WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS?
by Brian Quijada with original music by Klassik

Featuring Isa Arciniegas and Kellen "Klassik" Abston

Directed by Artistic Director Brent Hazelton**

September 30 - October 23, 2022 | Studio Theatre

Kellen "Klassik" Abston

Isa Arciniegas

A stand-up-and-cheer celebration of what it means to be an American

An elementary school history lesson on Rosa Parks ignites in a young Latina living at the crossroads of cultures a search for her place in American history—and her place in her own family as an aspiring musician. Part play, part concert, and all heartfelt journey of self-discovery, this one-of-a-kind theater experience blends Hip-Hop, spoken word poetry, and traditional solo performance with a live score from 2021 Milwaukee Arts Board Artist of the Year, Klassik.

“…something special…” Time Out New York

“…verbal dexterity and warmhearted charm…” Chicago Tribune

“…a very entertaining evening that explores critical interactions in America…” DC Metro Arts

Featuring

Original Music and Music Director
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Properties Designer
Sound Designer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Stage Movement Director
Cultural Consultant

Isa Arciniegas and Kellen"Klassik" Abston

Kellen "Klassik" Abston
Jason Fassl*
Jazmin Aurora Medina
Madelyn Yee
Josh Schmidt*
Emily Wright*
Sydney Smith
Cedric Gardner
Ck Ledesma

TALKBACKS:

Thursday, Oct 6 - Ck Ledesma, Artist and BUS Cultural Consultant
Thursday, Oct 13 - Joey Grihalva, Educator and Author of The Milwaukeean
Thursday, Oct 20 - Darron Brüwer, HYFIN Community Engagement Coordinator

Thank you to Hyfin, Latino Arts, Radio Milwaukee, and all who joined us for Here2Play on September 7th!

Learn more about Here2Play

Photos by Michael Brosilow

Meet the Cast & Creative Team

Brian Quijada, Playwright

Brian Quijada is an Emmy-nominated playwright, actor, and composer whose original work has been developed and produced all across the country. His hip hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Victory Gardens, Geva Theatre, Teatro Vista (Jeff Award), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Drama Desk Nomination), Boise Contemporary, 1st Stage, City Theatre Pittsburgh, and a digital production at Actors Theatre of Louisville (Drama League Nomination). His Theatre-For-Young-Audience play Kid Prince and Pablo premiered at The Kennedy Center in 2019. Most recently, his musical Somewhere Over The Border received a critically-acclaimed rolling world premiere at Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, and TeatroVista, garnering 6 Jeff Award Nominations including Best Musical and Best New Work.

His plays have been developed at The Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh CLO’s Spark Festival, Victory Gardens’ Ignition Festival, New Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Festival, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Musical Theatre Conference. Commissioning institutions include A.R.T., 1st Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Woolly Mammoth, Hero Theatre and The Kennedy Center. Brian’s song “The Always Song” was Nickelodeon’s 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month Song. As an educator, Brian has served as an adjunct musical solo performance professor at Harvard University.

Select Acting credits: Bobbie Clearly at Roundabout, Oedipus El Rey at The Public Theater, My Mañana Comes (Original Cast) at Playwrights Realm, How We Got On (Original Cast) and Airness (Original Cast) at Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival TV: Blue Bloods, Manhattan Love Story, Search Party.

Isa Arciniegas (Bee Quijada)

Isa is a Chicago based Actor and is thrilled to be working at MCT for the first time. Acting credits include: SOLARIS (Griffin Theatre); HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF (Victory Gardens Theatre); WOLF PLAY (The Gift Theatre); FIRST LOVE IS THE REVOLUTION (Steep Theatre); FANTASTIC MR. FOX (Emerald City Theatre); THE WOLVES (Goodman Theatre, Jeff Award—Best Ensemble), FUN HOME (Victory Gardens Theater); BURIED CHILD (Writers Theatre); WE'RE GONNA DIE (Haven Theatre Company, ALTA Award—Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical); GOOD FRIDAY (Oracle Productions); YOU ON THE MOORS NOW (The Hypocrites); ROMEO AND JULIET (Teatro Vista); and ADVENTURES WITH ALADDIN (Lookingglass Theatre Company with Chicago Symphony Orchestra). Regional: SUCH THINGS AS VAMPIRES (People’s Light Theatre); STINKY CHEESE MAN and LETTERS HOME (Griffin Theatre National Tour). Isa is represented by Gray Talent.

Kellen "Klassik" Abston, Composer/Music Director/DJ

Kellen is an award-winning Milwaukee-based musician, producer, songwriter, performing artist and curator who is very excited to be making his first official foray into theater with MCT for WHERE DO WE SIT ON THE BUS? The 2021 City of Milwaukee Mildred L. Harpole Artist of the Year is a graduate of the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and studied jazz saxophone under the local jazz legend Berkeley Fudge at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music for many years before going on to create his own jazz-saturated, soulful hip-hop and R&B as KLASSIK. His last musical offering, 2019’s “QUIET.”, was named the #1 Milwaukee album of the year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and his continued efforts earned him the 2021 WAMI Award for Best Hip-Hop Artist. Looking to expand his multi-disciplinary skill set, and in fitting honor of the legacy of his late father Robin Abston, who was a Milwaukee-based actor and performing artist, Kellen is embracing the serendipity and exuberance that being a part of this production has offered.

Brent Hazelton, Director**

A Whitewater native, Brent is thrilled to begin his fourth season with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Previous MCT directing credits include INDECENT, MALA, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, and—way back in the 08/09 YPF Showcase—SUMMER DAYS. He spent the first 20 seasons of his career at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, including ten as Associate Artistic Director.  From 2003 to 2010, he expanded The Rep’s Artistic Internship Program into one of regional theater’s premier professional transition programs, and from 2011 to 2019 built and led the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development program, including supervising the development of nearly two dozen commissioned and world premiere plays.  Artistically at The Rep, Brent wrote and directed LIBERACE!, conceived the premiere and 2019 installments of REP LAB, directed SONG MAN DANCE MAN, HOW THE WORLD BEGAN, THE WHIPPING MAN, the final installment of the Hanreddy/Morgan A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MCGUIRE, OUR TOWN, and GUARDS AT THE TAJ.  Three of those productions set all-time Rep sales records, and he remains one of only three directors to have staged productions in all four of The Rep’s current venues. Brent has taught workshops and master classes around the country, served as a member of the adjunct faculties of UW-Parkside and Carthage College, and is a proud co-founder of the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival.  As an institutional leader, he is eager to explore how a regional theater can speak directly to the experience of its community and include everyone who chooses to call it home in that conversation.

Jason Fassl, Scenic and Lighting Designer***

This production marks Jason's 15th MCT production, including: BROTHERS SIZE, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, and most recently THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Over the last decade, Fassl has consumed mass quantities of electricity at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, American Players Theatre, First Stage Children's Theatre, Peninsula Players, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Renaissance Theatreworks, Next Act Theatre, Forward Theatre Company, and many others. Jason is a member of United Scenic Artists Local #829, the Milwaukee IA Local #18, and an UW-Stevens Point Alumnus.

Jazmín Aurora Medina, Costume Designer

Jazmín Aurora Medina is a queer Chicana creative born and bred in Milwaukee! This will be her fourth show at MCT, after MALA, THE WAY SHE SPOKE, and STRANGE SNOW—and she couldn't be more grateful to be a part of this team! Current season credits include REFUGE (Theo Ubique Theatre), MOLE HILL STORIES (Children’s Theater of Madison), THE HOW & THE WHY (Renaissance Theaterworks), CARMELA FULL OF WISHES (Chicago Children’s Theatre/Seattle Children’s Theatre) & CARMELA FULL OF WISHES (First Stage Children’s Theater). Previously, Jazmin also had the honor of being selected as one of thirty-four young emerging costume designers for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial. Her work on EURYDICE (UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha) was featured in the US exhibition at PQ. Jazmin wouldn't be here without the support of her incredible family, friends and community, and would like to continually honor them through her work. Check out more on Instagram @jazminnauroraa or her website jazminaurora.com 

Madelyn Yee, Properties Designer

Madelyn is a Milwaukee-based freelance scenic and props designer, and is delighted to be joining this team on such an invigorating project. Prop designer credits for Chamber include DOUBT, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, LOBBY HERO, and A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COEUR. Recent scenic credits include ZARZUELA: LUISA FERNANDA (Florentine Opera), THE GIFT OF THE MAGI (American Players Theatre), and scenic and projections for INDECENT (Milwaukee Chamber). During the summer she acts as APT’s Associate Scenic Designer. Many thanks to Joe and Poesy.

Joshua Schmidt, Sound Designer***

Josh Schmidt is a Milwaukee-based composer/sound designer, and is happy to be back at MCT (in-person) having provided sound design for MALA and UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL. Composition credits include A MINISTER’S WIFE (Lincoln Center), ADDING MACHINE (Minetta Lane), WHIDA PERU (59E59); MIDWESTERN GOTHIC (Signature, VA); GIFT OF THE MAGI (American Players Theatre, WI) On Broadway he has designed THERESE RAQUIN (Roundabout/Studio 54) HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES (Walter Kerr) and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS (Nederlander). Off-Broadway he has designed ABOUT ALICE (TFANA), DINNER WITH FRIENDS (Roundabout), many others. In Chicago he has designed at Steppenwolf, Goodman. Raven, Northlight among many others. Josh has designed over 300 productions at venues across the globe. Current ommissions include FALLINGWATER at Metropolitan Opera. In film he is currently in pre-production for THE END (Final Cut for Real/Joshua Oppenheimer).

Ck Ledesma, Cultural Consultant

Ck Ledesma is a transdisciplinary artist from San Juan, Puerto Rico, living in the diaspora in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their socially engaged practice is centered at the intersections of history, place, experiences, community, and how these influence the creation of our identity(ies). Ledesma is a 2022 Mildred L. Harpole Milwaukee Artist of the Year, 2020 Mary L. Nohl Fellow, has served at the artist-in-residence for the Cesar Chavez Drive Business Improvement District in Milwaukee, the Mitchell Street branch of the Milwaukee Public Library, and Casa Candela in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Their work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at the Racine Art Museum and through the Museums Association of the Caribbean and, most notably, within the community. Besides art practices, they are passionate about serving their community while building authentic relationships and the liberation of all BIPOC people. ckledesma.com

Cedric Gardner, Stage Movement Director

Cedric Gardner is a Milwaukee-based choreographer. He was a Top-14 finalist on the third season of the American dance contest series, So You Think You Can Dance, and is ecstatic to be working with such an amazing group of artists at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. His past choreography credits include NBA Milwaukee Bucks Young Bucks Coach, Old Navy Back to School Campaign Advert, commercials for PepsiCo, as well as the Wisconsin Sports Awards (Movement Director), Fox TV’s Empire (Assistant Choreographer), Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba and Fresh Beat Band, and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol Gives Back.

Emily Wright, Stage Manager*

Emily Wright is happy to be returning to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre this season! Previous Milwaukee stage management credits include MALA (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), NUNSENSE and IN THE HEIGHTS (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), and GIRLS IN THE BOAT (First Stage Children’s Theater). Emily has also worked at Cain Park, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, and Cleveland Play House. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Denison University, but is now based in Milwaukee.

Sydney Smith, Assistant Stage Manager

Sydney is excited to be back and working with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Most recently, she was the assistant stage manager for THE ISLAND at MCT. She also was an assistant stage manager on THE THANKSGIVING PLAY and INDECENT as well as a stage management intern on SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY.

***

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Thank you to our generous production sponsors

Executive Producers

Dwight and Marleen Morgan

Producer

Sandra Zingler

WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS? is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York

WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS? by Brian Quijada with original music by Klassik

Featuring Original Music and Music Director Scenic and Lighting Designer Costume Designer Properties Designer Sound Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Stage Movement Director Cultural Consultant

Isa Arciniegas and Kellen"Klassik" Abston Kellen "Klassik" Abston Jason Fassl*** Jazmin Aurora Medina Madelyn Yee Josh Schmidt*** Emily Wright* Sydney Smith Cedric Gardner Ck Ledesma

Meet the Cast & Creative Team

WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS?
by Brian Quijada with original music by Klassik

Featuring

Original Music and Music Director
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Properties Designer
Sound Designer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Stage Movement Director
Cultural Consultant

Isa Arciniegas and Kellen"Klassik" Abston

Kellen "Klassik" Abston
Jason Fassl*
Jazmin Aurora Medina
Madelyn Yee
Josh Schmidt*
Emily Wright*
Sydney Smith
Cedric Gardner
Ck Ledesma