Ken Ludwig's
Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Sunday, June 22 · 3pm · Blue Brick Theatre*
Wednesday, July 2 · 7pm · Pine Grove Hall
Wednesday, July 9 · 6:30pm · Juniper Village (residents only)

U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig tells the joyous, heartwarming story of his parents’ courtship during World War II and the results are anything but expected.

*The June 22 performance is presented as part of the Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest (June 20-22).

This production is funded in part by a grant from

“KEN LUDWIG'S DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE” IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM

DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE PREMIERED AT ARENA STAGE (WASHINGTON, DC) . MOLLY SMITH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND EDGAR DOBIE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. NOVEMBER 21-DECEMBER

EXCERPT FROM ARSENIC AND OLD LACE BY JOSEPH KESSERLING, ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCITON BY HOWARD LINDSAY AND RUSSEL CROUSE, USED WITH PERMISSION.

Poster design credit:
Caitlin Meleski of Caitlin Meleski Design

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Cast

Jack Ludwig.................................................GREGG BAPTISTA
Louise Rabiner...............................................JADE ARWEN*

*Sock & Buskin debut

And featuring KYLE STANLEY as the voice of Greg Baird.

Production Team

Directors/Producers………..............................STEFANIE AUSTIN, GABRIELLE J ROSENDALE
Dramaturg......................................................PHILLIP ZAPKIN
Set Construction............................................PETER AUSTIn

Meet The Cast and Production Team

Gregg Baptista

Jack Ludwig

Gregg returned to theatre in 2021 after a long hiatus and helped launch Sock & Buskin Theatre Company in 2022 as a member of its board of directors. He has been involved with several Sock & Buskin performances since then, both onstage and behind the scenes, most recently reprising the role of Greg in Cutthroat Christmas: Deadly Deals last December. Gregg works as a writer in development at Penn State in an office filled with talented and quirky coworkers, and he is excited to be a part of another year of live theatre with Sock & Buskin.

Jade Arwen

Louise Rabiner

Jade is thrilled to be making her debut with Sock & Buskin Theatre Company! Jade hails from Mifflinburg, PA, where she received much of her training in theatre and dance. She graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2015 with a B.M. in Musical Theatre. Among Jade’s notable roles are Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables - Montgomery College SDT), Madame de la Grande Bouche (Beauty and the Beast - Keystone Theatrics), and, most recently, Helene (In Days Of Old In Concert - High Tower Theatricals). When Jade isn’t performing, she can be found in a dance class, teaching, writing, at a photoshoot, or spending time with her friends and family. She would like to thank her incredible support system for their unwavering love and encouragement! Jade’s performance is dedicated to the late Mr. Ralph Ammon, a WWII veteran and prisoner of war who taught her about the humanity behind the history.

Gabrielle J Rosendale

Director/Producer

Gabby is honored to be making her co-directing debut with Sock & Buskin. Last seen on stage for Cutthroat Christmas: Deadly Deals as Greg Girl #5 AKA Carol #2, and behind the scenes as the costumer for Slain at the Speakeasy, she loves volunteering for local theater and bringing the arts to Centre County. Theater has been part of her life since she was 7, performing with Center for the Performing Arts and then her high school drama club in southwestern PA. She wants to extend her thanks to the cast, crew, Stefanie for her trust in her, and to all of you who came out to support the show. She wants to extend a special thanks to her family, friends, and husband Chase for their support.

Stefanie Austin

Director/Producer

Stefanie is the current President and a Founding Director of Sock & Buskin Theatre Company. She is a playwright, actor, director, producer, and everything in between. Most recently, you may have seen her as Louise in Ken Ludwig’s A Fox on the Fairway (May). This September, she will be directing Lucille Fletcher’s Night Watch. As a playwright, she publishes murder mystery scripts through her business, Knock ‘Em Dead Scripts, and the scripts have been performed throughout the U.S., Canada, and U.K. She is incredibly grateful for the S&B community. Thanks for supporting local theatre!

Phillip Zapkin

Dramturg

Phillip began his theatrical career (apart from acting in school productions) in the extremely nerdy position of dramaturg. But as a scholar of dramatic literature and theatre, this job is a perfect fit for him. Since then, his dramatic experience has opened up like a flower in the morning–he has been thoroughly engaged with Sock & Buskin since his directorial debut with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in 2023. With S&B, Phillip has now directed, acted, co-written a short play, assisted with tech, and dramaturged.