The Other Place

A Note From the Director
I have often thought there ought to be more science shown on the stage. Finally, I reached the conclusion that to get it there I would have to start directing! The recent pandemic threw a spotlight on front-line scientific research, reminding us that science is, after all, still an activity performed by fallible humans who passionately want to solve a problem. At its heart, the Scientific Method of problem-solving is just “try, fail, try again, in the hopes that you learned something constructive the first time around.” All the scientific documenting, data-crunching, duplication, and discussions are attempts to make sure that last bit doesn’t fall by the wayside. In science (and in life), we are frequently driven by both desire to know what’s right–and to be certain of our knowledge. Both goals, though noble and important, live just outside our reach; every diligent scientist can relate in minute detail about how many different ways there are to fail. The very human problems, then, are figuring out how not to know, and how to live with uncertainty. It has been my very great privilege to work with a talented, thoughtful, and creative group of theatre artists. I have rarely had a more wonderful experience of not knowing what to do.

Amy Berger

Cast List

Juliana, Chantress Dewitt

Ian, Gavin Buurma

The Woman, Natalie Joritz

The Man, Dermot Healy

Production/Creative Team

Director, Amy Berger

Stage Manager, Riley Ameel

Scenic Designer, Nick Talion

Sound Designer, Chris Sgalla

Lighting Designer, Ben Pollizi

Scenic Charge, Bri Clark

Meet the Cast

Gavin Buurma he/him (Ian) is spending his final year at Heidelberg as a graduate student working towards his MBA. Theatre played a major role in Gavin’s childhood growing up in Willard, Ohio. He performed in a vast amount of productions during his time here including: The Addams Family, Elf, 9 to 5, & Cabaret. He would like to thank Amy Berger for giving him the opportunity to act in his first straight-play here at Heidelberg as well as his friends and family, especially his mom, for all of their support over the last 5 years. The cast and crew have worked incredibly hard on this production all over campus, and Gavin is thrilled for everyone to finally see it!

Chantress DeWitt they/she (Juliana) is thrilled to be making their black box debut in The Other Place! Previously they have been in the following productions: Chicago (Juror #2/ Dance Captain), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snout/ Wall), Cinderella (Ensemble/ Dance Captain), and more! Chantress would like to thank everyone who has supported them throughout the years and who continues to support them.

Dermot Healy he/him (The Man) is excited to be doing his first show in the black box as a part of this production of The Other Place. His other shows include Wendy and Peter Pan (Tom), and Chicago (Ensemble). This is his first year at Heidelberg, and he is looking forward to a great four years here.

Natalie Joritz she/her (The Woman) is absolutely elated to be a part of this wonderful production. She is a junior musical theatre major and business minor from Garfield Heights, Ohio. While this may be Natalie’s first black box show at Heidelberg, she’s no stranger to the main stage: her previous stage credits include Émilie/Adèle (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), Martin the Cabin Boy (Wendy and Peter Pan), and Mama Morton (Chicago). You can catch her next month as Karen the Computer in Spongebob the Musical. Natalie is also a member of the Studio 2 Stage ensemble, the Make-A-Scene improv troupe, Zeta Theta Psi, and Alpha Psi Omega. Love goes out to her friends and family for all their support, the production team for making this show happen, and Dr. Amy Berger for trusting her with such a beautiful story. Enjoy the show!

Meet the Production/Creative Team

Riley Ameel (Stage Manager, Props Master, and Sound Designer) is currently a sophomore and is so excited to be working on this show! Riley is also an actor here at Heidelberg, she recently was Wendy in Heidelberg’s fall production of Wendy and Peter. Riley has been in 8 productions at Gundlach. Some of her other favorite productions at Gundlach were either A Year of Frog and Toad (lady bird) or Chicago (Mona/featured dancer). Riley also plays volleyball here at Heidelberg University and is actively involved at Grace Church. She would like to thank her parents, sister, and all of her friends. She has loved working with this cast and Amy to put on this amazing show! She would like to give a special shout-out to Gavin Burmma because this is his last show at Heidelberg. Riley said, “You have been a great role model and friend! You are so talented and I can’t wait to see all the big things you accomplish in life!” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Dr. Amy Berger (Director) is a faculty member in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences who, upon starting at Heidelberg, discovered a surprisingly acute passion for making theatre. In addition to appearing in Heidelberg productions (Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sister Act, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime), she is also an active member of the Ritz Players in Tiffin (The Man Who Came To Dinner, Fiddler on the Roof, Moon over Buffalo) and the Fort Findlay Playhouse (Murder on the Orient Express, Angel Street, Mousetrap). This is her first experience as a director.

Chris Sgalla is a musician and aspiring audio technician at Heidelberg University studying popular music, with a minor in theatre arts. He has operated the soundboard for Pride and Prejudice, Dance Nation, Puffs, and Elf the Musical. Chris is also in the marching band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, woodwind studio, and the composition studio as well.