SLUT: The Play
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SLUT: The Play
February 15th & 16th
The Judee Wales-Watson Theatre
Directed By Zelda Kosofsky
Written By Katie Cappiello
SYNOPSIS: Inspired by the experiences of NYC teens, SLUT follows the journey of Joey Del Marco, a 16-year-old girl who is sexually assaulted by three life-long friends during a Friday night out. Through Joey’s story and those of young people in her community, witness the impact of rape culture and the importance of being heard. SLUT was developed in collaboration with The Arts Effect All-Girl Theater Company under the direction of Katie Cappiello & Meg McInerney.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Please be advised that this show has the following content warnings:
- In depth descriptions of rape and sexual assault
- Mentions of Suicide
- Ableism
- Fatphobia
- Emetaphobia
- Bullying
STROBE WARNING
This show contains strobe lighting that may affect patrons with epilepsy & other visual light stimulation. Please email BlueJay with any questions.
A note from Zelda kosofsky, director of Slut
It was through rage that I first connected with SLUT: rage that comes with having to live much of life according to my womanhood. From baby girl to young woman, I was taught to crave being chased by boys on the playground, to hold my keys between my knuckles as I walk to the car, and to always take a stand against politicians who wish to rule my body. This mode of daily living has made me tired and angry, and it was through this part of myself that I connected to every character on Katie Cappiello’s pages. The many voices that came together to make SLUT have shown me how to turn rage into a voice. As Maya Angelou said, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.” As much as these girls speak for the brave, powerful people that they are, they also stand in for the many of us who beg for change, who refuse to be made smaller, and do whatever it takes to find justice. I commend all of them—and all of us for listening.
Bluejay is proud to partner with planned parenthood generation action – Boylston
Planned Parenthood Generation Action- Boylston is excited to be partnering with BlueJay Theater Collective for their performance of “Slut.” Our work as a branch of PPGA is to be a resource for anyone and everyone. We strive to constantly create a welcoming environment to all in our community, who want to support or be supported.
Throughout the entire show of Slut, we see the role men have always had in controlling women’s bodies. Now more than ever, women’s autonomy is at risk under the current presidential administration. As this is such a pressing issue, it can at times feel disheartening and even isolating.
Planned Parenthood Generation Action works to inform those affected by the current administration, and to continue to fight for the reproductive and health rights of those who need it most. Planned Parenthood Generation Action is also a place for people to reach out and find resources no matter where they are. Knowledge is empowerment, and being a place for knowledge and guidance is what Planned Parenthood Generation Action is all about.
Your donation to Planned Parenthood helps to support local health services in our own Boston community, as well as education, research and advocacy programs across the country. Thank you for your time, and supporting both this performance of “Slut” from Bluejay Theater Collective and Planned Parenthood Generation Action- Boylston.
Creative Team
Director
Zelda Kosofsky
(she/her) | BFA Musical Theatre ‘27
Emerson Stage Credits: Amour (Whore). Emerson College Credits: Musical Theatre Against the Grain’s Fun Home (Alison), Mercutio Troupe’s Romeo and Juliet (U/S Romeo), and Musical Theatre Society’s Falsettos (U/S Trina, Charlotte, Cordelia). Thank you to all the people who made this beautiful; All things for Mama and Papa.
Writer
Katie Cappiello
Scenic Designer
Rowen Goring
(she/they) | BFA Theatre & Performance ‘26. Emerson College Credits: Bluejay’s Rabbit Hole (Assistant Stage Manager), Musical Theatre Against the Grains Fun Home (Young Alison). Rowen is super excited and grateful to work on this production with this incredible cast and crew! They want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication!! And of course, thank you Beyoncé!
Props Lead
Katie Roy
(she/her) | BFA Theatre Education & Performance ‘27. Emerson Stage Credits New Fest Shortworks: Flight of the Midnight Lobster (Martha); Emerson College Credits: emShakes theatre company’s The Inheritance (Man 3/Eric U/S); Musical Theatre Society’s BARE : A Pop Opera(Costume Designer) . She hopes you enjoy the show 🙂
Costume Designer
Haley Kirchhoff
(she/her) | BFA Musical Theatre ‘27
Emerson Stage credits: Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet Of 1812 (Assistant Music Director). Emerson College Credits: MTS’s Sunday In The Park With George (Celeste 1), Bare: A Pop Opera (ensemble, u/s Nadia), Falsettos (Cordelia). Haley is so grateful to be a part of such an impactful show and to be making her Emerson costume debut! Thank you to Zelda, Henry, Julia and the entire cast/crew of Slut for making this show so beautiful.
Hair & Makeup Designer
Lilyella Ventura
(any pronouns) | BFA Theatre & Performance ‘27
Emerson Stage Credits: LIMBER, A Love Story (Sonja) Emerson College Credits: Rareworks Five Times in One Night(Kacy); Musical Theatre Against The Grain’s A Chorus Line (Dianna Morales), and Fun Home (Joan); Kidding Around’s June July August (Quinn) Thanks: Thank you to my wonderful friends and family for always supporting me, and thank you tessa for cleaning my side of the room when I’ve been too stressed. I love you.
Lighting Designer
Spencer Swetlow
(he/him) | BFA Theatre Design & Technology ‘27
Emerson Stage Credits: Amour (Assistant Lighting Designer), New Fest Short Work (Co-Lighting Designer), The Impracticality Of Modern-Day Mastodons (Assistant Sound Designer), Imogen Says Nothing (Assistant Production Sound Engineer), The Great Comet of 1812 (Assistant Lead Electrician). Emerson College Credits: RareWorks Stains (Lighting Designer); Musical Theatre Society’s Dogfight (Associate Lighting Designer/Production Electrician); The 44th Annual EVVY Awards (Lighting Designer). Other Credits: CLOC’s Iolanthe, Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde (Lighting Programmer). Special thanks to Zelda, the crew, the cast, and everyone who worked on this production!
Projections Designer
Emery Frost
(BFA Theatre Design & Technology ‘27 Emerson Stage credits: I Love XXX (Video Designer), Imogen Says Nothing(Assistant Lighting Designer), Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Assistant Lighting Designer), Bat Boy: The Musical (A2). Emerson College credits: MTAG’s Hair (Drummer), MTS’ EFA Cabaret 2024 (Projections Designer), Rareworks’ Hookman (Sound Designer/Composer). Thank you Emma for being my gloop and Lily for being my glorp and PRow 401 for being fye…
Sound Designer
Ian Sonnabend
(he/him) | BFA Theatre Design & Technology ‘27
Emerson Stage Credits: Limber, a Love Story (Production Sound Engineer), Amour (A2, Asst. Production Sound Engineer), 16 Winters (Asst. Sound Design). Other Credits: The 2025 ERA Awards
(Audio Engineer) Boylston Concert Series (FOH Engineer)
Stage Manager
Julia Baldwin
(she/her) | BA Writing, Literature & Publishing ‘25.
Prior Credits: BlueJay Theater Collective’s Rabbit Hole (Stage Manager), Kidding Around’s June, July, August (Stage Manager) and Alice by Heart (Stage Manager), emShakes’s The Sea Ends at Troy (Co-HMU Designer), Mercutio Troupe’s Romeo and Juliet (Assistant Stage Manager), Musical Theatre Against the Grain’s A Chorus Line (Assistant Stage Manager/Sound Designer) and The Wild Party (1st Assistant Stage Manager). Big thank you to Zelda Kosofsky, Henry Thomas, Rowen Goring, Abby Lee, and Maddie Wright!
Intimacy Coordinator
Nicole Coleman
(she/her) | BFA ’26, Theater Education Emerson Stage Credits: Old Jake’s Skirts (Light Board Operator). Emerson College Credits: RareWorks Theatre Company’s To the End of the World (Stage Manager), Stains (Intimacy/Fight Director), and The Ball Game (Intimacy/Fight Director); BlueWorks’ Escape: Or the Piña Colada Play (Intimacy Director); Musical Theater Society’s Heathers (ASM), Cabaret of Color 2023 (Stage Manager), Cabaret of Color 2024 (Stage Manager), Falsettos (Stage Manager), and Chicago (Stage Manager); Musical Theater Against the Grain’s Hot Dam! (Stage Manager), Fun Home (Intimacy Director), and Hair (Intimacy Director); emShakes Theatre Company’s Lord of the Flies (1st ASM) and Metamorphosis (Interim Stage Manager); BlueJay Theater Collective’s Dog Sees God; Mercutio Troupe’s In the Waiting Room (Stage Manager); Kidding Around’s Almost, Maine (Intimacy/Fight Director), Honk! (Co-Hair and Makeup Designer); The 43rd Annual EVVY Awards (ASM); Jimmy’s Traveling All-Stars’ Troupalooza (Head Stage Manager). Thanks to the cast and crew!
Acting Company
Joey
Natalie Keckler
(she/her) | BFA Theatre and Performance ‘26.
Emerson Stage Credits: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Track 3 & 10 u/s), NFSW PAYPHONE (Woman #3). Emerson College Credits: Rareworks’ Stains (Miriam), BlueJay Theater Collective’s Dog Sees God (Van’s Sister), Emerson Urban Dance Theatre (Dancer), Swomo Comedy Troupe (President). Thank you to my family and friends for all their love and support.
Sylvie/Slut Squad Swing
Rita Cavaco
(she/her) | BFA Musical Theatre ’27.
Emerson College Credits: Rareworks Theatre Company’s The Ball Game (Yolanda). Other credits: World Youth Day 2023 (Dancer/Performer). A special thanks to the entire cast and creative team for making this rehearsal process so rewarding. For my family in Portugal and newfound family here, with love.
Jane
JJ Moore
(they/them) | BFA Acting ‘26.
Emerson Stage Credits: POTUS (u/s Dusty), A Dolls House (Female Swing) Emerson College Credits: Emerson Companies The Revolutionists (Marie Antoinette), EmShakes Metamorphosis (Lodger 2), Musical Theatre Against the Grains Hot Dam (Citizen), Marilyn: the short film (Jamie & Writer). J.J. is thrilled to be a part of the amazing cast and team of Slut. J.J. is the Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of the BlueJay Theater collective. They would like to thank their family and friends for their unwavering support.
Anna
Izzie Claudio
(she/her) | BA Writing, Literature, & Publishing ‘26.
Emerson College Credits: Musical Theatre Against The Grain’s Hair (Ensemble, u/s Jeanie). Other Credits: The Chicago Academy for the Art’s A Chorus Line (Diana); The Chicago Academy for the Art’s Head Over Heels (Mopsa); The Chicago Academy for the Art’s Into the Woods (Little Red). For mom, dad, my beautiful friends, this insanely talented cast and crew, and women who deserve to be seen and heard. Art is necessary for change!
Dominique
Gabi David
(she/her) | BFA Theatre (Direction) ‘26.
Emerson Stage Credits: Red Wolf (Assistant Director) Second Star to the Right (Observing Director)
Emerson College Credits: BlueJay Theater Collective’s Rabbit Hole (Director) and Dog Sees God (Marcy); Kidding Around’s June July August (Dramaturg), Almost, Maine (Gayle/Marci/Dramaturg), and A Wrinkle in Time (Asst. Director); Musical Theatre Against the Grain’s Tanner Maverick’s Book of Sound (Director); Musical Theatre Society’s Heathers (Asst. Director)
Other Credits: Wheelock Family Theatre’s The SpongeBob Musical (Asst. Director); Studio Bleu’s Tick, Tick..BOOM!(Director) and Matilda JR. (Director); DQ Troupe’s The Trail to Oregon (Co-Director) and The Other Room (Co-Director); Infinite Art’s Godspell (Asst. Director) and Sweeney Todd (Asst. Director). A huge thank you to the full team, cast, and all the powerful women in my life. Much love
Julie
Tessa Beshere
(she/her) | BS Public Relations & BFA Theatre ‘26.
Emerson College Credits: Musical Theatre Society’s Chicago (Ensemble, Mama Morton/Mary Sunshine Swing); Musical Theatre Society’s Bare: A Pop Opera (Nadia). Tessa is also an active member of PRSSA and Emerson Dance Company. She wants to thank the
production team and cast, and extends her gratitude to her friends, family, and mentors for all of their support!
Leila
Grace Lenore Rogers
(she/they) | BFA Theatre Education & Performance ‘25.
Emerson Stage Credits: POTUS (Stephanie), Little Women (U/S Beth March), & Old Jake’s Skirts (Storyteller). Emerson College Credits: Mercutio Troupe’s My Dearest Apologies (Director/Playwright), & Romeo & Juliet (Romeo); Emshakes Theatre Company’s Death of a Salesman (Biff/Linda/Happy), & The Moors (Assistant Stage Manager); Musical Theatre Society’s EFA Cabaret (Soloist) & Tavern Song (Saorsie*/Swing) *EVVY award nominee: Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical. Regional Credits: Wheelock Family Theatre’s Go, Dog. Go! (Red Dog) For those who need this story most. @gracelenore
Danielle
Andrea Moreno
(she/her) | BFA Theatre and Performance ‘27. This is Andreas Emerson theatre debut!
Other Emerson College Credits: Emerson Independent Videos Bite Your Tongue
Christina; U/S Julie; U/S Dom
Rory Higgs
BFA Theatre and Performance ‘27.
Emerson Stage Credits: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Pellegrina)
Emerson College Credits: emShakes
Theatre Company’s Metamorphosis (Asst. Director & Movement Coordinator) Musical Theatre Society’s Chicago (Fogarty). Thank you to my family and friends for the endless encouragement and support.
Grace; U/S Jane; U/S Anna
Phoebe Chaplin
(she/her) | BFA Theater and Performance ‘25.
Emerson College Credits:
Mercutio Troupe’s All Night: A Party In the Suburbs (Jane), Mercutio Troupe’s Compensation (Tara), RareWorks’ How Macy Survived Without Her Wisdom Teeth (Macy), Rareworks’ Escape: The Piña Colada Play (Lorelei), Kidding Around’s Almost Maine (Glory, Rhonda), Vice President of Swomo! I love you mom, dad, and Autumn <3
Natalie; U/S Danielle; U/S Leila
Alexandra Azan
(she/her) | BFA Theatre and Performance ’27.
Emerson Stage Credits: NSFW Hear Me Out (Partner B). BlueJay Theater Collective’s Slut: The Play is Alex’s Emerson College debut and she is so excited! Other Credits: MoonAmie Productions’ The Lightning Thief (Ensemble). Thank you to my family and friends who support me in so many ways! To my parents who flew all the way from home to see me!
U/S Joey; U/S Sylvie
Emma Mason
(she/her) | BFA Theater and Performance ‘27.
Emerson Stage Credits: NFSW Period (.) Play (Mikaela), and Don’t Be A Stranger (Maia). Emerson College Credits: Kidding Around’s Tuck Everlasting (Nana Foster/Ensemble); RareWorks Theatre Company’s Hookman (Props/Scenic Lead); emShakes Theatre Company’s Staged Reading of Alice in Wonderland (Red Queen). Emerson Dance Company Spring ‘24 and Spring ‘25. Emerson Treble Maker since Spring 2024. For my family back in Texas and all my friends I made run lines with me 🙂
additional staff
Assistant Director Lucy Moore
Observing Director Zoë Weill
Assistant Scenic Designer Ernest Shao
Assistant Props Lead Amy Colbert
Assistant Lighting Designer Emma Klick
Assistant Stage Manager – Performances Rowen Goring
Assistant Stage Manager Henry Thomas
Video & Media team
Media Director Lew Billings
Media Director Carley Roberts
Special thanks
Alyson Bouchard
Cameron Parker
Callie Herzog
Danielle Wilson
Emerson Channel
Jennifer Nival
Jamie Garber
Kelly Furman
Kyle Smart
Leo Margil
Madalynn Harger
Nate Oaks
Nate Pritzker
Nicole Coleman
Ryan Tse
Savannah Bellon
Student Engagement & Leadership
The Student Theatre Alliance
BlueJay board members
Faculty Advisor Tushar Mathew
Artistic Directors Lulu Royce & JJ Moore
Managing Director Oliver Worner
Production Manager Elizabeth Tippens
Marketing Director Angela Keon
Company Manager Mac Medeiros
Literary Managers Aisha Akorede & Reed Atherton
Treasurer Jake Knapp
Artistic Advisor Savannah Bellon
Associate Managing Director Ethan West
Assistant Managing Director Natalie Dalton
Assistant Production Manager Sasha Salins
Assistant Company Manager Lauren Weidenmann
Associate Treasurer Clementine Vonnegut
Aesthetic Advisor/Staff Photographer Sasha Winett