Algorithm & Blues: A Dating Sketch Show
Written By George Awad, Katie Jones, Travis Lowe, and Jason A. Phillips
Directed by Jason A. Phillips
Music by Zach Knox
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
At a late summer outdoor dinner party, I found myself talking about dating apps with two single friends. Having not been part of the dating world in a long time I was fascinated by the different apps and how each works. It all seemed sort of painful but when Christine said she needed some canned responses to say no, followed by the phrase “Dear Applicant, thank you for your interest in my vagina” the idea for this show was born.
I rounded up a team of funny folks to start writing (George Awad, Katie Jones, Travis Lowe, and me) and started talking to Zach Knox about the possibility of live music. I was thrilled he was onboard because what conjures up the memory of a date, good or bad, better than song.
The next step was gathering a cast of fearless actors to bring all the silliness to life. I knew at the first read through I was working with a group of amazingly talented, hilarious and fun people. My goal was to create a collaborative environment for each of them to bring their ideas to life while having fun.
For a show centered around dating very few of the sketches are set during actual dates, but rather touch on some of the madness that comes out of dating. Being set up, when parents occasionally like your date more than you, ghosting, dick pics, misleading profiles. I find it all so riveting and painful. My hope is that you will just find the results of this exploration of modern dating painfully funny.
The Algorithm & Blues cast plays a Dating Game
FEATURED SKETCHES (in order of appearance)
Algorithm Blues
Whole Cast
The Senior Games by Katie Jones
Cam Carswell………………………..Ethel
Grace Farley…………………………..Ada
Christine Eide……………………….Harriet
Tippin………………………………………Mabel
Emily Tucker………………………...Pearl
Evan Eckstrom…………………….Albert
Adam Olson………………………….Clarence
Ghosting by Travis Lowe
Evan Eckstrom………………Brody Bronson
Daniel Moore………………….St. Peter
Stephanie Nusbaum,
Adam Olson, Jered Shults,
Emily Tucker…………………..Ghosts
Open Enrollment by Jason A Phillips
Stephanie Nusbaum…Nancy
Adam Olson………………….Ben
Jered Shults………………….Martin
Cam Carswell……………….Shelley
Grace Farley………………….Bella
Mood Killer by Katie Jones
Tippin………………………………Spokesperson
Emily Tucker………………..Sheila
Daniel Moore……………….Stan
Dating in the Middle Ages by George Awad
Christine Eide……………….Abigail
Cam Carswell………………..Margaret
Jered Shults…………………..Cryer
Adam Olson……………………Waiter
Picking Brian by Katie Jones
Grace Farley…………………………Lisa
Cam Carswell………………………Mom
Evan Eckstrom……………………Dad
Adam Olson…………………………Brian
Jered Shults…………………………Steven
The Yenta Tango by Jason A Phillips
Christine Eide………………Magda
Cam Carswell……………….Lois
Emily Tucker………………….Rachel
Grace Farley……………………Sharon
Zach Knox………………………..Gladys
Stephanie Nusbaum……Gert
I Only Have Eye for Me by Jason A Phillips
Tippin…………………………………Jackie
Match.com First Date by George Awad
Daniel Moore……………………Bumper
Christine Eide………………….Melanie Bridges
Adam Olson………………………Aiden
Stephanie Nusbaum……..Christina
Zach Knox…………………………..Gladys
Jered Shults………………………Referee
Grind JR by Jason A Phillips
Emily Tucker……………………...Spokesmom
Adam Olson……………………….Little Stevie
Evan Eckstrom…………………..Tommy
Daniel Moore……………………...Masc Mark
Tippin……………………………………..Kid 1
Stephanie Nusbaum………..Kid 2
Die kunst des schwanzfoto by Jason A Phillips
Emily Tucker………………………...Prof. Johnson
Christine Eide……………………….Delores
Tippin……………………………………….Kat
Daniel Moore………………………...Will
Stephanie Nusbaum………….Lily
Jered Shults…………………………..Joe
Apples and Oranges by Travis Lowe
Grace Farley……………………….Orange
Evan Eckstrom………………….Apple
Tippin…………………………………..Cinnamon
Monogamy Blues by Zach Knox & Jason A Phillips
Whole Cast
ABOUT THE CAST
click or hover over a photo to see bio
Cameron Carswell
Cameron is thrilled to be making her debut with The Magnetic Theatre. Born and raised in NC, she recently moved back to Asheville determined to carve out more space for creative pursuits. Her favorite past shows include Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Macbeth, and Columbinus. As a very late bloomer in the dating world, Cam looks forward to prolonged eye-contact with everyone in the audience to make up for lost time. Much love to her support network, especially her husband Andrew who has never seen her onstage and will undoubtedly giggle nervously during the salacious bits.
Grace Farley
Grace is thrilled to be a part of this incredible cast in her first show at The Magnetic Theatre! She has been doing theater since her debut role as a sassy shepherd in the 2002 production of “Christmas Mass” at Holy Family Church in San José, CA. The part was not initially written as sassy. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting poorly and predicting the plots of Hallmark movies. Thank you for coming out tonight and enjoy the show!
Stephanie Nusbaum
Stephanie Nusbaum is thrilled to be back on the Magnetic Stage! Her favorite shows include Bloodbath (Magnetic Theatre), As You Like It (Shared Radiance Performing Arts), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players), and A Serial Killer's Daughter (Shared Radiance). She would like to thank her fiancé, David, along with her two handsome cats, Hamlet and Sebastien , for all their love and support.
Tippin
Since diving into theatre in 2013, Tippin has worked as an actor, stage manager, technical director, assistant director, producer, props master, office manager, collaborative writer, dramaturg, and sound designer for dozens productions for stage, film, restaurant, hallway, and oversized camera obscura. Tippin has a particular interest in socially progressive, original, experimental, fringe, and immersive theatre, as well as in poetry performance.
Evan Eckstrom
Evan has cut his theatrical teeth in New England. He trained at University of New Hampshire before spending nearly 10 years in the Boston grassroots theater and music world while teaching Improv after school for an elementary school. He is joyful for the chance to perform live here in Asheville and grateful for the constant support of his partner Emily.
Zach Knox
Trained as a child in the sweltering heat of Texas by the sister-in-law of Elvis Presley, Zach's music career has never followed a straight path. He is truly grateful to work in theatre, since that's how he met the love of his life, the inimitable Jamie Knox. You can hear him around town on the keys with Sidecar Honey and Smooth Goose.
Adam Olson
Adam Olson has performed in local Asheville theatre since he was a wee lad, having previously been involved at Montford Park Players, as well as Magnetic's Debut of 'In the Assassin's Garden'. He is a burgeoning storyteller engaged in multiple mediums: theatre, film, and puppetry. One day he'll slough off his depression and become known for these things. One day. In the meanwhile, he's stoked to play out the dating deliriums of some great local writers.
Emily Tucker
Emily Tucker has been working in Asheville’s theatre community for nine years. Asheville theater highlights include Capital Liar (Vanna, The Magnetic Theatre), Private Lives (Louise, Montford Park Players), Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania, Montford Park Players), The Legacy of Amelia Aldean (Georgia, The Magnetic Theater), and Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberly (Jane Bingley, Multiverse Theatre Collective). She is very excited be back at the Magnetic this season and so happy to be back in the theatre after what was way too long (thanks Covid). Enjoy the show!
Christine Eide
A native of WNC, Christine has over 20 years of experience as an actress, director and teacher. She has performed with several local theatres such as Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective, The Magnetic Theatre, Ellipsis Theatre Company, Bright Star Touring Theatre, Asheville Lyric Opera and Opera Carolina. As a director, she has worked with Odyssey Community School, Montford Park Players and Azuay Community Theatre, which she co-founded in Cuenca, Ecuador in 2014. She has also taught several children's theatre classes including Youth Acting at Asheville Community Theatre. She is so excited to be back on stage at Magnetic!
Daniel Moore
Daniel Moore is a Mars Hill based Actor & Director who studied Theatre at Greensboro College. He has been an actor in the WNC community for well over a decade and in most recent years a director. Some of his recent acting credits include; Marvin in Dark of the Moon at Parkway Playhouse, Mendel in Indecent by Paula Vogel (NC Premiere) at The Magnetic Theatre, he was also an actor and director for the dramatic series How to be a Human, or at Least Try at NC Stage. Other directing credits include Blades, Screens Can Only Do So Much, and Airport; all of which were featured in The Magnetic Theatre's 2nd Annual One Act Play Festival. Most recently, Daniel directed The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Parkway Playhouse. He is also set to direct Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood this summer at Parkway Playhouse.
Jered Shults
Jered Shults is excited to be back on the Magnetic Stage. Jered's home theater. Jered has been an actor in the WNC area for 8 years now and has been seen in other theaters Parkway Playhouse, Montford Park Players, and HART. Some of Jered's favorite roles are Ken in Red, Son in Nocturne, Cedric in Robin Hood and Roger in In a Clearing. Jered would like to thank his fellow cast members and crew for their talent and professionalism, his family and friends for their support, and you the audience for coming to see the show.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director…………………………..………………………………………………...Jason A Phillips
Stage Manager………………..……………………………………………..Jess Johnson
Assistant Stage Manager/ Board Operator…………Eli Hamilton
Set Designer………………………..…………………………………………..Laura Lowe
Props……………………………………………………………………………………Laura Lowe
Sound Designer……………………………………………………………..Abby Auman
Lighting Designer…………………………………………………………Abby Auman
Props Designer……………………………………………………………….Laura Lowe
Costume Designer………………………………………………………..Jess Johnson, Jason A. Phillips
Dramaturgy………………….………………………………………………….Katie Jones
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
ABBY AUMAN (Lighting & Sound Designer) - Abby is the Technical Director of The Magnetic Theatre. She also works as a lighting designer in theaters all over WNC.
JESSICA JOHNSON (Stage Manager & Costume Designer) - Jessica has worked in theatre since the early 2000s, primarily as a stage manager, but also as a director, props and scenic designer, and dramaturg. She has worked locally with Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective, Montford Park Players, Parkway Playhouse, and The Magnetic Theatre. In addition to her behind the scenes theatre work, she has a background in nonprofit development. Jessica serves on the board of Montford Park Players, and is the Executive Director of The Magnetic Theatre.
KATIE JONES (Dramaturgy) - Katie is a director, performer, and educator. She has worked with regional theatres in Sarasota, Chicago, and Denver, where she directed community-focused programming. Katie specializes in new play development and is an alumnus of Directors Lab New York and Chicago. She founded Wishbone Theatre Collective in 2009 and continues to perform with them, throughout the country. Katie has a BA from Clemson University and an MFA in from Naropa University. In addition to serving as The Magnetic's Artistic Director, Katie has worked locally with Asheville Creative Arts and the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival.
ELI HAMILTON (Assistant Stage Manager/ Board Operator) - Eli Atwood is a high school student who has been acting their entire life. They have lived in Asheville forever, and have been participating in youth Shakespeare and other theater productions for nearly nine years. Eli has worked with Anam Cara theater company, the Montford Park Players, The Montford Moppets, Magnetic Theater, Mouse House Productions, and backstage at ACT. They also enjoy film production and screen acting. Eli loves making music and writing, and if their theater dreams fall to pieces, they plan on pursuing a musical or film career. They always look forward to seeing and participating in local productions and are thrilled they get to work with Magnetic again.
LAURA LOWE (Set Designer & Props) - Laura has managed set design/dressing for several past productions at The Magnetic Theatre and the Montford Park Players and is currently serving as the resident properties manager and set designer for Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective (DS! PAC). Past production designs include: Oxalis, Eleemosynary, The Education of Ted Harris, Rasheeda Speaking, The Mountaintop, Hamlet (2018), Richard III, Private Lives, and Six Knots. Look for her upcoming work in next month’s Algorithm and Blues at The Magnetic Theatre and DS! PAC’s June production of Monsters of the American Cinema. She would like to thank Travis Lowe and Jean Castle for their love and food. She would also like to thank DS! PAC for assisting their theater community, and the Habitat For Humanity ReStore for the continued support of Asheville performing arts.
JASON A. PHILLIPS (Director & Costume Designer) - Jason A. Phillips is excited to be directing at Magnetic again after the amazing time he had working on something i cared on the Reed Creek Greenway last year. He most recently appeared as Parson Van Houten (and others) in Parkway Playhouse’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Asheville credits include: 16 Years Tried, Special Needs and The Misanthrope. Chicago credits include: Brave Potatoes, The Rescuers and Scenes of Romance.
PHOTOS by CHEYENNE DANCY
GALLERY
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THE MAGNETIC THEATRE STAFF
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…….……JESSICA JOHNSON
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…………..KATIE JONES
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR………….…ABBY AUMAN
BOX OFFICE MANAGER……………TIPPIN
MARKETING MANAGER……………CHEYENNE DANCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE AWAD
ELIZABETH MCCORVEY
JASON PHILLIPS
JOSH SULLIVAN
ELIZABETH ZIEGLER
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
DS! PAC
Habitat For Humanity ReStore
Rachel Menna
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Aaron and Gus Ballard
Thank you to the following donors for helping us get started in 2022! We are so grateful for the support of our community.
Sandy Altman Allen
Alchemy Comedy
Kevin Anderson
Brandi Andrade
Michael Awad
George Awad
Rebekah Babelay
Bert Bach
John Baldwin
Melanie Ballard
Stan Baranowski
Jennifer Bennett
Gregory Berlowitz
Marci Bernstein
CJ Breland
Dan Bridgeman
Madison Brightwell
Linda Brinkley
Alesa Bryant
Jenny Bunn
Jan Caldemeyer
Tommy Calloway
Tish Campbell
Loren Carty
Carmela Caruso
Pete Carver
Jean P. Castle
Jeff Catanese
Tom Chalmers
Jenni Cockrell
Susann Cuperus
Cameron Davis
Lauren Davis
Christopher DeBeer
Marilyn Del Vecchio
Searah Deysach
Anne Dickens
Paul Dixon
Blair M. Dotson Smith
Lydia Dove
Sarah Edison
David and Pam Elder
Susan Ellis
Jason Evans
Abby Felder
Joanna Flynn
Andrew Gall
Kay Galvin
Mandy Gardner
Kirby Gibson
Paula Glaser
Chall Gray
Blaine and Cynthia Greenfield
Jason Gross
Melissa Hahn
Amy Hall
Erinn Hartley
Ginger Haselden
Sara Hassinger
Jenny Hassler
George Heard
Trivia Hefner
Melanie Heying
Alexa Hibbert
Kate Holden
Lara Hollaway
David Hopes
Kathryn Huey
Andrew Huffman
Matilyn Hull
Leslie Humphrey
Joanna Jaouen
Tracey Johnston-Crum
Laurie Jones
Henry Joy
Tabitha Judy
Jim Julien
Joshua Kerber
Brea Kichefski
Anna Kimmell
Trissa King
Abby Kittrell
Jamie Knox
Adam Kraar
Lauren Kriel
David LaMotte
Katie Langwell
Andrew Lanteri
Emily Leonard
Amanda Levesque
Denise Lockett
James Long
Michele Louzon
Richard MacGillivray
Alli Marshall
Jenny Martin
Mike Martinelli
Stephanie Marzuola
Erin McCarson
Sam McCarson
Emily McDaniel
Kenny McKee
Amanda McKenzie
McClain
Rachel Menna
Gian Metzger
Hanne and Glen Miska
Steven Molony
Donald Monsees
Lily Mooney
Honor Moor
Hanni Muerdter
Pam Mundy
Bret Murphy
Jennifer Murphy
Caroline Musselwhite
David Mycoff
Bonni Nechemias
Stephanie Nusbaum
Paula O'Brien
Adam Olson
Gabrielle Orcha
John Orr
Lauren Otis
Cher Peretin
Jason Phillips
Justin Phillips
Kenny Phillips
Melissa Reinke
Jamieson Ridenhour
Nita Ritzke
Lauren Rivas
Randall Robins
Sean David Robinson
John Russell
Elizabeth Russell
Carole Saich
Steven Samuels
Daniel Sandoval
Doug Savitt
Richard Schaffer
Madelyn Sergel
Jered Shults
Kristen Simberg
Joe Sinopoli
Fredilyn Sison
Aaron Snook
Annie Spindler
Daniel Sprague
Amanda Stertz
Stan Stockdale
Brooke Swango
Cheryl Swit
Matt Tavener
Tippin
Nora Tramm
Sue Tucker
Charles Umberger
Kimberly Van Ness
Anne Wainer
Ellen Warner
Roger Watkins
Edie Weichert
Jamie Wiener
Hannah Williams
Cynthia Williams
Jason Williams
Nan Williamson
Marissa Wilson
Matt Wilson
Karen Windham
Kay Wise-Denty
Lauren Wylie
Aaron Ybarra
Jane Yokoyama
Christopher Young
Beth Ziegler
Mary Zogzas