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Passengers

Passengers

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Artistic Director’s Welcome

Welcome to the 2025/26 Season!

Whether this is your first time with us or you have been with us for years, I’m so glad you’ve joined us for Passengers, a breathtaking theatrical experience blending cirque, music, and dance.

A.R.T.’s mission is to expand the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner, and so I’m excited to (re)introduce you to the acclaimed Montreal-based contemporary circus collective that merges acrobatics, theater, dance, multimedia, and music to tell human stories using super-human skills.

Co-produced by TOHU (Montréal, Canada) and ArtsEmerson, Passengers is written, directed, and choreographed by Shana Carroll, one of the co-founders of Les 7 Doigts, as they are known in Montreal. I’ve always admired The 7 Fingers’ artistry and physical virtuosity, and I was deeply inspired by my collaboration with 7 Fingers co-founder Gypsy Snider. Her circus choreography in our 2012 production of Pippin not only thrilled audiences, but revealed how contemporary circus is so much more than spectacle—it is profound storytelling.

Here at A.R.T., the Engagement team collaborates with each creative team to develop an Essential Question to catalyze conversation amongst our community of artists, audiences, staff, and Lavine Learning Lab students. For Passengers, we invite you to consider: In what ways does life happen while in transit? Is the journey truly more important than the destination?

In Passengers, travel is a metaphor for life’s ever-changing landscape. It reminds us that as we travel on our own individual journeys, every encounter we have—whether fleeting or enduring—has the potential to shift our perspectives, change our hearts and minds, and bring us together. Thank you for embarking with us on this season’s first journey.

Diane Paulus
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director

American Repertory Theater
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director:
Diane Paulus

presents

PASSENGERS

Creative Team

A Production by

The 7 Fingers

Written, Directed, and Choreographed by

Shana Carroll

Written, Directed, and Choreographed by

Shana Carroll

Shana Carroll is Co-founding Artistic Director of The 7 Fingers. Since its inception in 2002, Shana has directed, written and choreographed a dozen or so of their touring and/or resident shows, including Passengers, Cuisine and Confessions, Sequence 8, and Traces. Shana’s collaborations extend beyond The 7 Fingers- in 2024 she was Co-choreographer and Circus Designer for Water For Elephants on Broadway, for which she received the Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography as well as Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circles nominations in the same category.

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Composer and Musical Director

Colin Gagné

Lyrics

Colin Gagné

Shana Carroll

Lyrics

Shana Carroll

Shana Carroll is Co-founding Artistic Director of The 7 Fingers. Since its inception in 2002, Shana has directed, written and choreographed a dozen or so of their touring and/or resident shows, including Passengers, Cuisine and Confessions, Sequence 8, and Traces. Shana’s collaborations extend beyond The 7 Fingers- in 2024 she was Co-choreographer and Circus Designer for Water For Elephants on Broadway, for which she received the Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography as well as Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circles nominations in the same category.

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Scenic Design

Ana Cappelluto

Costume Design

Camille Thibault-Bédard

Lighting Design

Éric Champoux

Projection Design

Johnny Ranger

Sound Design

Colin Gagné with Jérôme Guilleaume 

World premiere at TOHU in Montréal, Canada on November 14, 2018.
U.S. Premiere at ArtsEmerson on September 25, 2019.
First performance at the Loeb Drama Center on September 2, 2025.

Production Support of Passengers is provided by Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.

Media Support of Passengers is provided by WBUR

A.R.T. Season support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Barton & Guestier, and Meyer Sound.

The A.R.T. 2025/26 Season is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which receives support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Co-producer TOHU (Montréal, Canada), ArtsEmerson (Boston, États-Unis)
Commissioning Partner Moscow Musical Theatre (Moscou, Russie)

Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission

This production contains haze and flashing lights.

Company & Staff

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Victor Crépin headshot

Performer

Victor Crépin

Victor Crépin headshot

Performer

Victor Crépin

Born in Tours, France, Victor discovered the Georget Circus at the age of 12, when the troupe settled permanently in his village with their big top to open a circus school. Victor quickly enrolled with the goal of learning acrobatics. There, he was introduced to a wide variety of circus disciplines and met many artists. While continuing his general studies in the French school system, he trained intensively and had the opportunity to perform on stage numerous times. It was during this time that he realized he wanted to become a circus artist. 

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Eduardo De Azevedo Grillo headshot
Eduardo De Azevedo Grillo headshot

Performer

Eduardo De Azevedo Grillo

Eduardo chose the National Circus School to push beyond his limits and step out of his comfort zone. The school allowed him not only to develop his art on a technical level, but also to open himself to the world and learn from different cultures. Since graduating in 2022, Eduardo values above all the friendships he made along the way, which remain very dear to him.

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Isabelle Diaz headshot

Performer

Isabella Diaz

Isabelle Diaz headshot

Performer

Isabella Diaz

Isabella Diaz was born in Chicago, Illinois where from a young age, they found a joy for movement through gymnastics and competed for 15 years. Their formal dance training began at the age of 16 through the Chicago High School for the Arts, and continued at Western Michigan University and the Joffrey Ballet School. In 2016 they joined Pilobolus Dance Theatre as a part of their main company and had the honor of participating in new creations that premiered at historical venues, such as Jacob’s Pillow and the American Dance Festival.

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Marie-Christine Fournier headshot
Marie-Christine Fournier headshot

Performer

Marie-Christine Fournier

Born in Quebec City, Marie-Christine discovered her passion for acrobatics at the age of 15 when she began competing in artistic gymnastics. At the age of 20, she entered the École de cirque de Québec to continue her artistic development, where she participated in professional training in circus arts as a generalist acrobatic flyer, specializing in fixede duo trapeze. After 2 years of training, she was recruited by Cirque du Soleil at the age of 22. She began her career as a trapeze artist and toured internationally with Cirque du Soleil for nearly a decade.

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Téo Le Baut headshot

Performer

Téo Le Baut

Téo Le Baut headshot

Performer

Téo Le Baut

Téo Le Baut’s circus journey began in 2002, when he was born in Barcelona in the middle of a Cirque du Soleil tour. His parents were performing as a hand-to-hand duo at the time, and they would go on to inspire Téo’s own career path. 

It quickly became clear that circus would be an essential part of his life. Upon arriving in Montreal, he enrolled at the National Circus School, where he completed his entire education, graduating in 2021.

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Amanda Orozco headshot

Performer

Amanda Orozco

Amanda Orozco headshot

Performer

Amanda Orozco

Mandi Orozco, originally from Orlando, Florida, began performing at Disney World at age eight, appearing with Stevie Wonder and Tim McGraw. Trained in various dance styles, she won numerous awards for her technique and stage presence.

In 2006, she transitioned into circus arts, specializing in aerial tissue and touring with New Vision Cirque across the U.S. and the Caribbean, including performances at celebrity events. 

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Michael Patterson headshot

Performer

Michael Patterson

Michael Patterson headshot

Performer

Michael Patterson

Michael grew up in the U.K., and from a young age, always knew he wanted to be a performer. By chance, his interests led him to discover a youth circus, where he quickly fell in love with the challenge and artistry. His time there inspired him to continue his training at the National Circus School in Montreal. Since graduating in 2019, he has continued to hone his craft and has been working as a professional circus artist, performing all over the world.

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Basile Pucek headshot

Performer

Basile Pucek

Basile Pucek headshot

Performer

Basile Pucek

Basile Pucek is a Canadian and French artist born in Montreal, a vibrant and inspiring city that nurtures his artistic growth. His education has been shaped over the years by the supportive influence of his family, friends, and most importantly, through his training at the National Circus School of Montreal. This prestigious institution ignited in him a deep passion for the art of movement and physical expression. After graduating, Basile collaborated with numerous companies, bringing his talent to a variety of projects.

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Santiago Rivera headshot

Performer

Santiago Rivera

Santiago Rivera headshot

Performer

Santiago Rivera

Multidisciplinary artist Santiago Rivera Laugerud was born in Guatemala in 1997 and owns his own circus, Cie. Zirconium. Dedicated to the arts from an early age, he is influenced by contemporary dance and physical theater. While he specializes in juggling, he had the chance to develop other disciplines such as hoop diving and Chinese pole. Santiago is the first Central American to be accepted into Montreal’s National Circus School, recognized as one of the best circus schools in the world.

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Méliejade Tremblay-Bouchard headshot
Méliejade Tremblay-Bouchard headshot

Performer

Méliejade Tremblay-Bouchard

Méliejade is a versatile artist whose journey into the arts began early, exploring gymnastics, singing, and various dance styles, including classical, contemporary, and Irish. Her passion for circus was sparked at the age of five during a summer camp at the Quebec Circus School, where she discovered a way to merge her diverse artistic skills. 

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Music

Arrangements
Colin Gagné in collaboration with Jean-Sébastien Leblanc
“Train is Coming” and “Saint Louis Blues” Jean-Sébastien Leblanc
“La Hora de la Hora” Jérôme Guilleaume

Lyrics
La Hora de la Hora” Boogát

Text
“Einstein’s Train” Conor Wild

Voice and Instruments
Boogát, Mykalle Bielinski, Alexandre Désilets, Guido Del Fabbro, Jérôme Dupuis-Cloutier, Colin Gagné, Jonathan Gagné, Gabriel Godbout-Castonguay, Dominiq Hamel, Sheila Hannigan, Olivier Hébert, Frannie Holder, Jean-Sébastien Leblanc, Jeffrey Moseley, Mathieu Roberge, Guillaume St. Laurent

 

Additional Staff

Production Director (Creation)

Sabrina Gilbert

Technical Director (Creation)

Simon Lachance

Associate Director (Creation)

Isabelle Chassé

Production Stage Manager

Charlotte Legault

Head Coach

Francisco Cruz

Touring Staff

Resident Director, Tour Manager

Christelle Vitupier

Technical Director (Creation)

Sandy Dionne

Light Operator

Lorianne Foisy

Audio and Video Operator

Jean-Félix Des Rochers Lamarche

Rigger

Max Jouanneau

Access Staff

Director of ASL

Sabrina Dennison

ASL Interpreter

Dave Heard

Audio Description

Eddie Maisonet

Open Caption

c2

Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director: Diane Paulus

SENIOR STAFF

Director of Facilities and Capital Projects: Peter Atkinson
Public Relations Director: Rebecca Curtiss
General Manager: Connor Davis
Managing Director: Anna Fitzloff
Executive Administrator: Kathleen Fowkes
Director of Finance: Julia Goldmacher
Senior Theater and Facilities Manager: Tracy Keene
Chief Development Officer: Eileen Kennedy
Director of Production: Krystin Matsumoto
Director of Artistic Programs & Dramaturg: Ryan McKittrick
Associate Artistic Director: Dayron J. Miles
Producer: Evan O’Brient
Chief Marketing Officer: Jennifer Weissman

STAFF

Artistic & Engagement

Artistic Coordinator & Special Assistant to the Artistic Director: Karina Cowperthwaite
Head of Voice & Speech: Erika Bailey
Associate Director, Pedagogical Programs: Marcus Stern
Associate Director, Pedagogical Programs: Julia Smeliansky
Production Manager, Pedagogical Programs: Jeremie Lozier
Assistant Production Supervisor, Pedagogical Programs: Evey Connerty-Marin
Artistic Engagement Associate: Leah Harris
Assistant to the Associate Artistic Director: Madison Baker
Learning Lab Assistant: Ariella Kasmer-Jacobs
Learning Leads: Alex Smith, Vahdat Yeganeh

Producing

Associate Producer: Emma Watt
Associate Production Manager: Taylor Brennan
Company Manager: Shannon Kelley
Assistant Company Manager: Michael Mathey

Marketing & Communications

Associate Director, Creative Services: Joel Zayac
Subscriptions and Group Sales Manager: Kirstin Beal
Web and Digital Communications Manager: David Libbey
Social Media Coordinator: Madison Wolters
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator: Madeleine Wright
Graphic Design Assistants: Dana Balletta, Lance Shook
Program Coordinator: Lianna Rada-Hung

Development

Associate Director, Institutional Giving: Anna Cline
Associate Director, Stewardship & Major Gifts: Lisa Field-Coleman
Assistant Director, Development Operations: Blair Laurie
Senior Coordinator, Advancement & Development Engagement: Julia Wolfe
Development Coordinator: Nate Sheehan

Facilities

Assistant Project Manager: Alex Giorgetti
Loeb Receptionists: Barbara Lindstrom, Maria Medeiros
Custodial Supervisor: Ana Osorioportillo
Custodial Team: Felipe Barahona, Santos Ruiz Lopez, Marvin Ventura
Facilities Maintenance Service Team: Anthony Radosta, Michael Shaw, Jeremiah Sullivan

Finance

Controller: Toufiq Aitelfqih
Accountant: Nathan Pratt
Senior Payroll Coordinator: Alessandra Panares
Financial Assistant: Tori Loubert

Patron Services

Head of Patron Services: Emma Putnam
Ticket Services Manager: Heather Conroe
Ticket Services Representatives: Rachael Cohen, Jessica Golden, Emma Hunt
Ticket Services Staff: Michelle Hong, Elliot Lazar, Alexia Rowe, Lizzie Schwarze, Amanda Tafeen
Front of House Manager: Matt Spano
Tessitura Database Administrator: Ana Costagliola

Production

Production Manager: Skip Curtiss

Scenic

Assistant Technical Director: Victor Gutierrez
Scenery Assistant/Purchaser: Brian Melcher
Head Scenic Carpenter: Peter Doucette
Lead Scenic Carpenter: York-Andreas Paris
Scenic Carpenters: Bill Hawkins, Dawn Morningstar, Ray Reyes
Term Scenic Carpenters: Diego Farrell, Luke Van Cleve

Paint

Charge Scenic Artist: Gerard Vogt
Assistant Charge Scenic Artist: Heather Morris
Scenic Artist: India Lee

Stage Operations

Stage Operations Manager: Kevin Belcher
Assistant Stage Operations Manager/Lead Rigger: Jonathan Strong
Deck Lead: Kate Treadwell
Staff Props Runner: Christina Donovan
Staff Stage Hand: Errick Jersey
Swing Stage Hand: Rosemary Grace Hartunian Alumbaugh

Costumes

Costume Manager: Muriel Mangual-Bennett
Assistant Costume Manager: Madisyn Craig
Crafts Artisan: Jeffrey Scott Burrows
Draper: Bridget Austin-Weiss
First Hand: Duncan Michael Cordell
Stitcher: Becca Cottrell

Wardrobe

Wardrobe Manager: Alycia Marucci
Assistant Wardrobe Manager: Brian Choinski
Wig and Wardrobe Dresser: Emily Damron
Dresser: Michelle Villada

Sound

Sound Manager: Camilo Atehortua
Assistant Sound Manager: Bryan Atterberry
Front of House Sound Engineer (A1): Abe Joyner-Meyers
Sound Technicians (A2): Kai Bohlman, Em Bonnici
Production and Event Sound Engineer (A1/A2 sub): Michael Policare

Lighting

Lighting and Projections Supervisor: Matthew Adelman
Assistant Lighting Supervisor: Joseph Lorenzen
Lighting Console Programmer and Operator: Sumner Ellsworth
Staff Electricians: Ryan Lemay, Callie Moos
Swing Followspot Operator/Swing Stage Hand: Hannah Jope

Properties

Properties Manager: Erin Kehr
Assistant Properties Manager: Mariya Sudarska
Properties Carpenter: Patrick Parker
Properties Artisan: Elektra T. Newman

Production Overhire

Electricians: Makenna Harnden, Andy Tran, Oakley Walker
Stage Hands: Preston Treadwell, Avery Hunt, Ren Squier

Did you know? The 7 Fingers has multiple productions in the United States: their permanent show “Dear San Francisco” at Club Fugazi in San Francisco, multiple shows aboard Virgin Voyages cruise ships, and “Duel Reality,” which is touring across the country.

This show was created in collaboration with the original cast: Sereno Aguilar Izzo, Louis Joyal, Maude Parent, Samuel Renaud, Sabine Van Rensburg, Brin Schoellkopf, Freyja Wild, Conor Wild

This show is dedicated to Raphael Cruz