buffalo), "The Game’s Afoot" (The Naples Players), and the Taub musical adaptation of "Twelfth Night" as well as thirty-two original dance works at SMU. hswolland.com

Ethan Borrok is a Senior design tech student who is very excited to be working on An Unlikely Refuge as the associate lighting designer. He has also worked on multiple productions from the Department of Theatre and Dance such as multiple Zodiaque Dance Company concerts, Cinderella in Spring of 2022 and last year Mr. Burns- a Post Electric Play. Enjoy the show.

Faith Marsala is the Assistant Stage Manager for The Climate Haven production of "An Unlikely Refuge." Faith has worked with the Natural Muscle Association under her father who is the CEO, Founder, and President of the company. She went from social media marketing, scorekeeping, audio editing, to show managing. Faith has Assistant Stage Managed productions such as "Renascence" in the fall of 2023 and "Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play" in the spring of 2024. Faith hopes to pursue a career in Stage Management and will Assistant Stage Manage "Fefu and Her Friends" in the spring of 2025.

Alexandria Connolly (Wardrobe, Department Properties Director) (she/her) is currently a Sophomore Theatre: Design and Technology major. She has been involved in plays, musicals, and dance since she was five years old. She was the Assistant Stage Manager for Zodiaque Dance Company 49th season in the spring and fall, Wardrobe for "Mr. Burns: A post Electric Play," and Assistant Costume Designer for "9 to 5!" here at UB. She is also currently the Assistant Stage Manager for Ride the Cyclone. Alexandria would like to thank her fellow cast and crew of "An Unlikely Refuge" for the amazing experience that this show has been and to thank her family for supporting her. She hopes that you enjoy the show!