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The Cake

A Note From the Director

 

The Cake by playwright Bekah Brunstetter was originally published in 2018, and I am so excited for the opportunity to get to produce it here at Heidelberg. The Cake is a touching and topical dramatic comedy. Brunstetter grew up in a devout Southern Baptist family in North Carolina. She first got the idea for The Cake when she got into an argument with her father, former North Carolina State Senator, Peter S. Brunstetter over the 2012 court case Masterpiece Cakeshop Vs. Colorado in which a baker denied making a cake for a gay couple.

 

A vivacious, conservative North Carolina baker named Della faces a crisis of conscience when Jen, whom she loves like a daughter, asks her to bake a cake for Jen’s lesbian wedding. Della makes cakes, not judgment calls – those she leaves to her husband, Tim. But when the girl she helped raise comes back home to North Carolina to get married, and the fiancé is actually a fiancée, Della’s life gets turned upside down. She can’t really make a cake for such a wedding, can she? For the first time in her life, Della has to think for herself.

 

I am so thankful for all of the love and support the theatre department receives throughout the year. It allows us to create new art constantly and put on student-directed productions, such as this. The opportunity to get to direct my first full-length production here at Heidelberg has been absolutely wonderful! Enjoy the show!

Gavin Buurma

Cast
Della, Taylor Richardson
Jen, Lizzie Bowman
Macy, Zaria Keys
Tim, Garrett Hummel
Voice, Jackson Helmholtz

Crew
Director, Gavin Buurma
Stage Manager, Chantress DeWitt
Assistant Stage Manager, Allison Gonzales
Lighting Designer, Ben Pollizi
Scenic Charge, Bri Clark

Meet the Cast

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Lizzie Bowman is a fourth year student at Heidelberg University, majoring in Musical Theatre. In the past while attending Heidelberg Lizzie has appeared in Pride and Prejudice (Jane), Cabaret (Rosie), She Kills Monsters (Agnes) and Freaky Friday (Gretchen), Elf  (Emily), and Dance Nation (Sofia). Previously she has been a production member in My First Time (Stage Manager), The Addams Family (Assistant Stage Manager), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Wardrobe) and The Penguin Tango (Assistant Props Master), as well as dance captain for Freaky Friday and 9 to 5. Enjoy the show!

Jackson Helmholtz is a freshman musical theatre major from Dexter, Michigan. He has been in multiple productions at Heidelberg University including The Addams Family, My First Time, Pride and Prejudice, and now The Cake! He hopes you enjoy the show!

Garrett Hummel portrays Tim in The Cake. Garrett is a junior theater major. Other Heidelberg performances include The Addams Family, Heathers, Freaky Friday, and Elf. He has also been involved in Black Swamp productions of Clue: The Musical and Psych. Garrett also had roles in the movies: The Legend of Holcomb Road and Amorette Hotel.

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Zaria Keys is a freshman and is currently double majoring in Psychology and Theatre with a concentration in Acting. The Cake is Zaria’s third performance in the Heidelberg Theatre Program. She enjoys all things art, music, and theatre. She is very excited to continue in Heidelberg’s program and plans to pursue a career in theatre. She wants to thank Gavin, Chantress, Taylor, Lizzie, Allison, Garrett, and Jackson for being such great people throughout the making of this performance!

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Taylor Richardson is a Senior Acting and English Writing Major, and Theatre Education Minor from Dayton, OH. The Cake is her 12th onstage production, 4th as hair and makeup designer, and first as costume designer with Heidelberg University. Previously she has been seen as Megan Jones in Puffs, Myrrhine in Lysistrata, and Grandma/Others in Freaky Friday as well as hair and makeup designer for Puffs and Lysistrata, and ASM for Elf and Heathers. She is incredibly thankful for the cast and crew, and the opportunity to share this show!

Meet the Production Team

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Gavin Buurma is a Senior Musical Theatre major, with a minor in Business Administration from Willard, Ohio. He is typically found on-stage, but is very excited for the opportunity to be directing The Cake. It is his first time ever directing a full production and he is so proud of the result. He would like to thank his friends and family, especially his mom, for all of their support. The cast and crew have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic to continue to make art safely, enjoy the show!

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Bri Clark is a Junior Musical Theater major and is on track to get her MBA. She has participated in theatrical shows pretty much her whole life. Bri has been in multiple shows here at Heidelberg including Cabaret, Oedipus, She Kills Monsters, Freaky Friday, Elf, Heathers, 9 to 5, Puffs, The Addams Family, and Pride and Prejudice. She also participates as the scenic charge and graphic designer for the theater department. Bri is excited for her future here at Heidelberg as well as what will follow once she graduates.

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Chantress DeWitt is a sophomore musical theatre major from Cardington, Ohio. During her time here at Heidelberg, she has been involved both on and off stage. She has performed in Elf, Heathers, 9 to 5, and most recently The Addams Family. She helped off stage with Puffs and is ecstatic to now be stage managing The Cake. Chantress would like to thank the cast and crew of this production for being amazing and putting in so much hard work. She would also thank her friends and family for their support!

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Allison Gonzales is a senior studying theatre with a concentration in production and a license in theatre education. She is the props master and assistant stage manager for The Cake. She has stage managed 9-5, Heathers, Puffs, Addams Family, Dog Sees God, and Oedipus. She is also the set designer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also helps with the set building and painting during this show. Allison would like to thank her amazing director, cast and crew for working so hard on this production and also her family for always supporting her. You can find her on any social media with alli_gonzo

Ben Pollizi is a junior musical theatre major here at Heidelberg and is so glad to be back! This semester he is performing in Midsummer as Bottom, in the ensemble of Cinderella, and in The Saga, as well as designing the lights for The Cake and The Saga. He serves as the master electrician for the theater as well. Previously he has played Oliver in Puffs, Beethoven in Dog Sees God, Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice, along with many other roles over his time here. He hopes you enjoy the show!

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