Elephant

A World Premiere Devised Work

developed by Abner Genece, Candace Joice & Neil Truglio

A modern and timely response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the shameful history of racism in America, Elephant explores the deep wounds of seeing and treating African Americans as “the other.”

Based on the original writings by Frederick Treves’ of The Elephant Man, this world premiere explores the long standing racial divides that continue to plague this country, while the topic of race continues to be the “elephant" in the room.

Oct. 8 - Oct. 30, 2021
Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with additional Sunday matinees at 2pm.

Elephant

Devised & developed by Abner Genece, Candace Joice & Neil Truglio

Cast

John Merrick - Nnamdi K. Nwankwo

Nnamdi Nwankwo is excited to be making his Benchmark Theatre debut. Recent engagements include workshopping American opera duo Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s, Intelligence. Nnamdi also serves as a resident artist for Boulder Opera’s 21-22 season where he is set to perform in their family series show, L’enfant et les sortilèges, and direct their outreach show, Gato con botas. As a writer, Nnamdi collaborated with composer Ben Morris in writing Perspective, a new one act chamber opera that premiered as part of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Composer Fellowship Intensive. Nnamdi holds a B.A. in Theatrical Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Dr. Frederick Treves - Dan O’Neill

Dan is grateful to be a part of the Elephant cast. He has previously appeared in Benchmark’s 1984, with the Denver Center Theatre Company, The Lida Project, and the Other Theatre Company. Shows include: Racing Demon, Justin Bieber Meets Al Qaeda and Lonely Planet. Mr. O’Neill is a drama/film teacher at Graland Country Day School and a graduate of the National Theatre Conservatory. Meow to Molly and Lorcan.

Ms. Madge Kendal - Courtney Esser

Courtney is an actor, playmaker, and food consumer hailing from Pullman, Washington, where she is best known for her role as Legume #3 in the annual National Lentil Festival. She grew up performing in local summer stock, and eventually moved on to bigger digs in Seattle and New York. She has worked with theatre companies across the country including Seattle Greenstage, and The Culture Club, Extant Arts, and AMIOS in NYC. She is a proud graduate of the Actors Center in New York, and the National Theatre Conservatory here in Denver. Locally, she has performed at the Aurora Fox and with the Denver Center Theatre Company. She is thrilled to return to the stage, and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play and create with this fullhearted ensemble of artists.

Creative Team

Director/Playwright - Neil Truglio

Neil has been directing locally for over 20 years. Recent credits include 1984 (Benchmark), The Trojan War, Sons & Daughters, and Romeo & Juliet (Modest Arts). As a writer, Neil has seen ten of his original plays and adaptations on the stage and his work has been seen by tens-of-thousands as his original productions, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and his feature film We Are the Sea, have been lauded and enjoyed by audiences across the globe. Recently, Neil became the Artistic Director for Benchmark Theatre and his vision is being realized in this inaugural production of the 2021/2022 season. Outside of theatre, Neil is an avid filmmaker and works with youth through film-engagement programs as the Education Director at SeriesFest.

Assistant Director/Playwright - Abner Genece

Abner Genece (Playwright, Assistant Director) is grateful to the entire team at Benchmark for this singular opportunity. Next month, he appears in American Son (Curious Theatre Company). He will also appear in Animal Farm and Stick Fly (Arvada Center) this season. Local: The Scottsboro Boys (Vintage Theatre, Assistant Director); Kaiser Permanente Arts Integrated Resources (Teaching Artist/Facilitator); Curious New Voices Festival (Director); City of Aurora Summer Drama Program (Instructor/Director); Regional: San Diego Playwrights Project (Teaching Artist/Director); Actor Representation: Radical Artists Agency; AbnerGenece.net. For Jayden

Playwright - Candace Joice

Candace Joice is delighted to join fellow writers Abner Genece and Neil Truglio in bringing Elephant to Benchmark's audiences. She is an actor, audiobook narrator, and director who has worked with Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Curious Theatre, Miners Alley Playhouse, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and the Arvada Center. Candace received an MA in Theatre from the University of Central Missouri. www.candacejoice.com

Production Assistant - Chantelle Frazier

Chantelle has been Production Designing for theatre and film for the last 15 years. Recent productions include 1984 (Benchmark), The Trojan War, Sons & Daughters, and Romeo & Juliet (Modest Arts) and the feature film We Are the Sea. With over 30 shows as Costume Designer and Production Designer, Chantelle’s work has been seen by audiences across the Front Range, including her design for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which performed at the Bellco Theatre for over 4,000 people. Chantelle is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver’s Department of Theatre, Film and Video.

Costumes - Daniella Toscano

Daniella Toscano is a costume designer and visual artist, currently in the MFA Design program at the University of California, San Diego. She hails from Las Vegas, Nevada where she received her BA in Studio Art and Theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Alongside costume design projects, she’s also worked extensively in costume shops around the country, currently working at Opera Colorado.  Recent design credits include Elektra and Heap (UCSD). Upcoming credit: “Everybody” (UCSD).

Sound Designer - Marc Stith

Marc Stith is one of the founding members of Benchmark Theatre and a proud member of the leadership team. In addition to appearing in a handful of Benchmark shows, Marc has appeared on several local stages around the Denver area, and most recently (well… pre-Covid) made his directing debut with Airness, a Benchmark Theatre production. Love to Jenni for her enduring patience.

Video & Projection Designer - Jason Valenzuela

Scenic/Light Design - Benchmark Theatre

Production Team

Stage Manager - Andrew Horn

After getting his BFA from SMU in 2019, Andrew worked as a stage manager in Dallas for two years, most notably with Lone Star Circus. Elephant is the first show he has worked on since moving back to Denver last year. He is very grateful to Benchmark Theatre for letting him work on such an exciting new play.

Technical Supervisor & Charge Artist - Christopher M. Waller

Scenic Build - Nic & Tim Horn, Caleb O’Brien, Marc Stith, Neil Truglio & Christopher M. Waller

Master Electrician - Andrew Horn

Dramaturg - Courtney Cauthon

Production Photography - McLeod9 Creative

Marketing Videography - Nic Horn

Program Design - Neil Truglio

Producers and Front of House Design - Abby Apple Boes & Haley Johnson

Contributing Writers

Courtney Cauthon

Courtney Esser

Chantelle Frazier

Betty Hart

Haley Johnson

Cajardo Lindsey

Jeffrey Neuman

Nnamdi K. Nwankwo

Dan O’Neil

Board of Directors

Joseph Black

Abby Apple Boes

Rachel Clark

Haley Johnson

Melanie Mayner

Gloria Shanstrom

Benchmark Executive Team

Executive Director - Haley Johnson

Artistic Director - Neil Truglio

Managing Director - Abby Apple Boes

Strategic & Marketing Director - Marc Stith

Special Thanks

40West Arts, ABC Framing, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Theatre Guild, The E Project Board of Directors, Lakewood BID, Nola Jane Restaurant & Bar, Opera Colorado, Redline Contemporary Art Center, The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, Vintage Theatre; donnie l. betts, Liz Black, Bernie Cardell, Betty Hart, Lauren Hergenreter, Scotty Holcomb, Cajardo Lindsey, Andrew MacLean, Bill Marino, Louise Martorano, David Medina, Christy Montour-Larson, Rich Munoz, Ann Piano, Joseph & Mary Pirozzoli, Marcus & Mason, Andy Ray, Biz Schaugaard, Jennifer Stith, Glenn & Kathy Truglio

dramaturgy

We’re pleased to offer our audience members the following presentation created by our Dramaturg, Courtney Cauthon: