By Noah Haidle  

Directed by Arya Shahi  

For today’s performance, the roles of Joan/Alex/Beth will be played by Maria Fernanda Diez.

Previews: July 5-7 

Performance Dates: July 9-21 

Ernestine Ashworth contemplates her cosmic insignificance on her 17th birthday, a feeling that follows her through the swift passage of time. In the blink of an eye, she reaches her 18th birthday, hurtles toward her 41st, accelerates into her 70th, and glides into her 101st. Birthday Candles is a heartfelt and humorous story that guides the audience through the significant, challenging, and remarkable moments as time inexorably marches on. One ordinary woman’s life is measured by the simple tradition of baking a birthday cake.  

Originally developed as a New Play Workshop during the 2017 season and then performed around the country, Chautauqua will finally mount its own full production of Birthday Candles. What a fitting way to open CTC’s mainstage season and celebrate Chautauqua Institution’s 150th birthday! 

This production may not be suitable for youth under 8. 

Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs) are available in the lobby for this production.

CAST  

Ernestine Ashworth: Ceci Fernández*  

Kenneth: Alex Weisman* 

Alice/Madeline/Ernie: Amara Leonard  

Matt/William: Martin K. Lewis  

Billy/John: Kamal Sehrawy

Joan/Alex/Beth: Maria Fernanda Diez

CREATIVE TEAM  

Playwright: Noah Haidle  

Director: Arya Shahi  

Scenic Designer: Brittany Vasta^  

Costume Designer: Afsaneh Aayani  

Lighting Designer: Anshuman Bhatia^  

Sound Designer: Ben Truppin-Brown^ 

Original Composition: Surrija  

Intimacy Director: Lindsay Brandon Hunter  

Stage Manager: Jean E. Compton* 

Associate Director: Karl Michael Iglesias  
2024 FutureNow Drama League Directing Fellow

Understudies: Jaucqir LaFond and Maria Diez   

Casting- The Telsey Office- Will Cantler, CSA; Charlie Hano, CSA  

*The noted Actors & Stage Manager are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

^United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE, is a labor union and professional association of Designers, Artists, Craftspeople, and Department Coordinators organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries.

DESIGN FELLOWS 

Scenic Design:  Alex Nuñez Caba 

Costume Design: Katelyn Jackson  

Lighting Design: Rae McCreary  

Sound Design: Tojo Rasedoara  

ADMINISTRATION  

Producing Artistic Director: Jade King Carroll 

General Manager: Emily Glinick  

Arts Marketing Specialist: Makayla Santiago-Froebel

Artistic Assistant: Jennifer Davis

Administrative Assistant: Rachel Lykins

Administrative Intern: Ben Cornell  

Company Manager: Ryan Duncan-Ayala  

Company Management Advisor: Matthew B. Cullen

Assistant Company Manager: Adam Owens  

Digital and Print Arts Marketing Associate: 
Teresa Fidalgo-Azize  

Assistant House Manager and Sales Associate: Jace Jacobs  

Bratton House Manager: Fosse Thornton  

Graphic Designer: Chance Brinkman-Sull  

PRODUCTION TEAM:  

Production Manager: Will Duty  

Associate Production Manager and Business Assistant: 
Cecelia Hill  

Technical and Facilities Manager: Spencer Dick  

Carpenter and Facilities Assistant: Justin Kochetta  

Production Assistant (Production Management): 
Sebastian Tingle

Production Intern: Colin Drayer  

Production Intern: Ethan Tyger  

Props Supervisor: Hyla Stellhorn  

Assistant Props Supervisor: Donnie Woodard  

Props Artisan: Lillian Hargesheimer  

Costume Supervisor: Erin Prokopchak  

Assistant Costume Supervisor/ Draper: Sean Castro  

Costume Assistant: Atlas Mendoza  

Wardrobe Lead: Sophie Millar  

Lighting Supervisor: Matt DiVita  

Assistant Lighting Supervisor: Grayson Crosby  

Lighting Technical/ Board Operator: Brittany Konruff 

Sound Supervisor: John Kolbinski  

Audio Engineer: Molly McGill  

Sound Technician/Board Operator: Miriam “Mimi” Daniel  

Production Stage Manager: Jenny Kennedy  

Assistant Stage Manager 1: Savanha Moore  

Assistant Stage Manager 2: Wren Heiman  

Production Assistant (Stage Manager): Alexandra Rogers 

 CITY THEATRE TEAM  

Production Manager: Rachel D’Amboise  

Co-Technical Director: John Brucker 

Co-Technical Director: Sam Karas  

Shop Foreman: Emma Cummings  

Carpenter: Sydney Dobbs  

Scenic Charge: Leah Blackwood  

Scenic Charge: Alexx Jacobs  

Summer Carpenter: Ash Buford  

Summer Carpenter: Jacob Jencks  

Friends of Chautauqua Theater was founded in 1994 to ensure that theater remains a powerful pillar of the arts community at Chautauqua. We are proud that all living Past Presidents of FCT continue actively engaging with the group. 

Our overarching mission and purpose are: 

• to support Chautauqua Theater Company and enhance the experience of the artists who visit Chautauqua 
• to connect CTC artists with the broader Chautauqua community, and to connect Chautauqua theater-lovers with each other 
• to ensure that theater remains a vibrant pillar of the arts at Chautauqua

Membership benefits include:

• Weekly email during the summer season, with advance notice of theater events and members-only content from CTC’s artistic leadership
• Invitations to special members-only events
• Additional “Producers’ Circle” membership is available at no cost for members who volunteer with us.  We have fun – having fun is in our by-laws!
• Off-season notifications of live and virtual theater events and previews of the upcoming season in advance of public announcements
• Membership is still only $10 per person – though your additional contributions are deeply appreciated and significantly increase the support we can provide to Chautauqua Theater Company

To renew your membership or join as a new member online, visit www.friendsofchqtheater.com