December 5 - 21, 2025
The Madwoman of Chaillot
By Jean Giraudoux (adapted by Maurice Valency)
Directed by: Carol McLeod, Judy Rollings & Susan Back
All original music composed, arranged and performed by Matt Rollings. ©️2025 Matthew C Rollings.
Cast Bios
Polly Chapman (Countess) is pleased to be working again at Theatre Artist Studio. She would like to thank Carol, Judy and Sue for giving her the chance to explore this wonderful character in this timely piece of theatre. Polly holds a Masters of Fine Arts in theater and acting. She has directed and choreographed for young people of all ages both in her own musical theater school (Do Re Mi School of the Arts) and at Scottsdale Community College. Polly has appeared in productions at Hale Centre Theatre, Don Bluth Front Row Theater, Actors Theater, Stray Cat Theater and Stage Left Productions. Polly has received 3 Best Actress Zoni Awards. In addition to directing, choreographing, acting and teaching, Polly spent 35 years as the Fry's Food Store spokesperson. She would like to thank Jeff and her family for their constant and loving encouragement.
Patti Suarez (Constance) is addicted to theatre, to communicating with an audience. The first half of her artistic life included four Broadway shows, a couple of movies (opposite major stars), three operas and touring the world (and playing the White House) with a folk singing group. She spent 15 years anchoring the news at 2 CBS stations and then Fox Angeles, where she won a Golden Mic Award and Emmy nomination. Then life brought her to Arizona, where theatre has joyfully continued for 30 more years, appearing on many valley stages and garnering 9 ariZoni awards. Now Patti’s artistic home is here at The Studio; “Home is where the art is.” She’s proud to be an original member of Theatre Artists Studio, where she serves on the Board of Directors, acts, directs, designs and writes. Thanks to Artistic Director Carol MacLeod’s leadership, The Studio is flourishing as a bastion of artistic excellence. Patti has been in numerous Studio productions! Favorite roles at other valley theatres include: Company, Follies, Doubt, A Parable, 4000 Miles, Calendar Girls, Steel Mags, Two Old Broads, A Little Night Music and may others. Life is very good with husband Peter and Golden Retriever Scooter.
Judy Lebeau (Gabrielle) is proud to be a Founding Member of The Studio and remains forever grateful to Carol MacLeod for her vision and endless dedication to our family of theatre artists. Thank you to our audiences who have shared our stories for the last 21 years. Judy has appeared on The Studio stage in dozens of productions including Trip to Bountiful, Stella and Lou, Marjorie Prime, A Delicate Balance, Doll’s House 2, On Golden Pond, The Heiress, Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, The Price, Eleemosynary, The Road to Mecca and The Last Romance. She has also appeared in productions for The Phoenix Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix, and Arizona Jewish Theatre. Judy’s film and television credits include Disney's Not Quite Human and Match Point, NBC's Unsolved Mysteries and Search for Tomorrow, CBS's Rescue 911, Three Horizons Production Out of Focus, Cannon Films Ninja III, Mel Brooks' The Vagrant and BBC’s The Eagle Falls. She has been cast in several national and local commercials including Curel Body Lotion, Gatorade, Ford, Tide, GoDaddy, Discount Tires, Arizona Lottery and Hurrycane. Judy grew up in a family with a strong commitment to community involvement and has served on the Boards of the National Conference of Community and Justice, Jewish Community Center, City of Phoenix Motion Picture Advisory Task Force and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. As a member of the Phoenix Children’s Cancer Center Board, she successfully chaired a drive to endow Camp Rainbow, the first Arizona summer camp for children with cancer. Thank you Saul and Reva.
Judith Eisenberg (Josephine) is an actor, screenwriter, and producer. She most recently wrote, produced, and acted in the short film 42 Seconds. Her most recent acting role at Theatre Artist studio was as the character of Rose in the production of The Children. She is appreciative of the collaborative herculean “behind the scenes” magic that happens at the studio to bring productions like Mad Woman of Chaillot to the stage!!!!
Steven Mastroieni (Ragpicker) is a founding member of The Theatre Artists Studio. He was recently seen on this stage as Marc in ART and in The Unexpected Man (both by Yasmina Reza). His other notable roles here include Ezra Pound in Pound, Tobias in A Delicate Balance and Dr. Sloper in The Heiress. A seasoned performer with credits in theatre, film, television, and radio, both nationally and internationally, Steven is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, and a retired member of Actors' Equity. He holds a BA in Theatre from ASU and has trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and The Drama Studio London at Berkley. Steven has been called back to his alma mater, ASU, numerous times as a guest artist. He has also performed with Phoenix Little Theatre, Actors Theatre Phoenix, and others, and has served on the boards of Phoenix Little Theatre, Actors Theatre Phoenix and the Phoenix Fringe Festival. Steven would like to thank Carol, Judy, Sue, Marilyn, the generous and talented team of Madwoman and the encouragement and love of his family.
Javier Santiago (Pierre) is a Latin American actor originally from New York. He considers himself a life long student of acting and has been performing his whole life. After serving almost ten years in the military, Javier pursued his passion for helping people by becoming a licensed massage therapist and physical therapist. This drive took him all the way from New York to Arizona to Hawaii. He performed in everything that he could along the way while continuing to study any form of acting. While working as a part-time massage therapist and full-time cafe manager in Hawaii, he transitioned from stage to screen. Now based in Arizona his love for theater is fulfilled as an artistic member of The Theater Artist Studio. When he’s not on stage at TAS, he is working on his career in film and still helps those he can as a massage therapist.
Zhara Negrete (Irma) made her debut on The Studio stage in last season's Clean House. Though new to the stage, she is eager to develop her skills and bring fresh energy to live performances. With a strong commitment to learning, Zhara is excited to embark on her theatrical journey as an aspiring actress.
Bill Mosley (Sewerman) has had a successful career performing on stage, screen and television. He’s performed in several productions, playing many diverse characters here at the The Studio and other valley theater venues. He has a resume of many movie and commercial credits as well as a long tenure in television news. Bill is excited and grateful to be back on stage at Theatre Arts Studio with an outstanding cast & crew and exceptional directors!
Andrew Driggers (1st President) is thrilled to make his debut performance at Theatre Artists Studio in The Madwoman of Chaillot. Though this marks his first stage production since 2019, he has stayed active on camera, appearing in short films and commercials since 2022. Andrew began acting at age 15 and continues to sharpen his craft across both stage and screen. Returning to the theater feels like a homecoming. Outside of acting, he enjoys watching movies and shows, scrolling through TikTok, cooking, playing video games, reading, and traveling. Andrew sends love to his late father, Jonathan; uncle, Marco; and brother-in-law, Cameron. He thanks his wife, mom, sister, nana, tata, Robert, Anthony, Marilee, Don, and cousins Isiah and Ethan for their endless love and support, and Amanda Melby at Verve Studios for recommending him to Theatre Artists Studio. For future collaborations or projects—both on screen and off—connect with Andrew on Instagram @andrewdriggers_.
Scott Sims (1st Prospector) appeared in Arsenic and Old Lace, The Birds, She Loves Me, Blithe Spirit, Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (ariZONI nomination), Dracula (ariZONI award) (Starlight); Sweeney Todd (Limelight); Radium Girls (Stage Left); The Odd Couple, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Desert Foothills); The Mousetrap, The Spider’s Web (ariZONI nomination) (Scottsdale Desert); Our Town, 1776, To Kill A Mockingbird (Zao) among others. He has been music director on The Drowsy Chaperone (ariZONI nomination), Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods (Limelight), and The Hobbit (Starlight). Recently retired after 19 years at Deer Valley High School as Director of Choral and Guitar Activities and Music Director for spring musicals, he is Assistant Director of Music at Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale as pianist and Worship Band leader. Scott is represented by the Leighton Agency.
Roy Major (Baron & 2nd President) has performed at The Studio, including Light Up the Sky, a scene from The Caretaker, Summer Shorts, Holiday Music and Musings and TAS On Tour (shows at senior communities around the Valley). Roy has also appeared in a number of the Valley’s theatres, including iTheatre Collaborative: Molly Sweeney, Bug, Three Men and a Horse; Theater Works: A Shot in the Dark; Southwest Shakespeare Company: Julius Caesar; The Hale Centre Theatre: Never Too Late; Desert Foothills Theatre: And Then There Were None. In Bend, Oregon, Roy has performed at Cascades Theatrical Company: Bad Seed, Twelve Angry Jurors, And Then There Were None, Communicating Doors. He has also acted in several local films. In his former life, Roy lived in Brazil for four years and was a college professor for nearly forty years. He holds a PhD in linguistics from Ohio State and is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State.
Jay Weston Jones (Broker, 1st Press Agent & Set Construction) first studied theatre arts in Southern Maine. He is a playwright and an actor. His play Save the Beer was voted audience favorite for the King of Crows short play festival V. He returned to Arizona just before the Covid shutdown. This is his first stage appearance in Arizona. He has previously been cast as “Doc” in West Side Story; A Knight in Camelot; Singer & Pitchman in The 1964 Radio Hour; The “Super” in The Drowsy Chaparone; Various roles for Kennebunk’s Storm Warnings Repertory Theatre over several years; Jay was the Fly Captain for the Foy system for flying monkees, witches, bike rider and Glinda in Wizard of Oz; 7 ensemble roles in The Producers. He is incredibly thankful to be working with Carol, Susan & Judy along with the wonderful cast and crew for Madwoman of Chaillot.
Dan Pietzmeyer (Sergeant & 3rd Prospector) developed an interest in theatre in his native Cleveland, where he attended productions at Cleveland Playhouse, Cain Park and Karamu and the experimental black boxes that permeated the local universities. After moving to Arizona, he studied acting at Phoenix Theatre (then PLT) and later in the STAGES program at the Herberger Theater Center. His favorite role was Actor Two in Peter Morgan’s Frost/Nixon presented by iTheatre Collaborative at the Herberger Theater Center where he played cameraman #1, debate stage manager, Swifty Lazar and Mike Wallace. He also enjoyed roles in several of Lunchtime Theatre productions including Ruben in Aaron Sorkins's Hidden in This Picture by Untapped Theatre and Monty in James Garcia's Chuy by New Carpa Theater. A longtime member of Theatre Actors Studio he’s happy to be on stage with our talented members and is grateful for the opportunities. He is represented by the Leighton Agency.
David Schramm (Street Singer & 2nd Press Agent) is an engineer by training but a musician at heart. He fronts an Irish band and a Bluegrass band in his spare time. This is his first performance in a play. He would like to thank the cast and production team for this opportunity.
George Cohen (Waiter & 2nd Prospector) is excited to be back at the Studio for his fourth production at our “Gem in the Desert”. He is grateful for the confidence and direction of Carol, Judy and Sue, and feels blessed to share the stage with such wonderfully talented cast members. He especially wants to thank Mandy for her love, patience and encouragement to get back on stage. He hopes all present will join him as a visionary to help Theatre Artist Studio continue to grow for another 20 years. Happy Anniversary TAS.
Simran Nancy Caternolo (3rd Lady & Running Crew) is truly honored and excited to be making her debut on the stage of the Theater Artist Studio, joining such a talented and creative community. She's enjoyed exploring the theatrical arts through improv classes and stage jams and looks forward to contributing to the studio's vibrant energy. Simran's background includes 20 years as an educator, serving as an academic and art teacher in elementary and middle schools. This experience has deepened her appreciation for creative expression and collaboration. As a lifelong learner, she's grateful for this opportunity to grow alongside every one of you. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Courtney Koelbel (Flower Girl, 2nd Lady & Assistant Costumer) is continuing the Koelbel family legacy at the Studio, making her debut in The Madwoman of Chaillot, as well as assisting Celia with costuming. She just moved back to Arizona to pursue her creative passions after 6 years as a Congressional lawyer in DC. Courtney is extremely grateful to her father, Tom, for getting her involved with the Studio, her mother, Lidia, for always encouraging her to follow her dreams, her brother and sister-in-law, Calvin and Megan, for their loving support, and Carol and everyone at the studio for this opportunity.
Curt Hills (Policeman, Juggler, 3rd President & 3rd Press Agent) began acting in Community College and Community Theater in Lansing, Michigan. He has studied acting in Lansing, MI, North Hollywood, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. He got acquainted with Shakespeare as part of the cast of Cymbeline, Troilus & Cressida, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His community theater credits include My Three Angels, The Living Room, and most recently, The Runner Stumbles, Shakespeare in Love, City of Angels, and the Summer Shorts at Theater Artists Studio. He makes his home in Scottsdale Arizona and enjoys hiking and mountain biking. He has a penchant for 1950’s movies and is fascinated by method actors.
Marilyn Linde (1st Lady, Stage Manager & Props) was in the Hot Springs, Ark, Carousel Readers Theatre from 2003 to 2008 and partook in numerous skits for performances where she performed as Pauline (the only straight person) in Frankenstein Slept Here, Mrs. Chumbley (the psychiatrist’s wife) in Harvey, Jake’s therapist in Jakes Women and The Jumper in Playwriting 101. She was more involved behind the scenes as a Prop Manager, Assistant Director and Stage Manager for several plays. Since coming to Phoenix, Marilyn has been a Stage Manager for Theatre Artists Studio and enjoyed the activities and friendships she's made along the way.
Jean Giraudoux
born October 29, 1882, Bellac, France
died January 31, 1944, Paris
Jean Giraudoux (playwright) was a French novelist, essayist and playwright who created an impressionistic form of drama by emphasizing dialogue and style rather than realism. Among Giraudoux’s other important works combining tragedy, humour and fantasy rendered in a style of exceptional virtuosity are La Guerre de Troie n’aura pas lieu [1935; adapted in English by Christopher Fry as Tiger at the Gates in1955] and The Trojan War Will Not Take Place [1983], which argues that wars originate from small details interpreted as good or bad by those who are, supposedly, doing what is best and La Folle de Chaillot [1946; adapted in English by Maurice Valency as The Madwoman of Chaillot in 1947].
In his plays, Giraudoux tries to resolve the conflict between opposites by bringing them into contact. By this means he explores such fundamental dualities as good and evil, life and death, man and woman and finally the meaning of human destiny. He treats these serious themes, however, not through the realistic depiction of psychological conflict but rather through a process of investigation, discussion and reflection that is communicated to the audience through his characters monologues and dialogue. Giraudoux’s language is lyrical, poetic, and rich with metaphors, paradoxes and allusions. The sense of humour so evident in his plays is marked by brilliant wit and a devastating sense of the absurd Giraudoux served in World War I and was awarded the Legion of Honour. From 1939 to 1940 he served as commissioner of information in the French government.
Directors Notes
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be on a directing team, with the inimitable Carol MacLeod, and the brilliant Susan Back. The Madwoman of Chaillot although written many decades ago, is surely a tale of today. You will recognize the story and the characters! This nearly daunting Directorial challenge could not have come to fruition without a cast that is totally dedicated, completely professional, and wonderfully delightful! Our heartfelt thanks goes out to them. I would like to offer up a very special thanks to my son Matt Rollings, who both composed and recorded all of the transitional music (his bio is below). Thank you, dear Matt, for taking so many hours out of your very busy schedule, to collaborate with your mother, and help to make this play 'sing'!!!” − Judy Rollings
“The Madwoman of Chaillot is an amazing play. While written in the 1940’s, it reflects human dilemmas that are relevant today. I will be eternally grateful that I have had the opportunity to work on a directing team for this play with Carol MacLeod and Judy Rollings; two of the best directors ever! I also want to thank this wonderfully talented cast and talented crew; you all brought your experience and worked so hard to create this fascinating holiday production. It has truly been my pleasure to work with you….thank you, thank you thank you!!" − Sue Back
“Thank you to this most fantastic cast, designers and crew. And to my wonderful co-Madwomen directors, Judy and Sue! Because of everyone’s magnificent talents and dedication, we have the opportunity to share with our audiences this timeless, classic fable of Jean Giraudoux and its message of good triumphing over evil. May the holiday spirit of peace and love, kindness and friendship remind us that goodness is not a fantasy and that it is all around us for the giving and receiving when we open our hearts.” − Carol MacLeod
Get a souvenir tote bag to show your support and remember: "Nothing is ever so wrong in this world that a sensible woman can't set it right in the course of an afternoon."
Production Staff Bios
Matt Rollings (Composer & Pianist) is a Grammy®️ winning American producer, composer and pianist who has worked for a wide range of artists including Lyle Lovett, Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow. As a successful session musician in Nashville and LA for more than 30 years, he played on thousands of recordings before becoming a sought after record producer. Matt teaches the online school “The Soul of Country Piano” for ArtistWorks, is a Berklee Online faculty member and a Visiting Scholar in Residence at Berklee College of music in Boston. For those of you who have supported The Studio for the last several years, you may remember him playing on a big beautiful Steinway piano, for the three wonderful musical fundraisers that he created and directed. Matt is a Steinway Artist.
Carol McLeod (Director) Carol is a founder and President of the Theatre Artists Studio Board and has been a theatre professional for over 50 years. She began her career in New York as a stage and television actress but then extended her love of theatre into the areas of producing, directing and teaching as well. Carol was one of the founders of the Actors Theatre of Phoenix and served as its first Artistic and Managing Director. She also served as the Director of the Arizona Theatre Company's Encompass (Outreach) Program and was an original member of the Phoenix Arts Commission. Teaching has always been an important part of Carol's career. She taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and in Phoenix for the Phoenix Center for the Performing Arts, The Arizona Theatre Company, The Actors Theatre and The Herberger Theater Center's "Stages" Program. Prior to her return to Phoenix in 2000, she was a member of the faculty at the University of Notre Dame for seven years both in the Department of Theatre and the Department of English. Locally, she was the Fine Arts Coordinator at Xavier College Preparatory for six years, developing staff and curriculum for their Fine Arts Program. At present she is teaching and producing at The Studio.
Judy Rollings (Director) is a founding member of Actors Theatre of Phoenix and was Artistic Director for over 8 years. Her awards include Best Director of a Drama, AriZONI Lifetime Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theater and the 2020 Actors Equity Association Theatre Service Award. Judy created the STAGES actor training and Lunch Time Theater programs at the Herberger Theater Center. Directing credits include The Outgoing Tide, The Herd, Trying, Inherit the Wind, Rathmines Road, Exit Dust, Agnes of God and many New Summer Shorts.
Susan Back (Director) began her love of acting and directing began in her home state of Michigan, where she appeared in plays such as Our Town, The Music Man and Annie. Susan brought her love of musical theatre with her when she moved to Arizona and has appeared in several productions at Herberger Lunch Time Theater and at The Studio in sudZ, the Musical and Ladies of Tin Pan Alley. She directed Crazy Love in 2013 and several New Summer Shorts. Susan is also a therapist in private practice.
Stacey Walston (Producer, Lighting & Media Designer) a long time Designer and Producer in the Phoenix Valley. In addition to the Director of Production and resident designer for Southwest Shakespeare Company with the most recent productions of Romeo and Juliet, she also serves as Resident Lighting Designer and Technical Director for Theater Artists Studio with the most recent production of Birthday Candles, Clean House, Discord and Later Life; Studio 3 Limelight Performing Arts with the most recent production of Grease; Black Theatre Troupe, with the most recent production of The Trial; Technical Director and Lighting Designer for Desert Dance Theatre Company; Production Manager for Stray Cat Theatre with their production of Little Shop of Horrors; and also serves on the Board of 5th Wall Playhouse. Stacey is very excited to be a part of this wonderful production and thanks everyone involved for their dedication and support to make this show possible.
Dolores D'Amore Goldsmith (Assistant Stage Manager, props) has had the privilege of acting in several plays including: Lie of the Mind (lead, Lorraine), Death Shall Not Displease Us (lead, Mary), Every Exit an Entrance, The Chameleon, Door to Door (lead, Mother), Oedipus Rex (lead, Jocasta), Age of Reason (lead, Catherine De Medici), Over the River and Through the Woods (lead, Aida), The Last Romance (Sister), Love Lost and What I Wore (Lorraine) and She Rises (Debbie the Dyke). She has written, produced and directed 5 one woman shows for Lunchtime Theatre and appeared in several New Summer Shorts at The Studio.
Mark Baris (Set Design, Set Construction & Running Crew) is a Platinum Sustaining Member of The Studio. As a “retired” contractor, he brings the much needed skills design and construct the sets. His work has been seen on The Studio main stage for several years, helping to bring the magic of live theatre to life. As The Studio’s Director of Design & Set Construction, he looks forward to working with the many talented resident artists on future products.
Maia Rose Landau (Set, Projection & Graphic Designer) loves all things creative, which has led her to a diverse career focused on photography and art. She is always ready to take on the next assignment, adventure or challenge. She is very grateful to the opportunities to work with: Ted Morrison Studio (retouching and assisting), DePasquale + Maffini Photography (retouching), Vita Art Center (staff photographer and instructor) and Theatre Artists Studio (set, graphics, projections and wall sensations designer). Please see more work on Instagram @maiarosephoto or @ventura_creative.
Debra Rich Gettleman (Videographer)