WELCOME!

There’s something so familiar about this story, despite the absurdity and uniqueness of the Janson family’s situation. When I first read a draft of Valentine’s script, I was totally swept away into this fascinating and different world by these kooky and complex characters. Still, something about it felt so strangely relatable. The story of a tired, burdened, complicated family suddenly trapped in a confined space due to tragic circumstances. The challenges of embracing a dysfunctional team and the lesson learned. While the spaces in which we’ve all been confined might have been a bit roomier than a 1993 pink Geo Prizm convertible, there’s a clear element of catharsis in watching this saga unfold with all the joy and buoyancy brought by these young artists. Working together with this gifted group to peel back the clever layers of this masterfully crafted piece by Valentine Wulf has been a wonderful adventure. So take a seat and join us on a roadtrip—we hope you’ll remember this one!

—Annika Prichard, Director

Valentine Wulf is a sixteen year old artist and writer, who got her start writing short fiction for Stone Soup Magazine. The first time her work came to the stage was for Penguin Productions’ Bonfire Festival at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Valentine plans on studying fashion, production design, and puppetry (her favorite muppet is Miss Piggy), as well as continuing to write.

Read more about Valentine and her inspiration for Welcome to the Landfill at the interview and feature linked below! 

CAST

ADRIAN MARTIN

Bernard Janson

CLAIRE MILISAVLJEVIC

Elizabeth Janson

JAIME LAMBEY

Vitus Janson

MOLLY COLBURN

Jeremy Janson

MIRIAM TOOLEY

Noelle Janson

EMMETT DRISCOLL

Jim & others

SOPHIA GLOVER

Melanie & others

SUMNER SWANSON SHANER

Ms. Walker & others

CREW

DIRECTOR

Annika Prichard is a theatre and teaching artist born and raised in Seattle! She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theater from Temple University and wears many hats both on stage and off, from director to stage manager to performer to playwright. Annika is passionate about new works development and educational theater, having originating roles in multiple new shows through the George and Joy Abbott Center, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Temple Theaters, and more. She is excited to be back in Seattle and thinks these young artists at Penguin are extremely cool.

STAGE MANAGER

Rosemary (she/her) is a freelance stage manager, production manager and producer based in Seattle. She’s the production manager of Sound Theatre Company, a recent BA graduate from the University of Washington, and most recently worked on Book-It’s Beowulf. She’s enormously grateful to be joining the community of Penguin Productions, and wishes to thank her girlfriend, without whom she could certainly not do the work that she does.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Sophia Glover

LIGHTING DESIGN

Adem Hayyu

SOUND DESIGN

Rik Lambey

COSTUME & PUPPET DESIGN

Valentine Wulf

PROP DESIGN

Josh Silverstein

PHOTOGRAPHY & PROMOTION

Katrina Filer

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Shana (she/her) is a writer, educator, theater artist, and non-profit leader based in Seattle, WA. Shana facilitates creative adventures in community arts to fuel the future with a focus on youth development and leadership, gender equity, and environmental justice. She is the Artistic Associate for Education at ACT Theatre, as well as a Fulbright Specialist working internationally at the intersections of theater, social justice, and community building. She was a member of the ArtEquity cohort of 2016-17 and of the Leadership Tomorrow Class of ’21, engaging with cross-sector leaders around regional issues through an equity lens. From 2001-2017 Shana served as Seattle Public Theater’s Artistic and Education Director.  She has directed over 200 productions with youth ensembles and overseen over 120 professional productions – several of which Annika and Anna were involved in as youth themselves! Gratitude for all who engage in and support the work, who strive together to increase our capacity to connect, reflect, and create in order to make a more curious and compassionate world. 

Special thanks to UCUCC for rehearsal space!

PENGUIN NEWS

LEADERSHIP TOMORROW SURVEY

Penguin is partnering with Leadership Tomorrow, a powerful organization that cultivates a community of cross-sector regional leaders to foster healthier and more resilient communities where leaders understand regional issues and opportunities, leverage the power of collaboration, and work to advance equity for all.

Together, Shana and a Leadership Tomorrow team are hosting virtual focus groups, 1:1 listening sessions, and a community survey. This crucial work will help us clarify Penguin’s unique position in our arts and education ecosystem, and shape our path forward. 

We invite you ALL to be part of it!Please take a few minutes to fill out this easy survey.

Survey closes this Monday, 3/21

MARCH RETREAT

Join PAC member and playwright Hersh Powers as we conduct scene studies and workshop portions of his new play, The Sasquatch Society. We’ll be working on script development ahead of producing the world premiere this spring!

The Sasquatch Society is part of a full weekend of theater at the Penguin Mid-Winter retreat March 26 & 27 at UHeights Center. Registration is free for youth ages 14-19. You are welcome to attend as much as you are able! Click here for a complete schedule of the weekend.