15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but struggles to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a story of resilience and hope when the world feels against us.
This event is open to Berklee students, faculty, and staff with a valid Berklee ID, and invited guests only.
Program Information:
Director's Note
The story of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has held a special place in my heart since I was a teenager. I knew it was the story I wanted to tell the minute it popped into my head. I was scared of what it could be and, at the same time, excited for what it would become. Its potential was overwhelming, and I had many doubts in myself.
That all changed once the show was cast. The heart was already there. The love spilled over. That is all I could ever ask for. I am so honored to have created with these artists—the collaboration and play that went into this show is all thanks to them.
Having seen this show and knowing the history behind it, what I am most grateful for is the space created for autistic and neurodivergent actors to work together. Writing stories where autistic identities are represented, and hearing casting teams defend their choice not to hire autistic actors because “autistic people couldn’t handle the demands of the show”—it’s exhausting. I’m not here to shame, but I cannot tell you the hope I feel within this community as an artist on the spectrum, working with many cast and creative members that are as well. My hope is that with shows like Curious Incident, we amplify conversations on identity-conscious casting and accessible theater—challenging our industry to talk more about why shows like How to Dance in Ohio have to close so soon. It’s time to talk about it.
I have to thank Chris Webb, Angie Jepson, Audrey Kimball, Shawna Kelley, Bridgette Hayes, and Laura Marie Duncan for holding space and supporting student theater. Thank you to my cast and creative team, and thank you all for coming. Most of all, I’m thinking of my family back in Ohio, thanking my dad for taking me to all his rehearsals and performances as a high school drama teacher and director when I was a kid (because I wanted to be just like you)!
—Eli Douglas, director
Cast
CHRISTOPHER – Jackie Randall
SIOBHAN – Charlize Vermaak
ED – Jack Schonfelder
JUDY – Isabella Gianetta
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Ariella Berkman
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Madison Margaret Clark
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Carly Corsitto
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Hakoa Harbottle
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Gabriel Riccardi
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Molli Sramowicz
TROUPE OF ACTORS – Antonia Turilli
Production Credits
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director: Eli Douglas
Assistant Director: Antonio Rosas
Stage Manager: Maisie Doerr
Lighting Designer: Gabe Seplow
Assistant Lighting Design: Dora Shulman
Props Master: Charlie Zuckerman
Movement Captains: Carly Corsitto, Hakoa Harbottle
Fight/Intimacy Coordinator: Angie Jepson
Fight/Intimacy Captain: Madison Margaret Clark
Run Crew: Mia Gonzalez
CONCERT SERVICES STAFF:
Senior Manager of Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Coordinator, Concert Services – Matthew Carey
Concert Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Performance Technology Technicians – Sara Pagiaro, Goran Daskalov
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Chris Webb, Angie Jepson, Audrey Kimball, Shawna Kelley, Bridgette Hayes, Laura Marie Duncan, Sitka, and Helaine for making this all possible.
Special Note
The director would like to acknowledge that Boston Conservatory resides on the ancestral lands of the Pawtucket, Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Wampanoag tribal nations. We honor the communities of these nations whose practices and spiritualities are tied to this land. To learn more about the land you currently live on and occupy, go to Native Land Digital's interactive Native Land map:
https://native-land.ca.
Boston Conservatory thanks audience members for viewing this program information online. This paperless program saved 110 sheets of paper, 12 gallons of water, and 10 pounds of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
