Pictured - (L-R) Darius Forman and Denzel Dickens (front) Randi Seepersad (back). PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Simmons-Barth.

Directed by Zach Hartley

Scenic and Lighting Design by G. Maurice “Moe” Conn

Costuming by James J. Fasching

Sound Design by Aris Hines

Stage Management by Sara Rainess

Director’s Note

The story of Rashōmon is the namesake of the more contemporary concept, coined by scholar Valerie Alia, the Rashomon Effect. This is a pretty simple idea: That different witnesses may have contradictory interpretations of the same event.   Rashōmon, along with many other stories, including classics like Citizen Kane, the “A Matter of Perspective” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and even Fonzie getting shot in Happy Days use this concept, all with a focus on the perception of recollection and the nature of truth. How well do we really remember what happened, and how can we remember clearly when we are the heroes of our own stories?
Today, however, we see a similar effect that does not quite follow this structure. With advances in communication through the internet and its accessibility from the palms of our hands, we can all be eye-witnesses. Our responses become less about our ability to accurately recollect and more about our preconceived notions regarding a situation that we can witness, but not understand. We cease to be witnesses, and become judges. We begin to fail as journalists and become storytellers.

The storytellers in Rashōmon do an excellent job. They do their best to withhold judgment, to tell the story as accurately as possible, and to work towards “truth” rather than justice. When they stray from that path, another is there to help them back on. However, we never get to hear what the judge decides. Judgment is withheld, but we, as secondary witnesses, are unable to withhold our own judgment. We are the audience – we reserve the right to witness, to judge, to seek the truth. When we leave, though, we will return to our storytelling. We will be able to say how obvious it was who the guilty party is. We will say that what this person says is true, and what this other person says is false.

We will say that we were there, and we know how it happened. We will look back at this and admire the hard work we saw on stage, the commitment of the actors and crew, and admire that we, for a short time, searched with our hearts and minds for the nature of truth.

Or at least, that’s how I will remember it.

Zach Hartley, Director

The Company

Priest | Tirrell Bethel
Woodcutter | Robert Mendelson
Wigmaker | Aris Hines
Deputy | Mike Smith
Tajomaru | Denzel Dickens
Husband | Darius Foreman
Wife | Randi Seepersad
Mother | Donita McCullough
Medium | Ayana Towe

Setting
The Rashomon Gate situated between Osaka and Kyoto.

Time
Feudal Japan

Company Bios

TIRRELL BETHEL (The Priest) returns to CCBC Catonsville for Spring 2016. This is his first appearance on the CCBC stage, and he is very excited to be a part of this. He is in his second year, double majoring in both Theatre and Nursing. Tirrell has also appeared in The Mousetrap at Randallstown High School. He plans to transfer to either St. Mary’s College or McDaniel College after getting an Associates Degree in Nursing.
ROBERT MENDELSOHN (The Woodcutter) is a new actor, new to the CCBC theatre program, and a brand new theatre major. Robert aspires to become a professional voice actor. Rashomon represents his stage debut, and he is looking forward to having more opportunities in the future.
MIKE SMITH (Deputy) is making his acting debut in Rashomon. He enrolled in CCBC in the Fall of 2014, and took his first acting class in the spring of 2015—that’s when he fell in love with theatre. He enjoys developing screen plays and directing short films and watching movies by the great Tarantino. He plans on transferring to West Virginia Wesleyan in the fall to major in Media Studies.
DENZEL DICKENS (Tajomaru) is making his stage debut at CCBC. He is a first-year theatre major, and previously helped build the set for Intimate Apparel at CCBC Catonsville in Fall 2015.
DARIUS FOREMAN (Husband) returns to the CCBC stage after appearing as Merrick in The Elephant Man at CCBC Essex in Fall 2015. In his first year at CCBC, this is his second production. Darius plans on finishing the theatre program at CCBC and transferring to a four-year university.
DONITA McCULLOUGH (Mother) is making her CCBC stage debut. She is a third-year theatre major. Previous performances include Beauty and the Beast, A Raisin in the Sun,  and the original play Forgiven. Donita plans to graduate in the Fall of 2016, and she  cannot be more excited.
RANDI SEEPERSAD (Wife) has been a part of CCBC’s theatre for almost 2 years. She has been acting for seven years, mostly in Shakespearian productions. Randi is intrigued to explore the human psyche and the elements of what makes a person’s memory fact or fiction within this play. Randi would like to thank the Rashomon cast, crew, and director Zach Hartley for the experiences she has had during this production.
ARIS HINES (The Wigmaker) returns to CCBC’s Academic Theatre stage this semester. A third-year theatre major, Aris has acted in four CCBC productions, this includes Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, Intersections, A Raisin in the Sun, and All in the Timing. He has also appeared in the Shakespeare Theatre Festival and the American Theatre Festival at Franklin High School. This is Aris’ final production as an actor at CCBC and he couldn’t be more hopeful for what the future holds. He would like to thank all of his theatre professors, new and old, for not only being excellent educators but for also being there whenever he need that extra push. He would also like to thank all of his friends at CCBC, but most notably his 3 amigos—SJ, Donita, and Tierra: “You three continually help me to see that I have something to offer this world and that one day I can truly make a difference. Thank you.” Aris will be transferring to Towson University.
AYANA TOWE (Medium) a first-year Theatre major, appears in her first CCBC Catonsville play. Ayana has also appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing at Randallstown High School. Outside of school, Ayana has performed Good Girls Never Tell at Welcome to the Dawn Productions. Ayana plans on furthering her career as an actress wherever life takes her.

Production Staff

Director | Zachary Hartley
Scenic & Lighting Designer | G. Maurice “Moe” Conn
Technical Director | G. Maurice “Moe” Conn
Light Board Operator | Jennifer Bearman
Lighting Crew | Hayden Muller, Donita McCullough
Sound Designer | Aris Hines
Sound Board Operator | Janatia Tribble
Costume Designer | James J. Fasching
Stage Manager | Sara Rainess
Deck Chief | Hayden Muller
Stage Crew | Ty’res Lee, Katy Wiley
Set Construction | Hayden Muller, Donita McCullough, Ty’res Lee,
Lisa Jones-Franklin, Jesse Barna, Jennifer Bearman,
Janatia Tribble, Katy Wiley, Sara Rainess
Costume Shop Student Assistant | Randi Seepersad
Production Photographer | Katie Simmons-Barth
Box Office Staff | Thom Purdy
Communications Assistant | James Lefter
Production Coordinator | Julie Lewis

Special Thanks

Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis • President, CCBC
Dr. Mark McColloch • Vice President of Instruction
Dr. Rich Lilley • Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services
Dr. William Watson • Dean of Liberal Arts
Professor Patti Crossman • Chair, Performing Arts & Humanities
Jacqueline Lucy • Media Relations Coordinator
Jackie McTear • Graphic Designer.