ST. LOUIS ACTORS’ STUDIO 2008-2009 SEASON:
POWER AND POLITICS

Mar. 27, 2009 - Apr. 12, 2009
Back of the Throat by Yussef El Guindi
Directed by Associate Artistic Director David Wassilak



Since Sept. 11, 2001, many Arab-American playwrights have gained prominence as they attempt to expose their reality in light of the World Trade Center attacks and the implementation of the Patriot Act. Yussef El Guindi’s play about an Arab-American writer under Homeland Security scrutiny brings to light America’s fears and prejudices, and exemplifies how this collective paranoia allows us to infringe upon our own citizens’ rights—demonstrating that history has a talent for repeating itself.

CAST - Back of the Throat

	Alan David (Khaled) Alan is honored to make his debut at the St. Louis Actors’ Studio with Back of the Throat. Previous stage credits include: Titus Andronicus (Aaron), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), Measure for Measure (Froth), Stop Kiss (George)and The Flu Season (Man). Recent film credits include Up in the Air starring George Clooney; Ragman, based on Walter Wangerin's award-winning short story; and St. Louis Cinema award winners Through a Dark Lens and Advertising for the Mob. He will be portraying Sebastianin Riverside Shakespeare's production of The Tempest in June and participating in the WiseWrite Festivalof one-act plays at the Rep. "Thanks to family and friends for your love and support, to the standout cast and crew, and to Dave for presenting me with this challenging yet rewarding opportunity." alandavid.wordpress.com
	Kevin Beyer (Bartlett) Kevin returns to St. Louis Actors' Studio after having played the title role in last season's The Late Henry Moss. Kevin has been performing locally for 10 years. Most recently, he appeared in Sabina with New Jewish Theatre, Scorched with Orange Girls and King Lear with St. Louis Shakespeare, and has also appeared on stage with HotCity, Stray Dog, Muddy Waters, Rivercity and City Players.
	John Pierson* (Carl) John is pleased to return to STLAS after playing Taxi in last season's The Late Henry Moss. He has recently appeared in Sabina at New Jewish Theatre and in Blood Knot at Upstream.  Other local work includes The Scene and Permanent Collection at HotCity; Hellcab and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune at Spotlight Theatre; Fool for Love at Muddy Waters;  the world premiere of Loving Leah at NJT; I Am A Man, Raisin, and the world premiere of Conversations on a Dirt Road at The Black Rep; Art at Ozark Actors Theatre; The Baby Dance at Hothouse; A Beckoning Torch and The Arthur Ashe Story at Historyonics; and The Water Children at The New Theatre. John studied at Circle In The Square in New York, and he teaches in the English and theatre departments of the John Burroughs School.
	Julie Layton (Shelly/Beth/Jean) After working behind the scenes at St. Louis Actors’ Studio for the past season and a half, Julie makes her debut on the Gaslight stage. Most recently she appeared as Abby in Killing Women at HotCity Theatre. Julie has appeared onstage with many local companies, including St. Louis Shakespeare, Magic Smoking Monkey, Stray Dog, ECHO, Orange Girls, Muddy Waters and (Mostly) Harmless. Some of her favorite credits include Jane in Vieux Carre, Catharine in Suddenly Last Summer, Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Ida in Skin in Flames, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Princess Leia in The One Hour Star Wars Trilogy: LIVE!. Local screen credits include 88MM’s Amphetamine and Crunchy Cool Productions’ Hooch & Daddy-O. Julie received her BA in theatre from Saint Louis University. All my love to Travis.
	Joseph Garner (Asfoor) Joseph is thrilled to be working with St. Louis Actors' Studio on their production of Back of the Throat.  Since graduating from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville with his degree in theatre, he has been seen locally with such companies as New Line Theatre, the Tin Ceiling, and the NonProphet Theatre Company.  Joseph would like to thank David, everyone involved in the production, his family and friends, and everyone else who may or may not have done anything to allow him to be where he is today.

The Riverfront Times – March 31, 2009: “Ahem! It comes from Back of the Throat, but the message is clear”

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – April 2, 2009: “Tense, provocative drama at St. Louis Actors’ Studio”

KDHX – March 2009: Back of the Throat Review

GALLERY - Back of the Throat
Photography by John Lamb