I and You
by Lauren Gunderson
A Note From The Artistic Director
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
— Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
The poem at the heart of I and You begins with the above passage. A recurring theme in this season—and likely in seasons to come—is the rediscovery of our shared humanity, our interconnectedness in the human experience. Remarkably, we still live in an age where the radical notion of universal connectedness and equality feels revolutionary. Whitman’s Song of Myself is a triumphant celebration of this very truth: that in both the grandeur and the struggles of life, we are bound together. His voice rejoices in the full spectrum of existence—its beauty, its sorrow, and its mystery and that we all share in its epic splendor. This play, at its core, offers a tender and human story: two young people, unexpectedly drawn into each other’s lives, finding joy and connection through the simple act of collaboration on a school project. What begins as separation unfolds into shared discovery and two lives becoming intertwined.
As we gather here together to enjoy this story, we too have the opportunity to embrace the delight of shared experience. In these ninety minutes, we may laugh together, perhaps cry together, and most importantly, feel the joy of being connected—even across differences of perspective and lifestyle. There is power and triumph in simply coming together for a small period of time, and I’m glad if I’m here today watching this play with you, we got to share the same space and time to enjoy this story.
Together.
Isaac Bont
— Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
The poem at the heart of I and You begins with the above passage. A recurring theme in this season—and likely in seasons to come—is the rediscovery of our shared humanity, our interconnectedness in the human experience. Remarkably, we still live in an age where the radical notion of universal connectedness and equality feels revolutionary. Whitman’s Song of Myself is a triumphant celebration of this very truth: that in both the grandeur and the struggles of life, we are bound together. His voice rejoices in the full spectrum of existence—its beauty, its sorrow, and its mystery and that we all share in its epic splendor. This play, at its core, offers a tender and human story: two young people, unexpectedly drawn into each other’s lives, finding joy and connection through the simple act of collaboration on a school project. What begins as separation unfolds into shared discovery and two lives becoming intertwined.
As we gather here together to enjoy this story, we too have the opportunity to embrace the delight of shared experience. In these ninety minutes, we may laugh together, perhaps cry together, and most importantly, feel the joy of being connected—even across differences of perspective and lifestyle. There is power and triumph in simply coming together for a small period of time, and I’m glad if I’m here today watching this play with you, we got to share the same space and time to enjoy this story.
Together.
Isaac Bont
A Note From The Director
"Missing me one place search another, I stop somewhere waiting for you.... For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” -Walt Whitman
The world is full of stories about human beings letting each other down, of hurt and betrayal, the misuse of power, and the failure to protect each other. But it is also full of stories about people looking out for each other, trying the learn the mysteries of the Other, genuine compassion. generosity, and curiosity for humanity and for the individual, and the willingness to fight for each other— rather than against each other. This is one of those stories. I hope it leaves you with as much hope and joy as I have had directing it. We really do need each other.
-Amy Gaither
"This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labour to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school, or church, or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem, and have the richest fluency, not only in its words, but in the silent lines of its lips and face, and between the lashes of your eyes, and in every motion and joint of your body.”
-from the prologue of Leaves of Grass
The world is full of stories about human beings letting each other down, of hurt and betrayal, the misuse of power, and the failure to protect each other. But it is also full of stories about people looking out for each other, trying the learn the mysteries of the Other, genuine compassion. generosity, and curiosity for humanity and for the individual, and the willingness to fight for each other— rather than against each other. This is one of those stories. I hope it leaves you with as much hope and joy as I have had directing it. We really do need each other.
-Amy Gaither
"This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labour to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school, or church, or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem, and have the richest fluency, not only in its words, but in the silent lines of its lips and face, and between the lashes of your eyes, and in every motion and joint of your body.”
-from the prologue of Leaves of Grass
Special thanks to:
Lisa Wondra, White Bear Machine and Adrian Miller
Lisa Wondra, White Bear Machine and Adrian Miller
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Board Of Directors
Meg Luhrs (President) Mark Baer Denise Evert-Bartz Jaclyn Johnson Amy Klein Ian Lexvold (Secretary) Brad Mabry (President-Elect) Jerry Sand Jeanne Vogel |
Staff
Isaac Bont- Executive Artistic Director Devon Sundt- Production Manager Lindsey Fry- Marketing Director/ Arts Education Director Walter Lab- Technical Director Sara Fielding- Business Office Manager/ Development Director Dionne Kabat- Box Office Associate Jesse March- Marketing Associate |
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Cast
James Randolph- Anthony Lindsey Fry- Carline Crew Amy Michelle Gaither- Director Devon Sundt- Stage Manager Nora Wondra- Costume Design David Markson- Scenic Design Denise Evert-Bartz- Props Design Mary Margaret Hughes- Lighting Design Jesse March- Sound Design |
Photo by Dan Norman
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Photo by Dan Norman
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Amy Michelle Gaither (Director) is delighted to be back directing at Festival Theatre. She taught at DePauw University where she founded a Shakespeare Festival, as well serving as Artistic Director of Wisdom Tooth Theatre in Indianapolis. She is the founding Artistic Director of Duende Productions in NYC. She works as an actor in stage, film, and television. She lives in NYC and Vermont, where she can often be found in her garden.
James Randolph (Anthony) is from Chicago, Illinois. He is excited to be back doing another show for SC Festival Theatre after recently doing Ordinary Days. He is a recording music artist under the name Xavier Rain on Apple Music and James Xavier on all other music platforms. He also loves improv and has performed on stages at Second City Improv and Florida Studio Theatre. He gives a thanks for everything to his loving parents and sister.
Lindsey Fry (Caroline) is honored to work with an incredible team to bring this show to the St. Croix Valley. You might have seen her in several shows at SCFT including Ordinary Days, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt 2B, and The Spitfire Grill. She will be directing Frosty: A Musical Adventure this holiday season. Lindsey would like to thank everyone at Festival Theatre for their hard work and her friends and family for being in her corner.
Devon Sundt (Stage Manager) is happy to be back at Festival Theatre, this time as a staff member! His most recent work here was as stage manager for Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B, and director for Treasure Island. The cast, crew, and staff have put a lot of hard work into this production of I and You and he is happy to help share it with you. Thank you for supporting live theatre!
Nora Wondra (Costume Design) is currently the costume studio assistant in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Theatre Department. She graduated from UW–Madison in 2025 with dual BS degrees in Theatre and Fashion. At Festival Theatre, she has designed costumes for Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B and Treasure Island. Her experience also includes a costume construction internship at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and assistant design and stitching work with Lifeline Theatre (Chicago), Children’s Theater of Madison, and First Act Children’s Theatre.
David Markson (Scenic Design) has been doing set design, building and scenic painting for Festival Theatre for over 15 years, and is glad to be back in the historic auditorium, with all its unique challenges. David lives in River Falls where he is a "mostly" retired sign painter; and is also active in the Community Theatre there. He also performs musically up and down the St. Croix Valley.
Denise Evert-Bartz (Props Design) joined Festival Theatre in 2023 and has performed in Festival’s productions of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and A Christmas Carol. Her tech crew experience includes stage managing The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays in 2024 and curating props for Festival’s 2025 season. She was thrilled at the chance to collaborate with director Amy Michelle Gaither, having appreciated her previous creative and professional direction of The Game’s Afoot. She would like to thank her husband Mike Bartz and her family for their encouragement.
Mary Margaret Hughes (She/Her) (Light Design) is a performer and designer hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. She has worked on sound for several productions at Belmont University including Peter and the Starcatcher and Moving Stories 2021 and 2023, and sound designed Trust by Steven Dietz. She stage managed and coordinated sound for last summer's production of The Spitfire Grill here at St. Croix Festival Theatre, as well as performing in shows such as Men on Boats and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt 2B!
Jesse March (Sound Design) is an international theatre artist and educator, with over 20 years of experience in physical theatre, clown, and devised performance. A graduate of Dell’Arte International and CalArts, his work has been seen around the world, from street performances to corporate events. He is grateful to Festival Theatre for the opportunity to bring I And You to life through sound and is excited to help tell this beautiful story.
Support Festival Theatre’s Fall Campaign
Festival Theatre has been bringing live performance and community arts programs to St. Croix Falls for more than three decades. From professional productions on our historic stage, to youth theatre camps, to community performances that bring neighbors together, Festival Theatre is proud to be your home for the arts.
Our Fall Campaign goal is $50,000, which will help sustain live theatre and keep it accessible for all. To kick things off, a generous friend of the theatre has provided a $10,000 seed gift—giving us a strong start toward our goal.
Ticket sales cover less than half of our operating costs—your gifts make the difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps keep the arts thriving in St. Croix Falls.
How to Give:
• Online: FestivalTheatre.org/donate
• By mail: St. Croix Festival Theatre, PO Box 801, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
• In person: Visit us at the theatre during box office hours
Thank you for being part of Festival Theatre’s story!
Our Fall Campaign goal is $50,000, which will help sustain live theatre and keep it accessible for all. To kick things off, a generous friend of the theatre has provided a $10,000 seed gift—giving us a strong start toward our goal.
Ticket sales cover less than half of our operating costs—your gifts make the difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps keep the arts thriving in St. Croix Falls.
How to Give:
• Online: FestivalTheatre.org/donate
• By mail: St. Croix Festival Theatre, PO Box 801, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
• In person: Visit us at the theatre during box office hours
Thank you for being part of Festival Theatre’s story!