Lysistrata
By Ellen McLaughlin
Director: Sara Conlon
Lighting Design: Gianna Anthony
Set Design: Carol Jo Fisher
Costume Design: Victoria Carot
Choreography: Phoebe Bowen '25, Fiona Fitzpatrick '26
Stage Manager: Reeve Lounsbury '26
Assistant Stage Managers: Sierra Quigley '27, Zoe Eldredge '27
Director's Notes
This Lysistrata is a love letter to female friendship- the kind that's loud, loyal, and always knows how to get things done. In a world where that feels increasingly heavy and uncertain, we're choosing to take a break from the negative and lean into the positive. Joy is resistance. Laughter is power. And friendship? That's our secret weapon.
When I think about the women in my life, I think of the magic that happens when we come together: we laugh until we cry, solve each other's problems, throw dance parties at 2 AM, share our deepest secrets- and most importantly, we get shit done. That energy is fierce, it's fun, and it's completely unstoppable.
That's the spirit I want to bring to this Lysistrata: bold, joyful, and rooted in the incredible force of women uniting with purpose. We're still telling the story of women coming together to end a war- but we're doing it with laughter, love, and fire.
Because if you want something done, ask a woman. And when we come together- whether it's through laughter, dance, or taking a stand- we can do anything.
It's a party. And you're invited.
--Sara Conlon
About the Director
Sara is grateful for the opportunity to be back at UNH as an alumna. A Northshore-based actor, director, and theatre educator, she holds an MFA in Acting from Pennsylvania State University and a BA in Theatre from the University of New Hampshire. Currently, Sara teaches in the Theatre and Speech Department at Salem State University and Northern Essex Community College.
She is a Company Artist at The New Hampshire Theatre Project, where her credits include Elephant in the Room Series and Mr. Bennet/Charlotte Lucas in Kate Hamill's Pride and Prejudice. Other acting credits include Izzy in Rabbit Hole (Seacoast Rep), Almost, Maine (Salem State Summer Theatre), Diatribes, A One Woman Show (Gorilla Tango, Chicago), Inherit the Whole (Mortar Theatre Company, Chicago), Reaping (The Actor's Studio in Newburyport), Push (Pennsylvania Centre Stage), and Olivia in Twelfth Night (Penn State Pavilion Stage).
As a director, Sara's work includes Roe (Salem State University), The Visit (Salem State University), O, Beautiful (Salem State University), and The Burn (Salem State University).
Sara would like to dedicate this production to the powerful female friendships that have been a constant source of inspiration, strength, and FUN in her life. Their support, wild sense of humor, and resilience have profoundly shaped her work and vision, and this production is a tribute to them. She is especially grateful to Jaclyn Altieri, who inspires her every day with her talent, artistry, and fierce loyalty to what it truly means to be a ride-or-die friend.
Sara would also like to extend her heartfelt thanks to her family and, specifically, her amazing husband, Brian, and two beautiful children, Sam and Olive, for their unwavering love and support.
Cast:
Lysistrata- Noa Hellquist '26
Athenian Chorus Leader #1, Old Woman #1- Alexis Bucci '26
Athenian Chorus Leader #2, Old Woman #2- Sophie Knickerbocker '26
Lampito- Al Nelson '26
Myrrhine- Rylie Schoville '27
Calonice- Polina Datsk0 '27
Dipsas, Old Woman #3- Emma Bouldry '28
Ismenia, Belphragia- Kalin Tomahatsch '28
Magistrate- Chase Johnson '28
Cinesias- Shea Flanagan '25
Geezer #1, Spartan Delegate #1- Erik Hilyard '25
Geezer #2, Spartan Envoy- Charles Knight '27
Geezer #3, Spartan Delegate #2- Michael Paragios '27
Production Staff & Crew
Director of Theatre Design & Technology:
Szu-Feng Chen
Technical Director:
Jason Myron-Wright
Manager of Theatre Operations:
Alexander Velasco-Butler-Farlow
Costume Shop Manager:
Victoria Carot
Marketing:
Olivia Krick
House Manager:
Casey Dow
Master Electrician:
Eli McKenna
Audio Engineer:
Harley Cassady
Wardrobe:
Chloe Ferraro and Caeli Aucoin
Assistant Costume Designer:
Frankie Minich
Stagehands:
Braedon Meattey and Eli McKenna
About the Artist
Acknowledgements
We want to recognize and deeply thank all of those who appreciate the importance of the arts by donating their time and money to the prosperity of our department. This season would not be possible without their generosity and community spirit.
Celebrate 101 Years of Theatre & Dance
Please join the UNH Theatre & Dance Department for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion this spring!
On April 26th, 2025, we are celebrating 101 years of Theatre and 50 years of Dance at UNH. We will be hosting a reception in the PCAC Art Gallery with live music followed by bringing back six decades of performers and performances alongside current students that we promise will delight us all.
We're inviting you to join us; to honor our beloved theatre and dance experiences, our classmates, and professors, and to take a moment to remember those that have left us too soon.
Saturday, April 26th, 2025
at the Paul Creative Arts Center
Reception begins at 5:00 PM
Performance begins at 7:00 PM
Tickets:
Reception & Performance: $50
Performance Only: $25
Performance Live Stream: $10
To reconnect with THDA Alumni and keep up to date with Reunion information, join our Reunion Facebook Group.