July 8 – 27, 2022
WORLD premiere
By L M Feldman
Directed by Larissa Lury^
An epic tale about the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, in which gender-nonconforming 18th-century herb woman Jeanne Baret sets out on an 11-year voyage across lands and seas. A funny, gripping, and inventive theatrical journey, Thrive sparks a cross-centuries conversation with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night about exploration, love, and identity. Performed in rep by the company of Twelfth Night and directed by Larissa Lury. Thrive was nominated for the Lambda Literary Prize for LGBTQ Drama.
Thrive was selected as the 2020 winner of ASC’s Shakespeare’s New Contemporaries project, which seeks to discover, develop, and produce new works that are inspired by or in conversation with each of the plays in Shakespeare’s canon.
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* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
^ The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union
Artistic Team
Charlie Mooz *
Stage Management Fellow
Charlie Mooz is a dedicated Assistant Stage Manager and actor with experience in both classic and contemporary theatre.
Marie Lupia
Cutter/Draper/Wardrobe Assistant
Marie Lupia served at the American Shakespeare Center from 2022–2025.
Alaina Smith
Assistant Technical Director
Alaina Smith is the Props Artisan at the American Shakespeare Center.
Liana Irvine
Dramaturg
THIS SEASON: Dramaturg for Thrive, Or What You Will
Doreen Bechtol
Movement Coach
Doreen Bechtol is a seasoned movement consultant, actor, and educator with extensive experience in theatre, choreography, and original devised works.
Anne G. Morgan
Dramaturg
THIS SEASON: Dramaturg for Thrive, Or What You Will
Benjamin Reed *
Fight Director
Benjamin has been a resident company member with the American Shakespeare Center since 2014.
L M Feldman
Author
L M Feldman is a queer, feminist playwright who writes theatrically adventurous, physically kinetic, ensemble-driven plays…
Larissa Lury ‡
Director
THIS SEASON: Director – Thrive, Or What You Will
Pamela Prior
Costume Designer
THIS SEASON: Costume Designer Twelfth Night and Thrive, Or What You Will
Sam Saint Ours *
Music Director
Sam Saint Ours is a talented actor and music director known for his dynamic performances and musical contributions at the American Shakespeare Center.
Thomas J. Coppola *
Interim Production Manager
Thomas J. Coppola was part of the American Shakespeare Center from 2015 to 2025.
Brendan M. Cullen *
Stage Manager
Brendan Cullen is an experienced stage manager whose expertise ensures seamless productions at ASC and theatres across the country.
Cast
Annie Fang
Jean 4, La Giraudais
THIS SEASON: Sebastian, Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Jean 4, La Giraudais in Thrive, Or What You Will
Eli Lynn
Jean 3, Prince
THIS SEASON: Orsino, Toby in Twelfth Night and Jean 3, Prince in Thrive, Or What You Will
Jasmine Eileen Coles *
Jean/ne 5, Aotourou, Jean/ne-as-Commerson
THIS SEASON: Maria, Antonio, Valentine in Twelfth Night and Jean/ne 5, Aotourou, Jean/ne-as-Commerson in Thrive, Or What You Will
Jihan Haddad *
Jeanne 1
THIS SEASON: Viola in Twelfth Night and Jeanne 1 in Thrive, Or What You Will
Marcel Mascaro *
Commerson, Commerson-as-Jean/ne
THIS SEASON: Olivia, Aguecheek, Curio in Twelfth Night and Commerson, Commerson-as-Jean/ne in Thrive, Or What You Will
Meg Rodgers *
Jeanne 2, Bougainville
THIS SEASON: Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Hamlet in HAMLET, First Citizen in CORIOLANUS
Amy Ippolito
Understudy
THIS SEASON: Acting Fellow – As You Like It; Eurydice
Molly Martinez-Collins
Understudy
Molly Martinez-Collins is an accomplished actor who brings heartfelt performances to ASC and beyond.
Noah Smith
Understudy
THIS SEASON: Understudy in Twelfth Night and Thrive, Or What You Will
Ronan Melomo
Swing
Ronan Melomo is a versatile actor with a rich background in classical theatre, known for dynamic performances at the American Shakespeare Center.
Summer England *
Understudy
Summer England is a gifted actor whose compelling and elegant performances light up the ASC stage and beyond.