WITCH
By Jen Silverman
The Arapapho Center Theatre
September 12-20
presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
"WITCH" was commissioned by Writers Theatre through the Literary Development Initiative, with the generous support of David and Mary Winton Green, and the World Premiere was presented at Writers Theatre in Clencoe, IL; Michael Halberstam, Artistic Director, Kathryn M. Lipuma, Executive DIrector
Time:
Then-ish
Place:
Across Edmonton--A Pub, Elizabeth's Cottage on the outskirts of town, Sir Arthur's Castle
Cast in order of Appearance:
Brandy McGreer...........................................Elizabeth
Matthew Hook..............................................Cuddy
Ethan Bowen-Armor....................................Scratch
Mike Martinkus.............................................Frank
David Cervera..............................................Sir Arthur
Joan Harrold................................................Winnifred
Design Team:
CoDirector...................................Heather Frost
CoDirector...................................Cody Van Otterloo
Lighting Design............................Laurel Ladzinski
Costume Design.........................Sarah Krom
Sound Design..............................Bob Boxer
Set Design....................................Cody Van Otterloo
Prop Design.................................Heather Frost Melissa Fike
Stage Manager............................Melissa Fike
Stage Hand...................................Heather Frost
Marketing Design........................Cody VanOtterloo Katie McManus Joan Harrold
Digital Media...............................Chris McMurtry
Board Operators........................Cody Van Otterloo
House Manager...........................Melissa Fike
Ushers...........................................Michael O'Shea
Director's Note
Welcome, and thank you for being here tonight. By choosing to spend your evening with us, you’re not only experiencing a story we are deeply passionate about—you’re actively supporting local arts. And that matters. Theatre isn’t just entertainment; it’s a living, breathing part of a community’s heart. It sparks conversation, challenges perspectives, and reminds us that we’re all connected through the stories we share and hear.
"Witch" is one of those rare plays that feels like it could have been written for right now, this exact moment. Its language is sharp, witty, and deeply human—dancing effortlessly between humor and heartbreak. It asks big questions about choice, power, morality, and hope, without presumption. And realization sneaks up and hits you like a bus when you’re in the middle of something else.
I haven’t been this excited about a Script in fifteen years. And trust me—I’ve been annoyingly excited.
The good kind of annoying.
At least I think it is the good kind of annoying—I can’t speak for others.
I owe my deepest thanks to Heather and the entire :11 After Theatre Company—for giving me the chance and space to dive headfirst into this world, and for Heather rekindling a friendship from our college days after fifteen years apart. That kind of reconnection is rare, and I’m grateful for it every day.
To my family and friends—thank you for cheering me on and continued support in the Arts and in life. And to Mitch Brown—who has taken the brunt of my "geek out sessions": running into the office and explaining how one line can be said this/that way and it changes the entire meaning of the show or how this character book ends the other characters point here in scene 2 to which scene 4 has this moment, and so on-- your consistent "uh huh's" kept me going.
Tonight’s performance is the result of countless hours, passionate conversations (a lot that took place in driveways and parking lots from other rehearsals), and shared belief in the power of live theatre. I sincerely hope you feel that energy and that sense of connection as much as we’ve felt creating it.
Thank you for coming. Thank you for supporting. And thank you for believing in what theatre can do.
-Cody Van Otterloo
I found this script only hours after seeing Jen Silverman’s "The Roommate" on Broadway
last December. The secret to this show’s success is simple: I offered the script and a
little coaching. Cody staged, built, fixed, designed, and basically made this production
happen. I also discovered along the way that we direct with almost identical styles—it’s
like having a creative twin, only one with fewer gray hairs and the ability to juggle about
13 jobs at once without crying.
My love of this script has always been Elizabeth’s story, which speaks to the timeless
struggle of women’s voices that are too often overlooked. Cody, however, experienced
the play so deeply that he brought forward the message in every character, illuminating
not just Elizabeth but the full tapestry and complexity of Silverman’s vision.
At the core of Elizabeth’s character is something profoundly human: every person longs
to be seen, heard, and understood.
We live in a society that increasingly encourages
the opposite: to judge quickly, dismiss easily, and reduce one another to labels.
Elizabeth’s struggle exposes a truth that persists today: when voices are silenced, grief
deepens, divisions widen, and our shared humanity is diminished. The antidote, I
believe, is empathy—the choice to listen without judgment, to seek understanding even
when we disagree. In short: “Be curious, not judgmental”—a personal philosophy I have
adopted from the writers of Ted Lasso.
Witch is funny, sharp, and biting—but more than that, it reminds us that empathy and
curiosity matter. And if you’re curious about the real magic behind this show, the answer
is my dear and very talented close friend, Cody Van Otterloo.
Best wishes,
Heather
Special Thanks
Front Range Community College
Security Guard Gabriel at Front Range
Jean and Dave Van Otterloo
Mark Morehead
Rachel Hanson and the entire Arts! Lafayette Team
Madge Montgomery and the Theater Company of Lafayette
Tom Priestley
Mitch Brown
Morrell Printing Solutions
Concord Theatricals LLC
Sinister Bakers
Chris McCarthy
Jeff Mason
Cast and Crew
Brandy McGreer
(Elizabeth) Brandy McGreer is thrilled for her first performance with :11 After Theatre Company While every role is special, some of her previous favorites include: Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn), Leading Ladies (Meg), and The Fox on the Fairway (Pamela). When not feeding her theatrical cravings, she is a devoted veterinarian and is presently opening her own family-operated facility, Johnstown Veterinary Hospital, alongside her incomparable husband, fantastic sons and amazing parents! She is eternally grateful to Cody and Heather for this incredible opportunity and for the love & support of so many wonderful people in her life, on and off of the stage!
Matthew Hook
(Cuddy) Matt is thrilled to make his debut with :11 After Theatre Company. Recent roles include Rehearsal for Murder (Leo), Rumors (Lenny), and A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit) with Broomfield Community Players, as well as Something’s Afoot (Geoffrey) with Longmont Theatre Company, and Sweeney Todd (Ensemble) with The Arts Hub. Enormous thanks to Heather, Cody, his eternally supportive family, his husband Quincy, and of course his witchy black cat Norman.
Ethan Bowen-Armor
(Scratch) Ethan is proud to be making his debut at :11 After Theatre Company! He wants to thank Cody and Heather for giving him this chance. His CSU career includes credits as Brad in The Rocky Horror Show and William Barfée in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Directed by Noah Racey and Simon Stimson in Our Town as directed by Dr. Wesley Longacre. He is very excited to be the devil in Witch.
Mike Martinkus
(Frank) Mike is stoked for :11 After Theatre Company's Witch to go up! He recently closed First Date at CCTL as Aaron. Before that he played the Bank Manager and bass in Once at Town Hall Arts Center. Also recently: Almost, Maine with :11After Theatre, Full Monty (Reg) at Miner’s Alley Playhouse, and in 2023 won a True West Award for Outstanding Performances in Musicals for Matilda (Mr. Wormwood) at Town Hall, Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie Monster) at Miner’s Alley, and Treasure Island (George) at Aurora Fox. Past credits: Spamalot (Sir Bedevere), Wedding Singer (Sammy), Pippin (Pippin), HAIR (Berger). He would like to thank this amazing cast, and Cody for sharing his amazing vision. Mike graduated from UNCo with a BA in Acting
David Cervera
(Sir Arthur) David last appeared with :11 After Theatre Company in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. David has been performing in the Denver area for over 20 years in shows such as Mary Poppins at the Vintage Theater, The 39 Steps at the Coal Creek Theater of Louisville, Miracle on 34th Street at the Spark Theater, and The Odd Couple (Female Version) at the Festival Playhouse. David wishes to thank his family for their love and support.
Joan Harrold
(Winnifred) Joan fell in love with theatre when she was cast as Tinker Bell in her first-grade production of "Peter Pan" and hasn't looked back. She performs widely across the Front Range and was recognized as Best Female Lead in a Musical at the Longmont Theatre Company for her portrayal of Amy in “Motherhood the Musical." Joan's favorite credits include Jeanie in "HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical," Mary Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," and Willow Rosenberg in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling."
Laurel Ladzinski
(Lighting Design) Laurel Ladzinski is proud to be designing lights for her second :11 After Theatre show as the lighting designer for
Witch! She has done lighting design work and theatrical electrician work all over Northern Colorado, spending her summer with Rocky Mountain Theatre Kids and opening Steel Magnolias at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre. She is looking forward to creating more art, and would like to thank her family and boyfriend Patrick for always supporting her in the arts!
Bob Boxer
(Sound Design)Bob is pleased to be working on :11 After Theater’s production of Witch. Bob has worked with a number of theater companies, both here in Colorado and in Chicago on productions including First Date, Becky’s New Car, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Man of LaMancha, The Birds and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat. Bob sends his love to his wife Lori for her continuing support.
Sarah Krom
(Costume Design) Sarah Krom has been sewing costumes for many years. It all started when she was playing Juliet and her costume was hideous. She went to her mom and asked her to teach her how to sew. While not all of the costumes on the stage are her creations they are from her closet. She has enjoyed bringing her skills to help tell this story. Huzzah!
Heather Frost
(Artistic Director/co-Director.) Heather is beyond excited to be directing at the Arapaho Center again! Her favorite directing credits include Who’s Holiday and Spamalot (Vintage Theatre), I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Love Letters, and Almost, Maine (:11 After); Pippin, and HAIR: the American Love Rock Musical (TCL). She also directed In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play which won an award for 2023 Best Comedy by OnstageColorado.com. A huge thank you to Cody for falling in love with this script and taking the reins; my boss, Matt, for introducing me to our devil, and my husband, Jeff, for holding down the fort so I can follow my passion and dream.
Cody Van Otterloo
(Director of Operations/Co-Director) This is Cody's debut as a Director in the Colorado Theatre world. And he couldn't think of a bigger splash to make than with Witch. He recently was the choreographer for First Date with Coal Creek Theatre Company. Favorite acting credits include Steve/Chad Almost, Maine (:11 After) Ensemble in Oklahoma! (Performance Now) Van Helsing Dracula. Cody holds a BA in Theatre from Metro State University of Denver.
Jen SIlverman
(Playwright) Jen Silverman is a playwright, novelist and screenwriter. Plays include: The Roommate (Broadway: The Booth Theatre; Regionally: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, Steppenwolf, South Coast Repertory Theatre, etc.); Highway Patrol (The Goodman); Spain (Second Stage Theater); Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Woolly Mammoth, MCC, Southwark Playhouse London); The Moors (Yale Repertory Theatre, The Playwrights Realm) and Witch (Writer’s Theatre, The Geffen, The Huntington). Books include: the debut novel We Play Ourselves, story collection The Island Dwellers and novel There’s Going to be Trouble from Random House. Silverman also wrote the bestselling narrative podcast The Miranda Obsession for Audible, starring Rachel Brosnahan.
Silverman is a three-time MacDowell Fellow, a member of New Dramatists and a Scholar of Note at the American Library in Paris. They write for TV and film, including Tales of the City (Netflix) and Tokyo Vice (Max). Their OSCAR® qualifying short film Troy screened at 70 festivals internationally, including the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and is featured online in The New Yorker’s Screening Room. Honors include fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim. More info at www.jensilverman.com.
COMING SOON FROM :11 AFTER THEATRE COMPANY
Two exciting shows coming from :11 After Theatre this fall.
*One Night Only*
War of the Worlds, the 1938 Radio Play
Presented with The Longmont Museum, as part of their Thursday Nights @ the Museum Series.
Directed by Chris McMurtry
Who's Holiday,
an Adult Comedy in Twisted Rhyme.
November 29th at 6 and 8 PM and November 30th and December 7 at 7 PM.
At the Louisville Underground.
Directed by Heather Frost.
Longmont Theatre Company invites you to "You Can't Take It With You", the Pulitzer Prize-winning madcap comedy with heart.
Directed by Theressa Collins
Performances: Oct 3-5, 10-12, 17&18
Grandpa Vanderhof and his eccentric Sycamore family live joyfully in New York, ignoring jobs, stress, and taxes. Their lives overflow with odd hobbies—fireworks in the basement, endless plays, snakes, and ballet lessons. Chaos erupts when daughter Alice becomes engaged to Tony Kirby, whose wealthy, uptight parents are shocked by the Sycamores’ carefree world.
On a disastrous dinner night, the Kirbys witness the family’s wild antics—an exiled Russian Grand Duchess, cheeky circulars in candy boxes, basement explosions, and even an FBI arrest. Yet amid the madness, Mr. Kirby discovers the Sycamores’ wisdom: true happiness comes from love, laughter, and living fully.
Theatre Company of Lafayette invites you to the world premier of "Sherlock Holmes and the Greek Chorus"
"Sherlock Holmes and the Greek Chorus"
Written by: CP Stancich, Directed by Munam Goodwyn
Join us for this sharp-witted, laugh-out-loud murder mystery, in which the cast and crew of Lysistrata are preparing for opening night at the illustrious—but suspiciously accident-prone—Regal Theater, ruled with an iron cane by the pompous autocrat Sir Wedmore Giles. But when "accidents" start turning deadly, it's clear something sinister is afoot backstage. Enter a world-famous sleuth, drawn into the chaos to help the frazzled director uncover the truth before the final curtain falls—on someone else.
With a colorful cast of suspects, scandalous motives, and snappy dialogue that blends ancient Greek comedy with modern-day themes like women's rights and power plays, this is one mystery that’s as clever as it is outrageous. Murder, mayhem, and feminism? Now that’s a show worth dying for.
Performances will be from November 7-23. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. Check back for ticket sales!
