Azuka Theatre presents

The Elephant in the Room

Written & Performed By PRIYANKA SHETTY
Scenic Designer DIRK DUROSSETTE
Lighting Designer HARBOUR EDNEY
Original Costume Designer KATHERINE STEFL
Additional Costume Designer LEIGH PARADISE
Sound Designer NATALI MERRILL
Composer HEATHER MEASE
Production Manager LAUREN TRACY
Production Stage Manager EMMIE PARKER

Directed by SULI HOLUM

Philadelphia Premiere NOVEMBER 1 - 12, 2023

CAST

Priyanka Shetty.………………………Herself

There will be NO intermission.
We may be unable to re-seat patrons who leave the theater during the performance.
Please turn OFF all electronic devices prior to the performance.
We welcome you to take photos before and after the performance, however photography or recording during this production is strictly prohibited. For social media: @AzukaTheatre #TheElephantInTheRoom

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

– We thank the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation for sharing this statement.

The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape are still here! Get to know them and show your support at www.nlltribe.com.

OUR NAME

Azuka Theatre Founder, Raelle Myrick-Hodges named the company after her niece, Jane Azuka, and to honor the strong community in which she was raised. The name Azuka is from the Nigerian word meaning “strength of foundation.”

FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT

The Elephant in the Room holds a special place in my heart - not only is it a true story, it also represents my very first foray into playwriting. It emerged during one of the darkest periods of my life as an international student in America, a time when the only way that I could articulate my inner struggles was through art.

What began as a means of personal expression quickly evolved into a profound journey of self-discovery, taking a deeply personal narrative and transforming it into a universal truth – the challenge of reconciling our identities and nurturing our inner selves amidst the constant noise of the world. The devil truly lies in the details of what we say to ourselves and what we allow others to say to us.

I believe there is a “higher self” inside us that knows better. What if we all embraced our inner metalheads, defying the forces that hold us back, and resoundingly saying ‘yes’ to the strength that resides within us? Let’s confront the elephants in our lives without fear, and boldly acknowledge them.

Priyanka Shetty

CAST

Click on the headshots to read artist bios

CREATIVE TEAM

STAFF & CREDITS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lee Porter - President
Dustin Dove - Vice-President
Rosie McNamara-Jones - Treasurer
Jonathan V. Edmondson
Kimberly Engel
Kate Meredith Esposito
Larry D. Fowler, Jr.
Steven Wright

We’re looking to grow our Board! Want to know more?

AZUKA THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS

Managing Director - Mercedes Ruiz
Artistic Director - New Play Production - Rebecca May Flowers
Artistic Director- New Play Development - Reva Stover
Community Engagement Director - Ryir Norris
Marketing & Patron Services Director - Mark H. Andrews
Resident Dramaturg - Autumn Blalock
Marketing Assistant - Cheyenne Parks
Development Intern - Eric W. Welch
PR Representation - Kory Aversa / Aversa PR & Events, LLC

FRONT OF HOUSE

House Manager - Lucas McLean
Box Office Staff - Victoria Crenshaw, Asher Lentz, Jessica Merkins, Brittany Onukwugha, Talia Speak, Abby Toll

PRODUCTION CREW & CREDITS

Original Direction & Dramaturgy - Theresa M. Davis
Oracle Cards - Whispers of Lord Ganesha by Angela Hartfield
Technical Director - Joe Daniels
Assistant Production Manager - Jackie Tracy-Cowles
Master Electrician - Andrew Cowles
Audio Engineer - John Kolbinski
Carpenters - Dylan Bickhart, AJ Garrigus, Noah Mannix, Peter Nicholls, Zoe Seida
Scenic Charge - Annemarie Branco
Electricians - Noah Mannix, Nick Wacksman
Promotional Photographer - Teresa Castracane
Production Photographer - Johanna Austin
Graphic Design - Mark H. Andrews, Derek Carnegie, Manek D’Silva
Printing - Quaker Printing, ARC Document Solutions

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and kindly notify us by contacting Mercedes Ruiz at 215.563.1100

Thanks to the following funders for their generous organizational and programmatic support:
∞ RAD, Recurring Azuka Donor

FOUNDATION SUPPORT

National Endowment for the Arts • William Penn Foundation • Independence Foundation • MKM Foundation • Philadelphia Cultural Fund • PA Council on the Arts • The Shubert Foundation • Lida Foundation • Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation • Lindback Foundation • CHG Foundation • Charlotte Cushman Foundation • PECO Charitable Giving Program • Virginia Brown Martin Fund

CORPORATE SUPPORT

Harmelin Media • National Philanthropic Trust • MAC Capital Partners, Inc. • Two Roads Brewing • Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar • Masala Kitchen

PRODUCERS CIRCLE

NEW PLAY PRODUCTION HONORARY PRODUCER ($5,000+)
Dr. Joel & Mrs. Roberta Porter

ARTISTIC PRODUCER ($1,000 - $2,499)
John & Fern Culhane • David Fedor • Karen & David Jones • Cyana La Divertida • Paulette Singleton • Robin & Patrick Tracy • Jean Weaver

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS ($500 - $999)
Robert & Mary Anne Andrews • ∞Kimberly Engel • Drs. Ken & Julie Kendall • Lyndsey & Kevin McCormick • Rosie McNamara-Jones • Stephen & Janet Mullin • Marta Nolan-Alley • Lee Porter • Commodore & Missus Tettemer • ∞David J. Wierz

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

IDEALIST ($100 - $499)
∞Patreshettarlini Adams • Marilyn & John Anthony • Johanna Austin • Christopher Baughman • Nancy Boykin & Dan Kern • Rebecca Bradbeer • Sean Bradshaw & Eric Gartenberg • David Bushnell • Peilin Chen • Phyllis Cohen • ∞Danielle Dilks • ∞Edward Dilks • ∞Rebekah Doyle • Jonathan V. Edmondson • ∞Kate Esposito • ∞Heather E. Evans • ∞Rebecca May Flowers • ∞Ellen Foley • Larry Fowler • Dan Gannon • Elizabeth H. Gemmill • Greg Gephart • Marie Gottschalk • ∞Laura R. Hamilton • Bob & Esther Hornik • Caren & Stuart Hosansky • Nick Ifft & Tom Mendicino • David Ingram & Melanye Finister • Anne & Craig Jorgensen • ∞Kissy Lazo & Andrew Guyon • Bernard Mason • Daniel & Janelle McGovern • ∞Lisa & Chris McLean • ∞Andrea Nardello • Michael Norris & Matt Varrato • ∞Charlotte Northeast • Dan & Stacey Ramsey • Joe Rosato • Carol Rothery • ∞Heather Smalley • Noreen & Eric Tarr • Patricia Toy • Hannah Vaughn • ∞John Walber & Julie Slavet • Noris Weiss Malvey • Brian & Alan • Philly Home Girls • Thomas Woodward • Shannon Zura & Meghan Brodie • Anonymous (4)

REALIST (up to $99)
∞Mark H. Andrews & Derek Carnegie • Robert & Stephanie Andrews • Harry Bambrick • Susan Barth • Matthew Birringer • Alan & Sherry Blumenthal • Linnea Bond • ∞Ivy Brock • Gail Byrne • ∞Rob & MB Dalonzo • Michael Dees • Stephanie Dockery • Courtney Esposito • Elizabeth Esposito • Leesha Fagan • Tony & Sue Faillace • Christina Fels • Julie Fialko • ∞Robin Fieler • Becky Fleckner & Jed Krivisky • William Georgov • ∞Austin Ginsberg • Grace E. Grillet • Paul & Terry Guerin • Jandayi Harmon • Patricia Haynam • Mira Jackson • Sanda & Hugh Janney • ∞Lisa Johnson • Rhonda Kinard • Sharon Kling • Douglas Williams • ∞Dave Levinsky • Margaret Lonzetta • Barry & Debby Lurie • KC MacMillan • Stephen Mandato • Tim Martin • Christopher McCarrick • Bernadette McCottry • Lucas McLean • Shawna McMenamin • Brian Moore • Stacy Moore • Teresa Peterson • Stephen Platt & Robin Schaufler • Kirsten Quinn • ∞Kathleen R. • ∞Mercedes Ruiz • ∞Brittany Schmitke • Stephanie Shepard • Nina Soloner • Deborah Volkmer • CB Waters • Stephanie Waters • Carl Young • Sheila Young • Anonymous (12)