DIG Program

CAST

Victor.......Sid Polezcek

Elliot…….…….Zach Leyva

Lina …………..Shaundra Norwood

SETTING

The Dewitt family home – about an hour outside Austin, Texas

CREW

Director…………..Araceli Radillo

Ast. Director …………Austin Bender

Stage Manager..…… Angela Aguilera

Production Manager……Jason Leyva

Set Design……Jason Leyva

Sound Design …..Jason Leyva & Zach Leyva

Light Design……..Penny Gaucin

Costume Design…….Jason Leyva

Producers

Jason Leyva & Marla Fleischmann Owen

Associate Producers

Arts Fort Worth

PLAYWRIGHT

Natalie Gaupp is a Playwright-in-Residence for the Maverick Theatre Company at UT Arlington and a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Her plays have been developed by organizations such as the Association for Theatre in Higher Education's New Play Development Workshop and La MaMa Umbria International (Spoleto, Italy). Her work has been produced at FronteraFest (Austin, TX), Watertower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Festival, Texas Woman's University New Play Festival, Theatre Three (Dallas, TX), Inner Space Theatre (NYC), and SceneShop at Arts Fifth Avenue.

BIOS

Sid Polezcek (Victor) is a director and performer currently based in DFW. Sid is originally from south Louisiana and attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana for two years before transferring to The University of Texas at Arlington where he received his BFA in Theatre. Some of his most notable performance credits include Hanschen in Spring Awakening, Steward in Into the Woods and Faux Rosencrantz/Tragedian in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Sid’s notable directing credits include Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World in UTA's 2020 virtual season and the world premiere of Dig by Natalie Gaupp also at UTA. Sid is thrilled for the privilege of his continued participation in the development of this amazing new work by the talented Gaupp and working with a wonderful group of artists at Arts Fort Worth. Follow Sid on Instagram @sid_polezcek or visit his website at sidpolezcek.com.

Zach Leyva (Elliot) is excited to return to the stage in 2022! Previous roles have included Buddy in The Diviners, Skeeter in Root of Chaos along with the title role in Van Quattro’s world premiere of Tommy Cain. A recipient of the Ben Barttell youth award Zach is also the front man and guitarist for DFW’s newest band #spider_no.6. Zach would like to thank Araceli and Arts Fort Worth for allowing him the opportunity to share in this theatrical experience.

Shaundra Norwood (Lina) is a semi-veteran of the DFW acting community. Her resume includes gracing such stages as Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Theatre Arlington, and Jubilee Theatre. Shaundra is excited to work with some fresh blood, I mean new artists! A true story teller at heart, she is elated to be chosen to bring life to Lina. Her favorite scripture: Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. " With a strong support system made up of her fiancé, family and friends she is able to move in excellence, for which she is grateful. "I hope you enjoy the show!" - Shaundra

Jason Leyva (Production Manager/Producer) Owner and operator of the award winning production company L.I.P. Service, Jason has returned to the Fort Worth area to pick up the reins as Production Manager for Arts Fort Worth. After serving as the Technical Director for the Firehouse Theatre and Artisan Center Theatre along with partnering with various DFW companies including 3 Cords, Resolute Theatre Company & Theatre of North Texas, he is excited to continue the theatrical traditions here at the Arts Center. Learn more about Jason at his website www.jasonleyva.com #itsallabouttheart

Araceli Radillo is extremely proud to be included in bringing new stories to the stage. She was last seen directing Laughing Wild (L.I.P. Service) and performed recently in Elf: The Musical (GPAC), Bright Star: Concert Version (Firehouse Theatre), and Love, Loss, & What I Wore (Pocket Sandwich Theatre). She would like to thank Jason and Natalie for the opportunity and her friends and family for their continued support.

Austin Bender (Ast. Director) is absolutely overjoyed to be working on this new project and incredibly thankful to Araceli for bringing him into the fold. After graduating from UTA with his BFA in Theater Performance, Austin was seen at several theaters in DFW. Some of his favorites include Willard in Footloose at The Granbury Opera House, Pierre/Popcorn Guy in The Boy Friend at The Firehouse Theater, and Lawrence/Liam in Calendar Girls at Theatre Arlington. Austin would like to thank his family for their unending support and his Nana for her strength. Instagram: @auswayben

Angela Aguilera (Stage Manager) has been working as a stage manager since 2016. She has worked on a wide variety of productions that have provided her with expertise in new play development, devised theatre (original works), site-specific theatre, online theatre, and dance. The Original Works Series has been a wonderful experience to work on and she is eager to be more involved in DFW productions.

Penny Gaucin (Light Design and Op) She is native to Fort Worth and studied Theatre Technology at UNT. She is also currently working on New and Improving performed at Arts Fort Worth. Penny is in production as the makeup artist and BTS photographer on the film Don’t Say Murder.

A PROGRAM OF ARTS FORT WORTH

Arts Fort Worth is here to support artists, celebrate artistic expression and engage the community. We are thrilled to present our first Original Works Series Productions – New and Improving and Dig. We are revitalizing tradition with these productions presented by our first resident company since The Fort Worth Theatre operated at the W.E. Scott Theatre in the late 70’s.

Led by Arts Fort Worth Production Manager Jason Leyva, we are excited to bring this collaboration of professional artists along with community players together in artistic ventures to enhance and elevate our cultural events at the Arts Center.

Karen Wiley, President of the Arts Council of Fort Worth said, “The arts in Fort Worth continue to thrive on its rich traditions. New and exciting initiatives that provide opportunities for our performing artists are always welcome and doing so with the revival of the beloved Fort Worth Theatre makes it all the more special.”

Thank you for joining us for this performance and for supporting our arts community.

Marla Fleischmann Owen

Director, Arts Fort Worth

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Fifth Avenue Foundation

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS