Tiny Beautiful Things
Adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos/ Directed by Rachel Blackwell
Tiny Beautiful Things, based on Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, brings to life the questions that struggling writer Strayed tackled when she was asked to take on the anonymous and unpaid role of advice columnist ‘Sugar.’ We see Sugar’s evolution and development as she starts handing out her own brand of advice for topics that range from heartwarming to heart wrenching. Sugar always answers with unadulterated vulnerability and realness that is undeniably effective.
Hannah Greene stars as Sugar, the lead character who doesn’t leave the stage for the entire show. Greene is a senior in the Film and Performing Arts BA who played Jenny in UAF’s The Shape of Things which was also directed by Blackwell. She also starred in Strange Embrace, an original film written by UAF alumni Nolan Earnest, and in Dance Nation by Clare Barron. Hannah directs UAF’s Ground Squirrel Improv. Greene leads an ensemble cast of Letter Writers who portray multiple characters writing in to Sugar for advice. Letter Writer #1, played by David Valentine, recently performed as Frank Butley in Native Gardens and was a stagehand for The Play that Goes Wrong at the Fairbanks Drama Association. Letter Writer #2 is played by UAF first year Film Major Fatima Conde, who moved to Fairbanks from Washington, D.C. in 2014. Finally, Letter Writer #3 is portrayed by Clark Milstead who is also a first year majoring in Film and Performing Arts at UAF, though he’s been acting in musicals for a decade. The Lighting and Sound are being designed by Seamus Knight. Knight recently designed lighting for Something in the Living Room and composed the film score for Strange Embrace (Film UAF) among others.
Critics say: "Emphasizes the best in what theatre can do! Take a room full of strangers and help them connect to this personal and powerful show. For someone to connect and listen is a potent thing.” —BroadwayWorld
Ticket prices:
free for currently enrolled UAF students with Polar Express Card
$20 seniors/ military/ UAF
$25 adults
WHAT:
Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos
WHO:
Theatre UAF, directed by Rachel Blackwell
WHERE:
Lee H. Salisbury Lab Theatre, UAF Fine Arts Complex
WHEN:
Friday, November 15 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, November 16 @ 7:30pm
Sunday, November 17 @ 2pm
Friday, November 22 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, November 23 @ 7:30pm
Sunday, November 24 @ 2pm
Content Warning
This play has serious adult topics of abuse (including child sexual abuse), rape and violence.
Cast
SUGAR ...
LETTER WRITER #1 ...
LETTER WRITER #2 ...
LETTER WRITER #3 ...
Production Crew
Director ...
Set Designer...
Costume Design ...
Lighting & Sound Design ...
Stage Manager ...
Assistant Stage Manager ...
Box Office & Marketing ...
Producer ...
Casting Associate ...
In the News
“Whatever your plans are this weekend, cancel them — unless it involves attending one of Theatre UAF’s performances of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Department Spotlights
Rachel Blackwell (Director)
Rachel Blackwell has been participating in local theatre in Fairbanks for the last 20 years. She works with Theatre UAF, FLOT, FST, and FDA. In 2019, she had the honor of performing the original Michael Shaeffer play Caddyshakes at the Kansas City Fringe Festival with a fun troupe of Fairbanks locals. Rachel also dabbles in stand-up comedy and burlesque dancing with her company, Naked Stage Productions. She loves bringing her passion for theatre to the Fairbanks community!
Hannah Greene (Actor: Sugar)
Hannah Greene is a senior in the Film and Performing Arts Department. She has appeared on the UAF stage as Ashlee in Dance Nation (2023), Jenny in The Shape of Things (2023), and the Co-Ed in Something in the Living Room (2024). Greene also starred in and production designed for Strange Embrace (2024), an original film by Nolan Earnest. When not on the main stage, she directs and performs with UAF’s Ground Squirrel Improv, and writes, acts, and directs films with Brunch Film Productions. Hannah is incredibly grateful for the endless support from her family, friends, and the professors/faculty in the UAF Film and Performing Arts Department.
Fatima Conde (Actor: Letter Writer #2)
Fatima Conde is a UAF freshman Film Major, with minors in both Japanese and Music: Vocal Performance. Though her hometown is Washington D.C., she moved to Fairbanks in 2014 and has been here ever since. Tiny Beautiful Things is her first-ever theatre production, but her love for the arts started at the age of seven. She would like to thank everyone who has ever supported her and her journey in performing arts.
Photo Gallery
Publicity Photos
Cast & Crew Headshots
Carrie Baker, Casting Associate
Rachel Blackwell, Director
Daisy Carter, Stage Manager
Fatima Conde, Letter Writer #2
Hannah Greene, Sugar
Seamus Knight, Lighting & Sound Design
Kade Mendelowitz, Set Design
Clark Milstead, Letter Writer #3
Stephanie Rivet, Costume Design
Maya Salganek, Producer
Kjrsten Colleen Schindler, Assistant Stage Manager
By Valentine, Box Office Manager
David Valentine, Letter Writer #1
Deyanira Van Acker, Assistant Stage Manager
Production Photos
