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Program:

• ����ԭ�� the Play
• Director's Note
• Cast (listed in order of appearance)
• Production Staff
• Run Crew
• Cast Bios
• Creative Team Bios

Special thanks to Elijah Kennedy-Gibbens, Carol L. Sinclair and the National Museum of the United States Air Force, JSheldon Photography and the National WASP WWII Museum for their assistance. 

Voiceover Artists: James Dunlop, Jacob Sawtelle, Jennifer Joplin 

����ԭ�� the Play

From the winner of the 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival comes this story about friendship and the complex, though essential, role of women in wartime. Virginia Hascall has left her home and fiancé to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot, doing her part to help defeat the Axis powers in World War II. Through triumph and tragedy, Virginia and her sisters in flight suits learn as much about themselves as they do about airplanes. As the war rages over there, the women form a sisterhood that cannot be broken, and Virginia must make a decision that will change her life forever. With a cast of nine vibrant female characters, “Decision Height” offers a look into an underrecognized subset of American heroes. (Concord Theatricals) 

Director: Jen Joplin
Set Designer: Cassie Dranschak
Lighting Designer: Raya Smith
Costume Designer: Gillian Jenkins

Please silence all cell phones, pagers and any other electronic devices. Texting during productions will result in removal from the theater.

The use of any recording device (photo, sound or video) by audience members is not permitted.

Director's Note

"Women are seeking freedom. Freedom in the skies! Flying is a symbol of freedom from limitation."— Margery Brown 

Thirty years ago, I sat in these classrooms and walked these halls as a student in ����ԭ��’s professional acting program. Returning to the Herbst Theatre to direct “Decision Height” feels less like a job and more like coming home — a chance to shepherd a flight that is deeply personal to me. 

“Decision Height” asks a central question of its WASP pilots: Why do you fly? In working with this exceptional ensemble of young actors, that question has echoed through every rehearsal, reshaping itself for a new generation: Why do you act? When these historical women asked, "How can I help the war effort?" our actors are asking how they can protect and honor the things they love. When the WASP asked, "How can I prove I'm just as good as anyone else?" our actors are asking how to break through equity barriers and deep-seated prejudices to fully realize their calling in this one big, beautiful life. 

The young women on this stage are grappling with the exact same fire that drove the Women Airforce Service Pilots into the clouds in the 1940s. They are searching for their own freedom from limitation, demanding their place in the sky, and discovering that no one takes flight alone. 

It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to watch these actors find their wings. Thank you for sitting in the dark with us tonight, for honoring the legacy of the WASP and for supporting the fierce, brilliant future of these young artists. 

This is why WE fly! 

Jen Joplin ’95 
Director and ����ԭ�� Acting Alumna  

Cast (listed in order of appearance)

Character Name &�Բ�����;

Principal Actor &�Բ�����;

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Mrs. Deaton 

Brianna Dumaine 

Emmaline Slauenwhite 

Virginia Hascall 

Elly Sims 

Brooke Bushong &�Բ�����;

Edith “Eddie” Harknell 

Elizabeth Harvey 

Isabella Stringham 

Norma Jean Harris 

Morgan Jackson 

Emmaline Slauenwhite  

Rosalie Hartson 

Carley Payton 

Lindsey Fetter 

Alice Hawkins 

Olive Cooper 

Isabella Stringham  

Carol Henderson 

Sloane Harris 

Lindsey Fetter 

Mildred Simmons 

Emily Wilson  

Isabella Stringham 

Ziggie Lewis 

Arielle Gelb 

Brooke Bushong 

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Isabella Stringham 

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Emmaline Slauenwhite 

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Lindsey Fetter 

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Brooke Bushong &�Բ�����;

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Production Staff

Technical Productions Manager: Kevin Nedberg 

Assistant Production Manager: Maggie Slauenwhite 

Assistant Technical Director: Kenna R. Seng 

Stage Manager: Mary Carlson 

Assistant Stage Managers: Abigail Brown, Josephine Sturmer 

Carpenters: Maggie Slauenwhite, Vexere Sargent, Elena Kallenberg, Kat Walkup, Adele Daab, Violet Dill, Alex Ewing, Jayla Berry, Brandy Carr 

Production Electrician: Mary Beverly 

Electricians: Jennifer E. Dillard, Levi T. Fravel, Robert Crisssman, Connor Veal, Keb C. Stevens, Bao Uyen Pham, Reagan Cope, Charlie Hamm 

Audio Coordinator: James Dunlap 

Audio Technicians: Hunter Davis, Andrew Creamer 

Scenic Supervisor: Brian Seckfort 

Scenic Charge Artist: Cassie Dranschak 

Scenic Artists: Devin Perlow, Scout Smith, Jaden Reed 

Properties Artisans:  Lauren Crane, Esther Moshood, Hanna Baker, Keaton Messmer, Hayden Stewart 

Costume Shop Manager: Carly Kimmins 

Costume Shop Assistant: Victoria “Ori” Rancor 

Run Crew

Light Board Operator: Levi T. Fravel  

Sound Board Operator: Olivia Potter 

Properties Lead: Esther Moshood  

Deck/Properties Crew:  Alex Ewing  

Deck/Properties Crew:  Nevaeh Takahashi  

Wardrobe Head: Jillian Price-Hall 

Wardrobe Crew: Hadley Clark, VonTashia Hinton 

Stitchers: Jillian Price-Hall, Kate Hahn, Katie Schwabe, Ashlyn Steinbrink, Hadley Clark, VonTashia Hinton, Arthur Billups 

Cast Bios

Brianna DuMaine (Mrs. Deaton) is a senior musical theater major from St. Louis, Missouri. She is thrilled to be a part of this production! You might have seen her in “Hair,” “1776” or “POTUS.” She would like to thank the cast and crew for making this experience so amazing! "We cannot succeed when half of us are held back." — Malala Yousafzai 

Elly Sims (Virginia Hascall) is a junior acting major from Spokane, Washington. She was last seen as Charles Thomson in “1776” in the Festival Playhouse. You can also see her as Courtney Sumner in Sony Affirm's TV series “Going Home” streaming on Pureflix. She thanks her family for their endless support and her boyfriend, Elijah, for inspiring her to continue to fly. “Acting is a very spiritual profession. It's a quest to explore the human soul, to understand our own humanity and the shared human experience." — Viola Davis 

Elizabeth Harvey (Edith “Eddie” Harknell) (she/her) is a junior acting major with a minor in women/gender studies. On campus you can find her in the Outdoor Resource Center. She loves adventure and challenging herself outdoors — from backpacking to climbing. Elizabeth is originally from Marion, Indiana, and she is an alumnus of CSA Arts Academy. She would like to thank her loved ones, and she hopes audiences will learn something new from this story. Yay brave theatre, yay strong women! If you want a village, you have to be a villager. 

Morgan Jackson (Norma Jean Harris) is a sophomore acting major from Columbus, Ohio. Her previous roles include G Minor in “The Day the Music Came Back.” She’d like to thank her parents for always believing in her. “Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.” — Meg March, “Little Women” 

Carley Payton (Rosalie Hartson) is a sophomore from Washington Court House, Ohio, who has performed in the Ensemble in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at La Comedia Dinner Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support. Carley is grateful to be part of such a wonderful female cast and creative team! “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt 

Olive Cooper (Alice Hawkins) (she/her) is a junior acting major from Yellow Springs, Ohio, and she is excited to take to the Herbst Theatre stage for the first time. Previous credits include “Little Women” (Jo March), “Much Ado ����ԭ�� Nothing” (Dogberry u/s), and “The Game’s Afoot” (Martha u/s). She would like to thank the entire cast and crew of “Decision Height” for the grace and heart they brought to such an important story, and her mother for her everlasting support. &�Բ�����;

Sloane Harris (Carol Henderson) (she/her) is a junior acting major from Cleveland, Ohio. Her previous credits include “Spencer” and Evil/Little Girl understudy in “Everybody.” Sloane would like to thank the ����ԭ�� faculty, her friends and family, and this incredible cast. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because you flew a plane." — Ari Gelb 

Emily Wilson (Mildred Simmons, Movement Captain) is a ����ԭ�� senior from Brighton, Michigan. She has spent the past two summers performing at Yellowstone Playhouse in Idaho, and you may have seen her last semester as Andrew McNair in ����ԭ��'s production of “1776.” She would like to thank her parents, her roommates, her friends at Yellowstone Playhouse and her beloved dog, Jo, for always being there. "My work is loving the world." — Mary Oliver. 

Arielle Rose Gelb (Ziggie Lewis, Marching Captain) is a senior musical theatre student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and she is thrilled to make her Herbst Theatre debut. You may have seen her last spring as Roger Sherman in “1776.” She is thankful to the ����ԭ�� community for their continued support. "To live without risk for me would be tantamount to death." — Jacqueline Cochran 

Isabella Stringham (Ensemble, Eddie u/s, Mildred u/s) (she/her) is a sophomore acting major from Kennesaw, Georgia. She was previously seen in ����ԭ��’s production of “The History Boys” (Lintott u/s). She is so thankful for everyone who helped bring this beautiful show to life! &�Բ�����;

Emmaline Slauenwhite (Ensemble, Mrs. Deaton u/s, Norma Jean Harris u/s) is a sophomore acting major from Bellbrook, Ohio. This is her first ����ԭ�� Theatre production, and she is very excited to share it with all of you! Her recent credits include ����ԭ�� Opera's “Pirates of Penzance” (Ward), “Anastasia” (Anya/Anastasia) and “Cats” (Grizabella). One of her favorite quotes is, “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art," by Stanislavski. She'd like to thank her family, peers and teachers for all of their support. Thank you for being here! Enjoy the show! 

Lindsey Fetter (Ensemble, Rosalie Hartson u/s, Carol Henderson u/s) (she/her) is a sophomore musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas. This is her first show at ����ԭ��. Other recent credits include “Frozen” (Ensemble) with North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre and “Legally Blonde” (Kate/Chutney) with Cincinnati Landmark Productions. She would love to thank everyone who helped make this production possible!  

Brooke Bushong (Ensemble, Virginia Hascall u/s, Ziggie Lewis u/s) is from Houston, Texas, and she is currently a sophomore acting major at ����ԭ��. She is so excited to be making her ����ԭ�� acting debut in “Decision Height.” Last year, she was an assistant to the director and a sound board operator in “Only in New York.” She would like to thank her mom and her stepmom for all their support! “Joy is not made to be a crumb.” — Mary Oliver 

Creative Team Bios

Jen Joplin (Director): For over 30 years, Jennifer Joplin has worked across the country as a professional actor, writer, director and teacher. Originally from St. Louis, she grew up watching her father create a career and a life in the theatre and has wanted to follow in his footsteps ever since. Previously based in Chicago and New York City, she has now called Cincinnati her home for almost two decades. A graduate of ����ԭ��’s professional actor training program, she is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA, working in theatre, movies, television and radio. Onstage, some of her favorite roles include: Dotty Otley in “Noises Off” at Great Lakes Theatre Festival and Idaho Shakespeare; Annette in “God of Carnage,” Catherine in “Proof” and Harper in “Angels in America” at The Human Race; Mrs. Hubbard in “Murder on the Orient Express” at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Indianapolis Rep; Virginie in “The Man-Beast” at Know Theatre; Aimee in “The Humans” and Gwen in “Rapture, Blister, Burn” at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Jaques in “As You Like It” and Cleopatra at Cincy Shakes. Working onstage and off at theatres across the region, she has also written three one-woman shows with another 493 ideas at the ready — a creative instinct first sparked during her senior year at ����ԭ��, where writing her very first one-person show helped shape her trust in her own voice, teaching her to take big chances and tell the stories no one else was telling. Thank you, ����ԭ��! 

Cassie Dranschak (Set Designer) is a junior design/technology major from Union, Ohio. Cassie has previously worked on ����ԭ��’s “Alice by Heart,” “The Wedding Singer” and “Concord Floral.” A quote that inspires Cassie is, “Dream big, achieve bigger.” Cassie would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support and her phenomenal faculty and mentors for their endless well of guidance and knowledge. She thanks the audience for their attendance and support. 

Raya Smith (Lighting Designer) is an actor, dancer and lighting designer originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a 2025 graduate of Drew University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and history. Post graduation, she decided to continue her education in theatrical lighting at ����ԭ��. She is very excited to share her work with you tonight! 

Gillian Jenkins (Costume Designer) is a third-year design tech major with a concentration in costume design from Hilliard, Ohio. She has worked on multiple shows at ����ԭ��, including wardrobe crew for “Alice by Heart,” “1776” and “The Wedding Singer.” Gillian would like to thank her folks from Hilliard Arts Council and Tabatay Theatrical Props for all of their support.