PLAYBILL
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to our Community Sponsors:
Shanell Kendrick, Ximon Kittok, Janelle Burden Hill, Noddea Skidmore- Goofy Getaways, The Levine Family, The Geitzen Family
Thank you to the following generous partners:
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Actors’ Theatre, Embassy Suites Downtown Grand Rapids
We want to give a special note of appreciation to Amanda Zilke and the team at Embassy Suites for working with us to secure a new space after the aburpt closure of our original venue.
New York City, Various Locations, Present Day.
SONG LIST
Still Hurting
Shiksa Goddess
See I'm Smiling
Moving Too Fast
A Part of That
The Schmuel Song
A Summer in Ohio
The Next Ten Minutes
Climbing Uphill
If I Didn't Believe in You
I Can Do Better Than That
Nobody Needs to Know
Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You
There will be no intermission.
MEET THE TEAM
Artemis L. Tally
Director
Artemis is very excited to make their full-length directorial debut with The Last Five Years. They are a writer, director, and a creative visionary. They were a part of GVSU’s student theatre troupe STAGE (Stage Technicians and Actors Guild for Entertainment). During their tenure, they performed on stage, wrote original scripts, and directed a handful of sketches and one act plays.
Artemis is a published author. They self-published a poetry book in 2021, “Learning to Fly: A Collection of Love Poems”. Recently, they started to share new works at Open Mic Night at Scorpion Hearts Club. They have also joined Grand Rapids Community Media Collective and are finding new ways to tell stories and support local artists.
Artemis enjoys writing and consuming a variety of different media in their spare time (film, theatre, art galleries, dance, open mic nights, etc.) They have been a spectator of the arts for many years and they are excited to get involved with more creative endeavors around Grand Rapids.
Artemis would like to thank everyone for supporting this production. It means the world to see such kindness from the community about this show. I hope you all enjoy your time here with us. And a very special thanks to their lovely partner, Ximón. Their endless support and kindness throughout the entire process was monumental and very appreciated. Artemis is so lucky to have such a wonderful and loving person in their life.
Emcee Cipriano
Costume designer
Emily “EmC” Cipriano (they/them) is elated to be back costuming with BPP. Other costuming credits include The PROM, Girls' Weekend, Curious George and the Golden Meatball (Circle), Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, Chicago (BPP), Spain (Actors'), night Mother (Looseleaf Productions), and Falsettos (Aimless Artist Collective). EmC is a proud alumni of Aquinas College (2020) and a fierce Theatre for Social Change advocate. Outside of the theatre, they love making art, being in nature, and visiting local food spots. EmC is able to love and do the arts because of the support of their incredible family, brilliant friends, lovely girlfriend, and sweetest Beep Boop.
Jude Libner
Jamie Wellerstein
Jude Libner (he/him) has had the pleasure of working on and off stage in Grand Rapids and beyond for over a decade now. Some of his favorite things theatrical involvements include Svec in Once the Musical and Earl in Waitress at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Johnathan in The Play That Goes Wrong at Circle Theatre, Luke from The Diary Play performed at Fringe Festival, and a myriad of pop-ups in smaller shows and performing original music around town once in a while. As a proud trans man, Jude is eternally grateful for this community and the opportunity he has been given to work with, and continue to work with, so many astonishing people!
laura sterenberg
(Cathy)
Laura Sterenberg is thrilled to be a part of this unique production of The Last Five Years and is proud to be sharing Cathy’s story. Laura is active in the Grand Rapids theatre scene, last seen in the role of Margot Wendice in Dial M for Murder at Civic Theatre. Other ensemble roles include Civic's CATS and Waitress (swing), as well as Curious George and the Golden Meatball (swing) and Spamalot (ensemble/voice of God) at Circle Theatre. Next up is mockumentary-style show, Thank You, Places, where Laura plays Charlotte.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to my loved ones who have supported me through all of life’s twists and turns.
Kels Rezmer
Music Director
Kels Rezmer (he/him) is a professional musician and singing & gender-affirming voice coach in Grand Rapids at K Voice Studio (est. 2003), and is very excited to be involved in producing one of his favorite shows through a new lens. He has music directed over 20 shows since 2009, most recently “Urinetown” at Circle Theatre. Other favorites include “Next to Normal” and “9 to 5: The Musical” at Aquinas College, “The Last 5 Years” and “The Rocky Horror Show” with University Wits, and “Pinkalicious”, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Fame” at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Kels is also a performing actor & musician and was last seen on stage in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Rock of Ages” as Dennis Dupree. “Thank you to BPP, Artemis, and this supremely talented cast for trusting me with such a beautiful show.”
kendra jones
Stage manager
Kendra Jones (she/her) is a versatile performance artist who has worked as a director, stage manager, production manager, costume designer, and performer, among various backstage roles. Her recent productions include Lend Me A Tenor (Stage Manager - Circle Theatre), Dance Nation (Ashlee - Actors’ Theatre), Cinderella (Stage Manager - East Kentwood HS), Rock of Ages (Stage Manager - Civic Theatre), Radium Girls (Production Manager and Costume Designer - East Kentwood HS), Botticelli In The Fire (Clarice Orsini/Venus - Actors’ Theatre), Alabaster (Alice - Actors’ Theatre), and POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (Dusty - Actors’ Theatre). Kendra adores our Grand Rapids’ Theatre Community and has worked locally with Actors’ Theatre, Circle Theatre, GRCC Players, Civic Theatre, East Kentwood High School, Dog Story Theatre, Jewish Theatre, Over The Top Academy of Dance, Betka-Pope Productions, Mosaic Film Experience, and Mixed Roots Collective. Follow her many adventures in theatre on Instagram (@miss.squeakin). Love to Nate, the greatest partner in love and life.
Meaghan Gietzen
costume design
Meaghan (they/she) is elated to work on another show with Betka-Pope Productions! They have been a lifelong theatre kid both on and off stage. Some of their favorite productions include playing Snail in Civic Theatre's Frog and Toad (2024), set painting Rent at Circle Theatre (2022), and props design in Curious George and the Golden Meatball at Circle Theatre (2024). Meaghan passes down her passion for theatre to grade-school-aged students around West Michigan as a freelance teaching artist. To see more of Meaghan's work, check out her website at www.FuGietzenArt.com.
Jenna Betka-Pope
Producer
Jenna Betka-Pope (she/her) has performed in the musical theater community for 20 years and consistently seeks out opportunities to include those with disabilities in live performances. She trained in special education and has taught ages four through eighteen in both academic and theatrical areas. Jenna is passionate about creating access for all whether that be in the performing arts arena or in the workplace.
Eirann Betka-Pope
Producer
Eirann Betka-Pope (they/them) is a Grand Rapids-based producer, artist, and activist. They are one-half of Betka-Pope Productions and the founder of Funny Girls, where they served as President. Eirann is also the former owner and Artistic Director of The Fuse Box.
A co-creator of The Comedy Project, Eirann has worn many hats there, including Theatre Manager, writer, performer, producer, and instructor. They are also a founder and former committee member of the Grand Rapids Improv Festival and Comedy Outlet Mondays, and have worked as a producer, host, writer, and news anchor for NewsFlash!.
Eirann teaches at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School for Theatre Arts and is a freelance writer. They continue to produce projects through Betka-Pope Productions and lead corporate and public workshops.
Outside of theatre, Eirann enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, cooking, playing pinball, and sharing life with their beautiful wife, Jenna, and their precocious dog, Cornelius.
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