top of page
World Premiere Produced in New York City by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director Harold Wolpert, Managing Director Julia C. Levy, Executive Director Sydney Beers, General Manager) as part of Roundabout Underground at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre on February 19, 2017
On The Exhale was developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference: Robert Egan, Artistic Director/Producer.
The play was also developed, in part, by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago as part
of the New Stages Festival.
ON THE EXHALE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.
Special Thanks to Jason Fassl, Maggie Tate-Techtmann, Laura Hirano, Charlie Marn, Horlick High School, Elise Sparks, Elliott Brotherhood, and Quorum Architects.
At this time we would like to thank our patrons for their generous support. As a small independent theatre company, ticket sales only cover a portion of our expenses. The support of our donors enables Vanguard to produce new and innovative works, pay our artists, and bring a new generation of theatre to the stage. Since our founding in 2022, Vanguard has received generous donations from the following. We would like to thank the following:
Anonymous
Susan Ahrens
J. Mark Baker
Bob Balderson
Mary Boyle
Laura Braza
Randal Brotherhood
J. Max Carithers
Cynthia Courtney
Craig and Cindy Corrie
John M. Crocker Jr. and Polly Hawkins
Mary Beidler Gearen
Grace Graves
Barbara Haig
Andrew F. Hawkins
Brent Hazelton
Arthur Heitzer
The Hirano Family
Jeffery Kalenak and Kathleen Muldowney
James Kaplan
Dan Kazemi
Konrad Kuchenbach
Paula Lewein
Sean Marks
Charlie Marn and Kathleen Hawkins
Jim and Cindy Marn
Joseph J. Marn
Mike and Nancy Marn
Nicholas Marn
Frank Martinelli
Sherry Miller
Alex Meltsner
Jill Nadeau
John Pollack
Jonathan Riker
Sara Risley
Eugene Robbins
Jessica Rotier
Jan Serr and John Shannon
William Smolen
Scott Sorensen
Shayne Steliga
Mary Stearns
Linda Stephens
Josie Trettin
Steve Watts
Cora Vogt
Jill Zager
If you enjoyed the performance, consider making a tax-deductible donation to Vanguard Productions. This work would not be possible without the support of our donors. Vanguard Productions receives Fiscal Sponsorship from the Field, a non-profit dedicated to helping independent artists fund their work. The Field takes a 7% cut of all donations made to Milwaukee. For more info and to donate, please visit our artist profile.
CAST
Emily Vitrano - Woman
Emily is thrilled to be making her Vanguard debut in ON THE EXHALE. Her most recent credits include Corie in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK; Marjorie in THE MOORS; and Meg in L'APPARTEMENT at Renaissance Theaterworks. Emily has worked regionally at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Allentown Shakespeare in the Park. She has appeared in a national commercial for Batteries/Bulbs Plus, and regional commercials for Mills Fleet Farm, Sanford Brown University, and Walgreens. When not onstage, Emily relishes her time teaching and coaching the craft of acting as an Assistant Professor of Acting at UWM. She holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and is a proud member of Actors' Equity. She would like to thank Annika for walking alongside her through this piece. Thank you to Miles and the family. For Ella, always. And now also, most significantly, for Henry.
Rebekah Farr - Woman Understudy
Rebekah is a Milwaukee based actor, educator, and director who is excited to make their Vanguard debut! They are grateful for their experience with many local companies such as Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act, First Stage, Bard and Bourbon, and their most recent acting credit as Buckingham (Richard III) and Mistress Quickly (Merry Wives of Windsor) with Optimist‘s Shakespeare in the Park. As a Company Member with The Constructivists, she enjoys contributing to the presence of dark art catharsis in Milwaukee. They are so lucky to have their dream job with Pink Umbrella Theater Company creating accessible theater for all. Special thanks to Annika and George for including them, and love to her ever support friends and family always.
CREATIVE TEAM
Annika Perez-Krikorian, Director
Annika is the current Literary Director at Milwaukee Rep, overseeing the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development program. She has previously worked at Playwrights Horizons, Seattle Rep, and 5th Avenue Theatre. Favorite credits include: Next to Normal, Constellations, and we will eat your grief (Director), Indecent, True West, Parental Advisory a break beat play, And Then There Were None (Assistant Director/Associate Director). She is a graduate of Gonzaga University and an alumnus of the National Theater Institute's Advanced Directing program, where she was a Miranda Family Fellow. annikalpk.com
​K. Hrivnak, Stage Manager
K. Hrivnak is a Wisconsin-based actor, playwright, and stage manager. They are honored to join Vanguard for the first time in this production of ON THE EXHALE. They have served as the Production Stage Manager for Kohl’s Wild Theater through the Zoological Society of Milwaukee since the company’s Fall Outreach Tour 2024 and will continue to serve in this role through this fall. Recent credits include BUG (Constructivists), THE HUMANS (Dirigo Theater Company), SENSE & SENSIBILITY (Waukesha Civic Theater), and MAMMA MIA! (Musical Masquers). They would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to their friends and family for their support, and to the team at Vanguard for this opportunity.
Cassie Gherardini, Costume Designer
Milwaukee-based costumer and interdisciplinary artist, Cassie (she/her) is honored to return to Vanguard for this timely show. She has previously worked with Vanguard as Costume Designer for ALL IS CALM. Her work as a designer, technician, and craftsperson has been seen on local stages such as Summit Players Theatre, Brew City Opera, Marquette Theatre, Waukesha Civic, SummerStage of Delafield, and Falls Patio Players. By day, she serves as Costume Crafts Artisan at First Stage. Cassie received her BA in Theatre Arts from Marquette University and her MA in Education from Alverno College. When not at the theatre, she can usually be found behind the pottery wheel in her attic or petting cats. www.cassieg.art
​AntiShadows Theatrical Design, Lighting & Scenic Design
AntiShadows LLC is a Milwaukee-based theatrical design and lighting rental company providing illumination for more than 500 productions spanning theater, musicals, opera, ballet, concerts, film, and corporate events. Design credits include work with American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, First Stage Children’s Theater, Northern Sky Theater, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act Theatre, Forward Theater Company, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and many others. AntiShadows is equally proud to support independent creators, artistic projects, and experimental work: great stories deserve great lighting, no matter the scale.
Portfolio and information at www.AntiShadows.com
Elliott Brotherhood, Sound Designer
Elliott is thrilled to be working with Vanguard again for this production of Lungs. Elliott is a voice actor and sound designer based in Chicago, IL. Select voice credits include: GREAT BATTLES FOR BOYS as Ranger and Boom (Pastime Pictures, YouTube), CLOSE YOUR EYES as Dylan Hall (Crytic Radio, all podcast platforms), The Saints as various roles (Relevant Radio/The Merry Beggars, Saturdays and Sundays on Relevant Radio WSJP-FM 100.1 FM and all podcast platforms), as well as many others. Elliott is also the founder of a Milwaukee-based audio production company, Secret Handshake Productions, where he penned scripts and sound-designed stories such as TALES OF DREAD AND DARKNESS, MORDRED, CATCHING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, 221B: ADVENTURES OF THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS, JAMES: THE STORY OF CAPTAIN HOOK, THE WOMBAT, and more. Elliott would like to thank Matt and George for the opportunity to help bring Lungs to life for Milwaukee audiences.
bottom of page