

What the Constitution Means to Me
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
What the Constitution Means to Me
By Heidi Schreck
Directed by Shana Wride
From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING THEATRICAL EXPEPRIENCE
AS NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE MOUNTS
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
Written by Heidi Schrek
Directed by Shana Wride
February 26 - March 23, 2025
Solana Beach, Calif. - North Coast Repertory Theatre proudly presents WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, a transformative theatrical experience that has captivated audiences nationwide. San Diego favorite Jacque Wilke* brings playwright Heidi Schreck's Tony-nominated, Pulitzer Prize finalist to vibrant life, weaving personal narrative with constitutional history in this critically acclaimed production. Through masterful storytelling and unexpected humor, the play invites audiences to examine America's founding document through a contemporary lens, creating an unforgettable evening of theater that resonates long after the final bow. This play has been produced all over the country and makes it San Diego premiere at North Coast Rep, Runs February 26 through March 23.
Under the astute direction of Shana Wride, the exceptional cast features Jacque Wilke*, Andrew Oswald*, Genevieve Tai, and Em Danque. The production showcases the artistry of an accomplished design team: Marty Burnett (Scenic Design), Matthew Novotny (Lighting Design), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Evan Eason (Sound Design), Audrey Casteris (Props Design), and Evelyn G. Myers* serves as Production Manager, with Ali Flores as Production Assistant and Ashton Botts as Dramaturg.
*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME previews begin on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Opening Night is set for Saturday, March 1, at 8 pm. The play runs Wednesday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, March 23, with performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. Added matinee performances at 2pm on Friday, Feb. 28, and Wednesday, March 19. A talkback session with the director and cast is scheduled for March 7.
BIOS:
HEIDI SCHRECK (Playwright) is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn. Her critically acclaimed, award-winning play What the Constitution Means to Me played an extended, sold-out run on Broadway in 2019, and was nominated for two Tony Awards. It had subsequent sold-out runs at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C as well as at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and will continue its national tour when safe to do so. A filmed version of “What the Constitution Means to Me,” starring Schreck, premiered this past October exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, and was nominated for a Critics Choice Award, a PGA Award, and a DGA Award. What the Constitution Means to Me was named Best of the Year by the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The New Yorker and more; NPR named it one of the “50 Great Pop Culture Moments” of 2019. Schreck’s other plays Grand Concourse, Creature and There Are No More Big Secrets have been produced all over the country and she has worked as a stage actor in NYC for almost 20 years. Her screenwriting credits include “I Love Dick,” “Billions,” “Nurse Jackie” and shows in development with Amazon Studios, Big Beach, Imagine Television and A24. As both an actor and writer she is the recipient of three Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and a Theatre World Award; as well as the Horton Foote Playwriting Award and the Hull-Warriner Award from the Dramatists Guild. She was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2019 and was featured on Variety’s 2019 Broadway Impact List. Schreck was awarded Smithsonian Magazine’s 2019 American Ingenuity Award, for her work in the Performing Arts.
SHANA WRIDE (Director) is a San Diego based actor and director who has been involved in many shows at North Coast Repertory Theatre, most recently as Terri in Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and as the Director of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She has also worked with The Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Diversionary Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, The San Diego Symphony, Intrepid Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Compass Theatre, The Colony Theatre, Open Fist Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, and Sledgehammer Theatre. While living in Los Angeles, she co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, “Women Aloud” with actor/comedienne Mo Gaffney. shanawride.com
JACQUE WILKE* (Heidi) is absolutely thrilled to be returning to North Coast Rep! Regional credits include: Human Error, The Outsider, Moon Over Buffalo, The Father, Unnecessary Farce, Lend Me a Tenor, Don’t Dress for Dinner (North Coast Rep), Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Theatre Silco), Every Brilliant Thing (Happy Dagger Boulder Theatre), Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show (The Old Globe), Yoke/The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse), Pride and Prejudice, Stupid F***ing Bird, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Mistakes Were Made (Cygnet),The Happiest Place on Earth, Ballast, Next Fall, Side Man, Fair Use, The New Century (Diversionary), Honky (San Diego Rep), Blithe Spirit (Moonlight), Ironbound, Or, (Moxie) All My Sons, The Winter's Tale (Intrepid Theatre). Honors: Charles Jehlinger Award, Craig Noel Award. Training: American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The Groundlings Theatre. For Twyla Olive. jacquewilke.com
ANDREW OSWALD* (Legionnaire/Mike) was last seen at North Coast Rep as Count Rosenberg in Amadeus. Local credits: (Cygnet) Charlie in The Whale, Harry in Company; (Diversionary) Ed Perch in The Hour of Great Mercy * best actor award San Diego Critics Circle, A Kind of Weather, Regrets Only, Boys and Girls, The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler; (La Jolla Playhouse WOW festival) The Music Sounds Different to Me Now; (Backyard Renaissance) The Elephant Man, Mr. and Mrs. Fitch. He portrayed Thomas Whaley in the short film “Whaley” as part of LA Screamfest. In New York, he worked with Tribeca Theatre Lab, Second Stage, Nada, and The Westbeth Theatre Center. Regionally, his work with Orlando, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals featured roles like Malvolio, Bottom, Count Orsino, and Captain Von Trapp. He will appear as Vanya this Fall in Cygnet’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
GENEVIEVE TAI (Debater) is a theatre actress with performances in local community theatre and school productions. Her passion for acting began in 2021 and has only blossomed in the last three years. Genevieve has built an impressive reputation for her commitment to her craft appearing in productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Hamlet and Midsummer Night’s Dream. Genevieve is equally enthusiastic about the work she does behind the stage, becoming a Teen Council Member at the La Jolla Playhouse this year. Along with her passion for theatre, Genevieve is an avid animal lover, and has operated her own rescue organization since 2020, being recognized by local broadcast news stations on ABC and CBS San Diego. Genevieve was also recognized as a GoFundMe Kid Hero of the Month, for her fundraising efforts towards animals. In 2024, Genevieve began to volunteer for the Student Visionary team for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
EM DANQUE (Debater) is thrilled to be making her North Coast Rep debut! A San Diego native, Em has been in many productions at Helix Charter High School and Grossmont College–as well as some productions at Coronado Playhouse and Young Actors Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include: Maureen in Rent, Wendy Darling in Lost Girl, Hannah/Ellie u/s in Freaky Friday, Paravicini in Mousetrap, and Woman/Eurydice/Vertumnus in Metamorphoses. She wants to thank her family, friends, and partner for their endless support and love.
EVELYN G. MYERS* (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) The Old Globe: Henry 6: Part 1 and Part 2, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson: Fat Ham, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, and Henry V. La Jolla Playhouse: The Garden, POP Tour (Hoopla!), POP Tour (Pick Me Last), POP Tour x National Disability Theatre (Emily Driver’s Great Race Through Time and Space). North Coast Rep: Sense of Decency, Pippin. Hollywood Fringe Festival: The First and The Last (Encore Award). Young Theatre: Bell, Book, and Candle (Kennedy Center Excellence in Stage Management Award).
The Heart Sellers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Heart Sellers
By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Kat Yen
From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.
NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANTS OFFER HUMOROUS,
TOUCHING PERSPECTIVE OF AMERICA IN
THE HEART SELLERS AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
Written by Lloyd Suh
A San Diego Premiere Directed by Kat Yen
January 8 – February 2, 2025
Solana Beach, Calif. – THE HEART SELLERS is making its San Diego debut at North Coast Rep. Playwright Lloyd Suh creates a captivating portrayal of intelligent, curious and creative women navigating the challenges of a new country. A reflection on the Asian immigrant experience, the play explores complex, emotionally charged themes withing the human condition. Relationships, desires, and the intricacies of the heart are scrutinized with a blend of drama and humor that keeps audiences engaged. With strong character development and sharp dialogue, this appealing play invites compassion and insight into their unique experiences. Reserve your tickets now for this often hilarious, thought-provoking play.
Kat Yen directs Jin Park and Marielle Young* in THE HEART SELLERS. Kailey Agpaoa is the understudy. The Design Team includes Marty Burnett (Scenic Designer), Matthew Novotny (Lighting Designer), Grace Wong (Costume Designer), Daniella Hart Uptownworks (Sound Designer), and Audrey Casteris (Props). Matthew Bantock* is the Stage Manager and Victoria Hua is the Production Assistant.
*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
THE HEART SELLERS previews begin on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Opening Night is set for Saturday, Jan. 11, at 8 pm. The play runs Wednesday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Feb. 2, with performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. Added matinee performances at 2pm on Friday, Jan. 10, and Wednesday, Jan. 29. A talkback session with the director and cast is scheduled for Jan. 17.
BIOS:
LLOYD SUH (Playwright) is the author of The Chinese Lady, Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery, American Hwangap, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!, Jesus in India, and others, produced with Ma-Yi, Magic Theatre, EST, NAATCO, PlayCo, Denver Center, Milwaukee Rep, ArtsEmerson, Children's Theatre Co, and more, including internationally at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and with PCPA in Seoul, Korea. He has received support from the NEA Arena Stage New Play Development program, Mellon Foundation, NYFA, NYSCA, Jerome, TCG, Dramatists Guild, and residencies including NYS&F and Ojai. He is an alum of Youngblood and the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, and was a recipient of a 2016 Helen Merrill Award and the 2019 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts. From 2005-2010 he served as Artistic Director of Second Generation and Co-Director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, and has served since 2011 as the Director of Artistic Programs at The Lark, and since 2015 as a member of the Dramatists Guild Council.
KAT YEN (Director) is a Taiwanese-American theater director, born and raised in NYC. Recent productions include Pipe Dream by Rodgers and Hammerstein at Berkshire Theatre Group, Heart Strings by Lee Cataluna at Atlantic Theater for Kids, and Happy Life by Kathy Ng at Walker Space/ The Hearth. Recent associate directing credits include Redwood written and directed by Tina Landau and conceived with Idina Menzel, The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical by Joe Iconis and directed by Christopher Ashley, and The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs- Jenkins and directed by Eric Ting. Upcoming productions include The Weather Busters of Beachcastle by Christin Eve Cato at La Jolla Playhouse: POP TOUR and All The Men Who’ve Frightened Me by Noah Diaz at La Jolla Playhouse. Kat is the inaugural Directing Fellow at La Jolla Playhouse, a former Resident Director at The Flea Theater, a Van Lier Directing Fellow at Second Stage Theater and the co-founder and former Artistic Director of Spookfish Theatre Company. MFA in Directing: Yale School of Drama. www.katyen.com
JIN PARK (Jane) (she/her) is grateful to make her North Coast Rep debut. Other Regional credits include: Aubergine (Theatreworks Colorado Springs). Chicago credits include: In Quietness (A Red Orchid Theatre), Dory Fantasmagory (Young People’s Theatre of Chicago), Among The Dead (Jackalope Theatre), First Love Is The Revolution, Red Rex (Steep Theatre); Spirits To Enforce (The Passage Theatre); You For Me For You (Sideshow Theatre); Don’t Look Back/Must Look Back (Pivot Arts); and Really Really (Interrobang Theatre). TV/Film credits include: “Chicago PD” (NBC), “Waiting For The Light To Change,” and “Sun King.”
MARIELLE YOUNG* (Luna) (she/her) is a Filipina-American actor from Queens. She has worked at theaters all over the U.S. including Portland Center Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, The Acting Company, Chester Theatre Company, Capital Repertory Theatre, Kitchen Theatre Company, and more. She has developed new work with or been part of world premieres by Lauren Yee, Kate Hamill, Will Arbery, Lauren Gunderson, Nightdrive, Clubbed Thumb, Ensemble Studio Theater, Ars Nova, and more. TV includes “Blue Bloods”
(CBS), “Major Crimes” (TNT), “The Blacklist” (NBC), “The Equalizer” (CBS), and “Bonding” (Netflix). SUNY Purchase and Fiorello H. LaGuardia Performing Arts High School alum. She teaches acting and Shakespeare in NYC. This one’s for mom. marielleyoung.org
MATTHEW BANTOCK* (Stage Manager) North Coast Rep debut! Regional Credits: The Rocky Horror Show, tick, tick... BOOM!, Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812; Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles, Marie and Rosetta, Spamalot, A Little Night Music, A Christmas Carol (Cygnet Theatre); Babbitt, Is It Thursday Yet?, The Outsiders, As You Like It, WOW Festival (2019-2024), Bhangin’ It, Hoopla!, Escape To Margaritaville, #SuperShinySara, Miss You Like Hell, Tiger Style! (La Jolla Playhouse); Knots (The Old Globe); Young Frankenstein, Miracle On 34th Street (‘17, ‘16), Pump Up the Volume (SDMT); An Octoroon (The Wilma); Estuary: an artist/mother story (Kimmel Center). Graduate of the University of the Arts. theaterworkersforaceasefire.com
KAILEY AGPAOA (Understudy — Luna) (she/they) is a multi-hyphenate theatre-maker based out of San Diego! She is a Miranda Family Fellow. Kailey is passionate about telling important stories, being a proud representative of the LGBTQ+ and global majority communities in her work, accessibility and EDIB, collective liberation, and all around, spreading joy and truth through creation. She has done work at various theatres around San Diego (including La Jolla Playhouse, Moxie Theatre, New Village Arts, Blindspot Collective, Bocón Arts, and Coronado Playhouse) and is represented by Shamon Freitas Model and Talent Agency. Her most recent role was Lucy Cratchit u/s in Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again at La Jolla Playhouse. She’d love to send love to her family and friends, and gratitude to Kat and David for having her for this incredible show!
JEE KANG (Understudy — Jane) is thrilled to be a part of The Heart Sellers at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. Her recent credits include Barry, Dave, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Seal Team. Jee is Meisner-trained and fluent in Korean with a background in biology, data analysis, and marketing. When not on set or on stage, Jee enjoys going to the movies with a bucket of popcorn and a soft drink, writing novels and screenplays, cross-stitching, and playing with her three adorable dogs: Merry, Rocket, and Skipper.