Fun Home
May 13-29, 2022

Music by Jeanine Tesori and Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron.
Based on the best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home by Alison Bechdel.

Alison had an unusual childhood, although, it wouldn’t be until later in life that she would come to appreciate exactly how unusual her childhood was. And as she prepares to chronologize her graphic memoir, American cartoonist Alison Bechdel reflects on the peculiarity of growing up in the funeral home of a small Pennsylvania, the comprehension of her own sexuality, and the omnipotence of her late father’s secret life. Fun Home is a tragicomedy with love and brutal honesty. Nominated for twelve Tony Awards, winning five, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. Fun Home makes its Regional Premier to Michiana in May 13 through the 29 at the Leighton Auditorium in the St. Joe County Public Library.

Fridays and Saturdays
May 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 7:30 pm ET

Sundays
May 15, 22, & 29 at 2:00 pm ET

Location
Leighton Auditorium, 305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601

*Content Warning: Please be advised this production contains adult language and mature content. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Cast & Crew

Ashley Coia………………………………..Alison
Erin Joines………………………………….Medium Alison
Sarah Hungerman……………………..Small Alison
Jess Alexander…………………………..Bruce Bechdel
Tessa Pauls…………………………………Helen Bechdel
Laurel Blankenship…………………..Joan
Tegegn Drake………………………..…..Christian Bechdel
Ezra Carrico………………………..……..John Bechdel

Mark Albin………………………………….Director & Choreographer
Aaron Albin………………………………..Music Director
Alexandria Ganger…………………….Stage Manager & Dramaturge
Riley Woods……………………………….Lighting Designer
Derek Bacon……………………………..Property Designer
Aly Demetrakis…………………………Costume Designer
Sound Engineer………………………..Matt Teters

Your Safety is Our Priority

VACCINATION POLICY

Updated: April 10, 2022

In response to the CDC’s recent overhaul of its national COVID-19 recommendations (announced on February 25, 2022), Art 4 has revised its COVID-19 Policy. Influenced by the CDC's COVID-19 Community Level three-tiered coloring system, Art 4 will enforce the following guidelines for all events:

Red Level (High Risk):

• Patrons, staff, actors, and volunteers must be vaccinated and wear face masks at all times.

Yellow Level (Medium Risk): 

• Patrons must be vaccinated, but masks are optional

Green Level (Low Risk):

• Patrons are encouraged to be vaccinated. Face masks are required.

Check St. Joseph County's COVID-19 Community Level.

FACE MASKS

Additionally, facial masks, worn properly over the nose and mouth, will be required for all patrons (including children under 12) in all areas and for the duration of their time in the theatre, including while seated during performances. Patrons arriving without appropriate face masks will be provided a disposable face mask.

Please note that shows will be performed at full length, including intermissions, and houses will be seated at full capacity.

To read our full COVID-19 Policy, please CLICK HERE.

Biographies

Ashley Coia (Alison Bechdel) recently moved from NYC to South Bend with her partner, Mariah, and is thrilled to be making her Art 4 debut! Ashley received her BFA from New York University’s Tisch Department of Drama. Previous theatre credits include: The Cave: A Folk Opera (Off-Broadway), After Burn (NYC Fringe Festival), & The Bipartisan (NYC Thespis Festival). Forever grateful for her friends and family for their endless support.

Erin Joines (Medium Alison) is so excited to return to the Art 4 stage! She has previously understudied for the Art 4 productions of Next to Normal (Natalie) and Ghost Quartet (Rose). Erin has been performing in the greater South Bend area since she was 9 years old. Some of her favorite previous works include Annie in Annie (SBCT), Maureen in Rent (Clay HS), Sandra in Big Fish (Clay High School), and Margo in Bright Star (Elkhart Civic). She is so grateful to be working with Mark and Aaron again, and would like to thank her family for all their love, and the incredible cast and team for coming together in an amazing show!

Sarah Hungerman (Small Alison) is 12 years old and in sixth grade at Schmucker Middle School (Go Spartans!). She is thrilled to be back with Art 4 after playing Jojo in Seussical the Musical. Other past credits include Les Misérables School Edition (Claquesous/Ensemble), Matilda the Musical (Matilda), and The Jungle Book (Tabaqui). Sarah loves being outdoors, drawing, and reading. She would like to thank the UYT team for inspiring her love of theater and the Art 4 team for giving her the opportunity to be part of such a profound show. She would also like to thank her cats—Simon, Baxter, and Merlin—as well as her human family.

Jess Alexander (Bruce Bechdel) is happy to return to Art4 after appearing previously in Seussical. Born down the street in Elkhart, Jess has returned to the Michiana area after time spent in NYC and Chicago performing and writing at iO, Second City, and The Annoyance theaters. He is thankful to Mark, Aaron, his cast and crewmates, and all those who have been a help to him in this return to Theatre. Look for him this summer in the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival. Finally, Jess would like to say: If you have suffered from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation as I have, there is help. The National suicide helpline: (800) 273-8255

Tessa Pauls (Helen Bechdel) is thrilled to return to Art 4 for this production of Fun Home! Performing in theater productions from a very young age, she has always held a deep interest in music and performing arts, quickly falling in love with classical and opera music in particular. You may have seen her in South Bend Lyric Opera's productions of Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto, Cavelleria Rusticana, and most recently La Traviata in collaboration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. She also has enjoyed being on the administrative and production teams for other productions for SBLO, as well as Art 4 and Musical Arts Indiana. Tessa holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share Helen's story with this amazing cast, and would like to thank her family, friends, and her boyfriend Mark for all of their love, support, and encouragement.

Laurel Blankenship (Joan) is thrilled to return to Art 4! Some of her favorite roles have been Mrs. Wormwood/Dance Captain in Matilda, Featured Dance Ensemble/Dance Captain in Elf the Musical, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q, and Fiona in Shrek the Musical. In her free time you can find her serving at Christo’s in LaPorte, or being Elsa for birthday parties! She would like to thank Mark and Aaron for allowing her to be a part of such a wonderful show, and her mother for supporting her career in theatre throughout the years. 

Tegegn Drake (Christian Bechdel) is a fifth grader at Swanson Traditional School. His previous acting experience includes roles in Matilda, The Lion King, and The Grunch. In his free time, Tegegn enjoys playing soccer, reading, and dominating in foursquare. Tegegn would like to thank his parents for motivating him to try new things.

Ezra Carrico (John Bechdel) is 10 years old and in the fourth grade at Bittersweet Elementary. Ezra is thrilled to be joining the cast and crew for his Art 4 theatrical debut. Prior to working with Art 4, his most recent performance was as Les in Newsies. He also participated in Frozen Jr (Pabbie), The SpongeBob Musical (Plankton), as well as Lion King Jr. and Moana Jr. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his three brothers and his dog, Kylo. Ezra would like to thank his Civic Theatre family for their encouragement and introducing him to his love of theatre and Mark and Aaron for a warm welcome to Art 4.

Leighton Auditorium

305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601
St. Joe County Public Library

Pay What You Can

We believe in making art accessible to everyone, everywhere. That’s why we subsidize 10% of our ticket sales to every Art 4 show for our Pay What You Can ticket program, and have been since we started in 2017. On a first-come, first-served bases, audience members can set the price of their ticket. Limit one ticket per order. For additional questions, email [email protected]. Want to help support this program? Click HERE to find out how.