We’re thrilled to invite you to our last production of the season, Baby I’ll Turn the Sky Green for You a compelling two-part play written by Taylor Sklen, directed by Rae Peter. This gripping story explores family, secrets, and the lasting impact of our choices through the eyes of two generations.
Part One: In a ravaged 2051, a nurse tries desperately to keep her father on life support, despite her nihilistic sister’s desire to pull the plug. As the sisters quarrel, questions of their father’s past emerge, pushing their relationship to its breaking point.
Part Two: In 2019, the cast has transformed to play the older generation, and the decisions and secrets of the past come to life. An intriguing look at the responsibility that we have to other generations and the personal costs of action and inaction.
Cast And Crew
Taylor Sklenar is a playwright and science communication Lecturer at Iowa State University. He spent two years pursuing his MA in Theatre in Columbia, Missouri, where he served as the managing director of the Missouri Playwrights’ Workshop and the Mizzou New Play Series. More recently, he has earned his MFA in Creative Writing and Environment and MS in Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, where he served as poetry and drama editor for Flyway Journal of Writing and Environment, a core member of The EcoTheatre Lab, and the founder of Ames-based theatre collective, Focal Theatre Lab, which explores new and experimental work by local playwrights. His writing explores the intersection of science, sustainability, and rural life. taylorsklenar.com / ecotheatrelab.com
Rae (director) has been doing work with TdM for the last few years as an actor and recent board member. They recently directed 500/501 in the playwriting competition, and are excited to be directing Taylor Sklenar’s writing once more. As the newest member of the board, they are excited to continue working with TdM in a variety of capacities. Outside of theater, they are a working artist and run a pet-sitting business. They spend their free time crocheting and hanging out with their two cats, Kirk and Spock.
Evelyn had worked in a couple of Theater du Mississippi plays including: Sometimes There’s Wine and Lilith and Eve, from the one act festival. Outside of that she was in a production of Little Women (where she also played Beth). She’s really enjoyed playing a double role, and trying to make them seem like different people. She also enjoys playing passive aggressive in one of the scenes, as she doesn’t normally get to play that type of role. Outside of theater, Evelyn is an elementary school reading tutor and is also going to school at WSU for psychology.
Baby I’ll turn the Sky Green for You marks Eleanor’s first production with TdM. She enjoys working with her fellow actors and the production team to create an amazing show. Eleanor will be an incoming sophomore at the University of Minnesota: Twin Cites this fall, where she will be studying theatre.
Aidan is playing the role of Alton in “Baby I’ll Turn the Sky Green For You.” This will be his second performance with Theatre Du Mississippi. Aidan has two years of college under his belt at WSU, but plans on attending Southeast Tec in the fall. He enjoys getting involved with the Theatre and working with new people. Aidan likes to draw and write music in his free time as well.
Greetings and Welcome to Baby, I’ll Turn The Sky Green For You! My civilian name is Jonathan Roberts (he/him) and I will be playing Garret. Off stage I enjoy watching Korean dramas with my wonderful wife, working to support folks with cognitive and developmental disabilities, and going on adventures with our dog, Bilbo Waggins, in the swamps and backwaters of the Mississippi River collecting “treasure” like turtle shells and antique bottles we find in the muck. I had played the role of a terrible, infidelic, and manipulative husband in TdM’s 2023 production of Angel Street and am excited to be reprising my role as a terrible, infidelic, and manipulative husband in TdM’s 2024 production of Baby, I’ll Turn The Sky Green For You. There are multiple layers, recurring themes, and Easter Egg-type parallels for you to find. I hope you enjoy the production and continue to support community theater. As Garret says, “It’s like that thing in you that is why we’re alive..”
This is my first time Stage Managing but I have been involved in Theatre du Mississippi’s One Act Festival, Sometimes There’s Wine, and Angel Street. I spend any free time working on my small businesses and crafting.
Kara is a multi-talented theatre maker with expertise in Production Management, Lighting and Sound Design, and Intimacy Choreography. They have been involved with Theatre du Mississippi (TdM) since 2012 and currently serve as its President. Kara’s commitment to community engagement and is an active participation with the Advocacy Center of Winona, the Frozen River Film Festival, and other local organizations. They thrive in collaborative production environments, where they often contribute as Lighting and Sound Design, Production Management, and Intimacy Choreography. In addition to their work with TdM, Kara is also dedicated to education and is currently teaching at the University of Idaho.
Molly Miller (they/them) found a home in the theatre in high school, where they spent two years in an educational theatre troupe at the Rochester Civic Theatre in Rochester, MN. Immediately following, Molly established their own theatre company, which produced plays throughout the Midwest. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in Medieval and Theatre History with an emphasis on masked performance from Augsburg University, where their research in Commedia dell’Arte received an URGO award. Following graduation, Molly spent seven years in NYC, where they acted, wrote, costumed, and managed stage for a variety of theatrical productions, including the internationally acclaimed immersive show Sleep No More. In 2019, Molly moved back to Minnesota to study Performing Arts Leadership and Management in hopes to further expand their theatre company, Shards, and establish it as a nonprofit. Molly made their Theatre Du Mississippi debut as stage manager for Angel Street and is thrilled to be part of another fantastic TDM show!
Thank you to everyone who has helped us through this production! We rely on so many people to help make this show possible!
Performances:
Friday, May 10th and 17th at 7pm Saturday, May 11th and 18th at 7pm Sunday, May 12th and 19th at 2 pm
Doors open 30 minutes before show Location: Valencia Art Center 1164 W Howard St Winona, MN 55987 This program is not a production of Cotter Schools
Tickets: Pre-Sale: $15 Chapter 2 Books & No Name Bar (cash/check) Eventbrite (fees apply) $20 @ the door
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
If you have questions text or leave a voicemail at (507) – 218 – 7767 and someone will get back to you!
