Digital copy of the program for Poioumenon—A Medievalist Tragicomedy, by Starhouse Amateur Theatre Company

2. About the Show…
Somewhere in Europe, sometime in the Middle Ages, four
archetypal performers (the Storyteller, the Poet, the Musician,
and the Clown), are imprisoned by an unseen tyrant king and
forced to perform for their lives night after night. Tonight, you
play the role of the king’s court and bear witness to one such
performance—a performance consisting of plays, masques,
dances, songs, puppet shows, and more, through which the
performers explore and debate their disparate philosophies on
and relationships to their circumstances. And throughout which
they hold out hope that maybe, just maybe, this will be the night
they are set free…
Poioumenon is an original work, written by Cassian Grove and
Rory Kinsolving.
Letter from the Director…
Poioumenon (poy-OO-men-on), taken from Ancient Greek, is a
literary term for a work about the process of creation, used
especially when the work is specifically about its own creation.
And this play is nothing if not about itself. After several years
unable to perform due to obvious global situations, it felt
incredibly apropos to produce something that grappled directly
with our own complex relationships to the act of artistic
creation.
Medieval art and literature have always been strong interests of
mine, so writing and directing something set in the middle ages
has been a dream come true. The complexity and richness that
the setting has allowed us have been so fun to play with at every
stage in the process (for example: this show has 10 languages in
the text, and 9 swords in the prop list—both record breaking!).
A show of this size would not be possible without the generosity
of our fiscal sponsor for this season—close friends of the
company, Playful People Productions. We owe them so very

3. much, for this show and for much more, and I cannot recommend
their company nor commend the good they do enough.
I am just so thrilled to be back to performing again, and at a scale
so much greater than anything Starhouse has ever attempted
before. I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say thank
you to all of you in the audience. We could not exist without your
support. “Gramercy lords and ladies all for attending to this
night’s masque.”
-Rory Kinsolving, Artistic Director
of Starhouse Amateur Theatre
Company
Sponsors…
Costumes sponsored by Jennifer Koga and Sam Grove
Set sponsored by April Durrett and Matt Reilly
Programs sponsored by Barb Galiotto
Puppets sponsored by Eunice Anderson
Acknowledgements…
Poioumenon is produced under the auspices of Playful People
Productions, Starhouse ATC’s fiscal sponsor for the season.
Certain headshots provided by Life and Phamily Photography
Instruments on loan thanks to Kristoph Klover of Flowinglass
Music and to Kevin Cloud.

4. Cast
The Storyteller……….…………………………………………..Cassian Grove
The Poet……………………………………………………………..Winter Kamas
The Musician…………………………………………………..Rory Kinsolving
The Clown……………………………………...………Lex O'Brien Lindquist
Castle Guard…………………………………………………..John Luis Soto Jr.
Ensemble…….…..Anika Weinberger, Nick Johnson, Eliza Singer
Crew
Director/Musical Director………….…..……………………Rory Kinsolving
Stage manager…………………………….……………………………Syl Tavernise
Assistant stage manager……………..………………………….Eva Waterman
Band……….………………..…………..… Anastasia Sullivan, Asher Burdick
Choreographer.…………….......………..………………………Bruce Hamilton
Assistant choreographer………………………….………..Fiona Kinsolving
Fight choreography and puppet design……..……Magnus Whitaker
Set design, logo design..………………………………….……..Cassian Grove
Set construction………………………………………..………………..Sam Grove
Costume design and construction…………..…Winter Kamas, Kenzie
Derbiondi
There will be a 15 minute intermission. We ask that you
maintain social distance and remain masked when not
eating, regardless of vaccination status.

5. The show…
● Ave Donna Santissima - (Vulgar Latin)
From the Laudario di Cortona, a 13th century collection of laude,
or Italian vernacular sacred songs.
● Creation Myth
A combination of multiple historical Slavic cosmogonic myth
archetypes, set to an instrumental version of “Stella Splendens,”
a 14th century piece from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat.
● "It lies not in our power to love or hate"
Christopher Marlowe, from Hero and Leander
● Morality Play
Drawing on the medieval European tradition of the morality play,
a form of allegorical theatre featuring personifications of
abstract concepts.
Pais Dinogad - (Old Welsh)
A lullaby thought to date back as far as the Kingdom of
Strathclyde in the seventh century, possibly the oldest extant
European lullaby.
Sleights Sword Dance
A traditional English morris dance, modified here to fit our
story, set to an instrumental version of “Tempus Transit
Gelidum,” a 11th-13th century piece from Carmina Burana.
● Gregis Pastor - (Latin)
Anonymous, circa 14th century. ALL SING
(Lyrics on next page)

6. INTERMISSION
Verse:
Gregis pastor Tityrus
Asinorum dominus
Noster est episcopus
Chorus:
Eia, eia, eia
Vocant nos ad gaudia
Tityri cibaria
Ad honorem Tityri
Festum colant baculi
Satrape et asini
(Chorus)
Applaudamus Tityro
Cum melodis organo
Cum cordis et tympano
(Chorus)
Veneremur Tityrum
Qui nos propter baculum
Invitat ad epulum
(chorus ad infinitum)
Tityrus, shepherd of the flock,
master of asses,
is our bishop.
Hey, hey, hey
We are called to celebrate
by Tityrus’ good food!
In honor of Tityrus
The feast of the staff is
celebrated
by satraps (local governors)
and asses!
Let us applaud Tityrus
With melodious organs
With harp and drum
Let us venerate Tityrus
Who, by his staff,
Invites us to the banquet

7. ● Danse de Cleves
This tune is associated with a 15th century basse danse, or "low
dance," from the Brussels Manuscript, and is here performed on
the pipe and tabor.
● Puppet Show
● A l'Entrada del Temps Clar - (Occitan)
A 12th-century Occitan work song, playfully mocking the king.
Verse:
A l'entrada del temps clar (eia)
Per jòia recomençar (eia)
E per jelós irritar (eia)
Vòl la regina mostrar
Qu'el'es si amorosa
Chorus:
A la via, a la via, jelós!
Laissatz nos, laissatz nos
Balar entre nos, entre nos.
El' a fait pertot mandar (eia)
Non sia jusqu'à la mar (eia)
Piucela ni bachalar (eia)
Que tuit non vengan dançar
En la dansa joiosa.
(chorus)
Lo reis i ven d'autra part (eia)
Per la dança destorbar (eia)
Que el es en cremetar (eia)
Que òm no li vòlh emblar
La regin' aurilhosa.
At the beginning of the bright
season
in order to be joyous again
and to annoy the jealous
the queen wants to show
that she is so amorous.
Hit the road, hit the road, you
jealous!
Let us, let us,
dance together, together.
She has had it announced
everywhere
that, as far as the sea
there shan't be maiden nor
young man
who shan't all come to dance,
in the joyous dance.
The king comes here
to disturb the dance
for he is in turmoil
that someone would want to
steal,
the April Queen.

8. ● Ich have y-don al myn youth
Anonymous Middle English poem
● Foulës in the frith
Anonymous Middle English poem
(chorus)
Mais per nïent lo vòl far (eia)
Qu'ela n'a sonh de vielhart (eia)
Mais d'un leugièr bachalar (eia)
Qui ben sapcha solaçar
La dòmna saborosa.
(chorus)
Qui donc la vezés dançar (eia)
E son gent còrs deportar (eia)
Ben pògra dir de vertat (eia)
Qu'el mont non aja sa par
La regina joiosa.
But his toil is in vain
for she doesn't care for an old
man
but for blithe young one
who would well know how to
please
the savory lady.
Whoever would see her dance
and her move her pretty body
could well say, by his troth
that she has no match in this
world,
the joyous queen.
Ich have y-don al myn youth,
Oftë, ofte, and ofte;
Longe y-loved and yerne y-
beden —
Ful dere it is y-bought!
I have done, all my youth,
Often, often, and often;
Loved long, and yearned
greatly —
And I have paid dearly for it!
Foulës in the frith,
The fishës in the flod,
And I mon waxë wod;
Sulch sorwe I walkë with
For beste of bon and blod.
Fowls in the wood,
The fish in the flood,
And I must go mad;
I walk with such sorrow
For the (beast/best) of bone
and blood.

9. (Note: due to the ambiguity of medieval spelling and
pronunciation, “beste” may translate as “best” or as “beast,”
meaning that the explicit meaning of this poem has been lost to
the ages.)
● Oak King Story
Drawing on Welsh and English mythology, namely Arthurian
legend and the Mabinogion.
La Roza Enflorese - (Ladino)
The errant knight’s riding song is a Sephardic folk song, written
in Ladino, also known as Judaeo-Spanish, the language of the
Sepharadi Jews.
Schiarazula Marazula
The sword fight is set to a medieval Italian folk tune first
transcribed by Giorgio Mainerio in 1582.
● Ja Nus Hons Pris - (Norman French)
A ballad written by Richard the Lionheart while captured by
Emperor Henrich VI of Austria in the last decade of the 12th
century.
Ja nus hons pris ne dira sa
raison
Adroitement, se dolantement
non;
Mais par effort puet il faire
chançon.
Mout ai amis, mais povre sont li
don;
Honte i avront se por ma
reançon—
Sui ça deus yvers pris.
No prisoner can tell his honest
thought
Unless he speaks as one who
suffers wrong;
But for his comfort as he may
make a song.
My friends are many, but their
gifts are naught.
Shame will be theirs, if, for my
ransom, here—
I lie another year.

10. Or sai je bien de voir
certeinnement
Que morz ne pris n’a ami ne
parent,
Quant on me faut por or ne por
argent.
Mout m’est de moi, mes plus
m’est de ma gent,
Qu’aprés ma mort avront
reprochement—
Se longuement sui pris.
N’est pas mervoille se j’ai le
cuer dolant,
Quant mes sires met ma terre
en torment.
S’il li membrast de nostre
soirement
Quo nos feïsmes andui
communement,
Je sai de voir que ja trop
longuement—
Ne seroie ça pris.
The ancient proverb now I
know for sure;
Death and a prison know nor
kind nor tie,
Since for mere lack of gold they
let me lie.
Much for myself I grieve; for
them still more.
After my death they will have
grievous wrong—
If I am a prisoner long.
No marvel that my heart is sad
and sore
When my own lord torments
my helpless lands!
Well do I know that, if he held
his hands,
Remembering the common
oath we swore,
I should not here imprisoned
with my song,—
Remain a prisoner long.
● Ech day me comëth tydinges thre
Anonymous Middle English poem
Ech day me comëth tydinges
thre,
For wel swithë sore ben he:
The on is that Ich shal hennë,
Each day three thoughts come
to me,
Which make me sorely worried:
The first is that I will die,

11. ● Masque
A masked play, drawing heavily on Ancient Greek theatre. It
begins with a traditional invocation of the gods.
● Mirie It Is While Sumer Ilast - (Middle English)
An early 13th century song of unknown origin, one of the oldest
songs in the English language.
● Ave Donna Santissima
Mirie it is while sumer ilast
With fugheles song.
Oc nu necheth windes blast and
weder strong.
Ey ey what this nicht is long.
And ich with wel michel wrong
Soregh and murne and fast.
Merry it is while summer lasts
With fowl’s song.
But now nears the wind’s blast
and strong weather.
Oh, oh, how this night is long!
And I, having done much
wrong
Sorrow and mourn and fast.
That other that Ich not
whennë,
The thriddë is my mestë carë,
That Ich not whider Ich shal
farë.
The second that I know not
when,
And the third worries me most,
That I don’t know where my
soul will go.

12. Cassian Grove: I am a founding member of
Starhouse ATC and co-writer for this play. I have
participated in theatre for over a decade and done
a little bit of every role, both onstage and off. I also
love to write, draw, sing, and sew.
Rory Kinsolving: I co-founded
Starhouse ATC and co-wrote
Poioumenon. I've been involved in theatre and
performance in some way or another since
approximately my birth, on- and off-stage, but I
find myself happiest directing. Outside of theatre,
I’m also a musician and songwriter, and my music
can be found at roryjohn.bandcamp.com.
Winter Kamas: I am one of the founding
members of Starhouse ATC and lead costumer for
this production. Though most of my theater
experience has been from working backstage in
the scene and costume shop, I am excited to be on
stage once more for this show.
Lex O'Brien Lindquist: I am excited to be part of
my first show with Starhouse. My past shows
include SCP’s Jekyll and Hyde (2019), and WVC’s
Into The Woods (2021). I am currently employed
by California’s Great America and the city of
Sunnyvale and will be featured in SCP’s next show,
Working!
Anastasia Sullivan: From Southern California, I'm
a multimedia artist and guest musician with
Starhouse ATC. As a violinist, I've performed in
venues such as the Los Angeles Convention Center,
La Madeliene Church, and been invited to perform
at Carnegie Hall. Currently a full-time student at
CSUS pursuing a BM in Composition.
Biographies…

13. Asher Burdick: I'm an instrumentalist joining
Starhouse ATC for the first time! I work as a game
graphics engineer by day and composer/multi-
instrumentalist by night. The last time I performed
on stage was in theater camps as a kid, so I'm
excited to stretch my legs on stage again!
Syl Tavernise: I'm a stage manager for Starhouse
who also pinch-hits for other companies' tech needs. In college, I'm
often an assistant stage manager. Locally, I'm usually mixing sound or
fading lights. I'm an Environmental Science major with a minor in
Dance—because bodies are the best science communication we have.
Kenzie Derbiondi: I’ve been sewing since I was very young and have
worked in theater both behind and in front of the curtain for just as
long! I started in dance and acting but found my true footing in back
stage and costume work!
Bruce Hamilton: I discovered dances of the British Isles in college,
and that's been half my life (besides work) since then. I've done
country dance, rapper sword, longsword and morris. I've danced for
fun and in shows, taught dancing and taught teachers, started classes
and judged festivals. Met my wife dancing.
Fiona Kinsolving: I was trained in classical ballet from the time I was
4 until my teens. I then returned to my roots and did competitive
Highland dancing. I’ve been an avid Scottish Country Dancer for over
40 years and am a fully certificated Scottish Country Dance teacher. I
also enjoy folk dancing and dancing with cats.
Magnus Whitaker: I was a founding member of Starhouse and created
the first rendition of our current logo. I choreographed both fight
sequences and designed the puppets for this production. I’ve dabbled
in almost all art forms and do commissions in any medium. Paintings,
drawings, props, costumes, etc. I also act and sing.
Want to join us onstage? We would love to
have you!
Visit our Get Involved page for more
information:
starhouseatc.com/get-involved

14. Check out our friends and fiscal sponsors at
Playful People Productions!
Winnie the Pooh
Ages 4-11
Performs October 8-30
Shrek the Musical
Ages 11+
Performs November 4-13
Get involved in their fall season,
With fun shows for all ages
www.playfulpeople.org
Playful People is positive,
inclusive, family theatre