The image shows the word “PROOF” in large yellow letters with “by David Auburn” below it. In the background, a person writes equations on a chalkboard, and a dark silhouette of a person's profile is visible in the foreground.

Proof

June 24 – 28, Gladys G. Davis Theater

In the Pulitzer and Tony-winning drama Proof, David Auburn has fashioned an extraordinary play – a gripping exploration of loss, guilt, discovery, love and the elusive nature of truth. Catherine has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, Robert. When he dies she has more than grief to deal with: There’s her estranged sister, Claire, and Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that Robert left behind. And a further problem: How much of her father’s madness – or genius – will Catherine inherit?

Purchase Tickets

Gallery

Two people stand on a wooden porch holding coffee cups. One wears a yellow coat and gestures while the other, in glasses and a gray hoodie, listens. Behind them is a rustic house with blue siding and large windows.
Four people stand smiling on the porch of a rustic stage set resembling a wooden cabin, with various props like potted plants, outdoor furniture, and a trash can on the ground in front.
Two people stand on a stage set resembling a porch, one sipping a drink and the other facing them. Blue lighting highlights the scene, with outdoor furniture visible in the background.
A man in a sweater and tie stands as a woman in casual clothes pulls at his jacket on a stage set resembling a house with a porch, under dramatic blue lighting.
A woman in blue pajamas sits barefoot on wooden steps, looking upset. She clasps her hands together. An empty bottle and a clay pot lie on the ground nearby. A wicker bench is on the porch behind her.
A woman in a black dress and glasses smiles at a man in a suit with curly hair and red sneakers. They stand on a stage set resembling a porch, with blue lighting and a wooden house backdrop.
Three people on a stage set resembling a backyard. One stands on a wooden porch in a robe, while two others face them from the ground. Outdoor furniture, potted plants, and props are scattered around the scene.
An older man sits on a porch bench, looking down, while a younger woman in a beanie and coat stands beside him holding a notebook. The background features a stylized house set.
Three people stand on a wooden porch set with blue walls and windows, engaged in conversation. One man gestures with his hands, while the woman faces him and another older man stands to the side, watching.

The Creative Team

Director – Lynn Antunovich

Lynn Antunovich (Director) is thrilled to be joining WVPT for Proof. Recent directing credits include The Wolves (Take 2 Players), POTUS (Modern Classics Theater Company), Doubt (Studio Theater Long Island), Lost in Yonkers (BayWay Arts Center), and Fifty Words (Carriage House Players). When not directing she can be found teaching acting classes at Take 2 Actors Studio in Huntington, NY. Deep gratitude to Jerry, Joe, and the entire WVPT team for the opportunity. So much love to her husband Jason for holding down the fort at home. For Shane, always.

Scenic Designer – Tetta M. Askeland

Tetta M. Askeland (she/her/hers) is a scenic designer and educator based in Minnesota. She holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern College, an MFA in Scenic Design from Kent State University, and a doctorate in education with an emphasis in educational technology from Winona State University. Her doctoral work focused on integrating AI into the design process to improve visual communication. In addition to freelance work, Askeland teaches theatrical design and technical theatre at Southwest Minnesota State University, where she teaches design, management, and technology classes. 

Costume Designer – Trace Reid Swisher

Trace Reid Swisher (he/him) is excited to be back for his third summer season at WVPT! Trace made his company debut as costume designer for the 2024 production of Steel Magnolias, returning the following summer for Driving Miss Daisy. Now based in Pittsburgh, PA, Trace’s recent work has been seen at the Glitterbox Theater and the Pittsburgh Savoyards. Following Proof, he will be beginning work at Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

Lighting Designer – Ryanne Fury

Ryanne Fury (Lighting Designer) is a second year MFA Lighting Design student in the School of Theatre & Dance. She has designed lighting for WVU’s productions of The Rimers of Eldritch, Amour, Dance Now! 2025 and 2026. She works as a Lighting Designer and Electrician in the Cleveland Area when she isn’t in school. She thanks her family and her partner, Logan, for all of their support.

Sound Designer – Chuck Hatcher

Chuck Hatcher has been a professor and and freelance sound designer for over 35 years. Chuck served as the head of the BFA/MFA sound design training program at the University of Cincinnati/CCM fo 13 years and was the resident sound designer/engineer at Cornell University for 12 years. Although retired from full time work, recent productions include The Memory Exam for Oberon Theatre Collective in NYC and Much Ado About Nothing for Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He relocated to Morgantown in 2022 with his wife, WVU faculty member and scenic designer, Tammy Honesty. He is a member of the theatrical designers union, USA829, retired.

Prop Designer – Kate Brittingham

Kate Brittingham manages the WVU School of Theatre and Dance Scene Shop. She has worked as Properties Master at Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Chautauqua Opera, Theatre Baton Rouge, LOOK Musical Theatre, Swine Palace, and Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Favorite prop productions include Blackbeard: The Musical, In the Heights, and Frankenstein. Brittingham often coordinates props and builds custom furniture and hand props for regional theatre productions. She holds an MFA in Properties Technology from Louisiana State University and a BA in Theatre from California University of Pennsylvania. She is a proud member of the Society of Properties Managers and USITT.

Intimacy Director – Jessica Morgan

Jessica is the Head of Graduate Acting and Associate Professor of Stage Movement for BFA/MFA Acting at WVU. She has worked as an Intimacy and Fight Director with The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Vintage Theatre Company, Cumberland Theatre Company, Shepherd University, Fairmont State University, and The Contemporary American Theatre Festival. She teaches workshops on consent and intimacy practices for theatre training programs and companies. Jessica is a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). 

Production Stage Manager – Diego Lara

Diego Lara is freelance stage manager and graduate of New Mexico State University. Recent projects include Into the Woods (Stage Manager, NMSU), A Christmas Carol (Stage Manager, NMSU), Beyond Therapy (Stage Manager, LCCT), Endgame (Asst. Stage Manager, No Strings Theatre Co), and that drive thru monterey (Stage Manager, NMSU). He would like to give special thanks to his mentor, Bobbi; his wonderful girlfriend, Greta; and his mom for their continued support :). Reach out via website at sm.dlara.net for inquiries.

The Cast

A woman with wavy, light auburn hair and fair skin smiles softly, looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a green top and is photographed against a dark, blurred background.

Claire – Acacia Daken

Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Acacia has an MA in Acting and an MFA in Voice Studies from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her screen credits include Francine Watson in the ABC drama Itch, and the lead role in the upcoming feature film Lies Within Us. Her stage credits include Laura in Black Swan State Theatre Company’s The Glass Menagerie; Nina in Stupid F*cking Bird, Beatrice in The Changeling and Procne in The Love of the Nightingale. Acacia is currently an Assistant Professor of Voice at WVU. 

A smiling older man with short gray hair wearing a black shirt, posing against a dark background.

Robert – Joe Olivieri

Joe Olivieri is a UCLA Emeritus Professor of Theater, where he was Head of the Undergraduate Acting program for 25 years.  Before joining the faculty at UCLA, he was head of the MFA and BFA Acting Programs at West Virginia University. A member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association (AEA), Joe has acted extensively regionally, including roles in the West Virginia Public Theatre’s productions of Sylvia (2017) and It’s A Wonderful Life (2018).  He also directed the 2023 WVPT production of Narnia: The Musical.  Joe is thrilled to be back at WVPT!

Hal – Giuseppe Pipicella

Giuseppe Michael Pipicella is an international actor, active in the United States and Italy. He earned an MFA in Acting at the University of Central Florida and has worked with Utah Shakespeare Festival (The Comedy of Errors), Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (Richard III), Teatro Stabile delle Arti Medioevali (Egg – the Magic of Naples), AnimaScenica (Etruschi: tesori e miti del mare), Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Henry VI: Part I, The Comedy of Errors, Henry V and others), Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival and other companies across the US. Follow him on IG @gmpipicella

A person with short, light brown hair smiles broadly at the camera, wearing a light blue denim shirt over a black top, against a plain light green background.

Catherine – Allison Wolter

Allison Wolter is a performer, artist, and adorable oddball originally from Pittsburgh, PA. Graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (BFA in Musical Theater) and Stella Adler Studio. Outside of performing, Allison is an avid baker and Beatle-maniac, loves finding or making eclectic clothes, and is a total nerd about Shakespeare! They would like to give their love and thanks to their wonderful family and friends and are so excited to be joining WVPT for Proof!