Welcome to the Renaissance!

Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar is the very firstproduction for Renaissance Theatre Company, a new organizationdedicated to original theatrical works in Orlando and beyond.Renaissance Theatre Company is just getting started, and we havesome incredible news on the horizon. Check us out at rentheatre.comand on our Social Media accounts to stay up-to-date (TheRenTheatre onFacebook/Instagram).

Like so many shows, I didn't start this process knowing exactly what theshow would be in the end. I've loved Oscar Wilde since studying his workin undergrad, and as I was re-visiting his life story and thinking aboutbringing some version of it to the stage, I was stricken by how he talkedabout Jesus Christ and religion, and how he compared the life of Jesusto his own life. I then began to ask myself: if Oscar Wilde was alivetoday, who would he be? And that led me to creating this character andthe piece that you'll see today. Also, while I wish I could claim to havewritten every line and every lyric, I tried as best I could to include muchof Oscar Wilde's own writing. Much of my job became to organize andrestructure his thoughts into lyrics and lines, and I tried to keep hisoriginal words intact as much as possible; maybe you'll catch some ofhis more famous aphorisms here and there.

I'm so grateful to return to the theater after the closing during thePandemic, and I'm thrilled that Orlando Fringe is once again leading theway in supporting new works and local artists. I believe that we are onthe cusp of a great artistic renaissance, and I hope to be even a smallpart of it.

If you'd like to get involved in Renaissance Theatre Company, as anartist, a patron, or if you'd like to support our mission as a donor, pleasedon't hesitate to reach out to me personally. Happy Fringe!

Donald RupeWriter, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay BarArtistic Director, Renaissance Theatre Company

DONALD RUPE (CO-FOUNDER)CHRIS KAMPMEIER (CO-FOUNDER)MADISON GOMEZ TEIXEIRAJASON M. BAILEYREBEKAH LUGO-MELISEJAKE TEIXEIRADEBBIE FAHMIE

BOOK + MUSIC

DONALD RUPEARRANGEMENTS + ORCHESTRATIONS BY

JASON M. BAILEY

OSCAR WILDEYOUNG MAN

TREVOR SOUTHWORTHCRISTIAN NIEVES

MUSIC DIRECTOR + KEYBOARDDRUMS + SOUND DESIGN BASSCLARINET + SAXAPHONE

JASON M. BAILEYCHRIS KAMPMEIERAARON IANNITELLI

AYDAN BAILEY

"SUMMER SONG" OSCAR"NOTORIOUS" YOUNG MAN"REQUIESCAT" OSCAR (WITH LYRICS BY OSCAR WILDE

FROM THE POEM OF THE SAME NAME)

"MODERN MAJOR JESUS" OSCAR"WHAT I WOULD NOT BE" YOUNG MAN"EXQUISITE JOYS AND EXCELLENTSORROWS"

OSCAR

"TO BE A HOMOSEXUAL" OSCAR"FOR YOU" YOUNG MAN"THE LOVE THAT DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME"

OSCAR/YOUNG MAN

"HE IS THERE" YOUNG MAN"TO LIVE" OSCAR

WRITER (BOOK/MUSIC/LYRICS)

ARRANGEMENTS AND ORCHESTRATIONS/MUSIC DIRECTOR

LIGHTING DESIGNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

DONALD RUPE

JASON M. BAILEY

DONALD RUPE

ADAM PROSPER LEDOVIDEO EDITING/ LIVE SOUND DESIGNER JAKE TEIXEIRA

STAGE MANAGER/ PROPS KAYLA ROOPLAL

JUSTIN LOREWIG DESIGNMAKEUP DESIGN JUSTIN JIMENEZ

SPOTLIGHT OPS REBEKAH LUGO-MELISEMADISON TEIXEIRA

MARKETING DIRECTOR/ ARTWORK DIRECTOR LANDON ST. GORDON

WRITER (LYRICS/BOOK) OSCAR WILDE

CHRIS KAMPMEIER, FOR EVERYTHING. LANDON ST. GORDON, ADAM PROSPER LEDO, AND JAKE TEIXEIRA.LAKE MARY HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA DEPARTMENT.HITTN'SKINS: SCREEN PRINTING + EMBROIDERY ORLANDO FRINGE, ESPECIALLY LINDSAY TAYLOR AMANDA SIMMONS AND JON WHITELEYJACOB LAWHONOSCAR WILDE

Located in Winter Park, FL, The Bearded Maestro(He/Him) is available to help with your musical needs.

From lessons and coaching and transgender vocalcoaching, to music direction for shows, to full musiccreation, The Bearded Maestro can help you reach

your vision and share your story.

Trevor Southworth is a theatre teacher, actor anddirector and is beyond excited to be starring in hisfirst ever Orlando Fringe and to be a part of such anincredible show! Trevor has been seen on stage atMad Cow Theatre, Winter Park Playhouse, CFCArts,and The Athens Theatre. Past favorite roles includeBobby in Company , Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde inJekyll & Hyde, Max Bialystok in The Producers, andJean Valjean in Les Miserables. Trevor is co-directorof theatre at Lake Mary High School alongside hisincredible wife Becca. Thank you Donald for lettingme be a part of this wonderful journey!

Cristian Nieves (he/him), is originally from Orlandojust finished graduating from Viterbo University, in LaCrosse, Wi., with his BFA in Musical Theatre. He mostrecently starred the play In Limbo, and has spent hislast two summers as a performer at Six Flags, St.Louis. Cristian is excited to be back in Orlando, onstage, and working with Donald on this productionand wants to thank all of the people who supportedhim during the unforeseen circumstances of thepandemic.

TREVOR SOUTHWORTH (OSCAR WILDE)

CRISTIAN NIEVES (YOUNG MAN)

Donald Rupe is an Orlando-native who has been creatingTheatre in various capacities for over twenty years. He isthe founding Artistic Director for Renaissance TheatreCompany, a new organization which focuses onproducing and developing original theatrical works inCentral Florida and beyond. Donald has written severalsuccessful productions which have had beginnings atthe Orlando Fringe Festival (From Here; Once I Laughed;Gorgeous; Bitch, Perfect) and his production of FlyingLessons enjoyed great success in 2019 at the New YorkMusical Festival. Donald also founded the TheatreProgram at Central Florida Community Arts, where heproduced and directed over 30 productions in five fullseasons of Theatre. Donald is also an educator, havingtaught at Valencia College for ten years, and was also anAdjunct at Stetson University and once upon a time hetaught high school Theatre for seven years. Donaldreceived his degrees from New York University (MA) andFlorida State University (BA). Donald is grateful most of allfor his incredible support system, and wishes to thankJason Bailey for writing with him, Chris Kampmeier forbelieving in him, and Jacob Lawhon for tolerating him.

DONALD RUPE (WRITER/DIRECTOR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)

Jason M. Bailey is a Musician/Performer/Composer inOrlando. Jason teaches private voice, is anaccompanist for the UCF Theatre Department, is aguest artist and adjunct professor at Rollins College,and works as a freelance musician. His writing creditsinclude arranger/orchestrator/music director forthree shows by Donald Rupe: Bright Young Things,From Here, and Flying Lessons, which played Off-Broadway. Jason has music directed for manytheatres and schools including Osceola Arts, CFCArts,UCF, Rollins College, Wayne Densch, WPHS, and TrinityPreparatory School. He has taught musical theatrewith DPAC, Orlando Rep, Oregon Children’s Theatre,Missoula Children’s Theatre, and CFCArts. He hasperformed with theatres around the country includingRocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, American FamilyTheatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Salem RepertoryTheatre, and CFCArts.

JASON M. BAILEY (MUSIC DIRECTOR/ ARRANGEMENTS + ORCHESTRATIONS

ADAM PROSPER LEDO As Oscar Wilde said, “fashion is what one wears oneself. What isunfashionable is what other people wear.” In other words, if you think youlook good, then you look good, baby! It has been a pleasure putting togetherthe outfits worn in this show. This is the first Fringe show that Adam hascostumed. Previously, he has costumed Bright Young Things, Flying Lessons,and Man of La Mancha.

REBEKAH LUGO-MELISERebekah has been dabbling in the arts since elementary school and becameheavily involved in chorus opportunities throughout her schooling. Thatultimately led her to meeting and working with Donald and many of hisprojects. You can on occasion see Rebekah on stage performing, but shehas really developed a love for backstage work. She has worked on FringeProductions such as Gorgeous, Bitch Perfect, From Here. Rebekah hopesyou enjoy the show.

JUSTIN JIMENEZJustin Jimenez (MUA) is thrilled to be a part of Renaissance Theatre’s firstproject. Justin has been doing makeup around Central Florida for 3 yearsyears. You probably mostly have seen him on the stage but he is so excitedto be showing his other creative side. He would like to thank Donald forgiving him the amazing opportunity to work on such an amazing show!

LANDON ST. GORDONLandon St. Gordon is an Orlando native who, in his day job as Senior Director atMDW Communications, works with progressive candidates in getting electedthroughout Florida and the US. He has been a part of over 100 successfulcampaigns, winning 6 national awards for direct mail design. Additionally,Landon is lucky to work with art organizations throughout Central Florida,producing artwork and collateral for a wide variety of programming (includingthe show you're about to see!) -- a true passion of his. He holds an MBA fromRollins College and was recognized by Orlando Business Journal's 40 under 40this year (nominated by his bestie, Donald Rupe!).

KAYLA ROOPLALKayla Rooplal currently resides in Orlando, FL, USA. After a lifetime ofinvolvement in the arts, she began her Stage & Company Management careerwith Valencia Dance Theatre in Orlando, FL in 2013 and has been pursuing hercareer on both land and ship since. Kayla holds her Bachelor of Science from theUniversity of Central Florida and plans to continue her education in thediscipline of arts in health.

JUSTIN LOREWig provided by Tease & Floof Theatrical Wig Boutique in Orlando, FL andmaintained by the Oscar Wilde production team. Owner/Designer, Justin Lore, isa member of Actor's Equity Association and a theatrical wig designer based inOrlando, FL. Work has featured in numerous productions & events throughoutthe country, and on drag queens/cosplayers around the globe. Follow@teaseandfloof & @teaseandfloofbarbershop on Instagram for portfolio andcurrent wig sales.