"Writers are not people. That has never been more clear."
"Writers are not people. That has never been more clear."
October 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15
Matinees & Evening Shows at Alliance Theatre (Trolley Square)
602 E 500 S, Suite 101
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
Become a Sustaining Member Today for an Exclusive Opening Night Experience!
CONTENT WARNING: SEMINAR is for mature audiences only. The show involves adult content, sexual themes and situations, and strong language.
In Seminar, a provocative comedy from Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck, four aspiring young novelists sign up for private Seminar classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon, and hearts are unmoored. The wordplay is not the only thing that turns vicious as innocence collides with experience in this biting Broadway comedy.
Letter from the Director
What parts of yourself would you sacrifice in order to create something better? Nine years ago I worked on Seminar for the first time as a young college student. This will be the first production of Seminar (to my knowledge) in Utah since then. Back then I was struck by what each of these characters will and will not do in order to get ahead in life. What has been pulling me back to this piece constantly for the last decade is just how real the entire scenario is. A lot of the time in theatre we are told to suspend our disbelief so that we can actually believe what is happening in the story. With Seminar that isn’t needed and being able to find pieces of ourselves in each of the characters is more interesting to me than characters that don’t react like real people.
The next 90 minutes give you a glimpse into the life of these four writers (And Leonard) over a very tumultuous two weeks. Rebeck’s writing gives each of the characters their moments to shine and fail. Their humanity is tested and the line between what is good and bad is crossed constantly (As well as what each character’s idea of good and bad is) The world has changed quite a bit since the show came out in 2011 but the messages remain poignant. Talking with the cast early on in this process I realized that all of these characters have real life counterparts for many of us. I hope you walk away from this production thinking about the way you interact with other people around you as well as the things that we all weaponize against each other to get ahead.
Sterling Shane Allen
Director of Seminar
Voodoo Theatre Company
Meet the Cast
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Sage Peacock
as Kate
Sage is ecstatic to be joining Voodoo Theater Co! Her favorite credits include Adara in Girl Who Drank the Moon (UVU), Juliet in Romeo & Juliet (Grassroots Shakespeare Co.), Lilith/Lily in She Kills Monsters (UVU), and Christi in Entertaining Lesbians (An Other Theater Co.) She holds a BFA in Acting from Utah Valley University and wants to extend a thanks to her family, friends, and partner for their endless support.
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A.J. Neuschwander
as Martin
A.J. Neuschwander is making his Voodoo Theatre Company debut in Seminar. Recently serving as the assistant fight director for the Utah Opera’s Rigoletto, fight choreographer for Romeo & Juliet, and working with Cooper Home Entertainment on Bound in Blood, he’s stoked to be returning to the stage. Alongside his acting work, he is also a fight choreographer and certified advanced theatrical combatant with Dueling Arts International. He is so incredibly grateful for everyone who’s supported and guided him through his acting career, with special thanks to his phenomenal partner, Elle, who’s been the most profound inspiration he could have ever asked for.
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Elle Shirzad
as Izzy
Elle Shirzad (Izzy) is thrilled to be making their Voodoo Theater Company debut in this production of Seminar. As well as an actor for both stage and film, they are a published model and trained intimacy choreographer. They are thankful for all those who have supported, inspired, and pushed them along the way--especially their amazing partner A.J., who’s love and support they’re infinitely grateful for.
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Luke Harger
as Douglas
Luke Harger is delighted to return to Voodoo Theatre Company for their production of Seminar! His favorite credits include Voodoo Theatre Company’s Puffs (Wayne Hopkins), Gross Indecency (Oscar Wilde), Our Town (George Gibbs), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), and Dogfight (Eddie Birdlace). On screen, Luke portrayed Timothy McVeigh in the History Channel series “I Was There” and has appeared in several independent features and short films. Training: University of Minnesota- Duluth, BFA Musical Theatre. Big thanks to Brian, Henry, and Kate for their love and support.
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Jeremy Minagro
as Leonard
Jeremy recently finished seven consecutive months of stage performance work with Kallisti Theatre Company in ‘The Box’ at the Gateway in Salt Lake in the episodic absurdist comedy The Open Syrup playing multiple roles of character acting in 4 of 6 episodes and directing another. In 2019 he won Utah Film Awards Best Supporting Actor for Phoenix Inc. Acting training includes work with veteran performers of Steppenwolf and The Second City of Chicago and an intensive summer workshop with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Artistic Director’s Note
Coming Soon
Patrick C. Kibbie
Artistic Director of Voodoo Theatre Company