Exit, Pursued by a Bear

Rated PG13; for simulated domestic violence and language. — RUN TIME 75-80 minutes with no intermission

Welcome to the first show in the third season from Shifted Lens Theatre company, “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” by Lauren Gunderson. We are thrilled that you chose to spend some time at a local theater. Next up for us will be “We Are the Tigers” by Preston Max Allen, which is a musical about High School Cheerleaders being hunted by a serial killer.

At Shifted Lens, we believe community theater is part of our lost “Third Spaces,” places other than work or home that we gather to find community, and we strive to create a safe space for actors and artists to connect and thrive — all while we build a show to share with local audiences!

If you’ve ever thought you’d like to be involved in some local art, connect with us! Theatre is a team sport — come play!

Content Warning

References to and depictions of abuse (physical, mental, and verbal)
Strobing Lights
Prop gun

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

by Lauren Gunderson

CAST

Nan Carter - Maria Cina

Kyle Carter - Aidan Blank

Sweetheart - Anneliese Farmer-Smith

Simon - Jysten Atom

Design Team

Director - Tamarra Nelson

Stage Manager, Intimacy Direction, Projection Co-Design - Clove Love

Lighting Design - Max

Sound Design - Aspen

Costumes, Props, & Projection Design - Lexie Lazear

Scenic Design & Construction - Matt Rogers & Lexie Lazear

Fight Choreography - Maria Cina

Assistant Stage Management & Run Crew - Raya Bradeen

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

Tamarra Nelson

DIRECTOR
Tamarra Nelson is a Denver-based theatre artist, educator, and arts administrator. She is driven towards work that authentically reflects the experiences of marginalized people, particularly those with queer, femme, and black identities. Her most recent directing credits include: If, Then: Iphigenia (Shifted Lens Theatre Co., staged reading); Rocky Horror Show (Two Cent Lion), SCOUTS (independent project, staged reading); Clink Clink (Two Cent Lion); Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. (Philomela Productions). You may also recognize her from her role as Medusa in The Tragedy of Medusa (Two Cent Lion). She also serves on the board of Impact Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating arts classes, arts programs, and exhibitions in and around the criminal legal system in Colorado. You can find her next at Two Cent Lion, where she will direct a full production of SCOUTS by Ashley Campbell.
Clove Love

STAGE MANAGER
Clove Love is a Theatre Professional that specializes in Directing, Intimacy Professionalism, Playwriting, Theatre Education, and Stage Management. They believe in theaters innate power to change minds, lives, and worlds, dedicating themself to remaining active in the theatrical arts and contributing to the health of performance as an art form. Clove is incredibly thankful to Shifted Lens Theatre Company for offering them a space to create and make captivating art happen. Clove has taken part in 5 of Shifted Lens' productions since the company's inaugural debut with Cruel Intentions: the 90s Musical in August 2024, in which they were the Stage Manager for. Clove most recently had their directorial debut, post receiving their B.A. in Theatre Arts and Education, at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, CO with a reimagined, queer, regency Romeo & Juliet. You can find out more about Clove's journey as a multidisciplinary theatre artist at their website, www.cloveslove.com or their instagram @clovedirects
Maxwell O'Neill

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Maxwell O'Neill is excited to join Shifted Lens once again, right after the success of The Legend of Anne Bonny. O'Neill is the resident lighting designer for Two Cent Lion (Henry Award winning production of Clink Clink; The Tragedy of Medusa, Josie's Diner). He also is the technical director for the Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast Colorado's Elusive Ingredient.
Aspen McCart

SOUND DESIGNER
Aspen McCart (She/They) is a sound designer and recent graduate of the University of Denver, where they earned degrees in Political Science and Theatre with a distinction in Technology and Production. Recent sound design credits include Everybody at the University of Denver, The Legend of Anne Bonny with Two Cent Lion and Shifted Lens, and Spring Awakening with Impact Theatre Collective. As a young, queer, AFAB artist, Aspen is so excited to be working on a project like this one with a company like Shifted Lens.
"Thank you so much for your continued support and kindness"
Lexie Lazear

COSTUME/PROPS/PROJECTIONS DESIGNER
Raya Bradeen

ASSISTANT STANG MANAGER/RUN CREW

CAST BIOS

Maria Cina

NAN CARTER
Maria Cina (she/they) is delighted to be making her Shifted Lens debut as Nan, a truly fantastic opportunity she will forever be grateful for. Maria originally hails from Madison, Wisconsin where they began acting at the age of 13 (a full-time Dendrite since November 2024). She has acted, directed, costumed, and makeup designed, working within the educational, community, and professional sectors of the industry. Recent performance credits include Juliet, Puck, and other roles in Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (The Denver Center for the Performing Arts), Hera in The Tragedy of Medusa (Two Cent Lion), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (Thin Air Shakespeare), and Ariel in The Pillowman (Commonweal Theatre Company). She has also assistant directed Russian Troll Farm (Strollers Theatre Company) and Good People (Commonweal Theatre Company). She holds an Acting Certificate from the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland.
Aidan Blank

KYLE CARTER
Aidan Blank is a Denver-based actor and movement choreographer. You may have seen his choreography recently in Romeo & Juliet (prod. Upstart Crow) or seen them perform as George in The Legend of Anne Bonny (prod. Shifted Lens/Two Cent Lion) or Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet (prod. Upstart Crow). Aidan is incredibly excited to be a part of this talented cast and crew while also relishing the opportunity to sit in a chair for almost every line they deliver. Thank you for coming to support us and enjoy the show!
Anneliese Farmer - Smith

SWEETHEART
Anneliese Farmer - Smith is a Denver-based actor and director with a B.A. in Acting from the University of Northern Colorado. She has performed with companies such as Firehouse Theater Company, Equinox Theatre Company, Lost and Found Productions, and Three Leeches. Anneliese has also directed and performed in a variety of immersive productions throughout the US. She is the Owner and Artistic Director of Elevate Immersive and is thrilled to be working on her first production with Shifted Lens!
Jysten Atom

SIMON
Jysten Atom (they/he) is thrilled to work again with Shifted Lens! Beyond the stage, Jysten is an accomplished songwriter with music streaming on most platforms: check out their latest release [ Enter Course: Black Out ]. You can catch them next at The Clocktower Cabaret on March 10 performing in an original piece, Operation Happy Hour, for a play competition.
Recent stage credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Victor/Neville) with Vintage Theatre, Alabama Story (Joshua), Ripcord (Derek), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Sam) with Firehouse Theatre Company; The Legend of Anne Bonny (Calico Jack) with Shifted Lens/Two Cent Lion; Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (Djinni of the Lamp) and The Little Mermaid (Sea Captain) with Miners Alley Playhouse; The Minutes (Mr. Blake) with OpenStage; and Scrooge in Rouge (Charlie), X Minus One (Bob/Ken Daily/Gale) with Wheat Ridge Theatre.
Stream Jysten’s music and learn more at www.jysten.com or follow @jystenatom on Instagram!