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The conceptual seed of the theLASTree formed from the urgency of bringing to our consciousness the science of environmental destruction and climate crisis, and our individual and collective ability and responsibility to alter human behavior to save life on/of our planet. By intention, the goal of the final product was not to entertain—although it would—but to bring through the voice and admonition of Mother Nature and through an array of puppets and props, the pending loss and the grieving that loss causes. Death of trees, polar bear cubs and bees needed to be included to not shield any viewer of any age from the reality that science has proven and that humans are experiencing. 

theLASTree was first produced at the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts Paul R. and Margery wolf Kuhn Theatre at Penn State University Altoona, PA on November 7 to 10, 2018. The performance was directed and puppets designed and construction by Laurencio Carlos Ruiz, Costume Design was by Elizabeth Wislar Powell, Music was by Kevin Mcleod and Steve Sherrill, Choreography was by KT Huckabee, Sound by David Villani. Lights Design and Sound Mix was by Joanna G. Ruhl and The Stage Manager was by Trinity Artis.

CAST

 

Mother Nature Voice

Naomi Baker

 

The Last Tree Voice

Victor Brunsden

 

Robust Tree

Ja Waun Monroe & John Kunig  

 

Swing, Squirrel and Birds

Ja Waun Monroe & John Kunig

 

Thermometer

Lianna Male

 

Dense Mass of Trees

Sophia Girol, Raya Kenepp, Randy Sams, Marie Weaverling

Elizabeth Bender, Laurencio Ruiz, Yu-lin (Timmy) Liu, Alison Ward, Bailey Jasper, Amaryllis Aponte-lee, Joe Rabbitt, lianna Male

 

One Hundred and Forty-two Cars

Sophia Girol, Raya Kenepp, Randy Sams, Marie Weaverling

Elizabeth Bender, Laurencio Ruiz, Yu-lin (Timmy) Liu, Alison Ward, Bailey Jasper, Amaryllis Aponte-lee, Joe Rabbitt, lianna Male, Ja Waun Monroe, John Kunig

 

CO2 Cloud

Sophia Girol, Raya Kenepp, Randy Sams, Marie Weaverling

 

Arctic & Antarctic Sea

Raya Kenepp, Marie Weaverling.

 

Large Glacier

Bailey Jasper, John Kunig, Ja Waun Monroe, Randy Sams.

 

Harp Seal

Elizabeth Bender

 

Two Emperor Penguins

Amaryllis Aponte-lee

 

Family of Polar Bears

Joe Rabbitt

 

Small Size Blue Whale & Calf

Bailey Jasper & Amaryllis Aponte-lee

 

Large Size Blue Whale & Calf

Elizabeth Bender, Laurencio Ruiz, Yu-lin (Timmy) Liu, Alison Ward, Randy Sams, Bailey Jasper

Five Big Fat Lumberjack Flies

Laurencio Ruiz, Marie Weaverling, Amaryllis Aponte-lee, Raya Kenepp, Elizabeth Bender

 

Last Tree

Sophia Girol, Laurencio Ruiz, Joseph Rabbit

PRODUCTION TEAM

 

Directed by

Laurencio Carlos Ruiz

 

Text & Puppets by

Laurencio Carlos Ruiz

 

Costume Design by

Elizabeth Power-Wislar

 

Music by

Kevin Mcleod & Steve Sherill

 

Sound Design

David Villani

 

Choreography by

KT Huckabee and Laurencio Carlos Ruiz

 

Lighting Design & Sound Mix by

Joanna Ruhl

 

Puppets Construction

Laurencio Carlos Ruiz and THEA 282 Class:Trinity Artis, Gary Babcoke, Wenjie (Bruce) Ding, Sophia Girol, Brandon Hearn, Yu-lin (Timmy) Liu,Alisha Nicely, Yimin (Jerry) Zhong

Stage Manager

Trinity Artis

 

Assistant Stage Manger 1

John Kunig 

 

Assistant Stage Manger 2

Lianna Male

 

Assistant Stage Manger 3

Ja Waun Monroe

Lighting Board Operator

Yimin (Jerry) Zhong

 

Sound Operator

Wenjie (Bruce) Ding

 

Projector Operator

Xiangxu Li

 

Photography by

Gary Baranec,  Yu-lin (Timmy) Liu & Gary Babcoke 

 

Video Recording and editing by

Mark A. Frederick

Brush Mountain Media

SCENES

NATURAL INTRODUCTION

MATURE ROBUST TREE

CO2 EMISSIONS JAM

IMBALANCE GLACIER DANCE

DEEP BLIND LOVE

LAST GRIEF TREE

FED UP WITH YOU

ECO-PILOGUE

​​

 

CHARACTERS

MOTHER NATURE

ROBUST TREE

DENSE MASS OF TRESS

ONE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO CARS

A THERMOMETER

CO2 CLOUD

ARTIC & ANTARCTIC SEAS

A GLACIER

A HARP SEAL

TWO EMPEROR PENGUINS

A MOTHER AND TWO COPS POLAR BEARS

SMALL BLUE WHALE AND CALF

LARGE BLUE WHALE AND CALF

FIVE BIG FAT LUMBERJACK FLIES

LAST TREE

SPECIAL THANKS

The love of my life, my wife Roselyn and son Jordan

Heidi Manfred, Instructor in Human Development and Family Studies, and Abe Manfred her son

Erin C. Murphy, professor, English

Lisa A. Emili, associate professor, physical geography and environmental studies sustainability coordinator 

Freyca Calderon-Berumen, assistant professor, elementary and early childhood education

Samuel Tanner, assistant professor, literacy education

Alessia Zanin-Yost, reference and instruction librarian, eiche library

Erin Nacthman, part time project coordinator, environmental studies and sustainability

Burgmeiers Hauling, Inc.

Acknowledgements

Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor and dean
Dr. Karin Jordan, associate dean
Dr. Brian Black, division head, Arts and Humanities
Timothy Kershner, director, Strategic Communications
Marissa Carney, media and public relations coordinator, Strategic Communications Jonathan O’Harrow, webmaster, Strategic Communications
Sarah Gority, graphic designer and marketing coordinator, Strategic Communications Brenda Berry, faculty and program assistant, Misciagna Family Center
Deborah L. Flinn, part time faculty administrative assistant, Misciagna Family Center Karen Isenberg, part time faculty administrative assistant, Misciagna Family Center 

Noel Feeley, theatre and gallery manager, Misciagna Family Center
Kylea Myers, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
Diane Kilmer, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
Joanna Ruhl, interim technical director, Misciagna Family Center
Ashley Bowmaster, assistant technical director, Misciagna Family Center

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theLASTree Poster .jpg

Copyright©2018 theLASTree

by Laurencio Carlos Ruiz All Rights Reserved

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